The Heavens: A Qing, the Yue Girl at the beginning

Further away, dozens of elite armored warriors at the third and fourth realms roared in unison, hurling their spear-shaped magical weapons and lead powder bombs with all their might! Dozens of streaks of light burning with various colored talismanic flames, like a meteor shower, blocked all possible escape routes for Xue Wangxu!

To deal with cultivators at a high level, different types of soldiers with different weapons are needed to cooperate with each other.

However, the Qin army, consisting of only six or seven hundred men and not all of them being top-tier elite cultivators, could not possibly threaten a grandmaster who had already entered the Mountain Moving Realm. At most, they could only suppress the peak of the sixth realm.

In reality, they didn't even hope to kill the powerful enemy; they only hoped to force Xue Wangxu to defend and thwart this seemingly formidable killing move, thus saving their commander from imminent danger!
"Well done!"

Having caught the change in Liang Lian's sword technique, Xue Wangxu raised an eyebrow slightly, revealing the pride of a victor as he looked down at his opponent's disheveled figure.

In a battle between grandmasters, if one side is forced to resort to such underhanded tactics as having its subordinates intervene and launch a brutal siege, then it is naturally doomed to lose! It disregards martial ethics! It ignores fairness! It has lost the spirit of a swordsman!

Previously, even though Liang Liandong used insidious and vicious means to frame the students of Baiyangdong and try to deal with an old man like himself, he had earned Xue Wangxu's respect simply by choosing a one-on-one battle and daring to engage in a fair duel in swordsmanship. Xue Wangxu felt that Liang was at least a brave man.

Even if they are enemies, they will draw their swords against each other, upright and honorable, without any regrets even in life or death!
Although he was not sincere to people or to his heart, he was sincere to his sword and to his will, so he can still be called a grandmaster of his generation.

Every Qin person was proud to be a Qin person, not only because Qin was powerful, but also because Qin's etiquette and courage were unparalleled in all dynasties. In every aspect, they upheld the principles of fairness and justice, and were ashamed of petty scheming and cowardice.

In the past, the Bashan Sword School brought the spirit of reform to Changling, bringing not only new laws, but also a powerful sword spirit that swept away the old and reshaped the spirit! It can be said to have supported the backbone of the Qin Dynasty!
It is the solitary courage to draw one's sword when facing a powerful enemy, the magnanimity to stop when exchanging ideas and discussing principles, and the open-mindedness to disdain relying on numbers or resorting to underhanded tactics even when harboring a thousand grudges!

However, in this day and age, with the world in ruins, there are fewer and fewer cultivators who still hold such fervent faith, are full of vigor, and would naturally slay injustice with a single sword strike.

Thinking of this, and glancing again at the streaks of light and fire from the army formation, Xue Wangxu couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the fierceness and cunning in Liang Lian's eyes. His expression was neither sad nor happy, but it reflected a look of disdain and a deeper sorrow.

After a few simple words, the dazzling arc of solar prominence, drawn by his natal stone sword and curved like a divine bowstring, did not dim due to the interference of the military formation. Instead, it became even more refined and pure due to Xue Wangxu's complete mental tranquility!
Inside the arc of light, countless fine, hair-like streams of light surged, swirled, and intertwined at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye! It was as if it were not a sharp and unstoppable sword aura, but a living being composed of pure light and fervent will!

In an instant, it was as if a violent magnetic storm had occurred on the surface of the real sun. The originally perfectly round and brilliant arc of light silently split apart in front of everyone's horrified eyes!
One! Two! Three... more than ten! Hundreds! Each of the split arcs of light was as thin as a whip, flowing with a blazing golden radiance, with tiny sparks of electricity leaping at its edges.

This is precisely the mystery of the solar prominence sword—its shape can change, and its power can be divided and combined! Powerful and subtle magnetic lines of force are generated, collided, and superimposed between them, separating and reconnecting!
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding...!
The dense, chilling clang of metal against metal blended into a piercing, ear-piercing sound!

There were no earth-shattering explosions, only displays of ultimate skill!

Those flying swords, powerful enough to pierce several feet of fine steel, were gently guided and pulled by the side of the thin arc of light. The swords trembled violently, their trajectories instantly deviated, and they collided with each other, tumbling and flying diagonally out like drunkards, deeply embedding themselves in the distant mountain rocks!

The dragon and tiger phantoms unleashed by the rune chariot roared as they crashed into the arc of light, only to be instantly cut, divided, and disintegrated by the seemingly slender stream of light, like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, along the weak points of the energy structure, turning into countless scattered points of light and fireflies!
The arrow that tore through the air and flew towards the target was precisely "attached" to the shaft by numerous arcs of light. It was cleverly guided, deflected, and twisted, causing its trajectory to change abruptly. It shot towards the empty sky with a whoosh, and finally fell to the ground exhausted!
Perfect! The ultimate example of using minimal force to achieve maximum effect!
As for the most powerful sword technique, "Qiyan, Jieliu," which contained all of Liang Lian's current true strength, the long river of vital energy and the invisible dam that were cut out were mostly lost due to the diversion of the light arc, and had almost no effect of hindering anything. It can be said that it was penetrated and ignored on the spot, and was also broken through in an instant!

Normally, Liang Lian should still be able to control the "dam base," blocking many of the broken light arcs like controlling a flying sword. This is his basic reaction ability as a grandmaster, enhanced by the Limitless Sword Body.

But when he met Xue Wangxu's gaze, Liang Lian felt the overwhelming aura of the other party. He felt ashamed, as if his sword was covered in dust, his heart was cowardly, and his spirit was lowly. He seemed to be "unworthy to use the sword". His move was inexplicably a few seconds slower. In his haste, he only had time to hold the broadsword horizontally in front of his chest.

Sword mastery originates from one's state of mind.

By voluntarily giving up a fair fight with a cultivator of the same level, one's mental state becomes disordered, and one's sword intent naturally weakens.

Therefore, the "pillar" he had barely managed to rebuild collapsed instantly, and he was violently thrown out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the shaft of a chariot behind him, creating a deep dent. Blood stained the broken chariot floor and scattered metal fragments!

The broadsword flew out of his hand and stuck to the side, still buzzing on its own.

Lost!

Total defeat!
Liang Lian struggled to get up, but felt as if his bones were about to crack, his meridians were burning, and his true energy was scattered and chaotic. He almost lost the strength to lift his hand and was on the verge of unconsciousness. He swayed and knelt on one knee, but still stubbornly held his head high.

Refusing to back down demonstrates the last vestige of a soldier's integrity.

The mountain wind howled, stirring up the pervasive smoke and the stench of blood.

Xue Wangxu slowly sheathed his sword, stopped a few feet in front of him, and the light of the stone sword in his hand faded, returning to its ancient appearance.

He glanced at Liang Lian's injuries, then swept his gaze over the chaotic army formation and the panicked soldiers.

"With martial virtue lost, where is the sword intent?" he said calmly, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Jianlin and the others who rushed over, stood in front of their commander, and were ready to fight to the death. He also looked at the flying swords that circled back several times and the many talismans that were activated again. "This is why we have suffered such a defeat today!"

"Cough cough... Not bad!" Liang Lian swallowed a mouthful of blood, his voice hoarse, but carrying the decisiveness of a tyrant at the end of his road. "Stop... Everyone stop! Zhou Jianlin... withdraw your troops immediately."

"General!" Zhou Jianlin's eyes were filled with tears, and he still wanted to argue.

"Withdraw your troops! Anyone who disobeys... shall be executed!"

Liang Lian roared, shoving aside Zhou Jianlin who was helping him up. Ignoring his injuries, he forcibly used his true energy to support and stabilize his joints, standing up again with his back straight. Although he was swaying precariously, his gaze was fixed on Xue Wangxu.
"Master Xue... what skill! I, Liang... admit defeat! My skills are inferior, I willingly concede!"

"I, Liang, will take full responsibility for the crime of obstructing the road today. My men are merely following orders, so please... show them mercy."

He gave in.

Not only did he admit defeat, but he also took the initiative to shoulder the blame and plead for the lives of his soldiers. This decisiveness and sense of responsibility eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.

Xue Wangxu nodded slightly: "General Liang is too kind. Since this is a friendly exchange, let's stop here. General, your injuries are quite serious, so it would be best if you returned to camp to recuperate as soon as possible. Our Baiyang Cave has no intention of being an enemy of the imperial court, and we are even less willing to commit further bloodshed. I hope that General... will take good care of himself."

His implication was clear: I have already shown mercy by not killing you; if you persist, you will bear the consequences.

Of course, this wasn't to say that Xue Wangxu was entirely without a desire for revenge. However, while killing was easy, the consequences were endless. If Liang Lian or any other soldiers were to die during their patrol duties, given the strict laws of the Qin Dynasty, Baiyang Cave would inevitably face annihilation. Today, stopping the enemy from retreating and preserving the sect was already the best possible outcome.

Upon hearing this, Liang Lian's facial muscles twitched, and a trace of humiliation and resentment flashed in his eyes, but more than that, there was a sense of clarity after surviving a disaster and a deep sense of apprehension.

He stared intently at Xue Wangxu, who remained calm and composed, as if he wanted to etch the old Taoist priest who had caused him such a setback today into his heart.

Considering that Zheng Bainiao has been missing without a trace... a terrible thought arose in Liang Lian's mind: something must have happened to Zheng Bainiao!
The world in Changling is about to change!
I must go back immediately, reassess the situation, and even... consider taking sides!
Xue Wangxu, however, stopped looking at him and instead focused his gaze on the mountain path, severely damaged by the great battle and crisscrossed with ravines, and continued in a loud voice:

"Today's disturbance has damaged roads and affected the local community. On behalf of Baiyangdong, I, Xue, promise that from this day forward, I will contribute funds and labor to repair all official roads and mountain paths within a radius of twenty li, widen dangerous passes, and build stone bridges, so as to ensure smooth trade and convenience for the people!"

Upon hearing this, not only were Liang Lian and Zhou Jianlin stunned, but even the Baiyang Cave disciples and instructors watching from afar, as well as some woodcutters and merchants who were peeking out, showed surprise.

Is it a matter of course for the defeated to pay reparations, while the victors voluntarily undertake the repairs? What does this mean?

Xue Wangxu paused, his words carrying a deeper meaning: "Furthermore, to show our sincerity and to cooperate with the court's new 'construction service' policy, starting next month, I will personally oversee the refining of 'refined ice' into two thousand cartloads every month! This will be supplied free of charge to villages and towns outside the gorge, to various markets in Changling, and to the Bureau of Works and Equipment! This will help with cold storage and transportation, benefiting the people!"

Ice cubes? Two thousand truckloads? Per month?
The nearby soldiers and spectators were completely dumbfounded.

They couldn't follow Xue Wangxu's train of thought at all. Ice? In the approaching winter? What's the use? And two thousand cartloads every month? What's this old Taoist priest up to?

Zhou Jianlin couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "General... this ice...?"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask!" Liang Lian abruptly raised his hand, rudely interrupting him, and secretly transmitted his voice: "Regarding today's events... all those who know about them... after returning to camp... you know what to do!"

It is obvious that Xue Wangxu took the initiative to implement the court's policy of "serving the people through labor," which was legitimate and allowed him to seize the moral high ground. On the other hand, the fact that this master-level figure personally made ice and took the lead in demonstrating it further showed his sincerity and weight.

"Lift...me!" he growled one last time, then sat back down beside the chariot. Several guards rushed forward and carefully lifted him onto a makeshift stretcher.

Qimen Army, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, carried their seriously wounded commander. With a mix of relief at surviving a disaster and an indescribable sense of humiliation, they began to hastily and quickly gather the wounded and retreat.

The iron torrent that came with such ferocity is now as disheveled as the receding tide, leaving behind only devastation.

……

Several miles away, in an inconspicuous, shady spot on a cliff.

Two figures stood silently, seemingly blending into the shadows of the rocks, their auras almost ethereal and unpredictable.

The former carried a pair of large scissors, wore a faded coarse cloth short jacket, rolled up his trousers with a few specks of mud on them, and wore a straw hat. His face was ordinary, like an old farmer tending flowers and plants in the field. Only his eyes, which shone brightly when they opened and closed, seemed to contain the yin and yang energies that were born and died within them.

It was none other than Zhang Shiwu, the former Yin-Yang Sword Master of the Bashan Sword Field.

The other person was an old woman with an ordinary face and simple clothes, who was leaning on a gnarled wooden cane. Her eyes were as deep as an ancient well. She was Zhao Xiangfei's mentor in the Great Chu Dynasty.

She had been posing as an old palace maid in the Qin palace for a long time, remaining deeply hidden and out of contact for many years. She was only recently found and given a way to leave successfully.

In terms of both cultivation and combat strength, the two were far superior to Zheng Bainiao, who had just perished. Both were Grandmasters at the peak of the seventh realm! Although Zhao Qing set up many tests when he left, he also left behind enough resources through various arrangements to ensure that Baiyang Cave could turn the tide!

Not long ago, those two thrilling battles, from the deadly fight in the bamboo forest to the duel in front of the army, also fell into the eyes of the two.

"What a Xue Wangxu."

Looking at the solitary figure on the mountain path in the distance, Zhang Shiwu commented without any concealment, "If we disregard the strength of true energy, just considering the purity of swordsmanship, the clarity of the sword mind, and the comprehension and application of the inner true meaning, you are probably not far from me."

"This 'Sunburst Sword' is truly divine! The arcs of light separate and merge, like the movement of star trails, naturally evolving into an irreversible order and magnificence, pointing directly to the creative power of 'cultivating heaven and earth.' It is indeed worthy of being passed down by Zhao Qing! With such a sword treasure in Baiyang Cave, the future will surely be prosperous."

The latter nodded, his voice calm and even: "One can recognize a sword as well as a person. Although I have had little contact with Miss Zhao Qing, whom you all know, and have mostly heard tales of her indirectly, one can still glimpse her character by observing the pure essence of Xue Wangxu's moves and the upright demeanor they embody..."

"She was able to create such a magnificent yet ingenious sword style, which could defeat enemies without extinguishing their vitality and nourish the world to cultivate a noble spirit. Her heart must be like the sun and moon hanging in the sky, illuminating mountains and rivers. She is no longer bound by worldly power struggles and possesses true wisdom and intelligence."

"The vast universe encompasses all things. Observing its lofty aspirations and feeling its broad principles, it truly inspires our admiration."

"And then there's Liang Lian. Although he's driven by ambition and acts ruthlessly, he's quite capable of assessing situations and knowing when to yield. He knows when to retreat, so he's not without the talent of a general. Although he's defeated today and seems to be in a sorry state with all his reputation gone, his foundation is still intact and his fighting strength remains."

"After this battle, with combat strength comparable to the middle level of the seventh realm, Yuanwu may not punish him. In fact, when he needs people, he may value him even more and bring him back under his command."

Generally speaking, a cultivator who can fight beyond their level represents the potential to continue breaking through and making further progress, and is of great value to cultivate.

"...Actually, that's not necessarily true. Did you notice Xue Wangxu's Radiant Sword Intent?" Zhang Shiwu retorted. "Liang Lian's defeat was not due to his sword, but to his mind. Once fear arises, his spirit is lost, his sword courage is extinguished, and from then on... he will find it difficult to make any further progress!"

"Those who wanted to 'slay generals and seize flags' ended up having their own 'heart flag' severed instead. That's called retribution!"

The old palace maid remained silent for a moment, as if savoring Zhang Shiwu's words, and finally nodded slowly: "I was thinking too little."

Her tone shifted slightly, a hint of coldness creeping into her voice: "But... Xue Wangxu spared him, so he can't continue... But how can we, in Bashan, not avenge Li Guanlan's blood feud? 'Mu Zi,' you've changed your appearance and become General Liang Lian, but you won't escape death under our swords!"

...(End of chapter)