Translator: CinderTL
"Elder Xiang!?"
"How could this be…"
"This is impossible!"
The frontal slaying of Elder Xiang Li, a Golden Core cultivator, sent Zhang Weiqian into a frenzy, his voice trembling with excitement. But for Yan Wuya and the other two True Core cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect, it was as if they had been plunged into an icy abyss, their eyes wide with shock.
Especially for Yan Wuya!
He had personally participated in the pursuit of Li Chunjun and Qin Zhou back then.
At that time, although Li Chunjun had shown some capability by killing the deputy head of a peripheral academy of the sect, his strength seemed to be at most at the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Under the pursuit of him, Bai Yang, Tian Jian, and the other two Core Formation Elders, Li Chunjun had no choice but to seek refuge with Qin Zhou, fleeing desperately with no way out.
But now…
How long had it been? Less than a year, and he had already leaped from the sixth level of Qi Refining, crossing the threshold from a high-level cultivator to a top-tier one, swiftly passing through the eighth and ninth levels of Qi Refining, and directly entering the Spirit Refinement Great Realm, achieving Core Formation!
And not just any Core Formation, but the most difficult method of all—Refining Sword into Core! But that wasn't even the most astonishing part. The most unbelievable thing was that as soon as he entered Core Formation, he already possessed such combat power! He had just slain Elder Xiang Li, a Golden Core cultivator, in a frontal assault!
What kind of monster was this!? Even the previous Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy probably couldn't have achieved such a feat at the Virtual Core stage! If he were allowed to continue growing…
"Die! This traitor must die!"
Without hesitation, Yan Wuya took out his Message Jade Talisman and sent a message to Zhou Wu Gou, the true disciple stationed in Great Shang, while also calling for reinforcements from all the Core Formation Elders of the Chiyang Sword Sect in the vicinity. He didn't know if Li Chunjun would fulfill his vow to annihilate the Chiyang Sword Sect as he continued to grow, but he, Yan Wuya, the Core Formation Elder who had once nearly killed him, would certainly be in mortal danger!
So, whether for the sake of the sect or for his own survival, Li Chunjun had to die.
"Retreat quickly! Bring this news back to the sect!"
Yan Wuya was determined to kill Li Chunjun at all costs, but the remaining two True Core cultivators were terrified by this display of ferocity.
Three True Core cultivators against three Golden Core cultivators, one True Core cultivator, and…
a Virtual Core cultivator suspected of having the combat power of a true disciple—how could they fight this!?
Escape! The two of them immediately transformed into streaks of light, fleeing into the distance.
"No! I've already urged True Disciple Zhou! We'll engage them in a prolonged battle to buy time! This is still the territory of the Chiyang Sword Sect. Once our reinforcements arrive, these people will surely die, and we will become the greatest contributors to the death of the future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy of the Taixu Sword Sect!"
Yan Wuya shouted at the top of his lungs.
The two True Core cultivators hesitated for a moment.
At that moment, Zhou Yuechen, Qin Zhou, Jiang Yuxue, and Zhang Weiqian closed in for the kill.
They split into pairs, targeting the other two True Core cultivators, leaving Yan Wuya alone.
They had already received Li Chunjun's Divine Sense message—he intended to use these True Core cultivators to further temper himself.
To this, Jiang Yuxue and the others naturally agreed without hesitation.
Temper! The Sword Prodigy could temper himself however he wished!
They would spare no effort to assist him!
…
"Hold on!"
Yan Wuya let out a low shout, while he himself quickly mounted his sword, several Tier 3 Talismans scattering from his body, transforming into streams of light that cascaded down.
Prolonged battle!
He was determined to use every means possible to engage Li Chunjun in a prolonged battle!
"Whoosh!"
The Scarlet Sky Sword shot through the air.
Yan Wuya unleashed a series of radiant streams transformed from talismans, all of which were deflected and shattered by the sharp edge of the Scarlet Sky Sword.
The Scarlet Sky Sword, accompanied by visible torrents and shockwaves, fiercely advanced toward the True Core cultivator.
However, Yan Wuya once again summoned talismans and spirit artifacts to block the sword's edge, while he himself fled at full speed, widening the distance between them once more!
Fighting while retreating!
His strategy was to fight and flee simultaneously, trading space for time!
"Talismans?"
Li Chunjun pursued on his flying sword, his expression unchanged as he observed the scene: "You're not the only one with talismans!"
Not only did he possess talismans, but they were Tier 4 talismans.
These Tier 4 talismans were given to him by Huan Ming and Jiang Yuqiu, and their combined quantity far surpassed that of any Core Formation cultivator.
Even compared to the number of talismans carried by an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, they were not inferior.
With a thought, a talisman was torn apart.
A ring of radiant light swiftly enveloped Yan Wuya's figure.
The moment he was caught in this ring of light, the True Core cultivator clearly felt as if a mountain had been placed upon his shoulders, making his movements incredibly heavy.
Not only was his ability to fight while retreating compromised, but even the casting of arcane arts became more difficult.
"Tier 4 Talisman—Mountain Talisman!"
Yan Wuya immediately recognized the talisman, a flash of despair crossing his eyes.
How could he have forgotten? The Taixu Sword Sect must have placed great importance on a treasure like Li Chunjun.
Wouldn't Tier 4 talismans be carried on his person?
In fact, he wouldn't even be surprised if Li Chunjun were to produce a Tier 5 talisman at any moment.
Especially since the Taixu Sword Scripture lineage excelled in the Dao of Void.
There were even Minor Teleportation Talismans in circulation! In such a situation, how could he possibly compete with Li Chunjun in terms of talismans? The only way was to indirectly cripple or even kill him by destroying his Lifebound Flying Sword.
"Li Chunjun!"
Yan Wuya let out a long roar: "I never expected that in less than a year, you would have grown to this extent. Truly surprising. Come, let us set aside other methods and fight honorably. Let me see how much you've grown since the days when you could only hide behind Qin Zhou, trembling in fear!"
However, his words had no effect on Li Chunjun whatsoever.
He showed no intention of withdrawing the Mountain Talisman.
Instead, taking advantage of Yan Wuya being suppressed by the Mountain Talisman's power, Li Chunjun's sword light pierced through the air, swiftly closing in on the True Core cultivator! At the same time, the destructive intent condensed by the Flaming Phoenix Chaos Scripture continued to rise before him.
An unprecedented fear, accompanied by the gathering of Destruction Sword Intent, assaulted Yan Wuya's mind.
Even though he knew he was about to face Li Chunjun's sword intent and did his utmost to focus his mind, trying not to be affected by this sword intent, the fear of his life being utterly destroyed permeated his being, making it impossible for him to exert his full strength in this life-and-death battle.
For a moment, Yan Wuya couldn't help but shout fiercely: "Li Chunjun, don't you want to avenge your past humiliation honorably with your own abilities!?"
"You were the one playing with talismans, and now that you can't win, you want an honorable, fair fight?"
Li Chunjun's expression remained indifferent.
At this moment, he had already caught up to the True Core cultivator, and the influence of his sword intent reached its peak.
Before the Scarlet Sky Sword was even unleashed, the lethal threat contained within the Destruction Sword Intent had completely shattered the fighting spirit of this True Core realm cultivator!
"No! No! No!"
At this moment, the cultivator who had been encouraging other True Core cultivators to hold on and wait for reinforcements from Zhou Wu Gou and others was now terrified, turning around and fleeing at top speed.
He didn't even consider the consequences of exposing his back to a Sword Cultivator.
"Core Formation."
Li Chunjun silently recited these two words in his heart.
Core Formation, breaking the shackles of the human body, perfectly controlling one's Essence Qi, Spirit, and Vitality, extending life by several decades, living longer than anyone else.
In the path of cultivation, it could be considered as having entered the hall, the first realm where cultivators truly reap rewards.
Yet...
When faced with the threat of death, they were no different from those lofty nobles or martial artists in dire straits.
"Whether it's cultivators or nobles, in the end, they are all human! People think that nobles exude authority without anger, that cultivators are lofty and untouchable, but it's all just their own inner inferiority at play! When nobles lose their power, when cultivators lose their strength... they are no different from ordinary people."
"Whoosh!"
The Scarlet Sky Sword, with a piercing screech, caught up to the fleeing Yan Wuya.
Even though Yan Wuya hastily summoned his Protective Magical Artifact, how could a True Core cultivator whose spirit and fighting spirit had been destroyed by the Destruction Sword Intent, with only Qi and Spirit Artifacts, withstand the sharpness of the Scarlet Sky Sword?
A flash of crimson light.
The Scarlet Sky Sword pierced through his body, emerging from his chest, and continued flying forward for hundreds of meters before making a wide "U" turn and crashing down, completely obliterating the body of this True Core cultivator into dust.
"Before death, everyone is equal."
Li Chunjun's heart was calm.
Killing Yan Wuya, a True Core cultivator who had once brought him immense pressure, didn't stir any ripples in his heart.
It was as if he hadn't killed a person, but merely swatted a mosquito, crushed an ant, or plucked a leaf or a flower from a tree.
With a wave of his hand, he controlled the Flying Sword, Scarlet Sky, and chased after the remaining two True Core cultivators.
By now, the two True Core cultivators, desperate to escape, had exhausted all means at their disposal.
Various Talismans were continuously cast.
But...
Their own strength was no match for Jiang Yuxue, Qin Zhou, Zhang Weiqian, and Zhou Yuechen, and they were outnumbered two to one.
Relying on numerous Talismans, they could only hold on for a while, but they couldn't shake off their pursuers.
Seeing Li Chunjun approaching with his sword, Qin Zhou and Zhou Yuechen automatically stepped aside, and the two True Core cultivators finally showed despair in their eyes.
One of them suddenly shouted, "I am willing to leave the Chiyang Sword Sect and join the Taixu Sword Sect, serving Sword Prodigy Li from now on. Please, Sword Prodigy Li, show mercy and spare my life!"
But his words had no effect on the Flying Sword Li Chunjun had sent out.
The Scarlet Sky Sword, accompanied by Sword Intent, tore through his mind, will, and body.
"Hahaha!"
Seeing the fate of this True Core cultivator who had begged for mercy, the other True Core Elder let out a bitter laugh.
"Despite being exiled from the upper sect to Blue Star, I had hoped to find an opportunity for Core Formation in this realm. Never did I imagine I would meet my end here! Hahaha, you want my life? Let me see just how far your Sword Intent has been nurtured!"
With such desperation and resolve, this True Core cultivator burned his Qi without reservation, even consuming his Essence Qi and lifespan. His Natal Spirit Artifact unleashed its most powerful strike.
Under such conviction, ordinary Sword Intent might not have been able to shake his spirit.
But...
Facing Li Chunjun's minor mastery-level Sword Intent, which was even stronger than that of a Golden Core cultivator, the strike fueled by his burning Qi, Essence Qi, and lifespan still revealed a flaw.
The Scarlet Sky Sword, striking later but arriving first, shattered his skull through the gap in the descending Spirit Artifact.
From then on, nearly all four Core Formation cultivators of this group were annihilated by Li Chunjun alone.
(End of the Chapter)
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