Daqin Zhentiansi

Wearing a marquis's python robe, Duke Zhongyi Su Jing stared intently at the dark light spot on the sand table that symbolized Zhang Yuan's will.

He's playing a long game!

"Using Tianjian Gorge as the anvil, the remaining forces of Xuzhou and Zhaozhou as the iron, and the demon army as the hammer, we will forge a new northern border fortress for our Great Qin right at the mouth of the demon realm!"

"This strategy of 'Iron Wall in the Sky, Great Wall on the Sword Ridge' is so grand in scope that it is not merely about defense, but rather lays the groundwork for a counterattack!"

Such a vision, how many people in this world can possess it!
Su Jing's words echoed in the hall, and everyone looked at the sand table in front of them, their eyes gleaming.

Su Jing's brows remained furrowed.

"However, the hidden dangers remain. Although the local sword sects in Zhao Zhou have exquisite traditions, after this great calamity, less than one in a hundred survived, their foundations were completely lost, and their strength was extremely weak."

"Even with the support and integration of Yongtian sword cultivators, their local cultivators are too deeply suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, making it difficult for them to become the main force."

"The Marquis of Qingyang's use of the remnants of the fallen people and the demon race to make up for the lack of 'strength' is indeed a brilliant move, but if we want to truly stabilize Zhaozhou in the future, and even use it as a basis to launch a counterattack against Guixu, the recovery and enhancement of the native strength of Zhaozhou is the foundation. This is the root of our problem."

Zhao Zhou's own power is insufficient, so the Heavenly Dao cannot make up for it.

The struggle for power is a struggle for the ultimate truth.

Since Zhao Zhou cannot stabilize the world with the Great Dao, the invasion of evil spirits will not stop.

Even the Qin Dynasty cannot continue to waste resources in this place.

Grand Commandant Lu Jun, who was standing to the side, chimed in, "That's right. The Heavenly Dao of Zhao Zhou is on the verge of collapse, suppressing the local cultivators too much, while having almost no control over the demons."

"This is a fundamental imbalance. Even if Marquis Qingyang has extraordinary abilities and can unite foreign aid and alien races, if he cannot resolve this predicament of the Heavenly Dao, he will ultimately be building a tower on sand."

"His next step will definitely be to restore Zhao Zhou's vitality, and perhaps even... attempt to repair the Heavenly Dao? But how difficult this will be!"

Inside the Military Affairs Office, the lights illuminated the solemn yet expectant faces of the people present.

Looking at the outline of the dark Great Wall on the sand table, which was already taking shape amidst the raging tide of demonic flames, they knew that the Qingyang Marquis, who was far away on the front lines of Zhaozhou, had already far exceeded their expectations in his plans.

With integration complete and initial strength established, where will he go next?

Is it a composed defense, or a sharp and aggressive counterattack?

Or perhaps... that seemingly impossible explanation of the Way of Heaven?

All eyes were fixed on the black mark on the sand table that symbolized Zhang Yuan.

……

Zhao Zhou.

southwest.

Deep within the Thousand Blade Mountains.

Hidden Peak Valley.

The place is shrouded in a profound silence, isolated from the outside world.

The water in the Sword-Nourishing Pool is calm and still.

The disciples in the valley focused their minds and followed the ancient precept of "concealing their sharpness and guarding their simplicity, and not speaking unless they are saints".

It was as if the world-destroying demonic calamity sweeping across Zhao Continent was just a distant legend.

When Zhang Yuan's sword avatar, formed from pure sword intent and entwined with thirteen destructive phantoms, tore through space and descended into the depths of Hidden Edge Valley, outside the secluded cultivation chamber, the solidification of space did not arouse the vigilance and awe that should have been present in the valley.

Outside the stone chamber, there was not a single person.

The two elite disciples responsible for guarding the Valley Master in seclusion were dressed in simple sword robes, their auras calm and reserved.

They have all reached the level of Grandmaster of Inquiry.

They sensed the spatial anomaly and the terrifying sword intent. Although there was shock in their eyes, it was quickly replaced by a deep-rooted escapism and arrogance.

One of the older disciples stepped forward, bowing respectfully, but his tone carried an unquestionable distance and authority: "Who are you, daring to trespass into my Hidden Edge Forbidden Ground?"

"The Valley Master is in seclusion, nurturing the Sword Embryo of the Unsharp Edge. This is a crucial period, and he has not emerged for thirty years. Hidden Edge Valley is a secluded place for cultivating its swords, and it does not concern itself with external affairs. Please leave immediately!"

Before he finished speaking, the sword intent materialized into a phantom of Zhang Yuan, its color a deep black, its aura as indifferent as an abyss.

Ignoring the two disciples' attempts to stop him, his gaze pierced through the heavy stone door, locking onto the being inside whose "aura was as profound as an ancient mountain."

"The Demon Emperor of Shaking Mountains has been slain, and the extraterrestrial demons are pressing in. The survival of Zhao Zhou rests on the line of Heavenly Sword Gorge. Cangfeng Valley, are you willing to join us in protecting the bloodline of humanity?"

This announcement struck like a thunderclap, shattering the tranquility of Hidden Edge Valley.

However, he was met with a long sigh from inside the stone chamber.

That voice carried an indifference and weariness accumulated over a thousand years.

"Lord Qingyang? His aura is indeed as astonishing as rumored... However, my valley has long been secluded, cultivating my sword and not concerning myself with external affairs."

"This overwhelming demonic calamity is deeply rooted in karma, and I fear it is beyond the capacity of our valley's secluded sword-cultivation method to bear... This calamity may be difficult to overcome..."

The voice of the old man Zangfeng came through the stone gate, carrying an almost stubborn sense of "self-preservation".

It even implies a hint of resistance to getting involved in the conflict between the Qin Dynasty and the Heavenly Demons.

He mentioned the "way of cultivating swordsmanship behind closed doors," which is the core of the Cangfeng Valley's heritage.

Nurturing the natal sword embryo, accumulating strength for a future burst.

But now it has become an excuse to avoid war.

The word "difficult" hadn't even finished being uttered!

Zhang Yuan's eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light!

He had lost all patience with this high-sounding excuse.

What about keeping your sword hidden away and cultivating it behind closed doors? What about the deep karmic consequences?
Faced with the reality that seventy percent of Zhao Zhou has fallen, Tianjian Gorge has been stained with blood, and countless sword cultivators have burned their souls and sacrificed themselves, this indifference to the world is a desecration of the words "sword bone"!
No hand seals needed, no sword drawn!

He transformed into a sword, pointing his finger at the tightly closed stone chamber, and with a seemingly casual gesture, yet containing an unparalleled will to destroy!
"laugh--!"

A sword intent, condensed to its extreme, seemingly capable of ending the life of all things and causing time and space to freeze and become silent, erupted forth!
This is the ultimate meaning of the "Sword Canon of Annihilation".

The Sword Intent of Immortal Annihilation!

The moment this sword intent was unleashed, the entire Hidden Edge Valley fell into a deathly silence!
"Zheng——"

The ten thousand swords in the valley fell silent!

Whether it was the swords worn by the disciples or the countless sword embryos nurtured in the pool, they all let out a terrified cry at this moment, their spiritual light completely withdrawn, as if they had encountered the emperor of swords and bowed down in submission!

The two guardian disciples were struck as if by a heavy blow. Their protective sword energy shattered like bubbles. With muffled groans, they were sent flying backward, crashing into the rock wall. Blood spilled from their mouths, and their eyes were filled with boundless horror.

Even more terrifying is the old man with hidden strength!

The stone chamber is no ordinary object; it contains the most powerful "Sword Domain of Hidden Edge Valley."

An invisible, weighty, and stable protective sword domain, capable of dissolving all laws.

However, in the face of this "Immortal-Slaying Sword Intent", his proud sword domain was like thin ice under the scorching sun, shattering and annihilating inch by inch!
"puff--!"

The stone gate exploded with a deafening roar!

The old man with white hair and beard staggered out, taking seven steps back.

Each step left a deep footprint on the hard rocky ground. Finally, he managed to steady himself by using the unadorned, ancient heavy sword "Wu Feng," which was not yet fully honed, as a support.

His face was deathly pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes were filled with unbearable horror as he stared intently at Zhang Yuan's indifferent, ethereal figure.

"This...how is this possible?!"

"This is the ultimate true meaning of the 'Sword Manual of Annihilation,' which has been lost for ten thousand years! Lost for ten thousand years! How did you obtain it?!"

The old man Zangfeng was breathing heavily, as if he had just broken free from the ancient ice.

Although the terrifying "Sword Intent of Immortal Annihilation" that had been so powerful as to end the life force of time and space had dissipated, it still burned deep within his soul like a brand.

The myriad swords in the valley remained silent, the lingering aura of annihilation causing each nurtured sword embryo to tremble slightly and emit a low whimper.

His cloudy old eyes were fixed on the solidified phantom before him. Beneath that indifferent expression lay a terrifying power capable of overturning the entire Hidden Edge Valley, and even more so, the supreme inheritance of the sect that had been lost for ten thousand years.

The ultimate truth of the Sword of Annihilation!
This is no longer a simple show of force, but a direct challenge to the lineage of Cangfeng Valley!

His voice was filled with unbelievable shock, and his Dao heart was shaken violently.

The "Silent Sword Manual" is the highest inheritance of Hidden Edge Valley. Its ultimate meaning has long been lost, which is a regret of the valley for thousands of years.

Now it has reappeared in the hands of an outsider, an incarnation of the Great Qin War Marquis, and so easily broke his Sword Domain of No Edge!
The sword intent suddenly receded, as if it had never appeared, but the oppressive aura of ten thousand swords lying low and space solidifying remained.

Zhang Yuan responded indifferently, his voice like a sword blade scraping through cold iron, directly piercing the essence of Zhao Zhou's myriad methods and the foundation of the Hidden Edge Valley's inheritance:
"The Thirteen Ferocious Swords of the Sword Tomb are utterly ruthless. All the myriad techniques of Zhao Zhou originate from the Sword Tomb. Only by guarding this land and upholding the Dao can one live up to the spirit of these swords!"

“Sword Tomb…Thirteen Ferocious Swords…” The old man with the hidden edge moved his dry lips, his voice hoarse, “Originating from Sword Tomb…So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is!”

He suddenly looked up, his eyes no longer showing any struggle, only the long-dormant swordsmanship that had been ignited, mixed with an indescribable complexity and determination.

"Marquis Qingyang!"

The old man with the hidden edge suddenly straightened his hunched back, and his aura, as deep as an ancient mountain, suddenly erupted, carrying a hint of desperate determination.

He no longer leaned on his sword, but instead clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Zhang Yuan's avatar. The movement caused him internal pain, but he remained unwavering, and his voice was loud and clear like the clash of metal, echoing throughout the silent Hidden Edge Valley.
"The spirit of swordsmanship is here! All of us in Hidden Edge Valley are willing to obey the Marquis's command! We will fight together against the Heavenly Demon and protect the bloodline of our human race! We will not hesitate to die a thousand deaths!"

"Om-!"

As if echoing the Valley Master's vow, the silent myriad swords in the valley suddenly emitted a clear and melodious hum.

Although it was no longer as fierce as before, it carried a tragic and sharp spirit, as if it were breaking free from its dusty seal and determined to be unsheathed.

Deep within the Sword Nourishing Pool, the water surged, and the dormant sword embryos emitted varying degrees of spiritual light, soaring straight into the sky and dispelling most of the lingering desolation that permeated the valley.

Zhang Yuan nodded slightly, and the phantom formed by pure sword intent seemed to solidify a bit because of this powerful response: "Good. This battle is not for Hidden Edge Valley, but for the survival of the ten thousand swords of Zhao Continent. Lead the way to the 'Ten Directions Sword Tomb' secret realm."

--------------

The news that the Valley Master of Cangfeng Valley, Elder Cangfeng, had personally submitted and was willing to obey the orders of Marquis Qingyang, Zhang Yuan, came as a bolt from the blue.

The shocking news that "the lost 'Sword Canon of Annihilation' has reappeared" and "Lord Qingyang carries the legacy of the Sword Tomb" instantly swept across the entire Thousand Blade Mountain Range.

And it spread at an alarming speed toward the remaining swordsmanship forces of Zhao Zhou!
"What?! That old man Cangfeng has emerged from seclusion? And he's even pledged allegiance to that Marquis Qingyang?!"

Deep within the Thousand Blade Mountains lies the headquarters of the Hundred Slashes Sect.

Sect Master Yuan Lieshan, a semi-saint powerhouse famous for his "Mountain-Splitting Axe" giant sword, slammed his hand on the table made of black iron, producing a deafening roar.

His beard was bristling, his eyes were wide open, and he looked utterly incredulous.

"Hidden Edge Valley has secluded itself for a thousand years to cultivate its sword; its bones are harder than my 'Mountain-Splitting Sword'! How could that Marquis of Qingyang possibly subdue him?"

"He also possesses the legacy of the Sword Tomb? Let's go! Quickly to the 'Ten Directions Sword Tomb'! I want to see what kind of extraordinary abilities he has!"

He grabbed the massive, door-sized "Mountain-Splitting Giant Sword" and roared, "Yue Zhen! Gather all your capable disciples and come with me to the Ten Directions Sword Tomb! Bring 'River-Severing' with you! This is a deep saga!"

At the same moment, on the shore of Falling Star Sea, deep within the Sea Abyss Sword Mansion.

The Lord of the Manor, Yuan Tinghai, stood silently before the water curtain, his deep, abyss-like eyes rippling with emotion.

His aura was like a deep-sea whirlpool, seemingly calm, yet containing immense power.

"Even the old man Cangfeng has bowed his head. The Sword Tomb inheritance, the Ten Directions Sword Tomb..." he murmured to himself, his voice long and drawn out like the ocean tide. "Junior brother."

"Master of the Palace!"

Deputy Prefect Han Cang responded to the call, his sword intent surging like crashing waves.

"Order Commander Zhan Jianlan to gather the elites of the manor. Follow me... to the appointment with the successor of the Sword Tomb."

Hai Wuyai's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable determination.

"With the resurgence of the Sword Continent's Origin Land, how can my Sea Abyss Sword Intent be absent? Moreover..."

A barely perceptible hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

"At this time of demonic calamity, such a convergence of events is probably not only a blessing for the human race."

……

In the heart of the Thousand Blade Mountains lies an ancient and desolate basin.

Ten enormous sword monuments, each a hundred feet tall and of different shapes, stand like ten silent ancient giants between heaven and earth.

The monument is covered with mottled sword marks and primitive runes so profound that they would make ordinary cultivators dizzy.

The atmosphere of time and war is so strong that it almost becomes tangible.

The air was filled with a heavy, suffocating, ancient, and desolate atmosphere.

This place is the legendary origin of Zhao Zhou's swordsmanship, the entrance to the "Ten Directions Sword Tomb" secret realm.

At this moment, this desolate land, silent for countless years, is bustling with unprecedented noise.

Upon receiving the news, the remaining sword cultivators from Zhao Zhou's sects were converging from all directions like rivers flowing into the sea.

The elite troops of the Hundred Slashes Sect, led by Yuan Lieshan, were all carrying greatswords or heavy weapons.

Their aura was rough and fierce, exuding a menacing presence, like moving iron towers.

It unleashed its fierce and domineering sword intent without any concealment, causing the surrounding space to distort slightly.

As soon as they arrived, their gazes swept across the entire area like sharp blades, finally locking onto Zhang Yuan's avatar and the old man Cangfeng in the center of the basin.

The disciples of Haiyuan Sword Mansion, led by Mansion Master Yuan Ting Hai Wuyai and Deputy Mansion Master Nu Chao Han Cang, arrived quietly like a tide.

Their breaths were deep and long, their sword intent either as profound as an abyss or as violent as a wave. They formed a formation, subtly countering the fierce and outward-flowing sword intent of the Hundred Slashes Sect.

Zhang Jianlantao stood beside the manor lord, his expression solemn, his gaze sweeping over the Ten Directions Sword Stele, as if sensing something.

In addition, there were representatives from more than a dozen sword sects, large and small, each with its own distinct aura, some with their sect leaders in person, and others led by elders.

Some looked excited and full of hope; some looked worried and uneasy; and some had shifty eyes, quietly observing and making connections in the crowd.

A complex atmosphere of tension, excitement, and suspicion permeated the air.

Amidst these crowds, some visible and some hidden, a few extremely subtle, deliberately suppressed yet still undeniably filthy and greedy emanates from them, lurking silently like venomous snakes.

They might disguise themselves as elders of a small sect, mingle among independent cultivators, or even attach themselves to the periphery of a slightly larger power.

Their gazes toward the Ten Directions Sword Stele were filled with a twisted possessiveness and a deep-seated fear of Zhang Yuan's avatar.

Like a hungry wolf lurking in the shadows, patiently waiting for the moment when its prey is off guard or in disarray. (End of Chapter)