Chapter 257
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Chapter 257: Surviving
The Soul-Cutting Mountains!
Ye Yun had never heard of this place before. During his years in the Heavenly Sword Sect, he hadn’t found any mention of it in the records. This expedition to the Soul-Cutting Mountains marked his first exposure to its existence. As he learned more, his understanding of the Heavenly Sword Sect deepened.
The Soul-Cutting Mountains weren’t part of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s mountain range. Instead, they occupied a separate space carved out through extraordinary divine techniques.
As Ye Yun’s cultivation level advanced, his perspective on the sect shifted. The Heavenly Sword Sect possessed profound knowledge of spatial laws. Despite lacking notable Golden Core stage experts, they’d established countless spatial magical arrays. Even Golden Core cultivators would need immense effort to create such arrays, yet the sect had maintained them flawlessly for centuries—astonishing, given their limited Golden Core practitioners.
If the spatial magical arrays Ye Yun had seen were impressive, the Soul-Cutting Mountains defied comprehension. With his current knowledge, he couldn’t fathom how the sect had created this space.
A thousand-mile expanse, meticulously crafted with intricate arrays—what level of power could achieve this? Ordinary Golden Core cultivators? Impossible!
The Soul-Cutting Mountains spanned a thousand miles, surpassing even the Heavenly Sword Sect’s territory. The sheer scale of this man-made space was staggering.
“This is the Soul-Cutting Mountains,” Su Hao announced calmly, leading the group into the mountains.
“I never imagined our sect possessed such a marvel,” Yu Minghong muttered, awestruck. Despite hailing from the Great Qin Empire, he’d never heard of any sect capable of forging such a vast independent space.
“No wonder the Heavenly Sword Sect overshadows the royal family. They’re incomparable,” Duan Chenfeng added, his usual bravado replaced by wonder.
“You’re both clueless! Remember the Hualun Secret Vault? It also had a carved-out space,” Su Ling retorted, rolling her eyes.
“That’s different,” Ye Yun interjected, thoughtful. “The Hualun Secret Vault was built inside an existing great tomb. This space is entirely separate, connected only by specific passages.”
Su Yinxue stood silent, her white robes fluttering like a celestial being.
Su Hao addressed the group, “This space was created over a millennium ago by the sect’s experts. Their exact cultivation levels remain unrecorded, but the space’s stability speaks for itself. It’s endured centuries without issue.”
“The Soul-Cutting Mountains weren’t originally meant for training disciples, were they?” Ye Yun ventured.
Su Hao’s eyes lit with approval. “Correct. For centuries, it’s been speculated this space serves as the sect’s refuge. In times of crisis, we could relocate treasures and disciples here. Enemies lacking the method to unlock it would never find us, ensuring survival.”
Ye Yun nodded. This aligned with his private conclusions. While others might not know, he’d learned the sect’s history: once a mighty power in the Great Qin Empire, internal strife had reduced it to a remnant faction that fled to the Jin Kingdom. Despite their weakened state, they’d established the premier sect and carved this thousand-mile refuge—a testament to their latent strength.
The Ancestor of the Sword Path’s tales of the sect’s hidden treasures resurfaced in Ye Yun’s mind. Securing those cultivation techniques and artifacts could propel him to the Golden Core stage. His current path—cultivating the Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique—demanded staggering resources. Reaching Golden Core would require fortune beyond measure, but the payoff…
A faint smile touched Ye Yun’s lips.
“Master,” he asked, “how is victory determined here?”
“Whoever slaughters the most wins,” the Divine Feather Vulture King cackled beside him. “I’ll feast on spirit beast souls!”
“That bird’s like an extra Foundation Establishment ally,” Duan Chenfeng said, eyeing the vulture. “Pity it’s so noticeable. A hidden ambush would’ve been better.”
“True,” Ye Yun agreed, recalling how Murong Wuhen’s spirit beast had materialized instantly.
“Place the Vulture King in a spirit beast pouch,” Su Yinxue suggested, her voice melodic.
“Spirit beast pouch?” Ye Yun blinked.
“Exactly. Confine this creature there,” Su Hao said, glancing at the vulture.
The Divine Feather Vulture King stiffened, eyes flashing with fury—before ducking its head in submission. Had anyone else called it “creature,” retribution would’ve followed. But against Su Hao, it stayed silent.
Su Hao’s cultivation level was at the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, on the verge of reaching its peak and ascending to the Golden Core stage. Even the mighty Divine Feather Vulture King was nothing to him.
"Master, could you give me one?" Ye Yun seized the moment, his eyes brightening.
Su Hao glanced at him and flicked his wrist. A blue shadow shot through the air.
Ye Yun caught it eagerly. A small pouch emitting a gentle blue glow now rested in his palm.
"Is this the spirit beast pouch?" Ye Yun turned it over in his hands, curious.
"Test it and find out," Su Yinxue murmured, her voice soft and clear.
Ye Yun grinned and turned his gaze to the Divine Feather Vulture King.
The beast’s feathers bristled. "Don’t even think of stuffing me into that sack, brat! If the spirit beast pouch shatters, the creature inside dies instantly—no escape!"
Ye Yun froze. "Breaking it kills the spirit beast?"
"Correct," Su Hao nodded. "But storing the pouch inside a high-grade storage ring makes it nearly unbreakable. The ring on Ye Yun’s hand is exceptional. Even I couldn’t shatter it easily. Your fears are groundless."
The golden feathers atop the vulture’s head quivered. "But what if thieves steal the ring from this weakling?"
Su Hao chuckled. "Ye Yun’s cultivation surpasses yours, creature. Cease your excuses, or I’ll cripple you myself."
The Divine Feather Vulture King hopped angrily. "A sect leader at late Foundation Establishment should act with dignity, Su Hao!"
Ye Yun waved the pouch. "Coming in or not?"
After glaring at both of them, the vulture soared toward the pouch. A beam of light shrank its golden form to thumb-size before it vanished inside.
"Little Leaf!" The muffled voice emerged from the pouch. "Keep me in your storage ring unless absolutely necessary! I need decades of rest!"
"Don’t worry," Ye Yun grinned. "If danger comes, I’ll wait a full breath before releasing you. Generous, no?"
"Rot in hell!" The vulture’s curse faded as laughter erupted among the group, easing the tension around the Soul-Cutting Mountains.
"Father," Su Yinxue asked when the mirth subsided, "how is victory decided in this trial?"
All eyes turned to Su Hao.
He inhaled deeply. "There’s no victory here—only survival. Last ten days in these mountains alive, and you’ve won."
His grave tone hung in the air. This "survival" would be no simple task.
The group exchanged sober glances, all traces of laughter gone.
