Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 284 - 266: Hua Mei Sword! Capturing Heart Mirror!

The Five Great Perfecteds engaged in chaotic battle.

The scene was truly grand and terrifying.

Han Ji wielded the White Bone Six Yang Hammers in his hands like the wind, smashing them down without cessation. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds, the Five Fire True Man, being at Core Formation, managed to hold his ground for half a day without issue.

"We can't get entangled!" Han Ji cursed inwardly, forcing himself to calm down.

With a shout, he hammered down viciously at the Five Fire True Man, forcing the latter to repeatedly wield the Five Fire Red Aura Banner in defense. Amidst the flying fierce flames, Han Ji soared back, stretching out a palm like a white bone claw, plunging fiercely into the Fiery Fire Formation overhead of Jiupan Po, and viciously struck down.

"Han Ji!!!" Jiupan Po was enraged.

She fanned her Green-eyed Sky Fan repeatedly, and heavenly nets entwined. The white bone claw, neither physical body nor Divine Soul, was fearless. Through the nets and breaking the All Heavens Five Lustful Threads, it ruthlessly crashed down on Jiupan Po.

"How dare you!" Jiupan Po bellowed furiously, her bewitching face contorted with rage, transforming in an instant into the head of a bird, shrieking sharply and pecking viciously at the white bone claw.

Boom!

The two collided.

Jiupan Po remained unflinching, the bird head reverting back to her alluring facade. The white bone claw, as if electrocuted, withdrew but tore a gap in the formation. Seizing the chance, the No-Life Hall Master flickered and leaped out.

"Let's go!"

Han Ji didn't spare a glance for Jiupan Po nor Lu Qingfeng, his expression cold as he vanished into the void.

The No-Life Hall Master's black and white pupils turned towards Lu Qingfeng, and in a chilling tone he said, "Fierce Fire Daoist, I, the elderly, shall pay a visit another day!"

With that said, he quickly followed after Han Ji.

As the two demons retreated, Jiupan Po was inflamed with rage, fixated on continuing the fight with Lu Qingfeng, neither willing to surrender nor cease.

At that moment, a piercing cold light streaked from the sky, with Sword Qi cutting through all directions, raising the hairs on one's neck.

Jiupan Po's complexion changed slightly as she exclaimed, "The Hua Mei Sword!"

Immediately dared to linger no more, with a leap she transformed into her true form, the rouge bird, and executed the Escape Magic into the vast Void, fleeing far away.

"Hmm?"

Lu Qingfeng's eyes revealed surprise, as he looked towards the source of the rising sword light.

Boom!

A thunderous sound followed the sword light, accompanied by the wailing of the No-Life Hall Master and the icy voice of Han Ji, "Weng Shaoqing, I shall avenge this sword's grudge one day!"

As his voice fell, the aura of the two demons dissipated and vanished without a trace.

In the distance, Sword Qi shimmered, and a refined man with streaks of white at his temples, holding a sword, approached through the void. Initially, his Sword Qi soared, fierce and chilling, before quickly sheathing its edge, appearing as an ordinary man.

"Demon Suppression Peak Master, Weng Shaoqing!"

Seeing the newcomer, Lu Qingfeng gave a glance and also dared not linger.

With a thought, the Zhu Rong Demon God opened its mouth, engulfing twelve Dutian Fierce Fire God Flags, and with a collision, they melted into Lu Qingfeng's body. His form wavered, stepping upon winds and thunders, he departed from the Fire Spirit Shell Field.

Weng Shaoqing, walking leisurely, landed in the midst of the Fire Spirit Shell Field.

He stood there, plain and simple.

It's said of a gentleman that he is as if cutting, as if polishing.

This was such a character.

The Five Fire True Man's hair was disheveled, appearing slightly disheveled, and he landed before Weng Shaoqing, respectfully saying, "I pay my respects to my master!"

"Hmm."

Weng Shaoqing looked towards the retreating figure of Lu Qingfeng, and in a gentle voice, inquired, "Who is that man?"

The Five Fire True Man, eyeing the direction Lu Qingfeng had left, with puzzlement on his face, nonetheless replied—

"The Fiery Fire Wanderer of the Illusion Wave Sea."

...

At the Chao Tian Pool, Han Ji and Cha Shan sit opposite each other.

On Cha Shan's back, a sword wound stretched from top to bottom, opening flesh to reveal chilling white bones. Yet, not even a drop of blood flowed. Occasionally, the white bone seemed to appear and disappear.

This was precisely the power of the secret White Bone Mysterious Skill from the White Bone Demon Sect, able to alternate between tangible and intangible, vastly increasing defensive power, with both Inner and Outer Refining Methods. The Inner Refining Method refines one's own body, transforming the flesh into an indestructible white bone, the very body of a White Bone Demon God. The Outer Refining Method refines a White Bone Demon God; all Divine Skills are imbued in a White Bone Demon God, ensuring unparalleled self-preservation.

In the past, when the two supreme figures of the Xuanyuan Sect were severely wounded and in decline, the two real people from the White Bone Demon Sect could calmly escape thanks to the Outer Refining Method, sacrificing the White Bone Demon God to preserve their lives.

Although most of their Divine Skills had been lost, by carefully refining another set of superior bones in the future, creating another White Bone Demon God was not impossible.

Cha Shan practiced the Inner Refining Method.

Refining his body into that of a Demon God, he endured a sword strike from Weng Shaoqing. It seemed sharp, the wound ghastly, but in truth, it did not harm the foundation; with careful recuperation over a few months, a full recovery was assured.

Han Ji looked at Cha Shan, seeing his steady aura, and couldn't help frowning, "Weng Shaoqing's Sword Qi grows ever more terrifying."

Having completed his energy circulation, Cha Shan's back wound refused to close; he disregarded it, speaking grimly, "Amongst the Xuanyuan Sect, the Hua Mei Sword carries the greatest reputation. Were it not shackled by emotions, it would've broken into the Gathering Law Realm long ago, commanding authority over the Three Realms."

"Hmph!"

"Love blinds one's vision; such achievements are ultimately limited. A moment of authority will soon teach him a painful lesson!"

Han Ji was greatly displeased in his heart, unwilling to discuss Weng Shaoqing further, and changed the topic, "What's the true background of that Fiery Fire Wanderer?"

This battle.

The Fiery Fire Wanderer and Jiupan Po waged a fierce duel, stirring chaos in the situation, leaving him failing to achieve his objective, not to mention the No-Life Hall cultivators were annihilated.

The losses were heavy!

"I, too, am puzzled," Cha Shan replied.

"I personally visited the Illusion Wave Sea to extend an invitation, and this man clearly stated his unwillingness to partake in the conflict between the two sects, seeking to stay neutral. Yet he secretly followed and engaged in an uproar with Jiupan Po."

"His motives, his intentions, are truly difficult to ponder."

Cha Shan shook his head.

If the Fiery Fire Wanderer had come to aid the Xuanyuan Sect, he could have acted directly. With the Xuanyuan Sect's protection, he would have no fear of the White Bone Demon Sect. Yet, instead, he did not act and got entangled with Jiupan Po of Heavenly Travel Mountain.

Even Cha Shan could not fathom the deeper intentions.

"Perhaps he fears offending the Xuanyuan Sect, and thus tries not to side with any party, hoping to gain a profit from the chaos," speculated Cha Shan.

"A fence-sitter?"

Han Ji, his face showing disdain, uttered coldly, "Let's not concern ourselves with him. During the recent massacre in the White Bone Realm, the old witch from Heavenly Travel Mountain was also present, clearly connected to this matter. Hidden in the shadows, we've yet to see what mischief she harbors. The Fiery Fire Wanderer's involvement seriously enraged the old witch."

"It's true."

"Among the three Great Demon Kings of Heavenly Travel Mountain, Jiupan Po has the lowest strength but is the most cunning. This time, she clashed with the brash Fiery Fire Wanderer. When two unscrupulous fellows come together, the result is a fiasco born of mistakes."

A sinister smile spread across Cha Shan's face.

If Jiupan Po were here, she would be so angry she might cough up blood.

Han Ji's face darkened as he looked southward, "This setback has also revealed the strength of Weng Shaoqing. It will take the combined efforts of the two other Heavenly Kings to contain him. Moreover, the Fiery Fire Wanderer from Illusion Wave Sea is not a pushover either, being able to fight Jiupan Po to a draw. He deserves a place among the Three Realms. Once Cha Shan, the Hall Master, recovers from his injuries, he'll be tasked with another visit to Illusion Wave Sea in an effort to recruit him into our White Bone Demon Sect!"

"Mm."

Cha Shan's eyes twinkled as he slowly nodded.

...

Illusion Wave Sea.

Fiery Fire Island.

"Who would have thought the First Seat of Demon Suppressing Peak could be so formidable?"

Lu Qingfeng strode into the cave dwelling on the island.

He sat down cross-legged in the cave.

Only then did he recall the final scene.

With just a single flash of Sword Qi from beyond the skies, it sent Jiupan Po fleeing. The Sword Qi descended and even the No-Life Hall Master seemed to have suffered in secret, provoking Han Ji to drop some harsh words.

Truly extraordinary.

Such a deterrent force, such power, could surely be counted among the top in the Solid Pill Realm, surpassing even Jiupan Po and Han Ji.

"He who is most passionate is also most adept with the sword, a lifetime dedicated to a single-hearted pursuit."

"The Hua Mei Sword."

Lu Qingfeng marveled at the legend of this First Seat in his heart.

But then he cast aside the thought.

With a gesture, he summoned something to his hand.

It was the Dutian Xuanming Strategy.

His thoughts probed inside.

Thousands of Divine Souls, confused and floundering, stood within—these were the newly-acquired souls of the White Bone Demon Sect cultivators. Each and every one of them was at least at the Foundation Establishment level, even including one hundred and four Spirit Void Souls.

"Not bad!"

Lu Qingfeng immediately grinned.

With this, the remaining over seven hundred Xuanming Yin Soldiers were complete.

Among the Foundation Establishment Souls, he would select from the highest to the lowest, piecing together exactly one thousand and eight hundred Xuanming Yin Soldiers. As for their strengths, they were somewhat uneven.

"Upgrading them all to the peak of Foundation Establishment would consume too much."

"It is not urgent. Let's cultivate them slowly."

Lu Qingfeng glanced at the extremely thin Dutian Energy in the space, then at the near-empty water in the Dutian Creation Pool, and shook his head before exiting.

Then, he threw a thousand Spirit Stones into the pool from his storage bag.

The Dutian Creation Pool roared into action, grinding them to nothingness, producing Dutian Energy.

"This battle has cost about five hundred Spirit Stones."

Lu Qingfeng pursed his lips.

Battling against a formidable opponent like Jiupan Po leaves no room for carelessness. Any random expenditure was significant. Not to mention the Zhu Rong Demon God driving the twelve Du Tian Fierce Fire God Banners, establishing the Fiery Fire Immortal Array - an endless source drawing power from the Ghost Generals and Yin Soldiers. The Yin Soldiers and Ghost Generals then cycled Cultivation Techniques, rapidly refining Dutian Energy for recovery.

It was akin to the simultaneous contribution and recovery of power from thirty-six Spirit Void Peak cultivators and three hundred and sixty-five Foundation Establishment Peak cultivators. This recovery was like a whale swallowing Dutian Energy, which was refined from Spirit Stones by the Dutian Creation Pool.

The battle lasted only for a quarter of an hour.

Yet, the consumption of Spirit Stones exceeded five hundred pieces.

Terrifying indeed.

To think, one Spirit Stone is enough to cultivate a Foundation Establishment Qi Introduction Cultivator for three months. Five hundred Spirit Stones would thus represent one hundred and twenty-five years!

It would even be sufficient for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who has just entered the Energy Introduction Realm to cultivate all the way through the Condensing Liquid Realm or even higher.

"This time, the battle against Jiupan Po has truly established my reputation. From now on, Void Core Cultivators like No-Life Hall Master would not dare to provoke me, and True Men like Han Ji and Jiupan Po will have to act cautiously."

"It will save countless battles."

There are gains and losses.

Five hundred Spirit Stones for such an effect is not bad after all.

Putting away the Dutian Xuanming Strategy, Lu Qingfeng then took out another object from his storage bag.

It was a copper mirror seized from the hands of Jiupan Po.

[Magic Artifact: Capturing Heart Mirror]

[Grade: Fifth-Order]

[Description: An ancient treasure from ten thousand years ago, obtained by Jiupan Po by chance. Able to capture one's True Form. When Capturing Heart Realm is used to capture a person's form, the subject is initially unaware. Moreover, the practitioner can decide the duration of its effect, recalling the captured being anytime, even years later. Once the person is trapped, a mere thought is enough to harm them. The longer the technique is in use, the more devastating it becomes. Endlessly sinister and vicious, utterly untraceable and unguardable.]

"This treasure—"

Lu Qingfeng held the Capturing Heart Mirror with a cold smile in his heart.

Among the three Great Kings of Heavenly Travel Mountain, Jiupan Po had the lowest cultivation but was skilled in Innate Divine Number, with the ability to predict and calculate. Anticipating the occurrence in the Fire Spirit Shell Field, she waited in advance. When Han Ji and the Five Fire Real Man were fighting, she hurriedly captured the True Form of the Five Fire Real Man with the Capturing Heart Mirror.

Such that.

In the midst of their fierce battle, she could activate the Capturing Heart Mirror. Even if, due to its brief period of usage, its power was limited, it could still momentarily disrupt the Five Fire Real Man's concentration, resulting in a significant slip in his abilities and utter disarray.

In a battle against an expert like Han Ji, a moment's distraction could be fatal.

At that moment, with Han Ji wielding the White Bone Six Yang Hammers, he would directly hit the distracted Five Fire Real Man, causing his physical body to collapse and even his Void Core and Soul to be devoured together.

One, the Xuanyuan Sect would lose a Void Core Real Man, weakening their strength.

Two, it would add a new grievance between the Xuanyuan Sect and the White Bone Demon Sect, with no chance for reconciliation.

Heavenly Travel Mountain could then take the opportunity to enter the fray.

The plan was exquisite, and the strategy was excellent.

If successful, the Five Fire Real Man would inevitably not survive the ordeal. The blame for killing the Five Fire Real Man would fall on Han Ji, with no connection to Jiupan Po.

An ultimate treasure for devious schemes.

"Fortunately, it fell into my hands. If it had remained with Jiupan Po, no one knows how many lives would be destroyed and calamities stirred," Lu Qingfeng felt fortunate in his heart.

He polished the Capturing Heart Mirror briefly before it disappeared from his palm.

Inside Lu Qingfeng's body.

The Ju Mang Demon God opened its mouth and swallowed the Capturing Heart Mirror, closing its eyes to refine it. Although this mirror had many limitations, its strength lay in its ability to harm others in secret, leaving no trace and with no possibility of defense. For those with insufficient cultivation or Dao ability, once their True Form is captured and the technique activated, death would come instantly.

But, it diminishes Yin virtue.

It must not be used lightly.