A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 429 Seizing the Sword
With a flick of his finger, Gu Xu sent a beam of clear light onto Yan Zangfeng. The latter felt a cool sensation seep into his lungs, his dantian filled as if by a clear spring, his true qi continuously condensed, and the heat in his heart subsided.

"Taoist Master."

Yan Zangfeng drew his sword and approached Gu Xu. The latter nodded to him, signaling him to step aside. He then took a few steps forward to face Guan Yutian directly.

Master Gu Xu

Guan Yutian's heart sank when he saw Gu Xu appear. Even the Arrow Shadow couldn't stop him. This person's cultivation was truly astonishing. Seeing him approach, he became extremely vigilant. However, seeing that Gu Xu made no other move, he gradually relaxed and clasped his hands in a salute, saying, "Daoist Master is a person who has transcended the world. Why bother getting involved in this mess? The Frost Sword belongs to my clan and rightfully belongs to me. Daoist Master, setting up this formation to block me is rather unreasonable."

Guan Yutian was not confident in dealing with Gu Xu. He had only just checked and found that he could not sense Gu Xu's aura at all, as if the person did not exist. This greatly shocked him.

"Alliance Leader Guan, although the Ling Shuang Sword belongs to your clan, it is the culmination of three generations of the Jian family's efforts. Moreover, this sword is extremely demonic. Once it is unearthed, it will likely suffer the same fate as Ying Shuntian five hundred years ago, being devoured by the demonic sword and dying. Alliance Leader Guan's Supreme Alliance is thriving. If you were to possess the demonic sword, it would likely lead to widespread suffering and devastation."

Gu Xu's calm words ignited Guan Yutian's anger. What he called "death and destruction" was just an excuse. Did he need anyone else's permission to take back what was his? If he claimed it was a demonic sword, did the sword fall into the hands of the Sword Forging City and not cause widespread death and destruction?

The same thing, two different versions of the story—it's truly hard to believe.

"Daoist Master is joking. The Supreme Alliance owes its current status entirely to the support of our clan, and the Frost Sword is the clan's most precious treasure, which must not be lost. Does Daoist Master truly intend to oppose our clan?"

Guan Yutian's face turned cold, and he asked Gu Xu in a stiff tone. Gu Xu replied calmly, "Alliance Leader Guan, you may carry the Nine Dragon Stone with you."

Guan Yutian was taken aback upon hearing this, then said solemnly, "Of course I will carry it with me."

As he spoke, Guan Yutian took the Nine Dragon Stone from his cloth bag and held it with one hand. The Nine Dragon Stone glowed slightly, and golden light patterns rippled outwards. However, due to the obstruction of the formation, they stopped within a few feet. Instantly, a golden light screen enveloped the area. Everyone looked closely and saw that within the golden light screen, phantom images of divine dragons were constantly moving, their roars echoing. They darted back and forth around the Nine Dragon Stone, which resembled a dragon pearl. With each movement, the Nine Dragon Stone would become brighter. In just a few breaths, the Nine Dragon Stone became a golden ball of light. The dazzling light made Ren Qianxing and Yan Cangfeng unconsciously shield their eyes with their hands.

"The Frost-Piercing Sword is about to be born, and it needs to be put into the Nine Dragon Stones in time. Alliance Leader, please."

Gu Xu glanced at the Nine Dragon Stone, then swept his sleeve, and the array covering the area slowly dissipated, revealing a blue stone path between the two. The path wound and twisted along the way, and at its end, a five-colored light flashed continuously. The Nine Dragon Stone in Guan Yutian's hand seemed to be attracted, and its golden light kept shrinking. A suction force came from a distance, almost pulling the Nine Dragon Stone away.

Guan Yutian quickly circulated his true energy to stabilize the trembling Nine Dragon Stone. He took a deep breath, glanced at Gu Xu, and then flipped his hand, putting the Nine Dragon Stone back into the cloth bag. He gave an order to Ren Qianxing, who immediately carried the unconscious Jian Xiong on his back. Guan Yutian took the lead and walked forward along the bluestone path, and Ren Qianxing hurriedly followed.

"Taoist priest?"

Yan Zangfeng looked at the swordsman on Ren Qianxing's back and said urgently.

"It's alright."

Gu Xu said something and slowly followed. Yan Zangfeng's expression changed several times, but in the end he still believed in the Taoist priest, sheathed his sword, and quickly walked up.

Just as Gu Xu removed the Heaven-Covering Dust Array, the battles in various parts of the array were nearing their end. This time, the Supreme Alliance suffered heavy losses. Black Spirit Daoist and the two hall masters, Zhu and Xue, were both killed. Of the three wandering immortals, only Mu Songxian remained. Although the two ghosts of the Southern Cave did not die, they were also covered in wounds. If they had not used their trump cards to defend against the enemy, they would have become two corpses by now.

"go!"

Seeing the dissipating formation, the two demons from the Southern Cave hurriedly threw out a ball of iron caltrops that shimmered with blood-red light. Jianyang and the other three quickly swung their swords to block them. After the formation was cleared, the two demons from the Southern Cave had vanished. Jianyang exhaled a breath of turbid air, looked at the three people beside him, and asked, "How was it?"

"It's alright. This deadly caltrop is truly vicious. If it weren't for the antidote pills that Doctor Yao had prepared in advance, Sixth Brother and the others would have suffered far more than just the loss of their internal energy."

An elderly man with white hair looked at the iron caltrops on the ground with lingering fear. The two ghosts of the Southern Cave had been besieged by the seven of them and were about to die, but three of them were injured by these iron caltrops. Because of this, the four of them became much more cautious in their attacks, which gave the two ghosts of the Southern Cave a chance to catch their breath.

"It's already good that we were able to save our lives. The formation dissipated on its own, which must have been the work of the Taoist priest. Let's go, hurry to the sword refining pool."

Jianyang had only taken a few steps when he turned to the white-haired old man beside him and said, "Second brother, take the third and fourth brothers and send the sixth brother and the others out first, then come and meet me later."

"Yes."

The old man should have said yes.

Jian Yang nodded and headed straight for the sword-forging pool.

On the other side, Huangfu Changhen withdrew his black whip, looked at the two old men in strange robes lying on the ground, and snorted coldly. That Mu Songzi was really vicious and ruthless. Although his two fellow cultivators were seriously injured, if they could work together, even with the support of the formation, it would not be easy for him to take them down in a short time.

"I wonder how things are going on the other side."

Huangfu Changhen hung the black whip at his waist. He had full confidence in Gu Xu, but his only concern was Helian Ba ​​and the others hiding in the shadows.

Just then, Huangfu Changhen was surprised to find that the white mist around him was thinning. In just a few breaths, the white mist completely dissipated, and the foundation crystal shattered on the spot with a crack.

"The Taoist priest has dispersed the formation; he must be ready."

Huangfu Changhen's spirits lifted, and he hurriedly ran towards the Sword Refining Pool. However, after running only a few feet, he saw a familiar figure disappear into a corner in the blink of an eye. Huangfu Changhen's expression changed several times, but in the end he gave up the pursuit of Rushen and continued to rush towards the Sword Refining Pool.

Not long after Huangfu Changhen left, Liao Rushen emerged from the corner of the wall. Looking in the direction Huangfu Changhen had gone, a glint flashed in his eyes. He used his lightness skill to quietly follow behind, trailing him all the way until they arrived at a cave with ever-changing, shimmering light.

"The fire energy here is strong; it must be a sword-forging pool. The Frost-Piercing Sword must be inside."

Liao Rushen silently sensed, but found nothing. He took out three copper coins and calculated, only to find that the heavenly secrets here were in complete chaos and he couldn't make sense of them at all. However, Liao Rushen was not surprised but happy. This Ling Shuang Sword was a variable in the world, so it could naturally stir up the heavenly secrets. The lack of results proved that the sword was right here at this moment.

“No, Sword Forging City has a large and powerful force; we still need to find some help.” Liao Rushen glanced at the cave again, then his figure flashed as he prepared to contact the others.

Because the formation had dissipated, Liao Rushen, relying on the Qimen Dunjia and the Qi-tracking techniques of the Tianji Sect, quickly found Helian Ba ​​and his group.

"Palace Master Helian."

Helian Ba ​​looked at Liao Rushen who had suddenly appeared, his expression unchanged. He waved his hand to dismiss the people around him and looked at Liao Rushen, saying, "What are you doing here? Where is Guan Yutian?"

"My alliance leader is currently in the sword forging pool. He wants me to tell the palace master that the Frost Sword is about to be born. We must not miss the opportune moment, otherwise, once the Sword Forging City realizes what's happening, neither of our families will be able to benefit."

Upon hearing this, Helian Ba ​​frowned, glanced at Ru Shen, and said in a deep voice, "What did Guan Yutian say?"

"The Alliance Leader has instructed the Palace Master to immediately head to the Sword Refining Pool and strike first. Just now, the formation set up by Daoist Gu Xu caused us great losses, with our troops suffering heavy casualties. The Supreme Alliance alone is no longer able to contend with the Sword Forging City, so the previous plan needs to be revised."

Liao Rushen stared intently at Helian Ba, who remained silent in thought. Meanwhile, Changyangzi's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he lightly waved his whisk.

“Brother Helian, time waits for no one. Only by joining forces can we have a chance of winning. If we are a step too late and the Sword Forging City gets the divine sword, our trip will have been in vain, and we will not be able to recover for at least 30 to 50 years.”

Changyangzi's lips twitched slightly as he transmitted his voice to Helian Ba. Upon hearing this, the latter's expression suddenly darkened. The formation set up by Gu Xu Dao Ren had not only caused the Supreme Alliance a great deal of trouble, but had also resulted in significant losses for the four families. Of the dozens of elite disciples he had brought, only twelve remained, and most of them had sustained injuries of varying degrees.

Thinking of this, Helian Ba's face darkened. Just then, a huge burst of energy came from afar, shaking the mountain wall and causing rocks to tumble down, kicking up dust.

"Such powerful strength! This power is not human; it must be an omen of the birth of a divine sword. Brother Helian, we cannot wait any longer!"

Fu Xiao, the leader of the Qingpeng Sword Sect, stepped forward and said urgently to Helian Ba.

Although Zhao Qian did not speak, his tightly clenched hands betrayed his feelings.

"You're a genius, lead the way."

Helian Ba ​​took a deep breath, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. Liao Rushen was also delighted upon hearing this. After glancing at everyone present, he stepped aside, gestured with his hand, and said to Helian Ba, "Palace Master Helian, please come with me."

As they spoke, Liao Rushen led the way, with Helian Ba ​​and his group following closely behind. They soon disappeared around the corner.

Just as Helian Ba ​​and his group left, a group of people dressed in black emerged from the side. The leader, a man in black wearing a mask of a one-horned demon, waved his hand forward and took the lead. The others followed closely behind with steady steps.

Inside the Sword Forging Pool, the factions were clearly defined. On the side of Sword Forging City were Gu Xu, Sword Master, and Abbess Si Xin, along with the Four Great Sword Envoys. On the side of the Supreme Alliance were Guan Yutian, Ren Qianxing, Mu Songzi, the leader of the Three Wandering Immortals, and the Two Ghosts of the Southern Cave. Each side occupied one side. In the lava in front, which emitted scorching heat, a golden dragon-shaped divine sword was floating up and down. The sword emitted a white rainbow sword light mixed with a trace of purple rainbow. However, under the tempering of the lava, as the sword body floated up and down, the purple rainbow gradually became imperceptible.

"Alliance Leader Guan, the Nine Dragon Stone must be thrown in the instant the purple rainbow turns into the white rainbow. It is no matter how early or late it is."

The pale-faced Sword Master stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute to Guan Yutian, and pointed to the Frost Sword in the lava.

"We won't miss the time for the divine sword to be born. Our alliance leader's aura is disordered, so it's best for him to sit quietly and recuperate."

Guan Yutian scoffed, then ignored the Sword Master and focused his gaze on the Frostbite Sword.

Upon hearing Guan Yutian's words, Sword Master actually sat down cross-legged on the spot, took out a pill from his robes and swallowed it to slowly recover his true energy. Upon seeing this, the four sword envoys immediately formed a circle around Sword Master to prevent outsiders from spying.

Ren Qianxing glanced at Gu Xu and saw that the other man stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes slightly closed, and an ancient-looking sword stuck in front of him. Meanwhile, Master Sixin was holding a seven-stringed zither and stroking the strings with her delicate hands, but no music came out.

"Master."

"Ah."

Ren Qianxing walked up to Guan Yutian's side, his eyes fixed on the Ling Shuang Sword in the lava. Mu Songzi and the two ghosts from the South Cave stared intently at the opposite side, waiting for Guan Yutian to get the Ling Shuang Sword before they made their move.

As for the unconscious Jianxiong, she was being watched over by several disciples, and no one noticed her for the time being.

A moment later, the magma within the lava suddenly erupted, causing the Frost Sword to rise and fall dramatically for a moment. The last trace of purple rainbow in the white rainbow sword light vanished rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye. Just as the purple rainbow disappeared, the white rainbow sword light intensified and shot straight into the sky, drawing everyone's attention.

Guan Yutian was already prepared to continue. With a surge of true energy, the Nine Dragon Stone in his hand flew towards the Ling Shuang Sword. The Nine Dragon Stone landed precisely three inches above the hilt of the sword, its golden light reflecting off the white rainbow. In just a few breaths, the Nine Dragon Stone suddenly flashed with golden light and finally transformed into a precious pearl the size of a luminous pearl. Nine phantom dragons flew out from it and circled the Ling Shuang Sword several times. Every time the phantom dragons circled the Ling Shuang Sword, the sword would rise one inch outward.

After a full quarter of an hour, the sword had completely separated from the lava, and the nine phantom dragons had all disappeared. Only a colorless and transparent bead of energy slowly merged into the sword. The already dazzling divine sword, with this help, shone even brighter. Then, the stone chamber flickered for a moment, and the divine sword's radiance suddenly dimmed. The sharp and noble aura that filled the space also disappeared abruptly, as if it had turned into an ordinary longsword in an instant.

Just as everyone was in astonishment, a glint flashed in Guan Yutian's eyes. He reached out and cut his finger, and a drop of blood landed squarely on the Ling Shuang sword. A flash of crimson light appeared, and with a crack, the Ling Shuang sword suddenly split open, pieces of iron filings fell off, and a golden radiance shot out in all directions.

"Do it!"

Guan Yutian let out a deep shout and took the lead in grabbing the Ling Shuang Sword. However, before he had gone far, a melodious zither tune came from the sound of the zither, causing Guan Yutian to pause. Without turning his head, Guan Yutian unleashed the Mighty Dragon Divine Palm. His left hand flashed with crimson light, and blood skulls shot towards the Sword Casting City. In just a moment, the dark blood mist had already trapped the Sword Casting City.

Just as Guan Yutian made his move, Ren Qianxing took the lead and was about to grab the Ling Shuang Sword when a black whip suddenly struck him. With a snap, if Ren Qianxing hadn't dodged quickly, it would have hit his waist.

"Huangfu Changhen!"

(End of this chapter)