Chapter 198: 198. Chapter 195: Immortal Sword, Flying Smoke

198. Chapter 195: Immortal Sword, Flying Smoke

Before Ding Huan appeared a deep volcanic chasm that had not yet fully extinguished.

That was not the focus; the focus was Ding Huan seeing a man pierced through the chest by a long sword, nailed to a cliff wall.

The man's head hung limply, his long hair cascading down with it.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense settled on the man, and his heart tightened—was this guy still alive?

He detected faint traces of breath—this was actually a living being.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense then fell upon the sword; on the hilt were two tiny ancient script characters: Fei Yan.

So familiar… Ding Huan strained to recall the meaning of these two characters.

Soon he remembered the origin of the Fei Yan Sword—it belonged to Luo Xuan, the Immortal of Flame, in Chinese mythology; this sword had split into two, both forged from solar fire essences.

No wonder this sword had come here—this was a volcanic region.

This sword must be the immortal sword said to be hidden in the Sword Storage Mountain; thus, all swords nurtured within the Sword Storage Mountain were fire-affiliated.

The sword he had previously obtained was also fire-affiliated.

Wasn't this immortal sword said to have been taken by the strongest one, Ji Ji Xinting? Isn't it still hidden deep within the Sword Storage Mountain?

Ji Ji Xinting?

Ding Huan's gaze settled on the man pierced through the chest—could this man be Ji Ji Xinting?

Amazing—the strongest one of the Threefold Heaven Star Continent, Ji Ji Xinting, had been nailed to death by the Fei Yan Sword while searching for it in the Sword Storage Mountain.

No, he wasn't dead yet, but without rescue, death was merely a matter of time.

Ding Huan cautiously stepped back, preparing to leave this place.

The immortal sword was valuable, but if it could nail Ji Ji Xinting to death, better keep distance.

He had self-awareness—such treasures were beyond his fortune to claim, at least not now.

This place was his blessed ground, where he had gained insight into the Great Cosmic Art of summoning lightning strikes, yet it was also a dangerous place.

As for rescuing someone, Ding Huan had never considered it.

Even Ji Ji Xinting, the strongest one, had perished here—would he rush in to save him, eager to die faster?

As Ding Huan retreated, he suddenly heard a weak voice:

"Please lend aid—I, Ji Ji Xinting, will repay you with my life…"

Ding Huan froze—he knew I was here? And could still send me a message?

Dangerous—Ding Huan stepped back several more paces, then began calculating whether he could save this man.

Ji Ji Xinting's power was too great—he could not deduce even a shred of information.

But Ding Huan had other methods—he calculated not the man, but what would happen to himself after saving Ji Ji Xinting.

Soon Ding Huan's expression changed—he saw no future images at all after saving Ji Ji Xinting, not even a blurred one.

This bastard was cunning—he'd kill me. Only by killing me could he erase all future visions from my calculations.

"Senior Ji, I merely acquired a poison-resisting treasure; below is a volcano—I fear if I descend to rescue you, I won't be able to climb back up myself.

I plan to join the Yanyue Sect upon returning; I'll receive their cultivation methods. If I die here now, I'll regret it—I'll go out and find someone to rescue you…"

Ding Huan spoke with fearful urgency.

"Pata!" A ring fell to the ground.

"Inside are all you need—take it. What's the Yanyue Sect? Just help me pull out this sword…" Ji Ji Xinting's voice came again.

Ding Huan glanced at the ring's position—it was at least a hundred meters away.

The ring was perfectly lodged between two fire-rock slabs.

Even if others believed him to be Foundation Establishment, even if he were Foundation Establishment, it would be nearly impossible to retrieve the ring with spiritual sense alone.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense sensed a hidden restriction—he was one hundred percent certain even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could not summon this ring away.

To obtain the ring, he must jump down.

Ding Huan had not only achieved Foundation Establishment, but had forged his own Cosmic Dao Foundation.

At this moment, his spiritual sense was as strong as a true Golden Core cultivator's—even Golden Core cultivators' spiritual sense was inferior to his in poison resistance and density.

Something appearing before you—don't take it unless you're an idiot.

This is what you, Ji Ji Xinting, brought upon yourself—none of my doing.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense unhesitatingly wrapped around the ring, stretching to maximum strength; the ring seemed seized by an invisible hand, then flew out from between the rocks and landed in Ding Huan's palm.

Even as he retrieved the ring, Ding Huan's spiritual sense remained fixed on Ji Ji Xinting.

He clearly felt that the instant he took the ring, Ji Ji Xinting's body trembled slightly.

"This ring is my gift to you; once you remove the sword, the sword is yours too.

I'm too severely wounded to emerge—I'll remain here in seclusion for a hundred years. If you ever reach the Huangshen Sect, deliver a message for me…"

Ji Ji Xinting's words were unfinished when Ding Huan's body lurched—next instant, he appeared hundreds of meters away, his voice following:

"Understood, Senior Ji—I'll deliver your message if I get the chance. As for this sword, my ability is currently…"

Ding Huan's voice abruptly cut off—he was stunned to find the ground where he had just stood had collapsed without warning.

That meant, had he not left, even if he hadn't gone down to pull the sword or take the ring, he'd still have been dragged into the chasm beside Ji Ji Xinting.

These old bastards were truly treacherous and cruel.

Ding Huan dared not linger another instant—he activated Extreme Shadow Dash and vanished like a streak of smoke, leaving behind Ji Ji Xinting, furious beyond measure.

It had taken him a long time to arrive; exiting the Sword Storage Mountain, he used only half a day.

Ding Huan did not dare touch Ji Ji Xinting's ring—he tossed it into the Star House, then accelerated back toward the Great Crystal Zone.

He had been gone for over half a year—he had no idea what problems might have arisen in the Great Crystal Zone.

…….

Zi Xia Valley.

Because the Sect Master remains severely injured and unrecovered, sect affairs have been neglected, and all senior elders are seeking ways out.

Once a thriving place, Zi Xia Valley now bears the sight of a sun setting beyond the western hills.

Those who know the truth are even unwilling to have any connection with Zi Xia Valley.

To most, Zi Xia Valley will inevitably be seized by the Jiuyin Sect.

Thus, very few sect disciples have visited Zi Xia Valley recently.

Guan Nai stood outside Zi Xia Valley, stunned by its desolate scene.

Zi Xia Valley's status in the Dao Cultivation World is far inferior to Yanyue Sect, but that was merely status and power—not the sect's spirit.

In terms of sect location, Zi Xia Valley ranks among the very best in the entire Dao Cultivation World.

Even if Zi Xia Valley were to decline further, it should not have sunk to this state.

"May I ask, friend, what brings you here?" Jia Sha stepped forward to inquire.

In truth, Jia Sha was a senior elder of Zi Xia Valley and could never possibly greet guests at the sect's gate.

But recently, Zi Xia Valley has suffered too many upheavals; he dared not let disciples remain outside, lest they offend someone or miss crucial news—should that happen, as the sect's alerting elder, his guilt would be grave.

The news, of course, was about Liu Liu Yinzhu; he had maintained contact with Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu and knew she had been entrusted by the Sect Master to search for someone important.

As a loyal supporter of the Sect Master, he even knew who Liu Liu Yinzhu was searching for.

"I am Guan Nai from Yanyue Sect…"

Before Guan Nai finished speaking, Jia Sha exclaimed joyfully:

"So you are Immortal Guan! You've come to seek Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu, haven't you? She's not here—I'll take you first to Zi Bamboo Peak…"

He knew Guan Nai.

This time, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu had left to search for Ding Huan, and Ding Huan was originally found and brought to the Dao Cultivation World by Guan Nai.

Guan Nai hurriedly said: "I won't go to Zi Bamboo Peak—could you tell me where Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu has gone?"

Guan Nai had not come here to find Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu; she sought Ding Huan.

She sought Ding Huan because, during their journey together, she had never seen any problem that could stop him.

Han Ba and Tunjiao Jiang could not hold him back—he led them safely through.

Elder Qu had tried to ambush Ding Huan, and now his bones were dust.

Even the Lost Marsh, so terrifying, could not keep Ding Huan from escaping with them.

Official Qiong tried to kill Ding Huan, but failed to even catch his shadow.

…

She knew she could never find Ding Huan on her own.

She had planned to seek Elder Gu's help, but Elder Gu had been away on business for months and had not returned to the sect.

After much thought, she believed only one person could help her find Ding Huan: Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu.

In Yanyue Sect, she knew only a handful of elders; apart from Elder Gu, most could not aid her.

Even Elder Gu, she dared not easily confide her troubles to.

Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu knew her, and on the journey to the Dao Cultivation World, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu had also admired Ding Huan.

She had seen Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu deliberately seek out Ding Huan to talk—once, she even saw Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu emerge from Ding Huan's tent.

Besides, when Elder Qu Yue Shan died, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu must have guessed Ding Huan was responsible.

After Elder Gu said Elder Qu died from Tunjiao Jiang poison, she added another possibility: Han Ba's illusion poison.

Clearly, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu favored Ding Huan.

Hearing Guan Nai's words, Jia Sha hesitated.

As the Sect Master's confidant, he knew what Ding Huan meant to Zi Xia Valley.

Guan Nai seeking Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu might very well be to find Ding Huan.

After all, according to Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu, she and Guan Nai were merely acquaintances met on the road, with little connection between them.

"Elder, Ding Huan and I are friends, and I have some matters I wish to ask his help with. But after arriving at Yanyue Sect, I never left and lost contact with Ding Huan…"

Guan Nai knew the other must realize her true purpose in seeking Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu—after all, she had little connection with Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu.

"Rest assured—if I harbor ill intent, may thunder strike my heart-mind and devour me in backlash."

Worried he might not believe her, Guan Nai swore another deadly oath.

She understood his hesitation—after all, Shuang Hun Sect had come to Yanyue Sect to inquire about Ding Huan.

Seeing Guan Nai speak so earnestly, and remembering Ding Huan and Guan Nai were friends, Jia Sha said:

"Ding Huan is in Xi Feng City. Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu has been waiting there for him."

In truth, Jia Sha did not know Shuang Hun Sect had come to Yanyue Sect searching for Ding Huan's whereabouts—if he had known, even if Guan Nai had sworn this oath, he would never have told her where Ding Huan was.

"Thank you, Elder," Guan Nai bowed deeply in gratitude, then summoned her airship and swiftly departed.

As long as there was a place, she could find him.

Though the Dao Cultivation World was boundless, how far could Ding Huan have gone?

He must appear on the map in her hands.