Chapter 135: A Sky Full of Sword Shadows

Chapter 135: Sword Shadows Filling the Sky

The techniques of the Azure Wood Archery are not overly complex, yet they encompass a wide range of skill levels. From the first form onward, each technique varies in rank: the first-tier high-grade "Seven Stars in Succession," the second-tier low-grade "Arrow-Raising Stance," the second-tier mid-grade "Azure Wood Chasing the Moon," and so on.

"Azure Wood Chasing the Moon" demands much from a cultivator; one must reach the Foundation Establishment stage to perform it. Tang Wan had only recently mastered this technique after her own breakthrough, and she found the battle against Lu Tiannan to be the perfect opportunity to put it to the test.

"Boom..."
"Clatter..."
"Snap..."

As "Azure Wood Chasing the Moon" descended, the Lishui Cold Light Sword hovering above Lu Tiannan bore the brunt of the impact. Struck by the immense azure spiritual energy, the sturdy blade shattered instantly, scattering into countless fragments across the ground.

"Hum..."

A pale yellow light flared over Lu Tiannan’s chest, clinging to his skin and undulating across his body. It was his defensive spiritual armor activating to protect him, sparing him from a gruesome fate. Yet, despite the armor's protection, the sheer force of the spiritual energy left him severely wounded. After vomiting a mouthful of blood, his body was sent flying backward, landing heavily on the ground.

"Protect the Sect Leader!" cried the lead disciple of Tianshan behind Lu Tiannan. The white-robed disciples quickly sprang into action, pointing their swords toward the people of Huashan and shielding their leader. However, the terror etched upon their faces betrayed their underlying panic.

Lu Tiannan struggled to lift his head. He glanced at Tang Wan in the distance and then at his own disciples, who stood as if facing a mortal enemy. A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes, but as his gaze shifted toward Ximen Shang and the young master Ximen behind him, a glimmer of hope rekindled.

"Young Master Ximen, Elder Ximen, save me!" Lu Tiannan groaned, blood spilling from his lips as he desperately pleaded with them.

Seeing Lu Tiannan collapse at his feet, the young master Ximen frowned. He cursed inwardly, thinking how useless Lu Tiannan was for failing to defeat even a young girl. But mindful of his grandfather’s instructions, he reluctantly pulled Lu Tiannan to his feet, his face filled with irritation.

"Hum..."

Suddenly, a bright yellow radiance erupted within the ranks of the Huashan crowd. A massive sword glowing with golden light hung suspended above them. It was Nanmen Luo, who had abruptly launched his attack. His first-tier high-grade "Golden Flow Sword Qi" had been unleashed. Above him, the golden sword cast down a flurry of golden sword shadows, drifting like willow catkins in a spring breeze, raining down upon the Tianshan disciples on the ground.

This technique was one of two new forms Nanmen Luo had recently mastered: the second form of the Golden Flow Sword Technique—"Golden Shadows Filling the Sky."

"Form the Lishui Ice Array!" the lead Tianshan disciple commanded, shouting to his bewildered brothers as he saw the golden shadows descending from the air.

"Stomp, stomp, stomp..."

Following the lead disciple’s directions, the well-trained Tianshan disciples immediately regained their composure. Their panic subsided as the fruits of their rigorous training as members of a major sect kicked in, and they swiftly formed the six-four position of the Lishui Ice Array.

"Coldness Converging!"

Watching the golden sword shadows pounce from the sky, the lead disciple continued to command his brothers to activate the array.

"Clang, clang, clatter..."

The chill from the Lishui Ice Array collided with the golden sword shadows, creating a dense series of clashing sounds. As the impacts intensified, the cold energy within the array seemed to surge upward.

"Strike!" Nanmen Luo gestured with his fingers, controlling the massive golden sword in the air. Under his command, the golden sword shadows flared brighter, and the number of blades raining down increased, surging directly toward the Lishui Ice Array.

Within the array, guided by the lead disciple, the formation operated with growing perfection. Although the disciples were not exceptionally strong, the power of the Lishui Ice Array allowed them to hold their own against Nanmen Luo, who had recently advanced to the ninth level of Qi Refining. As time passed, the power of the array only grew stronger.

"Clang, clang, clatter..."

After repeated collisions, the momentum of Nanmen Luo’s golden sword began to wane, while the cold within the array grew increasingly dense. Following the descent of the sword shadows, a thick purple mist rose up, threatening to overtake the golden sword itself.

Sweat beaded on Nanmen Luo’s forehead. His fingers danced nimbly, controlling the sword from afar, desperately trying to raise its altitude to avoid the encroaching cold that threatened to strip him of his control.

The purple energy within the array grew thicker, rising higher and higher until it nearly touched the tip of the golden sword. In the next moment, it threatened to freeze the weapon and shatter Nanmen Luo’s "Golden Shadows Filling the Sky."

Nanmen Luo’s brow was slick with sweat. He was mortified that his first strike was about to end in failure, forcing his Senior Brother, the Sect Leader, to clean up the mess. He felt an intense anxiety, struggling to keep the golden sword aloft...

"A ninth-level Qi Refiner being trapped by a few fourth or fifth-level cultivators using an array—this is quite interesting," Ximen Shang’s voice rang out calmly across the night, reaching the ears of every cultivator present.

"Hahaha..." Hearing this, Lu Tiannan, supported by the young master Ximen, burst into laughter, pointing mockingly at the Lishui Ice Array that was currently holding the upper hand against Nanmen Luo.

Ximen Shang looked at Lu Tiannan with utter disdain. To think he still had the heart to laugh at such a time; such a sect leader was truly hopeless.

"The Tianshan Lishui Ice Array is indeed worthy of its reputation. A few disciples under the sixth level of Qi Refining can actually hold off a ninth-level cultivator with this formation. It is formidable," the cultivators watching from the distance whispered.

"Tianshan is an established second-tier sect after all, with deep foundations. But since Sect Leader Lu is injured, his strength as a Foundation Establishment cultivator seems a bit lacking."

"You know nothing! That is Foundation Establishment versus Foundation Establishment..."

"That young girl is a Foundation Establishment cultivator..."

...

"Catch the ringleader to break the array and kill the enemy," Jiang Yan said, standing with his hands behind his back, addressing the sweating Nanmen Luo.

Hearing Jiang Yan’s guidance, a spark of realization flashed in Nanmen Luo’s eyes. His goal was to inflict maximum casualties on the Tianshan disciples, not to engage in a stalemate. Though the array was strong, he did not believe these disciples, all under the seventh level of Qi Refining, could withstand his true power.

"Release!" Nanmen Luo bit his tongue, spat out a mouthful of blood, and gestured sharply at the golden sword, which was already stained with a hint of purple frost. The sword flared with brilliant golden light, instantly pushing back the surrounding purple mist and soaring higher.

"Retract!" Seeing the golden sword clear the Lishui Ice Array’s influence, Nanmen Luo waved his hand without hesitation. The sword flew back, hovering above his head.

"Go!" Nanmen Luo shouted, his voice drawn out. The golden sword suddenly erupted in a blinding radiance, transforming into a golden streak that dove straight into the ranks of the Tianshan disciples. It was the first form of the Golden Flow Sword Technique—"A Sword Coming from the West."

"Ah..." The lead Tianshan disciple felt his heart sink as the golden sword vanished. In the next instant, he saw a streak of golden light flash before his eyes, and then, darkness consumed him.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh..."

The golden sword tore through the air, rampaging through the Lishui Ice Array. One by one, the Tianshan disciples fell beneath its blade.

"Ah..."

Cries of agony echoed incessantly. Without their leader, the Lishui Ice Array was like a headless serpent. The disciples broke formation and fled in chaos, but their speed could not match the golden sword. After a few passes, all the Tianshan disciples lay fallen.

"Pfft..."

Lu Tiannan spat out another mouthful of blood and nearly collapsed. How could the disciples who had just been gaining the upper hand be slaughtered in such a short time?

"Sect Leader Lu..." Jiang Yan said with a faint, mocking smile as he watched the blood-spitting Lu Tiannan.