Chapter 343. Xuanmo Mountain

"Zhang Shengyang, you cowardly scoundrel!"

Atop the Profound Ink Mountain at this moment, cultivators of the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) stood poised for battle.

The already short-lived Patriarch Chen’s face flushed crimson, the fury in his eyes nearly blazing forth. He rose to take action, but was swiftly restrained by several Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Chen Immortal Clan.

"Ancestral Elder, this must not be done."

"Zhang Shengyang is deliberately provoking you to lure you into a battle. Don’t fall for his scheme."

Hearing their dissuasions, the Ancestor of the Chen Clan still swallowed his indignation.

Had it been 10 years earlier, he would have had no fear of Zhang Shengyang, the newly-advanced Eldrin cultivator. But now, with his lifespan depleted and vitality withered to its absolute limit, recklessly mobilizing his magic power would likely extinguish his last breath before the day's end.

At this thought, Patriarch Chen’s face clouded with distress. "I’ve recently felt my spiritual power stagnating," he sighed. "It’s becoming difficult to muster my strength, and I fear I won’t be able to maintain control for much longer."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts sank.

The flow of his magical power began to stagnate, indicating that Patriarch Chen's mana was nearly depleted. It seemed he wouldn't last another year.

The tall man beside him forced a calm demeanor and reassured, "Ancestor, please set your mind at ease. If the information is accurate, once Xuhuan and Xuling return, this Zhang Shengyang will merely be courting death."

Chapter 1 Chen Li (Person Name) stood atop the Cloud-Scraping Peak (Location), gazing into the distance. The wind swept through, billowing his azure robes. In his hand, he tightly clutched the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), its blade shimmering with a faint crimson glow. He had cultivated for over a 100 years, yet he remained at the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Stage (Cultivation Realm). Countless fellow disciples had long surpassed him, ascending to the Foundation Establishment Stage (Cultivation Realm). But Chen Li had never wavered. "Senior Brother Chen (Appellation)," a crisp voice called from behind. A young maiden in white robes approached, her steps light as a swallow. "The sect leader has ordered all disciples to gather at the Grand Hall. The Demon Sect (Organization) has launched an attack, and the situation is critical." Chen Li nodded slightly, his gaze resolute. "Understood." He took 1 last look at the sea of clouds churning beyond the mountain peaks. A dozen or so years ago, he had arrived at the Clear Void Sect (Organization) as a young boy. Now, he would face his first true trial. The Grand Hall was already filled with people. Over a 1000 disciples stood in solemn silence, their expressions grave. The sect leader, Elder Xuan Yun (Person Name), stood at the forefront, his voice resonating like a deep bell. "The Demon Sect has breached the northern defensive formation. We must hold our ground at all costs!" Chen Li tightened his grip on the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. He knew this battle would determine the fate of the entire Chu Kingdom (Location).

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up, but soon someone remarked with a bitter smile, "Yet 3 100 years have already passed. Who’s to say whether that truly is the legacy left by the Second Ancestor?"

"Even if they are the Second Ancestor's bloodline, our branch separated from them 3 100 years ago. The older generation of cultivators has long since passed away. Whether they still acknowledge our kinship is highly uncertain now."

Hearing his cold water thrown on their enthusiasm, everyone's hearts sank.

Only Elder Chen shook his head, calmly stating, "It would be best if the Xu Huan siblings manage to find reinforcements. But even if they fail, letting them survive as embers may yet provide our clan a chance to rise again in the future."

He had deliberately sent out the youngest Xuhuan and Xuling precisely to grant them a path of survival.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators all wore somber expressions. This outcome had long been within their expectations—if a Violet Mansion immortal family failed to secure its legacy, it would inevitably be devoured by other immortal clans.

An ordinary man is guilty of no crime, but his hidden treasure makes him a target. The spiritual mountain the Chen family had cultivated for 800 years, and the resources accumulated over 2 centuries since their ascension as a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan—had now, at this very moment, become a calamity of immense proportions.

Boom—

Just then, Zhang Shengyang(Person Name) in the sky could no longer restrain himself.

Seeing that Chen Shi was unmoved by his taunts, he unleashed a divine ability from the sky, striking the defensive formation of the Dark Ink Mountain until its radiance flickered wildly.

After such a strike, he sneered coldly, "In just 3 more months, it will be the 6-hundredth birthday of Mo the Ancient 1. I have no more time to waste on you."

Not good.

As the Zhang Immortal Clan began assaulting the formation, every member of the Chen Clan paled with terror.

The Grand Elder of the Chen family’s expression shifted abruptly, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, "This is bad! At this rate, I fear we won’t be able to hold out for 3 days."

Without a Purple Mansion Elder presiding over the formation, the Foundation Establishment cultivators present were utterly incapable of unleashing the formation's true power.

If it were Elder Chen presiding over the ceremony, he would likely face the peril of having his oil run dry and his lamp extinguished.

Old Ancestor Chen’s expression shifted, but he gritted his teeth and declared, “Enough! While this old man still has a breath left in him, I shall wield the Profound Ink Mountain Formation to fight them to the death.”

"Clang—"

Just then, a sword cry resonated across the heavens.

Everyone looked up and saw 2 brilliant sword beams soaring through the sky, heading straight toward Zhang Shengyang.

Zhang Shengyang’s face paled in terror. He frantically activated his divine abilities and magic treasures to block the attack, only to have a third-grade magic treasure shattered before he barely managed to escape from the onslaught.

After narrowly escaping with his life, Zhang Shengyang cast a fearful glance into the distance, only to see a black-robed youth with sharply defined facial features striding toward him.

This person's strength.

"Who might you be, and for what reason do you strike against me?"

Zhang Shengyang’s heart skipped a beat. He promptly cupped his hands and spoke courteously.

He couldn't help but feel regretful. Although Chen Ethan (Person Name) was only at the sixth level of the Purple Mansion, he had built his foundation and broken through to the Purple Mansion realm entirely on his own. Moreover, having consumed the Creation Green Essence Pill (Spiritual Object), his magical power was comparable to that of an eighth-level Purple Mansion cultivator.

With such formidable power and the Heaven-Sundering Twin Swords in hand, even an ordinary Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert might not be his match, let alone Zhang Shengyang who had just broken through to the Purple Palace Realm.

Faced with Zhang Shengyang’s inquiry, Chen Ethan (Person Name) offered no reply.

He cast a glance at the Dark Ink Mountain, then swept his gaze over Zhang Shengyang before fixing his eyes upon the boundless sea of clouds in the distance. With serene composure, he posed his question to the Dao.

"Can this man be slain?"

"Since he intends to strike with lethal force, let him be severed."

Hearing the reply, Ethan Chen’s gaze sharpened, and he immediately summoned the Tianli Twin Swords to strike toward Shengzhang Zhang.

This individual was merely at the first level of the Purple Mansion, with rather mediocre strength. Even if 3 to 5 of them joined forces, they likely wouldn't rival Chen Ethan (Person Name).

Facing Chen Ethan's relentless assault, he was completely overwhelmed in less than 10 moves. At this rate, he likely wouldn't last 20 moves before being cut down.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Zhang Shengyang’s face twisted in despair. He could only cry out, “Brother Qian, save me!”

In that instant, a voice echoed across the sky.

"Fellow Daoist, stay your hand."

In the sky above, an elder with hair and beard as white as snow stepped forth, a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Violet Palace realm.

Yet Chen Ethan (Person Name) showed not the slightest fear. Instead, the Heaven-Severing Twin Swords continued their relentless trajectory, slashing directly toward Zhang Shengyang.

Seeing that he showed no regard for his dignity, the old man’s gaze turned icy. With a swift motion, he summoned a golden light bracelet and struck—a top-grade, third-tier magic treasure.

But in that very instant, a divine light descended from the heavens, unexpectedly immobilizing the Golden Radiance Treasure Bracelet.

Then a figure in a black robe strode forth, flicking his sleeve with a sweeping motion that actually sent the white-haired elder stumbling back 3 steps.

Taking that blow, the white-haired elder’s expression grew solemn. He stared at the figure in the black robe and said,

"What profound spiritual power. You are not from the Qi Kingdom, are you?"

"Hmm."

Kael wore a black robe, his features strikingly handsome with an extraordinary aura that seemed to emanate from him.

The white-haired elder felt an immense pressure wash over him after just a single glance: "Merely at the seventh level of the Purple Mansion, yet your spiritual power surpasses mine by half a measure."

"Given this individual's demeanor and spiritual power, he must have reached this stage without relying on external aids. Such profound foundation would likely place him among the top-tier prodigies even among the Zifu cultivators of the Qi Kingdom."

At this thought, the white-haired elder’s expression turned grave. “I am Qian Kongye, and my master is none other than Mo the Ancient 1. Since you are not from the Qi Kingdom, I must ask you not to interfere in the affairs of our land.”

"Is that so."

Kael remained calm, offering a noncommittal hum of acknowledgment.

Yet at that very moment, a piercing scream tore through the air as Zhang Shengyang's arm was severed by a single strike from Chen Ethan's blade.

Qian Kongye’s expression shifted abruptly as he swiftly moved to lend support, only to be blocked once again by Kael (Person Name).

"You..."

Qian Kongye's face paled drastically as he realized he had unwittingly fallen into a disadvantageous position.

It was in those few breaths of delay that Chen Ethan swung his sword and severed Zhang Shengyang’s head from his shoulders.

"How dare you!"

Qian Kongye was so enraged that his beard and hair bristled. In the end, he cast a deep glance at Kael (Person Name), a trace of retreat already stirring in his heart.

Before departing, he invoked the authority of his master: "Since you insist on interfering in the affairs of our Qi Kingdom (Location), you may find the consequences beyond your bearing once my esteemed master chooses to pursue this matter."

With that, he turned around and made to leave.

Just then, a warm yet profound aura, vast as the abyss, swept through the air. Qian Kongye felt his spiritual power stagnate, an overwhelming sense of reverence flooding his heart as if standing beneath a towering mountain.

Just as he was overwhelmed with terror and about to flee for his life, a calm and gentle voice drifted over.

"Hold it!"