[Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue]'s words were not spoken via sound transmission, but as per her style, declared openly to the whole world.
In an instant, there were aura fluctuations across the four realms of the world.
[Rooftop Tile Earth] and [Furnace Crucible Fire].
What did that mean?
[Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao] attained [Placer Gold in Sand], taking [Rooftop Tile Earth] and [Furnace Crucible Fire] to make up three elements, finally achieving the position of late-stage Golden Core.
This was a well-known fact. However, being spoken of with such disdain by [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] at this moment, instantly triggered speculartion among the world's Perfected Lords. Could there be a problem with attaining Dao this way? Yet it wasn't apparent in previous years; only in recent years had [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao] lived in seclusion...
"Silence!"
The ones reacting most fiercely to this were naturally the two [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion] Perfected Lords cultivating [Rooftop Tile Earth] and [Furnace Crucible Fire].
The two Perfected Lords each had a Daoist title.
One was titled [Perfected Lord Gaishuang Lingfeng], the other [Perfected Lord Tengguang Yehui]. Acting together at this moment, the sound of sword cries shocking the sky suddenly resonated between heaven and earth.
"Hmph..."
[Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] looked disdainful seeing this. Things like [Sword Intent] counted as great killing weapons at Foundation Establishment, but at her level, they weren't much.
Unless the [Sword Dao Fruit] appeared in the world, and the [Sword Intent] gained the Dao Fruit's blessing, evolving into wonders, then it would be worth her looking at twice.
Otherwise, it was just an ordinary means... What truly made her wary was a strand of divine sense hidden within the sword cries, faintly locking onto her from the depths of the [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion], ready to strike.
Want to kill me by force?
An intense sense of crisis swept over her heart, yet [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] showed no panic at all. Instead, she grinned, looking very eager.
"You come and try!"
Rumble!
Overwhelming [Cleansing World Light] exploded with a boom, as if a sun had been lit above the vault of heaven, instantly suppressing that soaring sword cry!
"You crazy madwoman!"
At this moment, all the Perfected Lords of the [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion] were cursing secretly in their hearts. [Perfected Lord Chengtian Zhengde] even silently used [Wall-Top Earth] to make himself appear inconspicuous.
However, just then.
Clang!
Finally, a sword cry sounded from the depths of the [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion]. In an instant, a sword shadow naturally surfaced in the consciousness seas of all Perfected Lords.
That was a precious sword, entirely clear gold but covered with fine, dense cracks.
[Sword Intent]!
And a True Treasure extracted from a Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit!
The name of the sword subconsciously surfaced in the mind of [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue]—
[Heaven-Sigil Firm Radiance Ascension Divine Sword]... That old thing is getting serious!
The [Sword Intent] on the sword edge was named [Ascendant Victor]!
A [Sword Intent] no less inferior to [Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon]'s [No-Kill] Sword Intent, erupting with unparalleled sword might under the blessing of a late-stage Golden Core Great Perfected Lord!
Almost simultaneously, above the vault of heaven, the [Placer Gold in Sand] Dao Fruit shone brightly.
"Cut!"
A sword strike, brewed to its utmost limit, burst forth with a clear, ringing shout—lashing heaven and earth and plunging the sky's radiance into instant dimness.
All things fell into void.
Above and below, throughout heaven and earth, only that sword-edge could be seen, slashing out from the depths of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.
Brilliant beyond measure.
Dazzling past all sight.
Swift beyond perception.
By the time you saw it—it had already cut you.
Pfft!
The long blade tore through qi, its sword-light plunging straight into the body. The Cleansing World Light urged by [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] was, in that instant, shredded like thin parchment.
In the next moment, that graceful form was cleaved apart at the waist.
Boundless sword qi, Dao Fruit concept, even the Sword Intent erupted outward in a torrential surge, about to annihilate Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue—
yet what answered them was a long, unrestrained laugh, followed by the abrupt detonation of blinding blood light.
She had chosen to self-destruct.
The exploding blood radiance mingled with the Cleansing World Light, driving the scene to its extreme, forcing the sword brilliance to recoil without result and erasing all remain.
Immediately after, a soul threw itself into the [Netherworld].
The next second, in the land of Jiangbei, a baby girl was born, opened her eyes, she instantly returned to the Dao Fruit, landed and became an adult, still with the appearance of [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue]!
"Hahaha!"
[Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] looked up to the sky and laughed loudly. However, amidst the laughter, countless cracks appeared on her exquisite jade face, with golden glimmer faintly leaking from within.
A sword stroke from a Great Perfected Lord, and one had accumulating for a long time with chilling killing intent, naturally couldn't be shaken off by self-destruction.
Especially that [Ascendant Victor Sword Intent], as the name suggested, it had the function of seizing the top spot. Being hit by this sword would render the person inferior when facing the person who wielded the sword in the future.
The effect was similar to [Mark of the Weak].
Entangled by the [Sword Intent] and marked, the person hit by the sword would at most exert thirty percent of their full power when facing the sword wielder in the future and would undoubtedly lose!
"However,… that's all!"
Her smile was chilling. Although being killed once and planted with [Sword Intent], her Grotto-Heaven was undamaged, and her own combat power hadn't weakened in the slightest because of it.
Compared to me, you are different!
[Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] held her head high and chest out, looking at the direction of the [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion] from afar, as if looking at a sick tiger. While wary, she also had a bit of eagerness to try.
Forcibly activating Great Perfected Lord level combat power would only worsen his situation. He just hid it well, likely borrowing the phenomenon of [Wall-Top Earth], making it hard to see his specific state clearly...
I can't push him too hard; moderation was the key. Pushing him too hard might outweigh the gains.
With this thought, [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] withdrew her divine ability.
Anyway, the purpose of this trip has been achieved. That Grotto-Heaven fragment of Hong Yun has been destroyed by me... Hmm? Did I forget something?
[Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue]'s movements suddenly stagnated.
Her beautiful eyes blinked lightly, instantly revealing a trace of suspicion in their depths... But no matter how she thought about it carefully, she found nothing, as if everything was just her illusion.
…
At Gantang Channel, a faint light buried deep underground, avoided the cleansing of [Cleansing World Light], hiding silently under the noses of the Perfected Lords.
"Phew... fortunately."
[Sky-shrouding] breathed a sigh of relief.
It was he who used this great battle and [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] to save this last small piece of Grotto-Heaven fragment, ensuring he wouldn't be disconnected from the manifest world because of this.
Immediately, [Sky-shrouding] rubbed his chin, revealing a look of appreciation.
"...Interesting. That madwoman's Dao comprehension is much higher than I imagined. She saw through that old codger's secrets. Fortunately, she hasn't discovered me yet, otherwise, it would definitely cause countless troubles."
Before the great matter was accomplished, he didn't want to be exposed.
Thinking of this, he glanced at the direction of the [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion] again, then sneered: "[Placer Gold in Sand] ... Hmph, achieving late-stage with just this bit of Dao comprehension, count him lucky!"
What [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] could see, he naturally could see.
Why was [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao] in poor condition and unable to make a move? Because he used [Furnace Crucible Fire] and [Rooftop Tile Earth] when breaking through to late-stage Golden Core!
[Placer Gold in Sand] combined with [Furnace Crucible Fire] is quite good.
However, the problem lies in [Rooftop Tile Earth] being countered by [Furnace Crucible Fire]. making it extremely dangerous. Seeking late-stage with this, it would be strange if there were no hidden dangers!
Ultimately, it was a matter of insufficient Dao comprehension.
He saw the compatibility of [Placer Gold in Sand] and [Furnace Crucible Fire], but failed to see [Rooftop Tile Earth] being countered by [Furnace Crucible Fire], resulting in a clumsy attempt.
Being able to achieve late-stage was eighty percent due to using some supreme treasure.
its a pity that was all. Not only did it leave a huge hidden danger, but it alse mae the Dao path hard to seek, so much so that he was now trapped in the [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion], almost secluded from the world.
"Ultimately he they can't compare to me!"
[Sky-shrouding] smiled proudly. Reversing [Chen Earth] to obtain Five Elements Perfection, attaining late-stage Golden Core with a Supreme Dao Fruit—this was his proudest achievement.
Who among the heroes of the world could rival him?
They were all insignificant.
The next second, the Grotto-Heaven fragment where a strand of [Sky-shrouding]'s divine sense resided, barely preserved by [Knowledge-Perception Barrier], was grabbed firmly by a large hand.
Lu Yang looked emotional— "Worthy of Senior Sky-shrouding, you really survived."
[Sky-shrouding]: "...???"