Chapter 161: Rumors Across the Whispering Expanse
Throughout the vast Whispering Expanse, whispers spread like wildfire.
In one of the larger cities, a powerful coalition of warriors—an alliance born of desperation and survival—gathered in their usual haunt.
"Hey, have you heard the most recent news?"
"Ah? What of it? Something's always happening in this cursed land."
"This time it's different. A huge rumor says bands of Auric Masters—at least Gold Tier 3 and above—are chasing and slaughtering each other across the region."
"Hah? That's not new. So what's the big deal?"
"Oh, I've heard this one too." Another man leaned forward, lowering his voice. "They say the chaos has lasted for hours—armies crushed, cities caught in the crossfire. Whole territories are on alert. Even the great clans are preparing to mobilize."
"Ehh!? Has it gotten that bad?"
A third warrior smirked knowingly. "Heh, you fools don't understand. This isn't just a brawl. I heard that the Laughing Blue Blade—ah, no… Daoist Blue Heavens Sword himself—is the cause of all this!"
"W-What?! Impossible! Where did you hear that?!"
The man crossed his arms smugly. "Naturally, I have connections. A colleague of mine fled from a destroyed city. He swore he saw it—four figures on a glowing blue sword, with a monstrous Winged Serpent chasing them across the skies. The clash that followed leveled entire districts. Armies and demonic beasts joined in, and by the time he fled, the city was half in ruins."
Silence gripped the tavern. No one could tell if the story was truth or drunken fantasy, but all prayed it would not involve them.
…
Elsewhere, two Mortal Lords sat across from each other in a shadowed hall. Both suddenly received reports of the chaos.
The first leaned back with a grin. He had three sharp horns, six insectoid wings, six luminous eyes, and four clawed arms. His aura buzzed with dangerous amusement.
"Brother Gonald, it seems the rumors are true. Something interesting brews nearby. Shall we take a look?"
The other figure stood slowly, power rolling from his bark-like frame. Vines and thorns coiled around his twisted spine, and a pair of ominous antlers rose from his head. His presence was suffocating.
"Regardless of rumor… if Daoist Blue Heavens Sword is truly here, I will move. That man must die." His words dripped with killing intent.
He was a Bramblefiend demon, one of the feared Daemon races.
"Hahaha, splendid! Then I'll come along," the insectoid Mortal Lord laughed, eyes glittering with malice. "I'd like to see if the legend is as fearsome as they say."
…
Meanwhile, an incredible distance away, the allied forces of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan, and the Fanged Elf Tribe—along with several smaller factions—were flying at top speed in formation.
"Yes!! They are definitely in that direction," Aeloria cried, gripping the Life Orb in her hand. "I can faintly sense Lady Shayleaf's blood soul signal!"
Christina's eyes gleamed as she clutched a different device: a glowing star shaped like a crimson eye. "Ahh, Christy is certainly somewhere in that place as well! I can feel her life force through the clan's tracker. We have to hurry!"
"Mmm… easier said than done," Christian muttered with a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Too many scattered forces keep blocking us—though once they realize who we are, they quickly learn not to provoke us."
"I will cut down anyone who dares to get in my way," Jonovan declared grimly. His restrained aura flickered, revealing hints of his Mortal Shedding Realm cultivation.
"Calm yourselves," spoke another, his voice firm. From the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect's largest magical aircraft, a towering figure emerged. Though their flagship was no bigger than the Aka Boshi or the Fanged Elf Tribe's, its aura radiated unmatched authority. This Elder's presence equaled Christian's and Aerlan's.
"As Vice Peak Elder of the Brilliance Sword Guardian Hall, I, Murphaus assure you: our sect will never allow harm to come to such disciples. If need be, we will turn this entire region into a graveyard."
The promise of his words sent a chill even through allies. The fleet pressed forward at blinding speed, faster than even a Soul-tier expert could match.
…
Twenty-eight hours had passed since the chase began.
Two major developments shook the Whispering Expanse.
First: The devastation caused by Elton's group and their relentless pursuers sparked widespread chaos. Cities fell. Armies marched. Experts moved out in fury, vengeance, or opportunism. Mortal Lords themselves were drawn into the conflict. Entire regions were being pushed toward large-scale war.
Second: The rumor had crystallized into terrifying reality.
Daoist Blue Heavens Sword had returned.
Witnesses claimed they saw him alongside two confirmed White Star Radiance members and the infamous faery-demon known as the Witch of the Killing Arrows. In one battle, he supposedly unleashed a cataclysmic strike: a beam of white flames and lightning that blasted away a Bramblefiend Mortal Lord, the already mortally injured Winged Serpent, more than half of an army, and countless scattered forces from other factions.
The attack was said to be so overwhelming that all warring sides froze in shock. In that instant of silence, the four vanished again—bloody but alive—before being hunted once more.
And then… silence.
Somehow, Daoist Blue Heavens Sword and his three companions had disappeared. Many whispered they had been rescued. Others believed they were simply hiding, waiting for the storm to pass.