Embers of Sword

Chapter 612 Beihai Bank

The winds and clouds swept across the land, and the sea surged with waves.

The sword aura that had been permeating the sky above the North Sea gradually dissipated.

The reeds and broken leaves filled the sky like snowflakes.

The black robe of the Taoist Grand Master slowly turned to ashes in the air.

Xie Xuanyi descended from the sea of ​​clouds, Ci Jing flapped his iron wings and slowly landed, and not far away Tang Fengshu helped Chen Jingxuan stand up. This great battle finally came to an end.

The three Dharma images derived from the One Qi Transformation into Three Pure Ones vanished into smoke and clouds with the fall of the shrine. The entire reed marsh was almost crushed, and the world became quiet, so quiet that it felt unreal. The tides came and went, washing over the reeds, and the bloody smell was gradually carried away by the sea breeze.

The gold-thread cage is in pieces.

Broken threads of the whisk were scattered all over the ground.

Blood flowed from the Vermilion Bird's iron wings.

Xie Xuanyi's forearm, wrist, and other areas still exposed the white bone fragments.

In this battle... everyone paid the price.

But we won anyway.

Tang Fengshu stared down at the bloodstains on the reed-covered shore, gradually fading as the seawater carried them away, her expression somewhat dazed. No one knew better than her the strength of Grand Master Chongkan… The odds of winning this battle today were perhaps only one in ten, or even less than one in ten.

"How does it feel to survive?"

Chen Jingxuan coughed twice in a muffled voice and said softly, "I told you... this is a good place."

"It feels good to be alive."

Tang Fengshu took a deep breath and murmured, "This is indeed a place of miracles."

The two supported each other as they walked out of the Phoenix Fire Formation. Just as the countless talismans burned out, Chen Jingxuan flicked his sleeve and removed the shattered golden thread cage. With the stripping away of the Yuan energy, thousands of talismans scattered, turning into pieces of yellowed paper lanterns that fell into the North Sea and were swept away by the tide along with the blood.

"Are you all okay?"

Xie Xuanyi walked over and spoke with concern.

"I'm fine..."

Tang Fengshu, supporting Chen Jingxuan, said worriedly, "It's him..."

"It's alright, I'm fine too."

Chen Jingxuan tried to straighten his spine, but the burden on his body was too great. He had just opened his mouth with a smile when he was hit with another violent cough.

Tang Fengshu took out a silk cloth from his clothes and gently wiped the blood from the corner of his lips.

This master of the Heavenly Abode has always exuded an air of dominance.

No one had ever seen this side of Tang Fengshu before.

“Miss Tang… I can do it myself.”

Chen Jingxuan gave a wry smile and tried to take the silk cloth to wipe himself.

"Shut up."

Tang Fengshu regained his cold and stern expression and reprimanded in a low voice.

Who fought the hardest in this battle?
Without a doubt, it was Chen Jingxuan.

The reason he was able to kill Grand Master Chongkan was entirely due to a series of "coincidences" and "accidents" on the shores of the North Sea... and these "coincidences" and "accidents" all stemmed from the divination and fortune-telling of the [Hun Yuan Yi]. For this tiny, negligible sliver of hope, Chen Jingxuan sacrificed countless years of his lifespan.

This guy was already frail and sickly, and he also held the position of "celestial watcher".

Those who overwork die, and those who are overly wise are punished by Heaven.

A hint of worry flickered across Tang Fengshu's cold expression...

"Relax."

The next moment, a gentle voice rang out.

Xie Xuanyi reached out and gently placed his hand on Chen Jingxuan's shoulder.

"Ok?"

Tang Fengshu raised an eyebrow, looking at the man in black opposite her in disbelief. She clearly felt a life force flowing into Chen Jingxuan's body, which made her feel much more comfortable.

"The realm of life?"

Tang Fengshu looked somewhat suspicious.

She didn't see the battle in the cloud sea clearly just now.

How exactly did this guy surnamed Xie manage to slay Chongkan with his sword, relying on his Yin God realm?

more than ten years ago.

She was defeated by Xie Xuanyi, and she accepted the defeat wholeheartedly.

When the two fought at the same level, Tang Fengshu only lost by one move, and the difference was not significant.

Now that she has advanced to the Yang God level, Xie Xuanyi is still at the Yin God level... but Tang Fengshu vaguely feels that the gap between herself and Xie Xuanyi seems to have widened.

"My Dao realm is rather unique."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly, "I received some good fortune from the Brahma Temple in Li Kingdom... so my vitality is exceptionally strong."

Xie Xuanyi and Xie Zhen's identities have overlapped.

Tang Fengshu had also heard about that diplomatic mission abroad.

The only practitioner in the world who has comprehended the "realm of the Way of Life" is the Zen Master of Fanyin Temple. In her opinion, this statement is somewhat far-fetched, but it can be explained to some extent.

"..."

On the contrary, Chen Jingxuan's expression became subtle and strange after Xie Xuanyi pressed down on his shoulder.

Where is this the realm of the Way of Life?

A wisp of vapor from the Immortal Spring, brimming with vitality.

It was forcibly poured into Chen Jingxuan's dantian!

Visibly, Chen Jingxuan's complexion improved significantly. This wisp of immortal spring water was like a timely gift, replenishing his severely depleted life force. Feeling this abundant energy, he wanted to say something.

This glimmer of hope can only alleviate the immediate crisis.

Xie Xuanyi quickly interrupted Chen Jingxuan and said in a deep voice, "In the end, if you want to live a long life, you need to reduce the use of the Celestial Monitoring Technique. You should worry less and get more rest these days."

Every time the [Hun Yuan Yi] is used, it will inevitably involve cause and effect.

The more karma a practitioner is involved in, the more calamities they will face, and the shorter their lifespan will be.

"How can it be that simple?"

Chen Jingxuan understood Xie Xuanyi's implication.

He suppressed his previous words, shook his head, and explained helplessly, "Many times... we have no choice but to do what we want."

"This calamity on the shores of Beihai has come to an end."

Xie Xuanyi asked, "Where are you planning to go next? Back to the capital?"

The events that have occurred in the capital during this period.

Xie Xuanyi already knew everything.

Chen Jingxuan's position as "Imperial Preceptor" was usurped by Yan Xie. At this moment, the imperial city is undergoing a silent baptism of undercurrents. With the death of Grand Master Chongkan, it is the perfect time to return to the imperial city.

Tang Fengshu looked at Chen Jingxuan.

"……Do not."

Chen Jingxuan shook his head again.

obviously.

In the vision of the "future" he saw, the end of the great battle on the shores of Beihai was not the end of this turbulent undercurrent.

"You don't intend to reclaim the position of Imperial Preceptor?"

This answer was unexpected by Xie Xuanyi.

"That kind of thing, whether we fight for it or not... it doesn't matter..."

Chen Jingxuan hesitated for a moment, then finally smiled and said, "Now that the great battle is over, I would like to go with Miss Tang to see some more distant places."

"...?"

Tang Fengshu's expression revealed surprise.

"It's probably over there."

Chen Jingxuan stretched out his finger and pointed towards the North Sea. The sea was calm and sunny, a vast expanse of blue, truly a beautiful and refreshing sight.

Xie Xuanyi raised an eyebrow slightly.

Based on his understanding of Chen Jingxuan, he knew that personal feelings would inevitably take a backseat to matters of national importance.

Although Chongkan is dead, the struggle continues.

Chen Jingxuan is by no means a man who backs down.

Those who observe the heavens can see future events and can alter the fate of a nation through divination... but destiny can only be glimpsed, never revealed. Xie Xuanyi never pressed Chen Jingxuan for details; he simply nodded in understanding.

"What about you?"

Tang Fengshu couldn't help but speak up.

"I... am going back."

Xie Xuanyi did not look towards the North Sea, but rather towards the direction he had come from.

"go back?"

Tang Fengshu was even more surprised.

She heard about Xie Xuanyi's escape from the southern border.

She had assumed that Xie Xuanyi would head north and flee directly to the Demon Kingdom.

"Return to the Great Jade Palace."

Xie Xuanyi's voice was calm: "From the very beginning... I never intended to flee to the Demon Kingdom." He had already made up his mind when he fought against the Palace Master of Qiantian in the Southern Frontier.

Renshou Palace's murderous intent towards him was merely for show.

As long as I escape...

The Empress could then use this as an excuse to launch an attack on the Great Jade Palace.

of course.

Even if he surrendered, this catastrophe would not be avoided. In the Kingdom of Li, he had seen the Zen Master's lingering resentment, leaving behind a prophecy of calamity: all three major sects would face a great calamity in the future.

Miyun is the one who saved Fanyin Temple from its calamity.

And the one who can save the Great Sword Palace from its tribulations is naturally itself.

"The reason for heading north earlier was to shake off the pursuers and give Qiantian Palace a reason to retreat."

Xie Xuanyi looked at Chen Jingxuan: "Of course... there's another reason..."

When Chen Jingxuan did something, he usually consulted the divination using the "Hun Yuan Yi" divination tool to plan carefully before taking action.

Xie Xuanyi is not Chen Jingxuan.

He couldn't foresee so many future possibilities, nor could he calculate so many variables.

but……

He is a sword cultivator.

Upon hearing of the upheaval in the capital, Xie Xuanyi had the idea of ​​traveling to the North Sea. This idea was illogical and without reason; it seemed as if it were destiny, drawing him here... And indeed, upon arriving in the North Sea, as the most important link in Chen Jingxuan's plan, he pierced the Chongkan's vital point with his flying sword.

"If I'm not wrong."

Chen Jingxuan was not surprised by Xie Xuanyi's answer.

He looked at the Vermilion Bird Demon not far away and said seriously, "This one... should also be returning to the Great Jade Sword Palace, right?"

The mirror hung above the reeds, its human form unchanged, still maintaining its demon form.

His expression was cold and hostile towards Chen Jingxuan and Tang Fengshu.

Although we fought side by side before.

But that doesn't mean... he and these two were "friends".

In fact.

He wasn't familiar with Xie Xuanyi, and he wouldn't have kindly helped her if Jiang Huang hadn't pleaded with him and if their opponent hadn't been the dying Chongkan.

"Human brat, stop being so clever. Who the hell wants to go back to the Great Jade Sword Palace?"

Ci Jing spoke with a sarcastic tone.

After the great battle ended, he changed his tune.

Although he was trapped in the Sword Qi Forbidden Zone, he had still heard of several famous young people from the Great Chu Dynasty.

Junior National Preceptor Chen Jingxuan, and Master of the World Tang Fengshu.

He knew both of them.

"I want to go back to the Demon Kingdom."

Ci Jing coldly said, "If you want to stop me, you might as well try."

He had overheard the entire conversation between the three of them.

Chen Jingxuan and Tang Fengshu are going north... which could very well make them his enemies.

"..."

Chen Jingxuan knew that the Vermilion Bird Demon was still wary of him.

He silently transmitted a few words through divine thought.

The Great Demon Cijing's expression changed instantly. He stared at the thin young man in the blue robe with utter shock, and asked in astonishment in front of everyone, "What you just said... is it true?!"

"nature."

Chen Jingxuan chuckled and said helplessly, "Senior should have heard of my name. The Little Imperial Advisor never lies."

"What did you say to him?"

Xie Xuanyi couldn't help but send a telepathic message.

Chen Jingxuan hesitated for a moment, then chose to refuse to respond: "I'm sorry... Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed..."

Seeing this, Xie Xuanyi stopped asking questions.

This was the first time Chen Jingxuan had rejected him.

It seems that the telepathic communication just now was really important.

"..."

Ci Jing fell into deep thought.

He truly witnessed the prowess of this young imperial advisor.

They dared to deploy their forces in Beihai to meet Chongkan.

And they actually managed to turn the tables.

This guy... could never be a reckless fool, much less get to where he is today by luck.

"If you wish to return to the Sword Palace, and also wish to provide this Miss Jiang with a safe place to stay."

Chen Jingxuan said sincerely, "Why don't you hand her over to me? I'll take her to the Demon Kingdom for you."

"Let me think about it."

The Vermilion Bird Demon King looked conflicted.

Jiang Huang, sitting on the back of the Vermilion Bird, blinked.

She looked confused, not quite understanding what was going on... All she knew was that the great battle had finally ended, her brother was safe and sound, and her eldest brother had not encountered any accidents. This should be a good thing, so why were people talking about sending her away?

"Brother..."

Jiang Huang asked blankly, "Have we been away from the Sword Palace for too long? Shouldn't we go back?"

"……Do not."

Ci Jing took a deep breath, revealing a resolute expression.

He whispered, "I'm not going back."

Jiang Huang was stunned for a moment.

Do you know either of them?

Ci Jing asked softly, "Little Phoenix, would you like to go to the North Sea with them?"

“Mr. Chen…Master Tang…”

Jiang Huang was at a loss for words.

She knew Chen Jingxuan and Tang Fengshu.

Although they had only met once, Jiang Huang knew that Mr. Chen and Master Tang were very, very good people. They were her brother's friends, trustworthy and good people.

"I...don't want to be separated from my elder brother..."

Jiang Huang's voice became intermittent.

She looked at Xie Xuanyi not far away and said with a wronged expression, "I don't want to be separated from my brother either..."

Rather than going to Beihai.

She preferred to return to the Sword Palace and longed to go back to Golden Turtle Peak.

Although the days of cultivation were tough, she was willing to endure them.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi chose to remain silent at the moment when he should have spoken.

He was also struggling with this decision.

Ci Jing and Jiang Huang share similar bloodlines; they are of the same race.

As for myself... I am the one who has accompanied "Jiang Huang" since she first gained intelligence.

Jiang Huang only had herself and Ci Jing as her "family" in the world.

But now, the Great Sui Sword Palace is facing a catastrophe, and Xie Xuanyi is preparing to return to Zhongzhou with the determination to die.

Once he left, he had no time to even consider his own life or death.

What's the point of bringing Jiang Huang along?

last life.

He injured the phoenix and brought it back to Da Chu.

This life.

He chose to... give Jiang Huang her freedom.

"Let's go to Beihai with Mr. Chen and take a look."

Xie Xuanyi walked over and gently stroked Jiang Huang's head.

"Brother..."

Tears welled up in Jiang Huang's eyes.

Clutching the hem of her clothes, she asked pitifully, "Has something happened at Sword Palace? Are you hiding something from me? Jiang Huang isn't afraid of death... Jiang Huang just wants to be with her brother, her eldest brother..."

"Sword Palace has indeed encountered some trouble."

Xie Xuanyi sighed.

He gazed intently into the little boy's eyes and said, word by word, "But believe me... these troubles will be resolved. It won't be long before I personally bring you back."

(End of this chapter)