With Junzilan half-supporting him, the two Sword Sovereigns shot through the sky like meteors. Moments after they left, atop the peak where they had just rested, three women appeared silently. The one in front wore a crimson dress that danced in the wind, making her look almost like a celestial being. As they landed, the woman in red crouched down and scooped up a handful of blood-stained earth. Smiling, she said, "Just as the Violet Sovereign predicted—he's wounded."
"Senior Sister, shall we give chase? He can't have gone far," one of the others asked.
"No need," the red-dressed woman replied. "That Blade Sovereign is a sly old fox. Though we haven't fought him directly, we know his methods. There are surely Sword Domain experts ahead, waiting to receive him. Let's call it his lucky day. We'll let him live—for now." Chuckling, the three women rose into the air and vanished into the distance.
Let us put aside the Blade Sovereign's retreat for now. Back in the Sword Domain, the Sect Master of the Southern Ascension and Northern Dipper Sword Sect had already stepped forward with a smile.
"I must say, Sword Sovereign, you've truly outdone yourself—so many powerful allies summoned at once. With three sovereign-level experts standing guard, the Sword Domain will surely survive this storm."
Yet in his heart, Fengyun Wuji understood well: this sect master had likely been hiding nearby from the start, observing the situation quietly. The sudden appearance of multiple sovereign-level warriors must have shaken him deeply, disrupting his plans. Now that he saw the Sword Domain would not fall, he chose to extend a hand—riding the wave, offering aid at little cost.
"Violet Sovereign, your help today was invaluable," Fengyun Wuji said politely. "Should the Sword Domain ever be of use to you, I won't hesitate to repay the favor."
Violet Sovereign smiled. "We are allies now, are we not? Helping one another is only natural. You're being far too courteous."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Violet Sovereign excused herself and departed.
The Demon Lord of the Dark Domain had long sensed the tide turning and quietly slipped away, heading toward Blade Domain. Unlike the Blade Domain, which still had the Blade Sovereign to hold the line, the Dark Domain had no such figure. The Demon Lord was shrewd—he knew that if the Sword Sovereigns turned their attention on him, he'd be hard-pressed to escape. So he fled in advance. Sure enough, once the Sect Master of Southern Ascension and Northern Dipper had been seen off, and the disciples of Sword Pavilion returned, Fengyun Wuji noticed the Demon Lord was missing. His expression darkened.
"That bastard runs fast," he growled. "We'll let him off this time. But the next time we meet, he won't get away so easily."
"Brother Ximen, Elder Dugu," Fengyun Wuji turned, bowing slightly, "I owe you both my deepest thanks. Without your help, I don't know how we could have endured. The Sword Domain might have been utterly destroyed today."
Dugu Wushang replied calmly, "No need for thanks, Sword Sovereign. Since we've agreed to join the Sword Domain, we are part of it now. Even if we hadn't, as fellow practitioners of the sword, we wouldn't have stood idly by. We may have escaped disaster today, but the true challenge lies ahead—raising the strength of all within the Sword Domain. That is your real task."
"I understand. I am grateful for your guidance," Fengyun Wuji said sincerely.
Ximen Yibei, still frowning in thought, added, "That Blade Sovereign is formidable, but the young man he obeys… there's something strange about him."
Fengyun Wuji and Dugu Wushang exchanged a glance, both visibly shaken.
"That boy… his cultivation must have reached a terrifying level," Dugu Wushang said gravely.
Their eyes met, and in that moment, each saw the unease mirrored in the other.
Fengyun Wuji hesitated, then asked, "Now that you're both here, would you consider staying in the Sword Domain? It would be reassuring to have you nearby."
But Dugu Wushang shook his head. "I've stayed in my place for too long—I'm used to it. And besides, my second disciple challenges me several times a day. After all this time, I'd feel uneasy not sparring with him. As for the Blade Domain's promises, I doubt they'll be broken easily. The Demon Domain won't act again so soon, not after such a public agreement. But watch closely—before long, they'll make their move as well."
Ximen Yibei rarely spoke and always wore a cold expression. Hearing Fengyun Wuji's invitation, he simply said, "Not used to it."
Fengyun Wuji understood. In that underground chamber of Ximen's, behind that wall of snow, hung the woman he loved. After countless years, his heart belonged to that place. It was not something to force.
Since they declined, Fengyun Wuji didn't insist. Having their help already exceeded expectations. To press further might only sour the bond.
The joint siege of the Sword Domain by Blade and Demon Domains had ended in utter failure. But the world now knew two names: Sword Demon Dugu Wushang and Ximen Yibei. No one had imagined that such fearsome sovereigns had been hidden within the boundless reaches of the ancient world.
With Fengyun Wuji, Dugu Wushang, and Ximen Yibei anchoring its defenses, and a new alliance formed with the Southern Ascension and Northern Dipper Sword Sect, the Sword Domain secured its place as the Fifth Domain. No longer would anyone underestimate this faction of mere "ascended mortals."
In time, a Domain Lord-level figure from the Demon Domain finally spoke—the Dark Emperor. Though he never revealed himself, word spread via the Independent Faction: the Demon Domain congratulated Fengyun Wuji on founding the Sword Domain. The previous aggression, they claimed, had been rogue actions, unrepresentative of official stance. The Demon Domain welcomed the Sword Domain's emergence—and pledged no hostility for the next ten thousand years.
Following suit, both the Snow Domain and the Jiuyi Shaman Tribe issued statements of acceptance through the same faction.
A group of ascendants barely four hundred years into their new existence had resisted the assault of warriors with tens or even hundreds of thousands of years of experience. It defied belief—but it had happened.
Soon after, the "Mahā Sword Formation," created by the Sword Sovereign himself, was unearthed by the Independent Faction. This formation, capable of drawing upon the energies of heaven and earth and synchronizing the auras of multiple users, sparked immense interest. Even the Violet Sovereign of Southern Ascension sent envoys to request the formation's incantations. But Fengyun Wuji made excuses and turned them away. Until a true union was formed, he would not reveal all his secrets.
The battle had cost the Sword Domain over three hundred lives—a number that weighed heavily on Fengyun Wuji's heart. Though the Demon Domain had suffered greatly as well, the grief remained.
"Master, are you still mourning the fallen disciples?" The voice of Chi Shang always came at just the right time. Sometimes, Fengyun Wuji felt he was less a disciple and more a true companion.
On the third floor of the Sword Pavilion, Fengyun Wuji found himself spending more and more time. Whenever the burden grew too heavy, he would open the wooden doors, let the wind wash over him, and simply be. In those moments, peace always found him.
"No one has ever blamed you, Master," Chi Shang said quietly, standing behind him.
"I know..." Fengyun Wuji sighed deeply, eyes drifting across space—gazing far, far into the distance.