Vast mana began pouring into the Qingping Sword, its verdant sword intent flowing across the blade.
Those who practice the Sword Dao all possess their own sword intent, which varies greatly depending on their individual goals. What, then, is Yunxiao’s sword intent?
To protect her two younger sisters, No Brainer and Unhappy—one prone to stirring trouble and the other equally mischievous—Yunxiao tirelessly cultivated, racking her brain to grasp enlightenment. This unwavering dedication is why her cultivation stands above that of her siblings.
The situation improved somewhat only after she became a disciple of the Tongtian Sect Master.
But her resolve to shield her sisters remained unyielding. If someone dared harm her siblings, her response was blunt: "I’ll murder you to death!"
Having prepared her sword intent, Yunxiao decisively unleashed a shocking sword strike at Randeng.
The verdant sword qi connected heaven and earth, sweeping directly toward Randeng, splitting apart the corpse beasts blocking its path in an instant.
The strike collided with an unknown magical treasure, emitting a crisp clanging sound.
The impact set yellow sand swirling, and the corpse beasts surrounding Randeng were shredded into dust by the sword qi, revealing three figures—Randeng, a hideous Daoist with a green face and monstrous fangs resembling a ghost, and a dark-robed wraithlike figure whose true form seemed blurred.
Yunxiao narrowed her eyes and declared loudly, "So you had already severed two corpses, Daoist Friend. Only now do you reveal this? You’ve hidden yourself deeply indeed."
’Randeng’ did not respond, but the wraith in the back spoke coldly, "Since you’ve glimpsed my true cultivation, junior, why not retreat swiftly and end today’s feud here? Would that not suffice?"
The disciples of the Jie Sect have never acknowledged fear, let alone when the fight has escalated to such an extent. Yunxiao wasn’t blind—she had caught Randeng’s glance toward her elder brother Zhao Gongming and his Ocean Stabilizing Divine Pearls. If Randeng were spared now, it wouldn’t be surprising if her brother perished tomorrow.
No more needless words. Just fight!
With that, she began gathering sword qi once more.
The sword qi unleashed from Yunxiao’s Qingping Sword was not something easily thwarted. A single strike forced Randeng’s true form out of the Black Coffin, and even the Qiankun Ruler was struck, its spirituality clearly damaged.
’Randeng’ continued wielding the Qiankun Ruler to contend with Zhao Gongming, while the ’ghost’ manipulated ghost flames to hinder the swirling yellow sand, and the ’wraith’ unleashed fierce corpse beasts to keep Yunxiao from gathering power sufficient to release such formidable sword qi again, all the while engaging her in spell duels.
The wraith also seemed to recognize that dealing with Yunxiao would yield significant gains today.
The Black Coffin ceaselessly spawned dragons, phoenixes, qilins, members of the Demon Clan, and members of the Witch Clan—figures who, in life, had cultivated to the level of Daluo Golden Immortal. All had been refined into corpse puppets, stripped of spirit and reduced to mere instinctive fighters. Yet their combat prowess, rooted in innate skill, remained extraordinary.
Yunxiao swung the Qingping Sword repeatedly, shattering corpse beasts, but they seemed to emerge endlessly from the Black Coffin.
Nezha, watching from a distance, grew agitated—this type of battle was utterly beyond his ability to intervene. He hadn’t expected this old schemer Randeng to have concealed so much strength. He vividly remembered when Zhao Gongming had chased Randeng with twenty-four Ocean Stabilizing Divine Pearls, and the latter had fled wailing.
Now, even with the addition of the Sanxiao sisters and the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation, they couldn’t subdue him?
Nezha once again realized just how deep the machinations of these old-timers in the Primordial world ran!
As Nezha inwardly ridiculed the situation, a familiar cry echoed from the Black Coffin. A pitch-black golden crow surrounded by ghost flames soared into view.
Nezha stared wide-eyed in disbelief, the sight instantly heartbreaking. You devious Randeng, what a wasteful affront! Nezha couldn’t discern which era’s golden crow this was, but the creature’s Golden Crow bloodline had already been completely refined by the Nine Nether Ghost Fire.
If not, he might have begged his teacher to perform the way of creation and restore his nine little brothers through this fleshly body.
This Ghost Golden Crow, whose cultivation in life approached Quasi-Saint level, coupled with immense natural talent, was clearly one of Randeng’s prized assets.
The Ghost Golden Crow’s appearance undoubtedly disrupted Yunxiao, as she had to constantly protect her two younger sisters amidst the chaos.
Nezha, now growing increasingly anxious, suddenly heard his teacher’s voice: "Open Ghost Gate."
Nezha instantly understood, releasing the Mountain and River Map and activating the Six Dao Reincarnation Order. A pitch-black Ghost Gate materialized, and Ancestor Witch Xuanming appeared beyond it, expressionless, wielding a bone blade over five meters long and stark white.
A terrifying chill erupted immediately; icy-blue blade qi suppressed the Ghost Golden Crow’s ghost flames in an instant. Members of the Witch Clan hurled chains one after another, binding the golden crow and dragging it toward the underworld.
However, Xuanming, encumbered by karma, dared not exert full strength. With the absence of any Great Witch on the battlefield, the Golden Crow seemed to recall something upon glimpsing members of the Witch Clan. Memories stirred; it began struggling violently again, ghost flames flaring everywhere.
Nezha’s mind raced, activating Eight-Nine Profound Skills. Transforming into a three-meter-tall golden crow, he soared toward the Ghost Golden Crow.
The Ghost Golden Crow, initially flailing wildly, froze, its gaze locking onto Nezha’s transformed form. Instinctively, it squawked back.
"Brother, why have you shrunk so much?"
With that, its resistance ceased, and it followed Nezha through the Ghost Gate to the underworld.
Shortly afterward, Lady Houtu, draped in black robes adorned with yellow patterns, raised her hand and pointed. The Ghost Golden Crow ascended, transforming into the underworld’s Mourning Sun.
"Nezha pays respect to Lady Houtu!"
Houtu nodded slightly but said nothing to Nezha. Instead, she retrieved a giant bow—its shaft unembellished, as though crudely carved from a massive tree by brute force. Beyond its immense size, it appeared utterly ordinary.
Looking at the floating bow, Houtu spoke in a negotiating tone: "Da Yi has been dead for so many years. The Witch-Demon War has definitively ended. Let go of your obsession with the last Golden Crow. Outside, there’s a scoundrel desecrating Witch Clan corpses—for your return, why not make a declaration through him?"
The bowstring thrummed as Lady Houtu waved her hand, sending the colossal bow—a weapon even larger than Nezha—flying into his grip.
Houtu continued, "This bow was once used by Da Yi to shoot down the suns. It is your payment for delivering that Black Coffin to the underworld.
Da Yi was the most talented among the Great Witches back then, with the highest potential to ascend as the thirteenth Ancestor Witch. What a pity..."
She sighed as she finished, shaking her head before turning to leave.
Nezha felt a twinge of regret for missing out on the backstory, but now was not the time for such indulgence—his Sister Yun was still engaged in battle above!
Grasping the giant bow tightly, he passed through the Ghost Gate again. Outside, Randeng had unleashed even more corpse beasts. Although Yunxiao’s cultivation lagged behind Randeng’s, her foundation was even weaker by leaps and bounds. Though she could fend off her sisters, she was unable to overpower Randeng.
Thus, the stalemate persisted. Yunxiao herself grew increasingly anxious; prolonging this battle would inevitably draw the attention of Yuan Shi Venerable. Given the enormous karmic consequences their sibling quartet had incurred without achieving their aim, the loss would surely be incalculable!