NOVEL NEXT Chapter 78:
Chapter 78:
Within the spirit eye of the underground minor spirit vein, Ding Xuan of the Guiyuan Sect pretended to plead for his life. At the critical moment, he launched a sneak attack on Xiao Yang. A blade of light shot from Ding Xuan’s body, piercing directly into Xiao Yang’s chest and abdomen.
“You…” Xiao Yang staggered back, clutching his stomach, his face painted with shock.
“Hahaha…” Ding Xuan burst into triumphant laughter as he rose from the ground.
“Young man, you’re still too naive. Did your master never teach you how treacherous the human heart can be?” Ding Xuan sneered, his expression twisted with smugness.
The Blood-Melting Blade was his ultimate trump card, capable of killing even experts at the Divine Martial Realm. Any victim of the blade would dissolve into a pool of blood within moments.
“Your Guiyuan Sect is utterly despicable…” Xiao Yang gritted his teeth.
“Despicable?” Ding Xuan chuckled coldly. “Survival is all that matters. If being despicable lets me live, so be it. Killing you and taking your treasures—what a delightful bonus!”
“Do you think you can kill me?” Xiao Yang’s voice turned icy as he suddenly straightened, his demeanor calm and unyielding.
“What?!” Ding Xuan’s confidence faltered, his eyes widening in disbelief. “You… you were hit by my Blood-Melting Blade! How can you still…”
Ding Xuan’s voice trembled. This blade had killed countless opponents stronger and more skilled than him. Yet Xiao Yang, standing before him, was completely unharmed.
“It’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Ding Xuan stammered, his arrogance crumbling into fear.
Xiao Yang smirked and lifted his hand, revealing a crimson blade gleaming in his grasp. A faint aura of sword energy shimmered on his palm, completely nullifying the blade’s deadly sharpness.
Ding Xuan’s face turned ashen. In a final act of desperation, he fell to his knees again. “Please, spare me…”
Without a word, Xiao Yang flicked the crimson blade. A streak of cold light pierced Ding Xuan’s head, killing him instantly. His lifeless body collapsed to the ground, and soon, it began to dissolve into a puddle of blood right before Xiao Yang’s eyes.
“This blade…” Xiao Yang examined the weapon with intrigue. The sinister energy within it could turn corpses into blood, erasing all evidence of a kill.
“What a perfect tool for covering one’s tracks,” Xiao Yang murmured before storing the blade and Ding Xuan’s storage bag. He scanned the surroundings and was struck by the abundance of water spiritual energy. The concentration here rivaled the cultivation grounds of top-tier sects.
The spirit eye, a focal point where the spiritual energy of a vein converged, brimmed with pure energy. The water-blue crystals lining the cavern walls and the shimmering spiritual liquid in the pool created a scene of otherworldly beauty. It was an ideal place for cultivation, especially for those with water-affinity constitutions like Jiang Ting.
In his past life, Xiao Yang would have immediately informed Jiang Ting, bringing her here to aid her cultivation. She had been his everything—a shining light in his life. But now, she was nothing more than a tarnished memory.
This time, the treasure was his alone to enjoy.
Xiao Yang leapt toward the pool, ready to absorb the spiritual energy accumulated over countless years. With the Futian Sword Art, he could refine all forms of energy into his own power. As his feet touched the water’s surface, a sudden flash of blue light shot out from the depths, aiming directly at his heart.
“What…” Xiao Yang barely had time to react as a sharp force struck him, sending him flying backward. A massive figure emerged from the pool, shattering the water’s calm surface.
It was a Water Spirit Scorpion, its body blending perfectly with the pool’s shimmering liquid. Xiao Yang hadn’t detected its presence at all.
“So, this spirit eye is guarded by a Water Spirit Scorpion…” Xiao Yang’s mind raced as the scorpion lunged at him. He summoned his flying sword, sending it slicing toward the creature’s armored back.
Clang! The blade bounced off the scorpion’s shell with a metallic ring.
“What incredible defense!” Xiao Yang muttered, dodging as the scorpion’s stinger lashed out, piercing through the air with a sharp whistle. His flying sword returned, forming a shield before him, but the stinger shattered it with ease, forcing Xiao Yang to retreat.
This beast was stronger than he had anticipated. However, Xiao Yang knew its weakness. After all, he had roamed the Northern Territory for a millennium in his past life, encountering countless fearsome spirit beasts.
As the scorpion charged, Xiao Yang dashed forward, slipping beneath its massive frame. Sliding under its belly, he slashed upward with precision. The scorpion screeched as its vulnerable underbelly was torn open, its massive frame collapsing. A pool of translucent fluid spread beneath it as it fell still.
Xiao Yang stood and exhaled deeply, his victory assured. Without hesitation, he leapt into the pool, ready to cultivate in the heart of the spirit eye.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted outside the main spirit vein. Cultivators fought fiercely over the treasures within, their greed fueling bloodshed. Just as the scene spiraled out of control, a powerful presence descended. A commanding voice echoed across the area, freezing everyone in their tracks.
“Cease this madness!”
The voice belonged to a middle-aged man with a regal demeanor. “I am Chu Lingxiao of the Guiyuan Sect. Leave now, or face death!”
“Chu Lingxiao, the Killing God of Guiyuan Sect?” Fear spread like wildfire among the gathered cultivators.
Years ago, Chu Lingxiao had single-handedly annihilated two major demonic sects, earning his fearsome reputation. No one dared to defy him.
As the crowd scattered in terror, another voice rang out, equally commanding. “Chu Lingxiao, do you plan to claim this spirit vein for yourself?”
Chu Lingxiao turned sharply to face the newcomer. “Jiang Qitian?”
The Azure Sun Sect’s leader stood before him, flanked by two powerful elders, his presence unyielding.