Tianshan Sword Sect.
Outside a hidden mountain gate.
"Sect Master!"
"Something big has happened, Sect Master!"
"Sect Master, the Third Elder is dead. Before he died, he revealed a message: Bai Zihe possesses the Xuanyuan Sword, and also, a mine's spirit stone reserves!"
"Sect Master, how should we respond? Please instruct us!"
This place.
Was the seclusion spot of the Tianshan Sword Sect's Sect Master, the Heavenly Sword Elder.
As the sect master of an immortal sect, his strength had long reached the peak of the Tribulation Crossing stage!
However...
Currently, the spiritual energy was scarce, and various treasures, rare herbs, and the like were far less abundant and of lower quality than before.
Therefore.
Most masters at the Great Perfection of the Tribulation Crossing stage lacked absolute confidence in overcoming the lightning tribulation, and they all chose to go into seclusion.
By sealing their acupoints and severing their connection with heaven and earth, they aimed to reduce the perception of the Heavenly Dao and delay the arrival of the Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation.
The Heavenly Sword Elder was one of them.
Under normal circumstances, if there were no major issues, the disciples of the Tianshan Sword Sect would absolutely not dare to come here to disturb him.
But...
Now that the news of the Xuanyuan Sword had spread, coupled with a mine's worth of spirit stones, these were resources capable of changing the fate of an individual, or even a sect.
And thus, this scene unfolded.
"I said..."
Just then, an ancient and indifferent voice came from within, with a hint of anger: "Do not disturb me unless it is important!"
His voice was soft.
But to the Tianshan Sword Sect disciples present, it sounded like rolling thunder, the ethereal sound of the Great Dao, making them submit and revere from the bottom of their hearts.
"Sect Master!"
The Great Elder stepped forward, his voice deep, "You can check the jade slip that the Third Elder gave you."
Silence ensued within.
Then...
"Rumble!"
A sky-shattering sound erupted, and the mountain cave exploded, turning into countless gravel and fragments that shot out in all directions.
Far more than that.
As the gravel reached mid-air, it all exploded, turning into wisps of smoke and disappearing into the heavens and earth.
A moment ago.
This small mountain, spanning a hundred zhang in circumference and dozens of zhang in height, had been reduced to dust in an instant, as if it had never existed!
The Sect Master of the Tianshan Sword Sect was terrifyingly powerful!
This was the strength of the Great Perfection of the Tribulation Crossing stage.
Although.
Qin Changkong also possessed the strength of the Tribulation Crossing stage, compared to him, he was like a mere puddle compared to the heavens, with no room for comparison!
"Whoosh!"
Then.
A figure suddenly appeared before the many disciples of the Tianshan Sword Sect.
This person's beard and hair were all white, yet impeccably arranged, not looking at all disheveled. His face was ruddy and his spirit exceptionally vigorous.
The muscles on his face were extremely full, without a single wrinkle or sag.
Especially his eyes.
They were piercing and sharp, and a single glance felt as though it could penetrate the soul, seeing through all things in the mortal world, leaving no secrets untold.
It caused everyone to be greatly shocked, daring not to meet his gaze.
He was the Sect Master of the Tianshan Sword Sect!
The Heavenly Sword Elder.
And also, one of the most powerful experts in the entire Great Xia Longevity Realm!
His swordplay had long reached the realm of perfection, said to be able to cleave open the Heavenly Gate and resonate with the Sword Immortals in the Nine Heavens!
However...
He still lacked confidence in overcoming the Nine-Layered Lightning Tribulation, so he remained in the human world. (Note: '筷書閣' is likely a placeholder or extraneous text, excluded as per instructions.)
"The Third Elder is dead?"
The Heavenly Sword Elder looked around and asked in a deep voice.
"Yes."
The Great Elder did not dwell on this matter for too long, as death was a daily occurrence in the Longevity Realm. As long as it wasn't himself who died, it wasn't a major problem.
Moreover.
Qin Changkong had transmitted such important intelligence.
But what made the Great Elder and the others very displeased was that they had already learned that Qin Changkong had not only sent this news back to the Tianshan Sword Sect but also to all the cultivators he knew.
This undoubtedly increased the difficulty of their contention significantly.
"Sect Master, what should we do now?"
"Bai Zihe..."
The Heavenly Sword Elder pondered for a moment, then said, "Since he is coming from Yulong Mountain and heading towards the Tianshan Sword Sect, we naturally have to give him a good welcome."
"Then..."
The Great Elder glanced in the direction of Kunlun Mountain, saying with some concern, "The order from the Palace Master of Xuanyuan Palace, we..."
"It's fine."
Before the Great Elder could finish speaking, the Heavenly Sword Elder knew what he wanted to express. He waved his hand to interrupt and said with a cold laugh, "Although Ji Xianyuan is powerful, she cannot stand against our entire Longevity Realm alone."
"This time..."
"The resources on Bai Zihe are enough to make everyone's eyes turn red. Even if Ji Xianyuan brings all the disciples of Xuanyuan Palace, she may not be able to save Bai Zihe."
"Moreover, who knows..."
"Ji Xianyuan herself might want to take the Xuanyuan Sword?"
The Great Elder's expression improved considerably.
Ji Xianyuan, as the foremost figure below immortal, was undoubtedly powerful, a mountain that pressed down on every cultivator, an insurmountable hurdle.
Since the Sect Master had said so, he no longer had to worry about these matters.
"Then how should we respond?"
At this moment, everyone else also pricked up their ears.
"Kill Bai Zihe."
"Seize the Xuanyuan Sword."
"Take the spirit stones."
The Heavenly Sword Elder spoke without reservation.
"Yes!"
"We respectfully obey the Sect Master's command!"
All the cultivators of the Tianshan Sword Sect present responded in unison.
"Sect Master, there is one more thing..."
The Great Elder spoke with some hesitation.
"Speak."
"The marriage between the Young Sect Master and the Divine Maiden of the South Sea is set, but that Divine Maiden of the South Sea has suddenly disappeared. What do you think..."
The Divine Maiden of the South Sea had disappeared!
The Heavenly Sword Elder's brow furrowed slightly.
The Divine Maiden of the South Sea was exceptionally talented. Her cultivation of the South Sea Heart Sutra had reached the Great Perfection, making her the best auxiliary for his son's cultivation technique.
Furthermore.
The Divine Maiden of the South Sea held a high position in the South Sea Divine Temple, and it was highly likely she would obtain that treasure in the forbidden area of the South Sea...
This was why the Heavenly Sword Elder valued her so highly.
But now.
She had actually run away?
"It's fine."
After weighing the pros and cons, the Heavenly Sword Elder said faintly, "First, deal with Bai Zihe, and then, go look for the Divine Maiden of the South Sea."
"I believe..."
"The South Sea Divine Temple will pay more attention to information about her than we will."
"Yes!"
The Great Elder immediately complied.
"Now..."
The Heavenly Sword Elder looked into the distance and commanded, "Follow me. With overwhelming force, capture Bai Zihe, leaving him no chance or possibility of escape."
Bai Zihe's location was the closest to the Tianshan Sword Sect.
Faced with such immense temptation.
There would absolutely be no small number of people who would come to intercept Bai Zihe, wanting to kill or capture him, it all depended on their methods and strength.
"Yes!"
The Great Elder shouted loudly.
Subsequently.
Streams of rainbow light streaked across the sky, heading towards Yulong Mountain where Bai Zihe was.
Eagerly, fearing being half a second slower!