Chapter 514

Chapter 514: Please Witness

Fifty years is a long time for mortals, and for the members of the Xue family, it is a whole lifetime.

After fifty years of storms and rain, the martial artists of Jiu Province have changed, but only the Earth Sword Immortal, Xue Changhe, and a few others at the peak still stand strong.

For the people of Jiu Province, the members of the Qiao family have become legends of a past era.

Although their fame still spreads today, it is like dragons in the sky or fairies in the realm of immortals—everyone says they exist, but the people living in this world have never seen them.

However, this is not the case for the cultivators of the major Immortal Gates.

The path of immortality is a long journey. A Nascent Soul Immortal can generally live for one or two thousand years, while a Soul Changing Stage Taoist Lord, like the leader of the Long Life Gate sect, can live for thousands of years.

Fifty years for a mortal is a lifetime, but for a cultivator on the path of immortality, it is merely the time spent in a few retreats.

The member of the Qiao family, who became a legend fifty years ago, is now spoken of as myth.

Yet in the cultivation world, among the remaining cultivators of the two major Immortal Gates, the fear of the Qiao family member still lingers like a haunting nightmare, always by their side.

And now.

The Qiao family member, who once forced them to retreat into the Cave Heaven Small World for safety, has returned?

The leader of Long Life Gate was deeply shaken and instinctively summoned a magical treasure to escape.

Years ago, when he narrowly escaped from Qiao Shuangtu, it was mainly due to a dharma body he spent hundreds of years refining.

Now, after fifty years, seeing a member of the Qiao family again left him with no desire to fight.

He instinctively drew back and no longer controlled the great formation.

However, the shadow that had just appeared from the flames had vanished from his sight, and he could sense nothing.

At this moment, he could only see soldiers pouring in from all directions, and the previous nightmarish figure had disappeared like a drop of water into the ocean.

"Is that a member of the Qiao family?" The leader of Long Life Gate was confused and asked the two Soul Changing Taoist Lords beside him.

The fleeting illusion just now felt like a dream that was hard to distinguish between reality and fantasy.

Only a few people noticed its brief appearance on the battlefield.

And at that moment.

Suddenly, a sharp beam of light like a sword flew from the sky, and Lu Yanbei, holding a stone sword, had arrived.

"Do not blame me for arriving late," Lu Yanbei said with a slight smile, his gaze fixed on Xue Changhe in the distant battlefield.

"On my journey to Kuafu Mountain, I did not meet the Saint of Martial Arts Wu Qizheng, but I found another strong ally instead."

"What need is there for a strong ally? With Mr. Lu here, that is already a great support," Xue Changhe nodded and replied.

"You speak too soon," Lu Yanbei said with a light smile.

"The strong ally I mean includes everyone, including you, who would be unexpected…"

"His name is… Qiao Huo."

Qiao Huo? That was a master I had never heard of… At first, Xue Changhe didn’t respond, thinking he was someone like Qiao Yuan.

But looking at the calm smile on Lu Yanbei’s face, an incredible thought suddenly appeared in her mind…

…………

On top of Long Life Gate Mountain.

Seeing ten thousand armored soldiers surrounding the mountain, a blood-red mist gathered in the sky, but the expressions of a few Taoist Lords showed no obvious change.

However, the figure that appeared for just a moment in the sea of people had already thrown the leader of Long Life Gate into confusion.

"Quickly tell me, was that figure real or not? Did you sense anything with your minds?" the leader of Long Life Gate asked anxiously.

The two Taoist Lords exchanged glances.

These two were the Grand Elder and the Second Elder of Long Life Gate, both of whom had achieved the Soul Changing Stage in fifty years, with their skills only slightly below that of the sect leader.

But it was clear that they had not noticed the fleeting figure.

"Sect leader, don’t worry," the Grand Elder appeared much calmer.

"The ancestor is a Mahayana cultivator, a powerful figure in the ancient cultivation world, just one step away from becoming a True Immortal!" the Grand Elder tried to analyze calmly.

"In the past, Qiao Shuangtu was known as the invincible one in the world, but that was only in this world where spiritual energy is declining. If the ancient ancestor were to act now, it would be very easy!"

"That figure just now…" the Long Life Gate sect leader furrowed his brow, feeling a sudden surge of unease and an unsettling premonition.

Even though he had lived for thousands of years, he still felt a chill of fear in front of a deadly enemy, finding it hard to stay calm.

"There was an oil lamp in front and a realistic decoy behind; it must be a backup left by a member of the Qiao family," the Grand Elder was very calm, even more so than his own sect leader.

While the Long Life Gate sect leader had a higher cultivation level, being at the peak of the Soul Changing Stage, he had once been defeated by a member of the Qiao family, leaving a flaw in his heart of cultivation.

Therefore, after fifty years, upon seeing the oil lamp made from human fat, he mistakenly thought it was a member of the Qiao family resurrected, losing his composure and dignity.

But he was different.

A great Immortal Gate always needs a calm mind and a strong pillar to lead the way.

Since the sect leader is confused and cannot tell the truth from the falsehood, the Grand Elder of the sect must step forward.

"Don’t panic!" The Grand Elder cleared his throat, standing up in a time of crisis, and sent a message to those around him.

"Even if the Qiao family members are strong, they are just a fleeting memory now."

"There is no one in this world who cannot be killed or who does not die eventually."

Just as he finished speaking.

The Mountain Protection Formation that surrounded the entire mountain suddenly shook violently with golden light.

With a loud, fierce sound, a floating tower suddenly exploded, sending stones and debris flying everywhere.

A tall figure broke through the Mountain Protection Formation and shattered the floating tower, soaring through the sky like a shooting star, leaving behind wisps of fading true strength like ribbons.

Qiao Mu reached out towards the Grand Elder, forming his hand like a knife and making a swift cut towards the Grand Elder’s neck.

"How dare you, foolish man?!"

In a flash, three Soul Changing Taoist Lords acted together, and in the blink of an eye, thunder roared and lightning struck, bright as the sun.

But as the figure’s hand knife swung.

All the light and heat shattered and collapsed like waves crashing against rocks.

The Grand Elder’s head suddenly exploded, leaving only a headless body briefly standing.

Flesh and the unescaped Nascent Soul vanished into dust, turning to ash.

The leader of the Long Life Gate was the first to react, his eyes landing on the newcomer, filled with uncertainty, and he quickly retreated in a flash of light.

He saw an unshakeable nightmare, one that had almost taken his life fifty years ago, the human dream nightmare that forced the Long Life Immortal Gate away from the mortal world.

"It really is a member of the Qiao family…"

At this moment, it was not just the leader of Long Life Gate.

Even Xue Changhe, who was somewhat doubtful, finally felt certain after witnessing everything…

A member of the Qiao family has returned.

Faces can be disguised, and temperaments can be mimicked.

But some things can never be done by outsiders no matter what.

"No fancy tricks, just the return to true skill, and… strength and energy practiced to perfection."

"He does not lack in skill; rather, he does not need any fancy techniques. Pure strength and energy are enough to overcome all foes and break through clever tactics!"

Xue Changhe instinctively clenched his fists.

In the past, the Tide Listening Building Martial Arts Ranking had four lists of powerful skills, and the champions of each list were all extraordinary heroes of their time.

For example, Xue Changhe and the Founding Emperor Yan both once held the top spot on the Strength List, with internal strength so deep that it could not be compared to that of ordinary martial artists.

Not to mention that an ordinary martial artist could practice for a lifetime or even ten lifetimes, they could never match Millennium Master Xue Changhe or the invincible Founding Emperor Yan of three hundred years.

Compared to most martial arts masters, Xue Changhe’s or Founding Emperor Yan’s internal strength is on a completely different level, like comparing a bucket of water to a vast lake.

But the Qiao family member is a completely different case.

During the three years when the Qiao family member made a name in Jiu Province, the four lists of powerful skills were almost completely dominated by the Qiao family.

If Xue Changhe and the Founding Emperor Yan hold thousands of years of deep skill, then the unbeatable Qiao family member surpasses even ten thousand years.

If Xue Changhe is a lake, then the Qiao family member is the vast ocean.

Fifty years have quickly passed in Jiu Province, and the martial arts community has also made rapid progress, surpassing the era when the Qiao family member was still around.

But even in fifty years, even in five hundred years… it is unlikely that anyone’s strength and effort can compare to that of the Qiao family members from back in the day.

"Such pure strength, no martial artist in Jiu Province can imitate."

"The Qiao family member has really returned from beyond the sky. They have not truly perished as Master Qiao Xin claimed, have they?"

Xue Changhe’s gaze was fixed.

Qiao Mu strolled alone under the collapsed pavilion.

The Grand Elder of Long Life Gate, second only to the current sect leader, fell dead in an instant at his hands, yet he felt no inner turmoil.

"Fifty thousand years ago, your ancestor died at my hands. The revival of the Immortal Gate is futile."

What difference does it make if the long-surviving Immortal Gate produces many Soul Changing Taoist Lords?

"Since I have arrived, you should…" His gaze locked onto the Long Life Gate sect leader who was retreating like a flash of light.

He just took a step forward but then suddenly stopped.

Because there was another person in front of him.

It was Xue Changhe.

He rushed to Qiao Mu’s side with the fastest speed he had ever run, blocking his way.

Qiao Mu looked up and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Senior Qiao Huo, I have an unusual request," Xue Changhe said, cupping his hands.

"Just say it," Qiao Mu replied calmly.

"Members of the Xue family can only live until fifty, and I, Xue Changhe, am already seventy this year. I can stand here because I carry the lives of my brothers and younger members of the family," Xue Changhe said deeply.

He turned and pointed to the large battlefield below the mountain gate.

There were tens of thousands of soldiers covering the mountains. Above them, faint clouds of blood light slowly moved. Though they moved slowly, they felt as heavy as a mountain pressing down, creating a strong sense of pressure.

"The Immortal Slaying Army is here because we are fighting against the Immortal Gate. This is not just my matter, Xue Changhe; it is not just an issue for the Xue family, but for everyone," Xue Changhe said, speaking faster and with a strong voice.

"Since it is a matter for everyone, it must be settled by everyone!"

"So today, I respectfully ask Senior Qiao to witness from the side while we charge forward!"

Qiao Mu raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze landing on Xue Changhe.

Fifty years have passed with changing fortunes, and things have shifted.

Xue Changhe looked just as he did in Qiao Mu’s memories.

But now he truly was a capable and powerful family head.

"That makes sense," Qiao Mu said, his eyes lighting up.

Breaking through the great formation and killing the Grand Elder did not surprise Qiao Mu at all, and his heart stirred not even a little.

However, seeing Xue Changhe again after fifty years surprised him a bit.

At sixty-nine thousand years old, he really enjoyed unexpected changes.

"Since you say so, I will just watch from this side."

Without saying a word, Qiao Mu sat down directly on the ground, comfortably settling on the ruins.

"Thank you." Xue Changhe bowed respectfully, his gaze landing on the battlefield behind him.

Halfway up the mountain, his son Xue Changming held a green lamp. Surrounded by the blazing light, dozens of Xue family members bravely pushed forward with their sword cases.

The Xue family members were under the control of the Long Life Gate from birth to death. It was not just their lifespan that was controlled, but even life and death were in the hands of others.

Before, it was just a temporary measure using the oily lamp made from the blood lotus by the Taoist Lord to resist.

But with a member of the Qiao family present, even if they do nothing but sit nearby, it is enough to stop any little moves from the Long Life Gate.

This is enough.

"There is no need for an invincible Qiao family member to come down from the heavens… If I did not have to worry about the bloodline curse, I could easily flatten the Long Life Gate!"

A vast amount of true strength flowed out from within him, surrounding him like blood, in threads and wisps.

He whispered softly, "Burning Silence, Hidden Sea, Shadow Warrior, Wind Howl, Star Leap, Snow Spirit, Formless."

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

Seven famous swords let out a clear ringing sound from the sword box, rushing through the air.

These seven swords are the spirit swords nurtured by the Soul Predicting Path in the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, born fifty years ago as the spirit among swords, the demon among swords.

"And… Burning Sea."

Xue Changhe reached to his waist and drew out the sword that shimmered like flames.

The shadowy figure of the Red Robe Sword Demon flickered behind him.

"After a hundred years of sword training, it is used in a single day."

"Today, we will wipe out the Long Life Gate and end a thousand years of blood debt!"

Enveloped in the crimson glow of true strength, Xue Changhe stepped into thin air, soaring forward in pursuit.

Lu Yanbei, holding a stone sword, arrived late and appeared beside Qiao Mu, who was sitting on the ground.

"Young people really have a lot of energy."

Seventy-year-old Xue Changhe was several generations older than his brother Lu Yanbei, who smiled lightly and teased:

"It seems today, Senior Qiao and I will both play the role of the supporting characters."

He raised the stone sword in his hand, his gaze fixed on the Second Elder in the distance, who was the third Soul Changing Taoist Lord of the Long Life Gate.

"You are not just a green leaf." Qiao Mu sat down in the ruins, watching the battlefield from the center.

"Xue Changhe is not the only red flower." He looked down at the entire battlefield.

At this moment, thousands of soldiers were rushing forward, their blood and energy rising like clouds, overwhelming the scene.

Yet, Qiao Mu suddenly became a bit distracted.

Ever since he stepped into the Return Ruins, he had known nothing about what happened later in the human world.

Although Qiao Xin left a message, whether it could be fully conveyed, and what happened afterward, he was not a god, so how could he know the whole story?

Yet today, he had a vague answer stirring in his heart.