Cultivating To Immortality

This aura was incredibly powerful; merely the aftershocks of its sweep caused many Qi Refining soldiers on the canyon’s edge to feel as if struck by a heavy hammer, their blood and Qi surging.

Even Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators like Song Yan found their breathing stifled.

Wu Yun and Wei Zhi both stepped forward simultaneously, shielding Wu Caidie behind them.

False Core Realm?!

Could it be the leader of the rebel army?

However, the aura did not linger. It merely shot out from the depths of the canyon at an extremely fast speed, brushing past the edge of the newly formed Formation, and fled towards the horizon.

As dust began to rise, Song Yan activated some Sword Qi, enveloping his body. At the same time, a golden hue surged into his eyes.

Observe the Void!

The opponent had no intention of staying, which gave Song Yan a window to observe.

The aura of this streak of light carried a heavy Evil Qi, vaguely showing signs of a Golden Core Cultivator; it was indeed at the False Core Realm.

However, under Observe the Void, this aura was incredibly weak, like a flickering candle in a strong wind, capable of extinguishing at any moment.

Perhaps because of this, there was a chaotic sense of rapid decay and burning desire for survival at the brink of death, making one’s heart palpitate.

The aura fluctuated violently, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, as it rapidly fled through the high sky, heading straight out of the canyon.

It seems this person is indeed the rebel leader, but how could he escape from Deputy General Luo, a Golden Core Realm expert... Did Luo Zheng go soft?

Highly unlikely.

But these are not the main points. The main point is... this is a False Core Realm rebel, at the end of his rope, hanging by a thread.

He didn’t know what happened in the canyon, only speculated. If he could take this opportunity to kill this person, how much Spiritual Qi could that golden-red ancient talisman absorb?

This person was truly in mortal danger; even maintaining his escape light seemed extremely difficult.

The monstrous Evil Qi was very chaotic and violent, probably not only accumulated from past battlefield killings,

but also mixed with the backlash from forcefully activating spiritual power and secret arts like sacrificing life.

At this moment, this Evil Qi was like a persistent disease, accelerating the decay of his already weak aura.

A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind, but it was only for an instant.

As a thought arose, the Sword Qi around Song Yan’s body began to surge rapidly.

His figure flickered slightly, then vanished like a reflection in water.

"Daoist Song... no, Captain Song!"

Li Yan’s face seemed somewhat bewildered, and the others exchanged glances.

"Hmph, if he wants to die, let him go."

Wu Yun sneered, "To establish a Dao Foundation at such a young age, I initially thought he was a smart person."

"I didn’t expect him to be so overconfident, seeking his own death."

"Everyone!" A glimmer of light flashed in Chen Li’s eyes. Without hesitation, he immediately spoke.

"When the King’s personal guard left, he strictly ordered us to hold this place. There’s been a sudden change in the canyon, and the enemy might have reinforcements."

He straightened his back and surveyed the crowd, "Daoist Song is also a smart person. I believe he wouldn’t rashly pursue; perhaps he has other plans. But we have our duties and cannot abandon our posts!"

However, he changed his tone, a hint of worry entering his voice: "But Daoist Song pursuing alone might encounter an ambush. Chen is truly uneasy!"

"How about this: you all continue to guard this place strictly, making sure no more mishaps occur. Chen will go to support Daoist Song. If danger arises, it’s better to give a timely warning and report back, rather than Daoist Song facing the danger alone!"

He spoke these words with righteous indignation, as if entirely concerned for Song Yan’s and everyone’s safety.

Before anyone else could react, Chen Li’s figure flickered. He used a Spiritual Artifact and chased after them.

Once he was far from the temporary camp, his aura suddenly became somewhat indistinct, as if covered by a flowing shadow.

Following the lingering bloody Evil Qi in the air, he silently merged into the mountain forest on the east side of the canyon.

"Heaven truly helps me..."

Of course, he wasn’t there to help. Song Yan’s combat power still made him somewhat wary.

His goal was to hide in the shadows, like a mantis stalking a cicada, waiting for the oriole to snatch the prize... "Cough cough... cough!"

The bloody escape light became increasingly unstable and sluggish.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but his body swayed unsteadily, and the escape light around him dispersed.

Having barely escaped from a Golden Core Realm expert, his injuries were now terrifying.

He couldn’t even control himself to stop.

Bang!

A black shadow crashed into the mountain forest, breaking several trees, and then rolled for a while before finally coming to a stop.

It kicked up a cloud of dust.

"Cough..."

Blood seeped from every part of his body, practically dyeing him a blood-red man.

His throat was dry; he coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood, which further aggravated his wounds.

His robust body was covered with gruesome wounds, shredded by Spear Intent, deep enough to expose bone.

The most severe injury was slightly to the left of his chest, a bowl-sized blood hole that almost completely pierced his upper body.

Life force and spiritual power were frantically leaking and draining away.

His entire body was in excruciating pain, like ten thousand ants gnawing at his heart.

But even more intense than the pain was the endless, burning hatred and unwillingness that threatened to consume his Soul.

He only took a slight breath before struggling to his feet, swaying as he stood, one hand gripping a tree, looking back in the direction of the canyon.

Though he couldn’t perceive it, he could imagine the auras of his generals disappearing one by one.

"Luo Zheng..."

"I, Xu Duan, swear to kill you!"

He staggered, step by step, walking into the distance, slowly adjusting his breathing, trying his best to recover quickly.

However, his Divine Sense became increasingly hazy.

His past life, like a revolving lantern, played out before his eyes.

How did I come to this point... Suddenly, this question surfaced in Xu Duan’s mind.

But this strange thought only appeared for an instant before he had an answer.

"It’s all Luo Zheng’s fault!"

He was a Condensation Core Realm martial general of the Immortal Qin Tiger Wolf Army, subordinate to General Wang He, but later, when General Bai took command... that Luo Zheng must have flattered and curried favor, gaining much favor from General Bai.

Outwardly, he claimed his reason for defecting was a disagreement with General Bai’s philosophy.

But the true reason, only he knew.

"Why... Luo Zheng, what is he?"

"A sycophantic opportunist, a villain!"

Xu Duan’s mind was already somewhat hazy, from inner resentment to open cursing.

"Just because... he knows how to cater to the general’s wishes? How many years have I, Xu Duan, fought and bled for the Tiger Wolf Army?"

"Slaughtering generals and seizing banners, bathed in blood on the battlefield! In what way am I inferior to him?!"

"Why... did that Luo Zheng become your capable deputy, constantly rewarded and promoted?!"

This jealousy of the capable, this unwillingness and resentment at being overlooked, was the true reason for his betrayal of Immortal Qin, deep within his heart.

The so-called conflicting philosophies, the so-called harm to heavenly principles, were merely a cover-up he used to incite people and glorify himself.

For revenge, to prove General Bai and Luo Zheng wrong, he had almost sacrificed everything he had.

"People of Yan State... untrustworthy dogs!"

Xu Duan suddenly coughed up a large mouthful of black blood mixed with organ fragments, his hatred for the Yan State people reaching its peak.

He had also had dealings with that general from Yan State.

He had known for a long time that the Tiger Wolf Army would come here to suppress the rebellion, so he had risked his life to set up everything.

It was to lure them into a trap, to catch the Qin Army off guard.

But no one from Yan State came.

That General Bai didn’t come either.

Only Luo Zheng came.

It seemed no one in this world cared about his actions, no one respected him.

Immense anger and humiliation, coupled with the severe injuries caused by forcibly activating a secret art to break through, caused Xu Duan’s aura to weaken again.

His consciousness began to blur, the world before his eyes alternately bright and dark, his life’s flame flickering precariously.

"I can’t die yet, I must escape, go to Yan State... then I can rise again..."

At the end of his rope, a cornered beast still fights.

Suddenly, his whole body trembled, and he looked sideways.

Luo Zheng? No, impossible, the grand Formation hasn’t been broken yet!

At this moment, he was seeing enemies everywhere.

Some faint sounds reached his ears. He suddenly turned and looked at the approaching figure.

He saw a young Cultivator, dressed in a black robe, with a mask covering his face.

Sword Qi surged around him, and his eyes were full of vigilance.

From his direction, he should be a pursuer from the Tiger Wolf Army.

A casual glance revealed a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Realm.

Xu Duan was first stunned, then suddenly burst into laughter.

He was truly laughed to anger.

Had it really come to this?

Now even this mere Foundation Establishment Realm dared to come looking for trouble with him. It was truly a tiger fallen on flat ground, bullied by dogs.

"Do I have any enmity with you?"

Song Yan gently shook his head.

He didn’t immediately attack. Without a doubt, Deputy General Luo Zheng must have gravely wounded him, and these injuries were still worsening.

The longer he could delay, the better.

"Then do you know who I am?"

Song Yan originally wanted to nod, but after thinking that he didn’t even know his name, he shook his head again.

A hint of anger finally appeared on Xu Duan’s blood-soaked face.

"You’re just a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, you don’t even know who I am, so why did you pursue me here alone?!"

Song Yan thought for a moment. Explaining the ancient talisman to him would be too much trouble, so he casually said, "Deputy General Luo has ordered that no rebel be allowed to escape."

Xu Duan’s eyes instantly turned cold.

Song Yan sensed something was wrong. Facing a False Core, even if the opponent was gravely wounded and dying, he dared not be careless.

Almost at the moment he detected the Killing Intent, purple Qi instantly surged through his body, merging with his Sword Qi.

Unification.

At the same time, within the Sword Mansion, rolling Sword Qi instantly poured out, gathering on the blade of the Unmoored Boat.

The golden hue in his eyes grew more intense, and a phantom glow, like a dream, condensed behind his head.

Gray clouds and yellow earth, boundless mist.

Suddenly, a long wind blew, and amidst the dust, pagodas and stupas appeared and vanished in the clouds.

The Unmoored Boat hovered before him, countless Sword Qi surging around it.

Purple Qi Unification, Mirror Flower, Water Moon.

The rage in Xu Duan’s heart surged even more, coupled with his severe, near-fatal injuries, his consciousness gradually becoming chaotic.

But even in this state, his Battle Intent reignited.

This rage was scorching and frantic, like a spark thrown into boiling oil.

"Roar—!"

His eyes were blood-red, staring fixedly at Song Yan.

A pained roar erupted from the depths of Xu Duan’s throat.

In his right hand, a massive great saber slowly condensed: "Just a dog under Luo Zheng’s command..."

"Does he even dare to covet my head?!"

The great saber hummed in his hand, rust and blood scabs flaking off under the Saber Qi, revealing its sharp edge.

There was no technique, no strategy, only the most primal Killing Intent, a desperate strike at the brink of death.

Xu Duan gripped it tightly with both hands, pouring his remaining spiritual power unreservedly into the great saber, and slashed down violently!

Saber light erupted, a furious, raging sea.

Saber Qi exploded in a fan shape, overwhelming everything, tearing through the air with a deafening roar wherever it passed.

With an unstoppable ferocity, it devoured everything in its path.

Song Yan’s thoughts were very clear: a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if the opponent was gravely wounded and dying, he was still a False Core.

So he attacked with his strongest killing move, the Purple Qi Unification Truth combined with the Mirror Flower, Water Moon Sword Intent.

He didn’t even activate a sword Formation.

To ensure this sword’s power reached its true peak, he didn’t want to waste a single trace of Sword Qi.

A great sun reflected behind him.

Zheng—!

The pagodas in the clouds, layered one upon another, merged into a single, irresistibly sharp beam of light.

Where the sword light passed, the bloody Saber Qi fluctuated violently, parting to both sides.

The Unmoored Boat was like carving a straight path through a violent ocean, pointing directly at Xu Duan!

At this moment, Xu Duan was truly at the end of his tether, yet seeing this sword, his chaotic mind cleared for an instant.

"What kind of demonic art is this?!"

A trace of horror flashed in Xu Duan’s turbid, frantic eyes.

Only now, with his saber restrained, did a hint of fear arise in his heart.

Am I, Xu Duan, going to die at the hands of one of Luo Zheng’s lackeys!?

However, the clarity was only momentary.

The saber, having expended all its power, had already been unleashed. Old strength was completely used up, new strength had not yet emerged, coupled with his near-fatal injuries and immense mental exhaustion, his body’s movements could no longer keep up with this lightning-fast reaction.

He could only watch helplessly as the sword light rapidly expanded in his pupils, gradually obscuring his entire vision.

"My life..."

Buzz—

The sword light instantly pierced through his head.

Xu Duan’s expression froze in the fleeting intersection of clarity and horror.

Immediately after, his shattered body exploded like a broken glass lamp, shattering into pieces.

Xu Duan’s shattered body transformed into a sky full of crimson Spiritual Qi.

At the same time, Song Yan’s body trembled violently, and he suddenly spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood.

The Saber Qi torrent was incredibly violent. Although Sword Intent could ride the wind and break the waves, it couldn’t completely erase it.

As the Saber Qi surged, countless Saber Qi blood marks instantly appeared all over his body.

Under the resistance of Sword Qi, Song Yan was sent flying backward in a disheveled manner, crashing heavily against the remains of a giant tree with only half a stump left behind him.

He barely managed to stabilize himself and landed, collapsing onto the ground.

"Hoo..."

The purple Qi dissipated, and a sense of weakness emerged from deep within him.

At this moment, his Sword Qi was exhausted, the Zhen Dao Sword Mansion was incredibly empty, and a sickly flush appeared on his face.

"Cough cough..."

A False Core Realm expert, even one as half-dead and at the end of his rope as this dying False Core, almost took his life in his death throes.

Adding to his previous encounter with Hermit Xin Shan, his two clashes with False Core Realm experts made Song Yan realize that the Realm gap was unimaginably vast.

To even call it a clash was probably overestimating himself.

He tried to adjust his breathing, took out the golden-red ancient talisman, and the sky full of crimson Spiritual Qi slowly gathered towards Song Yan.

This False Core Realm rebel leader had split into one hundred and twenty-eight streams of crimson Spiritual Qi, which surged into the ancient talisman. The red color had already begun to turn somewhat black.

Just then, a figure emerged like a ghost from the shadows between the mountains and forests.

"Whoosh—!"

It said nothing. The moment the crimson Spiritual Qi was completely absorbed by the ancient talisman, it brazenly attacked Song Yan.