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

"not good!"

Jiang Chuan's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly made a hand seal to try to recall the flying sword, but found that the connection with the flying sword was being severed by a strange force.

Deng Yinhe laughed heartily.

"Little brat, my Star River Binding Sword is specifically designed to counter flying swords. Today I'll take your natal sword and see what else you can do!"

Jiang Chuan made a decisive move, abandoning the attempt to recall the flying sword. Instead, he formed hand seals, his internal energy surging wildly.

One sword, a thousand dragons!

Hundreds of azure dragon sword energies burst forth from his body, each azure dragon lifelike, baring its fangs and claws as it charged toward the Milky Way.

The Milky Way was shattered into pieces, and the flying sword took the opportunity to break free of its restraints and return to Jiang Chuan's hand.

"interesting."

Deng Yinhe was somewhat surprised. Then, his whisk transformed again, and the Milky Way condensed into a giant python, which opened its blood-red maw and bit at Jiang Chuan.

Jiang Chuan stepped onto the lake surface, retreating rapidly while simultaneously unleashing a massive sword aura.

Greatsword Technique!

The ten-zhang-long azure giant sword went to meet the giant python, but was entangled by the python the moment they made contact.

The giant python formed from the whisk was exceptionally flexible, and no matter how the giant sword struggled, it could not break free.

"Jiangchuan, be careful!"

Seeing this, Wu Shuang hurriedly urged the Winter Solstice Sword to slash at Deng Yinhe, attempting to relieve the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao.

How could Zeng Xianming let her have her way? He grinned maliciously, unleashing two bloody palm prints to intercept the Winter Solstice Sword.

"Fairy Wu, your opponent is me!"

Wu Shuang was forced to retrieve her flying sword and engage Zeng Xianming in battle.

The two were evenly matched in cultivation, and it was difficult to determine who was superior for the time being.

On the other side, Jiang Chuan's natal flying sword was once again entangled by Deng Yinhe's whisk.

This time, Deng Yinhe was clearly serious. The starlight on his whisk shone brightly and began to erode the sword intent on the flying sword.

"Little one, your sword is quite good, but it's a pity you've chosen the wrong master."

Deng Yinhe chuckled sinisterly.

"Why don't I keep it for you?"

Jiang Chuan broke out in a cold sweat; he could feel his natal flying sword being corrupted by a strange power.

Once the flying sword is taken away, he will suffer a severe injury.

In this critical moment, Jiang Chuan made a resolute decision.

He bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto his sword-like fingers.

"Sword Soul Summoning!"

His natal flying sword suddenly trembled violently, broke free from the whisk's restraints, and transformed into a streak of blood-red light, heading straight for Deng Yinhe's throat.

This sword strike was as fast as lightning, containing the essence of Jiang Chuan's blood, making its power several times greater.

Deng Yinhe clearly hadn't expected Jiang Chuan to have this trick up his sleeve, and in the rush, he had no time to dodge.

Just as the flying sword was about to pierce his throat, he suddenly chanted a mantra.

"The profound origin of heaven and earth, the root of all vital energy."

"Golden Light Curse!"

Wu Shuang gasped in shock.

Suddenly, Deng Yinhe's entire body radiated a dazzling golden light, as if he were coated with a layer of gold leaf.

Jiang Chuan's flying sword struck the golden light with a crisp "clang" and was deflected away.

"A top-tier divine incantation of the Taoist sect!"

Jiang Chuan was horrified and hurriedly recalled his flying sword, only to find that the sword's spiritual energy had been damaged and its blade was dull and lifeless.

Deng Yinhe was bathed in golden light, looking like a golden-armored general.

He walked slowly towards Jiangchuan, each step causing golden lotus flowers to bloom on the lake's surface.

“Little brat, you have something to be proud of for forcing me to use the Golden Light Spell. Now, it’s time to end this.”

Jiang Chuan gripped his flying sword tightly, his heart turning ice-cold.

"Golden Light Mantra"

Jiang Chuan's throat bobbed, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.

"How could the ultimate martial art of Longhu Mountain appear in the Northern Territory?"

He subconsciously touched the bladeless sword hidden in his sleeve; the blade was cold, and the sword spirit remained asleep.

The legend of that struggle for orthodoxy flashed through my mind—the sage of Longhu Mountain left for the northern border and was never heard from again.

Senior Brother Xie Xuan had warned him that the Golden Light Mantra was a taboo in Taoism and could not be practiced by anyone who was not a direct descendant of Longhu Mountain. Those who violated this rule would be subjected to the thunderous punishments of the Celestial Masters.

"Heaven's favor? Ha, what a boastful tone."

Jiang Chuan sneered, his tone somewhat sarcastic.

He made a hand seal with his right hand, and his spiritual energy circulated quietly within his body, ready to deal with any possible changes at any time.

Not far away, a silver light streaked across the sky, emitting a sharp whistling sound.

Wu Shuang stood on the flying sword "Winter Solstice," and wherever the sword's edge pointed, a chilling aura emanated from it.

Zeng Xianming was forced to retreat steadily, and several cracks had appeared on the long sword in his hand.

"Senior Sister Wu's sword-nurturing gourd is indeed as good as its reputation."

Jiang Chuan secretly admired it.

That palm-sized gourd may seem ordinary, but it is the treasure of the Fire God Mountain sect. It can nurture the spirituality of flying swords, enabling cultivators in the third realm to unleash power close to that of a supreme being.

Zeng Xianming broke out in a cold sweat, and the area between his thumb and forefinger went numb from the shock.

He gritted his teeth and swung his sword, barely managing to block the flying sword's attack. However, the impact sent him flying more than ten feet away, crashing heavily onto the ice of Moonlit Lake.

"You brat from the Zeng family, you dare to cause trouble in Longhai County with such meager skills?"

Wu Shuang's voice was cold and clear. With a light tap of her fingertips, the Winter Solstice Sword drew a beautiful arc in the air, aiming straight for Zeng Xianming's throat.

"Zheng——"

At the critical moment, a golden light descended from the sky and struck the flying sword precisely.

The Winter Solstice Sword let out a mournful cry, its blade trembling violently, nearly slipping out of Wu Shuang's control.

Deng Yinhe descended from the sky, surrounded by golden light, like a deity descending.

He looked down at the crowd from his high vantage point, a smile playing on his lips.

"Fellow Daoists, why must you be so ruthless?"

Jiang Chuan narrowed his eyes, took a step forward without making a sound, and stood between Wu Shuang and Deng Yinhe.

"Fellow Daoist Deng's mastery of the Golden Light Mantra is astonishing. May I ask which Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain he studied under?"

The air suddenly solidified.

A flash of golden light appeared in Deng Yinhe's eyes, and then he smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang is joking. I have only been fortunate enough to receive the favor of Heaven and comprehend a little bit of the Dao. How dare I presume to claim the lineage of Longhu Mountain?"

"Oh?"

Jiang Chuan gave a half-smile.

"Does Fellow Daoist Deng know what the rules of Longhu Mountain stipulate for privately practicing the Golden Light Mantra?"

Deng Yinhe's expression remained unchanged, but the golden light around him fluctuated slightly.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang seems to be quite familiar with the rules of Longhu Mountain?"

The two stared at each other, their invisible auras clashing in the air.

Jiang Chuan could sense the immense spiritual power contained within the opponent's golden light, far exceeding that of ordinary third-realm cultivators.

He became secretly alert, his right hand already resting on the hilt of the bladeless sword.

"Boom——"

The sound of war drums in the distance broke the standoff.

More than ten warships broke through the waves, and the soldiers on board were fully armored and armed, who were the troops of the Longhai Commandery.

"It's just in time."

Wu Shuang snorted coldly, and the Winter Solstice Sword flew back to her side and hovered.

"These mortal soldiers can't deal with cultivators, but they're good at picking opportunities to take advantage of others."

Jiang Chuan glanced at the warship, his brows furrowing slightly.

"They're nothing to fear; it's those drowned rats on the lake."

On the ice floes of Moonlit Lake, several young men from prominent families huddled together for warmth, looking utterly disheveled.

Their luxurious brocade robes were soaked through by the lake water, and their faces turned blue from the cold, yet they still pushed and shoved each other, vying to climb onto the largest piece of floating ice.

"Help, help!"

A fat man waved his arms, nearly pushing his companion into the water.

"My father is the Vice Minister of Revenue. Whoever saves me will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!"

"Shut up, you!"

The tall, thin guy next to him slapped him on the back of the head.

"Can't you see those cultivators are busy? If you anger them, they'll freeze you into an ice sculpture, believe it or not?" Jiang Chuan withdrew his gaze, sneering inwardly.

These spoiled brats, who used to act arrogantly and domineeringly, are now as pathetic as stray dogs.

He turned to look at Deng Yinhe and found that the other was also staring at the warship of the Military Command, his eyes gleaming with golden light, seemingly lost in thought.

"Fellow Daoist Deng."

Jiang Chuan suddenly spoke.

"Since you say that the Golden Light Mantra is a blessing from Heaven, why don't you let me experience it for myself?"

Deng Yinhe withdrew his gaze, his smile carrying a deeper meaning.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang possesses the Buddhist Golden Bell Shield, yet you come to inquire about the Daoist Golden Light Mantra. Don't you think that's a bit presumptuous?"

Jiang Chuan's heart skipped a beat. The Golden Bell Shield was his greatest secret, one that even Wu Shuang didn't know.

How did Deng Yinhe find out?

His eyes suddenly sharpened, and the bladeless sword emitted a soft hum, with fine golden patterns appearing on its scabbard.

"Junior Brother Jiang!"

Wu Shuang noticed something was wrong and quickly sent a telepathic message.

"Don't be impulsive. The military police have arrived. We shouldn't stay here any longer."

Jiang Chuan suppressed his shock. Deng Yinhe was an unfathomable man; not only did he know the Golden Light Mantra, but he also knew his secrets. There must be something fishy going on behind the scenes.

Just then, a commotion arose in the distance.

The sedan chair of Li Wenzhi, the prefect of Longhai County, was stopped by a group of men in black robes. The leader was an old man with white hair and beard, who was smiling and talking.

"Those are people from Qingya Tower?"

Wu Shuang frowned.

Jiang Chuan followed her gaze and saw Li Wenzhi with a livid face, confronting the old man in black robes.

The old man appeared kind, but he was surrounded by black energy, which even lowered the temperature in the surrounding area.

"interesting."

Deng Yinhe suddenly laughed.

"It seems that Longhai County is bustling with activity today."

Jiang Chuan didn't reply, but an ominous premonition rose in his heart.

Qingya Tower is a well-known intelligence organization in the Northern Territory, with a complex web of forces behind it.

They must have something to do with stopping Li Wenzhi.

On the lake, the warships of the Military Commandery were already approaching.

The leading general shouted loudly.

"By order of the Prefect, apprehend those who disrupt the order of Moonlit Lake!"

"Disrupting order?"

Wu Shuang sneered.

“It was clearly these scions of noble families who started the violence by drinking; we were merely acting in self-defense.”

The general ignored him and waved for the archers to prepare.

Hundreds of arrows, gleaming coldly, were aimed at the group in the center of the lake.

Deng Yinhe sighed.

"It seems we can't have a proper chat today. Fellow Daoist Jiang, let's discuss this another day."

Before he finished speaking, his body shone with golden light, and he transformed into a streak of light that shot into the sky and disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

"Running too fast."

Wu Shuang pursed her lips and turned to look at Jiang Chuan.

Should we go too?

Jiang Chuan nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on Li Wenzhi in the distance.

Suddenly, the old man in black robes raised his hand, and a wisp of black energy shot out, knocking a captain who was trying to protect the governor off his horse.

The captain fell to the ground and could not get up, and the surrounding officers and soldiers were thrown into chaos.

"The victor is king, the loser is villain; there can only be one winner."

The old man's voice drifted on the wind, cold and piercing.

"Lord Li, please reconsider."

Although Li Wenzhi was in a sorry state, he stood up straight.

"As the official in charge of the people of Longhai, I will never associate with those who harm the common people!"

The old man laughed heartily, his laughter filled with sarcasm.

"What an upright official! I hope you can still be so resolute three days from now."

After saying that, the men in black robes collectively turned into black mist and disappeared, leaving behind only the terrified soldiers and the gloomy-faced Li Wenzhi.

On Moonlit Lake in Longhai County, the floating ice shattered, and a cold mist filled the air.

The lake reflected the cold moonlight, illuminating the entire battlefield as if it were daytime.

Two beautiful women from the Fengyue Pavilion stood in the shadow of the giant shipwreck, their white robes fluttering in the wind as they calmly observed the chaos before them.

"Sister, how many moves do you think Deng Yinhe can last?"

The younger woman asked.

"Four strikes of the Five Elements Sword Intent have already been unleashed; if he can withstand the fifth strike..."

Before the older woman could finish speaking, a burst of golden light erupted from the center of the lake, interrupting her whisper.

In the center of the lake, Deng Yinhe was surrounded by golden light, and the black jade sword in his hand was emitting sharp sword energy.

He looked down at Jiang Chuan with a mocking smile.

"Jiang Chuan, you dare to show off your paltry tricks in front of me?"

Jiang Chuan remained calm, his long sword pointing diagonally at the lake, its tip gleaming with five-colored light.

"Deng Yinhe, you rely on the Golden Light Mantra to forcibly seize and plunder. Today I will show you what true swordsmanship is!"

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Chuan suddenly lunged forward, his longsword tracing a mysterious trajectory.

One sword, a thousand dragons!

The azure sword energy on the blade surged, transforming into hundreds of wooden dragon phantoms, each wrapped in blazing flames, a perfect example of wood giving birth to fire.

Deng Yinhe's pupils contracted slightly, and he activated the Golden Light Mantra to its fullest extent, forming a golden barrier in front of him.

The wooden dragon crashed into the barrier, unleashing a deafening roar.

The aftershocks created waves several meters high on the lake, and the people on the ice floes retreated.

"Sword Two Meteor!"

Jiang Chuan continued his offensive, then suddenly changed his sword style, condensing fiery sword energy into countless meteors that crashed towards Deng Yinhe with crimson tails.

Fire generates earth; every "meteor" that lands transforms into hard rock and soil, trapping Deng Yinhe within it.

"Little tricks!"

Deng Yinhe roared, and the Golden Light Mantra transformed into a sharp blade, cleaving open the rock and earth cage.

He had just escaped when he was met with Jiang Chuan's third sword strike—the "Yellow Dragon Sword Manual".

Earth gives rise to metal, and the sword energy transforms into a ferocious yellow dragon, its scales gleaming with metallic luster, as it opens its mouth to bite at Deng Yinhe's throat.

Deng Yinhe hastily raised his sword to meet the attack, and the black jade sword clashed with the yellow dragon, producing a metallic clang.

He staggered back three steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"it is good!"

People on the ice floe couldn't help but cheer.

Deng Yinhe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes flashing with even more ferocity.

Jiang Chuan, you're asking for it!

He formed a hand seal, and the Golden Light Mantra created an impenetrable defense around his body. At the same time, true energy circulated on the black jade sword, preparing to counterattack.

Jiang Chuan didn't wait for him to adjust before unleashing his fourth sword strike—the Great Sun Golden Wheel Sword.

Metal generates water, and the sword energy transforms into a golden sun, with water-like sword light flowing around its edge, crushing towards Deng Yinhe.

"Mountain and River Seal!"

Deng Yinhe finally dared not be overconfident and used a secret Taoist technique.

He held out his hands, and the spiritual energy near Moonlit Lake gathered wildly, forming a miniature landscape in his palms.

The mountains rise and fall, the rivers rush and rush; though only the size of a palm, it contains a terrifying pressure.

The Great Sun Golden Wheel collided with the Mountain and River Seal, unleashing a blinding light.

The onlookers had no choice but to close their eyes, and those with weaker cultivation were so shocked that they coughed up blood.

When the light faded, Deng Yinhe had retreated to the edge of the ice floe, his clothes torn and him looking utterly disheveled.

"The setting sun over the long river in JX3!"

Jiang Chuan gave his opponent no chance to breathe, and unleashed the strongest sword strike of the Five Elements Sword Formation.

Water nourishes wood; the sword energy transforms into a rushing river, its surface reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun—a breathtakingly beautiful sight that conceals deadly danger. (End of Chapter)