First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1424 - A Gathering of Immortals

The Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone, the Entombed Spirit Immortal Sect.

When he learned of Su Yi’s stance, Feng Jinghai was unwittingly stunned.

Su Yi was coming to the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone in just three days?

This was completely beyond Feng Jinghai’s expectations.

But more than that, it was Su Yi’s attitude that left him in disbelief.

“Submit, or... die!? How insane is he!?” Feng Jinghai couldn’t help but laugh.

In life, he’d been a ghost immortal, and he stood proudly over the Human Realm.

Even though he’d since been reduced to a revenant, here in the Flying Immortal Zone, he was among the strongest among those who’d already awakened from their dormant state!

Now, a mere Cosmic Enlightenment World King thought controlling the power of reincarnation was enough to brazenly proclaim he’d fight his way through the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone, forcing all of them to submit or die. How ridiculous was that?

“Has Su Yi... gone insane?”

“He might well have a powerful backer. We have to be on guard.”

“So what if he’s relying on someone? If he really dares show up in the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone, he’ll die beyond a shadow of a doubt!”

...The higher-ups of the Entombed Spirit Immortal Sect were similarly stunned.

And excited, too. None of them had guessed that Su Yi would deliver himself to their door!

“I can see it already. Su Yi is sure to come prepared. However, there’s no way I’ll let this be a repeat of what happened at Mount Luowu!”

“Spread the word! Have the immortals of all major factions gather immediately!”

“Three days from now, we’ll send Su Yi to the grave before Lake Bluemist!”

Feng Jinghai had reached a decision. His eyes glinted with an utterly cold light.

Lake Bluemist.

This was the home turf of the Entombed Spirit Immortal Sect.

And this immortal faction of ghost cultivations excelled at nothing more than sending people to the grave!

......

“He’s coming to fight here in the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone in three days?” Mo Xinglin gasped, and his heart shook.

He’d been lying low in the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone all this time, keeping an eye on the Entombed Spirit Immortal Sect and their allies’ movements.

When he learned that Su Yi planned to come back, he was unwittingly gobsmacked. He found this difficult to believe.

Perhaps it’s because Celestial Red Cloud is supporting him! Mo Xinglin thought to himself. He’d already learned from Mo Qingchou that Red Cloud had ordered “the esteemed Xing Que” to watch over Su Yi.

Thus, Mo Xinglin instinctively assumed that Su Yi dared make such a decision because he had Daoist Master Red Cloud’s support.

Celestial Red Cloud didn’t show up at Mount Luowu, but it seems she won’t remain a bystander this time!

Mo Xinglin instantly made up his mind. When Su Yi arrived in the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone, he’d serve as his guide and lend him a hand!

......

The Impermeable Demon Ocean.

Daoist Master Red Cloud sat atop a stone bench, completely focused on mending a worn-out black saber scabbard.

The scabbard was mottled with rust and stained red with dried blood. It was split in several places, and it wasn’t at all eye-catching.

Meng Changyun walked over and said tentatively, “Senior, they say that Master will proceed to the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone in just three days' time. I—”

“Relax,” said Daoist Master Red Cloud before he could finish.

Simple and direct. She didn’t explain a thing.

Meng Changyun froze, stunned, then left in silence. In truth, he felt greatly assured.

The Netherworld King had watched this exchange from a distance, and she too inwardly sighed in relief. Daoist Master Red Cloud had told them to relax. That meant the situation likely wasn’t as dire as they’d presumed!

Whoosh!

A blue bird with fiery wings soared through the air. When it arrived near them, it suddenly stopped in place and transformed into a young woman in blue Daoist robes.

Her skin was as fair as snow, and her eyebrows arched beautifully. Her thick, flowing hair was long and black, and her entire body emanated an extraordinary, ethereal charm. She stood in the air, blue immortal light flowing around her, like a solitary immortal of a lost world. Her aura was terrifying to behold.

Meng Changyun and the Netherworld King gasped. Could this be... a yao immortal!?

But to their astonishment, even after she arrived, she stood at a distance, not daring to draw close. Then, she respectfully bowed to Daoist Master Red Cloud.

“Senior Red Cloud, our clan’s ancestor heard that something big was about to transpire in the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone. If anything happens to our Fellow Daoist Su, it’s highly likely to affect our upcoming expedition to the Starjade Immortal Ruins. Thus, he sent me here to ask for your view of the matter.”

“Your ancestor thinks something bad will happen to Fellow Daoist Su?” asked Daoist Master Red Cloud, not at all concerned.

She was still looking down, completely focused on mending that mottled black saber scabbard. She’d yet to spare the girl in Daoist robes a single glance.

But her light, airy words made the girl’s expression shift. She said hurriedly, “Our ancestor absolutely didn’t mean to imply any such thing. He’s simply worried that Fellow Daoist Su will encounter unexpected trouble. If necessary, he’s willing to lend a hand and help Fellow Daoist Su resolve his difficulties!”

Just hearing this made Meng Changyun and the Netherworld Kings’ hearts quiver.

First, they were astonished by this lady yao immortal’s respectful, reserved behavior.

Second, they wouldn’t have guessed that even her “ancestor” would be paying attention to Su Yi, much less that he’d offer to intervene on his behalf! It seemed unbelievable!

“Resolve his difficulties? Isn’t he just worried that if something happens to Fellow Daoist Su, someone else will claim the power of reincarnation?” Daoist Master Red Cloud gently caressed the black scabbard, then said coolly, “Go back and tell your ancestor that he needn’t concern himself over this.”

The girl in Daoist robes lowered her head and said, “Got it!”

She turned, and was just about to leave when...

“Wait,” Daoist Master Red Cloud said suddenly.

The young woman in Daoist robes said respectfully, “Is there anything else I can do for you, Senior?”

“While you’re at it, tell the other old-timers that none of them are permitted to intervene either,” Daoist Master Red Cloud said casually.

“Understood!” The young woman in Daoist robes nodded and left.

It was only after she’d left that Meng Changyun and the Netherworld King’s faces revealed their confusion. They had no idea what was going on.

A young woman, a suspected yao immortal, had treated Daoist Master Red Cloud with such respect. This was their first time seeing such a thing.

They couldn’t even imagine how terrifying and mysterious the “old-timers” Daoist Master Red Cloud spoke of were.

The only thing they knew for certain was that she was averse to them interfering in Su Yi’s affairs!

But from beginning to end, Daoist Master Red Cloud never once explained anything. She just sat there quietly, repairing her scabbard, as if it was the only thing she cared about in the world and nothing else mattered.

......

It was the dead of winter. The vegetation was withered and covered in frost.

Flurries as soft as goose feathers floated down from the heavens. Everything was shrouded in white.

At dawn, icicles as thick as a child’s arm hung from the eaves, the ice catching the light. A thick layer of snow had accumulated on the ground.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

The sound of footsteps emanated from within Universal Emptiness Temple’s grounds.

A crowd watched as a young man in blue faced the winter winds, crushing the snow beneath his feet as he departed the temple and sauntered leisurely into the distance. His only companion was an ordinary-looking yellow dog.

The dog’s complaints were audible even from a distance.

“Why not take a treasure ship?

“It’s just snow! What’s there to see?”

“I really don’t get it! You’re off to kill your enemies. How are you in any mood to admire the snow?”

...Its voice gradually faded into the distance.

The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha, Sword Immortal Qingshi, Mo Qingchou, Qing Tang, and the others stood there for a while before returning to the Temple one by one.

......

The Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone. Lake Bluemist.

The lake was so enormous that it seemed more like a boundless ocean. Immortal light rose from its waters, and mist filled the air.

Islands dotted the center of the lake like stars adorning the night sky. All of them were covered in old-fashioned buildings.

This was the home of the Entombed Spirit Immortal Sect, but now, countless experts had gathered here from throughout the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone.

The banks of Lake Bluemist were covered in a sea of people! They were so close that they bumped shoulders as they moved, and they included both experts of ancient sects and members of immortal factions. “Will Su Yi really show up?”

“He might be the common enemy of the entire Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone, but there’s no denying that he’s a man of his word. He dared to declare war, so he’s sure to show up!”

“This is different from the battle of Mount Luowu. This time, he’s up against a whole group of immortals. How... can Su Yi possibly hold his own?”

“There has to be a reason for this. There’s no way Su Yi would just come here to throw his life away. For now, let’s just wait and see what happens.”

“Have you considered what will happen if Su Yi wins? Should he succeed, he’ll be able to crush the entire Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone beneath his feet!”

Countless cultivators whispered amongst themselves.

No one dared to underestimate Su Yi! He was far too strong, and he’d overcome all manner of grand battles, always achieving a complete victory in the process.

He’d once slain over a hundred Cloud Soaring Revenants, including the joint onslaught of sixteen immortal avatars of will!

This accomplishment was unparalleled throughout history!

But no one thought highly of his chances this time. This was because immortal revenants had already emerged from dormancy, and here in the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone, they weren’t subject to any restriction from the Laws. Now that a group of them had joined forces, they could sweep through all enemies in the Human Realm with ease!

Before long, beams of flowing light descended from all directions, then shot into the Entombed Spirit Immortal Sect.

This instantly drew attention from everyone gathered on the shore. These new arrivals were all top experts of ancient sects and immortal factions: the Heavenly Demon Hong Family, the Fu Family, Illusory Sword Immortal Tower, Profound Divinity Sword House, the Southern Flame Pure Lands...

Aside from the Mo Family, they included representatives of every peak faction of the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone. And their ranks included a whole group of immortal revenants!

“One, two, three... my heavens, there are at least ten of them, and that’s just the immortals!” someone said with a quavering heart.

“The fate of every revenant in the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone is on the line. Without immortals to preside over the battle, how could they hope to capture Su Yi?”

Witnessing this gathering of immortals left countless onlookers feeling suffocated.

Even those who’d previously thought highly of Su Yi’s chances changed their minds after seeing this lineup. Now, it seemed certain that Su Yi would lose.

“Su Yi thinks far too highly of himself!”

“A group of experts of top factions has gathered, including over a dozen immortals. He really thinks he can come here alone and challenge the entire Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone? How is he any different from a mantis trying to block a chariot?”

Those hostile to Su Yi were starting to get excited.

From time to time, yet more streaks of light flashed over, each of them representing the arrival of yet another immortal revenant.

In the end, there were almost forty of them!

“A gathering of immortals! Even in ancient times, how many ever witnessed such a grand spectacle?”

Countless onlookers were rueful. They knew that a lineup like this was enough to reduce just about any expert to powder!

Mo Xinglin was there too, mixed into the crowd.

When he saw one immortal revenant after another arrive, his heart slowly sank.

These peak factions were obviously going all out. Practically every revenant who’d awakened from dormancy had left their territories to participate!