Embers of Sword

Chapter 623 Changing lives
Several large treasure ships were smashed to pieces by the snow-white giant ape.

Rocks collapsed, and dust billowed.

Xie Xuanyi stood on the mast, his clothes immaculate, like an old fisherman, calm and composed, constantly retreating, his toes lightly touching the top of the mast, gliding continuously.

A wisp of counterfeit, morbidly potent sword energy swirled back and forth between the Imperial City Guard's treasure ships, spraying bursts of blood mist. Screams and cries were barely audible before they were enveloped in smoke and dust...

One man and one ape, one advancing and one retreating.

In just a dozen breaths, they turned the Imperial City Guard's treasure ship formation upside down!

Xie Xuanyi intentionally lured Zhu Yan into the formation, so that he would "fight each other" with the cultivators of the Imperial City Guard.

Zhu Yan was fully aware of the situation and went along with it.

He was originally a supreme ruler of the demon kingdom, imprisoned in the imperial city, cursed and unable to escape. Although he outwardly submitted, how could he not harbor resentment? Due to the Empress's power, this resentment accumulated day by day, growing ever stronger. This battle was the perfect opportunity to vent it!
Upon seeing this, Zhuque immediately reversed the direction of the Fire Sea Domain.

Sword Forest disciples rushed out in droves—

The cultivators of the Imperial City Guard all changed color. They wanted to escape, but it was too late. A raging sea of ​​fire fell from the sky, and the treasure ship, which was already unable to take off, was completely trapped in the fire cage!
Despair was evident in the eyes of these Imperial City spies.

Who could have imagined that the situation would reverse so quickly?

Before Xie Xuanyi arrived, this was originally a one-sided "slaughter"!
After Xie Xuanyi arrived, the tide turned and the balance of power shifted!
……

……

The smoke and dust cleared away.

Xie Xuanyi shattered the last mast with his toes, propelling himself out and finally landing far away on a small hill.

Zhu Yan continued his domineering advance, smashing the obstructing treasure ship in front of him into pieces with a single slap, and crashing into it from the waist. He raised his head and let out a triumphant roar. By this point in the fierce battle, this demonic body had expanded to its maximum size, nearly a hundred feet tall. The white ape pounded the ground with both arms, its roar like thunder, but its eyes remained clear.

"They're all killed like that?"

Xie Xuanyi crossed his arms and sneered, "Aren't you afraid that the Demon Queen will come after you?"

"Do you think she cares about these people's lives?"

Zhu Yan sneered, glanced down, and then stomped down, crushing the remaining survivors of the treasure ship into a bloody mist.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi fell silent.

indeed.

These Imperial City Guard cultivators, once dead, are simply dead... In the Holy Empress's eyes, these lives are no different from ants on the roadside.

"In the battle to subdue the Sword Palace, the role of these people was to deplete the 'Mountain-Suppressing Array'."

Zhu Yan spoke in a low voice: "The great formation has been broken, and the dragon vein has been destroyed. Their lives and deaths are no longer important."

There was a slight pause.

"In fact... our fighting and strife are not important."

Zhu Yan said with a hint of mockery, "The outcome of this battle depends on those two."

After saying that, the snow-white demon ape looked towards Lotus Peak not far away.

Ever since Lu Yuzhen seized the dragon vein's fortune from the Great Eagle Sword Palace...

The forbidden lotus land fell into a deathly silence.

Xie Xuanyi arrived at the critical moment, which changed the situation and saved the lives of the people in Jianlin, but so what? Once Zhao Chunyang was defeated, the disciples of Jiangong would still die.

The Vermilion Bird flapped its iron wings and slowly hovered above the Vermilion Bird's head.

The fiery domain enveloped the three of them.

There was Xie Xuanyi ahead of him.

The mirror is followed by a note.

Zhu Yan was completely unafraid.

"If I were you, I would never return to the Sword Palace."

Zhu Yan lowered his voice: "The Holy Empress has already reached the tenth level of the Yang God realm... She is only one step away from becoming a Celestial Being. Now that all four dragon veins are complete, the outcome of this battle is already clear."

"Is it?"

Ci Jing remained unmoved and sneered, "If old man Zhao loses, why hasn't the Empress come out yet?"

He traveled a long way from Beihai back home.

Of course, it's not to go and die!

No great demon knew Zhao Chunyang's strength better than Ci Jing... He had actually taken a punch from Zhao Chunyang, and the Sword Palace Master's strength could only be described as "unfathomable." Ci Jing simply didn't believe that anyone in the world could defeat this old fellow in a one-on-one situation.

Zhu Yan kept saying that the Holy Empress had already reached the tenth level of the Yang God realm and was only one step away from becoming a Celestial Being.

But Ci Jing has had doubts all these years...

Zhao Chunyang, who was secluded in the Lotus Forbidden Land, had long since attained the status of a celestial being.

However, the great forces of heaven and earth are suppressing the situation, and the tide of destiny has not yet arrived.

This proves the realm of heaven and man.

They did not attain the status of a celestial being.

"Good words can't persuade a damn devil."

Zhu Yan shook his head: "Since you won't escape, then... we'll offer up our heads!"

boom.

A ripple of air spread out!

The giant demon ape raised its head, its spirits high. It raised its arms and pounded its chest, the sound of which trembled for dozens of feet. The fiery sea domain of Ci Jing rippled with a chilling light. Zhu Yan leaped up and took the initiative to attack Zhu Que. With one stomp, the ground rippled with air waves for miles. The spot where the demon ape had stood was as if it had been bombarded by a cannonball, and a huge spider web was instantly blown open.

In the blink of an eye.

Zhu Yan's true form then attacked and arrived in front of Zhu Que.

With a sharp cry, he slashes with his iron wings!

珰!
The divine light shattered.

Zhu Yan raised his fist and smashed it down, shattering the iron wing.

He was extremely ferocious, grabbing Ci Jing's wing and trying to pull it out of his body... Ci Jing's eyes were bloodshot, and he screamed, pouring all his strength into Zhu Yan's body with demonic fire. The demon ape endured the piercing fire and continued to exert its strength. Under the scorching heat of the Vermilion Bird, its snow-white fur rippled out hundreds of crimson divine lights!

next moment!
A scream echoed through the air!

Zhu Yan forcibly ripped off Ci Jing's arm, and he paid the price... his lower abdomen was pierced by the Vermilion Bird's blazing flames.

"boom--"

Zhu Yan fell to the ground, his body covered in blood.

He forcefully tore the Vermilion Bird's iron wings apart to vent his anger, but the next moment Zhu Yan's expression suddenly froze.

The broken-winged Vermilion Bird lost its balance, splattering demon blood, and wobbled as it plummeted into the sea of ​​clouds. But in just a few breaths, it soared back up, flames burning fiercely at the broken iron wing... While the demon race possesses the innate ability of "flesh and blood regeneration," even the most skilled plant spirits need time to complete their "self-healing."

Zhu Yan had never seen flesh and blood grow at such a rapid pace—

The area where the Vermilion Bird's wing was broken was first covered by billowing flames.

Then, where the flames covered, bones grew and flesh and blood regenerated!
Zhu Yan reconsidered.

This bizarre scene seemed familiar... Xie Xuanyi, who had taken a punch from me, was not killed by the Yang Shen energy. After being taken away by the Vermilion Bird and disappearing for more than ten breaths, he reappeared, almost as if nothing had happened!
Xie Xuanyi possesses a special ability to heal himself, which is nothing to Zhu Yan.

A mere Yin God Realm sword cultivator.

Even if one has some survival skills and can withstand a few more attacks, one will not necessarily put oneself in a desperate situation.

But Suzaku can also heal itself quickly.

For Zhu Yan... it was absolutely devastating news.

"The realm of life?!"

The snow-white demon ape stared intently at the blood-red sparrow shadow that was rising again. At some point, a young sword cultivator had appeared on the back of the Vermilion Bird. At this moment, Xie Xuanyi placed his hands on the back of the Vermilion Bird, and a rich life force was continuously pouring into this Yang God Realm demon.

He knew. Xie Xuanyi had mastered the "Way of Life," a forbidden power that only Zen masters had comprehended—a power unique in the last three hundred years!

But to put it simply...

This is, after all, only the "Dao Realm Power" of the Yin God realm. How could it possibly have such an effect in a battle at the Yang God level?
Is the Realm of the Way of Life really that powerful?
A wave of self-doubt washed over Zhu Yan. In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through his mind, but none of them touched upon the "Fountain of Immortality." He preferred to believe that the Dao of Life was powerful enough rather than that Xie Xuanyi possessed such a heaven-defying artifact as the "Fountain of Immortality."

"I'm scared to death!"

"Hey Xie, you're just fucking right on time!"

The mirror hovers above the sea of ​​clouds.

His voice was hoarse and he was in high spirits. Previously, Zhu Yan had exchanged injuries for injuries, and he had almost been taken advantage of because of his carelessness... When he was guarding the Sword Forest, he had consumed most of the immortal spring water vapor in Zhu Que's body.

If Xie Xuanyi hadn't intervened in time, Ci Jing could hardly imagine what would have happened.

With one of his iron wings torn off, he would hardly have the strength to fight anymore.

This white ape is indeed ferocious in its killing intent.

Although unwilling, Ci Jing had to admit that he had less than a 50% chance of winning against Zhu Yan in a one-on-one duel!
After all, they had traveled a long way, just returned from Beihai, and had even participated in the great battle against "Chongkan," so it was inevitable that they would be at a disadvantage...

Rumble.

Rolling water vapor swirled within the Vermilion Bird's body.

Ci Jing carried Xie Xuanyi, circling above the sea of ​​clouds. He could feel Zhu Yan's divine sense locked onto him... wanting to imitate the previous "attack" and strike him again. However, nourished by the Undying Spring, his broken iron wings grew at an extremely fast speed. He genuinely burned Zhu Yan with the Vermilion Bird's Blazing Flame, but his own injuries healed rapidly.

"It's very difficult to kill him."

Xie Xuanyi rode on the back of the Vermilion Bird, his expression solemn.

Zhu Yan and Chong Kan are different.

Although Grand Master Chongkan possessed the eighth level of the Yang God realm... his physical body was weak, and he was bound to have weaknesses.

The battle in the reed marshes of Beihai.

Chen Jingxuan, Tang Fengshu, Xie Xuanyi, Ci Jing...

Everyone's "goal" is very clear.

Even if there is only a sliver of opportunity, we must find a way to create that opportunity and seize the chance to pierce the flying sword into Chongkan's body.

As long as we find that one spark of opportunity.

Even a Taoist master at the eighth level of the Yang Shen realm would die!
However, Zhu Yan's physical body was extremely strong, with thick skin and flesh. If it were Chen Jingxuan and Tang Fengshu, this battle would be an "overwhelming defeat." With the Great Dao River and the Golden Thread Cage, the two newly promoted Yang Gods could easily suppress Zhu Yan with their peak-level skills, re-locking the demon ape and rendering it unable to move.

However, Xie Xuanyi had not yet condensed the Great Dao.

The Dao of Annihilation, the Divine Embryo of Martial Arts, the Primordial Devouring Divine Power...

These various methods of attack and killing were somewhat lacking. This battle no longer needed the sliver of opportunity presented by the North Sea Reed Marsh, making it very difficult for Xie Xuanyi to inflict fatal damage on Zhu Yan.

"It is indeed very difficult."

Ci Jing also let out a long sigh.

The battles between the great lords of the demon kingdom are quite different from those between human cultivators.

Because they are "thick-skinned and tough," they are forced to "stop at the point of attack."

These great masters rarely engage in life-or-death struggles...

If a Grand Sword Immortal of the Yangshen Realm and a Great True Person of the Daoist Sect were to clash, the outcome would often be decided in an instant. One possesses a "Sword Qi Cave Heaven," the other a "Primordial Qi Great Dao"; whichever side is breached first will almost certainly face certain death. However, the attacks of the Demon Kingdom's Great Venerable are like a martial arts duel, often lasting three days and two nights.

Unless the difference in their cultivation levels is too great, the only path they can take is to exchange injury for injury, or life for life...

This is the reason why Zhu Yan suddenly rose up earlier.

There is no fountain of immortality.

The scales have already tipped in this battle.

"...to exchange one's life for another."

Above the sea of ​​clouds, Xie Xuanyi remained silent for a moment before suddenly uttering two words.

"Exchange of lives?"

Zhuque paused for a moment, a bad feeling vaguely rising in her heart.

Who will exchange lives with whom?
"You trade your life with him."

As if he could read minds, Xie Xuanyi spoke again the moment this thought surfaced in Ci Jing's mind.

Ci Jing's demonic eyes widened: "I'll trade my life with him?!"

"Senior...trust me."

Xie Xuanyi took a deep breath.

He raised his hands.

Iron Wing's torn wound has healed by 60%.

Forty percent remain.

Xie Xuanyi did not cure them all.

Ci Jing understood Xie Xuanyi's thoughts almost instantly... There was no time for further reaction or thought. Another explosion rang out from the ground, and Zhu Yan leaped into the air once more, transforming into a cannonball and hurtling towards Zhu Que. The second clash erupted above the sea of ​​clouds. In the blink of an eye, the two powerful demon gods clashed again with their physical bodies. At this moment, the Great Dao and supernatural powers lost their luster, leaving only pure violence!
boom!
Zhu Yan attacked again, targeting the iron wing that had grown from Ci Jing...

His playing style is as fierce and simple as ever!
Trade injury for life!

Now that the Vermilion Bird's Iron Wings have grown back—

Then he'll tear it again!
"Qiang!"

Iron wings like sharp blades!

This time, Ci Jing was on guard, manipulating his demonic iron wings to clash with Zhu Yan's fist.

boom!
This attack was even more ferocious than before. Ci Jing roared in pain and looked to his side, only to see that the newly grown iron wings had been splattered with blood...

But I didn't gain nothing...

Iron wings sliced ​​across Zhu Yan's chest!
Zhu Yan's chest was instantly torn open, revealing a deep, scarlet wound that could penetrate to the bone, with raging flames burning within the flesh and blood!

the other side.

Xie Xuanyi attacked simultaneously!
Unfortunately, his natal flying sword, "Chen Ke," was still tightly gripped in Zhu Yan's palm.

He could only unleash his Martial Divine Embryo and throw a punch... Compared to Ci Jing's Iron Wing Floating Slash, this punch seemed much "soft and weak," and Zhu Yan simply shook his shoulder to neutralize it.

After one hit.

The ape and the sparrow separated again.

Xie Xuanyi pressed his hands down again, and the vapor from the Undying Spring surged into the Vermilion Bird's body... The iron wings that had been twisted by the attack grew back rapidly, but this time they only healed to about 40-50% of their original size.

"You little rascal...you're pretty cunning..."

Ci Jing had already understood Xie Xuanyi's thoughts.

A life for a life.

This involves trading one's own "life" with Zhu Yan. Due to the existence of the Fountain of Immortality, the so-called "life-exchange" fighting style does not require any concern about injuries.

That demonic ape was violent and eager to settle the score; it had already taken the bait!

However... there is a big problem right now.

"Damn it!"

Despite the excruciating pain, Ci Jing gritted his teeth and said, "If I can really kill this white-haired ape, I don't care about suffering a bit... but is your 'Fountain of Immortality' really enough? Didn't you say there was only a tiny bit left?"

"Don't worry, it's only a little."

Xie Xuanyi looked down at the demonic ape beneath him and said in a low voice, "But... killing this guy is more than enough."

……

……

(PS: Today's update has been made up. A normal update should be released tomorrow at noon.)
(End of this chapter)