Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 443 - 437: Return Part 2

Chapter 443: Chapter 437: Return Part 2

"Yuan Jing is divided into four major stages: entering the void, solidification, integration, True Monarch. The Daoist Master above should be at the solidification level. To think he was scared off by this one move... It seems the Three Yinluo Swords still hold great potential to be unearthed."

The Shadowless he had killed earlier was actually in the stage of entering the void, while Kun Ji was at solidification. However, being careless, he was heavily injured by Lin Xin, rendering him virtually useless in their second encounter.

The greatest strength of Yuan Jing was the Yuan Jing Soul Domain, and Lin Xin, relying on his terrifying strength and resilience, was almost immune to Yuan Jing, thus completely leveling the biggest gap.

What truly determined life and death in terms of strength was whose moves were stronger, whose magical treasures were more effective.

He sheathed the Yinluo Sword, placing it back on his back. Although these four swords were his reliance for forming the Sword Array now.

His biggest trump card was still the recently acquired Silkworm Moon White Sword. That was a fifth-grade Divine Weapon, capable of exerting the power of a fifth-grade Golden Core as long as he could withstand its backlash. It also possessed half of a Yuan Jing Soul Domain.

Once used, it could negate a portion of a Yuan Jing Cultivator’s Soul Domain rules, increasing their stress and consumption of energy. Combined with his unparalleled terrifying strength, even a cultivator at the solidification level of Yuan Jing could inadvertently meet his demise at Lin Xin’s hands.

The case of the two Shadowless was a bloody lesson.

But it seemed now there was no need for this.

Retracting the sword blade, Lin Xin flew towards the Void Ship not far away. He had deliberately avoided these huge adjacent Void Ships during the confrontation, especially the one boarded by Zhao Ke and others.

It was to avoid affecting the travel.

Shortly after, a white Void Ship slowly started up, raised its sails, turned around, and sped toward the distance, soon disappearing into the horizon.

Some surviving cultivators and crew members below witnessed this scene.

News that the Red Flower Sword Devil, Lin Xin, boarded a Void Ship heading to the Outer Regions, along with the Sand Time Divine Palace’s Secret Treasure, quickly spread among the cultivators of Hua Drum Town. Meanwhile, two Vice Sect Leaders of the Red Spine Sect arrived at Hua Drum Town within half a month to investigate the situation. The Alliance of Immortals also appeared coincidentally, with even the Mysterious Maiden showing up personally. Additionally, various Yuan Jing who had been trapped in the Sand Time Divine Palace also appeared from time to time, obviously having escaped their predicaments.

The encounters between the Alliance of Immortals and the Red Spine Sect naturally led to a series of friction and battles. In just a few months, the entire Hua Drum Town was turned to ruins by several Dao-Seeking experts, causing countless casualties among the civilians.

But they still could not find any clues about Lin Xin or the Secret Treasure.

In rage, the Vice Sect Leader of the Red Spine Sect, Red Flag King, smashed the entire Hua Drum Town’s Void Ship dockyard with a single palm, nearly cutting off the entire portal to that point.

Only then did the fleets of the Alliance of Immortals and the Red Spine Sect head to the hometown of the Red Flower Sword Devil in the Southern Prefectures to search for news.

But none of this was known to Lin Xin anymore.

*********************

Central Prefecture, Outer Regions

Above a vast sea of dark grey clouds,

The sky was gloomy, occasionally lit by soundless purple lightning. From a great distance, large shadows could be seen slowly moving.

The white Void Ship was no different from an ordinary waterborne vessel except that instead of paddles, something resembling wings extended from both sides.

This Void Ship was one of those owned by the Wanhua Sect in Hua Drum Town.

The ship owner, Zhou Aifa, sat heavily by the ship’s side, staring downward at the vast dark grey cloud sea below, feeling bitter in his heart.

He was fifty-six this year. He had planned to retire after a couple more voyages to spend his old age peacefully at home, yet he hadn’t expected to be stopped by a major demon of Central Prefecture, forcibly conscripted along with hundreds of crew members, driving them towards the completely unknown Outer Regions.

The Outer Regions... that was a place even the immortal cultivators dreadfully avoided. To think that he, Zhou Aifa, would have the chance to venture there alive in his lifetime.

Thinking of this, his heart felt both complicated anticipation and some fear.

The demonic ship hijacker had been on board for over half a month now, staying inside the ship without emerging, needing others to deliver his food and drink.

All over a hundred people on the ship were terrified and obediently operating the ship, moving forward along the instructed route.

Based on the current direction, Zhou Aifa had no idea if there was still a chance to return alive to Central Prefecture. But with the situation being stronger than men, they could only comply.

"Captain, are we really just going to keep moving in the direction that person mentioned?"

Among the crew members gathered, the first mate, Xiao Dashou, came over helplessly to ask.

The ship had been coerced into departing, and no one was willing to randomly enter the Outer Regions—a domain of life-and-death. As they drew closer, everyone grew anxious, fearing deep regret once they entered the Outer Regions.

Therefore, the crew members with some authority had all gathered on the deck to discuss the matter.

Zhou Aifa took a deep drag on his dry pipe, shaking the tobacco out.

"If you have any good ideas, you can all speak up. Right now, that old demon can’t sail without us, but once he finds his bearings and familiarizes himself with the route, it won’t be necessary to keep us around. We need to think of a contingency plan, a foolproof strategy."

First Mate Xiao Dashou sat with a group on the deck, snatching Zhou Aifa’s dry pipe and taking a heavy puff. He cast a sidelong glance at the oldest shriveled old man among the crew members.

"Old Zhao, you have the most experience. What should we all do now? Once we enter the Outer Regions, I fear all of us will face life and death."

Zhou Aifa wasn’t offended, instead turning his gaze to the eldest crew member.

"Yes, Old Zhao. I heard that when you were young, you accidentally went to the Outer Regions and barely made it back alive. Now that we are all driven to a corner, please lead us and show us a clear path. We’re all grasshoppers on the same string, and no one can escape."

Zhao Ke lowered his head, gently touching a cylindrical scar on his chin, remaining silent for a long while.

The rest of the crew also voiced their concerns, pleading with him, for everyone on the ship knew each other well, having worked and lived together as friends and brothers for many years. Now, at this life-and-death moment, if there were no strategies available, they feared that none would survive.

Zhao Ke fell silent for half a moment before finally speaking slowly.

"The Outer Regions are uninhabitable for humans in ninety percent of places. The devil rain that falls from the sky alone can kill most of the living," he said.

"Elder Zhao...." Xiao Dashou spoke gravely, "could you think of a way...."

Zhao Ke, scrutinized by a group of people, still maintained his leisurely demeanor.

"But that one time, we were lucky. Someone saved us, and we survived," he said.

"In the Outer Regions?!" Captain Zhou Aifa couldn’t help but express his surprise. After all these years, it was the first time he had heard Elder Zhao mention this. He was surprised as he listened.

"Indeed...." Elder Zhao seemed to be recalling past events. "Out of two hundred and fifty people, only four of us survived. We were saved by people from that tribe."

After saying this, he smiled as well, revealing a somewhat fierce smile.

"The Outer Regions are not solely inhabited by the Human Race."

"So you mean, we still have a chance as long as we can escape that demon and go to the place Elder Zhao mentioned to temporarily survive?" Zhou Aifa said gravely.

"Perhaps. But that place is not so easy to reach," Zhao Ke said slowly, shaking his head.

"Elder Zhao, that tribe that saved you back then..."

Someone couldn’t help but ask aloud.

Crack.

Suddenly the deck was ripped open.

Zhao Ke followed Lin Xin out slowly, the deck shielded by a wind-proof Formation; the fierce winds from high above only turned into a mild breeze as they entered. The temperature was also much softened.

Lin Xin did not even glance at the terrified crew and captain as he directly walked to the bow and looked out towards the distant sky.

He wore black robes that the wind continuously tugged back.

This place was no longer Central Prefecture but close to the uttermost boundary—the boundary of the Yang membrane.

"Beyond here lies the Outer Regions," he said softly.

Zhao Ke was also extremely cautious about the Outer Regions.

"Brother Lin, are we really going to the Outer Regions? Just us, without any preparations..."

Lin Xin laughed.

"I have been to the Outer Regions a few times. The places closer are not as dangerous as you think. Don’t worry, we will only be detouring through a few places I have visited before; there won’t be any problems," he said.

"What about these crew members...?" Zhao Ke asked again.

"Don’t worry, I’m not one to relish killing. Besides, they are still useful. I won’t abandon this ship unless absolutely necessary," Lin Xin said honestly.

The Red Leaf Sword Master suddenly asked him to keep Zhao Ke safe. He didn’t know why, but it indeed dragged him into the entire vortex of the Secret Treasure from which he couldn’t extricate himself.

If they didn’t detour through the Outer Regions before returning, they would likely be caught up by the experts from Central Prefecture behind them.

He was confident that he could escape, but Zhao Ke’s safety was not guaranteed.

"Between Central Prefecture and Southern Prefecture, there lies a boundless cloud sea. If we don’t pass through the Yang Paths maintained by sect monks, then we can only choose a few spots to transition," Lin Xin said indifferently.

He had indeed visited the Outer Regions before, but those were on the edge of Southern Prefecture, not here.

He said this, actually relying on a few safe resting spots in the Outer Regions passed to him by the Red Leaf Sword Master—this gave him some confidence.

"Since Brother Lin has already made arrangements, I’m relieved. Hehe..." Zhao Ke gave a dry laugh. Even standing in front of Lin Xin, he felt a constant, sharp icy chill scraping against his body, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Brother Lin’s cultivation had reached an unpredictable point. Not to mention his position at the Foundation Establishment Stage, even those at Golden Core or even Dao Seeking might find it hard to cope.

"Then, big brother, I’ll go down first. You rest easy.", he didn’t want to stay with Lin Xin any longer than necessary

"Go ahead," Lin Xin said with a smile, aware that he was gradually losing control of his body.

Since he killed Yuan Jing, his body had developed an uncontrollable aura. This aura had grown stronger over time and had begun to envelop his entire body.

What surprised him more was that upon careful investigation over these days, he discovered that the aura was made up of a highly complex mix of elements, including not only the strength of the Underworld but also some of the power of faith he had received from absorbing the essence of the Evil God, as well as numerous fragments of memories similar to shadowy wills.

Although the aura was complex, as it grew stronger, it oddly continued to fortify his body bit by bit.

Consequently, his very temperament and physique also underwent some peculiar changes.