"Old Sword Immortal Han..."
Above the mountaintop villa, Lin Zhao and the others clasped their fists in unison, their eyes filled with reverence.
Following Su Shanjun, Han Buyu had also fallen defending the world.
Wuwang Mountain had not yet officially collided with the lower realm, and the Mountain Lords and Masters of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond had already sacrificed themselves.
The mountain and water deities of the mortal realm, guarding their respective territories, had bravely charged forward when disaster struck, willing to be the first to face the danger. This spirit deeply impressed Huang Tingyu, Tang Guangjun, and the others.
...
Lin Zhao glanced at the time. It was already ten in the morning, and there were two more hours until Wuwang Mountain officially impacted the lower realm. At this moment, Shen Xingchen gently tapped Lin Zhao's gaming helmet and asked, "What do you say? The event starts in two hours, do you want to log off and grab a bite?"
"Forget it."
Lin Zhao shook his head. "I need to be online to oversee the overall situation. Perhaps by the time Wuwang Mountain falls, I will have finished before everyone else."
"..."
Shen Xingchen frowned, unsure what this fellow was planning, but she didn't say anything more. She turned and went downstairs to prepare for her meal. If he didn't want to eat, he didn't want to eat; he could starve, the heartless scoundrel.
...
Shanhai Pass.
In Han Yetang's main tent, Xiao Muchan, a Grand Sword Immortal of the twelfth realm, operated the Water Moon Observing Heaven divine ability, and everyone watched the scene on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. Seeing Su Shanjun and Han Buyu successively fall, their expressions were somber.
"There are so many mountain and water deities in the world..."
Long Dongjun's eyes reddened. "But there are truly few mountain and water deities as unyielding as the ones in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond."
Sun Qinghe frowned. "That little fellow Lin Zhao... none of the people around him are ordinary."
"A pity."
Xiao Muchan knitted his brows. "Su Fu sacrificed himself as a Mountain Lord of the thirteenth realm. If he had lived, perhaps his status in the realm of mountains and waters would have been enough to contend with Lin Xingchu. Our human race's northern frontier would not only have the River God of Xijian River, but also the Mountain Lord of Heavenly Pond Mountain."
Chen Mengjun's eyes were tinged with red. The deaths of Su Shanjun and Han Buyu made Chen Mengjun more aware of the dangers of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. If Wuwang Mountain really crashed down, could Lin Zhao survive?
The chances were slim, and everything was uncertain.
...
Yunzhou, Yunxiang Tower.
Shi Hanyin, the most beautiful woman in Da Shang, wore a red dress. She was not asleep but stood in the courtyard, observing a Water Moon Observing Heaven formation set up in the garden. The one who had conjured the Water Moon Observing Heaven was Qin Cheng, a young Sword Cultivator of the eleventh realm from the Mohist school.
"Miss Shi..."
Qin Cheng frowned. "The two deities who sacrificed themselves were the Mountain Lord of Heavenly Pond Mountain, Su Fu, who had already fallen in realm once a hundred years ago, and Han Buyu, the Old Sword Immortal Han who died defending against the demon race in the small town. He is also mentioned in folk tales."
"I know."
Shi Hanyin's body trembled slightly in the cold wind.
Even the thirteenth-realm Su Shanjun had fallen, what would the tenth-realm Lin Zhao do?
Her heart was filled with complex emotions. She wished to witness the legendary Lin Baiyi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond turn the tide once more, but she did not wish to see Lin Zhao fall.
After all, she had only read about this person in folk tales before. But now, having met Lin Zhao twice, he had long since become someone Shi Hanyin could not easily shake. If Lin Zhao were to fall now, Shi Hanyin would surely be heartbroken.
...
White Emperor City, the Imperial Court.
A Water Moon Observing Heaven, initiated by Huang Qingning of the twelfth realm, projected the scene at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond into the imperial court. The officials stood in silence, watching the battle in the north.
The young Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng descended from his dragon throne and stood on the golden steps, his brows furrowed as he watched the deaths of Su Shanjun and Han Buyu, his heart filled with regret.
"Wuwang Mountain is about to officially descend."
Zhao Shutong, clad in armor, had shed her princess attire the moment the great battle was about to begin. She had put on the exquisite armor of the White Deer Cavalry commander, a white cloak fluttering behind her as she rested a hand on her sword hilt. Her beautiful eyes gazed at the Water Moon Observing Heaven. "Everyone, the battle that will determine the survival of our human race is about to begin."
The assembled officials held their breath.
An old minister whispered, "With Lin Baiyi guarding it, the northern frontier should be... impregnable, right?"
Zhao Shutong let out a scoff. "Old Minister, Lin Baiyi is merely a tenth-realm Sword Cultivator, a mortal body, just like us ordinary people. While Lin Baiyi's strategies are unparalleled, human strength has its limits. What he pursues is merely the best, to do his utmost, and so do we."
"Yes!"
A first-rank general immediately clasped his fists, in full agreement with Princess Zhao Shutong's words.
"These two deities..."
Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng's eyes were red. "After the great battle, our Da Shang Dynasty must not forget the debt of gratitude owed by Su Shanjun and Han Buyu to the human world. They shall be granted titles and posthumous honors as appropriate."
"Mmm."
Zhao Shutong nodded slightly. This great battle, witnessed personally by the young Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng, would also serve as a tempering of his state of mind. After all, his elder sister could not protect him forever.
...
Snow Domain Heavenly Pond.
In the air, Wuwang Mountain snapped the cloud lock conjured by Han Buyu and continued to descend towards the mortal realm at an extreme speed. Under the backlash of the Great Dao, Han Buyu's golden body shattered, dissipating in the wind.
Lin Zhao's heart was heavy. The memory brought a bitter taste to his mouth. He looked back at Tianran Ju. Su Shanjun and Han Buyu had both fallen. He feared they would never return to the days when these two kind old men would come up the mountain to mooch food and drink. He would never have the chance to raise a cup and laugh, saying, "Old Sword Immortal Han, let's have a drink, don't hold back!"
"Sir."
Shu Zhi called out gently from his side.
"I'm fine."
Lin Zhao shook his head and turned, his sword carrying him towards the observation deck. With a leap, he landed on the observation deck again, continuing to nurture his sword intent and his martial artist's true energy. At this moment, he didn't want to say much, nor did he want to think too much.
The game of the falling divine mountain had already begun. Everything that followed would unfold like rolling wheels. Lin Zhao could not easily control it, nor could the demon race. Everyone could only do their best.
Not long after, a wisp of gentle breeze carried a graceful figure and landed beside Lin Zhao. It was Tong Yu, dressed in a white dress. She sat down gently beside Lin Zhao, her long, slender legs kicking in the cold wind.
"Are you alright, Tong Yu?" Lin Zhao asked.
"I'm fine."
Tong Yu pursed her lips into a smile and suddenly said, "It's just... I suddenly feel as if I've had an epiphany. I've found the direction and hope for survival. From now on, Tong Yu will cherish her life, because there is something very, very important that I must do."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao smiled and asked, "What is it?"
"Find him."
Tong Yu said it casually, then turned. A charming face with an apologetic expression, her beautiful eyes looked at Lin Zhao. "Brother Lin Zhao, I'm sorry..."
"Why are you apologizing?" Lin Zhao asked in surprise.
Tong Yu smiled gently. "Because, from today onwards, Brother Lin Zhao is no longer Tong Yu's favorite person. He can only rank second. Moreover, Tong Yu can no longer marry Brother Lin Zhao in this lifetime. This thought is now dismissed. I hope Brother Lin Zhao won't be angry."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but laugh. "But I never thought of marrying Tong Yu. You are still young, and there is a large age gap between us. Moreover, in terms of personal preference, I prefer Miss Leng, and Miss Lin Wanhua, and Little Jiuer."
"Mm-hmm!"
Tong Yu laughed. "In short, apart from him, Brother Lin Zhao is still Tong Yu's favorite person, just not in that kind of way. I hope Brother Lin Zhao won't be disappointed."
"No."
Lin Zhao laughed. "With Tong Yu like this, I won't be disappointed. The mountaintop villa also needs Tong Yu like this. That brat Zhang Luobai is unruly and needs his senior sister to look after him. Zhuang Yirong is too young and also needs his senior sister's care. Only if Senior Sister lives will our mountaintop villa have vitality and new hope."
"Brother Lin Zhao, don't worry!"
Tong Yu pursed her red lips, her expression serious. "No matter what happens in the future, Tong Yu will live well and will take good care of her junior brothers and sisters. I only ask Brother Lin Zhao to cherish himself. After all, if something were to happen to Brother Lin Zhao, Tong Yu would be extremely, extremely sad. That sadness would only be slightly less than the sadness just now."
Lin Zhao chuckled. "I know, I'll do my best."
"Mmm!"
...
Just then, it was eleven o'clock sharp.
"Swish!"
As Lin Zhao and Tong Yu looked back, they saw a golden sky curtain enveloping the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond slowly dissipate. Immediately after, figures emerged from dozens of teleportation arrays that had appeared south of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. They were all human players, rushing up the mountain to join the battle against this world-ending catastrophe.
"They're here..."
Tong Yu said softly with a smile. "I've heard for a long time that there are many chivalrous heroes in Da Shang Dynasty. Now that Wuwang Mountain is about to fall, they have indeed come."
"Yes!"
Lin Zhao smiled slightly. "Among them are many of my friends."
"Oh!"
Tong Yu nodded. "Brother Lin Zhao is indeed knowledgeable. You've traveled the jianghu for longer than Tong Yu and have a wider network!"
"That's right."
Lin Zhao chuckled.
Tong Yu stood up. "The battle is imminent, Tong Yu is going to take care of her junior brothers and sisters."
"Mmm, go ahead."
Lin Zhao watched the girl's retreating back and couldn't help but smile bitterly. In his past life, he had been infatuated with that Princess Yu in the beta test dreams, but Princess Yu had no romantic feelings for him. In this life, by chance, Tong Yu had developed feelings for him, which only awakened when Su Shanjun fell.
Everything was karma, and he had never harbored any improper thoughts towards Tong Yu. He had held onto his original intention and ultimately kept his karma at bay. Otherwise, it would have been complicated, and how could he have faced his senior brother and Su Shanjun?
...
Looking back south.
The sounds of iron cavalry could be heard. Countless human cavalry players rode into White City. At the very front was a beautiful female knight, adorned in exquisite high-grade armor, breathtakingly beautiful. It was Chen Xue. Beside her was the equally stunning Luo Man. Ding Chi, Zhang Jun, Lu Han, Bu Su Liren, and others, each leading a group of people, rushed towards the north of White City, seeking the best combat positions.
However, this group could not approach the observation deck where Lin Zhao was located. On the map, that area was a blood-red restricted zone, prohibiting players from entering.
Lin Zhao simply sent a message to everyone in the guild and continued to nurture his sword intent.
He felt that the moment was very close.