Chapter 547: The Four Swords Emerge

Bai Ku.

Li Jian Grassland.

If one were to ask what the most famous place in Bai Ku is, a place even those who have never stepped foot there would have heard of, it would undoubtedly be the Li Jian Grassland.

The reason is simple.

This vast expanse of grassland, stretching for dozens of li, is home to a majestic and towering formation that resembles a grand palace—the San Shi Liu Tian Feng Wu Zhen!

At this moment,

Outside this formation, which reaches up to the azure skies and blocks the great grassland, groups of red-robed figures stand in clusters, forming small teams.

Each red-robed figure holds a formation flag, some standing still, others moving...

But without exception, all wear solemn expressions, as if preparing to face a formidable enemy that could threaten their lives.

Behind each of these red-robed figures are spirit formation masters of varying ages, their faces filled with anxiety, staking their lives on the task.

The teams are spaced only a few li apart from one another,

A distance that ensures help can arrive quickly if an accident occurs in any location.

At the red-robed headquarters,

Lan Ling is inside a specially set-up tent, facing a rectangular table.

On the table lies the structural model of the San Shi Liu Tian Feng Wu Zhen from outside Bai Ku.

The various nested layers are disassembled and stacked several zhang high.

In front of it,

Xin, Hei Ming, and the other guard red-robes stand silently, not saying a word.

"How is Shou Ye doing? Hasn't he returned yet?"

Lan Ling pulls her attention from the formation diagram in front of her and fixes her gaze on Xin.

Xin glances at the increasingly prominent dark circles under the eyes of the woman before him, not daring to look too long, and turns his head toward the window.

"It's almost time."

"He said Xu Xiao Shou has completely vanished, without a trace or signal, but he wants to search a bit more."

"Though, with the formation about to be broken, he has no choice but to come back now."

"Hmph!" Hei Ming sneers from the side. "Xu Xiao Shou... Is this person really more important than the sealed ghost beast?"

"Yes."

Xin nods. "That's what Shou Ye said. I don't know anything else."

"Nonsense!"

Hei Ming fumes. "A mere innate-level ant—how important could he be? Unless he's the host of the sealed ghost beast?"

"No."

Xin shakes his head.

"Not... Ha, aside from the 'Four Swords' and the 'sealed ghost beast,' what else in Bai Ku could be more important? Tell me!" Hei Ming waves his hand dismissively.

"There are things more important, perhaps even more than two."

Before Xin can speak, Lan Ling says,

"First, the remnants of the Jin Zhao Yu Hai have left behind an interdimensional space rift. It's likely that the Sheng Nu will try to access it."

"But the entity inside has sealed off all spatial auras, so we red-robes can't find the place at all."

"Sending more people would probably be futile."

Hei Ming immediately scoffs, "You seem to know everything so clearly, so why send anyone?"

"Not being able to find it doesn't mean we should do nothing."

Lan Ling ignores his attitude and shakes her head gently. "At the very least, we should try our luck and explore that slim possibility."

"A slim possibility?"

Hei Ming throws his head back and laughs heartily. Before he can continue, Xin steps forward and stands in front of him.

"Hei Ming, watch your attitude!"

"You're not in charge here. If you can't hold the outside, then once you're in here, just stay quiet and don't cause any trouble!"

"Oh?" Hei Ming levels his head, and the two burly figures confront each other. "You big oaf, are you trying to teach me how to do things?"

The air thickens instantly.

The other red-robes in the tent instinctively step back a few paces.

They know they can't get involved in a clash between these top figures.

"Enough."

Lan Ling snaps. "The formation isn't broken yet—do you want to disrupt our own ranks? All of you, step back!"

With a swift glance, Hei Ming's cold eyes under his helmet sweep over.

Lan Ling narrows her eyes and tilts her head up.

"Hei Ming, this is my territory!"

"If you insist on asking... I'm teaching you how to act right now!"

"Stand down!"

Snap! Xin immediately steps back to Lan Ling's side and gives her an approving look.

That was a satisfying reprimand!

"What now?"

Lan Ling glances at Xin, then looks up at Hei Ming, who towers over her.

Hei Ming hesitates for a long while before finally stepping back half a pace.

"Whew."

Lan Ling lets out a silent sigh of relief in her heart.

Truth be told, she's the last one who wants a fight to break out here.

Admittedly, Hei Ming still doesn't fully accept her leadership, but when it comes to major issues, he understands the bigger picture.

Fighting at this critical moment would be nothing but internal strife for the red-robes.

"How's the formation-breaking progress? How much longer?"

Xin looks out the window at the towering Tian Ji Da Zhen and asks.

"All is ready, except for the final trigger."

"The final trigger?"

Xin turns back, puzzled.

"Yes."

Lan Ling also gazes into the distance and says slowly, "The key points of the Tian Ji Da Zhen have basically all been uncovered."

"I've ordered everyone to stand by and wait for the last step to fully dismantle the formation."

"They've all been uncovered, so why wait?" Xin grows anxious. "Why not break it now?"

"No, we have to wait."

Lan Ling shakes her head.

"Wait for what?"

"For someone!"

"Who?"

"A Tian Ji formation must be cracked by a Tian Ji master. No matter how strong I am, I'm just a grandmaster of spirit formations. Some things are beyond my capabilities."

"A Tian Ji master..."

Xin hesitates.

He's heard of such beings, but they come from the headquarters of the Sheng Shen Hall.

Will they arrive in time?

Hei Ming casually drags a chair over and sits down in the back.

This isn't his command post.

Since speaking up would only lead to unnecessary arguments, he decides to observe quietly.

Whoosh!

Just then, a gust of wind rustles the door curtain.

Xin suddenly turns. "Who's there?"

"Lan Ling jie, Xin ye!"

A figure rushes into the tent.

"Xiao Ke?" Xin's attempt to act stalls.

"Yeah."

Lu Ke's face is full of excitement, like a child who's skipped school to play and now uses feigned joy to ward off adult anger.

"She's here."

Lan Ling murmurs softly, her eyes not even on Lu Ke.

Sure enough, the next second, Lu Ke points outside the door and says loudly, "Lan Ling jie, Xin ye, look who I brought!"

"Who?"

Xin follows the gesture, and even Hei Ming silently turns his head.

"Hehe."

Lu Ke scurries over, flings open the door curtain, and announces toward the outside,

"This is the direct disciple of Dao Xuan Ji from the Sheng Shen Hall headquarters, ranked second on the Tian Bang of the Dao Department—one of the six departments—and the super genius who broke Dao Shu Shu's record as the newest top Tian Ji master on the continent..."

"Yu Zhi Wen, Zhi Wen jie!"

The crimson twilight filters in as the curtain is lifted.

Thud! Hei Ming jumps up from his chair in shock.

Xin quickly lowers his raised head, abandoning any thoughts of scolding Lu Ke.

Even Lan Ling's pupils contract in an instant, her heart stirred by massive waves.

Dao Xuan Ji, the sister of Dao Qiong Cang...

The Tian Bang of the Dao Department—one of the six—is a ranking of fanatics delving into the world's mysteries...

And the newcomer is Dao Xuan Ji's personal disciple, ranked second on the Dao Department's Tian Bang!

Lan Ling is stunned.

She had received word that headquarters would send someone to handle the final formation breaking.

But she never imagined the person would have such a formidable background!

Tap.

With footsteps, a woman steps in from outside.

As soon as she enters, she gracefully bows, then lifts her gaze.

Under the surprised eyes of everyone, she reveals a face partially covered by a veil.

Though her features are mostly hidden, just those captivating star-like eyes hold everyone's gaze captive.

"This humble girl, Yu Zhi Wen, greets all the seniors."

In a certain area of Bai Ku,

Before a rather impressive interdimensional rift,

The place is utterly dark, with visibility zero.

Even spiritual senses probe into nothingness.

"Is this the 'Void Island Rift'?"

Cen Qiao Fu emerges in surprise from another spatial rift.

He then gently sets the blood-soaked masked person on his back down on the ground.

"Are you alright?"

Seeing his leader end up like this without even fighting, just from a mere interdimensional rift, Cen Qiao Fu can't help but twitch his mouth.

"Cough, cough!"

"Pfft..."

A large splatter of blood sprays out as the masked person struggles to rise. "No, no problem... Pfft!"

Cen Qiao Fu: "..."

"I've always heard that distant mountains can weary the horse, but after becoming a spirit refiner, being trapped in spatial rifts for so long and misled to so many similar places..."

"This is a first for me."

After helping the masked person up, Cen Qiao Fu gazes at the interdimensional spatial rift before them and sighs.

As for his leader's injuries...

Well, this guy won't die, so no need to waste pills.

"Pfft!"

The masked person spits out another mouthful of blood.

The thick blood is now seeping through the mask and dripping out.

Cen Qiao Fu hesitates for a moment before pulling out a pill. "How about taking one?"

"No need."

The masked person waves it off—what can't be healed by pills isn't worth wasting them on.

He struggles for a bit and finally lifts his head to look at the rift.

"After all, it's the work of a Sheng Di, meant to ward off the high levels of the Sheng Shen Hall. With the strength you've shown, cracking this maze and finding the final place is already impressive."

He remarks with emotion, but suddenly...

"Pfft!"

Another foul mouthful of blood erupts.

"Don't say that, this old man followed your guidance to get here."

"If not for you pointing the way, I alone couldn't have found this place."

Cen Qiao Fu pats the masked person's back with concern and tsks. "By the way, the one inside—is it really a Sheng Di?" He glances at the rift.

"Yes."

The masked person nods. "Even a Ban Sheng wouldn't qualify to force those people to act."

"Not even a Ban Sheng... How did you, as a Houtian, sense this place?" Cen Qiao Fu raises an eyebrow, deliberately prodding.

"I've been inside, so naturally I know."

The masked person clearly doesn't want to elaborate and changes the subject. "What about the storyteller? Any new messages?"

Cen Qiao Fu replies, "I can't sense his aura here anymore, but there was a message earlier."

"He said he's encountered a red-robe called the Shou Ye Ren and already had one of his external avatars killed."

"Oh?" The masked person shows surprise.

Cen Qiao Fu continues, "The opponent is just a Zhan Dao level, but wields Taixu power, likely related to the Sheng Shen Hall's latest research."

"Ghost beast..." The masked person murmurs, then asks, "Anything else?"

"Yes."

Cen Qiao Fu chuckles. "He also said he's prepared a big surprise for you and will deliver it personally."

"A big surprise?"

The masked person suddenly tenses. "What kind of surprise?"

"I don't know—you two can discuss it yourselves!" Cen Qiao Fu shivers a bit, not wanting to get involved in their affairs.

"Could he have found Wen Ming and brought him along?" The masked person smiles faintly.

"No idea."

Cen Qiao Fu composes himself and says seriously, "Oh, right, there's another very important message. The storyteller's effeminate friend didn't send it, but outsiders did."

"What message?"

"Gou Wu Yue seems to have arrived, right outside Bai Ku!"

"Gou Wu Yue?"

The masked person pauses, his murky eyes flashing with memories.

"Yes."

"And not only that, he's injured."

Cen Qiao Fu's expression turns grave.

"Tell me more."

"Alright." Cen Qiao Fu nods and continues, "Gou Wu Yue led a group of white-robes from the East Domain and intercepted at the entrance of Bai Ku."

"From the looks of it, the storyteller might not have come to help on purpose—maybe his branch in the Central Domain was wiped out, and he's fleeing for his life." He can't help but grumble.

"Go on." The masked person isn't interested in that.

"Oh."

Cen Qiao Fu reluctantly continues,

"Gou Wu Yue's team encountered an ambush while passing through Qing Long County, suffering heavy casualties."

"The white-robes tried to suppress the information, but too many people witnessed the battle, so it couldn't be contained."

"Two types of power appeared in the fight—one from the Jin Zhao lineage, from the attackers."

"They say it was an earth-shattering battle with Gou Wu Yue, scorching thousands of li."

"You probably know who that is."

The masked person hears this and a hint of amusement flashes in his eyes.

"Revenge, huh..."

"Still with that hot temper—doesn't he know his own limits? In his condition, can he really fight one of the Qi Jian Xian?"

"What about the other power?"

He asks, then shifts, "Did he die?"

"No."

Cen Qiao Fu says, "In the end, after their desperate duel, a great Buddha appeared, its sword energy slashing in all directions and splitting the world in two."

"The person was taken away."

"But as for the second power, rumors say... the Di Ba Jian Xian!"

Cen Qiao Fu watches the masked person, trying to gauge his reaction.

"The Di Ba Jian Xian?"

The masked person shows no ripple in his eyes and says lightly, "So, the continent finally has another Jian Xian? Not bad."

"Not another one."

Cen Qiao Fu shakes his head firmly. "The Di Ba Jian Xian is unique!"

The masked person falls silent.

"Who is he?" Cen Qiao Fu asks.

"How should I know?"

The masked person smirks. "You should ask those who saw him. I've been with you the whole time and haven't even glimpsed the person—why ask me?"

"But that was the 'Great Buddha Slash'!" Cen Qiao Fu raises his voice.

"The Great Buddha Slash is just a minor application of Illusion Sword Technique. Plenty of people in the world can do it."

"But the sword intent isn't!" Cen Qiao Fu insists.

"The world is full of talents. If someone can comprehend 'Punish God and Calamity Tribulation,' it's not surprising for another to grasp sword intent."

Cen Qiao Fu: "..."

He wants to say more,

But suddenly, the dark space shakes violently.

Boom!

A tremendous noise from outside penetrates in.

Cen Qiao Fu is baffled.

"What could cause such a disturbance, even piercing through the Sheng Di's power to affect this place?" He can't believe it.

The masked person narrows his eyes and looks over.

This time, his murky gaze seems to pierce through the darkness and the heavens, seeing into the world of Bai Ku.

"The Four Swords... have emerged..."