Chapter 549: Storms and Hibernation

"This is the 'Four Swords of Calamity'?" Xu Xiaoshou gazed at the malevolent sword, which hovered and vibrated continuously in the void.

His 'Perception' clearly discerned the chains of heavenly mechanisms suspended from the sword's body. A single glance was enough to stir a violent surge within him, prompting him to quickly avert his gaze. In contrast, Mu Zixi, standing beside him, stared intently without any adverse reaction.

"Tsk, tsk." Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue and lowered his eyes.

Below the Four Swords of Calamity, a group of Redcoats stood gathered. The one leading them was a familiar face: Yu Zhiwen.

"As expected, this girl... she ultimately found her rightful place." Xu Xiaoshou sighed inwardly. There was nothing more to say. Their allegiances lay with different factions; it was natural that they couldn't be together.

Behind Yu Zhiwen, he recognized several other Redcoats. These were the experts who had appeared when the teleportation array was activated in the Eight Palaces. According to the information Yu Zhiwen had provided, the Redcoat woman who controlled the spirit array was named Lan Ling. The bald man was likely Xin. But the Redcoat completely clad in armor, why was he so unfamiliar? Xu Xiaoshou's gaze lingered on the third Redcoat, whose aura he found particularly terrifying, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

It wasn't just him. There were at least fifteen to twenty ordinary Redcoats present. And those with more formidable auras, like Xin and Lan Ling, were also numerous.

"Good heavens, if they're all at least Throne Realm, there must be at least twenty Thrones here. And who knows how many hidden Path-Cutters there are..." Xu Xiaoshou was deeply shaken by what he saw. Was this the true power of the Holy Divine Palace? Indeed, his background from the minor spirit palace had truly limited his perspective. Thrones, whom he usually only encountered in life-or-death struggles, were now arrayed before him, yet he couldn't even name them all. And this was merely a contingent sent by the Holy Divine Palace to a mere White Cave. The Holy Divine Continent had countless such secret realms. So, if this so-called foremost power on the continent were to consolidate all its strength...

"Thrones everywhere, Path-Cutters cheap as dirt?" Xu Xiaoshou shivered, not daring to ponder further. He was merely an Innate, only at the Higher Spirit stage! Was he supposed to snatch the Four Swords of Calamity from under the noses of all these Thrones?

"Wait for an opportunity, wait for an opportunity..." Xu Xiaoshou adjusted his strategy. Snatching it was impossible; he just needed to create as much chaos as possible. As long as the Four Swords of Calamity didn't fall into the hands of the Holy Divine Palace, anything else was acceptable. After all, this was not the only faction coveting the item.

Xu Xiaoshou's gaze swept across the area. His 'Perception' revealed everything clearly. Throughout the entire Sword-Departure Grassland, countless individuals, like himself, were lurking, waiting for an opportunity. With just one glance, he spotted many familiar faces: Luo Qinglang, Rao Yinyin, the Little Unhappy Monk, Xin Gugu... It was clear that all these individuals harbored ill intentions. But then again, the Four Swords of Calamity were renowned. It would be a lie to say they weren't tempted. With so many people eyeing the same target, even the Redcoats couldn't handle them all at once. Even holding the Four Swords of Calamity captive in the void was proving difficult; how could they spare time to clear out these "ants"?

This overall situation offered a slim chance to all who were present and coveting the swords. Everyone was gambling. After all, an existence like the Four Swords of Calamity wasn't necessarily acquired by having more people or superior strength. What if... what if the Redcoats couldn't subdue the Four Swords of Calamity at all, and it flew out on its own to choose a master? And what if he was that chosen one, that "what if"?

Xu Xiaoshou knew very well that in front of so many Redcoats, even if that "what if" happened, he probably wouldn't be able to take the Four Swords of Calamity away. But what if? What if the Four Swords of Calamity could take him and fly away? This was perhaps the slim hope cherished by all onlookers present.

"Hmm?" Scanning his surroundings, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly caught sight of someone who looked vaguely familiar, yet also somewhat strange. It was a woman in a black off-the-shoulder dress, with rather dark eye makeup and strikingly bright red lips. Beside her was a man with sharp sword intent emanating from him, his handsome face covered in demonic patterns. Xu Xiaoshou didn't recognize the man well, but the woman in the black dress...

"Lan Xinzi?" He raised an eyebrow in surprise. Wasn't Lan Xinzi the woman who used to be by Zhang Xinxiong's side, one of the Thirty-Three Great Giants of the Inner Court whom he had defeated? He recalled that after he dealt with Zhang Xinxiong, this girl had been scared out of her wits. But looking at her now...

"She turned dark?" Xu Xiaoshou's mouth twitched, and he immediately recalled Elder Sang's warning. Indeed, if you don't cut the weeds at the root, they'll grow back with the spring breeze... right?

Lan Xinzi wasn't formidable. Although she had broken through to become a Grandmaster, her aura indicated she was only slightly stronger than an ordinary Grandmaster. For Xu Xiaoshou, a Grandmaster of that strength could be crushed with a single hand. But the man beside her...

"Very strong!" Xu Xiaoshou actually sensed sword intent from him that was no less potent than that of the Three Swordsmen! Furthermore, looking at the demonic patterns on the man's face, he could vaguely discern traces of sword intent unique to the "Sacrificial Carvings"!

"This guy also got some of the iron fragments that broke off from the Four Swords of Calamity. And he successfully comprehended it?" Xu Xiaoshou was a little startled and suspicious. The power of the Sacrificial Carvings was so immense that he didn't even dare to try comprehending them. Because a single glance would make him unable to control the violent surge within him, transforming him into a "Rampaging Giant." But that man...

"Someone who finds the Sacrificial Carvings and successfully comprehends the sword intent within them has a high chance of making the Four Swords of Calamity recognize them as master?" Xu Xiaoshou recalled Yu Zhiwen's words. He was immediately alarmed. Indeed, all those daring enough to covet the Four Swords of Calamity had come prepared!

"Buzz." His spiritual sword trembled in his hand, and He Yuxing turned his head alertly. However, a quick scan revealed that all around them were well-hidden experts, making it impossible to discern anything specific.

"What's wrong?" Lan Xinzi asked softly.

"There seems to be some movement. I felt someone watching us?" He Yuxing dared not be careless. To snatch food from the tiger's mouth in front of the Redcoats, even with his dramatically increased sword cultivation due to the Sacrificial Carvings, still filled him with trepidation.

"Being watched, isn't that normal?" Lan Xinzi noticed his tension and gently squeezed his hand. "With so many people here, we're not the only ones observing others; they're certainly observing us too. After all, everyone here is a competitor. Relax."

"Okay." He Yuxing frowned, retracting his gaze, but still found it hard to relax.

Lan Xinzi lowered his head and whispered, "Focus your attention. The Redcoats won't be able to subdue the Four Swords of Calamity. Even if they have Sacrificial Carvings, there can't be many who can comprehend the sword intent of the Eighth Sword Immortal like you. Even if there are, their comprehension of the sword intent probably isn't as profound as yours. You must understand, malevolent swords like the Four Swords of Calamity rarely choose a master easily, but once they do, it's almost impossible for them to change their allegiance. Since it has just emerged, after it wreaks some havoc, you just need to release your sword intent. Once the Four Swords of Calamity senses a similar intimate connection to the Eighth Sword Immortal, your chance of success will be the greatest. Once you have the Four Swords of Calamity, no matter how many Thrones are here, it's all meaningless. One sword strike to tear open space, and we'll escape directly; no one can catch us. At worst, we can pay some price, borrow the power of the Four Swords of Calamity, and even slay everyone here!" Lan Xinzi reassured him.

"Mhm." He Yuxing nodded silently. After a long pause, he suddenly spoke, "But all of this is just speculation..."

"Who isn't speculating?" Lan Xinzi chuckled lightly, cutting him off. "Throughout history, the only one who truly made the malevolent Four Swords of Calamity recognize him as master was the Eighth Sword Immortal. Everyone here, including the Redcoats, who among them is absolutely confident in acquiring the Four Swords of Calamity? It's all speculation, all conjecture! Now, what everyone is vying for is simply courage and patience."

She squeezed He Yuxing's hand tightly, leaned her head close, and said tenderly: "Don't be the first to act. Be patient. When the Four Swords of Calamity is completely free, then at the very last moment, choose to strike. That way, you won't do anyone else's work for them."

"Mhm." He Yuxing nodded.

"We must get the Four Swords of Calamity!" Lan Xinzi declared earnestly.

"Don't worry."

"For us..." Lan Xinzi's voice suddenly dropped.

He Yuxing paused, couldn't help but glance sideways at the beautiful and captivating face beside him, and those fervent eyes. He tightened his grip on Lan Xinzi's hand, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

"Mhm."

"For us!"

"Lan Ling, they're about to lose their grip!" In the Redcoat camp, Xin watched as the Redcoats struggled, unable to hold back. "Right now, everyone is putting all their effort into binding the Four Swords of Calamity and completely suppressing the demonic energy, but we can't hold on for much longer! Once the seals of the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array' break, and the demonic energy runs wild, everyone will be finished."

"Those little fish..." He couldn't help but glance at the "ants" lurking on the outskirts of the Sword-Departure Grassland.

"Don't bother with them," Lan Ling said, waving her hand.

"I wish I didn't have to, but these greedy fools, when the demonic energy explodes, they'll all die!" Xin's expression was anxious.

"Die?" Lan Ling smiled faintly. "Xin, don't underestimate those who dared to come here. Every single one of them will likely be prepared. Don't underestimate them just because of their low strength. When the demonic energy erupts, these people might well serve as our first layer of defense."

"Defense?" Xin's face registered surprise.

"Do you remember the plan I told you about?" Lan Ling glanced at Yu Zhiwen beside her and transmitted, "There's a reason these people were allowed into the White Cave."

Xin was bewildered. Only then did he fully believe that Lan Ling was serious. She was truly going to use these people as cannon fodder?

"But..."

"It's their own choice; no one else is to blame!" Xin tried to speak, but Lan Ling cut him off. "Everyone must be responsible for their own choices, even if the price is death. All I'm doing is making their deaths slightly more advantageous to the situation. Not for me, nor for the Redcoats, but for this small world, the White Cave."

Xin took a deep breath. "I understand the logic..."

"But you can't accept the methods, can you?" Lan Ling smiled as she looked back.

Xin nodded dully.

"Perhaps that's why Xiao Ke is closer to you!" Lan Ling smiled with understanding, reached out and patted his arm. "Go help at the back. Leave this place to me."

"You don't need my protection..."

"The Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array has already been activated," Lan Ling said, pointing to the grand array below. "It will protect me."

"Alright." Xin hesitated, then turned and flew away in silence. Xiao Ke, closer... He remembered the argument he had with Lu Ke back at the Redcoat base in the Eight Palaces. Indeed, he too was gradually accepting such methods. Yet, when this mindset was passed on to the next generation, it, predictably, met with strong resistance. Children resist because they don't understand, adults accept because they are mature? Xin felt lost. Everyone has their own consciousness. And everyone changes with time. But was this change for the better, or for the worse?

"Can you still hold on?" Watching Xin turn and leave, Lan Ling's smile faded as she looked at Yu Zhiwen beside her. The woman's dark hair was drenched with sweat. It was clear that, with her current strength, completing the final step of activating the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array" had already consumed all her energy. To try and maintain the chains that bound the Four Swords of Calamity was simply impossible!

"I can't hold on for much longer." Yu Zhiwen spoke with difficulty. "I need to rest. You'll have to take over then."

"No need." Lan Ling's gaze fell upon the Four Swords of Calamity in the void, which appeared largely subdued, as if its emergence wasn't making much of a stir. "When you can't hold on anymore, just release it!" she said softly.

"Huh?" Yu Zhiwen turned back in astonishment. At that moment, with a tremble of her hand, the void exploded with a "boom." The Four Swords of Calamity vibrated violently, and as demonic energy swelled, the surrounding space shattered. Everyone present was startled, bewildered by what had happened.

"I said, when you can't hold on, you can pretty much let go," Lan Ling clarified.

"Let go?" Yu Zhiwen grew anxious. "But..."

"We were waiting all along, waiting for all the trespassers, spirit beasts, and hidden 'Saint Servants' to arrive. Now..." Lan Ling gazed into the void. She genuinely couldn't see these people arriving. But her intuition told her that they were here. She didn't need to see; her feeling was enough.

"Let go."

"No..."

"Tap." Lan Ling flicked her finger. Time seemed to freeze. A tiny bead of light floated up gracefully amidst the chilling demonic aura, touching the array of heavenly mechanisms that Yu Zhiwen's trembling hands were still maintaining.

"Buzz!" A soft hum resonated throughout the area. As a Grandmaster of spirit arrays, Lan Ling naturally still couldn't fully decipher Yu Zhiwen's heavenly mechanism array. But an array was an array; even if a heavenly mechanism array was more profound and impenetrable to others, breaking it merely involved disrupting one of its dao patterns. The moment the light bead disrupted a dao pattern of the heavenly mechanism array, the chains forged by the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array" could no longer restrain the Four Swords of Calamity.

"Boom!" The spatial fissures in the void exploded instantly. The immense demonic energy, like a rebound after being suppressed to its extreme, burst forth instantly, sweeping across all directions.

"Charge, charge, charge!" Weeds flew wildly, and the ground was churned up. Sword energy, imbued with demonic power, brutally tore apart the landscape for dozens of miles around. For a moment, wails of anguish filled the air, and screams echoed everywhere.

"Holy crap, it's this terrifying?" Xu Xiaoshou watched as the demonic energy tore towards him. His heart suddenly tightened, and he was about to open his Yuan Mansion space to let his junior sister take refuge inside.

"Master, don't be afraid, I'll protect you." At this moment, however, Mu Zixi stepped forward, directly raising her gaze and glaring ahead. Her divine-demonic eyes absorbed all the malevolent demonic energy!