Chapter 137 - Arc 10: The Affairs of Sword Cave | Chapter 137: Heavenly Demon Cave
Translator: Lynn
Countless thoughts traversed Xu Ziqing’s mind, yet he pressed on with unwavering determination.
He propelled himself forward with remarkable speed, his form akin to the wind and his movements reminiscent of lightning.
In due time, he arrived at the scene.
With clarity, Xu Ziqing discerned the cluster of figures locked in battle.
As anticipated, one faction comprised a robed cultivator, though he couldn’t identify the individual. Contrasting them were malevolent entities, different from the earlier green-skinned foes. These creatures boasted indigo-blue bodies exceeding eight feet in height, crowned by elongated horns.
Roughly estimating the numbers, Xu Ziqing approximated four or five cultivators and seven or eight malevolent creatures engaged in combat. Their skirmish was marked by intertwining flights of swords, casting a mesmerizing display of brilliance.
Observing closely, Xu Ziqing recognized the blue-skinned monsters as considerably mightier than their green-skinned counterparts.
Though Xu Ziqing naturally aligned with the cultivators in their struggle against the malevolent entities, he refrained from rash intervention, knowing that appearances could be deceiving. As the cultivators gained the upper hand, he couldn’t help but offer a wry smile.
In the past, he might have already rushed into the fray, but his current disposition leaned more toward aloofness.
One youth in brocade attire shouted, “Shimei, step back, I’ll handle this!”
The woman in the blue skirt withdrew, casting a talisman that coalesced into a translucent shield enveloping the youth. Meanwhile, she supported him from behind.
With a flourish, the youth’s longsword conjured a dazzling flame, propelling gusts of air as it thrust through an evil creature’s skull. A swift kick dispatched the corpse, followed by a formidable swing at another foe.
The malevolent entities matched their adversaries in strength, releasing noxious fumes that coalesced into floating orbs akin to will-o’-the-wisps. These ethereal entities corroded large areas upon contact.
Among the combatants, apart from the Daoist siblings, two other individuals took part, seemingly on divergent paths. While united against malevolent forces, an air of mutual wariness lingered between them.
Xu Ziqing discerned that the senior brother and sister wielded cultivation slightly superior, both hovering at the mid-stage of the foundation establishment. Conversely, the other pair consisted of a middle-stage foundation establishment practitioner and an early-stage one. Their respective sword techniques and qi flows exhibited striking disparities. Such discrepancies indicated the divergence of their origins, likely not members of the same sect. They had converged in the underground, their purpose shrouded in mystery.
Perhaps, like him, they too had stumbled upon this abyss inadvertently? Contemplating the possibilities, Xu Ziqing’s heart accelerated, uncertainty gnawing at him.
Then again, they might have deliberately sought out this place.
If that were the case, he could potentially glean valuable insights from them.
With heightened focus, Xu Ziqing observed the unfolding skirmish. Striving to conserve his true energy, he remained alert to their safety.
The tide of battle was turning swiftly, the blue-skinned malevolent entities found themselves outmatched by the martial prowess of the group. The middle-stage foundation establishment practitioners displayed commendable resilience, while the other pair faced somewhat greater challenges. However, the combined effort allowed them to hold their ground against the malevolent entities. Gradually, the blue-skinned monsters dwindled in number. The junior sister deployed several talismans that danced around her body. With every strike, the malevolent creatures shrieked, their forms soon reduced to ashes.
This spectacle left Xu Ziqing somewhat dazed. He had utilized talismans himself before, yet the sight before him differed significantly.
His previous experiences involved standard talismans, characterized by yellow, red, and green hues, each bearing inscribed symbols charged with mana, capable of controlling adversaries. In contrast, the woman’s talismans emitted auras and radiant bursts of light. Their malleability and effectiveness showcased remarkable peculiarity.
In the presence of these unfamiliar talismans, Xu Ziqing’s curiosity was undeniably piqued.
Both swordsmanship mastery and the accumulation of true energy were aimed at enhancing one’s personal strength and offensive capabilities. Given the potent efficacy of these talismans, acquiring them might prove immensely advantageous for augmenting his own abilities. Reflecting on this, Xu Ziqing directed a more intent gaze toward the woman’s talismans.
The talismans were remarkably translucent, adorned with intricate silk-like patterns that exuded a compelling aura. With each discharge, a phantom of the talisman materialized in its initial position. Upon detonation, the phantom reabsorbed into the real talisman, leaving behind one less of the intricate lines.
These talismans formed an impenetrable barrier around the woman, ensuring the timely repulsion of malevolent entities from every conceivable direction, safeguarding her against potential harm.
Eventually, the last blue-skinned monster succumbed to the combined efforts of the quartet. A cautious tension replaced the prior chaos as they stood facing one another. The demise of the malevolent entities altered the atmosphere, creating a delicate standoff between the groups.
Their mutual gazes conveyed a complex mix of curiosity, caution, and uncertainty. Xu Ziqing wondered if these individuals, like him, had stumbled upon this place by chance.
After a brief pause, the two weaker members of the group broke the silence. “Fellow travelers, we’re curious about your intentions in handling the creatures in this region.”
Another member chimed in, “We mustn’t be too hasty in pursuing reckless gains. As for our partnership against these demons, we’re well aware of each other’s tactics. Whoever deals the final blow will claim the spoils. Let’s distribute the spoils as such.”
The two weaker cultivators seemed satisfied with this arrangement, responding with smiles and an agreement to split the loot separately.
The senior brother added, “Very well. Junior sister, please ensure we aren’t taken advantage of while we divide the items.”
Simultaneously, the other group remained vigilant, unperturbed by the young man’s words.
In this moment of surprise, Xu Ziqing’s thoughts raced. When Rongjin consumed blood earlier, it had absorbed the entire head of the green-skinned monsters. Could these items still be valuable?
As he pondered, the cultivators began to act.
The senior brother retrieved his flying sword and, with precise maneuvers, cut into the chest of a blue-skinned monster. With a deft twist of the sword, a bloody object was extracted. This prompted Xu Ziqing’s initial shock—was he witnessing a heart extraction?
However, he soon realized his error. The young man pointed and summoned a water stream that rushed over the object, revealing a fist-sized, pitch-black crystal. It pulsed with potent energy, imbued with formidable power.
It wasn’t a heart extraction, but the appearance was eerily similar. Likely, this crystal embodied the malevolent entity’s condensed power—a crystallized manifestation. Yet, how useful would it prove compared to a beast pill?
Fifteen lifeless bodies littered the ground, with nine of them dispatched by the senior brother-sister duo. The senior brother deftly wielded his sword to extract crystals from each slain entity, depositing them into his storage ring with a swift flick of his finger. His practiced efficiency contrasted with the two other cultivators’ cautious and deliberate approach, revealing their relative inexperience.
Suddenly, Xu Ziqing sensed a ripple of divine awareness sweeping toward him. Swiftly, he projected his own divine awareness to intercept it. Following this, the junior sister turned her head sharply, demanding, “Who lurks around there?”
Simultaneously, the remaining trio cast vigilant glances in his direction.
Recognizing his predicament, Xu Ziqing considered his options. He intended to approach and inquire, but being discovered prematurely wouldn’t bode well. Yet remaining concealed after detection would exacerbate the situation. Thus, he chose to step out from the shadows, presenting himself to the group. Rong Jin, the demon vine, now coiled around his arms docilely, resembling an innocuous accessory.
He addressed them with a gentle smile, “I harbor no ill intentions. Given your ongoing battle, I opted to wait on the sidelines so as not to disrupt you. Please accept my apologies.” One might assume that a solitary young cultivator with a comparable cultivation level would appear more approachable and less menacing, thus evading potential hostility. Yet, their vigilance seemed to escalate upon seeing him.
Sensing their heightened caution, Xu Ziqing found himself slightly taken aback. However, to avoid antagonizing them, he suppressed his surprise. Pondering for a moment, he ventured, “Could it be there’s been a misunderstanding?”
In response, the woman within the group voiced her thoughts, “Fellow Daoist dares venture alone into the Heavenly Demon Cave. You must possess remarkable strength. Are you here to meet the master?”
Her statement seemed to carry an underlying suspicion.
Xu Ziqing’s emotions wavered between amusement and exasperation. He wasn’t as potent as they assumed. His presence in the “Heavenly Demon Cave,” as grating as it sounded, was merely coincidental. Recognizing the necessity of clarifying his situation, he weighed his words. He knew that failing to provide a credible explanation might induce these wary cultivators to turn hostile. Yet, sharing too much might expose him to potential deception.
After a sigh, and having weighed numerous pros and cons, Xu Ziqing found himself still musing over his commitments with his senior brother and the upcoming sect competition. Observing the strangers before him who didn’t seem to belong to any malevolent faction, he decided to try his luck and share his situation.
With his resolve in place, he respectfully clasped his fists and began, “I am Xu Ziqing from the Wuling Immortal Sect. Due to intense sword training within the sword cave, I unintentionally ventured into a cave, leading me to this place. My carelessness is indeed a source of shame. Upon hearing voices, I followed them here to inquire. It is with the hope that kind fellow Daoists can provide me with some understanding…”
As they perceived his sincere demeanor, the four individuals appeared somewhat less guarded.
Upon experiencing this positive response, Xu Ziqing felt relieved. His encounter seemed to have taken a favorable turn, suggesting that most of them were reasonable individuals.
Shortly after his words concluded, the two less experienced cultivators bowed and expressed, “We are both disciples of the Jujing Sect. We have pressing matters to attend to and must take our leave. Fellow Daoists, please excuse us.” Their statement given, they turned and departed, showing no inclination to linger.
However, the senior brother and sister duo remained rooted, initiating the interaction with a bow. The senior brother introduced himself, “Brother Dao is a disciple of the Wuling Immortal Sect if I’m not mistaken. We have been here for a while. We are disciples of the Zixiao Sect. I am named Wu Anyi. This is my junior sister, Ji Rui.”
Though the names Jujing Sect and Zixiao Sect were unfamiliar to Xu Ziqing, he brushed aside the unfamiliarity and replied with a smile, “Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wu, and Miss Ji.”
Ji Rui returned the smile, her visage adorned with charm. “Brother Daoist Xu, you need not be overly polite as a fellow cultivator. Simply refer to me as fellow Daoist.”
Following her advice, Xu Ziqing responded, “Certainly, Fellow Daoist Ji.” After a brief pause, he inquired further, “May I ask, dear fellow Daoists, where precisely is this Heavenly Demon’s Cave…?”
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