Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

"The Black and White Star Heaven can reach the realm of a Saint Immortal?"

Xu Yang was greatly shocked.

The strongest Golden Immortal in the Black and White Star Heaven—even if some old monsters could suppress their cultivation and exceed the limit a bit—actually reaching the Saint Immortal realm was truly unbelievable.

Yuan Mie said, "Back then, the suppression from the Star Heaven’s original source was as strong as it is today; there were quite a few old monsters with power far above the Golden Immortal’s peak. That Sword Cultivator’s mastery over Sword Dao was astonishing, and with a supreme treasure to conceal him, his final sword ascended to the Saint Immortal Realm. He struck, and left behind this Celestial Sword Gorge stretching a million miles."

"Even now, the Sword Intent and Sword Essence left in some areas of Celestial Sword Gorge are still terrifying, enough to threaten Golden Immortal experts."

"To reach Eastern Continent from North State, there’s only Celestial Sword Gorge. If you head to Nanzhou, it’s an endless ocean, not a bit less dangerous, and you’d have to detour a very long way."

...

Yuan Mie was, after all, a Golden Immortal. Having cultivated for so many years, even as a Loose Cultivator, the information and secrets he knew were incomparable to Xu Yang, which truly opened Xu Yang’s eyes.

This Celestial Sword Gorge alone was practically a forbidden land.

The two sped their way into the vast, boundless canyon, above which swirled a vast mist. Within its billowing folds, one could faintly see invisible Sword Qi flowing.

Upon entering, Xu Yang immediately felt the unseen, piercing sharpness everywhere, omnipresent.

If you weren’t lucky, even Golden Immortals would fall here; without enough strength, there was no way to cross through.

"Senior, usually does anyone from North State and Nanzhou go to the Eastern Continent?" Xu Yang asked casually.

The Eastern Continent is vast and abundant, rich in resources.

Although Celestial Sword Gorge is terrifying, with luck, even those at the Celestial Immortal Realm could make it across.

For Golden Immortals, it’s much easier.

Yuan Mie let out a snicker: "Even if a Golden Immortal reaches the Eastern Continent, they can’t claim safety there. In North State and Nanzhou, at the very least you’re a major power, rarely provoked—but in the Eastern Continent, some monstrous talents might kill you as easily as cutting grass."

"Of course, there are some who can’t survive elsewhere, but if you couldn’t make it in North State or Nanzhou, odds are you’ll get nowhere in Eastern Continent either."

At this, Xu Yang couldn’t help but chuckle.

It really was the truth.

"If you’re not a Sword Cultivator, travelling through Celestial Sword Gorge, it’s best not to get close to regions dense with Sword Intent and powerful Sword Essence; besides magical beasts, there are quite a few Sword Cultivators who have fallen into madness here, and if you run into them, they’re an even bigger headache than magical beasts."

"Demonic Sword Cultivators?"

Xu Yang raised an eyebrow.

"The Sword Cultivator from back then came from Celestial Sword Mountain, one of the top immortal sects of the Eastern Continent. Celestial Sword Mountain lies on the very edge of Celestial Sword Gorge. Entering Eastern Continent from here, the first place you run into is this immortal sect."

"It’s the holy land of Sword Dao in the Eastern Continent, with countless Sword Cultivators; with the sword strike left behind by Celestial Sword Mountain’s powerful ancestor, the Sword Intent remaining within has evolved and transformed over countless years, yielding immense mysteries for Sword Cultivators."

"But often, those lacking in resolve end up falling into madness, or lose themselves during enlightenment of Sword Intent, suffering from Qi deviation, losing all reason—crazy and babbling like madmen. If you run into one, you might be ignored if lucky; if unlucky, they’ll hunt you down to the death."

"There’re also disciples of Celestial Sword Mountain who’ve committed grave crimes—they’re tossed in here to fend for themselves."

"On this trip, we must be extremely careful. With the Starry Extreme Night just past, Celestial Sword Gorge has been transformed, with more treasures—and even more fearsome dangers."

Xu Yang nodded solemnly.

If he were alone, it’d be a much harder ordeal.

Liou Xueyan probably also chose this route to the Eastern Continent, but either she brought a Guardian, or Ice and Snow Immortal Palace gave her some incredible protective means to go alone.

This woman’s strength must have grown tremendously.

After all, beneath the Starry Extreme Night, the more astonishing the lands and resources, the greater their ascension.

The Eastern Continent—there’s no question about it.

...

Half a month later.

Xu Yang and Yuan Mie had already traversed half the length of Celestial Sword Gorge.

The clouds above were thick and somber, their billows sometimes bursting with vast Sword Qi, even echoing with striking sword cries—sharp and menacing, hanging overhead like unsheathed swords, setting one’s heart trembling. Such was the profound Sword Essence here.

The fierce aura hanging in the air was even denser. Even those at the Celestial Immortal Realm barely dared to act recklessly.

The unseen Sword Intent sent chills through both men at every moment.

During this half-month, the pair ran into many magical beasts, and more than one region heavy with Sword Intent. While they killed the beasts, they skirted well clear of every Sword Intent zone.

Since neither Xu Yang nor Yuan Mie was a Sword Cultivator.

Nonetheless, they collected plenty of heavenly treasures and rare resources.

Even during Starry Extreme Night, few dared enter here.

With the ascension of the original source, the stockpile of treasures was truly astonishing.

Yuan Mie even collected a few treasures capable of boosting his cultivation.

Upon reaching the Eastern Continent, he was virtually guaranteed to break through to the Middle Stage of Golden Immortal.

Xu Yang, too, used a precious pill to break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm, his strength growing massively.

"Hmm?"

Yuan Mie suddenly fixed his gaze in one direction up ahead.

"Senior, did you notice something?"

Xu Yang’s expression grew solemn, alert.

"Seems there’s a cultivator’s aura, but it’s very weak." Yuan Mie frowned slightly, struggling to sense it clearly.

He pondered and said, "Let’s get closer and have a look."

Xu Yang nodded slightly.

The two approached quietly with great caution.

A sheer cliffside came into view, marked by a sword scar. Around the mark swirled fine streams of Sword Qi and faint Sword Intent spilling into the air.

Beneath the cliff stood a young cultivator, ancient sword strapped to his back, staring fixedly at the cliff—motionless.

The two men exchanged glances.

"Judging by his attire, he’s likely a Sword Cultivator from Celestial Sword Mountain, at the Peak of Celestial Immortal."

Yuan Mie transmitted, "Looks like that sword scar on the cliff is no ordinary mark."

"Let’s go around."

Xu Yang glanced over a couple times, then withdrew his attention.

"Agreed." Yuan Mie heartily approved.

Although the other posed no threat, there was no need to disturb someone in the midst of enlightening their Sword Dao.

Bang!

A crisp sound rang out suddenly.

Something had struck at the edge of the sword scar on the cliffside.

A surge of Sword Qi burst outward with a fierce shockwave.

Hiss.

The youth shuddered head to toe, letting out a pained groan, dazedly turning around.

Xu Yang’s pupils narrowed; the young man’s eyes were streaked with blood, twisted violently, filled with pain, confusion, daze, and his expression was utterly blank.

Gone mad?

"Damn it, someone’s hiding in the shadows." Xu Yang reacted instantly.

"Found them."

Yuan Mie let out a cold laugh and instantly vanished from view.

Boom!

A hundred yards off, a violent crash erupted.

Mixed with a wretched scream of terror.

"G-Golden Immortal?"

Hearing the uproar, Xu Yang knew no trouble would come of it.

He kept his gaze trained on the young man before the cliff.

The youth was writhing with pain at the commotion, agony in his eyes swelling to the extreme, until a spurt of blood gushed out.

Roar!

He roared skyward, Sword Qi surging around him violently.

Next instant, red-eyed and gripping his sword, he sprang up in a frenzy—his sword swept wildly, countless sword-lights shredding the cliff and clashing with the sword scar.

Suddenly, the sword scar gleamed, transforming into a miniature dazzling sword shadow. With a clang, it ripped apart vast Sword Qi, shooting straight at the youth.

The youth held his sword, eyes round wide, trembling before the sword shadow—almost as though he’d forgotten to dodge—letting it pierce right between his brows with a muffled thud.

"Ah~~"

A miserable scream echoed in every direction.

The young man howled in agony, but his aura abruptly soared, and sword-light of breathtaking intensity flared in his eyes.

All at once, he fixed his gaze on Xu Yang’s position, then charged over with a twisted look of savagery.

"Kill!"