Chapter 156 - Swords Return to Origin!
Upon activation of the Night's Fall Sword Array, the devil Qi previously planted by Yijun began its insidious influence, prompting the formation to autonomously track the same Qi signature.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
From every node within Night's Fall Sword City, streaks of swordlight erupted with incredible velocity, traversing the city and swiftly dispatching devil cultivators employing demonic techniques.
Caught off guard by the formidable power of the Night's Fall Sword Array, many devil cultivators perished before comprehending the unfolding calamity, their heads severed and bodies cleanly bisected.
As the links between nodes were severed, Dai Tu and Mo Meng, the leaders, swiftly discerned the anomaly, their expressions morphing into sheer alarm.
“What is happening?!”
“It's the Night's Fall Sword Array! But why activate it now… and why target our forces? A third of our ranks have already fallen, and a quarter lie critically wounded. Our operation cannot proceed!” Mo Meng's brow glistened with cold sweat as he conveyed the dire situation to Dai Tu.
Dai Tu's complexion drained of color as he beheld the colossal snow-capped mountain before him. The melting snow above had begun to cascade like a deluge, while the mountain range reverberated with ceaseless explosions, rendering it increasingly unstable.
Boulders continued their relentless descent.
The iron chains bridging the precipices gradually succumbed to fracture.
Few were privy to the fact that the Sword Pavilion of Ice-Crowned Heights was erected upon the fault line of the mountain range, its steep topography a result of the range's geological fissures.
Long ago, this area brimmed with volcanic activity. The Earth Dragon's envy fueled its restless upheavals, and atop the Ice-Crowned Heights lay a dormant volcanic crater.
Recognizing the site's dual attributes of gold and fire, the Sword Pavilion's founder deemed it a natural forge for swordcraft, thus erecting the pavilion there.
Through mastery of a profound cultivation base, the twelve peaks of the Sword Pavilion were interconnected, bridging the chasm between them and isolating the outside world. The subterranean fires were likewise quelled.
Presently, the objective extended beyond rupturing the mountain range; their aim was to reignite the dormant volcano, thawing the snow and unleashing an unstoppable flood.
The emergence of heaven and earth was an event beyond human control.
Even a formidable figure at the Tribulation Passing Stage would struggle to impede it.
Moreover, no such figure existed here!
“It doesn't matter! Proceed as planned! The inhabitants of the city are merely aiding those who stole the Lakelight Sword. Our objective remains guiding the melting water and avalanche from the Ice-Crowned Heights. If we can disrupt the tide and dismantle the entire Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference, victory will be ours!”
Dai Tu clenched his teeth, his expression dark. “Let them utilize the Gu!”
He exclaimed fervently, “I've already briefed the Holy Cult on this strategy. Failure is not an option; the Holy Cult will deem us worthless! We must give it our all!”
Mo Meng surveyed the slanted mountain and nodded slowly. “It appears to be the only solution…”
…
As the Sword Singing Conference concluded,
All attendees had been enthralled by the spectacle and were highly content with the performance of the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference.
Not only had mortal swordsmiths challenged the Sword Pavilion and emerged victorious, ascending to the ranks of the first ten-star swordsmiths in history,
A dark horse had also emerged abruptly: the legend of the Jolcana Road. It broke through to the Core Forming Stage in the arena, becoming the second most powerful swordsmith in the history of the Sword Singing Ranking.
This event would undoubtedly elevate “Chasing Sun Green Shadow” Xia Shui's status throughout the Upper Central Realm, making him a revered figure among the younger generation, admired and envied by many.
The anticipation for this grand gathering, occurring once every decade, would persist among numerous young Immortal cultivators.
Had he still been in the fray, there would surely be individuals compiling captivating highlights of the PVP competition this time, sharing them on video platforms and garnering numerous likes and shares. The principle remained the same.
Nevertheless, the situation took a drastic turn at this juncture.
Without warning, Sun Fen, a cultivator of Destiny's Song Sword, suddenly brandished her sword and addressed Xia Shui, the unexpected dark horse ranked second in the Sword Singing Ranking, with a command: “Accompany me home.”
The influx of information was overwhelming, enough to overwhelm one's senses.
Guo Fan's expression stiffened as he gazed at Sun Fen. He had anticipated Sun Fen would wait until the conclusion of the Sword Singing Conference, but her direct confrontation caught him off guard.
The glimmering swordlight seemed to herald an impending doom.
“Hold on…”
Guo Fan extended his hand defensively, seeking to defuse the tension.
He noticed the audience stirring, and even those on stage were taken aback.
Amidst the chaos, the Ice-Crowned Heights behind the Sword Pavilion began to tremble, the entire mountain shifting visibly.
Amidst the confusion, Guo Fan found himself torn between multiple concerns.
Gong Wei, sensing trouble, initiated evacuation procedures. Immortal cultivators hurried towards the Ice-Crowned Heights to assess the situation.
Despite the urgency, some lingered to witness the spectacle.
Certain onlookers had already begun recording the unfolding events.
Sun Fen smiled, asserting, “What's the point in waiting? I've finally resolved to reclaim you. Why offer them any opportunity? Action defines a person. Every endeavor should have a clear beginning and end. I won't falter halfway.”
Shen Lin, another spectator, screamed internally. So this was her interpretation of ‘every endeavor should have a clear beginning and end'!
He intended to pull his sister back, but a member of the Sword Pavilion suddenly emerged, obstructing him and remarking,
“Apologies, the Pavilion Master has decreed that the Sword Pavilion will align with the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator.”
If they were standing, then so be it. But could timing be chosen?
Shen Lin's heart was crumbling.
Fang Xiang lingered nearby, approaching Sun Fen and inquiring, “This is Night's Fall Sword City. What is your purpose here?”
Maintaining the demeanor of a composed city lord, she could feel panic creeping into her heart.
Yet, her distress stemmed not from this. It was the unsettling movement within Night's Fall Sword City. Spies were on the move, and in this critical juncture, Sun Fen unexpectedly launched an attack on Guo Fan, unsettling everyone.
Sun Fen murmured softly, “Nothing much. I merely seek understanding. Without seizing the initiative, opportunities slip away.”
Fang Xiang's expression grew complex as she countered, “Your actions will likely yield the opposite result…”
Sun Fen shook her head, “I act in accordance with my desires. But I won't harm him.”
Fang Xiang's tone turned stern, “So, you intend to manipulate him? Do you assume authority within Night's Fall Sword City?”
The two young women nearly erupted into argument on the Sword Singing Platform, leaving the spectators below bewildered.
It sounded as if they were vying for control over Xia Shui?
It was surreal!
However, even more surreal was the sudden shout from the sidelines, “Insolent! Cease!”
Xun Yimu, backed by Xuegang's support, glared angrily at Sun Fen. “I haven't settled the score with you yet, and now you're trying to take him away?!”
The onlookers were astonished. The Profound Yin Young Lord… a third one??
Sun Fen grinned. “I've said it before, we've never been allies, have we?”
Brandishing her sword, she fixed her gaze on Fang Xiang. “Indeed, my own strength may not suffice. Even for City Lord Fang, dealing with him would pose a great challenge. But you seem to have forgotten -“
Guo Fan was suddenly taken aback, his expression shifting. “The Night's Fall Sword Array!”
“As expected of Xiaobo. His reflexes are sharp.”
Sun Fen's smile remained unchanged. With a sudden release of unparalleled sharpness, her longsword resonated with the Night's Fall Sword Array like the sovereign of blades. The overwhelming pressure sent shivers down people's spines. In a deep voice, she exhaled, “Ten thousand swords - Return to the Sect!”
Hu…
Like a tidal surge, the sword lights within the Night's Fall Sword Array, having completed their task, circulated and rushed over with a swoosh.
The Night's Fall Sword Array had become her ally!
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel