Chapter 139: Chapter 119: The Millennial Dragon-Tiger Ranking, It’s Time to Face the Tribulation

The North and South Dipper Sword was an event jointly established by the Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineages. As for why it was held every twelve years, the theories abounded.

The most widespread theory was that it was a method for the True Monarchs to select disciples and promote exceptional talents.

This sword competition served as an opportunity to gather the thousands of Dharma Lineages of the Three Peaks and Four Waters in one place and inspect the caliber of the disciples each had cultivated.

However, entry was not without its requirements. One needed a Membership Letter to enter the Dragon and Tiger Profound Altar, located at the border between the north and south.

Thus, the North and South Dipper Sword was also known as the “Dragon and Tiger Convergence, Golden Roll Inscription.”

As an Inner Sect Dharma Lineage, the Qianji Sect had received a Daoist Decree.

Therefore, it naturally received a legitimate Membership Letter.

In the past, it would have never been Jiang Yi’s turn. Observing Fate Peak had Xu Yan, Observing Sun Peak had Zhou Fu, and below them were a host of other senior disciples like Han Li from the Qi Gong Institute.

Who wouldn’t want to witness the splendor of a grand event like the North and South Dipper Sword?

But this time, he had solved a major problem for Sect Leader Liu Huan by eliminating Sui Liushu, which counted as an enormous favor.

Exchanging this favor for Observing Fate Peak and a Membership Letter for the North and South Dipper Sword couldn’t really be considered an exorbitant, greedy demand.

It all came down to one thing.

’Just treat it as my last meal!’

“Fine. I’ll grant you one more Opportunity.”

Liu Huan held the complete Dharma Lineage Decree as a Profound Light suddenly erupted from the crown of his head and swept downward.

Immediately after, he plucked a wisp of condensed fiery light from the Dharma Lineage Decree.

The fiery wisp was about nine inches long, brilliantly radiant and searingly hot, resembling a stretched-out candle flame.

“For a Qi Cultivation Cultivator, once they pass the Fifth Layer, they achieve Primordial Gate God Storage and Inner Mansion Spirit Nurturing. The resulting Unity of the Divine and the Spirit is what is known as ’Life Qi.’”

Liu Huan pinched the fiery wisp, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He stared at it intently for several breaths before slowly speaking:

“From now on, you must remember this: when killing a Magic Lineage Cultivator, destroying their physical body and extinguishing their Primordial Spirit is not enough.

A wisp of their Life Qi is entrusted to their Talisman Decree. If you don’t have a way to conceal it, the moment they die, their fellow sect members will be alerted.

If they are from a Branch Sect or an Ancestral Sect, it can even leave behind an image of their final moments to track down the assailant.”

Jiang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. ’And here I was, about to praise myself for being so cautious,’ he thought. He had foregone consuming the Daoist Can from a Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer cultivator just to grind Sui Liushu’s body and Primordial Spirit to dust.

’Who would have thought this Dharma Lineage Decree would be so insidious, capable of storing a wisp of Life Qi.’

“Sui Liushu cultivated Ding Fire for decades, and his Merit can be considered to have reached Perfection.

This wisp of ’Ding Fire Lifebound Qi’ is of high quality. If you grind it with Fire Essence Jade and refine it into a Treasure Medicine, reaching Seventh Layer Perfection will be no problem. You can decide what to do with it.”

Liu Huan said flatly.

’The Sect Leader is forcing me to make a pledge of blood!’

Jiang Yi instantly understood the deeper meaning behind this gesture.

’If he didn’t consume Sui Liushu completely, how could he truly take on this blood debt and solidify his status as the “father’s killer”?’

’High-level Demon Cultivators are always so damn crafty!’

As his thoughts churned, he began to put on a show.

First, his breathing grew slightly heavy and his eyes burned with fervor. Then, he revealed a hint of struggle before finally saying in a deep voice:

“I implore you, Sect Leader, to bestow this item upon my Grandpa! He is getting old, and most of his life force has already faded. For him to break through the Divine Barrier of the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer is a near-impossible task.

He needs this wisp of Lifebound Qi to refine a Treasure Medicine far more than I do!”

Even Liu Huan, who considered himself to have seen all the ways of the world, couldn’t help but be moved by these words.

Since ancient times, wealth has always captivated the hearts of men.

For a cultivator, there was nothing in the world more important than one’s Cultivation!

Among the countless Qi Cultivation Clans at the mountain’s base, there was even a “custom” where the younger generation would devour a deceased clan elder’s Life Qi to advance their own Cultivation!

Yet Jiang Yi was willing to give the Ding Fire Lifebound Qi—which could have let him easily break through to the Seventh Layer—to Yang Xun, a man with whom he shared no blood, merely to repay the kindness of his upbringing.

Such a thing was extremely rare, let alone in a Demon Dao Dharma Lineage; even in the Immortal Dao, which valued master-disciple lineage and one’s background, this would be enough to be called ’deeply loyal and righteous.’

“You are truly genuine and sincere. You have the air of an Ancient Demon Cultivator, one who ’holds fast to the self.’”

Liu Huan sighed softly, suddenly understanding why his disciple, Zhou Fu, had expressed regret for Jiang Yi.

For a cultivation talent like him to die prematurely would indeed be a great pity.

If nurtured properly, he could very well become a future pillar of the Qianji Sect!

But the thought only flashed through Liu Huan’s mind before he dismissed it. For the sake of his own Foundation Establishment and Dao Entry, he was willing to abandon even his ancestral enterprise.

He had long ceased to view the position of Sect Leader or the foundation of his Dharma Lineage as matters of primary importance.

No matter how outstanding Jiang Yi was, it ultimately made no difference to Liu Huan.

He nodded slightly and said:

“Moved by your filial piety, this Sect Leader approves.”

With that, he placed the scorching, nine-inch-long fiery wisp into Yang Xun’s hands.

“If you can survive this tribulation, then cultivate peacefully in the Merit Supervision Institute. In two or three years at most, the Qianji Sect will find it difficult to know peace. No, the entire Beimang Ridge will be thrown into chaos.”

Liu Huan said, speaking from a premonition.

If it weren’t for the two Ancestral Sects treating the north-south standoff as a grand game of chess, why would he have gone so far as to abandon his ancestral foundation just to gamble on a slim chance at Foundation Establishment and Dao Entry!

As his thoughts shifted, the Profound Light that had been illuminating the hall suddenly unfurled. The ever-shifting clear and turbid Kui Water True Qi flowed wantonly, sweeping out with a RUSH and instantly blanketing the peak of Observing Fate Peak.

Jiang Yi felt a slight chill run through him. In the blink of an eye, all of Elder Sui’s “closest subordinates” had their flesh and blood dissolved, transforming into wisps of chaotic qi.

“That’s all tidied up.”

Liu Huan remarked nonchalantly. He had killed dozens of people with a mere flick of his finger, as casually as if he were absorbing a breath of Spiritual Qi.

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a trickling stream and soared away into the sky.

’A Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer expert who has condensed Innate Qi… For them, fighting cultivators below the Tenth Layer really is as simple as eating and drinking.’

Jiang Yi mused to himself. No wonder the hierarchy in the Demon Dao Dharma Lineages was so strict; even within the same realm, the disparity in power levels could be immense.

’Now that I have the Membership Letter for the North and South Dipper Sword, the paths available to me won’t be as limited as they are now.’

Freed from the oppressive pressure of the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer expert, Jiang Yi let out a long sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart.

He turned to look at Yang Xun and was startled to see his Grandpa’s face streaked with tears, his eyes welling up.

“Ah Yi! I…”

Jiang Yi felt a wave of resignation. ’It looks like it wasn’t just Sect Leader Liu Huan who was fooled; Grandpa Yang Xun really took my act to heart.’

“Alright, alright. A man your age, acting like a maiden.”

he said, waving his hand dismissively, afraid that Yang Xun would say something overly sentimental.

’Now that this is over, it’s time for me to go down the mountain and annihilate their clan.’

…

…

「West of Dangyin Ridge, above the Huai River.」

The imposing figure of Xuan Chanzi reined in his Sword Qi. In the distance, dozens of Escape Lights could be seen streaking in from all directions, clearly surrounding him.

In just two or three breaths, a woman in a long white dress appeared in midair.

Her features were elegant, her bearing otherworldly, like a white lotus standing alone and apart from the world.

She parted her vermilion lips, her voice like pearls dropping onto a jade plate:

“Brother Xuan Chanzi, a few days ago you killed seven disciples of my sect on Dangyin Ridge. You ought to give us an explanation for this matter.”

Xuan Chanzi raised his eyebrows and said coldly:

“Just as I thought. You cultivators from the Innate Sect always love to copy the pretentious, affected mannerisms of the Immortal Dao!

The Spiritual Aura in the lands of the north and south has shifted abruptly. All Three Peaks now possess the ’Upper Flame Gold Forging Appearance,’ which is a perfect match for the ’Metal Life’ that Ding Zhenzi wants to cultivate.

You want to prop him up to contend with me for the champion’s title in the sword competition, all to seize my sect’s destiny! If that’s what you want, then just come out and fight me openly!

Why must you use the pretext of a blood debt to commit such blatant plunder? You’re hypocrites to the core!”

The white-robed woman’s expression remained serene as she spoke in a soft, gentle voice:

“Brother Xuan Chanzi, why must you assume such malicious intent? You killed our sect’s disciples first, creating a karmic debt between the Zhongyi Sect and the Innate Sect. We have only come seeking justice to avenge our fellow disciples.”

The Huai River churned, its waves surging. In an instant, seven or eight more Escape Lights landed around him.

Numerous Qi Mechanisms converged between heaven and earth, manifesting as rosy mists, great mountains, or dragons and tigers, faintly forming a restrictive seal.

Xuan Chanzi stood with his hands behind his back. He raised a hand, grabbing a ball of Spiritual Energy, then brought two fingers together and formed the hand seal for a Sword Technique.

CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of metal striking stone rang out, instantly surging like a tidal wave!

The ball of sharp Spiritual Energy transformed into hundreds of strands of Sword Qi, spreading out with a thunderous crackle like a torrential downpour on banana leaves!

The white-robed woman knew that a Sword Cultivator’s killing power was unparalleled, and she didn’t dare to be careless.

She hurriedly summoned a Treasure Umbrella. Spurred by Profound Light, it opened on all sides as a Ren Water radiance flowed down like cascading tassels, instantly shielding her entire body.

No matter how the sky full of golden light rained down, it was unable to break through her defense!

“Brother Xuan Chanzi, if you return with us to the Innate Sect and willingly accept suppression in the Eight Jails Tower for twenty years, you might be spared death and allowed to preserve your Primordial Spirit!

The Zhongyi Sect’s Dharma Lineage has already been annulled; you no longer have a Talisman Decree to entrust your Life Essence to!”

From one of the Escape Lights that had just arrived, a young man wearing a golden crown loudly chimed in:

“That’s right! Xuan Chanzi, you killed seven of our Innate Sect disciples. This blood debt won’t be easily erased! If you are truly repentant, then surrender without a fight…”

Xuan Chanzi, still holding his hand seal for the Sword Technique, furrowed his brow. As if he couldn’t be bothered to listen to their incessant chatter any longer, he let out a sharp cry:

“Enough of your nagging! I’ll take your head first!”

Across the vast sky, hundreds of golden lights flickered and, in a single breath, split into tens of millions!

Billowing killing intent flooded the entire area!

This continuous barrage unfolded, darting back and forth like ten thousand arrows loosed at once, forcing the disciples of the Innate Sect to retreat thirty or forty feet.

However, at that very moment, Xuan Chanzi seemed to spot an opening. His body was enveloped in a golden Profound Light, and he suddenly transformed into a streak of light to escape!

“Not good! Xuan Chanzi is trying to escape! Junior Brother Yun, stop him!”

the white-robed woman cried out. The golden-crowned youth, naturally wanting to show off for his Senior Sister, immediately unleashed an incomparably dense Fire Element Profound Light!

This fiery light was so fierce that in an instant, the Huai River for a hundred *li* around began to boil, sizzling and steaming as it evaporated into a vast white fog!

“My Six Yang Gold Dissolving Qi specializes in countering Flying Swords…”

Just as a triumphant look appeared on the golden-crowned youth’s face, it twisted into one of utter horror.

It turned out the Transforming Light Gold Qi was not fleeing at all. It ricocheted several times in mid-air as if tearing through the void, then suddenly reversed course and shot back toward him!

“Die!”

As if teleporting, Xuan Chanzi appeared out of thin air above the golden-crowned youth, his Dharma Body merged as one with his Profound Gold Sword Qi.

The sky suddenly trembled as if heaven and earth were resonating in unison, emitting an incomparably sharp cutting aura!

SCHLICK!

The blazing firelight was cleaved apart, and the Profound Gold Sword Qi sliced horizontally, instantly cutting the golden-crowned youth in half at the waist!

Before his Primordial Spirit could escape, the Profound Gold Sword Qi divided again, weaving together like a rain of blades that instantly shredded both his body and Primordial Spirit!

“Once struck by my Slaying Sword, not even your Life Essence can escape!”

Xuan Chanzi roared with laughter and immediately lunged toward the white-robed woman!

A moment later, the Treasure Umbrella shattered, and an elegant head went flying!

In the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, blood stained the Huai River for a hundred *li*. Scattered Spiritual Qi hung in the air, a vibrant, colorful haze, like a magnificent sunset mist suffusing the sky.

After Xuan Chanzi had left, the Exquisite Magic Tower of the Taifu Sect teleported to the scene.

“The Innate Sect sacrificed so many disciples to Xuan Chanzi’s Killing Tribulation. It seems they truly intend to push Ding Zhenzi to the position of True Monarch.”

Lou Zhenxiao glanced down. A rough count revealed that seventeen or eighteen Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer cultivators had perished here, enough to disturb the Spiritual Aura for a hundred *li* in all directions.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep