Translator: Cinder Translations
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Daoist Qingyan, who had not made a move until now, suddenly summoned her Longevity and fiercely attacked.
The sword light was like frost, tearing through the gusts of wind, emitting sharp sounds of breaking air as it slashed at the barrier of the "Four Symbols Array."
The barrier suddenly shattered! It transformed into countless points of light, dissipating into the air.
"Puff!"
With the array broken, Su Qian spat out a mouthful of fresh, crimson blood, staining the array disk before him. His internal power surged wildly like a flood breaking through a dam.
Su Qian's figure fell from mid-air, crashing to the ground, his breath becoming weak and feeble, as if he were on the verge of death.
Daoist Qingyan's face was pale, her power depleted, but she felt elated as she stepped toward the Ironback Turtle.
The Ironback Turtle had been exposed to the gusts for too long, suffering severe injuries, and was now gasping for breath.
Daoist Qingyan stored the Ironback Turtle in her spirit beast pouch, allowing it to recover slowly.
"Hahaha... Su Qian, you're too old, so old that even fully exerting your power can cause your body to collapse."
Daoist Qingyan laughed triumphantly as she flew toward Su Qian, preparing to capture him.
Suddenly!
Two flying swords, one in front and one behind, slashed toward her.
Su Qian had been defeated, but there were still others from the Su family.
These two flying swords came from the family head Su Anqing and the elder Su Wenshi.
Daoist Qingyan, wielding her Longevity, slashed down at the flying swords in front of her.
The flying sword ahead was cleaved away and sent flying far.
At the same time, a magical shield lit up behind her, blocking the flying sword that came from behind.
The shield blocked the flying sword, but the injury she sustained was too severe, and her remaining power was limited; she stumbled slightly, nearly toppled by the flying sword.
Having suffered a loss at the hands of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Daoist Qingyan felt humiliated and furious.
"Just two mere Foundation Establishment cultivators dare to attack me!"
As she prepared to command her Longevity to slay the two, she saw over twenty flying swords coming at her in formation from mid-air.
Daoist Qingyan's heart trembled; under normal circumstances, the combined attack of over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't harm her in the slightest. However, given her current state, it was somewhat difficult to withstand.
The Longevity in her hand danced in a flurry.
"Clang clang clang clang..." The resonant sounds of sword clashes echoed continuously.
Some flying swords were cleaved in one strike by the Longevity; others were knocked far away.
"Thinking of killing me? It's not that easy."
After repelling all the flying swords, Daoist Qingyan felt a surge of determination in her heart. She activated the little remaining power she had, and the Longevity soared into the air like an azure dragon in the sea, the killing intent soaring.
In just a few breaths, aside from a few Su family Foundation Establishment cultivators who fled at the first sign of danger, all fifteen remaining Su family cultivators were slain.
As Daoist Qingyan killed those from the Su family, Su Anqing and Su Wenshi naturally would not remain indifferent.
Their flying swords continuously slashed at Daoist Qingyan.
She used her magical shield to withstand their attacks, but she severely underestimated her injuries.
Although the two flying swords did not break through the magical shield, the immense impact further injured her already severely wounded body.
The Longevity returned to her hand, and she slashed down at the flying sword coming from behind.
Due to her severe injuries, her magical power was not flowing smoothly, and at that moment, the magical shield suddenly shattered.
Another flying sword descended, landing on her right hand that held the sword, severing her forearm with a snap.
Without giving Daoist Qingyan any chance to breathe, the flying swords changed direction and aimed for her heart.
The flying sword pierced in just an inch but could advance no further.
Daoist Qingyan's left hand firmly gripped the sword's body. The fierce sword aura from the flying sword instantly shredded her palm, leaving it bloodied and mangled.
But to survive, she could only hold on tightly, not daring to loosen her grip even a little.
The previously knocked-back flying sword came charging back, aiming at her head.
Just as it seemed Daoist Qingyan was about to perish, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Stop!"
Su Anqing turned his head to look in the direction of the voice, puzzled as he asked, "Elder, why don't you let me kill this woman?"
"First, sever her limbs. Then we will discuss further."
"Alright!"
Although he didn't know what Su Wenshi was planning, Su Anqing still obeyed, commanding the flying sword to cut off all of Daoist Qingyan's limbs, turning her into a human pig.
The flying sword pierced through Daoist Qingyan's abdomen multiple times, leaving her barely clinging to life.
Only then did Su Anqing fly closer, using spiritual power to seal her wounds to prevent her from dying from her severe injuries.
Su Anqing looked at Su Wenshi and said, "Can we talk now?"
Su Wenshi replied, "Killing her would be a waste of her cultivation."
Su Anqing glanced at the nearly unconscious ancestor, Su Qian, his tone filled with desolation.
"The ancestor is in such poor condition that he might find it difficult to activate the 'Devouring Origin Array'; the plan to extend his life has failed."
Su Wenshi said, "You're foolish! Why must it only be Su Qian who devours the origin to extend his life? Why can't you and I break through our bottlenecks and condense our Golden Core? Su Qian extending his life can only add another sixty years; he can only protect the Su family for that long. If you and I can condense our Golden Core, we can at least protect the Su family for over two hundred years."
Hearing this, Su Anqing's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"But we don't understand the controlling techniques of the 'Devouring Origin Array.'"
Su Wenshi said, "You underestimate me too much. I have been beside Su Qian, serving him for many years; did I truly gain nothing?"
"There was one time when Su Qian was careless and left the 'Longevity Token' in the wooden hut when he went out; I took the opportunity to recreate a copy."
"Although I haven't fully comprehended the mysteries of the 'Devouring Origin Array,' the devouring process is already more than halfway done; we just need to complete the final step. I believe I can still finish that last step."
Su Anqing looked deeply at Su Wenshi, feeling somewhat shocked by his scheming.
He actually dared to plot against his own Golden Core ancestor!
Su Wenshi was indeed ready to go to any lengths to condense his Golden Core.
"It seems you've been planning this for many years!"
Su Wenshi said, "To those loose cultivators, we, the Golden Core families, seem to have boundless glory, but we are well aware of the hardships within."
"The restrictions imposed by the major orthodox sects on cultivation families are no less than those on loose cultivators. Among all Golden Core families, there are generally no more than three strong Golden Core cultivators, and most are only in the early to mid stages of Golden Core."
"You and I have cultivated to the peak of Foundation Establishment for many years but have yet to have the opportunity to condense our Golden Core. Isn't it because the rich spiritual energy in blessed lands, the numerous treasures in ancient secret realms, the rare and precious various mines, and profound cultivation techniques are all firmly held by the major sects?"
"Our cultivation families can only fight for resources that they look down upon. If you and I want to condense our Golden Core, we must seize every opportunity."
"I'm already over two hundred years old, and it's impossible to rely solely on my own cultivation to condense my Golden Core. If I want to prolong my life, I must adopt some extraordinary means. Su Anqing, the opportunity to condense the Golden Core is right in front of us; will you cooperate with me or not? Give me a straightforward answer."
Su Anqing pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I agree. What should we do?"
Su Wenshi's gaze swept over Su Qian and Daoist Qingyan. "First, throw these two into the eastern area of the 'Devouring Origin Array.' You and I will each hold the main and auxiliary array disks, sitting at the center of the array. Then, I will tell you how to activate the array disk."
(End of the Chapter)
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