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

A hundred miles away, on a mountaintop, a man in black robes stood silently.

The ferocious beast crawling at his feet resembled a goat, but had a human face.

It turned out to be Taotie, one of the four ancient evil spirits.

"Finally found it"

The man in the black robe spoke in a hoarse voice, tinged with suppressed excitement.

The Soul-Devouring Bead on his wrist suddenly glowed with a ghostly light, illuminating the fleeing Xin Gui in the distance.

Xin Gui, who was speeding along, suddenly stopped and was horrified to find that she could not move.

Ning Jing slipped weakly from his arms, lifted up by an invisible force, and slowly floated towards the direction of the man in black robes.

"Who?!"

Xin Gui roared and struggled desperately, but to no avail.

The man in black robes gave a sinister smile.

"Eight hundred years have passed, Ning Jing, do you think you can escape?"

Just then, a golden light suddenly descended from the sky and struck the Soul-Devouring Pearl precisely.

The man in black robes grunted and took half a step back, his control over Ning Jing immediately loosening.

"go!"

An old voice rang in Xin Gui's ear.

Without a second thought, Xin Gui picked up Ning Jing and disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.

The man in black robes glared angrily toward the source of the golden light.

"You old bald monk, you ruined my plans!"

Five days later, inside the cabin of the Fangtian Painting Boat.

Jiang Chuan slowly opened his eyes, and what came into view was Pei Guoguo's surprised face.

"Senior Brother Jiang! You're finally awake!"

The girl excitedly grabbed his hand.

“You were unconscious for five whole days. Your senior brothers couldn’t wait any longer and have already brought us back to the mountain.”

Jiang Chuan's head was throbbing with pain, and the lingering agony in his soul sea made him groan involuntarily.

He vaguely remembered that terrible dream, and Yu Youwei's tearful face.
"this is for you."

Pei Guoguo took out a bright blue conch shell from her bosom.

"Miss Yu asked me to pass this on, saying you can use this to talk to her."

Jiang Chuan took the conch shell, feeling a slight coolness on his fingertips.

He struggled to his feet and pushed open the porthole. A breathtakingly beautiful scene unfolded before him, filled with clouds as magnificent as brocade.

As the sun sets, the sky is filled with rosy clouds. The Fangtian Painted Boat breaks through the clouds and sails through the evening glow, its hull surrounded by a faint aura of spiritual energy.

Jiang Chuan stood alone at the stern of the boat, holding onto the railing, his gaze piercing through the sea of ​​clouds and looking into the distance.

He held a conch shell tightly in his right hand; it was a token given to him by Yu Youwei.

The conch shell shimmered with a faint blue light and trembled slightly in his palm as if it were alive.

"Where did these memories come from?"

Countless unfamiliar images surged within Jiang Chuan's soul sea, chaotic and disorderly like shattered glass.

He saw a mysterious swordsman challenging a sword under the moonlight, the sword light as bright as a rainbow, tearing through the night sky.

Seeing Li Muzhi standing on the edge of the cliff, his back to the viewer, solitary and forlorn.

I saw Xie Xuan and Ning Jing arguing fiercely on the ancient stone steps of Longhu Mountain.

They even saw Yu Youwei having a private conversation with an elderly man whose face they couldn't see in the study.
What disturbed him most was that these fragments of memory contained a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had personally experienced them.

Whenever these images flashed, the golden book deep within the soul sea would tremble slightly, emitting a faint golden light.

"Could it be related to the Golden Book?"

Jiang Chuan pondered to himself, then tried to touch the mysterious golden book floating in the center of his soul sea with his divine sense.

Upon contact, a sharp pain shot through his brow, forcing him to withdraw his consciousness.

"Junior Brother Jiang, what are you thinking about?"

A gentle voice came from behind.

Jiang Chuan turned around and saw Lin Xiao looking at him with a smile.

"Senior Brother Lin."

Jiang Chuan forced a smile and quietly tucked the conch shell into his sleeve.

"It's nothing, just some confusion about my cultivation."

Lin Xiao walked to the railing and stood side by side with Jiang Chuan.

He keenly noticed the subtle fluctuation between Jiang Chuan's eyebrows, a sign of intense spiritual activity.

"Your soul sea is fluctuating abnormally."

Lin Xiao spoke frankly.

"You've been distracted ever since we came out of the sinkhole. Did you run into some trouble?"

Jiang Chuan remained silent for a moment before deciding to partially confess.

"Indeed. Many fragments of memories that do not belong to me have appeared in my soul sea."

"Oh?"

Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised.

"What exactly?"

"There are scenes of swordsmen challenging each other to swordplay, stories of Longhu Mountain, and some others."

Jiang Chuan paused, then omitted Yu Youwei's part.

“Scattered characters and scenes. What’s strangest is that these memories give me a sense of familiarity, as if I had experienced them myself.”

Lin Xiao pondered.

"Space-time turbulence. The laws of space-time are disordered in the sinkhole, which may be because someone's memories have entered your soul sea through the turbulence."

"Whose memories could they be?"

Jiang Chuan pressed for an answer.

"Xu Jingting, the Aurora Sword Immortal".

Lin Xiao said in a deep voice.

"Legend has it that nine hundred years ago, he comprehended swordsmanship near the sinkhole. If someone can truly live for nine hundred years and possess such a vast and powerful memory, it must be him."

Jiang Chuan was startled.

"A seventh-realm cultivator's lifespan is only five hundred years, how could he possibly..."

"unless."

Lin Xiao's gaze was deep.

"A realm that exists above the seventh realm."

This guess made Jiang Chuan's heart race.

He couldn't help but recall the secret conversation in Yu Youwei's study, where the old man seemed to have mentioned the phrase "breaking through the seventh level to enter the profound realm".

Could these memories really be related to her? Did she also enter the sinkhole?
"do not think too much."

Lin Xiao offered words of comfort.

"After you return to the mountain gate, you can ask your master for guidance."

He's a very knowledgeable person; perhaps he can answer your question.

Jiang Chuan nodded, barely suppressing his doubts. Just then, a commotion arose from the other end of the deck.

"Senior Brother Jiang! Senior Brother Lin!"

Pei Guoguo came skipping and hopping over, her rosy cheeks full of excitement.

"Senior Brother Jiang and the others are preparing a spirit wine banquet and have invited you to come along!"

Behind her, Jiang Wei, Wang Han, Fang Sheng, Su Wen, and others were waving in this direction.

Jiang Wei was also holding a jade wine pot in his hand, from which wisps of spiritual energy emanated.

"Let's go."

Lin Xiao smiled.

"The way of cultivation is a balance of tension and relaxation."

Jiang Chuan temporarily put his confusion aside.

"it is good."

Pei Guoguo cheered and grabbed Jiang Chuan's sleeve, running towards the crowd.

Lin Xiao smiled and shook his head, about to follow, when he discovered that Zhuang Yan was already standing beside him.

"You're not going?"

Lin Xiao asked softly.

Zhuang Yan shook her head slightly; in the moonlight, her profile resembled exquisitely carved white jade.

"Let the young people have their fun."

The two exchanged a smile and tacitly remained where they were.

A night breeze swept by, carrying the fresh scent unique to the sea of ​​clouds, gently lifting the robes of the two of them before they slowly fell back down.

One month later, at the Immortal Gate of the Northern Cloud Sea.

Zuowang Peak soars into the clouds, surrounded by spiritual energy and mist all year round.

The ruined temple on the summit has withstood a thousand years of wind and frost, and the stone pillars are covered with moss, yet it still stands tall.

Jiang Chuan sat cross-legged in the center of the ruined hall, his eyes slightly closed, surrounded by a faint aura of sword energy.

For three days, he remained motionless, as if he had become one with the ancient stone hall.

His sword intent, from its initial budding stage, gradually grew into a monstrous wave, and then returned to calm, returning to its original simplicity. At this moment, he was like a sheathed sword, its sharpness restrained, yet containing astonishing power.

As the eastern sky began to lighten with the first rays of dawn, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell upon the river.

Just then, a sudden change occurred—

Auspicious purple clouds are coming from the east!

A dense purple spiritual energy poured down, completely enveloping Jiangchuan.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with sword light, and his aura surged dramatically.

"Sword Intent - Materialize!"

With a low shout, Jiang Chuan's sword energy suddenly condensed, transforming into countless semi-transparent small swords that slowly rotated around him.

Each small sword contains a different sword intent—some are as sharp as lightning, some as heavy as a mountain, and some as agile as water.
At the same time, in the Purple Bamboo Grove Villa, Tao Hongjing and Lin Xiao, who were playing chess, looked up simultaneously.

"This is."

Tao Hongjing raised his white eyebrows slightly, the chess piece in his hand hovering in mid-air.

A look of surprise flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes.

"Junior Brother Jiang's sword intent has broken through!"

The two simultaneously put down their chess pieces, and in a flash, they appeared outside the courtyard, gazing in the direction of Zuowang Peak.

Not only them, but at this moment, Zhuang Yan walked out of the alchemy room, Lu Chen put down the ancient book in his hand, Yun Wanggui stopped playing the zither, Luoyang Fairy opened her eyes from her cultivation, and Chen Yang, Ji Kui and other disciples all looked up—all eyes were on Zuowang Peak.

At the summit, Jiang Chuan stood up, his right hand clenched, and the bladeless sword in his soul sea was summoned.

The seemingly blunt heavy sword felt weightless in his hands, its blade humming and vibrating as if it were cheering and jumping for joy.

Within the Sword Domain of No Edge, the Sword Spirit Mountain Ghost revealed itself, dressed in fiery red, with a gratified smile on its exquisite face.

"Congratulations, Master."

Jiang Chuan did not answer; his entire mind was immersed in the sword intent.

With a flick of his wrist, the bladeless sword traced a mysterious trajectory, and he soared into the sky!

"Yellow Dragon Sword Intent—Break!"

A long roar shook the heavens, and Jiang Chuan's sword energy transformed into a golden dragon, baring its fangs and claws as it spiraled upwards.

Amidst the roar of a dragon, he slashed his sword towards the boundless sea of ​​clouds.

The sword light was like a rainbow, piercing through heaven and earth!
The thick clouds were cleaved open by this sword, revealing the azure sky behind them.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps, casting a dazzling pillar of light across the sea of ​​clouds, resembling a ladder to heaven.

"This is."

The mountain spirit's beautiful eyes widened.

"One sword opens the sky!"

The onlookers in the distance were even more shocked.

Tao Hongjing stroked his beard and sighed deeply.

"Zuowang Peak has gained another sword genius."

Lin Xiao's eyes gleamed with wonder.

"Junior Brother Jiang's sword intent has already touched the edge of the Dao."

The clouds that had been split open suddenly churned violently, and the sky quickly darkened.

Dark clouds gathered, lightning flashed, and a terrifying pressure from heaven and earth descended.

"Thunder Tribulation!"

Zhuang Yan gasped in shock.

"He's about to break through!"

Everyone's expression changed drastically. According to the ironclad rules of the cultivation world, once a tribulation lightning is attracted, it means that the cultivator is about to break through to a higher realm.

Jiang Chuan is currently at the peak of the fourth realm. If he successfully transcends the tribulation, he will directly enter the fifth realm.

"not good!"

Lin Xiao suddenly remembered something.

"Next year is the year the Kunlun Secret Realm opens. The sect rules clearly state that those at the fifth realm and above are not allowed to enter!"

Just then, a petite figure came rushing down the mountain; it was Pei Guoguo.

She ran while shouting.

"Senior Brother Jiang! Stop! Don't break through your cultivation level!"

The sound was amplified by spiritual power and clearly entered Jiang Chuan's ears.

Jiang Chuan, who was about to unleash his second sword strike, suddenly awoke, looked up at the forming thunderclouds, and immediately understood the situation.

He forcibly suppressed the boiling spiritual power within his body, forcefully bringing his rising aura back to the peak of the fourth realm.

As he voluntarily stopped his breakthrough, the thunderclouds in the sky rolled a few times unwillingly before slowly dissipating.

Sunlight streamed down again, illuminating the young cultivator standing with his sword in hand.

Jiang Chuan landed gracefully, just in time to meet Pei Guoguo, who was running up panting.

"Senior Brother Jiang! You scared me to death!"

Pei Guoguo's face turned red, her eyes filled with lingering fear.

"If you attract a lightning tribulation and break through to the fifth realm, you won't be able to participate in next year's Kunlun Secret Realm!"

Jiang Chuan sheathed his bladeless sword and smiled apologetically.

"I got carried away for a moment, thank you for reminding me, junior sister."

"Humph!"

Pei Guoguo puffed out her cheeks.

"You promised to take me into the secret realm, you can't go back on your word!"

"rest assured."

Jiang Chuan ruffled her hair, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"I know it well."

At this moment, everyone realized that the seventh cultivator on Zuowang Peak to achieve the Five Elements Purple Mansion had been born.

Jiang Chuan—this once unknown disciple has now become the most dazzling new star in the Northern Territory.

In the 532nd year of the Song Dynasty calendar, the fine spring rain, like silk threads, dyed the mountains on the border of the Zheng Kingdom a hazy blue.

Song Zhiwen stood on the newly conquered city wall, rainwater sliding down his bronze armor and gathering into a trickle at his feet.

He took off his helmet, revealing a young face weathered by time. His sharp eyebrows and bright eyes revealed a scholarly air, yet also the resolute determination unique to soldiers.

"Report——"

A scout came running quickly and knelt on one knee.

"General, the vanguard has cleared out the remaining enemy forces in the city, and the Zheng army's garrison commander committed suicide in the government office."

Song Zhiwen nodded slightly, his gaze passing over the rain curtain and looking south.

This was the fifteenth city he had captured since the start of the war, and only the last barrier remained between him and Zhengdu – Sishui Pass.

"Order the entire army to rest for three days."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

"The wounded were sent to the rear, and the food and supplies were replenished on the spot."

The lieutenant hesitated.

"General, according to custom, we should press our advantage and pursue the enemy."

"Soldiers who, deception also."

Song Zhiwen interrupted him.

"Zheng Jun's main force has not suffered any losses. Rushing deeper into the enemy territory will only put us at a disadvantage. Let the soldiers catch their breath; the real battle is yet to come."

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked down the city wall. The rain soaked his cloak, but it could not hide his tall and straight back.

Below the city, soldiers were clearing the battlefield. When they saw him, they stopped and saluted.

Song Zhiwen returned the greetings one by one, his gaze sweeping over the faces, young or no longer young, and he sighed inwardly.

Back in the makeshift central command tent, Song Zhiwen removed his armor and changed into a blue long robe.

A map lay open on the table, and he tapped lightly on the location of Sishui Pass with his long, slender fingers, his brows slightly furrowed.

"General, your tea."

Konoe Songchi brought over hot tea and carefully placed it on the edge of the table.

Song Zhiwen didn't even raise his head.

"Put it there."

he asked suddenly.

"Song Qi, how long have you been with me?"

"Reporting to the General, I have been by your side for five years since you were enfeoffed as a general at the age of twenty."

Song Qi answered respectfully.

"Five years."

Song Zhiwen sighed softly.

"time flies."

He was a little tired.

The sound of rain outside the tent gradually subsided.

Song Zhiwen put down his teacup and took out a stack of letters and a wolf-hair brush from his bag.

"Are you going to write another letter?"

Song Qi couldn't help but ask.

Song Zhiwen nodded, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote the four characters "吾师尊鉴" (My Master's Respectful Respect) on the paper. His brushstrokes were sharp as swords, penetrating the paper with force. (End of Chapter)