Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 565: Chapter 563: Dark Plot_1

”Moonlight Heavenly Strike!”

Liu Feiyue executed her most powerful attack. She knew that at only seventy percent of her full strength, she wouldn’t be able to harm Ling Chen. So, without hesitation, she decided to test him with her ultimate move.

ROAR!

With one swing of her sword, the Sword Light converged into a white, luminescent ribbon. It spiraled in mid-air, then collided fiercely with Ling Chen, carrying the force of a violent storm. Its speed was imperceptible to the naked eye; only a flash of white light could be seen.

”Prosperity and Decline!”

Ling Chen also swung his sword.

The silver Sword Light flowed along the blade. As it reached the tip, it naturally converged, becoming incomparably dazzling. Its sharpness had also reached its zenith.

BANG!

The resplendent Sword Light and the moonlight ribbon collided, a ring of shockwaves expanding outwards and sweeping in all directions. If not for their deliberate control, everything within several hundred meters would have been leveled.

CRACKLE!

The sword qi was too ferocious. The moonlight ribbon, as if devoured by wild thunder, shattered inch by inch and was completely obliterated.

Liu Feiyue was stunned and quickly withdrew her Treasure Sword. If she had been a moment too late, Ling Chen likely would have injured her arm. This was even with him having reined in his Sword Momentum.

”I didn’t expect you to comprehend swordsmanship so thoroughly,” Liu Feiyue said solemnly as she sheathed her sword.

”Senior Sister Feiyue didn’t use her full strength; otherwise, I would definitely not be your match,” Ling Chen said, shaking his head.

He had a good grasp of his own strength. At this moment, he believed he was still not Liu Feiyue’s opponent.

”Has there been any news in the martial world these past few days?” Ling Chen asked, also putting away his Thunder Shadow Sword. He hadn’t been paying attention to the happenings in the martial world lately, so he feared many things he was unaware of had already transpired in the outside world.

”There hasn’t been any major news recently, but something significant seems to have occurred at the Divine Intent Sect,” Liu Feiyue said.

”What happened?”

Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. Although he was no longer a disciple of the Divine Intent Sect, he still held a special affection for it.

”The Divine Intent Sect has been plagued by a series of strange occurrences recently; experts within the Sect have been disappearing one after another. And just a few days ago, it’s said that even Great Elder Shangguan Hong vanished. The entire Divine Intent Sect is now in a state of panic. It’s rumored that many disciples are planning to leave the Sect and seek their fortunes elsewhere.”

Has it already reached this point?

Ling Chen frowned, then a glint flashed in his eyes. ”What about Shentu Yan? It seems this person has been inactive for a very long time.”

In the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace, Shentu Yan had arguably been the biggest winner. He not only obtained the Void Emperor’s royal decree but also one hundred drops of Breaking Sky Spirit Liquid. Ling Chen had initially thought that Shentu Yan would quickly make a name for himself and begin to stir up bloody storms in the martial world. Unexpectedly, Shentu Yan had instead fallen silent.

”Shentu Yan has been in seclusion for more than a year; there has been no news of him in the Jianghu for over a year,” Liu Feiyue said.

In seclusion for so long. Could it be that this person is comprehending the martial arts within the Void Emperor’s Royal Decree?

Ling Chen’s gaze deepened slightly. The Human Emperor had said that each Void Emperor’s Royal Decree contained an extremely powerful martial art. Shentu Yan had obtained the Void Emperor’s Royal Decree and had been in seclusion; it was highly probable he was deciphering the martial art within it.

However, Ling Chen didn’t plan to dwell on these matters. He was currently just a wanted criminal in the martial world; worrying about the state of the world wouldn’t help. When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. He didn’t yet have the strength to meddle in the conflicts of the martial world’s titans.

The most urgent thing now was to quickly improve his strength to face the upcoming battle at Nine Dragons Lake.

「Divine Intent Sect Back Mountain.」

As the sun dipped below the western horizon, a pavilion stood atop the highest peak of the back mountain. Within the pavilion was a middle-aged man of imposing stature.

If Ling Chen were here, he would definitely recognize this man: the Saint Witch Sect Master, Sikong Yi.

After a moment, SWISH! A dark figure suddenly appeared, landing outside the pavilion.

”You’ve finally arrived.”

Sikong Yi didn’t turn around; he seemed to have already known who was arriving.

The newcomer lowered his hood and gave a sinister grin. ”Heh heh, Sect Leader Sikong is indeed punctual.”

”Sect Leader Shentu, you’ve been in seclusion for over a year. Could it be you’ve forgotten our entire agreement?” Sikong Yi said faintly.

”Of course not,” the man said as he emerged from the shadows, revealing a benevolent face. It was none other than the Divine Intent Sect Master, Shentu Yan.

”We made a pact, after all, to cooperate with all our strength and divide the world equally.”

”It’s good that you remember.” Sikong Yi nodded indifferently. ”You summoned me this time. What important matter is it?”

”Naturally, it’s to discuss our cooperation,” Shentu Yan said with a smile, inviting Sikong Yi to take a seat.

”What, has your martial art reached Great Accomplishment?”

Sikong Yi glanced at Shentu Yan. In the past, he had never taken Shentu Yan seriously. But now, Shentu Yan seemed different; his strength appeared to have undergone a massive improvement.

”Not at all. It’s merely a minor improvement,” Shentu Yan replied with a gentle smile.

Sikong Yi frowned; he felt something was not quite right. This Shentu Yan was a sinister and treacherous hypocrite, so Sikong Yi had always been secretly on guard against him. The reason he cooperated with Shentu Yan was, naturally, to use the latter as a vanguard pawn in his quest to unify the martial world. But now, Shentu Yan’s strength seemed to have surged dramatically, making it extremely difficult for him to control his pawn.

While he was deep in thought, Shentu Yan took out a complete map of the Five Kingdoms. On this map, the entire terrain of the Five Kingdoms, its influential forces, and its sects were all meticulously depicted.

”Brother Sikong, please take a look. I have already demarcated the future spheres of influence for our two factions,” Shentu Yan said, slowly unfurling the map. ”My Divine Intent Sect only requires the entirety of the Wind Country, plus portions of the Aqua Country and Fire Country. The rest will all belong to your Saint Witch Religion, Brother Sikong.”

”Oh?”

Sikong Yi raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected Shentu Yan to be so magnanimous, ceding such a vast territory to him.

However, just as his attention was entirely riveted on the map, a cold sneer abruptly appeared at the corners of Shentu Yan’s mouth.

Suddenly, from between his fingers concealed beneath the map, a poison needle materialized. With a flick of his finger, the poison needle shot out violently!

PSST!

By the time Sikong Yi reacted, the poison needle had already pierced his body. A mixture of shock and rage instantly surged through him, and he directly blasted the map into innumerable fragments with his power.

BANG!

After exchanging a palm strike with Shentu Yan, Sikong Yi’s figure was sent staggering back more than ten steps. He lifted his palm and saw a small, red puncture mark at its center—the exact spot where the poison needle had embedded itself.

”Shentu Yan! You dare ambush me?” Sikong Yi’s eyes suddenly turned grim as he roared furiously.

”Heh heh, all’s fair in war. Not only will I ambush you, but I will also kill you and absorb your cultivation!”

Shentu Yan stuck out his scarlet tongue and licked his lips, his ferocious true colors now fully revealed. Where was any trace of his previous benevolent, gentlemanly demeanor?