Embers of Sword

Chapter 618 Desperate Situation
A strong wind swept through the sword forest, dispersing the mist.

Zhou Zhiren, dressed in a purple robe, stood opposite the crowd, sword in hand.

He casually recounted the truth from ten years ago... his expression indifferent, as if he were talking about something insignificant.

So what if it's me?

at this point.

No amount of questioning or angry rebukes will change anything.

Huang Su immediately flicked his sleeve, activating the "Floating Clouds" technique, and his flying sword pierced through the leaves of the forest, aiming at the man in purple robes.

Zhou Zhiren remained calm and charged forward to meet the attack.

珰!
Although the half-step Yang God who had ignited the life fire was unable to defeat "Zhu Yan", he was able to completely overwhelm the Yin God!
The Flying Cloud Sword struck Zhou Zhiren's palm and was instantly knocked away.

A powerful Dao domain spreads!

Huang Su grunted and retreated, using her feet to deflect the force of the attack. She did not give up her attack, but instead kicked forward and backward, stomping heavily on a purple bamboo with one foot, bending it like a bow. The next moment, she shot herself out like an arrow.

Huang Su's expression was sharp, and he pointed at Zhou Zhiren with two fingers together.

All twelve Flowing Cloud Flying Swords shot out, drawing long, dazzling arcs in the air.

Zhou Zhiren frowned and turned to the side.

A flying sword grazed his cheek. He flicked his fingers as if plucking a flower, and flicked his finger at the very moment the sword grazed his face... If it were an ordinary treasure, this flick would be enough to shatter it, but "Fuliuyun" was personally forged by the sect leader and was indestructible. Even with the Dao intent of a half-step Yang God infused into it, the sword was not damaged in the slightest.

However, the natal flying sword is connected to the sword master's mind.

Huang Su's face suddenly turned pale.

As the sword's master, he would naturally "feel the same way" when the flying sword was struck like that.

Her internal energy became unstable, and her sword-wielding stance became disordered.

The two bumped into each other, and Zhou Zhiren calmly extended a palm, seemingly "gently" pressing it on his junior sister's shoulder.

next moment.

With a loud bang, Huang Su was sent flying backward, this time completely flying out. His black clothes fluttered as he crashed into dozens of purple bamboos, finally falling into a cloud of dust.

"Mountain Master!"

Seeing this, Duan Zhao became furious. He gripped his heavy sword with both hands and was about to rush forward to fight, his wrist bracelets clanging loudly.

"Today is an internal matter of the Sword Palace. I advise you, as an outsider from Forget-Worry Island... to stay away."

Zhou Zhiren glanced at Duan Zhao and spoke coldly.

If this young fellow surnamed Duan had quietly joined the Great Sui Sword Palace a year ago, perhaps I really wouldn't have noticed anything unusual... It's just a pity that this kid made quite a splash at the Xuan Shui Grand Competition. Even though he concealed his identity and dressed up as a beggar, I still recognized the "Wind and Thunder Bracelet".

"fart!"

Duan Zhao's eyes widened, and he gritted his teeth: "Shameless! Rebellious against the Heavenly Gang!"

He has already become a disciple of Lotus Peak.

The Great Eagle Sword Palace is facing a great calamity, and he fights against the enemy together with his fellow disciples...

If we're talking about outsiders, then Zhou Zhiren, that traitor, is the real outsider!

Say it.

The little guy dragged the heavy sword and leaped up, ready to strike down on the head—

"Ignorant of good and evil!"

Seeing this, Zhou Zhiren frowned and made another move.

The Wind and Thunder Bracelet is the most precious treasure of Forget-Worry Island. Once it senses killing intent, it will unleash tremendous power.

This is a "talisman" that the couple from Forget-Worry Island prepared for their son.

Those cultivators who cannot recognize this treasure are often not powerful enough, and even if they attack with all their might, they will not be able to threaten Duan Zhao's life.

Having recognized this treasure... he naturally dared not exert his full strength.

The meaning of this bracelet is quite clear.

Two dynasties, gods from all sides, each going their own way... For various reasons, we should at least maintain some respect for Forget-Worry Island. Even if conflicts arise, as long as there is no intention to kill, we can let it go.

To avoid triggering this treasure of Forget-Me-Not Island.

Zhou Zhiren dared not use his full strength, but only held a wisp of Dao intent in his palm before striking out.

Duan Zhao's sword strike was full of power, but he was too young and his skill level was too low...

Even if you're not a spirit, what good will it do if you fight desperately?

Just for a moment.

Then the superior and inferior were distinguished.

The heavy sword flew out of his hand and tumbled through the air.

The Wind and Thunder Bracelet emitted a clear bell sound, and circles of energy spread out like ripples, enveloping Duan Zhao... Zhou Zhiren's palm strike had no killing power; it only flung Duan Zhao away heavily. The little guy was already half a "martial artist," with thick skin and flesh, so he didn't suffer too much damage. After being flung away, he subconsciously wanted to get up and fight again.

The next moment, Zhou Zhiren flicked his fingers again from a distance.

This time.

His fingertips contained a hint of divine essence and Daoist meaning.

The warrior's physique is strong, and to render him unable to fight again... all you need to do is use the "Divine Sea" attack.

hum!
An invisible wave spanned dozens of feet and landed on Duan Zhao's brow.

The sound of the wind and thunder bracelet bells resonated.

The little guy struggled to his feet, but before he could even steady himself, he felt a dizzying sensation and fell back down.

After doing all this, Zhou Zhiren withdrew his long sleeves and calmly looked around.

Throughout the Sword Forest, the elders and disciples all sat cross-legged on the Yuan Formation. The previous battle had already depleted a lot of their Yuan energy, and now, in order to draw out the Dragon Vein, they were all offering up their Yuan energy.

These people glared at each other, wishing their eyes could kill.

Unfortunately, their bodies were completely empty, and even their last bit of vital energy had been exhausted.

This Yuan Formation has also become a useless formation.

"ended."

Zhou Zhiren looked around and spoke softly.

In the Sword Forest, the only ones who could pose a threat to him were Huang Su and Qi Lie.

Both of them were seriously injured at this moment.

The one in charge of the laws and the one in charge of the teachings are not here.

In the entire Da Sui region, who can stop him?

Sword Forest fell into dead silence.

Despair was evident in the eyes of everyone present.

"Heaven is going to destroy... Da Sui..."

An elder from True Hidden Peak closed his eyes in pain, blood spilling from the corner of his lips.

The imperial treasure ship is aboard.

The fortune of Lotus Peak has been stripped away.

At this moment, the Great Sword Palace... was truly pushed to the edge of a precipice.

They were just one step away from falling into an abyss of no return.

Is there still hope...?

The disciples of Yuping Peak looked towards the location of their own mountain gate.

The master of Miaoyin Mountain is still in seclusion.

If the Lord of Miaoyin Mountain can emerge from seclusion... is there still a chance to stop Zhou Zhiren?

"hope……"

Upon hearing these sounds, Qi Lie's heart trembled slightly.

But he did not look towards Jade Screen Peak.

Instead, he looked northwards, beyond the Sword Palace.

As the guardian of Jade Screen Peak, he knew Jiang Miaoyin's current state better than anyone else; her soul was wandering, immersed in a profound enlightenment. Even if someone sent a message, Jiang Miaoyin wouldn't notice... In this great calamity of the Sword Palace, Senior Sister Miaoyin was destined not to appear.

but.

There is one more person in the Great Jade Palace.

Perhaps it sensed Qi Lie's thoughts, or perhaps this was what Zhou Zhiren was most worried about...

The man in the purple robe stopped and looked north, following Qi Lie's gaze.

"That person has already fled to Beihai."

He spoke coldly.

These words sound like a verdict, a declaration that the overall situation has been settled.

But... it also feels like a form of self-comfort. "Is that so..."

Qi Lie clutched his chest and coughed twice. He slowly raised his head, looked at his senior brother, and said with a smile, "So... you're scared?"

"afraid?"

A chill flashed across Zhou Zhiren's eyes.

He strode forward, kicked Qi Lie to the ground, and stomped heavily on the latter's chest, speaking condescendingly: "You think I'm afraid of him? I'm his senior brother, I'm older than him, I joined Lotus Peak earlier than him... Why should I be afraid of him? What right do I have to be afraid of him?!"

"..."

Lying in a pool of blood, Qi Lie suddenly understood many things at that moment.

He quietly watched his senior brother.

His gaze was filled with pity and sorrow.

……

……

Above the sea of ​​clouds, mist swirls and sword light scatters in all directions.

Jin Aofeng's all-out strike was caught by the Pure White Saint with his own flesh and blood on his shoulder.

The outcome is already clear.

Zhao Tongtian looked down at his body with an unprecedentedly complex expression. He watched as the azure dragon of sword energy that had emerged from the sword forest was cut in half, and as the wisp of purple energy swayed and rose. At this moment, Zhang Lu seemed to have aged decades in an instant... He had already understood what had happened in the sword forest.

Zhao Tongtian's eyes showed incomprehension and confusion.

But there was no anger.

Zhang Lu lowered his sleeves, and the Heaven-Reaching Sword Qi that had been entwining Golden Turtle Peak gradually dissipated, restoring clarity to the sea of ​​clouds.

"He...is one of yours?"

Zhao Tongtian looked very tired at the moment, as if saying just one sentence had taken a lot of effort.

"you?"

Lu Yuzhen raised an eyebrow.

"You...and the Empress..."

The moment Zhou Zhiren severed the sword energy dragon vein, the Master of Laws knew that he had made a very wrong decision, a decision that seemed to have been guided by Lu Yuzhen step by step.

This is an inevitable trend, but also a helpless move.

The Great Sword Palace was inherently unable to withstand the attack from the "Imperial City".

Given his personality, he will definitely use Jianlin.

and so……

Are all these the result of the Empress Dowager and Lu Yu's calculations?
"No no no."

Lu Yuzhen shook her head and said sincerely, "The Empress and I are two different people. She is her, and I am me."

This answer was meaningless to the Master of Laws.

"What's the difference...?"

He said quietly, "Anyway, you all have the same goal now...to collect all four dragon veins..."

Sword energy dragons soared through the air.

Countless sheets of white paper fluttered in the wind.

As if he had long anticipated this betrayal beneath the Sword Forest, Lu Yuzhen had already set up the [White Paper Barrier] at the top of the sky, preparing to collect this immense fortune. Thus, the majestic azure dragon that had broken through the earth instantly condensed in the paper sculptor's hand in another form, reappearing... At this moment, this azure dragon was only a few feet long, coiled and curled up, falling back into a slumbering state.

"While you're right, she and I... are actually quite different."

Holding the Azure Dragon in her hand, Lu Yuzhen said with a smile, "We all want to collect all the dragon veins, but the difference is... she only cares about herself."

There was a pause.

"Zhou Zhiren is my man."

Lu Yuzhen said calmly, "He has been my man for many years."

"Many years ago? When?"

Zhao Tongtian frowned. If he remembered correctly, Zhou Zhiren had hardly left Lotus Peak after joining the sect.

"Ah."

Lu Yuzhen chuckled lightly. Instead of answering the question directly, he opened his wide sleeves.

Countless golden rays burst forth from the sleeves of the paper effigy, forming an array.

People have three souls and seven spirits.

The paper doll technique can take away the "three souls and seven spirits"...

In a sense.

This technique can transform a person into a paper doll, but it also has a more mysterious and far-reaching application.

If a person's "pregnancy light" is taken away by the paper doll technique, then he will lose his vitality and be bedridden for a long time due to a serious illness.

Take away "Shuangling," and you'll be in a state of chaos and ignorance.

Taking away the "evil spirit" will result in having no offspring and no descendants.

The three souls and seven spirits, each strand of life soul is extremely important.

If one cultivates the art of paper dolls to its highest level... one can change the course of a person's destiny.

"These...are all your 'paper figures'?"

Zhao Tongtian stared at the golden rays swirling and tumbling in the sea of ​​clouds, his expression complex.

"Yes."

Lu Yuzhen smiled and said, "These are all my 'paper figures.' Before becoming paper figures, they all lived lives that were more or less unsatisfactory... so I kept their life souls safe for them. Some of them were officials of the dynasty who fell seriously ill, were miraculously cured, and were given a second life. Others were rural women who accidentally drowned, survived, and continued to chop wood and farm. I saved them, and they continued to live. In return, I took a wisp of their life souls."

"..."

Zhao Tongtian fell silent.

He had heard rumors about the "paper dolls" long ago.

But seeing it with my own eyes now, it's quite different from what I've heard.

"I save everyone, but I don't save everyone."

Lu Yuzhen sighed and said, "Ninety percent of these people will never cross paths with me again. They live their lives and don't even know that they have become my 'paper dolls'. However, 'Zhou Zhiren' is a special exception... For me, this is probably the second most worthwhile deal. I saved his life and he helped me retrieve a sword qi dragon vein."

"……second?"

Zhao Tongtian stared intently at the golden light emanating from Lu Yuzhen's sleeves.

Among these souls.

There was a wisp of life force, extremely dazzling and conspicuous.

It was a "fetal light" that burned with golden radiance, as blazing as the sun!
Helping Lu Yuzhen retrieve the Sword Qi Dragon Vein only ranks second?

So, firstly...

A sense of foreboding crept into his heart.

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian."

Lu Yuzhen withdrew her sleeves and gathered all the souls into her robes.

In his left hand he held a sword-qi dragon, while in his right hand countless paper snowflakes gathered, transforming into a white paper barrier that swayed in the wind and snow.

The paper-doll slowly said, "I've heard that your swordsmanship is the best in the Great Sui Sword Palace, second only to the sect leader. Actually... I, Lu, am also somewhat skilled in swordsmanship."

Say it.

The pure white saint's expression turned solemn and dignified. His body swayed slightly, and he stretched out four arms.

"Lu still needs to rush to replenish the dragon vein."

Lu Yuzhen's smile faded, and she asked seriously, "How about deciding the winner in one move?"

Before the words were even finished, boundless gales surged up from the sea of ​​clouds.

The pure white saint raised his arm high, and countless paper snowflakes transformed into a giant sword, carrying an overwhelming cloud tide, and slashed down towards Zhao Tongtian.

The sleeves fluttered in the wind.

Clothes torn.

Zhao Tongtian looked up and watched the endless snowflakes fall like a waterfall.

He took a deep breath.

A sword's cry rang out above the sea of ​​clouds, and Golden Turtle Peak transformed back into the shape of a sword. Accompanied by a deep, thunderous sound, countless golden threads shot out from Zhang Lu's sleeves, soaring into the sky against the tide of the sea of ​​clouds.

This sword strike reaches the heavens above and draws down to the earth below.

It weighs tens of millions of jin.

The two swords clashed, and within a radius of ten miles, the sea of ​​clouds shattered layer by layer, and the world returned to clarity.

(End of this chapter)