CHAPTER 222: CHAPTER 183 LINGBEI UNIFIED: ’7-STAR SWORD SAINT’ WANG SHAN!

The battle at White Horse Lake, propagated by various Jianghu figures, made Taixu Sword Sect’s Wang Shan’s name resound across the Seven States.

First, he slew Lu Zheng, and then executed Li Rong.

With a wave of his hand, Wang Shan unleashed tens of thousands of Sword Qi, creating a Seven-Star Scroll and cutting down two Void Nether experts in succession. He was revered as a legend of his era and was honored with the title "Seven-star Sword Saint."

He was mentioned alongside Lingnan Taixuan Temple’s "Rock Sword Saint" Liuyangzi as the two great Sword Saints of the North and South.

The former was the "Lingbei Sword Saint," and the latter the "Lingnan Sword Saint," sparking widespread anticipation for a century-defining duel between the two to determine supremacy.

But unfortunately,

The "Seven-star Sword Saint" remained stationed in Lingbei at Taixu Sword Sect and had no time for other matters.

Emerging from Yuezhou, eighteen armies simultaneously attacked Qizhou’s Golden Wild Goose Sect, Xuzhou’s Xingyi Sect, and Yunzhou’s Sun-shooting Divine Mountain, igniting a war that engulfed Lingbei, with flames of conflict spreading across four states.

This battle,

Taixu Sword Sect threw all its resources into the fray, holding nothing back.

The 140,000-strong Blood-Clothed Army lived up to its fearsome reputation, unstoppable in their onslaught.

Additionally, the newly formed "Darksteel Army," whose soldiers were equipped with armor forged from rare Darksteel ore, clashed head-on with a ferocity equal to the veteran Blood-Clothed Army, forming an invincible tide of steel.

Two hundred years of preparation by Taixu Sword Sect.

The 800,000-strong, well-trained Darksteel Army, initially only comparable to slightly superior City Guards, became a formidable force due to their "Darksteel Armor," crafted from rare Darksteel ore discovered on an island in the depths of the West Sea.

This armor far surpassed ordinary protective gear.

Unbreakable by blades or spears.

With such equipment on 800,000 troops, they were unstoppable.

...

On September 15th,

Taixu Sword Sect’s "Seven-star Sword Saint" Wang Shan killed Xingyi Sect’s "Sealing the Four Seas" Lu Zheng and Sun-shooting Divine Mountain’s "Ding Jiangshan" Li Rong at White Horse Lake.

On Green Lake Island, Taixu Sword Sect’s "Five Elements Spear" Li Qingshan slew Golden Wild Goose Sect’s "One Strike City" Wei Hong.

On the same day,

100,000 Blood-Clothed troops and 400,000 Darksteel troops advanced in 12 directions, invading Xuzhou and Qizhou.

They captured 24 cities in a single day.

On September 18th, 40,000 Blood-Clothed troops and 200,000 Darksteel troops divided into six forces, attacking Yunzhou.

Three fronts broke out into war.

Even with Taixu Sword Sect’s vast forces, they should have faced significant strain.

However, the overwhelming power disparity at the Void Realm and God Realm levels made Taixu Sword Sect’s victories swift and decisive.

Observers tallied that, during this conflict, Taixu Sword Sect fielded a total of three Void Nether experts, thirty-two Void experts, and fifty-eight Initial Void experts.

The abundance of Void Realm warriors astonished the world.

Among the Void Nether and Void experts, humans formed the majority.

Among the three Void Nether experts, Wang Shan and Li Qingshan were Old Ancestors of Taixu Sword Sect, with only the Great Sun Golden Peng Bird being a Void Nether Demon Beast.

Among the thirty-two Void experts, Wang Yan, Shen Lang, the eight Void experts of the West Sea, and fourteen black-cloaked figures were all human, totaling twenty-four, while eight were demon beasts. These included the previously known "Gale Divine Eagle," "Shadowless Eagle," and "Bear Venerable," alongside other unknown Void Demon Beasts.

Their sudden emergence left the three factions—Xingyi Sect, Golden Wild Goose Sect, and Sun-shooting Divine Mountain—utterly unprepared.

Among the three, Xingyi Sect was the strongest, with barely twenty God Realm experts, of which only five could rival Void experts in strength.

Among them, "Shaking Sky Pass" Zhou Tianyang had already fallen to Wang Yan during the White Horse Lake battle, leaving Xingyi Sect with only four Gang Strength experts.

The Sun-shooting Divine Mountain and Golden Wild Goose Sect were even weaker than Xingyi Sect.

Lacking the numbers to stand against nearly a hundred Void Realm experts from Taixu Sword Sect, they were no match.

Thus,

Taixu Sword Sect swept forward with unstoppable momentum, capturing three cities in a single day and three counties in ten days.

Starting their campaign on September 15th,

By the end of October, they had conquered five counties in Qizhou, four counties in Yunzhou, and four counties in Xuzhou.

On December 24th,

With the fall of the final city in North Sea County, Xuzhou also fully came under Taixu Sword Sect’s control. Before this, Qizhou and Yunzhou had already been entirely subdued.

From this day onward,

The Lingbei Four States all belonged to Taixu Sword Sect.

And as Taixu Sword Sect’s campaigns progressed, the name "Seven-star Sword Saint" Wang Shan grew ever more resounding.

Lu Zheng.

Li Rong.

Sun Jiuheng.

Bai Zhifei.

Mo Xiang.

Jiran.

Zhu Tianyu.

...

One after another, these once-renowned and peerless figures fell to Wang Shan’s blade. The fame of the "Seven-star Sword Saint" shook the world, causing dread wherever his name was spoken.

Throughout the Seven States of Central Earth, everyone was discussing this meteoric, legendary figure.

When the identities of the eight Void experts revealed by Taixu Sword Sect in this battle were scrutinized, Wang Shan’s background was unearthed even further.

People came to know,

That Wang Shan had once been listed on the "Earthly List" as the fearsome "Black Tornado." Later, he ascended to the Void Realm and disappeared for over two hundred years. During this time, he went to the West Sea and, under the alias "Chen Shan," made an incredible name for himself. As the Sword Tower Master, he had long been honored as the "West Sea’s First Person" and the "West Sea Sword Saint," with prominent friends and allies spread throughout the West Sea.

Now returning to Central Earth, with just one call to arms, eight Void experts had come to his aid.

Additionally, dozens of Initial Void experts volunteered to serve under Taixu Sword Sect.

The rapid conquest of three states within just three months owed much to the Blood-Clothed Army and Darksteel Army, as well as the contributions of the "Five Elements Spear" Li Qingshan.

But the true key was Wang Shan alone!

...

"The West Sea’s Eight Void experts."

"The Great Sun Golden Peng Bird."

"Dozens of Initial Void experts."

"This Wang Shan alone is comparable to several Central Earth sects combined. Now that Lingbei has been pacified, they’ll likely consolidate their hold before crossing the Qinling Mountains and targeting our Lingnan Three States!"

Huangtian City, Guu Family.

The strongest member of the current generation, Guu Haizhen, reviewed the war reports coming from Lingbei, his expression grave.

The campaigns launched by Taixu Sword Sect had indeed been utterly unpredictable.

Especially the emergence of the "Seven-star Sword Saint" Wang Shan, which had caught everyone off guard.

"Two hundred years spent in the West Sea, and upon returning, they shake the world!"

Guu Haizhen furrowed his brows tightly.

Thinking of Wang Shan, a man who single-handedly unified the scattered forces of the West Sea, even the Guu Family’s Old Ancestor, known for his "unconstrained will," found it hard to believe.

"How did he achieve this?!"

"The vast West Sea, with its countless powerful individuals living freely and unwilling to submit. Wang Shan may be strong, but how did he gain the ability to command dozens of Void experts, bringing them from the West Sea to fight life-and-death battles in Central Earth?"

"Just by reputation? Friendship?"

Guu Haizhen remained utterly baffled.

He had anticipated that Central Earth would someday see the rise of a figure similar to the Northeast King or Northwest King, someone capable of threatening Huangtian City’s existence.

He had also considered that figures with the might of Emperor Yong or Sword Ancestor might appear to unify the Seven States.

But he had never imagined,

That a single Wang Shan, at the Void Nether level, could rely on his "Long Sleeves Dance" to rally so many masters and effortlessly conquer the Lingbei Four States.

This was utterly absurd.

"Seventh Brother!"

While Guu Haizhen was still lost in thought, a figure descended from the skies and landed within Huangtian City.

This was Guu Shang, another Gang Strength expert and a clan brother of Guu Haizhen.

Three months earlier,

When "Seven-star Sword Saint" Wang Shan fought at White Horse Lake, even Huangtian City had sent God Realm experts to observe. From other Void Realm experts, they learned of Wang Shan’s swordsmanship, which was uncannily similar to that of "West Sea Sword Saint" and Sword Tower Master Chen Shan.

Guu Haizhen immediately dispatched Guu Shang to the West Sea to investigate the matter.

After three months,

Today, Guu Shang finally returned.

Looking travel-worn and not pausing to rest, Guu Shang immediately reported to Guu Haizhen, "The Sword Tower Master of the West Sea, named ’Chen Shan,’ began to rise to prominence more than two hundred years ago. With unparalleled swordsmanship, he was renowned as the ’West Sea Sword Saint.’ Chen Shan enjoyed associating with allies and mentoring younger talents. Over the last two centuries, most of the Void experts emerging in the West Sea received his guidance. Many active Void experts in the West Sea are personal friends of Chen Shan."

"Moreover, this Chen Shan is proficient in healing arts capable of saving lives and resurrecting the near-dead. Many of the West Sea’s major factions and experts have sought his skills for their loved ones, incurring great debts of gratitude. Within the West Sea, he holds unmatched dominance; some have privately even referred to him as the ’West Sea Gentleman,’ ’West Sea King,’ or even ’West Sea’s First Person.’"

As Guu Shang finished speaking in one breath, his expression was equally solemn.

Located in Central Earth’s southeast, Huangtian City typically sent its experts to train in the Eastern Extreme Wilderness or southern mountain ranges, leaving them with limited knowledge about West Sea affairs.

Still, they had not expected,

That during these two centuries, the West Sea had produced such a figure.

The West Sea Sword Saint!

The West Sea King!

A man whose benevolence blanketed the entire West Sea, wielding awe-inspiring prestige.

"Such deep scheming!"

"Such grand ambition!"

Guu Haizhen shuddered inwardly upon hearing this.

It appeared Wang Shan had already been plotting in the West Sea over two hundred years ago, laying plans to return to Central Earth and lead a West Sea coalition.

Using an entire lifetime to set such a strategy in motion—truly an extraordinary display of skill.

"Taixu Sword Sect has become a towering force, ruling over four states. Once they solidify their rear guard, it would take no more than ten years for them to mount an offensive southward over the Qinling Mountains."

"Before that happens, we must seize the initiative and strike while their foundation is unstable."

"Otherwise, the consequences would be dire!"

Guu Haizhen spoke gravely.

The two chief warriors of Taixu Sword Sect, Wang Shan and Li Qingshan, were already over three hundred years old, with limited time left. If they intended to unify Central Earth, they wouldn’t delay for several decades.

Action would undoubtedly be swift.

Thus,

There was very little time left for Huangtian City to prepare for war.

Another Gang Strength expert from Huangtian City, Pei Yuansheng, frowned deeply and said, "Taixu Sword Sect possesses secret techniques to enslave demon beasts. The Qinling Mountains harbor tens of thousands of Iron Arm Monkeys alone. Crossing the Qinling Mountains would be an immensely difficult challenge for us!"

When Taixu Sword Sect began its campaign against three states, Huangtian City had already attempted to send troops to launch a rear assault and disrupt their plans.

However, Taixu Sword Sect was thoroughly prepared.

The Qinling Mountains saw the emergence of tens of thousands of Iron Arm Monkeys, along with Void Realm demon beasts and Void Realm experts, who repelled the forces of Huangtian City.

The delay allowed

Taixu Sword Sect to successfully conquer three states and establish its dominance.

"For Huangtian City alone, it would indeed be difficult."

"However, the rise of Taixu Sword Sect is something both the Great Sun Vajra Temple and Taixuan Temple would also be unwilling to see."

With a premeditated air, Guu Haizhen issued an order: "Quickly invite the Rock Sword Saint and the Golden Light Bodhisattva to Huangtian City for a meeting!"

...

While Lingbei was unified, Lingnan grew restless.

After intervening in the early stages, Chen Jichuan stopped further involvement.

He focused entirely on the Sword Steles as well as the inheritances of Golden Wild Goose Sect, Sun-shooting Divine Mountain, and Xingyi Sect.

On this day,

In the Northern Territory of Xuzhou,

The Great Sun Golden Peng Bird soared through the skies, its keen eagle eyes watching the ground below intently. Standing atop the Golden Peng Bird was Chen Jichuan, surveying the land beneath.

All three states had fallen.

The large-scale battles in Lingbei were drawing to a close. The remaining forces from the three factions had scattered into the wilderness and continued to cause minor disturbances. However, these scattered remnants posed no real threat and did not warrant Chen Jichuan’s personal intervention.

He directed the Great Sun Golden Peng Bird and used the "Circular Light Skill" to calculate the locations of the three factions’ inheritances and the "Wood" Sword Stele. By now, the inheritances of Sun-shooting Divine Mountain and Golden Wild Goose Sect, along with the complete set of the Wood Sword Stele, were all in his possession.

Only the true inheritance of Xingyi Sect remained elusive.

RUMBLE!

Chen Jichuan unleashed streaks of Sword Qi without reserve, each strike burrowing into the earth and blasting open deep pits, exposing a gray silhouette buried below.

"Faster, faster, faster!"

"You need to go faster!"

Lu Bi, covered in dirt and looking frantic, shouted repeatedly at the "Six-eared Ground Rat" he was riding. In his hand, he held tightly to a Pill Book Iron Certificate.

With Sword Qi raining down from the heavens,

Accompanied by a ferocious storm-like pursuit,

The Six-eared Ground Rat, Central Earth’s top subterranean divine beast, moved silently through the earth but could not lose the relentless pursuit of the Great Sun Golden Peng Bird and the murderous Wang Shan overhead!

Lu Bi’s heart was filled with despair as he desperately hoped to escape Wang Shan’s pursuit using the Six-eared Ground Rat.

But when a Sword Map descended from above,

"It’s over!"

Lu Bi only felt an intense pain surge through his body. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness entirely!

...