Chapter 568: Betraying the Righteous Path, This Is the Greatest Enmity

The entire great hall was divided into two factions, arguing endlessly.

"Enough!" Yunxiaozi suddenly stood up, glaring at Huiming Fangzhang, "It seems we can never reach a consensus. Since that is the case, then let us each go our own way!"

He turned to face everyone, his voice like thunder: "Starting from today, the Heaven Sword Sect withdraws from this so-called Righteous Alliance! We will act alone and completely eradicate the Reform Alliance!"

Having said this, he strode out of the great hall without even looking back.

Ancestor Jianchi hesitated for a moment, then also stood up: "My Wanjian Valley will no longer participate in such pointless arguments either."

Soon, Ancestor Guisha and several other hardline ancestors also left one after another. In the vast council chamber, only Ancestor Taixuan, Huiming Fangzhang, and a few others remained, looking at each other in dismay.

"Amitabha," Huiming Fangzhang shook his head and sighed, "It seems the storm is truly coming."

At the same time, in a valley one hundred miles away from Qinglong Peak, a secret meeting was underway.

The Sect Master of Fenglei Sect, leading the sect leaders of six other sects, cautiously approached the agreed-upon location. They had all concealed their cultivation and were disguised as ordinary traveling merchants to avoid being discovered by the traditional forces.

"Fellow Daoists, this operation concerns the future of our sects," the Fenglei Sect Master said in a low voice, "Once discovered, there will be no turning back for us."

"The Fenglei Sect Master is right," the Daoist Master of Qingyun Temple nodded, "but we have no choice. Under the oppression of the traditional forces, we medium-sized sects will never have a day to get ahead."

"Moreover, the philosophy of the Reform Alliance is indeed very attractive," another sect leader said, "If it can truly be realized, it will also be a good thing for our disciples."

Just then, two figures flew in from afar; they were Lin Xuan and Muerxiu, who had been ordered to come and meet them.

"Fellow Daoists, sorry to have kept you waiting," Lin Xuan cupped his hands in salute, "I am Lin Xuan of the Star Moon Sect, and this is my junior brother, Muerxiu. We have been entrusted by the Alliance to escort you all to Qinglong Peak."

The Fenglei Sect Master scrutinized Lin Xuan, discovering that although he was young, the aura he emitted was not to be underestimated: "Fellow Daoist Lin, I have long heard of your name. I heard you performed brilliantly in the battle at Youming Gu; seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."

"The Sect Master is too kind," Lin Xuan said humbly, "Let us hurry on our way; long nights bring many dreams."

The group began to advance toward Qinglong Peak. To avoid exposure, they did not use flight techniques but instead chose a secluded mountain path.

However, their movements were still discovered by scouts from the Heaven Sword Sect.

"Senior Brother, there is an ambush ahead!" Muerxiu suddenly stopped, a flash of vigilance in his eyes. His Void Path was extremely sensitive to spatial fluctuations, and he had already sensed something abnormal.

Lin Xuan also stopped immediately, circulating the Taiji True Art to sense the spiritual power fluctuations in the surroundings. Sure enough, several powerful auras were hidden in the mountain forest ahead.

"Fellow Daoists, it seems we have been discovered," Lin Xuan said in a deep voice, "Prepare for battle."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a dozen figures rushed out from all directions, led by an Elder of the Heaven Sword Sect whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Core Stage.

"Haha, little brat Lin Xuan, you have finally taken the bait!" that Elder sneered, "Today is the day you die!"

"Friends from the Heaven Sword Sect, we have no grudges or enmity, why be so aggressive?" the Fenglei Sect Master attempted to mediate.

"No grudges or enmity?" that Elder scoffed, "You collude with the Reform Alliance and betray the Righteous Alliance; this is the greatest enmity!"

Having said this, he waved his hand, and a dozen Heaven Sword Sect disciples immediately surrounded them.

"Junior Brother, protect these seniors!" Lin Xuan shouted, taking the initiative to meet that Elder.

"Taiji Sword Art—Yin and Yang in Harmony!"

Lin Xuan slashed out with his sword; the sword light contained the essence of the Taiji True Art, with the Yin and Yang energies intertwining, its power several times stronger than before.

That Elder dared not be careless and hurriedly unleashed the Heaven Sword Sect's ultimate technique: "Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin!"

Countless sword lights, like a galaxy pouring downward, collided violently with Lin Xuan's Taiji Sword Art.

"Boom!"

A massive explosion resounded through the valley, and the powerful shockwave destroyed all the surrounding trees.

Lin Xuan did not fall into a disadvantage in this exchange, which greatly shocked that Elder: "Impossible! You clearly only have the cultivation of the peak Foundation Establishment Stage!"

"Is that so?" Lin Xuan smiled calmly, and the aura on his body suddenly changed.

Stimulated by the life-and-death struggle, the Taiji True Art within his body was pushed to the limit. The barrier between the Foundation Establishment Stage and the Golden Core Stage was finally broken, and a brand-new power awakened within him.

"Golden Core Stage!" that Elder was terrified, "You actually broke through during the battle!"

Lin Xuan felt the surging power within his body, his eyes flashing with excitement: "Thank you for giving me this opportunity!"

After breaking through to the Golden Core Stage, the power of his Taiji True Art surged. When he struck again, the sword light already contained the terrifying might of the Golden Core Stage.

"Taiji Sword Art—Heaven and Earth Return to Origin!"

This sword strike seemed to contain the power of the entire universe, with Yin and Yang energies gathering at the tip of the sword to form a small Taiji Pattern.

That Elder felt the threat of death and tried his best to resist, but he was still shaken back repeatedly by this sword, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

On the other side, Muerxiu also displayed astonishing strength. His Void Path had gained new insights in actual combat, allowing him to perform spatial jumps over short distances.

"Void Step!"

Muerxiu's figure flickered on the battlefield like a ghost, and every time he appeared, he took the life of an enemy.

The two's coordination became increasingly tacit; Lin Xuan took on the powerful enemy head-on, while Muerxiu used the Void Path to launch sneak attacks. Soon, the Heaven Sword Sect members were at a disadvantage.

"Retreat!" Seeing they were no match, that Elder ordered a retreat.

But how could Lin Xuan let them escape easily: "Want to leave? It's too late!"

"Taiji True Art—Ten Thousand Swords Bow to the Ancestor!"

Countless sword lights shot out in all directions like a meteor shower, intercepting all the fleeing Heaven Sword Sect disciples.

The battle ended quickly; the Heaven Sword Sect people were either killed or fled with heavy injuries.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you are truly amazing!" the Fenglei Sect Master said excitedly, "To actually break through to the Golden Core Stage in the middle of a battle!"

"Just luck," Lin Xuan said humbly, but his heart was filled with joy. The strength of the Golden Core Stage greatly increased his confidence; he was now prepared for the coming decisive battle.

"Fellow Daoists, let us continue on our way," Muerxiu said, "This attack shows that the traditional forces have already begun to act."

The group continued to advance toward Qinglong Peak, but everyone understood in their hearts that a greater storm was about to arrive.

When they reached Qinglong Peak, Xiao Yuan, Xingchenzi, and others were already waiting at the foot of the mountain. Seeing the sect leaders of the seven sects including the Fenglei Sect Master, everyone revealed smiles of relief.