Chapter 844. A Sword Without Regret

But this alone was not enough. The number of Outer Realm Demons was simply too great, and the human race needed some to guard the Zhou Tian Star Formation. For a time, they still struggled to tear open the defensive line.

"Alas—"

At that very moment, a soft sigh drifted through the air.

But deep within the void, an ancient Daoist scripture came soaring through the air, intercepting 2 Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) extraterrestrial demons.

Then, a figure clad in ancient Daoist robes strode through the air, intercepting the 2 Outer Realm Demons.

The Tome of Celestial Derivation

"You, Netherdark, dare betray the Demon God!"

In the span of a single breath, the pupils of the 2 Outer Demons contracted sharply, their faces contorting with fury.

The 1 who had struck was none other than the renowned Netherworld Elder, feared across the realm.

The Netherworld Ancestor was originally the paramount expert of the Celestial Divination lineage in the Violet Realm, once bearing the Daoist title of Yan Tian Daoist. The supreme treasure in his possession, the Yan Tian Book, ranked among the 3 great Celestial Divination artifacts of the Violet Realm.

Yet for reasons unknown, this Netherworld Elder had descended into the demonic path, becoming 1 of the most fearsome Demonic Patriarchs in the Violet Realm.

Now, the Netherworld Elder's cultivation had reached the peak of the ninth level of the Nascent Soul, and his combat prowess was truly terrifying. With a single move, he intercepted 2 Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) Heavenly Demons.

"Betray the Demon God?"

The Netherworld Ancestor let out a cold sneer, his tone laced with indifference. "If this old man doesn’t intervene and allow the Demon God to breach the Violet Realm, will the Lotus spare my soul?"

"You..."

The 2 Eldritch Abominations(Phenomenon) narrowed their eyes, then sneered coldly, "By cultivating the True Devil's Path(Cultivation Method), you are destined to never escape the grasp of His Majesty the Devil God(Person Name)."

"To dare resist now is nothing but a futile struggle, merely courting death."

"That will be none of your concern."

The Netherworld Patriarch let out a cold humph, then turned his gaze toward Riverlord Chang (Person Name) and the Hallmaster of the Astral Palace (Person Name). With a mocking smile, he sneered, "Why are you still hesitating to act? Surely you don’t expect this old man to risk his life to seal the Heavenly Rift for you?"

"Alas—"

Seeing that the Netherworld Ancestor was unwilling to exert his full strength, the 2 could only sigh before charging toward the end of the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Rift.

Yet before the abyssal depths, the 9 Netherworld Demon Lord sat cross-legged upon the void. Seeing the 2 charging toward him, his eyes glinted with cold detachment as he spoke, "Why court death so willingly?"

Boom—

No sooner had the words fallen than the 9 Serenities Demon Venerable pressed down with his palm, immediately forcing the 2 into a steady retreat.

After repelling the enemy with a single move, the 9 Netherfiend Sovereign stood with hands clasped behind his back, striding forth like a celestial demon descending from the highest heavens. His palms seemed capable of suppressing entire realms.

"Before me, the 9 Serenities Sovereign, even a Ninth-Level Nascent Soul mighty expert would have to crawl. How dare you make a move?"

Die!

With an aura that dominated mountains and rivers, this 9 Netherfiend Sovereign did not employ any of his spiritual treasures against his foes. Relying solely on his bare hands, he swept through all opposition, even sending the Sunset Over Long River Scroll—a Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang (Magic Treasure)—hurtling through the air with a single strike.

This was a supreme master who had attained the demonic path through physical cultivation. He had honed his physical form to the absolute limit of the mortal realm, standing just 1 step away from becoming a demi-immortal entity.

Even the Lord of the Starry Sky Palace and Riverlord Chang (Person Name) joining forces proved no match for him.

"Slay them all!"

The Lord of the Celestial Hall let out a furious roar, channeling the supreme pure yang divine art of his lineage. He condensed the power of the 9 Heavens' starlight into a blade and swung it furiously toward the Demon Venerable.

Yet such supreme divine powers were insignificant before the 9 Serenities Demon Lord.

The 9 Serenities Demon Venerable's fleshly body was as flawless as glazed glass, radiating an indestructible divine essence that even superior spiritual treasures could scarcely breach.

Yet such a Starfire Divine Sword, capable of slaying even a Primordial Spirit, Late Stage cultivator, shattered inch by inch upon striking the 9 Serenities Demon Venerable, dissolving into a shower of starlight.

"Boom!"

A crisp crack echoed through the air as the 9 Nether Demon Lord struck a heavy blow against the Star Palace Master. Emerging like a demonic deity, he declared, "Beneath the Half-Immortal realm, I reign supreme. You alone are not enough to challenge me!"

"Insolence!"

Elder Longhe roared in fury, the Scroll of the Setting Sun over the Long River unfurling from his grasp. Simultaneously, a violet treasure lantern descended, unleashing a torrent of blazing Violet Skyfire.

"Violet Flame Heart Lamp, River Sunset Scroll."

The 9 Netherfiend Sovereign murmured, a flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes.

The River Sunset Scroll is a treasure that commands awe across the land, while the Violet Flame Heart Lantern is an ancient relic left by immortals. The Profound Capital Violet Flame upon it does hold some restraining power over him.

But that was all there was to it—such trifles were far from enough to deal with a demonic venerable like him. With a cold sneer, he summoned an eerie violet treasure furnace wreathed by 9 coiling dragons.

"Damn it."

The moment he laid eyes on this treasure furnace, Riverlord Chang (Person Name) paled drastically, immediately seeking to withdraw the treasure in his hand.

But alas, it was already too late. Upon the eldritch-purple treasure furnace, 9 coiled dragons writhed as the lid clanged open with resonating finality.

The overwhelming Xuan Du Purple Flame, along with the Purple Flame Heart Lamp, were all drawn into it. Only his natal spiritual treasure, the Long River Sunset Painting, was barely retrieved by him.

Demon-Subduing Furnace

It was only at this moment that the Star Palace Master took a deep breath, his expression shifting dramatically as he spoke.

This Demon-Subduing Furnace was truly astonishing. Originally forged by Eldrin Jiang after his ascension to immortality, it was crafted from the incomplete immortal material known as the 9 Dragons Divine Stone. He bequeathed it to the Jiang Clan as their near-immortal supreme treasure, a pillar of their lineage.

It was only after the demonic abyss calamity erupted 2 1000 years ago, when the Jiang Immortal Clan was annihilated overnight, that it fell into the hands of the extraterrestrial demons. Little did anyone expect it would now be refined by this 9 Netherworlds Demon Venerable.

"A near-immortal treasure? How are we supposed to fight this?"

Staring at the Demon-Subduing Cauldron before them, the crowd revealed expressions of utter despair.

A supreme treasure bordering on the celestial, unleashed by a being at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul realm—how staggering was the might it erupted with.

The 9 Nether Demon Lord, wielding the Demon-Subduing Furnace, was already a nearly invincible existence even within the Nascent Soul Realm.

At this moment, the 9 Serenities Demon Lord swept his gaze over the crowd, a cold sneer playing on his lips as he declared, "You alone are not enough to pose a challenge."

"Where is Lin Tianqi? If he were to come here, he might actually manage to wound me!"

"Chant—"

At that very moment, a faint sword hum resonated through the endless void.

An overwhelmingly vast sword intent surged upward from the boundless ends of heaven and earth. Eldrin furrowed his brow, sensing the Celestial Li Twin Swords within him being stirred.

But at the edge of the boundless heavens and earth, a figure clad in black robes slowly strode forth, dragging a long sword in his wake.

The newcomer stood tall and slender, with a hint of frailty. 3 1000 strands of hair cascaded silently about their shoulders, while their eyes shone as brilliantly as the stars in the heavens.

Lin... Tianqi!

The 9 Nether Saint Sovereign gazed at the newcomer and furrowed his brow for the first time.

Lin Tianqi did not reply, but merely swept his gaze over the assembly before speaking calmly, "I was in seclusion, striving to break through to the ninth level of the Primordial Spirit. I have arrived a step late—I hope you will not take offense."

He spoke with such casual ease, then stepped forward in tranquil silence.

He did not walk quickly, yet none dared to block his path. Before him, an indomitable and inexorable sword intent was coalescing—unyielding and absolute.

This was a sword intent capable of slaying immortals—even a mighty figure at the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) would be severed in a single strike if they stood in its path.

When he tread the void and came before the crowd, he finally turned his gaze to the 9 Nether Sacred Lord and spoke softly, "I have nurtured a strand of sword intent within my breast for over 3 1000 years."

"Now that I have just achieved Great Perfection, might I have the honor of a sparring match?"

"Clang—"

With those words, he swung his sword, cutting straight forward.

Unbending and unyielding, with a single sword that knows no regret, daring to draw his blade against all foes—this was the path of his sword cultivation.

Chapter 1 The biting northern wind swept across the mountain range, howling like countless vengeful spirits. Snowflakes danced wildly in the air, blanketing the jagged peaks in a layer of pristine white. At the summit of the highest mountain, a solitary figure sat cross-legged upon a massive bluestone, motionless as if carved from ice. Lin Feng had been meditating here for 3 full years. His black robes were tattered, his long hair matted with frost, yet his eyes remained closed in deep concentration. The spiritual energy around him swirled like an invisible vortex, causing the falling snow to veer away before touching his robes. "Finally..." Lin Feng's eyelids fluttered open, his pupils flashing with a faint golden light. "The ninth level of the Frozen Soul Art is complete." He slowly rose, joints cracking like popping beans after years of immobility. With a casual wave of his hand, the accumulated snow and ice covering him instantly vaporized into mist. [Host's cultivation has reached Foundation Establishment realm] [System activation conditions met] [Primordial Ascension System binding...] A series of mechanical voices echoed in his mind. Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged, though a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. After 3 1000 years of rebirth, this mysterious system from his previous life had finally awakened. "System," he murmured inwardly, "display my status." A translucent screen materialized before his eyes: [Name: Lin Feng] [Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment] [Cultivation Method: Frozen Soul Art (9th Layer)] [Lifespan: 28/500] [Techniques: Frost Palm (Perfected), Ice Mirror Step (Perfected)] [Magic Treasures: Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Damaged)] [Spirit Stones: 32,000] Lin Feng's gaze paused at the spirit stones count. In his previous life, as the Heavenly Frost Sword Sovereign, he wouldn't have glanced twice at such a paltry sum. But now... A cold sneer tugged at his lips. "The Soaring Cloud Sect... we'll settle our debts soon enough." He recalled that stormy night 3 years ago, when his so-called senior brothers had ambushed him, shattering his dantian and leaving him for dead in this frozen wasteland. Little did they know that the severely injured Lin Feng would stumble upon the legacy of the Frost Soul Ancestor, and through a miraculous turn of fate, be reborn as the current Lin Feng. "Since I've inherited your body and memories," Lin Feng whispered to the wind, "I shall avenge your grievances." He leaped down from the bluestone, his figure flickering as he employed the Ice Mirror Step. In the blink of an eye, he covered several dozen meters, leaving no footprints in the thick snow. After descending half the mountain, Lin Feng suddenly halted. His spiritual sense detected something—a faint energy fluctuation coming from a cave ahead, accompanied by the scent of blood. With cautious steps, he approached the cave entrance. The scene inside made his pupils contract. A young girl in white robes lay collapsed on the ground, her clothes stained crimson with blood. Clutched in her hand was a broken sword, its blade covered in intricate patterns. Beside her lay the corpse of a massive snow wolf, its throat pierced through. "What a stubborn girl," Lin Feng remarked coldly. "Merely at the seventh level of Qi Refining, yet she managed to kill a first-grade snow wolf." He noticed the girl's fingers twitch slightly—she was still alive. A conflict between saving her and walking away flashed through Lin Feng's mind. Ultimately, he sighed and stepped into the cave. "Consider this my first good deed in this new life."