Chapter 568: Purple Thunder Shocking Lightning Sword Intent

Chen Mu's heart stirred slightly.

He seemed to have seen this name mentioned in a corner of some ancient scroll—a lone swordsman famed for his thunder-based sword art, fierce in temperament, active around three thousand years ago, who once made a name for himself before vanishing without a trace.

"Yes, that very Purple Thunder Sword Sovereign."

Hong Luan affirmed, "According to reliable leads I've obtained and corroborated by multiple sources, the Purple Thunder Sword Sovereign fought a fierce battle to the end deep within 'Demon Wind Gorge,' seemingly unleashing a forbidden sword technique or drawing forth the heavenly thunder calamity."

"His final strike—or rather, the most refined essence of his sword intent—did not fully dissipate, but instead merged with the peculiar earth pulse calamity of 'Demon Wind Gorge' and the lingering aftereffects of the thunder he summoned, leaving behind a sword scar, several zhang deep and over ten zhang long, on a sheer cliff at the valley's bottom!"

"Sword scar?" Chen Mu's gaze sharpened.

"Yes, not an ordinary slash mark."

Hong Luan's tone carried a hint of longing, "That sword scar, after three thousand years of wind and calamity erosion, remains unerased, its core containing the purest essence of the Purple Thunder Sword Sovereign's final, explosive 'Purple Thunder Shocking Lightning Sword Intent.'"

"Occasional survivors who escaped from deep within 'Demon Wind Gorge' have mentioned that approaching within a certain range of the sword scar, one feels a terrifying sword intent pressure—vast, violent, yet carrying the meaning of purging evil and dispelling illusion—as if facing the peerless edge of that ancient Sword Sovereign himself."

"If one can draw near to observe and contemplate it, it offers immense benefit to those cultivating thunder arts or sword paths, especially those seeking to comprehend sword intents of 'ferocity,' 'speed,' and 'evil-purging.' It is said that once, a Foundation Establishment swordsman sat motionless before the scar for months, his sword intent advancing dramatically, even faintly brushing against the threshold of the Tiangong."

"However."

Hong Luan shifted tone, "The danger there is real. 'Demon Wind Gorge' itself is a hostile environment—poisonous insects and calamity qi are merely appetizers. The closer one gets to the sword scar, the stronger the residual sword intent pressure and chaotic thunder calamity become, exerting immense pressure on both spirit and body; one misstep could result in injury from the sword intent or triggering a backlash from the lingering thunder calamity."

"Moreover, no one knows whether the formidable enemy who fought the Purple Thunder Sword Sovereign left behind any hidden measures, or whether the sword scar, after three thousand years of merging with the earth pulse calamity, has undergone unpredictable changes. In short, opportunity and risk coexist."

Chen Mu listened in silence, his mind already made up.

A sword scar containing the final essence of a Myriad Manifestation Sword Sovereign's intent, existing for three thousand years—its value is unquestionable.

For him, who urgently needed to refine and elevate his own sword intent, this was undeniably a highly compelling lead.

Moreover, the Purple Thunder Sword Sovereign's 'Purple Thunder Shocking Lightning Sword Intent' emphasizes ferocity, speed, and evil-purging—echoing the heavenly fire-purging intent of the True Martial Exorcising Sword Art, meaning his comprehension might yield double the results.

"Is the information reliable? Do you have a more precise location for the sword scar?" Chen Mu asked.

"I guarantee the source's reliability on the honor of Hong Luan Star," Hong Luan said solemnly, "verified by at least three independent sources."

"As for the exact location… the interior terrain of 'Demon Wind Gorge' is complex, with natural illusions—I cannot provide coordinates precise to the zhang."

"But I have here a relatively detailed regional map, marking several possible zones where the sword scar may lie, along with key hazardous spots and potential safe paths along the way."

"This map was compiled from the combined accounts of several survivors and fragments of ancient charts—it carries high credibility."

As she spoke, she transmitted via her Star Seal a map-image condensed from starlight, rich in detail.

Chen Mu received it and swiftly scanned through it.

The map was indeed highly detailed, clearly marking the main terrain of 'Demon Wind Gorge,' calamity qi convergence points, venomous insect nests, and suspected zones of sword scar pressure radiation.

Though not guaranteed 100% accurate, it was more than sufficient as a guide.

"What is the value of this information, plus this map?" Chen Mu looked at Hong Luan.

Hong Luan paused briefly, then said, "The information itself is precise and valuable to Tiangong swordsman; the map is thorough. Altogether, within my usual reward range, it's mid-tier. Wu Qu, we know each other—I won't overcharge. Two hundred and sixty Star Points—how does that sound? It's a fair price."

Two hundred to five hundred Star Points was the mid-tier range; two hundred and sixty was indeed fair, and considering Hong Luan's reputation, the detail of the information, and the added value of the map, the price was reasonable.

Chen Mu did not haggle further, nodding decisively: "Agreed."

Instantly, the two completed the transaction via their Star Seals.

The four hundred Star Points Chen Mu had recently received were instantly reduced by two hundred and sixty, transferred into Hong Luan's account.

Meanwhile, the complete information and map regarding the 'Demon Wind Gorge' and the Purple Thunder Sword Scar were fully received and stored by Chen Mu.

With the transaction complete, Hong Luan seemed in better spirits, her mask appearing even more vivid. "Pleasure doing business, Wu Qu. Wishing you great progress in your sword intent! By the way—a reminder: 'Demon Wind Gorge' is a well-known danger in Huang Long Dao. Beyond its natural perils, occasional deathseekers or schemers sometimes operate there—watch yourself."

"Thank you for the warning," Chen Mu nodded slightly.

Hong Luan smiled, said no more, and her figure dissolved into a faint crimson glow, flitting away and vanishing at the palace entrance.

Chen Mu stood where he was, carefully reviewing the information about 'Demon Wind Gorge' and the 'Purple Thunder Sword Scar' in his mind.

"Huang Long Dao, Demon Wind Gorge, Purple Thunder Sword Scar… it's truly a place worth visiting," Chen Mu decided.

Since the matter of the Sword Soul's Strange Flame required long-term planning, and Jiuyou Sect was currently under tight scrutiny, this interim window offered the perfect chance to journey to Huang Long Dao, contemplate the three-thousand-year-old Sword Sovereign's relic, and refine his own sword intent—undoubtedly an excellent path to strengthen himself.

Without further delay, he confirmed once more the stored information and map within his Star Seal, then shot toward the exit, returning to Wu Qu Star Palace.

…

Huang Long Dao, southwestern frontier.

Chen Mu descended from the sky, landing before a treacherous valley mouth littered with jagged rocks and scattered bones.

Ahead, two towering black cliffs, as if violently torn apart by immense force, flanked a narrow, deep gorge continuously spewing chilling calamity qi.

The jagged rocks piled at the valley mouth were an ominous dark red, as if repeatedly soaked in blood.

The air reeked of strong sweet rot and a corrupting, yin calamity qi that eroded true qi.

When his spiritual sense probed into the gorge, barely a few dozen zhang in, he felt sharp, needle-like stings and sluggish resistance—as if being layeredly weakened and contaminated by invisible, viscous forces.

Chen Mu's expression remained calm, his star robe fluttering slightly in the chilling wind pouring from the gorge.

He cross-referenced the map and information purchased from Hong Luan Star Lord, confirming this was indeed 'Demon Wind Gorge.'

The sword scar left behind three thousand years ago by the 'Purple Thunder Sword Sovereign' lay deep within this gorge!