Chapter Sixty-Seven: Justice of Heaven and Earth

Boom! Boom! The thunderous moonlight sword energy instantly shattered the encirclement of ferocious attacks from Suo Xiu and his companion. With relentless momentum, Tianming’s twin swords unleashed another wave of sword energy toward the pair.

What?

Watching the surge of violet lightning sword energy slashing toward them, Suo Yangcan and his comrade stared in disbelief, mouths agape. Yet they were not mere amateurs. With a fierce shout, the two exchanged a glance and began to channel their dark energy, which quickly coalesced into a black defensive barrier enveloping them. When the violet lightning sword energy struck, it could advance no further.

“Damn it!” Tianming cursed under his breath.

Now that Suo Yangcan and Suo Xiufu had withdrawn into their turtle shell, Tianming found himself at an impasse. Yet, having already committed to his attack, there was no retreat. The power within his twin swords grew even more intense, and a surging tide of elemental energy from heaven and earth poured from the sword auras, flooding into the violet lightning sword energy pressing against the defensive barrier.

Before long, the violet sword energy, now bolstered by the elemental forces, became even more substantial and formidable.

Suo Yangcan and Suo Xiufu gritted their teeth, channeling their dark energy into the swelling sword energy, striving to repel it.

“Boy, I’d like to see how long you can keep this up!” Suo Xiufu glared at Tianming, his voice cold.

Beside him, Suo Yangcan smirked. Such a reckless brute—so what if you’ve advanced to the tenth rank? Together, they wielded ninth and tenth rank powers; in a contest of elemental energy, they had nothing to fear.

“Oh? Then let’s wait until you’ve withstood my attack before boasting.” Tianming shook his head, his gaze calm as he looked at the two before him.

Hearing this, Suo Xiufu and his companion held their tongues, for they knew he spoke the truth. The pressing matter was to dispel Tianming’s attack; words meant nothing otherwise.

Thus, the three found themselves deadlocked in a tense and awkward standoff.

Yet only Tianming understood he might lose. But as long as he could delay until Chu Qingchen arrived and wear the two down, that would count as victory enough.

…

“This boy…”

Meanwhile, high above in the sky, Qingpo watched in surprise. He had not expected Tianming to create his own elemental art—and more astonishingly, use it so deftly without suffering backlash. With the power of these twin swords combined, Qingpo estimated Tianming could now contend with a second-rank Void Spirit cultivator, though it was nothing impressive to him.

“What is it, Elder Qing?” Shu Meng asked curiously, seeing Qingpo muttering to himself.

Ahem.

“It’s nothing,” Qingpo replied, suddenly aware of her presence and a little embarrassed.

…

“Can you show me what’s happening below?” Since Qingpo didn’t wish to explain, Shu Meng let the matter rest.

He nodded. “Of course.”

With a wave of his hand, an image appeared before Shu Meng.

Within the vision, Tianming’s sword energy ceaselessly battered the elemental shield conjured by Suo Yangcan and his companion, the struggle at a stalemate—sometimes Tianming gained the upper hand, sometimes the two defenders. The scene was almost comical.

Qingpo’s brow furrowed. He could see that, though the battle appeared evenly matched, it was in truth unfair. How could a lone cultivator in the same realm hope to outlast two opponents in a contest of elemental power? Once Tianming’s reserves were exhausted, he would suffer dangerous backlash.

“No, I must help him!” Gazing at Tianming in the image, Shu Meng’s concern outweighed even her amazement at his strength.

Clearly, Shu Meng understood the disadvantage, and her anxious eyes turned to Qingpo.

“Don’t be hasty. He must have his reasons. I don’t think he’s so reckless as to act without a plan.” Qingpo raised a hand to block her, his voice steady.

“Elder, can you really bear to watch him be injured?” Shu Meng’s face grew tense, her tone agitated.

Qingpo shook his head with a gentle smile. “Young lady, if you think I don’t care for his safety, you’re wrong. But you must know that if he is to become truly strong, he cannot always rely on others. How else will he grow?”

“…Forgive me, Elder Qing, I misunderstood you.” At last, Shu Meng understood his intent. Embarrassed, she lowered her head, marveling at his foresight and wondering about the true identity of this spirit. Yet no matter how she guessed, she could not have imagined that the guardian of this secret realm stood before her.

“It’s all right. As long as you understand. If he hasn’t escaped danger in a minute, I will intervene,” Qingpo said thoughtfully as he watched Tianming, as though struck by a sudden idea.

He had sensed that in another minute, Tianming’s elemental reserves would be depleted; that would be the turning point. Shu Meng, unaware, brightened immediately.

“Thank you, Elder Qing!” she exclaimed, delighted.

Seeing her joy, Qingpo couldn’t help but smile as well.

…

“Withdraw!”

In the midst of the stalemate, Tianming suddenly drew back his swords, halting his assault on the dark energy barrier.

Suo Xiufu was caught off guard, his confusion deepening as Tianming made his next unexpected move.

“With twin swords, we confront armies unnumbered!”

With a thunderous shout, Tianming channeled his elemental power and thrust both swords skyward.

Boom! Boom!

Instantly, the sound of countless, disorderly yet powerful footsteps echoed from the mountain.

“Brother, I’ve waited long enough for you!”

At the call, Tianming laughed and looked up.

“Hahaha!”

Echoing laughter resounded through the valley as a fiery figure descended from the sky, landing before Tianming.

“Suo Xiufu, Suo Yangcan—you cannot escape. I have already informed the sect, and now there are hundreds of inner disciples encircling this place. Surrender now, and perhaps your punishment will be lessened. But if you persist, do not blame the sect for being merciless.” Chu Qingchen’s face was solemn as he gazed at the two shrouded in darkness.

“Destroy the Dark Demonic Cultivators—restore peace to the land!”

As his words fell, a powerful voice boomed from the mountaintop. Chu Qingchen was surprised—“Si Kongshi?”

He hadn’t expected Si Kongshi, his companion, to be the first to declare their stance, and was deeply moved.

“Peace! Peace! …”

“Eradicate the Dark Demon Clan! Destroy the Dark Demonic Cultivators!”

…

Inspired by Si Kongshi’s fervor, the hundreds of disciples behind them all raised their weapons, their gazes icy as they stared at Suo Xiufu and Suo Yangcan, still cloaked in darkness. Their voices rang out with righteous energy, echoing through the entire Virtual Wilderness Forest, bright and unyielding, spreading swiftly across the realm…