Chapter 661: The Zhu Xian Sword Formation

Qingyun Sect.

Inside Yuqing Hall.

Yuqing Hall is the main hall of Tongtian Peak. The hall doors are wide open, and inside are enshrined the divine statues of the Three Pure Ones: Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun.

At this moment, the strong are gathered within Yuqing Hall. There are both Sect Leader Daoxuan of the Qingyun Sect and the Peak Masters of each peak, as well as righteous experts from all corners of the land.

The group of righteous experts inside the hall are all focused and waiting, a murderous aura shrouding the entire hall. A sharp, biting energy surges into the sky, causing the birds and beasts in the vicinity to flutter away in terror.

Outside the hall, there are also a great number of Qingyun Sect disciples and righteous figures standing in battle formation.

Just at this moment, several streaks of light arrive from afar.

They are several Qingyun Sect disciples riding magical treasures, heading straight for Yuqing Hall.

Generally speaking, disciples are not permitted to fly on swords near the main hall of Tongtian Peak. Yet, these disciples are not observing this rule at all, and no elders are reprimanding them; instead, each of them wears a grave expression, and the atmosphere grows increasingly heavy. These disciples are scouts monitoring the movements of Changsheng Tower.

It seems the rumors are true: a large force from Changsheng Tower is heading toward Qingyun Mountain, which is why they have rushed here to report.

Clang!

A moment later, the sound of a bell and cauldron rings out from outside Yuqing Hall, continuing for nine tolls. Each toll drowns out the one before it, growing louder and louder; the final three tolls are especially deafening, resounding through the heavens and spreading across all of the Qingyun Seven Peaks! The bell tolls carry a faint sense of sharp, murderous intent. Whether they are Qingyun Sect disciples or righteous experts who have come to assist, all wear grave and tense expressions, for they know the great decisive battle is about to begin.

Sure enough, after about a quarter of an hour, hundreds upon hundreds of rays of light streak across the high sky from afar.

Because of the differences in the five elements of their magical treasures, they are of various colors, resembling a brilliant, colorful torrent heading straight for the Qingyun Sect.

"So many... I fear there are three or four thousand Demon Sect evildoers." The righteous experts cannot help but change color in horror.

"More than that, the Demon Sect has almost swept through every major cultivation sect in the Central Plains; even Tianyin Temple and Fenxiang Valley are no exception. If they have truly mobilized their entire army, I fear there are tens of thousands of them."

As those thousands of rays of light draw near, no one has the heart to discuss further; their expressions are grave, they are silent, and their hearts feel heavy.

Today's battle concerns the entire cultivation world. If they are defeated, I fear the Central Plains will henceforth be invaded by demons and monsters; the situation has reached a point of extreme peril.

"Sect Leader Daoxuan, we have come uninvited and have caused a disturbance; I hope you will forgive us."

A clear, resonant voice rings out. The speaker is the Ghost King, dressed in the attire of a scholar.

"Heh, the Ghost King has graced us with his presence; I wonder what advice you bring." Daoxuan Zhenren, possessing a scholarly and immortal air, steps out of Yuqing Hall. Behind him follow the Peak Masters of each branch, and behind them are the remaining righteous experts and a group of outstanding Qingyun Sect disciples, standing in opposition to the forces of Changsheng Tower. The murderous aura between heaven and earth grows even more oppressive.

The Ghost King smiles: "I dare not offer advice; I am merely a vanguard, acting under orders."

"I have long heard that the current Ghost King of the Ghost King Sect is a hero of his generation, yet I did not expect him to submit to another's command. It is truly disappointing." Daoxuan shakes his head. He sweeps his gaze across the opposite side, and even though he was mentally prepared, he cannot help but frown deeply.

The current Ghost King of the Ghost King Sect, the Four Holy Envoys including Qinglong, Sanmiao Fairy of the Hehuan Sect, Faxiang of Tianyin Temple... many experts known by name in the intelligence reports have all appeared. Among them are not only long-famed veteran demons but also righteous experts from the Central Plains who have only recently joined Changsheng Tower. The only thing to be thankful for is that Tianyin Temple has only sent two second-generation disciples, Faxiang and Fashan; otherwise, if the high monks of the 'Pu' generation had all come out, this battle would be even more difficult.

Looking at his own side, while many righteous people have come, there are actually few true experts. The main force capable of resisting Changsheng Tower still relies on the Qingyun Sect.

Thinking of this, Daoxuan Zhenren thinks of Xiao Yicai and the others who went to Heyang City last night to investigate and have not returned for a long time; he wonders if they have met with misfortune.

And there is also his junior brother Tian Buyi, whose strength in the entire Qingyun Sect is second only to his own, who has not yet arrived...

In this battle, in the end, they can only rely on the Zhu Xian Sword.

"The Tower Master has great talent and strategy, and his magic power reaches the heavens. To serve as a vanguard for the Tower Master is my good fortune of three lifetimes."

The Ghost King smiles: "Now, Changsheng Tower has swept through the six directions and the eight wildernesses; it is truly the mandate of heaven! The Qingyun Sect attempts to block this rolling torrent, but in the end, it will only be annihilated in the long river of history. If Sect Leader Daoxuan were to defect and surrender with gifts, you would still retain your position as Sect Leader. The world would be at peace; would that not be wonderful?"

Daoxuan snorts coldly and suddenly lets out a long shout that resounds through heaven and earth: "May I ask where the Jade Tower Master is? Can you grant me an audience?"

Boom!

A moment later, in the cloudless clear sky, a bolt of thunder suddenly explodes from the nine heavens, as if to split the firmament in two. The dazzling white light makes almost everyone close their eyes.

"I am here."

This voice seems to come from beside one's ear, and yet also from beyond the nine heavens.

The crowd struggles to open their eyes and sees a figure walking slowly out of the endless light.

It is a figure dressed in black, dark as ink. He seems to have come from beyond the heavens, suddenly descending before Yuqing Hall.

He taps his toes on the ground, seemingly effortless, yet it immediately triggers a sky-shaking roar. The ground trembles violently as if struck by hundreds of thunderbolts; the white jade-paved flagstones shatter, and with the invisible air wave sweeping outward, it kicks up a monstrous sea.

His appearance is peerlessly handsome, his black hair cascading like a waterfall. His black clothes are unstained by a speck of dust, and the corners of his mouth are slightly upturned, overflowing with a faint smile.

This smile seems to possess infinite magic and infectious power, making everyone who sees it feel an infinite joy welling up from within their hearts, even if they do not know where this joy comes from.

"Subordinates pay respects to the Tower Master."

The Ghost King, Sanmiao Fairy, and the others immediately bow their heads.

Yu Liancheng waves his hand casually, telling them not to stand on ceremony, and casts his gaze toward Daoxuan: "Daoxuan, those who submit to me will prosper, and those who resist me will perish. Today, the life and death of the Qingyun Sect lie in your single thought."

"Since ancient times, evil cannot triumph over righteousness." Daoxuan's face is cold and stern.

"Who is righteous? Who is evil?" Yu Liancheng chuckles: "Except for a few places like Heyang City, in the eyes of the people of the world today, the reputation of my Changsheng Tower is much better than that of your Qingyun Sect."

This is indeed true. Although the Qingyun Sect is the number one righteous sect in the world, the gap in numbers compared to Changsheng Tower can be described as heaven and earth. Most Qingyun Sect disciples cultivate in seclusion on the mountain, and even when they do good deeds, it is usually killing monsters; they rarely involve themselves in worldly affairs. Changsheng Tower, however, intends to take over the world, so naturally, they have done their preparatory work well.

Building bridges and paving roads, killing bandits, punishing corrupt officials... they have almost reached the point of helping old ladies across the street. As a result, except for Heyang City, which has more contact with the Qingyun Sect, the reputation of Changsheng Tower surpasses that of the Qingyun Sect everywhere else.

Daoxuan's expression remains unchanged: "Demonic paths are best at bewitching people's hearts."

"Truly stubborn and unyielding."

Yu Liancheng sighs, flicks his sleeve, and suddenly a long sword appears in his palm—it looks like stone yet is not stone, like jade yet is not jade, and is filled with an ancient, simple aura: "The reason you are so stubborn and have such confidence—is it because of this sword?"

Daoxuan Zhenren finally changes color, his whole body trembling, and he says in disbelief: "Zhu Xian Sword!

"

When the three words "Zhu Xian Sword" are uttered, everyone's expression changes wildly. The entire Qingyun Mountain falls silent in an instant, with only the sound of the wind blowing. A moment later, a heaven-shaking cry erupts like a tidal wave.

Within these cries, there is naturally no lack of surprise. Why would the legendary Zhuxian Ancient Sword appear in the hands of Yu Liancheng, the Demon Sect Leader?

Aside from the surprise, the experts of Changsheng Tower cheer endlessly, their faces full of joy. In this siege of the Qingyun Sect, with countless experts gathered, the only uncertainty was the legendary Zhuxian Ancient Sword.

Now that the Zhu Xian Sword is in his hands, is the Qingyun Sect not theirs to slaughter?

The righteous people of the Qingyun Sect have thoughts similar to those of the Changsheng Tower crowd, but their emotions are the exact opposite; everyone's face is filled with despair.

"Indeed, it is the Zhu Xian Sword," Yu Liancheng says calmly.

Daoxuan Zhenren's face is covered in a layer of frost: "How could the Zhu Xian Sword be in your hands?"

Yu Liancheng smiles: "Because I took a trip to Huan Yue Cave."

The Zhuxian Sword was in Huan Yue Cave; he took a trip into Huan Yue Cave, so the Zhuxian Sword was in his hands.

This is a very unreasonable way of putting it, because to enter Huan Yue Cave, one must face Wan Jianyi and the Zhu Xian Sword Array... but these posed not the slightest obstacle to Yu Liancheng.

"The Zhuxian Sword is already in my hand; do you think you still have any hope?"

Yu Liancheng's fingers brushed lightly over the Zhuxian Ancient Sword, feeling a cold texture like jade and stone.

The Zhuxian Sword hummed and trembled, emitting formless Sword Qi, and even more, a monstrous, baleful aura that surged along his palm to strike at his spiritual sea, trying to break free, but it was all in vain.

Daoxuan Zhenren's face sank like water, while the remaining Peak Masters and the experts of the Central Plains righteous path all revealed expressions of despair.

"However..." Yu Liancheng suddenly waved his hand, and the Zhuxian Ancient Sword transformed into a faint clear light, flying toward Daoxuan Zhenren: "I want to make you lose with complete conviction. Come, Daoxuan Zhenren, let me see what kind of power the Zhuxian Sword can unleash in your hands?!"

Daoxuan Zhenren grasped the Zhuxian Sword in his hand, his expression changing again and again. Finally, he took a deep breath, his eyes closing slightly before snapping open, his gaze sharp. He held the sword level, pointing it at Yu Liancheng, and said calmly: "The ancient Divine Sword, Zhuxian slays Demons. If I lose this battle, from this day forth, there will be no Qingyun Sect..."

If the Qingyun Sect is destroyed, there will be no more Qingyun.

If the Qingyun Sect is merged into Changsheng Tower, there will also be no more Qingyun.

Daoxuan Zhenren's words were very clever.

He could gamble his own life against Yu Liancheng, but he would not gamble the Qingyun Sect, especially now when he had little certainty.

"Roar!"

In front of Yuqing Hall, from the depths of the Bishui Cold Pool, a dull roar suddenly erupted, sounding like thunder. At the center of the pool, a massive whirlpool suddenly swirled. A moment later, giant waves surged, and a massive water column shot into the sky. Riding upon the water column was a colossal beast, over five zhang tall, with the head of a dragon and the body of a lion, covered in scales, with giant eyes and a large mouth. Its two sharp fangs glinted, radiating a primordial aura from the ancient past; its appearance was ferocious and awe-inspiring.

This creature was none other than the ancient exotic beast tamed by Ancestor Qingye a thousand years ago, known as the "Water Qilin."

Ancestor Qingye was able to bring glory to Qingyun and subdue demons, and this Water Qilin had also contributed greatly. The lifespan of a demon beast is far beyond that of a human, and now the Water Qilin is the guardian spirit beast of the Qingyun Sect, revered as the "Spirit Venerable."

Daoxuan Zhenren tapped his toes and landed slowly on the head of the spirit beast, the Water Qilin. He took a deep breath, circulating the Taiji Xuanqing Dao which had reached the Jade Purity Realm, then moved his left hand in a sword incantation, pointing straight at the sky. He uttered a low sound that echoed between heaven and earth, resembling both a Sanskrit chant and a curse.

The legendary, peerless, and invincible Zhu Xian Sword Array was finally activated.

Boom!

Behind Tongtian Peak, a streak of purple light flashed. In the blink of an eye, the purple light surged, accompanied by thunderous sounds. The purple light grew ever more magnificent, like wolf smoke and a pillar of heaven, shooting into the sky with immense momentum, standing between heaven and earth, and finally landing on that sword that seemed neither stone nor jade—the Zhuxian Sword. The pressure of the Zhuxian Sword intensified, its rays blooming, illuminating Daoxuan Zhenren's face and the firmament.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Six consecutive sounds like thunderclaps exploded. From the other six towering peaks of the Qingyun Mountain range, lights of yellow, cyan, red, green, orange, and violet soared into the sky like rainbows piercing the firmament, breaking through the air, and finally all landing upon that Zhuxian Ancient Sword.

In an instant, the Zhuxian Ancient Sword was swallowed by dazzling brilliance, like a seven-colored sun falling into the mortal world—brilliant, magnificent, and infinitely bright, impossible to look upon.

Within the intense light, the seven colors merged into one, transforming into a massive seven-colored giant sword, shimmering with flowing light and dancing rainbow rays.

Subsequently, as the spiritual energy from the Seven Peaks poured in endlessly, the colored master sword began to grow larger, separating into monochromatic small swords. More and more appeared, distributed across the sky, dense and countless, shrouding the firmament.

On the ground, the disciples of the Qingyun Sect cheered, and the previously stifling atmosphere was swept away.

Especially the younger generation of disciples, looking up at this mythical, magnificent sword array, could not help but reveal expressions of infinite awe and reverence.

With the Qingyun Sword Array in place, there was absolutely no force in the world that could breach the Qingyun Sect.

The Ghost King, Sanmiao Fairy, and other former Demon Sect experts all wore solemn expressions; the power of the Zhu Xian Sword Array was even more terrifying than imagined. As for the ordinary Demon Sect disciples, their faces turned pale, and they began to feel fear from the bottom of their hearts. Even without the master sword, the mere sight of the dense, monochromatic small swords raining down would be enough to kill most of them, turning the ground into a river of blood.

Yu Liancheng looked up at the Zhu Xian Sword Array, a smile still on his face, though his expression had become far more solemn. He clapped his hands in praise: "So that is how it is. The Zhuxian Sword is indeed the world's number one divine artifact, and with this sword array gathering the strange, baleful spiritual energy of the seven Qingyun peaks over ten million years, it truly possesses the miraculous power to open heaven and break the earth. It cannot be opposed by force."

Daoxuan Zhenren held the Zhuxian, his face slightly pale. Even though his cultivation had reached the Jade Purity Realm, presiding over the Zhu Xian Sword Array was a tremendous drain on him. He said coldly: "Under the Zhuxian Sword, even a true immortal descending to the mortal world would struggle to survive. Considering you still have a shred of kindness and have not committed a grave error, if you confine yourself to Qingyun Mountain for the rest of your life, I may yet spare your life."

"Give you an inch and you take a mile; don't take yourself too seriously." Yu Liancheng laughed in spite of himself, his expression carrying a hint of mockery.

Seeing this, Daoxuan Zhenren snorted coldly and said no more. He gripped the Zhuxian Ancient Sword tightly with one hand, while the other suddenly gestured. Amidst the myriad of complex sword qi, an orange sword qi suddenly broke away from the Zhuxian Ancient Sword, emitting a sharp whistling sound as it pierced the air, shooting toward Yu Liancheng as fast as lightning, piercing the long sky.

"Stop testing me; you had better bring out the full power of the Zhu Xian Sword Array, at least enough to let me have some fun today." Yu Liancheng looked up, divine light flickering in his eyes.