53: Chapter 53 Returning Home in Glory

The atmosphere on the boat was completely different from when they had arrived; it lacked the gravity and sense of crisis, replaced by an irrepressible excitement, exhilaration, and... a faint trace of awe.

Everyone, whether they were Golden Core Elders or Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Disciples, looked at the figure standing with hands behind his back at the front of the deck, his green robes fluttering, with eyes filled with fanaticism and worship.

A single sword strike to slay a Nascent Soul!

And it was True Lord Xuanming, who was at the Peak of the Middle Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm!

Such a battle record had already transcended the categories of "Genius" and "Prodigy," worthy of being called a legend, and enough to be recorded in the annals of the cultivation world of the Tiannan Continent!

And the one who created this legend was their own Disciple of the Qingyun Sect, someone they had witnessed with their own eyes, someone they could even say they had "fought side-by-side" with—Lin Wan, True Monarch Lin!

No, perhaps he should now be respectfully addressed as "Guixu Sword Lord."

This title, which had already quietly spread outside the Guixu Sea, was now firmly established in the hearts of the Qingyun Sect Disciples, even carrying a sense of pride as if it were their own honor.

Lin Wan did not pay attention to the gazes behind him.

He gazed into the distance at the horizon, at the vaguely visible, mist-shrouded outline of the familiar mountain range—the Tianyun Mountain Range, where the mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect was located.

Having left home for several years, experienced life and death, finally obtained the Legacy, he was returning home in glory.

There was no excessive arrogance or complacency in his heart; instead, there was a settled calmness, as well as a trace of longing and concern for his Family and his mentors.

Of course, there was also contemplation regarding the undercurrents that might still exist within the Sect, and the "the end" enemy in the future.

"True Monarch, we are a hundred miles from the mountain gate." A Golden Core Elder who had remained behind stepped forward to report respectfully, his tone filled with irrepressible excitement, "The Sect Head and Peak Master Yue Lingyun, as well as... your wife and Young Master, must have already received the news and are waiting at the mountain gate."

Lin Wan nodded and cast his gaze towards the mountain gate, his Divine Sense spreading out silently.

With his current Golden Core Great Perfection cultivation, bolstered by the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed, covering a radius of a thousand miles was effortless.

He "saw" it.

The towering mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect, with its white jade archway reaching into the clouds; at this moment, beneath the archway, there was a vast sea of people.

Not only had almost all the Disciples remaining in the Sect come out, but countless cultivation families and Loose Cultivators who were attached to the Qingyun Sect had also arrived upon hearing the news, gathering inside and outside the mountain gate, craning their necks in anticipation, wanting to catch a glimpse of the demeanor of this newly emerged "Guixu Sword Lord."

Before the mountain gate, led by Sect Head True Monarch Daoxuan, Peak Master Yue Lingyun, and several Peak Revered Masters and Elders stood solemnly.

True Monarch Daoxuan's expression was calm, revealing no joy or anger, but deep in his eyes, there was a trace of irrepressible gratification and complexity.

Peak Master Yue Lingyun was beaming, his eyes filled with pride and excitement, with even a faint glimmer of tears.

Beside him, Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao stood close together, both dressed in their finest, their beautiful eyes filled with tears, yet they gazed at the horizon with immense pride and anticipation.

Lin Jingyun was held by the hand by Peak Master Yue Lingyun, his little face flushed with excitement, trying hard to stand on tiptoe, wanting to see further.

Further away, the inner and outer Sect Disciples were arranged in neat rows, banners waving, silent as the grave, with only the sound of the mountain wind whipping the corners of the flags; the atmosphere was solemn and dignified, yet filled with unspoken excitement.

They were not just welcoming a Disciple returning with honors, but a future pillar of support capable of changing the Qingyun Sect, and even the landscape of the Southern Region!

Lin Wan withdrew his Divine Sense, warmth rising in his heart.

No matter how he dominated the world outside, this place would always be the "home" he cared about.

There were the wife and child waiting for his return, the mentors who trusted him, and the fellow Disciples who cared for him.

"No need for a grand display, head directly back to 'Tingyu Pavilion'." Lin Wan instructed the Elder.

He did not like such grand yet superficial scenes; he only wanted to reunite with his Family as soon as possible and discuss important matters with the Sect Head and his Revered Master.

"Yes." The Elder acknowledged the order and was about to pass it on.

Suddenly, Lin Wan raised his eyebrows slightly and cast his gaze towards the other side of the mountain gate, into the sky above a relatively secluded forest.

There, the space distorted slightly, and a blurry figure shrouded in a grey cloak appeared quietly; their Aura was hidden, yet it carried a chill and deathly silence that was completely out of place with the surrounding environment.

Once this figure appeared, they did not look at the crowd at the mountain gate, but instead cast their gaze towards the approaching qingming boat, or more accurately, towards Lin Wan at the bow of the boat.

This gaze was not one of goodwill, nor was it pure hostility, but rather... a scrutiny, an evaluation, a cold indifference and calculation as if looking at some kind of "object" or "variable."

Moreover, the moment this figure appeared, the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed between Lin Wan's brows sent forth a faint, extremely weak tremor of disgust and vigilance.

This tremor was somewhat similar to when he had faced the Ghost Hand Daoist, the Yougu of the Xuanming Sect, and even the "Mingxu Token," but it was more obscure and of a... higher order.

They were an enemy, not a friend.

And, they likely had a significant background, at least at the Late Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, or perhaps... even higher.

Was it retaliation from the Ice Soul Palace? Or a backup plan from the Xuanming Sect? Or perhaps... another faction interested in the Five Elements Sect Legacy, or in him, this "variable"?

Several thoughts flashed through Lin Wan's mind in an instant, but his expression remained calm as he transmitted his voice to the Elder beside him: "Pass the order down, activate the mountain-protecting formation, and increase vigilance. A 'guest' has arrived."

The Elder's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, but seeing Lin Wan's calm demeanor, he felt slightly reassured and hurriedly went to carry out the order.

Lin Wan stopped paying attention to the grey figure, and the qingming boat maintained its speed, descending directly towards the square in front of the mountain gate.

He wanted to see what this "guest" intended, and whether they would dare to act rashly before the mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect, in front of True Monarch Daoxuan, Peak Master Yue Lingyun, and now, himself.

The qingming boat slowly descended onto the mountain gate square, and the cabin door opened.

When Lin Wan's figure, dressed in green robes with a Chaos-colored sword on his back, appeared in everyone's sight, the entire square fell silent for a moment, and then erupted into deafening cheers and shouts like a tsunami!

"Welcome back to the Sect, True Monarch Lin!"

"Guixu Sword Lord! Guixu Sword Lord!"

The waves of sound shook the sky, reaching the clouds.

Countless Disciples were flushed with excitement, waving their arms vigorously.

The heads of cultivation families and experts among the Loose Cultivators also bowed one after another, expressing their highest respect.

Lin Wan's expression remained calm; he nodded slightly to the cheering crowd and walked directly towards True Monarch Daoxuan, Peak Master Yue Lingyun, and the others who had come to greet him.

"Disciple Lin Wan pays respects to the Sect Head, and pays respects to Revered Master." Lin Wan stepped forward and bowed to True Monarch Daoxuan and Peak Master Yue Lingyun.

His etiquette was impeccable, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Good, good, good! It is good that you have returned! It is good that you have returned!" Peak Master Yue Lingyun rushed forward a step and held Lin Wan, his voice slightly choked with emotion, looking him up and down, his eyes filled with gratification, "Good lad! Well done! You did not lose face for your Revered Master, nor for the Sect!"

True Monarch Daoxuan also nodded slightly, his eyes filled with approval: "Lin Wan, your trip to the Guixu Sea this time has spread the prestige of our Qingyun Sect and you have obtained a supreme Opportunity; this is truly the good fortune of the Sect, and also your own destiny."

"From this day on, you are the 108th 'Grand Elder' of our Qingyun Sect, with status equal to that of the various Peak Revered Masters, enjoying the highest offerings of the Sect, and you may establish your own lineage to pass down the Dao."

Grand Elder!

Status equal to a Peak Revered Master!

Establishing one's own lineage!

As soon as True Monarch Daoxuan said this, the surrounding Elders and Disciples were even more excited.

This meant that not only was Lin Wan's strength recognized, but his status in the Sect had also leaped to the true top tier!

From now on, within the Qingyun Sect, apart from the Sect Head and the few Old Ancestors in long-term seclusion at the Soul Transformation stage, he and the various Peak Revered Masters would be the most respected!

"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Head, I humbly accept." Lin Wan bowed again, without much excitement.

With his current strength and future potential, this position was deserved.

What he was more concerned about was the "guest" hidden in the dark.

Sure enough, just as True Monarch Daoxuan finished announcing Lin Wan's appointment and cheers rose again in the square—

"Hehe, the Qingyun Sect has good luck indeed, to have produced such a brilliant and talented Disciple; it is truly enviable."

A hoarse, dry voice, as if two bones were rubbing against each other, sounded abruptly, drowning out the noise of the entire crowd and clearly reaching everyone's ears.

The direction from which the voice came was exactly the sky above the forest that Lin Wan had noticed earlier.

Everyone was instantly drawn to it.

They saw that the grey-cloaked figure had, at some point, floated into the air above the edge of the square, a hundred feet off the ground; the grey robes fluttered slightly in the wind, and their face could not be seen, only two points of ghostly green fire beneath the hood, flickering slowly, emitting a chilling and cold Aura that made one's heart palpitate.

With their appearance, an indescribable, terrifying pressure that seemed to come from the Nine Serenities Underworld, like an invisible tide, slowly spread out, enveloping the entire mountain gate square.

This pressure was not deliberately targeted, yet it made all Cultivators below the Golden Core stage feel their breathing become labored, their spiritual power stagnate, and their minds enveloped by boundless cold and fear.

Even the Golden Core Elders felt immense pressure, their faces turning pale.

Late Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm!

And, definitely not an ordinary Late Stage Nascent Soul!

This Aura was deeper, more bizarre, and more filled with the flavor of death than the previous True Lord Xuanming.

"Who are you, Your Excellency? Uninvited and trespassing on our Qingyun Sect's mountain gate, what is your intention?" True Monarch Daoxuan stepped forward, his expression grave, the Dao Rhyme flowing around him, blocking most of that terrifying pressure and protecting the Disciples behind him.

Peak Master Yue Lingyun and several Peak Revered Masters also stepped forward at the same time, their Auras faintly connected, forming a response with True Monarch Daoxuan.

The Qingyun Sect's mountain-protecting formation also began to operate quietly at this moment, a faint halo rising from the ground, enveloping the entire mountain gate and isolating some of the prying eyes and the infiltration of the pressure from the outside.

"Hehe, why be nervous, Sect Head Daoxuan? I have no ill intentions in coming here." The grey figure let out a dry laugh, their ghostly green gaze remaining fixed on Lin Wan, "I just heard that your Sect has produced an incredible 'Guixu Sword Lord' who, with a Golden Core body, defied the odds to slay a Nascent Soul, and is suspected of having obtained the Legacy of the ancient Five Elements Sect."

"I became curious, so I came to see him, and by the way... to discuss a transaction."

A transaction?

Everyone's hearts tightened.

This mysterious powerhouse was indeed here for Lin Wan and the Five Elements Sect Legacy!

"If you wish to discuss a transaction, Your Excellency must first state your name to show sincerity." True Monarch Daoxuan said, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Name? Hehe, if I were to say my name, I fear it would scare you juniors." The grey figure gave a strange laugh, their tone carrying a trace of arrogance and indifference, "However, it wouldn't hurt to tell you. I come from the 'Nine Serenities Underworld,' and I am known as—'True Monarch Minggu'."

Nine Serenities Underworld!

True Monarch Minggu!

As soon as these two names were mentioned, the expressions of True Monarch Daoxuan, Peak Master Yue Lingyun, and the others changed drastically!

Even some of the knowledgeable Elders and Family heads around them could not help but gasp, their eyes revealing deep wariness and fear.

The Nine Serenities Underworld was not the true underworld, but an extremely mysterious, ancient, and morally ambiguous—or perhaps more accurately, leaning towards demonic and heretical—hidden force in the cultivation world of the Tiannan Continent!

It is said that their mountain gate is located in a special Secret Realm that connects to the true netherworld, and the Cultivators in the Sect mostly practice unorthodox and bizarre Divine Abilities such as the Ghost Path, Corpse Path, and Soul Path; they act in secrecy, use ruthless means, and rarely walk in the world, but every time they appear, it inevitably stirs up a bloodbath.

Their overall strength is said to be unfathomable, not inferior to any top-tier major Sect.

And "True Monarch Minggu" is a long-established and notoriously fierce great Cultivator at the Late Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm from the Nine Serenities Underworld!

It is said that he has long since refined himself into an indestructible nether bone, his Divine Abilities are bizarre and unpredictable, and he has a record of killing Nascent Souls of the same level; he is a truly ruthless character that ordinary forces would never want to provoke.

Unexpectedly, even the Nine Serenities Underworld had been alarmed!

And they had even dispatched a character like True Monarch Minggu!

"So it is Fellow Daoist Minggu." True Monarch Daoxuan suppressed the shock in his heart and said in a deep voice, "I do not know what kind of transaction you wish to discuss with our Sect? And why must you specifically seek out Elder Lin Wan?"

"The transaction is very simple." True Monarch Minggu's ghostly green gaze locked onto Lin Wan like a viper, "I am very interested in the 'Five Elements Returning to Ruins' Legacy on this boy. In addition, the sword in his hand seems to have some history."

"As long as he hands over a copy of the Legacy and lends that sword to me to study for a hundred years, I, on behalf of the Nine Serenities Underworld, promise to protect the Qingyun Sect for a thousand years, and I can gift your Sect three 'Nine Serenities Soul-Returning Pills' that can help those at the Early Stage of the Nascent Soul break through to the Middle Stage, as well as an Earth Rank High Grade Ghost Path Divine Ability. How about it? This transaction, for the Qingyun Sect, is a sure win with no loss."

Hand over a copy of the Legacy, lend the guixu sword for a hundred years, in exchange for so-called "protection" and Medicinal Pills and Divine Abilities?

This was not a transaction at all; it was clearly a daylight robbery, a naked threat and extortion!

The so-called "protection" was likely inviting a wolf into the house, and the so-called Medicinal Pills and Divine Abilities were, for a righteous Sect like the Qingyun Sect, mere tasteless scraps or even harmful.

Moreover, by specifically naming Lin Wan to hand over the Legacy and his sword, this was not just coveting treasures, but a great insult to Lin Wan himself and to the dignity of the Qingyun Sect!

"Fellow Daoist Minggu, such a request is too unreasonable!" Peak Master Yue Lingyun said angrily, "The Legacy Lin Wan obtained is his own Opportunity; how can it be easily given to others? As for his sword, it is a Sword Cultivator's life-bonded object; how can it be lent out? Please return, Fellow Daoist!"

"Unreasonable?" True Monarch Minggu let out a harsh, strange laugh, "Peak Master Yue Lingyun, do you think I am negotiating with you? I offered conditions out of respect for the difficulty of the Qingyun Sect's heritage, to give you some dignity. If you do not comply..."

His voice paused, and the terrifying, deathly pressure around him erupted, like a tangible black tide, slamming fiercely against the Qingyun Sect's mountain-protecting formation!

The formation's light curtain shook violently, emitting a groan under the unbearable burden, and fine cracks actually appeared on the surface!

The ground of the entire mountain gate square began to tremble slightly.

"Then do not blame me for coming to take it myself! When that time comes, it will not be as simple as just a bit of Legacy and a sword. The Qingyun Sect's ten-thousand-year foundation, destroyed in a single day—wouldn't that be a pity?"

A naked threat!

Using the destruction of the Sect as blackmail!

All the Qingyun Sect Disciples were deathly pale, both shocked and angry.

They had just been immersed in the joy and pride of Lin Wan's return, and in the blink of an eye, they were facing the crisis of the Sect's destruction!

And this crisis was actually caused by Elder Lin Wan's return and the Legacy he had obtained!

Many gazes subconsciously turned towards Lin Wan; there was worry, pleading, confusion, and also a trace of imperceptible... resentment.

If he hadn't brought back such a hot potato of a Legacy, attracting such a terrifying existence, would the Sect have ended up like this?

Lin Wan took in the reactions of everyone, his expression remaining calm. He stepped forward, blocking the path in front of True Monarch Daoxuan and Peak Master Yue Lingyun, facing True Monarch Minggu alone, who was suspended in the air and radiating terrifying pressure.

"True Monarch Minggu?" he spoke indifferently. His voice was not loud, yet it clearly pierced through the deathly stillness of the pressure, reaching everyone's ears. "You want my Legacy, my sword?"

"Indeed. Junior, those who know the times are wise. Hand them over obediently, and you may be spared from death, and the Sect may also be preserved." True Monarch Minggu's ghostly green gaze looked down at Lin Wan, as if looking at an ant that could be crushed with a flick of a finger. Although he had heard of this youth's record of killing a Nascent Soul Cultivator, in the eyes of a Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator like him, it was merely relying on some external force or special means. Faced with true suppression of the Realm, it was still vulnerable.

"The Legacy is what I obtained through my own ability. The sword is a treasure I have cultivated with my life." Lin Wan slowly shook his head. "If you want it, you may try."

The ghostly fire in True Monarch Minggu's eyes flickered, seemingly somewhat surprised by the youth's "sensibility."

"However," Lin Wan shifted his tone. He slowly raised the guixu sword in his hand, the tip pointing toward True Monarch Minggu from afar. At this moment, the chaotic-colored blade began to glow without any light source. A Return-to-Ruins Sword Intent, more vast, desolate, and seemingly capable of ending the myriad worlds, slowly permeated the air, actually forcing back True Monarch Minggu's terrifying, deathly pressure by several degrees!

"You must ask the sword in my hand."

He raised his head, his silver-gray eyes as deep as an ancient well, reflecting the gray figure in the air. In his calm tone, there was a resolute, indomitable determination.

"If you defeat me, the Legacy, the sword, and even my life are yours to take. If you lose..."

He paused, and a cold, extreme arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Then leave behind your Minggu bones to add a landscape to the Qingyun Sect gate. How about that?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the surroundings were shocked!

He actually... challenged a veteran True Monarch at the Late Stage of Nascent Soul?!

Moreover, it was a challenge with life and death as the stake, betting the Legacy, the sword, and even his own life?!

He was crazy! Simply crazy!

Even if he was a Genius, a Prodigy, and capable of fighting across ranks, it was impossible to bridge the gap between Golden Core and Late Stage Nascent Soul; it was a chasm-like difference! A Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator was a true powerhouse who had begun to touch the Origin of "Law," whose Divine Soul had initially fused with the Nascent Soul, and who possessed all kinds of incredible Divine Abilities! They could not be mentioned in the same breath as a Middle Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, let alone a Golden Core Cultivator!

"Junior Brother Lin! Do not!" Peak Master Yue Lingyun shouted urgently.

"Lin Wan, calm down!" True Monarch Daoxuan also furrowed his brows. Although he had a new assessment of Lin Wan's strength, facing a fierce person like True Monarch Minggu, the chances of winning... were negligible. Once Lin Wan was defeated and killed, and the Legacy was taken, the Qingyun Sect would also be in danger. It would be better to play along for now, delay time, and plan for the long term.

True Monarch Minggu also seemed stunned, then erupted into an even more piercing, more arrogant, and strange laughter:

"Hahaha! Good! A good junior who doesn't know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth! You dare to challenge this old man?! With your meager cultivation, are you worthy?!"

His laughter stopped abruptly, and the ghostly green fire suddenly surged, staring fixedly at Lin Wan: "Since you are seeking death, this old man will fulfill your wish! I will also let you, and everyone in the Qingyun Sect, see what true despair is!"

"It is not spacious enough here. Do you dare to come with this old man to the Nine Heavens, within the Chaos, for a battle?!"

Obviously, he was also wary of the Qingyun Sect's protective mountain formation and other possible contingencies, wanting to pull the battlefield outside the Sect to avoid accidents.

"Why would I not dare?" Lin Wan agreed indifferently. With a movement of his body, he turned into a chaotic sword light, soaring into the sky, shooting toward the depths of the Void Realm above the Nine Heavens, where the gale winds were biting and the Chaos was just beginning to open.

"Seeking death!" True Monarch Minggu sneered, his gray robe billowing as he turned into a ghastly green ghostly light, following closely behind.

Two beams of light, one chaotic and one ghastly green, instantly pierced through the clouds and disappeared into the high, distant sky.

Below, the entire Qingyun Sect gate was deathly silent.

Everyone was looking up, staring at the empty sky, their hearts filled with unspeakable tension, fear, worry, and a trace of... faint hope.

Lin Wan, could he really... create a miracle again?

Above the Nine Heavens, the gale winds were like knives, and the air was filled with Chaos.

This place was close to the barrier of the firmament; Spiritual Qi was thin, but it was filled with various chaotic fragments of Law and spatial turbulence. An ordinary Golden Core Cultivator reaching this place would be torn to shreds in an instant. But for a Nascent Soul True Monarch, and even for Lin Wan at this moment, it was an excellent battlefield.

Lin Wan and True Monarch Minggu were separated by a thousand feet, hovering in the chaotic Void Realm.

"Junior, being able to die in this Nine Heavens Chaos can be considered your good fortune." True Monarch Minggu's cold voice came. He slowly raised his right hand, which was covered under the gray robe and as withered as a chicken claw. "Let me show you what is true... Nether Ghost Dao!"

"Nine Serenities—Yellow Springs Finger!"

Pointing out with one finger, in the Void Realm, a phantom of muddy yellow river water seemingly appeared, carrying endless breath of death, sinking, and decay. It turned into a giant finger reaching the sky, pointing directly at Lin Wan's head! Wherever the finger wind passed, space was corroded into pitch-black traces, and even the chaotic fragments of Law were assimilated and annihilated. This finger already contained a trace of the true meaning of the "Yellow Springs" Law, and its power far exceeded the "Ice Sealing Ten Thousand Miles" of True Lord Xuanming.

Facing this terrifying finger, chaotic light flowed in Lin Wan's eyes. The guixu sword in his hand slowly traced an esoteric trajectory.

"Five Elements Returning to Ruins, all Laws are empty—Break."

It was still that gray, formless sword mark containing the birth and death of nebulae, quietly extending from the tip of the sword, meeting the giant finger that reached the sky.

"Sss..." The sword mark and the giant finger collided silently.

This time, it did not annihilate the opponent like a withered tree before. The Yellow Springs giant finger trembled violently, and the phantom of the yellow river on its surface surged madly, attempting to corrode and pollute the sword mark. The Return-to-Ruins annihilation power contained within the sword mark was also madly decomposing and assimilating the Yellow Springs Death Qi. The two were deadlocked, confronting, and annihilating each other in the Void Realm. Finally, the sword mark and the giant finger dimmed and dissipated at the same time, turning into chaotic energy ripples that swept in all directions.

An even match?!

The ghostly fire in True Monarch Minggu's eyes jumped violently, revealing a trace of shock. His "Nine Serenities Yellow Springs Finger," which contained a trace of the Yellow Springs Law, was actually blocked by a Golden Core junior with a single sword mark? Moreover, looking at the opponent, it seemed he had not used his full strength?

"You have some skill! No wonder you could kill that trash Xuanming!" True Monarch Minggu put away his contempt, his voice becoming colder. "However, that was just an appetizer. Next, let you taste the real Nine Serenities Divine Ability!"

"Ten Thousand Ghosts—Nether Domain!"

He suddenly opened his sleeves, and endless gray-black ghostly Qi, like a burst Nether River, surged out madly, instantly covering the Void Realm for tens of miles! Within the ghostly Qi, countless twisted, wailing Yin souls and evil ghosts appeared; there were skeletons, zombies, evil spirits, and even some terrifying existences with indescribable shapes, emitting piercing shrieks, forming a huge, gloomy "Nether Ghost Domain" filled with death and pain, trapping Lin Wan completely inside!

Inside the ghost Domain, the Law was twisted, Divine Sense was suppressed, and there were countless ghosts, carrying attacks that eroded the Divine Soul and defiled magic power, rushing toward Lin Wan crazily from all directions! There was also the breath of the "Yellow Springs" Law, permeating within, constantly weakening and corroding Lin Wan's protective spiritual light and vitality. This was True Monarch Minggu's Domain-type Divine Ability! Once trapped, even a Cultivator of the same rank would find it extremely difficult to escape, and would be exhausted and eroded to death alive.

However, Lin Wan, who was in the center of the ghost Domain, still had a calm expression. Even the cold arc at the corner of his mouth had not changed.

"Nether Ghost Domain? Yellow Springs Law?" He whispered, shook his head, "Unfortunately, in front of my 'Five Elements Returning to Ruins,' it is still... a minor path."

He no longer defended passively, but slowly raised the guixu sword, the tip pointing upward, directly at the "firmament" of this ghost Domain.

In the center of his brow, that chaotic-colored Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed suddenly erupted with unprecedented, brilliant light! A chaotic Dao rhyme, more vast, desolate, and seemingly capable of evolving the myriad heavens and ending everything, erupted from his body and merged into the guixu sword in his hand.

On the blade of the guixu sword, the Dao formation diagram composed of starlight points fully lit up, slowly rotating, as if deducing the birth and death of the Universe and the Reincarnation of the Dao.

"Five Elements Returning to Ruins, with Chaos as the foundation, stars as the guide, and the Void Realm as the basis..."

Lin Wan chanted in a low voice. With every word spoken, his Aura surged by a point, and the surrounding chaotic Void Realm seemed to resonate and tremble with it.

"This sword should open the heavens, and also... split the earth!"

As the words fell, he held the sword with both hands, facing this "Nether Ghost Domain" that shrouded the world, and facing True Monarch Minggu who was hiding in the depths of the ghost Domain and controlling everything, he slowly, yet with an unstoppable momentum of opening heaven and splitting earth, slashed down with one sword!

"Returning to Ruins—Heaven Opening!"

"Hum—!!!" An indescribable sword hum resounded through the Nine Heavens! A sword light, whose color and shape could not be described in words, soared into the sky from the guixu sword!

This sword light was not simply gray, but presented a supreme Dao rhyme that was chaotic, yet contained infinite nebulae, Five Elements rotation, and Return-to-Ruins annihilation. It seemed not to be a physical entity, but a manifestation of the "Dao," an embodiment of "Law," and an extension of "principle"!

Wherever the sword light passed, that "Nether Ghost Domain" which covered tens of miles and contained the Yellow Springs Law, as if meeting its nemesis, like thick fog under the scorching sun, quickly dissolved and disintegrated! The countless Yin souls and evil ghosts within could not even let out a scream before being completely annihilated. The twisted Law was forcibly smoothed out and assimilated. The filthy Death Qi was purified and returned to Chaos.

The sword light did not diminish in the slightest, as if it had not slashed through a ghost Domain, but a thin piece of paper, continuing to slash leisurely toward the depths of the ghost Domain, at the horrified and incredulous True Monarch Minggu.

"No! This is impossible! What power is this?! This is not Golden Core! This is... Dao?! Is it Origin power?!"

True Monarch Minggu let out a roar of despair and extreme fear. He crazily urged his life-bound Minggu bones, setting up layers of ghost barriers in front of him, and even sacrificed a tattered "Nether Ghost Banner" that radiated an ancient and evil Aura, attempting to resist.

However, in front of that chaotic sword light that seemed to open the heavens and split the earth, all defenses appeared so ridiculous and fragile.

"Sss, sss, sss..." The barriers shattered one after another, and the ghost banner wailed and exploded.

The sword light silently swept across True Monarch Minggu's withered body, and across the Nascent Soul within his body that also presented a grayish color but radiated powerful fluctuations.

All of True Monarch Minggu's movements stopped abruptly. He looked down, watching the constantly expanding, chaotic-colored sword mark on his chest, feeling the rapid annihilation of his vitality, the collapse of his Dao foundation, and the dissipation of his Divine Soul within his body. The two ghostly green fires in his eyes jumped violently, and finally, slowly extinguished, leaving only boundless confusion and fear.

"Five... Elements... Returning to Ruins... Dao... Seed..."

He finally spat out these words, and immediately, his whole body, along with the Nascent Soul, like a weathered sand sculpture, disintegrated inch by inch, turning into the purest chaotic Spiritual Qi and a trace of imperceptible Nether Origin, dissipating in this Nine Heavens Void Realm.

Even the storage Magic Treasure on him and the tattered gray robe could not be spared, all returning to annihilation.

Nine Serenities Underworld, the Late Stage Nascent Soul True Monarch Minggu—has fallen!

Killed by Lin Wan, with Great Perfection Golden Core cultivation, borrowing the power of the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed and the guixu sword, executing the "Returning to Ruins Heaven Opening" sword strike, completely slaughtered, both body and soul destroyed!

In the Void Realm, peace returned. Only the chaotic energy ripples slowly spread, eventually being assimilated by Chaos.

Lin Wan slowly retracted his sword, his face slightly pale. That "Returning to Ruins Heaven Opening" sword strike just now had almost drained nearly half of the Golden Core Origin in his body, and the burden on his Divine Soul and Dao Seed was not small either. But the effect was also obvious. The power of the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed, combined with the guixu sword, far exceeded his expectations. A Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator could also be killed!

He adjusted his breath slightly, took a Medicinal Pill, recovered some Origin Qi, and then did not linger, turning into a chaotic sword light, speeding back toward the Qingyun Sect gate below.

When his figure, with green robes fluttering and holding a sword, appeared again above the mountain gate square, the entire Qingyun Sect fell into a deathly silence again.

Everyone was staring blankly at him, looking at the guixu sword with restrained brilliance in his hand, and looking at his calm, water-like face.

True Monarch Minggu... did not return.

The result was self-evident.

After a brief deathly silence, there were even more fanatical, more deafening cheers and shouts, as if they were going to overturn the firmament!

"Guixu Sword Lord! Guixu Sword Lord! Guixu Sword Lord!"

The sound wave was like a tide, lasting for a long time.

True Monarch Daoxuan, Peak Master Yue Lingyun, and others also let out a long sigh of relief, their eyes filled with shock, relief, and a trace of unspeakable excitement. They knew that from today on, the Qingyun Sect would be completely different because of Lin Wan! A Golden Core Cultivator who could kill a Late Stage Nascent Soul (actually supported by the Dao Seed), his future potential was simply immeasurable! The rise of the Qingyun Sect, and even reaching the Peak of Tiannan, was no longer a dream!

Lin Wan landed slowly, nodded to True Monarch Daoxuan and Peak Master Yue Lingyun, and then, his gaze turned to the crowd, to those two beautiful figures who were tearful but smiling like flowers, and the little figure who was jumping with excitement.

He put away the guixu sword, the cold lines on his face instantly softened, revealing a warm smile.

"I am back."

He walked toward them and hugged his wife and children tightly in his arms.

All the glory, all the fighting, and all the danger, at this moment, turned into a warm harbor.

Returning home in glory, loved ones safe, and the Sect flourishing.

This, perhaps, was one of the best results he had sought throughout his hard fighting.

As for the future, as for "the end," as for the broader world and challenges...