Daqin Zhentiansi

"It's...it's under control?!"

Yin Xiaozi was so overwhelmed by the terrifying pull of the demonic banner that he could hardly contain himself, filled with shock and fear.

He never imagined that this banner could be driven in this way!

Even more terrifying is that the demonic soul essence he had painstakingly cultivated was now boiling uncontrollably, resonating with the evil power of the banner, causing the torrent of sword spirits it triggered to surge several times in power in an instant!
This was achieved through his own efforts, with Zhang Yuan using unparalleled methods to forcibly "enlighten" his natal magic treasure!

His withered face was contorted with pain and fear, making him an involuntary sacrificial lamb in this high-stakes gamble!
"Seal! Nine Abyss Suppresses the Mountain!"

Wu Daoling seized that fleeting opportunity, his hair bristling and his voice booming like a great bell!

The three thousand sword cultivators of Yongtian Continent instantly became of one mind and shouted in unison!
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Thousands of black iron longswords were drawn simultaneously, not to attack, but to clash and parry each other in mid-air!
The iron will as solid as a substance and the unparalleled sword intent intertwined in an instant!

The entire turbulent Sea of ​​Sword Spirits seemed to be suddenly pierced by countless invisible black gold chains!
A massive gravitational field descended suddenly from the center of the military formation!

The golden sea, visible to the naked eye, became eerily calm for several breaths at that moment!
The omnipresent, soul-severing shriek of the sword spirit paused for a moment!
It wasn't a complete suppression, but rather like erecting countless pillars in the midst of a raging torrent!
This is an act of suppressing the sea and locking the land with the body of a mortal!
The blood drained from the faces of the three thousand sword cultivators instantly. Their bodies felt as if they were carrying a mountain of immense weight, yet not one of them retreated!
The chain-like golden light was a manifestation of their burning will!

"roar--?!"

The sword whale's massive jaws, poised to devour, were abruptly halted by the sudden surge of chaos and forceful suppression!
The movement froze for a mere fraction of a second!
The projection of the malevolent sword at its throat seemed to sense something, and the thick black malevolent energy surged violently!
And it was in that fleeting moment of stillness that...
Zhang Yuan made a move!

His movement was incredibly simple—he raised his hand!
Between his fingers, an irregular dark red rune floated silently.

The runes resembled solidified molten lava, with a dark red dot at the center like a beating heart, flowing with a frenzied rage that could incinerate everything and a ferocious will to destroy the world.

It originated from the last remnant of Bai Qi's demonic manifestation—the Calamity Fire Sword Talisman!
Zhang Yuan didn't even glance at the colossal beast in front of him that blocked out everything and could devour him a thousand times over.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the giant whale's golden body and land directly on the projection of the Fiend Soul Sword deep in its throat, which was spitting out black energy and greedily absorbing the mixed sword spirit energy that was temporarily suppressed by the Nine Abyss Chains and could not surge in.

That gaze was eerily calm.

Like feeding a poisoned bait that is destined to burst its prey.

"Om."

With just a slight flick of his wrist, he created a ripple in space that was barely perceptible to the naked eye.

That dark red Calamity Fire Sword Talisman seemed to possess its own will and desire, transforming into a blazing stream of blood-red flames that vanished instantly!
Its speed surpasses even the blink of an eye!
There was no earth-shattering momentum.

There was no dazzling light.

The moment the Calamity Fire Sword Talisman appeared, it was like a scalding hot needle dripping onto the surface of oil!

Deep within the whale's throat, the projection of the broken sword, floating amidst the dark golden aura, suddenly erupted with an unprecedented, sharp tremor that tore the souls of all living beings apart! The blood-red runes on its surface swirled wildly!
"boom--!!!!!!!!!"

A tremendous explosion erupted from the very core and most vital part of the giant whale's body!
In that instant, it was as if a star condensed from pure destructive will ignited and exploded inside the sword whale's belly!

The destructive crimson flames, like the breath of a demon from a hellish scroll, spewed out from the giant mouth, eye sockets, and blowholes of the sword whale, and even from the countless cracks beneath its incredibly tough, sword-inspired skin!

The power of calamity fire and the power of evil soul, two terrifying wills that share the same origin but are destined to devour each other, unfolded the most tragic clash, tearing and devouring within the narrow primordial space of the sword whale's body!

"Awooo—hoo—ga..."

The colossal whale's agonizing, structurally devastating howl echoed throughout the Sea of ​​Sword Spirits. The sound was like countless broken swords rubbing against each other and snapping, filled with the despair of metal tearing apart!

Its enormous body, which looked like it was made of solidified pure gold, was torn apart from the inside!

The dazzling sword intent, like a molten metal river, surged and splashed wildly from the huge crack, only to melt and dissipate in the erupting flames!
The enormous body disintegrated inch by inch before everyone's horrified eyes!
Like the sun collapsing, it transformed into a dazzling yet fleeting storm of golden stardust!

The shattered fragments of the sword spirit, along with the raging torrents of tribulation fire and evil spirit power, tore apart everything around them, turning the entire golden ocean into a mess!
The golden waves surged violently, refusing to subside for a long time.

The Soul-Gathering Banner of Ten Thousand Fiends lost its guiding power, its light dimmed instantly, and it shrank back to Zhang Yuan's side.

Yin Xiaozi let out a muffled groan, his demonic energy waning, his withered face filled with the exhaustion of surviving a calamity and a deeper fear.

The three thousand Yongtian sword cultivators were all shocked, and many of them had blood spilling from the corners of their mouths.

The condensed iron-blooded military formation instantly dimmed, and the illusory image of the black gold chains crumbled inch by inch.

The immense pressure suddenly vanished, causing a backlash that left almost half of the sword cultivators exhausted and collapsing, with only the swords they gripped tightly in their hands supporting their bodies.

Wu Daoling stood leaning on his sword, his chest heaving violently, staring at the terrifying aftershocks of the explosion ahead, his eyes filled with shock.

Although the military formation is said to be able to slay saints, the method of inciting the two fierce swords to fight each other and almost borrowing the power of the heavens is unpredictable!

Xuan Chengzi fell onto the turbulent shallows of the Golden Sea, his Taoist robe charred and torn, and his jade ruler lying dull and lifeless to the side.

The bewitching golden light of the sword spirit had completely faded from his eyes, leaving only the bewilderment of surviving a calamity and a deep-seated shame.

He raised his head and looked at the still upright figure in black robes at the center of the storm. His lips moved, but it turned into a silent sigh. Deep in his eyes, there was an indescribable gratitude and a deep sense of lingering fear.

If Zhang Yuan hadn't caused the two fierce swords to fight each other and relieve the immense pressure, his attack just now, which caused his Dao heart to become unbalanced, would probably have already attracted the backlash of the evil spirits, turning him into a slave of the sword spirits!

The golden storm gradually subsided.

The ocean formed by billions of sword spirits, after experiencing the collapse of the evil sword projection and the devastating explosion of the internal conflict between the two evil swords, presents an eerie calm after the catastrophe.

The golden waves were no longer raging, but rose and fell slowly with a weary groan, and specks of gold-like light, like stardust, slowly sank into the deep sea.

Zhang Yuan stood alone at the edge of the gradually calming golden sea of ​​fury, his black robes fluttering without wind. He slowly withdrew his divine sense that had activated the Myriad Fiends Gathering Soul Banner, and the enormous demonic banner instantly shrank, flying back to Yin Xiaozi's side with a trace of weakness.

Sweat beaded on Yin Xiaozi's withered face, his eyes still showing lingering fear and indescribable awe. His gaze toward Zhang Yuan was one of complete submission, devoid of any further thoughts.

Forcibly controlling his natal demon banner to devour the low-level sword spirit tide, the feeling of being completely dominated by a higher-level power was etched into the depths of his soul like a brand.

"Puff-"

A muffled thud broke the silence.

Xuan Chengzi struggled to his feet from the golden waves of the shallows. His Taoist robe was torn and stained with specks of golden light, traces of the sword spirit's erosion.

At this moment, the madness and greed in his eyes had faded, replaced by endless regret and fear, as well as the bewilderment of surviving a disaster.

He staggered a few steps, then knelt deeply in Zhang Yuan's direction, his forehead pressed against the cold, golden "seawater" flowing with sword intent, his voice hoarse and trembling:
"Fellow Daoist Zhang... no, Lord Zhang! This humble Daoist... deserves to die a thousand deaths! I was actually bewitched by the evil thoughts of the evil sword and committed such a rebellious act... If it weren't for Lord Zhang's timely awakening, this humble Daoist would have been doomed and become a slave of the Sword Tomb! This kindness... Xuan Chengzi of Qingxu Temple will never forget! If there is any need for my service, I will gladly die ten thousand times!"

The gratitude he expressed in his words was genuine.

The feeling of having one's soul completely eroded by the fierce sword intent and losing all reason was like falling into the deepest hell.

It was Zhang Yuan's domineering and unparalleled Ice and Fire Wheel strike, coupled with the immense power that ultimately triggered the internal conflict between the two evil swords, that dispelled the insidious evil thoughts that clung to his bones and pulled him back from the brink of complete depravity.

Zhang Yuan's gaze swept over him, but he didn't say anything, only nodded slightly.

Xuan Chengzi's betrayal and awakening are yet another manifestation of the dangers of the Sea of ​​Sword Spirits, and also give him a deeper understanding of the bewitching power of the Thirteen Fierce Swords.

"Senior Brother Cheng!" Sun Ming, Zhou Yue, and other disciples of Zhao Zhou rushed to Cheng Yue's side.

Cheng Yue remained frozen, the twisted golden patterns on his body writhing like living things. Pain contorted his face, but deep in his eyes, the resilient light of the "Heavy Mountain Sword Intent" struggled against the erosion, like a seedling under a rock, tenaciously fighting for survival.

Zhang Yuan stepped in front of Cheng Yue.

He pointed his fingers like a sword, and chaotic true essence flowed between his fingertips. A mysterious rune exuding an ancient and vast aura, the "Soul-Forging Sword Talisman" which was obtained from the fifth layer of the Bronze Man Array and perfected by the Chaos Furnace, condensed and took shape at his fingertips.

The runes shone, carrying the power of stripping, purifying, and reshaping, precisely targeting the wound on Cheng Yue's left shoulder that had been invaded by the sword spirit!
"Soul-Forging Sword Talisman, peel it away!"

"Om-"

A deep humming sound emanated from Cheng Yue's body.

The ferocious sword spirit that had invaded his flesh and bone marrow and frantically devoured his original vitality and soul seemed to have met its nemesis, and let out a silent shriek!

The golden patterns struggled violently, like impurities thrown into a furnace, forcibly extracted and stripped from Cheng Yue's body by the chaotic power of the runes!
"Ugh—!"

Cheng Yue let out a suppressed roar of pain, his body trembling violently, large beads of sweat mixed with blood rolling down his face.

But along with the pain of this separation, the light of his own self grew brighter and brighter, and that heavy, all-protecting sword intent was rapidly returning!
The golden sword spirit fragments that were separated did not dissipate. Instead, under the guidance of the Soul-Forging Sword Talisman, they began to frantically merge and refine with Cheng Yue's own tenacious "Heavy Mountain Sword Intent" and the remaining protective intent of the sword soul stone obtained from the second layer of the Ice Valley. The shadow of Li Chunfeng was faintly visible in them!
The Chaos True Essence is like the most exquisite furnace fire, harmonizing this violent energy.

Gradually, a brand new, pale golden sword-shaped phantom, exuding an aura as solid as a mountain and as sharp as a peak, slowly took shape in Cheng Yue's dantian—the Guardian Sword Soul!
"Protect... Zhao Zhou... Revive..."

Cheng Yue's consciousness oscillated between excruciating pain and rebirth. Scenes flashed through his mind: the ruins of the Flowing Cloud Sword Pavilion, the sorrow of his elders becoming sword slaves, the desolate landscape of Zhao Zhou with its depleted spiritual energy.

The moment the Guardian Sword Soul was fully formed, an unprecedented sense of power and mission surged through my entire body!

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning, devoid of any confusion or pain, only displaying a rock-solid determination and resolve!
He suddenly turned around, faced Zhang Yuan, and knelt down on one knee!
His knee slammed into the golden sea, creating a ripple.

He looked up, his gaze intense, his voice booming like a bell, carrying the weight of a blood oath and an unquestionable resolve:

"I will forever remember the Lord's kindness in saving me! My body and soul have merged with the guardian sword! I, Cheng Yue, hereby swear this oath of sword heart—"

"I am willing to burn myself as a torch to help the Marquis quell the chaos and bring a glimmer of hope to Zhao Zhou!"

"I will continue the legacy of the Flowing Cloud Sword Pavilion! I will ignite the flame of Zhao Zhou's revival! Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will have no regrets!"

This vow, like a thunderclap, resounded above the golden ocean and also echoed in the hearts of every disciple of Zhao Zhou.

Sun Ming, Zhou Yue, and the others were filled with fervor. They knelt down in unison and shouted in unison, "We are willing to follow Senior Brother Cheng, help Lord Marquis quell the rebellion, and bring life to Zhao Zhou!"

Zhao Zhou's destiny as a sword cultivator came to an end at this moment, transforming into a resolute commitment to live in the face of death!
That guardian sword spirit not only saved Cheng Yue, but also became a symbol and spark for the revival of Zhao Zhou, and in the future it can sense the scattered inheritance of the Flowing Cloud Sword Pavilion.

"boom--"

On the other side, the three thousand sword cultivators from Yongtian Continent led by Wu Daoling finally succumbed to the extreme power of the "Nine Abyss Mountain Suppressing Formation".

The massive military formation collapsed like a deflated giant. Countless sword cultivators collapsed from exhaustion, panting heavily, their faces as pale as paper, and many had blood at the corners of their mouths.

Forcibly suppressing the power of heaven and earth in the Sea of ​​Sword Spirits, and resisting the terrifying soul-devouring torrent and the aftershocks of the internal conflict between the two fierce swords, consumed far more energy than imagined.

However, amidst this extreme exhaustion and carnage, a more refined, more resilient, and more blood-and-fire-infused will rose in the hearts of every surviving Yongtian sword cultivator!
That was not an enhancement of individual sword intent, but a qualitative change resulting from the high resonance of the wills of three thousand people on the edge of life and death, and their joint bearing of the immense pressure of heaven and earth!

Their sword intent imprints were forcibly tempered, resonated, and fused together in the process of suppressing heaven and earth and resisting ferocious power!
Each sword-spirit stone, carrying their indomitable fighting spirit and belief in protection, hummed and vibrated at the core of the military formation, echoing each other.

Ultimately, a vague yet resilient military soul sword domain, woven from countless tiny sword shadows and iron will, faintly formed above the military formation!
Although this domain is weak and unstable, it symbolizes that this army has completed its transformation from a "formation" to a "domain", possessing the terrifying potential to transform collective will into an offensive and defensive barrier!
Their sacrifices and perseverance have brought about a transformative power.

Zhang Yuan stood in the center of the golden ocean, his gaze sweeping over the rekindled flames of Zhao Zhou in Cheng Yue's eyes, over Xuan Chengzi's deep gratitude for surviving the calamity, over Yin Xiaozi's complete submission and awe, over the nascent military spirit forged by the sword cultivators of Yong Tian Zhou with their blood and will, and finally back into his own hands.

Two things were floating in his palm. (End of Chapter)