booktalesy Chapter 296 The Sword Tomb's Fortuitous Encounter!
Chapter 296 The Sword Tomb's Fortuitous Encounter!
Sand Scorpion frowned.
None of his four subordinates were pure sword cultivators.
Just as he was hesitating, a clear and melodious sword cry suddenly came from the depths of the Sword Tomb!
"Om-"
A crimson sword light shot into the sky, circled several times in the air, and then shot directly towards the group!
"Be on guard!" Sand Scorpion shouted, his body surging with golden light.
But the sword light was not an attack; instead, it hovered ten feet in front of everyone, revealing a three-foot-long sword.
The sword is crimson red like flames, with fire patterns carved on the hilt, and its sound carries a hint of elation.
"This is..." The old man's pupils contracted, "An ancient sword with a spirit, choosing its own master?"
The sword trembled slightly, and its tip slowly turned towards the puppet!
No, more accurately, it turned to something in the puppet's arms.
The puppet paused slightly, then took out a crimson jade talisman from its robes.
That was given to her by Chen Jinshu before she left; the jade talisman contained a wisp of Jiang Yi's "Crimson Flame Sword Technique" sword energy.
The moment the jade talisman was taken out, the ancient sword "Yanhuang" rang out loudly and transformed into a stream of light that rushed straight towards the jade talisman!
"boom!"
The jade talisman shattered, and the wisp of sword energy was swallowed by the ancient sword.
The sword shone brightly with crimson light, drawing an arc in the air as it flew rapidly toward a certain direction of the Sword Tomb, as if leading the way.
A look of surprise flashed in the Sand Scorpion's eyes as he looked at the puppet: "Young friend, what is this...?"
The puppet remained silent for a moment, then said, "My master once said that there might be a sword cultivation lineage on the second level of the ruins. This sword must have sensed the same sword energy and wants to lead us to the place of the lineage."
"Sword Qi of the same origin?" Sand Scorpion's gaze sharpened, his tone becoming more skeptical. "Is your master related to sword cultivators?"
"My master is an old friend who practices fire-based sword techniques." The puppet's tone was ambiguous, unwilling to reveal more.
"This junior is also unaware of the details."
Sand Scorpion gave her a deep look, but didn't press further, only saying:
"If that's the case, then let's go and see."
The group followed the ancient sword closely, venturing deep into the sword tomb.
The deeper they went, the stronger the sword energy became, and the air was filled with a sharp intent. Tie Yan, whose cultivation was slightly weaker, already had to use his internal energy to defend against it.
After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a stone platform appeared ahead.
The stone platform is about three zhang high, and nine ancient swords are stuck on it, arranged in formation.
A sword in the center was already drawn from its sheath and hovered in mid-air; it was none other than "Yanhuang".
Below the stone platform, a figure sat cross-legged, surrounded by crimson flames.
Jiang Yi's eyes were closed at this moment, a sword-shaped mark appeared between his eyebrows, and his aura fluctuated. He rose directly from the early stage of Foundation Establishment to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and it was still growing.
"It's him!" Tie Yan exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the person in front of him. "That kid who's got a bounty on his head from the Blood Hand Demon!"
A cold glint flashed in the sand scorpion's eyes, but it did not make a move.
Because around the stone platform, countless broken swords trembled, and sword energy crisscrossed and intertwined to form a net, protecting Jiang Yi in the center.
The sword energy was so intense that even a Golden Core cultivator who rashly entered would be torn to shreds.
“He is receiving the inheritance,” Ying Sha said softly. “The Sword Tomb recognizes its master, and no one else may disturb him, or they will suffer the backlash of ten thousand swords.”
The sand scorpion's expression shifted between light and dark.
He originally intended to capture Jiang Yi in exchange for the bounty offered by the Blood Hand Demon, but given the current situation, it was clearly not advisable to take action.
Just then, a long laugh suddenly came from above the Sword Tomb:
"Old man Sand Scorpion, you're quite lucky to have found the Sword Tomb's inheritance!"
Several streaks of blood-red light pierced through the air and landed on the other side of the stone platform.
The leader was a middle-aged man in a red robe with a sinister face and hands as red as blood. He was none other than Blood Hand Old Demon's disciple, Blood Dove!
He was followed by six cultivators, all dressed in Blood Fiend Sect attire, with the lowest cultivation level being late Foundation Establishment.
Sand Scorpion's face darkened: "Blood Dove, this place was entered by our Sand Scorpion Alliance first. What do you intend to do?"
"How about it?" Blood Dove grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, his tone turning sinister. "The Sword Tomb's inheritance belongs to the destined one. Moreover..."
Immediately, his gaze shifted to Jiang Yi on the stone platform, a greedy glint in his eyes:
"This kid is someone my master specifically requested."
"Scorpion, if you know what's good for you, step aside. Once I've captured him, perhaps I can share some of the spoils with you."
"Dream on!" Sand Scorpion sneered, his body radiating golden light. "Do you really think my Sand Scorpion Alliance is afraid of your Blood Fiend Sect?"
The two sides were on the verge of conflict, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
The puppet "Chen Yan" quietly took half a step back, and with a slight movement of its divine sense, it transmitted a message to Chen Jinshu, the main body of the puppet, who was far away in Liusha City.
Flowing Sand City, Gravel Alley, Stone Houses.
Chen Jinshu sat cross-legged in meditation, then suddenly opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.
"The Blood Fiend Sect has appeared... the Sword Tomb inheritance..."
She stood up, flicked her sleeves, and the Azure Phoenix Chasing the Moon Shuttle appeared.
"It's time to go take a look."
She stepped onto the flying shuttle, a flash of emerald light, and the stone house was empty, with only the faint light of the restriction remaining.
Outside the Valley of Illusions, Chen Jinshu did not directly barge in.
She maneuvered her shuttle to a secluded cliff behind the Sword Tomb, concealing herself. Her divine sense spread out like a net, taking in the entire scene within the Sword Tomb.
Jiang Yi was still in the process of inheriting the legacy, and the crimson flames around him had solidified into a pillar of fire that shot into the sky.
Nine ancient swords on the stone platform trembled in unison, their sword energies converging into the pillar of fire, tempering their physical bodies and souls.
"The complete inheritance of the Crimson Flame Sword Technique... and that ancient sword 'Flame Emperor'." Chen Jinshu's eyes narrowed slightly upon seeing this, showing a hint of surprise. "This young man has extraordinary opportunities."
Her gaze was quickly drawn to the crisscrossing Gengjin sword energy within the sword tomb.
Those sword energies wandered among the broken swords, incomparably sharp, yet restless and uneasy because they had no master.
"The Azure Phoenix Chasing the Moon Shuttle is primarily made of wood. If it incorporates Geng metal sword energy, it can both increase its speed and enhance its offensive power."
With a thought, she formed a hand seal, and the blue lotus mark between her brows lit up.
The phantom of the Mysterious Female Furnace appeared behind him, its mouth spouting out azure light that transformed into countless fine threads that probed into the Sword Tomb, silently entwining with strands of Gengjin sword energy.
The sword energy struggled, but could not resist the pull of the power of creation. It was slowly peeled away and flowed into the shuttle along the green hair.
"Om-!"
The Azure Phoenix Chasing the Moon Shuttle trembled slightly, and a metallic luster appeared in the green light of the shuttle, and its speed was slowly increasing.
Chen Jinshu focused on refining the sword while keeping an eye on the standoff within the sword tomb.
The Sand Scorpion and the Blood Dove had already exchanged blows several times.
The golden light and the blood-red light collided, unleashing bursts of thunder.
Tieyan, Yinfeng, Yingsha, and the six members of the Blood Fiend Sect were also locked in battle, with sword energy crisscrossing and spells flying wildly.
The puppet "Chen Yan" moved along the edge of the battle, sometimes popping out pills to interfere with the Blood Fiend Sect cultivators, and sometimes using talismans to protect its own side.
She was agile and always managed to avoid fatal attacks at crucial moments, appearing to be in complete control.
Just as the battle was at a stalemate, a strange thing happened on the stone platform!
"boom--!"
The pillar of fire exploded, and Jiang Yi stood up, his eyes opening, burning with crimson flames.
He raised his hand and grasped the ancient sword "Yanhuang" into his palm. The sword shone brightly with a red light and emitted a joyful sound.
The aura of a peak mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator suddenly spread out!
“The inheritance is complete.” Jiang Yi murmured, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield before finally settling on Xue Jiu, his eyes filled with murderous intent. “Blood Fiend Sect…the lackey of Blood Hand Old Demon.”
Blood Dove sneered: "Boy, so what if you've obtained the inheritance? You're just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet you dare to be so arrogant!"
He clasped his hands together, and the blood-red light condensed into a giant ghost claw, which slashed down at his head!
Jiang Yi neither dodged nor avoided, but raised his sword and slashed.
"Flame Emperor - Breaking Army!"
The crimson sword energy surged three zhang (approximately 10 meters) like a volcanic eruption, slashing fiercely at the ghost claw!
"Sizzle—!"
The demonic claw tore open with a snap, and blood splattered everywhere.
The sword's momentum remained undiminished, slashing straight at Blood Dove's face!
Blood Dove's expression changed drastically. He retreated several feet and summoned a blood-red shield.
"clang!!"
The sound of metal clashing was deafening.
A thin crack appeared on the surface of the shield, and Blood Dove let out a muffled groan, blood trickling from the corner of its mouth.
"What a fine sword!" His eyes burned with even greater greed. "This sword should rightfully belong to me!"
He bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood essence. As the blood light surged, his figure transformed into three afterimages, rushing towards Jiang Yi from different directions.
Jiang Yi stood holding his sword, his expression solemn.
Although he inherited the legacy and his cultivation level skyrocketed, he lacked practical experience and still faced many dangers when facing Xue Jiu, who was in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
Just then, a beam of emerald light descended from the sky!
The Azure Phoenix Chasing the Moon Shuttle tore through the gray clouds above the Sword Tomb, falling like a meteor straight to the Blood Dove!
"Who goes there!" Blood Dove looked up in shock, only to see the shuttle already right in front of him.
Chen Jinshu stood at the head of the shuttle, his hands pressing lightly, and the star-moon zither appeared out of thin air.
"Zheng—!"
The music was like a tide, and the moonlight sound waves transformed into countless silver threads, instantly binding the three afterimages of the Blood Dove.
The threads tightened, the afterimage shattered, revealing the true form.
Blood Dove was filled with shock and rage, frantically urging its bloodthirsty energy, but it could not break free.
"Who... are you, senior? Why are you blocking my Blood Fiend Sect?!"
Chen Jinshu remained silent, his fingertips clicking the keyboard again.
"Shangxian: Soul Suppressor".
The sound waves solidified, striking the Blood Dove's soul like a heavy hammer.
He screamed in agony, blood gushed from his seven orifices, and his life force suddenly dropped.
Sand Scorpion and the others had already stopped fighting, their eyes filled with apprehension as they watched the scene unfold before them! (End of Chapter)