Chapter 181: Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artist
Su Yan’s words immediately made many people’s faces look bad.
But no matter what they thought in their hearts, not a single person dared to stand up and say no.
The lesson from the previous one, whose neck had just been broken, meant the rest did not want to die.
The crowd slowly retreated, leaving only Su Yan at the Mysterious Jade Cold Pond.
The Six-Winged Blood Centipede drove its massive body across the earlier battlefield, opening its blood basin mouth wide to swallow all the corpses on the battlefield clean.
“As expected of the spiritual power gathered from the earth vein.”
Su Yan’s eyes brightened slightly. Although the Mysterious Jade Cold Pond had been consumed of some spiritual power by Hu Yanpo, the vast majority was still retained here.
The Flame Armored Scorpion, Shadow Horn Spider, Blood Fiend Mother Worm, and Gold-Eating Demon Insect were all released by Su Yan.
Su Yan spread tens of thousands of Blood Bees through the Blood Fiend Mother Worm to scout the surroundings.
The remaining four Fierce Insects guarded the sides, protecting Su Yan from external interference.
Su Yan removed his clothes and stepped into the Mysterious Jade Cold Pond.
Bone-piercing chill continuously assaulted, penetrating his skin and trying to invade his bone marrow.
The flowing pond water was clearly moving, yet it was colder than solid ice.
In just a moment, a thin layer of frost had condensed on his skin.
Su Yan closed his eyes tightly and circulated his cultivation manuals.
First was the Poison Dragon Golden Body Technique.
This cultivation manual had already reached the Transformation Realm, but that did not mean it could no longer keep up with Su Yan’s pace.
On the contrary, in the True Intent Realm stage, the efficiency of the Poison Dragon Golden Body at full operation perfectly complemented him.
He continuously absorbed the cold pond’s spiritual power, channeling it into various parts of his body, tempering his bone structure and meridians bit by bit. The emerging Azure Gold Scale Patterns became increasingly solid.
The Five Poisons Body Forging Scripture and Heavenly Python Dharma Body operated simultaneously, continuously increasing his physical body’s cultivation.
Although the cold was bone-piercing, it could not trouble Su Yan.
Time continued to pass, and soon two hours had gone by.
Su Yan could already feel the icy numbness on his skin, with faint stinging sensations coming.
For an ordinary True Intent Realm Martial Artist, persisting for two hours was already the limit.
The extreme cold of the cold pond required True Essence to resist, allowing the physical body to endure longer.
Two hours was a threshold; the surging pond water’s tides surged darkly, bringing stronger chill.
For ordinary Martial Artists, their True Essence would be more than half depleted at this point, naturally making it hard to resist.
Su Yan slightly raised his eyes. Within his body, Star Constellation True Essence continuously circulated.
‘The meridians have expanded and grown by twenty percent, and their toughness has increased by ten percent. No wonder it can improve bone structure.’
【Five Poisons Body Forging Scripture: 79/200 (Minor Accomplishment）】
【Heavenly Python Dharma Body: 1/200（Minor Accomplishment)】
Both body refining cultivation manuals had progressed, but the Heavenly Python Dharma Body, lacking a snake soul, was slightly slower.
A surging cold tide swept toward Su Yan’s body, almost instantly turning into solid ice, trying to envelop him.
Su Yan’s gaze swept over, and three or four crystalline beads flashed before his eyes.
‘Cold Pond Crystal Pearl?’
Su Yan’s mouth curved up. He reached out and grabbed the Cold Pond Crystal Pearls, swallowing them into his abdomen.
The Insect Bone Armor Body emerged, with sections of pitch-black, tough Black Armor covering his body.
The chill could not penetrate this incredibly hard Insect Armor at all.
Su Yan urged the power in his body, drawing in more spiritual power like a vortex.
This time, the spiritual power surged into his body’s meridians like streams of cold currents, nearly freezing the meridians.
But Su Yan persisted. With each circulation, his bone structure improved more, and his meridians became increasingly tough.
……
In one day and one night, Su Yan’s fierce reputation spread throughout the county town under these five peaks.
He had suppressed Sacred Weapon Path Inner Disciples, and they were even ranked on the list.
Over a hundred True Intent Martial Artists did not dare compete with him at all.
Domineering, powerful, and only in his first year as a beginner…
“Brush!”
On Old Forest Mountain, a Blood Sword slashed through the dead tree in front. An old man in black robes with sinister eyes and gray-white hair stared intently at the Sacred Weapon Path disciple kneeling before him.
“You’re saying my disciple died just like that on Sword Hanging Peak?”
His tone did not sound angry, but the suppressed hoarseness made the kneeling disciples tremble.
“Elder Qu, this disciple dares not speak falsely. That Beast King Sect disciple was formidable, with six paths of True Intent. He fought Senior Brother Hu for dozens of exchanges and forced Senior Brother Hu to his death.”
Qu Changqi’s gaze was ruthless: “What a Beast King Sect. A Ruyi Stage disciple reverse-killing a Perfected Condensing Momentum Stage—truly enviable.”
“Since Senior Brother Qu is so angry, why not give them a taste of their own medicine? That kid is still on Sword Hanging Peak, isn’t he?”
Beside him, a red-clothed woman with a delicate figure, long hair draped over her shoulders, phoenix eyes, willow-leaf brows, and slightly green pupils like snake eyes spoke up.
“Easier said than done. The Beast King Sect has schemed over Sword Hanging Peak for over a decade; it’s not something you can just climb.”
Qi Yingzhen raised her brow, her figure swaying, her tone icy: “Bai Shan Town is destroyed, Crane Town was attacked, Far Road Town had thirty thousand people exterminated. The commotions in these three places have gradually subsided, especially Bai Shan Town, where even that stupid Calamity Beast was killed. If we don’t make some commotion soon, I’m afraid we won’t be able to escape.”
Yuan Hong and his Floating Mountain Ape directly blocked the path into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Getting past him to enter the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains was not simple.
Moreover, with Yuan Hong and the others, there was more than just one Dan Qiao Realm expert.
Qu Changqi’s eyes flickered, and he said sinisterly: “Then kill that kid to honor my disciple. Let them feel some pain too. Order the Sacred Weapon Path disciples around the Hundred Peaks Barrier to make a big commotion.”
“Yes.”
……
Sacred Weapon Path disciples gathered in large numbers, especially the sleeper agents left in various towns, who were now all eager to move.
They assaulted key locations everywhere—not setting a big fire in the city today, or secretly robbing a shop tomorrow, taking the goods and fleeing far away.
In an instant, the towns that had slightly calmed down became chaotic again.
The guards in each town were overwhelmed, and even the Mountain Guard led by Hao Yi was constantly suppressing the rioting Demon Persons.
On Sword Hanging Peak, three days had now passed. The earth vein rumbled and shook, and Su Yan suddenly awoke.
On the hard Insect Bone Armor Body, solid ice covered it. Su Yan moved, and the ice cracked under the great strength.
The Mysterious Jade Cold Pond’s spring water surged continuously, sucking toward the depths like a vortex.
“This cold pond is at its time limit.”
Su Yan immediately realized the earth vein’s spiritual power was receding. He circulated his True Essence and with a push, his figure shot out like a swimming fish, quickly escaping the vortex’s suction.
His figure leaped out of the Mysterious Jade Cold Pond and landed on the ground.
True Essence surged around him; his cultivation had now reached Perfected Ruyi Stage.
“Just one step from Condensing Momentum Stage. What’s lacking isn’t True Essence, but comprehension?”
True Intent condenses divine charm and momentum of True Intent, making one a Condensing Momentum Stage Martial Artist.
Su Yan had six paths of True Intent, so this comprehension process was naturally not easy.
Fortunately, he still had time.
He recalled the Shadow Horn Spider and others, along with summoning back the Blood Bees. He flipped onto the Six-Winged Blood Centipede’s back, turning into a red shadow flying toward the base of Sword Hanging Peak.
After three days of cultivation, Sword Hanging Peak had no shortage of disturbances.
Over thousands of Blood Bees had been lost, mostly killed by Feral Beasts or Martial Artists.
But fortunately, his fierce reputation had spread far, and no one had come to disturb him during cultivation.
The Six-Winged Blood Centipede flew downward. Upon reaching the base of the mountain, it already saw movement in the shrub forest.
A Black Scaled Leopard carried three disciples quickly running toward the mountain path, pursued by several Martial Artists wielding Black Swords with black shadows flowing.
“Sacred Weapon Path disciples still dare to come here?”
The Six-Winged Blood Centipede swooped down, its black shadow covering the light.
“There’s something above!”
The Sacred Weapon Path disciples looked up sharply, but what came was Bone Nails like raindrops.
Puchi
The Bone Nails pierced through their bodies, directly nailing these five disciples dead. Even their Inner Armor could not resist for a moment.
“Thank you, Senior Brother Su!”
The three escaping disciples saw the giant beast descending from the sky and immediately showed joy. They hurriedly dismounted the Black Scaled Leopard and bowed in thanks.
“How dare Sacred Weapon Path disciples chase and kill you?”
Su Yan got straight to the point, frowning slightly as he asked.
This was not like the Mysterious Jade Cold Pond where people gathered to compete for opportunities, nor the treacherous Old Forest in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Outside the Hundred Peaks Barrier, Beast King Sect disciples held the advantage.
The leading man smiled bitterly: “Senior Brother is unaware. In these few days, all overt and covert agents of Sacred Weapon Path have mobilized, assassinating our fellow disciples, robbing shops and Martial Artists. War has already begun. We four were ordered to investigate a village robbery, but it turned out to be a trap.”
In terms of numbers, Beast King Sect had the advantage, but with these assaults turning into ambushes everywhere, Sacred Weapon Path disciples had gained the upper hand.
If truly facing enmity, it would now be a step-by-step strangulation.
An evil wind assaulted.
Su Yan’s expression changed abruptly, and he flipped down from the Six-Winged Blood Centipede.
Brush
A streak of blood light fiercely passed through his original position, instantly severing three wings of the Six-Winged Blood Centipede.
The Six-Winged Blood Centipede flapped and crashed to the ground. Su Yan rolled away. The Heavenly Python Dharma Body, Poison Dragon Golden Body, and Insect Bone Armor Body under the Inner Armor all emerged directly.
His expression was extremely serious. He instantly summoned the Flame Armored Scorpion to protect his body.
“Hm?” A puzzled voice rose, followed by a hoarse one: “Such strong spiritual sense, stronger than Spirit Merging Stage disciples. You even have an Innate Martial Body—excellent.”
The Blood Sword floated in the air, and a black-robed old man stepped on the Blood Sword as his figure slowly appeared.
Powerful aura enveloped Su Yan like a black curtain.
The flying Blood Sword slowly returned to his side. The sword shadow flickered, sometimes forming one blade, sometimes splitting into dozens or hundreds, radiating red light, eerie and strange.
Su Yan’s heart sank. This Blood Sword was just like Hu Yanpo’s.
“Who are you?!”
He shouted, but his whole body was already on alert, the Black Spirit Bone Sword secretly gripped in his hand.
A Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artist—big trouble.
If the Six-Winged Blood Centipede were uninjured, with its speed, escape might have been possible, but now even flying was difficult.
“Do you recognize this Shadow Splitting Blood Sword?”
Qu Changqi pointed with his withered finger like a dry claw. The Blood Sword turned into two streaks of flowing light entwining like snakes, charging straight at Su Yan.
Su Yan reached out with a large hand. The Star Picking Hand emerged, one on left and right, probing to separate the stars, exerting full force to block these two Blood Swords.
A light clang. In moments, though the Blood Swords were blocked somewhat, the next instant the Star Picking Hand was broken.
The Blood Sword headed straight for his body. Su Yan slashed with the Black Spirit Bone Sword, clanging loudly, barely blocking the strike.
Within his body, True Essence shook, nearly injuring his meridians.
“Heh, let’s see how many exchanges you can block. I’ve set my sights on you like the sun; today you can’t escape.”
The Blood Sword split again, now into four streaks, coming straight for Su Yan.
Su Yan’s True Intents emerged. Six paths of True Intent appeared, instantly forming a Star Array that condensed into a heavy shield to block.
Five exchanges, the barrier shattered.
Su Yan spat a mouthful of blood, his shoulder pierced by the Blood Sword.
Even with the three body refining defenses of Insect Bone Armor Body, Poison Dragon Golden Body, and Heavenly Python Dharma Body, the wound was still left.
Twelve rounds…
The Star Array was broken. Su Yan had several sword marks on his body, blood seeping out, the Blood Sword’s malevolent energy continuously eroding.
If not for his tough physical body constantly suppressing the wound from worsening and slowly healing, he would not have lasted.
“Hu Yanpo couldn’t last ten exchanges under me either. You have some skill. No wonder, from Wang Xuanxing’s line…”
Qu Changqi’s eyes flickered, his killing intent growing. Eight Blood Swords merged into one, sharp edge fully revealed, killing intent gathered.
He indeed wanted to test Su Yan’s mettle, to see what kind of Ruyi Stage Martial Artist could defeat his disciple.
But this test shocked him inwardly.
When sparring with Tiger Swallow, it was master-disciple practice, with instruction first. Ten exchanges without full power—three-tenths effort was impressive.
But against Su Yan, even with intent to capture, he had used four or five tenths of his strength.
Yet even so, Su Yan had blocked twelve rounds.
‘Such bone structure—if left alone, likely another Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artist. Since it’s an Innate Martial Body, capturing him to refine a battle soul into the sword is good.’
He pointed with sword finger, and instantly red light shot forth.
Su Yan’s eyes narrowed, heart sinking. He thought: “Only one chance!”
The six floating True Intents condensed into a six-phase Star Array shield, blocking in front.
He spread his large hand, directly releasing tens of thousands of Blood Bees. Malevolent energy swept across the sky, blocking in front of the Blood Sword.
One sword shattered the barrier, Blood Bees obstructed; under one sword, thousands were destroyed.
Su Yan directly summoned the Blood Fiend Mother Worm, flipped onto it, and fled at high speed, instantly flying hundreds of meters.
The Blood Bees were swept clean by the Blood Sword, and by now Su Yan was a kilometer away.
“Cunning indeed. To have a Second-order Late-stage Contracted Beast as well.”
Qu Changqi sneered coldly, not flying to pursue, but calling loudly: “Qi Yingzhen, won’t you take him?”
“Little brother, where are you going?”
Giggling laughter came. In mid-air, unbeknownst when, a woman stepping on a glamorous red Soul Refining Belt appeared, her eyes fixed on him, full of greed.
“Innate Martial Body, controlling exotic insects. With such bone structure in the Hundred Caves Witch Sect, at least a Witch Holy Son. Pity to be born in Beast King Sect.”
Qi Yingzhen teased verbally, but her attack was even more ruthless than Qu Changqi’s.
The Soul Refining Belt coiled like a giant Heavenly Python, instantly dyeing half the sky a glamorous red.
With a disciple of such bone structure as hostage, entering the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains would be no problem.
Su Yan’s heart sank; the Blood Fiend Mother Worm could no longer dodge now.
The Gold-Eating Demon Insect shot out, its Gengjin Blade stabbing at the Soul Refining Belt. With a rip, it only tore a thumb-sized hole.
Before penetrating, it was quickly repaired by blood-like strands of True Essence.
“You can’t break my Soul Refining Belt. Surrender obediently; I won’t…”
“Rip!”
A loud sound, and the Soul Refining Belt was directly split in two.
A frost-white, silver-bright moon wheel flew in, hovering before Su Yan.
“Who dares touch my disciple, Long Qiushui’s!”
