Chapter 2040: Han Guang Sand

The Human World

In Qin Sang's plan, the Four Symbols Sword Array would transform into four star domains to manifest the Four Spirits.

Upon its grand completion, the Four Directions Sword Array would truly merge into one, with spiritual energy flowing unimpeded, mutually reinforcing each other, and collectively manifesting the Four Spirits.

Swords would shroud the void sky, and the Four Spirits would slay enemies—a peerless killing move!

However, before its grand completion, the sword arrays were arrayed in four directions. While their connections were very close and mutually beneficial, they could trap enemies in a wider star domain, adding various complexities and greatly increasing the difficulty of breaking the array. But they were sufficient for confinement, yet lacked in lethal power.

Qin Sang simultaneously deployed the Seven Mansions Division Sword Array and the Southern Vermilion Bird Sword Array. He had to designate one as the main array to establish the foundation for the starry sky, and then mobilize the auxiliary arrays to assist. This division of roles created a sense of independent action. Even when both spirits appeared together, it resembled more an encirclement of enemies rather than a unified entity.

He had discovered this flaw previously but struggled to find a good solution. Now, having comprehended the art of array superposition, he could aggregate the power of both arrays for an instantaneous burst, which was a novel approach.

His time in the Sword Path might have been only a single breath, but for Qin Sang, he had already mentally rehearsed the sword array countless times. Now, using it for the first time against an enemy, he felt no hesitation or awkwardness.

Ling Du was still unaware of such variations in the sword array. Upon falling into the Southern Vermilion Bird Sword Array, he recognized it as the Southern Seven Mansions. He immediately decided to continue breaking the array with fine sand.

However, as soon as Ling Du made his move, he noticed a difference between the Southern Star Domain and the Western Star Domain. Though the two arrays had similar structures, with identical sword stars, the starlight in the Southern Star Domain appeared more vibrant, giving the impression of a living array.

This feeling was inexplicable. Both sword arrays were controlled by Qin Sang, moving according to his will, so they should both be living arrays. Yet Ling Du genuinely had this feeling and a premonition that this array might not be easy to break.

Indeed, as Ling Du had expected, the fine sand floated in the air, drawing the sword stars into a sea of light. Surprisingly, the sword stars could move with the waves, naturally rising and falling within the light current, without being disturbed.

The biggest difference between the two arrays was that the Southern Vermilion Bird Sword Array had a true Vermilion Bird presiding over it!

Ling Du's initial attempt proved unsuccessful. Although he did not know of the Vermilion Bird's existence, he had already vaguely sensed another mystery within the sword stars. But he would not give up. He flipped his hand, and several silver glints sparkled in his palm, revealing several grains of silver sand.

The silver sand was no different in size or form from the other fine sand. Scattered into the vast starry sky, it instantly disappeared into the sea of light, undetectable by others.

When the silver sand was deployed, the sea of light formed by the fine sand surprisingly became viscous, like a thick fluid, sticky and heavy. As the waves surged, they seemed to contain immense power, striking fiercely at the sword stars!

If anyone were to witness this sight at this moment, they would surely feel that the void was like a curtain, and the sea of light was paste adhering to the curtain. Any movement would cause the void to twist, thereby shaking the sword stars and the sword array.

This method was indeed profound, but Qin Sang had already changed his strategy.

Just as Ling Du felt hopeful about breaking the array, he suddenly heard a whistling roar from afar. His expression slightly changed as he saw the horizon turn crimson. One by one, large stars, trailing long fiery tails, broke through the air and approached.

The Western stars all transformed into meteors, their power imposing, rushing in groups into the Southern Star Domain!

Ling Du felt slightly surprised. Observing this scene, it seemed as if the two sword arrays were colliding with each other, self-destructing. The meteors rushing in did not decrease in speed, but increased. Once two large stars collided, it would inevitably cause destruction. Without him needing to act, the opponent would expose their own flaws.

In fact, the art of array superposition was indeed not easy to deploy. The spiritual energies of the two great arrays were different; the mere disturbance between them was difficult to resolve, let alone making the two great arrays fully compatible and attacking together.

Qin Sang was able to achieve this. Firstly, he obtained the Seven Mansions Division Sword Array during the Nascent Soul stage and had immersed himself in it for many years, while the Southern Vermilion Bird Sword Array was his own creation. Secondly, both arrays were part of the Four Symbols Sword Array, their spiritual energies were inherently compatible, and they were assisted by array spirits. Thirdly, he had gained enlightenment in the Sword Path, where many difficulties were resolved.

The first time it was deployed, it went smoothly. The scene seemed perilous, but in reality, it was all within Qin Sang's calculations.

Fiery meteors broke through the sea of light, rushing and ramming, inserting themselves into the gaps of the original sword stars. They suddenly halted, each settling into its position. This level of control was truly exquisite.

The starry sky instantly became crowded and dense, with the two arrays nested, their energies interconnected. The complexity was not merely additive.

However, in Ling Du's view, it was now easier to find flaws.

There is a recognized profound principle in the art of array formations and restrictions: there are no absolute arrays in the world. Every array must have a 'life gate,' which is the so-called flaw. It all depends on how well the array setter conceals it. As long as the enemy cannot discern it, then there is no flaw.

Qin Sang was well aware of this. To achieve lethal power, he had to make a trade-off, unable to have it all. Moreover, he had only just comprehended the art of array superposition and had not yet meticulously refined it. It was only natural for his opponent to spot the flaws.

Ling Du knew Qin Sang would not undertake a fruitless endeavor. Before he could ponder further, he suddenly saw an anomaly in the starry sky. Thinking, "Not good," he reached into the void, intending to retrieve the fine sand.

At the same time, both arrays activated simultaneously. The sword stars shone brilliantly, even overpowering the sea of light formed by the fine sand. The starlight converged, erupting with an unprecedentedly powerful sword intent. At the densest point of the starlight, the form of a sacred beast vaguely appeared.

The sacred beast had a peculiar appearance, with bird wings and beast claws. There was no such creature in the world; it was a combination of the fierce essence of the White Tiger and the Vermilion Bird.

A heaven-shaking roar was heard, like a phoenix's cry mixed with a tiger's roar, shaking heaven and earth. The sacred beast swooped down!

Ling Du's expression immediately changed. In his eyes, this was not a sacred beast, but a peerless sword light!

Boom!

Centered around the sacred beast, like a stone thrown into a lake, the fine sand's sea of light stirred up layers of ripples, rapidly spreading. The fine sand was immediately shattered by the sword intent, turning gray in patches.

Originally an array-breaking tool, it was surprisingly overwhelmed and destroyed instead.

Even though Ling Du was wealthy, he couldn't help but feel pained. He couldn't sit idly by and watch all his fine sand be destroyed here.

This sand was called Vast Light Sand. It was not easy to refine, and ever since he learned the method, he would refine it whenever he had leisure, thus accumulating this amount. Especially those few grains of silver sand, which were all refined with painstaking effort, once shattered, he would have to start over.

Ling Du perceived that the sword intent was not directed at him personally, and slightly dodged. A goose-necked ritual vase appeared in his palm. It turned out the Vast Light Sand was stored within the vase. With the mouth of the vase pointing upwards, streams of light shot down from the star sea, entering the vase. The vase gently trembled, and a rustling sound came from within, rescuing a portion of the Vast Light Sand.

Just then, Ling Du roared in anger. He heard a "snap," and the vase suddenly cracked. A streak of sword intent leaped out from the cracks.

It was precisely Qin Sang using the "Sword Rising from Heart Sea" technique, locking onto the Vast Light Sand, and then striking towards the inside of the vase.

Snap!

The golden hammer timely scattered the sword intent.

But the ritual vase was already shattered, the Vast Light Sand had lost all its power, turning into a puff of gray dust, flowing down from Ling Du's fingers and scattering with the wind.

Ling Du's face instantly turned incredibly grim, as he coldly watched the sword intent, transformed by the sacred beast, disappear into the void. This attack did not harm him, but it destroyed one of his treasures.

Boom!

Above Qionghu Lake, outsiders could not see the changes in the sword array; they would only feel that the sky was somewhat dim.

Suddenly, a streak of sword light appeared out of thin air. Its sword intent was astonishing, easily tearing open the water surface, leaving an unfathomably deep gully at the bottom of the lake.

The sword intent lingered for a long time. After a long while, the lake water slowly closed. Had Qionghu Lake not been wide enough, this single sword strike would have split it in two.

This was the first time since their engagement that such a grand display was created. The forces on the lake shore were all alarmed.

Ling Du had not encountered such a passive situation in a long time. He had suffered a great loss just by engaging in battle. But if his opponent thought this was enough to subdue him, they were gravely mistaken!

Discarding the shattered ritual vase, Ling Du immediately forgot about his losses. The True Essence within his body surged, emitting a muffled thunderous sound. Immediately, he spat out a mouthful of pure primordial qi.

At the same time, an object appeared before him. It was the jade ring he had used earlier to break the array. As the primordial qi touched the jade ring, it was immediately absorbed completely.

Immediately after, fine black lines surfaced on the jade ring's surface, and finally, the entire ring turned black.

Whoosh!

The jade ring shot out circles of black qi, transforming into an identical black ring. The black ring seemed like something insubstantial, expanding countless times in an instant, almost encompassing the entire starry sky within its circumference.

The Vermilion Bird hidden in the starry sky had a feeling that something inexplicable seemed to have swept over it. Just as it was about to flap its wings and flee, it suddenly felt its surroundings darken. The black ring had actually seen through the star sea mist, and a black shadow condensed above it, descending to envelop it.

Just now, when the sword array manifested its fierce power and shattered the Vast Light Sand, Ling Du also discovered the existence of the Vermilion Bird. Whether it was an array spirit or something else, it was undoubtedly extremely important to Qin Sang. Since Qin Sang destroyed his Vast Light Sand, he would capture this object!

Qin Sang inwardly thought, "This person is truly overbearing. It was clearly the best time to escape, yet this person chose to counterattack, and grasped the timing with extreme precision."

The Vermilion Bird was startled by the black ring; its cries for help were extremely mournful. Qin Sang turned a deaf ear, only ordering the Vermilion Bird to flee quickly.

A black light appeared in the star sea, locking onto the crimson glow of the Vermilion Bird, and pursuing it relentlessly.

Qin Sang would not allow the Vermilion Bird to be captured. He silently activated the sword array, coordinating with the Vermilion Bird to resist the black ring. Although it was extremely perilous, the sword array noticeably became more perfect.

He really wanted to continue this, but unfortunately, his opponent would not grant his wish. Noticing the black ring's unusual fluctuations, he knew the time was almost right. If he delayed any longer, the Vermilion Bird would truly fall into enemy hands.

Qin Sang's mind stirred slightly, and he unleashed another streak of sword intent.

Bang!

The sword intent precisely struck the black ring.

Ling Du was performing a hand seal, just about to capture the Vermilion Bird, when the jade ring on his chest emitted a crisp sound, its luster dimmed, and it fell into his embrace.

A tremendous impact came from the jade ring. Ling Du let out a muffled grunt, his face showing alarm, as he suddenly looked up at the sky.

The starlight was dazzling.

He could not see it, but he could feel the black ring completely shattering. This treasure was incomparable to Vast Light Sand; it could even contend with the sword strike just now, yet it was actually cut apart by a single sword!

Little did he know, this sword strike incorporated Qin Sang's understanding of the Sword Domain.

When facing Old Ancestor Ming Gu, Qin Sang could only fake the aura of a Sword Domain, using the fox-borrowing-tiger's-might strategy. After experiencing enlightenment in the Sword Path, he was now able to integrate a trace of his understanding of the Sword Domain into his sword art.

The reason for his exceptionally abundant gains from this trip to the Sword Path was also related to Qin Sang's own long-term accumulation and sudden burst of progress.

The Ziwei Sword Scripture and Heavenly Elder Yue's sword light greatly broadened Qin Sang's horizons. His standing was beyond the reach of his peers. He had comprehended the Ziwei Sword Scripture and sword light for many years, many times perhaps only lacking a thin barrier, struggling without guidance from a renowned master, and unable to break through. Finally, he achieved full comprehension in the Sword Path.

For other sword cultivators, even if their talent surpassed Qin Sang's, they could not have undergone such a significant transformation by traversing the Sword Path once.

When Qin Sang did this at this moment, the Sword Domain aura was extremely faint, not enough to intimidate. His opponent could not imagine it, and dared not even think of the Sword Domain.

But the power of the sword move was indeed enhanced.

Ling Du felt lingering fear. Fortunately, he had not relaxed his guard, and the golden hammer was constantly suspended above his head. Otherwise, if this sword strike had been aimed at him, he would very likely have been severely wounded!

He had not expected Qin Sang to still be holding back. Ling Du knew he had been somewhat rash earlier and had underestimated this person. If he were to try to break the array again now, he would undoubtedly be a step too late, constantly falling behind, and only be able to take hits.

Ling Du was also unwilling to confront him head-on. He immediately, without hesitation, opened his mouth and spat out more profound qi.

The jade ring flashed onto his magic robe, and instantly merged into it.

Then the magic robe left his body, and the cloud mist unfolded, forming a perfectly regular circle. A black ring surrounded it, enclosing the cloud mist.

Ling Du leaped into the black ring, and his figure disappeared within the cloud mist.

Only this black ring remained in the void. The cloud mist inside the black ring was only a thin layer, making it seemingly impossible to hide a person. Yet Qin Sang could not sense Ling Du's aura at all.

The black ring seemed like a black hole in the void, forming its own space. Ling Du, by escaping into it, could avoid being disturbed by the outside world.

Seeing this scene, Qin Sang immediately activated the sword array for a fierce assault. Sword lights continuously struck the black ring. He only saw the cloud mist churning and the black ring shaking incessantly, yet it was exceptionally resilient. He had to break it to force Ling Du out.

Qin Sang secretly mused that Ling Du would not simply sit inside and await death; he must be planning something. But he remained unhurried. Ling Du was hiding a killing move, and he too had not gone all out.

He still had Xiao Wu, and the Sun Wheel Seal, and the Azure Luan True Thunder spell. He believed he could handle whatever situation came next. So he waited at his leisure, comprehending what he had just gained, and even looking forward to Ling Du bringing him greater pressure.

As Qin Sang had expected, Ling Du was currently in complete darkness. Two spheres of light flew out from his dantian, making it unclear what treasures were within them.

Lightly stroking the spheres of light with his fingers, Ling Du's expression was calm, as if he had great confidence in this treasure.

Just as he was about to cast a spell to activate it, Ling Du suddenly frowned.

Just now, he suddenly had a premonition that even if he deployed this treasure, he would not be able to reverse the battle, and the future remained bleak.

This feeling was fleeting and elusive.

Ling Du knew this was not an illusion, but rather due to the cultivation method he practiced. This kind of premonition did not appear in every crisis and could not be relied upon. But once it appeared, the results were extremely accurate.

"Who exactly is this person?!"

Ling Du's state of mind was truly shaken.

Considerable cultivation in strength, extraordinary swordsmanship. This person had not even gone all out yet?

Ling Du's face showed a solemn expression. If he wanted to subdue this person today, must he truly go that far?

The rumors were not false; he could indeed break through at any time. To refine his cultivation, he deliberately remained at the early stage of Void Refinement.

He had not yet perfectly refined it. Did he really have to break through for this person?

Just as Ling Du hesitated, on the eastern shore of Qionghu Lake, within a cluster of immortal mountains and palaces, a gaze had been fixed on Qionghu Lake ever since Qin Sang unleashed that sword strike.

Suddenly, a streak of light flew out, transforming into a phantom figure.

In Greenwater Fort, Su Nü felt something and gazed towards the east. Just as she was about to appear to assist, she realized it was just an ordinary phantom, not a true dharma body, so she remained still.

This person quickly stepped into Qionghu Lake, and loudly declared, "Fellow Daoists, halt!"