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Chapter 44: Standing Like a Sword Fairy, Crossing with Sword Energy:
In Eternal Night City, a large gathering was underway. The Immortal Empress and her Phoenix had arrived, accompanied by the royal entourage, setting up camp to wait for the opening of the secret realm.
The Empress Huang Churan sat silently on a cushion, cultivating. A maid approached, bowed respectfully, and spoke:
"Your Highness, there are instructions from the Holy Land. The masters participating in the Tianjiao gathering have been ordered to eliminate the Azure Cloud Sect, particularly the Holy Son named Lin Ang. He must not leave the secret realm alive. Whoever brings back his head will be rewarded with a position in the Holy Land."
Huang Churan, her eyes still closed, responded calmly, "Azure Cloud Sect? A mere fringe sect in the northern realm. How did they provoke the Saintess?"
The maid shook her head. "The Holy Land hasn't given the reason, but it seems Lin Ang had some kind of dispute with the Saintess, and it must have angered her."
Huang Churan nodded slightly. "If the Saintess commands it, then once we're inside the secret realm, we can eliminate Azure Cloud Sect as needed. But our main focus must be on securing the chaotic spirit treasure."
She then asked, "Who else has arrived?"
The maid listed names thoughtfully: "The young master of the Zhou family, Zhou Guanhai; the young master of Aolai Sect, Chen Tianjian; and Jiang Xueyan, the fairy from Xuexian Palace. These are among the top five Tianjiao in the northern realm."
Huang Churan considered this information and said softly, "So, it seems that these few are my true competition for the great opportunity in this secret realm. The rest of the thousands of Tianjiao are of little consequence."
At that moment, a commotion broke out across Eternal Night City.
"Look! The people of Azure Cloud Sect have arrived!" someone exclaimed.
Eyes turned to the sky, where the flying boats of Azure Cloud Sect appeared. The Azure Cloud Sect, though respected in its own region, was still considered a minor power within the vast northern realm. Rumors had spread that their Holy Son, Lin Ang, was extraordinarily talented, causing a vision of the stars during his enlightenment.
As the golden flying boat approached, a figure stepped out—a young man in a blue robe, his demeanor calm yet exuding a sharp sword intent. Even without a sword in hand, his presence felt like he could cleave the heavens. It was Lin Ang.
The sight of him sent murmurs through the crowd:
"Is it Tianjiao who caused the star vision?"
"What a transcendent aura... His swordsmanship talent is rare, even in the northern realm."
The Azure Cloud Sect had clearly kept Lin Ang's talents hidden until now. As the crowd watched him descend from the boat, several sect masters and empires from Qing Yunyu stepped forward to greet him with deep respect.
"I've seen Holy Son Lin Ang," they said, bowing.
Lin Ang acknowledged them with a simple wave. "We are all from the same region; no need for formalities." He then ordered the disciples of Qingyun Dao Sect to set up camp.
From afar, Princess Huang Churan of the Divine Phoenix Empire opened her eyes and gazed at Lin Ang.
"So, this is Lin Ang," she thought to herself. "His presence is indeed extraordinary, and his mastery of sword intent is remarkable for someone at the 5th stage Crimson Profound Realm. Such talent... It's a shame he’s crossed paths with the Saintess."
She sighed softly. "Otherwise, he could have been a valuable ally."
...
Two days later, outside Eternal Night City, a sudden shift in the atmosphere drew everyone's attention.
Above the frozen sea, a massive crack opened in the sky, emitting an ancient, otherworldly energy that seemed to span thousands of years. Brilliant streams of light poured from the crack, signaling the birth of the chaotic spirit treasure.
"The entrance to the secret realm is open!" someone shouted.
The gathered Tianjiao grew excited, their faces lit with anticipation. This secret realm represented a rare opportunity, a chance for fortune and greatness.
A loud laugh rang out as one of the stronger cultivators, impatient, leapt over the city walls, attempting to cross the icy sea and reach the secret realm first.
A local sneered, "Fool! Does he think he can cross the ice sea alone? That sea is frozen with cold from two different epochs. Even flying boats can’t pass through it without protection."
As predicted, the cultivator barely made it over the sea before the freezing cold overwhelmed him. His body stiffened, turning into an ice sculpture, which then fell into the sea. From beneath the icy depths, ghostly hands emerged, dragging his frozen corpse into the darkness.
Witnessing this, the Azure Cloud Sect's disciples turned to Lin Ang in alarm. "What should we do, Your Highness? Should we try to hire beasts from the super empire to cross the ice?"
Lin Ang simply stepped forward. His voice was calm but firm: "If there’s no path, I will make one."
He unsheathed his sword, and with a single stroke, he unleashed a golden sword energy that spanned thousands of feet across the void, creating a bridge of sword energy over the sea of ice. The cold retreated before it.
The crowd gasped in amazement.
"What kind of power is this? He’s using sword energy to form a bridge!"
"Has anyone ever seen such a display of swordsmanship?"
"It seems the Azure Cloud Sect truly has a hidden dragon!"
With the path created, Lin Ang turned to his disciples and said, "Let’s go."
He stepped onto the bridge of sword energy, walking toward the secret realm. Behind him, Qiu Ruohan gazed at him in awe. She hadn't expected Lin Ang's swordsmanship to have reached such an incredible level.
But those who hadn't earned Lin Ang's favor tried to step onto the sword bridge and found themselves falling into the icy sea below. Only those chosen by his sword intent could follow him across.
The path to the secret realm was open, and the competition for its treasures had begun.
-To be continued!
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T/N: Thanks for reading!