The Purple River Chariot Art Shows Its Edge (Combined Chapter)

Three days later, at the County Magistrate's residence in Cloudmist City.

Amid the charred ruins, a cultivator in flowing robes patterned with clouds and water held a compass and paced out astral steps.

A sheet of gold paper stood upright on the compass in his palm. Seal script had been drawn on it in essence blood, while the needle below trembled ceaselessly before finally pointing toward the Four Elements Mountains.

"Those filthy bandits of the Water Marsh Gang wiped out the entire Ling Household and murdered the County Magistrate appointed by our Clear River Sect, yet they still dare to turn around and accuse us. How brazen."

The cultivator's voice was dark, his expression darker. He wore blue robes patterned with clouds, water, and gold, and had a square, upright face.

Wisps of water vapor curled around him, marking the profound cultivation he had attained after opening his Qi Sea.

His name was Qing Yuan. An inner disciple of the Clear River Sect and the third-ranking steward of Sky-Piercing Market, he belonged to the same branch as Qing Zheng. Having failed to comprehend the Way and achieve Foundation Establishment, he was among those who had fallen from favor, spending every day chasing a chance to break through.

"You stole my chance at Foundation Establishment. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I'll take your life."

Qing Yuan snorted, clenching his fists until the veins bulged.

He summoned a Spirit Boat and headed straight for the Four Elements Mountains. He would skin that Water Marsh Gang vermin alive and tear out his sinews.

He had turned his back on the sect and watched his fellow disciples be refined alive into Longevity Pills. He had betrayed the convictions of his first half of life to gain this one chance at Foundation Establishment, only for a filthy Water Marsh Gang wretch to scheme it away from him.

After searching far and wide, he had finally found a lead on the second-in-command who had seized the treasure. Unfortunately, by the time he reached Cloudmist City, someone had slaughtered the man's entire clan, along with the County Magistrate. The Water Dragonwood had vanished too.

"Bandits will always be bandits. All that talk of brotherhood across the four seas and righteousness, yet the moment a chance at Foundation Establishment appears, they kill and steal."

Qing Yuan gave a derisive laugh, then realized he was hardly any better. The smile quietly faded from his lips.

Following the compass, he soon reached the depths of the Four Elements Mountains. The trails were muddy and overgrown, seemingly untouched by people for ages, but his sharp eyes caught a few telltale traces.

"You might fool other country bumpkins, but my First Tier high-grade Formation Plate is no decoration."

Qing Yuan huffed. Water vapor swirled around him, then poured into the compass as though it had become solid. His Ninth Level of Qi Refining cultivation was plain to see.

The needle shook violently. Blue light glimmered over the compass, and torrents of water vapor burst forth along the eight trigrams, swiftly blanketing the surroundings. Soon, signs of battle hidden in the soil emerged.

The clash had been fierce enough to nearly flatten the area. Traces of poisonous miasma still lingered in the underground water veins.

"This brute was careful."

Qing Yuan's brows drew together. He had found not a trace of blood or lingering spiritual power.

After working for four hours, he put away the compass, his heart sinking to the bottom of a ravine. His opponent had cleaned the battlefield with expert precision. Despite his best efforts, he had found nothing he could use for divination.

"No. That sinister energy scattered around here—it can't be collected."

Qing Yuan paced, his thoughts in chaos. At last, he saw what he had overlooked.

Wasn't the Soul Essence here dispersed a little too thoroughly? These mountains covered a vast area. Surely some remnants of souls from wrongful deaths should have remained.

Had vast amounts of Soul Essence been drawn from this place, then consumed within a short time?

"This is bad."

A chill plunged through Qing Yuan. To test his suspicion, he flew back to the mountain's foot, seized an entire family, and returned. Then, before the others' eyes, he cut down the father.

Blood gushed like a spring. Ignoring the woman and child's desperate pleas and cries, Qing Yuan held his breath and fixed his attention on the compass.

"The soul is dispersing too fast."

Qing Yuan's lips turned pale. His hand shook so badly he could barely hold the Formation Plate.

He killed the woman next. Her soul vanished completely in a single breath. After a violent death, all but the heavenly soul should linger for seven days. Yet hers had disappeared before it even left her body.

Tyrannical. Vicious. The bane of every soul beneath heaven. Among the methods available to low-level cultivators, only a Soul Banner could work such a marvel.

"A graded Soul Banner?"

Sweat poured down Qing Yuan's back. He had a powerful urge to turn and run.

A Demonic Cultivator. A genuine Demonic Cultivator!

Fear gripped Qing Yuan's heart. The tales of true Demonic Cultivators were too terrifying, and his courage to keep pursuing vanished in an instant. Yet he could not bear to surrender the Water Dragonwood. After weighing his options, he took the surviving infant back to the mountain's foot.

Once outside the Four Elements Mountains, he glanced at the sobbing infant in his arms, clinging to a sliver of hope.

"Perhaps there's a Demonic Treasure hidden in the Four Elements Mountains. Why would a Demonic Cultivator come to such a remote place?"

A murderous glint entered Qing Yuan's eyes. He was about to kill the infant and test how quickly the soul dispersed.

"Da... Daddy."

The infant whimpered and reached out a tiny hand, wrapping it around Qing Yuan's finger.

The soft, damp touch lingered against his fingertip. Qing Yuan's killing intent suddenly drained away, leaving him dazed.

He trembled as he stared at his blood-soaked hand, whispering in horror.

"What have I just done?"

"Bandits preying on bandits?"

Four days later, in Flying Cloud Market, Qing Zheng gripped the letter in his hand. His junior brother's handwriting stood out starkly on the page.

As Qing Yuan had written, a genuine Demonic Cultivator might have set his sights on them back when they were in the Yi Wood Sect's blessed grotto.

That demon had remained in the mortal world for a chance at Foundation Establishment, exterminated the Ling Household, and vanished with the treasure. In his message, Qing Yuan warned him to be careful with the Baleful Pill.

[My chance at Foundation Establishment has been stolen by this demon. Demonic Cultivators are overbearing and look down on all others. Senior Brother, you must be extremely careful with your Baleful Pill too.]

"A... Demonic Cultivator?"

Qing Zheng murmured, unable to stop a chill from running through him.

They might speak contemptuously of Demonic Cultivators, but the dread of true Demonic Cultivators hung over nearly every cultivator. Even the mighty Dao Sect could barely withstand the Three Saints Church's advance without joining forces.

Across the world, only the Profound Sects, which held the Wilds Region alone, could stand as their equal.

Demonic Cultivators acted without restraint, following nothing but their own whims. Wiping out sects and clans was hardly uncommon for them, and they were fiercely protective of their own. How could he dare provoke one?

"Damn it! Since when have true Demonic Cultivators sunk so low as to steal chances at Foundation Establishment?"

Qing Zheng groaned. He also sensed that his junior brother's emotions had slipped out of control; despair seeped through every line.

"Damn it... My junior brother devoted his whole life to Foundation Establishment. Now that his spiritual treasure has been stolen, how is he supposed to go on?"

Rage rose in Qing Zheng. True Essence surged over his body, shaking the pavilion until it nearly collapsed.

But what could he do? The reputation of genuine Demonic Cultivators was so fearsome that he dared not provoke one in the slightest.

Not just him—even the entire Clear River Sect would hesitate to strike a true Demonic Cultivator dead.

"What if he's an attendant of a Demonic Sect? A practitioner of their orthodox arts, but only a servant? No... Someone who wields a Soul Banner that skillfully cannot be a servant."

Qing Zheng kept muttering as he paced like the wind, his composure gone.

The Three Great Demonic Sects had nearly a hundred attendant groups. Their members called themselves servants and could cultivate the arts passed down through Demonic Treasures, but to refine a Demonic Treasure, they had to acknowledge a prodigy of a Demonic Sect as its master. They themselves had only the right to use it.

According to his junior brother, the Demonic Cultivator who had taken the Water Dragonwood was highly skilled in commanding souls. Though his cultivation was low, the baleful energy he left behind had lingered for a long time.

He had to be the master of the Demonic Treasure, not a servant.

"Fortunately, this demon shouldn't dare attack the Treasure Pavilion's trade route rashly. The Baleful Pill is nearly ready, and he has no time to seize it."

Qing Zheng let out a long breath, though an ill omen still weighed on his heart.

The Illusion Formation he had laid used Soul Power as its core. It was First Tier high-grade, but the wonders of a Soul Banner naturally countered it.

Even a First-Rank Low-Grade Soul Banner could see through the Illusion Formation with ease.

"Once Chang Hao returns with the pill, I'll use that girl as a human sacrifice to elevate the Baleful Pill. Then I... I can reach Foundation Establishment too."

Qing Zheng sighed. Longing and anticipation filled him, along with a trace of uncertainty.

"Is Foundation Establishment truly worth it?"

"Achoo!"

At the same time, inside the Illusion Array, Mo Xue sneezed for no apparent reason. She rubbed the tip of her reddening nose and hunched her shoulders.

"Elder Sister, are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm terribly sleepy, and I've been sneezing for no reason these past two days. Do you know anything about it, Qiu Yun?"

Mo Xue narrowed her almond eyes, her meaning clear.

She pressed her lips together, took Qiu Yun's hand, and pulled her younger sister firmly down beside her. Her brows knitted, sharp as swords.

"Qiu Yun."

"I... I'm here."

"Whenever you're hiding something from me, you quietly avoid me."

Mo Xue huffed and pinched Qiu Yun's pretty cheek. The beauty mark near the corner of Qiu Yun's mouth shifted as she pursed her lips, wanting to speak but holding back.

"Can you remove the poison from me?"

"This is to protect you, Elder Sister."

Qiu Yun slowly shook her head. She let her elder sister pinch her cheek red and gently wrapped an arm around Mo Xue's shoulders, her eyes full of apology.

Her elder sister was sensitive but also keenly observant. She knew Qiu Yun and Uncle Luo's ways all too well. She had probably noticed something when Uncle Luo handed over the Breath Concealment Pill and the sword artifact.

"I want to protect Master Luo too, Qiu Yun. You should understand that."

"I'll protect Uncle Luo in your place. If it proves impossible, you'll be our only hope."

Qiu Yun refused to yield. She could feel her elder sister trembling violently, but the Soul-Dulling Incense had nearly robbed Mo Xue of the strength to struggle.

"I'm the one who protects Master Luo! Qiu Yun... You're being stubborn again. You promised you wouldn't defy me..."

"You aren't the only one who wants to protect Uncle Luo, Sister."

Qiu Yun's voice was gentle, but her limpid eyes met Mo Xue's without wavering. After a long while, Mo Xue gave in. Her eyelids drooped with exhaustion, and terror filled her heart, yet she dared not sleep.

She was afraid... afraid that when she woke, she would never see Master Luo or Qiu Yun again.

If they lost the battle, Qiu Yun, soft on the outside but unyielding within, would surely destroy her own Soul Body to avenge him and die alongside Master Luo.

"I'm begging you, Qiu Yun. Take me with you."

Mo Xue's voice grew urgent. Fear churned inside her, and tears brimmed in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. Only you can avenge Uncle Luo, Sister. I'm going to have him all to myself."

"All to yourself? Master Luo is mine... mine! You can't leave me behind."

Anger flashed in Mo Xue's almond eyes, but they soon grew heavy and slowly closed.

Qiu Yun watched in silence as her elder sister lost consciousness and drifted to sleep. She lifted Mo Xue in her arms and commanded her Soul Essence toward the Life Gate.

"We'll win, won't we? We will. I'll win!"

At the same time, Luo Fanchen ended his cultivation and rose. Yi Wood True Essence filled every Meridians in his body. Though he felt no swelling discomfort, he had reached his limit.

Six of the seven days had passed. The Illusion Array technique had also recreated the original Illusion Formation exactly.

He would most likely have the initiative, so his first strike was crucial. He had to weaken his opponent as much as possible.

"The Purple River Chariot Art."

Luo Fanchen's gaze turned fierce. It was the deadliest technique he currently possessed.

"Qiu Yun."

"I'm here, Uncle Luo."

Qiu Yun came at his call. Blood-red light suffused her Soul Body; she had clearly entered a frenzied state, ready to fight at any moment.

"Help me perform the technique."

Luo Fanchen drew a deep breath. He formed the Spirit Palace Seal with his hands and used his own body as the Central Palace to draw on the Soul Banner. A sinister wind howled. Dozens of Wraiths shrieked and roared, and the banner twisted into ghastly patterns, savage and terrifying.

Blood-red light spread, filling his nostrils with a heavy coppery stench. Luo Fanchen paced the Four-Direction Astral Steps as the Soul Banner whipped behind him. While chanting the incantation, he watched an unseen force twist and peel away all ten of his fingernails. Essence blood welled out with them.

Soul Essence and essence blood gathered in his hands into a dark-red cradle of dry bones. Dozens of ghosts clung and writhed across it, struggling in vain to escape.

"Qiu Yun, help me conceal my aura."

With the Purple River Chariot Art formed, Luo Fanchen kept feeding Yi Wood True Essence into it, building its power. Five Phases blood patterns spread beneath his feet, and hazy crimson light illuminated the entire valley. Wherever its bloody baleful energy passed, plants withered.

Its power was far too great for a sneak attack. Fortunately, Qiu Yun appeared and wrapped her arms around Uncle Luo from behind. The two became one.

"Human Face: Illusory Form."

Luo Fanchen's figure instantly took the shape of a boulder. Hidden further by the Illusion Array, his aura faded almost to nothing.

Uncle Luo is inside my body.

Qiu Yun whispered. Her Soul Body enveloped Uncle Luo completely. She could feel his quick, cold breaths, his heart pounding with unease, and the desperate frenzy lurking beneath his overwhelming fear.

For their sake, Uncle Luo had suppressed his fear and prepared to fight to the death.

"Uncle Luo has grown so strong..."

Qiu Yun gazed at the Purple River Chariot Art, condensed until it seemed almost solid. With the support of Yi Wood True Essence, the cradle had compressed into a point of light no larger than a fingernail at his fingertip. Its power far surpassed her father's.

Sustaining the Purple River Chariot Art consumed enormous amounts of True Essence, yet Uncle Luo could not only sustain it but keep refining it, making it denser still.

The sinister wind reeked, and wails pierced the air, yet Qiu Yun's heart somehow settled.

Elder Sister was right. Uncle Luo is very strong.

This time, Uncle Luo will win too!

"Those sect disciples make a fuss over nothing. Isn't the Illusion Formation perfectly fine?"

Half an hour later, beneath the Treasure Pavilion's trade route, Chang Hao used the Earth-Escape Technique to approach the village inside the Illusion Formation. Only after confirming it matched Qing Zheng's description did he relax a little, silently cursing the wasted Breath Concealment Pill.

"Who knows what sort of treasure this Baleful Pill is? Tsk, a treasure for Foundation Establishment. Damn that bastard for binding me to him. I can't even keep it for myself."

Chang Hao cursed inwardly. He remained underground, creeping forward through the earth until he entered the Illusion Formation.

He had swallowed an entire Breath Concealment Pill and suppressed both his aura and cultivation. Even if someone lay in ambush, they could not detect him.

"He's here!"

At the same moment, Luo Fanchen's nose twitched. The Illusion Array had sensed a subtle shift in the terrain.

There was not a trace of spiritual power, and the change was faint. It could easily have been a beast blundering in or a normal fluctuation of the formation.

But his instincts made him lock onto the spot. Without the slightest hesitation, he unleashed his attack.

"Purple River Chariot: Soul Fiend!"

Luo Fanchen did not know the pill collector's cultivation. He could only give it everything he had.

After releasing the technique, he stuffed every remaining Meridian-Opening Pill into his mouth. While refining them to replenish his True Essence, he formed the seals of the Xu Earth Art, preparing to use Bone Devouring to swallow Soul Essence and strengthen himself.

If the Purple River Chariot stripped away twenty percent of his opponent's strength, it would be a success. Even ten percent would do.

A sinister wind surged. Blood mist stained the entire Illusion Formation scarlet, and an infant's wails erupted beside Chang Hao's ears. He froze for an instant, the hairs on his body standing on end.

When he looked up, the earth before him had turned red with bloodlight. The sinister, violent True Essence plunged him into an icy abyss. Powerful negative emotions nearly seized his soul, leaving him unable to move even a finger.

"Damn it, an ambush? What kind of killing move is this?"

Terror gripped Chang Hao. Knowing he was no match, he turned to flee, only to realize the technique struck over a wide area and had locked onto him. Even with ten pairs of wings, he could not escape the heart of the blast.

"I've only been at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining for a few days, and now I'm facing my death?!"

The soil before him became saturated with blood and flesh, then began to crumble apart. Chang Hao hesitated no longer. He pulled out his last-resort treasures: several low-grade artifacts and one mid-grade artifact. He raised the Earth-Attribute Spirit Shield before him.

At the same time, he swallowed two Bloodburst Pills in succession, attached a Bloodburst Talisman, and drove his True Essence at full force. With the Golden Wheel Artifact, he formed three successive layers of True Essence shields.

The artifacts, the Earth-Attribute Spirit Shield, and the True Essence shields together with the Golden Wheel Artifact... Surely they can save at least half my life?

Boom—

The Purple River Chariot Art struck with a roar. The earth's veins trembled, every blade of grass and tree died, and a pit more than ten meters deep was corroded into the ground. Soil and stone within crumbled into blood-red ash. At the center of the blast, Chang Hao felt as though heaven and earth were about to perish.

He watched helplessly as his magic artifacts corroded and decayed like worthless scraps, then turned to flying ash. The spirit shield he had counted on to save his life shattered the instant it touched the bloody light. His three layers of True Essence might as well have been tissue paper.

Fortunately, the caster did not know his exact position. The broad-area attack had cost the art much of its power, and Chang Hao's defenses had barely managed to divert the bloody light. It had not struck his body directly.

"Ah, I surrender! I surrender, master! Spare my miserable life!"

Chang Hao wailed without pause. The skin on half his body had rotted away, and blood poured from his wounds. Four-tenths of his meridians were severed. The Soul Power lingering inside him clung like maggots to bone; wherever it spread, vitality withered and True Essence dispersed.

Half an arm and a lower leg had vanished. His face was a mass of rotting flesh. He lay on his back in the deep pit with barely half his life left.

His will to fight had long since crumbled. The sight of that Soul Banner, radiating a fearsome, sinister aura, made him want to weep.

If the bastard had shown that Soul Banner earlier, I'd have dropped to my knees and surrendered on the spot. Why did I have to take that divine ability head-on?