Underground Palace World.
The surging and turbulent power of heaven and earth continuously fluctuated, shaking incessantly. The crystal stones above, like luminous night pearls, fell one by one. The palace itself was collapsing in massive sections. If it were not for this underground cave forged through ten thousand years of fire scouring, incredibly solid, it would have long since crumbled.
At this moment.
The thousand Heavenly Swords condensed by Ning Qi had replaced the previous "stars," transforming into a sky full of glittering constellations. Threads of starlight descended, dazzling beyond imagination, yet in truth, they were filled with deadly intent—a series of unmatched sharp sword auras.
Below.
A terrifying blood-colored monster roared toward the sky. Though faceless and mouthless, its three heads all fixed their gaze on Ning Qi. Waves of horrifying blood energy surged outward. The dozens-of-meters-tall creature leapt high into the air, launching a deadly assault from above.
Golden light flickered in Ning Qi's eyes.
His All-Seeing Golden Eyes activated, causing everything in the world to slow down before him. He stared at the blood-colored beast and saw vast swathes of blood and flesh power churning within. Instantly, he understood the essence of this blood monster—
It was formed by the Demonic Sect's many Heaven-Man Realm experts sacrificing all their blood and strength to merge. Moreover, the remaining Heaven-Man Realm experts continued to pour their power into it.
In a sense,
this was a complete fusion of the powers of numerous Heaven-Man Realm experts, far more potent than the previous forced combined attacks.
"Indeed extraordinary. The strength of this blood-colored monster is at least several times that of the Blade Demon," Ning Qi estimated in his heart. The Demonic Sect clearly had some tricks and deep reserves, not easy to deal with.
However.
Ning Qi was fearless.
That was just a probe. Facing this unknown enemy, a little caution was only natural.
The blood-colored monster surged forward, riding the waves of blood energy. Its six arms grasped stars and moons, absorbing all the sword auras into its body. Its aura showed no sign of depletion; instead, it grew even stronger.
The Demonic Sect cultivators witnessing this were immensely encouraged.
"Blood Demon, take him down!" The elder with silver hair roared wildly. His usually calm face was now fierce. The Demonic Sect had never been forced into such a desperate situation before.
Ning Qi calmly raised a finger.
The thousand-star sword formation in the sky immediately shifted.
The formation was more than just a pile of Heavenly Swords—it contained profound mysteries. Each "star" trembled, and the starlight that had been cascading suddenly surged, illuminating the entire underground palace. The anger and seriousness on everyone's faces were revealed in fine detail.
"Starfall!" Ning Qi commanded under his breath.
In an instant, each star divided into 108 sword auras, totaling 108,000 sword auras.
108,000 sword auras—what a vast number!
It truly resembled a sea of stars falling from the sky.
Under the stunned gazes of the Demonic Sect cultivators,
the sword auras rolled like an inverted Milky Way, rushing toward the blood-colored monster and engulfing it in an instant. Although a single sword aura might not match a Heavenly Sword's power, the sheer quantity made up for the difference. This overwhelming force far surpassed the previous Heavenly Stab Earth Kill Sword technique Ning Qi had used.
"Bang bang bang bang!"
"Roar!!"
The dense sounds of collisions, slashes, and roars rang out continuously.
Everyone saw the Blood Demon roaring fiercely. Its six arms had reached their limit and extended continuously, becoming six tendrils that formed six blood-red barriers, resisting the barrage of sword auras. But even this was not enough. 108,000 sword auras were simply too many. Though the Blood Demon fought desperately, it visibly fell behind.
Blood mist and power drifted away.
Suddenly,
the Blood Demon roared wildly. The three faceless, mouthless heads simultaneously split open as if opening massive mouths.
"Blood Demon Swallows Heaven!" the elder bellowed furiously.
This so-called blood demon was actually without intelligence, controlled secretly by the main formation operator, making it eerie and terrifying. Now he finally revealed himself and unleashed the killing move by controlling the Blood Demon.
The huge suction pulled in the sword auras, swallowing them into the three heads. In the blink of an eye, the space once filled with sword auras became empty.
Xiang Tianxing and the others showed signs of joy.
"It's working!"
They clenched their fists tightly, finally allowing their tense bodies to relax slightly.
But the elder did not smile. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead as he endured immense pressure.
Ning Qi also showed no change in expression.
His golden eyes swept over the Blood Demon's belly, and a smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
No doubt, this Blood Demon was formidable, but he had already seen through its truth. This so-called Blood Demon was just a fusion of power, still controlled by the elder.
At this moment.
After swallowing 100,000 sword auras, the Blood Demon's body expanded rapidly, growing over a hundred meters in an instant.
A cold laugh flashed in its eyes: "Eating so much and not afraid of indigestion."
At this time,
the Demonic Sect cultivators also noticed something was off. After rapidly swelling, the Blood Demon's body contracted sharply, repeating this strange cycle. It was clearly abnormal.
The elder roared angrily:
"Sacrifice yourself and become a demon at once!"
He spat a mouthful of blood, even his eyes streaming blood tears. Several other Demonic Sect experts' expressions changed sharply. Over a dozen older Heaven-Man Realm experts stepped forward. Though not as resolute as the previous dozen white-haired elders, after a brief hesitation, they also joined the charge.
They whispered instructions to those around them, then resolutely accepted death.
Though internal strife often happened, when facing an external enemy, they united surprisingly well, understanding the priorities clearly.
Boom boom boom!!
After a series of self-detonations,
dense blood and flesh power howled out again, converging like a river of blood onto the Blood Demon's body.
In an instant,
the chaotic aura of the Blood Demon stabilized. It howled skyward, releasing a magnificent breath that exploded in the void, transforming into terrifying shockwaves.
With the extra blood and flesh of the dozen Heaven-Man Realm experts, it finally resisted the 108,000 sword auras it had swallowed.
However, this was merely a different way of venting the energy, not like before when it devoured the sword auras into its body.
Moreover,
the shockwaves destroyed one palace after another. The Demonic Sect's servants hiding everywhere turned to dust, powerless to resist.
The thousand-star sword formation and the Blood Demon formation clashed fiercely. It was clear who was superior.
Ning Qi remained unharmed.
But the Demonic Sect had already lost over thirty Heaven-Man Realm experts.
This was an unprecedented heavy loss!
The Demonic Sect's rich reserves, accumulated over many years, had been mostly stripped away by Ning Qi. These people were the essence of the Demonic Sect, in both strength and loyalty. But now, barely over ten remained.
Those remaining were either the sect's new forces, such as two candidate Sacred Sons, or core figures like Deputy Leader Xiang Tianxing and the elder, or experts comparable to the Heaven-Man List's top ranks.
Everyone was filled with both shock and rage.
The Heavenly Sword Realman before them was terrifying beyond measure, clearly surpassing the Heaven-Man Realm. They even wondered if he had stepped into the Martial Sage realm.
But the crisis was not yet over.
The Heavenly Swords hung in the air, their sharp aura making everyone shudder in fear.
At this moment,
the Blood Demon monster no longer dared to charge recklessly. The previous charge had not even touched Ning Qi's clothes but cost the loss of over a dozen Heaven-Man Realm experts. Although its aura had grown stronger, it did not dare take another risk.
It stood before the Demonic Sect cultivators like a towering blood mountain.
The elder wiped away his bloody tears and opened his eyes. Looking at Ning Qi, he spoke gravely:
"Heavenly Sword Realman, how about we call it a truce? Your Zhenwu Sect has suffered no loss. There is no need to fight the Great Yan and us to the death. I can guarantee that from now on, our Sacred Sect will not offend the Zhenwu Sect in the slightest. Everything in the past will be wiped clean!"
The Demonic Sect cultivators clenched their fists in frustration and unwillingness but had no choice.
The Heavenly Sword Realman was too strong!
If they did not stop now and fought to the death recklessly, even if they won, it might not be better.
Eyes fixed on Ning Qi, those golden pupils swept over each person, making their hearts tremble.
Ning Qi spoke calmly:
"If you have the means, just use them."
He came here today without achieving his goal—how could he leave just like that? Entrusting hope to others' promises was not his way. Retreating now, if the Demonic Sect birthed a Martial Sage in the future, the first to be destroyed would likely be the Zhenwu Sect.
His All-Seeing Golden Eyes continued to fix on the elder, the only one emitting an aura he could not penetrate. That must be the elder's confidence. The others were not worth fearing. But using that confidence would likely come at a tremendous price, which explained why the elder begged for peace so humbly.
The elder took a deep breath and said coldly:
"Heavenly Sword Realman, do you really intend to do this?"
Ning Qi did not answer.
In that brief moment, the Heavenly Swords once again brimmed with energy and sharpness.
"Very well! I hope you don't regret this!" The elder looked deeply at Ning Qi, then spoke in a low voice: "Tianxing, take charge of the formation!"
Xiang Tianxing's body trembled, then he nodded firmly.
Over a dozen Heaven-Man Realm cultivators, led by Xiang Tianxing, tightly protected the elder.
The Blood Demon roared angrily, its entire body radiating blood light, locking onto Ning Qi as if provoking him. Ning Qi naturally did not indulge it. He just took a brief breath to adjust his state. He was not one for empty talk. From their earlier fight, he had thoroughly grasped the Blood Demon's truth.
Now he would no longer hold back.
Starfall once again.
108,000 sword auras rolled like an inverted Milky Way, rushing toward the Demonic Sect cultivators.
The Blood Demon roared furiously and actively met the attack. This time it was on the defensive. After the previous lesson, Xiang Tianxing dared not recklessly swallow the sword auras into his belly but focused on defense to avoid interfering with the elder.
The blood power transformed into giant hands, continuously slapping, breaking apart the sword auras which scattered into ripples. Especially the six blood arms, fierce and inexplicable, crushed one sword aura after another. But it was clear the Blood Demon was only barely holding on, completely suppressed.
Ning Qi's All-Seeing Golden Eyes discerned the Blood Demon's flaws. His sword auras exerted even stronger suppression.
The world shook as if the apocalypse had arrived.
Ning Qi saw the elder, after some recuperation, slowly summon an object.
It was a crystal-clear pearl.
The moment the pearl appeared, Ning Qi's heart jumped. He realized the elder's confidence probably stemmed from this.
"What is that?" Ning Qi wondered.
Just then, the elder's silver hair wildly fluttered as he channeled energy into the floating pearl, which radiated dazzling light. Waves spread outward, and suddenly, many hidden servants all twisted and exploded into blood mist with a bang, howling in terror.
The Demonic Sect had at least a hundred thousand servants in the underground palace. Now, under the pearl's power, they all burst into blood mist in waves of fearful wails.
The blood mist converged, not into the Blood Demon's body, but into the pearl in front of the elder.
"By the power of your ancestors, give your final glory!" the elder roared with laughter.
In an instant,
the pearl transformed into a blood orb!
A terrifying power that even startled Ning Qi was born within. His golden eyes blazed as he tried to see through its essence. He saw the power of heaven and earth converging, condensing inside by a special method.
"Could this be... the Martial Sage's power? Could this be the rumored long-lost Martial Sage secret treasure?" Ning Qi's heart stirred with excitement.
Information about Martial Sages was extremely scarce, but the secret treasures were among the few relics passed down. Rumor said Martial Sages possessed powerful treasures, incomparable to mundane weapons. These treasures held tremendous power far beyond so-called divine weapons.
However, as Martial Sages disappeared, those treasures were lost long ago. Unexpectedly, Ning Qi had seen one here today.
"As expected of the Demonic Sect, indeed they have deep reserves."
Ning Qi marveled while a thought formed in his mind.
He used sword auras to intercept the blood mist power converging from all directions, but though the mist was blocked, a certain essential power within was unstoppable.
The power inside the blood orb grew ever fuller.
He fully activated his golden eyes, simultaneously suppressing the Blood Demon and quickly analyzing:
"This treasure is extraordinary. It's not just condensed by heaven and earth's power; a key medium is needed. The blood of those servants contains something extraordinary. The Demonic Sect keeps them here not only for pleasure but likely more for this treasure!"
"Since it can't be stopped, might as well go with the flow and let it form. I have long sought the Martial Sage realm without success. This thing here can condense Martial Sage power. If I can obtain it for research, the Martial Sage realm might be within reach."
"But this must be carefully controlled."
The thought flashed and vanished. Ning Qi flicked his sleeve; the hundred Heavenly Swords fell together, turning entirely into sword auras. The sword auras, which had weakened somewhat, surged again. Three of the Blood Demon's arms were simultaneously severed.
At the same time, Ning Qi operated his golden eyes to quietly observe the treasure's energy flow. Spiritual light rose in waves as he analyzed possibilities, gradually moving toward the correct path.
Xiang Tianxing spat blood, his face pale. He shouted angrily:
"Sacrifice yourself and become a demon at once!"
The remaining dozen or so Demonic Sect Heaven-Man Realm cultivators felt sorrowful. But what choice did they have? They shared glory and loss. They glanced at the elder still channeling the treasure and decided: rather than dying in humiliation, they would contribute. Afterwards, the Sacred Sect would surely not neglect their descendants.
Three Heaven-Man Realm cultivators stepped forward together.
"Heavenly Sword Taoist, we will never forgive you!"
Their roars rang out as their blood and flesh merged into the Blood Demon. The three severed arms regrew, blood light spreading, blocking sword auras.
Ning Qi raised an eyebrow, sensing a subtle fluctuation in the elder's aura. He waved calmly again.
Two hundred more Heavenly Swords descended. This was an all-out burst without regard for endurance, terrifying in momentum.
Xiang Tianxing was shocked.
But before he could shout, four Heaven-Man Realm cultivators heroically sacrificed themselves.
"Heavenly Sword Taoist, you will die a horrible death!"
The Blood Demon's power surged, and these cultivators were strong enough to slightly suppress the sword auras.
But Ning Qi remained calm.
Three hundred more Heavenly Swords pressed down.
The few remaining Demonic Sect cultivators were nearly hopeless. How they wished the elder could awaken faster! But there was no sign.
"Deputy Leader, protect the elder at all costs!"
"Heavenly Sword Taoist, we will fight you to the death!"
One by one, Heaven-Man Realm cultivators cursed as they self-destructed, including the two young Sacred Sons. Ning Qi's expression stayed calm, but inwardly he found this strange. In this way, he seemed like the villain.
He shook his head with a wry smile and looked at the two left—Xiang Tianxing and the elder.
At this moment,
Xiang Tianxing was staggering. The Blood Demon had suffered many blows. As the main formation operator, he too was hit hard. Though the Heavenly Sword's sharpness had been greatly reduced, he was now alone, unable to withstand it. The Blood Demon was riddled with wounds and could no longer recover.
The remaining Heavenly Swords suppressed him.
Their overwhelming pressure nearly drove him to despair.
Xiang Tianxing let out a bitter laugh and tried to merge into the Blood Demon for one last effort.
A hand grabbed him.
The elder had awakened without anyone noticing. He held the blood orb in one hand. The blood light illuminated his face, which was not fierce but carried a hint of kindness. He said softly:
"Tianxing, leave the rest to me."
Though quiet, anyone could hear the icy coldness in his voice.
While channeling the treasure, he was not unaware of the outside. He knew clearly of the Heaven-Man Realm cultivators dying one after another, causing his heart to bleed.
The blood orb's light was not yet complete.
But there was no choice.
Time was running out.
If Xiang Tianxing died too, he would truly become a lone commander. Waiting longer made little sense; better to preserve at least one Heaven-Man Realm expert for the Sacred Sect.
Xiang Tianxing nodded firmly.
He glared fiercely at Ning Qi, like a child backed by a parent. He hated Ning Qi deeply. Today was a calamity for the Demonic Sect—old comrades dying before his eyes. This Taoist was scarier than any demon.
He desperately hoped the elder could suppress this Taoist.
Hearing the elder's response, Xiang Tianxing almost wept with joy, but his gaze toward the blood orb could not hide his worry. Though he had never seen this orb before, he sensed its imperfection.
The elder read his thoughts and said calmly:
"It's enough to deal with him."
He looked at the countless sharp Heavenly Swords with full confidence.
Pride shone in his eyes. The power of a Martial Sage was not something others could understand.