Chapter 371: The Blade That Reverses Time

Chapter 371: The Blade That Reverses Time

"Unbelievable!"

Mu Qing said in a deep voice.

Everyone's gaze swept over the broken tail of the dragon and the sword mark on the stone stele.

A mere Heavenly Person, even if the sword mark contained the peak Blade Intent of their most prosperous time, how could it possibly sever the indestructible Dharmic Body of a Celestial King?

The Dao Rhythm and Blade Intent contained in this blade were clearly far beyond the realm of a Heavenly Person! Even they could only look up to it in admiration!

Liao Dong suddenly said, "Was the decaying aura within that Blade Intent also from Ji Jingqiu?"

He looked at Gu Chensha, hoping for an answer.

The others also noticed this and turned to Gu Chensha, applying pressure.

Especially Gu Shou, whose gaze was particularly dark. With Luo Qingjue as a precedent, he still ended up in a dire situation.

Once today's events spread, he could already imagine how many people would be amazed by Ji Jingqiu's unpredictable abilities.

At the cost of stepping on his head!

Gu Chensha said coolly, "With all of your discerning eyes, can't you tell that this sword mark was left not long ago? It naturally comes from Junior Brother Ji."

Liao Dong frowned deeply. This answer did not satisfy him. What he cared about was the decaying intent within the sword mark.

Was this also left by Ji Jingqiu?

Given Ji Jingqiu's age and past experiences, how could he possibly possess such decaying Dao Rhythm?

Was it due to a mistake in his cultivation when he transcended Seated Oblivion?

"I don't believe it", Gu Shou said fiercely. "Ji Jingqiu is just a Heavenly Person. Why should he be able to leave such a sword mark?!"

Gu Chensha glanced at him. "I understand your unwillingness to accept it."

Gu Shou's expression was dark and ugly, almost ready to start a fight right there. But the remnants of his reason held him back.

This was the Inflamed Radiance Federation's home turf, and no one could predict what hidden forces might be lurking here.

The others paid no attention to Gu Shou, and only Luo Qingjue met his gaze, feeling a sense of shared misfortune.

Gu Shou gave Luo Qingjue a cold look, as if he had also harbored a grudge against him.

One by one, the group tried to probe the sword mark.

This sword mark seemed to have expended most of its Dao Rhythm when it severed Gu Shou, and although the Blade Intent was still vast and powerful, its might had clearly diminished.

Several of them experienced it in turn and retreated unscathed.

The sight made Gu Shou's expression even darker.

"Brother Gu, is this the place where Daoist Ji secluded himself for twenty years?" Qi Tian asked. "It seems a bit like he's confining himself within a small space."

Gu Chensha said coolly, "There is another place, but it's not convenient for all of you to visit."

"Not convenient? Or are you afraid to let us go?" Luo Qingjue said coldly.

Gu Chensha glanced at him and replied, "That place is where the Death Demon is suppressed. Junior Brother Ji often goes there to hone his blade and refine his Dao. It's also a critical area of our federation. I wonder what makes you, Brother Luo, worthy to visit such a place."

He said this in a very calm tone, calmly humiliating Luo Qingjue.

The latter had no words to refute it, enduring the humiliation in silence before finally sweeping his sleeves and leaving.

The Inflamed Radiance Federation's territory suppressed the true form of the Death Demon, a fact well-known to all.

There were those who coveted this, but the Inflamed Radiance Federation's alliance was too powerful, and no one could bear the responsibility if the Death Demon were released.

After a thorough inspection, they found nothing else. The only remaining sword mark seemed to attest to the extraordinary path Ji Jingqiu had taken.

They even suspected that Ji Jingqiu had truly embarked on an unconventional path.

"Is it the Misty Sea?"

Qi Tian's voice suddenly echoed in Gu Chensha's mind.

"Since Daoist Ji believes that a complete Celestial King should match Seated Oblivion, the first thing he needs to solve is how to step into Seated Oblivion..."

"Is the answer hidden in the Misty Sea?"

Gu Chensha did not give him an answer, nor did he have a reason to.

But Qi Tian seemed to have already decided.

"Could you inform me of Daoist Ji's current whereabouts?"

He privately sent a mental message.

Even if it were not for the instructions from his backers, he was very eager to meet this person.

Gu Chensha shook his head. This time, it was not because he refused, but because he did not know.

Qi Tian sighed lightly.

"Brother Gu, do you know that the higher-ups mainly loathe the Misty Sea? Some attribute the failure of the Five Pillars to break through to the Misty Sea."

"These people are considering and implementing ways to completely rid themselves of this thorn in the flesh."

"But..."

But your Junior Brother Ji is attempting to carve out a path never before taken, one that will benefit future generations!

What Qi Tian found most regrettable, even heartbreaking, was that the path to Celestial King still could not stop those people, as their goal was transcendence.

"If it's a thorn in the flesh, then even bleeding and scraping the bone will not eliminate it."

Gu Chensha said calmly.

Born in the Nine Provinces of the Heavenly Empire, Gu Chensha understood the characteristics of the Misty Sea better than most.

In fact,

The Nine Provinces of the Heavenly Empire were the first line of defense against the Misty Sea's current engulfing threat. The Greater Universe was secondary in comparison.

"May you fare well, Ancient Daoist Friend", Qi Tian said slowly.

"We are merely the vanguard. The one who has set their sights on your federation is someone else. Even some of the figures from the Five Great Divine Systems are only here to assist."

"Additionally, be wary of Gu Shou. He hails from the Azure Sky Sea, a lineage known for its domineering ways. He has never suffered such a significant loss in his life and is unlikely to let it go easily."

After issuing this warning, Qi Tian chose to leave on his own.

Gu Chensha's eyes grew deep and somber. Some figures from the Five Great Divine Systems were only here to assist?

...

...

Donghuang Heaven.

"Have you heard? Six Celestial Kings gathered at Ji Jingqiu's seclusion site but were driven back by his Sword Mark. Gu Shou himself was even bisected, revealing his true form!"

This news sent shockwaves through the previously noisy crowd.

Many immediately questioned the source of this information.

"How long ago did this happen? Where did you get this news?"

"Was it released by the Yanhuang Federation?"

"Perhaps one of the parties involved."

None of the martial practitioners were fools. They realized this was likely a message deliberately released by a certain faction—whether to undermine Gu Shou or to elevate Ji Jingqiu, it was unclear.

The crowd fell silent, showing their respect.

Previously, they had discussed various Divine Prohibitions, and many of the examples had some loopholes or extenuating circumstances, so to speak.

Either the individuals were already on the brink of becoming Celestial Kings,

Or they were the founders of a sect, with the home-field advantage,

And they also had supreme protective laws, allowing them to surpass the newly minted Celestial Kings.

But this one...

It wasn't as simple as a Heavenly Person surpassing a Celestial King!

Was the hierarchy inverted?

Several Celestial Kings came together, only to be intimidated by a Sword Mark left by a Heavenly Person?!

"Damn, this is a case of overreaching and getting burned..." someone whispered cautiously, careful not to reveal their position.

Another person laughed carelessly, "Gu Shou has really lost face this time. This will go down in history, and not in a good way!"

"A Celestial King, cut down by a Heavenly Person's Sword Mark. This is just unacceptable..."

"The Azure Sky Lineage belongs to the Taoyou Divine System. They've been flaunting their power since returning from the Five Pillars, but this time they've taken a major fall."

For a moment, there were no shortage of those reveling in the misfortune.

Until, at some point,

A massive shadow fell over the area, enveloping everyone in a chilling darkness. Fear crept over their faces.

"Do mere ants like you have the right to speak of Celestial Kings?"

A chilling voice echoed from above, accompanied by a roaring tide of water and a burst of radiant light that illuminated the heavens and earth.

It seemed as if an entire world was rapidly unfolding, turning the sky into a vast blue ocean, like an apocalyptic flood, with each drop of water weighing a thousand catties!

In an instant,

Most of Donghuang Heaven was shrouded in a misty white fog. In the starry sky, a dragon could be faintly seen coiling and causing chaos, its tail slamming down with the force of an apocalyptic flood.

In a split second, the surging waves had swept over a quarter of Donghuang Heaven.

Wherever the raindrops fell, the earth split, fissures running for thousands of miles, and the vast underground veins were severed, a scene of utter devastation!

A mocking laugh echoed from above, as Gu Shou's true form, vast as a mountain range, loomed across the starry sky, his head lowered with a sinister grin.

"Without even a formation, you truly are overconfident! Today, I'll teach you a lesson! Where is Ji Jingqiu? Come out!"

This single strike turned a quarter of the vast Donghuang Heaven into a wasteland, countless lives perishing in the flood.

If not for the suppression of the Greater Universe's laws, this attack would have been enough to obliterate the entire Donghuang Heaven, demonstrating the might of a Celestial King.

As everyone expected the martial practitioners of the Yanhuang Federation to erupt in fury, they realized that after more than three breaths, no one from the federation had stepped forward.

Even Gu Chensha, who had been seen earlier, did not make a move.

As the crowd's emotions shifted from shock and fear to confusion, the heavens suddenly grew dark and gloomy.

Gu Shou, freely manipulating the Great Dao principles in the starry sky, suddenly felt a deep chill, but could not pinpoint its source.

Until a divine blade emerged from the river of time, its radiant light cascading through the heavens, like ripples in the river of time.

Gu Shou's face paled, his heart racing. Was this the blade of a True Emperor?!

How could the will of the Greater Universe allow the Yanhuang Federation to have such a trump card?!

The thought of fleeing crossed his mind but was immediately extinguished. Without even a scream, the connection between his mind and body was severed.

In a daze, Gu Shou seemed to see himself "swimming upstream" in a river.

The blade passed silently.

Wherever it went, the heavens and the void, the principles of the Great Dao, all became "flat", and the nascent inner universe suspended in the starry sky instantly flattened like a sheet of paper.

Everything was cut in half, severed in one stroke.

Including the timeline of the present.

"Come out, Qiu..."

"Ha ha ha..."

"Wang Tian talks nonsense, mere ants..."

The glow of the blade illuminated the myriad scenes of heaven and earth, reflecting the majestic river of time. It reversed the flow of time in this place for a few breaths, cutting off Gu Shou before he could make his move.

……

In the boundless Sanqian Yafuti.

Deep within the vast ocean that enveloped the great world, a soul lamp abruptly extinguished.

Amidst the dignified and heavy dragon roar, an old dragon emerged from the water and clouds, circling the starry sky. Its whiskers fluttered, stirring the stars as it spoke with deep anger:

"Which fellow Daoist has slain my descendants? No matter how unruly the young ones are, it's not worth such a complete extermination!"

……

"【Bixiao Heaven】 is a lineage within the Taoyou Divine System. Since their return from the Five Pillars, they have always been..."

The Martial Practitioner, who had been speaking confidently, suddenly stopped and abruptly stood up.

The same reaction was mirrored by all the surrounding Martial Practitioners, their faces filled with shock.

They all looked up, only to find themselves drenched in the blood of the dragon, frozen in place, as if in a dream.

Everything that had happened a few breaths ago seemed like a dream, lingering in their minds.

At this moment, the Martial Practitioners of the Yanhuang Federation finally arrived, dragging away the fallen dragon's body.

One of them warned the gathered Martial Practitioners:

"Gentlemen, the Yanhuang territory has its own laws. As long as you abide by them, you can come and go freely. But if anyone harbors ill intentions and tries to use others as pawns, do not blame us for not warning you in advance."

……

In the void.

"That divine blade of the Southern Emperor, Hedong Huang..."

Luo Qingjue felt a chill seep through his entire body, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief!

By a hair's breadth!

He could have ended up like Gu Shou, joining his fallen comrades in death!

At the same time, he cursed Ji Jingqiu's shamelessness.

The one who struck was not Ji Jingqiu, but the divine blade left behind by Hedong Huang!

Another glance at the blade that could manipulate the river of time made Luo Qingjue's heart tremble uncontrollably. Without hesitation, he turned and left.

He would not set foot in this place again unless all the Sages attacked together!

……

"Reversing the flow of time with a blade?"

Not far away, Qi Tian's expression was extremely serious.

With just one strike, the blade had decapitated Gu Shou a few breaths ago. The Celestial King's 【Immortality】 trait seemed nonexistent in the face of this blade, unable to struggle and cut off at the fundamental level, leaving only the body of the dragon.

Even the timeline where Gu Shou had submerged Donghuang Heaven was severed at the temporal level, restoring everything to its original state.

No wonder Gu Chensha did not show up!

They had guessed that the Yanhuang Federation had a backup plan, but they never imagined it would be such an insurmountable move!

In that instant.

He almost thought it was the Southern Emperor, Hedong Huang, descending the river of time again, slaying all the villains with one strike!

Fortunately, it was just the divine blade with a will of its own.

Qi Tian took a deep breath, his heart heavy.

With this divine blade hanging overhead, even without a True Emperor, all their plans were laughable.

So be it.

This was not his problem to worry about; let others deal with it.

……

……

In a spacious and bright banquet hall.

Ji Anquan welcomed several uninvited guests.

A man and a woman sat opposite Ji Anquan. An invisible tension filled the air between them, like an undercurrent.

Standing behind Uncle Ji, Mo Naihe narrowed his eyes, instinctively sensing the danger from the woman.

In terms of cultivation and combat strength, he surpassed Ji Anquan. He had already opened the Illusory Great Dao and was only a step away from becoming a Celestial King. He had held back from taking the final step to follow the path of Senior Ji.

At this moment, using the direct transmission technique of Xuanji Heaven, he sensed a detached and condescending aura from the woman.

She had no ill intentions toward them, but her demeanor was purely one of superiority!

In a daze.

Mo Naihe felt as if she was sitting in a misty, ethereal place, as if she were seated high above the nine heavens, a divine being looking down on everything below.

Noticing the external movements, Qingchuan You suddenly took the opportunity to speak:

"Brother Ji, your ancestor has been quite restless lately."

Ji Anquan ignored the hidden hostility in his tone, smiling and raising a finger to his lips.

Qingchuan You raised an eyebrow, unsure of the meaning.

"Brother Ji, your ancestor..."

The next moment, Qingchuan You's expression turned grave, his words cut off mid-sentence.

He instantly realized what had just happened, quickly regaining his composure, his expression turning cold.

What a show of force!

At that moment.

The woman sitting beside him opened her eyes, her gaze filled with interest, and she praised:

"Yanhuang's seven commanders, indeed deserving of their reputation! Was the news of that Celestial King deliberately spread? Clever move."

Ji Anquan smiled, countering with a question: "May I know your true name?"

"Xuran An of the 【Fuyou Palace】." The woman raised her head, her demeanor of superiority unhidden.

Ji Anquan pondered. In the Sanqian Yafuti, there was a 【Fuyou Hall】.

But from Qingchuan You's attitude, it was clear that her background was far more than that.

Hearing her reveal her true name, Qingchuan You's expression darkened. After calming his mind, he got straight to the point:

"Brother Ji, do you know where the batch of Celestial Kings who left the universe twenty years ago and went to the Near Path are now?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end