Chapter 617

Chapter 617: The Origin of the Devil Whip

Xuan Yuan Devil Whip!

This supreme treasure of the Xuan Yuan Sect, which dominated the world millennia ago, ranked among the finest mid-grade Immortal artifacts. Legends claimed it had been lost, absent for nearly a thousand years—even during the Xuan Yuan Sect’s bloody upheavals in the Great Qin Empire centuries prior, the whip never surfaced. Yet here it was, clutched in Master Hei Xu’s hand.

If acquired only within the last two centuries, the Xuan Yuan Sect’s secrecy ran deeper than anyone imagined.

But why such concealment? Though coveted by many sects for its immense power, the Great Qin Empire housed no factions capable of challenging the Xuan Yuan Sect except a few major forces. Even the Misty Sect and Divine Grace Palace wouldn’t wage war over a mere mid-grade Immortal artifact.

Yet now, on the snow-choked seventh level of the Ice Tower, this artifact stunned all witnesses—including Ling Mo Cheng of the Misty Sect, who never anticipated its reappearance.

Fear didn’t touch Ling Mo Cheng. Instead, battlelust burned in his eyes. The Burning Heaven Sword in his grip radiated power he’d witnessed firsthand. Though uncertain of its authenticity, his confidence in the blade remained unshaken.

“The Xuan Yuan Devil Whip vanished a millennium ago. Who knew your sect still hoarded it?” Ling Mo Cheng sneered, cold eyes fixed on the whip.

“It never vanished,” Master Hei Xu replied calmly. The whip’s presence amplified his aura, making him seem immovable. “For a thousand years, its use was unnecessary.”

“Then why unveil it now? Ah—without it, you’d perish instantly against the Burning Heaven Sword. Good. Witness its true might. Not even your whip can withstand heaven-scorching, sea-boiling power!” Ling Mo Cheng stepped forward, murderous intent sharpening his soaring aura.

*Crack! Crack! Crack!*

Dozens of Immortal Spirit Stones shattered around Ling Mo Cheng. Their dust swirled, transforming into raging spiritual energy that flooded into his body.

Instead of absorbing it, he channeled the energy directly into the Burning Heaven Sword.

Instantly, the blade erupted. Flames dyed the sky crimson, heat warping the air itself. The Ice Tower’s seventh level recoiled—icy essence retreated, banishing coldness within a hundred zhang.

Such power! The sword’s fury pushed back eternal frost, carving a realm of fire.

Onlookers beyond the hundred-zhang radius endured only mild heat. But Master Hei Xu stood engulfed by the inferno’s core, every flicker of murderous intent focused solely on him. One movement would trigger a cataclysmic strike—a blow possibly strong enough to rend space itself.

Yet Master Hei Xu remained unshaken. A slight twitch of his black whip sent ripples of dark mist outward, like stones disturbing water’s surface.

Within ten zhang of him, flames vanished. Coldness reclaimed the calm space.

Ling Mo Cheng’s eyes narrowed briefly in surprise.

Ye Yun watched from afar, awed. The Burning Heaven Sword’s power surpassed anything he could withstand. Facing those flames, he’d barely survive through evasion—no counterattack possible. Such was the might of the Seventh Level of the Nascent Soul stage’s peak.

“That whip… I’ve seen it before,” murmured the Ancestor of the Sword Path in Ye Yun’s mind.

Ye Yun blinked, then shrugged. The Ancestor had roamed the Great Qin Empire millennia ago—recognizing the whip wasn’t strange.

“It’s not from this empire. It belongs to the Central Plains,” the Ancestor continued.

Ye Yun’s gaze sharpened. “The Central Plains? I’ve heard tales—Lingxiao City, a realm teeming with experts. Who rules there?”

“My memories are faint, but the Immortal Dao Sect holds sway. They lead the continent’s eight major powers. Curiously, this whip resembles a treasure of theirs.”

“An Immortal Dao Sect relic? How did it reach the Great Qin Empire? Unless…”

“It’s no ordinary artifact. The Xuan Yuan Devil Whip originated with the Devil Race ten thousand years ago. Yet now, it lacks all demonic energy. Strange.”

Ye Yun chuckled. “Maybe it’s a fake, like the Burning Heaven Sword.”

“Impossible. Humans can’t replicate Devil Race artifacts. This is genuine. Only demonic energy can awaken its true power. If a Devil Race wielder emerged, a single strike could shatter this world.”

Ye Yun stared hungrily at the whip.

“Don’t bother,” the Ancestor warned. “Without demonic energy, it’s useless to you. Observe their battle first.”

Ye Yun scratched his head. “True. The Devil Race vanished millennia ago. Even if I took it, I couldn’t use it. Let’s watch.”

As their mental exchange ended, the Burning Heaven Sword’s flames exploded skyward, coalescing into a colossal fiery blade. It descended toward Master Hei Xu with world-scorching fury.

Unflinching, Master Hei Xu raised his whip to meet the strike.