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My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult-Chapter 354 - The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace
Chapter 354: Chapter 354: The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace Appears in Jianghu
Chapter 354: Chapter 354: The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace Appears in Jianghu
The wind whipped up, and in an instant, the heavens and earth became clear and bright.
If Zongzheng Huachun’s aura could be likened to a terribly extreme demon, giving one the sensation of an overwhelming mountain pressing down, then the swordsman opposite him was more akin to a vast and boundless marsh, expansive, embracing everything.
Both men, in terms of status and strength, were among the top masters in the world, each capable of determining the general trend of the world.
Therefore, this duel was all the more eye-catching.
An Jing, watching Zongzheng Huachun from a distance, couldn’t help but frown.
Under Zongzheng Huachun’s feet was the earth, above his head was the sky, and he stood between them, his figure faintly connected to heaven and earth, feeling entirely at one with his surroundings.
An Jing knew that Zongzheng Huachun, who had absorbed the spirit of the earth veins, had not only increased his cultivation but also had a much-improved epiphany of the Heavenly Human Communication.
When one’s Dao has reached a plateau, an advancement in Skill can enable the Dao to exhibit even greater strength. The Zongzheng Huachun before him was undoubtedly terrifyingly powerful, and not much weaker than the seriously injured Nangong Weiping.
An absolute formidable enemy.
And Zongzheng Huachun, looking at the young man in white across from him, also felt an endless sense of admiration.
Who could have imagined that before the world’s great pattern was set, such a supreme genius would emerge out of nowhere?
Indeed, circumstances can create heroes!
Zongzheng Huachun said seriously, “I knew you would come back.”
An Jing asked, “You knew?”
Zongzheng Huachun affirmed resolutely, “I knew.”
An Jing’s gaze chilled slightly as he said, “Then do you know when you will die?”
Zongzheng Huachun replied, “This prince never guesses about things that come from nothing.”
An Jing reached toward the sword box on his back and said indifferently, “So, you think you won’t die?”
Seeing the Great Sword Immortal of the day draw his longsword, everyone’s expressions tensed, and even their breaths became nervous and constricted.
No one was not afraid; no one’s heart was calm.
Zongzheng Huachun laughed and said, “Can you kill this prince?”
An Jing replied, “You are very confident?”
Zongzheng Huachun said, “Of course.”
An Jing extended his palm and said, “But I think you are overconfident.”
Cang Lang—!
A sharp, cold light stabbed out from the sword box, turning the world icy cold.
The Dulu Sword!
The World’s First Sword!
At this moment, the World’s First Sword was releasing Sword Qi, stirring the grass around.
Onlookers watching this scene felt as if that unparalleled famous sword and An Jing’s figure were merging into one; the Dulu Sword disappeared, the Ghost Swordsman disappeared, leaving only a single sword between heaven and earth.
That piercing chill hung in the space between heaven and earth, as if burrowing into everyone’s hearts.
Zongzheng Huachun commented, “Your sword has improved further than before.”
Between experts, there seemed to be a silent connection, especially with top swordsmen and masters like An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun, who could sense each other’s intentions through a subtle feeling.
Zongzheng Huachun continued, “But still, it’s not enough to take off this prince’s head.”
As he finished speaking, the Qi Mechanism in his whole body surged like a tidal wave, not only dispelling the piercing Sword Qi but also scattering the dark clouds above, and suddenly a ray of sunlight returned to the Royal Court of Houjin, bringing a touch of warmth to the people of Houjin.
Boom!
Zongzheng Huachun’s voice rang out like the tolling of morning and evening bells, echoing through the heavens and earth, lingering for a long time.
An Jing’s fingers gently caressed the blade, “There was once someone who said the same thing to you.”
Zongzheng Huachun said, “The same words spoken by different people always have different flavors.”
An Jing said, “But to me, there’s no difference.”
Zongzheng Huachun asked, “Why?”
An Jing said, “They’re all just dead men.”
Neither of them spoke any further, but everyone could feel the atmosphere that was tense to the extreme.
The aura interwoven between them was like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
Even an ordinary Houjin soldier could feel it, their heart throbbing wildly as though the two were about to explode into action the next second.
And the Dulu Sword in An Jing’s hand seemed as if it had truly disappeared, even Zongzheng Huachun couldn’t see it.
Zongzheng Huachun said, “Where’s your sword?”
An Jing replied, “The sword is here.”
Zongzheng Huachun furrowed his brows greatly, “Where is it?”
An Jing said, “Everywhere.”
Zongzheng Huachun narrowed his eyes, his pupils contracting sharply, “A ‘everywhere’, how impressive.”
An Jing said, “Make your move.”
Zongzheng Huachun extended his palm and said, “The move has been made.”
An Jing asked, “Where is the move?”
Zongzheng Huachun’s eyes nearly closed as he said, “Hard to find its trace.”
An Jing’s eyebrows lifted, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
Ordinary people listening to the conversation were completely baffled. They could neither see the sword nor Zongzheng Huachun’s move; the two seemed like Buddhist monks engaged in a battle of wits.
Yet, the experts who truly understood the dialogue between the two were deeply shaken.
From a distance, Zhao Qingmei watched the scene and said softly, “It seems my husband has already touched upon the Seventh Realm.”
Throughout history, many have believed that swordsmen could reach the Seventh Realm as the “Sword Dao Tao General Outline” explained the seven realms of swordsmanship thoroughly and correctly. Many swordsmen had reached the Sixth Realm by following its guidance, creating numerous famed sword techniques.
Despite this, there has been no clear historic record to date, which has led some to claim that the Seventh Realm simply does not exist.
The Seventh Realm is like immortals in the sky, a true divine domain for immortals and Buddhas. Once crossed, one becomes an entirely different existence.
“Son-in-law has indeed touched the profound Seventh Realm,” said Li Fuzhou with a solemn face.
“But Zongzheng Huachun is also extraordinary; he has integrated a strand of Earth Vein Spirit’s intent. His Heavenly Human Communication has reached a profound level, very close to uniting with the heavens.”
The Seventh Realm is fearsome, and the union with the heavens is arguably even more extraordinary.
In Yujing City, when Lv Guoyong reached unity with the heavens in battle against three Five Qi Grandmasters, he severely wounded one and killed another. If not for Xi Hafu’s immensely cunning ways, he might have been gravely injured too, which shows the profoundness of uniting with the heavens.
If Zongzheng Huachun were to reach unity with the heavens, even Great Grandmasters might struggle in front of him.
Therefore, the battle between the two was truly unpredictable regarding who was stronger and who was weaker.
“Third Master.”
Zhao Qingmei frowned slightly and looked towards Li Fuzhou.
Li Fuzhou nodded slightly and then, with Zongzheng Yue in tow, walked towards the distance.
The two stood on opposite sides of heaven and earth, a match for each other. Outsiders might not understand their abilities, but they were very clear about each other’s strengths.
Both were extremely confident in their hearts, and their powers seemed to balance on a fine line.
Just then, Li Fuzhou emerged, leading Zongzheng Yue.
An Jing said indifferently, “Zongzheng Huachun, my friend should be in your hands.”
Zongzheng Huachun, standing on the city ramparts, clapped his hands, and several Houjin soldiers escorted two bald monks forward.
Jie Se looked at the ghostly soldiers in the overcast sky, his legs were trembling and weak, almost collapsing to the ground. When he caught sight of the figure in white in the distance, he was startled, then exclaimed with wild joy, “Brother An, how did you come…”?”
At this moment, An Jing was actually standing beneath the overcast sky, confronting Zongzheng Huachun.
Who was Zongzheng Huachun?
That was the Holy Master of Houjin, one of the top experts in the world today.
Zongzheng Huachun said, “One person in exchange for another, whom do you want?”
“One person in exchange for another?”
An Jing, holding Zongzheng Yue’s collar, said, “This one here is Houjin’s Princess Eight. Is her life so worthless?”
Zongzheng Yue’s demeanor was indifferent as water, seemingly compliant with her circumstances.
Zongzheng Huachun said, “Life has no distinction of high or low.”
An Jing said, “Indeed, lives are just one each, without distinction of high or low, but people’s status is another matter.”
Zongzheng Huachun asked, “What do you propose?”
An Jing said, “Release those two in exchange for the corpse of our sect’s Great Elder.”
Atop the city walls, a few of Houjin’s experts revealed a hint of ferocity in their eyes, their hands resting on their waists.
Clearly, they did not wish to comply easily and were even considering killing the Ghost Swordsman.
After all, this was the Royal Court of Houjin. Even if the Ghost Swordsman had a million ghostly soldiers, so what?
As long as they killed the Ghost Swordsman, who in the Great Yan Dynasty would be able to stop Houjin’s southward advance?
Zongzheng Huachun gave An Jing a deep look and said, “Fine.”
An Jing said, “You release them first.”
Zongzheng Huachun turned his head to look at Jie Se and Jie Lu, who were bewildered and at a loss. With a wave of his hand, the two felt their bodies floating downward.
“Brother An!”
Seeing An Jing, Jie Se was instantly filled with tears, as if he had seen a relative.
These past few days, he had constantly worried that Zongzheng Huachun would kill him, and living like a dog, he realized how unbearable such a life was.
An Jing patted Jie Se’s and Jie Lu’s shoulders without speaking.
Li Fuzhou then pushed Zongzheng Yue with a slap and said, “Princess Eight, you may leave now.”
Zongzheng Yue stretched her limbs and said, “Thank you for the hospitality over these days.”
After speaking, Zongzheng Yue headed towards the walls of the Royal Court, and immediately numerous experts from the Great Snow Mountain stepped forward to welcome and protect her.
Zongzheng Huachun said, “The corpse of Jun Qinglin will need to be encoffined; His Highness will have someone bring it out later.”
An Jing glanced at Zongzheng Huachun and said, “Zongzheng Huachun, the times have saved you.”
“Hahaha.”
Hearing An Jing’s words, Zongzheng Huachun immediately understood all that it implied, knowing that An Jing did not wish to decide life or death today.
An Jing said, “But there will be a battle between us one day.”
Zongzheng Huachun’s robe fluttered as he spoke, “All as you wish. Whenever you desire battle, this king is ready to accompany you.”
The wind blustered, raising waves of grass, causing both their garments to flap violently.
Inside the Royal Court of Houjin, among the hundreds of thousands of Houjin soldiers, two hundred thousand were the elite of the elite. Outside the Royal Court, a million ghostly soldiers held their position within the dark clouds, carrying a dreadfully cold aura, seemingly like soldiers rushing out from Fengdu.
Such a standoff gave a very peculiar feeling.
An Jing said, “The ninth day of the ninth month, at Ba Mountain.”
This was the time agreed upon by An Jing and Zhao Qingmei.
The current time was the end of the sixth month, and there were more than two months until the ninth day of the ninth month. In these two months, An Jing had many things he wanted to do, helping Zhao Qingmei resolve the Heart Demon, acquiring the blood of Cheng Huang, and most importantly, obtaining the last remaining chapters of the “Nameless Heart Scripture” from the Zhenyi Sect to complete the entire “Nameless Heart Scripture.”
Zongzheng Huachun showed no hesitation, “This prince will certainly arrive as promised.”
“Let us go.”
An Jing immediately turned and walked towards the distance.
As he turned, the millions of Yin soldiers in the dark clouds also dissipated, and the world became clear and bright once more, with the warm sunshine once again falling upon the earth.
The Houjin royal court returned to normal, while everyone felt as if they had been dreaming.
Jiren Tai breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Holy Master, the Ghost Swordsman indeed has retreated.”
Although Zongzheng Huachun was very confident in his ability to defeat the Ghost Swordsman, after all, the Ghost Swordsman was “The World’s First Swordsman” and had even killed the guardian spirit of the great plains, Taiyin Kui—how could one not feel apprehensive?
Add to that the fact that he holds a national treasure that can summon a million Yin soldiers in an instant, it’s more than enough to chill one’s heart.
Now that the Ghost Swordsman has retreated, it is undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity for Zongzheng Huachun, an opportunity for a breakthrough to Great Grandmaster.
As long as Zongzheng Huachun breaks through to become a Great Grandmaster, even if the Ghost Swordsman comes to kill again, so what?
Zongzheng Huachun watched the disappearing figure of the Ghost Swordsman, “Just now, he wanted to make a move.”
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“Oh?”
Upon hearing this, Jiren Tai raised an eyebrow, “The Ghost Swordsman really dared to make a move?”
Zongzheng Huachun indifferently replied, “Because of a strand of Earth Vein Spirit’s thought, my Qi mechanism was connected with this world, making it difficult for him to sense my depth, and the reason he ultimately abstained from acting…”
Stopping there, Zongzheng Huachun didn’t continue speaking but looked towards Zongzheng Yue, “Are you alright?”
Zongzheng Yue shook her head and said with emotion, “Father, I am fine. The people from the Demon Sect were quite courteous to me, the Ghost Swordsman truly is an impressive figure.”
“That is good then.”
Zongzheng Huachun nodded and gazed at the clear sky above. It was a long while before he spoke softly, “I always thought that Zhao Zhiwu was the enemy of my life, but now I realize that the Ghost Swordsman is.”
……
Yun Hua Dao, in the small town.
Yun Hua Dao is located at the centre of the entire Great Yan Dynasty. Although it was not affected by the war, its former prosperity had gradually declined due to a series of impacts.
There weren’t many people on the streets, but the calls of the vendors were still endless.
At this moment, in a corner of the street, sat an old man in black with white hair.
The elder was leaning against the corner of a wall with his eyes closed as if resting, occasionally smacking his lips, letting the sunlight fall on his wrinkled face, giving off a sense of laziness and comfort.
Just then, a figure appeared in front of him, completely blocking out the sunlight.
The elder slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see a tall man with unusual attire, carrying a longsword by his waist, the longsword sheathed, but the elder keenly felt it was no ordinary sword. Not only were the materials used in its craft extraordinary, the craftsmanship was exquisite, but most importantly, the sword had a murderous aura, which meant it must have taken many lives.
The elder commented, “That is truly an excellent sword.”
The man replied, “And yours is an excellent blade.”
The elder’s eyebrows shot up, and his eyes suddenly reflected a chilling light like a sharp sword, giving an eerie sensation.
The man shook his head and smiled, saying, “Once renowned throughout the world, shaking the Jianghu, the Sword Demon has now lost all his spirit, becoming a homeless old beggar on the streets, truly lamentable.”
The Sword Demon!
In the Jianghu of today, there is probably no one who doesn’t know, who isn’t aware of his existence.
This elder is none other than Hao Tian, the Sword Demon who, on Zhong Mountain, was stabbed in the heart by An Jing’s Sword Control Technique and fell down the cliff. At the time, Zhao Qingmei had people search the mountain for his body, but the Demon Sect’s experts searched the entire cliffside and couldn’t find the Sword Demon’s corpse, which gradually faded from the Jianghu’s memory.
After all, many had seen the sword strike at the Sword Demon’s heart, and falling into the cliff was certainly a death sentence.
The Sword Demon sat up and coldly asked, “Who are you?”
The corner of the man’s mouth lifted slightly as he answered, “Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace.”
……