Secret Records of the Leader of the Beichen Sword Sect
Chapter 198 - 197: Unrivaled in the World

Chapter 198: Chapter 197: Unrivaled in the World

In the dense forest cave, purple aura and red light illuminated the couple, who were in close contact with their hands and feet, their skin touching, their meridians connected, their breaths in harmony, and their souls entwined, engaging in dual cultivation to heal injuries.

However, after just one cycle of energy practice, Yao Honglei suddenly furrowed her brows and trembled violently, "Puh!" spitting out a clotted piece of blood onto the ground, her body softened as she collapsed into Tie Dan’s arms.

"Cough, cough, junior brother, I, I can’t hold on any longer..."

Tie Dan hurriedly stopped his practice, using a silk cloth to wipe the blood from her mouth, frowning and shaking his head,

"Immortal Yao, now all my Twelve Main Meridians are blocked by the Earth Spring, I can’t transfer the Purple Mist True Qi within me to your body..."

"Junior brother, actually..."

Yao Honglei’s cheeks flushed slightly, hesitating to speak.

Tie Dan, heavily burdened in his thoughts, did not notice, carefully checking her pulse,

"Immortal Yao, I’m planning to go to the Heng Mountain Spirit Vein to cleanse my body and recover my power, but the journey to Heng Mountain is long, and the road is fraught with countless dangers and heavy killing tribulations.

And now that your meridians are disturbed by the Blood Poppy Skill, your lungs are also blocked by the Earth Spring, your Dao Body is severely injured by the Heavenly Demon, you must retreat and cultivate quietly to prevent the worsening of your injuries.

This place is your hiding cave, it should be safe for now, if you can trust me..."

Detecting that he intended to leave her and escape alone, Yao Honglei became anxious and quickly said,

"Junior brother! In fact, besides using the Twelve Main Meridians to transmit Qi, there are other methods!"

Tie Dan shook his head,

"I know, but we tried just now; your Eight Meridians aren’t open, forcibly sending Qi might risk possession by a demon..."

"I’m not talking about Qi, I’m talking about..."

Yao Honglei bit her lip, leaned in close, and explained softly in Tie Dan’s ear.

Tie Dan was stunned,

"Is that possible? Does it work?"

"Of course it works, isn’t it just like taking Heavenly Materials Treasures, swallowing elixirs and medicines, it’s the same principle..."

Yao Honglei said, blushing,

"In extraordinary times, we must use extraordinary measures.

Even if you go to Heng Mountain for help, you first need to suppress my meridian disorder and relieve the severe pain so that I can focus on retreating for cultivation.

Moreover, since we are already connected... I, I don’t mind..."

Tie Dan hesitated for a moment, but seeing Yao Honglei severely injured, delay was not an option, knowing it was not the time to be conflicted, he nodded.

"Alright, let’s do it."

Thus, the two followed Yao Honglei’s method, although not as efficient as direct Qi transmission, they achieved some modest results.

After several days of cultivation, their combined efforts barely suppressed the internal injuries caused by Yao Honglei’s intense use of the Blood Poppy Skill. The pain finally alleviated, allowing for energy transfer.

However, her external injuries remained severe, with a torn arm damaging her meridians, requiring a long time to heal.

Moreover, being tainted by the Earth Spring, she couldn’t use Daoist Skills, only relying on growth techniques for self-defense. If enemies from the Immortal Palace Xuan Sect found her, she would still be in grave danger.

Therefore, without further delay, Tie Dan took his leave from the reluctant Yao Honglei, promising to return for her in a month, and set off alone for Heng Mountain.

After all, Tie Dan calculated and concluded he couldn’t take her with him.

The Void Heavenly Demon was targeting him, and anytime could reveal itself.

Staying with Tie Dan would inevitably draw others into his endless tribulation, leading to innocent deaths.

Yao Honglei’s fate was not strong enough; now severely injured, she feared she couldn’t survive another calamity.

Meanwhile, Shadow was shattered, and Kun was nowhere to be found.

Even Lord Xiao, the Artifact Spirit, was gravely injured, fallen into a deep slumber, and no longer appeared.

The flute in his hand was covered in fine cracks, as if stepped on, and could shatter into a thousand pieces at any moment.

Suddenly, it seemed as if the world was once again down to Tie Dan alone...

But it’s fine, Tie Dan was used to it by now.

Since he was such a Heavenly Evil Star, only diminishing the fate and luck of those around him, maybe this path was meant for him to walk alone...

Indeed, just three days into the journey, he crashed headfirst into another tribulation.

"Roar——!"

A demon beast resembling a bear charged head-on, while behind, the sound of wind clearly indicated an ambush.

Tie Dan remained expressionless, his feet executing the Three Talents Step, sidestepping the beast attack and arrow shot, drawing out the pair of Mandarin Duck Fast Knives around his waist given by Yao Honglei, slashing out with his hands.

The long blade of the Mandarin Duck Saber shimmered with Red Evil, while the short blade of the Yang Saber glowed with Purple Mist, one crimson, one purple, their sharp edges swiftly slashing twice, dissecting the demon beast, splitting skulls, killing it instantly.

The forest person turned to flee, but Tie Dan untied the Green Silk Sword wrapped around his waist, with a throw and a pull, a pitiful scream echoed, falling into a thicket.

Tie Dan calmly carved out and consumed the demon beast’s inner core, replenishing the lost Essence Blood from recent days, then followed the blood trail into the trees.

There he saw a man dressed as a hunter, covered in beast skin, crawling away with his legs severed by the Green Silk Sword.

Noticing the confiscated officer boots on the enemy’s feet, Tie Dan realized he was a spy sent by the Demon Palace into the mountains.

Had their actions already alerted their pursuers?

No need for questions, Tie Dan casually threw the Mandarin Duck Saber, its spinning blade swiftly decapitating the man, returning to his hand.

Then Tie Dan leapt up into the trees, hiding among the branches.

Indeed, he wasn’t alone; it wasn’t long before three or four more people, with six or seven dogs, came searching, finding the body.

Without a word, Tie Dan crossed his dual knives, descended from the tree, killing them all.

The skills of these people were not strong, at most at the Foundation Establishment Realm, practicing Gang Fist for physical strength.

However, they knew the art of tracking in the forest, thus serving as the army’s eyes and ears, advance scouts not to be left alive.

Eliminating these spies might buy some time, but symptomatic relief alone wouldn’t suffice; the root cause must be addressed.

Under the cover of night, Tie Dan donned the beast skin hunting clothes of the spies, tracking their scent in the opposite direction, finding the mountain path leading to the Chidao beyond.

This Chidao likely connected Jiangdu to the Three Constellations, dotted with relay stations, originally for transmitting Royal Decrees and military orders, serving as rest stops for travelers and traders. With the bustling populace of the Southern Country, people gradually gathered around these stations, setting up stalls to sell tea and mountain goods, forming villages.

Upon entering the courtyard, Tie Dan saw more than a dozen fine steeds in the stable, promptly bending low, altering his physique with Bone Shrinking Skill, hunching into the relay station.

In the inn, eight barbarians occupied two long tables, drinking and feasting. Others avoided them altogether.

Yet, these people’s abilities weren’t high, not a single one in the Golden Core Realm, seemingly assigned by higher-ups for scouting missions ensuring no threats.

Tie Dan ordered some water wine and snacks, secretly inquiring for information. Indeed, conversations in the station were abuzz with talk of what’s happening in Jiangdu.

Previously, time was lost in dual cultivation with Yao Honglei in the mountains; now, it became clear seven days had passed since the fierce confrontation; the news of the Heavenly Demon’s descent upon Jiangdu Prefecture was widespread.

Not only was the entire city, with its million inhabitants, trapped in endless black water, even the Southern Expedition Army from the Immortal Palace, numbering two to three thousand, was isolated and cut off within!

Jiangdu Prefecture being the capital of the Southern Country, its immense population and wealth faced devastation, incurring great losses!

The world trembles!

Thankfully, the blame didn’t fall on Immortal Jiang Ying, such a massive event was clearly beyond her doing.

While scapegoats were common, with home territories under threat, the Southern Country Lord prioritizes resources over chasing irrelevant individuals now.

Moreover, blocking Jiangdu, the southern pathway, severed by black water; the Yunmeng Swamp army confronts the Demon Clan to the south, with supply lines desperately rerouted, costly and time-consuming. Prolonged delays risk frontline disturbances, truly provoking catastrophic disaster.

Thus, the Southern Country Lord went all out, expanding the Immortal Records and Divine List, offering high rewards for skilled individuals, gathering in Jiangdu, devising ways to break the black water formation, rescuing those trapped, along with his wealth.

The officials of the Three Constellations rare in consensus, even the Immortal Emperor, seldom emerging from Ziwei Constellation, attended court, issuing orders to the National Pillar General, Spiritual Official, and gathered troops to Jiangdu for sealing demons.

Seeing this, Tie Dan felt time remained, given the celestial elite bore the responsibility. The Three Great Sects, despite internal conflicts, would not tolerate the Heavenly Demon’s whims...

"Friend, may I share a table?"

Tie Dan looked up to see a figure already seated across, uninvited.

That person wore white clothes underneath, draped in a light green outer robe, hair tied with a jade-colored Daoist pin, with a trim beard, jade-like features, sword-like eyebrows, eyes bright as stars.

His face radiated a gentle glow, his Qi Breath impeccably concealed, appearance devoid of any shadow, revealing no hint of depth.

Ordinary patrons, waiters, even barbarians, couldn’t perceive him.

Ah, just an unremarkably extraordinary immortal person.

Tie Dan remained expressionless.

The man proactively gestured respectfully,

"Under the Nine Heavens Xuan Nu, this humble Daoist is Lingxu of Dongzhen Yuqing Temple on Qingcheng Mountain, bow in respect."

Dongzhen Yuqing Temple, Lingxu of the Mountain. Oh...

Tie Dan looked at him,

"Number one under heaven?"

Lingxu slightly smiled, playfully winking,

"You’re too kind, friend, modesty prevails; above and below heaven, all are number one."