Translator: CinderTL
"Sword Prodigy!"
"How long will it take to recover from such a severe injury to the Lifebound Flying Sword?!"
"Damn it! Zhou Tianyu isn't even among the most outstanding Golden Core cultivators in the Chiyang Sword Sect, yet he actually possesses a Mystic Treasure! Did Zhou Chixin really bestow his Mystic Treasure to him? Shouldn't it have been given to Zhou Wu Gou? If he didn't have that Mystic Treasure, the Sword Prodigy would never have... Huh?"
Qin Zhou, Jiang Yuxue, Zhang Weiqian, and Zhou Yuechen all wore expressions of regret and anguish.
However, this state lasted only for a moment before they sensed something was amiss.
Their Sword Prodigy...
Didn't seem to be severely weakened at all? Just a second ago, he appeared to have spat blood, his Essence Qi depleted, but now...
He looked full of vitality and energy?
Could they have been hallucinating?
"Could it be that the Sword Prodigy has activated the undying power within his bloodline, undergoing Nirvana Rebirth?"
"Nirvana Rebirth requires bathing in the Undying Flames, being reborn from death, and even the fastest physical reconstruction would take several days. This... doesn't seem like it."
"Then how could he go from being severely weakened one second to completely unharmed the next? Even... in a better state than before?"
"Don't ask me, I have no idea."
The four Core Formation cultivators exchanged puzzled glances, filled with questions.
Nevertheless, they remained extremely cautious.
Qin Zhou quickly went to collect the spoils of battle.
The other three surrounded Li Chunjun, remaining fully alert.
...
"Killed Level 22 creature, gained 8,131 experience!"
"Killed Level 22 creature, gained 7,435 experience!"
"Killed Level 23 creature, gained 27,015 experience!"
...
[Life Level: 24 (12,441/40,000)]
...
Li Chunjun quietly felt the mysterious energy that surged forth with the increase in his life level.
Under the influence of this mysterious energy, not only were his body, reflexes, consciousness, and spirit strengthened, but the lingering injuries from his recent Core Formation breakthrough were completely healed.
Even the Essence Qi that had been nearly depleted from the continuous battles was rapidly replenished.
This feeling...
Was even more profound than the rebirth of the Undying Flaming Phoenix.
Li Chunjun raised his hand.
In the next moment, hundreds of sword qi condensed once more, forming the Scarlet Sky Sword, which then curved and flew back into his hand.
Looking at this flying sword...
He could clearly sense the scars on it.
Sword Cultivators are unparalleled in direct combat, unmatched in their ferocity.
But the difficulty of repairing a Lifebound Flying Sword after a battle...
Only those who have experienced it truly understand.
This is also why Sword Cultivators, despite their strength, have never become the mainstream in the cultivation world.
Now, Li Chunjun reabsorbed the Scarlet Sky Sword into his body, nurturing it with his own Essence Qi.
In just a moment, he realized.
Even with the density of his Life Essence, fully restoring the Scarlet Sky Sword...
Would likely take three to five years.
In other words, he wouldn't be able to use his Lifebound Flying Sword in combat for the next three to five years.
And without the ability to wield his Lifebound Flying Sword, a Sword Cultivator is like a tiger without teeth.
Or a Qi Refining cultivator forbidden from using Arcane Arts.
Unable to unleash even a tenth of his full combat power.
"The Lifebound Flying Sword is only injured, not unusable. As long as I don't engage in high-intensity battles against Mystic Treasures like this time, it should still function, though it may worsen the damage."
Li Chunjun's heart remained calm.
He wasn't worried about the state of his flying sword.
If the damage worsens, so be it.
As long as it can hold out until his life level rises again, it will suffice.
At that time, he would directly use his Essence Blood to sacrifice the sword, absorbing all his Essence Qi, ensuring that the Scarlet Sky Sword would immediately regain its vigor.
If it truly couldn't hold on until his life level improved and was about to shatter, he could always use the Undying Flaming Phoenix Power once more, sacrificing himself to the sword.
"Let's go."
Li Chunjun called out to the group.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuxue quickly asked, "Sword Prodigy, are you... alright?"
Li Chunjun glanced at her.
Unconsciously, she had already started using honorifics.
It seemed that the combat prowess he displayed by forcefully killing Zhou Tianyu while carrying the Four Symbols Heaven Sealing Gate had completely subdued these Golden Core cultivators.
"I'm fine," Li Chunjun said. "A Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator, how could I be so weak? If I were that weak, what right would I have to be called the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, to dominate the current era with my sword?"
"But I saw you... spitting blood earlier?" Zhang Weiqian cautiously inquired.
"It was nothing, just a ruse to lure Zhou Tianyu into a trap, intentionally showing weakness to the enemy," Li Chunjun said with a calm expression. "If I hadn't feigned weakness, how would Zhou Tianyu have activated the Four Symbols Heaven Sealing Gate and clashed head-on with you four Core Formation cultivators? He would have long since used various means to escape."
He glanced at Zhou Yuechen, who was most skilled in sword flight. "If a Golden Core cultivator were to flee at full speed, especially within the territory of Great Shang, you might not be able to catch him, right?"
Zhou Yuechen quickly nodded. "The Sword Prodigy is indeed thorough. If Zhou Tianyu hadn't engaged us in battle, I truly wouldn't have been able to stop him."
After all, this was the territory of the Chiyang Sword Sect.
Once Zhou Tianyu was determined to escape, the pursuit distance could span thousands of miles.
A range of thousands of miles would be enough for other Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect to come to his aid. As for Zhang Weiqian and Jiang Yuxue, although they felt...
something seemed off, Sword Prodigy Li's act was too convincing, even fooling them.
But looking at him now...
his Essence Qi was full, his spirit vibrant, with no trace of the weakness from depleted vitality. He was as healthy as could be.
He didn't even look like someone who had just gone through an intense battle.
The ironclad facts were right before their eyes, leaving them no choice but to believe.
In the end, Jiang Yuxue and Zhang Weiqian could only attribute it to the extraordinary nature of the Flaming Phoenix Bloodline, or perhaps Peak Lord Jiang had given Li Chunjun a life-saving Pill that could revive the dead and regenerate flesh.
"Since the Sword Prodigy has appeared here, Zhou Tianyu and the others must have already sent a signal to the Chiyang Sword Sect. Soon, many Core Formation cultivators from the sect will surround us. To avoid falling into danger, we should withdraw now and rendezvous with Zuo Tian, the true disciple stationed in the East Province," Jiang Yuxue said cautiously.
"Since we're here, let's see if we can achieve something more. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to make significant gains next time," Li Chunjun said.
His current condition was still decent, so he had no intention of returning.
"It's too dangerous..." Zhang Weiqian, standing nearby, wanted to say something, but before he could finish, Li Chunjun interrupted, "Even if the Chiyang Sword Sect surrounds us, they won't all attack at once. With the five of us, equivalent to four Golden Core cultivators and one True Core cultivator, as long as the enemy doesn't exceed double digits, what is there to fear?"
Jiang Yuxue, Zhang Weiqian, and Zhou Yuechen exchanged glances, all seeing the determination in Li Chunjun's heart.
At this point, Jiang Yuxue could only force a bitter smile. "Alright then... but I'll contact True Disciple Zuo and have him prepare for our reception."
"Agreed."
Li Chunjun did not refuse.
At this moment, Qin Zhou also approached.
Looking at Li Chunjun, who had fully recovered and was brimming with vitality, Qin Zhou smiled and said, "The Sword Prodigy's flying sword is unstoppable, like a hot knife through butter. Not many spirit artifacts have survived, but they are not the main focus. The key is this mystic treasure—the Four Symbols Heaven Sealing Gate."
He handed over the mystic treasure: "The rewards for mystic treasures within the sect must still adhere to some level of fairness. However, if you can hand over the Four Symbols Heaven Sealing Gate to the sect, the Sword Prodigy can immediately choose another suitable mystic treasure."
"After all, we do not cultivate Qi. Having too many mystic treasures is not of much significance."
Li Chunjun remarked.
Nevertheless, considering his long-standing desire to refine a void-type material into the Scarlet Sky Sword, he still accepted the mystic treasure.
"There should be Core Formation cultivators heading this way. Continue the search, but do not venture too deep. Once you sense that the number of Core Formation cultivators in the vicinity has reached double digits, retreat immediately."
He continued to issue orders.
"Yes."
Qin Zhou, Jiang Yuxue, and Zhou Yuechen acknowledged and quickly dispersed.
Zhang Weiqian remained by Li Chunjun's side.
Although, judging from the combat prowess Li Chunjun had just displayed, he no longer needed protection, Zhang Weiqian still fulfilled his duty.
As they flew, the Golden Core cultivator couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "I can only imagine the joy that will sweep through the entire sect when the news spreads that Sword Prodigy Li has successfully refined his sword into a core and possesses Golden Core-level combat power. I can already envision the grand celebration that will ensue."
He chuckled and added, "The sect will undoubtedly hold a Core Formation Ceremony for the Sword Prodigy, inviting all eight sects to attend. Having overcome the most challenging hurdle of refining the sword into a core, the path ahead will be smooth for the Sword Prodigy. It is only a matter of time before you become the true Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy. This will serve as the most powerful deterrent to the eight sects."
"A ceremony..."
Li Chunjun understood the motives behind the Taixu Sword Sect's actions.
But he also knew that once this ceremony was held, he would inevitably become the target of all eight sects.
This had both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage was that as soon as he appeared outside the Taixu Sword Sect, Core Formation or even Golden Core cultivators would immediately come to hunt him down.
The disadvantage...
After the ceremony, the Taixu Sword Sect would likely keep him within the sect until he achieved the Golden Core.
This did not align with his plan to rapidly enhance his strength by targeting the Chiyang Sword Sect.
"I cannot stay within the sect and rely solely on arduous cultivation to achieve the Golden Core."
Li Chunjun was well aware of this.
But if he were to forcibly leave the Taixu Sword Sect's mountain gate to train outside...
It would be extremely perilous.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Chunjun suddenly thought of something.
Immediately, a surge of divine sense, like a tidal wave, rapidly spread forward.
Twenty miles, twenty-five miles, thirty miles...
In an instant, the range of his divine sense had reached the standard of a Golden Core cultivator.
This was even higher than his previous estimate.
However, this value did not surprise Li Chunjun too much.
As his life level increased and his mental power strengthened, the divine sense he could unleash naturally extended further.
Thirty miles still left him with some strength to spare.
Li Chunjun's mind expanded.
His divine sense continued to push forward after breaking through thirty miles.
Thirty-two miles, thirty-four miles...
Only after reaching thirty-six miles did the edge of his exploration become blurry and unsustainable.
"Thirty-six miles."
Li Chunjun noted in his heart.
The Virtual Core was merely the breaking of the human body's constraints.
However, it wasn't a truly perfect control over one's own body.
At the cellular and genetic levels, they could only exert influence but were unable to optimize or improve.
Only after reaching the True Core stage could one fully master their own power.
At that point, his strength would experience another significant boost.
The genetic optimization from True Core to Golden Core would elevate his "carbon-based life" to its utmost potential.
Only then would his physical form be considered perfected.
While Li Chunjun was adapting to his new state, he also searched for the Core Formation of the Chiyang Sword Sect. Meanwhile, the news that Jiang Yuxue had returned to the Taixu Sword Sect's East Province command center had already caused a huge stir.
(End of the Chapter)
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