Shocking the Nine Heavens With My Sword

Another seven days later, the terrible news came: all eleven Black Cave Kings had fallen in battle. The White Bone Skeleton rampaged its way forward, devouring countless living beings, and was now heading towards the Imperial Capital.

Chaos erupted everywhere!

The vast majority chose to flee, which was a very normal decision, as even the eleven Black Cave Kings had died, so who could be a match for that White Bone Skeleton? Those who could afford it crossed the Star Gate and left, while those who couldn't could only move far from the Imperial Capital, yet still live under the threat of the White Bone Skeleton.

However, some chose to stand their ground; they were Da Qin's loyalists who lived by the principle of "the land perishes, and so do the people!"

Of course, another part of the reason was that there was still one last Black Cave King in the Imperial Capital!

Even though eleven Black Cave Kings had died, the presence of a Black Cave King was still like a deity in everyone's mind, providing the determination needed to hold the line!

It must be said that their gamble was right, because if Hongyue were willing to intervene, the White Bone Skeleton would not stand a chance; even a billion of them would be crushed at a whim! But the problem was that the Witch's temperament was volatile, and it was uncertain whether she was willing to act.

In times of crisis, true colors show. The so-called "loyal servants" of the Empire, those who claimed to be its backbone, were scantly seen, for example, both the Commander and the Two Aspects. At this point, the Imperial Clan lacked the power to punish them, as the Liu Family had lost their Black Hole-level power. Even if they survived this catastrophe, could they still be qualified to hold the throne?

The Hundred Dragons Star is a top-tier Yuan Star, one of the seventy Star Domains with the richest Spiritual Energy accumulations. Which Dynasty wouldn't covet it? Any power with a Black Hole King could step in and vie for dominance over the Hundred Dragons Star.

In fact, the rise of the Liu Dynasty came about in much the same way, so there's nothing to complain about.

Thus, the remaining Liu Imperial Family united as one. Having no retreat, they might as well have a last resounding battle! The key part, though, was that there was still one remaining "Black Cave King"; if they could get Hongyue's support, the Liu Imperial Family might not have to give up just yet.

Moreover, the Liu Family was not short of talent. If given a few millennia of peace and rejuvenation, a new Black Cave King might even emerge!

In everyone's eyes, Hongyue's stance was too ambiguous.

Because she neither intended to leave nor declared to fight the White Bone Skeleton, people couldn't help but wonder what she really wanted.

Was she hinting that the Liu Family should offer something favorable?

Only Zhou Heng knew, it was because Hongyue didn't take the situation seriously at all! In fact, other than the Five Great Saints, probably only that mysterious demon could threaten her.

Others didn't even qualify to be considered by her!

With the threat of death looming, Wuyang Academy had also already announced a temporary closure, to be reopened when the crisis was resolved, or perhaps never reopening at all.

Zhou Heng grew bored, as the academy was empty except for a few who had nowhere else to go, giving it the air of a ghost city, desolate enough to make one fall ill with melancholy. However, Liu Shishi and Liu Yun'er began visiting more frequently, eventually staying in the academy for several days at a time.

There was no choice because Zhou Heng's role was too crucial.

He could influence a "Black Cave King," and just a few whispers of persuasion could convince Hongyue to fight against the White Bone Skeleton. And Daqin City, after being cultivated by the Liu Family for eons, was essentially an immovable Black Hole-level Treasure Artifact!

With a Black Cave King to set it in motion, it could completely oppose the White Bone Skeleton!

That was the Liu Family's faith and hope in holding their ground.

Because of their good relations with Zhou Heng, Liu Shishi and Liu Yun'er naturally became the Liu Family's tools to exercise the beauty trap, regardless of whether this move might anger Hongyue, who could turn on and destroy the Liu Family instead.

Zhou Heng, however, didn't harbor any such notions. Since the academy was emptier than usual, he simply released people from the Immortal Residence to let everyone truly breathe the fresh air.

Anyway, since Hongyue wouldn't let him leave, he simply couldn't leave, could he?

Being bored alone was one thing, but with others to accompany him, it was a different story. Zhou Heng, who had been busy running around outside, could finally put everything down and spend time with his women, working towards the next generation. He didn't believe he couldn't bear the fruits of his labor.

Time flew by, and when Zhou Heng had formed two hundred Milky Ways, the White Bone Skeleton finally arrived outside Daqin City. After many days without seeing it, its body had grown to a height of one hundred feet, visible in the distance, a materialized Black Cave, capable of devouring everything.

At the sight of this dead spirit, everyone fell silent, speechless.

Its overwhelming aura surpassed even that of the Great Demon Dragon Emperor from before, and it was filled with an aura of death. It represented death, and where it passed, all life was extinguished!

Buzz!

The Liu Imperial Family barely managed to activate the Imperial Capital's defenses. A total of seventeen Comet Emperors came forth, at the cost of their longevity, forcibly powering the "Treasure Artifact" of the Imperial Capital to halt the White Bone Skeleton's advance.

Yet the defense was just defense; the White Bone Skeleton didn't even need to move, so how long could these seventeen Comet Emperors hold out?

However, patience was clearly not a quality this dead spirit possessed. Without a thought, it immediately raised a palm and struck towards the city wall.

Boom!

With a loud crash, the entire Daqin City trembled, and all seventeen Comet Emperors spat blood, but the Light Shield formed above the Imperial Capital stabilized after a brief quiver.

They held it!

Immediately, the whole city erupted in cheers, irrespective of rank or position. As humans, none wished to see the dead spirit breach the city, which would only lead to utter annihilation.

Boom!

The White Bone Skeleton struck the city wall again, causing the entire city to tremble once more.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Strike after strike, the white bone skeleton relentlessly attacked. It was the true Black Cave King, its cavernous maw capable of devouring any recoiled force, some of which could even be directly transformed into its Spiritual Power, allowing it to continue battering indefinitely.

But what about the seventeen Comet Emperors? How long could they hold out?

As they watched the demonic Dead Spirit unleash one strike after another, the cheers within the city grew fainter, and despair welled up in everyone's heart. This was the dread of absolute power.

"Zhou Heng, go take care of this ugly creature!" Hongyue finally said to Zhou Heng, an impatient expression on her face.

Zhou Heng never tried to persuade Hongyue. This witch was eccentric, and asking her could have the opposite effect. As expected, now she spoke up on her own. Zhou Heng spread his hands and said, "How am I supposed to fight against a Dead Spirit at the Black Cave King level?"

"Put out your hands!" Hongyue glanced at Zhou Heng, her gaze deep as if saying she had long understood his little schemes.

Zhou Heng didn't mind her knowing; this was a contest of patience, not wisdom. He obediently extended one hand.

"Both hands!"

Zhou Heng stretched out both hands.

Hongyue used her finger as a pen and started drawing on his palms. The delightful sensation made Zhou Heng somewhat flustered, inevitably looking at Hongyue's flawless, beautiful face.

He quickly focused, watching the words Hongyue wrote.

On his right hand, she inscribed the character "Calm," then switched to the left hand and wrote "Break." Though there was no ink, the characters naturally materialized.

"Go on!" Hongyue said.

"With just these two characters?" Zhou Heng twitched his mouth.

"Do you think these are ordinary characters? Not to mention a mere Dead Spirit of a Black Cave King, even the Nine Caves True Monarch would have to yield to this control!" Hongyue proudly declared.

"Lives are at stake; it's better not to joke!"

"Get going!" Hongyue kicked out, striking Zhou Heng's buttocks. With a swoosh, Zhou Heng was launched into the sky like a cannonball, crashing through the formation's defenses and hurtling toward the white bone skeleton.

"Damn!" Zhou Heng had just spat out a curse when he saw the white bone skeleton swinging a palm at him. At this point, he couldn't care about anything else and quickly raised both palms to meet the skeleton's attack.

Buzz!

A rune floated out from his right hand, sweeping across the white bone skeleton, instantly freezing it, as if hit by an Inhibitory Rune.

This was Hongyue's handiwork!

Zhou Heng knew Hongyue wouldn't harm him, but he hadn't expected her methods to be so formidable that just writing two characters on his palms could have such power. But while the "Calm" character on his right hand worked wonders, why was there no reaction from the "Break" character?

No matter, after stabilizing it, first strike with the Black Sword!

But... where to strike?

This creature was nothing but white bones, with no vital points to target. Where should he cut?

Never mind, just slash somewhere!

Clang!

A sword strike landed, leaving Zhou Heng's hand numb. The bones of the white bone skeleton were as hard as iron, and not only did the sword leave no mark, but it also numbed his right hand, almost making him lose grip of the Black Sword.

Just then, the white bone skeleton moved. The black hole behind it trembled, exerting a powerful suction force that threatened to devour him!

Zhou Heng quickly sheathed the Black Sword. With a push of his right palm, he shouted, "Calm!"

The white bone skeleton instantly froze again!

Within Daqin City, cheers erupted.

In times of danger, people always hope for a hero to step forward and save them from disaster. And now, on the brink of despair, a hero finally emerged, naturally raising a wave of fervor in everyone's hearts.

Zhou Heng looked at his left hand, which bore the character "Break," yet when he wielded both palms together earlier, the rune hadn't been unleashed. Why?

He tried using only his left hand, but still, there was no response!

At this point, the white bone skeleton moved again; the "Calm" rune could only restrain it briefly.

"Calm again!" Zhou Heng struck with his right hand while his body flickered, getting under the skeleton. He pushed his left palm against its bones.

Buzz, another rune lit up. As Zhou Heng's left hand brushed over, the previously solid bones of the skeleton suddenly crumbled like tofu, with its entire left foot separating from the lower leg.

So that's how the "Break" character works. It could only activate upon contact with a solid structure. (To be continued. If you like this work, you're welcome to recommend votes and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)