Favor and Treachery

The green sword light appeared almost silently, without any outward display. It struck Tang Qingxiang's Natal Sword Essence three times before swiftly flying back. However, Tang Qingxiang felt as if struck by lightning, his entire body trembling violently as he coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood mixed with his Natal Sword Essence.

Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li, who had just recovered and were preparing to intercept, were once again shocked into stillness.

Both of them could clearly see that what Old Zhao Nan had unleashed was also a sword light.

This kind of sword against sword combat was a pure, unadorned clash, relying solely on the Flying Sword and cultivation level.

The Natal Sword Essence was the pinnacle of all Flying Sword incantations in the world. What power among all Flying Swords could possibly compare to the might of the Natal Sword Essence, which integrated the Flying Sword itself, its power, and one's own cultivation?

Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li were both leaders of their respective sects and possessed extensive knowledge. Yet, in all their years of cultivation, they had only witnessed this Natal Sword Essence in Tang Qingxiang today.

This Natal Sword Essence completely combined magic treasures and one's own Dao power, disregarding everything else in its pure pursuit of destructive force. Upon seeing Tang Qingxiang unleash this Natal Sword Essence, Bule and Gong Li understood clearly that even a master with a higher cultivation level than Tang Qingxiang, possessing a powerful magic treasure like the Heavenly Golden Spider Fire Spirit, would not necessarily be able to guarantee they wouldn't be injured by Tang Qingxiang.

Yet, Old Zhao Nan had clashed with Tang Qingxiang's Natal Sword Essence using his Flying Sword and instantly inflicted such heavy damage that Tang Qingxiang's Primordial Spirit was severely injured, spitting out vital blood. What kind of cultivation was this!

"Tiandu Minghe!"

Tang Qingxiang spat out a mouthful of blood, his face immediately turning ashen. He couldn't even control his flight Dao technique and began to fall.

From the extremely pure Li Fire Qi emanating from that Flying Sword, Tang Qingxiang recognized that Old Zhao Nan's sword was the Tiandu Minghe Sword that General Luo had used that day to test Yuan Tianyi's character and cultivation.

This Tiandu Minghe Sword was also a rare magic treasure lost during the great battle between Dao and demonic cultivators on Golden Summit hundreds of years ago. In terms of the quality of the sword embryo itself, it was slightly superior to Tang Qingxiang's Gui Shui Divine Sword. However, Tang Qingxiang, who specialized in Sword Essence, could tell that Old Zhao Nan's sword light had only reached the stage of "drawing the sword into the body." It was still one step away from becoming a Natal Sword Essence.

This "drawing the sword into the body" stage merely involved tempering the Flying Sword with one's own true essence and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, attaching the Primordial Spirit and true essence to it. When facing an enemy, at most, only thirty to forty percent of one's true essence and Dao power could be infused into the Flying Sword.

Even so, in this head-on clash, Tang Qingxiang was instantly and severely wounded.

If Old Zhao Nan were to cultivate his Natal Sword Essence, Tang Qingxiang's Natal Sword Essence would surely be no match for him.

Tang Qingxiang's ashen face at this moment, unable to control his Dao power, was due not only to his injuries but also to the instantaneous shattering of his confidence.

To specialize in one path required unwavering faith, a belief that one's Sword Essence was invincible, capable of breaking through any defense. This was how the true power of the Natal Sword Essence could be unleashed. Tang Qingxiang, having his sword broken by another sword, lost his confidence, and his mind was instantly shattered, leading to his loss of control over his Dao power.

Wentian had been in seclusion for decades, cultivating supreme sword intent. However, after his battle with Yuan Tianyi, he was struck with insufficient confidence and his Natal Sword Essence's power decreased by at least one level. This was precisely why.

Zhuo Chendao's Purple Thunder Divine Spike attack missed, and Tang Qingxiang's Natal Sword Essence failed to stop Old Zhao Nan. In just a few blinks of an eye, Old Zhao Nan was already tens of miles away.

"Don't chase him!"

Zhuo Chendao's expression changed several times. Just as he was about to pursue, a calm voice suddenly rolled in from afar.

"Yes, Senior Brother Qilian."

Upon hearing this voice, Zhuo Chendao immediately stopped and lowered his head.

"He's using the Aurora Escape Technique. He'll get faster and faster as he flees. We couldn't stop him at first, and it's too late to chase now."

"I didn't expect a servant of Luofu to possess such cultivation."

"However, his external incarnation hasn't fully formed yet. He forcefully shaped it to break through, and then used his Primordial Spirit Flying Sword to clash with Junior Brother Tang's Natal Sword Essence. He's already severely injured and won't be able to recover in a short time. Even if he escapes, he won't get very far."

After a few slow sentences, a figure finally streaked across the distant clouds.

The speed at which this figure flew was as if he were instantly teleporting through the void. In just a few breaths, he covered over a hundred miles. At this speed, when he spoke, he was still over a thousand miles away.

This person wore simple coarse cloth clothes, but he exuded a palpable aura of ruthless authority, the kind only possessed by a seasoned general who had led hundreds of thousands of troops through countless battles.

This aura alone was enough to make one feel that his true heart was as firm as iron, impervious to any external influence.

"Senior Brother Qilian," Tang Qingxiang, standing amidst the ruined streets, lowered his head upon seeing this person.

This was Qilian Liancheng, one of Huang Wushen's four direct disciples. Among the current generation of Kunlun's Zhuo Chendao and Tang Qingxiang, his cultivation was arguably the most profound.

"He's Huang Wushen's direct disciple, Qilian Liancheng? It's said he's Huang Wushen's most trusted and beloved disciple, and he might be the next Sect Leader of Kunlun. His cultivation is so profound..."

Just by glancing at Qilian Liancheng from afar, Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li's faces paled as if they had just expended a great deal of energy in a fight. Even though they were still a hundred miles away from Qilian Liancheng, just a glance from him made them feel as if their entire beings were exposed, their cultivation levels, their weaknesses, all seen through at a glance.

"If his direct disciple possesses such cultivation, then how profound must the cultivation of Kunlun's Sect Leader, Huang Wushen, be? Is he a True Immortal who has transcended tribulation?"

Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li were both sect leaders and were already considered grandmasters in the cultivation world. However, upon witnessing the cultivation of Old Zhao Nan and this Qilian Liancheng, they became even more aware of the saying "there's always someone better" and felt an overwhelming urge to never harbor any thought of defying Kunlun.

"Junior Brother Tang, you are quite heavily injured. Go to Gouli Dao first to recuperate, and meet me in three days."

"Zhao Nan must have fled to Northern Continent, but with his injuries, the Aurora Escape Technique won't sustain him all the way there. Junior Brother Zhuo, go find Junior Brother Gui Beiming and have him use the Spiritual Light Leap technique to go to Bei Mang. Have the experts of the Bei Mang sect and the Gouchen Heavenly Dao assist in intercepting him."

"Zen Master Bule, you've contributed greatly on this mission. This Marrow Golden Bodhi Pill from our Kunlun will be beneficial for your Buddhist cultivation. Please accept it."

"True Person Gong Li, none of us expected Zhao Nan to have such cultivation, and your Qian Yuan Palace lost its sect-protecting treasure. Treasures like the Heavenly Golden Spider Fire Spirit are rare, and our Kunlun cannot compensate you. I have a Golden Liquid Elixir Art that may benefit your Qian Yuan Palace's Dao techniques, somewhat making up for the loss."

Qilian Liancheng approached the four and spoke to each of them accordingly.

"Golden Bodhi Pill!"

"Golden Liquid Elixir Art!"

Upon hearing Qilian Liancheng's words, Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li's eyes suddenly blazed with intense light. After taking a deep breath, they both bowed to Qilian Liancheng.

The Golden Bodhi Pill is one of the spiritual elixirs of the Buddhist orthodox sect. Legend has it that it was refined by a living Buddha of the orthodox sect using thousand-year-old Golden Bodhi seeds and Buddhist cultivation. Not only can it increase cultivation, but when taken during breakthroughs at bottlenecks, it can also calm the spirit and enhance resistance to demonic illusions. Zen Master Bule cultivates Buddhist incantations, which are prone to inner demon attacks. This Marrow Golden Bodhi Pill is an invaluable treasure for him.

The most powerful Dao technique of Qian Yuan Palace is the Three Yang True Fire Art, passed down by True Person Scarlet Brow, Gong Li's master. However, this art focuses on the power of the incantations rather than nurturing life. Therefore, despite True Person Scarlet Brow's profound cultivation, he only lived for over 150 years. Compared to some profound incantations that, when cultivated to a deep level without conflict or destruction, can grant lifespans of two to three hundred years, this technique had a significant flaw. Gong Li has been cultivating the Three Yang True Fire Art for many years and has also been searching for a Dao technique that emphasizes nurturing life. This Golden Liquid Elixir Art is an excellent life-nurturing Dao technique. The significance of this technique for Qian Yuan Palace is no less than that of the Heavenly Golden Spider Fire Spirit.

Therefore, both of them sincerely bowed and expressed their gratitude.

"You are both too kind. I have one more humble request," Qilian Liancheng returned their bow and slowly continued, "I had previously invited the Great Luo Sect to assist. If the Great Luo Sect's Star Chasing Moon Archery had been present, it would have been even harder for Zhao Nan to escape. However, no one from the Great Luo Sect arrived. I presume they are showing consideration for Yuan Tianyi's past relationship. Yuan Tianyi offended our Kunlun, and the Great Luo Sect's actions are tantamount to being enemies with our Kunlun. We are focused on pursuing Zhao Nan and cannot attend to this matter. Therefore, I ask Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li to help me eliminate the Great Luo Sect."

Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li exchanged glances, then nodded.

How could they not nod? Zhuo Chendao merely decided the life and death of one person, but Qilian Liancheng, with just a few words, could order the annihilation of an entire sect. His approach was a standard combination of authority and benevolence. This ruthless, iron-willed aura caused Zen Master Bule and True Person Gong Li's backs to break out in a cold sweat.

If they refused, it wouldn't be the Great Luo Sect facing annihilation, but the Great Unity Temple and the Qian Yuan Palace.

Zhuo Chendao, Tang Qingxiang, Zen Master Bule, and True Person Gong Li immediately accepted the order and departed. Even Zhuo Chendao and Tang Qingxiang felt an uncomfortable pressure when facing Senior Brother Qilian.

Above the entire shattered street, only Senior Brother Qilian remained after a world-shattering battle.

"This Flood Dragon Pill is truly a treasure of heaven and earth. Not only has it greatly advanced my cultivation, allowing me to form a Nascent Soul in just over ten days, but it has also fused the flood dragon's imperial aura, naturally bestowing its prestige."

A faint red light, barely visible to the naked eye, flashed across Senior Brother Qilian's face.

This was the inner essence of the Flood Dragon Pill, not yet fully refined by Senior Brother Qilian.

Senior Brother Qilian, acting under the instructions of Huang Wushen, was the overall leader of half of Kunlun's disciples who were undergoing trials. He had not participated in this ambush because he was fully focused on refining the Flood Dragon Pill given to him by Huang Wushen. If he hadn't sensed this battle with his Dao techniques and been astonished by Old Zhao Nan's cultivation level, rushing out of seclusion to arrive temporarily, he might have been able to form a Nascent Soul in a few more days, becoming Kunlun's fastest cultivator in hundreds of years.

This rapid progress was, of course, primarily due to his valiant and diligent efforts, and his true heart being as firm as iron!

However, after Zhuo Chendao and the other three departed, he looked in the direction Old Zhao Nan had disappeared, and a flicker of unconscious, slight confusion crossed his eyes for a moment.

"If he hadn't been injured by us, he should have been able to cultivate a true Great Majestic Diamond external incarnation."

"A demon cultivating Buddhist dharma, and to such an extent, manifesting a Great Majestic Diamond external incarnation of great wisdom. Is my understanding right, or wrong?"

But this slight confusion only flickered for an instant before vanishing without a trace.

His gaze immediately filled with fierce killing intent, his true heart once again firm as iron, without any doubt or stray thoughts!

"What my master points to must be the Great Dao!"