I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 197 Done
The sky roared, and under the impact of the benevolent sword's intent, the restraining literary energy completely collapsed.

The disintegrating literary energy surged forth like a burst dam, rushing out from all directions and darting about in mid-air, instantly transforming into countless grotesque images.

In an instant, the space between the sky and the sea seemed to have become a battlefield of carnage.

Mountains rose abruptly from the ground, only to collapse in an instant, with rocks raining down.

A raging wave crashed down from the void, its crests transforming into the shape of a ferocious beast, roaring and opening its massive jaws.

A giant bell appeared out of nowhere, its booming sound shaking the very soul.

More often, there were twisted demons and monsters, baring their fangs and claws, wreaking havoc across the land.

Meanwhile, the sea was boiling.

Roars echoed from the depths of the dark tide, and countless monsters burst from the water's surface, their appearances hideous and their scales menacing.

They seemed to be summoned by this out-of-control literary energy, swarming out and blotting out the sky.

Each one had bloody fangs, was wreathed in black flames, and exuded a murderous intent that soared to the heavens.

The human camp's protective formation trembled violently, its array lights flickering incessantly.

The scholars were pale, some staggered, and almost vomited blood.

The demon race was equally horrified; the protective array runes trembled and threatened to shatter, and angry curses and roars erupted in chaos.
"How could the literary style have gotten so out of control!"

"The demonic tide is about to break through the sea!"

"If we can't control this chaotic spiritual energy, we'll all die here!"

A sense of crisis pressed down like a tidal wave, enveloping the entire scene.

The literary atmosphere, the monsters, and the terrifying imagery layer upon layer almost swallow the heavens and the earth completely.

At this moment, everyone understands that if no one intervenes to rein in this rampaging sword intent of the Benevolent Sword, neither humans nor demons will survive today.

In that instant, all eyes were on Xue Xiang.

Xue Xiang soared into the air, leaving the mountaintop and heading straight into the sky above the vast sea.

The out-of-control literary energy transformed into the devil's enormous claws, lunging at him.

On the sea, hundreds of monsters have already taken to the air.

Everyone held their breath.

Xue Xiang stood alone in the air, his robes billowing, his face calm and serene.

The giant claw of literary energy that pounced upon him had not yet touched him when it suddenly froze three feet away, as if blocked by an invisible barrier.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm, and slowly uttered five words:

"Heaven and earth possess righteous energy."

The short sound was like a thunderclap striking the sky.

Everyone felt a jolt in their chests, as if their blood was instantly drawn together, resonating with the verses.

In an instant, the surging literary energy seemed to be awakened, began to gather, and stopped running rampant.

It was as if, under these five words, they were no longer frenzied demons, but obedient soldiers.

Xue Xiang's voice continued to echo:
“It takes on various shapes, below it becomes rivers and mountains, above it becomes the sun and stars.”

The void roared, and images suddenly appeared.

Rivers rush and cascade down from the clouds, like a celestial waterfall;
The mountains are majestic, rising abruptly from the ground, and remain strong and unyielding.

Even more stars fell, transforming into countless points of light that landed around Xue Xiang, shimmering and illuminating the dark sky.

"Is this the righteous spirit, the manifestation of righteousness?"

In the human camp, an old scholar spoke in a trembling voice, tears welling up in his eyes.

Another person shouted hoarsely, "He managed to straighten out such chaotic writing!"

The demon race was also extremely shocked.

What was once a menacing black fog has now been drawn into a vast and magnificent realm by lines of poetry.

A young demon general roared in a low voice, "How is this possible! This is simply beyond the capabilities of ordinary people!"

Chi Ri Feng Huo remained silent, staring intently at Xue Xiang, his pupils slightly constricted, as if he had encountered an unbelievable being.

Xue Xiang remained unmoved and continued speaking loudly:
"In man it is called 'Haoran', so full that it fills the universe."

The writing is powerful and unrestrained, like a strong wind piercing the sun, or a surging wave crashing against the shore, with an unstoppable force.

The chaotic abyss of literary energy that had been rampaging was now gradually receding like coiled dragons, being dragged along by the righteous energy, transforming into pale mist ribbons that slowly merged into the starry river imagery derived from the verses.

Meanwhile, the monsters on the sea seemed to be completely enraged by the vast and majestic atmosphere.

They let out a deafening roar, and hundreds of them soared into the air, their fangs bared and black flames shooting skyward, charging straight at Xue Xiang.

Xue Xiang did not back down, but simply raised his head and recited aloud again:
"True character is revealed in times of adversity, and its deeds are recorded in history."

The heavens and earth roared, and the light shone like the sun.

In an instant, the void split open, and the heroic souls of the martyrs emerged in formation.

Some wield long spears, others hold iron swords; they are all figures of loyal martyrs throughout history, their faces blurred, yet their aura dignified.

Their steps were synchronized, their armor gleaming, and the sound of their footsteps shook the heavens.

The heroic army appeared and clashed head-on with the charging monsters.

Swords flashed and spears clashed.

The monsters howled in agony as they were shattered one after another in the righteous army formation, their blood flames dissipating into phantoms in an instant.

"Righteous spirit, suppressing demons and monsters!"

"This is a formation of loyal souls!"

Tears welled up in the eyes of some members of the human faction, their throats became hoarse, and they almost knelt down.

"Without this person, we would all be dead and have nowhere to be buried!"

The demon camp fell into a deathly silence, then after a moment, an unbelievable low growl erupted.

"He single-handedly quelled the chaos in the entire Wen Yuan Chaotic Sea..."

"This old senior is incredible!"

Xue Xiang, his robes fluttering, stood at the center of all things, his poetry booming like thunder, continuing to resonate throughout heaven and earth.

As each line of "Ode to Righteousness" falls, layers of magnificent imagery emerge, converging like rivers flowing together.

The wind is no longer chaotic, the clouds are no longer wild, and only righteousness reigns supreme between heaven and earth.

And the sword intent of the benevolent sword hanging in the sky trembled violently for the first time under the influence of this righteous energy!
The light flowed and the sword rang out clearly, as if an unprecedented pressure was being felt.

Xue Xiang's voice was as loud as a bell:

"For General Yan's head, for Attendant-in-Ordinary Ji's blood!"

Before the words were finished, the void suddenly turned crimson. Amidst the blood-red light, heroic souls lined up, and thousands of troops marched forward wielding halberds. The blades were icy cold, the armor was imposing, and the noble righteousness converged into boundless killing intent.

"For Zhang Suiyang's teeth, for Yan Changshan's tongue!"

Then, loyal and brave figures descended from the sky, their bones still intact, their blood still flowing, their unyielding spirit solidified into sharp blades.

The mighty army of heroes collided head-on with the demonic tide.

With a deafening roar, black mist swirled, and before the hundreds of demons could even utter a sound, they were shattered inch by inch by the righteous energy, turning into ashes.

Between heaven and earth, only the resounding clang of armor and the undying cries of loyal souls echoed through the heavens.

The human camp erupted in cheers: "The righteous spirit, transformed into a military formation, is simply unstoppable!"

Some people were moved to tears: "If it weren't for the elders, we would have been buried in the turbulent sea of ​​literature!"

Even the demon race was horrified: "This... if such a being exists among humans, who can withstand it?"

The righteous songs have not yet faded, and the noble literary spirit continues to gather.

Numerous images also rushed toward Renjian.

With a gentle shake of his sword, Renjian unleashed a sword light that traversed the heavens and earth like a cascading Milky Way, a devastating event that even cleaved the surface of Wenyuan Chaos Sea into a deep abyss tens of feet deep.

Xue Xiang's robes fluttered, his expression remained unchanged, and his voice, resounding with righteous indignation, echoed once more:
"The earth's foundation rests upon it, and the heavens' pillars are revered upon it!"

In an instant, the world transformed.

A righteous spirit soars straight to the heavens, supporting the four corners of the earth.

An uncontrollable surge of literary energy rushed in, surging into the vast imagery manifested in the verses.

The sword intent and sword light of the Benevolent Sword blazed brightly, struggling wildly, its flames shooting out for thousands of miles, trying to shatter its shackles.

But Xue Xiang immediately followed with the recitation: "The Three Cardinal Guides are the foundation of life, and righteousness is their root!"

In an instant, the image of righteousness transformed into invisible chains, intertwining and binding like the fundamental principles of heaven, tightly binding the sword of benevolence.

The literary energy of Wenyuan Luanhai seemed to be fully mobilized, boiling and roaring, converging in layer upon layer.

Those previously rampaging dragons of literary energy have now all submitted, transforming into clear ribbons of light that merge into the torrent of righteous energy.

The sea monsters, which had been restless, now let out terrified howls. Their black flames died down one by one, and they all hid on the seabed, no longer daring to show their fangs.

Xue Xiang, his breath rumbling, continued reciting:
"Its boundless energy, its fierce spirit endures through the ages; when it pierces the sun and moon, what is life and death to it!"

Each word, each sound, resonated throughout the heavens.

His magnanimous literary spirit, like a boundless ocean, completely enveloped the sword of benevolence.

The sword intent roared and shattered the sky, as if it were roaring and weeping, its light burning like raging fire, colliding wildly.

However, under the endless chains of might, its light gradually dimmed.

The sword's cry faded, and the flames dimmed.

In the end, the sword intent of the Benevolent Sword could no longer move, just as the blazing sun suddenly went out.

It fell into utter silence, all its brilliance vanished, leaving only a shadow hanging silently in the sky.

The wind and waves subsided, and all things were silent.

The entire audience held their breath, staring intently, as if their heartbeats had stopped for a moment.

After a moment of deathly silence, the mountaintop exploded with a deafening roar.

"It's done!"

"The Benevolent Sword... it really was successfully forged!"

"Such methods are rarely seen in the world!"

Within the human camp, the Confucian scholars wore expressions of either horror or fervor, their hearts pounding like drums, and they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

An old scholar, his face flushed, couldn't help but clasp his hands and kowtow to the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan in the air;

Some people felt a tightness in their throats, realizing that if it weren't for this senior, they would have perished in the chaotic literary energy.

The demon faction was in an uproar. "Truly worthy of being the master of Youxiong Jingang, he's amazing."

"I have never seen such a terrifying attack of literary energy. It is too shocking."

"If the Heavenly Dao of Literature remains as lowly as it was before the Sages merged with the Dao, there will probably be no place for our demon race to hide in the world. If an image like Senior Mingde Dongxuan were to manifest, even a thousand armies would not be enough to kill him."

"........."

The mountain wind howled, the banners fluttered, and the murmurs of conversation surged like a tide, stirring the sea and sky in endless waves.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "Oh no! The Benevolent Sword is not moving. Could it have been obliterated?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Pang Weiyi also hurriedly looked over, only to see that the sword formed by the sword intent of Renjian was completely dull and motionless, lying motionless in the sky, and the entire sword body was becoming more and more ethereal.

"Senior Mingde Dongxuan is too powerful. That Song of Righteousness was simply devastating."

"Now look what's happened. The sword intent that has never faded in 30,000 years has been destroyed just like that. What a pity, what a pity."

"Scholar Pang, why don't you give it another try?"

"........."

Everyone was in chaos.

Pang Weiyi's face turned bitter as he stepped forward, took out another black bottle, and poured out a wisp of evil energy.

The demons cursed them again.

Pang Weiyi ignored him, his eyes fixed on the benevolent sword in the sky.

However, the sword remained dull and unresponsive.

The evil energy churned in the air for a long time, but then vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea.

"Sure enough... there was no sound at all."

One of the Confucian scholars fell silent, his eyes revealing despair.

The evil energy gradually spread, transforming into countless ferocious shadows that rushed towards the camps of both humans and demons.

Pang Weiyi looked utterly desperate.

Before Pang Weiyi could speak, the human and demon races attacked together.

In an instant, thunder roared, light and fire intertwined, and the evil aura was shattered in a flash. The myriad ghosts and shrill shadows howled mournfully before finally turning into wisps of green smoke and disappearing without a trace.

The mountaintop fell silent.

The crowd's expressions were complex, and someone sighed softly, "Even the incantation of evil energy is ineffective; the sword intent of the Benevolent Sword... it seems it's truly gone."

Pang Weiyi sighed deeply, his face ashen.

He raised his hand and flicked his sleeve, his deep yet clear voice echoing across the mountain peak: "The sword intent of the Benevolent Sword... has indeed been annihilated."

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

Within the human camp, many Confucian scholars looked ashen-faced and filled with apprehension.

"If even evil energy cannot be stirred up, then it is truly gone."

"Yes, the sword intent that has remained undiminished for thirty thousand years has ultimately turned into nothingness."

Their expressions were wistful, as if they were witnessing the end of an era.

The demon faction was also whispering amongst themselves, mostly with schadenfreude:

"Haha, it is the will of Heaven, Heaven favors our people."

"The so-called 30,000 years of immortality is actually no match for a single article by Master Youxiong Jingang!"

"The sword intent of the Benevolent Sword is inherently harmful to the natural order, so it's good that it's destroyed."

Amid the clamor of discussion, Xue Xiang seemed lost in thought.

He clearly felt that the sword intent had not dissipated, but had subsided, submerged in the magnificent poetic beauty of the Song of Righteousness.

He changed his mind and didn't make a fuss.

Pang Weiyi has already announced the demise of the Benevolent Sword's intent, which has clearly become an excellent opportunity for him.

Xue Xiang said loudly, "Gentlemen, my 'Ode to Righteousness' can only control the literary energy here for a hundred breaths."

Once the imagery fades away, the literary spirit here will surely surge once more.

At that time, I'm afraid I won't be able to do anything.

Gentlemen, please leave immediately.

The faces of the group of humans changed, but they finally suppressed their resentment.

"Although we failed to capture the Benevolent Sword, the Great Xia Dynasty will forever remember your great kindness."

Pang Weiyi bowed deeply to Xue Xiang.

Although he was extremely regretful, given the harsh reality of not being able to obtain the sword intent of the Benevolent Sword, befriending a terrifying being like the Lord of the Bright Virtue Cave was undoubtedly of positive significance.

Moreover, the demon race also has a very difficult opponent, the Bear Vajra.

If we don't befriend the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, who will restrain Youxiong Jingang in the future?

"Our Great Zhou Empire is also grateful for Senior Mingde Dongxuan's great kindness. If Senior has the time, please come to Great Zhou in person. Our Great Zhou royal family will definitely welcome you with open arms."

Prince Duan also stated in a deep voice that he had suffered serious injuries, and that the one who injured him was none other than Youxiong Jingang.

But the more he realized this, the more he understood the terror of Xiong Jingang and the significance of befriending the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

“Senior, Youxiong Jingang is a hero of our demon race. Since you are Youxiong Jingang’s master, you are a benefactor of our demon race. Today, you have saved us from the Wen Yuan Chaos Sea. We dare not express our gratitude.”

With a fierce clasp of fists, Chi Rifengchong led his demon horde away in a rainbow.

With a whoosh, the entire human faction departed.

Before long, the surging imagery transformed once again into chaotic literary energy, slowly spreading out in all directions.

Xue Xiang casually recited a poem to resist the invasion of literary style.

He activated his Xuan Ye Tong (a magical eye technique) and scanned the entire area. In the misty fog, the mountains and seas stretched out vastly, and there were no outsiders lurking.

Xue Xiangteng soared into the sky, standing alone in the heavens. Under the illumination of Xuan Ye Tong, the benevolent sword hanging in the sky was still dim and without light, as if even the last trace of sword intent had been buried.

He slowly reached out, his fingertips landing on the illusory image of the sword, gently stroking it.

The sword trembled slightly, as if an ancient heart was still beating.

Xue Xiang's gaze deepened, and he sighed softly, "Are you also grieving for Prime Minister Wen?"

A faint, eerie light suddenly flashed across the sword.

Xue Xiang sighed, “There is no need to grieve. Prime Minister Wen has transformed into the bright moon in the sky, shining eternally.”

Listen to my verses: "Hardships befell me from the very beginning, war raged, and stars shone all around."

In an instant, the sound was like thunder, and the heavenly atmosphere surged, as if the dust of a thousand years had suddenly reappeared.

On the sword, the afterglow of a starry river appears, and an iron-clad warrior walks alone in the chaos of the world, his blood shadow heavy, his loyal soul undying.

"The land is shattered, like drifting catkins in the wind; my life is adrift, like duckweed battered by rain."

A sense of sorrow pierced the sky, and the sea wind suddenly howled.

Countless images of broken city walls and displaced people appeared between heaven and earth, all swaying in the wind and rain, yet they coalesced into one under the crimson light of the sword, merging into the vast sea of ​​qi.

"Fearful on the beach of Huang Kong, lonely in the Ling Ding Ocean."

The sound of poetry was deep and resonant, echoing through the mountains and rivers.

On the vast sea, the illusion of Lingdingyang suddenly appeared, with towering white waves, a lone boat drifting with the waves, and a figure standing on the boat, his back to the viewer, yet head held high without fear.

The sword's edge trembled and sang, as if resonating with this solitary courage.

Xue Xiang recited again in a booming voice: "Since ancient times, who has ever escaped death? Let my loyal heart shine in history!"

boom--!
The sky suddenly split open, and crimson light shot into the sky like raging fire.

Countless loyal souls appeared in response, clad in armor and wielding weapons, singing mournful songs, all bowing to the benevolent sword.

Then, they transformed into countless streams of light, all disappearing into the sword's edge.

The Benevolent Sword suddenly rang out, shattering 30,000 years of silence in an instant!
The sword's light soared into the sky, its sharpness piercing the heavens, its sword intent surging down like a vast ocean.

In an instant, a streak of light fell, and the sword shadow transformed into a fleeting glimpse, piercing straight into Xue Xiang's brow.

Deep within the literary palace, the sword intent swirled and roared like a dragon, eventually merging with the literary energy within the palace and settling into a deep rest.

The wind has died down on the mountaintop, and the sea and sky are both silent.

The crowd had long since dispersed, leaving only Xue Xiang standing alone in the vast sky, his robes fluttering in the wind.

Between his brows, a faint sword light appeared and disappeared, as if proclaiming: the sword intent of the benevolent sword, which has lasted for 30,000 years, has finally returned!
"It's time to find the remains of General Zhongwu."

Xue Xiang's brows still held the glint of a sword, and his chest brimmed with a boundless literary spirit.

He glanced at the chaotic literary energy around him, raised his head to look at the vast sea and sky, and slowly proclaimed: "Soaring through the air and riding the energy like lightning, I ascend into heaven and earth to seek my destiny everywhere."

The moment the poem was uttered, heaven and earth trembled!

In an instant, the sea exploded, and countless waves surged up from the abyss.

The waves did not transform into monsters, but rather condensed into majestic dragons, raising their heads and roaring, carrying thunder and lightning across the sky.

Starlight and shadows fell from the clouds, intertwining with the dragon's shadow, as if an ancient battle formation had reappeared.

As the verses continued to echo, the literary spirit of the surrounding fields was drawn in, converging into a surging crimson light that flowed straight down.

Under the impact of the crimson light, the once calm sea surface suddenly churned, as if some ancient being was being awakened.

boom!
Where the sea meets the sky, a colossal shadow slowly emerges.

It was an enormous skeleton!

The stark white bones rose from the waves like mountains, the remaining armor was broken and tattered, yet its majestic outline could still be vaguely discerned.

Its head is held high, its empty eye sockets facing the sky, as if it has been watching over the world for 30,000 years.

A broken halberd was faintly stuck in his sternum, rusty but still exuding a murderous aura.

The seawater around it churned and rolled incessantly, as if it were lamenting its fate.

A sudden gust of mountain wind arose, and the world seemed to darken.

"The remains of the loyal general, though dead for ten thousand years, still possess such majesty. We, the younger generation, are filled with admiration. Today, we welcome the general home so that he may enjoy the incense offerings for ten thousand generations."

Xue Xiang bowed three times in the air towards the direction of the remains, then flashed closer and, with a thought, put Zhongwu's remains into his storage ring.

Then, he continued reciting poetry, and he was already riding on the magic carpet, speeding away.

Half an incense stick later, he left the chaotic Wen Yuan.

Immediately afterward, a thought flashed through his mind, and he appeared inside the Wenxu Blessed Land.

(End of this chapter)