Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1423 - 901: How Is This Sword of Mine?

The path of least resistance beckoned, and disposing of two early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators was the initial objective. Yang Zhenshan's mind whirred, and the Seven Treasures Soul Suppressing Tower within his Sea of Consciousness pulsed with a subtle luminescence. An unseen force enveloped a cultivator in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Unfazed by the resonance of the Soul-Attracting Bell, the mid-stage cultivator remained oblivious as his Divine Soul was drawn by the Seven Treasures Soul Suppressing Tower into the Soul Returning Array.

From the initial tremor of the Soul-Attracting Bell to the deployment of two Soul-breaking Cones and the subsequent activation of the Seven Treasures Soul Suppressing Tower's Soul Returning Array, the entire sequence transpired in less than a single breath. Within this fleeting moment, Yang Zhenshan had effectively neutralized three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He deliberately avoided engaging Xu Mingzhu at this juncture. Xu Mingzhu possessed a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, and without a clear understanding of his opponent's precise abilities, Yang Zhenshan lacked the confidence for an immediate, decisive strike.

As he had foreseen, the moment the Divine Soul of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was successfully drawn into the Soul Returning Array, a formidable power surged towards him.

Reacting instantaneously, his form flickered, propelling him over thirty feet away.

With a resounding thud, a massive fist slammed into his former location, the potent Jin Qi churning the air and producing a deafening explosion.

"Yang Zhenshan, hehe, very good, very good, you are truly exceptional!" Xu Mingzhu's gaze bore into Yang Zhenshan with icy intensity.

Behind him, a terrifying apparition materialized, its emergence unnoticed.

The apparition towered ten feet high, its semi-transparent, fluid form vaguely humanoid. Countless minuscule ice shards swirled around it, coalescing into a stern, imposing visage. Two eerie purple flames burned within its eyes, radiating a chilling, lethal intent.

It was clad in Scale Armor, sculpted from a dark, flowing gray substance. Each piece of the Scale Armor was etched with enigmatic, ancient runes, shedding gray scales with every subtle movement.

Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes, observing the apparition behind his foe.

During his prior confrontation with Xu Mingzhu and his siblings near Lotus Heart Valley, Xu Mingzhu had employed a similar technique. Back then, a blood-red figure, also ten feet tall, had loomed behind him. Now, though the figure was smaller, its manifestation was significantly more substantial.

Yang Zhenshan recognized this as a Dharma Body, also referred to as an apparition—a manifestation of Body Refinement techniques within the cultivation path of Immortality.

This apparition appeared distinct from the Devouring Spirit Body. The Devouring Spirit Body amplified the cultivator's physical strength, transforming into a potent apparition. In contrast, Xu Mingzhu projected an apparition externally, his own physical form remaining largely unchanged.

"Perish for me!"

Xu Mingzhu's sinister eyes locked onto Yang Zhenshan as he unleashed a guttural roar.

The colossal apparition descended upon Yang Zhenshan like an immense mountain. Yang Zhenshan artfully sidestepped the direct assault, retreating another hundred feet.

Xu Mingzhu, naturally, pursued relentlessly.

In truth, Xu Mingzhu's current state seemed clouded by fury, causing him to momentarily forget Yang Zhenshan's greatest strengths.

His speed was remarkable; despite the immense Dharma Body he carried, he moved with surprising agility.

Yet, he faced Yang Zhenshan, whose mastery lay in Space Shift.

The ensuing confrontation devolved into a constant chase, with Yang Zhenshan continuously evading and retreating, their figures intertwining above the vast river, resulting in a tense stalemate.

And just as Yang Zhenshan adeptly led Xu Mingzhu away, Xuanzhen, Yun Xiao, and Bai Xiaoyun entered the formation.

Previously, Yang Zhenshan had dealt with three Foundation Establishment cultivators. Now, five Foundation Establishment cultivators remained airborne: Zhou Tu, Master Zhou, and Xu Mingzhu's three retainers.

Yang Zhenshan's sudden assault had caught the five off guard. By the time they realized Xu Mingzhu had pursued Yang Zhenshan, Xuanzhen, Yun Xiao, and Bai Xiaoyun had closed the distance.

Facing a disadvantage of three against five, with the opposing five all being mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, Xuanzhen's group appeared to be in a precarious position.

However, the Taiyin Cold Pond Array remained a factor. Due to the pervasive invasion of Taiyin's frigid energy, the internal organs and Dantian Qi Seas of the five were partially frozen, diminishing their combat effectiveness to merely fifty percent.

Yun Xiao had not yet reached close proximity, yet the tip of his sword was already inches from Zhou Tu's face.

The Flying Sword traversed back and forth over a hundred feet in the blink of an eye, slashing towards Zhou Tu's visage like a vibrant streak of light.

Just as the sword tip was poised to plunge into Zhou Tu's face, he abruptly awoke, and a black shield manifested before him.

"Ah~~"

He let out a furious roar, a sound mingling fear and indignation, tinged with utter hysteria.

Clang~~

The black shield repelled the sword's thrust, and the Flying Sword, foiled, reformed into a streamer and returned to Yun Xiao's grasp.

Yun Xiao stood clad in a cyan Taoist robe, his visage youthful despite crane-like hair, wielding the Flying Sword. A yellow-brown sword light flickered, imbuing his entire being with a sense of gravitas.

"Who are you?" Zhou Tu demanded, his voice thick with fury.

"Yun Xiao of the Xuanqing Sect!" Yun Xiao's voice, resonant and clear, boomed like distant thunder.

"How dare a mere nobody like you launch a sneak attack!" Zhou Tu's eyes bulged with incandescent rage.

Moments ago, had he not snapped back to awareness, that sword strike would have undoubtedly ended his life.

Now, he was consumed by a tempest of fear and anger.

He had been perilously close to meeting his demise right here.

Only then did he clasp his fingers together, a golden sword Qi manifesting at his fingertips, aimed directly at Yun Xiao.

This was Geng Metal Sword Qi!

It was both a potent magical technique and an integral part of the Sword Dao!

While in the possession of ordinary cultivators, Geng Metal Sword Qi served as a commonplace Gold Attribute magical technique. However, in the hands of Sword Cultivators, it ascended to a level no less formidable than any supreme swordsmanship.

The Sword Qi sliced through the heavens, lunging towards Yun Xiao.

Yet, a sneer twisted Yun Xiao's lips.