Chapter 243: Single Hand Supporting the Moon · One Move to Kill the Enemy

Chapter 243: Single Hand Supporting the Moon · One Move to Kill the Enemy

"Huh, it's actually a single piece."

"This big a thing, I wonder how we're supposed to carry it out."

"You don't think they forged it here on-site back then, right?"

Xiao Chen frowned slightly, staring at the six-zhang-long crystal Moon Wheel before him, feeling at a loss for where to start.

Considering he'd already started tearing things apart, he might as well conduct a thorough search of the entire Wuling.

It didn't take long before he noticed this particularly unique Wuqi.

The problem was, the crystal Moon Wheel was just too long to fit into his Storage Ring.

"Kala!"

Shitou was sliced open by a Flying Sword.

"Chi!"

"Pu!"

"Zi!"

Xiao Chen ignored the various strange sounds, flickering lights, and colorful mists around him.

He directly dismantled the Moon Wheel from the palace's ceiling.

Although this thing was no lightweight—easily weighing twenty thousand jin—

it was nothing for Xiao Chen, a body cultivator who never lacked for brute strength.

"Dang! Dang!"

He tapped the Moon Wheel's surface with his hand, producing crisp metallic sounds. It felt pretty sturdy.

"Dong! Dong!"

He tested it with more force, surprised that this crystal Moon Wheel, after all these years, hadn't become brittle. Instead, it was unexpectedly solid.

He guessed this had to do with the Wu Talisman inscribed on its surface.

Since it was strong enough, he felt reassured.

Coming all this way wasn't easy. If he couldn't store it, he'd just carry it. He'd deal with figuring it out later.

"Honglong!"

Blazing firelight erupted, shattering the emerald-green phantom figure mid-air and forcibly widening the narrow passage by a layer.

It didn't take long before Xiao Chen emerged from the sea's surface with the crystal Moon Wheel, the water exploding outward with a "Huala!"

It was exactly the third watch of the Yin hour, about half a watch before dawn.

Moonlight spilled silver radiance across the sky, illuminating the Moon Wheel, which suddenly erupted with even more intense light.

The luminescent white glow instantly illuminated an area ten miles wide, piercing through the sea's surface to a depth of a hundred feet.

If any cultivator were within a thousand miles of Xiao Chen at this moment,

they would clearly see this spectacle—the brightest figure under the moonlight.

But for now, there was no problem. In such a remote location, encountering others wasn't easy.

Seven days later.

Just as Xiao Chen was returning with the Moon Wheel on his back,

the three Sun family members, who had worked tirelessly for two months, finally succeeded in opening the Cave Mansion left behind by the Sun Clan's Great Ancestor and obtained the family's long-lost secret technique copy.

Unfortunately, before they could even feel a moment of joy,

uninvited guests lurking nearby suddenly attacked from the side.

"Wang Ruiyang, what are you doing here!"

Sun Haoran's face darkened as he saw his old rival, who had clearly come prepared.

Under normal circumstances, reclusive sects would gradually cut off contact with the outside world over time.

But reclusive didn't mean completely isolated. Some basic activities were still necessary, like exploring the surrounding areas.

After generations of conflicts between the Sun and Wang families over the nearby minor forbidden realm,

the two families, living in close proximity, had become bitter enemies.

"Hahaha, why shouldn't I be here?"

Wang Ruiyang laughed arrogantly. "This Mercy Sea doesn't belong to your Suns. I come and go as I please. Who are you to stop me?"

"Sun Haoran, tonight's night black wind high, destined to be your death day!"

"I want to see how lucky you are this time—can you escape with your life?"

Twenty years ago, Wang Ruiyang achieved a major breakthrough into Golden Core Late Stage, his strength surging dramatically.

He alone lay in ambush outside the Sun family's island, determined to kill his enemy's Golden Core cultivator to prove himself.

He encountered Sun Haoran, who was then only at the Golden Core Middle Stage.

Wang Ruiyang was overjoyed and activated a pre-prepared killing formation.

Just as he was about to succeed, one of Sun Haoran's elders happened to pass by and intercepted his attack.

A similar incident occurred seven years ago outside the forbidden realm.

The Wang family, using special Talisman Treasures traded from the Zhao Kong Sect, successfully broke through the Sun family's defense formation at the forbidden realm's exit.

Among the scattered Sun family members, Wang Ruiyang immediately locked onto Sun Haoran and gave chase.

He pursued for ten thousand miles, watching as his target's speed finally faltered.

But suddenly, a tidal wave of sea beasts erupted, forcibly interrupting his pursuit.

After two consecutive failures, especially upon learning that Sun Haoran had safely returned to his clan, Wang Ruiyang felt a bitter frustration.

During cultivation, distracting thoughts constantly arose, preventing focused cultivation.

If he couldn't resolve this issue and clear his mind,

he felt he would never break through again in this lifetime.

Thus, for the next seven years, Wang Ruiyang devoted all his energy to studying how to defeat Sun Haoran.

Finally, today's opportunity had come.

This time, they weren't near the Sun family's territory, so he didn't have to worry about encountering passing Sun clan members. The location was remote, with almost no Golden Core sea beasts or large schools of fish nearby.

Wang Ruiyang had also brought three clan members and two heavily paid assistants, ensuring an absolute advantage in strength.

He was determined that this time, Sun Haoran wouldn't escape.

"Ka-cha!"

A Thunderbeam as thick as a water vat tore across the sky, briefly illuminating the night before slamming into the defense formation surrounding the Spirit Ship.

The entire ship was pushed backward more than ten zhang.

"Ugh!"

Sun Haoqi, who was directing the formation, let out a muffled groan, a metallic taste rising in her throat, which she forcibly suppressed.

This sudden battle had already lasted an hour, and the defense formation was on the verge of collapse.

At this critical moment, she knew she mustn't show any weakness.

It was both to mislead the enemy and to avoid distracting her second brother.

"Green Rainbow Sword Beam, Slash!"

Sun Haoran stood within the formation, his entire true mana infused into his Flying Sword.

The moment the battle began, he activated the Spirit Ascension Form, attempting to intimidate the attackers.

However, despite his dazzling sword beams, the enemy deployed four spirit shields, blocking every strike.

After so long, he hadn't even injured anyone, let alone approached the enemy.

In most cases, when cultivators of the same level face a two-to-one disadvantage, it results in overwhelming defeat.

Without the Spirit Ship as a base, they'd already be fish food.

Sun Haoran glanced at his third sister.

Though she gritted her teeth silently, her face was unusually pale in the dark night.

Her uncontrolled, chaotic aura already betrayed her poor condition.

Looking at his fifth brother, the situation was equally dire.

This was his first real life-or-death battle, and his nervousness made his movements clumsy.

Though the defense formation protected him, he was only now beginning to adapt.

But this progress came too late, doing nothing to change the overall situation.

Defeat was inevitable. It was time to consider breaking through.

"The Mercy Sea will soon be in turmoil",

"We can't hide any longer. We must seize this opportunity to fight for a future for our family."

Sun Haoran always remembered the clan elder's assessment during the family meeting.

At this point, at the very least, they needed to bring back the family's secret technique and the news of the Wang family's attack.

Thinking this, he pulled out a special Golden Talisman and handed it to his side:

"Fifth Brother, take this. When I count down three, we'll both charge out together."

"I'll create an opening for you. Activate the Golden Talisman and escape immediately."

Sun Haoze was struggling to control his Flying Sword, trying to relieve pressure.

Hearing this, he was stunned: "Second brother, you're giving me the Lüe Guang Golden Talisman? What about you and third sister?"

Sun Haoran continued weaving sword techniques, keeping his tone steady: "Five Brother, focus on your task. Bring the secret technique back."

"Don't think about anything else."

"Repeat what I just told you."

Sun Haoze's mind flashed back to the novels and biographies he'd secretly read in the family's Scripture Pavilion.

Gritting his teeth, he decided to be a hero this time: "Second brother, let me create the opening."

"You're at a higher cultivation realm. You have a better chance of escaping."

A flicker of pride crossed Sun Haoran's eyes, but his words were harsh: "Don't be stubborn now. I don't have time to waste."

"Wang Ruiyang is after me. Only I can hold him back."

"Take the Golden Talisman. Watch my movements."

Sun Haoze's eyes reddened, but he said nothing, silently accepting the Golden Talisman.

His ears caught a spiritual sense transmission:

"Three, don't be nervous."

Sun Haoze clenched his teeth, starting to gather true mana, his mind blank as he struggled to understand how things had come to this.

"Two, get ready."

Sun Haoze deployed a spirit shield for protection, preparing to charge out with his second brother.

In this moment, time seemed to stretch.

Even the sounds of spells bombarding the defense formation seemed to fade away.

...

Hmm?

But the final "One" seemed stuck, not coming for several breaths.

Sun Haoze looked up, seeing his second brother staring westward in confusion.

Even the Wang family cultivators outside paused their actions.

What had happened?

He quickly turned his head westward.

In the pitch-black night, where sea and sky met in the distance, a luminous white moon hung, almost floating above the sea's surface.

Had the moon fallen?

Sun Haoze's mind instantly flashed this absurd thought, but immediately realized something was wrong.

The moon was clearly moving—toward them!

Sun Haoze's eyes widened as the crystal Moon Wheel became clearer in the distance, especially the slender figure standing beneath it, striding across the waves.

The figure wore a snow-white feathered robe, supporting the massive moon with one hand, rapidly gliding across the sea.

The moon's pure light outlined his form, the evening breeze lifting his flowing robes, like a fallen immortal descending to the mortal world.

He wasn't the only one stunned.

Opposite him, Wang Ruiyang and the surrounding cultivators were also frozen, unable to comprehend what was happening.

This was already the remote northwest corner of the Mercy Sea.

Could this be an encounter with some reclusive old monster?

The approaching figure was none other than Xiao Chen, returning with the crystal Moon Wheel. He had traveled from the other side, so naturally took the same path back.

Frankly speaking, even he himself hadn't expected this Wuqi to shine so brightly.

Tonight, thick clouds veiled the moon, allowing only sparse moonlight to filter through.

Yet the crystal Moon Wheel in his hand remained unaffected, radiating an exceptionally brilliant glow.

You know what? This thing might actually make a decent decorative piece when I bring it back.

"I wonder?"

After approaching the Spirit Ship, Xiao Chen naturally spotted Wang Ruiyang and the others.

However, after scanning them with his spiritual sense and detecting no golden core True Sovereign, he stopped paying attention.

He simply nodded toward Sun Haoran: "Fellow Cultivator Sun is still here."

"I should thank you for guiding me earlier. Otherwise, I might have wasted considerable time."

If they'd searched the wrong location, returning might have been delayed by months.

"Cultivator Xiao?"

Sun Haoran recognized the visitor's face and felt a flicker of confusion.

That Starfall Lands location was a full 350,000 kilometers away. How could this person have returned so quickly?

But the current situation was urgent, leaving no time to ponder such matters.

Sun Haoran's mind raced, planning to transmit voice with his spiritual sense.

"Cultivator Xiao, save me!"

However, before he could speak, his younger brother Sun Haoze suddenly shouted, pointing at Wang Ruiyang: "They're Bandit Cultivators trying to steal our secret techniques."

"Please, fellow cultivator, lend your assistance! There will be great rewards afterward."

Disaster!

Hearing his fifth brother's plea, Sun Haoran's heart sank.

He had originally planned to secretly communicate with Xiao Chen, offering substantial benefits while convincing him to pretend being a disciple from his sect to scare off Wang Ruiyang.

At the very least, he could create chaos and gain some unpredictability.

But with his brother speaking so directly, Xiao Chen might actually be driven away.

After all, their relationship was essentially strangers meeting by chance, having only exchanged a few words.

Expecting this person to intervene on principle would be unreasonable.

Yet the words were already out - nothing could be done now.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Xiao Chen turned to look at Wang Ruiyang's group. From their formation, they indeed seemed to be encircling the Spirit Ship like wolves surrounding prey.

Objectively speaking, the other party had helped him once - a small favor that counted as a debt.

Now they were asking for help again, and he certainly had the capability to intervene. It would be difficult to ignore their plight.

He looked at the leader Wang Ruiyang and proposed: "Esteemed fellow cultivator, would you grant me the favor of letting Fellow Cultivator Sun go today?"

Hearing this, Wang Ruiyang's complexion darkened.

He had just thought another unexpected incident might occur today.

But upon closer look, the newcomer was merely a youth at the Golden Core Middle Stage.

Now hearing this person actually wanted to intervene, an uncontrollable surge of anger flared from his heart.

However, to be cautious, Wang Ruiyang still restrained himself slightly.

He forced a seemingly amiable smile onto his face and asked: "This matter isn't difficult to discuss."

"I just don't know the honorable name of Cultivator Xiao, or which sect's esteemed disciple you are from?"

If this person turned out to be from a major sect, even if Wang Ruiyang wanted to act, the three invited experts might not be willing to continue.

It would be fine to just give a favor.

But if their background influence wasn't significant enough, then he wouldn't hesitate to be ruthless.

Considering possible recognition, Wang Ruiyang didn't mind killing one more solitary cultivator to eliminate witnesses.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard the young man in feathered robes calmly reply: "I am Xiao Chen, currently a solitary cultivator without sect affiliation."

Solitary cultivator?

"Hahaha, hahahaha!"

Upon hearing this answer, Wang Ruiyang burst into loud laughter.

"Wow, listen to yourself! What are you saying?"

"Give you some face, and you think you're someone important enough to demand respect?"

"Today I'll teach you a lesson - don't meddle in affairs you shouldn't touch!"

As he spoke, Wang Ruiyang raised his hand, and suddenly lightning flashed.

Three arm-thick thunderbolts shot from his palm, striking directly toward Xiao Chen.

At the same time, the other five surrounding cultivators also attacked.

However, they all continued attacking the Spirit Ship, clearly assuming Wang Ruiyang's victory was certain.

After all, as the only golden core Perfect Completion stage cultivator present, suppressing a Golden Core Middle Stage opponent was effortless.

"Crack!"

Before the lightning struck, the Ghost-Faced Mystic Light Shield rose in time to block it.

Xiao Chen frowned, instinctively preparing to activate the Cold Light Ice Soul Needle, yet hesitated slightly: "Don't say I didn't warn you - I can kill you with one move!"

"Leave now, and I'll pretend I heard nothing."

"If you won't go, face the consequences."

Unfortunately, the only response was an even fiercer attack.

"Boom!"

The powerful Thunderbeam struck the Ghost-Faced Mystic Light Shield, making it tremble violently.

Among golden core cultivators, Wang Ruiyang's Overbearing Lightning Dao was truly unparalleled.

"Tsk, incorrigible."

Seeing the opponent not only wanted to kill him but also intended to eliminate witnesses, Xiao Chen no longer hesitated. He pointed his finger backward.

In an instant, a full hundred Ice Soul Silver Needles shot forth from his palm.

The densely packed needles merged into a single frigid beam, appearing from afar like a silver ribbon flying through the air.

"What!"

Wang Ruiyang immediately activated his spirit shield to block, but it only stopped thirty needles before being pierced through.

His Spirit Robe helped block another twenty, but half of the remaining needles pierced through his chest.

"Spit!"

Wang Ruiyang spat blood: "My Xuan Shield, how is this possible?"

He wasn't the only one confused - even Sun Haoran felt cold sweat on his back.

Their families were bitter enemies, so he knew the Wang family's secret technique - the refinement spirit shield, which could effectively enhance defense during duels.

Normally, breaking a Wang family cultivator's spirit shield would require either prolonged grinding or having a cultivation stage advantage.

But what was he seeing now?

With just one move, shield, robe, and person were all pierced like a sieve.

If that attack had been directed at him, Sun Haoran couldn't help but shudder - his fate would likely be even worse.

"Ruiyang Brother!"

The nearby Wang family members hesitated, then hurried to support him.

But they felt bone-chilling coldness.

After entering the body, the Ice Soul Silver Needles transformed into frigid energy, directly freezing the five viscera and six bowels, then the entire torso.

Though the body appeared intact, it was merely frozen solid. When touched, it shattered completely, falling into the sea below.

Strictly speaking, Wang Ruiyang's strength wasn't truly this pathetic.

If Xiao Chen had used the True Yang Fire Dragon, he could have blocked with his spirit shield.

But unfortunately, he met the Cold Light Ice Soul Needle, specifically designed to counter shield-type spiritual artifacts.

Thus, his previously prideful spirit shield became his greatest weakness, directly breached.

But others didn't know this.

Seeing Wang Ruiyang unable to withstand even one move, the battlefield fell silent again, a deathly stillness.

Sun Haoqi pressed her hand to her chest, suppressing her injuries.

Her cherry lips parted slightly, disbelieving the scene before her.

As a Formation Master who often manipulated formations and could control forces many times stronger through formation flags, she still couldn't imagine Xiao Chen actually killing an opponent with one move.

Was such power truly possible for a golden core cultivator?

Had she sustained too many injuries, causing hallucinations?

Sun Haoze's eyes widened like copper bells, his inner shock indescribable.

What had he just witnessed?

Xiao Chen's every movement was like swordsmen from the tales he'd read.

Especially the moment when the other person, under moonlight, calmly said, "I can kill you with one move", filled Sun Haoze with yearning.

This was exactly the image he aspired to become!

If only those ice needles had been replaced with a Flying Sword, it would have been a perfect killing blow. A pity they couldn't be changed.

For a moment, Sun Haoze even felt regret.

Why wasn't Xiao Chen a sword cultivator?

"Scatter and flee!"

Suddenly a loud shout rang out. The hired experts, seeing Wang Ruiyang's death, had no intention of staying to die.

They immediately signaled their two companions to escape.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three talismans exploded in succession, creating three gusts of wind carrying them in three different directions.

The remaining two Wang family members reacted, immediately turning to flee.

"You came all this way - why leave so soon?"

Since he had already acted, Xiao Chen had no intention of letting any escape.

He lightly stepped on the sea surface, a burst of flame erupting, instantly appearing before the nearest cultivator.

"Dragon Claw Strike!"

Before the opponent could react, his entire chest was crushed.

"Senior Xiao, have mercy!"

Another cultivator, realizing escape was impossible, pleaded: "I was just paid spirit stones by Fellow Cultivator Wang to assist - nothing else concerns me!"

Xiao Chen shook his head slightly: "Bandit cultivators who bring calamity to the cultivation realm deserve death at everyone's hands."

This wasn't just empty words - it was the consensus among most cultivators.

After all, Bandit Cultivators often killed and looted, harming countless solitary cultivators.

With Sun Haoran helping to restrain one opponent, Xiao Chen quickly eliminated the remaining three.

After taking their Storage Rings, he specifically reminded: "Regarding today's matter, please keep this confidential, Fellow Cultivator Sun."

"I don't wish for the Wang family to come knocking someday."

Though Xiao Chen wasn't afraid of retaliation, fewer troubles were always better.

"Please rest assured, Senior", Sun Haoran nodded quickly. "The Wang family came for me and were counter-killed - unrelated to others."

Satisfied, Xiao Chen nodded and turned to leave.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end