Chapter 775: Combat
Chapter 775: Combat
Tian Sheng City.
A cave abode.
Five-colored koi shimmered with iridescent light, soaring through the void.
A fisherman, holding a jade fishing rod, sat alone in a pavilion, seemingly fishing.
The jade fishing rod in his hand was warm, lustrous, and crystalline, with fine silver light shimmering on the fishing line; one could tell at a glance it was no ordinary item.
Each of those five-colored fish swam freely, comfortably traversing the void.
Suddenly, a red and white koi was reeled out, landing in the fisherman's hand.
"The fish bit the hook."
Just then, a young attendant scampered over, bowed and said, "Master. . . Heiyan Shangren has arrived."
"Oh? Quickly, invite him in!"
The fisherman's expression stirred, and he instructed.
Not long after, a mid-stage Void Amalgamation cultivator wearing a black flame long robe walked into the small pavilion.
This person was Heiyan Shangren; he was handsome, appearing middle-aged, with a hint of unrestrained charm.
Upon seeing the koi in the fisherman's hand at this moment, he smiled, "Today, I wanted to eat fish, and happened to arrive just in time. . . Daoist Jiang wouldn't refuse my visit, would he?"
"Of course not. . . My 'Heavenly Cloud Five-Soft Koi', even for beings like us, can be beneficial, but the key is still. . . it's delicious!"
Daoist Jiang revealed a faint smile and instructed the attending young boys and girls to set out cooking utensils, slice the fish meat and meticulously cook it, and boil the fish bones and gills for a rich broth.
Not even the fish blood was spared; it was poured into a pot of pure white soybean milk, causing it to take on faint streaks of crimson.
"Come. . . This mouthful of fish blood tofu, it's all about the fresh taste."
Daoist Jiang smiled, raising his chopsticks to invite him.
Heiyan Shangren took a bite and smiled, "Indeed, it's fresh and sweet!"
Daoist Jiang endured again and again, finally unable to hold back, and asked, "Your Excellency's arrival here is probably not just for a mere fish soup, is it? Your Excellency manages a merchant guild, earning vast sums daily, so I presume you wouldn't visit without a purpose. . ."
"Haha, Daoist, you misunderstand me. I came today only to savor spiritual fish with you, with absolutely no other intention."
Suddenly!
Inside the pavilion, a series of urgent chimes rang out.
A mysterious formation appeared; faintly, a red dot within it erupted with astonishing sword qi!
"How dare they! A Void Amalgamation sword cultivator actually dared to strike in this city, treating this old man, the guardian, as nothing?"
He flicked his fishing rod, about to activate the might of the grand formation and begin suppression.
Even if the opponent was a Void Amalgamation sword cultivator, within the grand formation, Daoist Jiang had every geographical advantage, and was still confident in preserving the peace of the area and expelling that unwelcome guest.
But just then, Heiyan Shangren slowly and deliberately sipped a mouthful of fish soup and smiled, "Daoist Jiang, why the rush?"
A surge of magical power, far exceeding that of early-stage Void Amalgamation, instantly rippled out from the pavilion, startling countless five-colored koi, who scattered and fled. . .
"So. . . Your Excellency came for this?"
"A Void Amalgamation sword cultivator. . . Could it be that the one who struck is the renowned Sword Son?"
Daoist Jiang cast a deep glance at Heiyan Shangren and sat down.
"Indeed. . . My merchant guild greatly desires to win over Sword Son, so we've been tracking an enemy of his, and finally managed to find them in Tian Sheng City. . . I ask Daoist Jiang to show mercy!"
"What's more. . . it's just a mere Return to Void cultivator; for beings like us, what does it amount to? Why bother offending fellow Daoists, two of them at that, for the sake of this minor cultivator!"
Void Amalgamation cultivators hold esteemed positions, and on Trapped Sky Island, they are at the pinnacle of major powers; they wouldn't fight to the death over trivial matters.
Heiyan Shangren was well aware of this. Therefore, he only needed to concede a little and offer some benefits, and the matter could be lightly passed over.
'Sigh. . . This time, I've extended such a great favor, I hope Sword Son appreciates it. '
'I wonder how that Return to Void cultivator offended Sword Son. . . But now he's sought his own demise, and can't blame anyone else. '
Heiyan Shangren thought to himself.
He even felt that Sword Son was making a mountain out of a molehill, suddenly inviting him for assistance before departing.
'Sword Son cultivates the supreme sword dao, possessing an unhindered Sword Heart. . . which can block heavenly secrets and premonitions. . . This time, his Sword Heart had no premonition, yet he still asked for my help, clearly because Daoist Jiang might intervene, potentially causing some variables! '
'The more this is the case, the more importance is shown, and this favor from me will be all the more firmly established. . . '
Just as Heiyan Shangren was feeling smug, inside the pavilion, another shrill ringing sound echoed!
"Hmm?"
Daoist Jiang suddenly overturned the table in front of him and cursed loudly, "You, Heiyan! What Return to Void minor cultivator? He's clearly also a Void Amalgamation mighty expert. . . Do you want this old man to provoke such a powerful enemy?"
Heiyan Shangren's body surface shimmered with black fire crows, transforming the fish soup and cutlery into ashes in mid-air.
This was the 'Nine Crows Grand Technique' he cultivated, which possessed the ability to automatically protect its master.
At this moment, his face was full of astonishment: "What? A Void Amalgamation cultivator? Damn it. . . Sword Son has misled me!"
Offending a Return to Void cultivator for Sword Son, and offending a Void Amalgamation cultivator, are completely different concepts!
After his astonishment, Heiyan Shangren immediately transformed into a streak of black fire light and sped towards the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion!
Daoist Jiang's face was grim, but a hint of a smile flickered in his eyes; he also transformed into a streak of light, following the black fire light.
...
A little earlier.
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness had been tempered all along by the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror', and with the amplification from breaking through to the Void Amalgamation stage, it undoubtedly surpassed many Void Amalgamation cultivators, including Sword Son!
After sensing the approaching sword qi, he feigned unawareness, observing a crimson spiritual root in his hand.
This spiritual root resembled a withered tree branch, yet it bore a flame-like flower that was blazing fiercely.
In his heart, he sneered, 'Sword Son possesses a perceptive Sword Heart. . . but alas, the secret arts of my 'Withered Glory Chant' excel at suppressing all killing intent, perfectly counteracting him. . . As for heavenly secrets and destiny, I have the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror' suppressing my own destiny, so I am absolutely incomparable to that jinx, Shen Suanzi. . . '
'Therefore, I can completely conceal myself from this person's Sword Heart! '
'He still thinks I haven't discovered him, and is preparing to come and kill me with a single sword strike? He's quite decisive. . . As for immortal city prohibitions, to Void Amalgamation cultivators, what do they amount to? '
In the void.
Sword Son's figure was ethereal, moving seamlessly through space.
This was a secret transmission of the Sword Pavilion—the 'Two Modes Seamless Sword Art'—which allowed cultivators to traverse space without hindrance, and was the strongest assassination sword technique!
'That person is merely a mid-stage Return to Void cultivator. . . '
'But holding a fragment of an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure, either he's hiding something, or his fortune is astonishing. . . He cannot be underestimated! '
'To die by this sword, is your honor! '
A foot-long emerald flying sword appeared in his hand, and killing intent flickered fiercely in his eyes.
With the next sword strike, he would go all out!
This was a sword cultivator's respect for his opponent!
Whoosh!
The void was hazy; he had already arrived outside the Wang Family Ancestor's cave abode.
The formation guarding the cave abode was penetrated by the sword light of 'Two Worlds Seamlessness', actually failing to obstruct it in the slightest.
After all, this formation was merely an ancillary feature of the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion; its grade was too low.
"That's enough. . ."
Just as Sword Son was about to unleash his sword qi for a killing strike, a fist glowing with the luster of white jade suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Bang!
A massive fist-shadow appeared; terrifying energy surged outwards, flinging pavilions into the sky.
Roar! Roar!
Fang Xi, clad in the Myriad Demon Armor, behind him, the 'Heavenly Demon True Body' manifested; his colossal palm pressed down, rune after rune flashing on his arm, as if to crush a tiny ant.
Whoosh!
An emerald sword light shot into the sky; with just a twist, the Heavenly Demon True Body's arm instantly shattered.
Amidst the flickering green light, Sword Son's figure emerged.
However, at this moment, his opponent had his collar torn, with splashes of crimson blossoming like plum blossoms.
"You've actually advanced to Void Amalgamation?"
"Your previous mid-stage Return to Void was merely a disguise?"
"Since you know, then die!"
Fang Xi let out a cold shout, sensing that Sword Son's aura had already fallen from its peak; he gave his hand a shake, and a streak of blood light burst forth, transforming into a long banner—it was precisely the 'Blood Fiend Banner'!
At this moment, this seventh-rank Void Amalgamation treasure in his hand erupted with astonishing spiritual light!
A sea of blood appeared; within the sea of blood, countless phoenix-seal characters drifted erratically.
Its bloody aura made half of Tian Sheng City begin to tremble!
"It's actually a Void Amalgamation mighty expert!"
"Oh no! Void Amalgamation mighty experts are fighting in the city, run!"
"Where is the guarding ancestor?"
"Haha. . . Kill, go grab!"
For a moment, numerous cultivators fell into chaos, displaying all facets of human nature.
More seasoned cultivators, however, said nothing, taking their families and friends, and flew out of the city.
Void Amalgamation cultivators who dared to strike in Tian Sheng City were already unconcerned by anything.
Under the combat of mighty experts, even Soul Transformation cultivators, if accidentally killed, could only accept their fate!
Therefore, a tide of refugees surprisingly formed in the city!
"This. . ."
Not far outside the city, the ground cracked open, revealing features like eyes, mouth, and nose.
The Earth Clan member opened its large mouth, and a giant peony flower emerged.
Petals unfurled one by one, revealing the figure of Peony Immortal: "I didn't expect to go out on official business and casually apprehend a minor Return to Void cultivator, and actually encounter such a grand spectacle. . . Human race infighting, seventh-rank beings fighting, it's truly rare. . ."
Peony Immortal's face was filled with excitement, and she had every intention of stepping forward to watch the commotion.
"Peony. . . We. . . capture that Wang-surname cultivator. . . and leave immediately. . ."
The seventh-rank Earth Clan member spoke, its voice intermittent.
Suddenly, one saw within that sea of blood, a burst of silver light!
Sword Son, with body and sword as one, slashed out an earth-shattering sword qi, which plunged into the sea of blood, only to be swallowed by the twisted void, and then vanished. . .
Outside the city!
Puff!
An emerald sword light, world-shaking, swept towards the deserted wilderness; its aftershock fierce, enveloping Peony Immortal and the two alien races!
Peony Immortal: ". . ."
"Hmph!"
The seventh-rank Earth Clan member let out a soft cry; the earth trembled, and mountains rose from the ground, like a majestic Great Wall, blocking the two.
Upon the mountains, there were also human-faced statues.
The emerald sword light severed mountain after mountain, breaking through five layers of mountains in succession, before the sword light reluctantly dissipated. . .
"How terrifying. . ."
Peony Immortal patted her ample chest with lingering fear: "This person. . . must be the one who killed the Bloody Hand Peak Master, right? This sword qi technique is indeed powerful and tyrannical. Among the human race, how many talented individuals there are. . ."
...
"A seventh-rank void treasure. . . The 'Blood Fiend Banner'?"
Sword Son's pupils constricted slightly.
He naturally knew the great name of the Demon race's 'Blood Fiend Banner', but to manipulate void power so masterfully, actually able to shift the sword qi he unleashed with his fragmented immortal abode sword, even a seventh-rank Celestial Phoenix might not be able to do it.
"Too weak, too weak. . ."
Fang Xi shook his head, seemingly a little disappointed.
Then, he made a grabbing motion with his large hand.
The sea of blood instantly collapsed, transforming into a blood-colored long robe draped over his shoulders.
On the back of the blood-colored long robe, there was a silver phoenix spreading its wings as if to fly.
With a flash of silver light, Fang Xi's figure abruptly vanished.
Then, beside Sword Son, his figure abruptly appeared, and he struck horizontally with a fist.
Caught off guard, Sword Son had the clothes on his arm completely shattered, and astonishing sword qi erupted, forming a gigantic green shield.
On the surface of the shield, there were also sharp blades with their tips pointing upwards.
Seeing this scene, Fang Xi's expression remained unchanged; four-colored light flashed on his fist, instantly covering it with a layer of gauntlets!
Clang!
The loud clang of metal striking metal rang out.
The countless sword blades shattered into pieces, and then the shield let out a mournful cry, and was punched through by Fang Xi, directly striking Sword Son's left arm!
Crack!
Sword Son slashed with his right hand, and fragmented runes suddenly appeared on the foot-long green flying sword, slicing through the void in vain.
Fang Xi's figure had already vanished with a flicker.
Sword Son lowered his head, seeing his left arm twisted at a bizarre angle, faintly revealing the golden sword-bone within.
"Teleportation? !"
He raised his fragmented immortal abode sword high with his right hand; invisible sword qi erupted from his entire body, spreading throughout the surrounding three feet.
This was a peerless art of the Sword Pavilion—the 'Three-Foot Sword Domain'!
The path of a sword cultivator, from the moment one refines swords into threads, one pursues an incomparably sharp sword intent, and embarks on the path of 'one sword breaking all techniques'!
Originally, there was no need for defense at all; once one defends, it signifies that the Sword Heart has been tarnished.
But the Three-Foot Sword Domain is different!
This sword domain is only three feet wide, and can only be cast by sword cultivators who have mastered 'one sword breaking all techniques'.
The three-foot area around one's body is entirely filled with formidable sword intent; no matter what spell or divine ability, it would be difficult to cross this boundary!
But Fang Xi also believed in 'one force conquering ten abilities'!
He utilized the void power of the 'Blood Fiend Banner', his figure flickering erratically in the void, suddenly appearing behind Sword Son, and delivering another punch.
Hiss! Hiss!
His fist landed within the Three-Foot Sword Domain, and endless sword light swept over it, making the Myriad Demon Armor let out a mournful cry, as cracks appeared on it.
But before all the cracks shattered completely, Fang Xi had already slammed a punch into Sword Son's back!
Thud!
With a flash of white light, Sword Son's figure vanished.
In its place was a puppet with an expressionless face!
—Sword Puppet!
This puppet had an ordinary face, its entire body covered in sword marks, and it suddenly exploded. . .
Puff! Puff!
Endless sword qi erupted ferociously, engulfing an area of tens of miles.
The splendid, gilded buildings, especially the main body of the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion, were all reduced to dust.
With a flash of sword light and a gentle breeze, everything turned into dust, dancing across the sky and vanished.
Crack!
Fang Xi lowered his head and saw that on the Myriad Demon Armor, cracks were appearing, then continuously expanding across the entire 'Myriad Demon Armor'.
Crack, crack!
As if a chain reaction had occurred, armor fragments peeled off the Myriad Demon Armor, and then exploded, turning into dust.
The Blood Fiend Banner let out a mournful cry, and several holes actually appeared on its body.
"To think. . ."
Tens of miles away, a sword light flashed, revealing Sword Son's figure.
As his Divine Consciousness swept past, he saw that only Fang Xi's Myriad Demon Armor had shattered, revealing his sturdy chest and skin radiating with a jade-like luster. He couldn't help but reveal a look of horror.
This Sword Puppet was something he obtained from a fortuitous encounter, and it contained the endless sword qi he had accumulated day and night.
Upon its sudden explosion, he believed that even late-stage Void Amalgamation cultivators would have difficulty coming out unscathed.
Last time, in the Seven Treasures Secret Realm, he even used it to ambush Shen Suanzi!
This time, however, he self-detonated all the sword qi stored within the entire Sword Puppet, yet it could only break through the opponent's armor?
"Body cultivation comparable to a seventh-rank demon beast. . ."
"If he were a little stronger, he could almost compare to Jin Gangzi. . ."
A layer of golden light appeared on Sword Son's face, and his twisted left arm instantly returned to normal; he brazenly performed a secret art, forcibly suppressing his injuries: "I admit, besides the Fang Xian Daoist, you are also an opponent I desire!"
The foot-long short sword in his hand burst forth with sharp radiance; he flicked the sword with his finger, and the sword let out a dragon's roar.
Suddenly, heaven and earth seemed to be left with only the sound of a sword's cry.
"Heart Sword Technique?"
Fang Xi sneered, but thought to himself, "What a coincidence. . . I am also the Fang Xian Daoist! It's just a pity. . . I don't want you as an opponent, I only want your life."
A yellow light flashed in his hand, and a yellow-skinned gourd appeared.
The yellow-skinned gourd was like yellow jade all over, and had an incomparably heavy luster.
Fang Xi pulled out the gourd's stopper and softly shouted, "Please turn, precious!"
Whoosh!
Between heaven and earth, the clang of a blade rang out, even overpowering the sword's cry!
The 'Erwu Soul-Slaying Gourd' suddenly inverted, and a ray of Geng Metal light shot out!
A golden thread flashed, already sweeping past Sword Son's neck!
Fast!
Everything was as swift as lightning, too fast to cover the ears!
This 'Erwu Soul-Slaying Flying Blade' truly drew blood with every strike!
With a single strike, Sword Son was beheaded!
But Fang Xi showed no trace of complacency; a green light flashed in his hand, and the 'Qing He Sword (Fifth Generation)' appeared.
On the sword hilt, wooden patterns continuously overflowed with spiritual light, generating astonishing sword qi.
His gaze shifted to a certain spot in the void; a crimson light flashed on the Blood Fiend Banner, forcing a figure back out—it was actually Sword Son!
"Another substitute divine ability?"
Fang Xi laughed heartily, "Daoist, you don't seem like a sword cultivator!"
He raised the 'Qing He Sword (Fifth Generation)' high; originally, this fragmented Immortal Abode Rare Treasure, each time it was used during the Return to Void stage, it felt like drawing marrow from bone.
But after advancing to Void Amalgamation, there was surprisingly a sense of ease and mastery.
"To think. . ."
Gazing at the more complete fragmented immortal abode sword in Fang Xi's hand compared to his own, a trace of horror flashed across Sword Son's face.
He originally thought that the Wang Family Ancestor's hand at most had a fragment of an immortal sword.
But he didn't expect it was actually such a fragmented immortal abode sword!
On the 'Qing He Sword (Fifth Generation)', rune after rune lit up, beginning to affect the surrounding laws of heaven and earth.
Sword Son suddenly felt this heaven and earth become incomparably oppressive, knowing he could no longer rely on his previous divine ability to substitute his death, and a look of extreme solemnity appeared on his face.
"Slash!"
Fang Xi let out a cold snort, and the 'Qing He Sword (Fifth Generation)' powerfully slashed down.
Whoosh!
An earth-shattering sword qi swept through the void, filling the sky with an emerald-like hue.
Streaks of emerald sword qi threads filled the void, sealing off all of Sword Son's retreat paths, and suddenly converging towards the center!
"This. . ."
Heiyan Shangren, who was rushing over, immediately halted his escape light, gazing at the verdant sword qi in the sky and the faint fluctuations of heaven and earth laws; his expression couldn't help but turn extremely grim: "Immortal Abode Rare Treasure. . . It's actually an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure!"
"Such fluctuations are at least of the fragmented Immortal Abode Rare Treasure level. . . Even if the opponent is only early-stage Void Amalgamation, possessing such an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure, this old man is absolutely no match, and may even face the calamity of falling!"
Daoist Jiang also stopped his escape light, his face filled with solemnity.
Around his body, there were also streaks of five-colored fish, leisurely swimming in the void.
Clearly, these five-colored koi were not mere playthings, but rather some kind of divine ability or extraordinary spirit beast!
"Whew. . ."
Feeling that a small portion of the Immortal Source Qi within his body had been consumed, Fang Xi looked forward, his expression slightly solemn.
His vast Divine Consciousness could sense. . . that Sword Son was not yet dead!
"Good. . ."
"This sword, it must belong to our Sword Pavilion!"
Not even a single crease appeared on Sword Son's body; he slowly walked out from behind a half-square inkstone, a trace of greed flashed across his face: "The broken sword of the Sword Pavilion, reforged in my hands, this Sword Son's contribution to the Sword Pavilion will surpass all previous ancestors!"
Before him, the half-square inkstone displayed a grayish-black luster.
A layer of pitch-black light shield was emitted, protecting Sword Son's entire body; this was the key to his opponent's unharmed state in the previous attack!
"This is what you obtained from the Seven Treasures Secret Realm. . . It doesn't seem to be an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure, but its defense is quite astonishing; it's also an extraordinary treasure of immortal abode level."
Fang Xi watched this scene and said with considerable interest.
"You actually know about the Seven Treasures Secret Realm. . ."
Sword Son's brows furrowed: "You've seen Shen Suanzi? !"
One must say, he was exceptionally sharp; from a single sentence from Fang Xi, he deduced a great deal of information.
"Sigh. . ."
Fang Xi, however, suddenly let out a sigh, and the 'Life and Death Seal' appeared in his hand.
"I am only at the early Void Amalgamation stage, I am still too weak. . ."
Swish!
On the 'Life and Death Seal', the Ancestral Demonic Tree's branches stretched out, and suddenly brushed out a streak of purple mystic light!
—Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light!
This divine light even penetrated the pitch-black radiance transformed from the inkstone, and landed on Sword Son's body.
"No!"
Sword Son suddenly felt a great terror descend, and then he lost all vitality and toppled to the ground.
In mid-air, his body was enveloped by the opened Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, and then vanished. . .
'The harvest this time is not bad. . . '
Thinking of that half-fragmented sword and inkstone, Fang Xi's heart was filled with joy, while also secretly being vigilant:
'This Sword Son is indeed difficult to kill, and also favored by destiny. . . If he were to advance to mid-stage Void Amalgamation, or even late-stage. . . I'm afraid he would indeed be worthy of a position among the Human Race Five Sons. '
"Hmm?"
Feeling several Soul Transformation-level Divine Consciousness sweeps pass over him, Fang Xi held his Fifth Generation Qing He Sword, the Blood Fiend Banner once again transformed into a crimson battle robe enveloping his entire body, and with the Erwu Soul-Slaying Gourd tucked at his waist, he waited quietly.
Moments later.
Two streaks of escape light arrived one after another.
"Sword Son. . . actually perished?"
Around Revered Master Heiyan, nine black fire crows danced and fluttered as he warily gazed at Fang Xi.
Daoist Jiang, holding a jade fishing rod, gazed intently in another direction and coldly snorted: "This is an internal matter of our human race; it is inconvenient for outsiders to interfere!"
"Heh heh, human Soul Transformation cultivators dueling is truly a rare sight!"
Rumble!
Amidst the tremors of the earth, a seventh-rank Earth Clan member emerged, transforming into a mountain giant, who held Madam Peony in her palm.
She said with a captivating smile: "And. . . that Sword Son previously struck this humble one with a sword. This matter cannot simply be dropped. Otherwise, that lord might not agree. . ."
"Lord of the Black Market. . ."
Daoist Jiang, filled with trepidation, uttered that name.
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