Chapter 352: Killing a Grandmaster with a Snap of the Fingers

Chapter 352: Killing a Grandmaster with a Snap of the Fingers

Regardless of whether the Ancient Demon originated from beyond the Heavens and Earth, or what lies beyond, these were not matters that he should delve into at this moment, nor were they within his immediate concerns.

Chen Mu quickly gathered his thoughts and continued to examine the Ancient Demon's remnant body trapped in his palm.

Although this Ancient Demon was only at the seventh rank, its level was not particularly high. Still, it held great research value for Chen Mu. At the very least, if he could comprehend the 'Shapeless Transformation' and 'Formless and Shapeless' states, it would undoubtedly be a qualitative change.

Despite the stark differences between the human body and the Ancient Demon, all paths lead to the same destination. The tempering of the Martial Body was inherently a process of gradually becoming one with the Heavens and Earth. At his current level, after reaching the Blood Transformation Realm, he might be able to draw parallels and gain insights.

Chen Mu carefully scrutinized the Ancient Demon's remnant body, staring at the swirling black mist, and pondering its profound mysteries.

Meanwhile, in a dark and gloomy patch of earth about a hundred zhang away, a faint ripple appeared, accompanied by a hidden figure beneath a blood-colored mask. The figure seemed to be following Chen Mu from a distance, keeping its presence to a minimum by not intentionally looking in Chen Mu's direction.

When it came to concealing one's presence, none in Cold North could rival the Blood Concealment Tower!

The Grandmaster from the Blood Concealment Tower, with his exceptional skills in hiding his aura and form, maintained utmost caution, staying far away and not even looking directly at Chen Mu. Even a typical Blood Transformation Realm cultivator might not have been able to detect his presence in such circumstances.

Time passed.

Chen Mu remained still, and so did the Blood Concealment Tower's Grandmaster.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Mu, who had been quietly examining the Ancient Demon's remnant body, suddenly clenched his hand, causing the swirling black mist to emit a shrill scream before exploding and vanishing, completely annihilated by Chen Mu.

After eradicating the Ancient Demon, Chen Mu didn't make any further moves. Instead, he lifted his head and gazed lightly at the front, saying, "Since you've come, why hide?"

A figure in black robes stepped out from the shadows nearby. The person's face was aged, and his aura was thick and heavy. He looked at Chen Mu with a cold gaze and said, "The perception of the Heaven and Earth lineage is indeed extraordinary. I only approached within a hundred zhang of you, and you sensed my presence. Your ability to kill a seventh-rank Ancient Demon alone is indeed remarkable."

Although a seventh-rank Ancient Demon wasn't particularly powerful, it wasn't much weaker than a seventh-rank Demon King. However, when it came to preserving their lives and cunning, they far surpassed Demon Kings. Many Grandmasters could defeat them but found it challenging to kill or suppress them.

Fu Jingyuan approached from the darkness, examining Chen Mu up and down. Seeing Chen Mu standing there calmly, he furrowed his brows, unsure of Chen Mu's confidence. Even after Fu Jingyuan appeared, Chen Mu didn't attempt to flee.

Indeed, it was already too late for Chen Mu to escape. He had spent too much time suppressing the Ancient Demon, and lingering in the Earth Abyss for too long was an extremely dangerous act. Chen Mu's youth and lack of experience in the dangers of the Earth Abyss were apparent.

This was for the best.

They wouldn't need to exert too much effort.

"Your concealment skills are useless before me. However, I've felt someone following me since entering the Earth Abyss, and even I couldn't pinpoint their location. Such concealment skills must not be limited to your Mystic Mechanism Pavilion..."

Chen Mu turned his gaze behind him.

About a hundred zhang away, a faint ripple appeared, along with a cold, indifferent voice.

"It's a trivial skill, not worth mentioning."

Although the voice was audible, its source remained unseen. Only a slight ripple passed through the void, and the most peculiar thing was that the voice seemed to come from all directions, each syllable originating from a different place.

Within this indifferent voice, there was a hint of chilling killing intent, making one feel as if stepping in any direction would invite the deadliest strike from an unseen angle.

However, Chen Mu's expression remained unchanged as he sensed this chilling aura.

"Has the Blood Concealment Tower become a subordinate of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion?"

The relationship between the Blood Concealment Tower and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion had always been peculiar. In Yu County, they had worked closely together, targeting Meng Danyun and Chen Mu. Still, their collaboration had only extended to the level of the Senior Guardian.

Now, even the Grandmaster of the Blood Concealment Tower was acting in conjunction with the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion. While it made sense, as neither sect wanted the emergence of an unparalleled Martial Saint to reshape the world, it was also clear that there was a deeper cooperation between them.

Chen Mu's only concern was the extent of the collaboration between the Blood Concealment Tower and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion.

"No need for further questions," Fu Jingyuan said, looking at Chen Mu indifferently. "What's the point of seeking intelligence about our sects when you're about to die?"

Chen Mu didn't respond to Fu Jingyuan. Instead, he turned his gaze in another direction and said, "This aura, flourishing in spring and transforming into rain in autumn, must be the rumored 'Spring-Autumn Sword'?"

As he spoke, a figure in black robes emerged from another direction. Above his head hovered a three-foot-long green sword, and his entire being was divided into two distinct halves—one vibrant with life and the other desolate and lonely.

It was Ji Yuanshan, the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion and one of the top Grandmasters in the Cold North!

To be precise, he was the ninth-ranked Grandmaster in the Cold North, as Qin Mengjun had advanced to the Blood Transformation Realm and was no longer among the Grandmasters. Ji Yuanshan, the tenth-ranked, naturally moved up a position.

"There's no need to stall," Ji Yuanshan said, his gaze fixed on Chen Mu. "I don't know what tricks you have up your sleeve, but in front of me, they're meaningless. The sooner you face your death, the sooner many people will be at ease."

At the pinnacle of Grandmasters, the gap between them wasn't significant. Although Ji Yuanshan wasn't a match for Jiang Changsheng and had even been defeated by him in the past, he still had the ability to retreat unscathed. Even when facing Absolute Blade Tuoba Xi, he wouldn't show any fear. It could be said that in the eleven provinces of Frost North, they were the top experts below the Blood Transformation Realm, naturally possessing absolute confidence.

Although Chen Mu had separated from the Qixuan Sect's group and his actions along the way were somewhat suspicious, Ji Yuanshan still didn't think Chen Mu could stir up any trouble. Although Chen Mu had somehow managed to slay Bone Piercing Marquis, a Grandmaster like him wouldn't be able to withstand more than three moves in a direct confrontation, and he would be cut down by Ji Yuanshan's Spring-Autumn Sword.

Among the Grandmasters of the Qixuan Sect, the only one who could rival Ji Yuanshan to some extent was Liu Tong, the Peak Master of Lesser Mystic Peak, but even he was not present here.

The Grandmaster from Blood Concealment Tower had been tailing Chen Mu ever since he entered the Earth Abyss, without detecting any abnormalities. It was only when Chen Mu was entangled in a fight with the Ancient Demon that he didn't want to complicate matters further, so he contacted them and led them here.

"To take my life, you've not only joined forces with Blood Concealment Tower, but you, Ji Yuanshan, have also come personally. That's quite a show of respect towards me."

Chen Mu stood on the dark earth, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings.

Fu Jingyuan's voice was cold as he said, "You may be a junior, but you're also a once-in-a-century genius of Frost North, a 'variable' that Frost North possesses. Eliminating variables and upholding heavenly principles is what Mystic Mechanism Pavilion should do... And you took the Cold Soul Spirit Blade from our sect. You've used it for so long, and now it's time to return it."

If Fu Jingyuan had known that Chen Mu, even after being invaded by the Ancient Demon, could still cultivate the Three-Foot Forbidden Domain in such a short time and reach the top three of the Cold North Wind and Cloud Rankings, he would have found an opportunity to eliminate Chen Mu in Yu County. Now, to kill Chen Mu, he needed to act together with Blood Concealment Tower, and even Ji Yuanshan's personal presence made him feel more secure.

"Is that so? Quite a noble cause."

Chen Mu's gaze was indifferent.

Fu Jingyuan looked at the young Chen Mu with a chilling gaze, about to say something more, but Ji Yuanshan's voice interrupted from another direction, his tone calm. "Words are useless. Let's not complicate matters further."

With his words, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. His left hand hovered over the desolate yellow earth, and suddenly, strands of vitality and warmth emerged, with black vines and vegetation breaking through the soil. On his right, there was only desolation and loneliness, with gusts of autumn wind carrying a chill, blowing past and leaving cracks on the yellow earth.

This change, a manifestation of the Spring-Autumn Sword Intent, gathered and focused on the Spring-Autumn Sword above his head. The entire Spirit Armament vibrated with a buzzing sound, shooting towards Chen Mu and slashing down upon him.

Buzz!

The Spring-Autumn Sword, its blade transforming into a vast and magnificent sword aura, extending for dozens of zhang. But then, this terrifying and grand sword light suddenly condensed, turning into a strand of sword energy almost invisible to the naked eye, like a thin hair, falling towards Chen Mu.

Sword Energy Condensation!

In terms of pure Sword Dao, Ji Yuanshan might not be as skilled as Jiang Changsheng, but he was still a top Grandmaster, having cultivated his sword techniques to perfection. This move almost condensed the might of heaven and earth, Primordial Energy, and surging Sword Intent into a single line, displaying the most exquisite Spring-Autumn Sword Techniques, causing even Fu Jingyuan to feel awe.

"Ji Shixiong's Spring-Autumn Sword has reached this level. If I tried to block it directly, I'd likely die on the spot. Everyone knows that Jiang Changsheng is renowned for his Sword Dao, and Ji Shixiong is probably not far behind him."

Fu Jingyuan stared at the sword strike, his heart muttering involuntarily.

To cultivate to the pinnacle of a Grandmaster, none were ordinary. In ten years, Jiang Changsheng's Sword Dao had continuously improved, so how could others remain stagnant? Ji Yuanshan's sword strike was clearly meant to prevent any accidents, using his full strength to display the most exquisite Spring-Autumn Sword Techniques, aiming to eliminate Chen Mu in one strike.

Under this sword strike, neither Fu Jingyuan nor the Grandmaster from Blood Concealment Tower dared to approach. They knew that even if they joined forces with Ji Yuanshan to attack Chen Mu, it would only create chaos and might put them at risk from the condensed sword energy. At this moment, they only needed to stand by and block Chen Mu's retreat.

With the sword energy condensed, Chen Mu must retreat!

They would attack from both sides, forcing Chen Mu to directly block the strike, and the matter would be settled!

But.

Fu Jingyuan and the Grandmaster from Blood Concealment Tower thought this, both focusing their attention on Chen Mu, not expecting that Chen Mu, facing Ji Yuanshan's sword strike, showed no intention of retreating. He didn't even draw the Cold Soul Spirit Blade from his waist.

He stood there, facing the condensed sword energy, and casually raised his right hand, flicking his fingers.

Pa!

The condensed sword energy, as if it could tear through everything, shattered and broke into pieces, disappearing without a trace.

Then, Chen Mu's fingers, without stopping, met the descending Spring-Autumn Sword, colliding with the sword body and sending it vibrating and bending, flying back at a faster speed.

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Fu Jingyuan and Ji Yuanshan were both stunned.

"Impossible!"

The Grandmaster from Blood Concealment Tower, hidden behind Chen Mu, about forty to fifty zhang away, watched with wide eyes, his expression filled with shock and disbelief.

Who was Ji Yuanshan? He was one of the top Grandmasters of Frost North, known as the Spring-Autumn Sword, a figure with a formidable reputation.

His control of the Spring-Autumn Sword, with its condensed sword energy, was so powerful that even a Grandmaster like Fu Jingyuan would likely be split in two if he tried to block it directly. It was impossible to face it head-on.

Chen Mu effortlessly shattered the sword strands with a mere flick of his finger, sending the entire Spring-Autumn Sword flying with a casual gesture. His movements were so relaxed that even the surrounding heavenly energy remained undisturbed, as if he relied solely on his physical body and inner essence.

This was an utterly incomprehensible scene.

Even the supreme grandmasters of the sect, ranked among the top ten on the Heavenly Grandmaster Rankings and surpassing Ji Yuanshan, would not have accomplished such a feat with such nonchalance, and without any hint of struggle. This seemed more like the ability of a Blood Transformation Realm existence!

The Blood Concealment Grandmaster was shocked, but before he could react, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine, as if an immense terror had descended upon his heart, causing his expression to change dramatically.

"Not good!"

He inwardly cursed his misfortune, and without a moment's hesitation, he began to retreat rapidly.

Earlier, to coordinate with Fu Jingyuan and block Chen Mu's escape route, he had approached within fifty zhang of Chen Mu. The shocking display he had just witnessed had shaken his spirit, causing ripples in his aura. If Chen Mu couldn't lock onto his position under these circumstances, the claim of the strongest Heaven-Earth Martial Dao would be a joke.

A soft whooshing sound.

The Blood Concealment Grandmaster transformed into a fleeting shadow, retreating swiftly. However, as he moved back, a strand of blood silently burst forth from his original position, and with a sharp crack, it was pulled back over ten zhang!

Chen Mu, without a sound, appeared at the spot where the Blood Concealment Grandmaster had been standing. His right hand was extended, fingers pointed like a sword, with faint traces of blood still visible on his fingertips. He stared indifferently ahead.

"Cough..."

The Blood Concealment Grandmaster retreated over ten zhang but could no longer maintain his concealment technique. He fell out of the shadows, coughing up fresh blood, then looked down at his chest.

There was a gaping blood hole in his left chest, front to back, through which blood gushed, taking away his vitality.

Even as a Marrow Washing Grandmaster who had cultivated a martial body, having his heart shattered was undoubtedly a fatal injury. He stared at the wound in his chest with a dazed expression, then slowly raised his head to look at Chen Mu in the distance. His eyes still held a trace of disbelief, and he staggered back two steps before slowly sitting down, his vitality gradually fading.

On the other side.

Seeing Chen Mu shatter the sword strands with a single finger, sending the Spring-Autumn Sword flying, and then, with a swift movement, locking onto the Blood Concealment Grandmaster and delivering a fatal strike, piercing his heart, Fu Jingyuan could hardly believe his eyes.

A sense of innate fear arose within him, and he finally realized the problem. No wonder Chen Mu had remained calm and composed throughout, even intentionally exposing so many 'flaws'. It wasn't that Chen Mu had any traps or schemes; it was that Chen Mu was unafraid of being attacked!

Shattering the Spring-Autumn Sword with a flick.

Killing the Blood Concealment Grandmaster in one move.

What kind of strength was this?!

"Escape."

Instinctively, the thought of fleeing arose in Fu Jingyuan's mind, and without hesitation, he turned and fled towards the distance, disbelief lingering in his heart.

If it weren't for sensing Chen Mu's aura at close range, which was identical to the one he had sensed in Yu County, he would have suspected that the Chen Mu before him was a Blood Transformation Realm existence in disguise!

Just a year ago, in Yu County, Chen Mu had fought a difficult battle against the grand protector of Xuanji Pavilion, Situ Shu, ending in a close victory and barely managing to slay Situ Shu.

At that time, although Chen Mu possessed some strength in Fu Jingyuan's eyes, he was still considered an insignificant ant. If Fu Jingyuan had wanted to kill Chen Mu, he could have done so in an instant. However, due to Feng Hongsheng's intervention, he had ultimately given up on taking action.

And now,

In just over a year,

Chen Mu could kill a Blood Concealment Grandmaster of equal strength with a single move!

How inconceivable was this? Even though Chen Mu's past cultivation had been remarkable, it was still before he reached the Marrow Washing Realm. Like all grandmasters, who hadn't been young prodigies, true disciples, and made astonishing progress with each step? But for Chen Mu to have such progress at the Wind and Cloud Rankings and the grandmaster level was truly hard to believe. What terrified Fu Jingyuan even more was the additional implications of Chen Mu's progress.

A Marrow Washing Grandmaster,

A Heaven-Earth Martial Body!

Easily receiving Ji Yuanshan's sword strands and effortlessly killing the Blood Concealment Grandmaster, Chen Mu must have undoubtedly entered the Marrow Washing Realm and cultivated the renowned Heaven-Earth Martial Body!

Since the founding of the Great Xuan, the tenth Heaven-Earth Grandmaster, and...only thirty-two years old!

The more Fu Jingyuan thought about it, the more terrified he became. Throughout history, no Heaven-Earth Grandmaster had been like Chen Mu. Even the young founder of the Martial Emperor's dynasty might not have been as impressive. Could it be that another 'Martial Emperor' was rising, unstoppable?

Fu Jingyuan's thoughts abruptly halted.

His escaping figure suddenly stopped and staggered.

He looked down at his chest and saw a clear blood hole piercing front to back, with blood gushing out, rapidly draining his strength.

With reluctance, he turned his head with difficulty to look at Chen Mu's shadow, only to see Chen Mu, without even approaching, pointing a finger from over ten zhang away. The surging power of that single finger tore through his protective true force as if it were paper, piercing his heart!

"Heh..."

Fu Jingyuan wanted to say something, but blood gushed from his mouth, cutting off his words.

Unable to support himself any longer, he fell to the ground, gazing at the desolate earth beneath him. A chill spread from his empty heart to his limbs, evoking indescribable complexity until everything faded into darkness.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end