"Again!"
Qiu Yan immediately ordered the Soul-Devouring Beast.
Having suffered once already, Chen Sanshi was fully prepared. The Purple Thunder Bow in his hand arced like a full moon, and several Golden-Scale Flying Blades followed one after another, shooting straight into the beast's mouth.
"Aooo!!!"
The sharp blades sliced into the softest part of its maw. The Two-Headed Soul-Devouring Beast's roar turned into a wail. Blood gushed from the left head's mouth, leaving only the right head spewing dense blood mist.
Although the blood mist spread over a wide area, its rate of expansion was not particularly fast. Chen Sanshi easily withdrew. The Purple Thunder Bow in his hand transformed into the Xuanyuan Sword. Water-Element True Force surged forth from the void as he moved to strike directly at the troublesome beast.
The other two black-robed cultivators did not stand idle. Each held a flying dagger wreathed in blood qi, attempting to flank and ambush the bow-wielding cultivator from front and back, creating an opening for their hall master.
However, at the very moment their flying daggers descended, the opposing cultivator's figure twisted in an eerie manner, as if truly turning into flowing water. He vanished through the narrow gap between the two blades.
When he reappeared, he was already behind them.
The Xuanyuan Sword flashed once. The sound of a babbling brook echoed faintly by the ears. A streak of water swept past, and the two black-robed cultivators' heads fell to the ground.
Chen Sanshi smoothly arrived before the Soul-Devouring Beast. The sword edge gleamed, slicing off the left head—the one capable of launching divine sense attacks. With fluid momentum, he turned to pierce through the remaining twisted beast head.
At that instant, however, he noticed a pitch-black gu insect had appeared at his side without him realizing. Due to the prior damage to his divine sense, he only detected it when it was already nearly against his body.
Thick Earth Art!
Golden light blazed as soil from the earth condensed into a shield before him.
Almost simultaneously, the Mana-Devouring Cicada hovered and exploded, erupting with a tsunami-like surge of baleful energy that even distorted the surrounding void.
Chen Sanshi was pushed backward along with the shield wrapped in baleful energy. He saw Qiu Yan already closing in and immediately formed hand seals again. Dense sword qi surged up behind him into the sky, merging into one before descending as a giant sword from above.
Qiu Yan, who had been charging forward, had no choice but to summon the glazed shield once more, forcefully meeting the massive sword falling straight down.
"Boom—"
After several exchanges of spell combat, the two sides pulled apart.
Qiu Yan withdrew the glazed shield. With one hand behind his back, he silently crushed a sensing talisman, sending out a call for help to fellow disciples of the Seven Kill Sect.
At the same time, he spoke to stall for time. "Daoist Xiao, treasures are everywhere in this forbidden land. There's no need for the two of us to fight to the death. Why not each take a step back and split the spoils evenly?"
"Bang!"
Chen Sanshi's Qi Observation Technique had long noticed the talisman's fluctuation. How could he waste time? With a step forward, he moved as though riding a boat across the sea. Gripping his sword in both hands, he lunged ahead. Surging waves layered upon the blade's edge, accumulating to the extreme before exploding outward in a sweeping burst. True Force crashed forward like mountains collapsing and seas overturning.
With words proving useless, Qiu Yan could only summon his natal magic artifact—a crescent blade. As it spun, it truly seemed to transform into a blood-red moon, exuding fierce bloody baleful energy as it collided head-on with the raging torrent.
"Clang—"
The clash of metal shook the mountains and wilds. Within several miles, no living creature dared approach.
After the exchange, both retreated more than 100 steps.
Chen Sanshi's legs gouged two deep trenches into the earth as he was driven back.
Qiu Yan, meanwhile, retrieved the crescent blade and continuously twisted his body to dissipate the force before finally landing steadily atop the tip of a locust tree.
The opponent was at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Combining both immortal and martial cultivation, Chen Sanshi was no weaker than that level. As long as he remained wary of the opponent's strange methods and advanced steadily, he could certainly claim victory.
The problem was time.
The demonic cultivator had most likely already called for reinforcements. If this dragged on, danger would follow.
Qiu Yan was clearly thinking the same. Standing motionless atop the treetop, he remained fully prepared to defend, deliberately dragging out the battle.
The nearest fellow disciple needed only the time it took to drink a cup of tea to arrive.
If the commotion grew larger, even more people would take notice.
After all, it was not only the Seven Kill Sect that wanted Xiao Feng dead—it was the entire Northern Yang Dao, and even all the orthodox sects.
Because this man was connected to the Han court of Eastern Divine Continent!
"Xiao Feng, your identity is exposed. You are doomed!"
Qiu Yan narrowed his eyes. "Your only way to live is to join my Seven Kill Sect. Agree, and you will not lack for benefits."
Heavenly River Sword Technique, Nine Heavens Pouring Cascade.
"Crash—"
Chen Sanshi had no words to waste. After steadying himself, he soared into the air once more. The Xuanyuan Iron Sword roared continuously, like a divine beast emerging from water, riding crashing waves as it swept forward.
"Dual cultivation in immortal and martial paths—impressive indeed."
Qiu Yan infused mana into his crescent blade while smiling. "If we keep this up, I might not be your match. But within 20 exchanges, you absolutely won't be able to injure me!"
"Soul Devour!"
The crescent blade before him spun once more, transforming into a blood-red moon that slashed forward. On the ground, the Two-Headed Soul-Devouring Beast—now missing one head—also roared and lunged into the air.
Blade and sword collided, mana surging violently.
Qiu Yan's hands, forming the blade-controlling seals, trembled without stop. It felt as though he were forcefully resisting a mountain, or single-handedly holding back a sky-flooding torrent. Fortunately, by exerting his full strength, he managed to withstand it.
Yet just as he barely let out a breath of relief, he suddenly felt the "mountain" above his head turn scorching hot, as if it had become a flaming mountain. The opponent's True Force no longer resembled a deluge but instead a raging sea of fire.
Another kind of True Force?
Before his eyes, the water currents entwined around the iron sword evaporated completely, replaced by blazing flames and sword qi that was hundreds, even thousands, of times sharper.
Dragon Abyss Sword—unsheathed!
"Boom—"
As the Dragon Abyss Sword was abruptly drawn, its blade swept across. In that instant, it was as if a divine dragon had emerged from the abyss, its overwhelming might looming over all.
Caught off guard, Qiu Yan's natal magic artifact nearly lost control under the impact. He hurriedly reinforced it with several talismans to strengthen the spell, barely managing to hold on.
But the opponent's assault had yet to end. First, a point of cold light flashed. In the blink of an eye, an enormous dragon head carrying Heaven-Scorching Fire filled his vision.
Opposite the demonic cultivator, Chen Sanshi had already shifted from wielding a long sword with both hands to holding a spear in one hand and the Dragon Abyss Sword in the other. The True Force coiling around him had clearly transformed into the fire element.
Qiu Yan was blasted backward like an iron ball, crashing through several trees before slamming heavily into a massive boulder. His body embedded into it. Under the terrifying impact, the boulder shattered into pieces, sending dust billowing into the air.
"Roar!"
The Soul-Devouring Beast pounced forward, opening its gaping maw to spew poisonous mist at close range so the opponent could not evade. But the instant it opened its mouth, a gleaming silver spear thrust into it, piercing straight through the entire head.
Chen Sanshi stood balanced on a treetop branch, lifting the beast's struggling massive body with his spear. Heaven-Scorching Fire surged along the shaft, rapidly burning most of its body to ash. The remaining half crashed heavily to the ground, lifeless.
"You—who are you?!"
Several hundred paces away, Qiu Yan staggered to his feet. His face was covered in blood. He looked up at the scene before him, shock filling his expression. His words became incoherent. "You're not Xiao Feng. You—you're Chen Lei of the Han court!
"It's you, it's you!
"No wonder—
"No wonder you're so deeply connected with the people of Eastern Divine Continent!"
He had no more will to continue fighting. Mounting a flying puppet, he hastily stuffed it with a large quantity of spirit stones, preparing to flee.
"You're dead!
"Everyone on Heavenly Water Isle wants to kill you!
"The Nine Nether Forbidden Land will be your burial ground!"
"Ha—"
Flames filled Chen Sanshi's seven orifices as he let out a cold laugh. "You should worry about yourself first."
Spiritual light flickered, and a white horse neighed into existence.
He mounted behind the steed, formed hand seals with both hands, and cast the Wind-Splitting Seal. The warhorse nearly transformed into a streak of light.
In mere moments, he caught up behind the black-robed cultivator and fiercely thrust out a spear.
"So fast!"
Qiu Yan inwardly despaired. He hurriedly turned and controlled his blade to block, barely parrying the spear's edge. The Dragon Abyss Sword followed with a ringing descent, forcing him to retreat while fighting.
In midair, a blood-red moon and two fire dragons clashed violently.
No matter how fierce the opponent's spear technique or how sharp the divine sword, Qiu Yan was still a middle stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. In theory, he should have been able to hold out for quite some time.
Yet as the battle dragged on, he gradually realized something terrifying.
His mana—
It was running out!
It was the fire!
It was the opponent's True Force!
Chen's True Force carried a special effect. During their exchanges, it had invaded his meridians and dantian, continuously burning away his mana.
Panic seized Qiu Yan, and his blade-controlling technique faltered.
In that instant, Chen Sanshi seized the opening, thrusting his spear into the opponent's shoulder. Flames seared flesh and blood, crackling loudly.
With a scream, Qiu Yan lost control of his magic artifact and plummeted into the forest like a bird with broken wings.
Chen Sanshi switched to sword flight. Diving downward, he followed closely behind with the Dragon Gall Bright Silver Spear in hand, striking to claim his life.
"Boom!"
A dull thunderous sound echoed.
Qiu Yan, together with the glazed shield he had summoned, smashed heavily into the ground, leaving a massive crater on the surface. Kneeling on one knee, he nearly went mad as he began shouting wildly, trying to draw attention from others nearby.
Did he think hiding inside would help?!
Chen Sanshi naturally would not let him succeed. After repeatedly bombarding with the Dragon Abyss Sword and Dragon Gall Bright Silver Spear to no avail, he brought out the Yama Seal he had obtained from Changsun.
"Boom—"
The formation patterns on the Yama Seal lit up. The four divine beasts engraved upon it spewed ghostly green flames, and within those flames writhed countless vicious resentful souls, baring fangs and claws as they gnawed at the glazed shield.
At the same time, Chen Sanshi formed hand seals and summoned another flame from within his body—Myriad Beast Fierce Flame.
Netherworld Yin Fire and Myriad Beast Fierce Flame—two blazing infernos completely enveloped the glazed shield, making it look as though it were being smelted inside an alchemy furnace.
It had to be admitted that this second-tier defensive magic artifact possessed excellent defensive power. Even under such assault, it did not shatter immediately and still steadily protected its master within.
Unfortunately—
It did not seem to insulate heat.
Inside the glazed shield, Qiu Yan felt as though he were trapped inside a massive cauldron. Even the ground beneath him was scorching hot. Suspended in midair, his face twisted in agony as he cast spell after spell to resist the searing of the strange flames.
On top of that, the Heaven-Scorching Fire remaining inside his body meant he was suffering under three kinds of strange flames at once. The torment was nearly unbearable.
After 20 breaths, Qiu Yan could no longer endure. Crushing his final protective talisman, he withdrew the glazed shield and attempted to flee—only to have a spear pierce straight through his back and out his chest.
Utterly unwilling, he clutched at his chest, feeling his heart burn away completely. Darkness flooded his vision, and his head drooped limply.
"Finally dead."
Chen Sanshi let out a breath.
If even this had not worked, he would have had no choice but to use the immortal treasure strange flame.
After retrieving the opponent's storage bag, Chen Sanshi unleashed another burst of Myriad Beast Fierce Flame, reducing the corpse to ashes. He then returned to the previous location, took the Spirit Rhinoceros Horn, uprooted the Phoenix Luan Stone Beast, and once everything was secured, cast the Wind-Splitting Seal, leaving the area at his fastest speed.
In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, 5 or 6 demonic cultivators arrived one after another. Seeing the devastation scattered across the ground, their expressions immediately darkened.
"Where is the Vice Hall Master?"
"Search quickly!"
"Is this pile of ashes—?!"
One demonic cultivator crouched beside the ashes that had not been fully scattered, sensing Qiu Yan's aura. His expression twisted in fury. "Who dares kill a disciple of my Seven Kill Sect?!"
"It probably wasn't anyone from the orthodox sects. Otherwise, they wouldn't have fled so quickly."
"Zhuxian Sect? Or Xiao Feng?!"
"Hall Master, what should we do?!"
They all turned their gazes toward the leading figure who had remained silent the entire time.
"If he's dead, then he's dead."
Cao Dongjun's voice was hoarse. "I already said this forbidden land expedition was not to be undertaken alone. Do not covet treasures. Finish the matter at hand first. Once we obtain the Bai family's assets in the future, what resources would we lack? But he refused to listen. Let this serve as a lesson to you all."
"This—"
They spoke cautiously. "But Hall Master, are we simply letting this matter go?"
"It was either someone from the Zhuxian Sect or from the Han court. Sooner or later, the score will be settled."
As Cao Dongjun spoke, he noticed figures approaching from afar. "Leave quickly. If we get entangled by those sect disciples, it will become troublesome."
"Yes!"
The group departed before cultivators from the orthodox sects could arrive.
Soon after, several disciples of the Guiyuan Sect descended slowly.
"Hiss."
Qian Qiren stroked his chin. "What was here? The fight was intense."
"Phoenix Luan Stone Beast."
Cui Zichen bent down and picked up a petal. "Yes, it should have been over this."
"Looks like we were a step too late."
Qian Qiren sighed in regret.
Cui Zichen, however, did not seem particularly concerned. "No matter. In this second layer of the forbidden land, millennium spirit plants are not uncommon. Let's continue searching."
"Speaking of which,"
Qian Qiren muttered, "I heard that over the past 2 years, there have been signs of activity from Tianyong City nearby. Do you think they've entered the forbidden land as well?"
"No need to concern ourselves with them."
Cui Zichen said disdainfully, "Grasshoppers after autumn—they won't be hopping for long."
"True."
Qian Qiren hurried to catch up. "In a few years, the ancient desolate remnant treasure will break its seal. When that happens, we can finally avenge what happened back then.
"And my master has already said that when the time comes, the Great Sheng Dynasty will be reestablished, and the Cao family will be placed in charge."
"Who said anything about restoring the nation?"
Cui Zichen asked curiously.
This ancient desolate remnant treasure involved many immortal sects contributing effort. If they truly broke the seal and occupied Eastern Divine Continent, the internal resources would still need to be redistributed.
That included the dynasty responsible for managing mortal affairs, which was an important part of the arrangement.
The Guiyuan Sect was not particularly special among the many immortal sects, nor had it contributed the most effort. How could they so easily agree to return the territory to the Cao family?
"Now that you mention it…"
As they discussed, Qian Qiren also began to find it strange.