Saber Cuts the Four Fiends! Breaking Through to Seventh Rank!

Chapter 40: Saber Slashes the Four Evils! Breaking Through to Seventh Rank!

The four members of the He family, each with a sinister grin, swept their gazes toward Lu Chen.

They hadn't expected Lu Chen to not only be unafraid but to actually approach them proactively.

Truly worthy of being on the Kirin Ranking.

Whoosh!

As Lu Chen took step after step, an invisible aura surged between the two sides.

Dust and fallen leaves underfoot began to churn.

Particles of dust obscured their vision.

"Attack!" one of the evildoers suddenly shrieked, his voice like an old ape crying in the night.

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

The four men lunged forward simultaneously, their auras erupting, kicking up sand and stones. They carried a powerful and terrifying presence, their weapons unsheathed in an instant.

"Be careful..."

Liu Jinglan cried out in alarm.

Boom!

Suddenly, the long saber in Lu Chen's hand was drawn, creating a hazy illusion. It was as if one had arrived at the bank of a river where the sky and water merged, the sun setting in the west, leaving a desolate and vast emptiness, with oneself alone.

In the distance, a lone swan cried mournfully, flapping its wings as it flew high.

Its body hovered up and down between the river and the sky.

Loneliness, despair, pessimism, being abandoned by all beings...

All sorts of emotions surged into the heart, making one want to cry out to the heavens. Heartbreaking Saber Technique!

Lone Swan Absolute Shadow!

Puff, puff, puff, puff!

Blood splattered, thick and acrid, instantly shattering the silent and desperate scene. The world spun, and all illusions vanished.

Inside the dilapidated temple.

Clang!

Lu Chen sheathed his saber, his black robes fluttering, his body standing straight as if he hadn't moved at all.

Before him lay four headless corpses.

Four heads rolled to the side, their faces frozen in astonishment.

It seemed they couldn't believe they were gone just like that, even in death.

[You have killed four scoundrels of the martial world. Merit Points +500]

Hiss! Liu Jinglan gasped, his mind roaring, utterly shaken.

What kind of strength was this?

Why did he feel that Lu Chen's saber technique was even faster and more terrifying than before?

"Heartless Blade, Heartless Blade, lives up to its name..."

Liu Jinglan muttered to himself.

At this moment, Lu Chen had already bent down again, searching the four bodies.

The newly fused saber technique was indeed powerful.

But it was a shame that he had killed them too quickly and hadn't managed to keep any of them alive!

Otherwise, he could have interrogated them for martial arts.

"Were they also targeting you because of that young lady?"

Lu Chen asked.

"Yes." "What exactly is that young lady's identity?"

Lu Chen inquired, "If you don't tell me her identity, I won't get involved in this matter."

"This..."

Liu Jinglan hesitated, then gritted his teeth and said, "Her name is Cui Qingqing. She is the only descendant of the current King Zhenbei, Cui Zhengxuan."

"King Zhenbei?"

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, with the Northern Barbarians invading now, the court is endlessly debating whether to fight or negotiate. However, most of the court wants to cede land and pay reparations for temporary peace. For the past hundred years, our Great Yu has ceded land and tolerated aggression more than once. All the righteous heroes of the martial world are filled with righteous indignation..."

Liu Jinglan's tone was complex as he continued, "Twenty years ago, Prince Cui, starting as a commoner, joined the army and, step by step, accumulated military merits, eventually being enfegetitled King Zhenbei.

For the next ten years, he achieved seven victories in seven battles, continuously reclaiming territory for our Great Yu. Countless people were greatly inspired. However, his high achievements aroused the emperor's suspicion. Five years ago, the emperor sent thirteen golden edicts summoning him back. Afterward, his military power was stripped, and he lived in idleness. Now that the Northern Barbarians are invading again, some in the court worry that King Zhenbei might rise again. Therefore, they want to capture his only heir to use as leverage..."

"I see."

Lu Chen responded.

This story sounds so familiar?

Isn't this just the 'Lord Yue of Another World' story?

He had always admired loyal and righteous individuals.

"If that's the case, why not have King Zhenbei send someone personally?"

Lu Chen inquired.

"It's no use. King Zhenbei is being watched by spies from all sides. If the matter of his illegitimate daughter is exposed, it will only bring more trouble,"

Liu Jinglan shook his head. "Besides, my family is full of prying eyes. I don't dare to write letters to just anyone. I'm acting on someone else's behalf this time, which is why I took the risk to escort her."

"So you dare to approach me? Aren't you afraid I'm a murderous fiend?"

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow.

"I..."

Liu Jinglan was momentarily speechless. "I'm desperate right now and have no other choice but to try anything. If we wait too long, they'll move locations. Moreover, I've seen your deeds and don't believe you're as bad as the rumors say. You wiped out a Beggar's Den for an ordinary friend and killed a County Magistrate for a group of commoners. You shouldn't be someone who can't distinguish right from wrong..."

"Is that so?"

Lu Chen sneered, glancing at him. "Then when you said there was a 90% chance I'd be gifted a High Grade Cultivation Method, you meant for King Zhenbei to gift it to me?"

"Yes."

Liu Jinglan responded sheepishly. "How ridiculous."

Lu Chen said coldly, "You're not them, so why are you making decisions for them? If you truly cared about the other person, why would you be stingy with a mere Cultivation Method?"

Liu Jinglan's face flushed red again. He quickly said, "If you agree, I'm willing to give you my own Cultivation Method."

"This is your own free will, not me forcing you?"

Lu Chen glanced at him.

"Yes, it's all my own free will."

Liu Jinglan quickly replied.

"Mm, tell me about it."

"The High Grade Cultivation Method I practice is called [Nine Heavens Cultivation Method], and my sword technique is a Second-rate sword technique..."

As Liu Jinglan narrated silently.

Soon, corresponding text appeared on Lu Chen's status panel.

[Nine Heavens Cultivation Method (Beginner)] [Sun Sword Technique (Beginner)]

"Young Hero Lu, have you memorized them all?"

Liu Jinglan asked. "Can we go rescue Miss Qingqing now?"

"Who abducted that girl? Where is she now?"

Lu Chen said.

"We were captured by a group of rogue martial artists and imprisoned in a village. I risked my life to break free and escape. Miss Qingqing should still be inside."

Liu Jinglan said.

"What's the strength of the people inside?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I know there's definitely a Sixth Grade expert guarding the place."

Liu Jinglan gritted his teeth.

Groups like the West Mountain Nest of Ghosts and the He family's senior brothers were just appetizers compared to them. "Sixth Grade? Forget it. We'll see when we get there. Lead the way!"

Lu Chen said.

He had a High Grade Cultivation Method in hand and could upgrade it anytime.

Even if they encountered a Seventh Rank expert, he wouldn't be afraid.

[Do you wish to consume 400 Merit Points to convert your Internal Energy to the Nine Heavens Cultivation Method?]

A line of text appeared.

"Consume!"

[Ding!]

[Your Azure Wave Art Internal Energy and True Heaven Art Internal Energy have been successfully converted, all becoming Nine Heavens Internal Energy!]

[Your Nine Heavens Cultivation Method has successfully reached the Beginner level, achieving the first stage!]

Boom!

The next moment, the panel changed. The Internal Energy within him surged like waves, rapidly transforming, while a brand new circulation appeared within his body.

All his Internal Energy had automatically turned into Nine Heavens Internal Energy.

It was as if he had cultivated for seven or eight years.

The newly converted Internal Energy, in terms of both toughness and recovery, was several times better than before.

This was nothing.

The panel quickly changed again.

[Continue to upgrade the Nine Heavens Cultivation Method?]

"Yes!"

[Ding!]

[You have consumed 500 Merit Points, and the Nine Heavens Cultivation Method has been upgraded to the second level!]

[Your cultivation has reached Sixth Grade (35% high grade)!]

[You have consumed 700 Merit Points, and the Nine Heavens Cultivation Method has been upgraded to the third level!][Your cultivation has reached Seventh Rank (3%)!]

[The next upgrade will require 1000 Merit Points!]

Name: Lu Chen

Cultivation: Seventh Rank (3%)

Cultivation Method: Nine Heavens Cultivation Method (Third Level)

Martial Arts: Heartbreaking Saber Technique (Perfection · Lone Swan Absolute Shadow), Sun Sword Technique (Beginner), Four Absolute Martial Arts (Perfection), Grass on Flying (Perfection), Blood Shadow Sword (Perfection · Blood Fiend), Blood Fiend Art (Perfection · Onefold Strength), Sky Severing Finger (Perfection · Heaven Robbing Claw), Big Dipper Seven Stars Array (Beginner)

Talents: Convince with Virtue, Bronze Skin Iron Bones, Lightning Law King

Merit Points: 144

Lu Chen gently exhaled.

Comfortable!

As expected of a high-grade cultivation method! He had advanced two ranks so quickly!

With the boost from his three great talents, he wasn't afraid of even an Eighth Grade opponent!

Moreover, the classification of high-grade cultivation methods was different from the previous good-grade ones.

This type of cultivation method had a total of nine levels.

The division was more detailed!

This also meant he wouldn't have to worry about his cultivation method for a while.

"Merit Points, add some to the Sun Sword Technique."

Lu Chen continued to think.

[Ding! You have consumed 100 Merit Points, and the Sun Sword Technique has reached the Rudimentary Understanding realm]

[The next upgrade will require 140 Merit Points!]

Boom!

Waves of invisible sword energy and sword intent emanated directly from him. It felt like a blazing sun was burning within his body, giving an indescribable sensation. Wisps of sword energy directly coiled around his body, ceaselessly.