Embers of Sword

Chapter 526 Kneeling
"Young Valley Master, how is Ancestor Ye?"

Wu Zong, Baihua Valley, and the Jiang family group cautiously made their way through the secret tomb.

The voice transmission landed in Ye Qinglian's heart.

The old man on the Red Leaf Throne was personally protected by Ye Qinglian, who formed a large array to envelop him. Apart from Ye Qinglian, no one could see Ye Zu's current condition.

The old man's eyes were slightly closed, as if he were asleep.

However, if one were to probe with divine sense, one would find that the old man was barely breathing and in extremely poor condition...

Fresh blood slowly flowed from his chest, soaking half of his clothes.

Ye Qinglian's eyes reddened slightly.

She knew that Ye Zu's current situation should not be revealed to the public.

"Ye Zu's injuries are minor... he will recover after a short rest."

Ye Qinglian adjusted her breathing and responded calmly.

"..."

Upon receiving this reply, everyone exchanged glances, their eyes filled with worry.

Ye Zu did not show his face, and only responded with this telepathic message, which naturally seemed somewhat weak.

Fortunately, Zhou is still alive.

He single-handedly boosted everyone's morale.

Zhou led the way, guiding the group forward at a rapid pace.

He is currently the only "insider" in the room. In order to lure the three major sects' pseudo-saints into taking the bait, Ye Zu deliberately took a sword strike, intending to lure Bai Gui and the others out by seriously injuring himself... But Zhou knows that even if it is confirmed that Ye Zu is seriously injured, the pseudo-saints of the Southern Frontier will likely still choose to "wait and see".

However, if a sacred medicine capable of healing severe injuries is found, or if the remnant of the Great Dao stele that the three major sects have been longing for is discovered, the situation will be different.

This second secret tomb is winding and circuitous.

Stone chambers, situated on either side of the secret tomb, form a vast labyrinth.

Push the door and enter.

While there is a possibility of seizing an opportunity, there is a greater chance of falling into a trap set by Bai Ze!

This maze was riddled with killing formations, and was guarded by puppets of the Yin God Realm... As they advanced straight ahead, the group encountered several ambushes and failed to gain any fortune. They also experienced several brutal battles. Fortunately, Zhou was strong enough to preserve their strength.

"Sect Master Zhou..."

Zhou led the group through the challenges.

Jiang Que stepped forward with a worried expression and transmitted his voice, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to just blindly move forward like this?"

It has been some time since it was placed in the mausoleum.

The secret maze was too large; the group stumbled around aimlessly but gained nothing.

If this drags on any longer, a powerhouse like White Ghost might catch up!
"..."

Zhou could only remain silent.

He knew it was bad, of course, but given the current situation, he had no other choice.

"Due south, thirty zhang, turn right."

Just then, a voice transmission suddenly landed in Zhouxin Lake.

The white-robed warrior raised an eyebrow and looked toward the location of the Red Leaf Throne... The old man, who was trapped in the Hundred Flowers Valley's grand formation, trembled slightly as he pointed toward the direction blocked by the stone chamber.

"Are you okay?"

Zhou Chuanyin asked with concern.

"He's not going to die yet..."

The old man was pale, his eyes slightly narrowed, and his voice was extremely hoarse as he transmitted the message: "There are three pseudo-saints who have entered the secret tomb."

Zhou's expression hardened.

Has Ye Zu's divine sense already detected the other party?

At this moment, the advantage of having a Yang God in charge of the Great Chu camp became apparent...

The supernatural powers and abilities of the Yang God Realm are beyond the comprehension of the Yin God Realm.

These false saints, including the White Ghosts, although claiming to have broken through the shackles of the Yin God, are far too different from true Yang Gods.

Even with only his last breath, the range of Ye Zu's divine sense was unmatched by any of them.

"Those who entered the tomb were the White Ghost of Yinshan, the Ink Daoist of the Heavenly Puppet Sect, and the Joyful Zen Master of the Joyful Union Sect..."

"Three people, no more and no less..."

Ye Zu's lips trembled slightly.

He did not reveal this information to Ye Qinglian.

It's not because of distrust.

However... Xiao Qinglian's strength is still too weak.

With the belief that everything would perish, Ye Zu entered the secret tomb without ever thinking he would leave alive. In order to deliver the final sword strike smoothly, Zhou was more suitable than Ye Qinglian when only one "insider" could be entrusted with the task.

Have they spotted us?

Zhou looked nervous.

"……Um."

Ye Zu chuckled self-deprecatingly: "These three don't seem to be making a move at the moment."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xinhu felt a jolt.

really……

Things are heading in the worst possible direction.

The worst-case scenario is that Ye Zu is seriously injured, and the false saint of the Southern Frontier still chooses to wait and see.

"Don't worry, things aren't as bad as you think."

Ye Zu said weakly, "They can't wait much longer...follow my telepathic message..."

……

……

"Is this the stone chamber that Zhou deliberately left for me?"

A figure dressed in black slowly came to a stop amidst the billowing dust.

Following Zhou's directions, Xie Xuanyi arrived at a secluded stone chamber. This second level of the secret tomb was composed of hundreds of stone chambers, and not every chamber contained a "Dao Entry Fruit"—a treasure of immense value. This particular chamber clearly witnessed a fierce battle; a stone puppet at the initial stage of the Yin God realm had been shattered, leaving stone fragments scattered everywhere. Clearly, this scene was the work of that white-robed martial artist.

Xie Xuanyi calmed down and scanned the area with his divine sense, discovering a bottle of pills placed in an inconspicuous corner of the stone chamber.

These are not ancient relics from the Chenliu Mausoleum.

It was Wu Zong's "Qi Sea Pill".

Zhou defeated the puppet in the stone chamber and left behind this bottle of pills... In his plan, these pills were meant for Xie Xuanyi to use in healing his injuries.

"Ten years have passed, some people have changed, and some people have not."

Xie Xuanyi raised his palm and absorbed the bottle of pills into his hand, letting out a soft sigh.

He thought of the Prince of Jiangning.

Do not……

Perhaps the Prince of Jiangning has never changed from beginning to end; it's just that I've never truly understood him.

Ten years ago.

Xie Xuanyi and Zhou had fought many times.

This white-clad warrior was one of his most admired peers and rivals.

Although Zhou never beat himself.

But this guy has many qualities that I don't possess.

"Brother Xie, I'm so sorry."

Inside the pill, there was also a note.

This is an apology message that Zhou personally crafted with his divine will.

"The bigger picture is what matters. Once the matter at the Secret Tomb is resolved, I, Zhou, will personally go to the Great Eagle Sword Palace to apologize to you!"

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and stored the pill in his sword qi cave.

He did not take any elixirs...

Zhou left this bottle of pills before the fight, clearly worried that he might be too badly injured.

This guy is overthinking it.

Although he was no match for Zhou, the injuries he sustained in that fight were almost completely healed during his journey.

"what?"

Xie Xuanyi stood in the stone chamber and suddenly frowned.

He approached the stone chamber wall and gently touched it. After the smoke and dust dissipated, faint engravings were revealed on the stone wall... These engravings were carved with sword intent, and one could feel a strong energy upon touching them.

Zhou was a mere martial artist, while Ye Qinglian's cultivation was still shallow.

Is this the sword intent left behind by Ye Zu?
Xie Xuanyi sensed the sword intent with his mind, and after touching it, it spread like ink across his heart. This was an extremely obscure "Secret Tomb Path Map." After the Martial Sect disciples entered the second level of the Secret Tomb, they split up to explore the stone chambers. Ye Zu left a wisp of sword energy on each disciple.

In the previous great battle, Ye Zu controlled three great formations. He laid a trap on the second level of this secret tomb, and every disciple of Da Chu was a "pawn" in his scheme.

"This is a map of a secret maze."

Xie Xuanyi's expression turned serious.

This maze diagram is not perfect.

However, Ye Zu used his sword intent to leave guidance in this stone chamber, marking a "finish line".

"The maze is intricate and complex, but there is always an exit."

Xie Xuanyi murmured, "This second level of the secret tomb... is not the end of the tomb."

The Bai Ze Secret Tomb may very well have a third level!

Xie Xuanyi immediately understood what Ye Zu meant.

This deadly trap has already been set up, but the biggest problem is that the three major sects' pseudo-saints dare not show themselves.

The best way to force them to show themselves is to find the "Great Dao Stele Inscription"!
At the "end" of this maze, Ye Zu left a mark of sword energy and carved a small stone tablet with sword intent.

Xie Xuanyi understood immediately and silently memorized the maze map.

obviously……

The end of this stone tablet is the place where Ye Zu planned to "draw his sword and conclude the battle"!
……

……

"You madman! Do you really want to fight to the death?!"

Lightning flashed, and a malevolent aura surged.

Renzuka's eyes were filled with anger as he stared intently at the young Taoist priest in front of him.

The two began their battle on the first level of the secret tomb, fighting until the heavens and earth collapsed and the secret hall used for teleportation was on the verge of destruction, yet it still wasn't over. Ren Zhong thought that once he entered the second level of the secret tomb, he could get rid of Qin Qianlian... but he never expected that even after crashing into the maze, this reckless guy would still cling to him relentlessly!

“I said, hand over the woman and I’ll leave immediately.”

Qin Qianlian remained expressionless, stirring his hands in the Thunder Pool.

Thousands of thunderbolts roared, enveloping Renzuka.

"I've told you so many times, but you still don't believe me..."

"I don't have the person you're looking for!!"

Renzuka shouted angrily, both anxious and helpless.

If he hadn't fought the Prince of Jiangning, which had depleted most of his Soul Sea, he would have already risked his life to fight to the death!

The most important thing for this trip to the mausoleum is timing!
According to the information from the Paper Doll Path Black Clothes... not long after I set off, White Ghost and the others will be entering the Secret Tomb!

Renzuka knew it in his heart.

As the chief disciple of Yinshan, my failure to leave the mausoleum to welcome my master is already a grave sin!
If I were to run into my master here...

Even if you had ten lives, it wouldn't be enough to lose!

"Fellow Daoist Qin, Brother Qin, Abbot Qin!"

Suppressing his anger, Ren Zhong said, "I'm serious... If you don't believe me, I can open my natal cave! You can go in and check!"

Do you take me for an idiot?

Qin Qianlian remained unmoved and continued to unleash his thunder magic, launching an attack.

He saw it.

This Renzuka seems to be fearful... probably afraid of the White Demon appearing! The bigger the commotion, the more troubled Renzuka becomes!
"Junior Brother Qin... please stop fighting..."

"In a few moments, Da Chu's men will be here too!"

The two Dao domains clashed and merged.

The evil spirit residing in the Yin-Yang Mirror sensed something was wrong.

The two sides clashed on the first level of the secret tomb, and the battle grew increasingly fierce... Originally, Yan Xie didn't care.

But if the fighting continues, it might attract the Great Chu cultivators. How would that be explained?

Renzuka didn't want to see the White Demon.

Yan Xie also didn't want to see Da Chu's allies.

"What are you afraid of?"

Qin Qianlian coldly said, "Senior Brother Yan isn't some kind of ghost that can't be seen by others. Besides, he's just a clone. Even if he's recognized, so what?"

"..."

Yan Xie was speechless.

He was about to speak when a tremendous tremor suddenly came from one side of the secret tomb!
boom!
Someone used the precious seal to smash the stone wall and emerged amidst billowing dust.

"Someone is coming!"

Yan Xie let out a low cry, quickly shook himself and gathered his energy, storing the black smoke into the [Yin Yang Mirror], and concealed his form within the Dao Domain.

"...Damn it!"

Renzuka's expression turned extremely ugly.

The smoke and dust were dispelled by the light of the precious seal.

Qian San, dressed in a blue robe, Qin Baihuang, and the figures of many cultivators from Xuanzhui Mountain gradually appeared.

"Master Uncle Qianlian!"

The young Taoist priests of Changshengzhai's eyes lit up when they saw the familiar Thunder Pool.

Su Hong tried to step forward, but Qian San stopped him.

"No."

Qian San held the imperial seal in his hands, stared at the battlefield not far away, and shook his head.

His expression was solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Qin Qianlian and Baihe Zhenren were locked in a fierce battle. Logically, upon seeing this, he should have rushed forward to help without hesitation... However, at this moment, Qin Qianlian's Thunder Pool was mixed with a filthy and turbid primordial energy! How could a cultivator from the Longevity Sect cultivate such demonic energy?

The shaking and roaring sounds continued.

Master Baihe intended to smash through another stone wall, but a snow-white fist suddenly broke through the wall and emerged.

"week?!"

Renzuka was forced back by the light of the punch.

Rumble!
He stared wide-eyed at the other group of Great Chu cultivators who were streaming out from behind him!
With the white-clad martial artist in front, Ye Qinglian and Jiang Que protecting him on either side, three great formations were vaguely set in place, enveloped in beams of precious light. In the center, a majestic red leaf throne hung high... Through the light of the great formations, a gaunt figure could be vaguely seen sitting on the red leaf throne.

"...Emperor Ye is here too. The entire Great Chu camp is here?!"

A sense of despair began to fester within Renzuka's heart.

Both sides were completely blocked.

He never imagined that the path he had randomly chosen would lead to such a dead end!

It all happened so fast and so coincidentally.

The second level of Bai Ze's Secret Tomb is a complex and intricate maze, and it also shields one's vital energy...

Qian San, Qin Baihuang and his group never expected to run into Qin Qianlian here, let alone Ye Zu!
"Sect Leader Zhou!"

"Lord Ye Zu!"

On the side of Suspended Cone Mountain, at Qiantian Palace and the Xu family, many young disciples hurriedly greeted them loudly.

As they entered the second level of the secret tomb, they walked with trepidation, not daring to push open doors or easily break through barriers.

fortunately……

We finally met safely!

Seeing the white-clad warrior and the red-leaf throne, many people breathed a sigh of relief!
Finally, we reunited with the "top combat force" of this trip.

only……

They failed to notice that Zhou's face showed no joy, and the old man on the red leaf throne had not even shown himself.

"It's a little weird."

Qin Baihuang's gaze fell on Master Baihe, and he spoke in a low voice.

"...Yes, it is a bit strange."

Qian San nodded.

Surrounded by Da Chu's forces, Master Baihe was now "without a way to go to heaven or to go to hell." This chief disciple of Yinshan seemed to have given up resisting and remained unmoved as the lightning struck him.

Renzuka stood there blankly, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Red Leaf Throne.

"..."

His face quickly turned pale.

Breathing also became rapid.

A deep-seated fear, buried in the blood, gradually spread and became increasingly unstoppable.

Finally, with a soft thud.

Renzuka knelt down facing the direction of the Red Leaf Throne.

(End of this chapter)