Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 565 The Powerful Taiping Empire

Lin Feng straightened his back, his expression calm, and he clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your advice, senior. I have an idea in mind." His eyes were firm, revealing the perseverance he had gone through hardships. The time he spent in Taixu Valley not only improved his martial arts skills, but also tempered his determination.

Seeing Lin Feng's resolute attitude, Taixuzi stopped talking, slightly leaning over, and glanced at the disciple behind him. The disciple understood and quickly walked out of the meeting room. Not long after, he returned, carefully holding a long brocade box in his hands.

When the brocade box was opened, a sharp cold light flashed. Lin Feng and the others took a closer look, and were all stunned, then shocked. "This... isn't this the Star Blade?" Chen Xiner couldn't help but exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Lin Feng's gaze was instantly drawn to the blade, his eyes slightly reddened, and a mixture of emotions welled up in his heart. The Star Blade, the companion who had fought alongside him through countless life and death situations, though its spirit had vanished, the memories of their past friendship and their shared battles remained etched in his heart.

Chen Xiner looked at Taixuzi with a puzzled expression and asked, "Senior, the blade of this sword was damaged before, how come..."

Taixuzi raised his hand and gently stroked his beard, explaining slowly, "When I learned the Star Blade was damaged, I sent people searching everywhere, and finally found a piece of meteorite from outer space. The weaponsmiths in the valley worked tirelessly for 49 days, using their exquisite skills to reshape the blade. Now, the weight and feel of this blade are exactly the same as the original Star Blade, and its sharpness is even better, cutting through iron like mud." He paused slightly, a hint of regret in his tone, "It's a pity that the blade spirit has been lost, and it no longer has the magical effect of suppressing others' cultivation."

Lin Feng slowly extended his hands, as if greeting an old friend after a long absence, and gently grasped the hilt of the Star Blade. His fingers caressed the blade, feeling the familiar yet unfamiliar cold touch, as if transported back to the days of fighting alongside the Blade Spirit, Hong Xing. "Thank you, Senior!" Lin Feng cupped his fists once more, his voice filled with gratitude and respect.

Taixuzi waved his hand, a kind smile on his face. "No need to thank me. The road ahead is difficult and dangerous. Although this sword may not be as magical as before, it can still help you. Also, Su Yu and Youlan, the two of you will accompany Lin Feng and look after each other."

Su Yu and Youlan looked at each other, took a step forward at the same time, knelt on one knee, saluted with fists, and said in a unified and loud voice: "We will follow the master's teachings!" Su Yu's face was full of excitement and anticipation. He longed to work with like-minded people in this troubled world and realize his ambitions; Youlan's expression was calm, but her eyes were firm. She understood that this was a responsibility and an opportunity for growth.

Lin Feng looked at Taixuzi, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He clasped his fists again and said, "Senior, your kindness is great, and I will always remember it in my heart. If one day I can truly restore order and change the world, I will definitely return to Taixu Valley to repay you for this kindness."

Taixuzi smiled and shook his head, his gaze gazing out at the rain outside the hall. It was as if he could see through time and space, glimpsing the future of Taixu Valley. "Everything is destined. There's no need to obsess over rewards. As long as Taixu Valley's martial arts traditions continue to be passed down, that's enough."

Inside the meeting room, everyone's gaze met. At that moment, they all understood that this was a farewell, but also the beginning of a new journey. Outside the window, the rain gradually subsided, and a glimmer of light shone through the clouds, as if foreshadowing the road they were about to embark on: one filled with thorns but also with hope.

Lin Feng gripped the Star Blade tightly, turned around and looked at Chen Xiner, Chen Yu, Su Yu and Youlan, and nodded slightly: "Let's go, let's set off." Everyone stood up and followed Lin Feng out of the conference room.

The moment they stepped out of the hall, a gentle breeze caressed their faces, bringing with it the freshness of earth after rain. Behind them, Taixu Valley was tranquil and peaceful, like a paradise; and before them, a world in turmoil, desperately in need of salvation.

Since the Taiping Empire launched its campaign, it has conquered cities and plundered territories with unstoppable force. Wherever it went, the people were initially terrified. However, as the Taiping Empire implemented a series of measures, people's attitudes quietly changed.

Taxes were significantly reduced, allowing the people, once suffocated by the heavy burden, to finally stand up straight and breathe a sigh of relief. The policy of returning land to the people allowed countless peasants, whose ancestors had worked for landlords for generations, to own their own land for the first time, rekindling their hope for life. Officials reached out to the people, personally solving their problems. Each of these practical actions resonated deeply with the people. The Taiping Empire's actions won widespread support, and the people spread its praise through word of mouth.

But behind this seemingly rosy situation lay a puzzling requirement: every conquered city must enshrine a mysterious stone statue. What was the origin of this statue? Why was the Taiping Empire so obsessed with it? Though the people were filled with confusion, under the Taiping Empire's authority, no one dared to ask. They could only comply, enshrining the statue in a prominent location within the city and worshipping it devoutly every day.

In a short period of time, the four main cities west of the capital fell one after another to the Taiping Empire. Once impregnable fortresses, the Taiping Empire's flag now flew from their walls. Even the renowned Nine Emperors Pavilion, renowned for its formidable hordes of experts, was utterly defeated by the Taiping Empire's powerful assault. The Nine Emperors Pavilion's defeat was a resounding blow, hammering home the power and formidability of the Taiping Empire. Panic spread across the lands, with people speculating about the Taiping Empire's next target.

Xixuan City, a strategically located city, was now shrouded in the shadow of war. The Taiping Empire had assembled its most elite forces, encircling Xixuan City with impenetrable force. Outside the city, endless rows of tents stretched as far as the eye could see. The shouts of soldiers and the clash of weapons mingled, shaking the earth slightly. Inside, the Xuanying Empire's defenders were on high alert, the atmosphere tense as a fully drawn bowstring, poised to explode at any moment.

At this critical moment, a demigod from the Xuanying Empire's royal family appeared on the city walls, accompanied by several ancestors. The demigod exuded a powerful aura, his robes fluttering, as if merging with the heavens and the earth. His appearance boosted the morale of the defenders, and the civilians, as if grasping at a lifeline, saw a glimmer of hope. However, even more shocking things were yet to come.

A figure slowly emerged from the Taiping Empire camp. Everyone took a closer look and gasped—this figure bore a striking resemblance to the mysterious stone statue. He advanced, each step seemingly treading upon the hearts of the crowd. As he drew closer, an invisible pressure washed over them, suffocating them.

"This...what on earth is going on? Why does the Taiping Empire's demigod look so similar to that stone statue?" A young soldier on the city wall couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, his voice filled with fear and confusion. He gripped his spear tightly, his knuckles white, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his eyes were filled with deep fear.

An old general beside him frowned, his expression solemn, and whispered: "It seems that there is a huge secret behind this stone statue. I'm afraid that today's battle will be extremely tragic." The old general's eyes were fixed on the demigod of the Taiping Empire, his eyes full of vigilance. Years of combat experience told him that the person in front of him was by no means a good person.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Taiping Empire's demigod flashed like a bolt of lightning, charging towards the Xuanying Empire's demigod. The two instantly met in the sky, and a world-shaking battle began.

The power of a demigod is beyond mortal imagination. Every time they clash, the sky and the earth change color. The once azure sky is instantly shrouded in dark clouds, followed by a heavy snowfall that blankets the ground in a blanket of silver. However, before the snow even touches the ground, it melts away, replaced by a torrential downpour. The droplets, as large as beans, splash onto the ground, sending layers of water flying. In the blink of an eye, the rain stops and the sky clears. The blazing sun hangs high in the sky, its glare blinding. But before anyone can recover, dark clouds roll in again, and an autumn wind whips up, whistling fallen leaves and making it difficult for anyone to stand.