Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 570 The ancient city in mist and rain tells of the past, the candlelight in the cold night testifies to a pure heart (Seeking rewards and subscriptions!)

Deep within Ghost Cry Gorge, all demonic energy dissipated, leaving only deathly silence.

The grotto, stained with blood, glowed a dark red in the early morning light. A breeze swept through, carrying with it the nauseating smell of rust and dust.

After thoroughly searching the Ghost Cave in southern Sichuan, they found that all the remaining cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage were killed by sword energy that appeared out of nowhere. Those below the Foundation Establishment stage probably hadn't learned any profound demonic techniques.

Heaven has a compassionate heart, and it used it on them.

Half an hour later, the two emerged from the cave.

Wan Shuang'er stared blankly at the clouds beyond the canyon. This place was originally filled with miasma, but now her senior brother had cleaved through the clouds with a single sword strike, leading straight to the blue sky. The biting cold wind dispersed the eerie ghostly aura that had lingered for tens of thousands of years, and it seemed to blow away the immense hatred that had been weighing on her heart.

Wan Shuang'er bit her lower lip tightly, unaware that blood was seeping from it.

"Senior brother..." Wan Shuang'er's voice was hoarse, filled with the bewilderment of surviving a calamity and a deep-seated weariness: "I..."

"Your karmic obstacles have been removed, and your cause and effect have been resolved. From now on, just focus on your cultivation and live a good life. You don't need to work so hard anymore." Lu Cheng's gaze fell on her, calm and composed, as if he were not the one who had just single-handedly annihilated the cultivators of the Ghost Cave in Southern Sichuan.

"...That's right, my parents also hope that I can live a good life."

Lu Cheng's words were like a switch, causing Wan Shuang'er's suppressed tears to flow freely, releasing the negative emotions she had accumulated over the years.

Suppressed emotions will inevitably lead to illness. If Wan Shuang'er had not been a disciple of the Taiqing Sect with profound and superb skills, she would probably have already succumbed to the burden.

The intense emotions she felt at that moment caused a flush to rise on her originally pale face, which, mixed with sweat and tears, radiated a translucent glow, giving Wan Shuang'er a completely new look.

If the inner demons are not eliminated, given Wan Shuang'er's mindset back then, switching to demonic cultivation techniques would have been the best choice. By nurturing her obsessions as inner demons and using the daily torment and pain as nourishment, her cultivation would surely progress by leaps and bounds.

However, she was born into the Taiqing Sect and was the orphan of a true disciple of the sect. The entire sect took care of her, passing on cultivation techniques and bestowing spiritual objects upon her, forcibly allowing Wan Shuang'er to cultivate to the realm of the righteous primordial spirit, which has been delayed until today.

We will break this calamity by using the righteous path.

“Senior Brother Lu, you have been in seclusion for a thousand years, and your mind must be a little tired. Why don’t you come with your junior sister to visit the ancient city of Chuannan on the banks of the Qingluo River?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Cheng nodded and said, "Then let's go take a look."

After speaking, Lu Cheng flicked his sleeves, and a gentle magical power enveloped Wan Shuang'er's figure. With a light tap of his feet, a faint sword light lifted the two of them up and they disappeared into the cool morning breeze.

For a cultivator at the Integration Stage, a journey of 400,000 li is but a blink of an eye.

The Qingluo River meanders like a jade ribbon, encircling an ancient and weathered city.

The city wall is mottled, stained with the moss of time and the erosion of wind and rain. The two characters "Nanqing" are written on the city gate, with vigorous strokes, faintly revealing the former glory.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the cobblestone streets were wet, reflecting a faint light.

On both sides are rows of wooden buildings, with faded cloth banners hanging between the upturned eaves, bearing the words "Chen's Pharmacy", "Xu's Silk", "Baiweizhai" and so on. The air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, the sweet aroma of pastries, the tide of the river and the faint smell of aged wood.

In the Earthly Immortal Realm, humans and immortals lived together. As time went by, there were more and more pedestrians on the streets, mostly local cultivators who were practicing Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment, as well as weary merchants.

Wan Shuang'er stepped onto the familiar bluestone slabs, each step feeling like a fragment of memory.

Back then, when the sect decided to develop the southern Sichuan region, Wan Qinghe and Mu Xuening were in charge. If everything had gone smoothly, Wan Shuang'er should have been the eldest princess of the southern Sichuan prefecture, the apple of the eye of the two Void Returning cultivators.

"Senior brother, look, that's Wangjiang Tower. The first time my parents took me to the city, we had tea at the 'Tingtao Pavilion' on the third floor. My mother ordered a plate of crab roe pastries. I was young and greedy at the time, and after eating one, I wanted to take another. My father smiled and handed his piece to my mother and me as well..." Wan Shuang'er's voice grew softer and softer until it disappeared between her lips and teeth. Her gaze was fixed on the pavilion that was faintly visible in the thin mist.

As dusk settles, the setting sun casts a golden glow.

The charm of the ancient city settles down in the night, shedding the hustle and bustle of the day and adding a touch of the gentle and hazy water town atmosphere.

As the lanterns are lit, twinkling lights illuminate the cobblestone path, reflecting on the shimmering river water, creating a dreamlike scene of flickering light and shadow.

The inn in the city, named Wangjianglou, is built by the river, offering a quiet retreat amidst the hustle and bustle, and only accommodates visiting immortal cultivators.

Lu Cheng booked a quiet, elegant superior room with a terrace overlooking the river. Looking out from the railing, the lights of thousands of homes resembled stars fallen to earth, turning the flowing Qingluo River into a dazzling ribbon of light.

In the distance, the mountains are silhouetted like dark eyebrows, while nearby, the water murmurs softly.

Secluded cultivation occupies most of a cultivator's life, but anyone would go crazy if they were to cultivate in seclusion indefinitely.

Therefore, some people enjoy power, some are obsessed with love, some engage in bloody killings, and some find solace in nature. Lu Cheng is a middle-of-the-road type; he has tried a little of each, enjoying them but not becoming obsessed.

The junior sister Wan Shuang'er across from him prepared a pot of clear spiritual wine and filled it for her senior brother, while she herself only held a cup of tea and sat on the embroidered stool by the window.

The soft glow of the night pearl enveloped her, and her beautiful face held an unusual calm, yet seemed to contain a resolute determination to go all in.

The delicate aroma of the spirit wine filled the room, carrying a slightly astringent aftertaste.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the gentle tinkling sound of the river breeze rustling through the beaded curtains.

Wan Shuang'er suddenly got up and walked out. The city was peaceful, and Lu Cheng didn't pay much attention at first. He just drank his wine and admired the beautiful scenery outside the window.

But gradually, Lu Cheng's expression changed.

His keen senses allowed him to naturally perceive that outside the room, his junior sister Wan Shuang'er's hand, her fair and delicate hand, was tightly gripping her robe as it slowly came off. A strand of dark hair fell down her cheek, making her profile appear even more stubborn.

With a creak, the door opened.

Lu Cheng put down the empty cup, the jade ornament lightly tapping the table, making a crisp sound. He stood up, standing at the edge of the terrace, his back to Wan Shuang'er.

But the warm jade and fragrance enveloped him from behind.

"Junior sister, you've been so agitated lately, you really shouldn't make any big decisions in the near future."

"Senior brother, senior brother! Shuang'er is as delicate as a willow, who else but you would be willing to risk your life to level the Ghost Cave in Chuannan for me?"
My junior sister once said, "If you, senior brother, avenge me, I, Wan Shuang'er, am willing to be your slave, your servant, your ox or your horse, and serve you for all eternity!"
Senior brother, Shuang'er asks you for nothing, wants nothing... she only begs for your pity.

My heart is filled with countless knots, and my hatred is as deep as an abyss.

Her delicate hands held a frosty blade, yet she had not severed the entanglements of love.

I accept your jade bracelet, may your icy soul find peace.

My heart is entrusted to the bright moon, forever following the cold spirit of the sword.

Indulging in lust, or even going further and indulging to the point of excess, is not a problem. The moral code of immortals and gods does not have such taboos. What is terrible is that one will fall into depravity because of it and forget the ever-growing ambition of immortals and gods. That is the way to death.

That night, the candlelight flickered red against the gauze window, and the moon's reflection rippled across the river. A soft, melodious song filled the room, isolating it from the worldly dust and melting the ice and snow in Wan Shuang'er's heart.

After lingering in the ancient city of Nanqing in southern Sichuan for a few days, Lu Cheng and Wan Shuang'er set off back to the gate of Taiqing Mountain.

One sword strike astonished the world, his name resounded throughout the universe!

Because Lu Cheng did not completely exterminate the lower-level cultivators of the Ghost Cave in Southern Sichuan, as time went by, the news that Daoist Jingxu of the Taiqing Sect had wiped out all the evil spirits of the Ghost Cave in Southern Sichuan by himself with a single sword eventually spread.

Like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, the ripples spread far and wide.

It first spread by word of mouth among local cultivators in southern Sichuan, and then influenced cultivators throughout the world:
"Have you heard? The Myriad Demon Lord Hong Xuansheng, who had been entrenched in Ghost Cry Gorge for thousands of years, and his infamous demon lords, were wiped out overnight by a single man and his sword!"

"Impossible?! The Ghost Cave in Southern Sichuan is one of the most famous forbidden areas in the world. Although it was not listed among the nine sects and thirty-six factions of the human race because of its ruthless actions, its strength is actually stronger than many of the lowest-ranking factions of the thirty-six factions. How could it be wiped out overnight? Even if it were wiped out, it would probably take a long time for a major faction to attack it."

"It's absolutely true! Just a few days ago, sword energy shot into the sky from the direction of Ghost Cry Gorge, shining like the sun, and the sword energy stretched for 30,000 miles! Then the earth cracked and mountains collapsed, and the demonic energy dissipated like boiling water poured on snow! A few days later, some daring cultivators went to investigate the outer perimeter and finally entered Ghost Cry Gorge. They only saw the valley in ruins, with demonic corpses everywhere, piles of corpses forming mountains, and blood flowing through the valley!"

"But, but which reclusive sword immortal performed this meritorious deed?"

At this moment, a cultivator stepped forward and asked a question.

Although the Ghost Cave in Southern Sichuan tries its best not to plunder the local area, living in a perilous place with demons by its side is by no means an easy task.

Therefore, the monk looked excited and asked a question.

"It is said by a demonic cultivator servant who survived the Ghost Cry Gorge that the one who made the move was: the current leader of the Taiqing Sect, Daoist Master Lu Jingxu of Lu City!"

One man and one sword conquered a famous forbidden area in the Earthly Immortal Realm. This explosive news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the entire Earthly Immortal Realm along the Qingluo River waterway, taking advantage of the passing merchant ships and flying magical artifacts.

After all, a Nascent Soul cultivator is the foundation of a major sect. A Nascent Soul cultivator and an eighth-order mountain-protecting formation can make it difficult for Mahayana cultivators to break in.

Alone with his sword, Daoist Lu Cheng ventured into the Ghost Cave of Southern Sichuan, slaying the 'Ten Thousand Demons' Hong Xuansheng and eleven other demonic figures at the Integration Stage! The Ghost Cave was destroyed, and the millennia-old demonic miasma vanished in an instant!
This ruthless method demonstrates that this human Daoist's killing power is astonishing, even surpassing many Mahayana cultivators who are not skilled in combat and killing. It is enough to make many races among the hundred races of the Spirit Realm wary and even fearful.

…The Taiqing Mountain Gate is visible in the distance, with thousands of peaks towering above the swirling sea of ​​clouds, like the rugged back of a sleeping ancient beast.

Having endured the bloody battle against demons 1,600 years ago and the painstaking efforts of the past 1,600 years, this sacred land of immortals has gradually healed its most gruesome wounds and is beginning to recover its vitality.

When Lu Cheng and Wan Shuang'er returned on their swords, the mountain gate was already bustling with people, creating an extraordinary scene.

A sharp sword light pierced through the clouds and landed directly beneath the gate tower of Taiqing Mountain.

As the sword light dissipated, it revealed Lu Cheng and Wan Shuang'er.

Lu Cheng's aura was harmonious and his Daoist robes were slightly stiff. After the battle at Ghost Cry Gorge, the pressure of his Integration Realm seemed to have become even more refined and settled. Clearly, he was using sword cultivation techniques to compensate for his lack of cultivation.

Wan Shuang'er stood beside him, the icy coldness that had accumulated between her brows had mostly melted away, and her plain white Taoist robe accentuated her upright figure. Her features still faintly revealed the aloof elegance of the female sword immortal who had reached the Void Returning Realm in the past.

At this moment, the gatekeeper's greetings had already begun, their voices resounding through the clouds:

"Disciples of Taiqing respectfully welcome the Sect Leader back to the mountain!"

"Disciple respectfully welcomes the Sect Leader!"

The sound waves surged like a tide, instantly engulfing both inside and outside the mountain gate.

Countless disciples bowed respectfully, whether they were newly initiated Qi cultivators or seasoned disciples who had guarded the mountain for many years. Their gazes toward Daoist Lu Cheng were filled with heartfelt awe and worship.

One man and one sword swept through the Ghost Cave in the south of the river, slaying twelve demons at the Integration Stage!
It was almost equivalent to one person wiping out a demonic force of the level of thirty-six human sects. Such a remarkable achievement had spread to every corner of the Spirit Realm in a short period of time, greatly enhancing the prestige of the Taiqing Sect and deterring many restless forces.

Such a master cultivator naturally commands respect and authority in the eyes of his disciples.

Lu Cheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. He didn't say much, but exuded an air of authority.

"Continue your cultivation, everyone busy with your own affairs. Also, the defense of the mountain gate must not be relaxed. Have you had any important matters to report recently?"

Upon hearing this, a disciple quickly stepped forward from the crowd and said:

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, everything is peaceful within the mountain. However, a few days ago, a disciple of Daoist Ziwei of the Jade Purity Sect came with a visiting card to discuss the allocation of the spiritual mineral vein's share. He is currently waiting to be summoned at the guest house on Ziyang Peak. Elder Xuanqing has ordered that the Sect Leader will return to the mountain gate in the next few days to handle this matter."

Upon hearing this, Lu Cheng parted ways with Wan Shuang'er and went to the Taiqing Palace to discuss matters with Elder Xuanqing, other sect elders, and true disciples.

Previously, he was in seclusion for cultivation, which was understandable to all cultivators. Now that he has emerged from seclusion, it would be somewhat unfair to push all affairs onto Elder Xuanqing alone.

The Taiqing Sect is known for its integrity and uprightness, with far fewer power struggles compared to other sects. However, after Elder Xuanzhen took over the sect, although he successfully preserved the Taiqing lineage and made great contributions to the sect, the number of sword cultivators within the Taiqing Sect increased daily, and conflicts gradually increased as well, which is also a fact.

Wan Shuang'er looked in the direction where Lu Cheng's escape light disappeared, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

The hustle and bustle of the mountain gate and the gazes of the cultivators made her feel a little uncomfortable, but she felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

Thousands of years of wandering and sorrow seem to have finally come to an end at this moment.

Instead of heading directly to Yunxiu Peak, Wan Shuang'er turned and flew towards the Yingling Hall, the sect's ancestral hall located on the back side of Taiqing Main Peak.

This place enshrines the memorial tablets of the heroes who perished in the history of the Taiqing Sect while protecting the sect and eliminating demons.

A mountain breeze rustled through the pines, bringing with it a sense of profound solemnity and sorrow. Wan Shuang'er found two memorial tablets in the corner, inscribed with:
"The positions of Wan Qinghe and Mu Xuening as husband and wife."

Tears streamed down her face silently. She lit incense and bowed devoutly in prayer.

"Father, Mother... Senior Brother Lu... he avenged you. In the Ghost Cave of Southern Sichuan, all the demonic cultivators, from top to bottom, were annihilated. I saw it with my own eyes. Hong Xuansheng was destroyed, body and soul, under Senior Brother's sword... Your blood debt has finally been repaid... I... I am doing well now... Please rest assured, Father and Mother, and enter the cycle of reincarnation." Her voice choked with sobs, the suppressed grief and the weight that had finally been lifted intertwined, turning into silent weeping.

Here, with no outsiders around, she could freely vent her final sorrow. After a long while, Wan Shuang'er stood up, wiped away her tears, and the last trace of gloom between her brows seemed to disappear as well. Her eyes became firm and clear; it was time to look forward.

At the same time, the moment Lu Cheng stepped into the Taiqing Palace, the core elders waiting inside immediately stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Master!"

(The concept of a "true person" in ancient times differs from that in modern times; the traditions within the Taiqing Sect are quite ancient.)
"May the Sect Leader be well!"

The three elders are the core forces that firmly support Lu Cheng: Ming Que Dao Jun, Ming He Dao Jun, and Tong Zhen Dao Jun.

Although the four Mahayana Dao Lords suffered some damage to their cultivation foundations after the fierce battle 1,600 years ago and were no longer at their peak, their auras have become much more stable and profound under the leadership of Lu Cheng and Xuan Qing and the allocation of resources over the past 1,600 years.

In particular, Daoist Mingque's eyes were more refined and profound, clearly indicating a significant improvement in his magical power.

"Senior Uncle, Senior Uncle, and all Elders, there's no need for such formalities." Lu Cheng walked straight to the central throne of the sect leader and sat down.

"The sect has been dealing with many matters recently, and I appreciate your help."

Elder Xuanqing, being the most senior member, spoke first: "The Sect Leader's swift and decisive campaign to quell the Ghost Cave and deter the villains is a great honor for our sect! Now, among all the races of the Spirit Realm, the names of the Sect Leader and Taiqing are highly regarded."

Lu Cheng's discussion with the elders and disciples continued until late at night. The high-level cultivators needed to reach a consensus on the attitudes and strategies towards the various sects of the human race and other races in the Earth Immortal Realm in order to prevent the sect's power from shifting.

Within the human race, relationships are not complicated to manage.

Even though the Taiqing Sect and the Yuqing Sect had some disputes over mineral veins at this time, the two sects were powerful and had a deep friendship. Sending a few of their true disciples to discuss the Dao and fight swordsmanship, regardless of who won or lost and who got the mineral veins, was not a big deal for either sect.

They would never risk a falling out over such a small amount of profit by sending disciples to each other; it would simply be a form of sect exchange.

The real trouble and thorny issue is the relationship between the sects and the alien races of the Earthly Immortal Realm.

During the six hundred years that Lu Cheng was in full control of the sect, the Taiqing Sect had several conflicts with the powerful Flying Spirit Clan of the Spirit Realm over the ownership of resources and the division of territories. At that time, Lu Cheng used the power of the human race to force the Flying Spirit Clan to return and maintain peace.

However, not every race in the Spirit Realm is as easy to talk to as the Flying Spirit Clan.

Leaving aside the racial and cultural differences between the two sides, which make communication difficult, some races among the hundred races of the spirit world are naturally bloodthirsty and murderous, even fond of devouring humans, and are also quite powerful, making negotiations with them extremely difficult.

"This branch of the Chi Demon Clan has recently been engaged in fierce battles with the Sea King Clan. For a thousand years, they have suffered repeated defeats and are probably unable to hold on any longer. According to the Chi Demon Clan's custom, they will inevitably migrate inland, and at that time, I am afraid they will run into my Taiqing Sect."

The Chi Demon Clan has blood-red skin, horns on its head, and is naturally bloodthirsty and warlike. This clan can be oviparous or viviparous, and their eggs even need to be soaked in enough blood to hatch. The Chi Demon Clan near the Taiqing Sect has been fighting with the Sea King Clan for tens of thousands of years.

However, the Sea King Clan is one of the top ten most powerful races in the Immortal Realm. Based on the vast ocean, their population is endless. In recent years, they have gradually gathered their strength and driven out the Chi Demon Clan from the nearshore area. Although they have not yet truly migrated here, judging from the current situation, it will be inevitable within five hundred years.

"Why don't we sell these territories to the nearby Jinshi Clan? The Jinshi Clan and the Chimo Clan are mutually restraining, and having them as a barrier can save us a lot of trouble."

"That's right. Compared to the Chi Demon Clan, the Jinshi Clan is much easier to get along with. In addition, their clan is rich in spirit stone mines. Perhaps we can not only easily resolve this calamity, but also gain some benefits!"

Those present were all top cultivators of the Taiqing Sect. Apart from the Taiqing Sect's past patriarchs, there were almost no other cultivators above them.

Therefore, they are very adept at devising strategies, and as long as it is in the overall interest of the Taiqing Sect, they do not care about the gains or losses of a single city or place.

If people survive but the land is lost, both people and land can survive. If people are lost but the land survives, both people and land can be lost. This simple truth is naturally known to all the high-level cultivators of the Taiqing Sect.

"We can see that the Chi Demon Clan is about to migrate south, but the elders of the Jinshi Clan can't? If we sell these two border towns to the Jinshi Clan now, will they really accept?"

"There's no need to worry about that. As for the Jinshi tribe... their brains are really like stones. As long as we can sell this border town to them, they will choose to fight the Chimo tribe to the death for these two pieces of land. At that time, when the Chimo tribe encounters the stone-headed Jinshi tribe, they will probably choose to detour south. Then, we won't be the ones having a headache."

The three Dao Lords, Ming Que, Ming He, and Tong Zhen, were all highly skilled. Ming He was proficient in spiritual medicine, Tong Zhen was proficient in weapon crafting, and Dao Lord Ming Que had traveled the world and was well-versed in the anecdotes of all races. At this moment, when he spoke with such certainty, naturally no one doubted him.

“If the Chi Demon Clan changes its southward migration direction and continues southward along another route.” Lu Cheng looked at the route on the spiritual map in front of him, and then at the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace shown on it, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Sixteen hundred years ago, after the war to destroy the demons, the eight sects of the human race—Yuqing Sect, Shangqing Sect, Xiji Zen Temple, Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Wanxiang Senluo Hall, Juetian Sword Sect, and Sanhuang Hall—all expressed their apologies to Taiqing Sect to varying degrees. Even if Wanxiang Senluo Hall and Juetian Sword Sect only expressed their apologies on a perfunctory basis, it was still a form of expression.

Only the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace, relying on its advantageous location, has shown no interest in the Taiqing Sect, which has escaped the demonic calamity. So don't blame us for setting you up now.

Just like the war to destroy the demons back then, each sect is ultimately guided by its own fundamental interests. When calamity is imminent, many times it is better to sacrifice a fellow Daoist than to sacrifice oneself.

"Then it shall be decided that way. Elder Mingque should make arrangements for this matter as soon as possible. The sooner this matter is resolved, the less the Creation Palace will be able to find fault with it in the future."

Lu Cheng nodded and said this.

“My disciple Tongzhi is capable of this important task. I will send a talisman to him to accomplish this. Even if the Jinshi Clan wants the fertile land for free and doesn’t contribute a single coin, or even if our sect has to contribute some of it, we must grit our teeth and accept it.”

However, the sect leader needs to prepare for the relocation of the population as soon as possible, as delays are not an immediate solution.

"Yes, that makes sense."

(End of this chapter)