The Sword Sovereign of Azure Abyss

"Kill!"

"Dugu Wei, even if you're the Sword God of this era, don't think you can break through the encirclement of the four of us!"

Wang Yan's face was fierce as he and the other three Heavenly Monarchs frantically restricted Dugu Wei's movements.

They weren't fighting with their full strength but instead engaged in a prolonged skirmish. At the level of Heavenly Monarchs, killing one another was exceedingly difficult—even with all-out attacks, the opponent could still retaliate fatally.

So they were stalling. As long as they kept Dugu Wei occupied, their subordinates could slaughter the disciples of the Sword Sect. Once that was done, they could rely on their numerical advantage to besiege Dugu Wei without fear of his last-ditch counterattack.

Dugu Wei, a veteran of countless battles, naturally saw through their strategy. But knowing it was one thing—breaking free was another. He could only watch helplessly as his disciples were massacred.

This was an uneven battle, with the enemy outnumbering the Sword Sect by several times.

As the number of his disciples dwindled, Dugu Wei's eyes burned with fury, and the entire Sword Sect was shrouded in an aura of despair.

Then, suddenly—

The heavens and earth trembled violently, and the void rippled uncontrollably. The source of the disturbance came from deep within the Sword Sect.

A terrifying, overwhelming pressure erupted without warning!

Boom!

A deafening hum silenced the world.

All fighting ceased in an instant. Every person present felt as if a mountain had been pressed upon their chests, making even the slightest movement require immense effort.

Wang Yan and the other three Heavenly Monarchs paled in horror. "This pressure... it's a Heavenly Venerable!"

Dugu Wei, however, was ecstatic. "The Grand Elder!"

His words ignited hope among the Sword Sect disciples.

"The Grand Elder has emerged!"

"Thank the heavens, we're saved!"

Everyone seemed to forget the battle, their gazes locked onto the depths of the Sword Sect.

A hunched, white-haired elder with a withered frame slowly walked forward. His skin was wrinkled like aged bark, and his frail body looked as if a gust of wind could topple him.

Yet, despite his feeble appearance, no one dared overlook his presence.

To the onlookers, his frail figure seemed to fill the entire world.

His steps were slow, no different from any elderly man's, but with each stride, the distance beneath his feet shrank unnaturally. A hundred miles vanished in just two or three steps.

"Shrinking the Earth to an Inch! That appearance... could it be... the Qing Ming Sword Venerable!"

"He's still alive?!"

Wang Yan and the others exclaimed in shock.

The elder known as the Qing Ming Sword Venerable stepped onto the battlefield, his murky eyes sweeping over the crowd. He spoke only a single sentence:

"Leave, or die."

All eyes turned to Wang Yan and his companions, awaiting their decision.

Jian Xinghe and Lei Wanjun had already considered retreating the moment they saw the Qing Ming Sword Venerable. His reputation was legendary—a peerless figure of the previous generation who had once dominated even their own masters.

Fame was like a shadow—how could they not fear him?

But though they wanted to retreat, Wang Yan and Duan Changsheng, who had been corrupted by the Sword Demon, would not allow it.

Wang Yan sneered coldly. "Don't be fooled. The Qing Ming Sword Venerable is known for his merciless nature. Yet today, after we slaughtered countless Sword Sect disciples, he doesn't immediately seek vengeance—doesn’t that tell you something?

This old fossil is already at death's door, barely clinging to life. He likely can’t even muster a fraction of his former strength. Victory is within our grasp—if we retreat now because of his empty threat, our reputations in the Green Wood Domain will be ruined."

His words swayed Jian Xinghe and Lei Wanjun, making them reconsider.

The Qing Ming Sword Venerable watched them calmly. "It’s true that my time is short. But dealing with the likes of you is more than enough."

With that, he drew his sword—a plain, unadorned blade devoid of any divine glow. Yet this ordinary-looking weapon radiated an overwhelming pressure.

"Hmph, old fool!" Wang Yan scoffed, shaking off the intimidation. "Our alliance numbers in the millions. I refuse to believe you can kill us all before your strength runs dry!

Attack!"

At his command—

Clang!

A crisp sword hum echoed.

Time seemed to freeze as the Qing Ming Sword Venerable delivered a single, effortless strike.

Then—

A blinding sword light erupted, eclipsing the heavens and earth. A slash spanning thirty thousand miles tore through the battlefield.

In that moment, nothing else existed—only that sword.

Terror gripped every onlooker as they desperately unleashed their full power, struggling to resist.

But it was futile.

When the dust settled—

The four Heavenly Monarchs stood frozen, their faces locked in horror. A thin red line appeared at their necks, gradually widening until their heads toppled.

The millions-strong army met the same fate—some bisected, others reduced to dust. Not a single survivor remained.

The Sword Sect disciples stared in stunned silence at the frail, hunched figure before them, their minds reeling.

A single sword strike had annihilated a million enemies!

This was the might of a Heavenly Venerable!

But after that strike, the Qing Ming Sword Venerable’s invincible stance crumbled.

He knelt on one knee, propping himself up with his sword.

"Grand Elder!"

Several Sword Sect elders cried out, rushing to his side to help him up.

But someone was faster—Meng Yan, who had been silently standing behind the Qing Ming Sword Venerable.

"Are you alright?"

With Meng Yan’s support, the elder slowly rose. "This old bones won’t die yet. Besides, now isn’t the time—the enemy isn’t fully dealt with."

Dugu Wei and the others tensed. Not fully dealt with? Who remained?

"As expected of the Sword Venerable. You actually noticed us." A cold voice suddenly rang out from the distance.

The Sword Sect disciples paled.

From the void, hundreds of demonic figures materialized.

At their forefront stood none other than the Sword Demon!

Behind him were a host of demonic cultivators, along with the previously missing enslaved Daoists—Old Man Kumu and Monk Kongjie.

Dugu Wei and the others braced for battle. "Who are you?! Were you the one who planted spies in our sect?"

The Sword Demon slowly pulled back his hood, revealing a young, handsome face.

"Senior Brother... long time no see."

At the sight of that face, Dugu Wei and the others froze in disbelief.

"Wei Jiantian! You traitor—you’re still alive?!"

The Sword Demon, Wei Jiantian, smiled faintly. "Not only alive... but stronger than ever."

"You’ve fallen into demonic cultivation!"

"Power knows no alignment. After all these years, Senior Brother, you’re still as rigid as ever. No wonder the Sword Sect has declined under your leadership. Had our master chosen me back then, things wouldn’t have come to this."