Chapter 421: Chapter 419 Huo Canzi

“Shen Building Master?”

Ning Daoran was slightly astonished; the one who had messaged him was none other than Shen Luoyan.

“Yes, I’ve been here from the beginning.”

Shen Luoyan’s voice was calm as she spoke, “With a grand event like this duel between Xia Country and Sangyu Country’s five Golden Cores, how could I, Shen Luoyan, miss it? But I did not expect Sangyu Country to be so malicious. This battle is not just any battle but one that is aimed at severing the fortunes of Xia Country for hundreds of years to come. If I’m not mistaken, the real target Purple Flame Demon Lord and the others want to kill is only one person, and that person is you.”

“Me…”

Ning Daoran’s brows tightly knitted, not having imagined himself to be so crucial.

“Otherwise?”

Shen Luoyan chuckled lightly, “How wide and profound are your divine skills, Ning Daoran? Even in the early stage of Golden Core, you can kill practitioners in the late stage of Golden Core, and after reaching the late stage of Golden Core, you are even capable of contending with the early stage Nascent Soul practitioners. Should you achieve Nascent Soul, I fear you might challenge the late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivators of Sangyu Country right from the start.”

She continued indifferently, “Hence, these five combats initiated by Sangyu Country are nothing but a trap to lure you into battle. Once you, Ning Daoran, dare to fight, they will definitely spare no expense to kill you during the duel.”

“So…”

Ning Daoran felt somewhat amused, “On what basis do they think their Golden Core cultivators can definitely kill me?”

“This I cannot be sure of.”

Shen Luoyan said, “In the Cultivation World, there are countless strange techniques and forbidden arts. The cultivators from Sangyu Country have always been cunning; perhaps they really have some method to suppress you in one fell swoop.”

With that, she laughed and added, “Ning Daoran, I suggest you not to participate in the battle.”

“It’s alright.”

Ning Daoran frowned slightly, “Liu Wushuang was crippled of his cultivation, and Lin Baoping was even killed. Sangyu Country has schemed so much, if I were to avoid the battle now, lacking even this bit of courage, then my life’s worth of cultivation would be in vain! Shen Building Master, what do you think?”

“Good!”

Shen Luoyan laughed lightly, “Since that’s the case, this tower master will certainly assist you. I should have just been an observer, but now it seems only right to intervene slightly. Sangyu Country’s schemes are too outrageous, just as you said, they mustn’t think our cultivators from Xia Country lack spine!”

“You don’t have to intervene during my duel.”

Ning Daoran said, “It’s after the five battles end that a larger battle might erupt. If the Shen Building Master decides to intervene, you could choose that moment to strike hard against the Nascent Soul upper echelons of Sangyu Country, leaving them unable to contend with the Xia Country’s Cultivation World.”

“That’s possible, this tower master will consider it. Be careful and take care.”

“Thank you, Tower Master!”

Ning Daoran took a deep breath, the appearance of Shen Luoyan undoubtedly bolstered his confidence significantly. No matter what tempests might arise next, there would always be someone from Xia Country’s Cultivation World to back them.

…

Ahead, Monarch Ling Fu burst forth with a robust aura of Nascent Soul. Her eyes reddened with fury, Lin Baoping had been killed in the formation, a deep trauma for her, driving her to confront Jing Tiancheng desperately.

“Monarch Ling Fu…”

Jing Tiancheng retreated behind the crowd, clasped his hands together and spoke solemnly, “In a Fight Technique, blades and swords are blind; I also did not wish for it to happen this way, I hope the senior does not bully others with her higher realm. Although I, Jing Tiancheng, am merely a Golden Core, the Nascent Soul seniors behind me in Sangyu Country are not to be trifled with.”

“Fellow Taoist Ling Fu…”

Purple Flame Demon Lord frowned and said, “We had agreed earlier, these five battles could determine the superior and also life and death. Since Lin Baoping was inferior and got killed in the array, why escalate matters?”

“Purple Flame Demon!”

Monarch Ling Fu gritted her teeth in hatred: “Your Sangyu Country is so scheming, even bringing forth a fourth-tier array, truly shameless. My Furong Immortal Palace will forever hold this grudge with you!”

“Hmph…”

True Monarch Qing Lin scoffed sarcastically, “Why must fellow Taoist Ling Fu act in such manner?”

“Monarch Ling Fu.”

Ning Daoran stepped forward slowly and said with clasped hands, “Fairy Lin and I are friends who once ventured through the Mirror Flower Water Moon Secret Realm together. Today, with Fairy Lin being schemed against like this, I will certainly make my move to make Sangyu Country pay a price. Please calm your anger…”

“Fellow Daoist Ling Fu.”

Lin Tiannan’s voice was deep as he said, “We will certainly seek justice for Lin Baoping. Please calm your mind and watch the outcomes later. Rest assured, we cultivators from Xia Country are not devoid of fire in spirit.”

“Alright.”

Monarch Ling Fu bit her teeth, then turned and withdrew.

The fourth battle was about to begin.

Lin Tiannan and the Purple Flame Demon once again flicked out paper balls, which were taken out by the Purple Thunder True Monarch from the copper bowl, and then he announced, “The fourth battle, Xia Country’s cultivator Master Soul Devourer against Sangyu Country’s Loose Cultivator, the Unbeatable Taoist.”

“Finally, it’s this old man’s turn.”

Behind the crowd, the white-haired Soul-devouring Demon slowly stepped forward, his entire body bristling with a murderous aura.

Opposite him, a frail old Taoist also slowly emerged.

…

Ning Daoran just swept them with his Divine Sense and noticed that the cultivation fire in the Golden Core late stage realm of the Unbeatable Taoist was unstable, and his lifespan was limited, certainly reaching his demise within five years!

Quite a move by Sangyu Country, sending someone so near death’s door, clearly ready to fight Xia Country to the bitter end!

“Soul-devouring Taoist, long time no see.”

Unbeatable Taoist smiled faintly, “I never thought that we’d meet here, and as opponents in this duel.”

“Enough with the idle chatter.”

With a chilling expression, Soul-devouring Demon said, “Your Sangyu Country schemed against us, killing the young Golden Cores of Xia Country. This debt must be repaid, Unbeatable Taoist. Seeing that you look near death, I do not mind hastening your journey.”

“Oh?”

Unbeatable Taoist sneered, “Soul-devouring Demon, who do you think you are, to rant so boldly here? I heard you were once a cultivator from Qingzhou, perhaps there you were someone of note, but sadly, here in the entire Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World, you, Soul-devouring Demon, are but a bird.”

“A bird?”

Soul-devouring Demon suddenly quivered his arms, and a surge of immense mana burst forth, with strands of spiritual pressure crushing in all directions, he laughed furiously, “If I am a bird, then I am a great bird, capable of crushing your nearly withered little bird!”

“…”

The crowd was dumbfounded. How did these two senior cultivators end up derailing their conversation to this extent?

“Seeking death!”

Unbeatable Taoist bellowed, unleashing a flying knife while holding a green jade plate in his hands, and directly assaulted Soul-devouring Demon. The flying knife split into thousands in mid-air, filling the sky and raining down like a storm!

“Well done!”

Soul-devouring Demon’s body pulsated with energy, a vague silhouette of a Heavenly Demon appeared behind him, striking fear into the hearts.

“Hmm?”

A Golden Core Middle Stage Practitioner furrowed his brows, stating in a deep voice, “I did not expect this Soul-devouring Demon to have cultivated the Soul Devouring Demon Technique to the state of Return to Nature, Unity of Heaven and Man. His talent is indeed remarkable.”

“Indeed.”

Another Golden Core cultivator was exhilarated, “Although the Soul Devouring Demon Technique is merely a Dark-order top-quality cultivation method, to have immersed in it lifelong and reached Return to Nature, it shows that Soul-devouring Demon has truly made great efforts.”

A young cultivator excitedly said, “The Senior Soul-devouring Demon has actually cultivated the Soul Devouring Demon Technique to Return to Nature. The days of Unbeatable old dog of Sangyu Country are numbered!”

“Kill!”

Soul-devouring Demon let out a thunderous roar, instantly shattering the mana-formed short knives in the air, and then fiercely slammed down with a palm!

Unbeatable Taoist countered with a Flying Disc Magical Treasure, and the two began to pit their skills against each other.

After all, Unbeatable Taoist was a renowned Old Golden Core with many years of fame. Though his lifespan was coming to an end, his prolonged immersion in the Late Stage of Golden Core and meticulous study of various magics and divine abilities, together with two Magical Treasures for protection, allowed him to hold his ground against Soul-devouring Demon.

However, overall, Soul-devouring Demon was still a notch stronger!

About fifty moves later, Unbeatable Taoist’s breath became disordered, his mana greatly depleted, his complexion increasingly pale, and he gradually found it difficult to withstand Soul-devouring Demon’s offensive.

“Fellow Unbeatable Taoist, go to your death!”

With a sharp shout from Soul-devouring Demon, he suddenly made his move, releasing threads of blood-colored silk from his sleeves, resembling Spirit Cage Silk, instantly shooting numerous blood threads binding Unbeatable Taoist from all directions!

In just a moment, Unbeatable Taoist’s throat was bloodstained, the blood threads cutting deep into his flesh.

“Soul-devouring Taoist!”

In the air, True Monarch Qing Lin urgently shouted, “We concede this match. Please show mercy!”

“Too late!”

Face full of wrath and ferocity, Soul-devouring Demon declared, “Caught in my Blood Silk, there’s only one path–death!”

In an instant, he suddenly exerted force with both hands, pulling back all strands of Blood Silk through Unbeatable Taoist’s body, retracting them back into his sleeves.

“You…”

Unbeatable Taoist stood frozen, staring blankly at Soul-devouring Demon. In the next moment, blood threads appeared all over his body, and his Golden Core and physical form collapsed into countless fragments, ending as a pile of flesh on the ground.

“Fellow Unbeatable Taoist!”

On Sangyu Country’s side, many cultivators who had fought alongside Unbeatable Taoist turned pale with shock, unbearably witnessing the respected old senior die so tragically.

“Soul-devouring Demon! No, Senior Soul-devouring, well done!”

On Xia Country’s side, countless cultivators erupted in deafening cheers.

Lin Tiannan, True Monarch Qi Xing, and others slightly nodded, their eyes reflecting faint satisfaction.

Having wreaked havoc in Jianghu for centuries, Soul-devouring Demon truly had his merits, ruthless in tactics, ranking among the top tier experts in the Late Golden Core stage.

Regardless of whether Unbeatable Taoist’s lifespan was nearing its end, this deal was a loss, yet Soul-devouring Demon managed to turn around a disadvantageous two-to-one situation, earning a significant victory for Xia Country’s Cultivation World!

…

“Young Friend Ning.”

Lin Tiannan transmitted his voice, “The next match is yours, the decisive battle of these five contests. I hope you will act decisively and valiantly represent Xia Country’s Cultivation World.”

“Senior, rest assured, I will give it my all!”

True Monarch Qi Xing also transmitted, “Nephew Ning, fight to your best ability, be extremely cautious. The scoundrels of Sangyu Country are scheming, hiding malicious intent in this fifth match. It will be extremely perilous, be careful!”

“Uncle Master, rest assured, I am aware.”

The fifth match, with no need for an announcement of the contestants, both sides were left with their last participant.

…

Ning Daoran, clad in a green robe, drifted away, his entire being exuding an aura of calm detachment and everlasting invincibility.

In the crowd from Sangyu Country, a young cultivator in a gray robe slowly stepped forward–it was Huo Canzi, his ordinary features unremarkable, but his triangular eyes brimmed with intense killing intent!