Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 254: Chapter 250: Entering the Profound Celestial Ancient Land

Letting out muffled groans, the two turned pale.

They were struck by a terrifying killing intent, an aura that seemed to have condensed into a tangible substance, sharp as a blade.

Any Martial Artist with a weak will, if struck by this killing intent, would have screamed in terror, their minds thrown into chaos.

What is killing intent?

Killing intent is forged from the act of killing; the more lives one takes, the stronger it becomes.

Those who have killed possess a different look in their eyes—sharper, more intimidating, fiercer, and more vicious.

But Madman Tu’s killing intent... it wasn’t something born from killing a mere few hundred. An aura that terrifying could only be formed by slaughtering thousands.

While this killing intent affected Liu Bingxue and Li Kuangba, Ning Jiang felt nothing. His expression remained nonchalant, as serene as a calm sky.

To him, this level of killing intent was mere child’s play. He had seen far worse in his previous life. He knew vicious men who had slaughtered hundreds of thousands, even millions. And the Demon Kings of the Demon Race? Any one of them had taken millions—tens of millions—of lives.

A single glance from such a Demon King could plunge you into a vision of a Corpse Mountain Blood Sea, your soul forever lost to the abyss.

"I heard the Evil Spirit Sect has a brutal recruitment process. They select ten thousand candidates and force them to fight to the death. Only the last hundred survivors are allowed to join. I used to think it was just a rumor, but now... it seems it’s true," Li Kuangba said, astonished.

"That’s right. And competition within the Evil Spirit Sect is just as fierce. Disciples who want resources and training must fight for them. It’s like the practice of raising a ’Gu’—survival of the fittest. Only an environment like that can forge such Top Level experts."

Liu Bingxue said slowly. By now, they had averted their eyes from Madman Tu’s gaze.

That single glance had made their hearts clench, as if an invisible hand had gripped them. It was terrifying.

’So this is the power of a Top Level disciple from a Top Grade Sect? It seems I still have a long way to go.’

Li Kuangba took a deep breath, keenly aware of his own inadequacy.

"Brother Li, you’re mistaken. He’s not even the best the Evil Spirit Sect has to offer." A bitter smile touched Liu Bingxue’s lips. "I’ve heard their top disciple is a woman who reached the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm long ago. Cultivators of that Realm can’t enter the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, so she isn’t here."

"What? Is that true?"

"Indeed. The truly top-tier cultivators of the younger generation in the Six Eastern Provinces have already reached the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm. To them, a Secret Realm like the Profound Celestial Ancient Land is beneath their notice," Liu Bingxue explained.

"A woman who could rise to the very top of the younger generation in a place as ruthless as the Evil Spirit Sect... What a terrifying person," Li Kuangba said, taking a deep breath. His heart was in turmoil.

Across from them, a look of interest appeared on Madman Tu’s face.

Liu Bingxue and Li Kuangba’s reactions were just as he expected. What he hadn’t anticipated, however, was that Ning Jiang—the youngest-looking of the three—was completely unaffected by his killing intent, his expression impassive and calm.

This had never happened before.

’Interesting. I’ll remember you.’

Madman Tu’s lips moved silently. He even gave Ning Jiang a wink, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of a predator that had just spotted its prey.

He was far more terrifying than Jian Xinghe. If Jian Xinghe was a fierce tiger, then Madman Tu was a slumbering, primordial boa. The moment he struck would be the moment his enemy died.

’This is bad.’

The expressions on Liu Bingxue and Li Kuangba’s faces changed.

Being targeted by Madman Tu was definitely not a good thing.

"Young Master Ning, that man is far too dangerous. Once we’re inside the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, it would be best to avoid him. Don’t get into any conflicts," Liu Bingxue advised.

"Fear before the fight has even begun is a great taboo for a Martial Artist."

Ning Jiang shook his head. "It doesn’t matter. He’s just Madman Tu. It’s better for him if he stays away. If he comes looking for trouble, does he think I’m incapable of killing him?"

"This..."

Li Kuangba and Liu Bingxue exchanged a look and said no more.

Every young person had their pride, and besides, Ning Jiang was the man who defeated Jian Xinghe to become number one among the younger generation of Qing Province.

"What else do you know about the Profound Celestial Ancient Land?"

It was crucial to gather as much information as possible before entering the Secret Realm.

And so, the three Sects began to share what information they had.

The Profound Celestial Ancient Land was an Ancient Secret Realm teeming with Ancient Demon Beasts. In previous openings, many powerful cultivators had fallen to these beasts.

But beyond the dangers, what truly captivated everyone’s hearts were the opportunities and Treasures hidden within the Profound Celestial Ancient Land.

One might stumble into a hidden grotto and discover a priceless Martial Technique.

"I heard the Star Sword Sect’s famous Xinghe Sword Technique was found in the Profound Celestial Ancient Land," Liu Bingxue shared a little-known secret.

"That’s right, I’ve heard that as well," Li Kuangba nodded. "If I’m lucky, I’m hoping to find a Fist Technique or maybe a Body Refining Technique."

Ning Jiang, however, showed no reaction. He had no shortage of things like Martial Techniques.

He had more Martial Techniques than he could ever practice. Any one of them, chosen at random, was superior to the Xinghe Sword Technique.

’My goal this time is to see if I can break through to the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm.’

’For someone like me, cultivating the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, breakthroughs are incredibly difficult—more than ten times harder than for people like Jian Xinghe.’

Time passed and night fell.

By day, the desert was a scorching furnace; by night, it was as frigid as a ten-thousand-year-old ice cavern.

WOOOO—

The wind howled, chilling to the bone. Even the sand began to freeze over.

「Three days later.」

"These are Communication Jade Scrolls. If any of our groups runs into danger inside, crush it. As long as we’re within a thousand-li radius, the others will sense it."

Liu Bingxue produced three Jade Scrolls, handing one each to Li Kuangba and Ning Jiang, and keeping one for herself.

Though they called it an alliance, it was impossible for them to travel together after entering the Profound Celestial Ancient Land. Sticking together meant being inefficient.

And with low efficiency, all the opportunities and Treasures would be snatched up by others—an outcome none of them wanted.

The nature of their alliance was simple: if one party was in danger, the others were obligated to provide aid.

Of course, an arrangement like this was a true test of character. What if one party simply chose not to come to the rescue?

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll just stand by and watch?" Ning Jiang asked with a faint smile.

"If we didn’t trust your character, we wouldn’t have sought you out for this alliance. You stayed with the Yanyue Sect even in its decline. That alone tells us you’re a trustworthy man," Liu Bingxue said slowly.

They had chosen the Yanyue Sect over the Star Sword Sect for one reason: Ning Jiang.

Without him, the Yanyue Sect wouldn’t have even been qualified to cooperate with them.

RUMBLE!

Suddenly, a tremendous roar shook the very air.

Everyone looked up. Within the long, white rainbow, a seam suddenly appeared in the center of the massive, illusory Light Gate. Slowly, the seam widened.

A dozen breaths later, the portal was wide open, offering a glimpse of a primeval world within.

"The Profound Celestial Ancient Land is open!"

The entire crowd erupted, faces alight with excitement and anticipation.

"This time, I will break through to the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm! Only by reaching that Realm can I contend with those monsters from the Six Eastern Provinces!"

From the direction of the Evil Spirit Sect, a sharp glint shone in Madman Tu’s eyes.

"Let’s go."

The group of blood-robed disciples from the Evil Spirit Sect immediately shot into the air, becoming the first to charge through the Light Gate.

"We’re going too."

The three Upper Grade Sects—Earth Gate, the Withered Blade Sect, and the Beast Taming Sect—followed right behind them.

SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH—

In the next moment, disciples from the various major Sects scrambled to get inside, a dense, spectacular flood of people.

"Floating Snow Hall and the War Elephant Sect actually chose the Yanyue Sect. How foolish. They’ll live to regret it." The members of the Star Sword Sect and Fire Cloud Sect shot a cold glare at the three allied Sects before entering the portal themselves.

"Everyone, be careful. I hope we all make it out of this alive."

After wishing each other well, Li Kuangba, Liu Bingxue, and Ning Jiang each led their respective groups into the Light Gate.

"Sigh... With them entering the Profound Celestial Ancient Land, I wonder how many will fall this time," Yue Wenfu lamented with a sigh.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader. With the Ninth Elder present, our losses should be minimal, as long as they don’t encounter any overwhelming danger," the Grand Elder replied.

"Indeed. The Star Sword Sect and Fire Cloud Sect should pose no threat to the Ninth Elder. In this situation, as long as we avoid conflict with the Sects from Lei Province, everything should be manageable."

There were three hundred spots in total to enter the Profound Celestial Ancient Land. Two hundred fifty belonged to Lei Province, leaving only fifty for Qing Province.

If a conflict were to break out, Qing Province would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.

The moment he passed through the Light Gate, Ning Jiang’s vision was consumed by a vast whiteness. He couldn’t see a thing, his body enveloped by waves of spatial energy.

"What a strange feeling."

Beside him, several Yanyue Sect disciples were astonished; they had never experienced anything like it.

After about a dozen breaths, his vision suddenly cleared.

Before him lay an ancient, primeval world. Towering trees stretched to the sky, and the roars of unknown Demon Beasts occasionally ripped through the air, chilling the soul. The atmosphere was thick with a savage, untamed energy.

"Ninth Elder, this way."

Ning Jiang and his group set off without delay, heading southeast.

"The last time the Profound Celestial Ancient Land opened, members of our Yanyue Sect came here. They discovered a treasure-filled location, but they weren’t strong enough to explore it at the time. They could only mark its position. This time, we can finally go check it out."

Zi Yunfei said, holding a map in her hand.

Of course, the map wasn’t complete. It only recorded the areas that Yanyue Sect members had previously visited.

The other Sects likely had similar maps of their own.

Shortly after they departed, the other Sects began to make their moves as well.

"Huh? Why did the Evil Spirit Sect split into three teams?"

"The Evil Spirit Sect has three young titans, the strongest of whom is Madman Tu. Each of the three titans is leading their own squad to explore the Profound Celestial Ancient Land separately. It’s more efficient that way."

"Everyone from the Evil Spirit Sect is a ruthless killer who slaughters without a second thought. We need to be careful."

The experts from every major Sect were extremely wary of the Evil Spirit Sect.