Chapter 87: Proclaiming to the World, the Great Yuan Dynasty Shakes

Three days later, a piece of news that shook the entire Great Yuan Dynasty exploded like a Nine Heavens divine thunderclap among the major cultivation cities and Sects.

Chu Chang, the newly appointed ruler and Supreme Deacon of the Divine Sword Sect, in the name of the Divine Sword Sect Leader, Sect Master Lin Wuwen, made public stacks of copied blood-stained secret letters and confessions using voice transmission talisman Formations and Flying Sword messengers.

"Starting from the year 312 of the Great Yuan Calendar, the former Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect, Sect Master Lin Wuwen, in collusion with forces such as the Xiao Family outside the city, the Iron Sword Sect, and the Zhao Family, raised human livestock in the forbidden zone outside the city, hunting down a total of over five thousand Loose Cultivators and Sect Disciples, extracting their Divine Souls and blood marrow to practice Demonic Techniques…"

The evidence was as solid as a mountain, and it even included the Demonic Technique circulation diagrams hand-signed by Sect Master Lin Wuwen, as well as sealed correspondence between the major forces.

For a time, the entire cultivation world of the Great Yuan Dynasty was in a complete uproar.

"The Xiao Family, the Iron Sword Sect… These prestigious families who usually preach benevolence and morality are actually committing such beastly deeds in secret!"

"No wonder so many people die in the forbidden zone every year, yet the authorities never investigate. It turns out even the City Lord's Mansion is vaguely involved!"

"The Divine Sword Sect suffered this great catastrophe and underwent an internal purge. I heard a young powerhouse named Chu Chang took power and wiped out the entire Grand Elder's faction!"

Countless Loose Cultivators were filled with righteous indignation, and major, medium, and small Sects were all on edge. The pressure of public opinion was like a rolling tsunami, pushing the Xiao Family and the Iron Sword Sect to the forefront of the storm.

However, at the center of this storm, the Iron Sword Sect was especially on high alert.

The headquarters of the Iron Sword Sect, Iron Sword Mountain.

The entire Peak resembled a giant pig-iron heavy sword. The mountain body was dark red and completely barren, emitting a tragic, heavy aura of war and weaponry.

At this moment, the Sect-protecting Formation at the mountain gate, the "Black Iron Heavenly Astral Formation," was operating at full capacity, with a thick black iron light barrier completely sealing off the entire mountain gate.

Inside the main hall of the Iron Sword Sect, the atmosphere was oppressively suffocating.

"Damn it! How could that trash Lin Wuwen leave behind so much written evidence? And he was actually refined into a Puppet!"

Sect Master Tie Kuangtu, the Sect Leader of the Iron Sword Sect, shattered the red sandalwood table beside him with a single palm strike, his face pale with anger.

He had a stalwart build and wore a suit of black iron heavy armor, his entire body emitting the powerful, oppressive aura of the Late Stage Purple Mansion Realm.

"Sect Leader, that Chu Chang is now marching toward us with the Cultivator army of the Divine Sword Sect under the banner of enforcing justice on behalf of Heaven and purging the Sect! What should we do? Should we ask the City Lord's Mansion for help?" a Purple Mansion Realm Elder asked in a panic.

"Ask for help? The City Lord's Mansion is too busy avoiding trouble themselves. How could they possibly face the wrath of all the Loose Cultivators in the world for our sake?" A ruthless glint flashed in Sect Master Tie Kuangtu's eyes. "However, my Iron Sword Sect has a five-hundred-year Legacy and deep foundations. How could the Divine Sword Sect easily bite off a piece of us? As long as they dare to come, this seat will make sure they never return!"

However, what Sect Master Tie Kuangtu did not know was that the reason Chu Chang bypassed the wealthier Xiao Family and chose the Iron Sword Sect as his first target was not merely to "enforce justice on behalf of Heaven."

An even more important reason was hidden within a yellowed Incomplete Manual inside Sect Master Lin Wuwen's Storage Pouch.

That Incomplete Manual recorded that deep within the Forbidden Land of the Iron Sword Sect, a black broken sword named "Duan Chen" was enshrined.

That broken sword seemed to have no spiritual energy fluctuations at all, but in reality, it was the only key to opening an ancient sword immortal ruin.

Sect Master Lin Wuwen had planned for many years during his lifetime, waiting to break through to the Peak of the Purple Mansion Realm before forcibly seizing this sword.

Now, this broken sword had become something within Chu Chang's grasp.

Rumble!!!

In the sky outside Iron Sword Mountain, the thunderous roar of battleships suddenly echoed.

Three giant bluestone battleships pierced through the clouds and mist, hovering outside the mountain gate of the Iron Sword Sect.

On the battleships, the banners of the Divine Sword Sect fluttered in the wind, and thousands of Divine Sword Sect Disciples stood with their hands on their swords, brimming with Killing Intent.

At the bow of the foremost battleship, Chu Chang, dressed in elegant black robes with his hands clasped behind his back, calmly looked down at the Iron Sword Sect below.

Beside him, Sect Master Lin Wuwen stood with hollow eyes, dressed in dark gold robes, like a loyal stone statue.

"Sect Master Tie Kuangtu, come out and meet your death."

Chu Chang spoke calmly. His voice was not loud, but enveloped in Chaos True Essence, it turned into a rolling thunder that penetrated the black iron light barrier, exploding directly in the ears of everyone in the Iron Sword Sect.

"Hmph! Yellow-mouthed brat, how dare you run wild in my Iron Sword Sect!!!"

A furious shout rang out as Sect Master Tie Kuangtu soared into the sky with four Purple Mansion Elders, confronting Chu Chang from across the Sect-protecting barrier.

Sect Master Tie Kuangtu looked at Sect Master Lin Wuwen beside Chu Chang, a trace of wariness flashing in his eyes before he sneered, "Chu Chang, do you think that just because you control Sect Master Lin Wuwen, you can swallow my Iron Sword Sect? My Black Iron Heavenly Astral Formation is a fourth-grade defensive Formation. Even a Peak Purple Mansion Realm expert cannot dream of breaking it within half a day! Once the envoys of the Great Yuan Dynasty Imperial Dynasty arrive, you will be branded a rebel!"

"A grand Formation?"

The corners of Chu Chang's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a mocking smile.

"Sect Master Lin Wuwen, let him see how the current you is different from before."

"Yes, Master."

Sect Master Lin Wuwen responded mechanically and took a step forward.

In the next moment, the Devilish Qi inside him surged wildly, and countless twisted black runes appeared on his dark gold skin. As he formed hand seals, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within a radius of several miles instantly rioted, transforming above his head into a massive blackish-red demonic essence giant hand that was a hundred Zhang in size.

[Heavenly Demon Mountain-Destroying Hand!]

The demonic hand blotted out the sky, carrying a thick aura of blood and destruction as it slammed down heavily on the black iron light barrier below.

"Arrogant! You want to break my grand Formation with a mere Puppet?" Sect Master Tie Kuangtu roared, pinching hand seals to frantically stabilize the Formation.

A thunderous boom shook the Great Yuan Dynasty!

The demonic essence giant hand smashed heavily onto the black iron light barrier, erupting in a deafening roar. The terrifying shockwave turned into a wild wind, snapping all the trees within a radius of several miles.

Crack!

Under Sect Master Tie Kuangtu's unbelieving gaze, the light barrier of the supposedly indestructible "Black Iron Heavenly Astral Formation" actually developed countless web-like cracks the instant they made contact. Immediately after, with a crisp popping sound, the entire barrier shattered with a bang, turning into a rain of black light that drifted down from the sky.

"Pfft!"

As the main forces controlling the grand Formation, Sect Master Tie Kuangtu and the four Purple Mansion Elders suffered immediate backlash, spitting out blood in unison as their figures retreated violently.

"One strike… It broke a fourth-grade grand Formation with just one strike?!"

Sect Master Tie Kuangtu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, fear finally appearing in his eyes. The strength of this Puppet was actually several times stronger than when Sect Master Lin Wuwen was alive!

"Disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, hear my command."

Chu Chang slowly raised his right hand, his voice cold and ruthless.

"Evil must be eradicated completely. Cultivators of the Iron Sword Sect at the Purple Mansion Realm and above who colluded with the Demonic Path and harmed living beings—leave none alive. As for the rest of the Disciples, those who surrender shall be spared."

"Kill!!!"

At Chu Chang's command, the Divine Sword Sect Disciples on the three battleships rushed into the Iron Sword Sect like tigers descending from the mountain, controlling a sky full of Flying Swords that whistled through the air.

Meanwhile, Sect Master Lin Wuwen transformed into a streak of bloody light, charging straight toward the four Purple Mansion Elders.

To the current Sect Master Lin Wuwen, Purple Mansion Realm Cultivators were as fragile as paper before him.

In just a few breaths of time, miserable screams rang out one after another. Two Purple Mansion Elders were directly torn apart by Sect Master Lin Wuwen, their Purple Mansions shredded to pieces.

"Little beast, this seat will fight you to the death!"

Sect Master Tie Kuangtu's eyes were blood-red. Watching his Sect's foundation being destroyed, he went completely mad.

He reached out and grabbed into the Void Realm, and a black iron giant sword that was about a Zhang long, emitting a heavy black light, fell into his hand.

[A heavy sword has no edge; great skill requires no carving!]

Sect Master Tie Kuangtu burned his essence blood, pushing his Late Stage Purple Mansion cultivation to its limit. Holding the sword with both hands, he slashed fiercely at Chu Chang in the air.

A two-hundred-Zhang-long pitch-black sword glow tore through the Void Realm, carrying a terrifying gravity capable of crushing mountains as it slashed directly at Chu Chang's head.

Facing this destructive sword strike, Chu Chang merely stood quietly in midair, not even employing Sect Master Lin Wuwen behind him.

"The Law of gravity? Interesting, but before absolute strength, all is an illusion."

Chu Chang slowly clenched his right hand into a fist, the Chaos True Essence inside his body boiling completely at this moment. Upon his fist, it was as if a golden blazing sun was burning.

[Chaos Divine Fist, Great Yuan Dynasty Heaven Shatterer!]

Chu Chang threw a punch.

There were no unnecessary variations, only the most pure and overbearing strength.

The golden fist glow transformed into a pillar of light that pierced the heavens, instantly colliding with the pitch-black heavy sword glow.

Boom!!!

The gold and black lights intertwined frantically in midair, but after enduring for a mere half-breath, the pitch-black sword glow was blasted into nothingness by the golden pillar of light.

The residual power of the fist glow did not diminish, smashing heavily onto Sect Master Tie Kuangtu's black iron heavy sword with the momentum of a thunderbolt.

Clang!

A crisp sound of metal snapping rang out.

Sect Master Tie Kuangtu's famous black iron heavy sword was directly broken into several pieces under Chu Chang's punch.

The violent punch force poured onto his black iron heavy armor, instantly denting the entire armor. Accompanied by the ear-piercing sound of bones cracking, Sect Master Tie Kuangtu was sent crashing into the mountain below like a cannonball, blasting out a bottomless black hole.

"Sect Leader!"

The only remaining Purple Mansion Elder was scared to the point of his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering; how could he dare to fight? He turned and fled.

But before he could even fly ten Zhang away, Sect Master Lin Wuwen strangely appeared in front of him. A dark gold hand ruthlessly gripped his skull, and his five fingers exerted force.

Pfft.

Brain matter splattered everywhere. The last Purple Mansion Elder had fallen.

Chu Chang's figure flickered, landing beside the deep pit blasted out by Sect Master Tie Kuangtu.

In the deep pit, Sect Master Tie Kuangtu was covered in blood, his heavy armor shattered, and the Purple Dao Embryo inside his body was covered in cracks. He was clearly not going to survive.

He stared fixedly at Chu Chang, his eyes filled with venom and resentment.

"You… who on earth are you… How could the Great Yuan Dynasty have a Prodigy like you…"

Chu Chang looked at him expressionlessly and did not answer his question. He simply pointed his finger, and a wisp of Chaos True Essence directly pierced through Sect Master Tie Kuangtu's forehead, ending his life completely.

"Sect Master Lin Wuwen, guard the outside."

"Yes, Master." Sect Master Lin Wuwen guarded the edge of the deep pit, his entire body emitting a terrifying, keep-away Killing Intent.

Chu Chang followed the mountain crevice, heading straight toward the depths of the Iron Sword Sect's Forbidden Land, the Iron Sword Immortal Cave.

Deep within the Immortal Cave, the air was filled with a pungent smell of rust and a faint scent of blood.

Chu Chang walked all the way, passing through several protective Formations that were no longer controlled by anyone, and finally arrived in a huge stone room.

In the center of the stone room stood an altar cast from Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

Above the altar hovered a broken sword that was pitch-black all over and only half the length of an ordinary longsword.

This broken sword looked completely ordinary, without even the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy, and its surface was covered with a thick layer of rust.

However, the Taiyin-Taiyang Chaos Physique inside Chu Chang's body produced a strange resonance the moment he approached this broken sword.

"This is it."

Chu Chang walked to the front of the altar, reached out, and gripped the hilt of the black broken sword.

Boom!

The very instant Chu Chang gripped the broken sword, an extremely desolate, ancient, and violent Sword Intent surged frantically along his arm into his Sea of Consciousness.

Vaguely, Chu Chang seemed to see the towering figure of a sword immortal, a terrifying scene of a single sword strike slashing the entire world in half.

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, the originally quiet Chaos Divine Cauldron also let out an excited hum at this moment.

"As expected, it is the key to the ancient sword immortal relics. The aura on it… surpasses the Purple Mansion, and even surpasses the Nascent Soul…"

A sharp light flashed in Chu Chang's eyes. He forcefully used his Divine Sense to suppress the violent Sword Intent on the broken sword and stored it into his Storage Pouch.

With this broken sword, as long as his strength progressed a step further, he would be able to explore that ruin. At that time, the small pond that was the Great Yuan Dynasty would no longer be able to bind him.

When Chu Chang walked out of the Iron Sword Sect's Forbidden Land, the battle outside was already drawing to a close.

Almost all the high-level Cultivators of the Iron Sword Sect had been slaughtered by Sect Master Lin Wuwen, and under the encirclement of the Divine Sword Sect's army, most of the remaining ordinary Disciples chose to surrender.

The entire Iron Sword Mountain was now flying the banners of the Divine Sword Sect.

"Supreme Deacon, the Iron Sword Sect's treasury has been sealed off, and all the captives have been secured. We await the Supreme Deacon's instructions!" A leading Purple Mansion Elder of the Divine Sword Sect jogged over and requested instructions with utmost respect.

"Transport everything in the treasury back to the Divine Sword Sect."

"Yes!!!"