A Sword Cleaves Changkong

Not long ago, atop Mending Heaven Peak, within the summit cave abode.

Unlike the constant bustle and myriad faces of Red Dust below Mending Heaven Peak, only clouds rose and fell at its summit. It stood apart from the world, as though it had leapt free of this chaotic mortal realm.

Before a cliff, two figures stood overlooking the Cloud Sea below.

One had white hair and the face of a child, clad in a black-and-white Daoist robe and holding a whisk. He looked exactly like the kind-hearted old Divine Immortal so often found in mortal storybooks.

The other appeared middle-aged and said with a teasing smile:

"Butian, I heard you've recently been choosing a husband for your daughter?"

"What? You're interested?" Peak Master of Heaven Mending turned sideways to look at the middle-aged man. "If it's one of your disciples, he would count as a fine match for Qian'er."

"Better not."

The middle-aged man shook his head. "I know my own disciples. They're all silver spears with wax tips—pretty but useless. They couldn't handle your daughter. You should seek someone more capable."

"Then forget it." Peak Master of Heaven Mending shook his head. "In any case, I have already found someone I favor. This man cultivated bitterly through three lifetimes and possesses an excellent foundation of Merit. Not only does he have a thirty percent chance of forging a Dao Foundation in the future, but after learning Coiling Dragon True Person's Nine Transformations Dragon Art, he will possess the might of a True Dragon in bed as well."

"Coiling Dragon True Person? That can't be right."

The middle-aged man pinched his fingers and calculated upon hearing this, then shook his head. "Coiling Dragon Island vanished without a trace. The opportunity has already been claimed, but not by one of your disciples."

"He soon will be."

Peak Master of Heaven Mending said blandly, "I have already calculated who seized the opportunity by force. I sent Yuanchun to deal with it. Before long, everything will return to its proper course."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really leave no path to survival." The middle-aged man shook his head. "The immortal path is hard to seek. Why be so harsh toward a few juniors?"

"They should be given a little hope now and then. After all, the Sacred Sect needs fresh blood as well."

"I don't need you to teach me."

Peak Master of Heaven Mending sneered. "If that were all, I might not have acted. But I calculated that the one who took Coiling Dragon True Person's opportunity is somewhat extraordinary."

At this point, even Peak Master of Heaven Mending's voice carried a touch of surprise. "This person entered the sect only a few years ago, yet not only did he make a fortune during the Death Substitute Puppet upheaval several years back, he also cultivated the Blood-Transforming Divine Light, forged a Sword Pellet, mastered the Sword Art of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, and reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer."

"Oh? So impressive?"

The middle-aged man looked surprised. He then silently calculated for a while before sighing. "I never expected our Sacred Sect to produce such a talent."

Having said that, the middle-aged man was clearly interested.

"Come, come, come. Point out the direction for me. Let us see what sort of innate bones he has. If his quality is good enough, perhaps he can be refined into an excellent Precious Pill."

"That's easy. He's right over there—hm?"

Peak Master of Heaven Mending had still been smiling, but after pointing out the direction and looking into the distance, his smile gradually faded.

Rumble!

As Peak Master of Heaven Mending's gaze fell, the vast Mending Heaven Peak seemed to undergo an Earth Dragon Turn. At its edges, mountain rocks even tumbled into the Cloud Sea.

Within a cave abode somewhere on Mending Heaven Peak, Liu Xin lay prostrate on the ground, so terrified that he did not even dare breathe loudly, afraid of drawing Peak Master of Heaven Mending's attention.

He's not looking for me. He's not looking for me...

Liu Xin repeated the words desperately in his heart, suppressing his guilt and fear.

After all, that was a Foundation Establishment True Person. Even a single glance from him was enough to suppress and kill someone in the Qi Refining Realm, while his own Ten Thousand Spirit Banner contained the man's son.

If he were discovered, it would surely mean eternal damnation!

"Don't be afraid. I have the protection of a Divine Talisman. He cannot calculate my whereabouts."

Liu Xin's body trembled as he gripped the talisman he carried with all his strength.

"Yuanchun pays respects to Master."

Lu Yuanchun coughed blood as he kowtowed toward the face in the sky and begged forgiveness. Yet there was not the slightest joy at having survived the calamity. Instead, his heart was ice-cold.

The Jade Pendant that had broken Lu Yang's great formation at the final moment contained a strand of Peak Master of Heaven Mending's Divine Sense. It was the greatest reliance of a Foundation Establishment disciple like him. Because it was difficult to create, once used, it was almost impossible to replenish. It was equivalent to one of his lives.

And now, it was gone.

On top of that, not only had he failed to help Junior Brother Zhao reclaim the opportunity, he had even failed to protect him, allowing him to die unexpectedly. It was a crushing defeat.

With several crimes punished together, the immortal path was already hopeless for him in this lifetime.

"This disciple is incompetent."

Lu Yuanchun did not dare speak, much less explain. He could only kowtow with his forehead pressed to the ground, waiting for his master to kill Lu Yang before deciding his fate.

Clang—!

At that moment, Lu Yuanchun suddenly heard the cry of a sword. It was not loud, yet it was exceptionally clear, washing over the heart and lungs, impossible to ignore.

At first, it sounded like a clear spring flowing, chiming softly. But as time passed, the water grew swifter and more violent, and the sound became increasingly thunderous. In the end, it became a vast roar like rivers and seas raging, booming through heaven and earth.

Lu Yuanchun raised his head instinctively.

Then he saw a figure standing tall in midair beneath the True Person's gaze, head raised and back straight, fearlessly meeting his eyes.

Beneath Lu Yang's feet ran a surging river of Sword Qi.

The river was scarlet, its turbulent currents carrying boundless Sha Qi. Yet it did not spread outward. Instead, it continuously shrank and flowed back, finally pouring into an exquisite Sword Pellet.

"What is he trying to do?"

Lu Yuanchun swallowed. He had actually guessed it, but he did not dare believe it. Could there truly be someone in this world so bold, so ignorant of Heaven's decree?

At the same time, the face in the sky seemed to realize something as well. Its brows furrowed.

"You wish to strike at me?"

Lu Yang's expression was indifferent. The Sword Pellet devoured the entire Blood River, its edge pointed directly at the Vault Sky.

"Senior, please enlighten me."

The face said nothing, seemingly disdaining to answer.

The next instant, Lu Yang saw a black dot suddenly emerge above the Vault Sky. It swiftly expanded, descending slowly toward him with the force of an overturning heaven.

Only when the black dot drew near could Lu Yang barely make out its full form. It was a finger descending from some unknown and unimaginable height, every line of its skin clearly visible.

Enlightenment came to Lu Yang in an instant. This was the other party's answer:

How could an ant know how high Heaven was?

In that instant, an overwhelming sense of danger swept through his body, nearly freezing Lu Yang's thoughts, as though an ant crawling from its hole had suddenly glimpsed the Blue Heaven and blazing sun.

"You want to crush me to death with one finger???"

Lu Yang took a deep breath. Then the True Qi throughout his body abruptly began to burn violently as he activated the Life-Killing Curse he had obtained in his second life with all his strength.

At this moment, life and death were cast behind him.

Only blazing fury remained in Lu Yang's heart.

In this life, I neither fought nor contended, devoted myself solely to cultivation, yet you calculated my Karma, sent people to steal my opportunity, and when they failed, you personally came to kill me.

You speak of Cultivation Method Karma and preach that opportunities are fated from the start.

Was I destined to be a beast of burden, while you were destined to stand high above?

"Kill!"

Lu Yang opened his mouth. The True Qi in his chest became a long howl, and the fury filling his heart brewed into a streak of sword light. Neither crooked nor slanted, it cleaved straight through Changkong.

A silent collision took place, like a candle flame flickering between brightness and darkness. After a brief burst of splendor, darkness swallowed Lu Yang's sight—and swallowed his consciousness.