Embers of Sword

Chapter 513 Four Secret Palaces
The roar gradually subsided.

In the darkness and shadows, the thick aura of blood dissipated.

"..."

Qin Baihuang stood up, his expression solemn. Behind him, the scions of the Northern Prefecture aristocratic families and the surviving rogue cultivators all turned their gazes toward the direction of the blood aura.

Mountains of corpses and seas of blood, banners fluttering in the wind.

Dressed in black, he sat alone atop a sea of ​​blood.

The secret palace was completed.

The man in black slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as the sea, radiating a chilling aura of power and killing intent.

"This is……"

"It's Xie Zhen! It's Xie Zhen!!"

After the mist dissipated, someone recognized the figure sitting atop the mountain of corpses and sea of ​​blood.

All of a sudden.

Chaos erupted in the secret palace of Xuanzhui Mountain.

The secret hall, emanating a bloody aura, was surrounded by corpses. The soul banners of the Yinshan evil cultivators were shattered and scattered everywhere, along with the broken armor and limbs of many Jiangning Prince's Mansion cultivators... Clearly, it had just experienced an extremely fierce battle. The blood aura was fresh; this secret hall, traveling through the void, emitted several times more blood aura than the other secret halls.

Although Xuanzhui Mountain also experienced a major battle.

But compared to this secret palace...

The smell of blood, however, is much "milder".

"Don't panic! Heed my command! Form ranks!!"

Qin Baihuang took a deep breath and gave the order in a low voice.

After the battle with the Heavenly Puppet Sect, Mount Suspended Cone suffered heavy casualties, but its cohesion was even stronger. The disciples of the Refining Division sat around the four sides of the secret hall and quickly formed an array. The survivors calmed their minds and gathered together. The array was completed in a few breaths, and a green wall rose from the ground. The limited Yuan Qi of the group formed this transparent wall, which dispelled much of the blood wind and cold that seeped from the void.

"Your Excellency, is this how you form a defensive formation?"

A rogue cultivator approached Qin Baihuang and earnestly advised, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Qin Baihuang said quietly, "What's wrong with it?"

The man gritted his teeth and said, "Xie Zhen just ambushed Ye Zu, and his sect has a precedent of betraying Da Chu ten years ago. If they meet again now, it will likely be a bloody battle. We might as well strike first..."

"Shut up."

Qin Baihuang coldly rebuked, "The truth has not yet come to light, how dare you smear it like that?"

“I…” The rogue cultivator looked aggrieved.

"The chaos in the southern border region today is all caused by the Paper Dolls Sect."

Qin Baihuang's voice was deep and resonant, each word spoken with force and conviction: "Lu Yuzhen had long anticipated the changes in the south and made arrangements in advance to drag Sect Master Wu into a desperate situation... The Paper Man Sect is most adept at impersonation. How can you be sure that the previous accusations against Xie Zhen were not deliberately spread by the Paper Man Sect?"

The rogue cultivator was somewhat stunned.

He wanted to say...

Could Ye Zu have made a mistake?

Qin Baihuang's face was extremely gloomy.

"Let's set this matter aside."

Qin Baihuang glanced expressionlessly at the rogue cultivator who was offering advice, and the latter immediately swallowed back what he wanted to say.

"...No one is allowed to move without my order!"

The great formation set up by the people of Xuanzhui Mountain emitted a faint blue-green light in the gloomy void, naturally attracting the attention of the secret palace opposite.

However, the young swordsman in black standing amidst the mountains of corpses and seas of blood merely cast a casual glance before turning his head away and gazing into the deeper darkness.

The conversation and remarks regarding the secret temple on Xuanzhui Mountain.

Xie Xuanyi's divine sense descended.

Every word was heard clearly.

Qin Baihuang was protecting himself. This Chief Qin indeed held unparalleled prestige and status in Xuanzhui Mountain, but while he could silence the gossip, he couldn't silence the discontent in people's hearts. Many cultivators in the secret hall still harbored hostility towards him, and Xie Xuanyi had no intention of explaining himself to them.

It's not just because he's indifferent or doesn't care.

More importantly, because he knew...

At this moment, explanations are futile.

The Crown Prince of Li Kingdom took him out of Yuangui Mountain only to "smear" his reputation.

The prince succeeded.

Because of those who smear me...

It is Ye Zu.

The old master of Hundred Flowers Valley is also the most senior among the Great Chu Yang Gods.

Xie Zhen's name was extremely popular that year, but compared to Ye Zu, he was still far behind.

Xie Xuanyi knew very well that standing up to argue at this moment would be a completely pointless act. The assassination attempt regarding the white paper barrier was, in the first place, a fabricated "false rumor" by the Paper Doll Sect. If he were to prove his innocence in front of everyone, he would only make things worse…

"Boom!"

Thunder roared once more in the void.

Not far away, two more secret palaces were approaching.

Just as Xie Xuanyi had predicted, corresponding to the number of disciples under the Great Sage Bai Ze, the outermost layer of this secret tomb was set up with a total of four secret halls!

At this moment, under the operation of the great formation, the four secret palaces all converged towards one place. In front of Xie Xuanyi, the pitch-black void suspended on the second level of the secret tomb began to burst forth with dazzling blue lightning.

It turns out that this secret palace was a raft, which was also the key.

Lightning spread through the void, vaguely outlining a huge portal, which must be the entrance to the secret tomb on the second level.

The void gate will only open once all four secret palaces have reached the shore.

Xie Xuanyi silently concealed his aura. During the time the secret hall traversed the void, he had absorbed all the "Diamond Fruits," and his comprehension of the Dao of Life had also improved as a result... He squinted at the two approaching secret halls, already prepared to ride his sword into the second level.

Xie Xuanyi understood perfectly.

One of these two secret halls must contain the spirit of Ancestor Ye!

Ye Zu was seriously injured in the battle of the White Paper Barrier... He may still be recovering, but Zhou, the Protector, is still in that secret hall.

Zhou is the number one Yin Spirit Realm cultivator in this Great Chu Demon Slayer event!
Xie Xuanyi had fought him many times in the past.

He knew very well that Zhou Wudao's talent was so high that achieving the Yang God realm was only a matter of time.

Although I have recovered some of my former cultivation level, it's best to avoid the sharp edge of a top-tier martial artist like Zhou...

really!

Soon, a square secret palace filled with murderous intent appeared from the far end of the void, inspiring fear in people even from afar.

Dressed in white, he stood at the end of the secret hall, his sleeves folded, exuding an aura of unparalleled power.

Zhou remained expressionless, his long hair swaying in the wind. His snow-white robes were stained with blood at the cuffs, and beneath his feet lay the corpses of several Yin God Realm evil cultivators.

Look.

Under the arrangement of the Void Array, the secret hall where Zhou was located was also attacked by the evil cultivators of the three major sects... However, under their absolute strength, these evil cultivators were all suppressed, and not a single person in the entire secret hall was injured or killed! The Jiang family, Hundred Flowers Valley, and Martial Sect all preserved their peak strength!
With a surge of divine sense, they met again across hundreds of feet. Zhou's divine sense instantly locked onto the secret hall where Xie Xuanyi was located. An extremely powerful battle intent condensed above Xie Xuanyi's head. However, due to the great distance, the only effect this battle intent could have was to intimidate.

Xie Xuanyi waved his sleeve, and the sword intent condensed by the Dao of Annihilation completely swept away Zhou Shen's thoughts.

Compared to Zhou.

He was more concerned about Ye Zu's condition.

This time.

He looked at Ye Zu again, and the old man surrounded by the crowd still opened his eyes immediately and responded to him.

Separated by the void.

Xie Xuanyi and Ye Zu looked at each other.

Ye Zu's complexion had improved considerably, and his lifespan, which had been as fragile as a candle in the wind, seemed to have been extended... It was likely that the treasures on the first level of the Bai Ze Secret Tomb had played a role in repairing the damage Ye Zu had caused by using the "Burning Flower Style." However, his body was still pale and bloodless. The treasures on the first level of the secret tomb had miraculous effects on most cultivators, but they were nothing to Yang Shen Realm cultivators.

If no more precious divine artifact is found, then Ye Zu will need a considerable amount of time to recuperate.

See here.

The "oppression" in Xie Xuanyi's heart lessened considerably.

If the Yang Shen realm expert doesn't intervene, then I still have room to maneuver. Zhou is indeed powerful, but I'm determined to leave; who in this secret tomb can stop me?
……

……

"Lord Ye Zu!"

"Sect Leader Zhou!"

On the side of Suspended Cone Mountain, they finally reunited with the allied forces of Da Chu. In an instant, countless divine thoughts descended.

"Brother Qin. Fellow Daoist Qian."

Zhou remained expressionless, merely exchanging a brief greeting with the two leaders of Suspended Cone Mountain. His divine sense remained locked on the secret palace where Xie Zhen was located. At this moment, the secret palace was still navigating, with thunder rumbling continuously in the void. If it weren't for the fact that the fourth secret palace had not yet appeared, and Ye Zu still needed to protect him personally... Zhou was even prepared to "cross the void" and go directly to find Xie Zhen.

With his current physical strength, he is already capable of forcibly resisting the void torrent and completing the crossing.

just.

Zhou knew very well that among the three major sects' evil cultivators who had entered the secret tomb, there were several extremely troublesome individuals.

The White Crane Immortal of Yinshan, the Six Desires True Lord of the Hehuan Sect, and the Plague Daoist of the Tiankui Sect.

All three of them had reached the peak of Yin Spirit cultivation.

If I were to leave the secret palace rashly, I fear I would be unable to deal with such a person on my own, relying solely on Ye Qinglian and Jiang Que.

This time, the tomb was entered...

Da Chu's last trump card was ultimately Ye Zu!

Therefore, no matter what, I must protect Ye Zuzhou!

Just as everyone was gathering at Da Chu's side, the fourth secret palace in the void finally appeared... However, this secret palace was the slowest to traverse, lagging behind the third secret palace by more than ten miles. Due to this distance, even if everyone tried to observe it with their divine sense, they could not see the specific scene clearly.

"Qiantian Palace, the Xu family of Bingzhou, the Prince of Jiangning's Mansion... have not yet shown themselves..."

Qian San frowned and muttered, "This fourth secret hall... should be the location of Qian Tian Palace and the Xu family?"

This time, Da Chu launched a campaign against the southern frontier.

The so-called "Hollow Family" and "Holy Land" are all that's needed.

In the first secret hall where Xie Zhen was located, a large number of the corpses of cultivators from the Jiangning Prince's Mansion appeared. In a sense, the Jiangning Prince's Mansion may have already "appeared".

However, no one from Qiantian Palace or the Xu family encountered them.

Finally, after several dozen breaths, the secret palace, which had been traveling the slowest, came into view!

This fourth secret hall was indeed the base of the Qiantian Palace and the Xu family.

However, at this moment, this fourth hall was shrouded in the blazing light of countless spells and magical artifacts!
Rumble!
Divine light burst forth across the sky!

Above the fourth secret hall, a blue dragon coiled, its appearance solemn and imposing. It was the secret technique of the Qian Tian Palace, the "Dragon Appearance Treasure Technique." The dragon's body meandered down, dividing the hall. Under the blessing of the Dragon Appearance Treasure Technique, the Xu family's "Spirit Sea Array" transformed into a vast ocean, constantly washing over the secret hall and bursting out a terrifying aura of the Dao!

However, this aggressive offensive was merely a defensive posture, suggesting a struggle to hold on.

On the other side of this secret hall.

He was the chief disciple of the Hehuan Sect, known as the "Six Desires True Lord".

Six crimson rays of light transformed into six blood-red grottoes, hovering above the secret hall. The Six Desires True Lord sat cross-legged in the void, single-handedly resisting the "Dragon Appearance Treasure Technique" and the "Spirit Sea Grand Array." A humanoid dharma image floated above him. The humanoid dharma image had two heads, one joyful and the other sorrowful, and also had four arms.

Of all phenomena, the human form is the most difficult to cultivate.

A human-shaped Dharma image signifies a "divine statue," and Xie Xuanyi's martial arts divine embryo is one such example.

Lu Yuzhen's "pure white saint" is also a human form of Dharma.

After reaching the Yangshen Realm, most of the Dharma Forms will change... Cultivators go against the heavens, first comprehending the Dao principles, then condensing the Dao Realm, and finally condensing the Dao Realm into the Great Dao, becoming the "Master of the Great Dao". In this process, the Dharma Form will acquire holiness and gradually become oneself, and the Great Dao and oneself will become one.

The so-called "manifestation of the Yang spirit" is based on this principle.

The "original form of the Yang God" that is seen by ordinary people is towering and majestic, but in reality it is just a manifestation of a Dharma.

When the Dharma arrives, supernatural powers arrive.

At this moment, the Dharma form revealed by the Six Desires True Monarch was two heads and four faces, with a terrifying appearance, but it possessed extremely vast and boundless power. It forcefully captured the majestic Azure Dragon of Qiantian Palace with its four hands and stepped on the Xu family's spiritual sea formation with its two feet... This may be the reason why the fourth secret hall was moving so slowly. Compared to the first three secret halls, this fourth secret hall was constantly "fighting", and the glow of magic treasures and flying swords covered the entire hall.

"Fellow Daoist Qian!"

"Sect Leader Zhou! Come quickly and help me!"

The female spirit of the Xu family, struggling to maintain the Spirit Sea Array, saw the radiance at the end of the void and hurriedly cried for help.

Behind her, dozens of Xu family cultivators who had participated in forming the array were exhausted and pale.

Upon entering the secret tomb, whether by luck or misfortune, they found the fourth secret hall directly... However, before they could deal with the armored puppets, the Six Desires True Monarch of the Joyful Union Sect led his men to attack the secret hall.

What followed was a fierce battle that lasted for several hours!
The void array of Bai Ze's secret tomb was activated twice. The Xu family and Qian Tian Palace had no time to attend to anything else, as they were constantly fighting against the Six Desires True Monarch.

Of the twelve treasures, the Six Desires True Lord stole seven!
fortunately……

After fighting so hard, they finally saw hope!

While the Six Desires True Lord is indeed formidable, our side has already joined forces with Da Chu... If Zhou and Qian San could join the battle, the situation would immediately reverse!

Just as Qian San was about to respond telepathically.

The void thunder swamp at the end of the four secret halls suddenly trembled strangely. Although the third and fourth secret halls had not yet returned to their positions, the second level of the Bai Ze Secret Tomb had already been opened!
"Boom, boom, boom!"

The enormous gate slowly opened a crack.

Almost simultaneously, Xie Xuanyi, who was in the first secret hall amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, set off.

Without the slightest hesitation, he directly unleashed his Martial Divine Embryo and the Dao Domain of Life and Death, forcibly traversing this last stretch of void distance and crashing headfirst into the newly opened Void Thunder Swamp!

(End of this chapter)