Chapter 231: Who Exactly Is This Golden Light Technique Hermit?

Chapter 231: Who Exactly Is This Golden Light Technique Hermit?

"Yin Spirit Formless, Scour Mountains and Seas."

Dai Fei'ang's face darkened as he retrieved a precious Fourth Stage Golden Talisman and activated it on the spot.

True Sovereign Bone Sacrifice watched with a twitching eyelid. Yin Corpse Sect's special Golden Talismans were notoriously difficult to produce—not just expensive, but nearly impossible to gather all the required materials.

But if they actually let their target escape now, they'd all lose face.

Two golden core True Sovereigns working together, yet allowing an enemy to flee right from their doorstep? The Yin Corpse Sect's reputation would be utterly ruined if this got out.

Yet the next moment, all four Yin Spirits remained frozen at the spot where Xiao Chen had stood, completely motionless.

"What's going on?"

Dai Fei'ang hastily formed hand seals and barked new orders: "Yin Spirits, listen! Track him across a thousand miles!"

But the four spirits merely exchanged positions without changing formation.

All traces vanished abruptly at the scene, leaving them unable to locate their enemy.

At this point, even a fool could see Xiao Chen had truly escaped.

Recalling his parting words, Dai Fei'ang felt hot blood surging to his temples, his temples throbbing violently.

"Golden... Light... Brat!"

His cheeks puffed out, teeth grinding audibly: "Send orders to all halls! Seal every direction!"

"Not a single bird shall leave this thirty-thousand-kilometer radius from now on!"

An attendant boy immediately transmitted the True Sovereign's decree to Yin Corpse Sect's elders using a Voice-Transmitting Spirit Sword.

Watching the flying swords, Dai Fei'ang spoke calmly: "Hmph, using secret techniques to flee like this is just a last-ditch effort."

Hands behind his back, his expression hardened into cold control. But hidden beneath his sleeves, his fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged across his knuckles.

True Sovereign Bone Sacrifice's face turned serious: "I'll return to the sect to retrieve the Tracking Compass."

He understood clearly—ordinary golden cores posed no threat to a half-step golden core cultivator. If Xiao Chen hid on some remote island after escaping the Relic, they might never find him.

Now only direct intervention by golden core True Sovereigns could possibly recapture him.

"Junior sect brother, please go ahead!"

Dai Fei'ang nodded calmly while secretly transmitting voice: "Kindly inform my third senior sect brother to assist in capturing him. I'll reward you handsomely afterward."

Bone Sacrifice's heart jolted at this.

First, he and Senior Brother Three had never been particularly close.

Second, Senior Brother Three was currently secluded in the spirit vein, comprehending spells. Interrupting his cultivation for personal matters—even among sectmates—would cost dearly.

He whispered cautiously: "Senior Brother Two is already at Calm Wind Sea. Should we wait a couple days?"

Dai Fei'ang understood perfectly, but time was their enemy. The longer they delayed, the slimmer their chances.

"No waiting. The sooner, the better."

He'd pay any price to capture this murderer of his beloved grandson!

"He actually escaped?"

True Sovereign Zhiqin's eyes widened in complex emotions. She'd never expected this outcome.

That sudden burst of flames hadn't resembled any escape technique.

And judging by mana fluctuations, it had been a pure offensive spell!

She admitted golden core cultivators could unleash powerful spells, but how had Xiao Chen pierced the Tai Xu Cloudlight Barrier?

Most crucially, the entire escape had been silent, untraceable.

Honestly, Zhiqin couldn't have done better herself.

The other cultivators were equally baffled, seeing only the explosive flames, the black palm strike, and the mighty Yin Spirits.

Then came Dai Fei'ang's explanation.

Though none dared speak aloud, their minds churned violently.

No one cared whether Xiao Chen had used secret techniques or paid any price.

All that mattered was this fact: three golden core True Sovereigns had failed to stop him.

Even after he'd warned them beforehand, he'd vanished effortlessly.

Even those who'd witnessed Xiao Chen shatter golden core spells before now felt renewed shock.

Many minds simultaneously asked the same question:

Who exactly is this Golden Light Technique Hermit?

"Could this have been part of his plan all along?"

Xingfa Elder Wu Lei Guan recalled the Relic events while watching this unfold.

He'd overheard solitary cultivators discussing revenge before, dismissing it as nonsense.

But now, Xiao Chen's actions clearly showed preparation.

He must have planned his escape from the start, explaining his boldness.

Come to think of it, he'd ruthlessly killed Dai Tianrui twice without hesitation.

His attacks had been decisive and brutal—clearly seeking vengeance.

"No wonder Yin Corpse Sect's Corpse Rot Vines and Body Binding Curses failed completely."

Xingfa Elder recalled another "evidence"—Xiao Chen's fluid movements against Yin Corpse Sect's siege.

He'd been impressed then, but now it all made sense.

Xiao Chen must have researched their sect's techniques beforehand, bringing treasures specifically to counter toxins and binding curses.

"Brave and wise—truly a remarkable younger generation!"

Xingfa Elder marveled at the "truth."

He regretted ever considering mediation. How foolish he'd been.

"Thank heavens nothing happened."

Hearing Zhiqin's transmission, Wen Suruo felt like a bucket of icy water had been dumped on her.

She'd never imagined her Taishang Elder could be so weak.

Thankfully, the golden light technique cultivator had prepared well, departing gracefully and sparing her from disaster.

"He actually escaped?"

Zuo Hufa of the Fubing Sect blinked, then secretly rejoiced wildly.

He'd assumed the opponent doomed, but now hope remained.

If Xiao Chen wasn't captured immediately, he still had time to notify his sect leader secretly.

This was a golden opportunity to recruit a half-step golden core cultivator.

If they protected him quietly, Fubing Sect would soon gain another top-tier powerhouse.

He quickly masked his expression, though his mind raced to leave and activate his Voice-Transmitting Spirit Sword.

Truthfully, Zuo Hufa had little confidence Fubing True Sovereign would intervene.

But it was worth trying—anything to trouble Yin Corpse Sect.

"Add another layer of defense formation. Our target is a half-step golden core."

"Why are there old formation disks here? Where are the new ones?"

"Stop those people! From now on, no one leaves!"

"You're from Huo Clan? Doesn't matter who you are—we follow True Sovereign orders. No one enters or exits!"

Yin Corpse Sect cultivators flooded all safe routes near Darkness Sea, intercepting every Spirit Ship.

This sudden action immediately alarmed countless cultivators.

Major merchant guilds and smaller factions around Darkness Sea were especially confused, scrambling to discover what had happened.

In truth, even the sect disciples executing orders were baffled.

They'd been peacefully at the sect when suddenly assigned urgent missions.

Everyone mobilized immediately, learning only fragments about their target—a Golden Light Technique Hermit, a half-step golden core cultivator.

Beyond that, they remained clueless, secretly inquiring through connections about why nearly all sect golden cores had mobilized.

Soon, rumors spread.

Within three days, they swept Darkness Sea and reached Storm Sea.

"Did you hear? Dai Clan's young master was killed."

"What a blessing! Who's the hero behind this?"

"They say it's the Golden Light Technique Hermit. Even Dai Clan's ancestral founder personally pursued him and failed to capture him."

...

"Did you hear? Golden Light Technique Hermit killed Dai's young master, clashed with their ancestral founder, and left unscathed."

"What? Impossible!"

...

"Did you hear? Golden Light Technique Hermit slaughtered over ten Dai family members, fought the ancestral founder to a standstill, then departed triumphantly."

"Really? Who is this golden light technique True Sovereign?"

"Absolutely true! Otherwise, why would Yin Corpse Sect be making such a huge commotion?"

...

Though details varied slightly, the core truth spread quickly.

Everyone learned that on the seventeenth of July, a cultivator named Golden Light Technique Hermit had killed Dai family members and evaded Yin Corpse Sect's capture.

Some rumors even claimed he'd held his own against three golden core True Sovereigns.

Though some doubted, storytellers swore it came from their friend's brother's eyewitness account, complete with specific times, locations, and the three True Sovereigns' titles.

Insiders hinted Golden Light Technique Hermit hailed from a mysterious hidden sect.

Possibly holding ancient grudges against Dai family and Yin Corpse Sect, this was revenge.

Tianyin Sect's involvement surfaced too, with whispers connecting him to Fairy Su Ruo.

Others claimed Dai family had tried arranging Dai Tianrui's marriage, with True Sovereign Zhiqin arriving for the engagement ceremony.

Rumors spread that Su Ruo Fairy had secretly pledged her heart to the Golden Light Technique Hermit, turning the incident into a passion-fueled killing.

They even claimed evidence—the moment the New Relic emerged, Su Ruo Fairy had pleaded for mercy from her sect’s Taishang Elder using her spiritual sense.

A new Relic, a Golden Core True Sovereign, hidden sect lineages, generational feuds, a Tianyin Sect immortal maiden, and a love-fueled murder.

Each element alone could stir endless chatter among cultivators. Combined, they ignited an unprecedented storm of gossip that swept across the entire Storm Sea like a hurricane, then raced outward through trade routes to the Inner Sea.

Many cultivators who had suffered under the Yin Corpse Sect’s tyranny—and especially those harboring grudges against the Dai family—secretly prayed for the hero’s safety. Others scoured remote islands for clues to claim the bounty.

The Dai family had offered two million spirit stones for the Golden Light Technique Hermit, matched by the Yin Corpse Sect. Even providing actionable clues earned a tenth of the reward—400,000 spirit stones. Such a fortune tempted countless Golden Core solitary cultivators.

A manhunt surged across the Darkness Sea, with every wild isle meticulously searched. In the process, notorious Bandit Cultivators were captured and transformed into corpse puppets by the Yin Corpse Sect.

Yet despite turning the Darkness Sea upside down, no trace of Xiao Chen emerged. The reason was simple—he had long since fled beyond the blockade.

With unmatched escape speed and extraordinary true mana regeneration, Xiao Chen crossed the Endless Sea by sheer physical might, bypassing conventional routes. By now, he had surged tens of thousands of li past the blockades.

Unaware, Dai Fei’ang wasted effort rallying fellow cultivators at the checkpoints.

“Hmph, time to rest a bit.”

Landing on a jagged rock barely two zhang across, Xiao Chen carved a nine-chi-long flat patch with his Flying Sword, then lay back to bask in the sun. He eased the exhaustion from three days and nights of relentless flight.

“Might as well nap.”

He closed his eyes, sighing. “This spot works, but farther out, suitable resting places will dwindle.”

Beyond the checkpoints lay another problem—uncharted waters. The Eastern Territory classified the Storm Sea as Outer Sea, barely mapped. Even less was known about the upcoming Kunpeng Sea, with only vague records. Only a few hidden sects might possess clearer knowledge.

“I wonder if I’ll ever see a living Kunpeng?”

Ancient tales spoke of cultivators witnessing a Kunpeng leaping from the sea, soaring ninety thousand li into the sky. Xiao Chen mused about glimpsing this mythical creature—part fish, part bird.

But it was a fleeting thought. Most divine beasts vanished with the ancient era, unrecorded for hundreds of thousands of years. Sometimes, he wondered if myths were mere fabrications, distorted by time and gossip. After all, misinformation was commonplace in the cultivation world.

As these thoughts drifted, he slipped into a daze.

Suddenly, a massive fish leapt from the waves. Its scales transformed into feathers, fins into wings—it became a bird!

The creature grew larger, rushing toward him.

“Wait, why’s it charging me?”

Xiao Chen was swallowed whole—rock and all—by the razor-beaked Sea-Winged Luan, a Spirit Bird dwelling at the Kunpeng Sea’s edge.

Born with bloodline powers, this sixty-meter-long predator could reach Golden Core Stage cultivation. Golden scales armored its head, fish-like fins, while its tail feathers fanned like a fish’s tail. Its six-meter beak could snatch prey effortlessly, digesting them in a stomach tough enough to crush most victims within days.

Xiao Chen spotted half a fish skeleton floating in the acidic digestive juices.

“Hmph, I thought I’d seen a Kunpeng.”

Rising, he found his rock nearly dissolved. No problem—body cultivators thrived on raw strength.

"Swift~!"

A shriek erupted as the Luan’s back tore open. Xiao Chen leapt out, countering with a Ninghuo Palm: "Want to eat me? Tonight’s dinner is roasted bird."

A shriek erupted as the Luan’s back tore open. Xiao Chen leapt out, countering with a Ninghuo Palm: “Want to eat me? Tonight’s dinner is roasted bird.”

Boom~!

Flames erupted, incinerating the Luan into a charred black husk.

“Hmph!” Xiao Chen scoffed as his Flying Sword sliced away the charred exterior and undercooked layers, revealing perfectly seared meat beneath. “Unexpected—reducing my power to four-tenths still overcooked it.” Sheathing his blade, he resolved to halve his force next time for a crispy outside and tender inside.

His Flying Sword sliced away the burnt exterior and undercooked layers, revealing perfectly seared meat.

“Unexpected—reducing my power to four-tenths still overcooked it.”

Pocketing his sword, he resolved to halve his force next time for a crispy outside and tender inside.

As he savored the fresh catch, the sea below erupted. Falling organs dyed hundreds of meters of water crimson, attracting swarms of fish. Larger predators soon followed, devouring the smaller ones.

A hundred-meter-long Golden Core Sea beast surged forth, swallowing everything in one bite.

Witnessing the Spirit Bird’s feast and counterattack, then the food chain’s dance, Xiao Chen felt an Awakening stirring.

“Ah, I should’ve brought some spirit honey.”

Barbecue tasted better with honey, so he’d buy jars next time at the bazaar to store in his Han Hai Ring.

Suddenly, the bird meat lost its appeal.

Finishing hastily, he resumed his eastward journey.

Four days and nights later, after crossing 300,000 li, he found another resting spot. Yet even at his speed, the fabled Mercy Sea remained distant.

Meanwhile, news spread across the Inner Sea: the Golden Light Technique Hermit had slain Dai Tianrui and escaped three Golden Core ambushes.

Most cultivators asked the same question: Who was this Golden Light Technique Hermit?

At Hundred Grasses Island, Lü Jingfu gaped in shock after receiving the news via Yuandu Merchant Guild.

He’d suspected the man’s hidden sect origins, visiting repeatedly post-Spirit Herb Banquet to forge ties, only to find him in secluded cultivation. Busy preparing the Tea Gathering, he’d abandoned the effort.

Never imagined Xiao Chen’s ferocity!

While ordinary cultivators fixated on the Dai family’s young master, Lü Jingfu noted the Yin Corpse Sect’s six direct disciples being wiped out. Though Dai Tianrui was a minor schemer, the other five—especially the legendary Zhang Gongxian—were top-tier Golden Core experts, now crushed mercilessly.

Combined with rumors of a half-step Golden Core, failure to capture him meant the Hermit would breakthrough to True Sovereign soon.

“Ah!”

Lü Jingfu slapped his thigh, regret flooding him.

If he’d known Xiao Chen’s strength, he’d have persisted, securing a vital connection. Even abandoning Darkness Sea ventures would’ve been worthwhile.

“High Senior Sect Brother, the Golden Light Technique Hermit’s amazing!”

At Divine Soul Sword Pavilion, Mu Yayang and Gao Chang Geng sat in a pavilion.

She marveled at her intel: “Breaking a Golden Core True Sovereign’s defensive technique? His mastery of the Fire Dao must be profound!”

Gao Chang Geng scoffed: “Of course—he’s half-step Golden Core. Naturally capable. Besides, he’s middle-aged, decades ahead of us. At most next year, I’ll breakthrough to Golden Core. Junior Sect Sister, watch me surpass him!”

Elsewhere, Demon Subduing Sword Sect received the news.

“He’s that strong?”

Ling Tianyi stared at his report, stunned. He’d missed the New Relic event while chasing spirit stones elsewhere.

Hearing the Hermit’s use of supreme sword techniques inside the Relic, he fixated on the details.

As a fellow sword cultivator, I failed to recognize his talent back then. What a formidable sword heart he possesses!

But determination lit his eyes: “No matter. My sword path will crystallize soon—fast next year, slow the year after. That’s what makes it exciting, right, Xiao Mo?”

Mo Jiao lazily lifted an eyelid, nodded, then resumed napping.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end