noffsinger Chapter 280 Northern Zhou's Invasion of the South
Chapter 280 Northern Zhou's Invasion of the South
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The Qiantang River tidal bore surges in like a thousand troops, crashing against the shore with a roar like thunder.
As the tide surged, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth also poured in, causing the cultivators on the Nine-Layer Jade Platform to become unconsciously intoxicated.
Even more striking than the Qiantang River tidal bore is the resounding clang of swords echoing between heaven and earth!
Two sword lights, one black and one white, crisscrossed in the sky, countless sword energies swept across the heavens, and feathers mixed with seven colors scattered everywhere, turning into raindrops...
The Sword Immortal Gongzi Yu wielded the Three Thousand Snows, its golden light overflowing, carrying with it a chilling aura that could freeze all things.
The "Ruthless Swordsman" Gongsun Qing's "Severing Evil" sword seemed to transform into a pitch-black, vicious dragon, its movements as swift as a ghost...
……
"【Niu Jin】vs. 【Gui Jin】?"
Fang Qing watched the sword fight and found it quite pleasing to the eye.
Although neither of these two Dao Foundation Sword Immortals had ever attained the "One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws" technique, their sword intent and sword energy were extraordinary, and their cultivation was equally profound, reaching the late stage of Dao Foundation.
In other words... the victor will inevitably achieve the perfect foundation of cultivation... another outstanding talent...
You can't blame him for seeing everything as a human pill; after all, he came from the ancient Shu demonic path and was used to it...
"So it seems that even what Gongsun Qing said about the little girl and revenge... might all be just a hook, with supernatural powers influencing things and weaving destiny behind the scenes?"
Fang Qing glanced at Yun Wuxin beside him, who was beaming with excitement and wished he could draw his sword and charge, and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.
Of the cultivators present, how many could actually see this?
Even he might not be able to see clearly what this game was all about.
Is it for the aura of Li Lu's breakthrough to the Purple Mansion? Or is it to open up some grotto-heaven according to ritual? Or perhaps...?
Just as Fang Qing was speculating, the sword fight on the great river had already concluded.
The sounds of countless sword cries vanished with a roar, revealing Gongsun Qing's figure.
The "Severing Evil" sword in his hand let out a mournful cry, and the three ridges on its blade vanished completely...
On the other side, Gongzi Yu remained dressed in pristine white, his "Three Thousand Snows" sword emitting a mournful cry.
Three crimson dots emerged from Gongzi Yu's chest, like blood-red plum blossoms bursting into bloom!
"What is the name of the final sword strike?"
Gongzi Yu remained calm and asked softly.
"Slaying Evil Sword Technique - Lesser Three Combinations!"
Gongsun Qing replied.
"Alright... please accept my sword."
Gongzi Yu tossed the Three Thousand Snowflakes in his hand, and suddenly his entire body transformed into countless flying feathers, even his Dao foundation began to crumble...
Gongsun Qing let out a long roar, his late-stage Dao Foundation Realm aura surging wildly as he attempted to break through to the Dao Foundation Perfection Realm...
Not only that, but when he swung his broken sword at the Three Thousand Snows, it seemed to be absorbing some inexplicable metallic energy, and ridges began to slowly grow from the blade again...
"Jin De's 'mutual killing'... No matter how many times I watch it, it still feels very eerie."
Fang Qing sighed inwardly, and then the crowd suddenly dispersed. A young man strolled over. Although he appeared to be dressed in plain clothes, he was able to command the crowd to line up, the three high officials to bow their heads, and the emperor to rise.
"Is my elder brother here?"
Emperor Wu spoke, looking at Li Lu: "Today's sword gathering is greatly honored by your presence, brother..."
Li Lu was different from the Boss Li that Fang Qing had met before. Although he was still the same person, he made almost no attempt to conceal the aura of the perfected Dao Foundation [Kang Jin].
But his eyes were not as bright as when he was carefree and unrestrained; instead, they were tinged with darkness, and even more so with pain and sorrow.
"Today, Li Lu is a swordsman, and he has come solely to claim the championship."
Li Lu's voice was clear and melodious: "If you do not wish to die, please return to your seats..."
……
"This is the Eighth Prince? Truly imposing!"
Yun Wuxin's eyes lit up.
The swordsman standing beside him, however, looked astonished: "I have met the Eighth Prince before. He was elegant and courteous to scholars... His cultivation, swordsmanship, demeanor, and political acumen were all admirable. He would never be like this..."
A glint flashed in Fang Qing's eyes: 'If it doesn't seem like he's been affected by supernatural powers, then he's been coerced? There's nothing that can be done about it… In this world, even princes and the emperor… have many things they can't control.'
"Haha, Li Lu? I'll fight you!"
At this moment, the ruthless swordsman Gongsun Qing had finished his meditation. Not only was he unharmed, but he was also full of energy. His "Severing Evil Sword" emitted a clear and melodious sword cry, looking quite eager to try.
"Come!"
Li Lu flew to the top of the nine-story white jade platform, his "Great Xia Dragon Sparrow" roaring.
call out!
A flash of sword light triggered the blessing of the sword path fruition in the dark, and it was the peerless sword technique of "one sword breaks all laws"!
But one sees the dragon parting its shadow, and the sparrow falling, forgetting to return...
Gongsun Qing has already disappeared...
In the void, the Broken Sword broke in two and fell into the surging tide.
This is no longer a sword fight, it's a massacre!
The cultivators, seated in their seats, fell silent for a moment.
Fang Qing's eyes flickered, and he nodded inwardly: 'Indeed... If Li Lu's chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm was 60% before, it should be around 70% now... His seclusion time might even be shortened by one or two years... Is this the effect of 'mutual killing' to make up for the deficiency?'
"Who else?"
Above the surging tide, Li Lu stood in the void, sword in hand, and asked a question.
The light of 【Kang Jin】 converged and intensified, transforming into a white light that, like a cloak, fell around him.
"I'll do it!"
A young man in hemp clothing shouted.
The long sword in his hand was strange; it was actually a green bamboo sword.
"It's Zhou Qingmu, the 'Bamboo Sword Immortal'!"
Yun Wuxin's eyes lit up.
"This one, however, had its destiny triggered; it was merely a scapegoat..."
Fang Qing thought to himself, "I'm just complaining."
Sure enough, Zhou Qingmu swung his sword, and flowers and vegetation bloomed everywhere...
Then he was killed by Li Lu with a single sword strike...
"The aura of the Purple Palace is about 80% complete..."
Fang Qing observed secretly and made an estimate in his mind.
Yun Wuxin silently picked up his wine glass, his hands trembling.
He saw the four great sword immortals and the foundation-level sword cultivators, knowing they were no match for him, still step forward one by one to meet their deaths...
Blood kept dripping down, even staining the river red...
"This... is the martial arts world you wanted to see."
Beside him, the swordsman of green pines said.
"I……"
Yun Wuxin looked at his hands: "The martial arts world I imagined... was about people in fine clothes, riding spirited horses, and wielding power... it's not like this."
"Being able to witness this Tide-Watching Sword Gathering at the age of adulthood is quite beneficial for you."
Fang Qing chuckled and looked at Li Lu from afar.
This person possesses the aura of "Kang Jin" (a type of metal element), having already reached the pinnacle of Dao Foundation, making it virtually impossible for him to fail in his attempt to break through to the Purple Palace.
"Haha... Li Lu will undoubtedly be the champion of this Tide-Watching Sword Competition!"
On the high platform, Emperor Wu was overjoyed and announced loudly.
……
Within the Mysterious Void Heaven.
"To slaughter numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators for his own selfish gain... all for the sake of accumulating the aura of the Purple Mansion?"
"Hmph, as expected of the Purple Mansion royal family..."
"What kind of hero are you, relying solely on the power of your Nine-Turn Flying Sword?"
Many cultivators watching the live stream felt indignant.
This was not only the case in Changxuan District, but also in Qiantang District of Wu Kingdom, where a large number of cultivators remained silent.
Meanwhile, in Changxuan District of Northern Zhou, a piece of news swept through like a storm:
"Emperor Zhou has issued an edict to attack the Kingdom of Wu!"
"Is another North-South war about to begin?"
……
At this moment, on the nine-tiered white jade platform.
The chorus of congratulations fell silent.
Fang Qing's consciousness, aided by the Dao Life Pearl, controlled the puppet to enter the Xuanxu Heaven, where he saw the spreading proclamation of the Northern Zhou's punitive expedition:
"It is said that the way of Heaven is clear and bright, and the virtue of the Red is glorious. Our Great Zhou Dynasty inherits the destiny of the Fire Virtue and wields the might of the Three Flames. We govern the country with benevolence and rule the world with righteousness. Our grace is widespread and the hearts of all people are won over."
However, the swordsmen of Wu, residing in the remote southern border, defy the will of Heaven and disregard human ethics. Their people, with their short hair and tattooed bodies, resemble demons, devoting themselves solely to swordsmanship, their aura of ferocity filling the land. In the past, they repeatedly invaded our territory, burning, killing, looting, and committing countless atrocities. Innocent people were brutally slaughtered, fields were destroyed, families were torn apart, and lives were lost—this hatred is as heavy as a mountain, too numerous to recount!
Our Great Zhou has repeatedly sent envoys to persuade them of the greater good, hoping to turn hostility into friendship. However, the Wu Kingdom remains stubborn and unrepentant, refusing to repent and instead intensifying its aggression. This is going against the will of Heaven, a path destined for self-destruction.
"Now, the virtue of our Great Zhou is at its peak, and its divine might is boundless. We hereby appoint General Chu Zhaohuang to lead an elite army to conquer the Wu Kingdom in the south… If the people of Wu can repent and abandon their darkness for light, submitting to our Great Zhou, they may still preserve their lives and families; but if they stubbornly resist and refuse to repent, then wherever our army points, everything will be destroyed, and it will be too late for regrets!"
……
"Your Majesty... the invasion from Northern Zhou is extremely urgent. Please move to the palace and summon your ministers to respond..."
The Grand Minister hurriedly replied.
"allow."
Emperor Wu readily agreed and departed with his officials and soldiers.
Li Lu also disappeared without anyone knowing when.
The sword-fighting event, which was supposed to be a spectacular event, ended rather anticlimactically.
"Wuxin, let's return to our fiefdom immediately... The Northern Zhou are coming again, and the emperor will surely summon the troops of his vassal lords. Our family should prepare early."
The Swordsman of Green Pine Trees said.
Fang Qing naturally followed the two back to Qiantang City.
At this time, a curfew had already been imposed in Qiantang City.
But from somewhere unknown, countless flames suddenly spread out, illuminating a corner.
"They are followers of the Four Ministries!"
Fang Qing glanced at it and knew that it was the Four Min Sect that had made a move.
It's hard to say how many Northern Zhou spies were mixed in with this group.
The connection... has become even stronger.
His gaze swept across the void, and he was already able to lock onto one person.
Although that person hid his face and was shrouded in mystery from beginning to end, there was no doubt that he was the leader of the Four Min Sect!
"Hurry up!"
The Green Pine Swordsman, carrying Yun Wuxin, abandoned their luggage and fled Qiantang City.
Several beams of light followed from behind, and among them were actually Foundation Establishment cultivators!
"Wuxin, you go first."
The Green Pine Swordsman drew the ancient green pine-patterned sword he carried on his back, and a sense of foreboding immediately arose in his heart.
He was just a clan cultivator, and his cultivation had only reached the early stage of the Foundation Establishment realm...
The pursuers were at least mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Fire Virtue Cultivator!
"uncle……"
With tears welling in his eyes, Yun Wuxin was about to lose his temper and stay behind to fight alongside his uncle when Fang Qing patted him on the shoulder: "Young friend... I hope we will never meet again after this farewell."
"Brother Fang...you?"
He looked at Fang Qing and saw that Fang Qing's temperament had suddenly changed drastically.
A beam of white-gold light shot into the sky, transforming into a white-gold robe adorned with countless sword marks, which draped over the handsome young man.
His eyes instantly turned pure gold, and an indescribable sense of majesty emanated from them.
"You...you're still Brother Fang?"
Yun Wuxin was stunned when he saw this scene.
The swordsman standing nearby, Qingsong, immediately recovered and pulled Yun Wuxin to kneel down: "Greetings, Master... I have offended you before, please forgive me."
He felt incredibly strange and even more apprehensive.
How could such Golden Virtue Purple Mansion Sword Immortals still enjoy playing in the mortal world, or even pretend to be ordinary mortals?
A single real person is enough to determine many major trends.
"Haha... Fellow Daoist, where are you going?"
He laughed heartily, stepped into the void, and vanished, leaving only the Green Pine Swordsman still bowing and the stunned Yun Wuxin behind...