Chapter 173: Fighting the Fake Core
"What do you mean?"
"Are you trying to trick us? This wasn’t mentioned when we signed the Spirit Contract!"
The Demon Cultivators were instantly enraged upon hearing this.
They had been so agreeable before only because of their prior arrangement.
At this moment, they all turned to look at the black-robed Demon Cultivator in the lead.
This Demon Cultivator had a powerful aura; he was clearly at the Fake Core cultivation realm. He was the middleman for this operation and also the one with the highest cultivation among all the Demon Cultivators present.
As for the other Demon Cultivators, half were at Foundation Establishment Peak and the other half were at Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
"Perhaps you’d care to explain?"
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator hadn’t expected this either, and his tone immediately grew cold.
"It’s like this..."
The Original Peak Master then quickly explained the situation.
"You actually want us to kill a True Inheritor of the Cangwu Sect?"
The Demon Cultivators became furious when they heard this, feeling like they’d been played for fools.
"You can’t blame us. This was an accident; we didn’t want this to happen either. Besides, if you want to leave, you have no other choice. But if you help, you can get even more. I can even refund a portion of the Spirit Stones to you."
"Furthermore, with my help, killing him will be effortless. It’s just inconvenient for me to act personally; otherwise, this wonderful opportunity would never have fallen to you!"
"And we can make another pact to keep this matter secret. You won’t have to worry about the Cangwu Sect hunting you down afterward."
The Original Peak Master said with a laugh.
With the Spirit Contract he had signed with the middleman, he wasn’t worried about the Demon Cultivators turning on him, which was why he could be so brazen.
"Fine!"
"That’s true. We’ve already used up most of our Spirit Stones and other resources just getting here. If we do this, we can earn some more to spend!"
Hearing this, the Demon Cultivators were finally tempted.
"Indeed."
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator also nodded slightly, though he had an additional consideration.
’As long as we kill Zhang Chi, the Original Peak Master can continue to control Divine Needle Peak, and this business arrangement can continue.’
And so, the two sides came to a swift agreement. They immediately began to plan and prepare before heading quickly toward the other end of the passage.
’Just you wait, Zhang Chi. Even if you die, the Sect will only think you were incompetent and were killed by infiltrating Demon Cultivators!’ At the same time, the Original Peak Master and his group were filled with anticipation.
BOOM!
But just as they reached the halfway point, the scenery before them suddenly changed, and they were all plunged into an Illusion Array without any warning.
"This is bad!"
"It’s an ambush!"
"Damn it, you betrayed us?"
The Cultivators turned pale with shock, and the Demon Cultivators were especially convinced that the Original Peak Master and his men were behind this.
DONG!
But before the Original Peak Master and his group could explain, the sound of a great bell rang out.
Powerful Sound Waves instantly swept across the area, amplified by the unique environment.
At once, the vision of many Demon Cultivators went black, and those below Foundation Establishment Peak fainted on the spot.
Even the Fake Core Demon Cultivator had to use all his strength to defend himself in his panic, with no time to spare for anyone else.
RUMBLE...
The next moment, the sound of raging wind and thunder suddenly erupted as a streak of Sword Light, wreathed in black flames, shot out as fast as lightning.
The Sword Light swept through as smoothly as flowing water, and all the Cultivators below Foundation Establishment Peak were instantly decapitated.
The three at Foundation Establishment Peak had their defenses shattered, and they were sent flying backward, spitting blood and severely wounded.
’What a powerful Sword Light! It must be a Fake Core Cultivator!’
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator hadn’t been attacked, but he was startled by this single strike. He immediately concluded that his opponent’s cultivation was no weaker than his own.
’Moreover, my opponent is hidden in the shadows. This situation is extremely grim for me.’
Thus, he decisively took out and simultaneously activated a Breaking Charm, a Wind Escape Talisman, and a Vajra Talisman.
All three of these Talismans were Tier Three Low Grade, possessing Mighty Power and considerable value.
But at this moment, he couldn’t afford to be frugal.
CRACK!
The Array was instantly shattered by a white light. Without a second thought, the Fake Core Demon Cultivator, enveloped in a strong cyan wind, shot toward Divine Wood Peak as fast as lightning.
Firstly, that was the only direction he could escape. The other direction was blocked by the Stone Gate, which he couldn’t possibly break through in a short time, and his opponent wouldn’t give him that time.
Secondly, based on the direction the enemy’s sword strike came from, the attacker was actually in the direction of the Stone Gate.
Even if the enemy was deliberately herding him toward Divine Needle Peak, he couldn’t worry about that now.
"Senior, wait for us!"
Seeing this, the three Foundation Establishment Peak Demon Cultivators grew extremely anxious. They cried for help while simultaneously using an Escape Technique, transforming into streaks of black smoke and swiftly chasing after him through the breach in the Array.
BANG!
But at that moment, the Fake Core Demon Cultivator gave a cold smirk. With a backward flick of his hand, he cast a Magic spell, and walls of ice instantly appeared in the passage, blocking his Foundation Establishment companions.
"Ah, damn it!"
The Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators roared in anger.
Although they had an agreement, it also stipulated that they could become hostile to each other if faced with a single chance of survival.
Therefore, his actions didn’t count as a breach of contract.
CRACKLE...
Blocked by the ice, the Demon Cultivators were immediately overtaken by the Sword Light. Their defenses were broken, and their heads were sent flying.
Only then did a tall, imposing man reveal himself. It was Zhang Chi.
For the past half a year, Zhang Chi had been using a Phantom Beetle to track the Original Peak Master and his cohorts, so all their movements were under his control.
He had even deliberately left an opening for them to infiltrate Divine Needle Peak.
SWOOSH!
Then, Zhang Chi began to give chase in the direction of the Fake Core Demon Cultivator, moving quickly but unhurriedly.
Soon, both of them were out of the passage.
Phew!
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator finally breathed a sigh of relief.
RUMBLE!
But just then, Divine Needle Peak’s Mountain Protection Array suddenly activated at full power.
Streaks of Spiritual Light descended one after another, binding the Fake Core Demon Cultivator.
At the same time, dark clouds gathered in the sky, crackling with lightning, seemingly brewing a formidable attack.
’This is bad! Damn it, didn’t that guy say the newcomer hadn’t taken control of the Grand Array here yet?’
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator’s expression changed drastically.
Gritting his teeth, he hurriedly used a Tier Three Middle Grade Breaking Charm he had been saving as a last resort.
A white Spiritual Light shot toward the sky, barely managing to break the restraints and even tearing a small opening in the Array.
He was overjoyed and immediately used Blood Escape, transforming into a streak of bloody light and rushing for the opening.
ROAR!
But at that moment, a Corpse Puppet and a Tiger-shaped Puppet suddenly lunged at him.
"Get lost!"
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator opened his mouth, and a shimmering gold Magical Treasure Flying Sword shot out. In a single clash, it sent both puppets flying.
But this delay cost him his chance to escape; the opening he had created had already closed.
Looking back, he saw that the Puppet and Corpse Puppet were largely unharmed. After struggling for a moment upon landing, they both staggered back to their feet.
The Corpse Puppet, which had been in front, had taken the full brunt of his sword. A deep gash had appeared on its body, but it hadn’t been sliced in two.
’Damn it, how can this be? Could this be the legendary Celestial Corpse?’
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator’s expression turned incredibly grim.
"Not bad eyesight. A pity your life is about to end!"
Just then, a tall, imposing man holding a long whip made of a black spinal column shot into the air and charged toward him.
The black Sword Light from before now circled around him protectively. It was clear that he was the one who had attacked earlier.
And this man was none other than Zhang Chi.
"You’re not a Fake Core? Good! Then go die!"
The Fake Core Demon Cultivator was startled, but his shock quickly turned to elation. He immediately directed his sword toward Zhang Chi with Sword Control.
He felt he had been played, which angered him, but he also felt his opponent was overestimating his own abilities. ’If I just kill him, I’ll have a chance to break the Array and escape.’
’The fact that he’s here means he’s most likely the New Peak Master.’
’It’s just that his cultivation and Combat Power are far higher than the Original Peak Master described.’
’Fortunately, this discrepancy is completely acceptable to me.’