A group of about a dozen from the Zhao Family was under siege by four Demonic Cultivators.
The Demonic Cultivators were few, but all of them possessed Dao Foundation Cultivation, while the Zhao Family’s party had only a single Dao Foundation Cultivator.
Even with the addition of the Six-Winged Lark, they were still stretched thin against the Demonic Cultivators’ assault.
The situation was perilous, yet not a single person had perished.
Something was clearly wrong.
No wonder Shui Qianning suspected it was a trap.
"Someone actually dared to show up?"
A lazy voice spoke from the void, and two streaks of lightning shot out from his sleeves.
It was Formless Yin Thunder!
Zhu Ju transformed into a bolt of lightning and charged. As their auras connected, the two streaks of lightning appeared before him at a speed that rivaled Instant Teleportation.
SHING!
A flash of Sword Light emerged.
The moment the lightning appeared, Zhu Ju’s keen perception had already alerted him to the incoming attack.
Nurtured within his Dantian, the Ten Directions Cross Sword trembled faintly before fiercely slashing out along the flow of Primordial Energy.
The sword passed.
The Yin Thunder was silently annihilated.
This sword strike was nothing short of brilliant.
At the very instant the Yin Thunder was about to detonate, the Sword Light struck its Primordial Energy core with unimaginable precision.
In a single flash, two bolts of Yin Thunder, each capable of heavily wounding a Mid-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator, were dissolved into nothingness.
It was the very definition of effortless mastery.
"Brilliant!"
Following behind Zhu Ju, Shui Qianning’s eyes widened in admiration, and she couldn’t help but cry out:
"Martial Uncle, what incredible Sword Technique!"
She was a born sword enthusiast. Though she cultivated the legacy of the Dragon Head Lineage, she had not chosen the path of a Magic Cultivator.
Instead, she was a Sword Cultivator.
After achieving her Dao Foundation, she had also studied Zhu Ju’s sword style, and over the years, she felt she had gained a great deal.
She had even dreamed of one day challenging Zhu Ju for his title as the number one in the Sword Dao of the Bright Void Sect.
This single sword strike today made Shui Qianning realize in an instant that the gap between them was simply too vast.
’Martial Uncle Zhu never had a famous master, he even created his own Sword Formulas, yet he’s still this incredible.’
’This is what a true prodigy of the Sword Dao is, isn’t it?’
’I’m truly no match for him!’
As these thoughts raced through her mind, three Demonic Cultivators appeared before Zhu Ju, attacking with their Magical Treasures.
A trap!
Shui Qianning had been right.
The Demonic Cultivators hadn’t killed the members of the Zhao Family because they were luring people in for the rescue, only to kill even more.
In addition to the four besieging the Zhao Family’s group, three more were lying in ambush nearby—and all of them were Dao Foundation Cultivators.
One of them was even a Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator from the Blood Demon Sect.
The tyrannical Sword Intent of the Blood God Life and Death Sword was almost tangible; the sinister and bizarre White Bone Whip was ever-changing; the cold, profound, round mirror shot out a ghastly white light.
The three Dao Foundation Cultivators unleashed their Magical Treasures in a simultaneous assault, locking their attacks firmly onto Zhu Ju.
Danger!
Behind them, Shui Qianning’s face was a mask of terror.
She was only caught in the shockwaves of the attack, yet it made her scalp tingle and her body tremble. One could only imagine the pressure on Zhu Ju, who was facing the full brunt of the assault head-on.
CRACKLE!
Zhu Ju’s forward charge halted for a split second, then dazzling lightning erupted from his back, causing his speed to instantly surge.
This sudden stop-and-go was so swift and abrupt that it threw the incoming attacks slightly off course.
The next instant.
Zhu Ju’s figure appeared before the Demonic Cultivator wielding the Treasure Mirror, and the Sword Light of his Ten Directions Cross Sword flared brilliantly.
Blood-Burning Curse!
Zhu Ju’s face was impassive as the Magical Power in his body roared forth, pushing his Flying Sword with an almost frenzied intensity.
His battles with the Broken Sword Intent had forced him to go all out with every single strike, lest he be unable to withstand the Might of the Golden Core for more than a few breaths. From this, he had gradually developed a Method for unleashing explosive power.
This was only possible because of his formidable Physical Body; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to withstand using such a nearly self-destructive Method.
SHHIIING!
It was as if a scar from a sword had been torn across the void.
The figure ahead froze.
Then, thousands upon thousands of streaks of Sword Light erupted in the space of just a few yards, frantically piercing and shredding everything within.
Ten Directions Killing Dao!
"AHH!"
The scream had barely begun before it was cut short.
A Dao Foundation Demon Cultivator.
Dead!
Zhu Ju’s figure reappeared some distance away, his face a little pale and his breathing slightly heavy.
That level of explosive power was extremely taxing for him, but at least he had succeeded in one fell swoop.
One of the three opponents was eliminated.
GULP...
Shui Qianning swallowed hard, her eyes filled with terror.
’A Dao Foundation Cultivator... dead under Martial Uncle Zhu’s sword before he could even take a single breath?’
’If that were me...’
’I would have died without a doubt!’
"ARGH!"
An enraged roar echoed.
The eyes of the Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator from the Blood Demon Sect blazed with red light as he achieved Human-Sword Unity, transforming into a streak of blood-red light that slashed down.
"Die!"
’I am a Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator! I teamed up with two others to ambush a mere Mid-Stage cultivator, and not only did we fail to land a blow, one of us was killed in an instant!’
The utter shame of it caused the killing intent in his heart to boil over.
He activated his Blood God Scripture, transforming into a cloud of blood-red light that merged with his Blood God Sword to enhance its might.
The bizarre, bloody light streaked across the sky like a peerless god of slaughter mowing down an army, striking terror into the hearts of all who witnessed it.
SHING!
Zhu Ju’s expression remained unchanged as he met the attack with his Sword Control.
His Ten Directions Cross Sword scattered into more than thirty streaks of Sword Light in mid-air, weaving together as they slashed into the blood-red light.
The streaks of Sword Light moved like nimble Swimming Fish, each one striking with unerring accuracy at the flaws in his opponent’s Sword Formulas.
After only a few breaths, the Blood God Life and Death Sword began to show signs of instability.
BOOM!
The blood-red light suddenly erupted.
The Blood Demon Sect cultivator unleashed a flurry of slashes, using the raw power of his Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivation to force back the Ten Directions Cross Sword.
Zhu Ju frowned.
’He’d experienced how troublesome Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivators could be; he’d had to use every trick in the book to kill the Yin Yang Elder back then.’
’Though his strength had grown considerably since then, cultivators from the Blood Demon Sect were notoriously difficult to kill.’
Just as he was considering whether to summon his Outer Body Incarnation to end the fight quickly, he saw his opponent transform into a streak of blood-red light and flee into the distance. The other Demonic Cultivators did the same.
It was as if they’d been spooked by something.
BOOM!
A ball of crimson Fierce Flame shot forth from behind, its speed rivaling, if not surpassing, that of lightning.
Several streaks of Tunneling Light followed in its wake.
Wave after wave of Dao Foundation auras flooded the area. No wonder the Demonic Cultivators had chosen to flee.
"Senior Sister."
Zhu Ju turned around.
"Why are you out here?"
"There are plenty of people back at the Sect; my presence there isn’t crucial," Pei Jingque said with a smile, dispersing the fiery light.
"But your Sword Technique is getting more and more formidable, Junior Brother. I doubt even a Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator would be your match."
"Sect Leader Pei! Fellow Daoist Zhu!" At that moment, the members of the Zhao Family hurried over. Zhao Yongze, his forehead beaded with sweat, cupped his fists.
"Thank you for coming to our rescue."
Once Zhu Ju and Shui Qianning had been lured out, the Demonic Cultivators had stopped holding back, resulting in the deaths of several members of the Zhao Family.
Fortunately.
Zhu Ju’s strength far exceeded the Demonic Cultivators’ expectations. With the added arrival of Pei Jingque and her group, the Demonic Cultivators realized the situation was hopeless and fled. This was the only reason the Zhao Family was saved; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Think nothing of it."
Pei Jingque said.
"You’ve traveled far to be here, Brother Zhao, only to be intercepted by demonic fiends. The fault is ours."
"Let’s head down first. We can talk more there!"
"Yes." Zhao Yongze took a deep breath, glancing back with lingering fear.
"I suppose the Demonic Cultivators must have underestimated the strength of the Bright Void Sect, or they would have sent more people."
"Not necessarily," Dong Yuelan, who had come with the group, said as she shook her head.
"The Bright Void Sect has seven Dao Foundation Cultivators, three of whom only recently advanced. And you have no Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivators."
"This is common knowledge."
"Who could have predicted that not only would Sister Pei advance to the Late-Stage Dao Foundation, but Junior Brother Zhu would also possess the strength to fight above his cultivation level?"
Zhao Yongze nodded.
Indeed.
For a Sect with no Late-Stage Dao Foundation cultivators, sending seven Dao Foundation Demon Cultivators was already a sign that they were being taken seriously.
However.
The Bright Void Sect’s true strength was far greater than what was on paper. Forget the Demon Dao—even they were taken by surprise.
As everyone landed in the main hall of the Bright Void Sect, they all began discussing the recent events, temporarily forgetting about the ceremony.
RUMBLE...
Just as the Foundation Establishment Ceremony was proceeding as scheduled, a terrifying aura came roaring in from the distance.
"Where is the Sect Leader of the Bright Void Sect?"
The booming voice descended from the heavens like the roar of a thunder god, causing everyone present to turn pale.
Golden Core!
Only a Golden Core Grandmaster could possess such overwhelming might.
WHOOSH!
Pei Jingque frowned for a moment before shooting up into the sky. Cupping her hands toward the figure in the clouds, she called out.
"Might you be Elder Hong, the Golden Core Grandmaster of the Profound Clarity Sect?"
Hong Kan.
A Golden Core Grandmaster from the Profound Clarity Sect!
"I am."
The clouds parted to reveal a burly figure. His piercing eyes swept over the grounds below, the Sect Array seeming like nothing before him.
"Quite the lively gathering..."
"The Bright Void Sect has six registered Dao Foundation Cultivators. Three of you will come with me to the Marketplace to garrison it and resist the Demon Dao."
"Hm?" Pei Jingque’s expression changed.
"Elder."
"There are already people stationed at the Marketplace..."
"No more nonsense!" Hong Kan scowled as figures appeared behind him.
"With the Demon Dao on the attack, all sects are required to dispatch personnel to fight them off. This will offset next year’s Immortal Tax."
"If you dare to defy the order..."
"Hmph!"
’The Demon Dao is attacking?’
Pei Jingque’s expression shifted, and she quickly cupped her hands.
"Please wait a moment, Elder. I’ll gather them now."
She descended in a streak of Tunneling Light, her voice urgent.
"The Demon Dao is attacking, and the Marketplace needs reinforcements. This situation is out of the ordinary. We need to send three people."
"Junior Brother Zhu, you’ll stay and guard the Sect!"
"Junior Sister Liuu and Elder Zhai, you’re with me!"
"Sect Leader," Zhai Qingfeng said, taking a step forward.
"Huang’er is unwell. It has been difficult for her to travel for the past few years. Please choose someone else."
"Hm?" Pei Jingque paused, her gaze falling upon Liuu Huang’er. She saw her junior sister’s pretty face flush red.
"Junior Sister..."
A flash of understanding lit up her eyes.
"Are you with child?"
"Yes."
Liuu Huang’er lowered her head, gently stroking her belly.
"I only found out a few days ago. I hadn’t yet had the chance to tell you, Senior Sister."
"Wonderful news! This is wonderful news!" Pei Jingque’s face lit up with joy. After a moment of thought, she turned to Shui Qianning.
"Qianning, you’ll come with me!"
"Yes."
Shui Qianning agreed.
With Liuu Huang’er pregnant, it was impossible for her to go. Jir Mingxi and Xi Chen, on the other hand, had advanced to the Dao Foundation too recently and lacked sufficient combat strength. That left only her to help hold the line.
As the three of them rose into the air, the guests below exchanged glances before taking their leave one after another.
The Demon Dao was on the attack.
Everyone needed to return and make preparations. The celebration came to an unceremonious end.
*
*
*
Over the next period of time, all sorts of news came flooding in.
The Demon Dao invaded, and the Immortal Alliance organized cultivators to resist them. One after another, Marketplaces were breached by the Demon Cultivators.
One renowned Dao Foundation Cultivator after another fell in the clashes between the orthodox and demonic paths.
Even.
Occasionally, news would arrive of a Golden Core Grandmaster perishing.
"The Immortal Tax is harsh, but this time, the Immortal Alliance has shown far more resilience than in the past. The Demon Dao has also suffered heavy losses."
Liuu Huang’er summoned a sand table, marking the battle lines between the orthodox and demonic forces.
"If only we could have mustered our collective strength a century ago, things wouldn’t have come to this."
"I hope nothing happens to the Marketplace!"
If the Marketplace were to be breached, the Demonic Cultivators could advance unopposed, and the Bright Void Sect itself would be in danger.
What’s more.
Pei Jingque and the others were at the Marketplace.
While steadfastly guarding the Sect’s grounds, they also gathered news from the Marketplace, remaining constantly prepared to evacuate.
「Half a month later.」
Facing the relentless, wave-after-wave attacks from the Demonic Cultivators, the Marketplace held firm. Pei Jingque even sent word for everyone not to worry.
However, another piece of unfortunate news arrived.
Disciples of the Joyful Sect had infiltrated the Hundred Flowers Sect and turned some of its members, leading to the destruction of their main Array. Whether Dong Yuelan was alive or dead remained unknown.
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