As Mo Chenzi's voice faded, the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters began to undergo an earth-shattering transformation.
What had appeared to be ruins suddenly gave way to an eruption of brand-new structures. Grand halls, pavilions, towers, ornate gardens, expansive sword-training squares, towering holy peaks, and various other buildings emerged endlessly, arranging themselves in an orderly pattern across the headquarters grounds.
At the same time, countless formations, like enormous, radiant umbrellas, materialized one after another, blanketing the area surrounding the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters.
Even immense, verdant mountain ranges continuously arose within the sect's domain, crisscrossing the landscape like massive green dragons crawling up from the depths of the earth.
Each mountain range was covered in dense, lush vegetation, brimming with vitality. Vast, sprawling forests also appeared throughout.
A vibrant, bustling major sect headquarters now stood in place of the original ruins.
This was the true appearance of the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters!
The image of ruins previously displayed had been nothing but a thorough illusion conjured by various methods employed by the Divine Sword Sect.
Following this, numerous Divine Sword Sect disciples appeared within the headquarters, moving about actively.
One sword cultivator after another, their bodies erupting with brilliant sword light, soared into the air and patrolled back and forth above the headquarters.
“So the Divine Sword Sect never perished! All these years it was just pretending!
We've been cruelly deceived!”
Countless eyes across the Sword Realm Continent watched the heaven-toppling changes at the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters and roared in fury.
On this continent, the headquarters of all other sword sects and families had long turned to ruin, lifeless for centuries, inhabited only by wandering Remnant Souls.
Yet, the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters remained intact, preserving its original appearance. It teemed with vibrant, energetic sword cultivators, presenting a picture of a vigorous and prosperous sect.
“The Divine Sword Sect seems larger in scale, and its power stronger than in the old days,” some Remnant Souls commented with envy.
“The Divine Sword Sect rose upon the flesh and blood of countless innocents on our Sword Realm Continent.
Every hand in the Divine Sword Sect is stained with our blood.” Many Remnant Souls looked upon the sect's flourishing state with deep-seated rage.
At this moment, Mo Chenzi, leading over a dozen Divine Sword Sect Elders, soared upwards and stood high above the headquarters. Their eyes swept disdainfully across the entire continent. Mo Chenzi spoke, his voice.
“You wandering souls, listen well.
From this moment on, our Divine Sword Sect is the sole ruler of the Sword Realm Continent. Anyone who dares defy us will meet but one end: utter annihilation.”
His words transformed into a mighty sound wave that instantly swept across the entire Sword Realm Continent, creating powerful echoes that reverberated intimidatingly.
As he spoke, an unimaginable aura of sword dao energy erupted from Mo Chenzi's body, instantly blanketing the entire continent.
“A Chaos God!
That's Mo Chenzi's true body! He truly is alive!
The figure we encountered before was just a Soul Power avatar! This is his genuine form!”
In that instant, countless Remnant Souls across the Sword Realm Continent raised their heads to look at Mo Chenzi standing high above the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters. Sensing the sword dao energy he released, they all revealed expressions of fear and wariness.
Although they had occasionally glimpsed Mo Chenzi, the Grand Elder of the Divine Sword Sect, they had always believed him to be like them—a mere Remnant Soul—with strength likely not far apart.
But now, witnessing his true body emerge, each felt a profound sense of dread. In ancient times, Mo Chenzi was already a Chaos God.
The Sword Realm Continent was once one of the most powerful realms in the Chaotic Void Sea, home to numerous Chaos Gods.
And the Divine Sword Sect, as one of the Three Great Sword Sects of that era, naturally possessed its own Chaos Gods. Mo Chenzi, the Grand Elder, was a Chaos God even back in ancient times.
At that time, the Divine Sword Sect boasted over a dozen Chaos Gods, Mo Chenzi being one of them.
Moreover, everyone knew that after such a long passage of time, Mo Chenzi's power must have ascended to new heights.
“Mo Chenzi, your Divine Sword Sect indeed possesses remarkable methods,” a faint, ethereal voice came from the direction of the Azure Dragon Sword Sect headquarters after a moment of silence across the continent.
“It seems your Azure Dragon Sword Sect remains unconvinced.
Even in the old days, your Azure Dragon Sword Sect might not have been our Divine Sword Sect's match.
Now, with your sect reduced to ruins and populated only by wandering souls, do you still dare challenge us?” Mo Chenzi's gaze immediately shifted toward the Azure Dragon Sword Sect headquarters as he spoke coldly.
As he uttered these words, he flicked his hand in a slashing motion. A massive pillar of sword light roared toward the Azure Dragon Sword Sect headquarters, instantly tearing through space to materialize high above its ruins.
This sword radiance towered like a pillar propping up the heavens, emanating terrifying sword dao energy that caused the ruins of the Azure Dragon Sword Sect headquarters below to tremble as if unable to bear the pressure.
However, in the next moment, a blue sword seal appeared within the Azure Dragon Sword Sect headquarters, erupting with overwhelming azure sword light.
Boom!
Mo Chenzi's unleashed sword strike collided with the blue sword seal, producing a thunderous roar of unimaginable magnitude.
For a moment, the entire Sword Realm Continent shuddered violently.
“Mo Chenzi's power has indeed surpassed his former self.”
All the Remnant Souls across the continent were inwardly shocked.
Within the Azure Dragon Sword Sect headquarters, the azure sword seal bobbed in the air, densely releasing endless azure sword light that formed a protective screen over the ruins.
Yet, no higher-ups from the Azure Dragon Sword Sect spoke further. They understood that the Divine Sword Sect's display of its true strength amounted to tearing off all pretense with the entire Sword Realm Continent, formally admitting its role as the traitor in that ancient war.
To provoke the Divine Sword Sect further now would likely cause them to focus their power specifically on the Azure Dragon Sword Sect, aiming to establish dominance.
Mo Chenzi's gaze remained fixed on the azure sword seal within the Azure Dragon Sword Sect headquarters. After waiting a while and observing no further response from its higher-ups, he gave a cold, disdainful laugh.
At this time, no other sects or families on the continent raised their voices, including the headquarters of the Heavenly Sword Sect, from which no sound emerged.
The Divine Sword Sect possessed quite a few living Chaos Gods. The fallen sword sects had only Remnant Souls remaining, along with some remnants of their former legacies. No single sect could possibly match the strength of the Divine Sword Sect, still in its prime.
Under such circumstances, open provocation was unwise.
Within the headquarters of every sword sect or family across the continent, higher-ups quietly discussed the current situation.
All Remnant Souls restrained themselves, refraining from challenging Mo Chenzi openly.
“It seems those fellows are indeed frightened.
Once our Divine Sword Sect reveals its true power, we are invincible on this continent,” one of the Divine Sword Sect Elders said, a smug smile appearing on his face as he observed the total silence across the land.
“Although these wandering souls are staying quiet for now, they will surely band together, pooling their strength to oppose us later,” another Elder nearby chimed in.
“So what?
Even if they unite, our Divine Sword Sect does not fear them. With our current power, we should be capable of completely exterminating all these wandering souls on the Sword Realm Continent,” a different Elder snorted coldly.
“Let's not bother with them for the moment. We must concentrate our power to break through that barrier.
After we shatter that barrier and obtain what we seek, we can then take our time dealing with these remnants scattered across the continent.
Alright, our true bodies will now return to the deep heart of the earth to grind away at that barrier. Let's not waste any more time,” Mo Chenzi declared after sweeping his gaze one last time across the silent Sword Realm Continent.
“Correct. Matters must be prioritized. For our Divine Sword Sect now, the utmost priority is focusing all our strength on cracking that barrier.
As for these wandering souls on the continent, let them prance about a while longer. They cannot affect the overall situation,” a tall, slender Elder stated.
“Friends of the Divine Sword Sect, it is now your turn to descend and take over,” a voice suddenly resonated in the ears of all these Divine Sword Sect Elders.
Following this, the figures of these Elders gradually faded away.
“That brat from the Heavenly Sword Sect, Ye Yunfei, has killed quite a few of our Hidden Sword Guards. Locate his current position immediately, then dispatch an Elder to eliminate him.
This youngster's swordsmanship talent is exceptional. Do not allow him time and opportunity to grow further. Kill him and root out all future trouble.” Before his form completely vanished, Mo Chenzi issued a final command.
Soon, numerous figures radiating powerful sword dao auras left the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters, beginning their search for Ye Yunfei's whereabouts.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei had already returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters and was standing atop a tall mountain, gazing into the distance at the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters.
“This Divine Sword Sect is truly despicable.
It seems they suffered no losses whatsoever during that ancient battle, preserving their full strength intact,” the Golden-horned Dragon Silkworm couldn't help but comment upon seeing the headquarters' true appearance.
“Master, this Divine Sword Sect definitely possesses many Chaos Gods. Their overall power is truly terrifying.
We are currently no match for Chaos Gods,” Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei.
“The Divine Sword Sect is indeed quite a thorny problem.
The sheer presence of those Chaos Gods alone allows them to dominantly suppress the entire Sword Realm Continent.
But it's strange. With such power, why have they hidden their true strength all these years? What exactly are they plotting?
If the Divine Sword Sect colluded with external enemies to destroy so many sword sects on the continent with the goal of controlling it and becoming its overlord, then with their current power, they could simply dispatch forces to wipe out the lingering strength and legacies of the other sword sects,” Hun Lao spoke.
“They must have another scheme.
And what the Divine Sword Sect plots is most likely the legacy and treasures left behind by the Tianluo Sword God,” Ye Yunfei stated.
Hun Lao had already informed Ye Yunfei about the Tianluo Sword God and the Blade Devil Patriarch, so Ye Yunfei, piecing together various encounters and information from recent times, could roughly guess the Divine Sword Sect's aim.
“That makes sense. I think so too.
The Tianluo Sword God was the founder of the Sword Realm Continent and one of the very pinnacle powerhouses in the Chaotic Void Sea back then. The legacy and treasures he left behind must indeed be extremely valuable,” the Golden-horned Dragon Silkworm nodded in agreement.
“The Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters is under tight surveillance by the Divine Sword Sect. Many Hidden Sword Guards are lying in ambush nearby,” Hun Lao suddenly warned.
“Yes, the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters has been completely surrounded by the Divine Sword Sect's forces,” Ye Yunfei replied, his expression darkening as he spoke coldly.