Free Web NovelChapter 248: Chapter 244: A Ten-Thousand-Li Pursuit, Assault on the Star Sword Sect
"Xinghe, don’t worry about this defeat. No one is undefeated, only one’s will can be. To rise stronger from every setback—that is the spirit of a true expert."
The Vice Sect Leader of the Star Sword Sect advised him gravely. He knew Jian Xinghe had always been proud and worried that this blow would affect his mindset.
"Vice Sect Leader, I understand. I lost this time, but I’ll win it back next time!" Jian Xinghe’s eyes burned with a fierce fighting spirit.
"Good. The Secret Realm opening in seven days is a critical opportunity. If you can find your own fortune there, surpassing him will be a simple matter."
The Vice Sect Leader continued, "Alright, Xinghe and I will head back first. The rest is up to you."
WHOOSH.
With a wave of his great sleeve, he enveloped Jian Xinghe and shot into the sky, speeding back to the Star Sword Sect.
The other five Elders, however, did not leave. They remained behind.
"Elder Shangguan, that was a fine move, using a borrowed knife to kill. With two Divinity Transformation Realm experts from the Cyan Splendor Sect and the Fire Cloud Sect making a move, capturing Ning Jiang should be child’s play."
"Heh, that brat’s Sword Technique is extraordinary. He must be hiding a great secret."
Shangguan Yu sneered. Back then, with everyone watching and two Sect Leaders speaking up, he had no choice but to show them some respect.
So he resorted to using a borrowed knife, getting the two Divinity Transformation Realm experts from the Fire Cloud Sect and Cyan Splendor Sect to act on his behalf.
’That brat must have been captured by now.’ Shangguan Yu’s gaze turned sharp. ’How dare a piddling Yanyue Sect challenge me?’
After waiting for a long time, one of the Elders frowned. "Hmm? Why aren’t they back yet?"
"Let’s just wait a bit longer."
Shangguan Yu’s brow furrowed. He suddenly had a bad feeling.
’Could something have gone wrong?’
He quickly dismissed the thought as soon as it appeared. ’They’re just a bunch of minor Spirit Realm cultivators. What kind of trouble could they possibly stir up?’
"They’re not coming back."
Suddenly, an indifferent voice descended. Everyone looked over to see a long-haired figure in a black-and-white mask striding toward them from the distant horizon.
The figure’s sleeves fluttered, and his ink-black hair danced in the wind. From a distance, it looked as though a black dragon was writhing behind his head.
"That mask... You’re Meng Daoyi!"
Everyone was stunned, instantly recognizing the newcomer.
The black-and-white mask, the splash-ink hair—these were Meng Daoyi’s signature features!
"Shen Maocai and Lei Yuan? Where are they?" Shangguan Yu peered behind Ning Jiang but saw no one.
"They’re waiting for you in the Yellow Springs."
Ning Jiang’s cold words sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
’Two Divinity Transformation Realm experts... dead?’
A single Divinity Transformation Realm expert was powerful enough to establish a Major Sect, command an entire region, and wield immense authority. The death of such an expert was always a monumental event, enough to shake all of Qing Province.
"Meng Daoyi, it seems you really are connected to the Yanyue Sect. What is your relationship with that Ning Jiang?" Shangguan Yu demanded coldly.
"Shangguan Yu, weren’t you looking for me? I’m here now, just as you wished." Waves of killing intent erupted from Ning Jiang.
"Arrogant fool! Attack together and kill him!"
The five Elders here were all experts of the Divinity Transformation Realm. By joining forces, they could even hold their own against an expert of the Second Realm, the Divine Travel Realm.
"Kill me together? A pack of useless curs. Allow me to show you what I’m capable of!"
Ning Jiang’s voice boomed. The moment he finished speaking, he stomped his foot in the empty air, and a storm of Primordial Spirit Power surged toward the five men.
"Wait, what is this technique?"
As the Primordial Spirit Storm descended, they all felt a stabbing pain in their minds. It felt as if millions of sharp needles were eroding and destroying their Primordial Spirits.
"Damn it, he has a Secret Technique for Primordial Spirit Attacks!"
The Elders cried out in alarm. This was clearly a Primordial Spirit Attack, using his own Primordial Spirit Power to assault theirs.
But Primordial Spirit Secret Techniques were incredibly precious; not even their Star Sword Sect possessed such a thing.
"Aaargh!"
The Elder with the weakest cultivation let out a bloodcurdling scream, feeling as if his Primordial Spirit was about to be ripped apart.
A Primordial Spirit Attack was nearly impossible to defend against. There were only two ways to do so: either your own Primordial Spirit was powerful enough to be indestructible...
...or you also possessed a Primordial Spirit Secret Technique, allowing you to counterattack. In that case, it would come down to whose technique was stronger.
"Meng Daoyi, who in the world are you?"
Shangguan Yu struggled to resist the Primordial Spirit Attack, his face a mask of shock and fury.
’Could Ning Jiang be from a Top Grade Sect? Or even a Super Sect?’
A Sect of that caliber would certainly have access to Primordial Spirit Attacks. But if he really came from such a power, he would only need to reveal his identity, and the Star Sword Sect wouldn’t dare to provoke him.
’So, what are Ning Jiang’s true origins?’
"My identity is not for the likes of you to know."
Ning Jiang advanced step by step. From between his brows, a massive Primordial Spirit Storm surged forth unabated, sweeping across the land.
This was the God Obliteration Technique, a Top Level Primordial Spirit Secret Technique.
"Damn it! If the Vice Sect Leader were still here, we wouldn’t let you run rampant! Let’s go!"
Shangguan Yu roared. The Star Sword Sect’s Vice Sect Leader was a Top Level expert of the Fourth Realm, the Immortal Realm. His presence would have been enough to stop Ning Jiang. But with only the five of them, they were helpless against this Primordial Spirit Storm.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH—
They were pragmatic enough to recognize the situation. Their bodies transformed into streaks of light as they immediately retreated.
Five Divinity Transformation Realm experts, fleeing from Ning Jiang like stray dogs with their tails between their legs.
If word of such a shocking scene were to get out, it would undoubtedly cause an uproar throughout Qing Province.
’The Star Sword Sect isn’t far. As long as we make it back, that brat is dead for sure!’
At that moment, the Elders wished they could grow two more legs.
"You think you can escape from me? Strike!"
Ning Jiang swung his sword. Four Extremes One Sword bloomed. The entire space suddenly dimmed as a Sword Aura as black as ink swept out with irresistible force.
"Oh no!"
An Elder’s hair stood on end. His intuition screamed that this attack could be fatal.
He hastily took out a bead and crushed it in his hand.
After the bead shattered, it formed a barrier of light that enveloped him. The barrier was over a foot thick, with currents of energy swirling within.
BANG.
The black Sword Aura struck the barrier, which let out a grinding, groaning sound as if it would shatter at any moment.
In the end, however, the barrier held. It used the force of the blow to fling him thousands of feet away.
"Hmm? It actually contains a trace of Domain Power. It must have been crafted by that Earth Martial Realm expert from the Star Sword Sect." Ning Jiang’s gaze narrowed.
’That sword strike was that powerful?’
The Elder, meanwhile, was still shaken. That bead had been hard to come by; each of the Elders only possessed a single one, meant to save their lives.
The item was powerful enough to withstand an attack from a Divine Travel Realm expert, yet it had just been nearly shattered by a single strike from Ning Jiang.
"Everyone, save yourselves!"
Having witnessed the power of that attack, Shangguan Yu’s face went pale. He too took out a bead, crushed it, and formed a barrier to protect himself.
The other Elders, no longer caring about the cost, also crushed their life-saving beads.
"You think hiding in a turtle shell will save you? When I decide to kill someone, there is nowhere to run, not to the heavens above nor the earth below!"
One hundred thousand years ago, anyone Ning Jiang marked for death would be hunted down, even if they fled to the Nine Heavens or hid in the Nine Netherworlds.
SHREEE!
His body transformed into a streak of sword light as he gave chase, slashing down once more.
BANG.
The barrier was sent flying, its light dimming slightly.
’Domain Power really is a pain.’
Ning Jiang murmured to himself. Even though it was just a trace of Domain Power, he estimated it could withstand at least ten of his attacks.
Under these conditions, killing any one of them would be difficult. Each time his sword struck, they would use the momentum to fly thousands of feet away.
"Hahaha! Meng Daoyi, you can’t kill us!" The Elders started to grow cocky.
Ning Jiang said nothing. A black light flowed over his body, coalescing into the form of a giant, black bird.
The Heaven-Devouring Sparrow Dharma Body had appeared!
SWOOSH.
After activating the Heaven-Devouring Sparrow, Ning Jiang’s speed reached its peak, and he caught up to them in the blink of an eye.
"Devour."
The Heaven-Devouring Sparrow opened its beak, and an immense Devouring Power surged out. The massive pulling force was like a great maelstrom in the deep sea.
Instantly, the five Elders felt as if they were trapped in a bog, their speed slowing dramatically.
"Damn it, just how many tricks does this man have up his sleeve?"
The five of them turned pale with fright.
"Use the Blood Escape Technique! Go, now!"
Shangguan Yu roared. His entire body erupted in a bloody light, his skin turning crimson. Abruptly, his speed increased by more than tenfold.
The Blood Escape Technique was an Escape Technique that burned one’s own blood for fuel. After using it, the body would suffer a severe backlash, potentially even causing permanent damage, such as one’s cultivation being unable to advance another step.
Under normal circumstances, they would never use this Secret Technique.
But now they were at a dead end. If they didn’t use it, they would lose their lives. They knew which choice to make.
The other four Elders also roared and, without hesitation, activated the Blood Escape Technique, their speed increasing dramatically.
’Run, run, run, run! This Meng Daoyi is too terrifying! Our only hope of survival is to get back to the Sect!’
And so, a chase began, with the five Elders fleeing and Ning Jiang in hot pursuit.
But it was clear that even against the Blood Escape Technique, Ning Jiang’s Heaven-Devouring Sparrow was a cut above. Every time the sparrow caught up to one of them, Ning Jiang would unleash a sword strike that made their light barriers twist violently.
One hour later, the chase had covered nine thousand li.
"Just one thousand li more to the Star Sword Sect! Hold on!"
By now, all five Elders were covered in blood, their injuries severe.
Although the barriers blocked Ning Jiang’s Sword Aura, a portion of the immense force still vibrated through, inflicting grave internal injuries.
"Cough, cough..."
Another sword strike landed. Shangguan Yu coughed up a spray of blood, and with it came a fragment of an internal organ.
’Damn it all, hold on!’
Watching his barrier dim, Shangguan Yu’s heart filled with anxiety.
Finally, after a full ten thousand li...
Ahead, a range of tall mountains came into view, and atop them were built rows of Palaces of the Imperial Traveling Court.
"Hahahaha! We’ve reached the Star Sword Sect! Meng Daoyi, you chased us for ten thousand li, but so what? You still couldn’t kill us!"
Shangguan Yu laughed maniacally. In the blink of an eye, the five of them rushed into the Star Sword Sect’s domain.
At once, they were all overcome with the feeling of having survived a catastrophe. They had finally made it back to the Star Sword Sect!
Here, could Ning Jiang possibly kill them?
"What? He’s followed us inside!"
Just then, Shangguan Yu glanced back, and his eyes widened in utter shock.
He had assumed that once they reached the Star Sword Sect, Ning Jiang would turn tail and flee, abandoning the pursuit.
But to his astonishment, Ning Jiang charged straight into the Star Sword Sect after them.
A ten-thousand-li chase, culminating in an assault on the Star Sword Sect itself. How utterly audacious could one be?
"I told you. When I want someone dead, there is nowhere they can run, not to the heavens above nor the earth below. Not even the Star Sword Sect can protect you!"
"Godslaying Sword—kill!"
As Ning Jiang’s cold voice faded, five small, transparent swords materialized from between his brows.
This was the ultimate killing move of the God Obliteration Technique!
PFFT.
The Godslaying Swords shot forward. Before these small blades, the barriers, already on the verge of collapse, were as fragile as paper. They were pierced in an instant, and the swords buried themselves in the foreheads of the five men.
P.S. Sorry for the late update, but there are still two more Chapters to come. I’m not going to sleep; I’ll keep writing. Everyone else, please get some rest.
