Ascension Day

When Yuan Weiyang heard this, she understood what he meant. After a moment of quiet thought, she said to Uncle Xiao, "Something is about to happen on Jiuyi Mountain. Be ready to leave at a moment's notice!"

Uncle Xiao's expression grew stern as he nodded silently.

For the next few days, Xu Ying maintained a normal routine. He spent his days cultivating in the Chaotian Cave Heaven and returned to Wutong Palace to sleep at night. Any spare time he had was spent deciphering the Nine Heavens Yang God Mysterious Altar Skill.

The days flew by, and in what felt like the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed. Xu Ying figured Zhou Qiyun's injuries must have healed by now. During this period, the Holy God Emperor had, surprisingly, stopped sending people to the Underworld to plunder Yang Qi, and the sounds of furious smashing no longer echoed from the main hall of the Cangwu Sect. All was quiet.

After finishing his deciphering of the Nine Heavens Yang God Mysterious Altar Skill, Xu Ying copied out the first half and gave it to Eunuch Chen. "Tell Your Majesty that I have the second half," he said. "Have him trade the Dragon-Seeking Positioning Technique from the Jade Capital Secret Treasury for it."

Eunuch Chen hurried away.

Xu Ying immediately informed Yuan Weiyang. Before long, she had finished her preparations and rushed over with Uncle Xiao.

Yuan Qi shrank down to the size of a noodle and hid in Xu Ying's collar, while Da Zhong remained concealed within Xu Ying's mind.

Once everyone was ready, Xu Ying suddenly thought of Guo Xiaodie. 'She's from the Guo Family,' he mused. 'Her family must have gotten the news by now. I wonder, if we cross paths later, will she be a friend or a foe?'

Before long, Eunuch Chen rushed back, smiling. "Your Majesty has sent me with the Dragon-Seeking Positioning Technique from the Jade Capital Secret Treasury. Lord Xu, where is the second half of the scripture and the Golden Book?"

Xu Ying took out the second half of the scripture and the Golden Book that recorded the Nine Heavens Yang God, handing them to Eunuch Chen. The eunuch passed him a small booklet in return. "This is the Dragon-Seeking Positioning Technique from the Jade Capital Secret Treasury, personally transcribed by Your Majesty," he said with a smile. "Lord Xu, Your Majesty also wishes to grant you an audience and reward you personally."

Xu Ying accepted the Dragon-Seeking Positioning Technique. He bowed and said, "Eunuch Chen, please lead the way."

Eunuch Chen led the way, heading for the Cangwu Sect's main hall halfway up the mountain. As they walked, Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang noticed that the number of Jinwu Guards stationed at the treacherous mountain passes had increased significantly compared to a few days ago.

As they continued down the mountain, they passed a group of several dozen Nuo Masters being escorted up the mountain by two Jinwu Guards. One of the guards carried a Sword Box on his back, while the other leaned on a White Banner.

Just as Xu Ying's group passed, the Jinwu Guards forced the Nuo Masters to their knees. Dozens of them knelt in a line. One of the guards slapped his Sword Box, and a jet of Sword Qi shot out, beheading the Nuo Masters one after another!

However, there were experts among the dozens of Nuo Masters. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, three of them immediately activated their Nuo Arts to counter the Sword Qi and made a dash to escape.

The Jinwu Guard shouted, "Think of your families! Your death alone will be enough. If you escape, your entire clan will be executed!"

Two of the highly skilled Nuo Masters hesitated for a moment, and in that instant, Sword Qi pierced their foreheads, killing them instantly. The last one was far more ruthless and decisive. Ignoring the threat, he continued to flee, leaping violently into the air. His Qi Blood materialized behind him, forming a white crane with a wingspan of dozens of feet that beat its wings and soared into the sky!

But the other mountain passes were already guarded by Jinwu Guards. Streaks of Sword Qi sliced through the air, and the Nuo Master was cut down. Decapitated, his body tumbled from the sky.

"Ying..." Yuan Qi, hidden in Xu Ying's collar, trembled so violently it felt as if his very soul were shaking.

Da Zhong also let out a low, muffled toll.

Xu Ying composed himself and continued following Eunuch Chen. Yuan Weiyang acted as if she had seen nothing. Only Uncle Xiao clenched his fists tightly before forcing them to relax.

A little further down the mountain, they saw other Jinwu Guards executing dozens more Nuo Masters. A little further still, and they came upon another group being put to the sword. Some of the Nuo Masters wailed and screamed, while others made a desperate break for freedom.

But every pass was guarded. Where could they possibly run?

As Xu Ying and his companions walked for several miles, they saw the bodies of over a thousand executed Nuo Masters. Some of them had been disciples and Elders of the Cangwu Sect; others had been abducted from various Jianghu Sects.

They had once been useful, sent to the Underworld to gather Yang Qi for the Emperor's alchemy. But now, they had served their purpose.

To be useless was to forfeit the right to live. For the sake of the Emperor's glorious reputation, they all had to die.

They continued on their way. Ahead, a fight was raging. It was the Sect Leader of the Cangwu Sect, besieged by three Jinwu Guards. The Sect Leader's abilities were clearly extraordinary. It was unclear which Secret Treasury he cultivated, but his Qi Blood surged behind him, he had already opened the Six Great Cave Heavens, and he was considered a remarkable Grand Nuo in the martial world.

Yet under the combined assault of the three Jinwu Guards, he was in imminent danger and could lose his life at any moment.

Ahead, the main hall of the Cangwu Sect was in sight.

Eunuch Chen suddenly sighed and whispered, "Brother Xu, the book Your Majesty gave you is just blank paper. Haven't you figured it out yet? Go, quickly!"

Uncle Xiao said in a low voice, "Thank you."

He suddenly struck, hitting Eunuch Chen on the back of the shoulder. Eunuch Chen sprayed a mouthful of blood as he went tumbling and rolling off the cliff. While still in mid-air, he shrieked, "Seize the traitors!"

Uncle Xiao was stunned. 'I didn't hit him that hard,' he thought. 'How did he spit up so much blood...?'

"Go!"

With a loud shout, Xu Ying took a single step forward. Sword Qi swirled beneath his feet, instantly enveloping him. With a WHOOSH, he transformed into a streak of sword light and shot away!

Another streak of sword light caught up to him—it was Yuan Weiyang.

Neither of them dared to fly high, so they streaked along just above the ground. Their Sword Qi surged around them, shattering grass, trees, and gravel in their wake!

The Jinwu Guards had already taken notice. One of them slapped his Sword Box, unleashing a dozen streaks of Sword Qi that flew to intercept the two broad beams of sword light.

Cocooned within their own Sword Qi, Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang were unable to actively retaliate. The dozen incoming blades of Sword Qi slammed into their own protective auras, drastically reducing their speed.