Ximen Ba Loved to Join the Fun

Three hundred meters White Tiger City, the Thousand Floating Islands Domain are like dazzling stars scattered among the sea of clouds, and Sword Shadow Lotus Flower Island is the most formidable of them all.

The entire island floats above an ever-present mist, and the seemingly tranquil clouds actually conceal an invisible killing array woven from countless sword intents.

As the rosy dawn pierced the morning mist, the island's outline revealed its true form—a giant lotus peak formed from sharp, jagged sword blades.

Ten thousand swords were arranged in a staggered pattern, their blades reflecting the sunlight and gleaming with a cold, sharp light. The lotus petals formed from the Sword Qi trembled slightly, as if they were about to burst forth from the ground and bloom at any moment.

Deep within the clouds and mist, a majestic lotus throne, forged from the finest Longsword, stands tall.

The lotus platform forged from the sword is a hundred feet high, and each blade is engraved with ancient Sword Art Runes. The suspended Sword Qi condenses into a silver vortex around the throne.

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

He was surrounded by tangible sword Sword Qi, which swirled around him as silvery light bands, sometimes like Flood Dragon swimming, sometimes like a startled swan soaring through the sky, leaving ripples in the void wherever he passed.

If any bird accidentally enters the island's barrier and does not reach the ten-step range of the lotus platform, it will be cut into tiny specks of light by the invisible sword intent.

Any cultivator who dares to approach will be Strangulation by countless Sword Qi.

The swords suspended in the air seemed to be summoned, spontaneously forming a sword array. The sword beams poured down like a sudden rain, instantly tearing the intruders to shreds.

The intense sword intent even distorted the surrounding space. The clouds and mist condensed into sharp ice crystals under the impact of the Sword Qi, and the buzzing sound of space tearing could be heard from the edge of the island from time to time.

Ximen Ba Bayu's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he gently stroked a crimson sword beside him with his palm. The sword immediately burst forth with a dazzling red light, causing the sword hilt on the entire lotus platform to resonate.

A faint clang of swords echoed from afar, seemingly responding to the call of this powerful swordsman.

His aura grew increasingly powerful, and the clouds and mist within a hundred meters began to surge violently. The invisible sword intent transformed into towering sword waves, enveloping the island in a chilling atmosphere.

Anyone could sense that this was no ordinary place, but rather the absolute domain of the Sword Master.

Amidst the churning clouds, a figure in white robes, stepping on Cloud-Congealing Talisman, sped toward Sword Shadow Lotus Flower Island like an arrow released from a bow.

The young man in the middle robe fluttered in the wind, and the jade abacus hanging at his waist jingled softly with the rhythm of his flight. His narrow eyes gleamed with shrewdness.

When he was still ten feet away from the lotus platform shrouded in Sword Qi, his figure suddenly stopped, and the clouds around him instantly froze into ice, actually being blocked by the invisible sword intent.

The young man dared not advance further, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply, his clear voice piercing through the layers of Sword Qi: "Master, a great event has occurred in our Nine Heavens!"

On the lotus platform, Ximen Ba slowly opened his eyes, and two tangible sword beams suddenly burst forth from his crimson pupils.

With a sharp clang, two lightning-fast Sword Qi burst forth, instantly cleaving the clouds and mist with hundreds of feet of fissures, and shattering the suspended ice crystals into dust in the aftershocks of the Sword Qi.

"Tell me what happened in detail." The deep voice, imbued with a chilling sword intent, made the young man's ears ring.

"Yes, Master!"

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, made a hand seal with his fingertips to summon a semi-transparent Jade Slip Light Screen, on which flashing red warning symbols flowed.

"Half an hour ago, the Nine Heavens Inspection Department suddenly activated the 'Heaven Sealing Order,' sealing off all seventy-two Teleportation Array in the Nine Heavens!"

According to inside sources, this operation is aimed at apprehending a major suspect.

Ximen Ba lightly tapped the hilt of his sword with his finger, and all the ten thousand swords on the lotus platform suddenly trembled.

Amidst the buzzing sound, he raised an eyebrow and sneered, "It's truly rare for the Inspection Department to issue the 'Heaven Sealing Order'."

"Not only that!"

The young man lowered his voice, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.

"Dozens of Soul Lamp in the Soul Lamp Hall went out at the same time, and dozens of high-ranking inspectors... all died in the line of duty!"

According to the afterimages from the scene, the victims were all killed by a single slap, with such force...

Before he finished speaking, the Sword Qi around the lotus platform suddenly surged, turning the surrounding clouds into a Chaos vortex.

Ximen Ba suddenly stood up, his silver Longsword flying as a long sword, entirely gilded, shot up from the lotus heart, forming a hundred-foot-long sword aura that lifted him into the air.

"To mobilize the Nine Heavens Inspectors for a hunt?"

A playful smile curved his lips, and his sword intent manifested as a silver dragon phantom.

"That old thing You Ming has been in charge of the Inspection Department for three thousand years and has never suffered such a great loss."

The sword energy suddenly changed direction, and the space in its path shattered inch by inch.

"Let's join in the fun. This Emperor wants to see just who this person is who can cause such chaos in the Nine Heavens!"

Before he could finish speaking, Ximen Ba had already vanished into the depths of the clouds like a streak of light.

The middle-aged man gazed at the lingering vortex of Sword Qi in the air and secretly wiped away a bead of cold sweat.

He knew the temperament of this Sword Master all too well; the more dangerous and exciting something was, the more it piqued his interest.

This clash between the Inspection Department and the mysterious powerful figure will likely unleash the most violent storm in the history of the Nine Heavens.

Hua Qiang had no idea that the entire Nine Heavens of the Immortal Realm was in chaos and panic because of him.

Those who have made serious mistakes or committed heinous and extremely wicked acts are especially frightened and hide in the most secluded places, afraid to come out.

Feeling a bit hungry, Hua Qiang decided to grab something to eat before heading back to the Cloud Water Sect.

Stepping into "Drunken Immortal Tower", the steaming aroma of food mixed with the smell of wine hits you.

Amidst the carved mahogany tables and chairs, monks in brocade robes mingled shoulder to shoulder with merchants in plain clothes.

He casually chose a corner seat by the window, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips. "A Spirit Fruit Brew, and ten of their signature dishes!"

As the waiter answered and stood up, he caught a glimpse of his handsome face reflected in the bronze mirror hanging on the wall.

So damn cool!

Hot dishes were served in a continuous stream: grilled fish with flames dancing on a jade plate, White Jade. As Hua Qiang ate heartily, the chatter from the next table drifted over on the wind.

The two cultivators wearing bamboo hats lowered their voices, and the insignia of a certain sect could be vaguely seen under their black cloaks.

"Senior brother, do you know? Something terrible has happened in our Nine Heavens!"

The monk on the left gulped down a mouthful of strong liquor, the liquid dripping down his chin.

"Dozens of inspectors have died violent deaths! The inspection department has directly issued Heaven Sealing Order, and now even communication talismans can't be sent out!"

The chopsticks in the cultivator's hand clattered to the ground, but a strange smile appeared on his face, "Serves them right! Those people used to bully others because of their status, searching Rogue Cultivator they saw, and even robbing small vendors!"

Before he finished speaking, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. Several diners at the next table hurriedly lowered their heads to eat, and only a few faint sneers came from the corner.

Be careful what you say!

The Sword Cultivators suddenly gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist, and the wine bowl slammed onto the table with a dull thud.

"The inspectors have investigated only the most heinous criminals! Last month's case involving that cultivator in the west of the city who practiced sexual exploitation... if it weren't for..."

His voice stopped abruptly, and his gaze suddenly swept towards the corner where Hua Qiang was.

Hua Qiang was picking his teeth with bamboo chopsticks when he noticed the other person's wary gaze. He simply raised his glass in a distant toast, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips.

Just as the atmosphere became tense, a whooshing sound suddenly came from outside the restaurant.

Several golden rays pierced through the clouds, and the Inspection Department's Mystic Iron Token exploded in the air with dazzling light.

A chilling announcement blared from the loudspeaker array. "Apprehend the culprit Hua Qiang! Anyone providing clues will be rewarded with a thousand High-grade Immortal Stone! Those who fail to report information will be treated as accomplices!"

Hua Qiang paused in his glass, the amber liquid rippling slightly.

He looked up at the wanted poster hanging high outside the window, and the face in the portrait did resemble his own by about 70%.

The monks at the next table erupted in discussion again, some in alarm, some in doubt, but he calmly picked up a piece of jade bamboo shoot with his chopsticks.

Amidst the varied gazes of the crowd, he leisurely took a bite. "This dish suits my taste."