On the outskirts of Shenxuan Sect, in a rarely visited valley.
The deafening sound of the Lightning Tribulation roared here for several hours, shaking the valley and dimming the heavens and earth.
Finally, as the last bolt of lightning, which had torn through the sky, dissipated,
the tribulation clouds scattered, and the valley returned to silence.
A brilliant ray of light, imbued with the vitality of heaven and earth, pierced through the clouds and sprinkled down like sweet dew.
Enveloped by the radiant light, Han Xuanji's aura became even more profound and unfathomable.
Not long after, Han Xuanji circulated his Cultivation Technique, and his aura, which had been slightly turbulent due to the Breakthrough, now completely stabilized, like an ancient, unfathomable abyss.
His Realm had already ascended to the seventh layer of the Undergoing Tribulation, a Cultivation Base that people commonly referred to as the Late Stage of Undergoing Tribulation.
Upon reaching this Realm, even among the Holy Land and hidden Immortal Sects of ancient times, he would be enough to stand above the crowd.
Moreover, compared to them, Han Xuanji, apart from his age, was likely superior in all other aspects.
Of course, Han Xuanji was not satisfied with the seventh layer of the Undergoing Tribulation Realm.
In the days that followed, Han Xuanji continued to sign in and cultivate in the Azure Dragon Hall.
Each time he made a Breakthrough, he would slightly deduce various Divine Abilities, further enhancing their power.
And this time, he planned to spend some time on the Dao of the sword.
"After the Breakthrough, my spiritual power should be able to control nine Immortal Swords simultaneously," Han Xuanji thought to himself.
In reality, Immortal Artifacts were originally items that only Cultivators in the Ascension Realm, or even Immortals, could use. For a mere Undergoing Tribulation Cultivator, it would be good enough to unleash one-tenth of an Immortal Artifact's power under normal circumstances.
However, Han Xuanji was naturally not an ordinary Undergoing Tribulation Realm Cultivator; his foundation was incredibly deep.
Even the Immortals cave Spirit, who was always well-informed, secretly marveled.
He had been able to use some of the power of Immortal Artifacts as early as the Soul Transformation Realm, so now, at the seventh layer of Undergoing Tribulation, it was naturally not an issue.
However, when he was in the Early Stage of Undergoing Tribulation, using three Immortal Artifacts was pretty much his limit, and even driving a High Grade Immortal Artifact like the demon suppression seal felt somewhat strenuous.
But now, at the seventh layer of Undergoing Tribulation, Han Xuanji attempted to simultaneously wield nine Immortal Swords and execute Heaven Rank Sword Arts to form a sword array.
"Using nine things at once is not difficult for me; the challenge lies in making the nine sword arts merge and cooperate to unleash an even more profound power."
Han Xuanji began to ponder, intending to integrate a more suitable sword art for him.
His sword Dao Realm had already reached the Peak of the Spirit Realm, truly worthy of being called a great sword Dao master.
Opening his own Dao, with his Comprehension Ability and experience, was not difficult.
Moreover, in this Azure Dragon Hall, there was a trial space.
It allowed him to unleash his strength and imagination without any reservations.
…
Time flew by.
One day, as Han Xuanji was still cultivating diligently in the Immortal Abode, a major event occurred in the Great Xia Cultivation World.
Due to the fall of numerous territories in Great Xia, the strong Cultivators of the Great Ming Cultivation World also began to act against those Cultivation Families and Sects.
For a time, war spread like wildfire, and cries of sorrow filled the land.
In just a few months, many Sects in Great Xia had been plundered, and even the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, one of the Four Great Immortal Sects of Great Xia, suffered heavy losses and struggled to hold on. Had it not been for the activation of their Sect's hidden foundation, they might have followed in the footsteps of some smaller Sects.
And the great Cultivators of the Great Ming Cultivation World also openly challenged the Four Great Immortal Sects of Great Xia.
The strong Cultivators of the Great Xia Cultivation World also began to unite, forming a Great Xia Dao Alliance.
Everyone wanted the Demon-Slaying Sword Master of Shenxuan Sect to assume the position of Alliance Leader.
After all, his battle achievements were truly impressive.
However, after Sect Master Xuan Weizi's refusal, Heaven Jade Perfected Person of Shenxuan Sect took on the position of Alliance Leader.
Although Han Xuanji's expressed intention was not to take the initiative to attack, a Sect is not a one-man show. Even though the Demon-Slaying Sword Master's prestige was extremely high, when others were already attacking their homes, and some Disciples' Families were even gone, how could they remain indifferent?
After much consideration, Shenxuan Sect also dispatched many Disciples to resist the invasion of the Great Ming Cultivation World.
…
Cang Province, Great Xia.
Dark clouds hung low, the sky was dim, and amidst the broken walls and ruins, there was widespread desolation.
A deathly silence pervaded.
The air was filled with a strong scent of blood and death.
But among the dilapidated buildings, not even a single corpse could be seen, only bloodstains covering the ground and some torn clothing.
Nangong Wenjian stood amidst the ruins, his face ashen, his eyes burning with rage, and he gritted his teeth, saying:
"These Human Race traitors! For their own selfish gain, they colluded with the Yao Race to bring disaster upon the common people!"
The tragic scene before him clearly indicated that all living beings in this place had become blood sacrifices for the Yao Race.
Upon learning that Heavenly Sword Sect was in trouble, Nangong Wenjian rushed back from Cangming Sword Palace in Central Province, wishing to contribute his strength.
Although he had joined Cangming Sword Palace, he had never said he would withdraw from Heavenly Sword Sect.
The Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect also understood him.
Upon his hurried return to the Sect, Nangong Wenjian angrily recounted what he had seen along the way.
The Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect, however, just wearily waved his hand, already aware of the situation.
Originally, although the Great Ming Cultivation World was also incredibly powerful, it couldn't have surpassed them by too much, otherwise, the situation of two dynasties standing against each other wouldn't have lasted so long.
Now, it was precisely because of the Yao Race's involvement that this balance was completely broken. The Yao Race's formidable physique, combined with the Cultivators' unpredictable Spells, made it so that not only was direct confrontation impossible, but sometimes even escape was out of the question.
"The Great Ming's collusion with the Yao Race probably began a long time ago."
The Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect sighed deeply, his brow furrowed with worry.
He suddenly looked up, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, and urgently asked, "Disciple, Central Province… are there any Holy Lands there willing to help?"
Nangong Wenjian was silent for a moment, then shook his head in dismay:
"The Holy Lands and Immortal Sects of Central Province all said they were too busy to help."
"Moreover… on the surface, those Yao Race members are all referred to as 'Yao pets' of the Great Ming Cultivators.
You can't forbid people from sending their Yao pets to battle, can you…?"
"At this point, we can only rely on ourselves."
"Alas…"
The light in the Sect Master's eyes completely extinguished, and he murmured, "Perhaps… only if that one from Shenxuan Sect makes a move can we salvage a sliver of hope."
"It's just that…"
He then let out a bitter laugh, a smile uglier than a cry.
"That one lives in seclusion, his Realm is already transcendent, and he has long seen through the disturbances of the Mortal World. I'm afraid he won't easily get involved in such disputes."
Although some people were dissatisfied with the Demon-Slaying Sword Master's indifferent attitude, he could actually understand it to some extent. Cultivators who reached that Realm were almost all pursuing the Dao of Immortal Ascension; the Grand Dao was the only thing that mattered.
Even the Immortal Old Ancestors of Central Province rarely appeared unless their Sect was overthrown or a great catastrophe befell the Human Race.
"Do our best, and leave the rest to the Heavenly Dao."
Nangong Wenjian took a deep breath, suppressing the grief and indignation in his heart, and his gaze sharpened once more.
"If we can defend for one day, then it's one day.
I believe a turning point… will always come."
…
Three months later.
Outside the mountain gate of Shenxuan Sect, a biting cold wind blew.
A figure, with unconcealed arrogance, ascended the cloud steps.