The New Year is approaching, and this tumultuous world has ushered in a rare peace.

Due to the standoff among the three dynasties in the Central Plains, the local wars that were common in the past have begun to gradually decrease, maintaining a fragile balance.

Because of this fragile balance, the end of this year offers some peaceful days.

However, for certain people, each passing day brings them one step closer to the abyss. Because on the ninth day of the first lunar month next year, the Jade Emperor's Birthday, it is the day when Qing Yu, the Sect Leader of the Zhenwu Sect, gathers Taoist sects from all over the world.

Using forceful means to compel Heavenly Master Zhang's dissolution and the sealing of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Qing Yu doesn't have time for superficial tricks, and every well-known Taoist sect in the world received his invitation without exception.

Although the invitations did not specify the consequences of not attending, anyone with a bit of sense should know that the outcome is definitely not as simple as missing an invitation.

"It's a pity you missed your chance to live."

The Sword Maiden's eyes flickered with a ghostly green sword light, the six-sided sword mark on her forehead emitting a chilling glow.

She was now at Chang Chun Temple, one of the prominent Taoist temples, and the previous words were directed at Chang Xinzi, the temple master of Chang Chun Temple.

"Before the ninth day, does the Zhenwu Sect intend to assassinate?" Chang Xinzi, staggering and supporting himself with his sword, looked at the cold, murderous woman in front of him, his expression filled with hatred.

"It seems you are well aware of whom you have offended?" the Sword Maiden chuckled softly.

She did not explicitly state where she was from, but this Chang Chun Temple master had directly assumed she was sent by Qing Yu, obviously having been mentally prepared for this.

"Qing Yu Demon Path, your end will not be good!"

Even when faced with such dire circumstances, Chang Xinzi had not compromised. Chang Chun Temple was a sect under Dragon Tiger Mountain. In the past, Gong Ziyu had launched a bloodbath against temples affiliated with Dragon Tiger Mountain. Although Chang Chun Temple, due to its strength, did not suffer the same fate as other Taoist sects, both of Chang Xinzi's sons were killed by the Azure Dragon Association.

The conflict between him and Qing Yu was destined to be irreconcilable.

So, before the ninth day, Qing Yu began the purge in advance. The target was the various sects and temples that once belonged to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

"To prevent troublemakers like you from causing disturbances at the Zhenwu Sect, it is necessary to eliminate you in advance."

The Sword Maiden raised her golden long sword, the sword light dazzled, "Chang Xinzi will still attend the Taoist gathering on the ninth day, but that person will not be you."

Before the voice finished, the sword moved first, and the Xuanyin Su Sword First Move—Heaven and Earth Alone with My Dao suddenly unleashed, the sword light shot out.

"Bang——"

With a dull thud, the ghostly green sword light cleaved through Chang Xinzi's horizontal sword as if it were a mighty axe, shattering his head in the process.

The mysterious and fierce Xuanyin Twelve Swords in the Sword Maiden's hands seemed like a kind of heavy weapon technique, filled with indescribable violence.

The reason is all due to the golden long sword in her hand.

The sword's body was broad, entirely golden, with three extremely sharp spikes at the hilt, and a naked female form as the guard, the Heavenly Demon Soldier—Wu Wang, obtained from Qing Yu.

This Heavenly Demon Soldier, capable of mimicking weapon superpowers, had, after mimicking Heaven and Earth Splitting, achieved an overwhelmingly sharp violent power. Forget the long sword, even a giant hammer would be shattered by Wu Wang at this moment.

"Come out," said the Sword Maiden as she returned her sword to its sheath without turning her head.

Behind her, the disciples' bodies from Chang Chun Temple lay scattered everywhere, and a slightly bowed figure stepped from the shadows, avoiding the corpses and moving to where the lanterns illuminated.

The dim light revealed the person's face, identical to the face of Chang Xinzi, whose head had been blasted earlier by the sword light.

"You already know what to do, don't you?"

"Yes, Sword Maiden, with the face of Chang Xinzi, I will fully support the Sect Leader of the Zhenwu Sect at the Taoist gathering." The person bowed and said respectfully.

"Hmm," the Sword Maiden nodded, "This task is simple. I believe in your capability. Do it well, and you will become the real Chang Xinzi, a significant figure in the Taoist community. Do it poorly, and you will be an imposter of Chang Xinzi, ending only in a dead end."

"Yes, Sword Maiden."

Qing Yu, during his time in Yang City, once drew a book titled "Lianhua Treasure Book", encompassing countless Mysterious Techniques. One such Abnormal Skill within it is the Face Changing Skill.

Qing Yu once used it to impersonate and escape by faking his death. Now, this Abnormal Skill was used for disguise or, rather, to replace some hard-line elements, enabling them to perform their necessary roles.

"You begin your preparations, I will leave first."

With a wisp of fragrant breeze, the Sword Maiden's figure disappeared into the night.

As the year-end approaches, whether to counter Qing Yu's threat or to seek reunion, people from various sects began to gather intentionally.

And this presented an excellent opportunity for cleansing.

Chang Chun Temple was not the end. In the fervent atmosphere before the year-end, many people were buried in the bloody purges, their identities replaced by others.

··························

"Master, the Zhenwu Sect has begun the cleansing early. What should we do?" Zhu Kong asked Hua Yufei, his face filled with distress.

Although Luo Fu Palace doesn't have a strong presence, it is one of the Four Great Taoist Sects. Qing Yu's aim to unify the Taoist sects first targets Luo Fu Palace.

Moreover, the current Palace Master Yun Zheng of Chunyang Palace, which was led by Hua Yufei in killing the former Palace Master, now serves Qing Yu as a loyal minion, obediently following his commands.

Luo Fu Palace, it's challenging…

"Don't be anxious," Hua Yufei said calmly, "Qing Yu's ambition to unify the Taoist sects will face resistance far beyond us weak ones. The Buddhist sect and Daqian will not want the Taoist sects to submit entirely to one person. Besides, there are those in the Taoist community who can resist Qing Yu."

True Qi circulating, Hua Yufei's withered face became plump and youthful, with a jade brilliance subtly flowing.

He had become young again, or rather, returned to his original appearance.

Hua Yufei's age was far from old, but due to cultivating the "Yuchen Tribulation Opening Sword Scripture," he had prematurely reached the verge of death.

The Slaughter Sword Qi's depletion of life far exceeded Hua Yufei's expectations. Even with the addition of Blood Dao Martial Arts and Netherworld Palace Skills to suppress Death Qi, he couldn't escape the approach of death.

If it weren't for the Sword God seeking him out, Hua Yufei might already be a pile of bones.

"Does Master intend to ask the Sword God for assistance?" Zhu Kong inquired.

"The Sword God is unlikely to intervene," Hua Yufei shook his head, "But yesterday, someone delivered this letter to me."

He took out an unsigned envelope and handed it to Zhu Kong.

Zhu Kong received it, withdrew the letter and read it carefully, then said somewhat surprised, "Supreme Daoist Xuan Du? The Supreme Taoist Sect is finally going to confront Qing Yu head-on?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.