86: Slaying a Core Formation cultivator! The magic weapon, the Green Radiance Sword!

Chapter 86: Destroying a Core Formation Cultivator! Magic Treasure green brilliant sword!

Black Wind Ridge, the mountains were steep and the forests deep.

Lu Qiu steered the green flying shuttle, arriving above the mountain ridge Gang Leader Sun Er Gou had mentioned in just a few moments.

He lowered his escape light, his Divine Sense spreading out like an invisible net, silently covering several miles of the forest below.

The Divine Sense of the second layer of the Great Evolution Art, combined with the keen perception of the Spirit Shocking Thorn, allowed his ability to capture the aura of living beings to reach an astonishing level.

Soon, he caught an unusual aura on a Stony Slope covered in scattered rocks and overgrown with weeds within the ridge.

That aura was mixed with a faint corpse Qi, cold Devilish Qi, and a weak fluctuation of Spiritual Qi. Its overall strength was around the second level of the Qi Condensation Stage, but its essence gave off a strange sense of solidity and obscurity, completely different from an ordinary Qi Condensation Cultivator.

"Found you..." Lu Qiu's eyes narrowed as he locked onto that Stony Slope.

He did not rush over directly.

The opponent was, after all, a former Core Formation Cultivator. Even if he was now like a tiger in the lowlands, there was no guarantee he didn't have some life-saving trump cards or a way to counterattack.

Alerting the enemy prematurely would not be wise.

With a thought, Lu Qiu pushed the Myriad Transformations Hidden Origin Art to its limit. His aura quickly retracted and faded, almost merging into one with the surrounding mountain wind and forest waves.

At the same time, he took out the "invisibility gauze" he had obtained from the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land from his Storage Pouch and draped it over himself.

The gauze moved without wind, emitting a very faint, water-like transparent ripple that completely erased his silhouette. Even the last trace of aura that might have leaked out was perfectly shielded.

Only after finishing all this did Lu Qiu, like a true ghost, silently sneak toward that Stony Slope.

---

On the Stony Slope, a burly man with an ugly face and slightly dull eyes was sitting cross-legged on a relatively flat bluestone. With his five centers facing heaven, a very faint grey-black aura swirled around him.

This was the Physical Body of "the monster" after being possessed by the Yu Ling Sect Cultivator.

After a long while, he slowly finished his work, exhaling a breath of turbid Qi carrying cold Evil Qi. A hard-to-conceal look of joy appeared on his ugly face.

"Finally broke through to the second level of the Qi Condensation Stage... Although this Physical Body is dull and sluggish, its solid Foundation and vigorous blood Qi far surpass ordinary bodies. It is an unexpected surprise." The possessed Yu Ling Sect Cultivator muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and dry, already different from the monster's original stiff tone, carrying a hint of the original owner's ruthlessness.

"At this rate, in a while, I will be able to initially stabilize the Fusion of the Divine Soul and the Physical Body and completely control this body. By then, that mere low-grade corpse-controlling magical artifact in the hands of that Mortal ant will no longer be able to bind me!"

At this thought, a flash of pleasure crossed his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by deeper resentment and hatred.

The thrilling pursuit from months ago involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Li Huayuan!

Yellow Maple Valley!

"Yellow Maple Valley! Li Huayuan! This enmity is irreconcilable! You destroyed my Physical Body, wounded my Primordial Spirit, and caused over a hundred years of bitter Cultivation to go down the drain..."

"the monster" gnashed his teeth, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white: "When I recover my Cultivation and the day I reach Core Formation again, I will definitely make you all pay in blood!"

He did not despair.

As a Core Formation Cultivator, he possessed complete Cultivation experience and insight. As long as he had enough time and resources, retracing the path of Cultivation would be much easier than the first time.

He was confident that within a hundred years, he could reach Core Formation again and even aim for a higher Realm!

Just as he was immersed in his future revenge fantasies and plans, an abrupt change occurred!

The surrounding light distorted and blurred without any warning!

In the air, a blurred and dreamlike seven-colored halo spread out at some point, like countless tiny colored bubbles, enveloping an area of several yards around him.

The familiar scene of rocks and weeds before his eyes began to shake, overlap, and change. In his ears, there seemed to be a faint, sleep-inducing buzzing of wings.

"Illusion technique?!" "the monster" was greatly alarmed and instantly became alert.

Although he only had the Cultivation of the second level of the Qi Condensation Stage left, his Core Formation Stage insight and Primordial Spirit essence remained. His perception of abnormal states far surpassed those of the same stage.

However, this illusion technique came extremely abruptly, and it didn't seem to target his personal Divine Sense directly. Instead, it directly distorted the surrounding small-scale environmental light and Spiritual Qi fluctuations, forming a Domain-like interference.

He tried to circulate his weak Devilish Qi to strike at the surroundings, and his Divine Sense also tried its best to concentrate, attempting to see through the illusion.

But having only recently completed the Possession, his Primordial Spirit and Physical Body were not yet fully coordinated, and his reaction was ultimately half a beat slow.

The seven-colored halo had already flared up, completely dragging him into a bizarre illusion where scenery was upside down and chaotic!

Not far away, Lu Qiu, who had hidden his figure, saw "the monster's" eyes instantly become vacant and suspicious, his body stiffening. He had clearly fallen into the collective illusion created by the Illusion Spirit Butterflies, and a smile couldn't help but appear on Lu Qiu's face.

To ensure nothing went wrong, he had directly released over a hundred mature Illusion Spirit Butterflies this time, stacking their illusion power in a specific area to form a potent illusion.

Dealing with a possessor who only had the second level of the Qi Condensation Stage and whose Primordial Spirit and Physical Body were not in harmony worked surprisingly well.

Seeing the opponent trapped, Lu Qiu no longer hesitated.

His figure was like lightning as he emerged from his invisible state, instantly closing in to within a few feet of "the monster."

At the same time, a pale silver spirit calming talisman he had long held in his hand, drawn with complex soul-suppressing runes, was instantly activated!

"Go!"

A flash of silver light, and the Talisman turned into a streak of light, accurately imprinting itself right in the center of "the monster's" forehead!

*Hum!*

"the monster's" body jerked violently. The last trace of struggling light in his eyes quickly dimmed, becoming hollow and dull. His entire person became as if frozen by a body-fixing spell, standing stiffly in place, even the weak Spiritual Qi fluctuations around him solidifying.

The spirit calming talisman specifically suppressed the Divine Soul and was especially effective against targets in a Primordial Spirit state!

Only then did Lu Qiu wave his hand, withdrawing the Illusion Spirit Butterflies around him.

The seven-colored halo dissipated, and the scenery returned to normal.

"the monster" also slowly "woke up," but his body and magic power were still bound by the power of the spirit calming talisman. Only his eyes regained their spirit.

When he clearly saw the green-robed youth standing before him with his hands behind his back and a calm expression, his pupils suddenly contracted, and a storm of shock rose in his heart!

This face... he remembered it!

Months ago, in that forest in Jingzhou Prefecture, this person was among the several Yellow Maple Valley Foundation Establishment Disciples who appeared alongside Li Huayuan and Old Monster Nie!

Although this person's Cultivation seemed to be only at the Foundation Establishment Stage at the time, that composed temperament had left an impression on him.

"How did he find this place?! Did he recognize me?!" Countless thoughts surged in the Yu Ling Sect Cultivator's mind as fear instantly gripped him.

But he was, after all, a former Core Formation old monster who had once commanded the winds and clouds. His shrewdness was deep, and he instantly suppressed his fear, squeezing out an incredibly humble and terrified expression on his face. His voice trembled as he spoke: "I... this humble one does not know how I have offended Senior. I beg Senior for forgiveness... this humble one is just a backwater Loose Cultivator fleeing for my life..."

He tried to hide his true identity, hoping the other party was just passing by by chance or had come for the Physical Body of "the monster."

Lu Qiu looked at the other's clumsy performance, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking arc. He didn't bother to beat around the bush and directly exposed him: "When did a grand Yu Ling Sect Core Formation Stage Cultivator become so humble as to call himself 'this humble one' before a Foundation Establishment junior like me?"

*Boom!*

The Yu Ling Sect Cultivator felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His last trace of hope was completely shattered!

The other party not only recognized him but even knew his origins perfectly!

His face instantly turned pale, and the light in his eyes flickered sharply, finally turning into a dull grey of despair.

"Fellow Daoist... no, Senior."

He bitterly changed his address, lowering his posture even further: "Since Senior already knows my identity, I wonder how you intend to deal with me? If Senior is willing to spare my life, I am willing to swear a Heart Demon oath to serve Senior from now on, to be at Senior's beck and call, with no second thoughts!"

He knew that given the absolute gap in strength and his exposed identity, begging for mercy was the only possible chance to stay alive.

Lu Qiu's eyes were indifferent, as if he were sizing up an object: "With your current meager Cultivation at the second level of the Qi Condensation Stage, and your Primordial Spirit and Physical Body not yet fused, you could collapse at any time. What use is there in you serving me? You're just a burden. Give me a reason not to kill you."

The Yu Ling Sect Cultivator's heart sank, knowing the other party spoke the truth.

In his current state, he indeed had no value.

His mind raced, and he hurriedly said: "Senior! Although I have lost all my Cultivation, I was once at the Core Formation Stage after all. I know many Demonic Path secrets and secret Cultivation Techniques! I even know a huge secret regarding the current situation in the State of Yue!"

He paused, seeing Lu Qiu's expression remain flat, and could only grit his teeth and continue: "The Six Demonic Sects are secretly preparing to launch a joint invasion of the State of Yue! This is a top-secret! Furthermore, Spirit Beast Mountain, one of the Seven Great Sects of your country, has already secretly sided with my Yu Ling Sect and is actually an internal spy! If this war starts, the State of Yue will surely suffer a heavy blow! If Senior can learn of this in advance and make plans early, you might be able to achieve great merit or even save your Sect from peril!"

He threw out the information he considered most valuable, hoping it would move Lu Qiu.

However, after Lu Qiu heard it, he just gave a faint "oh" and shook his head: "The Demonic Path's intention to invade, Spirit Beast Mountain's hidden malicious intent... I am already aware of these. Just based on this, you won't live."

Already aware?!

The Yu Ling Sect Cultivator was horrified!

How could a Foundation Establishment Disciple know such a top-secret?

Had the Yellow Maple Valley higher-ups already noticed?

He immediately panicked and hurriedly said: "I... I am willing to offer up all my wealth! Before I was heavily wounded by Li Huayuan, I hid some important items, including years of savings, Jade Slips of Cultivation Techniques, and... and my Lifebound Treasure, the 'green brilliant sword,' in a hidden cave nearby! I am willing to give them all to Senior, only asking for my life in exchange!"

He gave a detailed location of a cave beneath a certain cliff deep within Black Wind Ridge, his tone earnest, as if he truly only wanted to buy his life with riches.

However, in the depths of his lowered eyes, an extremely subtle hint of ruthlessness and expectation flashed.

"The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis is guarding there! As long as this kid greedily goes to take the treasure, with the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis's strength and speed close to the Core Formation Stage, it will surely kill him instantly if he's caught off guard! At that time, I might be able to break free from this spirit calming talisman in the chaos and even regain control of the situation..." he plotted maliciously in his heart.

But the next moment—

An incredibly sharp pain, as if it could pierce the Soul, exploded without warning in the core of his Primordial Spirit!

"Ah—!"

He didn't even manage to let out a full scream before his consciousness, like a candle flame in the wind, was instantly extinguished and dissipated!

Lu Qiu withdrew his finger expressionlessly. At his shenting acupoint, an invisible and intangible "Spirit Shocking Thorn" slowly dissipated.

"Hmph, facing death and you still want to use the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis to plot against me." Lu Qiu sneered.

He had already known of this demonic Cultivator's tricks from the original story; how could he easily fall for it?

That slight abnormality in the other party's eyes when mentioning the cave just now made him even more certain there was a trap.

Against a possessor with a weak Primordial Spirit and a bound Physical Body, a single full-power Spirit Shocking Thorn was enough.

With the complete annihilation of the Yu Ling Sect Cultivator's Primordial Spirit, "the monster's" Physical Body jerked, and several wisps of black Qi slowly seeped out from his Seven Orifices. He then completely lost all signs of life and fell straight back.

At the same time, a speck of emerald-green spiritual light slowly floated out from his Dantian, flickering in the air.

This was exactly that Lifebound Treasure, the green brilliant sword!

Lu Qiu was quick-eyed and quick-handed, having long been prepared.

He quickly took out a jade box covered with sealing Talismans and struck out a burst of magic power, drawing that speck of emerald spiritual light over and sealing it into the jade box. He then added a few more Seals before breathing a sigh of relief.

This green brilliant sword was quite powerful. If he could re-refine and subdue it in the future, it would be a great help.

However, with his current Cultivation, he couldn't use it at all and could only temporarily Seal it, leaving it for after he reached Core Formation.

"Truly an enviable treasure..." Lu Qiu looked at the jade box in his hand, remarked with a sigh, and carefully put it away.

Then, he looked at the completely dead Physical Body of "the monster" on the ground.

This Physical Body, having been nourished by a demonic Cultivator's Primordial Spirit for several months and originally having an excellent Foundation, was actually a top-quality material for refining a Puppet.

Lu Qiu waved his hand and stored the monster's corpse into the gray spatial bead.

After finishing all this, he raised his head and looked sharply toward the depths of Black Wind Ridge, in the direction of the cave mentioned by the demonic Cultivator.

"Next... it's time to meet that Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis."

Thinking of that extraordinary insect that had once briefly appeared in Jingzhou Prefecture with terrifying power, there was no fear in Lu Qiu's eyes. Instead, a strong Battle Intent and expectation rose.

If he could use the Dragon Imprisonment Seal to subdue it... He took a deep breath, his figure once again merging into the shadows of the forest, sneaking toward the interior of the ridge.