The guards in Qiankun City weren't as tight as they had been the last time they left. Yun Xian poked his head out and heard Su Chi whisper, "We're here."
On the streets near the city gate, many shops displayed flags that read "Liu Mansion." The logo on the flags was somewhat different from what Yun Xian had remembered before. It seemed to have been replaced with a fox head from an ancient painting. The white fox smiled cunningly, with its eyes slightly narrowed.
"..." Yun Xian jumped out of the car and said, "It seems Shu Jiuwei has officially established himself in the Liu Mansion. Now the logo has been changed. How much do you think he is favored?"
As expected of a fox demon, she's truly adept at manipulating people's minds. I just wonder how the other male fox, Mimi, is doing. Has he lost any weight?
Jiang Xingyao was confused and said, "Shu Jiuwei? Who? Sounds like a demon."
"The princess of the demon fox tribe." Yun Xian turned around without hesitation and said, "But now she should be Miss Liu's princess."
It seems that Mr. Liu is gradually giving up his power, otherwise Miss Liu alone would not be able to be the master of this mansion.
The Northern Realm is a powerful place and has always been a gathering place for people from the martial arts world. Therefore, it is even more precarious when storms come. It seems that this unusual and solemn atmosphere is depressing. The roads are sparsely populated and desolate. Even the curtains raised by the passing carriages are not as lively as usual.
Yun Xian has spent most of his time in the Northern Realm since leaving the Eastern Realm. Now, looking at the increasingly desolate streets, he felt a little sad.
The tabloids on the street bulletin boards were from the day before yesterday. No one had changed them for two or three days. Yun Xian peeled one off:
The Sword Sect's businesses have closed their doors to visitors, and disciples are returning to defend the area. It seems something major is happening.
"Whether it's a festival or not, many cities have become popular tourist attractions? "
Friendly reminder: Public security is not good recently, please be sure to close doors and windows and be careful when traveling.
Yun Xian was surprised and said, "These tabloid reporters are actually starting to speak seriously?"
"With the economy so bad, who's still thinking about gossip?" Jiang Xingyao completely forgot he'd just been gossiping and said, "Let's go into the city. But what do you want to do? Go and attack Xingyan Sect alone?"
"What I can think of, Miss will surely think of as well. This is something the Body Tempering Sect and the Sword Sect would do, not something I would do." Ji Rongxue had previously sent her a letter, asking her to adapt to the situation. Yun Xian glanced at Su Chi, who stood silently behind her, and said, "Besides, how can I kill them alone? Surround them all by myself?"
Jiang Xingyao said sincerely: "With the combat power of Xing Yanzong, if we can draw it out, you and your senior brother might really be able to do it."
Yun Xian: "..." Such sincere self-deprecation, leaving no room for ridicule. Besides, who can't add the eldest brother? Feng Ye and the eldest brother jointly attacked a sect. Does that mean Feng Ye is powerful?
"First, go to Liu Mansion, then to Xinglin Pavilion, and finally, find someone." Yun Xian stepped onto Taiping and said, "This time, we have to go faster."
Time is running out.
There were fewer guests coming and going at the gate of Liu's mansion. When the waiter saw that it was Yun Xian, he led the person inside without even announcing anything.
Miss Liu was sitting there holding Shu Jiuwei, and no one knew how long she had been waiting for her.
The various fox accessories were still dazzlingly luxurious. Mimi looked significantly thinner than ever before, vaguely reminiscent of the beautiful features Yun Xian had first seen her, but she was still inferior. Shu Jiuwei's current advantage lay not in her beauty, but in Miss Liu's favor. She had become so fat, even her head and face had become a ball, and Miss Liu had never seen her put her down.
Su Chi and Jiang Xingyao were waiting outside. Yun Xian sat down familiarly and asked, "Did you know I was coming?"
"How could I not know?" Miss Liu smiled. "I knew it before you even entered Qiankun City."
Shu Jiuwei jumped heavily off Miss Liu's legs and spoke in human language: "What happened?"
The demon race has a natural tendency to seek advantage and avoid harm. For the past half month, the entire demon race has been restless and unexplained, including her, who has been tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The ancestor called Shi Mi has returned to the demon clan, and the tribe leader has been anxiously summoning her back to the territory, completely forgetting all plans for marriage and alliances.
Yun Xian didn't even have time to sip his tea to moisten his throat. He quickly told the story and said, "That's it."
Her tone was not harsh, even nonchalant. She didn't know how many times she had said this to others these days. Shu Jiuwei's jaw dropped. Miss Liu's smile faded a little and she said, "So that's how it is. No wonder."
Yun Xian saw that she was even calmer and more composed than he had imagined. Just as he was about to ask, he heard Miss Liu say, "These days, the Sword Sect's forces have gradually withdrawn from Qiankun City. It's not easy to get a dog that has already bitten the meat to let go. The other day I was talking to Jiuwei, wondering if something big was going to happen that would make the sky fall. Now it seems that the sky hasn't fallen yet, but it's almost there."
"Haha. It's almost the same." Yun Xian laughed bitterly and said, "So now, what are your plans?"
Miss Liu said softly, "No big deal."
"I think the Seven Sects probably all know about this already." The woman with a thin lower lip sat at the main seat, her expression still calm. "Given the capabilities of the major sects, it wouldn't be difficult for them to retreat into the cities early, but the fact that no one has moved means everyone has already made their decision. At this point, if they make any unusual moves, the entire Four Realms will panic. The more panic there is, the more it plays into their hands. After all, we're all in this together, so what difference does it make if we die sooner or later?"
"Although my cultivation isn't high, my family is quite wealthy after all." Miss Liu finally said, "Any magical artifacts and spiritual herbs in the auction house that are useful to you can be taken."
Shu Jiuwei was unable to get a word in for a long time, but when he finally got a chance, he grunted and said, "Me too."
“…”
Yun Xian came out with heavy steps, his pockets still filled with biscuits and snacks stuffed by Miss Liu. He turned around and went to Xinglin Pavilion.
Doctor Fang was still treating patients. Everyone waited outside for a while. Seeing that healing herbs were being transported into the pavilion in carts as if they were free, they knew that he was probably ready.
"If it weren't so unethical to leave a small animal in front of the clinic, I would have put the animal ring there and left first." Yun Xian asked, "Who are you treating? Why is it taking so long?"
Su Chi also wanted to know which little animal she was talking about. Could it be the black and white bear that weighed over 600 kilograms?
Doctor Fang finally came out, still with the same dark circles under his eyes. He said, "I understand this matter now."
Yun Xian glanced back and saw that it was actually the Sword Sect's puppet leader Liu Feiran. His tail was stained with blood and he disappeared in a streak of light. Fang Fei said solemnly, "The Xingyan Sect is deserted. Only the current leader's family remains. All the disciples are gone."
"Gone, what does that mean? Missing, or dead?"
"...I don't know. All I know is that not all of them died, but a lot of them must have died. The formations in the sect are all infused with human blood. Even Yao Xing is missing."
Yun Xian stood up, took a deep breath, and said, "It seems that he already knew that his plan had been exposed, so he didn't even bother pretending."
"..." Fang Fei glanced at Xinglin Pavilion and said, "I don't know how many I can take in, but I'll do my best."
Jiang Shan was taken in. Su Chi asked, "Who are you going to find for the last one?"
A carrier pigeon flew over from afar, and Yun Xian reached out to take it. There were two different letters, sent by Qi Zhiye and Xue Lingxiu. They were just a few words, but they were full of weight.
Everything is ready and we can start the battle at any time.
The Old Seventh Gate should be deserted by now. The Xingyan Sect's formation couldn't be broken, so they could only evacuate their disciples to a vacuum zone, then activate the main formation and try to evacuate everyone to the center of the Four Realms, hoping to delay the battle for a moment.
Yun Xian put the letter away and said, "Go find the second best assassin in the world."
Jiang Lancui and his assassin organization, his father who is a sword cultivator and whose strength is comparable to Liu Feiran, and the other three mysterious friends of Senior Nan Ronghong... At this time, the more they can capture, the better.
Jiang Xingyao was confused and wanted to ask but it was too late. Su Chi didn't even have any questions and followed closely.
The wind was howling, and the sky above was getting darker and darker, with a faint hint of rain coming. In this lightning-fast moment, Yun Xian, who was holding the magic stone close to his body, dodged twice abnormally.
Compared to the scorching heat of the previous moment, this reaction was incredibly weak. So weak that no one would notice it, as if the host was as weak as the light itself. It was more of an "intuition" than a "discovery." Yun Xian didn't even glance at the magic stone. He stopped immediately and looked around cautiously.
The air was slightly cool, without any abnormality, but she remained tense. A muffled curse came from somewhere within the barrier.
"Dog nose?" Yu Ji said, "It can even smell this!"
Niu Baiye said: "The illusion is here, she can't find it. Let's go quickly."
"..." Yu Ji glanced at the black fog behind him. There was no movement at all. Someone who didn't know would think Jimo Shu was dead. He sighed, "If she wasn't getting weaker and weaker, would she still need me to escort her personally? Did you use the magic stone on her?!"
Mei Yanliu said, "I use it. Every day without stopping."
Yu Ji: "Then why would she become like this?"
Mei Yanliu's temper wasn't much better: "Do you think I want her to be like this?!"
"Enough!" the rolling black fog ahead said gloomily, "The leader is watching, how dare you say anything more? Just being alive is enough! Go!"
In just a moment, the floating air brushed past Yun Xian. She was unaware of it and was still looking vigilantly in the original direction.
Su Chi patted her shoulder lightly, "What's wrong?"
"..." The strange feeling was just a fleeting moment, and now it's gone. Maybe it was just an illusion. Yun Xian said, "Nothing. Let's go."
Yun Xian's ominous premonition grew stronger, and he pursed his lips tightly as he found Jiang Lancui at his usual spot. The restaurant was now empty, leaving no one to drink with him. Jiang Lancui sat alone in the lobby, surrounded by a pile of wine jars. Seeing Yun Xian approach, he wasn't surprised and said, "Let's drink today..."
Drunk ass, Yun Xian asked: "Where is the person?"
"Whoever you're talking about has already gone to siege the Xingyan Sect." Jiang Lancui burped, took out his dagger, placed it on the table, and said, "It's a fifty-fifty split. We'll know the outcome by sunset. Do you want to take a gamble? Can the Body-Building Sect and the Sword Sect win?"
"I don't have any money. What's the point of gambling, young man? Be careful not to break your legs." Yun Xian picked up a jar of wine, took a few sips, wiped his mouth, and handed it to Su Chi. He looked at the sky outside the restaurant, which was about to fall, and stated, "The sun has set."
The sunset in Qiankun City today was as peaceful as any other day. The orange-yellow sunset glow gradually filled the sky, softly and slowly, as if the smoke from cooking and the aroma of food should be rising under such a sky.
Su Chi took a sip of the liquor, but still showed no reaction. Yun Xian looked outside, as if he could see the bloody storm somewhere in the northern border. With a "click," Jiang Lancui suddenly reached out, picked up the dagger from the table, and stood up.
My feet began to tremble slightly.
"After being an assassin for so long, I've discovered one thing." He gazed at the sunset, his expression growing increasingly serious. "Often, great events don't necessarily require phenomena from the sky or violent storms... More often, ordinary things happen at the most ordinary times."
But it is like the sun setting in the west and winter following autumn, it is unstoppable.
Suddenly there was a loud bang, and the ground beneath their feet cracked. After the crack, there was a raging flood. All the buildings could not survive for a moment and collapsed. Dust filled the sky and they were submerged in the blink of an eye!
The southern boundary is the vast ocean. The boundless water surges forward, seemingly without end, leaving one despairing.
Yun Xian was splashed with water in the face by an ugly fish that came out of nowhere. At the same time, countless strong spiritual lights burst out from the direction of the Sword Sect and the Body Strengthening Sect. The sect's formation was activated, and the momentum was as strong as the sky and unstoppable. It actually temporarily stopped the overlapping momentum!
They are the disciples from various sects guarding outside the door!
"What's going on?!" Although the worst had already happened, it seemed to be better than she had imagined. Yun Xian's mind raced as she said, "The formation relies on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth..."
Jiang Xingyao floated in the water and said with difficulty, "This is one method. It relies on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The spiritual energy now is not as strong as in ancient times, so the effectiveness of the formation will be greatly reduced, but it is more stable. There is another method, which is to use people to inject energy... As long as the people are not dead, the formation will not be destroyed!"
Yun Xian blurted out: "What kind of formation is this?! Okay, no need to answer, I already know -"
"Need I ask? What do you think?" With a loud bang, no one knew what had happened. The sky-high spiritual pillars that converged from the direction of the Sword Sect were instantly weakened by a quarter. In the extremely difficult tug-of-war, the spiritual pillars weakened by a point, and the formation became stronger by a point. Everyone sank down again. Jiang Xingyao said in despair, "That must be the second one—"
“…”
At the same time, the leader of the Xingyan Sect was forced into a desperate situation. He was covered in blood, but his expression was extremely ferocious and crazy.
Liu Feiran and Ji Rongxue in front of him weren't much better off, their bodies covered in wounds. Liu Xin stood in the back, his face solemn. The front was crowded with people, and Zhong Changyao stood in the far corner. The light shone on his profile, his expression shifting, making it impossible to tell.
"You're quite impressive for pushing me to this point." The Xingyan Sect leader spat out blood, mixed with dark fragments of internal organs, but grinned, "But, isn't it funny to threaten someone who doesn't intend to leave any escape routes?"
There was blood at his feet, and it was impossible to tell whose it was.
Liu Xin said coldly: "Your family——"
The Xingyan Sect's leader seemed to be completely deaf to these words and continued hoarsely, "We're all dogs anyway. What difference does it make whose dog we are? Anyone can come and step on the disciples of my Xingyan Sect. Living like this is truly ridiculous and cowardly. We have disgraced the glory of our ancestors and deserve to die for our crimes..."
Ji Rongxue's beast-like ears moved slightly.
She heard a noise coming from underground, a roar like hell.
The man before him had transcended the realm of "human," or perhaps he had long ago considered himself a vessel, a key to the formation, a switch, something more than a person. His form suddenly exploded like a ball of rotten bloody mud, and the black light of Chi You's original demonic essence surged, roaring as he moved. "Can't find the key to the formation? Even if you did, you wouldn't be able to stop it. The power of a formation should be earth-shattering... It should be like this now!!"
In an instant, the altar belonging to the northern realm broke through the ground, the earth shook, and the abandoned formation glowed. In just a moment, it swallowed up half of the elite soldiers present!
Where did this altar's formation take people?!
Ji Rongxue's dark red pupils shrank as he watched Tiedan disappear before his eyes. Just as he was about to operate the horn, his vision went dizzy.
The world was spinning.
…
…
…
When he opened his eyes again, Yun Xian saw a patch of green grass before him, its roots still faintly moist with moisture, suggesting a lake nearby. But looking further out, he saw a cracked, crimson desert, a strange, hellish scene, a reversal of polarity, a tangle of reality and illusion.
"Big Brother? Taiping? Elder Jiang?" Yun Xian hadn't even gotten up when he realized there was no one around him except Taiping. "I feel dizzy..."
Yun Xian: "Where did the kid get his head from? Where is this?"
She was swimming hard just now, trying to communicate with Ji Rongxue, but the next second a black light sucked her in. She was really confused.
Taiping was stunned for a moment, then hesitated, "This seems to be a separate barrier. It's filled with demonic energy, which makes things convenient for me... I noticed someone else's movements not far away. What does Chi You want to do? You must be careful."
"..." Yun Xian said: "Oh, yes, you are the Demon Sword. How is it outside now?"
Taiping rolled his eyes and said, "Those who came in are the elite from the four realms. Now the outside has begun to flood Jinshan. The remaining cultivators can't hold out for much longer."
Yun Xian almost broke his voice: "What did you say? Four realms? Elite??"
Tai Ping Wuqing said, "Either you want to capture them all in one fell swoop, or you want to harvest their luck. Killing you is just a matter of a finger. Moreover, this is the magic cult's illusionary barrier, Chi You's home turf. This time we are not as lucky as last time. Without the ancient relics, it has taken precautions. Who can get close to it?"
Yun Xian: “…”
It seemed to make sense, and Chi You probably thought so too. But you could never imagine how terrifying a self-righteous demon could be.
So what exactly did Chiyou want to do?
The area around here was quite empty. Yun Xian stood up and looked out. In the distance, the magma was black and surging. As she watched, she suddenly felt something was wrong and said, "Taiping, this must be my illusion. The magma seems to be approaching this way."
"It's not your illusion." Taiping said, "The magma at the edge is constantly shrinking inward, and the range of movement is getting smaller and smaller."
Yun Xian: “…” What? Was it a game called Battle Royale that gave Chi You inspiration? Then at least give him some equipment at the beginning.
A blood moon finally appeared under the dark sky.
Four altars reappeared at the boundary line, and the shadows of twenty stone doors stood silently. Only the emblem of Jiange had dimmed.
The shadow of death slowly climbed up along with the altar.
"The four realms will be united into one. This is destiny, foretold thousands of years ago." An emotionless female voice suddenly echoed from the sky. "Pass through this stone gate, through the trial grounds, and ascend. From now on, the suffering of the inhabitants of the lower realms will have nothing to do with you."
In addition to the old seven gates, there are thirteen ownerless stone gates.
There were so many elite warriors from all four realms, how could thirteen be enough? If they could send the strongest from each faction into the Stone Gate, there might still be a glimmer of hope for protecting the disciples. However, how could things possibly go so smoothly?
Furthermore, Yun Xian knew only too well that, like the Sword God, ascending to the Heavens was a shackle. Before ascending, she could still intervene, but after ascending, she was restricted, forced to grapple with various hints—but she knew, so how could anyone else know? Only one Sword God had ascended, and she was the only one who could communicate with him. If she said that, it would only make people think that the descendants of the Sword Pavilion had lost this opportunity, and so they were spreading rumors to prevent others from ascending.
This gate to ascension is nothing more than a "golden ticket to immunity from death." If the strongest person obtains this ticket, the four realms will be left with only death. But if those who can command the support of the masses are not allowed to enter, then who will enter? By robbing?
Expecting everyone to line up and play rock-paper-scissors harmoniously and friendly when you're almost dead is simply a joke. She's not afraid of death, but are all people not afraid of death?
The blood moon still hung in the sky, the altar looming. Yun Xian thought with a headache, "Its brain actually worked for once. This move is truly ruthless. It won't lose no matter what. If I say this demon is talking nonsense now, will anyone believe me?"
"You can say that, but it will be over if you are exposed." Taiping said: "After all, what she said is true."
Yun Xian: "Of course I know this is true. It's only when it's true that it gives me a headache... Where's my senior brother? Did the people from Jian Ge come in too? Are they also randomly deployed? Just like the Four-way War?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard footsteps behind her.
Yun Xian looked up and happened to meet the eyes of a large group of disciples from the Sword Sect. The leader was Liu Xu, whom he hadn't seen for a long time. The two looked at each other and were a little choked: "..."
Silence and awkwardness spread in this corner.
Yun Xian looked back, planning his escape route, and said sadly to Taiping in his heart, "It seems like I've arrived at the place where the dream began. That year, I also ran into the Dao Sect at the beginning. Do you think I can escape this time?"
Taiping remained silent as three people with the surname Liu slowly appeared behind Liu Xu: Liu Chang, Liu Feiran, and Liu Xin, each with a uglier expression than the last.
Yun Xian: “?”
Why are parents involved?! This is too much! Mother, father, senior brother, where are you—
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