"Patriarch, that fellow Mo Chenzi will likely launch an attack on the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters."
At this moment, Ye Yunfei saw Mo Chenzi's every move with perfect clarity and knew roughly that the man was about to mobilize his forces to assault the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters. He immediately sent a vocal transmission to remind Sword Elder.
"Is this confrontation coming so soon?"
Sword Elder's expression turned grim the moment he received Ye Yunfei's transmission.
After all, the Divine Sword Sect was currently the strongest faction on the Sword Realm Continent, still retaining the strength of its peak era, and with so many years of development, it might have even advanced a step further.
"What is there to fear? If the Divine Sword Sect dares to come, we'll just fight them to the death."
Upon learning that the Divine Sword Sect's army was about to attack the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters, the higher-ups of the other sword sects all spoke with anger. Now, every sword sect on the Sword Realm Continent considered the Divine Sword Sect their enemy—a mortal enemy.
"I will send word back immediately to have our Shijian Manor prepare. We will absolutely not let the Heavenly Sword Sect fight alone," said a high-ranking member from Shijian Manor.
"Our Qinglong Sword Sect has already made all necessary preparations. On the Sword Realm Continent today, all our sword sects must unite. Otherwise, we will give the Divine Sword Sect the opportunity to defeat us one by one. Only through unity do we have a chance to deal with the Divine Sword Sect," said an elder from Qinglong Sword Sect.
Right at that moment, *CLANG!* Another dark iron chain fell from Shoudi Laoren's body, landing by his feet.
"These damn chains that have bound me for countless years have finally all been shattered!"
At this moment, Shoudi Laoren felt a boundless sense of ease. Over the years, he had fantasized countless times about how he would feel the day he finally broke free from these chains. But now that the moment had truly arrived, he felt remarkably calm, his heart as firm as rock. For he had experienced too much in this long span of time.
"Everyone, words cannot express my gratitude."
Shoudi Laoren slowly rose to his feet and bowed deeply to the various sword sect elders who had helped him break the dark chains.
"No need for such formalities. Congratulations on finally regaining your freedom," Sword Elder said with a smile.
"Divine Sword Sect, Blade Realm, Mo Chenzi… are you ready? From this moment on, I, Shoudi Laoren, will become your worst nightmare," Shoudi Laoren said, his gaze fixed in the direction of the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters, enunciating each word.
As he spoke, his feet connected with the earth, instantly filling this piece of land with surging, turbulent earth energy. Earth dragons drilled out from the ground, roaring in unison. Tens of thousands of earth dragons swiftly swam towards Shoudi Laoren, instantly forming the grand scene of ten thousand dragons paying homage.
Across the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters and a vast area around it, countless invisible earth dragons galloped across the land, raising clouds of dust that blotted out the sky.
The Shoudi Laoren of old had returned!
Witnessing this, Sword Elder smiled. It meant their side had gained another powerful expert, greatly boosting their confidence against the Divine Sword Sect.
"Patriarch, the forces of the Divine Sword Sect are about to set out to attack our Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters."
Ye Yunfei suddenly appeared beside Sword Elder and spoke.
Having gained control over the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation, Ye Yunfei could now travel freely across the continent with astonishing speed, arriving anywhere in an instant.
"This confrontation with the Divine Sword Sect is unavoidable. I just didn't expect it to come so soon," Sword Elder said solemnly, looking towards the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters.
"Since the Divine Sword Sect wants a fight, then let's fight," he added.
"Senior, these pills are very beneficial for both your physical body and soul body."
Ye Yunfei retrieved a large batch of Divine Pills and sent them floating in front of Shoudi Laoren.
These Divine Pills had been specially refined by Ye Yunfei for Shoudi Laoren.
"Excellent. Every one of these Divine Pills you've given me has been refined specifically for my current condition. Young man, I truly didn't expect such high talent in alchemy. To be a Divine Pill Master at such a tender age," Shoudi Laoren praised after sensing the Divine Pills before him.
Given his discerning eye, he immediately saw that these pills were tailored for him, leading him to deduce that Ye Yunfei had refined them himself.
"Sword Elder, your Heavenly Sword Sect has produced an outstanding successor. So young and already a Divine Pill Master. If us old fogies ever need pills in the future, I'm afraid we'll have to swallow our pride and beg your Heavenly Sword Sect for them," the other sword sect elders chimed in with praise.
"Hahaha… Ye Yunfei is not just the successor of our Heavenly Sword Sect, he is the successor of the entire Sword Realm Continent. We are all family here; no need for formalities," Sword Elder replied with great delight and a hearty laugh.
At this moment, deep within the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters, Mo Chenzi also noticed the spectacle of the ten thousand galloping dragons that had just appeared around the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters. His expression darkened considerably.
"It's Shoudi Laoren. He really is at the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters. So Sword Elder must be behind this. Without Sword Elder and the Heavenly Sword Sect, Shoudi Laoren alone could never have broken free from my control and reclaimed authority over the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation. Damn it all! It's all that bastard Sword Elder's fault!"
Rage contorted Mo Chenzi's face slightly, his eyes burning with fury.
"Elder Mo, the forces are assembled. Shall we set out now?"
An elder of the Divine Sword Sect stood beside Mo Chenzi, asking softly.
Chihu Daozun stood beside Mo Chenzi, followed by a great host of blade cultivators. Their murderous aura blotted the heavens.
"We set out now."
Mo Chenzi gave a curt nod, his figure soaring into the air as he strode out from the Divine Sword Sect Headquarters.
Behind Mo Chenzi, the Divine Sword Sect's vast numbers of sword cultivators poured out of the headquarters like a tidal wave.
Chihu Daozun walked shoulder to shoulder with Mo Chenzi.
"Heavenly Sword Sect, I originally intended to let your sect linger on for a while longer. But since you've chosen to provoke me now, today will be the day the Heavenly Sword Sect is utterly exterminated."
Mo Chenzi strode towards the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters, his clear voice ringing out. Sword energy churned around him, distorting and slicing the surrounding space with every ripple.
With each step Chihu Daozun took, the space ahead trembled violently. Surging blade radiance shot towards the heavens, displaying an immense domineering aura. Behind him, the faint outline of a giant tiger howling at the sky could be seen, emanating a sky-obscuring baleful air.
"The Divine Sword Sect is now openly standing together with the blade cultivators of the Blade Realm. These scum have no right to remain on our Sword Realm Continent."
At this moment, countless remnant souls across the Sword Realm Continent looked up at the mighty procession of the Divine Sword Sect and Blade Realm forces advancing high in the sky, their voices filled with outrage.
"Our Kuangfeng Sword Faction prepares to join the Heavenly Sword Sect in repelling the enemy!"
A voice echoed from a certain mountain range on the continent. Then, beams of resplendent sword radiance shot into the sky from those mountains.
"Our Baiyun Sword Faction must not stand idly by. Everyone, prepare for battle! Let us fight the foreign invaders!"
From another area of ruins, a large group of figures suddenly emerged, each radiating surging sword light.
"Our Ruyi Sword Sect will join the fight."
On a vast plain, a patch of architectural ruins slowly materialized. An old man, hands clasped behind his back, appeared within a collapsed palace, his voice ringing out clearly.
"Our Fumo Sword Faction will join."
"Our Shuangzi Sword Sect also prepares for battle."
...
One by one, across the Sword Realm Continent, the headquarters of ancient sword sects manifested. One decisive voice after another rose continuously.
These sword sects understood that while this battle superficially pitted the Heavenly Sword Sect against the Divine Sword Sect, it was in truth a battle between the Sword Realm Continent and the Divine Sword Sect.
Of course, the Divine Sword Sect's side also had the assistance of the Blade Realm. The outcome of this battle would directly influence the future course of the continent. If the Heavenly Sword Sect lost, the entire continent would henceforth become the territory of the Divine Sword Sect. With the Heavenly Sword Sect's fall, no other sword sect could stand up to the Divine Sword Sect. If the Heavenly Sword Sect triumphed, then the Sword Realm Continent would have a chance to develop anew, rise once more, and restore its former glory.
"This battle is not merely between the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Divine Sword Sect. It is a battle between our Sword Realm Continent and the Divine Sword Sect! So how can our Mingyue Sword Sect remain uninvolved? We, the Mingyue Sword Sect, vow to live or die with the Sword Realm Continent, to share its glory and disgrace!"
From a famous mountain range on the continent, a giant, bright moon slowly rose. Upon that moon stood row upon row of sword cultivators. A white-haired elder stood atop a longsword that bloomed with resplendent sword radiance, his voice ringing out clearly.
At this moment, within the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters, a dense throng of remnant souls stood behind Sword Elder. A dazzling, radiant sword formation enveloped the entire headquarters.
"Patriarch, we also wish to join the battle."
A group of sword cultivators emerged from a secret realm within the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters. Leading them was Qin Chong, who had officially returned to the fold not long ago. These cultivators, just emerged from the secret realm, were all successors of the Heavenly Sword Sect who had recently returned to the Sword Realm Continent—all of them living beings.
"No, you do not need to join this battle. You are the future hope of our Heavenly Sword Sect. Return now, and continue your cultivation. If we lose this battle, use the transmission altar to leave the Sword Realm Continent. Seek refuge in the outside world and ensure the Heavenly Sword Sect's legacy continues," Sword Elder said, shaking his head as he turned and looked at these living successors.
"Go back. The enemy is too powerful. At your current level of strength, even if you participated, you wouldn't make much difference. So, do as Patriarch says and return to secluded cultivation," Ye Yunfei, standing beside Sword Elder, said, looking at the Heavenly Sword Sect successors.
"Very well. Everyone, we shall follow the orders of the Patriarch and our Senior Brother," Qin Chong said helplessly after hearing Sword Elder and Ye Yunfei. Though he desperately wanted to fight, he had no choice but to obey.
Thus, Qin Chong led the living successors of the Heavenly Sword Sect back into the secret realm they had just left, resuming their seclusion.
RRUMBLE...
Just at that moment, Mo Chenzi and Chihu Daozun had led their mighty force to the front of the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters. The surging tide of sword energy and blade energy transformed into two cosmic torrents that rolled and crashed towards the sect's gates.
"Sword Elder, hand over Shoudi Laoren immediately! Otherwise, today I will annihilate every single wandering ghost of your Heavenly Sword Sect, raze your headquarters to the ground, and extinguish your legacy once and for all!"
Mo Chenzi stopped before the Heavenly Sword Sect Headquarters, his clear voice thundering.