Chapter 36: Simply Divine Intervention
Over two thousand masters, more than twenty grandmasters. This constituted the vast majority of the strength of the two martial sanctuaries, Heavenly Star Valley and Frost City. Apart from a few elderly masters on the verge of death and innate-level warriors left behind to guard the mountain gate, all other elites had gathered here.
They were determined to end it tonight.
To crush Lin Heng, a destined unrivaled existence, and bring down the Cloud Sword Palace, a martial sanctuary that had stood alongside them for centuries.
Then, by leveraging this victory, they would elevate their sects to a higher level.
“Uncle Feng,”
A middle-aged grandmaster, calm and confident, greeted Feng Yue, who had been monitoring the situation for over a month.
He was An Nian, the head of Heavenly Star Valley. To ensure the success of tonight’s operation, he had personally come.
“Greetings, Sect Leader.”
“All is going according to plan. The evil sect members of the Killing Heng Association have reached near the Cloud Sword Palace’s mountain gate and are ready to strike.”
Feng Yue reported the current situation.
According to their plan, the initial phase involved causing disturbances across various places to draw away the guardians of the Cloud Sword Palace’s mountain gate.
Tonight, the Killing Heng Association would lead the charge, infiltrate the mountain gate, and exhaust the internal energy of the Cloud Sword Palace’s masters.
The elites from the two martial sanctuaries would follow behind, playing the role of opportunists—waiting for the perfect moment to strike, capturing these evil sect members and the entire Cloud Sword Palace in one fell swoop, reaping the greatest benefits.
Everything was proceeding smoothly. The Cloud Sword Palace was completely unprepared. Their mountain gate guardians had been lured away, Lin Heng, their primary target, did not flee, and the group from the Killing Heng Association had arrived near the gate, ready to act.
As the opportunists, they had also reached the battlefield, ready to close the net at any moment.
It was as if heaven itself conspired against the birth of an overwhelmingly powerful being, intent on extinguishing him before he could rise.
“Then let us proceed.”
An Nian glanced at Shui Wenzhao, the head of Frost City, who stood silently nearby. With silver-white hair yet an ageless, cold beauty, she spoke little.
Having interacted with her often, An Nian knew this was her nature. Her silence now meant agreement with the unfolding events.
Given this, An Nian directly issued the order to commence the operation.
Over two thousand figures moved with agility, their forms blending into the wind as they silently approached the Cloud Sword Palace’s mountain gate.
Though a hundred kilometers was nothing for masters above the grandmaster realm, moving silently while preserving internal energy still required time.
Setting off now, they might arrive at precisely the right moment.
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On New Year’s Eve, the Cloud Sword Palace’s mountain gate appeared somewhat desolate, many disciples having left.
Viewed from above, there was little light within the gate, unlike previous years when the entire gate would shine brightly during the celebrations. Now, only the main hall area glowed with lantern light.
Still, the festive atmosphere was strong.
Spring couplets adorned the main hall entrance, lanterns hung, and a bonfire was lit.
The remaining masters gathered there, enjoying hotpot together.
Laughter and merriment filled the air as they toasted and celebrated the festival.
Since only masters above the grandmaster level remained to guard the gate, confident in their strength, they had not even arranged patrols, showing no sense of threat.
At that moment, the Killing Heng Association’s group concealed themselves and infiltrated near the mountain gate.
Dressed entirely in black with masks obscuring their identities, they were indistinguishable to outsiders.
Though traveling together, they were clearly divided into twelve groups, each comprised of elite warriors from the twelve major factions constituting the Killing Heng Association, along with invited reinforcements.
Their total number reached 2,732. While the weakest was only at the fifteenth level of the innate realm, the strongest had already reached grandmaster status.
Despite varying strengths, their energies connected, forming a Three Talents Formation, greatly enhancing their combat power beyond mere individual fighting—a force not to be underestimated.
At this time, senior members of the Killing Heng Association delivered final motivational words through secret audio transmission:
“The Cloud Sword Palace is completely unguarded. Today’s strike is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once we break in, follow the plan exactly—rush to the main hall where Lin Heng is, and where the treasure vault lies.”
“After killing Lin Heng, we immediately storm the vault. Grab the treasures and secret manuals, then retreat. All our preparation will not be in vain.”
The senior leaders recognized the threat Lin Heng would pose if allowed to grow but knew such warnings held no sway over the middle ranks and reinforcements. Only tangible rewards would motivate them.
Hence, they had promised generous rewards and used the treasures within the Cloud Sword Palace’s mountain gate as incentives.
“Yes.”
Silently, all nodded in unison, responding wordlessly to their leader.
The thought of the treasures inside the mountain gate excited them greatly.
A martial sanctuary—something they dreamed of approaching in their sleep but never had the chance to. Now, led by countless peerless warriors, they had the opportunity to storm the gate and seize treasures.
If they could obtain divine martial arts manuals, rare materials, or miraculous elixirs, they might one day become peerless masters themselves.
Their chance to change fate had arrived!
“Action!”
Seeing the troops’ morale high and ready, the senior leaders nodded with satisfaction and ordered the assault.
They immediately moved forward with speed, heading toward the heart of the Cloud Sword Palace’s mountain gate.
Over two thousand warriors, though excited, maintained discipline, moving silently in formation.
They passed through the mountain gate, traversed the disciples’ quarters, and arrived at the core area—the training ground.
Across the broad training ground, they saw the relaxed warriors celebrating the New Year.
There, at the main seat in the hall, sat their target—Lin Heng—joining in the reunion feast.
The Killing Heng Association silently surrounded him, then struck without warning.
Flying knives, darts, needles, stones—all manner of hidden weapons rained down upon Lin Heng’s location.
With powerful internal energy enhancing them, these projectiles shrieked through the air, friction igniting flames like falling fire lines.
The two thousand warriors no longer concealed themselves. After throwing the hidden weapons to restrict Lin Heng’s movement, they revealed their forms.
Wielding blades and weapons, they charged together toward Lin Heng.