Chapter 80

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Chapter 80: Power of Gluttony

Yan Mountain, the natural barrier at the northern border of the Yan Kingdom, stands as a fortress against the barbarian tribes, located just three hundred miles from the capital. It is not only a site of military importance, with a strong army stationed to defend the kingdom, but also the home of the royal family’s Hunting Ground—a treacherous place teeming with strange and spirit beasts.

Onboard the Cloud Boat, the cultivators from Tianyuan Academy briefed the examinees on the upcoming trial. The rules were simple yet daunting: the exam would take place within a hundred-mile radius of the Hunting Ground, and there would be no rules.

After a two-hour journey, the towering silhouette of Yan Mountain appeared in the distance, stretching endlessly across the horizon like a slumbering dragon. The sheer size and presence of the mountain filled the air with awe and trepidation.

The Cloud Boat descended to drop off the first group—Innate Martial Artists—near the outskirts of the Hunting Ground. Once they disembarked, the Cloud Boat lifted again, heading deeper into the mountains before finally halting.

Yi Qianmo and the remaining cultivators stepped out, finding themselves in a wild, untamed wilderness. With fewer than a hundred cultivators scattered over the expanse of the mountains, the chance of encountering others was slim. For most, this trial would be a solitary struggle.

To Yi Qianmo, isolation was an advantage. Acting alone allowed him to unleash his full potential without interference.

He reviewed the scoring system: First-grade spirit beasts were worth ten points, second-grade twenty points, and third-grade thirty points. Defeating a spirit beast required taking its signature item as proof, and multiple kills of the same beast would not count.

Yi Qianmo calculated his strategy.

“With my current strength, I can handle first-grade, fifth-level spirit beasts without trouble. If I take some risks, I might even challenge sixth- or seventh-level beasts.”

But he wasn’t here for mediocrity. To claim first place, he needed higher scores.

“I’ll target fifth-level beasts. Defeating twenty of them in three days should be feasible. That’s a thousand points—enough to secure the top spot!”

With a plan in mind, Yi Qianmo ventured deeper into the mountains.

A Fierce Encounter

Luck was on his side. Not long after entering the forest, he encountered a spirit beast—a fourth-level Blue Armored Python.

The python, ten feet long and covered in shimmering, armor-like scales, exuded a menacing aura. Its scales were so durable they could be used to forge battle armor.

Yi Qianmo didn’t hesitate. Drawing his sword, Repel Evil, he launched an attack. His strikes, imbued with spiritual power, clanged against the python’s scales, creating sparks but causing no damage.

The Blue Armored Python was far stronger than most fourth-level cultivators. Its defensive capabilities required four or five cultivators working in tandem to defeat it. Yet, Yi Qianmo, though only at the third level of Qi Refining, relied on his mastery of the Wind Word Sword Technique to keep the beast at bay.

Still, breaking through its armor seemed impossible.

The python’s sole weakness lay beneath its neck, where a vulnerable scale protected its vital spot. Exploiting this weakness required precision and patience.

After dozens of exchanges, Yi Qianmo seized an opening. His sword struck the vulnerable scale, shattering it with a clear crack.

The python hissed in fury. Its green eyes turned blood-red, and it retaliated by spitting venom. The venom shot out like arrows, deadly and swift.

Yi Qianmo, prepared for this moment, dodged nimbly. As the python reared back to strike again, he lunged forward.

With a decisive thrust, Repel Evil pierced through its neck. The sword’s cursed aura erupted, sapping the python’s life force.

But the beast wasn’t done yet. It coiled around Yi Qianmo, its massive body squeezing him with bone-crushing force.

Pain shot through Yi Qianmo’s body, his bones creaking under the pressure. Yet, Repel Evil continued to drain the python’s essence, weakening it.

Moments later, the python collapsed, lifeless. Its once-glossy scales dulled, and its enormous body fell with a thunderous crash.

Yi Qianmo gasped for air, his body aching. He glanced at a nearby tree, now hollowed out by the python’s venom. The venom had eaten through the trunk in seconds, toppling the massive tree.

“If I didn’t know the python’s habits, or if I didn’t have the speed of the Wind Word Sword Technique… I’d be dead,” Yi Qianmo muttered, his heart still pounding.

He collected the python’s scales and venomous fangs before disappearing into the forest, his steps swift and cautious.

The Hunger of Repel Evil

As Yi Qianmo caught his breath, a voice resonated from his sword.

“If Master slays thirty more spirit beasts, the blood curse on Repel Evil will be fully charged, and the Taotie can awaken!”

The speaker was Taoist Qingmu, the sword spirit of Repel Evil.

“Taotie?” Yi Qianmo asked, startled. “You mean that monstrous beast that devoured the Fire Demon before?”

“Indeed,” Qingmu replied. “Taotie is the true form of Repel Evil. But to unleash its full power, it requires a vast amount of blood essence and soul energy. The stronger the spirit beast or cultivator devoured, the greater the enhancement to the sword.”

Yi Qianmo frowned. “Didn’t you already consume the Fire Demon?”

Qingmu sighed. “Master, ever since you bound me to Repel Evil, I’ve been its sword spirit. As a sword spirit, I need nourishment to maintain the weapon’s strength.”

“And what would it take to restore Repel Evil to its peak?” Yi Qianmo asked, his tone sharp.

Qingmu hesitated before answering. “Its peak strength could devour even immortals. What you wield now is less than a millionth of its true power.”

Yi Qianmo fell silent, his mind racing. He had suppressed the blood curse within the sword before, barely avoiding its corruption. Yet, its potential was undeniable.

“If I kill thirty more spirit beasts, how strong will it become?”

“Strong enough to consume early Foundation Establishment cultivators,” Qingmu said. “It could even contend with mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators—though barely.”

“And the cost?”

“Blood essence and soul energy,” Qingmu replied. “But the sword recovers over time. Additionally, if it devours a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Master can merge with Repel Evil to temporarily gain their power.”

Yi Qianmo’s eyes glinted with determination. “Then let’s see how far this sword can go.”

With that, he set off deeper into the Hunting Ground, ready to test both his limits and the hunger of Repel Evil.