The War Sword Sweeps the World

The vast ocean stretched without end, its magnificent waves rolling and crashing. White surges lashed at the high heavens, like a thousand piles of snow shattering in the sky—a boundless expanse of white.

The colossal stone statue that had risen from the sea towered into the sky, subduing all who beheld it. Such a towering and majestic carving—it was hard to imagine how much human effort had been expended to complete it. And that it had risen from the depths of the sea added another layer of mystery.

Whose statue stood in the middle of the sea? Was it foreshadowing something? That was the question on everyone's mind.

The mountain-like giant statue seemed almost alive, as if a world-shaking killing intent emanated from it. Many felt a chill in their hearts.

Half of the cultivators present knew Xiao Chen's past. Some of their sects had even dealt directly with him. Recalling all that had happened before—that murderous fiend who had swept the world and slaughtered for a thousand li—the lingering shadow of that figure still haunted their hearts. Looking upon this statue, some could not help but tremble.

Above the sea, the sky was thick with human figures. Cultivators from all sides had gathered, watching the scene intently.

Clang—

The sound of a sword cry shook heaven and earth. The essence of metal energy filled the air, and a murderous aura swept through the clouds, rising into the sky, stirring the angry waves below.

In that moment, everyone's heart leaped. Such a sword cry heralded the imminent appearance of a heavy treasure—it was surely a peerless divine sword.

The treasure had not yet appeared, but the keen sword intent had already pierced forth, shaking the entire sky.

This was unquestionably a rare spiritual treasure. Everyone present could feel it.

How could such a treasure fall into someone else's hands? That was almost everyone's thought. Many surged forward, wanting to wait for the spirit treasure to manifest and seize the advantage.

Conflict was inevitable. Some experts had already begun to attack in secret, vying for favorable positions.

Ah—

Finally, someone could not hold back any longer. They struck viciously, causing bloodshed.

With a peerless treasure before them, every powerful cultivator knew its value and wanted to claim it for themselves. Chaos reigned on the scene, threatening to erupt into a bloody river.

But contrary to all expectations, after the sword cry echoed, heaven and earth fell silent once more. The spirit treasure seemed to have concealed itself, showing no further signs of emergence. The restless crowd gradually calmed as well, everyone exchanging bewildered glances, wondering why it had stopped.

"Why isn't the treasure moving?" some impatient ones shouted.

"It must be hidden inside this statue! Let's smash it open!"

"In my opinion, the peerless divine sword is concealed within those giant stone swords."

...

Many impulsive people were about to charge forward, while the powerful cultivators remained silent, watching calmly.

Clang—

As if aroused by the crowd's momentum, the heaven-shaking sword cry sounded once more. The clouds in the sky were shaken apart.

A sight that could change the very color of heaven and earth further convinced everyone that this was an ultimate treasure. Even the most resolute of minds found it hard to resist the temptation. Everyone wanted to seize it.

"Smash the statue! Find the treasure!" Those who were eager for quick gains and restless had already charged forward.

"Who dares?!" At that moment, a black-clad youth soared into the sky, standing alone in the center of the field, facing everyone. "Whoever dares to damage this statue by even a fraction, I, the Defiant Dragon King, will kill them without mercy!"

He was no longer the stubborn youth of years past. Having grown up, the innate kingly aura of the Dragon Clan made his presence as imposing as a mountain or sea. Though he stood alone before the statue, the immense pressure he gave the crowd felt like he was confronting a thousand troops. This was the unique might of a Dragon King.

"What right do you have to stop us?"

"This statue doesn't belong to your family!"

...

Some shouted in anger, but the vast majority chose silence. Many knew the relationship between this Dragon King and Xiao Chen.

The Defiant Dragon King's jet-black hair was crowned by a pair of horns that flashed with brilliant light, two dazzling beams shooting into the sky—a sign that he was about to strike.

"You should know whose statue this is, but you do not know how it came to be." The Defiant Dragon King spoke with fury. "Many of you come from the World of Immortality, and yet you would destroy this statue to seek treasure? Truly returning kindness with enmity!"

"You don't need to tell us whose statue that is. Who doesn't know the cold-blooded, murderous fiend of those years?"

"He slaughtered for three thousand li, spreading terror across the world. Calling him the greatest villain of the ages is not too much." Naturally, there were disciples of the sects that had been massacred back then. Recalling the past, it was truly a dark history.

"He may have killed across the world, but what came of it in the end? He suffered heaven's punishment, his soul scattered, not even his bones left behind."

...

The vast majority remained silent. Those who spoke were disciples of the great sects that Xiao Chen had severely suppressed back then.

It was unclear whether the Defiant Dragon King was laughing in anger or in contempt, but his laughter shook the sky. "You only dare to clamor like this after his death. When he was alive, even your ancestors avoided battle. What use is mere boasting now? If you want to break this statue, come at me. I, the Defiant Dragon King, will take you all on alone! Naturally, I will also visit each of your sects in due time."

The Defiant Dragon King was famous throughout the world, his combat prowess astonishing. Few in the Nine Provinces could match him. Many were uncertain, not daring to be the first to provoke him, lest they face his unmatched Dragon King battle arts.

"We know you had a close relationship with him, but can you block a spirit treasure from emerging because of that?" someone complained indignantly.

The Defiant Dragon King's face was expressionless, but standing there alone, he exuded a powerful deterrent force. He spoke slowly: "It's not just because of my relationship with him. If you smash this statue, you will be doing him a grave injustice. Many here are from the World of Immortality. You all know about the invasion of the Otherworld Ancestral Gods back then, but how many know of the feat of blocking an Ancestral God while pierced by twenty-four war swords?"

"What are you talking about?" many shouted.

"Xiao Chen never wanted to speak of it back then, and I have nothing more to say now. Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me. If you want to smash the statue, come for me first. I'll take you all on alone."

Xiao Chen's ethereal red diamond skeleton body stood in the distant sky, quietly watching all of this. Recalling the many events of those years, he was deeply moved. The stubborn little one from back then had grown up, already capable of roaming the world.

The potential of a Dragon King was limitless. Over the years, the Defiant Dragon King had continuously transformed. Although the world was full of experts, the number of people who could contend with him could be counted on one hand. Most dared not step forward.

"Hahaha..." At that moment, a burst of laughter rang out. A silver-haired youth of medium build and unremarkable appearance walked forward through the void, his body shimmering with faint divine radiance. "Just a stone statue—what's there that cannot be smashed? Unfortunately, I set off too late back then. By the time I arrived in the Mortal World, he had already fallen. Otherwise... heh!"

Many recognized this person. It was the Nine-Headed Divine Snake, who dominated the southwestern region of the Nine Provinces—a powerful figure who could definitely contend with the Defiant Dragon King.

"What use are words now? If you think you're strong enough, go take a walk in the Dead City first, then come back and show off your might." The Defiant Dragon King's words were merciless.

The Nine-Headed Divine Snake was not angered. He shook his head and laughed. "His entry into the Dead City back then was a matter of opportunity, not that he had the power to control it. The dead are gone; I won't say much more. But aren't you being too overbearing? Do you really think you can single-handedly block the world's heroes from seeking the treasure?"

The Defiant Dragon King's eyes flashed cold light. "Nine-Headed Snake, do you think a single word can isolate me from the rest of the world? Everyone knows right from wrong about Xiao Chen's merits and faults back then. Look at who's been clamoring—they're all disciples of the sects he crushed. "

"Hahaha..." The Nine-Headed Divine Snake laughed loudly. "Today, I'll stop you. Don't think you're invincible under heaven."

If he held back the Defiant Dragon King, others could naturally smash the statue. Hearing this, the sects that had been bloodily massacred by Xiao Chen back then began to shout.

Just then, three more figures flew in, surrounding the Defiant Dragon King. One of them said, "Defiant Dragon King, your actions are overbearing. Standing against the world's heroes requires corresponding strength. If you lack it, today you will be killed."

"You're Ye Jiuzhong?" The Defiant Dragon King was not surprised to see the three surrounding him. "I knew you would come. If you want to fight, come all together."

Nearby, the crowd was astonished. These were three of the five strongest Qi Refiners—all top-tier experts.

The Nine-Headed Divine Snake laughed heartily. "No need for them to act. We've already fought once; let's continue the unfinished battle."

And so the two mighty experts began to battle.

The Nine-Headed Divine Snake split into nine forms, mysterious and unpredictable, his magical power unfathomable. Light blazed as he sealed off the sky above the sea.

The Defiant Dragon King roared to the heavens, shattering the void. The wild aura of a dragon swept through everything. His combat power surged wildly. Dragon Clan ancient battle arts shocked the world. The shadow of the Ancestral Dragon coiled around his body, facing nine figures alone without the slightest fear.

He grew stronger the more he fought!

The vast ocean stirred up furious waves; the sky rolled with angry clouds. The two mighty experts thus fought fiercely before the statue.

Ye Jiuzhong and the other two retreated to the side, closely watching the battle.

Roar—

A heaven-shaking roar. The Nine-Headed Divine Snake was a top expert of the current era; how else could he dare to battle a Dragon King? With a long cry, his nine figures transformed into nine enormous silver serpents, rising up simultaneously in the sky to entangle and kill the Defiant Dragon King.

The Little Defiant Dragon shattered the void with his palms. The shadow of the Ancestral Dragon coiled around his massive body suddenly roared, transforming into a colossal Ancestral Dragon phantom that shot into the sky, then swept toward the nine silver serpents.

A battle of dragons and serpents!

The sea roared, stirring up towering waves, while the enormous stone statue stood unmoving, silent.

The fierce battle of the two mighty experts sent out endless terrifying pressure.

Among the watching crowd, the weak retreated, the strong were shocked, and all changed color.

As if stimulated by the momentum of the two top experts, the colossal stone statue rising from the sea trembled slightly, and then the sound of a sword cry rang out once more, reaching for hundreds of li, the sword qi piercing the clouds.

"It's the stone sword stuck in the chest! I saw it just now!"

"I saw it too—that one trembled."

This time, sharp-eyed cultivators noticed where the sword cry came from and shouted out.

This was a peerless treasure. No matter how one evaluated Xiao Chen, no one could hold back. Everyone rushed forward.

The Defiant Dragon King's combat power was unmatched, enough to look down upon the world, but now he was entangled by a powerful enemy and surrounded by experts, with no way to stop them.

"Smash the statue! Release the sealed treasure!"

"Perhaps all twenty-four stone swords that pierce the body are treasures—unimaginable!"

Many charged forward, ready to act.

The Defiant Dragon King was enraged. He roared to the sky, his body rapidly expanding until he transformed into a great dragon, not much different from the body of the Ancestral Dragon itself. The divine dragon lashed its tail, sending up sky-high waves that swept toward the flying cultivators. At the same time, his pair of enormous dragon horns swept out a blaze of light. The Dragon Clan's great divine abilities manifested, sweeping many into the sea.

The Dragon Clan possessed not only battle arts but also fearsome great divine abilities, though the Little Defiant Dragon rarely displayed them in ordinary times.

The Nine-Headed Divine Snake was no ordinary opponent either. Nine divine pythons moved together, blocking the Defiant Dragon King's strikes. Nine brilliant beams of light intertwined, trying to entangle and kill their enemy.

Beside them, Ye Jiuzhong and the other two powerful Qi Refiners watched eagerly, ready to strike at any moment.

The Defiant Dragon King was furious. He shook his dragon body mightily, blocking the nine divine pythons, then swept out endless beams of light from his horns, beginning a slaughter of those who wanted to smash the statue.

The Dragon Clan's great divine abilities swept away all obstacles. Where the divine light passed, bursts of blood exploded, and many experts fell in an instant.

In the distant sky, Xiao Chen was deeply moved. The Little Defiant Dragon had fought so recklessly for his statue, bringing back memories of their time together. He knew he could not delay any longer—he had to persuade the Little Defiant Dragon to retreat, or else even with the Dragon Clan's unmatched battle arts and divine abilities, he could not withstand so many experts.

Whoosh—

A red light streaked across the sky. The red diamond skeleton appeared in the battlefield, transmitting spiritual fluctuations: "Stop!"

This was the Mortal World, and the red diamond skeleton looked especially striking. The Nine-Headed Divine Snake and the Little Defiant Dragon both stopped at the same time.

Xiao Chen ignored the Nine-Headed Divine Snake and turned to the Little Defiant Dragon. "The dead are gone. You've done enough. This is just a stone statue—let them do as they please. Don't throw yourself into it."

The Little Defiant Dragon had seen this skeleton near the Dead City confronting the Seventh Prince, but did not know its identity. He had not expected to meet again here.

"I cannot let them destroy it. This is my only hope..." After saying this, the Little Defiant Dragon gave a long cry, and his horns once again swept out endless divine light, brushing toward the cultivators charging at the statue.

Xiao Chen could never allow the Little Defiant Dragon to risk himself like this, even if he had to reveal his identity now.

But just then, a powerful force swept in, and he vanished into thin air.

Many had already reached the statue. Blades and swords flew, and various treasures smashed against it.

The Little Defiant Dragon did his utmost, fighting the Nine-Headed Divine Snake while also trying to protect the statue.

"Twenty-four swords through the body, blocking an Ancestral God—this statue must not fall. There should be a glimmer of hope. I must preserve it!" The Little Defiant Dragon began to fight for his life.

At this moment, Ye Jiuzhong and the other two Qi Refiners finally struck as well, trapping the Defiant Dragon King.

But the Defiant Dragon King fought to the death without retreating, with no intention of fleeing alone. This surprised Ye Jiuzhong and the others, and delighted them—if so, they might be able to slay the Little Defiant Dragon.

Just then, the sound of a sword cry rang out continuously, as if heaven and earth were shaking. The colossal stone statue began to tremble violently.

Many of those who had rushed onto the statue were terrified, looking up at the towering giant shadow. A chill rose in many hearts.

Especially when they saw the lifelike face, it was as if they saw the demon star who had once slaughtered the world.

The stone statue shook violently, stirring up raging waves in the sea.

It was as if a sleeping giant had awakened. Not only did the statue's body shake, but its face gradually showed expression. At first, it seemed confused, then revealed a shocked expression.

Its head moved first, looking in all directions, then up at the sky.

Finally, as if it had confirmed something, it shook its stone body violently, struggling as if to break free from some restraint.

At its movement, the winds and clouds changed, and heaven and earth were thrown into great turmoil.

Clang— The sound repeated without end. The stone sword that pierced its chest began to pull itself out. The massive stone body seemed to gradually shed its restraints, gaining some strength. With a rumble, it raised its right arm.

Then the giant statue's body seemed to come fully to life, able to move.

The sea erupted with fury, raising a thousand waves.

Many were terrified. Back then, Xiao Chen had killed across the world, shaking the Nine Provinces. For many, it was a dark age. Now, his stone statue had come to life—how could it not be shocking?

Clang— The statue's enormous right hand grasped the stone sword stuck in its chest and pulled it out mightily. Instantly, the winds and clouds changed, and heaven and earth lost their color.

Clouds from all eight directions were shaken apart by the sword qi!

No light was emitted, no sword beam shot forth, but the invisible sword qi of the giant stone sword shook the ten directions.

The Little Defiant Dragon, bathed in blood and fighting desperately, roared to the sky with tears streaming down his eyes.

The stone statue seemed to have emotions as well. Looking at the blood-soaked Little Defiant Dragon, who had fought against all odds and risked his life to protect him, it showed a deeply moved expression.

Its right hand swung the war sword mightily, enveloping the Nine-Headed Divine Snake and the three Qi Refiners.

Instantly, a succession of thunderclaps rang through heaven and earth, shaking the entire world. The angry sea surged with monstrous waves.

Even though the Nine-Headed Divine Snake and the three Qi Refiners were prepared and had soared into the sky ahead of time, they were still thrown back by a huge wave of force.

The statue's left hand reached out, slowly lifted the blood-soaked Little Defiant Dragon, and placed him on its shoulder.

Then the war sword swept across. Such a colossal stone body—a mere stir shook heaven and earth, let alone now when it was filled with powerful energy.

The giant stone sword cut through the sky in one stroke. Blood and flesh flew as a group of cultivators trying to flee into the distance were shattered.

This was truly a shocking turn of events. By now, no one dared stay near the statue. All fled back.

Light swirled in the statue's eyes. It fixed its gaze on the Nine-Headed Divine Snake and Ye Jiuzhong in the distance, then strode through the sea in giant steps, sending up monstrous waves, wielding its war sword as it advanced.

This was a world-shaking event. Almost everyone was stunned. The mass of cultivators began to flee.

The statue swung its sword once more, sweeping in all directions. The cultivators who had hacked at the statue with blades and swords were shattered in great numbers, many turning to blood mist in the sky.

Such might was truly earth-shattering.

The Little Defiant Dragon, standing on the statue's shoulder, was not surprised. He knew that the statue had gathered the power of the twenty-four war swords, once sealing the spatial fault. Even if a half-ancestor were reborn now, they likely could not withstand it.

The Nine-Headed Divine Snake and Ye Jiuzhong were the most alert. They had completely abandoned the idea of fighting and fled first.

The statue moved slowly, but the giant stone sword in its hand suddenly flew out, streaking across the sky as it swept forward.

Ye Jiuzhong and the other two powerful Qi Refiners beside him were struck hard. In an instant, their bodies and souls were extinguished. The giant stone sword crashed into the sea, stirring up endless waves.