Chapter 426: Grudge |
East of Crimson Sand Town, the murky yellow horizon was suddenly torn apart by brilliant purple ligh.
Within the light, a figure arrived treading on air, purple qi swirling around his entire body, rising in mists, vaguely condensing into forms of immortal palaces and pavilions, rare birds and exotic beasts, emanating a magnificent and upright vast aura!
Wherever the purple qi passed, the pervasive yellow sand rapidly melted and dispersed!
"Purple Qi Soaring to the Firmament!?"
A trace of shock and doubt flashed through Di Cang's eyes, his voice low, "Lingxiao Upper Sect... Duanmu Hua!"
The newcomer's blue-green robes snapped in the wind, three long whiskers flowing. He was precisely Lingxiao Upper Sect's current Sect Master, one of the publicly recognized top giants of Yan Kingdom's martial world, Duanmu Hua.
His gaze looked directly toward the distant Di Cang, "This old man's timing is just right."
Before his words finished falling, True Origin erupted from Duanmu Hua's entire body. That vast purple qi became even more dense, faintly resonating with the earth below, as if mountains and rivers all existed within his single thought.
Seeing this, everyone from Tianbao Upper Sect felt their hearts slightly ease.
A flash of surprise passed through Li Yujun's eyes.
Though Tianbao Upper Sect and Lingxiao Upper Sect were allies, Duanmu Hua had been in seclusion for many years, rarely even concerning himself with sect affairs.
His appearance now could only be explained by one thing—Senior Brother Luo Zhixian had secretly made an arrangement with him long ago.
Chen Qing's constantly tense heartstrings also relaxed slightly.
A figure like Duanmu Hua already belonged to the pinnacle among Grandmasters. With him here, it seemed Master was absolutely not unprepared.
Di Cang took a deep breath, the purple mark on his forehead flickering uncertainly.
He stared fixedly at Duanmu Hua, "Duanmu Hua... Good, very good! I didn't expect you'd actually be willing to leave that furnace and set foot in this wind and sand land."
A chill suddenly rose in his heart.
Originally he'd thought that with three Grandmasters on their side, crushing Tianbao Upper Sect's people and capturing key figures would be sufficient.
Who could have imagined Luo Zhixian had secretly invited Duanmu Hua, who had been in seclusion for many years!
The situation instantly became confusing, even faintly falling into the opposition's calculations.
"Grand Lord Di Cang has traveled far with killing intent filling the wilderness. If this old man continued sitting withered in the mountains, wouldn't that make it seem Yan Kingdom has no one, that Lingxiao Sect is cowardly?"
Duanmu Hua's voice was peaceful yet penetrated wind and sand, "Though this place is crude, it still cannot tolerate northern honored guests running wild at will."
Before his words finished falling, the purple qi around his entire body suddenly boiled!
The light that had originally just been swirling mists now seemed like an ignited sea of clouds, explosively erupting, transforming into a purple ocean covering half the long sky!
Within the purple qi, jade palaces and crystal towers vaguely drifted and rose and fell.The vast and magnificent aura stood on equal footing with Li Qingyu's Sword Domain and Luo Zhixian's Spear Domain, actually faintly forming a third vast force field above Crimson Sand Town!
Purple Qi Soaring to the Firmament!
The ultimate technique Duanmu Hua relied on to make his name, also one of Lingxiao Upper Sect's sect-suppressing transmissions.
"Since you've come, leave something behind before you go!" Duanmu Hua said no more. Purple light blazed in his eyes. His right hand lifted, seemingly casually pressing down.
This press was as if the firmament itself overturned!
The sky full of purple qi condensed accordingly, transforming into a massive purple palm covering several dozen zhang, palm lines clear as mountain valleys and ravines, carrying vast will, pressing down toward Di Cang!
"Well met!"
Di Cang roared fiercely, fierce light blazing in his eyes!
His feet suddenly sank into the ground. The muscles on both arms bulged like coiling dragons. The purple mark on his forehead suddenly blazed with purple light. True Origin around his entire body shot skyward like wolf smoke!
Howling Wolf Moon Seal!
Both palms pushed together. An even more solid Azure Wolf seal than before thunderously condensed!
The Azure Wolf phantom on the seal almost became substantial, raising its head in a soundless roar, carrying fierce aura, brazenly crashing toward Duanmu Hua's seemingly simple and unadorned palm!
"BANG!"
The instant palm and seal met, a tremendous sound exploded!
As if two solid iron mountains collided with ten thousand jun of force!
No scattering brilliant radiance—all the terrifying force at the center explosively erupted!
Centered on the two, the ground within thirty zhang radius was like being fiercely struck by an invisible giant hammer, violently collapsing one foot down!
Earth and stone at the collapse's edge rose up like waves, rolling back, forming a massive circular crater!
Violent qi swept horizontally in rings, completely leveling more distant broken walls and debris, the swept-up sand and dust shooting over ten zhang high!
Chen Qing, Nan Zhuoran, Luo Ping, and other Tianbao Upper Sect disciples all circulated True Origin to resist the aftershocks.
At the storm's center, the ground beneath Di Cang's feet completely shattered. His entire person was hammered halfway into the ground like a nail, blood and qi churning throughout his body.
While Duanmu Hua stood suspended in air, his figure swaying slightly. The purple giant palm phantom dispersed, but the purple qi around his body remained vast, clearly holding a slight advantage.
From just one strike, Grandmaster might had already altered the terrain—terrifying to such a degree!
Seeing Di Cang fall to a disadvantage in the distance, Chi Lie roared and was about to move forward to attack Duanmu Hua in a pincer.
But just as his figure was about to move, pressure already swept from Duanmu Hua's body.
Chi Lie immediately felt as if thorns pricked his back and dared not move rashly.
Both Duanmu Hua and Di Cang's strength exceeded his by a level, especially Duanmu Hua.
He'd been in seclusion comprehending the Purple Heaven Refining Sky Furnace for many years. What exactly he'd comprehended remained a mystery to this day.
Yellow sand was temporarily swept aside by the air blast, revealing the two confronting figures at the center.
Luo Zhixian stood holding his spear, the Meteor Star Spear tip pointing diagonally at the ground.
"Duanmu Hua's timing is quite coincidental."
Li Qingyu slowly spoke, his voice revealing no joy or anger, "Junior Brother Luo, it seems you were prepared long ago, anticipated I would come? Even... anticipated more than just me coming?"
At these words, everyone from Tianbao Upper Sect behind stirred in their hearts.
Li Yujun, Nan Zhuoran, Luo Ping, and others instantly understood.
Today's situation probably wasn't a hasty response, but rather Luo Zhixian had anticipated it long ago, perhaps even using himself as bait to set a counter-kill trap!
Chen Qing's thoughts raced even faster, "Master knew long ago Li Qingyu might come? Even contacted Sect Master Duanmu? Then does he know..."
But the current situation allowed no time for detailed contemplation.
Facing Li Qingyu's words, Luo Zhixian's expression remained calm, "You excel at calculating and escaping. If I didn't design things well enough, how would you enter the net?"
Li Qingyu let out a light laugh, his withered face appearing blurred in the residual wind and sand, "We'll see if your net is big enough, deep enough."
His words just fell when another change occurred!
Around Crimson Sand Town, the heaven and earth yuan qi already disordered from Grandmaster clashes was suddenly invaded by another cold, deathly aura.
"Woooo!"
Shrill screams like ten thousand ghosts crying in unison rang out from all directions. At the town's edge shadows, thick black fog that couldn't be dispersed emerged from nothing, rapidly spreading and connecting, in the blink of an eye shrouding most of Crimson Sand Town.
The sky suddenly darkened. Temperature plummeted sharply. Eerie black frost condensed on the ground.
"Ghost Domain!?" Li Yujun's expression instantly became extremely grave, "People from Ghost Witch Sect!?"
"Keke keke...!"
A sharp, piercing strange laugh transmitted from deep within the black fog, echoing above Crimson Sand Town, making people's hair stand on end.
The thick black fog churned violently, slowly condensing into a blurred human form, then solidifying.
The newcomer's entire body was shrouded in a wide black robe, hood hanging low, face unclear.
Black air currents swirled around his body as if substantial, emanating a cold death qi that made spirits and souls tremble.
"A Ghost Witch Sect expert!" Nan Zhuoran gripped his long sword, saying in a heavy voice.
Luo Ping's expression also changed drastically, crying out low, "Such pure and cold Ghost Domain, able to instantly invade the surrounding area... Could it be that Nine Nether Ghost Lord, Ghost Witch Sect's Ghost Gate 'Lamp Guardian'!?"
Within Ghost Witch Sect, aside from the supreme Sect Master, there were Ghost and Witch two gates, each with one 'Lamp Guardian' whose status was second only to the Sect Master, wielding gate authority with unfathomable strength.
The Ghost Gate "Lamp Guardian" was precisely that terrifying existence called "Nine Nether Ghost Lord"!
Nine Nether Ghost Lord!
This name made everyone present who knew his formidable reputation feel their hearts sink.
Ghost Witch Sect Ghost Gate's highest authority holder, with unfathomable strength, absolutely counted as a top-tier Grandmaster expert.
Nine Nether Ghost Lord manifested, his eyes sweeping across the field, finally fixing on Luo Zhixian and Li Qingyu, "Luo Zhixian, this seat has come specially to send you on your way!"
Before his words finished falling, his withered ghost-claw-like right hand shot out from beneath the black robe, grabbing toward Luo Zhixian!
Nether Ghost Claw! Soul Rending!
"Riiip!"
The black Ghost Domain shrouding heaven and earth suddenly boiled. Infinite yin qi and death intent converged, transforming into a several-zhang-sized savage ghost claw that manifested in midair, grabbing down toward Luo Zhixian!
Before the ghost claw arrived, that cold death qi already made Chen Qing and other distant observers fall into an ice pit, divine sense stinging with pain, as if countless vengeful souls shrieked in their ears.
"BOOM!"
The ghost claw grabbed at the Spear Domain's force field edge, making a shattering tremendous sound!
The air was torn with black traces visible to the naked eye. Violent chaotic air currents scattered and shot forth, plowing the ground with even deeper and more terrifying furrows.
"Hum!"
An extremely sharp sword qi shot forth without warning from Crimson Sand Town's other side!
The sword qi was condensed like silk, fine as a hair, yet its speed exceeded the limits of visual capture, only leaving a faint white mark in the air.
"Pfft!"
With a light sound, that seemingly infinitely powerful pitch-black ghost claw was split in two down the middle by that snow-bright sword qi!
Nine Nether Ghost Lord sharply withdrew his palm. At the wide black robe's sleeve opening, a neat cut had surprisingly appeared, a drop of blood seeping from the skin.
His eyelids jumped violently.
"Who?!"
The Ghost Lord shrieked fiercely, ghost qi surging around his entire body, vigilantly looking toward the sword qi's source.
In the sky above, a mass of cold sword qi chaos current manifested from nothing!
That wasn't ordinary sword qi, but rather a brilliant sword light ocean like a falling galaxy!
Sword qi churned and surged. Each strand of sword light seemed to possess its own life, interweaving and entangling with each other, constructing a sword Dao domain that made observers' hearts palpitate!
At the sword light's center, a figure stood with hands clasped behind his back.
The newcomer wore moon-white robes, sleeves fluttering in the sword qi yet unstained by half a speck of dust.
He appeared about forty or so, naturally carrying an air of carefree transcendence between his brows and eyes.
However, those eyes clear as autumn water were also bottomlessly deep.
"Xiao Jiuli?"
Nine Nether Ghost Lord's expression was grave as iron.
Jiuli City's City Lord, Yan Kingdom's foremost swordsman!
Though the Jiuli City he commanded wasn't listed among the Six Great Upper Sects, it was still a top-tier force dominating one region.
If joining forces with Li Qingyu to deal with Luo Zhixian, he would naturally act, but having him face such a level of Grandmaster alone was undoubtedly asking for trouble.
Nine Nether Ghost Lord said no more, instead turning his gaze toward another side of the battlefield, planning to observe from the sidelines.
In the distance, Di Cang's heart continuously sank.
Originally thinking this battle was certain victory, who could have imagined the situation would suddenly reverse?
Moreover, they'd penetrated deep into Yan Kingdom territory as an isolated force, already losing geographical advantage. Now they appeared even more awkward and isolated.
Even the Sword Lord came!?
Li Yujun's heart steadied. This person's cultivation was unfathomable, among Grandmasters he was top of the top tier.
What lifted her spirits even more was that in his hand was one sword body from that Vast Sea Floating Light Sword.
That was genuinely one of the Heaven-Connecting Spirit Treasures with mysterious might.
Though Nan Zhuoran and other Tianbao Upper Sect disciples had never seen Xiao Jiuli's true appearance, the "Sword Lord" name had long been thunderous in their ears.
At this moment, everyone's hearts finally eased slightly.
Counting Lingxiao Upper Sect's Duanmu Hua, their side already had four Grandmaster-level combat powers—on the surface, the situation no longer held half a disadvantage.
Chen Qing only felt his emotions surging like tides.
Before his eyes, Grandmasters successively manifested, all top-tier Grandmaster experts. Master's layout's thoroughness and far-reaching depth far exceeded his imagination.
If today's trap succeeded, they might truly strike down Li Qingyu in one blow. He was not only a century-long major problem for the sect, but also stuck in Chen Qing's throat like a bone.
If they could use this excellent opportunity to thoroughly settle this great enemy, naturally nothing could be better.
"Xiao Jiuli..." Li Qingyu saw the newcomer, deep in his eyes a trace of solemnity passed.
If Duanmu Hua's appearance might still have some element of surprise, then Xiao Jiuli manifesting at this moment absolutely couldn't be coincidence!
This person's strength made even him extremely wary!
Luo Zhixian must have contacted him in advance, even reaching some kind of agreement.
Today's Crimson Sand Town fundamentally wasn't some ambush situation, but rather Luo Zhixian's carefully arranged trap—inviting the lord into the urn, intending to encircle and kill him, Li Qingyu, in an absolute kill setup!
Thinking this through, a chill suddenly rose in Li Qingyu’s heart, yet his face still maintained that calm, cloud-light indifference. Only the cold intent of the Sword Domain around his body seemed to have become several degrees more severe.
Luo Zhixian's expression remained unchanged, the Meteor Star Spear in his hand transmitting a fine hum.
Li Qingyu didn't speak.
That withered face appeared even more profound under the murky yellow sky light.
The Sword Domain around his body now visibly trembled slightly—not from fear, but from deeper palpitations.
The sword body trembled accordingly, emitting a hum.
Xiao Jiuli looked calmly at Luo Zhixian, "Rest assured, today no one can disturb you."
His tone was flat yet carried unquestionable certainty.
As if merely by standing here, he was a natural moat none could cross.
Xiao Jiuli's manifestation this time wasn't to deal with Li Qingyu, but to prevent outsiders from disturbing Luo Zhixian when he struck at Li Qingyu.
This was his agreement with Luo Zhixian.
Hearing this, Li Qingyu actually laughed.
That laughter carried an indescribable complex meaning.
He slowly raised his withered left hand, gently stroking the long sword in his hand.
Bone-chilling cold transmitted from the sword body, yet it gradually calmed his emotions.
"For this day... you truly put in quite a bit of effort."
Li Qingyu raised his head, looking toward Luo Zhixian standing with spear across from him. No more ripples remained in his eyes, only a near-deathly tranquility.
He had now completely understood.
Today's situation from the very beginning wasn't his ambush trap.
But rather the inescapable net Luo Zhixian had laid.
Inviting the lord into the urn.
Blocking all his backup plans, cutting off all his escape routes.
Duanmu Hua, Xiao Jiuli... two top-tier Grandmaster-level experts, corresponding respectively to Di Cang and Nine Nether Ghost Lord.
Luo Zhixian used his own disciple as bait, drawing him into the trap, then with allies contacted long ago, intercepted his reinforcements one by one.
What remained was one-on-one.
Two hundred years of grudges, thoroughly settled today.
Luo Zhixian slowly raised the Meteor Star Spear, the spear tip pointing from afar toward Li Qingyu, "Back then you showed no mercy. Today I won't either."
Fellow disciple friendship?
Two hundred years ago, the moment Li Qingyu betrayed the sect and killed his master, it had already vanished like smoke.
What remained was only blood-sea deep hatred, only endless grudges.
The trap Luo Zhixian set today wasn't for capture, wasn't for negotiation, wasn't even for sect righteousness.
He only wanted to kill.
Only wanted revenge.
Grudges were grudges. Unless one party died, they wouldn't disappear.
Li Yujun looked at Senior Brother's spear-straight back, her heart surging like tides, her eyes even slightly heating.
Was this that Luo Zhixian who seemed to wear a cold face every day, ignoring sect worldly affairs, only knowing seclusion and spear practice?
So he had never forgotten.
So he had always been waiting.
Waiting for an opportunity, waiting for a trap, waiting for a chance to personally settle this grudge.
"If that's the case..."
Li Qingyu slowly closed his eyes, deeply inhaling.
When he opened his eyes again, the entire Crimson Sand Town and even heaven and earth for several dozen li around suddenly plunged into extreme ice cold!
Wind and sand in the sky froze, floating suspended in midair.
Chen Qing and all other observers had their gazes firmly drawn over.
They knew that in today's battle, Luo Zhixian and Li Qingyu were the true protagonists.
The others—Di Cang, Duanmu Hua, Nine Nether Ghost Lord, Xiao Jiuli—might exchange blows, might confront each other, but they wouldn't fight to the death.
Because between them, there were no endless grudges.
But between Luo Zhixian and Li Qingyu, there were.
Two hundred years as senior and junior brothers, two hundred years as mortal enemies.
"Then..."
Li Qingyu slowly raised the long sword in his hand, the sword tip pointing toward Luo Zhixian, his voice terrifyingly calm, "As you wish."