Longevity Strange Immortal

The Heavenly Sword Sect has thirteen Death Tombs in total.

The oldest Death Tomb has existed for over six thousand years, and with the passage of time, its size continues to expand.

To the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Death Tombs are akin to tumors growing within the body.

To this day, they have completely failed to find a solution. In fact, the thirteen Death Tombs have even begun to absorb nutrients from the twenty-eight Sword Tombs.

The only consolation is that the number of ordinary Sword Tombs has also increased.

The Mountain Protection Array relies on thousands of Sword Tombs to firmly seal the thirteen Death Tombs.

Whenever a Death Tomb shows signs of losing control, a large number of Sword Cultivators sacrifice themselves to purge the Sword Ghosts, aiming to minimize the taboos within the Death Tombs.

It wasn't long ago.

The Heavenly Sword Sect welcomed the birth of its fourteenth Death Tomb.

It was named [Xiangjian] ("Side Room").

Because Xiangjian Death Tomb is pieced together from countless side rooms, the taboos contained within it primarily manifest as curses, making it exceptionally tricky to handle.

Xiangjian Death Tomb resembles a meat tumor covered in sticky fungal mats.

On the periphery of the Xiangjian Death Tomb, hundreds of Sword Cultivators stand suspended in midair. The Sword Cultivators are distinct and segregated, each representing one of the twenty-eight Sword Tombs.

Among them, Thunder Constellation dominates with unrivaled momentum.

Their dominance stems mainly from Thunder Constellation's chief, Yu Xiao, who commands a massive Sword Shuttle—a thunder-imbued ship spanning four to five kilometers—floating above the tomb.

Occasionally, Yu Xiao can be vaguely seen sitting cross-legged within, attuned to the Thunder Refining Body technique.

The Great Sun Sword Tomb is the most diminished, with only a scattered dozen people present. Their leader, Land Immortal Zhang Qiyang, is visibly severely injured; his spine periodically sprouts fish-fin-like organs.

Suddenly.

A halo of light swirls, and an elderly man with white hair appears among the Inch Sword Cultivators, holding a sword.

His beard seems illusory, and the skin and flesh of his limbs repeatedly collapse and reassemble. His Mahayana realm's power commands absolute dominance over the scene.

"Greetings, Supreme Elder,"

All the disciples hurriedly bow, while Qi Yunfei gestures for them to make way.

"I just sent some of the Great Sun Sword Tomb's youngsters into Xiangjian. Your Great Sun chief really knows how to stir up trouble, quietly setting up a black market."

Zhang Qiyang suppresses his mutation and speaks in a deep voice, "Old Ghost Qi, as a Land Immortal in the Mahayana realm, I would hope you don't care for the paltry profits coming from the port."

In truth, he does not want to concern himself with the port's fate, but the Great Sun Sword Tomb's sparse population leaves him little choice.

Not only must Li Mo support the reputation of the Great Sun Sword Tomb, but once he reaches the Body Integration Realm, many miscellaneous issues will have to rely on him.

The birth of the Xiangjian Death Tomb was a direct result of the Great Sun Sword Tomb's severe injuries, which led to the stagnation of the Mountain Protection Array, disrupting the cosmic rhythm.

Zhang Qiyang involuntarily casts a glance toward the Great Sun Sword Tomb.

He sees the Sword Tomb has returned to its original position, but its breach remains unsealed, with highly concentrated Yang Qi leaking outward from within.

Qi Yunfei narrows his eyes.

"Zhang Qiyang, what does your Great Sun chief have to do with me? Besides, the one interested in the port is Hundred Play Child; you could ask him about it."

With a glint of frost in his eyes, Zhang Qiyang releases his Lifebound Flying Sword from his spine, emitting waves of Sword Intent.

Li Mo has always had tenuous ties to the Heavenly Sword Sect, and after the port incident, he may very well never again involve himself with the Great Sun Sword Tomb.

It should be noted that Li Mo has already achieved Refining Void Stage Perfection.

Ascending to the Body Integration Realm is practically guaranteed, leaving the Great Sun Sword Tomb a Land Immortal short for no reason.

"Why must we fuel internal conflicts within the Heavenly Sword Sect?"

"Internal conflict? Hardly. I have no power over Hundred Play Child."

Qi Yunfei recalls Li Mo's clash with Hundred Play Child—not surprising for an Innate Immortal Seed. Replace him with another Sword Cultivator just entering the Body Integration Realm, and they likely would've perished at the hands of Taiyi Taoist.

The atmosphere grows increasingly tense, with the surrounding Sword Tomb factions adopting a wait-and-see stance, akin to spectating tigers battle atop a mountain.

Yu Xiao opens his eyes. "Port? Eleventh junior sister recently advanced to the Body Integration Realm; she must be in the vicinity of the Outer Heaven Meteorite Crater."

Qi Yunfei's expression stiffens as he uses a Magic Artifact Token to contact Hundred Play Child, but unsurprisingly, there is no response.

After speaking, Yu Xiao continues to commune with the massive Sword Shuttle.

"Thirteen Immortals, hmph."

Qi Yunfei's Sword Intent flickers momentarily. Dealing with Yu Xiao, who has just entered the Body Integration Realm, isn't difficult, but behind him stands Zu Xiuyun.

Zhang Qiyang says no more and closes his eyes to suppress his mutation.

A fiery skull sweeps onto the scene, revealing itself as the Supreme Elder of the Flame Sword Tomb, Master San Yan, a Perfect Integration Stage cultivator.

Standing between the two, Master San Yan asks, "Qi Yunfei, how many Sword Cultivators are participating in the Sword Testing Conference?"

"Eleven from each Sword Tomb—nearly three hundred have entered."

Qi Yunfei adds, "They've been in Xiangjian for half a day. It's likely that a dozen or twenty have already succumbed to Sword Ghost possession and deviation."

Luo Yang takes a deep breath.

He has never encountered Xiangjian but knows the unfathomable dangers of Death Tombs.

Once a Sword Cultivator steps into Xiangjian, the Sword Ghosts they face grow increasingly bizarre and untraceable, while the taboos challenge anything but the most extraordinary means.

Aside from Li Mo, the other Sword Cultivators face a very real possibility of perishing—Dao wiped out.

Master San Yan asks, "Let me see what's happening inside Xiangjian. I'm quite curious how an Innate Immortal Seed handles a Death Tomb."

Qi Yunfei surveys the area. Eight Land Immortals are present, with four visible and the rest hidden.

"Fine."

"In my opinion, Taiyi is indeed exceptionally gifted, but in terms of on-site capabilities within a Death Tomb, there's no surpassing the Inch Sword chief [Xia Yun]."

Inch Sword is renowned for its Escape Techniques, and survival is paramount for Sword Cultivators entering a Death Tomb. Only those who master advancing and retreating can stay undefeated.

Qi Yunfei places his hand into his throat, retrieving the Lifebound Flying Sword [Sky Dome Mirror] from his stomach.

The Sky Dome Mirror's material resembles brass, with spider-web-like cracks across its surface, and each shard reflects a distinct scene.

Qi Yunfei tosses it.

The Sky Dome Mirror expands to a hundred meters in size, revealing the unchanging scene of Xiangjian.

Xia Yun appears.

Behind her stands a massive Night Patrol Deity, half-human and half-dog, whose fingertips emit translucent Sword Qi enabling her to maneuver and evade.

The two crash into each other repeatedly, and Xia Yun struggles to shake off the Night Patrol Deity's pursuit.

She minimizes the chance of triggering taboos and, despite being at Refining Void Stage Perfection, feels as fragile as a mortal within the Death Tomb.

Xia Yun spits out a mouthful of pus-laced blood. Various taboos silently corrode her inside and out; her mutation worsens and must be suppressed immediately.

Within half a tea's time, she cuts away rotting organs and uses an Elixir to stimulate their recovery.

Moments later, Xia Yun is back to peak condition.

The Sky Dome Mirror shifts across the strategies of other Sword Cultivators, none as effective as Xia Yun's. Several lie grievously hurt and teeter on the brink of death.

Even Zhang Qiyang grudgingly admits that Xia Yun could easily break through to the Body Integration Realm given her mental fortitude.

Next.

Jiang Xi's figure surfaces on the Sky Dome Mirror.

Master San Yan raises a brow and praises, "Your Great Sun Luo Yang seems quite innovative with Sword Body techniques. This one's Jiang Xi, correct? His mastery of Sword Intent is truly impressive."

Jiang Xi chooses not to evade. With feet rooted to the ground, his flesh transforms into magma, while thick smoke billows from his hollow bones.

Divine Separation Stage Immortal Creation Body [Zhu Rong Monarch].

Within a short span, magma spreads across dozens of side rooms, melting walls while rendering the interior nearly impenetrable due to smoke.

His superior Sword Intent [Flashing Light] glows brilliantly, filling every inch of space. Sword Ghosts entering the smoke lose their direction completely.

Jiang Xi remains firmly in place, merely maintaining his Immortal Creation Body.

Qi Yunfei remarks, "A minor trick. Using one's body as the array eye—how long can he possibly endure? Pure folly."

Before Zhang Qiyang can speak, Master San Yan interjects, "He's waiting for Taiyi. A true chief should shield his fellow comrades."

Qi Yunfei counters, "Taiyi hasn't reached the Body Integration Realm—how could he possibly spare the energy to protect others."

Zhang Qiyang studies Zhu Rong Monarch's Immortal Creation Body for a few breaths before controlling the Sky Dome Mirror, revealing other Sword Cultivators in succession.

It must be said: Great Sun Sword Cultivators entirely differ from the other Sword Tombs in their response strategies.

They have immense trust in Li Mo's abilities and steadfastly defend themselves without worry over his potential dangers.

Sky Dome Mirror reveals Ye Zhuo Daoist, and all cultivators exchange uneasy looks.

Master San Yan asks, "Hm? What is this person's name?"

"..."

Qi Yunfei hesitates for a long moment before answering, "Ye Zhuo."

The mirror displays a Night Patrol Deity prowling the shadows of side rooms. Its form barely resembles a humanoid, crawling on all fours with bulbous lumps protruding from its back.

Luo Yang covers his face in discomfort.

Ye Zhuo Daoist has astonishingly parasitized the Night Patrol Deity's lump, reclining within while leisurely absorbing nutrients. Occasionally, he drives his Lifebound Flying Sword into the foreheads of Sword Ghosts to manipulate their movements.

It's clear to everyone that Ye Zhuo Daoist is employing a Dual Cultivation Technique.

Even across the Heavenly Sword Sect's history, Ye Zhuo is truly one-of-a-kind.

Luo Yang explains helplessly, "Ye Zhuo's Sword Heart is usually pure—this is likely a desperate ploy in the face of danger."

Master San Yan wears a strange expression, while Zhang Qiyang's aged face becomes visibly awkward.

"Focus on Taiyi."

"If everyone's waiting for Taiyi to assist, let's see whether he fits the role."

Countless eyes turn to the Sky Dome Mirror as Qi Yunfei begins searching for Li Mo's presence, yet even half an hour's effort yields nothing.

"Eh?"

Unable to locate a Refining Void Stage cultivator, Qi Yunfei is bewildered for the first time.

Unwilling to believe, he presses his right hand against the mirror surface, where an infant's facial features emerge on his palm, and intricate patterns proliferate around the mirror's frame.

The Sky Dome Mirror blurs momentarily, revealing a faint silhouette.

"Hiss."

All cultivators collectively draw sharp breaths.

Li Mo gallops wildly within Xiangjian, treating opportunities others dread as methods for refining his body. His flesh revels in all manner of torment.

Under the influence of taboos, Li Mo's physical resilience steadily grows.

As shoulder wounds begin to ooze blood, even before the injury spreads to his chest, the Great Wilderness Immortal Body immediately develops the ability to suppress the bleed.

"Haha, Blessed Land Cave Heaven—truly a Blessed Land Cave Heaven!"

The shadows beneath Li Mo's feet ripple, teeming with dense clusters of eyeballs, while two Great Sun Sword Cultivators peer out from the darkness.

Bai Shuo Daoist advises, "Senior brother, the Eye Lady is a thousand meters southwest."

Li Mo turns quickly, crashing through several walls before punching the Eye Lady into oblivion. Foregoing his Lifebound Flying Sword, he instead enchants his limbs with Sword Intent, engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

"An Immortal Body!"

"Ru Dao Sword Intent..."

Qi Yunfei furrows his brows. "The taboos in Xiangjian will only grow more troublesome. Hmph, relying solely on raw physical might to overcome all techniques—impossible."

Yu Xiao speaks calmly, "The paths all converge. Sanctification through the flesh is not without precedent."