Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 377 - 028 All Things Birth Dao

Chapter 377: Chapter 028 All Things Birth Dao

This sudden turn of events shocked many cultivators who were still watching from afar.

It seemed that no one could have anticipated such a dramatic reversal in the battle—two cultivators, locked in a fight to the death, suddenly joining forces.

Even less expected was that while the two were engaged in their deadly struggle, someone else would attempt to assassinate them.

This scene was completely outside the expectations of the vast majority of cultivators.

Not only were the distant onlookers momentarily dumbfounded, but even the two young figures who had been attacking Zhou Yan paused in astonishment.

It was at this moment of their hesitation that Zhou Yan made his move.

As he struck, it was with the terrifying force of the Thunderflame Dao.

This intimidating and paralyzing Thunderflame energy—originating from Zhou Gucheng—burst forth and viciously struck the two attackers.

Caught off guard by the abrupt change in the situation and facing an unexpected attack, the two were hit and immediately began trembling like chaff in the wind.

Right then, Feng Jiu Xian seized the opportunity, manifesting a Sword Spirit from the Nirvana Fire that took the shape of the Undying Fire Phoenix. It shot forth like a streak of northern lights with a whoosh.

"Thud, thud—"

Two sprays of blood followed that streak of light, like two vibrant fountains, startlingly vivid and heart-shaking.

The two assassins clad in black, still somewhat in disbelief, turned to look at their own bodies. Though their faces were obscured, the devastating impact became apparent as their Spirit Armors shattered bit by bit, revealing their shapely figures and skin as smooth as curd.

But those same figures were now marred by cracks—countless cracks—that were oozing fresh red blood.

Then, the two’s beautiful faces registered disbelief, and as pain and fear filled their eyes, their bodies suddenly exploded. Two bright flames blazed into being.

In the moment after their bodies were penetrated by the Fire Phoenix Sword Spirit, they spontaneously combusted, evidently overwhelmed by the destructive force, unable to resist.

The two brilliant flames burned, and from within came screams and struggles that were piercing and ferocious.

This sound made almost all the cultivators shiver, as if the souls within the flames were enduring endless torment.

Even in death, there was no respite.

The flames burned for a long time, the air itself occasionally crackling and popping from the heat, the space around the fire distorted irregularly with the intensity.

The surroundings were so still you could even hear the rustling of fallen leaves on the opposite Secondary Main Peak.

The life-and-death struggle seemed to have now come to a halt.

The two still faced each other calmly, as if their earlier alliance was nothing but an illusory mirage.

"At least you’re practical."

Zhou Yan’s voice cut through the air, detached.

"Our battle will continue, but those who seek to interfere will surely become my enemies, regardless of their origins. Before we fight, I will kill all enemies, lest we exhaust ourselves and others reap the benefits."

Feng Jiu Xian’s voice was just as cold and merciless.

"It’s good that you think so. It appears you were lucky this time. Otherwise, your Thunderflame Sword Body would simply be a stepping stone for me, Feng Jiu Xian, to advance!"

Feng Jiu Xian spoke icily, then streaked away like a meteor, swiftly appearing at the peak of her own mountain.

Zhou Yan didn’t speak again; the two seemed to still hold intense Battle Intent.

In reality, everything was just a facade.

No one would have guessed that everything Feng Jiu Xian said and did was according to the steps designed by Zhou Yan—even the killing of the six mysterious assassins was the same.

With this step completed, the ’battle’ between the two was beyond suspicion.

Undoubtedly, the trap had been successfully set.

Zhou Yan cleaned the battlefield. The Qiankun Rings that should have been given to Feng Jiu Xian, which she left behind without taking, contained little of use—just some ordinary Elixirs, Refining Materials, a few Top-grade Spirit Crystals, Low-grade Soul Crystals, and the like.

These items were not of much use to Zhou Yan, who absorbed them into his Thunder Flame Seal, refining them into Origin Energy.

At the same time, the Spirit of the six Sword Soul Realm cultivators, including two from the Second Level Void Realm, was completely and covertly absorbed by the Thunder Seal.

From this battle, Zhou Yan gained the terrifying energy of six geniuses, and now what he needed was to accumulate.

With enough accumulation, he would achieve the Sword Spirit Realm in a single stroke, bringing his Thunderflame Sword Body’s Sword Dao to Great Perfection, and only then would there be a chance to fight.

Zhou Yan stood still for a moment, absorbing all the benefits of the battle into his Thunder Seal. He then casually observed the dispersing group of talented cultivators, a hint of contemplation on his face.

These cultivators, each one of them, was incredibly strong, their Blood Qi exceptionally robust.

Zhou Yan had seen many geniuses before, and countless had died at his hands, but these were extraordinary.

Zhou Yan swept his gaze over. The majority of Cultivators did not cower from his gaze, returning the look before silently and indifferently flying away.

After a short moment, the Cultivators gathered here had all departed.

Zhou Yan caught sight of a true Demon Beast Constitution female cultivator, standing tall at one point nine meters with physical strength comparable to his own Emperor Qi Sword Body, her Blood Qi soaring to the heavens!

Zhou Yan also saw a somewhat fierce-looking female cultivator from the Three-Eyed Clan, possessing the typical facial features of her race, yet immensely powerful, exuding an aura of Destruction that made one feel as if a great horror could descend at any moment, invincible.

Furthermore, Zhou Yan observed three women in white, always standing closely together, seemingly telepathic, each emanating ancient and terrifying fluctuations of energy.

These individuals, none of them famous, did not even glance at Zhou Yan when he looked over. Their expressions were indifferent, their eyes harboring a hint of disdain.

Or perhaps it was not disdain but a complete disregard, like how a giant elephant would disregard a mosquito.

...

The world around him returned to solitude and tranquility.

Zhou Yan stood on the barren ruins of the mountaintop, his gaze turning to the secondary main peak numbered 15295—Hou Ling’s territory.

Zhou Yan did not see Hou Ling, but he felt she might no longer be on that mountain.

"Hou Ling... Zhou Lingyi, what exactly is their situation now? And ultimately, who is controlling whose Fate?"

Deep in thought, Zhou Yan looked at the mountain, harboring new considerations in his heart.

After a long while, he sighed lightly and withdrew his gaze. He began to etch ancient Thunder Runes on the mountain to prepare for further Cultivation. In the upcoming two days, he planned to push his strength to the limit, and then, face Xiao Tianlun in battle.

...

"Number 7015. If this ranking signifies Combat Power, then are there really seven thousand and fourteen people ahead of me in strength? How is that possible? Is there any way to boost Combat Power? Everything possible for me, Xiao Tianlun, has been done."

"That Feng Jiu Xian, Zhou Yan, even with their full force and trump cards, could only instantly kill a Cultivator in the Second Layer Heaven of Void Realm, and that too with the aid of their Cultivation Techniques. The only advantage is that their physical bodies are extremely strong."

"But their physical strength is due to their Constitution. The Thunderflame Sword Body harnesses Thunder, refining their physical body with Thunder, inherently comparable to the Emperor Qi Sword Body; as for the Chaos Sword Body... the Undying Fire Phoenix lineage, said to be capable of Nirvana Rebirth, refining an indestructible golden body with Flames, it’s normal for them to be physically strong... Why do I always feel uneasy?"

"No, I must contemplate further!"

On Main Peak 7015, where Xiao Tianlun had just landed, a contemplative look immediately appeared on his face.

"Young Master."

"Xiao Lingzhe."

As he pondered, two talented Cultivators, one female and one male, approached him respectfully. They had willingly submitted early, knowing the limits of their own strengths.

"Li Yuan, Lin Feng, tell me, to enhance Combat Power to the extreme, how can one break through to level seven?"

Xiao Tianlun thoughtfully inquired, not really expecting an answer from the two. After all, if they had answers of their own, they would never submit to another.

It was more of an unconscious question on his part.

"Xiao Lingzhe, to break seven, one must learn ’Unity of Heaven and Man’ and master the ’Fusion Dao’ that combines various Taos into one," said the green-clothed, yellow-faced, thin male Cultivator Lin Feng, pondering before speaking.

"Yes, this subordinate also believes so. Young Master, Lin Feng speaks wisely. My Combat Power couldn’t break level three before, but after perceiving a trace of the Fusion Dao and sensing the Supreme Dao of ’Tao Creates All Things,’ I broke through my limits after the fusion."

The blue-garbed Spirit Armor-clad female Cultivator also spoke thoughtfully after a moment of consideration.

The two, noticing Xiao Tianlun’s lack of seriousness, almost without hesitation, shared their insights.

Clearly, the two had communicated deeply in private.

Hearing this, Xiao Tianlun’s eyes brightened and he nodded, saying, "Good, fusion... I have condensed the Nine Transformations of Sword Dao realms up to the Sword Void Sixth Transformation, which is also a type of fusion. Tao is vast and endless, but it seems that all Taos ultimately merge into one. The saying ’Tao Creates All Things’ makes sense. However, as the Tao can create all things, all things can also give birth to Tao, so..."

Xiao Tianlun fell into contemplation, showing a thoughtful expression.

The Secondary Main Peak immediately became silent, no one daring to disturb.

Even Lin Feng and Li Yuan reined in their breaths at this time, fearing they might disturb Xiao Tianlun’s Enlightenment.

Approximately the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Xiao Tianlun suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of lightning-like brilliance disappearing as swiftly as it had appeared in his eyes.

"You two have done well. Two days from now, after I have slain Zhou Yan, I will impart some of my Sword Dao Secret Techniques to you so that you can ascend further on your path," he stated.

"Ah... Thank you, Xiao Lingzhe!" Lin Feng excitedly exclaimed.

"This subordinate is grateful for the Young Master’s recognition! I am willing to give my all for the Young Master..." Li Yuan also trembled with excitement.

Xiao Tianlun simply waved his hand gently to calm the two, and then, without further regard for them, vanished like a flash of light.

He, too, had entered into secluded meditation for Enlightenment.

He felt that this time, he could achieve a terrifying enhancement in Combat Power.

...