"Oh?"
Sensing the spiritual energy waves of two Nascent Soul stage cultivators approaching from the distance, a playful smile crept onto Zhuang Zhentian's lips. "Finally, they're sending out those two old relics after losing a man?"
"Good! However... if these little ones decide to run while I'm dealing with the old ones, that would be troublesome."
"Never mind, before those two geezers arrive, I'll just kill these eight little ones to avoid any complications!"
With that thought, Zhuang Zhentian didn't even bother summoning his minions from the corpse or beast storage bags. He simply infused his spiritual energy into Ye Fan's sword, which was more than enough!
Lingkong!
Like a Fish in Water!
With these two abilities stacked, Zhuang Zhentian's speed had now reached a level where even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could barely keep up!
...
Slaughter!!!
A terrifying blood-red energy erupted from Zhuang Zhentian's body, and his vision turned crimson in an instant! A crazed bloodlust surged in his heart.
In just a single breath, Zhuang Zhentian flashed behind one of the late-stage Core Formation cultivators.
Swish—!!
A blood-red sword arc slashed out, instantly cutting down the late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation eighth-layer cultivator, gained 86,742 evolution points]
But that wasn't the end!
Although Zhuang Zhentian was not primarily skilled in swordsmanship like Lin Li, his overwhelming cultivation power more than compensated for it!
The blood-red Slaughter Sword Arc didn't slow down and continued toward three other Core Formation cultivators in its path.
Their faces paled instantly, their souls seemingly leaving their bodies as they turned to flee!
However…
It was too late!
Just as they were about to gather their spiritual energy to make a run for it—
The blood-red Slaughter Sword Arc had already sliced through all three of them at the waist!
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation sixth-layer cultivator, gained 67,543 evolution points]
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation third-layer cultivator, gained 34,576 evolution points]
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation fifth-layer cultivator, gained 55,612 evolution points]
"In just a few moments, over 200,000 evolution points!" Ye Fan thought excitedly. "I only need about 700,000 more evolution points to evolve!"
"Four left..." Zhuang Zhentian's cold voice echoed.
The remaining four Core Formation cultivators, who weren't in the same direction as the first group, were overcome with terror.
The speed of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator was unimaginably fast! The two approaching beams of light, the Nascent Soul elders of Zhengmiao Sect, were already visible and closing in quickly.
"Master!!!"
"Save us!"
They screamed for help, filled with no desire to fight, and fled towards the two approaching elders.
"In battle, showing your back to the enemy is the most foolish move!"
Zhuang Zhentian sneered as he uttered those words.
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
Dozens of blood-red sword arcs shot out like streaking crimson ribbons, sealing off the escape routes of the four Core Formation cultivators in all directions.
Even though the two elders were nearly upon them, it was already too late—
Splurt, splurt!
The four Core Formation cultivators were cut into pieces by the dozens of sword arcs, exploding into four clouds of blood in mid-air before falling in fragments to the ground.
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation first-layer cultivator, gained 19,823 evolution points]
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation third-layer cultivator, gained 36,867 evolution points]
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation seventh-layer cultivator, gained 75,821 evolution points]
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Core Formation second-layer cultivator, gained 27,801 evolution points]
"Another hundred thousand evolution points collected!"
Ye Fan glanced at the system panel. "Only 600,000 more to evolve!"
Then, as he looked at the two Nascent Soul elders of Zhengmiao Sect rushing toward them in rage, he smiled. "It seems that after this battle, I will finally evolve into a Mid-Grade Spirit Treasure!"
"Curse you!"
"You heartless demon!"
"You must pay with your life for these murders!"
The two Nascent Soul cultivators roared in fury as they charged at Zhuang Zhentian.
In response, Zhuang Zhentian casually opened his corpse storage and beast storage bags.
The two injured Hopping Corpses, the Skeleton King, and the White Tiger King, all equivalent to Nascent Soul stage combatants, emerged at once!
As for the Core Formation minions, their injuries made them irrelevant to the battle, so Zhuang Zhentian did not bother summoning them.
Despite being injured, these four Nascent Soul-level combatants still carried immense power!
However, the most significant difference was that Zhuang Zhentian had become even more adept at using Ye Fan's abilities and was much stronger than when he slaughtered Haoran Academy!
The four Nascent Soul combatants immediately engaged the two Zhengmiao Sect elders, keeping them occupied.
Meanwhile, shortly after the battle started, Zhuang Zhentian seized the opportunity and suddenly launched a sneak attack, stabbing his sword into the back of the lower-level Nascent Soul elder.
[Killed Zhengmiao Sect Nascent Soul sixth-layer cultivator, gained 691,239 evolution points]
"Six hundred ninety thousand evolution points gained!" Ye Fan's spirit surged!
At the same time, the system notification echoed in his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, you have reached the evolution threshold. Would you like to evolve now?"
"Yes!"
As the Nascent Soul elder still locked in combat watched in horror, Zhuang Zhentian pulled his sword out of the other elder's back. The sword began to emit a radiant light, becoming even more crystalline, with the faint shadows of anguished, wailing souls swirling inside it.
"Ding! Congratulations on successfully evolving into the Mid-Grade Spirit Treasure: Wraith Spirit Sword!"
"Ding! Congratulations on obtaining the new active skill: Resentment!"
Having successfully evolved, Ye Fan excitedly called out, "Open the system panel!"
[Host]: Ye Fan
[Wraith Spirit Sword]
Grade: Mid-Grade Spirit Treasure
Description: This is a Mid-Grade Spirit Treasure that has slain many Nascent Soul cultivators. The sword is imbued with potent toxins, capable of killing upon contact, and has several unique effects. Its most terrifying aspect is its ability to extinguish souls and devour them. The sword contains numerous soul fragments of those it has slain.
[Passive Skills]:
Bloodthirst: The sword absorbs blood, nourishing itself and providing energy to its wielder.
Curse: The sword harbors immense resentment. If its wielder's strength is insufficient, they will be plagued by misfortune.
Toxins: The sword is imbued with lethal poison. Those weaker than its wielder will die upon contact. Those of equal strength will die within a week without treatment, and even those stronger than the wielder will see their combat power drastically reduced.
Flight: The wielder can fly at accelerated speeds.
Soul Extinguish: The sword can obliterate souls. If the sword destroys a person's body, their soul will also perish, leaving no chance of rebirth or possession. For Nascent Soul cultivators and higher, this is a lethal threat.
Soul Devour: When killing Nascent Soul cultivators or stronger, the sword devours their soul, strengthening the wielder's soul.
[Active Skills]:
Slaughter: Upon activation, the wielder enters a state of slaughter, where every move releases powerful, wide-range energy attacks. Slaughter mode continuously drains the wielder's spiritual energy.
Like a Fish in Water: Upon activation, the wielder's speed, agility, reflexes, and movement all receive significant boosts.
Resentment: Upon activation, the sword unleashes the resentment of the souls it has devoured, sending out a powerful soul shockwave that can briefly stun and immobilize enemies who are within three minor stages below the wielder.
[Evolution Points]: 90,000 / 8,000,000
[Energy]: 1,230,000
Meanwhile, the surviving elder, filled with rage, stared at Zhuang Zhentian, his eyes burning with fury as his comrade's life was cut short.
Zhuang Zhentian's sword gleamed with newfound power, and he smiled wickedly.
"You're next," he whispered, his bloodlust growing ever stronger.