The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

Chapter 584

Days slipped by quietly in the alternation of dawn and dusk. As the first spring breeze brushed against the ancient pines sprouting new buds, the Xuanxiao Sect had already regained its vitality. Newly built stone steps wound upwards, glazed tiles shimmered in the sunlight, and the spiritual energy vortex formed after the restoration of the Spirit Gathering Array floated in mid-air, attracting white cranes to circle around it. Su Yao stood on the newly completed martial arts arena, watching the disciples practice their sword formations, and for a moment she felt as if she had returned to before the great battle.

The unexpected event occurred on an ordinary afternoon. The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion arrived, his robes stained with stardust, and the communication jade slip on his forehead still burning hot. "The Netherworld Palace, in alliance with the Blood Fiend Sect and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, has gathered three thousand demonic cultivators!" Before he finished speaking, dark clouds surged across the sky, and the faint rumble of thunder like war drums could be heard.

Shen Xinghe's heavy sword suddenly emitted a clear ring, and the runes danced like starlight. He stroked the ancient patterns on the hilt, his eyes reflecting the radiance of the divine weapon: "Last time we fought, that demon was seriously injured. Now he's just desperate." As he spoke, he raised his hand and summoned a spiritual energy shield. Wherever the light reached, the magical artifacts at the waists of his disciples resonated.

Su Yao's fingertips brushed against the reforged longsword, its blade reflecting her resolute face. During the reconstruction, she had studied the fragments of array formations left by Elder Xuanfeng day and night, and now she had twelve improved demon-trapping talismans hidden in her sleeve. "This time, we'll use defense as offense. The Spirit Gathering Array can convert demonic energy into our own," she unfolded the sect's map, marking key locations with red dots with her vermilion brush, "As long as we hold these array nodes..."

As night deepened, the Xuanxiao Sect's protective array lit up one by one. Disciples took their defensive positions in an orderly fashion, the light from their magical artifacts intertwining with starlight to outline ancient runes on the horizon. At the foot of the mountain, demonic energy surged like a tide, and the sinister laughter of demonic cultivators could be faintly heard. Shen Xinghe stood at the center of the array, his heavy sword pointing straight to the sky, the power of the ancient artifact condensing into a dazzling halo around him. This impending fierce battle might be more dangerous than imagined, but the Xuanxiao Sect, tempered by time, was no longer a lamb to the slaughter. The mountain wind howled, making the array flags flutter loudly; a new legend was about to be written here.

Night fell like thick ink, only the majestic gates of the Xuanxiao Sect gleaming with a cold, silvery light under the lightning. Suddenly, a rustling sound came from afar, like countless venomous snakes slithering among withered branches and fallen leaves. Immediately afterward, a jet-black tide surged up on the horizon, and demonic cultivators, their bodies twisted, swarmed in. Rotting flesh and black scales gleamed eerily in the moonlight, and the pungent stench of blood mixed with the putrid smell assaulted the senses, even obscuring three-tenths of the stars and moon in the night sky.

The Xuanxiao Sect's protective array suddenly blazed with a blinding azure light, and mysterious runes rose simultaneously from the thirty-six floating peaks, forming a massive glass barrier. The wave of demonic cultivators crashed against the array's walls, producing a deafening roar like metal clashing against stone. Countless demonic figures were sent flying backward, yet they quickly regrouped and launched their attack again, as if haunted by a persistent ailment. In an instant, demonic figures and sword light intertwined on the barrier's surface, forming a blood-red vortex. The shouts of battle echoed throughout the valley, and even the distant waterfall briefly reversed its flow due to the sonic shockwaves.

Su Yao's moon-white skirt billowed amidst the blood-red light. Her longsword drew seven silver streaks, while dozens of golden, gleaming demon-binding talismans shot from her fingertips. The talismans intertwined in the air, forming a vast golden net that firmly bound the demonic cultivators attempting to break free. Those trapped screamed in agony, white smoke rising from their bodies as they struggled, ultimately turning into a pool of foul-smelling black ash. However, the sheer number of demonic cultivators was overwhelming; the encirclement tightened like a noose, gradually twisting and deforming the protective mountain array.

Shen Xinghe's heavy black iron sword carved a crescent-shaped bloody trail in the night sky, each strike sending up a cloud of blood and gore several meters high. When the hundred-pound sword clashed with the demonic cultivators' weapons, the sparks flew like falling meteors, scorching deep craters into the bluestone. But the demonic cultivators seemed oblivious to the pain, charging forward wave after wave, quickly piling up a small mountain of corpses at his feet. Thick, black blood flowed down the ground, forming a foul-smelling stream in front of the battle formation.

A deafening explosion suddenly erupted from the western side of the defensive line as three Nascent Soul stage demonic cultivators simultaneously self-destructed, causing spiderweb-like cracks to appear in the protective array. Taking advantage of the chaos, the demonic cultivators swarmed in, their fangs and claws gleaming coldly in the moonlight. The screams of the Xuanxiao Sect disciples echoed throughout the area. Just at this critical moment, a dazzling golden light suddenly shone across the sky, like the rising sun piercing the darkness. The newcomer stood on a blue lotus, surrounded by a holy light that purified everything. Wherever they passed, the demonic cultivators let out terrified screams, their bodies melting away like snow meeting the sun.

"You fiends, how dare you offend my Xuanxiao Sect!" Master Xuanqing's voice was clear and resonant, like a booming bell. With a gentle wave of his whisk, thousands of golden rays transformed into a sword array, forcing the demonic cultivators back several miles. The illusory blue lotus surrounding him emitted a soft halo, and any demonic cultivator touched by the light vanished into starlight amidst painful cries. Seeing this, the Xuanxiao Sect disciples' morale soared. Su Yao's demon-trapping talismans became even more exquisite, and Shen Xinghe's heavy sword seemed to be infused with new power, each strike capable of cleaving a demonic cultivator in two.

The battle turned dramatically after Master Xuanqing joined the fray, and the demonic cultivators finally began to crumble. Like startled crows, they fled in panic in all directions. The disciples of the Xuanxiao Sect pursued their victory, their swords flashing and talismans weaving a vast net that slain the fleeing demonic cultivators one by one. As dawn broke, the last demonic cultivator's scream faded into the morning breeze, and the sky returned to tranquility, leaving only the corpses scattered on the ground gradually turning to dust under the rising sun.

After this battle, the Xuanxiao Sect's fame spread throughout the entire cultivation world. People praised Xuanqing Zhenren's unparalleled supernatural powers and marveled at the bravery of young disciples like Su Yao and Shen Xinghe. This thrilling battle not only brought the Xuanxiao Sect's prestige to its peak but also became a legend passed down through generations in the cultivation world, inspiring countless younger cultivators to strive forward.

On the seventh full moon night after the Xuanxiao Sect returned to peace, Su Yao's fingertips brushed against the sandalwood bookshelves on the top floor of the Scripture Pavilion. The candlelight flickered gently on the bronze lampstand, casting a long shadow of hers. Ever since that fierce battle, she would come here alone late at night, trying to find the reason for the sudden large-scale invasion of demonic cultivators in the ancient books.

Suddenly, an ancient book covered in cobwebs caught her attention. The three vermilion characters for "Record of Forbidden Techniques" on the yellowed cover were faded and illegible. Opening the title page, a musty, musty smell wafted out. By candlelight, Su Yao carefully examined the contents, and the contents instantly sent a chill down her spine—a forbidden technique called the "Demonic Summoning Codex," requiring seven points where spiritual energy converged as array cores, and the essence of cultivators as a catalyst, to summon an ancient demon god. And the locations of the array cores listed in the book perfectly matched the location where the demonic cultivators had gathered!

Her hands trembled slightly, and the ancient book made a soft rustling sound on the table. This discovery was too astonishing; if someone were to attempt to summon a demon god, the consequences would be unimaginable. Su Yao dared not delay for a moment, and hurriedly headed to the observatory with the ancient book in her arms.

The observatory was brightly lit. Shen Xinghe was wiping his heavy black iron sword, while Xuanqing Zhenren gazed at the stars in the sky, his brows furrowed. When Su Yao told them about her discovery, all three of them looked grave.

"This technique is far too dangerous. If anyone were to attempt to awaken the demon god, the entire cultivation world would be doomed." Master Xuanqing stroked his long beard, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.

Shen Xinghe slammed the scabbard tightly against his waist: "No matter who's behind this, we can't just sit here and wait to die."

After some discussion, the group decided to send Su Yao and Shen Xinghe to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. As the oldest intelligence agency in the cultivation world, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion holds countless secrets and might be able to find a solution.

The next morning, the two took to the air on their swords. Su Yao's Azure Phoenix Sword drew a clear arc, while Shen Xinghe's heavy sword trailed a thick sword aura behind him. They passed through surging seas of clouds and crossed continuous mountain ranges, finally seeing the legendary Heavenly Mystery Pavilion at dusk.

The Tianji Pavilion stands atop a solitary peak, its towering structure seemingly piercing the clouds. Stepping inside, one is immediately enveloped in a rich scholarly atmosphere. Tens of thousands of bookshelves stacked upon each other resemble a vast labyrinth.

Su Yao and Shen Xinghe began their long search. They weaved through mountains of books, turning the pages of ancient texts one after another. Time slipped by unnoticed, and the candlelight was replaced time and again. Finally, in a dusty, yellowed notebook, Shen Xinghe found the crucial clue.

The notes indicated that the seal of the ancient demon god had indeed shown signs of weakening. Even more alarming was the fact that the mastermind behind it all seemed to know everything about the Xuanxiao Sect, not only its defensive layout but also the weaknesses in the seal. And a few lines of small print at the end of the notes sent a chill down their spines—this conspiracy might be related to a certain "old friend" of the Xuanxiao Sect.

The two dared not delay and set off back that very night. In the darkness, the outline of the Xuanxiao Sect was already faintly visible, but unlike usual, a suffocating atmosphere permeated the sect. The originally bright lights flickered, and the patrolling disciples' steps were heavier than usual, as if an unseen pair of eyes were watching their every move.

Su Yao gripped the sword hilt tightly, a sense of foreboding rising within her. She knew that the real test might have only just begun. And what grander conspiracy was the hidden hand lurking in the shadows plotting? A storm powerful enough to shake the entire cultivation world was quietly brewing in the darkness.

As dusk tinged the eaves and brackets of the Xuanxiao Sect with a dark red hue, Su Yao and Shen Xinghe were blocked by twelve flashing sword lights as they passed through the Flowing Cloud Corridor. The disciples wielding the swords were drenched in cold sweat, their blades still stained with damp, dark red blood. The youngest disciple, who was at the head of the group, stumbled forward, his jade pendant falling to the ground and shattering in two.

“Senior Sister Su! Senior Brother Shen!” The boy’s voice was choked with sobs. “The Western Border barrier was torn open at 3:45 AM this morning. Although it was repaired in time, but…” He coughed violently, black blood seeping from between his fingers. “The council hall has been under martial law for three hours. The elders said they must wait for you to return before they can…” Before he could finish speaking, an alarm bell suddenly tore through the air, its sound shaking the copper bells in the corridor.

Shen Xinghe's Xuan Tie sword instantly drew three inches from its sheath, its cold light reflecting off Su Yao's suddenly pale face. The two lightly touched the ground with their toes, stepping on the eaves and ridge beasts, and sped towards the main peak like arrows released from a bow. The once solemn and majestic council hall was now shrouded in a blood-red restriction, and the thirty-six ever-burning lamps flickered eerily, casting the shadows of the people in the hall into distorted, ghostly shapes.

Master Xuanqing's crane-feather cloak fluttered without wind, his white hair stood on end, and the compass in his palm spun wildly, its needle trembling incessantly on the "inauspicious" position. "Have you found any clues?" His voice seemed to come from the depths of hell. Suddenly, the bronze candlestick on the table shattered, and the molten copper splashed onto the blue bricks, leaving charred marks.

As Su Yao took out the yellowed note, the temperature in the hall plummeted. As she read out the words "the seal of the demon god has loosened" and "related to an old friend of the Xuanxiao Sect," the robes of several elders fluttered without wind. Suddenly, the prayer beads on the fingertips of one of the white-haired old women snapped, and the sandalwood beads rolled all over the ground, making a crisp echo in the silence.

"It must be that wretched creature!" The Third Elder slammed his hand on the table, causing the sect's disciplinary ruler hanging on the wall to rattle. "If the sect leader hadn't been so soft-hearted back then and spared his body..." Before he could finish speaking, the sound of fingernails scratching suddenly came from the dome of the council hall. When everyone looked up, they saw dense black claw marks appearing on the glazed tiles, spreading at a visible speed.

Su Yao's temples throbbed as memories flooded back. Seven years ago, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lin Yu's sinister grin as he crushed his junior brother's dantian with his bare hands in the training ground; the burning hatred in his eyes as he looked back at the sect on the day of his expulsion; and the talisman pattern at the end of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's notes, identical to the one used in Lin Yu's cultivation method...

"Look, everyone!" She suddenly ripped open the inner layer of the scroll, revealing half a tattered talisman. The dark gold patterns gleamed eerily in the candlelight. "This is the Blood Demon Talisman, the forbidden technique that Lin Yu studied before his defection!" Shen Xinghe's heavy sword suddenly emitted a dragon's roar, and the same patterns as the talisman appeared on the blade, as if responding to some kind of evil call.

Master Xuanqing held a whisk and waved it gently. The seemingly ordinary whisk seemed to contain endless power. After drawing an arc in the air, twelve ice shards actually condensed in the void!

These icicles are crystal clear, radiating a chilling aura, as if they were formed from the purest ice. Each icicle is like a sharp sword, gleaming with a cold light, sending shivers down one's spine.

Master Xuanqing's expression was solemn, and his voice, like a booming bell, resounded throughout the entire mountain: "Pass on my order: activate the Nine Heavens Net Formation!"

The sound was like a thunderclap, making everyone present feel a sharp pain in their eardrums. Many people were even shaken backward by the powerful sound waves.

"All inner disciples must wear the Pure Heart Jade, and outer disciples must immediately investigate all suspicious persons!" Master Xuanqing's words revealed an irresistible authority, and everyone acted upon the order without daring to be negligent in the slightest.

However, before he could finish speaking, a sound suddenly came from afar.

Su Yao gripped the sword hilt tightly, feeling the coldness in her palm. Through the carved windows of the council hall, she saw a dark pillar of light rising in the western sky, countless demonic figures appearing and disappearing within it. This conspiracy woven from hatred was far more terrifying than they had imagined—and the Xuanxiao Sect was about to face its darkest dawn since its founding.