Chapter 156: Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow, Bai Qianbei?

156. Chapter 156: Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow, Bai Qianbei?

Having roamed the Da Yu Cultivation World for decades, he got into trouble with many Foundation Establishment sects and families, and the Puppet Evil Lord, who could always retreat unscathed, died without any warning.

The sudden turn of events startled both Gu Zongyuan and the Blood Crow True Immortal, who were locked in a stalemate.

Gu Zongyuan had still been worried about Xiao Zhangqing, ready to speak again to urge Xiao Zhangqing to find a chance to flee, but he was already willing but powerless, preoccupied with himself, unable to help.

Today he feared his luck was turning grim, yet he did not wish others to die for him. The Liu family head fled decisively, and he felt neither anger nor disappointment.

What he hadn't expected was that the Puppet Evil Lord could not hold back Xiao Zhangqing; instead, in an instant its life force vanished and it crashed to the ground with a boom.

"What is happening?" Gu Zongyuan exclaimed, a mix of surprise and delight.

His earlier attack had indeed left the Puppet Evil Lord scrambling and added many wounds, but it hadn't struck at its core; it still had the strength for another fight, and he could not swiftly finish it off in a short time.

How could it be so vulnerable now before Brother Bai? "You still hide your clumsiness?" the Blood Crow True Immortal said, seeing more clearly, his eyelids twitching.

The Soul Transformation secret technique Xiao Zhangqing displayed earlier was neither a shortcut nor due to the Puppet Evil Lord's carelessness.

That deterrent power even surprised him as a bystander.

"You are certainly not a False Core Cultivator, but a Foundation Establishment True Immortal?"

The Blood Crow True Immortal said firmly.

If Xiao Zhangqing were merely a False Core Cultivator, his Soul Transformation could never be this powerful.

Because a False Core Cultivator, regardless of any encounters or talent, once the Foundation Establishment fails and regresses to a false core, they are permanently fixed; neither Soul Transformation nor magical power can grow any further.

Thus the biggest strength difference among False Core Cultivators lies in whether they have refined their original Magic Treasure.

As for the Soul Transformation technique?

Even if this person inherited the secret art of the former Jiu Qiu True Immortal, if the Soul Transformation strength cannot keep up, it would be impossible to so easily annihilate the Puppet Evil Lord, also a False Core Cultivator, on the Soul Transformation level.

The only possibility is that this person is actually a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, having condensed a Golden Core and accumulated considerable foundation in the early Foundation Establishment stage; his Soul Transformation is already stronger than that of ordinary early‑stage cultivators, and with the Soul Transformation technique, the Puppet Evil Lord cannot withstand it.

Fortunately… he successfully broke through to the mid Foundation Establishment this time.

Reaching mid Foundation Establishment, even if he has just broken through and his Soul Transformation is still average, it is nonetheless a completely new level!

"A Foundation Establishment Cultivator, adept at Soul Transformation, inheriting Jiu Qiu True Immortal's legacy… could it be a True Immortal from the Mysterious Sound Sect?"

"If he is from the Mysterious Sound Sect, why would he flee to Character: Liyang Zhenren City and hide his name? Is there another scheme, or is this the plot of Character: Liyang True Immortal, who perhaps knew something in advance and sent someone to assist?"

The Blood Crow True Immortal harbored many conjectures.

The Mysterious Sound Sect is, besides Xingyue Palace and the Seven Star Sword Sect, one of the strongest Foundation Establishment sects in the Da Yu Cultivation World, housing several Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Moreover, the Mysterious Sound Sect excels most in Soul Transformation, and back then Jiu Qiu True Immortal had many entanglements with it.

"Regardless of who it is, since today they stumbled upon my affair, they must be silenced!"

"Otherwise, if the news spreads, Character: Liyang True Immortal this old fool won't spare me, and I will have to hide my name."

The Blood Crow True Immortal's thoughts shifted, his gaze turning fierce; he seemed to continue charging at Gu Zongyuan with full force, but the next instant his once rather robust body suddenly became thin and emaciated, as if half of his vital blood was drained in an instant, and his spiritual power burned fiercely.

Around his body formed a massive blood‑colored mist, and a huge blood‑colored raven rose, its blood‑colored blade he used against Gu Zongyuan also weakening considerably.

"Bad! Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow! Brother Bai, flee quickly, this is the Blood Crow True Immortal's most terrifying killing move!"

A look of horror flashed in Gu Zongyuan's eyes.

The Blood Crow True Immortal's title was certainly earned, achieved after he formed a Golden Core and amassed many battle merits! Rumor has it his original Magic Treasure is not an ordinary Magic Treasure, but a refined Essence Core Pill from a fourth‑rank demonic beast, the Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow, albeit incomplete. He did not enlist a smith to forge it into a weapon; instead, using forbidden arts, he refined it into part of his own body.

Thus, once he summons the Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow, its power surpasses that of a typical Foundation Establishment Cultivator's original Magic Treasure! Its strength also scales with his cultivation, similar to how Foundation Establishment cultivators nurture their own original Magic Treasure.

Before aligning with Character: Liyang Zhenren City, the Blood Crow True Immortal leveraged this killing move to earn a huge reputation among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Jie jie jie, Bai Wuji, I don't care who you are or what faction you come from. Since today you have joined in, don't hope to survive. Dying beneath my newly‑ascended mid‑Foundation Establishment Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow is your honor!"

The Blood Crow True Immortal, whose vital blood seemed half‑drained and whose spiritual power was rapidly fading, had excitement and exhilaration in his eyes; this unprecedented sense of power was wonderful! It was his first time using a killing move after advancing to mid Foundation Establishment.

Today, for the first time in his over two‑hundred years of cultivation, he would drink the vital blood and Soul Transformation of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Who thought his talent as Blood Crow True Immortal was limited, that reaching Foundation Establishment was his ceiling? Though he was trapped in early Foundation Establishment for centuries, now he finally seized the chance to break into mid Foundation Establishment. In the future, he aims to become a great True Immortal of the late Foundation Establishment!

After Character: Liyang True Immortal's death, he intends to become the new number‑one Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World!

This mysterious Bai Wuji is the first stepping stone on his path to success!

"Die!"

A cruel smile spread across the Blood Crow True Immortal's face as he prepared to unleash the Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow to swoop down on Xiao Zhangqing and devour him.

But the next instant, he sensed something amiss, the same as with the Puppet Evil Lord earlier.

A chilling feeling rose within him.

"This is..."

The emaciated Blood Crow True Immortal widened his eyes, an unprecedented sensation flooding his heart.

Even his original Magic Treasure, the Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow, shrieked sharply at that moment, as if sensing danger, flapping its wings desperately to speed toward Xiao Zhangqing and slay him first.

But however fast the Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow flew, it could not outrun a Soul Transformation attack.

The Blood Crow True Immortal stared fixedly ahead, but the world he saw had become entirely different, only countless blade‑like threads formed from a flute's sound cutting and winding toward him, like an autumn wind bearing inexorable killing intent.

"No! This is not early Foundation Establishment!"

The Blood Crow True Immortal roared in his heart.

He had broken through to mid Foundation Establishment, his Soul Transformation and spiritual power fully advanced, yet now the clash of Soul Transformations, before Xiao Zhangqing's, stripped of Jiu Qiu's secret power, made him clearly feel his Soul Transformation was weaker than Xiao Zhangqing's—much weaker.

He had just entered mid Foundation Establishment, whereas Xiao Zhangqing seemed to have accumulated in that stage for a long time, nearly approaching late Foundation Establishment.

He had thought himself the one standing high to crush others, but unexpectedly became the crushed. His Soul Transformation was weaker, compounded by the Soul Transformation technique.

In an instant, the Blood Crow True Immortal fell into a faint.

The original Magic Treasure, the Blood‑Thirsty Divine Crow, after a mournful cry, flapped its wings twice, as if crushed, and its form vanished.

The blood‑colored mist generated by the Blood Crow True Immortal's burning vital blood also rapidly poured away in all directions.

His already withered, colorless cheeks grew even paler, his pair of grim, sharp eyes shifted from horror, pain, and struggle to a gradual emptiness; after wave after wave of sound blasts struck, his luster began to fade.

Like a fish on a chopping board awaiting slaughter.

"No! I can't possibly die here!"

Suddenly!

A weak yet resolute roar issued from the throat of the Blood Crow Real Person; his eyes, which had already lost divine perception, suddenly cleared again. Amid immense pain, he gathered strands of refined blood and magical energy, using his last strength to become a flash of evasion, attempting to flee.

Buzz! Without waiting for Xiao Zhangqing to act, Gu Zongyuan, who was almost speechless beside him, reacted swiftly, immediately commanding his Flame Long Spear Magic Treasure, sweeping it out with a speed faster than thunder, striking hard.

That was a strike of early Golden Core stage; a Blood Crow Real Person at his prime could have easily withstood it.

But now, weakened to the extreme, his power less than one‑tenth of a percent, with a "Boom" the withered body was struck as if by lightning; all his bones and organs shattered completely, falling from the air.

Blood‑colored foam kept spouting from his mouth, his body convulsed involuntarily, emitting a "hoho" that was not a proper syllable; moments later he fell silent.

Gu Zongyuan recalled the spear, sprinted to the corpse, and only after confirming the opponent was truly dead did he cease reloading.

He was still a bit incredulous, muttering, "The Blood Crow Real Person was killed like this by me? I killed a Real Person at mid Golden Core stage?"

Xiao Zhangqing smiled at the sight and said, "He indeed died at your hands, Brother Gu."

In his heart, however, he felt a bit dissatisfied with his own strength.

He had just given his all, leaving no reserve, driving the Nine Autumn Soul Awareness Secret Technique to its limit, yet it still could not instantly slay the Blood Crow Real Person who had just entered mid Golden Core stage! It even let him gasp in a dying struggle, trying to flee.

Although his final escape was futile, even without Gu Zongyuan's follow‑up spear, a casual Flying Sword from him could still have killed him.

But that ultimately indicated his Soul Awareness Secret Technique was not strong enough.

The Blood Crow Real Person had only just advanced to mid Golden Core stage in the past two months, and in terms of Soul Transformation, he was about as weak as a mid Golden Core practitioner can be.

If today's opponent were a cultivator still training at mid Golden Core stage, having already amassed considerable foundation, his Nine Autumn Soul Awareness Secret Method would probably not be able to kill the foe, at most defeat them.

To keep the opponent alive, he would have to employ the Forbidden Technique Dragon Chant! From this, it seems the Nine Autumn Real Person of old was indeed strong in the Soul Transformation Path.

Back then, Nine Autumn Real Person was virtually invincible at mid Golden Core stage, able to spar with senior Golden Core cultivators! It is estimated that his Soul Transformation had already reached its limit, even beginning a qualitative change, touching higher realms, and starting to forge his will.

He was only slightly inferior in spiritual roots and magical power, so he could not advance to late Golden Core stage.

He still had a gap compared to the old Nine Autumn Real Person.

"Brother Gu, the credit for killing the Puppet Evil Lord and the Blood Crow Real Person can go to you, but the loot is all mine; you have no objection, right?" Xiao Zhangqing said, already deftly handling the corpse.

The Puppet Evil Lord, as one of the most notorious and crime‑ridden rogue cultivators in the Da Yu Cultivation World, had amassed an incalculable amount of wealth and treasures.

The Blood Crow Real Person who came later to meet his death likely possessed no less than the Puppet Evil Lord!

After this round, Xiao Zhangqing felt he was about to become rich again.

It could well exceed the wealth he had before attending the auction! Moreover, most importantly, Xiao Zhangqing intended to preserve the Blood Crow Real Person's corpse.

This would serve as evidence to avenge Master Zhu Youlong's sect.

Although, as Zhu Youlong said, taking the token to the Dan Dao Alliance could exchange for a Condensed True Pill, if the other side refuses after all these years or tries to cause trouble, the Blood Crow Real Person's corpse would be a safe backup.

"Of course, of course. All the loot from those two belongs to you, Brother Bai!" Gu Zongyuan snapped out of his post‑disaster elation, laughing heartily twice, both delighted and a bit embarrassed.

How could the Blood Crow Real Person have been killed by him? He was even embarrassed to say that a second time; just now his mind was muddled and he blurted nonsense.

Even if he laid all his cards on the table, it still wouldn't match the Blood Crow Real Person's kill! He knew clearly that it was Xiao Zhangqing who saved him.

As for that final shot, it was merely superfluous.

The Blood Crow Real Person's ultimate killing move was broken, his Soul Transformation was gravely wounded and nearly shattered; even any one of the eighteen Character: Liyang Guards under him could probably land a finishing blow.

So even with thick skin, he wouldn't dare covet that credit.

It was only natural for Xiao Zhangqing to take all the loot, and he even owed Xiao Zhangqing a huge favor… a life‑saving debt! Thinking of this, Gu Zongyuan, usually easy‑going about most matters, became a bit restrained and gave a wry smile, "Brother Bai… no, perhaps I should call you Senior Bai?"

Now Gu Zongyuan had begun to believe that Xiao Zhangqing was disguised as a Golden Core cultivator.

As for whether he was at mid or early Golden Core stage, he did not know.

But he was sure he was not a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Being able to defeat a pseudo‑Golden Core cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm already marks one as a genius, the limit of a heavenly prodigy like him.

As for using Foundation Establishment cultivation to overcome or even slay a pseudo‑Golden Core cultivator, such individuals are absolute prodigies in the two major Nascent Soul sects, rarities like phoenix feathers.

The entire Da Yu Cultivation World counts only a handful.

In rarity, even Golden Core Real Persons are far less uncommon.

As for a Foundation Establishment cultivator cutting down a mid Golden Core practitioner, even one who has just broken through, it is almost nonexistent—truly rarer than a Nascent Soul True Lord!

At least in Gu Zongyuan's prior understanding, no Foundation Establishment cultivator could achieve this.

"Brother Gu, no need for formalities; we can still interact as we did before," Xiao Zhangqing said while handling the corpse.

Whoa! These two are really rich! (End of chapter)