The terror of the Immortal Slaying Sword, Zhang Chen experienced it personally back in the day. Even the Innate Peacock had to temporarily avoid its sharpness, not daring to be pierced by it, which shows the horror of this treasure.
If not for the Innate Peacock having the Five-Colored Divine Light, it would probably have no power to resist against the Immortal Slaying Sword.
Fortunately, the Five-Colored Divine Light naturally overcomes all Five Elements items, and since the Immortal Slaying Sword belongs to the ’Metal’ element, it is also restrained by the Five-Colored Divine Light.
"Kid, is my treasure sword sharp?" Liu Ji smilingly swung the sword in his hand.
Zhang Chen’s eyes were full of eagerness. Hearing this, he leaned closer to carefully stare at the treasure sword, feeling a bit envious in his heart: "Why does a mere rustic villager like Liu Ji have such luck to first gain Absolute Defense and now obtain the Immortal Slaying Sword?"
"Where did you get this treasure sword?" Zhang Chen inquired.
Liu Ji casually replied, "The ancestor above bestowed this treasure sword to kill that Tenth Tier Divine Being of the Divine Family."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen was startled: "If the Divine Being from the Shen Family is pierced by this sword, their death will be guaranteed."
"Can I take a look at this treasure sword?" Zhang Chen asked.
Liu Ji didn’t refuse, handing the sword over and saying, "This treasure sword is extremely ferocious, you should be careful. If you accidentally get scratched, even the Daluo will be unable to save you."
While speaking, Zhang Chen took the treasure sword into his hand and examined it closely. After a moment, he furrowed his brows: "Something feels off; it doesn’t quite seem like the Immortal Slaying Sword. That kind of feeling is totally different from what I remember..."
Zhang Chen employed divine techniques to sense for a moment before his gaze focused on the three-inch sword tip, eyes revealing a hint of contemplation. At the sword tip, the material was completely different from the rest of the sword’s body, as if welded together.
"I see now, the sword tip is indeed from the Immortal Slaying Sword. The rest is a later addition forged by a Postnatal Yellow Heaven Dao cultivator, which is why I felt the Immortal Slaying Sword’s qi mechanism was off. There’s an Innate Restriction flowing at the tip, while the rest has man-made array carvings behind it—it’s as mismatched as dog and dragon, totally incomparable." Zhang Chen thought to himself, appalled, "What exactly happened back then? The Ascension Pool was shattered, and even the Immortal Slaying Sword broke? The Six Paths of Reincarnation dismantled?"
Zhang Chen felt a chill, unable to imagine what kind of fierce battle occurred in the Ancient Times.
"But even if it’s just a sword tip, it’s still enough to slay a Twelfth Tier Divine Being. Using it against a mere Tenth Tier Divine Being feels like overkill. However, since the Immortal Slaying Sword is an Innate Spiritual Treasure, as the mysterious qi mechanism of Heaven and Earth disappears, the sword’s qi mechanism becomes dormant, its powers gradually clouding." Zhang Chen sighed inwardly but didn’t entertain thoughts of greed. If he took the sword tip from the Immortal Slaying Sword, Liu Ji wouldn’t be able to account to the Yellow Heaven Dao. He’s on good terms with Liu Ji, who has helped him many times; how could he put Liu Ji in harm’s way?
Yet, if he could snatch the sword tip in front of everyone when Liu Ji fights the Shen Family’s Tenth Tier Divine Being, Liu Ji could escape blame.
"This sword is extremely ferocious. In the sect, aside from the ancestor, anyone wielding this sword gets hurt by its maliciousness. Only with my Absolute Defense can I avoid the sword’s qi invasion, which is why the ancestor entrusted this sword to me," said Liu Ji.
Zhang Chen returned the treasure sword to Liu Ji, seriously advising, "This sword is extraordinary; make sure you keep it safe and never lose it."
This section of the Immortal Slaying Sword tempted Zhang Chen with greed. Now in discord with Yellow Heaven Dao, he of course would do everything possible to seize such a treasure, lest one day Yellow Heaven Dao weaponizes the sword against him, and he can’t withstand it.
The terrifying aspect of the Immortal Slaying Sword isn’t its sharpness, but the destruction law it carries. Once pierced, the primordial spirit is destroyed instantly.
"I surely will guard this treasure sword well; only you are allowed to touch it. I wouldn’t let anyone else dare to touch this sword." Liu Ji said, "We’ve been living in the same village for over ten years; I watched you grow up, so I trust you."
Hearing Liu Ji’s words, Zhang Chen felt touched, then his thoughts shifted again: "Liu Ji has been good to me, yet here I am coveting the Immortal Slaying Sword. Yes, when Liu Ji tries to assassinate the Tenth Tier Divine Being, the sword will definitely come loose. I’ll make a move then to steal the treasure sword, freeing him from any implications."
Thoughts flickering, Zhang Chen asked Liu Ji, "How’s the courtyard matter going?"
"It’s settled. It’s a three-section large courtyard, belonging to the Jinling Huang Family. Though they are somewhat less than the Shen Family, they are a second-tier family and also remarkable. I promised them a ten percent share of the Shen Family’s salt trade, so they obediently gave me the house. Now the Huang Family has vacated everyone, so you can just move in," said Liu Ji, handing a hat to Zhang Chen, "Put on this hat, I’ll accompany you to have a look."
Zhang Chen took the hat and put it on, and Liu Ji put on one too. Zhang Chen, surprised, asked Liu Ji, "Why are you wearing a hat?"
"There are quite a few Yellow Heaven Dao spies in the city. If I’m seen, and someone traces it to you, we’ll both be in trouble. If anyone finds out I’m colluding with you, the young prince won’t let me go," grumbled Liu Ji, "By the way, after you move into the house, make sure Chengyu doesn’t leave the house. If they trace back to the Huang Family, I’ll inevitably get pulled in, and we’ll be caught by the young prince."
"I understand!" Zhang Chen replied and then asked, "What secret does Chengyu have that makes Yellow Heaven Dao so intent on finding them, willing to search everywhere?"
Hearing this, Liu Ji shook his head, "Such secrets are probably only known by the Twelve True People of Yellow Heaven Dao. How would I have the qualification to know such secrets," Liu Ji said, grumbling.
Then the two of them came all the way to the Huang Family and arrived in front of a large mansion. Although the mansion was naturally no match for the Shen Family, it still exuded an air of wealth.
The entire mansion had three sections, enough for Zhang Chen and the others to reside.
This mansion, while not small, paled in comparison to the land holdings of the princes and nobles, often ranging from dozens to hundreds of acres.
"How is it?" Liu Ji asked.
"Even if this mansion costs a million taels of silver, it’s likely still beyond buying," Zhang Chen remarked.
"Talking money between us is unnecessary," Liu Ji casually said. "Talking money makes us outsiders!"
The two of them strolled around the mansion, and Liu Ji suddenly complained, "These damned wealthy aristocrats truly have a lot of money! What sort of life did I live before?"
"Ignorance can sometimes be bliss," Zhang Chen sighed softly.
"From today on, this mansion belongs to you," Liu Ji handed the key to Zhang Chen and reiterated, "Keep a close watch on Chengyu. If she is discovered and traced to this house, then linked to the Huang Family, I would be ruined."
"I know how to weigh the importance," Zhang Chen nodded.
Hearing this, Liu Ji nodded and said, "I must leave. I won’t appear near this house again. If you have time, move out of the Shen Family quickly; your time is running out."
Watching Liu Ji’s departing figure, Zhang Chen scratched his head, "Strange, why is he being so good to me?"
After thinking for a while without figuring it out, Zhang Chen simply stopped pondering. Instead, he contemplated the Immortal Slaying Sword: ’If I can steal that sword tip and sacrificially refine it in secret with Innate Qi nurturing, though it’s not a complete Immortal Slaying Sword, its power would still be terrifying. So, I must strive to obtain that sword tip, no matter what it takes.’
With this thought, Zhang Chen flashed and used the Escape Technique to return to the Shen Family’s mansion, then summoned several people who were meditating, "We’re moving tomorrow!"
"Moving tomorrow? That’s wonderful; I’ve long had enough of this broken place at the Shen Family," Xiaodouding said joyfully, and the three beside him also smiled.
"Did you find a good place outside?" Mrs. Zhang asked.
"It’s all set. It’s a three-section mansion," Zhang Chen replied.
"The size of the mansion doesn’t matter as long as it’s enough for us to live in," Mrs. Zhang sighed lightly, "You haven’t married yet, don’t squander money. Save it for getting married."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen felt a headache and could only smile wryly: "Second Lady, don’t worry. With my abilities, acquiring wealth isn’t difficult."
Mrs. Zhang said nothing.
The family discussed for a while before quietly starting to pack.
Zhang Chen pondered briefly, realizing he should bid farewell to the old lady. Since he was planning to leave, it was only polite to say goodbye.
Zhang Chen walked toward the old lady’s house in the Shen Family. When he was halfway there, a divine light suddenly flickered in the distance as the Shen Family’s Tenth Tier Divine Being manifested and appeared at the door of the old lady’s chambers, walking inside.
"The Shen Family’s Tenth Tier Divine Being, huh? I wonder what their true identity is," Zhang Chen thought silently.
Thinking it over, his footsteps didn’t slow; he reached outside the door and, after asking the steward inside to relay the message, respectfully waited outside the door.
After about half an hour, the Shen Family’s Tenth Tier Divine Being emerged from the door, surrounded by Golden Light. Upon seeing Zhang Chen’s profile, the divine being paused; it had a resemblance to the thief seen when the Treasure Mirror was activated.
"Young Master, the old lady invites you in!" At this moment, a maid ran over to announce.