Jiang Yan roared hoarsely, both hands gripping his sword as he charged straight ahead.
The blade erupted with a torrent of sword energy, blazing light bursting forth like a river of fire, as if intent on cutting down everything under heaven.
"No!!!"
"This is impossible!!!"
The Chi Dragon howled, blood mist erupting around him. He once again burned the last drops of demonic god blood within his body, desperate to flee far away.
But this sword was too fast.
Before the Chi Dragon could even take flight, the beam of sword light swallowed him whole.
"AAAHHHHH!!!"
The demon gods screamed and wailed, their figures engulfed within that blinding light. The earth trembled. The scorching brilliance twisted the air itself.
The torrential flood that had swept through the land evaporated in an instant, and that dazzling light engulfed nearly all of Guili Plains.
Those nearby—Guizhong and the others—were forced to shield their eyes, retreating step by step.
When at last the light faded, they slowly opened their eyes—and every gaze froze.
Upon the colossal Buddha's head stood a figure in azure-gold battle robes, frozen in the motion of his swing.
Before him stretched an enormous sword mark, beginning from the Buddha's position and cutting all the way across to the fields of Dihua Marsh—
as if half of Guili Plains had been split in two.
The Chi Dragon, along with the ten demon gods that had joined him, had been utterly erased by that sword.
"Th-this…"
Menogias gaped, utterly stunned.
He was not alone—every immortal present, including Guizhong, stood frozen in disbelief.
"Such power… and he's not even a demon god…" murmured Indarias.
"Not a demon god—yet greater than one, isn't he?"
Even Guizhong's usually calm heart trembled.
The human survivors around them staggered to their feet. They exchanged glances, wanting to speak, but no one dared make a sound.
The battlefield was deathly silent.
Every gaze converged upon Jiang Yan.
He slowly lowered his sword.
Darkness clouded his vision; his body felt heavy, his consciousness faint.
That sword had drained every ounce of his elemental power.
To ensure the Chi Dragon could never escape again, he had poured everything he had into that strike—
and that was how the Sword of Promised Victory had been born.
But now was not the time to fall.
As the great Buddha faded, Jiang Yan descended to the ground.
He stumbled a few steps and drove his sword into the earth to steady himself.
Above, the dark clouds dispersed with the demons' demise, and sunlight once again poured down upon the scarred land.
Feeling that long-lost warmth, Jiang Yan's lips curved into a gentle, brilliant smile.
"My friends," he said softly, "why don't I hear your cheers of victory?"
At those words, it was as if a great weight lifted from everyone's hearts. The entire Guili Plains erupted into joyous celebration.
The common people cheered, embracing one another. Ganyu leapt forward and threw herself into Jiang Yan's arms.
Her eyes were red-rimmed; when the Chi Dragon had appeared, she, like all the immortals, had been prepared to die.
Jiang Yan smiled, running his hand through her soft, blue hair.
He looked past her at the immortals and Guizhong, all embracing one another.
How wonderful, he thought.
This time, no one died.
At last, Jiang Yan's weary eyes closed.
"Jiang Yan, how are you? Are you—hurt…?"
Ganyu lifted her head, her voice growing softer and softer.
The other immortals turned toward her—something in her tone was wrong.
Jiang Yan stood still like a statue, eyes closed, a faint smile on his lips.
"Jiang Yan…"
"Huff… snore…"
Just as Ganyu's trembling hand reached for him, a deep, rhythmic snoring sound broke the tension.
Ganyu: "…"
Guizhong: "…"
All the immortals: "…"
How does someone fall asleep standing up—on a battlefield this noisy?!
"Take him back to rest," said Menogias, shifting into his giant-horned deer form. "He's fought two battles in a row—he's exhausted."
Ganyu nodded gently. She cradled Jiang Yan in her arms and placed him carefully onto the True Lord's back.
As they passed through the cheering crowds, the people looked up, ready to shout their thanks—
only to notice Jiang Yan fast asleep on the immortal's back, snoring loudly.
If he woke up now, it would be the most embarrassing moment of his life.
So the people fell silent, smiling quietly instead,
watching as Jiang Yan and the immortals slowly disappeared into the distance.
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