Chapter 127: Curtain of Light: Sword Formation

The Shadowless Swords, condensed from the true energy of Daoist Qingxu and Fairy Jiuxiao, were invisible to the eye yet shimmered with brilliant golden light, their sword energy surging into the heavens.

Fairy Jiuxiao cast a glance at the radiant "Universe Slash" Shadowless Sword held by Daoist Qingxu and said in a deep voice, "Qingxuzi, strike with me—target the very center of the 'Curtain of Light'!"

"Agreed!" Daoist Qingxu replied sonorously. He immediately maneuvered his Shadowless Sword and, alongside Fairy Jiuxiao, thrust toward the heart of the magnificent Curtain of Light.

Ordinarily, both the Shadowless Swords and the light curtain lacked physical substance. Yet, as the "Universe Slash" and the "Tiangang" Shadowless Swords struck the center of the curtain, there was a sound like clashing metal, and sparks flew in every direction!

Daoist Qingxu and Fairy Jiuxiao were instantly struck with shock. Their strike had not only failed to pierce the curtain; instead, it triggered a torrent of sword rain that erupted from behind, surging toward them with unstoppable force.

"Oh no!" cried Fairy Jiuxiao and Daoist Qingxu in unison, both reflexively dodging to the sides.

They had expected to evade the assault, but to their surprise, the golden sword rain did not vanish after missing its mark. Instead, it refracted instantly, as if possessing eyes, and split into two streams that circled around to entrap them.

Standing a hundred paces away, Yan Chixia and She Mei’er watched in stunned silence.

The tens of thousands of blades formed two distinct, shimmering golden sword arrays. Brimming with overwhelming sword energy, the sharp blades began to converge, intent on shredding them both.

Trapped within their respective arrays and unable to fight side-by-side, the two masters were forced to engage in a heart-stopping duel against the formations.

Daoist Qingxu and Fairy Jiuxiao brandished their Shadowless Swords with immense power, the blades dancing above and below. Wherever the light of their swords touched, the rain was shattered, accompanied by the persistent, rhythmic clanging of metal.

However, unexpectedly, the power of the arrays did not diminish as the blades were destroyed. On the contrary, it grew stronger. Each blade shattered by the "Universe Slash" and "Tiangang" swords split into two, multiplying like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Wave after wave of steel surged forward, determined to annihilate them.

Seeing this, cold sweat broke out on the brows of both masters. As they fought, they came to the same realization:

"We cannot continue this head-on confrontation! At this rate, with my current cultivation at the 'Loose Immortal' realm, I will surely be ground to dust by these relentless arrays."

Fairy Jiuxiao had a sudden flash of inspiration. With a wave of her hand, she erected a "Diamond Barrier," encasing herself within it. As the thousands of blades struck the barrier, the immense defensive power of her true energy shattered them into powder, which then drifted away in the wind.

Seeing this, Daoist Qingxu was overjoyed. He quickly mimicked her, waving his hand to conjure his own "Diamond Barrier."

Under the protection of these powerful barriers, the sword rain—the very essence of the arrays—was rendered useless and vanished without a trace. With the rain gone, the sword arrays dissipated into nothingness.

Seeing the threat neutralized, Yan Chixia and She Mei’er cheered from afar, "Ah! Master has won!" They rushed toward the two masters.

Fairy Jiuxiao exhaled, her tense expression relaxing. She dispelled her barrier, and seeing Daoist Qingxu do the same, she asked with concern, "Qingxuzi, the rain was like a tidal wave; I felt quite overwhelmed and in great danger... are you unharmed?"

"I thank you for your concern, Immortal," Daoist Qingxu replied. "I am well..."

Before he could finish, She Mei’er ran up, exclaiming, "Master, Elder, you two are truly amazing!"

Daoist Qingxu offered a wry smile, at a loss for words.

Fairy Jiuxiao remained calm and said, "A victory snatched from the jaws of danger is nothing to boast of. Mei’er, Yan Chixia, why have you come over here?"

"Ah?" She Mei’er paused, suddenly realizing her mistake. "Master, Yan Chixia and I saw you break the arrays and were so happy that we just ran over!"

"Indeed," Yan Chixia added. "Immortal Jiuxiao, should we go back now..."

"No need," Fairy Jiuxiao waved her hand. "Since you are already here, stay. It is just as well—seedlings in a greenhouse will never grow sturdy. Since you have come out to seek experience, you should learn to face the baptism of fire and blood on the front lines." Her voice was firm and resonant. She turned her gaze back to Daoist Qingxu, "Qingxuzi, let us now use our Shadowless Swords to strike the Curtain of Light once more!"

"Agreed!" Daoist Qingxu replied loudly. He turned to face the curtain, preparing to use his "Universe Slash," only to find that the Curtain of Light had vanished. The entrance to the ruins, once brilliant with light, now stood empty and devoid of any barrier. "How can this be?" he asked, startled. "How did it disappear into thin air?"

"Indeed," Fairy Jiuxiao said, equally puzzled. "Could it be that the sword rain was merely a manifestation of the curtain? With the rain gone, the curtain dissipated as well?" She used her spiritual sense to probe the entrance of the ancient ruins and found it completely unobstructed. Her spirits lifted. "Excellent! The seal of the ancient ruins has been broken! Qingxuzi, Mei’er, Yan Chixia, let us enter!"

She Mei’er and Yan Chixia were thrilled. They answered in unison and followed Fairy Jiuxiao toward the entrance, with Daoist Qingxu trailing behind.

No sooner had they stepped inside than a sharp sound echoed—*shua!* The heavy iron stone gate, which had been pulverized into dust, suddenly restored itself to its original form, sealing the entrance tight as a drum, impenetrable and absolute.

Not only that, but the brilliant Curtain of Light shimmered into existence once more, blocking the path entirely.