72: Chapter 72 Clearing Black Wind Cave

Green light soared into the sky, and Sword Intent surged mightily.

On the platform of Enlightening Sword Peak, the Seventy-Third Sword Monument had completely shed its stone outer layer. Its entire body was made of warm, smooth green jade, and nine green lotus patterns shimmered with flowing radiance.

The ancient seal-script sword characters at the heart of each lotus seemed to come alive, and a faint sound of sword humming emanated from the monument, clear and distant, piercing straight into the Divine Soul.

The observing Disciples had shifted from initial shock to fanaticism.

"The Green Lotus Sword Monument... It is truly the legendary Green Lotus Sword Monument!"

"Three hundred years! Someone actually managed to trigger it!"

"Who is this newcomer? To actually have such sword Dao talent?!"

Han Qiu stared fixedly at Bai Yunzhou sitting cross-legged before the monument, his complexion ashen, his eyes filled with jealousy and unwillingness.

He had comprehended the sword monuments for a year, boasting that his sword Dao talent was enough to rank in the top ten of the Outer Sect, yet he had failed to trigger even the fifteenth sword monument.

Yet this newcomer had just entered the Holy Land, entering the Sword Monument Forest for the very first time, and had triggered the seventy-third monument that no one had been able to shake for three hundred years!

By what right?!

Lu Qingxue gently bit her lower lip, ripples stirring within her autumn-water-like eyes.

What she cultivated was the Autumn Water Sword Dao, making her extremely sensitive to changes in Sword Intent.

At this moment, she could clearly perceive that the ancient and pure Green Lotus Sword Intent within the monument was merging and resonating with Bai Yunzhou's Divine Sense.

The depth of that resonance... even surpassed the descriptions in records from a hundred years ago when Sword Monarch Qinglian triggered this monument.

"To what exact level of clarity has this person's sword heart reached..." Shock filled her heart.

In the air, Elder Moyuan stood suspended in the void, his grey robe motionless amidst the gale of Sword Intent.

His turbid eyes were now overflowing with brilliant light, his gaze like a sword, piercing through the monument body and straight into the world within the monument.

"Divine Sense turning into a sword, reaching straight to the sword soul... Good lad!" He muttered to himself, his emaciated face rarely revealing a hint of a smile, "The Qinglian Sword Canon has been dormant for three hundred years, and today it has finally found a successor."

Inside the monument world.

Bai Yunzhou's small sword of Divine Sense was completely enveloped by the green jade light.

The complete Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique information of the Qinglian Sword Canon poured into his Sea of Consciousness like a reversed river.

The four major chapters of sword moves, Sword Intent, Sword Domain, and sword heart unfolded in sequence, with each chapter containing boundless profundities.

Sword Moves Chapter: The Nine Styles of Green Lotus, from First Lotus Holding Dew to Lotus Falling to the Nine Firmaments, every move was exquisite, every style linked continuously, secretly aligning with the cycle of the Heavenly Dao.

Sword Intent Chapter: Green Lotus Sword Intent, emerging from the mud unstained, washing clean ripples without being seductive, pure and noble, capable of breaking all evils and slaying Heart Demons.

Sword Domain Chapter: Qinglian Sword Domain, flowers bloom with a single thought, ten thousand lotuses form a boundary; within the Domain, one's own Sword Intent is amplified by thirty percent, while the opponent's Sword Intent is suppressed by fifty percent.

Sword Heart Chapter: Green Lotus Sword Heart, heart like a green lotus, reflecting true nature, able to distinguish reality from illusion and gain insight into opportunities beforehand, representing the supreme state of mind in the sword Dao.

Meanwhile, the System prompts were still refreshing the screen:

[Qinglian Sword Canon (Heaven Rank Low Grade) has been fully instilled!]

[Detected that the host possesses the destiny Sword Bone First Resonance (Blue), which has an extremely high compatibility with the Qinglian Sword Canon. Automatically activating the Awakening process of the Qinglian Sword Body!]

[Qinglian Sword Body Awakening progress: 1%... 5%... 15%...]

A warm yet sharp power spread from the Sea of Consciousness to the Meridians, bones, flesh, and blood throughout the entire body.

Bai Yunzhou could clearly feel that his Physique was undergoing a certain essential transformation.

Every inch of flesh and blood seemed to be washed by Sword Intent, becoming more translucent and resilient, while his affinity with the sword rapidly increased.

"Hum—"

The monument body vibrated once more.

The ninth green lotus pattern lit up completely, and the ancient seal-script sword characters at the heart of the lotus detached from the monument surface, transforming into a streak of cyan light that merged into Bai Yunzhou's glabella.

"The Legacy is complete." Elder Moyuan's voice echoed into the monument, "Kid, it's time to wake up."

Bai Yunzhou's Divine Sense trembled as he withdrew from the world within the monument.

He opened his eyes.

A phantom image of a green lotus flashed and disappeared in his eyes, and Sword Qi naturally circulated around his body. Within a radius of three zhang, fallen leaves moved without wind, being sliced into powder by formless Sword Intent.

The cultivation base barrier of the Late Stage Peak of Core Formation quietly shattered at this moment.

Core Formation Perfection, achieved naturally as conditions are met.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Bai!" Song Xinghe was the first to react, stepping forward excitedly.

Deng Mufeng and Zhou Zhiting also walked up quickly, joy filling both of their eyes.

Ye Jinglan had appeared at the edge of the platform at some unknown time, standing with his hands behind his back, a look of gratification in his eyes.

Bai Yunzhou stood up and bowed deeply to Elder Moyuan: "Thank you, Elder, for serving as Protector."

Elder Moyuan landed in front of him, looked him over a few times, and slowly nodded: "The Qinglian Sword Canon choosing its master is your Opportunity. However—"

His tone shifted slightly, his voice growing low: "Though you have obtained the Sword Canon, the path of Cultivation has only just begun. The Awakening of the Qinglian Sword Body cannot be accomplished in a single day; it requires day-and-night nurturing with pure Sword Intent, and you must not be impatient."

"This Disciple will keep it in mind." Bai Yunzhou said solemnly.

Elder Moyuan glanced at him again and suddenly raised a hand to point.

A greyish strand of Sword Intent merged into Bai Yunzhou's glabella.

"This is a trace of the seed of my Nirvana Sword Intent, which has opposite attributes to your Green Lotus Sword Intent and can be used for sharpening. Only with a grindstone can a sword become sharp."

Bai Yunzhou was startled, then bowed deeply: "For the Elder's generous bestowal, this Disciple will never forget it."

Elder Moyuan waved his hand, and his figure gradually faded away: "Cultivate well. The Holy Land Grand Competition is approaching, so do not disgrace the prestige of Qinglian."

The Elder left, but the atmosphere on the platform did not relax.

Han Qiu finally couldn't help it, stepping forward with a cold voice: "Bai Yunzhou!"

Bai Yunzhou turned around, his expression calm: "What instructions does Senior Brother Han have?"

"You merely fortuitously triggered the ancient monument; do you truly think you are a sword Dao Genius?" Han Qiu gritted his teeth, "The monument Legacy is just the beginning; sword Dao ultimately reveals its true worth in actual combat!"

Bai Yunzhou looked at him: "So?"

"Three months from now, at the Outer Sect Grand Competition," Han Qiu said word by word, "You and I will settle this on the arena ring! If you lose, get out of the Sword Monument Forest, and you shall never enter again in this lifetime!"

The surrounding crowd burst into an uproar.

This was a public challenge with extremely heavy stakes.

For a Sword Cultivator, the Sword Monument Forest was a Holy Land for Cultivation, and a lifelong ban was no different from cutting off someone's Dao path.

Song Xinghe said angrily: "Han Qiu, aren't you going too far!"

Han Qiu sneered: "Don't dare accept? Then admit defeat right now, bow your head and apologize to me, and I can let bygones be bygones."

Bai Yunzhou suddenly smiled.

His smile was very faint, but the green lotus phantom in his eyes surfaced once more, and Sword Qi was biting and stern.

"Very well."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered everyone's ears.

"However, the stakes need to be changed."

"If you lose, hand over all the sword Dao comprehension Jade Slips you have gained from a year of enlightenment, and—"

Bai Yunzhou's gaze swept across the silver-sheathed long sword at Han Qiu's waist.

"That Autumn Water Sword belongs to me."

Han Qiu's pupils shrank abruptly.

The Autumn Water Sword had been bestowed by his Elder brother Han Lie. It was a pinnacle among Low Grade Magic Treasures, containing a trace of Autumn Water Sword Intent, and was one of his greatest reliances.

Handing over the sword Dao comprehension Jade Slips was already a heavy loss, and if he were to lose the Autumn Water Sword as well...

But under the gaze of everyone, if he backed down, how could he establish himself in the Sword Monument Forest from then on?

"Very well!" Han Qiu said fiercely, "As you wish! Three months from now, see you on the arena ring!"

He flicked his sleeves, turned around, and hurried away with two lackeys.

The observing Disciples discussed animatedly, and many people's gazes toward Bai Yunzhou now carried awe.

Having just obtained the Qinglian Sword Canon, he dared to challenge a veteran Sword Cultivator like Han Qiu, and with such massive stakes...

This youth was either arrogantly ignorant or truly possessed backing and confidence.

Judging from the anomaly of triggering the ancient monument just now, it was probably the latter.

Lu Qingxue walked closer slowly.

Her green skirt swayed, her temperament as cold and pure as snow, and she stopped in front of Bai Yunzhou.

"Junior Brother Bai." Her voice was clear and pleasant, "Congratulations on obtaining the Qinglian Sword Canon."

Bai Yunzhou cupped his fists: "Senior Sister Lu."

Lu Qingxue's beautiful eyes gazed at him for a moment, and she softly said: "Han Qiu's Autumn Water Sword has been nurtured for seven years, and its Sword Intent is connected with his mind and spirit; its power must not be underestimated. Although you possess the Qinglian Sword Canon, your time spent cultivating it is still short, so do not take the enemy lightly."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister." Bai Yunzhou said.

Lu Qingxue nodded, said no more, and gracefully turned and left.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Bai Yunzhou and the others left Enlightening Sword Peak.

On the way back to Liuyun Peak, Song Xinghe couldn't help asking: "Senior Brother Bai, do you have confidence within three months?"

Bai Yunzhou looked at the distant sea of clouds and slowly said: "Although the Qinglian Sword Canon is strong, just as Elder Moyuan said, Cultivation has only just begun. These three months, I will not go into closed-door cultivation."

"Then..."

"Take on missions, engage in actual combat, and earn contribution points," a sharp light flashed in Bai Yunzhou's eyes, "The sword Dao needs to be tempered between life and death. Flowers in a greenhouse cannot bloom with peerless sharpness."

That night, in the Immortal Cave of Liuyun Peak.

Bai Yunzhou sat cross-legged in the cultivation chamber, his Divine Sense sinking into his Sea of Consciousness.

The Mind-Cultivation Technique of the complete version of the Qinglian Sword Canon circulated within his mind and spirit, and the Awakening progress of the Qinglian Sword Body had reached 20%. The improvements brought by the physical transformation were extremely obvious.

The circulation speed of spiritual power was thirty percent faster, the condensation speed of Sword Qi was increased by fifty percent, and his perception of Sword Intent was several times more acute.

He continued to circulate the Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Qinglian Sword Canon.

In his Dantian, a green lotus phantom quietly emerged on the surface of the Golden Core, slowly rotating.

With every rotation it completed, the Golden Core became a fraction more solid, and his spiritual power grew purer and purer.

Within the seven hundred and twenty spiritual apertures across his entire body, light cyan Sword Qi naturally bred, like lotus stems taking root, connecting all his limbs and bones.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, at the Mission Hall.

When Bai Yunzhou stepped into the hall's doors, the main hall was already bustling with voices.

Hundreds of Outer Sect Disciples crowded in front of the mission jade wall, selecting suitable missions.

Light and shadow flowed on the jade wall, constantly refreshing various types of mission information:

"Gather ten stalks of the Third Rank Spirit Medicine 'Ziyang Flower', reward 150 contribution points."

"Hunt one Early Stage Yao Beast 'Iron-Backed Ape', reward 200 contribution points."

"Escort a caravan to 'Qinglan City', a ten-day round trip, reward 300 contribution points."

...

Bai Yunzhou walked straight toward the Combat Mission Area on the far right.

There were fewer people here, but the mission difficulty was noticeably higher, and the rewards were even more bountiful.

His gaze swept across the jade wall, finally freezing on a newly refreshed mission at the very top:

[Clearing Out Black Wind Cave]

[Mission Description: Black Wind Cave is located in the Black Wind Mountain Range, eight hundred li northwest of the Holy Land. Recently, bandits have occupied it, plundering passing Cultivators, and it is suspected to be related to the remnants of Youquan Valley. You need to clear out the bandits and investigate the secrets within the cave.]

[Mission Requirements: Late Stage Core Formation or above, team up with at least three people.]

[Mission Rewards: Basic 1,000 contribution points per person, with additional fluctuations based on the investigation results. Upon completion, you will obtain one qualification to enter the Sword Intent Body Tempering Pool.]

[Mission Status: Available to accept]

This is it.

Without hesitation, Bai Yunzhou reached out and pressed toward that mission information.

"This mission has been accepted, and the team is being formed." The jade wall emitted a mechanical prompt tone, "Please wait for other members to accept it."

He withdrew his hand and waited quietly.

Not long after, two figures walked over one after the other, likewise pressing toward the mission information.

One of them wore white clothes outshining snow, and it was precisely Song Xinghe.

The other was dressed in dashing green attire, who was none other than Deng Mufeng.

"Senior Brother Bai," Song Xinghe smiled and said, "How could a mission like this be missing me?"

Deng Mufeng also nodded: "Black Wind Cave is perilous; having one more person means one more layer of mutual support."

A gentle warmth stirred in Bai Yunzhou's heart, and he cupped his fists: "Thank you both."

The three-person team Formation was complete, and the jade wall information updated:

[Team Formation Successful]

[Team Leader: Bai Yunzhou]

[Members: Song Xinghe, Deng Mufeng]

[Mission successfully accepted, please head to the Black Wind Mountain Range within three days; otherwise, the mission will be automatically cancelled upon expiration.]

"A three-day limit is enough." Bai Yunzhou looked at the two of them: "We need to make some preparations. Since Black Wind Cave is related to Youquan Valley, I am afraid it is not as simple as the bandits on the surface."

Song Xinghe's expression was solemn: "Although Youquan Valley's influence in the Holy Land has been suppressed, their remnants are lurking, and their methods are sinister and ruthless. We truly cannot be careless."

Deng Mufeng said: "I will go back and prepare some Talismans and Medicinal Pills for detoxifying and breaking Restrictions."

"Alright, tomorrow at the Chen hour, let's gather at the mountain gate."

The three of them parted ways, each making their own preparations.

Bai Yunzhou returned to his Immortal Cave, first taking out the liefeng sword and nurturing it with Green Lotus Sword Intent.

Within the silvery-grey luster of the sword body, a layer of pale cyan halo gradually emerged.

He then took out the storage rings he had obtained from Qin Zhan and Zhao Lie, searching through them carefully.

Aside from routine supplies like Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills, he found a black bone tablet in the corner of Qin Zhan's storage ring.

The bone tablet was the size of a palm, ice-cold to the touch, carved with a ferocious ghost head on the front and dense, tiny runes on the back.

"This is... Youquan Valley's ghost talisman?" Bai Yunzhou frowned.

ghost talismans were special Magical Artifacts used by Youquan Valley Disciples for emergency communication or marking, and were usually only carried when executing covert missions.

Qin Zhan having a ghost talisman on him meant that before his death, he was very likely executing a secret mission for Youquan Valley.

And in the Black Wind Cave mission description, it mentioned "suspected to be related to the remnants of Youquan Valley".

A coincidence?

Bai Yunzhou's gaze grew slightly gloomy.

He put away the ghost talisman, checked the other items once more, and after confirming everything was correct, began to sit quietly in meditation to regulate his breath.

Early the next morning at the Chen hour, at the Holy Land mountain gate.

Bai Yunzhou and the other two gathered at the agreed-upon location.

Deng Mufeng brought a stack of Talismans and a few bottles of Medicinal Pills, while Song Xinghe prepared three sets of simple Formation Plates.

"Let's set off."

The three of them flew up on their swords, transforming into three streaks of flowing light as they sped rapidly toward the Black Wind Mountain Range in the northwest direction.

A distance of eight hundred li was nothing more than half an hour for Core Formation Cultivators.

The Black Wind Mountain Range soon appeared within their field of vision.

This mountain range was pitch-black throughout, with sparse vegetation on the mountains, enveloped year-round in a layer of faint black fog.

The mountain wind howled, carrying a piercing, bone-chilling cold, and faint sounds of ghost crying could be heard within the wind.

"Such heavy Yin Sha Qi." Song Xinghe frowned, "This place is not suitable for a long stay; let's make a quick victory and resolve this fast."

Guided by the mission map, the three of them quickly found the valley where Black Wind Cave was located.

[part:gemini-3.5-flash]

The valley entrance was narrow, flanked by towering cliffs on both sides. The black mist inside the valley was even denser, making it difficult to see beyond three Zhang with the naked eye.

Even when Divine Sense was sent inside, it was mostly weakened by the black mist.

"There is a Formation concealing it," Deng Mufeng whispered. "It's the 'Netherworld Mist Concealment Formation,' a common technique of Youquan Valley."

Bai Yunzhou nodded. "Break the Formation and go in."

Song Xinghe took out a Formation Plate and poured spiritual energy into it. The Formation Plate lit up with white light, turning into a light barrier that shrouded the three of them.

"Keep close to me. This Formation Plate can temporarily block the black mist's interference with Divine Sense, but it can only last for the time it takes an incense stick to burn at most."

The three of them stepped cautiously into the valley.

After passing through a hundred-Zhang area of black mist, their vision suddenly opened up.

Deep in the valley, a massive cave entrance appeared on the mountain wall. The cave was five Zhang high and three Zhang wide, with its edges carved full of hideous ghost-face runes.

The inside of the cave was pitch black and bottomless, with a dark, cold wind gushing out, carrying a thick stench of blood.

"This is the place." Bai Yunzhou gripped his liefeng sword tightly. "Once we go in, act according to the situation."

"If we encounter a powerful enemy, do not linger in battle. Our main goal is to investigate."

"Understood."

The three of them concealed their auras and stepped into the cave.

The path inside the cave wound downward, with phosphorus stones embedded in the stone walls emitting a faint green glow, barely illuminating the way forward.

The deeper they went, the thicker the stench of blood became. Occasionally, scattered white bones could be seen, some of human shape and others of beast shape.

After walking for about a Li, faint voices could be heard from ahead.

The three of them held their breath and quietly drew closer.

At the end of the passage was a massive cavern space. In the center lay a blood pool ten Zhang in diameter, with blood surging and bubbling within.

Around the blood pool stood seven or eight black-clothed Cultivators. The leader was a one-eyed old man whose aura had surprisingly reached Core Formation Perfection.

The old man held a blood-colored compass in his hand, its needle pointing directly at the center of the blood pool.

"The blood sacrifice has been ongoing for seven days. In another three days, the 'Blood Demon Puppet' will be formed," the one-eyed old man said in a raspy voice. "By then, even if the Holy Land's Law Enforcement Hall comes looking for us, they won't be able to do anything to us."

A black-clothed Disciple said flatteringly, "Elder is wise."

"However... the Holy Land's Mission Hall recently issued a mission to clear this place out. Could someone come knocking on our door?"

The old man sneered, "It's perfect if they come. The blood sacrifice is still lacking the essence blood of a few living people."

"The blood of Core Formation Cultivators is much stronger than that of those captured Loose Cultivators."

Everyone chuckled softly.

At the edge of the cavern, Bai Yunzhou and the other two exchanged looks, coldness flashing in all of their eyes.

The Blood Demon Puppet was one of Youquan Valley's forbidden techniques, refining a Puppet with the essence blood of living people. Once formed, it would be completely fearless of death, possessing combat power comparable to Core Formation Perfection, and was extremely difficult to destroy.

These remnants of Youquan Valley actually dared to refine such an evil thing right under the nose of the Holy Land!

"Should we strike?" Song Xinghe sent a sound transmission.

Bai Yunzhou shook his head and pointed behind the blood pool.

There was a narrow cave entrance there, sealed by a layer of blood-colored light barrier, with faint fluctuations of Sword Intent radiating from within.

"Save the captive first," he transmitted. "There are seven people by the blood pool. The one-eyed old man is at Core Formation Perfection, while the other six range from the Middle Stage to the Late Stage of Core Formation."

"I will hold off the old man. You two wrap things up quickly, deal with the rest, and then break the Restriction at that cave entrance."

Deng Mufeng and Song Xinghe nodded.

Bai Yunzhou took a deep breath, silently circulating his Green Lotus Sword Intent.

In the next instant, he stepped forward, his figure like lightning as he shot straight toward the one-eyed old man!

"Who is it?!" the old man shouted sharply, his blood-colored compass suddenly lighting up.

But Bai Yunzhou's sword was faster than his reaction.

The liefeng sword unsheathed, and a phantom of a green lotus blossomed at the tip of the sword.

The first form of the Qinglian Sword Canon—

"First Lotus Holding Dew!"

The sword light dripped like a dewdrop, clear and pure, yet incredibly fast.

Pfft!

A flower of blood blossomed on the one-eyed old man's chest, and his protective spiritual light shattered like paper.

"You—" Shocked and enraged, the old man's blood-colored compass erupted with a wave of blood-red light, transforming into a bloody ghost claw that clawed at Bai Yunzhou.

Bai Yunzhou's figure swayed. With his zhuiyun boots flashing with spiritual light, he had already circled behind the old man.

The second form—

"Lush Lotus Leaves!"

The sword light transformed into a sky full of lotus leaf phantoms, layering over one another to trap the bloody ghost claw within.

At the same time, Song Xinghe and Deng Mufeng also charged out.

Song Xinghe's swordplay was fierce, targeting two black-clothed Disciples at the Middle Stage of Core Formation.

Deng Mufeng's Talismans fluttered in the air, with fire and lightning exploding, forcing the other four back.

The battle erupted in an instant.

Within the cavern, Sword Qi crisscrossed as Talisman light and bloody shadows intertwined.

Bai Yunzhou and the one-eyed old man clashed. Green Lotus Sword Intent against the Netherworld Blood Art actually showed signs of suppression.

The more the old man fought, the more alarmed he became—this youth was only at Core Formation Perfection, yet his Sword Intent was terrifyingly pure. His own blood fiend energy was purified by thirty percent the moment it drew close, preventing him from exerting his full strength at all.

"Who on earth are you?!" the old man roared.

Bai Yunzhou did not answer, and his sword stance changed again.

The third form—

"Lotus Stem Piercing Silt!"

The sword light condensed into a single line, like a lotus stem piercing through silt, stabbing straight toward the old man's Dantian.

The old man roared wildly, spitting out a mouthful of essence blood. The blood-colored compass exploded with a bang, turning into a sea of blood that enveloped Bai Yunzhou.

Within the sea of blood, ten thousand ghosts wailed, corroding the Divine Soul.

Bai Yunzhou's eyes turned cold, and the Green Lotus Sword Heart in his Sea of Consciousness burst with clear radiance.

"Break!"

The Green Lotus Sword Intent soared into the sky, and the sea of blood dissolved instantly like boiling water poured onto snow.

The sword light pierced through the old man's chest.

The one-eyed old man's eyes widened. He looked down at the bloody hole in his chest, filled with disbelief. "Gre... Green Lotus Sword Intent... How could you..."

Before he could finish his words, his breath was cut off.

On the other side, Song Xinghe and Deng Mufeng had also dealt with their opponents.

Of the six black-clothed Disciples, four were dead and two had fled. The two who fled had also been heavily injured by Deng Mufeng's Talismans, escaping deep into the passage.

"Should we pursue?" Song Xinghe asked.

Bai Yunzhou shook his head. "Save the captive first."

The three of them came to the cave entrance behind the blood pool.

The blood-colored light barrier radiated an ominous, evil aura, but deep within the barrier, that pure Sword Intent became increasingly clear.

Bai Yunzhou raised his hand, condensing Green Lotus Sword Intent at his fingertips, and tapped it against the light barrier.

Chii—

The light barrier dissolved like ice and snow, revealing the true appearance of the cave entrance.

The space inside the cave was not large, only about three Zhang square.

On the central stone platform sat a woman in white.

The woman appeared to be around twenty years of age, with an extraordinarily pure and beautiful face, but her complexion was pale and her aura was weak.

Her hands were bound by blood-colored chains, the other end of which connected to the Formation beneath the stone platform.

Most eye-catching of all was a longsword stabbed into the ground beside her.

The sword's body was entirely like jade, crystal clear, with two small words in ancient seal script carved at the hilt:

"Ice Soul."

The woman was currently closing her eyes to adjust her breathing. Sensing someone entering, she slowly opened her eyes.

Those were a pair of eyes like cold stars, clear and chilly, yet carrying a trace of hard-to-conceal fatigue.

Her gaze swept past Song Xinghe and Deng Mufeng, finally landing on Bai Yunzhou.

"Green Lotus Sword Intent..." the woman said softly, her voice like ice pearls falling onto a jade plate. "Are you the successor of the Qinglian Sword Canon?"

Bai Yunzhou nodded. "I am Bai Yunzhou, a Disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, who came to clear this place out after taking a Holy Land mission.

"And you are, young lady?"

The woman nodded slightly. "Ling Shuang, a Disciple of the Ice Soul Sword Valley."

Ice Soul Sword Valley!

Song Xinghe and Deng Mufeng's expressions changed slightly.

That was one of the overlords of the Northern Region, sharing equal fame with the Taixuan Holy Land. Its sword Dao Legacy was extremely ancient, and its strength was unfathomably deep.

Ling Shuang continued, "A month ago, I was ordered by my sect to track down the remnants of Youquan Valley. I was ambushed upon arriving here, struck by the 'Blood Fiend Spirit-Sealing Curse,' which sealed seventy percent of my spiritual power, and then trapped by these 'Spirit-Devouring Chains,' making it impossible to escape."

She looked at Bai Yunzhou. "Since Fellow Daoist Bai has obtained the Legacy of the Qinglian Sword Canon and possesses pure Sword Qi, could you help me sever these chains?"

Bai Yunzhou stepped forward, carefully observing the chains and the Formation.

The chains were forged from Blood-Refined Fine Gold, incredibly tough, and were connected to the Formation beneath the stone platform. Severing them by force would trigger a backlash from the Formation.

"The core of the Formation is three inches below the stone platform," Ling Shuang guided. "You need to use pure Sword Intent to simultaneously cut through three nodes, and the chains will unlock on their own."

Bai Yunzhou nodded, and his liefeng sword let out a soft hum.

Green Lotus Sword Intent was poured into the sword's body, and a speck of green light lit up at the tip of the sword.

He struck like lightning, tapping three times in succession.

Ding, ding, ding!

With three soft sounds, the Formation lines beneath the stone platform snapped in response.

The glow of the blood-colored chains dimmed, and they shattered with a crack.

Ling Shuang stood up, moving her wrists slightly, a trace of color returning to her pale face.

She pulled up her ice soul sword and bowed solemnly to Bai Yunzhou. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Bai, for saving my life.

"Ling Shuang will remember this favor."

Bai Yunzhou cupped his hands in return. "You are too polite, Lady Ling.

"This place is not safe to linger. Let us leave first."

The four of them quickly walked out of the cavern.

Just as they exited the cave entrance, a long howl suddenly echoed from outside the valley.

The howl was full of vigor and majestic spiritual power, surprisingly belonging to a Nascent Soul Cultivator!

"Not good!" Song Xinghe's expression changed. "It's reinforcements from Youquan Valley!"

Ling Shuang's cold eyes swept toward the valley entrance. "It's Youquan Valley's 'Old Man Xuefu,' an Early Stage Nascent Soul who is skilled in blood escape techniques and is extremely difficult to deal with."

Bai Yunzhou spread his Divine Sense, and indeed, he sensed a blood-colored escape light rushing toward the valley at an extremely fast speed, arriving in ten breaths at most.

"We split up," he made a swift decision. "Lady Ling, you go east with Junior Brother Song and Senior Sister Deng. I will head west to draw him away."

"No!" Ling Shuang frowned. "Old Man Xuefu's target is me. It is too dangerous for you to draw him away alone."

"Precisely because his target is you, I must draw him away." Bai Yunzhou looked at her, the phantom of a green lotus swirling in his eyes. "My Green Lotus Sword Intent counters blood fiend energy, so I can deal with him.

"Hurry back to the Holy Land to call for help. I have my own way to escape."

Without waiting for Ling Shuang to say more, he had already turned around and dashed toward the west.

At the same time, he deliberately released a wisp of Green Lotus Sword Intent, as eye-catching as a lighthouse.

Sure enough, the blood-colored escape light outside the valley changed direction, chasing straight after Bai Yunzhou.

Ling Shuang gritted her teeth and said to Song Xinghe, "Let's go!

"Back to the Holy Land!"

The three of them rose on their swords, turning into streams of light as they fled toward the east.

A hundred Li to the west.

Bai Yunzhou pushed his zhuiyun boots to their limit, his figure like a streak of green lightning as he shuttled through the mountain forests.

Behind him, Old Man Xuefu's aura drew closer and closer.

"Kid, leave behind the successor of the Qinglian Sword Canon, and this old man can leave you with an intact corpse!" a raspy, sinister laugh echoed from behind.

Bai Yunzhou did not answer, spreading his Divine Sense to its limit to search for favorable terrain.

A canyon appeared ahead, with steep mountain walls on both sides and a narrow passage in the middle.

Without any hesitation, he rushed into the canyon.

Old Man Xuefu followed closely behind, his blood-colored escape light dragging a residual shadow through the canyon.

However, the very instant he stepped into the middle section of the canyon—

Bai Yunzhou suddenly turned around.

Holding his liefeng sword horizontally before his chest, his Green Lotus Sword Intent erupted without reservation.

On both sides of the canyon, nine phantoms of green lotuses blossomed out of thin air, with brilliant sword light shining at the core of each lotus.

Qinglian Sword Domain—unfold!

"Hmm?!" Old Man Xuefu's figure stiffened, his expression changing slightly. "A Sword Domain?

"You are only at Core Formation Perfection, how is this possible..."

Before his voice could fade, Bai Yunzhou had already slashed out with his sword.

The fourth form of the Qinglian Sword Canon—

"Lotus Purifying the World!"

The sword light transformed into a hundred-Zhang green lotus, enveloping the entire canyon.

As the power of purification diffused, the blood fiend energy around Old Man Xuefu's body seemed to meet its nemesis, churning violently and dissolving.

"Seeking death!" Old Man Xuefu roared furiously, his Nascent Soul pressure erupting with a bang as a massive blood-colored palm descended from the sky, striking toward the green lotus.

Boom!!!

The sword light collided with the bloody palm, causing the canyon to shake violently and mountain rocks to collapse.

Bai Yunzhou let out a muffled groan, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, but the Battle Intent in his eyes burned even brighter.

Borrowing the force of the counter-shock, his figure flew backward. At the same time, the liefeng sword left his hand, transforming into nine sword shadows that stabbed toward nine of Old Man Xuefu's vital points.

Sword Control Art: Nine Shadows of the Green Lotus!

Old Man Xuefu waved his hand to ward off eight of the sword shadows, but the ninth sword shadow grazed his shoulder.

Chii—

As the Green Lotus Sword Intent invaded his body, his blood fiend energy was actually scorched into a wisp of white smoke.

"What a domineering Sword Intent!" Shocked and enraged, Old Man Xuefu finally cast aside his contempt and went all out.

The bloody Domain unfolded, colliding fiercely with the Qinglian Sword Domain.

Within the canyon, green and red lights intertwined as Sword Qi and bloody shadows ran rampant.

Relying on the suppression of the Qinglian Sword Domain and the extreme speed of his zhuiyun boots, Bai Yunzhou barely managed to contend with Old Man Xuefu. However, the gap in their cultivation was too vast; every clash made his blood boil and caused his injuries to steadily worsen.

"Let's see how much longer you can hold out!" Old Man Xuefu laughed sinisterly, and his bloody Domain suddenly contracted, turning into a blood-colored spear that stabbed straight toward Bai Yunzhou's heart.

This spear had already locked onto his Divine Soul, making it completely unavoidable!

Bai Yunzhou's eyes turned sharp, and just as he was about to use the green ruler Spirit Treasure—

"Buzz!"

The black ghost talisman in his breast pocket suddenly grew hot.

Immediately after, an old, cold voice was transmitted directly into his Sea of Consciousness through the ghost talisman:

"Kid, move three Zhang to the left. There is a crack in the stone wall; entering it will lead to an underground river."

Bai Yunzhou's pupils contracted.

This voice... was Elder Mo Yuan?!

There was no time to think, as the blood-colored spear had already reached his face.

He shifted his body rapidly, moving three Zhang to the left, and slashed his liefeng sword with all his might at the stone wall.

Boom!

The stone wall cracked open to reveal a fissure, exposing a deep passage behind it.

Without any hesitation, Bai Yunzhou flashed inside.

The blood-colored spear missed its target, slamming into the stone wall and blasting open a large crater.

Old Man Xuefu chased to the front of the fissure and sent his Divine Sense inside, but he only sensed a chaotic aura of rushing water.

"An underground river..." His face turned gloomy. "Consider yourself lucky!"

He turned around, his blood-colored escape light soaring into the sky as he gave chase toward the east.