High above the clouds.
Qi Tianhe had been watching the unfolding events all along.
The Xuanyuan Sword could not be lost.
Therefore.
When Ji Xianyan learned that the Tianshan Sword Sect was bringing its entire force to Suzhou and Hangzhou, preparing to attack Bai Zihe, she dispatched him here.
And the battles that preceded...
Qi Tianhe had naturally seen them all.
From Bai Zihe's single sword strike that threw the Old Man of Heavenly Sword into disarray.
To Bai Zihe's single sword strike that shattered the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortal Slaying Array.
The surprises Bai Zihe presented to Qi Tianhe were one after another, leaving him somewhat overwhelmed, even struggling to accept them!
The strength of the Old Man of Heavenly Sword...
Qi Tianhe was quite aware of it; even he might not have been able to win so quickly.
As for the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortal Slaying Array, he dared not even attempt it, never mind stepping into it, fearing he would perish within.
Yet Bai Zihe...
Not only succeeded, but did so cleanly and decisively, making one suspect he was cheating.
Although he knew that the Xuanyuan Sword possessed supreme divine might, for the Xuanyuan to unleash its power placed extremely high demands on its wielder!
Given Bai Zihe's cultivation at the Mahayana realm, he could, at most, display the first layer of the Xuanyuan Sword's might, not possess such overwhelming suppressive force!
It could only be said that apart from the Xuanyuan Sword, Bai Zihe likely harbored other secrets.
And later.
Qi Tianhe saw the Old Man of Heavenly Sword absorb the cultivation of all his fellow disciples to strengthen himself, and could no longer remain seated!
This was a method only the demonic sects would employ!
Of course, events unfolded rapidly. Before he could fully process the latest news, he sensed the demonic aura emanating from the Old Man of Heavenly Sword.
Demonic aura...
As the matter was of great importance, he immediately sent a message to Ji Xianyan via jade slip, informing her of everything.
"What?"
"The Old Man of Heavenly Sword is also corrupted by demonic aura?"
Ji Xianyan was stunned.
Just moments ago, she had received the dire news that the Master of the Southern Sea Divine Observatory was corrupted by demonic aura, and now she heard of the Old Man of Heavenly Sword...
"I'm coming over immediately."
Ji Xianyan said, then severed the connection.
Others might not understand the danger and origin of demonic aura, but as the Palace Master of Xuanyuan Palace, she certainly did, and had dealt with it many times.
She knew better than anyone.
In fact...
Each so-called great tribulation of heaven and earth was actually orchestrated by demonic aura behind the scenes.
Demonic aura, despite sounding like a presence that causes one to become a demon, was not precisely that.
It was a phenomenon containing a peculiar energy and imbued with ill omens.
It did not target ordinary people, only those with formidable strength!
It would subtly mislead them, tempt them with power, and ultimately achieve the goal of merging the demonic aura with these powerful individuals!
In this manner.
Demonic aura found a vessel, and slowly eroded their sanity, eventually occupying the bodies of these experts to achieve its unspeakable secrets.
On the battlefield.
The battle between Bai Zihe and the Old Man of Heavenly Sword grew fiercer.
At this moment, the Old Man of Heavenly Sword...
Resembled a human-shaped divine sword, constantly darting around Bai Zihe, and each time, unleashing streaks of sword energy.
This sword energy...
Was not like the previous sword energy; the pure power contained within it made Bai Zihe inwardly marvel, and furthermore, it was heavily imbued with malevolent energy.
If one was not careful and the malevolent energy entered the body, Bai Zihe would have to divert his attention to deal with it, thus greatly reducing his combat effectiveness.
"Swish..."
Bai Zihe was not to be outdone.
The Xuanyuan Sword was swung again and again, each time unleashing sword energy.
However...
The previously invincible sword energy, imbued with Weak Water, was no longer as fatal to the Old Man of Heavenly Sword!
Although it still caused him discomfort.
It was no longer enough to make him fearful!
This was the true reason for Bai Zihe's astonishment!
One had to know...
Weak Water, when reaching a certain level of power, could not be withstood even by the immortal bodies of celestial beings; it would corrode them, making them extremely wary and reluctant to come into contact with even a drop.
Yet the Old Man of Heavenly Sword...
Despite clearly still possessing the cultivation of the Grand Completion of the Tribulation Realm, how could he withstand it directly?
Bai Zihe quickly figured it out.
It must be due to that peculiar black energy, which significantly amplified the Old Man of Heavenly Sword's true essence, thereby granting him the strength to resist Weak Water.
And the more this was the case...
The more solemn Bai Zihe's heart became.
That peculiar black energy...
If it contaminated enough powerful individuals, wouldn't it lead to a disaster of world-ending proportions?
Suddenly, Bai Zihe had an epiphany.
Perhaps.
Behind this peculiar black energy lay the true reason for the "great change in heaven and earth" spoken of by the Dragon Emperor, and the reason for the fear of many immortal sects.
"Boom..."
Another sword energy attack came.
The Old Man of Heavenly Sword cackled incessantly: "Bai Zihe..."
"Now that my demonic body has achieved minor success, even with the Xuanyuan Sword in your hand, you may not be my opponent!"
"Today..."
"As long as I slay you here and obtain the Xuanyuan Sword, I shall be able to kill my way through the entire cultivation world!"
"By then..."
"Darkness will inevitably descend, enshrouding all things in the world. This is the world that should be,桀桀桀..."
Bai Zihe was a bit bewildered.
The Old Man of Heavenly Sword's goal was actually to kill all cultivators?
This!
Was both arrogant and insane.
There was also an indescribable, peculiar ferocity.
As if...
He was about to transform into a demon that would slaughter all beings!
Yes, a demon!
The moment this thought arose in Bai Zihe's mind, it felt incredibly apt. The Old Man of Heavenly Sword before him was no longer the Old Man of Heavenly Sword!
He was a demon!
"Buzz..."
At this very instant.
The Xuanyuan Sword suddenly vibrated.
As if...
Instinctively hostile towards the Old Man of Heavenly Sword before him, it wished to kill him swiftly, to make him disappear from this world completely!
No, to be precise.
The Xuanyuan Sword was hostile to the dense demonic aura that had just emanated from the Old Man of Heavenly Sword, wanting to destroy and erase it!
"This is..."
Bai Zihe felt the vibration of the Xuanyuan Sword and couldn't help but be moved inwardly.
It seemed.
The Xuanyuan Sword was quite repulsed by this thing!
"Then try me!"
Bai Zihe snorted coldly, staring at the Old Man of Heavenly Sword before him, his starry eyes showing no trace of fear: "See if I can kill you!"
"Swish..."
As his words fell, Bai Zihe suddenly stopped in mid-air.
Grasping the Xuanyuan Sword, he raised it above his head.
"Heaven Splitting!"
The next moment, as Bai Zihe let out a great roar, the Xuanyuan Sword in his hand descended with it.
A giant sword of light, resplendent to the extreme, instantly plummeted from the sky.
The sword of light possessed boundless power and infinite momentum.
As soon as it appeared.
It caused the entire world to dim.
Clouds gathered, and the sky turned dark.
Only this sword remained.
Invincible, and unrivaled!
"Hm?"
"This sword..."
"How can it possess such power?"
Upon seeing this sword, the Old Man of Heavenly Sword's expression changed drastically.
He became shocked.
He became terrified.
For the first time, fear appeared on his face!
Before, although Bai Zihe was powerful, he had never been afraid of Bai Zihe.
But now, he was genuinely scared.
This sword...
Seemed to possess the ability to slay him on the spot; how could he not be afraid?
"Whoosh..."
Without hesitation, the Old Man of Heavenly Sword joined his hands, and countless streaks of sword energy emerged frantically.
However, although this sword energy was strong, with each strike capable of blocking sword energy bearing the essence of Weak Water, before this single sword strike, it was so humble, so minuscule.
It was like.
A firefly encountering the sun.
A grain of sand thrown into the ocean.
There was no comparison, and it stirred no ripples.
It was crushed directly, undoubtedly crushed.
The Old Man of Heavenly Sword's heart pounded, leaving him with only one thought: escape!
Escape as far as possible, flee as fast as possible.
However.
Just as he prepared to act, he discovered that the space around him had already been sealed... locked, making escape impossible!