Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 90 Sword Ruins

"My lord, please calm your anger!"

Yunshan bowed down, looking uneasy, and explained bitterly, "This subordinate has indeed failed in his duty. I truly did not expect that the young master would be attacked on the sect's flying boat..."

"The Hundred Flowers Secret Realm is too far away. When we discovered that our young master was in trouble, we immediately mobilized all available manpower from the vicinity, but we were still no match for them, and they all perished in battle..."

"According to our scouts, the young master's aura disappeared at the edge of the 'Sword Ruins,' so I suspect..."

Fifteen minutes later, Yunshan, having finished reporting the situation, lowered his head and awaited reprimand.

By the window, Xia Gucheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at a corner of the southern region, his face dark and uncertain.

Sword Ruins, a place that strikes fear into the hearts of the world.

It is an insurmountable chasm and abyss, stretching for millions of miles across the Eastern Wilderness. It has existed since the ancient times and is hundreds of thousands of years old.

Because it looks like a sword cleaved by the heavens when viewed from above, and is filled with endless sword energy and gale force, it is named "Sword Ruins".

No one knows how it was formed.

It was a forbidden place, with its own set of rules, chaotic spacetime, and seasons completely different from those on the mainland, with no discernible pattern.

Sword Ruins also has another name: Forbidden Zone of Life!

As the name suggests, it is a forbidden place where no living beings are allowed to set foot, and those who violate the rules will die!

Throughout history, countless powerful individuals have entered the Sword Ruins, including some Saint Lord-level beings, but in the end, only a handful have managed to return alive.

Moreover, the state of these people was extremely strange.

Some had their life essence drained, leaving only frail, aged bodies, and died within a few years.

Some bled from all seven orifices, went mad, lost their minds, and were like three-year-old children.

Even worse, some were tainted by ominous energy and transformed into monstrous creatures, neither human nor ghost...

As time went on, the infamous reputation of the Sword Ruins spread far and wide.

As a result, the fertile lands within hundreds of thousands of miles around were abandoned by the world and gradually became barren, with no one to inhabit them anymore.

........

Gazing in the direction of the Sword Ruins, Xia Gucheng was restless and unable to calm down for a long time.

He dared not even set foot in that forbidden area.

Li Wudao was only at the True Essence Realm; if he accidentally entered this place, he would probably face a near-death experience.

"My lord, shall we still send men into the Sword Ruins to search for the young master's whereabouts?"

Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere any longer, Yunshan braced himself and broke the deathly silence.

"No need. Just have someone keep an eye on things and report back immediately if there's any news."

Xia Gucheng sighed, his voice a little hoarse, "Has it been found out which force was behind this?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it should be led by Cheng Yuanliang, the chief of Lieyang Peak. Moreover, this person seems to have some connection with the Demon Clan and also has close ties with the Great Qi Dynasty..."

Yunshan cupped his hands in greeting, a strange glint in his eyes, and began to recount the information he knew.

"It's him... the Demon Clan... They've only been quiet for a short while, and now they're coming back again?"

Upon hearing this name, Xia Gucheng frowned in thought, his expression becoming somewhat solemn.

He didn't care about Cheng Yuanliang; he could easily kill him.

However, things become complicated when demons are involved, so caution is necessary.

"Spread this message out and let the Xuantian Sect know as soon as possible."

Xia Gucheng hesitated for a moment, then his face turned cold. "Furthermore, at all costs, we must capture Cheng Yuanliang alive. I will personally deal with him!"

"Yes!"

Yunshan solemnly accepted the order and turned to leave.

"and many more!"

Suddenly, Xia Gucheng called out to him, his tone cold:

"Notify all Earth-rank assassins of the 'Listening Snow Tower' in the Southern Region to temporarily abandon their current missions and immediately head to the Great Qi Dynasty."

"After tonight, I, the master of this building, do not wish to hear the name of this dynasty again!"

Yun Shan paused, his tone hesitant, "My lord, wouldn't it be a waste of resources to send out all the Earth-level assassins? The mere royal family of the Great Qi can be swept away by just two Martial Venerables..."

Xia Gucheng frowned and gave him a cold glance. "Are you trying to teach this master how to do things?"

"Your subordinate dares not, I will pass on the message immediately."

Yunshan's expression changed slightly. He quickly bowed, instinctively shivered, and hurriedly retreated.

He walked down the stairwell, letting out a sigh of relief, still feeling a bit shaken.

He almost angered this important figure. To be honest, it was the first time he had ever seen his landlord so angry.

"The Great Qi Dynasty is finished now. Thousands of years of foundation have been destroyed in an instant. They brought this upon themselves..."

Sigh, of all people to mess with, they had to provoke the host's precious apprentice. Now look what's happened, they're just waiting to be expelled.

at this time,

As if thinking of something, Yunshan pondered Xia Gucheng's words and couldn't help but gasp.

Wait a minute, it seems the poster not only wants to destroy the Qi royal family, but also to slaughter all living beings in the entire Qi!

After all, the strongest member of the Great Qi royal family was at most the Martial King.

Any Martial Venerable could suppress it, and two Martial Venerables would be extremely safe. Why would we need to send out all the Earth-level assassins?

This is really like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, or using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

It should be noted that although Tingxuelou's resources in the Southern Region are average, it still has more than ten Earth-level assassins.

What does it mean that more than a dozen Martial Venerables came out in full force?

It is no exaggeration to say that with a wave of his hand, he could easily overturn a superior dynasty.

Not to mention that the Great Qi was only a medium-sized dynasty, and its vast territory could be wiped out with a snap of the fingers!

The room was a scene of utter devastation.

Xia Gucheng stood alone for a long time, then took out a rare and exquisite jade token, his expression melancholy, and muttered to himself:

"Heaven is jealous of heroes; in the end, all their efforts were in vain..."

Initially, taking on a disciple was an unintentional act. He had no expectations of Li Wudao; he simply found him somewhat agreeable.

Unexpectedly, the boy's performance far exceeded his expectations time and time again.

Not only does he possess exceptional swordsmanship talent, but he also possesses the rare Pure Yang Holy Body. With all these top-tier qualities combined, he has regained hope for the success of his plan.

This time, he left for several months because of Li Wudao.

Unfortunately, fate played a cruel trick on him; the good fortune he had painstakingly obtained still failed to be bestowed upon the young man.

.........

Xuantian Sect, Main Hall.

"Sect Leader, is there still no news about that guy?"

Jiang Churan paced back and forth, her bright eyes filled with worry.

She wore a white gauze dress, her hair flowing freely, partially obscuring her snow-white neck, like a thin mist veiling the bright moon, exuding an extremely aloof and serene aura.

However, she looked pale and tired, giving off a weak and broken impression.

"My good disciple, you've asked this question seven times this morning. I'll definitely tell you as soon as I have any news about Wudao..."

Murong Yan sighed helplessly.

He was also concerned about Li Wudao's safety, but the Hundred Flowers Secret Realm was too far away. By the time Jiang Churan revealed Cheng Yuanliang's actions, it was already too late.

Distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. By the time the sect's experts arrived, they had already vanished without a trace, leaving them powerless to help.

"Could something really have happened to him...?"

Jiang Churan felt a little flustered.

It has been three days since she returned to the sect, but there has been no news at all. Even Cheng Yuanliang and the others have disappeared without a trace, as if they have vanished into thin air.

"Sect Master, we have news of Li Wudao!"

Just then, Du Quan, the peak master of Ziyun Peak, hurriedly walked in from outside the palace gate.

"Peak Master Du, is this really true?!"

"How is he now? Is he alright?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan and Jiang Churan's eyes lit up, and they immediately looked at him, eagerly asking questions.