Moonfall Star-sink, The Beginning of Blood Sacrifice

On the peak of a solitary mountain, clouds and mist swirled, and the fierce winds howled.

Two figures, facing the whistling gale, overlooked the changing fortunes on the martial arts stage.

"What a shame."

The masked man in gold suddenly spoke, his voice deep and magnetic, tinged with a faint regret.

"Once upon a time, Qingzhou's martial arts were flourishing, with prodigies emerging one after another. Masters and Grandmasters were not uncommon. Now, it has degenerated to the point where merely being in the Xiantian realm can make one dominate a region, drawing crowds from miles around."

His tone was plain, yet it sounded like he was recounting an ancient, forgotten history.

"My lord sees clearly." The old man in grey replied respectfully.

A hint of emotion crossed his aged face as well. "Ever since the 'Heavenly Change,' the Great Qian dynasty's dragon脉 was damaged. Although it miraculously survived the curse that dooms every dynasty to perish after a thousand years, its vital energy was severely wounded. Countless exceptionally talented individuals perished in that catastrophe."

"The dynasty's fortune shifted from prosperity to decline, and it was no longer able to suppress the four corners of the world. Outer demonic sects seized the opportunity, encroaching upon Qingzhou and setting up that 'Sky Locking Array.' They used the life force and fortune of Qingzhou's inhabitants as a sacrifice to seal it off from the outside."

"Once this array was completed, martial artists above the Xiantian realm could no longer set foot in Qingzhou, and Xiantian martial artists within Qingzhou could not leave. Furthermore, their hope for further breakthroughs was severed. Over two hundred years, Qingzhou's martial arts naturally declined to this state."

The secret history spoken by the old man in grey, if it were to spread throughout the martial world, would be enough to stir up monstrous waves. The so-called decline of Qingzhou's martial arts was actually man-made; it was a complete conspiracy.

The masked man in gold gazed towards the horizon, his sight seeming to pierce through the invisible 'Sky Locking Array,' reaching out to a broader world.

"The demonic sects' plans were well thought out. Unfortunately, they underestimated the dynasty's resolve to reclaim lost territory."

"Qingzhou is something the Great Qian cannot afford to lose, nor will it ever abandon."

"The imperial court has already begun to make moves."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of joy flashed through the old man's cloudy eyes.

"The dynasty is going to act?"

Immediately after, the joy on his face turned into deep worry.

He knew what this meant.

The masked man in gold did not answer, merely shifting his gaze back towards the stage at Soul Severing Cliff.

To him, the conflict in one province was perhaps less interesting than the battle about to conclude before his eyes.

On the stage, killing intent was palpable.

True Man Songyue's sword, like the man himself, possessed a detached and cold aura.

"Gentle Breeze Approaches," seemingly soft, was in reality an invisible net of sword energy, its intent penetrating everywhere, spreading like liquid mercury and sealing off all of Lu Shaoyou's retreat paths.

That sharp sword intent was no longer something ordinary Xiantian experts could resist.

This was the true strength of the Qingcheng Sword Sect's sect leader, the demeanor of a powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of Qingzhou's martial arts.

However, Lu Shaoyou's response was simple, crude, and filled with an unreasonable dominance.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Golden cudgel shadows clashed wildly with moon-white sword light, each impact erupting with deafening roars.

The scattered energy surges were like deadly blades, leaving deep, bone-revealing scratches on the stage, which was harder than refined iron.

The spectators below were already mesmerized, barely able to breathe.

In their eyes, True Man Songyue was already like an immortal.

But that young man, that devil, could actually clash head-on with the sect's divine weapon, the Songyue Sword, using a plain-looking iron cudgel, and not be at a disadvantage at all!

This was simply unbelievable!

"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"

An elder from a certain sect muttered in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock and confusion. "True Man Songyue's true energy is so pure, his sword intent so sharp, how can that brat block it?"

Was his body forged from iron?

In the arena, True Man Songyue's shock was more intense than anyone else's.

Only he himself knew the terrifying force transmitted from the iron cudgel with every sword-and-cudgel collision.

That force was pure, powerful, and domineering, as if it wasn't human strength but an ancient fierce beast roaring.

His tiger's mouth had already been torn open, bleeding profusely, and his sword-wielding arm trembled slightly.

The quality of the opponent's true energy might not match his, but that sheer power completely compensated for it, even surpassing it!

"Is this your sword?"

During the fierce battle, Lu Shaoyou suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a discernible disappointment. "Hesitant, weak, and without force, truly a chip off the old block from your useless disciples."

"You only rely on a broken sword and put on flashy poses, but in reality, you're no match for a real fight."

If you can't find the book title, you can try searching for the author's name, maybe the title has just been changed!

He flicked his wrist, and golden light surged from the Qi Mei Cudgel.

"Let me show you what power is!"

"Dragon-Elephant Demon Suppressing Cudgel—Sweeping Armies!"

With a sweep of the cudgel, there were no complex variations, only extreme power and speed.

The air exploded with a dull roar, and a visible golden wave of energy pushed outward in a fan shape.

True Man Songyue's pupils contracted sharply. He felt an irresistible, overbearing will surge towards him, making his heart tremble.

He poured all his life's cultivation into the Songyue Sword. The sword body emitted a groaning sound, unable to bear the strain, and transformed into a brilliant moonlight, meeting the attack.

"Boom—!"

A world-shattering roar.

Under the disbelieving gazes of everyone present, the radiant sword light, which True Man Songyue had placed all his hopes on, melted away like ice and snow under the scorching sun the moment it contacted the golden cudgel shadow.

Immediately after, the peerlessly overbearing cudgel shadow slammed fiercely onto the body of the Songyue Sword.

"Crack!"

A crisp, mournful cry.

This treasure, the pride of the Qingcheng Sword Sect passed down for hundreds of years, was actually forced to develop a hideous crack by this single strike! The spiritual light on the sword body instantly dimmed.

True Man Songyue felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His entire body trembled violently, and he could no longer suppress a mouthful of blood, which spurted out. He staggered back more than ten steps before managing to stabilize himself.

One strike, shattering all sword techniques and cracking a divine weapon!

Lu Shaoyou retracted his cudgel and stood still, not even bothering to pursue.

He looked at True Man Songyue, whose face was pale and had blood on the corner of his mouth, and shook his head, his contempt unconcealed.

"Your sword is too slow. Your strength is too weak."

"I killed your four disciples because they were foolish and deserved to die. Now it seems you are even more foolish than them. For a stage set up by an outsider, you are gambling with your life and the reputation of the Qingcheng Sword Sect."

"Is it worth it?"

Lu Shaoyou's voice was calm, yet it was like countless sharp blades, piercing deeply into True Man Songyue's heart.

His words struck at the very core of his being!

"Pfft—!"

True Man Songyue, already discomposed and severely injured, was further provoked by these words. He felt his blood surge, his vision darkened, and he spat out another large mouthful of blood, staining his daoist robe in front of his chest a shocking crimson.

He had cultivated his entire life, emphasizing a mind as still as water. But at this moment, all his cultivation, all his dao heart, collapsed with a resounding boom amidst this extreme humiliation and grief.

"Argh! Argh! Argh—Demon! Demon!!"

True Man Songyue's eyes turned blood red, and he looked like a madman, completely devoid of his former immortal bearing.

He let out an extremely piercing roar towards the sky, and a terrifying aura, far surpassing anything before, erupted from his body.

"You deserve to die! You deserve to die! This humble daoist will turn you into ashes today, even if it costs me my life!!"

A glint of desperation and madness flashed in his eyes, and he rapidly formed a strange hand seal in front of his chest.

"Blood Burning Essence Return!"

As he shouted, his already pale face turned completely bloodless, while his aura began to climb madly at an unbelievable speed.

Xiantian Mid-stage peak… Half-step Xiantian Late-stage…

Finally, he broke through the bottleneck and reached the true Xiantian Late-stage!

This was a forbidden secret technique of the Qingcheng Sword Sect, which exchanged a large portion of one's vital blood for several times the cultivation base in a short period.

However, once this technique was used, regardless of victory or defeat, the caster would be utterly depleted, beyond saving even by an immortal.

"Qingcheng Ultimate Style—Moonfall Star-sink!"

True Man Songyue enunciated each word, his voice hoarse like a ghost's cry. He poured all the power gained from burning his vital blood into the Songyue Sword, which was already covered in cracks.

In an instant, the wind and clouds changed.

The light on the entire Soul Severing Cliff seemed to be drained away.

A beautiful, yet sorrowful, blood-red crescent moon, exuding an aura of death, slowly materialized above True Man Songyue's head.

Before the sword was even drawn, the desperate sword intent of mutual destruction made everyone present tremble with fear.

On the high platform, Xue Yutang's eyes finally revealed a hint of a satisfied smile.

This was the effect he wanted. He wanted this most brilliant flower of death.

Because the array slumbering at the bottom of the cliff had already smelled the most delicious scent of blood.

It was beginning to awaken.