Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 320: Unending Fued

The Dark Earth Sword Array consisted of ten steps. It originated from the Dark Earth Sword Path and was deeply connected to the ten forms of the Dark Earth. The two were closely related, originating from the same source.

Each step of the sword array corresponded to one’s comprehension of the profundity of the Land. For example, to master the first step, Sword Array Assembly, a cultivator had to also reach the first level of the Domain stage.

To successfully cultivate the second step, Nine Swords Of Light, one had to reach the fourth level of the Domain stage. Furthermore, it also required one to have a robust soul and spend a considerable length of time on contemplation and practice.

Once a practitioner had mastered the second step, they would be practically unmatched within the Golden Core phase. Meanwhile, mastering the third step, The Sword Within Reach, signified that one had a deep understanding of the profundity of the Land, inching closer to perfect control of a Domain.

Consider Wu Yuan, for instance. Prior to his arrival at the Redmoon Immortal Continent, his comprehension of the Land's profundity was deep, bolstered by a formidable soul. Yet, his lack of mana hindered him from executing the third step.

It was only after his successful advancement to the first-stage Golden Core phase in the Redmoon Immortal Continent that his mana capacity surged. Within his mana and soul, along with his deep accumulation of insights, he could barely employ it, though still far from perfection.

If one can manifest The Sword Within Reach at the Golden Core phase, even just barely, it signifies that advancement to the Amethyst Cradle will not be an issue. Wu Yuan understood this.

The power of this array’s third step could even threaten an Amethyst Cradle Reverend. Very few Golden Core cultivators were able to reach this level.

Initially, Wu Yuan had no intention of displaying this move, which was his strongest attack. However, Fang Youlong's swift escape forced his hand. He was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator who grasped the Wind Domain, and also completely outclassed Jin Quan in strength.

Fang Youlong fled in great haste, even employing treasures like speed talismans to boost his speed. Wu Yuan found it challenging to catch up, and he had no time to think of other tactics.

“Kill!” His powerful soul focused on assembling his nine lifebound flying swords. Even though lifebound swords exerted a relatively lower burden on his soul, he could certainly feel the pressure at the moment.

The nine swords converged to form a colossal needle-like sword, radiating a dazzling brilliance and enveloped in an earthy yellow aura. It seemed poised to pierce through the heavens.

Whoosh! The needle-like sword array tore through the sky at an inconceivable speed, closing in on Fang Youlong almost instantaneously. If the second step, Nine Swords Of Light, was the epitome of explosive power, the third step, A Sword Within Reach, showcased a unique utilization of the Land's profundity.

The land was vast, but all was within reach.

This was A Sword Within Reach, a sword array capable of traversing the land, integrating with its fluctuations to strike with precision.

So fast! Fang Youlong who was burning his Golden Core’s essence to increase his speed was utterly terrified by the approaching strike.

The vast macrocosm held countless inheritances, many of which belonged to the sword class. Though he didn’t recognize the Dark Earth Sword Array, the warnings echoing in his soul could not be disregarded. And with the recent demise of Tu Chi still fresh in his mind, Fang Youlong knew he had to give his all in order to survive.

Shield! Fang Youlong gritted his teeth. He understood that only by exerting his utmost effort did he stand a chance of making it out alive. In a heartbeat, metallic shield after metallic shield materialized out of thin air, forming a massive barrier around him.

The colossal divine needle closed in, its speed and power reaching their peak. With power at the first-stage Golden Core phase, comprehension at the seventh-level Domain stage, and soul at the Yang Soul level, Wu Yuan erupted with unfathomable combat power.

The divine needle sword array closed in on Fang Youlong, piercing his Domain like tofu and shattering his layers of shields upon impact. The ensuing explosion sent the massive shield fragments flying in all directions, and a powerful shockwave rippled outward.

The divine needle continued its relentless advance, showing no signs of faltering despite the impact. Supported by Wu Yuan's powerful soul, its force remained undeterred as it homed in on Fang Youlong.

Go! Fang Youlong's eyes blazed with resolve as the massive cauldron at his feet soared into the air, expanding rapidly and exuding a menacing aura.

Boom~ A potent suction force targeted Wu Yuan's sword array, pulling it toward the cauldron. This was his lifebound artifact. While the sword embodied the greatest offensive power in heaven and earth, the cauldron represented the pinnacle of defense in all of time and space.

The clash between the strongest attack and the strongest defense unfolded in a split second.

Hold! Fang Youlong sent out three talismans that detonated simultaneously, imbuing the cauldron with a flash of unprecedented brilliance.

The swiftness of Wu Yuan's strike had caught Tu Chi off guard, thus he had no time to react before he was killed.

However, it was a different story for Fang Youlong.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The divine needle and the colossal cauldron clashed three times, the impact of each collision reverberating through the air and unleashing formidable shockwaves. The once-invincible needle began to fracture, while the cauldron trembled non-stop under the strain.

Boom! The last strike threw the cauldron backward, but the divine needle sword array also slowed, its essentia completely depleted.

Whoosh! The sword array returned to Wu Yuan. Its essentia had to be replenished before it could be reassembled.

"Activate! Kill!" Fang Youlong roared, his voice also echoing in the minds of the black-robed figures on the bronze battleship. With Tu Chi dead, Fang Youlong naturally became the leader of this group.

Without a sound, a dazzling crimson light cut through the sky, aiming directly for Wu Yuan; it was the ethercrystal weapon on the battleship!

There's only one chance! Fang Youlong stared at Wu Yuan, his eyes filled with desperation. From the moment Tu Chi fell, he knew he had gotten himself into serious trouble. This opponent was a huge menace!

Fang Youlong had quite a few life-saving measures, like talismans, handheld ethercrystal weapons, battle puppets, etc. But they were useless here. These auxiliary methods would be effective against Qi Sea cultivators and a majority of Golden Core cultivators. But treasures that could play a role in combat between late-stage Golden Core cultivators were extremely valuable!

The treasures in Fang Youlong’s possession had limited effectiveness against late-stage Golden Core cultivators. Ethercrystal weapons and talismans capable of slaying Amethyst Cradle cultivators were far beyond the reach of most Amethyst Cradle Reverends.

Fang Youlong was just a guest of a family, with no great background or fortuitous encounters to speak of. How could he obtain such a trump card? The only chance of winning he had was the ethercrystal weapon on the battleship. Though it took a long time to accumulate enough energy for a single burst, that single shot was perversely powerful.

As long as this blow catches someone off guard, even a ninth-stage Golden Core cultivator will fall. Fang Youlong stared at Wu Yuan. There’s no doubt that you are strong, and the power of your sword array is incredible, but it also means that your body is extremely fragile.

Any slight contact with the shockwave of the attack would be enough to kill him. Hence, Fang Youlong was planning to take advantage of the moment Wu Yuan’s sword array ran out of essentia.

Boom! The impact of the collision was seemingly devastating enough to destroy heaven and earth. The color of the sky changed, now intertwined with crimson red and earthy yellow.

This? Fang Youlong’s eyes bulged in disbelief.

What blocked his killing blow was not Wu Yuan employing some tactic, but Black Sun that was tailing close behind. Once the spiritual qi around the red battleship fluctuated, Black Sun took the initiative to strike!

In the end, the two light beams from the battleships’ ethercrystal weapons collided head-on in the air, leading to an earth-shattering aftermath.

After that clash, the battleships of both sides could no longer interfere with the battle.

Go. Wu Yuan's gaze was devoid of warmth as he infused his essentia into the nine lifebound flying swords.

Swoosh! The flying swords glowed once more, soaring through the air and merging with the vibrations of the land. They shot towards Fang Youlong with a speed that was almost impossible to comprehend, as though integrating into space itself.

The gap between them was more than 100 li, but at the level of late-stage Golden Core cultivators, such a distance was nothing.

"Li Xia! If you end my life, you’ll be declaring an unending feud with the Fengchuan Tu Family." Fear flickered in Fang Youlong's eyes, the fear of death.

His plea echoed across the sky and land, amplified by his Domain, "Let me go. We can negotiate, I..."

His voice was abruptly cut off as the divine light sword array tore through the sky, shattering his shield artifacts and piercing his body without hesitation.

Fang Youlong was dead!

Having lost their owner, the artifacts plummeted to the ground and the green Domain faded away.

“Unending feud?” Wu Yuan's eyes were chips of hardened ice, his voice tinged with madness. "I did not seek conflict with your Fengchuan Tu Family, but you forced my hand."

"Whether I kill one or two, it makes no difference. Let’s see if your Amethyst Cradle ancestor can catch me."

In a flash, Wu Yuan caught up with the retreating bronze battleship. Combining his Domain with essentia, he formed a colossal hand that seized the vessel and fiercely smashed it into the ground below.