Volume One: Turmoil in Yanyun Chapter Eighty-Six: The Three-Sided Battlefield, Part One

As soon as the Tower of Severing the Nether was shattered, nearly every sect in the world received the alarm.

Qin River. Snow Cloud.

The Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array activated without warning, and the thousands upon thousands of flying swords in the Sword-Burying Pool formed a river of blades that blanketed the sky above the entire Snow Cloud Sect. Across all of Qin River, sword qi and sword intent surged with unmatched dominance.

Almost all the powerful cultivators above the Beacon-Reaching realm from the five peaks rushed to Step-Snow Peak, but even elders in the upper Beacon-Reaching realm could not enter the Hall of Inquiry. Those who could enter the hall at this moment were, at the very least, the ancestral masters or chief elders of the various peaks in the Void Dao realm.

"The Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array has awakened of its own accord. Either Windward Pass has fallen, or the Tower of Severing the Nether has been breached..." said the Grand Elder of Step-Snow Peak. "From the reports outside Qin River, it seems both happened at once this time."

Aside from a handful who knew the truth, everyone else went pale at the news.

Cultivators sought breakthroughs at the right moment. Some could break through to the Path-Binding realm before the age of thirty, while others might linger in the Void Dao realm for a thousand years. That did not mean the latter lacked talent; it only meant they had not yet encountered the proper chance. In search of that moment of transcendence, most cultivators secluded themselves in hidden retreats for decades at a time. If not for the violent reaction of the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array this time, many of the elders present might not have emerged for a very long while yet.

"Didn't the peak master go to Windward Pass? According to the message he sent back, the fortress lord of Divine Might Fortress and the valley master of Fragrant Heaven Valley are both there. The pass should not have had a problem," said the Grand Elder of Unmarked Peak in confusion. "Could it be the demons moving south?"

The words caused another uproar.

At that moment, a cold voice rang out. "The demons are indeed mankind's mortal enemy, but the current demon lord has never broken his word. Since he gave a hundred years' grace back then, he would not begin a war ahead of time."

After a pause, he continued, "Do not speak lightly of unverified claims, and do not spread them. At the very least, you are a member under the rule of the Law Sword. Do you not even understand this much discipline?"

The Grand Elder of Unmarked Peak fell silent for a moment, then cupped his hands and acknowledged the rebuke.

Anyone bold enough to show so little respect to the Grand Elder of Unmarked Peak naturally belonged to Wind-and-Thunder Peak.

And anyone who could lump the Snow Cloud Law Sword into the insult naturally had to be the peak master of Wind-and-Thunder Peak, Yuan Yulong.

The current Snow Cloud Sword Apex was remarkably free-spirited and paid little heed to many formalities. It was said that in private, the Sword Child of Step-Snow Peak even addressed him as that "old shameless one," and yet he had never once shown anger.

But the present Law Sword was severe beyond compare. Back then, even when the third elder of Thousand-Blade Peak interfered in worldly affairs for personal reasons, he had been dragged away and interrogated in prison for a long time. As a result, the entire Thousand-Blade Peak held a deep grudge against Wind-and-Thunder Peak.

For many reasons, the words of this Sword Law carried far more weight than those of the Sword Apex.

Yuan Yulong swept his gaze across the hall and said slowly, "The reason I gathered everyone this time is because of something else."

"What matter?" someone asked.

Before Yuan Yulong could answer, he suddenly felt the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array grow restless, and the sound of countless swords filled all of Snow Cloud.

The Snow Cloud Sword Apex almost immediately left the hall.

Then Yuan Yulong heard the Sword Apex's voice, like a peal of thunder: "Bloodless, you dare come to my Snow Cloud?"

At the mention of those three words, "Bloodless," everyone in the hall vanished with a whoosh, as though teleported. The next instant, they had all gathered in midair, staring at the man in red robes not far away.

His face was hidden within the hood of the crimson robe, impossible to make out. Yet he had just withstood several sword strikes from the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array without so much as a ripple in his calm. With such strength, there could be no other than the Lord of the Blood-cry Pavilion.

"Bloodless, the master of the Azure Robe Tower and the Lord of the Blood-cry Pavilion, has come to bury his sword here."

Xue Qianzhang raised a brow.

The Peak Master of Thousand-Blade Peak gave a soft exclamation.

The Peak Master of Pursuing Moon Peak knitted her delicate brows, somewhat puzzled.

Yuan Yulong's face darkened, and he nearly cursed aloud.

Some elders were baffled by the peaks' reactions and were just about to ask when they heard the Grand Elder of Wind-and-Thunder Peak say solemnly, "According to the rules, no matter who it is, so long as they come to our Snow Cloud to bury a sword, they may not be attacked with the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array."

The Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array possessed heaven-defying might, and in sheer offense alone it was unrivaled under heaven. If Bloodless were to face both the Snow Cloud Sword Apex and the array at once, he would likely perish within a few exchanges.

"So that's his plan," Yuan Yulong said coldly. "Do you think that without the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array, Snow Cloud Sect cannot kill you?"

Bloodless smiled faintly. "And if not?"

"Arrogant!" Yuan Yulong erupted in fury. "I would like to see just what qualification you have to say such a thing!"

He was about to strike, but Xue Qianzhang stopped him.

Yuan Yulong was slightly taken aback. Frowning, he asked, "Sect Master?"

From the look of it, if Xue Qianzhang could not give him an explanation, he would not even let Xue Qianzhang off.

"Burying the sword takes precedence. Let him bury it first."

Yuan Yulong said, "What about Wuyang..."

Xue Qianzhang replied softly, "You go."

Yuan Yulong narrowed his eyes, then nodded. "Fine."

Since Bloodless had appeared here, Xue Qianzhang could not leave.

The Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array was indeed powerful, and perhaps after a bitter battle it might truly be able to kill Bloodless. But before that, how many people of Snow Cloud Sect would die?

Xue Qianzhang suddenly said, "After this period passes, there will be far fewer great Path-Binding cultivators. You absolutely must not die."

Yuan Yulong paused, then nodded. "Shouldn't we notify Martial Uncle?"

Xue Qianzhang shook his head. "No need. Even if you inform him, he will not leave the Sword Pavilion."

After a brief pause, he said, "The thing suppressed within is even more terrifying."

Yuan Yulong seemed to think it a pity and sighed. "If Martial Uncle could make a move, then a mere half-crippled Underworld Palace..."

As he spoke, his regret deepened. Then he seemed to think of something and reminded him, "His sword probably isn't so easy to bury."

Once the sword is buried here, Snow Cloud Sect cannot use the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array to kill him. But after the sword is buried, how could Bloodless, deprived of his Bloodcry Sword, survive in the hands of the Snow Cloud Sword Apex? Xu Sea, Bo Sea, and the barbarian tribes had spent tremendous effort to push the situation to this point. As the strongest of Xu Sea, why would he seek death now?

"I know," Xue Qianzhang said with a nod. "I'll keep an eye on him."

Yuan Yulong glanced once more at Bloodless, then swept his sleeve and departed with half of Snow Cloud Sect's supreme experts. Deep within Snow Cloud stood two teleportation formations: one led to Wuyang, the other to Windward. Once activated, it would take only a few breaths for him to arrive at the outskirts of Wuyang City.

Bloodless did not stop him, or rather, he could not stop him now.

Though the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array did not attack him, an oppressive force as if it could shatter the Nine Heavens clung to him at all times. If he dared make any rash move, he would certainly be met with a thunderous strike.

A fierce spatial fluctuation erupted within Snow Cloud Sect. In an instant, Bloodless sensed that at least half of the Void Dao realm experts in Snow Cloud Sect had departed, and even the Beacon-Reaching realm had been reduced by two-thirds.

He said quietly, "With me here, you are still this confident?"

Xue Qianzhang landed beside him, took the wine gourd from his waist, and took a hard swig. "In front of you, how could they possibly be qualified to speak the word confidence?"

Bloodless said, "And yet Yuan Yulong still dares take away so many experts?"

Xue Qianzhang smacked his lips, finding the wine especially sharp today. "Perhaps they have even greater confidence in me."

A glimmer flashed in Bloodless's eyes. Watching the ice blossoms drift down on both sides, he said softly, with a hint of regret, "In this age, the strongest swordsmen are you and I. Since I am about to bury my sword, do you not want to fight me?"

Xue Qianzhang said nothing.

From Pursuing Moon Peak came a contemptuous voice. "You what's-it-called from Wind Peak, being so shameless is not how a person should act. Hurry up and bury your sword and get lost. Otherwise, let Senior Brother Sword Apex control the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array and kill you. Mutching and moaning all the time—who knows whether you want to bury your sword or just act cheap?"

Bloodless raised a brow and looked toward Xue Qianzhang. "Is that Xue Zhengyue?"

The voice from Pursuing Moon Peak grew even more disdainful. "What? You want to lay a hand on your grandma in Snow Cloud Sect?"

Bloodless looked at Xue Qianzhang and asked, "You've really spoiled her rotten over the years. Such a fine young girl—how did she end up like this?"

Xue Qianzhang said, "If you have something to say, say it plainly. I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

Bloodless was so exasperated he almost laughed. "So you still think this is candid?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he realized something was off.

Xue Qianzhang's gaze had deepened considerably. "You are..."

Bloodless cut him off. "The Lord of the Blood-cry Pavilion."

Xue Qianzhang let out a sigh. "She has already been gone for a very long time. Is it really necessary to go this far?"

Bloodless said, "I promised her that if she died, I would let the whole world be buried with her."

Xue Qianzhang said, "I was there. I know perfectly well that was nothing more than a joke."

Bloodless replied, "On that day, were the rest of her words also meant as a joke?"

Xue Qianzhang wanted to say something, but found that he no longer remembered exactly what Empress Xuan had said back then.

"Then come fight," Bloodless said. "If you win, I will lay down this obsession."

Xue Qianzhang blinked. "You're serious?"

Bloodless looked at him quietly. "Do you think you've got me all figured out?"

With a slight movement of his will, every sword in the Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array turned to aim at Bloodless.

Bloodless's expression turned ugly. "As shameless as ever, I see."

Xue Qianzhang said, "If you turn back, we gain a divine-hidden expert. By then, with you, me, and the Dao Saint of Mount Grand Mystery together, we may not be unable to fight the Demon Lord."

Bloodless shook his head. "I'm not interested."

Xue Qianzhang sighed.

The Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array suddenly unleashed countless strands of sword qi.

Bloodless drew his sword and slashed out fiercely.

A sword qi like a blood moon soared into the heavens, colliding midair with the sword qi of the grand array.

With a deafening boom, the five peaks of Snow Cloud trembled slightly, and many Snow Cloud disciples dropped straight to their knees.

For a battlefield of great Path-Binding experts, they did not even have the right to watch.

Not to mention them, throughout all of Snow Cloud, there would not be more than a handful qualified to witness the battle between Xue Qianzhang and Bloodless.

"If you continue like this, I will not hold back," Bloodless said.

Xue Qianzhang rolled his eyes at him, thinking that the sword he had just used was enough to slay those weaker great Path-Binding experts, yet he still dared say such a thing.

But he also knew Bloodless was not lying.

As before, if a battle were to break out here, then even if Bloodless were ultimately killed, Snow Cloud Sect would be ruined.

He sighed. "Let's go. To Dao Abyss."

... ...