Chapter 70 A Life Without Regrets

Boom—

Zuo Yunnian raised his hand and instantly activated a second-order magic blade, striking toward the Dao Spirit Lake Isle. Blocked by the aqueous elemental light barrier, it actually rippled with turbulent waves.

Seeing his strike blocked by the formation, the white-haired elder's expression shifted abruptly. He couldn't help but frown and remark, "A mid-grade, second-tier defensive array."

In just an instant, Zuo Yuannian felt a flicker of retreat in his heart. The might of a second-tier mid-grade formation was truly astonishing—if controlled by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it could potentially slay him.

However, he soon saw that the 1 activating the formation within the Linghu Zhou was the gaunt and haggard Chen Changyan.

"Indeed, that Eldrin must have fallen for my scheme of luring the tiger away from the mountain. There's only 1 old fool left here."

"Just a man about to be buried in the dirt, and you dare stand in my way, old man?"

Zuo Younian let out a cold sneer, channeling his energy to morph the warblade into a blade radiance that swept down.

This blade was named the Taibai Severing Dust Blade (Magic Treasure), Zuo Yunian’s life-bound treasure and the sole Second-Tier, High-Grade magical artifact in his possession.

The Taibai Severing Dust Blade ranks among the 3 supreme soul-bound artifacts of the Verdant Sun Sect. Its forging requires the celestial treasure known as Taibai Metallic Essence to form the blade’s foundation, which is then fused with the essence of Geng Metal.

Refining Yin's Gold of Xin with Yang's Gold of Geng, tempered for 30-6 days until the balance of Yin and Yang was achieved—only then could such a supreme life-bound magic treasure be forged.

In terms of offensive power, this treasure may not match elite immortal swords like the Celestial Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword or the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), yet it surpasses innate spiritual artifacts such as the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade. It could arguably be ranked as a mid-tier treasure.

It is said that even the Golden Core Elder Xu Zhenren of the Qingyang Sect wielded the Taibai Severing Dust Blade as his life-bound magic treasure, demonstrating the extraordinary nature of this artifact.

At this moment, Zuo Yuannian (Person Name) at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment personally channeled his energy, causing the magic treasure to erupt with a blade radiance stretching over 80 feet—a truly terrifying display of power.

A towering blade light descended, its dazzling radiance crashing violently against the island's protective formation, unleashing a fierce and turbulent shockwave.

At this moment, on the lake's central island, the Elder Uncle's face flushed crimson as he forcibly channeled his spiritual power to operate the formation, barely managing to block this strike.

"Fortunately, metal generates water. The Water Element Formation of Spirit Lake Isle somewhat restrains the Taibai Dust-Severing Blade, otherwise that last strike might not have been blocked."

"Although he cannot breach the formation, with my current spiritual energy reserves, I'm afraid I won't last much longer."

The Elder Uncle’s face was deathly pale. Although activating the island’s protective formation did not heavily drain the core cultivators maintaining it, he was merely a Qi Refining cultivator—1 at the ninth level of Qi Refining, at that, whose true essence was already beginning to falter.

With his level of cultivation, he was utterly incapable of unleashing the full power of this formation, nor could he sustain its activation for long.

Unless he pushed himself to the brink of death, draining every last drop of his zhenqi, there might be a chance to stabilize the formation.

"Perhaps, this is fate!"

At the brink of life and death, Chen Changyan straightened his robes with remarkable composure and calm.

His gaze fell upon Zuo Yunian (Person Name) in the distance as he continued to channel the formation, once again pushing its power to the absolute limit.

After attacking for a full day and night, Zuo Yuannian’s face grew pale as he watched the formation remain unbroken under Chen Changyan’s defense.

"Old fool, you're truly ruthless! Halfway into the grave, yet you still dare block my path?"

At this moment, his true essence was severely depleted. He could only swallow a medicinal pill, and while restoring his spiritual energy, he remarked with a hint of admiration:

Across from Spirit Isle Lake (Location), the Elder Uncle sat cross-legged on the ground, his face gaunt and deathly pale.

By this point, Chen Changyan's vital energy was nearly depleted, his life force completely exhausted. Now he was merely clinging to the last vestiges of his strength.

At the brink of death, the Elder Uncle appeared exceptionally composed. Gazing at Zuo Yunián (Person Name), he suddenly burst into roaring laughter.

"I have lived for 1 100 and 18 years, yet never imagined I would face a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator in battle before my final breath."

"This life holds no regrets!"

"You have held out against me for an entire day, truly a feat to take pride in." Zuo Yuannian (Person Name) rarely showed a trace of mutual admiration. After sensing his zhenqi (Cultivation Term) had recovered slightly, he continued: "But you're nearing your limit like an oil-deprived lamp—how much longer can you last?"

As his words fell, his pupils abruptly widened. In the distant sky, several dazzling sword auras sliced through the heavens, streaking toward them.

"The Chen Clan reacted this quickly?"

"Right now, we can't breach Spirit Isle Lake (Location), yet the Chen family's reinforcements have arrived. If we don't leave now, I'm afraid we won't be able to escape."

Zuo Younian’s expression shifted abruptly. After 1 last glance at Spirit Isle Lake (Location), he resolved to retreat. As the sword gleam drew nearer, he made a swift decision and prepared to withdraw.

At the same moment, Chen Changyan (Person Name) at Spirit Isle Lake (Location) suddenly snapped his eyes wide open and let out a long exclamation.

"Old cur, if I let you leave, you will surely become a fatal threat to my Chen Clan."

"You've besieged me for a full day—now taste my blade in return."

As his voice faded, he expelled the final wisp of his innate essence blood, wringing out a strand of true energy. With a metallic ring, he activated the Mingyuan Virtual Spirit Sword.

A brilliant sword radiance soared into the sky, unleashing an unrivalled sharpness that dominated the heavens. This was Chen Changyan’s final, desperate strike—a blow that consumed every last trace of his potential. Guided by an indomitable will, the sword moved with a power that shook the world the moment it was unleashed.

In haste, Zuo Younian's expression abruptly shifted, and he could only channel his energy to wield the Tai Bai Duan Chen Blade to block.

After the Mingyuan Void God Sword transformed into an array artifact, it converged the water elemental power of Spirit Isle Lake (Location), unleashing a truly terrifying might. Even a cultivator at Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) would not dare to confront it head-on.

Though Zuo Yu Nian was powerful, he was still somewhat inadequate to confront the great formation single-handedly, a formation built upon the ley lines.

The sword radiance transformed from the Eldrin Void Sword surged upward like a celestial river flowing backwards, its unstoppable might sweeping across heaven and earth as it sent the Taibai Severing Dust Blade flying.

Seeing the sword light continuing its relentless slash, Zuo Yuannian had no choice but to activate another treasure seal to block it. This seal was a mid-grade, second-tier magical treasure capable of both offense and defense. As it projected a defensive barrier, it barely managed to withstand the blow.

But in just those few breaths of delay, the other 2 had already closed in.

Chen Changxuan, possessing the highest cultivation base, also moved with the greatest speed. He immediately summoned the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spiritual blade and swung it forward. A searing arc of blade light erupted, coiling like boiling flame as it shot straight toward Zuo Yunian’s head.

At this life-or-death moment, Zuo Younian unleashed his ultimate potential, activating the treasure seal to block the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade before immediately maneuvering the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to make his escape.

But he had barely fled a 100 zhang when a brilliant blue sword light came slashing toward him, actually clashing with the Taibai Severing Dust Blade. It was Eldrin, who had followed closely behind, urging the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to block his path.

Not good.

Seeing his path blocked, Zuo Younian's expression abruptly shifted. In a moment of desperation, he summoned another crystalline dagger and hurled it at Eldrin, hoping to seize the opening to fight his way out.

This was a second-tier, mid-grade magic sword. When wielded with Zuo Younian's cultivation, it was potent enough to give even a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator pause.

In a 1-on-1 fight, these few magical tools alone would be enough to make Eldrin proceed with extreme caution. However, Eldrin was not alone now.

The old clan leader channeled more spiritual power, and the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade transformed into a crimson streak as it clashed with the glazed miniature sword.

Not only that, he also summoned the Li Fire Banner of Soul Incineration, instantly ensnaring the Severing Dust Blade of Great Purity within its formation.

2 of his signature magical instruments were now restrained, leaving Zuo Yunián cornered and desperate. Relying solely on a single mid-grade, second-tier defensive artifact, he barely managed to keep fleeing for his life.