Fishing (1)

(To speed things up, I'll quickly write this part of the story.)

Northern Region.

The golden light of the kingly way and the crimson light of the tyrant clash day and night in the sky, and the resulting cracks have yet to heal, like permanent scars on the heavens and earth.

Ye Jinyu stood atop a ruined mountain peak, looking down below.

The final battle Li Tian and Yin Huan.

Two emperors, each wielding the Zhanlu and Tai'e, their benevolent and domineering sword intents clashed repeatedly on this land, erupting with earth-shattering roars.

"Young Master." Ye Jinming's voice came from behind.

"That thing... it actually appeared."

In the center of Qi Yin's battlefield, on a patch of scorched earth torn apart by sword marks, a blade of grass had somehow sprouted.

The grass was pure white, with slender, sword-like leaves, totaling seven leaves, each with faint sword-shaped patterns.

Above the tips of the grass, a chaotic light gathered, its radiance shifting unpredictably, sometimes golden like the sun, sometimes crimson like blood.

"Really..."

Ye Jinyu's pupils contracted slightly.

Heavenly Will Sword Soul Grass.

This thing is born from the interaction of heaven and earth, and only in places repeatedly washed by the strongest sword intent can a single plant be nurtured.

Taking it can lead to a sudden enlightenment of the true essence of swordsmanship, directly reaching the origin of sword intent.

But this plant just happened to appear at this particular moment.

It just so happens to appear at the site of a decisive battle between two dynasties.

It happened precisely at the crucial moment when Yin Huan and Li Tian were about to determine the victor.

"Oh..."

Ye Jinyu suddenly smiled.

There was an indescribable emotion in that smile.

This must be the darling of the world, the chosen one of destiny.

When you want to break through, you will have a serendipitous encounter.

When one wishes to Foundation Establishment, a spiritual being will appear at one's door.

When the two sides are locked in a stalemate, a priceless treasure will be presented to them.

Everything happened naturally, as if the very essence of heaven and earth had converged upon him.

Whatever you want, someone will bring it to you.

Whatever you need, it will appear just in time.

There are no bottlenecks, no obstacles; it's as if the whole world is paving the way for you.

But in this world, are there really that many coincidences?

The chaotic light on the tip of the grass was trembling slightly, as if calling out to something.

With a thought, Ye Jinyu flicked out a mysterious wisp from her fingertip, which silently landed on the battlefield below.

Youxuan passed through layers of sword intent barriers and through the blood mist, landing precisely on the Heavenly Will Sword Soul Grass.

The next moment, the Sword Soul Grass vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint aftertaste drifting in the wind.

No one noticed.

Sima Ruiming also surveyed the battlefield, but offered no objections.

A stalk of pure white grass appeared in Ye Jinyu's palm.

Half an hour later.

Yin Huan fell into a pool of blood.

He was covered in wounds; his right arm was almost severed at the root, and a deep sword wound on his chest revealed the bone. Blood stained the scorched earth beneath him.

The Tai'e Sword trembled incessantly, emitting a low, mournful cry.

Li Tian stood there, sword sheathed, his face pale and his breath weak, but he was still the one who stood.

"You've lost." He looked down at Yin Huan, his voice hoarse.

Yin Huan remained silent.

He just stared intently at the sky, at the gray clouds, and at Ye Jinyu's blurry figure in the distance.

He lost.

He was defeated by the Li Tian, and also by the game of chess between those two.

"The victor is king, the loser is villain; this has always been the case."

Yin Huan closed his eyes.

"Kill me if you must."

Li Tian remained silent for a moment, then raised the Zhanlu Sword.

Just as the sword was about to strike, a mysterious figure descended from the sky and landed in front of Yin Huan.

In that dim light, a single, luminous white blade of grass floated silently.

Heavenly Will Sword Soul Grass.

Yin Huan suddenly opened his eyes.

He couldn't recognize the object, but he could sense the terrifying sword intent contained within the grass.

It was something purer and more fundamental than the domineering sword he had painstakingly honed over many years, as if it were the embodiment of the very essence of swordsmanship.

"Take it."

A voice entered my ears, calm as still water, yet carrying an undeniable will.

Without hesitation, Yin Huan reached out, grasped the herb, and put it in his mouth.

The moment the grass entered his stomach, he felt a jolt throughout his body.

Countless sword intents surged into his soul like a tide. It came from the source of dominance, the might of the Mingyang Mingyang Emperor, who displayed his domineering power to the fullest.

The sword intent surged, collided, and merged within Yin Huan's body, ultimately transforming into an unprecedented enlightenment.

The sword of tyranny does not subdue others by force.

It is through winning people's hearts that one gains their trust.

To win the hearts of all beings with one's own heart.

To act on one's own will, in place of Heaven's will.

Yin Huan opened his eyes.

His aura changed.

He commands respect without anger and commands dignity without speaking.

He slowly stood up, and the wounds on his body healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. The flesh and blood at the severed arm regenerated, and the newly grown bones shone with a faint golden luster.

With a hum, the Tai'e Sword flew into his hand, and unprecedented patterns appeared on its blade.

The next moment, the world changed color.

The crimson light shot into the sky, more intense and pure than ever before.

Within that light, the domineering will was no longer simply about killing and conquest, but contained something deeper.

It is not only about taking responsibility, but also about protecting. It is about being unyielding yet knowing when to bend down to safeguard the people behind you.

Yin Huan stood with his eyes closed, his aura rising steadily. Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Foundation Establishment Peak... until he touched the threshold of the Purple Mansion, only then did he stop.

He opened his eyes.

Those eyes no longer held mere sharpness, but rather a hint of understanding.

Yin Huan was also somewhat ashamed; he didn't utter a sound, but it seemed he was saying...

I'm sorry.

Seeing Li Tian, Li Tian dared not intervene. Although he cursed inwardly, he could only sheathe his sword behind his back to maintain his composure.

A short while later, both armies sounded the retreat.

That night.

A faint glow, scattered among the battlefield ruins, resembled countless dying stars.

Ye Jinyu sat alone, closing her eyes and regulating her breathing.

He saw that scene clearly during the day.

Mingyang.

He opened his eyes and murmured two words.

The appearance of the Heavenly Will Sword Soul Grass was no accident.

Someone is planning, someone is pushing, someone wants these two swords to truly take shape at this moment, in this place, in the hands of these two people.

Who is it?

"Young friend, don't panic."

A voice suddenly rang out.

The voice was gentle and warm, yet it carried an indescribable majesty, as if the heavens and earth bowed down before it.

Ye Jinyu was suddenly taken aback.

Then I felt as if my body was detached from the world, almost floating and ascending to immortality. My mind and will were also shaken and out of control. In the blink of an eye, I found myself standing in an unfamiliar palace.

The palace is magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding both antiquity and luxury.

The hall was simply and elegantly furnished, with a long table in the center, on which were placed wine vessels, dishes, and a sword.

The sword lay horizontally on the table, simple and unadorned, yet it subtly revealed a sharpness that could eclipse the heavens and earth.

Behind the long table sat a person.

The man wore a dark gold imperial robe and a crown, his face was majestic and handsome, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable as he looked at him with a smile.

Holy crap! Wei Wu Mingyang.

A tremendous storm raged within Ye Jinyu's heart.

He had seen portraits and read records in his clan, and knew what kind of demeanor the Emperor possessed.

But a portrait is just a portrait, and a record is just a record. Only when he truly faced it did he understand the power of the Greater Yang and the power of the emperor!

Just sitting there, he was like a great sun hanging high in the sky, shining on everything, making people dare not look directly at him.

Yet the light was not scorching or dazzling; instead, it carried a gentle warmth, as if the sun were shining in spring.

"Now that you have seen me, why do you not bow?"

Divine Lord Mingyang spoke, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Ye Jinyu remained silent for only a moment before slowly bowing.

"Ye Jinyu of the Ye Clan pays respects to the Emperor."