Chapter 202: No Tears Without Seeing the Coffin

202. Chapter 202: No Tears Without Seeing the Coffin

"You're courting death!"

Two Giant Wood Sect disciples, upon hearing Xiao Zhangqing's "arrogant" remarks, flew into a rage and immediately sprang into action.

They chased after him, their true purpose being to prevent Xiao Zhangqing from running back to Yang Family Fortress to spread the word.

After all, a Fake Core True Person still resides in Yang Family Fortress; if he arrives in time, it will be very troublesome.

Compared to the Giant Wood Sect, Yang Family Fortress amounts to nothing, but for the time being the Giant Wood Sect's true masters might not be able to intervene quickly; if the treasure were snatched by the Fake Core True Person of Yang Family Fortress, no one knows what further mishaps might occur.

Who would have thought that Xiao Zhangqing's scheme was not to spread the word at all, but to seize the treasure for himself! Upon hearing this, the two Giant Wood Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators hesitated no longer and decisively struck down.

Whether Xiao Zhangqing was joking or sincere, the fact that he mentioned a treasure on the Yang siblings' bodies meant his intentions were hostile.

It seems this person's background is far from simple; he could be a disciple of the Seven Star Sword Sect! Otherwise, how could the intelligence be so precise, knowing that the Yang siblings carry a treasure? Even if he is a Seven Star Sword Sect disciple, he would still kill to snatch the treasure, because the item and its information pertain to the Giant Wood Sect's future and could affect whether the Divine Tree can "break the cocoon and become a butterfly"! Thus, even the Seven Star Sword Sect would not retreat.

Both of them acted, each unleashing their strongest killing technique. One summoned a massive golden scissor instrument; even with his Foundation Establishment Realm mana, it was laborious to activate, barely manageable. This shows that the golden scissor Magic Treasure's quality already surpasses the second‑tier supreme level, faintly radiating third‑tier Magic Treasure aura! Yet it has not yet reached the true Magic Treasure threshold, and can be considered a Magic Treasure embryo.

If a typical mid‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivator possessed such a Magic Treasure embryo, his combat power would instantly leap to the top tier within the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The other one's method was also impressive; he produced a high‑grade spirit wood branch that had undergone special refinement. It is not a weapon or Magic Treasure, but a consumable akin to a Talisman Script. Once activated, the sharp qi it emitted even surpassed the golden scissor, reaching the level of a Fake Core True Person's full‑force strike!

At close range, a sudden surge of such a powerful assault would likely cause any ordinary Fake Core True Person to suffer a heavy loss.

Foundation Establishment cultivators would find it hard to withstand.

These two Giant Wood Sect disciples harbored a strong murderous intent.

But in the next instant, both of them stared with eyes widened, pupils dilated, showing a look of incredulous terror.

Suddenly, Xiao Zhangqing's figure vanished from their sight; by the time they reacted, he was already behind them, soaring toward the forward battle formation.

The two couldn't even clearly perceive with their spiritual awareness what Xiao Zhangqing's evasion technique was; even their Magic Treasures were easily dodged.

"I have some history with the Giant Wood Sect, and I don't wish to strike down harshly; you two would be wise to be sensible."

Xiao Zhangqing said to the two without turning his head.

Until now, Xiao Zhangqing had never had any dealings with anyone from the Giant Wood Sect. The first time he heard their name was when he left Nanshan Fang years ago. He and the Lin sisters headed to Character: Liyang Immortal City, and their companion Ruan Qingzhu, after crossing the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, went to Giant Wood Immortal City in search of his son.

Later, upon arriving at Character: Liyang Immortal City, Xiao Zhangqing attended an auction and again encountered cultivators dispatched by the Giant Wood Sect.

Moreover, the Giant Wood Sect cultivators were at that time searching for Xiao Zhangqing's whereabouts through various channels.

The exact reason was unknown, but it seemed they harbored good intentions, wishing to thank Xiao Zhangqing.

At that time, Xiao Zhangqing suspected it was related to Ruan Qingzhu.

After all, he himself had no ties to the Giant Wood Sect; the only possible intermediary was Ruan Qingzhu and her son.

Perhaps Ruan Qingzhu possessed a deep network within the Giant Wood Sect, with influential backers, so after arriving at the Giant Wood Sect, to repay Xiao Zhangqing for his repeated lifesaving favors, she took the opportunity, when sect cultivators went to Character: Liyang Immortal City for the auction, to inquire about Xiao Zhangqing's whereabouts as a gesture of gratitude.

However, at that time Xiao Zhangqing's strength was far below his current level, only at early Core Formation stage, with limited self‑protection ability. Moreover, he was not lacking Spirit Stones then and needed no reward, so when the Giant Wood Sect probed him, he chose to remain silent and gave no response.

In short, the Giant Wood Sect likely had a close connection with the old friend Ruan Qingzhu; in the absence of major conflicts, Xiao Zhangqing did not wish to strike the sect's disciples down.

"You siblings, what have you decided?"

Xiao Zhangqing moved to the edge of the battlefield and asked again.

At first, he hadn't actually noticed any unusual treasure on the Yang siblings; their methods of masking aura were fairly decent.

Of course, it was also possible that they possessed a Magic Treasure specifically for masking aura.

As the two fell into a tightening encirclement, exhausted defending their lives, the mana used to conceal the treasure began to wane, and some of the aura leaked out.

Such faint traces would be undetectable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator's perception.

Even most Core Formation true persons would not notice any issue.

But Xiao Zhangqing's spiritual awareness had reached late Core Formation, beginning the transformation toward a Nascent Soul True Lord, his perception surpassing what those Foundation Establishment cultivators could imagine.

More importantly, Xiao Zhangqing now understood demons like the back of his hand, making him extremely sensitive to demonic aura.

Just now, after pausing, he sensed a faint demonic aura on the siblings.

But that demonic aura was neither pure nor strong—it was rather faint.

When Xiao Zhangqing's spiritual awareness followed that demonic aura, he realized the siblings' true treasure was likely a heavenly‑earthly treasure.

It was not a Magic Treasure or Pill, but a heavenly‑earthly treasure, brimming with potent life force, causing his Soul Transformation to involuntarily feel a faint yearning.

If nothing unexpected occurs, these Giant Wood Sect disciples are pursuing the Yang siblings precisely for that treasure.

However, neither the Yang siblings nor the Giant Wood Sect disciples likely know that this heavenly‑earthly treasure has been partially tainted by demonic aura.

Thus, if the treasure were sent back to Yang Family Fortress, it might not be a blessing; it could instead cause a great disaster.

Besides the Giant Wood Sect refusing to let the matter rest and demanding the treasure from Yang Family Fortress, the treasure itself, even the strongest of Yang Family Fortress—no higher than a Fake Core True Person—cannot make use of it.

At this moment, the siblings' situation was already precarious. The younger sister, Yang Fang, though possessing a rather beautiful face, had all her qi and blood drained, her aura dim, and her internal injuries were nearly fatal; after swallowing a healing Pill, she barely stabilized. Her brother's condition was no better: his robe was tattered, and half his body was blackened as if scorched by fire, his visage on the brink of ruin.

Yang Fang looked at her brother Yang Wei, her eyes clearly unable to bear any longer, intending to accept Xiao Zhangqing's terms and ready to toss the hot‑potato "mountain yam" to him as a solution.

The treasure, though excellent and beyond imagination in value, could make Yang Family Fortress soar.

But one must first have the right to use it!

They had thought their luck was flourishing and heaven favored them, yet they still could not enjoy the blessing.

Yang Wei, however, wore a fierce expression, unwilling to concede; he stopped his sister's action and said first, "Fine! My sister and I agree to you! If you can help us deal with these Giant Wood Sect disciples, we will hand over the treasure with both hands afterward!"

Xiao Zhangqing didn't notice the subtle expressions of the Yang siblings, nor did he concern himself with any hidden thoughts they might harbor.

Once the two agreed, he could make his move.

He flickered his form; before anyone could react, Xiao Zhangqing had already intercepted in front of the Yang siblings.

"Members of the Giant Wood Sect, the Yang siblings' treasure belongs to me; if you don't wish to waste your lives, withdraw now."

Xiao Zhangqing's robes fluttered as his Jade Clear Light Sword casually sliced a few times, nullifying everyone's attacks; the power he displayed completely surpassed everyone present, his mana aura no longer belonging to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Do you truly intend to oppose my Giant Wood Sect?!"

Seeing their own weapons and killing techniques being systematically neutralized by Xiao Zhangqing, several members of the Giant Wood Sect wore grim expressions, feeling the situation was extremely tricky.

They had thought this was just some reckless guy who popped up, spouting arrogant words, never expecting his strength to be so unfathomably deep.

Looking at this aura, it's probably a Fake Core True Person! "Don't use the Giant Wood Sect to press me, it's useless," Xiao Zhangqing said calmly.

Although the Giant Wood Sect has a long history and deep inheritance, its current strongest member seems to be just an ordinary mid‑level Core Formation cultivator; its intimidation of the four directions stems from the sect's divine tree.

The divine tree cannot be moved.

So the Giant Wood Sect's main base is as solid as a fortress, and can almost be considered, in the Da Yu Cultivation World, second only to the Seven Star Sword Sect and Xingyue Palace.

However, its external deterrent power is far weaker than that of top Core Formation cultivators like Character: Liyang.

Xiao Zhangqing naturally would not take the Giant Wood Sect seriously.

"Such big talk!"

An elder suddenly let out a booming shout, his inner magical energy surged to the limit, his face flushed red, and a Magic Treasure hurled toward Xiao Zhangqing!

This is a decent third‑tier Magic Treasure; although it lacks sentience and a Foundation Establishment cultivator cannot fully command its power, it can still threaten the Fake Core True Person.

Just now, Yang Wei was hit by it; the second‑tier supreme defensive Talisman Script on his body was directly breached, and he almost lost half his life.

Besides that, several other Giant Wood Sect disciples did not hesitate and each brandished their own Magic Treasures and tactics.

Even if they truly are Fake Core True Persons, they could not just let it go today! Seeing this, Yang Wei had no intention of stepping forward to help; he immediately pulled his sister Yang Fang and fled backward toward Yang Family Fortress.

In his view, whether it's the Giant Wood Sect or this mysterious cultivator suspected to be a Fake Core True Person, neither is any good.

The treasures they carry are things they earned after nine deaths and one life. If these people try to snatch them, it would be best if both sides are crippled, dying here together! "Truly, they don't shed a tear until they see a coffin!"

Xiao Zhangqing let out a cold snort, addressing both the few from the Giant Wood Sect and the Yang siblings who intended to break their promise and flee with the treasures.

Immediately, the Second Avatar's magical energy surged, the pressure of his magic rose again, and he wielded a magic sword trailing specks of starlight, striking all the cultivators' artifacts precisely, including the Thunder Magic Treasure.

Pa pa pa bang!

Some of these artifacts and Magic Treasures fell to the ground, losing their luster, while others exploded outright.

Then, sweeping his sleeves, solidified magical energy formed an invisible giant hand that struck the few from the Giant Wood Sect. Whether they were late‑stage or early‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were equally grievously wounded, spitting blood, falling from the air; their robes, Talisman Scripts, defensive artifacts all lost effect, looking as flimsy as paper before Xiao Zhangqing.

If he hadn't refrained from a full‑scale slaughter, all of them would have perished.

"Core Formation True Person?"

"And also at the mid‑level Core Formation realm?"

The Giant Wood Sect members were inexplicably horrified, bodies trembling; even the Fake Core Old Patriarch from Yang Family Fortress personally arriving could not crush them so easily!

Even the terrifying magical pressure that Xiao Zhangqing displayed, they had only seen on the sect's current strongest, the Supreme Elder.

And the Yang siblings, who had turned to flee, now obediently stepped back.

Because behind them, the tips of two magic swords were pointed at them.

Xiao Zhangqing no longer paid attention to the few from the Giant Wood Sect, turned and faced the Yang siblings, extending his hand.

Yang Wei's eyes were full of resentment, yet he could only slowly pull a specially‑crafted box from his storage bag.

Inside the box was an item that looked like jade, yet also like a cohesive, undissolving liquid, transparent and glowing green. (End of chapter)