Chapter 428 – Biyou Emerges, Jiao Lord Descends, Sword Ancestor's Remaining Sword Intent

The Abyssal Sky, the border between the East Sea and the Eastern Divine Continent

The so-called Abyssal Sky is actually a bottomless, massive oceanic trench.

But because this trench appears to merge with the horizon from a distance, resembling a natural chasm, it came to be known as the Abyssal Sky.

Legend has it that the Abyssal Sky was formed when a True Immortal descended upon this land in ancient times, cleaving the East Sea apart with a single sword strike.

Even though this tale remains unverified, over the years, countless Cultivators have been tempted to explore the Abyssal Sky.

Yet, not a single one has ever returned.

Over time, the Abyssal Sky became a taboo among the people of the East Sea.

Ordinary individuals would never think of approaching this place.

However, on this very day, a corpse whale laden with coffins on its back arrived here with great fanfare.

“Elder, the Abyssal Sky lies ahead,” a Corpse Fiend Cave Disciple reported respectfully before a crimson coffin on the corpse whale’s back.

Crack…

A pair of withered, corpse-like hands emerged from the edge of the crimson coffin, slowly pushing the lid open.

Then, a fearsome-looking corpse fiend, wearing a mask adorned with ritual coins, stepped out slowly.

Seeing this corpse fiend, the Disciple immediately knelt down, trembling with fear.

Ignoring the Disciple’s terror, the corpse fiend walked to the front of the corpse whale and gazed at the Abyssal Sky in the distance.

It was an immense, boundless oceanic trench.

From this point, the seawater stretched endlessly into unfathomable depths.

On the other side of the trench lay an impenetrable mist, standing like a towering wall, using the Abyssal Sky as a boundary to completely separate the East Sea from the Eastern Divine Continent.

After observing this in silence for a moment, the mysterious corpse fiend spoke.

“Indeed, it is the aura of that old fool Sword Ancestor.”

“He truly did come here.”

With these words, the mysterious corpse fiend extended its hand.

In the next instant, countless wounds split open along its arm.

Immediately, swarms of corpse insects flew out from the wounds.

These dense masses of corpse insects gathered together, forming a foul-smelling black whirlwind that was truly terrifying.

The corpse insects were small, each about the size of a fingernail.

Yet, every one of them possessed at least the cultivation level of the Qi Condensation Stage.

Judging by their numbers, there were at least hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

“Go, find the Sword Intent left here by Sword Ancestor.”

Upon hearing the mysterious corpse fiend’s command, countless corpse insects flew toward the depths of the Abyssal Sky, beginning their search for the legendary Sword Intent of Sword Ancestor.

After a full half-month had passed, the mysterious corpse fiend had released an estimated ten million corpse insects.

Yet, without exception, not a single one returned.

The mysterious corpse fiend seemed entirely indifferent to the fate of these insects.

Every half-day, it would order its subordinates to capture a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator from within the corpse whale, using them as Blood Food to replenish the energy expended in releasing the corpse insects.

Another month passed.

Finally, the mysterious corpse fiend, which had remained on the corpse whale all this time, stirred.

“Found it.”

With a low murmur, the mysterious corpse fiend flew directly from the corpse whale, descending toward a specific location in the Abyssal Sky with clear purpose.

Three days after the mysterious corpse fiend departed, a small island appeared in the distance on the sea surface where the corpse whale was anchored.

Noticing the sudden appearance of the island, the Corpse Fiend Cave Disciples left to guard the corpse whale immediately sensed something unusual.For this was no small island, but clearly a miniature mountain treading through the void.

Especially when they sensed the familiar aura emanating from this “island,” everyone aboard the Corpse Whale tensed up.

A floating mountain of the Great Thousand Mountains—how could one appear here?!

Had the Great Thousand Mountains already established a foothold in this realm?

Upon witnessing the true form of the distant “island,” the Corpse Fiend Cave disciples aboard the Corpse Whale wore grim expressions.

Though the three sects had currently reached a consensus and formed an alliance,

everyone within the three sects knew

that a true alliance between them was fundamentally impossible.

Their cultivation methods were inherently exploitative, benefiting themselves at the expense of the world.

Devouring the cultivators of this realm could indeed make them stronger,

but if they could consume cultivators from the other two sects,

the boost to their power would be even more direct.

After all, not only were they all ancient fiend cultivators, but they also practiced Daos the others had not touched—

a perfect complement.

Thus, the appearance of this floating mountain was undoubtedly a harbinger of ill intent for the Corpse Fiend Cave disciples aboard the Corpse Whale.

As the floating mountain drew closer, everyone finally saw the name carved atop its peak:

‘Biyou…’

Staring at this unfamiliar mountain name, the Corpse Fiend Cave disciples scrambled to recall if they had ever heard of Biyou Mountain.

After a moment, they were startled to realize that none of them had ever heard of it.

This meant that Biyou Mountain had suddenly appeared within the Great Thousand Mountains after they entered the Azure Cloud World—

a Mountain Lord they had never encountered.

Troublesome. Extremely troublesome.

No knowledge of his background, cultivation level, origins, or alignment.

Gazing at Biyou Mountain before them, the Corpse Fiend Cave disciples felt as if a storm was brewing.

If it were merely a Mountain Lord at the Nascent Soul Stage, that would be manageable.

After all, there were three high-level Nascent Soul Stage Corpse Fiend Cave cultivators aboard their Corpse Whale.

A mere Nascent Soul Stage Mountain Lord was nothing to fear.

What they dreaded was that this newly emerged Biyou Mountain was no ordinary Mountain Lord,

but a Great Mountain Lord.

If that were the case, then things would be dire.

Although their leader, Heartworm Elder, was at the Deity Transformation Stage,

he had already entered the Abyssal Sky, and no one knew when he would return.

In the Great Thousand Mountains, only Deity Transformation Stage cultivators could hold the title of Great Mountain Lord—

making them peers of Heartworm Elder.

If the new lord of Biyou Mountain was a Great Mountain Lord of the Great Thousand Mountains,

then they were beyond saving, doomed to certain death.

In this predicament, the Corpse Fiend Cave disciples aboard the Corpse Whale assumed defensive stances

while contacting the nearest Corpse Fiend Cave stronghold.

Though they had now effectively controlled two-thirds of the East Sea region,

the Abyssal Sky remained the most remote part of the entire East Sea.

The distance to the nearest Corpse Fiend Cave stronghold was considerable—

it would take at least two days for a Deity Transformation Stage Elder from their school to arrive with reinforcements.

But by then, they would long be dead.

Tension. Unbearable tension.

The atmosphere aboard the Corpse Whale was stiflingly oppressive.

Even the Corpse Whale seemed to sense the emotions of those on its back, trembling incessantly.

In contrast to the unease of the Corpse Fiend Cave disciples,

the situation on Biyou Mountain was far more composed.

At the mountain peak, Lu Chen’s Three Lives Incarnation stood at the summit, overlooking the distant Corpse Fiend Cave disciples.Beside him, aside from Little White Deer, there now stood seven mysterious Sword Cultivators.

Each of these Sword Cultivators had peculiar appearances.

Every one of them showed varying degrees of draconic transformation.

Depending on their individual cultivation levels, the extent of their draconic features differed significantly.

The two standing closest to Lu Chen exhibited the most pronounced transformations.

One appeared frail, resembling a delicate scholar with no visible aggression, exuding an air of refined gentleness.

The other stood in stark contrast.

Not only was he three meters tall with broad shoulders and thick waist,

The most exaggerated feature was the five-meter Mountain-Splitting Greatsword strapped to his back.

The sword, forged entirely from dark mysterious metal, resembled a massive club more than a blade.

Whether it could slice through enemies remained uncertain,

But crushing opponents to death would undoubtedly be effortless.

Both of these individuals, without exception, were Cultivators at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Stage.

“Mountain Lord, is this the Azure Cloud World you mentioned? Truly a Blessed Land,”

The frail ‘scholar’ paid no attention to the Corpse Fiend Cave members in the distance, instead carefully observing the East Sea.

As the saying goes, laymen watch for spectacle while experts discern the essence.

Although this area had been controlled by Corpse Fiend Cave, the sea retained most of its original appearance.

Just from the Spiritual Power here, Tian Kui could determine

That this world’s Heavenly Dao remained uncontaminated.

For someone who had been hiding throughout the Nine Realms for so long, this was practically the legendary Immortal Realm.

Something that had only existed in dreams, never dared to hope for.

Hearing Tian Kui’s words, Lu Chen smiled: “Indeed, this is where I’ve cultivated all along. Quite satisfactory, isn’t it?”

Tian Kui nodded, his eyes filled with envy.

Clearly, he was quite satisfied with the Azure Cloud World.

Had he been born here originally, he might have achieved greater accomplishments.

Though that wasn’t certain either.

After all, if not for the Nine Realms, he wouldn’t have encountered the Sword Ancestor, nor received the Sword Ancestor’s enlightenment.

Fortune and misfortune intertwine – how many in this world can definitively declare what is good or bad?

After this moment of reflection, Lu Chen immediately issued orders.

“Go now. Take this opportunity to test your new Dharma Bodies. Do not disappoint me.”

Upon receiving Lu Chen’s command,

The seven Imprisoned Sword Sect cultivators beside him excitedly flew out from Biyou Mountain, charging toward the Corpse Fiend Cave members on the corpse whale.

Time rewinds to after Lu Chen’s arrival at the Supreme Purity Dao Palace.

To transform the Azure Cloud World into his Fiend-Slaying Sword Formation,

Lu Chen had dispatched one of his Clones to the Supreme Purity Dao Palace.

After learning the name of the Dao Palace established by Yi Hanqing, many questions in Lu Chen’s mind found their answers.

Such as why Jing Gong’s lineage from Danyang Peak had left the peak all those years ago,

And why they had erased all traces of this lineage from the Azure Cloud Sect records.

Most likely, it was because Lu Chen needed trusted individuals to guard the ‘Sword Tower’ for him.

During the Sword Tower’s construction and sword bone shaping phase, the Immortal Swords were essentially in self-Seal state.

Without proper guardianship, various factors could delay or even fail the sword bone forging process.

The particular vulnerability lay in the precious nature of Immortal Swords – ordinary Cultivators struggled to maintain purity of heart.

Someone might risk everything to extract the Immortal Swords Lu Chen had placed within the Sword Tower.

Therefore, Lu Chen needed trustworthy people to guard the Sword Tower generation after generation,

Until the Immortal Swords within completely fused with a province’s dragon vein, forming the Heaven and Earth Sword Domain.

And among all possible candidates, none were more worthy of Lu Chen’s trust than the members of the Azure Cloud Sect.Lu Chen entrusted the Eastern Divine Continent to Yi Hanqing.

The Southern Divine Continent, Lu Chen planned to hand over to his master Jing Gong’s lineage.

The Western Divine Continent, Lu Chen intended to assign to Senior Brother Wu Miao.

As for the Northern Divine Continent, Lu Chen prepared to entrust it to Ten Thousand Talisman Peak Lord Sikong Ming.

The reason for assigning the Northern Divine Continent to Sikong Ming was twofold: first, because Sikong Ming possessed considerable cultivation strength.

Second, because he was one of the rare practitioners of ‘Heavenly Secret Talisman Cultivation’ within the Azure Cloud Sect.

Heavenly Secret Talisman Cultivation was an uncommon school even within the Azure Cloud Sect.

As the name implied, Heavenly Secret Talisman Cultivation focused primarily on heavenly secrets, with talismans as a secondary discipline.

Had it been anyone else—even the current Azure Cloud Sect Master, Gu Liqing—Lu Chen would have found it difficult to explain the importance of the Sword Tower and its potential impact on the war between the two realms.

But Sikong Ming was different.

Naturally enigmatic and profound, Sikong Ming could glean hints of heavenly secrets from various sources, thus understanding the far-reaching significance of Lu Chen’s actions.

Such a plan spanning ten thousand years was something a heavenly secrets cultivator like Sikong Ming could never refuse.

For these heavenly secrets cultivators, while their lives appeared to be spent peering into the heavens, deep down, they all harbored ambitions to one day defy heaven and reshape fate.

Therefore, Lu Chen felt assured in entrusting this task to Sikong Ming.

In fact, of the four continents’ Sword Towers, the Northern Divine Continent was the one Lu Chen least needed to worry about.

Because Sikong Ming desired to see the completion of the Azure Clouds Fiend-Slaying Sword Formation more than anyone.

While arranging this Heaven and Earth Sword Formation, Lu Chen’s Three Lives Incarnation left behind in the Ancient Fiend Nine Realms was equally busy.

Having slain the original Dragon Fiend, Lu Chen had created a temporary vacancy in the Great Way of the Dragon.

Although Lu Chen did not seize this Dao, the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao would normally take a millennium to condense a new Ancient Fiend.

Thus, during these thousand years, the Great Way of the Dragon remained unoccupied.

This allowed Lu Chen to undertake many endeavors.

For instance, having the cultivators of the Imprisoned Sword Sect pose as practitioners of the Great Way of the Dragon.

After all, verifying the authenticity of these Imprisoned Sword Sect sword cultivators required judgment from those cultivated in the Great Way of the Dragon.

And in the eyes of the current Great Thousand Mountains, Lu Chen was the contemporary Jiao Lord.

If he saw no issue, then others in the Great Thousand Mountains would certainly raise no objections.

Thus, the members of the Imprisoned Sword Sect seamlessly integrated into Biyou Mountain, becoming part of its ranks.

With such support and his status as Great Mountain Lord of the Great Thousand Mountains, Lu Chen naturally began tasks previously difficult to accomplish.

Such as recovering some of the Sword Ancestor’s remaining sword intents that had not been corrupted by the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao.

Only then could he better assist the Sword Ancestor in resisting the corruption from the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao.

Every additional day the Sword Ancestor endured meant one more day for sword cultivators in the Nine Realms to evade detection by the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao.

In essence, the Sword Ancestor’s existence created an opening within the Nine Realms.

Lu Chen’s current mission was to preserve this opening while striving to widen it as much as possible.

His journey to the Abyssal Sky was for this very purpose.

However, Lu Chen had not anticipated that before his arrival, members of the Corpse Fiend Cave would reach the place ahead of him.

And judging by their actions, their objective aligned with his.

Yet, Lu Chen was not overly concerned.

For no one understood better than he what the Sword Ancestor’s inherited sword intents truly were.

Nor what preparations were necessary to reclaim them.Although the Corpse Fiend Cave members had arrived at the East Sea Abyssal Sky ahead of him,

they were destined to fail in taking the Sword Ancestor’s remnant Sword Intent right under his watch.

By the edge of the East Sea Abyssal Sky,

as the former Heavenly Swords made their moves one after another,

the Corpse Fiend Cave members on the corpse whale collectively experienced true despair.

For these seven serpent cultivators were not only all at the Nascent Soul Stage,

but three among them had even mastered the Transformation Dao Realm Sword Domain.

Facing such combat power—without the Heartworm Elder—how could they possibly resist!

(End of Chapter)