Chapter 308
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 308
Chapter Title: Tieniu's Resolved Heart, Jianghe's Settled Karma
Boss Feng, Cen Linfeng, and Chen Chengping used second-tier superior-grade escape talismans almost simultaneously, their speed abruptly increasing by thirty percent, widening the distance between them and Ji Wujin.
Boss Feng, in particular, took the lead, being the first to arrive at the cave beneath the ancient pine. A golden light burst forth, and a precious aura overflowed.
"It's really a Core Formation spiritual item?!"
Boss Feng's spiritual sense had already probed into the cave, where he saw a Golden Spirit Fruit shimmering with a brilliant golden light.
This was indeed a Core Formation spiritual item, and also a third-tier middle-grade absorbable spiritual object.
Without the slightest hesitation, he took out a second-tier puppet and was about to send it in, but when the puppet reached the cave's entrance, it stopped.
He quickly retrieved the puppet.
"If I break the lethal restriction, I won't have time to retrieve the treasure. Cen Linfeng and Chen Chengping will arrive, and I won't be able to take the Core Formation spiritual item."
Boss Feng came to his senses.
It was impossible to hoard the Core Formation spiritual item for himself.
There wasn't enough time.
He couldn't possibly kill both Cen Linfeng and Chen Chengping. Even if he had the thought, he lacked the ability.
The only way was to retrieve the treasure together and then negotiate its distribution.
The priority now was to block the precious aura to avoid attracting other cultivators, and then kill the cultivator who discovered the Core Formation spiritual item first.
A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, and killing intent arose from his heart.
"Fellow Daoist Cen, Fellow Daoist Chen, let us first join forces to block the precious aura from spreading, and then eliminate that scoundrel together."
"If we fight over it now, we'll only be letting someone else benefit."
"My spiritual sense has already seen it; the spiritual item in this cave is indeed a Core Formation spiritual item."
The moment Chen Chengping and Cen Linfeng arrived, Boss Feng immediately sent a voice transmission, plotting to seize the treasure.
Naturally, Chen Chengping and Cen Linfeng didn't believe Boss Feng's words.
They both extended their spiritual senses, and upon seeing the Golden Spirit Fruit, ecstatic joy appeared on their faces.
"It's really a Core Formation spiritual item?!"
"Alright, we'll do as Fellow Daoist Feng says. First, block the precious aura, then get rid of that unlucky fellow."
The three joined forces, channeling their spiritual power to cast spells outside the cave, forming a magical barrier to trap the precious aura within.
This prevented the treasure's light from shining out.
After finishing all this, they all turned to look at the tardy Ji Wujin, the corners of their mouths curling into playful smiles, the killing intent in their eyes undisguised.
"You're stealing my treasure, and now you want to kill me?"
Ji Wujin's figure paused, a look of terror in his eyes, as if he had just woken from the treasure's allure.
Before Boss Feng, Chen Chengping, and Cen Linfeng could respond, he turned and fled.
But with their killing intent already aroused, how could the three of them let Ji Wujin escape?
Three supreme techniques sealed off Ji Wujin's path of retreat.
Seals formed in the void, and rootless water surged forth, transforming into a roaring water dragon that charged toward Ji Wujin.
At the same time, two flying swords slashed toward Ji Wujin.
"Bastards! You steal my treasure and still wish to kill me! May you all die a horrible death!"
Ji Wujin cursed angrily, frantically summoning a defensive magical artifact to block the incoming attacks.
Boom!
The shield-shaped artifact was sent flying.
Ji Wujin felt the spiritual power in his dantian thrown into chaos, his vital energy and blood reversing. His face paled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood as he was blasted away.
A crazed look appeared in his eyes. He summoned a spirit-nurturing flying sword and channeled his wood-attribute spiritual power. Vines sprouted, glowing with a green light that seemed to carry poison.
"Fellow Daoist Cen, Fellow Daoist Chen, no more holding back! Let's kill this scoundrel first. Delays will only bring complications."
Boss Feng shouted grimly, summoning his flying sword to engage Ji Wujin's in a dogfight in the air.
His hands formed seals, casting a supreme technique to attack Ji Wujin.
Cen Linfeng also went all out. His hands formed seals, and his body was instantly engulfed in a great fire. A massive fire spirit phantom appeared behind him, swinging its fist at Ji Wujin.
This was the supreme technique Cen Linfeng had comprehended, Fire Spirit's Furious Strike, similar to the one Lu Qingfeng had mastered.
But its power was somewhat inferior.
His fire spirit was only forty feet tall, but even so, its might was extremely formidable. A single punch created a sonic boom as it shot straight for Ji Wujin's head.
Chen Chengping didn't hold back either. In that instant, he executed an offensive sword art. Sword shadows multiplied, and ten giant swords, each thirty feet long, slashed down toward Ji Wujin.
"I'll fight you to the death!"
Ji Wujin roared, summoning a defensive Talisman Treasure. A golden curtain of light enveloped him.
Rumble!
The attacks from Boss Feng and the other two all slammed into the Talisman Treasure, causing cracks to appear all over the golden light screen it had condensed.
It was clear that none of the three were holding back; they all wanted to kill Ji Wujin quickly and then divide the Core Formation spiritual item.
Suddenly, the three launched several more consecutive attacks, shattering Ji Wujin's defensive Talisman Treasure. The ferocious assault also struck Ji Wujin, severely wounding him and sending him flying a thousand feet.
And at that very moment.
Chen Chengping released his peak second-tier demonic beast, and with a flick of his flying sword, he swiftly slashed at Boss Feng beside him.
It was so fast that Boss Feng couldn't react in time. His right leg was severed, sending a jet of blood into the air.
"Chen Chengping, what are you doing!"
Boss Feng was horrified, never expecting Chen Chengping to attack him at such a time.
But what answered him was the bloody maw of a peak second-tier spirit beast, the Wind-Chasing Wolf.
Awooo!
Boss Feng immediately summoned a Talisman Treasure to block the peak second-tier spirit beast's attack while his figure retreated explosively.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, what are you doing? Why did you attack Fellow Daoist Feng?"
Cen Linfeng, who was still attacking Ji Wujin, was utterly bewildered to see Chen Chengping suddenly turn on Boss Feng. Hadn't they agreed to kill Ji Wujin first?
They were just about to kill Ji Wujin.
Why did they suddenly start fighting amongst themselves?
"Fellow Daoist Cen, kill that scoundrel quickly, then help me kill this man surnamed Feng! Splitting the treasure two ways is better than three!"
Chen Chengping said.
His attacks on Boss Feng grew even more relentless.
A defensive Talisman Treasure could hold for a while, but it couldn't protect Boss Feng forever. There would come a moment when its spiritual power was depleted.
A glint flashed in Cen Linfeng's eyes. Being quick-witted, he instantly understood the meaning behind Chen Chengping's words.
That's right, splitting the treasure two ways was much better than three.
Immediately, Cen Linfeng's attacks on Ji Wujin became even more ferocious, eager to finish him off.
Then he could help Chen Chengping kill Boss Feng.
And share the Core Formation spiritual item, the Golden Spirit Fruit.
But as he continued to attack, he found that although Ji Wujin seemed to be on the brink of death, he managed to barely withstand his attacks every single time.
Half an hour later.
The heavily injured Boss Feng took out another defensive Talisman Treasure, blocking the attacks from Chen Chengping and the peak second-tier spirit beast, the Wind-Chasing Wolf.
"Fellow Daoist Cen, stop holding back and kill him already!"
Chen Chengping roared in fury.
He had nearly worn Boss Feng down to his death, yet Cen Linfeng still hadn't managed to kill the already heavily injured Ji Wujin.
This filled his heart with raging fire.
He believed Cen Linfeng was trying to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, waiting for him and Boss Feng to cripple each other so he could reap the benefits.
"I..."
Cen Linfeng's brow furrowed tightly, a hint of exhaustion in his eyes. He glanced at Chen Chengping, who was frantically attacking Boss Feng, not knowing what to say.
"Bastard, you can have my treasure, but can't you just let me go?"
Ji Wujin said resentfully.
"You can go!"
Cen Linfeng said without hesitation.
"..."
The corner of Ji Wujin's mouth twitched.
He was just letting him go like that?
Not even going to try a little harder?
"Fellow Daoist Ruan, close the net!"
Ji Wujin sent a voice transmission, and in the next moment, the aura around him changed. Shedding his weak and incompetent demeanor, a murderous air surged from his body.
The flying sword in his hand had already been swapped for a magical treasure embryo.
Wielding the magical artifact, Ji Wujin bypassed the stunned Cen Linfeng and attacked the peak second-tier spirit beast, the Wind-Chasing Wolf.
Ruan Tieniu, who had quietly approached to within a thousand feet, also burst into action. The Violet-Gold Crimson Flame Saber appeared in his hand as he executed the Nether River Saber Art.
"Blood Waves Surge to the Heavens!"
Gripping the Violet-Gold Crimson Flame Saber, Ruan Tieniu transformed into a surging river of blood, slashing down at Chen Chengping.
"Ruan Tieniu!"
Chen Chengping's heart pounded in terror. He instantly understood why Cen Linfeng had been unable to kill Ji Wujin.
This was all a trap.
Chen Chengping wanted to turn and defend, but how could Boss Feng let such a golden opportunity slip by?
He had no grudge with Ruan Tieniu. As long as he helped Ruan Tieniu kill Chen Chengping, and didn't try to take the treasure, he might be able to save his own life.
"Fellow Daoist Feng, this demon won't let you go! Let's work together..."
Before Chen Chengping could finish his sentence, he felt Boss Feng's attack arrive.
Boom!
The river of blood fell, enveloping Chen Chengping. The dense, bloody, malevolent energy disturbed his mind and corroded his spiritual sense and soul.
Boss Feng's attack directly pierced through Chen Chengping's chest.
Under Ruan Tieniu's sudden ambush and Boss Feng's cooperation, Chen Chengping was killed before he could even summon his Talisman Treasure.
It was mainly because Ruan Tieniu's Nether River Saber Art had affected Chen Chengping's mind and corroded his soul, rendering him unable to fight properly.
"Many thanks for the rescue, Prime Minister Ruan! I am eternally grateful!"
Boss Feng floated in the air on one leg, a flying sword hovering behind him. His pale face was devoid of color, and the spiritual power fluctuations from his body were unstable.
He bowed to Ruan Tieniu, his attitude extremely respectful.
The look in his eyes was friendly, filled with a strong desire to build a good relationship.
After the bow.
Boss Feng took out a second-tier Spirit Recovery Pill, preparing to consume it to quickly restore his spiritual power. But the still-dissipating river of blood instantly enveloped him.
Ruan Tieniu's eyes were filled with a fierce light, mixed with fury. He executed his saber art, unhesitatingly striking at Boss Feng.
"Vile scum! You dared to plot against me in the Wind Snow Valley Mystic Realm, costing me three years of my life. Die!"
Boom!
Ruan Tieniu's furious strike was so powerful that before Boss Feng could even swallow the Spirit Recovery Pill, he was sliced in two at the waist.
His soul was instantly corroded by the river of blood.
"I didn't..."
Thud!
Ruan Tieniu's Violet-Gold Crimson Flame Saber came crashing down. Red and white matter splattered as Boss Feng's corpse fell toward the mountain gorge.
With a thought from his spiritual sense, Ruan Tieniu retrieved the storage bags of both Chen Chengping and Boss Feng. They floated in the air; he did not take them into his hand.
With friends of equal strength, one must have integrity. This was his personal code.
He had promised Ji Wujin two-thirds of the profits, and he would give him two-thirds, never going back on his word.
"Huuu..."
Ruan Tieniu exhaled a breath of turbid air.
After killing Boss Feng, the knot in his heart that had been there for over thirty years was finally untied. Ruan Tieniu felt a sense of relief wash over his body and mind.
Then, he looked toward Ji Wujin.
Under Ji Wujin's sword art, the peak second-tier Wind-Chasing Wolf was covered in wounds, its aura faint. It was at the end of its rope, in a perilous situation, and could be slain by Ji Wujin at any moment.
Of course, this was also because Ji Wujin had used an offensive Talisman Treasure, allowing him to deal with the peak second-tier spirit beast so quickly.
Otherwise, if this Wind-Chasing Wolf had tried to run, it would have been difficult for him to catch it unless he revealed his Treasure-Seeking Mouse.
As for Cen Linfeng, he had been caught in the crossfire of Ji Wujin's attacks and had suffered considerable injuries as well.
He had already expended most of his spiritual power trying to kill Ji Wujin and hadn't had time to take a Spirit Recovery Pill.
The sudden turn of events gave him even less time to take one, while Ji Wujin, in contrast, was brimming with spiritual power.
How could he possibly resist?
"Not good, this scoundrel is trying to escape!"
Ruan Tieniu saw Cen Linfeng take a blow from Ji Wujin head-on. His chest was torn open, revealing his internal organs, but it bought him the chance to take out a second-tier superior-grade escape talisman.
In an instant, he escaped the attack range.
He then took out a Talisman Treasure escape talisman and flew rapidly toward the outer perimeter of the mountain range.
Ruan Tieniu wanted to intercept him, but it was too late. He was too fast; there was simply no time to act.
Then, the Violet-Gold Crimson Flame Saber in Ruan Tieniu's hand flew up, expanded to thirty feet, and lopped off the wolf's head.
"You were too careless, Fellow Daoist. One got away. This might damage my reputation. We'll split the contents of the two storage bags fifty-fifty."
"Who knew that scoundrel had an escape-type Talisman Treasure."
Ji Wujin was a bit speechless. If he had known Cen Linfeng had an escape-type Talisman Treasure, he would have killed him first.
"Fine. We'll each take one of these storage bags. Since neither of us knows what's inside, it saves us the trouble of dividing everything."
Although Boss Feng and Chen Chengping had perished.
Their storage bags were now ownerless, but they still bore their spiritual power imprints.
Only by breaking these imprints could one's spiritual sense probe the contents within.
Since neither of the imprints had been broken yet, they naturally didn't know what was inside.
Ji Wujin directly pulled Boss Feng's storage bag into his hand.
Ruan Tieniu, in turn, collected Chen Chengping's storage bag.
Ruan Tieniu had no objection to what Ji Wujin said. After all, neither of them knew what was in the bags.
Each of them getting a blind box was very fair.
Moreover, he had taken Chen Chengping's storage bag, and he knew that Chen Chengping was a direct descendant of the Artifact Refining Immortal Chen Clan.
That Boss Feng was merely a disciple of the Exalted Qingyou.
It was obvious which storage bag was more valuable.
Ruan Tieniu was secretly pleased, but then he remembered that 'Boss Feng' hadn't released his escape-capable spirit turtle even at the moment of his death, which made him very puzzled.
Could it be that he didn't bring it into the Beast Taming Mystic Realm?
Impossible. The Beast Taming Mystic Realm was incredibly dangerous. How could Boss Feng not bring it?
Could it have already perished in the Beast Taming Mystic Realm?
...
Chen Jianghe put Xiao Hei, Maoqiu, and Spicy into his spirit beast pouch. He calculated the time and realized three months had passed.
It was time to head into the inner mountain range.
During these three months, Xiao Hei's bloodline purity had successfully advanced to fourth-grade superior, and his strength had also increased somewhat.
His defense, in particular, had become even stronger.
Although he still couldn't block the attack of that third-tier savage bull, it wouldn't cause cracks to spread five feet across his shell anymore.
Now, as long as Xiao Hei didn't encounter a third-tier demonic beast or a Core Formation expert, his defense would be very difficult to break.
Even a Talisman Treasure would struggle to breach Xiao Hei's defense.
Furthermore, in these three months, Chen Jianghe had drawn two Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans, and his spiritual cultivation had also improved.
The strength of his spiritual sense had reached four hundred twenty-one zhang and six chi.
He could control objects weighing up to one hundred sixty-two jun.
"A demonic beast?!"
Just as Chen Jianghe flew out from the river's surface, riding his sword toward the inner mountain range, he saw Cen Linfeng flying rapidly toward him.
His speed was so great that it even surpassed that of a False Core Adept flying on a sword.
Looking at the injuries on Cen Linfeng's body, Chen Jianghe guessed that a demonic beast must be chasing him from behind.
"Something's not right. Those injuries are from sword light, and there's poison!"
Chen Jianghe activated his Dharma Eye. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the wound on Cen Linfeng's chest had been torn open by sword light.
His ribs were all broken, and his internal organs were visible.
"Isn't Cen Linfeng with Boss Feng, Ji Yanfeng, Cen Linchuan, and Chen Chengping? Why did he escape from the inner mountains alone? Could it be that a chaotic battle has already broken out in there?"
Chen Jianghe glanced at the pillar of light reaching for the sky. It was clear the great treasure was still there and hadn't been taken.
Watching Cen Linfeng's retreating figure, Chen Jianghe thought for a moment and took out a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
After activating it, he quickly chased in the direction Cen Linfeng had fled.
If it were just Ji Yanfeng, Chen Chengping, and Boss Feng, he wouldn't be afraid of being baited. Even if he were ambushed, he could escape at any time.
Those few couldn't break through Xiao Hei's defense.
Plus, he had a Minor Teleportation Talisman, so he didn't need to worry about such things.
Cen Linfeng had to be killed.
This was a golden opportunity, one he couldn't miss.
The man's hostility toward him was too great; he had revealed his killing intent more than once. If he didn't take this chance to eliminate him in the Beast Taming Mystic Realm, it would be like letting a tiger return to the mountains.
Chen Jianghe wasn't worried that Cen Linfeng could harm him, but he couldn't guarantee that Cen Linfeng wouldn't attack those he was on good terms with.
Yu Daniu, Zhuang Xinyan, and Jiang Ruxu were all very important to him. If they were harmed because he let Cen Linfeng go, he would regret it forever.
As for offending the Cen Clan?
First of all, it was unlikely he would be found out.
Even if he did offend them, so what?
The karma from when Cen Linchuan's father forced him to draw second-tier superior-grade talismans had not yet been settled.
After leaving the Beast Taming Mystic Realm.
As long as his cultivation broke through, he would definitely pay the Cen Clan a visit and demand an explanation.
A hundred breaths later.
Chen Jianghe used another Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman, closing the distance with Cen Linfeng.
"Who on earth did this? To make Cen Linfeng use a Talisman Treasure!"
At this point, Chen Jianghe was one hundred percent certain that Cen Linfeng's actions were not a bait, but a genuine escape for his life.
Using a Talisman Treasure as bait?
Even if the Cen Clan was a talisman-making family, they couldn't afford such bait.
Another twenty breaths passed.
The distance between Chen Jianghe and Cen Linfeng was only a thousand feet. Under his Dharma Eye, he could see Cen Linfeng swallowing a second-tier Spirit Recovery Pill.
Ten more breaths passed.
Cen Linfeng stabilized his figure.
He had taken a Muscle-Growing and Bone-Mending Pill, and the wound on his chest had stopped bleeding. In addition, after swallowing three second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, the spiritual power in his dantian had quickly recovered to seventy percent.
Looking at the approaching Chen Jianghe.
He showed no surprise, only sharp killing intent in his eyes.
Although he was injured, he was not someone a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could humiliate, especially not Chen Jianghe.
"Chen Jianghe, I told you it would be best if I didn't run into you in this mystic realm, or it would be your doom!"
Cen Linfeng said coldly.
When Chen Jianghe saw Cen Linfeng stop, he secretly had Xiao Hei sense the surrounding aura. After confirming there were no powerful presences nearby.
He completely ignored Cen Linfeng's words.
He directly released Maoqiu and Spicy at the same time.
Then he quickly flashed into the great river below, diving to the bottom and watching the battle in the sky with his Dharma Eye.
Chen Jianghe wasn't going to waste words on Cen Linfeng.
Even if Cen Linfeng was heavily injured, it would be difficult for a mere late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like himself to defeat him, let alone kill him.
So, he would leave it to Maoqiu and Spicy.
"A peak second-tier spirit beast?!"
The moment Cen Linfeng saw Maoqiu appear, he froze completely, his eyes filled with horror.
Had he just escaped a wolf pack only to fall into a tiger's den?
Even when uninjured, he would have little chance of victory against a peak second-tier spirit beast, let alone in his current heavily wounded state.
The spiritual poison in his wound was attacking his heart, and without an antidote pill, the circulation of his spiritual power was restricted, making it even harder to deal with a peak second-tier spirit beast.
And next to it was an unknown giant python. Judging from its aura, it was a late second-tier spirit beast.
"Treacherous villain, to think you raised two spirit beasts!"
Cen Linfeng understood that killing Chen Jianghe was now impossible.
He had to run!
He took out a second-tier superior-grade escape talisman, but before he could use it, he felt strands of ice silk swarming him from all directions.
"Break!"
Cen Linfeng shouted grimly. With a turn of his flying sword, he severed a dozen strands of ice silk, but in the next moment, the ice silk wrapped around his sword, devouring its spiritual power and immobilizing it in mid-air.
Immediately after, Cen Linfeng was also bound by the ice silk.
Before Cen Linfeng could struggle, Maoqiu raised his heavy profound iron staff and smashed it down.
Thud!
A mist of blood filled the air, and all signs of life were extinguished.
"Squeak squeak~" (He's the one who wanted to kill Master?)
"Hiss hiss..." (So weak? Bro Qiu, why'd you steal my thunder!)
Seeing the battle end before it even began, Chen Jianghe shot out of the river and collected Cen Linfeng's storage bag.
Then, he conjured a flame with his spiritual power, turning Cen Linfeng's physical body to ash.
"Let's go!"
Chen Jianghe took Maoqiu and Spicy and dove back to the river bottom,遁 fleeing into the distance.
"Master, on what grounds did he dare to be so disrespectful to you?"
Maoqiu was very confused.
Why did this weak two-legged creature dare to be so arrogant toward his master?
Instead of running upon seeing his master, he even boasted about killing him. Where did this confidence come from?
It was a complete mystery to him.
Spicy was equally puzzled.
It really couldn't imagine why that fellow didn't run.
"He was very strong... uh, he was just injured and his strength was limited, which is why you killed him so easily. You must remember, this was a stroke of luck. You must not think that all peak Foundation Establishment cultivators are weak just because you killed a heavily injured, dying one."
Chen Jianghe transmitted his voice.
Actually, Chen Jianghe was also puzzled. How did Cen Linfeng die just like that?
Back in Thousand Mountains Market City, Cen Linfeng was widely known as a genius of the Cen Clan, possessing a three-element true spiritual root, a spirit-nurturing flying sword, and a spirit-nurturing defensive artifact.
He had been a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator for decades, making him a veteran of his rank.
To be smashed to death by Maoqiu's staff in one blow really didn't match the rumors.
It didn't match Cen Linfeng's usual arrogant demeanor either.
Chen Jianghe felt that it wasn't that Cen Linfeng was too weak, but that Maoqiu and Spicy were too strong. Coupled with the fact that Cen Linfeng was already heavily injured, it seemed the previous attack he faced had even shattered his spirit-nurturing defensive artifact.
That's why he was trapped by Spicy and smashed to pieces by Maoqiu's staff.
After escaping for ten li, he took out the items from Cen Linfeng's storage bag, put them into his own, and then tossed the empty bag into the riverbed.
He continued to use the Water Wave Escape.
Only after escaping for another fifty li did Chen Jianghe stop to seriously examine the fortune Cen Linfeng had delivered to him.
(End of this chapter)