Preparations Before the Array, Demonic Shadows Draw Near

At the mountain gate of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, a blue figure descended wrapped in a fierce wind. The moment Ling Yun withdrew his Breath Concealing Steps, he rushed straight for the sect master's hall—only three days remained until the Blood Fiend Hall's night raid, and every moment concerned the sect's survival.

Inside the hall, Ye Chen was discussing sect affairs with several elders. Seeing Ling Yun burst in with an anxious expression, his heart immediately tightened. "Ling Yun, did you gain anything from your trip to Sword Mound Mountain? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Sect Master! Something terrible has happened!" Ling Yun stepped forward, his voice carrying the breathlessness of his journey, yet every word was clear. "Zhao Kun has colluded with the Black Crow Emissary of the Blood Fiend Hall. They have agreed to raid our sect in three days' time, with the goal of killing both you and me and flattening the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"

The hall fell instantly silent. The elders' expressions changed drastically, and the Second Elder said in a trembling voice, "The Blood Fiend Hall? How could those demonic cultivators meddle in the affairs of the mortal world? Zhao Kun has gone mad!"

Ye Chen abruptly rose to his feet, his fingers tightening around the sword at his waist. A trace of gravity flashed through his eyes. "Black Crow Emissary... Rumor has it that he is the Blood Fiend Hall's liaison in the mortal world. His strength has reached the Early Stage Sword Emperor, and he is especially skilled at setting up the Soul Erosion Demonic Qi Array. Their raid in three days is timed precisely—they know the energy of our mountain-protecting array has not yet been fully replenished!"

"Sect Master, should we send someone for aid now?" the Third Elder proposed. "Among the Seven Great Sword Sects, the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect has long been friendly with us. If we can obtain their assistance..."

"It is too late." Ling Yun shook his head. "Zhao Kun has surely placed spies all around the sect. If we send anyone to seek aid, we will only startle the snake in the grass and make them strike ahead of time. Besides, the Blood Fiend Hall's demonic cultivators act in mysterious ways. The Crimson Cloud Sword Sect may not be willing to offend them rashly."

Ye Chen fell silent for a moment before looking at Ling Yun. "What countermeasure do you have?"

"We hold the line to the death!" Determination flashed in Ling Yun's eyes. "We must accomplish three things in these three days. First, fill the spirit stones in all the array nodes of the Flowing Cloud Array and reinforce our defenses. Second, divide the disciples according to strength: inner sect disciples guard the array nodes, while outer sect disciples protect the elders and ordinary disciples. Third, prepare pills to counter demonic qi, so the disciples will not be harmed by the Soul Corroding Demonic Qi."

Ye Chen nodded and immediately gave his orders. "Second Elder, take people to inventory the sect's supply of Low-grade Spirit Stones. You must fill all twelve array nodes of the Flowing Cloud Array within two days. Third Elder, you will divide the disciples into groups and teach them basic defensive sword forms. Ling Yun, come with me to inspect the Flowing Cloud Array, then instruct the disciples in methods of dealing with demonic qi."

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison before departing to carry out their orders.

Outside the hall, Su Qingyuan had already been waiting. When she saw Ling Yun emerge, she immediately handed him a cool jade vial. "Brother Ling Yun, these are the Demon Cleansing Pills I just refined. They can temporarily suppress Soul Corroding Demonic Qi. I guessed the Blood Fiend Hall would use demonic qi for a surprise attack, so I prepared two hundred in advance. If that is not enough, I will refine more."

Ling Yun accepted the jade vial, his fingertips brushing the redness around her eyes—it was clear she had stayed up many nights refining pills. "Sister Qingyuan, you have worked hard." His voice softened somewhat. "When the night raid comes in three days, stay in the pill room. It has the sect's strongest secret chamber. Do not come out under any circumstances."

But Su Qingyuan shook her head, stubbornness in her eyes. "I am a successor of Medicine Immortal Valley. Healing the wounded and saving lives is my duty. I will remain behind the array to treat injured disciples. I cannot hide in the secret chamber."

Ling Yun looked into her resolute eyes and ultimately did not refuse—he knew that Su Qingyuan's Wood Spirit Body could not only refine pills, but also purify demonic qi while healing. She would be indispensable support behind the array.

Over the next two days, the entire Flowing Cloud Sword Sect plunged into tense preparations for battle.

Outside the mountain gate, the Second Elder led disciples in transporting spirit stones. The twelve array nodes glimmered with faint blue light, and the defensive barrier of the Flowing Cloud Array gradually took shape, enveloping the entire sect. At the inner sect disciples' training grounds, Murong Shuang led the disciples in practicing combined sword techniques. Wind Attribute Sword Intent intertwined into a net, and every swing of their swords carried a sharp howl of splitting air.

Meanwhile, Ling Yun instructed the outer sect disciples in basic defensive sword forms at the Training Ground. "When facing demonic qi, do not resist it head-on with spiritual power. You must first wrap yourself in sword intent, then circulate spiritual power to dissolve it." Holding an Iron Sword, he swept out a crimson sword arc. A barrier formed from Fire Attribute Sword Intent sealed off a wisp of simulated demonic qi. "Remember: sword intent is the foundation, spiritual power is only the support."

The disciples carefully imitated him. Though their movements were still awkward, they gradually began to take shape. Murong Shuang walked over and looked at Ling Yun's back, a trace of approval flashing in her eyes. "I did not expect you to know how to instruct disciples as well. It seems I underestimated you before."

Ling Yun turned around and put away the Iron Sword. "With the sect in danger, this is no time to compete over who is superior. When the night raid comes in three days, you will guard the eastern gate's array node. That is the weakest point of the Flowing Cloud Array, and the Black Crow Emissary will most likely break through from there."

"I know." Murong Shuang nodded, the Wind Chant Sword spinning around her fingertips. "My Wind Sword Intent is best at detection. As long as they approach, I will notice in advance. You, however, should be careful of Zhao Kun. Though he has lost an arm, he has cultivated the Sword Devouring Art to the seventh level and can devour others' sword intent to heal his wounds."

Ling Yun's heart tightened—Sword Elder had also warned him of the Sword Devouring Art's strangeness. It seemed that he absolutely could not let down his guard in his duel with Zhao Kun three days later.

That night, Ling Yun arrived at the core of the Flowing Cloud Array. Ye Chen sat beside an array node, pouring spiritual power into the formation. "Ling Yun, you are here." Ye Chen looked up and handed him a blue array disk. "This is the control token for the Flowing Cloud Array. If I am held back in three days, you can use this token to adjust the defenses of the array nodes."

Ling Yun accepted the array disk. It felt icy in his hand, and intricate runes were carved across its surface. "Sect Master, rest assured. I will never allow the Flowing Cloud Array to be breached."

"There is one more matter." Ye Chen hesitated for a moment before speaking softly. "Grand Elder Lin Feng emerged from seclusion yesterday. He has set up a hidden array in the direction of Sword Mound Mountain. If the situation becomes critical, he will lend his aid. But he said that the grudge between you and the Zhao Family must ultimately be settled by your own hand. He will not interfere lightly."

Ling Yun nodded—Lin Feng meant for him to grow through real combat rather than rely on others forever.

After returning to his quarters, Ling Yun took out the Sky-Rending Sword. A faint gray radiance shimmered along the blade. "Sword Elder, when I face the Black Crow Emissary and Zhao Kun in three days, my current strength is still insufficient."

Sword Elder's voice rang out in his sea of consciousness. "You have already fused Fire, Wind, and Earth Attribute Sword Intent, reaching forty percent sword intent. If you can blend those three attribute sword intents into the Three Forms of Qiankun, you may create a stronger composite sword technique. Try circulating the Chaos Sword Body and guiding the three attribute sword intents into the blade. See whether you can awaken a trace of the Sky-Rending Sword's original power."

Ling Yun did as instructed. Chaotic aura spread from his dantian throughout his body, while Fire, Wind, and Earth Attribute Sword Intent coiled around the Sky-Rending Sword. Crimson, blue, and yellow intertwined into three-colored bands of light. The sword trembled faintly, and a weak golden pattern emerged from its hilt before instantly merging into the light bands.

Buzz— The Sky-Rending Sword gave a soft cry. The three-colored bands of light transformed into a sword shadow and slashed toward the wall. There was no earth-shaking boom, yet a smooth cut appeared soundlessly in the wall, without even a trace of spiritual power remaining along its edge.

"So powerful!" Surprise flashed through Ling Yun's eyes.

"This is the Sky-Rending Sword's Power of Seeing Through Illusion. It can ignore ordinary spiritual power defenses." Sword Elder's voice carried satisfaction. "This technique may be named the Three Talents Sky Burning Sword. When you face the Black Crow Emissary in three days, it may allow you to win through surprise."

Ling Yun tightened his grip around the Sky-Rending Sword, feeling the resonance coming from its blade—this time, he was no longer fighting only for revenge, but also to protect the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect and the people around him.

At the Same Time, inside a secret chamber of the Zhao Family estate in the Qingyun Region, the Black Crow Emissary was fiddling with a black banner. Countless twisted soul shadows were embroidered upon it, and it emitted a pungent demonic aura.

"Emissary, Ye Chen has reinforced the Flowing Cloud Array. Can we truly break through it?" Zhao Kun stood nearby, a trace of unease in his eyes—he hated Ling Yun, but he also feared being devoured in turn by the people of the Blood Fiend Hall.

The Black Crow Emissary sneered and planted the banner into the ground. Demonic qi instantly spread throughout the secret chamber. "This is the Soul Devouring Banner. It can contaminate the spiritual power of the Flowing Cloud Array. In three days, I will first use the Soul Devouring Banner to weaken the formation, then lead you through the eastern gate. You need only kill Ye Chen. Leave Ling Yun to me."

He paused, his scarlet eyes turning toward Zhao Kun. "Remember, if you dare play any tricks, the first person swallowed by the Soul Devouring Banner's demonic qi will be you."

Zhao Kun shuddered all over and hurriedly nodded. "Rest assured, Emissary. I will cooperate with all my strength!"

The Black Crow Emissary said nothing more. He merely stared at the soul shadows on the Soul Devouring Banner, a cruel smile curling at his lips—the sword sects of the mortal world were nothing more than fodder for refining his soul banner.

The sunset of the third day dyed the peaks of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect red. The blue barrier of the mountain-protecting array glowed gently beneath the setting sun, yet it could not conceal the tense atmosphere within. The disciples stood at their assigned positions with swords in hand and determination in their eyes. Su Qingyuan distributed the refined Demon Cleansing Pills and healing medicines to the captains of each squad. Ye Chen and Ling Yun stood atop the sect master's hall, watching the sky gradually darken.

"They are here." Ling Yun suddenly spoke. His Clear Sword Heart detected faint demonic qi drifting from the western horizon, like a venomous snake in the night, silently drawing near.

Ye Chen tightened his grip on his sword, determination flashing in his eyes. "Ling Yun, hold the Flowing Cloud Array. Hold the sect."

Ling Yun nodded, his hand resting on the Sky-Rending Sword at his waist as three-colored sword intent quietly circulated. Night deepened, and an eerie gust of wind swept past. A black streak suddenly appeared across the blue barrier of the Flowing Cloud Array—the demonic qi of the Soul Devouring Banner had begun to erode the formation.

A great battle that would decide the survival of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect was about to begin.