Embers of Sword

Chapter 550 War begins

Miasma permeates the southern border region.

On the summit of a small mountain near the Abyss, a snow-white array of light rose, and the survivors took a temporary rest within the array on this small mountain. In this battle against the demons, the holy lands and aristocratic families suffered heavy losses. All the treasure ships that had sailed from the imperial city had sunk, and the three major sects' betrayal and night attack had also resulted in nearly half of the seven Zhanjiao Mountains being killed or wounded.

However, to have ended up like this is already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

After leaving the secret tomb.

Everyone sent their divine soul messages to the main sect.

only……

The message received no immediate response.

The miasma that shrouded the southern border had not yet dissipated, and the towering, pure white mountain in the distance loomed over everyone's hearts like a shadow.

"Lord Ye Zu."

Should we continue waiting?

The elder of Qiantian Palace spoke cautiously.

He originally intended to leave the secret tomb, so he led his disciples northward, seizing the time to leave the territory.

But Ye Zu stopped him from doing so.

Ye Zu set up an array on a nearby hill, telling everyone not to rush... This decision proved to be correct; the lack of a response to the divine soul message meant that the "Paper Doll Path" array had not dissipated. If the Qian Tian Palace elder had insisted on leaving with his people, he might have died at the border.

"Wait."

Ye Zu calmly said, "Those Yin God Venerables from Pure White Mountain did not appear near the Abyss... These people are probably lying in wait at the border exit. It would be unwise to leave the border at this time."

"……it is good."

The elders of Qiantian Palace patiently waited.

In fact, being able to escape the secret tomb was already a glimmer of hope for survival.

But that pure white mountain was really frightening.

If Lu Yuzhen were to actually "arrive," wouldn't the group who had finally escaped the secret tomb be plunged into dire straits once again?
"There's no need to worry too much."

Zhou glanced at the elders of Qiantian Palace and the other cultivators who were considering retreating, and said calmly, "Lu Yuzhen can still fight... he would have already descended in his true form. He was seriously injured in the battle of the White Paper Barrier. The battle for the White Ze Secret Tomb has come to an end. In a little while, we can leave the border safely."

Actually, everyone knows...

Who are they waiting for right now?

But now that we're outside the borders, some things and relationships have become complicated and strange.

"Xie Xuanyi..."

The woman from the Xu family sighed softly, "Are you really willing to send us away from Southern Xinjiang?"

Behind her was Xu Nianning, who had just joined the Great Sui Sword Palace.

In terms of status and relationships.

The Xu family and the Da Sui Sword Palace are considered to be on very good terms.

only……

Ten years ago, Xie Xuanyi was besieged in Beihai, and the Xu family chose to ignore it.

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at each other in shock.

Besides the Jiang family, who else offered help back then?
"..."

Even Jiang Que fell silent at this moment.

The name Xie Xuanyi holds a very special significance in the Great Chu Dynasty.

Once the person at Renshou Palace finds out that Xie Xuanyi is still alive... what will happen next?
There are no secrets that stay hidden forever.

Once everyone leaves the southern border, this news will surely spread throughout the entire world—

Honestly, if he were Xie Xuanyi, letting the people of Da Chu die in the secret tomb might have been the best way to protect himself.

A silence fell over the crowd.

A tremor suddenly echoed from the abyss!
boom!
Above the abyss, a jet-black pillar of light shot into the sky, nearly a thousand feet high, like a pillar supporting the heavens.

"The Great Dao of Annihilation... The embryonic form of the Dao..."

As Zhou watched the sword energy gradually fade away, he couldn't help but sigh.

next moment.

A figure in black landed before the small mountain formation.

Xie Xuanyi completely shed his worldly appearance and showed his true face to the world.

After refining the [Primordial Devouring Sacred Realm], Xie Xuanyi's entire demeanor changed. His handsome young face now exuded a faint sense of majesty. Even a Yang God Realm expert like Ye Zu could feel the powerful Dao intent emanating from him when they looked at each other.

"Everyone, I've been waiting for a long time."

Xie Xuanyi was not alone in leaving the mausoleum.

He took Qin Qianlian with him and left the Abyss.

The abyss was now completely empty.

The entire first, second, and third levels of the secret tomb were incorporated into the Yuan Tun Sacred Realm.

"Uncle Master!"

"Young Master Qianlian!"

The disciples of Changshengzhai and the cultivators of the Qin family rushed forward to surround the white-robed figure who was being led out of the abyss by Xie Xuanyi.

The previous evacuation.

Qin Qianlian insisted on staying in the secret tomb...

No one knows what Qin Qianlian is thinking.

Many cultivators believed that Qin Qianlian insisted on staying in the secret tomb because of the conflict arising from the struggle for the position of Qin family head.

Qin Qianlian has now returned safely.

The disciples of Changshengzhai all breathed a sigh of relief.

The old man sitting on the red leaf throne lowered his eyes. He saw the Yin-Yang Mirror clone on Qin Qianlian's body and guessed the reason why the two were alone in the secret tomb... Now that the Yin-Yang Mirror clone has been completely annihilated, it seems that some unsavory things have been completely resolved by Xie Xuanyi.

"Xiao Xie."

Looking at the young man in black before him, Ye Zu spoke gently, "Congratulations on obtaining the Dao Stele of Creation from the Secret Tomb..."

Ye Zu didn't even ask what the ultimate fortune in this secret tomb was—

Because he could sense the change in Xie Xuanyi's aura at that moment!
Ten years ago, he witnessed Xie Xuanyi's desperate battle from the sidelines in Beihai...

Xie Xuanyi was already very strong at that time, possessing the strength of the Great Perfection of Yin God.

And now.

Xie Xuanyi took the most crucial step.

The dual paths of birth and death are invincible among Yin spirits. However, to become a Yang spirit through this path is several times, even dozens of times, more difficult than for other cultivators.

"It was... a stroke of luck."

Xie Xuanyi shook his head.

He could defeat the White Demon, touch the Dao Stele, and do it as many times as he wanted.

He could fight Xuanming to a draw and gain the approval of the Dao Stele.

There was indeed an element of luck involved in this matter; without the Fountain of Immortality, it would have been almost impossible for him to become the master of the [Primordial Devouring Sacred Realm].

There is no room for luck on the path of spiritual practice.

Ye Zu also shook his head: "This fortune is what you deserve."

Although I didn't ask what the ultimate creation of this secret tomb was.

But Ye Zu already understood.

All of this is now the work of fate—

Even though he was injured in the secret tomb on the weekend.

Perhaps, in the end, only Xie Xuanyi can obtain this fortune, and Xie Xuanyi deserves it!

It's all about timing, fate, and destiny.

That's fine...

"So……"

Ye Zu turned his head, looked into the distance, and slowly asked, "So, are you going to wage war against that mountain next?"

In the distance, towering, pure white mountains rise majestically into the sky.

This time, we're heading south.

The holy lands and noble families, along with thousands of cultivators, marched in a vast and mighty procession.

They all came for this mountain.

Now, Wu Zhexian has died in battle, Ye Zu is seriously injured, and Zhou Pojing has failed. Such a heavy price has resulted in the destruction of the three saints and Lu Yuzhen being severely injured.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi remained silent for a moment.

Now is the best opportunity to wage war against Pure White Mountain!
Some accounts must be settled!
However, Xie Xuanyi had a slight hesitation in his heart.

He lowered his eyes, chuckled softly, and said, "I'm afraid that if I leave the Southern Frontier, I'll never have the chance to come back." "Then let's fight."

Ye Zu calmly said, "Da Chu is in a state of chaos right now... I will take these people back to Baihua Valley Cave Heaven and wait for a day."

"...?"

Xie Xuanyi raised his head.

A red leaf drifted down slowly and landed in Xie Xuanyi's palm.

This is not just a simple red leaf.

While waiting, Ye Zu concentrated his sword intent and inscribed his divine soul Dao intent on the red leaf...

He knew very well the impact the news that Xie Xuanyi was still alive would have on the world.

Renshou Palace is also good.

Taoism is fine too.

Many people did not want Xie Xuanyi to live.

Xie Xuanyi's departure from the Southern Frontier will likely lead to a continuation of the North Sea assassination plot from ten years ago, but this time... the Yinshan Mountain will no longer be the one on the table.

“I can sense that the aura of the Yin-Yang Mirror on Qin Qianlian has dissipated.”

Ye Zu said softly, "With your abilities... before you killed that guy, you must have already seen part of the chaos in the imperial city through the Divine Soul Technique."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Indeed, he had previously seen some chaotic divine thoughts hidden in the Yin-Yang Mirror through the Soul-Searching Smoke.

The capital city is in chaos now, practically a complete mess.

"Previously, Wu Zhexian traveled all over the imperial city, requesting the help of the Yang God to resolve the chaos in the southern border, but no one was willing to agree."

"Everyone is too busy taking care of themselves right now, who would be willing to step in?"

Ye Zu lowered his eyes, his tone self-deprecating: "There's not much I can do. I can shield you from the heavenly secrets for one day, and after you leave the Southern Frontier, you'll have time to use your self-protection methods... As for those evil cultivators, you should have killed them anyway. If you don't kill them today, they will be the ones to kill you in the future."

"Your help... will cause me a lot of unnecessary trouble..."

Xie Xuanyi sighed softly.

He held the red leaf in his hand; the sword intent etched on this leaf was the oath of the Great Dao.

Ye Zu was a senior who valued reputation and innocence so much.

The oath to the Great Way, inscribed on the red leaves, is simply a way to put one's mind at ease.

"What's the word?"

Ye Zu said wearily, "Sword practitioners should be upright and honorable. You saved my life... I will naturally repay you tenfold."

There was a slight pause.

"That person at Renshou Palace wishes you dead."

Ye Zu said sincerely, "I think differently from her. I hope you live."

"Aren't you... afraid of Renshou Palace's retaliation?"

Xie Xuanyi's expression was moved.

"At this age, what is there to be afraid of?"

Ye Zu smiled indifferently and said willfully, "Without you, I would have died in the Bai Ze Secret Tomb. Now, every extra day I enjoy the spring flowers and watch the sunset is good... Having lived for hundreds of years, my time is coming to an end. Why should I think so much when I'm doing what I like?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi didn't know what to say.

He silently accepted the red leaf and calmly said, "I will remember this kindness."

Ye Zu's every move does not represent only Ye Zu himself.

It also represents Hundred Flowers Valley.

"There's no need to say that..."

The old man on the throne waved his hand wearily and said gently, "It was my regret to stand idly by ten years ago, but now I can finally make up for it."

Ten years ago, he watched the game in Beihai and even considered taking action.

But faced with the pressure exerted by the imperial city, Ye Zu became the spectator he disliked most in his life.

"Little Xie..."

Ye Zu hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, his voice hoarse: "That girl named 'Yuan Yi' actually had the opportunity to master the 'Burning Flower Style'... It's such a pity..."

After leaving the secret tomb.

Ye Zu summoned Ye Qinglian and asked her many questions about Yuan Yi.

This seemingly ordinary little girl actually has a remarkable talent for comprehending the Hundred Flowers Valley sword style...

Before heading south.

Yuan Yi even grasped some of the meaning of the "Destruction Dao Realm".

There are many regrets in this world that we only suddenly realize after the dust has settled.

The sun will rise again after sunset, but the flowers will not flow backward after they fall.

The thing that Ye Zu regretted most in his life was that the Burning Flower Technique was not passed down.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi stood silently before the Red Leaf Throne.

"Okay, no more words."

Ye Zu took a deep breath and said hoarsely, "Please help me, help fellow martial artist... to get those evil cultivators from the Southern Frontier back to life."

The words fell.

The old man on the throne of red leaves slowly extended his palm.

Rumble!
Thunderous sounds echoed through the void!
On this small, desolate hill, countless withered leaves danced in the air, and as the old man on the throne raised his hand, these withered leaves formed a gate on the mountaintop—

In fact, after obtaining that drop of the Undying Spring's vapor, Ye Zu recovered and was considered to have escaped with his life... During this time, he regained some of his vitality. This vitality was enough to tear apart the miasma array in the Southern Border and lead everyone away. This was the reason why he stopped the Qian Tian Palace elders. This array was very safe, and even if Lu Yuzhen left Pure White Mountain, Ye Zu could react in time.

However, Ye Zu, having recovered his strength, did not rush to leave. Instead, he waited for Xie Xuanyi to emerge from seclusion on a small hill next to the abyss.

That's all for the purpose of saying these few words.

These few words were very important to Ye Zu, Xie Xuanyi, and others.

"Void shattered!"

"This is... a teleportation portal?!"

Countless red leaves danced on the mountaintop.

The cultivators from Qiantian Palace, the Daoist sect, the Qin family, the Xu family, and all others finally realized what was happening.

In the time it takes to count a few breaths.

A giant gate was then drawn up before everyone's eyes.

"If you want to live, then come with me."

Ye Zu spoke, and his voice echoed across the mountaintop.

This teleportation portal spans thousands of miles, connecting to the forbidden area behind the Hundred Flowers Valley in Qingzhou.

That was his natal grotto.

Those who leave Southern Xinjiang through this portal will all be imprisoned within his cave...

It seems unlikely that anyone would resist.

Twelve hours is enough for Xie Xuanyi to resolve these trivial matters in the Southern Frontier.

As the red leaves fluttered in the air, figures darted into the doorway.

Ye Zu sat on the throne and was the last to enter the gate. Before leaving, he reached out his palm and patted Xie Xuanyi's shoulder meaningfully.

Red leaves filled the sky, drifting in the wind.

Xie Xuanyi watched Da Chu and his group leave.

They also watched Ye Zu leave.

Countless red leaves fell to the ground, leaving only one on Xie Xuanyi's shoulder.

That was the last leaf that Ye Zu personally left behind when he departed.

A trace of sword intent lingers on this red leaf.

Having exhausted all his vital energy, Ye Zu was actually powerless to leave anything more behind...

Xie Xuanyi immersed his divine sense into the red leaf.

He saw the sword move that Hundred Flowers Valley never revealed to outsiders.

Burning flowers.

……

……

(PS: To explain why I took the day off yesterday, I couldn't concentrate at all last night. I thought it was just because I wasn't feeling well and that a rest would fix it. But even after sleeping for twelve hours today, I still feel groggy, and that's when I realized something was wrong. I might be positive for COVID-19. My friends who ate with me these past two days have all been confirmed to have fevers. TAT, everyone please take good care of yourselves.)
(End of this chapter)