Chapter 135 – Sword Cleaves Golden Core, Hear the Dragon's Roar

Danger! Danger! Danger!

As Tuoba Yu saw Lu Chen suddenly appear behind him, raising the Shangqing Cloud Sword in his hand, an intense sense of crisis surged within him.

The Shangqing Cloud Sword in Lu Chen’s hand was covered with a layer of silvery-white Sword Qi.

This Sword Qi was not only dense but also condensed and extended to a length of seven to eight meters.

If it were just ordinary Sword Qi, Tuoba Yu wouldn’t have been afraid.

After all, ordinary Sword Qi couldn’t break through his Protective Qi.

But Lu Chen’s Sword Qi… was far too abnormal!

So abnormal that Tuoba Yu could even sense many chaotic Spiritual Powers within this Sword Qi.

And many of these Spiritual Powers were very familiar to him.

In an instant, a terrifying thought flashed through Tuoba Yu’s mind.

‘Could it be that this guy can absorb our Spiritual Power, then convert it into his own strength and use it?’

‘Is this something someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage can do?!’

Although Tuoba Yu had already seen through the nature of the Sword Qi in Lu Chen’s hand, no matter how chaotic this Sword Qi’s Spiritual Power was, quantity could transform into quality.

At this moment, the Sword Qi had reached a level where it could threaten him.

If described numerically, the Spiritual Power value contained in Lu Chen’s Sword Qi at this moment had already exceeded one million.

Such Spiritual Power intensity far surpassed Tuoba Yu’s own Spiritual Power cultivation limit—it was enough to directly break through his Protective Qi!

[Black Lotus Sect West Altar Lord · Tuoba Yu]

[Cultivation: First Revolution Golden Core Stage]

[Foundation Establishment Quality: Ninth-grade Mortal Golden Core]

[Current Spiritual Power: 1,000,000/1,000,000]

At the critical moment when the Sword Qi was about to strike, Tuoba Yu suddenly felt a pulling force at his waist.

Then his body was violently pulled back, narrowly dodging Lu Chen’s sword strike.

It was Xiang Guangsheng, transformed into an Outer Path Toad, who had used his tongue as a rope to pull Tuoba Yu back at the critical moment.

Otherwise, relying on himself, Tuoba Yu would never have been able to dodge Lu Chen’s sword strike.

Even if this sword couldn’t kill Tuoba Yu, it would have at least severely injured him.

Such was the terrifying power of this sword strike.

Due to external interference, Lu Chen’s sword ultimately missed Tuoba Yu and struck empty air.

Boom!

As the Sword Qi struck the ground, it immediately carved out a ten-meter-wide crater in the plaza of the Black Lotus North Altar.

Then, without the slightest pause, the fallen Sword Qi tore through the ground and charged toward Tuoba Yu and the others.

“Scatter!”

Rong Gongming shouted loudly before immediately leaping to one side.

Tuoba Yu and the others nearby reacted just as quickly, instantly flying back to evade.

The Sword Qi passed between them and finally struck the Black Lotus Sect building behind them.

The specially constructed Black Lotus North Altar Great Hall was immediately cleaved in two.

Even the plaque above the great hall fell with a crash, smashing onto the ground.

Witnessing the power of Lu Chen’s sword strike, the expressions of Tuoba Yu and the others grew even more grave.

Relying on the bizarre Sword Domain surrounding them, every move Lu Chen made had already transcended the boundaries of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Although Lu Chen lacked Protective Qi, his attacks had genuinely reached the level of the Golden Core Stage.

And if we further consider his Sword Domain, which was even more terrifying than ‘Golden Core Might’…In a certain sense, Lu Chen, who was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, could completely be regarded as a Golden Core Stage cultivator without a Golden Core!

Bizarre, utterly bizarre.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, a place entirely occupied by their Black Lotus Sect, why had such a monster suddenly appeared?

Just as the group was thrown into disarray, Rong Gongming spoke up: “Everyone, calm down. His Sword Domain can absorb the Spiritual Power within the Domain, but this must be a process. Therefore, he definitely cannot sustain such high-intensity attacks indefinitely.”

“Moreover, maintaining the Sword Domain also consumes a massive amount of Spiritual Power. It’s unlikely he can keep it up for long.”

Hearing Rong Gongming’s words, Tuoba Yu and the others immediately began observing their surroundings.

They carefully examined the lotus-patterned walls of the Sword Domain enveloping the entire Black Lotus North Altar, as well as the Spiritual Power continuously being absorbed by the lotus walls from the corpses of the sect members around them.

They quickly realized that Rong Gongming’s words were not false.

Seeing that everyone had calmed down, Rong Gongming spoke again.

“Let’s first find a way to restrict his movements, then look for an opportunity to strike together.”

“Even if he can infinitely use Divine Abilities like Ground Shrinking to an Inch within the Sword Domain, he is still confined to the scope of the Sword Domain.”

“As long as the range of our Divine Abilities is large enough, without Protective Qi… he is merely a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator!”

Hearing this, the other three immediately perked up.

That was right. No matter what, this guy was still just a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator!

If they dragged it out, they could win!

After understanding Lu Chen’s true capabilities, the fear in Tuoba Yu’s eyes when he looked at him vanished.

Because if Rong Gongming’s words were true, then as long as they continuously used their Divine Abilities to compress Lu Chen’s movement space within the Sword Domain, victory would inevitably come to their side!

Rong Gongming’s words also reached Lu Chen’s ears, word for word.

In response, Lu Chen believed this was intentional on Rong Gongming’s part.

After all, transmitting thoughts via Divine Sense was an ability that could be mastered as early as the Foundation Establishment Stage.

If Rong Gongming had wanted to, he could have easily kept their plans from Lu Chen.

Yet he chose to speak them aloud.

Clearly, he intended to exert psychological pressure on Lu Chen, hoping to force him to hastily target the weakest among them, Tuoba Yu.

No matter how fast Lu Chen’s teleportation Divine Ability was, he couldn’t attack and teleport simultaneously.

Thus, if Rong Gongming seized the moment Lu Chen attacked someone else to unleash his Golden Core Divine Ability, he would have a real chance to kill Lu Chen in one strike, given Lu Chen’s lack of Protective Qi.

Using his companions as bait to create an opportunity for a decisive victory—this was Rong Gongming’s overt scheme.

After all, compared to the others, his cultivation was indeed the strongest among the four.

So strong that the combined strength of the other three was no match for him alone.

Lu Chen would definitely not choose him as the first target.

[Black Lotus East Altar Lord · Rong Gongming (Minor Injuries)]

[Cultivation: Golden Core Stage, Third Revolution]

[Golden Core Quality: Sixth-Grade Earthly Path Golden Core]

[Current Spiritual Power: 1,000,000/1,800,000]

[Black Lotus North Altar Lord · Xiang Guangsheng]

[Cultivation: Golden Core Stage, Second Revolution]

[Golden Core Quality: Seventh-Grade Human Path Golden Core]

[Current Spiritual Power: 300,000/300,000]

[Black Lotus South Altar Lord · Duanmu Jinyu]

[Cultivation: Golden Core Stage, Second Revolution]

[Golden Core Quality: Seventh-Grade Human Path Golden Core]

[Current Spiritual Power: 300,000/300,000]Rong Gongming was right. Xiang Guangsheng and Duanmu Jinyu both possessed three million units of Spiritual Power cultivation, while Tuoba Yu only had one million units. Combined, their total Spiritual Power cultivation didn’t even surpass Rong Gongming’s alone.

Lu Chen indeed wouldn’t target him first.

Although Spiritual Power cultivation doesn’t necessarily equate to combat strength—different Divine Abilities and techniques can produce vastly different results even with the same Spiritual Power level—most of the time, those with higher cultivation do hold the advantage. They simply have more room for error.

Unfortunately, Rong Gongming didn’t know Lu Chen’s true objective, nor did he realize that Lu Chen was merely stalling them. Time was never on Rong Gongming’s side—it favored Lu Chen.

Seeing Lu Chen standing motionless, Rong Gongming immediately devised a plan: “Tuoba and Jinyu, you two are Body Cultivators. Find a way to restrain him. Guangsheng and I will seize opportunities to strike, minimizing his chances to attack. Trust me, even if he’s mastered the Sword Domain, the gap in our cultivation remains. As long as we drag this out, victory will be ours.”

“Understood.”

Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu nodded, then fully unleashed their cultivation. In moments, Tuoba Yu transformed into a five-meter-tall wrathful vajra guardian, while Duanmu Jinyu took the form of a massive tiger demon. It wasn’t that they couldn’t make their demon forms larger—they dared not. A bigger size meant a bigger target. Five meters was more than sufficient.

After transforming, Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu charged at Lu Chen, their speed so immense that afterimages lingered where they’d stood.

Meanwhile, Rong Gongming and Xiang Guangsheng weren’t idle either. Rong Gongming resumed control of his Ghost Infant Sword, steadily accumulating power within the blade. The sword’s dense resentment grew so potent it distorted the surrounding air. Xiang Guangsheng, on the other hand, unleashed his toxic mist at full strength, aiming to further constrict Lu Chen’s maneuvering space—even if the mist would harm ordinary cultists still within the Black Lotus North Altar. At this point, he couldn’t afford to care. Ordinary followers were expendable; replacements could always be found. But Golden Core Stage Altar Lords were different. If they died, even if resurrection were possible, it would take five hundred years. No one could predict what might happen in that time—newcomers might rise and seize their positions.

Facing the four united opponents, Lu Chen’s expression remained unchanged. He formed a sword gesture with his fingers while silently counting down in his mind. Just about thirty more seconds. That was all he needed for his Heretical Avatar and Mo Ling to destroy the Buddha Mother Statues in other parts of the Imperial City. Then, his only remaining foe would be Rong Gongming, at the third revolution of the Golden Core Stage.

Though his goal was to stall Rong Gongming’s group for thirty seconds, if they failed to demonstrate sufficient strength… these thirty seconds could still claim lives!

Endless… Sword Qi!

Watching Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu closing in, Lu Chen leveled his sword-finger gesture at his brow.The next second, countless lotus Sword Qi appeared in the sky.

Their sheer number seemed to form a canopy that occupied the entire sky above the Black Lotus Sect North Altar.

Then, these Sword Qi directly targeted Tuoba Yu and the others.

“Fall.”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

Accompanied by a series of piercing sounds through the air, countless Sword Qi descended from the sky like falling meteors, dazzling yet concealing lethal intent.

Seeing this, Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu had no choice but to fully activate their Protective Qi.

Although the power of these Sword Qi varied—some comparable to Foundation Establishment Perfection, others akin to Qi Condensation Stage—when so many attacked simultaneously, only Rong Gongming was confident he could ignore them.

The remaining three had to activate their Protective Qi to withstand the assault.

Clang, clang, clang!

Under the terrifying, endless suppression of Lu Chen’s Sword Qi, aside from Rong Gongming, the other three could do nothing but defend with all their might using their Protective Qi.

As the Sword Qi struck the Protective Qi of Tuoba Yu and the other two, it was like arrows hitting a solid shield, producing continuous crisp, crackling sounds.

Watching the unending stream of lotus Sword Qi battering his Protective Qi, Tuoba Yu found it hard to believe this was the work of a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

Even as a Golden Core Stage cultivator like himself, he lacked the cultivation base to sustain such a torrential storm of Sword Qi attacks!

Was it because of the Sword Domain?

While fending off Lu Chen’s Sword Qi attacks, Tuoba Yu observed his surroundings.

Soon, he discovered the source of these Sword Qi.

He noticed that each Sword Qi, after striking his Protective Qi, seemed to shatter and dissipate but actually transformed into pure Spiritual Power, returning to the lotus walls at the edges of the Sword Domain.

After absorbing this scattered Spiritual Power, those massive lotus walls would once again gather large amounts of Sword Qi, repeating the cycle endlessly.

If an ordinary cultivator needed to expend “100 points” of Spiritual Power to condense a single Sword Qi, then once the Sword Qi shattered, that Spiritual Power would be completely consumed, dispersing into the surrounding environment as ordinary Spiritual Power.

But Lu Chen’s Righteous Azure Lotus Sword Domain was different.

It could absorb all the scattered Spiritual Power within the Sword Domain.

Although not achieving a 100% absorption rate, eighty to ninety percent was possible.

Moreover, his Sword Domain could also absorb the Spiritual Power released when enemy Divine Abilities dissipated.

As long as the total Spiritual Power absorbed exceeded what was needed to maintain the Sword Domain, then activating it would cost Lu Chen nothing!

It was worth noting that maintaining the Righteous Sword Domain for even one second required a staggering consumption of one hundred thousand points of Spiritual Power.

If not for his “Fairy Lotus Womb,” which allowed his Spiritual Power recovery rate to far surpass that of ordinary people, and the presence of numerous ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators in the Black Lotus Sect North Altar serving as nourishment, sustaining the Sword Domain for this long would not have been easy for Lu Chen.

However, once his Realm advanced further, even without relying on the Spiritual Power of enemies within the Sword Domain as nourishment, he would still be able to maintain the required consumption.

Observing Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu suppressed by his endless Sword Qi, Lu Chen slowly raised the Shangqing Cloud Sword in his hand.

This simple action alone caused expressions of fear to appear on the faces of Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu.

For they saw vast amounts of Sword Qi beginning to converge upon Lu Chen’s Shangqing Cloud Sword.No, I absolutely cannot let this sword strike land.

Thinking this, Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu immediately stepped forward, advancing toward Lu Chen through the endless Sword Qi overhead.

Yet these mere twenty steps now felt like trudging through a violent blizzard.

Each step required tremendous effort.

With every step, they could feel their Protective Qi on the verge of shattering at any moment.

After covering ten steps, the two looked in despair at the massive, over-ten-meter-long concentrated Sword Qi in Lu Chen’s hand, their faces ashen.

For they were already too late to stop Lu Chen’s next move.

That terrifying sword… came down.

And almost simultaneously with Lu Chen’s descending sword,

A crimson sword light and a terrifying sonic wave shot forth from behind Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu.

The crimson sword light came from Rong Gongming’s hand, while the sonic wave originated from Xiang Guangsheng’s mouth.

At this point, Lu Chen had two choices: either halt his attack and evade Rong Gongming and Xiang Guangsheng’s assaults,

Or ignore their attacks and directly strike down Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu.

Lu Chen decisively chose the latter.

Just as Lu Chen’s Righteous Sword Qi enveloped Tuoba Yu and Duanmu Jinyu,

His figure was simultaneously covered by Rong Gongming’s Dao Sword and Xiang Guangsheng’s special sonic wave.

Boom!

As smoke billowed up, the densely packed Sword Qi in the sky temporarily ceased.

Due to the Sword Domain’s suppression, Xiang Guangsheng couldn’t use his spiritual sense to observe the situation within the smoke.

He immediately asked Rong Gongming beside him: “I-Is it over?”

Rong Gongming didn’t answer, instead gazing solemnly into the distance.

When the smoke cleared, Lu Chen stood holding the Ink Dragon Sword in one hand, blocking Rong Gongming’s Dao Sword,

While his other hand gripped the Shangqing Cloud Sword, maintaining the sword-descending posture… completely unscathed.

Tuoba Yu’s condition, however, was tragic.

He had been pushed in front of Duanmu Jinyu,

Used as a human shield to reduce the power of Lu Chen’s strike.

Thus, while Lu Chen’s sword had severed the left half of Tuoba Yu’s body, it failed to kill Duanmu Jinyu along with him,

Merely taking one of Duanmu Jinyu’s arms.

And for an Immortal Fiend like Duanmu Jinyu at the Golden Core Stage, losing an arm wasn’t an irreparable injury.

Some flesh would suffice for recovery.

And this flesh… wasn’t it readily available?

“My apologies.”

Under Tuoba Yu’s furious gaze, Duanmu Jinyu’s massive tiger-demon head bit down on Tuoba Yu’s shoulder.

“Ah!”

Tuoba Yu screamed continuously, repeatedly struggling to break free from Duanmu Jinyu.

But Duanmu Jinyu’s tiger claws held him firmly, making escape impossible.

In just three to four seconds,

The right half of Tuoba Yu’s body was gnawed down to bare bone by Duanmu Jinyu.

Under these circumstances, Duanmu Jinyu’s arm severed by Lu Chen quickly regenerated.

Moreover, after absorbing the flesh and blood of a Golden Core Stage Altar Lord, his cultivation even advanced somewhat,

Reaching the third revolution of the Golden Core Stage.

What was even more unbearable was that Duanmu Jinyu wept while devouring Tuoba Yu’s body, saying: “Brother Tuoba, don’t worry, I will definitely avenge you…”Upon hearing these words, Tuoba Yu’s eyes blazed with fury, and he opened his mouth to curse.

But before he could utter a word, Duanmu Jinyu’s tiger-like claws slashed across his neck, severing his head.

Duanmu Jinyu lifted the head and drank deeply from the blood flowing from the severed neck, as if savoring fine wine.

After a moment, Duanmu Jinyu discarded Tuoba Yu’s head as if it were trash.

Turning to Lu Chen not far away, his gaze was filled with ‘rage’.

“Cultivator, you caused the death of my dear brother Tuoba! Today, I will personally cut you down to appease his spirit in the heavens!”

“…”

Hearing Duanmu Jinyu’s words, not only Lu Chen but also Rong Gongming and Xiang Guangsheng behind him fell into silence.

While shamelessness might be a compliment for a Black Lotus Cultist, Duanmu Jinyu’s level of shamelessness was almost unbearable for everyone present.

Are you even listening to yourself?

Why not ask your ‘dear brother’ lying at your feet—the one whose flesh you ate, blood you drank, and head you severed—what he truly thinks?

Revenge?

The person he most wants revenge against is you!

At this moment, Lu Chen once again realized just how despicable the Immortal Fiends were.

They were ruthless to their enemies, but to their own… they were even crueler!

Being their enemy was dangerous, but being their friend was fatal!

Facing Duanmu Jinyu’s provocation, Lu Chen released the hilts of the Shangqing Cloud Sword and the Ink Dragon Sword.

In the next instant, the two swords flew behind him.

This simple action made Duanmu Jinyu step back half a pace in fear.

Wait, Fellow Daoist, I was just joking! Are you serious?

Tuoba Yu?

I barely know him!

Watching the wary Duanmu Jinyu, Lu Chen did not reactivate the Sword Domain and attack as expected.

Instead, he looked up at the sky and calmly said, “…Do you hear that?”

Duanmu Jinyu asked in confusion, “Hear what?”

“Hear… the Dragon’s Roar.”

As if responding to Lu Chen’s words, three golden beams of light shot into the sky from three locations in the Imperial City.

Then, the entire Imperial City shook violently, followed by a resounding Dragon’s Roar that echoed throughout.

“ROAR!!!”

The Aura Golden Dragon of the Great Yan, suppressed by the Black Lotus Sect… had awakened.

This meant that the Ancient Fiend Power bestowed upon Duanmu Jinyu and Xiang Guangsheng had temporarily vanished.

Without this Ancient Fiend Power, they were no longer Golden Core Stage cultivators but had fallen to the Pseudo-core Stage!

The scales of victory began to tilt in Lu Chen’s favor…

(End of chapter)