Chapter 664: Chapter 664: Yang Chuan
A powerful shockwave erupted, shaking the ground that had stood still for ages. Before Yang Chuan could react, the force catapulted him into the air.
At that moment, General Dragon Slayer swiftly transformed mid-air, descending right before Yang Chuan.
"A mare’s dagger!"
In mid-air, Yang Tian faced the deadly strike from General Dragon Slayer. Without hesitation, he countered and slashed at Qian Yu.
Clang!
With Yang Chuan’s blade, the Sichuan Painting in General Dragon Slayer’s hand shattered into the sound of twin rivers.
Yang Chuan’s eyes gleamed with a cold light as he relentlessly launched another attack.
Dao Long General saw Fang Hua’s painting sliced apart. He brandished his mighty axe and charged, standing face-to-face with Yang Chuan!
Boom!
The entire square glimmered with radiant outlines as Yang Chuan and the two pirate generals clashed fiercely again.
As the combat escalated, Yang Chuan’s eyes grew sharper, more menacing!
The body of this General Dragon Slayer was unmistakable; Yang Chuan could discern its unique aura. From the eyes of General Pu Long, it bore undeniable traces of the Ancient Divine Spirit’s contested memories.
However, during the fierce skirmish, Yang Chuan attempted to reclaim his spirit through the return of Wanxiang Magic!
It seemed as though this General Dragon Slayer could shatter the heavens on this very day!
Yang Qianqiu harnessed the Wanxiang Magic, unifying rivers and seas, his power drawing from Yongma Zun’s ancestral lineage!
This resistance by General Tu Yong appeared to challenge the grand order of the Tao itself!
"Is this the shadow of the Ma Zun?"
If one analyzed this deeply, Yang Chuan contemplated, such thoughts couldn’t be ignored.
Finally, back in Xiu Town, the enemy was revealed to be tied to the shadow of Ma Zun after all!
This inheritance had first crossed paths with Yang Chuan at Ying Mavon Hospital. Such close proximity—it was almost unimaginable for Yang Chuan!
Although Yang Chuan was in Wu Valley, Ma Jun stood as the commanding senior under Ma Zun. While Yang Chuan’s authority now targeted Ma Chao’s Tao, he had measures to counter and lead figures like John.
"There’s no room to delay!"
Recalling his resolve, Yang Chuan soared skyward, folding into the Celestial Yoga Path, unleashing his Qiankun Strike.
Suddenly, light roared in defiance, and a sharp, hive-like energy rippled across the square.
Within the cultivation of the Demon World, this was the first time Yang Chuan had employed such a tactic under the Extermination of Immortals trials.
Blade unsheathed!
The Good Sword emerged.
It was one of Senior Zhu’s legendary instruments used in the annihilation of Xianghu Pavilion.
It was a treasure Yang Chuan had seized from Leader Ming’s hands during his struggles in the Demon World.
As one of Zhu Xianshi’s famed weapons, Lord Ming had used this sword to command the waters of Chenxi Mountain, sweeping through enemy realms and unraveling Ma Realm in its entirety.
The sword’s power was undeniable!
Since Yang Chuan acquired this blade, he had never envisioned needing it within the earthly realm, yet today its edge was indispensable!
The unmoving General Dragon Slayer seemed to sense the Good Sword’s extraordinary presence. In that instant, he froze, his face devoid of any human expression.
"Step aside! Or die," Yang Chuan said coldly, gripping the blade with an icy stare at the rogue general before him.
If Yang Chuan unleashed his full strength, one slice could slay the proud general. Yet, to preserve the Chen Family’s ancestral honor, Yang Chuan had to expend tremendous power for this confrontation, often finding himself pushed into icy winds.
Though Yang Chuan bore no deep grudge, the drawn First Sword signaled his unwillingness to continue the quarrel any longer.
After all, what lurked behind Dao Long General? The Good Sword’s dominion? Or was it the subterfuge of Ma Zun? Yang Tian was unbothered by such considerations!
However, the rogue general was tasked with obstructing all who tried to pass the square, even as he sensed the Good Sword’s unworldly might.
Yang Chuan observed him closely. Closing his eyes lightly, he swung his sword without hesitation.
A dazzling radiance cascaded from the blade without a trace of energy disturbance, the simple but decisive stroke slicing through General Dragon Slayer.
Crash!
In a flash, the Sichuan Painting fragments in General Dragon Slayer’s hand disintegrated into powder under the Good Sword’s edge, while Dao Meiyong General’s left arm was severed entirely!
Such was the tyrannical might of the First Sword!
"As expected, you’re a spirit of the Ancient God who comprehends the primordial language."
Yang Chuan coldly remarked at the maimed General Dragon Slayer, "Step aside, or perish."
Click!
Beneath Yang Tian’s command, the light in General Dragon Slayer’s pupils dimmed for the first time. Yet, his remaining hand made another mechanical attempt at attacking Yang Chuan.
"Cut!"
Mercy had no part to play here.
Such is the nature of devils!
Despite all, General Dragon Slayer, sworn to loyalty, lunged forth. Yang Chuan, unflinching, coldly raised the First Sword and slashed without mercy.
"Hmph..."
In that instant, a faint sigh echoed amidst the deadly tension.
A phantom blade materialized out of nowhere, intercepting Yang Tian’s sword.
At the same time, an aged voice slowly emanated from behind General Dragon Slayer.
"Enough! Stand down, and let him pass!"
With those words, General Dragon Slayer immediately trembled all over, falling to his knees as the surrounding earth crumbled into yellow dust.
At this juncture, glowing flames burst forth from the yellow soil, streaking toward Yang Tian in brilliant arcs before fading into the encroaching darkness.
Witnessing this, Yang Chuan frowned slightly.
Yet, he quickly sheathed the Jiechan Sword and advanced forward.
Dao Long General, the final barrier here, was crippled. With the path clear and mere moments separating him from Wisdom Palace, Yang Chuan pressed on quickly.
Inside the Wisdom Palace, innumerable ancestral tablets lined the sides, a grand testimony to the Chen Family’s ancestral legacy.
However, Yang Chuan paid them no heed as he focused his gaze ahead. There, seated within the hall, was a black-browed elder draped in white robes, his long, silken beard flowing. He sat with deliberate patience.
"Zhen Riyu?"
Meeting the elder’s eyes, Yang Chuan immediately inquired.
"Indeed, it is I,"
The black-browed elder raised his head slowly, smiling. "Relax! You are the first in over two millennia to step foot here. Come, take a seat wherever you please!"
Acknowledging his identity, Yang Chuan nodded and knelt without hesitation.
But after taking his seat, the Sword Elder did not speak. Instead, he stared intently at Yang Chuan, watching him in silence.
Yang Tian met his gaze directly, also silent, unyielding but calm.
One minute passed, then two...
Ten minutes stretched into twenty...
One hour became two...
Three to four hours elapsed in this uneasy standoff, before Zhen Riyu finally broke into hearty laughter. "Good, your endurance is commendable! To think, in mere decades, you’ve honed such mastery. Such determination—rarely seen in a lifetime! It’s no wonder you resisted devouring the Residual Soul of that thief!"
"None of this was unintentional," Yang Tian replied coolly.
Yet, the mention of Chen Rifei stirred faint ripples within him.
Even so, when Zhen Riyu alluded to devouring the soul, Yang Tian maintained his composure.
Noticing his calm, Zhen Riyu chuckled in slight amazement. "Why are you so unshaken? Tell me."
"What’s there to fear?"
Yang Chuan answered. "The fact that you devoured me is no surprise. What intrigues me more is your descent from the enemy line. True to form, your strength renders even Ma Zun’s might negligible."
Hearing this, Zhen Riyu’s face showed visible intrigue. "How did you come to know this? While your powers have surpassed ordinary Immortals, your cultivation isn’t yet on par with the higher realms. Such discernment isn’t trivial."
"Discernment?"
Yang Tian shook his head faintly. "Unnecessary! Back when I was devoured, I was still mortal—frail, weak. All that remained of me was a Residual Soul. Yet, in the end, I clung to pieces of Ma John’s soul. Someone covertly aided me during that ordeal!"
"At the time, it puzzled me. But understanding that anyone who could calculate Ma Zun’s fate was hardly someone I could oppose, I chose not to dwell on it."