Chapter 323 – Alternative Four Swords Unite, Complete Fiend-Slaying Formation

Damn it, how can this mortal use Divine Abilities to manifest a Celestial Artifact?

Wasn’t the Gathering Immortal Bell already shattered by the Gu Xian during the Third Realm War?

Why does it appear here, and in the hands of a mere Golden Core Stage mortal?

Inside the Gathering Immortal Bell, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal, now transformed into a spiritual entity, wore an expression full of anxiety.

All his previous confidence had vanished completely.

Gazing at the golden bell walls formed by condensed magical power around him, along with the dense and intricate Immortal Markings covering them, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal actually spoke up voluntarily.

He looked at Lu Chen, unusually setting aside his originally haughty demeanor. “It seems there’s some misunderstanding between us. How about we each take a step back? You disperse this Divine Ability, and I swear by the Heavenly Dao not to cause you any trouble. What do you say?”

“Otherwise, even with the help of this Gathering Immortal Bell, you might not necessarily defeat me.”

“Rather than both sides suffering losses, wouldn’t it be better to sheath the sword and make peace? Cultivation is not easy – we should cherish what we have.”

The Winged Fire Serpent Immortal initially thought that even if his words couldn’t gain Lu Chen’s agreement, there would at least be some room for negotiation.

At the very least, he didn’t expect an immediate rejection.

After all, in the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s view, even though he was currently in his Nascent Soul form, Lu Chen was in the same state.

And judging by Lu Chen’s current appearance, this Gathering Immortal Bell manifested through his Divine Ability shouldn’t possess all the functions of the real artifact, having only the ‘soul confinement’ capability.

This meant he and Lu Chen would be engaging in a direct confrontation between their Divine Souls.

But soul battles were extremely dangerous.

Even if Lu Chen ultimately defeated him, it would certainly be a pyrrhic victory – the gain wouldn’t worth the loss.

This was precisely why both Immortals and Gu Xian had always been so wary of the Gathering Immortal Bell.

The soul is the Origin of an Immortal.

Who would dare engage in such madness as Origin-level combat, except for madmen like Gu Yue True Immortal?

Would Lu Chen dare?

The Winged Fire Serpent Immortal believed he wouldn’t, and shouldn’t.

Therefore, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal felt his proposal was the best outcome for both Lu Chen and himself.

Unless this guy was willing to gamble with his own future.

But he didn’t think Lu Chen would be that irrational.

What the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal didn’t anticipate was that from the moment he was trapped inside the Gathering Immortal Bell, this battle… contained no element of gambling at all.

In response to the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s ‘peace offering’, Lu Chen’s reply was quite simple.

Lu Chen’s figure shimmered, and three identical Heretical Avatars appeared beside him.

Meanwhile, Lu Chen’s main body maintained the form of the Shangqing Treasure-Seizing Heavenly Respect’s Dharma Body.

Witnessing this scene, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s expression instantly froze.

Because he realized that Lu Chen’s technique of creating Extraterrestrial Bodies faintly felt familiar.

He had seen similar methods during the first three Realm Wars.

After all, such Extraterrestrial Bodies that were indistinguishable from the original, nearly perfect replicas, weren’t some common commodity but rare Great Divine Powers in this world.

Releasing three Extraterrestrial Bodies at once – even a fool could understand Lu Chen’s attitude.

At this moment, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal immediately abandoned his original unrealistic fantasies.

This mortal before him not only possessed extraordinary methods but also an extremely aggressive nature.”Very well, very well! Since you wish to wager with your Divine Soul, this venerable one shall gamble with you!”

“Let us see whether your mortal soul or my reincarnated immortal soul proves superior!”

As he spoke, visible changes began occurring in the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s body.

His form started turning ethereal, while a tiny yet condensed crimson flame flickered continuously within his Dantian.

Strangely, as this flame emerged,

the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s originally Yin Qi-heavy Nascent Soul began transforming continuously.

The corpse spots symbolizing death slowly faded from his body.

His originally pale complexion gradually gained color.

Even the unmatured bone wings on his back began growing feathers.

Soon, an Immortal with dual wings and a crimson flame mark between his eyebrows appeared before Lu Chen.

This was the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s true form.

A special state he could only temporarily assume after sacrificing his limited Immortal Origin.

In this form, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal temporarily regained his prime strength from his previous life.

Not only did his cultivation reach the Deity Transformation stage, he could also employ many Immortal Divine Powers from his past life.

However, this transformation wasn’t without cost for him,

as it essentially overdrew his future potential.

After all, he was currently already a ‘corpse.’

Every bit of Immortal Origin consumed would permanently diminish.

Unless absolutely necessary, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal would never waste his precious, limited Immortal Origin.

But he had no choice, nor did Lu Chen give him one.

Since this was a life-or-death struggle, he would go all out.

The Winged Fire Serpent Immortal hadn’t achieved Immortal Ascension through conventional cultivation,

but through surviving numerous life-and-death trials.

Even a lion uses full strength when hunting a rabbit.

He would absolutely not give Lu Chen any opportunity!

Therefore, after activating his Immortal Origin, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal immediately prepared to unleash his innate Immortal technique,

aiming to subdue Lu Chen in the shortest time possible.

Unexpectedly, this move of his seemed anticipated by Lu Chen’s calculations.

As the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal released his Immortal Origin, an ethereal figure materialized beside Lu Chen.

Seeing this sudden apparition, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s pupils contracted sharply.

“Im-Impossible… this cannot be…”

“I wondered who lacked such manners, recklessly setting fires upon entering this old man’s Immortal Bell. So it’s you, little serpent. Quite the temper you have.”

Gu Yue True Immortal gazed laughingly at the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal, his tone full of mockery.

One was a Great Luo True Immortal, the other a mere Golden Immortal.

Indeed, Gu Yue True Immortal could afford to look down upon the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal.

Witnessing Gu Yue True Immortal’s sudden appearance, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s mind went blank,

followed by genuine terror.

When Lu Chen disrupted his reincarnation ritual, forcing him to emerge prematurely, he hadn’t panicked.

Because he knew that although Lu Chen was somewhat troublesome, he had countless ways to deal with this intruding Mortal.

When sucked into the Gathering Immortal Bell by Lu Chen, though surprised, he still hadn’t panicked.

Because Lu Chen was ultimately just a Golden Core Stage Mortal – everything remained under his control.

The only difference was that now he needed to pay a painful price for final victory.

But when Gu Yue True Immortal’s figure appeared, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal completely panicked.

Because this time, the situation had utterly escaped his control.Mortal Realm Immortal (Great Vehicle Stage), Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, True Immortal, and the legendary Great Luo True Immortals.

These are the Realms beyond that of ordinary Immortals.

Do not be fooled by the mere one-character difference between Golden Immortal and Great Luo True Immortal.

The gap between them is even greater than that between an Immortal and a Mortal without cultivation.

Thus, even if it was just an illusory shadow of Gu Yue True Immortal, it still made the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal tremble uncontrollably.

He could not win. He couldn’t defeat this being even in his prime, let alone in his current deceased state.

But how could a Mortal at the Golden Core Stage summon a True Immortal?

This defied all logic…

In an instant, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal seemed to grasp something, and the despair on his face gradually gave way to a glimmer of hope.

Upon careful observation, he joyfully discovered that the suddenly appearing Gu Yue True Immortal was merely a manifestation of a single drop of essence blood!

While a True Immortal was indeed terrifying, a mere drop of essence blood was insufficient to vanquish a Golden Immortal.

“Not bad, not bad. It seems you little serpent have made considerable progress, able to discern my true state. Your years of cultivation have not been in vain.”

Observing the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal regaining his composure and calming down, Gu Yue True Immortal did not hold back his praise.

He spoke like a respected Senior watching a promising junior who had achieved something.

However, after the praise, Gu Yue True Immortal’s attitude took a sharp turn.

“Yet seeing you so timid and hesitant, no matter how many times I witness it, it greatly displeases me.”

“What? Is the end of the Immortal path merely the lowly Golden Immortal?”

“Not to mention the Golden Immortal, even the True Immortal, or the Great Luo beyond, cannot be considered the so-called end.”

“If immortality only means repeating one tedious and monotonous day after another, then what meaning does this longevity hold?”

“Come, little serpent, let me see how much of your former brilliance remains in you, you coward.”

As he spoke, Gu Yue True Immortal raised his hand.

Suddenly, the previously calm Gathering Immortal Bell began to stir, with winds and clouds gathering.

Countless Immortal Markings leaped forth, transforming into streams of light that filled the sky.

Within these streams of light, a multitude of Gu Insects materialized.

Each Gu Insect symbolized a Dao of heaven and earth.

However, most of these Gu Insect streams were rather small.

Only the unique Gu Insect behind Gu Yue True Immortal, resembling a halo, drew attention.

As the saying goes, there are three thousand Great Daos, and infinite minor Daos.

The ‘True’ in True Immortal lies in the fact that they have completely forged a unique Great Dao of their own.

At their level,

the Dao is no longer abstract and elusive.

It can be wielded as effortlessly as breathing.

The difference between a True Immortal and those below is like two separate dimensions.

Therefore, what Lu Chen and the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal perceived as ‘Gu Insects’ were merely ‘visible forms’ within the limits of their own vision.

They were representations of Gu Yue True Immortal’s Dao, as comprehended through their own understanding.

Under Gu Yue True Immortal’s control, the Gu Insects symbolizing the infinite minor Daos began flying toward the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal.

In response, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal could only rely on his own Great Dao Starfire to defend against them.

Had it been the true Gu Yue True Immortal attacking, these infinite minor Daos alone would have been enough to annihilate the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal on the spot.

But since the current Gu Yue True Immortal was merely a manifestation of a single drop of essence blood, whose age was unknown,

the True Immortal Origin contained within that drop of essence blood could be described as negligible.Facing the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal who still retained a portion of his Golden Immortal Origin, Lu Chen was temporarily unable to achieve complete suppression.

Thus, just as Gu Yue True Immortal was about to break through the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s Starlight Great Dao and eliminate him directly…

The Gu Insects swirling around gradually dissipated, transforming into scattered starlight drifting through the air.

Witnessing this scene, Gu Yue True Immortal sighed with regret: “To think I couldn’t even capture a mere Golden Immortal’s Reincarnation. I’m truly regressing in my old age.”

Having said this, Gu Yue True Immortal turned to Lu Chen, smiling as he extended his hand: “The second time, young friend. This marks the second occasion I’ve aided you.”

“From this day forward, I can only help you one more time.”

“However, I hope that day won’t come too soon. After all, following you around has been quite interesting indeed, hahaha!”

“This Dao of past and present is truly profound – impossible to fully comprehend, yet endlessly fascinating…”

With these final words, Gu Yue True Immortal’s figure dissipated along with countless streams of minor Dao light.

Although Gu Yue True Immortal had vanished, his impact on the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal remained.

The Winged Fire Serpent Immortal could no longer maintain his original “Immortal demeanor,” having completely reverted to his initial half-human, half-ghoul Flying Corpse form.

Moreover, his eyes now appeared much more turbid than before, with Death Qi around him growing increasingly heavy – clear signs of exhausted Immortal Origin.

While Gu Yue True Immortal’s move hadn’t directly eliminated the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal, it had thoroughly severed his path to immortality.

From this moment onward, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal could no longer draw upon his past life’s Immortal Origin to nourish himself.

He had completely degenerated into a half-living, half-dead Jiangshi creature.

For the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal, this was undoubtedly more torturous than actual death.

Yet even so, his Peak Nascent Soul Stage Divine Soul remained intact.

If Lu Chen wanted to completely eliminate him, it still wouldn’t be an easy task.

However, Lu Chen had anticipated this.

Lu Chen’s three Extraterrestrial Bodies dispersed, combining with his main form to occupy the four directions surrounding the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal, vaguely forming some kind of Formation.

Seeing this, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal immediately felt intense danger.

Driven by survival instinct, he desperately cried out: “I was wrong! Spare my life!”

In his desperate bid to survive, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal displayed extreme wretchedness and disgraceful behavior.

This was unsurprising – someone who could fake their death during the war between two realms would inevitably value their life above all else.

To survive, they would do anything, even beg for mercy from Mortals they once looked down upon.

But facing the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s pathetic pleas, Lu Chen felt no sympathy.

Looking down at the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal, he calmly stated: “You don’t realize you were wrong. You merely… know you’re about to die. That’s all.”

Great Divine Power… Fiend-Slaying Sword Formation.

As Lu Chen and his three Clones simultaneously activated the Fiend-Slaying Sword Formation, four Immortal Swords materialized within the Gathering Immortal Bell.

This Fiend-Slaying Sword Formation differed significantly from previous versions.

Before, Lu Chen couldn’t unleash the complete Sword Formation’s power – he had the swords but not the formation.

But now, with three Clones jointly executing it, this was a true Sword Formation in every sense.Facing this terrifying heaven-and-earth formation, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal truly understood the meaning of death.

The more one fears death, the more frenzied they become when facing its approach.

Seeing the Sword Formation surrounding him and realizing that begging for mercy was futile, the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s expression gradually twisted into ferocity.

“You want to kill me? Then let’s all die together!”

As he spoke, the corpse patterns on the Winged Fire Serpent Immortal’s body began turning blood-red at a visible rate…

(End of Chapter)