Chapter 84. The Pursuit of the Demonic Cultivator
"Five Poisons Water?"
The black-clothed man stopped and looked at the black aura spreading on his body. He said in surprise, "Is this your trick? Don't underestimate people!"
After speaking, he tried to use his internal power to dispel the poisonous aura from his body, but he suddenly realized that the spiritual power he could call upon had actually dropped to half of his usual level! He cried out in fear, "This is not Five Poisons Water! What is this?"
"Don't worry about what it is. It's just something that's going to kill you!"
Shu Han raised his giant heavenly sword and charged over. The black-clothed man immediately tried to block with his long knife, but suddenly a ray of light shone from Shu Han's eyes.
The man's spiritual sense was stunned for a moment, and at this moment, Shu Han's sword was already coming down.
With only half of his spiritual power, the black-clothed man was unable to resist and was directly knocked back, losing grip on his magical treasure.
Shu Han turned around and swung his sword again.
Puff!
Blood spurted out a meter high, and the black-clothed man's head fell in front of Kong Tianrui.
"Ah ah ah!"
Kong Tianrui was so scared by the head falling from the sky that his liver and gall were about to split. It felt like he was in a horrible dream, his mind filled with an unreal sense of fear. He watched as Shu Han approached step by step with his sword, trembling with fear, and quickly knelt down to beg for mercy.
"Big brother! Sir! I didn't recognize Mount Tai! Spare me! I beg you! My father is an adjudicating elder, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he will surely repay you well!"
He could even say such nonsense?
Shu Han shook his head helplessly, "Go to hell!"
However, Kong Tianrui, who was begging for mercy, suddenly showed a fierce light in his eyes. He took out his Turtle Shield and threw out his Silver Dragon Thunder Hammer. Knowing that he was no match for Shu Han, he directly detonated this top-grade magical tool in front of him.
Shu Han frowned, and the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation blocked in front of him to protect him. He was blown away for more than ten meters before he could stop. When he looked up, Kong Tianrui had already disappeared.
Shu Han shook his head.
"You think you can run away from me like this? Unfortunately for you, my Clear Bright Spiritual Eye has already locked onto your tracks."
Shu Han walked to the dying Chu Yun. The wound on her neck had stopped bleeding, and her originally fair face was now as pale as paper. With her last breath, she looked at the indifferent Shu Han, a clear tear falling from the corner of her eye. Her hoarse voice was faintly heard, "You... you are not Zimo... are you?"
Shu Han squatted down, sighed deeply, and nodded.
Chu Yun gave a stiff smile, "I knew it... I have been with him for nearly twenty years... He is not as powerful as you... nor would he be so indifferent to me..."
With her bloodstained hand, Chu Yun grabbed Shu Han's wrist and used her last bit of strength to ask, "Where is he?"
"Dead."
The heartbroken Chu Yun loosened her neck. A shocking wound on her neck burst out with the last pool of blood. She mournfully muttered to herself, "Back then... if I agreed to become his Dao partner... we wouldn't have ended up like this..."
The last glimmer in Chu Yun's eyes shattered, and she died just like that.
Shu Han took a deep breath, scanned the surroundings with his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, and began tracking the escaped Kong Tianrui.
Kong Tianrui was also seriously injured in the previous explosion and couldn't have gone far.
Shu Han rode the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation, followed his footprints, and flew away. However, he found that Kong Tianrui did not flee towards the safe interior of the Purple Sun Sect, but towards the exterior.
This made Shu Han feel that something was wrong, but no matter what, Kong Tianrui was doomed to die today! Otherwise, if he reported to his father about the matters, Shu Han wouldn't be able to live comfortably in the Purple Sun Sect.
Soon, on the fast flight, Shu Han saw Kong Tianrui, who was limping in the woods. He had actually stopped flying with magic.
Was it because he was too badly injured?
Just as Shu Han was about to take action to completely kill this person, he suddenly saw a man appearing in front of Kong Tianrui.
Shu Han took a closer look and realized that the man looked familiar. Wasn't he Ren Tianyi, who had come to the Purple Sun Sect with him that day?
Seeing the golden light appearing in the sky behind him, Kong Tianrui immediately cried out in fear, "Senior Gui Li, save me!"
Gui Li?
Shu Han levitated with his sword, watching Kong Tianrui hiding behind Ren Tianyi, looking up at Shu Han trembling. But Ren Tianyi was frowning and looking at Kong Tianrui with an unpleasant expression.
Shu Han greeted with a smile, "Yo, I didn't expect to meet brother Ren here."
Ren Tianyi turned to smile and said, "I also didn't expect to meet Brother Xu here. What is Brother Xu doing?"
Shu Han replied, "Nothing much, just having a little practice with Brother Kong."
"Bullshit!" Kong Tianrui roared in resentment, "Today, with Senior Gui Li here, even if your magic power is stronger, you will die!"
Ren Tianyi's face changed, and he laughed, "Brother Xu, I don't know what this man is talking nonsense about. I don't know this person at all. He must be crazy, right? As for the matters between you and him, I don't think it's right for me to intervene. I'll take my leave."
Shu Han didn't answer, just coldly watching the two, his consciousness was already at its highest alert.
Kong Tianrui became frantic, rushing to Ren Tianyi, and anxiously said, "Senior Gui Li! Aren't you a demonic cultivator? Is a demonic cultivator so cowardly and afraid? How can you make waves with my father in the Immaculate Realm?"
"Damn it! Don't fucking say it!"
Shu Han and Ren Tianyi both cursed simultaneously.
Without thinking, Shu Han turned and ran, transforming into a golden light and fleeing toward the Purple Sun Sect. He had long noticed something was off about Ren Tianyi, but he didn't want to interfere. In theory, as long as Ren Tianyi's secret was unknown, this person should have no reason to turn on him, as it would only cause trouble.
Watching Shu Han's retreating light, Ren Tianyi was dumbfounded, holding his forehead and sighing, "Your father is a clever man, how could he have such a stupid son like you? Acting rashly near the Purple Sun Sect, you'll be discovered by those old Core Formation ghosts!"
"He's getting away! Senior! Aren't you going to chase?"
Crack!
Gui Li's claw gripped Kong Tianrui's neck, directly twisting it off.
"Killing you this stupid son will save your father some worry."
Discarding Kong Tianrui's body like trash, Gui Li's eyes darkened. He looked in the direction of Shu Han's golden light and then back at the Purple Sun Sect, talking to himself, "I can't use all my power in this range, Xu Zimo, your escape speed is good, I'll let you run a little further. Eh, why aren't you running towards the Purple Sun Sect? No matter how you run, as a cultivator in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, could I let you escape from my hands?"
With that, he transformed into a dark light and went straight after Shu Han.
Flying away, Shu Han still felt a lingering fear.
Listening to Kong Tianrui's tone, Gui Li came to cooperate with his father. To be able to talk about cooperation with someone in the late stage of the Foundation Establishment, at least he must be in the late stage of the Foundation Establishment!
Wasn't this the end?
Damn Kong Tianrui!
While fleeing at high speed, Shu Han felt a chilling aura rapidly approaching from behind.
It's coming!
Shu Han immediately took out all the Fire God Talismans and Seven Poison Waters from his storage bag. They were thrown to Gui Li without a care for cost.
Shu Han didn't expect these to work, he just hoped they could slow down Gui Li's approach.
Chapter 85. Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound
Whenever Gui Li approached Shu Han, he was met with a pile of Fire God Talismans and a bottle of Seven Poison Water.
However, the power of the Fire God Talismans couldn't even break through his protective aura, and the Seven Poison Water had almost no effect on him, at most slightly slowing his approach.
He originally thought that Shu Han was merely struggling on his deathbed, but found that the Fire God Talismans and Seven Poison Water thrown out by Shu Han's hands never stopped, seemingly endless.
"Damn! This kid is performing tricks, making so many of them!"
At this point, Gui Li had reached the peak speed of the early stage of the Foundation Establishment, but due to Shu Han's obstruction, he could not close the distance.
This made him unhappy. He turned his head to look at the Purple Sun Sect. After a period of pursuit, the Purple Sun Sect had now turned into a purple dot on the horizon.
"It should be okay now."
Bang!!
Gui Li turned into black smoke in the air, his speed increased fivefold, and he arrived behind Shu Han in a blink of an eye.
Damn!
The hairs on Shu Han's back stood up. A giant black claw stretched out from behind him, covering the sky, unavoidable.
No matter how Shu Han dodged left and right, he was within the range of the black claw.
Was this the terrifying power of the late stage of the Foundation Establishment?!
Shu Han gritted his teeth. This external incarnation was related to the quota of the Immaculate Realm, and he could not let him catch it.
So, a lightweight talisman drifted from Shu Han's hand to the back and directly entered the black claw covering the sky.
Shu Han immediately turned around, the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation folded from beneath his feet to protect him, and more Iron Armor Talismans floated out from his storage bag, forming eighteen airtight iron armor shields.
Shu Han curled up his whole body and flew like a cannonball.
Gui Li: "Hmm? What is this kid up to?"
Boom!
A massive explosion occurred in the night sky.
It was as if a sun had risen in the night sky, the dazzling firelight swallowed up several hundreds of feet of space around it, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime. The forest below was immediately evaporated by the high temperature, turning it into a scorched earth.
Advanced Talisman - Flame Sun Talisman!
In this round of the sun, a small ball of fire popped out.
Shu Han, like a falling star, fell into the distant forest.
After crashing into a large pit in the forest, Shu Han crawled out of the soil, blood continuously spewing from his mouth, and his clothes had all been burnt off.
The four Heavenly Swords scattered around him, the golden light on their bodies intermittently flickering, showing different degrees of bending. He quickly took out healing pills from his storage bag and swallowed them, finally stopping the continuous flow of blood.
Shu Han panted heavily, looking at the damage done to the Heavenly Swords, feeling a sharp pain in his heart.
Those were the inheritance magic tools left by his master!
But now was not the time for sentimentality. He deeply realized that even the Flame Sun Talisman could not deal with Gui Li.
Gui Li absolutely never expected that a Qi Refining stage Shu Han could use a move comparable to a full-strength attack of a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator. He was completely unprepared for the impact of the Flame Sun Talisman, and he must be in a bad condition right now.
While he was recovering, it was crucial to quickly escape this area.
Crack!
Shu Han directly crushed a mid-grade spirit stone, rapidly restoring his depleted magic power, and using the Wind Riding technique, he dragged his severely injured body and stumbled through the forest at a high speed.
Before fleeing, Shu Han scattered twelve Substitute Talismans in all directions to confuse Gui Li's divine sense.
At this moment, the sun-like fireball created by the Flame Sun Talisman was gradually extinguished by the black fog emerging from within.
Gui Li, his head charred and messy, crawled out from the center, but there was excitement on his face that looked like charred wood.
"Good boy, that attack actually injured me! I had a hunch that you were not ordinary when I first arrived at the Purple Sun Sect, but I didn't expect you to reach this level! It seems that your background is not simple either, I love intriguing brats like you the most. Let's see what surprises you can bring me!"
Saying so, he tore off his clothes, which had already turned into ashes, revealing a shiny black scale armor. At this moment, his divine sense swept over the area and found thirteen reactions flying in different directions.
"Do you have so much reserve?" Gui Li grinned, "But these little tricks are useless against me. As long as I concentrate my divine sense and sweep them one by one, your level of trickery can't deceive my divine sense!"
But Gui Li didn't do that, instead, he took out a suona (Chinese horn).
"It's been a long time since I've played like this. Kid, you're going to keep me company tonight."
As Shu Han sped towards the distance, he suddenly heard a faint sound of suona. The source of the suona sound could not be determined, it just lingered in his ears and wouldn't go away. The music was eerie, giving people the creeps, as if many ghosts were whispering and laughing around him.
Shu Han tried his best to block out this demonic sound, but no matter what he did, the sound of the suona wouldn't go away. It was as if the suona was playing directly in his soul.
Suddenly, Shu Han felt something wrong with his hand; he couldn't control his left ring finger.
Crack!
A surge of intense pain hit him, and Shu Han was shocked to find that his ring finger had broken on its own. Immediately after, this eerie feeling appeared in other parts of his body. In this demonic sound, he felt like a puppet on strings, manipulated by others.
Bang!
Unable to control his body, the Wind Riding technique immediately dissipated, and he fell heavily from the air to the ground. His body began to twist eerily on the ground. It felt as though he was being held at both ends and twisted tightly like a towel. Every part of his body twisted and broke unconsciously.
"Shu Han! This is the Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound! Quick, recite the Golden Light Divine Incantation!"
Shu Han didn't dare to delay and immediately pulled his divine sense out from the demonic sound, silently reciting the Golden Light Divine Incantation taught by Shangguan Ruolin in his heart.
"Heavenly and Earthly Mystery, the Root of All Qi..."
As he recited the Golden Light Divine Incantation, the situation of the demonic sound flooding his mind was immediately dispelled. Shu Han's body was enveloped in a golden light, and he regained control of his body.
"Hmm?"
Gui Li, who was in the air, felt something abnormal. At this time, all other Substitute Talismans of Shu Han was shattered in the demonic sound, only Shu Han's real body was struggling against it.
But Gui Li could no longer control Shu Han's body. His prided Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound had actually failed.
"How could this kid with his cultivation level resist my Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound?"
So he continued to play. Finding that Shu Han's real body was stationary, he approached him.
At this moment, although Shu Han had blocked the endless Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound, he had to maintain the state of the Golden Light Divine Incantation and could not move. Moreover, his magic power was rapidly depleting because of the incantation. Within half an hour, his spiritual power would be exhausted.
Gui Li, who was playing the suona, came to the sky above Shu Han and saw him surrounded by a golden light, his heart was greatly horrified.
"Golden Light Divine Incantation! Are you a disciple of the Great Fortune Sect?"
However, Shu Han couldn't hear what he was saying at all. He was wholeheartedly reciting the incantation.
The look in Gui Li's eyes changed rapidly, "Impossible! How could a disciple of the Great Fortune Sect appear in the north of the Great Cloud?"
Gui Li made up his mind, "No matter who you are, you must die today! The Golden Light Divine Incantation can block the Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound, but your cultivation level is too low! It still can't save you!"
With that, he reached out with a claw, intending to take Shu Han's life. But his divine sense suddenly felt a crisis. He hurriedly retracted his hand and brought out the scale armor he was wearing.
A stern shout came from the distant sky!
"Evil-Breaking in hand, justice spans the land!"
Crack!
A golden thunderbolt suddenly descended from the southern sky.
Chapter 86. Confrontation
The golden thunderbolt directly hit Gui Li, causing a series of golden shock waves in the forest.
Gui Li gritted his teeth and used his demonic fish scale armor to block the incoming golden thunderbolt. Upon closer inspection, he found that the thunderbolt was actually an ornate golden immortal sword.
Moreover, the light washing over from this immortal sword caused his demonic skill to decrease greatly. Not only that, his demonic fish scale armor, as if meeting its nemesis, could only provide its usual seventy percent protection.
Bang!
Gui Li exerted his demonic skill to blast away the immortal sword in front of him and was knocked back.
The Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword flew to the injured Shu Han, casting a golden shield to protect his external avatar.
At this moment, Shu Han's real body arrived from the distance, with Shangguan Ruolin, who had returned to her original form, standing by his side. The two of them floated above the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, watching Gui Li below in a battle-ready stance.
Gui Li looked at Shu Han and couldn't help but smirk, "No wonder this little boy ran away in the direction away from the Purple Sun Sect. It turns out he has backup! But what's the use of one at the early Foundation Establishment stage and one at the Qi Refining stage?"
Gui Li no longer hid his strength. The terrifying aura of the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage emanated, and countless ghost mists poured out from his body, covering the forest in a fog filled with the wailing of specters.
Only the area protected by the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword was free of the ghostly mist.
At this moment, Shu Han had the intention to retreat, saying, "Linlin, we are no match for this old demon. When the fight begins, look for an opportunity to take the external avatar and retreat!"
However, Shangguan Ruolin shook her head. With her Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, she looked at Gui Li in the ghost fog and said, "We can't retreat! According to the information your external avatar obtained, Gui Li is already in cahoots with some of the higher-ups in the Purple Sun Sect. If we don't deal with him, there will be endless troubles!"
"Deal with him?" Shu Han was stunned, "He is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment! How do we fight?"
Shangguan Ruolin said, "The Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword and the Golden Light Divine Incantation can restrain his skills. Let's try to confront him first."
"Are you two done talking?"
Suddenly, two large and small evil ghosts burst out from the fog below, entangled with thick ghost fog, and bared their teeth, rushing toward Shu Han and Shangguan Ruolin!
Shu Han was startled and immediately reached out to retrieve the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword. Two sword lights were swung out, slashing the two evil ghosts.
The two evil ghosts wailed, and the ghost fog on their bodies was broken by the golden light, revealing their true forms. It turned out to be a pair of large and small chained hammers.
Shu Han activated his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, allowing him to see through the ghost fog below clearly and accurately track Gui Li's movements. He let go of Shangguan Ruolin and used the Triple Rotation Avatar Technique to split into three.
His main body held the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, and the other two avatars respectively held the Black Claw and the Pursuing Sword, forming a circle in a battle-ready stance.
"Linlin, since you say we can fight, I trust your judgment. You can't help with your current cultivation level, so go get my external avatar. I will test this old demon!"
Shangguan Ruolin nodded and immediately dived into the forest below to find Shu Han's external avatar.
However, at this moment, a pair of black giant hands emerged from the ghost fog. The giant hands closed, trying to grab Shangguan Ruolin.
"None of you are escaping!"
Shu Han quickly swung two sword lights. The sword lights cut through the black giant claws that Gui Li had morphed from, covering Shangguan Ruolin's entrance into the forest.
Gui Li frowned deeply, soaring from below with thick ghost fog, looking at the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword in Shu Han's hand with suspicion. "With a magic treasure of pure yang and golden light divine incantation, you must be a disciple of the Great Fortune Sect! What is the Great Fortune Sect doing in the north of the Great Cloud?"
Great Fortune Sect?
Shu Han snorted, "I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Still playing dumb!" Gui Li scolded, "Even if your Great Fortune Sect is a strong dragon, you have to curl up for me in the North of Great Cloud! Judging by your magic treasure, you must have a high status in the Great Fortune Sect. Capturing you and bringing you back for interrogation by the Sect Master would surely earn me great merits!"
Having said that, Gui Li rushed up holding the evil ghost hammers. His speed was so fast that Shu Han barely kept up.
Thankfully, splitting into three to guard three sides and having the insight of Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, he was not overwhelmed by Gui Li's ghostly speed.
Gui Li threw the two evil ghost hammers from a distance. The two fierce ghosts seemed to resurrect, baring their teeth and claws, and bit towards Shu Han's two avatars.
The two avatars quickly defended with the Black Claw and Pursuing Sword. Meanwhile, Shu Han's main body charged at Gui Li's main body with the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword.
The Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword's flickering demon-breaking light could restrain Gui Li's demonic skills. With one sword strike, Gui Li's demonic fish scale armor immediately protected his body, blocking Shu Han's eight consecutive sword lights.
"Kid! Your magic tool is good, and your avatar technique is excellent, but your cultivation level is too low. If you were at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, I would surely run away. But you are only at the early stage, so surrender!"
Shu Han's main body was unable to land a successful attack, while his avatars faced a significant crisis.
The Black Claw and the Pursuing Sword were unleashed to counter the two evil ghost hammers, but the transformed evil ghosts swallowed the Black Claw and the Pursuing Sword directly, chuckling eerily at Shu Han's avatars.
Suddenly, Shu Han felt his spiritual consciousness attached to the two magic treasures was contaminated, and the two magic treasures were no longer responsive as if they were being digested within these two evil ghosts. The two evil ghosts then laughingly pounced on Shu Han's two avatars, suddenly returned to their original forms, and aimed at the avatar's crown.
Seeing this, the main body of Shu Han immediately turned around, sprouting four pairs of sword wings on his back, spinning continuously in the air. The eight-winged sword wings directly flung the evil ghost hammers, barely saving the two avatars.
The avatars retrieved the Black Claw and the Pursuing Sword. These two magic treasures had suffered a certain degree of spiritual damage.
Shu Han held the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, nervously watching the complacent Gui Li. If it weren't for the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword suppressing this old ghost's skills and magic treasure, he would probably have been captured at first contact.
The power gap was too big, and even the typically reliable Triple Rotation Avatar Technique had no effect. Because he couldn't break the defense!
Shu Han bitterly laughed: Linlin, you want me to kill him, how is that possible? It would be more reasonable to escape using the Six Shadows Escape Technique.
However, at this time, Shangguan Ruolin had not returned, and he had to hold on no matter what. So he withdrew the two avatars, only using the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword to confront this old ghost.
Without this sword's protection, the avatars would be destroyed one by one. Continuously using the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, a peak Foundation Establishment stage magic treasure, was too much of a drain on his magic power. He would soon be unable to support his avatars.
Seeing Shu Han tucked within the four pairs of sword wings, no longer actively attacking, Gui Li sneered in contempt.
"Low cultivation level makes any magic treasure useless! Listen to this requiem, it will send your soul to hell!"
Having said that, he picked up his suona, and began to play.
The sound of the suona, which could control people's bodies and confuse their minds, sounded again. Shu Han dared not delay, immediately reciting the Golden Light Divine Incantation, wrapping himself in indestructible golden light.
However, this time it was different. Under the Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound, countless fierce ghosts emerged from the black fog below.
Hundreds of ghosts roamed in the forest, turning into a fierce ghost tornado. Accompanied by the Soul-Claiming Demonic Sound, they swept towards Shu Han.
Chapter 87. Slaying the Enemy
The whirlwind of ghosts echoed with countless sinister laughs in sync with the deathly music, instilling a chill deep within Shu Han's soul.
Frantically, he recited the Golden Light Divine Incantation, spinning mid-air. From the eight-winged sword formed by the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, countless little golden swords shot forth.
Round after round of golden sword rain ceaselessly annihilated the oncoming whirlwind of ghosts.
Yet, Gui Li's ghastly suona music didn't stop. These apparitions seemed as though they surged from the depths of hell, endless and relentless.
Due to the high-strain exertion of continuously firing sword rain from the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, Shu Han's spiritual power rapidly diminished. Gradually, the surrounding sword wings faded, and the volume of the sword rain diminished, barely holding back the approaching whirlwind of ghosts.
Suddenly, strands of silk wrapped around Shu Han, yanking him from the sky, evading the onrushing spectral whirlwind.
Shangguan Ruolin had returned, her Six Harmonies Silk Bracelet gleaming brightly in her hand.
Standing before Shangguan Ruolin, Shu Han watched the likewise returning spectral whirlwind. He shattered two middle-grade spirit stones directly, quickly absorbing the lost magic power, urgently speaking, "Linlin, we simply can't withstand this. Only by fully urging the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword can I barely break the defense. Let's retreat using the Six Harmonies Shadow Escape!"
Shangguan Ruolin, facing the encroaching spectral whirlwind, turned Shu Han around and earnestly spoke, "If we retreat now, it will be hard to enter the Immaculate Realm! We must eliminate him here!"
"But…"
The sudden onslaught of the spectral whirlwind prompted Shu Han to scoop up Shangguan Ruolin and directly flee on the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword.
"There are no buts!" Shangguan Ruolin stated solemnly, "If I've guessed correctly, this man is a disciple of the Devil Music Sect! The pure yang supreme treasure, Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, and the Golden Light Divine Incantation are specifically designed to break these types of demonic arts! Shu Han, as long as you can exert seventy percent of the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword's power, you can slay him!"
"This sword is a peak Foundation Establishment stage magic treasure, I'm only at the early, I can at most bring out thirty percent of its power!"
Gritting her teeth, Shangguan Ruolin responded, "Like last time, use my Golden Core to boost your power, then trigger the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret to increase your combat strength, which should be enough to exert seventy percent of its power!"
Shu Han categorically refused.
"After the use last time, your Golden Core was severely depleted. It's only been half a year, we absolutely cannot use it again! Let's retreat for now. We still have a small half year, we can plan long-term!"
Shangguan Ruolin, pulling Shu Han's ear, said, "I did not consult you! I know its own situation best! I don't need you to worry about me."
Saying this, Shangguan Ruolin, without further ado, cupped Shu Han's face with both hands, her red lips directly landing on his. Immediately, the warm Golden Core transferred into Shu Han's body.
Over the past six months, after absorbing fragments of Shangguan Ruolin's life-giving Golden Core, Shu Han's body now held the same Golden Core origin. Now his ability to accommodate her Golden Core was even stronger, and the power it exerted far exceeded that of the past.
A warm current began to circulate throughout Shu Han's body from Shangguan Ruolin's tender red lips, and his strength began to skyrocket dramatically.
Gui Li, who had been pursuing with ease from the rear, suddenly felt Shu Han's aura skyrocketing, and immediately sensed trouble. A ghost head materialized in his palm and he fiercely shot it towards Shu Han.
Shu Han sensed something was terribly wrong and immediately enveloped himself within the sword wings. However, the sword wings of the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword had a surplus for offense but fell short in defense.
The ghost head, transformed into a black light, easily penetrated the sword wings, striking the undefended back of Shu Han. He had no choice but to brace himself!
However, suddenly, Shangguan Ruolin, hugging Shu Han, spun around fiercely, putting herself in front of him.
At this moment, a nebulous white light shot out from beneath her robe. The ghost head smashed into the white light and melted instantly like ice and snow.
Shangguan Ruolin didn't fare any better. Her face turned several shades paler, and a warm liquid entered Shu Han's mouth.
Having lost her Golden Core and once again seriously injured, Shangguan Ruolin's eyes lost their vitality, her rosy lips left Shu Han's mouth, and she collapsed into his arms.
A thread of fresh blood seeped from the corner of Shu Han's mouth, his hand trembling as he held the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword.
Immediately, the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret began to operate within his body, his aura expanding to the limit once more.
In this instant, Shu Han's strength had ascended to the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Gui Li's eyes were nearly bulging out. A mere early Foundation Establishment stage youngster had suddenly surged to the late Foundation Establishment stage!
How is this possible?
Swoosh!
The closed eight-winged sword suddenly stretched out, dragging Shu Han's body to rapidly decelerate in the air.
The oncoming golden light dispersed the approaching ghost mist. Shu Han, bathed in golden light, appeared like a deity of righteousness, but his face was as grim as a god of death.
"Run!"
A sense of fear finally sprouted in Gui Li's heart.
The Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword was his nemesis to begin with. Originally, Shu Han was in the early stage of the Foundation Establishment, and he could completely play him to death with the pressure of a higher realm. But now, Shu Han's aura strangely surged to the late Foundation Establishment, the same level as him, and the situation completely overturned.
Gui Li turned around and ran.
Shu Han's Clear Bright Spiritual Eye locked onto his figure. The eight-winged sword carried him straight up. At this moment, all of Shu Han's energy was concentrated on the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword in his right hand, the dazzling golden light briefly gathered like the noonday sun.
"Die!"
Crack!
A golden thunderbolt as thick as a water barrel shot out, chasing after Gui Li.
Gui Li was frightened by this extremely pure and positive force. Without thinking, he immediately bit off his own tongue, spit out a mouthful of dark blood, and muttered to himself.
"Blood Body Explosion of the Demon Sect!"
Shu Han's Clear Bright Spiritual Eye immediately saw the problem. The old ghost's body actually began to split, seemingly wanting to explode his body to escape.
Each piece of separating flesh carried his life imprint. As long as a piece survived, he could save his life! Although this effect was far less than the Sixfold Shadow Escape, it was still a good move in a pinch.
Damn it!
Shu Han cried out in his heart. At this moment, his magic power was drained, and his body was on the verge of collapse due to the use of the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret. After one blow, there would be no strength to pursue. Was he really going to let this old ghost escape?
Shu Han was unwilling, but he had no choice. Was he going to let Shangguan Ruolin be seriously injured for nothing?
However, just as Gui Li was about to self-detonate, he suddenly felt many filaments wrapping around him, like a net that tightly bound him, making it impossible for him to split and explode.
"This...this is a Golden Core magic treasure!"
Boom!
The thunderbolt transformed from the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword directly shattered his head.
Shu Han looked down. At this moment, Shangguan Ruolin was leaning on his shoulder, panting heavily. The glow of the Six Harmonies Silk Bracelet on her wrist flickered and then went out. She whimpered and slumped in Shu Han's arms, whispering, "Injured me...how could I let you run away..."
Having said that, her complexion got worse and worse.
Shu Han hurriedly transferred her Golden Core back to her. Shangguan Ruolin's complexion finally improved somewhat.
"Go...Shu Han...go see what's left of that demon cultivator..."
Shu Han supported her and asked worriedly, "Should I help you recover first..."
"No need!" Shangguan Ruolin pulled open her shoulder sleeve, revealing her snowy white shoulder. A layer of transparent scales appeared on her skin. She said, "Don't worry about me, I have personal armor to protect the body."
Shu Han pulled up her clothes, nodded, and said, "I understand, I will immediately go to inspect the old ghost's corpse."
However, just as Shu Han was about to fly towards Gui Li's corpse, the headless corpse suddenly began to float slowly in the air.
Chapter 88. Joint Cultivation Method
In the night sky, a headless corpse strangely floated in mid-air.
Shu Han's heart thumped, "It can't be that he's not dead yet!"
Shangguan Ruolin's eyes were also full of doubts. She mustered a little strength to sweep with the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye and confirmed, "Impossible! Demonic cultivators who have been beheaded by the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword can't possibly survive."
"So, this..."
Shu Han looked over and found that a silver secret rune lit up on Gui Li's corpse. Then, like it was contagious, Gui Li's corpse was covered in these silvery-white tadpole-like runes.
Suddenly, Gui Li's body began to rapidly expand in the shining secret runes, and with a bang, it exploded into a cloud of dust in the air.
"This..."
Shu Han was puzzled, a demonic cultivator's body could explode?
Shangguan Ruolin said, "This is a secret technique planted in his body by a master, to prevent others from spying on the secrets hidden in his body."
What important secret could a late-stage Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator have? Would it need a master to plant secret runes to prevent leaks?
Shangguan Ruolin and Shu Han looked at each other and immediately understood each other's thoughts.
"Immaculate Realm!"
Shangguan Ruolin murmured, "It seems that in this Immaculate Realm, the demonic cultivators will make big moves. Indeed, it's not a good time to sneak in. It's already dangerous to fight over the Heavenly Creation Fluid in the Immaculate Realm, and now there are these demonic cultivators stirring up trouble..."
Shu Han saw a hint of retreat in Shangguan Ruolin's eyes.
Shu Han asked puzzledly, "Linlin, didn't you say before that no matter how dangerous the Immaculate Realm is, we have to try? Without the Heavenly Creation Fluid, what about your Golden Core injury?"
Shangguan Ruolin showed hesitation on her face, mumbling, "There might be other opportunities...not necessarily needing the Heavenly Creation Fluid..."
However, as soon as she finished speaking, Shangguan Ruolin felt a surge of blood, her face turning pale and then green. Her body couldn't stop shaking. Her body also suddenly grew and shrank, her entire state was extremely unstable.
"Linlin!"
Shu Han quickly supported Shangguan Ruolin, transferring his newly gathered magic power into her body. However, as soon as Shu Han transferred his magic power, he was stunned by the condition within Shangguan Ruolin's body.
Shu Han found that the mess in Shangguan Ruolin's body was not because of overusing the Golden Core's origin, but a more difficult reason.
At this moment, Shangguan Ruolin's meridians, dantian, and Golden Core had become a battlefield.
Two different types of magic powers were clashing in her body. Each collision caused huge damage to Shangguan Ruolin's body, and her Golden Core was crumbling under the tug of these two magic powers, with more cracks appearing on it.
"Linlin! Are you... practicing two cultivation methods?"
Shangguan Ruolin huddled in Shu Han's arms, silently enduring the clash inside her body.
Shu Han knew that Qi Refining cultivators could have multiple cultivation methods, but once the foundation was established, they had to choose one method as the basis. If one wants to change the method, one must abandon the previous method and re-cultivate, a process that would be extremely weak and painful.
It's hard to change the cultivation method, let alone cultivate two at the same time.
Practicing two different cultivation methods would inevitably lead to conflict between them, requiring a long time of dedicated cultivation to maintain the balance of magic power. Moreover, the mutual repulsion between the two methods would reduce their fighting power.
It is time-consuming and laborious, and the gain is not worth the loss. No one has ever been willing to do this.
One of the methods in Shangguan Ruolin's body is her commonly used "Sky Palace Six Harmony Secrets". Shu Han was unclear about the other method, but it felt more like Shangguan Ruotong.
Shu Han realized, "So your cultivation base dropped, and your Golden Core shattered, not because the 'Sky Palace Six Harmony Secrets' went into demonic cultivation, but because of the conflict between the two cultivation methods! Why would you want to practice two methods at the same time?"
Shangguan Ruolin moaned in pain and didn't want to answer Shu Han's question.
Shu Han immediately said, "Never mind, I won't ask. Tell me, how can the conflict between your cultivation methods be eased?"
Shangguan Ruolin said tremulously, "In this situation...only treasures naturally possessing five elemental spiritual powers can alleviate it..."
Shu Han suddenly understood.
Mining for top-grade spirit stones and fighting for the Heavenly Creation Fluid, Shangguan Ruolin's main purpose was to alleviate the conflict between her cultivation methods.
However, now Shangguan Ruolin was in a state of extreme danger, and the two cultivation methods could shatter her Golden Core at any time.
Where could he find a treasure that possesses the five elemental spiritual powers in such a short time?
Shu Han was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. Suddenly, he slapped his head.
Wasn't he himself possessing the five elemental spiritual powers?
Five elements spiritual root!
Watching Shangguan Ruolin convulsing and fainting in his arms, Shu Han didn't have time to think, directly cut his finger, and forced his essence blood to squeeze out of the wound with his spiritual power. He put his blood-soaked finger on Shangguan Ruolin's lips.
The bright red blood flowed into her mouth from her lips.
Shu Han constantly probed her body condition. After his blood was ingested, the conflict of the cultivation methods in Shangguan Ruolin's body was immediately slightly relieved.
Effective!
Shu Han was overjoyed and immediately accelerated the flow of his blood.
Shangguan Ruolin's face gradually improved, and in her daze, she couldn't help but hold Shu Han's finger in her mouth. Her soft tongue couldn't stop licking Shu Han's finger.
The blood of the five elements flowed from her mouth throughout her body, temporarily stopping the internal conflict of the cultivation methods. A flush gradually appeared on her face, and Shu Han's finger felt warmer and warmer.
Shu Han stroked her messy hair, and his suspended heart finally let go. However, the strange feeling from his fingertips made his heart sway, even if his head was dizzy, he wanted to keep going.
Finally, the cultivation methods inside Shangguan Ruolin completely stopped the conflict, allowing her to wake up from the pain.
As soon as she woke up, she felt something strange in her mouth. A comforting warmth was constantly flowing from it, making her heart involuntarily well up with infatuation.
Watching Shangguan Ruolin wake up, Shu Han, panting and pale, smiled and said, "Linlin, you finally woke up..."
Having said that, he fainted.
He couldn't stay awake because he used the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret and lost too much blood.
Shangguan Ruolin's mouth still had a trace of Shu Han's blood. When she tasted the blood in her mouth, she immediately understood what had just happened.
She looked at Shu Han who fell on the ground. Her face was flushed, and she shook her head helplessly.
"Five elements spiritual root... If your cultivation level was higher, I could have devoured you, and I wouldn't need to find any Heavenly Creation Fluid."
Now she was also physically and mentally exhausted, and the situation in her body was not optimistic. Shangguan Ruolin lay tiredly beside Shu Han, took Shu Han's head into her arms, and reproached with a melancholic look, "You little rascal, you make me very tangled..."
The next day.
Shu Han woke up from his faint and suddenly felt his face close to a pair of soft objects, and a strange fragrance hit his nose.
"This..."
Soon Shu Han figured out the situation, and his whole body couldn't help but get excited.
"Calm down! Calm down! I must let Linlin wake up first in this situation, otherwise, she would be awakened and find it awkward. I'm sure I won't have a good ending...Besides, in this situation, I don't seem to want to wake up first! Isn't this better than drinking flower wine?"
Shu Han followed his instincts, gently rubbed inside, and continued to pretend to sleep. However, the next moment, Shangguan Ruolin's voice rang out.
"Awake and still pretending to sleep?"
Shu Han: !!!
Chapter 89. Fostering the Golden Core
Shu Han had to sit up, scratching his head awkwardly.
Shangguan Ruolin gave him a glance with a cold snort, her face red, and said, "Not very old, but lustful." Then she looked at Shu Han's still pale face, and asked with concern, "How do you feel?"
Shu Han touched his head: "I feel like I had a very comfortable sleep last night..."
"You..." Shangguan Ruolin tightened her clothes, saying angrily, "I'm talking about your body!"
"I lost some essence blood, but it's no big deal, just occasional dizziness. I would recover after some rest."
Shangguan Ruolin took Shu Han's pulse, her eyebrows frowned, "What some? It's clearly close to 40%... I actually absorbed so much of your essence blood?"
Shu Han was silent, he couldn't hide it. He thought, who would have thought you to absorb so much...
Shangguan Ruolin worriedly said, "The loss of too much essence blood will damage your cultivation in the future. You're already a five elements spiritual root, plus the loss of essence blood, it will be even more difficult for you to advance in the future. We must find a way to compensate for your loss."
Shu Han naturally knew that his body had not only lost too much essence blood, but the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret had also caused great damage to his body. He didn't say it out loud, but his physical condition was indeed not optimistic.
Even with his unlimited amount of healing spiritual medicine, it would be difficult to recover all his essence blood and injuries within five months.
Shangguan Ruolin said, "If you can't recover your essence blood, you won't be able to go to the Immaculate Realm, and it's useless to go there."
Shu Han retorted, "Your situation can't last much longer. Although my five elements essence blood suppressed the conflict of the cultivation methods last night, my cultivation level is not high, and the five elements essence blood can't play a big role. We must go to the Immaculate Realm! I will figure out a solution for my condition, you don't have to worry."
Shangguan Ruolin sighed deeply.
"Now there is only one way to quickly recover your body! That is to supplement your essence blood with the origin of the Golden Core, just like before!"
Shu Han frowned, "But the pieces of Golden Core you left in my body are about to be exhausted, you wouldn't want to give me a few more pieces... That's not good, your own Golden Core is barely holding up!"
"What are you thinking about? How could I let a brat like you damage my life Golden Core!"
Shangguan Ruolin explained, "This move of mine is called the Golden Core Fostering Technique, giving you the completeness of the Golden Core, although it will consume a lot of the original source, it will not cause damage to the structure of the Golden Core."
"Fostering the Golden Core in my body? If the Golden Core is out of the body for too long, won't you be in danger?"
Shangguan Ruolin shook her head, "There are risks with this move. Once the Golden Core is inside your body, because it needs to connect with the life Golden Core, you cannot leave me more than one hundred feet away for more than half an hour, and also..." At this point, Shangguan Ruolin hesitated and did not want to continue.
Shu Han nodded, "That's easy, we've been together for most of the past six months. And what... why are you hesitating?"
Shangguan Ruolin's face flushed, she stuttered, "And also, every day requires three hours of joint cultivation...to allow me to absorb the Golden Core's energy..."
"Joint cultivation?"
Shu Han suddenly remembered the scene when they were closely connected in their cultivation during the confrontation with Shangguan Ruotong, where they were indistinguishable from each other.
He couldn't help touching his nose, saying, "You mean the situation like half a year ago when we were fighting your sister?"
Shangguan Ruolin blushed and turned her head, nodding helplessly.
Shu Han chuckled, came closer, and deliberately teased her, "In that case, we have only connected our Golden Cores twice, one time in the nude. Now we have to cultivate together every day, it seems a bit inappropriate."
"You!" Shangguan Ruolin's face turned red with anger, she slapped him and said angrily, "Such a young age, and already a bad egg! Where did you learn this from?"
Shu Han covered his face, thinking: It must be Fei Zhengyang, who keeps telling dirty jokes in my ears these days, leading me astray.
Suddenly, Shangguan Ruolin gritted her teeth, turned over, and sat on his lap, baring her teeth, and bit Shu Han's lips hard, and a warm Golden Core was lodged in his body.
Shu Han was in pain and sweating, but once the Golden Core entered his body, the warm energy immediately began to nourish his body.
Shangguan Ruolin let go, her teeth were bloody, and she triumphantly said, "If you dare to tease me again, this will be your end!"
Shu Han covered his mouth and helplessly said, "I was wrong... Let's stop joking and take a look at the gold leaf brought by the external incarnation."
Shangguan Ruolin took out the gold leaf page from her storage bag. It had already been handed over when the external incarnation was transferred.
Shu Han carefully examined the gold leaf page in her hand. It looked like an ordinary piece of paper to the naked eye, and it also recorded the content of the "300 Solutions to Refining Tools".
Shangguan Ruolin said, "This disguise is very profound, if I didn't have Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, I would not be able to see through this disguise even after I recovered my Golden Core stage cultivation."
Upon speaking, both her and Shu Han's eyes lit up with a spiritual brilliance, each casting their gaze upon both sides of the parchment. The gold leaf's facade began to fade away under the luminous glow of the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye.
Shu Han exclaimed, "Heaven-Earth Transformation technique!"
Shangguan Ruolin responded, "Shrinking Earth into Inches technique!"
Their Clear Bright Spiritual Eyes met, and their expressions were filled with astonishment and delight. Thus, the two delved deeply into the content of the gold leaf, their hearts pounding ever harder with each line they read.
The Heaven-Earth Transformation technique detailed on the gold leaf could completely alter an individual's appearance, demeanor, and spiritual roots. With minor proficiency, one could even disguise their soul consciousness, and upon mastering the art, could morph into any being or object in the universe.
Unless the adversary possessed cultivation far surpassing one's own or was also endowed with the perception skills of the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, detection would be virtually impossible.
As for the Shrinking Earth into Inches technique, it was even more terrifying.
By cultivating this technique, a cultivator could significantly enhance their speed, surpassing all the escape arts Shangguan Ruolin had ever encountered. With just minor proficiency, they could genuinely shrink the distance between themselves and their destination. Upon mastering, the instantaneous movement was achievable.
"These techniques are too fearsome!" Shangguan Ruolin murmured, "Any single technique inscribed on this gold leaf could incite a life or death battle among Nascent Soul cultivators."
With her eyes sparkling in awe and excitement, she looked down at Shu Han and exclaimed, "Shu Han! The Clear Bright Spiritual Eye and External Incarnation Techniques we had were already miraculous enough. Little did we anticipate that the other techniques on the gold leaf would be even more wondrous! Just one of them rivals the preciousness of the Heavenly Creation Fluid!"
Shu Han, focusing on the intricacies of cultivation, replied, "But the cultivation of these two techniques is arduous. For the Heaven-Earth Transformation technique to reach minor proficiency, one requires a vast amount of millennia-aged illusory dragon crystal ginseng. As for the Shrinking Earth into Inches technique, it necessitates the highest quality spatial gemstones. I know of these spatial gemstones. They are materials for crafting storage pouches. But what's this illusory dragon crystal ginseng?"
Shangguan Ruolin shook her head, "The finest spatial gemstones are as rare as the highest quality spiritual stones, but they aren't used for crafting storage pouches. Instead, they're utilized for crafting pocket realms. As for this illusory dragon crystal ginseng, it's something even I've only heard of."
"It's said this spiritual herb naturally masquerades as other plants to evade harvesting by cultivators. After a millennium, it can create illusions around itself, leading cultivators to unwittingly meet their demise within these phantasms. The dragon crystal ginseng would then root itself in the cultivator's corpse, drawing nourishment. It's an exceptionally treacherous and rare spiritual herb. To master these techniques, or even to achieve minor proficiency, is as challenging as ascending to the heavens."
Chapter 90. The Actions of the Demon Cultivator
"The top-tier spatial crystal stone and the thousand-year illusory dragon crystal ginseng are also not available in the Sky Palace Sect."
Shangguan Ruolin added, "The Eternal Realm of the Sky Palace Sect is merely built with high-quality spatial crystal stones. If you want to find top-tier spatial crystal stone and illusory dragon crystal ginseng, I'm afraid in the whole of Great Cloud, only the Great Fortune Sect has these two divine items at the same time."
Great Fortune Sect?
Shu Han asked as he heard Shangguan Ruolin's murmur, "Gui Li also once mentioned the Great Fortune Sect to me, saying that I am a disciple of the Great Fortune Sect. What exactly is this Great Fortune Sect?"
"The Great Fortune Sect is one of the top sects in the Great Cloud. The Golden Light Divine Incantation and the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword originate from this sect."
Shu Han was confused, "Aren't you from the Sky Palace Sect? How did you get involved with the Great Fortune Sect?"
At this point, Shangguan Ruolin stood up and regained her unique cool beauty.
"Shu Han, there are some things about you that I will not ask too much. Therefore, if I don't talk about my things, don't ask too much, okay?" She then said to Shu Han, "Go and see what the demon cultivator left behind, and then we must hurry back to Zhang Village. We are not far from the Purple Sun Sect here, and we might be discovered by other cultivators."
Shu Han nodded, and together with Shangguan Ruolin, they searched for the relics left behind after Gui Li's explosion. They found that suona in the forest.
This suona was called Soul Snatcher, and it was the life bound magic treasure of Gui Li. Now that he was dead, this magic treasure had greatly lost its spirituality, but its power was still considerable.
Shu Han thought that with this magic treasure if he could repair the other two music magic treasures and gather the other auxiliary materials, the Silent Heartbreak Formation could be completed.
Then he found the two evil ghost hammers, which were a solid magic treasure of the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Although this magic treasure did not match Shu Han's cultivation methods, its power was far superior to that of the Pursuing Sword and the Black Claw.
Finally, Shu Han found Gui Li's storage bag. What struck him as odd was that apart from the necessary spirit stones and basic pills, Gui Li's storage bag did not have any other reserves.
This felt very strange to him. A late Foundation Establishment stage cultivator only had this amount of storage? Even poorer than his cheap "master" Cheng Yuhuan!
Shangguan Ruolin said, "A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator absolutely cannot only have this amount of belongings and a cultivator's treasures are usually carried with them to ensure safety. The only explanation for his situation is that when he entered the Immaculate Realm, he didn't plan to come out."
"Is this Gui Li's avatar?"
Shangguan Ruolin shook her head, "It doesn't seem so. If it really was an avatar, then the skill of this cloning technique would surpass your Triple Rotation avatar. The Devil Music Sect does not have this ability, this is his true body."
"But theoretically, the demon cultivators infiltrate the Purple Sun Sect to gain benefits in the Immaculate Realm. Why would a demon cultivator take a one-way trip?"
Shangguan Ruolin said, "I don't know about this either, but there must be something strange when things are abnormal. But to abandon a precious late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, you can imagine how much the Devil Music Sect is plotting this time!"
"Shu Han, or let's forget about this Immaculate Realm this time..."
This stunned Shu Han. Initially, Shu Han was unwilling to risk the Immaculate Realm, and it was Shangguan Ruolin who tricked and threatened him into going.
Now, Shangguan Ruolin occasionally revealed the idea of not wanting to go to the Immaculate Realm, which made him feel very confused.
"Linlin, this is not like you, why do you always want to back down? After my injury recovers in half a year, I will practice two arrays that can trap late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. With your Golden Core's assistance, and the absence of Golden Core cultivators in the Immaculate Realm, we still have a chance to fight!"
Shangguan Ruolin: "I... I'm afraid of dying in there..."
Hearing this, Shu Han laughed, "You're really bad at lying. Having known you for half a year, would I think you are someone who fears death? You have a noble status, the protection of the Sky Palace Sect and the Great Fortune Sect, yet you chose to traverse the Great Cloud alone, exploring various dangerous places. Now you're telling me that you're afraid of death? Are you the Shangguan Ruolin I know?"
Shu Han looked at Shangguan Ruolin's gloomy face and comforted her, "I know, you're afraid something will happen to me in there. But my cultivation method, if I can't form a Golden Core in the future, it's the same as death. Isn't that what you told me at the beginning?"
Shangguan Ruolin's face flushed red, and she said, "That was me lying to you. There are many ways to reduce the bottleneck of forming a Golden Core, there's no need to stubbornly cling to the Heavenly Creation Fluid. In fact, my Golden Core staying inside your body for half a year is enough to increase your chance of forming a Golden Core by 30%. I'm absolutely sure that I can help you form a Golden Core in the future!"
"And after forming the Golden Core?"
Shangguan Ruolin was stumped by this question.
Shu Han affirmed, "Who told you that forming a Golden Core is my final goal? After forming the Golden Core, there are so many realms waiting for me to explore and break through, all of which require the support of rare treasures. The Immaculate Realm is so rich, even if it's not for helping you, I would find an opportunity to enter the Immaculate Realm myself."
"You have quite the ambition!"
Shu Han hugged Shangguan Ruolin's shoulder and comforted, "Let's prepare well. Trust me, there will be no problem. I've come through even the most difficult situations alone, this time with your assistance, I will definitely be safe."
In the end, Shangguan Ruolin conceded.
"As you wish."
So, Shu Han returned to Zhang Village with Shangguan Ruolin, and his external incarnation returned to the Purple Sun Sect to continue hiding.
At this time, a huge upheaval was stirring within the Purple Sun Sect.
A mountain patrolling disciple discovered that Kong Tianrui died violently on the periphery of the Purple Sun Sect, and after examination, he was killed by demonic techniques. The patrol team also found the bodies of the verdict elder's disciple, the early-stage Foundation Establishment Hou Gaozuo, and an unknown female cultivator in the bamboo forest.
The news of the invasion of demon cultivators made the people in the Purple Sun Sect panic. So, the sect immediately launched an internal sweep.
Shu Han's external incarnation entered the Purple Sun Sect again, was frisked three or four times by a few old men before being allowed to pass, and was only released after confirmation.
However, after a round of sweeping, they did not find any traces of demon cultivators.
This left the head of the Purple Sun Sect, the late-stage Golden Core cultivator Master Purple Sun, puzzled.
The inspection was carried out by all the Golden Core cultivators of the Purple Sun Sect. If there were demon cultivators lurking in the Purple Sun Sect, they would definitely not escape the eyes of the Golden Core cultivators.
But after a half-day of searching, they found nothing. Did the demon cultivators come to the Purple Sun Sect, kill a few people, and then run away?
That didn't make sense. Weren't they supposed to be aiming for a spot in the Immaculate Realm?
Meanwhile, inside the Devil Music Sect, the leader of the Devil Music Sect, a Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator, awoke from his meditation.
He was over six thousand eight hundred years old this year, but he looked like a young man, with a handsome face and the demeanor of a young scholar.
"Gui Li is dead... Could he have been discovered by that Purple Sun? Pass on my order! Bring Gui Wu to me."
Before long, a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon cultivator knelt before him.
"Disciple, Gui Wu, greets the sect leader."
"Gui Li is dead. You go to Purple Sun Sect to take his place. And, find out the cause of his death."
The leader of the Devil Music Sect's clear eyes flashed with a cruel light, "Those people at the Purple Sun Sect are not assisting me properly. If this kind of thing happens again, don't blame me for being ruthless. Tell them, with a word, I can spare their lives, or with a word, I can take their lives."
Chapter 91. The New Spot
Purple Sun Sect, Purple Sun Peak, the Resentment Cave Mansion.
Purple Sun Sect's adjudicating elder Kong Xuannan looked at Kong Tianrui in the coffin. Kong Tianrui's fear at his last moment was frozen on his face. Kong Xuannan's pale old face bulged with blue veins.
Kong Tianrui was the most talented and beloved son among his children.
At this time, a white-bearded old man wearing a purple Taoist robe embroidered with three purple gas blossoms, the symbol of the supreme elder of the Purple Sun Sect, Golden Core cultivator Kang Zizhen, walked into Kong Xuannan's Resentment Cave Mansion.
He stroked his beard and said, "Xuannan, is Gui Li still not found?"
Kong Xuannan immediately turned around, greeted him respectfully, and said, "Master, not yet, I have dispatched everyone to search around, but there is still no news of Lord Gui Li. Moreover, it seems that my son was also killed by him."
Kang Zizhen waved his hand, and a strange man in black appeared in the Resentment Cave Mansion.
The man's voice was low and delicate, he said, "No need to search anymore, Gui Li was killed in the Purple Sun Sect. The sect leader sent me here to take Gui Li's place and find out who killed Gui Li. In the future, the Devil Music Sect will settle accounts, and will not let them off easily!"
"This..." Kong Xuannan was dumbfounded, "Lord Gui Li was killed? In the Purple Sun Sect, the cultivators who can kill Lord Gui Li are only those few Golden Core cultivators! If they killed Lord Gui Li, they would not thoroughly investigate the demon cultivators in Purple Sun Sect."
Kang Zizhen nodded, "You're right. From what I have heard, Lord Gui Li's death has nothing to do with the Golden Core cultivators of the Purple Sun Sect, even with the other cultivators of the Purple Sun Sect. Otherwise, I wouldn't be left in the dark."
Gui Wu waved his hand and said, "Still, we must find a scapegoat to report to the sect leader. In this northern Great Cloud, those who dare to attack the cultivators of my Devil Music Sect must have someone stand out and pay the price."
Kang Zizhen and Kong Xuannan exchanged a glance, Kong Xuannan said, "Why not report the Platform Elder, Zhuang Hongji? This old man has always been obstinate and self-righteous with his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation. By removing him, the Devil Music Sect can gradually control the Purple Sun Sect in the future!"
"Hmm," Gui Wu nodded, "For the sect leader, there is no difference between the early stage and the middle stage of the Golden Core." As he said, he walked to the coffin, glanced at Kong Tianrui's body, and said, "The technique is indeed Gui Li's. This seems to be your son, right? You won't bear a grudge against my Devil Music Sect for this, will you?"
"Of course not, of course not!"
Kong Xuannan quickly nodded and bowed, "Just a good-for-nothing son, we cultivators, can have as many sons as we want. Lord Gui Li did a good job!"
Gui Wu eyed Kong Xuan Nan's sincere expression of dread, a hint of satisfaction lighting his features. "Very well," he declared, "Let's now discuss the logistics of my transportation into the Immaculate Realm. We simply cannot afford to bungle this mission."
Kong Xuan Nan's face turned solemn, "Given the recent events, the elders are monitoring the Purple Sun Heaven List very closely. I fear that procuring a false identity for you on the board might prove exceedingly challenging."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Gui Wu sauntered about Kong Xuannan's dwelling. "Don't burden me with difficulties. All I require is a smooth transition into the Immaculate Realm. Should we disrupt our Master's grand scheme, a thousand deaths would not suffice for you two."
Kang Zizhen laughed, "Ha-ha! A single spot should not present much of a challenge. If we cannot manipulate the Qi Refining Stage, we will infiltrate through the Foundation Establishment Stage. With my clout, managing one more Foundation Establishment cultivator is an easy task."
He then turned to Kong Xuan Nan. "As I recall, on the day of the incident, Tianrui was humiliated on the Purple Sun Platform by some unknown upstart, wasn't he?"
Kong Xuan Nan nodded. "Indeed, one of my disciples told me that Tianrui, accompanied by one of my novice Foundation Establishment disciples, planned to retaliate against the young man in the bamboo forest that very night. Yet, he still regularly frequents the Purple Sun Sect. An uncanny coincidence, don't you think? Could the deaths of Tianrui and Gui Li possibly be connected to him?"
"A Qi Refining Stage cultivator?" Gui Wu chuckled, "Even if you two are inept, you cannot simply blame a Qi Refining Stage cultivator! Are you suggesting I report to the Master that our meticulously laid plans were foiled by a mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator? Absurd!"
Kang Zizhen, with a smile on his face, interjected, " Lord Gui Wu, you have misunderstood. I'm merely suggesting that we exploit this Qi Refining Stage cultivator to secure your entry into the Immaculate Realm."
"Oh?" Gui Wu's interest was piqued.
...
The following day, a messenger from Purple Sun Peak arrived at Purple Abyss Peak.
Cheng Yuhuan and Liu Wanchang promptly emerged to receive the summons.
The messenger disciple, wielding the Purple Sun Token, bellowed into the open air, "Cheng Yuhuan, heed the command! Cheng Yuhuan, through his diligent cultivation and loyalty to the Purple Sun, has worked tirelessly for many years. Under his guidance, talents such as Xu Zimo have been nurtured. With the approval of the Supreme Elder, Cheng Yuhuan is hereby granted the qualification of the Immaculate Realm. Together with his disciple Xu Zimo, they are to journey through the Immaculate Realm!"
After reciting the Purple Sun order, the messenger approached the ecstatic Cheng Yuhuan, patted his shoulder, and said, "This time, Elder Kang Zizhen specially proposed to reward you for producing such an exceptional junior, Xu Zimo. Don't forget to pay him a visit at his dwelling and express your gratitude."
Taking the Purple Sun Token, Cheng Yuhuan expressed, "I am profoundly grateful for Elder Kang's generosity!"
"Prepare well. Perhaps when you return, Senior Brother Cheng, you will have advanced to the later stage of Foundation Establishment. Once promoted to Elder, make sure to help your junior brothers."
Overjoyed, Cheng Yuhuan assured him, "Absolutely, absolutely!"
After the messenger left Purple Sun Peak, Cheng Yuhuan burst out in laughter, slapping Liu Wanchang on the shoulder and waving the Purple Sun Token in front of him, "Old Liu, my hard work has paid off! The Immaculate Realm spot has fallen upon me! Don't worry, when I bring back treasures from the Immaculate Realm, you'll be the first to see them!"
Liu Wanchang ground his teeth in frustration, "Unbelievable! How could the Immaculate Realm spot fall to a pauper like you? You should be thanking your precious disciple!"
With that, he tried to storm off, but Cheng Yuhuan stopped him, "Old Liu, don't leave! Tonight, I have reserved the top suite at the Floating Fragrance Pavilion for a feast! You must come! Bring your Heaven List disciples, and I'll bring Zimo, let's celebrate till dawn!"
Frustrated, Liu Wanchang patted his bald head, "Fine! I'll drink you into poverty tonight!"
Shu Han had been in retreat for the past few days, nursing his injuries. But, Cheng Yuhuan abruptly interrupted his rest, pulling him out of seclusion.
"Here! This is the top-grade magic tool that I've been keeping for a special occasion – the Blue Ocean Mirror! And this, the Seven Star Saber, it's yours too!"
Shu Han was left dumbstruck, looking at the two top-grade magic tools that had been thrust into his arms.
Had his penny-pinching master gone mad?
Next, Cheng Yuhuan dragged Shu Han toward the Floating Fragrance Pavilion.
Shu Han thought, 'What's happening? Rushing off to the Floating Fragrance Pavilion without any explanation, is this some sort of hobby among Purple Sun Sect cultivators?'
Cheng Yuhuan laughed heartily, "Good disciple, from now on we'll work together in the Immaculate Realm. Your master will always have your back!"
Shu Han: ???
Chapter 92. Farewell to Zhang Village
Cheng Yuhuan had spent a lot of money this time, booking the best private room in the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, and inviting eight Qi Refining Stage Twelve female cultivators from the pavilion to join them for drinks.
Dragging Shu Han along, they drank till midnight. During the banquet, Liu Wanchang's long, iron-blue face turned redder with each drink. Soon, he was slurring his words, arm in arm with Cheng Yuhuan, recalling the amusing anecdotes from their days of cultivation under the same master.
Shu Han watched the two inebriated men, thinking that the cultivation world was not all about intrigues and backstabbing.
Despite the two often mocking each other, their bond as fellow disciples remained strong.
Just like Xu Zimo and Fei Zhengyang. Even though the latter often played tricks, their bond held firm.
The next day, Shu Han's injuries were much better, so he visited the Earthfire House at Treasure Peak.
Even though Kong Tianrui had died, and no one came to collect debts from Fei Zhengyang, considering the precious materials involved, Shu Han still came to help him refine his magic tools.
Fei Zhengyang was quite considerate, bringing three kinds of materials needed for the Silent Heartbreak Formation to Shu Han that day.
However, the amount and manner in which he brought them was quite astonishing. Each type of material had been scraped into tiny fragments, hidden under his fingernails.
He picked at his nails, delivering the materials to Shu Han. A small pile of material fragments mingled with dirt from under his nails.
Looking at Shu Han, Fei Zhengyang said, "I had no choice, it had to be this way. If you don't mind the dirt, I can bear the pain and cram more materials in my…"
"That's enough!" Shu Han quickly cut him off. "This will do!"
Although the quantity was small, as long as there was a little bit, the black jar could replicate a sufficient amount.
Later, Shu Han received a daily delivery of material fragments from Fei Zhengyang, brought back from Treasure Peak. There was a wide variety of materials, and in less than two months, he had gathered all the materials for the Stellar Wish Formation and Silent Heartbreak Formation. He took the time to send these material fragments out of the Purple Sun Sect, handing them over to his main body.
Within two months, Shu Han had successfully crafted an ordinary quality top-grade magic tool and handed it to Fei Zhengyang.
Although Fei Zhengyang found it incredible, he had already grown accustomed to Xu Zimo's incredible abilities. He happily hugged the top-grade magic tool and went out to auction it.
In the following days, the Purple Sun Sect remained peaceful, with no trace of any demonic cultivators.
However, his stingy master had been hiding in his dwelling and refusing to meet anyone since he went to Elder Kang's cave to express his gratitude.
Once when he passed by Purple Abyss Peak, he was pulled aside by Liu Wanchang who was also passing by, and was complained to at length, "This old dog, having secured a place in the Immaculate Realm, has become so arrogant. He doesn't even receive me, does he truly think himself an elder of a sect? His airs are even bigger than the sky!"
Shu Han was helpless, he could only listen to his rant before he could return to the Earthfire House at Treasure Peak. He didn't have time to take care of his Master Uncle's feelings, as he had a series of refining techniques and consumable production methods to research and develop.
Meanwhile, his main body was steadily cultivating the Heaven-Earth Transformation Technique and the Shrinking Earth into Inches Technique with Shangguan Ruolin in Zhang Village.
With the nourishment of Shangguan Ruolin's Golden Core essence, Shu Han's main body's injury was recovering quickly, and his cultivation had also advanced further.
Furthermore, because he had to cultivate in unison with Shangguan Ruolin every day, leveraging her understanding of the Core Formation stage's spells, he had mastered a certain degree of these two profound techniques.
However, despite all this, he was still unable to break through the bottleneck of the initial peak stage of the Foundation Establishment.
The remaining three months passed by in this calmness. The Immaculate Realm would open in five days.
On this day, Shu Han, along with Shangguan Ruolin, bid farewell to the villagers of Zhang Village.
He lied that his family had found them and that someone was waiting for them in the nearby town to take them back to the city. When the villagers heard this news, everyone came to the entrance of the village to see them off.
Madam Song stood in front of Shangguan Ruolin, red-eyed, holding her small hand and not wanting to let go, while Gua was standing behind his mother, sniffling and forcefully holding back his tears.
After living in Zhang Village for a year, Madam Song had long regarded Shangguan Ruolin as her own daughter. She continuously rubbed Shangguan her hands, choking back tears, "Linlin, you must listen to your brother in the future. There are cakes and malt sugar that I made in the bundle. Take them on the road. If you miss it later, remember to come back to Zhang Village, I will make some more for you then…"
As she said this, Madam Song was already sobbing uncontrollably. Shangguan Ruolin showed a sweet smile, hugged Madam Song's neck, and patted Gua's head, saying, "Thank you for taking care of us this past year…"
Then, Shu Han took her hand and gradually walked out of the villagers' sight.
After leaving Zhang Village, Shangguan Ruolin changed back to her original appearance, her nose stinging as she looked at Zhang Zhang Village in the distance, and asked, "Shu Han, you came out from among ordinary people, how do you think they will fare in the future?"
Shu Han, hugging her, comforted her by saying, "The lifespan of a mortal is but a hundred years, undergoing birth, aging, sickness, and death. In the grand scheme of the universe, they only leave a fleeting instant."
Leaning on Shu Han's shoulder, Shangguan Ruolin said with a melancholic tone, "I want to take them all to Sky Palace Sect and use spiritual medicines and spirit stones to prolong their lives, ensuring they live hundreds of years without worries."
Shu Han shook his head and replied, "It's not appropriate. Mortals have their own lives. If we forcibly pull them into the world of cultivators, it might backfire. Let them live in the environment they are familiar with, living the life they are accustomed to."
"We have been under their care for a year, are we just leaving like this?"
Shu Han chuckled, "I wasn't idle this past year. All the farmland in Zhang Village has been improved by me with spiritual medicines, the water veins of the village have been improved with spirit stones by me, and I've cleaned up all the harmful forces around the village. They will be safe and sound, and live this life peacefully and happily. For mortals, this is the greatest happiness."
Shangguan Ruolin responded, "That can't guarantee they will absolutely have a peaceful life."
"Yes, the world is like this. No one can be certain they can live a peaceful life in this turbulent world. Whether mortal or immortal, everyone has to struggle for survival in this world."
Shu Han looked towards Zhang Village, "They should strive for their own future, as should we."
With that, Shu Han took Shangguan Ruolin and soared into the sky, turning into a streak of light, heading straight for the Purple Sun Sect.
At this time, at the headquarters of the Golden Silkworm Association.
Shangguan Ruotong was sealing her own Golden Core with a profound sealing technique in a secret room. Golden runes were carved onto the Golden Core, gradually suppressing her cultivation to the late peak stage of the Foundation Establishment.
Outside the secret room, someone from the Golden Silkworm Association quietly called, "Senior, it's time. We should set off for the Rainbow Light Sword Valley."
Shangguan Ruotong awoke from her meditation, opened her mouth, and swallowed her Golden Core.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror with clear eyes, as if Shangguan Ruolin was looking at her. The two sisters had been almost identical since they were little. Shangguan Ruotong smiled at her reflection in the mirror, "Sister, I can feel it, you have really changed a lot this year. We sisters, let's settle our matters in this Immaculate Realm!"
Chapter 93. Opening of the Immaculate Realm
The Immaculate Realm is a cultivation event held every twenty years north of Great Cloud.
This Immaculate Realm was discovered more than five thousand years ago by the leader of the righteous forces north of Great Cloud, Master Green Thunder, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator of the Green Thunder Sect, during a spatial cycle's tide.
Later, Master Green Thunder joined forces with the other five righteous sects of the north of Great Cloud, and together they opened up a pathway to this minor world.
The space-time of the Immaculate Realm shows signs of weakening every twenty years, and during this period, a batch of cultivators below the Golden Core stage can be sent in for exploration.
Over the past few thousand years, the slots have been divided among the six orthodox sects.
Later, with the rise of the Golden Silkworm Association, they managed to secure a few slots in every session, sending disciples in to hunt for treasures due to their massive wealth.
Now, the Golden Silkworm Association has also become a regular guest in the Immaculate Realm.
Among the famous sects in the north of Great Cloud, only the Devil Music Sect does not have an official slot. As the only demonic sect in Great Cloud, the Devil Music Sect is kept in check by the Green Thunder Sect and does not dare to act recklessly. However, demonic cultivators manage to infiltrate the Immaculate Realm in each session, and the six major sects turn a blind eye to this.
After all, completely barring demonic cultivators would inevitably provoke the Devil Music Sect into a fierce retaliation, which would result in a loss that outweighs the gain. In the north of Great Cloud, aside from the Green Thunder Sect, no other sect is a match for the Devil Music Sect.
Initially, the Immaculate Realm was perilous, and countless disciples lost their lives. Afterward, each sect drew its unique map of the Immaculate Realm, marking dangerous zones. The death toll of disciples entering the Immaculate Realm then began to drop rapidly.
However, after thousands of years of treasure hunting, the output from the Immaculate Realm has become increasingly scarce, which resulted in an unexpected increase in the number of disciple deaths.
The six orthodox sects naturally understand this situation. It's just that the sects are fighting amongst themselves for the limited heavenly and earthly treasures in the Immaculate Realm, especially the Heavenly Creation Fluid, where every time, some Foundation Establishment stage cultivators fall.
Because death in the Immaculate Realm leaves no proof, killing for treasures happens frequently.
The six orthodox sects keep silent on this matter, and it has even evolved into an unwritten competition.
The number of disciples returning from the Immaculate Realm and the number of treasures obtained have become indicators for measuring the strength of the sects.
On this day, the top fifty on the Heaven List and ten elite Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered at the Purple Sun Platform.
Among them, nine are strong cultivators at the late stage of the Foundation Establishment, who are the main forces in the Immaculate Realm. In contrast, Xu Zimo's master, Cheng Yuhuan, seems quite out of place.
Shu Han, from the Qi Refining team, looked at Cheng Yuhuan. This was his first time seeing him since the Floating Fragrance Pavilion banquet.
Through the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye technique, he immediately felt that something was off about Cheng Yuhuan. This feeling was exactly the same as he had with Ren Tianyi that day.
He was disguised as a demonic cultivator!
Shu Han felt a chill in his heart. No wonder Cheng Yuhuan had been acting strange for the past half a year, even Liu Wanchang was shutting out. Most likely, the real Cheng Yuhuan was in grave danger.
He sighed in his heart, the two top-notch magic tools in his storage bag were given by Cheng Yuhuan before he ran into trouble.
At that time, Cheng Yuhuan thought he was about to hit the jackpot and was unusually generous. However, who would have thought that this unexpected slot in the Immaculate Realm would become a death sentence?
Now, reporting him would definitely be useless. Since this demonic cultivator could infiltrate the Foundation Establishment team, it suggested there were insiders among the Golden Core higher-ups of the Purple Sun Sect.
Rashly reporting it might put him in a disadvantageous position.
"It seems that I need to be wary of this person in the Immaculate Realm!"
At this moment, a purple light descended from the peak of the Purple Sun Mountain.
An elderly man, wearing a purple crown, stood in the air above the Purple Sun Platform. Although he was already old and decrepit, the aura and pressure he brought were the strongest apart from Master Mystical Dragon, several times stronger than a full-fledged Shangguan Ruolin.
This was the number one cultivator of Purple Sun Sect, the Sect Leader, Master Purple Sun, a peak Golden Core cultivator.
He waved his sleeve, and several purple lights shot out from his cuff. Each Foundation Establishment cultivator received a token.
"This is the transmission token. Each of you will take five Qi Refining cultivators with you. Note that entering the Immaculate Realm through the token, teams holding different tokens will be randomly transmitted to the periphery of the Immaculate Realm. Ten days later, our Purple Sun Sect's transmission array will appear at the Kun position of the periphery, lasting for three days. Make sure not to miss the exit date!"
As expected, during the team division, Shu Han was assigned to Cheng Yuhuan's team, as they were master and disciple on the surface.
Cheng Yuhuan patted Shu Han on the shoulder with a smile, "Don't worry, your master will take good care of you inside."
The disciples in the same team all cast envious glances at Shu Han.
Shu Han couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. Envious of what? If only they knew!
Seeing that the teams had lined up, Master Purple Sun continued: "The main task of the Qi Refining disciples is to collect the rare medicinal herbs growing in the periphery of the Immaculate Realm. Do not overstep your boundaries and venture into the core of the Immaculate Realm. Those who perform well will receive my personal baptism to the Foundation Establishment."
"Foundation Establishment disciples, your main target is the Heavenly Creation Fluid in the core area! No need for me to elaborate on the effects of Heavenly Creation Fluid. If you are fortunate enough to acquire it, the Heavenly Creation Fluid will be used on you, greatly increasing the chance of our Purple Sun Sect gaining another Golden Core master!"
"Another thing to note, all disciples, must give way to the disciples of the Green Thunder Sect in the Immaculate Realm. If they have already acquired a treasure, do not harbor any thoughts of snatching it, as this could harm the unity between the Purple Sun Sect and the Green Thunder Sect."
Shu Han listened and couldn't help but be amazed at the influence of the Green Thunder Sect. Even within the Immaculate Realm, they had to make way for them. No wonder, in every Immaculate Realm event, the Green Thunder Sect always obtained the most Heavenly Creation Fluid.
This was understandable. After all, all the orthodox sects in the north of the Great Cloud were affiliated with the Green Thunder Sect. According to Shangguan Ruolin, a single Nascent Soul cultivator could sweep all other sects in the north of the Great Cloud.
After the late stage of the Golden Core, three flowers bloom on the top of the head. Once the three flowers bloom, a Nascent Soul can be formed. The lifespan exceeds ten thousand years, the spiritual power is boundless, and the body experiences a second rejuvenation, breaking out of its cocoon to be young again.
Many prodigies in the world get stuck at this Nascent Soul stage. It takes great opportunities and great effort to achieve.
In the north of the Great Cloud, if it were not for the protection of the Nascent Soul ancestors of the Green Thunder Sect, all the orthodox sects would be swept away by the demon sects.
Shu Han, standing behind Cheng Yuhuan, was calculating in his heart how to deal with this demonic cultivator in the Immaculate Realm. Given that he was sent to the Purple Sun Sect, his cultivation was certainly not below Gui Li.
At this time, his real body and Shangguan Ruolin were hiding in a jade pendant on his chest. This was Shangguan Ruolin's treasure, the Universe As Wish, which could hide living beings and conceal their aura.
Originally, Shu Han intended to pass through the gate by using the Heaven-Earth Transformation Technique with his main body and leaving his avatar in the Purple Sun Sect.
But he was not skilled enough in this technique, and he was afraid that Master Purple Sun would see through it at a glance. His main body could only sneak through by hiding in the Universe As Wish.
Suddenly, Elder Purple Sun shouted: "The time has come! Open the passage!"
He made a hand seal, and his original Golden Core wrapped in the illusory three flowers rushed out of his body. A purple light surged up from the Purple Sun Platform.
At this time, purple lights also shot out from the other peaks. Those were the other Golden Core elders of the Purple Sun Sect. Their Golden Core energy was resonating with the spiritual power of the Sect Leader. At this moment, a huge array was slowly forming at the top of the Purple Sun Sect.
Suddenly, a void passage slowly opened in the array.
The Sect Leader shouted: "The passage to the Immaculate Realm is open, enter quickly!"