Outside the Ten Thousand Swords Mountain Range, on the edge of the Scarlet Blood Plains.
The combined army of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect and the Fused Beast Holy Sect, which had once blotted out the sky with overwhelming arrogance, was now utterly routed. Like a herd of driven sheep, they fled in panic towards their lair, abandoning helmets and armour in disarray.
When they arrived, they had come in a dense black mass, with demonic clouds obscuring the sun and beast roars shaking the heavens.
As they departed, they were scattered and sparse, morale completely shattered. Many disciples even wished their parents had given them two extra legs. In their haste, they frantically stripped off and discarded the robes symbolising their sect identity, terrified of being recognised by the pursuing god of death.
At the forefront of the retreating forces, Hun Sha’s face was as pale as a corpse. His eyes were vacant and unfocused. His figure staggered as if he had aged thousands of years overnight.
In his mind, scenes replayed endlessly: Chen Ping’s indifferent gaze, the casual wave that turned Demon Rock to ashes without effort.
The terrifying sight of a single sword qi reducing hundreds of core forces to dust.
And finally, that sword which ignored all defences and utterly erased the supreme elder, Old Man Ghost Bone… Each scene pierced his spirit and pride like the sharpest ice awl, over and over.
Defeated!
Utterly crushed, a complete and thorough loss.
Not only had they suffered heavy casualties, losing over seventy percent of their elite strength, but they had also lost their greatest reliance, the supreme elder Old Man Ghost Bone.
After this battle, the Myriad Souls Demon Sect was gravely wounded. Let alone continuing to dominate the Scarlet Blood Plains, whether they could preserve their foundation against the covetous forces in the Tenth Heaven had become uncertain.
What chilled Hun Sha to the core was Chen Ping’s final icy words: “Tell Soul Devouring Venerable to wash his neck clean and wait…”
The venerable lord he had once seen as a backer and opportunity now seemed like a fatal talisman!
Chen Ping was coming for Soul Devouring Venerable!
Moreover, judging from the terrifying strength Chen Ping had displayed, he seemed… truly qualified to challenge the venerable lord?
Fear, resentment, unwillingness, despair… All these emotions churned and intertwined in Hun Sha’s heart, finally twisting into a deranged madness.
He suddenly raised his head, looking towards the sect’s main altar deep in the Scarlet Blood Plains, perpetually shrouded in dense demonic qi. A pathological glimmer of hope reignited in his eyes.
“The venerable lord… Yes! There is still the venerable lord! The venerable lord possesses vast divine abilities. He will surely suppress that little beast Chen Ping! I must immediately report to the venerable lord and beg him to emerge from seclusion, to avenge the Myriad Souls Demon Sect!”
Hun Sha muttered to himself, then roared hoarsely at the few remaining trusted elders beside him: “Speed up! Return to the sect! Return to the sect at once!”
…
Within the Xuantian Sword Sect, inside the mountain gate.
The joy of survival mingled with the grim aftermath of the great battle.
Disciples began tearfully collecting the bodies of fallen comrades, clearing the battlefield, and repairing damaged buildings and formations.
Though the sect had been preserved, the cost was equally devastating. Over a third of the disciples had fallen forever. Countless familiar faces were gone for good.
On the square before the main peak’s grand hall, Ling Yunzi stood with difficulty, supported by several elders.
His injuries were severe, his aura weak, but his eyes brimmed with excitement and gratitude as he looked at the blue-robed figure before him.
“Dao Friend Chen… No, Senior Chen!” Ling Yunzi pushed away the supporting hands and bowed deeply to the ground, his voice choking. “Today, if not for Senior’s divine intervention from the heavens, turning the tide, our Xuantian Sword Sect’s ten-thousand-year foundation would likely have been destroyed!”
“Senior’s grace in saving our lives and protecting the sect, Ling Yunzi and all of the Xuantian Sword Sect will never forget for all eternity! Please accept our obeisance!”
With that, all the sword sect elders and disciples still able to move behind him bowed in unison towards Chen Ping, the scene solemn and awe-inspiring.
Chen Ping raised his hand in a virtual support. A gentle yet irresistible force lifted everyone up.
“Sect Master Ling need not be so courteous. Chen has some connection with Miss Ling and the sword sect. Offering aid was only proper.”
His tone was calm, claiming no great merit.
Ling Yunzi straightened, his face still unable to hide his excitement. Then a trace of worry appeared in his eyes: “Senior, my daughter Ling Shuang… She went with Senior to the Myriad Beasts Gate. I wonder now if she…”
“Miss Ling is safe and sound. She is healing in a secret realm and should have recovered most by now.”
Chen Ping stated truthfully. “She is anxious about the sect’s safety and must be burning with worry at this moment. I shall return at once and inform them.”
Upon hearing this, Ling Yunzi breathed a huge sigh of relief, repeatedly expressing thanks: “Many thanks to Senior for caring for my daughter! Great kindness needs no words. In the future, should Senior have any need, the Xuantian Sword Sect will spare no effort!”
Chen Ping nodded slightly, saying no more.
His gaze swept over Zheng Gu, heavily injured and tightly restrained under strict guard by sword sect disciples. He said to Ling Yunzi: “This man is a traitor to the Myriad Beasts Gate, one of the chief culprits. I must take him back to hand over to Gate Master Lie Tian for disposal.”
“Senior may take him freely! If the Myriad Beasts Gate needs assistance, the Xuantian Sword Sect can still fight.” Ling Yunzi stated.
Chen Ping delayed no further. With a sweep of his sleeve, a gentle force enveloped the barely breathing Zheng Gu. Then his figure turned into a stream of chaotic light, streaking swiftly towards the direction of the Departing Fire Secret Realm, vanishing into the horizon in an instant.
Watching the direction Chen Ping departed, Ling Yunzi and the sword sect high elders remained silent for a long time, their eyes filled with reverence and emotion.
“This youth… is truly a divine being!” A white-haired elder murmured.
“After this battle, the structure of the Tenth Heaven will likely be completely rewritten…” Another elder said with complex expression.
Ling Yunzi took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said gravely: “Issue orders. Fully repair the grand array, treat the wounded, tally the losses.”
“Additionally, send people to cast a golden statue. I want a golden body sculpted for Senior Chen, so that disciples of the Xuantian Sword Sect may worship it for all generations!”
“Yes! Sect Master!”
