Liu Qingyun could feel his new speed!
Chen Ming was glad, “You’re a true remnant of the cicada!”
Liu Qingyun fell to his knees, “Mountain Lord, I, Liu Qingyun, have come to pay respects to my ancestor!”
Chen Ming helped him stand, “There are few of us remaining. We must work as one and revive our nation!”
“Of course, Mountain Lord. There’s a Celestial Immortal in the Empyrean Manor acting as the four Domains’ spy, planning an escape. I’m going to kill them myself!”
Chen Ming was outraged, “What! Someone dares to defy the great cicada’s resurrection?”
“Have no fear, Mountain Lord, tomorrow night, I will bring you his head. He’s no match for me now that I have the cicada saber!”
“I’ve found many cicada remnants in the Three-headed Dragon Constellation that must have hidden at that time. If not for this, I wouldn’t conceal myself here. Be careful when you strike, the Empyrean Manor has other cicadas among them.”
“Any without cicada sabers deserve death!”
“Go, I await your success!”
Liu Qingyun stashed the black blade in his storage ring and descended in silence.
Not a moment too soon, Wan Baqian came out from behind a rock, all smiles, “Master, it’s almost time.”
Chen Ming laughed, “Time to deal with those spies. Liu Qingyun ought to be the last one against the four Domains. Go and tell them tonight’s the night!”
Nighttime, Liu Qingyun was in his courtyards cleaning the black saber. He looked over at the house across from him. The one inside kept trying to lead him astray, to leave together and report Yan Mountain’s secrets to the Domains.
He used to look at things as an outsider, but not anymore, he was a cicada now!
The Domains killed his forebearer and he alone escaped as a baby. This was a hatred born of the destruction of his nation, never to be quenched.
He did not doubt his ancestry, he could listen to cicada’s stele. With a Celestial Immortal’s perception, he knew this outcome could only come to pass if he had cicada blood in his veins.
He could also handle the black blade perfectly, an item only the cicada alone was privileged to learn and use.
He had firm belief, now that his strength also doubled!
Dark clouds gather and soon began to rain. It fell on the eaves of his house and made a water curtain as it reached the ground.
He donned his chestplate, fastened the armbraces, and wore his helmet. He completed his style by wearing the black blade behind him, cicada style!
He stood up and treaded through the rain.
His neighbor across his house welcomed him as he opened the door, “Brother Lie, did you wore your armor since you decided to join me in my escape?”
Liu Qingyun was silent.
The other didn’t even notice the danger, “Brother Liu, let me get ready and well leave right away. There are also others planning to come with us.”
Liu Qingyun was thrilled, There are others!
Liu Qingyun smiled, “Alright, go prepare. We will leave together!”
He left with his neighbor, walking down the street in rain, joined here and then by other Celestial Immortals.
Liu Qingyun looked at them and saw those wearing a black blade and nodded to each other.
It was now that his neighbor mentioned something, “Brother Liu, the way you wear your saber is so strange. I’ve never seen it.”
“I saw many Yan Mountain disciples do the same, so I thought of copying them.”
The other didn’t care since they were oblivious to its significance, that of revealing their cicada origins.
A crowd gathered inside a courtyard and watched the 2700-years-old Celestial Immortal in front, the leader of this operation.
Yang Zhen smiled, dressed in armor, at his fellow Celestial Immortals, “All of you must be of same heart!”
“Today, we will escape Yan Mountain’s control. Such a small faction, looking to overthrow the four Domains’ rule is walking to its doom!”
“We just want to leave this constellation and collect the kingly bounty. That day will mark the beginning of our prosperous lives!”
One agreed, “Yeah, Yan Mountain is but an egg against a rock!”
“They’re going to their deaths!”
“If we get involved with it, the four Domains might get wind of this rebellion and will come to snuff it out. It’s better if we leave and report this!”
Their senses failed to notice a black crow landing on the roof.
Yang Zhen saw more than one wore a saber behind their waists, “Uh, why so quiet? Do you have a better way to escape?”
Liu Qingyun roared, “He alone scaled the immortal stage, announcing the changing sky!”
All who had the same style knew Liu Qingyun’s intent and shouted with him, “He alone scaled the immortal stage, announcing the changing sky!”
They drew the blades and hacked at their neighbor. The time surpassing sword streaked among the raindrops and caught the others by surprise. A slaughter ensued!
A dozen corpses littered the ground as blood ran it golden.
Yang Zhen woke up, “Blast it! They’re Yan Mountain’s! Kill them!”
Tens of Celestial Immortals entered the fray to no avail, as the wielders of the cicada blade run them through like wolves among sheep.
In this bloodbath, Yang Zhen watched it all unfold in a daze, “What is going on? Why the hell are they so strong?”
Yang Zhen found the situation spinning out of control. They were weaker than the cicada blade wielders!
He wanted to flee. As long as he reported this to the Domains, Yan Mountain was done for!
It was at this time the crow took to the skies.