Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 57 Heavenly Punishment Sword Song
The fourth realm is called the Celestial Realm.

After completing the first three stages of body refinement, qi refinement, and spirit refinement, opening up the Niwan point and nurturing the divine consciousness, the upper dantian gradually becomes perfect, and one reaches the fourth stage.

The divine consciousness is projected outward, and there is a connection between heaven and man.

From then on, he underwent a complete transformation, leaping over the dragon gate to become a minor grandmaster, and becoming a guest of honor sought after by wealthy and powerful families.

This realm is also the most diverse, because individual cultivation methods differ, the emphasis on true qi and magical artifacts differs, and the means of displaying the fourth realm are also very different.

However, the essence remains the same: the interaction between heaven and man, the harmony of yin and yang, and the guidance of the primordial energy of heaven and earth to enhance the power of one's attacks.

When the Goddess recognized him as her master, Lu Chenyuan had already obtained all of her information.

The goddess relies on the [Spirit Core] to communicate with nature and refine the primordial energy of heaven and earth for her own use.

The martial arts engraved on her body is a set of techniques called "Heavenly Punishment Sword Song", which is specially designed to work with the divine weapon "Heavenly Punishment Twelve Laws" - the main sword Heavenly Punishment is fierce and swift, while the Twelve Laws swords on her back transform into wings for support, moving at will and with unparalleled lightness.

[Heavenly Punishment Piercing the Sun!]
The goddess took a step forward with her main sword in hand, and the blue stone beneath her feet shattered with a crash. She and her sword transformed into a blazing white rainbow, distorting the air wherever they passed and carving a three-zhang-long trench in the ground!
Xiao Hanchuan's expression turned serious, sensing that something was wrong.

The speed and momentum displayed by this sword strike were far beyond those of an ordinary early-stage fourth realm cultivator!
He immediately unleashed his movement technique, employing the "Thousand Illusions Formless Step." This step is formless and unpredictable, creating countless illusions. It is a unique skill of the Formless Sect. While dodging to the side, he channeled his energy and swung his sword.

The sword tip trembled slightly, and three azure sword shadows rose into the air like dragons, their interplay making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion, each carrying a sharp sound that tore through the air.

The Divine Empress's treasured eyes shimmered with starlight, instantly locking onto the true form's sword path. With a gentle flap of her sword wings, the twin swords "Yize" and "Nanlu" crossed to parry, catching the true sword in mid-air with a clang. Sparks flew, but the main sword, Tianxing, continued its momentum, while the remaining ten law swords poured forth like a galaxy.

The "Yellow Bell" sword strike was as heavy as a mountain, causing Xiao Hanchuan's wrist to go numb.
The "Da Lü" sword was as thin as a spider's thread, aiming directly at three vital acupoints on his right arm;

The "Tai Cu" sword is as supple as spring vines, its tip like a venomous snake, piercing the eyes.

Xiao Hanchuan's pupils contracted slightly as he finally noticed something amiss—these twelve swords of law actually conformed to the fundamental principles of formations:

The master of the "No-Shot" sword is hidden, and his sword strikes are silent.

The "Gu Xi" sword is shrouded in illusory mist, bewitching the five senses;

The "Zhong Lü" sword draws upon the earth's veins to disrupt the enemy's lower body.

The "Ruibin" sword transformed into a cage, cutting off its escape route.

The most astonishing thing is the transformation of the sword wings: when "Nan Lü" is the axis, the goddess's movements are as light as a feather; when "Yi Ze" takes the lead, the sword energy is as heavy as a thousand pounds; when "Wu She" takes the lead, the entire sword wing can even disappear into the void!
"This is the power of the Hidden Immortals..."

Xiao Hanchuan was utterly shocked. This puppet was only at the early stage of the fourth realm, yet with its exquisite sword wing rune array, it had increased its combat power by at least 50%!
Each of its secondary swords is an independent carrier of runes, and their combinations are infinitely varied.

Such ingenious mechanisms are truly astonishing!

Amidst the deafening roar of the trembling bronze wall, Xiao Hanchuan's robes were torn in three places by the sword energy. He retreated rapidly, each step leaving spiderweb-like cracks on the bluestone slab. The soft sword in his hand, imbued with qi, slashed out with a "clang," deflecting the pursuing "Zhong Lü" sword by three inches.

"How did this extra set of swords come about?"

Xiao Hanchuan wielded his sword swiftly, his heart filled with doubt and unease—Gu Yunsheng had clearly written in his secret letter to Princess Pingyang: the Divine Empress's mechanical armor was not skilled in combat, and the only techniques she had inscribed were the "Crescent Moon Heart Method" and the "Mysterious Moon Sword Style"...

But this mechanical puppet in front of me can actually control divine weapons and sword formations!
Why is there such a big difference?
Given Gu Yunsheng's temperament, how could he possibly deceive Princess Pingyang?
"..."

Lu Chenyuan watched coldly, analyzing his attack habits. Seeing the confusion on his face, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

He certainly knew where Xiao Hanchuan's confusion came from—Gu Yunsheng did say in his letter that the Empress was not good at fighting, but you did not receive a reply from Pingyang, so how could you conclude that the Empress had not changed based on just one letter?
Princess Pingyang was a heroine; she was not the kind of woman who would stay locked in her boudoir waiting for a letter from her beloved. The Daming Palace could not confine her. She would not stop Gu Yunsheng from doing what he wanted to do, but when she wanted to see him, she would not sit idly waiting.

In the autumn of the fifth year of the Zhenguan era, Princess Pingyang received a letter from Gu Yunsheng, informing her that he had completed the last mechanical puppet, left behind the "Tiangong Scroll" as a legacy, and was about to embark on a long journey. She immediately left the palace, departed from Chang'an, and rushed to Luoyang to see Gu Yunsheng off. At the same time, she also left her mark on the mechanical puppet that he cherished.

Parents everywhere love their youngest children.

The same applies to the Twelve Earthly Branches.

Gu Yunsheng gave the Empress a brilliant mind, the best eyes in the world, and a vast amount of mechanical arts and mechanical techniques. Princess Pingyang reshaped her body, giving her the most perfect physique, and together with Gu Yunsheng, they created this sword technique and forged the divine weapon [Heavenly Punishment - Twelve Laws] for her self-defense.

You miscalculated.

Even for a master who has been immersed in the four realms for many years, it would be impossible to subdue her in a short period of time!
If you don't have any other options, it's best not to bother...

boom--

The underground palace shook violently again, and a huge bulge was smashed into the bronze wall on the left. The ear-piercing sound of twisting metal gears was enough to make one's teeth ache. Xiao Hanchuan felt a sense of urgency. The Mechanized City wouldn't last much longer. He had to capture the two of them as quickly as possible, enter the city the moment Taiyi broke through, and use the mountain as cover to stealthily escape!

In the face of the two saints, going through the ground is absolutely impossible; only going underground offers a chance.

But we have to be quick!
If the situation drags on and everyone surrounds them, and the two saints make their move, then even Taiyi Yuanchen will find it difficult to leave the city!
Quick victory!

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he tucked his longsword into his sleeve. His killing intent surged suddenly, and his sleeves fluttered and rustled even without wind!
He stepped his left foot back slightly, lowered his right shoulder, and his whole body was like a fully drawn bow. Although he was holding back his power, the air seemed to freeze!
"The Azure Dragon in the Sleeve" - ​​Seven-Step Combo Kill!

This was the third special skill he had mastered, for which he lost "sorrow" from the seven emotions.

Xiao Hanchuan took his first step, and the sword light in his sleeve rose like a dragon raising its head. A streak of azure light tore through the air and pierced straight for the Empress's brow!
The Divine Empress's Treasure Eye shone brightly, and the Twelve Laws Sword instantly returned to defense, but Xiao Hanchuan's sword was too fast and too ruthless!
"clang--"

The "Nan Lü" sword barely managed to parry, but the impact of the sword made the blade vibrate, and the Empress swayed slightly, forced back half a step!

Step two!
Xiao Hanchuan approached like a ghost, his sword flashing again from his sleeve. This time, the sword's edge split into three afterimages, attacking the throat, heart, and dantian respectively!
The Divine Empress's sword wings spun rapidly, the twin swords "Gu Xi" and "Zhong Lü" crossing over each other, creating a sudden cloud of illusion that attempted to confuse Xiao Hanchuan's swordplay. However—

third step!
Xiao Hanchuan shifted his stance, his sword aura suddenly changed, and the three afterimages merged into one in an instant, increasing their speed threefold, transforming into a straight blue rainbow that pierced straight into the Empress's heart!

"laugh--"

The goddess hurriedly dodged, the sword's edge grazing her shoulder armor, leaving a crack more than an inch deep. Mechanical parts shattered like broken jade, sparks flying everywhere!
The sword energy, having missed its target, continued its momentum, whistling as it slashed towards the bronze mountain wall behind them—

"boom!!"

The entire bronze wall shattered with a loud crash, and a three-zhang-long sword mark pierced through the wall like a lightning bolt!
In the ravine more than a foot deep, wherever the sword energy passed, the black iron gears embedded in the wall were neatly cut off, and red light appeared at the cut, which was actually scorched red by the residual sword intent!

Xiao Hanchuan's sword strike was terrifyingly powerful!
Lu Chenyuan was speechless.

With three consecutive steps and three sword strikes, each move deadly, the Goddess's eyes blazed with even more murderous intent.

"The net of heaven and earth."

Her voice was icy, and her hands formed a sword incantation. The main sword "Heavenly Punishment" suddenly hovered in mid-air and took a fixed position. The Twelve Laws Swords instantly split into thirty-six sword shadows, arranged according to the numbers of "Three Powers and Nine Palaces".

—It corresponds to the celestial timing of the Three Palaces and the constellations above, and conforms to the earthly advantages of the Nine Directions. Each group consists of three swords, and the twelve groups of sword lights intertwine to form a net, forming a 360-degree, all-encompassing, and deadly seal!

"Hiss!"

The moment the sword formation was completed, Xiao Hanchuan felt his body sink, as if he had fallen into an invisible swamp. His light and agile movements of the Thousand Illusions Formless Steps became as sluggish as if filled with lead!
A sense of foreboding washed over him. He looked up and saw that thirty-six sword shadows had formed a net that stretched across the sky.

The "Huang Zhong" sword struck first, its force already making it hard for him to breathe even before it arrived. Xiao Hanchuan raised his sword to parry, a metallic clang rang out, the sword vibrated violently, and his hand tingled slightly. Before he could catch his breath, the "Da Lü" sword, like a silver snake spitting its tongue, aimed straight for his right wrist's Shenmen acupoint. Xiao Hanchuan twisted his wrist rapidly, the sword's edge grazing his sleeve but drawing blood from his arm. He hastily retreated, his back slamming into the swirling "Tai Cu" sword energy—

"laugh!"

His robes ripped open with a snap, the lingering force of the sword energy carving a three-foot furrow in the ground. Xiao Hanchuan spun again, his Qingfeng sword dancing into a curtain of light. The "Guxi" sword manifested seven illusory images, indistinguishable from the real ones; the "Zhonglu" sword caused the earth's veins to tremble, making him unsteady; the "Ruibin" sword was like a malignant tumor, each strike aimed directly at vital points!
"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

The sound of metal clashing was as dense as a sudden downpour!

Xiao Hanchuan was struggling to defend himself, and his swordplay became increasingly chaotic. A "No-Shot" sword shadow silently attacked him. He hurriedly dodged to the side, but the sword still left a line of blood on his cheek.

The twelve swords of the same melody rose and fell in succession, their attacks like crashing waves!

Xiao Hanchuan's sword circle shrank smaller and smaller, and each parry made his arm go numb. Blood beads fell from his tiger's mouth, turning into scarlet spots in the sword formation.

In the midst of this rapid, storm-like attack, Xiao Hanchuan finally completed six steps and gathered his strength.

"Step seven!"

He roared, and the sword light in his sleeve suddenly surged, tearing a gap in the sword formation. His figure was like lightning, rushing straight to the back of the god, and thrusting out the last sword of the seven-step killing combo - "Azure Dragon Shatters the Mountain"!
This sword strike, imbued with the killing intent of seven steps, had already carved three deep furrows into the ground before the sword light even arrived, with rubble churning up like waves!
Wherever the sword passed, the surrounding energy was cleaved open, revealing a visible vacuum crack!

The goddess sensed the danger, her Guicang Treasure Eyes flashed with starlight, and her main sword "Tianxing" suddenly returned to defense, clashing fiercely with Xiao Hanchuan's sword.

"boom!!!"

In that instant, a blinding light exploded between the two of them!

The terrifying impact shattered in all directions, and the bronze floor tiles within a radius of ten feet were lifted up layer by layer and shredded into dust in mid-air by the sword energy!
Xiao Hanchuan felt an overwhelming force rebounding from him. The sleeve of his right arm, which was holding the sword, was instantly shattered, and dozens of bloody marks appeared on his bare arm. He groaned, and the bluestone beneath his feet collapsed with a crash, his feet sinking half a foot into the ground.

The Empress was also badly hurt. The residual force of the sword sent her flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the bronze wall with a "bang." The thick metal wall was dented in the shape of a human, and broken gears and bearings shot out from the cracks in her shoulder armor, sparking in the air.

Gravel and dust fell from the dome of the underground palace.

On the ground between the two, a sword mark three zhang long was hissing and emitting wisps of smoke...

Xiao Hanchuan's breathing was heavy, his eyes were filled with astonishment, his chest heaved violently, and his internal energy surged endlessly due to the explosion of the "Azure Dragon in the Sleeve".

—A seven-step kill streak failed to break the deadlock!

He stared intently at the Goddess. Although the mechanical puppet had been shaken back and its joints made a "clicking" sound, the Guicang Treasure Eyes still shone with cold light, and the Twelve Laws Swords surrounded her, ready to form a sword formation at any time.

The situation is not good!

The mechanical city trembled violently, the left wall was completely twisted and deformed, and the sound of Taiyi Yuanchen's impact grew closer and closer...

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Hanchuan's eyes, and he suddenly sprang up.

With a light tap of his toes, the bluestone on the ground shattered. He moved like a black lightning bolt, but instead of heading straight for the Empress, he suddenly turned—the sword's point was none other than Lu Chenyuan!

Surround Wei and rescue Zhao!

The Qingfeng Sword transformed into a cold, sharp streak of light, piercing straight into Lu Chenyuan's heart!
The Empress knew it was a trap, but she had no choice but to be on guard. The Heavenly Punishment Sword instantly turned around, and the Twelve Laws Swords poured down like a galaxy, chasing straight for Xiao Hanchuan's back.

Lu Chenyuan reacted extremely quickly, immediately using the Lone Goose Shadow Step to fly backward. However, with the connection between the four realms and the heavens, and the assistance of the eight directions of primordial energy, it was truly a case of "when the time is right, heaven and earth lend a hand." His speed was far superior, and in the blink of an eye, he was already right in front of him.

Lu Chenyuan focused intently, observing his every move with his discerning eyes.

Xiao Hanchuan might capture him to control the emperor and command the feudal lords, or he might create an opportunity to seriously injure the Empress.

—If it's the former, then you must avoid his attacks. If Xiao Hanchuan fails in his first strike, he will be injured by the Empress, and then he will be no threat. If it's the latter, then you must pay attention to the timing of his attack, as success or failure hinges on this moment!
He had been watching the game for a long time and had seen through Xiao Hanchuan's habits.

—During his seven-step combo, he always changed his move on the third step;
When surrounded by sword formations, he habitually uses a slight slumping of his left shoulder as a prelude to a feint.
—But at that moment, as he pointed his sword at himself, his right wrist muscles tensed prematurely…

This is a sign of a change of direction midway!

Lu Chenyuan understood and began to prepare to stop.

really!

Just as the sword was about to touch Lu Chenyuan's clothes, Xiao Hanchuan flicked his right wrist, and the sword's momentum suddenly reversed. The Qingfeng sword drew a sharp arc and slashed back at the Goddess who was chasing behind!
Clearly, in his view, severely injuring the Divine Empress was the most important thing. Lu Chenyuan was not someone who could be threatened. If he refused to yield and did not stop the Divine Empress, it would not help the situation. On the contrary, as long as the Divine Empress was severely injured, Lu Chenyuan, with his early stage of the third realm cultivation, would definitely not be able to cause any trouble. Moreover, he had calculated that the Divine Empress was so eager to save people that she would have no room to dodge this sword strike!
The goddess herself knew this.

Knowing it was a dead end, she still went forward without hesitation.

But Lu Chenyuan didn't think that way.

Just as Xiao Hanchuan flicked his wrist to change his move—

Time seemed to freeze.

Lu Chenyuan's steps suddenly stopped, his figure spun around like a ghost, and his right leg lashed out like a whip!

The immense power forged from the "Gold-Swallowing Treasure Manual" suddenly erupted! The leg wind tore through the air, producing a sharp sound like metal clashing! This kick struck Xiao Hanchuan's "Zhangmen" acupoint on his waist precisely!
—Baihui falls to the ground, Weilu never returns home, Zhangmen is struck, nine out of ten die!
"boom!!"

Xiao Hanchuan's sword was already pressed against the fish-scale armor on the Empress's abdomen; just one more inch and it would pierce through—

But at that very moment, a tremendous force capable of shattering mountains and splitting rocks suddenly exploded from his waist!

It felt as if his internal organs had been struck in the chest by a thousand-pound iron hammer. A heart-wrenching pain came from the Zhangmen acupoint. His originally smooth sword movements suddenly froze, and then the world began to spin.

He flew out like a kite with a broken string, getting further and further away from the Queen!

Shock, disbelief—

Xiao Hanchuan flew dozens of feet in one breath and crashed hard into the copper wall. The mechanical patterns on his back twisted and shattered under the enormous force!
He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes fixed on the purple-clad figure, his pupils trembling.
This is impossible! ! !

In that split second just now, let alone a cultivator at the third realm, even a grandmaster at the fifth realm might not be able to react in time. Yet Lu Chenyuan not only predicted his move but also accurately seized the gap in his true energy flow...

Is this really something a human can do?

Not only was he bewildered, but even the goddess was stunned.

"Click."

She tilted her head slightly, the joints of the mechanism making a dull, rattling sound, a movement that made her look exactly like a confused young girl.

Even though he has a rat's head...

Lu Chenyuan clearly had no intention of telling him the key to his victory. He stomped his foot on the ground, sending rubble flying into the air. Lu Chenyuan flicked his finger, intending to take advantage of the situation to finish him off. The mechanical city trembled again, the earth shook, and amidst the deafening roar, the entire bronze wall directly in front of him suddenly exploded, and Taiyi Yuanchen's ferocious snake head burst through the wall!

　Uh, looks like a blunder. It's 12 o'clock and there are still no VIP coupons. I'll post this 4600-word chapter first. I'll go ask the editor what's going on. Anyway, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should be available for purchase in the next day or two. I won't post any author's notes. I hope everyone will support it. Love you all, muah~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)