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nXun Yawen appeared over a spot in the Central Sea, as the space around was unstable and imperfect, but became normal within her vicinity to break down again when she passed the spot. There was a giant pillar-like boulder which was more correct to call a whole mountain, but made of one solid piece, floating over her head, sending out formless profound ripples, currents of Spiritual Qi going in and out of it, with the flow and quantity of the ones coming out of it far greater than the ones going in.

nBut she did not pay any mind to it, looking down to the sea surface which was swirling in a gigantic vortex, which outer parts almost faded in the distance, and center was lost in deep darkness.

n“Heh, you finally respond to my command again huh? You made me a bit nervous there”

nShe spoke, stretching out her hand, and a small square piece of jade exuding an ancient and profound aura flew up in her hand from below the waters. Its surface was very obviously not carved by human hands, but it looked beautiful like a piece of artwork, every line, every natural curve of it evoking a feeling of something arcane and mysterious.

nThe otherworldly beauty first looked at the jade floating above her palm, and then as it flew into the palm, becoming smaller and disappearing within it as it closed, turned her gaze down again.

n“Soon… it’s almost awake… hahaha, I almost want to stay to witness the face he makes…”, she chuckled, but then a small beautifully carved communication jade tied with a strap to her sash slightly vibrated and as she checked it her face slightly soured, and then made a sigh full of lament, “haa~, it truly has been fun. Shame it has to end so soon, but time waits for no one”

nShe then came to terms with the need to leave, and disappeared from the spot without a trace, as the space she was in broke down and became chaotic again, while the vortex below swirled with the same pace.

nBut there was a very slight, imperceptible wave within that swirling water that went unnoticed by the beauty.

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nThe ship arrived at the gulf that cut inland into the Cloud Piercing Empire, and then approached the shores of a vast and rich Spiritual Land.

nAs only four of the Five Great Sects remained, the Cloud Piercing Sect was the last one that Wu Long had yet to visit, and aside from the one that was now gone, the most hostile to him from the very beginning.

n“Haa~ so we are here…”, Ye Ling sighed as she looked at the shore.

nWu Long nodded standing next to her, after which the ship sailed along the shore until it reached the vicinity of a group of majestic-looking buildings standing amid cliffs and facing the sea.

nThey were made with pure white stone, stretching far up, as if attempting to pierce the sky itself.

nThough the upper parts which looked like swords piercing the sky were mostly purely decorative, as the parts with actual facilities were located in the relatively thicker middle levels, and the far bulkier lower parts of those buildings.

nThere were also smaller traditional buildings, with white walls and dark gray roofs all around them.

nIn normal times, people wearing pure white robes could be seen all around, meditating amid the lush nature that sprawled in between the buildings, with waterfalls and trees left intact, as if in perfect harmony with the human constructions.

nThe whole Sect looked like a stronghold of pristine and even slightly ethereal principles and high-minded people.

nThe harsh Northern climate accentuated this feeling, as the weather here was almost perpetually gloomy, with harsh winds and heavy rains.

nThis weather was in full display at this time, as large and heavy waves hit the rocky shore, the gray gloomy sky illuminating the surroundings and giving them a solemn look.

nThe ship was far too noticeable from afar for it to not attract attention, as Sect Protectors were gathered at the platforms facing the gulf.

nThe Sect Protection Formation was also activated into alert state.

n“You are nearing the territory of the Cloud Piercing Sect! The First of the Five Great Sects!!! Anchor the ship and identify yourselves or face immediate elimination!”

nA voice full of authoritative power spoke with absolute assurance that the command it issued would be followed. freёweɓnovel.com

nHowever, the ship simply continued to sail at moderate speed toward the Sect in silence.

n“Hmph! Arrogant bastards not knowing their limits! You have made a foolish mistake! Sect Protectors, listen to orders, form the Cloud Piercing Sword Formation!!!”

nThe voice was now tinged with indignation and incredulousness as it spoke, the army of Sect Protectors on the shores raising their swords up to the sky in one hand and making a hand seal with the other. ‘Heh, starting with their hallmark technique huh?’, Wu Long chuckled, as this was the core of this Sword Sect’s legacy, group sword formations with this one in particular being the crown jewel of them.

nA glowing whiteish pattern appeared in the skies above the Sect, and a giant sword made of light grew from the pattern, its blade quickly reaching the skies and piercing the clouds.

n“Attack these insolent pests!”

nThe sword then turned in the air and torpedoed toward the ship.

nTwelve golden swords flew out from the ship, and aligning the very tips of the blades together, rotated in a shape of a slightly closed umbrella as they flew toward the giant sword.

n*Clang!!!* *Scrrr!*

nA loud sound resounded as the two attacks collided, the shockwaves sending multiple ripples through the surface of the water, and then a grinding sound came right after as the rotating twelve golden swords were holding back the giant one made of light.

n“…! S-stop!! Stop the attack!!!”

nThe voice had a tinge of bewilderment and quite palpable panic in it next.

nAs the sword stopped and then retreated, dissipating, an old man in all white, with a long white beard, appeared in the air above the sea between the Ship and the Sect.

nHowever, while the attack was stopped the glowing array pattern in the skies was still rotating in a measured manner, signifying the readiness to strike again.

n“Your Imperial Majesty, we have not been told of your visit. I am the Hall Master of the Sect Protection Hall, Grand Elder Bao. Forgive our attack, but I must remind you that even you have to give us advance warning of your arrival, and cannot barge into the Sect whenever you want!”

nThe old man spoke only slightly lowering the sanctimonious attitude, but still keeping the relatively high handed tone and bearing for someone presumably speaking with a ruler of an Empire.

nHowever, his eyes widened as he saw the Blade Empress, as while she still wore clothes she was used to, thus keeping a look giving her a regal and majestic appearance, the accessory in her hair was no longer the crown that represented her status.

n“Heh, it seems you no longer represent the Wood Spirit Empire… which makes less sense for you to behave like thi-…”, as he was speaking, his tone recovering that slight bit of high and mighty attitude it lost before, his vision which was extremely focused on Nie Xiwang finally became relaxed enough to see around her, as he lost speech at the sight he saw.

nWhile a sight of a beauty with such a heavenly appearance as Nie Xiwang was rare, it still could be witnessed now and then throughout a long enough life by those who were in high positions.

nHowever, it was a completely different deal entirely to see so many of them all at once, each possessing their own charm and while being varied in their features, all having the qualifications to be called a heavenly beauty.

nHe then noticed the familiar faces of the Frozen Garden Palace, standing a bit further away, and then finally, a single man who stood in the center of this heavenly forbidden garden, as a realization started to hit the old man.

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