Chapter 24: Terrifying Mental Power

This sudden turn of events caused Lu Jin’s brow to furrow: his heart skipped a beat. Although he had been mentally prepared, he could not help but be stunned by the sight of such a powerhouse meeting a miserable end.

As expected of something Empress Qinglian specifically demanded: the fluctuation that erupted in that instant was powerful enough to be suffocating.

“What? The Soul-Breaking Fruit… it actually killed someone!”

“The one killed was the Sect Master of the Kaishan Sect!”

“It seems we are not the only ones coveting this fruit. But obtaining it is clearly incredibly difficult: one must be able to withstand the massive mental power radiating from it!”

“The Soul-Breaking Fruit is a fruit that naturally contains dense spiritual strength. Legend says it holds a trace of the Great Dao’s will. I wonder who can actually get their hands on it…”

After that powerhouse was killed, more figures began to emerge from the surroundings. These people possessed powerful auras: there were many Jindan cultivators among them. While they might be considered ordinary disciples in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, in this local region, these individuals were figures capable of founding their own sects.

Listening to their conversation, Lu Jin narrowed his eyes.

Mental power? I wonder if I can withstand it…

He knew nothing about cultivating mental power. At most, he knew that some alchemists possessed strong spiritual strength, allowing them to manipulate exotic fires for pill-making or weapon-refining. At the peak of mastery, mental power could transform into a powerful, invisible force, catching opponents off guard in battle.

Empress Qinglian had told Lu Jin that after she fell into this world, her soul had been suppressed by the laws of this world’s Heavenly Dao: that was why she needed him to find the Soul-Breaking Fruit for her. Now that he finally saw it, Lu Jin felt a bit at a loss.

“Empress, what method should I use to take this thing?” Since he was ignorant, he asked directly.

Empress Qinglian’s voice reached him. “Wait until they have all finished making a mess of themselves. Then you can just go and pick it.”

This single sentence left Lu Jin completely bewildered.

“Apologies… I don’t quite understand.”

“You don’t need to understand,” Empress Qinglian replied. “Just do as I say.”

Lu Jin was speechless. Since the Empress had said so, he could only obey.

He flew up onto a large green rock nearby. Sweeping his gaze around, he realized the number of experts was increasing: he estimated there were more than twenty people. Their clothes were all different, clearly coming from various sects.

The current bustling state of the Xianyun Ravine exceeded his expectations. This used to be a desolate and dangerous place: the only explanation was the presence of the Soul-Breaking Fruit Tree. It was logical that such a rare wonder of heaven and earth would attract experts willing to risk their lives.

“The Soul-Breaking Fruit contains majestic mental power. Without sufficient defensive measures against soul-based attacks, it is impossible to get it!”

Seeing the previous expert die so miserably, the others did not dare to act immediately. Rashness would only lead to a tragic death. The crowd began to analyze the situation, each searching for their own solution.

“Heh. While the mental power on the Soul-Breaking Fruit is strong, it cannot threaten a cultivator from my Weapon Refinement Hall!”

Just then, a black-robed old man walked out from the crowd. He radiated a fluctuation that set him apart from the others. Seeing him step forward, several people frowned.

“Is that Elder Wei from the Weapon Refinement Hall?”

“I didn’t expect him to come as well! The Weapon Refinement Hall is a mysterious sect that specializes in cultivating mental power. Their spiritual strength is terrifying. Perhaps they actually have a chance…”

“It’s just mental power. Even if I don’t have it, I can wait for the fruit to exhaust its energy before I move!”

“Heh. By the time you move, someone else will have already digested that fruit…”

“Elder Wei is moving!”

As the crowd whispered, Elder Wei activated his techniques and moved frantically before everyone’s eyes.

Buzz…

A surge of mental power roared out from his mind. In that instant, a gust of wind seemed to form suddenly in the air. The crowd tried to probe it, but they could not see its trajectory. However, that terrifying force made many people’s expressions turn grim.

“Mental power is indeed different!”

“Elder Wei is using the top treasure of the Weapon Refinement Hall! I heard it can resist strong mental attacks! It’s the Xuanyuan Bow and Arrow!”

“Is he going to shoot the Soul-Breaking Fruit off the tree?”

“I’m quite interested to see if this method works…”

Seeing Elder Wei’s move, everyone else watched with focused attention. They all hoped to see some flaw so they could take effective measures and wait for an opening. Lu Jin watched the scene quietly. With the Empress’s words in mind, he wasn’t worried.

The Heaven Burial Coffin is vast and can devour all things in heaven and earth. I wonder if it can devour mental power as well? Lu Jin pondered secretly.

Just then, Elder Wei’s bow released an attack. A sharp fluctuation of mental power shrieked out, shooting toward the Soul-Breaking Fruit in an instant.

At that moment, the air vibrated. Everyone seemed to feel a bizarre energy drilling into their brains: intense pain surged through their bodies for a second before vanishing without a trace.

Boom…

In that same instant, an even more terrifying fluctuation radiated from the Soul-Breaking Fruit Tree. One of the branches moved slightly, and an invisible force roared out. The bow and arrow exploded instantly. Elder Wei’s face was filled with shock: he was rooted to the spot, staring blankly ahead. Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and his aura withered immediately.

Pfft…

The scent of blood was thick. His blood seemed to spray out without end, making everyone’s heart skip a beat.

“My heavens, what is going on? The mental power contained in the Soul-Breaking Fruit Tree has reached such a terrifying level?”

“Even a powerful mental treasure like the Xuanyuan Bow and Arrow couldn’t shake it at all!”

“We don’t even have mental weapons. We’ll never be able to withstand the fruit’s backlash…”

“Hahaha! This is what makes it a challenge! This just proves how rare the Soul-Breaking Fruit is. If anyone could just take it, what value would it have? I want to see just what makes this tree so miraculous!”

Boom!

While Elder Wei was still vomiting blood, others suddenly rushed forward one after another! Two figures charged toward the Soul-Breaking Fruit Tree from different directions with majestic auras, seemingly uncaring of their lives!

“Heavens, those are the leaders of the Xuanyue Sect and the Crouching Tiger Gate!”

“Both of them are Jindan experts!”