Void Cultivation

Chapter 338: Chapter 337- Big reveal

"Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird. Where did a brat like him find a lost Emperor-Level cultivation art?"

The middle-aged man’s voice was filled with envy and venom as he spoke.

At the same time, the countless mouths covering his grotesque body began muttering amongst themselves. Some whispered. Others shouted. A few laughed hysterically. Though their words varied, every single one of them revolved around a single topic.

The Emperor-Level cultivation art.

Something that had become exceedingly rare even during the prosperous eras of the past, and almost impossible to find in the current age.

Across the countless worlds and domains, only a handful of known Emperor-Level cultivation arts still existed. Most were controlled by the monstrous geniuses of ancient sects, immortal clans, and supreme powers that had stood for countless generations.

As for ordinary cultivators or rogue wanderers, obtaining such a treasure was nearly impossible.

And even if fortune somehow smiled upon them, their fate was rarely a pleasant one.

The moment news spread, countless experts would descend like vultures upon a corpse.

In the end, the art would inevitably fall into the hands of someone stronger.

Grey naturally knew that the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird was extraordinary. However, even he had not expected it to be classified as an Emperor-Level cultivation art.

More importantly, it was incomplete.

The version he possessed was merely a fragment.

Even now, he had not awakened its true form.

At present, he could only utilize the essence within his body to manifest the flaming bird. Aside from augmenting his physical abilities and enhancing his combat prowess, it contributed little else.

The true power of the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird remained dormant.

Grey was certain that if he could somehow locate the missing portions and complete the cultivation art, it would undergo a transformation beyond imagination.

Its current form would likely be nothing more than a shadow of its true self.

Unfortunately, none of that mattered at the moment.

If Grey had known that this middle-aged man could identify the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird at a glance, he would never have revealed it.

Yet regret was meaningless now.

As Grey continued flying through the air while desperately considering his next move, a sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced his ears.

His pupils contracted.

A fraction of a second later, the middle-aged man appeared directly before him.

The man’s expression was solemn. Gone was the previous amusement and the casual indifference.

Only seriousness remained.

Grey’s breathing halted.

The speed displayed by the middle-aged man was simply too terrifying.

Before he could even react, a cold voice rang out.

"Where did you get that Emperor-Level cultivation art?"

The words struck Grey’s mind like a bucket of ice water.

His thoughts froze.

Before he could recover, the middle-aged man spoke once more.

"Where did you obtain the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird?"

This time, his voice carried an overwhelming pressure.

It was not merely sound, it contained command. Almost like an authority of a part of the world urging him.

This could be classified as spiritual domination.

The moment those words entered Grey’s ears, a sharp pain exploded inside his head.

Several blood vessels within his eyes ruptured instantly.

Even tiny vessels within his brain burst apart.

His vision turned crimson.

Blood dripped from the corners of his eyes.

At the same time, the middle-aged man reached forward and grabbed toward Grey’s head.

However, even while enduring such agony, Grey’s instincts remained sharp.

His body twisted.

The man’s palm narrowly missed his skull.

Yet the violent wind generated by the passing strike still slammed into Grey’s body.

Several scales shattered and blood sprayed from his mouth.

Grey was sent tumbling through the air.

’He recognized the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird?’

Shock filled his heart.

’But how? And how does he know it’s an Emperor-Level cultivation art?’

Without hesitation, Grey circulated both of his Spirit Fires.

The flames roared to life.

An immense surge of spiritual power flooded his body.

In an instant, he transformed into a streak of blazing light and shot toward the horizon.

The middle-aged man did not immediately pursue.

Instead, he watched Grey’s retreating figure with an unusually solemn expression.

For perhaps the first time since this encounter began, he felt relieved.

Relieved that he had not accidentally killed the boy.

Because Emperor-Level cultivation arts differed fundamentally from ordinary techniques.

They were unique, exclusive, and utterly ireplaceable.

Such cultivation arts were priceless treasures that countless experts would kill to obtain.

Once a cultivator successfully comprehended an Emperor-Level cultivation art, it became intertwined with their very existence. Extracting it from them was nearly impossible.

If Grey died, the essence of the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird might perish alongside him.

Even if the middle-aged man later acquired the cultivation art itself, there was no guarantee he would be able to cultivate it.

In fact, the chances were slim.

This was precisely why battles over Emperor-Level cultivation arts were so savage.

Unlike ordinary inheritances, they could not simply be stolen and learned by another person.

One person could spend their entire life comprehending such an art, only for everyone else to remain completely incapable of replicating their success.

That exclusivity made them priceless.

It also made them terrifying.

The middle-aged man’s eyes flickered with greed.

"I never expected a simple hunt to lead to such a harvest."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Perhaps I should thank him for destroying my projection."

His countless mouths immediately erupted into chaotic laughter.

Now, his objective had completely changed.

The techniques Grey carried no longer interested him.

Neither did the treasures hidden on his body.

The only thing that mattered was the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird.

Nothing else.

’I cannot kill him.’

The thought surfaced firmly within his mind.

’Not until I discover a method of obtaining the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird.’

His eyes narrowed.

’He must remain alive.’

The countless mouths across his body immediately echoed his thoughts.

Some shouted.

Some screamed.

Some laughed maniacally.

Others repeated the same sentence over and over again.

"He must live."

"He must live."

"He must live."

The bizarre chorus echoed through the sky.

Meanwhile, far in the distance, Grey continued fleeing for his life.

What he did not know was that revealing the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird had inadvertently saved him from certain death.

Had the middle-aged man viewed him as nothing more than a talented junior, Grey would have already been killed.

But now things were different.

The temptation of an Emperor-Level cultivation art was simply too great.

Instead of seeking to kill him, the middle-aged man now sought to capture him.

And for the first time since their battle began, Grey possessed something far more valuable than strength.

He possessed a reason for his enemy to keep him alive.