NOVEL NEXT Chapter 161: Stop hiding. Come out.
Mystic Ice Island, the Ice Point Sect.
Compared to the mighty forces of Myriad Islands Lake, such as the Dragon Fish Sect and the Curio Alliance, which boast three or more Golden Core cultivators, the Ice Point Sect is merely a minor faction harboring a False Core cultivator.
The so-called False Core represents a somewhat awkward realm. Some Foundation Establishment cultivators, recognizing their mediocre aptitude or facing the twilight of their lifespan—or perhaps those grievously injured, their foundations compromised—find themselves unable to form a true Golden Core. In desperation, they either rely on secret techniques or the aid of a Golden Core cultivator to forcibly condense a False Core.
A False Core cultivator surpasses a ninth-level Foundation Builder by a significant margin, yet does not compare to a true Golden Core. Moreover, obtaining a False Core does not extend one's lifespan.
Most crucially, once a False Core is formed, the cultivator can never hope to condense a Golden Core. Due to these limitations, many Golden Core cultivators hold False Core cultivators in disdain.
The Ice Point Sect, led by such False Core cultivators, is one such minor sect. It is said that the Ice Point Sect possesses a secret technique that guarantees the formation of a False Core.
Any member who surpasses the age of one hundred can easily condense a False Core, ensuring that the sect always has more than five such cultivators. It is by this strength that the Ice Point Sect manages to eke out an existence and stubbornly survive in Myriad Islands Lake.
However, now, the Ice Point Sect has been reduced to ruins. All five False Core cultivators were slain by the nefarious Black Heart Old Devil, who harvested and consumed their False Cores. As for the Foundation Establishment cultivators and Qi Refining disciples, they either perished or fled.
"The taste of a False Core really doesn't compare to a Golden Core; it's not pleasant at all," Ouyang Zheng coldly snorted, ready to leave.
Yet, he noticed a figure standing on the lake, a hundred zhang away, observing him with great interest. Ouyang Zheng was startled—his spiritual sense had failed to detect the other's approach!
Who was this person?
With a light step on the lake surface, the figure rapidly approached, soon standing face to face with Ouyang Zheng. Recognizing the man, Ouyang Zheng's heart skipped a beat.
It was indeed He Liang, the Black Heart Old Devil!
It seemed his own actions, taken under the guise of the Black Heart Old Devil, had indeed alerted the genuine article.
However, remembering the vial of poison given to him by the cloaked figure, specifically meant to harm body cultivators, Ouyang Zheng's mind steadied somewhat.
Fully aware of your moves, what do you have to compete with me? Even you, the real Black Heart Old Devil, shall fall today!
"You are who, seeking death as well?" Ouyang Zheng sneered, his voice low and hoarse.
Chu Xuan responded with a light chuckle, "I was merely curious to see who dared misuse my name so recklessly."
'So it was just a minor player from Myriad Islands Lake.'
With his mastery in the art of disguise, he immediately saw through the other's façade.
Beneath the guise of "He Liang" was another face, one Chu Xuan had already seen through the spiritual jade slip provided by Yuan Zichu.
The Hundred Refinements Sect's ability to gather intelligence was unparalleled.
The appearances, backgrounds, and signature techniques of all Golden Core cultivators in Myriad Islands Lake, whether seasoned or newly ascended, had been thoroughly documented by the sect.
Chu Xuan instantly recognized this man as Ouyang Zheng, the leader of the Righteous Dao Sect.
In that moment, he realized:
The Righteous Dao Sect and the Ouyang family had not been destroyed by him, yet the deed had been accredited to him.
It appears that Ouyang Zheng himself had orchestrated the demise of his own kin and disciples, yet laid the blame at Chu Xuan's feet.
Truly detestable!
And to think, he didn't even leave the corpses of the cultivators for him.
"Nonsense, you deserve death!"
Angered, Ouyang Zheng made his move. He charged forward, thrusting his long spear with explosive force.
Chu Xuan, surprised, noted that this man was also a body cultivator. No wonder he could replace him.
"The physique of a body cultivator, plump and juicy, perfect for nourishing corpse puppets."
Chu Xuan smiled and executed the Fierce Evil Escape.
In an instant, he moved from reacting to acting first, appearing right in front of Ouyang Zheng.
The Fierce Evil Escape, a technique learned from the second level of the "Yin Thunder Evil Technique," wasn't particularly cost-effective.
But as a Golden Core period escape technique, it was naturally faster than any Yin Evil escape from the Foundation Establishment stage.
For now, he would make do with this.
Ouyang Zheng caught off guard, roared lowly and swiftly changed his attack, the spear crashing down furiously.
Chu Xuan scoffed coldly.
A true body cultivator needs no weapons. His own body is the mightiest weapon!
With a direct punch, he shattered Ouyang Zheng's long spear. Unabated, his fist continued its trajectory, striking squarely against Ouyang Zheng's chest.
With a crisp crack, Ouyang Zheng's inner armor disintegrated. His defensive magic treasure dimmed instantly, whining as it was flung away.
Ouyang Zheng spurted fresh blood, hurled backward by dozens of feet. Panicked, he immediately attempted to flee.
Chu Xuan pursued relentlessly. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance to within ten feet.
His fist, charged with boundless power, was poised to strike.
"Dare to pursue me? Die then!" Ouyang Zheng's face twisted from fear to ferocity.
He swung his hand fiercely, releasing a cloud of crimson poison powder that enveloped Chu Xuan under the influence of spiritual qi.
Ouyang Zheng's bizarre laughter echoed; he had tested the potency of this poison powder before.
It didn't need to be inhaled. Merely touching the skin, it would penetrate the pores and impede the circulation of blood within the body.
Since body cultivators utilize blood rather than spiritual energy, once the blood flow ceased, their formidable strength would find no outlet.
Then, they would be at his mercy!
However, a steadfast punch tore through the crimson poison, smashing directly into Ouyang Zheng's ghastly face.
With a squelch, his head burst like a ripe melon.
Before his headless body could fall, Chu Xuan casually tossed it into the Corpse Nurturing Tower. The storage bag was swiftly attached to his waist.
This entire process of killing and looting was all too familiar to Chu Xuan.
"A mere twenty-layer body cultivator dares to impersonate me. To impersonate me is one thing, but to then perform so poorly in battle, failing to kill his opponents and even letting them escape! And this poison, utterly useless."
Chu Xuan shook his head repeatedly. When it comes to poisons, he is the true master!
The moment the crimson poison was dispersed, he had already neutralized it.
Arriving at the Ice Point Sect, he casually gathered all the corpses into the Tower.
Without turning around, he suddenly spoke in a chilling tone, "Stop hiding. Come out."
All was silent around him.
Beneath the surface of the lake, the cloaked figure was shocked. "Did he see me? Or sense my presence? Impossible!"
Chu Xuan remained stationary, hands clasped behind his back, "Won't you come out? Must I make my move?"
The cloaked figure clenched his teeth, "Could I really have been discovered? Impossible, he must be bluffing!"
Chu Xuan smirked coldly, "Unsteady breath, found you!"
He struck ferociously.
Three hundred Yin Thunder Seeds whistled through the air, swiftly engulfing the area where the cloaked figure hid!