This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

She wanted to carry the identity of the Sword Immortal, eternally sleeping in Chang'an, and take another look at the myriad landscapes of the mortal world.

For the Second Dao-Demon War, she sat in that position and lived in Chang'an City for ten thousand years.

Li Qiubai, for the Second Dao-Demon War, did not enter Chang'an for ten thousand years.

If this Second Dao-Demon War truly ignites, how could she be content without witnessing it with her own eyes?

Thinking this way, Xia Zhao smiled slightly and gazed outside once more, not using the distant viewing array to observe the Demon Race, but instead using her own eyes to look afar.

In the distance, the setting sun sinks in the west, its afterglow casting a dim light upon the wilderness.

A breeze blew by, bringing with it a piercing, bone-chilling coldness.

The harsh winter had arrived.

......

Heavenly Mountain, Yumen Pass, Liuxu Pavilion.

Xia Daoyun looked at the young man coming to pay respects, her expression carrying a rare gentleness.

Only when facing this young man did she cease to be the Lord of Great Xia, no longer the Luo Shen Fairy known for 'One Sword Frost Cold', but merely a mentor.

"Have your injuries healed?" she asked.

Lu Qingshan nodded, "They have completely healed."

From merely a Golden Core Stage disciple upon first meeting, in just five years, he had rapidly matured, becoming ever more refined, and his demeanor now held the composed and courageous aura of a great general.

Xia Daoyun's eyes momentarily glazed over.

Indeed, the young man before her had already been recognized by all as the Young Sect Leader of the Sword Sect, his wings had grown, and he was no longer the disciple who needed her protection.

"Everything you did at the Northern River Border has already spread throughout Yumen Pass. Not only did it earn you the formal recognition of the cultivators at Yumen Pass, but it also garnered you a group of followers," Xia Daoyun referred to the Northern River cultivators.

"However, your actions this time were truly dangerous."

She sighed, "I mentioned your name several times to the old Sect Master back then, and now I don't even know if it was right or wrong."

"Since I am the Young Sect Leader of the Sword Sect, some responsibilities are unavoidable," Lu Qingshan, unconcerned with Xia Daoyun's words, replied with a smile: "Besides, as Shifu knows, I have always been cautious, and would never act without certainty."

Xia Daoyun thought for a moment, then nodded seriously, gratified, "That's true, in this you take after me, I've not wasted my teachings on you."

What are you pretending for, Shifu; I'm just saying it casually... Lu Qingshan thought to himself, but outwardly, he gave Xia Daoyun enough face, "It's all thanks to Shifu's excellent guidance."

Receiving her disciple's affirmation, Xia Daoyun's vanity as a mentor was satisfied.

She nodded contentedly and then said, "I called you today to tell you that news has come from Shui Yue, she has made new progress in her investigation of the Rinsing Spirit Sect.

Although this matter is currently being communicated by Shui Yue and me.... you nearly died due to the conspiracy of some cultivators within the Rinsing Spirit Sect, so I think it's necessary to inform you of these developments....."

Xia Daoyun gently parted her lips, narrating the Rinsing Spirit Sect's intent on controlling all Cross-Domain Teleportation Formations within the Central Spirit Domain.

However, compared to the currently looming threat of the Demon Race outside Yumen Pass, although severe, this matter is not as grave.

Thus, the Sword Sect can only allocate a small portion of energy to continue monitoring the Rinsing Spirit Sect, while most of the focus remains on the Demon Race.

As for the internal spies within the Rinsing Spirit Sect, they can only be left to the Shui Yue Pavilion Master for the time being.

Lu Qingshan left Liuxu Pavilion somewhat pensively.

He knew in his heart that the matter with the Rinsing Spirit Sect was not over.

But just like the Sword Sect, he believed that the truly important task lay in Yumen Pass.

...

In the seventh year of Tianyuan, there were continuous major events, from the start of the year to its end, there was no peace to be found.

As time slowly passed, the cold deepened, forests turned yellow, and large snowflakes began to fall and accumulate.

Everywhere was covered in white snow and withered yellow, creating a depressing view.

The imagery of winter is always unfavorable.

Cold, death, withering, slumber.....

Perhaps only when early spring arrives will one see the flourishing green and vibrant scenes.

In the blink of an eye, it was the last day of the seventh year of Tianyuan.

......

Central Spirit Domain, Helan Mountain.

The grand maneuvers of the Heart Demon clan had continued throughout the entire winter.

The Human Race maintained constant vigilance.

Despite the grand maneuvers, the Heart Demon clan had yet to spark even a small conflict.

This did not allow the human cultivators a sigh of relief; instead, it left them feeling even more stifled.

It was night.

The sunset had long dropped behind the western horizon, swift dusk falling.

Dark clouds loomed over Dragon City Pass.

Yet, the fortifications on the solid walls of Dragon City Pass shone bright as day, cultivators hovering, the alertness extremely tight.

They had no choice but to maintain strict vigilance.

The Heart Demon clan had long been unabashedly amassing forces, making ready for large-scale conflict for some time.

Yet no one knew that today, at this moment, in what should have been the safest North City Gate, guarded by the Taoist Sect's Rinsing Spirit, the gates that were meant to be tightly shut were now quietly opened under the cover of night.

...

(ps: I've seen a few readers say this book is nearing its end, let me dispel this rumor, the book is only at its mid-to-late phase, it's far from over, don't believe or spread or create rumors!)