*The Ten Thousand Swords Sea*
A majestic tower loomed high, piercing the clouds, with a solemn and awe-inspiring presence: the Taboo Tower. This was a place revered by all.
On this day, an elderly man with golden hair arrived at the base of the Taboo Tower, his expression grave. A figure in a black robe stepped forward to block his path.
"Who dares approach the sacred grounds of the Taboo Tower?" The black-robed figure raised an eyebrow, his gaze cold and severe.
"I am Buddhist Jing, from the Buddhist Clan, here on urgent business to report to the Taboo Tower," the elder replied quickly.
This elder, known as the Buddhist Elder, had returned to the Ten Thousand Swords Sea with haste, now standing before the Taboo Tower.
"It's you?" The black-robed man seemed slightly impatient. "Ye Guying began his seclusion on the 10th day, immersing himself in the Taboo Tower's swordsmanship teachings. He cannot be disturbed. Why don't you come back after ten days?" he said dismissively.
"Brother Chen, I did intend to return in ten days, but something urgent has happened to Ye Guying's family! It's a serious matter!" the Buddhist Elder said quickly.
"An accident in the Heaven's Chosen family?" The black-robed man was taken aback. "I thought his family was in Blue Soul, with his adoptive father and righteous brother overseeing things temporarily?"
Heaven's Chosen, a title given to the most favored by the gods, held great respect within the Taboo Tower.
"Yes! But an evildoer has taken over Blue Soul, and he's proven difficult to confront. I heard that Ye Guying's adoptive father and his righteous brothers have been overpowered, and Blue Soul has been seized! If we don't apprehend the culprit before Ye Guying's seclusion ends, he might escape before the rightful heir can take back control," the Buddhist Elder explained urgently.
He deliberately omitted mentioning Yun Xiao's talent; after all, the Four-Pillar Sword Stone had yet to confirm it. Yun Xiao's abilities held little significance to the Taboo Tower, which wouldn't accept an enemy into their ranks. Ye Guying alone, with his two Tianquan-level talents, was already unmatched.
"Is that so?" The black-robed man frowned thoughtfully. "Clearpain Son of God and Ye Guying are close. It might be possible to win his favor by involving Ye Guying. I'll take you to see Clearpain Son of God."
"The Son of God? Thank you, Brother Chen!"
At the mention of "Clearpain Son of God," the Buddhist Elder's eyes gleamed with hope.
*Northern Desolate Lands*
This is a desolate and forsaken region on the edge of the mortal world, separated from the human realms by endless hills. Though far from civilization, the Blue Soul Sword Sect vigilantly guards these borders, blocking hordes of monsters from advancing southward.
In those endless hills, large monsters and monster kings can sometimes pass through, but the lesser monsters—those without even the ability to take human form or cultivate proper strength—cannot overcome the natural barriers like Takousan. The Northern Desolate is a land of hidden misery, filled with toxic air, polluted rivers, and endless grievances. The land is dark and ominous, its vegetation twisted and demonic.
For millennia, this place has bred countless monstrous creatures, where they prey on one another, thriving like a cursed brood. Now, the Northern Desolate is home to over 100,000 evil spirits, all gathering under the dominion of the Northern Monster Sovereign, worshipping it as their leader. This Monster Sovereign, a fox in true form, has tamed countless fierce and filthy beasts with its terrifying powers.
Three years ago, Blue Soul's leader, Zhao Jianxing, along with the Seven of the Sword Pavilion, fought valiantly against these monsters, slaying 20,000 and shaking the world. Mortal folk were grateful, praising them as sword immortals who saved the people. Yet, they knew little of the broken swords and the insults that followed.
Three days ago, a great battle unfolded within Blue Soul, unknown to the mortal realm. But today, a young man in white, armed with an azure sword, leads 3,000 sword cultivators northward, marching toward the lair of evil spirits. His name, Yun Xiao, spreads like a storm through the mortal world, stirring admiration.
Once there was Zhao, the immortal of the sword, who faced death with courage! Now there is Yun Xiao, an immortal who stands at the pinnacle. Together, they venture into the Northern Desolate!
Upon hearing of the 3,000 Blue Soul sword cultivators marching north to confront the monsters, the Northern Desolate grows colder, its monster tides surging! In the azure mountains, demonic fog rises like a fox-shaped shadow, darkening the sky with an ominous fierceness.
"My Sovereign summons!"
Monsters across the Northern Desolate answer the call, rushing toward the azure mountains! Soon, countless evil spirits gather beneath the fox-shaped haze, eyes blood-red, their faces twisted with ferocity. Everywhere they go, the vegetation wilts, and the air grows heavy with sinister energy.
The Azure Mountains—the place where the Seven of the Sword Pavilion met their end—are a site of deep resentment for the Blue Soul sword cultivators. For three years, the land has been marked by the shame of their fallen banner. Who dares to challenge it now?
Knowing that Blue Soul's forces are advancing to confront him, the Northern Monster Sovereign has gathered his minions in the Azure Mountains. He stands on the very ground where the Seven once fought, mocking Blue Soul's warriors with his murderous intent.
Today, 100,000 evil spirits swarm over Qingming!
"Three years ago, this mountain buried the Seven of the Sword Pavilion!"
"Today, it shall bury 3,000 sword cultivators!"
The chilling declaration echoes through the mountains like a cold wind, sending waves of excitement and bloodlust through the 100,000 spirits. The land is filled with blood monsters, tent monsters, cunning beasts, and skeletal horrors—all manner of vile creatures! Wolves, foxes, spiders, and venomous insects stretch across miles of blood-soaked land.
High above in the Azure Mountains, green banners flutter in the breeze. Amidst the monsters, seven faces gaze southward, a vision of sorrow and rage!
Three years of chaos, the tyrants of darkness have ruled—where is the road home? Among the countless ravines, fierce and savage creatures gather, some in half-human forms, and others as monster kings over hundreds of years old.
At that moment, a pink light appears against the blue sky!
In the frantic gaze of 100,000 evil spirits, the pink light transforms into an alluring female figure, her skin porcelain white, her features captivating, radiating a fatal charm with a sweet and enchanting physique. Her smile and frown carry an irresistible allure. Behind her, three long fox tails sway, weaving a spell over the onlookers.
"My Sovereign!"
The 100,000 monsters erupt in crazed fervor. Those without intelligence are especially enthralled by her beauty. This enchanting fox spirit, the ruler of the Northern Desolate, has given herself a beautiful name: Yuexian.
At this moment, ten humanoid figures knelt before Yuexian from within the gathering of monsters. Although they resembled humans, they were hideously distorted, retaining monstrous features that marked their fiendish nature. Their transformations were nothing compared to Yuexian's own flawless human form. These ten figures were all monster kings, each having lived for 800 years. Their strength was on par with Blue Soul's revered sword cultivators.
The Azure Fox King, the White Roc King, the Spider Queen—all infamous, relentless monster kings, instilling terror among mortals whenever they ventured south. Their presence alone was enough to send human cities into panic. In the three years since Zhao Jianxing and the Sword Pavilion Seven had vanished, no one remained who could stop them. Even the powerful Shangguan Yu, Li Chenlong, and Chen Dong were no match; the monsters were cunning, experts at ambush and escape, striking without a trace.
Now, hearing of Yuexian's clone being slain and the Snake Sovereign killed, and learning that 3,000 Blue Soul sword cultivators were advancing north for a decisive battle, these ten monster kings—wicked to the core—had gathered.
"We pay our respects to our sovereign!"
They kneeled partially, looking up at Yuexian with eyes burning with a bloodthirsty gleam.
"Three thousand Blue Soul cultivators? Barely a snack!" the Azure Fox King sneered.
"When we're done with them, we'll head south and wipe out the Blue Soul Sword Sect, planting our Northern Desolate flag over their palace!" the White Roc King coldly declared.
"Since the Blue Soul Sword Sect was founded, they've kept us from the southern lands. Zhao Jianxing and the Sword Pavilion Seven only dared to venture north for their own suicide, providing us the perfect pretext to retaliate. We won't fear the Consecrated Famine Pact with them out of the way!" the Spider Queen added with a malicious grin.
"Take Blue Soul, and we'll feast southwards!"
"Then the thousand human kingdoms will be mere grazing fields for our kind," others chimed in, each monster king's face twisted in a sinister grin.
"They'll pay for our fallen comrades—anything less would be unjust!"
Hearing of Yun Xiao's advance, who had dared to kill the Snake Sovereign—a cherished adopted son of the Great Monster Sovereign of Famine—each monster king grew vengeful.
100,000 evil spirits knelt in dreadful obedience. Yuexian's gaze grew icy as she raised a banner of blue, a cruel smile playing on her lips.
"They think they can return their heroes to the Sword Pavilion?" she scoffed.
"Wishful thinking!" the monsters jeered.
Yuexian smiled cruelly, lifting the blue flag toward the assembled monsters. "Each of you, a drop of foul blood upon this banner! Let the souls of the Sword Pavilion Seven be forever tainted with our mark. These self-righteous souls will reek as ours do!"
"Haha…" The monsters laughed in twisted delight.
The Azure Fox King stepped forward, his high status as Yuexian's kin making him her closest subordinate. He squeezed a drop of his own blood onto the banner—a sinister, dark droplet that radiated malice.
"Sword Pavilion Seven? Mere weaklings!" the Azure Fox King sneered, poised to let his drop of blood fall.
But in that moment, the sky above the southern horizon erupted in sword energy, streaks of azure light splitting the heavens!
Rumble!
A great howl pierced the air as 3,000 sword cultivators surged forward, the sound of their blades shrieking like iron against iron, filling the ears of the monsters with a grating resonance.
The 100,000 monsters reeled, trembling as the sound of swords filled the heavens.
"They're here already?" the Azure Fox King was taken aback, his droplet of foul blood missing the banner and staining the ground instead, the very soil turning iron-grey and grim.
And that blue banner of seven souls shuddered. They had come! After three long years, they had come home at last. The banner trembled violently as if responding to their arrival.
100,000 evil spirits looked to the heavens in shock.
Clang!
Above the clouds, 3,000 swords glinted in the sky. There they stood, fearless and ready to die, emanating a murderous aura that shook the heavens.
At their lead was a young man, clad in white with an azure sword, his expression solemn. Yun Xiao, a figure of unparalleled grace and strength, descended from the sky with his sword at the ready, followed by the warriors of Blue Soul Sword Sect.
"Yun Xiao!" Yuexian's gaze blazed with fury, her calm face contorting with rage. She shouted, her face twisting into a monstrous fox form as her fangs bared in fury, "You shall die without a grave!!"
In response, Yun Xiao and his 3,000 followers landed among the masses of monsters. Several allies fell, battered and bloody, near Yuexian.
"Yuexian… save me." Jiang Yue whimpered, reaching for Yuexian with trembling hands. But Yuexian's gaze was devoid of compassion.
From above, the swords radiated an overwhelming aura. Yun Xiao extended his arm, pointing his blade northward: "In the Northern Desolate, no monster shall live!"