The Four Divine Swords looked on as if watching a play, directed at Mingzhi Tian. Mingzhi Tian roared, "Summon! Twin Star Dragon Yao Hua Ji Jue!"
The Four Divine Swords, compelled by Mingzhi Tian's "Qi Qi Jue" (Imperial Artifact Technique), launched their attack. Even though they had anticipated Mingzhi Tian unleashing his full power, they hadn't expected to be the very stake.
Mingzhi Tian imbued the Twin Star Dragon Yao Hua Ji Jue into the Jade Lin, Yan Wang, Zhan Huang, and Qi Bu Fei Divine Swords. He then employed his fist-sword technique, aiming a fierce strike at the quicksand vortex!
"One Sword Establishes the Firmament!"
"Boom! Hum! Rumble!……………"
Visibly, the quicksand vortex shattered like brittle crackers, falling off piece by piece and crashing onto the ground!
"Bang!……"
The Four Divine Swords exclaimed in disbelief: "Succeeded… succeeded?"
"But he's only at the third level of the Awakening Realm…"
"To wield a sword as a fist, aside from that Martial Saint, there's only this brat."
The clouds parted, the sky cleared, and brilliant light shone through, revealing the heavens once more.
A tombstone floated in the air. Mingzhi Tian, holding the "Shu Jian Lu" (Book of Swords and Records), stepped forward. Across it, he saw several large characters:
"Tomb of Zhuge Shen Hou!"
Mingzhi Tian bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your encyclopedia. This junior has benefited greatly. Also, I apologize for disturbing your peaceful resting place. We shall depart now."
The divine tomb emitted a cold light, and heavenly secrets appeared… but only for an instant. Mingzhi Tian fell into contemplation.
After a long pause, the Jade Lin Sword broke his silence: "Kid, what's wrong?"
Mingzhi Tian said, "I have a great tribulation in my future, one I might not overcome."
The Yan Wang Sword: "Hey kid, haven't you heard the saying? When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it. Whatever hurdle it is, we'll face it for you."
Mingzhi Tian's eyes lit up: "Does this mean you've recognized me as your master?"
The Yan Wang Sword: "I never said that."
The Jade Lin Sword: "Kid, don't celebrate too soon. Even if the four of us acknowledge you, the other ninety-nine might not. To be honest, the four of us are considered the weakest in the Shu Jian Lu."
"!"
Mingzhi Tian exclaimed incredulously: "You're kidding, right?"
The Zhan Huang Sword: "Though I don't wish to agree, believe it or not, that's up to you."
………………
Time reveals true intentions. For a month, the women did not flee at the first sign of danger. Instead, they waited, believing Mingzhi Tian would be blessed with good fortune.
During this time, many powerful cultivators attacked but were repelled by ingenious mechanisms and talismans. It seemed as though someone was deliberately spreading news of the Divine Sect's rise, much to the displeasure of certain individuals who did not wish to see the sect reach its former glory.
Meanwhile, a woman clad in flowing white silk emerged from a stone mountain. This was Bai Liuli, wife of the Cultivation God Emperor Gu Luoqi, and a cultivator at the eighth level of the Divine Luo Realm.
When she returned to the Divine Emperor Holy Land Sect, Piao Yan Zun Huang informed her that Gu Luoqi and their son, Gu Bai Ya, were dead. She was devastated.
"Who?" Bai Liuli's expression turned chillingly cold, and the surrounding air instantly dropped in temperature.
Even Piao Yan Zun Huang adopted a serious demeanor: "Gu Zhenyang."
"Uncle?" Bai Liuli could hardly believe it, but Piao Yan Zun Huang had no reason to lie to her.
Bai Liuli arrived at the Gu Mountain Gate. The moment she stepped inside, she was immediately surrounded by layers of barriers.
Gu Shishi suddenly emerged: "Sister Bai, hurry and leave! My father has set up an ambush!"
"Bai Liuli, I've been waiting for you. You think you can escape? No way!" Gu Zhenyang, along with a host of powerful cultivators, had been lying in wait. Seeing Bai Liuli finally appear, they drew their respective magical artifacts and confronted her.
Gu Zhenyang scolded, "Who told you to come out? Go back!"
Gu Shishi looked at Bai Liuli with innocent eyes before being dragged away by servants.
Bai Liuli tried to intervene but was blocked by Gu Zhenyang: "You can barely save yourself, and you're thinking of saving others?"
Bai Liuli initially didn't believe it, but seeing Gu Shishi's plight and this unprovoked ambush, she believed him seventy percent.