129: Chapter 129 This move may look similar, but it lacks the soul!

"Do you also have something to report?"

Ye Dingzhi glanced at him indifferently without getting angry, then turned toward Marquis Ziyi.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, a powerful enemy has indeed appeared suddenly, possessing astonishing strength."

Marquis Ziyi lowered his head as he answered.

"Elaborate."

Ye Dingzhi's tone was calm, but his gaze remained fixed on the walls of Wushuang City.

"As you command! This time, I led the army to besiege Sword Heart Tomb. Initially, the situation was gradually coming under our control, and King Li Su showed signs of wavering. Just as I was about to persuade them to surrender, a person suddenly descended from the heavens."

"What kind of person?"

"That person transformed into a Giant Roc, its wingspan blotting out the sun. To preserve the remaining troops, I had no choice but to order a retreat."

However, with a single flap of its wings, a violent gale swept across the battlefield. Our entire army was swept into the air, and less than half survived..."

Marquis Ziyi stole a glance upward; seeing that Ye Dingzhi's back remained motionless and his expression unreadable, he had no choice but to continue his report.

"Based on previous intelligence reports, it is highly likely that this person is the martial arts hall master who recently appeared in Snow Moon City!"

After speaking, he bowed his head and waited quietly for judgment.

After a long silence, Ye Dingzhi finally spoke slowly:

"And what about you?"

Mo Qixuan immediately understood that the question was directed at him.

"Sect Master, that martial arts hall master from Snow Moon City indeed possesses the ability to transform into a Roc."

Although I did not see it with my own eyes, after various investigations, the news is confirmed."

In truth, he hadn't witnessed it, but the whole city was talking about it; it was impossible for everyone to be saying the same thing if it weren't true.

"Furthermore, the Gu Xu Grand Formation set up against Snow Moon City had already taken shape. Even if it couldn't break the city, it should have at least trapped them."

Who could have known that the man would suddenly strike? His Sword Qi soared to the heavens, and four world-shaking sword scars slashed across the four directions. Each rift stretched for dozens of miles, and the grand formation collapsed instantly!"

Recalling that Sword Intent which felt like heavenly punishment, Mo Qixuan still felt his Soul tremble.

"So that sword light came from this person's hand."

Ye Dingzhi's pupils flickered with a mix of gold and red, the emotions in his eyes difficult to discern.

He had naturally sensed that soaring Sword Intent coming from the direction of Snow Moon City, so he had already expected that something might have gone wrong there.

He had originally thought Li Changsheng had acted again, never expecting another expert to have emerged out of nowhere.

"The failure of you two this time is significant. Once this battle concludes, your crimes will be judged."

Ye Dingzhi finally spoke.

Mo Qixuan and Marquis Ziyi both felt a quiet sense of relief in their hearts.

"Now, tell me about that martial arts hall master."

The two exchanged a look, and naturally, it was Mo Qixuan who presented the details.

After all, Marquis Ziyi had nearly lost his entire army without even seeing his opponent's true face.

Thus, Mo Qixuan started from his first arrival at Snow Moon City and the phenomena caused by the Ten Thousand Swords Art. He omitted trivial details, focusing only on the power Su Rui displayed during several instances and the various deductions regarding his origins.

Hearing such detailed intelligence for the first time, Marquis Ziyi couldn't help but feel emotional:

Losing to such a person left him with no complaints.

The surrounding Heaven Beyond Heaven experts also showed subtle changes in their expressions upon hearing this.

Who could have expected that Snow Moon City was hiding such an unfathomable figure?

Mo Qixuan was considered a powerhouse among them, yet the opponent had heavily injured him with just a wisp of Sword Qi, nearly stripping him of his combat capability.

Such cultivation could no longer be measured by ordinary standards; Mo Qixuan's defeat was not undeserved, but rather seemed like an act of fate.

"This great war might not be so easy to conclude after all."

A low voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence.

Everyone looked toward the source and saw a tall, middle-aged man with a pressing Aura walking over slowly, followed by three young Disciples.

His steps were steady, each one seeming to tread upon the hearts of others, and his entire body radiated a pressure that made people dare not look at him directly.

"Tyrant, this matter has nothing to do with you, does it?" Ye Dingzhi met him with a cold gaze and a toneless voice.

"Heh," Tyrant gave a light snort, "I originally came for profit, but now that the situation has changed abruptly, do you still expect everything to proceed as planned?"

Before his voice had even faded, the youth behind him had already brought over a large carved chair.

Tyrant sat down calmly, his gaze locking onto Ye Dingzhi like a blade: "You felt that Sword Qi too—the person who acted is definitely not inferior to you or me."

How do you plan to respond?"

"No need for further words, I will personally take action." Ye Dingzhi's tone was calm, yet it carried an air of finality.

Tyrant was slightly taken aback, then let out a cold laugh, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Though he didn't say it, he was already calculating a way out in his heart.

But at the thought of that mysterious figure who had arrived here just before Ye Dingzhi, a chill still couldn't help but creep up his spine.

Right at that moment, Ye Dingzhi suddenly raised his hand, his voice exploding like thunder:

"Continue the siege! Today, we must take Wushuang City!"

This command echoed through the sky, shaking the surrounding area.

On the city tower, Zhao Guyan's face was pale. Looking at the Demonic Cult army surging like a black tide below the city, his brow furrowed deeply.

In the face of such overwhelming military force, even a peerless expert would find it difficult to turn the tide.

Those in the Vajra and Freedom Realms were already surrounded, finding it difficult enough to protect themselves; those in the Profound Transcendence Realm might be able to retreat unscathed, but they were powerless to reverse the situation.

"Master, what should we do now?" Song Yanhui's eyes were full of anxiety.

"Where are the Elders?" Zhao Guyan asked in a low voice.

"They are all at various locations assisting in the city's defense."

Zhao Guyan nodded slightly.

This time, they finally understood the principle that when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. It was fortunate enough that they hadn't deserted the battlefield.

His gaze slowly shifted toward the central command tent at the rear of the enemy army, where several sharp Auras were faintly emanating, like crouching beasts.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly turned and gazed at Song Yanhui.

"From now on, you are the new City Lord of Wushuang City."

These words were like a thunderclap, causing Song Yanhui's heart to tremble violently.

He was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.

"Master, you are..."

"To capture the rebels, one must first capture their leader," Zhao Guyan said indifferently. "As long as the commanding general is injured or even killed, this siege will naturally dissolve."

He knew that the Demonic Cult's true target was not Wushuang City itself.

Once the cost became too high, the opponent would surely stop.

"But your injuries..." Song Yanhui heard the intent to die behind those words, and his face turned pale instantly.

He knew that his master had resolved to trade his life to change the situation.

"Everyone must die eventually." Zhao Guyan smiled, his expression actually carrying a hint of relief. "Besides, I have less than half a month to live."

If I can touch a sliver of the true essence of the Sword Dao in my final moments, what regrets could I have in this life?"

Previously, he had been injured by Su Rui's Sword Intent, and his sword heart had shattered; he should not have had long to live.

However, it was precisely within this shattered state that he had conversely realized a sliver of Sword Intent that belonged to himself.

Over these past few days, he often lamented that he had been born at the wrong time.

If he were a few decades younger, he would certainly have joined that martial arts hall to pursue the true Sword Dao.

Although his Realm was declining day by day, he knew in his heart: at this moment, though he was critically injured and on the verge of death, he was at his strongest in his entire life.

Song Yanhui looked at his master's eyes, a thousand words stuck in his throat.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and knelt, kowtowing heavily.

"Your Disciple... respectfully sees off Master!"

"Hahaha!" Zhao Guyan threw his head back and laughed. "To glimpse a ray of the Sword Dao's light before death, I, Zhao Guyan, die without regrets!"

There was no trace of sorrow on his face; instead, it overflowed with a long-lost radiance.

"Remember, the kindness of that person in Snow Moon City must not be forgotten."

In the future, Wushuang City may study the Sword Control Technique, but it must not be enshrined as our core Legacy. Remember this!"

Song Yanhui's eyes were bloodshot as he forced back tears and choked out his agreement.

Zhao Guyan reached into his robes and pulled out a sword-shaped command token cast from green jade, solemnly placing it in his hands.

"Eternal blue sky, the Sword Dao is everlasting; who can compete?"

He chanted in a low voice, his gaze cast toward the distant central command tent.

Song Yanhui understood that "that person" his master spoke of was the master of Snow Moon City.

As his words fell, Zhao Guyan's figure blurred as he rose into the air, his robes fluttering as if he were riding the wind.

"Proclaim it to the world immediately—Song Yanhui succeeds as the City Lord of Wushuang!"

Zhao Guyan's voice rang through the entire city like thunder, rolling and vibrating in everyone's ears.

The powerhouses of Wushuang City, who were currently engaged in fierce battles with Demonic Cult experts on various city walls alongside other Elders, all stopped and looked toward the source of the voice in shock.

But would the opposing Demonic Cult Martial Artists let such a golden opportunity pass? They immediately struck, every Move aimed to kill.

Immediately following that, streaks of emerald Sword Qi darted across the city walls.

The Demonic Cult Disciples and soldiers who had rushed onto the city walls suddenly trembled, then collapsed one after another, their breath gone.

The entire Wushuang City instantly fell into a dead silence.

Zhao Guyan's figure could be seen suspended above the city walls, countless emerald Sword Qi bursting from around him, while his form gradually blurred, as if he might dissipate into the wind at any moment.

A flickering phantom of a blade of grass quietly emerged behind him, swaying gently in the wind.

If Su Rui were here, he would definitely recognize it at a glance—this Move may look similar, but it lacks Soul.

Song Yanhui gazed blankly at his teacher's figure, his eyes falling on that swaying phantom of a blade of grass, and his thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the Jingwu Platform that day in Snow Moon City.

At that time, the master of the martial arts hall stood in the air, like a celestial being descended to the world.

The massive image of a blade of grass behind him connected heaven and earth; it looked weak and followed the wind, but it actually contained the power to cleave mountains and rivers.

Now, his own mentor was actually able to use such a supreme technique.

But he also knew that in his teacher's hands, this Move only possessed the form and was far from reaching that Realm.

Even so, its power was still terrifying.

He could not imagine what kind of scene it would be if that true person at the Peak from back then were to strike with full force.

In the air, Zhao Guyan's figure became increasingly faint, finally descending slowly to the ground outside the city.

He walked forward step by step, his pace heavy yet firm, pointing directly toward the location of the Demonic Cult's central command tent.

Wherever he went, green Sword Qi flew horizontally and vertically. Along the way, Demonic Cult soldiers fell in swathes, like autumn wind blowing down waves of wheat, with none spared.

Ye Dingzhi stared at the ceaseless sword light weaving through the distance of the battlefield, his eyes shifting slightly.

"It's Zhao Guyan... I didn't expect him to have this up his sleeve."

Beside him, the Wuxiang Envoy spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying an irrepressible nervousness.

When he heard Mo Qixuan mention that person's strength just now, he had already thought of the two men he had sent out, No Method and No Heaven.

Now there was no news from either of them, and combined with what the Sect Master said, his heart was already filled with uncertainty; his words now were merely a forced show of composure.

"Impossible!" someone questioned. "If Zhao Guyan really had such cultivation, how could Wushuang City have fallen to this state?"

An old hand of the Jianghu familiar with Wushuang City's past chimed in: "During the Western Chu Sword Immortal incident, No Method and No Heaven suppressed Wushuang City so much they couldn't lift their heads. How is it that suddenly no one has appeared? And when did Zhao Guyan gain such heaven-reaching methods?"

As soon as these words came out, the Wuxiang Envoy's expression changed abruptly.

He was really bringing up the very thing that shouldn't be mentioned!

"That is a fighting style that trades life for life."

Tyrant squinted his eyes, looking on from afar, and slowly spat out a sentence.

"Burning his life to fight?" Qin Shuang frowned.

"Exactly."

This is his final struggle; regardless of victory or defeat, he won't survive."

As Tyrant spoke, his gaze swept toward Ye Dingzhi, intentionally or otherwise.