Over six thousand li away, Jingguan City.
Countless people watched that mountainous golden figure, which, after having slain two Great Martial Vault Demons, laughed skyward amidst the sky full of Demon Light and was then engulfed by it, feeling greatly shaken in their hearts.
It was as if that laughter echoed through this world, resounding in everyone’s ears!
Silent, yet deafening!
Demons dominated the sky, a single man with a spear, fought fiercely at the Border, bathed in blood on the battlefield, deeply stirring the soul.
Watching that golden titan scatter with the wind between heaven and earth, some were greatly shocked, some had tears brimming in their eyes, and others were wildly impassioned, with thunder arising in their chests.
Immediately waves upon waves piled up, one voice after another, echoing over the city.
Among them were many bright and untainted youths from the Worldly society, watching the scenes unfold with choked emotions, blood boiling, eyes wide open, unable to control their feelings, that lofty figure deeply imprinted in their memory.
In the south of the city, in an inn, by a third-floor window, a stern-browed young man stood looking out, witnessing the rampant Demon Flame, as well as that colossal golden figure dissipating into the world, he slapped downwards with his palm, shattering the window into splinters, and clenched his fist tightly.
Then, turning on his heel, striding quickly, he pulled a treasure sword from the rack beside his bed.
Cold light flashed from the unsheathed sword, keen and shining, then with a kick he burst through the door, only to be stopped by a figure in the same room, "Junior brother, where are you off to?"
The figure stopping him was a steady-looking man about thirty years old.
"I’m heading to the front lines, to slay Demons and eradicate evil," proclaimed the young man, raising his treasure sword, voice brimming with fervor.
The composed man furrowed his brow at hearing this, glanced outside the window, then at his junior brother, mouth opening and closing, he sighed,
"Junior brother, the Mountain-cutting Army has been defeated, the frontline is now incredibly perilous, where human life is as cheap as grass."
Yet the young man’s response was impassioned upon hearing this, "The Mountain-cutting Army hasn’t been defeated, it’s us who have been defeated. We left Guang’an Prefecture prematurely, traveling thousands of li to come here, claiming to be avoiding immediate danger, waiting for the right time. But look, brother, those soldiers, and the towering General, to protect the citizens behind the city, they have thrown their heads and spilled their blood. If we, who practice martial arts, are not moved by this, then what is the purpose of our Cultivation?"
The elder brother blushed upon hearing this, raised his hand then let it drop, still wanting to say, "Our master said to wait for the right time, hoping for the forces of Shu to gather. At that time, we and the Demons will fight a bloody battle, where you and I can prove ourselves. It’s not the time yet, even that General..."
But the younger brother pointed out the window, eyes wide with resolve, "Brother, listen."
Outside in the night sky, shouts of battle rose and fell, echoing through the darkness.
And below in the inn, thuds against tables began, followed by voices from the rabble,
"To hell with it, damn these beasts."
"Why shouldn’t a man bear his sword?"
"To avenge the soldiers at the front lines!"
Tables and chairs clattered, human voices roared, figures left with a shout.
The young Swordsman’s gaze flickered, looking at his senior brother, "Brother, if now is not the time, then when will it be?"
So saying, he strode out the door, reached the inn’s entrance, placed two fingers in his mouth, and let out a piercing whistle.
From the alley beside the inn, a neighing of a horse could be heard, followed by the rapid patter of hooves like a downpour; a large white Horse galloped out and stopped in front of the inn.
The young Swordsman leapt onto the Horse, lifted the reins, slapped the beast, and with hooves flying, galloped towards the Southern City Gate.
Silver saddle shining on the white horse, sword carried on his back out of Jingguan, he bore the ambition of youth, unwilling to hide his sword’s radiance.
At this time in Jingguan City, as that towering golden figure in the sky shattered into countless golden points of light, like fireflies, they lit the sparks in many eyes. Throughout the city, on all sides, there was upheaval of men and horses, shouts unceasing.
Amidst the shouting, warriors in fresh clothes and fiery horses, sword-bearing youths, rushed to the Southern City, exiting Jingguan, forming a river of stars vanishing into the vast night amidst wind and rain.
And above, those mysterious shadows at the center of the Incense Fire Projection exploded into a fireworks of brilliant lights, shooting towards the south, piercing through the night sky with a subtle yet powerful presence.
Strong warriors from the Central Plains moved out in unison!
Among them a few shone the brightest,
A figure wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, standing on surging waves that lifted him, swooped into the air.
And a hazy woman in white, otherworldly and peerless, stepping through the void, beneath her feet bloomed colorful lotus petals, which with their whirling dance, formed a seven-colored lotus platform beneath her feet, splendid and radiant, lifting her into the air.
And Big Sword flew into the sky, its sword light stretching into a line, becoming a white thread slicing the night.
These dazzling lights, though not deliberately releasing any presence, the phenomena they displayed made all the powers of Shu scattered across the world at Heavenly Pass feel a dangerous aura, faces filled with shock.
Since when did Jingguan City have so many people!
Thoughts raced in their minds, messages were relayed, some directly transformed into streaks of light, following after.
Suddenly, the sky was filled with streaks of light, flashing up.
And among these lights, one figure stood out: a young man in white with golden embroidery, wearing a Jade Crown, sporting an embroidered Qilin on his chest. He stood with his hands behind his back on a black Flying Boat two zhang in size, which whooshed through the rain.
At this moment, his expression was flickering, but his eyes revealed an intense yearning.
"Elder Ai, do you think that small tree that was deployed, could it truly be a Luck Spirit Root such as the Heavenly Treasure?"