Chapter 144: Sword Momentum Presses Upon the Star Sea

"Come, come, come, come take a look: three Ancient Treasures, the Imperial Scale Armor..."

"Twelve Dharma Treasures, the Azure Cloud Sword..."

"Five hundred sixty-seven thousand eight hundred ninety Spirit Stones!"

"Materials..."

After slaying Man Huzi with a single sword strike, Yan Taibai took Man Huzi's Storage Bag, directly retrieved the many treasures within—the Ancient Treasures, Dharma Treasures, Spirit Stones, and materials—and began to shout loudly without any restraint.

It was as if he were a common street vendor selling goods, yet at this moment, no one dared to treat him as a mere vendor.

Because the Golden Sword Qi that had slain Man Huzi had not vanished; instead, it lingered around Yan Taibai, radiating a terrifying sword momentum sufficient to awe the masses. Under such unprecedented and horrifying sword momentum, the Nascent Soul cultivators who had originally intended to "kill to seize the treasures" and eliminate Yan Taibai all silently departed with a tacit understanding.

Man Huzi had been slain; even if they were numerous and powerful enough to swarm him, who wanted to die?

Moreover, and more importantly, a cultivator capable of unleashing such terrifying sword Qi was undoubtedly a legendary senior of the Spirit Severing Stage.

Under these circumstances, the Nascent Soul cultivators who had been watching and waiting for an opportunity naturally had none left.

Therefore, the Nascent Soul cultivators who had been eyeing Yan Taibai also vanished very quickly.

In less than half an hour, the feeling of being watched like needles on his back that Yan Taibai had felt completely disappeared, which meant that all the Nascent Soul cultivators who had been watching and harboring ill intentions toward him were gone.

This fatal crisis of his had been completely resolved, and from now on, he basically had no need to worry about anything.

He could cultivate with peace of mind and focus.

For Yan Taibai, this was truly too important.

A full half-day later, Yan Taibai finally finished putting away Man Huzi's remains, and just as he was preparing to leave.

A hearty laugh broke the silence, and then, a middle-aged man in purple robes and a jade belt landed a thousand feet in front of him.

Beside him was a beautiful woman with a pale complexion.

The middle-aged man, with a square face and thick eyebrows, cupped his hands toward Yan Taibai and smiled.

"This old man, Wan Tianming of the Wanfa Sect, greets Fellow Daoist Yan. This woman is the disciple and maidservant of the old devil Man. Knowing that you, Fellow Daoist, slew the old devil Man, I captured this woman at the first opportunity to bring her to you for disposal."

"So it is Sect Master Wan. Many thanks for your kind intentions, Sect Master Wan. This woman is merely a Golden Core Stage female cultivator; she is of no account. Sect Master Wan may dispose of her as you see fit. Is there something you came here for?"

Yan Taibai heard this, a look of slight surprise appearing on his face, and spoke.

"Since that is the case, then I, Wan, shall dispose of this woman on behalf of Fellow Daoist Yan."

Before the words had even faded, the beautiful woman beside Wan Tianming did not even have time to let out a scream before she was directly reduced to ashes.

Yet Yan Taibai did not show the slightest change in expression.

"Many thanks, Sect Master Wan. However, Sect Master Wan, please speak your mind! I still need to return to handle matters."

Yan Taibai nodded slightly.

"Good. I, Wan, have come this time because there is a major matter I wish to discuss with Fellow Daoist Yan. I wonder when you might have time?"

Wan Tianming also heard the impatience in Yan Taibai's tone, so he stopped wasting words and went straight to the point.

"One month from now. At that time, Sect Master Wan, just come to the Miaoyin Sect."

Hearing this, Yan Taibai thought for a moment and said.

He naturally understood what Wan Tianming wanted to discuss, but it was perhaps a bit late for such a discussion now.

But regardless, the face that should be given still had to be given.

"Hahaha, that is only natural, that is only natural."

Hearing that he was to go to the Miaoyin Sect, Wan Tianming gave a dry laugh and agreed.

Where was the Miaoyin Sect? It was in Heavenly Star City!

For someone of his status, that place was practically a dragon's pool and tiger's den. In the past, it would have been nothing, and the Star Palace would not have cared, but now the Righteous Path and the Demonic Path were almost at the point of tearing their faces off with the Star Palace.

Naturally, it was somewhat dangerous. Moreover, the Star Palace was currently currying favor with Yan Taibai, so their confidence was even greater. Just that one streak of sword Qi Yan Taibai had used to slay Man Huzi was something that even his aunt, Wan Sangu, and Liudao Jisheng of Shengmo Island might not be able to withstand.

Even if they did withstand it, they would inevitably suffer heavy damage to their vitality.

In short, this one streak of sword Qi alone was enough to awe the entire Chaotic Star Sea and prevent anyone from acting rashly against Yan Taibai.

Such a heaven-defying divine ability was only recorded in a few scattered words in ancient texts.

And it had to be an ancient Spirit Severing Stage cultivator who possessed such terrifying divine abilities.

Although he had never been to the Dajin Cultivation World, Wan Sangu had been there, Liudao Jisheng had been there, and the Heavenly Star Sages went without saying.

Almost every cultivator in the Chaotic Star Sea who advanced to become a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage would head to the Dajin Cultivation World.

As for what method they used, he was not clear, but in any case, Wan Sangu had told him that without the strength of a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage, one might lose their life before even reaching the Dajin Cultivation World, so one should not seek their own death.

Therefore, compared to other Nascent Soul cultivators, the Wanfa Sect and Shengmo Island still had some understanding of the Dajin Cultivation World, and they were also the most suspicious of Yan Taibai's identity.

But now there was no need to be suspicious; whether Yan Taibai came from the Dajin Cultivation World or not was no longer important.

What was important was how to curry favor with Yan Taibai and keep him from meddling in the affairs between the Righteous and Demonic Paths and the Star Palace.

This was the most important matter; they of the Righteous and Demonic Paths could not afford to provoke him.

They absolutely could not afford to provoke Yan Taibai.

And Yan Taibai also understood Wan Tianming's thoughts; although Wan Tianming was guilty of monstrous crimes, it was still not good to take action again, otherwise, it would truly be an irreconcilable feud with the Wanfa Sect.

After all, the Wanfa Sect had Wan Sangu, a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage, and was the number one sect of the Righteous Path; it was better not to tear their faces off.

At least not now; it would not be too late after he advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage.

"Hmm!"

Therefore, Yan Taibai merely nodded, then wrapped himself in his sword Qi and headed toward Heavenly Star City.

He believed that the news of him slaying Man Huzi with a single sword strike had already spread throughout Heavenly Star City. As for the Chaotic Star Sea, it would still take some time, but not too long—ten days or half a month would be enough.

When Yan Taibai returned to the Miaoyin Sect, everyone in the Miaoyin Sect already knew everything, and the look Zhou Yuan gave Yan Taibai was filled with deep awe.

"Brother Yan, did you really slay Man Huzi?"

Zhou Yuan confirmed again with a look of awe and complexity.

"What, did no one tell you?"

Seeing this, Yan Taibai gave a light laugh, his tone carrying a bit more arrogance.

"No, it's just that this concubine cannot believe it. That Man Huzi has shaken the Inner Star Sea for hundreds of years and is even known as the number one person beneath Liudao Jisheng. For Brother Yan to slay him with a single sword strike, it truly, truly leaves this concubine feeling shocked."

Zhou Yuan waved her hands repeatedly and said.

"Haha, I must thank my martial uncle for gifting me the Protective Sword Qi; otherwise, this time would have been too dangerous."

Seeing this, Yan Taibai gave a hearty laugh and explained.

"Indeed! However, after this matter, no one in the entire Star Palace will dare to offend Brother Yan."

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan also nodded in agreement, deeply convinced.

"Alright, I am going to rest for a while."

The pressure he had endured this time was truly too great.

It was not until he returned to the Miaoyin Sect that he finally relaxed.

"Very well, this younger sister will see Brother Yan off."

Zhou Yuan could also see the pressure and physical and mental exhaustion Yan Taibai was under; she nodded her head slightly and accompanied Yan Taibai to the cave dwelling to rest.

It was not Yan Taibai and Yan Ruyan's, but Zhou Yuan's own; Yan Taibai's current state was not suitable to be seen by the secluded Yan Ruyan, lest it affect her state of mind and cultivation.

Inside a cave deep within the Star Palace

Before the Heavenly Star Sages was a light screen, and within that light screen was the scene of Yan Taibai slaying Man Huzi with nothing but a single strand of sword qi.

"To slay Man Huzi with merely a single strand of sword qi—such strength and divine abilities can likely only be achieved by a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator. It seems there truly is a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator behind him; no wonder we haven't found any traces for so many years."

Wen Qing looked at the astonishing sight on the light screen, her jade face covered in shock.

"Indeed!"

Ling Xiaofeng's expression at this moment was also filled with gravity and wariness.

Although he was the number one expert of the Chaotic Star Sea, a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage, only one step away from breaking through to the Spirit Severing Stage, it was precisely because of this that he understood the gap between them.

This gap was too vast, especially after seeing Yan Taibai slay Man Huzi—who was second only to Liudao Jisheng in the Demonic Path—relying solely on a strand of sword qi gifted by a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator; he understood the gap even more clearly.

"It seems that having Yuling take him as her master was indeed a very good move."

"With his protection, even if he does not assist the Star Palace in the future, he can at least ensure Yuling remains safe and sound."

Ling Xiaofeng sighed.

As expected, his dao companion had never done anything wrong.

"I also did not expect that there would actually be a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator behind him. In this way, wanting that Spirit Severing Stage cultivator to help us is likely impossible."

Wen Qing shook her head slightly and said with quite a bit of regret.

"No matter, as long as Yuling is fine, that is enough. This way, we can also act without any scruples."

Ling Xiaofeng nodded, a look of relief appearing on his face.

"But if this is the case, what if he uses Yuling to control the Star Palace in the future? Who could stop him?"

Wen Qing thought of another matter even more terrifying than the union of the righteous and demonic paths under Liudao Jisheng and Wan Sangu.

This matter was enough to overturn the entire Star Palace.

And there was simply no power to stop it; after all, neither of them had broken through to the Spirit Severing Stage.

As long as one has not broken through to the Spirit Severing Stage, facing one is just like a Golden Core Stage cultivator facing them—completely powerless to fight back.

This gap is too great; it is simply not something that can be made up for by any Ancient Treasure or divine ability.

"As long as you and I successfully cultivate the Yuan Magnetic Divine Light, we will naturally be able to deal with them. However, there seems to be something wrong with this Yuan Magnetic Divine Light; you should stop cultivating for now, and it won't be too late to continue after I have contemplated and researched it further."

"However, it is also thanks to him. If he hadn't caused such a huge commotion, the two of us wouldn't have come out of seclusion. I also wouldn't have been able to detect the oddity of the Yuan Magnetic Divine Light; it seems my original deductions were insufficient." Ling Xiaofeng's voice sounded with a hint of relief.

"What, is the problem with this Yuan Magnetic Divine Light truly that great?"

Unease grew in Wen Qing's heart.

"Rest assured, with me here, even the biggest problem can be resolved. Haven't I already broken through and solved multiple problems with the Yuan Magnetic Divine Light? This is naturally not a problem either."

Ling Xiaofeng smiled faintly, quite confident.

"That is true. I naturally trust in your ability."

Wen Qing smiled beautifully, clearly full of confidence in Ling Xiaofeng.

The matter of slaying Man Huzi with a single sword strike naturally stirred up a huge uproar in the Chaotic Star Sea, creating massive waves; high-level members of sects and families, large and small, whether hidden or not, were all shocked speechless by this event.

One must know that Man Huzi's fierce reputation was something even many hidden sects and family powers in the Chaotic Star Sea had heard of.

A Nascent Soul Middle Stage Peak cultivator, an expert that even a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage might not necessarily be able to kill.

Yet now, he had been slain by a single sword strike, and it was merely a strand of sword qi, not even a real sword.

Such divine ability, such strength—without a doubt, this was a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator.

The appearance of such an expert in the Chaotic Star Sea—one can imagine the impact on the current Chaotic Star Sea.

And the Miaoyin Sect, a sect that did not even have a Nascent Soul cultivator, directly became the power in the Chaotic Star Sea that one could least afford to offend, standing almost on the same level as Shengmo Island, the Wanfa Sect, and the Star Palace.

If not for Zhou Yuan ordering a strict ban on bullying others or acting recklessly, the disciples of the Miaoyin Sect would likely already be walking with their noses in the air when out and about.

Female disciples of the Miaoyin Sect, who were previously concubines of high-level cultivators, directly became dao companions, and even if they were not, their dao companions would not dare to offend them.

Instead, they addressed each other as sisters, which was enough to prove the deterrent power brought by that one sword strike from Yan Taibai.

And this was only one aspect; there were also powers that had previously bullied the Miaoyin Sect, such as Extreme Yin Island, who directly came to the door to apologize, fearing they would be wiped out by accident. And the Miaoyin Sect indeed had the strength to do so.

Because while Yan Taibai was recovering his vitality, hundreds of high-level Golden Core Stage cultivators joined the Miaoyin Sect, and even two Nascent Soul Stage rogue cultivators came wanting to join the Miaoyin Sect.

However, Zhou Yuan naturally could not make the decision on this matter; she could only host them well and wait for Yan Taibai to come out of seclusion to decide.

And these two Nascent Soul Stage rogue cultivators did not dare to be presumptuous, do anything excessive, or make any rude demands; instead, they began to earnestly offer guidance to Zhou Yuan.

This allowed Zhou Yuan, the Sect Master of the Miaoyin Sect, to gain quite a lot, and naturally, her mood improved significantly.

However, she also understood that all of this came from Yan Taibai, and she also understood that as long as Yan Taibai was willing, he could turn any sect in the Chaotic Star Sea into the current Miaoyin Sect at any time.

This was the confidence that came from having a Spirit Severing stage cultivator as a backer.

As for all of this, Yan Taibai was unaware; he was currently in secluded cultivation, converting all of this cultivation into his own cultivation base to break through the Nascent Soul Stage as quickly as possible.

Only in this way would he not need to rely on a sword, or rather his own Life-Bound Magical Treasure, as a backer.

Relying on a sword as a support really made him feel a bit embarrassed.

But he also knew that this was something unavoidable for now.

And to resolve it, he could only condense a Nascent Soul and become a Nascent Soul cultivator.

This was Yan Taibai's greatest expectation.

However, he also knew that the entire Chaotic Star Sea was actually being "intimidated" by a sword.

But it could not exactly be called intimidation, because his Life-Bound Magical Treasure, the Luxian Juetian Sword, truly had the strength to slaughter the entire Chaotic Star Sea and devour every cultivator and Demon Beast.

Therefore, Yan Taibai did not intend to continue strengthening his Life-Bound Magical Treasure, so as to avoid it becoming uncontrollable and turning into "Xiaoliuzi."

Yan Taibai even felt some regret himself, wondering why he had refined such a terrifying "evil sword."

(End of this chapter)