“Just pretend when they ask you,” said Jian Wuyi.

"Of course. We can’t let them find anything. Wuyi...." Feng Qingyu descended, looked at him and said, "This time, you’ve contributed a great deal to the Archaion Sect. Your status should’ve improved, and the voices questioning you will disappear. When the time comes, you won’t have any trouble entering the Ninefold Formation’s core, will you?" 

“It shouldn’t be a problem. I’m already in control of the trifold formation. It’ll still be to our advantage even if only the trifold formation is broken. I’ll probably gain control of much more after this. In fact, if it weren't for the Nonahall Sect’s lack of confidence in my ability and their fear of betting on me, they wouldn’t have needed to push forward on the ground. Their powerhouses could’ve besieged Taiji Peak Lake directly,” said Jian Wuyi. 

“These people are too cautious. After all, betting on you breaking the formation core is indeed risky. They want to attack from within and without. With both sides guaranteed, it’d be more certain. Unfortunately, they didn’t expect to be so badly defeated in what was supposed to be an easy battle. Their most crucial army of corpse puppets is completely gone. And now those two old ghouls have yet to appear. Who knows what they’re doing?" Feng Qingyu replied. 

“Anyway, they’re the ones who suffered a loss. I couldn’t care less.” 

“Alright, we’ll follow the original plan. You break the Ninefold Formation from the formation nucleus, leaving Taiji Peak Lake undefended, then immediately head to Xuanyuan Lake to take the Hexapath Sword Insight Rock. Fang Taiqing and Xuanyuan Dao will be too busy fighting Nonahall to deal with you," said Feng Qingyu. 

“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. After my contribution this time, these matters will be easy to handle," said Jian Wuyi. 

“Very well.” Feng Qingyu looked at him with fiery eyes. "Wuyi, you’re my biggest trump card and the key to everything. You must hide well. This is an opportunity for the Flameyellow Continent to shuffle the cards. You’ll be the one to determine if the Jian clan becomes kings or criminals!" 

“Yes. After breaking the Ninefold Formation, we’ll leave the Nonahall and Archaion Sect to kill each other. The more lives the Nonahall Sect loses, the harder it’ll be for them to deal with us. The two old ghouls will die from the death phase sooner or later. Without them, the Nonahall Sect won’t be able to sustain themselves. By that time, Dugu Jin will be our only enemy.” Jian Wuyi narrowed his eyes. 

"He’s overconfident. He too has entered the twelfth-level death phase and won’t last long. Moreover, Quadform Sect’s foundation is too weak. We have Sixpath and you!" said Feng Qingyu. 

“In this case, the Nonahall Sect’s crushing defeat is our greatest advantage. With such a shameful defeat, it’s impossible for them to stop fighting." Jian Wuyi smiled. 

Despite the surprise, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly.

“This world will be ours and our clan will stand above all." Feng Qingyu looked up at the sun, his heart boiling with passion. 

“By the way, why do you think Dugu Jin tried to assassinate Xuanyuan Xi during the Number One Summit?" Jian Wuyi suddenly recalled the incident. 

“I don't know. According to the rumors, he tried killing the goddess to stop the war. But this is what ordinary folk think. Xuanyuan Xi is merely the trigger, not the reason. Dugu Jin has many secrets. He might even know the secret of the five-colored star. Unfortunately, he’s very hostile toward me, so there’s no way he’ll tell me anything. He’s the one we need to guard against the most. You’ve been in the Archaion Sect for so many years—do you know him well?" asked Feng Qingyu.

Jian Wuyi shook his head.

“Speaking of the assassination attempt, I’m very annoyed by the Nonahall Sect. At the time, I’d just informed them that you and I are on the same side. They just couldn’t wait for you to test Xuanyuan Xi to see if she really was just a sky saint. Would you have been able to live if Xuanyuan Xi wasn’t so weak? Back then, Xuanyuan Xi had just returned, so no one knew the details. Attempting to assassinate her to test her strength was extremely risky," said Feng Qingyu. 

“If she was pretending and actually had divine power, the Nonahall Ghost Sect wouldn’t dare make a move and my existence would be useless to them. They don't care," said Jian Wuyi.

“Therefore, we can’t believe their promises. If Archaion falls, they’ll still be strong and it’ll be our turn, sooner or later. With their numbers, they used to be powerful, so I didn't have the right to speak. But now we’ll see," Feng Qingyu said coldly. 

“Alright then. That’s the plan for now. I’m leaving,” replied Jian Wuyi.

“Wait.” Pointing at the rising sun, Feng Qingyu added, "It's been a long time since I've seen you. Let’s talk for a while." 

“Alright.” 

On the peak of the snow-capped mountain, two figures, one green and one blue, faced the rising sun like two swords that shone brightly.

“Wuyi, remember when we were young and the two of us were trapped in the Oceanwind Sword Realm for ten years?" Feng Qingyu looked at the sun with a smile on his lips. 

“How can I forget the secret domain the Sword God left behind?” Jian Wuyi replied.

”Many decades have passed in my life, but youth is fleeting. It’s probably because I’m growing old that I recently recalled those bits and pieces. After leaving the Oceanwind Sword Realm, I’ve lived according to what I believe is my destiny. Although I can’t say I’m lonely, I’ve certainly been alone for a long time. Oftentimes, I go for an entire year without speaking. I sometimes think of the days when we cultivated together. It seems that’s the only color in my life," Feng Qingyu sighed. 

Jian Wuyi nodded. 

"Wuyi." Narrowing his eyes, Feng Qingyu continued, "I’ve made millions of enemies in my life, but you’re my only confidante." 

“It doesn’t have to be this way. After being alone for a long time, you’ll lose a balanced mind. Seeing the world may be useful for you when you take that last step. Marrying and having children is also part of sword cultivation," said Jian Wuyi. 

“You’re married and have children. So I ask you, have you succeeded?" Feng Qingyu smiled. 

“No.” Jian Wuyi lowered his head

“Not only that. You were once evenly matched with me back then, yet now you’re still stuck at the eleventh-level life phase. Aren’t you ashamed?" 

“You’re strong, and gave me trouble as soon as you arrived for the Number One Summit.” Jian Wuyi shook his head.

“I wanted to see if you regressed after all these years,” said Feng Qingyu.

“Better than some, worse than others. If necessary, I’ll enter the eleventh-level death phase. Perhaps I may be of more help.” Jian Wuyi replied.

“Yes, do your best. Do you still remember the Sword God’s final wish?” asked Feng Qingyu.

“I’ll never forget it.” 

“Although he grew up in the Tai'e House of Jian, he had roots in the Draconis House of Jian. His long-held wish was that our two clans can be united as one. But unfortunately, when he became a god and swept across the continent, the former Tai'e House of Jian couldn't let go of their arrogance and didn’t respect him. After he left, our clans were further separated from each other. Now, the world has drastically changed. The Tai'e House of Jian has you as its king. As long as we make significant contributions in this troubled world, our clansmen will no longer be stubborn.” 

"It's been over a hundred thousand years. It's time to let go. Who cares about the original clan or its branch? There’s no Tai’e or Draconis House of Jian! There will only be one Jian clan. Only such a clan can become the greatest. We’ve followed the Archaic House of Xuanyuan for so many years. We’ve already exhausted everything and fulfilled all of our duties. It’s time to stand on our own,” said Jian Wuyi. 

“Very well.” Feng Qingyu stretched out his hand.

After staring blankly for a moment, Jian Wuyi held his hand.

“Let’s work together and sweep the world with the sword dao!" Feng Qingyu shouted. 

“Qingyu, you said the same exact thing when we were in our twenties. You look just as silly now.” 

Roaring with laughter, Feng Qingyu shook his head helplessly. “Yes, I didn't expect it would take two hundred years to realize this.... “

“We might be old, but our hearts have never changed,” Jian Wuyi uttered as he looked out at the mountains. The dazzling sun reminded them of their lost youth.

……

In front of the Tribulation Hall, tens of thousands of tribulation elders gathered together and waited with bated breath. The battle reports came in from the four borders one by one. 

There was good news and bad news. Under such circumstances, they were tormented because all they could do was wait. 

“If I’d known I’d be here waiting in agony, I would’ve gone to Tianming City!” 

“Not being able to do anything feels awful!” 

“We have no choice. We must prevent the enemy’s peak powerhouses from attacking here." 

At present, a third of the tribulation elders had already left to support Tianming City, while others had headed east and west.

There were three battlefields in Archaion. In the east and west, they were attacked by Sixpath and Biritual respectively. In the near future, perhaps Quadform and Heptastar would join the battlefield. The entire divine realm was at stake. 

Because Tianming City had recently fought a fierce battle, the atmosphere in Taiji Peak Lake was rather depressing. Even on Tribulation Peak, where the strong were gathered, sighs could be heard all around. The Heaven Branch sect master, Fang Taiqing, stood in front of Tribulation Hall with his hands behind his back, motionless as a mountain. 

At this moment—

"It's Chen Cangshu! Chen Cangshu is back!" 

“Hurry up!” 

Upon hearing that, Fang Taiqing opened his eyes and saw a man descend into the crowd. His face was filled with joy. 

“Do you have good news?” 

They were all anxious.

“Chen Cangshu, tell us!” 

“What’s the hurry? I rushed all the way here to report the news,” Chen Cangshu laughed.

“Stop beating around the bush! Tell us what happened in Tianming City!” the crowd chattered.

“Silence!” 

Everyone calmed down upon hearing Fang Taiqing’s order. Otherwise, Chen Cangshu wouldn’t have an opportunity to speak.

“Speak,” said Fang Taiqing.

“Yes, Sect Master.” 

As he looked at Fang Taiqing, Chen Cangshu succinctly described everything that had transpired in Tianming City

“Sect Master Jian Wuyi resisted Ghoul King Si Ling?” 

“The imperial son used a terrifying technique for soul control and, combined with the power of the formation, led the Arcana Sword Legion and Origin Phoenix Legion in killing more than five million enemy troops, annihilating the enemy’s entire army?!” 

“The palace lord of Deepstar Hall killed four ghoul kings by condensing the strength of the common people and detonating the formation!”