My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: The Earth-Shattering Sound of Dragon Roar

Around Abyss Lake, experts gathered aplenty.

Luo Chongyang glanced at the elderly Qingfeng and spoke indifferently, “Watching the show is best, I hope you won’t break the rules.”

Having said that, Luo Chongyang sat down cross-legged.

As an old-timer in Jianghu, Qingfeng, although slighted by Luo Chongyang’s admonishment, still maintained a smile on his face.

Luo Chongyang was not someone to be trifled with!

Besides the many masters already present, there were numerous hidden identities and strengths among the Jianghu veterans around, including one or two from the Master Realm. Furthermore, there were some spies from Zhao Country and Houjin.

In the distance around Abyss Lake, the waterside pavilion followed a winding path.

Tan Yun held a chicken leg, looking towards Abyss Lake, “Master, there are quite a lot of people today.”

Indeed, all sorts of people have come to join in the bustle.”

Li Qirong, also holding a chicken leg and smeared with grease, couldn’t help but lament, “When will the struggle for fame and fortune ever cease, with neither freedom in rising early nor sleeping late? On donkeys and mules we think of steeds; occupying high offices we dream of princely states. Worried only about basic sustenance, who fears prematurely meeting the king of hell? Advancing offspring to secure wealth, yet none turn back!”

At this time, Li Qirong had changed into a set of white clothes and had his hair combed and washed; even in his youth, he was quite handsome and dashing.

Tan Yun clapped her hands, unable to restrain herself, “Well said, well said indeed!”

Li Qirong glanced at Tan Yun, “Do you understand what I said?”

Tan Yun threw away the chicken bone and wiped her hand on Li Qirong, saying, “I… my friend once said that most people in this world hustle and bustle just for three meals a day, truly too exhausting.”

Li Qirong looked at the grease stain on his new clothes and immediately expressed his discontent, “Girl, this is my new outfit.”

“So what if it’s new? Wasn’t it my master who bought it for you anyway?”

Tan Yun said, cheerfully taking out a peach blossom pastry she had bought that morning.

Li Qirong looked at the young girl in front of him and inwardly shook his head; in this worldly competition for fame and fortune, innocence was indeed a precious rarity.

At that moment, Li Fuzhou, hands behind his back, smiled faintly, “Fame and fortune are right before your eyes; if you don’t take them, others will. Will you take them or not?”

“I will!”

Li Qirong didn’t hesitate at all.

Those who talk of renouncing worldly ambition are either inept and incapable of achieving great deeds themselves or simply delude themselves and even advise others to steer clear of ambition.

Living a lifetime, though one might be as insignificant as ants, ought to aspire to great heights.

The sunlight slanted down, the vast sky and earth overhead, and the waters of Abyss Lake shimmered.

At this moment, on the distant path, two figures gradually appeared.

Leading them was an old man clad in loose black clothes, his silhouette ethereal, his pace neither fast nor slow, almost as if embedded in the landscape of mountains and waters, amidst the cosmic crucible.

The other was a man in a black robe, his presence condensed to the utmost, virtually imperceptible unless one directly witnessed him with their own eyes.

As the figures arrived, a buzz of discussion arose around Abyss Lake.

The newcomers were An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen.

“Lou Xiangzhen, you’ve finally come.”

Ling Yuanjing saw the man, his eyes sparking with a flicker of sharpness.

“As I said, I would surely come,” Lou Xiangzhen replied, standing by the shore of Abyss Lake with a calm demeanor.

“Brother Lou.”

At this moment, Wang Yue of the Blue River Sect also stood up and spoke.

It seemed as though he had been waiting here for a long time.

Lou Xiangzhen glanced at Wang Yue and then said, “You’ve come at the right time. Here, I return this Supreme Elder Token to you.”

As he spoke, he took out the token that Wang Yue had given him years ago.

“Whoosh!”

The token traced an arc through the air and landed firmly in Wang Yue’s hand.

Wang Yue was slightly stunned, then looked at the token in his hand with complex emotions, thinking how in the relentless march of time, some paths inevitably diverge.

“Since you don’t want it, I won’t insist.”

Just like Lou Xiangzhen could no longer see through Wang Yue, Wang Yue also couldn’t understand why, after decades, Lou Xiangzhen remained unchanged.

The world changes, the tides shift, but why do some remain ever the same?

Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly then turned to Ling Yuanjing, “Let Xiao Qianqiu come out.”

“Wait!”

Just then, a clear voice of dissent echoed through the heavens and earth.

Who!? @@novelbin@@

An Jing’s brow furrowed as he followed the sound.

There, on the official road by Abyss Lake, a figure appeared.

The person carried a soft, feminine beauty, with eyes that were both ice-cold and proud, filled with calmness at their depths.

He wore a black robe embroidered with a green python.

Following him were several guards clad in black, seemingly strong in their own right.

In Great Yan, those who could wear such official python robes were no ordinary individuals.

“Zhong Binru!?”

Upon seeing the newcomer, Lin Yiyang’s brows slightly furrowed.

This man was none other than Zhong Binru, the eunuch who wielded the Emperor’s Sword and was also one of the five Great Sword Immortals.

“Elder Lou.”

Zhong Binru greeted Lou Xiangzhen with a fist and palm salute, saying, “Zhong Binru pays his respects.”

Zhong Binru!?

Hearing this name, An Jing’s heart stirred. Among the current five Great Sword Immortals, Zhong Binru was the most mysterious. He seldom made a move, yet he was listed among the top five, which spoke volumes about his strength.

Moreover, Lou Xiangzhen often spoke highly of Zhong Binru in his conversations, once stating that if An Jing wished to become the paramount swordsman, Lin Yiyang and Zhong Binru would be his greatest adversaries.

Lou Xiangzhen blandly asked, “What brings you here?”

Holding up his ancient sword, Zhong Binru took a deep breath and said, “The Human Emperor wishes for Elder Lou to consider the state of Great Yan and to cease hostilities today.”

The Emperor’s Sword!

The presence of the Emperor’s Sword was akin to the Human Emperor himself being present.

This was an imperial decree.

Many faces changed upon hearing this; they hadn’t expected the Human Emperor to personally intervene in this duel. With the Xuanyi Guard as his blade, the Human Emperor’s authority was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and virtually no one in the martial world of Great Yan dared to openly defy the laws of Great Yan.

In the distance, within a carriage,

a young man peered through the drapes and upon seeing the Emperor’s Sword in Zhong Binru’s hands, he shook his head, “I hadn’t expected Father to personally intervene.”

This person was none other than the current Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin.

Standing to the side, White-nun slowly said, “Xiao Qianqiu is the State Preceptor of Great Yan, highly placed and powerful. With him here, the martial world of Great Yan won’t easily fall into chaos. However, if he were to be gravely injured, that would spell trouble.”

Xiao Qianqiu was not only the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect but also the State Preceptor of Great Yan.

Should a mishap befall him today, the martial world of Great Yan would undoubtedly face turbulence, possibly even igniting a sequence of reactions.

Zhao Chongyin nodded earnestly, then continued to watch ahead.

At this moment, all eyes were on Lou Xiangzhen, waiting for his response.

“The Emperor’s Sword, huh?”

Lou Xiangzhen’s expression remained unchanged: “Even if the Human Emperor himself were here today, he couldn’t stop me.”

Even if the Human Emperor himself were here today, he couldn’t stop me.

With these words, Lou Xiangzhen had made his resolve clear.

“I understand, Elder Lou, please proceed.”

A gleam appeared in Zhong Binru’s eyes as he slowly stepped back.

Before coming here, he had received a secret order from the Human Emperor, instructing him not to insist if he truly couldn’t prevent the altercation.

Zhong Binru understood Lou Xiangzhen’s mind; more words would be futile.

Lou Xiangzhen’s body moved, and in the next instant, he stepped onto Abyss Lake, and in another blink, he had already reached the pavilion above the lake.

The lake wind was strong, making his clothes flap loudly.

“Whoosh!”

With a slap of his hand, the Peach Blossom Sword at his waist instantly flew out.

A beam of cold light pierced the sky, making the entire lake seem icy cold, chilling the hearts of everyone around.

Spring was vibrant, peach blossoms freely fluttered, making Abyss Lake appear exceptionally ethereal.

“What a splendid Peach Blossom Sword!” a leisurely voice exclaimed.

The waves rippled, and a black-canopied boat came with the wind, on its bow stood a spotless middle-aged Taoist.

The Taoist’s body and mind were one, heart and heaven were united, a perfect harmony that bestowed upon him an ethereal, transcendent aura, as if he were an extraordinary immortal.

Mere standing there made him unforgettable.

“Xiao Qianqiu has arrived!”

“Is the battle finally about to begin?”

…….

Expert fighters around Abyss Lake felt a jolt in their hearts when they saw the figure appear.

“Xiao Qianqiu?”

An Jing muttered to himself upon seeing the man.

Among the key players in Great Yan today, aside from the Human Emperor who had broken through his shackles and suffered heavy injuries, Xiao Qianqiu, the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, was also one of them.

Seventeen years ago, Ye Ding had battled Xiao Qianqiu and ultimately losing by a half move; Xiao Qianqiu naturally took over the position of the world’s number one expert.

With the Demon Sect withdrawing from Great Yan Martial World and the Buddhist yet to travel east, Xiao Qianqiu was like a mountain, suffocating all the martial artists in Jianghu.

Atop Zhenyi Mountain, Xiao Qianqiu had not only defeated Ye Ding but also the unknown Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Jiang Shang.

This year, Xiao Qianqiu was only forty-seven, at an age that could be described as flourishing, with a future that was boundlessly promising; he was also the most likely person in the world to become a Great Grandmaster.

On the canopy boat, Xiao Qianqiu’s demeanor was indifferent like water, and even dressed in an ordinary Taoist robe, he remained dazzlingly magnificent, unforgettable at a glance.

Lou Xiangzhen stood on the pavilion, and the two gazed at each other across the space; the originally calm lake surface began to surge tumultuously, followed by the shaking waters, seeming to roll up countless stormy waves.

The roaring sound was like thunder, resounding through and shaking the soul.

The two men did not speak, but the atmosphere had already completely solidified.

“Make your move,” Xiao Qianqiu said, his expression as calm as the abyss, hands behind his back. The earth and skies were like a chessboard, and now that chessboard lay beneath his feet. Regardless of the stormy waves in the lake, he himself was unaffected.

Heaven and earth became one, and then he merged into the heavens and the earth.

There was no longer heaven and earth, no longer himself.

“How formidable Xiao Qianqiu is,” Feng Lingyue remarked silently with surprise in her heart.

Only by reaching the Grandmaster Realm could one truly feel the terrifying strength of Xiao Qianqiu at this moment, which was already pursuing the realm of the Dao.

Xiao Qianqiu did not make a move but merely standing there made one feel a trace of unease.

“As you wish,” Lou Xiangzhen said with an indifferent smile, thrusting the Peach Blossom Sword in his hand.

It seemed as if a shocking sword light attacked, spewing forth from the Peach Blossom Sword.

With surging waves rising and water splashing in all directions, it seemed as if those droplets each formed a piercing sword light attacking.

Xiao Qianqiu’s gaze remained as calm as water; True Qi began to circulate, and the turbulent lake surface seemed to be suppressed by him, forming solid, thick walls.

The sword light was blocked, as if it could no longer advance an inch, all offensive moves were solidly blocked by the water walls.

Then, Lou Xiangzhen wrist twisted, and the Peach Blossom Sword also began to rotate, and a majestic sword intent arose.

Immensely vast, the imposing presence came like a mountain.

“Splash!” “Splash!”

The water splashed, and amid the disintegration, the cold sword light swiftly struck like thunder, directly aiming for Xiao Qianqiu’s neck.

Fast!

Too fast!

Lou Xiangzhen’s sword was really too fast!

It was so fast that few present could see his sword clearly.

Xiao Qianqiu turned his body, easily dodging this majestic Peach Blossom Sword.

The two exchanged places, then both stood on the churning lake surface.

An Jing watched the brief exchange between the two, yet felt a surge of emotions, even though he had anticipated that this battle would be intense, he had not expected it to be this fierce.

It had just begun, and numerous killing intentions had already emerged.

A slight misstep would result in death and obliteration of the path.

Xiao Qianqiu’s Qi Mechanism spread out; now that the battle had started, he inherently possessed momentum.

Whoosh!

An astonishing Qi Mechanism suddenly burst forth from the Abyss Lake, and in an instant, Xiao Qianqiu’s figure turned into a blur. Then, he extended his index finger, striking towards Lou Xiangzhen with the speed of a fleeing bird.

At the moment Xiao Qianqiu made his move, Lou Xiangzhen’s eyes also tightened; he stomped on the lake surface, and the mighty surging waves swept forward.

“Clang!”

The Peach Blossom Sword collided with Xiao Qianqiu’s index finger in the next instant, and the fierce wind swept open.

The next moment, an extremely profound energy burst open from Xiao Qianqiu, and the world seemed to have darkened at that instant.

Wow!

Behind him, a starlight emerged.

Wow wow wow wow wow wow!

Then six more starlights emerged, forming profound patterns, glittering brilliantly.

Seven Stars Shining Sun!

The manifestation of the Beidou Seven Stars Technique at its Tenth Layer, meaning Xiao Qianqiu had cultivated the Heavenly Martial level Beidou Seven Stars Technique to the Tenth Layer.

The moment those seven starlights emerged, his fingertips shot out a massive Qi Mechanism.

“Buzz! Buzz!”

Lou Xiangzhen’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately felt an overwhelming surge of force transmitted from the Peach Blossom Sword.

“Thud, thud, thud…”

Soon, Lou Xiangzhen’s body swiftly moved backward, causing waves to rise all around him.

However, Xiao Qianqiu advanced instead of retreating, his fingertip pressing against the tip of the sword, charging forward with a momentum that seemed to move mountains and overturn seas.

Yin Yang Dual Element Sword!

Lou Xiangzhen’s Qi mechanism also surged continuously, with black and white streams intertwining.

At the same time, countless drops of water in the air transformed into numerous Sword Qis, attacking Xiao Qianqiu.

Seeing this, Xiao Qianqiu was forced to retreat toward the distance.

“Bang, bang, bang, bang!”

Those drops of water fell onto the surface of the lake, immediately exploding with deafening sounds.

Outside the Abyss Lake, many masters witnessed this scene with extremely grave expressions. Even those within the Grandmaster Realm weren’t sure they could withstand the assault if they were to replace either of the two combatants.

“Such formidable Grandmasters.”

Zhao Chongyin watched the scene before him, his heart pounding uncontrollably, “I wonder if the Chamberlain Bai Mei is a match for either of them.”

In the Great Yan Imperial Palace, naturally, there were Grandmasters, top-level ones at that.

That would be one of the three great eunuchs of the Human Emperor, the Chamberlain, Bai Mei.

No one knows his exact age. He has been in the Imperial Palace for seventy to eighty years. When Lou Xiangzhen had not yet made his debut, he had already been in charge of the palace.

The Peaceful Human Emperor even respectfully referred to him as a fatherly figure, and it was rumored his cultivation reached the heavens, not far from the peak of the Grandmaster. It was because of this man’s presence that even ordinary Grandmasters dared not act recklessly within the palace.

It was rumored that the missing Great Grandmaster from Zhao Country had tried to sneak into the Great Yan Palace, only to be killed by him.

However, Bai Mei, serving in the palace, did not count as one of Great Yan’s martial world figures, thus his name was not ranked among the many lists and rows of great masters in the Jianghu.

Still, many were curious who would come out on top between Bai Mei and Xiao Qianqiu.

But one was an Archmage of Great Yan, and the other a Chamberlain eunuch; both pillars of the kingdom, making a clash between them nearly impossible.

“Hard to say who would win,”

Aunty Bai sighed lightly, looking towards the distant Luo Chongyang, “That Luo Chongyang is not to be underestimated. If it weren’t for the teamwork of Xiao Qianqiu, Ye Ding, and Yu Ying a few years ago, he might not have withdrawn from the Zhenyi Sect.”

Zhao Chongyin nodded but said no more.

As someone familiar with the worldly wrestlers, he naturally knew many secrets, including the incident of Luo Chongyang’s betrayal of the Zhenyi Sect. It was rumored that Luo Chongyang had been defeated by Xiao Qianqiu, but how old was Xiao Qianqiu at that time? Merely over thirty and just stepping into the Grandmaster Realm; how could he have possibly defeated a world-renowned Grandmaster like Luo Chongyang.

The truth is, Luo Chongyang was forced to retreat by the combined efforts of Xiao Qianqiu, Ye Ding, and Yu Ying.

Being able to escape from three cooperating Grandmasters clearly demonstrated the extreme strength of Luo Chongyang.

Late*r*, people in the Zhenyi Sect in Hidden Mountain tried to capture Luo Chongyang but ended up failing miserably and sustaining heavy losses, severely weakening their power.

Since then, the Zhenyi Sect had stopped troubling Luo Chongyang, as if he never existed.

Aunty Bai remarked, “And that Jiang Shang from the Demon Sect is also a very fearsome character, his cultivation not inferior to anyone in the Three Qi. Moreover, he’s ruthless and excels at lying low and enduring, like a venomous snake, always needing to be cautiously guarded against.”

“The envoy of the Black Ice Platform in Zhao Country is also a practitioner of Tongxuan, approaching the peak of the Grandmaster Realm.”

Zhao Country, having battled Great Yan for hundreds of years, has long been unified under the Black Ice Platform; one might say that in Zhao Country, Black Ice is the sky.

Their top masters are no fewer than those of Great Yan.

The two remained silent; Zhao Country was like a hungry wolf if so, then Houjin was a fierce tiger. The strength of the Holy Master of Houjin was still unknown to anyone.

He was also one of the experts closest to the Great Grandmaster level and was a serious concern for Great Yan.

This vast world is filled with numerous masters.

And those are just the ones visible on the surface. What about those hidden old creatures?

Above the Abyss Lake, figures crisscrossed.

In Lou Xiangzhen’s hand, the Peach Blossom Sword danced, its sword light surging—black and white streams continuously interwove, accompanied by torrential mighty water movements, surging and vibrant.

Sss, sss, sss!

Seeing the oncoming sword light, Xiao Qianqiu’s internal True Qi surged like a tide, his palm striking forward.

Seven Stars Palm Technique! Shifting Mountains and Rivers!

A vast and majestic Qi surged forward, the palm imprint transforming into a landscape that fell from the sky, crushing all the chaotic and sharp Sword Qi.

The sky darkened, the surface of the lake churned violently.

As the water splashed in all directions, a cold gleam emerged from the spray, shooting straight down toward Xiao Qianqiu below the surface of the lake.

Xiao Qianqiu’s expression remained calm and unperturbed, stars surging behind him, his body forming impenetrable barriers.

The Sword Light had reached in front of him, but it could not advance even an inch further.

Xiao Qianqiu not only had momentum on his side, but his cultivation was also in the Four Qi Realm. Although only higher by one Qi than Lou Xiangzhen, the gap was visibly significant.

Many onlookers furrowed their brows at this scene.

Could it really be that the victor would be decided this quickly?

“The way of the sword cannot prevail forever.”

Xiao Qianqiu’s Daoist robe fluttered in the wind, his eyes bright and clear as he looked up at Lou Xiangzhen, who held the Peach Blossom Sword.

“All I need is to grasp that fleeting moment–eternity can wait for eternity, I simply disregard it,” Lou Xiangzhen said nonchalantly, and then a vast aura began emerging around him.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz!” “Buzz, buzz, buzz!”

In an instant, the sky and earth resounded clearly.

Flying swords within dozens of kilometers emitted a crisp sound, trembling.

The Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing’s hand began to tremble as well, as if it was struggling to break free.

The entire Abyss Lake trembled, water surging and sending waves crashing toward the shores.

At that moment, the Peach Blossom Sword in Lou Xiangzhen’s hand seemed to vanish into the universe, and delicate red petals appeared above Abyss Lake, gently scattering upon the lake’s surface.

The sound of swords ringing filled the heavens and the earth, and the sword qi emitted chilling glimmers that were overwhelming; all swordsmen stared ahead, astonished.

Hand without sword! Heart without sword!

Now, fame and fortune were all trodden underfoot by Lou Xiangzhen.

Lou Xiangzhen’s sword skill finally reached the Sixth Realm, becoming the world’s top swordsman!

In the moment when the Peach Blossom Sword disappeared from his hand, the protective Gang Qi around Xiao Qianqiu shattered completely, turning into a cloud of white smoke.

“Whoosh!”

This sword was like one at the dawn of an ancient day, emerging in an instant when night and day intersected.

Xiao Qianqiu’s expression finally changed, and he quickly moved backward to retreat.

“Swoosh!”

That sword light slashed through Xiao Qianqiu’s garments, a trail of blood staining his Daoist robe, then the two crossed paths again.

All was quiet between heaven and earth, without a single sound.

Lou Xiangzhen’s Peach Blossom Sword seemed to have disappeared, standing indifferently on the lake surface, the reflection of the sky making it seem as if he were standing on the universe itself.

“Drip, drop!”

Blood from Xiao Qianqiu’s shoulder dripped onto the lake’s surface, his eyebrows slightly furrowing.

“The Sixth Realm…”

Cui Daoxian murmured to himself as he gazed upon Lou Xiangzhen’s figure, unable to contain his awe.

Countless swordsmen in the world, and for many decades none had reached this Sixth Realm. Today, this Ghost Valley Sword Immortal had finally achieved the Sixth Realm.

“Is this the Sixth Realm?”

Luo Chongyang chuckled softly, “Now things are getting interesting.”

The numerous experts present were all, in their hearts, shockingly affected even if they were regarded as mystical grandmasters of swordsmanship by common eyes in Jianghu.

Once again, the world witnessed the emergence of a swordsman of the Sixth Realm.

A swordsman of the Sixth Realm, a god of slaughter.

……

Standing in the distance, An Jing, with furrowed brows, was still pondering over the sword light he had just seen.

That sword was exceedingly formidable.

Although he felt like he had memorized it, it also seemed forgotten.

Thinking about it carefully, it had a profound influence on his own understanding of sword intent.

An Jing’s sword intent was vast but not solid enough; however, that sword had given him much inspiration and food for thought.

“Is this the famed Ghost Swordsman?”

Just then, a woman’s voice came from beside him.

Hearing this, An Jing couldn’t help but turn his head; the speaker was an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman, but the aura she emitted was not simple–she was a First Grade Expert.

This person was none other than Bai Mei, who was by Zhao Chongyin’s side.

An Jing asked indifferently, “And you are?”

Bai Mei smiled and produced a card, handing it to An Jing. “This is an invitation from my master to you, in hopes that you will accept it,” she said.

The card was clearly marked with the character ‘Zhao’.

In Great Yan, there were many with the surname Zhao, but there were not many who could make a First Grade Expert call them master.

“I understand. If an opportunity arises, I will surely visit,” An Jing said, taking the card then paying no further attention to the woman.

Bai Mei nodded her head and then walked away.

At that moment above Abyss Lake, Xiao Qianqiu’s brow was tightly furrowed as he sensed a slight threat from Lou Xiangzhen, which ruffled the otherwise serene waters of his heart.

Ye Ding had once said that Xiao Qianqiu was a naturally born Daoist child, a rare genius within the Mystical Sect that comes once in a blue moon. His mental state was mature and his Root Bone was exceedingly rare in the world. Given enough time, he would definitely reach the Grandmaster Realm.

Such a figure was rarely seen throughout thousands of years of history.

Xiao Qianqiu did not disappoint Ye Ding’s expectations. By the age of thirty, he had reached the Master Realm, and before he was fifty, he took over his predecessor’s responsibilities and became the Supreme Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, commanding awe throughout the entire world.

Decades had passed since then.

Xiao Qianqiu stood on the pavilion, looking at Lou Xiangzhen on the water, and asked, “Lou Xiangzhen, do you really not want the sword in your hand anymore?”

Lou Xiangzhen replied indifferently, “I have a sword.”

Xiao Qianqiu asked, “Where is the sword then?”

Lou Xiangzhen answered, “The sword is in my hand, and also in my heart.”

“Oh?”

Xiao Qianqiu chuckled softly.

Lou Xiangzhen stepped forward and swung his arm.

Peach blossoms emerged from nowhere, followed by a flurry of sword qi, covering the sky and converging above Xiao Qianqiu on the pavilion.

The sword qi was fierce and unmatched!

Xiao Qianqiu’s True Qi surged, and his Inner Strength emerged like a tide.

“Hmm!? ‘Ghost Valley Heart Method’?”

An Jing felt the Qi mechanism bursting from Xiao Qianqiu’s body and frowned deeply.

Xiao Qianqiu possessed the ‘Ghost Valley Heart Method’ – but where had he obtained it? Could there be some secret behind it?

Moreover, he was capable of using both methods simultaneously; his talent was evidently at least no lesser than his own.

Indeed, this man, valued by Ye Ding and who had become the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect before the age of fifty, how could his talent be lacking?

Xiao Qianqiu’s Qi mechanism exploded, operating both mental methods simultaneously. Particularly, the ‘Beidou Seven Stars Technique’ he practiced had reached the Tenth Layer, embodying a state where it functioned in complete harmony with his desires, integrating Yin and Yang, with nothing outside of its grasp.

Faintly, one could feel a subtle convergence within the heart methods.

“It is rumored that ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’ contains a certain palm technique, and I, having contemplated both the ‘Beidou Seven Stars Technique’ and ‘Ghost Valley Heart Method’, have glimpsed a slight part of the Great Dao. Please, let me test it.”

After Xiao Qianqiu finished speaking, a palm strike fell.

Boom!

The cultivation at the Four Qi Realm and the momentum built over many years pressed down as the palm strike fell, as if carrying an immense force of destiny.

Not only did the water of Abyss Lake tremble, but even the Dantian of the experts on the shore violently shook.

Those whose cultivation had not reached the Half-step Master Realm all retreated backward, daring not to approach Abyss Lake anymore.

“Worthy of being called the top figure of Great Yan Martial World!”

Jia Shiwu, the man in the straw hat, watched this with a glint in his eyes.

Lou Xiangzhen shook his sword and went on; his Sword Qi pierced through heaven and earth, endlessly flowing.

The moment the True Qi stirred, it was like a dazzling white light, more blinding than the sun in the sky, causing dizziness and bewilderment that one couldn’t resist.

Approximately three or four breaths later, the white light gradually dispersed, and Qi mechanisms interwove above the lake, producing a great amount of white smoke.

Everyone hurriedly looked towards the lake surface as the white smoke gradually cleared.

“Bang!”

Lou Xiangzhen stomped his foot, and the lake surface immediately stirred up waves several meters high, with blood visible at the corner of his mouth, a shocking sight.

The battle between the two had reached a fever pitch.

Xiao Qianqiu on the pavilion was also somewhat pale, his robe flapping continuously, revealing an ancient bronze mirror at his heart’s center.

“Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror?”

Upon seeing that mirror, Luo Chongyang’s brow furrowed deeply.

During the Zhou Dynasty, the Mystical Sect was claimed to be the foremost sect in the world, not only possessing many experts and one of the three great secret scriptures, the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’, but also an exotic treasure, the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror.

This mirror, a relic left by the founder of the Mystical Sect, possessed unmatched power, capable of both defending against enemies and delivering formidable offensive might.

The founder of the Mystical Sect had once used this mirror to kill a Great Grandmaster of the same realm, illustrating the terrifying power of this mirror.

Later, when the Mystical Sect split into three, the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror was seized by the founder of the Zhenyi Sect. This exotic treasure possessed unpredictable power, but it was not something a common expert could use. Over the generations, only a few Sect Leaders of the Zhenyi Sect were capable of activating this Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror.

Xiao Qianqiu’s expression was extremely solemn, and his True Qi gathered towards the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror.

In an instant, storm clouds rolled across the sky, completely covering the sun.

The world darkened, and the sun and moon lost their light.

A streak of starlight emerged from that blackened sky, then pierced through the air, shining down on Lou Xiangzhen below.

The starlight beamed like a pillar, swift as thunder.

Lou Xiangzhen leapt to avoid that beam of starlight.

“Boom!”

The falling starlight struck the surface of the lake, immediately causing a huge shockwave, as if to explode the Abyss Lake itself.

Even a Grandmaster struck by this attack would likely be severely injured instantaneously.

“Is this the power of the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror? Truly, it’s worthy of being a mystical sect’s exotic treasure.”

Feng Lingyue watched the falling starlight with profound shock in his heart.

Not just Feng Lingyue, many experts present wore solemn expressions, their fear towards the Zhenyi Sect growing.

With such an exotic treasure, coupled with Xiao Qianqiu’s Four Qi cultivation, who in this world could be his opponent?

“Boom!”

Another beam of starlight converged the very next instant, and then fell towards Lou Xiangzhen.

Instantly, the entire lake’s surface exploded in splashes, creating a towering tidal wave.

An Jing’s brow furrowed tightly, as merely the remaining waves alone were enough to leave him terrified, let alone the immense threat that Lou Xiangzhen in the center was facing.

Above the sky, the Big Dipper shone with extreme brilliance.

Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, Yao Guang.

Every time these seven star positions flashed, a beam of starlight would fall like a meteor.

“To break the Seven Stars, today is the day.”

Lou Xiangzhen laughed aloud, a glint of light emerging in his eyes, “Boy, watch closely.”

As the sound of the wind arose, sword light dazzled like a startling silver brilliance, agile as a flying dragon, rippling like water, and vibrant as firework trees.

The sky was filled with countless bright petals, shining like the moon lighting the stars, radiating a dazzling radiance.

Those petals then seemed to transform into many Peach Blossom Swords, with sword Qi crisscrossing sharply, instantly filling the heavens and earth.

“Is this the Hundred-step Flying Sword?”

Someone murmured in a low voice.

The ultimate sword technique of Ghost Valley Sect, the Hundred-step Flying Sword, rumored to be controllable even from a mile away.

At this moment, Lou Xiangzhen transformed the sky-filled peach blossom petals into swords, controlling the numerous peach blossom swords was indeed a spectacular sight, making it a breathtaking spectacle.

The high-level swordsmanship involved, even if one was not a swordsman, was shockingly profound.

“Are we going for a desperate move?”

Luo Chongyang’s eyebrows knit together, his expression also becoming solemn.

Lin Yiyang, Zhong Binru, Cui Daoxian, and other swordsmen watched without blinking, afraid to miss any detail, for any part of it could benefit them for a lifetime.

An Jing, seeing the swords transformed from the peach blossoms, also showed a hint of being shaken, deeply moved by the display.

Xiao Qianqiu’s expression was cold, and he then channeled True Qi into the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror, only to see those seven beams of starlight shift, merging into a huge moon disk.

The moon disk, it seemed, was the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror itself, its splendor shining, enveloping the entire Abyss Lake.

“Infinite Venerable!”

Xiao Qianqiu formed a handprint, then the Qi mechanism within the moon disk surged, its momentum like an imminent erupting volcano.

“Whoosh!”

A streak of cold light burst forth, and its target was Lou Xiangzhen.

“Go!”

Lou Xiangzhen did not retreat anymore, driving the sky-filled Peach Blossom Swords towards it.

Countless flying swords met the moon disk, instantly causing the heavens and the earth to lose their color.

In such a realm, the control of Qi mechanism by the experts was extremely exquisite, once fully unleashed, the power formed was indeed terrifying to the extreme.

In this world, many experts emerged, numerous talented individuals existed, except for some thousand-year-old creatures hiding at the bottom of the river, there were only one or two Masters of the Five Qi Realm, and a Four Qi Grandmaster could already be considered the pinnacle of the current martial world.

The entire Abyss Lake trembled; the heavens and earth shook.

The lake’s turbulent waves roared like an enraged beast.

With one sword, all florid music and bustling scenes from the vast land were swept away!

The next moment, all swords became nothingness, only Lou Xiangzhen’s Peach Blossom Sword remained; his body and the sword merged into one, turning into a streak of cold light, swiftly heading towards the moon disk.

The Sword Qi was imposing, as if swallowing miles of realms.

The moon disk, intimidated by the incomparably sharp Sword Qi, showed signs of faltering.

“Not good!?”

Ling Yuanjing saw this, his expression drastically changing.

Xiao Qianqiu, initially calm, revealed a hint of astonishment in his eyes, then steeled himself as he spat out a mouthful of essence blood, which turned into a dense blood mist, merging directly into the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror in his hand.

The next instant, a force that made everyone’s hearts palpitate surged forth.

That ancient aura, as if it came from age-old lands.

In a trance, behind Xiao Qianqiu, a figure appeared.

The apparition was clad in a white daoist robe, wearing a headpiece, holding a dust whisk, and carrying a treasure sword on his back.

“Mystical Sect’s Ancestor!?”

Luo Chongyang looked at the man and felt an eerie familiarity, as if he had seen him before in the Heavenly Venerate Hall, causing a shudder in his heart.

“Who is this person?”

Feng Lingyue’s eyebrows raised slightly, a trace of astonishment in her eyes.

Just as the apparition appeared, the power of the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror surged tremendously, and the aura beneath the moon disk also burst forth tumultuously.

“Be it the Mystical Sect Ancestor or an emperor from the Human World, today, no one can stop me.”

Lou Xiangzhen roared, and his sword intent suddenly skyrocketed, the Peach Blossom Sword in his hand appearing somewhat distorted under the impact.

In that moment, memories of past days, a lifetime of rises and falls, the turbulent waves of life, flooded his vision.

The life of Lou Xiangzhen was full of ups and downs, brilliance, and loneliness.

Raising a toast, life should be just like this.

Today, why not pierce through the veil with a sword and be a man of the Human World for a moment.

An Jing silently watched this scene, not uttering a word.

The sword light was bitterly cold, the world fell silent, shooting straight up into the skies.

The whole world was split in two, one half filled with countless sword lights, and the other half occupied by a white-robed daoist.

As the constellations shifted, mountains and rivers shook.

The ground beneath trembled.

Everyone held their breath, eyes wide open not daring to blink.

The next moment, the sword qi plunged deep like an abyss, piercing through the aura of the moon disk.

“Crack!”

The apparition of the Mystical Sect’s Ancestor shattered instantly, and the hair restraint on Xiao Qianqiu’s head also burst apart, his hair flying wildly in the air.

A long sword charged forward, its tip directly aimed at Xiao Qianqiu’s brow.

Blood trickled down from his brow, spreading over his nose and onto his neck.

A complete silence enveloped the earth, everyone’s expressions frozen.

Xiao Qianqiu’s calm pupils slightly widened, the previous moment of life and death intersecting brought a new insight deep in his heart.

This sensation was so strange, it made him forget who he was, forget what he was doing.

He even forgot about the sword right in front of him.

Lou Xiangzhen’s face also turned pale, as if just a piece of paper, but his hand had no strength left, the sword tip resting on Xiao Qianqiu’s forehead, all the support his body had.

Should Xiao Qianqiu step back, he might fall into Abyss Lake and drown.

“Sss—!”

Watching the Mystical Sect Ancestor’s apparition shatter, Luo Chongyang sucked in a breath of cold air, murmuring to himself, “When the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror is broken, the Mystical Sect Ancestor will return; could it truly be the second coming of the Mystical Sect Ancestor?”

“Sect Leader!?”

At this moment, a loud shout erupted.

Song Chengbiao of the Zhenyi Sect saw this, his body swiftly leaping towards Abyss Lake, his eyes intently fixed on Lou Xiangzhen.

“Xiao Elder Brother!”

Seeing this, other experts from Zhenyi Sect also hastily followed.

“Boom!”

“Roar!”

As the water exploded, a dragon roar cleaved through the heavens, a black Flood Dragon swiftly emerged from Abyss Lake, then opened its gaping maw.

The Half-step Master Song Chengbiao was swallowed whole by it in one bite.

“Not good!”

Ling Yuanjing and Sima Changlin, seeing this, their faces dramatically changed, bodies slightly faltering.

All the masters present were stunned by this horrifying scene, that a Half-step Master of the Zhenyi Sect, Song Chengbiao, was swallowed alive by the black Flood Dragon?

What terrifying existence was this!?

An Jing leaped onto the back of the black Flood Dragon, then grabbed Lou Xiangzhen by his clothes.

The black Flood Dragon roared lowly, soaring through the air, and disappeared above Abyss Lake in a breath.

Only Xiao Qianqiu was left behind, disheveled and miserable, his face still smeared with blood.

…….