"Tsk tsk..."
The Great Demon Evil Omen sneered. This kid actually had a flying sword? The flying sword's rank seemed quite high, and... he seemed to have seen this flying sword somewhere before? Back then, when Lady Yu Zhi led multiple demon army camps to encircle and annihilate the Heavenly Pond army's stronghold, that Lin Baiyi seemed to... have a flying sword like this. The sword's offensive aura was very similar, could it be?
"Impossible..." He shook his head. Lin Baiyi of Snow Territory Heavenly Pond, after killing the demon race's foremost sword cultivator, Lord Bai Lan, had already been riddled with bloody wounds from sword qi backlash. Later, when multiple demons went to behead him, he self-destructed his God of War Gall, blowing himself to smithereens. Such severe injuries would inevitably lead to death, with no possibility of rebirth.
It was just a coincidence!
...
"Kid, you can't escape!"
The Great Demon Evil Omen let out a low roar, his left claw spread open, and with a "swish," he flung out countless fist auras. In the next second, a fist aura barrier hundreds of meters wide, running north to south, formed in front of Lin Zhao, instantly blocking his path to Shanhaiguan Pass. At the same time, the Great Demon Evil Omen roared, and fist prints rained down from the sky again!
"Not good!"
Qin Ran was on the verge of tears, his eyes filled with humiliated tears. "Young hero, I have implicated you..."
This great nephew is truly useless!
Lin Zhao's heart was extremely calm. He continued to spur his horse forward. Just as the horse's head was about to hit the fist aura barrier, his body sank, and he activated the "Draw Sword Slash" skill!
Draw Sword Slash allows for a forward dash of 3 yards. It depends on whether the Great Demon Evil Omen's fist aura is 6 yards thick. If not... rounding up, he should be able to dash through.
The next moment, his entire body pierced forward, and with a "bang," he actually pierced through the fist aura, galloping on the snowfield with his horse and all. Behind him, the sounds of fist aura colliding with the ground roared, and the Great Demon Evil Omen's offensive onslaught missed again.
"That was close..."
Lin Zhao frowned. Just then, a strong wind struck from behind. The Great Demon Evil Omen had appeared behind him at some unknown time, and another punch came from the air.
Such a close-range punch would be fatal if hit, because Lin Zhao's Sword Aura Protection skill was still on cooldown. Without the significant damage reduction from Sword Aura Protection, Lin Zhao could not withstand a punch from a Great Demon of the Heavenly Origin realm. In a flash, he gritted his teeth and pulled the reins, turning around!
"Weng~~~"
Fiery red sword qi ignited on the Qinglu Sword.
When in doubt, use Dragon Ascent Slash, ascend this motherf*****!
"Boom!"
Amidst a deafening roar, the Great Demon Evil Omen's punch landed on a fiercely rising wisp of sword energy. Instantly, his fist pointed to the sky, as if questioning the heavens with his fist. The next second, the Great Demon Evil Omen himself was sent flying by the sword energy of Dragon Ascent Slash, knocked away!
Beautiful!
Lin Zhao tugged on the reins and turned to flee. The priority of Dragon Ascent Slash was really too high, it could even send flying this god-like Boss. Could it be because it was the ultimate technique of Lin Baiyi of Snow Territory Heavenly Pond, giving it an intangible prestige bonus? One had to know how powerful this god-like level was. Between the Flowing Gold level and this, there were still two major levels: Earth level and Heaven level! Moreover, the Boss's level was extremely high, which made Lin Zhao somewhat dazed, almost feeling like Dragon Ascent Slash was an "always hits" skill.
For a moment, the Great Demon Evil Omen became even more enraged. Although he didn't suffer much damage, the psychological trauma was extremely severe. He, a renowned martial artist of the demon race's Heavenly Origin realm, was highly respected in the demon world, with some even considering him a grandmaster of fist techniques. He had also succeeded smoothly in the human race's territory, once killing a Star River realm spirit cultivator of the human race with a punch north of the Washing Sword River. In the western border of the Fusang Great Wall, he fought a human sword cultivator of the eleventh realm for half a day, depleting the spiritual energy in his Sword Lake, and finally took his head. Now, he was being outmaneuvered by a human sword cultivator of the lower fifth realm. What was this?
The more the Great Demon Evil Omen thought about it, the angrier he became. He felt that this sword cultivator on horseback was even more detestable than Qin Ran at the Fusang Great Wall. It would be an insult to his name, Evil Omen, if he didn't smash this person's head.
...
"Boom!"
Another punch rained down from the sky. Lin Zhao dodged with sword qi, then took a punch he couldn't dodge with Sword Aura Protection, all the while chugging healing potions and fighting monsters for health. Stumbling, he charged straight towards Shanhaiguan Pass with Qin Ran. Just as his health was depleted to only 11%, he spurred his horse out of a snow forest. Ahead, a magnificent pass stood on the Qinling Mountains. Shanhaiguan Pass had arrived!
Inside the pass, banners were flying, and a unit of Shanhaiguan cavalry was training charges.
"Help!"
Lin Zhao, while downing a healing potion, raised his Qinglu Sword and yelled with all his might towards the distant crowd. "Quickly send a message! A Great Demon of the Heavenly Origin realm is attacking the pass, quickly!"
"What!?"
A Thousand Cavalry Commander looked up sharply at Lin Zhao, and then saw the figure in the air behind him. What a powerful fist intent and aura that was, making the Thousand Cavalry Commander's heart almost stop. But without any hesitation, he immediately drew a signal flare from his waist, pulled the fuse, and with a "hiss," a fiery red light shot up into the sky. The next moment, he threw the flare, raised his hand, drew his sword, and roared, "Brothers, kill the demon!"
A group of Shanhaiguan cavalry soldiers quickly mounted their horses, and the sound of hooves thundered.
"Just you lot!?"
The Great Demon Evil Omen laughed heartily. With a punch, more than ten cavalry soldiers turned into blood mist. But the remaining soldiers charged forward, their lances and swords slashing at the Great Demon, and forming arrays among themselves, complementing each other, invisibly increasing their killing intent. Even if they couldn't defeat the Heavenly Origin realm Great Demon before them, they could at least hinder him, buying some time for the counterattack from Shanhaiguan Pass.
Lin Zhao continued to spur his horse, galloping away. The subsequent events were no longer within his control. After all, he was just a mere level 61 sword cultivator, how could he stand against a Heavenly Origin realm Great Demon? This battle was only to save someone, to preserve a promising sword cultivator for the human race.
...
Inside Shanhaiguan Pass.
A slender and graceful woman flew out, clad in armor, holding a sword. She was Han Yetang, the current Palace Commander of Shanhaiguan Pass. An eleventh-realm sword cultivator at the young age of 28, she was considered the most talented sword cultivator in the court of the Great Shang Dynasty. Thus, no one dared to question her appointment to the position of Palace Commander, succeeding Shao Shiyu.
"What is happening!?"
Han Yetang's face was extremely beautiful, not at all like someone who practiced martial arts. Wearing the Palace Commander's cloak, she was even more stunning. She strode forward several steps, leaped up, and landed on a flying sword, frowning, "Why is there a signal flare?"
"Palace Commander, a Heavenly Origin realm Great Demon is attacking!" a Myriad Cavalry Commander said solemnly.
"Oh?"
Han Yetang narrowed her beautiful eyes. She also sensed the powerful fist intent coming from the south. Instantly, the corner of her lips curled up, "Interesting. A Heavenly Origin realm Great Demon has actually crossed the Fusang Great Wall and entered the territory of the Great Shang Dynasty. Follow me, accompanied by the army's cultivator corps, to battle and slay this Heavenly Origin realm Great Demon!"
"Yes, Palace Commander!"
Han Yetang flew on her sword, and behind her, the cultivators stationed at Shanhaiguan Pass turned into streams of light, following her. These cultivators were all of the upper fifth realm, commanded by an eleventh-realm Sword Immortal, sufficient to guard a corner of the land.
...
Outside the city, Lin Zhao, a lone rider, dashed towards the pass with Qin Ran.
"Hmm?!"
In the air, Han Yetang flew past and saw the cavalry inside the pass moving outwards, while only Lin Zhao was moving inwards. She frowned slightly, "You, why are you fleeing?"
"Saving someone!"
Lin Zhao pointed at Qin Ran on his horse.
"Oh..."
Han Yetang frowned and said no more. She turned and swung her sword towards the Heavenly Origin realm Great Demon in the distance, simultaneously shouting, "Activate the City Protection Sword Formation!"
"Yes, my lord!"
As a magnificent sword formation rose, the Great Demon Evil Omen's momentum was suppressed again. Martial artists, relying on their strong physique, could often kill spirit cultivators beyond their realm. However, sword cultivators were also extremely troublesome among spirit cultivators, with flying swords killing people without a trace. Therefore, the Great Demon Evil Omen, an eleventh-realm martial artist, faced Han Yetang, an eleventh-realm Sword Immortal, and gained no advantage.
In the air, sword light and fist aura continuously collided. The two fought for dozens of rounds, with no clear winner.
Not long after, a beam of sword light rose from the direction of the northern Fusang Great Wall. The sword light was as brilliant as snow, it was Lin Wanhua's life-bound flying sword – Fei Hua!
"Hmm!?"
The Great Demon Evil Omen had intended to spar with the beautiful young woman for a few more moves. But upon seeing the sword qi rising from the northern Fusang Great Wall, his martial heart almost cracked on the spot. That young woman was even more beautiful, but her sword was even sharper and more ruthless. If she truly pursued him, he might indeed die on the spot.
"Go!"
The Great Demon Evil Omen feigned a punch, turned around, and fled. A true man knows when to advance and when to retreat!
"Leaving already!?"
Han Yetang was not satisfied. She pursued and struck with her sword, leaving a conspicuous sword wound on the Great Demon's backside. But the Great Demon didn't look back. His backside bleeding, he fled west, not daring to look back, fearing that Lin Wanhua would pursue him into the pass.
...
"Hmph!"
Han Yetang was full of dissatisfaction. The fight was over before she even used her flying sword; it was not satisfying at all. As she turned around, she saw a sword light coming from the north, also an eleventh realm. Without thinking, she knew it was someone from the Fusang Great Wall. She raised her hand and sheathed her sword, saying, "Let's go back to the pass and see how that kid is doing."
"Yes, Palace Commander!"
Inside the pass, just as Lin Zhao helped Qin Ran down from his horse, Han Yetang also descended gracefully from the air. First, she glanced at Lin Zhao, whom she didn't recognize, and then at Qin Ran. She recognized him; he was a talented sword cultivator who had passed through Shanhaiguan Pass many times to train in the Great Shang Dynasty's territory. He was the son of Qin Yu, a born sword seed. He was also a born sword seed, possessing a Sword Lake from the moment he was born. Such talent, who could reason with it?
"How is he?" Han Yetang asked.
"He's fine, won't die."
Qin Ran gave an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry, Palace Commander, for causing you worry."
"I wasn't worried."
Han Yetang looked north and said, "Your father is here."
Lin Zhao's heart skipped a beat. That was good, his father coming was fine, as long as his aunt didn't come.