[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dao-dust-pearl":3,"chapter-the-dao-dust-pearl-the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-71":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dao Dust Pearl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2359572,4614,"Chapter 71","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-71",71,"\u003Cp>Qian Chen made up his mind and ceased any further words; he raised his hand and flung the Black Iron Dark Demon Hook, which transformed into a twisted blade of light, slashing swiftly toward Pei Junhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Junhu had originally relied on his status, assuming Qian Chen was merely a lone cultivator who dared not offend an immortal sect—thinking he was merely putting on a show of defiance to extract better terms. He never expected Qian Chen’s action to be so decisive, displaying the very demeanor of “unshakable Dao-heart,” treating him as if he were a complete stranger. Pei Junhu immediately sneered inwardly: “This is your own path to death—don’t blame me if my sister-cultivator holds me accountable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the sword pouch on his back, a blade of light erupted—pure, uncorrupted, clear and untainted—a genuine flying sword, far more precious than Qian Chen’s Black Iron Dark Demon Hook, which clearly belonged to heretical arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword-light surged upward, stretching a three-zhang-long azure blade-mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After releasing his sword-light, Pei Junhu wore a faintly smug expression; his palm-held flying sword was a treasured artifact of the Jinchuan Sect, a magical implement with over twenty layers of sealing runes. Rarely did it align so perfectly with his cultivation method—it was named the Qinghong Sword. Such a flying sword possessed exceptional luminous quality and the power to repel demonic influences, immune to magical corruption. Paired with his forty-year mastery of sword arts, it achieved true unity of body and blade, granting him the power to rival a Golden Core cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In multiple sect examinations, he had always defeated opponents within mere rounds by simply releasing his flying sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary heretical protective spells shattered under its blade like thin paper…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no intention of holding back; he judged Qian Chen’s magical artifacts to be quite impressive, and since the fool dared attack him, he might as well kill him outright. Later, he could use the spoils to reward his junior sect-mates…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially that flying hook—it suited his taste perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, as Qian Chen’s sword-light flashed, he achieved unity of body and blade, his light intensifying instantly, arriving before Pei Junhu’s face. Pei Junhu hastily released a magical artifact resembling a screen banner; its mountain-and-river patterns writhed into inked waves, shielding him. The Qinghong Sword twisted, aiming to slice Qian Chen—merged with his sword-light—clean in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that instant, the hook-light trembled and split into two: Qian Chen slipped out of the sword-light as if retreating, while the Black Iron Hook’s blade flashed like lightning, slashing toward Pei Junhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Junhu secretly thought Qian Chen had panicked. Relying on his protective artifact, he continued driving the sword-light toward Qian Chen, whom he now believed unprotected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen used his own body as bait to lure the flying sword; when the blade hovered above his head, the Heaven-Rolling Umbrella manifested, pouring down a torrent of azure heavenly energy that firmly shielded him. At that moment, the Dragon-Phoenix Ring slipped from his hand, descending to encircle the sword-light and lock it in place, ready to seize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden turn occurred in the blink of an eye—Pei Junhu had never anticipated Qian Chen suddenly producing two more magical artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially that umbrella-shaped artifact’s spiritual radiance—unmoved beneath the sword-light—its quality was far beyond ordinary…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He judged the Black Iron Hook’s light to be muddled and dim, a heretical artifact, and assumed it could not pierce his protective spiritual screen. Thus, he poured most of his magic power into the Qinghong Sword, attempting to break free from the Dragon-Phoenix Ring’s grip—when suddenly, a rolling tide of Golden Core energy surged behind Qian Chen, forming a giant hand the size of an acre, pressing downward to clamp the Qinghong Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Pei Junhu truly panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cried out: “A Golden Core True Person!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hastily explained: “Elder, stop! My uncle, Anyang Zi, is the Sect Master of Jinchuan Sect—a Golden Core Great Cultivator!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, the Ice Soul Divine Needle hidden within the Black Iron Dark Demon Hook’s blade-light shot forth, instantly piercing Pei Junhu’s weakened spiritual shield and sinking into his heart. Instantly, his heart froze solid; his expression of terror froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the Ice Soul Cold Light Gang Qi—let you take a look… satisfied?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen’s primordial qi, manifested as the Primordial One Qi Grasping Hand, pressed down, retrieving the Qinghong Sword—now uncontrolled—into the Dragon-Phoenix Ring. He gazed calmly at Pei Junhu’s face, slowly spreading a thin layer of ice, and said: “And… is a mere Golden Core even considered a Great Cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Pei Junhu had cried for mercy, Guan Pingxuan had already been thrown into panic. Seeing Qian Chen’s sword-light swirl, she tried to raise her silk-like artifact to shield Pei Junhu—when a hand pressed upon her shoulder: “Sister, think carefully. That cultivator is also a man of unshakable Dao-heart. If you strike again, you’ll likely join Pei Brother in death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the time it took to utter those words, Pei Junhu was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Pingxuan had completely lost her composure, trembling: “Y-You know who Pei Brother is? Your Golden Core energy is scattered—you’re barely Low-grade Golden Core. How dare you kill the nephew of the Jinchuan Sect Master? Will the Sect Master spare you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen’s calm gaze swept over her, sending icy dread through her entire body, leaving her helpless and terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Pei Cultivator himself said, the struggle for the Dao is a matter of life and death; there is no room for mercy... Moreover, I’ve already suffered losses. If Pei Cultivator had killed me, he would have claimed the Ice Soul Cold Light Gang Qi immediately. But now that I’ve killed Pei Cultivator, this struggle for the Dao is far from over!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Pingxuan stared blankly for a long moment before snapping back, horrified: “You… you plan to attack Jinchuan Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression screamed that he was mad—Cui Dan, watching nearby, felt immense satisfaction and burst into laughter: “Why can you storm our gates, but we can’t storm yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he hesitated slightly, glancing at Qian Chen: “Besides, Brother Qian may not fear that Jin Sect Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right, Brother?” Cui Dan turned back with a flattering smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen nodded with a smile, his gaze fixed on Guan Pingxuan—calm, indifferent—leaving her nearly speechless, her mind only repeating: “He wants to kill me too… Of course! He killed Pei Brother—what’s one more death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her side, the Yan junior sister spoke: “Not Jin Sect Master. It’s Pei Sect Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Qian Chen paused his sword-light, intrigued. The young woman named Yan continued: “Within Jinchuan Sect, there are three great clans—Pei, Wang, and Wen. Their rivalries run deep. Though the Pei clan currently dominates, the other two still harbor resentment. If you target only the Pei clan, the Golden Core True Persons of the other two families may not intervene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In our Bai Lu Sect, the great clans are far more harmonious—intermarried, bound by blood. Though there are hidden grudges, they remain beneath the surface. Brother Qian, my sister and you have no ‘struggle for the Dao.’ If you kill her, you’ll force Bai Lu Sect to ally with Jinchuan Sect… Is it worth it, merely for momentary anger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Brother Qian will show mercy, I swear I’ll do everything in my power to keep Bai Lu Sect out of this matter—never again involved!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl spoke with earnest conviction, though inwardly she trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen merely smiled slightly and asked: “Where is Jinchuan Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinchuan Sect lies southwest of the Nine True Great Marsh, along one of the dozens of rivers flowing into it—a river called Jinsha Chuan, named for the fine gilded sand once mined from its bed. Jinchuan Sect occupies the confluence of river and marsh, a sprawling mountain domain stretching hundreds of li, dotted with over a dozen spirit mountains. Without a guide, one would have to slaughter through every peak to reach its heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen, holding his umbrella, arrived outside Jinchuan Sect. He gazed at the barrier shrouding the entire mountain range, then casually pulled out the invitation Yan junior sister had given him and sent it into the barrier. Soon, a voice called out: “Who are you? Why do you bear Bai Lu Sect’s invitation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen replied calmly: “I am a lone cultivator, Qian Chen. I had a wager with your sect’s Pei Junhu—and I won. He failed to bring his stake, so I’ve come to collect it in person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pei Brother?” The voice sounded uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another laughed: “Pei Brother is no ordinary man—how could he lose to a lone cultivator like you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you wager?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our lives!” Qian Chen revealed the Qinghong Sword’s light and tossed Pei Junhu’s severed head into the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, bells rang wildly; Jinchuan Sect erupted into chaos. Someone cried in panic: “Pei Brother is dead! Pei Brother is dead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another rushed to add: “The killer’s already at the mountain gate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen stood outside the mountain gate, sighing inwardly: “Killing someone from a cultivator clan is always troublesome. Those two Mei Shan Cultivators were so clean. Clans like this—interwoven by blood, sprawling with relatives. How many uncles and cousins does Pei Junhu have? I hear his Sect Master uncle will surely seek vengeance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So now I must first kill his uncle, then crush this Jinchuan Sect mountain domain…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And reclaim my Taiyin True Dark Qi—properly and openly!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1568,"2026-06-21T05:39:58.326Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","65e6bf6073509854f7b362c3ce20bd653ea0d5efd524526c57466d7b43669106","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-72","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-70",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dao-dust-pearl-cover.jpg"]