“Or rather, a part of the Heavenly Calamity Sword.”
A glint of sharp insight flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
The spirit of heaven and earth had become a cage, entrapping the remnant sword filled with fierce, fiendish energy.
The scene described by Long Yueyou immediately reminded Li Fan of the battle in the skies above Congyun Sea, where the Azure Wind had sealed a sword.
But unlike what Li Fan had witnessed before, Long Jiuyuan’s chance to achieve Dao Integration had arisen in Tianling Prefecture.
The spirit of heaven and earth was also represented by the Black Marsh, rather than the Azure Wind.
But…
The protagonist in both cases was, remarkably, a remnant sword brimming with fiendish energy.
Li Fan was almost certain that whether it was the one in Congyun Sea or in Tianling Prefecture, each must be a part of the original, complete Heavenly Calamity Sword.
“Yet, even these fragmented swords are powerful enough to contend with the spirit of heaven and earth.”
“Moreover, the hilt of the Heavenly Calamity Sword later managed to break through the Azure Wind’s confinement. Even in the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, the tortoise-snake Taiyi could barely suppress it, forced into a state of deep slumber.”
“If the fragments alone are this formidable, how powerful would the complete Heavenly Calamity Sword be?”
Li Fan’s heart trembled.
From what he knew, there were already three pieces scattered across different locations. Could there be more elsewhere?
What was the true secret of the Heavenly Calamity Sword that made the spirit of heaven and earth repeatedly manifest to suppress it?
And the master of the Heavenly Calamity Sword, the old fisherman—what level of cultivation did he possess?
“The fisherman, the Heavenly Doctor, the Sage…”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
These three were evidently old acquaintances, yet their pasts remained shrouded in deep mystery, as though covered by an impenetrable fog.
Li Fan had a subtle feeling.
Their shared secrets might be crucial to him!
“When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred. I hope that soon, when the three of them clash, I can gain a glimpse into their mysteries.”
While locking onto Zhou Kebao’s presence and monitoring Long Yueyou’s movements, Li Fan resumed his journey to his original destination.
According to Long Yueyou’s account, when Long Jiuyuan saw the stalemate between the Heavenly Calamity remnant sword and the Black Marsh, he too was deeply shocked.
Yet he didn’t let the easily attainable chance for Dao Integration cloud his reason.
Long Jiuyuan understood that the balance between the remnant sword and the Black Marsh was delicate and that attacking recklessly would likely break it.
That might lead to backlash from both the remnant sword and the Black Marsh.
After all, for a Soul Transformation cultivator to interfere with a Dao Integration struggle would be nothing short of a provocation.
Thus, Long Jiuyuan quickly made up his mind; despite the destruction of his protective artifact and serious injuries, he fled from the sea of the Black Marsh.
After a brief recovery, he set up the “Heavenly Severing Earth-Isolating Formation” in the surrounding area.
This formation had one purpose: to sever the connection between the spirit of heaven and earth and the world itself.
Though the spirit of heaven and earth manifested the laws of nature, if isolated, it would weaken like water without a source or a tree without roots.
The Black Marsh, initially on par with the Heavenly Calamity Sword, started to weaken, giving the sword an opening!
Long Jiuyuan lay in wait, observing the changes in silence.
As expected, a few months later, the Black Marsh in the mountains began to boil, surging with violent energy.
The phenomenon lasted for almost half a day, until finally, a sword shadow broke free from the Black Marsh’s prison, soaring into the sky and disappearing from sight.
The marsh sea melted away like snow, rapidly contracting into the humanoid form of the *Black Marsh*.
Determining the direction in which the Heavenly Calamity Sword had fled, the Black Marsh was just about to pursue it when…
Long Jiuyuan made his move!
He struck with full force, holding nothing back.
The outcome of the battle was already determined.
The Black Marsh was annihilated.
Long Jiuyuan successfully achieved Dao Integration!
“I recall that in the great battle in Tianling Prefecture in my previous life, a newly integrated Dao powerhouse fell. I wonder if this newly ascended Immortal Sage will escape such a fate.”
This thought flickered through Li Fan’s mind as he approached his destination.
It appeared to be a deserted island.
The island itself wasn’t important; it was the man on it who was Li Fan’s true target.
It was none other than the long-missing Han Yi!
After narrowly escaping death from Li Fan and retreating into the ocean’s depths, he hadn’t surfaced since.
Only recently had Li Fan sensed his return to the cultivation world.
He hadn’t returned through the previous underwater cavern but had emerged from ruins a thousand miles away.
Han Yi looked quite haggard, his clothes torn and bloodstained.
He seemed severely injured and had chosen a nearby island for rest.
Upon detecting this scene, Li Fan decisively pursued him.
Concealing himself, Li Fan watched Han Yi from a distance.
They hadn’t met in a long time, and Han Yi was still at the peak of Qi Condensation, yet to achieve Foundation Establishment.
However, a new, inexplicable aura clung to him.
Li Fan hadn’t noticed it before.
But now, due to Han Yi’s injuries and resulting unconsciousness, the aura emerged naturally, assisting in Han Yi’s recovery.
His pale face regained color, and his weak breathing grew steady and strong.
A strange glint flickered in Li Fan’s eyes.
After a moment’s thought, Li Fan revealed himself and first used the “Binding Insect” spell to immobilize Han Yi.
Then, he activated the “Cloudwater Dream-Illusion Technique” to enter Han Yi’s dreamscape.
Perhaps due to the recent calamity he’d endured, Han Yi’s mental defenses were surprisingly fragile.
It didn’t take long for Li Fan to break through.
In the dreamscape, Li Fan gained insight into Han Yi’s experiences over the recent period.
That day, after being drawn into a sudden underwater vortex, Han Yi lost consciousness.
When he awoke, he found himself bound tightly, stripped of all clothing.
Surrounding him were terrifying creatures with human bodies and beastly faces.
They danced in a circle, seemingly engaged in some ritual.
At the center blazed a fierce fire.
It looked like Han Yi was being offered as a sacrifice to the flames.
Horrified, Han Yi struggled to break free.
But to his despair, there was no trace of spiritual energy in the area.
For some reason, his spiritual power had also dried up.
As helpless as a mortal, Han Yi could only watch as the beast-faced creatures chanted and prepared to throw him into the flames.
Just as Han Yi thought he was doomed, the sky darkened.
Suddenly, torrential rain poured down, quenching the fire in moments.
Han Yi’s heart leaped with joy.
The monsters, however, were terrified.
They threw Han Yi aside and began kowtowing in terror.
The rainstorm continued for half a day.
The creatures remained kneeling in the rain, pleading for mercy.
Only after the rain stopped did they slowly disperse.
Han Yi, intended as a sacrifice, was then imprisoned once more.
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