Chapter 128: Chapter 126 A Wisp of Sword Intent
Qingzhou City.
“Nephew Ning, I owe you my thanks for last night.”
After Gongyang Yan had healed his injuries with a spell, he once again expressed his gratitude to the Class A Paperfolk impersonating Ning Daoran.
“Uncle-Master, you’re too kind. It was my duty,” responded the Paperfolk, whose inner feelings were quite complicated at the moment.
Throughout the whole night, Ning Daoran had not returned, and his life or death was uncertain. How long exactly was he supposed to keep up this impersonation?
His eyes suddenly lit up.
...
If the real Ning Daoran is dead, won’t I effectively become him?
Inside the vine ball at his waist, which was an entrance to the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven.
“Roaar~~”
Big Stupid Deer voiced its dissatisfaction. It was unclear when the elder brother would come back, and this Paperfolk seemed to harbor ill intentions.
“Master.”
Next to him, Meng Xiao frowned, “This Qingzhou competition…”
“What Qingzhou competition?”
Gongyang Yan said, “Even Immortal Chen has been killed. We are fortunate to have made it back to the Chaotic Sect unscathed.”
He frowned, his mind clear as a mirror.
The person who attempted to assassinate him last night was an early-stage Baodan Realm Blood Qi Martial Artist. Looking at Qingzhou, aside from Chen Li, the remaining Baodan Realm Martial Artists were all notable figures without any reason to assassinate him.
But Chen Li was different.
It was said that many years ago, Chen Li’s master was killed by his own missing master.
Therefore, Chen Li bore a deep-seated enmity toward the Chaotic Sect’s main lineage.
And now, Jiuyun Sect’s power was forcefully intervening in Qingzhou, posing as if to become the “Supreme Emperor” of Qingzhou.
As a Martial Immortal stationed in Qingzhou by the Court, representing Zhenxian Tower, Chen Li most likely had already colluded and dealt with the upper echelons of Jiuyun Sect. The smooth participation of Jiuyun Sect’s disciples in the Qingzhou competition was evidence of that.
Perhaps because he had received support from Jiuyun Sect, Chen Li believed that assassinating a Golden Core of the Chaotic Sect within Qingzhou City would not be problematic.
He depended not only on the power of Jiuyun Sect but also on his own strength as a Baodan Realm Martial Artist, while the Chaotic Sect only had a few early-stage Golden Cores, hardly a threat.
Who could have predicted that during a stormy night, the assassinated Chen Li would be killed in a secret forest within the city?
He was said to have died miserably, his bones crushed to dust.
Had it not been for the residual Divine Soul energy and a fragment of bone, the Qingzhou Prefecture’s officials might not have dared to confirm that the ashes were indeed Immortal Chen.
“He died a good death.”
Gongyang Yan felt a surge of satisfaction, but he also had to worry that the death of Immortal Chen would implicate the people of the Chaotic Sect.
Around noon, quite a few arrest officers from the prefecture arrived, and even the Four Great Divine Capturers of the prefecture had all assembled.
They were Venerable Wenqing, Ice Cold Fairy, Iron Hook Martial Saint, and Wind Chasing Independent Practitioner.
These Divine Capturers were either late-stage Condensed Liquid Martial Artists or late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
After a series of questions,
The Four Great Divine Capturers deliberated and concluded that the members of the Chaotic Sect were not suspects.
Firstly, Gongyang Yan was attacked at the Hostel, which not only officials from the hostel could attest to, but nearby constables as well.
Therefore, it was impossible for Gongyang Yan to travel dozens of miles to the forest to kill Chen Li while injured.
As for Ning Daoran, Lin Sheng, Lin Zhuojun, and Han Bing, they were cleared at first glance. They simply lacked the power to kill Chen Li.
Moreover, all these individuals had alibis; Ning Daoran and others had been guarding Gongyang Yan all night.
Eventually, the Four Great Divine Capturers swept their sleeves and declared the multitudes of the Chaotic Sect’s Cultivators unconnected to this matter!
…
In the afternoon, Gongyang Yan, piloting the Spirit Boat, took Ning Daoran, Han Bing, and others, leaving Qingzhou Prefecture, returning to the Sect.
As for the Qingzhou competition and that Dust-falling Pill, it wasn’t worth considering.
Not to mention that the Qingzhou City was a morass, the Chaotic Sect’s early withdrawal was the best strategy.
Even if the Chaotic Sect truly intervened, it would make no difference.
The Dust-falling Pill had long been targeted by Jiuyun Sect, and Daoist Yun Yan would never let it go.
Furthermore, it was certain that there were more than just Immortal Chen colluding with Jiuyun Sect within the Qingzhou Government.
The intricate web of interests was not something that Gongyang Yan could handle with his level of intelligence.
Therefore, if he could lead his disciples safely back to the Chaotic Sect, that would be a fortunate event indeed.
On the Spirit Boat.
“Roaar~~~”
Big Stupid Deer emerged from the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven and nudged the Paperfolk’s arm with its head. Were they really going to just leave the elder brother behind like this?
The Paperfolk felt somewhat helpless.
On the way, Han Bing, Lin Sheng, and the others talked to the Paperfolk, and he could only respond somewhat perfunctorily.
Although he possessed part of Ning Daoran’s Divine Soul and Spirituality, after all, he was not really Ning Daoran.
Fortunately, everyone had their own concerns, and no one noticed anything amiss.
…
Northern Qingzhou.
Deep within the woods,
Ning Daoran was still hidden within the tree’s cavity beneath a bird’s nest by using the Wood Escape Technique.
His bright eyes were fixed on the distant horizon.
The Nascent Soul Woman hadn’t pursued him, and even the Ground-drilling rats hadn’t followed; it seemed he was safe.
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But it wasn’t completely safe yet. There was still a slight chance that the enemy was lying in wait somewhere, ready to pounce as soon as he showed himself.
Thus, to play it safe, it was best to remain hidden for half a month before emerging!
He frowned, his thoughts turning to Old Lu in the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, wondering how it was faring with the Paperfolk.
The Paperfolk had better not slip up; otherwise, it could lead to significant trouble.
Deep into the night.
Deep within the mountains of Qingzhou, a solitary building stood within the wilds, lights flickering faintly in some windows.
In the darkness of night, figures with powerful auras would occasionally fly into the building, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
This structure was none other than the legendary Slaying Immortal Tower.
The Slaying Immortal Tower was an immensely powerful assassin organization within the Cultivation World, said to once have records of its masters joining hands to slay Nascent Souls!
Even more, the Slaying Immortal Tower had once assassinated an Emperor of Xia Country, causing a massive uproar hundreds of years ago.
And at this moment, atop the Slaying Immortal Tower burned a lantern, flickering with a ghostly light.
The evening breeze blew, carrying with it the flutter of a red dress.
A woman of unparalleled elegance sat by the window, holding a Jade Light Cup, the fine wine within swaying gently.
Her expression was one of languid enjoyment, seemingly savoring the tranquility of the moment.
“Tower Master.”
A sudden, elderly voice broke the silence, coming from afar.
Instantly, a trace of impatience crossed the woman’s brows; peaceful moments were so fleeting.
She looked up to see an elder in a green robe drifting into view at the stairway.
This elder appeared frail and benevolent.
However, he was the top gold medal killer of the Slaying Immortal Tower, Tong Hai, a fearsome being capable of slaying those in the Gold Core Late Stage.
As for the Nascent Soul woman, she was undoubtedly the legendary Tower Master of the Slaying Immortal Tower, Shen Luoyan, a Nascent Soul Mid Stage Cultivator!
Moreover, Shen Luoyan practiced both magic and martial arts, her Dragon Demon Saber Technique said to be unmatched.
“Have you found the whereabouts of Fierce Sun Monarch?” Shen Luoyan asked indifferently.
“No.”
“Then why have you come?”
“Cough…”
Tong Hai said, “Someone like Chen Li, if he’s dead, then he’s dead; what’s there to lament? Such a person was originally a claw of the Court; even a hundred deaths would not be a pity.”
He changed the subject, “However, the person who killed Chen Li… an unknown identity, extremely mysterious, and moreover, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator… Should we put out a bounty to investigate this person?”
“There’s no need for that.”
Shen Luoyan’s gaze remained indifferent: “This person has been struck by one of my Sword Forces, the Sword Intent has already taken root within his Divine Soul. With his strength at the Foundation Establishment Stage, he’ll live at most three months, why bother being superfluous?”
“If that’s the case, very well.”
Tong Hai smiled: “Indeed, no one who has been struck by the Tower Master’s Sword Force ever lives.”
…
Several days later.
The northern mountains of Qingzhou.
Within a coiled ancient tree, Ning Daoran was still perched.
He stretched his body within the tree; continually using the Wood Escape Technique and Concealing Breath Technique had indeed been excessively draining on his Mana.
Fortunately, the Fifteenth Layer of the Evergreen Technique was so mystical, endlessly producing Mana, much like his vibrant physical body.
However, Ning Daoran could feel a very uncomfortable sensation within his Divine Soul, as if… there was a needle stuck in his Divine Soul.
‘What on earth happened to me?’
He decided to immerse his Divine Sense into his body to see what was wrong.
But the sight startled him!
When his Divine Sense turned inward and his consciousness immersed, Ning Daoran’s body suddenly felt light, and inadvertently, he fell into his own Divine Soul World.
“Rustle…”
He opened his eyes to find himself on the side of a hill, a place that felt vaguely familiar, exactly where he used to live in Dragon Flying Village.
Only now, it was much different from before.
He saw himself sitting beside the Spirit field on the hill, chatting with Big Stupid Deer.
Next to it was a wooden house strikingly similar to the one in Spirit Garden Cave Heaven.
Furthermore, a strand of silk thread was placed beside the wooden house, the very same Spirit Cage Silk, with clean, worn garments hanging on it.
And underneath the tree, a bronze-colored Treasure tripod was planted with garlic, coriander, and spring onions; that seemed to be the Chi Long Ding.
Magic Treasure Level items were all represented in the Divine Soul World.
However, an incredibly terrifying pressure descended from above, and when Ning Daoran looked up, he was shocked.
A massive blood-colored saber, thousands of zhang in length, stood erect, embedded in the hillside next to him; Sword Energy surged and engulfed the entire Divine Soul World in its oppressive force!
‘My god…’
Ning Daoran was dumbstruck, finally understanding the source of the constricting feeling within his soul.
What was embedded in the Divine Soul was not a fine needle but a humongous blood-colored battle saber!
If he wasn’t mistaken, this must be a trace of Sword Intent left by that Nascent Soul Woman.
Ning Daoran fell into thought. To cultivate a Sword Technique to such a level, one must be at least in the Transformation Realm, or perhaps even at the Return to Nature stage?
He frowned.
To think that there was someone in this world with a talent more terrifying than myself, Ning Daoran?
The Nascent Soul woman appeared young; how long did it take for her to cultivate such a high-grade Sword Technique to this extent?
As for this trace of Sword Intent, it was deadly.
However, he was not excessively panicked; the opponent used such an overbearing Sword Intent to destroy his soul, naturally, he also had ways to counteract it.
…
He started to run the Fifteenth Layer of the Evergreen Technique, and soon a greenish aura surrounded the Divine Soul, spreading throughout.
After a while, he slowly nourished the hill within his soul, the Evergreen Technique Power moistening it.
That hill was, in fact, Ning Daoran’s Divine Soul.
Three days passed in a flash.
“Whew…”
Ning Daoran exhaled slowly and, with the powerful lifeforce of the Fifteenth Layer of the Evergreen Technique, the sharp Sword Energy of the oppressive Sword Intent had slightly diluted.
Indeed, the Fifteenth Layer of the Evergreen Technique could gradually dissolve this terrifying Sword Intent!