Chapter 578: Overcoming the Array
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Within the Chaos Sword Array was a profusion of different atmospheres. Light reflected off the swords flashed majestically. The setup gave off an indescribable sense of danger.
"Roar! Roar!"
A three-headed demonic tiger roared as it entered the Earth Door of the array.
The tiger's body was covered in black fur and split into three human heads up his neck. The two heads at the side were that of an old man and a young boy while the head in the middle was that of a robust man. It was the head in the middle that spoke.
"Lady Nuwa has ordered me to overcome this array. Where is the guardian?"
The two heads at the side opened their mouths wide and spat out poisonous flames and fumes.
"Hey! Quit the arrogance, demon! I'll make you pay!"
Er flew out and brandished the Earth Sword in his hand.
"Buzz! Buzz!"
In the next moment, there were flashes of light in the surroundings as the sword essence assailed the demonic tiger like countless needles.
"Zap! Zap!"
Blood spurted from the numerous wounds on the three-headed demonic tiger's body as it collapsed in a heap.
"Impossible...my demonic physique is supposed to be indestructible! How can I die here...roar! The divine souls of us heavenly demons will always stay intact when we reincarnate!"
A mass of dark energy emanated from the body of the demonic tiger and diffused throughout the surroundings. It formed the vague outline of a huge tiger.
"I intend to cultivate myself so that I can reach the level of Wu Zhiqi and Xiang Liu, or even become a Sage. How can I die here?"
"You talk too much!"
Although Er was not the true master of the sword array, he was one of the sword wielders and thus understood the powers of the Chaos Sword Array.
Er threw out an attack with his sword.
A spiritual territory had fallen and carried with it the stoicism of the earth.
The divine soul of the demonic tiger which had been struggling was instantly suppressed and disintegrated when the sword radiance pierced through it.
"This is a formidable sword array indeed!"
Er let out a sigh. He had witnessed the quick death of a powerful demon. He turned his gaze to the other three directions.
"I wonder how Father and the others are doing?"
At the Fire Sword Door of the Array.
A scholarly-looking old man strolled about in the array and exhaled nervously.
"Sigh...I've never heard of this array before. I'm probably going to perish here today."
"Haha...good that you know. Hurry and die at my hands so that you will add on to my battle merits!"
Hei Zhong laughed and rushed forward with his Fire Sword in hand.
"I intend to keep my life. Forgive me for not being able to agree to your demands!"
The old man bared his teeth and transformed into a large six-tailed white fox.
"Hmm!"
Hei Zhong felt his eyelids twitch when he saw the transformation and attacked hastily.
"Zap!"
The sword essence of the Fire Sword grew in strength within the sword array and stabbed the white fox. The white fox crumpled to the ground.
"You are a fox from Tu Mountain? Do you know a fox named Sang Qing?"
"I am Sang Qing!"
The old fox was stunned and spoke.
"How do you know my name?"
"It's you!"
Hei Zhong broke out into laughter.
"Forget it…I'll spare your life for the sake of Big White and Little White! Get lost!"
Hei Zhong aimed a kick at Sang Qing and the old fox was sent flying out of the Chaos Sword Array.
"This is so strange! Who are Big White and Little White?"
The white fox reduced the size of its body to that of a mouse and proceeded to lick its wounds. When it had regained enough strength to move, it ran off with its tail between its legs, not daring to take one more look at the sword array behind him.
Sang Qing was relieved beyond measure. He guessed that it was thanks to one of his past good deeds that he was able to keep his life this time around.
...
At the Water Sword Door of the Array.
Ge Nie looked on as the Marquis of Western Zhou led his army on a charge. He was unsure of what to do.
"The Marquis is a mortal man. It would be rather unfair if I made use of a divine weapon and array to deal with him. Besides...the Sword Sage Cao Qiu once mentioned that a reliance on external items would deny one of the chance to attain the peak of sword dao one day…"
"But still, this is an all-out battle. I have been entrusted with a heavy responsibility. How can I give it up?"
While Ge Nie considered his dilemma, the Marquis was approaching him rapidly on his horse.
Although the Marquis was already an old man, he was still fit and healthy. His skills had also been enhanced by the penta-coloured suit of armour that he wore. Ge Nie could feel an invasive energy coming in his direction. The Water Sword attempted to wriggle itself out of his hand.
'Oh no!"
In a flash, Ge Nie suppressed his mixed emotions and parried the blow.
"Zap!"
The sword essence surged forth like frost and froze everything that it came into contact with.
The soldiers following close behind the Marquis turned into ice statues instantly and exploded into bursts of white powder.
"Bang!"
Colourful lights danced on the Marquis's body and fended off the cold energy. The Marquis struck out a blow with his sword.
"Watch the sword!"
"About time!"
Ge Nie saw that the attack was well-executed and could not help but be impressed. It was apparent that the Marquis was a master swordsman.
Nevertheless, they were fighting in Ge Nie's element. No matter how good the Marquis's swordplay was, Ge Nie would be able to counter it easily.
Ge Nie attacked with some hesitation.
The Marquis, seeing an opportunity, began to force Ge Nie backwards with his swordplay.
"Watch my Zhou Yi Swordplay!"
"Zhou Yi? A swordplay technique derived from the Classic of Changes?"
Ge Nie's eyes were gleaming. The Marquis was within his reach and Ge Nie could easily finish him off with a blow. However, Ge Nie felt inclined to let the Marquis finish displaying his skills so that he could see the swordplay technique in its entirety.
With this in mind, Ge Nie hesitated to make his move once more, which was one of the largest taboos as a swordsman.
The Marquis did not hold back.
Although he had the protection of the penta-coloured armour and had resisted the power the sword essence so far, he could feel himself tiring out. There was no time to lose.
Spotting Ge Nie's indecisiveness, the Marquis quickly thrust his sword towards Ge Nie's torso from an impossible angle.
"Buzz!"
Colourful lights exploded from the Marquis's sword as it plunged deep into Ge Nie's heart. Ge Nie's eyes were wide open in shock.
"Cough cough…"
Ge Nie coughed out blood and fell onto the floor. He thought back to when Fang Yuan gave him his first lesson in swordplay. Fang Yuan had said: 'Sword dao involves the art of clearing the mind and swordsmen fear indecisiveness the most. Thus, swordsmen must kill anyone who tries to cloud their judgement!'
"So...it seems that I'm not a real swordsman after all!"
Ge Nie laughed bitterly. His eyes widened and he was no more.
"Huff…"
The Marquis exhaled and picked up the Water Sword lying on the ground like it was a rare treasure.
"This sword is one of the eyes of the array. Now that I've taken it away, what is going to happen?"
The Marquis could already feel a change coming over the sword array.
At the Wind Sword Door of the Array.
A gale surrounded Lian as he sparred with the Five Elements Purple Phoenix. Suddenly, there was a disturbance to the elemental energy of heaven and earth as it deteriorated from its previous state.
"The array is not working properly. Could it be that one of the array eyes has been overcome?"
A chill came over Lian as he thought about the dangers faced by the Shang Dynasty. He tried his utmost to activate the powers of the array.
"The realm of the winds descends!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Another territory had fallen along with the rise of the green hurricane.
"The Five Elements Cycle!"
Colourful lights revolved continuously around the Ancient One. They provided a layer of defence against Lian's wind attack.
"If Fang Yuan was here, I'd probably stand back. You, however, are an insignificant mortal relying on the power of the sword array to fight me. How dare you pit yourself against me? You must be looking to die!"
The Ancient One chortled and shook his tail feathers.
As the colourful lights flashed on, the power of the hurricane began to die down. The huge figure of the phoenix loomed over Lian.
"The Chaos Sword Array with its four array eyes intact is rather hard to deal with. However, now that an array eye is down, you are out of luck!"
"Swish!"
A phoenix claw clamped down onto Lian.
Lian had a resolute expression on his face as he held up the Wind Sword in an attempt to stave off the attack.
"Dang!"
The Wind Sword flew out of his hands into the air.
After all, Lian was only a mortal man. He had only been able to fight the Five Elements Purple Phoenix by relying on the power and protection of the Chaos Sword Array.
Now that the sword array had been compromised, its strength was greatly reduced as a result. No matter how sharp the Wind Sword was, it would not help matters at all.
"Thump!"
The phoenix claw descended upon Lian and ended his life.
The Five Elements Phoenix let out a jubilant shriek.
Fang Yuan sat cross-legged outside of the sword array, his face expressionless. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his heartstrings.
"Two of the sword wielders are dead. Ge Nie and Gentleman Lian? Fine!"
Heaven and earth are indifferent and consider all creatures dispensable. The sages as well.
Both he and Nuwa were chess masters. Whether it was the Shang King, the Marquis of Western Zhou, Er, Lian or even the humblest soldier, they were all the same. They were all weak and fragile and died easily.
The people from the lower classes were dying incessantly as the war between the Shang and the Zhou raged on. Why shouldn't people from the upper classes die as well?
No one could live forever!
"If the Shang King's death served to atone for the past crimes of the Shang Dynasty, then Lian's death would serve to usher in a new era…"
Fang Yuan looked up into the clouds at Nuwa with a smile playing on his lips.
"Kaboom!"
Another change had come over the Chaos Sword Array.
The four divine swords transformed into flowing rays of light and disappeared. The surrounding mist slowly dissipated. Following the convergence of space, a newer and larger sword array had been created.
The Marquis, the Ancient One and company convened.
"What's going on? Haven't we already overcome the Chaos Sword Array?"
"No! I'm afraid that the array has adopted a different form!"
The Ancient One shook his head and stared at Er and Hei Zhong.
"As long as we can kill the both of them, we will achieve victory!"
Ever since the Ancient One had killed the sword wielder, he felt a growing unease. Nevertheless, he tried his best to suppress it.
"Father…"
Er had noticed the mangled flesh and blood under the claw of the Five Elements Purple Phoenix. His eyes bulged with hatred.
"I will kill you!"
"Haha...a mortal man brags shamelessly!"
The Ancient One chuckled as the colourful lights on his body grew brighter.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
At this moment, the Ancient One saw the energy of a Black Bird rise into the air from Er's body. It looked to be full of vitality and carried with it a sort of enigmatic power.
"The heavenly mandate? How can this be? Zhou is supposed to be the favoured one!"
The Ancient One was shocked.
"Something's wrong...this doesn't seem like the current heavenly mandate. It is a projection of the future! Have I been tricked?!"
He suddenly came to his senses and flapped his wings in a frantic attempt to escape.
Unfortunately, he was too late.
"Kaboom!"
The four rays of sword radiance rushed into the skies and converged, forming a green mist.
The Black Bird screeched within the everchanging Chaos Sword Array. The world exploded and time passed in a blur until the dust settled upon a scene during the Warring States era.
Suddenly, a mysterious energy surged forth aggressively from a country in the west!