Chapter 114: Snatching the True Magic Treasure!

Dragon Chant Technique! When Liang Yuehua again presented his true Magic Treasure, no longer dueling Zhou Songbai but targeting Xiao Zhangqing,

Xiao Zhangqing was already prepared.

When the sword formation of eleven magical swords was broken, a spiritual pressure completely beyond the Foundation Establishment Realm surged out from Xiao Zhangqing's body.

It surpassed the Foundation Establishment Perfect Completion, and also surpassed the two Fake Core True Persons, Liang Yuehua and Zhou Songbai!

This time of seclusion training, breaking through to the later stage of Foundation Establishment, Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation growth was modest.

It only increased his outward reach from forty‑five zhang to fifty‑two zhang, less than a twenty‑percent rise.

But under the boost of the Prison Dragon Bracelet, it instantly doubled to one hundred‑four zhang!

Such intensity already exceeds most cultivators who have just formed a Golden Core! An outward Soul Transformation reach of one hundred zhang is not the threshold for Core Formation cultivators, but the median! Only those with a well‑formed Golden Core can have such a powerful Soul Transformation in the early Core Formation stage.

If the formed Golden Core is "crystalline white" rather than perfectly whole, the magical power is relatively weak in the early Core Formation stage, and the Soul Transformation outward reach often fails to reach one hundred zhang.

It is only about ninety zhang.

As for the Fake Core True Persons, none have truly formed a Golden Core; their "fake core" inside is dim and lifeless, so even if their magical power and Soul Transformation have transformed, they cannot reach top level, and most Soul Transformation intensities are slightly below ninety zhang.

So at this moment, as Xiao Zhangqing's spiritual perception surged, the two Fake Core True Persons, Liang Yuehua and Zhou Songbai, who were dueling, were momentarily stunned, instinctively sensing a presence extremely dangerous to them.

This sense of danger surpasses the threat posed by ordinary early Core Formation cultivators; only the elite among early Core Formation can exert such pressure on them.

For example, their respective sect masters or valley masters! Yet the problem is, in this Nanshan Fang, who could make these two major Fake Core cultivators so uneasy?

Before they could ponder why, a dragon chant steeped in antiquity and vicissitude emanated from Xiao Zhangqing, as if striking the deepest part of the two's Soul Transformations.

Dragon Chant Technique! An intangible yet crystal‑clear draconic illusion materialized on the mental plane, its massive lantern‑like eyes glaring at the two, as if forcibly seizing their Soul Transformations.

"Is it him? Xiao Zhangqing!"

"His… his Soul Transformation, how can it be so strong? It even surpasses us?"

"Core Formation? This is the Soul Transformation aura only Core Formation cultivators possess!"

"Could he be a Core Formation True Person? What on earth is happening?"

Just as the two major Fake Core True Persons were stunned, the draconic illusion let out a sudden roar, and a bizarre shockwave surged toward the two.

"Shhh! Ah!"

The two, already heavily draining their spiritual perception, let out painful cries under this attack that already subtly exceeds the secret techniques of early Core Formation.

Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation intensity already surpasses the two, and the Dragon Chant Technique, a soul‑draining secret, can boost the Soul Transformation by another level in a short time! It is easy to imagine that even genuine early Core Formation cultivators would struggle to resist his current display.

Thus, even if Xiao Zhangqing faces both Fake Core cultivators one‑on‑one now, he still holds a crushing advantage.

In an instant, the two, who had been fiercely dueling, lost all combat ability as their Soul Transformations were struck; with a "bang" they fell from the air to the ground, unable even to control magical flight.

However, the two are still Fake Core cultivators, not far behind genuine Core Formation True Persons; after Xiao Zhangqing's spiritual attack, their Soul Transformations were not instantly annihilated, nor did they die outright.

But in a life‑or‑death clash, this condition is no different from simply losing their lives.

Because they cannot employ any defense now, Xiao Zhangqing need only slightly shift his focus, and a single sword aura can reap both.

Unless the two are body cultivators, who can rely solely on their flesh for strong defense without any Magic Treasure or Talisman Script.

Clearly, neither Liang Yuehua nor Zhou Songbai practice body cultivation; seeing the two fall painfully from the air, they were nearly defenseless. Su Rongrong and Gong Wansheng, though terrified, reacted swiftly, rushing to their elders, standing before them, cautiously watching Xiao Zhangqing, fearing he might strike now.

"Xiao… Xiao Zhangqing, why… don't you go rogue! If you kill Aunt Liang, Baihua Valley will never let you go."

Su Rongrong recalled the terror from earlier today when Xiao Zhangqing counterattacked, the massive draconic tail piercing her spiritual perception, leaving a deep scar.

She had hoped that after the Fifth Elder arrived, he could expel the foul qi and erase her nightmares and fear.

She never imagined that the Fifth Elder of the Fake Core realm had also been harshly "taken care of" by Xiao Zhangqing at this moment.

Probably from now on, Aunt Liang's heart will also be seeded with fear, hard to dispel.

As for Su Rongrong herself, the fear in her heart grew even heavier.

Although she still uttered threatening words, inside she had no confidence at all.

Her usual pride, aloofness, and disdain for the stinky men were shattered at this moment.

If Xiao Zhangqing possesses such terrifying power that the two major Fake Core cultivators instantly lose combat ability and howl in pain, would he truly be scared if he were to kill her and Aunt Liang today, even if Baihua Valley later issued a wanted order against him?

Unless her aunt steps in, relentlessly entangling and personally hunting Xiao Zhangqing.

But as the master of Baihua Valley, her aunt has many duties and must reserve ample time for her own cultivation; she cannot devote endless time to chase a single person.

"Xiao… Symbol Master Xiao, what are you doing? My master and I came to help you! How… how did you also attack my master?"

Gong Wansheng at this moment had completely lost his usual drunken haze, fully alert, and his speech to Xiao Zhangqing was a bit halting.

It's only been a few years since we last met? Back then Xiao Zhangqing wielded a spiritual secret technique whose power reached the later stage of Foundation Establishment, even the perfect completion.

Now, with a single move, he annihilated the two major Fake Core True Persons?

Is this cultivation or just drinking water?

Can it improve this quickly?

Are you at Foundation Establishment, or have you reached Core Formation?

In the next instant, Gong Wansheng grew increasingly suspicious that Xiao Zhangqing was not merely at Foundation Establishment, but had truly become a Core Formation cultivator! …

Xiao Zhangqing, while executing the Dragon Chant Technique, dealt a heavy blow to the Soul Transformations of the two Fake Core cultivators, temporarily stripping them of combat ability, and promptly felt his own Soul Transformation fatigue surge.

Although he could barely continue fighting, in the short term he could not perform another spiritual attack.

However, the solid‑state magical energy stored in the Longevity Stone granted him combat power not inferior to that of ordinary Fake Core True Persons.

Buzz! Xiao Zhangqing did not conceal it, activating the Longevity Stone, and the massive solid‑state magical energy unique to Core Formation cultivators surged upward.

Su Rongrong's pretty face turned deathly pale, staring at Xiao Zhangqing as if she had seen a ghost; she naturally understood what such terrifying oppressive magical energy signified. Gong Wansheng, without hesitation, activated a secret technique, a blood‑red sword‑shaped mark flashing on his forehead, a killing force nearly reaching the sword aura of Foundation Establishment Perfect Completion, ready to unleash. He said earnestly yet cautiously: "Xiao Symbol Master, you must stay calm. My master and I truly came without malice today; at most we wish to persuade you to return to the Luoxia Sect and truly become a member of the sect. If you are dissatisfied and truly do not wish to join Luoxia Sect, we will not force you, so please spare your life."

Regarding Aunt Liang, she provoked you first today; killing her is understandable. Yet if you kill her, it equates to declaring war on Baihua Valley, and Baihua Valley will not let it pass peacefully. Of course, with your current strength, Xiao Symbol Master, you may not fear Baihua Valley. But the current situation is different: Baihua Valley and our Luoxia Sect are both frontiers resisting the invasion of Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, backed by Xingyue Palace and Seven Star Sword Sect. At such a time, if you slay the Fake Core cultivators of Baihua Valley, you may also face a wanted notice from Xingyue Palace and Seven Star Sword Sect…

In Gong Wansheng's and Su Rongrong's view, Xiao Zhangqing's activation of magical energy meant that the next instant he would strike down mercilessly.

Yet what the two did not anticipate was that Xiao Zhangqing did not unleash a killing move; instead, his massive magical energy swept toward Zhou Songbai's eleven second‑tier premium magical swords and Liang Yuehua's third‑tier true Magic Treasure, the draconic silver whip.

This sword formation and true Magic Treasure, because their owners' Soul Transformations were severely damaged and temporarily lost combat ability, fell from the sky uncontrolled, and naturally the wielders lost command over the artifacts.

And Xiao Zhangqing, for these two, his eyes were burning with desire!

Through the recent observation of the battle, he clearly realized that, with his cultivation unchanged, there is still a great room for improvement in his current strength.

That is the Magic Treasure! His six Flying Swords are of such poor quality, only First Tier Lower grade; even a typical Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator rarely uses a First Tier artifact.

Moreover, his strength has already reached this degree.

Although Liang Yuehua and Zhou Songbai cannot currently wield their own Magic Treasures, a refined Magic Treasure is still very hard for outsiders to seize if their cultivation is insufficient.

Zhou Songbai's eleven Magic Swords are fine, all Second Tier Upper grade; although as a set they can rival a Third Tier Magic Treasure, they are still not Third Tier.

Moreover, they are not his life‑bonded Magic Treasure and lack sentience.

So Xiao Zhangqing deployed the solidified magical energy stored in the Longevity Stone, used a little trick, and suppressed all eleven Magic Swords, rendering them immobile and obediently packing them into his storage bag.

As for the Jiao Long Silver Whip, being Liang Yuehua's life‑bonded artifact cultivated for years, it has already gained sentience; when Xiao Zhangqing's magical energy enveloped it, it unexpectedly unleashed a formidable aura, like a dragon darting about, trying to break free from Xiao Zhangqing's grip and return to its master.

If Xiao Zhangqing did not possess the solidified magical energy that only a Dan Dan Real Person has, he probably could not have trapped it.

"You don't know good from bad!"

Xiao Zhangqing did not hold back; he immediately forced a rapidly weakening divine consciousness into the Jiao Long Silver Whip, completely annihilating the newly‑born sentience inside this life‑bonded Magic Treasure.

"Wu~"

The Jiao Long Silver Whip let out a wailing whimper, signifying the sentience's total disappearance; it instantly became an ordinary Third Tier Magic Treasure, its resistance greatly reduced, and Xiao Zhangqing swiftly sealed it with standing magical power and stored it in his bag.

Xiao Zhangqing felt no remorse.

Though its sentience is gone, the artifact's killing power will drop considerably.

Yet the sentience in a life‑bonded artifact, unless willingly given by the cultivator, will 'prefer death to obedience'.

It is like a spirit beast, bound to the cultivator by a 'contract'.

A single thought from the master and it will vanish.

For Xiao Zhangqing to claim this Jiao Long Silver Whip, he must erase its sentience.

If he does not erase it now, he will have to do so when he later refines it.

As if sensing his life‑bonded artifact being taken, Liang Yuehua, whose divine consciousness was badly wounded from the fall and was struggling to recover, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood; her tightly shut eyes opened, blood‑red gaze fixed on Xiao Zhangqing: "You brat, how dare you!"

"What's there not to dare? I've already done it!"

Xiao Zhangqing sneered.

With these two sets of artifacts, his protective measures have greatly increased.

Moreover, most importantly, whether it's the eleven Flying Swords or the Jiao Long Silver Whip, they are artifacts that the two pseudo‑Dan cultivators have long cultivated.

If nothing goes wrong, the inventory can record them, allowing extraction of equipment skills!

Unfortunately…

Xiao Zhangqing glanced at Zhou Songbai's life‑bonded artifact, the Flying Sword coiled with purple lightning; he thought it looked quite good and tempting.

But whether Zhou Songbai sensed Xiao Zhangqing's move, or the purple lightning's spirit saw his plundering, it quickly darted back into Zhou Songbai's storage bag.

For Xiao Zhangqing to snatch that purple‑lightning Magic Sword, he would have to kill Zhou Songbai first.

However…

Xiao Zhangqing cannot launch a full‑scale slaughter today.

It's not because Gong Wansheng's "reminder and warning" threatened him.

Though Gong Wansheng's words make sense, they are only part of the reason.

Primarily, he failed to land a killing blow on the two pseudo‑Dan cultivators, only temporarily stripping them of combat ability; they quickly recovered as soon as they came to their senses.

Especially Zhou Songbai, who seems to have a spirit‑medicine that rapidly repairs Soul Transformation, his aura is swiftly restoring, and soon he will regain full battle strength.

By contrast, Liang Yuehua is far weaker in this regard; after losing her life‑bonded artifact, her anger flared, injuries compounded, and her aura completely withered, unlikely to recover soon.

As for Xiao Zhangqing himself, after using the Dragon Roar Technique, his condition will rapidly decline.

He is not confident he can quickly subdue Gong Wansheng and Su Rongrong, who are about to employ secret techniques, and he also sensed another Foundation Establishment Later-stage cultivator rushing here, clearly an enemy.

Two later‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, plus the soon‑recovering Zhou Songbai, make it unwise for Xiao Zhangqing to stay for a prolonged fight just to vent his anger.

He must flee!

Swish! Xiao Zhangqing wielded his magical power, rolled up the Lin sisters, and also grabbed Ruan Qingzhu, who had regained freedom as Liang Yuehua nearly fainted, then sped out beyond Nanshan Fang.

"Mountains and rivers meet! Master Liang, Master Zhou, today's grievance I have recorded; I, Xiao, will someday reclaim the arena!"

Xiao Zhangqing and the three women's silhouettes vanished swiftly in the air.

Hearing this, Zhou Songbai, whose divine consciousness was rapidly healing, almost couldn't hold back another mouthful of blood.

As for the waning Liang Yuehua, the words made her eyes widen; she couldn't catch a breath, and the pseudo‑Dan cultivator collapsed into unconsciousness from sheer fury!

(End of Chapter)