Chapter 1887: Moon Soul Mark

As darkness descended, a crescent-shaped silver light mark rapidly condensed above the heads of all five hundred soul entities surrounding Xu Yang's team. This mark imbued them with an extreme, almost berserk, quality that pushed them to the brink of collapse. The fact that each soul entity's state was on the verge of collapse meant they could unleash their ultimate offensive power. The destructive force unleashed by five hundred millennia-old disciples in this state was truly unimaginable.

Xu Yang could clearly perceive that if these five hundred berserk soul entities were deployed onto a main battlefield between empires, their combined strength alone could effortlessly decimate an imperial warrior army numbering tens of thousands. What was even harder to accept was that this immense power's sole target was Xu Yang's small team. It was easy to imagine the terrifying battlefield pressure these few individuals would soon face.

In reality, only Xu Yang would ultimately bear the brunt of this immense pressure, as the remaining team members were largely ineffective in terms of offense. Fortunately, under the Old Emperor's leadership, the others were not currently under defensive pressure and at least wouldn't hinder Xu Yang. As for whether this battle would achieve ultimate victory, the outcome rested solely in Xu Yang's hands.

A powerful insight instantly enveloped the five hundred soul entities empowered by the Moon Soul Mark, allowing Xu Yang to roughly estimate the strength they could withstand. Simultaneously, the Grand Sword Soul behind him, its outline gradually sharpening, finally unleashed its most formidable essence.

It was important to remember that Xu Yang had expended considerable effort in forging this Grand Sword Soul. More importantly, for a sword soul hoped to attain the level of a main divine artifact, its innate attributes were exceptionally crucial. Facing such a multitude of powerful enemies, Xu Yang knew well that continuing to use the Grand Sword Soul's power to suppress opponents would be a tremendous drain on its innate attributes. This depletion could very likely transform into irreversible damage. Xu Yang was absolutely unwilling to abandon the Grand Sword Soul's post-natal forging process. Therefore, no matter what innate attributes the sword soul ultimately settled into, Xu Yang would gladly accept the result. Even if it didn't achieve the strength of an innate main divine artifact, Xu Yang would never abandon it.

Feeling the sword soul's aura enveloping him, Xu Yang smiled faintly, as if conversing with an old friend, and initiated a soul communication with the Grand Sword Soul. "Honestly, how do you feel right now? If you don't wish to face these five hundred soul entities with me, I will allow you to return to the Imperial Cauldron and continue your slumber. There will be many more opportunities for us to fight side-by-side in the future."

This time, however, the Grand Sword Soul replied to Xu Yang almost without hesitation. "If, as a sword soul servant, I cannot be by my master's side when needed, then my existence would be meaningless. By the same token, if my master wishes to face this battle alone, it would be akin to desecrating the honor of my sword soul. There's nothing more to say. Let me accompany my master in slaying these hundreds of war puppets. I truly wish to see how long they can last before my sword soul's innate abilities."

When the Grand Sword Soul uttered the word "innate abilities," Xu Yang understood its intent. The sword path abilities awakened when a sword soul first forms are not its only innate attributes. This implied that as external opportunities arose, other innate abilities would continuously emerge, and existing ones could be strengthened to a certain extent.

Since its formation, the Grand Sword Soul had intervened forcefully more than once when Xu Yang needed it. However, the scale of those battles was insignificant compared to the current confrontation. Ultimately, Xu Yang was still concerned that the excessive consumption in this battle would cause irreversible and permanent damage to the Grand Sword Soul. Yet, after sensing his sword soul's unwavering resolve, Xu Yang no longer hesitated, for he did not wish for his own will to influence the Grand Sword Soul's destiny.

Xu Yang burst into laughter. "I am delighted to see in you the quality I have most longed for. Although you do not yet possess your true, complete form, I already consider you one of my closest companions. Since we share such a strong foundation of soul resonance, let us embark on an unprecedented endeavor together. And let these ignorant soul entities experience the true power of a human expert."

As Xu Yang finished speaking, his body slowly floated upwards into the void. The Grand Sword Soul behind him, a step ahead, began to unleash its immensely powerful sword qi—the roar of the sword soul's most primal innate power. As the terrifying sword qi was unleashed, every corner of the surrounding plain battlefield resonated with its incredibly clear and sharp edge. Even Xu Yang's other companions, who were in a state of absolute defense, were awestruck by this overwhelmingly powerful sword qi pressure.

The purple-clad maiden, Lan Ling'er, the young lady from the Changyun Celestial Sect, was utterly captivated by Xu Yang's demeanor at that moment. She had seen countless sword masters; after all, the Changyun Celestial Sect was considered the largest sect within the entire empire. It boasted countless experts and talents practicing various martial arts systems, and among them, sword cultivators alone comprised the empire's most exceptional warriors. However, upon witnessing Xu Yang's bearing at this moment, and the near-perfect soul resonance he shared with his sword soul, Lan Ling'er finally realized that what she previously considered powerful sword masters were nothing but fireflies compared to the bright moon that was Xu Yang.

"This must be the true pinnacle of the sword path," Lan Ling'er murmured to herself, her vacant gaze revealing her current mental state. Beside her, Po Xiao saw Lan Ling'er's profile, completely captivated by Xu Yang, and couldn't help but smile, recalling her own initial experiences. Little did she know, she too had once foolishly wished to challenge Xu Yang's authority with her own strength. But later, when her very destiny was irrevocably altered by this man, Po Xiao finally grasped how formidable Xu Yang's realm truly was. Before him, any surging tide would become meaningless, for Xu Yang himself was a boundless ocean, possessing the magnanimity to encompass all things and an unfathomable depth.