Chapter 247
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Chapter 247: Attaining Enlightenment
Liu Yingxiu’s flying sword was a second-tier spirit tool.
The spirit sword possessed its own consciousness. Even though its former master had perished and the sword spirit, painstakingly refined over countless days and nights, had vanished, the innate spirituality of this flying sword made it unwilling to submit to Wang Chen, its adversary.
It wanted to flee!
“Seal!”
With a deep shout from Wang Chen, the talismans affixed to the walls of the hidden chamber lit up one by one.
Simultaneously, he moved with lightning speed, slapping over a dozen sealing talismans onto the flying sword, forcefully suppressing the unruly sword spirit.
This second-tier spirit tool was abruptly sealed by him.
Though it still hovered in the air, it could not move an inch.
But Wang Chen knew this was only the beginning.
The flying sword now resembled a wild horse that had just broken free from its shackles, yearning desperately for freedom.
To rein it in again, he lacked the overwhelming strength required.
All he could do was wear it down gradually.
He grasped the flying sword and sat cross-legged on the ground.
With his right sword finger, he drew a long line of blood across the razor-sharp blade.
Blood sacrifice—the first step in refining the sword!
The spirit sword seemed to sense Wang Chen’s intent, trembling violently once more as it attempted to resist.
Yet Wang Chen’s left hand clamped down on the sword hilt like an iron vise, holding it firmly in place.
The sealing talismans adhered to the sword continuously released waves of suppression, trapping the faint glimmer of spirit within the blade.
After all, a second-tier spirit tool was not a third-grade treasure. The spirit within the sword was lively but lacked cunning, allowing Wang Chen to seize control decisively.
Next, he channeled his mana into the sword, beginning the process of refining this precious spirit sword!
To avenge his Fire Crow Sword!
Wang Chen’s Fire Crow Sword had clashed fiercely with this flying sword, resulting in the extinguishing of its spiritual light and damage to its foundation. It now required repair before it could be used again, or it would inevitably shatter.
There was no doubt that the Fire Crow Sword was far inferior to this flying sword!
Thus, even if this flying sword could not be openly displayed, Wang Chen was determined to claim it for himself, to serve as his ace in the hole during critical moments.
As time passed, Wang Chen quickly entered a state of forgetting both self and the world.
Only the talismans on the surrounding walls continued to emit a faint glow, flickering like the rhythm of breath!
…
At Wufeng Mountain, within the Xuanming Cave.
Zhang Hongwen had been kneeling at the entrance of the cave for three days and nights!
Yet, this Purple Palace master’s eyes remained bright, his upper body held straight without the slightest movement.
However, deep within his gaze lay an unshakable sorrow and grief that could not be erased.
Zhang Hongwen now felt an overwhelming sense of regret.
He should never have pursued that thunderbird beyond Thunderstorm Valley.
But who could have foreseen that disaster would strike the moment he left!
It was too late for regrets now.
The Purple Palace master closed his eyes, and Liu Yingxiu’s every smile and frown instantly surfaced in his Sea of Consciousness.
She had become his inner demon!
Liu Yingxiu was an orphan, discovered by Zhang Hongwen twenty years ago in a patch of wild grass by the roadside.
Recognizing her exceptional root bone, Zhang Hongwen brought her back to Wufeng Mountain.
He nurtured her with meticulous care.
Day by day, Zhang Hongwen watched Liu Yingxiu grow; their bond was more akin to father and daughter than master and disciple, and their connection was profoundly deep.
For Liu Yingxiu’s sake, this Purple Palace master had never taken a partner.
He had placed immense hope in Liu Yingxiu.
Now, that hope was utterly shattered, and Zhang Hongwen’s sole desire was to find the killer and avenge his beloved disciple!
To this end, he journeyed to Xuanming Cave, pleading with Grand Elder Li Xuanji to employ the Heavenly Merit technique just once.
But this was no simple task.
Any cultivator who mastered the Heavenly Merit technique used it with utmost caution. Many would rather incur the wrath of countless individuals than resort to this spell lightly.
Who would willingly shorten their lifespan and diminish their cultivation level?
Moreover, the one Zhang Hongwen sought help from was a Golden Core true master.
Openly, Wufeng Mountain was known to have two Golden Core true masters.
In truth, there were three.
However, this Grand Elder maintained an exceedingly low profile within the sect, and few ordinary Outer Sect Disciples were aware of the third Golden Core true master hidden within their ranks.
Strictly speaking, Zhang Hongwen was not qualified to make such a request of Li Xuanji.
Even if his master, Miaoqing, were to intervene, it would be a difficult matter to broach.
But on one hand, Zhang Hongwen was willing to pay any price, and on the other, Wufeng Mountain was desperate to apprehend the killer. Thus, he was permitted to kneel for three days and nights at the entrance of Li Xuanji’s cultivation cave without being driven away.
Perhaps perseverance pays off; the stone door, intricately carved with numerous talismans, suddenly swung open with a resounding crash.
An aged voice echoed in his ears, “Enter.”
Zhang Hongwen felt as though he had seized a lifeline and swiftly entered the cave.
He beheld Li Xuanji.
This Golden Core true master, who had remained obscure on Wufeng Mountain, now bore a head of white hair, his face etched with deep wrinkles, exuding an aura of one nearing the end of life—his time was clearly drawing near.
Yet, his eyes sparkled with vitality, even holding a glimmer of childlike innocence.
“I am already aware of your plight,” he said.
After Zhang Hongwen finished his greeting, the aged Golden Core true master spoke slowly, “Hand it over to me.”
His voice bore the weight of someone who had seen through the world’s illusions.
“Thank you, Elder!”
Zhang Hongwen swiftly retrieved a leaf from his storage bag and presented it to Li Xuanji with both hands.
The leaf was stained with the blood of Liu Yingxiu, who had died in battle.
Having been collected at the scene of the incident, it was particularly suitable for the Heavenly Merit technique.
Zhang Hongwen clenched his fist in silence.
If he could obtain definitive information about the killer, he would willingly give his life to tear the culprit to pieces!
Otherwise, he would never be able to dispel the demons tormenting his heart.
Li Xuanji accepted the leaf and then drew a small tortoise shell from his sleeve, gently caressing it.
The item had long been worn smooth, radiating an ancient aura and spiritual vitality.
Li Xuanji pointed at the tortoise shell, and a drop of crimson blood seeped from his fingertip, smearing onto its surface.
This drop of Golden Core true blood was completely absorbed by the tortoise shell!
Li Xuanji closed his eyes, his fingers continuing to trace the shell, his expression grave and focused.
Though Zhang Hongwen was a cultivator at the Eighth Layer of the Purple Palace, he dared not even breathe loudly at this moment.
He feared disrupting the true master’s divination.
Time crept by, and Li Xuanji remained utterly still, as if he had turned into a statue of clay and stone.
Zhang Hongwen could do nothing but wait.
Suddenly, Li Xuanji opened his eyes and gazed deeply at Zhang Hongwen, saying, “What a pity.”
Before Zhang Hongwen could grasp the meaning, Li Xuanji murmured, “Let it go.”
As soon as the words left his lips, a jade-like fluid began to seep from the Golden Core true master’s eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.
He then drew his final breath.
Zhang Hongwen stood dumbfounded, unable to believe what he was witnessing.
Li Xuanji had actually passed into enlightenment!
An indescribable force seemed to silently envelop him.
Fear consumed the Purple Palace master’s entire being!
