Chapter 331: Immortal Sects Gather
At the border of Yong Province and Liang Province, surrounded by high mountains.
The whistling Qi force stirred up a fierce wind, bringing with it rolling turbid waves that continuously spread outwards, carrying a strong smell of blood and a roaring sound, shaking everything in all directions.
In a river valley on the east side of Nanhua Mountain, blood dyed the entire river surface a vivid and eerie red.
The Mountain and Sea Pavilion Disciples and the Sects from Yong Province tore open the northern front, retreating continuously at a heavy cost.
On the other side, at the southwestern border of Qing Province, the Asked the Dao Sect contingent also changed course towards the east during the ambush, tearing open the only weak point in the black mist-like tide, and panting, they moved in an arc back to the northwest.
Then came the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion and the Chen Clan.
The two great Immortal Sects were both located on the west side of the Qingyun Continent, and their directions of travel were close.
During the ambush, the two Sects tore open the encirclement in their respective nearby directions, borrowing strength from each other as they moved towards the same location.
And then there was Lingjian Mountain, whose whistling Sword Qi was like a sky full of bright moonlight, galloping north, then circling west, dragging their accumulated wounds, and going upstream along the Mist River bank.
They had all encountered ambushes when the Tianshu Academy was encircled, and several high-Realm Elders, who were considered their foundation, had fallen.
And those Sects who came with them, the smaller ones were directly annihilated, while the larger ones were scattered into pieces.
This was a situation they had never anticipated before. They suddenly realized that their opponents were far from what they had imagined, and the arrogant emotions in their hearts collapsed, their solemn expressions never fading.
In the first encounter, they saw countless Evil Seeds with Divine Travel combat power appearing even before they approached the ruins. They dared not predict what would happen next.
“Where is Qi Elder?”
“Qi Elder has fallen—”
“These damned monsters—”
According to the original plan, the six great Immortal Sects were supposed to converge from all directions, with the seven ruins as the core, but at this moment, they were scattered into disarray, frantically detouring.
At this time, on Lotus Mountain, south of the Great Barren Forest, a dark figure rolled a letter into a paper scroll and tied it to the leg of a black bird.
He released it.
And as this bird suddenly spread its wings and flew towards the depths of Liang Province, dozens more figures stepped onto the mountain.
Some of them were already injured, but their injuries were not serious. At this moment, they stood on the ridge, looking around.
Tonight's ambush had been planned long ago, but some things were slightly beyond their expectations.
Simply put, the opponents arrived too quickly and too completely.
From the moment this matter began to be planned, all their movements were kept very secret.
All those who should be killed were killed, and before setting off, they also used the tide of corpses to clear all traces. Logically speaking, no one should know what they were going to do.
Especially since the Qingyun Immortal Sects had always operated independently, and there was no unity among the Sects, who were outwardly harmonious but inwardly not. Their reaction should not have been so swift and organized.
But no one expected that the six great Immortal Sects and the Qingyun Sects would all set off together, with scale and plan, so that although they killed countless people tonight, a large number of them still managed to escape in scattered groups.
This situation truly exceeded their expectations.
As they pondered, everyone couldn't help but recall the angry shouts they heard during the encirclement of the Chen Clan just now.
“The Chu Clan, Li Clan, Zhuang Clan, Du Family, Li Clan—you Sects who lured the Immortal Sects to activate the ruins, disrupting the Heavenly Dao and bringing disaster to the world, have already caused a great catastrophe.”
“Do not surrender now, or you may receive lenient treatment.”
The list recited was not complete, but it was incredibly accurate.
But the problem was that before the plan began, even they themselves had never met each other, yet the Immortal Sects knew so clearly.
Undoubtedly, the Immortal Sects had already roughly understood what they were doing and vaguely realized what they were going to do.
However, whether they were testing medicine or killing people, all their actions were carried out at the lowest level of Qingyun.
With the Immortal Sects' high and mighty posture, they were deaf and blind to the lower levels and should not have been able to quickly capture such a clear Veins.
“The Tianshu Academy contingent just withdrew. Bai Zhengze's eldest son seems to be among them, which is quite surprising.”
As the words fell, everyone's brows furrowed in seriousness.
Not long after, another figure arrived on the mountainside, bringing two cold crows, and spoke in a deep voice.
“Chu City sent a message that a Disciple wearing Tianshu Academy robes was wandering in the city for several days for some unknown reason.”
“And there's also news from Feng Province, saying that someone ordered a sudden thorough investigation of the missing Immortal Villas on the surface, and someone even visited their original abandoned residences.”
After the plan was implemented, the tide of corpses first erupted, cleansing the nine provinces, making communication extremely difficult and inefficient.
Many messages from remote areas were only just received tonight.
And upon hearing the report, the eyes of the people on the mountain instantly turned gloomy.
Tianshu Academy, Bai Ru Long, and Feng Province—such pointers easily made them realize who it was, and they vaguely began to understand where the six great Immortal Sects' understanding of them originated.
No one in this world cared about the lower levels. No one cared what was done in the poor and remote place of Feng Province, but there was one exception.
“Boom!!!!”
A roaring sound of fists quietly echoed in the night.
Everyone turned to look and saw someone in the night clenching his fist and smashing the mountain wall on the right, his face revealing extreme anger amidst the Evil Qi.
He was one of those who encircled the Tianshu Academy, and when he arrived with sword marks all over his body, he had already attracted the attention of those around him.
Divine Travel Realm cultivators were not many even in the Immortal Sects and were difficult to injure, but the longest wound on his body was already bone-deep, and the wrist that was almost severed had hard flesh turned outwards, with Evil Qi constantly surging out.
Tianshu Academy was not an Immortal Sect that valued the Sword Dao like Lingjian Mountain. Only one person wore Tianshu Academy immortal robes but used the Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao, which now perfectly matched the figure everyone had previously thought of.
A Tianshu Academy Inner Courtyard Disciple, from a rural private cultivation background, with no Sect background, not favored by the Immortal Sects, once entered the academy with Chu River, seen as a foil, then entered the Inner Courtyard to kill Immortal Villas and reduce tax offerings, and went as an envoy to the Snow Region to win the Heavenly Dao top spot.
Tonight, he sword-slashed a Divine Travel Realm cultivator.
After a brief, silent meeting, the grim figures on the mountain once again stepped onto the mountain.
In an instant, the four sides of Liang Province and Qing Province were once again swept by a surging tide of corpses, like venom, continuously roaring and chasing along the directions in which the Immortal Sects had scattered.
If one looked from afar, they would see the Evil Seeds that had originally raged in various parts of Qingyun continuously converging towards the Central Plains, like a slowly forming black bowl, devouring the heavens and earth.
At this moment, in Shengjing City, the city gate guard, who was overseeing the grand formation on the city wall, slowly opened his eyes wide, then immediately rushed down the city tower with his saber.
Before long, the people of the Immortal Supervisor, Chong Wang, the Sects remaining in the capital, and many Tianshu Academy Disciples ascended the city wall, their expressions grave as they looked out along the wall.
The vast tide of corpses had already left Shengjing, seemingly guided by something, surging southward in dense masses.
They knew very well in their hearts that that direction was where the Tianshu Academy and the various Sects had gone.
In fact, their mindset was the same as that of the Sects who had set off with the Tianshu Academy when they first left the city, believing that since the six great Immortal Sects had joined forces to crusade, the scoundrels who had confused the world would surely be punished.
But looking at this surging tide of corpses flowing against the current, they vaguely felt that this seemed to be an encirclement to trap them.
At this moment, the Tianshu Academy contingent was circling south, pausing briefly when they passed the Liang Province border.
Disciples who still had strength continued to clear the Evil Seeds in all directions, while the Elders seized the time to take Medicinal Pills and heal their injuries.
Although the Dan Sect had sealed its mountains, all the great Immortal Sects and Sects had previously stored wound medicine.
At this moment, stimulated by Spirit Origin, it could stabilize injuries and accelerate wound healing.
Shi Junhao, He Lingxiu, and Chai Ze were also injured, but with the defense of various methods accompanying them, their foundations were not damaged, so after a few Medicinal Pills, the pain significantly lessened.
After the healing was complete, He Lingxiu raised her head and looked at Yu Shiliu and Wang Gaocen under the tree opposite.
“Is Wang Elder alright?”
“His Spirit Origin was almost shattered. He is now severely injured and unconscious, and his aura is very weak.”
He Lingxiu frowned slightly: “Why is Yu Shiliu like this?”
Shi Junhao lowered his voice: “Yu Elder has fallen. Just now, the three Masters-in-charge said that the team he led had already suffered before reaching the border, and six Elders among them died and their Dao disappeared.”
“It seems we indeed underestimated the opponent, almost causing a great disaster.”
“Last night, it was only our first encounter, yet a demonic individual from the Divine Roaming Realm made a move. Zuoqiu Hall Master and Chai Hall Master also seemed to have experienced a battle yesterday.
Those who could fight them could only be peak battle powers of the Upper Five Realms.”
After Shi Junhao finished speaking, a chill rose in his heart.
While they were constantly discussing this matter, other Sects were also whispering incessantly.
What they thought when they came was to assist the Immortal Sect in quelling the disaster, plunder the Sects’ legacies after the calamity, redistribute the Nine Provinces, and rise through this.
However, after the tragic slaughter last night, countless of their family Disciples were lost, and even their Old Ancestors were severely wounded, which couldn't help but make them feel a hint of fear.
This was fundamentally not something where they could participate in a battle and divide the world; this was a disaster that could lead to their demise.
But they had already delved deep into Liang Province, and in this place where the corpse tide was constantly surging, even if they wanted to turn back, it would be extremely difficult. At this point, they could only follow the Immortal Sect.
At the same time, Ji You, who had already completed his simple healing, was eating deep in the dense forest.
A strong Physical Body was indeed good, but the consumption was too great. If he didn't replenish quickly, he wouldn't last too long.
In the blink of an eye, the small mountain of dry rations piled in front of him was all swept clean by him alone, which made Cao Jinsong stare in astonishment. He couldn't help but move back a bit, fearing that Ji You would start eating him too.
After a hearty meal, an urgent whistle suddenly sounded, and everyone who was resting immediately got up.
This was not a stable place to begin with. The reason Tianshu Academy chose to rest here was because after yesterday's battle, everyone had to seize the time to recuperate.
Therefore, those who had no intention of staying long quickly gathered together.
At this moment, the surging, endless corpse tide converged into a larger wave, beginning to obscure the sky and cover the sun as it came towards them.
In an instant, everyone became tense, immediately gripped their weapons, and sped along their original route.
Ji You also rose from the secluded forest at this time, reined in his Qi, gripped his sword again, and called Cao Jinsong and the others to head south.
“This time, the corpse tide is even stronger.”
“Everyone is now prepared and won't be surrounded in a weakened state like yesterday. But the most crucial thing now is to seize the time to break into the ruins. The source of the great disaster should be within them, and there isn't much time left.”
Ji You responded while holding his sword, and then his Sword Dao pressed down with a roar.
Although the ruins were opened by being lured, they had previously been in the Immortal Sect's hands, strictly guarded, and no outsiders were allowed to enter.
It wasn't until the corpse tide suddenly surged that the Immortal Sect lost control of the ruins.
This meant that Chu Family, Du Family, and the like had not been in the ruins for long. Whatever they wanted to do would surely take time.
Looking at the current movement of the corpse tide, they must be trying to prevent the Immortal Sect from approaching the ruins. This is a game against time, and time is too precious to waste anymore.
Suddenly, a sharp shriek.
Evil Seeds carrying immense Qi rushed to attack, their entire bodies surging with Evil Qi, clearly like the Death Guards of the Bu family.
Ji You suddenly swung his sword, directly cleaving one of them, which had half its head, and then punched the other into the surging corpse tide.
“Why are more and more Evil Seeds coming towards us?”
“Because there are more and more people on our side—”
Ban Yangshu answered Cao Jinsong's question while swinging his sword, causing him and Ji You to look back.
They saw countless Tianshu Academy Disciples subconsciously gathering towards their location behind them, and even some Sects were drawing closer to their side, following closely.
The strong human Qi continuously provoked the Evil Seeds, causing the waves to gather more and more.
Cao Jinsong's mouth was twisted to his ears: “These people really know how to play the wind!”
Ban Yangshu exerted himself to slay the Evil Seed in front of him: “It must be Junior Brother Ji's sword strike yesterday that made them realize where it's best to survive.”
Ji You was at the very front at this moment, and he saw Lu Hanyan rushing a few steps forward, while Lu Qingqiu and Wen Zhengxin behind her also seemed eager to try. He reached out and pulled the girl back, and a magnificent Sword Qi roared forward, cleaving open a path.
The Sword Dao did not hold back its power at this moment, all for the sake of racing against time.
Under the powerful Sword Qi, as a path covered with corpses was cut open, the surroundings were also affected.
The layered, trampling corpse tide instantly collapsed towards the center, and its attempt to overwhelm everything in one fell swoop was immediately interrupted.
To the west, Chai Ze, who had found an opening, suddenly conjured a magical incantation. The strong immortal light, like lightning falling from the sky, roared open the path ahead.
The He Family and Zuoqiu Family were on the east side, other Sects on the south, and in the middle were the Elders and three Masters-in-charge whose injuries had just stabilized, followed by numerous Disciples from the academy. The vast crowd took this opportunity to cross the corpse tide.
After a brief moment of respite, they continuously breathed in and out, while also unable to resist looking to the east.
They saw that amidst the howling Evil Seeds, the endless Sword Qi was still rising incessantly, cutting through countless corpse tides with an unstoppable momentum, making their eyelids twitch wildly.
“He's simply a monster!” He Lingxiu turned to look at Qin Zhangshi, who had a look of emotion: “Didn't we already know this yesterday?”
Qin Zhangshi turned to look at her: “I'm not talking about his battle power, but his Physical Body.”
“?”
“No, to be more precise, it should be his injuries.”
As his words fell, the three direct Disciples of the Hall Masters subtly paused, and immediately looked at Ji You again with sudden realization.
At the same time, the other Sect Masters also had expressions of understanding, staring at the figure with unceasing Sword Qi, their eyes fixed.
If they remembered correctly, after the great battle last night, Ji You's injuries were severe. He was already struggling halfway through and was pulled onto a Flying Sword by the three Masters-in-charge, falling into a coma.
But at this moment, he showed no signs of injury at all; he was like a roaring Vicious Beast.
When he swung his sword, his arm would be taut, and his wrist would emerge from his sleeve. And his wrist, which clearly had a tearing injury yesterday, had now healed to the point where only a scar remained.
Some Elders in Tianshu Academy had also been comprehending the so-called Life-Generating Technique, achieving astonishing healing speeds, but they were still far from this terrifying level.
In fact, the three Sect Masters' shock was much earlier than theirs. After all, they had carried Ji You on a Flying Sword throughout this journey. Not long after leaving the canyon, they had already discovered that the wounds on Ji You's body were healing rapidly.
And equally shocking was not just Ji You's body's healing speed, but also his Spirit Origin quantity. After departing from Shengjing, Ji You, in order to conserve consumption, passed through the gaps in the Evil Tide and did not travel with them.
It was only now, to prevent further ambushes, that they had to gather closely, and they discovered that Ji You had made multiple fierce sword strikes, yet his aura remained in its peak state.
“Do not easily change direction; continue to travel along the route.”
“These demonic individuals are playing the game of breaking us down one by one. Do not be timid and stray onto the wrong path.”
“The three Immortal Sects are also circling towards this place; we must strive to meet up with them quickly.”
The Lingjian Mountain's thousand-plus people moved at a swift pace, bringing several Sects from Liang Province, and arrived amidst a cluster of mountains.
This place was the Ten Thousand Stone Mountain Range, the southwesternmost part of Liang Province, where layered peaks appeared vast and boundless.
Asked the Dao Sect, Mountain and Sea Pavilion, and Chen Clan had already met here during their detour, and were currently battling the howling corpse tide that filled the mountains.
Those corpse tides followed them, densely packed, having already submerged the valleys between the mountains, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Yao and Zhuo Wan followed behind Yan Shujing, standing shoulder to shoulder with Gongshu Chou and others. Their Dao Swords continuously hummed, and the fierce Sword Dao, like a flowing river, continuously tore apart the densely packed corpse tide.
They had also suffered considerable losses on this journey.
Tianjian Peak and Xuanjian Peak both lost many Disciples, and several Elders also perished.
Fortunately, their Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao was the strongest killing technique in the world, which allowed them to reach this place, but their expressions did not relax because of this.
Because at the very peak of the cliff, several terrifying auras appeared with immense Killing Intent, and the concentrated Evil Qi was like a monstrous black mist, instantly tensing everyone's minds.
They naturally clearly perceived the auras of those who had ambushed them yesterday.
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