Chapter 136 – Swords Like This? I Can Still Swing Twelve More Times

“Damn it! Someone has destroyed the other Buddha Mother Avatars!”

Duanmu Jinyu felt the power continuously draining from his body and let out a desperate cry.

Almost simultaneously.

His cultivation Realm rapidly declined from the original Third Revolution Golden Core Stage all the way down to the Pseudo-core Stage.

This meant he still possessed a Golden Core but could no longer communicate with the power of heaven and earth, unable to manifest the might of a true Golden Core.

Not only that, but the Protective Qi he could currently deploy had also weakened to only half its original strength.

This was undoubtedly a massive debilitation for him.

A similar situation occurred with Xiang Guangsheng not far away.

Pseudo-core Stage – Xiang Guangsheng’s cultivation had similarly fallen to the Pseudo-core Stage.

Seeing this, the three figures in the square immediately understood Lu Chen’s true objective.

So from the very beginning, he had been stalling them while his accomplices outside destroyed the Buddha Mother Statues.

What puzzled them was:

Even though they weren’t guarding their respective Black Lotus Sect Altars,

the Buddha Mother Statues weren’t objects that could be casually destroyed.

Even if a Golden Core Stage Cultivator made a move, destroying a Buddha Mother Statue would be extremely difficult.

Because each Buddha Mother Statue served not only as a vessel for the Buddha Mother to absorb local faith,

but also functioned as an Incarnation of the Buddha Mother in this world.

Under certain special circumstances, the Buddha Mother could directly descend into this world through these statues.

When facing destruction, the Buddha Mother would immediately respond to eliminate any audacious fool.

Therefore, unless some special method was employed,

even relying solely on the statues themselves and the surrounding Formations,

a Buddha Mother Statue could withstand a Golden Core Stage Cultivator for at least a full day.

Even if they were trapped by Lu Chen and unable to provide support,

the Black Lotus Protectors within the Imperial City should have been able to intervene.

Unless…

As if realizing something, Duanmu Jinyu looked at Lu Chen in terror: “You’ve joined forces with the Longevity Physique?!”

Lu Chen had no intention of responding.

At this stage, only one enemy remained in his eyes:

Rong Gongming, who still maintained Third Revolution Golden Core Stage cultivation.

Facing Lu Chen’s disregard, the now Pseudo-core Stage Duanmu Jinyu could only stand there with an ugly expression, consumed by helpless rage.

After all, even at his peak he hadn’t been Lu Chen’s match.

Now with his cultivation diminished, he stood even less chance against him.

Thinking this, Duanmu Jinyu immediately pinned his hopes on Rong Gongming behind him.

The same thought naturally occurred to Xiang Guangsheng standing beside Rong Gongming.

“Fellow Daoist Rong, currently…”

Before Xiang Guangsheng could finish speaking, Rong Gongming suddenly thrust his Sword through Xiang Guangsheng’s chest.

Xiang Guangsheng stared at Rong Gongming in disbelief, never expecting such a sudden betrayal.

Rong Gongming’s expression remained utterly calm.

“Since you’re no longer useful, you might as lend me the Buddha Mother’s Gift upon your bodies…”

As he spoke, Rong Gongming suddenly thrust his hand through Xiang Guangsheng’s abdomen,

extracting a bizarre Black Meatball.

This fleshy sphere was utterly grotesque – its surface covered in disgusting tentacles, resembling a sea urchin from Lu Chen’s previous life.Rong Gongming looked at the fleshy orb as if it were some great nourishing treasure and swallowed it in one gulp.

The next second, his body, which had been injured during the battle at the Imperial Mausoleum, was completely restored.

Even his cultivation level continuously soared.

Although it didn’t allow him to achieve a breakthrough to the fourth revolution of the Golden Core Stage,

it still pushed his Spiritual Power cultivation to the threshold of twenty million.

This level of cultivation was already ten times greater than Lu Chen’s current “1.55 million points” of Spiritual Power.

This was the nature of the Immortal Fiends.

Not only could they acquire the Dao of cultivators by devouring them,

they could also obtain the Dao of other Immortal Fiends by consuming them.

Devouring all things, making no distinction between friend and foe.

The distortion and chaos of the Immortal Fiends were vividly embodied in Rong Gongming and Duanmu Jinyu.

Seeing this from a distance, Duanmu Jinyu didn’t hesitate in the slightest and immediately fled toward the edge of the Sword Domain.

Lu Chen was an enemy, but Rong Gongming was equally an enemy at this moment.

He couldn’t defeat Lu Chen, nor could he defeat Rong Gongming.

If he didn’t run, he would surely die; if he ran, there was still a sliver of hope.

Even if that hope was incredibly slim… it was still better than waiting for death!

Before Duanmu Jinyu could get far, a massive Sword Qi descended from the sky and smashed directly onto him.

Yes, smashed.

Because the Sword Qi was so immense, it was like a colossal heaven-piercing greatsword.

It instantly reduced Duanmu Jinyu’s Physical Body to ashes,

transforming into countless streams of Spiritual Power that merged into the surrounding Sword Domain.

With this, of the four Black Lotus Altar Lords,

two had died at the hands of their own allies, and one had died by Lu Chen’s hand.

Rong Gongming paid no mind to Duanmu Jinyu’s death and sighed, “Daojun, this humble one truly has no desire to be your enemy. Could you perhaps leave now? I can pretend as if nothing ever happened.”

“Even if the Buddha Mother were to blame me for this, as long as there remains even a single day where I might master that imitation Sword Diagram, the Buddha Mother would not truly harm me.”

“After all, the Buddha Mother also covets your Sword Diagram, Daojun…”

Daojun, Sword Diagram…

Although Lu Chen didn’t fully understand what Rong Gongming was saying,

he pieced together the information he had gathered earlier and roughly deduced the meaning.

This man had indeed seen him before.

Or rather, he had encountered Lu Chen from a thousand years later in the game.

As for the title “Daojun” he mentioned, it was likely a title Lu Chen would acquire in the future.

The Sword Diagram probably referred to the complete Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation he would cultivate later, or perhaps… the Fiend-Slaying Sword Formation.

After all, in the myths and legends of his previous life, the Leader who wielded the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation used it against other Immortals.

But here, Lu Chen was primarily dealing with these twisted Immortal Fiends.

Thus, the Fiend-Slaying Sword Formation undoubtedly fit his situation better.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen grew even more curious about his future self from a thousand years later in the game.

However, Rong Gongming, fearing that saying too much might trigger Lu Chen’s Awakening of his True Immortal memories,

sighed when he saw that Lu Chen showed no intention of dispelling the Sword Domain.

“See a Fiend, slay a Fiend; if Heaven shows no mercy, then raise your sword and sever the heavens…”

“Even now, Daojun, when you are but a Clone without the memories of a True Immortal, this humble one can still clearly sense the will of the Daojun within you.”

“Since that is the case, then this humble one will make a fool of himself.”

“Although my talent is mediocre, after all these years, I have been fortunate enough to learn a few superficial tricks from the grace you once displayed, Daojun.””Although I cannot unleash a complete Sword Domain like you, Dao Lord, I am capable of manifesting a fragmented one with external assistance…”

As he spoke, a primitive, flesh-like Sword Diagram suddenly materialized in Rong Gongming’s hand.

This Sword Diagram was grotesquely distorted, as if pieced together from countless fingers.

Yet the moment it appeared, Lu Chen sensed a terrifying aura of slaughter.

This killing intent was so dense it even began to affect his own Sword Domain.

[Name: Immortal Slaughter Sword Finger Diagram (Incomplete)]

[Type: Ancient Fiend Treasure]

[Realm: Second Realm]

[Effect: Upon activation, summons a unique Sword Domain… known as Fiend Slaughtering]

[Side Effect: Each use requires the wielder to break one finger, irrecoverable for a century]

Immortal Slaughter Sword Finger Diagram?!

Lu Chen’s expression turned grave as he observed the Magic Treasure in Rong Gongming’s grasp.

“Dao Lord, allow this humble one to witness whether this incomplete Sword Diagram, crafted by the Buddha Mother herself, can capture even a ten-thousandth of your former glory.”

With those words, the Immortal Slaughter Sword Finger Diagram in Rong Gongming’s hand began to expand.

In an instant, Lu Chen felt his Sword Domain collide with something intangible.

An unseen Dao confrontation erupted between them vying for control over the Black Lotus East Altar Region.

Ultimately, Lu Chen’s Azure Lotus Sword Domain proved superior.

It secured most of the territory, maintaining significant pressure on Rong Gongming.

Yet the suppression wasn’t absolute, allowing a bizarre crimson zone to manifest within a hundred-meter radius around Rong Gongming.

Had this Sword Diagram not been an external object but part of Rong Gongming’s own power, Lu Chen’s Righteous Azure Lotus Sword Domain might have shattered.

Confronted by this eerie blood-colored Sword Diagram, Lu Chen swiftly ascended into the air.

From those countless grotesque fingers, he sensed palpable danger.

Rong Gongming, standing below, showed no surprise at this reaction.

Gazing obsessively at the crimson hellscape around him, he murmured madly: “The Immortal Slaughter Sword Diagram has claimed countless Immortal Fiends. Though the Buddha Mother strove to replicate the might of your original Sword Diagram, she could only produce this flawed imitation.”

“Only a Cultivator like myself, who has mastered Sword Intent, can borrow this Diagram to faintly emulate the Sword Formation you once manifested.”

“I wonder if your current strength can withstand this humble one’s imitation Sword Diagram?”

Suddenly, Rong Gongming snapped one of his own fingers.

The next moment, Lu Chen felt a terrifying killing intent lock onto him.

Without hesitation, Lu Chen began gathering power from his Sword Domain, coalescing it into a massive Azure Lotus Sword Energy behind him.

Simultaneously, countless fingers on the ground intertwined.

A colossal finger transformed into a sharp sword, thrusting directly toward him.

With solemn focus, Lu Chen guided the Azure Lotus Sword Energy to meet the gigantic finger.

Boom!

Upon collision, the Azure Lotus Sword Energy momentarily held firm against the grotesque finger.

But gradually, the finger pressed forward, relentlessly driving Lu Chen’s Sword Energy backward.

Forced to escalate, Lu Chen unleashed another technique.

Five Elements… Spirit Communication!

A colossal Divine Manifestation materialized behind him.

The manifestation immediately grasped the tail of the Azure Lotus Sword Energy.He strained to push back that finger.

But the cultivation gap between Lu Chen and Rong Gongming at this moment was still far too vast.

So vast that once Lu Chen lost the enhancement of his Sword Domain, he could hardly pose any threat to Rong Gongming.

Thus, even with the boost from his Divine Manifestation, he only managed to slow the finger’s advance toward him.

Seeing that one Divine Manifestation had no effect, Lu Chen immediately activated his Azure Lotus Eyes.

Azure Lotus Eye Technique… Heavenly Tribulation Thundercloud!

Boom!

Accompanied by a peal of thunder, a terrifying bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking directly onto the massive finger.

This time, the previously unstoppable finger finally came to a halt.

Then, along with Lu Chen’s Azure Lotus Sword Energy, it shattered in the sky.

Vanishing along with it were Lu Chen’s Divine Manifestation and the thunderclouds in the sky.

Although the enormous blood finger had disappeared, Lu Chen still suffered significant backlash.

“Pfft—”

Unable to suppress the raging blood within him, Lu Chen immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

Witnessing this, Rong Gongming below shook his head and said, “If you, Daojun, had descended in your true form or awakened your True Immortal memories, this humble one might have feared you somewhat.”

“But as you are now, with only Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, this humble one does not yet regard you as a threat.”

As he spoke, Rong Gongming snapped off another finger.

In the next moment, another enormous blood finger emerged from the ground, pressing toward Lu Chen once more.

“Daojun, this humble one has ten fingers, but how long can your Sword Domain and heavenly thunder last?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen did not respond.

Instead, he resignedly ceased gathering his Sword Domain.

Seeing this, Rong Gongming felt no joy.

On the contrary, a profound unease welled up from the depths of his heart.

Because he knew Shangqing Daojun’s character all too well.

This was an existence that would seize even a one-in-ten-thousand chance to attempt the impossible.

Even if the enemy was Gu Xian, it made no difference.

Thus, Lu Chen’s seemingly surrender-like action actually signaled to Rong Gongming that he might still possess a trump card beyond the Sword Domain.

But what means could a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator possibly have that surpassed even the Harmony Realm?

Could it be that he had a way to instantly awaken his True Immortal memories?

At this thought, Rong Gongming resolved to give Lu Chen no opportunity.

He had to destroy this Clone before Lu Chen could manifest his True Immortal memories!

“Go!”

Under Rong Gongming’s control, the massive blood finger shot toward Lu Chen once more.

The terrifying Sword Pressure and the overwhelming stench of blood made Lu Chen feel as if he were witnessing mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

He was like a single azure lotus in this sea of blood, at risk of being overturned at any moment.

With this in mind, Lu Chen took a deep breath.

Then, his azure lotus-shaped pupils began to spin rapidly.

Did Lu Chen possess a trump card stronger than his Sword Domain?

Naturally, he did—it was the Heretical Sword he had always been reluctant to use.

The reason for his reluctance was not that Lu Chen looked down on this swordsmanship.

On the contrary, Lu Chen held the Heretical Sword in high regard.

As his comprehension of the Sword Path deepened, so did his understanding of the Heretical Sword.

And he came to realize just how terrifying this sword technique truly was.

It was a power far beyond his current stage.

At the very least, it undoubtedly surpassed the Harmony Realm.

Because even the Azure Lotus Sword Domain at the Harmony Realm could not compare to this Heretical Sword!Though he didn’t want to rely too much on external forces, facing an opponent like Rong Gongming who exceeded normal specifications…

He had no choice but to use it.

Innate Skill… Heretical Avatar!

Suddenly, an identical clone appeared behind Lu Chen.

The clone then raised its sword and swung downward toward the finger.

Though this sword strike appeared ordinary, its impact was far less spectacular than the Sword Domain.

Yet Rong Gongming below immediately sensed the terror of this sword strike.

And… an unbelievable feeling.

“How is this possible? How could you, Dao Lord, know the ‘XXXX’ Immortal Severing Sword!”

Just like Little Gold Dragon encountered in the Atlas Laborer instance long ago,

Rong Gongming now also recognized this heretical sword technique and uttered the exact same words.

As if in their view, Lu Chen absolutely shouldn’t have mastered this Immortal Severing Sword.

After all, this sword was specifically designed to deal with Immortals!

For a cultivator to master a swordsmanship created by Ancient Fiends to counter Immortals…

This defied all reason!

Under Rong Gongming’s horrified gaze,

the Immortal Slaughter Blood Finger he had barely managed to execute by consuming his second finger was actually severed by Lu Chen’s heretical sword strike.

Like Lu Chen, as the blood finger shattered, Rong Gongming immediately suffered backlash.

It must be understood that he could only execute this blood finger through the power of his Magic Treasure.

After all, without having reached the Harmony Realm, if not for relying on his Magic Treasure and cultivation far surpassing Lu Chen’s,

he wouldn’t have been able to execute this Immortal Slaughter Blood Finger within Lu Chen’s Sword Domain.

He needed ten times the Spiritual Power to achieve within Lu Chen’s Sword Domain what Lu Chen could accomplish with normal Spiritual Power usage.

Without any hesitation, Rong Gongming immediately prepared to break another finger to execute the Immortal Slaughter Sword Finger.

But he soon saw another Heretical Avatar appear beside Lu Chen, his face instantly filled with despair.

Lu Chen looked down at him from above, controlling his clone to prepare another heretical sword strike while calmly stating: “You only have ten fingers, but I can still execute twelve more strikes similar to the previous one.”

As these words fell, Lu Chen took out a medicine bottle from his chest – precisely the bottle containing Longevity Physique Blood Essence.

[Name: Longevity Physique Blood Essence]

[Effect: Can be used to break Ancient Fiend Power, or restore large amounts of vitality and Spiritual Power, while increasing 20 years of Lifespan.]

Before leaving, Lan Yan had actually given him ten bottles containing Ji Ling’er’s blood essence.

Though he had used three to break the Buddha Mother Statue, he still kept seven with him.

Considering one still needed to be used to destroy the Black Lotus Sect East Altar’s Buddha statue,

Lu Chen had exactly six bottles available for use.

For him now, six bottles of Longevity Physique Blood Essence meant six extra lives.

Therefore, excluding the sword strike just executed and the one currently being prepared,

he could still execute this heretical sword strike… a full twelve more times!

Though neither the Longevity Physique Blood Essence nor the heretical sword strike belonged to Lu Chen’s own power,

Lu Chen wasn’t that rigid.

After all, when dealing with Demonic Heresy, there’s no need to talk about righteousness!

“Slash.”

With Lu Chen’s icy command, his clone immediately swung its sword.

Striking toward the Immortal Slaughter Blood Finger Rong Gongming had just executed…

(End of Chapter)