Hum!
The soft humming of a sword suddenly resounded across heaven and earth. Everyone felt a bone-piercing, chilling coldness spreading—as if a peerless divine sword had awakened, about to slaughter the world.
The white-robed figure's eyes seemed to flicker, somewhat surprised by Jiang Weiyang's identity.
However, this did nothing to stop his intention to seize that "item." His large hand pressed down again, as if encompassing the entire star domain within his palm. Stars swirled and rumbled ominously, terrifying beyond measure.
Jiang Weiyang's expression did not change. Her moist, glossy red lips parted slightly, as if she uttered a single word.
"Go."
A dazzling, brilliant sword light suddenly manifested, like moonlight reflecting off a lake. The sword embryo flew out from before her.
The blade turned. With a single gentle stroke, a terrifying sword light swept up and slashed down, like the very first ray of sword light since the dawn of creation—simple, terrifying, yet carrying an overwhelmingly powerful force.
Pfft…
In the next instant, blood splashed. The white-robed figure's pupils shook violently. His figure standing in the void staggered back several steps, seemingly incredulous.
He looked at his hand, severed at the wrist. Blood gushed from the wound. The sword light had swept past, and the hand had silently fallen away. The fallen hand was instantly engulfed by the sword light as well.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his face beneath the mask turning ugly as he stared intently at Jiang Weiyang.
The other black-robed figures were also immensely shocked and horrified. In their eyes, this white-robed figure was an invincible existence.
Also frozen in shock, like clay statues, were the others in the caravan.
No one had expected that this veiled woman, whom they were supposed to escort, possessed such terrifying means—able to sever the wrist of a Dao Realms existence.
"You have no need to know."
Jiang Weiyang said calmly. The sword embryo hummed again. Its originally plain surface, after being stained with blood, seemed to have been washed clean by rain. The rust-like marks disappeared, leaving it clear and flawless.
As she gripped the hilt, the sword embryo clanged loudly, radiant with rainbow light. Billions of sword energies burst forth, evolving into a vast, boundless domain of swords—an ocean of swords—directly covering and pressing down on the white-robed figure.
"This is…"
The white-robed figure was immensely shaken, then terrified. He seemed to want to flee, but the billions of sword lights converged into a sword formation that sealed heaven and earth, firmly locking the space around him, making it impossible for him to move.
The other black-robed figures collapsed and vanished the moment the sword light fell, like ashes, with no possibility of resistance.
Yao Yao felt the oppressive pressure before her dissipate. She looked at Jiang Weiyang with complex emotions, her mouth opening as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
She felt that she relied too much on external aids. Every time she encountered trouble, she did not resolve it with her own strength.
If Jiang Weiyang had not helped her today, she might truly have been in danger.
Although Gu Changge was powerful, he could not always be there to protect her. Subconsciously, she had always regarded Gu Changge as her support, believing that even if the greatest trouble arose, he would step in.
"I should learn to rely on myself, not depend on my master's presence…"
Yao Yao murmured in her heart. Her gaze suddenly grew resolute.
"You cannot kill me. Even if you destroy my body and annihilate my true spirit, I will return under the protection of the great Lord of the Black Lotus…"
An angry, unwilling voice came from within the vast, boundless ocean of swords.
The white-robed figure's mask fell off, revealing a gaunt, terrifying face twisted in agony.
His body was riddled with holes, pierced by sword energy. Dark brown blood spurted from every wound, looking extraordinarily grotesque.
Seeing him in this state, Yao Yao's heart tightened, and all her scattered thoughts converged.
She did not know the origins of this suddenly appearing Black Lotus Cult, but the only thing she could confirm was that it seemed to have some connection with the Dark Beings. Moreover… the blurry figure she had seen at the ritual she accidentally stumbled upon back then also seemed somewhat similar to her master.
But she did not believe that Gu Changge would establish such a邪教 (evil cult) directly linked to the Dark Beings, especially on the borders of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
She suspected that someone had deliberately done this to frame the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and frame Gu Changge.
"This aura… could it be related to the Dark Beings?"
Jiang Weiyang frowned slightly, sensing the strange aura coming from ahead.
A rumbling, quaking sound erupted. Dazzling light obscured everything, as if it would destroy all worlds.
Everyone covered their eyes in pain. Surging energy spilled out, rocks tumbled down and were swallowed by the sword light, annihilating large swaths and turning them to ash.
Unsurprisingly, the white-robed figure soon dissipated and vanished into the void, evaporated by the countless sword lights. Even his physical body turned to dust, completely buried in the void of space-time.
A Dao Realms existence, with unimaginable powers and vast magical abilities, capable of destroying an entire universe with a flick of a finger—to die such an ignominious death here was truly shocking and inconceivable.
Everyone in the caravan stared blankly at the scene, unable to believe their eyes.
"What did those words mean?"
Only Jiang Weiyang remained lost in thought, pondering the white-robed figure's words.
Although she felt that the white-robed figure had completely died, even his true soul annihilated, why did she still have an uneasy feeling?
Could he truly be resurrected?
Did such a power to bring the dead back to life and reverse the course of heaven and earth truly exist in this world?
"Thank you."
Yao Yao's voice of gratitude brought Jiang Weiyang back to the present. She smiled and waved her hand.
"I am only repaying a favor, Yao Yao. There is no need to be so polite."
Then, with a delicate wave of her hand, the sword embryo that had flown out earlier retracted all its radiance, turned into a wisp of cyan light, and returned to her brocade pouch.
Everyone in the caravan watched in awe and terror. No one dared to underestimate this young woman who appeared to be blind.
This sword embryo of Jiang Weiyang's had been left to her by her father. It contained a wisp of the sword intent of the Weiyang Emperor. Not to mention ordinary Dao Realms existences, even Ancestral Dao Realm figures would not dare to take it lightly.
Yao Yao knew her identity and was not surprised that she possessed such a miraculous and powerful weapon.
After all, she herself still had the Destiny Crucible that Gu Changge had refined for her back then.
Having experienced such an incident tonight, the members of the caravan no longer had any desire to rest. They mounted their savage beasts and continued on their journey. As for the earlier events, under the stern warning of the skinny old man, no one dared to ask or say anything more.
Nevertheless, some cultivators were still curious and puzzled: what exactly were they escorting on this trip, that even a Dao Realms existence would appear to seize it?
Even Jiang Weiyang was no exception. She wondered if it had something to do with the Black Lotus Cult—was it something taboo?
It had provoked the Black Lotus Cult to try to seize it, even willing to destroy it rather than let Yao Yao take it away.
Later, inside the carriage, Jiang Weiyang and Yao Yao sat facing each other again. The fragrance of tea wafted from the stone table between them. After careful consideration, Yao Yao decided to openly explain the whole story.
In her view, Jiang Weiyang was trustworthy. Besides, this matter was too unbelievable, and keeping it bottled up alone was truly unbearable.
If the wisp of consciousness Gu Changge had left her back then had not dissipated so quickly, she would have told him all of it.
"You're saying that this Black Lotus Cult might have been established by the Dark Beings to infiltrate the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, with connections to the Dark clans behind it?" Jiang Weiyang rubbed the teacup in front of her, a look of contemplation and confusion on her face.
Yao Yao nodded. She knew that this matter sounded somewhat unbelievable.
But in her view, the truth might go even further.
"I'm worried that someone wants to target my master, to make him an enemy of the whole world. That's why they deliberately set up the Black Lotus Cult around the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, and moreover…" Yao Yao hesitated here, unsure whether to continue.
But in the ritual she had accidentally stumbled upon, the blurry, indistinct silhouette she saw had indeed looked very much like her master, Gu Changge.
From her understanding of Gu Changge, it was unlikely that he would have the leisure to establish a邪教 (evil cult) like the Black Lotus Cult, especially in such chaotic times.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance already had a poor reputation. Gu Changge's existence had stirred the Vast Expanse into turmoil, making everyone feel insecure.
Although no one openly dared to oppose him, what about in secret?
Countless clans, traditions, civilizations, and forces wanted him gone.
Now, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was also attacking the Alliance of Righteous Unity. Who knew if the Dark Beings would take this opportunity to strike at the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? After all, it was precisely because of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's deterrence that the Dark Beings dared not act recklessly.
If people found out that this newly emerged Black Lotus Cult might be linked to the Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, what would the many traditions and civilizations of the Vast Expanse think?
Would they set aside their past grievances, join forces, and swarm against the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?
"The Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has indeed made many enemies, but aren't your speculations, Yao Yao, a bit unfounded?" Jiang Weiyang frowned slightly.
She felt that Yao Yao might be overthinking things.
The emergence of the Black Lotus Cult, though unexpected, was not without reason. Since ancient times, chaotic eras have given rise to邪教 (evil cults). Some ancient gods would use this turmoil to attract followers and spread their faith. Could the Lord of the Black Lotus behind the Black Lotus Cult also be an evil god?
"If you had seen my master with your own eyes, you wouldn't say that. No one in this world can impersonate him, and no one has the audacity to do so."
Yao Yao shook her head, her tone somewhat proud. But then she realized that saying this might be inappropriate, as Jiang Weiyang was blind. She quickly apologized. "I don't mean to mock you. I'm just trying to say that my master's existence is unprecedented and unique. I couldn't have been mistaken…"
"But with my understanding of my master, he would never do such a thing."
Jiang Weiyang smiled, unconcerned. "Since you say so, you must have your judgment and reasons. I believe you."
Regardless, Yao Yao was the disciple of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's Alliance Leader. Could an outsider like her know the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's Alliance Leader better than his own disciple?
Yao Yao took a breath, then thought for a moment and grasped Jiang Weiyang's hand. "Come with me."
Jiang Weiyang was a little confused but followed her out of the carriage.
Ignoring the confusion of the caravan members, Yao Yao led Jiang Weiyang directly to the carriage tightly wrapped in black cloth. It was clearly covered with numerous restrictions and formation patterns, sealing and blocking the aura within. Even Jiang Weiyang found it difficult to sense the situation inside.
"You'll see in a moment…" Yao Yao did not waste words. She lifted a piece of black cloth and walked over.
Jiang Weiyang followed behind her. As she stepped inside, her expression involuntarily changed—extremely shocked and incredulous.
"How is this possible…" she murmured.
Yao Yao said nothing, her expression grave as she looked at the scene before her.
Inside the carriage was a cage forged from nether iron. In the cage sat a teenage boy, no more than ten-something years old. He had a blank expression, hugging his knees in the corner.
On his wrists were wounds that had not yet healed, from which black blood dripped.
The black blood was thick and sticky, as if alive. It pooled and spread on the ground, like tiny black snakes writhing and hissing, trying to lunge at Yao Yao and Jiang Weiyang. But before they could reach them, they were suppressed by a powerful force.
"Such a dense dark aura…" Jiang Weiyang said softly.
Though she could not see the scene before her, she could still sense it somewhat.
"The Black Lotus Cult calls such children 'Sacred Children.' Their blood contains sacred power. Drinking it allows ordinary beings to resist the erosion of dark substance. Moreover, it can even allow some cultivators to temporarily transform into Dark Beings, gaining strength to match them…" Yao Yao explained softly, her gaze complex.