Chapter 543 - 476: Refinement of Slaying Immortals

"The Immortal Slaying Dao Fruit belongs to my Sword Pavilion." An old, cold voice drifted from the horizon. "Does someone of the Demon Dao like you deserve to lay a finger on it?"

Before the voice faded, a haggard old man in a gray robe stepped out from the void. No aura leaked from his body, but the Ancient Sword hanging at his waist exuded a terrifying Sword Intent that made Heaven and Earth pale in comparison. Qi Yun did not know this person, but he could feel that the other party’s Cultivation was even above Qingyuan True Monarch’s.

"Martial Uncle!" Qingyuan True Monarch’s face darkened. "What are you doing? The Refinement of the Immortal Slaying Dao Fruit is a matter I have agreed upon with Fellow Daoist Primordial!"

"Agreed upon?" The gray-robed old man scoffed coldly. "How can a Supreme Treasure of the Sword Dao fall into the hands of an outsider?"

A very faint smile tugged at the corner of Qi Yun’s lips. "Then, in your opinion, Fellow Daoist, what should be done?"

The gray-robed old man did not answer. He merely stared coldly at Qi Yun, his eyes fixing on the Immortal Slaying Dao Fruit that had already undergone more than half of its Refinement, as murderous intent gradually rose in his eyes.

"Enough." Qingyuan True Monarch took a step forward, blocking the space between Qi Yun and the gray-robed old man. "Martial Uncle, if you insist on stopping him, you will be making an enemy of the entire Sword Dao!"

The gray-robed old man’s expression changed. He took a deep look at Qingyuan True Monarch, then at Qi Yun. Finally, with a cold scoff, he turned and transformed into a streak of gray sword light, disappearing into the horizon.

Qingyuan True Monarch turned around and cupped his hands in a bow to Qi Yun. "Please forgive him, Fellow Daoist Primordial. My martial uncle... just cannot set his mind at ease regarding the Sword Dao Fruit Position."

Qi Yun waved his hand and sat back down cross-legged. "It does not matter." He did not ask about the gray-robed old man’s origins, nor did he mind the sword strike just now. He knew that it was merely a test. And the glance the gray-robed old man cast at him before leaving clearly carried a certain scrutiny, as if confirming something.

...

On the twenty-first day.

The Immortal Slaying Dao Fruit in Qi Yun’s palm finally dissipated completely.

At this very moment, an indescribably terrifying Sword Intent erupted from Qi Yun’s body with a thunderous boom! The sharpness and purity of that Sword Intent were like an invisible blade piercing straight into the firmament, forcefully cleaving the thick layer of clouds above the Sword Pavilion in half! All seventy-two Sword Peaks trembled simultaneously as countless sword hums echoed one after another, offering a hymn of praise to this newly born king of the Sword Dao!

Standing not far away, Qingyuan True Monarch watched the Sword Intent soar into the sky, a trace of complex light flashing in his eyes. He had succeeded! Something no one had been able to achieve since ancient times—this Demon Dao True Monarch had actually done it.

Qi Yun slowly opened his eyes, colorful light flowing within his gaze. He raised his right hand. In the center of his palm, a gray-white Sword Intent, condensed to the absolute limit, slowly took shape. Within that Sword Intent lay the annihilation of Slaying Immortals, the slaughter of Slaughtering Immortals, the entrapment of Trapping Immortals, and the variations of Executing Immortals—but it was more than just that. It was purer, more domineering, and freer. It was as if there was nothing in this world that it could not sever.

[Magic automatic update completed. This is a minor version update. The Magic effects have been adjusted as follows:]

[Primordial Daluo: All Daos in the All-Encompassing Heaven pay their respects, and Ten Thousand Laws bow in homage.]

[1. Can harvest one Dao Fruit.]

[2. Can erase the ownership of a claimed Dao Fruit, turning it into an unclaimed Dao Fruit.]

[3. Can briefly and completely master one Dao Fruit.]

[4. Can destroy one Dao Fruit.]

...

"I have already integrated the Immortal Slaying Dao Fruit into my Primordial," Qi Yun said, withdrawing his Sword Intent and looking at Qingyuan True Monarch. "From now on, the Sword Dao lineage will no longer suffer any suppression."

Qingyuan True Monarch remained silent for a moment before bowing deeply to Qi Yun. "The Sword Pavilion thanks you, Fellow Daoist Primordial."

Qi Yun waved his hand, saying no more. He stood up, his gaze passing over Qingyuan True Monarch to look toward the west. That was the direction of the towering ancient city he had seen in the remnant will.

"Do you still have questions, Fellow Daoist?" Qingyuan True Monarch noticed his gaze.

Qi Yun did not hide it. "The great tide of time is approaching. Where did you learn of this, Fellow Daoist?"

Qingyuan True Monarch fell silent for a moment. His gaze shifted slightly, also looking toward the west. "Some time ago, while I was in secluded meditation deep within the Sword Pavilion, a Sword Intent suddenly descended from beyond the heavens and landed in my Dao Heart," he said slowly, his voice very low. "Within that Sword Intent were the words ’great tide of time.’ Aside from that, there was another sentence."

"What sentence?"

"Traveling west can resolve the disaster of Profound Yellow." Qingyuan True Monarch looked at Qi Yun, his gaze candid. "I do not know where that Sword Intent came from, nor do I know why it specifically chose me to pass on this message. But since it pointed out the direction, I came to find you."

Qi Yun fell silent. Was that Sword Intent from the entity slumbering deep within that wisp of remnant will? Why would it pass a message through Qingyuan True Monarch? And why would it guide him to travel west? Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but his expression remained impassive.

"Thank you for informing me, Fellow Daoist," he said calmly. "I, Qi, have noted it down."

Qingyuan True Monarch nodded slightly and said no more.

...

By the time Qi Yun left the Sword Pavilion, it was already dusk.

He did not return to the Cyan Mountain Daoist Temple. Instead, he rode his Auspicious Cloud, heading all the way west. The twilight unfurled behind him, dyeing Heaven and Earth in a vast expanse of golden-red. The Mountain and River Cauldron hovered by his side, its nine divine dragons swimming slowly across its surface. Light flickered in the dragons’ eyes as if they, too, were gazing ahead.

"Are we really going west?" Cai Shen’s voice echoed from the cauldron, tinged with curiosity. "What’s over there?"

"I don’t know," Qi Yun replied calmly. "We’ll know once we take a look."

He did not push his speed to the limit, but simply flew west at a moderate pace.

In his sleeve, that wisp of remnant will throbbed again the moment he left the Sword Pavilion. This time it was fainter than before, but more persistent—like some sort of guidance, or perhaps an urging. Qi Yun’s heart stirred. Following the direction of that throbbing, he slightly adjusted the angle of his Auspicious Cloud.