Chapter 79 — Seven

Zhou Yin, standing farthest off, changed countenance utterly. He knew this old man was in truth a terrifying master, and that he was no match for him; at once he turned and fled.

But the emerald radiance came on like mountains calling and seas roaring, mingled now with a deep crimson blood-hue, flying like a flash of lightning in close pursuit.

Zhou Yin's cultivation was, after all, somewhat higher than the others'. His hand suddenly shook, and a wisp of black air flickered faintly—and that heaven-filling emerald radiance faltered for a moment before him.

The next instant, Zhou Yin's face changed and he cried out, "It's you! You are Wan—"

Before the words were out, that mountain-like emerald radiance, filling the space between heaven and earth, overwhelmed the black air he struggled to sustain and came cleaving down upon his chest.

Zhou Yin gave a miserable scream, and his whole body was struck flying far away; plainly he would not live.

In a few moments, the four demon cultists who had strutted so proudly but moments before were all dead.

The emerald radiance filling the sky suddenly drew in like a great whale drinking water, gathering back into the Slaying Dragon Sword, and flew back to the old man's hand.

Lin Jinghong's mouth fell slightly open, but no words came.

The old man shook his head slightly, as if himself sighing over something, then cast one deep look at the Slaying Dragon Sword in his hand and tossed it to Lin Jinghong.

Lin Jinghong caught it by reflex, and heard the old man turn back toward the Ancestral Hall, saying slowly, "The Slaying Dragon Sword, forged from ten thousand years' green crystal taken from the most bitter reaches of the southern frontier, has slain countless villains and evildoers. To wield this sword, one must advance with courage, making attack the defense; even if one's cultivation is insufficient, one must be resolved to cut down every strong foe—there is no other way to unleash its divine power. Bear this firmly in mind!"

Lin Jinghong was stunned; but seeing the old man about to walk into the Ancestral Hall, he suddenly came to himself and said urgently, "Senior! Today the demon cult has attacked Qingyun in force—I beg you, you must lend your hand—"

The old man's body paused a moment, but he did not turn. He only said flatly, "The Canglan Sect has experts like clouds, and the sect master, the Perfected One Daoyan, is a genius and master such as the world sees but once in an age. With him here, what is there to fear?"

Lin Jinghong stepped forward and said in anguish, "But—but the Perfected One has already been gravely wounded!"

The old man was plainly startled; he whirled around. "Who could wound Daoyan?"

Lin Jinghong suddenly fell silent. He knew well enough who the culprit was, but now, to speak Daoist Cangyan's name—he knew not why—a sorrow came over him, as if once spoken it would sever something between him and that man, and for a moment he could not speak at all.

The old man pressed on. "And Daoyan? How is he now?"

Lin Jinghong said, "The Perfected One is gravely wounded, but for some reason he went into the Phantom Moon Grotto-Heaven."

"The Phantom Moon Grotto-Heaven!" The old man's face suddenly grew still. After a long while, facing Lin Jinghong—yet more as if facing himself—he sighed faintly. "The Canglan Sect is a great house of a thousand years. What are you afraid of?"

With that the old man slowly turned again. Lin Jinghong paled and cried in alarm, "Old senior, will you stand by and watch Qingyun fall into peril without lifting a hand?"

The old man gave a laugh that seemed somewhat bleak. "Young man, the Canglan Sect has stood for nigh two thousand years. Its inner strength is not something you could ever know! Set your heart at ease."

Lin Jinghong did not understand, and was about to plead again, when he suddenly felt the Slaying Dragon Sword, quiet in his hand till now, grow hot along the blade as if provoked by something, and the green light blazed up once more.

Lin Jinghong stared at the Dragon-Slaying Sword in his hand, astonished, when a sudden feeling came over him. He turned to look toward the direction of the Illusory Moon Cavern, and there, among the mountain peaks, a brilliant shaft of light shot straight up into the heavens, while the Dragon-Slaying Sword in his grasp seemed to be aimed at that very place, giving a low, faint hum.

"It has emerged! It has finally emerged!"

The old man, who at some point had also turned his gaze there, wore a face heavy with the complex expressions of a life's vicissitudes, and said softly, "Child, you are very fortunate. Soon you will witness that legendary ancient sword, the Immortal-Slayer!"