Chapter 130: Broken Blade Peak

"How are you both feeling, seniors?"

Although Lin Zhan had ascended from a servant to a disciple, he was the latest addition to their ranks, making Gu Yuanzhou and Teng Sheng his seniors.

The two men did not respond. Their injuries were clearly severe; under the suppression of the Heaven-Net Umbrella, their physical bodies and spirits seemed to be on the verge of dissipation. Observing the surroundings, Lin Zhan tucked one man under each arm and stepped onto his Thousand-Flower Sword, gliding deep into the dense forest. He needed a secluded spot where he could tend to their injuries in peace.

This part of the Southern Abyss was nearing the center, characterized by an incredibly complex, rugged, and winding terrain. The protruding rocks resembled the bared fangs and claws of giant beasts, and the trees did not grow in any natural direction; most were scattered in tangled, chaotic heaps, creating a bizarre and eerie atmosphere. Even on such thick, sturdy trunks, one could see numerous scars of varying depths. Though the wounds had scabbed over and faded with the passage of time, they were clearly the result of external violence. More shocking still were the broken trees lying across the ground, spanning hundreds of feet, remaining unrotted after ten thousand years.

There was not a single patch of level ground. Lin Zhan’s flight was restricted to just a few feet above the earth, navigating through a cold, damp environment with almost no light. After flying for over half an hour, it felt as though he were traveling through a tunnel—a passage that grew lower and lower as he descended. If not for the calming, centering effect of the Insight Stone upon his chest, Lin Zhan’s mounting anxiety might have boiled over. It felt like a path of no return; coming this deep, even turning back seemed impossible. As he stood on his flying sword, carrying the two men, his spiritual sense could only probe about fifty yards in any direction, all of which revealed the same oppressive environment. Stopping here was difficult, as finding a place to set them down felt fraught with hidden dangers.

Gradually, a faint glimmer of light appeared in the depths ahead. As he drew closer, he realized it was a broken blade.

Lin Zhan finally found a relatively flat spot and lowered Gu and Teng against a flight of stone steps.

Yes, there were steps here. Although their age was unknown, they clearly belonged to some ancient structure. The steps, along with the blade that retained a clear, unrusted luster, were evidently relics of a bygone era. Lin Zhan approached and reached out to pick up the blade, but an inexplicable killing intent surged through it. He immediately grew vigilant, bracing himself with spiritual energy. The Nine-Star Pattern on his chest autonomously radiated a peaceful aura, as if soothing the blade's agitation. It was a rare instance of the Nine-Star Pattern acting on its own.

Only then could Lin Zhan grasp the blade. It possessed a weight of a thousand pounds; the sheer mass of a single fragment was staggering. It was difficult to imagine the weight of the complete sword, or what kind of battle could have shattered such a weapon.

*Clang.*

Lin Zhan tapped the blade with his finger. It emitted a soft, mournful hum, as if weeping, stirring an inexplicable sorrow in his heart. Without Lin Zhan’s command, the power of the Nine-Star Pattern drew the blade into the Nine-Star space.

*Boom!*

Lin Zhan felt the tremor within that space. As the blade landed on the soil of the Nine-Star realm, it instantly transformed into a massive peak of sword-steel, standing majestic and imposing, as if forbidding any intrusion. Even the small Purple-Gold Luan within the spiritual essence stone was shaken; its tiny body stirred, though it soon returned to its slumber. The energy of the Beast-Taming Spirit Pearl had been absorbed by twenty percent, its color now slightly dimmed.

High above, the first star—which stored the Nine-Star spiritual power—shone brilliantly, casting its light upon the towering peak formed by the blade. It reflected a soft glow, instantly illuminating the once dim and somber space.

"Heh, this is great. Now there is light in this space. Let’s call this peak of blades the 'Broken Blade Peak'!"

Lin Zhan regained his focus and returned to Gu Yuanzhou and Teng Sheng. Placing both hands on their shoulders, he channeled the Nine-Star Pattern, drawing out two strands of Nine-Star spiritual energy and slowly infusing them into their bodies to mend and heal them. The "Cauldron" skill required physical contact, and this connection drained Lin Zhan’s own energy depending on the severity of the wounds. Previously, when healing the Golden Lion of the Jiangnan robe-wearing clan, he had felt no fatigue, but treating both men simultaneously left him feeling drained and drowsy, as if he could sleep for days. He assumed this was a side effect of the Cauldron skill.

Two hours later, Lin Zhan finally stopped. The exhaustion stemmed from the dual physical and spiritual trauma the two men had suffered.

"Lin Zhan, you saved us again!"
"I really thought I was going to die this time!"

When they awoke, they could not help but be stirred by emotion, offering their thanks and expressing their disbelief.

"Where is this place? It feels a bit strange," Gu Yuanzhou asked, looking around.

Lin Zhan sat on the steps, secretly circulating his energy internally. "I haven't searched yet. The area is too vast. It seems to be an ancient city; otherwise, there wouldn't be architecture like this."

Teng Sheng nodded. "The Northern Frontier Forest was not originally a gathering place for wild beasts. It was once the habitat of many great clans and sects. Later, due to the Great War between demons and monsters, it became a neutral zone. Some of our elders once hinted that some of the abysses here were not formed naturally, but were the result of cataclysmic battles between peerless masters that split the earth apart, turning it into a forbidden land. Later on, some reclusive sects retreated into these abysses to hide."

"Indeed, but those are just legends. Whether they are true remains to be seen, as there have been too many battles in the Northern Frontier Forest, and the destruction of hidden sects happens from time to time," Gu Yuanzhou added, sharing the rumors he knew.

Lin Zhan was stunned. If that were the case, this place was littered with ancient battlefields. No wonder everyone loved to train in the Northern Frontier Forest; besides hunting, one could also hunt for treasure! Because where great masters fought, there was not only destruction and death, but also the treasures left behind, waiting for the destined to discover them. If they could find an ancient city, the harvest would be beyond estimation.

Since there were stone steps here, could it really be an undiscovered ancient city?

Lin Zhan smiled. "Perhaps we are about to strike it rich!"

Having recovered over eighty percent of their strength, the two men were eager and excited.

"Then let’s go explore, Lin Zhan!"

The three of them followed the steps and the remnants of the ancient architecture, searching as they ventured deeper into the unknown.