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墨書 Inktalez
Human Sacrifice
Atop Azure Cloud Mountain, the winds were unpredictable, and heroes gathered from all directions.
Yun Donglai, the leader of the Azure Cloud Sect, was pierced by multiple swords, blood flowing profusely from his body. His Dao Qi scattered like a flood breaching a dam, his life force dissipating uncontrollably.
The swords of several elders from the Azure Cloud Sect had damaged Yun Donglai's meridians and primordial spirit, rendering him unable to circulate his energy. The only move he could muster was the final strike of the Azure Cloud Sword Classic, "Great Unity," unleashing all his internal power for a lethal blow against his enemies.
The mountain trembled as sword energy erupted uncontrollably from Yun Donglai's body. A beam of sword energy shot out, instantly flattening a section of the surrounding white jade pillars. His azure Daoist robe fluttered without wind, and his eyes reflected deep sorrow.
With one sword strike aimed at Song Qianqiu, hundreds around them were sent flying by a force akin to mountains and rivers. Their clothes tore apart, skin stinging in pain. As Song Qianqiu watched an Azure Sword fly out from Yun Donglai's soul, he formed hand seals, summoning a Taiji circular light shield before him. The shield resembled a spider's web but proved ineffective. Song Qianqiu's expression changed drastically as he retreated, but the Azure Sword followed relentlessly, its murderous intent growing heavier.
This sword strike was simple yet caused everyone present to frown in concern. Si Tu Nan remarked, "Leader, this sword is something Song Qianqiu cannot withstand!"
Nangong squinted and said, "If it's not him, even I wouldn't be able to take it."
"How is that possible? With the Leader's cultivation level being at least a hundred times that of Yun Donglai's, how could he not withstand this sword?" Si Tu Nan couldn't believe it; even the invincible leader of the Serpent Cult, Nangong, claimed he couldn't handle this strike!
Dongfang Jiu observed the sword pursuing Song Qianqiu and then looked at the motionless Yun Donglai. "This sword truly is elusive. If it weren't for our Sword Pavilion having experienced this kind of life-and-death sword path before, I wouldn't be able to withstand it either!"
"Leader!" Song Qianqiu desperately used all his skills to escape and called for Nangong's help.
Nangong turned to Dongfang Jiu and said, "Brother Eastern Nine, please lend a hand; even Old Man owes you a favor."
"Since Brother Nangong has spoken up, how could I dare not act?" Dongfang Jiu swung his Withered Grass towards the stationary Yun Donglai on the steps. In the distance, Song Qianqiu found no way to escape as he watched the Azure Sword poised to kill him. Suddenly, the murderous aura of the Azure Sword vanished. Yun Donglai staggered back and looked at Yunxi standing above Azure Cloud Hall. "The Azure Cloud Sect can fall; it's enough for the sect leader to perish. There's no need for the protector to sacrifice themselves."
Yunxi's gaze was forlorn as she stood like a statue above Azure Cloud Hall. She could not intervene in the battle below because if she failed, the disciples of Azure Cloud Sect would surely lose heart. The protector’s responsibility was to set an example for the sect’s disciples; even if the sect perished, they must uphold the path they followed.
Yun Donglai declared, "Disciples of Azure Cloud Sect, heed my command."
"We are here!" all disciples of Azure Cloud Sect responded in unison.
"In this Daoist World, it is survival of the fittest; only the strong endure. Though most of you may not have been valued in Azure Cloud Sect, this world is filled with schemes and murder. Remember this: Daoists are often solitary figures. Even if you are no longer part of Azure Cloud Sect in the future or even if you harbor hatred towards it, remember that Azure Cloud Sect was once your home. Protect your guardian well."
"Disciple obeys!"
Yun Donglai stood resolutely before the countless Daoist practitioners, a scene both tragic and heroic.
The Daoist World was already rife with slaughter, with countless pitiful souls who were not born as favored children of the earth. To become a strong individual in this cruel world, one must endure the brutality that others cannot bear. Those who have not been trampled by the strong do not deserve to be called strong themselves.
In the Daoist Sect, no one is born a king.
Dongfang Jiu clapped his hands in praise, saying, "It has been a long time since I have seen such a splendid performance. If I were to execute that final move of mutual destruction from the Sword Technique, I fear no one here would escape. To rank third on my Sword Pavilion's Sword Manual is quite impressive! Now, it’s time for the next act."
After speaking, Dongfang Jiu turned his gaze towards Yunxi above the Azure Cloud Hall.
A disciple from the Azure Cloud Sect drew his sword and aimed it at him, prompting all Azure Cloud Disciples to draw their swords in unison, targeting those from the Sword Pavilion.
Eight young members of the Sword Pavilion retreated, but at that moment, Yunxi moved. Her left earring suddenly fell off and shot towards one of the elders of the Azure Cloud Sect at incredible speed. The elder raised his sword to look at the earring, but his longsword broke silently. The earring pierced through his throat and flew towards another elder.
"Leader, save us!" several elders shouted as they ran towards Divine Serpent Cult Leader Nangong. However, they had barely taken a few steps when Yunxi's earring pierced through their skulls, causing them to fall lifelessly to the ground.
As the Third Elder was about to be struck down by the earring, Nangong flicked his finger, sending a copper ring flying out to deflect it. The earring penetrated a stone pillar, sending debris flying and blinding a young man in one eye before returning to rest beneath Yunxi's left ear.
Yunxi spoke expressionlessly: "You betrayed the Azure Cloud Sect and killed my father. Today I may not be able to kill you, but you cannot escape this grudge."
The Third Elder hid behind Nangong and said, "Yunxi, today is your day of reckoning. With Nangong Master here, even if you sprout wings, you cannot escape!"
Nangong laughed heartily and said, "Yunxi, I truly admire your spirit. If you were to submit to me, you could kill all the traitors of Azure Cloud Sect at your leisure, including Song Qianqiu."
"Leader," a flash of ferocity crossed Song Qianqiu's eyes.
Yunxi replied, "If you want me to submit to you, then we must see if you have that qualification."
As she finished speaking, her Crimson Silk began to dance around her. The crowd gasped in shock; despite her youth, Yunxi dared to confront the God Serpent Cult Leader. It was known that Daoists became increasingly valuable over time because cultivation required years of accumulation. Regardless of talent or resources, every major realm faced bottlenecks during cultivation.
The Daoist Sect had nine major realms: Entry-Level Realm, Purple Qi Coming from the East Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, Divine Transformation Realm, Core Formation Stage. Yun Donglai was a master at the fifth major realm—Core Formation Stage—while Nangong's cultivation was a hundred times greater than Yun Donglai's. The path of cultivation is endless; no matter how talented Yunxi might be, how could she possibly compete with Nangong Master who was nearing a century in age?
Nangong smiled slightly and said, "You have the qualifications to make me take action. Although it would be a pity to kill you, I fear that it might cause chaos among these little monkeys. If the person I'm looking for escapes again, it would be a loss."
Nangong then looked towards the crowd, focusing on Zhang Jianzi.
Everyone from the Azure Cloud Sect, including myself and Zhang Jianzi, had been cornered at the mountaintop where the Azure Cloud Hall was located. Surrounding us were members of the Serpent Cult, leaving us with no way to escape.
Upon hearing Nangong's voice, Zhang Jianzi leaned on me and said, "Help me move forward."
I assisted Zhang Jianzi to the front of the hall. He addressed Nangong, saying, "Old thief Nangong, I thought you had forgotten about me. It has left me feeling quite uneasy."
Nangong replied with a smile, "I wouldn't forget anyone, especially not you. I have no interest in a place like the Azure Cloud Sect. Now that time is running short, if you hand over the Martial Dao Classic, this farce will come to an end."
"Nangong Master is truly kind-hearted, but I, Zhang Jianzi, am a coward who fears for my life. Otherwise, after being chased by you for so many years, I wouldn't have been hiding all this time. My eyes have been tortured blind; do you really think I would not hand over the Martial Dao Classic?" Zhang Jianzi retorted.
"Have you already given the Martial Dao Classic to someone else?" Nangong asked.
"That's right; it was Song Qianqiu who ruined my cultivation and blinded me," Zhang Jianzi replied.
The crowd erupted in murmurs, but many disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect were aware that Song Qianqiu had imprisoned Zhang Jianzi. Following everyone's gaze, Nangong turned to look behind him; the spot where Song Qianqiu had been was now empty.
Nangong coldly commanded, "Go find Song Qianqiu's whereabouts."
"Yes!" two Elders of the Divine Serpent Sect responded as they led a group down the mountain in pursuit.
The Third Elder of Azure Cloud remarked, "Master, do not believe this blind man's nonsense. If Qianqiu had obtained the Martial Dao Classic, he would definitely hand it over to you."
"Then why is he running?" Nangong asked coldly.
"Well..." The Third Elder was left speechless by Nangong's question.
In the thicket of a distant peak, Song Qianqiu gritted his teeth and thought to himself, "Fortunately, I ran fast; Zhang Jianzi should have been killed long ago!"
Below Azure Cloud Hall, Zhang Jianzi laughed heartily and declared, "It's a pity that my meridians are blocked; otherwise, if I learned the Martial Dao Classic, how could I be bullied by you lot? The Martial Dao Classic can counter any Daoist Arts and reveal the true essence of Taoist Ancestor Cultivation. Remember that I have passed the Martial Dao Classic to Song Qianqiu!"
Zhang Jianzi finished speaking, drawing a dagger from his sleeve and suddenly plunging it into his heart.
"Brother Zhang, why must you do this?" I stepped forward to support Zhang Jianzi.
Zhang Jianzi said, "If you manage to escape, remember to find Douding at Mountain Snow Pool. I'm afraid he will get cold if he sleeps alone for too long."
I nodded, watching as the life force of Zhang Jianzi faded away, feeling a deep sorrow in my heart.
Yunxi looked at Nangong Dao and said, "Zhang Jianzi is dead. If you wish to fight, then fight."
Nangong snorted and replied, "Kill all the Azure Cloud Sect members, leave not a single one alive!"
"Wait!" Si Tu Nan suddenly interjected.
"Hmm?" Nangong looked at Si Tu Nan in confusion.
Si Tu Nan said, "Master, take a look at the young man supporting Zhang Jianzi. Doesn't he look familiar?"
Nangong turned to me and said, "I have a vague impression of him, but I can't quite recall."
Si Tu Nan continued, "Half a year ago at Yaowang Mountain, I used the Paper Man Technique to summon your Dao Body. This young man seems to have something extraordinary sealed within him; it's called Guo Huaiyi."
"Oh?" A great interest appeared on Nangong's face. He extended his fingers like claws and suddenly reached for me. My body lurched forward, flying toward Nangong.
"Yang Hao!" Yunxi raised her hand, and a strand of Crimson Silk shot out to wrap around my waist, trying to pull me back. However, Sword Sect Master Dongfang Jiu suddenly intervened with a sword qi that sliced Yunxi's Crimson Silk in half.
Eastern Nine Smiles chuckled and said, "Yunxi, please calm down. The plot has taken a turn; this young man has successfully attracted Nangong Old Bastard's attention. Perhaps the Azure Cloud Sect is safe now—don't disturb me while I watch the show."
Nangong pulled me closer and then patted my shoulder, pointing at Si Tu Nan beside me. "Young man, don't be afraid. Do you have any impression of me or this old fellow?"
I shook my head and replied, "I don't know you."
Si Tu Nan also grabbed my hand and examined my bones. "Suddenly looking seven or eight years younger; even your bone age has correspondingly decreased. Master, if there is a technique for rejuvenation, he would be worth more than the Martial Dao Classic!"
"Nangong asked, 'Young man, what is your name?'
I replied, 'My name is Yang Hao; the people from my sect can vouch for me.'
Nangong nodded and said, 'Just now, Yunxi called you Yang Hao in a moment of urgency. However, you resemble a young man I know who is a few years older than you; his name is Guo Huaiyi.'
'I do not know Guo Huaiyi,' I said. When I was being hunted down by Elder of the Divine Serpent Sect, Si Tu Nan, I had mentioned Guo Huaiyi's name.
Si Tu Nan pointed at me and said, 'How could you not know him? I refuse to believe there is someone who looks so much like you!'
Nangong continued, 'Not having the surname Guo is actually better; having the surname Yang is correct. When I saw the dark power within you, I knew your surname was Yang. Even the Machine Wall cannot see through you; the Qi Sea around you is hazy. It does not matter whether you are called Guo Huaiyi or Yang Hao; you are the person I am looking for.'
'He is the person you seek, named Yang Hao, son of Yang Sanqian and Yaochi Saintess, the fifth generation Bastard Son of the Yinshan Yang Family. He has the Book of Life and Death sealed within him, which is far stronger than the Martial Dao Classic you are looking for. Master Nangong, you have struck gold,' a young voice came from below Azure Cloud Hall. Everyone turned to look at a young man standing at the mountain gate with a folding fan in hand, smiling brightly.
Upon seeing this young man, my heart sank.
'Who are you? How do you know all this?' Nangong asked, looking at the young man standing at the mountain gate.
The young man raised an eyebrow and said, 'Because I am Guo Huaiyi, and Yang Hao grew up in the same village as me; we are old friends. I know everything about him.'"
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