Chapter 82 — Ten
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 5 of 10
The pressure from the surrounding righteous cultivators grew greater and greater, and the dozen or so members of the Nether Sect had been pressed into a small circle, the situation growing desperate—when suddenly, at that very moment, a sharp whistle rang out beyond the Yuheng Hall, strange lights flashed wildly, and in moments wails of agony filled the air.
The righteous cultivators were shocked, and a moment later saw figures flying through the air—it was the Poison God, Yuyang Zi, and the Three Wonders Fairy, leading the remaining three great factions of the demonic cult to reinforce them.
The demonic masters poured into the fray, and the tide turned in an instant. The Poison God slowly walked over to the Nether King, who stood there watching them with a look of gratification, his gaze on the battle ahead, a smile on his face as well—yet he said in a low voice: "Brother, you're a ruthless one!"
The Nether King smiled slightly. "The old senior disregarded everything for our Holy Sect, braving extraordinary danger—in days to come his name will surely be passed down through the ages, sung by the disciples of the Holy Sect for generations."
The Poison God gave a bitter laugh, shot him a glare, and cursed under his breath: "Bullshit!"
With this great host of the demonic cult arriving, the Canglan Sect—already gravely depleted—was pressed back despite Tian Buhui and the others' desperate efforts, and the situation gradually grew critical.
Master Daoyan surveyed the whole field, his eyes seeming to spit fire. In a single day, the sacred, inviolable Canglan Mountain had been stormed back and forth by these demonic cultists—a humiliation unparalleled since the sect's founding.
But more important was the predicament before him. In that brief moment, he made some resolution and raised his arm.
The four sect masters of the demonic cult had not yet entered the fray, their eyes almost all fixed on Master Daoyan. At a glance they knew the old villain meant to risk all and once more activate the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation—how could they let him have his way? In an instant four figures shot forward like lightning, converging on Master Daoyan as though by prior agreement.
At that very moment, as though summoned by something, the spirit beast that had lain outside the Yuheng Hall all this while—the water qilin—suddenly gave a mighty roar and charged in with tremendous force. Such an ancient beast's strength was in no way inferior to any master cultivator's; its charge came with a fierce howl of wind, and to be struck by it was no laughing matter. The Nether King and the others were checked for a moment, and in a flash the water qilin had reached Master Daoyan's side.
It crouched beside Master Daoyan, opened its great maw, and spat out an object. Master Daoyan reached out and took it.
The demonic cultists were astonished. Looking closely, they saw it was indeed a long sword—but now utterly lusterless, as though forged from some strange stone, blade and hilt all of one piece. It looked like a plain, unremarkable stone sword, and upon the blade one could faintly see patterns running crosswise, seeming rather worn, with faint cracks running across it as well.
So this was what the ancient Immortal-Slaying Sword looked like—and that it was hidden in the water qilin's mouth was something no one could have imagined.
A moment later, when the Immortal-Slaying Sword fell into Master Daoyan's hand, a sudden transformation occurred: in an instant, from the blade of that ancient sword blazed an inconceivable white-hot light, and within moments it had wholly shrouded the vast Yuheng Hall. The crowd was shaken, and all ceased fighting.
But within the radiance, Master Daoyan's body swayed again several times.