Translator: CinderTL
In the distance.
Although Jiang Yuxue, Zhang Weiqian, Zhou Yuechen, Qin Zhou, and the others had been ordered by Li Chunjun to cut off the retreat of Jin He and his eight companions, their gazes never left Li Chunjun for even a moment.
While they believed that Li Chunjun, having cultivated to the True Core Realm, would undoubtedly be stronger than during his Virtual Core period, capable of single-handedly defeating a Golden Core cultivator, taking on eight opponents—including three Golden Core cultivators—was a different matter altogether.
This lineup left them feeling uneasy.
They kept a close watch, ready to turn and rush to his aid at the first sign of danger, ensuring his safety.
However, the final outcome left the five of them in a state of prolonged disbelief.
Eight Core Formation cultivators!
Three Golden Core and five True Core cultivators—all annihilated by Li Chunjun with overwhelming force in less than a single breath!
The speed was so fast that the four of them hadn't even reached their designated positions yet.
So fast that the eight Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect likely didn't even have time to react.
This terrifying strength…
Just like Jin He, it made them feel as if they were witnessing the scene from thirty years ago, when Jiang Jianzi, the Sword Prodigy, dominated the world with his sword, forcing all the true disciples and Core Formation cultivators of the eight sects to lower their heads.
Especially since Jiang Jianzi had displayed this invincible demeanor when he was at the Golden Core Realm, having achieved the Indestructible Golden Core.
And Li Chunjun…
He was only at the True Core Realm.
He still had much room for improvement.
For example, advancing his cultivation, mastering killing techniques, and cultivating secret arts! Even at the True Core Realm, he already possessed the same aura of dominance that Jiang Jianzi had when he ruled the world with his sword. How powerful would he become once he reached the Golden Core Realm, mastered killing techniques, and cultivated secret arts!?
Truly invincible, capable of taking on a hundred enemies alone!? "So strong! Truly… so strong!"
After a long while, Jiang Yuxue finally took a deep breath.
The others, recalling the overwhelming power Li Chunjun had displayed in that brief moment, annihilating eight Core Formation cultivators in less than a breath, couldn't help but feel awestruck.
"The Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy! This is definitely the combat strength of a 'Prodigy'!"
"Invincible! The Sword Prodigy is invincible!"
"Hahaha, our Taixu Sword Sect's Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy is number one in the world!"
Zhang Weiqian, Qin Zhou, and Zhou Yuechen, unable to contain their excitement, couldn't help but cheer.
Jiang Yuxue glanced at the three of them, fully agreeing with their cheers.
"Sword Prodigy Li is invincible."
She said sincerely, "From now on, as long as Sword Prodigy Li doesn't deliberately venture into the command headquarters or the mountain gates of major sects, which are filled with numerous fourth-tier formations, he can go anywhere in the world!"
In a direct confrontation, annihilating eight Core Formation cultivators in less than a breath—how many people would it take to put him in danger?
Thirty?
Forty?
Or fifty or sixty? Such a large-scale mobilization of Core Formation cultivators would be impossible to conceal, as long as the Taixu Sword Sect's intelligence network wasn't completely paralyzed.
Moreover, she had already noticed Li Chunjun's sword-flying speed.
With that speed, he could easily outpace ninety-nine percent of the Core Formation cultivators from the major immortal sects.
In other words, even in the most extreme scenario, if he were surrounded by dozens or even hundreds of Core Formation Great Cultivators, he could simply fly away on his sword if he couldn't win.
In such a situation, calling him "invincible" was by no means an exaggeration.
"Sword Prodigy Li is truly invincible!"
Jiang Yuxue couldn't help but praise him again.
"Secure the battlefield."
Li Chunjun instructed the group, "The battle isn't over yet."
After speaking, he immediately mounted his flying sword and soared toward the rear.
"Is it not over yet?"
Jiang Yuxue was slightly taken aback.
Then, as if realizing something, she said with a grave expression, "Is the Bishui Cold Pool a trap deliberately left by the Chiyang Sword Sect?"
She quickly added, "Qin Zhou, Zhang Weiqian, you two take inventory of the items. Junior Brother Zhou and I will follow to ensure everything is secure."
Zhang Weiqian and Qin Zhou nodded in agreement.
Among the four of them, Jiang Yuxue was the strongest overall, followed by Zhang Weiqian.
However, Zhang Weiqian's speed on the flying sword was far inferior to Zhou Yuechen's.
Therefore, in such urgent situations, it was natural for Jiang Yuxue and Zhou Yuechen to follow.
The two quickly mounted their flying swords and left.
Meanwhile, Qin Zhou and Zhang Weiqian arrived at the battlefield.
On the battlefield, many had been overwhelmed by the Sword Intent before they could put up any meaningful resistance, and were then struck down by the flying swords with overwhelming force. The belongings on their bodies remained intact.
"To have achieved minor mastery of Sword Intent is truly terrifying!"
Qin Zhou couldn't help but exclaim as he looked at the nearly "intact" corpses.
"What's truly terrifying is Sword Prodigy Li," Zhang Weiqian glanced at him. "To have cultivated Sword Intent to such a level at the Core Formation stage—what kind of talent is that? Even among the Nascent Soul True Lords of our Taixu Sword Sect, those who have achieved minor mastery of Sword Intent can be counted on one hand."
"Sword Prodigy Li…" Qin Zhou nodded and continued, "But achieving Sword Intent isn't the most terrifying part. The most terrifying thing is that Sword Prodigy Li has only been cultivating for a year!"
At these words, Zhang Weiqian visibly paused.
Indeed!
Sword Prodigy Li had only been cultivating for a year! In just one year, he had already grown to such an extent!
Compared to him, those of us who have lived for decades as Golden Core cultivators seem to have wasted our lives.
And not just us…
Zhang Weiqian suddenly thought of the previous Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy.
"Sword Prodigy Jiang… even his performance back then wasn't as exaggerated as this, was it?"
As he spoke, he couldn't help but lower his voice slightly, "Tell me, who do you think is more outstanding—Sword Prodigy Jiang or Sword Prodigy Li?"
This question…
Qin Zhou was momentarily at a loss for words. In their hearts, Sword Prodigy Jiang was like a benchmark, a myth, the spiritual idol of everyone on Flaming Phoenix Peak.
Almost everyone on Flaming Phoenix Peak considered it a lifelong honor to fight alongside Sword Prodigy Jiang and to have nurtured such a peerless prodigy.
As for Sword Prodigy Li…
Though he was also exceptionally talented, he had spent less time with the people of Flaming Phoenix Peak.
His presence still couldn't overshadow the reverence and admiration everyone held for Sword Prodigy Jiang in their hearts.
But as to who was more outstanding…
Qin Zhou truly couldn't answer at the moment.
Or rather…
He already had an answer in his heart, but due to ingrained habits, he couldn't accept it or voice it.
Seeing this, Zhang Weiqian smiled and didn't press further.
They also held great respect for Sword Prodigy Jiang, but they weren't members of Flaming Phoenix Peak and hadn't interacted with him as much as they had with Sword Prodigy Li.
From their perspective…
Sword Prodigy Li was clearly more outstanding than Sword Prodigy Jiang.
It was just that Sword Prodigy Li needed some time to truly reach the level of prestige that Sword Prodigy Jiang had.
Originally, he thought it might take ten or eight years, but now…
Three to five years would be more than enough.
...
While Qin Zhou and Zhang Weiqian were busy tallying their spoils and conversing, Jiang Yuxue and Zhou Yuechen were in hot pursuit of Li Chunjun.
After chasing for a while, they realized that Li Chunjun's sword speed was even faster than they had anticipated.
"Sword Prodigy Li's sword control is so refined? Even I would have to exert my full strength to keep up with him," Zhou Yuechen remarked with admiration.
"It's not sword control... it's his Flying Sword," Jiang Yuxue observed.
"Flying Sword? Isn't Sword Prodigy Li's Flying Sword forged from Taiyi Essence Gold and Black Flame Diamond? These materials don't enhance sword speed," Zhou Yuechen couldn't help but ask.
Jiang Yuxue shook her head, unable to provide an explanation: "Perhaps he's incorporated other materials into it?"
With that, she quickly changed the subject: "I never expected that Sword Prodigy Li's Divine Sense range would surpass ours even at the True Core Realm. It's truly astonishing!"
Zhou Yuechen nodded in agreement.
At that moment, they also "saw" four figures appearing at the horizon's edge.
These four figures had originally intended to encircle Li Chunjun and his group, but...
Jin He and the other eight Core Formation cultivators had fallen too quickly, losing their coordination. As a result, the four of them had gone from hunters to prey.
"Let's catch up quickly. Even though Sword Prodigy Li is powerful, we still need to fulfill our duty to prevent any unexpected incidents," Jiang Yuxue urged.
"Right," Zhou Yuechen responded solemnly, immediately increasing his sword speed.
However, this burst of full-speed acceleration lasted only a moment...
They soon slowed down again.
Four Core Formation cultivators.
Like Xiang Li and his group, one Golden Core cultivator led, supported by three True Core cultivators.
Yet, this elite combat squad was swiftly defeated in a single encounter, just like Jin He and the others who had been annihilated earlier.
Striking first, Li Chunjun caught the Golden Core leader off guard. With a burst of Sword Intent, he directly shattered the hastily summoned Spirit Artifact.
After his Flying Sword crushed the Spirit Artifact, he pressed forward with unstoppable force, killing the Golden Core cultivator in a direct assault.
Immediately after, the sword's momentum surged, piercing through the bodies of the remaining three True Core cultivators, completing their annihilation.
Throughout the entire process...
The three True Core cultivators didn't even have a chance to mount a proper counterattack.
This scene left Jiang Yuxue and Zhou Yuechen utterly awestruck.
"Incredible! Although he didn't unleash the blazing brilliance of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy like Jiang Jianzi, with Profound Flames Obscuring the Sky, his unstoppable, overwhelming force was even more impactful than Jiang Jianzi's battles against Core Formation cultivators!" Jiang Yuxue expressed her sincere admiration.
"Sword Intent! Sword Prodigy Li's greatest advantage is his Sword Intent! Under the terrifying pressure of his Sword Intent, Core Formation cultivators are completely unable to resist, as if they've been subjected to a dimensional downgrade. They fall to his sword without even a chance to fight back. The psychological impact is even more intense than Profound Flames Obscuring the Sky!" Zhou Yuechen emphasized with a firm nod.
The two...
One was a visual spectacle, the other a psychological shock!
For the well-traveled Core Formation Great Cultivators, the latter was undoubtedly more spine-chilling.
Especially since Sword Prodigy Li used his Sword Intent to intimidate his enemies, taking advantage of their inability to fight back to kill them. This approach was more effective in maintaining the condition of his Lifebound Flying Sword compared to Jiang Jianzi, who would crush his opponents' attacks head-on before finishing them off.
After all, every time the Lifebound Flying Sword shattered an enemy's Spirit Artifact, it would inevitably suffer some wear and tear.
Sword Prodigy Li minimized collisions with the opponent's Spirit Artifacts, and his sustained combat ability was likely even superior to Jiang Jianzi's.
The two arrived at the scene with anticipation, just in time to see Li Chunjun retract his Lifebound Flying Sword into his body.
Upon noticing their arrival, he immediately instructed, "Tally the battlefield."
"Yes."
Without needing further explanation, the two spontaneously located the Core Formation cultivators from the Chiyang Sword Sect whom he had slain and began cleaning up.
Li Chunjun's sword strikes had all been aimed at the heads of these Core Formation cultivators, and he controlled his sword energy to prevent it from spilling out, so the corpses were relatively well-preserved.
This also meant that more of the spoils could be salvaged.
"According to the map provided by Yi Feng and the others, there is another group of Core Formation cultivators a few hundred miles away."
Li Chunjun turned his gaze in that direction: "If nothing unexpected happens, they are surely already moving this way. Since they've come, they won't be leaving."
(End of the Chapter)
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