As the Boundless Celestial Sword of Star Suppression emerged, the majestic starry sea filled the heavens, dominating the sight of every cultivator within Tai Xuan Sect.
This sword array had appeared before, during the demon ancestor's assault on the northern frontier, but only front-line cultivators had witnessed it then. For most of Tai Xuan Sect's disciples, this was their first time seeing such an awe-inspiring sight.
Especially those who had joined the sect in the past few decades, their expressions were frozen in utter disbelief.
A sword array powerful enough to change the color of the heavens—how many years of cultivation were required to achieve such mastery?
Within the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array, True Person Bi Luo bore the brunt of the sword intent from the Boundless Celestial Sword of Star Suppression. The moment the starry sea manifested, the magical energy within his body felt as if it had solidified. The overwhelming suppression made his heart race with dread.
True Person Bi Luo's face turned grim, and a flicker of regret appeared in his heart.
He had thought the Sword Master of the Dao was merely at the Wandering Immortal Realm. After all, the Sword Master had previously only been known to slay Loose Immortals. Even if he couldn't win, Bi Luo believed he could at least gauge the opponent's strength.
But now, as the Sword Master's sword intent bore down on him, memories of his own insignificance from ten thousand years ago resurfaced.
The gap between them was enormous—at least an entire major realm apart!
If he was a Wandering Immortal, then the Sword Master of the Dao must be…
"Flying Immortal…" True Person Bi Luo muttered through gritted teeth. This time, he refrained from speaking to the heavens. He knew there was no escape; he had no choice but to fight.
After a brief silence, Tai Xuan Sect erupted into deafening cheers.
Countless disciples raised their arms, shouting in support, while the senior cultivators on the Heaven Mending Platform grew equally exhilarated. Zuo Yijian, standing beside the Heaven-Sundering Axe, even fell to his knees, bowing reverently.
In the Third Medicine Valley, over nine hundred disciples were just as thrilled, chanting the name of the Sword Master of the Dao.
For the first time, You Yingying witnessed the Sword Master in action. Her small mouth hung open, her face full of disbelief.
Yang Jian was equally shocked. What kind of sword array was this?
It was beyond absurd!
He couldn't help but glance at Gu An. His master also wore an expression of surprise.
Could it be that the Sword Master of the Dao wasn't his master after all?
After all, he hadn't sensed any of Gu An's magical energy being released.
"Watch closely," Gu An's voice suddenly echoed in Yang Jian's mind. "See how much you can comprehend."
Yang Jian's eyes widened in astonishment, drawing in a sharp breath.
So his master really was the Sword Master of the Dao?
But this sword array…
How did he do it?
He hadn't even seen him make a move!
Despite having already formed his Core, Yang Jian had always believed his understanding of cultivation to be solid. Yet today, his master's methods shattered all his preconceptions.
The Boundless Celestial Sword of Star Suppression hovered high above, far from the Third Medicine Valley. No one could have imagined that the Sword Master of the Dao was hiding there.
Moments earlier, Yang Jian had thought the Sword Master was among the stars of the vast celestial sea, overlooking the masses below.
Just then, the stars in the vast starry sea began to radiate intense light. One by one, they fell from the heavens in an unrelenting cascade, their numbers growing until they formed a dense barrage with the momentum of a collapsing sky. All noise ceased as heaven and earth fell into utter silence.
The countless beings below gazed upward in stunned silence, as if witnessing divine phenomena.
One by one, the falling stars erupted into sword energy. Forests trembled violently, and dust swept across the mountains and rivers.
In the inner gate city, Li Ya stood in a courtyard, gazing at the Boundless Celestial Sword of Star Suppression with a sense of awe.
Could the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword really reach such heights?
He turned his head toward the divine spirit perched on his shoulder and asked, "Could the power of the Mysterious Divine City withstand this sword?"
Withstand it?
I almost got obliterated by that sword once—how dare you even ask me this?
The divine spirit, sensing the sword intent in the sky, immediately recognized that the Sword Master of the Dao was none other than its own master.
"It's unclear," the spirit replied, its voice still childlike despite the stark contrast with its internal thoughts.
Li Ya didn't dwell on the response and turned his attention back to the light screen, curious to see if True Person Bi Luo could survive a strike from the Sword Master of the Dao.
…
Facing the countless sword energies raining from the heavens, True Person Bi Luo roared in defiance. Raising his staff high, he channeled surging magical power into the two green dragons. Enveloped in flames and wind, the dragons soared skyward together.
The dragon roars echoed like thunder, causing countless spectators to hold their breath.
The unending stream of falling stars clashed with the massive dragons in the air.
The enormous dragons, their forms akin to mountain ridges, were struck head-on. Beginning at their heads, they disintegrated under the relentless assault, their remains dispersing into gusts of green wind that swept across the land.
In an instant, the two green dragons were obliterated by the starry sword energy. The power of the sword was unstoppable.
Bathed in the radiance of the sword energy, True Person Bi Luo's eyes widened with fear.
As the infinite sword energy from the stars poured into the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array, a dazzling sword light burst forth, dimming the heavens and earth. Countless beings instinctively closed their eyes.
For a few breaths, no one could see anything. Only the howling wind filled their ears.
Seconds later, the first cultivators began to regain their vision.
As more and more people opened their eyes, they looked toward the light screen in the sky. What they saw left their hearts pounding in terror.
The Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array remained intact, but the golden light at its base fluctuated violently, threatening to dissipate at any moment. Inside, True Person Bi Luo knelt on one knee, his arms still raised as if holding his staff. The staff, however, was now broken, with only half remaining, smoldering with blackened scorch marks. His body was drenched in blood, hair disheveled, and his appearance utterly pitiful.
True Person Bi Luo trembled uncontrollably, his bloodshot eyes wide with disbelief.
The vast starry spectacle in the sky slowly dissipated, signifying the end of the battle.
Fear coursed through True Person Bi Luo's heart like a raging tide.
It was fortunate he had challenged the Sword Master of the Dao before the Heavenly Ranking Tournament began. Any other time, he might not have survived.
He couldn't even withstand a single move from the Sword Master of the Dao.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stand, staggering as he turned and flew toward the horizon. He swiftly exited the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array, disappearing into the distant skies.
When he had arrived, he was boastful and full of words. When he departed, he was silent and humiliated.
A thunderous cheer erupted across heaven and earth.
"That was incredible! So this is the power of the Sword Master of the Dao?"
"That arrogant True Person Bi Luo was so cocky earlier—who knew he'd lose so completely?"
"If the Sect Master hadn't established the tournament rules, I bet he would've been killed on the spot."
"Of course! When the Sword Master of the Dao strikes, how many can survive?"
"I heard the Vice Sect Master survived once. Does that mean the Vice Sect Master is also an immortal?"
The disciples of Tai Xuan Sect openly mocked True Person Bi Luo while extolling the might of the Sword Master of the Dao. Even disciples from other sects were exhilarated, though the high-ranking cultivators preparing to participate in the tournament felt a rising tension.
After this battle, none dared to act recklessly. The overwhelming sword intent they had just witnessed had extinguished all their fighting spirit.
The morale of Tai Xuan Sect soared. Across the sect, celebrations broke out as if it were the Spring Festival.
As the celestial phenomenon of the sword intent faded from the sky, the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array stabilized once more.
"The first battle of the Heavenly Ranking Tournament will be between Zhou Zu of Cang Tian Sect and Gu Xuan of Tai Xuan Sect!"
Lü Baitian's voice resounded again, now filled with an unmistakable dominance, as if he himself were the Sword Master of the Dao.
Following his announcement, Zhou Zu and Gu Xuan flew into the array. Zhou Zu's expression was complex, while Gu Xuan looked confident and spirited. The two exchanged words, and judging by their lip movements, Gu Xuan seemed to be mocking Zhou Zu's sect.
In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An stood and said, "You all continue watching. I need to retrieve something from my room."
An Xin and Xiao Chuan nodded, while You Yingying remained lost in admiration for the strength of the Sword Master of the Dao.
Yang Jian watched his master's retreating figure, his mind swirling with thoughts.
He no longer cared about True Person Bi Luo's fate. Instead, he replayed the image of the Boundless Celestial Sword of Star Suppression in his mind.
He had always thought that wielding a sword required the actual weapon in hand. Yet just now, his master hadn't drawn a sword or even moved. How could mere thought conjure such a sword array?
It was unfathomable.
Yang Jian felt a surge of hot blood rise in his chest.
One day, he too would create such divine abilities!
…
Covered in blood, True Person Bi Luo flew away from the mainland as fast as he could. His nerves were frayed, and he constantly looked over his shoulder, terrified that the Sword Master of the Dao might pursue him.
At the same time, his heart burned with fury.
"Damn that Seven Stars Spirit Realm! Their intelligence was so inaccurate. No wonder they sent me—they were using me as cannon fodder! How hateful!"
Grinding his teeth, True Person Bi Luo cursed the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.
He pulled out a pill and swallowed it in one gulp, hastening his flight.
As he passed over an isolated island, a hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder. His face turned pale, and before he could react, an unimaginable force pinned him down, sending his body plummeting toward the island below.
Boom!
A massive cloud of dust erupted from the forested island as the impact shook the entire landmass. Waves rippled across the surrounding sea.
When the dust settled, a deep crater was revealed amidst the toppled trees.
In the sunlight, True Person Bi Luo knelt within the crater. His shoulder was gripped by a dark purple demonic hand. Looking behind him, he saw none other than Gu An, fully immersed in his Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body state.
True Person Bi Luo was paralyzed with fear. Slowly, he turned his head, his pupils dilating in terror.
He couldn't rise to his feet, nor could he project his primordial spirit. At this moment, he was as powerless as a mortal, utterly incapable of resistance.
Terror reached its peak, and despair overwhelmed his heart.
"Sword Master… I…" True Person Bi Luo stammered, but before he could finish, an overwhelming spiritual sense crashed into his mind, leaving his eyes dull and lifeless.
The sea breeze scattered the remaining dust and ruffled the tattered edges of True Person Bi Luo's robe.
Gu An used the Soul Capture Technique to search True Person Bi Luo's memories.
Moments later, he withdrew his spiritual sense. Raising his right hand, he ignited the Taiqing True Fire, which swiftly consumed True Person Bi Luo.
Even if True Person Bi Luo was merely a pawn, his audacity to challenge the Sword Master of the Dao warranted death.
Had Gu An been weaker, he would have been the one to perish.
As an old saying from his previous life went, "Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves."
Gu An casually took True Person Bi Luo's storage ring, his thoughts turning to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.
True Person Bi Luo's memories revealed that it was the Seven Stars Spirit Realm that had instigated the challenge against the Sword Master of the Dao.
However, True Person Bi Luo had never met the real members of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Instead, a ghostly messenger had negotiated with him.
The offer had been tempting: if True Person Bi Luo succeeded, he would be granted an opportunity to hear a profound Dao lecture.
What this Dao lecture entailed wasn't specified in his memories, but judging by True Person Bi Luo's excitement, it must have been extraordinary.
Could it be a lecture on Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal techniques?
Was it possible that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm harbored a Loose Immortal?
Gu An pondered deeply. Regardless, today's events had ensured that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had firmly set their sights on the Sword Master of the Dao.
He would need to probe the depths of their power.
If they lacked a Loose Immortal, he would annihilate them.
A murderous glint flickered in Gu An's eyes. He wouldn't feel at ease until the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was eradicated.