Chapter Sixty-Two: The Phantom Cauldron and the Sudden Appearance of the Ancient Deity

This time, though the force of the attack was no longer as fierce as the previous strike, the angles had already cut off all of Bai Mu’s paths of advance and retreat. Even if he possessed extraordinary ability and could defeat one or two groups of the Void Returning disciples in a single stroke, the disciples charging in from other directions would leave him defenseless, unable to anticipate their next moves.

Startled, Bai Mu found that four streams of sword energy, carrying the power to devour the heavens and extinguish the earth, were already surging towards him from all sides. Still immersed in shock, he had even forgotten to fight back or try to escape. Of course, even if he wished to flee now, there was no way to heaven, nor door to earth.

At that perilous moment, a distant voice resonated from within Bai Mu’s astral cauldron, as if chanting in an ancient, ethereal tone: “Become one with the sword, and you can defy all directions!”

“Become one with the sword?”

The instant these four words echoed in his mind, a bold idea flashed through Bai Mu’s thoughts. At that moment, the Azure Dragon Sword in his hand rose high, without conscious control, its tip pointing straight at the stream of sword energy from the east, the group of ten closest to him!

Yes—become one with the sword!

If he tried to counter all four streams of sword energy at once, it would be a futile struggle. But if he focused his full strength on one stream, with his cultivation, it would be no difficult feat.

As he took in the other streams around him, his heart grew tranquil and clear, and he soon realized that these sword energies were but illusions—mere feints to conceal the true threat from the east!

It became clear that these four squads were employing a classic feint, deliberately conjuring multiple sword energies as a distraction, when only the eastern force was truly formidable.

With this realization, Bai Mu calmly closed his eyes, gripped the Azure Dragon Sword, and leapt forward. Instantly, he felt the sword energy within his body surge through the Meridian of the Lesser Yang Triple Burner, pouring into the blade. As his body soared, he sensed an uncanny unity with the sword, and though his eyes remained shut, his spirit perceived his veins and flesh merging with the ancient sword.

A shrill whistle split the air—the sword clashed head-on with the eastern sword energy, the two forces colliding with the fury of planets crashing together.

As the sword energy of the Void Returning disciples met the kingly aura radiating from the Azure Dragon Sword, most of its strength was absorbed into the blade, fortifying it further.

As for the dissipated sword energies, they scattered at once, sparing themselves from becoming nourishment for the Azure Dragon Sword.

Though Bai Mu’s eyes remained closed, he could keenly sense his decisive victory in this clash of sword energies.

Yet he did not grow complacent. After vanquishing the eastern attack, his spiritual sense swiftly detected three more streams converging from behind. Though previously these currents seemed illusory and weak, when combined, they became a single, overwhelming force, no less potent than the initial strike.

Before Bai Mu could react, the combined sword energy was already upon him.

However, emboldened by his earlier triumph, Bai Mu felt an unprecedented surge of confidence. Unshaken, he spun in midair, the tip of the Azure Dragon Sword meeting the incoming assault with unerring precision.

A series of thunderous crashes rang out as his body collided with the united sword energies. The impact sent him and his sword reeling backward, forcing him to retreat a dozen meters before he could regain his footing.

A sweetness rose in his throat; blood welled up in his chest and seeped from the corner of his mouth—he had suffered a grave internal injury.

Opening his eyes, he saw the Azure Dragon Sword shining brighter than ever, as though thirsting for another three hundred rounds of battle.

Though Bai Mu was wounded, the forty disciples of the Void Returning Sect who had surrounded him fared little better. Clad uniformly in cyan robes, they now lay sprawled about him, their swords scattered haphazardly across the dust, the blades dull and lifeless.

Though their injuries seemed minor, without exception, each bore a fresh wound at the wrist of their sword hand, blood seeping through their sleeves. In this way, all forty were temporarily stripped of most of their fighting ability, especially those skilled in swordplay, who were now little more than cripples.

Surveying the scene, Bai Mu drew a sharp breath, silently grateful for his fortune. Had the voice in his astral cauldron not warned him in time, he doubted he could ever have invoked such a powerful sword technique with his current skill and understanding.

Yet a flurry of questions raced through his mind. Who had spoken to him? Why were they within his astral cauldron? And why could he sense no trace of their presence now?

He shook his head with a wry smile, chiding himself for his distraction—what an odd moment to be pondering such idle mysteries.

Regaining his composure, he carefully surveyed the groaning disciples around him, then turned his gaze toward Ling Yan’s battle.

At once, he was alarmed. Clearly, the forty disciples attacking Ling Yan were far superior to those he had faced. Perhaps the formations had their own internal ranks: upon closer inspection, it was evident that the speed of their blade work, the agility of their movements, and even the harmony of their coordination far surpassed that of those who had beset him.

Though Ling Yan’s cultivation was much higher than Bai Mu’s, even she was forced onto the defensive, and on several occasions narrowly escaped disaster.

She attempted to break free, but no matter which direction she flew, the disciples seemed able to anticipate her intent, encircling her in relentless pursuit.

After several failed attempts to escape, Ling Yan began to discern the patterns of their attack. She abandoned all thoughts of flight and settled her spirit, engaging them in a battle of attrition.

Thus, the struggle returned to a deadlock, neither side able to claim victory for the moment.

Glancing at the two observing Holy Sons—Heaven’s Wrath and Heaven’s Blaze—Bai Mu saw their faces darken, nearly thunderous with rage.