Chapter 120
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Chapter 120: The Realm of the Pseudo-King
“Do you think… you’ve won?” Kuang San spat blood after enduring Ming He’s full-powered sword strike, a gaping wound suddenly appearing in his chest.
It was a wound carved by the unyielding sharpness of the Blue Sea Sword, a mark befitting a true sword cultivator.
The rugged face of the middle-aged cultivator twisted in disbelief and astonishment. Yet, as reality dawned on him, a faint smile crept across his lips as he gazed at the spirited sword cultivator before him, a bloodthirsty glint rising in his dark eyes.
“If I were merely a Heaven Origin realm cultivator, you would already be renowned across the world,” Kuang San said, his voice faltering as he stared at the bloodied hole in his chest. Blood continued to spill from his lips as he struggled to speak. “But alas, I am of the Tian Yan Tribe.”
Kuang San’s gaze turned skyward, pride etched across his face as he watched the endless flow of clouds. “The elegance of my tribe is beyond the comprehension of your pitiful human race!”
He threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing with reckless arrogance. In an instant, he raised his hand, forcing Ming He back with a wave of energy. Between his fingers, he held a blood-red pill, his gaze cold and dismissive, as though he were staring down at an insignificant insect.
“Ming He, the unparalleled prodigy of the human race, it’s time for you to meet your end!” Without hesitation, he swallowed the blood-red pill, his expression resolute, like a warrior prepared to face death without fear.
But how could he ever be worthy of such a title?
A mere scoundrel of the alien races, unworthy of being called a warrior.
Ming He’s eyes narrowed as she stared at him. She didn’t know what the blood-red pill was, but she could feel it—today might be the day she dies.
So this is the fate that awaits the talents of the human race—constant assassination attempts!
No wonder her Master, the Domain Lord, and her Senior Sister had repeatedly warned her that the path to greatness for human prodigies was fraught with peril.
Almost the moment the blood-red pill was swallowed, Kuang San’s aura began to surge, his power skyrocketing from the peak of the Heaven Origin realm.
He was still within her sight, yet his presence had become untraceable.
In its place was an unsettling, elusive sensation—a life-and-death warning bestowed upon cultivators by the heavens and the earth.
Kuang San had become something far more dangerous.
More dangerous than the blinding blade light that had once split the heavens during their first encounter.
This was… “the Realm of the Pseudo-King!”
Ming He whispered the words, her eyes clouded with despair. She had comprehended the essence of the Eastern Sea’s surging waves from the dragon scale of the Giant Serpent, using it to forge her sword domain and unleash a strike capable of cutting through the Heaven Origin realm.
It was a strike amplified by the Ghostly Sword and the Nine-Character True Words, a strike born from the unity of person and sword, a strike that demanded every ounce of her strength—a strike that could never be replicated.
With her current soul power and spiritual energy, she could only execute this one strike.
She had believed it would be enough to end Kuang San.
And it should have been.
But this was her first true encounter with an alien race, and Kuang San was no ordinary foe.
The alien races could not be measured by the standards of human cultivators.
Thus, not only did Kuang San survive, but he had also used the blood-red pill to ascend to the Realm of the Pseudo-King.
She was no longer the naive outer sect disciple of Liu Yun Sect, ignorant of the world’s vastness.
It was precisely because she knew, because she had glimpsed the ever-expanding horizons of this world, that Ming He felt such overwhelming despair.
The Realm of the Pseudo-King stood above the Heaven Origin realm and below the Human King stage.
The Tianwu Continent decreed that human cultivators must ascend to the battlefield of the heavens to break through to the Human King stage.
Only those at the Human King stage could withstand the violent winds of the battlefield of the heavens, for no alien races could reach the Human King stage on the Tianwu Continent.
Records in ancient texts mention that when the Sword Master transformed into chaos during the establishment of the battlefield of the heavens, a master of formation mastery set up an absolute formation across the Tianwu Continent.
Under this formation, any alien race with Human King stage cultivation attempting to cross into Tianwu would be annihilated by the formation.
Thus, thousands of years later, to enhance their strength for invading the Tianwu Continent, the aliens created a blood-red pill known as the Blood Fury Pill.
The Blood Fury Pill allows the alien to burn their vitality and soul for a brief surge of power, but taking this pill would destroy their path to cultivation.
Traitors from the human race who align themselves with the alien race do so for the short-lived power this pill provides.
Betraying their integrity and becoming targets of resentment, they bury their cultivation paths in the hands of the alien race.
There exists a vast divide between the Heaven Origin realm and the Human King stage.
Ming He understood this, and thus she felt an overwhelming sense of despair.
Yet, even in despair, she couldn’t simply surrender without putting up a fight.
She was a sword cultivator, and with a sword in hand, she must battle!
Ming He’s gaze sharpened with determination as she took a snow-white pill from her storage ring and swallowed it. In the next moment, her energy gradually surged, climbing from the third level of the Wind Master realm to the peak of the Wind Master realm.
But it still couldn’t compare to Kuang San.
Because the pill she took was not the Blood Fury Pill, but the Blizzard Pill.
It was a heavenly-grade pill obtained from the Domain Lord’s mansion in the Eastern Region. Like the Blood Fury Pill, it provided a temporary boost at a great cost, but it wouldn’t destroy the cultivator’s path.
Moreover, only cultivators of the Wind Master realm could consume this pill.
“Even in such a state, you still possess a soaring battle intention?” Kuang San’s face turned a terrifying crimson, yet he still retained his consciousness. He looked at Ming He, unable to hide his amazement and wariness.
The deputy leader was right.
If this sword cultivator were to grow completely, she might very well become a second Sword Master.
By then, the alien race would have no foothold in the battlefield of the heavens.
They would be forced back to their chaotic and dilapidated prison, like a cursed land.
“What a shame, even if you are a star in the sky, today you will fall!” Kuang San snorted coldly, clenched his fist, and punched out with a force like thunder, aiming directly at Ming He’s heart.
Ming He stood her ground as if facing a formidable enemy, her heartbeat halted for a moment, her spiritual energy stagnating and still, utterly motionless, watching that punch rip through the air, tearing the very fabric of the world, before it reached her.
But it wasn’t that she didn’t want to move; she simply could not.
In the Realm of the Pseudo-King, the power was overwhelming.
All her energy was constrained, like a puppet, her consciousness clear as she awaited the arrival of death.
So this is what it feels like to be on the brink of death.
Ming He did not close her eyes; indeed, at this moment, her gaze was sharper and brighter than ever.
Climbing high to see far, living in the face of death!
In an instant of life-and-death peril, her mind was extraordinarily clear, and the phrase naturally rose to her heart.
These were words bestowed upon her by her Master, the essence of her aspirations in walking the path of cultivation.
She wanted to climb high to gaze far and no longer look up to anyone.
She wanted to stand at the pinnacle, not wanting to be small and insignificant anymore.
She yearned for freedom, to be unshackled from all restraints.
How could she resign herself to death?
The very notion of death was something she wished to never confront in her lifetime.
Ming He’s thoughts raced, her entire body coursing with a sharp, unyielding energy. Her eyes widened as she faced the menacing blood-red fist mere inches away, and with a roar, blood trickled from her lips. Her battered right hand clenched the Blue Sea Sword tightly, and with a swift motion, she slashed out, forcing the blood-red fist to veer half an inch from her heart.
This was her most remarkable moment.
She had resisted and struggled, but it ended here.
In the Wind Master realm, she could never hope to match the aliens of the Realm of the Pseudo-King.
Even if Sword Master himself were present, it would likely be futile.
The blood-red fist struck Ming He’s chest with brutal force, piercing through her shoulder. Her blue robe tore apart, scattering into the blood-soaked ground.
Ming He lay helpless in the narrow alley beside the ancient residence, her face smeared with blood, yet the fire in her eyes remained undimmed.
She refused to bow her head, instead lifting it defiantly, her gaze fixed on the clear blue sky above.
The sky of the Tianwu Continent was as beautiful as ever, but she would never see it again.
Kuang San was already preparing another strike.
This time, he did not use his cultivator’s pressure to restrain Ming He, knowing she no longer had the strength to resist.
Reaching this point was enough to leave him in awe.
He intended to kill her, but he would also forever remember her—Ming He, the extraordinary genius of the human race.
What a pity!
Kuang San’s eyes remained cold and bloodthirsty as he aimed his fist at the sword cultivator’s heart, a sense of relief washing over him as he neared the completion of his task.
After killing Ming He, he too would face death.
Even without the backlash from the Blood Fury Pill, the hall master would not spare him.
But what did it matter? He had slain an extraordinary genius of the human race!
“Clang!”
At that critical moment, a brilliant white sword light streaked across the sky, slicing through Kuang San’s punch. In an instant, a white figure descended.
With refined features and an extraordinary presence, it was Qin Chu Yi of the Qin Clan.
The Young Master of the Ancient Clan!
A cultivator at the seventh stage of the Heaven Origin realm.
Kuang San withdrew his fist, his eyes wary as he tightened his grip on another pill, a bitter smile playing on his lips. He glanced upward, where the blue protective barrier still shimmered.
The formation seal remained intact, with half an hour left, yet Qin Chu Yi had managed to enter.
Could it be the Star Lock and Spirit Contract?
His gaze fell on Ming He’s chest, where a faint golden light emanated, and his expression darkened. Without hesitation, he swallowed the pill he had been clutching in his left hand and stood firm, his eyes locked on the two women standing close together.
“Ming He.” Qin Chu Yi’s voice trembled with concern and pain as she helped Ming He to her feet, letting her lean against the wooden stake behind her. “You…”
Her usually clear voice was now hoarse, and tears glistened in her eyes as she took in Ming He’s battered state, unable to form a complete sentence.
“Senior Sister, I’m fine.” Ming He forced a faint smile, lifting her hand to wipe away the tears on Qin Chu Yi’s face. “Don’t cry.”
“The battle isn’t over yet.” Ming He’s expression grew serious as she sensed Kuang San’s rising aura, her heart heavy with unease.
Dying alone didn’t frighten her.
She was unwilling, but not afraid.
Now, however, she was terrified.
She feared that her actions would place Qin Chu Yi in danger.
If that happened… Ming He’s breath hitched, and she couldn’t bear to think of it.
“Young Master Qin, your timing is impeccable.” Kuang San’s face twisted into a snarl, the wound in his chest still bleeding profusely, yet he seemed numb, like a walking corpse driven solely by his mission.
The deputy leader had said that the human race’s current extraordinary talents were Ming He, the rising star, and Qin Chu Yi, the morning star. Together, they represented the hope of Tianwu.
Who would have thought he could achieve such a feat for the Tian Yan Tribe today!
“Since you’re here, don’t think about leaving.” Kuang San met Qin Chu Yi’s icy gaze without flinching, a sinister smile curling his lips. “Have you ever seen a royal grade Blood Fury Pill?”
“It’s inside me.” Kuang San’s aura finally stabilized, radiating a power so immense that even Qin Chu Yi couldn’t look directly at him.
A body of royal bloodline!
The Tian Yan Tribe before him possessed royal blood!
Only a being with royal blood could endure the violent power of the royal grade Blood Fury Pill without perishing.
For Ming He alone, he had thrown all caution to the wind.
Qin Chu Yi frowned, the white Chi Li sword swirling around her, its sharp edge gleaming with a thirst for blood.
Formation seal, half an hour.
Qin Chu Yi’s expression darkened as she glanced back at Ming He, then turned her gaze to Kuang San with unwavering resolve.
Kuang San must die.
In the heart of the Tianwu Continent, in Tianwu City, he had acted with such audacity. She would see his blood spilled on the spot, his soul obliterated.
“I won’t leave.” Qin Chu Yi stood firm, her hand gripping the Chi Li sword suspended in mid-air, her gaze icy. “And you, won’t escape.”
