Chapter 195: Kill Xiao Chen, Obliterate Yuan Ci Peak. I promise all of you—we'll share the Yellow Spring Path legacy secret technique!

Chapter 195: Kill Xiao Chen, Obliterate Yuan Ci Peak. I promise all of you—we’ll share the Yellow Spring Path legacy secret technique!

“By the way, Senior Uncle,” Xiao Chen said, pulling out another storage bag. “I’ve got some cultivation manuals I no longer need. I’ll leave them in the clan’s care.”

These manuals had all been seized from the Cangyan Sect. Most were donated directly to the clan’s Scripture Pavilion, but a few complete Earth-tier legacies were set aside for the Chen family. Among them was a barely classified third-tier forging legacy and several third-tier pill formulas.

Of course, Xiao Chen had already memorized all these pill formulas. If the Chen family ever produced a promising talent in forging or pill refinement, they might achieve greatness with these resources. Even if not, possessing multiple complete Earth-tier legacies would ensure the family produced Foundation Building cultivators generation after generation.

Chen Tianyuan stared at the cultivation manuals in the storage bag, his heart heavy with complex emotions. Frankly, his initial decision to invest in Xiao Chen had been largely due to the young man’s potential. He would’ve supported any second-tier Pill Forging Master similarly. But he’d never expected such a swift and bountiful return. As a Pill Forging Master himself, he knew how rare a third-tier pill formula was. These treasures could benefit the family for centuries—priceless heirlooms. Though he wanted to decline politely, the words stuck in his throat.

After exchanging thanks, they sipped tea before Xiao Chen broached the matter on his mind: “I urgently need a spirit flame. I heard the clan possesses one. I’m willing to offer ten top-grade magic artifacts in exchange. What do you think, Senior Uncle?”

A family’s inherited spirit flame was its foundation—no ordinary top-grade magic artifact could rival it. But quantity could compensate for quality. Xiao Chen had just seized twenty-six top-grade magic artifacts from the Cangyan Sect. If not for leaving some for the Su family, he’d have given them all without hesitation.

“I’ll send someone to retrieve the spirit flame immediately,” Chen Tianyuan said, dispatching a clansman. “But we cannot accept the magic artifacts. The spirit stones and legacies you’ve already given are more than enough.”

Still, Xiao Chen insisted on leaving the storage bag, then departed with the spirit flame.

Next, he visited the Spirit Medicine Garden. Elder Liu had once lent him 48,000 spirit stones, so Xiao Chen repaid him with 100,000, doubling the amount. This time, the process was simpler. Though Elder Liu instinctively refused, Xiao Chen cut him off with a grin: “If you don’t take it, I’ll be upset!”

Then came Elder Chen. Xiao Chen repaid a 10,000 spirit stone debt with 20,000, then left two top-grade magic artifacts—a specially chosen Golden Light Pearl with swirling patterns, an enhanced variant of the standard type. Recalling Elder Chen’s gift of a Purple Peach Blossom, Xiao Chen retrieved a Double-Blossom Azure Lotus from his storage bag and added a jade nectar vial as a bonus.

Elder Chen protested repeatedly, insisting he hadn’t done enough to deserve such generosity. “I couldn’t even help much back then,” he muttered.

Xiao Chen disagreed. Actions spoke louder than intentions. He remembered Elder Chen’s support—his investment—and now, with the means to repay it, he saw no reason to hold back. The same logic applied to the Su family.

Since Su Laoye was away, Xiao Chen met Su Huaitao instead. Keeping the Treasure Gourd of Hidden Flame as a memento, he compensated with ten top-grade magic artifacts and 20,000 spirit stones. “What about the Nanhu Lake dividends?” he asked. “Calculate this year’s share and send it to Cuiwei Valley tomorrow. Just deposit it there annually from now on.”

Su Huaitao nearly beamed. This was a priceless boon. Once Xiao Chen’s ownership of Nanhu Lake’s profits became public, no one would dare covet the lake again.

Yet something puzzled him—Su Wanning was nowhere to be found. Not during this visit, nor in the two weeks since his return. Even Cuiwei Valley’s spirit flowers, now blooming vibrantly in twelve pots of Heavenly Net Flowers, showed no sign of her tending. Normally, she’d have rushed to boast about her care.

But Xiao Chen shrugged. The Beidou spirit flame demanded priority.

At Cangyan Peak, the mountain lay in ruins. Mingyan Zhenren had ordered the old structures demolished to rebuild with Lihuo Sect’s style. Xiao Chen regretted holding back during his formation-breaking days—no need to spare the buildings.

Slipping through a stone crevice into the hidden chamber, he watched the Beidou spirit flame flicker to life. Without hesitation, he laid out various spirit flames and fed them one by one into the Flame Cultivation Platform for absorption.

The process was simple but required his constant presence—injecting true mana periodically to aid the spirit flame’s ascension. For six days, Xiao Chen remained trapped in the chamber, unable to cultivate, monitoring every fluctuation.

At first, he passed time studying the Yin-Yang Compass or skimming the Yin-Yang Synergy Manual. But soon, boredom set in. He turned inward, contemplating his plans.

Recent upheavals had derailed his schedule, forcing him to improvise. Now, with a third-tier cultivation manual secured, the Cangyan Sect and Jiang Family dealt with, and the Rui Bao Guild erased, he’d settled his debts in Li Zhou—at least for now.

“Three matters demand urgency,” he mused. “First, eliminate the White Bone Demon Body before it grows stronger. Second, eradicate the Divine Flame Cult—avenge past grievances and restore stability to the Southern Domain, especially the trade routes. Third, journey east along the trade roads to the Hundred Grass Forbidden Realm for the Purple Crystal Bodhi.”

The forbidden realm’s time limit and the million-mile journey posed risks. He’d need to depart swiftly to allow leeway.

Other tasks could wait—acquiring a Storage Ring in the Eastern Territory, gathering more Dao Crystals, investigating remaining malevolent qi, or exploring Feidu Sea for Silver Frost Malevolent Qi. These could wait until after the forbidden realm.

The cultivation world never lacked surprises.

Six days later, staring at the Beidou spirit flame that had barely changed, Xiao Chen sighed in exasperation, facepalming: "Six spirit flames aren't nearly enough. What's the Cangyan Sect even doing?"

Jin Jian Zhenren had completely underestimated the difficulty of spirit flame advancement.

He thought seizing the Lihuo Sect would allow him to cultivate a fourth-stage spirit flame. Reality proved his assumption far too simplistic.

"Thankfully, it seems we're only missing a tiny bit now", Xiao Chen muttered, checking the flame carefully. "Looks like I'll have to make a trip to the Spirit Origin Sect first. Just don't know how many more spirit flames it'll take to bridge this final gap."

His teleportation speed had improved significantly, so the journey shouldn't take much time. But based on his calculations, bringing back just one spirit flame this time probably wouldn't suffice. To ensure a smooth advancement, he'd need to exchange for several at once.

Xiao Chen departed immediately. As he traveled, he pondered: "I wonder how Hezhou is holding up now?"

"And Li Zhou too..."

Lei Yin Zhenren, while repairing the formation, thought grimly: "I hope Fellow Cultivator Qianzhu has already convinced the Cangyan Sect to prioritize the greater good and address the demonic calamity first."

The Xunmei Mountain defense line had barely fallen when the Wangyan Mountain stronghold also collapsed. The demonic frontlines now pressed to the foot of Yuan Ci Peak. After days of brutal clashes—including multiple Golden Core confrontations—the once-glorious sixty-six-meter Golden Light Technique, the radiant divine general protecting the sect, now bore the stains of smoke and blood.

The Divine Flame Cult's assaults grew increasingly desperate ten days ago. The White Bone Demon Body had already crossed the Heiyan Mountains, hunting every cultivator within the Spirit Origin Sect's territory.

Niejing Zhenren finally felt the pressure. After all, the White Bone Demon Body wouldn't recognize them as allies. The Divine Flame Cult had to strike first—capture Yuan Ci Peak, seize its Spirit Herbs, legacies, and refine third-stage Vital Blood to boost their cultivation.

The Spirit Origin Sect nearly fell. Only the timely intervention of Yao Qin Zhenren from Wan Hua Valley, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion's masters coordinating formations, and Shouyuan Zhenren's sudden appearance prevented catastrophe.

Amid this chaos, other crises erupted. West of Yuan Ci Peak, some Foundation Building cultivators defied the Spirit Origin Sect's summons, vanishing into hiding. Some even raided spirit veins, stole spirit stones, attacked rival clans, and silenced witnesses. They gambled the Spirit Origin Sect was too overwhelmed to retaliate.

The entire western front's order began crumbling. Many cultivators sensed the danger and fled to Li Zhou for refuge.

In this turmoil, the Spirit Origin Sect lost control over external intelligence. Qianzhu Zhenren had retreated to Qianzhu Bazaar to lay low, failing to deliver critical updates. Half a month passed before Lei Yin Zhenren learned—too late—that the Cangyan Sect had already fallen.

Meanwhile, the Divine Flame Cult received intelligence earlier. Lihuo Sect had begun aggressively consolidating Li Zhou's resources fifteen days ago.

"Lihuo Sect actually won?" Niejing Zhenren's voice brimmed with disbelief. "How is that possible?"

From what he knew, the Sihai Sect had perished, and the Cangyan Sect, outnumbering their foes three to two, should have dominated through sheer strength. He couldn't fathom how Lihuo Sect had triumphed.

But that wasn't the main issue now. They couldn't afford delays. Once Lihuo Sect completed its consolidation, they'd likely reinforce Hezhou. Then capturing Yuan Ci Peak would become a fool's dream.

Niejing Zhenren urgently convened the other Demonic Dao Golden Cores, laying out the stakes. Even Qianhong Zhenren was recalled. They prepared a full-scale assault on Yuan Ci Peak, ready to pay any price for a swift victory.

To ensure success, Niejing Zhenren even deployed all the demonic qi he'd hoarded over two centuries. Two hundred years of meticulous planning—all would be decided here and now.

The next morning, as dawn's first light emerged, countless demonic cultivators carrying formation flags saturated with demonic qi gathered at Yuan Ci Peak's base. Above, surging waves of demonic qi poured into the sky, forming vast swaths of pitch-black clouds.

All Golden Core Zhenren of the Divine Flame Cult mobilized, standing at the formation's edge, waiting to strike.

On Yuan Ci Peak, several Orthodox Dao Golden Cores wore grim expressions. Huayang Zhenren, Yao Hua Zhenren, and Yao Qin Zhenren especially loathed the idea of sacrificing themselves for the Spirit Origin Sect. But retreat options were bleak—where could they flee if Hezhou fell? To Li Zhou for a few more days of survival? Or hide in the Wanyao Mountains like beasts?

Only Shouyuan Zhenren, who'd remained unseen until now, seemed relaxed, almost relieved.

The sun finally rose, bathing the land in golden light. For Yuan Ci Peak's cultivators, it brought a fleeting warmth.

But Niejing Zhenren raised his hand. The demonic qi clouds surged forward, plunging Yuan Ci Peak into shadow. The Mountain Defense Formation flared with spiritual light, trying to dispel the darkness. Yet as more demonic qi gathered, the formation's operations began faltering.

A cold smirk curled Niejing Zhenren's lips. This was his hard-earned treasure.

With a sweep of his hand, Foundation Building demonic cultivators charged forward with formation flags, attacking the formation from below.

Normally, such assaults paused every half-hour for rest. But today, the carnage raged nonstop for three full hours. The demonic cultivators threw themselves recklessly into the fray, eyes bloodshot like ravenous wolves.

The demonic qi's effects transformed them into pain-resistant, death-defying soldiers, temporarily boosting their power at the cost of lifespan. Though inferior to the White Bone Gate's Holy Pill, even a minor cultivation stage enhancement overwhelmed the Spirit Origin Sect's Foundation Building defenders.

Under relentless pressure, the outermost defense formation finally shattered.

As the formation collapsed, panic gripped every cultivator.

"Now!" Niejing Zhenren roared.

But before he could finish his command, his voice died in his throat.

Everyone turned. A cultivator surrounded by swirling spirit flames approached, moving with impossible speed. He seemed distant one moment, then suddenly hovered above Yuan Ci Peak. Only the faint trail of falling embers revealed his path.

"Oh well, looks like I didn't arrive late", Xiao Chen said casually.

He locked his gaze directly onto Guijiao Zhenren. Back at Xunmei Mountain, this was the one who shamelessly attacked him when he was still Foundation Building. Shuangming Zhenren and Yaoshang Zhenren had also assisted him then.

Xiao Chen swept his gaze across the area. The three of them were already nearby—he wouldn’t have to waste effort searching any further.

“Xiao Chen? You’re still alive?”

“Isn’t that cultivator Xiao?”

“Xiao Chen, watch out for demonic qi—get down quickly!”

“That Fireescape technique was so fast! How is that possible?”

The scene erupted as numerous cultivators recognized Xiao Chen, followed by a wave of uproar.

All the Golden Core cultivators turned their gaze toward him, their eyes filled with shock.

The Foundation Building cultivators lacked the strength to see clearly how fast that Fireescape technique had been, or how utterly impossible it seemed.

But they were different.

As Golden Core cultivators, they still hadn’t managed to discern exactly what had happened with that Fireescape technique.

One moment, he was gone—the next, he stood right before their eyes.

“Xiao… Fellow cultivator, you’ve Golden Core-formed?”

Lei Yin Zhenren asked hesitantly, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Xiao Chen nodded lightly, acknowledging, “Greetings, Fellow cultivator Lei Yin. And greetings to all present.”

As he confirmed it, the crowd fell into stunned silence.

Lei Yin Zhenren’s face lit up with joy. No matter what, the arrival of a new Golden Core cultivator was undeniably good news.

Yao Hua Zhenren’s beautiful eyes flickered with intrigue as she scrutinized Xiao Chen, as though witnessing something miraculous.

Shouyuan Zhenren stared blankly, his expression a tangle of emotions.

Niejing Zhenren’s eyes, however, gleamed with sudden realization.

So that’s it. That explained why the Lihuo Sect had defeated the Cangyan Sect—it was because they’d gained an extra hand.

“Niejing Fellow cultivator, with this sudden change, what should we do now?”

Yaoshang Zhenren furrowed her brows. “What if Mingyan Zhenren arrives too? Should we still strike?”

Originally, the Divine Flame Cult had held the advantage in combat power.

But if Xiao Chen and the possibly delayed Mingyan Zhenren joined forces, the two sides would become evenly matched.

Earlier, the Orthodox Dao side had been weakened.

Qianzhu Zhenren, Mingyan Zhenren, and Yun Xiang Zhenren were absent.

Yao Hua Zhenren and the Sword-Bearer Zhenren were injured, effectively counting as only one combatant.

Yinxi Zhenren and Mingyue Zhenren were newly promoted Zhenren cultivators, lacking fully equipped spiritual artifacts—again, only one effective force.

Gongliang Master and Huayang Zhenren focused on divination, their cultivation weakened by Tianji Backlash over the years—another single combatant at best.

Thus, though the Orthodox Dao side appeared to have more Golden Core cultivators numerically,

when counting Lei Yin Zhenren, Yao Qin Zhenren, and Shouyuan Zhenren, they totaled only six Golden Core-level combatants.

The Divine Flame Cult, however, was different.

Niejing Zhenren, Yaoshang Zhenren, Poison Sha Zhenren, Guijiao Zhenren, Shuangming Zhenren, and Qianhong Zhenren—six in total.

Add the Blood Tong Zhenren, who had been sent to contain the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and Duandao Zhenren, their hidden ace, making eight Golden Core-level combatants.

The disparity in strength had been clear.

But with Xiao Chen and Mingyan Zhenren added, the paper strength balanced out.

If the Lihuo Sect mobilized fully and brought along Yun Xiang Zhenren, the Divine Flame Cult would even find itself at a disadvantage.

Thus, Yaoshang Zhenren hesitated. She had only ever sought mutual benefit, not to sacrifice herself for the Cult.

Niejing Zhenren clearly saw this too.

But another thought struck him.

“Xiao Chen, was it you who took the legacy of the Yellow Spring Palace?”

“Otherwise, how could you have broken through to Golden Core so suddenly?”

His words sent a collective jolt through the Orthodox Dao cultivators.

The other Golden Core cultivators of the Divine Flame Cult exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with interest.

The Yellow Spring Path Legacy!

The very name was enough to drive men berserk.

Under normal circumstances, such a claim should be denied outright—otherwise, it would invite endless trouble.

Yet Xiao Chen swept his spiritual sense over the eight Golden Core demonic cultivators before him, and his resolve hardened.

Among them, only two were at the mid-stage of Golden Core—no one had reached the late stage.

The Spirit Origin Sect side held no Golden Core Late Stage cultivators either.

This was understandable. Once reaching Golden Core Late Stage, one would immediately begin preparing for the breakthrough to Foundation Building, naturally seeking opportunities and spirit herbs in the Eastern Territory.

Based on his previous experience fighting three from the Cangyan Sect, these eight were nothing but a rabble.

With Hex Hundredfold Enhancement, he could face all eight alone and still stand unshaken.

Xiao Chen cast a sidelong glance at Niejing Zhenren and admitted openly, “That’s right. I took the Yellow Spring Path Legacy.”

“What? You want it?”

As his words fell, the demonic cultivators’ eyes blazed with greed.

Even some Orthodox Dao Golden Core cultivators exchanged complex glances—this was the demonic legacy said to lead directly to Golden Core, a Heaven-tier inheritance from legend.

Xiao Chen had anticipated this.

But it didn’t matter. This was only a temporary issue.

After this battle, the Southern Domain would dare not voice any opposition to him possessing Demon Cultivation Techniques.

A child holding gold in a marketplace risks danger.

But if the one holding the gold is not a child, but a cultivator of overwhelming strength, no fool would dare challenge him.

Unless, of course, they were unaware of his power—as was the case now.

Provoked by the Yellow Spring Path Legacy, the Divine Flame Cult’s Golden Core cultivators all bared their fangs.

“Kill Xiao Chen! Obliterate Yuan Ci Peak! I promise all of you—we shall share the Yellow Spring Path Legacy’s secret techniques!”

Niejing Zhenren dangled an irresistible bait, enough to sway even Yaoshang Zhenren.

In an instant, countless spiritual artifacts blazed with multicolored light.

Poison Sha Zhenren chanted incantations, spreading toxic miasma.

Shuangming Zhenren gathered power, conjuring several ice spheres as the surrounding temperature plummeted.

Qianhong Zhenren activated secret techniques, summoning torrents of blood to form a vast blood talisman formation around her.

Guijiao Zhenren leapt skyward, transforming midair into a hideous dragon with two massive humps on its head, stretching nearly 300 meters in length.

With a swipe of its claws, it lunged at Xiao Chen once more.

A repeat of the Xunmei Mountain ambush.

But this time, there were no clouds to obscure Guijiao Zhenren’s form.

And Xiao Chen was no longer powerless.

Calmly, he recited an incantation. A surge of true mana erupted from him, and from behind, a fire dragon soared forth.

A colossal dragon stretching four kilometers in length!

Guijiao Zhenren froze mid-strike—what was that thing?

Qianhong Zhenren’s hands trembled, her half-formed blood talisman formation nearly collapsing.

Shuangming Zhenren forgot to continue charging, realizing even tenfold his current ice spheres would be useless.

Poison Sha Zhenren didn’t hesitate—he retreated several steps, hiding behind the others, unwilling to face Xiao Chen directly.

For a moment, no one dared strike.

Below, the crowd gaped silently, their shock rendering them voiceless.

The battlefield fell deathly silent, every cultivator’s mind blank.

The fire dragon coiled in the sky like a mountain, its oppressive presence crushing all beneath it.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end