Clashing of Swords at the Precipice

Clashing of Swords at the Precipice...

Under the shroud of night, a profound silence enveloped the sword range's vicinity. A line of figures directed their attention towards the demon sword thrust deep into the earth, pondering when the fateful moment would arrive for someone with the power to extract it.

"Let's begin," Zong Yi commanded, his decisive nature shining through. As the one holding the most authority in the Zong Clan, he had promptly embraced Qin Wentian's proposal. His anticipation for the day they could reclaim the pinnacle of Grand Xia brimmed with hope.

Clan Lord Zong Yi possessed a vision and audacity that exceeded even the old men of the White Deer Institute.

Presently, their survival in the Sword Reverence City was untenable. The Heavenly Sword Sect and the War Continent's Wang Clan had united their forces and might soon move against the Zong Clan. In light of this, they had to accelerate the excavation of the sword range without any regard for the other factions.

The natural swords originated from the sword range due to the energy fluctuations emanating from the demon sword. As these ancient swords took shape, they exuded sword intent. Previously, when the three powers unearthed these ancient swords, they exercised caution, weighing long-term benefits against greed. They only collected fully formed swords pulsating with sword intent.

However, the situation had evolved. With the Wang Clan and Heavenly Sword Sect conspiring against them, why should they worry about preserving the sword range? It made sense to destroy it, ensuring that no remnants benefited other powers.

The members of the Zong Clan nodded and dispersed in all directions, diligently executing their orders. They brandished their swords, slicing through the surroundings to gather the ancient swords.

Zong Yi and Qin Wentian maintained their positions from when Qin Wentian had spoken earlier. "Uncle Zong, I'm concerned that the Heavenly Sword Sect might deduce our intentions. If the Wang Clan truly intends to act against the Zong Clan, they'll likely utilize the Heavenly Sword Sect to monitor our movements."

"I'm aware," Zong Yi replied, nodding. "That's why I arranged for the weaker members to depart within a single day and swiftly initiated this plan. I only require one night, and if they happen to appear now, we'll have no choice but to confront them head-on."

"It seems like Uncle Zong has thoroughly assessed all possible scenarios," Qin Wentian remarked with a slight nod. He continued, "I'll go take a closer look at the demon sword."

"Wentian, that sword is profoundly malevolent. Exercise extreme caution as you approach it. Avoid any contact with the demon sword's body, and ensure not a drop of your blood touches it," Zong Yi cautioned. The two of them walked forward, drawing nearer to the colossal demon sword, which stood over a thousand meters tall.

A terrifying surge of sword intent permeated the air. Qin Wentian extended his perception outward, and he could hear the sword's lament, akin to the anguished cries of demons. In the next moment, he felt a barrage of swords hurtling toward him. He hastily shut down all six of his senses, ceasing his use of perception to listen to the sword's eerie cries. Another moment longer, and he wouldn't have been able to withstand the eerie sound.

Eventually, Zong Yi and Qin Wentian stood in the air above the demon sword. Staring at the massive sword hilt, Qin Wentian inquired, "Uncle Zong, this sword has been here for so long, and even the people from the War Continent knew of its existence. Yet, why has no one been able to claim it until today?"

"You can attempt it, but avoid touching the sword's body," Zong Yi replied. Qin Wentian nodded slightly as he descended, approaching the sword hilt. He gripped it with both hands, exerting his full strength to pull it out. Nevertheless, the demon sword remained as securely embedded in the ground as before, refusing to budge.

"You can't fathom how deeply entrenched this sword is in the earth. Experts from my Zong Clan, the Li Clan, and the Heavenly Sword Sect have all attempted to retrieve it, but none could succeed," Zong Yi explained, wearing a smile. "Moreover, this sword behaves like a true demon. If you come into contact with its body, it will drain you of your blood entirely. So, under any circumstance, do not make contact or allow your blood to touch it."

After a brief attempt, Qin Wentian stepped away from the demon sword. Zong Yi's explanation had made him realize the arduousness of the task.

Suddenly, Zong Yi's brows furrowed, and he sighed. "I didn't expect them to respond so quickly. I'm quite reluctant about this."

Zong Yi then called out, "Zong Clan members, gather!"

As his voice reverberated, the Zong Clan members who had been excavating across the sword range halted their efforts. Their figures flickered, and they appeared beside Zong Yi.

Taking a step into the air, Zong Yi ascended slowly. Moments later, the sounds of whistling swords filled the air as several figures materialized, standing on both sides of the precipice.

Upon seeing these newcomers, the Zong Clan members' expressions turned notably unsightly.

"The control rights of the sword range belong to my Zong Clan. What is the Heavenly Sword Sect doing here, along with the Li Clan? Are you up to something?" Zong Yi questioned icily. So, these two groups consisted of experts from the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan, who had come together, yet there was no sign of anyone from the Wang Clan.

Li Zhentian peered down at the sword range as he remarked, "The Zong Clan isn't here to excavate the sword range, are you? You plan to destroy it, correct?"

Zong Yi's expression turned frosty. "Does the Li Clan also wish to be a part of this?"

The union of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan implied a significant motive—the Wang Clan. The Wang Clan must have enticed the Li Clan with something of immense value that overshadowed the potential risk involved in this operation. In other words, while acting against the Zong Clan, the Li Clan must have considered the possibility of becoming the Wang Clan's next target.

Qin Wentian also sighed inwardly, noting how swiftly the Wang Clan had moved. They hadn't even given the Zong Clan a full 24 hours before rallying the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan to monitor their actions.

As for why the Wang Clan hadn't dispatched their own members, it was likely due to their fear of the completed Divine Stele's power. They wanted to use the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan as guinea pigs to assess its capabilities. If the Divine Stele was still as formidable as it had been a year ago, the Wang Clan would wait for a more opportune moment to act. Regrettably, the ancient will of the Divine Stele had weakened considerably after the previous intense battle, rendering it incapable of launching further attacks.

"Hehe, members of the Zong Clan are free to leave, but the Sword Son of the Zong Clan must remain," declared Jian Wuyou, the leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect. His words caused Qin Wentian's gaze to narrow.

The Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan had explicitly mentioned his name, indicating that they aimed to keep him under their control. Undoubtedly, this directive had come directly from the Wang Clan.

Zong Yi coldly directed his gaze at Jian Wuyou and said, "As long as the Zong Clan lives, the Sword Son shall live."

"Zong Yi, the Zong Clan boasts a long and storied history. Why would you consign your clan to eternal damnation with no hope of redemption, all for the sake of one person? I know all of your clan's elites are present here today, and the same holds true for us. Currently, individuals from both our sides are already pursuing your remaining clan members. You should think this through carefully," Jian Wuyou threatened Zong Yi, his aura growing colder. He wasn't eager to engage in battle unless absolutely necessary.

A conflict would lead to the Zong Clan's annihilation, but both the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan would suffer catastrophic losses as well. This was not the outcome he desired. While there were grievances between them and the Zong Clan, they were not severe enough to warrant mutual extermination.

The real issue lay with the Wang Clan, which had issued commands for the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan to act, yet hadn't made an appearance themselves. They had only made verbal assurances to provide support at a critical juncture.

"Zong Yi, even if you don't care about yourselves, do you not care about the safety of the other members of your Zong Clan? Risking the annihilation of your clan for a mere youth. Is it truly worth it?" Li Tianzhen chimed in.

Zong Yi chuckled coldly. "Are you truly willing to engage in an all-out battle with my clan to the death, incurring catastrophic losses solely because of a command from the Wang Clan? Even if my entire clan is wiped out, I will ensure that each of my clan members' deaths will be repaid with your blood. After that, what will you gain if the Wang Clan secures control of the sword range? I'm afraid shortly thereafter, the three major powers of the Sword Reverence City will vanish, to be replaced by others. Have you all considered that carefully?" Zong Yi's voice reverberated across the sword range, his tone chilling, as he confronted the members of the other two powers with the unvarnished truth.

In reality, none of the three major powers desired an all-out confrontation.

"We must keep Qin Wentian. Zong Yi, if you won't yield, we have no choice but to fight," declared Jian Wuyou, the leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect. He lacked Zong Yi's fortitude and would not make the same choice as him, abandoning the Heavenly Sword Sect's status and reputation in the Sword Reverence City to relocate to some remote location.

Zong Yi turned to address his clan members. "Tonight's situation was beyond my expectations, and I have implicated all of you. Nevertheless, none of my clan members are cowards who fear death. I, Zong Yi, swear that I will be the last from our clan to leave this place. Now go, protect the Sword Son and retreat."

As Zong Yi's command rang out, the Zong Clan's experts ascended into the skies, unleashing a formidable sword intent that filled the air, stifling everyone's movements.

"ATTACK!"

The members of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan acted swiftly and resolutely.

With matters having escalated to this point, a battle was the only way to resolve the conflict.

Their swords emitted brilliant glows that illuminated the night sky. Whether from the Li Clan or the Heavenly Sword Sect, their elite practitioners united their forces, consolidating their sword energy into a single sword beam that slashed out with irresistible might.

Simultaneously, members of the Zong Clan ascended into the sky, arranging themselves into a meticulously structured formation. Observant individuals would discern that a total of 81 cultivators had combined their powers to manifest an enormous ancient sword.

"Sword Formation!"

Upon witnessing this formation, everyone understood its nature—a sword formation.

The Zong Clan's members within the formation shifted about in ever-changing positions, unleashing their Astral Souls and Astral Novas. Suddenly, ten beams of swordlight descended from the sky, each carrying a destructive will.

In an instant, several opponents were cleaved asunder, and a profound sword scar tore through the void, showering the ground with blood like raindrops.

"The Zong Clan's Singularity Sword Formation. It utilizes the Doyens as its core, harnessing the strength of 81 cultivators to condense their power into a single sword, resulting in terrifying might with each strike," the members of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan thought, recalling the legendary supreme sword formation of the Zong Clan. While they had heard rumors of it before, this marked the first time they had witnessed the Zong Clan's members employing it in public.

"Nine Swords Linking the Heavens!"

Jian Wuyou shouted, lifting his left hand toward the sky while clutching his left wrist with his right hand. Suddenly, potent sword intent radiated from him as a Heavenly Dipper Sword ruptured through space. Behind him, eight more silhouettes appeared—the Nine Great Heavenly Swords of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Focus," Jian Wuyou instructed, pointing at the sky. In an instant, the keening of his sword resounded through the heavens. The other eight imitated his actions as the nine swords soared into the air, forming a circle. Their boundless sword intent merged and descended upon the sword formation composed of 81 Zong Clan cultivators.

Meanwhile, the Li Clan engaged in one-on-one combat against the other members of the Zong Clan. Although their individual combat prowess was formidable, they suffered significant casualties under the sword formation's might.

The three major powers had never engaged in an all-out battle before because they were all wary of one another. None of them dared to claim absolute superiority, and each kept their hidden trump cards close to their chests.

The Singularity Sword Formation was one of the Zong Clan's most closely guarded secrets, practiced only in a concealed training ground deep within their clan. Outsiders had only heard its name but had never witnessed its actual might.

Qin Wentian soon realized that he was encircled by approximately ten sword formations, with him at the center. Although his individual combat skills surpassed those of peers at his level, no one could predict the outcome of a large-scale chaotic battle.

"This isn't good." At this moment, Qin Wentian saw Jian Wuyou employing the Nine Swords Linking the Heavens to pierce the sword formation and destroy it. The Li Clan collaborated seamlessly, recognizing that to kill the Zong Clan's members, they had to disrupt the sword formation, which was the source of their power. Consequently, the Li Clan's experts rushed forward as a collective, regardless of the consequences.

Now that the battle had begun, it was an all-or-nothing clash that would determine who lived and who perished!