Blood Spirit Child, Heavenly Luo Saintess (One Hundred Monthly Passes Short)

Blood Spirit Child, Heavenly Luo Saintess (One Hundred Monthly Passes Short~)

"Young master, run!"

Several Inner Qi Realm guards were desperately protecting a handsome young man as they sprinted through the streets and alleys.

Behind them, a Profound Light Realm Cultivator clad in prison garb darted and weaved through the air, relentlessly pursuing them.

"Run!? Where can you run to! When you sent me to prison that day, did you ever imagine there would be a day like this!?"

"Young master, go! I'll hold him back!"

As the distance between them rapidly closed, one guard, fiercely loyal to his master, decided to use his life to delay the enemy.

"Overestimating yourself!" The Profound Light Realm Cultivator behind them had bloodshot eyes and a crazed expression.

By now, he had killed until his eyes were red. All for the sake of avenging the humiliation of his imprisonment!

Seeing the guard thrust his sword at him, a trace of disdain surfaced on his face.

But just as the two were about to meet, his eyes abruptly flew wide open, and he only felt the world spin around him.

Pfft!

The guard's sword pierced into his chest, but all that remained for the guard was boundless astonishment.

The head that had just been flung high into the air rolled across the ground.

Thud!

His body crashed down in response.

"Young master! We're saved."

Whoosh!

Chen Ping'an sped through the air. The instant he swung his blade, he had already known the man's fate.

That slash had not delayed him in the slightest.

In the current situation, Great Grandmasters were the key to victory or defeat. Killing a few Profound Light Realm Cultivators would not affect the overall situation.

He had acted only because he had encountered them by chance, and simply gone with the flow.

By now, the battle within Dragon Peace Stronghold had reached a white-hot stage. If he wanted to quell the unrest as quickly as possible, he still had to begin with experts at the Great Grandmaster level.

Ever since entering the Great Grandmaster realm, he had never truly gone all out.

The Cross-Border Counter-Attack at Small Pan Mountain, the Zhong Residence, sparring exchanges—the so-called fierce battles had been nothing more than minor scuffles in his eyes!

Proceeding steadily and surely was certainly a good strategy, but who could understand the agony of his restraint!?

Possessing overwhelming martial strength, yet hiding one's edge and playing the fool—such restraint was beyond what others could imagine!

With his current strength, ordinary Top Great Grandmasters could not give him any pressure at all. Even Peak Great Grandmasters found it extremely difficult to give him sufficient pressure. For him to truly fight to his heart's content, he needed, at the very least, powerful figures among Peak Great Grandmasters—people such as Dragon Peace Garrison Commander Nie Yunlong, the deputy garrison commander, and Jing Xingyan.

But how could such figures be so easily found within the Azure Dragon Province Territory! Even if he found one, there might not be a suitable opportunity.

As early as when he had broken through, Chen Ping'an had entertained the thought of having a full, exhilarating battle with Nie Yunlong. Yet afterward, he had forcibly suppressed it.

Nie Yunlong was the Dragon Peace Garrison Commander, stationed at a vital location. Fighting him was not a very good idea. Even if they were to fight, it would be best if it accorded with justice and reason—but where could he find such an opportunity!?

But now.

Chen Ping'an's eyes burned as he watched the fierce battle outside Dragon Peace Stronghold.

The Ten Thousand Demons Sect's Blood Demon Venerable, the Evil Extremity Path's Shadow Assassin, and the Heavenly Luo Sect's Corroding Bone Yin Sha.

Corroding Bone Yin Sha in particular was immensely renowned. He had swept through several provinces, and his Yin Sha Demonic Qi had once severely wounded a Peak Great Grandmaster. His combat strength was comparable to that of a Storm Cloud Great Grandmaster.

Given his years of cultivation, he was bound to advance further in the future and had hopes of ascending the Wind and Cloud Grandmaster Rankings. Within the Heavenly Luo Sect, he was even hailed as a promising seed with the potential to become a Dharma King, his reputation immense among the upper echelons of the Heavenly Luo Sect.

If he could cross hands with such a powerful expert—

A thrill had already risen in Chen Ping'an's heart. The blood throughout his body surged and roiled, as though it wanted to burst free of the restraints of his flesh.

He possessed Seven Absolute Old Man's legacy, and understood Corroding Bone Yin Sha more deeply than the outside world did.

Corroding Bone Yin Sha and Seven Absolute Old Man were figures from nearly the same era. One had been a favored son of heaven at the Northern Territory main altar, while the other had been a marginal figure at a branch helm in the lower provinces.

One shone like a brilliant star. Even among the many gifted talents of the Northern Territory main altar, he had received constant attention and moved through life like a fish in water. His talent, aptitude, master's lineage, and connections were all first-rate!

The other could not even enter the core training ranks at a provincial branch helm. With no master's lineage and no connections, he relied only on a bellyful of lone courage to temper himself onward. In the end, he pressed down the talents of his generation at that provincial branch helm and carved out a road of his own.

In terms of innate talent, Seven Absolute Old Man was far inferior to Corroding Bone Yin Sha. But in terms of sheer brilliance, Seven Absolute Old Man was in no way beneath him!

Indeed, had fortune favored him, Seven Absolute Old Man's achievements might even have surpassed Corroding Bone Yin Sha's.

This was a supreme figure who, through his own strength alone, gathered the merits of a hundred schools and forcibly created a Supreme Divine Skill!

Though it had not yet been perfected, before his death he attained enlightenment on the spot and made up the final missing piece of the inheritance, turning the conception of that Supreme Divine Skill into reality.

What a pity.

A trace of regret flashed across Chen Ping'an's face.

He had not encountered such a figure sooner. By the time they met, their positions had long since been clearly divided.

With Seven Absolute Old Man's brilliance, if he had been given another ten years, he might not have failed to take that crucial step!

With two hundred more years of lifespan, who could predict what heights he might one day reach?

Sadly, such a figure had ultimately failed to make it to the end.

He died on the road to avenge his disciple!

He fell midway, meeting Death and Dao Extinction!

Though Seven Absolute Old Man was dead, his will remained.

Chen Ping'an had inherited Seven Absolute Old Man's mantle and could be considered half a mantle disciple. He cultivated the Seven Absolute Divine Skill; if he could Cultivate it to perfection, it would also fulfill Seven Absolute Old Man's lifelong wish.

At the thought of Seven Absolute Old Man, the excitement in Chen Ping'an's heart and the boiling blood throughout his body seemed to ease somewhat.

But an opportunity like this was rare, and he naturally would not let it slip by easily.

He also wanted to use this battle to gauge his true combat strength!

He would still fight, but the one appearing would not be his true self—it would be his Alternate Identity!

But before that, he needed to settle matters concerning his true self.

Before his Alternate Identity made its move, his true self needed sufficient achievements to silence the endless chatter after the battle!

And the weight of a single demonic-path grandmaster was still not quite enough for those achievements!

Furthermore, after his Alternate Identity appeared, there needed to be sufficient achievements to account for the period when his true self vanished.

As a prodigious grandmaster whose combat strength surpassed even ordinary Veteran Grandmasters, how could he justify having slain only one ordinary grandmaster during the Dragon Peace Turmoil!?

Moreover, this was a fitting opportunity to accumulate merit and lay a solid foundation for exchanging it for a Supreme Divine Skill.

With a thought from Chen Ping'an, his figure shot explosively into the distance.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~

Overbearing saber intent churned like tidal waves, while ink-black Saber Light carried the aura of death.

"No!"

A shrill scream Sounded as an evil-path grandmaster was instantly swallowed by the Saber Light.

Whoosh!

Chen Ping'an leaped into the air like a swimming dragon. Before the Saber Light had dispersed, the momentum of the blade In hand shifted, and he unleashed another domineering, razor-sharp strike.

Slash!

Limbs flew in all directions as blood Gushed out, scattering across the sky.

An evil-path grandmaster fell on the spot!

"Not bad luck!"

Chen Ping'an swept forward, quickly gathering the Spoils of War.

Since leaving the Gu Family, he had barely wasted any time before encountering this evil-path grandmaster.

This evil-path grandmaster was not particularly strong, likely only somewhat stronger than certain Newly promoted grandmasters. Naturally, he had no ability to resist before Chen Ping'an.

Yet anyone who could become a grandmaster naturally possessed their own methods; they should never be underestimated at any time.

Thus, Chen Ping'an held nothing back and attacked with all his strength, pushing himself to the limit of the strength he displayed openly!

The facts were just as he had judged. His opponent had a Trump card for Preserve Life hidden on him, one that withstood the full-force Tyrant Saber Saber Light. Fortunately, Chen Ping'an changed his move in time, giving his opponent no room to Catch Breath before delivering another domineering blow and killing him.

"After killing one more grandmaster, it'll be time to conceal myself and switch to my Alternate Identity!"

Chen Ping'an glanced toward the area outside Dragon Peace Stronghold and made his decision at once.

The battle outside the stronghold had already reached its most intense point. Amid successive thunderous blasts, the surrounding Mountain range showed signs of collapse.

An opportunity must not be missed; time waits for no one!

Since a suitable opportunity had presented itself, he could not delay too long.

Otherwise, once he missed this chance, who knew when he would next have a battle he could enjoy to the fullest.

Boom!

Blazing flames Turned into a long Flame Saber that streaked through the air, spraying sparks across the heavens as they fell like rain.

"Huff! Huff! Huff."

Zhong Lisheng's chest rose and fell as he gasped heavily.

Under ordinary circumstances, Even if he were Fighting fiercely, he would Not to the extent of being in such a sorry state. After merely several hundred exchanges, he was already showing signs of exhaustion. It was only because the Blood Spirit Child before him was too difficult to deal with that he had been forced to use a secret technique to Preserve Life, raising his condition enhancement by an entire level.

Maintaining the secret technique for so long had drained him enormously!

From the start of the battle until now, he had already begun to feel unable to keep going.

"Zhong Lisheng, you talk big, but your skills are still far from enough!"

A small, shriveled figure wore a mocking expression, his eyes filled with madness.

Black-red blood qi surged and roiled, constantly battering against the divine wonder of the Flame Saber.

"Whether I'm skilled or not isn't for you to decide!"

Zhong Lisheng's face was etched with exhaustion, but the saber in his hand showed no hint of weakness. The miraculous flame in mid-air surged another half a span out of thin air, carrying searing firelight as it struck straight at Blood Spirit Child.

"Nothing more than this!" Blood Spirit Child wore a disdainful expression as black-red blood qi swept forth, invisibly dissolving the Flame Saber's offensive.

Just as the two were fighting fiercely, a pitch-black Saber Light suddenly flashed in the skies east of Dragon Peace Stronghold, followed by a shrill scream.

"This is..." Blood Spirit Child split his focus in two. "Tyrant Saber!?"

Looking across Dragon Peace Stronghold, there was only one Cultivator who had inherited the Tyrant Saber.

"It's Reckless Saber!"

Blood Spirit Child's expression brightened with delight. No longer entangling himself with Zhong Lisheng, he instead headed east.

Crash—

Black-red blood qi rolled and churned like flowing crimson waves, carrying Blood Spirit Child as he flew through the air.

This method of travel consumed an enormous amount of energy, but Reckless Saber was right before his eyes—how could he possibly let this chance slip by!

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an, a prodigy of the Hidden Dragon Rankings, the rising star of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, a future colossus of the province—if he could kill him here, it would be a truly monumental achievement!

Far more meaningful than killing a senior consecrated expert of the Dragon Peace Town Pacification Office.

Almost at the same time, Blood Spirit Child made his decision!

At All Costs, suppress and kill Reckless Saber!

"Where do you think you're going!" Zhong Lisheng roared, clearly realizing Blood Spirit Child's intentions as well.

Blood Spirit Child cast him a cold glance. With a sweep of his sleeve robe, sheets of black-red blood qi gushed out, forcing Zhong Lisheng back.

"I'll come back and deal with you slowly later!"

Whoosh!

Amid the black-red blood qi, Blood Spirit Child flew through the air.

On the other side, Chen Ping'an had just finished collecting the Spoils of War from the evil-path Grandmaster when he sensed an aura rapidly closing in on him.

"Hmm!?"

Chen Ping'an slightly looked up toward the distance.

A small, withered figure came flying fiercely toward him, wrapped in a mass of black-red blood qi.

"Does he want to kill me?"

Chen Ping'an's gaze narrowed slightly, and a trace of chill had already surfaced in his eyes.

After wearing out iron shoes in a fruitless search, he found it without any effort at all!

He had just been thinking that he lacked a Grandmaster, and now one had delivered himself to his door.

Though this one's combat strength was a bit beyond the norm, the situation was sudden and time was precious, so he would not be picky!

After a fierce battle, with his strength greatly depleted, he would be caught off guard for a moment and be slain on the spot by Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an, who had gone all out!

That wasn't too excessive, was it!?

If it was excessive, then he could add another detail: Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had taken a secret medicine, greatly increasing his combat strength, and with the resolve to sink or swim, suppressed and killed the invading enemy!

Boom!

Chen Ping'an held his saber in one hand, his aura climbing to its peak!

Once he killed this wretch, it would be time for his Alternate Identity to emerge and stir the winds and clouds!

"Die, die!" Blood Spirit Child's expression was crazed. His sclera were full of bloodshot veins, while strands of killing intent gleamed in his pupils.

As he watched Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an draw closer and closer, his entire body could not help but tremble.

Killing Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an would be a great merit! On this trip to Dragon Peace, his contribution would be second only to those Great Grandmasters!

No!

With the merit of suppressing and killing Reckless Saber, his contribution would be enough to rival that of a Top Great Grandmaster!

Reckless Saber alone surpassed countless others!

The only Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent across the two provinces, dying in the Dragon Peace Turmoil, at the hands of Blood Spirit Child. If this succeeded, it would deal a devastating blow to the prestige of the Town Pacification Offices of both provinces! This deed might even rise to the level of the Town Pacification Offices of the two realms!

At that time, Blood Spirit Child's fame would surely shake all the provinces, comparable to that of a demonic-path Great Grandmaster!

Blood Spirit Child was utterly exhilarated.

But—

Just as he came within less than a hundred zhang of Reckless Saber, the distant sky suddenly churned with wind and clouds. A sharp sword light tore through the air like a startled rainbow, flying over at lightning speed.

Wherever the sword light passed, even the air was sliced apart, releasing burst after burst of piercing howls.

"Blood Spirit brat, this old man is your opponent!"

As the sword light shot forth, an Elder in an Ink Robe revealed himself. His temples were streaked with gray, yet his posture stood tall and straight as a pine.

An elder of the Azure Mist Sect—the Azure Blood Sword, Du Moyuan!

The fierce sword light was like a stream of azure blood, flickering with a cold, ghostly gleam as it blocked Blood Spirit Child in mid-air. Du Moyuan's hair fluttered in the wind. This moment, there was not the slightest trace of stiffness on his face; instead, it bore the sharpness unique to a swordsman.

He cast a distant glance at Chen Ping'an.

"Damn old bastard, how dare you ruin my plans!" Blood Spirit Child said in a furious rage.

What answered him was one streak after another of dripping sword light, carrying icy killing intent as they wove into a net of swords.

"Thank you."

Chen Ping'an had not expected Du Moyuan to step in and help him.

Strictly speaking, there was bad blood between him and Du Moyuan. Before Chen Ping'an had broken through to Grandmaster, the other man had judged that he would be unable to become a Grandmaster within half a jiazi.

When Chen Ping'an had fought at the brink in Azure Dragon Province City and broken through, attaining the realm of a Jade Balance Grandmaster, it could be said that he had slapped the other man hard across the face.

But regardless of Du Moyuan's reasons for acting, now that he had intervened, Chen Ping'an's original plan had fallen through.

He had originally intended to overstep the rules just a little, but with Du Moyuan's unexpected interruption, he would play it even safer!

Rumble—

Amid a violent collision, Chen Ping'an sensed an immense force of qi and blood.

Then, as though that aura had discovered the fierce battle here as well, it sped rapidly toward his location.

Splat!

A Grandmaster retainer with wildly disheveled hair wielded a halberd-like weapon. His true essence churned, shredding the body of the Heretical Expert before him.

Bang!

His figure suddenly dropped to the ground.

Compared to Veteran Grandmasters and Top Grandmasters with deep foundations and vast reserves of true essence, he, who had only entered the Jade Balance Grandmaster realm not long ago, naturally did not possess enough true essence to sustain prolonged aerial combat.

For ordinary Grandmasters like them in the Yuheng Early Stage, most battles were still fought on the ground. Only in urgent circumstances would they use true essence to lift themselves into the air and streak through the skies.

Moreover, much of their aerial movement was not driven entirely by true essence, but also relied on the momentum built up beforehand.

"Strange! I clearly heard rumbling here just now. Why isn't there the slightest sign of it?"

This Grandmaster retainer, his hair as wild as a mad lion's mane, stared at the scene before him in puzzlement.

He was near a remote edge of Dragon Peace Stronghold. Before him stood a building constructed against the mountain, and behind it lay the altered mountain range.

He had heard rumbling sound here earlier, but the situation was in ruins and the surrounding conditions were extremely dire. He had chosen to suppress the chaos first and quell the unrest nearby.

After killing several dungeon prisoners who had escaped, he had intended to come over and provide support, to see whether some fiends were causing trouble. Yet halfway there, he had encountered that Heretical Pseudo-Grandmaster.

After a fierce battle, he had ultimately slain the other party on the spot. But upon arriving here, he found none of the scene he had expected.

Compared to the other places, this area instead seemed a bit peaceful.

The buildings were intact, and the Bluestone Slabs on the ground showed scarcely any cracks. It was as though nothing had happened at all.

"What was that rumbling just now?" The Grandmaster retainer was somewhat astonished.

Judging from every sign in the surroundings, there was no trace whatsoever of any rumbling collision.

If not for his exceptionally steadfast mind, he might have suspected by now that he had merely hallucinated the sound earlier.

Instinctively, he wanted to inspect the surroundings, but before he could begin, he saw the space at one side of the building suddenly distort.

"This is..." The Grandmaster retainer instinctively sensed that Something was Wrong, and his mind immediately went on high alert.

The distorted space was like a sheet of cloth being pulled taut, gradually turning wrinkled and creased. Amid layer upon layer of ripples, the scene before him underwent an earth-shattering transformation.

The once-intact building became ruinous, while an enormous gash was exposed in the massive mountain.

"Spirituality Restriction!"

The Grandmaster retainer felt a chill run through his heart, every hair standing on end. His body shot backward as he tried to flee.

Yet before he could escape, his body went limp and collapsed helplessly onto the ground.

Next moment, a bewitching violet glow lit up.

He saw a pair of star-like eyes, pure without the slightest impurity, like clear stars in the night sky reflecting a vast galaxy.

Time seemed to have frozen. Everything around him lost its color, utterly halted in place.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heartbeat grew faster and faster, pounding explosively within his chest.

His eyes gradually lost focus, their divine light dimming as he sank into the vast galaxy.

Bang!

His pupils dilated, and he fell to the ground.

From within the mountain emerged a woman in a black dress with a graceful, alluring figure.

Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, while black gauze concealed her face.

Array flags whirled through the air, snapping violently in the wind before finally settling steadily into the woman's hand.

Ninth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings—the Heavenly Luo Saintess, Qu Feiyan!