https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-503-Strategies-Unveiled-Heavenly-Peng-s-True-Form-Colliding-with-the-Golden-Wolf-King-/12936313/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-505-Buying-a-Horse-s-Bone-with-a-Thousand-Gold-Slaying-the-Dragon-and-Dispelling-the-Golde/12941950/
Chapter 504: You Are Not a True Man, Unaware of Nascent Soul Techniques
Chapter 504: You Are Not a True Man, Unaware of Nascent Soul Techniques
The radiant screen shone brilliantly, towering into the sky.
The demon wolves surged like a tide, rising and falling in the mountainous gorges.
A fierce battle of attack and defense unfolded amidst the peaks and valleys.
"Senior Brother, I'm going. Take care of Huan'er for me!"
"Younger Brother Ran!"
Cheng Yan's eyes widened in anger as he watched helplessly as Ruan Jing, the Sect Leader of Falling Cloud Sect, who was known as the pillar of strength, was engulfed by the overwhelming beast tide.
When he was surrounded by the wolves, there was a moment of silence, followed by an explosion of infinite light.
The power of the self-detonation was so strong that it lit up half of the night sky.
On Thousand Leaf Peak, Han Zhan coldly witnessed this scene, his lips pressed tightly together, clenching his teeth as if they might shatter.
It seemed as if his teeth were about to be ground to dust.
Standing in mid-air, with the bright moon as a backdrop, the Savage Wolf Sovereign, Ao Xiao, revealed a brilliant smile upon seeing this.
"Fellow Daoist, until this moment, do you think it's you restraining me, or me restraining you?"
Han Zhan slowly raised his head, staring directly at the unrestrained mockery.
"Was all this part of your plan?"
Ao Xiao shook his head, "Plans can never keep up with changes. This... in your human words, it's merely a matter of guiding the flow."
"You tried to eliminate all the demon beast strongholds in the Howling Moon Mountains, resulting in the dispersion of your forces."
"And you feared the reinforcement of my Wolf Courtyard, so you concentrated all your elite forces on that Swordsmanship Hall."
"This way, I only need to abandon Jiuhuang Mountain and concentrate my strength to strike at your heart. Thus, severely injuring your esteemed sect is only natural."
Han Zhan opened his mouth as if to say something, but after taking a deep breath, he suppressed the urge.
Arguing would be of no benefit to the overall situation.
He had already realized that the opponent had never intended to engage him directly.
Regret slowly spread throughout his body.
If he had known this earlier, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to reveal his Nascent Soul puppet.
If he had given control of the puppet to Senior Brother Cheng Yan, the front line would have been stabilized.
Unfortunately, during their first encounter, he had lost to the opponent in three moves. Under the sudden pressure of the opponent's arrival, he had no choice but to reveal his trump card prematurely to intimidate them.
In the end, it was the Falling Cloud Sect's lack of depth that was to blame! All the decisive killing moves were concentrated on him.
At this moment, he was stretched too thin, and instead, he became the one being restrained.
Seeing that Han Zhan was not speaking, Ao Xiao raised an eyebrow.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he paused for a moment before suddenly saying, "If you, Fellow Daoist, are willing to make a grand oath, declaring the opening of war a failure and withdrawing from the Howling Moon Mountains, I will immediately order my clan to cease their attack, and your Falling Cloud Sect's lineage will be spared."
"Impossible!" Han Zhan refused without hesitation.
Ao Xiao's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Is it worth it to go this far? If you continue fighting like this, the disciples of your Falling Cloud Sect will be annihilated. Even if you occupy the Howling Moon Mountains, what good will it do? Do you want to become the weakest High Lord in history?"
Han Zhan thought of that image and couldn't help but shudder.
But in an instant, he regained his composure, as calm as a still well.
The Savage Wolf Sovereign, Ao Xiao, was thwarted but remained unconcerned.
"Since that's the case, then you can only watch as your disciples cry out in agony! Don't even think about lending a hand, you know full well that you can only barely match me because of your advantageous position. As long as you reveal a flaw, killing you will be as easy as turning my hand!"
"How arrogant!" Han Zhan shouted, his body trembling with power, and his Nascent Soul pressure soared into the sky.
"You can try if you wish!" Ao Xiao coldly snorted, and his formidable aura forcefully pressed down without hesitation.
In an instant, the two terrifying pressures collided.
Ao Xiao's robes fluttered, his golden hair swayed without wind, and his body involuntarily took a step back.
Han Zhan grunted, but he remained seated in his original position, unmoving.
It seemed that Ao Xiao had taken the disadvantage.
However, the opponent showed no anger, his eyes glowing with golden radiance, as he looked towards the puppet sitting opposite Han Zhan, which was trembling.
"So that's how it is!"
"No wonder when we fought last time, you clearly lost to me in three moves, yet you remained unharmed."
"You actually turned this puppet into an external incarnation. Not only can you control it like an extension of your arm, but you can also transfer damage."
"Tsk tsk, you truly have great fortune. In just a hundred years after forming your Nascent Soul, you possess both an external incarnation and a sword formation as your killing moves."
"Since that's the case, why do you stubbornly resist? If you had retreated earlier, preserving your sect's foundation, with your means, you could have risen again in the future..."
Han Zhan stared at him, then abruptly spoke, interrupting his incessant chatter.
"Do you really think you have the Falling Cloud Sect in the palm of your hand?"
Ao Xiao's eyebrows furrowed.
But soon, he sensed something.
Because of this, he gained even more respect for Han Zhan.
"Your cultivation realm is inferior to mine, but your divine perception is even stronger. I truly underestimated you."
"Since that's the case..."
...
At one corner of the defensive array.
A Tier 3 Initial Stage demon wolf was wreaking havoc.
Even with the heavy presence of puppets ahead, as they spat out energy orbs and magical artifacts danced wildly, unleashing layer upon layer of killing intent, it showed no fear.
Relying on its thick skin and flesh, it relentlessly bombarded the protective screen.
"As long as I open a gap first, and lead the others to charge in, I will establish great merit."
"The Wolf King will surely be delighted and may even reward me with the secret techniques of the wolf clan!"
Just as it was fantasizing...
High above, a streak of azure sword light descended like a shooting star.
The demon wolf was startled and frantically unleashed a yellowish demonic shield, attempting to block the incoming sword strike.
But!
Whoosh!
With a soft sound, the azure sword light sliced through the shield like a knife through tofu, piercing the massive body of the demon wolf.
In that instant, the demon wolf caught a glimpse of the sword light's true form.
It was a sword orb!
The next moment, countless streaks of azure sword light emerged from its body, like butterflies breaking free from a cocoon.
Without a sound, the demon wolf shattered into countless small fragments and fell to the ground.
The sword light suddenly converged and transformed back into a sword orb, flying back in the direction it came from.
In that direction, ten figures approached with lightning speed.
Even before they arrived, a torrent of attacks rained down.
Flying swords, hammers, steel needles, puppets, and Five Elements spells...
This single wave of attacks significantly relieved the pressure on the Falling Cloud Sect's defense.
Seeing this, everyone knew that reinforcements had arrived.
The Swordsmanship Hall experts had returned!
Whoosh!
One figure moved with astonishing speed, like a rainbow, directly entering the formation array.
As soon as he landed, his brows furrowed as he looked at the enormous body embedded in the ground, looking extremely disheveled and even pitiful.
The faintly recognizable face allowed him to identify the other party's identity.
"It's Dan Chenzi!"
He was about to take a step forward, but a hurried call came from behind.
"Lin Dao_friend, don't move him!"
Lin Qingxuan turned around, "Jueqing Dao_friend, why can't we move him? Dan Chenzi is severely injured, and this place isn't suitable for recovery. It's better to send him to a safe place."
Jueqing Xianzi spoke with a grave expression, "Pay attention to his chest!"
Lin Qingxuan followed her gaze, and his face revealed surprise.
Layer upon layer of energy armor was shattered, with flesh and blood exposed, and bones and veins clearly visible.
Countless golden lights permeated the area, attempting to erode the massive body of Luo Chen.
Fortunately, clusters of azure flames continuously burned, preventing the golden light from spreading.
The golden light was powerful, but it was a source-less entity, diminishing with each moment it was burned.
The flames were weaker, but their grade was exceptionally high, and they were endless, gradually gaining the upper hand.
The two forces held each other in a stalemate, creating an eerie balance.
If anyone dared to move Luo Chen's body, it would undoubtedly disrupt this balance, turning a well-intentioned act into a disaster.
"Thank you for the reminder, Qingxuan almost made a grave mistake."
Jueqing waved her hand, "Let's deal with this beast tide first!"
Lin Qingxuan nodded.
Earlier, relying on the speed advantage of a sword cultivator, he had unleashed a full-power strike in advance, instantly slaying a Tier Three initial-stage Wolf King.
Now, after a brief rest, his spiritual power flowed freely.
It was the perfect time to engage in battle again!
Just as he was about to return to the battlefield, the countless besieging beasts seemed to have received a command and began to retreat en masse.
Their advance and retreat were well-planned, unlike the unintelligent, barbaric creatures they seemed to be.
Lin Qingxuan's face showed surprise, "I've heard tales from senior members of my sect about the war during the opening of the Jade Cauldron Region. Although it lasted a hundred years, the demonic beasts have never displayed such unity and cooperation. They're like an army from the human realm! Their organizational prowess surpasses even that of our sect's cultivators!"
Jueqing Xianzi's expression also turned grave.
"That Savage Wolf Sovereign is indeed an extraordinary talent among the demonic race. He has managed to unite the demon wolf clan like a tightly wound rope. If not for the fact that this opening is several times more intense than previous ones, Falling Cloud Sect would have suffered a heavy blow."
It wasn't just a fear, but a reality!
As one of the young geniuses of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, Lin Qingxuan had already reached the Clear Sword Heart realm.
Using the heart to control the sword, and the sword to prove one's intent.
At this moment, through his Clear Sword Heart, he could clearly sense the immense sorrow of the remaining disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect.
In this battle, the Savage Wolf Sovereign led his forces to strike at the heart of the Falling Cloud Sect, causing countless casualties.
Not to mention others, at least five Golden Core cultivators had perished!
Among the survivors, aside from Cheng Yan, almost everyone was injured.
Even those who appeared unharmed had pale faces and listless expressions, clearly in a state of spiritual exhaustion from overusing their puppets.
It was well-known that the Falling Cloud Sect couldn't be considered a deep-rooted Nascent Soul sect.
In the past, they had only about a dozen Golden Core cultivators.
During the fifty years of preparation, countless resources were consumed, barely producing three Golden Core cultivators.
But even then, the total number didn't exceed twenty.
After this battle, they could be considered greatly weakened!
If the Swordsmanship Hall cultivators had returned a bit later, they might have faced total annihilation.
Lin Qingxuan sighed and turned his gaze towards the towering peak.
"Why hasn't that person made a move?"
...
On Thousand Leaf Peak, Cheng Yan's face was filled with rage as he glared at Han Zhan.
"Junior Brother, why aren't you taking action!"
Han Zhan calmly looked at him, "How do you want me to act without exposing our flaws to the Savage Wolf Sovereign?"
"Then will you just stand by and watch as our junior brothers and sisters, the sect's elites, die one by one before our eyes? Such self-preservation is unbefitting of a sect's Supreme Elder!"
"Senior Brother, you're being unreasonable."
Cheng Yan's eyes turned red, and his finger trembled as he pointed at Han Zhan.
"I'm being unreasonable? If you're afraid of exposing our flaws, then why don't you fight that beast, the Savage Wolf Sovereign! Didn't you tell me that with an external incarnation, we can form the Two Instruments Five Elements Array and battle a Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?"
For this killing move, I didn't hesitate to exhaust the sect's foundation, intercepting foreign sword cultivators, ambushing the Sword Sect's Ren Pingsheng, and even allowing Ling Huo Jie to release three Ghost Kings, seizing Pang Renxiong's physical body. Now that the killing move has been refined, you dare not use it. What logic is this!"
Cheng Yan's heart was filled with anguish.
In this battle, he watched as his fellow sect members died one by one beside him.
Even though he single-handedly killed five Tier Three Wolf Kings and countless low-tier Demon Wolves, he couldn't save them all.
If the Falling Cloud Sect still had those foundation-level killing moves...
Would this battle have turned out differently?
Those foundations were either destroyed in the battle against the Sword Sect's top Golden Core cultivator, Ren Pingsheng, or they were all supplied to Han Zhan, helping him achieve the Nascent Soul Stage and refine a Nascent Soul-level incarnation puppet.
This was why Cheng Yan, like a skilled cook without rice, faced the wolf pack with helplessness.
Facing his senior brother's accusation, Han Zhan remained calm.
"I'm also heartbroken, but I truly couldn't and dared not move at that time."
"It's not that I value my life, but the aftermath of a Nascent Soul-level battle is too great."
"In one battle, even before the external beast tide surges in, Savage Wolf Sovereign's attack could affect thousands of our sect members here."
He paused.
A solemn expression on his face, he revealed a bitter smile.
"Being able to fight a mid-stage Nascent Soul and being able to kill are two different things."
"Even if I severely injure Savage Wolf Sovereign, what if he wants to leave? With a Nascent Soul escape, he can travel a thousand miles, and I can do nothing to stop him."
"Senior Brother, you're not a True Cultivator, and you don't know the methods of the Nascent Soul Stage. I don't blame you."
Cheng Yan was stunned, standing there in a daze.
After a while, he walked down the mountain in a daze.
He muttered to himself, "I'm not a True Cultivator... I'm not a True Cultivator..."
Han Zhan sighed, knowing that his sincere words had inadvertently touched his senior brother's most painful spot.
But at that time, there was really no other way.
At least, with their mutual restraint, the Falling Cloud Sect managed to wait for the return of its elite forces, preserving the sect's vitality.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother!"
"Once we conquer the Howling Moon Mountains, the Falling Cloud Sect will thrive, not only returning to its peak but surpassing its former glory tenfold, even a hundredfold!"
"Savage Wolf Sovereign will also pay the price for this battle, sooner or later!"
"I, your junior brother, am not lying to you!"
The murmured words, carried by the night wind, reached Cheng Yan's ears.
It was uncertain if he could hear them.
Han Zhan pursed his lips, his gaze surveying the battlefield below, forged in blood and fire, and finally resting on the massive body lying on the ground.
His eyes flickered, and he raised his hand.
A faint light descended from the sky, seeping into the body.
Luo Chen, with his golden body, trembled at this stimulation.
Then, countless golden lights converged towards the center and were slowly enveloped by cyan flames.
Luo Chen opened his eyes and clasped his hands in front of him, forming a seal.
In an instant, his body began to shrink rapidly.
With Jueqing Xianzi's support, he struggled to stand up and put on his coat.
Despite his severe injuries, Luo Chen still bowed towards the direction of Thousand Leaf Peak.
"Thank you, True Cultivator!"
There was no response.
Luo Chen, with no trace of blood on his face, stood up straight, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
As if knowing what he was thinking, Jueqing Xianzi said softly, "You should go and rest and recover. I'll help you find the Rothean Alliance cultivators."
"Then, thank you, Fellow Daoist."
Luo Chen forced a smile, not refusing the other party's kindness, and walked towards the cave mansion with unsteady steps.
Watching his retreating figure, Jueqing Xianzi shook her head.
Again!
The last time was embarrassing enough, and this time, he had put himself in such a state.
It was just good luck; otherwise, he would have been torn apart and devoured by the beasts on the battlefield.
What was he showing off for!
A pill cultivator should stay safely in the rear.
However, as Jueqing Xianzi wandered the battlefield, searching for Rothean Alliance cultivators, she learned the details of the previous battle from their mouths.
"Senior Dan Chenzi?"
"We really have to thank him for this battle. Not only did he slay three Wolf Kings with his array, but he also personally blocked that late-stage Tier Three Golden Wolf King. Otherwise, we might not have had the chance to set up the array."
"With a Golden Core initial stage body, he withstood the late-stage Wolf King and survived. Senior Dan Chenzi is truly formidable!"
Jueqing Xianzi blinked, somewhat incredulous.
Before the Nascent Soul Stage, cultivators had numerous methods and could borrow external forces, so they were unafraid of beasts of the same level.
But this advantage had its limits.
If they crossed a mid-stage boundary, this advantage would be leveled.
And if they were two mid-stages apart, an early-stage cultivator against a late-stage beast... it would be a certain death!
Luo Chen had directly withstood the Golden Wolf King and lived?
"I really underestimated him."
...
Luo Chen struggled back to the cave mansion.
He looked down at the large hole in his chest and the ball of golden light inside his body. Even though it was heavily wrapped in his lifebound true flame, it still clung to his body like a bone-clinging maggot.
He let out a bitter laugh.
"In the end, I was still careless!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
