Ximen Ba Loved to Join the Fun

Three hundred li west of White Tiger City, the Thousand Floating Islands Domain lay scattered across the sea of clouds like brilliant stars, and Sword Shadow Lotus Flower Island was the sharpest among them.

The entire island floated above mist that never dispersed year-round. Beneath the seemingly tranquil clouds lurked an invisible killing formation woven from countless sword intents.

When the rosy dawn tore through the morning fog, the island's true form was revealed—it was a colossal lotus flower piled from razor-sharp blades.

Ten thousand treasured swords crisscrossed one another, their edges reflecting the sky with a cold, glinting radiance. Lotus petals condensed from sword qi trembled faintly, as though ready to burst forth from the earth at any moment.

Deep within the clouds stood a lotus throne forged from supreme-grade longswords.

The sword-forged lotus dais rose a hundred zhang high. Every blade bore ancient Sword Art Runes, while floating sword qi condensed into a silver-white vortex around the throne.

Ximen Ba sat cross-legged at the center of the throne with his eyes closed, dressed in fitted black robes, his silver hair cascading down like a waterfall.

Tangible sword qi coiled around him, turning into silver-white ribbons that wound about his body. At times, they roamed like Flood Dragons; at others, they swept through the sky like startled swans. Wherever they passed, ripples spread through the void.

If a bird accidentally entered the island's barrier, it would be sliced into fine specks of light by invisible sword intent before it could come within ten li of the lotus dais.

Any cultivator daring to approach would suffer the strangulation of countless sword qi.

The treasured swords floating in the air seemed to answer a summons, spontaneously forming a sword formation. Sword radiance poured down like a sudden rainstorm, instantly tearing intruders