Yin-Yang Spirit Crystals, Tempering Divine Art

Just then, another sudden change occurred!

Bzzzz—!

In the wooden box on Jiang Yuan's back, the Thunderfire Broken Sword began to tremble violently after absorbing enough yin-yang spiritual energy!

Crack! Crack!

The mottled rust on the blade began to peel away inch by inch!

Like a little boy growing and developing, shedding his cocoon and becoming a woolly mammoth.

The entire broken sword seemed to be reborn. Crimson fire patterns and azure lightning arcs complemented each other, radiating a heart-palpitating aura.

"Not good! Someone's coming after us!"

Su Yan's expression suddenly changed. The warning formation she had set up around the outer perimeter of the courtyard had been triggered.

Above the courtyard, a silver net appeared out of thin air. It was Celestial Pivot Industries' Meridian-Sealing Light Net!

"That move again!" Guo Hongtao cried.

But before Jiang Yuan could make a move—

Clang!

The Thunderfire Broken Sword flew from its sheath on its own, turning into a streak of crimson-and-azure light as it shot into the sky!

It traced a mysterious arc through the air, and a sword qi combining the powers of yin and yang struck the light net's weakest node with perfect accuracy!

Riiip—!

The Meridian-Sealing Light Net, capable of suppressing Qi Condensation Realm warriors, was like a fragile fishing net. It was instantly torn open by a massive gash before collapsing and vanishing entirely!

"Th-this sword has become sentient?" Guo Hongtao gaped.

Jiang Yuan was equally stunned. He could sense that a strange, bloodline-deep connection had formed between him and the sword.

At that moment, a female disciple from the Pure Cultivation Academy came running out from the inner courtyard in a panic, clutching a bloodstained token.

"Senior Sister Su! Young Master Jiang Yuan! Something terrible has happened!"

"Chu He sent a message!"

"What message did Chu He send?"

Su Yan darted forward and took the token from the female disciple's hand.

The female disciple panted heavily, her face filled with terror and fury.

"Chu He... Chu He captured seventeen of our Pure Cultivation Academy sisters who were out gathering herbs!"

"He said that if Young Master Jiang Yuan doesn't go to the Yin-Yang Convergence Pool to see him within half an hour, he... he will throw all our sisters into the pool as sacrifices for the formation!"

"What?!"

Guo Hongtao exploded the moment he heard that.

"That Chu He is a real piece of shit! Taking women hostage—what kind of skill is that?!"

Su Yan's expression turned exceedingly grim as well. She clenched the token tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

This was an open scheme!

A naked trap forcing Jiang Yuan to walk right into it!

Bzzzz—!

The Thunderfire Broken Sword on Jiang Yuan's back let out another intense hum. Its tip rose on its own and pointed toward the northeast.

That was the direction of the Yin-Yang Convergence Pool!

Crimson and azure light flared across the blade at the same time, as though urging him onward.

"You can't go! It's obviously a trap!" Guo Hongtao said anxiously. "Brother Yuan, you may be strong now, but they have numbers on their side. And that Convergence Pool—who knows what kind of ambush they've prepared there!"

"I have to go."

Jiang Yuan looked at Su Yan and said, "Return to the council hall immediately and gather everyone who can still fight."

"It's a battle we can't avoid. We'll face it together."

Pure Cultivation Academy, council hall.

The atmosphere was oppressive to the extreme.

The sect master sat at the head of the hall. Below her were all the Pure Cultivation Academy's elders and core disciples, including the dozen or so interstellar students Jiang Yuan had just rescued.

"The Evil Union Sect's mountain-protecting grand formation has been fully activated, and Chu He's forces have completely sealed off the main peak. Even if we launch a frontal assault, not only will the casualties be severe, we may not be able to save the hostages," an elder said worriedly.

"But if we don't go, the lives of those seventeen disciples..." Another elder sighed.

Everyone was caught in a dilemma.

"I have an idea."

At that moment, Jiang Yuan stepped forward, and everyone's gaze focused on him.

"Split up and strike separately."

Jiang Yuan kept it brief.

"Chu He's target is me. As long as I show myself, all his arrangements and contingencies will be aimed at me."

"So we need to advance on three fronts."

"First route: Miss Su Yan will lead some outer disciples in a feint attack from the south gate. The bigger the commotion, the better. Keep the Evil Union Sect's main force occupied at the front."

"Second route," Jiang Yuan said, looking at the rescued students, "you'll infiltrate through the abandoned mine tunnels. Your goal isn't to kill anyone, but to destroy the five spiritual energy supply formation nodes within the mountain. From what I've observed, destroying just three of them will paralyze their mountain-protecting grand formation."

"What about me? Brother Yuan, what do I do?" Guo Hongtao asked hurriedly.

Jiang Yuan smiled and patted his shoulder. "Of course, you're taking the side path with me."

"The two of us will disguise ourselves as one of Chu He's transport teams and charge straight into the main peak through the heavily guarded eastern stone gate!"

The moment Jiang Yuan revealed his plan, the entire hall was shocked!

"That's far too risky!"

"Young Master Jiang Yuan, you're using yourself as bait!"

"No! If something happens to you, how could our Pure Cultivation Academy ever face—"

"I agree."

A cool, authoritative voice cut through everyone's discussion.

It was the sect master.

She slowly rose to her feet, descended the stone steps, and stopped before Jiang Yuan.

"This is the only way."

She looked deeply into Jiang Yuan's eyes, then flicked her slender hand. An exquisite jade vial appeared in her palm.

"This is the treasured Yin-Yang Heartguard Pill of the Pure Union Sect lineage."

"After taking it, you can resist Chu He's domineering plundering joint cultivation for half an hour and protect the source of your heart meridians. But once the medicinal effect ends, you will enter a period of weakened vitality and blood for one hour."

Jiang Yuan did not stand on ceremony and accepted the pill.

"Thank you, Sect Master."

The instant he put away the pill, the long-absent system notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding!]

[Main quest updated: Suppress the Evil Union Chaos!]

[Quest requirement: Completely eradicate the Evil Union Sect and sever all of Celestial Pivot Industries' forces within the secret realm!]

[Quest reward: An opportunity to break through to the complete Qi Condensation Realm, a fragment of the high-tier yin-yang martial art Taiji Pure Clarity Dao!]

The corner of Jiang Yuan's lips curled upward.

"Everyone, prepare to move." He turned and addressed everyone in the hall.

"Senior Sister, leave the south gate to me!" One of the rescued students stepped forward, revenge blazing in his eyes.

"We'll go with you! We'll destroy the formation nodes!" The other students also answered in quick succession.

Su Yan gave Jiang Yuan a firm nod. "Be careful."

Guo Hongtao patted the bulging bundle at his waist, which contained the Yin-Yang Spirit Crystals he treasured dearly.

"Brother Yuan, I'm your mobile strategic supply depot!"

The three groups quickly finished assembling.

Jiang Yuan slung the Thunderfire Broken Sword across his back again. The yin-yang true qi within him slowly withdrew, making him look as plain and unremarkable as before.

He led Guo Hongtao down the mountain path toward the eastern stone gate.

Using himself as bait, he ventured alone into the dragon's den.

It was time to bring this storm sweeping through the entire secret realm to a complete end.