Yu Ci was acutely aware of his own abilities and talents.
Perhaps his swordplay lacked form, but years of life-and-death combat had honed in him a spirit capable of uniting hand, eye, heart, and gall with the momentum of the sword. A thousand swords, ten thousand swords, all were one sword to him. As long as he trusted the sword in his hand, it was enough!
He showed no intention of clearing a path, relying instead on his absolute confidence in his own judgment under extreme life-or-death conditions to tear through the wind. He brushed past the venomous trajectory of the green light, like a ball of fire without a physical form, plunging down.
Viper Monk could only perceive a blur before his eyes as Yu Ci, bearing intense flames, rushed into the Central Palace with the same ferocious close-quarters swordsmanship that he had witnessed before. The monk's slender eyes nearly burst open, a shrill scream squeezed from his throat as a void of knife light appeared. The Golden Knife he had just snatched two days ago flew around his body. Even though he hadn't fully mastered it yet, he didn't care.
Yu Ci had seen him steal Ye Tu's Golden Knife with his own eyes; how could he not be prepared? Although his attack was fierce, he still had some energy left. Seeing the Golden Knife appear, he immediately exploded with power. The Flame Sword Blade made a slight swing, no longer a frontal thrust, but slightly off angle.
With a great clanging sound, the Golden Knife flew off. Yu Ci's body almost grazed the cliff wall as he crashed into Viper Monk's Central Palace. The violently trembling Flame Sword Blade grazed diagonally across Viper Monk's chest and abdomen. Still, due to the severe shock from colliding with the Golden Knife, it only left a shallow cut before naturally extinguishing and reverting to its wooden blunt form.
Viper Monk cried out in pain as a palm struck down.
In this brief moment, Yu Ci half-turned his body. While partially deflecting the palm strike, he rammed his shoulder hard into the wound on Monk's chest. This was a direct manifestation of his precise and swift bodily reactions, as well as a mad act of disregarding the abyss below.
Viper Monk hadn't expected such decisiveness from him. Caught off guard, his chest felt suffocated from the impact. The vital energies protecting both parties vibrated intensely. Amidst the changed curses, their bodies almost merged into one and plummeted downwards, right towards Xu Elder below.
After Viper Monk's blockage, Xu Elder had at least three ways to block their path. However, he stepped aside!
"Bastard..." Viper Monk couldn't even muster the strength to curse.
Under Yu Ci's strong impulse, the two fell nearly a hundred feet in an instant, their speed reaching the most dangerous edge. In the process of plummeting like a meteorite, Viper Monk felt as if his chest was about to burst. He desperately wanted to control the Golden Knife to sever the youngster in his arms. But the Golden Knife, having been refined not long ago, was far from being wielded at will. As soon as he was distracted, Yu Ci seized the opportunity. A few heavy punches landed on his face, making his eyes see stars and almost making him cry again.
Monk was seized with rage, yet fear lurked in his heart. Suddenly, a voice rang in his ears, "Quick!"
It was Elder Xu's voice. Simultaneously, he felt a heaviness lift from his chest.
Viper Monk didn't hesitate. He charged towards the cliff wall, using it to slow his momentum. He was lucky enough to slide down about half a mile and find a stable footing. The golden knife that had been above his head fell into his hands. It was then that he saw, through the mist, a long black rope, like a poisonous snake choosing its victim, shooting down from above.
In Yu Ci's hand, the Nine Yang Talisman Sword once again emitted a flame sword blade, accurately striking the front end of the black long rope flying from behind. The sword and rope clashed, the long rope recoiled, poised to pounce again, but was forced back by Yu Ci's Nine Yang Fire Sword's flaming wave. However, Yu Ci's cultivation was not as profound as his opponent's. His body trembled and he slid down a distance before regaining his balance, ending up slightly lower than Viper Monk.
Elder Xu also rushed down from the top of the cliff wall, catching the returning long rope. Seeing Yu Ci preparing to exert force again, he quickly shouted, "Hold him off for a while!"
"What the hell do you think you are..." Viper Monk wanted to curse, but he quickly saw Elder Xu muttering incantations and a grey-white fire light suddenly enveloped his body and transitioned to the long rope in his hand. Swallowing the curse in his throat, Viper Monk realized that Elder Xu was preparing to strike at this crucial moment.
He knew his priorities and was aware of his injuries. If he angered Elder Xu, he might really die in this Sky Rift Valley. He spat disdainfully and braced himself to face the sword light fired by Yu Ci. But he dared not let the unrefined golden knife fly up and slash people anymore. He just honestly blocked the only path with the golden knife, blocking Yu Ci's way.
In the blink of an eye, the positions of the three had completely reversed. Yu Ci had gone from a superior position to having to attack upward. But he was not afraid at all. Viper Monk had lost his confidence under his attack - such a person was not worth worrying about. It was Elder Xu who had a good grasp of timing and was adept at using momentum - he was more clever than Viper Monk!
Just as he was thinking, Elder Xu made his move again, unleashing the same long rope as before. However, this time, a faint ash-white flame flickered atop its jet-black surface. Elder Xu stood firm on a high point, his fingers forming a seal. The rope flew around as if it had a mind of its own, a method of attack that Yu Ci was witnessing for the first time.
Monk Viper swiftly moved upward, increasing the distance between them. At the same time, he exclaimed in admiration, "What a splendid Spirit Trap Rope and Rotting Soul Fire!"
The flying rope, akin to a giant python, coiled downwards. It was not a whip strike but seemed intent on binding Yu Ci. Upon hearing Monk Viper's praise and seeing the ash-white flames on the rope, Yu Ci had no intention of testing it with his body. He took a deep breath and suddenly leapt towards the side into the mist.
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No one knew the terrain better than Yu Ci. He was in the area where he usually harvested Shrimp Whisker Grass. The cliff wall was filled with crevices he had dug out, providing ample footholds. After leveraging off two points, his speed had reached its limit. Meanwhile, the rope followed him like a shadow, even faster than him. The tip of the rope had already overtaken him, curling inwards.
Yu Ci quickly glanced at it, getting a close look at the ash-white flame. So this was the Rotting Soul Fire?
The ash-white flame burned fiercely, yet there was no heat to be felt. The Black Long Rope showed no signs of burning either. However, wherever the rope passed, black spots appeared on the surface of the cliff wall that it touched closely. It didn't resemble fire; it looked more like poison. Within the flames were countless twisted patterns. Looking closer, what were those patterns? They were clearly semi-transparent images of countless creatures, maintaining their forms from when they were alive, struggling and wailing within the flames. Yu Ci couldn't hear any sound, but a malevolent intent that shook his Divine Soul penetrated him.
Without hesitation, just before he touched the third foothold, he violently stepped on the cliff wall. His power no longer directed upwards but flung him far away from the foothold and the cliff wall, casting himself into the boundless mist. The moment he made this move, the rope also contracted inwards, making it appear as if the rope had forced him out.
Yu Ci's leap was too forceful; he was completely suspended in mid-air with nothing within five meters to leverage off. As his momentum was about to run out, he inevitably started to fall.
"Excellent!" Monk Viper shouted joyfully, his face lit up with delight. Elder Xu above also revealed a smile. His pursuit with the Spirit Trap Rope from the inside was precisely for this outcome; everything was under his control.
In stark contrast to Monk Viper's cheer, a surprised shout suddenly came from somewhere on the cliff wall. This shout attracted Monk Viper and Elder Xu's attention. They turned to look and saw through the mist a vague silhouette on a slope protruding from the cliff wall in that direction.
The one who cried out in surprise was Ye Tu. Unbeknownst to him, the fight had moved near the slope. The young man, though he did not participate, observed the fierce battle with keen eyes and ears. His breath was held in suspense as he watched Uncle Yu being forced away from the cliff wall. Overwhelmed with shock and horror, he involuntarily cried out, revealing his presence.
Viper Monk, who was closer to Elder Xu, paused at the sight, then sneered coldly. "So it's you, boy. You're quite lucky to be alive..."
As he spoke, he noticed the spacious area on the slope and prepared to seize it. However, at that moment, a bright light suddenly appeared in the misty valley.
Yu Ci, who was about to be overwhelmed by the fog, raised his hand. The Spirit Talisman in his palm exploded, and a thick, shallow purple thunderbolt like a dragon burst through the clouds. The moment it rose into the sky, it exploded with a hum, spreading like a branching tree across half of the sky. The first to bear the brunt was the Spirit Trap Rope at the bottom, and the gray-white fire clinging to it did not last half a breath before being annihilated by the thunderbolt.
It was not until then that the rolling thunder echoed through the canyon, stirring the clouds and surging like a sea.
Five-Thunder Talismans!
The Five-Thunder Talismans that Yu Ci used were from the "Shangqing Star Secret Talisman Book", which is the general outline of all thunder methods. It uses thunder patterns to fill oneself with energy, connecting with the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth, controlling the power of thunder. It can command ghosts and gods, summon wind and rain, and strike down evil spirits. It is indeed the nemesis of all Yin evil spirits.
He had noticed earlier that the so-called Rotting Soul Fire was a kind of evil fire born from burning resentful spirits and fierce ghosts. This pre-prepared Five-Thunder Talismans was just right. The moment the gray-white fire went out, the Black Long Rope fell into the valley like a dead snake. Still ten yards away, Elder Xu sensed this through his Qi and cursed while clutching his chest:
"Zheng De Bald Monk, which eye of yours saw him as from White Sun Mansion?"
Viper Monk wanted to answer, but after the roaring thunderbolt annihilated the long rope, it surged upwards. He was distracted by Ye Tu and Elder Xu and didn't react in time. The thunderbolt hit him directly, causing him to scream in pain. His entire body was charred black, his skin split open, and only by protecting his heart with pure True Qi did he avoid immediate death.
This certainly doesn't seem like something White Sun Mansion would do...
This thought flashed through his mind just as he heard the young man on the slope cheering. To his ears, this cheer was an ominous sound.
He had barely opened his eyes that were nearly blinded by the thunderbolt when he almost popped his eyeballs out of shock: In the rolling clouds, the "White Sun Mansion youngster" seemed to be climbing a Heavenly Ladder, stepping on the clouds and coming towards him. The glaring fire forced the Monk to squint his eyes again. He instinctively wanted to raise his knife to block, but he couldn't lift it. A red line appeared in front of his eyes, followed by complete darkness.
With a single stroke, Yu Ci wiped out half of Viper Monk's head, disregarding the sight of his brain boiling. Amidst the laughter, his figure didn't pause for a moment, stepping on clouds and soaring straight up.
White smoke and crane feathers floated like a divine being, clouds forming under his feet as fast as the wind.
The descriptions of the ancients were fitting at this moment. This was the third talisman Yu Ci had prepared: the Godspeed Talisman!
Possessed by the Spirit Talisman, it was as if he had grown wings, carried by the clouds. The short-lived ability to hover in the air was something Yu Ci had discovered just a few days ago when he used the Godspeed Talisman to travel. Using it in the Sky Rift Valley was most appropriate.
After having two of his companions consecutively defeated, Elder Xu already felt fear. Even though he still held the advantage of terrain, his most powerful "Spirit Trap Rope" was already destroyed. Continuing the battle would undoubtedly be more perilous than hopeful. Without hesitation, he leapt up, attempting to flee.
Reality told him this was the most foolish choice!
As Yu Ci swung his sword, what initially seemed like a move to gather strength felt incredibly right as he executed it. Everything felt naturally ordained, like an eagle capturing a rabbit or a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey. It was as if an invisible hand from the unknown guided it, tearing through the void.
In that very moment, he felt a warmth at the crown of his head. The "lamp flame", which had not reacted for a long time, suddenly shone brightly. This time, however, it shone beneath the crown of his head, in the Brain Palace, radiating a powerful glow about to burst forth. He felt as if the "lamp flame" illuminated both his body and soul, making his physique seem transparent. At that moment, his Sword Technique, as if being gently strummed by an invisible finger, vibrated with a humming sound. Simultaneously vibrating were the pervasive Primordial Qi inside him and the even deeper soul and intentions.
He wasn't sure which one began vibrating first, but he could distinctly sense that the vibration's frequency was almost identical to when he entered the Nature-Connecting Realm and his Divine Soul oscillated out of his physical body. Eventually, when all the vibrations harmonized, he could no longer distinguish which was the Sword Technique, which was the Primordial Qi, and which was the soul and intentions. Everything converged onto the trajectory of the "Divine Soul".
It sounds complex, but all of this happened in the brief moment of swinging his sword.
In the sky, a thin red line, as fine as a hair, extended, resembling the lightning flash in the void. In front of it, a distance of several meters was no obstacle at all. A flash of blood appeared, and the fleeing Elder Xu was cleaved in half. Amidst the canyon's mist, a stark red smear was left.
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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e