Daqin Zhentiansi

As Zhao Yu listened to his meticulous analysis, he felt a surge of confidence in the future of the Great Qin Dynasty and exclaimed with sincere admiration, "Look, the grand strategy you devised at the Military Council—the three-pronged attack, the simultaneous advance from the east and west, and the policy of establishing a foothold in the southern frontier—is now displaying its immense power!"

"In the imperial court, the past criticisms and doubts have long been shattered by the irrefutable facts. Now, only the bold and ambitious words 'The reunion of the Nine Provinces is in sight' rise and fall!"

"Even in the teahouses and fields of the capital, ordinary people were overjoyed upon hearing the battle report, bringing food and drink to reward the troops, and the soldiers' morale soared!"

"Even the old scholars in the Censorate, who are usually strict and rigid, excitedly reported that they observed that the golden dragon of the nation's destiny was becoming more solid and majestic, with its scales shining brightly and its roar shaking the heavens!"

She raised her head, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, gazing into Zhang Yuan's deep, calm, yet powerful eyes, and said softly, "All this glorious momentum, though you are in this distant Yangtian Continent, reflects the grand plans you once envisioned. You are the driving force that set the course for this world."

A hint of worry crept into Zhao Yu's voice as she turned her gaze to the heavy, black sword "Yuanyue" resting quietly against the table.

Its deep blue blade, illuminated by the warm, spiritual light of the cave, radiated a chilling, icy gleam that sent shivers down one's spine.

"But... I've heard that the infamous Sword Tomb is several times more terrifying than the Sea of ​​Blood."

"Even a figure as all-knowing as Senior Li Mubai solemnly warned that it harbors unimaginable terror, a place of absolute peril and death left behind by ancient gods and demons... Your journey here..."

Zhang Yuan's hand continued to gently stroke her hair, conveying a reassuring strength in his movements.

His voice remained calm, yet it contained an overwhelming power that seemed capable of supporting the universe, penetrating straight to the heart: "The trend has been set, it is rolling forward, and it cannot be stopped by a single city or place, or even a few fierce and desolate places."

"In Yongtian Continent, our Qin's iron-blooded soldiers fought bravely and relentlessly, reshaping the land with their flesh and blood, laying the foundation for that glorious era. And here—"

His gaze was fixed on "Yuanyue," whose deep blue light resembled the eye of a sleeping dragon in the deep sea, containing a sharpness and power capable of severing eternity.

"It is to ensure that this magnificent scene, nurtured by the countless heroic spirits and the hopes of millions of people, will stand tall and shine brightly throughout the Nine Provinces and the world, and—never again be in danger of collapsing!"

Zhao Yu gazed at his sharply defined profile, calm as a distant mountain, and felt the vast aura and absolute will emanating from him, as if it were enough to support the fate of the entire Qin Dynasty and even the future of the Nine Provinces.

A thousand words welled up to my lips like a tide, but in the end, they only turned into a soft, gentle response, full of unreserved trust and endless tenderness:
"Ok!"

----------------

The Great River Sword Sect.

The Secret Realm of Shattered Star Cave.

The sect's meditation room could no longer contain the surging chaotic true essence and vast sword intent within Zhang Yuan's body.

At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged in the deepest part of the Shattered Star Cave, the core forbidden area of ​​the Great River Sword Sect.

This is not a cave, but a small fragment of a star field that was extracted from the Milky Way by a powerful being and solidified here.

The star-shaped foundation stones, polished by billions of years, are exposed, exuding an ancient, desolate yet infinitely powerful starlight and chaotic aura.

Zhang Yuan's eyes were closed, but within his sea of ​​consciousness surged an endless torrent of martial arts.

The powerful gravity of "Mountains and Rivers Move".

The absolute power of the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Technique.

The Devouring and Containment Technique of the Bashe Devouring the Heavens.

The vastness of the ocean in "Ten Abyss Sea Suppression Techniques".

The swift and violent nature of "Nine Heavens Thunder".

The unpredictable and ever-changing nature of the Seven Wounds Sword Intent.

The Daoist spirit flows through "Ink Rhyme and Seal Dragon"...

The essence of swordsmanship and the true meaning of swordsmanship, honed through countless insights and life-and-death battles, are no longer clearly defined rivers, but rather as if they have been thrown into an invisible giant cauldron.

With the "Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Nourishing Qi and Returning to Truth Holy Chapter" as its core, it was frantically forged and melted by the divine soul fire of the Holy Realm!
His cultivation level unknowingly reached the second stage of Grandmaster, the Profound Realm.

Its power penetrates the netherworld.

This is the true transformation of the power of the Great Dao, the beginning of its mastery.

"Zheng——"

With a heavy sword in hand, the sword light flashed before him.

He was no longer simply using knife or sword techniques, but was tracing their origins—

"Force" and "Potential".

"Break" and "Defend".

"Condensation" and "Dispersion".

"Skill" and "Intent"!
"The power of the sword lies in its unstoppable momentum and its relentless advance."

"The sharpness of the sword lies in condensing a thousand pounds into a moment and breaking through all laws in a crack."

"The essence of martial arts lies in its unbreakable power. However, power can be manifest or concealed; true freedom lies in the balance of strength and gentleness, and the harmony of movement and stillness..."

"Beyond the unity of heaven and man... one's body becomes heaven and earth, and one's will governs the rules. I am the mountains and rivers, I am the deep sea, I am... the primordial chaos!"

"Boom!"

A deafening roar, as if the heavens and earth were splitting apart, exploded deep within Zhang Yuan's soul!

The starlight within the entire Shattered Star Cave dimmed for a moment, then was drawn in by an even more powerful and primal force, surging wildly into Zhang Yuan's body!
Behind him, the illusory image of the Chaos Furnace, which had become increasingly solid due to his breakthrough in cultivation, trembled violently, and countless marks appeared on its walls—

Zhenhai, Shanhe, Shenxiang, Mingwang...

At this moment, they began to flow and blend like mercury, gradually blurring the boundaries.

A more primal, domineering aura, transcending any single law, spread out.

Like the giant pillar that supported the four poles of heaven and earth at the beginning of chaos!
The Eighth Realm of Martial Arts – The Realm of Returning to One!

This is a kind of "true domain" that transcends the unity of heaven and man, completely connects one's own microcosm with the external macrocosm, and fuses all the laws one has comprehended into one, forming a unique "true domain" of one's own.

Within this true domain, Zhang Yuan did not need to deliberately activate any particular law or technique; his power arose from his thoughts.

A slash can be as powerful as a heavy blade shattering a mountain, or it can transform into countless strands of sword intent.

Defense can be as solid as a mountain, or as overwhelming as an ocean abyss.

The flow of power is now completely effortless, truly reaching the state of simplicity and perfect harmony!
"Om-!"

He suddenly opened his eyes.

There was no dazzling light, only a deep, calm, and natural tranquility.

He slowly rose and pulled out the "Yuanyue" sword that was stuck upside down in the star rock beside him.

This time, there will be no more probing, no more holding back.

He raised his hand, simply and casually, and with a sword in hand, gently swung it down towards the "Star-Suppressing Heavenly Stele," a monument deep within the secret realm, formed from the core of a galaxy's magnetic energy, far more solid than any mountain in the outside world, and regarded by generations of sword sect experts as a test of their swords.

The movements were simple and unadorned, as if they were merely brushing away dust.

however--

The entire Shattered Star Cave seemed to have been instantly transported to another dimension!
An immense gravity descended, like a thousand mountains pressing down; this was Zhang Yuan's power to move mountains and rivers.

A violent and pure power erupted, like a divine elephant treading the sky—this came from the Divine Elephant Suppressing the Prison.

A chilling, desolate, all-consuming killing intent permeated the air, locking onto its target—this was the divine power of the Annihilation Star God.

The profound and boundless essence of water is contained within it, serving both suppression and sustaining, originating from the Ten Abyss Sea-Suppressing Formation...

More importantly, it is the perfect fusion of all forces that forms a "True Domain" that has absolute control and crushes everything!
The deep blue light on the twin blades of "Yuanyue" shone breathtakingly bright at this moment, as if it were gathering a sea abyss about to erupt.

Silently.

The sword falls.

The "Star-Suppressing Stele," which had withstood countless powerful attacks from supreme beings without flinching, crumbled like a fragile sand sculpture the instant it was touched by the sword light, falling silently along the point of impact...

It transforms into billions of incredibly fine specks of stardust, drifting and scattering!
There was no earth-shattering roar, no violent dissipation of energy.

Only the fine stardust shimmered faintly in the dim light of the secret place, and the image of the dark, heavy sword steadily cutting through the dust.

This is the killing technique under the "Return to One True Domain", which integrates thousands of great powers into one strike. The great way is simple, and it is as easy as lifting heavy objects.

What shattered was not only the foundation of the stars, but also the barriers that secular martial arts used to define "skill" and "realm".

The starlight within the Shattered Star Cave seemed to pause for a moment, then surged even more fiercely towards the "Abyss Mountain" in Zhang Yuan's hand, as if offering the deepest respect to this heavy sword and its master. ...

Three days later.

"Woo-wu-wu-"

A vast, majestic, and seemingly timeless horn-like sound suddenly resounded throughout the entire Great River Sword Sect.

It even penetrated the sect's protective formation and echoed throughout the vast eastern sea area of ​​Yangtian Continent.

Not just one clarion call, but hundreds, thousands!
The sound moves from far to near.

From sparse to dense.

Ultimately, they converge into a vast, surging, and unstoppable torrent.

It resonated with the primordial energy of heaven and earth, striking the very soul of every participant.

The Sword Tomb is open!
The ancient site where swords were buried!

Deep within the Great River Sword Sect, a massive port had already been opened.

Dozens of enormous flying ships, as large as mountains, hovered silently.

These flying boats were not made of ordinary wood or refined iron; their main body was made of precious, ten-thousand-year-old "ironthorn ebony," which was extremely tough.

The surface is engraved with intricate defensive array diagrams and spirit-gathering runes.

The bow of the boat is not shaped like a dragon or fish, but rather like a huge, ancient broken sword, exuding a sharp and unyielding spirit.

The hull was covered with metal armor plates that resembled the scales of a demonic beast, with runes flickering between the gaps.

The material is clearly the same as the "Black Tortoise Scale Shield" and "Fish Scale Armor" that were transported during the East China Sea hunt!
On the largest flying boat, the banners bearing the words "Great River" fluttered loudly.

Ling Hao and other elite disciples of the Great River Sword Sect, along with Yun Shuang and others from the Tianxuan Sword Pavilion, stood solemnly on the deck.

They looked toward the figure in black robes standing at the highest point of the bow.

Zhang Qingyang.

The eyes of everyone were filled with an unprecedented fervor and determination.

Zhang Yuan, holding the "Yuanyue" in his hand, stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing through the bow of the ship and reaching towards the vast sky.

As far as the eye could see, the distant horizon was filled with countless lights and boat shadows!
The cloud boat from the Taixu Sword Pavilion was pure white like jade and exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura.

Sword shadows flickered on the hull of the boat, and countless sword energies carved a vacuum passage through the clouds.

The Wan Jie Fu Zong's vehicle was like a moving talisman mountain, with billions of runes flowing across its surface.

Lightning flashed, as if it could trigger a heavenly tribulation at any moment.

The bone boat in the Hall of Departure was grotesque and terrifying, filled with a deathly silence and chill.

The Taoist ship of Qingxu Temple was surrounded by pure air and purple mist, exuding a natural Taoist charm.

Even more magnificent, ferocious, ancient, or agile flying boats and ships broke through the clouds from all over Yangtian Continent and even more distant star fields, converging here!

The sea of ​​clouds rolled and churned, like a boiling silver ocean.

Thousands of magnificent flying ships, each unique in shape and carrying the core strength of their respective sects and representing the highest combat power of the younger generation in Yangtian Continent and even this world, are advancing in a mighty might towards the same destination, summoned by this ancient horn.

That infamous, ancient, and perilous place, known as the Sword Tomb!
A myriad of rays of light shone forth, and precious radiance soared into the sky.

The flying boat pierced through the sky, tearing apart thousands of miles of clouds.

The powerful magic array's spiritual light shone brightly, forming a magnificent light curtain that covered the sky.

Yet, as they approached the central area, they were met with that ancient, unchanging gray abyss, radiating a chilling, desolate, and tragic sword intent—

It was swallowed up at the entrance to the Sword Tomb.

The wind, carrying an ancient lament, swept over Zhang Yuan's robes, yet could not move his mountain-like figure.

The "Yuanyue" heavy sword in his hand, with its dark blue double-edged edges, under the illumination of the dazzling light, resembled ice condensed in the deepest part of the abyss, exuding a calm and restrained sharpness that was enough to cut off all obstacles in its path.

"set sail."

The indifferent voice, carrying an unquestionable will, clearly reached the ears of every disciple of the Great River Sword Sect.

The massive, mountain-sized ironthorn ebony flying boat emitted a deep, rumbling sound.

The core magic array was fully ignited, and a dazzling spiritual light enveloped the ship's hull.

The massive, broken-sword-shaped bow of the ship turned around, forcefully tearing through the clouds and space ahead, leading the enormous fleet behind it, like being thrown into the jaws of a giant beast, crashing headlong into that gray, ancient, desolate region, teeming with endless dangers and boundless opportunities.

The Sword Tomb Trial begins!

Countless outstanding talents have fallen like stars into a tomb.

Only the sword in my hand can determine the fate of the world!
At the entrance to the Sword Tomb, gray mist surged and churned like countless wronged souls.

A fierce sword intent from an ancient battlefield emanated from it, stirring up the spiritual energy of Yangtian Continent.

At the edge of the vast, boundless gray wilderness, clouds and boats obscure the sun, and spiritual light shines like the sea.

The massive floating warships of various factions hovered at the edge of the boundary storm, their banners fluttering, creating a magnificent spectacle.

The flying boat of Taixu Sword Pavilion is pure white, like flawless cold jade, with thousands of subtle sword energies swirling around its body, carving out a vacuum passage through the sea of ​​clouds.

The disciples on the boat remained indifferent, scrutinizing the figure in black robes at the bow of the "Great River" ship, their wariness concealing hidden scheming.

The Wan Jie Fu Zong's mount resembled a moving mountain of runes, with countless ancient and unadorned runes flowing and fading, and lightning streaking between the runes, as if brewing a means to communicate with the might of heaven.

The old man in the boat glanced at Zhang Yuan with his cloudy eyes, his fingers quietly calculating on the jade talisman.

The grotesque bone ship of the Lichen Palace was filled with a deathly aura, shrouded in a dark, icy mist. Chu He stood at the bow, his pale face revealing an undisguised chilling killing intent.

Behind him, the auras of several elite members of the "Shadow Assassin Hall" blended into the shadows, like the spitting tongues of venomous snakes.

The Taoist ship of Qingxu Temple was surrounded by pure and purple mist, exuding a natural Taoist charm. The leading Taoist priest smiled meaningfully and nodded to Zhang Yuan from afar.

The Yin-Yang demonic clouds churned in the Myriad Bones Cave, and the beast-shaped flying boats formed from countless piles of bones exuded a putrid aura. Greed and cruelty gleamed in the eyes of the demonic cultivators.

The pink smoke boat of the Heart-Eating Cult floated erratically, its seductive music faint and indistinct, revealing a sinister and murderous intent.

The Azure Jade Sword Boat of Lingyun Sword Palace rang out with a clear and resonant sound, its sharp intent soaring straight into the sky, and the disciples were filled with high fighting spirit.

The Jade Cauldron Pill Sect's giant pill furnace ship, filled with the fragrance of medicinal herbs, stood as steady as a rock. The elders looked at the malevolent aura deep within the Sword Tomb with worried expressions.

Below, on the sea and even in the air, countless rogue cultivators, riding various magical treasures, flying shuttles, and strange beasts, surged into the gray mist rift like a swarm of carp crossing a river.

The burly man carrying a giant sword roared and smashed through the crowd.

The scholar, wielding the magical artifacts of Qimen Dunjia, gestured with his fan.

The female cultivator riding a spirit crane possessed a cool and aloof sword light...

"Hmph, a rabble! How dare ordinary cultivators lay a finger on this Sword Tomb?" A senior disciple of the Great River Sword Sect behind Ling Hao sneered in a low voice.

“That’s not necessarily true,” Ling Hao said solemnly, pointing to the distant horizon. “Look over there!”

Several sword lights appeared, shining brightly like the sun piercing the sky. Their sharpness was so great that it dimmed the light of the cloud boats.

They ignored the chaotic tide of rogue cultivators on the outskirts, and even more so the heavily fortified sects and their massive ships.

Wherever it passed, space seemed to be directly cut open by an invisible, sharp force.

The sword light was extremely fast!

Fierce!

purely!

"It's Zhao Zhou, the sword cultivator!"

On the flying boat on the great river, many discerning disciples exclaimed in surprise.

"The people who emerged from the remnants of the 'Enemy of Ten Thousand Spirits' recorded in the 'Heavenly Evolution Demon Mirror'! They guarded the lifeline of the Sword Tomb, and now they've all come out in full force?" (End of Chapter)