Chapter 124: Ten Lords' Demise

A mighty roar almost shook the entire vast land of Great Qi.

Outside the Great Xia Imperial Palace, the golden Phoenix Bell, silent for centuries, vibrated once more!

For an instant, all living beings lost their hearing, and the world fell into a deathly silence.

"This power... it must signify someone reaching the pinnacle of the Dao. It's truly astonishing..."

"Within our Qi State, perhaps only a Sacred Land activating its ultimate profound mysteries could unleash such a destructive aura. It must be the awakening of a great figure from a certain lineage, or a heritage undergoing a great tribulation!"

Cultivators from all directions collectively raised their heads, gazing north. Inside the Great Xia Imperial Palace, the Emperor himself led his two most beloved women outside the palace gates, looking towards the northern region.

"Your Majesty... this..."

It was evident that both the Empress and the Noble Consort were worried about their respective sons. Little did they know, the fates of the Fifth Prince and the Eighth Prince would be revealed before sunset tonight.

At that moment, Xu Yang and Bai Lianxue stared fixedly upwards. Ling Yao's exquisite figure, having merged with the sword, had completely vanished. However, she had not perished; instead, her entire being had integrated into the Celestial Sword and was battling the soul of Sword Saint Wuxin, who had originally resided within it.

Although Bai Lianxue's physical body was unaffected, she could clearly feel the churning of vital energy within Ling Yao, a violent fluctuation only present during a peak confrontation.

"As expected of the Sword Saint, Wuxin's strength truly represents the pinnacle of the cultivation world in Qi State."

Bai Lianxue lauded Wuxin without reservation, but unfortunately, this time he could never win. Ling Yao had already gained the ability to reclaim everything that was hers; in a sense, she was the true master of this Celestial Sword.

*RUMBLE!*

Another muffled thud resounded, and in a sudden instant, Wuxin's primordial spirit detached from the Celestial Sword's main body. His soul and body were forced to return to their original places, and he vomited a mouthful of blood.

When his soul was expelled from the Celestial Sword, Xu Yang immediately realized that Ling Yao had achieved final victory in this confrontation.

"Hahahaha! Wuxin, how do you feel? After all your schemes and machinations, you've met a complete defeat. How does that feel?"

Xu Yang ascended into the air, appearing before Wuxin, and coldly mocked the malevolent man.

In fact, if Wuxin hadn't been so selfish, deliberately abandoning the Ten Elders to their fate, but instead gathered the strength of all ten to collectively unleash the power of the Celestial Sword, the outcome might have been entirely different.

Of course, truly eliminating Xu Yang was destined to be impossible for the Celestial Sword Sacred Land lineage alone, but even if they died, they could have done so with dignity and grace.

As for Wuxin now, even if he goes to hell, he will be a solitary figure.

"Hehehe, I have never regretted any decision I've made, but it's a pity that fate is unjust. My lifelong wish ultimately could not be fulfilled, and I am unwilling!"

Wuxin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and exerted all his strength, integrating his entire being into his Natal Divine Sword.

Terrifying power fluctuations and hoarse roars of rage all burst forth from Wuxin in an unparalleled radiance!

As he unleashed his final strike, burning his last life force and attempting to perish alongside Xu Yang, Wuxin succeeded!

True unity of heaven and man, the pinnacle of swordsmanship—his lifelong wish was realized at the very last moment of his life.

"If only you had trusted the sword in your hand a little earlier, rather than that supreme sword standing proudly at the peak, perhaps you truly could have succeeded..."

Xu Yang couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Watching the supreme sword flying towards him, Xu Yang's body transformed into a faint white light, as if he had merged with the void, and lightly vanished without a trace.

"What?! No..."

Wuxin, transformed into a sword, pierced through Xu Yang's afterimage and further pierced through the mountain within the Celestial Sword Sacred Land's inner realm. Breaking through endless shackles of rubble, he soared into the sky and vanished into the farthest reaches of the north, his whereabouts unknown ever since.

Of course, after this battle, the name of Sword Saint Wuxin was no more in the martial world, and the Ten Elders of the Celestial Sword became history. However, the Sacred Land's heritage did not decline.

Xu Yang and Bai Lianxue gazed up at the void, both fervently summoning Ling Yao with their thoughts.

Finally, the silhouette of the massive Celestial Sword emitted a jade-green divine light from its entire form, until it rapidly shrank, transforming into a solid, normal-sized treasure sword, and finally completely reverting to Ling Yao's original appearance.

"Wonderful! Sister Ling Yao, you truly succeeded!"

Bai Lianxue was overwhelmed with excitement; she was also the one who could most clearly perceive Ling Yao's state.

"Sister... Senior Xu Yang!"

Xu Yang was instantly displeased by the address "Senior." He quickly changed his white hair back into a cascade of black, restoring his original appearance.

"Girl, congratulations on breaking through to the pinnacle of swordsmanship and becoming a true Sword Immortal. You've even integrated the supreme Celestial Sword of the Celestial Sword Sacred Land lineage into your body. A Sword Immortal possessing sword bones, you are now qualified to become the master of a Sacred Land."

It's no exaggeration to say that Xu Yang single-handedly forged Ling Yao to her current level. She was originally just a female disciple of the Sacred Land, easily manipulated, but now, she is a female sovereign who can stand tall over the entire Qi State.

"In any case, my achievements today are all thanks to you. From today onwards, my life, Ling Yao's life, belongs to the two of you. Wherever you go, I will go. We will live and die together, never regretting it for eternity!"

As Ling Yao spoke, she suddenly knelt on one knee before Xu Yang, her hands forming the unique salute of the Celestial Sword Sacred Land.

Gradually, the inner realm space completely dissipated, and the scene of Ling Yao kneeling before Xu Yang was clearly witnessed by the leaders of all cultivation lineages in the Northern Wilds.

"What the heck is going on? Isn't that girl the chief disciple of the Celestial Sword Sacred Land? What exactly happened?"

"Why did she kneel before that Xu Yang?"

All onlookers looked utterly bewildered.

Of course, among this group, the most bewildered were the elders, led by the Grand Elder.

Ling Yao, who was previously only at the initial stage of the Nascent Soul realm, had now incredibly reached the Grand Perfection stage, her cultivation foundation far surpassing everyone in their sect.

More importantly, the subtle traces of sword dao around her rivaled the legendary pinnacle of swordsmanship, which couldn't help but move these old fellows.

"Why are only these three out? Where are the Ten Elders?"

It was unclear which elder suddenly posed the question, catching Xu Yang's attention.

First, he helped Ling Yao to her feet. Then Xu Yang, smiling, stepped into the air, arriving at the Sacred Land's periphery, and gazed down upon all the disciples of the Celestial Sword Sacred Land lineage.

"The Ten Elders are no more. From today onwards, Ling Yao will become the new master of the Celestial Sword Sacred Land lineage!"

"What did you say?!"

The elders almost spat out mouthfuls of old blood. "Call the Grand Elder's disciple the Sacred Master? Is that something a human would say?!"