Golden light flooded the void as several colossal swords materialized instantly. Thick, ethereal chains appeared in the void, binding the swords and swinging them violently through space, shaking the universe to its core.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of explosive sounds echoed as Chang Hao retreated again and again through the void, his expression growing increasingly grave.
"What kind of Sword Skill is this?"
"Mount Shu has no such technique!"
His heart trembled with shock, his pupils constricting sharply.
Even after blocking the attack, Chang Hao's chest heaved, his breathing ragged and unsteady.
Nine unremarkable Sword Artifacts unleashed power that was utterly astonishing.
But Qin Yi's assault was far from over.
With a flick of his right hand, he scattered several copper coins, which immediately expanded, swelling to immense size and inverting the cosmos. Golden light surged forth, enveloping the void around Chang Hao in an instant.
"Universe Throw!"
"So it's that technique!"
Chang Hao's eyes widened. Gripping the Big Dipper sword tightly in his right hand, he swung it fiercely with a bellow.
"Myriad Swords Art!"
A phantom Heavenly Sword materialized instantly, surging forth with unimaginable speed. It pierced each copper coin with pinpoint accuracy, stabilizing the cosmos and neutralizing the attack.
Qin Yi's eyes flashed, a faint smile curving his lips.
As expected, Chang Hao truly lived up to his reputation as the Sect Lord of Mount Shu. To effortlessly defend against such an attack exceeded Qin Yi's expectations.
"Chang Hao, you're indeed formidable!" Qin Yi exclaimed in admiration, yet he didn't sheathe Cangsheng.
This battle was far from over; their clash was destined to continue. Despite Chang Hao's unstable breathing, he hadn't revealed a single opening under Qin Yi's relentless assault, showcasing his profound cultivation foundation.
"Chang Yi, do you truly believe this Sect Lord can't subdue you?" Chang Hao's voice boomed, radiating overwhelming authority.
"In terms of cultivation, I can't possibly match you," Qin Yi retorted, his gaze hardening, "but when it comes to combat prowess, !" A cold smirk twisted his lips.
"I won't necessarily lose to you!"
Chang Hao roared in fury. The Big Dipper sword in his hand instantly blazed with blinding brilliance, and his figure transformed into a streak of light as he charged toward Qin Yi once more.
"Sword Control: Demon Subjugation! Sword Transform into Myriad!"
With a thunderous cry, the Big Dipper sword in Chang Hao's hand blazed forth, forming a swirling sword wheel that unleashed a storm of sword shadows across the heavens.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Qin Yi's pupils narrowed as Cangsheng in his hand transformed into a stream of light, clashing rapidly with the incoming blades.
At this moment, each swing of Chang Hao's sword unleashed not a single blade, but a thousand, ten thousand swords. This unique Sword Skill was both immensely powerful and profoundly mystical, something Qin Yi had never encountered before.
"Compose yourself at once! Today, you will return to Mount Shu with this Sect Lord to confess your crimes and accept punishment!"
Chang Hao's earth-shattering roar shook the heavens as he repeatedly swung his sword, unleashing countless sword shadows that surged toward Qin Yi.
"This is far from enough!"
Qin Yi's pupils constricted as the space around him distorted violently.
"Senpō (Immortal Method)! Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push)!"
Six words escaped his lips, unleashing a visible shockwave that erupted outward from his center. The air twisted like rolling waves, surging forward with overwhelming force.
Chang Hao's sword shadows slashed repeatedly against the shockwave, leaving fleeting marks that were swiftly eroded away.
"Chang Yi!"
Shock flashed in Chang Hao's eyes as he swiftly retreated, narrowly avoiding the rapidly expanding repulsive force.
He realized he had underestimated his opponent. The Sword Move, Senpō (Immortal Method), that Chang Yi had just unleashed bore no trace of Mount Shu's techniques. Though it hinted at influences from other sects, it also revealed skills utterly foreign to him.
"What exactly have you been through all these years?" Chang Hao asked, his heart pounding with shock that quickly morphed into grave solemnity.
The man before him had already struck him as a formidable opponent. As Sect Lord, his cultivation realm was among the highest on Mount Shu, his sword techniques were top-tier, and his combat prowess was naturally exceptional. Yet, facing Qin Yi now, he felt utterly at a loss, as if he couldn't even begin to fight back.
"You'll never understand the path I've walked!" Qin Yi said indifferently. Within the repulsive force field, beams of sword light erupted, propelled by the rapidly expanding force and shooting forth in an instant.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Sword Artifacts erupted from the field, transforming into streaks of light that coalesced into a Sword Dragon, charging directly toward Chang Hao.
"Block it!"
With a mighty roar, Chang Hao formed a celestial seal with his hands.
"Celestial Master Talisman Method!"
"Celestial Master Talisman!"
Runes rapidly emerged, sealing the void and shattering waves of Sword Artifacts. But more and more Sword Artifacts surged relentlessly, forcing Chang Hao to retreat steadily.
Finally, with a furious bellow, he unleashed a massive ring of runes that expanded rapidly, swelling to thousands of meters in diameter within three breaths, radiating a crimson glow.
"Demonic Flame Void Slash!"
The runes shook the void, and a torrent of flames erupted forth.
Countless Sword Artifacts hurtled into the runes like moths drawn to a flame, vanishing instantly and without a trace.
This was the Mount Shu Sect's most formidable Talisman Method. Qin Yi knew that Xu Zhangqing's ultimate technique was this very move, but having never witnessed it firsthand, he couldn't learn it. Its power was immense, capable of obliterating a mountain in an instant and engulfing half the sky in flames.
Huff!
Slowly exhaling, Qin Yi stood suspended in the void, his gaze fixed on Chang Hao.
Suddenly, he chuckled and uttered words that shocked Chang Hao to his core:
"I want to enter the Demon Prison Tower!"
"Are you joking?!" Chang Hao roared in fury.
"Fighting you was simply to settle my long-standing dislike for you," Qin Yi said indifferently. "But now I see that defeating you won't be easy. And you? You can't catch me!"
Chang Hao's face darkened. He snorted coldly, refusing to respond.
Indeed, Qin Yi's strength had far exceeded his expectations. Given the man's formidable offensive power, forcibly capturing him would be no simple task. But that didn't mean Chang Hao was without options.
Mount Shu possessed numerous confinement spells and formation techniques, including the sect's formidable mountain-guarding array, capable of unleashing immense power. Subduing Qin Yi didn't necessarily require a direct confrontation!
Both the Demon Sealing Art and the Demon Restraining Art possessed boundless power.
However, these sealing techniques had detrimental side effects, weakening enemies and causing mental chaos. As Sect Lord, using them on fellow disciples was inappropriate, and Chang Hao avoided it unless absolutely necessary.
"Venerable Devil's cultivation is nearing completion! Mount Shu must stop him!"
"You know what the Demon Prison Tower is like! If you enter, Mount Shu will lose one of its own, and the losses will be immeasurable!" Chang Hao declared loudly.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Qin Yi's eyes, followed by a cold sneer.
"What concern is that of mine?"
"If you, Chang Hao, can't defeat the Venerable Devil, I'll maintain Mount Shu's stability myself when I emerge from the Demon Prison Tower."
"The longer Jiang Qing remains in the tower, the greater the danger she faces."
"To me, ten Venerable Devils are nothing compared to Jiang Qing!"
His words left Chang Hao speechless with rage.
"You reckless fool! You disregard the greater good. I'll send disciples to retrieve Jiang Qing."
Qin Yi scoffed, dismissing Chang Hao entirely, and dove downward.
"I can handle this alone!"
Chang Hao's fury erupted into a torrent of curses.
"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!"
"Do you think you can just waltz in and out of the Demon Prison Tower as you please?"
"Stop right there, you damned fool!"
"It's too dangerous, you bastard! Halt this instant, you Sect Lord!"
"You'll die!"
Qin Yi's expression flickered momentarily as he heard the furious words. Within the barrage of curses, he detected a trace of concern and urgency. Behind him, Chang Hao rapidly closed the distance using Sword Control.
But Qin Yi ignored him completely, flicking his sleeve to accelerate his pace, leaving only a brief parting remark:
"I'll return on my own. No need to worry!"
"Arrogant, conceited, you damned fool!"
The six words reached Qin Yi's ears, gradually fading as his speed increased.
At that moment, earth-shattering battle cries erupted at the foot of Mount Shu. Looking down, Qin Yi saw a colossal, ferocious figure towering between heaven and earth, radiating overwhelming Heavenly Devil might as it advanced slowly.
"Venerable Devil!"
Qin Yi's eyes narrowed, recognizing the approaching entity.
By now, Chang Hao had no time to spare for him. His expression shifting dramatically, he urgently descended Mount Shu to engage the Venerable Devil in battle.
"Mount Shu disciples, heed my command! Form the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Sword Array at once to engage the enemy!"
"Chang Yi, if you enter the Demon Prison Tower, you must bring Jiang Qing back to me!"
"Otherwise, this Sect Lord will hold you accountable!"
The three commands rang out almost simultaneously. Chang Hao's voice was urgent, and he no longer paid any attention to Qin Yi as he descended Mount Shu, issuing orders for battle in all directions.
Qin Yi now stood before the Demon Prison Tower.
He had naturally heard Chang Hao's words, but a faint smile played on his lips as he offered no response.
He had come to Mount Shu for two reasons: first, to test his strength in battle against Chang Hao, and second, to rescue Jiang Qing and persuade him to join the Magnificent Qin Faction.
The Demon Prison Tower was said to be a one-way passage, especially for Mount Shu disciples.
The Demon Prison Tower housed only demonic fiends and Ghost Immortals, who harbored deep resentment toward Mount Shu disciples. Naturally, it was not a place that left a good impression. This was precisely why Chang Hao generally forbade Mount Shu disciples from entering.
Compared to the outside world, the tower was like another realm entirely, filled with labyrinthine passages and teeming with endless demons, making it an incredibly dangerous place.
However, for Qin Yi, the Demon Prison Tower held a different significance.
Within its depths lay not only Jiang Qing but also powerful demons and ghostly entities. While these beings might be considered evil by Mount Shu and the rest of the world, entities to be exterminated, Qin Yi saw them as the cornerstone for establishing a powerful faction within his future Sword Immortal Realm!
'If I can subdue a substantial number of these demonic entities within the tower…'
A peculiar smile curled Qin Yi's lips, his expression eerie and unsettling.
As his personal strength grew, he also planned to establish a great sect, ensuring the emergence of a Realm Gate that would bridge the two worlds.
This was an opportunity to recruit people. Another opportunity would arise after exiting the Demon Prison Tower, but we'll save that for later.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
After forming the hand seals, a deep rumbling echoed from the Demon Prison Tower's massive gates, and they slowly began to creak open.
Instantly, a gust of demonic fiendish wind swept forth, causing Qin Yi to furrow his brow.
This energy was the polar opposite of True Qi and True Essence, something practitioners of the Cultivation's Way could sense clearly and find utterly repulsive.
Behind him, the two disciples guarding the tower hesitated, wanting to say something but unsure of what. Finally, one of them offered a simple Human Dao sentiment:
"Elder, please be careful!"
"You must bring Martial Uncle Jiang Qing back!" the other added.
Qin Yi nodded, taking a step inside.
"Then let me witness this legendary Demon Prison Tower for myself!"
(End of Chapter)
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