Myriad Daos of the Heaven

Jiang Jichen stood before the ruined gates of the Heavenly Sword Alliance, facing forward.

A host of powerful experts, led by the black-robed elder and the Old Emperor, had him surrounded. It would be nearly impossible for Jiang Jichen to fight his way out.

But the fact that he dared to confront these experts proved the strength of his will to fight and the unquenchable nature of his battle intent. Perhaps only a man like him could walk the celestial path alone, vie for the Celestial Dao, and journey the farthest.

Of course, that was only if he didn’t perish first.

Now, however, the black-robed elder and the Old Emperor had decided to hold nothing back. They wouldn’t mind killing Jiang Jichen; they were far more interested in the Immortal Grass he possessed.

If they could obtain the Immortal Grass, they could surely break through to a Realm beyond their wildest dreams.

Moreover, the White Turtle Longevity Grass had another heaven-defying effect: it could extend one’s lifespan.

Even a sliver of a White Turtle Longevity Grass leaf could add nearly a hundred years to one’s life—an increase equivalent to what a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator would gain.

At this, everyone was driven into a frenzy.

Of course, they wouldn’t dare entertain any thoughts about the half-leaf in the hands of the Grey-clothed Swordsman, Qingxu. But they hoped to find more of the White Turtle Longevity Grass on Jiang Jichen.

Evidently, news of the situation had spread, as many people began rushing over. In an instant, an even larger crowd gathered before the gates of the Heavenly Sword Alliance.

But just then, a terrifying power erupted from the void, sweeping away Jiang Jichen and everyone present. Even Minor Grandmasters like the black-robed elder and the Old Emperor were powerless to resist.

"If you must fight, do it elsewhere. Do not battle at the gates of my Heavenly Sword Alliance!"

The voice of the Grey-clothed Swordsman, Qingxu, echoed from the void. The next moment, they had all been transported far from the Heavenly Sword Alliance’s gates in Cyan Moon City, reappearing on an ancient street not far from the North City Gate.

They were less than five thousand meters away; the city gate was now visible in the distance. Any discerning person could see that the Grey-clothed Swordsman, Qingxu, had done this deliberately to favor Jiang Jichen.

He could have transported them anywhere, yet he chose the spot closest to the North City Gate.

But no one could complain; after all, the Grey-clothed Swordsman hadn’t transported Jiang Jichen directly outside the city walls.

He was closer to the North City Gate, so close he could see it, yet it felt a world away. The path ahead was blocked by rank upon rank of powerful experts.

Meanwhile, at the North City Gate, the battle between Jiang Ling’Er and eight powerful experts had already concluded. She was heavily injured, but all eight of her opponents had been slain by her Cloud Water Sword.

Her white robes stained with blood, Jiang Ling’Er swayed as she fled the city!

Having finally made it out of the city gates, Jiang Ling’Er let out a sharp sigh of relief.

But she didn’t pause for a moment, immediately rushing at top speed toward the Moonlight Forest.

The previous battle had not only left her severely injured, but it had also nearly exhausted her Water Spirit Power. If anyone else were to intercept her now, she would be in grave danger.

Fortunately, her path was clear, and she encountered no one else trying to stop her before the Moonlight Forest came into view.

However, just as she was about to dash into the Moonlight Forest, a sudden sense of crisis welled up within her. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Her combat instincts, honed by the Dragon Soul Pearl, stopped her from charging forward. Instead, she dodged seven or eight meters to the side.

BOOM!

The spot where she had been standing was instantly engulfed by a Spirit Pattern Palm Seal and a wave of Sword Qi, blasting a massive crater into the earth.

"Well, I didn’t expect that! To think Senior Sister Ling’Er could react so quickly despite being so heavily injured. Your junior sister is truly impressed!"

Jiang Ling’Er had just steadied herself when she heard a sweet, feminine voice call out, a voice dripping with undisguised mockery.

Even without looking, Jiang Ling’Er knew who it was just from the sound of her voice.

’It’s what I was most unwilling to confront, yet I still have to face it in the end.’

The ones who ambushed her were people from her own sect. They knew her best; they knew she would head in this direction, so they had lain in wait for her.

The speaker was, of course, the Spirit Moon Sect’s most talented junior sister, Shii Xiaoyu!

A group of people stood before her. They all had faces that were once incredibly familiar, but now they seemed like complete strangers.

The one leading them was none other than her master, Li Yueyun. Behind her were four Spirit Moon Sect Elders—men who had once been Jiang Ling’Er’s martial uncles.

Behind the Elders were eight of her martial sisters, all talented disciples of the Spirit Moon Sect.

The eight of them were between the Innate First Layer and the Second Realm, while Shii Xiaoyu herself had already reached the Innate Second Realm Perfect Realm.

Her master, Li Yueyun, had the highest Cultivation, at the Innate Fifth Layer Perfect Realm. The four Spirit Moon Sect Elders were between the Innate Third Layer and the Fourth Realm.

If Jiang Ling’Er were at full strength, she might have had a fighting chance. But now? There wasn’t a sliver of hope.

"And you’re as vicious and fond of sneak attacks as ever, aren’t you, Junior Sister?"

She might be outmatched, but she wouldn’t go down without a fight. Jiang Ling’Er retorted sharply.

In the past, Shii Xiaoyu had been the most talented junior sister in the Spirit Moon Sect, the one who should have been first among her peers. But she was always overshadowed by the even more talented senior sister, Jiang Ling’Er, and could only ever be second best.

Shii Xiaoyu was deeply resentful of this. She tried to compete with Jiang Ling’Er in everything, but she never won. She wasn’t even Jiang Ling’Er’s match in an argument.

As a result, Shii Xiaoyu had spent her entire life living in Jiang Ling’Er’s shadow. The experience deeply scarred her young psyche, to the point that her personality became warped.

Everything Jiang Ling’Er loved, Shii Xiaoyu hated. She had fantasized time and again about running Jiang Ling’Er through with her sword, which was why her earlier attack had been merciless.

Shii Xiaoyu’s expression soured. She stared coldly at Jiang Ling’Er and said, "What’s the use of a sharp tongue? You’ve already been expelled from the Spirit Moon Sect. This time, we are here to cleanse the sect. Hmph!"

Jiang Ling’Er had expected as much and paid it no mind. Instead, she looked at Li Yueyun with a complex expression. "For Master to come a hundred li just to see me off... I’m truly touched. But even if you no longer want me as your disciple, in my heart, you will always be my master!"

"Such pretty words," Li Yueyun said, her voice devoid of warmth. "If you truly saw me as your master, why would you have rejected the Feng Family’s Young Master? Did you not realize you would bring ruin upon the Spirit Moon Sect? I remember what you said. ’What does the destruction of the Spirit Moon Sect or the Jiang Mansion have to do with me?’ You truly are a fine disciple!"

Master and disciple, now strangers. Henceforth, enemies.

Jiang Ling’Er sighed softly. She felt no hatred, only that she owed the Spirit Moon Sect. Even if she were to die here today, she would have no regrets. Her only worry was for Jiang Jichen.

"What a marvelous scene! Master and disciple turning on each other, ready to fight to the death!"

Just then, a mocking voice cut in, and another group of people appeared.

They were from the Mountain Sect, and to everyone’s surprise, they were led by a Minor Grandmaster—the very same one who had been sent flying a hundred li from the Moonlight Forest by that mysterious Palm Seal.

The Minor Grandmaster looked at the priceless expressions on the faces of the Spirit Moon Sect contingent and chuckled. "Your Spirit Moon Sect must be planning to capture Jiang Ling’Er to atone for your sins before the Feng Family. A pity. We of the Mountain Sect want to present her to the Feng Family even more. Once we claim the credit for this, the Mountain Sect’s position as the number one sect in the Celestial Pearl Country will be unassailable!"