Heaven Sword Sect
Li Huang smirked coldly. He didn't quite understand how he knew the method of refining pills, but after reading the book on alchemy, he managed to do it with remarkable skill. It felt strange to him, but he chose not to dwell on it for now. Instead, he swallowed the freshly refined pill immediately. The glossy black pill quickly absorbed into his body. Suddenly, the spiritual energy stored within the pill burst forth violently. Li Huang's body trembled as the immense power surged through him, stimulating his meridians and pressure points with intense force.
Immediately, his cultivation began to surge.
Spirit Sea, Level 3
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Spirit Sea, Level 7
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Spirit Sea, Level 9
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Golden Core, Level 2
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Golden Core, Level 6
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Golden Core, Level 8
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Soul Formation, Level 4
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Soul Formation, Level 9
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Nirvana, Level 1
Finally, his cultivation stopped at Nirvana, Level 1. The spiritual energy surrounding him radiated brightly, swirling powerfully. His aura was overwhelming, causing the entire scripture chamber to tremble from the power he unleashed.
Li Huang smiled slightly. "Hmm... I'd say that was a success."
He began to stabilize and consolidate his newfound power. This process took several hours, and time passed swiftly until the morning sunlight shone through the open windows of the scripture chamber. Li Huang opened his eyes once more, taking a deep breath before murmuring softly, "Satisfactory."
Standing up with his newfound strength, he turned to face the window, gazing out over the capital of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty as the new day began. People were starting their daily routines, and Li Huang smiled.
Li Huang knew that merely controlling the Heavenly Flame Dynasty wasn't enough. He needed to establish a new, stronger foundation. He needed loyal ministers and generals who were truly capable, unlike the weak and incompetent ones of the past.
At the Sword Sect, the Grand Elder stood in the middle of the training grounds, his face filled with rage. When he received the news that Sun Hao's head, one of his most important disciples, was being displayed at the capital of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty, his eyes burned with hatred. Clenching his fist, he prepared to seek out the sect leader immediately.
But before he could act, the ground trembled violently, leaving everyone in the Sword Sect stunned and panicked. This was no ordinary earthquake. Elders and disciples rushed out of their quarters, gathering to find the source of the tremor.
As they searched for the origin, they discovered that the earthquake was caused by a massive shadow sword wave hurtling toward the Sword Sect. Its speed and power left most unable to evade it in time. The sect was split in two by the force of the blade, shattering buildings and training grounds, while explosions and screams echoed throughout.
The sect leader and a dozen ancestors at the Nirvana level flew out from the depths of the sect with great speed. They stared at the destruction of their sect in disbelief.
The sect leader stood tall, his heart filled with dread, for the figure in the sky clearly possessed cultivation beyond the Nirvana level. He tried to hide his fear and addressed the figure politely.
"Who are you... Our Sword Sect has never done anything to offend you. If any of our disciples or elders have wronged you, I am willing to find them and make amends."
Qing Ying, the leader of the Shadow Abyss Division, stood in the sky with her sword in hand. She smirked coldly and spoke with merciless calm. "The emperor has ordered your heads."
Seeing the determination in her eyes, fear spread through the sect leader's body. He bowed his head and spoke with a trembling voice, "The Sword Sect surrenders to the Heavenly Flame Dynasty. I swear my loyalty... No, I swear my loyalty to Emperor Li Huang!"
Qing Ying ignored his words. Her sword gleamed as she swung it down upon the Sword Sect. Everyone in the sect braced themselves for the attack.
Suddenly, the screams of the sect leader and the Nirvana-level ancestors pierced the air. Qing Ying's blade sliced through their bodies swiftly, cutting them apart as blood sprayed across the entire Sword Sect. Amid the howling winds, none could withstand or evade Qing Ying's assault. The remains of those who attempted to flee were sliced to pieces and fell to the ground.
As the screams faded, Qing Ying stood in the midst of the battlefield, her eyes cold and sharp. She raised her hand, casting a powerful spell. Immediately, the shadows on the ground began to move unnaturally. The shadows of all living beings within her domain, be they disciples hiding in the sect or nearby spirit beasts, pierced through their own bodies with deadly speed.
Screams erupted as both humans and spirit beasts were slain by their own shadows. Bodies fell to the ground, blood spilling from the wounds inflicted by the shadows. Everything happened in an instant; even those who tried to hide were killed by their shadows, and all lives within the area met the same fate—death by their own shadows.
Qing Ying stood amidst the silence, turning away as she left the once-great Sword Sect reduced to ruins. Nothing remained; the sect that had once been hailed as the greatest in the Heavenly Flame Dynasty was now erased from history forever.