Void Cultivation

Chapter 387: Chapter 386- Like a deity

The instant the cultivator flew over the shadow, it let out angry and malicious roars that could not be heard by ordinary ears. The moment the cultivator crossed above it, the shadow, which had taken the form of a demonic-looking tree, suddenly extended its leafless, pitch-black branches toward the cultivator called Kaien.

Kaien, who was still trying to figure out how to escape from Grey, suddenly saw several slim branches emerge from beneath the pitch-black sea and shoot toward him like black spears.

Their speed was terrifyingly fast. Moreover, because the branches were the same color as the dark waters they emerged from, Kaien found it extremely difficult to notice them in time.

By the time he sensed the danger, it was already too late.

Pui!

Several shadow branches pierced straight through his body.

The cultivator froze in mid-air and spat out a huge mouthful of blood. His face, which had already been pale due to his injuries, became even paler, almost devoid of any color.

Since he had severed his own hands while aboard the magic ship, he had no means of quickly casting spells or forming hand seals to defend himself.

"W-What the... a Bizarre Existence!"

His eyes widened with disbelief and terror.

Kaien came from a sect that specialized in using Bizarre Existences for cultivation. The techniques he cultivated allowed him to control and command several bizarre beings, using them as tools to strengthen himself.

Because of this, he possessed extensive knowledge regarding all kinds of Bizarre Existences, including those that should never be provoked under any circumstances.

Yet, despite his vast knowledge, this was the first time he had ever seen a creature like the shadow.

Its entire body resembled a leafless, pitch-black tree. The twisted branches stretched in all directions like the claws of a devil, and a single crimson eye sat in the center of its trunk, silently observing everything around it.

It was an incomparably terrifying creature.

But what Kaien could not understand was why it had suddenly attacked him.

"Hate..."

A low screeching sound emerged from the shadow.

Its voice sounded like two rusty chains grinding against one another, creating an unpleasant noise that sent chills down Kaien’s spine.

At the same time, the single red eye on its trunk revealed intense hatred and ferocity.

"H-Hate?"

Kaien’s eyes widened even further.

This was the first time in his life that he had seen a sentient Bizarre Existence speak.

If it had been any other time, he would have been greatly intrigued and perhaps even ecstatic. A talking Bizarre Existence was an incredibly valuable discovery.

Unfortunately, he was currently facing the danger of death and had no leisure to ponder such matters.

Perhaps because this was the first time the shadow had spoken while in its tree form, its voice sounded exceptionally cold and grainy. It lacked the clarity that Grey’s voice normally possessed.

After uttering that single word, the shadow fell silent once more.

Then, with even greater hatred, it sent more branches shooting toward Kaien, attempting to skewer his body completely.

However, despite the series of shocking events, Kaien did not panic excessively.

As a Heaven Chosen of his sect, he naturally possessed several life-saving treasures.

The moment the branches pierced his body, he activated the first of his hidden trump cards.

Moreover, each of his trump cards could be used without the need for his hands. Otherwise, he would never have dared to sever them earlier.

Boom!

A loud booming sound suddenly erupted from within Kaien’s body.

At the same time, something that resembled the breaking of a seal echoed from inside him.

The instant he activated his trump card, Kaien felt as though his life force was being siphoned away... only for that same life force to surge back into his body with even greater intensity.

A single breath later, a brilliant golden glow shone from his abdomen and rapidly spread throughout his entire body.

Then, under the shocked gaze of the shadow, Kaien opened his mouth and vomited out a small golden ring.

The ring floated before him, radiating a dazzling golden light and emitting an ancient, majestic aura.

As soon as it appeared, the surrounding space trembled slightly. Kaien’s body began to wither rapidly as most of his flesh and blood was drained out and transferred into the dazzling golden ring.

However, when his flesh and blood came into contact with the ring, it was as though the very substance he was made of was polluting and tainting it.

Several black and brown patches immediately appeared on the ring, spreading like a disease. Its dazzling golden glow dimmed greatly, and within moments, it looked as though it had been soaked in countless impurities.

Kaien’s body, which had already been pierced by the shadow’s branches, grew even weaker. His face became pale, and his aura fluctuated violently. However, he was not surprised by this outcome.

Grey was rapidly approaching, and this strange shadowy existence had attacked him without warning. If he did not use his strongest techniques, then he would face capture or even death.

Therefore, the moment the golden ring appeared, it flew up and hovered above Kaien’s head.

His aura instantly changed.

A brilliant golden light erupted from his body, making him appear as dazzling as the sun itself. His eyes gained a faint golden hue, although traces of taint could still be seen hidden within them.

Kaien opened his mouth to speak.

However, instead of words, a bright and dazzling golden radiance poured out. It spread across the air and descended upon the shadow.

The shadow, whose true body was still hidden beneath the black sea, let out an ear-piercing scream. All the branches that had stabbed into Kaien immediately fell off and shattered one after another.

The shadow felt an intense burning sensation spread across its entire body. It felt as though the light radiating from Kaien at this moment was extremely dangerous and capable of inflicting great harm upon it.

Although all of this seemed to have taken a long time, in reality, only a few breaths had passed.

By this time, Kaien closed his mouth and prepared to flee once more.

But it was at this very moment that Grey appeared in the distance.

His eyes were cold, and his expression was dark and murderous.

Seeing the person who had caused all of this, Kaien could not help but feel a mixture of hatred and regret.

He was a Heaven’s Chosen.

Within his sect, he was respected by both elders and fellow disciples alike. Because of his status and talent, he had been allowed to cultivate the most profound and malicious techniques.

Methods for sealing and subduing great bizarre existences had been entrusted to him, and through those methods, he had managed to capture and suppress the invisible being that Grey had previously fought.

"You..."

Kaien looked at Grey and spoke.

Out of his mouth came another stream of bright golden radiance. It spread through the air and touched Grey’s skin before he could even react.

Grey’s brows furrowed into a frown.

He felt a slight prickling sensation on his skin, as though he were standing beneath the scorching rays of the sun. However, beyond that, nothing else happened.

Seeing Grey remain completely unharmed after the golden radiance touched him, Kaien’s expression turned into one of shock and disbelief.

"You..."

He spoke again, his voice filled with astonishment.

At this moment, he could already tell that this battle would not go his way.

"Where are you going?" Grey said coldly as he took a single step forward.

His body blurred and transformed into an afterimage that instantly appeared before Kaien.

Without even utilizing the power of his cultivation base, he had merely relied on his terrifying speed to cross the distance in an instant.

’So fast! He hasn’t even activated his Special Brilliance Form yet.’

Kaien’s pupils contracted violently.

He immediately stopped holding back.

He could already tell that within Sky Mist City, Grey was one of those crouching tigers who hid themselves extremely well.

If he possessed such speed without activating his Special Brilliance Form, then his cultivation must be incredibly high. He was probably already standing at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm and was only a step away from breaking through into the Spirit Core Formation Realm.

Such speed at such a young age was simply shocking.

Even for a Heaven’s Chosen like him, it was enough to inspire fear.