64: Chapter 64 Crimson Sky! The Traitorous Demoness of the Past Reappears!

The afterglow of the sunset gradually receded from the towering walls of Sword King City, and the orange-red of the horizon was tinged with the deep purple peculiar to the evening.

In the central square, representatives from various factions returned to their seats.

In front of the Sword Sect's main hall, atop the high white jade stairs, the Sword Sect Sect Master walked out slowly, surrounded by several core Elders. He held a glistening glass of jade nectar in his hand, preparing to read the closing address for this Dao Discussion Conference.

The surrounding clamor gradually subsided, and everyone's gaze converged toward that high platform.

Gu Yi sat upright in the grand armchair of the Xuantian Sect viewing stand. A breeze blew past, bringing a hint of evening chill, gently stirring his slightly open collar.

This was supposed to be the most comfortable moment for a victor, but the smile on Gu Yi's face faded silently the moment the breeze brushed his face.

The sensation of this breeze was wrong.

The wind should have been laden with the cold Sword Qi that lingered in Sword King City year-round and the faint scent of Spirit Medicine, but at this very moment, a sticky, nauseating, fishy-sweet odor had quietly permeated the air, as if it were some old blood that had been left out for a long time.

A trace of doubt flashed in the depths of Gu Yi's profound eyes.

Out of the instinctual vigilance of a great Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage toward danger, he ignored the impassioned speech of the Sword Sect Sect Master on the platform. Instead, he closed his eyes and, following the dark green jade floor tiles beneath his feet, silently probed his vast Divine Sense into the earth veins deep within Sword King City.

With this probe, Gu Yi's heart sank abruptly.

The pure earth vein Spiritual Qi, which usually flowed as steadily as a great river, now seemed to have been forcibly infused with some filthy substance, becoming sluggish, turbid, and even faintly revealing a violent, counter-flowing trend.

Just as the Sword Sect Sect Master raised his wine cup, loudly preparing to utter the words "The conference has reached a successful conclusion," the celestial phenomena changed.

The sunset glow that had originally covered the horizon did not dim with the setting sun; instead, within a few breaths, a chilling anomaly occurred.

The brilliant colors seemed to have been splashed with a layer of thick, dark blood, transforming at a speed visible to the naked eye into a suffocating, viscous blood-red.

The thick blood-colored clouds were like boiling water, spreading rapidly from the horizon, instantly swallowing the entire firmament.

Daylight instantly devolved into a blood-colored dusk, and the entire Sword King City was shrouded in a layer of eerie, dark red halo.

Accompanied by this terrifying celestial phenomenon, a terrifying Devilish Qi so heavy it could not be described in words descended onto the central square from beyond the nine heavens, as if the sky were collapsing and the earth sinking.

"What the hell is this?!"

"Such terrifying pressure, I can't circulate my True Qi!"

The originally orderly square instantly fell into a massive panic.

Those Outer Sect Disciples from various Sects whose cultivation was below the Foundation Establishment Stage didn't even have time to let out a scream before they were pressed to the ground by this tyrannical Devilish Qi. Their faces were deathly pale, their hands clutched tightly over their chests, gasping for air, as if even breathing had become a luxury.

Even the Elders and Protectors at the Golden Core Stage changed their expressions, stumbling as they drew their weapons, looking around as if facing a formidable enemy, attempting to find the source of this terrifying pressure.

The composure on Gu Yi's face vanished at this moment. The ease with which he had completely controlled the situation was entirely put away, replaced by the solemnity of facing a life-and-death crisis.

He did not hesitate in the slightest, and the Primordial Limitless Creation Immortal Body within him roared to its limit.

The majestic pure Yang True Qi surged out from his body, forming an indestructible, semi-transparent golden barrier, like a large inverted bowl, tightly protecting the Xuantian Sect viewing stand behind him.

"Senior Brother..."

Junior Sister Lin Wanying's small face was deathly pale, her big eyes filled with panic. She subconsciously dropped the Spirit Medicine fruit in her hand and tightly grasped Gu Yi's sleeve with both hands. This kind of Devilish Qi, which felt like the might of heaven, was far too overwhelming for a small Cultivator like her, causing even her Soul to tremble uncontrollably.

"Don't be afraid, stand behind me, and don't go anywhere."

Gu Yi's voice was low and powerful, carrying a firmness that reassured the heart. He reached back and held Junior Sister's cold little hand, pulling her steadily behind his broad back.

Senior Sister Mu Qingxue, who was by his side, did not make a sound, but her movements were faster than anyone else's.

With a clear, crisp sound, "Zheng," the long sword exuding the aura of Sword Bones had already been unsheathed.

Ice-blue Sword Qi swirled crazily around her, desperately resisting the blood-colored Devilish Qi seeping in from the outside. Senior Sister Mu Qingxue stepped forward and stood side-by-side with Gu Yi; there was no fear in her clear eyes, only an unwavering determination, with her sword tip pointing directly at the blood clouds in the firmament.

Liu Qingwan also stood up from the grand armchair.

This beautiful Elder, who was usually lazy and casual and liked to use her status as an Elder to hide her shyness, now had a face as cold as frost.

The massive Spiritual Pressure of the Middle Stage of the Soul Transformation Stage was released by her without reservation, merging perfectly with Gu Yi's True Qi barrier, together supporting this absolute defense belonging to the Xuantian Sect.

"This aura..."

Liu Qingwan looked up, staring fixedly at the rolling blood-colored clouds above her head. Her alluring peach-blossom eyes contracted violently, and deep within her eyes surged an unbelievable shock, even carrying a few traces of dread buried deep in her memories.

"How is this possible... Wasn't that witch banished from the Sect and suppressed in the Bottomless Devil Abyss a hundred years ago?" Liu Qingwan's voice even carried a trace of imperceptible trembling.

Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, the city-protecting Formation above Sword King City, which was said to be able to withstand even a great expert at the Soul Transformation Stage, emitted a series of teeth-aching "crack" sounds the moment it touched the blood-colored clouds.

The azure spiritual light flowing on the Formation patterns dimmed rapidly; like snow encountering strong acid, it was silently corroded by that extremely evil power, creating a huge hole.

Fierce winds howled, and blood rain drifted.

At that torn gap in the Formation, in the center of that rolling blood-colored vortex, a wide-sleeved immortal dress as red as blood rustled in the fierce wind.

An enchanting and eerie witch stood quietly above the blood-colored clouds.

Looking from below, one could only barely see her high-and-mighty distant silhouette.

But just this one blurry figure, that terrifying Devilish Qi sufficient to make the heavens and earth change color and make all things submit, was already pressing down on all the Cultivators in the city, making them unable to breathe.

She looked down at the chaotic Sword King City below, as if looking at a huge anthill, her eyes filled with contempt and cold killing intent.

The former most brilliant and talented Prodigy of the Xuantian Sect, the later traitorous witch—Li Hongxiao!

Gu Yi maintained the posture of supporting the barrier, his brows tightly locked together.

The fierce wind messed up his black hair; he clenched his fists tightly, his gaze piercing through the layers of blood-colored rain, staring fixedly at the nightmare-like demonic shadow on the clouds.