Chapter 111: The Enlightened Sword Sect

The dragon boat turned its prow and slipped beneath the sea’s surface, transforming into a shimmering, translucent current as it headed back toward the Demon Talisman Sect.

Inside the boat, Pang Yue and Luo Qingyuan each sat cross-legged, cultivating in silence, neither disturbing the other.

After half a month’s journey, Pang Yue’s complexion shifted slightly as he opened his eyes.

“Huh, the Myriad Transformations clone has run into trouble?”

A flicker of thought crossed his mind, and he furrowed his brow in contemplation.

They were not far from the Heavenly Sword Sect; the Myriad Transformations clone was nearby, separated by no more than ten thousand miles.

“At this moment, my true self is cultivating the Ice Soul Divine Light on Zhuoguang Mountain with Ye Xue, and the Demon Talisman clone is idle… I’ll lend a hand to the Myriad Transformations clone first!” he thought to himself.

Instantly, the ten-colored demon vines wrapped around two objects and silently slipped into the void, disappearing without a trace.

…

One month earlier.

On the sea three thousand miles from the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Black clouds hung low, roaring fiercely against the wind, waves crashing skyward.

Amid the torrential rain, a bright escape light streaked swiftly by.

Within it sat a young man.

He was tall and robust, broad-shouldered and sturdy, with sharply defined features, sword-like brows, and eyes sparkling like stars.

He wore a dark robe embroidered with cloud patterns, exuding an extraordinary aura, his sword intent pure and sharp.

This was the Myriad Transformations clone, returning from the outer sea.

Pang Yue wove through the storm, a protective spiritual glow flaring around him, shielding him from wind and rain.

Ahead, the horizon was dark and foreboding, a scene reminiscent of the apocalypse.

Silently, he circulated the Taibai Gengjin Calabash Sword Art he cultivated in this clone, a vast and refined Daoist power endlessly cycling within.

Along the way, he had reinterpreted and comprehended the heart method of the Yunxiao Peak of the Heavenly Sword Sect, reaching an exceptionally profound realm.

In comparison, the Flame Demon True Talisman, another Golden Core level technique, paled considerably.

Indeed, the Heavenly Sword Sect was a supreme sect that had dominated the East Sea cultivation world for years, its sect masters of divine souls passing down from generation to generation, far surpassing the Demon Talisman Sect.

The Taibai Gengjin Calabash Sword Art first condenses a sword gourd within the body using spiritual power, then gathers the essence of Taibai Gengjin metal to nurture and transform it into sharp and fierce sword qi.

Previously, this clone had already cultivated nine streams of Taibai Gengjin sword qi, each comparable to a mid-grade magical artifact.

On the journey, Pang Yue further refined these nine sword qi into one, equivalent to a high-grade magical artifact.

Moreover, the sword qi of thunderous resonance and sword light differentiation, which his true self had long comprehended, had also been mastered by the clone.

Additionally, he had thoroughly studied the Nine Views of Yunxiao Peak, greatly advancing his swordsmanship.

As the Heavenly Sword Sect drew near, a trace of excitement flickered in Pang Yue’s heart.

If he could establish roots here and become a true disciple, cultivating the divine soul-level inheritance, he would then have the confidence to oppose the Devil Sect’s demonic scions!

From this move onward, the entire game was set in motion!

Suddenly,

Between the sea and sky, a peculiar sword clang pierced through the storm, sharp and clear.

Underneath this sword clang, the spiritual power within Pang Yue’s body trembled softly, producing a resonant sound.

This sound eventually condensed into a voice—

“I am Cao Jingzong of the Enforcement Pavilion. Within ten thousand miles, all disciples of the Sword Sect who receive this transmission, swiftly come to Hutuo Island to aid me in resisting the demon tide!”

The Heavenly Sword Sect consisted of three palaces, six pavilions, and seventy-two peaks; the Enforcement Pavilion was one of the six pavilions, ranking above Yunxiao Peak.

From memory, Cao Jingzong was a true disciple of the Enforcement Pavilion, with a perfected Dao foundation. He had once slain a Golden Core-level great demon in reverse, an astonishing display of power.

Sensing the direction of the sword clang, Pang Yue’s escape light veered slightly, speeding toward it.

…

Hutuo Island.

This island spanned eight hundred miles in all directions, its terrain rugged and mountainous, with deep gorges and numerous rivers.

Surrounding the island were sheer cliffs hundreds of feet high, with great rivers rushing from the gorges, cascading down the precipices.

On the island’s loftiest mountain stood a grand sect.

The sect’s protective formation spread across the rain curtain, its spiritual light dazzling, illuminating the horizon like daylight, sharply contrasting with the dark clouds overhead.

Within the formation were celestial terraces, pavilions, winding corridors, ancient cypresses and pines, exotic flowers and herbs, and spiritual beasts roaming freely—a true immortal’s realm.

At this moment, dozens of cultivators gathered atop the sect’s Purple Qi Terrace, faces grave as they stared beyond the formation.

This sect was called the Bright Heart Sword Sect, a subsidiary of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The entire sect numbered fewer than a hundred; the sect master was a Golden Core grand cultivator, and all disciples beneath were Dao foundation and Qi absorption practitioners.

The Purple Qi Terrace was the central plaza of the Bright Heart Sword Sect, where disciples regularly practiced swordsmanship and sparred.

But now, all had assembled here for a sect meeting.

The sect master, Master Xiaoyue, was a tall, graceful female cultivator. She wore a black-and-white long dress, her sword intent ethereal and profound, her aura deep and inscrutable.

Beside her stood a handsome, dashing man full of vitality.

He carried a massive purple calabash on his back. Though his spiritual power only reached the level of perfected Dao foundation, his aura felt no less imposing than that of Master Xiaoyue.

Master Xiaoyue spoke slowly, “The demon tide approaches. Thanks to Dao Friend Cao’s personal aid, all elders and disciples, do not panic or lose your footing.”

The handsome man smiled gently, “Master Xiaoyue, rest assured. I have summoned all Sword Sect disciples within ten thousand miles. No matter how fierce the demon tide, it cannot withstand the sharp sword light wielded by our Sword Sect disciples.”

Master Xiaoyue’s beautiful eyes twinkled as she smiled faintly, “Thanks to you this time. Even if I were fearless of the demon tide, I would still worry about protecting the sect’s disciples… With you here, I am much more at ease.”

“No need for formality between us,” the handsome man replied warmly.

The two exchanged glances openly, without reserve.

“When I break through to Golden Core, I will also come to Hutuo Island to teach alongside you, living simply and freely,” Cao Jingzong said with a radiant smile like sunlight.

Suddenly,

They both looked up.

A sword light streaked across the horizon, coming to a halt outside the formation.

“Tiemo of Red Moon Peak, pays respects to Senior Brother Cao!”

Cao Jingzong smiled, “So it is a junior brother from Red Moon Peak. Come in quickly!”

With a hand gesture, he manipulated the sect’s protective formation to open a passage, allowing the sword light to descend.

The sword light shifted mid-air, revealing a young figure who stepped onto the Purple Qi Terrace.

Master Xiaoyue smiled, “Thank you, Junior Brother Tiemo, for coming to aid us.”

“Master Xiaoyue, no need for thanks,” Tiemo replied with a slight bow. His expression was calm, yet his gaze casually swept over Cao Jingzong and Xiaoyue, silently thinking: It seems the rumors are true—Senior Brother Cao of the Enforcement Pavilion and Master Xiaoyue of the Bright Heart Sword Sect truly have a relationship…

After exchanging a few words,

Several more sword lights arrived from the horizon.

Cao Jingzong welcomed each in turn.

These newcomers hailed from the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Yu Xu Peak, Zi Yang Peak, Fei Lai Peak, and Wang Yue Peak—each extraordinary in demeanor and swordsmanship.

They stood silently alongside Tiemo, awaiting orders.

After a short while, another escape light approached.

“Chen Mo of Yunxiao Peak, comes to assist!” a strong and resonant voice declared.

Though Cao Jingzong had never heard of this figure before—among the seventy-two peaks, many cultivators existed, and he only paid attention to the outstanding ones—he had heard Chen Mo’s sword clang transmission and laughed heartily, “Junior Brother, please come in!”