Chapter 91: Xuanhuan Cultivation BL (VII)

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Chapter 91: Xuanhuan Cultivation BL (VII)

Red light flashed as the figure in red moved, and another cultivator fell beneath Miao Lichen’s swords. His expression remained unchanged as he stepped over the corpse. Anyone who came here to kill for treasure had better be strong enough to do it. The red figure walked farther and farther away. A single leaf drifted down from the surrounding trees and landed lightly on the corpse. Miao Lichen paused for a moment, the corners of his lips lifting faintly before he continued onward.

After he had completely disappeared, several people emerged beside the corpse. They searched it from head to toe, taking anything of value. The dead had no further need for possessions. Rather than letting everything remain here until the Dankou Secret Realm closed and someone happened upon it, they might as well profit from it themselves. Once they had packed everything away, they quickly departed without the slightest intention of challenging Miao Lichen for the rumored top-grade spirit artifacts.

If they truly were top-grade spirit artifacts, even Soul Formation and Fusion cultivators would not be able to remain seated. Among the eight great sects of the cultivation world, only three possessed immortal artifacts to safeguard their sects, treasures that could not be used unless the sect faced catastrophe. More often than not, those immortal artifacts were what allowed those sects to survive calamities or even turn the tide of battle. The remaining sects relied on top-grade spirit artifacts to maintain their standing in the cultivation world. Owning one was the dream of every cultivator. In an era where both alchemy and artifact forging had declined and materials were exceedingly difficult to obtain, there was no way anyone would allow such a treasure to remain in the hands of a mere Golden Core cultivator.

Only after they were well away from the scene and certain the young man in red would not pursue them did they finally inspect their haul. Weighing the spirit stones in their hands, they left with satisfied smiles. Although they had all reached the Golden Core stage, Golden Core cultivators in major sects were hardly considered exceptional and often lived less comfortably than their counterparts in smaller sects. Their cultivation methods, however, were vastly superior, making murder and robbery second nature to them.

Miao Lichen had not traveled far before he came to a halt. It was not because another fool had blocked his path, but because he had spotted someone familiar. Dressed in white and surrounded by an icy aura, Yan Yangxi remained expressionless despite being heavily wounded and surrounded by enemies. Calm and composed, he still carried himself with all the bearing expected of the Heavenly Sword Sect Master’s Head Disciple.

He held a flying sword enveloped in frost so dense it had nearly become tangible. Though it had not quite reached the level of a top-grade spirit artifact, it was still a high-grade spirit artifact, only a single step away. This weapon was Yan Yangxi’s greatest opportunity within the Dankou Secret Realm, the reason for his grave injuries, and the beginning of his descent into the demonic path. At the Heavenly Sword Sect, Yan Yangxi had always been a favored genius who lacked neither pills nor spirit artifacts. Compared to the true great sects, however, the difference was enormous.

The gap between sect inheritances could never be bridged through diligence or effort alone. That was why the protagonist, relying on a unique cultivation technique, would eventually stand above the entire cultivation world. Miao Lichen knew there was no one else nearby besides himself. That meant Jiang Lingwen had not appeared here. A flicker crossed his eyes. What had kept the man who should have been here from arriving?

Yan Yangxi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and used his flying sword to force himself upright, a trace of bitterness flashing through his eyes. It would have been impossible for someone who had always been praised as a genius to possess no pride whatsoever. Yet today had shown him that all of that pride had been nothing but a joke. Before the true heirs of the great sects, whose bodies were equipped with spirit artifacts from head to toe and who entered the Dankou Secret Realm accompanied by numerous Golden Core cultivators, someone like him, though also at the Golden Core stage, could only surrender the treasure he had already obtained.

But how could he accept that? How could he? And after fighting to this extent and injuring several of them, would those arrogant disciples of the great sects really let him leave alive? Killing to seize treasure was precisely how those so-called righteous sects conducted themselves under the banner of honor.

Yan Yangxi lowered his head slightly and secretly swallowed a medicinal pill, preparing for one final desperate struggle. Gripping his sword tightly, he raised his head to attack, only to find someone in red standing before him. His robe was as red as blood, yet his long hair was as white as fresh snow. Two swords crossed behind his back without visible scabbards, as though they had always belonged there. His hair swayed lightly in the breeze, but those flawless blades, clearly extraordinary weapons, did not damage a single strand.

Miao Lichen looked at the group before him. Their leader was obviously a young man dressed in white, holding a folding fan and wearing a courteous smile that gave him the appearance of an elegant gentleman. That illusion held only as long as one ignored his unnaturally pale complexion and the obvious signs of excessive indulgence beneath his refined exterior.

One of the men beside the young master stiffened the moment he saw Miao Lichen, fear flashing briefly across his face before he quickly regained his composure and whispered something into Gu Zhixin’s ear. Gu Zhixin, who had initially paid Miao Lichen little attention, immediately looked toward the twin swords on his back. Desire flared in his eyes, and the smile on his lips widened. “Kid, leave those swords behind, and you can take this fool with you. I’m feeling generous today, so I won’t make things difficult for either of you.”

Although the swords on Miao Lichen’s back were not as dazzling as the one in Yan Yangxi’s hand, top-grade spirit artifacts were renowned for their restrained appearance. The faint glow surrounding them made it obvious they were anything but ordinary. More importantly, rumors had already spread that someone wielding a high-grade spirit artifact had been slain by Miao Lichen in a single strike. The only thing capable of severing a high-grade spirit artifact so effortlessly had to be a top-grade spirit artifact.

“Since even the Sect Master’s Head Disciple is considered ‘a fool,’ if I acted sensibly despite belonging to the same sect, wouldn’t I be disgracing the sect’s traditions?” Miao Lichen flicked his wrist. Before anyone could even follow his movements, the twin swords were already in his hands. Red light flooded the battlefield, so brilliant that everyone was forced to shut their eyes. By the time the light faded, everything had already been decided. Miao Lichen returned the twin swords to his back, glanced at Yan Yangxi with a slight frown, and turned to leave. As expected, although the Divine Halo’s enhancement had grown much stronger, its visual effects remained as unreliable as ever.

“Thank you.” Yan Yangxi struggled to his feet. He had not even managed to follow Miao Lichen’s movements. Slaying seven or eight Golden Core cultivators with a single strike was far beyond what a Golden Core cultivator should be capable of. That meant Miao Lichen’s gains within the Dankou Secret Realm had been far greater than merely obtaining a weapon.

“There’s no need. We’re from the same sect. It would be wrong to stand by and watch one another die.”

“ Gu Zhixin is from Pangu Valley. The direct disciples of major sects usually possess soul jade slips.” Yan Yangxi warned him. Helping him meant inviting trouble upon himself. Gu Zhixin was well known throughout the cultivation world, though certainly not for his talent. He was infamous for every imaginable vice, all because his father indulged him without restraint. Yan Yangxi did not know whether the great sects possessed some special method of tracing a killer. If they did not, he could shoulder the blame himself. But if they did, Miao Lichen would be in grave danger.

“It’s fine. No one can trace the deaths of those I kill, not even through a soul jade slip.” Miao Lichen paused briefly before continuing forward. His figure blurred into a red streak across the sky, faint flower petals drifting in his wake.

Ever since his body had become imbued with the aura of the phoenix, those he killed lost not only their bodies but their souls as well. A mere fragment of soul sealed within a jade slip was no exception. The Phoenix Flame truly was capable of burning away everything. It seemed the legends were not exaggerated. At most, others would learn only that the person had died. Unless they possessed an all-purpose system like Lovely, they would never uncover anything more.

∇ Capture Target Yan Yangxi Favorability: 30.

Yan Yangxi glanced over the corpses before preparing to leave this place of bloodshed. After taking several steps, however, he stopped, turned back, and searched Gu Zhixin’s body, retrieved a jade slip, and quickly disappeared. His grip tightened until the edges of the jade slip left marks in his palm. He had no intention of cultivating Pangu Valley’s techniques. What he wanted was to strengthen the Heavenly Sword Sect’s techniques by drawing inspiration from its fundamentals, though he wasn’t sure it was possible.

He lowered his gaze to the sword in his hand. Although it radiated a chilling cold, a faint red line could be seen running from the hilt all the way to the tip. He was fortunate Miao Lichen had not arrived after he had already taken possession of it. What he held was not a high-grade spirit artifact but a demonic artifact, more precisely, a demonic artifact concealed beneath the aura of a spirit artifact. It fed upon the blood of those it slew. Once it absorbed enough blood, it might no longer even resemble a spirit artifact.

His lips pressed into a thin line. But could he truly abandon this weapon? And then there was his Heavenly Demon Physique. Those born with such a physique cultivated demonic arts with unparalleled ease, encountering no obstacles whatsoever. Yet he was the Heavenly Sword Sect Master’s Head Disciple and the sect’s future successor. How could he willingly abandon the righteous path and become a demonic cultivator? If he truly did so, would not the century of righteous beliefs he had upheld become nothing more than a cruel joke?

When that time came, the person who had just saved him would surely regret it. Not only him, but everyone who had ever shown him kindness. Yet was he truly willing to remain forever beneath the great sects’ shadow? Yan Yangxi’s grip tightened, and blood dripped onto the blade. He watched as it slowly seeped into the sword until the blade once more returned to its flawless silver-white sheen.

No one had ever said that a Heavenly Demon Physique was destined to walk the demonic path. If he continued along the sword, he could carve out a path that belonged to him alone. Cultivation itself was an act of defying the heavens. Why should he submit to fate?

“There’s no need. We’re fellow disciples. It would be wrong to stand by and watch one another die.”

The words echoed faintly in his ears. A faint smile tugged at Yan Yangxi’s lips. Fellowship among fellow disciples… Miao Lichen was far more straightforward than he had imagined. Perhaps his junior sister and Miao Lichen really would have a good ending together.

Yet, for some reason, another thought surfaced in the depths of his heart. Could the bond between fellow disciples truly outweigh the divide between the righteous and demonic paths? He chose not to pursue the answer, just as he ultimately chose not to abandon the blood-drinking sword, quietly placing it inside his storage ring instead.

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