Chapter 491 - 501: Shock

Wen Qingye’s sword moved with erratic speed, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. The two tempos seemed to be merging, creating something profoundly mysterious. It was as if he was pushing the Swift Wind Law to its absolute limit.

His comprehension of the Swift Wind Law continued to rise, and the great tree that was the Lifeless Dao grew ever taller. The surrounding Sword Dao Origin acted like nutrients, constantly nourishing the Lifeless Sword Dao.

When his progress eventually slowed to a crawl, Wen Qingye shifted his focus. He began cultivating the Slaying Immortal Sword Dao’s Vibration Law and Rock Law, attempting to fuse the two.

SHIING!

Wen Qingye slashed out, his blade carrying the might of a shooting star trailing sparks.

The woman showed no fear. She raised her sword slightly, its tip stabbing directly at the edge of Wen Qingye’s blade.

CLANG!

Both combatants retreated slightly. The woman’s arm trembled unceasingly, and her face grew pale.

’It’s not enough. Still missing something.’

Wen Qingye shook his head and charged at the woman again.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Sparks flashed through the air, scattering like a cascade of tiny stars.

With each strike, Wen Qingye’s sword grew more profound. A chill emanated from his blade, and as it fell, it seemed to carry a Thunderous Force.

"Wind-Blown Waves!"

The woman’s sword danced in a continuous blur. A sky full of sword light flew forth, forming tidal waves of Sword Qi that surged to engulf Wen Qingye.

Wen Qingye retreated step after step, then swept his One Thought Sword in what seemed to be a perfect arc.

"Fourth Form of the Sword Emperor Technique! Defy Me and Die!"

A serene and graceful, yet shattered-gold Sword Aura slashed toward the woman.

BANG!

The two Sword Auras collided in mid-air, sending ripples of energy blasting outward. The woman’s expression changed abruptly. Her vermilion lips parted, and she sprayed out a mouthful of red blood.

Wen Qingye’s Sword Aura hadn’t fused the Rock Law and Vibration Law. It contained only the thirty-thousand-jin force of the Rock Law, but even so, it was far more than she could withstand.

Her body slowly faded into nothingness. The surrounding scenery began to blur, and the iron chains vanished abruptly.

’Still missing something. The two Laws haven’t fully fused,’ Wen Qingye thought, shaking his head. His Heart Spirit then slowly submerged into contemplation.

The fusion of Laws was incredibly powerful, but comprehending how to do it was also extremely difficult.

The Sword Forest not only had a dense Sword Dao Origin, but it also seemed to accelerate one’s comprehension of Sword Dao Laws. Naturally, he wouldn’t waste such a golden opportunity.

SWOOSH!

A green sword shadow flashed before everyone’s eyes, and a resounding voice boomed out once more.

"Hah!"

The sound echoed, ringing in everyone’s ears. The crowd froze for a moment, and in the next instant, a tidal wave of cheers erupted.

"Senior Brother Lu Wushuang broke through the 4th Layer of the Sword Forest!"

"How many years has it been? Nine years! Someone from our Cloud Conceal Peak has finally broken through the 4th Layer again!"

"Quick, report this to the Elders and the Peak Master!"

The next moment, the area outside the Sword Forest erupted into a frenzy. The crowd seemed to go wild, with everyone scrambling to spread the news.

Jian Chunqiu gazed at the Sword Forest before him, stroking his beard with a smile. "At this rate, the honor of our Cloud Conceal Peak will rest on Lu Wushuang’s shoulders when the Sword Sect next arrives."

The Sword Forest was a landmark of Cloud Conceal Peak. Not just disciples, but even Elders rarely had the chance to cultivate inside, as the opportunity was simply too precious. Lu Wushuang had only earned this one chance because he was a disciple of Cloud Conceal Peak who had broken through to the Life and Death Realm.

The news that Lu Wushuang had passed the 4th Layer spread like a whirlwind, first across all of Cloud Conceal Peak, and then sweeping through the other six peaks.

Inside a majestic palace, Qii Yue was seated, flipping through a thread-bound book. Emblazoned on it were two words: *Qingyu’s Insights*.

Zhao Qingyu was the tenth Peak Master of Cloud Conceal Peak. Her Swordsmanship was the best in the Celestial Profound Sect of her time, and her power ranked among the top three in the entire sect. She was a renowned figure in the history of Cloud Conceal Peak.

Qii Yue’s Swordsmanship had already reached the peak of the third layer of the Earthly Realm. He was just a hair’s breadth away from reaching the legendary Heavenly Dao Swordsmanship realm. At this moment, he was studying Zhao Qingyu’s insights, his Heart Spirit slowly absorbing her wisdom.

Suddenly, the palace doors were thrown open.

"Peak Master! Peak Master!" Seven white-haired, white-bearded elders hurried inside.

Qii Yue put down the book and frowned at the seven men. "What is it? Why are you all in such a panic?"

These seven were men of extraordinary power and lofty status on Cloud Conceal Peak, known as the Seven Elders of Cloud Concealment.

"Wushuang! Wushuang is challenging the Sword Forest!" the Great Elder of Cloud Conceal Peak said hastily.

"Oh?" Qii Yue shot to his feet, his heart stirring. "Didn’t he say he would go in a year?"

"I’m not sure. He must be very confident," said the Great Elder of Cloud Conceal Peak.

Qii Yue asked casually, "Oh? Which layer has he reached? Is he still lingering on the 4th Layer?"

"No, he has already reached the 5th Layer," the Great Elder added.

"What?" Qii Yue’s expression changed.

The 5th Layer had always been a major hurdle for all disciples of Cloud Conceal Peak. Generally, reaching the 5th Layer meant a person’s Sword Technique Cultivation could already match that of the older generation.

Even Qii Yue himself had only ever reached the 5th Layer. What did it mean that Lu Wushuang had now also reached it?

"Quickly, let’s go to the Sword Forest now."

Qii Yue immediately dropped what he was doing and headed straight for the Sword Forest.

「...」

「Forget-Life Peak.」

Mingkong was seated cross-legged in his Cave Mansion, meditating and absorbing the surrounding air.

"Brother Mingkong! Brother Mingkong!"

Suddenly, a series of urgent shouts came from outside. Mingkong quickly reined in his aura, slowly opened his eyes, and cast a dark look toward the door.

’I’m at a critical point in my cultivation. Who dares disturb me?’

Huang Zishan came bursting in clamorously, exclaiming, "Brother Mingkong, that girl Mo Qing won’t wake up!"

Seeing it was Huang Zishan, Mingkong retracted the cold glint in his eyes, nodded, and smiled. "I heard about it yesterday. It’s nothing serious. Peak Master Tangg said she would wake up soon, so you don’t need to worry too much."

"I’m not worried about her! That’s not what I came to talk about," Huang Zishan said, waving her hands and gesticulating wildly.

Mingkong asked, puzzled, "Then what are you trying to say?"

Huang Zishan opened her mouth, then looked at Mingkong cautiously and said, "I wanted to tell you that Lu Wushuang from Cloud Conceal Peak... he’s reached the 5th Layer of the Sword Forest! You two have always been at odds, so I came to tell you."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Mingkong’s body jolted. A sharp light flashed in his eyes as he said, "We’re going to the Sword Forest now."