Chapter 295: Slay! Sword Spirit!
In the forest.
The Sword Attendant tumbled down onto the ground in a sorry state. Though disheveled, she still clearly understood the gap between herself and a Core Formation cultivator.
Even if it was a False Core cultivator, if she tried to flee now, she had no chance whatsoever.
“Senior, this junior is willing to hand over this item…”
However, just as the Sword Attendant weighed the situation and prepared to stall for time, the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator who had caught up suddenly shouted coldly, “Junior, it’s too late!”
A great seal descended from the sky. From the very beginning, he had intended to silence her permanently.
Even now, the False Core cultivator felt a faint pain. A wound remained on his shoulder, and under the swirling baleful energy his expression became extremely ugly.
This thieving woman was truly ruthless. She had consumed the entire energy of the Talisman Treasure in one breath. The instant condensation of its power had greatly increased its might, and in a moment of carelessness he had actually been injured.
“This person never intended to leave anyone alive!”
Facing the opponent’s merciless killing intent, the Sword Attendant remained expressionless. Life and death had never mattered much to her.
Yet for some reason, this time, in the face of death, although she felt no fear, a deep sense of reluctance rose in her heart.
What flashed through her mind were scenes from Celestial Spring Peak.
“Moo!”
At that moment, an angry bellow of a bull echoed out. The massive seal carrying overwhelming force was actually knocked back by the horns of the Azure-Horned Ox.
Within the furious bellow was also a trace of pain.
Although the Azure-Horned Ox’s defensive power had increased greatly, smashing its horns against something with brute force was like ramming a wall with its head. Even if the wall was knocked flying, it would still hurt.
“Master!”
The moment the Azure-Horned Ox appeared, light shone in the Sword Attendant’s eyes. She immediately raised her head and began searching for her master.
“Fellow Daoist!”
At the very first exchange, the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator was already terrified.
While the Azure-Horned Ox rescued the Sword Attendant, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and the Blood Fiend Sword had already slashed toward the opponent.
Upon seeing the killing intent radiating from Lin Chang’an, the False Core cultivator could not help but feel dread.
It was actually a Core Formation True Person.
What a terrible loss!
Lin Chang’an had also recognized the man through his perception.
This man was the same person who, when the Wind-Chirp Bird had broken through to the Third Rank, had ambushed him with a Third-rank Copper-armored Corpse—the guest elder of the Long Clan.
Later he had also joined the Young Master of the Long Clan in chasing him down, though he had eventually defected.
As the saying goes, enemies meeting each other become especially red-eyed. Back then Lin Chang’an had been only a Foundation Establishment cultivator being hunted by this man. Now he had become a Core Formation True Person while the other remained merely a False Core.
How could this grudge go unavenged?
As for the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator, he had absolutely no intention of fighting. Still, he forced himself to shout angrily and fabricate an excuse before attempting to flee.
“Fellow Daoist, I had my eye on this item first. Your junior doesn’t understand respect and actually took it while I stepped away to fetch spirit stones. Don’t you know that in the cultivation world strength is supreme!”
With this reversal of blame, the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator appeared completely justified, as though the junior of Lin Chang’an’s side had been outrageously rude.
Though unreasonable, this kind of logic was common in the cultivation world where the strong devoured the weak.
High-rank cultivators always regarded low-rank cultivators as ants.
If it had been an ordinary Core Formation cultivator, they might have hesitated, wondering whether their junior had indeed caused trouble.
After all, no one wished to provoke a False Core enemy without reason.
Logically speaking, the counterattack of this Li-surnamed False Core cultivator was quite sharp. By creating doubt, he could gain an opportunity to escape.
But what he did not know was that Lin Chang’an had already resolved to kill him.
“Not good! Fellow Daoist, are you truly going to fight to the death!”
Originally intending to flee, the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator was shocked to see Lin Chang’an show no restraint at all. With a wave of his hand, several sword gleams shot out.
At the same time, the Azure-Horned Ox roared and charged forward wildly, causing his expression to change drastically.
From the moment they clashed, he had not even considered fighting, because he knew he was no match.
What kind of killing star was this? How could such a person exist in this world?
A brute! An utterly unreasonable brute!
Even more ruthless than demonic cultivators.
“Fellow Daoist, it would be better to speak less nonsense. As a traitorous guest elder of the Long Clan, I wouldn’t mind taking your head to claim a reward from them.”
Lin Chang’an shouted coldly, and the man’s expression changed drastically, revealing fear.
He had been exposed!
The Li-surnamed False Core cultivator urgently tried to escape, not daring to linger any longer.
Leaving aside his identity being exposed, just Lin Chang’an alone—a Core Formation cultivator with a Third-rank spirit pet—meant staying would be suicide.
“Moo!”
Just as he attempted to flee, the Azure-Horned Ox roared and charged through the air while Lin Chang’an unleashed sword gleams.
This scene filled him with resentment.
If only his Third-rank Copper-armored Corpse had still been with him back then! How could things have come to this!
“Fellow Daoist, you’ve gone too far! I’ll fight you to the death!”
With a hoarse roar, the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator slapped the Spirit Beast Pouch at his waist. In an instant, more than a dozen Second-rank corpse puppets appeared.
At the same time he controlled his magical artifact—the great seal—which spun rapidly and began expanding continuously, clearly preparing to unleash a finishing move.
Seeing the opponent ready to risk his life, Lin Chang’an’s expression became serious. He retreated swiftly while sending out six sword gleams with a wave of his hand.
Divine Ability · Sword Shadow at Will
Six solid sword gleams appeared, each possessing power comparable to a mid-grade Third-rank magical artifact.
However, in the next moment the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator’s eyes turned blood-red. The instant he threw out his magical artifact, he performed a shocking action.
“Fellow Daoist, spare others when possible!”
Without hesitation, he abandoned his magical artifact and fled.
Seeing this, even Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh inwardly.
This man was truly decisive and cunning.
“Trying to escape? No chance!”
Lin Chang’an shouted coldly. Under the six terrifying sword gleams, the dozen Second-rank corpse puppets were instantly shattered, and the attack continued toward the great seal artifact.
“Moo!”
At that moment the Azure-Horned Ox roared and suddenly spat out a white beam of light that shot straight toward the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator.
“If you want to stop this old man, even if you’re a True Core cultivator you—”
Having cultivated for several hundred years, he was an experienced False Core cultivator and confident in his escape techniques.
While fleeing confidently, he raised his hand and released a massive defensive shield.
However, the instant the white beam touched it, his expression changed drastically and terror filled his eyes.
His mana shield shattered instantly beneath the white beam.
Or rather—before it shattered, the shield had solidified and turned to stone.
“Mutated Demon Beast!”
At that moment the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator was utterly horrified.
Powerful mutated demon beasts could fight several beasts of the same rank simultaneously. Their battle strength was far beyond ordinary spirit pets.
“How is this possible!”
These things were even rarer than wild exotic species, yet he had encountered one.
“Fellow Daoist! A misunderstanding—”
In panic he frantically circulated mana to resist, but visibly his palm was turning to stone. Terrified, he poured more mana into resisting it.
Across from him, the Azure-Horned Ox roared furiously. None of its usual laziness while soaking in the pool remained.
Now it looked exactly like the terrifying Third-rank demon beast people feared.
“Mis—”
Puchi!
Blood splattered.
The Li-surnamed False Core cultivator lowered his head in disbelief. A sword blade had pierced straight through his chest.
“Fellow Daoist Li, saying it’s a misunderstanding now might be a little late.”
Lin Chang’an’s cold voice echoed.
While the Azure-Horned Ox held the enemy in place, Lin Chang’an had already controlled the Blood Fiend Sword to fly over.
One of the previous sword gleams had concealed the Blood Fiend Sword magical artifact.
Originally it had targeted the opponent’s Golden Core position, but the man had been wearing inner armor and avoided the vital point.
Lin Chang’an’s expression grew serious, yet he did not recklessly advance. Instead he raised a mana shield in case of a desperate counterattack.
“Fine! If you want this old man dead, then I’ll drag you down with me!”
Although the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator usually bullied only weaker cultivators, when faced with death he still possessed a ruthless streak.
He roared angrily and prepared to self-detonate his Golden Core.
“Moo!”
A thunderous bull roar echoed as the Azure-Horned Ox instantly transformed into a giant beast three zhang tall.
It raised its head and roared.
Its four hooves stomped through the air, and layers of pale golden defensive mana shields enveloped its body.
Boom!
The terrifying power of the False Core cultivator’s Golden Core self-detonation created a massive shockwave that scattered the surrounding clouds.
“Moo!”
As the aftermath slowly dissipated, the Azure-Horned Ox roared again. The defensive shield around its body was now covered in dense cracks, yet under the continued flow of mana it visibly began to recover.
From the beginning to the end of the battle, only a few breaths had passed.
The opponent had been extremely decisive—fleeing immediately when the situation turned bad and even abandoning his magical artifact and corpse puppets.
If not for that decisiveness, he would not have lasted even these few breaths against Lin Chang’an.
And he had been unlucky enough to encounter Lin Chang’an. Against an ordinary early Core Formation cultivator, he might actually have escaped.
“Master!”
Behind the Azure-Horned Ox, the Sword Attendant stood watching the scene.
Lin Chang’an’s gaze flickered before finally calming.
What a pity. If he had used the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword earlier, he might have pierced the opponent’s inner armor and struck directly at the Golden Core, preventing the self-detonation.
But the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword was his ultimate trump card and could not be revealed easily.
Lin Chang’an calmly swept his gaze around before reaching out and grasping the Sword Attendant’s fair wrist.
As mana flowed into her body, her injuries and depleted mana rapidly recovered.
“Moo!”
The three-zhang-tall Azure-Horned Ox turned back and watched the scene with grievance, letting out a pitiful moo.
It had been the one who bore the brunt of everything, yet its master hadn’t even given it a spirit fruit.
The ox shrank back to its usual size and trotted forward, mooing flatteringly.
“Alright, these are for you.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head and took out two Spirit Fruits from his Storage Pouch.
At the same time, his mind replayed the scene from earlier.
“As expected of a mutated demon beast. After petrification enhancement, its defensive power far surpasses other demon beasts.”
Its defensive power was extraordinarily strong.
A False Core cultivator’s Golden Core self-detonation could seriously injure an ordinary early Third-rank demon beast.
Yet the Azure-Horned Ox had endured it entirely through its own defense.
Under the explosion’s impact, the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator’s belongings had been scattered everywhere.
This was when divine sense proved useful. With a sweep of his powerful divine sense, spirit stones and various damaged materials were quickly discovered.
There were many miscellaneous materials, but few of great value.
Some fragile items, fire-sensitive treasures, and spirit liquids had already been completely destroyed.
Using divine sense to clean the battlefield was extremely convenient.
“This seal isn’t bad.”
The best item was naturally the magical artifact itself—a yellowish earthen great seal whose spiritual light was now dim.
A low-grade Third-rank magical artifact with only minor loss of spirituality.
There was also a jade slip recording corpse refining and corpse nurturing techniques, which had somehow survived the explosion intact.
At the same time Lin Chang’an also transmitted voice messages to Hu Jin and Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.
Before reinforcements arrived, he erased the traces left behind by the Azure-Horned Ox’s mutated attack.
…
Not long afterward, reinforcements arrived.
Seeing the aftermath of the self-detonation, everyone revealed solemn expressions.
“Things have been getting more chaotic lately. There have already been several incidents of Core Formation cultivators killing others to seize treasures.”
After chatting for a while, Hu Jin shook his head.
This was all because the restrictions of the Secret Realm were weakening. As Foundation Establishment cultivators entered and exited more frequently, discovering more treasures.
Naturally, turmoil followed.
“Many thanks to all fellow Daoists for coming to assist.”
Seeing Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, Liu Ruyu, and Old Hu arrive, Lin Chang’an expressed his gratitude.
As for Xu Lingfeng, he knew that the Xuanyin Pavilion must leave at least one Core Formation cultivator guarding the sect.
Lin Chang’an then invited the three to his residence to express his thanks.
After all, their willingness to come to his aid was already a favor worth remembering.
He even planned to send a gift to Xu Lingfeng afterward.
The cultivation world was not only about fighting and killing—it also involved human relationships.
Celestial Spring Peak.
After gathering together, Lin Chang’an brought out his treasured high-grade spirit wine as thanks.
After several rounds of drinks, Hu Jin laughed heartily, waved his hand, and said he would return first.
Meanwhile Fairy of Rainbow Skirt from Xuanyin Pavilion smiled and mentioned that the sect competition would be held in two months, and since Lin Chang’an was now a sect elder he could attend and watch.
Previously Lin Chang’an might have declined, but after their recent assistance, it would be unreasonable to refuse.
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. This time I will also bring the cultivators of Celestial Spring Peak to watch the competition.”
Lin Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands. It seemed he would have to pay more attention to this internal competition among the lower-rank cultivators.
…
After personally escorting everyone out of the cave abode, Lin Chang’an returned.
“Master!”
In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an sat calmly.
Before him stood only the Sword Attendant.
And the Azure-Horned Ox in the pool blowing bubbles—completely lacking the fearsome aura it had displayed earlier.
“Tell me, what exactly was that item worth risking the spirit stones for and being targeted?”
Normally the Sword Attendant strictly followed rules. For her to privately use those spirit stones to buy something meant it must be important.
“Master, this is this servant’s fault. I caused you to face danger. This servant deserves death!”
The Sword Attendant bowed in shame and explained the entire sequence of events.
“Master, it was this item.”
She produced a blackened sword hilt that was clearly a damaged magical artifact.
Lin Chang’an’s expression immediately turned serious.
Because the Sword Attendant possessed the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body, she had sensed a trace of spiritual essence within the item.
“Spiritual essence!”
Only after holding it and sensing carefully with his powerful perception did Lin Chang’an detect the faint spiritual essence inside.
He was shocked.
Even this tiny fragment of spiritual essence, if used to forge a sword-type magical artifact, could allow it to become sentient—commonly known as giving birth to an artifact spirit.
Of course, this trace of spiritual essence was damaged. Restoring it would not be easy.
But its potential was enormous.
He also sighed inwardly at the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body.
It truly deserved its reputation as one of the Three Great Sword Cultivation Physiques in the cultivation world.
His own perception was already strong, yet when the Sword Attendant first took it out, he had sensed nothing.
Only such a top-tier sword cultivation physique could be so sensitive to a sword spirit.
“Not an ordinary object.”
Looking at the Sword Attendant, Lin Chang’an fell silent.
Although the item was extraordinary and extremely valuable, the Sword Attendant was far more important to him.
If forced to choose, he would choose the Sword Attendant without hesitation.
“Do not take such risks again in the future. Remember that you yourself are far more important than these external possessions.”
After a long silence, Lin Chang’an spoke calmly.
The Sword Attendant’s eyes trembled as she slowly lowered her head.