"Hm?"
Jingliu looked at the youth before her with clear surprise.
That sword technique just now—
It clearly did not originate from her lineage.
Back then, when she accepted Jing Yuan as a disciple, she had already passed on everything she was willing to teach.
That was a sword art capable of cutting down stars.
Yet the sword intent within this boy carried a strangely familiar flavor.
Another Nameless teacher?
Nameless…
Baiheng…
Jingliu shook her head lightly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
But to Yanqing—
That smile looked downright mad.
The moment it appeared, his heart sank straight to the bottom.
She's serious now.
She didn't care whether he was Jing Yuan's disciple or not.
After all—
She was Jingliu.
The Jingliu who had fallen into mara.
"Worthy of being my grandmaster… worthy of being the former Sword Champion of the Xianzhou!"
Yanqing grit his teeth.
"This pressure… it's already identical to the General's!"
"But I still haven't grasped the true key of the Tai-Xu Sword!"
"I don't know… where its core truly lies!"
And at that instant—
For reasons he couldn't explain—
Yanqing's mind began to replay memories like a lantern carousel.
[Evan]: "The Divine is the ultimate of transformation—
subtle beyond all things, indescribable by form."
The Tai-Xu Sword never required a sword.
To its wielder, a blade was merely an external object.
Close your eyes.
Feel the sword in your hand,
the sword before your eyes,
and the sword within your heart.
This is the Fifth Aggregation of Tai-Xu Sword Qi — Divine Aggregation.
The Tai-Xu Sword's Five Aggregations:
Heart, Form, Intent, Soul, Divine.
Heart — the Dao.
Intent — the Vessel.
Soul — the Furnace.
Divine — the Ultimate.
The Divine is the ultimate of transformation—
beyond form, beyond interrogation.
The Tai-Xu Sword of the Divine—
Required no sword.
In that moment, Yanqing finally understood.
The sword was not a physical blade—
It was a sword that filled all space.
A sword that destroyed everything from within.
Seeing Yanqing fall into sudden enlightenment, Jingliu's smile deepened.
A swordsman who does not fear at the brink—
That was exactly the kind of youth she admired.
Jing Yuan… you raised him well.
Then let me teach him a sword.
"Interesting."
"Yanqing, was it? You possess the intent of a swordsman."
"Then take this sword of mine!"
"Ancient Mirror Reflects the Divine!"
"Cold River, Moon Reflected!"
This pressure—
Even Jing Yuan in his youth would have feared it.
Yet this boy showed no hesitation.
Natural martial bones…
The future of the Xianzhou looks promising.
Jingliu spoke no more.
A full moon descended—
Drowning even the sun's brilliance.
Sword released, shadows followed.
Countless shards of moonlight transformed into frost, surging toward Yanqing.
And at that very instant—
Evan's voice echoed in Yanqing's ears.
Behind him, Evan's figure appeared like an afterimage.
"I've learned that move you taught me!"
"The Divine—ultimate transformation!"
"Tai-Xu Sword: Divine Manifestation!"
A colossal Xuanyuan Sword descended from the heavens!
Yet Jingliu merely pressed her lips together.
A casual swing—
Moonlight pierced straight through the giant blade.
The strike slammed into the Ancient Moonlit Sea behind Yanqing.
Ice shattered everywhere.
As for Yanqing—
He stared blankly at the shattered sword.
"…This sword is good," Jingliu said calmly.
"But your mastery is insufficient."
"If the teacher behind you were here, perhaps he could block me."
"Your challenge—fails."
Yanqing fell from the sky, landing heavily.
Lost…
Lost…
Lost…
His sword heart shattered—again.
He made no attempt to dodge.
Just stared.
Even Jingliu felt a trace of reluctance.
But a sword once swung—
Is never recalled.
Memories flooded Yanqing's mind.
Meeting Evan.
Training under him.
Being entrusted by the General.
All the way back to joining the Cloud Knights—
to being picked up by Jing Yuan.
So this is my limit…
I really was arrogant.
Youthful arrogance was fine—
But it needed restraint.
"Tch. What did I say?"
"His sword heart shatters every time he's hit hard."
"Jing Yuan, I heard Zhu Ming has a girl named Yunli."
"Why not ask General Huaiyan to send her over as company?"
"This kid…"
"This sword—you take it yourself."
Yanqing's thoughts spun—
But soon, two familiar voices reached him.
Evan.
And Jing Yuan.
"Tch. What a pain."
"I'd rather bombard—but your master's a swordsman."
"Tai-Xu Sword: Form Aggregation — Rain-Swallow!"
With Cloud Hymn now integrated, the technique's power surged.
Ancient sea water transformed into countless swallows, crashing into the frozen moonlight.
The Ancient Sea erupted in violent waves!
Evan had arrived.
Jing Yuan had not.
As General, he still bore responsibility.
All departments were fully mobilized to capture the remnants of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
"Master… Yingxing… Dan Feng…"
"Fu Xuan, are preparations complete?"
Jing Yuan murmured, his gaze clearing.
Thanks to March 7th and Stelle's infiltration,
evidence of the Disciples framing and murdering civilians was secured.
Though it didn't yet implicate the Dragon Elders directly—
Something still felt wrong.
But there was no time.
With intelligence Evan obtained from Ruan Mei—
All departments confirmed one thing:
'Tingyun' was fake.
Only the Alchemy Commission's upper ranks remained uninformed.
"Everything is ready," Fu Xuan replied calmly.
"Once the remaining Disciples are captured—"
"We move to arrest Tingyun."
Jing Yuan nodded.
Fu Xuan might appear delicate—
But she was one of the next General candidates.
Patience and control were essential.
"And you, General?" Fu Xuan asked.
"What will you do?"
Jing Yuan looked toward Scalegorge Waterscape.
"Me?"
"Settle old matters."
"Meet old friends."
"During that time, all Cloud Knights are under your command."
Memories surfaced—then dissipated like clouds.
Elsewhere—
Tingyun was already exposed.
She simply didn't know it yet.
Humming happily, she arrived at the Alchemy Commission—
Only to see two familiar figures talking with Cloud Knights.
Pink hair.
Gray hair.
And standing before them—
A short, pink-haired Divination Commission prodigy.
"Lady Fu Xuan!"
"Disciple Leader Dan Shu has been captured—thanks to Miss March and Miss Stelle!"
"Good. Encircle and exterminate the remaining abominations!"
"Yes!"
Cloud Knights surged forward.
These weren't just Arbor-spawned monsters—
But inner disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
Dan Shu stared blankly.
"…Why…?"
"Why did this happen… I gave them the pills…"
"Pills? I didn't eat them," Stelle said innocently.
"Evan said never eat strangers' food. What if it's poison?"
"Nice hit though! Uncle Yang's strike went straight between the brows!"
"No… impossible…"
"This isn't over!"
"The Divine Envoy said—once the Arbor revives, everything will be fine!"
"The one who gave us the Stellaron said—"
"Gave you the Stellaron?" Fu Xuan stepped forward, lifting Dan Shu's chin.
"You mean Tingyun from the Whistling Flames Commerce Guild?"
"Other than the Alchemy Commission, all Five Commissions already know her identity."
"You thought we weren't watching her?"
"!!!"
Hidden in the shadows—
Phantylia's heart stopped.
Then—
An overwhelming rage erupted.
So that's it.
You played me like a fool.
You trapped me from the start.
"Fine."
"Then I'll tear this place apart!"
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