The words echoed in his ears, Yu Ci, narrowly avoiding having his head lopped off by Di She's sword.
What a close call with the Sword Embryo!
He hadn't expected this female cultivator from Half Mountain Island to say the same thing. Mirage Light Sword Embryo? Even when he was being pursued and attacked by four Golden Elixir cultivators, Yu Ci's face hadn't changed much. But now, his face was so gloomy it seemed to be dripping water.
Was the thing in his Dantian Organ really the Sword Embryo?
He knew that the Sword Embryo and the Golden Elixir, although both symbols of the Golden Elixir Stage, had significant differences. This involved his Taoist Foundation, future development direction, and even his way out. At least from Yu Ci's current understanding, if he had inexplicably Formed a Sword Embryo, the disadvantages would outweigh the benefits—Old Master Zhu's golden advice was not just empty words.
However, Yu Ci had a second thought and felt something was wrong. Back in Sky Rift Valley, Ye Tu had explained in detail to him that to form a Sword Embryo, one needed the skill of "Cultivating Swords". This involved capturing Sword Weapons, nurturing the Essence of Geng Metal, and stimulating Sha energy, all of which were extremely complex; how could he, in his current state of confusion, succeed?
He knew his own situation best. Although he was in an unusually good state at the moment, and there was an Aura Transformation forming at the center of his Dantian Organ, showing some signs of the "Mechanism of the Cauldron", it was still a bit away from the harmonious integration of water and fire, the interaction of dragon and tiger, and the embrace of divine energy. Moreover, he had previously focused on the "Primordial Root Qi Method", without any intention of Forming a Golden Elixir or a Sword Womb. Such transformative cultivation didn't allow for the slightest distraction...
As he pondered, he even ignored Su Yu's surprise call at his Half-Mountain Mirage Sword Intent.
At this moment, Di She finally showed his great reputation in the north was no fluke. Facing the formidable opponent Su Yu, he used the "Polar Light Secret Sword". A ghastly green light shone from the sword, and a long hissing sound echoed in the air.
The Light Demon Sect might only be considered second-rate within the Demon Sect System. However, their unique skill of manipulating light and shadow to harm others invisibly, the "Polar Light Primordial Magnetism", was top-notch secret knowledge of the Demonic Sect. When Di She, with his Advanced Stage of Golden Elixir Cultivation, activated it, although it wasn't as lethal as the legendary "kill on sight", wherever the Sword Light passed, the magnetic force it exerted could deplete the opponent's flesh and Primordial Qi, making it extremely insidious.
At this moment, Di She took advantage of the crowd, first entangling Su Yu, then launching a distant attack with Sword Energy. With a single sword thrust, Su Yu's Azure Water Sword Energy, though pure, gradually could not withstand it. A stream of Primordial Magnetic Sword Flow shot down, tearing a large hole in the Sword Energy as if boiling water were melting snow.
Seeing that they were at a disadvantage again, Yu Ci was distracted, urging the Fish-Dragon to probe the situation while also attempting to communicate with Su Yu to see if they could work together to escape. However, Su Yu gave no response. Yu Ci was taken aback, but just then, the Fish-Dragon relayed the situation from the perimeter. He instantly understood and knew that their opportunity had arrived, making a decision in the blink of an eye.
Suddenly exerting his strength, the Xi Guang Sword retracted all its sharpness, leaving only a twisted point of Aura at the tip. Mimicking the sensation of Di She's 'Mirage Light Nine Transformations', a silent star shot towards Di She's chest.
Di She let out a snort, not daring to underestimate this Sword Way secret technique. He swung his 'Polar Light Secret Sword', emitting a ghastly green light, dissolving it. However, this interruption in his oppression of Su Yu allowed her to regain momentum. The female cultivator transformed water into a sword, a technique that left no stone unturned. Sensing the Aura, the Azure Water Three Thousand Sword Technique surged, halting the encirclement from all sides.
"Now is the time!"
Yu Ci shouted, his body and sword transforming into fog, once again breaking through the encirclement and swiftly retreating. Although he left Su Yu behind, his swift departure left Di She seething, his face turning green with anger. He wanted to give chase, but he was wary of Su Yu. However, being a cunning individual, he quickly changed his expression and laughed out loud:
"Every man for himself in the face of great danger, Fairy Su Yu, your taste is lacking, your lover is not up to par..."
Halfway through his taunt, he suddenly sensed something was off. Su Yu's face showed no signs of being struck, on her radiant and incomparable cheeks, there was even a hint of mockery.
Immediately following, a voice rang out, cold and aloof. The pitch was not particularly high, but the sound echoed through the valley as if in answer: "It is said, 'Three days apart, and you must regard each other anew.' However, over these years, you, Di She, have only become more incompetent, unable to stand on your own. Such a talent, only you, Di She, could possess."
Di She's face turned sour. He looked up to see six Sword Lights converging from all directions. The first one, dressed in a fluttering white robe, was none other than Ye Ming, the top disciple of Half Mountain Island. His eyes were cold and sharp, as if brimming with Sword Energy. He looked at Di She as if he were looking at a dead man.
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In a blink, the situation had reversed. Di She's cheeks twitched, and he thought to himself: "Ye Ming's combat power is unparalleled, only Di Tianluo can match him... Damn it, she wants to curry favor with the Eastern Orthodox Sect, yet leaves me to guard the corpse, throwing such a big problem at me, and she herself has disappeared!"
***********
Yu Ci was not concerned about how Di She would handle the arrival of the reinforcements from Half Mountain Island. After seizing the opportunity to escape, he turned around and left. The Light Demon Sect Cultivator was merely an unexpected incident, his real goal was to deal with Xiao Fuyun. The two people currently guarding him were only Golden Elixir cultivators, and he was confident he could take them on.
The Light Demon Sect's ability to distort light was rare in the world, perhaps only the illusion-specializing Rakshasa Sect could rival them. At this moment, the two Light Demon Sect Cultivators had concealed their forms, invisible to the naked eye. However, Yu Ci knew that one of them should be on the Cliff top of Xiao Fuyun's Rune Array, the original position of Di She. From there, they could include the Rune Array in their Soul Sensing range and react in time.
Yu Ci had already made several rounds near the Rune Array using his Fish-Dragon, and he had a plan: "There must be a Seal buried near the Rune Array. If I use Earth Escape to approach, it will trigger the Mechanism, and the Golden Elixir cultivator on the mountain will immediately counter-attack, leaving me no advantage in the ground. But if I attack from the outside... Yes, these two don't know my intentions, they won't focus on the Rune Array, which will work in my favor."
With a plan in mind, Yu Ci immediately chanted the Curse Sound, and after a bit of effort, he formed the "Supreme Polaris Star Pivot Avatar" as a distraction. Then, he boldly headed towards the cliff. When he was still a thousand feet away, he keenly felt an enemy Aura enveloping him, filled with a sense of surprise and uncertainty.
Yu Ci knew that the two were astonished at his miraculous escape, leaving Di She and his men behind. He laughed heartily, "Di She was sent scurrying by Ye Ming of Half Mountain Island. You're nothing more than jokers prancing on a beam. Do you not know your place?"
With that, he sent a Five-Thunder Talisman into the air. His intent was not to harm, but to locate the two. As expected, the flash of lightning revealed the figure on the cliff. The location of the other Nature-Connecting cultivator was irrelevant. In an instant, Yu Ci locked onto the figure with his Sword aura and surged up the cliff with Sword Control.
Halfway up, the Nature-Connecting cultivator couldn't resist reaching out a claw, only to be slain on the spot by a loop of Yu Ci's Sword Light.
As Yu Ci split his focus to kill, the Golden Elixir cultivator on the cliff sensed it. In fact, this was a cunning move by the cultivator, forcing his companion to act. Although it resulted in a casualty, it gave him the upper hand. By the time Yu Ci intended to rally his Sword aura again, the cultivator was already counterattacking with a shrill cry, intending to kill Yu Ci in one fell swoop.
However, midway through his attack, Yu Ci gave him a toothy grin and unfolded his misty Sword Energy, blinding his senses. The world before him became a foggy blur. This would have been fine if he could still lock onto Yu Ci's aura, but in the blink of an eye, Yu Ci's aura became erratic, as if one had become two!
Taken aback, he saw figures splitting in the fog, attacking from two directions. His Heart-Mind was thrown into chaos. Despite relying on his post-Golden Elixir intuition, he struggled to locate the real body amidst the chaos. His Aura fluctuated wildly, and how much power he could muster was anyone's guess.
Blood Light splashed across the cliff. A deep wound, revealing the bone, split open on Yu Ci's shoulder. He remained unfazed, while the other cultivator let out a long, agonizing scream. He dropped his sword, clutching his chest as he turned to flee. He stumbled and fell, then got up and ran again. His unstable gait suggested he could fall again at any moment, and whether he could get up would depend on his luck.
Yu Ci did not pursue. He had risked his life, severely injuring the other's vital chest area, but the opponent's Primordial Magnetic Sword Power had also entered his body, causing trouble.
However, this was insignificant compared to the surge of emotions he felt. He had wounded and killed Golden Elixir cultivators before, but this was the first time he had controlled the situation from start to finish, not giving his opponent the slightest chance. He finally realized his progress. Unbeknownst to him, he had become a figure who could stand toe-to-toe with Golden Elixir cultivators, regardless of whether he had formed a Sword Embryo.
The Primordial Magnetic Sword Power was indeed sinister, yet his body was abundant with Primordial Qi, flowing ceaselessly, so he did not fear. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed it. Simultaneously, he discovered that the system of Primordial Qi swirling within his body was indeed different from before. The series of battles just now were mostly offensive, so naturally, he couldn't use the Flawless Sword Circle. However, at the center of the Dantian Organ, the Aura still formed a transformation, adhering to the meaning of "roundness". Despite repeated impacts from powerful external forces, it only trembled slightly before returning to its original state.
This made Yu Ci understand that the place where the Aura was formed in the Dantian Organ had become a node that could exist independently of the Flawless Sword Circle.
"Could it really be the Sword Embryo?"
Yu Ci was puzzled and finally shook his head, jumped off the cliff, and in a blink of an eye arrived at the Rune Array on the suspended platform. In the center of the Rune Array, a blood-colored flame was burning. Upon his arrival, it seemed to have a spirit and slightly shrank.
"One day east of the river, one day west of the river, you want the secret of my Eastern Marquis tomb, and I want the method of Divine Bronze Mirror in your Sect. It's quite fair!"
Injecting this thought into the depths of the flame, Yu Ci gave a cold smile and suddenly stabbed down with his Xi Guang Sword.
Before the sword tip touched the ground, there was a bang, the ground's Rune Array cracked, and a bloody arm reached out to grab the sword tip. However, Yu Ci's Mirage Mountain Sword Qi was so sharp that it pierced through the arm with just one stroke, stabbing nearly two feet into the ground, with more than half of the sword body plunged in.
There was a faint tremor beneath the ground.
However, tainted by the blood, the Xi Guang Sword dimmed, and then a fire started on the sword body, quickly corroding it with numerous holes. Yu Ci let go of the sword without expression, and from the Divine Bronze Mirror, a prepared Talisman was released, turning into fine Stardust and seeping into the ground.
Even if pierced by the sword blade, the person beneath the ground, Xiao Fuyun, struggled silently in pain. But when the Stardust seeped in, he couldn't help but let out a terribly painful scream.
"Lifeless Tribulation Star Soul-breaking Divine Light!"
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