Chapter 1095: Qing Cliff

The ominous, demon-infused oar-saber pierced through the air. Li Jiangliang's mind raced. He held his Profound Sword level with one hand, while with the other, he joined two fingers and placed them beneath the sword's spine, lifting it. Behind him, darkness surged, and the Great Void appeared.

"Boom!" A wave of dark, malevolent energy instantly rippled out. The Profound Sword, of extraordinary quality, suddenly bent into an arc under the oar-saber, causing Li Jiangliang, who was mentally connected to it, to turn pale. However, this allowed him to step back and fall into the Great Void!

But at that moment, the oar-saber extended forward, flipped, slid, and hooked its short handle, instantly locking onto the Profound Sword!

"Clang!" Li Jiangliang's figure vanished, but the Profound Sword remained locked within the malevolent energy. Helian Wumeng showed no sign of joy, merely narrowing his eyes slightly. "Oh?" he murmured.

Amidst the surging malevolent energy, the treasured sword resonated with the light from the heavens, transforming into elemental water and fire, scattering and vanishing without a trace.

Helian Wumeng's figure simultaneously disappeared.

Meanwhile, Li Jiangxia, under the Western Guardian Glass Star, grew solemn. He formed a hand seal before his chest, and the golden seal above his head immediately emitted a dazzling radiance. In the next instant, a wave of malevolent energy, like a mountain, crashed down, accompanied by the thunderous roar of hundreds of blade lights.

"Boom!" White light from the sky wavered down again. Helian Wumeng did not turn his head, but a face suddenly appeared on the back of his skull. Its pupils were blood-red, and it wore a sinister grin. The fleeting red demonic light in its eyes flared, then erupted into a terrifying storm of malevolent energy in the distance, striking down Li Jianglong, who was attempting to provide support!

The Western Guardian Glass Star also unleashed myriad rays of light, descending alongside the malevolent blade lights, instantly engulfing the faint golden radiance.

The golden seal in Li Jiangxia's hand was no ordinary object. It was a treasure from the Song Imperial Court, known as the "Vajra Truth Seal." It could resonate with the stars in the heavens to dissipate power. Wielding this treasure, even an ordinary early-stage Purple Mansion cultivator would be unable to defeat him quickly!

However, the outpouring from the Western Guardian Glass Star, following the Taiyin path, was incredibly subtle. It seemed to continuously transform surging True Qi into Yang Yi light, penetrating deeper step by step. Meanwhile, malevolent energy cascaded down from the other side. Within a mere dozen breaths, the situation quickly swayed between advantage and disadvantage.

This made Li Jiangxia's expression sink. "To respond so quickly and effectively... This person's cultivation must be formidable!" he thought.

Helian Wumeng, despite being scorched by the Water and Fire of Ignorance, showed no signs of weakness. Two more hands extended from his armpits; one formed a seal, and the other clutched a bell. Combined with the blood-red face on the back of his head, he was now simultaneously suppressing the other two individuals!

Unfortunately, Li Jiangliang and Li Jianglong did not possess the Vajra Truth Seal. Once trapped by him under the Western Guardian Glass Star, their lives would be in immediate danger, and they dared not remain outside the Great Void for too long.

These three, wielding profound powers, should have been able to suppress an early-stage Purple Mansion cultivator. With the successful deployment of the Water and Fire of Ignorance, they should have even been able to hold off a mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivator. Yet, they were now being suppressed by Helian Wumeng alone!

Not only was Li Jiangxia in a difficult and increasingly perilous situation, but even Xian Yao shifted his gaze, his expression grim, seemingly with a hint of apprehension. "The Helian clan's inheritance..." he mused.

However, one person's expression turned grim. It was Helian Wujiang.

This man's face was cold and severe; he was gradually suppressing Chen, yet his attention was almost entirely focused on his clan's junior Purple Mansion cultivator! He cast a worried glance at Helian Wumeng, his mind beginning to ponder.

"Profound wielders... indeed have their strengths... Lianmin cannot compare to this. One recent profound wielder, along with two who temporarily borrowed divine power, combined with a few treasures, can actually hold Wumeng back!"

Helian Wujiang knew Helian Wumeng's current state best:

The Edict Iron Elixir was refined by their ancestor, Helian Fan. From the time the Helian clan followed Emperor Qi until the current Tie Fu's vassalage to Zhao, Helian Fan was undeniably the foremost prodigy!

This prodigy cultivated a complete elixir, inherited ancient Taoist traditions, excelled in artifact refining, and was renowned throughout the world for his demonic-malevolent treasures, even founding a nation. The Edict Iron Elixir was the crystallization of his life's work. Helian Wumeng, having consumed this treasure, even with the Great Xia Ying Bronze Armor not yet fully refined and integrated—merely serving as a shell—possessed terrifying power. Helian Wujiang himself was not confident he could decisively defeat him!

What worried him even more was another spiritual item: the Water and Fire of Ignorance!

As the golden and vibrant purple halos emerged, Helian Wujiang was the first to notice.

His Helian clan cultivated malevolent Qi and possessed extensive insights into True Qi. Of the supreme methods for controlling water and fire, only one originated from the divine malevolent nature of Heavenly Martial True Qi, called the "Heavenly Martial Righteous Divine Flame." Its power was no less than that of the Five Waters and Five Fires born from the Great Void!

This was already an extremely high status.

One must understand that in ancient times, the Heavenly Dao, guided by morality, once gave birth to the Five Waters and Five Fires. Each possessed unique divine mysteries comparable to immortal artifacts. When Jianwu obtained one of them, it caused all immortals to pale in dread. For True Qi to possess such capability was truly extraordinary.

However, the water and fire of True Qi reside between Yin and Yang. When Yin and Yang are not distinct, water and fire are damaged. Therefore, below the True Lord level and Golden Core water and fire, there is an emptiness, with only the Six Fires: Impermanence, Ignorance, Immeasurable, Unconquerable, Boundless, and Unlimited.

Each of these Six Fires was a spiritual item difficult to manage. In the hands of a True Master of True Qi, they were capable of shaking heaven and earth.

"Although these three profound wielders aren't particularly powerful individuals, they are profound wielders nonetheless, capable of sensing the Martial Cultivation Star. Even if they can only exert fifty to sixty percent of their power, if Yang Ruiyi were to appear, Wumeng's life might be in danger!"

He, who had preserved the Tie Fu state among the tribes of Monan with his own abilities, was certainly no simple character and greatly trusted his intuition:

"We are not here to guard this place. If we don't release or force out the people from the wilderness, how can we discern their true strength? Who knows who else might be waiting in the Great Void... We cannot wait any longer!"

Without hesitation, he immediately thrust out his magic sword, gritting his teeth and shouting, "Murong Yan!"

Helian Wumeng, treading on mountain-like malevolent Qi, watched Li Jiangxia waver under his might. Suddenly, a sense of crisis arose in his heart. He immediately raised his brows, his expression changing.

Something wavered and pierced through the Great Void, and a gleaming white sword descended from it.

This sword was three feet seven inches long, with six facets, each engraved with various beast-faced cloud patterns. It flowed with jade-like True Radiance and dazzling True Qi, condensed to the extreme. It was held by a sword cultivator!

The True Master Zhusheng—Liu Bai!

Liu Bai was originally a highly renowned sword cultivator with an extraordinary lineage. Empowered by mid-stage Purple Mansion's Jade True and True Qi, the moment this sword was unleashed, it emitted boundless killing intent!

Helian Wumeng, suddenly attacked, was jolted awake. "The Water and Fire of Ignorance... they shielded my perception of the Great Void! This was their true objective!" he realized.

But there was no time to ponder; the sword was already upon him!

"Clang!" Intense Jade True Radiance first struck the shimmering divine Profound Armor, producing an earth-shattering hum. The sword light flowed freely and unrestrainedly like water, not directly slashing, but swirling in from every angle, passing through Helian Wumeng and stirring up infinite malevolent light!

At this moment, another deep gray light appeared, and Murong Yan's colossal figure emerged, turning everything around him gray. Yet, a white light arrived even faster, swaying and spinning, settling before him to form a small yet sky-spanning purple pavilion.

On the pavilion, a woman with a dignified demeanor formed a hand seal, her expression calm. It was Ting Lan!

The moment her figure and Liu Bai's appeared, the remaining few on the field were almost simultaneously stunned. Murong Yan himself was momentarily dumbfounded. "Ting Lan? Liu Bai? Then... who is guarding Xuanyue? Are Yang Ruiyi, Gongsun Bei, and Qi Lan'an dead?!" he thought.

However, what resounded through the sky was an intense shriek, almost piercing eardrums. Helian Wujiang's eyes were bloodshot with rage. His magic sword soared through the air with terrifying speed, swirling. "Wumeng!" he cried.

The sword cultivator, however, did not pause for a moment. His robes billowed in the wind, and his long sword converged, flashing with six streams of light, resonating with a divine ability, and responding to all directions: Green Jade Cliff!

At this moment, Liu Bai and Helian Wumeng seemed to have retreated from the world, falling into another realm. Green and white radiance converged beneath them, lifting them into the depths of the white clouds in the highest heavens. Countless sword lights suddenly merged into one, striking down directly!

The "Pacifying Malevolence and Uniting Jade Sword Art!"

How dangerous was it to be held in place by a divine ability and then attacked at close quarters by a Jade True sword cultivator comparable to a True Master?

"Buzz!" The armor covering Helian Wumeng let out a loud wail. Influenced by the Jade True divine mystery, it was instantly dislodged from his form! Helian Wumeng, clad in black with gray-silver eyes, was now exposed beneath the sword's edge!

Under Helian Wujiang's gaze, which seemed to drip blood, Helian Wumeng's limbs had already separated from his body, transforming into dense malevolent energy that dispersed amidst the surging Jade True sword light. The white sword edge, not yet finished, converged into one, pointing at his glabella!

Although Helian Wumeng was awe-struck by Green Jade Cliff, his malevolent Qi divine abilities spontaneously activated to protect him. All his divine abilities transformed into malevolent Qi, continuously disintegrating under the white sword edge, emitting a piercing wail!

At this moment, Helian Wumeng finally broke free from the influence of Green Jade Cliff. His opened eyes burst into a bloody mist under the sword light, dark blood streamed down his face, and the flesh at his glabella rapidly separated under the sword's edge, revealing an elixir!

This elixir, about the size of a finger, was entirely silver-white, like congealed mercury. Vibrant red sand and shining silver appeared and disappeared in its patterns, constantly shifting: The Helian clan's secret treasure, the Edict Iron Elixir!

The surging Jade True radiance seemed to be affected, scattering in all directions. The supremely refined brilliance of the complete elixir, erupting from the core, enveloped Helian Wumeng from top to bottom. Before everyone's eyes, the man astonishingly transformed into a pool of primal water, dissipating like smoke!

He had actually escaped from the Green Jade Cliff!

This transformation truly defied Liu Bai's expectations. The sword art he had concentrated in his hand swiftly changed direction towards the primal water, but Helian Wujiang's magic sword arrived just in time, blocking its path!

"Boom!" A thunderous sound shook the sky. Murong Yan had no time for words; his gaze swept across the night sky and indeed found that bastard Ye Gui had vanished without a trace. He cursed a few times internally, then shouted, "Go!"

Faster than his words, surging malevolent energy flashing with blood-red light and pure white Jade True magical power, one following the other, streaked across the sky in pursuit!

Various streams of light shimmered in the sky. Li Jiangliang had already reappeared, anxiously raising his eyebrows, but then heard Li Jianglong's faint words in his ear: "He's fine."

Sure enough, the man within the dense malevolent energy coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood, then emerged amidst water and fire. He looked up at the two and smiled, "Let's go!"

The three brothers exchanged glances, without a single superfluous word. Together, they rose on the wind, ascending Ting Lan's Purple Qi Pavilion. The troops beneath them had already swiftly crossed the river, moving like heavy waves on the ground.

Li Jiangliang, ignoring his breathlessness, stepped forward, raised his eyebrows to look at Ting Lan, and whispered, "Senior! Now is..."

Ting Lan nodded to them, a slight anomaly in her expression, and replied, "Bypass Baiye Duxian, guard Baixiang, attack Bianyan, and relieve Tang Dao!"

"Drip-drop." Heavy shadows swayed in the hall. A man in Taoist robes hurried up the steps, noticed the high palace door was open, and quickly knelt to report. He faintly heard the True Master's words from within:

"Jiexing... does the elder really not have the Unblemished Moon Yin?"

"This... this..."

"Your esteemed clan has a long heritage; your ancestors once cultivated under the Immovable View... I have always held them in utmost respect. If you could trade it to me... name your price!"

Although the two Purple Mansion cultivators were discussing matters, the situation was urgent. The man in Taoist robes paid little heed to formalities, dropping to his knees with a joyful thump. "Master! It's good news! The Song people have indeed crossed the river from the wilderness, bypassing Baikou, Baiye, and Panglu Ridge... heading towards Chenshuize!"

His voice, loud and disruptive in the quiet courtyard, caused the previously ajar door to swing open. Inside the inner courtyard, a small platform stood, where two individuals, both appearing as youths, sat playing a game.

The one on the left was none other than Qi Lan'an!

The Profound Governor, who controlled the situation north of the river, smiled slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Tao, this is my new disciple, Fankang."

His opponent in the game was Tao Jiexing, the young True Master of the Tao family, renowned for his extraordinary eyes, whom Li Jieyi had brought. Qi Lan'an had clearly invited him for a discussion!

Upon hearing this, Tao Jiexing seemed relieved. He quickly nodded and replied, "Since they've already crossed the river, I... I will go at once!"

Qi Lan'an felt a touch of disappointment but could only let him go, sighing softly. He listened as his disciple enthusiastically reported on the events in the west, then nodded:

"It is indeed Liu Bai. It seems Yang Ruiyi personally attacked Shanjie, and they are rushing to support Dayuan Guangyin Mountain."

He then raised his teacup, raised an eyebrow at Fankang, who was kneeling below, and said, "If they've crossed, they've crossed. Let them go a few steps deeper. What's the hurry?"

The man in Taoist robes sighed, his heart heavy, and replied, "During the siege on the lake against Wei... against that person... I witnessed how difficult it is to change the world's situation. How can I not be anxious, Master...?"

Qi Lan'an set down his cup and said nonchalantly, "Ye Gui's methods are superior; leave this matter to him. Isn't there nothing unusual at all on the Immortal Dao?"

"As for Li Zhouwei," Qi Lan'an paused, then replied, "Everything is looking good now. The only difference in the world's situation is that Li Zhouwei is much more heavily injured. Although it allowed Li Ximing to cultivate that 'World's Radiance' path more... this person is truly insignificant. He merely basks in Li Zhouwei's light and obtained that 'Converging Fire' art. Send someone with a spiritual water treasure to suppress his fire, and any early-stage Purple Mansion cultivator can subdue him."

"This time, Yang Ruiyi cannot allow Li Zhouwei to hold back. He will definitely follow behind Liu Bai and the others, just like last time. If he does it well enough, he can delay him for another five or six years without changing the overall situation."

Fankang remained silent for a long time, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere. His voice was slightly choked as he replied, "Disciple... disciple just doesn't understand..."

"On the day of the siege on the lake, Master said such small matters didn't need to be reported to Lord Wei, so Murong Yan and Gao Fangjing couldn't be dispatched. Now... now... Master still doesn't seem to plan to consult with Lord Wei!"

The man in Taoist robes wept, "Disciple considers only the two Lords... Why... why is Lord Wei completely unconcerned!"

Qi Lan'an listened to the first half of his words in silence, but at the last sentence, his expression suddenly changed, his eyes turning sharp and cold. He retorted, "What do you know, you insolent brat! Lord Wei seeks the Dao and immortality; how could he focus on such trivial matters? If anything were to happen, who would bear the responsibility?!"

"What's more... what's more!" Qi Lan'an seemed to deflate slightly, his expression revealing a hint of bleakness, and a trace of killing intent arose in his heart:

'Xu Che feared the Heavenly Gate, idly acting as a Kṣaṇa Immortal; Zitong sought the Great Dao, proudly dying before his station... Those who seek immortality must not trust others' words regarding their own enlightenment. If you were to reveal this, killing you a hundred, even a thousand times, would not be excessive!'

'What Heavenly Simplicity... what Great Evolution, all are false prophecies. My death would be insignificant, but if my Martial Uncle, with such genius, such ambition, and such virtue, cannot ascend... what path remains for the cultivators of this world!'