273: Chapter 273: Sword Intent Clarity

On the Yao Race side, the six Yao Emperors were also lecturing the Void Refinement Stage Elders of the Yao Race.

Lion Cangqiong's voice was as low as rolling thunder: "Listen up, Yao Race. The Old Ancestor has ordered that you are not allowed to kill each other after entering."

"Whoever dares to strike first, the Old Ancestor will kill him personally."

"Treasures are based on individual Opportunity; do not snatch them. Violators will die."

The Yao Race Elders nodded one after another, their slit pupils filled with Battle Intent.

The Snake Emperor hissed: "Kill more of the Human Race, and lose fewer of your own."

"Return alive, and this Emperor will reward you."

The Elders of the Nine-Headed Snake Clan hissed in response, venom dripping from their mouths and corroding the ground.

Feng Tian said indifferently: "Those of the Five-Colored Phoenix Clan, follow our clan's Disciples closely; do not act alone."

The Phoenix clan Elders nodded, their five-colored feathers shimmering in the twilight.

Lei Tian, Chi Tian, and the Sparrow Emperor also gave a few instructions of their own.

The content was much the same—be careful of the Human Race, grab more treasures, and return alive.

After the instructions were finished, the nine big shots flew toward the palace gate simultaneously.

Old City Lord Li Cang and Lion Cangqiong stood side by side on either side of the gate.

The other big shots lined up on both sides.

Old City Lord Li Cang spoke, his voice not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Everyone, after entering, rely on your own abilities."

"Three days later, regardless of whether you have found the center or not, you must come out."

"If you don't come out in three days, we will forcibly break the door."

"At that time, the Restriction inside will backlash, and no one will be able to save you."

Lion Cangqiong also spoke: "Listen up, Yao Race. Keep up with the Human Race, and don't let the Human Race use you as a spear."

"Returning alive is what is most important."

The two looked at each other and raised their hands simultaneously.

The palace gate slowly opened.

Behind the door was a long corridor, and at the end of the corridor was dazzling light.

In the light, one could vaguely see mountains, rivers, palaces, and pavilions.

That was the core of the ruins, the place where the Body Integration Stage Opportunity was located.

"Enter!"

Old City Lord Li Cang waved his hand.

The Human Race's Void Refinement Stage Cultivators filed in.

Zhao Tianxiong was the first to rush in, his golden sword unsheathed, sword light flickering.

Jian Wuming followed closely behind, his white robes like snow, a long sword hanging at his waist.

Gu Yue walked unhurriedly in the middle of the group, his expression indifferent.

Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng mixed into the crowd and also stepped into the gate.

The Yao Race's Void Refinement Stage Elders also poured in one after another.

Shi Yuntian's golden figure flashed and disappeared behind the gate.

She Gu moved all seven heads and swam in.

Feng Ming flapped his wings and transformed into a streak of five-colored light.

Lei Zhen was surrounded by electric light, taking the lead.

Chi Feng was chillingly cold, and wherever he passed, a layer of thin ice condensed on the ground.

Que Ying had pitch-black wings and floated in silently.

Hundreds of figures disappeared into the light.

Behind the door was a long corridor.

On the walls on both sides of the corridor, there were various murals.

Scenes of Li Qinglian as a demon slayer, en own building a city, and the great war between the Human Race and the Yao Race.

Each mural was vivid and lifelike, as if they could walk off the wall at any moment.

The floor of the corridor was paved with white jade slabs, and ancient runes were carved on the slabs; the runes glowed underfoot, guiding the way.

The corridor was very long, and after walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a huge square appeared ahead.

On the square, three stone tablets stood upright.

Words were carved on the stone tablets.

The first stone tablet was carved with:

"First stage, Sword Intent Path."

"Only those with clear Sword Intent in their hearts may proceed."

Below the stone tablet was a long flight of stone steps that extended into the distance, with no end in sight.

On both sides of the stone steps were rows of stone statues.

The stone statues were in the likeness of Human Race Sword Cultivators, holding long swords with the tips pointing toward the stone steps.

The second stone tablet was carved with:

"Second stage, Phantom Demon Realm."

"Those who enter the Phantom Realm must slay the demons in their hearts; those who sink into it will die."

Below the stone tablet was a mist.

In the mist, ghostly shadows flickered vaguely, and chilling winds blew in gusts.

The third stone tablet was carved with:

"Third stage, Heavenly Mystery Formation."

"Only those who break the Formation may enter the center."

Below the stone tablet was a huge stone Formation.

The stone Formation was composed of countless giant stones, with dense runes carved on them.

In the stone Formation, there were paths, walls, doors, and traps.

To pass, one must find the correct route.

Three stone tablets, three stages.

Each stage exuded an aura that made one's heart palpitate.

The crowd stopped in the square, discussing spiritedly.

"Three stages? Isn't this too difficult?"

"For the first stage, Sword Intent Path, how can one pass if they are not a Sword Cultivator?"

"The second stage, Phantom Demon Realm, isn't that just asking for one's life?"

"The third stage, Heavenly Mystery Formation, who understands Formation?"

Zhao Tianxiong walked to the front of the first stone tablet and narrowed his eyes.

He was an Elder of the Zhao family at the Void Refinement Late Stage; he was not a Sword Cultivator, but he was at the Void Refinement Late Stage, and his spiritual power was profound.

He did not believe he could not pass.

"I'll go first!"

Zhao Tianxiong stepped onto the stone steps.

The stone statues on the steps instantly came to life.

The two rows of stone Sword Cultivators raised their long swords simultaneously, the sword tips pointing at Zhao Tianxiong.

A terrifying Sword Intent erupted from the stone statues, like a mountain and a sea, pressing down on Zhao Tianxiong so hard he couldn't catch his breath.

He gritted his teeth, urging his spiritual power to resist the Sword Intent.

But his spiritual power was like paper before the Sword Intent, collapsing at a single touch.

His face turned pale, and he retreated three steps, falling off the stone steps.

"Pfft—"

Zhao Tianxiong spat out a mouthful of blood, his face deathly pale.

Several sword marks were left on his body, his flesh mangled.

"This is not ordinary Sword Intent; this is the Sword Intent left behind by Li Qinglian!"

Zhao Tianxiong's voice was filled with terror.

The crowd was in an uproar.

Li Qinglian's Sword Intent had slaughtered countless Yao Race ten thousand years ago.

Even the great beings of the Body Integration Stage dared not face it head-on, let alone them, these Void Refinement Stage Cultivators.

"Then what should we do? If we can't pass the first stage, how can we find the center?"

"Maybe we can take a detour?"

"What detour? Didn't you see that there is only this one path?"

Amidst the discussion, Xiao Ran walked out.

He walked to the first stone tablet and looked at the long stone steps.

Sword Intent Path?

He had the Myriad Dao Guixu Body, which could devour all attacks.

Sword Intent was also an attack; it should also be devorable.

"Let me try."

Xiao Ran stepped onto the stone steps.

The stone statues on the steps came to life again, long swords raised, and Sword Intent erupted.

Xiao Ran did not resist; he circulated his Guixu Body, and the Guixu Vortex appeared in his palm.

The vortex spun, devouring the incoming Sword Intent, transforming it, and making it his own.

The Sword Intent entered his body, not harming him, but instead being absorbed by him and turning into his power.

The stone statues were stunned.

They had never seen such a person before.

Not only could the Sword Intent not hurt him, but it was instead eaten by him.

Xiao Ran walked up the stone steps step by step, his pace calm, as if he were taking a stroll.

With every step he took, the Guixu Vortex spun once, devouring more Sword Intent.

His aura was slowly rising, as if he had eaten a potent tonic.

In the crowd, there was dead silence.

Everyone widened their eyes, unable to believe everything they were seeing.

"This... what kind of Cultivation Technique is this?"

"His body can devour Sword Intent?"

"Monster, he is a monster!"

Li Changsheng looked at Xiao Ran's back, expressionless.

But he asked in the Soul Link.

"Xiao Ran, are you okay?"

Xiao Ran replied: "I'm fine, this Sword Intent is quite nourishing, like eating a super tonic pill."

Li Changsheng: "... You are really a talent."

Zhao Tianxiong's face looked even worse.

He, a Void Refinement Late Stage, couldn't pass, yet Xiao Ran, a Void Refinement Early Stage, walked up as if he were strolling.

This was a loud slap to his face.