Advancing deeper into the desolate subterranean passage, the murals on both sides became more numerous, and the pits and holes in the floor increased. The walls and pillars were riddled with startling deep gashes, presenting the scene of a catastrophic explosion.
“These holes and markings look very much like the residue of fierce combat,” Nalan Qiushui observed the carvings on the walls and pillars with a grave expression, analyzing the evidence.
“Indeed, these should be sword and blade marks,” Jian Li noted. “And those on the ground were blasted open by the fluctuating Dou Qi waves. It seems this is where the Crimson Blood Maniac, the Praying Sword Immortal, and the Warrior of Destiny dueled back then.”
“This means the Crimson Blood Demon Sword is likely nearby,” Luo Xiao stated in a low voice.
“Perhaps,” Hong Tian continued. “What is certain is that the Warrior of Destiny was no match for the Crimson Blood Maniac. Whether the Crimson Blood Maniac remained here after slaying the Warrior of Destiny, however, remains unknown.”
“In any case, let’s keep searching,” Jian Li directed. “The map of the Sacred Domain space isn't vast; it’s about the same size as the Gale Hall on the eighth layer.”
The group proceeded cautiously, constantly guarding their surroundings, meticulously searching as they slowly moved toward the end of the passage.
Passing through another stone door, they entered a massive hall.
In the very center stood a colossal stone platform, resembling an altar used by the Church for sacrifices. Flanking the platform were two enormous stone pillars, upon which were carved two massive, entwined serpents.
Their intricate scales, blood-red eyes, and flickering, lifelike tongues made it seem as if they could burst free from the stone at any moment to strike them. Yet, everyone's attention was instantly captivated by the skeleton on the platform.
It was clearly the remains of a human who had died long ago. The skeleton was clad in golden God of War armor and wore a Holy War Helmet. Now, only dry bones supported this regalia. Scattered on the platform were also various pieces of disheveled jewelry.
But what was most arresting was the longsword that the skeleton supported with its half-kneeling right hand! The blade was sheathed in an ancient, simple red scabbard, but the blood-red hilt cast the surroundings in a hazy crimson glow, like the last light of a setting sun, obscuring the exact appearance of the blade. The pervasive, lingering red luminescence formed an invisible barrier, isolating everything around it, lending it an eerie, mystical quality that stirred an irresistible urge to investigate further.
Almost simultaneously, they were struck by a terrifying aura, as if what stood there was not a sword but a demon—a horrific demon capable of plunging one into the abyss, leading to eternal damnation.
“The Nether Fiend Qi,” Jian Li gasped in horror. That strange crimson hue and suffocating killing intent proclaimed without reservation: this sword was the legendary Crimson Blood Demon Sword, spoken of only in whispers of dread.
“The Crimson Blood Demon Sword,” Nalan Qiushui breathed, his voice trembling.
“Whoosh!” Suddenly, a swift gust of wind swept past the speaker’s side, and a figure cloaked in blue flashed like lightning toward the stone platform.
“Hong Tian!” Luo Xiao reacted with even greater speed, unleashing a powerful slash of blade energy aimed directly at the back of the blue figure.
“Hah!” While darting away, the blue figure executed a sudden sidestep, shifting sideways to narrowly evade the Dou Qi blade Luo Xiao had thrown. Even I, known for my speed and agility, was taken aback by that fleeting and uncanny movement.
However, Hong Tian’s otherwise lightning-fast motion was momentarily checked by the appearance of that preemptive Dou Qi blade.
“Fifth Brother!” As he launched his blade, Luo Xiao roared. A second golden figure shot out, hurtling directly toward the stone platform.
“Stop!” Nalan Qiushui’s sword flashed like the wind, his robust sword energy coiling around Luo Zhen in mid-air like lightning. But Luo Zhen, without turning his head, executed a nimble flip—head back, feet forward—unleashing a crescent arc to meet the successive layers of Nalan Qiushui’s sword energy. Clang! Utilizing the shockwave from the clash of their two Dou Qi bursts, Luo Zhen’s agile body accelerated suddenly, achieving an almost unbelievable speed. His target remained the stone platform.
At nearly the same instant, Luo Xiao, positioned at the side, also struck suddenly, bringing his blade down toward Nalan Qiushui.
Roar! Clang! As if anticipating this move, Nalan Qiushui raised his greatsword high, intercepting that deadly blow in a flash of electricity and fire. Both figures were forced back several paces by the impact.
“Star Alignment.” Everything seemed to erupt simultaneously. As Luo Zhen’s strike connected with the Dou Qi sword Nalan Qiushui had projected, Jian Li surged forward, and nine Dragon Shadows simultaneously shot out behind Luo Zhen.
Luo Zhen was now close to the platform. Sensing the Dragon Shadows behind him, the protective Dou Qi surrounding his body suddenly exploded outwards. He did not look back; he was clearly resolved to seize the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, even at the cost of his life.
Boom! Boom! Boom! The nine Dragon Shadows violently slammed against Luo Zhen’s protective Dou Qi.
Pfft! Luo Zhen, suspended in mid-air, couldn't suppress a mouthful of blood, but his fiercely malevolent eyes remained fixed on the platform. His right hand shot out like lightning, grasping for the hilt of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.
“Get out of the way!” At this moment, I, having fully activated my speed, unleashed my Thunder Dou Qi in an instant, manifesting almost like teleportation, appearing right beside Luo Zhen. My right hand, wielding the Dragon Shadow Sword, swept toward Luo Zhen’s head in a flash, while my left hand reached for the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.
Hah! Luo Zhen seemed unprepared for my speed in catching up. He could only desperately twist his body aside, narrowly dodging my fatal strike. At that moment, the Crimson Blood Demon Sword was within reach, and a surge of ecstatic thought flooded my mind. Success was imminent.
“Black Tortoise Summon!” Suddenly, a shout like a clap of thunder from a clear sky erupted. As I lunged onto the platform, I felt a crushing weight slam into my chest, as if struck by a thousand-pound hammer. A surge of churning blood made my vision swim, and my rapid movement momentarily stalled.
Immediately following, a sharp whistling sound tore through the air. Even under the effect of the Eye of Death Lust, I couldn't clearly lock onto the trajectory of this incoming force. Ah! I was inwardly shocked; this speed was utterly unavoidable.
“Watch your back!” It was Jian Li’s voice, screaming in stark terror.
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“Damn it, I’ll risk it all!” I instantly circulated my Thunder Dou Qi to the seventh layer, converting all of it into the Thunder Shield. My outstretched left hand did not falter in its grasp toward the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.
Boom! It felt as if I had been blasted by a bomb. A terrifying impact struck my back, launching my entire body uncontrollably into the air. Yet, in that very instant, my fingertips brushed against the cold hilt of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword. But by the narrowest margin, I was propelled past the stone platform.
A minuscule deviation, resulting in a completely different outcome. While soaring, I forced my body to twist and looked back, only to see a figure cloaked in brown land ghost-like upon the stone platform.
Who was he! When had he appeared! Not only I, but even Jian Li and Luo Xiao were stunned by this figure who had materialized out of thin air. However, this shock lasted only a fleeting moment.
No one had anticipated that Nalan Qiushui’s Black Tortoise Summon would manifest such an individual. But every person present was a seasoned, top-tier master; after a brief stunned pause, they quickly regained composure.
“Nine Dragons Unite.” A sword gesture cast into the void; the nine Dragon Shadows, previously scattering and flying wildly, instantly merged in mid-air, transforming into a single, resplendent Five-Clawed Golden Dragon that roared as it lunged toward the brown figure on the platform.
“Tiger Roar Across the Heavens.” Luo Xiao held nothing back! His body appeared directly above the figure, and his gleaming Zhanma Great Saber came down with crushing force.
“Rime Howl.” At the same time, Mo Yin and Mo Ling’s ice roars slammed toward the platform.
“Dragon Dance in the Clouds.” Hong Tian once again transformed into a green dragon, crashing into the mysterious figure.
Under no circumstances could they allow him to seize the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.
At this moment, everyone’s objective was strikingly unified. Even Hong Tian and Lei Ao, who had advanced with Nalan Qiushui, could no longer afford restraint.
The suddenly appearing mysterious master roared fiercely: “Black Tortoise Shield.” A powerful surge of energy instantly erected itself like a curtain!
Boom! Boom! Boom! The golden light dragon, the green dragon, Luo Xiao’s earth-shattering blade, and the Rime Howls from Mo Yin and Mo Ling all struck the wall of Dou Qi, white as a curtain, almost simultaneously.
Rumble! Amidst heavy, muffled explosions, the Golden Light Dragon was repelled high into the air, splitting once more into nine Dragon Shadows. Luo Xiao and Hong Tian were sent flying far away, like deflated balls kicked aside.
Ah! I could hardly believe my eyes. Who could have imagined this person’s skill was so terrifying, capable of weathering the combined attack of five top masters in one go? This level of strength utterly exceeded our comprehension; perhaps even a Demon Warrior clad in Heavenly Demon Armor wouldn’t be this formidable.
Bump! However, the figure was also shaken off the platform by the combined force of their attack.
Yet, at that precise moment, a golden light flashed. Nalan Qiushui’s ghostly figure shot onto the platform in an instant, grasping the Crimson Blood Demon Sword in his hand.
Crash! Hong Tian and Luo Xiao’s bodies slammed heavily onto the ground.
“It’s over, we failed.” Only then, as I was blasted through the air and crashed hard onto the floor, did a feeling of utter despair wash over me. Such a formidable, terrifying master actually existed in this world. Only then did I recall Jian Li mentioning that the Nalan family’s Black Tortoise Dou Qi was said to be the most impregnable defense under heaven; now, I had truly seen it.
“Hahaha.” In the spacious underground palace, Nalan Qiushui’s triumphant, wild laughter echoed: “In the end, I am the victor.” Nalan Qiushui gripped the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, its red light flowing, his expression ecstatic, but he hesitated to draw the blade.
“Black Tortoise Summon.” Hong Tian looked utterly defeated, leaning against the wall as if his skeleton had dissolved.
“I never imagined the Nalan family’s supposed ultimate technique was to summon someone like this to cooperate,” Luo Xiao murmured grimly.
“Black Tortoise Summon,” Mo Yin whispered to himself, then his expression changed drastically. “Could you be descendants of the ancient Twin Gates Sect?”
“Haha, Mo Yin, your knowledge is considerable.” Only now did everyone clearly see the appearance of the mysterious person summoned from thin air, and to everyone’s astonishment, his face was identical to Nalan Qiushui’s. “My name is Nalan Canghai. I am Nalan Qiushui’s twin brother. It has been a long time, everyone.”
“Twin Gates Sect, Black Tortoise Summon.” Good heavens, my mind felt momentarily short-circuited. How could this man be summoned from nothingness by Nalan Qiushui? Was this some strange spatial summoning magic?
“So this is the ultimate trump card of the Black Tortoise Alliance,” Luo Xiao said with a gloomy face. “But do you think the two of you brothers are enough to kill us?” Jian Li and Hong Tian subconsciously moved closer to Luo Xiao, clearly intending to unite again to seize the sword. I secretly regulated my breath, ready to strike; upon reflection, giving up now was far too premature.
“Haha, are we not?” Nalan Qiushui triumphantly held up the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, his face rapturous. “Even if our brothers cannot kill you, I still possess this Demon Sword.”
“Nalan Qiushui, I don’t believe you actually dare to draw that sword!” Jian Li remained calm. “The Crimson Blood Demon Sword is ferociously bloodthirsty. If you forcibly draw it without being chosen by the sword, the first person to die will be you.”
“You speak the truth,” Nalan Qiushui admitted, glancing awkwardly at the sword in his hand. “That is why I haven’t drawn it immediately. But I believe, given enough time, I can research a method to make this sword serve me, don’t you agree?”
“Hahaha, do you think we will grant you that time?” Luo Xiao laughed wildly. “What a coward, Nalan Qiushui! Your brother and you are not worthy of wielding that Demon Sword.”
“You had better not force me to draw it out, or I can’t guarantee what results will follow,” Nalan Qiushui stated sternly. “Move aside, everyone. I have secured the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, and I wish to avoid further slaughter.”
“Then draw it and try,” Hong Tian’s spirit lifted; he once again transformed into a green dragon, flying toward Nalan Qiushui like lightning. Simultaneously, Jian Li’s nine Dragon Shadows swept toward Nalan Qiushui on the platform. At this juncture, none of them were willing to forfeit this final opportunity.
“Soul Pursuit Across Ten Thousand Miles!” In the same instant, I elevated my Thunder Dou Qi energy to the seventh layer and launched my strongest attack.
“Die, all of you!” Nalan Qiushui and Nalan Canghai roared in unison: “Turtle Submergence, Serpent Glide.”
“Spirit Turtle Enters the Sea.”
On the stone platform, a massive blue sphere of light instantly erupted. Its sheer magnitude was even greater and brighter than the blue sphere that had previously sent the Blood Zombie flying. The entire underground palace seemed illuminated by a blinding blue sun, making it impossible to open one’s eyes.
“Teng Snake Pierces the River.” Suddenly, several streaks of golden light pierced through the dazzling blue light mass, rushing toward Hong Tian, Jian Li, Luo Xiao, and the others.
Under the effect of the Eye of Death Lust, I clearly sensed the astonishing energy contained within these light streaks. More terrifyingly, these streaks of light, much like the Dragon Shadows, seemed alive, constantly adjusting their attack trajectories based on the space available for evasion—like homing missiles, impossible to completely shake off regardless of how we dodged.
In the blink of an eye, one of them slammed into my chest.
Boom! Rumble! A dazzling ball of light exploded from my chest.
A terrifying force, accompanied by a searing heat, instantly washed over me. I felt as if I had been hit head-on by a speeding train, thrown uncontrollably into the air, and then, as if all sensation was lost, I slammed heavily onto the ground.
“Heaven and Earth Unite!” In a daze, I seemed to hear a vague voice. Luo Zhen, not far away, pointed toward the platform.
Roar! Amidst a heaven-shattering tiger's roar, several figures materialized out of thin air. Among them, a blood-red afterimage instantly appeared upon the stone platform.