Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 1153 - 1007: Slaying Dugu with a Formation

Chapter 1153: Chapter 1007: Slaying Dugu with a Formation

The "Jade Pages and Golden Books" that recorded the "Eight Gates Sword Array" also came from the Yuanli Secret Realm!

They were a serendipitous discovery by Shi Yushu, the first to open the Secret Realm, who after tens of thousands of years of investigation, eventually entrusted them to Fang Xi.

And with his insight, Fang Xi modified three of the swords within it to better align with his own path!

At that moment!

All around, a sky full of Sword Light swept through, and bunches of Five Elements Sword Qi bloomed like lotuses.

Five Elements, Light and Time, Void, Life and Death, Reincarnation... Numerous truths emerged, as the might of this "Eight Gates Sword Array" was boundless, almost enveloping the entire Secret Realm!

"Could it be the sword formation art of the old master?!"

In the sky’s reflection, the Array Spirit transformed into ’Dugu Fang’ had a change in expression.

Then, it let out a strange laugh and waved its hand slightly.

The colorful Magic Chains in the Void dissipated by a large margin.

"Array Spirit, you..."

Although Dugu Fang’s face remained calm, a hint of shock and anger flickered in his eyes.

"Dugu Fang, your path of heartlessness is still not fully cultivated... Moreover, I am but an Array Spirit, following the last wishes of the master, to choose the most suitable inheritor... This ’Prime Taoist Mu’ obtaining the master’s sword formation art, is about to compete with you..."

The Array Spirit laughed out loud, and the lines of its face became somewhat softer, resembling a fusion of Fang Xi and Dugu Fang, making its features suddenly blurred and unclear.

’There’s something off with this Array Spirit!’ Fang Xi almost immediately felt something stirring inside him.

Even if the suppression of this Cave Heaven were meaningless, as an Earth Immortal, he was best at dealing with such suppression from heaven and earth.

But the overt favoritism of the Array Spirit was a bit too obvious.

’Even though I am an inheritor as well, I have only inherited a single technique, having already become immortal long ago, which makes it difficult to inherit the true succession and teachings of cultivation...’

’I was just speaking casually earlier, to trick Dugu Fang... I never expected the Array Spirit to actually recognize it, and even take the opportunity to withdraw the suppression, allowing us to have a ’fair’ battle, revealing its impure intentions...’

Despite this, Fang Xi seized the opportunity immediately.

Suddenly, the Sword Table changed!

Underneath Dugu Fang, five Five Elements Flying Swords bloomed slowly, resembling a huge Five-colored Lotus.

Petals fluttered, and abruptly, a burst of Golden Light shone brilliantly!

Five Elements Rotation, and eventually, with water nurturing wood, wood nurturing fire, fire nurturing earth, and earth nurturing metal, it was ultimately led by the ’Pure Jun Sword’, with Sword Light so magnificent it was startling, a sword slashed down!

The Seven Emotions Sword let out a wail, struggling to release Sword Light, but that mixed beam of Sword Light ultimately disintegrated under the might of heaven and earth!

The Pure Jun Sword cheered, and with one strike, it shattered the Seven Emotions Sword!

With his Life-bound Flying Sword destroyed, Dugu Fang immediately felt a pang in his heart.

Before he could react, he felt that everything around him seemed to speed up.

The countless beams of Sword Light, for some reason, suddenly increased in speed several fold!

No!

It wasn’t the Sword Light around him that sped up, it was him who slowed down.

The influence of the Si Chen Sword’s Power of Time Sequence was spreading throughout the entire Eight Gates Sword Array!

Then, numerous Formless Sword Qi pierced swiftly, penetrating Dugu Fang’s Celestial Immortal defenses.

His body transformed into a mass of Clear Qi, inside of which was an Origin Soul, pure like jade, now marked with several new wounds.

The Origin Soul of a Celestial Immortal far surpasses that of a common Earth Immortal or Human Immortal... exceptionally tough, extremely difficult to eliminate.

Unfortunately, Shu Mountain’s Taiyi Invisible Sword specialized in defeating such Origin Souls; Formless Sword Qi transformed into countless flying needles, piercing through the Origin Soul, and in the blink of an eye, riddling it full of holes.

"When the Eight Swords fly together, Life and Death emerges!"

Eventually, an infinite Sword Light soared into the sky, from which the Life and Death Flying Sword suddenly emitted a sword cry!

Unable to withstand any longer, Dugu Fang’s Origin Soul reversed from life to death, disintegrating in an instant.

’Even the Origin Soul of a Celestial Immortal, which can withstand many disasters and transmute existence, ultimately cannot resist the erosion of the Eight Gates Sword Array?’

Seeing this, Fang Xi’s eyes lit up.

’It’s a pity the Origin Soul of a Celestial Immortal is profound and difficult to capture, only to be killed...’

’Even so, observing the process of the Celestial Immortal Origin Soul’s dissipation in this realm is extremely beneficial for my studies of the Golden Immortal Path of Shu Mountain.’

With a gesture of his Sword Table, the eight Flying Swords flew out together, piercing through Dugu Fang’s Celestial Immortal Origin Soul!

"No... I have yet to become a Taoist Monarch, how can I die here?"

Dugu Fang’s Origin Soul struggled violently, but it was continuously eroded by the Eight Gates Sword Array, ultimately vanishing without a trace...

An era of Celestial Immortal, thus fell.

Fang Xi did not withdraw the Eight Gates Sword Array but stood atop the Five Elements Sword Lotus, enveloped by three Flying Swords, gazing at the rippling lake-like firmament above.

Above the firmament, the Array Spirit ’Dugu Fang’ blurred, transforming into the face of Fang Xi.

His vine-wood mask was unable to hide anything!

’Indeed, it’s a Heavenly Immortal Secret Realm, with something to it...’

’No, wait... an ordinary Celestial Immortal would hardly be able to set up such a Secret Realm, much less leave behind the inheritance of the Eight Gates Sword Array!’

Fang Xi crossed his arms and his expression turned serious.

"Not bad at all..."

Above the upside-down reflection of the sky, ’Fang Xi’s face became increasingly clear, and then a wickedly charming smile appeared: "Being able to kill the seed chosen by the old master, you are even more qualified to be the old master’s heir..."

"Is that so? Then what’s the benefit for me? Cultivation techniques? Magical treasures? Divine Skills? Elixirs?"

Though Fang Xi had little interest in becoming the successor of Celestial Immortal Yuanli, he demanded benefits as soon as he opened his mouth.

"There are no benefits... Dugu Fang was your predecessor, and to acquire the cultivation technique of a Celestial Immortal, one must first undergo a trial and then offer three Immortals as a Blood Sacrifice."

’Fang Xi’ slightly curled the corners of his mouth: "Now that he’s dead, if you want to become the successor, you must also go through a test... First off, you must convert to the heartless path, and truly sever all seven emotions and six desires... Kill all those close to you first, and I will bestow upon you the way of the Celestial Immortal, along with the Secret Skill and treasures to change your foundation... Once you achieve Celestial Immortality, you must offer three Immortals as a Blood Sacrifice..."

"You can change your Immortal grade after becoming an Immortal? I’ve never heard of such a thing before."

Fang Xi was somewhat amazed.

"For ordinary Immortals or even Earth Immortals, naturally it’s very difficult... But for Prime Taoist Masters or those above, if they’re willing to pay a huge price, it’s not impossible... Although the old master was only a Celestial Immortal until death, he once had the fortune to receive an inheritance from a Prime Taoist Master."

The Array Spirit ’Fang Xi’s tone had a hint of bewitchment: "Otherwise, where do you think that ’Eight Gates Sword Array’ and the way of the Celestial Immortal came from?"

"You are pursuing the path of the Earth Immortal, and the possibility of becoming a Prime Taoist Master may only be slightly higher than that of an ordinary Human Immortal... If you traverse the Heartless Path combined with the wondrous treasure left by the old master, you could potentially transform into a Celestial Immortal foundation, and with additional inheritances, there’s at least a thirty to forty percent chance of becoming a Prime Taoist Master!"

It spoke with a tone full of temptation.

And for many Immortals, a thirty to forty percent chance of becoming a Prime Taoist Master was already enough to risk everything!

"Don’t think of bluffing your way through, I can sense the familial ties around you. Without killing all those close to you and severing those ties, there’s absolutely no chance of inheriting!"

The Array Spirit stated emphatically.

Fang Xi, upon hearing this, remained silent.

He hadn’t expected this Array Spirit to be quite extraordinary, capable of seeing through his disguise, and even discerning the path of the Earth Immortal he was pursuing.

The fairness it had shown by pulling back the suppression was not fairness at all but was biased!

’This Array Spirit not only has issues, but also has significant ones, it seems to not wish for any Immortal to obtain the inheritance at all?’

If it were an ordinary Immortal, even knowing there were issues with the Array Spirit, they couldn’t help but suffer in silence.

After all, it could be a Prime Taoist Master!

But Fang Xi, although not a Prime Taoist Master yet, possessed a Supreme Treasure and had many adventures, making him a Quasi-Taoist Monarch within reach. At this time, he didn’t value it much.

Instead, he recognized at a glance that there were major issues with the Array Spirit and would never trade with it.

Just as a person adorned with endless wealth would not be tempted by a few copper coins.

"I see, in that case, naturally..."

Fang Xi’s face grew cheerful, and the Taiyi Invisible Sword had already silently released a streak of Sword Light, a direct thrust at the face!

The face of the Array Spirit ’Fang Xi’ rippled like ripples on the surface of a pond, then it spoke calmly: "It seems you are unwilling to accept the old master’s inheritance?""

"No, I want to accept the inheritance, but certainly not in the way you prescribe."

Fang Xi laughed heartily and suddenly mused: "The Heavenly Immortal Yuanli must have set many restrictions when arranging this Secret Realm, right? For example... if I say now that I don’t want the inheritance, then you can fully attack me, suppress me at the very least, or drive me away?"

"But at this moment, I want to become the heir, yet do not heed your advice, I wonder how you will choose?"

He faintly felt that although Celestial Immortal Yuanli had made arrangements, there appeared to be a slight problem with this most critical Array Spirit.

Fortunately, the rest of the arrangements should still be operational, and could be considered an opportunity for himself.

The Array Spirit ’Fang Xi’s face briefly showed a hint of anger, but then it became utterly calm again, with just a wave of its hand.

Above the sky, a labyrinth immediately materialized.

"As an inheritor, please come and break through the challenge!"

’So, the Array Spirit still has to act according to certain procedures, doesn’t it?’

As Fang Xi witnessed this scene, his heart stirred.

Looking at the labyrinth, it appeared to have three layers, each corresponding to different levels of cultivation.

’It seems that the challengers who came during the time when the Secret Realm was exposed were facing this maze trial?’

’But they were at most Mahayana, and me stepping in as an Earth Immortal, I have also broken the rules.’

Fang Xi shook his head inwardly and looked towards the Array Spirit.

This Array Spirit is still up to no good!

If an ordinary candidate came through, they might be played to death by it!

But I am different!

"I want the inheritance, but I will take it myself!"

Fang Xi chuckled, and the Eight Gates Sword Array suddenly moved.

Sword Light engulfed the heavens, covering almost every corner of the Secret Realm!

That labyrinth, hit by the endless Sword Light, seemed like an illusory flower in a dream, suddenly becoming intangible and then disappearing without a trace.

"How dare you break the rules of the trial?"

The Array Spirit ’Fang Xi’ was outraged, raising its hand, five-colored chains appeared in the Void: "Suppression!"

In fact, by allowing Fang Xi to break through the challenge, its intentions were never good.

After all, the Celestial Immortal inheritance accepts only those below the level of Immortal, and Fang Xi intruding was equally a breaking of the rules, permitting it to attack him outright.

Now that Fang Xi was turning hostile, although a bit unexpected, it was within reason.

"Since you know I am an Earth Immortal, you should realize that such tactics are utterly useless against me."

Fang Xi smiled slightly, pressing down on the bamboo crown on his head, a Phantom of the Monster Tree suddenly shot up into the sky.

The power of the Spirit Realm manifested, forming an emerald spur across the azure sky, countering the suppression of the Cave Heaven!