Chapter 11: The Sword Spreads Its Tail

If lucky, one might nurture a bugbeast even more powerful than oneself.

Bugbeasts have low intelligence and are far inferior to cultivators in the realm of the Dao, but precisely because of this, their advancement is easier; their most formidable weapon is their powerful bodies.

"Roar~~~" The nine bugbeasts, positioned in nine directions tens of thousands of li away, roared and shrieked at Ji Ning from afar.

Standing on the island, Ji Ning swept his gaze and said with a laugh, "I wonder which great power this is, too scared to show up, sending only some bugbeasts."

The Nether Sovereign, whose mind had descended into the nine bugbeasts, grew somewhat annoyed.

"These children of mine are enough to kill you." One bugbeast, resembling a rock giant, roared, and deep within its cracked rock, flesh and blood were faintly visible.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ji Ning moved.

Swish!

A black electric serpent streaked across the sky, covering tens of thousands of li as if it were nothing before Ji Ning, as effortless as a mortal taking a step. A cold sword light descended before the rocky giant.

"Damn it." The rocky giant swung its massive fists at Ji Ning, completely ignoring his attack.

"Kill."

The other eight insect beasts also flew over.

Suddenly—

Swish, swish, swish.

The sword light flashed and returned. Ji Ning stood calmly before the rocky giant. The giant's fists froze before they could touch him, and it stood there dumbfounded. Then, with a whoosh, its neck, chest, and abdomen all split apart, cleanly severed into four sections that tumbled into the swamp below. Ji Ning's sword light had annihilated all life force from the rocky giant. He had even restrained the seven-colored sword light, because an opponent of this level didn't require it.

"What? So strong without any sword force? This sword art is definitely at the fifth level of sword force—no mistake." The Exalted Sovereign of Seclusion confirmed instantly. Although Ji Ning hadn't used the seven-colored sword light, it was precisely because he hadn't that it was even more terrifying.

"Flee."

The eight insect beasts that had been charging at Ji Ning immediately scattered in all directions.

"Want to flee?" Ji Ning's gaze turned cold. Although he possessed the Nine-Angle Electric Serpent Evasion Technique, the eight insect beasts were fleeing in different directions and would soon charge into the void.

"Rise."

Ji Ning pointed his finger toward the sky.

Boom~~~

The surrounding heavens and earth suddenly darkened, and within tens of thousands of li, strands of seven-colored sword light appeared. In an instant, this region of tens of thousands of li became a world of seven-colored sword light—a realm of swords.

The eight insect beasts, seeing the world around them transform into a realm of seven-colored sword light, were terrified. The consciousness of Sovereign Youji, which had descended upon them, urged them to flee quickly! Sovereign Youji had already guessed that Ji Ning had reached the fifth level of sword force, so he was not surprised: "Hmph, even if he can form a sword realm, what use is it? The range is large, but the power is weak. Each strand of sword light is very feeble and cannot harm my children."

"Sword Peacock Display!" Ji Ning murmured softly, but his voice seemed to be the voice of heaven and earth, echoing throughout the tens of thousands of li region as if representing some kind of law.

This resplendent world of seven-colored sword light instantly became one entity, like a flower bud blooming, or like a peacock spreading its tail.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~

Strands of 'sword light,' like flower petals or peacock tail feathers, swept in all directions with a profound artistic conception. The countless strands of seven-colored sword light transformed into one thousand and one tail feathers during the 'spread,' like one thousand and one petals, so beautiful that one could not help but be captivated.

The eight insect beasts, trying to flee in panic, had not gone far before they were 'washed over' by the terrifying sword light! In an instant, their bodies were shattered, and their internal vitality was extinguished.

Thus, all nine insect beasts were dead!

"The Sword Realm's Seven Sword Styles are indeed extraordinary," Ji Ning nodded slightly.

This technique was not his own creation.

What he had created was the Brightmoon Sword Art, which was essentially a close-combat sword art, a lethal art. The 'Sky Collapse Style,' 'Blood Drop Style,' and 'Shadowless Style' were all methods of combat.

However, the Seven Sword Styles of the 'Sword Realm' were techniques for slaughter—large-scale uses of sword force for massacre! Such techniques were highly effective against weaker opponents, but against those of equal strength, they were insufficient; one still needed the Brightmoon Sword Art for close combat. Yet at certain times...

Some cannon fodder could affect the overall situation, and at such times, these techniques were useful. Ji Ning had no interest in creating such techniques, but among the ninety-eight sword technique steles left by the World God Northrest, one was dedicated to this kind of massacre technique—the 'Sword Realm.'

What Ji Ning had just used was the second style of the Sword Realm, 'Sword Peacock Display.'

"Insect beasts at the Daofather level..." Ji Ning shook his head, then took a step and vanished through the air, flying out of the void again and continuing forward, intending to reunite with the other teams.

...

In the silent world, the clan land.

"What terrifying sword art." The Silent Sovereign was still immersed in that dazzling sword art like a peacock spreading its tail. As a top-tier Dao Ancestor, he could see how terrifying this beautiful sword art truly was.

One must know that Dao Ancestors manipulating treasures also had to send their treasures flying far to kill enemies.

But this sword art directly used the 'Seven-Colored Sword Light' of the sword's essence to kill enemies, covering an extremely wide range with a single thought, and could unleash such terrifying power from scattered sword force.

"Dazzling."

"Mysterious."

"Stunningly sharp." The Silent Sovereign was completely shaken. "I have followed the Lord of All Things and traveled to many places in the chaos. But such a dazzling and beautiful sword art... this is the first time I've seen it. Based on this one sword alone, it can be considered the number one sword art in the Three Realms. How terrifying, this sword art is too terrifying."

How could he know that this sword art was realized by the pinnacle existence among World Gods, 'Northrest World God,' while comprehending the nameless sword art? Even a World God would be amazed, let alone him, the Silent Sovereign, who was merely a True God.

"Such a powerful figure is not so easy to deceive. To lure him into Dreamshadow Forest is too difficult. And perhaps even Dreamshadow Forest cannot trap him." The Silent Sovereign had personally experienced that sword strike, so his estimation of Ji Ning had greatly increased. In his heart, this Ji Ning was even more terrifying than Yuding Daoist.

"How could such a sword art be created?" The Silent Sovereign couldn't help saying. "Hmm, I must see Zishu the Great Demon immediately."

… …

Deep within the ancient ruins, inside the dark golden fortress.

The alien great being sat high on the throne, leisurely resting his chin on his hand, watching the four major scenes in midair—scenes of battles involving Kuafu, Yuding Daoist, Tathagata, and Fuxi.

"The strength of Nüwa's camp is truly formidable. This is only a part of their power," the alien great being remarked.

"Their main force remains in the Three Realms; they dare not come out in full force, or else our Passerby Door could wipe out their lair in one fell swoop," said Wuxiao Celestial Immortal below.

"Those skilled in formations are all monsters. This Fuxi, and your Passerby Door's Huanmu Master... I don't understand how they can create such troublesome and difficult formations," the alien great being sighed. "I have no interest in creating formations; one's own strength is the most reliable."

"Great master." A voice came from outside.

The alien great being was startled.

Wuxiao Celestial Immortal below smiled. "The Silent Sovereign has arrived. It seems there is good news."

"Silent is still very steady in his work." The alien great being looked outside calmly. Soon, the Silent Sovereign rushed in and knelt respectfully: "Reporting to master, I was ordered to find a way to kill Ji Ning and also to lead him into Dreamshadow Forest. But... this Ji Ning's strength is too great. I truly have no way."

"Too strong?" Wuxiao Celestial Immortal frowned. "A brat who has cultivated for less than a thousand years—how strong can he be?"

"I first sent the 'Eight-Armed Battle Demon Formation' to deal with Ji Ning, but all one hundred and ninety-nine Celestial Immortals of the formation died, and not even a message was sent back," said the Silent Sovereign. "Ji Ning is very cautious. My clan members cannot get close to him, nor can they lead him."

The alien great being on the throne frowned. "Is it the fifth level of sword force?"

"Master, I sent my nine insect beasts to deal with Ji Ning. Would you like to witness that battle?" asked the Silent Sovereign.

"Hmm." The alien great being nodded.

The Silent Sovereign immediately pointed to midair, where a battle scene appeared—what his mind's eye had observed.

The entire hall fell silent.

Everyone watched the battle scene.

The nine insect beasts appeared, and Ji Ning rose, sword in hand.

He struck; one insect beast was cut into four pieces. At this moment, the alien great being nodded and commented, "Such sword art is indeed the fifth level of sword force."

Then the eight insect beasts fled in all directions, while Ji Ning pointed to the sky, drawing down endless sword force to form a sword heaven, and then unleashed a terrifying slaughter sword art—Sword Peacock Spreads Tail!

Like a peacock spreading its tail...

A dazzling and beautiful scene...

Silenced the great beings in the hall.

After a long while, the alien great being on the throne softly sighed, "How beautiful, such a beautiful sword. It's been so long since I've seen such a lovely sword art. The last time was outside 'Fuqiu City,' watching chaos immortals battle from afar. Truly worthy of being the number one sword immortal of the Three Realms. The title of number one sword immortal of the Three Realms... is well deserved!"

The great beings below all nodded.

This sword was a very bloody slaughter technique, yet so beautiful that even great beings were intoxicated.

"How is he so strong? Stronger than last time in the Great World of Zhuolu," Wuxiao Celestial Immortal below found it hard to accept. "Last time he relied on the All-Things Emissary, but now, in plain white robes and wielding a single sword, he has such power."

"Reporting to master." The Silent Sovereign suddenly changed expression and quickly spoke.

"What is it?" The alien great being frowned. He had been immersed in that beauty, and being interrupted naturally displeased him.

The Silent Sovereign quickly said, "After Ji Ning killed the nine insect beasts, he continued forward. Now he has sensed the battle fluctuations of Kuafu's team and is rapidly heading toward them. He will likely join them soon."