Chapter 877: Star River Appears in the World

Chapter 877: The Star River Appears in the World

At Tiger Hill's Sword Pool, the sword spirit stirred.

Not only did Zhao Changhe and Tang Wanzhuang feel a deeply familiar sense of déjà vu, but Tang Buqi, who was leading the troops surrounding Tiger Hill, stood by the pool with a look of remembrance in his eyes.

Longque was even more restless in Ling Ruoyu's arms, endlessly boasting of her own past glory.

It had been here, too, back then—the baleful sword leaking from the Sword Emperor's tomb had nearly destroyed Gusu. The protagonists underground in that battle were Zhao Changhe and Sisi, while above ground, Longque and Tang Buqi took center stage. Longque furiously cleaved the shadow of the baleful sword, and Tang Buqi shouldered the duty of protection, facing life and death head-on, thus cementing his position as the head of the Tang family of this generation, transforming from "worthless" into "a gentleman of no fixed form."

Later, the Sword Emperor's tomb was confirmed to be a decoy. The core, long left unexplored out of caution, was finally breached by the Demon Suppression Bureau, only to find that the tomb, so vigilantly guarded for so long, was nothing but an empty shell—all for show. It was subsequently filled in, restoring clarity to Gusu.

Ling Ruoyu hated hearing Longque brag, because that battle had nothing to do with Zhao Changhe or the Star River—only Longque hacking at a sword's shadow, though it felt as if she were describing the Star River instead.

But she could only endure the boasting. Anyone who knew anything about that battle would instinctively link today's scene to it, at least thinking, "So the sword emerges from Tiger Hill—of course, it had to be here."

When Zhao Changhe and Tang Wanzhuang, master and servant, arrived, they saw a pitch-black long sword slowly rising from the pool, its tip pointing downward, hilt upward, suspended in the center. Mist swirled around, lending an ethereal air. A powerful sense of night sky seeped into everyone's hearts. Though it was just evening, it felt as if they were standing in a tranquil night, the bustling crowd around them seeming cut off and invisible.

"It really is the Star River," many murmured. "Such an intense night-sky aura could only belong to the legendary Star River..."

"Such overwhelming pressure and repulsion, such fierce sword energy—ordinary people can't even get close."

"No kidding. The Chronicles of Chaos say the Star River sword created its own realm to trap the Heavenly Demon. This is a divine artifact among divine artifacts—how could common folk touch it?"

"The Marquis of Wu is a friend of the Prince of Zhao and a cultivator at the third level of the Secret Treasury—he should be able to, right?"

"And the Prime Minister Tang is still here!"

"The Star River appearing here and now—heaven's timing and earth's advantage are perfectly aligned. There's nothing to worry about."

Zhao Changhe glanced at Tang Wanzhuang, who was smiling faintly, and he knew his wife had it all figured out.

This sword was indeed identical to the Star River. Others might not recognize it, but how could Zhao Changhe fail to see that this was not the Star River at all? Yet the aura inside was very similar, and the external details and craftsmanship were exactly the same—except for some special materials unique to the Night Palace that couldn't be replicated, it was almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Even Tang Wanzhuang couldn't be that familiar with the Star River's fine details, since no one but Zhao Changhe himself had ever stared at the sword endlessly. To forge such a convincing fake, there was only one possibility: Huangfu Qing, who had assisted throughout the forging; Yuan San Niang, the inheritor of the forging craft; Ye Jiuyou, who had conceived the essence of the night sky and abyss; and perhaps Yue Hongling, who had mastered the sword intent—these four working together could produce a fake of this caliber.

In fact, a fake of this level, even if not the Star River, was already a rare and precious sword.

Ling Ruoyu frowned, studying the sword with a strange feeling. "Queque, is this really the Star River?"

Longque said, "What do you think?"

Ling Ruoyu replied, "Why do I feel like it's not quite right?"

Longque was silent for a moment. "Have you seen the Star River?"

"No."

"Then what makes you think it's not?"

"I don't know... Maybe I feel the Star River should be more imposing?"

"The Star River has no imposing presence at all—it's just a dimwit that can't even say a proper word and only knows how to stab people in the ass."

"Then it's not the Star River."

"Why?"

"Because if it were the Star River, it would come and hit you for saying that."

Longque: "...You've gotten smarter."

"So what now? Should we warn the Marquis of Wu?"

"His aunt is here. Why are you overstepping? Do you want to be his aunt too?"

Ling Ruoyu turned to look. Tang Buqi, seeing that his aunt and Zhao Changhe had both arrived, felt greatly relieved and said with folded hands, "Let me give it a try."

With that, he stepped proudly to the edge of the pool, ready to walk on the water.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!" Sword energy burst forth.

Tang Buqi retreated in disarray, his brocade robe shredded into tatters.

The "dignified and venerable" Marquis of Wu's old face reddened to his ears, and he glared fiercely at Zhao Changhe in the crowd, his expression clearly saying: Your sword—no respect at all?

Tang Wanzhuang turned her head away, unable to bear the sight. Zhao Changhe also tilted his head and sent a mental message: "Who told you this was the Star River? Your aunt and I are still analyzing the situation, and you rush in to show off?"

Tang Buqi: "...Damn."

The crowd buzzed: "Even the Marquis of Wu, with his cultivation, can't get close to the divine sword!"

Tang Buqi stroked his beard and said calmly, "I was merely testing. It seems the sword's repulsion is based on the cultivator's strength. If someone stronger approached, the backlash would be even fiercer."

Someone asked, "The Marquis is also a friend of the Prince of Zhao—the Star River should feel close to him. Does it really require the Prince himself?"

Tang Buqi replied calmly, "Ever since my uncle-in-law got kicked in the head by a donkey, no one knows what he's thinking. Want to give it a try?"

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Tang Buqi added, "Besides, my uncle-in-law has a condition—they say he's impotent. So he's hostile and repelled by us virile men. I suggest a woman try."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

A embroidered shoe flew from behind, sending Tang Buqi soaring like a cloud, kicked into the sword pool by his own aunt.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!" Sword energy crisscrossed. Tang Buqi suffered a thousand cuts and crawled out of the pool clutching his groin.

The many guests wiped their sweat and bowed, "Prime Minister, this..."

Tang Wanzhuang said coolly, "The Star River would reject anyone but me. I'll retrieve it."

Zhao Changhe nodded.

Tang Buqi's two attempts weren't without benefit—they helped him see the problem clearly.

The sword was indeed a fake made by his wives, used as bait. At such an important occasion as the Tang family banquet, with Tang Wanzhuang present, the demon cultists would easily take it for the real Star River and gather their main forces here to cause trouble. In reality, Yuan San Niang and the others were already waiting at the Eastern Sea to welcome the true Star River when it emerged...

And such a birthday banquet, with many eyes and ears, was the perfect fishing ground for demon cultists—the Demon Suppression Bureau had struggled for years to distinguish true Heavenly Dao cultists from those corrupted by demonic energy, and this banquet would likely expose most of the pretenders once and for all.

Poor birthday celebrant had no idea his own banquet was so valuable. Even Tang Wanzhuang probably hadn't been explicitly told; the demonesses of the Four Symbols Sect were using her performance to deceive others. But Wanzhuang likely saw through it and was cooperating.

As for chaos, it would never erupt. Hidden inside the fake Star River, pretending to be its "spirit," was Ye Jiuyou herself, along with the ever-present Piaomiao—enough to protect everyone at the banquet completely and capture all the Heavenly Dao cultists in one fell swoop.

Thus, the "divine sword's natural attack" that Tang Buqi had suffered earlier, and the one after he insulted Zhao Changhe's impotence, were on completely different levels... He was truly asking for death. Insulting her man in front of a demoness like Jiuyou—if not for the fact that he was her husband's friend, that strike would have made him truly impotent.

Tang Wanzhuang stepped across the water. Sure enough, the fake sword seemed to sense the approach of a loved one and did not attack with sword energy. It obediently let her grasp it, just as the real Star River would behave.

But when Tang Wanzhuang gripped the hilt, she couldn't lift it—as if the Star River was throwing a tantrum, refusing to go with her.

Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly and erupted with full force.

In that instant of her struggle with the Star River, a terrifying black light burst from the bottom of the pool, aimed straight at Tang Wanzhuang's back.

"Boom!" Tang Wanzhuang turned and struck with her palm, meeting the black light head-on, but she herself swayed slightly.

At the same time, at least half of the surrounding guests suddenly drew their swords and pressed them against the necks of their companions. In that moment, the entire Tiger Hill turned into a demon's den. Countless demon cultists had black mist swirling above their heads, linking together. Above, a demonic face appeared again, roaring: "Tang Wanzhuang! Release the Star River, or this place will run with blood!"

Tang Wanzhuang hesitated for a moment, then let go of the fake Star River. The black light swept in, rolling the fake sword up into the sky.

The black mist then shouted at Ling Ruoyu: "And you, girl—throw Longque over here!"

Tang Wanzhuang said calmly, "You want the Star River, fine. But why must you have Longque?"

The black mist, swirling around the Star River, sneered: "The Star River's temperament is extremely indifferent. Even if it knows you're its own, it won't easily go with you—unless you have Longque, who has been with it since childhood, to try."

Ling Ruoyu was dumbfounded.

So all your frantic grabbing for Longque was for this all along.

Longque was stunned too.

I thought you were all so eager to snatch me away, but it turns out you wanted me just to lure Xinghe?

Then what am I? A sugar-coated hawthorn stick used to coax a child?

Ling Ruoyu didn’t know what to do for a moment and looked to the “ancient demon lord” beside her for help.

Zhao Changhe smiled faintly. “Imperial realm third tier... Truly worthy of Him. Even after gathering for thirty years, He can still nurture such a formidable concentration of power.”

Imperial realm third tier? Ling Ruoyu’s heart pounded. She lowered her voice and asked, “Senior, what do we do? Xinghe is fake, so it doesn’t matter if it’s taken. But Longque is real—if it’s taken away by them, that won’t do either!”

“Don’t worry. I think Longque has gone mad by now. It’ll give them a taste of their own medicine...”

Ling Ruoyu hesitated, glancing at the broadsword in her hand. The broken blade was trembling, clearly seething with rage. “I’m a sugar-coated hawthorn stick... I’m a sugar-coated hawthorn stick?”

The trembling grew heavier and heavier. Ling Ruoyu could no longer hold it. With a “whoosh,” Longque soared into the sky, a wild blood-colored blade-light slashing furiously at the demonic face in the heavens: “Who are you calling a sugar-coated hawthorn stick!”

The demonic face: “?”

I didn’t call you a sugar-coated hawthorn stick...

A dragon’s roar seemed to rise. The blood-colored blade-light transformed into a form with a dragon’s head and a bird’s body, charging straight into the sky.

“You, Longque, are nothing but a mid-grade celestial weapon. Do you think you can cut me down? Stay put!” The demonic face extended a hand, grasping at the void as if to seize Longque by the throat.

Ling Ruoyu looked up, nervously clenching her fists. “Queque...”

She didn’t notice Zhao Changhe beside her gently reaching out and making a slashing motion in the air.

“Boom!” A terrifying surge of energy erupted above. The demonic shadow shattered into pieces, and a shrill scream rang out: “You—this isn’t your own power! Why does it feel like a master is channeling strength through you?”

Longque laughed wildly: “Trash! Trying to capture me? Go die! Who’s a sugar-coated hawthorn stick! Who’s a sugar-coated hawthorn stick!”

The broadsword hacked wildly.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!” Demonic energy scattered in all directions, fleeing.

The fake Xinghe burst apart with a bang. Its fragments scattered, forming a dark canopy in the sky. All the demonic energy fell into a heavenly net, crashing and thrashing but unable to break free from the trap.

The demonic energy writhed and howled: “Ye Jiuyou? This—this isn’t Xinghe!”

In the void, Ye Jiuyou’s graceful figure appeared: “It’s not too late for you to realize that now.”

“So this is just a trap. The East Sea is real... But do you think we came unprepared? While you lured us here, aren’t you also letting Ye Jiuyou walk into our snare?”

Ye Jiuyou smiled faintly: “Then prepare away... Let me remind you once more: the Three Realms have long been ours. You petty schemers amount to nothing—you’re only fit to be caught like turtles in a jar.”

“You set up a game with human lives, disregarding the common folk. How are you any different from us? And you dare claim this world as yours? Attack!”

With the command, all the demon cultists pressed their swords and blades against the guests’ necks, ready to strike.

But they were stunned to find they couldn’t move.

In the void, an ethereal figure appeared, smiling faintly: “I’ve done this twice already, and you still haven’t learned. Yangyang, let’s move.”

Outside Tiger Hill, Cui Yuanyang, the chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau, who had been lying in ambush for a long time, led her elite troops charging in. Inside Tiger Hill, Tang Wanzhuang struck without warning. In an instant, the coordinated assault captured over a thousand demon cultists.

Ling Ruoyu watched this scene of catching turtles in a jar and drew her sword to help, but suddenly felt a pang in her heart.

She whirled around to look eastward. By the distant seaside, the sky had darkened abruptly. A true night-like pressure descended upon the world.

“Rumble!”

A colossal sword shadow slowly rose from the sea, hovering above the surface, then gradually ascended to the heavens.

That immense sword shape, the pressure it exerted over all living things—compared to the fake one just now at Tiger Hill’s Sword Pool, it was like a firefly next to the sun and moon, a pathetic imitation.

On the sea, San Niang reached out and grasped the sword: “Xinghe, be good. Those fools have been lured away by the fake. Come home with Auntie.”

Xinghe refused to move.

San Niang frowned.

The demonic face at Tiger Hill had spoken true: the real Xinghe was aloof and wouldn’t follow just anyone. She had thought that since the sword lacked a spirit, it would be easy to handle. But even without a spirit, it was still so stubborn—was this some instinctive remnant or what?

Neither of Zhao Changhe’s two children gave anyone an easy time.

Just as she was thinking this, Xinghe Sword suddenly moved, thrusting straight at San Niang’s lower abdomen.

At that moment, the demonic shadow trapped by Jiuyou also spoke: “Did you really think we had no preparations?”

Indeed, they had prepared.

Demonic life force and all kinds of phantom beasts were not limited to the land; countless were buried deep in the ocean.

The land-based ambush had been drawn away by the fake sword, but the ocean-laid traps had never stirred. The moment the real Xinghe broke free from its own space and emerged into the world, it had already been tainted by the demonic energy in the sea, setting the stage for a “possession.”

Since the sword spirit was absent, a demonic spirit could take its place. From then on, the real Xinghe would be theirs.

Unfortunately for them, while they had prepared, the Four Symbols Sect had prepared even better.

The moment Xinghe struck, an indestructible tortoise shell appeared over San Niang’s lower abdomen.

The demonic spirit, which had not yet fully controlled the divine sword’s power, was naturally unable to break through the Xuanwu defense. Instead, it was knocked back, tumbling several times.

The demonic spirit did not linger to fight San Niang. It tore through the void and shot toward the sky above Tiger Hill, trying to rescue the demonic face besieged by Jiuyou. Suzhou was close to the sea, and the distance was very short. For beings of their speed, rescue would take only an instant.

At the same time, the vast sea finally revealed dense black mist, rapidly coalescing into a single mass, forming another celestial demonic form.

Flames erupted in the sky. A meteor shower of fire fell, condensing in the void into the shape of a Vermilion Bird, which dove toward the celestial demon on the sea: “We’ve been waiting for you!”

Around the celestial demon, sea waves twisted into binding tornadoes. San Niang stood atop the dragon’s head, whip in hand, grinning: “By logic, when Xinghe appears, Changhe awakens. Right now, Changhe has just opened his eyes in his doghouse. You thought you could take advantage of this time gap to snatch Xinghe away early? Did you really think we were just watching?”

“Crack!” A whip lashed out. The fiery bird in the sky swooped down.

Before the celestial demon on the sea could even fully take shape, the two venerables of the Four Symbols Sect were already toying with it like a spinning top, leaving it howling in frustration.

The real Xinghe, driven by the demonic spirit, was already charging straight toward the stalemate between Ye Jiuyou and the demonic face. Just as it was about to break through the prison, a sword-light rose again from the horizon.

Xinghe came from the East Sea heading west. A trail of sunset glow stretched from west to east, spilling across the sky. A figure in red robes soared through the heavens like a lone swan.

Ling Ruoyu clenched her fists in excitement: “Master!”

“Clang!” The sword tip, piercing the sky, struck the tip of Xinghe Sword precisely. Yue Hongling grunted and staggered backward.

Ling Ruoyu’s expression froze. She clearly saw the ancient demon lord appear behind her master out of nowhere, reaching out to embrace her master’s waist.

Her master turned her head to look at the man’s face. That almost perpetually stern, unsmiling visage broke into a sweet smile: “Had your fun?”

“I’ve had my fun,” the ancient senior replied.

Ling Ruoyu was petrified again, on the verge of cracking.

Yue Hongling was knocked back, but Xinghe Sword was also reeling, falling toward the ground. A jade-like slender hand suddenly materialized in the void, reaching out to snatch Xinghe.

Ling Ruoyu watched, dumbfounded, as the ancient senior grabbed Longque and leaped toward that slender hand, slashing: “I’ve been waiting until now, thinking I’d have to ambush the Heavenly Dao. But in the end, it had to be you. Stop right there, you blind fool!”

“What is that?” someone on the ground exclaimed. “Is that the Divine and Buddha Scatter?”

“Yes, I’ve seen the Blood God Sect’s Sect Leader Xue use this move. It’s undoubtedly the Divine and Buddha Scatter.”

“Then that figure is—”

“Probably Longque’s own manifestation?”

Manifestation, my ass. Ling Ruoyu stared blankly at the sky, all her confusion suddenly clearing.

“Boom!” Ye Wuming’s hand had no time to grab Xinghe and had to deflect against the side of Longque. Amid the clash, Xinghe had already fallen below.

From above came Zhao Changhe's voice: "Ruoyu, catch the sword!"

Ling Ruoyu was bewildered: "Me?"

The Star River Sword wouldn't even deign to acknowledge the Black Tortoise Venerable—how dare I, a mere nobody, grasp it? I'd be chopped into seventeen or eighteen pieces...

Yet her hand moved faster than her mind. Over there, Zhao Changhe was no match for Ye Wuming and was sent flying with a palm strike. As Ye Wuming was about to claim the sword, a young girl leaped up and seized the Star River in one firm grip.