My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 657 - 434: The Immortals’ Battleground (Two in One)

The eaves of Chongyang Temple caught the sunlight, casting sharp-edged shadows resembling blade tips. Wei Wuque stood right at the edge.

"Master, we couldn't find any trace of the Western Jin spies, nor the Lonely Smoke Sword."

Luo Shuo was drenched in sweat, his words trembling.

In order to encircle and eliminate the Western Jin spies hiding in Chongyang Temple, Xique Pavilion had mobilized all its forces. Yet, they hadn't expected to find not even the faintest trace.

They had searched Yuanfeng Building, Miaoshang Temple, and Chongyang Temple. Now, with another fruitless attempt, it seemed likely the Western Jin spies had already left the city.

Compared to Luo Shuo's panic, Wei Wuque was unnervingly calm—so composed that Luo Shuo couldn't fathom the reason behind his serenity.

Wei Wuque gazed towards the direction of the western city gate and said, "They took the mountain road at Jinmen Pass."

Luo Shuo's pupils shrank, and he softly sighed, "As expected…"

He raised his eyes to assess the master's expression, observing not much change—a look of already knowing, prepared in advance. If it weren't impossible, he might have suspected here and now that Wei Wuque was associated with the Western Jin spies.

Seeing the master's expression, a flicker of uncertainty crossed Luo Shuo's gaze, prompting him to ask, "Master, did you already know they weren't in Chongyang Temple?… Were you prepared?"

"Prepared?" Wei Wuque shook his head and smiled faintly, "It's others who were prepared."

Luo Shuo's disbelief grew. "That… Min Qianhu?"

"Indeed," Wei Wuque responded coolly.

In those terse two words, Luo Shuo instantly deduced much from the details. Their current search of Chongyang Temple, rather than hunting the Western Jin spies, was more a ruse to lure them onto the mountain path at Jinmen Pass, serving as a distraction for Qianhu.

Since this was the case, then those spies must have...

Just as excitement flashed in Luo Shuo's eyes, he suddenly realized something and tightened his brows deeply.

"But… relying solely on Qianhu alone, how could he possibly fend off both the Lonely Smoke Sword and those spies simultaneously?" Luo Shuo couldn't help but ask.

Wei Wuque replied slowly, "Then we let the Lonely Smoke Sword escape and take on the spying group."

Luo Shuo's pupils constricted. Xique Pavilion's original mission had been solely to capture the Lonely Smoke Sword. It was only later they discovered the game-changing espionage theft from Xiaoguan. Though prioritization seemed clear, failing to apprehend the Lonely Smoke Sword would leave a stain of incompetence.

As doubt lingered in Luo Shuo's gaze, Wei Wuque pointed towards the Forbidden Land of the Sword Pool high atop Chongyang Temple, built against the mountain.

"What's done is done. There's no need to dwell further. Right now, there's something else to worry about."

Thunder struck down violently from the mountaintop.

At the Forbidden Land of the Sword Pool.

The towering courtyard walls encircled the summit, its gates majestic and imposing, though the once-gleaming red lacquer had darkened into patches of black and purple, a dreadfully oppressive hue.

On the mountaintop, a massive vortex of clouds swirled. Sword Intent grew increasingly rampant, crashing incessantly against the gates, emitting muffled sounds, as though something within was trying to break free.

A group of Taoists gathered around the Magic Platform to protect the two figures standing upon it. Their alarmed looks spoke volumes.

The only semblance of assurance came from the two figures on the platform—one dressed in snowy white, stepping rhythmically amidst the tempest, ephemeral as though an immortal ascending the heavens.

Yin Weiyin held a Peach Wood Sword, chanting amidst the howling winds:

"By the laws of nature, impure energies disperse. Within the cavity of mystery, the great Tao shines bright..."

This chant belonged to the Heaven and Earth Purification Spell, one of the Eight God Mantras, meant to cleanse worldly filth and calm the sword intent erupting behind the gates.

And assisting Yin Weiyin in this ritual was none other than Lu Ying.

Clad similarly in a Taoist robe, she danced wielding her sword around Yin Weiyin, her steps synchronized with his chants. With their combined efforts, a grand spiritual surge began to emerge atop the platform, encapsulating itself in a thin mist-like shroud.

Yin Weiyin swiftly swung his sword, his blade pointing precisely at the trembling gates.

It was a posture as though an immortal lighting the path ahead.

Lu Ying raised her gaze towards him and momentarily froze.

She saw a faint bluish shadow emerge between Yin Weiyin's brows—a Nascent Soul unsheathing itself—as he faced the overwhelming sword intent pouring outward.

Nascent Soul!

Lu Ying was taken aback, her movements faltering slightly. A flood of scattered thoughts surged through her Heart Lake, attempting to banish them, yet lingering stubbornly.

For no apparent reason, memories of the past few days overwhelmed her, their chaotic fragments spreading like wildfire in her consciousness.

A strand of sword intent spilled silently from the gap in the doors, slipping onto Lu Ying's sword tip.

Thunder crashed, dust spiraled, and twenty-eight Banners swayed violently.

As the Magic Platform thrived, the sword intent bursting outward seemed to intensify, slamming into the gates directly and shooting sharp fragments into the air.

The protective Taoists retreated hurriedly, yet many of them still suffered injuries, and the platform itself began to tremble.

Yin Weiyin's brows furrowed faintly, his thoughts stirring. His Nascent Soul surged toward the sword intent, and wherever his Magic Sword pointed, much of the erratic sword intent was subdued, dissipating into the heavens and earth. Yet a greater portion evaded its reach, swirling about and eyeing its next chance to strike.

Taihua Mountain was renowned for its expertise in Array techniques, and Yin Weiyin, endowed with the Nascent Soul by a fortunate encounter with the underworld, should theoretically be able to reinforce the seal with ease.

But the sword intent spilling from this Sword Pool was exceedingly… "cunning."

Yin Weiyin hesitated whether "cunning" was the apt term; the sword intent seemed almost like sentient beings, instinctively seeking advantage and avoiding harm.

"Strange, truly strange..."

Yin Weiyin turned his gaze to the Sword Pool Secret Realm's now-cracked gates.

A fissure split across the gates, and it wouldn't be long before they completely shattered. Once that happened, not only Chongyang Temple but also Shantong City itself would face unparalleled catastrophe.

The pace needed to quicken...

Yin Weiyin silently resolved. With a flourish of his Peach Wood Sword, rings of sword shadows spun outward.

Meanwhile, Lu Ying's steps dragged; her thoughts inexplicably knotted into chaos, slowing her actions markedly, leaving her behind Yin Weiyin's rhythm.

Yin Weiyin dared not slow down, instead speeding up even more. His chant remained unbroken:

"Primordial tranquil decree, universal summons to myriad spirits. True guardians of mountains and rivers, divine dwellers of land and soil. To the left, community; to the right, harvest—stay calm, do not be alarmed..."