Chapter 322: This Sword, Without Thought

Three hundred years ago, the fox clan of Hugui Mountain, led by the nine-tailed celestial fox Xiao Bai, suddenly attacked Fenxiang Valley, suffering heavy losses to seize the Xuanhuo Mirror; only the six-tailed demon fox, severely wounded, escaped from Fenxiang Valley with the Xuanhuo Mirror.

Xiao Bai also became a prisoner, imprisoned by Fenxiang Valley.

"Xueqi..."

Gu Qing wanted to bid farewell to Lu Xueqi.

Lu Xueqi's face was clear and exquisite, cold as a snow lotus, yet at this moment she softly spoke: "I want to follow you, wherever you go."

In this moment, it was as if ice flowers bloomed, their faint fragrance drifting unseen.

Gu Qing felt all his investments had been repaid; gently he took Lu Xueqi's hand, sunlight falling, their shadows becoming one.

"Then let's go together."

Gu Qing used his sword light to carry Lu Xueqi to the sea of clouds.

"The demon we must subdue this time..."

Gu Qing was about to explain when twenty or more sword lights shot forth from Mount Qingyun, piercing through the sea of clouds and meeting Gu Qing and Lu Xueqi.

Leading them were Cang Song, Tian Buyi, and Zeng Shuchang, the head of Fenghuai Peak; behind them followed Qi Hao, Zeng Shushu, Song my lord, and others; these people met Gu Qing and Lu Xueqi atop the sea of clouds and immediately halted their sword lights.

Cang Song:?

Gu Qing:

"So you're here!"

Daoist Cang Song spoke in a deep voice: "A message arrived from Tongtian Peak—Xiao Yicai is in trouble; we must rush to aid him. Follow me quickly."

Gu Qing considered the location of Dongshi Mountain and judged its position to be nearly identical to that of the six-tailed demon fox; he felt no resistance, exchanged a glance with Lu Xueqi, and followed behind Daoist Cang Song.

Saving a life was urgent; all of them rode their swords, carving faint paths through the sea of clouds.

"Why only three peaks?"

Gu Qing asked, following behind Daoist Cang Song.

Mount Qingyun had seven peaks; the sect leader had always been chosen from Tongtian Peak, but among the remaining six, rivalries were common—yet when great matters arose, they still united.

"Under such haste, only these could be summoned."

Daoist Cang Song said: "Fortunately, your Master Zeng was visiting our Longshou Peak..."

After receiving the message, Daoist Cang Song immediately took Zeng Shuchang, then stopped by Dazhu Peak to pick up Tian Buyi and Qi Hao; as for Gu Qing, Daoist Cang Song had dispatched a disciple to deliver the message—but they happened to meet atop the sea of clouds.

"Who is our opponent?"

Gu Qing asked again.

"The Demon Cult!"

Daoist Cang Song said.

Since Gu Qing had drawn many faces of Demon Cult members atop Tongtian Peak, Xiao Yicai had begun investigations; over these three years, Xiao Yicai had succeeded repeatedly, eliminating many Demon Cult demons and clarifying their current structure—but as the saying goes, walk by the river often enough, you'll get your shoes wet; this time, Xiao Yicai was unlucky.

Their sword lights moved swiftly; far ahead, the towering peak of Dongshi Mountain now appeared within the sea of clouds.

The Demon Cult's flying swords and treasures glowed crimson, black, or like drifting fireflies, darting about; Xiao Yicai's long sword, Seven Stars, spun with brilliant radiance—its aura's tremors made the scene instantly visible to all.

"Demon cultists, surrender and die!"

Daoist Cang Song roared; his voice echoed layer upon layer, shaking the mountains.

The Demon Cult demons, hearing this, were terrified; some turned and fled, greatly relieving Xiao Yicai's pressure.

"Good! Good!"

From within the mountain came another fierce cry; several figures flew out toward Xiao Yicai.

Xiao Yicai wielded his sword, Seven Stars spinning—but before he could fully unleash it, another figure emitted brilliant white light, pressing directly upon Xiao Yicai's front.

"Qing Long?"

Xiao Yicai recognized the man's face and recalled Gu Qing's words: that Gu Qing had once broken Qing Long's arm. But now, Qing Long's arms were intact; the brilliant white light from his hands radiated extraordinary power, forcing Xiao Yicai's spine to bend, resisting utterly.

All because of Gu Qing...

Xiao Yicai remembered Gu Qing's assessment, which had misled him: the Qing Long Gu Qing called "weak" was now overpowering him.

"Crack!"

Qing Long clenched his fist and struck straight at Xiao Yicai's face.

Trapped by the Seven Stars sword, Xiao Yicai hastily raised his palm—Qing Long's punch landed squarely on his face; the immense force made Xiao Yicai's heart sink; he immediately channeled Taiji Xuanqing Dao to its fullest.

"Boom!"

The colossal impact struck Xiao Yicai's head; in that instant, he felt the crushing weight of annihilation.

"Xuanqing Zhengfa!"

Taiji Xuanqing Dao flowed in perfect harmony; the immense force was instantly diverted elsewhere. Xiao Yicai turned to see Gu Qing arriving gracefully, his body encircled by the aura of Taiji Xuanqing Dao.

"Lucky..."

Xiao Yicai quickly withdrew, joining Gu Qing's side, relief flooding his heart.

Just moments ago, Xiao Yicai had been on the brink of death; had Gu Qing not arrived in time, he would have been certain to die.

"Younger Brother Gu, thank you."

Xiao Yicai sincerely thanked Gu Qing; over these three years, Gu Qing's reputation had grown immense, making Xiao Yicai restless—but now, with Gu Qing's aid, Xiao Yicai realized he had judged a gentleman by a petty man's standards.

Gu Qing smiled and nodded to Xiao Yicai.

In "The Greatest Under Heaven," the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi possessed the Shadow Illusion Art, whose greatest strength was sharing damage among multiple users; when Gu Qing improved the Tian Gang Bei Dou Array, he incorporated the essence of the Shadow Illusion Art, enabling several to advance and retreat as one.

Just now, Xiao Yicai had been on the brink of death; had Gu Qing—the creator of the Tian Gang Bei Dou Array—not arrived precisely then, the Qingyun Sect would have only been able to collect Xiao Yicai's corpse.

At this moment, Gu Qing had established a connection with Xiao Yicai through the Shadow Illusion Art; the injuries Xiao Yicai had just suffered were now absorbed and neutralized by Gu Qing.

Qi Hao followed behind Gu Qing, his expression deeply complex: Xiao Yicai had been the strongest in the last Seven Peaks Tournament; Gu Qing was now the strongest in Qingyun Sect. The past champion and the present champion aiding each other left Qi Hao, a former defeated rival, emotionally conflicted.

"Qing Long, we meet again."

Gu Qing regarded Qing Long and spoke calmly.

At this moment, Cang Song, Tian Buyi, and Zeng Shuchang arrived, saw Qing Long, then scanned behind him, naming each: "Duanmu the Old Monster, Bai Du Zi, Xue Xue Lao Yao... and this one..."

Duanmu the Old Monster was a notorious hermit with a vile reputation; the others were all prominent figures of the Demon Cult; Cang Song and the others, seeing their enemies, grew even more enraged.

"Ye Fan!"

Qing Long coldly called out; defeat at Gu Qing's hands was Qing Long's greatest humiliation. Afterward, he had carefully analyzed: his true energy surpassed Gu Qing's, his age was greater, and he had Demon Cult reinforcements nearby—yet the result was Gu Qing beat him and ran...

Upon hearing "Ye Fan," the Qingyun side exchanged glances; if not for Qing Long staring at Gu Qing, they wouldn't have known who he meant.

"Senior Brother Xiao, you've fought continuously—rest now."

Gu Qing told Xiao Yicai to step aside.

Xiao Yicai looked at Gu Qing; realizing his identity was exposed and his true energy nearly depleted, he knew he needed rest. Seeing Gu Qing's confidence, he readily complied.

"Now!"

Gu Qing raised his hand; Zhanlong Sword flashed from its sheath; instantly, ten thousand sword blossoms crystallized in the sky, brilliant green light shimmering, sword rays converging, slashing toward every Demon Cult demon—whether Qing Long, Duanmu the Old Ancestor, Bai Du Zi, or Xue Xue Lao Yao... Gu Qing's single Zhanlong Sword enclosed them all within its sword circle.

"This sword path..."

Tian Buyi's gaze froze; Zeng Shuchang's eyes filled with confusion.

That Gu Qing wielded Zhanlong Sword was unsurprising—but at this moment, whether his boldness in surrounding multiple foes or the sweeping, effortless sword path, both men saw the shadow of an old acquaintance.

But how could it be...

Gu Qing should never have encountered Wan Jianyi...

Tian Buyi and Zeng Shuchang's questioning glances fell upon Daoist Cang Song.

Daoist Cang Song, at this moment, stroked his chin, his face filled with satisfaction; in these three short years, Gu Qing's sword art had advanced again.

"Bold lad!"

Duanmu the Old Ancestor, Bai Du Zi, Xue Xue Lao Yao—all saw this young "Ye Fan" daring to challenge them with sword art; each flew into rage, unleashing their arts; the clear sky darkened with clouds, wails of ghosts and wolves rose, blood-sucking treasures and toxic mists spread everywhere.

Qing Long channeled the Qiankun Qingguang Ring; his figure flashed like lightning, striking straight at Gu Qing with a punch.

Gu Qing lightly tapped his forehead; the Demon Seed activated fully; the Immortal Seal Art unfolded. Qing Long's punches struck—illusions multiplied; in that confusion, Gu Qing transformed into a vortex, his palms flashing, striking Duanmu the Old Ancestor, Bai Du Zi, and Xue Xue Lao Yao.

The Immortal Seal Art feared group battles least; Gu Qing had fought countless battles, his combat experience unmatched. After refining the Immortal Seal Art, he knew how to maximize its advantage: now, the Phantom Body Art lured Qing Long, his left palm struck Duanmu the Old Ancestor, his right palm drew in Bai Du Zi; as his body moved, the Immortal Seal Art redirected enemy attacks, hurling them toward Xue Xue Lao Yao.

His hands rose and fell, striking east then darting west—all in an instant. In a flash, Duanmu the Old Ancestor, Bai Du Zi, and Xue Xue Lao Yao launched a three-pronged assault—but turned chaotic themselves; Gu Qing, channeling the Immortal Seal Art, moved freely within the chaos.

Xiao Yicai and Qi Hao watched Gu Qing, realizing his mastery of Taiji Xuanqing Dao had reached a divine level far beyond their reach; their gazes grew more complex—yearning to learn, yet resisting.

"East... west..."

Qing Long cried repeatedly; the sky brimmed with endless swords, blossoms glittering; below, Gu Qing darted east and west, his palm techniques unpredictable—everything reminded Qing Long of his past defeat. Seeing only Gu Qing move, while his side fell into disarray, he urgently warned: "Duanmu, Bai Du Zi, hold your positions! Then this wandering Gu Qing becomes a fish trapped in a net!"

Duanmu the Old Ancestor and Bai Du Zi, having missed their strikes, grew furious; hearing Qing Long's warning, they calmed instantly—just as they turned to return to their positions, they saw Zhanlong Sword now in Gu Qing's hand.

"Nine Heavens' Mysterious Abyss, transform into divine thunder!"

Gu Qing stepped the Nine Palaces, trod the Seven Stars; instantly, the heavens darkened.

Qing Long, Duanmu the Old Ancestor, Bai Du Zi, and Xue Xue Lao Yao all felt the surroundings tremble; dark clouds hung low, the air grew heavy; above, countless tiny lightning arcs flickered, swirling and gathering.

"Majestic Heavenly Might, guided by the sword!"

Gu Qing stood in midair, Zhanlong Sword in hand; the mighty thunderous energy surged into the blade.

Qi Hao, seeing the divine thunder, realized Gu Qing's Taiji Xuanqing Dao cultivation surpassed his own; he recalled Tian Ling'er's words: "No matter how hard you train, you'll never surpass Master Gu," and felt a crushing despair.

"Boom!"

Lightning converged, surged, and slammed toward Qing Long, Duanmu the Old Ancestor, Bai Du Zi, and Xue Xue Lao Yao!

"Qiankun Qingguang Ring!"

Qing Long's hands blazed with white light; Xue Xue Lao Yao's hands glowed crimson; Bai Du Zi raised his poison banner; Duanmu the Old Ancestor unleashed his own arts; all four combined their extraordinary powers to clash with the heavenly thunder.

In that instant, heaven and earth shook violently, a boundless, blinding chaos.

Gu Qing, Zhanlong Sword in hand, instantly plunged into Qing Long, Duanmu the Old Ancestor, Bai Du Zi, Xue Xue Lao Yao, and the surrounding Demon Cult masses; the Zhanlong Sword's lightning remained unextinguished; as Gu Qing swung his blade, electricity surged wildly, radiating furious destructive force!

"How is this possible?"

Tian Budi and Cang Song watched as the lightning of the Divine Sword Summoning Thunder Spell remained unspent, still swirling under Gu Qing's control, each bolt extraordinary.

At this level of application, the Divine Sword Summoning Thunder Spell had surpassed the original sword path of the Qingyun Sect.

Gu Qing, wielding the Zhanlong Sword, finally perfected this thoughtless slash.

(End of Chapter)