The Second Half

The Penglai set of <Supreme Nine Truth Profound Darkness Qi Sword> did indeed originate from the <Nine Luminaries Sword Scripture Beichen Sword Sect. In addition, after observing closely for the past few days, seeing the changes in qi swords, Sword Light, sword waves, and sword rainbows, Li Fan had seen far too many and gradually began to understand some of the intricacies.

He wasn't trying to rave about how awesome the Beichen Sword Sect; he was tired of always being proven wrong. But to be fair, when it came to the ultimate principles of swordsmanship, not to mention the Three Great Sects, there was indeed no one in the Xuanmen (mystical sects) who could surpass Beichen.

Penglai obtained the Nine Luminaries Profound Darkness Sword Scripture, but there weren't many modifications it could make. Basically, it still followed the principles and framework of Beichen's system, that is, it replaced the content. It directly replaced the sword energy refined by Beichen's lineage with the true energy refined by the Supreme Nine Truth Sect's own cultivation Cultivation Method. Moreover, it also integrated all the escape techniques and supernatural abilities into its own sect's secret refinement, and integrated them with reference to the Nine Luminaries Sword Scripture. Thus, the Nine Truth Profound Darkness Sword Rainbow Technique was created.

This technique can be transformed into a Dark Underworld Qi sword to kill enemies with sword rainbows, or it can be transformed into a lotus petal-shaped protective shield, allowing for both offense and defense. Moreover, in this East Sea, the Dark Underworld spiritual energy between heaven and earth is abundant and inexhaustible, making it even more powerful. It is simply perfect.

Although Li Fan did not know the Inner Sect secrets of Penglai, he had received the true teachings of the Beichen Sword Sect. Even if he had not practiced them, he had heard of their intricacies and could see that the Sword Rainbow Technique was actually about merging the body with the sword, using the sword energy to protect the body, transforming the person into the Sword Light, and using the escape light as sword light. In this way, the person and the sword became one, and all of his cultivation was poured into the peak, so naturally he was unstoppable and invincible.

To put it bluntly, the Sword Rainbow Technique wasn't actually that difficult for Li Fan. Could it be more difficult than 'crossing over'? Theoretically, as long as he gathered the matching sword qi and sword techniques for escape, and coordinated them with the sword manual, he could also create a sword rainbow, break through the air, and casually show off.

Of course, to use the sword rainbow to rush over and kill an opponent, one must have time to hone their skills. Moreover, the consumption is extremely huge, but its power is indeed the kind of ultimate move that can be used to hold one's own.

These four True Immortals from Penglai were intelligent enough to understand that in such a desperate situation, life and death hung in the balance, and there was no need for fancy, frivolous techniques. They unleashed their full power, the Four Sword Rainbows encircling their sect's Divine Lord. In an instant, they traversed heaven and earth, their combined attacks numbering over Yinian hundred, visibly sweeping away the auspicious clouds, shattering the magic array, knocking away magical treasures, and scattering flower petals. Several times they nearly broke through the final layer of the lotus, even catching a glimpse of the Yinian!

This Sword Rainbow Technique is so powerful that it holds its own even against Divine Transformation monsters, and even offers opportunities for counterattacks. It truly can defeat monsters a level above it! It is undeniably fierce, dangerous, and incredibly powerful! It truly deserves to be called the essence of sword fighting techniques summarized by the Xuanmen predecessors!

However, the Yinian Divine Lord was also very familiar with his own Cultivation Method. Strangely, he completely abandoned the Sword Rainbow and instead focused on nurturing his protective lotus, relentlessly nurturing it. One layer would dissipate, only to be replaced by another, seemingly endless, as he stubbornly resisted. Was he perhaps waiting for these Nascent Soul Stage to exhaust their mana first? In a life-or-death situation, expecting his opponent to run out of mana and surrender seemed a bit far-fetched, didn't it? Or was he still wary of Li Fan launching a surprise attack from the shadows?

At first, Li Fan doubted whether this new head god was also a limp lord who didn't know how to use the Nine True Mysterious Netherworld Sword Rainbow at all. But after watching for a while, he also saw the flaw in this Nine True Dark Underworld Sword Rainbow.

Actually, it can't be considered a flaw. The huge consumption of power in a special move is hardly a fatal flaw. What's truly fatal is that these cultivators don't seem to have mastered the Sword Rainbow technique. No, by Xuanmen standards, they're clearly a bit rusty.

Ordinary people might just watch the spectacle, but someone like Li Fan, who studies advanced swordsmanship, could see that the sword paths of the four of them were incorrect, not the optimal sword paths. There were flaws, deviations, oversights, and mistakes! To put it bluntly, it was because the sword rainbow was too fast and too fierce; ordinary people simply couldn't control it!

That first move was truly powerful, incredibly stylish, a whoosh! Soaring through the air! A celestial being descending from the heavens! One sword strike wipes out all demons! Evil spirits and monsters, heads roll to the ground! So dashing!

However, if you can't kill them instantly with one sword strike, you'll be in trouble. You'll have to turn back and try again, but the sword rainbow is already too fast for the human eye to keep up with. You can only rely on your Divine Sense to determine the location. Especially when fighting in a limited space, if you can't kill your opponent instantly, you'll get caught up in the swordplay. In addition, the cultivator's mana, Divine Sense, and physical strength will be greatly depleted.

The more they used Jian Hong, the more they couldn't determine a winner, and the more their sword accuracy deteriorated. After about thirty moves, some started to show their weaknesses. Jian Hong could strike out, but couldn't retract it. Those several excellent opportunities to expose Yinian Shenjun's head were missed because no one could finish him off in time. Moreover, it was clear that it wasn't that they couldn't see the flaws, but that none of the four had the strength to pull Jian Hong back in time to deliver the finishing blow.

Actually, this isn't a particularly big problem; it can be solved. Just practice more, do some sword fights, kill people, get used to it, and you'll get the hang of it.

The problem is that the elites of the Xuanmen have learned too much. Even Xu Chengyang, the pride of heaven, may be a master of alchemy, but he is obviously not a master of swordsmanship. He is clearly not skilled enough in wielding the sword rainbow.

It's not just a matter of limited personal energy; the main issue is that Penglai's style is more about underhanded tactics, primarily assassination and sneak attacks, unlike the Beichen Sword Sect which readily engages in one-on-one duels. Even that guy from last time, when fighting Li Fan, an Outer Sect, was hesitant and didn't actually use his Sword Rainbow before 'conceding'. This shows that in ordinary internal sect sparring, opportunities to use a deadly or severely powerful technique like Sword Rainbow are extremely rare.

At this moment, Li Fan once again grasped the meaning behind the Profound Heaven Sword Intent's instruction to dedicate himself to practicing the Ruyi Sword Scripture for a hundred years. In truth, the principles behind controlling the flying sword, the Sword Light, and the sword rainbow—how to fly, how to circle, how to slash, how to stab—are all interconnected. If you intend to kill with a sword, isn't wielding it like an extension of your arm, at the very least you should be able to do as you please?

Regardless of the weapon, tool, or Cultivation Method, you must master it. This is the minimum respect you can show to the sword. It doesn't mean that just because you have the Heaven-Slaying Sword or the Dragon-Slaying Saber, you're invincible. There's also that pretentious saying that if you practice enough, even grass and trees can become swords, right?

Therefore, equipment and technology complement each other and are indispensable; this is a general principle in the Immortal Realm of cultivation.

However, the scientific community doesn't have to go through all that trouble. With a hand grenade, all you have to do is pull the pin and throw it with all your might.

So Li Fan made his move.

Because they had fought for over a hundred moves in the blink of an eye, none of the four could defeat the Yinian Lord. So finally, sooner or later, a sword rainbow suddenly paused, and a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator revealed his figure!

Perhaps it was an old injury that hadn't healed, perhaps it was unfamiliarity with his swordsmanship, perhaps he hadn't caught his breath, or perhaps there were other plans involved. In any case, the sword rainbow broke for a moment, revealing his figure, so the reason became irrelevant.

Because the Shi Zai Godly Monarch made his move, he seized this momentary opening, and the Sword Light that had been dodging from the sidelines turned and instantly rushed to the center, cutting the Nascent Soul Stage cultivator in two!

Perhaps he couldn't hold on any longer, perhaps he saw an opportunity, or perhaps he had his own calculations, but it doesn't matter anymore.

Because Li Fan made a move.

He seized the brief moment the other party appeared, locked his Divine Sense, aimed at the dantian of the Shi Zai Godly Monarch, and then activated the system's flying sword.

The Shi Zai Godly Monarch also noticed Li Fan's sudden appearance and the way he locked onto him with his Divine Sense. He frowned, realizing that this matter was not simple.

Then he exploded.

Literally, it exploded.

In that instant, the Shi Zai Godly Monarch transformed into a blazing golden spot of light, which then radiated brilliantly, illuminating the earth.

Li Fan didn't just stand there dumbfounded watching the sun. He immediately shrank his neck and dived underground, all the way to the bottom of the rock layer. When he hit the barrier, he leaped out of the killing strait and escaped with his life.

Holy crap! The power of those three metallic nitrogen bombs is absolutely incredible! Li Fan felt like he was being boiled in a vat of boiling oil; in that instant, even the surrounding seawater was scalded, and the Kun's skin was almost cooked...

But now Li Fan has encountered something even more outrageous. So outrageous it's terrifying. Let me tell you about it.

The system does not provide kill notifications that boost mood.

That deity is not dead yet.

"Holy crap... no way..." Li Fan couldn't help but exclaim.

Isn't this ridiculous? It exploded, but the character is still alive. Is it some kind of bug??

But upon closer inspection, he discovered something even more terrifying.

No one died! Not a single person died! The killing spree isn't over yet!

Surely those killed in the explosion wouldn't be counted as his heads? Did the flying sword miss? Or was he under an illusion?

Li Fan tried to recall the flying sword, but failed.

The prototype flying sword is completely destroyed and cannot be repaired.

Wow... Not a single decent person died, but the system item did?! It was only used once and then destroyed! Is this considered a success or a failure?!

But it definitely looks like an explosion, right? Why didn't anyone die? Could it be that because there was an explosion before, the people of Penglai had developed countermeasures to avoid being instantly killed? But Shi Zai Godly Monarch was completely obliterated; how could he survive?

Li Fan is currently torn between 'get out of here' and 'maybe I can go in and finish off the enemy'.

In the end, it was the gambler's mentality that prevailed; greed took over. After all, he had used up the prototype flying sword and three metallic nitrogen bombs, and getting absolutely no benefit was simply unacceptable. He decided to take another gamble! Maybe he could turn a bicycle into a motorcycle!

So Li Fan sneaked into the barrier again to take a peek. Fortunately, it wasn't too outrageous. The seawater inside the barrier had all evaporated, and the heat waves and ash rose up, forming a huge mushroom cloud. A huge circular crater had been blasted out of the seabed. At a glance, Shi Zai Godly Monarch was indeed gone without a trace. The remaining three Nascent Soul Stage and one Divine Lord, although not dead, looked to be close to death.

Previously, they were all protected by true qi, enveloped in auspicious clouds, with sword rainbows moving about, exuding the aura of Real Immortal amidst the clouds and mist. Now, they have all been blasted into the appearance of beggars, and Li Fan can see them even less clearly.

Yinian Divine Lord was relatively easy to recognize. His new head was charred again, but he had been focusing on protecting his body with true qi and had set up many magic treasures and formations. This time, he was not killed by the explosion. His magic robe was tattered, and the holes that had been blasted into his body were still clearly visible. He landed on the ground and poured out a pill from a gourd with trembling hands, about to put it in his mouth.

Meanwhile, three beggars, charred black and almost mangled from the explosion, rushed up to fight. As if they hadn't eaten for half a month and were trying to steal a bun, they pounced on him. One grabbed his throat, one his hands, and one his legs, and they knocked Yinian Shenjun down and pinned him to the ground. The blue light of the sword in Yi Nian Shenjun's hand shone brightly, and the sword flashed like a dagger as it clashed wildly, stabbing fiercely at Yinian Shenjun!

These three beggars were probably Xu Chengyang, Sun Chengchi, and two other Daoists. Li Fan guessed that they were lucky, as they were all riding on sword rainbows and could be pulled away immediately. Moreover, when their fellow Daoists died, no one went to their rescue immediately; they all fled far away to avoid it. That's why they were fortunate enough not to get too close and be affected by the explosion of the Shi Zai Godly Monarch.

Of course, they were now completely exhausted. Jian Hong was in dire straits; he only had a sliver of true energy protecting his internal organs, and his qi sword was practically gone. He was completely charred and torn apart, blood gushing from his mouth and nose, a gruesome sight of black and red. Adding to the Yinian, his body leaking blood like a tattered sack, staining his face and head completely! Even Li Fan, with his photographic memory, couldn't recognize anyone; he just watched as four refugees, fresh from the battlefield, wrestled on the ground. The scene was utterly tragic!

But you know what, the Xuanmen Dao Body is truly flawless. While everyone in the Immortal Palace was instantly killed, the Xuanmen members were still full of energy, their fists pounding with tremendous force, making loud thuds. It seems that reaching the Nascent Soul Stage is indeed quite difficult to kill. These cultivators with solid cultivation, as long as they take precautions beforehand, holding elixirs and protecting their bodies with true qi, can withstand even two or three bombs...

"Roar!! You demonic cult brats! You're despicable and shameless for using underhanded tactics!"

Yinian Divine Lord is indeed a Divine Lord, and it seems that he does not use a sword, but his fist and foot skills are quite good. He fought against three people and was even backstabbed in the throat by a ground technique, but he still managed to turn around and break free. He punched, slapped and kicked the three beggars on his body, sending them flying to the ground, where they collapsed and could not get up.

In a short while, Yinian was hacked to pieces, looking like a bloody gourd. He roared like a madman, "Come out! You bastard, get out here! Kill! Kill! Kill!!"

Upon seeing the massive amount of blood flowing from his opponent—a stark contrast to when he had been pierced and seemed unaffected—and noting the complete loss of his protective inner energy, Li Fan immediately realized that either the Divine Lord had exhausted his strength, or the attack of the energy sword had struck Mingmen, destroying his protective divine art! His opportunity had arrived!

So Li Fan decisively struck, blasting his head open again. This time he learned his lesson, first blasting off the hand holding the elixir, then his new head, then his intestines, and finally a flurry of blows until he was reduced to a bloody mess, only stopping when the system spoke.

'Li Fan overcomes Yinian amidst the carnage'

Li Fan's mood improved slightly.

'Li Fan's mood cap has increased by 500'

Holy crap, you old piece of trash only have 500 lifespans? That's a huge loss...

Li Fan squinted, holding the plasma cannon, and turned to look at the three dark figures lying on the ground.

"Which one is Sun Chengchi of Tianzhen Palace?"

The man in the middle struggled to sit up and bowed to the fellow whose face was even darker than theirs, saying, "Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist. I am deeply grateful..."

Li Fan fired a shot that blew half of his body off.

'Li Fan overcomes Yinian amidst the carnage'

Li Fan's mood improved slightly.

'Li Fan's mood cap has increased by 500'

The remaining two trembled instantly, their hearts sinking.

Li Fan looked at the two of them again, "Which one is Xu Chengyang from the Xuanzhen Palace?"

The two immediately pointed at each other, then were both shocked and glared at each other angrily.

Li Fan, "..."

Ah, this guy is indeed quick-witted.

Then he pulled out the still-glowing God Lord Jade from his pocket, "Which one of you is a member of my cult?"

But the light of the God Lord Jade Blood swept past the two of them and landed on the remains of the Yinian Divine Lord.

Hmph! Just as I expected!

Once illuminated by the blood-red light of the God Lord Jade, the spies of the Divine Cult knew they could no longer pretend! So, from the ruins of the Yinian Divine Cult, a blood-red figure suddenly rose up! It flew and transformed into a blood shadow, rushing straight towards Li Fan!

Li Fan, having received a system notification, knew that there was still a 'living' deity, and thus had been on guard. He deliberately feigned ignorance to try and trick him. And indeed, he was caught! "You are the inner sanctum of the Divine Cult! Supreme Spiritual True Shi Zai Godly Monarch!"

This guy must have been hiding inside the body of the Divine Lord Yinian, but the bomb exploded and the plasma cannon fired wildly, killing Yinian, but he was completely unharmed. He didn't peel off his own skin either. So, this is probably no longer just a simple Divine Blood Shadow. This guy might have already mastered the superior primordial spirit technique of the Divine Sect, the Blood God Child Great Law!

Li Fan was prepared and didn't hesitate. He spat out Moon Soul, using Sword Light to protect his body, transforming into a silver radiance, and used Sword Escape to escape! Like a bolt of lightning, he zigzagged away to avoid the attack!

Seeing that he couldn't catch him immediately, the cunning old demon didn't chase after him. Instead, he turned and pounced on the two unlucky guys beside him. Since it was a 50/50 choice, he randomly chose one to possess.

The unfortunate fellow was naturally captured and fell face-first to the ground. The other, seriously injured, could neither escape nor resist, and could only watch helplessly, his heart pounding with fear.

In the blink of an eye, the Nascent Soul Stage cultivator who had been tackled was freed, stood up abruptly, his eyes darting around, and said with a smile, "Thank you for coming to my aid! We haven't met before, hence the slight misunderstanding. May I ask your name?"

Li Fan chuckled coldly, tossing the blood-red God Lord Jade in his hand. "Is this how you thank me? By summoning me over and giving me a warm hug? That sword strike just now hurt so much!"

The old demon cupped his hands in greeting, "Protector, you are overthinking it. It's just that you haven't revealed the Divine Sect's Cultivation Method, and I was only trying to be safe. You also have powerful methods; you destroyed my physical body, didn't you? Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, we are all working for the Divine Sect, so we should naturally prioritize harmony."

Oh, so they're chickening out and want to compromise and call a truce? They're dreaming!