Chapter 319: Your Sins Are Unforgivable!
At this moment, the 999 Sword Peaks of the Sword Ruins were enveloped in thick, heavy clouds. Vast swaths of droplets converged into sword energy, forming an ocean of swords, entwining around the sect.
Such a sight was indeed spectacular!
Countless Sword Cultivators from the Eternal Sword Prison gazed upon the Ruination Sword Array, their hearts filled with reverence and awe.
News of Ling Chen's audacious conquest of the Heavenly Land had spread throughout the Eternal Sword Prison! Even more spectacular was that he did all this while being pressured by the forces of the other eight hells!
For the average Sword Cultivator, this was not only a crushing suppression but also a stirring call to arms!
The flames of war had yet to reach the common folk, so they chose to wait and see. Once Ling Chen survived this deadly trial and truly rose to power, they would undoubtedly support him to the end.
In this tense atmosphere, a group of eight top-tier Sword Cultivators returned to the Sword Ruins aboard their Sovereign Swords, moving quietly.
"We've made a gap in the array here. Please proceed," Overseer Sikong said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, flying at the forefront.
Ahead of them, the clouds and mist dipped inwards, revealing a white gap in the Ruination Sword Array.
"Down we go!" the Withered Bone Keeper commanded, his gaze icy.
Eight silhouettes of sword light plunged into the gap, speeding along.
With an inside man leading the way, it was easy for outsiders to enter this great protective array.
In a blink, they were already traversing the vast lands of the Sword Ruins.
"Exile Ling is hidden in the Exile Palace, just waiting for your support to let that Heavenly Land Sigil ascend to greatness," Overseer Sikong said excitedly.
"Let's first pay a visit to Exile Ling," the Withered Bone Keeper spoke softly. He gave a signal, and the group didn't make a grand entrance but instead quietly approached the Exile Palace.
Passing by the Immortal Sword Rankings venue, the group saw thousands of Sword Cultivators practicing and sparring.
The Withered Bone Keeper paused momentarily to watch.
"Dad, it seems these kids also think Exile Ling has the upper hand," said Ku Xuan, a slight smile on his lips.
"Mhm." The Withered Bone Keeper nodded, feeling somewhat pleased.
"Has the news about the Calamity Seal Sword spread this far?" Feng Buhui had overheard some kids discussing it.
"This sword is indeed a nightmare for us Sword Cultivators! Its significance far outweighs that of the Heavenly Mirror. It was our use of this relic that allowed Exile Ling to seize the Calamity Seal Sword. I'd like to see who dares to make a fuss over the Heavenly Mirror now." Overseer Sikong chuckled.
"Let's go." The Withered Bone Keeper was just gauging the public sentiment in the Sword Ruins.
"Everyone understands the significance of the Heavenly Land. That makes things much easier!" Ku Xuan clenched his teeth, "If Exile Ling can avenge himself and slay Yun Xiao, even Mu Tianjian will waver... The Sword Relic, we'll soon have it in our grasp."
At the mention of the Sword Relic, a glint of obsession flashed in the eyes of the Withered Bone Keeper.
BUZZ! No longer concealing their presence, these eight powerhouses of the Sword Ruins soared towards the Exile Palace on their Sovereign Swords!
"Who is that?"
Many young Sword Cultivators were startled.
"It's the Withered Bone Keeper!"
"And several other Overseers of the Sword Ruins..."
"They're back, does that mean Exile Ling has returned safely?!"
The crowd erupted in excitement.
If Ling Chen had met with misfortune, the Withered Bone Keeper, having erred with the Heavenly Mirror, would not dare to return.
Realizing this, many Sword Cultivators sensed that something big was about to happen. Quietly, they mounted their Sovereign Swords and followed the Withered Bone Keeper towards the Exile Palace.
Soon, the explosive news spread.
"Exile Ling has returned safely after slaying the powerhouses of the eight hells. He will face off against Yun Xiao in another battle to determine whos superior!"
"Let's hurry to the Exile Palace to see!"
As the news passed from mouth to mouth, the probability of sudden changes grew, slowly evolving into a peak showdown between the two Exile Sword Immortals at the Exile Palace.
"Does that mean we'll get to see the Heavenly Land Sigil with our own eyes?"
Countless disciples and Sword Judges, thinking of this, lit up with excitement and hurried towards the Exile Palace, hearts pounding.
"After the finals of the Immortal Sword Rankings, where Exile Ling lost, our side was completely defeated, clinging to a slim hope of survival... But today, whether in terms of public sentiment, the banner we rally under, or the power of the Exiled Sword Immortal himself, we have finally regained the upper hand..." Ku Xuan's eyes reddened slightly.
The feeling of turning defeat into victory, of enduring hardships for a triumphant comeback, was truly exhilarating.
With their return, a storm swept through the Sword Ruins, reigniting the fervor that had quieted for a day or two!
In no time at all, the Withered Bone Keeper and his companions arrived at the front of the Exile Palace!
"Bai Wuque?"
When the group saw the pale-faced youth still kneeling in front of the Exile Palace, their only doubt vanished completely!
"Does that mean Bai Qingxue is being favored inside? Our Exile Ling, despite enduring countless tribulations, remains a hero true to himself!" Ku Xuan couldn't help but smile wryly.
Feng Buhui, Yun Xinghe, Shuang Jiang, Overseer Sikong, and others also chuckled along.
Behind them, many Sword Cultivators had followed, hovering at a distance on their Sovereign Swords.
They whispered among themselves, eagerly anticipating Ling Chen's appearance.
And the Withered Bone Keeper, his gaze solemn and chilling, stared at the Exile Palace. "Once we meet Exile Ling, a deadly battle might ensue. This fight will decide the future of the Sword Ruins! Be on your guard," he said.
"Dad, what about Mu Tianjian?" Ku Xuan asked in a cold voice.
"I gave him a future, but he turned into an ungrateful wretch. If he dares to disregard me, his own master, again don't blame me for being ruthless... The Sword Ruins must rise from the Nine Hells, united as one! And that unity can only be under Exile Ling!" With these words, the Withered Bone Keeper's gaze turned fiery as he looked towards the Exile Palace.
His hunched figure approached the palace gates with utmost reverence.
Upon reaching the gates, he sank to his knees, deeply bowing, and said in the heaviest of tones, "I, Ku Gu, have been late in my duty to serve. Forgive me, Exile Ling!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a weight that felt like a heavy hammer on everyone's hearts!
For a moment, many Sword Cultivators who had come to watch the excitement felt a sense of solemnity and couldn't help but feel a surge of blood stirring in their veins.
"We too have been late in our duty to serve. Please, forgive us!" Ku Xuan and the other Overseers all knelt down, their eyes burning with intense fire.
BOOM! Suddenly, the doors of the Exile Palace began to tremble. Then, slowly, the gates opened, and a young voice came from inside.
"Forgiveness is not granted, for your sins are unforgivable."
This voice sounded somewhat unfamiliar. Ling Chen's voice was slightly higher and a bit frivolous. Yet, the voice of the youth from inside the Exile Palace was clean, ethereal, like a melody of the world, seeping into one's heart.
Those who liked this voice found it a cleansing pleasure for the soul.
Those who feared it heard it as a nightmare.
"Wha..." The Withered Bone Keeper and the others trembled upon hearing this voice!
As they raised their heads, it felt as though a mountain pressed down upon them!
BOOM! Another shock came with the opening of the door!
To their astonishment, they saw a young man in white standing leisurely inside the door, basking in their fearful kneeling, a faint smile on his lips. His eyes, playful as a cat with a mouse, were filled with teasing!
"Yun Xiao?"
How could he be here?
The Withered Bone Keeper clenched his teeth tightly, shooting a glance at Overseer Sikong, who stood with his head bowed, shrouded in violet mist.
Ku Xuan and the other Overseers exchanged looks, each one suddenly standing up, their faces a palette of dramatic changes.
"Where's Exile Ling? The Heavenly Land Sigil?"
The crowd of onlookers, arriving on their Sovereign Swords, grew larger, their minds filled with questions.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! Suddenly, thousands of sword lights suddenly descended from the sky! These thousands of sword lights transformed into Sword Cultivators, encircling the Withered Bone Keeper and his companions in an impenetrable ring!
Recognizing these thousands, all the Sword Cultivators were stunned, gasping in shock.
"The Sword Warden has arrived!"
"Over 20 Overseers, more than 100 Supreme Adjudicators, and over 800 Peak Masters are all here!"
Just the Fate Ocean Realm powerhouses numbered almost a thousand!
These were the peak forces of the Sword Ruins!
At this moment, they stood cold and impassive, surrounding the Withered Bone Keeper and the others.
"Exile Yun!" Their gazes intense, they looked towards Yun Xiao, shouting his name, their Sword Souls clanging in clear support, showing unequivocally where their loyalties lay.
For the Withered Bone Keeper and his group, this was like being struck by lightning!
"Mu Tianjian..." Ku Xuan felt a chill in his heart. He turned sharply to Overseer Sikong, demanding, "Where's Exile Ling?"
Hundreds of thousands of Sword Cultivators gathered around, all staring at the Exile Palace.
Everyone wanted to know, where had Exile Ling gone?
"Ling Chen?" Overseer Sikong stepped back, laughing bitterly, "He's long dead at the hands of Exile Yun's sword."
With this statement, a seismic shock reverberated through the hearts of the countless Sword Cultivators present.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦