Blood Feeding the Demon Sword

Blood Feeding the Demon Sword...

Within the sword range nestled beneath the precipice, a torrent of sword qi unleashed mournful wails, saturating the air with a palpable bloodlust.

Nearby, ordinary cultivators who had been practicing in the vicinity of the sword range couldn't help but feel their hearts quiver in dread. The collective force of the hundreds of swords was palpable, and the savage aura of death was undeniable.

Who could have foreseen that the delicate equilibrium among the Sword Reverence City's three major powers would collapse so dramatically, erupting into an all-out battle on the very day the Wang Clan arrived?

Starlight bathed the flatlands beneath the precipice, illuminating the fallen experts from the three powers who had perished in the chaotic melee, one after another. Amid this battlefield, only the colossal demon sword, deeply embedded in the earth, appeared eternal, resolute in its refusal to be extracted.

Rumors had it that this sword was profoundly malevolent, possessing its own sentience. It resisted all attempts to be drawn, for none had earned its approval. After all, if a sentient sword chose to remain buried, why else would it not allow itself to be wielded?

Above the sword range, a silent group of figures appeared, calmly observing the turmoil below. Their composure suggested the tumultuous battle held no significance for them.

These were the cultivators of the Wang Clan, present as mere spectators, detached from the chaos.

The Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan couldn't help but feel frustrated. The Wang Clan's assistance had clearly arrived, yet they made no move to aid them. In the eyes of the Wang Clan, both the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan were expendable pawns, manipulated at their whim to further their own agenda.

For pawns, a few sacrifices were inconsequential.

"The Zong Clan's mastery of their sword formation is truly profound. Even in the face of the combined onslaught from the two clans, they continue to rely on that formation to counterattack fiercely," remarked the middle-aged man from the Wang Clan amidst his fellow clan members.

"But what does that really matter? Sure, the Zong Clan's sword formation can cut through many of our fighters, but they'll be equally devastated in the process. They've already broken nine Zong Clan formations, and now, the tide is turning in our favor," remarked a voice from the crowd. "Does Qin Wentian truly wish to witness such a massacre? I bet he's hiding plenty of other secrets on his person."

"Stellar Martial Cultivators usually store most of their secrets in their interspatial rings. Once we kill him, we'll have access to all his hidden treasures. If we try to capture him alive, it might end up like the situation in the ancient kingdom – full of unexpected variables. We mustn't underestimate him."

"In that case, let's just kill him outright. He's refrained from using the Divine Stele so far. I wonder if he's luring us into a trap or if the Ancient Will of the Divine Stele has already dissipated."

"We'll find out if we keep watching. No need to rush our move."

The Wang Clan members continued their nonchalant discussion, seemingly relaxed. Meanwhile, the large-scale battle below was spiraling into total chaos.

Zong Yi, the clan leader of the Zong Clan, guarded Qin Wentian alongside a few Doyens. However, Jian Wuyou and Li Zhentian managed to break through the chaos, engaging them directly in combat. This forced Qin Wentian into a retreat. These enemies were far stronger than him, and if they managed to catch him off guard, he would have no chance of survival. Hence, he maintained a careful distance from them.

A tremendous surge of demonic energy radiated from Qin Wentian as his Astral Soul and Astral Nova burst into existence. High above, an intense beam of astral light descended. Qin Wentian looked up at the sky, and within moments, he established an innate connection with a constellation. A colossal Golden Primal Ape materialized before him. Astonishingly, this Golden Primal Ape possessed the aura of the second level of the Heavenly Dipper!

Even after advancing to the Heavenly Dipper Realm, Qin Wentian could still surpass his current level and summon astral warbeasts more powerful than himself.

Furthermore, the Crimsonblood Thunder Hawk, Silvery Roc, and several other ancient demonic beasts appeared in the vicinity, surrounding Qin Wentian as he stood at the center.

A horde of enemy experts converged upon Qin Wentian, their murderous intent gleaming in their eyes. The Wang Clan had made it clear that Qin Wentian must be killed. His death would mark the successful completion of their mission, and the Wang Clan would then assist them in bolstering their strength, including the annihilation of the Zong Clan.

Qin Wentian's demonic aura surged, and wings sprouted from his back. His eyes took on a sinister glint as he shot forward like lightning. A single terrifying demonic pupil appeared in the center of his forehead. When that eye opened, cultivators from the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan with a cultivation base below Heavenly Dipper shuddered violently and fell into a deep slumber.

With a clap, the ancient sword strapped to his back leaped into his hand. The blade sliced through the air with a haunting keening sound.

"Puchi, puchi..." Fresh blood sprayed from the slashed throats of his targets, all of whom were younger generation members from the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan.

The expressions of those who remained from the Heavenly Sword Sect and Li Clan twisted in shock. The power of his second-level Mandate, the Sword Melody, was simply terrifying. As soon as the sound of his sword rang out, anyone below Heavenly Dipper had no chance.

A powerful sword intent locked onto Qin Wentian, and moments later, a young cultivator burst forth, shattering all defenses as he rushed toward Qin Wentian. This was Jian Xie, the strongest of the three Sword Sons from the Heavenly Sword Sect, boasting a cultivation base at the third level of Heavenly Dipper.

He transformed into a stream of light, manifesting multiple shadowy bodies, all charging toward Qin Wentian with swords in hand.

"Hmph," Qin Wentian snorted, his expression icy. His third eye radiated light as his sword sang out again. Instantly, the shadowy bodies were obliterated. However, during that brief distraction, Jian Xie had already closed in on Qin Wentian.

Simultaneously, experts from the other powers appeared on his left and right. Despite being protected by the Zong Clan, Qin Wentian's guardians were overwhelmed by the enemy's superior numbers.

Atop the precipice, members of the Wang Clan observed the scene with cold laughter in their eyes. If the Divine Stele was still as formidable as before, now would be the time for Qin Wentian to use it. Perhaps he refrained from using it to protect the Zong Clan's members, but with his life hanging by a thread, how much longer could he hold back?

The experts soon realized that Qin Wentian was heading directly for the demon sword. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from sight and reappeared standing on the hilt of the massive sword, covered in armor made from demonic scales.

Jian Xie, the Sword Son of the Heavenly Sword Sect, rushed towards Qin Wentian, his eyes gleaming with malice as he closed in. Qin Wentian could sense an immense amount of death qi emanating from Jian Xie's eyes, attempting to crush his mind. However, Qin Wentian's will was unyielding, and Jian Xie's sinister techniques had no effect on him.

A powerful surge of energy emanated from Qin Wentian's Demon Sovereign Astral Nova and the King of Swords Astral Nova as they charged forward. The Demon Sovereign took on the form of an ancient primordial demon, while the King of Swords manifested as a Supreme Divine Sword. Their combined might caused Jian Xie's Astral Nova to tremble under the pressure – a clear effect of higher-tiered Astral Novas.

Jian Xie attacked, his Astral Nova resembling a Death God crashing into both Qin Wentian's Demon Sovereign Nova and King of Swords Nova.

Jian Xie's advantage lay in his cultivation level, as higher cultivation allowed for greater energy output from an Astral Nova. Qin Wentian's advantage lay in the unique nature of his Astral Novas, each born from a separate Yuanfu attuned to them and condensed using Divine Energy. With his Astral Souls originating from a higher layer, he was evenly matched even when facing someone like Jian Xie.

In particular, his King of Swords Astral Nova was composed entirely of Sword-type Divine Yuan energy, and every inch of its body was etched with intricate sword-type runic inscriptions that enhanced its destructive power. When the two sword-type Astral Novas clashed, a thunderous sound reverberated through the void, and cracks appeared on Jian Xie's Sword-type Astral Nova.

A strong gust of wind kicked up as Jian Xie darted through his Astral Nova, hurtling towards Qin Wentian. His eyes radiated a deathly coldness, reminiscent of the chill of death. With a single slash, a black sword scar materialized, descending upon Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian thrust his sword forward, its keening akin to the shrill cry of a demonic dragon. Their swords clashed head-on, creating an overwhelming aura of devastation that swept the surroundings.

"Chi, chi..."

The clash of metal echoed as the swords repeatedly collided. Qin Wentian willed his ancient sword to vibrate at an increasing tempo. An endless sword keen filled the air, and in an instant, Jian Xie's expression changed. He felt as though his entire body was enveloped by an unimaginable number of swords.

"KILL!" Jian Xie, a Sword Son, wielded a sword reminiscent of the Death God's. His attack created a fearsome whirlpool of death energy, enveloping Qin Wentian.

"BANG!"

A burst of astral light flooded the area as Qin Wentian disappeared in an instant. This movement technique was one of Grand Xia's nine ultimate arts – Stellar Transposition.

Jian Xie sensed an intense crisis but had no time to react. With the sword's keening still echoing in his ears, his body was slashed, causing blood to gush out. Qin Wentian directed the blood toward the demon sword with a wave of his hand, supported by a burst of astral energy.

"Pitter patter."

A barely audible sound reverberated, so soft that it escaped the notice of others. However, Jian Xie's face contorted with sheer terror. He scrambled backward, but could he move fast enough? The demon sword emitted a crimson glow, and in an instant, a blood-curdling scream echoed as Jian Xie's entire body was violently drained of blood, turning him into a dried-up husk before he plummeted to the ground.

"Dead?" The other experts were horrified. They had believed Jian Xie would easily dispatch Qin Wentian.

Meanwhile, the Zong Clan members felt chills run down their spines as they watched the gruesome scene. They couldn't help but recall the elder who had almost fought Qin Wentian earlier. If they had battled, there was little doubt that the elder would have been defeated.

Qin Wentian, the demon-level genius and the top-ranked contender in the Heavenly Fate Rankings, had fully earned his reputation. It was clear why Clan Lord Zong Yi placed such immense trust in him. With time, he would undoubtedly lead the Zong Clan to even greater glory.

But now, Qin Wentian faced even graver peril. Four experts encircled him, their killing intent shrouding the heavens and earth, trapping him.

Observing this, the Wang Clan members concluded that the ancient power of the Divine Stele had already dissipated, or else Qin Wentian would have used it to escape by now.

Qin Wentian tilted his head, his eyes flashing with cold determination. The onlookers couldn't help but shudder.

With a decisive slash, Qin Wentian cut his palm, allowing a drop of blood to fall onto the demon sword. This action sent shockwaves through the crowd. Even Clan Lord Zong Yi wore an expression of shock.

"WENTIAN!"

Zong Yi's face turned ashen. What was Qin Wentian thinking?

"Do you desire the demon blood that courses through my veins?" Qin Wentian's eyes were fixed on the colossal demon sword below. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the worst.

The audaciousness behind his actions stemmed from an unusual phenomenon: every time he heard the demon sword's lament, his own blood responded with an eerie harmony.

As the demon sword greedily consumed his blood, its blade radiated with an otherworldly brilliance, enveloping the skies in an overwhelming shroud of demonic energy. A formidable beam of light erupted into the heavens, illuminating the surroundings and turning night into an eerie day.

The agonized cries of the demon sword reverberated across the battlefield, its echoing waves of sound seemingly endless, haunting every ear that heard them.