Ji Xuanling, too, fell to the ground, but unlike Xuan Tianyi, he did not endure the overwhelming suppression beyond the Loose Immortal Realm. After staggering a few steps, he immediately looked up, her gaze locking onto the mysterious figure standing before Xuan Tianyi.
That figure radiated with a blinding brilliance, and Ji Xuanling recognized his identity instantly.
"Cave Master!" she exclaimed in astonishment.
It was none other than Shenhun True Lord, the Cave Master of Six-Star Cave!
Shenhun True Lord stood tall and imposing, draped in a voluminous black Daoist robe over a golden-threaded white garment, cinched with a jade-embedded azure sash. His black hair was tied up with three miniature swords, and his expression was as cold as frost. He gazed at Xuan Tianyi with disdain, his icy stare seeming to freeze time itself.
The celestial projection mirrored Xuan Tianyi's image, now including Shenhun True Lord's figure, revealing his visage to all living beings across the continent.
Even the most powerful cultivators of the Three Dynasties instinctively felt awe at their first sight of Shenhun True Lord.
Just by standing there, Shenhun True Lord exuded an aura of invincibility.
Across the world, the mood shifted dramatically. The once-dreaded Fierce Demon, seated helplessly before Shenhun True Lord, seemed weak and insignificant, his prior terrorizing presence utterly shattered.
Xuan Tianyi wanted to stand, but he couldn't—he simply couldn't move!
The chasm between Loose Immortal and Wandering Immortal was as vast as the heavens and the earth.
Xuan Tianyi stared at Shenhun True Lord in abject terror, his eyes betraying a plea for mercy.
Miles away.
An Hao watched the celestial projection, his eyes widening in panic as Shenhun True Lord appeared.
Under his horrified gaze, Shenhun True Lord raised his right hand, and his voice, laden with divine authority, resounded across the continent:
"Today, I, Shenhun True Lord, shall slay this demon for the sake of all living beings!"
His voice was like the decree of a heavenly god, accompanied by rolling thunder that reverberated with his words.
"No—!"
An Hao's anguished scream broke through the air as he leaped to intervene.
In an instant, he felt a hand press down on his shoulder, causing his spiritual energy to dissipate entirely. Unable to sustain flight, he fell back to the ground.
Zhang Buku, Li Ya, and the other Tai Xuan Sect disciples glimpsed a fleeting figure pass by, so swift that they doubted their own senses.
Meanwhile, Shenhun True Lord prepared to deliver a killing blow to Xuan Tianyi.
Ji Xuanling's face paled as he opened his mouth to plead for mercy.
Slap!
Suddenly, a hand landed on Shenhun True Lord's shoulder, scattering the radiance surrounding him. His expression shifted, and his raised hand froze mid-air.
Xuan Tianyi, too, noticed someone standing behind Shenhun True Lord. His expression contorted with shock, his eyes filled with a mix of dread and defiance.
Ji Xuanling's jaw dropped in disbelief as she stared at the figure now standing behind Shenhun True Lord.
At that moment, every living being gazing at the celestial projection saw the person who had appeared behind Shenhun True Lord.
In the Third Medicine Valley, Lu Lingjun pushed open her door, her expression changing as she looked up at the celestial projection.
In the Outer Gate City, at the Heaven Mending Platform, Zuo Yijian stood beside the Heaven-Sundering Axe, murmuring, "The Sword Master of the Dao…"
Elsewhere, the sword cultivator Di Xie also recognized the figure, his heart tightening in apprehension.
"The Sword Master of the Dao is confronting a powerhouse of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"
An Hao, too, saw the figure of the Sword Master and clenched his fists in excitement.
He mistakenly believed that his master, unable to bear watching further, had finally come to his aid.
Li Ya shared the same enthusiasm. Their ancestor had arrived!
Zhang Buku, on the other hand, merely observed curiously, wondering who this mysterious figure might be.
Lü Baitian, watching the projection, exhaled in relief.
Meanwhile, the other sect leaders exchanged bewildered looks, puzzled by the Sword Master's intervention.
In the celestial projection, Shenhun True Lord lowered his hand slowly, his peripheral vision shifting to the figure behind him. His cold voice broke the silence.
"Could it be… you are The Sword Master of the Dao, the one who has recently shaken the world?"
The figure standing behind him was a shadow wreathed in dark purple demonic energy, enigmatic and foreboding.
Gu An took a step forward, pulling Shenhun True Lord back effortlessly. Shenhun True Lord staggered, his body involuntarily retreating under Gu An's force.
With a single step, Gu An stood before Xuan Tianyi. Reaching out, he extended two fingers, touching Xuan Tianyi's forehead.
A surge of power, like the celestial might of a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, erupted from his hand. It forcibly expelled the demonic soul residing within Xuan Tianyi's body. The demonic energy scattered, leaving Xuan Tianyi writhing in agony.
Gasps echoed across the continent as every onlooker witnessed the shocking scene.
This was not the Fierce Demon?
Everyone saw a shadowy figure, identical to Xuan Tianyi, emerge from his body.
Before the demonic figure could retaliate, Gu An opened his palm and clenched it tightly, trapping the demon within his grasp.
The oppressive demonic aura that had blanketed the continent dissipated instantly. A wave of inexplicable relief washed over all living beings, as though a massive burden had been lifted from their hearts.
"You—" Shenhun True Lord began, his voice trembling.
Shenhun True Lord was furious. As the Cave Master of Six-Star Cave, he was well aware of the truth behind the Fierce Demon's origins. Though not orchestrated by his own hand, it had occurred with his tacit approval.
The Sword Master of the Dao had publicly humiliated him!
Gu An turned slightly, standing sideways as he faced Shenhun True Lord.
Xuan Tianyi coughed up a mouthful of blood, his body lurching forward. His forehead landed on Gu An's thigh. Before his eyes fully closed, he muttered in a weak voice, "Sword Master…"
With that, Xuan Tianyi collapsed completely, unconscious at Gu An's feet.
The Sword Master of the Dao remained silent, letting the scene speak for itself. His calm, unwavering gaze locked onto Shenhun True Lord, creating a tension so palpable it felt like the world itself was holding its breath.
Across the continent, living beings watched the celestial projection in stunned silence, sensing the confrontation between Shenhun True Lord and The Sword Master of the Dao. It was clear to all that the Sword Master had come not to aid the Fierce Demon but to rescue the person possessed by it.
The tension in the air was overwhelming. Even the cultivators of the Three Dynasties, who were stationed near the battlefield, stood frozen, too fearful to breathe deeply.
The Blood Prison Saint lay on the ground, his gaze fixed on Gu An's figure. His eyes glimmered with awe.
So domineering!
Without saying a word, Gu An's presence alone conveyed an unyielding will, one that left no room for negotiation or defiance.
The Blood Prison Saint found himself reflecting on his own past arrogance. He had always been quick to spout bold words, but compared to this otherworldly cultivator, his bluster felt utterly laughable.
"True dominance needs no boasting," he thought.
This sentiment echoed across the land. The overwhelming perception was clear—Shenhun True Lord had already been overpowered.
Those who stood closest, like Ji Xuanling, were even more shaken. He knew all too well the vast power Shenhun True Lord wielded. Among the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, Six-Star Cave reigned supreme, and Shenhun True Lord was regarded by its disciples as nothing short of a god—a representation of the peak of power on the continent.
And yet, this seemingly invincible figure had been effortlessly subdued by The Sword Master of the Dao.
Ji Xuanling finally understood why the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had suddenly decided to emerge, claiming they were here to save the world. It wasn't altruism; it was fear of the Sword Master and a desperate attempt to salvage their reputation.
Shenhun True Lord's expression darkened as conflicting thoughts warred within him.
His original plan had been to use the celestial phenomenon of the Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder Tribulation to craft an image of himself as the savior of the world. Now, however, the situation had spiraled beyond his control.
If he fought, there was no guarantee he could win. And if he lost, what would the world think of him?
If he backed down, how would the Seven Stars Spirit Realm recover its dignity?
Taking a deep breath, he spoke, his tone heavy:
"Who exactly are you? Don't tell me you hail from Tai Xuan Sect. A continent like this couldn't possibly produce someone as powerful as you."
This time, Shenhun True Lord's words didn't echo across the continent. They were meant for Gu An alone, audible only to him and Ji Xuanling.
Gu An gave no verbal response. Instead, he raised his right hand, extending a single finger to point at Shenhun True Lord's face.
A wave of unease washed over Shenhun True Lord as an inexplicable fear gripped him.
Too domineering!
Gu An's silent gesture spoke volumes—it was a command to retreat. A declaration that further resistance would only lead to death.
Shenhun True Lord's mind raced. He was a Wandering Immortal, one of the highest-caliber cultivators not just on the continent but even across the nearby seas. And yet, in this moment, he felt utterly powerless.
After a long pause, Shenhun True Lord exhaled sharply. With a cold snort, he turned and walked away, vanishing in just a few steps.
Though his departure was deliberate and measured, to the countless onlookers, it reeked of defeat. His upright posture did little to mask the reality that he had been forced to flee.
Gu An, however, had deliberately chosen not to kill Shenhun True Lord. Killing him publicly would have posed complications. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm was regarded as a sacred land, ostensibly here to protect the world. Furthermore, doing so might provoke retaliation from the other powerful factions allied with the realm.
Sometimes, sparing an opponent delivered a more profound warning than killing them outright.
Gu An glanced skyward. The heavenly tribulation was dissipating. With the Fierce Demon removed, the tribulation had lost its target and naturally came to an end.
In the next moment, Gu An disappeared.
Xuan Tianyi, still unconscious, slumped forward as Gu An vanished. Ji Xuanling appeared out of thin air, catching him just before his forehead struck the ground.
From a distance, Lü Baitian immediately called out, rallying the Tai Xuan Sect disciples to follow him and provide aid.
Thousands of Tai Xuan Sect cultivators surged into the sky, fearless and brimming with exhilaration. With The Sword Master of the Dao on their side, what could they possibly fear?
Meanwhile, the leaders of other sects exchanged uneasy glances. The events that had just unfolded shattered their expectations, leaving them grappling with far too much new information.
After a tense pause, Liang Canghai took a deep breath and declared:
"The Three Dynasties will stand united!"
Without waiting for a response, he turned and flew toward the Cangtian Sect.
The other sect leaders, snapping out of their daze, hurriedly followed suit, issuing orders to consolidate their forces.
The consensus was clear: winning over The Sword Master of the Dao was now their top priority. His intervention had demonstrated a power that surpassed even the so-called sacred lands.
In the Third Medicine Valley, Lu Lingjun gazed at the dissipating celestial projection. Slowly, her thoughts returned to the present.
She instinctively sought out Gu An, wanting to share her thoughts on the incredible battle she had just witnessed. But after scanning the valley with her divine sense, she realized that Gu An was no longer there.
Her awareness extended toward the Xuan Valley, where she found Gu An calmly inspecting herbs in a forested area near the valley.
Relieved, she let out a small laugh, shaking her head.
"Of all things, he's worried about his flowers and herbs at a time like this. Honestly, what a man of no ambition."
Elsewhere, in the inner gate city, Ji Xiaoya stood atop a rooftop, her gaze fixed on the fading celestial projection.
Though she had never met Shenhun True Lord, she could sense the immense power he wielded. The fact that such a figure had been driven away by the Sword Master left her deeply conflicted.
"Who are you really, Sword Master of the Dao?" she murmured to herself.
This battle had undeniably shifted the balance of power on the continent. Ji Xiaoya speculated that the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would now be forced to tread cautiously, their arrogance curbed by this display of overwhelming power.
Yet she also knew the Seven Stars Spirit Realm would stop at nothing to uncover the Sword Master's true identity. And among their tools of inquiry, the Ji family's connections to Tai Xuan Sect would undoubtedly play a role.
"Patriarch, did you foresee this outcome?" she mused aloud, her lips curling into a faint smile.
Turning to leave, she heard the sudden eruption of cheers from the inner city below.
Their joy mirrored the sentiments of the entire continent.
For in this moment, the whole world celebrated.