Chapter 593

Chapter 593: The Crimson Fruit is Obtained

"Burning lifespan?"

Ye Yun watched in surprise and felt alarmed. Techniques that burned lifespan weren’t uncommon, but each use required lifespan power—decades or even a full century per activation. Though unleashing such power could save one’s life, the consumed lifespan became nearly impossible to recover.

Thus, this desperate measure was only used as a last resort.

Master Hei Xu’s aura weakened as his black hair turned ash-gray, having burned a century’s worth of lifespan. Though his cultivation level had reached the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage with extended longevity, even he couldn’t endure repeated losses. A few more uses would lead to his death and the disappearance of his spirit.

"What technique is this? It seems to drain at least a hundred years of lifespan."

"Correct. Only techniques fueled by a century’s lifespan can counter the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon’s ethereal figure. Otherwise, instant destruction awaits," Ancestor of the Sword Path stated gravely.

Ye Yun felt secret relief. Without Master Hei Xu and Du Jianyin, he would’ve recklessly tried harvesting the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit. Against the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon’s displayed power, survival would’ve been impossible.

Suddenly, Master Hei Xu’s hunched posture straightened, his fading aura reigniting.

His body began swelling, growing taller until he stood two zhang high—a towering giant.

"Wretched beast! You forced me to burn my lifespan. Slaying you a thousand times won’t quench my hatred!" Master Hei Xu stepped forward, fist clenched.

"Void Divine Fist!"

His right fist thrust forward with a rumble of thunder.

The air cracked like shattered glass as void energy trembled. The ethereal Ice Frost Crystal Dragon hovered motionless, its crystal eyes emotionless. Twin beams of icy light shot from its gaze, merging midair into a massive projectile that streaked toward the incoming fist.

The divine fist shook the void.

The blue light sought to seal the world.

Their collision produced an explosion that spiderwebbed the sky with cracks. Blue radiance flooded the battlefield, tinting Master Hei Xu’s face an eerie cyan.

When the light faded, Master Hei Xu stood firm while the dragon retreated half a zhang.

"Impressive beast! Let’s see how many strikes you endure!" Master Hei Xu advanced, fists blazing as he launched a stronger punch.

He couldn’t delay—the borrowed power from burning lifespan would fade within the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Failure meant being frozen and torn apart.

This strike surpassed the last. Explosion sounds boomed as air currents reversed, creating a spiritual energy vacuum.

The void cracked like fractured ice before mending—proof of the attack’s might.

Unfazed, the dragon opened its maw, conjuring a slender ice spear from blue light. It inhaled the weapon, then expelled it violently.

The ice spear became a remnant shadow, crossing space instantly to appear one zhang from Master Hei Xu.

Eyes flashing, the cultivator met it head-on with his Void Divine Fist.

Whoosh!

The spear pierced through the fist’s energy but slowed dramatically, shortening with every inch gained.

Three inches from Master Hei Xu’s knuckles, the spear finally dissolved into nothingness.

However, the power of this punch had nearly drained away. Though still unleashed, the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon lightly raised its claw and swatted the strike aside, diverting its force into the mountainside where countless ice crystals erupted.

The second punch still failed to harm the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon.

Master Hei Xu’s expression darkened completely. The power gained from burning a century of lifespan was immense, yet it could only last the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If he kept clashing with the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon’s ethereal figure like this, he’d be left helpless once the time expired, waiting to be slaughtered.

Master Hei Xu glared coldly at the dragon, hesitation flickering in his heart.

But when his gaze fell upon the glowing Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit, he drew a sharp breath, resolve hardening in his eyes.

Instantly, his aura erupted anew, pressure blanketing the land. Yet his salt-and-pepper hair visibly whitened further.

He’d burned another fifty years of lifespan.

Originally possessing only a few centuries left, now having consumed one hundred fifty years, failure to slay the dragon, claim the fruit, and reach the fifth layer for treasures would spell utter ruin.

At this moment, Master Hei Xu utterly discarded his pact with the three major powers about jointly retrieving treasures. If he slew the dragon’s shadow, he’d devour the fruit immediately to boost his soul power, storm into the Ice Tower’s fifth layer for heavenly materials and earthly treasures, restore his lifespan, and charge toward the Earth Immortal realm.

Du Jianyin no longer mattered. Though the disciple had mastered One with the Sword and could elevate the Xuan Yuan Sect to rival the three major powers, what compared to personal cultivation advancement?

Especially after sacrificing one hundred fifty years.

“Nascent Soul Emerges, Xuan Yuan Pours!”

Master Hei Xu stepped forth. A miniature version of himself materialized above his head—his Nascent Soul. From it burst a jet-black stream of true essence that flooded into his crown.

“Void Divine Fist!”

The same technique manifested again.

But this strike’s power dwarfed the previous two, its might shaking the heavens.

The divine fist seemed capable of shattering the void itself. Mountain-like force crashed forward, making sky and earth tremble.

This was a killing blow beyond reason, concentrating all Master Hei Xu’s power. Even Tian Yunzi himself would struggle to withstand it.

The Ice Frost Crystal Dragon, ice-wolf-sized, retreated two paces, sensing true peril.

Abruptly, the dragon lunged skyward, compressing its half-zhang frame into a spinning ice orb bristling with icy light.

The orb hurtled toward the Void Divine Fist, seeking direct collision.

Master Hei Xu hadn’t expected the dragon’s shadow to confront his strike head-on. A sneer twisted his lips—how could a mere shadow block a punch fueled by lifespan-burning and Nascent Soul power? Even with strength matching the early Sixth Level of the Nascent Soul stage, resistance was impossible.

The ice orb whirled ever faster.

The divine fist’s unstoppable momentum erupted.

BOOM!

The colossal crash shook existence. Energy waves exploded outward where fist met orb.

Heaven and earth quaked. Between the clashing forces, the void split with massive cracks dozens of zhang long, too vast for swift repair.

CRACK!

A shard of space fell like broken crystal, dissolving into light and shadow.

Space itself shattered—what monstrous force was this?

After that punch, nothing remained. Had it struck a glacier, only gaping ruins would remain.

The ice sphere formed by the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon was sent flying hundreds of zhang away. As it barely stabilized mid-air, cracks nearly split its limbs and tail apart, leaving the creature barely clinging to form.

Master Hei Xu’s face turned paper-pale, his hair now ashen. His aura plummeted abruptly, legs wobbling until he nearly collapsed.

That single strike had drained nearly all his true qi, burned away a hundred and fifty years of lifespan, and even tapped into his Nascent Soul’s power – every ounce of strength poured into that final blow.

Yet even such an attack failed to shatter the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon’s ethereal figure completely. The hovering phantom retained its main form, though half its tail broke off and plummeted earthward.

Terror gripped the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon, freezing its advance. Master Hei Xu stood equally drained, his true qi exhausted beyond recovery.

Mutual destruction!

Watching this, Ye Yun’s heart leaped with triumph. He prepared to stride forward and claim the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit.

Suddenly Du Jianyin rose, pallor fading from his face as hungry eyes locked onto the glowing fruit.

"Jianyin, bring me the fruit," Master Hei Xu commanded, gaze sharpening. He felt no fear of betrayal – his disciple had sworn by the Sword Path itself. Any violation would bring sword dao judgment, severing Du Jianyin’s soul from eternal reincarnation.

Du Jianyin smiled faintly. "Master, this fruit holds little worth for observation. Let me consume it instead. Enhanced soul power could propel me to peak Golden Core realm, perhaps even Nascent Soul stage’s first tier. Then mastering heart and sword become one would truly elevate our Xuan Yuan Sect."

Rage contorted Master Hei Xu’s features. "You swore upon the Sword Path! This fruit must be delivered to our sect for pill refinement. Dare you risk sword dao’s wrath?"

Laughter burst from Du Jianyin. "I am the Sword Path’s ultimate practitioner! Having grasped the first mystery of One with the sword, soon I’ll achieve heart and sword become one. When I am the Sword Path itself, how could it slay me?"

Master Hei Xu gaped, struggling to comprehend. Could oaths sworn to the dao truly bend thus?

"Since matters stand thus," Du Jianyin continued, smirk widening, "know this – though born of Du family, I’m Ancient Sword Intent reborn. How else could I grasp sword intent before adulthood? I am sword intent incarnate. Can dao slay its own essence?"

His eyes gleamed as they shifted to the crimson fruit. "Your strength wanes, Master, yet your cultivation ensures swift recovery. Swear by the Heavenly Dao to never pursue this matter, and I may spare you."

"You dare plot matricide?!" Master Hei Xu roared.

Du Jianyin flicked his wrist. A pristine sword materialized – its previous web of cracks now nearly vanished, miraculously restored. "This blade formed by nature’s will guided my early comprehension of sword intent. Nurtured by sword essence, its might remains. Refuse your oath, and it shall object."

Cold dread gripped Master Hei Xu. How had he failed to see this ruthless ambition? Such men could never be controlled – temporary submission would inevitably yield betrayal.

"Marvelous," the master spat through bitter laughter. "In finding such a merciless disciple, I’ve served Xuan Yuan Sect well. Under your rule, our sect shall surely dominate Great Qin."

After prolonged silence, Master Hei Xu gritted out: "I swear by Heavenly Dao – no retribution shall pursue Du Jianyin for seizing the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit. May heaven strike me dead if I break this vow."

"Wisely chosen," Du Jianyin chuckled, sheathing his rejuvenated blade. Yet hesitation flickered as he glanced between master and fruit. A cultivator at Nascent Soul stage’s pinnacle might still harbor lethal tricks beneath feigned weakness.

Delay risked the master’s recovery. Resolve hardening, Du Jianyin stepped toward the fruit.

A streak of icy light flashed. Like frozen daggers, it sliced beneath the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit, vanishing with the prize.

Both men whirled toward the distant Ice Frost Crystal Dragon – still hovering mid-air, shock melting into fury. The theft clearly wasn’t its doing.

"Someone’s behind that ice mound!" Master Hei Xu, the Ancestor at the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage, detected with his powerful mental intent. Ye Yun’s momentary action had exposed his aura, instantly revealing his presence.

Du Jianyin’s face twisted with rage. He swung his white sword, sending a sword arc slicing toward the ice mound shielding the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit.

"Hahaha!"

A booming laugh erupted as a figure flickered through the air, dodging the attack. Ye Yun stood calmly in midair.

"Ye Yun? You!"

Du Jianyin looked up, pupils narrowing as his expression hardened.

Their rivalry spanned years, with Ye Yun always emerging victorious. At Thunder Falls Valley, Ye Yun had consumed Thunder Wood to absorb the seed of the mysteries of thunder, surpassing Du Jianyin’s cultivation level. This humiliation had led to their agreement to duel at Divine Grace Palace – a meeting now preempted by their clash in this Secret Vault.

Though Du Jianyin possessed rare talent, he’d never bested Ye Yun in combat. Now, seeing Ye Yun steal the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit they’d nearly died claiming, fury ignited in his chest.

"Du Jianyin! How unexpected – you’ve actually progressed this far." Ye Yun smiled, though his eyes darted across the mountaintop, mental intent probing for the fifth layer’s entrance. Du Jianyin posed little threat, nor did the shattered Ice Frost Crystal Dragon’s ethereal figure. But Master Hei Xu’s Nascent Soul pinnacle strength could resurge anytime – escape became urgent.

"Surrender the fruit, and I’ll spare you," Du Jianyin declared, confidence blazing from his One with the sword breakthrough.

"This fruit’s vital to me. Relent today, and I’ll owe you a debt repaid tenfold." Ye Yun’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. The fruit meant saving Su Ling – he’d die before relinquishing it.

"Your promises are worthless! Tenfold repayment? Don’t choke on your lies!" Du Jianyin’s sword hummed, arc coalescing.

"You follow your Sword Path, I follow mine. We’re at impasse – farewell!" Ye Yun feinted toward the mountainside.

"Escape now? Too late!" Du Jianyin’s sword arc shot downward, blocking the descent.

A sudden realization struck Du Jianyin as Ye Yun pivoted mid-air, darting toward the sky above the fruit.

"Stop him!" Master Hei Xu roared, hurling a glimmer of energy. The Ice Frost Crystal Dragon’s remnant spat icy light. Du Jianyin’s attack curved upward.

Three assaults converged – only to shred an afterimage. The real Ye Yun plunged into a newly formed air whirlpool a hundred zhang above.

"The fruit was Ice Tower’s fifth layer key! My thanks!" Ye Yun’s voice echoed as he vanished.

Du Jianyin’s scream of rage shook the peak, robes whipping violently. He rocketed into the vortex.

Master Hei Xu remained, drained of true qi. His calculating gaze shifted to the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon’s fading form – which abruptly exploded into icy shards. The self-destruction of this semi-sentient creature stunned him briefly before he seized the chance to crush spirit stones, absorbing their energy.

Meanwhile, Ye Yun emerged into fifth layer coldness tenfold fiercer than below. Even prepared, the biting chill penetrated his bones. Now he understood Ling Tianyu’s warning.

As mystical power surged within him, repelling the icy essence, space rippled ten zhang left. Du Jianyin materialized, white sword in hand – only to freeze instantly into a glittering ice statue.