Chapter 1102: Blue Moon Returns Home

“You?”

The gray-robed cultivator looked around, his heart filled with suspicion. He noticed that Li Minggong hesitated slightly and actually retreated, while the unknown Sky-Observing cultivator simply flew away on the wind with swift grace.

Since the Li clan was no longer an unknown family, the Changhuai cultivator immediately grew wary, a sneer forming in his heart: "It seems they have some skill... but to be so dismissive, perhaps Changhuai has been out of the mountains for too long, making people underestimate us."

However, the yellow-robed cultivator behind him stood with his hands behind his back, cautiously observing the sword light flickering from the young man's hand. His immortal foundation pulsed with growing alarm. He replied, "Junior Brother Shancao, we must still be cautious."

Li Nitai, however, secretly scrutinized the scene, a question forming in his mind: "Who is this? He looks so young, surely a direct descendant. Yet, I've never heard of any junior in the Li clan having such profound sword skills. These two aren't from the Qing family; they were arrogant earlier, but now they've softened..."

As the two robed cultivators exchanged whispers, Li Jiangchun stepped forward. This was his first life-or-death battle, and he showed no carelessness, attacking with full force!

*Lesser Yin Dark Lord's Water and Fire Record.*

The profound point within him instantly reacted. A swirling, vibrant light immediately converged, and a halo, as large as a futon and brilliantly shining, materialized behind his head. Infinite flames gathered, transforming into an iridescent cloak.

The gray-robed cultivator facing him was no less formidable. His magic artifacts were already activated: a gray misty gourd in front, a dark small sword above. But it was as if activating them reminded the young man, for suddenly a multitude of artifacts flew forth—a white fan, a Li flag, a Pearl Sword—each shining brilliantly!

These artifacts were not only numerous but also exquisite, each superior to his own, causing Shancaozi's face to contort in discomfort. He chanted: "Flourishing life, flowing deep within, when great wood decays, its earth thrives most!"

*Balsam Cure.*

Instantly, his immortal foundation surged, and colors settled, deep and murky like mud, layer upon layer, with a momentum capable of submerging all metal, water, and wood energies without increase or decrease! This person's precious earth core was used to counteract sharp energy!

However, what appeared in the air was only a bright sword light, clear as a crescent moon, vast as a giant sail. In merely a breath, this sword light condensed into a swimming fish, drifting gracefully past.

The spell, empowered by the precious earth immortal foundation, was caught off guard. First, it was scorched by the surging true fire descending upon it. Before this sword light, it was like a rigid stone, gently bypassed.

"Sword Yuan..."

The gray-robed cultivator's heart sank heavily. The gray gourd he had activated blocked his front, but it was abruptly knocked away by the Moonflaw Sword Arc. Before he could even feel relief, he felt a sudden chill at his neck.

All returning artifacts were blocked. Moreover, a profound, sinister energy surged forth, and the spontaneously glowing talisman barrier, bright as glazed porcelain, was a step too late. Three large holes had already appeared on his chest, and three dazzling, nimble sword lights, protected by the Xuan Light of the Lesser Yin Dark Lord's Water and Fire Record, had somehow penetrated his internal organs and scattered!

"Ah?"

This scene not only left his mind blank but even made Li Jiangchun momentarily surprised. Yet, the final Autumn Moon Listening Harmony in his hand had already descended!

This sword light, like autumn rain scattering across heaven and earth, suddenly fell, causing the mid-Foundation Establishment Changhuai cultivator to drop with a thud, transforming into a spray of blood, earth, and stone across the sky!

This scene was incredibly impactful. Yet, the descending sword light was like a spring breeze, leaving no residual power, astonishing the yellow-robed cultivator nearby. His mind was filled only with terror and doubt:

"This... this must be an illusion."

Although Shancaozi was not a truly powerful figure—otherwise, he wouldn't have been assigned to such a task like him—he was still a legitimate cultivator from the Changhuai sect. Could he truly be slain by an unknown person in just three swords? Killed as easily as killing a Qi Refining cultivator!

And he, standing three feet away... felt no threat or killing intent whatsoever!

"Even... even Chibu Zi, when he killed our Changhuai cultivators in the grotto-heaven back then... under cultivation suppression... it still took him twelve moves!"

Slain in three moves?

Such figures were not unheard of. Duanmu Kui, blessed by a Earth Witch Priest, had once killed a Wuzhu sect cultivator with a single talisman. But such a person would not be unknown, and their Changhuai sect was certainly not comparable to Wuzhu!

It wasn't that this Changhuai cultivator's resolve was weak; quite the opposite, his resolve was too firm. Coupled with the absence of killing intent from the Sword Yuan Crescent Moon, he believed what he saw was almost impossible and highly likely an illusion cast by someone else!

Thus, he was half a step late.

It was precisely this half-step of hesitation that caused sword light to re-ignite amidst the falling earth and stone, locking onto him. Only at this moment did a profound sense of crisis engulf his heart.

Meanwhile, Li Nitai, after a brief moment of horror, shot away like an arrow from a bowstring!

He ran westward as if he had seen a ghost, filled with boundless fear. But unexpectedly, three streaks of escaping light, one in front and two behind, were already rushing towards him. The leading figure, holding a jet-black sword, had a grim face and fierce eyes, which now fixed on Li Nitai.

Chen Yang, already at late Foundation Establishment, had been suppressing these two opponents. But he suddenly received orders to retreat from the west. Along the way, he discovered that many of his trusted subordinates had been killed, which had filled him with suppressed rage. Seeing someone attempting to cut off his escape route, he was both furious and cautious. With a flick of his longsword, he lunged to attack!

Chen Yang was undeniably the foremost genius among the four clans. This sword strike was immensely powerful. Li Nitai saw him trying to intercept while fleeing for his life and had no choice but to summon an artifact, casually blocking the strike.

"Clang!"

Li Nitai, terrified for his life, had no time to delay. He blocked the artifact without concern for the outcome and dashed away, leaving Chen Yang slightly bewildered and suddenly suspicious.

"What is he doing? Coming to take a sword from me?"

But in an instant, the ground shook, and a torrential downpour began. A streak of sword light had already soared over, flashing in Chen Yang's eyes. The grim and suspicious cultivator was instantly frozen in place!

Li Nitai, realizing that both Changhuai cultivators had fallen one after another, was filled with fear. He agitated his magic power, and his voice echoed across the sky, shouting, "Quickly, save me!"

The True Person of the Tanshan Li clan had left injured, and Li Nitai was presiding in his place. His status among the Shu army was not low, and all the Foundation Establishment cultivators recognized him. His single shout at this moment caused the entire battle to suddenly halt. A large number of cultivators withdrew from their positions and began approaching him!

In fact, the yellow-robed cultivator had a higher cultivation base and was not as careless as the previous one; his vigilance was extremely high. Even though Li Jiangchun had an all-around suppression in artifacts, cultivation, and spells, it would still take too much time to deal with him. Merely wounding him with ten swords and then using numerous artifacts to pin down Li Nitai, who had fled too far and deep into enemy lines beyond pursuit, Li Jiangchun, out of caution, had already considered giving up.

However, that single shout, which intimidated the entire western bank and threw the Shu army's formation into disarray, instead made Li Jiangchun's eyes light up. He immediately reached out and grasped the hilt of the Green Edge sword behind him.

If he could slay this man, it would shatter the enemy's morale!

Even if Li Nitai fled a hundred miles away, Li Jiangchun still had a way!

"It's just that my mastery isn't complete yet... killing him would be best, but severely wounding him would also serve as a significant deterrent."

He simply gripped the Green Edge sword behind his back, gathering strength to draw it. Unexpectedly, a sensation of flesh and blood connection surged through his heart. In an instant, clear qi erupted from his Qi Sea acupoint, boundless profound truths manifested, and in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, an infinite expanse appeared, revealing a single green sword!

"Clang!"

Wind and clouds surged between heaven and earth. Countless sword sounds hummed, and every sheathed longsword trembled. All cultivators simultaneously lifted their gaze, their expressions filled with disbelief and shock.

Li Minggong, who had rushed back from the east, concerned about Li Jiangchun venturing too deep, suddenly halted and looked up.

He saw the young man in the sky with eyes of blue and white, a sword mark strikingly appearing between his eyebrows! It added a considerable amount of killing intent to his originally elegant and handsome face, the crescent moon now full, its sharpness boundless!

He suddenly drew his sword!

Yet, there was no boundless sword light, nor any vast sword qi. All the sword light condensed on the blade, emerging faintly, transforming into endless illusions.

Only a streak of blue-white light passed through.

"Clang."

The Green Edge sword returned to its scabbard.

Far away, Li Nitai turned his head with difficulty, his expression utterly blank.

"Sword... Intent..."

Li Jiangchun was already profoundly skilled in the path of Sword Yuan. Holding the Green Ruler and sensing the sword dao inheritance, this sword was not merely the fourth style after Autumn Moon Listening Harmony from the Moonflaw Sword Canon; it was also driven by sword intent!

*Green Moon Returns Home!*

His head flew abruptly, revealing the perfectly smooth muscle and bone of his neck. All three vital organs were severed simultaneously, the mystic art instantly dissipating. His body, however, failed to react, flying a short distance before finally plummeting!

"Boom!"

A sky full of gray clouds and yellow earth surged upwards!

Just like the Chi clan's prodigy years ago, powerless before a single sword strike, this direct grandson of a Purple Mansion True Person from the Tanshan Li clan—fell on the spot, a hundred miles away!

Sword Intent played a significant role even in divine power-level combat, let alone at Foundation Establishment! Without divine powers, one simply couldn't restrain sword intent. Moreover, Li Jiangchun at this moment, from his cultivation method and lineage to his artifacts, was among the top-tier existences in Foundation Establishment!

"Sword Intent!"

Chen Yang's pupils dilated to their maximum, his face slick with cold sweat, his entire cheek painfully throbbing. He stood motionless in the sky, listening to the sword immortal's cold voice echoing across the heavens:

"Those who go east... shall die."

"Boom!"

The group of cultivators instantly halted, an eerie silence falling!

In an instant, the cultivators of Tingzhou were either joyful or alarmed. The steadily retreating battle line suddenly froze, locked in a stalemate. Li Suining, however, was suddenly delighted, realizing:

"With General Ding here... dragging this hour out... it truly made a difference!"

He turned his head somewhat eagerly and found Li Minggong staring blankly, her expression complex, muttering:

"Back then... when the elders guarded the river... it was just like this too."

It was the same: an arrow stopping the enemy, the same shouted command! What first surged in the woman's heart was fear, a profound dread:

"Where is the True Person... where is Uncle... I fear someone... will harm him!"

Tai Xu.

The gleaming Heaven Gate stood in Tai Xu, and a man in white-gold daoist robes sat casually beneath it, toying with a strand of bright white flame that, despite its dazzling brilliance, was encircled by gray.

In the nearby expanse of Tai Xu, two divine powers were furiously entangled, their bright colors clashing intensely. Thunderous brilliance and radiant solar light constantly intertwined, stirring up wave after wave.

The man in white-gold daoist robes, however, paid no mind. In the depths of his eyes, a joy so profound it seemed unresolvable faintly shone. Golden-white light continuously swirled behind him, seemingly a life-bound divine power, subtly descending from Tai Xu, already shielding the sword immortal in the present world.

At the other end of Tai Xu, a pale-faced man stood with his hands behind his back, his expression grim. He remained silent for a long time, not uttering a word.

As the clash between their divine powers intensified, the man seemed to stir his existing injuries. He coughed lightly, his voice hoarse:

"Fellow Daoist... after all, we are from the same family. Must you be so absolute?"

"Same family? This junior of mine acts under my command, defeating enemies and slaying generals. I don't know what 'same family' you speak of."

Li Ximing scoffed, returning the very words he had given Li Zhouwei that day, causing the man's face to grow even paler. Then, he said indifferently:

"When your Tanshan Li clan avoids Wangyue like a viper, referring to us as outsiders, did you ever consider us family? When you followed Qing Jifang's army and provoked us brazenly, did you ever consider us family? Now, when various cultivators enter our territory and slaughter common folk, did you ever consider us family?"

"Now that a direct descendant is about to die, you have no choice but to act, and suddenly you remember 'family'."

He sneered, saying, "Lord Li doesn't concern himself with bloodlines, and he has many descendants. I presume he won't miss this one."

The pale-faced middle-aged man before him was none other than Li Muyan of the Tanshan Li clan, Li Nitai's biological grandfather!

Years ago, he had sought injury and indeed suffered one, receiving a severe wound from Li Zhouwei. After finally healing, he never expected Qing Jifang to treat him as less than human, hastily dispatching him to Greater West Plain, where he suffered a crushing defeat. Now, he returned still injured and had to rush to the great desert to reinforce the front.

When he arrived, he only then learned that his own grandson, a crucial direct descendant of the Tanshan Li clan used to guard the great desert... had actually been sent by the Qing family with two people from Changhuai Mountain to perform such a deed in the heartland of the Li family!

"This is clearly... clearly setting him up! Either someone from Tingzhou gets killed by me, or he gets killed by someone from Tingzhou!"

He had achieved Purple Mansion breakthrough recently, and his clan's Purple Mansion elders were still alive. He also hadn't inherited any powerful treasures. With his injuries, how dared he confront Li Ximing? Naturally, he dared not provoke him, and could only stand silently in Tai Xu.

The chill in his heart at this moment was imaginable!

"Those from the Qing family never treat people as human, but I never imagined he would be so ruthless... stingy with even a bit of reward or disguise, even... even to this extent!"

Li Ximing discerned some of this and simply said coldly: "You know well enough how the Tanshan Li clan came to be, Fellow Daoist... whether it was a clean break is hard to say, but Tanshan certainly caused harm very cleanly!"

"I also know that your noble family has its difficulties, so I shall grant your noble family its wish!"

His intent exposed in a single sentence, Li Muyan felt utterly awkward, yet deeper down, there was fear. He looked at Li Ximing deeply, seemingly gritting his teeth with suppressed anger. After a long silence, he finally said:

"For your noble family's generous gift, the Tanshan Li clan will remember it."

These words actually made Li Ximing stand up and burst into laughter. His gaze, like flames and lightning, fixed on Li Muyan. He flicked his sleeve and mockingly scolded:

"Well, well, Li Muyan, you're actually putting on a show for me. Who doesn't know you have a Qing Jifang behind you? He treats you like a dog, and you swallow it willingly. You dare cross the border and utter threats in front of me? Otherwise, what exactly are you!"

He chuckled, "Come on... come here—the King of Wei will arrive instantly. If you dare say those very words to him, then I'll consider you a man!"