Zong Shou himself was unharmed, nearly two hundred Dao Seed Stars arrayed around him, allowing for instantaneous spatial translocation. Therefore, although he could not 'see' the Heaven Evasion Sword, Gong Yuan's blade could not even graze his body by an inch.

Several shifts placed all the glints of the Heaven Evasion Sword wielded by Gong Yuan into empty space, keeping him confined within this hundred-zhang radius. As for Su Xiaoxiao and the other two, they had already wisely sheltered within the defense provided by Shen Yuexuan's 'Thousand Profound Iron Leaf Flower,' rendering them unafraid of the swift, unseen sword lights.

Conversely, Zong Shou, after only a few brief exchanges, was already beginning to discern some of Gong Yuan's subtle patterns. So that's how it is!

—Within this Two Principles Merging Dragon Formation, Gong Yuan’s method of shifting between substance and illusion, as well as his Heaven Evasion Parent-Child Swords, were similarly constrained. The transition between the real and the unreal now showed flaws, and even the invisibility of the Heaven Evasion Sword possessed faint traces.

It seemed not only his own power had been weakened; Gong Yuan's Heaven Evasion Sword techniques were also affected, and by no less a degree than his own! The Exterminating Sword Intent gathered bit by bit, yet remained withheld.

Zong Shou’s consciousness expanded fully, tracking the trajectory and true location of the Heaven Evasion Parent Sword. Within Xianyang City, although his combat power was significantly reduced by thirty percent, this might be the best chance yet to eliminate Gong Yuan!

The stars shone brilliantly, threads of time-star power spreading out to gradually lock down the space. Zong Shou’s garments were pierced and sliced repeatedly by the Heaven Evasion Parent-Child Swords, becoming tattered and ragged.

On several occasions, the sword light narrowly missed wounding his body. Every time the Heaven Evasion Sword neared, Zong Shou initiated his translocation almost at the last possible moment; however, such risk was not without its benefits.

The traces left by the Heaven Evasion Sword became increasingly clear and distinct in Zong Shou's 'mind's eye.' A faint smile touched the corner of Zong Shou’s lips. Another beam of sword light stabbed down sharply from an inconceivable angle above him.

The suddenness of the attack caught Chu Xue, who was guarding him, completely off guard. Zong Shou, however, laughed instead of being alarmed, a brilliant spark erupting from his eyes!

Now! The Spirit Refining Sword returned to his hand, and the Exterminating Sword Intent, built up to its peak, erupted suddenly.

The Second Nascent Spirit, the Primordial Unity Soul Sword, also soared into the sky, cleaving through the clouds with the imposing momentum of one who cuts the Nine Heavens. One hundred and ninety Ten Extremes Dao Governing Annihilation Dragon Fang Swords were all activated simultaneously.

Hundreds upon hundreds of sharp sword lights flashed in all directions, slicing through every inch of space. Gong Yuan, however, seemed already alerted; halfway through his attack, he decisively abandoned it.

Fleeing with all his might, man and sword once more vanished into invisibility, gliding through the heavens and earth. Yet, he could not escape Zong Shou’s inescapable Exterminating Sword Light, accelerated to its limit by the Chronos Script, the power of the Instantaneous Void Dragon Pill completely sealing time and space.

The sword shadows of the Ten Extremes Dao Governing Annihilation Dragon Fang Swords permeated this vast expanse of ten thousand zhang. Over a hundred distinct types of sword energies annihilated everything within this space!

Perhaps having nowhere left to retreat, Gong Yuan’s figure paused. Then, in just an instant, the twelve subsidiary swords returned simultaneously, merging with the main sword.

“Void Reality Without Delusion!” His entire form traversed and leaped through the void, defying the laws of worldly time and space. His figure shifting between solid and ethereal, the sword light roamed erratically, continually striking and colliding with the Spirit Refining Sword as it lashed out at Zong Shou.

Zong Shou still could not pinpoint Gong Yuan’s true location, as if the man no longer existed in the world. Only at the very last moment did he finally grasp a trace of him, whereupon he concentrated all his power into his blade and unleashed it.

Clang! After sharp, piercing cries of immense intensity, there followed a sound of tearing flesh, 'chira.' A blossom of blood appeared, faintly showing Gong Yuan spitting out a mouthful of blood mixed with internal organ fragments after the sword light pierced him.

Yet, he still strained to maintain the transition between reality and illusion, escaping beyond the bounds of the Ten Extremes Dao Governing Annihilation Sword Formation. Borrowing the momentum of the Heaven Evasion Sword light, in a single breath, Gong Yuan vanished without a trace from the sight of the five of them.

“Hiss, who exactly is this person? What terrifying assassination sword technique!” Su Xiaoxiao finally sucked in a cold breath, looking towards where the sword light had departed with astonishment.

If that person’s target had been her just now, she, Su Xiaoxiao, certainly would not have lived to see the next sunrise. “Even the Six Extremes Swords of your Cloud Realm are perhaps only this much?

Why have we never heard of you before?” Yuan Wushang’s expression was equally grim. Although he could block that single strike, he would undoubtedly have suffered considerable injury.

This person was indeed unknown, with no prior reputation. However, given his mastery of the Dao, if his age matched his appearance—not exceeding thirty—then his accomplishments would only be second to Zong Shou’s, surpassing Yuan Wushang slightly.

“This person is named Gong Yuan, a former member of the Xiuyun Sect. The fall of that entire sect was due to the conflict between my Daoist School.

Thus, he deeply resents the Dao Spirit Vast Realm and hates me to the bone. He has hidden his name and honed his sword path, seeking revenge against me, hence no fame has spread about him.

This man’s talent in swordsmanship is absolutely no less than mine—” Zong Shou relaxed his grip on the Spirit Refining Sword, feeling a faint trace of regret. In truth, if he had used one Life-and-Death Epiphyllum just now to unleash a World-Ending Grade Nine-Nine Underworld River Death-Proclaiming Sword, there would have been a ninety-nine percent chance of instantly slaying Gong Yuan.

But in the end, he couldn't bear to part with it. The function of the Life-and-Death Epiphyllum, besides the Underworld River Death-Proclaiming Sword, was the power to ‘resurrect the dead and heal shattered bones,’ meaning a chance at revival.

He only possessed one and a half left, so he cherished it all the more, not daring to waste it lightly. The result of his reluctance was that Gong Yuan once again escaped his blade.

He hadn't expected this person in this lifetime to devise the technique 'Void Reality Without Delusion' so quickly? This sword move, which would later dominate the world and be nearly unstoppable, was only in its nascent form.

Yet, the sharpness revealed today was enough to chill the heart. It was fortunate that this person was severely wounded.

To fully expel the Exterminating Sword Intent he had driven into his body and protect his life force, he would likely be unable to appear before Zong Shou for several days. However, something was also strange.

This person should know he was still no match; why attack now, instead of when Zong Shou’s situation was more dangerous? As he considered this, a bitter taste slowly spread across Zong Shou’s lips.

Looking around, he saw that due to these few dozen breaths of battle, the area spanning tens of thousands of zhang around them—all houses, structures, and the Sha Zombies—had been utterly flattened. Correspondingly, the illusions he had previously cast were now completely ineffective.

Looking up at the sky, he saw dozens of fierce birds gazing down at the ground. In the surrounding area, more than a dozen powerful wills were spreading out and sweeping over them.

All the surrounding Sha Zombies were looking toward this spot. Even if the illusion hadn't been broken, the very surge of power generated by the clashes of gang force was enough to attract the attention of the Corpse Generals within the city.

The spiritual restriction formations nearby were also on the verge of activation. Zong Shou sighed softly.

Could it be that this was Gong Yuan’s true objective? To force him to reveal his position and then be constantly harassed by the pursuit of the city’s corpse army and generals?

When the five of them were cornered, Gong Yuan would have an opportunity. Or perhaps, to create an opportunity for others?

“This is truly troublesome now. Unless we exit Xianyang, the five of us might be hunted to death—” Su Xiaoxiao also noticed the anomaly.

She then saw Zong Shou looking toward her with expectant eyes, but she shook her head, returning the Blood Moon Blade with a sweet smile. “This servant also wanted to seize the chance to demand a higher price, to convince Young Master Shou and Little Xiaoxiao to join in wedlock and have some sort of that kind of thing.

Unfortunately, my power falls short. With so many fierce birds and Corpse Generals, even if my Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Art were ten times stronger, I doubt I could handle them.” Yuan Wushang couldn't help but curse under his breath, “This selfish and self-defeating idiot!” Gong Yuan was gravely injured, his vital blood leaking outward.

Even with his Void Reality shifting technique, he could no longer evade the senses of the Corpse Army. His current situation would only be worse than theirs.

Zong Shou sighed slightly, knowing that what Su Xiaoxiao said was true. The Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Art exerted its greatest effect when dealing with an unsuspecting party, silently influencing their thoughts.

Now that their tracks were exposed, its utility was minimal. It might handle one or two Saint-rank Corpse Generals, but this vast area was far beyond Su Xiaoxiao’s capabilities.

Without hesitation, Zong Shou summoned the Demon-Repelling Divine Shuttle, taking all five of them inside, and traversed toward the distance, accelerating to the maximum. He occasionally utilized the power of the Instantaneous Void Dragon Pill to shift position, shaking off the probing locks of those intrusive wills.

Traveling a thousand li in a single breath, he weaved freely through the streets and alleys. It was fortunate that the Spirit Refining Sword had not disappointed; even at high speeds, it allowed Zong Shou’s shuttle to evade most of the restrictive runes.

However, because of the Two Principles Merging Dragon Formation, they could not completely shake off the spiritual consciousness and wills of the Corpse Generals. As for the fierce birds diving from the sky, after failing several times to locate Zong Shou’s true trajectory, they finally gave up and returned to circle high above.

As for the Corpse Generals, Zong Shou could do nothing about them. He hardened his resolve and continued to flee rapidly toward the Altar of Heaven.

Since he could not escape, he would seize it by force. He would go there and see what was happening before the Corpse Generals arrived.

But as he gradually approached the location of the Altar of Heaven, Zong Shou noticed that the several streams of corpse-evil energy pursuing him gradually ceased. As if constrained by something, they dared not approach.

Zong Shou started inwardly. Could there be something strange within this Altar of Heaven?

The thought crossed his mind as he arrived at the Altar. Xianyang City was packed densely with buildings, but only this place was an expanse of open ground.

And the Altar of Heaven was magnificent beyond measure. It had nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, and the top platform spanned a vast width of one hundred thousand zhang, resembling a mighty mountain.

Zong Shou guided the Demon-Repelling Divine Shuttle, and just as they settled onto the platform, he saw a figure standing there, frowning, looking up at the sky. Wearing a Nine-Ridge Star Crown and clad in Crimson Cloud Feather Robes, he stood with his hands behind his back.

Standing there, he seemed eternal, untouched by any corpse-evil or deathly aura. (To be continued)

For more novels, visit storyread.net.