Eternal Sacred King Chapter 401 to 410
Chapter 401: Who is Du Kai?
Xuantian City, North, Elixir Yang Sect.
After settling Su Xiaoning down, Tang Yu sent another order for all Elixir Yang Sect cultivators to be on their guard and watch out for anyone suspicious.
She was extremely wary of Poison Sect.
After all, it was hard to guarantee that Poison Sect wouldn’t do anything extreme for revenge after losing a core disciple who could release the Purple Corpse Corrosion Poison!
It was never wrong to plan ahead.
Furthermore, after what happened, Tang Yu had an uneasy feeling. In fact, it was like a premonition that something big was about to happen.
The atmosphere within Elixir Yang Sect became tense after Tang Yu’s series of orders.
Almost all the cultivators were activated. Ten people formed a small team while a hundred people formed a large team as they took turns to patrol Elixir Yang Sect’s area.
Right then, two cultivators came together, a man and a woman. The man was handsome and the woman looked cold – they were Ji Chengtian and Leng Rou.
Ji Chengtian was originally cultivating in his room but he heard a commotion outside for a long time, as if something big had happened.
He came out and asked around before finding out the news that Xiaoning was attacked and Su Zimo had returned. Instantly, he hurried forth to find out more about the details.
Leng Rou was originally cultivating in Thousand Crane Sect and had only found out about this when she heard Thousand Crane Sect cultivators discussing about it. By the time she got here, she bumped into Ji Chengtian.
When Tang Yu saw the two of them, she greeted and nodded. “Fellow Daoists, you’re just in time. I was about to warn you guys to watch out. Your group has been targeted by Poison Sect.”
“How is Xiaoning? I heard that she was poisoned?” Ji Chengtian asked.
“She’s fine now,”
Tang Yu smiled. “She’s currently asleep. I reckon she’ll recover after resting for a couple of days.”
“What about Zimo?”
Leng Rou suddenly asked.
Tang Yu replied, “He said that he’s going out for a walk. I guess he’ll be back soon. Do you guys want to wait here for a while?”
When they heard that, Ji Chengtian and Leng Rou’s expressions changed. The two of them exchanged glances – both could tell of the worry in the other’s eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
Sensing something amiss through their gazes, Tang Yu could not help but ask.
Ji Chengtian said deeply with a solemn expression, “Zimo has most likely gone to cause trouble for Poison Sect.”
“Ah?
Tang Yu was stunned for a brief moment before replying hesitantly, “It... can’t be, right?”
Sighing gently, Ji Chengtian shook his head. “You haven’t known Zimo for long so I guess you don’t understand his character too well yet. Although he looks calm and gentle, he has a sharp edge in his bones!”
“If it was anybody else, they might be able to suck it up after considering about Poison Sect’s strength. But, not Zimo.”
Leng Rou added, “Furthermore, Poison Sect targeted Xiaoning.”
Dragons possessed Reverse Scales[1] and anyone who touches it will die – Xiaoning was equivalent to Su Zimo’s Reverse Scale.
Recalling Su Zimo’s attitude before he left, Tang Yu frowned. “However, he seemed like he was rather calm and did not have any strong killing intent.”
“How is that possible?”
Ji Chengtian and Leng Rou shook their heads.
Given Su Zimo’s personality, there was no way he would let things go especially after something happened to Xiaoning!
Ji Chengtian asked, “What did Zimo say to you before leaving?”
“Nothing much. I urged him to calm down and told him that he would only be seeking a moment of pleasure even if he killed a few Poison Sect cultivators. Not only would it not help, he would even incur Poison Sect’s maniacal revenge.”
After thinking, Tang Yu continued, “Furthermore, he even agreed to my viewpoint at that time and said that I was right!”
Ji Chengtian’s expression changed slightly as he took a deep breath of air. “There should be no mistake. Zimo has definitely gone to Poison Sect!”
“Huh?” Tang Yu was confused.
“I’m guessing that Zimo merely said half of what’s on his mind. He did not verbally say out the second half.”
“What half?” Tang Yu asked subconsciously.
“You are right, so... I’ll go and kill everyone from Poison Sect!”
Everyone!
Tang Yu’s expression changed starkly and her eyes were filled with shock.
“T-This! Fellow Daoist Su is alone! Wouldn’t he most likely die by going there?”
“There’s bound to be countless hidden weapons and traps at Poison Sect’s residence! He...”
Tang Yu was panicked and murmured, “Fellow Daoist Su is way too reckless! Even though he’s indeed strong, Poison Sect cultivators are extremely sinister in their methods! He hasn’t even heard of Poison Sect’s Seven Lethals! There’s no doubt he’ll be disadvantaged!”
“I don’t know whether he’ll be disadvantaged,”
Ji Chengtian shook his head. “But what I do know is that this is something Su Zimo will definitely do. That’s the type of reaction he should have!”
“I’ll go back and ask for backups from the Thousand Crane Sect cultivators.”
Without wasting time, Leng Rou turned to leave.
Tang Yu composed herself and said in a deep voice, “I’ll gather forces right now and try to head to the city’s south as soon as possible. I hope I’m not too late.”
...
City’s South, Poison Sect.
In a spacious hall, the doors were tightly shut. Although it was noon and the sun was scorching outside, there was not much light within the hall and it seemed dark and creepy.
In the darkness deep within the hall, a voice sounded from the center.
“How long has Lu Ang been gone for?”
The voice was sharp and feminine with a hint of coldness that made one shudder.
“Senior Brother Du, it’s been almost four hours.”
A cultivator appeared and cupped his hands.
“That’s long...”
The dark feminine voice sounded again, seemingly impatient.
“From what I know, there are three people in the city’s north. Apart from Su Xiaoning, there’s also Ji Chengtian and Leng Rou. It’ll probably take him some time to poison all three of them to death.”
The person who spoke was Wei Qi, a six meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivator of Poison Sect.
The person hidden in the darkness was the commander of Poison Sect’s expedition, seven meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Du Kai!
“Those are just small fries. The person I want to kill is Su Zimo!”
Du Kai’s voice was filled with endless killing intent. “Anyone who dares to touch anybody from Poison Sect will have to enjoy the taste of our methods!”
A short moment later, Du Kai asked again, “Where did that Su Zimo go to? Why isn’t he back to the city yet?”
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother Du. His sister is in Xuantian City so he’ll definitely be back!” Wei Qi replied with certainty.
Right then, a commotion could vaguely be heard outside.
Du Kai frowned and did not take it to heart.
This was the territory of Poison Sect – even super sects such as Glass Palace and Malevolent Earth Sect wouldn’t dare to tread lightly!
However, the commotion grew closer before long and there were screams and cries of pain mixed in it.
“Hmm?”
Du Kai narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Wei Qi, go and see what’s happening outside.”
“Understood.”
As soon as Wei Qi stood up, there was a loud bang and the ground shook!
The entire hall was on the verge of collapse as dust rustled down.
Suddenly, the door exploded and countless gravel flew in all directions. Sunlight spilled in, restoring some light in the hall.
At the entrance of the hall, under the sunlight, stood a figure that although wasn’t too tall, was filled with a sharp killing intent and a torrential aura!
“Who is Du Kai?”
The person’s gaze was burning and was even brighter than the scorching sun outside!
[1] A spot on a dragon’s body where the scale goes in reverse. It’s said that anybody who touches it will incur a dragon’s unstoppable wrath
Chapter 402: Who Can Stop Me?
Translator: Legge Editor: Legge
In the hall, Wei Qi dodged multiple incoming rocks and looked extremely wretched as he turned his gaze towards the door.
When he saw the intruder, he exclaimed in shock, “Ah, it’s Su Zimo!”
Du Kai was initially extremely composed deep in the hall. When he heard that name, his eyes narrowed to a slit and shone with a cold glint as he smirked cruelly.
“Hmm?”
Su Zimo’s eyes shifted onto Wei Qi’s face and shone brightly with a sharp killing intent. In a flash, he appeared before the latter.
It was too fast!
Wei Qi merely felt his vision blur and his throat clamp up – he was lifted entirely from the ground with Su Zimo choking his throat!
“You’ve seen me before?”
Su Zimo asked coldly with a razor gaze.
Poison Sect had only entered Xuantian City a couple of days ago and during that time, Su Zimo was not in the city – he was on the saber mountain.
It was normal for Poison Sect to have heard of his name. However, it was strange if someone knew his identity at first glance.
With Su Zimo choking him, Wei Qi could barely breathe and looked extremely terrible. His eyes turned bloodshot and bulged out from their sockets as his tongue stuck out.
“I... saw you before... in that cave abode!”
Wei Qi stuttered with fear in his eyes.
He knew extremely well that the person before him was going to snap his throat if he hesitated even slightly!
“Oh,”
Su Zimo nodded and understood instantly.
There had always been a doubt in his mind.
How did Poison Sect that was in the ancient battlefield know about him killing a cultivator of theirs in the Golden Core cave abode?
So, there was a second Poison Sect cultivator in the crowd back then!
In other words, the final statement made by the Poison Sect cultivator before his death was for this cultivator so as to send a message back to the sect to take revenge for the former!
“Very well. You can die now.”
Exerting strength in his palm, Su Zimo crushed Wei Qi’s throat and tossed the corpse aside.
Right from the beginning, Du Kai sat deep in the hall without moving, watching everything curiously with a mocking gaze.
Outside the hall, Poison Sect cultivators from all over the place were starting to gather.
“Su Zimo, you’ve got balls. To think that you would dare barge into the territory of Poison Sect! Hehehe!” Du Kai laughed sinisterly, like a violent ghost in the dark.
“Poison Sect?”
Su Zimo sneered, “I can come and leave as I please. Who can stop me?”
“Hahaha! How brazen! Do you really think that you can kill our cultivators just like that?”
Du Kai burst into laughter and stood up, declaring coldly, “Poison Sect cultivators are filled with poison from head to toe. You must have a death wish for killing our cultivator with your bare hands! Why don’t you take a look at your palm and see if it’s starting to turn black? I urge you...”
Su Zimo raised his palm and Du Kai’s voice stopped.
His palm was still jade-like white and looked pristine without any traces of poison!
Instantly, Du Kai’s face darkened.
Although the poison coated on Wei Qi’s body was not one of the Seven Lethals, it was more than enough to kill more than ten ancient remnant beasts. In fact, even pure-blooded ferocious beasts might be half-dead against this poison!
However, Su Zimo was completely fine?
He was completely unaffected?
Du Kai had seen everything clearly – there was no glove or protective equipment on Su Zimo’s palm.
Even if he racked his brains, he would not have imagined that Su Zimo possessed such terrifying power in his bloodline.
The toxic poison that could eliminate ancient remnant beasts was completely washed away by Su Zimo’s immensely terrifying bloodline right after entering his body!
Everyone else viewed Poison Sect as a great threat but they were nothing much to Su Zimo.
The Seven Lethals of Poison Sect were the only things that could threaten him!
“Du Kai, was it? You don’t have to wait for that Poison Sect cultivator to return anymore. He has already died on the long street in the city’s north!”
Striding widely, Su Zimo advanced towards Du Kai. “Additionally, my sister’s life is in no danger. Sorry to disappoint you!”
Du Kai’s gaze turned cold and suddenly, he stomped his feet just as Su Zimo was closing in.
Instantly, a warning flashed through Su Zimo’s mind as his legs stumbled – the floor had suddenly sunk in!
It was already too late to summon his flying sword by then.
With a whoosh, a pair of gigantic spirit wings extended from Su Zimo’s back!
Although there was nothing beneath his feet, he could soar through the air.
Pshew! Pshew! Pshew!
Swift sounds shot through the air continuously and were extremely soft. Su Zimo might not have heard them if he hadn’t cleared his ear orifices.
The moment the floor slab beneath his feet sank in, a poisoned needle as thin as cow’s hair shot up from the darkness below – it was the Heart Seeking Spike, one of Poison Sect’s Seven Lethals!
With his spirit perception’s warning, Su Zimo had already activated his wings a moment earlier and charged towards Du Kai who was in the depths of the hall.
A blue Heart Seeking Spike brushed by Su Zimo, missing by a bare inch!
At the entrance of the hall, many Poison Sect cultivators swarmed in, summoning their spirit weapons one after another.
Most of the Poison Sect cultivators were using weapons that were extremely cunning. The only thing they had in common was that they were all coated with poison, reflecting in rainbow colors against the sunlight.
In midair, Su Zimo slapped his storage bag.
Buzz!
18 supreme-grade flying swords were summoned, buzzing and gleaming with spirit light as they emitted an endless sharpness.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Speeding through the air, the 18 flying swords left behind streams of sword qi that shone brightly.
It was the Candlelight Sword Formation!
Su Zimo did not show any mercy at all. He started off right away with his strongest immortality cultivation killing move, the Candlelight Sword Formation!
Even if they did not form a sword formation, the power of 18 supreme-grade flying swords bursting forth together was already sufficiently terrifying, let alone the might of a sword formation.
Now that Su Zimo was already at six meridian Foundation Establishment, the strength of the Candlelight Sword Formation increased as well – even ordinary seven meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivators wouldn’t be able to withstand the killing might of the sword formation!
The advantage of Poison Sect cultivators was in their usage of poisons.
However, in terms of actual strength, they were similar to cultivators of ordinary sects.
“Go!”
Su Zimo pointed forward and hollered softly.
Right after, the 18 flying swords gathered together with their tips pointing outwards in unison, forming a gigantic sword-shaped circular disk. 18 rays of sword qi were released like a blazing sun and was extremely dazzling!
The moment the sword formation entered the crowd, a gaping hole was formed!
The strongest of the Poison Sect cultivators were only at seven meridian Foundation Establishment. None of them could withstand the rush of the Candlelight Sword Formation as a blood mist formed with broken limbs flying everywhere.
Most of the Poison Sect cultivators had their lives hanging on a thread and could not spare any attention to deal with Su Zimo!
While releasing the Candlelight Sword Formation, Su Zimo withdrew a gigantic blood-colored saber from his storage bag that emitted a boundless might!
Clang! Clang!
The saber quivered, buzzing with a murderous metallic sound.
In that instant, Su Zimo had already lunged in front of Du Kai. Swinging Blood Quencher, he descended from the skies with a loud roar, “Die!”
Chapter 403: Life Exchange
Du Kai was calm in the face of Su Zimo’s ferocious slash. With a flicker in his eyes, he retreated while flicking his sleeves, spreading a purplish-green powder towards the direction that Su Zimo was arriving in.
It was one of Poison Sect’s Seven Lethals, the Purple Corpse Corrosion Poison!
Throughout history, there had been countless geniuses that were much stronger than Poison Sect cultivators of the same level. However, many of them died against the Purple Corpse Corrosion Poison as well.
Each of the Seven Lethals was made by crushing countless corpses and bones and was extremely notorious!
Su Zimo was fearless against any other poison.
However, he did not dare to be careless against the Purple Corpse Corrosion Poison.
He recalled the saber stance he had learned back in the Saber Mountain Spirit Sea and retracted his saber before slashing out again!
Swoosh!
The sound of a surging tide gushed forth from Blood Quencher’s blade.
A massive tsunami and a Countercurrent force burst forth, as if a massive wave was about to crush down in a terrifying manner!
“How is that possible?!”
Finally, Du Kai’s expression changed as he exclaimed.
While he did not recognize the origin of that saber technique, he could tell that Su Zimo’s attack had already surpassed the first mastery level in the way of the saber and was at the level of force!
This was a level that most cultivators could not reach even if they spent their entire lives.
Even if cultivators could comprehend the force, almost all of them were Golden Cores.
On the one hand, it was because one would achieve indescribable wonders upon forming a core – that was a state of returning to nature and simplifying everything.
On the other hand, it was also because forming a Golden Core was equivalent to breaking free of the shackles of Heaven and Earth for the first time, allowing a cultivator to gain a lifespan of 500 years!
A sufficiently long lifespan also meant that the cultivator would have more time and energy to spend on comprehending the Dao of sabers, thus gaining enlightenment on the state of force.
Of course, throughout history, there would always be cultivators in every generation who could manage to gain enlightenment of that level even at Foundation Establishment realm.
However, those cultivators were extremely rare and each of them were the top paragons of their respective sects.
This Su Zimo that was before Du Kai was a nobody, a mere cultivator who had arrived from a remote place in Tianhuang Mainland, and yet he managed to cultivate to that state?
Against the Countercurrent force, the Purple Corpse Corrosion Poison powder was blown away completely and there was not a speck to be found on Su Zimo’s body!
Du Kai avoided that slash and a look of fear flashed through his eyes.
Su Zimo was far scarier than he had imagined!
On the other side, Candlelight Sword Formation spiraled on and had already sliced more than a hundred Poison Sect cultivators into pieces.
No one could even last a single round against the sword formation that was charging left and right!
The Candlelight Sword Formation alone was enough to block the Poison Sect cultivators at the entrance. Although there were some spirit weapons that managed to get through, their impact towards Su Zimo was almost negligible.
Du Kai found himself stuck in a situation where he was alone without reinforcements.
After realizing the terror of Su Zimo’s strength, Du Kai wielded daggers in each hand that shone with a faint green light. Instead of fighting Su Zimo head-on, he was dodging repeatedly and sending out hidden weapons from time to time just to drag things out.
On the surface, Su Zimo was the one that was suppressing Du Kai and had the advantage.
However, in reality, their fight was extremely treacherous and shuddering!
Du Kai had hidden weapons everywhere and he could throw out one of them that was coated with poison with every move.
Every single portion of Du Kai’s body contained the possibility of a hidden weapon flying. In fact, even his hair could send forth Heart Seeking Spikes with a single fling so it was almost impossible to defend against everything!
Any other ordinary seven meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivator would have died multiple times during this period of time.
However, Su Zimo was able to suppress Du Kai by relying on his spirit perception to avoid danger time and again.
At the same time, Su Zimo had something else in mind.
Although he had memorized the five stances of Sea Calming, he was not too familiarized with the moves.
Even Countercurrent which he had managed to gain comprehension of its force wasn’t at a point where he could release it flawlessly.
Since it was rare for him to meet with such an opponent, Su Zimo had nothing else on his mind and was thoroughly immersed in practicing his saber technique.
Although Sea Calming seemed like it merely consisted of five stances, each stance possessed an endless secret to it and one could even dissect it to a hundred or a thousand different stances!
Apart from the final stance that he was still unable to produce, Su Zimo practiced the first four stances one after another, becoming increasingly familiar with the saber technique, increasingly sharper and increasingly natural!
Du Kai was now Su Zimo’s whetstone!
In that period of time, the hundred-odd Poison Sect cultivators were mostly done in by the Candlelight Sword Formation and the remaining cultivators escaped hurriedly.
They hid outside the hall, watching from the darks.
If Du Kai won, they would enter at the appropriate moment. As such, they wouldn’t be considered as deserters and wouldn’t receive punishment.
However, if Su Zimo won...
There was only a single word — escape!
As time passed by, Su Zimo’s saber technique became increasingly refined, flowing like fluid without any delays – he was no longer as amateurish as before.
With that, it became increasingly difficult for Du Kai to defend.
Furthermore, what was the difference between Su Zimo and Du Kai’s physique?
Su Zimo fought fiercer as the battle dragged on and was filled with energy. His bloodline churned within his body, surging faster and faster as the faint sounds of tsunami coupled with the surging tides of his saber technique harmonized with one another.
With a pale face, sweat was pouring down from Du Kai’s forehead and he was panting.
What a sicko!
Du Kai cursed internally.
There was no way he knew that Su Zimo was merely using him as a whetstone to refine his saber techniques on.
He thought that Su Zimo was doing it on purpose to torment him endlessly, trying to wear him down by attrition!
How bloody evil!
Gritting his teeth, Du Kai’s eyes turned cold and his expression was malicious – the look in his eyes was turning more hysterical by the moment!
“Bloody hell, I’ll fight you with everything!”
He heaved a deep breath of air and suddenly lunged towards Su Zimo, raising both daggers he wielded towards the latter’s throat!
Spinning horizontally with his saber, Su Zimo slashed against the two daggers and used Vortex instinctively.
A spiral energy burst forth instantly and Du Kai’s daggers were sent flying as his palms split apart with blood oozing out!
After Vortex, Su Zimo slashed in reverse like a ripple on the surface of the ocean. It swiped towards Du Kai’s chest in a seemingly gentle motion.
Ripple stance!
If Countercurrent represented might, Ripple represented tenderness.
Seemingly gentle, it permeated every single pore as the saber force pushed on relentlessly. It was almost impossible for anyone involved in it to escape and it would eventually kill them!
Du Kai could not and did not want to avoid that slash.
He was now completely maniacal as he rushed forward with complete disregard towards Su Zimo’s Blood Quencher. His eyes shone with wrath as he yelled, “Kill!”
“Hmm?”
A sense of danger rang in Su Zimo’s mind.
At that moment, Su Zimo snapped out of his mechanical practice mode instantly!
Du Kai’s hidden weapon was hidden in his mouth!
The moment he opened his mouth, a chain of thin blue needles with a nauseating aura shot forth, almost suffocating Su Zimo!
It was a killing blow!
That was also Du Kai’s killing move that was made in exchange with his own life!
Although he had the warning from his spirit perception, Su Zimo was immersed in his saber technique practice. By the time he snapped out of it, he was still a bit too late.
Chapter 404: Movements
The moment Du Kai opened his mouth, Heart Seeking Spikes as thin as a cow’s hair had already arrived before Su Zimo in a cluster.
The distance between them was too close!
By then, it was already too late for Su Zimo to dodge, let alone use Blood Quencher to defend.
Poof!
Du Kai’s chest was slashed first.
The massive wound almost split his body into two as fresh blood gushed!
However, as if he couldn’t feel any pain, Du Kai’s eyes were fervent as he laughed menacingly. “Even if I have to die, I’ll drag you...”
“Kill!”
Suddenly, Du Kai’s sentence was interrupted by a loud shout and he could no longer continue.
A boom sounded in his mind as his ears rang repeatedly, as though he was struck by lightning. The stinging pain was unbearable and his mind went momentarily blank!
If there was a mirror that Du Kai could see himself in at this moment, he would find his ears gushing with fresh blood and his eyes ruptured!
Thunderclap Kill!
Su Zimo knew of a sonic secret skill that although couldn’t match with the power of his blood qi and spirit arts, could be used instantaneously and produce mystifying effects.
Initially, the might of Su Zimo’s Thunderclap Kill would have never been able to get to this stage.
However, after clearing his seven orifices, the strength of his mouth orifice increased exponentially and the might of Thunderclap Kill evolved to a state where it couldn’t be ignored.
Furthermore, the two of them were too close together and Du Kai’s seven orifices bled instantly against the shock of Su Zimo’s voice!
The true terror was still awaiting!
Su Zimo had not only used his mouth orifice for that roar, but also the immense power of his five organs. The moment he opened his mouth, there was a massive air current.
The Heart Seeking Spikes that were about to strike Su Zimo paused in their tracks and reversed at an even faster speed!
Du Kai’s pupils constricted as he was blinded by a bright blue light.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
The sounds of sharp objects piercing into flesh echoed as the chain of Heart Seeking Spikes buried themselves into Du Kai’s face, disappearing in an instant without any blood at all.
Du Kai staggered in retreat.
He had barely taken a few steps when his face turned ink-black with blood oozing from the side of his lips. Collapsing stiffly, he died on the spot.
Since he was young, Du Kai had been playing with poison and there were countless cultivators who had died against that move of his.
However, he had never expected himself to die in the hands of his own ultimate move!
Su Zimo’s figure descended as well as he heaved a sigh of relief.
What happened earlier had given him a shock as well.
If he hadn’t had a secret skill like Thunderclap Kill, he would have been the one lying on the floor right now!
Turning around, Su Zimo smiled coldly at the Poison Sect cultivators that were watching from outside the hall. In a flash, he charged into the crowd with Blood Quencher.
Poison Sect had crossed Su Zimo’s bottom line by laying their hands on Xiaoning.
The moment he stepped into this place, he had no intention of letting anyone off.
Ji Chengtian’s guess was right – Su Zimo’s motive was to exterminate them from the roots!
Su Zimo had to remove every single trace of danger from Xiaoning’s side.
Night Spirit was imperceptibly strong.
At the very least, even Su Zimo wouldn’t dare to claim that he would be victorious in a life and death battle against it.
However, he had only entrusted Night Spirit with a single task upon entering the ancient battlefield – to take care of Xiaoning.
Even if he was facing immense danger, he did not need Night Spirit to assist him!
That fact alone was enough to tell how much Xiaoning mattered to Su Zimo.
The massacre continued.
Although Su Zimo was alone, the remaining Poison Sect cultivators had already given up all thoughts of retaliating and scurried hurriedly.
...
City’s East, Glass Palace.
“Reporti—”
A Glass Palace cultivator sprinted the entire way and arrived at a mansion. Greeting the handsome man before him with cupped fists, he said, “Senior Brother Pei, a massive battle has broken out at the city’s south in Poison Sect’s territory. Somebody witnessed Su Zimo returning to the city early this morning. Not long after, he arrived at the city’s south and barged into Poison Sect!”
“Oh?”
Pei Chunyu raised his brow with a slightly curious expression. “Barging into the territory of Poison Sect? How many people did Su Zimo take along with him?”
The person replied, “He’s alone.”
“Alone!”
Frowning, Pei Chunyu pondered for a moment. He couldn’t help but shake his head in light laughter as he remarked in a leisurely manner, “Poison Sect is filled with traps and there are more than a hundred cultivators standing guard. There’s even Du Kai, that poison man, around. Su Zimo definitely has a death wish for barging into Poison Sect alone.”
“Fufu, if I had known that Su Zimo would be so reckless and dumb, I wouldn’t have needed to waste my efforts on him.”
Pei Chunyu could not help but feel a tinge of regret as he thought about Liu Yun who had yet to return from the hunt of Su Zimo.
It was more than ten days and Liu Yun’s radio silence probably represented his doom.
The thought of Liu Yun failing and being killed by Su Zimo instead had crossed Pei Chunyu’s mind too.
However, he felt that Liu Yun was at seven meridian Foundation Establishment after all. In terms of strength, he was the only one above Liu Yun. Given the strength that Su Zimo displayed in that battle on the long street, there was no way that person could be a threat to Liu Yun.
Pei Chunyu said, “Since we’ve got nothing on, let’s go and watch the show.”
...
City’s West, Malevolent Earth Sect.
In a dark and sinister palace, a Malevolent Earth Sect cultivator knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice, “Su Zimo returned to the city today. Not long after, he barged into Poison Sect alone and created a massacre. The current state of the battle is unknown.”
“Hmm?”
The fiend heir of Malevolent Earth Sect, Xue Yang, opened his eyes with a flicker of mockery.
“Even the gods can’t save somebody that’s looking to die. Barging into Poison Sect alone? Fufu...”
Standing up, Xue Yang remarked darkly, “Go, let’s go and help him collect his corpse!”
...
The long street connecting Xuantian City’s North and South.
More than a thousand cultivators of Elixir Yang Sect and Thousand Crane Sect flew towards the city’s south on their flying swords. The dense group attracted countless gazes.
That group of cultivators was around half of the sects’ strength in the ancient battlefield!
Their leaders were Tang Yu of Elixir Yang Sect and Feng Manman of Thousand Crane Sect.
Ji Chengtian and Leng Rou followed behind the two of them with grim expressions silently.
In truth, Thousand Crane Sect did not have to be involved in this.
Part of the reason why Feng Manman was able to lead so many cultivators forward was due to the close ties between the two sects and as a favor for Tang Yu. At the same time, it was due to Leng Rou’s insistent pleads.
Tang Yu was flustered and there was sweat on her forehead. She declared as she rode on her flying sword, “Fellow Daoists, please follow my orders later on. Our priority is to rescue Fellow Daoist Su! Let’s try our best to avoid fighting the Poison Sect cultivators head-on!”
“That’s right.”
Feng Manman added, “This is a rescue mission, not a battle.”
Thereafter, Feng Manman whispered consolingly, “Xiao Yu, don’t be worried. Fellow Daoist Su is extraordinarily strong and the heavens will bless him. Perhaps we might be able to make it in time.”
In truth, Feng Manman no longer bore any hope despite what she said.
To her, they would only make it in time to help Su Zimo collect his corpse.
“Thank you, Sister Manman,” Tang Yu forced a smile and expressed her thanks.
In a split second, all the factions in Xuantian City were alerted and moved towards Poison Sect at the city’s south one after another!
Chapter 405: How Tragic!
In the skies, more than ten figures rode on their flying swords.
Their leader was a handsome man in luxurious robes. With eyes that were crystalline like glass, he exuded a unique aura that attracted everyone’s attention.
He was none other than the commander for Glass Palace’s expedition, Pei Chunyu.
Glass Palace’s group was about to arrive at Poison Sect at the city’s south.
At the same time, another group of cultivators rode on their flying swords from the direction opposite of Glass Palace. Wearing black robes, they were none other than Malevolent Earth Sect cultivators.
The two major sects were not far from one another and could even see the other through the skies.
“Reporti—”
Right then, a Glass Palace cultivator sped over with a frantic expression. His eyes could barely contain his shock as he gulped before struggling to say, “Senior Brother Pei, Poison Sect is... no more.”
“Oh,”
Pei Chunyu replied and wasn’t too bothered.
After a slight pause, he frowned and returned to his senses. Gazing at his underling’s face, he asked slowly with an increasingly sharp expression, “What did you just say? Repeat yourself?”
The other Glass Palace cultivators looked at that person confusedly, thinking that they had heard wrongly.
The reporting cultivator chuckled bitterly and shook his head. “Poison Sect’s faction in the ancient battlefield is gone. Almost all the Poison Sect cultivators were massacred by Su Zimo.”
The Glass Palace group was shocked.
“How is that possible?!”
Almost at the same time, Pei Chunyu and Xue Yang felt their hearts skip a beat as they exclaimed.
They exchanged glances through the void. There was a Malevolent Earth Sect cultivator standing in front of Xue Yang as well, relaying the same message.
Realizing that they had lost their composure, both of them took a deep breath and calmed themselves down.
Pei Chunyu gripped his fists tightly and narrowed his eyes, asking with grit teeth, “What about Du Kai of Poison Sect? What about their traps? What about the Seven Lethals? The hundred odd cultivators of Poison Sect?”
“This...”
The Glass Palace cultivator paused for a moment before sighing. “They’re all gone.”
They’re all gone.
Those three simple words revealed a hint of exasperation, shock, fear and endless emotions.
Poison Sect, one of the five heretical doctrines!
A faction that even Glass Palace wasn’t willing to provoke personally was destroyed by that person alone.
Everyone present stood dumbfounded on their flying swords in midair with agape mouths. The three words lingered in their minds and they couldn’t snap out of it.
All the Glass Palace and Malevolent Earth Sect cultivators quietened down.
In the vast skies, the atmosphere was strangely tense.
A moment later, a Glass Palace cultivator could not help but ask warily, “Senior Brother Pei, are we still going to watch the show?”
Initially, they were accompanying Pei Chunyu to watch how tragically Su Zimo would die.
But now, everyone gave up on that thought upon receiving the news.
Pei Chunyu’s gaze flickered and his expression was indeterminate.
Pondering briefly, Pei Chunyu’s eyes shone with immense killing intent as he remarked darkly, “Go! All the more we have to go check things out because of this!”
At the same time, the fiend heir of Malevolent Earth Sect, Xue Yang, made a similar decision on the other side.
Both of them thought about the same thing.
Poison Sect was one of the five heretical doctrines after all and had more than a hundred cultivators with seven meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivators among them.
Even if Su Zimo managed to exterminate Poison Sect, it must have been an arduous battle.
Even if Su Zimo wasn’t severely injured right now, he was most likely at his weakest and might even be riddled with poison from head to toe – this was the best time to kill that man!
Glass Palace and Malevolent Earth Sect were immortal and fiend sects respectively. Throughout history, immortals and fiends have always been on opposing ends and would never join forces in the open.
However, at that moment, Pei Chunyu and Xue Yang exchanged glances and had a tacit understanding.
“Let’s go!”
Pei Chunyu ordered and sped forth with the Glass Palace cultivators towards Poison Sect at the city’s south.
...
On the long street connecting North and South.
Speeding with the large group of cultivators, Tang Yu and Feng Manman arrived in the vicinity of Poison Sect before long.
There was a large crowd of cultivators before them, packed densely and watching keenly.
It was unknown what the cultivators saw but their eyes were filled with shock. When Tang Yu’s group arrived, a passage was immediately squeezed out for them.
Suddenly, a fat and rotund figure charged through the crowd, greeting them with delight, “Senior Brother Ji, Sister Leng! You guys are here too!”
That was none other than little fatty who had just joined Tomb Sect. Shi Jian who had just joined Puppet Sect was at the side as well.
The two of them had not changed much during that ten odd days.
Little fatty seemed like he had grown a little fatter and Shi Jian still looked foolish as ever.
Tomb Sect and Puppet Sect were part of the five heretical doctrines and were situated at the city’s south to begin with.
When something happened to Poison Sect, it was natural that the both of them were the first to arrive.
“How’s everything inside?”
Ji Chengtian asked softly with a grim expression.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk!”
Pouting his lips, little fatty laughed with raised brows. “You guys are too late and missed everything! Hehe! Tragic! It’s truly tragic!”
“Ah!”
When she heard that, Tang Yu’s eyes dimmed as she mumbled to herself as if she had lost her soul, “We were still too late? It’s my fault. I should have guessed it. I could have stopped you...”
Tang Yu was flustered and did not notice little fatty’s expression and tone.
However, Ji Chengtian and Leng Rou frowned.
In theory, little fatty should be more anxious and sadder than anyone else if something had happened to Su Zimo – why would he be in such a gloating mood?
Little fatty was stunned when he saw Tang Yu’s reaction.
At the side, Feng Manman raised her brow lightly and pulled Tang Yu into her embrace. Glaring at little fatty, she chided, “Fatty, shut up!”
Little fatty was even more stunned.
“Was I wrong?”
Unable to comprehend what was going on, he turned to Shi Jian and asked, “Silly Jian, what’s going on?”
Shi Jian was puzzled as well as he scratched his head. Looking at Ji Chengtian and the others, he asked in seriousness, “Brother Ji, why did you guys bring so many people along to watch the show? Man, anyone who didn’t know better might think that you guys are out for a fight!”
Ji Chengtian could not help but roll his eyes. “Zimo is fine?”
“Yeah? Alive and hopping!” Little fatty replied.
“Ah?
Bouncing from Feng Manman’s embrace, Tang Yu blinked and asked without wiping the tears from her eyes. “B-But you said that it was tragic? Truly tragic...”
“I meant that it was tragic for Poison Sect.”
“... ”
Everyone was dumbfounded and froze on the spot, unable to take the facts in for a moment.
Right then, a Poison Sect cultivator stained with blood ran in their directions, staggering with a frightful face.
Swoosh!
He had not gotten far when a cold light flashed behind him.
An arrow pierced his back with a swoosh, protruding out from his chest with blood everywhere!
The person’s eyes dimmed and took a couple more steps forward before collapsing to his death.
Everyone turned instinctively towards the direction where the arrow came from.
At the entrance of Poison Sect’s residence, a green-robed cultivator strode over with a calm expression and a bright gaze. In fact, there weren’t even any traces of blood on him as he put away the moon-colored gigantic bow in his hands into his storage bag with a calm expression.
At the same time, the Glass Palace and Malevolent Earth Sect groups arrived to witness that scene.
Chapter 406: Dishonest
Arriving in midair, Pei Chunyu and Xue Yang looked down from above to witness Poison Sect in a wretched state with corpses strewn all over the floor.
Warm blood flowed everywhere – it was a living hell beneath them!
Poison Sect was truly destroyed!
“How could this be?”
The same doubt flashed through the both of their minds.
In that bloody battle on the long street, the strength that Su Zimo displayed was far from enough to destroy Poison Sect.
Could that man have broken through once more and increased his strength significantly in more than ten days?
A look of caution flickered through their eyes.
Of course, the most shocking thing for them was Su Zimo’s current condition.
Steadied breathing and a calm expression – he did not seem like he had just been through a massive battle!
This should have been a battle that was tougher and more dangerous than the bloody battle on the long street!
However, neither of them could spot any signs of fatigue on Su Zimo’s face nor wounds on his body.
Was it all a farce while the truth was that he was at the end of the road?
Pei Chunyu and Xue Yang glared intently at Su Zimo, wanting to expose his true weakened self. However, a moment later, the two of them gave up.
They couldn’t read him at all!
That man looked to be a frail scholar when he was calm.
One could only experience the terrifying strength emitted from his body after he made a move and it was even fiercer than ancient ferocious beasts!
Pei Chunyu took a deep breath of air and turned his gaze towards Tang Yu’s group.
When he saw their size, he gave up on his idea. No matter what Su Zimo’s current condition was, it would be difficult for him to attempt to kill Su Zimo at this moment.
Of course, that did not mean that Glass Palace was afraid of Elixir Yang Sect.
In a head-on battle, the strength of the four unorthodox groups would never match the immortal and fiend sects as well as the Buddhist monasteries.
Right now, the Elixir Pool Sect ruins had yet to appear and they hadn’t seen any treasures yet. There was no need for him to fight anyone to the death since outsiders could seize the opportunity to take advantage of them while they were weak.
Subtly, Pei Chunyu turned to leave with his group from Glass Palace.
On the other side, the fiend heir of Malevolent Earth Sect, Xue Yang, made the same decision expressionlessly and returned to the city’s west.
...
In reality, Su Zimo’s appearance was truly not faked.
After attaining lesser mastery of the Orifice Clearing section, the bit of strength he had expended was nothing to him.
The battle had turned into a one-sided massacre after Du Kai’s death.
Making use of his movement techniques’ speed and Ethereal Wings, Su Zimo killed brashly and no one could hold out a single round against him!
For some of the cultivators that escaped further, Su Zimo hunted them down with the Moon Concealment Bow.
In this battle, more than a hundred Poison Sect cultivators were completely annihilated with no survivors!
Little fatty, Shi Jian and the others took it relatively well.
However, Feng Manman, Thousand Crane Sect and Elixir Yang Sect were completely stunned as they froze on the spot.
Earlier on, Tang Yu was reminding them repeatedly that after entering the battlefield, their priority was rescue instead of fighting.
However, their plans could not catch up to the changes.
By the time they arrived, they didn’t even have the chance even if they wanted to fight Poison Sect cultivators.
Although Tang Yu had high regards for Su Zimo’s strength, she could not believe that he could overwhelm Poison Sect, one of the five heretical doctrines, singlehandedly!
Su Zimo strode over leisurely and arrived before Tang Yu and the others, smiling gently. “I’ve caused you guys worries. I’m fine.”
In that short period of time, Tang Yu went through a roller coaster of emotions.
Initially, she was only worried about Su Zimo.
After seeing that he was fine, she felt like a load was lifted off her shoulders.
Right after, she felt indignant as she looked at him in a huff, revealing a hint of a maiden’s attitude that was extremely charming.
Tang Yu merely felt that the person before her was extremely horrible to create empty worries for her, causing her to lose her composure time and again.
“Y-Y-You! Didn’t you say that you were merely going out for a walk?!”
Initially, Tang Yu wanted to give Su Zimo a good lecture. However, when she saw the latter’s smile, her words sounded like the grumble of a cute couple at odds.
Feng Manman eyed Tang Yu strangely.
The two of them had known one another for many years but she had never seen Tang Yu take that tone with anyone else.
Su Zimo replied, “I did walk around the city but I ended up here somehow. The more I thought about your words, the more I felt that they made sense so I went ahead and destroyed Poison Sect.”
Everyone looked at Tang Yu in surprise and could not contain their shock.
Su Zimo’s reply made everyone assume subconsciously that Poison Sect was destroyed because of what Tang Yu said!
With a stunned expression, Tang Yu asked, “What did I say?”
“You told me that killing a few Poison Sect cultivators was useless and would even make me a target for them to take revenge on.”
“So, you decided to destroy Poison Sect instead?”
“Yes.”
“... ”
Tang Yu’s frowned tightly and nearly exploded on the spot.
‘What I meant was for you to not provoke Poison Sect!’
‘But you went ahead and destroyed them instead!’
Taking a deep breath of air, Tang Yu composed herself.
She had lost her composure multiple times in less than two hours – she must not continue communicating with that person before her in the same manner.
Turning around, she looked towards Feng Manman at the side and said apologetically, “Sister Manman, I’m sorry. I’ve caused you to make a wasted trip.”
“It’s fine,”
Feng Manman smiled and swept away a few strands of hair covering her forehead flirtatiously before remarking meaningfully, “I’ve only found out about Young Master Su’s strength today. You’ve really got good judgment, Xiao Yu.”
By now, Tang Yu had already composed herself as she smiled in return. “Let’s head back to the city’s north.”
Along the way.
Tang Yu suddenly recalled something and turned to ask, “Right, I didn’t have time to ask. Did you manage to gain anything from your trip to the Saber Mountain Spirit Sea, Fellow Daoist Su?”
Feng Manman and the others turned as well towards Su Zimo.
“I did.”
Su Zimo smiled and nodded.
Hearing Su Zimo’s ambiguous reply, Tang Yu knew that he didn’t manage to obtain the Saber Emperor’s inheritance.
Furthermore, nobody thought that anybody could obtain the Saber Emperor’s inheritance since there was already the impression of someone else doing so.
If it was any other time, Tang Yu wouldn’t have continued pressing on lest Su Zimo looked bad.
However, for some reason, she wanted to see him embarrassed today. With a teasing glance, she continued asking, “So, what did you manage to gain? Could you have perhaps gotten the Saber Emperor’s inheritance?”
Her way of asking was extremely obvious.
“That’s right.”
Su Zimo continued smiling and replied naturally, as though it was real.
When she heard that, Feng Manman pouted and thought to herself, “Although this man is capable, he’s dishonest and wants to put on appearances.”
Tang Yu pursed her lips and smiled before shaking her head without asking anything more.
When everyone was about to arrive at the city’s north, a cultivator sped over from outside the city gates, yelling the moment he entered the city, “Big news! After a thousand years, somebody managed to obtain the Saber Emperor’s inheritance again! The saber mountain collapsed and the spirit sea dried up! The Saber Mountain Spirit Sea has vanished from the ancient battlefield completely!”
Suddenly, Tang Yu’s group slowed down and turned quiet.
Chapter 407: Fog Valley
That piece of news was enough to stir up the entire ancient battlefield. In fact, it would cause a stir in the cultivation world as well after they left the ancient battlefield.
Theoretically, everyone should start to discuss and wonder about who obtained the Saber Emperor’s inheritance thereafter.
However, at that moment, everyone went silent.
That was because someone among them had just admitted to obtaining the Saber Emperor’s inheritance!
If both events had happened separately with some time in between, no one would have connected the dots.
But now that someone had just admitted to it, the news spread to the city! Everyone looked towards Su Zimo instinctively with strange expressions.
Was it for real?
It was a fleeting thought as everyone denied it internally right after.
The Saber Mountain Spirit Sea was formed in the ancient era. Since then, countless geniuses had attempted and yet, only a single person had managed to pass the test and obtain the inheritance.
It was obvious how difficult it was.
It was not ridiculous to call the fiend sect cultivator a thousand years ago a peerless paragon!
Could a peerless paragon exist among their midst as well?
It was a mysterious and surreal feeling.
“Everyone, I’ll go check on Xiaoning.”
Right then, Su Zimo spoke and bid farewell with cupped fists before floating off.
After Su Zimo was far away, Feng Manman suddenly asked, “Xiao Yu, do you think that he was speaking the truth?”
“I have no idea as well.”
Tang Yu chuckled bitterly and shook her head.
...
For the next period of time, news of Poison Sect being destroyed was taken over completely by the news of the Saber Mountain Spirit Sea vanishing.
Nearly everyone in Xuantian City was discussing who the cultivator who obtained the Saber Emperor’s inheritance was. While everyone had different sayings and guesses, none of them had an accurate answer.
Among them, there were people who said that a green-robed cultivator obtained the inheritance.
That saying did not mean anything much to outsiders.
However, Tang Yu and the others thought of Su Zimo instantly the moment they heard that.
However, Su Zimo had been in seclusion during this period of time and Tang Yu did not have the chance to verify the facts.
As time passed by, the atmosphere in Xuantian City became more tense.
Recently, many foreign faces appeared in the city and they possessed extraordinary strength.
The seal of Elixir Pool Sect was about to disperse!
Previously, things were relatively fine between the major factions in Xuantian City.
However, once the seal was dispelled and treasures revealed themselves, it would definitely bring about an apocalyptic and bloody battle royale!
This day, an Elixir Yang Sect disciple knocked on Su Zimo’s door, requesting for him to gather at the Front Hall.
Su Zimo sat in a lotus position on his bed with Blood Quencher placed horizontally before him. Letting out a deep breath, he opened his eyes that shone clear as water with a calm expression.
He knew that Tang Yu would not disturb him unless necessary.
Now that they were knocking on his door, it was most likely because something big was happening at the Elixir Pool Sect ruins!
Descending to the ground, Su Zimo followed the Elixir Yang Sect disciple and arrived at the Front Hall before long.
The Front Hall was already filled with people by now.
At a single glance, there were close to a thousand people!
Su Zimo finally understood what was meant by a major sect.
Before entering the ancient battlefield, the Emperor of Great Zhou mentioned that the Great Zhou Dynasty’s strength was enough to teleport fifty cultivators at most.
However, some of Tianhuang Mainland’s top factions could send hundreds to thousands of cultivators into the ancient battlefield!
As one of the four unorthodox groups, although Elixir Yang Sect wasn’t specialized in combat, their sect had strong foundations and mighty figures to support them – that was why they could send more than a thousand cultivators in!
The difference between them was like Heaven and Earth.
Tang Yu nodded in greeting when she saw Su Zimo enter.
Unlike his ordinary self, Uncle Liang who was behind Tang Yu took the initiative to smile at Su Zimo as well.
Ji Chengtian and Xiaoning had arrived long ago.
Suddenly, Su Zimo felt a hostile intent and could not help but frown. Turning around, he glared over without being subtle.
It was Yan Jun!
Ten days ago, Yan Jun fainted after receiving a slap from Su Zimo.
In reality, Yan Jun was not severely injured because Su Zimo showed mercy. Thanks to the miraculous elixirs of Elixir Yang Sect, Yan Jun recovered within a couple of days.
When he saw Su Zimo looking in his direction, Yan Jun turned away hurriedly and avoided the former’s gaze, looking somewhat shifty and fearful.
“Everyone,”
Right then, Tang Yu’s voice sounded and the chatter in the crowd softened gradually to silence.
Tang Yu said in a deep voice, “In at most two days, the seal of Elixir Pool Sect will be dispelled entirely. At that time, a cruel battle awaits everyone. Please be prepared.”
“Elixir Pool Sect is located in a valley 5 kilometers south of Xuantian City. Due to its terrain, the valley is covered in fog that cannot be dispersed throughout the year and visibility is extremely low. That is also the reason why the Elixir Pool Sect ruins haven’t been discovered till now.”
These were extremely valuable news and everyone listened attentively.
“The dispelling of the Elixir Pool Sect’s ruins’ seal does not mean that we can have a smooth journey and arrive safely. According to the scouting of a few junior brothers, the valley is home to many pure-blooded ferocious beasts, ancient remnant beasts and extinct ancient lifeforms with terrifying strength!”
“The lifespan of demon beasts is much longer than that of humans. These pure-blooded ferocious beasts have not been able to form Inner Cores due to the rules of the ancient battlefield. However, their strengths are at the peak of Foundation Establishment and they are extremely terrifying!”
Su Zimo furrowed his brows slightly.
Through those simple statements, he could tell how dangerous it was and that the situation was not to be underestimated!
First, although they had the advantage in numbers with close to a thousand cultivators, they could not compare with the pure-blooded ferocious beasts and ancient lifeforms that have resided and reproduced in the ancient battlefield for countless years!
Second, this place was deep in the ancient battlefield. Pure-blooded ferocious beasts aside, even the most ordinary ancient lifeforms possessed terrifying strength!
Third, environment.
The environment was extremely unfavorable for them.
The intelligence of those pure-blooded ferocious beasts was not inferior to humans.
The reason why they rarely attacked the city was because they knew that the humans had the terrain advantage and they couldn’t win.
However, the situation was reversed this time round.
The demon beasts had the terrain advantage!
All the factions had limited knowledge about the valley and did not know much about the terrain within. However, these demon beasts that had lived inside for countless years knew everything.
Apart from that, there was an even scarier reality – night!
Tang Yu said, “With the fog surrounding the valley, our vision is reduced and it’s hard for us to fight at maximum strength. When night arrives, our vision of sight will be further reduced. At that time, if we’re surrounded by pure-blooded ferocious beasts...”
Tang Yu did not go on but everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
After a brief pause, Tang Yu continued, “That is why we have to enter the territory of the Elixir Pool Sect ruins before the first night! Once night falls, we will sleep in the valley forever without being able to see the light of the second day!”
Chapter 408: Sealer
The test of the ancient battlefield was finally about to arrive.
It was easy for one to cultivate in reclusive seclusion within Xuantian City and tide through the year.
However, the cultivators who entered the ancient battlefield were all geniuses of the younger generation of their respective sects – each of them had their ambitions.
They did not enter the ancient battlefield to cultivate, they did it to gain opportunities, treasures and many long lost secret cultivation techniques!
Back in the glorious period of the ancient era, Elixir Pool Sect was also a renowned super sect.
A sect as such was buried by the sands of time, sealed through eternity, and was only seeing the day of light again now. Within, there were bound to be countless treasures and opportunities awaiting everyone.
“Everyone, all the major factions of Xuantian City will be gathered this time round, including sects like Glass Palace and Malevolent Earth Sect. There will definitely be a bloody battle when the time comes,”
Tang Yu said solemnly with a stern expression, “Elixir Yang Sect can give up on other treasures if the situation seems bad. However, we must fight and get our hands on Elixir Pool Sect’s recipes!”
Most of those recipes may have already been lost through the times.
Once they appeared, they would definitely cause a huge stir within Tianhuang Mainland and Elixir Yang Sect’s status would naturally rise.
“Everyone, go back and wait. Get ready and prepare to set off at any moment!”
After Tang Yu finished speaking, many cultivators dispersed and returned to their rooms.
“Fellow Daoist Su, Fellow Daoist Ji, please wait up.”
Tang Yu held back Su Zimo and Ji Chengtian and they took their seats after everyone left.
“Have you guys heard of the Sealer?”
Tang Yu did not beat around the bush and asked directly.
Su Zimo and Ji Chengtian were slightly stunned, exchanging gazes before shaking their heads.
Their understanding of the ancient battlefield was far inferior to these disciples of super sects.
Tang Yu had expected that and wasn’t surprised.
If Su Zimo hadn’t even heard of the Saber Mountain Spirit Sea, it was only logical that he wouldn’t know about Sealers.
Tang Yu explained, “Apart from geniuses at Foundation Establishment realm, some major sects of Tianhuang Mainland will teleport Golden Cores here as well.”
“What!”
Su Zimo and Ji Chengtian were shocked.
Su Zimo had heard from Demoness Ji that the ancient battlefield was a separate dimension of its own, formed by fragments left behind by an apocalyptic war back in the ancient era. There were elementary, intermediate and advanced ancient battlefields.
Right now, they were in the elementary ancient battlefield.
The three grades of the ancient battlefields were decided based on their relative stabilities.
The elementary ancient battlefield was the most unstable. If the energy fluctuation is too great, it would cause a dimensional tear, devouring the cultivator entirely and releasing him into the voids to be shredded by the void currents!”
After countless years of testing, the breaking point was decided at the Golden Core realm.
As long as the cultivators were below the Golden Core realm, they would not cause a dimensional tear.
As for the dimension of the intermediate ancient battlefield, it was stabler and Golden Cores can enter and attack freely within it. A dimensional tear would not be caused as long as their cultivation realms were lower than Nascent Soul.
As a world of its own, the ancient battlefield possessed self-preservation instincts and could reject cultivators with power beyond the breaking point.
Take the elementary ancient battlefield for example, Golden Cores had no way of entering it.
It was more like a rule that could not be defied.
But now, Tang Yu’s statement had overthrown Su Zimo’s previous understanding.
Tang Yu explained, “Some of the major sects with strong foundations and had been around for ages have mighty figures among them with supreme methods. These people can secretly seal a Golden Core’s cultivation temporarily and send them into the ancient battlefield.”
“These Golden Cores are referred to as Sealers!”
Su Zimo and Ji Chengtian’s eyes were filled with shock when they heard that.
Methods that could defy a world’s rules were truly supreme!
However, Ji Chengtian was puzzled right after and asked with a frown, “Even if they are able to send Sealers in secretly, these people would only be able to exert the strength of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. What’s the point of spending so much effort?”
Without replying, Tang Yu smiled and looked at Su Zimo in a testing manner.
After pondering for a moment, Su Zimo’s eyes lit up and he said slowly, “More so to intimidate.”
When he heard that, Uncle Liang nodded to himself with a look of admiration in his eyes.
“That’s right.”
Tang Yu replied, “Sealers are not limited to the strength of a peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator, they are Golden Cores and can release the full strength of a Golden Core as well! However, the price for that would be for them to be swallowed by the dimensional tear and die on the spot.”
“Therefore, most of the time, Sealers are only there to intimidate others and they will not release the strength of a Golden Core unless absolutely necessary.
Ji Chengtian asked, “How do we distinguish Sealers then?”
Tang Yu did not reply and looked towards Su Zimo with a pursed smile – clearly, she still wanted to test him.
Su Zimo’s heart skipped a beat as he recalled that night back in the Great Zhou Dynasty. “Sealers should be elderly Golden Cores in their twilight years coming to an end of their lifespans!”
Under normal circumstances, Sealers would not release their strength as a Golden Core in the ancient battlefield. Once they did, it would mean death for them.
Only Golden Cores at the end of their lifespans would agree to entering with the risk of dying at any moment.
That night, back in the Great Zhou Dynasty, the reason why those two Golden Cores disregarded the imperial notice and tried to assassinate Su Zimo despite knowing that they would die was because they were at the end of their lives without many years to live anyways.
Tang Yu looked at Su Zimo with her mouth agape in shock – she had not expected him to reveal one of the secrets behind it with just a single sentence.
Su Zimo continued, “Since Sealers are there to intimidate, they should be by the side of the respective sects’ commanders to protect them as well.”
With that said, he turned to look at Uncle Liang who was behind Tang Yu, smiling gently. “Uncle Liang, you’re a Sealer, right?”
“Haha, bravo.”
Uncle Liang stroked his beard and laughed while praising.
In reality, Su Zimo had deduced Uncle Liang’s identity long ago.
Normally, those who entered the ancient battlefield were all young geniuses.
It was truly strange for a elderly man with white hair such as Uncle Liang to appear in the ancient battlefield.
Tang Yu continued, “Since Sealers are old with failing physique and weak stamina, they rarely fight even without using the strength of a Golden Core.”
Pondering for a moment, Ji Chengtian asked again, “If that’s the case, why don’t you send more Sealers? That amount of strength should be enough to sweep through the ancient battlefield.”
“It won’t,”
Tang Yu shook her head. “First, there aren’t many Golden Cores in their twilight years. Second, sending a Sealer has already disrupted the balance of the ancient battlefield. If the Golden Cores truly wage war and cause multiple dimensional tears, the world would be even more unstable and might even be destroyed!”
The result of a destroyed dimension would be for all beings in it, regardless of whether they were alive, to be reduced to dust and returned to Chaos!
“In order to prevent the ancient battlefield from being destroyed, the major sects had an agreement that they would only send a single Sealer in each time.”
After a slight pause, Tang Yu turned to Su Zimo. “What I want to remind you is that Pei Chunyu and Xue Yang each have a Sealer by their sides as well!”
Chapter 409: Entering the Valley
Tang Yu knew that Su Zimo wanted to fight for the perfect Meridian Unlocking Elixir.
However, Pei Chunyu and the others were bound to fight for a perfect Meridian Unlocking Elixir as well. At that time, a massive battle would break out and Su Zimo’s enemies were not only Pei Chunyu and Xue Yang, but their Sealers as well!
It was obvious that Tang Yu was implying for Su Zimo to back off.
Su Zimo’s current strength was enough for him to go against Pei Chunyu and Xue Yang.
However, even without using their strength as Golden Cores, Sealers were equivalent to eight meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivators just by releasing the strength at peak Foundation Establishment – that was more than enough to suppress Su Zimo.
No matter what, Su Zimo did not stand a chance at all.
If he persisted and enraged the Sealers, causing them to release their strength as Golden Cores, Su Zimo was bound to die!
Su Zimo smiled but did not comment.
No matter what, he had to get his hands on a perfect Meridian Unlocking Elixir!
This concerned his future accomplishments and no one could stand in his way!
After a brief moment, Tang Yu added, “Right, there’s one more thing. The trip to the Elixir Pool Sect ruins is extremely dangerous and we don’t know what’s going to happen. How about letting Xiaoning stay in Xuantian City? It might be safer for her.”
To Tang Yu, Xiaoning was merely at late-stage Foundation Establishment and wouldn’t be of much help even if she followed them to the Elixir Pool Sect ruins.
“It’s fine, let her come along,”
Su Zimo shook his head. “Don’t worry, Xiaoning won’t be a burden for you guys with Night Spirit protecting her.”
Normally, it would indeed be much safer for Xiaoning to stay in Xuantian City.
However, Su Zimo decided to take Xiaoning along with him after taking into account that mysterious Elixir Furnace she had in her possession.
Su Zimo believed that given his and Night Spirit’s strength, he would be able to ensure Xiaoning’s safety no matter how dangerous it was.
After chatting a little more, they dispersed and waited for news of the Elixir Pool Sect ruins.
...
A day later, after 5 pm, nearing dusk.
5 kilometers away from the south of Xuantian City, a violent quake happened as beams of light shot into the skies before disappearing.
The seal of Elixir Pool Sect had dispersed!
Many cultivators came out of seclusion in Xuantian City and countless figures soared into the skies, heading towards the valley 5 kilometers to the south on their flying swords.
Glass Palace, Malevolent Earth Sect, Tomb Sect, Puppet Sect and various other sects made their moves and in the blink of an eye, the entire Xuantian City was in an uproar!
Because Su Zimo and the others were prepared, they assembled at the Front Hall swiftly the moment they saw the phenomenon.
Tang Yu gazed up at the skies with a dark expression and worry in her eyes.
Su Zimo knew what was on her mind.
Right now, it was evening and there were only 2 hours left till night – it was relatively dangerous for them to barge into the valley right now.
If they did not manage to pass the defenses of the ferocious beasts and arrive at the Elixir Pool Sect ruins before nightfall, all of them might end up dying in the valley!
However, if they were to stay here and another sect broke through the ferocious beasts and arrived first, all the treasures inside Elixir Pool Sect were bound to be wiped clean.
“Junior Sister, let’s go. Glass Palace and the other sects have already set off. We’ll be too late if we don’t move,”
Yan Jun urged at the side.
Sighing internally, Tang Yu waved her hand. “Let’s go!”
Everyone rode on their flying swords and sped towards the south.
Among the crowd, Yan Jun glanced at Su Zimo with a killing intent flickering briefly past his eyes.
“Hmm?”
Su Zimo sensed it the moment it appeared. Although he did not turn back, his expression was cold as he slowed down and came to Yan Jun’s side.
Without even looking at him, Su Zimo remarked indifferently, “A word of advice, it’s best if you don’t harbor any designs on me.”
At that moment, Yan Jun felt as though his heart was being grabbed by someone and had stopped beating.
How did he realize it?!
His expression was frightfully pale as sweat poured down his forehead.
He could not understand how he was found out when he had merely glanced at Su Zimo once with a fleeting killing intent!
Yan Jun’s legs were trembling slightly.
He tried to control them but he could not do so!
Taking a deep breath of air, he pretended to be calm as he faked a laugh at Su Zimo. “F-Fellow Daoist, who are you talking to?”
“I merely knocked you out with that slap from before, but the next time, your head will explode.”
After a slight pause, Su Zimo continued, “Oh, right. This is not a threat. It’s just a reminder.”
Without looking at him still, Su Zimo sped up after that statement and returned to the front of the group.
In that short dozens of seconds, Yan Jun felt as though he had been through dozens of years. It was as if he had passed through Hell’s gates and was now drenched with sweat, shivering when the wind blew at him.
Burying his head deeply, Yan Jun no longer dared to look at Su Zimo.
At that moment, his expression was menacing and his eyes were hysterical. From the bottom of his heart, he howled internally, “Su Zimo, you embarrassed me thoroughly in front of everyone back then! Today, you’re even threatening me! I’ll make sure the Fog Valley will be your burial ground!”
...
The group rode on their flying swords and could see the massive fog shrouding the valley from afar. Gray and hazy, it rolled in an illusory manner.
Surrounding the valley, the fog was like a wild beast in a hazy night, opening its bloody mouth and waiting to enjoy a feast!
Given their speed, they covered the distance of 5 kilometers extremely quickly.
Glass Palace, Malevolent Earth Sect and many other sects were at the valley’s entrance, arriving not long ago as well.
Outside the crowd, there were some itinerant cultivators waiting for an opportunity, wanting to mix in with the crowd after the major sects entered and lured away the attention of the ferocious beasts.
“Xiao Yu, you’ve arrived,”
Feng Manman of Thousand Crane Sect walked over and greeted with a nod.
Su Zimo could clearly tell that Feng Manman was not relaxed either.
The two of them discussed for a while and Tang Yu stood out. She cupped her fists in the direction of Glass Palace and asked loudly, “Fellow Daoist Pei, it’s already late and night will arrive in less than 2 hours. It’s way too dangerous for us to enter the valley now. Why don’t we return to the city to rest and set out tomorrow morning to enter the valley, what do you think?”
In reality, her words struck a common chord with many cultivators.
The valley was extremely huge and nobody knew the exact location of Elixir Pool Sect. If they did not manage to find the Elixir Pool Sect ruins before nightfall, many lives would be lost!
However, everyone had already arrived here and were worried that someone else might seize the opportunity before them if they were to leave.
Raising his chin slightly, Pei Chunyu replied, “I don’t have much objections towards your suggestion, fellow Daoist. However...”
Pei Chunyu did not continue but he looked towards Malevolent Earth Sect.
The fiend heir of Malevolent Earth Sect, Xue Yang, sneered, “Don’t come to the valley if you’re afraid of death. Return to Xuantian City obediently and you’re guaranteed to be snug and safe for a year!”
“Rubbish!”
“How can a small valley stop the great ambitions of Glass Palace!”
Many Glass Palace disciples shouted.
Smirking coldly, Xue Yang waved his hand and declared, “Follow me into the valley!”
Before his sentence was completed, Xue Yang took the first step and led the Malevolent Earth Sect group forward and disappeared into the fog.
There’s naturally no way Glass Palace would want to fall behind as Pei Chunyu ordered, “Into the valley!”
The actions of the two sects affected all the factions that were hesitating outside the valley. Various sects took action at the same time and gushed inside.Chapter 410: Ancient Blood Mosquito
Greed often causes one to lose their rationality.
At that moment, all the cultivators rushing into the valley were fervent with burning gazes.
The only thing left in their eyes were the treasures of Elixir Pool Sect – they had instinctively forgotten about the latent dangers in the valley!
None of them wanted to be left behind.
Elixir Yang Sect did not make a move still.
Standing at the front, Tang Yu frowned with a hesitant expression.
Her decision affected the lives of more than a thousand cultivators behind her!
Night will descend entirely in less than 2 hours.
At that time, under the foggy night, each of them would experience weakened senses. However, the ancient lifeforms, remnant beasts and ferocious beasts wouldn’t be affected much by the environment!
“Young Master, let’s hurry and enter the valley! Stop hesitating!”
“If they find the Elixir Pool Sect ruins first, the treasures are going to be wiped clean! By then, we’ll have to return empty-handed!”
“That’s right! Glass Palace and Malevolent Earth Sect have already entered! All of us cultivators add up to thousands in total, do you think that we’ll lose to the animals?”
When he heard that, Su Zimo scoffed internally and shook his head.
Even if they had hundreds of thousands of cultivators, they wouldn’t be able to compete against the number of demon beasts that lived and reproduced here, let alone the thousands of them.
Be it in terms of timing or environment, they had no advantage!
After a moment, Tang Yu finally relented against the chatter of the cultivators behind her. With exasperation in her heart, she waved her hand. “Let’s go! Into the valley!”
Elixir Yang Sect was the final group to enter the valley.
According to the original plan, the thousand-odd Elixir Yang Sect cultivators were supposed to form a cone-shaped formation. Those with the weakest combat strength such as Su Xiaoning and some other Elixir Refinement Masters would be in the middle of the formation.
The outer perimeter of the formation would be formed with the Battle Hall cultivators.
The topmost and sharpest end of the cone formation would be formed with Su Zimo, Ji Chengtian and Yan Jun.
Su Zimo was in the middle and Ji Chengtian and Yan Jun were slightly behind him, supporting from both sides.
The moment they entered the valley, Su Zimo summoned 18 supreme-grade flying swords that hovered around him, ready to strike at any moment.
“The visibility is so low.”
“That’s right. I can only see a hundred feet or so.”
Many cultivators started discussing in hushed whispers after entering.
Ji Chengtian was at seven meridian Foundation Establishment. Gazing around, he nodded. “I can only see a hundred odd feet around me at most. What about you, Zimo?”
“Around the same,”
Su Zimo replied ambiguously.
In reality, after clearing his seven orifices, Su Zimo’s vision was extremely powerful. Even in the fog, he could see things thousands of feet away!
If the fog before him had a very small effect on demonic beasts, it was equivalent to not affecting Su Zimo at all!
Many cultivators groped and proceeded forward.
Not long after, the roars of ferocious beasts echoed in the valley, mixed with heartbreaking cries.
The sounds were frightening and unsettling.
“Has someone already encountered a ferocious beast?”
“Probably.”
Some cultivators discussed softly among the crowd.
With the obstruction to their vision and the continuous howls of beasts in the valley, everyone’s excitement gradually died down and they started feeling restless.
Suddenly, Su Zimo’s voice sounded.
“Everyone, watch out! There’s a large number of Ancient Blood Mosquitoes around!”
Everyone was shocked.
Blood Mosquitoes were one of the most common spirit beasts in Tianhuang Mainland. They were around the size of a fist and loved sucking the blood of other living beings, humans included.
While Blood Mosquitoes were weak, Ancient Blood Mosquitoes were much more terrifying!
Ancient Blood Mosquitoes were lifeforms of the ancient era and were long extinct in Tianhuang Mainland. Massive in size, they were larger than humans and their wings would buzz loudly when they flapped.
While their bodies were relatively fragile, the mouthpart that they used to suck the blood of other living beings was their killing weapon and was extremely frightening!
Long, thin, sharp and indestructible, their mouthparts could penetrate the flesh of other living beings with ease and they could suck an ordinary living being dry within 10 seconds!
What was even more terrifying was that Ancient Blood Mosquitoes lived in swarms!
When Ancient Blood Mosquitoes hunted for food, they would swarm over with the skies covered. Even ancient remnant beasts wouldn’t be able to escape them and would turn into dried corpses in the blink of an eye.
The color drained from everyone’s faces as the mention of Ancient Blood Mosquitoes.
If they encountered the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes, even escaping with half the crew alive would already be the best case scenario!
However, everyone could not help but feel doubt when they did not see signs of the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes even after a while.
“What Ancient Blood Mosquitoes?”
“Bloody hell! It was just a false alarm!”
“What’s up with this person? You can’t joke casually about such things!”
The cultivators could not help but grumble.
At the side, Yan Jun crossed his arms and watched the show gloatingly.
Tang Yu frowned slightly – she knew that Su Zimo would not joke around.
However, when she saw that there was still nothing around them after a while, she could not help but head forward and ask, “Fellow Daoist Su, are there truly Ancient Blood Mosquitoes?”
“Of course.”
Su Zimo nodded.
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of wings flapping could be heard clearly!
Psst!
Everyone’s expressions changed drastically!
This time round, none of them doubted Su Zimo’s words.
However, none of them could understand how he managed to discover the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes so early.
Tang Yu squinted her eyes and her gaze flickered as her thoughts raced.
The Ancient Blood Mosquitoes had flown at least a few thousand feet from the time Su Zimo gave his warning until now.
Could it be that Su Zimo had spotted the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes from more than a few thousand feet away?
The thought of that possibility gave Tang Yu a shock.
There was no time to think as a swarm of Ancient Blood Mosquitoes appeared before them. In fact, Tang Yu could make out the bloodshot eyes and the thin long mouthparts that were stained with blood of the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes!
Many of them could not hold it any longer as they roared and summoned their spirit weapons, attacking the dense swarm of Ancient Blood Mosquitoes.
In the blink of an eye, a brilliant spirit light shone in the fog and sword qi filled the place!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The flying swords of many cultivators pierced through the air. The Ancient Blood Mosquitoes lightly shook their mouthparts and collided with the flying sword, causing the sound of metal clashing to ring out!
Many flying swords were repelled, returning empty-handed!
The distance between them shortened once more!
The attacks of the flying swords could not break the defenses of the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes!
The cultivators were flustered as they hurriedly summoned spirit talismans and released spirit arts, temporarily stopping the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes in their tracks.
However, they had a limited number of talismans and they could not release spirit arts continuously either as they required a huge consumption of spirit energy.
After withstanding the first wave of attacks from the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes, they still had to use their flying swords to defend.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Right then, in the void at the most front, Ancient Blood Mosquitoes were sliced apart by flying swords and fell to the ground one after another.
Tang Yu looked over and found Su Zimo controlling the 18 supreme-grade flying swords. Without even condensing a sword formation, he was causing massive damage to the Ancient Blood Mosquito swarm!
Suddenly, Su Zimo’s voice sounded, “Don’t let the Ancient Blood Mosquitoes get close! Their mouthparts are extremely lethal, indestructible and can go against flying swords. Everyone, there’s no need to fight them head-on. Use the agility of your flying swords to wrap around or behind them and you can kill them with ease!”
Upon hearing those words, everyone was invigorated and attacked as per his advice. Indeed, it was a huge success and countless Ancient Blood Mosquitoes fell, staining the skies red with blood.
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