Chapter 289 - 287: Commander-in-Chief
Yuwen Shan left, and Mr. Bei and the others didn’t stop him.
With Guan Tianming dead, no one could stop them from taking the Sun-piercing Sword. As long as Yuwen Shan didn’t make an enemy of them, they naturally wouldn’t try to eradicate him.
All three of them had consumed a great deal of energy and looked somewhat disheveled. After recovering some of their strength, Mr. Bei finally asked, "How did you know Guan Tianming’s fatal weakness was his spine?"
Wan Guiyuan and Liu Bai also turned to Chen Yuan with curious gazes.
Chen Yuan raised the Human Skin Evil Book in his hand. "The Evil Technique Guan Tianming cultivated came from this."
With that, Chen Yuan explained the matter of the Human Skin Evil Book to Mr. Bei and the others.
"This thing claims to have originated after the disappearance of the Divine Demons, but I don’t think it’s telling the truth.
"My Ming Sect has countless treasured texts. Do any of you seniors know the origin of this thing?"
Wan Guiyuan and Liu Bai both shook their heads.
They were both pure Martial Artists and had never cared for such matters.
No matter how many texts the Ming Sect had in its collection, they couldn’t be bothered to read anything besides Cultivation Techniques.
Mr. Bei’s brow furrowed. He shook his head and said, "At a glance, this object does indeed resemble the Luofu Celestial Book, but in reality, it has no connection to it.
"If you were to call it a Divine Artifact Demon Soldier, it lacks any external power, but its sentience is astonishing.
"Although it can deduce Cultivation Techniques, you saw what happened to Guan Tianming.
"So, to be safe, you’d best destroy this evil object completely.
"If you plan to keep it, that’s fine too, but you must be extremely careful not to be bewitched by it.
"No matter what this thing says, you can’t believe it completely. Take everything with a grain of salt."
Hearing Mr. Bei’s words, the Human Skin Evil Book’s pages began to tremble with agitation. Lines of text appeared on its cover.
"He’s slandering me! He’s slandering me!
"Master, you have to believe me! I am truly and utterly loyal to you!"
Chen Yuan acted as if he hadn’t seen a thing. He just stroked his chin and, after a moment of thought, said, "This thing certainly isn’t anything good, but it might be useful to keep around.
"However, it possesses some power of its own. It can even control Arrays, so I wouldn’t feel safe carrying it with me at all times.
"Mr. Bei, do you have anything that can seal it? Preferably a seal that would allow me to destroy it with a single thought."
The Human Skin Evil Book panicked, its words changing rapidly. "No, Master! I am truly loyal to you! Please don’t seal me!"
Mr. Bei said, "That’s easy enough. Here, take this."
With that, Mr. Bei handed Chen Yuan a small Array Plate, only about half the size of his palm.
"This Array Plate is a Sealing Array. It can change in size, and its consumption isn’t too high. To seal a book like this, you’ll only need to infuse it with power once a year.
"Didn’t you say the Human Skin Evil Book fears the Fire Origin most? Just infuse this with your Celestial Fire Power. The seal’s Attribute will then become one with the Fire Attribute’s origin. With a single thought, you’ll be able to burn the Human Skin Evil Book to ash."
Seeing the Array Plate, the Human Skin Evil Book’s pages trembled with rage. "You old bastard! You’re truly vicious..."
Before the words could fully form, Chen Yuan decisively infused his Celestial Fire Power into the Array Plate and slammed it onto the Human Skin Evil Book.
The next moment, a net of fire appeared. It continuously shrank until it enveloped the Human Skin Evil Book perfectly.
This time, the Human Skin Evil Book didn’t dare to move again. It became completely still, not even a single word appearing on its cover.
Satisfied, Chen Yuan placed it into his Qiankun Bag. This way, he no longer had to worry about the Human Skin Evil Book causing any trouble.
"By the way, I’ve found where the Sun-piercing Sword is. Shall we go now?"
Mr. Bei nodded, a bright light flashing in his eyes. He said eagerly, "Let’s go, let’s go have a look!"
They had expended so much effort precisely for the Sun-piercing Sword. Now that it was time to reap the rewards, they were naturally a bit impatient.
In the underground secret chamber, everyone’s gaze fell upon Liu Bai.
They had all fought Guan Tianming together, but subduing the Sun-piercing Sword was a task only Liu Bai could undertake.
Liu Bai was obsessed with swords. Facing such a Divine Weapon, even he, who had always maintained an extremely aloof attitude, could no longer remain calm. A fervent heat burned in his eyes.
"Be careful. A Divine Soldier going rampant is no small matter. Do your best to protect yourself while subduing it and avoid being injured," Mr. Bei warned.
The power of a Divine Soldier in a rampant state is utterly astonishing. If one isn’t careful, it’s entirely possible to get a hole poked through you by the Divine Soldier before you can become its Commander-in-Chief.
Chen Yuan had actually witnessed a Divine Soldier going rampant before.
Back in Sealed Demon Valley, when the Demon Soldier Corpse Tower Forest killed Three Extremes Evil Venerable and the others, it was, in fact, in a rampant state.
Liu Bai nodded and walked directly toward the Sun-piercing Sword. Mr. Bei and the others pulled Chen Yuan back to the entrance of the underground chamber, ready to retreat immediately if things went wrong.
At that moment, the Sun-piercing Sword was thrashing about, emitting an incomparably sharp and chilling Sword Qi. The surrounding chains seemed unable to bear the strain; some even showed cracks.
Previously, the Sun-piercing Alliance had gathered the power of all its elite disciples to fuel the Array, which was how they managed to stabilize the Sun-piercing Sword.
Now, with the Sun-piercing Alliance in turmoil—its disciples either dead or having fled—there was no one left to stabilize the Sun-piercing Sword. In a few more days, the sword would have likely broken free completely.
An equally pure and intense Sword Qi erupted from Liu Bai’s body as he suddenly gripped the sword’s hilt.
In an instant, a blinding radiance like the blazing sun burst forth. Endless, surging Sword Qi instantly filled the entire secret chamber.
Mr. Bei formed a Seal Decision with his hands, and the Wood Cyan Dragon’s Power coiled before him, blocking the torrential Sword Qi.
The Sun-piercing Sword trembled unceasingly. The surrounding chains shattered with a BOOM, and the incredibly sharp Sword Qi surged into Liu Bai’s body, causing him to grunt in pain.
But Liu Bai made no attempt to defend himself. Instead, he allowed the power of the Sword Qi to assault his physical body.
Chen Yuan could feel that the Sword Qi was surely tearing Liu Bai’s body to shreds. It was just like death by a thousand cuts.
"Master Liu is just letting the Sword Qi impact his body without any defense?" Chen Yuan couldn’t help but ask.
Mr. Bei shook his head. "He can’t defend. The more he defends, the longer this struggle will drag on.
"The Sun-piercing Sword is a sword-type Divine Artifact Demon Soldier focused on attack and slaughter. Its very Attribute is incredibly violent.
"To truly subdue it, one must display absolute strength and a sufficiently powerful Realm in the Sword Dao.
"Liu Bai hasn’t reached the Ninth Realm Celestial Profound. If he tries to defend himself now, it will only make the Sun-piercing Sword look down on him.
𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"As long as he can withstand the sword’s impact and earn its acknowledgment, he will naturally become its Commander-in-Chief."
Chen Yuan nodded in understanding.
’No wonder Guan Tianming was so eager for quick success, capturing all those Martial Artists to refine Asura Blood Pills.’
’He probably wanted to use the power of the Asura Blood Pills to strengthen his body, allowing him to endure the Sun-piercing Sword’s impact and gain control of it.’
By now, Liu Bai’s white robes were stained with blood, and his body was covered in sword cuts.
But at the same time, the sharp edge of the Sun-piercing Sword’s Qi grew weaker and weaker, eventually retracting completely. The blade’s edge became hidden within the sword. As Liu Bai executed a flourish, a clear, ringing sword cry echoed throughout the secret chamber.
Liu Bai had finally succeeded in subduing the Sun-piercing Sword and becoming its Commander-in-Chief, adding another Divine Artifact Demon Soldier to the Ming Sect’s arsenal.
"Congratulations, Master Liu, on subduing the Sun-piercing Sword."
Chen Yuan said with a smile, cupping his hands in congratulation.
Liu Bai’s face was pale. With a flip of his hand, he slung the Sun-piercing Sword onto his back, then gave Chen Yuan a deep bow.
"Young Friend Chen, I owe you a favor for this. If you are ever in trouble in the future, I, Liu Bai, will repay you with my life."
Just as Chen Yuan was about to say something, Mr. Bei stopped him.
"That’s just Liu Bai’s personality. He always repays his debts, whether of hatred or gratitude.
"You don’t know what a sword-type Divine Soldier means to a pure Swordsman like him.
"You helped him obtain the Sun-piercing Sword this time. You deserve this bow, and you deserve this promise."
Chen Yuan shook his head. "I really don’t feel I deserve it. To be honest, I only attacked the Sun-piercing Alliance to find someone. Obtaining the Sun-piercing Sword was just a matter of convenience."
Wan Guiyuan laughed heartily. "Our Ming Sect has always judged people by their actions, not their intentions.
"This time, Old Bei miscalculated. Without you, forget about getting the Sun-piercing Sword—we probably would have all returned in defeat."
Hearing this, Mr. Bei’s face flushed slightly, but he didn’t refute it.
This time, he had indeed been a bit too arrogant.
He had met Guan Tianming before and subconsciously believed he was no threat, thinking his own Cultivation at the Peak of the Divine Platform Realm was enough to stop him.
But who would have thought that when the real fight began, the three of them together couldn’t stop Guan Tianming, who had cultivated an Evil Technique.
In the end, they had to rely on Chen Yuan to persuade Yuwen Shan to act, suppress the Human Skin Evil Book, and interrogate it to find Guan Tianming’s weakness before they could finally kill him.
It was safe to say that without Chen Yuan, if this expedition had gone according to Mr. Bei’s initial assessment, it would have been a complete disaster.
Thinking back on the confident words he had spoken to Chen Yuan earlier, Mr. Bei’s face flushed again.
Chen Yuan quickly tried to smooth things over. "If it weren’t for you seniors, I’m afraid I would have been trapped and died in the Sun-piercing Alliance’s underground prison. How could I have gained so much?"
Mr. Bei cleared his throat. "This time, I truly did miscalculate. Young Friend Chen, there’s no need to be modest.
"Credit where credit is due. Your contribution to the Ming Sect obtaining the Sun-piercing Sword this time was immense.
"A Divine Artifact Demon Soldier is of immeasurable value. For the Ming Sect, it’s another trump card and a tremendous benefit.
"Therefore, your reward for this service can’t be anything ordinary. I plan to return to the sect and consult with the Vice Sect Leaders to grant you a great opportunity."
Chen Yuan was slightly taken aback. ’An opportunity? Not a treasure?’
Wan Guiyuan immediately understood. "Are you thinking of giving Young Friend Chen that opportunity left behind by Sect Leader Qin?"
Mr. Bei nodded. "It’s the most suitable for Young Friend Chen. Besides, the young generation of geniuses in our Ming Sect is dwindling. Who else besides Young Friend Chen is worthy of it?"
Liu Bai also nodded, his voice deep. "It is only right."
Mr. Bei turned to the bewildered Chen Yuan and asked in a low voice, "Have you ever heard of the Heaven-Reaching Tower?"