World of Cultivation Nine Hundred and Ten – Lin Qian’s Sword

The news that Wei Sheng had cleaved the main peak of Kun Lun was so earth-shattering that the surrender of Mo Shen Temple to the Nether King paled in comparison.

The mo, however, were an exception. Every mo’s attention was fixed upon the Nether King’s army in the Hundred Savage Realm. The animosity the Hundred Savage Realm mo held for the Nether King had significantly lessened. Wei Sheng’s triumphant campaign against Kun Lun compelled the mo to re-evaluate the standing of a god-level expert. Even an entity as formidable as Kun Lun had been pushed to such desperation by Wei Sheng.

God-level—that was the absolute zenith of this world. A faction without a god-level expert was destined for defeat. Among the mo, only the Nether King held such a title. This realization caused much of their prior enmity to fade, replaced by a sense of security. The mo possessed their own god-level protector.

A collective hope for peace began to spread. The Nether King was undeniably the most suitable individual to unite the mo.

The internal strife within Mo Shen Temple, leading to the subsequent coup, was reportedly triggered by the Chief Mo God’s decision to conscript and sacrifice the populace. This revelation did not surprise many. In the eyes of numerous individuals, Mo Shen Temple had already demonstrated remarkable resilience in enduring the immense pressure for so long.

Following the initial astonishment, a wave of celebration swept through the mo.

The mo were united!

After millennia, the mo were finally reunited. Historically, every unification of the mo marked the dawn of a golden age of prosperity. They had ample reason to believe that a completely new future awaited them.

The King of Mo!

With the Chief Mo God slain, the rhinoceros mo god refused to remain under the new regime. He departed from Mo Shen Temple, returning to his homeland to assume leadership of his clan. Mo Shen Temple retained the Youxi Battalion and Shui Yue Battalion. Wu Le was appointed as the new king’s personal bodyguard. All other leadership positions were filled by appointments from the new king.

The four premier battalions of the mo quickly took shape.

Liang Wei’s King’s Horn became the first of the mo battalions. The remaining three were: Qi Wei’s Qi Battalion, Youxi Ya Ke’s Youxi Battalion, and Shui Yue’s Shui Yue Battalion.

An Mo was appointed as the first mo commander. The sole unexpected appointment was Zhu Nan Yue, who became the initial advisor to An Mo’s strategic council.

Thanks to the groundwork Zuo Mo had already laid with Princess Xia and the Lan brothers, the transition proceeded without a hitch.

“Mu Xi Daren, your residence has been prepared. Please follow me,” a male shadow guard, clad in black, bowed respectfully before leading the way.

“This way,” Mu Xi replied, nodding as she followed with her own guards.

“Thank you for your courtesy!” the shadow guard responded with continued deference.

The guards accompanying Mu Xi displayed unnatural, cautious expressions. These seasoned warriors, accustomed to the battlefield and even death, felt a sense of unease in the presence of these shadow guards.

The Shadow Guard was an extraordinarily potent organization, serving as Ming Yue Ye Daren’s most trusted and sharpest implement. The past two years had seen an improvement, but in the years prior, it was these hidden figures who had systematically brought down and assassinated Ming Yue Ye Daren’s adversaries.

During the unprecedented purge of the yao ranks, the Shadow Guard’s effectiveness had been unparalleled.

Mu Xi observed the palpable discomfort of her guards. She, too, harbored reservations about the Shadow Guard but was unwilling to provoke them. Not only did the Shadow Guard boast the most formidable intelligence network, but they were also Ming Yue Ye Daren’s most trusted protectors.

Their leader, Youqin Lie, enjoyed a high degree of trust from Ming Yue Ye Daren.

Battle generals inherently harbored a dislike for these shadowy assassins. Concerns regarding the Shadow Guard’s amassed power had been voiced on more than one occasion. The sole solace was that Youqin Lie never engaged in power struggles and maintained a respectful demeanor towards other Daren. Nevertheless, apprehension lingered regarding Youqin Lie’s ruthless methods.

Mu Xi refocused her attention and inquired, “Has Bin Lan Daren arrived?”

“Bin Lan Daren arrived last night.”

Mu Xi understood the reason for Daren’s summons. The global political landscape had undergone drastic shifts recently. Kun Lun and Mo Cloud Sea had initiated hostilities, Lin Qian had suffered a defeat, the main peak of Kun Lun was sundered, and Kun Lun found itself in unprecedented peril.

Mu Xi and the others were stunned.

They were acutely aware of Kun Lun’s immense power.

Yet, before one crisis could subside, another erupted. Mo Shen Temple was suddenly embroiled in internal conflict, leading to the surrender of its three remaining mo gods to the Nether King.

The mo were united!

This development instilled a profound sense of immediate danger within the yao.

The unified strength of the Mo race was undeniable. Every instance of their unification marked a peak in their power and a surge in their expansionist ambitions.

The two paramount powers in the xiuzhe world were locked in a fierce conflict. The Nether King, wisely, abstained from direct involvement.

The Mo people possessed only a single, clear direction for their expansion.

The lands of the Yao!

For millennia, the Yao and Mo had maintained a harmonious coexistence. Typically, the Yao had little to fear from the fragmented Mo clans. However, a new King now sat on the Mo throne!

This Mo King, whose origins were shrouded in mystery, revealed his intentions with alarming swiftness upon his ascension. He spearheaded a formidable invasion of the Hundred Savage Realm, rapidly consolidating the Mo under his rule.

The new Mo King's aggressive expansionist agenda sent ripples of concern through the Yao territories.

Mu Xi, possessing sharp intellect, recognized the precariousness of the situation. The longstanding amity between the Yao and Mo stemmed from their shared adversaries. Yet, with the xiuzhe embroiled in internal strife, the Mo surging with power while the Yao faltered, would the Mo seize this golden opportunity to absorb the Yao?

Mu Xi's heart was likewise heavy with apprehension.

This was a summit of the highest caliber, drawing nearly all the principal figures of the Yao realm. A palpable tension permeated the assembly.

The outcome of this council would determine the very destiny of the Yao.

Gazing at the thick plumes of smoke ascending from the burning city, Bie Han decisively turned, ordering the Sin Battalion to withdraw without a second thought.

This marked the ninth major stronghold he had personally reduced to ashes.

Save for the battalions stationed at the Kun Lun borders, whose fear of acting kept them immobilized, virtually all other Kun Lun forces had been recalled to bolster the defense of the main peak. Lin Qian was conspicuously absent, as was Xue Dong; Kun Lun itself was plunged into utter disarray, its remaining forces reacting only on sheer instinct.

But how could the thinly defended borders withstand the onslaught of Gongsun Cha, Bie Han, and Yang Yuan Hao?

The three battalions breached the defenses with minimal resistance. Before them lay the vast, desolate expanse of Kun Lun.

Conquest was not the objective for Gongsun Cha and his cohorts.

Kun Lun's dominion over these territories had been cemented over thousands of years. The myriad factions scattered throughout these lands mounted a fierce resistance, and any attempt by Mo Cloud Sea to subjugate these regions would result in its battalions being bogged down by incessant rebellions.

Thus, the strategy devised by Gongsun Cha and his lieutenants was brutally simple and direct.

Inflict relentless damage upon Kun Lun's vital production capacity and its critical infrastructure!

Everywhere their path led, they did not conquer but instead laid waste. While this form of devastation would not deliver an immediate death blow to Kun Lun, it was akin to inflicting a thousand grievous wounds upon its colossal body.

The hemorrhaging would persist, and Kun Lun would inevitably grow weaker with the passage of time.

Following in the wake of the three elite battalions were the first-rate battalions, including those led by Ma Fan and Tang Fei. Gongsun Cha understood that such an opportunity might never present itself again. He withheld nothing, mobilizing every single one of his first-class and elite battalions.

They advanced behind the vanguard of the three top-tier battalions, penetrating the immense heartland of Kun Lun.

Time!

The most crucial element was time!

Gongsun Cha issued a strict command: all battalions were to evacuate Kun Lun within a ten-day period.

Defensive jinzhi forts were being erected around the clock along the frontiers of Mo Cloud Sea. Kun Lun, having suffered such immense losses, was highly likely to seek retribution.

During these intervening weeks, the skies above Kun Lun were perpetually choked with smoke.

Their sect leader had fallen, the main peak had been desecrated, and countless cities reduced to cinders...

In the span of a single night, Kun Lun appeared to have reached its final reckoning.

By the time the people of Kun Lun managed to muster a coherent response, the battalions of Mo Cloud Sea had already vanished without a trace.

Witnessing Kun Lun ravaged and bleeding, a collective cry of anguish rose from its people.

Lin Qian felt an overwhelming desire to cease existing.

Kun Lun was left weeping, trampled under the relentless advance of Mo Cloud Sea. Though Kun Lun had been defeated by Wei Sheng's blade, at this moment, he could not emerge, could not fight for his beloved Kun Lun. He was confined to this secluded cavern, compelled to heal.

Lin Qian clutched the Immemorial Sword with white knuckles. His once handsome features were now gaunt, his complexion unnaturally pale. In just a few dozen days, he had visibly wasted away, his form noticeably thinner. His bloodless lips moved, and tears streamed from his vacant eyes, cascading down his face.

"Master, I am sorry!"

"I am sorry..."

Every shred of his former pride had been utterly shattered. Kun Lun represented his entire world; he lived for Kun Lun and would forever be devoted to it!

Had he not suffered defeat, the current state of affairs would not be so dire. The main peak would not have been destroyed, Kun Lun would not have endured such catastrophic losses, and Kun Lun would not have faced such profound humiliation!

"I am a criminal!"

"The criminal of Kun Lun!"

He declared these words to himself, as if passing an irreversible judgment upon his own soul.

He slowly rose to his feet. A glimmer of light suddenly ignited within his hollow eyes, intensifying and gradually filling his gaze.

His head, previously bowed and listless, began to turn, albeit with deliberate slowness.

He remained in quiet contemplation, a growing fervor igniting within his gaze. An immense resolve coursed through his very being.

The Immemorial Shen Sword in his grasp vibrated, imbuing him with an unparalleled comprehension.

His sword's purpose was Kun Lun!

Not for the heavens, nor the earth, nor any law, nor any person, but solely for Kun Lun!

This very body belonged to Kun Lun; this sword was theirs!

All worldly laws were beneath Kun Lun's supremacy, and all sentiments of existence bowed to Kun Lun.

This was his blade, proclaiming Kun Lun's absolute dominion!

The Qi within Lin Qian's body surged and circulated, mending half of his grievous injuries. His sword intent had once more ascended to a new echelon!

Just as Wei Sheng had discovered his sword path during their prior clash, Lin Qian, on this very day, had unearthed his own.

Kun Lun now stood at its most perilous juncture.

A sense of triumph eluded Lin Qian. At this moment, his sword intent merely equaled Wei Sheng's, his wounds remained unhealed, and he was still at a disadvantage.

Yet, he refused to linger on recuperation. Kun Lun teetered on the precipice of disaster.

He had to lead the charge!

He too, was subordinate to Kun Lun!

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Translator's Notes: Five more chapters to go! Lin Qian's profound realization truly highlights the divergence between him and Wei Sheng. It's a fervent devotion that commands a certain admiration. Both Lin Qian and Wei Sheng place their core beliefs at the heart of their existence. However, Lin Qian is prepared to sacrifice anything and anyone for his convictions. Wei Sheng, conversely, prioritizes his companions and loved ones above all else, with his beliefs stemming from an unwavering determination to protect them.