C521 Shatterblade
A beam of sword light, stretching thousands of feet, cleaved through the heavens, descending from the cloud-laden skies with the force capable of splitting open the firmament.
The sword light, resplendent as a dazzling Milky Way, carried the momentum of a world being torn asunder, piercing the clouds and arriving in an instant.
Within the depths of the sword light, innumerable glittering crystals sparkled, each embodying the ultimate truth of obliterating all things.
The sword's will, potent enough to pulverize anything, acted as a natural prison, grinding to dust the sheath of the cultivator known as Moon Slayer, the tufts of jade-green flames, and the icy filaments released by Lin Zhuyun.
Boom!
The threads burst apart, and the clusters of jade-green flames dissipated into a fine mist once more.
The arc of the thousand-foot sword light descended upon Lin Zhuyun.
Myriads of gleaming particles tumbled within the sword light, the will to shatter the heavens and earth suffusing the space, causing the very void to crackle and groan as if on the verge of bursting.
On Celestial Isle, Healing Island, and Forge Isle, all who witnessed the sword light and sensed the sword's will were left agape.
"My God, how could he draw his sword?"
"Am I seeing things? After so many years, could the minor upheavals of the Sundering Isles truly have stirred him? His true form should be far beyond in the extraterrestrial realms; why would he unsheathe his sword over such a trivial disturbance?"
"What sort of Sky Fiend has possessed that woman? Surely a mere Sky Fiend doesn't warrant his attention? In the extraterrestrial Star River, the Sky Fiends that have fallen to his sword are beyond counting!"
"This is madness. The situation is beyond comprehension!"
Lin Zhuyun glanced at the sword light, and the ice that had instantly formed around her shattered.
Puff!
A gush of blood erupted from her, soaring like a reverse waterfall into the sky.
The Moon Soul Essence within her cold moon shield could not bear the crushing sword's will that descended from above; the Moon Soul within trembled and fractured.
Whoosh!
She steered the cold moon shield, ignoring the trident's assault, and plunged into the ocean's depths.
The sword light of destruction followed, diving into the sea.
The waters parted abruptly, revealing a deep chasm that seemed to bore straight to the seabed's darkest reaches.
Countless grains of crystal burst forth within the sword light, causing the sea beneath the Sundering Isles to erupt as if barrels of gunpowder had been ignited. The ground shook and the islands swayed and trembled violently.
At that moment, every cultivator in the Sundering Isles was startled.
A single sword had astonished all the mighty ones!
Hualala!
Emerald raindrops sizzled upon the sea's surface. As they headed toward Lin Zhuyun, they seemed to be crushed and ground by the sword's will, dispersing and then regathering, only to disperse once more.
Lin Zhuyun, who had remained silent, emitted a low, pained cry from beneath the sea.
A long sword descended slowly from the depths of the sky, coming into view for all to see.
As the bright sun faded, the gleaming long sword radiated a blinding divine light, conveying the impression of shattering the heavens and the earth. All who beheld the sword felt an overwhelming sense of oppression.
The sword hung suspended in the air, as if at any moment it could pierce through the crown of anyone's head and enter their Mindscape.
The Solar Spirit of the Skyreach Consortium hesitated briefly when Lin Zhuyun plunged into the sea. She glanced at the long sword before gripping her trident and following suit, submerging herself in the ocean depths.
Tong Laoqian, having narrowly escaped death, abruptly turned his gaze toward Sword Island.
Yuan Lianyao, too, found herself instinctively looking in the direction of Sword Island.
There, on the edge of a steep cliff, stood a figure in gray, blending seamlessly with the stone.
Whoosh!
The sword sheath, hovering in the air, reestablished its connection with Yu Yuan's spirit. After Lin Zhuyun's descent into the sea, it returned to him.
Entering the Crucible of Evil, it was once again grasped in Yu Yuan's palm.
Within the sheath, a burst of sword light acted as a heavenly canopy, suppressing the ice energy below.
A thread of remnant soul stirred across Yu Yuan's Heart Lake.
Yu Yuan's eyes brightened as he issued a command to the cauldron spirit.
The Crucible of Evil, bearing him, Tong Laoqian, and Yuan Lianyao, set off toward Celestial Isle.
The dazzling sword led the way in front of the cauldron, as if escorting and guiding them.
Crack!
The rune circle that Mo Yan had tampered with in the cauldron's little world was utterly shattered by the sword's will, rendering it irreparable.
The cauldron would no longer spill demonic light, dazzle the eyes, or become a target for all.
"It's gone. Mo Yan's trickery has been completely eradicated."
The thoughts of the cauldron spirit entered Yu Yuan's heart, informing him of what had transpired.
Cultivators from Celestial Isle, Healing Island, and Forge Isle witnessed everything. When the long sword soared overhead, they were struck silent, no one daring to utter a word.
Shocked gazes were fixed on the cauldron and the three individuals within.
Yuan Lianyao's mind was jolted. She suddenly grasped Yu Yuan's free hand, eager to understand why someone from Sword Island had come to their aid.
"He actually drew his sword!"
Tong Laoqian's heart was awash with emotion as he repeatedly glanced toward Sword Island, contemplating the esteemed figure who had been in seclusion for years, rumored to soar in the extraterrestrial realms, vanquishing evil.
Yu Yuan felt a surge of excitement and had to regulate his breathing to regain his composure.
He had not interacted with the swordsman in his past life, but the name was familiar to him.
The unmistakable sword's will, capable of pulverizing anything, was recognizable even after three hundred years. One glimpse, one feeling, was enough to know the identity of the swordsman.
The Grand Sword Immortal, Van Heqing, ranked seventh among the Nine Great Sword Immortals of the Sword Sect.
An Unbound cultivator!
This Grand Sword Immortal had been renowned for nearly a thousand years across the Everlands. Previously not stationed in the Sundering Isles, he had resided in the extraterrestrial realms.
Three hundred years later, he had chosen to meditate on Sword Island and had unsheathed his sword!
This individual stood a generation and a realm above the three great Solar Spirits guarding Celestial Isle.
Van Heqing, esteemed among the nine Grand Sword Immortals of the Sword Sect!
Each of the Nine Great Sword Immortals was a force to be reckoned with, their formidable reputations echoing throughout the Everlands and the vast Star River, commanding respect from demons and instilling fear in all clans.
The Grand Sword Immortal wielded the Shatterblade, delivering a strike that sent Lin Zhuyun retreating in shock. Even the Abyssal Leviathan remained motionless in its presence.
The Shatterblade continued to lead the way, safeguarding the cauldron as it made its way to Celestial Isle.
What exactly was happening?
Those aware of the Grand Sword Immortal's reputation, his esteemed status, and his overwhelming combat prowess were astounded to the point of speechlessness, their eyes fixed on the long sword.
On the Celestial Isle, Zhu Peining, an acquaintance of Yu Yuan, stepped forward.
Hovering in midair, Zhu Peining gazed at the sword with a mix of emotions, her eyes also taking in the Crucible of Evil and the people within, including Yu Yuan.
"I shall heed the command of my senior!"
With a loud cry, Zhu Peining turned and bowed deeply in the direction of the swordsmanship, then declared, "The arrival of such a distinguished guest is an honor for Celestial Isle, and you shall be received with the utmost hospitality!"
No sooner had she spoken these words than the sword, which was poised to touch down on Celestial Isle, vanished without a trace.
In the blink of an eye, it reappeared in the hands of someone on Sword Island.
That individual merged into the grey-white rocks and vanished completely.
Only after the Shatterblade and the mysterious person's presence had dissipated did Zhu Peining exhale in relief, her face etched with a wry smile as she allowed the Crucible of Evil to settle. "If you wanted to come, just come. What was the need for such an elaborate display? We should have skipped the trip to Demon's Scar and come directly to Celestial Isle."
It was only after the sword had disappeared that the cultivators from the Skyreach Consortium could finally breathe easily again.
Indeed, the Grand Sword Immortal, ranked seventh within the Sword Sect, was the mightiest among the Sundering Isles!
