Three days after True Lord Qingyuan left, Qi Yun left Green Mountain Daoist Temple.
He didn't make a big fuss; on an ordinary morning, he simply put the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron into his sleeve and stepped out of the mottled wooden door of the Daoist temple.
The withered tree remains, the courtyard remains, but the figure who sat cross-legged beneath the tree for countless days and nights is nowhere to be seen.
Cai Shen poked his head out from inside the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron: "Where are we going?"
" Sword Pavilion," Qi Yun said calmly.
Cai Kun was taken aback, but didn't ask any further questions. He knew that Qi Yun had his own reasons for doing things.
Nine-colored auspicious clouds, carrying the Qi Yun and the Mountain and Mountains and Rivers Cauldron, slowly rose towards the southeastern horizon.
The lingering resentment within his sleeve twitched extremely slightly the moment he left the Green Mountain Daoist Temple.
Qi Yun sensed it, but ignored it.
"After I've dealt with the matters of the Sword Pavilion, I'll go there for a visit," he thought to himself.
Sword Pavilion, with its seventy-two sword peaks, is like a giant sword piercing the sky, its Sword Qi soaring into the heavens.
Qi Yun's auspicious cloud stopped outside the Sword Pavilion. A moment later, a beam of azure sword light shot out from the depths, landed in front of him, and transformed into the figure of True Lord Qingyuan.
He bowed respectfully and said, "Please."
The two walked side by side through layers of sword formations and over sword peaks, finally landing on a solitary, steep mountain.
At the summit, there is only a single blue stone with a huge "sword" character carved on it, the strokes sharp and fierce, as if it could cleave the heavens and earth in two.
"This place Dao-Seeking Peak Inquiry, the place where the True Lord of the Sword Pavilion have attained enlightenment throughout the ages," True Lord Qingyuan's voice rang in my ears. "This blue stone at the summit carries the Sword Intent ten thousand years, making it the most suitable place to refine Sword Dao treasure."
Qi Yun's gaze fell on the blue stone, a subtle glint in his eyes.
He could sense that this seemingly ordinary bluestone contained an extremely powerful and pure foundation of Sword Dao.
This accumulation over millennia is no small matter.
"Fellow Daoist is quite willing to part with it," he said calmly.
True Lord Qingyuan remained expressionless. " The Sword Dao path has been stagnant for countless ages, with countless sword cultivators stopping at the Great True Person realm, unable to attain enlightenment."
If refining the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit can break this shackle, what does a piece of bluestone matter?
He looked at Qi Yun with burning eyes. "Moreover, this Dao Fruit should have been refined by Primordial Unity Daoist Hunyuan."
"Besides you, no one else can control Xuanhuang."
Qi Yun didn't say much. He raised his hand, and a Dao Fruit with a grayish-white luster slowly appeared in his palm.
That was the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit that he had carried with him to this day.
The moment the Dao Fruit appeared, the blue stone at the Dao-Seeking Peak suddenly lit up, and the ten-thousand-year-old Sword Intent, like a giant beast awakened, emitted a deep roar!
The Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit in Qi Yun's hand also trembled violently, and a mysterious resonance was generated between the two.
"As expected." A complex light flashed in True Lord Qingyuan's eyes. " The Sword Intent contained in this piece of bluestone originates from the same source as the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit. Refining it here will yield twice the results with half the effort."
Qi Yun nodded, sat down cross-legged, held the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit in his palm, and slowly closed his eyes.
The refining process was more dangerous than Qi Yun had anticipated.
The Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit is too domineering and fierce; the Sword Intent contained within it is enough to tear apart the Dao Foundation of an ordinary True Lord.
Even with the governing power of the Qi Yun [ Primordial Unity ] Dao, one must go all out and dare not slack off in the slightest.
The ancient Sword Intent emanating from the blue stone Dao-Seeking Peak acted like an invisible hand, carefully guiding the violent power within the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit to prevent it from spiraling out of control.
True Lord Qingyuan stood at the edge of the peak, his body radiating Sword Intent, serving as Qi Yun's protector.
The seventh day.
The wisp of grayish-white remnant spirit within Qi Yun's sleeve began to throb violently without warning!
Those frozen, fragmented images flowed once more: the majestic ancient city, the high-hanging plaque, the faintly visible Sword Intent —and in the deepest part of that void, the sleeping figure seemed to stir.
Qi Yun frowned slightly, diverting a wisp of his consciousness into his sleeve. The lingering will pulsed even more violently, as if urging him on, or perhaps guiding him.
A thought stirred within him, and following the direction of the pulsation, he probed a wisp of Primordial Unity energy into the depths of the lingering remnant.
In that very instant, he "saw" it.
In the deepest part of that void, the sleeping figure remains indistinct.
However, its body was filled with a terrifying Sword Intent that made even Qi Yun's heart tremble.
That Sword Intent shared the same origin as the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit, yet it was more ancient, purer, and more domineering.
The Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit is like its lingering aftertaste, its shadow.
Qi Yun's pupils contracted slightly.
He wanted to see more clearly, but the figure disappeared again, like a boulder sunk into the deep sea, vanishing without a trace.
The throbbing of lingering regret gradually subsided, returning to silence.
Qi Yun regained his focus and continued refining.
He did not tell anyone what he had just seen.
Because he knew that the existence of that figure was beyond his reach.
On the fifteenth day, the refining process was nearing its end.
Qi Yun had already Qi Yun seven or eight tenths of the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit, and the remaining part was being absorbed and assimilated by him at a steady pace.
The Sword Intent of ten thousand years at the Dao-Seeking Peak was mostly exhausted, and the light of that blue stone also dimmed considerably.
Just then, an extremely terrifying Sword Intent descended from the sky!
The Sword Intent was so sharp and domineering that it far surpassed any Sword Dao Qi Yun had ever seen. It was like an invisible blade, slashing straight towards the Dao-Seeking Peak!
Qi Yun suddenly opened his eyes and raised his hand to press down.
A chaotic, colorful aura shot out from his palm, clashing fiercely with the Sword Intent!
"BOOM--!!!"
The Dao-Seeking Peak trembled violently, and loose rocks tumbled down.
Qi Yun remained motionless, but the colors in his eyes flickered even faster.
" The Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit belongs to my Sword Pavilion." An aged, cold voice came from the sky.
"You, a member of the demonic path, dare to lay a finger on me?"
Before the words were finished, an old man dressed in a gray robe with a withered face stepped out from the void.
He exuded no aura whatsoever, but the ancient sword hanging at his waist emanated a terrifying Sword Intent that made the heavens and earth tremble.
Qi Yun did not recognize this person, but he could sense that the other party's cultivation level was above that of True Lord Qingyuan.
"Uncle-Master!" True Lord Qingyuan's face darkened. "What are you doing? Refining the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit was something I discussed with Primordial Unity Daoist Hunyuan!"
"Discuss?" The gray-robed elder sneered. "How can Sword Dao treasure fall into the hands of outsiders?"
Qi Yun's lips curled into a very faint smile, "Then, in your opinion, what should we do?"
The old man in the gray robe did not answer.
He simply stared coldly at Qi Yun, at the Immortal Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit that had been mostly refined, and a murderous intent began to rise in his eyes.
"Enough!" True Lord Qingyuan stepped forward, blocking Qi Yun and the gray-robed elder. "Uncle-Master, if you insist on stopping us, you will be making an enemy of the entire Sword Dao!"
The old man in the gray robe's expression changed.
He gave True Lord Qingyuan a deep look, then glanced at Qi Yun, and finally let out a cold snort before turning into a streak of gray sword light and disappearing into the sky.
True Lord Qingyuan turned around and bowed to Qi Yun, saying, "Fellow Daoist Hunyuan, please forgive me. My martial uncle is just worried about his Sword Dao Fruition Status Primordial Unity."
Qi Yun waved his hand and sat down cross-legged again. "It's alright."
He didn't inquire about the gray-robed old man's origins, nor did he dwell on the sword strike he had just delivered.
Because he knew it was just a test.
The old man in the gray robe glanced at him as he left, and it clearly carried a certain scrutiny, as if he were confirming something.
The twenty-first day.
The Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit in Qi Yun's palm finally dissipated completely.
At this very moment -
An indescribable, terrifying Sword Intent erupted from Qi Yun's body!
The Sword Intent was so sharp and pure that it was like an invisible blade piercing straight into the sky, splitting the thick clouds above the Sword Pavilion in two!
All seventy-two sword peaks trembled simultaneously!
Countless sword cries rose and fell, offering praise to this newly born king of Sword Dao!
True Lord Qingyuan stood not far away, watching the Sword Intent soaring into the sky, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
It's done!
This Demonic True Lord has accomplished what no one in history has ever been able to do.
Qi Yun slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sparkling with light.
He raised his right hand, and in his palm, a refined gray-white Sword Intent slowly took shape.
That Sword Intent contained the annihilation of Immortal-Slaying, the slaughter of Immortal-Butchering, the confinement of Immortal-Trapping, and the transformation of Immortal-Ending, but it was not limited to that.
It is purer, more domineering, and more free.
Just like in this world, there is nothing it cannot sever.
[Automatic Law Technique updates complete. This is a minor version update; Law Technique effects have been adjusted as follows.]
[ The Hunyuan Great Luo: All the Daoist realms of Luo Tian pay homage, and all laws bow in reverence.]
[I. One Dao Fruit can be picked]
[Second, it can erase a Dao Fruit with an owner, transforming it into an unowned Dao Fruit.]
[III. Briefly and completely mastering a Dao Fruit ]
[IV. Can destroy a Dao Fruit ]
" The Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit has been integrated into my Primordial Unity." Qi Yun withdrew his Sword Intent and looked at True Lord Qingyuan. "From this day forward, the Sword Dao lineage will no longer be subject to suppression."
After a moment of silence, True Lord Qingyuan bowed deeply to Qi Yun: " Sword Pavilion thanks Primordial Unity Hunyuan."
Qi Yun waved his hand without saying anything more.
He stood up, his gaze passing over True Lord Qingyuan and looking westward.
That's the direction where that majestic ancient city was located in my regretful memory.
"Does fellow Daoist have any further questions?" True Lord Qingyuan noticed his gaze.
Qi Yun did not hide anything. " The Great Tide of Time is approaching, how did you know that, fellow Daoist?"
True Lord Qingyuan remained silent for a moment. His own light shifted slightly, also looking towards the west.
"Some time ago, I was in seclusion deep within the Sword Pavilion when suddenly a Sword Intent descended from the heavens and landed in my Dao heart," he said slowly, his voice very low.
"Within that Sword Intent lay the Great Tide of Time." Besides that, there was another sentence.
What did you say?
"Traveling westward can resolve the calamity of Xuanhuang."
True Lord Qingyuan looked at Qi Yun with a frank gaze. "I don't know where that Sword Intent came from, nor why it chose me to convey these words. But since it has pointed the way, I have come to find you."
Qi Yun fell silent.
That Sword Intent —is it the slumbering presence deep within that lingering remnant of memory?
Why did he need to send a message through True Lord Qingyuan?
And why would you choose to travel west?
Countless thoughts flashed through Qi Yun's mind, but he remained expressionless.
"Thank you for telling me, fellow Daoist." He said calmly, "I've taken note."
True Lord Qingyuan nodded slightly and said no more.
It was dusk when Qi Yun left Sword Pavilion.
He did not return to the Green Mountain Daoist Temple, but instead rode the auspicious cloud westward.
Dusk spread out behind him, dyeing the world a vast expanse of golden-red.
The Mountains and Rivers Cauldron hung beside him, with nine divine dragons slowly swimming around them, their eyes gleaming as if they too were watching what lay ahead.
"Really going west?" Cai Shen's voice came from the cauldron, tinged with curiosity. "What's there?"
"I don't know," Qi Yun said calmly. "We'll find out when we go and see."
He did not exert his full strength, but flew westward at a moderate speed.
The lingering resentment within his sleeve flickered once more the moment he left the Sword Pavilion.
This time it was fainter than before, yet more persistent, like some kind of guidance, or perhaps an urging.
Qi Yun's heart stirred slightly, and he subtly adjusted Qingyun's angle in the direction of the pulsation.
The throbbing of regret became more frequent, as if confirming or affirming something.
"Interesting," he muttered to himself, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
On the seventh day, Qi Yun had reached the far west of the Central Land.
The Spiritual Qi here is much thinner than in the Central Land, and the mountains and rivers are becoming increasingly desolate.
The sky is a perpetual leaden gray, the earth a parched crimson, and occasionally a sandstorm sweeps by, obscuring the sky and the sun.
But the lingering resentment within his sleeve beat ever more violently.
It was as if something was waiting for it ahead.
"Almost there," Qi Yun thought to himself, and was about to speed up.
"Buzz-!!!"
An immense and indescribable pressure descended from the sky without warning!
The oppressive force was terrifying and overwhelming, as if the entire sky had collapsed at that moment!
The nine-colored auspicious cloud beneath Qi Yun's feet trembled violently, the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron emitted a deep hum, and the nine divine dragons raised their heads in unison, their eyes flashing with light!
" The Dao King?" Cai Shen's voice changed.
Qi Yun did not answer. He looked up at the sky.
There, the clouds were torn apart by an invisible force, revealing a deep, almost solidified darkness.
And in the deepest darkness, a gigantic eye is slowly opening.
Those eyes held an eerie golden hue, their pupils reflecting countless shattered images—vast galaxies extinguished, countless True Lord falling like rain—
The scenes moved so fast that even Qi Yun couldn't capture a single complete clip.
But he could sense the will contained in those eyes.
Cold, indifferent, and aloof.
" World-Honored One," Qi Yun uttered in a low voice.
The enormous golden eyes shifted slightly, their gaze falling upon Qi Yun.
There was no hostility, no goodwill, only a condescending scrutiny.
"You—you're the junior who ruined my plans?" A magnificent, vast voice, seemingly from eternity ago, resounded deep within Qi Yun's mind.
Qi Yun did not answer. He simply stared quietly into that eye, his gaze swirling with vibrant colors, as the [ Primordial Unity ] Dao was fully activated.
"Interesting." The World-Honored One's voice rang out again, carrying a very faint, almost imperceptible hint of surprise, " The Dao of Primordial Unity —unprecedented throughout the ages."
No wonder he could refine the Immortal-Slaying Dao Fruit, no wonder he dared to venture alone into the West Sea.
He paused, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
"However—do you think that by refining the Sword Dao Fruition Status, you can contend with me?"
Before the words had even finished -
"Boom!!!"
A gigantic, golden Buddha hand crashed down from the sky!
The Buddha's hand is so large it blots out the sky, its five fingers like mountains, and the swastika symbol in its palm slowly rotates, radiating an aura of suppression.
A terrifying pressure that can subdue everything!
Before the Buddha's Hand even arrived, the void around Qi Yun began to solidify!
The nine-colored auspicious clouds beneath his feet shattered inch by inch, the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron emitted a muffled hum, and the nine divine dragons bowed their heads in unison, bearing unimaginable pressure!
"Snort."
Qi Yun snorted coldly, his eyes suddenly gleaming with a sudden surge of light!
He raised his hand, his fingers forming a sword shape, and gently slashed at the descending golden Buddha hand.
A condensed and pure gray-white sword light burst forth from his fingertips!
The sword light was sharp and domineering, severing all cause and effect in the world and splitting open the eternal chaos!
The sword light and the Buddha's hand clashed fiercely!
"Boom!!!"
An indescribably terrifying explosion erupted!
Centered on the point of impact, visible ripples of destruction spread wildly in all directions!
Wherever it passed, the void shattered inch by inch, and mountains and rivers turned to dust!
The golden Buddha hand trembled slightly, its downward pressure momentarily halted.
The gray-white sword light shattered inch by inch under the crushing force of the Buddha's hand, turning into countless specks of light that scattered across the sky.
The two sides are evenly matched.
No, that's not right.
Qi Yun's brows furrowed slightly.
He could sense that the World-Honored One hadn't used his full strength in that palm strike. In fact, it could be said that it was merely a test.
"Not bad." The World-Honored One's voice rang out again, still cold and indifferent. "To emerge unscathed from my palm strike, no wonder that traitor Canyi values you so highly."
Canyi.
traitor.
The two words, uttered by the World-Honored One, carried an undisguised chill.
Qi Yun's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained impassive. "You flatter me, senior."
The World-Honored One did not respond.
Those enormous golden eyes silently "looked" at Qi Yun, as if trying to see through him and understand him completely.
"The journey westward is fraught with peril." After a moment, he said slowly, "If you turn back now, I can pretend nothing happened."
Qi Yun's lips curled into a very faint smile, "What if I don't turn back?"
The World-Honored One remained silent for a moment.
"Then let's see how far you can go."
As soon as he finished speaking, his enormous golden eyes slowly closed.
The terrifying pressure that had enveloped the heavens and earth receded like the tide.
Above the sky, the clouds closed up again, obscuring the deep darkness.
Everything returned to calm, as if the terrifying scene that had just unfolded had never happened.
Qi Yun stood alone in the void, gazing in the direction where the World-Honored One had disappeared, his eyes sparkling with a myriad of emotions, lost in thought.
After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, mounted Qingyun again, and continued westward.
Within the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron, Cai Shen's voice carried a hint of lingering fear. "Just now—was that the World-Honored One's true form?"
"No." Qi Yun shook his head. "It's just a projection of will."
His true form is still blocked outside, preventing him from channeling much power.
"Then why are you still going forward?" Cai Shen asked anxiously. "Since he can project his will, he can project even more power!"
just in case----"
"There's no 'what if'," Qi Yun interrupted him, his voice calm. "If he were truly going to commit enough power, he wouldn't just be testing the waters."
Cai Kun was taken aback, but then he understood what Qi Yun meant.
"Then why did he tell you that True Lord Contemplating the One was a traitor?" Cai Shen asked again.
Qi Yun was silent for a moment. He raised his eyes and looked at the vast sky in front of him.
"I don't know," he said casually. "Perhaps it's an attempt to sow discord, or perhaps it's a warning."
Maybe----"
He didn't continue.
Because he knew that whatever the World-Honored One's intentions were, they were no longer important at this moment.
The important thing is that he has already taken his first step in this game.
Once this step has been taken, there's no reason to take it back.
"Let's go." He withdrew his gaze, and the auspicious cloud beneath his feet accelerated, carrying him and the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron westward, towards that majestic ancient city that had been sealed away for countless ages.
Behind us, dusk deepened, and the world stretched out before us in a vast, desolate expanse.
Ahead, the lingering glimmer of hope pulsed more and more violently and rapidly.
It was as if something was slowly awakening in the deepest part of that void.