Clang!
A sword cry that shook heaven and earth rang out once more. The Imperial Killing Sword froze in place, and an icy sword intent and killing aura spread outward, turning that stretch of heaven and earth blood-red as cracks split through space.
A figure slowly appeared atop the sword's hilt.
She was a woman in a crimson gown, tall and slender, with fair skin and waist-length black hair. She was exceptionally beautiful, with a pair of golden pupils and an air of nobility about her.
She was the sword spirit of the Imperial Killing Sword—once a princess of the Heaven-Slaying Empire, possessing a pure Emperor Bloodline. Her name was Di Yue, and she was the younger sister of the Golden Dragon, Di Xi.
Although Zhao Fu often used the Imperial Killing Sword, he had comparatively little contact with Di Yue. More accurately, they had scarcely spoken at all.
No matter how Zhao Fu wielded the Imperial Killing Sword, Di Yue always gave him her full cooperation without the slightest hesitation. She and her elder sister Di Xi, however, communicated often.
There were now exactly ten swords, occupying the ten directions of heaven and earth and radiating different lights. Centered on Zhao Fu's divine statue, waves of terrifying aura spread endlessly. Heaven and earth changed color, wind and clouds surged, and the blood moon shone brightly.
A sword spirit stood atop each of the ten swords. Since they had long remained within the sword seal, they were quite familiar with one another.
Zhao Fu controlled the divine statue to raise one hand. The sword spirits of the ten swords exchanged glances, understood Zhao Fu's intention, closed their eyes, and focused all their strength on controlling the swords beneath them.
Clang! Clang! Clang...
One sword after another began to tremble, releasing