Chapter 398 - 217: Tai Su Yangxing Sword Box (Part 2)

Chapter 398: Chapter 217: Tai Su Yangxing Sword Box (Part 2)

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A Moyu Treasure Pagoda, entwined with a poisonous dragon, approached openly, making no attempt to conceal its presence.

Xu Zhuang retracted his gaze and looked down at the desk before him. Besides the burning incense, there sat a jade seal and an open bamboo book, which contained information on the Demon Sect collected by the Tai Su Orthodox Sect over the past several decades.

"The Celestial Demon Child." Xu Zhuang’s eyes fixed on a name. The reputation of the Six Scions of Yuanzhuo had undoubtedly attracted the attention of the orthodox sects, and the Celestial Demon Child was the most flamboyant among them—so much so that even the Magical Artifact he used for travel was widely known.

’He’s faster than I expected.’

Xu Zhuang looked up again. The pagoda had already drawn within a hundred li, but it suddenly stopped. A stream of Demon Cloud flowed out like water, and from within it, over a hundred figures emerged.

Xu Zhuang narrowed his eyes. Before he could get a closer look, one of the figures leaped brazenly from the cloud and flew toward their position.

’Testing the waters? Or trying courtesy before combat?’ Xu Zhuang muttered, his gaze turning sharp. ’What a joke.’

He was stationed here by decree and had already declared that any who drew near would be killed without exception. How could he tolerate any probing or negotiation? Seeing the person fly within a hundred li, he slowly curled two fingers as a faint, almost invisible spark of lightning flowed between them.

Just as he was about to unleash his Divine Technique, the jade seal on the desk suddenly lit up, and a message came through.

"Xu Zhuang, the Demon Sect cultivators are cunning. This is surely a probe to test your Divine Techniques. It would be better to send someone else to deal with it."

’Oh?’ Xu Zhuang was slightly surprised, not because of the suggestion itself, but because of who had sent it—someone he knew, but with whom he was not on the best of terms.

It was Feng Yuanliu, a true disciple of the same generation who had served with Xu Zhuang. He had been dispatched by Daochen Zhenren to guard this place alongside him.

Feng Yuanliu was proud and arrogant and didn’t seem to hold Xu Zhuang’s great reputation in high regard. When ordered to accompany Xu Zhuang, he hadn’t shown him much respect. Xu Zhuang didn’t mind, but he hadn’t expected Feng Yuanliu to offer a suggestion at a time like this.

Still, Feng Yuanliu’s words were not without reason. Although Xu Zhuang wasn’t afraid of being probed, he couldn’t handle every single matter personally. That was precisely why Daochen Zhenren had sent other sect members to assist him.

After a moment of thought, Xu Zhuang made his decision. He pressed the jade seal and said, "I request Senior Sister Bu to act and eliminate the trespassing Demon Cultivator."

No verbal reply came, but the sharp clang of a Flying Sword answered. A streak of sword-light shot up from the Magic Altar below, swift as a meteor, heading straight for the intruder.

Xu Zhuang watched the sword-light fly away, pondered for a moment, then called out, "Daoist Child, attend me."

The Daoist Child by his side was tense. Hearing Xu Zhuang’s call, he quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Your instructions, Venerable."

Xu Zhuang unfastened a Vermilion Gourd from his waist and said coolly, "You will hold my Magical Sword. Await my command. Do you understand?"

The child heard this and quickly replied, "I obey."

Xue Yue was flying forward cautiously when he saw a streak of sword-light shooting toward him. Instead of being alarmed, he was pleased. "I am Xue Yue of the Innate Demon Sect!" he shouted. "Who goes there?"

But the sword-light showed no intention of replying. Its Sword Intent was ice-cold, radiating a grim killing intent. Without pausing, it closed in and slashed down!

"Hmph." Displeasure flashed in Xue Yue’s eyes. "Fine. If you have no manners, then you can die a nameless ghost."

He opened his mouth and spat out a Black Gold Sword Pill. It transformed into a soft, pliant thread that shot out to meet the incoming sword-light. The two clashed violently in midair, exchanging dozens of blows in an instant. Then, the streak of sword-light swerved, evading the attack and retreating.

With his Sword Pill, Xue Yue had actually managed to force the sword-light back in a head-on confrontation!

The sword-light circled once in the air, revealing the Sword Step Master. Her long skirt swayed gently in the wind, a Sword Box was strapped to her back, and her expression was cold and weary. Her almond-shaped eyes looked down as she coolly uttered two words: "Good Swordsmanship."

’She hadn’t expected this member of the Innate Demon Sect to be such a profound Sword Cultivator!’

Xue Yue was startled and was about to respond, but the Sword Step Master said no more. She formed a Sword Technique with one hand and pointed downward.

The Sword Box on her back suddenly shook open with a clamor of ringing metal. Dozens of Flying Swords shot out, raining down on him!

"What is this?" Xue Yue frowned. Not daring to be careless, he immediately directed his Sword Pill to intercept. But the instant it clashed with the first sword, he felt a bone-chilling cold transmit from the pill, nearly freezing his thoughts.

In the next moment, the dozens of Flying Swords attacked at once. They didn’t bother tangling with his Sword Pill but shot straight for him, intent on cutting him down!

"It really is the Tai Su Yangxing Sword Box." On the Magic Altar, a faint smile appeared on Xu Zhuang’s face. He had long noticed that the Sword Step Master was never without her Sword Box and had his suspicions.

All of the sect’s Daoist arts originated from the tenets of the Innate Tai Su. Among the three great true transmissions, although the *Tai Su Form-and-Substance Sword Qi* was a true method for Sword Cultivators, it was in no way inferior to the *Tai Su One Qi Scripture* or the Tai Su True Form Scripture when it came to the dao of transforming form and substance.

Among those in the sect who cultivated the *Tai Su Form-and-Substance Sword Qi*, some pursued a balanced approach, while others specialized in ’form’ or ’substance’. Even within these specializations, there were numerous different paths. The fine details were so complex that even a meticulous cultivator like Xu Zhuang, who left no stone unturned in his practice, would find them difficult to master.

The Tai Su Yangxing Sword Box was the product of a school of swordsmanship within the *Tai Su Form-and-Substance Sword Qi* that specialized in the transformation of ’form’. Its practitioners fought against Sword Cultivators from all over the world, collected different Flying Swords, gathered and refined various rare treasures, and comprehended different Daoist arts...

Through these methods and more, they would capture the ’form’ of these things and nurture them within the Sword Box. When unleashed, ten thousand swords would fly forth, each one different. They might even contain ten thousand different Sword Intents and Sword Qis of varying attributes, making it an incomparably powerful technique.

This school of swordsmanship was still new, recorded in the secret teachings by some unknown grandmaster. Even within Shenzhou Xuanmen, among the Three Sects and Six Schools, few knew of the Tai Su Yangxing Sword Box. Even within the Tai Su Sect itself, practitioners were rare.

Faced with such a swordsmanship, it was no surprise that Xue Yue was completely unaware of it. Even if he had been prepared, he would have struggled to defend against it. He had easily been outmaneuvered. Seeing dozens of different Sword Qis converging on him, Xue Yue, having just struggled free from the chilling cold, could only grit his teeth, open his hand, and grasp toward his Sword Pill.

In an instant, with a flicker of movement, his body became a Black Gold Sword Pill in the path of the volley of Sword Qi, while he himself appeared where the pill had been. Without thinking, he pointed a finger, and a burst of Sword Qi shot out, knocking away the freezing Flying Sword. He then immediately recalled his weapon.

However, although he had escaped disaster with a Secret Technique, it was too late to recover. The Sword Step Master was completely unfazed by his escape. The dozens of Flying Swords continued their descent, striking the Black Gold Sword Pill one after another.

Flashes of multicolored spiritual light burst forth. In a single moment, Xue Yue’s Sword Pill was struck by all manner of Sword Intents and Sword Qis. A crack suddenly appeared on its surface, and he himself sprayed out a mouthful of essence blood.

The clash between Sword Cultivators was over in a flash, the victor decided in an instant.

Atop the Demon Cloud, the Celestial Demon Child’s brow furrowed slightly. "Useless," he uttered coolly.

He spoke the word, but it was as if no one else heard it. Only Julu Form’s eyes shifted. The Celestial Demon Child didn’t notice. After a moment’s thought, he said to Wumian, "Daoist Friend, I must ask you to intervene and rescue Junior Brother Xue."

A Sword Cultivator’s life is bound to their Flying Sword. Although Xue Yue had not yet been slain by the Sword Step Master, he was barely clinging to life.

He abandoned his Sword Pill and activated his Sword Escape, trying to flee. The Sword Step Master not only gave chase, but two exceptionally fast streaks of sword-light from among the dozens of Flying Swords suddenly accelerated, outpacing the others to pursue and relentlessly attack Xue Yue.

Xue Yue was forced to use a backup Flying Sword to defend himself. But he was already injured, and the sword wasn’t his usual weapon. In moments, he was hard-pressed and on the verge of collapse.

The Faceless Saint Child glanced at him. Before he could speak, the Celestial Demon Child smiled and said, "Daoist Friend, please feel free to act." Then, he addressed the others, "If the enemy dares to pursue, do they think we of the Demon Sect are to be trifled with?"

"If a full-blown battle breaks out, you will still be the one to handle Xu Zhuang. I will provide support."

Hearing this, the Faceless Saint Child finally gave a slight nod. He looked up to see Xue Yue in imminent danger, yet he remained unhurried, calmly remarking, "The Tai Su Swordsmanship is not bad."

The Celestial Demon Child’s eyebrow twitched. He suddenly flicked his sleeve, only to see Wumian dissipate like a soap bubble. It turned out only a shadow had remained there.

Seeing this, everyone looked over and saw Wumian as if he were teleporting, covering several li in a single flicker. In an instant, he was before Xue Yue and the Sword Step Master.

On the Magic Altar, a glint appeared in Xu Zhuang’s eyes. "Child!" he shouted coolly.

The Daoist Child jolted. He instinctively raised the gourd in his hands and, following the incantation Xu Zhuang had taught him, cried out, "Treasure, please turn around."