Translator: CinderTL
Lake Province.
One of the provinces where the Chiyang Sword Sect of the Great Shang Kingdom borders the Taixu Sword Sect.
At this moment, three sword lights were patrolling the void.
The leader was named Zhou Tianyu.
He was a member of the Zhou family, a prominent clan within the Chiyang Sword Sect.
The head of the Zhou family, Zhou Chixin, was the director of the External Affairs Hall of the Chiyang Sword Sect, a Nascent Soul cultivator and an Eternal Life True Person who had lived for a thousand years.
The most outstanding descendant of the Zhou family, Zhou Wu Gou, was also one of the three true disciples stationed in Great Shang.
Because of this, when the Taixu Sword Sect invaded the Great Shang Dynasty a few months ago under the pretext that the Chiyang Sword Sect had sent a Core Formation cultivator to assassinate the future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, the Zhou family, whose interests were harmed, reacted the most fiercely.
They traveled far and wide, rallying all members of the sect to resist the invasion of the Taixu Sword Sect.
They also actively contacted surrounding forces, emphasizing the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," and managed to persuade the Zhou Tian Sect and the Piao Miao Sect to step forward.
Even so, at the most critical moment, half of Great Shang still fell, and the Taixu Sword Sect had even sent disciples to take over Lake Province and assume control.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, the Wu Ji Sect stepped forward.
The Taixu Sword Sect, under the banner of the Wu Ji Sect colluding with the Evil God's Chosen, actually tried to extort the Wu Ji Sect, which naturally could not be tolerated.
This significantly eased the pressure on the Chiyang Sword Sect.
With someone else taking the lead, other sects were also happy to take advantage of the situation and strike at the wealthy and powerful Taixu Sword Sect, further reducing the pressure on the Chiyang Sword Sect.
To this day, the Chiyang Sword Sect has not only regained control of several provinces within Great Shang but also dares to send people to patrol Lake Province from time to time.
Of course, patrolling Lake Province still carries considerable danger.
At this moment, Zhou Tianyu was instructing the two people around him: "Stay alert. If you encounter a weaker squad from the Taixu Sword Sect, drive them away immediately! If you can take action, do so—eliminating one squad is one less threat. Of course, if you sense that the other side is too powerful, retreat promptly and do not engage in prolonged combat!"
"The Taixu Sword Sect currently has only about thirty to forty Core Formation Great Cultivators in Great Shang, while we have twice that number. Our advantage is significant!"
A True Core Great Cultivator seemed quite confident.
But another person looked serious: "That may be true, but among the Core Formation Great Cultivators of the Taixu Sword Sect, there are more than a dozen Sword Cultivators! Such Sword Cultivators should be counted as two, or even three, so we must remain vigilant!"
"Junior Brother Tuobaye is right. When encountering Sword Cultivators, there's no need to engage them head-on. Use the diversity of our methods to lead them into traps, and then gather several people to ambush and kill them."
Zhou Tianyu said, "Thirty years ago, the Taixu Sword Sect took too big a bite. Now, with the Star Gate nearing completion, they are trying to cultivate a second Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy. If they succeed in nurturing the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, wouldn't this Star Gate have been built for nothing, only to benefit the Taixu Sword Sect?"
As he spoke, he sneered: "The eight major sects have gone to great lengths, investing vast resources and materials. How could they be willing to hand over the Blue Star Realm to the Taixu Sword Sect? The Taixu Sword Sect wants to kill the chicken to scare the monkey and intimidate us, but they never expected that the eight sects would also take this opportunity to thoroughly crush the Taixu Sword Sect's momentum!"
"Senior Brother, are you saying... the other sects will also step forward?"
Tuobaye's eyes lit up.
"Direct intervention hasn't happened yet, but they have signed non-aggression pacts with the Zhou Tian Sect, Piao Miao Sect, Wu Ji Sect, and Xian Tian Sect regarding the borders. These agreements have been reported to the main sect, and with the border threats eliminated, these sects can now allocate more manpower to the Taixu Sword Sect's side."
Zhou Tianyu spoke while glancing toward the horizon: "The people sent here won't directly clash with the Taixu Sword Sect, but with so many Core Formation cultivators stationed at the border, occasionally patrolling the area, the Taixu Sword Sect will have to deploy more people to drive them away and maintain vigilance. Just watch, within half a month, the Great Shang side will be lucky to have thirty Core Formation cultivators left."
"Fewer than thirty Core Formation cultivators? With our strength alone, if not for the concern of heavy casualties that might benefit other sects, forcefully expelling them wouldn't be difficult at all!"
Another True Core cultivator was also eager to act.
"They'll retreat on their own when the time comes."
Zhou Tianyu chuckled lightly: "After all... if they can patrol our Lake Province, can't we take a few rounds in their East Province? Once their East Province is in trouble, I doubt they'll dare to stubbornly hold their ground in our Great Shang's Lake Province and Xuanzhou."
The two True Core cultivators couldn't help but clap and laugh: "I can't wait to see that day come."
Zhou Tianyu also smiled.
He was about to say more when he suddenly sensed something and exclaimed: "Be on guard!"
Tuobaye and the other True Core cultivator immediately became alert.
In the next moment, two streaks of sword light pierced through the sky.
"It's Jiang Yuxue and Qin Zhou from the Taixu Sword Sect!"
"One Golden Core, one True Core!"
The group quickly recognized them.
The Taixu Sword Sect only had a few hundred Core Formation cultivators, and with the memory of the Chiyang Sword Sect's Core Formation cultivators, they were all familiar with them.
"Three against two, the advantage is ours. Should we fight!?"
The True Core cultivator immediately turned his gaze to Zhou Tianyu.
But Zhou Tianyu didn't speak. Instead, he solemnly formed a detection spell.
"Senior Brother Zhou?"
The True Core cultivator was about to ask again when Tuobaye suddenly said: "Don't disturb Senior Brother Zhou!"
His expression was equally grave: "Based on the information we have, Jiang Yuxue and Qin Zhou are now the Dao Protectors of our sect's traitor, Li Chunjun. There should also be Zhang Weiqian and Zhou Yuechen. Now that these two have appeared here..."
Before Tuobaye could finish, an invisible ripple emanated from Zhou Tianyu.
Soon, an expression of astonishment appeared in the eyes of this Golden Core cultivator.
"Li Chunjun!? They actually sent that traitor to the front lines!?"
How dare they!?
How dare the people of the Taixu Sword Sect!?
"Follow me!"
Zhou Tianyu was both shocked and delighted. He shouted in a low voice and, along with Tuobaye, quickly advanced toward the two Core Formation cultivators.
As they closed in, two more streaks of sword light rapidly approached from behind Jiang Yuxue and Qin Zhou. In the direction of their retreat, another sword light had already turned to intercept them, preventing their escape.
But...
Zhou Tianyu, Tuobaye, and the others had no intention of fleeing.
They gazed into the distance at the figure appearing on the horizon, swiftly approaching alongside Zhang Weiqian, their astonishment nearly bursting from their eyes: "Is it really him!?"
"That traitor!?"
"The Taixu Sword Sect has gone mad!? They actually sent that traitor to the front lines? And into our Chiyang Sword Sect's territory in Lake Province!? Aren't they afraid we'll gather our forces and keep him here forever!?"
The two True Core cultivators were utterly astonished.
However, Zhou Tianyu acted swiftly, pulling out a communication jade token and sending the news to Zhou Wu Gou, the true disciple stationed in Great Shang.
Although he warned that Li Chunjun's sudden appearance on the front lines might be a trap, urging Zhou Wu Gou to investigate thoroughly before bringing reinforcements to avoid an ambush, he himself was determined to stall Li Chunjun and the several Core Formation Great Cultivators with him until reinforcements arrived.
After all, this opportunity was far too rare!
With Li Chunjun as a liability, even though they were clearly at a disadvantage, he had the confidence to hold out until the end.
"Junior Brothers, reinforcements will arrive soon! We all know the sect's bounty on that traitor Li Chunjun! The chance to obtain resources for advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm is right before us. It's up to us to seize it!"
"Haha, Senior Brother, no need to say more. Great Shang is not the Taixu Sword Sect's Great Shang!"
"Charge!"
The two True Core cultivators laughed heartily and charged straight toward Qin Zhou and Jiang Yuxue, who were leading the way.
Qin Zhou and Jiang Yuxue immediately intercepted Zhou Tianyu and one of the True Core cultivators, but they completely ignored Tuoba Ye, who was rushing toward Li Chunjun and Zhang Weiqian.
Especially when...
As Tuoba Ye was about to reach Zhang Weiqian and Li Chunjun, Zhang Weiqian, the Golden Core Great Cultivator, slightly slowed his pace, leaving Li Chunjun exposed! This scene...
Tuoba Ye, Zhou Tianyu, and the others all widened their eyes in shock.
Were they sacrificing Li Chunjun? Did the Taixu Sword Sect no longer care about their future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy?
However, as the two sides closed in, Tuoba Ye quickly realized something, his heart trembling with disbelief: "Core Formation!? You've formed your core!?"
Core Formation!
At these words, Zhou Tianyu, who was already engaged in battle with Jiang Yuxue, was utterly horrified. Core Formation!? Li Chunjun had formed his core!?
He had survived the most perilous life-and-death trial of a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator transforming into a Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy—Refining Sword into Core!?
How long had it been?
How long had it been!? Less than a year, and he had already reached this stage!?
From here, it was only a matter of time before he became a true Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy with steady cultivation!? "Impossible!"
Zhou Tianyu couldn't help but let out a low roar.
How could anyone, in less than a year, go from being a mere mortal martial artist to crossing the nine realms of Qi Refining, refining their sword into a core, and stepping into the Core Formation Realm!? It was absolutely impossible!
While Zhou Tianyu's mind was completely rejecting this terrifying truth, Li Chunjun, who had been left exposed, clashed head-on with Tuoba Ye.
Sword Intent!
Before the man arrived, the Sword Intent came first!
Starting with the strongest killing move of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, a majestic Sword Intent, carrying a soul-shaking aura of destruction, erupted fiercely from Li Chunjun.
The sharpness that pierced through the void and the destructive intent contained within it made Tuoba Ye's eyes widen.
Over the past few months, they had already learned through various channels and soul-searching methods that Li Chunjun had developed Sword Intent. Tuoba Ye had been somewhat prepared when facing him.
When the Sword Intent truly descended upon him, the fear of death and destruction transformed into an unprecedented horror and trembling, rendering him unable to immediately gather all his Qi.
Every instinct of life urged him—run! Run fast! Escape for your life!
But he knew…
He couldn't run! "No!"
With a wild roar, Tuobaye unleashed his Divine Sense. A Flying Sword-like Spirit Artifact on his body transformed into a streak of light that pierced through heaven and earth, like a blazing sun suddenly exploding. It carried the momentum to flatten a mountain peak, reducing it to rubble, and charged toward Li Chunjun, who was enveloped in Sword Intent.
He unleashed his attack! But…
This strike was ultimately a desperate counterattack, devoid of any finesse.
"Whoosh!"
A dark golden streak of light shattered the sound barrier in an instant, colliding with the Spirit Artifact that radiated light and heat like a blazing sun.
Flames erupted!
Visible fire scattered into the void.
Before the flames could consume the void, the Scarlet Sky Sword grazed the Spirit Artifact, altering its trajectory. The remaining force of the attack roared past Li Chunjun, hundreds of meters away.
As for the Scarlet Sky Sword in his hand…
After deflecting the blazing and magnificent Spirit Artifact, it shot toward Tuobaye with the force of a thunderbolt.
The terrifying sharpness of the sword shattered his Protective Magical Artifact like dry twigs and, in the next second, pierced through his body.
One sword strike, one life taken!
(End of the Chapter)
---
Read (MI) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c196. [+4.2k Words]
Early Access at $5.
Translated (5) Series, (2.5K+) Chapters, (3.4M+) Words.