Qiu Wanhong's expression shifted slightly as she quickly turned and unleashed her dragon energy toward the rear. Her battle experience told her that when an enemy deliberately set up false fronts, it was a clear sign they were planning to launch a surprise attack from behind!
However, to her dismay, her surroundings remained empty. The dragon energy she had built up with such intensity slammed into the rock wall, only dislodging some stone debris. Her face turned an ashen gray.
"Once again, I've fallen into his trap!"
With no other choice, Qiu Wanhong summoned all her puppets to cover her back while she pressed forward, still wary of a surprise attack.
Meanwhile, Chu Xuan had already used his Lotus Escape Technique to conceal his presence to the utmost, watching Qiu Wanhong from the shadows with great interest. He could certainly kill Qiu Wanhong, but he intended to do so with minimal effort.
After all, each extra bit of spiritual qi expended meant more spirit stones would be needed to replenish it. And spirit stones were now far too precious to waste in a battle of this sort. His earlier distractions were meant to keep Qiu Wanhong on edge, forcing her to remain constantly alert. In this game, she was in the open, while he operated in the shadows.
After several such psychological manipulations, Qiu Wanhong had become increasingly paranoid, imagining that Chu Xuan could be lurking in every dark corner. The flickering shadows cast by the faint light from the ores seemed like sinister, ravenous demonic beasts, ready to pounce at any moment.
"It's time."
Chu Xuan summoned the Sky Corpse Tower and the Umbra Shield. At once, the three Corpse Kings and the two Ghost Kings appeared, surrounding Qiu Wanhong from five directions. The sudden emergence of these five monstrous figures, dripping with malevolent energy, sent a shock of horror through Qiu Wanhong.
"No way!" she gasped.
In the current environment, with spiritual qi at an all-time low, cultivators from the Heavenly Corpse Palace had suffered a severe decline in strength as their corpse puppets were increasingly rebellious and dangerous. How could Chu Xuan summon so many Ghost Kings and Corpse Kings at once?
"Dammit…"
A deep sense of despair settled in her heart. She knew now that she had made the wrong choice.
"Devil, even if I die, I will still avenge my junior brother!"
With a roar, her eyes filled with rage and sorrow. All the puppet beasts charged toward the Ghost Kings and Corpse Kings without hesitation. Not caring for the exhaustion of her spiritual qi, she cast eight waves of dragon energy in rapid succession.
The powerful dragon energy surged forth, violently shaking the rock walls. Stones rained down, and dust filled the air, swirling through the mine passage like a storm.
Qiu Wanhong swiftly cast her escape technique, using the cover of the smoke and dust to rapidly retreat down the path she had come from. At this point, she had abandoned any hope of defeating her opponent. Her only goal now was to escape, to survive!
However, just as she thought she was about to break free from the chaos and debris, she found herself stepping right into a swirling sea of blood clouds. The blood clouds completely enveloped the entire mine passage, further suppressing her spiritual sense, making it nearly impossible to tell direction from disorientation.
In the blink of an eye, she had lost track of front, back, left, or right. Qiu Wanhong was both shocked and furious. She immediately recognized this for what it was—the Blood Cloud of the Blood Demon Flask.
"Dammit..." she cursed as she fought to suppress her panic. "Aren't you a cultivator of the Heavenly Infinite Sect? When did you also master the Great Transformation Blood Demon True Art?!"
With a roar, she unleashed golden dragon energy, desperately trying to fend off the oncoming tidal wave of blood demons. Her two magic shields also flared with golden light, striking out with each pulse to burn and scatter the blood demons. Every time a wave of energy surged forth, dozens of blood demons screamed, their bodies igniting in flames.
But as time passed, even her magic shields, which were once so bright and sturdy, began to show signs of fatigue. The blood clouds gradually tainted them, dimming their glow.
Outside, Chu Xuan stood with his arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. The Blood Cloud from the Blood Demon Flask was relentless in its consumption of energy. If it ever ran low, he could always replenish it through zombies from Blue Star, saving his spiritual qi for other uses. After all, using this method to trap Qiu Wanhong was far more efficient than direct confrontation.
Still, Chu Xuan suspected that Qiu Wanhong wasn't done yet. Despite her current weakness, she was still a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Mad Dragon Valley. If she fell so easily, it would suggest that the Nascent Soul cultivators of the valley were seriously lacking.
Qiu Wanhong, seeing the blood cloud spread in all directions, gritted her teeth and drew a talisman from her storage bag. Pouring her spiritual qi into the talisman, it immediately flared with blinding light. Golden flames erupted from it, incinerating the surrounding blood demons. Even the blood clouds began to retreat, the nauseating smell of burning flesh filling the air.
"Golden Flame Talisman?" Chu Xuan murmured, his eyes narrowing. "This talisman is specifically designed to counter the blood clouds of the Heavenly Blood Sect. It's clear that Qiu Wanhong was waiting until now to use it."
He nodded slightly. Having cultivated the Great Transformation Blood Demon True Art, he was well aware of what could counter the blood cloud.
The Golden Flame Talisman was a creation by a talisman master from Crazy Dragon Valley, specially designed to deal with this very threat. It could not only burn away the blood cloud but also suppress any spell used by blood path cultivators. It was incredibly effective, though it required rare materials, which made it difficult to craft. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator might not be able to get their hands on one.
For Qiu Wanhong to possess it was entirely understandable. As the Golden Flame Talisman burned through the blood clouds, they dissipated entirely. In that instant, Qiu Wanhong regained clarity. She immediately saw the path ahead and activated her escape technique once more, charging forward with renewed urgency.
Though the mine tunnels sprawled out in every direction, like a labyrinth, for a Nascent Soul cultivator whose soul had been tempered through the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, having a photographic memory was one of the most basic abilities. All she needed to do was retrace her steps, and she could escape with ease.
However, once again, reality played a cruel joke on Qiu Wanhong. Just as she took a step forward, she realized, to her horror, that she had fallen right into a formation. Within the boundaries of the formation, Spiritual Qi was thrown into complete disorder, twisted and reversed in an unnatural way.
The cycles of the five elements—their mutual promotion and restraint—were in utter chaos, and in this confined space, the elements could not harmonize. Without knowing the nature of the formation, it would be impossible to break free.
Qiu Wanhong tried to activate her usual protective spells, but their power was feeble, barely sufficient to form a small golden shield barely the size of a palm, and that took up an enormous amount of Spiritual Qi.
"What kind of formation is this?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with panic and anger.
Outside, Chu Xuan smiled faintly, a sense of calm confidence radiating from him.
"This formation is called the Reverse Chaos Formation," he explained. "I acquired it when I killed Zhao Kai of the Feather Transformation Heaven Palace."
This formation had a small radius of only about ten zhang, but it was quick to set up and had tremendous lethality.
Qiu Wanhong clearly had never encountered such a formation before, and as a result, she was completely thrown into disarray.
"Time to move," Chu Xuan murmured softly.
In the next instant, the Evil Soul Chain, like a massive black serpent, shot through the air, locking around her tightly. Before she could react, the chain had wrapped around her body, and the sound of her bones cracking and internal organs bursting filled the air.
Qiu Wanhong spat out several mouthfuls of blood, mixed with pieces of her own internal organs. She was filled with terror and despair.
"No... spare me! Please, spare my life!" she cried out desperately. "I am willing to do anything!"
The Evil Soul Chain paused, halting its deadly tightening. A figure appeared before her, and her heart sank as she saw the face. She recognized it immediately—it was Chu Xuan, the one she had believed to be Dong Qi of the Falling Sun Demon Fortress.
"You... you're not Dong Qi... you're Chu Xuan!" she gasped, her face full of disbelief.
Chu Xuan smiled calmly, unbothered by her shock. "You just said you'd do anything, didn't you?" he asked, his tone casual.
Qiu Wanhong nodded quickly, her voice trembling. "Yes, we can form a master-servant contract, as long as you spare my life..."
In her heart, she was already scheming—once he spared her, she would find a way to break the contract and take revenge later!
Chu Xuan nodded approvingly. "Alright, I'll agree to that contract."
Then, with a single slap, he struck her on the crown of her head. There was a sickening crack as her skull shattered, and in an instant, her soul was forcibly ripped out of her body.
"This soul is excellent, pure and solid. It's perfect for sealing into a demonic talisman," Chu Xuan nodded in satisfaction, casually tossing the soul into the Sky-Shielding Umbrella for safekeeping.
With another casual gesture, the red cloud that had enveloped the mine tunnels was sucked back into the Blood Demon Flask. He strode purposefully toward the mine's exit. Outside, the sounds of the ongoing battle were still audible, though they had already quieted down. It seemed the battle was nearing its end.
Sure enough, as he stepped out of the mine, he saw Wei Ji commanding a puppet, which cleaved the head of a Nascent Soul cultivator. However, that Nascent Soul cultivator managed to forcefully escape from his body, wrapping his soul and fleeing with his life intact. The other three had already fallen to the ground. Their faces were still contorted in agony, clearly poisoned by Shang Xingchen's toxin.
"It seems fellow daoist Chu is done as well," Shang Xingchen said, folding his white silk gloves with a smile.
Wei Ji, breathing heavily as he regained his Spiritual Qi, noticed Chu Xuan standing unscathed, his face calm and steady as if nothing had happened. Admiration flickered in his eyes.
Chu Xuan, on the other hand, felt a tinge of regret. Shang Xingchen and Wei Ji, fighting two against four, had taken down their enemies effortlessly. He had planned to put Shang Xingchen in a dangerous position and force him to reveal the formula for the Great Soul Spirit Pill, but it seemed that opportunity was lost.
"Ah, well, I'll have to find another chance," he thought with a sigh.
"This battle should make quite a name for us in the Heavenly Metal Battlefield," Wei Ji said, his voice grave.
Shang Xingchen nodded, "The Crazy Dragon Valley only had a few of their top people. Now, most of them have fallen at fellow daoist Chu's hands."
Chu Xuan responded nonchalantly, "It was a loss to all of us. We are all disciples of the Heavenly Infinite Sect, after all. There is no separating us."
Shang Xingchen smiled and nodded in agreement, "You're absolutely right, fellow daoist Chu."
"We'll be leaving now, fellow daoist Chu. Take care of yourself," Shang Xingchen said, quickly collecting the bodies of the fallen cultivators before leaving with Wei Ji.
As they departed, Chu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "They're quick with their hands, thinking I might take their spoils?" He snorted coldly and turned back toward the great spirit stone mine.
Meanwhile, as they walked away, Wei Ji muttered, "Good thing you were quick, or he might have taken them from us."
Shang Xingchen chuckled softly. "When dealing with Chu Xuan, quick hands always win. I knew that from the start."
Wei Ji nodded in deep agreement. A few days later, news spread throughout the surrounding area: all the Nascent Soul cultivators from Crazy Dragon Valley had been slain.
Fiery Sky Cloud Tower's base.
Upon hearing the news, Shangguan He immediately became restless, pacing back and forth.
Kang Jia scratched his head. "Senior Brother, what should we do? Should we join forces with the cultivators from Red Flame Pavilion to avenge the Crazy Dragon Valley cultivators?"
Shangguan He shook his head, "Avenge them? They're Crazy Dragon Valley cultivators, not our Fiery Sky Cloud Tower disciples. Let them die. What does it have to do with us?"
Kang Jia clicked his tongue. "So, Senior Brother thinks...?"
Shangguan He furrowed his brows, deep in thought. "As I expected, Chu Xuan's ability to kill Song Lingfeng, force back Dong Qi and Su Jue, proves his power is formidable. Now that he's killed Qiu Wanhong, he's fully showcased his strength. I plan to visit and meet with Chu Xuan, the disciple of the Heavenly Infinite Sect."
Kang Jia's eyes widened. "Senior Brother isn't afraid he'll take action against you?"
Shangguan He smiled bitterly, "I'm afraid, that's why I need to make the stakes clear to him. If we want to leave the Heavenly Metal Battlefield, we need to act together. Otherwise, we'll remain as scattered as sand."
Kang Jia's face showed shock. "Senior Brother, what courage!"
Shangguan He coughed lightly. "Actually, it's because the three disciples of Heavenly Infinite Sect are too strong. So, we need to ally with them."
Kang Jia's expression grew serious. "But Senior Brother, aren't you worried about what the other righteous cultivators will say behind our backs?"
Shangguan He sneered, "If gossip behind our backs can help us survive on this battlefield, then I don't mind a little gossip."
Kang Jia pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement.
Cold Ironwood Forest Base.
When Ximen Changqing delivered the news to Xiao Xian, the latter's expression, once jovial, immediately turned somber.
"Why the grim face, fellow daoist Xiao?" Ximen Changqing asked, puzzled.
Xiao Xian spoke in a low tone, "This person, to have killed Qiu Wanhong, his strength is too overwhelming. He can probably rank within the top five of those below Deity Transformation. Then there's the other two from Heavenly Infinite Sect, Shang Xingchen and that Wei Ji... I can't remember his full name."
Ximen Changqing supplied, "Wei Ji."
Xiao Xian nodded, "Right, Wei Ji. Shang Xingchen and Wei Ji are clearly united with Chu Xuan, not working against him. Their combined strength is formidable as well."
Ximen Changqing followed, "What does fellow daoist Xiao think we should do?"
Xiao Xian paced a few times before answering seriously, "We should visit them, form an alliance, and share intelligence, working together. If we can seize other outposts from the enemy, then Heavenly Infinite Sect should leave us alone."
Ximen Changqing clapped his hands. "That makes sense. But what will the other righteous cultivators think of this?" he added with concern.
Xiao Xian sneered, "I'm sure they're all worried about it. Still clinging to the idea of keeping to the so-called righteous dao. But in a place like the Heavenly Metal Battlefield, those who still differentiate between the righteous and the demonic are probably the ones with issues."
Ximen Changqing chuckled but said nothing.
Similar scenes played out across other outposts. Righteous cultivators were mostly anxious, sensing that the balance of power was shifting. Their concern stemmed from a deep-seated fear of being caught in the crossfire of the Heavenly Infinite Sect's growing influence.
Demonic cultivators, on the other hand, weren't overly rejoicing. Heavenly Infinite Sect's strength was undeniable, and they too understood that such power would eventually affect them.
Nonetheless, despite their unease, the Falling Sun Demon Fortress and Heavenly Corpse Palace sent emissaries to deliver gifts and convey their respect. After all, no one wanted to offend such a formidable figure as Chu Xuan.
Outside the great spirit stone mine.
Shangguan He and Kang Jia stood quietly.
Kang Jia scratched his head. "Senior Brother, do you think he will let us in?"
Shangguan He shook his head. "Even if he lets us in, we won't be able to enter. It's his domain inside."
"We wait here," he added simply.
Kang Jia nodded repeatedly, understanding the situation.
Soon, Chu Xuan strode out with confidence.
Kang Jia's face showed clear surprise. "Dong Qi?!"
Chu Xuan smiled. "Greetings, fellow daoists. Chu Xuan of the Heavenly Infinite Sect, a pleasure to meet you."
Shangguan He was also taken aback but, being experienced, he quickly grasped the situation. He couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "I didn't expect that we had already met. Fellow Daoist Chu, a pleasure."
Kang Jia's expression shifted dramatically as he looked at Chu Xuan. The idea of sincerity and trustworthiness... none of it was real!
Shangguan He casually gestured, and a Golden Core early-stage puppet emerged, holding a jade box with both hands.
"Fellow daoist Chu, this is a small token from Fiery Sky Cloud Tower. Please, accept it."
Chu Xuan smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? No reward without effort. Why does Fellow Daoist Shangguan want to send me a gift?"
Shangguan He smiled back. "Our Fiery Sky Cloud Tower wishes to form an alliance with the Heavenly Infinite Sect. This is a small token I have prepared. Even if sect master Chu does not wish to form an alliance, the gift has already been given. Let this serve as a gesture of goodwill."
Chu Xuan waved his hand casually, and Hu shot out from behind him, swiftly taking the jade box. It opened, revealing two jade bottles inside.
"Black Dragon Pills, ten of them. Soul Spirit Pills, ten of them. Please, fellow daoist Chu, don't refuse."
Shangguan He smiled, watching closely.
Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow immediately. If these pills were presented outside, their value wouldn't be too high. Indeed, it could be considered a mere "token of goodwill." However, within the Heavenly Metal Battlefield, these pills were practically hard currency! Especially the Black Dragon Pills, which helped Nascent Soul cultivators recover Spiritual Qi. In the current battlefield, these were akin to a life-saving trump card for every cultivator.
During a fight, having one more Black Dragon Pill meant an extra boost in Spiritual Qi, potentially allowing a cultivator to cast one more spell, which could turn the tide of the battle. Given this, it was clear that Shangguan He was offering this gift with true sincerity.
Chu Xuan smiled and casually accepted the pills.
"Fellow Daoist Shangguan, no need to be so modest. This is no 'small gift'; this is a great gift indeed. If Fellow Daoist Shangguan wishes to form an alliance, I see no reason to decline. At present, the Heavenly Metal Battlefield has become a place like this. Whether it's the righteous path or the demonic path, we're all trapped in the same cage. We can keep fighting amongst ourselves, but in the end, none of us will escape this prison. Only through unity and true cooperation can we hope to escape."
Shangguan He instantly showed an expression of relief, as though he'd found a kindred spirit.
"I'm glad to hear fellow daoist Chu say that. It truly brings me great comfort. Earlier, Qiu Wanhong wanted to join forces with us to attack the great spirit stone mine. I made it clear what the stakes were, but unfortunately, Qiu Wanhong wouldn't listen and brought about her own demise... Sigh."
Shangguan He paused, then continued, "In the future, if Feiry Sky Cloud Tower comes across any information, we will make sure to inform Heavenly Infinite Sect first. And if we learn that someone is plotting against Heavenly Infinite Sect, we will also pass that on. This, my friend, is what I consider to be an alliance. I'm sure sect master Chu shares the same view?"
Chu Xuan smiled and nodded. "Of course."
"Good. Then I shall take my leave."
Shangguan He cupped his hands once more, then turned and left with Kang Jia. Only after they'd moved far from the great spirit stone mine did Kang Jia speak in a low voice.
"Senior Brother, do we really have to tell Heavenly Infinite Sect everything?"
Shangguan He rolled his eyes. "I was just joking. Did you actually believe it?"
Kang Jia scratched his head. "When I was a Golden Core cultivator, you always warned me that the demonic path is filled with betrayal, while the righteous path always keeps its word."
Shangguan He sighed.
"Little Jia."
Kang Jia looked at him. "Hm?"
Shangguan He patted his shoulder. "I never thought you'd take that seriously."
Kang Jia blinked in confusion. "Shouldn't I believe it?"
Shangguan He nodded. "You should, but only believe a little."
Kang Jia wanted to say something more, but Shangguan He had already used his escape technique and was quickly leaving. He hurried to catch up, deep in thought. The deeply ingrained mindset he had cultivated during years of hard cultivation was beginning to shift because of Shangguan He, this slippery and worldly old man.
However, just as they had flown some distance, they saw two figures coming towards them. The two sides crossed paths, and immediately, they recognized each other's faces.
Shangguan He greeted them with a polite smile.
"Ah, it's fellow daoist Xiao from Red Flame Pavilion, what a pleasant surprise."
That night, not only did Chu Xuan kill Qiu Wanhong and the others, but Cold Ironwood Forest had also been seized by Xiao Xian. Naturally, Shangguan He knew about this too.
Xiao Xian hadn't expected to run into Shangguan He, but he didn't appear embarrassed. Instead, he casually cupped his hands.
"Pleasure to meet you. Where's Fellow Daoist Shangguan coming from? Looking at the direction, it seems like you were near the great spirit stone mine, which is controlled by those demonic cultivators?"
Shangguan He snorted coldly.
"Demonic Dao must be eradicated by all! I had an old connection with fellow daoist Qiu. When fellow daoist Qiu died at the hands of that demonic fiend, I was furious. So, I had a bit of a clash with that demonic cultivator from Heavenly Infinite Sect."
Xiao Xian raised an eyebrow in interest. "Oh? What was the outcome?"
Shangguan He sighed deeply. "In the end, my strength was lacking. If not for junior brother Kang Jia helping me, I would have been buried there with my broken body. Right, Kang Jia? You agree, don't you?"
Kang Jia was still in a daze. At this moment, he quickly recovered and said, "Yes, yes, absolutely."
Xiao Xian smiled ambiguously. "Seems to be just as I thought. I, along with fellow daoist Ximen, am also planning to confront that demonic fiend, to ease fellow daoist Qiu's spirit in the afterlife."
Shangguan He nodded. "Go ahead, but be cautious. That demonic fiend's strength is formidable."
Xiao Xian cupped his hands. "Thank you for the warning, Fellow Daoist Shangguan ."
The four of them brushed past each other.
Shangguan He watched their retreating figures with a cold snort.
Kang Jia whispered, "Are they also going to form an alliance with Chu Xuan?"
"Probably," Shangguan He shook his head. "Everyone's scrambling to offer gifts to Chu Xuan now. Who would dare to offend him?"
"Let's go. We should return and focus on our cultivation, we shouldn't waste time."
...
Three Days Later
Chu Xuan gazed at the eight jade boxes in front of him and immediately broke into a smile. Inside were either precious recovery pills or powerful talismans. There were also two Nascent Soul-level early-stage puppet beasts.
These were the "small gifts" sent by the Nascent Soul cultivators from various sects.
The deaths of Qiu Wanhong and the fallen cultivators from Crazy Dragon Valley had made every cultivator realize the strength of Chu Xuan. No one wanted to offend the Sect Leader of Heavenly Infinite Sect.
The demonic cultivators weren't too concerned, as they had always stood on a moral low ground, pointing fingers at others. However, the righteous cultivators were much more cautious in this regard.
In private, they had formed an unbreakable alliance with Heavenly Infinite Sect, but they dared not speak of it openly. After all, the righteous and demonic paths had never been compatible. Even now, when reality forced them to lower their heads, they didn't want other righteous cultivators to know.
Of course, Chu Xuan knew this, and they knew it as well. The so-called "unbreakable alliance" was just an illusion—easily shattered with a single poke. Few would truly regard the alliance as anything substantial.
The gifts they had sent were not even their most precious treasures. The most valuable items remained safely tucked in their own pockets. Not only would they not give them to a stranger, but they were reluctant even to hand them over to their own sect's senior brothers.
"With so many Nascent Soul cultivators from Crazy Dragon Valley wiped out, the Deity Transformation cultivators from both sides must have noticed by now..." Chu Xuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
...
Heaven-Nine City
Heavenly River True Master sat quietly in a stone chamber.
The floor of the room was laid with a spiritual gathering array, studded with numerous great spirit stones. This array allowed his cultivation to be maintained at its peak, preventing his level from dropping back to Nascent Soul.
However, as a Deity Transformation cultivator, maintaining his original realm required far more spirit stones than a Nascent Soul cultivator. Even though he controlled a great spirit stone mine and several medium-level spiritual stone mines, he was already stretched thin. He wanted to meditate, but his mind remained restless.
"Ancestor, how long are your plans going to take..." he muttered to himself. "Do we still have a way out?" He sighed deeply in his heart.
Just then, a voice came from outside the stone room.
"Master, the cultivators of Crazy Dragon Valley were annihilated in one night. Not a single Nascent Soul cultivator, including Qiu Wanhong, survived."
Heavenly River True Master raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Annihilated? By whom?" he asked sharply. "I remember that Crazy Dragon Valley had eight Nascent Soul cultivators enter the Heavenly Metal Battlefield. Eight Nascent Souls, not pigs!"
The Nascent Soul cultivator from the Reincarnation Divine Sect outside spoke solemnly, "It was Chu Xuan of Heavenly Infinite Sect."
"Chu Xuan?"
Heavenly River True Master mulled over the name, deep in thought. He suddenly recalled that it was Chu Xuan who had annihilated the Mystic Azure Star's Feather Transformation Heaven Palace and taken its place. Because of this person, the Reincarnation Divine Sect lost control of the Mystic Azure Star, a resource-rich cultivation planet, which they had handed over without a fight. He had a vivid memory of that event.
"I remember," he suddenly spoke, "This person previously took control of a great spirit stone mine, right?"
The Nascent Soul cultivator outside the door respectfully nodded, "Yes, that's correct. Qiu Wanhong and the others tried to seize that mine, but they were ultimately defeated by Chu Xuan."
Heavenly River True Master said lightly, "What else?"
The Nascent Soul cultivator continued, "The cultivators from Red Flame Pavilion took advantage of Crazy Dragon Valley's attack on the great spirit stone mine and occupied the Cold Ironwood Forest. They have now taken it as their own."
Heavenly River True Master remained impassive, "Make sure they remember to deliver the Cold Ironwood every month."
The Nascent Soul cultivator bowed, "Understood. Master, as far as I know, many righteous cultivators have secretly formed alliances with that demonic cultivator from Heavenly Infinite Sect..."
Heavenly River True Master replied indifferently, "Ignore them. Over time, they will eventually fight each other over the spirit stones, and those so-called alliances will fall apart."
He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "Always remember what I have told you. Our enemy will forever be Tian Mozi. As long as he does not act, we should not act either, or we will give him an opening."
The Nascent Soul cultivator nodded respectfully, "Understood, Master. I will take my leave now."
Heavenly River True Master sighed softly, closing his eyes and entering a state of meditation, putting all his concerns aside.
...
"Another peaceful and calm day."
Chu Xuan casually crushed the skull of a Nether Crocodile, sighing slightly. Ever since the news of his killing of Qiu Wanhong spread, no one had dared to trouble him. No one dared to eye the great spirit stone mine either. Now, those brave enough to challenge him were no longer human. They were beasts. Only ancient beasts like the Nether Crocodile and the Dark Nether Falcon would persistently seek trouble with him.
"What a pity."
"ROAR!!"
In the distance, the howl of a corpse puppet echoed through the night.
Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. That direction led straight to Heaven-Three City. Now, Heaven-Three City was entirely occupied by corpse puppets. Most of these corpse puppets had been left behind by Heavenly Corpse Palace cultivators. There had been a few righteous cultivators who, upon seeing their potential, had tried to subdue some of the puppets for their own use.
After all, corpse puppets didn't consume Spiritual Qi, which made them perfect minions in the Heavenly Metal Battlefield, where Spiritual Qi was dwindling. But those few righteous cultivators had all met with failure. Two unlucky guys even perished in Heaven-Three City, without even causing a ripple.
Chu Xuan had no intention of going to Heaven-Three City to subdue the corpse puppets. Currently, the three Corpse Kings under his control were all of his own making, and their loyalty was exceedingly high.
Meanwhile, the corpse puppets in Heaven-Three City were all crafted by Heavenly Corpse Palace cultivators, and they had already undergone a rebellion. Once they tasted the act of devouring their masters, it would only be a matter of time before they did it again. Chu Xuan did not want to plant a ticking time bomb next to him.
"However, it's not a bad idea to let them feast properly. Perhaps it will help them level up."
The corpse puppets in Heaven-Three City were not very powerful. They would make for a perfect snack. The three Corpse King had varying levels of strength. Hu was the strongest, now a Sixth-level Corpse King. Bao followed closely behind, a Third-level Corpse King. Long was the weakest, a Second-level Corpse King. While these levels were enough to deal with ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, there was still a considerable gap compared to Chu Xuan's current strength. It would not do to neglect their progress.
"Let's go. Time for a snack."
With a sweep of his hand, Chu Xuan led the Three Corpse Beasts straight toward Heaven-Three City. The process of feeding was a bloody affair, so there's no need to elaborate.
What surprised Chu Xuan was the fact that there were quite a few Taotie Roots emerging in Heaven-Three City. It seemed the spread of the Taotie Roots was faster than he had anticipated. Another shock came when he noticed that the underground of Heaven-Three City was exuding an unusually strong aura of Yin Qi. None of the nine cities in the Heavenly Metal Battlefield had ever experienced this before.
"It seems that the sudden rebellion of the corpse puppets isn't just related to the decline in strength of the Heavenly Corpse Palace cultivators..."
Chu Xuan rubbed his chin, deep in thought. The intense Yin Qi in this area had significantly enhanced the strength of the corpse puppets, which could explain their rebellion against their masters.
"But where is this Yin Qi coming from?"
Chu Xuan searched for a long time in Heaven-Three City, but the density of Yin Qi seemed to remain constant. He couldn't find its source. Just then, he suddenly noticed a corpse puppet lurking in a dark corner of the city, staring at him.
At first glance, it seemed to be at the strength of a Corpse General, but for some reason, its eyes revealed an ancient and heavy wisdom that was completely unlike that of a typical corpse puppet. If he had to describe it, it was as if an ancient soul was inhabiting the body of a corpse.
The moment Chu Xuan locked eyes with it, a great terror descended upon him. An endless sea of corpse mountains and blood lakes seemed to engulf him. A demonic beast, far larger than the stars, crossed the vast expanse of the galaxy, its massive paw descending to crush him. Finally, there was an endless void of darkness and cold, intent on eradicating all living beings into dust!
This feeling seemed to have lasted a long time, but in reality, it only persisted for an instant. By the time Chu Xuan came to his senses, his body was covered in cold sweat, his scalp tingling, and the hairs on his neck were standing on end. It was a rare sight for a Nascent Soul cultivator to lose composure like this. His instinct screamed at him—this corpse puppet was definitely inhabited by an ancient monster!
Was it targeting him? Did it want to seize his body? Or was it simply curious about him? Should he run? Or should he risk engaging with it?
In that fleeting moment, countless thoughts raced through Chu Xuan's mind. And in that same instant, he decided how to escape.
"This corpse puppet is interesting; its eyes are so full of life. Its potential must be extraordinary."
Chu Xuan muttered to himself, a hint of excitement appearing on his face. He took a step forward, as if intending to approach the corpse puppet. But in the very next moment, he spat out a mouthful of Nascent Soul essence and activated his escape technique!
Ice Crystal Divine Light Escape!
In the blink of an eye, he had soared dozens of zhang away, quickly putting a safe distance between himself and the corpse puppet. As for the three corpse puppets, Chu Xuan immediately sent them a mental command to flee at top speed.
Hu did not hesitate for a moment and immediately turned to flee outside the city. Long, having no mind of his own, simply obeyed his master's command and ran without question. Only Bao hesitated slightly, eyeing the corpse remnants on the ground, tempted by the feast. He lingered for a moment, taking a few more bites before finally running, though it cost him a little time.
"Interesting... are all cultivators so clever these days?"
The voice of the corpse puppet echoed from its mouth, dry and hoarse, as if it had developed an interest in Chu Xuan. With a single step, it appeared behind Chu Xuan in the blink of an eye. Its shriveled, skeletal hand shot forward like a sharp blade, striking directly at Chu Xuan's spirit sense.
In that moment, Chu Xuan felt a terrifying pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced since starting his cultivation journey. The gnarled, hideous hand of the corpse puppet felt as if a massive, divine palm had descended from the heavens. It sealed off any possibility of escape, leaving Chu Xuan no room to flee in any direction!
The speed of the corpse puppet's palm strike was incredibly fast.
At first glance, it seemed slow, almost leisurely, but in the blink of an eye, it was already about to land on Chu Xuan's head.
There was no time left to summon a magic treasure. He had to rely on his talismans to defend himself first.
Chu Xuan gritted his teeth. Without hesitation, he threw out three Demonic Soul Talismans and fifteen Nascent Soul-grade talismans.
The three Demonic Soul Talismans ignited fiercely, and three soul forms immediately manifested—Qiu Wanhong and the two other Nascent Soul cultivators from Crazy Dragon Valley, whose souls had been extracted by Chu Xuan earlier and sealed inside the talismans, now materialized as Demonic Souls.
The fifteen Nascent Soul-grade talismans quickly transformed into various forces—flames, frost, lightning, and more. Some flew toward the corpse puppet's hand, while others formed shields to protect Chu Xuan. The three Demonic Souls of Qiu Wanhong and his companions bravely charged toward the corpse puppet's palm.
"Looks a little like something from the Demonic Dao."
The corpse puppet sneered faintly.
In the next moment, there was a series of loud explosions as the corpse puppet's palm continued its relentless strike. The three Demonic Souls of Qiu Wanhong were obliterated in less than a breath's time, annihilated into countless fragments of soul energy that vanished without a trace.
As for the fifteen Nascent Soul-grade talismans, they too were shattered into countless light spots in the blink of an eye. Yet the corpse puppet's palm did not falter. It continued its path toward Chu Xuan.
At this moment, Chu Xuan swiftly summoned his magic treasures. With just these two breaths of time, it would be enough. He patted his storage bag, and several magic treasures shot out at once.
The first was a small, jet-black mountain-shaped treasure. As soon as it appeared, it rapidly expanded. Following that were two massive frost crossbows, their bolts of cold light forming rapidly.
Next, a frost-blue bottle landed, releasing a surge of intense cold air. Two flying swords, one a dragon and the other a serpent, followed swiftly, each attacking with deadly precision. Finally, he beckoned, and a black chain shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
After performing all these actions, Chu Xuan clasped his hands behind his back, two powerful spells coalescing in his palms, ready to be released at any moment.
These magic treasures included Iron Peak Mountain, Icy Sun Crossbow, Yin Frost Bottle, Dragon and Serpent Flying Swords, and the Evil Soul Chain. Among them, the Dragon and Serpent Flying Swords had been taken from Qiu Wanhong's storage bag after his death, along with Iron Peak Mountain and the Yin Frost Bottle—all treasures of great power.
Seeing so many top-tier magic treasures appearing simultaneously, the corpse puppet's expression shifted.
"Your soul is unusual. Far more powerful than that of a Nascent Soul cultivator. You can control so many magic treasures at once?"
The corpse puppet was momentarily stunned. It had only just awakened and sought a body to possess, waiting for the right moment. But it never expected the first cultivator it encountered to be so troublesome.
How long had it been asleep? Were all cultivators nowadays this powerful?
Boom!
The corpse puppet's hand collided with the array of magic treasures. A muffled explosion immediately rang out. Iron Peak Mountain was the first to be sent flying, letting out a mournful cry.
Chu Xuan took one glance and knew immediately that the treasure was now covered in cracks and could no longer be used. The two frost crossbow bolts shot from the Frost Sun Crossbow failed to injure the corpse puppet's palm.
However, due to the cold energy from the Yin Frost Bottle, the bolts succeeded in slowing the palm's descent. The Dragon and Serpent Flying Swords slashed toward the corpse puppet's neck from either side, forcing it to raise its other hand to block. But this only lasted a moment. The Dragon and Serpent Flying Swords were immediately sliced into four pieces, losing all their previous luster.
The Evil Soul Chain shot forward, and the weapon soul appeared, roaring as it coiled around the corpse puppet like a furious black serpent. Feeling the immense power within the Evil Soul Chain, the corpse puppet's face finally showed a hint of seriousness.
"Get lost!"
The corpse puppet let out a low growl. A torrent of corpse Qi surged outward. It blasted the Evil Soul Chain away, and cracks appeared on its surface. This was Chu Xuan's fated magic treasure, and its cracks sent a jolt of pain through him. He let out a muffled grunt and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"You surprise me, kid."
A voice filled with doubt echoed from the corpse puppet's mouth.
On the corpse puppet's palm, a fierce surge of corpse Qi began to rise. The foul, decaying stench immediately hit Chu Xuan's senses. Even just a whiff made his body feel as though it was being corrupted.
Chu Xuan immediately began circulating the White Jade Anti-Toxin Art. This was a technique he had developed for poison resistance, capable of neutralizing most toxins. Clearly, corpse poison was among them. But he didn't expect it to hold off much. What mattered now was getting rid of this corpse puppet and escaping with his life.
"It looks like I'll have to use this move..."
Chu Xuan slapped his storage bag, and a small dagger suddenly appeared in his hand.
The Sin Karma Saber. This was the treasure he had obtained after slaying Yun Zhongyu. Although it was only a high-grade magic treasure, it possessed an extraordinary ability: It could convert accumulated merit into the Fire of Sin Karma. The more merit it consumed, the stronger the Fire of Sin Karma became. So, despite being a high-grade magic treasure, in Chu Xuan's hands—who possessed immense merit—it was an extremely potent trump card.
"I've kept this hidden for so long, and only now have I been forced to use it."
Though Chu Xuan felt a twinge of regret, he wasted no time in reversing his merit.
Hum!
A burst of golden light surged from him, instantly transforming into the red-black karma of evil. The seemingly ordinary Sin Karma Saber was quickly ignited by the flames of Sin Karma. Despite being no larger than a palm, the saber expanded to a massive three zhang in an instant, its flames roaring fiercely as if set to burn everything to ash.
The moment merit reversed into Sin Karma, Chu Xuan felt something intangible being drawn from him. It was his merit, along with a portion of his lifespan and fortune. But at this moment, for the sake of survival, he had no choice but to part with them. Merit was precious, but life was more precious. Life only came once. Merit, however, could be accumulated again.
"Go!"
Without another thought, Chu Xuan hurled the Sin Karma Saber forward, then quickly stowed away his magic treasures and fled. At this moment, the corpse puppet's gaze shifted completely.
"So much Sin Karma?!"
It immediately withdrew its palm and dodged, but the Sin Karma Saber seemed to have a life of its own, relentlessly pursuing it. The corpse puppet cast a final glance at Chu Xuan's retreating figure before stepping into the air and darting off in another direction. Karma, even the corpse puppet did not wish to engage with it.
Meanwhile, Chu Xuan continued to consume Nascent Soul essence, performing his escape technique. He raced from Heaven-Three City to Heaven-Five City in one breath. Spotting a cave in the ground, he immediately dove in, using the Lotus Escape Technique to conceal his presence. Only then did the tension in his chest begin to ease.
"That was too close… that old monster is terrifying. I am no match for him."
Chu Xuan sighed deeply. Just then, an ominous feeling suddenly washed over him. His expression changed slightly. He quickly scanned the surroundings and, finding nothing amiss, instinctively turned his attention inward. Then, he immediately noticed something strange with Bao. It seemed as if something was trying to use the soul link between Bao and him to invade his own soul! Clearly, it was yet another move by that corpse puppet!
Without hesitation, Chu Xuan activated the spiritual sense restrictions he had placed on his soul link with Bao. He immediately shattered all the memories in Bao's mind. Then, his spiritual sense manifested as a blade, severing the soul connection between him and Bao with a single, decisive strike.