A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 230 Clouds Bury Delusions, Leave No Remaining Bones

The Wuwei Divine Sword was considerably shorter than the Spring and Autumn Greatsword in Yun Tianbiao's hand.

But when Guan Luoyang slashed down with his sword, a vast expanse of green energy surged forth, repeatedly washing over the surrounding land. The ground sank deeper and deeper, becoming as hard as rock. The sword light surged, giving people a strong feeling that they had no choice but to retreat or block.

Yun Tianbiao took two steps back, then swung his arm out, swinging the blade to meet the attack from below. His arm was fully extended, and his green sleeves and golden arm armor each emitted light. His power was concentrated at the sharpest point of the blade, which collided perfectly with Guan Luoyang's sword.

As the swords clashed, their sharp auras, like invisible blades, shot out in all directions.

Some cleaved the ground like cutting through waste paper, neatly splitting the fallen tree trunks; others flew far away, piercing through the trees that hadn't fallen, leaving behind smoking holes wherever they went.

Yun Tianbiao roared and unleashed the "Cloud Burial Thousand Autumns Technique," where the imperial dynasty's fortune method and the demonic turbidity merged within his body, circulating as smoothly as his own limbs.

The demonic energy is inherently difficult to control precisely because it contains too many impurities. However, the Imperial Fortune Method is the system that best understands how to gather the power of the masses. As the saying goes, "In the sea of ​​desires in the mortal world, fortune resides." This is a power that is even more polluting than the demonic energy.

Combining these two elements, reaching the pinnacle of filth and darkness, ironically results in a kind of purity.

The Wuwei Divine Sword's ability to transform qi into ink was ineffective against Yun Tianbiao. Between the sword and the saber, the only way to determine who was superior was through pure martial arts skills and fundamental abilities.

—Perhaps we should also add a contest of fighting spirit. Those with high fighting spirit are often able to become stronger when faced with stronger opponents, and are unyielding. They may even make progress in the midst of fierce battles. In this respect, Yun Tianbiao has unparalleled confidence.

All the demonic cultivation techniques under heaven are easy to learn but difficult to master.

After the Han Dynasty, the demonic path declined, and fragments of demonic techniques were widely scattered among the people. Any bandit on any mountain, or even some hunters and farmers, could obtain these incomplete techniques. Among them were many divine skills and secret arts created by generals who went down in history.

However, most of them, even if they managed to obtain some minerals to cultivate, could only reach the level of the elite soldiers and junior officers in the Song Dynasty army in their entire lives.

Yun Tianbiao's father, Yun Wei, was such a person. He obtained almost the complete "Yunmai Qianqiu Gong" and his family was a wealthy landlord clan, which was enough to support his cultivation. However, even when he was in his prime, his arms could only exert a force of three to five thousand jin.

Any county magistrate of the seventh rank, who governs more than two thousand households, could use the Qi Luck Technique to make him mentally unstable, greedy for credit and wealth, and suppress him to the point that he dared not speak loudly.

In his later years, Yunwei suffered from nightmares day and night as the hidden dangers of the demonic arts gradually became apparent. He was often inexplicably dazed and unpredictable in his moods. In the end, he had no choice but to painfully dissipate his power and become a frail old man with a decrepit body.

Since Yun Tianbiao showed extraordinary talent as a child, he placed all of Yun Wei's hopes on him, wanting him to study, practice martial arts, become an official, be loyal to the emperor, and bring glory to the family, making the ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke, and achieving a position of the fifth rank or above in the imperial court.

But Yunwei never dreamed that when Yun Tianbiao was twelve years old, his martial arts skills had already surpassed his master's. When he was sixteen, his imposing aura was so powerful that no one in the entire clan and county dared to look him in the eye. After he turned twenty, even Zhong Shidao, the general who was in charge of the Western Army at the time, had heard of his bravery.

From then on, Yunwei didn't say it outwardly, but in his heart, he could no longer regard Yun Tianbiao as his son, and vaguely regarded him as a god who had been reincarnated into his family.

It was as if Yun Tianbiao hadn't just been born into a good family, but rather that the entire Yun clan had been waiting for this good fortune for over ten generations.

The attitude of those around him would eventually show in the details, and Yun Tianbiao's arrogance naturally rose accordingly.

His appearance, martial arts skills, talent, and blind loyalty were all impeccable. After he rose to prominence, the Emperor of Heaven inevitably favored him. The imperial destiny method became an excellent material for him, which perfectly made up for the only remaining flaw in "Cloud Buried Thousand Autumns Skill".

With such a smooth and successful life, how could Yun Tianbiao not think that he was blessed by heaven?

How could one not consider oneself a great figure born to transcend the ordinary, surpass one's contemporaries, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the sages of the past?

With unwavering confidence, Yun Tianbiao swung his blade, cleaving the low-lying clouds in the sky with fine cracks, splitting them in two from south to north.

On the high ground behind Guan Luoyang, at least three hundred feet away on the mountaintop, a moss-covered boulder that had been exposed to wind, rain, frost, and snow for many years suddenly cracked in two.

Ethereal as a cloud, firm as a rock, possessing both strength and flexibility, cutting through distance with a single stroke!

However, Guan Luoyang is neither cloud nor stone; he is also a swordsman, and a top-notch swordsman who wields a long sword in hand, with the intent of the sword in his heart, and is not bound by material things.

The sword is the most courageous of all weapons and the vanguard of all. Guan Luoyang's steps were as if he had seized the last inch of time under the Spring and Autumn Period sword and rushed into the area covered by the sword's aura.

With the tip of the Wuwei Divine Sword pointing downwards and the hilt lifted upwards, it slammed into the dragon head hilt of the Spring and Autumn Greatsword, blocking the momentum of the diagonal slash. The blade then arced out and slashed forward from below.

Yun Tianbiao pressed down with the handle of his sword to block the slashing blow. He then stepped back, pulled his hands back, and brought them close to the blade, pressing the blade of the Spring and Autumn Greatsword towards Guan Luoyang's neck.

Guan Luoyang flicked his sword to deflect the blade, but Yun Tianbiao flipped the blade in his hand, changed direction, and slashed at Guan Luoyang's neck from the other side.

The Wuwei Divine Sword flashed through the air as if leaping, once again blocking the blade of the greatsword and slicing downwards along the hilt.

Yun Tianbiao pulled the back of his blade back, causing the long handle to spring forward, the bluish-gold triangular spike at the end of the handle aimed directly at Guan Luoyang's lower abdomen.

The Spring and Autumn Broadsword itself has a fixed length, but the length changes produced by Yun Tianbiao's hands can be so skillful that it is no different from a short weapon. Moreover, his calm and generous demeanor far surpasses the visual appeal of any short weapon.

But Guan Luoyang broke through such composure time and time again, his forward steps never faltering, but instead becoming faster and faster.

The Wuwei Divine Sword in his hands exuded an extremely dangerous aura. Many times, he used the hilt, guard, or even the smallest bit of the blade's spine to block Yun Tianbiao's attacks before the Spring and Autumn Greatsword could be fully unleashed.

From the very first day he learned to use a knife, Guan Luoyang learned a knife technique that involved taking risks for pleasure.

The so-called Golden Eyebrow Blade, also known as the Startling Eyebrow Blade, is a blade that moves the eyes and touches the heart. The cultivation of the Great Sky-Piercing Slash adds an even more indescribable sense of oppression to his perilous style.

He was not only taking a risk himself, but also, in an instant, drawing the enemy into a tense situation where one wrong move could mean certain death.

Yun Tianbiao's movements became increasingly ingenious, the blade repeatedly wrapping around his waist and neck, rotating and changing, his retreating speed as fast as a hurricane, the blade flashing incessantly around him.

Guan Luoyang's figure chased the wind, while the Wuwei Divine Sword in his hand changed in countless ways, chasing after the flashes of blades.

The two men bombarded their way down the mountainside, and the surrounding trees and shrubs in the jungle looked completely unchanged.

But long after the two figures had passed, from the mountainside down the mountain, suddenly tree crowns flew up, tree trunks were cut up, shrubs were smashed, and there were cut plant remains everywhere. Even the python that was hiding in the tree was cut into several pieces.

The snake's tongue was still flicking, seemingly unaware that it had already been killed.

Countless pieces of wood, sawdust, broken leaves, and debris fell in a flurry, their dull thuds echoing for a long time, accompanied by an even longer rustling sound.

Unable to gain any real distance on the ground and fully unleash his power, Yun Tianbiao let out a long roar. As he descended the slope, he suddenly leaped into the air. Guan Luoyang followed closely behind, stepping into the air as if his body were weightless, feeling incredibly free, and instantly caught up.

For the soldiers still fighting at the foot of the mountain, all they saw were two rough and blurry dragon shadows flying up from the foot of the mountain, constantly entangled and tearing at each other, with intense clashes of blades echoing between them.

The two dragon shadows, one a deep green mixed with golden light and black mist, roared violently as they swept across the sky, their sound carrying for miles.

The other was a deep blue-green, pure and without any other color. It passed through the air silently, with only a gentle breeze blowing through the forest.

In the blink of an eye, the two had flown several miles away, twisting and turning, crashing into the ground, and then taking off again, rising and falling several times, exploding into huge waves of wet soil on the ground.

Boom!

Two dragon shadows entered the ground one after another, and the soil on both sides was pushed forward by a tremendous force, undulating like a curtain wall, rising higher and higher.

When the swords clashed again, the surrounding soil was immediately shattered into powder, disintegrating into brown dust rings that spread far and wide.

"You sorcerer..."

Yun Tianbiao's figure burst from the ground, turned around and slashed, his beard and hair stood on end, the demonic energy in his eyes gathered into a vast green light, and his fury surged like the tide.

"I don't believe your swordsmanship, which involves killing commoners and disemboweling them, can remain flawless forever!!"

The crescent moon crashed down on Guan Luoyang. Before the previous massive arc of light had even dissipated, the second wave of light had already arrived with a devastating slash.

Yun Tianbiao unleashed thirty-six consecutive slashes, the wind from his blades shaking the surrounding land, causing the earth within a radius of over two hundred feet to tremble as if it were the surface of a sea.

Those deep-rooted trees, like tiny wooden carvings, were tossed into the air, torn apart and blown away into the distance by the aftershocks of the sword energy.

Guan Luoyang's gaze locked onto the blades. The Wuwei Divine Sword swept across the land, connecting thirty-six strikes, and the blade energy on the Spring and Autumn Greatsword grew heavier and heavier.

By the time the next slash came, Yun Tianbiao's arm armor had been stretched and deformed, with cracks appearing. The muscles on his arms bulged so much that they tore through his sleeves, and the green fabric hung tattered on his arms.

When he swung the knife, even he could hear the sound of his arms straining under the weight, his joints grinding and cracking.

But it doesn't matter, his blade will surely slay the evil Taoist opposite. There is no reason why a bandit leader who defies the court can defeat him, the Grand Commandant of the Palace Guard, a great general of our time, a trusted minister of the emperor, and the unparalleled successor of a thousand years of merit!

when!!!

Guan Luoyang took the blow head-on, causing the Wuwei Divine Sword to involuntarily drop downwards, while the blade of the Spring and Autumn Greatsword deflected and slashed down along Guan Luoyang's shoulder.

Even the divine armor could not completely block the sword; its defenses were breached, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound.

Yun Tianbiao was overjoyed. With just a turn of his blade, he could slice across Guan Luoyang's shoulder and sever his head.

But Guan Luoyang's ancient Dao sword somehow ended up in his left hand. He leaned forward, and his cruel and bloody swordsmanship was unleashed in his left hand, no less powerful than in his right.

Yun Tianbiao clearly felt the strength in his hands suddenly dissipate because the tendons in his arms were cut into by the rapidly leaping blade light. Even the dual protective techniques of demonic turbidity and imperial fortune could not withstand the blade intent of the Azure Sky.

When the fabric, wrist guards, arm armor, and flesh on his arms were sliced ​​into luminous dust invisible to the naked eye, revealing the stark white bones, and the leaping blades were already hurtling towards his face and chest, he only had time to dodge to the side.

Guan Luoyang's figure passed by him, and the Wuwei Divine Sword, which he had been holding in his left hand, was now being held in reverse.

Yun Tianbiao let out a roar of intense pain, raised his right foot, and with swirling turbid energy, used his foot to control the blade, pulling the Spring and Autumn Greatsword to slash behind him.

Guan Luoyang turned around, raised his foot and chopped down, stomping the Spring and Autumn Greatsword under his foot. He then rotated the Wuwei Divine Sword in his palm, pushing the tip forward.

Yun Tianbiao was about to utter his final curse when he felt the tip of the sword graz his tongue and pierce his throat.

A blood-stained sword tip pierced through the back of Yun Tianbiao's neck.

"..."

Yun Tianbiao's lips moved, but he couldn't utter a word.

Guan Luoyang loosened his grip on the sword hilt, reached forward, and pressed his palm against the man's forehead.

Crimson fibers broke off from the cuffs and covered Yun Tianbiao's head. The divine garment wanted to devour the life force in his body, but it couldn't find a way to absorb it and couldn't absorb even a fraction of it.

Demonic cultivation techniques prevent the body from decaying. When Yun Tianbiao reached a certain level, his bones became even stronger than divine weapons. Although he was seriously injured, he gathered all his power and sealed it within his bones.

No matter what method Guan Luoyang uses, it is impossible to destroy his skeleton in a short period of time.

When Liu Yongxi and the others realize the situation has changed, as long as they come back and take the skeleton away, Yun Tianbiao can slowly recover his flesh and blood.

Several famous demonic generals in ancient times used such methods to escape calamities and rise again.

However, the next moment, Guan Luoyang's palm trembled, and the Exploding Spirit Four Eclipses of the Heavenly Demon Art were unleashed for the first time. The fierce cries of dragons and cranes first impacted Yun Tianbiao's mind, and the palm that was pressing on his face turned into something like an abyss.

Yun Tianbiao finally lost control, letting out a scream as his inner strength was breached and poured out like a burst dam.

The divine garment devoured the energy like a whale drinking water, while the most violent portion of the vital energy was seized by Guan Luoyang himself.

Nearly a quarter of an hour later, Yun Tianbiao's figure was refined to the state of dry, rotten wood. Guan Luoyang pulled out the Wuwei Divine Sword, and Yun Tianbiao looked over with his withered eyes, uttering a dry and weak voice.

"Traitor, you have defied the imperial court and will ultimately meet a terrible end. I will be watching from the underworld..."

Before he could finish speaking, he exploded with a bang, turning into dry dust.

Guan Luoyang didn't bother to look at him. Instead, he turned to observe the battlefield at the foot of the mountain. Lin Chong and his men had firmly established their advantage. The government troops were in disarray, and some were still resisting. However, those on the outermost edge, who had sensed the fall of their commander through the connection of their qi, were already showing signs of escaping.

The outcome is decided.

"Yun Tianbiao is dead! After you defeat the troops here, take as many prisoners as you can and set off for Quancheng immediately."

He sent a few words to Lin Chong's men, telling them that Guan Luoyang could not stay long and should leave first.

Ten miles outside Jinan.

Liu Yongxi led his cavalry back and observed the city walls from horseback. He saw bright flags and tight patrols, which did not seem to indicate that the city had been attacked by Liangshan bandits.

Suspicion arose in his heart, and he leaped off his horse. A white cloud rose from beneath his feet, and he was enveloped in auspicious mist. His speed increased far beyond that of the cavalry, and in a short while, he arrived at the city wall.

A large number of cavalrymen watched as he hovered above the city wall, and after a short while, he flew back on a cloud.

"We've fallen for the Liangshan bandits' treacherous scheme!"

Liu Yongxi, standing atop the clouds, ordered the cavalry to turn, and with a downward grab, the horse that was binding Shi Xiu was thrown into the air.

A chilling cold startled Shi Xiu awake.

He looked up and saw that Liu Yongxi's eyes were gleaming with a murderous aura.

"Shi Xiu, you sent men to ambush Yun Tianbiao, didn't you? Where exactly did you set up the ambush? Speak out immediately, or I will tear your soul from your body and grind it to dust, so that you may never be reborn!"

Shi Xiu, with a pure and simple expression, said, "What are you saying, Daoist Master? Everyone is born and dies once; how can one die nine times?"

"You still dare to show off your words..."

"Taoist priest, be careful! Someone's behind you!"

Sure enough, a figure flashed behind Liu Yongxi. He showed no fear and pointed to the sky.

Several enormous stalagmites rose from the ground all around, and within the area enclosed by the stalagmites, a thick fog immediately began to swirl.

The figure flashed and appeared in front of Shi Xiu. It was Dai Zong, who had been ordered to follow along and had fortunately come to Shi Xiu's rescue in an emergency.

He carried Shi Xiu on his shoulder, and with a flash of divine light from the armor on his feet, he was a thousand feet away. There he saw a Taoist priest waiting not far in front of him, getting closer and closer.

Dai Zong's heart skipped a beat. He changed direction and flashed again, traveling several miles. The mist cleared, and the Taoist in the bamboo-shaped crown ahead seemed to have never moved. His features gradually became clear in the mist.

Swish swish swish swish swish!!

Using the Divine Speed ​​Technique, Dai Zong escaped through the air seven or eight times, constantly changing direction. Each time, he found himself getting closer and closer to the Taoist in the bamboo shoot crown, and he was filled with inexplicable horror.

"After all, it's an unorthodox method. Did you really think I didn't have a way to deal with you?"

Liu Yongxi watched coldly as Dai Zong appeared and got closer and closer, even within an arm's length, before reaching out to grab Dai Zong's neck.

(End of this chapter)