With this thought in mind, Ye Qiubai began to consciously control his spiritual qi so that it would not leak outward.
At the same time, he withdrew his protective layer of spiritual qi, allowing the flesh and blood to stain his body.
He did this to conserve the spiritual qi within his body as much as possible.
Meanwhile, somewhere unknown.
The man in the white robe watched this scene, the corners of his mouth twitching involuntarily.
Pity, he guessed wrong...
One day later...
Ye Qiubai's entire body was covered in blood.
Beneath the fresh blood, a layer of armor formed from congealed blood scabs had even formed.
The wooden sword in his hand also began to grow gradually numb.
Slash.
Kill.
Slash again...
Kill again...
Repeating in an endless cycle, without a moment of rest.
Like a killing machine...
Yet, the faceless crowd remained a dense, dark sea, showing no signs of diminishing whatsoever.
They still rushed toward Ye Qiubai like moths to a flame.
Ye Qiubai had no choice but to swing the wooden sword in his hand once more.
Two days later.
It was still the same.
Ye Qiubai's eyes had already begun to grow numb.
The crowd still had no end.
Four days later...
Still the same.
...
By now.
Ye Qiubai no longer knew how many days had passed.
It was just that the sword qi surrounding Ye Qiubai was now completely filled with baleful aura!
His numb gaze had also undergone a transformation.
There was actually a wisp of wild fury, and even a hint of bloodlust!
Who knew how much longer had passed!
Ye Qiubai's movements changed.
He was no longer as numb as before.
Instead, he began slashing with all his might!
That sword qi turned completely violent, continuously tearing through the surrounding crowd!
If one looked closely.
They would be able to see that a smile was actually hanging on the corners of Ye Qiubai's mouth at this moment!
That's right.
The current Ye Qiubai was laughing wildly in silence!
"Kill! Kill! All of you, die!"
Somewhere unknown.
The man in the white robe watched this scene, sighed, and shook his head in disappointment: "Is the third person to come here still unable to pass the trial? So be it, then I shall wait a little longer."
The man was proud.
He had created sword techniques such as the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords.
In ancient times, he was a renowned powerhouse.
He was known as the Heavenly Demon Sword Saint!
Therefore, he would not casually pass on his legacy to someone of wavering resolve.
Furthermore.
Those whose resolve was not firm enough could not inherit his legacy.
"Oh?"
Suddenly, the man in the white robe looked in Ye Qiubai's direction and said thoughtfully, "This seems a bit interesting."
At this moment.
The violent sword qi surrounding Ye Qiubai's body did not diminish.
However, the bloodlust in his eyes actually began to recede!
Instead, his gaze began to grow clear once more.
It was the Realm of Clear Sword Heart!
A swordsman must forge ever onward!
Avenge wrongs and repay grievances.
Yet he must never become a mere machine for killing and revenge!
Ye Qiubai thought of his own swordsman's path.
He thought of his Master's teachings.
He also thought of his insights into swordsmanship all along this journey!
At the same time!
The Primordial Sword Classic also began operating at full speed!
Streams of sword qi surged into his meridians, beginning to scour away those vestiges of bloodlust!
Rumble!
His aura suddenly surged violently!
Ye Qiubai broke through to the Mid Purple Palace Realm!
"A clear sword heart, along with that unknown cultivation technique..."
Watching this scene, the man in the white robe couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth as he smiled, "Not bad, looks like a good sapling."
Ye Qiubai's gaze grew increasingly clear.
The sword in his hand no longer felt as heavy as before, becoming much lighter and more agile.
Gradually, Ye Qiubai also understood the true meaning behind this trial.
The Nine Heavenly Demon Swords.
Were inherently full of demonic nature, a sword technique of great carnage!
If the practitioner's resolve was not firm enough.
Then sooner or later, they would be controlled by that demonic nature.
Becoming nothing more than a machine that only knew how to kill.
"Very well, you have passed."
As the voice fell.
The faceless figures surrounding Ye Qiubai vanished in an instant.
That enormous cage bound by golden chains reappeared before Ye Qiubai's eyes.
Looking at Ye Qiubai, the man in the white robe said with satisfaction, "I never expected you to possess the Realm of Clear Sword Heart at such a young age, and that cultivation technique as well—it is truly unfathomably marvelous."
The Primordial Sword Classic.
Ye Qiubai still hadn't been able to fully comprehend it to this day.
However, all of his current strength was brought to him by this Primordial Sword Classic.
Just what kind of person was his Master?
To be able to produce such a cultivation technique?
Thinking of this, a sense of even deeper reverence for Lu Changsheng welled up in his heart.
The man in the white robe continued: "Since you have reached the Realm of Clear Sword Heart, it means you can push the power of the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords to its absolute limit, and I can also hand the remaining five sword stances over to you."
Hearing this, Ye Qiubai was momentarily stunned, then scratched his head and said, "Um... Senior, I've already learned those last five sword stances..."
"Ah?"
The man in the white robe was dumbfounded.
"The sword manual for those last five stances has always been in my hands and has never leaked out. How could you possibly have learned them?"
A look of reverence appeared on Ye Qiubai's face as he said, "It was my Master. He demonstrated the last five sword stances and then passed them on to me."
"How is that possible!"
The man in the white robe exclaimed in shock, "Then quickly demonstrate the last five sword stances for me!"
"Senior, my strength is still not enough to execute the last five stances..."
Just as his voice fell, the man in the white robe directly transformed into a wisp of black mist and plunged into the center of Ye Qiubai's brow!
Ye Qiubai's expression shook, his pupils turning pitch black.
Then he picked up the wooden sword and executed the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords!
In an instant.
Black sword qi crisscrossed the air!
It was as if heaven and earth were being destroyed!
Before long.
The man in the white robe emerged from between Ye Qiubai's brows.
His expression carried shock.
"This... how is this possible?"
"Compared to my Nine Heavenly Demon Swords, this is even more refined, its power is greater, and even the side effects have been completely eliminated..."
"One could say that the version of the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords refined by your Master has completely transcended, reaching a higher grade than mine!"
"However, how could such a figure possibly appear in this world once more ever since the Heavenly Dao collapsed?"
"Could your Master perhaps be a person from the ancient era?"
Ye Qiubai scratched his head, thought for a moment, and said, "Probably not. My Master seems quite young, and moreover... he still has to eat every day, and he's terribly lazy."
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Nine Heavenly Divisions!
Blood mist permeated the sky.
The earth was pitch black.
Within that towering cage, a man in in white robes appeared somewhat dazed.
Judging from what Ye Qiubai had said.
His Master shouldn't be a person from ancient times, and at the same time, he was an extremely lazy individual.
The man thought.
Someone who could deduce the remaining five stances of the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords and make up for all their flaws.
Shouldn't he be a Sword Saint who slays immortals and demons above, and ghosts in the underworld below?
And besides.
What did it mean that he was too lazy to cook for himself?
Having reached this realm, one could already practice inedia; even if they didn't eat for a thousand years, they wouldn't feel hungry!
The man in the white robe couldn't help shaking his head helplessly, saying, "With you like this, I don't even know what kind of legacy I should pass on to you."
The swordsmanship that the man had pondered over for a lifetime was entirely contained within the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords.
Now it had all been completely deduced and perfected by someone else.
And even improved!
What else was he supposed to pass on?
"That's right!"
The man in the white robe seemed to recall something and picked up the pitch-black longsword in his hand.
"Since you no longer need the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords, I will hand this sword over to you."
Ye Qiubai looked at the pitch-black longsword in the man's hand.
The sword was edge-less, yet an imperceptible dark demonic energy lingered upon it!
Edge-less yet sharper than a forged blade!
It was a sword filled with demonic nature!
If an ordinary sword cultivator were to wield it, they would probably be instantly dominated by this demonic nature...
Affection flashed in the eyes of the man in the white robe. Like a lover, he gently stroked the pitch-black longsword in his hand and said, "This sword is named Dark Demon, and its grade should be at the peak of Heavenly Grade treasured tools. Unfortunately, Dark Demon lacks a sword spirit; if it had a sword spirit, it could transform into a spiritual tool."
A treasured tool, as the name implies, is extremely precious.
Yet it lacks a spirit.
Once a weapon acquires a spirit, it breaks free from the category of treasured tools!
Becoming a spiritual tool!
"Your Master probably couldn't produce a sword like this."
Pride colored the face of the man in the white robe.
This was a sword he had nurtured with his own body for thousands of years.
It had already reached the pinnacle of treasured tools!
Ye Qiubai took the Dark Demon; it truly was a fine sword!
Most importantly, this Dark Demon was a sword he could currently wield, and it also fit the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords perfectly.
Wielding the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords with this Dark Demon would increase its power by thirty to forty percent!
Yet, compared to the Qingyun Sword, it probably still fell quite a bit short...
Seeming to notice Ye Qiubai's hesitant expression, the man in the white robe stiffened and asked cautiously, "Your Master didn't give you something even better than this Dark Demon, did he?"
Hearing this.
Ye Qiubai hesitated slightly and took out the Qingyun Sword...
The man in the white robe: "..."
He could sense that this sword was probably even more terrifying than the legendary spiritual tools!
Because the aura carried upon it was something even he could not see through!
Taking a deep breath, the man in the white robe said, "Alright, take this sword and leave."
Just what kind of person could deduce his own sword technique and still pull out a treasure of this caliber?
His strength probably far surpassed his own...
Ye Qiubai bowed deeply to the man in the white robe, took the sword, and turned to leave.
Watching Ye Qiubai's retreating figure, the man in the white robe sighed with pity: "What a shame, born in an era when the Heavenly Dao has collapsed..."
As his voice fell.
The black mist surrounding the man dissipated.
Once again, he turned into a pile of dry bones, sitting in eternal meditation at the center of the cage...
On the other side.
Hongying had penetrated deep into the Blood Prison.
Here, the ground had returned to its normal color.
Only now, the surroundings were densely packed with cages!
Every single cage soared into the sky, besieged by countless golden chains!
The auras within the cages were all terrifyingly powerful!
As a result, pressure filled every corner of this space, as tangible as reality!
If one's strength was lacking, they would likely be crushed directly into pieces!
Yet Hongying ignored the pressure here and continued walking forward.
Until she reached a certain spot.
This cage was different from the previous ones.
The color of the cage was no longer black iron, but presented a golden hue!
The chains were not just encircling the outside; they were wrapped around the interior in layer after layer!
Upon those chains, talisman papers were plastered densely!
Inscribed upon the talisman papers was the character for "Suppress"!
These were Soul-Locking Chains!
Supreme magical treasures used to suppress souls!
Even if the physical body of the being suppressed was destroyed, their soul would still be suppressed for all eternity!
Fury appeared on Hongying's face.
"How dare they use this method to suppress you!"
Seemingly sensing Hongying's aura, the Soul-Locking Chains stirred slightly, and a ethereal voice, frail as a candle in the wind that would vanish at the slightest touch, drifted out from within.
"Your... Your Majesty, is that you?"
Hearing this voice, Hongying nodded and said, "It is me."
Joy tinged the voice, yet it remained weak. "If so, then Your Majesty's Nine-Turn Samsara must have been successfully cultivated."
"With the help of a noble soul."
Hongying thought of Lu Changsheng.
Without Lu Changsheng's help, her Nine-Turn Samsara cultivation technique would have ended in failure.
In that case, the desperate efforts of her subordinates to protect her so she could safely enter samsara—
All those efforts would have been cast to the winds!
"Oh? Is there someone in this world who could help Your Majesty? Could it be that old bald donkey from the West?"
Hongying shook her head.
"Not him? Then could it be that madman from the Demon Realm?"
Hongying still shook her head.
"They couldn't help me. That person is now my Master."
As those words fell.
Silence instantly descended within the Soul-Locking Chains.
After a long while, an incredulous voice rang out from within.
"After the collapse of the Heavenly Dao, is there still someone qualified to become Your Majesty's Master?"
Hongying shook her head, recalling that although Lu Changsheng usually lacked any proper demeanor.
He possessed heaven-reaching methods.
Even in the ancient era, he was likely an existence standing at the very peak.
"Alright, let us not speak of this for now. Coming here this time, this Empress is here to confirm one thing."
At this point, Hongying's expression turned stern, a murderous intent flashing in her eyes!
"Once we get out, I will reshape a physical body for you. You can choose to live the life you desire, and return your freedom to you."
After all, these subordinates had followed her into battle for years on end.
Now that thousands of years had passed, she didn't know if they were still willing to continue following her.
At this moment, the Soul-Locking Chains began to tremble violently.
The weak voice within sounded as if experiencing a final burst of vitality before death.
"Back then, our Nine Heavenly Divisions followed Your Majesty to battle the heavens and myriad realms, wishing to break through the barrier of this realm and step out of this space!"
"Yet things fell contrary to our wishes, and we failed!"
"However, we have always believed that Your Majesty would descend once more, leading our Nine Heavenly Divisions and leading the Yunhuang Empire to battle the heavens and myriad realms once again!"
"The Nine Heavenly Divisions, Yun Ce, pays respects to Your Majesty!"
Hearing this, Hongying already understood the meaning of the soul within the cage.
"Very well! This time, battling the heavens once more, this Empress will surely succeed!"
"The glory of this Empress is your glory!"
"When my strength recovers, I will pluck you out of this place, so you must endure a little longer."
A hearty laugh rang out from within the chains!
"Having survived all these years, Yun Ce awaits Your Majesty's return once more!"
"On the day of return, the Nine Heavenly Divisions vow to battle the heavens and myriad realms alongside Your Majesty!"
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Encirclement!
Outside the Blood Prison Secret Realm.
In the past, various factions would hold each other in mutual dread.
Yet now, with an arrogant and domineering outsider present, they had united together to guard against the people of the Sunset Dynasty.
The leader of the Sunset Dynasty was a general.
His very name was General, and he was the commander of the Sunset Dynasty's Asura Iron Cavalry!
Legend has it.
The Asura Iron Cavalry was the trump-card army of the Sunset Empire!
The army numbered a full thousand strong, and every single one of them had reached the Purple Palace Realm. Although they were hastily advanced through medicinal pills and could make no further progress, the Purple Palace Realm was still the Purple Palace Realm!
At the same time, every member of the Asura Iron Cavalry was fearless in the face of death, and all were equipped with Profound Grade treasured tools.
This made it so that wherever the Asura Iron Cavalry passed, not a blade of grass would grow!
Even Qi Sea Realm cultivators would be instantly devoured!
And those in the Water Overflowing Realm probably couldn't confront them head-on either!
As for the General, who commanded the entire Asura Iron Cavalry, one could imagine how high his status was within the Sunset Dynasty.
At the same time, his strength was also beyond doubt.
He was a Peak Water Overflowing Realm powerhouse!
Matching the realm of the Confucian Academy's Elder.
The General looked around and found that everyone's auras were locking onto him in a vague, indistinct manner.
It was as if the moment the General made any move, he would be obliterated by the full-strength attacks of everyone present!
Seeing this, the General couldn't help smiling with contempt, saying arrogantly, "Do you all intend to keep me here? However, when the Asura Iron Cavalry sets foot in the Southern Domain by then, will you all be able to resist?"
Nearby, a person from the Tianyuan Dynasty curried favor with a smile: "The Sunset Dynasty and our Tianyuan Dynasty have been on friendly terms for years. Everyone, there's no need to be so defensive."
Seeing this scene, the Sword Hall Elder cast a disdainful glance and withdrew his gaze.
The Confucian Academy Elder acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, wholeheartedly reading the book in his hands.
From time to time he would sink into deep thought, and at other times reveal a smile of enjoyment upon solving a riddle.
After all, Cangdao Academy did not participate in worldly power struggles, so whatever relationship the Tianyuan Dynasty had with the Sunset Dynasty—
Or whether the Tianyuan Dynasty wanted to cling to the coattails of the Sunset Dynasty—
Had nothing to do with Cangdao Academy.
The rest glared angrily.
Yet they were angry without daring to speak.
After all, they dreaded the strength of the Sunset Dynasty.
Here, only Cangdao Academy possessed the qualifications to contend with them.
However, Cangdao Academy had no intention of making a move.
With no one willing to stick their neck out first, the others naturally didn't dare to act rashly.
Seeing this, the General let out a mocking laugh.
To tell the truth, he actually wished these people would launch an attack on him.
Then the Sunset Dynasty would have a righteous pretext to set foot in the Southern Domain!
...
On the other side, Ye Qiubai encountered a group of uninvited guests.
"Ye Qiubai, you're finally willing to show your face? We don't know where you were turtled up these past few days, but you gave us quite a hard search."
Looking at the man before him, Ye Qiubai said calmly, "Qiu Libei, you probably still can't kill me."
Hearing this, Qiu Libei didn't even object.
Instead, he nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, if you're determined to flee, I probably can't keep you here. However..."
Before his words finished, several figures closed in around Ye Qiubai, surrounding him!
The four of them wore armor, their entire bodies radiating a bloody, killing intent!
As if stepping out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood!
"People from the Sunset Dynasty?"
Ye Qiubai raised an eyebrow slightly.
He finally understood why Qiu Libei was so confident he could cut him down.
However, this was still not enough to make Ye Qiubai wary.
What he was wary of were the figures in black behind those four individuals.
Those people had vanished without a trace ever since entering the Blood Prison Secret Realm.
And they hadn't been seen since.
It was precisely because of this that a sense of unease lingered in Ye Qiubai's heart!
A swordsman's perception of danger is extremely accurate.
The armored man sneered, "Although our Sunset Dynasty disdains cooperating with others, we must ensure a one hundred percent success rate for our mission."
Hearing this, Qiu Libei snorted coldly, but didn't say anything.
After all, he was no match for these people either.
As for Ye Qiubai, he took out his wooden sword with a calm expression, showing no panic whatsoever as he said, "Alright, if you're going to strike, then strike."
Qiu Libei gave a cold hum, "Utterly arrogant!"
As the words fell, Qiu Libei fiercely stomped his foot against the ground, kicking up clouds of dust from the dark red earth as he blasted toward Ye Qiubai like a flying arrow!
Seeing this, Ye Qiubai thrust forward with his wooden sword, a sharp flash of sword qi slashing toward Qiu Libei with a terrifying momentum!
Qiu Libei let out a roar, his fist generating waves of air pressure as he met Ye Qiubai's sword qi head-on!
Boom!