Chapter 236 The Last Integrity of Qingyang Sect

The Guardian Formation of Mount Qingyang truly lived up to its reputation as a mid-grade, fourth-tier formation. Despite over 70 to 80 1000 cultivators taking shifts around the clock to assault it relentlessly, the formation remained unbroken even after 3 full months of siege.

Fortunately, after continuous assaults, the spiritual energy within the Green Summit Mountain's spirit pond had been completely depleted, leaving no choice but to replenish the spirit pool's energy using spirit stones.

At this rate, they probably wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.

"We can delay no longer."

In the void, Lyra (Person Name) spoke with a grave expression.

Although they could still use low-level cultivators to deplete some of the Azure Sun Sect's reserves, further delays risked Elder Xu emerging from seclusion prematurely. If he personally activated the offensive formations, it would become exceedingly troublesome.

For now, though the cultivators of Green Sun Sect kept retaliating under the protection of their formation, they had yet to activate the mountain-guarding grand array to strike at the low-level cultivators.

This was because Elder Mo was unable to unleash the full power of the offensive formation and refused to let its might go to waste.

If a Golden Core Patriarch were to unleash their power, it would likely be impossible to protect all the low-level cultivators, and casualties among them would be devastating.

Thus, she resolved to unleash her full power, determined to shatter the Green Sun Sect's mountain-protecting array in a single decisive strike.

Set the Heaven Python Treasure Ship in motion.

This time, Lyra personally activated the Heaven Python Treasure Ship, carrying over 10,000 cultivators to assault the Green Sun Mountain grand formation.

She activated the most powerful offensive divine ability of the treasure ship. The 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Radiance, spanning nearly a 1000 zhang, descended from the vast heavens as it cleaved downward.

The 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura, empowered by over 10,000 cultivators and jointly unleashed by Lyra (Person Name) with 7 Purple Mansion adepts and 40-9 Foundation Establishment masters, possessed cataclysmic force upon release. Its overwhelming might nearly rivaled a full-powered strike from the Golden Core, Perfection Stage (Cultivation Realm).

With just a single strike, the defensive barrier of the Qingyang Sect dimmed by 30 percent.

"Not good!"

Seeing the situation turning dire, Old Ancestor Liu swiftly took over Old Ancestor Mo’s control array disk.

With his full power as a False Core cultivator, he finally managed to restore the defensive barrier considerably. Yet before he could catch his breath, another strike from the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura descended, once again dimming the Mountain Protection Array by a significant margin.

"They possess a weapon of war."

"This can't go on."

Old Ancestor Liu's expression was grave. He knew full well that if this continued, their defenses would likely be shattered completely after withstanding only a few more strikes.

He felt he had no choice but to take the initiative, to see if he could shatter the opponent's War Treasure Ship and disrupt their formidable assault.

The formation of the Azure Sun Sect was known as the Azure Sun Celestial Radiance Array, composed of 2 core Array Artifacts.

A treasure known as the Celestial Guardian Disk, whose defensive barrier was potent enough to withstand the full-force assault of a Golden Core, Peak Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert.

The other artifact was known as the Qingyang Heavenly Blade. As a powerful treasure of the middle-grade third-tier, when amplified by formations, it could unleash 6 arcs of Qingyang Blade Radiance at its peak. Each strike rivaled a full-powered blow from a Golden Core, Peak Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert.

Driven by Old Ancestor Liu’s False Core cultivation, although it could not unleash its full power, the strike was comparable to an attack from a Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert.

Liu Patriarch channeled his full power, and in an instant, a dazzling blade aura erupted, transforming into a 3-1000-meter arc that slashed toward the Sky Python Treasure Vessel.

Lyra reacted swiftly, immediately activating the Netherdark Celestial Aegis Array. In an instant, a dark protective barrier enveloped the treasure ship, deflecting the incoming blade strike.

Profound Abyssal Heaven’s Guard.

Seeing the formidable power of this defensive divine ability, Patriarch Liu once again channeled his energy and unleashed 2 consecutive slashes with the Cyan Sun Heavenly Blade.

The Profound Mysterious Heaven Aegis truly possessed formidable defensive capabilities. Though it wavered precariously after withstanding 3 consecutive strikes, it remarkably still hadn't been completely shattered.

Just as Patriarch Liu was about to deliver his fourth strike, he realized his spiritual energy was nearly depleted and urgently cried out.

"Damn it, not enough spiritual energy."

"What's the situation at the spirit pond? Quickly replenish the spirit stones!"

Elder Mo also furrowed his brow, unable to suppress the subtle shift in his expression as he gazed toward the spirit pond.

But at that moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator rushed over with a face drained of color: "Master, disaster! Elder Zhang has fled with all 120,000 spirit stones from the spiritual spring!"

"Wasn’t Zhang Yuanming stationed at the Azure Peak?"

The 2 Elders' faces changed dramatically, their hearts sinking with a thud.

At such a critical moment, the few Zifu-stage experts presiding over the Qingyang Mountain formation were almost exclusively cultivators of unwavering loyalty to the Qingyang Sect.

The spiritual pond was overseen by Elder Ming, a Fifth-Level Purple Mansion cultivator. For other cultivators, even those holding elder status within the Purple Mansion, they remained unwilling to assign them to critical positions unless their trustworthiness was absolute.

For instance, Zhang Yuanming, whose cultivation had reached the sixth level of the Zi Mansion, was a fellow disciple of Patriarch Xu. However, their relationship was far from amicable. On the contrary, he harbored deep resentment toward Patriarch Xu for the latter’s treacherous plot against their senior brother to seize the position.

Thus, Zhang Yuanming had always been confined within the underground fire vein. It was only due to the severe shortage of personnel that he was temporarily released to maintain order, yet chaos erupted the moment he appeared.

Just then, the Foundation Establishment cultivator wailed, "Grandmaster Zhang declared that the sect master has committed atrocities beyond redemption. Having Lyra (Person Name) slay Grandmaster Xu today counts as avenging our senior brother’s death."

"Zhang Yuanming, you vile fiend!"

Old Ancestor Liu nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Suppressing his rage with eyes wide enough to split at the corners, he couldn’t help but ask.

"Where is your Uncle Ming?"

The guardian of the Spirit Pool was Ming Qingxin of the Purple Palace, Mid Stage. This individual served as a trusted confidant of Patriarch Liu.

But the Foundation Establishment cultivator's expression shifted slightly, his face full of pity as he said, "Elder Ming was persuaded by Patriarch Zhang, and together they absconded with the spirit stones."

"Pfft—"

Old Ancestor Liu finally spat out a mouthful of blood, his complexion instantly aging several years.

Elder Mo’s face was streaked with tears as he choked back sobs, gazing at him and saying, “Back then, I urged you not to support Senior Brother Xu, yet you insisted that his ruthlessness made him the most suitable candidate.”

"But I've long known that beneath his ruthless facade, this man is petty and greedy at his core, lacking the grand vision to accomplish great deeds."

"By squeezing every last drop of blood from the major families as he did, the Azure Sun Sect has completely lost the people's support. It stands to reason they would end up in this situation."

"Hahaha..."

Old Man Liu let out a bitter laugh, his eyes glistening with tears as he gazed at Old Man Mo.

His eyes held a trace of regret and a hint of loneliness: "I made the wrong choice."

"I have failed Senior Brother, I have failed our Master, and I have failed the Qingyang Sect."

"Go, all of you. Save as many as you can. Preserve but a single ember of Green Sun Sect's legacy. Never return for vengeance."

"I shall remain here alone, representing the Azure Sun Sect in its final stand!"

Old Ancestor Liu sat in silent meditation, the elder who had lived for over 4 centuries resembling a withered tree rooted in stillness.

Elder Mo also let out a hearty laugh. Without a care for his dignified image, he calmly settled into a cross-legged position on the ground.

"I don't have many years left in this old life. Let me accompany you."

"Born in Qingyang, buried in Qingyang."

"Let us all perish with the Qingyang Sect, preserving its final vestige of integrity, so we may face our ancestors with dignity in the netherworld!"

Boom—

Chapter 1 The spiritual energy within the Sky Python Treasure Vessel had been completely depleted.

Lyra made thorough preparations, expending 300,000 spirit stones in 1 breath to energize her treasure ark before unleashing 3 consecutive strikes of the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Qi.

3 attacks, each comparable to the full mastery Golden Core stage, descended with a roar of sword hymns that annihilated all in their path. The Qingyang Heavenly Aegis Array shattered completely, and the nearly impenetrable mountain-protecting grand formation was finally breached.

Countless cultivators, their faces brimming with joy, surged wildly into the Verdant Sun Mountains, ready to unfold the final confrontation.

"Bzzz—"

At that very moment, a great gate atop Mount Qingyang swung open.

A middle-aged man with long flowing hair stepped forth, his eyes carrying a chilling calm as he trod upon the void.