The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

As one of the leading figures of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in the Northern Territory, the Cloud Sea Immortal Sect faces an uncertain fate regarding its leader, making the situation in the Northern Territory very delicate.

Many people hope that Chunyangzi and Master Yuantong will not return, so that the power structure of the Northern Mountain Sect can be reshuffled, and the Qingming Sword Sect may rise to power.

The Confucian school of Jixia Academy was deeply worried, and its headmaster, Yan Zhitui, urgently summoned Yuan Tiangang back to the mountain to discuss countermeasures.

After Yuan Tiangang left, Song Zhiwen, the Confucian scholar and swordsman of the Song Kingdom, breathed a sigh of relief, but before he could recover, he was summoned to the palace by the King of Song.

Jiang Chuan returned to Tianzhu Mountain on his sword. As soon as he stepped into the mountain gate, he was blocked by a beautiful figure riding a crane.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Pei Guoguo.

When Pei Guoguo saw Jiang Chuan, her face lit up with joy, but she immediately scolded him, "Jiang Chuan, you're finally back! I was so worried about you while you were gone!"

Jiang Chuan gave a wry smile and cupped his hands, saying, "Guoguo, I'm sorry to have worried you."

I experienced some setbacks in the Qilian Mountains.

After saying that, he gave a general account of his experiences in the Qilian Mountains, but omitted mentioning Xu Peng.

Pei Guoguo stomped her foot: "Hmph, at least you've returned safely."

By the way, my fourth senior brother, Chen Ping, has already gone to the front lines to deal with the beast tide. As for me, I cannot go down the mountain due to Master's orders.

After saying that, she stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Chuan's arm. "Come on, come back to Zuowang Peak with me. Master is waiting to see you."

The two returned to Zuowang Peak, and Pei Guoguo led Jiang Chuan to Tao Hongjing's residence.

Tao Hongjing was pleased to see Jiang Chuan return safely and said, "Jiang Chuan, it's good that you're back."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the Demon Prison Sword at Jiang Chuan's waist. "This sword... seems a bit strange."

Jiang Chuan told Tao Hongjing the whole story of the origin of the Demon Prison Sword.

Tao Hongjing took the sword, examined it carefully, and said, "This sword is indeed sinister, but if a suitable scabbard is made, it should be able to lock in the sinister energy."

This sword is called 'Demon Prison'. I feel like I've heard of it before, but I can't recall the details right now.

That evening, Jiang Chuan returned to the Purple Bamboo Forest Villa and took good care of the injured Qing Lin.

Despite Lu Hao's treatment, Qing Lin remained listless and lay motionless on the ground.

Pei Guoguo felt a little reluctant and suggested, "Jiang Chuan, I'll accompany you to Chiyang Peak to find Chen Yang tomorrow. He's a highly skilled doctor and might be able to cure Qing Lin."

Jiang Chuan looked at Qing Lin, then at Pei Guoguo, and said gratefully, "Thank you very much, Guoguo."

That night, Jiang Chuan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, worried about Qing Lin's injuries.

The next morning, Pei Guoguo and Jiang Chuan arrived at Chiyang Peak and found Chen Yang.

Chen Yang was taken aback when he saw the two of them: "What brings you here?"

Jiang Chuan quickly explained Qing Lin's situation.

Chen Yang bent down to examine Qing Lin's injuries and frowned: "These injuries... are somewhat troublesome, but not incurable."

In my opinion, Qinglin must have devoured the Yin Ghost and then the magic core of a fourth-tier magical beast, which is why it suffered such severe injuries.

After saying that, Chen Yang turned around and rummaged through the medicine cabinet, took out a small jade bottle and handed it to Jiang Chuan: "This contains a spiritual liquid to nourish the body. Give Qing Lin a little bit every day."

I will continue refining them and try to prepare more.

He then took out a gourd of pills, saying, "This gourd of Soul Nourishing Pills is beneficial for Qinglin's damaged soul. You can take it with you."

Jiang Chuan accepted the spiritual liquid and pills, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Chen Yang, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know what to do."

Back at Zuowang Peak, Jiang Chuan followed Chen Yang's instructions, using spiritual liquid to treat Qinglin and feeding it a Soul Nourishing Pill.

A few days later, Qinglin's injuries gradually improved. Its originally dull scales regained their luster, and its spirits were much better than before.

Jiang Chuan finally felt relieved.

Pei Guoguo comforted her, "I told you Qinglin would be alright. Look, she's getting better."

Jiang Chuan looked at Pei Guoguo: "Guoguo, we owe you so much this time. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know what to do."

Pei Guoguo waved her hand: "Why say such things? We are fellow disciples, it is only natural for us to help each other."

After this incident, Jiang Chuan realized his own inadequacy and resolved to work hard to improve his strength in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

That afternoon, Jiang Chuan carried his sword and went into the mountains to hunt down third-tier magical beasts.

He traversed the mountains and forests, and with his keen senses, he quickly locked onto a third-tier magical beast.

Jiang Chuan flashed forward, drew his sword, and the monster let out a miserable cry and fell to the ground.

He stepped forward, took the essence blood of the demonic beast, and put it into a jade bottle.

Repeating this process, Jiang Chuan successively killed five third-tier magical beasts before returning to Zuowang Peak.

In the middle of the night, Jiang Chuan sat in the courtyard and took out his bladeless sword.

This bladeless sword is short and blunt, and looks unremarkable.

Jiang Chuan wanted to refine this sword into his own natal flying sword.

Just then, the sword spirit, Mountain Ghost, appeared and looked at the bladeless sword in Jiang Chuan's hand: "Jiang Chuan, this bladeless sword is a broken sword. Its original sword realm has been exhausted. Are you sure you want to use it as your natal flying sword?"

Jiang Chuan gently stroked the sword: "Senior Mountain Spirit, I believe that pure sword intent is the standard for a good sword."

This bladeless sword is flawed, but I really like the sword intent it contains.

The mountain spirit remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Very well, since you have made up your mind, I will help you refine this natal flying sword."

Under the guidance of the mountain spirit, Jiang Chuan sat cross-legged, placed the bladeless sword in front of him, and circulated his internal energy into the sword.

The bladeless sword began to tremble, and a faint light appeared on its surface.

This training lasted for three days and three nights.

During this period, the political landscape of the Northern Frontier underwent a dramatic change.

A savage beast has appeared in the Qilian Mountains, causing turmoil in the martial world.

Chunyangzi, the leader of the Yunhai Immortal Sect, and Master Yuantong of the Xuankong Temple went to investigate, but mysteriously disappeared and their fate is unknown.

The Hanging Temple was nearly wiped out by this tragedy.

The Cloud Sea Immortal Sect has appointed Mingyangzi as acting sect leader, and is doing its utmost to find Chunyangzi's whereabouts.

At the same time, the Azure Sword Sect and the Fire God Mountain joined forces to stop the rampage of the beast tide in the Qilian Mountains, which greatly increased the Azure Sword Sect's prestige. However, the Cloud Sea Immortal Sect was caught in a delicate situation, with all parties watching and waiting.

Three days later, Jiang Chuan ended his seclusion. The Wufeng Sword shone brightly, its blade humming, and it had become his natal flying sword.

Jiang Chuan opened his eyes and exclaimed joyfully, "It worked!"

The mountain spirit looked at Jiang Chuan and said, "Congratulations on successfully refining your natal flying sword."

It will need more nurturing and care in the future to unleash its full potential.

Jiang Chuan sheathed his sword and left his secluded retreat.

Just then, Pei Guoguo came to take care of Qinglin and changed its body-nourishing spiritual liquid.

When Qinglin saw Jiang Chuan emerge from the pass, she ran over happily.

Pei Guoguo looked up at Jiang Chuan: "Jiang Chuan, your swordsmanship has improved so much since you came out of seclusion!"

Jiang Chuan smiled and said, "Thanks to Senior Mountain Spirit's help, I was able to successfully refine my natal flying sword."

As they were talking, Tao Hongjing walked over, holding a meticulously crafted scabbard in his hand: "Jiang Chuan, this scabbard was specially made for the Demon Prison Sword, and it should be able to lock in its ghostly aura."

Jiang Chuan took the scabbard and inserted the Demon Prison Sword into it. Sure enough, the ghostly aura that had been spreading was locked in.

"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Chuan said gratefully.

Tao Hongjing said, "Jiang Chuan, next, I will guide you in cultivating the fourth level of the Dragon Elephant Divine Demon Art."

This technique is extremely dangerous to practice; the slightest mistake can lead to qi deviation and demonic possession.

"I will impart to you the essential Buddhist teachings and mantras to help you resist your inner demons."

After speaking, Tao Hongjing passed on the formula to Jiang Chuan.

Jiang Chuan kept it in mind and, led by Tao Hongjing, arrived at a secret room.

Inside the secret chamber, a huge bronze cauldron exudes an ancient aura, and the cauldron is filled with medicinal liquid.

Jiang Chuan stepped into the cauldron.

The potent medicinal power assaulted his body, and Jiang Chuan felt excruciating pain all over his body, as if countless steel needles were piercing him. Tao Hongjing watched anxiously from the side, ready to intervene at any moment.

The situation in the north is becoming increasingly complex.

During his time as acting leader of the Cloud Sea Immortal Sect, Ming Yangzi searched everywhere for Chun Yangzi's whereabouts, but to no avail.

A month later, Chunyangzi sent a message via flying sword, informing him that he and Master Yuantong had escaped, but had been taken to the bottom of the South China Sea by the dragon turtle.

After some speculation, Chunyangzi and Mingyangzi concluded that there seemed to be a mastermind behind all of this, with the target being Buddhism and Taoism, and possibly even Confucianism.

Mingyangzi suspected that the man behind the attack came from Handan, but the undercover agents he sent out had not been heard from.

Chunyangzi said, "The situation is critical now, and I need to go to Jixia Academy."

The states of Song and Zheng are about to go to war; this war is now almost inevitable.

Mingyangzi nodded: "What the sect leader said is absolutely right."

However, this journey is fraught with danger, so I urge the sect leader to exercise extreme caution.

In Suiyang City of the State of Song, Song Zhiwen, dressed in military attire, prepared to go to war.

Yu Youwei said resolutely, "I've decided to leave this place."

Song Zhiwen looked worried: "The situation is chaotic now, and I really can't rest easy if you leave alone."

Yu Youwei shook her head: "My mind is made up, you don't need to stop me."

Song Zhiwen had no choice but to raise a glass to Yu Youwei in farewell.

Watching Yu Youwei's departing figure, Song Zhiwen could only wish her a safe return.

In the ancestral temple of the Song state, Junzi Qi stood on a high platform, holding an ancient and simple imperial sword in his hands.

Below the stage, Song Zhiwen, dressed in military uniform, stood tall and straight, kneeling on one knee, looking up at Jun Ziqi.

"Song Zhiwen, I hereby bestow upon you the Emperor's Sword, hoping that you can avenge the late king and uphold the prestige of our Song Kingdom."

Junzi Qi's voice was deep yet powerful.

Song Zhiwen accepted the Emperor's sword with both hands: "Your subject will not fail Your Majesty's command. I swear I will not return to the court until Zheng is conquered!"

After saying this, he kowtowed deeply.

After a while, Song Zhiwen returned to the Song army camp.

Inside the tent, the generals and soldiers stood in neat rows. Song Zhiwen, holding the Emperor's Sword, proclaimed loudly, "Today, His Majesty bestows upon me the Emperor's Sword, ordering us to avenge the late King."

Soldiers, follow me to kill the enemy and uphold our national prestige!

The soldiers raised their arms and shouted, greatly boosting their morale.

Song Zhiwen then ordered: "Reward the three armies. Tomorrow morning, the three armies will set off straight for Zhengdu!"

"promise!"

The soldiers responded in unison.

At this time, the state of Zheng was in complete chaos.

The princelings and the younger princelings are locked in a fierce internal struggle, and the civil war is raging.

In the imperial court, various forces were engaged in open and covert struggles, the people suffered greatly, and the entire state of Zheng was plunged into a state of internal and external troubles, with the danger of national destruction looming like a dark cloud.

Yu Youwei was in Suiyang City when she witnessed Song Zhiwen leading his army out of the city.

That night, she came to the pavilions and terraces of Wind Chime Pavilion, with a pond of swaying lotus flowers beside her.

As the moonlight shone down, Yu Youwei gently stroked the long sword in her hand.

Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed by, and Uncle Long appeared.

"Miss Yu, do you have any plans now?" Uncle Long asked in a low voice.

Before Yu Youwei could answer, another figure appeared; it was none other than Zhang Wei, the King of Dushan.

"Miss Yu, when will you depart for the north?" Zhang Wei asked.

Yu Youwei looked at Zhang Wei, then at Uncle Long, and said, "There's no time to lose, I've decided to set off tomorrow."

Zhang Wei reminded: "Song Zhiwen's expedition has already attracted the attention of the Jixia Academy."

If you don't leave soon, I'm afraid you'll be investigated.

Yu Youwei frowned slightly: "But the matter of going north is probably complicated, and I have some concerns."

Zhang Wei explained, "The Heavenly Demon Emperor is determined to obtain Taotie, one of the Four Ancient Fiends. Now that the Hanging Temple has fallen, the situation has changed drastically, and we have no choice but to rethink our plans."

Yu Youwei said, "The people who massacred the Hanging Temple are probably related to the black-clad men who appeared during the Battle of Hulao Pass."

Zhang Wei nodded: "That's right, but this matter is too secretive and needs to be investigated more carefully."

In the southern part of the northern border, the Song army, led by Song Zhiwen, advanced with unstoppable momentum.

Within a month, they captured fifteen cities of Zheng, and their army marched straight towards the capital.

In the Zheng court, the Crown Prince and the faction of the young Crown Prince were still engaged in fierce struggle.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, the young princes decided to defend the city, hoping to use the Song army to wear down the princes.

Upon learning of this, the Crown Prince was furious: "These traitors have actually committed such a traitorous act of selling out their country for personal gain!"

However, Zheng had exhausted its military strength due to the civil war, and the morale of its army was low. Faced with the Song army's attack, it was powerless to resist.

Just when the crown prince was in despair, the Jixia Academy finally made its move.

Chen Shouren, acting on the orders of Yan Zhitui, the head of the academy, and the King of Qi, led an army of 30,000 to aid the State of Zheng.

After receiving the secret letter from the scout, Song Zhiwen immediately summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.

Inside the tent, the generals were discussing the matter animatedly.

"That Chen Shouren is nothing but a scholar, all he knows is armchair strategizing. What's there to be afraid of him!"

One of the generals said dismissively.

"He should not be underestimated. Chen Shouren is Yuan Tiangang's prized student and must have extraordinary abilities."

Another general offered a reminder.

Song Zhi asked, "No matter what, we must not let our guard down."

"Since Chen Shouren dared to lead his troops here, he must have something to rely on."

As the seasons change, the weather gets warmer.

With the arrival of summer, the northern border becomes unbearably hot, making marching and fighting even more difficult.

"We must strike Zhengdu before summer arrives."

Chen Shouren will be our biggest obstacle.

Song Zhiwen looked into the distance.

Meanwhile, in the western part of the Great Zhou Dynasty in the northern border region, there is the Cloud Sea Immortal Gate of Tianzhu Mountain.

Jiang Chuan secluded himself in the mountains, focusing on cultivating the "Dragon Elephant Divine Demon Art," and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Initially, according to Tao Hongjing's careful arrangement, Jiang Chuan needed to wait fifteen days after each time he tempered his body with the essence of magical beasts before he could start the next cultivation, so that his body could fully adapt to and absorb the power of the essence.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Chuan's physical strength far exceeded Tao Hongjing's expectations.

Just three days after his first body tempering, he had completely digested the energy of the demonic beast's blood essence, his internal energy flowed smoothly, and his physique became stronger.

Upon learning of this, Tao Hongjing carefully observed Jiang Chuan and said, "Jiang Chuan, in my opinion, the dragon soul within you seems to have triggered a bloodline mutation. Your physical strength is now comparable to that of a second-tier magical beast."

Jiang Chuan had long sensed the changes in himself, but he had not expected them to be so astonishing.

"Master, is this bloodline mutation good or bad for my cultivation?"

Tao Hongjing stroked his beard and said, "This change has both advantages and disadvantages."

"Dragon blood is modifying your body, and in the future, dragon bones may condense within you. At that time, you may no longer be considered purely human."

Tao Hongjing comforted him, "However, this may not be entirely a bad thing." (End of Chapter)