Chapter 631

Chapter 631: Great Upheaval in the Jin Kingdom

A scorched wasteland stretched endlessly before his eyes!

Ye Yun could scarcely believe the devastation surrounding him. Was this truly the Jin Kingdom? This appeared to be the royal city… but how could the capital have become such ruins? Crumbling towers and collapsed palace walls marked what was once the kingdom’s most prosperous center.

The streets lay deserted – no people, no cats, no dogs.

Expanding his spirit perception across hundreds of zhang, Ye Yun detected no living beings. His heart clenched with dread. What catastrophe could annihilate an entire kingdom, leaving neither survivors nor corpses?

He flashed into the palace seeking Duan Chenfeng, but found only emptiness. Not a soul remained.

"Ancestor, why has this happened?" Ye Yun whispered. No answer came. Checking within himself, he discovered the Ancestor of the Sword Path’s second soul had merged with another fragment during fusion, leaving no response.

The cloudless sky blazed with sunlight above the hellish landscape. "Ling’er! Master Seven!" Fear gripping him, Ye Yun activated the Illusory Thunderlight Escape, racing toward the Heavenly Sword Sect.

At the sixth level of the Golden Core stage, his speed defied mortal limits – tens of zhang per step, feet barely touching ground. Within hours, the sect’s mountain came into view. Yet his dread deepened – no life, no bodies, only eerie absence marked his journey.

Whoosh!

The rebuilt Heavenly Sword Sect lay in ruins when he arrived. Collapsed structures and shattered rubble greeted him. "Master Seven! Where are you?" He half-believed himself still trapped in the Ethereal Void Breaking Array.

After frantic searching revealed no life – not even insects – Ye Yun roared in anguish. His fist smashed the cliff wall with thunderous force.

A sudden brilliance flashed across stone. "Who’s there?" rasped a familiar voice through coughs.

"Master Seven! It’s Ye Yun!"

The cliff wall split open. Charging through, Ye Yun found a stone bed ten zhang ahead. Upon it lay a skeletal figure with clouded eyes – the gaunt, broken shell of Elder Seven.

"You… returned…" The elder’s pale face flushed faintly.

Ye Yun grasped the withered wrist, sensing chaotic true qi and shattered meridians. "What happened?" he demanded, voice shaking.

Coughs wracked the elder’s frame before he could answer. Ye Yun channeled stabilizing true qi into the broken body. "Don’t speak. Let me help first."

Ye Yun’s true qi was remarkably pure and potent. Elder Seven’s true qi had been scattered and unstable, unable to coalesce. Guided by Ye Yun’s energy, it gradually reformed into cohesive streams.

After roughly two hours, Elder Seven’s true qi resumed circulation, restoring some color to his pallid face.

"Ye Yun, your return saved me. I’d have joined the others within half a moon at most," Elder Seven said, sitting up with renewed vigor.

"Master Seven, what happened?" Ye Yun pressed urgently.

"The Demon Race. After vanishing for millennia, they reappeared – summoned by Su Ling," Elder Seven whispered.

"Explain." Ye Yun’s brow furrowed.

"Three moons past, Su Ling’s Demon Race Bloodline erupted beyond control. Blue light pillars pierced the sky, forming an eerie sigil that lingered for three days. We couldn’t suppress it. Ten days later, the Demon Race came." Elder Seven’s voice grew strained. "They slaughtered everything – reduced living beings to dust, abducted stronger cultivators…"

"Where’s Ling’er? How many invaded to wipe out Jin Kingdom?" Ye Yun’s fists clenched, anger sparking in his eyes.

"Countless. They swarmed like locusts – blackening the skies, covering every mountain and valley."

"Total annihilation? No survivors?"

"Some remain. Major sects had hidden refuges. From Heavenly Sword Sect, Murong Wuhen and young fellows survive. They left two days back to scavenge spirit stones – our reserves were depleted."

"Murong Wuhen survived again? Impressive." Ye Yun’s mind flashed to the man’s familiar face.

"He emerged after your departure, changed. Now speaks little, devotes himself to rebuilding the sect."

Ye Yun nodded. Murong Wuhen’s survival meant he could seek Murong Wuqing in Great Qin Empire later.

"Ling’er’s fate?"

"Taken by Demon Race. They mentioned ‘Lingxiao City’ – location unknown."

Ye Yun’s eyes sharpened. "Central Continent’s Lingxiao City? But that’s thousands of miles distant! How’d they reach Jin Kingdom so swiftly? What did they do to her?"

"Nothing harmful. They revered her as holy woman – bowed upon arrival. Her status appears exalted."

Relief tempered Ye Yun’s worry. If Demon Race could cure her soul damage… but what transformation might her awakened bloodline bring?

As Ye Yun pondered, voices echoed outside. Three figures entered the chamber.

"Murong Wuhen. Long time." Ye Yun focused on the leader.

"Ye Yun? You returned!" Murong Wuhen’s shock melted into exhilaration.

Ye Yun assessed him instantly – half-step Golden Core stage. Impressive progress for one year.

"Gratitude for guarding Master Seven."

"We survivors help each other survive." Murong Wuhen’s bitter smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"Your brother lives. Elite disciple in Great Qin Empire’s Misty Sect. Seek him after reaching Golden Core."

Murong Wuhen gripped Ye Yun’s arm, trembling. "Alive? In Great Qin? I’ll go! I must!"

After explaining Great Qin’s factions, Ye Yun produced hundreds of top-tier spirit stones. "These will aid your breakthrough. If Jin Kingdom remains perilous, join your brother afterward."

Murong Wuhen accepted without pretense. Ye Yun distributed more stones and top-grade spiritual weapons from his stash.

"Where will you go?" Elder Seven’s question hung heavy.

"Lingxiao City in Central Continent. First, your soul damage…"

"Demon Race’s secret techniques caused it. Recovery seems impossible – Golden Core beyond reach now."

Ye Yun produced Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit, its aroma revitalizing the air. "Eat this. Soul wounds heal instantly."

The elder consumed it without hesitation. Moments later, he stood roaring with laughter, soul power surging – Golden Core breakthrough now inevitable.

Discussions revealed Demon Race hadn’t returned since departing two moons prior. Their interest lay solely in retrieving Su Ling – no further concern for ruined Jin Kingdom.

Ye Yun’s chest tightened at Duan Chenfeng’s unknown fate – captured or dead, both grim. Helplessness steeled his resolve for Central Continent.

Two days later, equipped with provisions, Ye Yun bid farewell and headed for Xumi Treasure. His current strength couldn’t challenge Demon Race – urgent improvement needed.

That night, meditating in the cave while preparing teleportation gate, an enraged voice erupted within him:

"Damnation! Why this? WHY?"

The Ancestor of the Sword Path’s fury vibrated through his bones.