279: tattered

Tianjian Sect is located in the northeastern part of the Rain God Continent.

Although not as renowned as the Three Great Sects and the Eighteen Demon Suppressing Towers, it is still a famous power within the Rain God Continent.

Sect Master Dan Chenzi is a top-tier powerhouse at the third level of the Soul Transformation stage, with over ten thousand Disciples under him. Coupled with the Sect's long-standing reputation for acting heroically and making friends with fellow Cultivators, they have earned a massive reputation over time.

Inside the main hall, sandalwood incense curled around the carved pillars, creating a somewhat solemn atmosphere.

The Grand Elder entered the hall with an anxious expression and hurried steps, reporting in a low voice, "Sect Master, the Yao Race army is coming with menacing momentum! The vanguard is led entirely by Deity Transformation Realm Yao Generals, with countless Yao soldiers under their command. Yaoshi City is already in a critical state and likely won't hold out much longer. Tianque Sect and the Five Elders Gate are recruiting Cultivators to resist the Yao Race together. When shall we set out to provide reinforcements?"

Dan Chenzi, who was originally seated in the main seat, suddenly stood up upon hearing this. His black Daoist robe fluttered without wind, and a sharp light burst from his eyes. "It seems what the old Sect Master said back then was true. The great war against the Yao Race fifty years ago was merely a probing move, not a true all-out invasion."

His gaze was heavy and his tone solemn. "The Yao Race must have been secretly accumulating power all these years, plotting something significant. With such a formation now, they are clearly getting serious."

The Grand Elder also vaguely sensed the menacing momentum of the Yao Race army this time.

After a moment of contemplation, Dan Chenzi gave orders decisively, "Pass down the command immediately!"

"First, summon all powerhouses of the Void Refining Realm and above, including the three Soul Transformation Elders. Assemble at the Sect plaza in half an hour; there must be no delay!"

"Second, take inventory of the healing Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and equipment in the storehouse. Have the Disciples of each hall prepare for battle and set out with the team!"

"Third, leave the Mountain-Protecting Enshrined Elders to guard the Sect's Foundation, and the Discipline Elder will be responsible for internal order. Everyone else, follow me to reinforce Yaoshi City!"

"By your command!" The Grand Elder bowed to accept the order and quickly turned to leave, not daring to delay for a moment.

Half an hour later, on the Tianjian Sect plaza, Sword Qi soared into the sky, and rosy light blanketed the mountains. Dozens of Void Refining powerhouses stood solemnly in uniform azure Daoist robes, their Auras as heavy as mountains. The three Soul Transformation Elders stood at the front of the formation, their Auras restrained like deep pools, yet naturally radiating a majestic Aura that suppressed all directions.

Dan Chenzi, in a black Daoist robe and holding the Qingshuang Sword, stood at the very front. His gaze swept over everyone, and his voice was sonorous:

"Everyone, at the founding of our Tianjian Sect, the first Sect Master established an iron rule: whenever there is war with the Yao Race, we must give our all!"

"Follow me! Point your swords at the demonic Aura and reinforce Yaoshi!"

The sonorous voice still echoed over the plaza, causing the clouds to churn slightly.

But in the next second, the ground suddenly shook violently. This was no ordinary earth dragon turning over, but an impact carrying some sort of majestic power that spread directly from the depths of the Sect. The bluestone slabs beneath their feet instantly cracked into spiderweb-like patterns, and rubble tumbled down.

"Hmm?" Dan Chenzi's eyes narrowed, but his Face changed drastically in the next instant.

A blue-green sword light slashed down from the sky without warning at extreme speed, carrying a momentum that could destroy heaven and earth. The Sect-Protecting Grand Array that had protected Tianjian Sect for hundreds of years instantly lit up with brilliant golden light, as countless runes flowed and intertwined rapidly on the light screen, doing their best to resist this sudden heavy blow.

But that green sword light's Aura was astonishing, easily piercing through the light screen like cutting paper and landing directly on the eye of the array's core.

"Boom—!"

A deafening roar exploded, and the Mountain-Protecting Array trembled violently. The runes on the light screen dimmed one after another like extinguished stars, and cracks spread rapidly. In just a few breaths, the grand array that had resisted countless invasions shattered with a bang, turning into points of light that dissipated into the sky.

The surrounding halls and pavilions collapsed one after another under the shockwave, with wood chips and bricks flying everywhere, stirring up layers of thick smoke. Dan Chenzi frowned and waved a hand, releasing a burst of spiritual power that instantly cleared the smoke, revealing a figure standing in the center of the plaza.

The man had a tall and straight figure and a handsome Face, dressed in a simple and elegant scholar's robe, looking just like a bookish scholar.

However, the demonic power swirling around him was as unfathomable as the deep sea, making it hard for all the Cultivators present to breathe.

Yan Shu's gaze swept across the devastated plaza and then looked toward the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance. A faint smile curled on his lips as he said softly, "The environment here is quite good. With beautiful mountains and clear waters, it is an elegant place for reading."

"Beast, how dare you run wild in my Tianjian Sect!"

Several Soul Emergence Stage Elders, seeing the Sect suffer such a heavy blow, were infuriated and summoned their Lifebound Treasures. In an instant, sword lights crisscrossed, Talismans flew, and Magical Artifacts roared as dozens of Soul Emergence Stage powerhouses launched a joint attack, their momentum grand as they bore down on the scholar-like member of the Yao Race.

But Yan Shu only shook his head slightly and lightly tapped his foot, causing a circle of green ripples to surge around him. Wherever the ripples passed, all incoming sword lights instantly dimmed and lost their luster, the Talismans lost their spirituality and fell limply, and the Magical Artifacts were directly sent flying, leaving them with no power to fight back. Immediately after, the green ripples transformed into countless tiny needlepoints, shooting toward those dozens of Soul Emergence Stage Elders in a dense mass.

In an instant, screams rang out continuously, and corpses littered the ground. The Tianjian Sect, which had just been ready to set out and reinforce Yaoshi City, was suddenly facing the calamity of Sect extermination.

Yan Shu turned his gaze toward the ashen-faced Dan Chenzi and chuckled:

"By the way, what were your plans earlier?"

Dan Chenzi's Face was ashen. He clearly hadn't expected such a terrifying Great Yao to be hidden within the Rain God Continent; he had to inform the Tianque Sect of this immediately.

"Silent?"

Yan Shu chuckled, the tip of his sword leaning forward slightly. "Then let me send you on your way, so this quiet place can have less clamor."

As his voice fell, a sword shadow slashed toward Dan Chenzi like a meteor chasing the moon.

Dan Chenzi's pupils constricted, and his spiritual power surged wildly. The Qingshuang Sword erupted with unprecedentedly brilliant spiritual power as he tried to take this fatal blow head-on. The three Soul Transformation Elders also reacted, simultaneously summoning their Lifebound Treasures. Three bursts of majestic spiritual power converged, meeting the incoming sword shadow.

But just at the moment the sword shadow was about to collide with the spiritual power, a figure suddenly appeared in front of Dan Chenzi.

It was a man dressed in grey cloth clothes with an ordinary Face and a straight figure. He held no weapon, but simply raised his right hand and lightly pressed his palm against the ink-colored sword shadow.

"Clang—!"

A deafening sound of clashing metal rang out as the sword shadow hit the man's palm. It was as if it had struck a massive boulder, instantly halting in mid-air. The demonic power on the sword shadow surged wildly, yet it remained unable to advance even a fraction of an inch.

A moment later, the sword shadow shattered inch by inch, turning into spots of ink-light that dissipated in the air.

The smile on Yan Shu's Face froze slightly, a flash of surprise appearing in his eyes. He then withdrew his longsword and bowed to the man in cloth clothes, his tone much more respectful:

"So it is the Mount Zhenyue Tower Master. I am Yan Shu, greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Jiang Xiuwen nodded indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the devastated Tianjian Sect plaza before he slowly spoke: "Tianjian Sect and I share a destiny. Can you give me some Face?"

Yan Shu lowered his head in thought for a moment. When he looked up, he had regained his composed smile and said freely, "Very well, very well. I must naturally give Face to the Mount Zhenyue Tower Master."

He glanced at Dan Chenzi and added, "Since the Tower Master has spoken, I will no longer trouble the Tianjian Sect. However, it would be best if you did not interfere with Yaoshi City, Fellow Daoist."

With the crisis averted, Jiang Xiuwen turned around and looked at the complex expression on Dan Chenzi's Face.

Dan Chenzi took a deep breath and questioned in a low voice, "Thank you for saving my life, Senior Jiang, but I still wish to ask: why did you side with the Yao Race?"

Hearing this, Jiang Xiuwen took out a flask of wine from his robe, pulled out the stopper, and took a large swig, the wine sliding down the corner of his mouth. He sighed softly, his eyes filled with a bit of loneliness and exhaustion:

"Siding with the Yao Race? Do you know about the Chusheng Sect capturing commoners to refine demon transformation pills?"

He tilted his head back and took another swig of wine, his voice low: "I am simply a bit disappointed with this world. Siding with the Yao Race? I have never sided with anyone. All I seek is 'peace of mind.'"