Chapter Sixteen: Confrontation with the Disciples of the Asura Sect

On the other side, Qin Tian was locked in fierce combat with disciples of the Shura Sect. Having just broken through to the peak of the Nascent Core realm, Qin Tian had yet to engage in a truly satisfying battle. Now, the opportunity had arrived, allowing him to hone his Heavenly Dao Sword Technique.

It was evident that the disciples of the Shura Sect were far more powerful than the Su family members—this was the sect’s foundation. The Shura Sect possessed a combined strike technique known as the Soaring Dragon Formation. This formation required at least five practitioners; the more participants, the greater the power. Five Nascent Core practitioners could manifest the power of the Celestial Spirit realm, and for every additional five, the formation’s strength increased by another level of Celestial War power. It was clear this formation was extraordinary.

When the Shura Sect disciples used the Soaring Dragon Formation against Qin Tian, he unleashed the Heavenly Dao Sword Technique at all costs. After every ten sword strikes, his spiritual power was nearly exhausted, forcing him to take out a third-grade supreme Qi-nourishing pill to replenish his energy. However, after this exhilarating battle, Qin Tian gained new insights into the Heavenly Dao Sword Technique. Previously, he had realized that one sword strike could release two or even three sword energies—this was the movement of sword qi. When he managed to release thirty-six sword energies in a single strike, he discovered that thirty-six was the limit.

In other words, the entry-level limit of the Heavenly Dao Sword Technique was thirty-six sword energies per strike, a fixed maximum. To advance further, one must raise their cultivation or deepen their understanding of the technique to a minor mastery level. However, as Liao Chen had previously stated, Qin Tian was not yet permitted to raise his cultivation, so he could only continue to refine his swordsmanship.

As he repeatedly released sword qi, Qin Tian soon discovered that it required not only his own spiritual energy but also the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The more he harnessed this universal spiritual energy, a considerable portion would return to replenish his own reserves. This allowed him not only to unleash more sword strikes but also to expand his qi sea.

At that moment, he understood: the so-called Celestial Spirit realm was about mastering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for oneself. It was not merely absorbing spiritual energy—such a process would be slow and inefficient—but controlling the spiritual energy of a certain domain of heaven and earth, instantly channeling it for one’s own use.

In that instant, Qin Tian could no longer restrain his cultivation and quickly broke through to the first level of the Celestial Spirit realm. Yet, upon this breakthrough, he felt no joy—only shame, for he had disobeyed his master’s orders and advanced prematurely.

But now was not the time for regrets, so he continued to wield the Heavenly Dao Sword Technique against the Shura Sect disciples. With his cultivation greatly enhanced, not only did the number of his sword strikes increase, but the power of his sword qi soared as well. Though the Shura Sect disciples could combine attacks to reach Celestial Spirit realm power, their defenses could not match that level. Under Qin Tian’s assault, they suffered backlash injuries, each spitting fresh blood.

“Don’t hold back, swallow the Blood Fury Pills to boost your cultivation! Otherwise, none of us will make it out alive!”

The speaker was Su Kuangfeng, whose aptitude was slightly inferior to Su Wudao, but not by much.

The Shura Sect disciples agreed—this time they had truly met their match. Their opponent was young but astonishingly powerful; his sword technique was terrifying, able to withstand their combined attacks at the Nascent Core realm. Such strength, surpassing one’s level, was the mark of a prodigy. And they had encountered him right here in the small Wanxiang City. The bitterness in their hearts was more intense than swallowing bitter herbs.

After consuming the Blood Fury Pills, the disciples temporarily elevated their cultivation and combat power to the Celestial Spirit realm. Although Qin Tian had just broken into the first level of the Celestial Spirit realm, he could not shatter these despicable Shura Sect disciples so quickly.

As Qin Tian was suppressed, the tide of battle seemed to shift in favor of the Su family. Nearby, Liao Chen watched the fight with furrowed brows, clearly dissatisfied with his two disciples. Despite having given them many resources, their practical combat abilities were far below expectations.

The Shura Sect’s Elder Xue, noticing Liao Chen’s displeasure, sneered, “Friend, are you worried your two disciples cannot match ours and want to intervene? Honestly, your opponents are us; your disciples are just children. They should settle their matters themselves.”

Liao Chen cast a cold glance at him and retorted, “Are you sure you want to fight me?”

Elder Xue chuckled, “Young man, I see you are barely a hundred years old. No matter how high your cultivation, you cannot reach the Mysterious King realm. I am at the third level of the Mysterious King realm. If you’re eager to die, I’d be glad to oblige.”

Liao Chen laughed softly, “Very well! Since you’re so confident, I will meet you myself.”

Before he could strike, the Azure Dragon spoke up, “Master, such insignificant ants are unworthy of your effort. Allow me to eliminate him instead!”

Liao Chen waved his hand, declining. Suddenly, he teleported before Elder Xue and struck his chest with a punch. Caught off guard, Elder Xue was sent flying a hundred meters.

Only then did Elder Xue recover, wiping blood from his mouth and quickly cultivating to heal his wounds. Soon, he was restored.

“Is that all your strength, boy? If so, it’s my turn now,” Elder Xue said, seeing that Liao Chen’s blow had caused little damage and reaffirming that Liao Chen’s cultivation had not surpassed the Mysterious King realm.

He then unleashed the Shura Sect’s secret art—the Shura Heavenly Blade. This technique was even more formidable than the Blood Fury Heavenly Blade cultivated by Su Wudao, a true celestial-level skill. With just a slight mobilization of internal spiritual energy, the spirit blade in hand could unleash tremendous power. Elder Xue was certain Liao Chen could not withstand this strike.

After quickly gathering his power, Elder Xue swung the blade toward Liao Chen. The overwhelming blade qi carried immense pressure. If it struck, Liao Chen would be drenched in blood on the spot—at least, that was Elder Xue’s assumption.

But at the moment the blade descended, Liao Chen extended two fingers and effortlessly pinched the blade’s edge.

“Impossible! What is your cultivation?” Elder Xue exclaimed.

Stunned beyond belief, Elder Xue had not expected that after unleashing his full strength, his opponent would catch the killing blow so easily.

Liao Chen paid him no mind, applying force with his two fingers and flicking the blade aside.

“Elder Xue, is that all your strength? Not so impressive!” Liao Chen taunted.

Furious, Elder Xue no longer held back and swung his blade with full might, flames raging along its edge. He shouted, “Boy, die!”

The flaming blade crashed toward Liao Chen, engulfing him in a fierce storm of spiritual energy and swirling dust. Elder Xue believed this time Liao Chen would be dead or severely wounded, so he ceased his attack and waited for the dust to clear.

Then a figure appeared before his eyes—Liao Chen stood there unharmed, leaving Elder Xue speechless.

“You’re not dead? How is this possible?”

Liao Chen chuckled, “Elder Xue, aren’t you surprised I’m still alive? Since you’ve given your all, it’s my turn now!”

Before Elder Xue could retreat, Liao Chen extended a hand, clenched it tightly, and suddenly, Elder Xue’s body was crushed under the pressure of the heaven and earth’s spiritual energy. Within five seconds, unable to withstand the overwhelming force, he dissolved into a mist of blood and vanished.