Chapter 294
Chapter 294: The Battle at Accompanying Lake
People searched everywhere, and whispers grew louder: “Who would have guessed that Black White Heaven had such a powerful Lock Force cultivator? Reaching Six Dao Wanderer in the Full Star Realm—I truly wish to see this with my own eyes.”
Another voice scoffed, filled with disdain: “Hmph! Rumor has it he’s connected to the First Star Cloud of the Big Dipper Bridge Pillar. Reaching Six Dao Wanderer at Full Star Realm must involve hidden schemes rather than true strength. Why bother meeting him? Just capture him. Does anyone truly believe he can stand against us at the Full Star Realm?”
“With Senior Brother Pei’s strength, dealing with him is simple, but please be careful,” another cautioned. “We still need him to find the Red Moon.”
“Rest assured,” Pei replied calmly, “as long as we have his location, capturing him will be effortless. I’ll handle him gently.”
No one objected. Indeed, no one believed that a Lock Force cultivator at Full Star Realm could truly contend with a Six Dao Wanderer.
Though Six Dao Wanderers weren’t the pinnacle of the Wandering Star Realm, they stood close to that peak. Even among major clubs, they were considered elite. How could a mere Lock Force cultivator possibly compare?
Probes were scattered throughout the mountains. When other factions found the site, Black White Heaven naturally knew as well.
Wang Jie watched the footage displayed on his terminal, saying softly: “Several groups discovered it simultaneously. It seems Jun Hua wasn’t the one who betrayed us.”
Yu Zhi replied gently, “It doesn’t matter who betrayed us anymore. If we remain hidden, Imperial Capital Star is vast—they’ll have a difficult time finding us.”
“But if we don’t show ourselves, who will search for the Red Moon?” a disciple asked quietly.
The crowd fell silent.
It was true. Every faction sought Wang Jie to locate the Red Moon. Hiding forever served no purpose. Why had they come if not to find the Red Moon?
Han Song proposed cautiously: “If we retreat, won’t the other Lock Force cultivators fail to find the Red Moon and eventually leave? Couldn’t we then return later?”
Han Ling shook her head bitterly: “At that point, there would only be one outcome. The forces behind these clubs would pressure our sect, forcing them to surrender Junior Brother Wang to find the Red Moon by force.”
“In conflicts between clubs, we still have hope. But once their hidden backers step in, we have no chance—though neither would the other Bridge Pillars.”
Everyone thought of immense entities like Armor One Sect and Three Chan Heaven. Indeed, if those giants intervened, even Black White Heaven would have no room to maneuver.
Wu Yuan glanced into the corner: “Wang Jie, decide for yourself. If you want to withdraw, we’ll go. If you wish to fight, we head out.”
All eyes turned to Wang Jie.
Wang Jie raised his head, gazing into the distant Star Dome. Beneath their feet, the earth trembled as another club clashed. Everyone was holding back; otherwise, Imperial Capital Star would already be lost.
After a moment’s contemplation, he finally decided: “Return to Accompanying Lake Residence.”
After taking a roundabout path, they returned to Accompanying Lake Residence. Sending away the caretakers and servants, everyone quietly waited for other clubs to arrive.
They had thought the intruders would speak before attacking. Yet, shortly after returning, a sudden sword shadow descended from the moonlit sky, slicing toward Accompanying Lake Residence.
Wu Yuan raised his head sharply: “Yuan Qiao Qiao!” With a leap, he countered powerfully with his sword technique.
Everyone within Accompanying Lake Residence was stunned. Yuan Qiao Qiao was recklessly aggressive—attacking directly without even a word. Clearly, she intended to seize Wang Jie immediately.
This woman had been among the first to target the imperial palace previously.
From afar, figures approached swiftly, their terrible sword qi visible, slicing through the air.
Yu Zhi, Han Ling, and the others stepped out.
“Junior Brother Wang, remain here. Do not move.”
Watching the battle unfolding beyond the residence, Wang Jie inwardly marveled. Sword Court cultivators truly were strong. Even though their group had gathered all five of their Six Dao Wanderers—apart from Wang Jie himself—they still couldn’t overpower their opponents.
Though the enemy was more numerous, numbers alone couldn’t neutralize the power of Six Dao Wanderers. Only opponents equally strong could stalemate them.
Suddenly, the air chilled drastically.
Wu Yuan shouted sharply, “It’s Pure Shen Yan! Protect Wang Jie!”
Pure Shen Yan—the top-three disciple of Sword Court—hadn’t even appeared yet, but Wu Yuan already warned them.
Mo Wan Yin quickly withdrew, allowing Wu Jiang and Han Song to face the new threat.
From afar, a man in white robes approached slowly. Before he arrived, icy energy froze the entire Accompanying Lake Residence without harming its surroundings.
Even Mo Wan Yin’s Thunder Pattern was frozen instantly.
“You can’t stop me. Step aside,” Shen Yan spoke coolly. With those words, the white sword in his hand rose, sending tangible cold sword qi directly at Mo Wan Yin.
Inside the residence, Wang Jie frowned—Senior Sister Mo couldn’t hold him back.
Shen Yan’s aura was truly terrifying, far surpassing Senior Sister Mo.
[Is this the true strength of a Sword Court disciple? Even a Six Dao Wanderer can’t hold on.]
Just as Wang Jie prepared to join the battle, a gourd suddenly appeared beside Mo Wan Yin. Qing Xiao stepped out from the void, calmly facing Shen Yan: “What if you add me?”
Shen Yan’s expression remained unchanged: “Still not enough.”
A melody drifted through the air, and Su Su also appeared gracefully: “What if you add me too?”
Shen Yan’s eyes darkened. Against three top-tier experts, even he hesitated, especially against Qing Xiao—someone from the Void Mountain Range was troublesome.
He hadn’t anticipated interference from Virtual Phoenix Club.
However, not all Nine Swords Club members were present here.
From another direction, someone streaked through the air, sword light shining brightly, heading directly for Accompanying Lake Residence.
Su Su swiftly sent zither melodies to intercept. But in an instant, the sky turned white, freezing winds exploded outward, forcing Su Su to unleash her Eight Notes Eight Extinction technique against the icy storm. Now, Shen Yan wasn’t the one being blocked—it was Shen Yan blocking them.
A young man sneered coldly, rushing unimpeded into Accompanying Lake Residence, his eyes fixed directly on Wang Jie.
“Kid, you’re coming with me,” Pei Lin said, reaching out to grab him. Pei Lin was ranked among the top ten disciples of Sword Court. He held himself high above all, looking down on mere Lock Force cultivators.
Wang Jie watched Pei Lin’s hand stretch toward him. [Does he really have no regard for me? A Sword Court disciple actually trying to grab me with his bare hands?]
He raised his own hand in return, grasping toward Pei Lin.
Pei Lin sneered coldly. [Does he think he’s truly reached the Six Dao Wanderer level?] “Today, I’ll teach you that fame is not strength,” he said. As they clasped hands, Pei Lin unleashed sharp, piercing sword qi in his palm. Though he appeared reckless, he wasn’t foolish—whether or not Wang Jie truly held the power of a Six Dao Wanderer, his strength wouldn’t be far off. Pure brute force wouldn’t suffice; sword qi was necessary.
Yet Pei Lin’s expression changed swiftly. His sword qi shattered, and suddenly he was pulled forward.
[What’s happening?]
Wang Jie smiled faintly, and before Pei Lin could react, a powerful kick numbed him from the waist down, sending him flying violently through the air. He crashed straight through the walls of the Accompanying Lake residence and splashed into the lake beyond.
Even Shen Yan turned her head at the scene.
Mo Wan Yin exhaled softly. [Did they truly think Wang Jie relied on connections to become a Six Dao Wanderer? Sword Court has underestimated him greatly.]
Pei Lin surged angrily from beneath the lake, water cascading off him as Shen Yan’s voice echoed in his ear: “If you can’t capture him, you’re useless.”
This only inflamed Pei Lin’s rage further, but he dared not argue with Shen Yan. He drew his sword and charged at Wang Jie. [Kid, I’ll make you pay!]
Wang Jie met Pei Lin’s strike calmly, evading with Armor Eight Steps. He flicked a finger against the sword blade, and Pei Lin’s sword qi trembled from the collision. Pei Lin swiftly attacked again, a horizontal slash, but Wang Jie avoided once more. [Indeed, a Sword Court master—his strength truly matches a Six Dao Wanderer. Defeating him at his full strength would be difficult. But capturing me? Impossible.]
Pei Lin’s sword qi surged upward, instantly demolishing more of the Accompanying Lake residence. His sword techniques, fully unleashed, opened everyone’s eyes.
Yet Wang Jie continually dodged narrowly, returning strikes of his own. Pei Lin grew cautious, realizing Wang Jie’s power, lock force, and star methods were formidable.
Pei Lin was finally clear: this man had not become a Six Dao Wanderer through connections alone—he genuinely possessed the combat power of one. This was troublesome. His face darkened as he stared through the swirling sword lights. [How can a mere Full Star Realm Lock Force cultivator achieve this?]
Star force couldn’t suppress him.
His sword techniques were seen through.
Thus, Pei Lin unleashed the Three Forms of Long Chuan, first form: Xin Yu.
The Xin Yu sword technique filled the air with dense sword qi, instantly forming countless thin threads like rainfall within a hundred meters—finer and denser than the Sword Rain Technique itself.
Wang Jie’s surroundings were torn apart by countless sword qi threads. He immediately summoned his own Sword Rain Technique. Four swords appeared floating behind him, channeling rainwater into a fierce torrent, crashing heavily against Pei Lin’s sword qi.
Sword qi clashed against sword qi, forming a wondrous scene of heavy rain striking finer drizzle.
Pei Lin was startled. [This man excels in sword techniques too?] Without hesitation, he shifted into the second form: Forest Sword. Flashes of sword light dazzled fiercely, forcing Wang Jie to shield his eyes. Pei Lin had transformed his sword qi into something akin to a blazing sun, masking a swift strike toward Wang Jie’s abdomen. It tore through Wang Jie’s outer clothing but failed to cut through the Cloud Silk Robe beneath. Pei Lin immediately aimed for Wang Jie’s unprotected neck, yet his second strike failed completely—Wang Jie dodged it entirely.
[Impossible.]
[I read his movements clearly. He shouldn’t have evaded.]
Yet, Wang Jie’s Bone Motion Art enabled him to avoid all attacks, as long as his mind could keep pace. He retaliated effortlessly, striking Pei Lin’s sword with a palm. The force traveled through the sword and struck Pei Lin, pushing him back several steps, blood surging violently within him, nearly causing him to cough it up.
[Such tremendous strength!]
Wang Jie seized the opening, pointing forward with a single finger—Starry Finger technique.
Stars revolved, summoning countless finger shadows. Pei Lin’s expression shifted drastically. He channeled star force, condensing powerful sword qi into solidified steps that encircled him protectively. The finger shadows crashed onto these steps, shattering and reforming repeatedly.
Amid the swirling sword qi steps, Pei Lin suddenly lunged forward, a piercingly sharp blade thrust toward Wang Jie.
Wang Jie raised his right hand, continuing the Starry Finger attack, while simultaneously lifting his left arm. His wristguard pressed downward, forcibly shattering Pei Lin’s fierce attack.
At that instant, an icy chill rushed forward—it was Shen Yan.
Wang Jie immediately retreated with Sword Step, creating space between them.
Mo Wan Yin and Qing Xiao both stepped forward, blocking Shen Yan’s chilling strike.
In the sky above, a woman’s voice called out in astonishment: “Who would have thought that man truly possesses Six Dao Wanderer strength? Wu Yuan, you’ve really found yourself a gem. Withdraw.”
With that command, all members of the Nine Sword Club swiftly retreated.
Pei Lin stared unwillingly at Wang Jie but had no choice except to follow the retreating figures.
The fierce battle had remained within the Accompanying Lake residence’s grounds, leaving no damage to the surroundings—not even the nearby imperial palace.
Jun Hua watched anxiously toward Accompanying Lake, finally relaxing as she saw the Nine Sword Club leave. [As long as Wang Jie is unharmed, it’s fine. For now, he’s our only ally.]
At Accompanying Lake residence, Wu Yuan descended, his gaze briefly resting on Su Su and Qing Xiao.
The two exchanged silent looks, briefly glanced at Wang Jie, then turned and departed.
They had intervened solely to prevent Wang Jie from falling into the hands of the Ancient Sword Pillar Keepers. Moreover, they themselves held competing interests with Black White Heaven—on the Ying Yang Battlefield, Wu Yuan had even attacked them once.
“Junior Brother Wang, are you alright?” Mo Wan Yin asked gently.
Wang Jie smiled reassuringly: “I’m fine.”
Yu Zhi praised openly: “Pei Lin ranks among Sword Court’s top ten disciples. His power is equal to ours at the Six Dao Wanderer level. Junior Brother Wang, holding your own against him proves to everyone that you genuinely possess Six Dao Wanderer strength.”
Wu Yuan nodded approvingly: “Indeed. Even among our sect’s Six Dao Wanderers, that Pei Lin is formidable. Wang Jie, you’ve done well.”