The chain was entirely dark, neither gold nor jade, and its surface was covered with fine, dark red veins that seemed to pulsate slightly as if they were alive.
The rope was nine zhang and nine chi long, with a crescent-shaped sickle at each end, its blades scarlet, as if it had drunk the blood of all living beings.
This rope was not crafted by the Soul Refining Sect Founding Patriarch, but rather obtained by him in the Netherworld Forbidden Grounds in his early years.
The Soul Snatching Chain contains a fragment of the innate Principle of the Xiantian Soul Path, exuding ferocity and Sha Qi energy.
With great wisdom and perseverance, the patriarch comprehended the foundation of the "Soul Refining Scripture" and founded the Soul Refining Sect.
However, since the patriarch passed away, for tens of thousands of years, no one has been able to completely refine this rope.
It's not that later generations lack talent, but rather that they are too prone to violence and resentment.
The Founding Patriarch had foreseen this and laid out Soul-Suppressing Spirit-Sealing Grand Formation deep within the Main Peak's Earth Vein, based on 108 Earth Vein nodes.
Only by leveraging the power of the entire Soul Refining Sect mountain range could the ferocity of the Soul Snatching Chain be barely suppressed, ensuring its peace for ten thousand years.
It was precisely because of this formation that Zhou Wentao and Xia Hongjue, both at the peak of True Immortal level, dared to painstakingly Trial this rope, hoping to obtain the Soul Path Principle within and break through to the Heavenly Immortal realm.
"Buzz--!"
Xia Hongjue formed the Soul Refining True Seal again, and the left side of the chain shone with a strong dark light, subtly shifting three inches towards him.
Zhou Wentao remained expressionless as dark gold Runes emerged from his sleeve like dragons, firmly blocking the middle of the chain.
The clash of their Law Power created silent ripples within the cave abode.
But at this critical moment—
"Boom--!!!"
The entire Main Peak suddenly trembled!
The earth shook violently, the Spirit Vein surged, and rubble fell from the walls of the cave abode.
The suspended Soul Snatching Chain suddenly trembled violently, its dark red patterns twisting and flashing like a living thing, and the scythes at both ends emitted a sharp "clanging" sound. A fierce and malevolent Sha Qi that had been suppressed for tens of thousands of years erupted from the depths of the chain like a volcanic eruption!
"What's going on?!"
Zhou Wentao's expression changed drastically, and the Law Seals in his hand froze.
"Damn it, is someone sabotaging the Main Peak's Grand Formation?"
Xia Hongjue's expression changed drastically. He abruptly looked up, his eyes murderous intent with murderous intent as he glared at Zhou Wentao.
"Zhou Wentao, was this your doing?"
Do you think I'm crazy?
Zhou Wentao laughed in extreme anger, his voice icy cold:
"If the Grand Formation is damaged, the ferocity of the Soul Snatching Chain will no longer be suppressed, and the first to suffer the backlash will be you and me."
"When the malevolent energy of Suozhong erupts, the entire Soul Refining Sect will be transformed into a ghost realm. What benefit will I gain from that?"
Xia Hongjue paused, realizing that what he said was true.
But the tremors grew more intense, the Earth Vein's spiritual energy surged like boiling water, and the Formation Runes of the Soul-Suppressing Grand Formation began to flicker, showing signs of collapse!
"If it's not you or me... then who could it be?!"
The two exchanged a glance, and both saw unprecedented surprise and—a hint of panic—in each other's eyes.
"Holy crap, what's going on?"
Deep within the Earth Vein, Zhang Yu, who was about to make his move, was also startled by the sudden tremor.
He hadn't even begun the formal invasion yet; he had only approached slightly, using his Divine Soul to envelop the Hundred Peaks Spirit Vein. How come the Main Peak's Grand Formation reacted so strongly, as if it had been hit by explosives?
"No... the source of this tremor isn't inside the Grand Formation, but... outside?"
Zhang Yu, with Divine Soul keen senses, instantly realized that the terrifying impact did not come from the Earth Vein, but from outside the mountain gate!
"Enemy attack--!!!"
Almost simultaneously, a sharp, piercing alarm sounded throughout the entire Soul Refining Sect.
108 Peaks trembled simultaneously, and countless disciples were awakened from their cultivation and rushed out in panic.
"Boom--!!!"
Another earth-shattering roar came from the direction of the mountain gate.
The entire world seemed to be shaking; the mountains trembled violently, boulders rolled down, and palaces swayed.
The Light Screen of the Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation rippled like Glazed Glass struck by a heavy hammer, creating terrifying waves visible to the naked eye!
Outside the gates of the Soul Refining Sect.
A man in blue robes stood in mid-air, his face handsome and his eyes like cold stars.
The man held an ancient longsword, its blade unadorned, yet the air itself seemed to distort slightly wherever the sword tip pointed.
Behind him stood a man with a missing arm.
The man with the missing arm was pale, his eyes were numb, but his aura was as cold as ice, deathly still and dangerous.
This person was none other than Qiu Ruobai, who had escaped back to the Sword Sect.
The man in blue raised his eyes and looked at the Soul Refining Sect Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation that enveloped the heavens and earth, a cold smile curving his lips.
"Soul Refining Sect... Hah."
He slowly raised his sword, and a point of blue light condensed on the blade.
The azure light initially appeared as small as a bean, but in an instant it expanded into Azure Sword Wheel that covered half the sky.
The sword wheel spun, cleaving through the clouds and unleashing a terrifying Sword Intent that changed the very fabric of the world!
"Cut."
With a single word uttered, the sword wheel descended like a celestial river from the Nine Heavens, slashing fiercely at the Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation!
"Snap--!!!"
The Grand Formation of Light Screen dented violently, emitting a mournful cry as it could not bear the weight.
The Formation Runes flickered, Spiritual Qi surged, and the entire Soul Refining Sect mountain range trembled violently under this sword strike, as if it would collapse at any moment!
Who is it?
How dare you offend my Soul Refining Sect!
A furious roar came from the depths of the Soul Refining Sect. Vice Sect Master Helian Jue arrived like lightning, his face ashen and his eyes filled with murderous intent.
The Sect Master and the Grand Elder were in seclusion refining the Soul Snatching Chain when the sect was attacked. He had to step forward!
Helian Jue's gaze swept over the man in blue, then landed on the one-armed man behind him, his pupils suddenly contracting—
Helian Jue recognize either of them, but he was all too familiar with the Supreme, sky-splitting Sword Intent emanating from the man in blue.
That was the Sword Sect's unique and unparalleled killing Sword Intent!
Sword Sect, the number one sect in Tianzhu, can also be called the number one swordsman in the world.
Their disciples possess unparalleled Sword Intent and are invincible among those of the same cultivation realm. They can challenge those of higher levels as easily as eating and drinking, making them one of the most undesirable forces in the entire cultivation world.
The man in blue before them was already at the peak of the True Immortal Cultivation, and the purity and refinement of his Sword Intent surpassed anything Helian Jue had ever seen in his life!
Helian Jue, his imposing aura weakened by three points, and he cupped his hands and said in a deep voice:
"Are you a master of the Sword Sect?"
Why have you come to my Soul Refining Sect, and even more so, use such methods... to force your way into the sect?
The man in blue robes, his gaze Helian Jue. His tone was calm, yet every word was like a blade:
"Sword Sect, Jiang Feng."
He paused, the tip of his sword pointing deep into the Soul Refining Sect, his voice turning cold:
"We have come here specifically to arrest my Jiang Family Rebel Daughter — Jiang Ling."
"Jiang Ling?"
Helian Jue's pupils shrank sharply, and his heart was instantly filled with shock.
This is troublesome!
The grudges between Jiang Ling and the Jiang Family were known to all the higher-ups of the Soul Refining Sect.
Back then, she relentlessly pursued and killed the Jiang Family, creating a situation that was already irreconcilable.
For over a thousand years, although the Sword Sect has repeatedly sent people to hunt them down, they have never dared to so openly storm the Soul Refining Sect's mountain gate to demand someone.
Why?
It was only because Confucianism and the Five Great Academies were in charge of governing the country that their power and influence extended to all directions.
Not to mention the Sword Sect, even the leader of the Demonic Dao path and the Great Sage of the Demon Race would have to restrain their claws and dare not act recklessly.
Although undercurrents are turbulent in the world, on the surface, order is ultimately maintained.
But now--
The Heavenly Dao is locked, the Confucianism Unparalleled is trapped, and the Five Great Academies are too busy to even look after themselves!
The mountain that had been weighing down on all the heroes of the world has collapsed!
With the collapse of social order and the disintegration of rules, the Principle of the jungle—survival of the fittest—once again became the sole truth of this world.
The Sword Sect, this sword known as the sharpest in the world, has finally shown its most ferocious fangs without any more restraint!