Lu Yin's first thought was Master Yuan, but that did not make sense. Master Yuan's power level was over a million, but he definitely could not compare to a powerhouse with a Heavenly Imprint. Aside from Master Yuan, the only other candidates Lu Yin could think of were the head inquisitors or Half-Progenitors.
Hold on, he had forgotten about Elder Jiushen. Lu Yin smiled when he thought of this.
The Innerverse was bustling with activity during this period. Not long after the battle in the Cosmic Sea, a huge battle had broken out in the Blazing Mist Flowzone. The Great Eastern Alliance had forcefully taken control of the Flowzone, but that was not all. Rumors were flying around in secret, such as the Sea King being imprisoned in the Sword Sect, or that something had happened to Chaosgod Mountain, or that the Sect Master had died. Now, another rumor had surfaced that quickly attracted everyone's attention. The Great Eastern Alliance's Alliance Master, Lu Yin, had teamed up with a Heavenly Imprint powerhouse from the Sixth Mainland to attack the Sword Sect.
This rumor immediately caused a war of public opinion, as the Great Eastern Alliance would never admit to such a thing. The Sword Sect and the other powers spoke with certainty and even claimed that they had proof. Everyone in the Innerverse, Outerverse, and Neoverse knew about this.
The Hall of Honor had urgently convened a board meeting to discuss this matter.
The Sword Sect had proof, which was Ian's words and the image of the Blue Heroes being captured.
Liu Ran bellowed, "Lu Yin actually dared to join forces with the Sixth Mainland to deal with the Fifth Mainland's Sword Sect! He's a traitor!"
San Liang retorted, "You want to confirm that Lu Yin is a traitor based on just one person's words and the image of the Blue Heroes being captured? Director Liu Ran, you're from the Sword Sect, so this image cannot be trusted."
Liu Ran angrily retorted, "Director San Liang, haven't you heard the rumors outside?
I know that you have a good relationship with Lu Yin, but that can't hide the fact that he's a traitor of the Fifth Mainland. "
There was a thump as San Liang slammed the table. "Nonsense, Director Liu Ran, I think that you've gone mad. The Great Eastern Alliance has taken over the Blazing Mist Flowzone, which has touched your Sword Sect's reverse scale."
"Lu Yin's betrayal of the Fifth Mainland is a fact. You can't hide it."
…
The other directors listened quietly. Half of the board members oppose Lu Yin, while the other half supported him. It was impossible for them to reach a conclusion.
The rumors in the outside world grew more and more exaggerated, saying that Lu Yin had already sided with the Sixth Mainland and had taken Old Man Cangqiong as his master. Others said that Lu Yin had been taken in as a Progenitor and had hopes of becoming a Progenitor, which was why he had betrayed the Fifth Mainland.
Most people thought that it was just a rumor, but the evidence provided by the Sword Sect had won the trust of quite a number of people.
The Sword Sect was truly certain that Lu Yin was going to work with Qing Hua to deal with them. Thus, they had become anxious and spared no expense in spreading rumors in an attempt to use the general situation to stop Lu Yin.
Liu Qianjue's expression turned ugly. "I underestimated this kid's ambition. I thought that he had a bottom line, but I never thought that he would be willing to ally with the Sixth Mainland."
Elder Li's voice was filled with murderous intent. "Sect Master, Liu Ran has already done her best to create momentum for the Hall of Honor, but the Council has no way of containing Lu Yin unless the Interstellar Arbitration Office takes action. However, the Interstellar Arbitration Office has also turned a blind eye to this."
Liu Qianjue snorted. "Lu Yin's background in the Hall of Honor is too deep, and it's impossible for him to rely on the Hall of Honor unless something happens. I told you to contact the Seven Courts. How is it going?"
Although the Neoverse's information was tightly sealed, the Sword Sect had still been able to obtain some information. For example, the battle in the Cosmic Sea had revealed that the true masterminds behind the scenes were the Seven Courts' Xia family and Eternal Sky Island. The Xia family was Lu Yin's enemy, and Liu Qianjue hoped to obtain their support. Otherwise, no one would be able to stop the Heavenly Imprint.
Elder Li was helpless. "It's very difficult for us to get close to the Seven Courts. Liu Ran mentioned this to Nan Yuan, but Nan Yuan ignored her. The Xia family has other plans."
Liu Qianjue's eyes narrowed. He knew that it would be very difficult to get any help. Unless a Half-Ancestor appeared, it would be very difficult for anyone to contend against the Heavenly Imprint. After all, this was the Sixth Mainland's Heavenly Imprint powerhouse, and even in the entire Fifth Mainland, they were the most powerful powerhouses.
Most people were waiting to see the Sword Sect become a laughingstock. If Qing Hua did not take action, then there would be no point in helping the Sword Sect. If they did, then it would be perfect. If the Sword Sect was destroyed by Qing Hua, then they would have concrete evidence of Lu Yin's collusion with the Sixth Mainland. Only then would those who were hostile towards Lu Yin have an excuse to attack.
They did not care about the Sword Sect's survival.
"Sect Master, will Lu Yin really collude with Qing Hua to attack our Sword Sect?" Elder Lianxin asked as she arrived.
Liu Qianjue frowned. "I don't know." Logically speaking, now that the matter had been exposed, Lu Yin would not be so foolish as to continue doing so. However, who could say for sure? That kid had become too arrogant.
"Pass down the order to seal the mountain." Liu Qianjue looked at Lianxin seriously. "Take Liu Tianmu, Liu Shaoqiu, Long Yun, Li Zimo, and the others away from the First Flowzone."
Elder Lianxin's heart sank, as this was the worst case scenario.
The Sword Sect controlled the First Flowzone, and they had their own methods and resources. However, against a single Heavenly Imprint, all of their methods were useless.
The only thing they could do now was force Lu Yin to give up on allying with the Sixth Mainland. Otherwise, the Sword Sect would be in danger.
Atop Sword Mountain, Liu Tianmu stood quietly and looked into the distance.
Liu Shaoqiu walked over. "What's the matter?"
"Of the Thirteen Swords, which sword have you comprehended?"
Liu Tianmu asked calmly, still looking into the distance calmly. He looked at this familiar place where he had grown up.
Liu Shaoqiu answered, "The Eighth Sword."
"Look carefully, this is the Ninth Sword." Liu Tianmu then raised her sword.
Liu Shaoqiu's eyes went wide. "What do you mean?
You want to teach me?
The Thirteen Swords can only be comprehended by oneself. "
Liu Tianmu did not say anything else and continued to display the Ninth Sword, Tenth Sword, Eleventh Sword, and Twelfth Sword. Finally, she raised her sword and pointed it at Liu Shaoqiu. "This is the Thirteenth Sword."
An hour later, Liu Tianmu left. As for Liu Shaoqiu, he remained in the same spot for a full five days, completely motionless. Only on the sixth day did he wake up. His understanding of the Thirteen Swords had reached a new level. Suddenly, his expression changed. Not good.
He vaguely remembered that when he had comprehended the Thirteen Swords, Liu Tianmu had left and told him to live well. However, she had not said anything.
Five days ago, Elder Lianxin had informed them that she would be taking them away from the Sword Sect, but Liu Tianmu had left at this time.
Liu Shaoqiu had a bad premonition.
"You're awake." A voice came from behind him. Liu Shaoqiu looked over and saw Long Yun sitting on a rock with a flask of wine in his hand. He was calmly looking into the distance.
"Why are you here?" Liu Shaoqiu was puzzled. "Where is she?"
"Eldest Sister?" Long Yun asked.
Liu Shaoqiu stared at Long Yun.
Long Yun took a sip of wine and pointed at the ground.
Liu Shaoqiu's pupils constricted, and he leaped out, stepping through the void and heading in a certain direction.
Long Yun put down the flask of wine and looked into the distance with a complicated expression.
Soon, Liu Shaoqiu arrived at a corner of the Sword Sect. All the higher-ups of the Sword Sect had gathered here, including Sect Master Liu Qianjue.
"Sect Master!" Liu Shaoqiu hurried behind Liu Qianjue. "Did she go to get that sword?"
Elder Li growled, "Impudent! Back down!"
Liu Shaoqiu stubbornly stared at Liu Qianjue.
Elder Lianxin sighed. "Shaoqiu, this is her choice."
"Why didn't you stop her?
What is she trying to do? "Liu Shaoqiu shouted.
No one answered him.
Not long after, the ground cracked open, and a strand of sword qi shot up from below, piercing the sky and tearing it apart. Everyone looked down and saw Liu Tianmu walk out step by step. Her clothes were stained with blood, and there were many sword wounds on her body. She held two swords in her hands. One was her white sword, which everyone had seen before, while the other was a black sword that was filled with a terrifying aura.
As Liu Tianmu's blood dripped down, the black sword actually flashed with a dark red light. It looked demonic and evil.
Liu Qianjue looked at the black sword with a serious expression. "She actually took it out."
"Heaven and Earth Lifespan!" Elder Lianxin was shocked. She cultivated the Calm Heart Sword, and even her expression changed at this moment.
Elder Li, Elder Liu Shen, and the others looked at the black sword and felt a chill run down their spines. They felt an unbearable fear, as if they had seen their archenemy.
Liu Tianmu walked forward step by step, and the closer she got, the more serious her injuries were. Her entire back had been torn open, and blood was dripping down her arms and feet. Even the large spectacles that she always wore were stained with blood.
She swept her gaze across everyone in the Sword Sect before finally looking at Liu Qianjue. "Sect Master, please help me challenge Lu Yin."
Liu Qianjue's expression changed, and he looked deeply at Liu Tianmu.
"No," Liu Shaoqiu stopped her. He had always viewed Liu Tianmu as his rival. Although their relationship seemed ordinary, only they knew how much they cared about each other. This was his sister, and she was challenging someone she could not possibly defeat.
So what if she had that sword?
"Lu Yin took over the Blazing Mist Flowzone and injured Emperor Luo with a single palm. You all know that. Emperor Luo is an Emissary, so do you think that you can defeat him with that sword?"
Liu Shaoqiu roared and glared at Liu Tianmu. "You know Lu Yin's strength better than anyone else. Don't court death."
Liu Tianmu remained calm. "Sect Master, please challenge Lu Yin."
Liu Shaoqiu looked at Liu Qianjue. "Sect Master, you can't send her to her death. She's the most talented person in the history of the Sword Sect, and she's also the inheritor of the Thirteen Swords. She can't die in vain."
Liu Qianjue nodded. "It looks like you've made your preparations. Since that's the case, I won't stop you." He then raised his gadget.
Behind the group, Li Zimo watched quietly, his gaze drawn to the black sword.
…
In front of Lu Yin at the Ross Empire's stronghold, Dragon Lord's giant claws descended, but Lu Yin easily dodged them. Dragon Lord attacked again, splitting into over a hundred clones that covered almost half of the stronghold. However, he was still unable to harm Lu Yin.
Over the past few days, Lu Yin had allowed Dragon Lord to spar with him, not because he wanted to cultivate, but because he wanted to suppress Dragon Lord.
He did not believe in the Sylvan Dragons' loyalty, as they had even betrayed the Astral Beast Domain. There was no such thing as loyalty. Lu Yin wanted to completely subdue them so that he could prepare for his next plan.
Dragon Lord panted heavily as he stared at Lu Yin in disbelief. Back in the Sylvan Dragon Realm, Dragon Lord's head had been crushed by Lu Yin, and that was when he had realized how terrifying this person was. However, he had never expected that he would not be able to harm Lu Yin even after using his full strength. Lu Yin was only an Enlighter, so how did he do it?
"This is your extreme speed?" Lu Yin was dissatisfied and disappointed.
Dragon Lord answered, "Extreme speed allows me to create clones in the Astral Source Universe, but it will easily attract the attention of the Astral Source Universe."
"You don't have any treasures?"
"Clones are clones of the Astral Source Universe. However many clones there are, I have no treasures."