World’s No. 1 Swordsman

In the forest, more than three hundred cultivators from the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect were arranged in neat ranks, each one concealing their aura and wearing a demon mask.

"How many did the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect send? Wait, are those eighteen the Yin-Yang Envoys? Even their sect master and envoys have come?"

"Is that Elder Black Tortoise from the north? Aside from the elders of the Five Elements, they've truly emptied their nest for this, huh?"

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? Don't you know anything? 'Emptying their nest' should be used to describe the enemy. Those people are our strongest allies. We have to give it our all."

"Everyone." The yin sect master stepped forward slowly, hands clasped behind his back. His tone was calm, measured, and steady without the slightest hint of agitation. "We cultivators pursue nothing more than freedom, ease, and the path to immortality. Yet these Daoist sects, who call themselves righteous, have monopolized the sacred mountains and labeled any heritage not of their own as corrupt, fiendish, or devilish.

"The Hua Republic's official stance on the cultivation world is to eliminate us completely and absorb all independent sects and inheritances. That way, those in power can monopolize the primal qi of heaven and earth. The flow of primal qi stopped for a thousand years, and the path of cultivation nearly vanished. Now, in this rare era of revival, should we truly allow them to strip us of the opportunity to cultivate?"

Many of the corrupt cultivators looked deep in thought. Naturally, a few stirring words would not be enough to rile them up. They weren't naive, after all. That was why they managed to survive on the corrupt path for so long and even go to this place for the opportunity. Such impassioned rhetoric would not sway them.

They were ruthless and cunning, and most of them followed their own code. Even more were trying to figure out what the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect was planning.

The sect seemed to be preparing for an all-out confrontation against the righteous sects; they had even thrown caution to the wind and mobilized such a huge army. Half of their forces were elite experts, and even the mysterious yin sect master and the eighteen Yin-Yang Envoys had come. It was as if they had known long in advance that the ancient devil would break its seal.

The yin sect master continued his speech at a measured pace. "In this era, the Daoist sects have become vassals of the Hua Republic, their cultivators no more than the regime's hounds hunting us down at will. Many of our brethren never harmed a single righteous cultivator, yet they were still slaughtered.

"Today comes the calamity ordained for the Daoist sects. It is the turning point that will allow us to claim a foothold within the Hua Republic's borders. Up there, the ancient devil sealed by the sect master of the Shu Mountains during the Tang Dynasty has broken free once more. Though still somewhat weakened, the righteous cultivators have already paid a heavy price to suppress it temporarily.

"This is our heaven-sent opportunity. Everyone, please follow our sect into the mountains and wipe out every last one of those Daoist cultivators. Do be reminded, however, that the ancient devil is very vicious. Don't get too close to it. After we're done killing, we will retreat immediately and let the ancient devil cover our escape. So, what do you say?"

The corrupt cultivators who were not members of the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect did not hesitate for long. One after another, they voiced their agreement.

There was no need for them to take the lead. They just had to follow behind, pick up some loot, kill a few righteous cultivators, and withdraw safely afterward. It was a deal too good to pass up.

"Everyone, please conceal your aura—hmm?"

The yin sect master's gaze suddenly sharpened. He raised his left hand and made a grasping motion in the air. A middle-aged cultivator hidden in a corner of the forest let out a muffled groan and clutched his throat as he was lifted into the air, seemingly held by an invisible force. Black mist then coiled around the man's feet, forming tendrils that wound tightly around him.

His phone flew from his hand, and a nearby corrupt cultivator casually retrieved it. The screen was still lit, showing an unsent message.

"Oh? Interesting." The corrupt cultivator chuckled. "There's an unsent message here. 'The Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect's experts have gathered. There are at least eight Golden Core Realm cultivators...' Who exactly are you? And who was this meant for?"

The corrupt cultivators all stepped back, but the yin sect master's expression remained unchanged. With a light clench of his left hand, a burst of blood mist exploded in the air.

"It seems the official forces have planted a spy among us. Just to be safe, all mobile signals will be blocked from now on," he instructed while gesturing to his subordinates.

Two members of the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect stepped forward and laid down two briefcases. They unlocked them and began pressing a few buttons on the devices inside.

Some corrupt cultivators glanced at their own phones. The already weak signal was now completely gone.

"Everyone, please follow our sect members up the mountain. The ancient devil will soon break its seal again. It will be the perfect moment for us to strike."

The yin sect master gestured forward, and the figures behind him silently darted out, racing toward the mountain summit. He then enveloped himself in a black cloud and floated swiftly above the treetops.

All this time, the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect had never revealed the full truth to the other corrupt cultivators. Even so, many formidable figures were among the hundred or so who followed behind. Altogether, their force was not to be underestimated.

Hundreds of corrupt cultivators marched up the mountain in full force. Naturally, the Special Investigation Unit's surveillance easily picked up on such huge movements.

***

At the military base next to the real Ziyan Temple.

In the temporary command center for the ancient-devil plan, real-time footage on the screen showed the swarms of cultivators weaving through the forest.

Chi Ling's lips curved slightly.

An officer from the Special Investigation Unit immediately shouted, "Captain, the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect and the corrupt cultivators are moving! Our undercover agent has been discovered and eliminated. We estimate that over half of the corrupt sect's top experts have gathered on-site, and at least six are confirmed to be at the Golden Core Realm. The Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect's sect master is also among them."

Chi Ling stared at the main screen, then decisively ordered, "Activate Contingency Plans Two and Three simultaneously. Request aerial fire support, instruct the Special Warfare Unit to tighten the encirclement, and notify the righteous cultivators at the mountaintop temple that if they cannot hold their ground, they are to retreat immediately according to plan. Shut the door and trap the enemies inside."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Executing the order had been far more complicated than issuing it. More than a dozen communication officers in camouflage uniforms immediately sprang into action, relaying commands one after another without pause.

The Aerial Rapid-Response Team—an indispensable support force—was swiftly deployed. The righteous cultivators who had been lying in ambush under the forest at the foot of the mountain also began advancing toward the summit through the pre-dug underground tunnels. Moreover, at the nearest military airbase, two bombers that had been on standby took off.

Past exercises had proven that even a mid-stage Golden Core Realm cultivator could pose a direct threat to the bombers' safety. Fighter escorts had little effect in stopping cultivators from tearing aircraft apart in mid-air.

Once full-scale battle broke out, the advanced bombers would become indiscriminate weapons. Hence, despite their impressive appearance, they would only be effective if used at just the right moment.

Staring at the main screen, Chi Ling's right eye twitched slightly. "Where is Qing Yanzi?"

"He's about to reach Target Point One."

"Have him inspect the Devil-Sealing Well for anomalies, then return at once for support. Lock onto the well and ready our heavy weaponry."

"Roger!"

***

Just beyond the real Ziyan Temple, two figures streaked across the sky and stopped briefly. Qing Yanzi, flying atop two daggers, ended a call and turned to his companion.

"They're rushing us again. Young people these days really are impatient," Qing Yanzi muttered with a helpless shake of his head. "It's not time for combat yet. Those corrupt cultivators are definitely still lying low, which means the initiative is still in our hands."

"They're certainly too impatient, but we have at least finally lured those corrupt cultivators out," said Rufeng. "Let's check the condition of the Devil-Sealing Well first. Both fronts are critical."

Qing Yanzi nodded, his gaze fixed on the Ziyan Temple. "Mm.We're almost there."

The two resumed their flight. Minutes later, in the woods surrounding the temple, the anti-aircraft and missile teams who had locked onto the airspace received the signal to stand down, allowing the two cultivators to safely descend into the rear courtyard of the temple.

Seeing the tendrils of black mist continuously rising from the Devil-Sealing Well, Qing Yanzi immediately frowned. "How did the situation worsen this much?"

Chanting echoed around the courtyard, but the Buddhist light only kept the black mist from spreading beyond the well. It could not suppress it back into the depths.

Rufeng stepped forward while chanting sutras, rotating the prayer beads in his hand. Golden light radiated outward, forcing the devilish qi to retreat.

Qing Yanzi followed and stood beside the well. Looking down, he saw devilish qi churning violently within. The well water was as black as ink, tinged with a hint of crimson.

"This is bad," Rufeng said in a hushed tone. "That ancient devil could break free by nightfall. Tonight is a full moon, isn't it?"

"It is," Qing Yanzi immediately replied. "No need to panic yet. I'll collect a sample of the water."

He cautiously extended his left hand, where a dark golden glow began to swirl. The power of the Pure Yang Immortal Mantra was naturally effective against devilish qi. As his enchanted power forced the devilish qi to recede, Qing Yanzi gathered a few drops of well water in his palm.

At that moment, behind and slightly to the left of Qing Yanzi, an old monk who had been chanting suddenly opened his eyes. He then tried to attack him so abruptly that no one could have anticipated it.

The monks closest to the well were the most accomplished in Buddhist arts. Hence, though the old monk was only at the equivalent Buddhist realm to the late-stage Illusory Core Realm, his attacks couldn't just be ignored.

Nevertheless, Qing Yanzi merely snorted coldly. A flash of dark-golden light surged around him and sent the old monk flying.

The chants spiraled into chaos. Many of the monks watched in shock as the old man crashed into the courtyard wall.

Still holding a few drops of well water in his left hand, Qing Yanzi slowly turned around. As he locked onto the old monk, he caught him smiling strangely.

Damn it! The plan has already been compromised...

Pfft!

A sudden jolt passed through Qing Yanzi. Looking down, he saw the tip of a sword protruding out of his chest, blood dripping from its blade.

"I didn't want to do this either, Bu Yan," Rufeng said calmly. "We spent a year and a half searching for this fiend sword that could pierce your Pure Yang power. You may rest in peace now."

Qing Yanzi's eyes widened in rage. "Rufeng!"

He clenched his teeth, growled, and abruptly grabbed the blade with his hand. Raising his head, he then roared furiously. His long hair flew wildly as he unleashed golden light.