He changed Tiwat

Han Fulai had by then successfully pieced together the known intelligence and understood the logic behind the actions of the two Abyss Singers—

These two figures are like church doormen, who come out to open the door for believers when they hear the bell ringing. The outer black mist barrier is like the church's outer wall and gate, while the inner black mist barrier is the church's main entrance.

According to the proper procedure, the believers should ring the bell twice outside, after which the guards would dispel the black mist barrier and welcome the believers from the Abyss inside. Of course, those who were not believers, such as the Fools from back then, were driven away by the gatekeepers even if they rang the bell according to the rules.

When the two gatekeepers arrived today and found that the gate hadn't been opened, two men ran into the yard on their own. Under these circumstances, they initially treated Han Fulai and Jiang Xue as "thieves," so they attacked them upon seeing them.

However, Jiang Xue's counterattack with sword energy, which they called the "True Technique," made them question the two's identities, which is why they were given a chance to speak. As a result, the two inexplicably came into contact with the Abyss Singers' energy. These two assumed that the two were Abyss believers who had not yet been "baptized," so they kindly decided to baptize them before letting them in.

Considering that Hilichurls can freely enter "holy sites," their judgment method must be quite simple—believers should have the scent of black mud on them. You two don't have any black mud on you, that won't do. We'll help you take a bath using the power of the black mud...

But this "baptism" is unbearable; it can kill you!

Chapter 193 At the very least, address me as Senior Brother.

"Is this what you call 'washing away sins'?"

Jiang Xue calmly observed the two Abyss Singers, then made a seemingly cooperative gesture—he sheathed his bladeless sword at his waist.

The Abyss Singer did not reply. Onnar's black electric ball and Egil's pitch-black flames struck at the same moment, flying towards Han Fulai and Jiang Xue respectively.

Without a second thought, Han Fulai immediately summoned his black-tasseled spear and activated his Salt God power, using the spear as a base to form a thick marble shield.

He didn't know how powerful the black electric ball containing black mud... or rather, the power of the abyss was. He was mentally prepared to be hit and could only hope that the salt shield could protect him from the damage.

But the expected shock did not come, because Jiang Xue made her move.

In Jiang Xue's arms, the Geo-attribute Eye of God emitted a dazzling light.

Along the trajectory of the black electric ball and the pitch-black flames, a greatsword gleaming with golden light appeared out of nowhere. The rock-elemental sword aura surged several meters, completely engulfing the two attacks.

Jiang Xue gripped the hilt of the Thousand Cliffs Ancient Sword with both hands, his body as still as a deep pool and his spirit as gentle as a spring breeze over the Yi River. He appeared as a towering mountain, unbreakable. Anyone who saw Jiang Xue could understand—as long as he lived, no one could get past him to harm his comrades behind him.

He was chanting "Thousand Cliffs Manual: Unity of Hearts" in a low voice.

"The cliffs are firm and the peaks are unyielding, the city is fortified and the people are protected, and the demons and evil spirits are pacified."

Decades of hard work, through cold and hot weather, are all for the purpose of being worthy of these sixteen characters.

At the same time, two surprised shouts came from the mouths of the two Abyss Singers.

"How dare you, you sinner!"

Who are you?

Refusing baptism symbolizes rebellion against faith, which, in Oner's eyes, is clearly an unforgivable sin.

Compared to the furious Onnar, Egil clearly saw the light of the "Eye of God," which undoubtedly proclaimed one thing—the person before him was a lackey of Sky Isles, their enemy!

When faced with Egil's question, Jiang Xue calmly replied, "My name is Jiang Xue, I'm a fisherman, and I'll see you off on your journey."

There is no room for further dialogue now.

"Flames bring salvation!" Egil shouted, and a fireball as large as a cartwheel hub appeared in his palms.

However, the moment he pushed his palms out to launch the fireball, the fireball exploded violently in front of his chest!

This was not because Egil's incantation was wrong, nor because his power was out of control, because the fireball was detonated by someone else—to be precise, it was shattered by the Thousand Rock Ancient Sword in Jiang Xue's hand.

His red robe was torn apart by the blast, his black helmet was ripped apart by the sword's edge, and his chest was also ripped apart by the greatsword, leaving a hideous and terrifying wound that almost split his upper body in two.

It wasn't until Egil was sent flying backward that he realized Jiang Xue had already arrived in front of him. The afterimage left by Jiang Xue in the original spot still retained the posture of holding a sword, as if she had never moved.

Did you know that humans could move this fast?

He was filled with regret, regretting that he hadn't taken that human seriously enough, and regretting that he hadn't activated the Abyssal Fire Shield, which could absorb all attacks, beforehand.

At this moment, Jiang Xue's voice reached Egil's ears—"Step Kill - Phantom".

His sword was faster than the sound.

The ultimate speed creates the ultimate killing intent. There are thousands of martial arts and movements in this world, but on the battlefield, people often only have time to make one move.

Even as a high-ranking member of the "Abyss Order" and a former leader of the Legion, Egil was unable to withstand a single move from Jiang Xue's sword.

His mangled body turned into black smoke in the wind.

Jiang Xue was slightly out of breath. Using the Thousand Rock Ancient Sword to unleash his maximum speed also brought him a great burden. The tendons in his limbs were groaning. The price of gaining extreme speed was that he could become a cripple if he was not careful... but the price was worth it.

Even the most composed opponent will be shocked and thrown into chaos when they see a companion of similar strength being killed instantly.

Onnal's performance was nothing short of manic.

"Ahhhh! Listen to the truth!"

But Onar raised his hands high, as if praying to the heavens—only his object of prayer was the abyss.

Lightning, representing "truth," erupted from Onnar's body, seemingly endless. Fear and rage drove Onnar to the most extreme action; he chose to unleash all his energy without reservation, causing continuous area damage. As the range of the lightning expanded, the sinner who murdered his companion would finally perish under the raging tide of thunder.

Onnar had already witnessed Jiang Xue's extreme speed; her continuous area-of-effect attacks could effectively prevent enemies from using speed to close the gap—for a mage, this had almost become his combat instinct. So Onnar was acting on instinct at this moment.

This choice wasn't wrong, but it wasn't the best choice either, because he was facing Jiang Xue.

Jiang Xue could actually kill without getting close.

The moment Onnar raised his hands to chant the incantation, the flaw he exposed was enough. His fatal mistake was not to immediately slip into the spatial rift to escape Jiang Xue's attack range.

"Horizontal Step Kill - Startling Swan".

Jiang Xue shifted her feet sideways without turning around. With a sweep of her left hand and a push of her right, the Thousand Rocks Ancient Sword flew from her grasp, hurtling towards Onnar's chest at lightning speed. Before the Thousand Rocks Ancient Sword, a golden sword beam several meters long pulsed!

Beneath the Bridge of Sorrow, spring waves ripple green, where once a fleeting beauty's reflection lingered.

A fleeting glimpse, and the dream is shattered, the soul is lost.

When Onnar was pierced through the chest and abdomen and pinned to the ground by the Thousand Rocks Ancient Sword, the lightning around him had not yet dissipated. However, no matter how intense the lightning was, it could not break free from the ancient sword made of divinely forged bedrock.

“Good… heavy…” Only then did Onnal realize the strength and speed with which the sinner wielded this heavy greatsword.

Jiang Xue drew the Thousand Rocks Ancient Sword, and Onnar's body vanished beneath the sword.

Two Abyss Singers who had lived for nearly five hundred years failed to survive a single move under Jiang Xue's sword.

Han Fulai, who had been watching from the sidelines, didn't know what to say—he knew Jiang Xue was strong, but he didn't know she was this strong.

Moreover, Jiang Xue's nonchalant attitude made Han Fulai understand Zhiqiong's feelings; having such strong teammates can easily make one feel inferior...

After Onnar's body disappeared, a Rubik's Cube lay quietly on the ground.

The "Rubik's Cube" was engraved with various dazzling patterns, which looked somewhat similar to the patterns on the "Wishing Stone". Han Fulai stepped forward and picked up the "Rubik's Cube". After examining it carefully, he understood its function - it was a tool used to break the black mist barrier. Onnar and Egil must have used this thing to break the black mist barrier.

However, activating this item requires the power of the black mud. In short, it's useless for him and Jiang Xue to have it now, so they can only put it away for the time being.

Jiang Xue raised the Thousand Rock Ancient Sword with both hands again, preparing to cleave through the black mist barrier that shrouded the entrance to the ruins.

Just then, another spatial rift appeared in front of the two, and a "dark shell" emerged from the rift.

However, this "dark shell" was significantly different from the others that Han Fulai had seen before.

One of the differences is that this "dark shell" has a huge sun emblem printed on its chest.

The second difference is that this "dark shell" holds a Thousand Rocks Ancient Sword.

The third difference is that he can talk.

A somewhat muffled voice came from inside the helmet.

"It's been quite a few years since we last met."

When Jiang Xue saw this "dark, empty shell," she only managed to utter one sentence. This was the first time Han Fulai had heard Jiang Xue say this, and also the first time he had seen Jiang Xue so nervous. Jiang Xue said—

"Run away!"

The moment he uttered those words, the two greatswords clashed.

The same greatsword, the same movements, the same speed, and the same sword aura.

Everything seemed like a reflection in a mirror.

But Han Fulai knew he couldn't escape, because he didn't have the ability to break through the black mist barrier and get out, and he also knew that Jiang Xue might really not be able to protect him.

Jiang Xue is currently at a disadvantage—the reason being that Jiang Xue is clenching her teeth, with the veins on her hands bulging, while her opponent is holding the greatsword with only one hand.

The other person used their other hand to remove the helmet.

Beneath the helmet was the face of a middle-aged man, with black hair and eyes, a thin face, and graying temples—he looked exactly like a Liyue native.

"...You...are still alive." Jiang Xue seemed to utter these words through gritted teeth.

The man's expression remained calm: "At least address me respectfully as Senior Brother."

Chapter 194 There are only four types of people in this world

Even though that person has only exchanged two words with Jiang Xue since he appeared, Han Fulai has already understood many things.

First, this "dark shell" is Jiang Xue's senior brother, and also the "private matter" Jiang Xue came to the Layered Rock Abyss for. Han Fulai had already figured out that Jiang Xue came to this ancient civilization ruin to find someone, and that the person she was looking for was related to the Abyss or Kanria. So far, it seems that this prediction has been completely correct.

Secondly, this "senior brother" is an enemy, not a friend, and possesses immense power. He clearly came with murderous intent; otherwise, Jiang Xue wouldn't have let him escape. The anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss are very likely related to this "senior brother."

Third, running away is pointless. He's currently unprotected by the Jade Shield, and if his opponent possesses superior martial arts skills compared to Jiang Xue, running away now would simply be exposing his back to the enemy. Only by joining forces with Jiang Xue do they have a sliver of hope!

Just like when she faced those three "empty shells" at the higher level, none of the three "empty shells" were a match for Jiang Xue one-on-one, but when they formed a battle formation and covered each other, they could make Jiang Xue feel troubled.

Now it's simply a matter of the positions being reversed, with them now being the weaker party in terms of individual strength—but the weak also have their own way of fighting. Faced with a powerful villain, Han Fulai, the self-proclaimed righteous leader of the Guhua Sect, naturally shouts, "There's no need to talk about chivalry with this kind of person; let's all fight side by side!"

Han Fulai took a few steps back and silently began to activate the remnants of the demon god within his body.

He knew perfectly well that ordinary attacks wouldn't harm Jiang Xue, let alone his senior brother, whose strength surpassed Jiang Xue's. While Jiang Xue was holding off his opponent, he needed to prepare a powerful move that could turn the tide of battle!

The stalemate between the two ancient swords of the Thousand Rocks continues.

Although to onlookers the two men appeared to be merely standing still in a stalemate, in reality, the center of gravity of the two greatswords was constantly shifting—much like the "pushing hands" technique in Tai Chi. The two ancient swords were like two hands intertwined and probing each other, seemingly just pushing and shoving, but in fact extremely dangerous, and exposing even the slightest flaw could have fatal consequences.

For Jiang Xue, the moment the two swords clashed, the interplay of their techniques had already begun. Once one side gained the upper hand, they could instantly kill their opponent.

Within seconds, Jiang Xuejian's strength and body center of gravity had changed five times; in other words, he had changed his moves five times.

No matter how Jiang Xue changed his moves, his opponent's sword always suppressed him.

Just like many years ago when the senior brother taught on behalf of the master.

"You once said you would spend the rest of your life here," Jiang Xue said softly.

"I have not stepped out of the Abyss of Layered Rocks." The man's voice was unhurried, and the Thousand Rocks Ancient Sword in his hand was still suppressing Jiang Xue, clearly having plenty of strength left.

"But you joined the 'Abyss Order'!" Jiang Xue's voice was laced with anger.

If he came to the Abyss of Layered Rocks with a feeling of "mourning" in mind, things are completely different now.

He thought this would be a reunion that would allow both sides to let go of the past, but he never expected that after not seeing each other for several years, the other party would have gone down such an extreme path.

"Just because I'm wearing this armor? I think you've misunderstood." The man's face was expressionless, as if he were genuinely explaining a trivial misunderstanding.

Jiang Xue snorted coldly.

"What misunderstanding? Just half an hour ago, I was attacked by the Abyss Apostle leading the 'Dark Shells.' And when you appeared before me, you were a 'Black Serpent Knight.' Are you trying to say they weren't your subordinates?"

“That’s why I said you’ve misunderstood.” The man shook his head. “I haven’t joined the ‘Abyss Order.’ This armor is merely a symbol of the highest status here, nothing more.”

"Oh? You mean the attacks I suffered, and the 'good deeds' of the 'Abyss Order,' were all misunderstandings?" Jiang Xue's tone was sarcastic. The anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss, and the existence of the black mud and black mist, were undeniable facts.

The man's tone remained calm: "I'll say it again, you've misunderstood. I have not joined the 'Abyss Order'."

Jiang Xue sneered: "So now you're catching up with me? What a touching reunion... Ye Mingxiang."

This is a very elegant name that evokes the spirit of Liyue. In fact, this man was quite a dashing and romantic figure in his youth.

The man called Ye Mingxiang fell silent for a moment.

"Why haven't you even called me 'senior brother' yet?"

"Does this make sense?"

Jiang Xue increased the pressure in her hand, urging the sword forward again, and for the first time, a friction sound was heard between the two Thousand Rock Ancient Swords. This indicated that the sword energies on the swords had canceled each other out, resulting in a collision between their physical forms.

This also means that... the stalemate will soon be over.

“It makes sense.” Ye Mingxiang nodded. “I’m here to clean up the mess. The deaths of two important allies need to be addressed, no matter what.”

"Ha, allies? And you still say you didn't collude with them!" Jiang Xue's anger intensified.

Ye Mingxiang ignored Jiang Xue's words and continued, "Although I know you killed him, I can spare your life if you call me 'Senior Brother'."

"Should I thank you for your mercy..." Jiang Xue gripped the sword hilt tightly with both hands, took a step forward, and forced the other party back a step.

Ye Mingxiang sighed, "You haven't changed at all... I once thought that one day you would be able to understand me. Xinghan... Junior Brother."

“I don’t understand, I really don’t understand! You’d better let me understand… Give me a chance, let me understand properly…” Jiang Xue’s lips trembled, and it seemed that the two words were spat out from between her teeth— “…Senior…Brother.”