Chapter 781: Heaven and Earth Share Longevity
The Vermilion Bird Sword, being hailed as the supreme treasure of the Four Symbols Sect, was naturally extraordinary.
Even though Shao Lin had not unleashed even one ten-thousandth of its power, it was still terrifying. The phantom on the sword's surface seemed like a true Vermilion Bird divine beast awakening.
"Extreme Yang Ninefold Mountain."
Gai Tianjiao stood unyielding, her body as steady as an iron tower. From within her, an endless stream of pure yang energy surged forth, condensing into the dharma form of the Innate Extreme Yang Body.
With a thunderous roar, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth churned violently.
Nine flame mountains rose like bamboo shoots after spring rain, each taller than the last, standing before Gai Tianjiao, exuding an imposing aura.
These nine mountains were formed from gathered flames, not actual peaks.
Yet the defensive power of each mountain was no different from a real one. If the Extreme Yang Ninefold Mountain were to press down simultaneously, it could sink a city of hundreds of thousands into the ground.
"A mere dharma form wants to block the Vermilion Bird Sword?"
Shao Lin sneered, forming a sword seal with two fingers and channeling his sword intent, causing the Vermilion Bird Sword to erupt with even greater power.
"Boom!"
A series of shattering sounds rang out. The Vermilion Bird Sword was unstoppable, piercing through six layers of flame mountains in succession, quickly reaching Gai Tianjiao.
Gai Tianjiao's expression grew serious. She reached into the void with her palm, and a broad, deep-purple sacred sword flew from her Qi Sea into her hand.
"Slaughter Breaking Cloud Heaven Sword."
Gai Tianjiao gripped the sword hilt with both hands, tracing a circle that formed a massive vortex. Hundreds of sword qi surged forth, spinning rapidly around the vortex.
"Boom!"
The deep-purple sacred sword transformed into a beam of light, shooting out from the center of the circle.
The Slaughter Breaking Cloud Heaven Sword was a ghost-grade upper-level sword technique. Gai Tianjiao had spent an entire year mastering it.
Combined with the Extreme Yang Ninefold Mountain, the unleashed power moved even the half-saint-level sword cultivators present, filling them with awe.
"I never thought that, unable to master Sword Two, you'd still cultivate your sword technique to such a formidable level. I underestimated you earlier."
Shao Lin narrowed his eyes, a dark expression flashing across his face. He activated the Seven Star Shift movement technique, grabbed the Vermilion Bird Sword's hilt, and lightly shouted, "Sword Two."
The Vermilion Bird phantom split in two, charging in opposite directions, forming a massive circle thirty zhang in diameter that completely enveloped Gai Tianjiao and the remaining three mountains of the Extreme Yang Ninefold Mountain.
At this moment, Shao Lin's Sword Two had reached the third level: Yin-Yang Separation.
The two swords clashed simultaneously, producing a sound like shattering metal and stone.
The deep-purple sacred sword in Gai Tianjiao's hand was far inferior to the Vermilion Bird Sword. A crack appeared on its surface, quickly spreading from the tip to the hilt.
"Bang!"
The sacred sword shattered into dozens of fragments.
Shao Lin, exhilarated, let out a loud laugh. He controlled the Vermilion Bird Sword, thrusting it forward fiercely. It struck Gai Tianjiao's chest with a *puchi* sound, piercing through her body, the sword tip emerging from her back.
In the final moment, Gai Tianjiao mobilized the vast sacred qi within her, pushing both palms forward, sending dozens of sword fragments flying. Seven or eight of them struck Shao Lin, inflicting some wounds on him as well.
Gai Tianjiao stood rigidly in place, letting out a muffled groan as a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of her mouth.
Then, the dharma form of the Extreme Yang Ninefold Mountain dissolved into wisps of smoke, slowly dispersing.
Shao Lin had never imagined that one day he could defeat Gai Tianjiao. He threw his head back and laughed heartily: "Haha! Gai Tianjiao, didn't expect you'd end up like this, did you?"
With a flick of his sword, the power within it sent Gai Tianjiao flying.
"Bang!"
Gai Tianjiao tumbled more than ten zhang away, one hand clutching her chest, the other supporting herself on the ground. Blood dripped from her lips, falling drop by drop onto the stone slabs.
Gai Tianjiao's defeat at Shao Lin's hands, though unexpected, was understandable.
After all, Shao Lin wielded the Vermilion Bird Sword, which no ordinary sacred sword could withstand. Under such a disadvantage, Gai Tianjiao still managed to wound Shao Lin—a remarkable feat.
Ouyang Huan narrowed his eyes and said, "The Vermilion Bird Sword's power is indeed extraordinary. Even the 'Extreme Yang Ninefold Mountain' dharma form couldn't block it."
Xue Wuye, standing not far from Ouyang Huan, smiled warmly: "Shao Lin, with the Vermilion Bird Sword, is indeed unstoppable. But Gai Tianjiao can't be without a trump card. It's still uncertain who will win or lose."
"Oh?"
Ouyang Huan's gaze returned to the center of the square.
"Big sister, are you alright?"
Gai Hao immediately rushed forward, supporting Gai Tianjiao with a concerned expression.
Gai Tianjiao pushed Gai Hao away with a single palm, enduring the pain as she stood up again. Flames blazed in her eyes, and her battle intent burned even fiercer: "That traitor can't kill me."
Gai Tianjiao crossed her hands, her blood flowing rapidly. Her powerful self-healing ability caused the sword wound on her chest to heal quickly, soon forming a scar.
The Innate Extreme Yang Body was one of the most formidable physiques, surpassing ordinary sacred bodies tenfold in defense, attack, and self-recovery.
Shao Lin sneered: "Gai Tianjiao, you're already so badly injured. Do you still want to fight? The outcome's the same anyway. Why bother?"
"Even if I die, I'll take you with me."
Gai Tianjiao mobilized the sacred qi within her, condensing it into her palms. Between her hands, a bright light point appeared, emitting a blinding radiance. Each ray of light was like a sword.
In an instant, all the sword cultivators present were dazzled by the intense light, their eyes stinging.
"Is Gai Tianjiao using... a mid-ancient era sword technique, Heaven and Earth Share Longevity?" A saint from the Liangyi Sect showed a look of great surprise.
Heaven and Earth Share Longevity was a quasi-sacred technique that could convert all sacred qi within the body into sword qi, unleashing it in an instant to annihilate all enemies before one.
However, this technique was too powerful to control and would ultimately kill the user as well.
No one had expected Gai Tianjiao to have mastered this long-lost technique. Was she truly planning to die together with Shao Lin?
"Madwoman, completely insane."
Even with the Vermilion Bird Sword in hand, Shao Lin felt the threat of death, his face turning pale. Terrified, he immediately fled backward, wanting to get as far away as possible.
"Tianjiao, stop."
Zangyue Sword Saint appeared behind Gai Tianjiao, reaching out a hand to grab the light point between her palms, enveloping it with thick sacred qi.
With a *bang*, the light point exploded in Zangyue Sword Saint's hand, turning into a stream of air that seeped out between his fingers.
Gai Tianjiao's sacred qi was completely depleted. Her legs gave way, and she knelt on one knee, her face pale, gasping for breath: "Master... why did you stop me... I should have... killed that traitor..."
Zangyue Sword Saint sighed and shook his head: "Even if we lose the Sword Pavilion, we can reclaim it a hundred years from now. Why be so stubborn, taking a traitor so seriously?"
He then fed Gai Tianjiao a healing pill and led her away.
The scene just now had startled many. If Zangyue Sword Saint hadn't intervened, two realm sons might have fallen today.
Everyone also deeply realized one thing: from now on, it was best not to provoke Gai Tianjiao. Once she unleashed the "Heaven and Earth Share Longevity" technique, even the most powerful sacred artifact would likely be unable to withstand it.
Shao Lin took a deep breath, the fear in his heart gradually dissipating. Then, he let out a triumphant laugh: "The Innate Extreme Yang Body is nothing special. Truly disappointing."
Hearing Shao Lin's words, the sword cultivators of the Liangyi Sect all showed anger.
At the edge of the white stone square, Xun Hualiu snorted coldly, mocking: "Without the Vermilion Bird Sword, would you even be worthy of being Big Sister's opponent?"
Mu Jiji also laughed loudly: "And who was it that was scared like a grandson just now? Thinking being a realm son makes you so great?"
Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji were both blunt speakers, saying whatever came to mind.
Shao Lin's gaze darkened, fixing on Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji: "Do you two have objections? Want to come out and discuss swords with me?"
Shao Lin's cultivation was profound. With just a glare, his eyes turned into sword qi, flying straight toward the brows of Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji.
Having been trained by Xiao Hei and having recently closed up in the Sword Pavilion, Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji had made rapid progress, reaching the fourth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm.
They released their protective sacred aura and simultaneously struck out with palm prints, shattering the two sword qi formed from Shao Lin's gaze.
Xun Hualiu retreated nine steps before fully neutralizing the sword qi's power, inwardly shocked. Shao Lin's cultivation was terrifying—a single glance could kill cultivators at the first or second transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm.
Yet, Xun Hualiu showed no fear on his face. Instead, he straightened his back and said, "What's so great about you? If Brother Lin Yue made a move, you wouldn't dare be so arrogant."
Hearing this, Shao Lin laughed instead of getting angry: "Lin Yue? Right, where is that sword dao prodigy of your Liangyi Sect? At such a grand occasion, he hasn't fled, has he?"
Just then, everyone's gaze turned sharply toward the top of the altar.
Shao Lin also sensed something, frowning as he turned to follow the crowd's gaze toward the altar's peak. There, a handsome man in a blood-red robe stood proudly at the altar's edge, his body straight as a spear.