The Sun's Radiance, Huanyu Gravely Wounded

The world spins, and the soul returns to its body.

Ye Jinyu opened her eyes and stood up, staggering half a step before collapsing into the tent, her back soaked with cold sweat.

The wind here carries the lingering stench of blood. Qi Yin's battlefield is scorched earth, billowing black smoke. The River of Time and the golden palace of the emperor are no more; the world is now a cold, desolate place.

A slight warmth lingered between his brows, and the True Spirit of Mingyang lay dormant. The two Imperial Divine Ability Powers, [Sovereign's Supreme Reign] and [Emperor's Descending Might], had been formed and deeply engraved into his sea of consciousness.

He looked up towards the Central Region, where a bluish-gray mist surged toward the Northern Region battlefield like a tsunami.

At the same instant, in the Qi army camp.

Sima Ruiming smashed the wine cup on the table, splashing wine onto his black robe. He pressed his brow tightly, the pale gold mark burning his soul.

The humiliation and fear of being treated like a dragon and fished in the illusion still linger in my bones and blood.

"Prime Minister!"

Li Tian staggered into the tent, his white robes stained with dust, his face deathly pale. "Hundreds of cultivators outside the camp died instantly, their bodies and souls shattered. We couldn't stop them!"

Sima Ruiming followed him out of the tent and looked up to see the all-encompassing bluish-gray mist.

It was the Greater Yin Killing Array, spreading from the direction of the Mingyang Decoy Tomb. Wherever it passed, all living beings were annihilated, and even grass, trees, and rocks were crushed into ashes.

Just as he was about to activate his Xuanming Law Power to stop it, a cold divine thought crashed into his sea of consciousness:

"Sima Ruiming, the mark of Mingyang is in your soul, we are of one mind."

This formation can only be broken by the Mingyang Emperor Sword. The Emperor Sword requires the sacrifice of Li Tian and Yin Huan's divine soul, with Zhanlu transforming into a sword spirit and Tai'e sword bones. You will preside over this formation.

Ye Jinyu's voice was calm and devoid of any emotion.

Sima Ruiming were bloodshot, and he roared in his mind, "Ye Jinyu! I created Li Tian, he shouldn't have been sacrificed by my hand! You should have done it!"

You don't have to do it.

Ye Jinyu's divine thought was light, yet every word was piercing. "After an incense stick's time, the Greater Yin Killing Array will devour Qi Yin's two armies. Li Tian die, Yin Huan will die, and you, Sima Ruiming, will not survive either."

You're doomed anyway, and Mingyang hates you anyway. Even if you die, the stuff will still be mine. But if you do it, you might actually have a chance to win!

Sima Ruiming stood frozen in place.

He wanted to salvage the situation, break the deadlock, and preserve all of the Sima Clan's plans in Wind Abyss. He couldn't let his father come to this realm, leaving him in an extremely passive position!

But the killing formation was merciless, pressing forward relentlessly, and with the Mingyang Mark restraining him, Ye Jinyu cut off all his escape routes.

He had no choice.

Night fell with the wind, and battle formations erupted everywhere.

Yin Huan gripped the Tai'e Sword, and behind him, the cultivators and soldiers of the Great Yin fell in droves, their cries growing weaker and weaker.

Li Tian, wielding the Zhanlu Sword, stood in front of the Qi army, his Kingly Dao Sword Intent being suppressed by the power of Greater Yin, making him teeter on the brink of collapse.

Two figures faced each other across the distance.

"Yin Huan," Li Tian's voice was hoarse, "We've fought for two years, and in the end, it's all come to this dead end."

Yin Huan looked at the people of Great Yin who followed him behind him, closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his imperial arrogance had long been worn down by despair.

"I submitted to the Ye Clan to ensure the survival of the Great Yin. Now, if my death can save their lives, it is worthwhile."

Both figures looked up at the same time, gazing at the two opposing auras in the sky.

Ye Jinyu stood on the ruined peak, while Sima Ruiming stood at the front of the army.

They all understood.

From the very beginning, they were sacrificing pieces in this game.

It wasn't that he willingly went to his death; it was because, as an emperor, he had a country and people behind him, and there was no way to retreat.

"Li Tian! Die quickly!"

Sima Ruiming's voice ripped through the sky. He formed hand Hand Seals, and bright golden light erupted from his palms— the Yin-Yang Dao-Joining Sword-Sacrifice Technique that Ye Jinyu had transmitted to his consciousness. "The formation, I will set it up!"

Li Tian's body trembled as he looked at the disheveled figure in front of the commander's tent, the last glimmer of hope in his eyes extinguished.

He slowly stepped into the formation, his Zhanlu Sword pointing straight to the sky, declaring, "I will bring peace to the world through benevolence!"

Yin Huan stepped in as well, his Tai'e Sword piercing the scorched earth, his black armor stained with blood. "I will subdue the eight wastelands with my domineering power!"

Sima Ruiming closed his eyes and roared:

"Sword Offering"

"Open!"

The Sun and Moon Array Diagram appeared in the world, its golden light soaring into the sky.

"The King's Way... The Emperor's Descending Might!"

"Overbearing... Sovereign's Supreme Reign!"

Li Tian, transforming into divine golden light, and merged into Zhanlu.

Yin Huan's black armor was stained crimson, which was then infused into the Tai'e.

Two figures vanished in a flash, their souls, bloodlines, and life's cultivation all sacrificed.

The black and white energies rotate and merge, yin and yang intertwine, and life and death are reversed.

A long sword, entirely gilded and engraved with the sun, moon, and stars, slowly condensed at the center of the formation.

The sword's cry echoed through the Wind Abyss, and the Greater Yin Killing Array receded like a tide.

The Mingyang Emperor Sword is complete.

Sima Ruiming collapsed to the ground, staring at the sword, gritting his teeth as cold sweat trickled down his body.

Ye Jinyu suddenly appeared and reached out to grasp the hilt of the Emperor Sword.

The Emperor's might entered the body, and the rudimentary form of the Three Yangs Path slowly circulated within the Dantian.

"Oh..."

A soft sigh came from the edge, clearly reaching Ye Jinyu's ears.

Wei Ming carried a handful of yellow earth, in which lay fragments of the broken Yuanming Sword-Playing Sect, as he walked step by step.

He walked past the bones and the scorched earth, gently placing the yellow soil beside the Emperor's Sword, as if burying the last memory.

"Young Master Ye."

Wei Ming looked up, holding a peach blossom in his hand, and said to Ye Jinyu in a hoarse voice, "Zhanqiu created this technique, and every time we meet, he bestows upon me a Qingmu peach blossom. Every time I see this peach blossom, my guilt grows stronger."

"The two dynasties fought a great war, resulting in countless deaths and injuries, and the common people wailed in despair. This became my [Autumn Sun Blood], which was originally created in accordance with the Lesser Yin and the Huangchu position."

"Though I have no intention of killing, all the people who have died because of me are my karmic burdens whenever I see peach blossoms!"

Ye Jinyu's hand, gripping the sword, paused slightly. "So, what you mean is?"

"The Greater Yang is divided into three parts: Mingyang, Huangchu, and Grand Brightness. When these Three Yangs converge, they can shake the Golden Core."

Wei Ming lifted his shirt, revealing a broken sun mark on his chest. "My Wei Ming, and I am Bright Yang Zi, whom you have hidden in Wind Abyss."

"Zhang Chen of Great Peace Temple passed on to me [Dawn Light], which is the Grand Brightness of the Three Yangs; the lord left me [Autumn Sun Blood], which is the Huangchu of the Three Yangs; the Emperor Sword in your hand, which merges the two paths of Li Tian and Yin Huan, is the Mingyang of the Three Yangs."

Wei Ming reached out and pointed to the Emperor Sword:

"Throughout my life, my soul has been nurtured by the Ye Clan and several Golden Core Elixir cultivators of Great Peace Temple, not for the sake of mere existence."

It was to receive this sword strike.

Ye Jinyu's eyes darkened slightly.

It wasn't about killing Sima Huanyu, but about injuring him.

The struggle for the Cangxuan Golden Core is a battle that cannot be broken, nor can one perish, but it can diminish power, severely injure, and cause one to lose influence.

Sima Huanyu of Huainan was a thorn in the Ye Clan's side; he had to be removed, but not completely.

"Imperial Sword, lend it to me."

Wei Ming spoke.

Ye Jinyu nodded and handed over the Mingyang Emperor Sword.

The moment Wei Ming gripped the sword, the power of the Three Yangs— Autumn Sun Blood, Dawn Light, and Mingyang Origin—exploded simultaneously.

There was no overwhelming rage, only the weight and intensity of the rising Greater Yang; it was a sword strike condensed from the life's work of several Golden Core cultivators.

"I buried my sect, I buried my memories, I buried a lifetime of freedom."

Wei Ming raised his eyes, gazing into the depths of the Great Void, a resolute smile playing on his lips.

"I do not seek the next life, nor the other shore, nor do I seek to be deified or attain enlightenment."

Today, I, Wei Ming, will burn everything for this one sword!

It happened so fast!

In the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm, the world suddenly went dark.

Vast and boundless, waters flowed everywhere, and the Golden Core exerted its oppressive power.

The void was forcibly torn apart, and a figure in brocade robes with dragon patterns slowly stepped out.

Sima Huanyu.

His robes fluttered in the wind, a Golden Core Domain spread out silently. It seemed that he controlled and manipulated the Principle and fundamental principles of the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm.

His gaze first fell on the limp Sima Ruiming, then on the Emperor Sword in Wei Ming's hand, and finally settled on Ye Jinyu, his killing intent chilling.

"Father, save me!"

Sima Ruiming felt the golden seal on his body growing brighter and brighter, and it seemed to be corroding him. He immediately shouted to Sima Huanyu.

"It seems the rebels have already shown themselves—a mere brat from the Ye Clan and a remnant of the Mingyang clique!"

"The schemes of Cangxuan and his allies are all well and good, but they're all just a facade!"

Sima Huanyu pointed a finger, his voice utterly indifferent, yet it resonated like thunder in Ye Jinyu's heart, "Destroying my son's Dao heart, coveting the Mingyang inheritance of my Sima clan, forging this evil sacrificial sword to wreak havoc on the world..."

Today, this heaven will rid the world of this evil spirit and restore peace and order!

With one step, space shattered, and rubble flew everywhere.

All living beings and Principle Spiritual Qi here seemed to be prostrate on the ground, trembling all over, as insignificant as mayflies in the face of the blue sky!

This is the crushing power of Golden Core True Lord. A single word can decide life and death, a single finger can shatter mountains and rivers, and a single word can revive the Dao lineage!

Wei Ming stood in front of Ye Jinyu with his sword, his Three Yangs Power burning to its limit, his hair standing on end, his eyes both mad and resolute.

Its burning power is unparalleled, comparable to the Divine Core of Mingyang!

"Sima Huanyu! The Sima Clan usurped the Wei throne, divided the Greater Yang into three, and persecuted the descendants of the Mingyang lineage. Today, they will pay for this karma!"

Sima Huanyu scoffed, his tone contemptuous. "A mere pawn nurtured by the Golden Core, even so, is only comparable to a Divine Core, yet it dares to bark arrogantly before me."

"I, who roam freely across the Cangxuan, have always looked down upon those who hide their true nature!"

In the name of the supreme and legitimate lineage of the Great Jin Dynasty, I regard all living beings as my dogs and horses, and entrust my life as an ant in the Ruin Realm. Have you not heard that since the world is vast, it has yet to be overthrown!

You ants, how dare you defy the wrath of Heaven!

He raised his hand and pointed casually.

Without Divine Ability Method Formula, but only the Golden Core Dao Domain, wielding Dao Lord force to crush everything in its path. Wherever its fingertips touch, space freezes, leaving no escape, only certain death!

Instead of retreating, Wei Ming advanced and slashed out with his sword:

"If the Three Yangs energies unite as one, this sword can shake the Golden Core!"

"The Greater Yang's glory shall appear today!"

Golden sword light tore through the sky, merging the power of Mingyang, Huangchu, and Grand Brightness, carrying the benevolence of Li Tian, the tyranny of Yin Huan, and the lifelong obsession of Wei Ming, directly slaying Sima Huanyu.

Sima Huanyu's expression remained unchanged. He pointed a finger, and suddenly a violent distortion began, unleashing a chilling, vast, and unfathomable power.

The heavens and earth were dyed blue, and the extremely rich water elemental Spiritual Qi condensed into a curtain of rain.

Boom--!!!

The Greater Yang Emperor Sword crashed into the rain curtain, which cracked open like a spider web. To Sima Huanyu's disbelief, the sword let out a muffled groan, took a step back, and spilled golden blood of the Golden Core's origin from the corner of its mouth.

After unleashing this sword strike, Wei Ming's energy was completely depleted, yet he still gripped the Emperor Sword tightly, standing before Ye Jinyu.

Injured? Injured!

Sima Ruiming looked on incredulously!

"Very well... you've thoroughly enraged me, you ant."

Sima Huanyu's pupils contracted sharply as he stared at Wei Ming and Ye Jinyu!

His murderous intent surged, reaching its peak just as it was about to reach its limit!

The world suddenly fell silent!

wrong.

The silence was eerily quiet.

Sima Huanyu was greatly alarmed and secretly tried to deduce the future using his Qi, but he couldn't figure anything out.

The secrets of heaven are shrouded in chaos; everything remains obscure and hidden!

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.

Sima Huanyu.

The voice was gentle and warm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

It's him!

How could this be!

My son, Sima Ruiming, has deceived me!? Is he also a traitor?

Sima Huanyu was suddenly taken aback.

A golden light shot up from Sima Ruiming's body.

Within that light, the shape of a figure could be vaguely discerned.

He wore a dark gold imperial robe and a crown, standing with his hands behind his back.

His eyes were as deep as an abyss, his aura completely changed, and he was looking at Sima Huanyu with a smile.

Divine Lord Mingyang.

No, it's not Divine Lord Mingyang.

It is the true spirit of Divine Lord Mingyang.

"Mingyang..." Sima Huanyu's voice was hoarse.

You're really still here.

"Hidden on my son's body?"

"Ten thousand years," Divine Lord Mingyang said softly, "I have waited for you for ten thousand years."

He extended his hand and gently shook hands with Sima Huanyu.

In that instant, Sima Huanyu felt as if he had been completely imprisoned.

The surrounding void froze, time froze, and all Principle, all Divine Ability, and all strengths seemed to be held down by an invisible hand.

Unable to move.

"This... this is impossible!" Sima Huanyu exclaimed in shock and anger.

"You're just a wisp of true spirit, how could you possibly..."

"A wisp of true spirit?" Divine Lord Mingyang smiled.

"Sima Huanyu, do you know what the Greater Yang Dao Lineage means?"

Mingyang manipulated Sima Ruiming's body to take a step forward.

With each step taken, the void trembled.

The Greater Yang has set, but its afterglow lingers.

"Even in the afterglow of the Greater Yang, you shall tremble!"

"For ten thousand years, I have never felt so refreshed and invigorated."

The final step was to stand before Sima Huanyu, looking down at him from a superior position.

"Therefore, the fading glory of this emperor is beyond your comprehension!"

"You just called me a traitor, who's the traitor?!"

Sima Huanyu's face darkened.

He wanted to resist, to struggle, to use every means at his disposal, but suddenly he found himself seemingly exhausted, unable to communicate with heaven and earth, and his proud power seemed to have dissipated.

"To not bow before the emperor is to have lost one's true destiny."

But Divine Lord Mingyang said something very casually.

"Sima Huanyu, do you know your crime?"

Sima Huanyu felt a great urgency upon sensing this aura!

A wisp of true spirit, how magnificent it is!

The Unseen, unseen feeling, the taste of such insignificance, and a fear that seemed to emanate from the depths of one's blood were trembling and sending shivers down one's spine.

This is the first time he's been this disheveled since he attained the Golden Core!

Sima Huanyu, disregarding his composure, shouted in a certain direction.

"To fight without breaking is in accordance with the rules of Cangxuan. To overstep the boundaries and destroy the order is a grave taboo! The Greater Yang is dead! Do you all want to watch the Mingyang rise again?!"

"No matter how despicable my Sima Clan may be, do you all intend to become Mingyang's obedient subjects, bowing your heads and submitting to his orders?!"

These words caused ripples to spread. A bright moon appeared both real and illusory, Fusang Radiance) shone from beyond the heavens, outlining a sentence.

"Fellow Daoist Huanyu, what are you still waiting for?"

[Congratulations, host, you have successfully obtained a loan of 200,000 Heavenly Mandate Points, unlocking the Deduction and Ascension Mode. The loan term is ten years. Keep up the good work, and the total principal and interest will reach 400,000.]

[Divine Lord Mingyang's ultimate sublimation! True spirit erupts!]

Ye Jinyu watched this scene silently, her heart bleeding, but on the surface she remained calm and composed.

"How?"

Wei Ming was silent for a moment, then said softly, "To have witnessed the brilliance of the Greater Yang today, I have no regrets!"

"Young Master Ye, thank you."

Ye Jinyu clutched her heart, her face turned pale, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and she gave a bitter laugh.

"That brilliance will only last for a fleeting moment."

(According to the plot, I should have written more filler, but as I was writing, I didn't know how to continue... This is the only way, it's very disjointed, so I'll skip it ( ᵒ̴̶̷̤໐ᵒ̴̶̷̤ ))