Chapter 72 - 70: A Sword Can Be Unused, But One Must Have It

The Qi Introduction Seventh Layer,

is a massive watershed compared to the Qi Introduction Sixth Layer.

It is the dividing line between the Middle and Late Stages of the entire Qi Introduction Realm!

Upon reaching the Qi Introduction Seventh Layer, not only does one’s Divine Sense grow to the point of Inner Vision, but the Magical Power within the body also undergoes further growth and transformation!

This leap

is not the least bit easy.

Many low-to-mid-tier Loose Cultivators might even spend the better part of their lives stuck at the Sixth Layer Peak, unable to break through!

But at the same time,

such a difficult breakthrough

also means that the difference in strength between a Qi Introduction Seventh Layer Cultivator and a Sixth Layer one is enormous!

A Cultivator at the Qi Introduction Fifth Layer, by mastering a few powerful techniques and having rich combat experience, would have no problem challenging and defeating an ordinary or less-skilled Qi Introduction Sixth Layer Cultivator.

But for a Qi Introduction Sixth Layer Cultivator to defeat, or even kill, a Qi Introduction Seventh Layer one—

while not unheard of—

is an absolute one-in-a-hundred rarity!

Because with a crushing advantage in every aspect,

even a Qi Introduction Seventh Layer Cultivator who frequently tends to their Spirit Field and has little combat experience

can rather easily defeat a battle-hardened Tribulation Cultivator at the Qi Introduction Sixth Layer Peak!

This is precisely the power that comes after advancing to the Qi Introduction Late Stage,

a complete transformation and enhancement of everything from Divine Sense and Magical Power to physical reflexes!

Within this thousand-li corner of the Immortal Cultivation Realm,

a Qi Introduction Seventh Layer Cultivator is already considered a rare expert!

Faced with such a being,

Shen Changchuan, having never crossed blades with him, couldn’t say he had the confidence to win.

’This guy means trouble!’

Shen Changchuan’s heart sank,

and his Heart Spirit grew extremely tense.

From the one-eyed bald man’s words before he was killed,

it wasn’t hard to guess that the person before him was the one pulling the strings,

which led to this ambush.

In other words,

he was the mastermind behind this whole affair!

Shen Changchuan couldn’t afford to be careless!

"Don’t be nervous, boy. This old man has come for the Soul-Attracting Bell."

"That Magical Artifact concerns my path of the Dao. I am determined to obtain it."

"Given your talent, strength, and background, I don’t wish to cause any more trouble. Just hand it over, and I’ll turn around and leave. How about it?"

Old Ghost Song stood there casually, calmly stating his purpose.

He showed no sign of attacking.

Instead, like an amiable old grandfather with a kind smile on his face, he spoke with patient persuasion.

However, Shen Changchuan didn’t relax in the slightest.

Even though the man was just standing there casually,

he still exerted immense pressure on Shen Changchuan!

He didn’t dare to let his guard down for a moment.

"Do you take me for an idiot, sir?"

Although his Heart Spirit was heavy with caution,

Shen Changchuan’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly, his tone neutral:

"With the Soul-Attracting Bell, I at least have some means to resist. If I were to just hand it over to you, wouldn’t I become a lamb to the slaughter?"

When encountering a robber,

what kind of logic is there in handing over your own weapon first?

Shen Changchuan was not that foolish.

Especially when his opponent was a notorious Tribulation Cultivator.

He was certain,

that if he surrendered his means of resistance, his opponent would inevitably eliminate him completely to prevent any future trouble.

"So, you’re rejecting my kind offer?"

"I don’t mind telling you that a big shot is planning to move against the Wu Family Collection tonight. I’ve accepted a considerable payment from them and was supposed to join the attack."

"But because of you, I had to leave the group and make this trip."

"Do you know what that implies?"

The amiable smile on Old Ghost Song’s face vanished, and he spoke in a low, somber voice.

"That you’re absolutely determined to get the Soul-Attracting Bell?"

"However, someone once said something that I deeply agree with: a sword can go unused, but it cannot be unowned."

Shen Changchuan’s face was devoid of expression.

"Very good!"

Old Ghost Song sneered, wasting no more words.

He raised his right hand and made a grasping motion in the air toward Shen Changchuan.

In an instant,

plumes of dense black fog surged from his body,

then morphed into three ferocious, pitch-black skulls formed of the fog, which shot violently toward Shen Changchuan.

In a flash,

a sinister wind howled and black fog filled the air.

Faint sounds of wailing and mourning even seemed to emanate from the surrounding darkness,

causing a sharp, ringing discomfort in Shen Changchuan’s head!

And at that moment, standing behind him,

the group of Patriarchs, whose Cultivation was merely at the Qi Introduction Third and Fourth Layers, fared even worse, their heads splitting with pain!

Shen Changchuan dared not be the least bit careless.

With a simple gesture,

three Fireballs lit up the dark night sky, smashing toward the incoming skulls with searing heat.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The black smoke skulls and the Fireballs collided mid-air, causing a violent explosion.

The air trembled,

letting out a massive roar.

The Fireball Technique detonated,

and flames swept through the sky like a firestorm.

The powerful force of the collision also tore the black skulls apart, turning them into a cloud of black fog.

However,

after the black fog was blasted apart,

it seemed to come alive, rapidly re-gathering mid-air and coalescing into countless living black tentacles that blotted out the sky as they swarmed toward Shen Changchuan!

Their momentum was so immense

that even the torrent of flames spreading through the air was devoured whole!

"What?!"

Shen Changchuan’s pupils contracted, his face a mask of shock.

’What kind of technique is this?’

Before Shen Changchuan could think further, the thick, dark tentacles formed from black smoke had already pierced through the air, rapidly stabbing toward him!

His Perfection Level Light Body Technique was cast in a near instant.

Under the control of his Magical Power, Shen Changchuan’s body became as light as a feather.

Pushing off with his feet,

his figure shot backward.

He dodged the black smoke tentacles that lunged like venomous snakes.

At the same time,

Shen Changchuan’s hands didn’t pause for a moment.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

He unleashed another series of three Wind Blade Techniques. An azure spiritual light howled, flashing through the air and striking the black smoke one after another.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Only a faint, muffled sound was heard,

as the massive, dense cloud of black smoke ahead was easily pierced, creating huge gashes!

However,

Shen Changchuan’s pupils suddenly constricted.

’Where did he go?!’

The azure Wind Blade Technique swept across, nearly cutting the black smoke in half.

But behind the rift,

there was no sign of Old Ghost Song!

The hair on Shen Changchuan’s arms stood on end.

Without the slightest hesitation,

’Golden Bell Technique: Seventh Layer!’

DONG DONG DONG...

Seven consecutive chimes rang out, like palms striking a great bell.

It was the crisp sound produced as he instantly erected the Golden Bell Technique!

Phantoms of golden bells materialized around Shen Changchuan, enveloping him layer after layer.

The golden light was resplendent, giving off an aura of indestructibility!

And at almost the exact same instant,

behind Shen Changchuan,

a cane suddenly appeared.

It stabbed out of thin air, carrying a terrifying, unstoppable power concentrated to a single point, piercing toward Shen Changchuan’s back!