Before setting off, the old locust tree suddenly swayed, a branch drooped down, and a drop of crystal-clear green liquid condensed at the tip, exuding a fresh, natural fragrance, and was offered to Xiao Chen.
“This is…” Xiao Chen was stunned.
The old locust tree's leaves trembled slightly, as if conveying a message—this drop of liquid contains the pure essence of life, and if the stone is once again swallowed by demonic energy, a drop on him could instantly awaken his reason.
"Thank you, senior." Xiao Chen solemnly accepted the drop of liquid and carefully put it into the jade bottle.
He knew that this was not only the old locust tree's help, but also the support of the entire Qingyun Sect.
Xiao Chen carried a rusty iron spear on his back, and Shi Tou put on black iron armor. The two walked out of Qingyun Sect one after the other.
Under the moonlight, the figure in the green robe and iron armor gradually disappeared into the distance, carrying an indomitable spirit as they headed towards the northern region.
Northern Region Xuantian Sect, it's time for you to pay your debts.
A sealing array deep within the ancient imperial ruins.
Within the pale golden light barrier, Jiang Li's red robes were already soaked with sweat, her face as pale as paper, and her breath as weak as a candle flickering in the wind. Her spiritual energy was almost depleted, her hand gripping the rusty iron sword trembled slightly, and each breath was accompanied by a tearing pain.
The runes outside the formation grew brighter and brighter, like countless eyes staring intently at her, who was trapped inside. A heavy, oppressive force pressed down from above.
Her bones creaked and groaned – the formation was not only absorbing her spiritual energy, but also gradually eroding her will. Once her spiritual energy was completely exhausted, she would be like those remnants of the sealed empires, forever suppressed here and transformed into nourishment for the formation.
"Your Majesty! Hold on a little longer! Your subordinate will definitely find a way to break the formation!" Xiao Zhan's soul was anxiously pacing around outside the formation. His soul had become somewhat transparent due to excessive anxiety, but no matter how he rammed and roared, the light barrier remained unmoved.
Jiang Li looked up at the condensed sealing power in the sky—a power as substantial as a boulder, slowly descending with an irresistible pressure. She was unwilling to accept it!
She is the reincarnation of the Empress, destined to rebuild the empire and traverse the heavenly path. How could she be trapped and die in such a place?
"Master... I'm sorry..." Jiang Li gritted her teeth, a resolute glint in her eyes.
She touched her chest, where an ancient sword tassel was hidden—it was given to her by Lin Zhou, who said that it contained a sword imprint and should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Although it could unleash tremendous power, it would backfire on her.
But at this moment, she had no other choice.
"drink!"
Jiang Li poured the last bit of spiritual energy into the rusty iron sword, while simultaneously crushing the sword tassel on her chest!
"Buzz—!"
A sharp sword intent far exceeding her own level erupted from the sword. Her red clothes fluttered, and she was like a reborn empress, slashing at the sealing power above her head!
"Bang!"
The sword intent collided with the sealing power, causing the light barrier to tremble violently and the runes to flicker erratically, yet it ultimately did not shatter.
The sword imprint's power was exhausted, and the backlash struck instantly. Jiang Li coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed limply to the ground, the rusty iron sword clattering to the floor.
The sealing power pressed down, and the light shield contracted, almost sticking to her body.
"Your Majesty!" Xiao Zhan roared in despair.
Jiang Li closed her eyes, her heart filled with resentment—was this really how it was going to end?
Just then, a detached voice, like heavenly music, rang out above the seal:
"Tsk, it's just breaking a formation, why make such a fuss?"
Jiang Li suddenly opened her eyes, and Xiao Zhan also stopped roaring instantly, looking up at the sky in disbelief.
Suddenly, a figure in white robes appeared in mid-air, standing with his hands behind his back; it was Lin Zhou.
He didn't even look at Jiang Li, who was trapped in the formation. He simply glanced at the pale golden light barrier, stretched out his right hand, and gently tapped it with his index finger.
"break."
A single word, written lightly, seems to contain the profound truths of the universe.
"Snap—!"
The sealing array, which had trapped Jiang Li so tightly that she couldn't budge it even with her desperate efforts and could only tremble with the power of her sword seal, shattered instantly like broken glass!
The pale golden runes scattered like points of light and dissipated into the air, along with the heavy oppressive force.
Lin Zhou landed in front of Jiang Li, bent down to pick up the rusty iron sword on the ground, and casually tossed it to her, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Can't you guys give me a break?"
My eldest apprentice just caused trouble, and now my second apprentice has wandered into this godforsaken place. Does he think I'm all that free?
Jiang Li leaned on her sword to stand up, looking at the familiar white-robed figure before her. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall: "Master..."
"Don't call me, I'm scared of you all." Lin Zhou waved his hand and turned his gaze to Xiao Zhan, who was still in a daze. "What are you still standing there for? Your Majesty is about to collapse."
Xiao Zhan then snapped out of his daze, his soul quickly floating to Jiang Li's side, his voice trembling with tears: "Your Majesty! Are you alright? Sect Master... Sect Master, you are amazing! That attack just now... I have never seen anything like it in my entire life!"
He was truly shocked. He had a deep understanding of the power of that formation; even the top formation masters of the empire back then might not have been able to break it. Yet Lin Zhou had broken it with just one finger and one word. This kind of strength was beyond his comprehension.
Jiang Li composed herself and briefly recounted how she had accidentally entered the formation—after separating from Xiao Zhan, while searching for the Imperial Preceptor, she was trapped by formation patterns that suddenly lit up under the ruins. The formation would strengthen over time and could also absorb the spiritual energy of those trapped. She tried many methods but could not break free. If Lin Zhou had not arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
“So,” Lin Zhou said, tapping her head after listening, “if you’re not strong enough, don’t rush in recklessly. Do you really think you’re invincible? This formation was set up by later generations to prevent the remnants of the empire from reviving. It’s specifically designed to counter cultivators like you who carry the aura of the empire. With your current cultivation level, you’d be offering yourself up as food if you barged in.”
Jiang Li covered her forehead and whispered, "I understand, Master."
"Good to know." Lin Zhou turned around. "Let's go back to the sect. If we stay any later, that idiot Shi Tou might tear the kitchen down."
"Mm!" Jiang Li responded, as if the despair of being suppressed and the weakness of having her spiritual energy depleted had been dispelled by her master's casual word "break".
Xiao Zhan's soul floated beside him, watching Lin Zhou's departing figure, his heart filled with awe—with such a sect leader, perhaps... the empire truly had hope for revival.
The wind still howled through the ruins, but the departure of the master and apprentice lessened the deathly stillness. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the ruins, illuminating their departing figures and the rekindled light in Jiang Li's eyes.
Jiang Li watched the departing figure in white robes, and secretly gripped her rusty iron sword—next time, she would never let her master worry about her again.
She needs to become stronger quickly, strong enough to cut through all obstacles on her own, strong enough to truly stand by her master's side instead of constantly needing his protection.
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