Chapter 94: The Azure Light Spell-Breaking Sword

Mu Yuan, Qi Wei, and Chu Yunfei knew the Longevity Patriarch was a born Divine Wood Spirit, possessing an Undying Body from the very moment he gained consciousness. His return to cultivate the Longevity Art now was something accumulated over time and came to fruition naturally. Yet, seeing the little guy shatter three obstacles in one go left them feeling unsettled. With suitable Earthly Evil Energy, condensing evil would be effortless. Such a stark difference was enough to make anyone jealous!

The journey had been smooth. Mu Yuan slowly repaired his Primordial Qi Grand Clutching Hand and, by the time they reached Round Pot Mountain, it was nearly restored. The sight of Round Pot Mountain filled him with relief; his sea voyage finally had purpose!

Round Pot Mountain was a small island suspended at sea—less an island, more a sea-bound mountain range. It stretched over three hundred li, with hardly any flat land visible among its peaks. Thick Earthly Evil Energy permeated the mountain, and several smaller islets, like giant reefs, dotted the surroundings. Leaving their Dragon Boat, the three flew towards the island, searching for the right Evil Energy to condense.

Protective Restrictions encircled the island, marking it as Longevity Palace territory. Mu Yuan had heard a Longevity Palace Elder stood guard here, preventing outsiders from condensing evil nearby. The barriers, though not advanced, served as a clear notice.

Once they landed, Chu Yunfei merely walked around briefly before returning to the Dragon Boat. Mu Yuan and Qi Wei, however, sought out the Elder stationed inside the mountain.

They had been told where to go. Finding the tallest peak, they spotted a thatched hut atop it. Standing outside, Mu Yuan called out loudly, “Longevity Palace disciples Mu Yuan and Qi Wei pay respects to the Elder!”

A calm voice echoed from within, “Go find your Evil Energy. Only come if you have questions. Begone!”

The Elder’s distant dismissal made both Mu Yuan and Qi Wei relax. Facing an unfamiliar senior was best avoided. Qi Wei was naturally taciturn, and Mu Yuan’s fondness for sarcasm suited banter with peers, not Elders!

Descending the peak, they floated into the air, Divine Senses extending to sense the subtle differences between the various evil energies scattered throughout the mountain, seeking the Earthly Evil Energy most suitable for themselves.

Round Pot Mountain teemed with concentrated evils. Seven or eight sites suited Longevity Palace disciples alone. Mu Yuan scanned the area and perceived a particularly dense and abundant energy at the mountain’s extreme edge. Its aura matched the “Mystic Wind Yin Fiend” recorded in his sect’s texts.

Wood engendered wind and thunder; the best evils for the Longevity Art were wind or thunder aligned. This potent wind evil seemed ideal. He inquired of Qi Wei, “Senior Sister, the Mystic Wind Yin Fiend over there seems suitable for me. Have you decided?”

Qi Wei shook her head. “I choose the Five Fires Thunder Fiend there,” she said, pointing a jade-white finger towards the opposite side of Round Pot Mountain. Mu Yuan sensed potent Yin Thunder evil rolling from that area—another perfect fit for the Longevity Art.

“Five Fires Thunder Fiend? Sounds a bit like Young Master Chu’s Five Fires Yin Thunder.” Mu Yuan thought to himself, amused. He cupped his fists, “Very well, I’ll head off first.”

Qi Wei nodded. With a twist of her slender waist, wind surged beneath her feet, carrying her swiftly away. Mu Yuan sped towards his chosen spot. However, as he passed over a particular peak, an immensely powerful aura erupted right beneath him! Thick evil energy filled the air as a figure surged upwards within it, letting out a resonant roar. Mu Yuan instantly dodged, veering away from the surge of force. Focusing his gaze, the figure looked remarkably familiar—it was Zhou Huasheng from Strange Abode Peak!

Mu Yuan was startled. The last time they met, Zhou Huasheng’s cultivation was inferior to his own. After a squabble, Mu Yuan had taken the Jasper Sword. Now, in such a short time, Zhou Huasheng had succeeded in condensing evil!

Although Mu Yuan had recently been studying various mental cultivation techniques, strengthening the foundation of his Longevity Art, arguably thickening his Zhenqi beyond what most cultivators at the same stage could achieve, Zhou Huasheng’s progress was still shocking.

Having successfully condensed evil, Zhou Huasheng radiated confidence. His thundering roar stirred the clouds. As his gaze swept around, he spotted Mu Yuan. Old hatred surged. Both practiced the Longevity Art and were acutely familiar with each other’s Zhenqi flow. A single look told him Mu Yuan hadn’t yet condensed his evil energy. He sneered, “Oh? Junior Brother Mu Yuan! Come to Round Pot Mountain to condense evil? Your progress is swift!”

Mu Yuan responded with matching sarcasm, “Senior Brother Zhou! A slow bird flies early but catches up fast; too bad the land’s finest evil is wasted.”

Instead of anger, Zhou Huasheng laughed. He had chosen a potent Thunder Evil. After condensation, faint currents of lightning swirled within his Longevity True Qi, lending him a formidable presence. “Junior Brother, this elder brother has only just condensed evil, its intricacies still fresh. Meeting you here is fate. Why not lend me a hand? Let’s have a sparring match—it will help me consolidate.”

Mu Yuan chuckled lightly, “Brotherly sparring and exchange is our duty. Speaking of Strange Abode Peak, Hua Zhenzi had mastered refining righteous energy. Honored by his regard, he also sought exchange with this junior. His Green Wood Thunderblade remains in my possession—generously gifted along with insights into cultivation. The senior brothers of Strange Abode truly excel in magnanimity. Oh, and I remain ever grateful for Senior Brother Zhou’s Jasper Sword!”

As he spoke, Mu Yuan drew out the Green Wood Thunderblade. Infused with Longevity True Qi, a green glow shimmered over the blade.

Hua Zhenzi was a figure of some standing on Strange Abode Peak. His Green Wood Thunderblade possessed an exceedingly fine property—yang, overwhelming power. Mu Yuan had used it in several battles since taking it. Compared to the Six Harmonies Coldwood Sword Pills, it offered different advantages. Given Zhou Huasheng’s provocation, he purposely chose this sword.

Zhou Huasheng’s expression darkened at Mu Yuan’s words. Back at Longevity Palace, he had heard about Hua Zhenzi’s defeat but always dismissed it as carelessness on Hua Zhenzi’s part. After all, Mu Yuan had only been at the Qi Refining Third Layer then, a significant gap from the righteous-refining stage. How did he win? Even those who observed hadn’t fully understood.

Now, having achieved condensed evil, Zhou Huasheng keenly felt the transformation. The vastness of his Spiritual Sense and the control over his Zhenqi filled him with newfound confidence. Though aware Mu Yuan wasn’t someone to be carelessly dismissed, the urge to wipe away past humiliation proved overwhelming.

Mu Yuan dared not be careless either. While he had triumphed over Hua Zhenzi earlier by setting up the Profound Water True Dragon Array beforehand in Green Tide Valley and ultimately using the Longevity Sword, things were different now. Cultivating Tidal Flow and Forge Furnace Art, though still only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, had drastically increased the depth and potency of his Zhenqi. Today, he intended to face Zhou Huasheng relying solely on his true cultivation.

Zhou Huasheng’s Zhenqi surged within him, crackling arcs of electricity flickering beneath his skin. He spat out a graceful Flying Sword. As it met the wind, it expanded into a brilliant azure rainbow. It coiled like a dragon, its sword aura flickering, pressing directly towards Mu Yuan!

This sword had been bestowed upon him by Fengliu San just before his descent from the mountain. After losing the Jasper Sword to Mu Yuan, Zhou Huasheng had suffered a harsh scolding upon returning. He had then redoubled his efforts, cultivating bitterly with rapid results. The aptitude itself was undeniable. In a shockingly short time, he had progressed from the early Second Layer of Qi Refining to mastery of the Qi Refining Third Layer. Wu Dejun, who had once been his peer, remained stuck at the Second Layer. The difference was stark.

This progress greatly pleased Fengliu San. Feeling Zhou Huasheng, despite his arrogance, held immense potential, Fenglu San passed down a Flying Sword he had wielded in his youth—the Azure Light Spell-Breaking Sword!

The Azure Light Spell-Breaking Sword adhered to the way of the “One Sword Shatters All Techniques.” Unlike other Flying Swords, layered with intricate arrays and restrictions that could generate magical effects beyond their inherent properties, this sword embodied pure sword essence. Its solitary strike delivered concentrated Sword Qi, capable of rending through countless techniques. Its material was exceptionally fine. Ordinary Flying Swords touching it would instantly be scraped into useless iron. Its power was fearsome!

Mu Yuan had heard of this sword’s fame within Longevity Palace, though he’d never seen it. Seeing the azure light swirling around Zhou Huasheng, he didn’t yet recognize it. He only laughed, “Senior Brother Zhou has acquired a new Flying Sword! Truly something to celebrate.”

Compared to before, Zhou Huasheng showed much less arrogance. Sword in hand, his spirit focused, his Qi stabilized, putting Mu Yuan on guard. Truly, one must reassess a man after absence; Zhou Huasheng had surpassed him solely in Longevity True Qi by a measurable degree. Mu Yuan cautiously urged his Flying Sword forward, sending a piercing beam of azure Sword Qi to probe Zhou Huasheng’s strength!

The azure rainbow created by the Azure Light Spell-Breaking Sword trembled, then shattered into countless shards of light. They streaked through the air like innumerable flying snakes, encircling and shredding Mu Yuan’s Sword Qi into nothingness. The remaining rainbow shards shot towards Mu Yuan with lightning speed!

“This sword is strange!” Mu Yuan thought, startled. He brought forth a layer of vibrant five-colored radiance around his body—the Primordial Five-Colored Mirage Light he’d cultivated recently. Simultaneously, he channeled energy into the Green Wood Thunderblade, releasing countless arcs of Sword Qi to clash and tangle with the azure rainbow beams. A cacophony of cracking and popping filled the air! The occasional stray shard that penetrated struck his Protective Colored Light. It hit like oil splashed onto sparks, scorching numerous gaping holes through his Mirage Light!

“What an incredible sword!” Mu Yuan gasped in shock. The protective technique of Mount Shu couldn’t withstand Zhou Huasheng’s sword light! Although he had only cultivated the first layer of the Primordial Five-Colored Mirage Light, not even a righteous-refining cultivator should have pierced it with mere scattered Sword Qi. Instantly he realized this was the power of Zhou Huasheng’s sword. Without time for alternatives, Mu Yuan flicked his fingers, sending out waves of Sword Qi to dispel the invading azure rays attached to his protective light. He retreated swiftly, taking control of the Green Wood Thunderblade from a distance while keeping up an intense duel with Zhou Huasheng’s relentless azure lights. He made sure not to let any sword light strike his body again!