Volume 2 Chapter 27

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Volume 2 Chapter 27: The End of the Tune

When Xu Qingfan saw that Naxiu used the Xu family’s secret martial arts in his attack on the middle-aged man, he was so shocked that he couldn’t return to the "Sky Melting Curtain" to meditate and rest. He just stood there, dazed, watching the battle between Naxiu and the middle-aged man.

"Dragon’s Triple Strike," "Crane Soars to the Sky," "Whirlwind Sweeps Leaves"

Every move struck by Naxiu’s long sword was a secret technique of the Xu family from years ago. Many of these sword techniques were not open to Xu Qingfan even in those days. Watching Naxiu’s agile and swift movements, Xu Qingfan’s mind was in turmoil.

Could this Naxiu have a connection to the Xu Family Village that was destroyed twenty-seven years ago? Or had he met the Xu family members who fled with Xu Qingfan and learned the secret skills from them?

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Xu Qingfan’s mind, finally explaining his strange familiarity with this Barbarian village. Its layout was exactly like the Xu Family Village from twenty-seven years ago, only a hundred times larger. Xu Qingfan had not seen the Xu Family Village in twenty-seven years, and this Barbarian village was vastly bigger. Having only seen a corner of the Barbarian village, he had felt a vague sense of familiarity until now when clarity struck him.

"Could it be that this Naxiu is really connected to the Xu Family Village?" Xu Qingfan gazed intently at the scene of Naxiu battling the middle-aged man, secretly pondering in his heart.

Meanwhile, Lv Ziqing, who was walking ahead, also noticed Xu Qingfan’s unusual behavior. Seeing that Xu Qingfan did not join them in returning to the "Sky Melting Curtain" to meditate and recuperate but kept staring at the fight between Naxiu and the middle-aged man, he walked over to Xu Qingfan and said with concern, "Senior Brother Xu, the elders of Penance Valley have arrived, it seems the outcome here is decided. We should hurry to the ‘Sky Melting Curtain’ to recuperate. Especially since your injuries can no longer be delayed, Senior Brother Xu."

Hearing Lv Ziqing’s words, Xu Qingfan did not turn his head, still fixated on the battlefield. He merely shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Lv, you all go ahead, I have some matters to attend to."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s response, Lv Ziqing glanced at him in confusion but noticed the puzzlement and heaviness on Xu Qingfan’s face. Curious as he was, he refrained from asking further, simply advising "stay safe," before leaving to recuperate at the "Sky Melting Curtain" with Shang Nianyao.

At that moment, the battle between Naxiu and the middle-aged man had reached a fever pitch. Although he was surprised that Naxiu could easily dodge his "Nanming Li Fire," the middle-aged man’s expression remained calm. Seeing Naxiu swing his black sword to attack, the middle-aged man quickly retreated and conjured a large quantity of "Nanming Li Fire" around him, forming a barrier of green fire lotuses. Each time Naxiu’s black sword was about to pierce him, a fire lotus would suddenly appear to block the strike. However, Naxiu’s black sword was so powerful that even though these fire lotuses were formed from the "Nanming Li Fire," they were still sliced in half by the sword.

Yet, these green fire lotuses seemed endless, constantly emerging from the middle-aged man to block Naxiu’s sword. Each time a fire lotus was cut by Naxiu, it would explode violently, releasing a surge of Nanming Li Fire that not only burned away much of the protective black mist around Naxiu but also significantly slowed his pursuit.

Meanwhile, seven cultivators from Penance Valley in the sky continued to use their combined lightning techniques to attack Naxiu, aiding the middle-aged man in escaping Naxiu’s pursuit. With attacks from both sides, Naxiu appeared quite overwhelmed for a moment, and the thick black mist around him became thinner under the relentless bombardment of "Nanming Li Fire" and lightning. However, Naxiu persisted in chasing the middle-aged man, determined to reclaim his demonic pearl, occasionally letting out thunderous roars of anger when his movement was obstructed.

Naxiu knew that with so many high-level cultivators suddenly appearing, he only had a chance to reclaim the demonic pearl before his internal demonic energy was depleted to have any hope of resisting. That way, even if he couldn’t defeat them, he could always escape. Then, once he found a safe place to fully harness the power of the pearl, he could return for revenge. But if he failed to reclaim the pearl, he would perish as soon as his internal demonic energy was exhausted.

As for his subordinates, the demon soldiers writhing and wailing in the torrential firestorm, Naxiu felt no concern or sorrow. To him, as long as he could maintain his strength, he could always find followers.

As time passed, Naxiu grew increasingly anxious. Despite the unimpressive appearance of the middle-aged man before him, his strength was truly astonishing. Even though Naxiu gave it his all, he couldn’t harm the man in the slightest. Part of this was due to Naxiu’s diminished power after losing the magic pearl and needing to defend against the relentless lightning from above. Still, the strength of the middle-aged man was undeniable. Naxiu even felt that this man was three points stronger than Xuan Xiu, whom he had encountered before.

Naxiu did consider fleeing while his strength remained intact, but he knew all his power came from the magic pearl. Without the pearl’s constant supply, his strength would deplete just like depleting resources. He could not bear the thought of returning to a life of an ordinary person, having grown used to great power.

While he hesitated, the demonic energy within Naxiu continued to be consumed. Both the middle-aged man’s "Nanming Li Fire" and the relentless lightning depleted it fast. When Naxiu finally realized he needed to escape, he discovered with despair that it was nearly impossible to break free from the encirclement of the many Condensed Core Stage cultivators. Thus, he had no choice but to launch even more frantic attacks on the middle-aged man who had taken the magic pearl.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged man battling Naxiu was also filled with surprise. It wasn’t Naxiu’s vast demonic energy that shocked him, as he had anticipated that. What astonished him was Naxiu’s remarkable swordsmanship, allowing him to strike from unbelievable angles, each strike faster than the last. Naxiu’s movements were even more elusive, often vanishing from sight in a blink, only to attack from another direction with incredible power and making the man more and more bewildered. If it weren’t for his formidable "Li Fire Falling Lotus Array," which provided strong defense, he might have already been injured by Naxiu.

Finally, as time went on, the demonic energy within Naxiu weakened significantly, unable to effectively block the constant lightning. Each strike visibly halted Naxiu’s movements, causing blood to spill from his lips, and his golden headband had slipped off, leaving his hair loose and wild. Paired with his faintly red eyes, he looked fierce and terrifying.

Seeing Naxiu’s condition, the middle-aged man knew the time had come. He let out a loud roar that echoed across the sky. As his voice faded, a massive lightning bolt descended, more intense and dazzling than any Naxiu had faced before, illuminating the entire Southern Wasteland like daylight.

As the lightning struck, Naxiu’s expression changed dramatically. He let out a roar, and the remaining demonic energy erupted, forming a black cloud above his head. As the lightning struck, the black cloud trembled, but it ultimately caused no harm to Naxiu.

At that moment, the fiery lotuses surrounding the middle-aged man suddenly gathered and quickly formed a massive, lifelike fire dragon, which roared and charged towards Naxiu.

At this time, Naxiu was focused on blocking the lightning strikes from above. When he saw the fire dragon rushing toward him, he wanted to dodge or defend, but his body had no strength left. He could only watch helplessly as the fire dragon reached him.

In an instant, the fire dragon transformed into a sea of blue flames that swallowed Naxiu. Amidst the flames, Naxiu began to let out piercing cries of despair, but as time passed, his wails became weaker until finally, there was no sound at all.

At that moment, a group of cultivators in Penance Valley joined forces to use the Fire Cloud Technique, burning all the demon soldiers and mutated beasts in the Barbarian village to death. The raging flames were then dispelled by the Penance Valley cultivators. In the dim Southern Wasteland, only the sea of blue flames remained as the sole source of light, making the night sky appear even darker.

Suddenly, nearly a hundred cultivators appeared in the sky. They wore simple clothes and were barefoot, their Spirit Qi faintly hidden. Some stood on clouds, others on mists, or floated in the air, clearly reinforcements from Penance Valley. Each of these cultivators possessed at least the Lingji Stage of cultivation, showcasing the strength of Penance Valley.

However, at that moment, the cultivators from Penance Valley remained silent, merely watching the blue sea of flames quietly.

As time went on, the sea of flames from the Nanming Li Fire gradually calmed, and the Southern Wasteland finally returned to its original dim and tranquil state.

Although the world seemed bleak, everyone present was highly skilled. Without the obstruction of the Nanming Li Fire, they could clearly see the scene before them.

In the place where the sea of flames once was, a middle-aged man lay quietly on the ground—it was Naxiu. Strangely, Naxiu was unscathed. However, his body was much smaller than before, of average human height, and the once prominent flame patterns on his face had faded to near invisibility.

The middle-aged person nearest to Naxiu slowly approached, glanced down at Naxiu, who had returned to a human form, sighed softly, and asked, "Fellow Taoists, now that everything is settled, the demon pearl is temporarily sealed, and all the demon soldiers and mutated beasts are slain. How should we deal with the master of this demon pearl before us?"

Although his voice was soft and calm, it carried far, as if it could travel across the entire sky.

Upon hearing the middle-aged man’s words, the sky remained calm for a long time, then suddenly a deep voice echoed, "Though this person was controlled by the demon orb, he indeed committed grave sins in the Southern Wasteland."

"Moreover, although the demonic energy within him has been completely exhausted, his nature has truly been altered by the demon orb, leaving a potential danger." Another voice followed.

"Xuanzhen and the other two Taoist friends indeed perished at his hands." Yet another hoarse voice then chimed in.

Hearing the words from the cultivators in the sky, the middle-aged man slowly nodded and said, "Xuan Xian understands."

As he spoke, the fingertip of this Penance Valley cultivator named Xuan Xian suddenly glowed with a blue flame, gently aiming at Naxiu’s head.

"Venerable Xuan Xian, please show mercy!" At this moment, Xu Qingfan approached, and upon seeing Naxiu’s restored human appearance, he shuddered violently before shouting loudly.