The Final Great Battle Descends, A Realm of Despair
The Final Great Battle Descends, A Realm of Despair
The moment this news spread, it immediately set off towering waves across the Thirteen States of the Profound Sword World.
Countless cultivators and living beings were shaken to their core, swarming like bees straight toward the Ancient Arcane Ruins.
Even aboard the many Ancient Battleships of the Beyond hovering in the Outer Territory, numerous cultivators received the news and went to report it at once, some already stirring restlessly.
As for how this news had leaked out, no one cared to investigate anymore.
All eyes were now fixed upon the Ancient Arcane Ruins.
If Mirror Lake truly existed within the Ancient Arcane Ruins, then whether it was the cultivators of the Profound Sword World or the armies of the Beyond, all would dispatch their most powerful forces to seize it.
For the Profound Sword World, Mirror Lake held the last hope of everyone.
And in the eyes of the Beyond’s cultivators, Mirror Lake very likely contained the World Source—an opportunity for many True Daoists to advance one step further.
For a time, winds and clouds surged through the Profound Sword World.
Numerous Ancient Battleships broke through the sky and descended, charging mightily toward the Ancient Arcane Ruins.
The various powers of the Thirteen States also dispatched great armies, determined to protect this place at the first possible moment.
The flames of war everywhere burned ever more tragically; far too many cultivators and living beings had perished within them. This battle between the two worlds had reached its most critical juncture.
“Who exactly leaked the news of this place?”
“Now look what’s happened—the entire Thirteen States have been alarmed. When everyone rushes here, who knows what accidents might occur.”
When they learned of this matter, the Abundance Sword Immortal and the others who had first arrived at the Ancient Arcane Ruins all wore rather ugly expressions.
None of them knew what had happened to cause the news of this place to spread, provoking such an enormous reaction.
Originally, they had planned to secretly locate Mirror Lake, then awaken the Heavenly Path’s Will slumbering within it, using it to force back the armies of the Beyond.
But now that the news of this place had spread, the armies of the Beyond would certainly not sit idly by.
As a result, many unexpected variables would arise, and matters would become far more troublesome.
“Perhaps someone else divined something. However, after searching for several days, we still haven’t found any trace of Mirror Lake. If there were more people, there might be some unexpected discoveries,” the Snow Sword Immortal said softly.
Her words gained the approval of quite a few people.
Had the divination signs not pointed to this place, they would have begun to doubt whether Mirror Lake even existed at all.
After searching for days without the slightest result, anyone else would likely have given up long ago.
“What I worry about now is, if this matter becomes known to that Young Master Gu, will he feel that we have not treated him with sincerity?” one Earth Sword Immortal spoke up, carrying a trace of worry.
To them, Gu Changge was an absolute benefactor.
Not only had he told them the method to resist the Outer Territory, he had never made things difficult for them.
Yet they were still guarding against Gu Changge, secretly hiding this matter from him to come here and search for Mirror Lake.
“Given his status, he probably wouldn’t fuss over something like this,” the Snow Sword Immortal gently shook her head, but beneath her mask, her face still bore unconcealable worry.
It was foreseeable that they would certainly clash with the experts of those Beyond forces at this place. Previously, those supreme beings had never descended here in their true bodies out of fear of this world’s power.
But after the Heavenly Path’s Will avatar that suddenly appeared at the Shu Sect that day was torn apart by Gu Changge, this world’s power of resistance had clearly weakened considerably.
If those supreme beings were willing to take the risk, they could absolutely descend upon this place.
“When that happens, a vicious battle is probably unavoidable. Perhaps all of us will die here.”
The Abundance Sword Immortal also understood the Snow Sword Immortal’s worries and couldn’t help but sigh.
Over the following days, the entire Profound Sword World was in a state of boiling fervor.
At the location of the Ancient Arcane Ancestral Temple, countless cultivators rushed over; atop every mountain range, figures could be seen arriving astride divine swords.
The first to arrive were rogue cultivators from all over the Thirteen States.
But later on, nearly every power brought forth their strongest foundations. They understood that an unimaginably great battle would erupt here.
When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.
So they all poured out their respective strengths, wanting to do something in this battle.
The Abundance Sword Immortal, the Snow Sword Immortal, and the others also gave up their plans to continue searching for Mirror Lake, instead waiting here specifically for the experts arriving from all regions of the Thirteen States.
Some veteran Earth Sword Immortals who had been in seclusion for a long time finally showed themselves, no longer hiding behind the scenes.
“The final great battle is about to erupt here. If we get swept up in it, we’ll likely be smashed to pieces.”
The people of the Southern Light Empire had also arrived, and among them was none other than Princess Xuan Die, the Second-Most Gracious Damsel of Southbarren State.
She wore a light-colored long dress, her figure tall and slender, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall, her skin snow-white and delicate. Her gaze was limpid like a pool of autumn water, and when her dark brows furrowed slightly, one couldn’t help but be enchanted, wishing to smooth them for her. Hers was a beauty that could topple kingdoms, utterly captivating to the soul.
By her side followed Ah Qing and many others of the younger generation, all leading figures of the Profound Sword World’s current generation. The strongest among them had already reached the Seventh Level, with a great chance of stepping into the Earth Sword Immortal Realm in the future—truly boundless prospects. The one speaking now was one of the young men among them.
Dressed in purple, with handsome features and extraordinary speech, many of the surrounding young women cast faintly admiring glances at him.
This person was Chen Li, leader of the Four Heroes of Profound Sword World, whose grandfather was an extremely powerful veteran Earth Sword Immortal.
“To be reborn from a place of certain death—this is unavoidable. For the future of the Profound Sword World, we must come here,”
Princess Xuan Die sighed softly.
“If any danger arises in a while, I will protect you.”
“I carry quite a few life-saving treasures bestowed by my grandfather.”
Hearing this, Chen Li smiled faintly and comforted her.
His grandfather was an Earth Sword Immortal—this was no secret—so how could the life-saving treasures he bestowed be simple?
Thus, hearing these words, everyone felt great envy toward him.
The many young women especially wished they could take Princess Xuan Die’s place.
Many people knew that Chen Li had been pursuing Princess Xuan Die all along, but alas, the flowing water has intentions while the falling flower is heartless.
Now, with the Profound Sword World facing great calamity, as a leading figure of the younger generation, he had gained quite a few more opportunities to grow closer to Princess Xuan Die.
“There’s no need. When danger comes, Brother Chen should focus on preserving his own life. Xuan Die is not worth your protection.”
Princess Xuan Die gently shook her head, tactfully declining Chen Li’s goodwill.
The smile on Chen Li’s face stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered.
He continued, “Once a great battle erupts here, even Earth Sword Immortals have no guarantee of preserving their own lives. Xuan Die, you must still be careful.”
“I understand. There’s no need to trouble Brother Chen,” Princess Xuan Die nodded, her attitude appearing quite cold.
Even though Chen Li was deep and shrewd, never showing his emotions, being rejected by Princess Xuan Die like this still made his expression rather ugly.
Fortunately, the few people beside him saw the situation and hurriedly spoke up, changing the subject.
“Young Master Chen’s strength is peerless. Given a few hundred more years, he will surely step into the ranks of Earth Sword Immortals.”
“After resolving this Otherworldly Sky Demon calamity, it won’t be long before Young Master Chen becomes the number one of our Profound Sword World.”
The few of them spoke continuously, their words full of flattery and sycophancy, which finally improved Chen Li’s expression.
Although Princess Xuan Die currently treated him with lukewarm indifference,
he believed that once the final great battle descended and the Southern Light Empire, lacking an Earth Sword Immortal to hold the fort, was sooner or later destroyed,
this Princess Xuan Die would come begging to him.
And just as the younger generation of the Profound Sword World gathered at this place,
in the distant sky, several heaven-shaking streaks of Sword Qi swept over.
The leader was an extremely tall and stalwart old man, dressed in purple, a long sword on his back, wisps of sword intent coiling around him—his power terrifying.
“Grandfather, you’ve come!”
The moment Chen Li saw this person, joy appeared in his eyes and he couldn’t help but call out.
This person was none other than his grandfather, Chen Beili, known as the Parting North Divine Sword.
Once, with his Parting North Divine Sword alone, he fought enemies from all directions without ever finding a match; even his eldest disciple had half a foot in the Earth Sword Immortal Realm.
Princess Xuan Die, Ah Qing, and the others also looked at this old man with slightly solemn expressions.
Even the current Shu Sect Master, the Abundance Sword Immortal, had once received guidance from this old man.
“It’s the Parting North Sword Immortal! That venerable elder has actually come out of seclusion too!”
A considerable commotion broke out here; many people were roused with excitement, gazing at this once-legendary figure.
The Abundance Sword Immortal, the Snow Sword Immortal, and the others elsewhere also had no choice but to come personally to welcome him, showing this old man great respect.
However, after arriving, the Parting North Sword Immortal did not first greet the various Earth Sword Immortals, but instead looked toward his most beloved grandson.
“I told you this place is dangerous, yet you insisted on coming. If some accident happens, to whom shall I pass on my legacy?”
Though his tone carried reproach, what it revealed was concern and worry.
Hearing this, Chen Li’s expression turned solemn. “Grandfather, as a leading figure of the Profound Sword World’s younger generation, how could I shrink back in such a time of crisis and disgrace your good name?”
His words were spoken with righteous conviction, his expression incomparably grave, earning the heartfelt admiration of many around him.
The Abundance Sword Immortal, the Snow Sword Immortal, and the others who had come over also praised him inwardly, thinking him truly worthy of being the leader of the Four Heroes of Profound Sword World.
“Ah, the child has grown up and no longer listens to this old man’s words.”
The Parting North Sword Immortal shook his head somewhat helplessly, but his words carried satisfaction.
Then, his tone suddenly shifted as he looked toward Princess Xuan Die on the other side and said indifferently, “Living in such troubled times, it’s good for young people to spend more time together and grow closer. That usual pride of yours would be better set aside.”
Chen Beili understood his grandson fairly well and knew he held affection for this Princess Xuan Die.
But having just witnessed Princess Xuan Die’s attitude, he was truly displeased.
In family background she was inferior to Chen Li; in talent even more so. On what grounds did she act so haughty?
Princess Xuan Die had not expected the Parting North Sword Immortal to speak to her like this at such a moment, and her face paled slightly.
The people of the Southern Light Empire behind her also paled, their eyes carrying fear, not daring to say a word.
A veteran Earth Sword Immortal stood right before them; even the Abundance Sword Immortal and the Snow Sword Immortal were his juniors.
The tiny Southern Light Empire had no Earth Sword Immortal holding the fort—where would it find the confidence to talk back to him?
“Qianbei, your lesson is correct. Xuan Die will remember it,” Princess Xuan Die said in a low voice, her small face unable to hide its pallor.
She had wanted to seek help from her shifu, the Snow Sword Immortal, but remembering that the Snow Sword Immortal had also received this person’s guidance when taking her final step, she figured it would be difficult for her to intervene. She could only lower her head and respond softly.
The status of a princess was utterly useless in this place.
Her heart was full of grievance. She had not the slightest feeling for Chen Li; he pestered her relentlessly—was she wrong to refuse?
Just because his grandfather was a veteran Earth Sword Immortal?
For some reason, at this moment, Princess Xuan Die suddenly thought of a white-robed figure.
Even though his strength had reached an invincible level that could sweep across this entire world, he remained gentle as jade, approachable and kind.
“Xuan Die doesn’t like Chen Li. Besides, she already has someone in her heart.”
Ah Qing, who had been coldly watching all of this from the side, suddenly spoke, causing the expressions of several people present to change. Chen Li’s face instantly turned ugly.
Princess Xuan Die was even more shocked, her beautiful eyes widening.
The Parting North Sword Immortal clearly hadn’t expected anyone to dare stand up and defy him at this moment either.
His face darkened slightly as he looked at the speaking Ah Qing and said, “Oh? This old man would like to know—who could possibly be more outstanding than my grandson?”
Hearing this, Ah Qing’s slender brows furrowed, and she was just about to speak.
But at that very moment, the sky in the distance suddenly trembled.
Every cultivator present felt as though their souls were being suppressed, nearly unable to move, their entire bodies going cold.
“That’s...”
“The Otherworldly Sky Demons are coming this way!” someone’s voice trembled, filled with terror, having seen the scene in the distance.
Boom—rumble—
It was a boundless mass of demonic clouds, rolling endlessly onward, blotting out everything.
The Ancient Battleships hovering in the Outer Territory rumbled and crushed downward, like a vast and ancient continent, their momentum towering to the heavens. Various Pools of Principles and Chaos Energy coiled around them, their radiance brilliant, striking fear into the heart.
The terrifying army of Otherworldly Sky Demons had finally descended upon this place, shrouding the void for thousands of kilometers around the Ancient Arcane Ruins and casting down swathes of black shadow.
Upon these Ancient Battleships stood numerous terrifying demonic figures, wreathed in thick mist, their forms towering. They said little, incomparably cold, sweeping their gazes over the broken walls and ruins below without a sound.
But the deterrence this brought was terrifying and immense, causing everyone in the Profound Sword World to tremble with fear.
Even the Abundance Sword Immortal and the others felt their hearts quail and their scalps tingle.
Though the strength of these terrifying demonic figures had not reached the Earth Sword Immortal Realm, they had absolutely reached the Ninth Level.
They could fight them.
But the terrifying thing was that the number of these figures was simply too great. Merely standing in the sky, they brought immense dread.
They had no idea whatsoever whether, behind these figures, there stood other, even more terrifying existences.
“At this point, the final battle against these Otherworldly Sky Demons is probably unavoidable.”
A white-bearded Earth Sword Immortal spoke with a heavy expression.
At this moment, far too many people had already gathered within the Ancient Arcane Ruins, all watching this scene in utter terror, trembling to the extreme, their faces pale, faintly revealing despair.
PS: Regular updates resume tomorrow.