Chapter 1886: Late

"Brrr, it's freezing!""Blast it, we must have been waiting for an hour and a half already, right?""Definitely. It's way past the time. I don't think Ba Zun'an is coming..."

Around Lingyu Mountain, amidst the biting wind and snow, thousands of figures were scattered, now visibly growing restless. These individuals, who mostly arrived during the wait, hailed from various regions of the Five Domains. All possessed formidable auras, predominantly ancient sword cultivators and spirit refiners, with an average combat power at or above the Throne Realm.

Only those at or above the Throne Dao Realm, who boasted some ability and self-preservation skills, dared to appear on the front lines. At this moment, many had secured good vantage points, broadcasting real-time combat footage via their 'Palm Apricot' and 'Golden Apricot' channels to the Five Domains, all whispering amongst themselves.

The viewership for each broadcast channel numbered in the hundreds of thousands, even millions. Meanwhile, figures like Hong Niang, who had already made a name for herself and had temporarily hired semi-saint level guards to return to Lingyu Mountain in force, saw her Golden Apricot broadcast's real-time viewership exceed eight figures.

But whether on-site or watching via broadcast, the greater the spectators' hope, the deeper their disappointment!"Why hasn't he shown up yet?" Hong Niang muttered, "The Eighth Sword Immortal, or Lord Shou, either one would be fine..."

Everything was ready, but the crucial element was missing. The situation was oppressive, stalemated, and tense to this degree. Whether Saint Slaves or not, everyone, actively or passively, had been drawn to Lingyu Mountain.

It was as if all the driest kindling from the Five Domains had been piled onto Lingyu Mountain. If even a tiny spark were to fall, it wouldn't just crackle; it would ignite an earthquake-like explosion, a volcanic eruption capable of engulfing the entire Holy Divine Continent. But there was no spark, not even a flicker... It seemed they had all been intimidated by the name 'Hua Changdeng'.

While spectators on Lingyu Mountain dared not speak above a whisper, discussions on the various 'Apricot' channels, flooding screens everywhere, were now in full swing:

"So, was that brief appearance just now the Eighth Sword Immortal's limit? Does he truly lack the confidence to face Holy Emperor Hua directly?""Brother, that's a Holy Emperor's true body! Who could be fully confident? If he doesn't come, the Eighth Sword Immortal remains a legend. If he does, that legend falls!""But everyone is waiting. Does he really have the nerve to be a coward?""Hmph, I didn't believe it before, but looking at it now, how to put it... I think Hua Changdeng has shown enough respect, but Ba Zun'an is a bit ungrateful!""Just as I predicted! My assessment: Ba Zun'an is trash!""Honestly, if he doesn't even dare to show his face, he really is trash! Not even worth Lord Shou's feather!""Yes, Lord Shou also hid, but he's young, so it's forgivable.""Forgivable my ass! I'm sneaking around my master's house and still making time to watch. That damn Ba Zun'an isn't showing up? What a waste of my time! Damn it..."

As time passed, the discussion became completely one-sided; few were still rooting for the Eighth Sword Immortal or Lord Shou. Given their personalities, not appearing for an hour already indicated a problem. Being overdue for so long suggested a major issue. If they did come, they would likely lose!

"Hmph."Under the gaze of countless eyes, Hua Changdeng, the focus of hundreds of broadcast screens, had been still as a statue in the wind and snow for a long time. Suddenly, he moved. He exhaled softly, slightly raised his eyelids, and the snowflakes on his body rustled to the ground, causing spectators across the Five Domains to hold their breath. Everyone instantly realized that while no spark had fallen, Holy Emperor Hua's wrath was now ignited!

"Mr. Si Ren, you should know what I'm about to say." Hua Changdeng still held his bronze lamp, with the Ghost Hunter quietly sheathed at his waist. He appeared unperturbed, yet his words were sharp: "An hour has long passed. I have given Ba Zun'an his due." "Taking one of my sword strikes bought you half an hour; I have extended that courtesy to you as well." "I am running out of patience."

Opposite him, far off among a group of younger ancient sword cultivators, Mei Si Ren's temples and beard were stained with blood, and his clothes were tattered. A blood-soaked hole the size of a newborn's head had been torn through his chest, piercing him from front to back, faintly revealing a corner of his beating heart. Though the bleeding had stopped, sword qi pulsed within the wound, preventing recovery.

"Hah... Hah..." Mei Si Ren was breathing shallowly, barely taking in air, propped up by his sword. The Taicheng Sword could only barely keep him upright, preventing him from collapsing unconscious on the ground like Xiao Kongtong beside him, thus preserving the last shred of an ancient sword cultivator's dignity. In reality, Mei Si Ren's vision kept blacking out intermittently; anyone with eyes could tell the old man didn't have much time left.

"Pills! Pills!" Xiao Wanfeng urgently shouted a few times behind him. Mr. Si Ren had an excellent reputation in the Five Domains. From afar, a wealthy Void cultivator immediately threw another golden bottle, sponsoring the "poor" ancient sword cultivator. Xiao Wanfeng poured out the pills and fed them to the old man: "Mr. Si Ren, this is Divine Protection... Eat, quickly eat, it can extend your life!"

Those around watched in silence. A single Divine Protection pill could only prolong Mei Si Ren's life for a quarter of an hour. What was the point of holding on if no reinforcements arrived? Hua Changdeng could cripple Mei Si Ren, a top-tier ancient sword cultivator of the Five Domains, with just one strike. So, what if the Eighth Sword Immortal or Lord Shou really did come?

"Gulp." Mei Si Ren swallowed the pill. As the medicinal power was absorbed, he immediately felt refreshed and invigorated. The ringing in his ears faded, the dizziness decreased, and one of the three strange black spots obscuring his vision had even disappeared... Feeling good!

Mei Si Ren touched his chest, and his hand passed straight through to his back—what a novel experience. He quickly pulled it back, accidentally brushing his beating heart..."Hiss!" The pain was searing, like chili powder sprinkled on a wound. Interesting! He was getting fired up!

Mei Si Ren didn't lower his head at all. He drew the Taicheng Sword and quietly asked the young man beside him, whose face was indistinct, "Time's up, right?""Yes!" Xiao Wanfeng nodded emphatically. "Half an hour was up ages ago; he actually gave you a little extra time...""Proper." Mei Si Ren nodded, then his eyes gleamed. He puffed out his chest and sucked in his stomach, his fighting spirit soaring as he looked back at Hua Changdeng: "Young Hua, this old man has recovered completely. One more sword strike, and I'll buy another half hour!"

At his words, spectators on Qingyuan Mountain and those watching via broadcast all gasped. *Old man, are you serious? With a blood-soaked hole that big in your chest, you still dare to puff it out? With all this bleeding, even the Divine Protection's blood-generating power is struggling to keep up!*

"Where is Ba Zun'an?""Why is Mr. Si Ren bearing the brunt? He's just an old man, he can't take much more!""Speaking of the younger generation, why is no one daring to step forward and take a sword strike? What about Gu Qing'er? Isn't he a Sword Immortal too? Why is he cowering?""Exactly! If you want to buy time with combat and you're still waiting for those two useless guys, then do a rotation! Why is it all relying on this hot-blooded old man?""Is this era sick? Are young people really this useless?"

Hong Niang didn't even dare to glance at the Golden Apricot comments; those people were completely off the rails. If even Mr. Si Ren couldn't withstand Hua Changdeng's sword, how could anyone from the younger generation possibly manage it? The only ancient sword cultivator on the field who might have a fighting chance... She secretly glanced at Gou Wuyue. Sword Immortal Wuyue remained unperturbed, aloof and detached, as he was not a Saint Slave and thus had no need to be drawn into such a vortex.

"Mei Si Ren!" Hua Changdeng's tone was now quite impatient: "If you wish to die, I can grant it, but before you do, keep your word: return to the Tower of Ancient and Modern Sorrows and summon Ba Zun'an."

Mei Si Ren took a step forward, and just as he was about to speak, his wound tore, making him wince in pain and almost fall, unable to maintain his composure. "Mr. Si Ren..." Xiao Wanfeng quickly helped support the old man. This was truly suicidal. Forget taking a sword strike; now, if Hua Changdeng merely breathed on him, Mr. Si Ren would collapse and never wake up!

"Hah... Hah..." Mei Si Ren took a deep breath and slowly unfurled his paper fan, on which was written "No Big Deal." He weakly said: "This old man can certainly return to the Tower of Ancient and Modern Sorrows." "But I also said that Ba Zun'an is at a crucial point in his enlightenment. Two hours means two hours." "When the time is up, I will return. If the time isn't up, even if you kill this old man, you won't be able to enter the Tower of Ancient and Modern Sorrows without an invitation." He stroked his beard, but his hand came away covered in thick, dark blood. Undeterred, he chuckled, "Young man, haste makes waste. Give me another sword strike."

Absurd! Hua Changdeng had truly not intended to kill Mei Si Ren, but now he could no longer suppress his killing intent. An hour earlier, Mei Si Ren had stepped forward to take a sword strike, daring to guarantee with his reputation as "Mr. Si Ren" throughout the Five Domains: that he could return to the Tower of Ancient and Modern Sorrows, but Ba Zun'an was in a crucial phase of enlightenment and would need another half hour to return. It had already been very generous of him to appear once before by borrowing Xiao Kongtong's body, and he didn't want to disturb him by returning early.

Enlightenment? Fine! He can enlighten! Hua Changdeng knew that Ba Zun'an remaining in seclusion meant he was comprehending a great Dao. He also hoped to face a stronger Ba Zun'an, anticipating his "Sword Self" and the philosophy behind it. He had willingly waited for an hour. Mei Si Ren, surviving the sword strike, had dragged it out to an hour and a half. Now, with the time up, you change your tune to "two hours"? Will it be another two hours after that, too?

"Mr. Si Ren's credibility..." Cold light flickered in Hua Changdeng's eyes. If he still couldn't see that Mei Si Ren's credibility was worthless, and that this old man likely couldn't even return to the Tower of Ancient and Modern Sorrows, merely employing a delaying tactic the entire time, then Hua Changdeng might as well draw his sword and commit suicide.

"To wait for him, I have already broken my word multiple times." "Let me tell you, while you lack time, I am also pressed for it. An hour and a half is already my greatest concession." Hua Changdeng slowly raised the bronze lamp in his hand, his expression frigid: "Since Mr. Si Ren cannot return to the Tower of Ancient and Modern Sorrows himself, and Ba Zun'an is so difficult to invite, then I shall borrow your soul. I will go to the tower myself and meet him in the past."

The candle flame in the bronze lamp flickered. The atmosphere on Lingyu Mountain seemed to ignite; everyone watched in eager anticipation. Mei Si Ren's pupils contracted, and he strenuously lifted the Taicheng Sword in his hand..."Clang—"Just then, a sword hummed. Between Hua Changdeng and Mei Si Ren, a three-foot-long, azure and white sword, carved with dragons and phoenixes, was heavily impaled into the ground.Divine Sword Xuancang!

With a whoosh, thousands of people across the mountain froze, then their expressions changed as they shifted their gaze. As the various Palm Apricot broadcast screens refocused, spectators throughout the Five Domains saw a slightly youthful face appear on screen, looking barely sixteen or seventeen years old.

"Divine Sword Xuancang? Sword Immortal Rao's sword?""Who is this young man? How does he have Divine Sword Xuancang?""I told you over thirty times to pay attention to that young man beside Mr. Si Ren! I said that sword looked like Xuancang, but you didn't believe me...""How dare he come out?""Young hero, how brave!""I declare you the strongest of the younger generation, besides Lord Shou!"

The moment he threw Xuancang, Xiao Wanfeng admitted he had acted on impulse. It wasn't Xuancang's guidance; his blood simply rushed to his head, and in that heated moment, he couldn't stand to see Mr. Si Ren fighting alone at the front. He didn't overthink it; he just did it. As the gaze of the entire mountain turned towards him—including those from the Sword Tomb, Canyue Immortal City, the Feng family of the Southern Domain, and even transcendent sword immortals like Gou Wuyue—and knowing that countless spectators across the Five Domains were now fixated on his actions, it would be a lie to say that Xiao Wanfeng didn't feel a surge of heroic spirit for a moment.

"Woo..." But in his mind's eye, he heard Xuancang's mournful cry. This sword, which usually loved to incite him to stir up trouble, was now clearly urging him to draw it and leave quickly, to avoid this spotlight! Should he leave?

Xiao Wanfeng was not one to show off or act tough. But when he looked through the blood-soaked hole in Mr. Si Ren's back and saw the weeds and rubble on the mountain ground, he took a deep breath, stepped forward, and shielded Mr. Si Ren from behind. He placed himself directly in front of Hua Changdeng.

"Xiao Wanfeng..." Gu Qing'er's face shook violently, a mix of shame, excitement, and resentment for having been outdone, but mostly admiration."Xiao Wanfeng..." Lei Shuangxing unconsciously took half a step forward. Before this, he had never truly acknowledged this person, knowing only that this 'Xiao' fellow was a tea-server at the First Heavenly Tower."Xiao Wanfeng..." The tavern patrons from Fusang City who had witnessed Xiao Wanfeng cleave a Void with his sword, even the semi-saints among them, now looked on with disbelief. That 'Hua' wasn't just a Void cultivator!

"Xiao Wanfeng!"As each broadcast host uttered his name, the Five Domains truly came to know this young man. They watched as the young man, with a single hand, shielded the old man, taking the oppressive gloom that blanketed the Five Domains entirely upon his slender, youthful shoulders. They watched as the young man lowered his head, trembling all over, fists clenched, yet stubbornly resisting, his neck turning red and veins bulging, like a brilliant flower bursting with vibrant life.

"Young Master Xu, if you were me right now, what would you do?" Xiao Wanfeng's mind raced with chaotic thoughts, desperately trying to make himself look up, look up, look up... Look up, Xiao Wanfeng! It's just Hua Changdeng, just a Holy Emperor. Look up and stare directly into the Sword Dao divine presence in his eyes!

"Hmph!" With a furious shout, Xiao Wanfeng abruptly lifted his head, staring straight ahead. His pupils, however, dilated in an instant."Whoosh—"The entire world dimmed. Around Lingyu Mountain and in the distance, everyone's figures vanished.

From afar, the wailing of vengeful spirits pierced his mind, invisible phantoms burrowed into his ears and clawed at his heart, and the noise grew unbearably grating. The heavens and earth were shrouded in night. Above the azure sky, pairs of eerie, chilling ghostly eyes tore open, and through the cracks, gargantuan demonic faces, hundreds of feet wide, peered out.

Fallen divine beings with three heads and six arms, green faces and tusks, and spirits of extraterrestrial beasts appeared. They roared from all heavens, and in an instant, the stars withered and fell."Boom boom boom boom boom..."The heavens and earth shattered, and the Dao collapsed. The entire world was wracked by ceaseless thunderous calamities and storms, as if the apocalypse had arrived, dragging all unknown beings lurking beyond the world down into Fengdu.

"Buzz!"As his mind reeled, Xiao Wanfeng's face turned ashen, and he finally saw the person directly in front of him clearly. Hua Changdeng stood quietly in place. The entire landscape of Lingyu Mountain disintegrated as his gaze swept over it, replaced by the gradual ascent of the eighteen layers of hell.

The Ten Palace Yama Kings materialized around him, each wielding a weapon, their colossal forms blotting out the sky, their faces bearing a mocking sneer. The murky yellow waters of the River Styx cascaded relentlessly from the Ninth Heaven, effortlessly submerging the former Jade Capital, then the Central Origin Realm, and surging towards the Southern Domain. The water rose past his feet, his waist, his chest, his chin..."Ugh."Suffocation!

Absolute suffocation! A feeling of powerlessness, utterly devoid of any strength to struggle or resist! So, just standing before him required enduring such terrifying pressure. And Mr. Si Ren, alone, had been facing... In this drowning-like suffocation, all the illusions born from the pressure created by Hua Changdeng's unconscious aura were shattered by his hoarse voice: "Young man, I told you, I'm running out of patience..."

Xiao Wanfeng trembled at the sound, as if waking from a dream, and instinctively braced his knees—he had almost fallen to his knees. He looked up, gazing forward. All the illusions were false. Lingyu Mountain was still Lingyu Mountain, and Hua Changdeng was just Hua Changdeng, merely a solitary man.

He is human, and so am I. He cultivates swords, and so do I. Combat was out of the question; after all, several generations separated them, making the disparity in cultivation time too vast. But if Young Master Xu were here, even just by "talking," he could buy some time for their side, right? Can I? Xiao Wanfeng didn't know, but he could only try his best.

As he recalled Young Master Xu's 'Tongue-Sword Art,' he forced himself to straighten his back. After taking a deep breath, he formally cupped his fist: "Senior Hua!" This wasn't the time for humility... He should be assertive, he should unleash his brilliance, he should make the first move...

He said solemnly, "This junior, Xiao Wanfeng, feels he has some understanding in the path of Ghost Sword Arts, and hopes Senior Hua will not hesitate to grant..."The world fell silent. Xiao Wanfeng felt a sharp pain in his brow.

Immediately, a cold wind seeped in through the gaping hole in the back of his head, violently swirling his brain matter. In the instant he was sent flying backward, time itself slowed. The falling snow paused in the air before him, dancing like butterflies at an incredibly slow pace.

It mocked his ignorance and weakness! Xiao Wanfeng finally saw it: Hua Changdeng's distant finger pointing at him—not even a Ten-Stage Sword Finger, just an ordinary, common finger. His vision was piercingly clear, yet it was as if half the world had simply vanished.

It wasn't until that hateful snowflake was shattered by a dislodged eyeball, scattering in all directions, that Xiao Wanfeng felt the cold. "So cold..." He shivered.

The flow of time seemed to return to normal just then. He brushed past Mr. Si Ren, and in the exact moment their gazes met, he saw the old man's eyes bloodshot, his beard bristling, like a furious lion, his mouth open, roaring something... "I can't seem to hear anything... Mr. Si Ren..."

As he crashed through the falling snow, his body plummeting through the air, his peripheral vision caught sight of the four disciples of the Sword Tomb, standing not far behind him, only a few years older than himself. They hurried forward, their faces filled with shock, confusion, and despair. Su Qianqian... Xiao Wanfeng also saw Su Qianqian, his peer, looking anxious as she fiercely drew her black broadsword, the renowned sword "Ancestor of Ten Thousand Demonic Blades," but she was jointly restrained by her three senior brothers in front of her, and then the scene dimmed.

"My senior brothers are right... I can't be impulsive... Not everyone can be like Young Master Xu..."

Falling from high to low, as he was sent flying, Xiao Wanfeng again saw Xiao Kongtong lying prone on the ground, Lei Shuangxing who had taken a step then stopped, Feng Tingchen sighing constantly, and Sword Immortal Wuyue with his unwavering gaze...

Life, so fragile. Life could be a mortal's hundred years, or it could be sent flying backward by a single finger, then crashing to the ground and dying. "I will become the first ancient sword cultivator in history to die from being thrown..."

As his final thoughts flashed through his mind, Xiao Wanfeng saw the Divine Sword Xuancang, belatedly arriving to his rescue, unable to block that single finger. He could faintly sense Xuancang's incessant vibrations conveying an apology. *No need to apologize, I was impulsive.*

The sounds of the world gradually faded. The view from his single eye also slowly dimmed. Even his senses of taste and touch seemed to malfunction, playfully mocking him. Everything was there, but nothing mattered anymore.

"Snow..." Xiao Wanfeng's eyelids felt heavy; it was just a few snowflakes, yet they were arrogant enough to want to bury him. So arrogant, this snow! Such unwillingness...

So this is what death feels like... Even as his five senses faded, Xiao Wanfeng clearly knew his distance from the ground, and his distance from death, which was just a thought away.

"Eh?" As he hit the ground, there was no unusual sound. Yet, Xiao Wanfeng heard a faint whoosh of air. He had long foreseen the scene where his entire body, soul, and consciousness would completely disintegrate upon impact due to the force and shock. No! No?

Xiao Wanfeng struggled to lift the eyelid of his left eye, wanting one last glimpse of the world's beauty. As if in a final burst of life, he succeeded. His sense of touch returned. He realized he was being held by a broad, powerful arm, which had prevented him from shattering on the ground.

His vision returned. In the dim, hazy world of only black, white, and gray, he glimpsed a blurry face out of the corner of his eye. It was just a corner of a profile, revealing only a strong jawline and, as his black hair swayed, a glimpse of a downward-curved eye.

"Though barely, you did it. You protected Mr. Si Ren.""Hmm...?!" Xiao Wanfeng recognized that eye and heard that rich, mellow voice. In that moment, the world filled with light. He trembled violently, excitedly opened his mouth to speak, and then vomited blood uncontrollably.

"Yes." He clearly couldn't say anything. Yet, the person seemed to know what he wanted to say, what he wanted to ask. He nodded slightly and murmured:"I am Ba Zun'an.""I am late."