Chapter 301

Chapter 301: Leng Cangqiong’s Fall

Lou Yun found Chang Xiang’s explanation utterly bewildering. Unable to resist, he hastily cut in, "Wait, what special method did Gui You Quan cultivate? His magical weapon’s color was normal—not black, so he’s no evil weapons master. Why can’t anyone tolerate him? And what’s this ‘heavenly punishment’ you mentioned?"

After a pause, Chang Xiang replied, "No one who practiced such methods has ever surfaced on Spirit Weapon Star, so you’ve never heard of it. But in that world, besides true magical weapons masters and evil weapons masters, there exists another type of cultivator—the ghost weapons master."

"A ghost weapons master?" The unfamiliar term made Lou Yun glance instinctively at Gui You Quan. "Did he create that path himself?"

"Of course not. He merely happens to share the surname ‘Ghost’—or perhaps he adopted it after becoming one! Ghost weapons masters, magical weapons masters, and evil weapons masters all emerged simultaneously. But the ghost weapons masters’ method is vile beyond measure, so practitioners are few. Still, if discovered, any who practice it instantly become enemies of all cultivators."

"Their cultivation relies on killing. They absorb the soul energy of the dead to elevate their own strength. As I once told you, soul energy is profoundly mysterious. It governs all life yet also holds a powerful force. Absorbing it is a shortcut in cultivation, but it defies the natural order. Succeeding would demand countless lives. Few even attempt it. Yet here before us—one exists!"

"And though his magical weapon’s color appears normal, it brims with Yin Ming energy—precisely that soul energy harvested from the dead!"

Hearing this, Lou Yun’s brow furrowed tightly. Such a cruel method! No wonder Gui You Quan, since arriving on Spirit Weapon Star, had slaughtered indiscriminately—men, women, innocents and guilty alike. All to cultivate, to grow stronger!

"Then what did you mean by ‘reaching that cultivation boundary’ and ‘suffering heavenly punishment’?"

Chang Xiang’s tone abruptly turned solemn, and uncharacteristically, he used Lou Yun’s name. "Lou Yun, understand this: cultivation knows no end. The Weapon Emperor Realm isn’t the highest stage you imagine it to be. It’s merely… a qualification."

Knowing Chang Xiang’s seriousness signaled vital knowledge, Lou Yun listened intently. Yet he couldn’t help interjecting, "A qualification? For what?"

"The qualification to cultivate higher realms! In that world, those who follow the true path must face the heavenly dao’s trial upon reaching the Weapon Emperor Realm. Only by enduring it can they ascend further. The trial itself manifests as heavenly thunder—thus termed heavenly punishment!"

Anticipating more questions, Chang Xiang pressed on without pause. "Heavenly punishment is terrifying. Ten bolts of thunder strike, each corresponding to one of your ten cultivation sub-levels. Against each bolt, you must defend solely with the strength of that specific sub-level!"

"Fail to withstand even one, and likely you’ll be blasted to ash. Survive, and the lightning will cripple your cultivation core. You’ll never coalesce a magical weapon again, lingering as a broken husk till death claims you."

"Some calculated the survival odds at barely one percent. Of a hundred who attempt it, one might endure and ascend. Hence, during heavenly punishment, one must exert every shred of their power."

"Gui You Quan was no exception. While undergoing heavenly punishment, his external defenses plunged to their weakest. Discovery meant assured death. So he fled here—to Spirit Weapon Star. To him, even our planet’s strongest posed negligible threat. Even if attacked during his ordeal, his residual power sufficed for escape."

Lou Yun listened, thunderstruck. This revelation shattered previous understanding, revealing a vaster, more enigmatic cosmos beyond. It underscored his own insignificance—and the shared, tragic fate of all on Spirit Weapon Star.

"Kid, I know your heart’s pure. You yearn to save your sworn brothers and the others. But harsh truth: united, those six stand no chance against Gui You Quan. With my current power, I can barely preserve your life alone. So—if danger erupts now, I’ll spirit you away. Know this: doing so will plunge me into deep slumber, likely far longer than before. Thereafter, your path walks alone. I won’t aid you for ages to come. Don’t betray my trust."

Lou Yun trembled faintly. Chang Xiang’s words rang like a farewell. Clearly, even he deemed Gui You Quan unstoppable. Saving Lou Yun alone cost everything. Yet how could Lou Yun watch his brothers and Ao Wushen die before his eyes?

"No, Brother Chang!" Lou Yun refused fiercely. "I won’t abandon my brethren! At your current state, shouldn’t you ensure your own escape? If peril comes, leave my body! Flee alone!"

Chang Xiang fell silent. His resolve, however, far surpassed Lou Yun’s. He’d crossed worlds seeking Lou Yun. Watching him die was unthinkable. Though Lou Yun refused flight, if death neared, Chang Xiang would seize him no matter the cost. The price? Likely Lou Yun’s eternal resentment.

Let him hate me, then. I will save him. Silently vowing this within, Chang Xiang gathered his power, ignoring Lou Yun.

Meanwhile, Gui You Quan stood pinching Leng Cangqiong’s magical weapon between two fingers. A cold smirk twisted his lips. "White-hair. I underestimated you. Two magical weapons! Though my Yin Ming energy wounded you, forcing my blade within two moves… you die content."

When Leng Cangqiong’s true magical weapon struck Gui You Quan’s, Yin Ming energy rebounded. Sharing its essence, Leng Cangqiong suffered profound internal injury. Fresh blood surged into his throat. Proud and haughty, he clenched his teeth, desperate to conceal the wound. Still, a crimson trickle escaped his lips.

Gui You Quan’s mockery struck like a hammer blow to the heart. Never before humiliated, Leng Cangqiong’s fury ruptured any lingering restraint. A spray of scarlet blood fountained from his mouth.

Gui You Quan snickered darkly. His pinching fingers tightened around Leng Cangqiong’s first magical weapon—

Crack!

—and shattered it cleanly in half.

Every face blanched. Leng Cangqiong’s skin went ghostly pale, sweat cascading down his brow. Blood gushed unstaunched from his mouth like an opened floodgate. His legs buckled; his frame quivered, swaying unsteadily. Only by drawing one deep breath did he prevent collapse.

That pinch obliterated Leng Cangqiong’s second magical weapon—a treasure painstakingly forged to the Earth level cultivation tier!

For any other cultivator, a magical weapon shattered by external force meant instant death. Only Leng Cangqiong’s dual weapons saved his life. But the blow—physical and spiritual—nearly unmade him. Alive he remained, yet wounds too grave for battle.

Straining to hold himself upright until the last shred of strength vanished, fury surged like poison through Leng Cangqiong’s veins. Darkness swam before his eyes. Consciousness fled. His body slowly crumpled to the ground.

From Leng Cangqiong’s first strike to Gui You Quan shattering his weapon to this final collapse—all unfolded within moments. Gui You Quan moved too swiftly; none could intervene. Even had they wished it—none possessed the power.

Lou Yun’s eyes nearly bled crimson. Leng Cangqiong was both blood-sworn brother and idol. Profoundly respected, their bond ran as deep as true kin. Witnessing such torment inflicted upon his elder brother—Lou Yun could no longer contain his rage. He forgot his own weakness against Gui You Quan. With a roar, he hurled a globe of Thunderstorm Fire straight at the fiend.

But if even Leng Cangqiong fell in two exchanges, how could Lou Yun prevail?

Though Thunderstorm Fire was a sacred flame, its heat proved feeble against such cultivation disparity. Exploding across Gui You Quan’s form, it scattered sparks and smoke. No mark marred flesh or robe.

Gui You Quan stood unmoved, his hideous smile fixed. Eyes locked on Lou Yun, he sneered. "Boy. Always puzzled—the Yin Ming energy I placed within you failed utterly. Now I see: you command Skyfire! But yours barely warms the skin."

Fury ignited Lou Yun to full blaze. Ignoring the taunt, silent as a viper, he drew the Dream Emperor Sword. No weapon technique guided his arm—just pure, lethal instinct, the blade slashing directly for Gui You Quan’s exposed neck.