Chapter 1180: Chapter 1071: Old Territory

Ancient relics, mottled old traces… The campfires of the past have been extinguished, the tribes of yore have vanished.

Only broken walls and ruins remain, a land of desolation, burying the original fireseed of life.

“…The records are true… This place, it must be the legendary land of creation by the Forebears!”

“…It is said, the Forbidden World itself is a void, the Forebears gathered the Nine Heavens’ Breath Soil, creating the earth that bore all life… This is where they once established their presence!”

“Source of origin… that lamp, it must be here!”

Everyone spoke up, all brimming with immense joy.

All of these indicate that they are getting closer to the true opportunity.

“The True Form of Sword Dao on these stone carvings, they are the source of that Sword Array earlier…”

Sword Nameless looked at the surrounding stone stumps, his expression filled with eager anticipation.

Being a master of Sword Dao, he could naturally sense how precious these True Forms of Sword Dao were.

Even just one diagram could be pondered upon for ten thousand years, the gains would be immense.

But, when he tried hard to memorize them, he failed.

The true meaning contained in the diagrams is too profound, unless one fully comprehends them, they cannot be memorized.

“For our Sky Sword Sect, these Swordsmanship True Form Diagrams… are a tremendous opportunity!”

Sword Nameless’s face was filled with fervor.

Even he couldn’t be sure what realm these Swordsmanship True Form Diagrams had reached.

Definitely extraordinary, once this matter is settled, these diagrams must also be taken back to the Sect Gate.

“Sword Immortal, can you understand these Sword Dao true form diagrams?”

Linyihao also asked eagerly.

In his Daoist Scenery Land, after being in shock for quite some time, the Rotten Sword Immortal, who once again forgot her memories to preserve her name, was currently meditating.

A large part of her Corpse Wrapping Cloth had directly charred, unable to sustain her life any longer.

After knowing things she shouldn’t have several times, she felt… that she was at the brink of utter death.

At this moment, hearing Linyihao speak, her gaze penetrated Linyihao’s eyes and saw the outside world.

“These true form diagrams… they’re still here?…”

The Rotten Sword Immortal exclaimed in astonishment, instinctively speaking out:

“Revealed after being shrouded in dust…”

Linyihao said in surprise:

“Sword Immortal, you know these true form diagrams?”

The Rotten Sword Immortal was taken aback by his question, suddenly trembling lightly.

“No… how could I know these…”

“Why do I remember the past…”

In this moment, the decaying eyes of the Rotten Sword Immortal showed a flicker of astonishment.

She lowered her head to look at her Corpse Wrapping Cloth…

“I am already a Rotten Slave… having lost all past, only a dark present remains… weren’t those memories completely erased?”

She clasped her head with her hands; at this moment, her Sea of Consciousness felt like it was about to burst.

“What is it… what force has broken the seal of the Corpse Wrapping Cloth, enabling me to recall the past…”

“I remember now…”

“I remember everything!”

She murmured, saying:

“I was once a warrior of Emperor Zhantian, the most outstanding Sword Dao genius in the War Heaven Emperor’s Court… I followed him to the source of darkness… I saw him perish in the darkness…”

Her decaying eyes suddenly had pus-like tears flowing down!

This moment, the Rotten Sword Immortal looked around bewildered, as if awakening from a huge dream!

“After I died… I was made into a Rotten Slave…”

She whispered, despairingly said:

“Once passionate about battling the source, but after death became a slave to the darkness…”

“Since destined to be a slave, then why awaken me… why… The Heavenly Emperor is dead, the Imperial Court has crumbled, this world has long been in despair… What use is there in awakening?”

Her body trembled, despairing to the extreme.

Waking from a nightmare, only to find that reality is the true nightmare…

Wouldn’t it be better to remain oblivious forever rather than become aware?

“I must have touched some unimaginable karma… thus, breaking through the Repression of the Corpse Wrapping Cloth.”

She murmured, and suddenly let out a tragic smile, saying:

“Such power of karma could only belong to him…”

“That being who is submerged in darkness, yet the residual karma in this world still suppresses the darkness’ erosion…”

“No wonder we once mistook him, as hope… as light…”

She murmured, her rotting body began to disintegrate, the flesh drying up, the power of the Corpse Wrapping Cloth no longer able to sustain her already deceased life.

But this time, she didn’t erase the thoughts in her Sea of Consciousness again…

Living obliviously like a slave… or to consciously die once more…

Perhaps the latter is the more worthy choice.

And this time, dying meant no longer being able to be crafted into a Rotten Slave… thoroughly cleansed.

She suddenly laughed.

And Linyihao, seeing that there was no response in the Daoist Scenery Land for a long time, couldn’t help but ask again, saying:

“Thirteen Sword Immortals, do you know these Sword Dao true form diagrams?”

From within the Daoist Scenery Land, the voice of the Rotten Sword Immortal came through, devoid of the usual dullness and coldness, but instead with a hint of desolation and clarity, saying:

“More than knowing…”

“Years ago, the Heavenly Emperor entered the Hanque Mountain Range… he brought out several true form diagrams, for the members of the Imperial Court to cultivate…”

“I was the most outstanding Sword Dao powerhouse in the War Heaven Emperor’s Court… haha, I once comprehended the essence of half a diagram, achieving the fruit of Sword Dao…”

She murmured, saying:

Hearing this, Linyihao was utterly shocked.

He had always known that the Sword Immortal in his mind was mysterious and immensely powerful.

But now he realized… the Sword Immortal was actually related to the bygone War Heaven Emperor’s Court? And was the strongest in Sword Dao talent within the Emperor’s Court!

War Heaven Emperor’s Court… who in the world did not know it? Once striving for magnificence, daring to declare war against the source!

Following this, he felt even more how precious these Sword Dao true form diagrams were? Even Emperor Zhantian once came here, and the fearsome Thirteen Sword Immortals, had only comprehended half a diagram!

This moment, his eyes blazed with fervor, these items… truly worth being called supreme treasures.

This, perhaps, is truly Di Ji!?

“I need to take these things back…”

He muttered softly.

However, in the Path-Scenic Land, the Rotten Sword Immortal replied indifferently:

“Don’t even think about it. Your talent in Sword Dao will never comprehend the true meaning of these stone carvings in this lifetime.”

The words were simple and direct.

This made Linyihao’s face turn exceedingly unpleasant as he said unwillingly:

“Sword Immortal… are you looking down on me?”

The Rotten Sword Immortal replied nonchalantly:

“Hmm.”

Linyihao:

“…”

The simple and concise “Hmm” from the Sword Immortal left him at a loss for words.

The Rotten Sword Immortal paused, then continued:

“It’s not just about you. I am saying that in the entire Forbidden World, those who can comprehend half of a True Form Diagram are fewer than five, each could be called a prodigy of Sword Dao. As for those who can comprehend more than one diagram…”

“Since ancient times, perhaps only Emperor Zhantian… Even the Heavenly Emperor only took a few diagrams at that time…”

Linyihao was shocked, saying:

“…So, no one in this world can comprehend them all?”

The Rotten Sword Immortal replied:

“Of course, there is someone… and you have met him.”

Linyihao: “???”

When had he ever encountered such a terrifying existence?

Meanwhile, in the Path-Scenic Land, the Rotten Sword Immortal murmured to herself:

“Emperor Zhantian once said… These stone engravings were left by the forebear who grasped the origin of Sword Dao, and the Sword Dao of that forebear… seems to be inseparable from him, and may even originate from him…”

In her eyes, a deep respect emerged, along with a boundless sorrow.

Even the person seen by Emperor Zhantian as the hope, the end of all paths… still lies buried in darkness.

…

“Is there someone ahead?!”

At this moment, someone suddenly exclaimed.

Sword Nameless and others all stepped forward, looking ahead.

They saw in the center of the valley an ancient black altar.

The altar appeared to be made of black soil, weathered by long years and seemed dusty, but when everyone’s divine sense touched it, it was like a dark black hole, instantly making the divine sense disappear without a trace.

And on the altar, a young man was meditating with closed eyes, seemingly having waited for a very long time.

Next to the young man lay an ancient, mottled bronze lamp, just palm-sized, covered in verdigris, with its wick burnt down.

“Who is he? Why is he here?!”

“Hanque Mountain Range is a forbidden place, and this valley is even more forbidden within the forbidden. How could someone else come here, could he also be of the forebear’s bloodline?”

“That lamp… That lamp, could it be the legendary one that once illuminated the darkness?!”

For a moment, everyone at the scene was startled.

How could there be others here…

But, seeing that lamp, everyone got excited again.

That lamp must be the legendary one.

“No matter who you are, hand over the Ancient Bronze Lamp… and then, scram!”

Yuan Wuji spoke in a stern, cold voice.

The origin of that Bronze Lamp was significant, related to the Fire Seed, possibly an opportunity of the Emperor Star; they were determined to obtain it!

At that moment, on the black altar.

The man finally slowly opened his eyes.

He glanced at the people around and murmured:

“I’ve waited so long, finally, you’ve come… Fortunately, the bloodline of the forebears is not yet extinct.”

Immediately, his gaze fell on Fan Yaoyao and Fan Paipai, saying:

“You come here.”

Fan Paipai and Fan Yaoyao, at the moment both were somewhat puzzled, but they felt… a familiar sensation from this man on the altar.

“Walk… over there.”

Fan Yaoyao mustered her courage, walking towards Dugu Yuqing.

Fan Paiming followed suit.

“Stop, don’t move!”

Yet Yuan Wuji and others immediately rebuked, saying:

“Without our permission, whoever dares to make a move, dies!”

Saying so, Yuan Wuji’s large hand suddenly reached out toward Fan Yaoyao and Fan Paiming!

On the altar, the man casually waved his hand.

In an instant, a fierce and peerless sword intent arrived abruptly, directly shattering Yuan Wuji’s shadowy hand.

“So strong!”

“This person’s strength… hasn’t reached the Xi Rang Realm yet, but he can contend with a Saint Master?”

“He should be only at Ride the Wind!”

Everyone was somewhat shocked.

However, Yuan Wuji’s face darkened, and he sneered, saying:

“Hehe… I thought you were some great expert, but you are just a mere Ride the Wind Cultivator!”

“Since you’re so weak… then you can go die!”

Had the man not revealed his strength, they wouldn’t dare to recklessly act not knowing his depth.

As the words ended, Yuan Wuji took a step forward, behind him the terrifying Path-Scenic Land emerged, dense regulatory forces seeping from the Path-Scenic Land into reality, Yuan Wuji struck out with a palm, this power transforming into a huge wave, sweeping towards the altar!

This was a Dominant Lord’s strike, the power of the Xi Rang Realm fully demonstrated!

Ascending the path, touching the Path of the Forbidden, each realm, even every small step, is a chasm.

The Xi Rang has already found the Nine Heavens’ Breath Soil in the Land of Nothingness within the Path-Scenic Land, establishing a firm foundation.

The Chengfeng Realm… is like a rootless duckweed, merely maintaining from not falling into nothingness.

This terrifying strike, although didn’t twist the rules of reality, still stirred dust and stones, like a storm!

…