Was this the interior of the Water God Beast? Ye Xiu, protected by the vital energy of the Water Clan, was entirely immune to erosion from the currents, yet the pungent, fishy odor filling the air was somewhat unbearable.

“What a joke; the interior of the Water God Beast is essentially a giant fish tank.” Ye Xiu found it rather absurd. Recalling depictions from television where people were swallowed by massive whales, he had always imagined there would at least be some solid ground to stand on. Instead, the inside of this Water God Beast was nothing but water, teeming with live, wriggling fish. While admiring the diverse aquatic life, he searched for a way out and finally spotted a green luminous object at the bottom of the water.

The Water God Beast survived solely on water; it never excreted. Each time it devoured seawater, its size would double. Ye Xiu pondered the legends he’d heard from the Minister. In that light, the Water God Beast was like a balloon, growing larger the more it was filled. If it truly managed to consume all the water in the vast Cangshan Sea, not only the Water Clan but the entire Three Sword Realm would be doomed.

Ye Xiu slowly approached the glowing green object. It pulsed rhythmically, contracting and expanding like a human heart. Each flash of light signified a contraction. This was the only organ within the Water God Beast. Feeling as if he’d found a treasure trove, Ye Xiu thought he had finally discovered a method to destroy it, so he raised his sword and thrust it inward.

“Clang…” A sound echoed, and his entire Hengchen Sword was violently thrown back.

Ye Xiu was greatly astonished. He reached out to touch the enormous sphere before him, never expecting the slime on its surface could repel his sword strike. He raised Hengchen anew, channeled the power of the Juejing Vein once more, and unleashed a strike, ‘Ten Thousand Swords Overwhelming the City,’ plunging forward. However, a powerful rush of air violently repelled his body backward.

“Damn it!” Ye Xiu tumbled several full rotations before regaining his footing. Even the Juejing Vein power was useless against this green sphere. Just as Ye Xiu felt frustrated, two giant, claw-like appendages suddenly shot out from the sides of the sphere and charged at him without hesitation.

“Hoo…” Ye Xiu flinched, hastily employing the Ghost Step to evade. A Water God Beast indeed; unexpectedly, its interior harbored such things to protect itself. They were equivalent to white blood cells in a human body—attacking in swarms upon encountering anything harmful. At that moment, multiple similar claws unfurled around the green sphere, seeming to possess eyes as they lunged at Ye Xiu simultaneously. Ye Xiu could only raise his sword and meet them with the Flowing Wind technique, hacking until the claws oozed thick fluid.

If this continued, the time limit on his protective vital energy would be disastrous. For the first time, Ye Xiu understood the urgency. He reactivated the Juejing Vein and unleashed the ‘Ten Thousand Swords in All Directions’ move. Hengchen Sword lay flat in the water, trailing black lightning as it charged forward, instantly severing all the claws. But before Ye Xiu could breathe a sigh of relief, new sharp claws grew alongside the green sphere, swaying menacingly, eager to seize him.

“Argh!” Ye Xiu rushed forward in anger, hacking them down one by one. The regenerative ability of these claws was truly admirable. This endless slaughter was starting to make the usually calm Ye Xiu frantic. What to do? What to do? He was nearly out of sword techniques and strength! He summoned the Myriad Shadows Clone technique again, thinking this would solve the issue of the claws distracting him so he could focus on the green sphere. Unexpectedly, as soon as his clones appeared, the rate at which the claws grew increased significantly. With the tide rising, there seemed to be no end.

“Clang!” His sword flashed wildly, searching for any opening to strike the green sphere again. Yet, he couldn't manage to scratch its surface in the slightest. “How can this be!” Ye Xiu’s fury surged, causing the Juejing Vein to expand violently throughout his body. The only sensation he felt was his head about to explode. At this moment, the black veins on his forehead pulsed unusually, and his entire body's speed elevated to a new level; the velocity of his swings and the intensity of his cuts all improved significantly.

“Still not working?” He spun and hacked at the charging claws, constantly searching for an opportunity to strike the glowing green sphere. Even pushing the Juejing Vein to the verge of collapse, he still couldn't pierce it. “Agh!” Ye Xiu now clearly felt the crushing pressure from the seawater on his body. Was the protective vital energy about to dissipate? The will to survive forced him to ignore the claws’ attacks. At this moment, his various clones also seemed to give up, being smashed to pieces by the claws, and blood began to seep from his main body.

“One Slash!” At this critical juncture, Ye Xiu recalled the final stance of the Demonic Blade: One Slash to Shatter Heaven and Earth. But at this very moment, his body was firmly ensnared by a single claw. He couldn't worry about anything else; the pressure from the seawater and the claw made it nearly impossible to breathe. He had to execute this final strike.

“Hiss…” This was intense light against green light. This single strike contained the power of ten thousand swords and the profound strength of the Juejing Vein. But the instant the tip of the sword touched the green sphere, a shrill sound erupted—as piercing as fingernails scraping glass—yet the sphere remained perfectly intact.

“Ptooey!” Ye Xiu spat out a mouthful of blood. The claw had pierced his abdomen, its crimson essence dissolving into the seawater. He felt utterly despairing, so much so that he no longer knew which technique could defeat such a monster. The Juejing Vein had already completely exploded without yielding any result. He could only raise his sword, attempting strike after strike, trying to pierce the sphere.

“Whoa!” Ye Xiu cried out, watching sparks fly before him. Despite the exceptional sharpness of Hengchen in his hand, he couldn't do anything to the object. Burying his head, he continued stabbing at that single spot. Although some bluish fluid seeped out, it couldn't inflict significant damage. “I cannot die here, I absolutely cannot die here!” Ye Xiu’s consciousness began to blur. The pressure of the seawater seemed to have entered his body through his wound. The vital energy protection time must have expired. He almost collapsed entirely.

Yet, the arm clutching the sword continued to strike, one after the other. Ye Xiu’s head hung low, enveloped by the claws, but that arm was still executing swift thrusting motions. The black lightning smoke from the Juejing Vein diffused from Ye Xiu’s entire body and concentrated on that arm. When the sword struck once, it rang “Dang.” Two strikes rang “Dang, dang.” After three, four, and five strikes, the continuous sounds, combined with the bursting sparks, created a rapid, incomprehensible rhythm: “Dang, dang, dang, dang…”

“Awooo!” The Water God Beast roared again incessantly. Its entire form had surfaced above the sea. This continent finally began to tear apart and overturn. Its massive body, upon appearing, completely filled the Cangshan Sea, which spanned tens of thousands of zhang in length and breadth.

“Father Emperor, hurry and leave this place.” Lang Taotian and several guards tried to help the Palace Master away, but he waved them off.

“This is the Water God Beast. Who can possibly escape it?” The Palace Master sighed slightly, tilting his head up to watch the colossal creature. “The Water God Beast has fully awakened. This is the fate of the entire Three Sword Realm.”

“Pfft…” Wan Jian Xuan Hu, riding his horse triumphantly returning from battle, suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and vomited a stream of blood.

“City Lord, what is wrong?” Zuo Wencheng spurred his horse forward, intending to support Xuan Hu, but was surprised to see purple energy flowing again on Xuan Hu’s body.

“Nothing matters!” Xuan Hu wiped the trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. However, at this moment, he also noticed that the Kuangjing Vein within him had gathered in his palm. He clearly hadn't activated it—how could the Kuangjing Vein surge inexplicably? He looked up at the distant sky; the southern clouds were murky and unsettling.

Zuo Wencheng looked at Xuan Hu with suspicion, becoming even more certain of his guess. That purple energy was clearly Dugu Bingchen’s Kuangjing Vein, but why it had been transplanted into Wan Jian Xuan Hu was unknown.

Far above the Cangshan Sea, the entire body of the Water God Beast was exposed as the sea level receded. When one of its feet touched the land, the entire Water Clan Palace trembled.

“Even Brother Ye may not be able to stop this catastrophe,” Lang Taotian watched the massive form of the Water God Beast helplessly. Everything was about to end; all Water Clan civilization and the civilization of the Three Sword Realm would vanish with the resurrection of the Water God Beast. Everyone, including the Water Clan Palace Master, had fallen into despair.

“No, look at the green light on the Water God Beast’s abdomen!” At this moment, Ah Jiao pointed forward. Faint, new green specks appeared, flickering on and off on the beast’s belly.

“What is that? Could Brother Ye still be alive?” Lang Taotian seemed to see a sliver of hope. At this time, only one person could create a miracle, and everyone believed that person was Ye Xiu.

“Aooo…” At this moment, the Water God Beast wildly raised its head and let out another long roar. However, its voice now sounded much more sorrowful than before. This cry seemed like a lament, or perhaps a sigh for the final moment of its life.

“Bang!” Following a deafening sound, the massive Water God Beast disintegrated as if an inflated balloon had exploded. What appeared before the world was a waterfall of rushing water shooting outward. This surge of energy caught everyone off guard, instantly submerging the crowd and washing over the entire Water Clan Palace structures.

“Protect Father Emperor!” Lang Taotian exerted his inner strength to keep himself floating above the sea surface. He looked back at everyone; fortunately, those present were all Water Clan members, so the mere flood posed no threat to them. However, the houses behind them had already been destroyed by the fierce torrent.

“I am fine. Where is the Water God Beast? What happened?” The Palace Master was also greatly surprised by the previous scene. The enormous Water God Beast had turned to dust in mere seconds; no one could have predicted that.

“Look over there, it’s Ye Xiu!” Ah Jiao shouted, swimming toward the center of the sea. Her beautiful golden scales shone brilliantly in the water.

“It’s him, he did it!” Lang Taotian looked up and saw a figure plummeting rapidly toward the sea from the sky. The man carried a long sword on his back and had another treasure sword sheathed at his waist. That confident demeanor was unmistakably Ye Xiu.

“Yes, it is General Ye, he did it, he actually did it!” The Palace Master’s previously melancholic expression finally gave way to immense excitement. At this moment, all the Water Clan ministers cheered. In their hearts, Ye Xiu was no longer just the Great General of the Water Clan; he was clearly their savior, the savior of the entire Three Sword Realm.

“The Water God Beast is dead.” Ye Xiu’s consciousness gradually returned. He was rather surprised by the beast’s disappearance. He only remembered being firmly controlled by those claws and about to die. At that time, the Juejing Vein had overridden his personal control, driving his arm relentlessly to attack the green sphere. He didn't know when, but it had finally pierced it with the edge of the Hengchen Sword.

“Ye Xiu! You idiot!” Ah Jiao had already positioned herself where Ye Xiu was expected to fall. She finally smiled in relief; all previous suspicion and resentment had vanished.

“Damn! I can’t swim!” Ye Xiu was startled. Amidst enjoying the cheers of everyone, he finally realized his predicament. His entire body plunged deep into the seawater like a cannonball. “I… ah…”

Ah Jiao, of course, was prepared and rapidly dove toward the seabed following Ye Xiu’s trajectory. In no time, she caught up to him. However, Ye Xiu had already swallowed several mouthfuls of water and looked utterly miserable, on the verge of death. Ah Jiao giggled, pulled him into her arms, and without a second thought, pressed her lips against his. This kiss was enough to allow Ye Xiu to remain submerged for quite a while longer. Moreover, this kiss had surpassed any special function it might possess. At this moment, Ah Jiao confirmed the love in her heart. It had been such a long time since she and Ye Xiu first met and endured hardship together. Although the fellow often angered her, he genuinely cared for her.

“It’s a good thing you arrived in time,” Ye Xiu looked up, genuinely grateful for Ah Jiao’s actions. “I told you I’d be fine on my own, right? What’s a mere Water God Beast compared to that!”

Ah Jiao didn't speak, but looking at Ye Xiu’s feigned triumphant expression made her very happy. What else could she do? She disregarded everything else, gently stroked Ye Xiu’s face, and kissed him again on the lips.

“You…” Ye Xiu felt the vital energy share was complete and was about to say something when he was forcefully kissed by Ah Jiao, leaving him speechless. All he could sense was the deep affection emanating from Ah Jiao’s cold lips. At this moment, he also extended his arms, holding Ah Jiao firmly in his embrace, fully enjoying this submerged tenderness.

“Aren’t you going to ask why I pulled out the Dinghai Divine Needle?” Ye Xiu whispered, nibbling Ah Jiao’s ear at this point.

Ah Jiao shook her head, offering only a smile. This was trust; she believed that Ye Xiu, whom she deeply loved, must have his reasons for doing what he did.

“Close your eyes,” Ye Xiu’s tone was exceptionally gentle. He kissed her name softly, starting from her forehead and slowly descending with his kisses, and Ah Jiao gently complied, slowly closing her eyes. This was a waterborne intimacy. Ye Xiu followed the curve of Ah Jiao’s neck, kissing all the way down to her graceful lower body. He hadn't expected that hidden within Ah Jiao’s proud and beautiful scaled tail was the ultimate feminine softness. He writhed like a fish, wrapping around every part of Ah Jiao’s body, occasionally licking her soft chest, sometimes twisting around her slender waist. The frequency of their mutual movements blended with the ocean’s ebb and flow—deep and shallow, pushing and yielding—merging together so gently yet passionately. The joy was incomparable.

Inside Ten Thousand Sword City, Wan Jian Xuan Hu, Yi Zi Jian Jun, and Ye Feng Beiming victoriously converged. The Beast Clan and Wing Clan were mostly subjugated by the Human Race; the only remaining task was to annihilate the entire Cangshan Sea Water Clan.

“City Lord, what happened to your injury?” Yi Zi Jian Jun seemed to discern the subtle changes in Xuan Hu’s internal energy, and his worry was not without reason. “Could it be that you can no longer suppress the operation of the Kuangjing Vein?”

Xuan Hu shook his head, also finding it strange. “The Kuangjing Vein operates and manifests without any issue, but when returning to the city earlier, for some unknown reason, it erupted violently, as if summoned by something.”

“Is there anything in this world that can make the Kuangjing Vein so restless? Is there any martial art capable of matching the power of the Kuangjing Vein?” Ye Feng Beiming pondered, frowning. “Since ancient times, all martial arts masterpieces have not been invincible; they are always mutually restraining and complementary. Have we overlooked something?”

“That would be the Ancient Juejing Vein!” At this moment, Zuo Wencheng, without waiting for permission, stepped into the main hall and bowed to Xuan Hu. “This subordinate guessed correctly; the City Lord has already gained the power of the Kuangjing Vein.”

“Zuo Wencheng, no need for ceremony. Speak plainly,” Xuan Hu waved him forward, showing no surprise or disrespect. “Tell me, what is the Juejing Vein?”

“Ancient legends record that in the Three Sword Realm, two opposing forces held sway: first, Sha Jun Tian Mang; second, Mie Jun Tian Shang. Both cultivated peerless esoteric meridians: the Kuangjing Vein and the Juejing Vein, respectively,” Zuo Wencheng was quite knowledgeable about historical texts.

“Mie Jun Tian Shang’s Juejing Vein? Why have I never heard any predecessor mention it?” Xuan Hu glanced at Jian Jun and then at Ye Feng, looking doubtful. “I have never heard anyone mention the Juejing Vein.”

Zuo Wencheng stepped forward and continued, “Since ancient times, historical records focused on those who inspired the most terror. The Kuangjing Vein and the Juejing Vein battled for a thousand years, ultimately ending with the victory of the Juejing Vein. After that, Mie Jun Tian Shang vanished into the realm, and no one knew his whereabouts.”

“Then how does this Juejing Vein affect me possessing the Kuangjing Vein? Could the meridian reversal a few days ago be related to this Juejing Vein?” Xuan Hu became interested and pressed. “Does this mean the Juejing Vein has also appeared in the world? Exactly who possesses it?”

“The two great meridians are fundamentally the source of combat energy in the Three Sword Realm. As long as one side exerts force, the other can respond accordingly. This is a struggle between meridians, independent of any person. If we must ask who holds the Juejing Vein…” Zuo Wencheng took a deep breath. “I must verify one point: did the City Lord use the Kuangjing Vein during the previous siege of Ten Thousand Sword City?”

Xuan Hu said nothing, only nodding coldly. Thinking this through, he realized he was not invincible in the Three Sword Realm; at least one person was his equal in cultivation.

With this conclusion, Zuo Wencheng became assured and stated calmly, “That day, I accompanied General Ye to attack the Beast Clan camp. During that time, General Ye also experienced several moments of inexplicable agitation, spitting blood when his anger flared. The symptoms and severity were exactly the same as the City Lord’s earlier episode. Therefore…”

“Ye Xiu! How could it be him?” Xuan Hu never imagined that fellow possessed the Juejing Vein. He erupted in anger and slammed the table resentfully. “Was he that carefree and powerful during the First Martial Arts Competition of the Three Sword Realm? No! This fellow became even stronger after his duel with Dugu Bingchen. I didn't expect he would ultimately become my grave threat.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Ye Feng Beiming stepped forward slowly with a smile. “Isn’t Ye Xiu now firmly established as the Great General of Ten Thousand Sword City? If the City Lord treats him well, surely he wouldn’t betray you, right?”

“But… you all should know I cannot tolerate anyone in the Three Sword Realm possessing power greater than mine!” Xuan Hu took a deep breath, his eyes glaring fiercely toward the outside of the hall. “Zuo Wencheng, do you know where Ye Xiu is now?”

“General Ye should be within the territory of the Cangshan Sea Water Clan, but the sea level dropped significantly the day before yesterday; I wonder what happened?” Zuo Wencheng was adept at reading expressions and immediately grasped Xuan Hu’s intention. “Does the City Lord intend to find and capture General Ye?”

“Perhaps this subordinate should handle it,” Yi Zi Jian Jun immediately stepped forward to accept the order. As a swordsman, he had long wanted to test the victor of the martial arts competition. “We both use swords; I would like to see how capable he truly is!”

Xuan Hu pondered for a long time and still felt it unwise. “If he truly possesses the Juejing Vein, sending you there would be suicide. However, we can summon him back and combine our strength to eliminate him within Ten Thousand Sword City.”

“But what about the County Princess…” Zuo Wencheng considered every angle. “General Ye is already a Human Race General and the County Princess’s husband. If he is captured and killed within Ten Thousand Sword City, how can we explain it to the Princess and the people?”

“This…” Wan Jian Xuan Hu hesitated. His temperamental nature meant that this situation was driving him to explosive frustration. “This won't work, and that won't work either. Do you expect me to go out personally to find him?”

“Absolutely not!” Zuo Wencheng reached out to stop Xuan Hu’s train of thought. “In fact, I hurried here because there is something else extremely important I must report to the City Lord.”

“What else could possibly be more urgent than resolving the matter of the Jue Meridians!” Xuan Hu sharply rebuked, genuinely wanting to slap Zuo Wencheng across the face.

Startled, Zuo Wencheng immediately knelt on the ground. “Reporting to the City Lord, scouts have intercepted word that the Third City Lord, Wan Jian Qing Lin, has gathered various factions in the hidden waters of the suburban ravines outside Wan Jian City, preparing to raise the banner of revolt against the City Lord’s execution order.”

“What? Wan Jian Qing Lin!” Xuan Hu rose, his fury making his hair stand on end. “What is this useless thing trying to accomplish, raising an army! With his meager strength, how could he possibly contend with me!”

Zuo Wencheng risked his life to advise further. “The Third City Lord! No! Wan Jian Qing Lin has already spread the news that the First City Lord was personally killed by the City Lord. Moreover, the remnants of the Beast and Winged tribes, previously shattered, seem to have joined Qing Lin’s rebellion. We believe it won't be long before they reach Wan Jian City.”

Wan Jian Xuan Hu was already irritable over the Jue Meridian issue, and this news only heightened his anxiety. “Then what are you all standing here for? Don’t you dare mobilize troops and generals to capture Wan Jian Qing Lin alive for me! I never expected this fellow to hide away and still manage to muster an army against me. Doesn't he realize what kind of commotion he can cause? A mere failure whose Wan Jian Jue only reaches the fifth level—how can he even be compared to me?”

“It’s just…” Jian Jun lowered his voice to seek Xuan Hu’s counsel. “How should we handle Ye Xiu’s situation?”

“You and Ye Feng Bei Ming go,” Xuan Hu waved his hand dismissively and departed the great hall in anger. He wasn't afraid of the combined forces of Wan Jian Qing Lin; his only annoyance was that this entire matter had completely blindsided him.

Amidst the mounting tension and continuous flares of war, Wan Jian Qing Lin still wore his usual simple attire, a bamboo hat shading his face as he enjoyed the pleasure of fishing by the hidden waters of the ravine. His rebel army was clearly advancing toward Wan Jian City from three distinct directions: the Human Sword Guards led by Jian Hong Chen; the gathered Winged tribe forces commanded by Yi Tian Nan; and the remaining Beast tribe troops mobilized by Dao Kuang Feng Tian. The paths leading from the ravine’s hidden waters to Wan Jian City were blocked by various passes, and fierce battles were inevitable once the armies met. However, none of this seemed to concern him now. Wan Jian Xuan Hu’s possession of the Kuang Meridians had always been a thorn in his side. Battles between mere shrimp soldiers and crab generals would only result in mutual destruction. The kingly way he sought was to achieve victory without bloodshed, and it now seemed that achieving this goal required the elimination of Wan Jian Xuan Hu.

At this moment, Qing Lin suddenly stood up and looked south. Although he had witnessed the recession of the Cang Shan Sea waters, it was only for an instant, and he was instantly certain that the crisis facing the Water Tribe had been resolved. He then waved his hand, summoning a figure clad in black, and commanded, “It’s about time to inform the Water Tribe Palace Master and the First Prince.”

“Yes, Third City Lord.” The figure in black possessed incredible lightness skill; the words had barely left his lips before he vanished in a flash.

“Kill!” At this moment, the Human Sword Guards led by Jian Hong Chen were already engaging the defending human forces at Qi Men Pass outside Wan Jian City. Qi Men Pass was merely a small, insignificant blockhouse. Wan Jian City’s defenses were relatively centralized, with heavy forces stationed at the headquarters, leaving the remaining passes lightly defended. Yet, the defense here was held by the Black Wind Profound Iron Array, famed as the strongest Black Sword Guard formation. In contrast, his own troops consisted mainly of the lower-cultivation Red Sword Guards.

The battle had just begun, but the Red Sword Guards, relying on their numerical advantage, had already encircled the entire front passage in a fan shape. Following the command of their main general, Jian Hong Chen, they rushed into the small fortress. However, this sudden surge did not achieve the intended stunning effect. Instead, they were utterly routed by the formation composed of several hundred Black Sword Guards.

“Stop!” Jian Hong Chen sat high atop his steed, coldly surveying the Black Wind Profound Iron Array. The formation comprised six hundred Black Sword Guards, arranged in three concentric circles with troop numbers of one hundred, two hundred, and three hundred from the inside out. Initially, the three hundred guards in the outer circle engaged separately, luring the enemy deeper. Once the opposing forces entered the second circle, the outer ring reacted, firmly sealing off the retreat path, with one hundred and fifty guards facing outward and one hundred and fifty inward. If the second circle encountered strong resistance, its entire contingent would retreat into the third circle. This tactic effectively dispersed the enemy forces for individual defeat. Furthermore, given the superior martial prowess of the Black Sword Guards against the Red Sword Guards—who could generally be matched three-to-one—this battle was proving exceptionally difficult.

Jian Hong Chen was merely a highly skilled swordsman, somewhat unfamiliar with military strategy and warfare. However, such a profound formation naturally piqued his interest to break through. He waved his hand, summoning his (deputy general), and instructed, “Wait for me to carve out a passage. Watch for the opportune moment, then lead the troops in a unified charge into the formation. Above all, do not let your forces become scattered.” With that, Jian Hong Chen placed one foot on his horse’s back, spread both arms, and plunged down from above into the formation.

“Encircle and kill!” The Black Sword Guard formation was commanded by a single leader, but he had never witnessed anyone attempt to break the formation alone. In that moment, lacking a specific counter-tactic, he ordered the general assault.

“Sword Color Flowing Light.” Jian Hong Chen sprinted through the first circle of the formation, the multicolored brilliance emanating from his sword sweeping across the ranks. Yet, this large-scale area attack proved useless against the Black Sword Guards, whose cultivation hovered around the sixth level of the Wan Jian Jue. In desperation, he lunged toward a Black Sword Guard next to him to engage in close combat. To his surprise, the guard seemed to have anticipated his move and retreated several steps. At that moment, the guards on either side skillfully closed the gap. Then, those in the second circle unleashed hundreds of sword lights, all shooting directly toward Jian Hong Chen.

“Hoo…” Jian Hong Chen, usually exhibiting the commanding aura of a master swordsman, broke out in a cold sweat from the impact of these hundreds of sword lights. Helplessly, he swung his sword, causing the flowing light to crash toward the ground as he leaped high into the sky. Those hundreds of sword lights, however, did not cease their attack; they continued toward all the guards in the first circle. At this point, the Black Sword Guards calmly performed a reverse sweep of their swords. Every sword light descending from the second circle was immediately intercepted by a guard in the first circle, who, having chosen its trajectory, promptly deflected it skyward. Since the first circle had more guards than the second, this counter-reflection added another hundred sword lights of equal power to the already descending barrage.

“Hiss!” Jian Hong Chen felt the danger rising from below and could only continue ascending, trying to lessen the force of the incoming sword edges. Furthermore, his own Sword Color Flowing Light enveloped his entire body. As the endless sword lights converged, the entire sky filled with sparks and dazzling smoke. Jian Hong Chen was nearly cornered by the formation. At this moment, he unleashed the myriad colors of his sword light, intending to reflect all the ground-based attacks to alleviate his pressure. Unexpectedly, the massive Black Wind Profound Iron Array shifted its entire planar elevation. The Black Sword Guards in both the first and second circles suddenly leaped into the air, matching Jian Hong Chen’s aerial plane, simultaneously resisting the reflected sword lights and initiating new attack patterns.

“The time has come, charge!” At this instant, the deputy general of the rebel army roared the command. All the Red Sword Guards raised their blades simultaneously, surging forward like a cascading river, plunging into the final circle of the formation. The entire heaven and earth seemed to shake at this point. The swirling dust and flashing blades reached their zenith. On this battlefield, it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe; there was only surging killing intent—the kind that made both sides see red in endless slaughter.

“Profound Iron Array • Fire!” Someone shouted at this juncture. The one hundred guards in the inner circle simultaneously pointed their swords skyward, channeling their internal energy to summon celestial fire from above. With a deafening boom, globes of fire descended directly into the ranks of the rebel army. In an instant, the entire pass was filled with cries of agony and thick smoke. However, the Red Sword Guards had superior numbers, and amidst the chaos, several contingents managed to break through the formation, pinning down the Black Sword Guards’ follow-up moves. The ensuing melee was fought with exceptional bravery.

“Down!” The five hundred sword guards suspended in the air received orders to descend and support those on the ground. At this very moment, the pressure on Jian Hong Chen was significantly reduced. He gave a cold laugh, unleashing his full internal energy. Taking advantage of the momentary lapse in attack, he whipped out the Myriad Sword Color Flowing Light like a lash, striking the cluster of airborne Black Sword Guards. The Black Sword Guards, focused on maintaining their formation, paid little heed to Jian Hong Chen’s attack. But just as they landed smoothly and prepared to intercept the rebel army again, the Snake-like, coiling Sword Color Flowing Light struck them, scattering them in disarray.

“Charge!” Jian Hong Chen did not halt his momentum. He pressed his advantage, directly sweeping past the pass and attacking the large contingent of sword guards positioned behind the Black Wind Profound Iron Array. These rear forces, lacking the array formation or the martial skill of the Black Sword Guards, descended into utter chaos the moment he charged through. All defenses at Qi Men Pass became virtually meaningless.

The central sector of the Three Sword Realm was currently engulfed by the towering conflict, while far to the south, the Water Tribe within the Cang Shan Sea remained immersed in the extreme joy of Ye Xiu’s victory over the Ancient Water God Beast.

“Come, General Ye, allow me to toast you once more.” The Water Tribe Palace Master had been hosting a feast for his entire populace for three days and nights. “It is truly rare to see such cultivation in one so young as General Ye.”

Ye Xiu had been immersed in A Jiao’s affection and the adoration of all the Water Tribe people these past few days. “Palace Master, I truly cannot bear this excessive warmth from everyone. I was merely fortunate enough to slay the Water God Beast by sheer luck.”

“Brother Ye remains so modest. Do you know the extent of the reverence and admiration the entire Water Tribe holds for you now?” Lang Tao Tian also held Ye Xiu in high esteem. “Brother Ye is no longer just the victor of the Third Sword Realm Martial Arts Tournament; you are the savior of the entire Three Sword Realm.”

Although Ye Xiu considered himself extremely capable mentally and had even studied the Guigu art of observing the heart, he could not resist such sweet words and sugary flattery. He had no choice but to raise his wine cup again, drinking deeply with the Palace Master, the First Prince, and the assembled ministers below.

Suddenly, a few strangely dressed individuals approached the Palace Master and Lang Tao Tian from the side. After a brief exchange of hushed words, they quietly departed.

“What is it?” Ye Xiu sensed something was amiss and couldn't help but look questioningly at Lang Tao Tian.

“Please excuse us momentarily; everyone else, please continue!” The Palace Master waved a hand to reassure the assembled subjects and citizens, not forgetting to give Ye Xiu a significant look, signaling him to follow into the inner hall. Lang Tao Tian also followed them with a serious expression.

Ye Xiu, being somewhat impatient, hurried forward as soon as the attendants had left. “Palace Master and First Prince, your expressions are so hurried; has something major occurred?”

Lang Tao Tian remained silent, merely handing Ye Xiu a letter and gesturing for him to read it carefully.

Curious, Ye Xiu took it and quickly scanned the contents, finally letting out an astonished roar. “The Third City Lord has already raised an army?”

“Precisely. Our Water Tribe must advance on Wan Jian City according to our previous agreement!” The Palace Master nodded. “Since Wan Jian Xuan Hu issued the execution order, the other three tribes have been in grave peril. If our Water Tribe joins the rebellion, we risk being utterly annihilated by Wan Jian City.”

“The Third City Lord is benevolent and straightforward; I believe he will be a wise ruler for an era.” Lang Tao Tian and Wan Jian Qing Lin were, in fact, quite friendly in private, and the Water Tribe’s allegiance to Qing Lin stemmed from this relationship between the two of them. “The Third City Lord advocates for equality among the four tribes, something Wan Jian Cang Long and Xuan Hu have both failed to achieve.”

Ye Xiu said nothing. He understood the character of the Third City Lord better than anyone. He had never expected Wan Jian Qing Lin to endure for so many years only to finally find the opportunity to revolt. It seemed inevitable that the entire Three Sword Realm would fall into his grasp. But would the arrogant Wan Jian Xuan Hu truly be defeated so easily by this ragtag rebel army?

“General Ye,” the Palace Master turned and looked at Ye Xiu solemnly. “You are now the Great General of our Water Tribe and a confidant of the Third City Lord. Therefore, I have decided that you shall lead the Water Tribe army into battle against Wan Jian City to rendezvous with the Third City Lord’s forces.”

“I…” Ye Xiu admitted his skills in military command and large-scale warfare were mediocre, and his current status was overly complicated. On one hand, he was a human general; on the other, a Water Tribe general. Now, it seemed likely he would end up being the supreme commander of the entire rebel force again. “I can handle duels, but leading armies in battle is something I truly cannot manage.”

“Brother Ye, please do not decline. You are exceptionally intelligent, quick-witted, and remarkably calm. This position of Great General belongs only to you.” Lang Tao Tian showed genuine admiration for Ye Xiu, finding numerous merits to describe him in such a short time. “You need not worry about minor details like organizing the troops; I will serve as your deputy. It is settled.”

“Very well! Tomorrow morning, we will assemble the army, and I will personally see you off for the expedition!” The Palace Master’s proclamation was absolute. He then turned back and patted Ye Xiu on the shoulder. “I can see that young lass A Jiao is very fond of you. If General Ye returns victorious from this campaign, I will personally see to it that A Jiao is married to you.”

“Ah! Getting married again!” Ye Xiu nearly lost his mind upon hearing about another marriage. Counting carefully, he had already committed bigamy; wouldn't this next one be a grave offense? Moreover, his inherently free-spirited nature meant few could control him, so wouldn’t he just end up bringing harm to A Jiao as well?

“Haha, what’s wrong? You don’t want to be my brother-in-law?” Lang Tao Tian was also very supportive of this match.

Ye Xiu could only shrug helplessly. He could only blame himself for being too outstanding—so outstanding it was becoming a tragedy of disastrous proportions.

“Alright, you both should rest now and prepare for tomorrow’s expedition!” The Palace Master nodded and also departed. Ye Xiu and Lang Tao Tian shared a knowing smile and parted ways, comrades destined to fight side-by-side, brothers, and potential in-laws.

“Sigh…” Ye Xiu walked out of the great hall, wandering aimlessly through the Water Tribe Royal Palace alone. His thoughts were consumed by the situation in the Central Plains. Having been in the Three Sword Realm for so long, he wondered what the conditions were like back home. He glanced at Heng Chen and Xiao Lang Sword strapped to his waist, unsure of the true meaning of the Water Tribe’s sincere fellowship. When would he ever achieve the Three Swords United, summon the millions of divine ghosts, and return to the Central Plains? Along the way, any Palace Mistresses or noblewomen who saw him would shyly scurry away. The adoration and affection everyone held for Ye Xiu had reached a state of near blindness.

“Watch out!”

A dart flew toward him swiftly. Ye Xiu started, quickly twisting his body and catching the projectile between his teeth.

“Aiya, how boring! A great hero is indeed a great hero! Now this humble girl probably can’t reach you anymore.” A Jiao appeared before Ye Xiu, still playful and mischievous. Pouting, she looked adorably spoiled. “Now that you’re famous, I wonder if you can still carry me and fly to the heavens to play?”

Ye Xiu smiled faintly, gently taking A Jiao’s hand and pulling her into his embrace. “If my princess requests it, of course, I can. But I wonder if you know that tomorrow I must set out with your brother to conquer Wan Jian City.”

A Jiao nodded, and the thought made her want to cry. “I heard them talking about it. I want to go with you all!”

“Silly girl, we aren't going out for fun; we are going to war, we are going to kill!” Ye Xiu intentionally deepened his tone while his hand gently moved over A Jiao’s body, intending to soothe her anxiety.

“Kill? Aren’t we going to be killed?” Just then, Yi Zi Jian Jun and Ye Feng Bei Ming appeared in the Water Tribe Palace. “General Ye, the City Lord has sent us both to summon you back!”

“Return? Heh heh, I’m afraid you were sent to take my life.” Ye Xiu pushed A Jiao away and shot toward the two men. With a piercing sword cry echoing across the wilds, his Heng Chen Sword flew out, its momentum and power astonishing.

“How can a sword be so fast!” Yi Zi Jian Jun hadn't even prepared his sword move, and Ye Feng Bei Ming’s illusion technique hadn't begun to manifest. They only saw a streak of red light flash before their eyes. By the time they reacted, their heads and bodies were already separated.

“Ah!” A Jiao’s face turned pale with fright. She had never witnessed such a thing. At that moment, Ye Xiu suddenly felt the Jue Meridians surging uncontrollably within him, rapidly expanding. Before he could figure out what was happening, the wings retracted on his back seemed to sense this summoning force and instantly unfurled.

“This malevolent energy…” Ye Xiu looked back and forth at his own hands. The Jue Meridians were currently flowing without cease, rapidly swelling. “What is happening to my body?”

“Ah! Ha!” Far away in Wan Jian City, Wan Jian Xuan Hu stood proudly in the Wan Jian Pavilion, wielding the Fallen Thunder Startling Swan. He was concentrating his power, using the Kuang Meridians as a guide to summon overwhelming, world-shattering thunder. The entire world instantly plunged into darkness, and lightning illuminated every corner.

“It seems I can’t wait until tomorrow!” Ye Xiu glanced at A Jiao with a smile, hoisted Heng Chen onto his shoulder, and soared into the sky. His destination was clearly Wan Jian City, aimed squarely at Wan Jian Xuan Hu. Before leaving, he didn't forget to utter one final phrase: “I will return.”

The sudden environmental shift in the Three Sword Realm startled all the tribesmen. Even Wan Jian Qing Lin’s previously calm thoughts were thrown into chaos. He gazed at the red glow emanating from Wan Jian City with a hint of despair. “Is this the true power of the Kuang Meridians?”

With a series of earth-shaking rumbles, a horizontal sweep of lightning scoured the entire continent. Everything surrounding Wan Jian City—including all the rebel forces—was instantly turned into ash-covered, charred wasteland. Qing Lin, watching from afar, could only kneel there dumbfounded. The Kuang Meridians were too powerful; with ordinary troops alone, he stood no chance of contending with Wan Jian Xuan Hu.

“Hahahaha! Ah hahahaha.” Xuan Hu howled at the heavens, further unleashing rolling celestial thunder. The Three Sword Realm was already suffering widespread devastation.

“Wan Jian Xuan Hu!” At that moment, a dazzling streak of light flashed across the Nine Heavens. Ye Xiu, utilizing the power of the Jue Meridians, instantly appeared behind Xuan Hu. The Kuang and Jue Meridians fiercely resisted and attracted each other, sparking waves of purple killing aura that leveled the entirety of Wan Jian City.

“It is indeed you! Come then.” Wan Jian Xuan Hu had been waiting for Ye Xiu’s arrival. He raised both swords, grinning widely. “Do you know the true might of the tenth level of Wan Jian Jue? It is capable of destroying the entire world.”

“Perfect. I also wish to see if my Heng Chen sword techniques can match the Wan Jian Jue.” As Ye Xiu spoke, he raised his Heng Chen Sword. Under the powerful drive of the Jue Meridians, the Heng Chen Sword was already manifesting the power of the Two Swords of the Alien Race; the blade itself had entirely vanished into the churning gale.

“Wan Jian Jue Tenth Level: Myriad Swords Utter Destruction!” Wan Jian Xuan Hu roared the command. Behind him, a vast sea of swords instantly materialized. This was truly an ocean of blades, but every single sword danced in the air, fragmented and incomplete, their undulating forms resembling violently churning waves.

“Hengchen • Final!” A flash illuminated Ye Xiu’s mind—every sword technique he had ever mastered was now fused together, driven by the activation of the Jue Meridian. From the Mozi Sword to the subtle arts of the Guigu School, the Heavenly Will swordsmanship, the Demonic Blade Ghost Step, and now the Ten Thousand Swords Art—all were unleashed simultaneously. At this moment, his entire being seemed to transform into a single, blazing streak of long rainbow light, plunging directly toward the head of the Myriad Sword Profound Tiger.

“Aah…”

“Hah…”

The collision of two brilliant streams of light sent a tremor through the very structure of the Three Swords Realm. Within the entire visible spectrum, the line between heaven and earth dissolved. The scale of the devastation was already apocalyptic, a world-shattering spectacle, while the mournful cries echoed endlessly, seemingly signaling the realm’s utter collapse.

The Myriad Sword Profound Tiger stood still atop the pavilion, its eyes vacant. Not a single mark marred its form, yet its entire silhouette began to slowly blur. In an instant, even that hazy outline faded into nothingness. It tried to roar something more, but its sound was gone.

At that very instant, a figure streaked across the sky. Ye Xiu was already grievously wounded, utterly depleted of the strength needed to power the wings on his back. He could only surrender to the wind, letting it carry him to some unknown destination. He closed his eyes, savoring the profound sense of achievement that followed total annihilation. The clash between the Jue Meridian and the Kuang Meridian had shaken the very foundation upon which the Three Swords Realm rested. His Hengchen Sword had vanished in that impact, utterly destroyed without leaving the slightest trace behind.

“My Central Plains!” Ye Xiu was still plummeting, but his descent could not keep pace with the speed at which the entire continent was collapsing. He had no idea when—or if—it would ever end. The only thing he could do was allow tears to well up and stream from his eyes. Ye Xiu’s thoughts drifted back, back to when he was just a child. Though he lived in an orphanage, life then was so carefree: he could bully the smaller kids, eat when hungry, and sleep when tired—there were no missions he absolutely had to complete. And then there was Sister Ji Jiang—how long had it been since he last saw her? Or Hong'er, Wan'er, Lu Xu, Shen Ying, the Snow Maiden, even Ah Jiao. Did they truly exist? Could their feelings for him withstand the inevitable changes wrought by the world? Or was this all his retribution? He had ultimately failed to complete the divine mission to replace Han Xin, and even in death, he would never know why he had to find and replace him. It would remain an eternal mystery.

The Three Swords Realm was gone. Yet, in the very moment of its destruction, Ye Xiu could not find the lost millions of the Qin army, nor could he return to his Central Plains. No one knew the current state of the Central Plains. The struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu was likely raging fiercely, and perhaps the ambitious Wang Long had already led his Heavenly Realm army to invade. Not to mention his eventual return to the true form of Death itself.

Everything was subject to Heaven’s Will, to the inscrutable decrees of destiny. Who dared claim that man could conquer heaven? What we ought to believe is not the passive 'Man proposes, God disposes'; rather, after everything has unfolded, we can only sigh and say: 'Man proposes, but it is disposed by more men'—and that is all.