Chapter 425: Chapter 319: Blocked at the Gate (2)
The Celestial Cloud Sect had three Early-stage Core Formation Spirit Refiners.
For one to appear here now, the most likely candidate was the Sword Cultivator, Miao Qinghong.
An Early-stage Core Formation Sword Cultivator’s Attacking Methods were on par with those of a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator.
The Celestial Demon Sect Leader’s mind raced. ’I’m the weakest in the Celestial Demon Sect. There’s an eighty percent chance I’m no match for an Early-stage Core Formation Sword Cultivator from the Celestial Cloud Sect.’
’Returning to the Celestial Demon Sect immediately seems like my best option.’
’But to run before I’ve even seen my opponent... isn’t that a bit too spineless?’
’All I know for sure is that it’s an Early-stage Core Formation Spirit Refiner. I can’t be certain it’s the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Sword Cultivator, Miao Qinghong.’
As he hesitated, the distance between them closed once more.
Now, there was no longer any need to hesitate. The one heading his way was indeed the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Miao Qinghong!
As the weakest Core Formation cultivator in the Celestial Demon Sect, the Celestial Demon Sect Leader had a clear understanding of his own abilities. He was absolutely no match for Miao Qinghong.
If he fought Miao Qinghong, he would very likely fall in battle right near his own sect.
That would be far too humiliating.
Besides, at this critical juncture, he couldn’t afford for anything to happen to him. Otherwise, their offensive against the Celestial Cloud Sect would be for naught.
The moment he saw her, he fled.
Turning to leave, the Celestial Demon Sect Leader no longer cared about the mysterious Spirit Refiner.
With Miao Qinghong blocking the way, there was nothing he could do about whatever the mysterious Spirit Refiner was up to.
Seeing the Celestial Demon Sect Leader turn back, Miao Qinghong burst forth with even greater speed.
She didn’t know why the Celestial Demon Sect Leader had left his sect. What she did know was that this was an excellent opportunity to kill him. If she missed this chance, it would be much harder to kill him once he was back inside the Celestial Demon Sect.
In terms of speed, she was a notch faster.
The distance between them continued to shrink.
When they were close enough, Miao Qinghong seized the opportunity to strike. A sword flew out—it was her Lifebound Flying Sword. Forged and refined from a Sword Pill, its power was immense.
Every strike from it represented the full power of a Sword Cultivator like her.
The Flying Sword was incredibly fast. To control it, Miao Qinghong had to pause for a moment to better unleash the full power of her strike.
The fleeing Celestial Demon Sect Leader dodged left and right, but no matter which way he moved, he couldn’t shake the Flying Sword bearing down on him.
Under Miao Qinghong’s control, he was already locked on.
This was a physical sword, not a wave of Sword Qi. There was no possibility of dodging it.
Seeing this, the Celestial Demon Sect Leader turned and flew backward. A potent wave of Demon Power first condensed into a thick suit of Demon Armor around his body. Then, his arms, crossed in front of him, began to swell, the flesh hardening like stone.
However, despite his multiple layers of defense...
...the Flying Sword still pierced through his body with irresistible force.
"Sword Cultivator..."
Blood streamed from the three holes in the Celestial Demon Sect Leader’s body.
He knew Spirit Refiner Sword Cultivators were powerful, but he hadn’t expected this level of power.
His defensive measures were already excellent, and his physical body was strong, yet he still couldn’t block that single strike.
Fortunately, as the Flying Sword passed through his arms, he had forcefully altered its trajectory. Otherwise, that strike would have decapitated him.
At that moment, the Celestial Demon Sect Leader could no longer care about anything else.
’The Celestial Cloud Sect Sword Cultivator’s first strike didn’t kill me, but the next one will be even harder to block.’
An immense Demon Power erupted from the Celestial Demon Sect Leader’s body, his aura surging.
Burning the Bloodline!
He had activated the Burning the Bloodline Secret Technique.
This was a Secret Technique used by Demons that had severe side effects. The consequence of activating it was that his Cultivation would never advance again in this lifetime.
Among Core Formation Demons, he was still young, quite a ways off from two hundred years old. After burning his bloodline, for the next two hundred-plus years of his life, he would not only be stuck at Early-stage Core Formation, but at the very beginning of that stage.
Reaching the peak of Early-stage Core Formation would be virtually impossible.
After igniting his bloodline, he first used his power to heal his injuries. His wounds closed rapidly, and at the same time, he burst forward with even more astonishing speed.
He had used most of his power to recover from his injuries, so even with his bloodline burning, he was still fleeing.
The difference was that this time, he was much better at it.
Miao Qinghong, moving once more, could no longer match his speed.
As he neared the Celestial Demon Sect, the Sect Leader used his Demon Power to amplify his voice and shouted.
"Activate the Grand Array!"
Hearing their Sect Leader’s voice, the Elder holding the Grand Array Core Array Plate emerged and immediately activated the Grand Array.
When his Sect Leader returned, he immediately asked.
"Sect Leader, what happened?"
The returning Celestial Demon Sect Leader looked to be in a sorry state. By his calculation, the Sect Leader hadn’t been gone for very long at all.
"The Celestial Cloud Sect’s Core Formation Sword Cultivator is here."
"What? A Core Formation Sword Cultivator!"
The Celestial Demon Sect Elder was completely flabbergasted by this news. In his mind, there was no reason for the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Core Formation Sword Cultivator to appear here.
"You maintain control of the Grand Array. I’ll go pass on the news."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
A short while later, the silhouette of a sword appeared in the sky above the Celestial Demon Sect. As the figure materialized, it was indeed the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Miao Qinghong.
She was only an Early-stage Core Formation Sword Cultivator. Even with her impressive Attacking Methods, it would take her a very long time to break their Third Tier Grand Array.
In theory, as long as they were inside the Grand Array, they were safe.
Miao Qinghong, having arrived, felt a twinge of regret.
She hadn’t managed to kill the Celestial Demon Sect Leader.
The good news was that the technique the Celestial Demon Sect Leader had just used had severe side effects. Now at Early-stage Core Formation, he no longer had any room for growth.
After a moment of regret, Miao Qinghong gathered her thoughts and immediately began the process of Breaking the Array.
’I know it will be incredibly difficult to break a Third Tier Grand Array on my own,’ she thought. ’But since I’m already here, how could I not put some pressure on these Demons?’
’Under this pressure, perhaps the Celestial Demon Sect’s Demons will be forced to return and defend their home.’
...
「At the Demon Breeding Cave.」
Fang Yun had no idea that his sect’s Supreme Elder, Miao Qinghong, was already laying siege to the Celestial Demon Sect’s gates. He certainly didn’t know that the Celestial Demon Sect Leader had originally been on his way to find him.
If he had known, he would have been quite eager to meet an Early-stage Core Formation Demon.
Moreover, the Celestial Demon Sect Leader was the weakest Early-stage Core Formation Demon in the entire sect, making him an excellent test subject.
’Still, it’s good that he didn’t come. It makes me much safer.’
’No matter how you slice it, facing an Early-stage Core Formation Demon is still a bit risky.’
’The Demons are pretty much dealt with. Next is to find where the Demon Breeding Cave stores its Spiritual Materials.’
A small number of Qi Refining Level Demons had managed to escape, but he couldn’t be bothered with them.
The escaped Demons had little impact on him.
After all, the bulk of the Celestial Demon Sect’s forces had already gone to invade the Celestial Cloud Sect’s territory.
After a careful search, Fang Yun quickly found the place where the Demon Breeding Cave’s Spiritual Materials were kept. It was an extremely deep cavern that served as its repository.
"Purple Jade Iron, Ink Rock Bamboo... nice auxiliary Spiritual Materials."
Finding two types of Second Tier Spiritual Materials here put Fang Yun in a very good mood.
Both of these Second Tier Spiritual Materials were auxiliary materials for the Lifebound Magical Treasure he planned on Refining in the future, though they were for different ones.
Fang Yun pocketed everything that seemed even remotely useful.
His Storage Pouch was of a high enough grade and had enough space to hold many things.
After leaving the Demon Breeding Cave.
Fang Yun didn’t head for the closest Foundation Establishment Demon influence. Instead, he chose the one furthest from the Demon Breeding Cave: the Wu Family.
The Demons of the Celestial Demon Sect had most likely already learned of his appearance at the Demon Breeding Cave.
Once the Celestial Demon Sect Demons knew, they would surely inform their other subordinate Foundation Establishment Influences.
The subordinate Foundation Establishment Influence closest to the Demon Breeding Cave might have already activated its Grand Array.
Once the defensive Grand Array was up, it would be difficult for him to sneak in.
Of course, even if he went to the furthest one, the Wu Family, there was still a high chance they had activated their Grand Array. But on the whole, there was at least some possibility that they hadn’t.
That small possibility was worth the trip.
He hoped the Demons of the Wu Family were feeling particularly complacent; that would be very advantageous for him.
After swapping his Half-Hidden Spirit Boots for the Light Silk Boots, Fang Yun transformed into a streak of light and sped off in the direction of the Wu Family.
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