Chapter 1085 - 734: Brilliant as the Starry River

Chapter 1085: Chapter 734: Brilliant as the Starry River

"The mysterious sword tempers bones for three hundred years, the frost blade remains untested, sleepless through the night."

The pen is sharp, each word exudes a solitary sword intent.

After writing, the robed cultivator withdrew his hand and stood, cupping his hands respectfully toward True Monarch Su Xue.

"So, it is Fellow Daoist Xuan Shuang."

True Monarch Su Xue nodded slightly, a hint of acknowledgment flickering in her eyes.

"Please take a seat."

True Master Xuan Shuang, expressionless, calmly sat at the lower left side and closed his eyes to rest.

Soon after, an elderly Daoist in hemp clothing and straw sandals, holding a bamboo cane, stepped forward, chanting.

"Cloud traces are inherently unsteady, in dreams they play among stars. Scattered into a thousand arrays of rain, leaving no trace in the human world."

Finished chanting, he chuckled and nodded to True Monarch Su Xue: "Wandering Dream, paying respects to True Monarch."

"Wandering Dream Daoist, you are courteous, please sit."

Thereafter, the atmosphere stagnated once more.

The life-and-death arena is not child’s play.

Especially in front of a Nascent Soul True Monarch, without genuine skill, stepping forward to register is self-humiliation.

The two just now, Xuan Shuang and Yun Meng, were both well-renowned figures among loose cultivators with profound Daoist techniques.

After some time, a burly man clad in heavy armor pushed through the crowd, walking with great strides. His writing on the jade mirror was bold and vigorous.

"Hidden jade awaits fire to forge, winds and rain outside the pavilion compose strings. Ascending the platform once shakes the four seats, only after sounding do they know not between the pools!"

"Loose cultivator Shi Xuan, paying respects to True Monarch!"

The armored man cupped his fist in greeting, his voice echoing far and wide.

True Monarch Su Xue’s lip slightly curved: "Rumor has it, Fellow Daoist Shi is famed for demon hunting. Please sit."

This Shi Xuan is a local loose cultivator of Yueqi City, in the Golden Core Realm, a Dharma Body Refiner, leading a demon hunting team, and is quite reputable in the surrounding regions.

The atmosphere relaxed slightly.

After half an hour.

A cultivator in black clothing, wearing a wide-brimmed bamboo hat, silently approached the stage like a spectral shadow.

His voice hoarse and low, reciting a chilling poem.

"Blood sea’s begrudging hatred is immeasurable, garments stained with enemy bones’ frost. Guests to the arena judge life or death, even the nameless lives as King Yama."

After reciting, he slightly raised his head, his gaze like ice under the hat: "Jing Wuming, willing to serve True Monarch."

Clearly a Demon Cultivator deeply entrenched in murderous deeds.

Many in the crowd showed subtle changes in expression.

True Monarch Su Xue’s expression remained unchanged, nodding slightly: "Those willing to ascend this arena, all fight for the Human Race, all are friends of Su Xue. Fellow Daoist Jing, please sit."

Thus far, four formidable Golden Core loose cultivators had enlisted.

True Master Xuan Ming and True Master Gu Guang exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of respect in the other’s eyes.

While these four’s cultivation might not equal the Sect’s true inheritance, their courage to take the lead and valiantly fight is worthy of respect.

The sun climbed higher, already past noon.

Long stirred silence in the crowd gave rise to whispering.

True Master Xuan Ming slightly leaned forward, speaking softly: "Master, the hour grows late, shall we rest inside briefly?"

"No need."

True Monarch Su Xue’s gaze was calm, looking toward the end of the long street, her voice, though not loud, clearly reached everyone’s ears around,

"Before descending the mountain, I cast a divination, the hexagram indicates that the gathering of seven stars can ensure Yueqi City’s safety without peril."

True Master Xuan Ming froze upon hearing, immediately understanding.

This is Master calming hearts, also subtly hinting.

The seven stars refer to the seven Golden Core cultivators to ascend the platform this time.

Although Junior Sisters Bi Yao and Yu Hua are in the Golden Core Realm, their Dao attainment is not high, and having seldom faced a battle array, are unfit to ascend the stage. ℴ

Thus calculating, adding the four recruited earlier and oneself and Junior Brother Gu Guang, totals six people.

It means Master already invited the seventh person.

Moreover, this individual is crucial, making a grand entrance.

What kind of person could make a Nascent Soul True Monarch personally wait, enjoying such face?

True Master Xuan Ming felt mildly annoyed inwardly but kept a calm façade.

Silently standing aside, his gaze sharp, scanning the crowd.

He wants to see who this revered figure is.

After an incense stick’s worth of time.

From the end of the long street, a person leisurely approached.

In a simple green gown, slender frame, face mundane without distinction.

Only his eyes were as calm as the ocean, his gait leisurely as if strolling in a quiet courtyard.

Upon reaching the Jade Platform, he slightly nodded to True Monarch Su Xue, without taking up the pen, and lifted his hand to point at the registration jade mirror from a distance.

The mirror’s spiritual light suddenly brightened!

Eight large golden characters appeared out of thin air, gradually rotating within the mirror, endlessly repeating.

"Life is like grass, brilliant as a galaxy!"

Though the characters lacked sharpness, they naturally possessed a vast, inclusive, mysterious Dao Rhyme, emerging from the mirror, mesmerizing the viewers, captivating their hearts and minds.

True Master Xuan Ming’s pupils contracted slightly, inwardly alarmed.

The depth of this eight-character Dao Rhyme was unfathomably profound, even he couldn’t decipher it!

The visitor’s comprehension of the Great Dao Laws far exceeded his, astoundingly reaching a very high realm.

True Monarch Su Xue slowly rose from the Jade Platform, even stepped forward twice, her cold expression revealing a genuine smile: "Fellow Daoist Shen, you’ve finally arrived."

The robed cultivator cupped his hands, his voice gentle and harmonious, clearly reaching the entire venue.

"Loose cultivator Shen Xinghe, paying respects to True Monarch, greetings to all fellow Daoists."

True Monarch Su Xue returned the gesture first.

On the platform were Xuan Ming, Gu Guang, Bi Yao, Yu Hua, below were Xuan Shuang, Yun Meng, Shi Xuan, Jing Wuming, along with all other cultivators who witnessed the eight-character Dao Rhyme, regardless of their inner thoughts, dared not show any disrespect at this moment, all solemnly returned the salutation.

...

Seven days later, outside the south gate of Yueqi City.

True Monarch Su Xue led Shen Xuan, Xuan Ming, Gu Guang, Xuan Shuang, Yun Meng, Shi Xuan, Jing Wuming, out of the city to meet the battle.

Direct disciples Bi Yao and Yu Hua remained in the city, overseeing the battle array’s core, ready to assist.

Outside the city, the wilderness brimmed with demon qi.

The Three-Eyed Thunder Peng Emperor and Bloodthirsty Poison Mosquito Emperor hovered in mid-air, behind them were tens of thousands of densely packed demon soldiers.

Their battle array like a forest, evil qi condensed, resembling a drifting black cloud, suffocating.