My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Can you see them?

Even with the Heavenly Eye, Chen Yi exerted all his strength but never managed to see the faces of those entities.

Can you hear them?

Turning an ear to listen, the ear cavity is filled with heart-tearing sounds, but the exact content remains unknown.

Neither can he see clearly, nor can he hear distinctly.

The fierce wind roars like a sword, everywhere are invisible blades and sword shadows, Chen Yi's hair stands on end, knowing only that centuries of resentment are pouring down like a flood.

With a sidelong glance during this flash of lightning, those Daoists collectively raised their swords, and in an instant formed two Sword Arrays, known as the Sweeping Six Heavens Ancient Qi Formation.

The Dragon and Tiger Mountain formations are unparalleled, despite being lost occasionally over centuries of warfare, the inheritance remains mostly orderly. Moreover, mountain-climbing and temple-breaking are fundamental to Dragon and Tiger Mountain. This Sweeping Six Heavens Ancient Qi formation technique is obscure and cumbersome in steps, yet these disciples from Dragon and Tiger Mountain step with the vigor of a tiger, while Daoists from other sects are protected within the array as support.

The advantage of single lineage passing within the Zhang family lies here; the entire Dragon and Tiger Mountain is more like a family than a sect, passed from father to son, husband to wife, wife to daughter. No matter how obscure the formation, people from Dragon and Tiger Mountain are exceptionally familiar, preventing the leakage of magic skills.

Whoosh!

A sudden gale arises.

Within the sword formation, dozens of Peach Wood Swords, Money Swords, Qinggang Swords rotate in succession without reservation, yet as the gale strikes within the array, it sparks a sound of clashing metals, with sword momentum intersecting and colliding.

The Daoists step Gang Step in the fight, like using four ounces to move a thousand pounds, wielding their swords to divert the whirlwind, and without waiting for its reaction, several swords pierce forth simultaneously, dismembering the whirlwind with the sword momentum.

Previously, it was unknown that residual spirits of Divines were causing havoc, catching them off guard in an ambush. Industry has specializations; now aware of the enemy and self, the sword formation is set, entering into familiar territory. Though it may not resolve the situation smoothly, it has the force to contend and stalemate.

Chen Yi was slightly astonished as he had previously fought Dragon and Tiger Mountain people, crushing their sword formation with Sword Intent World, thinking their formation was no more than that. Now it seems he underestimated them, or rather, sword formations shouldn't be generalized; what he encountered before wasn't elite.

Not long after sighing, the hairs on the back of Chen Yi's neck stood slightly, instinctively turning to shield his throat horizontally with a sword; sparks flew from the blade, and he followed up with a downward swing, imprisoning the residual spirit in a flash.

Another residual spirit locked into the Heart Lake prison; Chen Yi felt somewhat uneasy, taking a deep breath, unsure how many residual spirits he could contain.

Yin Weiyin watched Chen Yi with heart-pounding fear. She heard Zhao Tong's words earlier, understanding what these invisible entities before her truly were. She wished to help but had no idea where to start, finding it difficult even to protect herself.

Over yonder, the situation for Dragon and Tiger Mountain Daoists was likewise hardly optimistic.

Blade and sword shadows, axes, and kettles, more and more Ancestor Gods crawled from the ruins, wildly and angrily besieging the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Daoists.

The Daoists' sword momentum never ceases; initially, there was an advantage, but as the siege grew more intense, it stalemated.

They never paused a moment, sword light swirling; Zhao Tong led with the sword at the front. As his steps halted, the sword formation suddenly contracted, the Ancestor Gods unaware of life and death charged like mad demons at the sword formation.

In an instant, several Magic Swords twisted into a vortex, with the collision of blades sending shockwaves tearing rocks across the ground, shattering several Ancestor Gods in the process.

However, the Ancestor Gods seemed endless, and Dragon and Tiger Mountain's temple-breaking had buried countless Divines in this tower. Against their fierce assault, some Daoists couldn't withstand the sword hilt's vibration, tearing their palms, with blood pearls bursting at the tiger's mouth, the unseen entities licked them mid-air, sketching fang outlines in the void.

"We can't stay any longer!" Zhao Tong shouted, his sword clashing with thunderous sounds, "Go! Retreat while fighting!"

The two Sword Arrays almost simultaneously began to move, retreating deeper, they were already at the ruins' edge; leaving here, even if these mindless residual spirits pursue relentlessly, it would be with diminishing force.

As though realizing the Daoists' intentions to retreat, high-pitched shrieks echoed higher and higher from the ruins, with residual spirits frantically clashing against the sword formation.

The Daoists struggled to maintain balance, their steps starting to falter. Seeing this, Chen Yi did his best to protect himself and Donggong Ruoshu, assisting in fending off the residual spirits' attacks.

For reasons unknown, the fierce onslaught from the residual spirits suddenly paused slightly; Chen Yi sensed them stepping back a few paces to either side, like avoiding the sharp edge.

Were they truly avoiding the Daoists' sharp edge?

"Crack..."

A slight cracking sound arose, ringing alarms in Chen Yi's heart, without hesitation he grasped Donggong Ruoshu, leaping up.

The Daoists seized the moment as residual spirits retreated, quickening their pace. Meanwhile, the sword momentum slackened slightly, a gentle breeze brushed through, seemingly prophetic.

Swiftly, dust billowed, the wind swirling with clouds!

"Southwest Kun position!"

In sudden realization, Zhao Tong shouted as he cast his Magic Sword.

At the edge of the blade cutting into airflow, three zhang away, a column exploded with web-like cracks, some colossal unseen entity exceeds the visual plane trying to restrain the Magic Sword; with a slight retreat, the three zhang long Magic Sword, once ordered by the Heavenly Master, fractured into dozens of fine cracks.

Bang!

The Magic Sword shattered completely, with the exploding shockwave unsettling the ruins.

Zhao Tong drew his spare sword, the formation suddenly transforming under his lead, converting into a wave-breaking sail, with the sword arrays accelerated by the air pressure towards the distance.

The Daoists traveling with the wind, stepped in sequence, realigning themselves, sword blade slicing through viscous air with centrifugal force, repelling pursuing residual spirits. They showed no hesitation,

The invisible colossal entity attempted a grab, perilously close, missing by just a foot, and could only watch them depart, releasing an unwilling and angry roar.

Amid the ruins, the sword light gradually faded,

Dragon Tiger Mountain's Daoists rode the wind away.

......

After traveling for an unknown duration, the group finally stopped.

Surveying the surroundings, they had retreated to a seemingly safe place. There were no blood-stained words or shattered statues, only a pool at the limits of sight, its waters glistening with waves.

No, it's more appropriate to call it a vast lake. Perhaps due to reflection, the lake surface shimmered with glowing specks. They stood at a crossroads with paths leading in all directions, a nexus connecting underground spaces.

The ground beneath stopped trembling, Daoists exchanged looks, feeling the pent-up tension release at last. Several relaxed instantly, their weapons clattered to the ground.

The oppressive atmosphere enfolded them; fear lingered in their hearts, and no one dared to speak first, fearing it might provoke something. However, some couldn't help but think that perhaps the ancient temple they avoided like the plague was, in fact, a rare haven of safety.

After all, there, those residual spirits dared not attack openly, and the members of the White Lotus Sect hadn't encountered any danger.

"Brother Zhao Tong, your sword…" Finally, unable to hold back any longer, someone spoke in a faint mosquito-like voice after a long while.

Zhao Tong gave a bitter smile, only lightly shaking his head as he said, "It's nothing."

That was the sword given to him under divine mandate during his crowning by the Old Heavenly Master. Both the sword itself and its significance were extremely important, but if it was destroyed, so be it. Dragon and Tiger Mountain did not cling to swords with their lives.

"Rest well; we still need to move forward afterward."

As the words fell, everyone let out a sigh, their expressions varied, carrying a mix of lingering fear and confusion.

No one had imagined that the interior of the White Tower would be fraught with such dangers. After all, those present were the elite disciples of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, each inheriting their master's teachings. Even the most modest among them would have some pride. Moreover, in the spirit of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, humility had no place.

In the north, there's the Yansheng Duke; in the south, there's the Heavenly Master Mansion. If they were too humble, wouldn't it tarnish the reputation of Dragon and Tiger Mountain?

But today... just a little reflection caused everyone to break out in a cold sweat, as deadly swords might strike from the shadows unexpectedly...

Swoosh!

Suddenly, a piercing whistle echoed in the air!

Zhao Tong was astonished and quickly turned around, as an invisible cold wind rushed towards him!

A residual spirit had, unexpectedly, followed them there. No one had time to react; this moment seemed frozen in time. The Daoists wore expressions of terror, astonishment, and bewilderment, as if someone might lose their head the next moment.

Bam!

From the side, a sword flashed like lightning, crashing in horizontally, cutting the residual spirit in half and nailing it firmly into the ground!

It let out a hissing wail like an exhausted war machine, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

"Are you all right?"

The Taoists, still shaken, turned in groups of threes and twos, a figure with a sword and knife emerged from the shadows, followed by a bewildered woman.

"Is it really you?"

A voice of surprise reached their ears, and Zhao Tong reacted, turning around to look.

Who else could it be but Chen Yi?

He had finally appeared.

Chen Yi stopped, looking around at the Daoists present, his face puzzled as he frowned, then settled his gaze on Zhao Tong, smiling:

"Long time no see, Daoist Zhao Tong."

Zhao Tong came to his senses, staring directly at Chen Yi, who had earlier proposed a temporary truce between Dragon and Tiger Mountain and the White Lotus Sect. Yet, he hadn't been seen for a long time along the way, only appearing now.

How peculiar?

Zhao Tong lowered his eyes slightly, then revealed a simple smile, bowing and saying, "Hope you've been well, Battalion Commander Chen."

…

There was certainly a scheme behind Chen Yi's actions, but what he sought, no one knew.

Zhao Tong didn't need to know either, as their mission was solely to retrieve the Evil-Slaying Sword.

The Evil-Slaying Sword from Dragon and Tiger Mountain had been left here for two thousand years. Now it was about the sect's fortune for the next two thousand years; it was a matter of great importance. In any case, the primary objective was to retrieve the Evil-Slaying Sword.

Whether it was the White Lotus Sect or this Battalion Commander Chen, they could be both an aid and an obstacle; it all depended on how they were managed… Zhao Tong showed no hint of murderous intent, his expression tranquil.

Killing when necessary, that's all.

The two of them walked almost side by side, slowly strolling towards the nearby lake.

"The things inside this tower have quite the background," Chen Yi paused, "The people call what they cannot comprehend divine; the unpredictable is called divine. Here… so many divine beings are buried."

Zhao Tong took over the conversation calmly, "Battalion Commander Chen is right, I won't hide it; these are the sins left behind by my Dragon and Tiger Mountain from back in the day."

"Mm, I guessed as much after being here for several days."

Oh, he had already delved deep into the tower? Zhao Tong's face remained indifferent, but inwardly, he was silently pondering.

Chen Yi continued walking, eyes straight ahead, pacing gently.

His hands were clasped behind his back, showing no apparent alertness, yet he was secretly on guard.

This foremost disciple of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, appeared to be genial and good-natured. Yet, to achieve his goals, he was almost unscrupulous, hiding his cold and ruthless nature deeply. If Chen Yi hadn't been attentive at the time, he might have been deceived by this demeanor, unaware of his possible collusion with the White Lotus Sect to harm him.

Chen Yi waited for a long time, and Zhao Tong had unconsciously fallen behind him.

The lake was not far away; they hadn't gotten too close, as they didn't know what it might conceal. However, it was still relatively safe there, allowing them space to pause and observe.

The surrounding area was dim and shrouded in shadow.

Turning sideways, Chen Yi saw Zhao Tong lift his foot and slowly step to his side, standing shoulder to shoulder. After a long while, Zhao Tong finally spoke slowly.

"To deduce the origins of those residual spirits, Brother Chen truly has divine strategy, but… do you know…" he sighed and suddenly said, "The White Lotus Sect wants us to join forces to kill you, are you aware?"

Chen Yi: "..."