Chapter 231: One Sword Shocks the Soul
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The action of attacking the barrier had been ongoing for two days.
Previously, Xu Wangliang and several others were gradually luring and killing the spider spirits, a process that took a considerable amount of time. Although the time spent was quite long, the results were excellent.
All the spider spirits within the entire cave were individually slain by the six of them. Even the final and strongest spider spirit couldn’t pose any threat to them.
Apart from minor injuries, the six of them suffered almost no losses and even obtained many high-quality medicinal herbs with considerable age.
And the discovery of the final body here was a tremendous surprise. Xu Wangliang and his companions hadn’t anticipated finding such valuable items here.
However, it was regrettable that no matter how they attacked, they couldn’t break the barrier. The barrier remained unmoved. This simultaneously stirred excitement and impatience within Xu Wangliang and his companions.
They understood that this barrier was a formation, and they had tried to locate the nodes of this formation, hoping to destroy the nodes first and thereby break the barrier without direct attacks.
Unfortunately, Xu Wangliang and his companions had little knowledge about formations and couldn’t discern where this barrier drew its power from.
In the end, they had to resort to the most brute force approach, directly assaulting the barrier in an attempt to shatter it and access the black box within.
The only relief the six of them felt was that this barrier lacked offensive capabilities; it only provided protection. Otherwise, given the formidable formation set up, fatalities would have been inevitable.
They had dared to relentlessly attack only after realizing the non-offensive nature of the barrier. Nonetheless, the results were meager, causing frustration.
“Who’s there!”
Suddenly, Kou Renji turned to look behind, loudly questioning while ceasing his actions.
It’s… it’s me.”
Ling Hanjun awkwardly took a few steps forward, bowing slightly to Kou Renji and his companions in a subservient manner. He had no choice but to lower his stance since all present were experts at the Visceral Tempering realm who could easily kill him.
“Why are you here!”
Kou Renji’s brows furrowed as he recognized this person. Initially, in Apricot Fen City, Kou Renji had specifically brought Ling Hanjun to inquire about various matters.
However, later, considering Ling Hanjun’s weak strength, which could potentially hinder them, Kou Renji had instructed Ling Hanjun to stay within the city. Now, how had he ended up here?
“Why are you here? Didn’t 1 tell you to stay in the city?” Xu Wangliang scolded in a low voice.
“I… I…”
Ling Hanjun didn’t know how to respond and looked somewhat helpless towards the rear. Emerging from the shadows, a figure gradually approached it was Chen Fei.
Ling Hanjun had previously warned Chen Fei that Xu Wangliang and the others were all at the Visceral Tempering realm, and there were many of them. Directly approaching them could lead to severe conflicts.
Ling Hanjun wouldn’t mind if Chen Fei died, as that would free him from his predicament. However, if he got caught in the middle, he might also be killed in the conflict, which would be a great injustice.
“Who are you!”
The six of them became vigilant all of a sudden. They had only sensed Ling Hanjun’s presence and hadn’t noticed that there was someone else behind him.
The fact that this person’s aura remained so concealed was enough to astonish them.
However, despite their vigilance, Xu Wangliang and his companions weren’t particularly worried. There were six of them in the Visceral Tempering realm, and all of them were at the peak of that realm.
With such cultivation levels, who would dare challenge them unless they were in the Aperture Tempering realm!
Chen Fei didn’t respond to Xu Wangliang’s question. Instead, he gazed at the body seated cross-legged on the ground and the black box.
Chen Fei’s eyes gleamed faintly. Based on what he had just seen, it was highly likely that the black box contained the follow-up techniques of the Dragon Suppressing Elephant. This place seemed to be searching for a successor to this technique on behalf of the body, as if the body were seeking a heir for the Dragon Suppressing Elephant.
“How audacious!”
Seeing Chen Fei’s disregard for them, Kou Renji, who was already infuriated by the barrier, burst into laughter. He swiftly moved forward and was now standing before Chen Fei, aiming a slash at his neck.
Chen Fei’s appearance seemed to be that of someone in their early twenties. Achieving the Aperture Tempering realm at such an age was regarded as an extraordinarily gifted existence in their eyes.
The Aperture Tempering realm?
In the Aperture Tempering realm, the apertures and vital energy resonated, emitting an aura and momentum that could be sensed from afar. Yet, neither Kou Renji nor his six companions could detect this aura from Chen Fei.
However, Kou Renji was not careless. The strike was more of a test, with thirty percent of his strength directed forward and seventy percent held back in his hand. If any situation arose, he could change tactics or retreat without any issues.
“Clang!”
The Qianyuan Sword was unsheathed, and a black aura quickly spread over its blade. A profound momentum surged from Chen Fei’s body.
In the next moment, the Qianyuan Sword swung towards Kou Renji’s longsword.
“Shit!”
As soon as the Qianyuan Sword was drawn, Kou Renji’s expression changed drastically. The presence emanating from Chen Fei and the sword was enough to make Kou Renji’s soul tremble.
Kou Renji dared not block the strike and desperately tried to retreat, only to find that a force field had unknowingly pressed down on him.
While it was possible to break free, it would take time. Unfortunately, Chen Fei didn’t grant that time; the Qianyuan Sword was already within reach.
Xu Wangliang and the others’ expressions also changed dramatically. They swiftly moved toward Chen Fei, attempting to rescue Kou Renji.
However, Xu Wangliang and his companions were still some distance away from Chen Fei. This distance might be negligible in normal circumstances, but now it seemed like an insurmountable gap.
“Boom!”
A massive explosion resounded. Kou Renji, along with his sword, was forcefully smashed into the ground. The entire cave trembled slightly, and a pit had formed on the ground. Kou Renji lay motionless in the pit.
With a single sword strike, Kou Renji, who had reached the peak of the Visceral Tempering realm, was slain on the spot.
This strike also stunned the remaining people, including Ling Hanjun, who had previously held Chen Fei in high regard.
Ling Hanjun was amazed at Chen Fei’s power, but he hadn’t anticipated Chen Fei’s strength to reach such an astonishing level. A single sword had claimed the life of a peak Visceral Tempering realm warrior.
“Who are you!”
Xu Wangliang and the others huddled together, seemingly trying to withstand the impact of Chen Fei’s strike.
Even though he wasn’t in the Aperture Tempering realm, the power he displayed was so exaggerated that Xu Wangliang and his companions couldn’t comprehend it. How could there be such a vast difference in strength among practitioners of the same realm?
“This place now belongs to me.” Chen Fei pointed at the black box and addressed Xu Wangliang and his companions.
“We discovered this place first!” Xu Wangliang gritted his teeth.
Chen Fei was undoubtedly powerful, but there were still five of them. If they were cautious, there might be some hope. After all, that single sword strike had been impressive, but could Chen Fei sustain such continuous displays of power in the Visceral Tempering realm?
Chen Fei turned to look at Xu Wangliang, the once towering figure he had to look up to during his initial visit to Apricot Fen City. He had hidden desperately behind him, afraid of being exposed.
Now, over a year later, their cultivations had reached the same level, and their combat strengths were no longer on the same plane.
“I’m not seeking your opinions. If you don’t leave now, you might as well stay here together!” Chen Fei’s expression remained calm as he spoke.
“Kill him!”
Xu Wangliang bellowed, and the five of them swiftly moved to form a simple formation, encircling Chen Fei.
This formation was ideally meant for six people, but with Kou Renji’s demise, that opportunity was lost.
Nevertheless, even with just five people, this formation still linked their strengths. It was impossible to channel the power of five people onto one individual.
Perhaps only the most exceptional formations, requiring the deployment of spiritual treasures, might achieve that. Such a formation could channel the power of all five individuals without interference. In some cases, if a siege isn’t well-organized, it’s impossible to fully unleash each person’s power, and even minor deviations might impact each other.
However, this formation allowed each person’s power to be harnessed without interference, while simultaneously encircling a target.
Ling Hanjun had already hidden in a corner, watching Xu Wangliang and his companions charge at Chen Fei. He silently cheered for them, hoping that they could slay Chen Fei here.
Eternity Moment!
The world seemed to freeze, and Chen Fei observed the changes in Xu Wangliang and his companions’ movements, as well as the connections in their auras. It was indeed an impressive formation, capable of effectively surrounding and killing disciples from ordinary sects with a high success rate.
Even if the assassination failed, the possibility of the five defending each other and retreating unharmed was quite high.
However, they were facing Chen Fei now.
The black aura on the Qianyuan Sword began to gather towards the blade, then retreated from the blade’s edge, fully condensing at the tip.
Battle was not a match; this was not the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. Chen Fei didn’t need to be cautious against Xu Wangliang and his companions.
A horrifying aura surged from Chen Fei, causing Xu Wangliang and his companions’ hearts to race. In an instant, Chen Fei transformed from a human into a behemoth, gazing down upon them.
“Attack!”
Xu Wangliang and the others shouted sharply. Retreat was no longer an option. With no choice but to face their opponents head-on, they had to fight with all their might to seize a glimmer of hope.
“Boom!”
The entire cave shook violently. Stones from above began to fall, crashing onto the ground and shattering into pieces.
Not far away, Ling Hanjun watched with wide eyes as everything unfolded before him.
A flash of black light swept by, and as Xu Wangliang’s group charged toward Chen Fei, they were sent flying back at even more exaggerated speeds. They crashed heavily into the ground and the cave walls.
Chen Fei stood still, not even moving an inch.
Xu Wangliang coughed up blood and struggled to keep his body upright as he looked at Chen Fei. He attempted to speak, but a mouthful of blood gushed forth, choking his words. He then collapsed heavily to the ground, his aura dissipating.
Not only Xu Wangliang, but the other four also met the same fate.
With a single sword strike, they met their end. Even Shen Tucang, a peak Visceral Tempering realm warrior, would have died if he had faced this. Not to mention these wandering cultivators. Even if they were more numerous, it would have been in vain.
Ling Hanjun trembled in the corner, burying his head and refusing to look at Chen Fei again.
In his eyes, both of these peak Visceral Tempering realm warriors had died by two sword strikes. And they had all perished at once.
Chen Fei paid no mind to Ling Hanjun. He walked towards the black box on the ground, but just a few steps away, a shimmering barrier appeared in front of him..