Chapter 113: Elder Tracking

However, now that Bai Lianxue had been resurrected, she brought this secret back to Xu Yang's attention.

"So, are you saying that the Three Thousand Dao States caused a strange phenomenon where an extraterrestrial force descended? And that it even revealed the secret of the Dragon Vein?"

Bai Lianxue nodded gravely. "Precisely," she confirmed. "This matter is of immense importance. At the time, nearly everyone who learned this secret was hunted down and eliminated by the supreme beings of the Three Thousand Dao States. They only spared nine exceptionally talented young cultivators, implanting parts of the secret into their minds. I am one of them."

As Bai Lianxue spoke, her revelations became increasingly astonishing. Such a heaven-defying secret made it difficult even for Xu Yang to maintain his composure.

He lowered his gaze, countless thoughts racing through his mind.

"How much of this information can you recall now?"

After a long silence, Xu Yang frowned slightly and spoke again.

Bai Lianxue closed her eyes, trying to access her past memories, a faint pained expression on her face. Yet, she managed to provide some clear answers.

"Thousand Buddha Mountain...""Exquisite Pagoda...""Moon in the Lake...""And a group of clay figures along with some strangely dressed Taoists!"

These few words, spoken one after another by Bai Lianxue, profoundly shocked both Xu Yang and Lingyao, who stood beside him.

"Thousand Buddha Mountain, located in a remote corner of Qichuan within the Three Thousand Dao States... it seems if we want to uncover that ancient secret, this should be our first destination."

As Xu Yang spoke, his gaze fell on Lingyao's face, profound and meaningful.

"Don't worry," he assured her. "Before we leave, I will help you completely sever your karmic ties with the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land, ensuring you depart without any lingering burdens."

Lingyao said nothing more. In fact, ever since she, at Xu Yang's instruction, had eliminated those fellow disciples, she understood that her connection with this sacred land sect was nearing its end.

After Bai Lianxue's awakening, the three of them rested in the cave for three days and three nights. On the fourth day, another group of uninvited guests arrived beneath the waterfall.

This time, the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land sent two elders, both peerless experts at the initial stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

"Ninth Elder, Thirteenth Elder!"

In the open space beneath the waterfall, Lingyao and Xu Yang confronted the two elders. Behind them stood over a dozen more sacred land experts, all at the peak of the Cave Heaven realm, most of whom were martial uncles and grandmasters of swordsmanship.

"Lingyao! Have you... truly decided to betray the Sacred Land? Did you kill your fellow disciples?"

"'Yes,' Lingyao replied calmly. She had already decided to follow Xu Yang and Bai Lianxue, to uncover the secret that had been buried for too long, and also to fulfill the special mission she carried."

"Hahaha!" the Ninth Elder laughed. "It seems the Ten Elders made the right decision when our Senior Brother decided to adopt you all those years ago! Little girl, you were truly destined for greatness!"

The Ninth Elder's words undeniably touched upon a secret related to Lingyao, instantly prompting her to retort.

"Ninth Elder," Lingyao pressed, "would you please tell me everything you know about me? I would be extremely grateful!"

The Ninth Elder sneered. "You no longer need to know anything," he scoffed. "Now you have betrayed the Sacred Land for this fellow from the Sky Cloud Sect—a crime punishable by ten thousand deaths! Why waste more words? Prepare to die!"

It was unclear what stance these two elders were taking, but their initial attack struck with the force of thunder, clearly intending to slay Lingyao on the spot.

This time, before Lingyao could even make a move, Xu Yang swiftly stepped in front of her.

"Your efforts in guarding the seal earlier were invaluable," Xu Yang stated. "Allow me to handle this battle today."

Xu Yang spoke with a casual air, then his figure abruptly surged forward, unleashing an immense pressure that instantly intimidated the two Sacred Land elders.

"Old fools," Xu Yang scoffed. "With your meager foundations, you're not even worth my time. Use your strongest techniques; don't waste mine."

Xu Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, every gesture and every glance conveying utter disdain for the two millennia-old sword cultivators before him.

It was as if the people standing before him were mere ants.

"Hmph! Arrogant brat," the Ninth Elder sneered, "you must be tired of living!"

ZING! A powerful sword intent buzzed and vibrated through the air. The two elders simultaneously raised their swords, unleashing a vast and continuous torrent of sword qi that locked onto Xu Yang.

"Startling Swan Slash!"

The Ninth Elder launched the first strike, a colossal crimson sword-light descending from the sky behind him. Its edge was incredibly sharp and domineering, radiating a potent attacking aura. Unfortunately, no matter how powerful this strike was, it couldn't possibly pierce Xu Yang's protective aura.

"Hmph, mere child's play," Xu Yang scoffed.

With a backhanded sweep, Xu Yang unleashed a powerful spiritual energy shockwave. He didn't even employ his Cloud-Viewing Sword Intent, relying solely on his immense foundation to draw upon the vast spiritual energy of heaven and earth, manifesting a solid and pure force.

The raging power was like an ocean.

BOOM!

A massive wave of air, like crashing tides, literally cleaved the turbulent waterfall behind the two elders! Had those two old men not dodged in time, that single strike would have cut them in half.

"Damn it, this kid is incredibly powerful!" the Ninth Elder cursed. "No wonder Third Senior Brother and Fifth Senior Brother spoke so highly of him!"

"What I don't understand," the Thirteenth Elder added, "is why someone so formidable only possesses a Qi Refinement cultivation. It simply doesn't make sense!"

The Ninth Elder's expression turned even more sinister. "No matter his origins," he growled, "as long as he is an enemy of our Sacred Land, there can only be one outcome: death!"

ZING! Suddenly, the two elders crossed their swords, a powerful sword aura erupting violently.

BOOM! An immense pressure of sword energy spread outwards, fully unleashing the true prestige of a Heavenly Sword Sacred Land elder.

"Brat, I will show you the true might of the sword path!"

The distinct sword qi from each of their blades intertwined, rapidly coalescing into the vivid outlines of two sword spirits!

These sword spirits possessed humanoid forms, yet they exuded sword force fluctuations far more powerful than the elders' own bodies!

"I see..." Xu Yang murmured with a faint smile. "To materialize sword qi into humanoid forms... such a technique can likely only be mastered by the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land."

Xu Yang nodded with a faint smile, granting due respect to his current opponents, the lineage of the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land.

One must understand that materializing sword force into a humanoid shape is no simple feat; only cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm or above can achieve it.

"Be careful!" Lingyao warned from behind Xu Yang. "Once those two swords combine, their power will multiply!"

"Don't worry," Xu Yang replied confidently. "I'll make sure they're utterly convinced!"

Suddenly, Xu Yang raised a single palm towards the heavens. In that instant, winds surged, clouds churned, and the sun itself seemed to lose its light!

"Heavens... what kind of technique is this?!"