Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 1708 – Losing Control in the Sword Prison

Very quickly, Hu Zhiming’s expression grew heavy again.

Exact information circulated that the Sword Prison Sword Demons were much stronger and many sword sects had suffered casualties and injuries. Many of them had dropped out of the contest.

Although these were only smaller sword sects, Hu Zhiming felt like they were comparable in strength to the underdog team of the Opening Heavens Sword Sect.

If they had all suffered, it seemed obvious what state the underdog team would be in.

Hu Zhiming stepped forward and stared intently at the entrance of the Sword Prison. He hoped to be able to see Sect Master and the group soon.

However, he waited and waited, but no one walked out of the Sword Prison.

Not just the Opening Heavens Sword Sect, all of those sword sects that had dropped out of the contest did not come out from underground.

Something was wrong!

The moment this thought formed in his mind, Hu Zhiming stared around him. As he expected, the other swordsmen who were waiting here outside the Sword Prison all wore serious looks.

Shoosh –

Shoosh –

Sharp sword sounds came. At first it was far off, but it started getting closer in an instant. Space was sliced at the speed of lightning and it shifted quickly

Two figures appeared in the skies above the Sword Prison. As they looked down, a sinister sword intent spread out from them, making people feel extremely desolate.

“Primordial Sect Master!”

“East Mountain Sect Master!”

Shrieks emerged continuously.

Everyone’s expressions grew more heavy. If two Sect Masters were mobilized to investigate, one could deduce that something was wrong based on the circumstantial facts.

All of a sudden, East Mountain Sect Master raised his hand and tapped the sky. Massive sword intent instantly burst out and formed a hundred foot sword that sliced down.

With a boom, the ground in the surrounding few kilometers broke apart from the force of the sword slash.

However, the entrance of the Sword Prison remained unharmed. The sword slash had not caused any damage to it at all.

East Mountain Sect Master’s face was dark and he looked at Primordial Sect Master. In a deep voice, he said, “Gather the Main Sword Masters; the Sword Prison is out of control!”

Primordial Sect Master clutched his fists and created a separate space that isolated them in the sky, “To prevent panic, let’s keep this from the public for now.”

East Mountain Sect Master frowned and then slowly nodded.

Primordial Sect Master dispersed the isolation space and used his cultivation to enhance his voice. His voice boomed around the world, “There is an accident in the Sword Prison. Although it is a little troublesome, we can take care of it. Please do not make wild speculations and just wait patiently.”

The two sect masters lifted their hands and made a simultaneous attack towards the sky. Sword intent flew out and formed a sword shadow that sliced through the clouds and allowed the sun rays to shine through.

An hour later, the ten members of the Main Sword Masters were gathered outside the Sword Prison.

East Mountain Sect Master’s expression was ugly, “While you all were rushing here, we tried to contact the patrol team in the Sword Prison. We can pretty much confirm that we have lost control of the Sword Prison.”

The Main Sword Masters wore a dark look on their faces.

Lost control of the Sword Prison…

This was a very scary thing for Swallow Mountain swordsmen. It meant that the Sword Prison was locked up and no one could enter or exit it.

At the same time, the Sword Demons’ strength in the Sword Prison would surge tremendously. The most terrifying thing was that the core level of the Sword Prison could open up and would release legendary grade Sword Demons.

This had happened twice in the history of Swallow Mountain. Each time, there were great casualties – less than ten percent of the swordsmen who entered the Sword Prison from various sects came back alive.

“Before the opening of the Sword Prison, we did investigate it. The environment had been stable and there did not appear to be anything wrong. How did things go bad so suddenly?” Cloud Dream Sect Master said.

Spring Wind Spring Master slowly continued, “It is too fast.”

There was silence in the air.

Everyone understood the meaning in his words. Even though they were going to be spectators and watch things from the side initially, their attitudes changed now that the Sword Prison was out of control.

The Sword Sect Contest involved every sect, including the ten major sword sects. Inside the Sword Prison were their disciples, their descendants, or good friends of theirs. The hearts of the sect masters were heavy.

The South Sea Sword Sect had the most gazes on them. They were the first to raise the Sword Sect Contest.

Obviously they would get some blame!

Frost Cold Sect Master spoke, “None of us hoped for this to happen. The most important thing now is to figure out a way to force the Sword Prison open and help the disciples out.”

“That’s right, we can point fingers later after we solve the issue.” Spring Wind Sect Master spoke in a calm voice.

Frost Cold Sect Master looked at him with cold eyes, “Spring Wind Sect Master is right.”

Very soon, the Main Sword Masters put together a message about the situation to be passed to the patrol team in the Sword Prison and distributed to the various swordsmen.

The contest would be stopped and the sword sects should return to the surface of the Sword Prison immediately. They would try to establish a connection with the inside of the Sword Prison to try and open it.

The message was sent but there was no reply for a long time. East Sea Sect Master’s body flashed and he appeared by the entrance of the Sword Prison. He carefully used his senses and his eyes turned dark – their message to the Sword Prison was cut off!

……

After killing three middle grade Sword Demons, the ‘sharp’ underdog team realized that they had arrived at the deep level of the Sword Prison.

They felt that something was amiss at this point. After all, the Sword Prison’s reputation had been spread far and wide and everyone had heard of its danger. But it was just this?

Zhang Xiashan frowned deeply and he scanned his surroundings. It was much darker here and this was not because the amount of moss on the walls had decreased. In fact, more moss grew in the deeper levels of the Sword Prison. However, it could not combat the darkness of the underground.

Being present here made them feel like a huge mountain was weighing on their chests. It made breathing extra difficult.

He turned back and was surprised to not be able to see the Sect Master. Zhang Xiashan thought of the Grand Elder’s instructions…he sighed deeply and then said, “We will rest here for an hour and then head into the deeper levels of the Sword Prison.”

“Yes!”

Through the previous kills, Zhang Xiashan, the man with minimal words, had gained initial trust from his team members and they all sat down to rest.

Although they had passed the shallow level and middle level easily, the deep level of the Sword Prsion was the most dangerous place in it. No one could confirm the actual situation inside it.

Being more cautious and ensuring that they were in tip top condition before entering it was the best option.

Qin Yu was not far away from the team. He restrained all the aura around him and blended into the darkness. He carefully surveyed his surroundings.

In fact, Qin Yu had sensed that suppressive feeling that Zhang Xiashan felt and he was much more sensitive to it. The suppressive feeling was ten to a hundred times more clear and strong on Qin Yu.

Although he did not know its origins, he had a feeling that the Sword Prison was in trouble!

Rourou must have known this earlier, and that was why she asked him to come here personally.

Right at this moment, Qin Yu’s expression changed and he looked at the deep level of the Sword Prison.

Woosh –

He stepped forward and landed right before the underdog team.

Zhang Xiashan was the first to react, “Sect Master!”

The rest of the team quickly got up and scanned their surroundings with cautious eyes. The silence and calm did not change but the team was suspicious.

“Back off!”

Qin Yu ordered and he waved his sleeve. Invisible force rushed out and surrounded the underdog team, pushing them away.

In the next moment, fog suddenly seemed to roll out from the thick darkness in front. There were screams and piercing sounds in the air.

At the same time, there was a thick scent of blood as the fog seeped out.

“Help me!”

“Get lost, get lost!”

“I don’t want to die!”

Shoosh –

A figure shot out from the darkness. His face was pale and he was covered in injuries. When he saw the team from the Opening Heavens Sword Sect not far away, there was a fleeting moment of joy.

“Help…”

After one word he was cut off. A sharp sword pierced through his chest and shattered his heart.

A hand that was covered in black scales came from the darkness. It grabbed the barely alive swordsman and dragged him into the darkness as the swordsman cried in despair.

This scene made the entire underdog team feel like a blizzard had blown past. Their bodies stiffened and there was no blood in their faces. That sword flash, that hand covered in black scales, felt like a demon that was cruelly piercing their souls.

Qin Yu frowned and his expression was serious. He stared intently at the darkness ahead. Since he already sensed the danger, what he ought to do now was to lead the underdog team away from here.

However, Qin Yu felt like a pair of cold, violent, and scary eyes was locked on them.

If they ran and displayed their weakness, the assassin from the darkness would come for them. He fought his inner thoughts for a while. Then, Qin Yu sighed deeply and chose not to move.

The underdog team saw the Sect Master freeze at his spot. Their hearts beat wildly and fear overwhelmed them, but they did not dare to move.

Slowly, the screams and killing sounds from the darkness died down.

Then, there was a chilling sound that was not too obvious, but it made all of them feel like they were choking.

Gulp –

Someone had swallowed, and in the air of silence, the sound was extremely clear.

A thicker scent of blood came from the darkness and spread through the surroundings. It felt like an invisible, sticky tongue was tasting the group.

Zhang Xiashan sucked in a deep breath of air. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Sect Master…”

Without turning around, Qin Yu simply said, “Don’t move.”

The chewing sound was gone but the feeling of being stared at was the strongest at this point, and even Qin Yu felt his hair stand on end.

A few moments later, he suddenly moved. Raising his arm, he said, “Okay.” his voice was calm but there was an odd tone.

Chew –

Gulp –

Chew –

The underdog team felt the tension in their chests release and they toppled to the ground. Sweat soaked their bodies and they panted heavily.

They were not to be blamed. If Qin Yu did not mind his status, he would have sat down now. At this point, he felt like his calves were cramping.

It was so close…

Just then, Qin Yu felt like he would not be able to avoid the fight. In that situation, he could have escaped, but the underdog team would probably be food in the Sword Demon’s tummy.

After a long while, the underdog team regained their senses and their faces were red.

Qin Yu said, “With your cultivation ranks, it is not shameful to stand up now.” His voice deepened, “You saw what happened; the deep level of the Sword Prison is very dangerous and you may lose your lives at any moment. So, you can all return to the surface of the Sword Prison and wait now. I will go in and take a look.”

Zhang Xiashan sighed deeply, “Sect Master, Grand Elder told us to ensure that you are safe.” He bowed, “For this, she gave us some hidden cards. Therefore, Sect Master, please rest assured, we will be able to help you.”

Qin Yu frowned, “You should think carefully. Once you go in, it is possible that you will not return.”

There was a bitter smile on Zhang Xiashan’s face, “Sect Master is right, but we don’t dare to suffer the rage from Grand Elder. Please allow us to go ahead Sect Master.”

“Sect Master, please give us your permission!”

The underdog team bowed.

Qin Yu thought about it. This was truly what Rourou was capable of. “Alright, you all should be careful. If we meet danger, I cannot ensure your safety.”

The underdog team immediately felt at ease. None of them were fools and it was better to lift the matter off their chests.

“Are you ready?”

The underdog team breathed in deeply and nodded with gritted teeth.

Qin Yu gestured and then headed straight into the deep level of the Sword Prison. As for being eliminated from the contest by stepping in as a guardian…Qin Yu felt like he did not need to bother about this anymore.

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