CHAPTER 470
The Backdrop of the Strong
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No roar, no flashy move names—just a seemingly ordinary slash.
Purple blade light swept through the air. Even standing behind Yu Meng, the sheer force of the shockwave sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"Steward Xu, what is this…"
Wherever the blade's glow passed, metal shattered and stone split. The Apostles crumbled like clay dolls, utterly annihilated!
"Don't ask me. Even if I knew, I couldn't tell you."
Besides, why would the First Lady need to report her actions to me?"
Not to mention that Yu Meng and He Guang wore masks, making it impossible for her to tell them apart.
Even if he could tell them apart, he wouldn't dare speak out of turn!
Remember, those women wouldn't even spare the Old Master's face!
"Uh…" Shangguan Rou was rendered speechless by Xu Zhanfeng's sharp retort…
Watching the blade flash across the barrier, followed by a strike that felt like divine retribution, descending from the heavens…
The gale whipped so fiercely Ye Qinghan couldn't open her eyes. She instinctively clutched He Guang's waist, gripping the modular armor on her skirt-armor with all her might to avoid being blown away.
This was the strike from the Mansion, deemed the mightiest blow of divine retribution by the Valkyries. Yet against such a level of death ground, merely one percent of its output sufficed.
The assembled cultivators watched in stunned silence, murmuring among themselves…
"Who… who is this?"
"What kind of cultivation base must one possess to wield such power?"
"Judging by her figure, it's a girl?"
Yet these cultivators still failed to grasp the true nature of that single strike…
As the dust settled and the mist dissipated, all that remained was the mountain peak severed cleanly by the blade's light. Its perfectly straight cross-section left them speechless…
"Clearing this death zone in just two moves? How is that possible!"
"What divine power was that which struck down from the heavens? How could it possess such might?"
"Have you ever seen a woman like this? Is she an immortal?"
Cheng Liang remarked, "I've seen warriors clad in armor similar to theirs, but their strength paled in comparison to hers…"
"Master Cheng, do you know who these two are? Have they come to aid us?"
Cheng Liang shook his head. Though the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Regions all heeded the commands of the three matriarchs of Lingxian Hall,
his current standing far surpassed his former position. Even across the Four Regions, his voice carried weight.
As for Cangjue, she was now merely a messenger. However, Cangjue quite enjoyed this relaxed work, as it freed her time to visit Su Cheng for tea.
As Crane Light slowly released his grip, the small black cube continued to spin in Ye Qinghan's palm. Staring in disbelief at the distant scene of Heaven's Punishment's devastation, then glancing at the power in his palm…
When she finally comprehended, she immediately bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Qinghan, thank you, Sister."
He Guang ignored Ye Qinghan's gratitude, speaking only in a flat tone.
"We should head back. You go retrieve the equipment."
With that, He Guang slowly crouched down, grabbed the latch beside the suppression device, and pulled it hard. The mechanism, which had been firmly anchored to the ground, retracted instantly with a metallic clang, reverting to a cylindrical shape resembling a battering ram. He Guang casually slung it over his waist.
Ye Qinghan merely gave Xu Zhanfeng a look, signaling him to handle the aftermath, before picking up the gear and leaving.
"Elder Shi, didn't you say all the disciples in Su City vanished? That's why things have been so quiet this past year…"
"Er… Elder Yulan said all three direct disciples are in seclusion for cultivation, and Shiyao hasn't sent any news to the Holy Mountain either."
Everyone's gaze fell upon Cang Jue and Xu Zhanfeng. Though only Xu Zhanfeng wore the Lingxian Hall waist token, Cang Jue being Su Cheng's dao companion was no secret—especially since Cang Jue had no intention of hiding it.
Shi Mingyi actually knew Shi Yao had emerged from seclusion, but Li Shiyao had only used him to inquire about Li Suyao's well-being. Beyond that, Li Shiyao hadn't mentioned anything else.
Cang Jue didn't engage in small talk, instead addressing the current situation: "I too was unaware that Lingxian Hall's First Disciple would intervene. However, now that the deadly terrain in the Northern Domain has been cleared, I suggest you all turn your attention to the smaller deadly terrains surrounding the Four Domains. This will prevent them from evolving into larger, more dangerous zones."
War was cruel, yet it held a certain romance.
The barriers between people vanished. Hearts aligned, efforts converged. Under the leadership of Cheng Liang and Xu Zhanfeng, the Four Domains and the united Immortal Sects prepared to confront the impending calamity. This was unprecedented, yet undeniably unfolding before them.
No one could remain untouched. Each for all, all for each—for no one could stand apart or face the wasteland alone. This calamity was beyond the capacity of any single faction or individual group to confront.
Cheng Liang spoke with his usual steadiness: "Elder Cangjue speaks wisely. I have already arranged for the reassurance of nearby residents. Now, let us depart for the Western Regions."
This situation had also been unforeseen by Su Cheng initially. Much like Chu Youwei's rebirth, Su Cheng had evidently prepared more thorough measures for this catastrophe, laying the groundwork well in advance.
Ye Qinghan returned after submitting her mission report at the mansion.
Su Cheng was practicing swordplay, though his movements resembled nothing more than a head coach warming up. His motions were deliberate and slow—a style that, despite its inherent sharpness and ruthlessness, appeared as fluid and effortless as Tai Chi, seemingly soft yet profoundly profound.
"Master…"
"I know, Qinghan messed up, didn't you?" Su Cheng remained utterly focused on wielding his massive sword. Truthfully, it was nowhere near as flashy as a spear dance.
His footwork resembled drunken boxing, or perhaps some kind of dance. The broadsword didn't make any grand, sweeping motions either, just small actions like grinding, shaking, and flicking.
Ye Qinghan, unusually, bowed her proud fox-like head. She walked to the side and obediently knelt down.
"Please punish me, Master…"
Su Cheng remained oblivious, not even glancing at Ye Qinghan. "No need for punishment. That kind of minor death trap? Just call in some random people and it'll be handled."
"What I mean is for you to observe and learn. Based on your past combat experience, Qinghan, you're not yet equipped to handle such adversaries."
"Consider it broadening your horizons. Thinking one trick will work forever is clearly unrealistic."
"The enemy's capabilities and tactics may well surpass our expectations and understanding. We too must learn and grow."
"I hear you learned quite a bit this time. Care to share with me?"
As the words fell, the heavy greatsword slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash. The sound startled Ye Qinghan. He'd never seen this sword before. It appeared unsharpened—a training sword, perhaps?
Su Cheng led Ye Qinghan to sit nearby, and Ye Qinghan proceeded to recount the entire mission in meticulous detail.
Ye Qinghan spoke animatedly, gesturing vividly as he described the events. He seized the opportunity to complain to Su Cheng about how those two Valkyries had bullied him!
Su Cheng merely smiled. "That was my deliberate instruction. I specifically told them not to assist you, to accomplish the same task using their own methods. Are you dissatisfied, Qinghan?"
"Um… Qinghan wouldn't dare…"
"But Xiao Ai's execution report tells a different story. Amber gave the mission a mere two points. Would you like to see it, Qinghan?"
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