Chapter 267: Clams and Cranes Fighting
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In a cave in Mount Taiyan, Jian Jinsheng sat cross-legged on a massive rock. His right hand gently caressed the longsword on his knee, a faint smile on his face.
Quietly below him, disciples from the Divine Flame Sect stood, their eyes filled with reverence as they gazed at Jian Jinsheng. His presence was rewriting the history of the Divine Flame Sect.
Such a figure carried far more weight in the eyes of the people than the sect’s founding ancestor from years past.
Not far from Jian Jinsheng, a man dressed like a scholar held a book in his hands. He was reporting to Jian Jinsheng about the losses and gains of the Divine Flame Sect in this encounter.
The greatest gain, of course, was the slaying of Xin Zhiqing, a Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator from the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. The remaining members of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect in the area were also left behind on Mount Taiyan.
On that day, after Jian Jinsheng had killed Xin Zhiqing, he shifted his focus to the cultivators of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect who were in the Aperture Tempering realm.
Cultivators from other sects were allowed to leave, but Jian Jinsheng didn’t spare a single warrior from the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. From this, one could deduce his stance when facing other sects in the future.
The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect would certainly seek revenge relentlessly, but with other sects, Jian Jinsheng was likely to prioritize forging alliances. If he could gain the support of other sects, the influence of the Divine Flame Sect would expand even further.
It was precisely because of this that Jian Jinsheng refrained from attacking cultivators from other sects at this time.
As for those sects that continued to support the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect in the future, Jian Jinsheng probably wouldn’t show mercy then because there would be no purpose in trying to win them over.
“This time, we acquired a total of spiritual treasures…” The scholarly-looking warrior hadn’t finished reporting when Jian Jinsheng suddenly reached out his hand, interrupting him.
Jian Jinsheng looked around and a vague sense of threat began to surround him, but he didn’t perceive anything unusual as he scanned the area.
“Since you’ve come, why hide? The noble Immortal Cloud Sword Sect should not resort to such tactics,” Jian Jinsheng said, rising to his feet.
His core soul energy swept around, and a formidable aura pressed on the hearts of everyone present. The disciples of the Divine Flame Sect were startled, looking around, but they didn’t find anything amiss.
“Boom!
Jian Jinsheng’s figure suddenly soared into the sky, and the cave’s ceiling shattered, revealing him in the mid-air above Mount Taiyan.
Coming here had finally dispelled most of the threat that had surrounded Jian Jinsheng earlier. Evidently, the danger was confined to the cave, and Jian Jinsheng had not been able to pinpoint it.
If he couldn’t find it, then he would avoid it.
As for whether the other Divine Flame Sect disciples in the cave were in danger, it was not within Jian Jinsheng’s consideration. As long as he was here, the Divine Flame Sect was here.
If something were to happen to him, no matter how intact the rest of the Divine Flame Sect remained, they would ultimately face destruction.
The sense of threat in Jian Jinsheng’s heart dissipated by more than half, but it still lingered faintly. It was clear that the hidden observers had not left and were attempting to ambush Jian Jinsheng.
Jian Jinsheng remained calm and floated in mid-air. His vantage point provided an excellent view, allowing him to detect any incoming attacks in advance.
A couple of days ago, Jian Jinsheng had just launched a surprise attack on Xin Zhiqing, so he naturally understood how to evade similar tactics.
“The heart of a tiger, yet you engage in treacherous deeds. Xin Zhiqing’s death at your hands isn’t entirely unjust!”
A somewhat elderly voice resounded, and a figure, shrouded in shadows, suddenly appeared. Tong Zhongqiu looked up at Jian Jinsheng, and his figure slowly ascended.
While everyone expected the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect to prepare thoroughly for revenge and maintain a stable position, Tong Zhongqiu had come alone to Mount Taiyan, intending to ambush Jian Jinsheng.
Unfortunately, Tong Zhongqiu was detected by Jian Jinsheng even before he could make a move.
“It’s really you, old man!”
Jian Jinsheng looked at Tong Zhongqiu, a smile appearing on his face. He leaned slightly forward and said, “By coming here like this, aren’t you afraid I’ll simply kill you on the spot?”
“If you have the ability, taking my life would be a small price to pay!”
Tong Zhongqiu laughed loudly. In the next moment, his figure vanished, reappearing in front of Jian Jinsheng, a weapon resembling a ruler-like object in his hand, striking towards Jian Jinsheng.
“Boom!”
Explosive sounds reverberated in the air, and a shockwave emanated from the two combatants, spreading in all directions.
Inside the cave, the members of the Divine Flame Sect distanced themselves. It was almost impossible for cultivators at the Aperture Tempering realm to intervene in this battle, especially with the overwhelming power of flight.
Moreover, the shockwaves generated by the battle between two Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators were extremely intense. Weaker cultivators at the Aperture Tempering realm would likely be gravely injured before they even got close.
“Boom, boom, boom!”
The explosions in mid-air were incessant. There was no probing; both Tong Zhongqiu and Jian Jinsheng were going all out from the start.
Tong Zhongqiu had come here to catch Jian Jinsheng off guard, not only for revenge for Xin Zhiqing but also to secure the dominant position of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect without any threats.
However, after just ten moves, Tong Zhongqiu realized that he might not be able to kill Jian Jinsheng.
If his surprise attack had succeeded earlier, he might have been able to kill Jian Jinsheng with this advantage. But since the ambush failed, in a head-on battle, Tong Zhongqiu had to admit that he was getting on in years.
Despite having a slight edge in realm, he couldn’t gain any advantage. In fact, if this situation continued, the balance might tip in favor of Jian Jinsheng.
“Boom!”
Another explosion sounded, and it seemed like a massive fireball had appeared in mid-air, making it too dazzling to look at directly.
Tong Zhongqiu flashed away, retreating hundreds of meters before stopping, facing Jian Jinsheng from a distance.
For a Combined Aperture Tempering realm expert, a distance of hundreds of meters was relatively safe, but only relatively. If they decided to engage in combat again, a quick dash could bring them right in front of their opponent.
“I used to think that your Immortal Cloud Sword Sect fused two treasures together because this old man wanted to prolong his life. But now it seems I’ve underestimated you,” Jian Jinsheng remarked, looking at the ruler-like object in Tong Zhongqiu’s hand with a greedy glint in his eye.
The power of this ruler-like object in Tong Zhongqiu’s hand was much stronger than the sword blade in Jian Jinsheng’s hand.
If it weren’t for the strength of this ruler-like object, Tong Zhongqiu would probably have been at a disadvantage long ago, and he might even be injured by now.
But because of this ruler-like object, the two sides were evenly matched, and within hundreds of moves, it seemed like this result wouldn’t change.
This showed just how formidable this ruler-like object was.
Jian Jinsheng had learned about the fusion of two treasures in the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect when he killed Xin Zhiqing on Mount Taiyan.
This fusion had been ongoing for a long time, and in a few more years, it would likely result in the creation of an even more powerful treasure.
The information he had gathered indicated that the purpose of fusing these treasures was to extend Tong Zhongqiu’s lifespan.
People fear death, and if there’s an opportunity to extend one’s life, most would be willing to try. Therefore, Jian Jinsheng had set up the trap a few days ago, speculating that Xin Zhiqing probably wouldn’t bring the treasure with him.
As expected, because the fused treasure was still incomplete, Xin Zhiqing hadn’t carried it, which led to his defeat.
Now, Jian Jinsheng realized that this ruler-like object wasn’t meant for Tong Zhongqiu at all; it was custom-made for Xin Zhiqing. If this treasure had truly been completed, Xin Zhiqing, in the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, would have had a chance to advance further.
But unfortunately, Xin Zhiqing had died, and this treasure custom-made for him had never been put to its intended use.
Tong Zhongqiu tightly gripped the ruler-like object, and there was a hint of sorrow in his eyes. Fusing treasures required constant monitoring, and he had been the one doing it all these years.
A few days ago, Tong Zhongqiu had initially wanted to come to Mount Taiyan personally, but he was persuaded by Xin Zhiqing to let him go instead. As a result, Xin Zhiqing had gone on that trip and never returned. This ruler-like object had lost its meaning.
Therefore, Tong Zhongqiu had simply brought out this yet-to-be fully refined treasure and come to Mount Taiyan, seeking to engage in a life-or-death battle with Jian Jinsheng.
With the booming sounds echoing on Mount Taiyan for the duration of an incense stick’s time, Tong Zhongqiu finally retreated. The battle had shifted in favor of Jian Jinsheng, and if Tong Zhongqiu didn’t leave, he would be stuck here forever.
If Tong Zhongqiu were to die, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect would undoubtedly be destroyed by the Divine Flame Sect. Tong Zhongqiu couldn’t allow that to happen.
Half a day later, news of the battle on Mount Taiyan reached the various sects in Immortal Cloud City.
While everyone was astonished, their confidence in the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect increased significantly. Tong Zhongqiu hadn’t managed to kill Jian Jinsheng, but at the same time, Jian Jinsheng hadn’t been able to do anything to Tong Zhongqiu either.
Because of this inconclusive battle, Xin Zhiqing’s death had lifted some of the darkness hanging over the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, even though it had ended without a clear outcome.
The only concern was Tong Zhongqiu’s limited lifespan. Currently, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had no fear of the Divine Flame Sect, but what about ten or twenty years from now?
What would be left of Tong Zhongqiu’s strength in the Combined Aperture Tempering realm by then?
In the short term, there was no need to worry, but the future seemed clouded. Unless the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect could produce another powerful Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator within the next two or three decades.
Only Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators could contend with others of the same realm. Without them, even if the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had many cultivators in the Aperture Tempering realm, it wouldn’t be enough to stop Jian Jinsheng. The same held true even if they sought refuge within the sect’s mountain gate.
Because of this battle, the anxious atmosphere in Immortal Cloud City gradually calmed down.
After several days of tranquility and confirming that no further incidents had occurred, the Primordial Sword Sect lifted the travel restrictions on its disciples. However, they were cautioned not to provoke any trouble.
The surroundings of Immortal Cloud City had become highly sensitive, and even minor incidents could lead to significant trouble.
Chen Fei received a message from Qin Jinglan, informing him that there was a new task within the Alchemist Alliance for crafting Spirit Snow Pills.
Chen Fei arrived in Immortal Cloud City and observed the expressions of the people on the streets. Although Immortal Cloud City had returned to normalcy after several days, the people’s faces no longer bore the same ease as before.
Two enormous powers were destined to decide a victor, and this represented great instability. The people who lived in Immortal Cloud City sought stability, and many had come from far away precisely because there was no conflict here.
But now, with the emergence of the Divine Flame Sect, that sense of security had disappeared.
Chen Fei entered the headquarters of the Alchemist Alliance, and Qin Jinglan, wearing a sly smile, led him to a counter and opened a task list.
Chen Fei glanced at Qin Jinglan, a little puzzled, and then lowered his head to examine the list. After a moment, his eyes involuntarily widened.
Someone had posted a task for crafting Spirit Snow Pills, which wasn’t surprising in itself, as such tasks appeared every few days.
What left Chen Fei shocked was the sheer number of tasks posted for crafting Spirit Snow Pills!
With a quick scan, he counted no less than thirty requests for crafting these pills!