[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-536":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Path of Immortality",{"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},2271686,4436,"Chapter 536: Sword Qi and Armor Light","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-536",536,"\u003Cp>To the assembled great cultivators outside, Chen Hang and Zhou Fu seemed to stand far apart, not moving an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet their attacks had already begun in silent motion, even more intense than the visible clashes of sword qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Six Realms of Sword Dao—Sword Heart Illuminated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This realm is already the true position of one’s nature, returning all transformations to their root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword heart is said to be vast enough to encompass heaven and earth, yet fine enough to contain the cosmos within a grain of millet; once harmonized with magic power, it reflects the primordial spirit and forms its own gate, transcending the mortal form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword cultivator who has proven the sixth realm, even if deliberately suppressing all magic power and not using his cultivation base, can release sword qi and sword momentum merely by opening his eyes and exhaling—killing with a smile, slaying generals and shattering armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for techniques like flying like a rainbow or entering and exiting the azure void, these become ordinary trifles, effortlessly summoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The operation of the sixth realm subtly brushes against the threshold of the seventh realm, “Inner and Outer as One,” deepening the sword cultivator’s methods into profound mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Chen Hang and Zhou Fu both unleashed their sword intentions without reservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though no scene of darkened heavens and extinguished sun and moon appeared, a chilling killing intent poured like cold spring water over the ground, seeping everywhere, filling all with dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such pure, extreme sword intention duels, even the slightest misstep could result in bloodied flesh, broken limbs—mere trivialities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the spirit soul were damaged and the opponent’s sword intention slipped in to wound the primordial spirit, that would be a true, grave matter—recovery would demand a tremendous price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, sword cultivators in combat rarely unleash their full sword intention unless certain of overwhelming their opponent; they usually preserve some defense for body and spirit soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Chen Hang and Zhou Fu to launch their attacks solely through their treasure robes—this was indeed rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, starfire flickered and vanished intermittently in the void, blazing brilliantly, dazzling to behold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sounds like snapped bows and broken strings arose and faded swiftly—brief, fleeting—but the vibrations entering the ears still sent cold dread through the heart, inducing nausea and chest tightness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the starfire in the air flashed faster and faster, nearly merging into a continuous sheet, like countless iron flowers blooming and vanishing in whirls, it left observers dizzy and overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Emperor’s Ancestral Map, Shen Xingcui and Lu Tingyun exchanged glances, both seeing solemnity in each other’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui had fought Chen Hang, then battled several Dan Yuan True Persons like Liu Jianwu, before being driven off by Li Yuwei of the Northern Pole Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Tingyun first clashed with Changsun Kuang, then fought He Lizhi, before being personally expelled by Zhou Fu, his same-sect senior brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both possessed formidable skills; even among the forty-two Dan Yuan True Persons, they were far from the bottom, and as Middle Yi disciples, they had long witnessed Zhou Fu’s prowess and knew his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet regarding the power Chen Hang and Zhou Fu now revealed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having anticipated it, Lu and Shen still froze in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had they been in their place, their brows would already be slick with sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Chen Hang and Zhou Fu remained calm and composed; judging by the battle’s momentum, these two clearly still held back considerable strength, gradually pressing forward, testing each other’s limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before coming to Ying Ji Chuan, Master Yantong specifically taught us, mentioning a great power beyond heaven…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui spoke in a low voice, but after careful thought, he could not recall the name of that great power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this was due to Dao prohibitions, so he abandoned further effort and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Within that great power lies a treasure called the ‘Sword Banner of the Lotus Treasury.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yantong said that with Zhou Brother’s current talent for self-discovering that one sword, he should be capable of awakening the ‘Sword Banner of the Lotus Treasury.’ Today’s sight suggests Chen True Person is likewise so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui remembered how, when Master Yantong mentioned that power and the Sword Banner of the Lotus Treasury, his voice had suddenly grown wistful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the name “Sword Banner of the Lotus Treasury” had been deeply etched into Shen Xingcui’s memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Tingyun paid no heed to Shen Xingcui’s words; after a long pause, he sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do not care what the Sword Banner of the Lotus Treasury is like…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only wonder: for this Dan Yuan Assembly, what sword technique did Zhou Brother self-discover from that half-sword scripture, earning Master Yantong’s repeated praise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Shen Xingcui also froze, frowning in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Fu’s obsession with the half-sword scripture obtained from beyond heaven had even disrupted his proper cultivation—this was no secret among major sects of Dong Hunzhou, nor across the Eight Sects and Six Clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet just before the Dan Yuan Assembly, Zhou Fu suddenly succeeded, truly unlocking its mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Middle Yi True Persons had not anticipated this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Overthinking is useless. Zhou Brother will surely give his all against this Chen True Person; we shall soon see. But speaking of it—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s silence, Shen Xingcui asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say you lost to Zhou Brother—did he use any sword technique against you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Tingyun shook his head: “No. Did Chen True Person use any sword technique against you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged another glance, both offering a slightly awkward smile, silently letting the topic drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The strongest sword cultivators of this generation across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas… who will win between these two today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui gazed at the painting, his eyes gleaming with intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Chen Hang and Zhou Fu had reached the fiercest point of their duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chaotic, chilling light danced wildly, flashing hundreds of times in the blink of an eye, blinding the onlookers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, a strange sound like tearing silk echoed endlessly, as if the void itself were being brutally ripped apart like cloth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Centered on the spot where Chen Hang and Zhou Fu stood, a circle thirty li wide expanded outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within this range, whether mountains, cliffs, flowing springs, or stream valleys—all had been slashed thousands of times by invisible sword qi, shattered into fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-beautiful scenery was now unrecognizable; earth rained down, dust and sand swirled wildly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the mountaintops beneath their feet, not a single spot within the circle remained intact—let alone any flying birds or running beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if stirred by the unceasing sound of tearing silk,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>far across the waters, as silver waves rolled, a giant water ape with a blue face and fangs, as massive as a mountain, emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colossal beast simply straightened its back and shook the water from its fur, as if a light rain had fallen upon the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then its fierce eyes widened, it roared thunderously, and leapt forward toward Chen Hang and Zhou Fu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Water-Splitting Ape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One cultivator recognized the monstrous beast and his eyes brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Water-Splitting Ape is a rare species, said to carry the true blood of divine monsters; thus, it possesses boundless strength, bronze sinews and iron bones, and the power to stir waves and storms—extremely difficult to confront.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by its size, this Water-Splitting Ape could rival a Golden Core cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Water-Splitting Ape clan inherits partial ancestral techniques from their divine monster bloodline, allowing them to refine their bodies and increase their vital energy by consuming divine treasures and celestial metals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even ordinary Golden Core True Persons would find it hard to subdue it—they’d need several allies to eliminate it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as the giant beast charged into the circle, its pupils dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without warning, its head slid cleanly from its neck; in the blink of an eye, its body exploded into a shower of vivid crimson mist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its bones, harder than precious metal and valuable as alchemical materials, shattered completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it could even fall to the ground, they turned to ash and scattered—nothing remained…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of what the onlookers thought, Chen Hang and Zhou Fu never glanced at the Water-Splitting Ape from start to finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while longer, the sword intention in the arena reached its peak, beyond further escalation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Chen Hang finally moved his foot, and Zhou Fu flashed forward almost simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, a bright point of light flared, then vanished—as if a lantern had been snuffed out by the wind, unremarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But immediately after, a series of thunderous explosions erupted from deep beneath the earth; waves of earth, carrying shattered mountains and rivers, surged violently in all directions, roaring and raging!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the watching cultivators outside were chilled to the bone, their hearts filled with awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, aboard a splendid starship, thirty or fifty people stood at the prow, surrounding a man and woman at the center like stars around the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s gaze shifted, and he smiled bitterly at his companion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before we passed through the Heavenly Gate, Third Grandfather urged us to challenge Chen and Zhou, these Xu Du sword cultivators, to spread the fame of our Huan Clan’s ‘Tai’e Sword Scripture’ across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall we not spare ourselves the humiliation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female cultivator pondered a moment, then nodded silently, offering no objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This level of sword intention had genuinely surpassed the expectations of these two Huan Clan disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Chen and Zhou had not yet clashed with actual sword techniques, as fellow sword cultivators, they knew well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such spirit—pity Yun Jie the monk closed himself in meditation after defeating Tan Su of the Great Sui Temple years ago; otherwise, given his temperament, he’d surely be delighted now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s eyes shimmered with interest; she subtly gripped her sword hilt, sighing inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, amid the choking dust, Zhou Fu did not rush to attack; instead, he turned his head, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since facing Chen Hang, he had felt an odd sensation—as if being watched from the shadows—but he could not pinpoint its source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Zhou Fu’s mind, Chen Hang must have felt the same; otherwise, this man would not have silently coordinated with him to evade the swords and arrive here together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet shortly after their sword intention duel began, that odd feeling had largely faded, and now it was entirely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking it through, Zhou Fu had quietly reached a conclusion—he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yu Huangshang… Lu Rong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded inwardly, then casually slashed his sword, tearing open the murky dust, clearing the heavens and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Middle Yi, Zhou Fu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed respectfully, speaking solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuchen, Chen Hang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang returned the bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the formalities, neither spoke further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, two razor-sharp sword lights tore through the clouds, colliding with the force to shatter mountains and split seas!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, he saw the sky entirely filled with crimson and gold, no other colors visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A killing aura pierced through layers of heavens, plunging celestial phenomena into chaos as wind and thunder erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting against formidable sword cultivators is often the most perilous and tenacious struggle—a near-universal consensus across the myriad heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These sword cultivators not only rely on their swift sword-dashing to move freely, advance or retreat at will, but even if one strike misses, they can use hit-and-run tactics to seek openings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threat posed by sword cultivators who can wield magic is immense—never to be taken lightly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the two most formidable young sword cultivators of Xudu clashed fiercely, the scene extraordinarily intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Fu’s sword light resembled the golden sun, dazzling and brilliant, radiating a domineering, ferocious might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang’s sword light resembled an endless sea of blood, ferocious and terrifying, carrying only an utterly indifferent killing intent, as if determined to slay all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its radiance blazed like the sun traversing heaven, expanding and contracting, elusive and indistinct—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the two swords split into thousands, like two vast, differently colored tides colliding in the sky, densely packed; even the faintest residual force effortlessly pierced through the storm clouds like torn cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon their true forms emerged, two celestial rainbows entwined, continuously crackling with explosive sounds, light flaring and fading, blindingly bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This art of sword light merging and separating had transcended all fixed forms, breaking free from convention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone with slightly inferior skill, unable to react in time, would likely meet a gruesome end under such rapidly shifting assaults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fighting for roughly two hours, Chen Hang and Zhou Fu both silently agreed to limit their sword flashes to thirty-six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This number of sword lights was potent enough for slaughter without diluting power, yet manageable enough for complete control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their figures flickered in and out among the sword lights, now real, now illusory—appearing ahead, then suddenly behind, utterly unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To abandon all defensive measures and rely solely on sword skill in combat, as Chen Hang and Zhou Fu did, was exceedingly perilous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the watchful eyes of all cultivators, after another while, both men’s protective robes had dimmed in spiritual radiance, and each bore dozens of deep and shallow sword wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing Chen Hang cultivated the Tai Su Jade Body, this continued clash meant that though their swordcraft was nearly equal, he himself would likely falter due to his weaker physical body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, Zhou Fu’s lips twitched slightly; behind his head, a golden goose-and-fish lamp emerged, spewing fire and golden sparks that repelled the incoming assault, then his fingers swiftly formed a hand seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in sword cultivator duels, victory often hinges on a single instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Fu’s movement gave Chen Hang the opening he needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thirty-six A Ni sword lights seized the chance, each severing the obstacles before them, darting up and down, crisscrossing the entire sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling crimson glow surged toward his eyebrows—in an instant, it enveloped Zhou Fu’s surroundings, flashing like lightning before striking down in perfect unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing sword shriek tore through the azure heavens; wherever it passed, clouds and light shattered, leaving only surging crimson light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhou Fu’s hand seal was nearly complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mighty strike landed squarely upon him—but vanished like a mud ox sinking into the sea, producing not the slightest ripple, utterly unharmed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword Qi Armor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Fu’s eyes glowed as he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen True Person, this is the sword I specially prepared for the Dan Yuan Assembly!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2417,"2026-06-19T22:30:06.574Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7ea7d7db6dbef9a01ca5b21585fba101b978b38261edb6c767bd3fa42b130da1","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-537","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-535",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]