Qingxu Sword Sect (Part Two)

"Qingxu Sword Sect?" Zhuge Xiang, who was walking upstairs, paused slightly upon hearing this and turned around.

The leading man, around thirty or forty years old, exuded a chilling Sword Qi. With every move he made, the sharp Sword Qi seemed capable of cutting through even the Void. As he appeared, even Zhuge Xiang's Sword of Slaughter trembled slightly, emitting a faint, clear ringing sound.

Beside him were several others, two men and two women, whose presence was completely undetectable, as if they were ordinary people.

"Deity Transformation stage!?" Zhuge Xiang's eyes narrowed slightly. The two men and two women were clearly at the Return to Simplicity Realm stage, but it was the man in the lead who truly alarmed Zhuge Xiang— he was at the Deity Transformation stage!

How powerful is the Deity Transformation stage? It's already a level beyond the shackles of mortals. Zhuge Xiang witnessed firsthand how the Old Man Dragonwood, at the Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm Rakshasa City, kowtowed until his brains splattered.

Zhuge Xiang had a grudge against the Qingxu Sword Sect and had always remembered it. He was waiting for the Qingxu Sword Sect to come and cause him trouble, but he never expected that the person who came would be Deity Transformation cultivator.

The Qingxu Sword Sect is Sword Cultivator. After entering the Deity Transformation stage, Refining Qi to Spirit, which strengthens their Divine Sense. Therefore, this Deity Transformation stage man has already begun to comprehend Sword Intent.

"What? Is it because of the grudge against Cao Ren last time?" Zhuge Xiang asked, staring at Zhen Yeming, who was at the Nascent Deity Transformation stage.

His fighting spirit surged forth. What did it matter if he was only at the Deity Transformation stage? No matter how powerful the opponent, they could not break Zhuge Xiang's fighting spirit. Even if he knew he was no match for them, if forced to fight, Zhuge Xiang would rather die standing.

"Yes and no." Zhen Yeming, a Nascent Deity Transformation, first nodded, then shook his head, and said, "I know Cao Ren died at your hands. He was a cultivator at the Innate Realm, yet he died at your hands at the Meridian Opening Realm. His skills were lacking. Who can he blame? I came to you today not because of Cao Ren's death, but because Cao Ren's Storage Ring contained a Sword Canon called 'Vast Sword Qi,' and I hope you can return it."

The Vast Sword Qi instantly consumes half of one's own Qi Energy to unleash terrifying attack power. Although this move consumes a great deal of energy, it is definitely an extremely powerful ultimate move for Sword Cultivator, especially for the Qingxu Sword Sect.

Imagine if Sword Cultivator at the Deity Transformation stage had also comprehended Qi Energy, how powerful would this Vast Sword Qi be? You must know that Zhuge Xiang possesses more than a dozen Skill, all of which are of the highest quality, yet the Vast Sword Qi would still be Zhuge Xiang's most powerful ultimate move.

"You came for the Vast Sword Qi?" Upon hearing this, Zhuge Xiang suddenly understood.

A sword manual like the Righteous Sword Qi is a very important martial arts manual for the entire Qingxu Sword Sect, so it's normal that they value it. Although Zhuge Xiang successfully learned the Righteous Sword Qi, it was his spoils of war, so how could he just hand it over like that?

"Impossible!" Zhuge Xiang shook his head and refused decisively. "This Vast Sword Qi is my spoils of war. It originally belonged to your Qingxu Sword Sect, but now it belongs to me Zhuge Xiang, and to our Asura Sect."

"How dare you! You're just an Inner Sect disciple of the Asura Sect, how dare you speak to our Senior Brother Zhen like that? Do you want to die? Do you know that our Senior Brother Zhen is Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator? If you don't reach the Deity Transformation stage, you'll end up as an ant. Haven't you heard that?" Zhuge Xiang's resolute refusal made a female Sword Cultivator at the Return to Simplicity Realm next to Zhen Yeming shout sharply.

Deity Transformation stage!

These words shocked everyone in the entire Flower Full Building. Although they had sensed Zhen Yeming's aura and had some guesses in their hearts, the fact that they were actually heard from the mouth of the Qingxu Sword Sect member and confirmed still shocked everyone.

Refining Essence to Qi, Refining Qi to Spirit, and Refining Spirit to Void are the three most important Major Realm on the path of cultivation, with vastly different levels of attainment.

At the Deity Transformation stage, having survived the Heavenly Tribulation, one can mobilize the power of Heaven and Earth and earth, no longer limited to oneself. One can command the wind and rain, and control ghosts and gods—how could someone at the Qi Refining Stage, who can only mobilize their own power, compare?

The astonished reaction from everyone in the Flower Full Building made Zhen Yeming's face flash with a smug look. He thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention. Although he had only broken through to the Deity Transformation stage for half a month, Zhen Yeming could clearly feel that the treatment he received in the Sect was vastly different from before. Walking outside, the feeling of being the center of attention was even more enjoyable.

"Deity Transformation stage, so what?" Zhuge Xiang said coldly, his expression hardening. As he spoke, he unleashed his Sword Intent once more, the incomparably sharp Sword Intent suddenly emanating from him.

Buzz!!!

Zhen Yeming appeared, the swords of the Sword Cultivator in Flower Full Building only trembled slightly, emitting faint, clear sounds. However, as Zhuge Xiang unleashed his Sword Intent, all the swords suddenly rang out, automatically unsheathed themselves, stuck into the ground, and bent their blades towards Zhuge Xiang, as if making a pilgrimage.

In terms of Sword Intent, although Zhen Yeming is at the Deity Transformation stage, he is far inferior to Zhuge Xiang.

The Sword Intent at the pinnacle of Perfection Level can be described as the ultimate Sword Intent. This powerful Sword Intent, which should not appear in Qi Refining Stage Cultivator, is precisely what Zhuge Xiang possesses.

Sword Intent!?

The five newly arrived Qingxu Sword Sect Disciples stared at Zhuge Xiang in shock. He had comprehended Sword Intent, and it was so powerful! Didn't this mean that Zhuge Xiang's entry into the Deity Transformation stage was a foregone conclusion?

Zhen Yeming, Deity Transformation stage Cultivator, turned pale and then flushed. His longsword had actually stuck in the ground, bending at Zhuge Xiang's feet. This caused Zhen Yeming, a Deity Transformation Sword Dao Cultivator, to feel utterly humiliated. He was even more shocked by the strength of Zhuge Xiang's Sword Intent. Impossible! He himself had only just begun to comprehend Sword Intent after reaching the Deity Transformation stage, while Zhuge Xiang was merely at the Qi Refining Stage, not even having reached the Innate Realm yet. How could he possess such powerful Sword Intent!?

Shame, anger, jealousy, and rage surged within Zhen Yeming as he looked at Zhuge Xiang and sensed the terrifying Sword Intent emanating from him. A flash of killing intent crossed Zhen Yeming's eyes.

With such talent, he will surely dominate Yanling Commandery in the future and become a major threat to the Qingxu Sword Sect. Coupled with his jealousy, Zhen Yeming harbored murderous intent towards Zhuge Xiang.

"I only have one question. Will you hand over the Sword Canon of the Vast Sword Qi or not?" With his Deity Transformation stage cultivation suddenly erupting, his incomparably powerful Divine Sense pressed down on Zhuge Xiang. Taking a step forward abruptly, Zhen Yeming seemed to have lost his patience and shouted in a deep voice.

Boom!

Under the pressure of Divine Sense, Zhuge Xiang involuntarily took a step back. The ground beneath his feet cracked. Back then, the Old Man Dragonwood, at the Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm, had his consciousness disintegrate and kowtow to his death under the impact of Divine Sense from the Deity Transformation stage. Now, Zhen Yeming of the Qingxu Sword Sect used the same move: Divine Sense suppression!

Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator, Zhuge Xiang's Divine Sense was greatly enhanced. He felt as if his consciousness and soul were being crushed by a mountain. The terrifying impact brought Zhuge Xiang's consciousness to the brink of collapse. However, he only took one Zhuge Xiang back before firmly fixing his body, refusing to retreat any further.

Like a mayfly trying to shake a giant tree, Zhuge Xiang was indeed like this under Zhen Yeming's Divine Sense suppression. However, even though he was just a mayfly and the opponent was a towering tree, Zhuge Xiang remained steadfast in his resolve. Even though his power was insignificant, he still wanted to shake this giant tree!

To ordinary people, a mayfly trying to shake a tree is an act of overestimating one's own strength and throwing an egg against a rock. However, in Zhuge Xiang's view, a mayfly trying to shake a tree represents a firm belief, an unwavering conviction that ignores disparities and difficulties.

Zhen Yeming is very strong, with the cultivation of the Deity Transformation stage, transcending the shackles of mortals. His soul has survived the Heavenly Tribulation and Rebirth. However, he is only at the initial stage of the Deity Transformation stage.

Secondly, although Zhuge Xiang's strength was far inferior to his opponent's, Zhuge Xiang's Sword Intent was at the highest level of Perfection Level. Sword Intent is related to the soul and will, so Zhuge Xiang's soul and will are his strongest existence...

Zhen Yeming's Divine Sense pressure did indeed put pressure on Zhuge Xiang, even an immense pressure akin to a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down. However, Zhen Yeming's use of his Divine Sense to pressure Zhuge Xiang was entirely an attempt to exploit his own weakness against Zhuge Xiang's strength.

If it were any other Cultivator, even one at the Reversal of the Return to Simplicity Realm, their consciousness would instantly disintegrate under the pressure of Zhen Yeming's Divine Sense. But Zhuge Xiang did not.

His whole body trembled, but his knees remained taut and unbent. His face was filled with struggle and pain, but his back remained straight. Spider -like cracks spread across the ground beneath Zhuge Xiang's feet. A Human Heart trail of crimson blood flowed from his nose, eyes, mouth, ears, and seven orifices. Yet, Zhuge Xiang remained steadfast, unyielding to the death!

"Hiss... Who is he? He actually withstood the Divine Sense attack of Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator," someone in the Flower Full Building couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

To any discerning eye, it was clear that he was being suppressed completely, like a leaf in a tsunami, about to be destroyed at any moment. However, the fact that Zhuge Xiang could withstand the Divine Sense attack of Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator for so long was truly awe-inspiring.

"Defeated by him, though defeated, he is still glorious..." Looking at Zhuge Xiang's unwavering determination to die rather than submit under the pressure of the Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator's Divine Sense, the Flower Picking Young Master, who had just been defeated by Zhuge Xiang Innate Realm was still resentful, widened his eyes and then whispered in admiration.

"Asura Sect Disciples, it is truly fortunate for the Asura Sect to have such a genius," Lady Liu said, her eyes widening.

Having come from the Hundred Flowers Palace, Lady Liu naturally understood what the pressure of Divine Sense from Deity Transformation stage cultivator meant for Qi Refining Stage cultivator—like an ant crushed by a mountain. Yet, Zhuge Xiang had actually endured it for so long. While deeply shocked, Lady Liu also secretly thought, if the Hundred Flowers Palace could have a few geniuses like him, how could the Sect not prosper?

Zhuge Xiang couldn't hear the exclamations and whispers around him; his consciousness was hazy, and he was on the verge of collapse.

However, for Zhen Yeming, these discussions and exclamations made him feel extremely embarrassed, and his face turned red. Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator, suppressing a mere Void Splitting Realm brat with his Divine Sense, and he still hadn't managed to handle it after so long? These discussions and exclamations felt like a resounding slap in the face to him.

Shame, anger, and jealousy fueled his murderous intent. He drew his longsword, thinking, "Fine, since you couldn't be subdued by Divine Sense pressure for so long, can you withstand the Swordsmanship attacks of Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator like myself?"

"Boss lady, do you have any wine? Quickly, give me a bowl of wine."

Just as Zhen Yeming's killing intent surged and he was about to make his move, a voice suddenly rang out. The Sword Qi throughout Flower Full Building seemed to melt away instantly, like snowflakes meeting the sun. Even Zhuge Xiang felt the Divine Sense that was about to crush him suddenly dissipate... (To be continued...)