Chapter 1520: Transforming the Sword into Silk

Liu Ye transmitted a message to the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor: "Fellow Daoist Qingxu, you and Martial Nephew Wang must penetrate the Netherworld Spiders' lair, seal the spatial node, and then eliminate the spiders. If the Netherworld Spiders manage to open a spatial portal, not only Northern Border but the entire Dongli Realm will be in grave danger." The Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor was quite powerful, and with the aid of the Brahma True Flame, even a fourth-tier Netherworld Spider would be unable to withstand him.

A sharp, ear-piercing shriek echoed as tens of thousands of mutated third-tier Netherworld Spiders broke away from the main battle, moving to reinforce the spiders at the Puppet Emperor Palace.

Master Qingxu swung the golden Buddhist ring-saber in his hand towards the advancing Netherworld Spiders. The void seemed to tear open as a three-hundred-zhang long golden giant blade swept out, instantly plunging into the swarm of spiders. Boom! Following a deafening roar, hundreds of Netherworld Spiders were cut into a shower of blood by the golden giant blade. A wave of golden flames then swept through the area. Any Netherworld Spiders below the fourth-tier that touched even a speck of the golden flame instantly vaporized. The Brahma True Flame, another extremely potent Yang flame, though slightly less renowned than the Azure Lotus Karmic Flame, was equally effective against Netherworld Spiders. Master Qingxu effortlessly slaughtered thousands of Netherworld Spiders as if cutting through melons and vegetables, significantly boosting the morale of the immortal cultivators.

Wang Qingshan changed his sword technique. The Azure Lotus Sword emitted a clear sword cry, multiplying from one to two, then to four, and then to eight… In less than three breaths, hundreds of Azure Lotus Swords floated in mid-air, striking the two fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders below like falling meteors.

Han Tianxuan changed her sword technique. The thunderclouds intensely churned, transforming into a massive ice cloud. As the ice cloud violently rolled, large snowflakes, the size of beans, drifted down and continuously pelted the Netherworld Spiders. The ground quickly became covered in snow, and the astonishing cold made the area feel like an ice cellar. The Netherworld Spiders' reactions became sluggish. A blast of frosty white wind swept through, and thin ice shards appeared on the bodies of the two fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders. A dense volley of Azure Lotus Swords descended from the sky, striking the spiders. Boom! A tremendous explosion reverberated, sending out rolling shockwaves and scattering snowflakes everywhere.

Tens of thousands of Netherworld Spiders surged towards Master Qingxu like a tide, but to no avail. Each swing of Master Qingxu's golden Buddhist ring-saber instantly transformed hundreds of third-tier Netherworld Spiders into a vast spray of blood, leaving no trace of their bodies.

Amidst a deafening roar, the two fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders guarding the Puppet Emperor Palace were cut in half by the dense barrage of Azure Lotus Swords, meeting their end. The remaining Netherworld Spiders stood no chance against Wang Qingshan and Han Tianxuan. Han Tianxuan retracted her flying sword and, together with Wang Qingshan, flew towards the Puppet Emperor Palace.

What was called the Puppet Emperor Palace was, in reality, nothing more than crumbling ruins. A vast expanse of golden spider silk could be seen suspended in the void, with spiritual light shimmering near it. The ground was littered with numerous spider legs and large quantities of dark green liquid. An unbearable stench permeated the air.

Wang Qingshan opened his mouth and spat out a jet of azure flame, which struck the golden spider silk. The silk, as if made of paper, was instantly reduced to ashes, revealing a massive luminous portal. Wang Qingshan and Han Tianxuan exchanged glances before leaping inside.

"You all cover me," Master Qingxu declared, "I must go and assist Fellow Daoist Wang." Having said this, Master Qingxu soared into the luminous portal.

Beyond the luminous portal lay a vast and boundless space. Spiritual energy was abundant here, yet not a single blade of grass grew; no green leaves were visible. Large numbers of Netherworld Spiders were active, and ten fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders, including one top-grade fourth-tier spider with an entirely golden body, charged forward. Tens of thousands of mutated Netherworld Spiders populated this area; all of them were entirely golden-bodied, without a speck of black.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, proceed to seal the spatial node," Master Qingxu stated gravely, "This place is left to me and Fellow Daoist Han." Wang Qingshan acknowledged with a nod and flew towards a certain void.

The Netherworld Spiders attempted to block him, but Master Qingxu's body erupted with golden light. A colossal phantom image of a Buddha materialized from thin air. As the Buddha's phantom moved its arms, countless golden fist-shadows shot forth, striking the Netherworld Spiders. Master Qingxu's golden Buddhist ring-saber continuously chopped down, unleashing sharp golden blade energies that surged towards and attacked the Netherworld Spiders.

Han Tianxuan invoked her sword technique. Four gleaming flying swords shot out. With clear sword cries, the four swords aligned, encircling thousands of Netherworld Spiders. The four swords then split into eight, then sixteen, and in the blink of an eye, hundreds of flying swords materialized.

The sheer number of Netherworld Spiders was overwhelming. Wang Qingshan transformed into an azure long rainbow, tearing through them unimpeded. In the distance, he could see a massive black vortex in the void, guarded by two mid-grade fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders. The black vortex was twisting and distorting like a rag, seemingly on the verge of collapse at any moment. As Wang Qingshan approached the black vortex, thousands of Netherworld Spiders simultaneously sprayed golden silk towards him. A deafening peal of thunder erupted, and a vast expanse of azure lightning descended from the sky, shredding the golden spider silk. The azure lightning struck the Netherworld Spiders, causing them to instantly vaporize.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, push forward! I will cooperate with you," a voice from behind proclaimed. It was Lei Yiming's voice. Regardless of the past grievances between the Wang family and the Nine Nether Sect, destroying the Netherworld Spiders was the immediate priority. Boom! A deafening roar resounded as hundreds of massive golden fireballs rained down from the sky, slamming into the swarming Netherworld Spiders and sending flames soaring upwards. Song Xiruo, holding the Grand Yang Bottle, wore a cold, somewhat pale expression. Master Qingxu, Lei Yiming, Song Xiruo, and Han Tianxuan coordinated their efforts to assist Wang Qingshan. They were primarily following the orders of two Soul Transformation cultivators. If they were to fight individually, they might not necessarily lose to Wang Qingshan.

Two fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders guarded the black vortex, apparently attacking it. Wang Qingshan activated his sword technique, and the Azure Lotus Sword shot out. After a blur, it vanished from sight. The next moment, the Azure Lotus Sword reappeared near the black vortex. The sword's cry intensified as the Azure Lotus Sword unleashed countless fine azure threads, ensnaring the two Netherworld Spiders.

This was the 'Sword Transformation into Threads' ability. Wang Qingshan had been a Nascent Soul cultivator for many years; although his cultivation hadn't advanced further, he had mastered this sword path divine ability. 'Sword Transformation into Threads' was a unique divine ability of sword cultivators, though only a select few could master it. Wang Qingshan had glimpsed Sword Intent during his Foundation Establishment stage, indicating his high talent in the sword path. Furthermore, with the meticulous guidance of Sword Venerable Xiaoyao, it was not surprising that Wang Qingshan had mastered the 'Sword Transformation into Threads' divine ability.

A *sizzle* sound cut through the air as the dense azure sword threads tightly bound the two Netherworld Spiders. Wang Qingshan was about to summon a Boundary Sealing Talisman to seal the black vortex when, at that very moment, his divine sense detected something attacking him. Wang Qingshan's body radiated brilliant azure light, and countless azure sword energies shot forth. He also summoned a gleaming azure shield, which instantly expanded and continuously circled around him.