68: Returning Home and Enlightenment

The blood-red hue of Qing City had already faded, but the sorrow and the heavy atmosphere of surviving a catastrophe that permeated the air remained for a long time.

On the ruins of the Ye Family ancestral residence, the surviving clansmen, under Ye Xiaotian's command, began clearing the rubble, collecting the bodies of the fallen, and rebuilding their home.

Everyone's face bore an indelible sorrow, but deep within their eyes, an undying flame burned—that was hatred, responsibility, and, more importantly, the hope that Ye Chen had brought them, born from despair.

Ye Chen did not linger for too long. He left most of his healing and cultivation resources to the Family, taking only the necessary Medicinal Pill and that cracked qingfeng sword.

After solemnly bidding farewell to his parents, he and the eight other Tianfeng Academy Disciples, including Chen Feng, set off on the return journey to Liuyun City.

There were nine of them coming, and nine returning, but everyone's state of mind was completely different.

The journey there was marked by the urgency of rescue and vigilance against unknown enemies; the return journey carried more weight, along with an indescribable awe for the young man by their side.

On the return journey, there were no more ambushes or blockades.

Blood Dove had fled after losing an arm, Blood Li had been executed in Qing City, and Lin Hao had turned to dust. The Dark Hall's forces near Qing City had clearly suffered heavy losses and could not organize an effective interception in the short term.

Ye Chen flew silently at the very front, most of his focus submerged within his body, carefully contemplating the battle with Elder Blood Li, as well as the changes after fighting against the demonic intent and the transformation of his Sword Intent.

His cultivation at the Kaiyuan Realm Fifth Level was already stabilized, and even, due to that tragic combustion and the subsequent trace of essence fed back by the ancient sword phantasm, he was faintly inching toward the Peak of the fifth level.

The Spiritual Qi in his Dantian was thicker and purer, carrying a trace of the characteristics of Nirvana and Devouring. As it circulated, it seemed capable of autonomously absorbing the thin Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in the surroundings; although the efficiency was extremely low, it was a gratifying change.

The biggest change, however, was in his Sword Intent.

The Nirvana Sword Intent originally focused on "Annihilation," destroying everything and returning it to nothingness.

But now, after fusing with that trace of the refined Demonic Lord's will essence, on the foundation of "Annihilation," the characteristic of "Devouring" had been derived.

With a slight movement of his mind, a wisp of sword light flickered at his fingertip.

The core of this sword light remained dark gold, representing the essence of Nirvana, but its edges were coiled with subtle, living-like dark red patterns, exuding the aura of plunder and Devouring.

He attempted to shoot this sword light toward a massive green stone in the mountain forest below.

"Sss—"

The sword light sank into the green stone; there was no loud noise, no flying debris.

With the point of entry as the center, the green stone rapidly turned gray and brittle, eventually turning into a puff of dust that dissipated with the wind.

And during the process of the green stone's annihilation, Ye Chen clearly felt that a trace of extremely faint earth and stone essence was extracted by the dark red patterns in the sword light, merging into himself and replenishing the small amount of energy consumed by firing this attack.

"As expected... not only can it annihilate, but it can also devour a portion of energy to feed back into itself..." Ye Chen realized in his heart, "This 'Nirvana Devouring' Sword Intent is more powerful, and its endurance has also been improved, but... the requirements for one's Heart-Nature are also higher."

Devouring external energy makes one extremely susceptible to being affected by the Impurities and grudges within it, potentially even subtly changing one's Heart-Nature and causing one to fall into the abyss of power.

If not for the mysterious ancient sword phantasm stationed deep within his Soul, constantly cleansing and purifying the devoured energy, he would likely have suffered Qi Deviation the moment he comprehended this Sword Intent.

"Power has no distinction between good and evil; the key lies in the person wielding the power." Ye Chen's eyes were firm. "My heart is like a sword, unbending, supreme. This power of Devouring is also a sword in my hand, helping me slay demons and eliminate devils, protecting everything I care about!"

He constantly practiced and familiarized himself with this brand-new Sword Intent while flying.

Sometimes he would point his fingers like a sword, striking into the air, and a finger force containing the power of Devouring would silently sink into the clouds, annihilating and devouring a small patch of mist; at other times, he would guide it with his mind, creating a miniature Sword Intent force field within a range of about a zhang around him. Dust in the air and overflowing Spiritual Qi, once entering this range, would be rapidly decomposed and devoured, making the space around him appear exceptionally "clean."

Chen Feng and the others followed behind, watching Ye Chen sometimes deep in thought, sometimes practicing. The fluctuations of Sword Intent around him, sometimes annihilating and void, sometimes domineering and predatory, left them all feeling awestruck.

They could feel that Ye Chen's strength was digesting the gains from this trip to Qing City at an astonishing speed, becoming even more unfathomable.

"Junior Brother Ye's talent in the Dao of the sword is truly terrifying." A deacon at the Kaiyuan Realm Seventh Level couldn't help but transmit his voice to Chen Feng, "In such a short time, not only did he stabilize his Realm, but it seems he has also made a new Breakthrough in Sword Intent? Look at his finger force; it can actually devour the energy of external objects. It is unheard of."

Chen Feng replied with a solemn expression, "This kind of Sword Intent is domineering and peerless, but it is also extremely dangerous. I hope Junior Brother Ye can always maintain his original heart; otherwise... sigh, fortune often hides disaster." As the Senior Brother of the Law Enforcement Hall, he was knowledgeable and well aware that power with such Devouring characteristics often carries immense risks.

A few days later, the towering silhouette of Liuyun City was already in sight.

The closer they got to Liuyun City, the more Ye Chen's mind detached from the comprehension of his Sword Intent, becoming increasingly vigilant. The matter of Qing City was likely just the tip of the iceberg of the Dark Hall's massive conspiracy. Liuyun City was the true center of the storm!

He recalled that mobile Formation core, the "carrier" hidden among the crowd, and the resentful gaze of Elder Blood Dove when he fled... The Dark Hall would definitely not let this go.

Just as they were about to arrive at the mountain gate of Tianfeng Academy, a familiar voice, filled with urgency and worry, transmitted directly into the ears of Ye Chen and Chen Feng.

"Come directly to 'Sword Heart Hall'; the Dean and all the Elders are waiting for you!"

It was the voice of Elder Liu Qingfeng.

Ye Chen and Chen Feng exchanged glances, both seeing the solemnity in the other's eyes. It seemed that the Academy had also undergone significant changes, or... there had been new discoveries!

The nine did not slow down, flying directly past the mountain gate toward the "Sword Heart Hall," which symbolized the core of power and decision-making deep within the Academy.

Inside the Sword Heart Hall, the atmosphere was solemn.

Dean Yun Canghai sat in the main seat, his expression calm yet imposing without anger. Elder Liu Qingfeng, along with several influential Elders from the Law Enforcement Hall, Formation Hall, and Martial Skill Hall, were lined up on both sides, each with a solemn expression and furrowed brows.

When the nine, including Ye Chen, stepped into the hall, all eyes instantly focused on them, especially lingering on Ye Chen for the longest time. The gazes of the Elders contained scrutiny, surprise, and even a hint of undisguised expectation.

"Disciple Ye Chen (Chen Feng) greets the Dean and all Elders!" Ye Chen and Chen Feng stepped forward to salute.

"Rise." Yun Canghai nodded slightly, his gaze landing on Ye Chen, deep as the starry sky, "Elder Liu has briefly informed me about the matter of Qing City through secret techniques. Ye Chen, you did very well; you saved your Family and also sounded the alarm for us."

His voice was calm but carried an invisible pressure: "Tell us in detail about your experiences in Qing City, especially regarding the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array and the anomalies you perceived at the end. Do not omit anything."

"Yes, Dean."

Ye Chen took a deep breath. Starting from sneaking into the Lin Family's secret room, to the bloody battle in Qing City, breaking the array, the invasion of demonic intent, the final transformation of his Sword Intent, forcing back Blood Dove, and slaying Blood Li... except for the core secret of the ancient sword phantasm deep within his Soul, he narrated the entire process clearly and in detail, including his speculations about the array extracting the earth's veins and the possible existence of a "mobile carrier."

When he mentioned that his Sword Intent had transformed and derived the "Devouring" characteristic, the expressions of the Elders in the hall changed slightly. Liu Qingfeng even directly extended a pure stream of Sword Intent to carefully perceive Ye Chen's state.

A moment later, Liu Qingfeng withdrew his Sword Intent and nodded slightly to Yun Canghai, signaling that Ye Chen's Sword Heart was stable, not corrupted by demonic intent, but that the Sword Intent itself had undergone an unknown benign mutation.

A flash of brilliance crossed Yun Canghai's eyes. After pondering for a moment, he said slowly, "Derived from Nirvana, Devouring... unheard of. This is your Opportunity, and also your tribulation. Remember, hold fast to your Sword Heart; only then can power be used by you, rather than being controlled by power."

"Disciple will remember the Dean's teachings!" Ye Chen responded solemnly.

"As for the 'mobile carrier' you mentioned..." Yun Canghai's gaze swept over the Elders present, his voice becoming incomparably grave, "Our investigation also points to this possibility. Moreover, we have reason to suspect that the carrier... is very likely already infiltrated within our Tianfeng Academy!"

"What?!"

Ye Chen and Chen Feng were shocked!

The tentacles of the Dark Hall had actually reached inside the Academy?! That so-called "mobile carrier" could be right beside them, could be anyone!

A chill rose up Ye Chen's spine.

Yun Canghai stood up, his eyes like torches, scanning the room: "According to the information brought back by Ye Chen, and our investigations over the past few days, it can be basically determined that the core of the 'Demon Summoning Grand Array' is not a fixed array base, but a 'living carrier' capable of carrying and transmitting massive energy! This living carrier is hidden extremely deeply and may possess the ability to disguise, or even Possession!"

"Dean, how should we respond?" an Elder asked in a deep voice.

A flicker of determination flashed in Yun Canghai's eyes: "Conventional investigation methods are of little effect. For now, the only way is... to draw the snake out of its hole!"

He looked at Ye Chen, his gaze burning: "Ye Chen, you have performed a great service this time, and even honed a brand-new Sword Intent between life and death. The Academy has decided to open the 'Ten Thousand Sword Secret Realm' and allow you to enter it to Cultivate and comprehend the sword! At the same time, using this as an Opportunity, let's see if we can... draw that hidden 'carrier' out!"

Ten Thousand Sword Secret Realm! The most core place of Legacy in Tianfeng Academy, said to contain the supreme insights into the Dao of the sword and Opportunities left by generations of predecessors!

Ye Chen was shocked, instantly understanding the Dean's intention. Using him as the core, using the Ten Thousand Sword Secret Realm as bait, to go fishing!

This was a risky move! But it was also the most effective method at present!

"Disciple is willing to go!" Ye Chen did not hesitate at all, his eyes burning with Battle Intent and determination.

For the Academy, for Liuyun City, and to ferret out that hidden viper, he was resolute and unyielding!