A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 453 The Calamity Ends
Huangfu Changhen looked at the scene reflected in the water mirror, his expression changed slightly, and he looked at Gu Xu with a hint of hesitation. The others were also stunned when they heard this. Although they did not know what this calamity energy was, they knew from the boundless evil energy that it was not a good thing.

"Indeed, it is indeed the aura of calamity. I originally thought that after the trip to Chess City, the aura of calamity that permeated the martial world would dissipate. However, I did not expect that there were still some that had escaped. If we do not deal with it in time, once this aura of calamity spreads out, the entire martial world will suffer a great loss of vitality. It will take at least thirty or forty years to recover. Moreover, the first place to be calamized by the aura of calamity is Sword Forging City, which has the best fortune."

Gu Xu pointed his finger, and a slight ripple appeared in the water mirror. After a flash of clear light, everyone looked and saw that the long snake formed from the calamity energy had straightened its body and was constantly sucking in the direction of the Sword Casting City. Strands of scorching flames were continuously sucked into its belly. As more and more scorching energy was sucked in, the long snake became larger and larger, and rolling baleful energy gathered under its body, constantly spreading to all directions of the Sword Casting City. Some even reached into the earth vein water.

"This……"

Looking at the cracked earth, withered vegetation, and murky sewage, the Sword Master's expression changed drastically. If this malevolent energy were to surge into the city, there would surely be very few survivors.

"Master, what should we do?"

"Don't worry, things have taken a turn for the better."

Gu Xu reached out and flicked the water mirror. In the dim light, several familiar figures could be seen rushing out of the Sword Forging City and heading straight for the enemy camp. With the help of Gu Xu's water mirror technique, Sword Master and the others quickly recognized them as Elders Sai Huatuo, Yao Yuansheng, and Jian Yang. At the same time, the serpent of calamity energy in the water mirror seemed to have noticed something and moved. Its pair of crimson eyes, like two lanterns, looked towards Sai Huatuo and the others.

Just as Sword Master and the others were terrified, Gu Xu pressed his palm on the water mirror, and ripples spread outwards. A faint light instantly enveloped Sai Huatuo and the others who were running. The calamity serpent's eyes swept over it, but it did not find anything unusual. So it coiled up its body again and fell into a deep sleep to refine the scorching primordial energy it had absorbed.

“Old Poisoner, don’t you think something’s not right? We haven’t seen anyone patrolling along the way.”

Sai Huatuo cautiously looked at the brightly lit enemy camp not far away, feeling somewhat puzzled. Yao Yuansheng, upon hearing this, said, "Heh, patrols are alive, but how can they compare to this vicious thing? Look at what that is."

Yao Yuansheng pointed at Sai Huatuo, who immediately looked in the direction of his finger. He saw a silver ribbon floating in the air outside the enemy camp, moving according to a certain pattern. As it moved, pieces of silver light poured down, dyeing the road below a silvery white, which was very conspicuous in the dim light.

"Is this a snow moth?"

Sai Huatuo was somewhat uncertain.

"It's a snow moth."

"Didn't this thing become extinct decades ago?"

Since Jianyang and the others didn't know about the snow moth, Sai Huatuo explained it to them. It turned out that the snow moth was a very strange flying insect. The silvery powder produced in its body could be used to track in the dark. Once it touched the body, it would be more obvious in the darker the place, and it could not be washed off within three hours. Moreover, the scent it left behind could be smelled by specially bred poisonous insects.

At this point, Sai Huatuo paused slightly and said in a deep voice, "It must be Baicaojun who obtained this thing. Having this thing to guard the gate is much more useful than people."

"so what should I do now?"

Jianyang frowned as he watched the snow moths fluttering about.

"Don't worry, although these snow moths are troublesome, they are only afraid of water. As long as we get water on our bodies, the snow moths will not shake off the silver powder."

As Yao Yuansheng spoke, he took out his water pouch and poured it over his head. Sai Huatuo and the others followed suit. Soon, the group continued forward. When they passed through the snow moths, Jianyang noticed that the silver light had indeed stopped falling. He quickly held his breath and followed Yao Yuansheng and Sai Huatuo through the barrier.

Unbeknownst to them, an elder had a dead snow moth on his shoulder. After passing through the swarm of snow moths, the elder felt something on his shoulder. He reached out and brushed it away, and the snow moth left a silvery trail on his shoulder that stretched all the way to his hem.

"not good!"

Upon seeing this, Sai Huatuo's expression changed slightly. He hurriedly took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom, uncorked it, and splashed it onto the elder. A bitter smell immediately filled everyone's noses.

“This Pure Water can only temporarily suppress the smell on your body. We only have half an hour. We can’t continue to be so cautious. Old Poison Master, the plan needs to be changed.”

Originally, they planned to poison the water source first, then find Song Wuwei and his three companions, and then quickly leave after dealing with them. However, due to this unexpected turn of events, they no longer had enough time and had to change their plans to kill Song Wuwei and his three companions first, and then poison them.

“Song Wuwei and his three companions must be in the central tent, which must be heavily guarded. We need to find a way to lure them out, preferably by separating them, which would make them easier to deal with.”

"Leave this matter to us. A night attack will surely alert Song Wuwei and the other three. You two should go and poison them first. Three quarters of an hour later, when blue flames rise, that will be the signal to attack."

Jianyang wanted to make amends, so he immediately suggested acting as bait. Sai Huatuo and Yao Yuansheng exchanged a glance, then nodded to Jianyang and handed him a packet of powder, instructing him, "This is 'A Leaf to Blind the Eyes.' It can temporarily confuse the opponent's vision after being scattered. Use it with caution."

Jianyang put away the medicine powder, nodded to Yao Yuansheng, and immediately split into two groups. Jianyang led the three elders straight to the brightest place, while Yao Yuansheng and Sai Huatuo carefully came to the water source. Seeing that there were patrolling people there, Yao Yuansheng flicked his finger, and with two thuds, the two people immediately fell to the ground.

"This is it."

When Yao Yuansheng made his move, Sai Huatuo was vigilantly scanning the surroundings from a short distance away. No outsiders came during this time, which relieved Sai Huatuo.

"Let's go. The Soothing and Softening Powder will spread as soon as it enters the water. Even if they don't drink the water, it will still enter their bodies through the air. Right now, there is a northwest wind. It's truly a godsend."

Yao Yuansheng handed Sai Huatuo a pill, which was the antidote for the Soothing and Softening Powder. The latter took it and swallowed it. Just then, a sound of fighting came from the southeast, and a fierce flame shot into the sky, turning the horizon red. At the same time, blue flames exploded in the sky. The two looked at each other and rushed towards the direction of the flames.

"Oh no, they have accomplices! Take them down quickly!"

As Song Wuwei was resting in his tent, he heard his disciple report that the people of Sword Forging City had launched a night raid. Overjoyed, he quickly dressed, grabbed his weapon, and left the tent. Bai Cao Jun, Gou Xun, and Hua Qianying also emerged. Hearing the sounds of battle approaching from afar, the four exchanged a glance, then moved swiftly to the scene of the clash. "Good, so it's the Grand Elder of Sword Forging City. Capturing him is enough."

When Song Wuwei approached, his eyes lit up when he saw the five people surrounded in the middle. The others were one thing, but Jian Yang was a big shot in Sword Casting City in terms of both status and position. If he could capture him, it wouldn't be impossible to force Jian Xiong to open the city gate. In that case, he could reduce his own losses.

When Baicaojun and the other two saw Jianyang, their eyes flickered slightly. They were all thinking about how to capture him. The three of them exchanged glances, and Hua Qianying took the lead. With a delicate shout, a purple ribbon shot out from her hand and swept towards Jianyang. Baicaojun and Gou Xun were not to be outdone. One of them launched a Hundred Poison Golden Needle, and the other attacked with a pair of flying wheels. The three masters attacked at the same time, and the five people trapped in the middle of Jianyang all sensed it.

"Everyone, be careful."

Jian Yang swept aside several soldiers who were attacking him with his sword, then leaped into the air, forcing out Hua Qianying's purple ribbon. He swung it in mid-air, instantly sweeping away the Hundred Poison Golden Needles. Just as he landed, Gou Xun's double-bladed flying wheel came rushing in with a strong wind. Jian Yang's face darkened, and he slashed horizontally with his longsword, colliding with the flying wheel. Sparks flew everywhere. Jian Yang felt a powerful force, and his true energy stagnated. He took a step back to the side, dissipating the force.

"Let's see how long you can hold out!"

Song Wuwei did not participate in the encirclement and kill. Jian Yang alone might be able to defeat one of them, but if all three attacked together, defeat was the only outcome. The remaining four elders were gradually separated by the other sect leaders and elders. Although they had not yet been defeated, it was only a matter of time.

Just as Jian Yang forced Gou Xun's double-bladed flying wheel back, Hua Qianying's purple ribbon swept towards him with a strong wind. Jian Yang dared not let the ribbon collide with his longsword, so he immediately switched the sword to his left hand, made a feint, and a scorching sword aura shot out, causing the double-bladed flying wheel to pause slightly. He then gathered his strength in his right hand and swung out a blazing palm. The purple ribbon, which was rushing forward with a fierce wind, was caught off guard and hit by the scorching palm aura. The front part was instantly burned black. If Hua Qianying had not withdrawn in time, the ribbon would have been lost.

"As expected of the chief elder of Sword Forging City, your martial arts are indeed not weak. It's just a pity that you have already been poisoned by my Thousand Spider Poison. If you recklessly use your true energy again, the poison will attack your heart, and even a great immortal would have difficulty saving you."

Bai Cao Jun held a golden needle in his hand, ran it across his eyebrow, and sneered at Jian Yang. Upon hearing this, the latter looked at his right palm and saw a black dot in the center, with a wisp of black energy swirling around it. He tried to circulate his energy, but felt that his internal energy was not flowing smoothly. With a "poof," he spat out a mouthful of blood, leaned on his sword, and knelt down, his face turning ashen.

"Elder Jianyang, please forgive me."

Bai Cao Jun nodded to Gou Xun and Hua Qianying. The two understood and immediately withdrew their hands and stepped aside. Bai Cao Jun moved in an instant and came in front of Jian Yang. Just as he was about to press the pressure point of the other party, Song Wuwei's voice suddenly came.

"There are helpers!"

Just as he was stunned, Baicaojun felt a pain in his chest. He looked up and his eyes widened in surprise. He saw that Jianyang, who had been hit by the Thousand Spider Poison Needles, was no longer half-dead as before. His long sword had pierced through his chest and was pulled out with a spray of blood, which splattered on Jianyang's face.

"impossible!"

Jian Yang was clearly stabbed by the Thousand Spider Poison, so why doesn't he show any signs of being poisoned?

"Ha, those crooked and unorthodox methods, how could they possibly know the true strength of my Sword Forging City?"

This time, Jian Yang was indeed poisoned by the Thousand Spider Poison. However, before leaving, Jian Xiong gave him the protective jade pendant that Gu Xu had given him. After Bai Cao Jun approached, he immediately used the jade pendant to neutralize the Thousand Spider Poison. Only then did he take the opportunity to kill one person decisively, which terrified Song Wuwei and the other two.

Jian Yang struck Bai Cao Jun with a palm, sending him flying and crashing into Hua Qianying. The two were immediately in a sorry state. By the time Hua Qianying got up, Bai Cao Jun was already dead. Meanwhile, Song Wuwei and Gou Xun were joining forces to kill Jian Yang. Upon seeing this, Hua Qianying's expression changed, and she gritted her teeth and joined in.

Jian Yang wielded his Dragon Riding Slash with ease, barely managing to block Song Wuwei and Gou Xun's killing moves. However, upon seeing Hua Qianying rushing towards him, his expression changed slightly. He made a decisive move, deflecting the double-edged flying wheel and the narrow slender sword with a single sword strike. He then pulled out a packet of "One Leaf Obscures the Eyes" given to him by Yao Yuansheng and scattered it. Instantly, a cloud of turbid mist appeared, obscuring the view.

Upon seeing this, Jianyang immediately retreated and ran towards his brothers. Since Song Wuwei and the other two did not know whether the mist was poisonous, they dared not make any rash moves and could only cover their mouths and noses as they ran towards the outside. For the moment, they could not take care of Jianyang.

A whooshing sound came from the air, and Song Wuwei hurriedly dodged to the side, avoiding two hidden weapons. But before he could relax, a volley of flying needles shot towards him. Song Wuwei's expression changed drastically. He wielded his slender sword, and the clanging sound rang out continuously. When all the flying needles were deflected, Sai Huatuo emerged from the murky mist. Looking at Song Wuwei, whose body was covered with dragon whisker needles and who was barely clinging to life, Sai Huatuo snorted coldly and shattered Song Wuwei's heart meridian with a palm strike from a distance.

Just as Song Wuwei was killed, the serpent of calamity energy that was circling in the sky finally realized something was wrong and was about to make a move when suddenly two beams of light, one green and one white, shot out from the Sword Casting City. They spun in mid-air and stopped above the serpent of calamity energy. When the light dissipated, it was revealed to be Gu Xu's Soul Cleansing Heart Mirror and Kui Dragon Ruyi.

"This is!"

Jianxiong, who was waiting for the signal on the city wall, was startled when he saw the two beams of light. He looked in the direction from which the light appeared and saw two familiar figures standing in the air.

"Father, Taoist Priest!"

Jianxiong was overjoyed. When Jiuzhongxian, Saixishi, Liu Yiyi, Xiaoyaolang, and the four sword envoys heard Jianxiong's words, they immediately turned around and were surprised to see Gu Xu and Jianzun standing on the Sword Hall.

"Lord of the City, Taoist Priest!"

The calamity-inducing serpent looked at the treasure mirror and the Kui dragon scepter with apprehension, not daring to make a rash move. In the short time that followed, Gou Xun was also killed by Yao Yuansheng, and the only remaining Hua Qianying was also in grave danger. Just then, Jianxiong saw a red signal rising in the direction of the enemy camp, and his spirits lifted. With his father and the Taoist priest returning, he was full of confidence. He drew his longsword, raised it high, and shouted. The people of Sword Forging City, who were already prepared, rushed towards the enemy camp in an orderly manner. Instantly, dust billowed and the sound echoed across the fields.

"kill!"

Without Song Wuwei and others, the alliance of various factions was like a pile of loose sand. Even if someone stepped forward to take charge, they were quickly killed by Jian Yang and others. After several such incidents, no one dared to show their face. The Sword Casting City was unstoppable. Some factions immediately changed their tune and surrendered. Some even defected to the Sword Casting City to deal with the stubborn factions.

As more and more people surrendered, the alliance of various factions immediately collapsed. The Calamity Serpent, seeing that the Treasure Mirror and Ruyi remained motionless, began to absorb the war aura below. Just as it had absorbed all the war aura, Gu Xu pointed his fingers, and the Soul Purifying Mirror and the Kui Dragon Ruyi instantly shone brightly, one green and one white, forming a Tai Chi symbol, suppressing the Calamity Serpent. An unnamed fire began to burn the Calamity Serpent.

The serpent of calamity was unwilling to be refined and roared incessantly. Its rolling baleful energy constantly crashed against the blue-white energy shield, but the shield was extremely tough and remained unmoved no matter how it was attacked. As Gu Xu continuously injected true energy, after several breaths, with the assistance of the two treasures, the serpent of calamity let out a mournful cry and scattered into countless black light spots. It was then burned by the nameless fire and finally turned into wisps of black smoke, dissipating between heaven and earth.

(End of this chapter)