“Hehe, it seems the venerable ancestor is in a hurry to spar with me,” said Shui Miao, staring at Huangquan Ancestor with the boldness of a calf unafraid of tigers. With a thought, he imitated Huangquan Ancestor’s method, transforming his own Phagoling Force into a black robe to wear. With another thought, he further shaped some of the Phagoling Force already wrapped around Huangquan Ancestor into iron chains, tightly binding his hands and feet.
Shui Miao dared to act so brazenly because he knew Huangquan Ancestor hadn’t fully completed his Thunder Soul Body yet.
Transforming Phagoling Force into chains was a test for Huangquan Ancestor.
Unable to move, Huangquan Ancestor looked down at the chains binding him. These chains continued to devour his spirit body. Seeing that he couldn’t intimidate Shui Miao and noticing the Nine Cauldron Furnace had disappeared again, Huangquan Ancestor was furious inside but dared not show it, because he couldn’t gauge Shui Miao’s true strength.
“You really don’t know your place—you’re extremely arrogant!”
After careful consideration, Huangquan Ancestor decided to summon his life-bound treasure—a curved purple saber.
“Heh, it seems Elder Huangquan can’t wait to spar with me.” Looking at Huangquan Laozu, Shui Miao, like a newborn calf unafraid of the tiger, had a sudden idea. He mimicked Huangquan Laozu’s method, transforming his own Soul-Devouring Power into a black robe to wear. With a flicker of intent, he further converted some of the Soul-Devouring Power already wrapped around Huangquan Laozu into chains, firmly binding his hands and feet.
Shui Miao dared to act so boldly because Huangquan Laozu had not yet fully cultivated his Thunder Soul Body.
Transforming the Soul-Devouring Power into chains was a test aimed at Huangquan Laozu.
Unable to move, Huangquan Laozu lowered his head to glance at the chains binding him. These chains were continuously devouring his spirit form. Seeing that he couldn’t intimidate Shui Miao and that the Nine Cauldron Pill Furnace had disappeared, though Huangquan Laozu was seething with anger internally, he didn’t dare show it, as he couldn’t gauge Shui Miao’s true strength.
“You truly have no sense of measure and are utterly arrogant!”
After careful consideration, Huangquan Laozu decided to summon his life-bound treasure—a purple curved blade.
Now that his Yin power was completely depleted, he could only control the spiritual energy of purple lightning.
Moreover, his Thunder Soul Body was not yet fully cultivated, leaving him extremely weak.
This curved blade was his last resort.
He had no other choice but to summon the blade and gamble one final time.
“Whoosh!”
The curved blade flew up, lightly slicing through the “chains.” The Soul-Devouring Power immediately lost its connection with Shui Miao.
“What… what kind of blade is this?”
Shui Miao was greatly astonished, his eyes fixed intently on the curved blade. How could there be a blade capable of severing his connection with immortal power? This was simply unbelievable! But then, Shui Miao used his will to reconnect with the severed Soul-Devouring Power, drawing it all back into his body without detecting any abnormalities.
Even a temporary severance was terrifying enough to imagine.
Just think: during a duel between experts, suddenly bringing out such a blade to cut off the opponent’s connection to the outside world—what effect would that have? And if the blade were to strike the opponent’s spirit body directly, what would happen then?
This curved blade was meant to intimidate, yet it had attracted unwanted attention!
Seeing Shui Miao eyeing his treasured blade, Huangquan Laozu secretly regretted his decision. He finally realized that this young man was not someone easily fooled—he was even greedier than a wolf, and his goal might very well be to kill him.
Huangquan Laozu didn’t dare use the curved blade against Shui Miao, as his Yin power could only sustain the blade for one or two moves at most.
The chances of successfully killing his opponent were minuscule.
If he failed, it would expose his fatal weakness—insufficient Yin power.
Thus, Huangquan Laozu didn’t dare take the risk and could only continue his empty fort strategy.
“Young friend, it seems you like this curved blade, don’t you?” Huangquan Laozu prepared to reluctantly part with it.
Shui Miao’s eyes lit up. “Could it be that Elder Huangquan intends to gift this blade to me?”
“I can give it to you, but you must hand over the spiritual energy. I have no shortage of treasures, and I don’t wish to engage in a fierce battle with you. Once I fully cultivate my Thunder Soul Body, I will ascend to the immortal realm. I’ve long grown weary of the trivial matters of the mortal world. Since fate has brought us together, I might as well give you the Nine Cauldron Pill Furnace as well.” Huangquan Laozu spoke in a tone that suggested he had seen through the vanity of life and cared about nothing.
“Be careful—it might be a trick!”
Lao Cai grew more and more confused. How could Huangquan Laozu be so generous?
Shui Miao, however, nodded. “Elder Huangquan speaks wisely. It’s just a pity that the Nine Cauldron Pill Furnace seems to have been taken by someone else. But if Elder Huangquan is willing to gift me this curved blade, such kindness will be forever engraved in my heart!” Shui Miao put on an act, appearing perfectly satisfied with just obtaining the curved blade.
“Very well. Then hand over the spiritual energy first?” Huangquan Laozu nodded.
Worried that Huangquan Laozu might be scheming, Lao Cai quickly interjected, “Give us the blade first.”
“Heh, Elder Huangquan, since you have no shortage of treasures, why not give me the curved blade first?” Shui Miao grinned, adopting the bargaining demeanor of a cunning merchant.
“Fine then…”
Huangquan Laozu’s heart bled, but he had no choice but to toss the curved blade to Lao Cai.
Lao Cai took the blade and examined it. “Huangquan Laozu, it seems you’ve forgotten to erase the soul imprint inside the blade.”
“Whoosh!”
Huangquan Laozu’s face darkened. With a wave of his hand, the blade’s luster instantly dimmed.
Only then did Lao Cai nod, handing the curved blade to Shui Miao.
Shui Miao took the blade, looked it over, and then placed it in Lao Cai’s hands, saying politely, “Lao Cai, you should keep this blade. I’ve already gained a lot of spiritual energy, while you’ve gotten nothing.”
“No, no, I don’t want the blade. I already have a good knife. You take it.” Lao Cai hurriedly waved his hands, insistently pushing the blade back to Shui Miao.
Shui Miao took the blade, and the two began politely urging it upon each other again…
In secret, Shui Miao and Lao Cai communicated telepathically, using this back-and-forth to buy time and figure out what game Huangquan Laozu was playing. Their endless polite refusals made Huangquan Laozu increasingly anxious. His Thunder Soul Body still needed some spiritual energy, and if this dragged on, it would require even more. Finally, unable to contain his anger, Huangquan Laozu roared, “Enough! Give me the spiritual energy now!”
“…”
Shui Miao and Lao Cai exchanged a glance, paused for a moment, and then resumed their polite refusals.
They’re ignoring me!
Huangquan Laozu felt utterly deceived, his spirit on the verge of collapse. He wondered what sin he had committed in a past life to cross paths with these two deadly troublemakers. It seemed his painstakingly laid plans were about to be ruined by these two wretched fools!
Suddenly, Shui Miao stopped and spoke to Huangquan Laozu with utmost seriousness, “By the way, Elder Huangquan, there are two of us, and one treasure isn’t enough to share! Since you have no shortage of treasures, why not give us one more?”
“…”
Hearing this, Lao Cai was stunned. Was Shui Miao trying to anger Huangquan Laozu to death?
Huangquan Laozu had reached his limit but forced himself to endure.
His face flushed red, yet he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
After a long silence, Huangquan Laozu nodded. With immensely complex emotions, he said bitterly, “Fine! Very well! I never thought that I, Huangquan Laozu, who has dominated both the mortal and spirit realms for centuries, would meet my end today at the hands of two nameless nobodies! So be it! I will self-destruct my Yin spirit and perish together with you! I have thirteen life talismans hidden across this world. One day, I will return to torment you two wretched, damned grandsons!”
Huangquan Laozu had reached despair—he was going to self-destruct!
Hearing this, Shui Miao quickly grabbed Lao Cai’s hand and transmitted a mental message: “Escape through the clouds above!”
Shui Miao had long planned an escape route but hadn’t informed Lao Cai until now.
At the same time, Shui Miao imprinted his soul mark on the curved blade, causing it to instantly turn black!
Without another word, Lao Cai immediately flew upward with Shui Miao. Mid-air, Shui Miao slashed three times at Huangquan Laozu, who was lunging toward them, forcefully driving him back.
Once they reached the clouds, Shui Miao swung the curved blade repeatedly, disrupting the formation and carving out an escape route.
He doesn’t even know how to use wind-riding magic!?
Have I truly been ruined by a mere youngster?
Seeing Shui Miao’s clumsy movements, entirely reliant on the ghost official for flight, Huangquan Laozu was overcome with a sense of inexplicable shame. Overwhelming hatred drove him to chase after Shui Miao at all costs…
Even if it meant perishing together, he had to wash away this immense humiliation!
Moreover, since his Thunder Soul Body wasn’t fully cultivated yet, he was very weak.
This curved saber was his last hope.
With no other choice, he summoned the saber for one final gamble.
“Xiu!”
The saber flew up and lightly sliced through the “chains.” Instantly, the Phagoling Force lost contact with Shui Miao.
“What? What kind of saber is this?”
Shui Miao was greatly shocked. His eyes locked onto the saber. Could it actually sever his connection with his spiritual power? That was simply unbelievable! But immediately afterward, Shui Miao reestablished contact with the severed Phagoling Force through his mind, drawing it all back into his body without detecting anything unusual.
Even this brief disconnection was terrifying enough.
Just imagine—if during a battle between experts, one suddenly produced such a saber to sever the opponent’s connection to the outside world, what would be the result? And what if it sliced directly into the opponent’s soul?
This curved saber was meant to intimidate people, but now it had been taken!
Seeing Shui Miao staring at his treasure saber, Huangquan Ancestor secretly regretted his decision. He finally realized this young man wasn’t easy to fool—he was as greedy as a wolf, possibly intending to kill him.
Huangquan Ancestor dared not use the saber against Shui Miao because his Yin energy could barely sustain the saber for one or two moves at most.
The chance of successfully killing the opponent was extremely slim.
If he failed, it would expose his fatal weakness—insufficient Yin energy.
Therefore, Huangquan Ancestor dared not take the risk and could only continue his bluff.
“Little brother, you seem to like this curved saber, huh?” Huangquan Ancestor prepared to reluctantly part with it.
Shui Miao’s eyes lit up. “Could it be the venerable ancestor wishes to give this saber to me?”
“I can give it to you, but you must hand over your spiritual energy. I’m not short of treasures, and I don’t want to fight with you because after cultivating my Thunder Soul Body, I will ascend to the Immortal Realm. I’m already tired of worldly affairs. Since we have such a fortunate connection, I’ll even give you the Nine Cauldron Furnace,” Huangquan Ancestor said with the tone of someone who had seen through worldly matters and no longer cared about anything.
“Be careful—he’s probably lying!”
The more Old Cai watched, the more confused he became. How could Huangquan Ancestor be so generous?
Shui Miao nodded. “What the venerable ancestor says makes sense. Unfortunately, the Nine Cauldron Furnace seems to have already been taken by someone else. But venerable ancestor, if you’re willing to give me this curved saber, I will always remember your kindness!” Shui Miao pretended to be completely satisfied with just obtaining the saber.
“Mm, very well, then hand over your spiritual energy first,” Huangquan Ancestor nodded.
Worried Huangquan Ancestor might be deceiving them, Old Cai quickly shouted, “Hand over the saber first!”
“Hehe, venerable ancestor, since you’re not short of treasures, why don’t you give me the saber first?” Shui Miao grinned, bargaining like a shrewd merchant.
“Fine then…”
Huangquan Ancestor’s heart bled as he reluctantly tossed the saber to Old Cai.
Old Cai examined the saber and said, “Huangquan Ancestor, you seem to have forgotten to erase your soul imprint inside the saber.”
“Whoosh!”
Huangquan Ancestor’s face darkened. He waved his hand, and the saber’s luster immediately dimmed.
Only then did Old Cai nod and hand the saber to Shui Miao.
Shui Miao took the saber, examined it, then handed it to Old Cai, politely saying, “Old Cai, you take this saber. I’ve already obtained a lot of spiritual energy, but you haven’t gotten anything.”
“No no no, I don’t want it. I already have a good saber. You keep it,” Old Cai quickly waved his hands, pushing the saber back to Shui Miao.
Shui Miao took the saber again and began pushing it back and forth with Old Cai…
Secretly, Shui Miao and Old Cai communicated telepathically to waste time and observe what trickery Huangquan Ancestor was planning. Therefore, the two deliberately kept pushing the saber back and forth endlessly. Huangquan Ancestor watched anxiously—his Thunder Soul Body still required some spiritual energy, and if this continued for too long, he would have to consume even more spiritual energy. Finally, Huangquan Ancestor couldn’t take it anymore and angrily roared, “Enough! Hand over the spiritual energy now!”
…
Shui Miao and Old Cai exchanged glances, paused briefly, then resumed their endless pushing and refusing.
They actually ignored me!
Huangquan Ancestor felt deceived, his mind nearly collapsing. He couldn’t understand what sins he had committed in his past life to encounter these two deadly bastards. It seemed his painstakingly crafted plan would be ruined by these two bastards’ hands!
Suddenly, Shui Miao stopped, looking serious as he addressed Huangquan Ancestor, “Oh right, venerable ancestor, there are two of us, but this one treasure isn’t enough to share. Since you’re not short of treasures, why don’t you give us another one?”
…
Upon hearing this, even Old Cai was stunned. Was Shui Miao trying to anger Huangquan Ancestor to death?
Huangquan Ancestor could no longer bear it but still had to suppress his anger forcefully.
His face turned red, but he couldn’t utter a word.
After a long while, Huangquan Ancestor nodded, his heart filled with complex emotions as he painfully said, “Fine! How well you’ve treated me! I, Huangquan Ancestor, have roamed between the realms of life and death for centuries, yet today I’m ruined by you two unknown brats! Fine then, I’ll self-destruct my Yin Soul and take you both with me! Anyway, I’ve hidden thirteen Life Talismans in this world. One day, I will return to torment you two bastard grandchildren!”
Desperate, Huangquan Ancestor prepared to self-destruct!
Upon hearing this, Shui Miao immediately grabbed Old Cai’s hand and telepathically transmitted, “Escape through the clouds above!”
Shui Miao had already planned his escape route but hadn’t informed Old Cai beforehand.
At the same time, Shui Miao inscribed his soul imprint onto the curved saber, which instantly turned black!
Without hesitation, Old Cai immediately carried Shui Miao and flew upward. Shui Miao slashed three consecutive strikes at the charging Huangquan Ancestor midair, forcing him back.
Once inside the clouds, Shui Miao continuously swung the curved saber, destroying the formation and carving out an escape route.
He actually doesn’t even know the Wind Riding Technique!?
Seeing Shui Miao’s clumsy movements, completely dependent on ghostly assistance for flight, Huangquan Ancestor’s heart surged with sudden shame. His boundless hatred drove him to recklessly chase after Shui Miao…
Even if it meant mutual destruction, he would wash away this humiliation!
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