Her expression was solemn as she looked to the side, "Qingxuan, they are setting up an array underwater, the array eye is in the Kan position, something's there."

"Yes, Master."

Behind her, a young Daoist stepped forward with hands clasped in salute.

This young Daoist was born with heterochromatic eyes, clearly an outstanding member of the younger generation of Qingcheng, also forming a Yang Jue with his hand, then drawing a sword gesture over his brow.

His unique eyes seemed to sparkle with a refined glow, the whites of his eyes suddenly bloodshot, blue veins protruding on his forehead, similarly using an investigation secret method.

This was the foundation of the Mystic Sect.

They not only have ancient legacies, but each generation of geniuses accumulates and leaves behind numerous extraordinary skills and techniques, perhaps unconventional, but of absolute power.

Like this master and disciple pair, specializing in investigative arts, they are the absolute main force in any action.

Others were long accustomed to it, waiting with peace of mind.

But they quickly discovered something was amiss.

This disciple with heterochromatic eyes seemed to see something terrifying, a look of horror appeared in his eyes, he trembled all over, but couldn't move.

This is a nightmare symptom, a sign of being struck by a spell!

Smack!

Behind him, the Kun Dao immediately formed a hand seal, slapped him on the back of the head, and scolded, "Close your eyes!"

This action sounded like a great bell striking.

The pupil with heterochromatic eyes immediately regained clarity, closing his eyes, not daring to look again. After a long while, he finally recovered.

Others weren't worried.

Spell duels often have slip-ups.

They were experienced, handling it right away without any major issues.

Sure enough, soon after, the pupil's breathing became steady, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"Qingxuan, what did you see?"

Mingshanzi asked urgently.

"An upright eye..."

The pupil with heterochromatic eyes frowned slightly and spoke, "It's not like a human eye, more like a bronze artifact."

As he spoke, he picked up a wooden stick and started drawing on the ground.

If Li Yan were here, he would find that this bronze vertical eye is extremely similar to what he saw earlier at the Gui Qiang Ancient Village.

"What is this?"

The others were somewhat puzzled.

Only Cheng Jianxin, pondering, said, "I have seen this item before. Back then, a group of Hidden Treasure Men from the Tanyou Lineage was collectively struck by an evil curse, and this eye scar appeared on their bodies, driving them all insane."

"Their leader wore this on his head. I shattered this object, and they regained consciousness, but it was too late, and they were left with only one breath. Before dying, they said this thing was stolen from a Pre-Qin Alchemist Tomb and seems related to Ancient Shu, known as the 'Ancient Shu Eye.'"

"The Ancient Shu Eye?"

The others looked at each other upon hearing this.

Though it is in the land of Shu, this thing is buried deep underground, and few know or have seen it, let alone understand its function.

"Not knowing doesn't mean we don't fight!"

Cheng Jianxin turned his head to the surroundings and said in a low voice, "According to young Li, that demon is Fangshi Lu Sheng and has many ties with the Ghost Sect, lurking in the human world for a thousand years, unknown."

"Now that he surfaces, he's been plotting for decades. The motive is not small, possibly related to Ascension to Divinity, so I kept it hidden from those old ghosts in the mountain."

"The Ascenders seek only their own transcendence, and encountering this matter would surely bring unexpected events, but we are of the Mystic Sect, enjoying a certain amount of Qi Fortune, and also need to protect one side's peace."

"Get to work, set up the sword formation, leave no one alive!"

At the command, those around immediately got busy.

Several relatively young Daoists all carried Magic Flags on their backs, wrapped in oilcloth, resembling long spears.

They were well-trained, each holding a Compass, inspecting as they scattered in all directions, swiftly finding their positions, tugging the ropes behind them.

Swish~

In an instant, one hundred and eight Magic Flags fluttered in the wind.

The flag positions looked chaotic but were, in fact, arranged in two circles, thirty-six inside following the Heavenly Gang Technique, seventy-two outside corresponding to the Earthly Fiend Number.

And Mingshanzi took out seven bronze ancient lamps from a bundle, with "Yangping Zhi Dou Gong" incised on the lamp bases, arranging them on the ground in a Beidou formation.

Then, he formed a seal and swept his fingers over the wicks, and the candle flames ignited spontaneously as he intoned, "Heavenly Lantern illuminates Netherworld, Earth Lamp locks Sha Qi, Human Lamp stabilizes Divine Soul—Three Talents Return to Position!"

Ling Yun and six others from Qingcheng Mountain each had a wooden box at their feet.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Once the array was completed, sword sounds resonated from within.

They simultaneously formed a Sword technique with their left hands, spit out a breath of white Qi, which was guided by the sword technique to shoot into the box, precisely the Emei Secret Technique, the Heavenly Gang Finger Qi Technique.

Li Yan, having dealt with some Emei Qingcheng Daoists, had seen them use this technique.

This spell can empower Magic Sword attacks, its power substantial, but its true role is to lay the foundation for Sword Immortal Skill.

Evidently, these Daoists were using the proper technique.

The sword sounds grew louder, and the wooden boxes trembled accordingly.

Clang!

At last, all the lids of the wooden boxes flipped open violently, seven streams of white Qi gushed out, spun in the air, and planted themselves in front of the seven bronze lamps.

In a short time, they had set up a magic platform.

But this platform differed from ordinary ones; it was a Sword Altar.

Similar to Li Yan's "Divine Transformation Technique," regardless of how advanced a cultivator's Dao, they are ultimately of mortal flesh.

Any formidable spell undoubtedly requires controlling a massive amount of Innate Astra Bane Qi; a human body cannot endure it, necessitating the use of a Magic Artifact or platform to contain it.

The Sword Immortal Skill is the same, divided into heavenly, earthly, and human swords.

Outside the Wuhou Temple, Qingcheng Cultivators set up an altar, utilizing a flying sword to attack King Shu, drawing the snake out of its hole, using the Human Sword, manageable by a single person.

What they now set up was the Earth Sword.

During the setup, Cheng Jianxin didn't participate but rather watched from the side with Chang Gousheng, explaining in a low voice, "Every spell in Dao strives for harmony of time, place, and people. For instance, Dragon and Tiger Mountain's Thunder Technique: if the timing isn't right, no amount of effort matters."

"Qingcheng disciples have traversed the land of Shu for generations, offering tributes to the mountains and rivers, hence the Magic Flags that can draw upon the Astral Bane Energy of Shu's mountains and rivers, transforming it into Sword Qi to exorcise demons. However, this loses effect outside Sichuan, only usable in the human world, thus the legend of Sword Immortals is only renowned in Shu..."

"In my youth, I vowed to create a Secret Technique to change this, but spent my life in vain, never succeeding. Perhaps the future will rely on you..."

"Master!"

The young sword-bearing Chang Gousheng was now weeping uncontrollably.

He had learned of Cheng Jianxin's identity and had harbored a touch of pride after several consecutive victories in duels, except for Li Yan, resulting in complacency.

Previously, being blocked by the blood Nuo master, he thought he could hold off and didn't follow orders to retreat, leading master and disciple into danger.

Though they escaped, Cheng Jianxin was already at the end of his strength.

The young Gousheng was thus filled with remorse, not daring even to look at Cheng Jianxin, wishing he could stab himself with his sword.

"You dog thing!"

Seeing him in this state, Cheng Jianxin, who had been composed earlier, became furious, "What's there to fear about mistakes? Youth is meant for making mistakes; I've done plenty of foolish things and wronged many people in my youth; yours are nothing!"

"Everyone must pass this barrier. We, who wield swords, shouldn't fear making mistakes; if this dents your spirit, then I saved the wrong person!"

Chang Gousheng gritted his teeth and nodded fiercely, tears falling to the ground.

On the other side, under Mingshanzi's leadership, all Qingcheng Cultivators simultaneously drew their swords, performing Step Gang Stepping, pointing to the sky, and chanting, "Heavenly Essence and Earth Marrow, by Imperial Decree of Spirit Communication, Sword Knocking Dragon Gate, Mountains and Rivers Respond—"

This is the "Qingcheng Jade Room Technique," activating the Sword Altar Spell.

Whoosh~

As the Sword Altar activated, a wild gust howled around.

The one hundred and eight Magic Flags flapped violently, the flames of the seven bronze lamps flared up, and the seven Magic Swords planted before the lamps roared.

Gradually, they resonated together.

Clang!

The sword cries, like a dragon's roar, echoed through the night sky.

The sound seemed to awaken the spirits of the Shu lands, distant leaves rustled violently, flocks of birds took flight, beasts ran, and a visible white mist rose from the ground, converging toward the platform…

This is the true Qingcheng Sword Immortal Skill.

In "Zhuangzi · Miscellaneous · Sword Talk," there's mention of the Emperor's Sword, Duke's Sword, Common People's Sword, and the Sword Immortal Skill also has another interpretation.

The Human Sword, with Sword Intent as the blade, Divine Soul as the edge, sincerity as the spine, life as the guard, gathers seven emotions within, and absorbs six Qis from without…

The Earth Sword, with mountains as the blade, rivers as the edge, the Five Peaks as the spine, the Four Waterways as the guard, its movement causes mountains to collapse and seas to roar; its stillness urges the earth vein to stealth.

When this sword resonates, grass and trees become soldiers, sand and stone array; even the Nine Springs and Yellow Springs heed its command!

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