Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 165 Flowing Blade Brocade City's True Demon Sighs

As dawn broke, a thin mist gently shrouded the river.

The water vapor floats and swirls, like invisible ribbons gently wrapping around the city walls and pavilions.

As summer's heat first entered Chengdu, Zhou Yi and Shi Qingxuan returned to find gardenias in full bloom along the bluestone path, their blossoms like snowflakes, a truly beautiful sight.

As I traveled along, I noticed that Chengdu had changed.

Therefore, they did not linger, but traveled by day and rested by night, entering the city early in the morning.

After asking around among some people in the Jianghu near the south of the city, he learned that Old Zhou was punctual and had not contacted the Sichuan Gang in advance, which put his mind at ease.

As the saying goes, "Dogs in Sichuan bark at the sun," meaning that sunny days are a rare treat in Chengdu during the summer.

It was nearly 9 AM, and the bright sunshine was a rare sight.

The two traveled for a short rest, and like other travelers on the road, they found a teahouse on the city wall when they got thirsty.

The teahouse was bubbling with activity, the tea leaves were turning milky, and the steam clung to the bamboo curtains hanging from the eaves.

The tea drinkers, dressed in light shirts, sat in twos and threes, some waving round fans, others pulling up their shirts to fan themselves.

They were talking animatedly about recent events in Chengdu.

Zhou Yi ordered two bowls of tea and listened attentively from the side.

Only then did I realize that the situation in Duzunbao was tense, and that there had already been several major battles.

However, Duzunbao has many experts, and instead of suffering a loss, it has gained an even greater reputation.

Not only is Jie Hui related to the Song Clan's Heavenly Blade Clan by marriage, but it seems that his relationship with the Holy Land of Martial Arts is even closer now.

People in the martial arts world of Sichuan and Chongqing have always revered the martial arts judge.

To outsiders, the crisis at Duzun Fortress was not a major concern; on the contrary, they found it amusing and viewed the martial arts conflict as a good show.

The vast majority of people favor Duzunbao.

After all, for a long time, Xie Hui had been the loudest person in Sichuan.

After sitting for a while, Zhou Yi heard that Feng Zhen, the leader of the Ba Alliance, had gone to the Sichuan Gang.

The fact that Gun Master and Monkey King chose this sensitive time to meet, but did not get involved in the chaos at Duzun Fortress, immediately made many people realize something was amiss.

The fact that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance and the Trump faction are openly holding a secret meeting clearly indicates that the three major forces are already at odds internally.

The conflicts within the martial arts world are nothing compared to the attitudes of the three major powers, which are crucial to the stability of Sichuan and Chongqing.

People who are used to a comfortable life are quite concerned about this.

Not far from the stove in the teahouse, an elderly man with a dark face, who was fanning himself with a bamboo hat, listened silently for a while before interjecting into the midst of the group's discussion:
"I heard that both Alliance Leader Feng and Gang Leader Fan support the Grand Commander of Jianghuai, isn't that great? I just returned from Jiangnan, and this Grand Commander Zhou has an excellent reputation. From what you all are saying, it seems the Fortress Master doesn't approve. Why is that?"

Some people said, "The lord of the fort has close ties with the forces in Guanzhong, but not much with those in Jianghuai. Moreover, it would be easier for him to conquer the south from the north and establish a stable regime."

"Hey, you've gone off on a tangent."

"The holy monks of Buddhism are all in Duzun Fortress, and with the support of Ning Sanren, this is the largest force in the world. It is understandable that the fortress lord follows their lead."

Immediately, someone questioned: "Ning Sanren never said such a thing. He was a compassionate man who only hoped that the war would end soon and that the land would return to peace."

"In that case, why not support Grand Commander Zhou? Looking across the world, the Grand Commander is the most powerful. Moreover, he is the youngest and most benevolent overlord, and he is expected to become the number one expert in the Nine Provinces and Four Seas in the future."

Someone said with a barbed tone, "The martial arts holy land started with martial arts. If it really cares about the people, it should immediately have its lord support Jianghuai."

"Hmph, that sounds nice, but in the end it's just a power struggle between major factions for their own interests."

Many people agreed with him, but those who believed in Duzunbao immediately refuted him.

A gunpowder smell slowly filled the teahouse.

Finally, someone mentioned a big problem for the Sichuan gang, saying that the owner of the coffin palace was about to come knocking.

This is a major event second only to the three alliances of Duzun Fortress; all the martial artists in the city are paying close attention.
After leaving the teahouse, Shi Qingxuan noticed that he seemed lost in thought:
"Are you thinking about the Evil Extreme Sect?"

Zhou Yi nodded slightly: "I absolutely cannot touch this relic."

Thinking about the current situation of Duzun Fort, Shi Qingxuan understood, and then saw him turn back to look at the teahouse.

"The discord among the three major forces has a profound impact on the people. I should find a way to make Jie Hui behave himself."

The girl said softly, "You seem to know a lot about Lord Jie's affairs."

"It's no secret that he likes Fan Qinghui, but Master Fan has no feelings for him at all. He probably doesn't even have enough feelings to cultivate the heart for the sword manual. He's just being delusional."

Zhou Yisheng's voice was filled with disdain.

Shi Qingxuan glanced at her and asked, "Speaking of Jingzhai, what is your relationship with the current Holy Maiden?"

"Hmm, we've had tea together a few times. Are you familiar with her?"

Shi Qingxuan nodded: "Yes, we know. Miss Shi is one of the very few people who know where Youlin Xiaozhu is."

She pondered, "If we're talking about learning the Cihang Sword Manual, it would be most suitable for you, Miss, to practice with me."

"Seeking me to practice martial arts has no effect on me. I am not Jie Hui. After all, my heart is as hard as stone."

Seeing his cold expression, Shi Qingxuan smiled gently: "Who would believe that?"

When they returned to the Sichuan Gang, Vice Leader Yan Chongxian greeted them from a distance, and soon Fan Zhuo also came out from the main headquarters.

Upon seeing the young man in white, Fan Zhuo thought to himself, "He's finally back."

He wasn't originally like this.

Perhaps influenced by the situation in Sichuan and Chongqing, he developed a great dependence on Zhou Yi.

After exchanging greetings, Fan Zhuo began to talk at length about Chengdu.

What Zhou Yi heard along the way was similar, except that Fan Zhuo's account was more detailed.

Leaving aside the council of Duzun Fort, the most pressing matter is the coffin palace.

"Then Elder Zhou sent word that they will definitely come to our door in four days."

"Did he ask me?"

"Yes."

"That's alright, he came for me anyway."

Fan Zhuo and Yan Chongxian both widened their eyes. This is what you call nothing happening?
Zhou Yi explained with a smile: "The reason is that this person has suffered losses at my hands many times, and he is not convinced. He probably wants to fight me again. Now their focus is definitely on Duzun Fort, so I can just send him away. You don't need to worry."

Fan Zhuo and Yan Chongxian exchanged a glance, both feeling surprised.

Sensing Zhou Yi's confidence, the worries and anxieties that had been building up in my heart these past few days receded like the tide.

"On the day the coffin is delivered to the palace, the leader of the alliance will also bring people from the Ba Alliance to attend and lend their support."

Fan Zhuo sighed, "It's no easy feat to get BAM to do this."

This is a direct confrontation with the Coffin Palace, and Bameng is determined to succeed.

Zhou Yi was somewhat surprised: "Did the Alliance Leader say it himself?"

"Yes."

"However, the leader of the alliance has another consideration: the Western Turks have approached them, hoping that the Ba Alliance will change its mind and support the Li clan."

The Li clan was located very close to Jieli Khan in Guanzhong.

To deal with Qaghan Jieli, the Tongyagu of the Western Turks needed to seek help from outside. The Jianghuai forces had nothing to do with the northern deserts and were not even within the Tongyagu's consideration.

Fan Zhuo added another sentence:

"The Alliance Leader rejected the Western Turks, but the two sides had some past ties, so he wanted to bring them to the Sichuan Gang to make them hesitate. He had this idea, but he was worried about causing trouble, so he hesitated."

"Let them come."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly: "It would be even better if it were an important figure from the Western Turks. I have some business dealings with Tong Yabghu, so it would be perfect to have them pass on the message."

Oh?
Fan Zhuo knew what was going on, so he didn't ask any more questions.

After chatting for a while, Fan Zhuo and Yan Chongxian watched them return to their residence.

Yan Chongxian's face, which had been full of worries, revealed a smile that was hard to look away from: "The Yao ethnic group of Ba Meng is giving their full support. I guess it's because Mei Jisina has fallen for the Grand Commander."

"As long as you know."

Fan Zhuo also had the same misunderstanding. They did not know that after Tongtian Shenmu, this devoted fan, returned to the Unity Sect, she had already sent Zhou Tianshi to the ancestral temple to be worshipped as an ancestor.

This is a rare occurrence in the entire Sichuan martial arts world.

However, the Divine Mother and core elders of the Unity Sect are well aware that following this generation is equivalent to having a legitimate lineage passed down by the Celestial Master.

If you delve into their origins, they are indeed legitimate members of the Taoist community.

It was even personally taught by a Celestial Master.

As the next leader of the Unity School.

Sina obeyed her master's orders and treated the matter according to ancestral laws. As the leader of the Yao ethnic group, she naturally gave her full support.

After the HeartNet incident, Zhou Yi gained immense prestige among the four major clans, and no one regarded this benefactor as an outsider.

The alliance leader saw through everything, the Yao ethnic group's stance was clear, and the two elders, Jiao Luofeng and Chuan Mouxun, had no objections.

The Bayannur League has completely separated itself from the Li Clan and the Western Turks.

This time, joining forces with the Sichuan Gang is not only for show, but also to curb the arrogance of Duzunbao, which has recently risen to prominence by relying on its status as a sacred place in the martial arts world.

Yan Chongxian was also unaware of some of the inside information about Bayannur, hence his incorrect judgment.

He then looked at Chief Fan with a hint of regret.

"Unfortunately, Miss Caiqi has no interest in the Grand Commander."

"What's there to regret?"

Fan Zhuo looked at his old friend, speechless, and whispered, "General Zhou is a womanizer and not a good match."

Yan Chongxian grinned: "That young master Hou is quite the romantic."

Chief Fan waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Don't mention it, don't mention it."

……

"You encountered the Stone Master?"

"Yes, let's have another fierce battle."

Hou Xibai's expression turned somber, and then he heard Zhou Yi say:
"Your master has recovered from his mental deficiency and his skills have greatly improved. But you don't need to worry, he has many things to do and has no time to look for you. Take this opportunity to practice diligently."

Hou Xibai laughed when he heard this:

“Now that Master Shi has perfected his technique, he no longer has to suffer from the pain of mental schizophrenia, and I am happy for him.”

you guy
Zhou Yi smiled; Hou Xibai didn't know his master well enough.

Shi Zhixuan is still in danger. He not only hopes to unify the Demonic Sect, end the division, and integrate this force.

He might even overthrow the old dynasty, establish a new one, and become or shape a "wise ruler" who aligns with his ideals.

He can transform into Pei Ju, infiltrate the core of the court, strategize, and stir up the world's affairs.

He possesses both unparalleled martial arts skills and exceptional wisdom.

Zhou Yi then thought of his tragic love story with Bi Xiuxin, and thus tried to redeem his inner wounds through grand ambitions and conquests, while pursuing the ultimate realm of martial arts and life.

Such a complex individual must be treated with caution.

Hou Xibai interrupted his thoughts: "Brother Zhou, the Master of the Buddhist Temple of Cihang Jingzhai has also arrived."

"Their posture suggests that Jie Hui of Baoding is being put in charge of the situation in Sichuan and Chongqing."

Hou Xibai shook his head: "I don't understand either, why do Buddhists have such a strong obsession?"

Zhou Yi had expected this: "It's alright, I also enjoy helping people get rid of their obsessions."

Hou Xibai didn't think this was an exaggeration, so he told him about the information he had collected during this period.

In a short period of time, Zhou Yi gained a more concrete understanding of all aspects of Duzunbao.

For the next few days, Zhou Yi stayed at home and spent his days meditating and practicing qigong.

On one hand, he was thinking about the Taoist sword techniques he had discussed with Yuan Tiangang, and on the other hand, he was also pondering the peculiar hand seals that Shi Zhixuan had revealed.

Time flies, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Chengdu's good weather has long since disappeared; it started raining the day after Zhou Yi returned to the Sichuan Gang headquarters.

By the fourth day, the rain had gradually thinned out.

But the clouds in the sky were as dark as ink, heavy and about to fall.

"Drive~!"

"Drive~!"

"..."

After a loud commotion of horses galloping, dozens of riders rushed out from the castle-like building made of huge stones in the west of the city.

The man at the head of the group had a rugged appearance; he was none other than Xie Wenlong.

The man next to him was Steward Zheng from Duzun Fort.

"Old Zheng, I asked my father if he was going to join the Sichuan gang, but he didn't give a clear answer. Will what we're doing upset him? And how should we explain it when we get back?"

Xie Wenlong pulled on the reins and slowed his horse slightly after galloping out of Duzun Fort.

Zheng Zong adjusted his bamboo hat: "Young Master, do not worry. Your silence is tacit consent."

acquiescence?

Isn't this utter nonsense? My father's attitude is clearly more resolute than before.

If he hadn't heard the news from Meishan County and hadn't been instructed by his wife, he would never have stepped out of Duzun Fort.

Thinking of his father's authority, he ultimately lacked confidence: "Tell me the reason."

Zheng Zongdao:
"Just report what you saw today to the Lord of the Fortress. In addition, it can also help maintain the stability of Bashu and dispel the rumors that the three families are at odds. Since Grand Commander Zhou has ties with the Song Clan, and given the young mistress's relationship with her, it is not appropriate for her to make the trip herself. It is reasonable for the young Lord of the Fortress to go instead."

"This is a win-win situation, Young Master, please do not worry."

Xie Wenlong noticed the changes in Steward Zheng. After a trip to Meishan County, he gained more experience and began to question the lord's decision.

"Elder Zheng, the martial arts holy land is powerful, there is nothing to worry about in the fortress."

Zheng Zong focused his voice and gently persuaded, "Young Master, that's just the immediate matter. These experts will leave Chengdu immediately after they finish their business. Even if there are no troubles in the next three to five years, it's hard to say what will happen in the future."

"Whether it's the Holy Monk or Ning Sanren, they are both old and cannot possibly outlive Grand Commander Zhou."

Even if he fails to conquer the world, he still has a chance to become the number one master in the world.

"This person is ruthless in dealing with enemies. Once he is eliminated, what a huge trouble it will be. Moreover, at that time, it may be the young master of the fortress taking charge of the Duzun Fortress."

Jie Wenlong was startled.

Dad, aren't you setting me up?

"There are only two ways to avoid trouble: first, eliminate future problems; second, do not make enemies."

Zheng Zong said, "This person has grown powerful and possesses unparalleled lightness skills. If he doesn't fall into the trap, how can anyone else possibly succeed?"

"My Duzun Fortress has no prior grudge against him, and the young fortress lord has only met him once. Why provoke such a formidable enemy? The fortress lord's decision is rather impulsive."

"Young Master, if you're thinking long-term, you need to leave yourself a way out; you can't go to extremes."

Therefore, we must go today.

Xie Wenlong wholeheartedly agreed: "Old Zheng is right."

"However, the coffin palace is powerful; how will Grand Commander Zhou deal with it?"

Zheng Zong hesitated for a moment: "The Coffin Palace has a constant stream of experts, and that old sect leader Zhou is a rare and powerful figure in the world. However, I don't know why, but ever since I met him a few times, I have had inexplicable confidence in this Grand Commander. Perhaps it is because his swordsmanship is too amazing."

"Regardless of how he responds, we'll get there first and then observe how things unfold."

"it is good."

Putting aside his distractions, Xie Wenlong made up his mind and spurred his horse onward, heading straight for the Sichuan Gang's headquarters.

The closer you get to the Sichuan gang, the more江湖人 (jianghu people, people from all walks of life) you'll encounter.

Xie Wenlong discovered that these people were all heading towards the Sichuan gang.

He had lived in Sichuan for a long time and was very familiar with the local accents.

Martial artists from Meishan, Ziyang, Linqiong, Wudu and other prefectures also rushed over after receiving the news, as well as Jianghu people from the Hanzhong area.

The teahouses and taverns near the headquarters of the Sichuan gang were all packed with customers. People were standing on the puddles splashing from the puddles on the road.

When Xie Wenlong arrived at the headquarters of the Sichuan Gang, the sky was getting increasingly gloomy, but that did not prevent passersby from recognizing him.

Some acquaintances even came up to greet him after he dismounted.

"The young master of the fortress has also arrived."

"Yes, the rumors are indeed unreliable; the relationship between the three major powers is not that bad."

"..."

"Young Master, please!"

An elder rushed out from the Sichuan Gang headquarters, suppressing his surprise, and greeted them politely.

Xie Wenlong gave a slight bow and then entered with Zheng Zong and his men.

Behind the towering watchtower, the Sichuan gang's stockades surrounded the entrance, with a wide square in the middle, a place usually used for gathering and distributing goods, now completely empty.

A large crowd was gathered near the foot of the five-story building.

Xie Wenlong spotted the key figures of the Sichuan Gang and the Ba Alliance, so he went up to greet them.

Although he was a generation younger than the other leaders.

Despite his title as the young master of the fortress, no one treated him as a junior.

After meeting Fan Zhuo, Feng Zhen, and the other three leaders, Xie Wenlong spotted two special individuals.

First up was a tall man in his fifties, with thick eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and unusually colored pupils.

His hair was frizzy, and he wore a leather armor belt, giving him a fierce and savage air. A row of gorgeous eagle feathers hung from his waist, along with a jade token.

Xie Wenlong recognized his identity.

In the Western Turkic Khaganate, the position of "She" was usually held by the son of the Khan or a close relative of the royal family.

This Luodushe was a relative of Tongyagu Khan and a commander of a local army.

Beside him stood a beautiful woman with chestnut hair and brown eyes. Her face was radiant, her figure curvaceous, and every smile and gesture exuded exotic charm that could easily ignite one's desire.

Princess Lianrou.

Xie Wenlong greeted the Persian beauty.

Lian Rou asked with a charming smile, "Did Lord Jie send you here, young master?"

This woman was the daughter of Yun Shuai, and later adopted as the goddaughter of Tong Yehu Khan, who doted on her. She was not only charming, but also skilled in martial arts and intelligent.

He asked casually, wanting to find out the current relationship between the three major forces.

“My father is busy with matters within the fortress. Although Chief Fan and Alliance Leader Feng have already arranged everything, since it concerns allies, they still sent me to come and take a look.”

Xie Wenlong didn't explain it clearly, but Lian Rou had already guessed the general idea.

After all, they had just visited Duzun Fort a few days ago and roughly understood Jie Hui's attitude.

Therefore, they were curious about Xie Wenlong's arrival.

It seems that Xie Hui has not changed his mind.

Luo Dushe and Lian Rou looked at Feng Zhen and the others. The one who changed his mind was Ba Meng.

Otherwise, the alliance between Duzunbao and Bameng would be enough to determine the direction of the Sichuan region, which the Sichuan gang alone could not change no matter what.

Unfortunately it backfired.

Just as Xie Wenlong was about to inquire why the Western Turks were here, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine as Zheng Zong tugged at his sleeve.

Hearing the strange noise, Xie Wenlong turned around and saw a terrifying scene.

In an instant, figures began to move beneath the building.

Lian Rou, Luo Dushe, and the other spectators all stepped aside to avoid being mistaken for being part of the Sichuan gang.

Clouds piled up in the distant sky, and a muffled rumble of thunder rose from the layered peaks.

At first, it seemed as if ten thousand wheels were moving across the land, rumbling from the southwest, gradually approaching.

The dark clouds suddenly lowered, and while it was still raining in other parts of Chengdu, the raindrops falling in front of the Sichuan Gang headquarters seemed to have stopped.

coming!

All the experts from the Sichuan Gang and the Ba Alliance looked towards the entrance.

"Swish swish~!!"

One after another, figures in black descended rapidly, accompanied by strange black coffins.

These true demons have different appearances and use all sorts of weapons, but martial arts practitioners can tell at a glance that their spirit and energy are in an extremely high state.

They stood beside the coffin, completely ignoring the large number of people from the Sichuan gang.

In each of their eyes, one could see an unfathomable depth, their eyes like a black abyss, and they were immersed in it, trying to salvage spirituality from the abyss and obtain the ultimate secrets of martial arts.

The collective appearance of this unconventional joy even evoked a sense of solemnity and sacredness.

Of the two sects and six paths of the demonic sects, the Evil Extreme Sect is the most bizarre.

Besides the irresistible demonic aura, there is also an unfathomable dedication to martial arts.

However, no one dared to underestimate these true demons.

Many of them were the strongest in their respective prefectures. After years of stagnation and fruitless training, they entered the Coffin Palace. There are many martial artists in the world, and there is no shortage of those who are obsessed with martial arts.

You can even see some masters who are listed on the list of extraordinary skills and unique abilities.

After becoming a true demon, many people approach the level of a martial arts grandmaster.

In just a few years, the Evil Extreme Sect became the undisputed number one demonic sect.

Upon closer inspection, everyone discovered that the raindrops at the entrance of the Sichuan Gang headquarters were being forced back by the energy emanating from the group of people, preventing them from falling.

At this moment, five true demons appeared carrying a vermilion coffin.

"Boom~!"

Another rumble of thunder struck from the sky, seemingly hitting the vermilion coffin.

The coffin seemed to stand upright on its own, following a fleeting figure that blurred beyond the reach of the eye. Upon closer inspection, a short, stout man in simple monk's robes, his eyes gleaming with ghostly light, hovered gracefully above the coffin.

As soon as he appeared, the light around him seemed to dim considerably.

A terrifying black light, almost tangible, lingered around him; it was none other than the Demon Fiend, a name that struck fear into the hearts of those in the martial world.

Even the malevolent aura of ordinary true demons is difficult to guard against, let alone that of the owner of this coffin palace.

Old Zhou's eyes slowly swept over the Sichuanese group.

He saw Princess Lianrou and Luodushe of the Western Turks, but the two of them only glanced at him and immediately looked away.

Then he swept his gaze over the leaders and elders of the Ba Meng and Chuan Gang.

No one dared to meet his gaze under the mental pressure; a mere glance around was enough to confirm that no one present was his match.

Such domineering and rude methods are infuriating yet leave one helpless.

Fan Zhuo and the others saw it.

Three more people appeared on the other three coffins beside Old Zhou.

A young and beautiful woman in a palace dress held a bone flute, exuding endless allure.

One person, displaying a rather performative style, held a one-legged bronze figure in his arms, his gaze cold and arrogant.

The third man was dressed neatly and meticulously. His face was cold and stern. He was wiping a huge pair of scissors with a white cloth, drying off the rainwater on them. He was extremely protective of his weapon.

However, his eyes weren't on Fan Zhuo, but were fixed on Luo Dushe, who was standing next to Princess Lianrou.

Luo Du initially thought it was his imagination, but after moving back and forth a few steps, he discovered that Emperor Ding's gaze was following him.

Anger surged within the Western Turkic army commander. He knew he had never offended this old monster of the demonic sect, nor had he ever even met him.

That's really strange.

Little did they know, his explosive hairstyle was no less impressive than that of the Lion King of the Sea Sand Gang.

The appearance of four powerful demonic masters, coupled with their bizarre style, sent chills down the spines of countless martial artists both inside and outside the Sichuan Gang.

Where is Fan Zhuo?

Jin Huanzhen's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, and her voice incorporated the illusionary magic from the Book of Bewitching Hearts.

As you listen, it feels as if you are in a vast valley, with echoes constantly reverberating around you.

Fan Zhuo was called out by name, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, he naturally wouldn't back down.

Like the other members of the Sichuan gang, Fan Caiqi was filled with trepidation as Fan Zhuo stepped out.

"I am here. What advice do you sect leaders have for me?"

Fan Zhuo perked up, remembering that he had a powerful backer, straightened his back, and greeted them.

When Old Zhou saw him, he had no interest in discussing the matter of the Evil Emperor Temple.

His eyes were fixed on Fan Zhuo's face:
“You offended our sect first and yet you refused to accept the token. You have some guts. Who is the person you’re relying on? Call him out and see if he can protect you.”

Old Zhou sighed calmly, without revealing any anger.

But this tone of voice carried an unimaginable amount of pressure.

Before Fan Zhuo could speak, a clear voice followed.

"Elder Master Zhou, the Sichuan Gang has nothing for you. You should leave."

The voice was so familiar that Jin Huanzhen and the others immediately recognized him.

For the first time, Zhou Laotan's expression changed. The demonic energy materialized into an even more intense and surging ghost fire in his eyes. He no longer saw anyone else, only looking towards the source of the sound.

He chuckled.
"It won't be that easy for me to leave."

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound.

Just then, from within the churning dark clouds, a golden serpent cleaved through the shadows, its lightning flashing and illuminating the city tower as if it were daytime, before instantly plunging it back into darkness!
A bolt of lightning flashed, and a figure in white, accompanied by a clap of thunder, descended from the sky.

Ripples spread through the space as the white figure took a step in the air, as if stepping on invisible stairs.

Princess Lianrou and Luodushe from the Western Turkic Khaganate were stunned on the spot.

This...this is something even Commander Yun couldn't do!

As soon as Zhou Yi landed, thousands of people from the Sichuan Gang and the Ba Alliance shouted in unison, "Celestial Master!"

This cry of "Celestial Master" jolted the Western Turks awake.

Before the eyes of many onlookers, Zhou Yi walked past Fan Zhuo without fear and strolled toward the four sect leaders of the Evil Extreme Sect.

"I've agreed to Chief Fan's request. You can leave now, and don't come looking for trouble again."

His words were stronger than Zhou Laotan's, and they were full of confidence.

Old Zhou sighed, brushed his monk's robe aside, raised his eyebrows and glared: "Then we'll have to see how much you're worth."

The demons in the coffin palace looked at him.

Emperor Ding, You Niaojuan, and Jin Huanzhen all exuded terrifying auras.

This momentum wasn't meant to challenge Zhou Yi, but rather because they sensed something was wrong and were helping Zhou Laotan.

There is an invisible, intangible net in the air.

The four of them were connected under the net of true energy, and since their power originated from the same source, they provided Zhou Laotan with a bit of demonic energy.

In an instant, a terrifying gust of wind swept around Old Zhou.

The strong wind carried a powerful spiritual pressure, forming a true wave that pushed outwards. This true wave reached extremely far places, which was the result of his martial will expanding along with his essence, energy, and spirit!
Although he didn't practice the orthodox Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, he unexpectedly obtained its essence.

The Demon Seed of the Dao Heart views all things as fluctuations; every blade of grass and every tree is a kind of fluctuation. The Demon Seed is a fluctuation that transcends life and death, and even the void is a fluctuation, thus it can shatter the void.

This wave of energy spread in all directions, and even the aftershocks were enough to greatly shock the onlookers.

Old Zhou's mental techniques improved significantly, but they couldn't match Zhou Yi's restraint and earth-shattering power.

When facing Zhenbo, Zhou Yi seemed to be on a different dimension, not even a hair on his head moved.

The four leaders of the Evil Sect stared wide-eyed.

Old Zhou sighed indignantly, letting out a low growl. He slammed his hands together in front of him, his ten fingers like hooks, as if he wanted to tear the void apart.

"Duh!"

With a sharp shout, he suddenly separated his palms and pushed forward fiercely!
boom!
Thick, dark demonic energy, as dense as ink, surged forth from between his palms.

The black energy surged and roared, instantly condensing into a gigantic ghost claw, which was over ten feet in diameter, and the powerful wind spread in all directions.

It was entirely composed of churning demonic energy, its knuckles twisted like withered branches, and within its claws, a skull seemed to appear and disappear, its presence a silent roar due to its integration with the spirit within, emanating a nauseating aura of death and despair.

The light surrounding the demon was instantly swallowed up by most of it, the air became thick and cold, and a bone-chilling cold crept up the spine.

This is yet another transformation of the Crimson Evil Palm.

Without the slightest hesitation, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound that seemed to tear through space, his five fingers spread wide, reaching straight for Zhou Yi.

Before the claws even arrived, the demonic power that froze his blood and eroded his mind had already engulfed Zhou Yi like a tidal wave.

The ground was swept by a strong wind, leaving a large ring of cracks that looked like frost.

Some of the nearby martial artists, whose mental strength was too weak, cried out in alarm, and their weapons clattered to the ground.

However, in the blink of an eye, a clear and melodious sword cry suddenly rang out, like the sound of a jade chime falling from the heavens!

At Zheng Zong's prompting, Xie Wenlong kept his eyes fixed on the sword.

Sure enough, the sword was drawn.

A fiery sword light burst forth from the scabbard, absorbing the surrounding light even more thoroughly under the oppressive dark clouds, as if it were the only one capable of emitting light.

The blade flashed brilliantly, following a mysterious trajectory, like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving behind a trail of magnificent fire.

Amidst the stunned gazes of the many martial artists, the sword flashed with fiery light, hurtling swiftly into the demonic hand.

"laugh--!"

A sound, extremely faint yet crystal clear, resonated deep within everyone's soul, like the sound of tearing silk.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

The Crimson Evil Palm, with its overwhelming power and chilling demonic aura, was like ice thrown into the blazing sun the moment it came into contact with the fiery sword light.

There was no earth-shattering collision or roar.

There is only one kind of silent, complete disintegration and purification.

Where the sword energy passed, the thick, churning black energy seemed to have met its nemesis, emitting a hissing sound, instantly becoming thin and transparent, and then dissipating like snow being poured on boiling water.

The skull in the palm, illuminated by the sword light, resembled a ghost exposed to sunlight, twisting and screaming before turning into wisps of thin black smoke.

The onlookers were astonished, having never seen such astonishing swordsmanship before.

This is also a perfect suppression of vital energy and spirit in the collision!

The Blazing Sword Qi not only pierced through the Crimson Evil Palm, but also carried its remaining momentum toward the four sect leaders.

A complete victory! The master of the coffin palace has been defeated!
Zhou Laotan and the others, disregarding their surprise and caught off guard, hurriedly used their true strength to neutralize the remaining sword energy.

Feeling the extremely pure true energy on the sword aura, the four were deeply shocked.

They exchanged glances for a fleeting moment.

Then he looked at the young man in white ahead.

Just then, a bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the young man's face, his gaze, and the sword.

This scene is deeply imprinted in the hearts of many onlookers.

They will never forget the scene from today.

“BOOM~~!!”

A thunderous roar followed, exploding through the heavens like a mountain collapsing, shaking the entire neighborhood.

At this time, the rain became denser, weaving obliquely like silver ropes, covering thousands of doors and households.

A sense of desolation welled up in Lao Tan's heart, and he even wanted to roar to the sky. So he stopped using the demonic energy to shield himself from the rain and let the rain fall on his monk's robe.

The rain in Chengdu is so heavy.
……

(End of this chapter)