Embers of Sword

Chapter 610 Burning Life
At the end of the sea of ​​clouds, two figures in black robes stood facing each other.

Chongkan's eyes were dripping with blood.

Xie Xuanyi's hands were bare of white bones.

The two were only ten feet apart.

The Great Master hovered silently in the sky, watching the young man in black who came riding the wind with a complicated expression. Many years ago, he was just as spirited, but now he was old and frail, with a flying sword still stuck in the Qi Sea acupoint on his chest where his heart was.

Chongkan knew that Xie Xuanyi would pay any price to try to grasp the flying sword and push it inward.

What followed was the final showdown that would determine their fate.

Having cultivated for hundreds of years, he had only witnessed a few life-or-death battles like this one. Of course, Chongkan had imagined his own final fate... He considered countless possibilities, but never this scenario. A lofty Yang God at the eighth level might die at the hands of a Yin God sword cultivator.

"Xie Xuanyi, you... are lucky."

Chongkan spoke softly, not in a hurry to make a move. He was not deliberately delaying to accumulate strength, nor was he plotting anything.

At this point, both sides have already played all their cards, so where would they find any more strength to spare?
He just wanted to say a few words to the young man in front of him.

In fact, most of what happened in today's deadly situation in Beihai was within Chongkan's expectations.

Chen Jingxuan sets up the formation, while Tang Fengshu breaks through the realm.

To him... these variables were all insignificant trifles.

So what if there's one more Nine Bright Phoenix Fire Array, or one more newly promoted Yang God?

Even if the Great Demon of Yang God from the Great Sui Sword Palace attacked, he wouldn't take it seriously.

But this young swordsman changed everything—

Even now, Chongkan still didn't think Xie Xuanyi was anything special. He was just a mere Yin God, only able to stand before him thanks to the "Fountain of Immortality" gifted by Zhao Chunyang. Without the "Fountain of Immortality," what was Xie Xuanyi?!

So... in the end, it was all just Xie Xuanyi's good luck.

"I've always been lucky."

Unexpectedly, Xie Xuanyi's expression remained unchanged, and he was not disturbed in the slightest by this denial.

these years.

Many people say he is a genius, a once-in-a-millennium sword immortal.

Xie Xuanyi knew in his heart that while talent was certainly a factor in getting to this point, luck was also an indispensable part.

"good very good……"

Chongkan smiled.

With a look of pity, he said, "Then let's see who has better luck."

The words fell.

Xie Xuanyi took a step forward and instantly arrived in front of Chongkan.

A fierce wind was blowing from the zenith.

The two figures in black were entangled together. Xie Xuanyi gripped the sword hilt with both hands and thrust it with all his might toward Chongkan's heart.

At the same time, the black-robed Grandmaster suddenly clasped his hands together, the two sides of the [Sickness] sword blade pressed against each other!
Zheng!
Xie Xuanyi's pupils suddenly contracted. A mournful cry echoed in his heart from his natal flying sword. This flying sword, forged by his master Zhao Chunyang, burst forth with a cracking sound as it could no longer bear the weight! Chong Kan poured all his strength into the blade of the flying sword, channeling the two strands of Dao intent, [Myriad Manifestations] and [Turbid Clarity], into it. Countless Dao patterns rippled instantly at the point where his palm touched the sword's surface. If it were any other spiritual treasure, it would probably have been broken in an instant!

"I've heard that a natal flying sword is connected to the mind and spirit of a sword cultivator."

Chongkan smiled and said, "Let's see if you die first, or I die first."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi remained silent, but continued to hand over the sword.

The flying sword pierced through the black robe, penetrated Chongkan's skin, then his flesh, and finally reached his heart.

For ordinary cultivators below the Yin Spirit realm, being pierced in the heart is certain death. However, after cultivating to the Yang Spirit realm, it's a completely different story. Great cultivators of the Yang Spirit realm have long since merged their natal cave heaven with their physical body, and the so-called "heart" location has transformed into a Qi Sea acupoint, through which all the vital energy in their body flows... This place is still the most important part of their physical body, but being pierced by a flying sword will not result in immediate death.

Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Xie Xuanyi plunged the tip of the Sickly Sword into Chongkan's heart, and he heard a thunderous roar. This Great True Man of the Eighth Heaven was now severely injured and extremely weakened, but his heart was still beating like thunder. As long as he was given a chance to catch his breath, he would soon be able to regroup.

The flying sword wanted to continue its journey.

But Chongkan's palms were like iron walls, firmly clamping the sword.

[Chronic Illness] could no longer withstand such a powerful infusion of Dao intent. The sword's edge gradually shattered, revealing fine, narrow cracks. Xie Xuanyi's physical body was also under immense pressure. His skeletal arms, which had just begun to grow flesh and blood, were stripped of their flesh and blood again by the Dao Domains [Myriad Manifestations] and [Turbid Clarity]. This was not even a battle of the same level... However, due to the existence of the Undying Spring, Xie Xuanyi's flesh and blood regenerated after falling off. The cracks on his natal flying sword gradually repaired themselves. Just as Chong Kan had said, this had become a life-or-death struggle devoid of any skill.

He wanted to gamble with Xie Xuanyi on who would have better luck.

Ultimately, the fountain of immortality was the first to run out.

He died first.

……

……

At the summit of Tianyuan Mountain, clouds and mist swirl around the mountain, and streams flow.

The sound of babbling came from the top of the sky.

Deng Baiyi stopped and looked at the waterfall in front of her. This was a secluded forest deep within the Tianyuan Mountain Secret Realm. Her expression was full of confusion and bewilderment... Earlier, the remnant spirit of "Chongkan" had told her that he had a way to solve today's predicament, and then he brought her to this place.

Deng Baiyi looked around and murmured softly, "Where is this?"

"This was my favorite place back then."

Looking at the waterfall, Chongkan smiled and said, "Back in my youth, I chanted Taoist scriptures on the mountain, practiced swordsmanship at the foot of the mountain, built formations in the forest, and practiced boxing by the spring."

There are seven schools of Taoism, each practicing a different Taoist art.

But Chongkan... practiced almost all the techniques and supernatural powers of the Taoist school.

Therefore, he cultivated the [Myriad Phenomena] Dao Domain, which encompasses many Dao principles.

Several years ago, when he was still young, he practiced his spirituality here.

For Chongkan, this waterfall cascading down the cliff holds his most precious memories; apart from his senior brother, only Deng Baiyi had ever been here.

"so……"

Deng Baiyi still didn't quite understand the significance of Chongkan bringing her here.

"In a state of spiritual wandering, the physical body is in a state of near-extinguishing."

Chongkan stood with his hands behind his back and slowly said, "If the 'anchor point' cannot be found, the soul cannot return and will wander in the long river of the Great Dao... In a sense, although my senior brother is dead, he is still alive."

Deng Baiyi understood what was being said.

"You mean, there's still a chance for Sect Leader Xiaoyaozi's soul to return to his physical body?"

Deng Baiyi's eyes lit up.

"Logically speaking, there is a chance."

Chongkan lowered his eyes and chuckled self-deprecatingly, "But I'm not sure either, after all... I've never even touched the realm of divine travel in my entire life. But there is one thing I am certain of: in the long river of the Great Dao, the denser the primordial energy, the easier it is to be detected. That is why my senior brother fell into 'annihilation' earlier."

The battle at Tianyuan Mountain resulted in the depletion of vital energy in the back mountain.

After his soul left his body, the senior brother lost his anchor point and could not return.

If we could restore the vitality of the back mountain...

So perhaps, the mistakes he made can be made up for.

"But……"

Deng Baiyi frowned: "The spiritual energy of Tianyuan Mountain is already rich enough." She had entered this realm and advanced several minor realms in succession.

Isn't this level of vitality considered abundant?

"not enough."

Chongkan calmly said, "The reason I was able to advance to the 'Eighth Heaven' is because I absorbed the Yuan Qi of Tianyuan Mountain... Back then, my senior brother went into seclusion to try to break through to the Celestial Realm. The Yuan Qi you see now is still a bit short of what is needed to advance to the Celestial Realm."

Deng Baiyi fell into deep thought again.

As Chongkan said, Tianyuan Mountain is still lacking some vital energy... How can we make up for that lack of vital energy?
"You should know that after a cultivator dies, their physical body perishes and their soul returns to nothingness."

Chongkan suddenly spoke up: "Those primordial energies will also return to the void... It is said that after a person dies, their soul will return to their hometown, and these primordial energies will also return to the place where they were born."

Deng Baiyi was taken aback.

"Behind this waterfall is a great formation that can draw upon vital energy. My life essence is engraved on it... Over the years, I have been using this great formation to absorb the vital energy of Tianyuan Mountain for cultivation."

Chongkan looked at the little girl beside him and smiled slightly: "Next, you can use this great formation to return this vital energy to Tianyuan Mountain."

He reached out his palm and placed it very gently against Deng Baiyi's waist.

It was originally just a fleeting illusion.

But at this moment, it suddenly became solid.

Rumble, rumble.

The entire Tianyuan Mountain Secret Realm began to tremble. The clouds in the sky began to converge at a single point, condensing into a massive vortex in just a few breaths. Thousands upon thousands of wisps of cloud, like threads, surged towards the small mountain. Chongkan gently exerted his power, pushing Deng Baiyi to the back of the waterfall, where a magnificent Yuan-gathering array radiated golden light. Deng Baiyi had never seen such a grand and spectacular array in her life. Nearly ten thousand Dao talismans were arranged in an orderly fashion and suspended, forming a celestial well reaching straight to the sky. The Yuan energy of the entire Tianyuan Mountain circulated and flowed under the guidance of the array.

at this moment.

Deng Baiyi became the "master" of Tianyuan Mountain.

She turned around and saw the black-robed Grand Master who had pushed her, his body radiating a faint golden flame—the life flame of a cultivator, which usually only ignites when advancing in rank… At this moment, Chongkan was voluntarily igniting his life flame, certainly not for the sake of advancement.

He is actively pursuing "destruction".

The Battle of Tianyuan Mountain.

Chongkan's benevolent incarnation was defeated and imprisoned here, where he has remained imprisoned for sixty years... The reason it is "imprisoned" rather than "annihilated" is certainly not because Chongkan's evil incarnation harbored any mercy.

Rather, good intentions lead to death and the dissipation of one's spiritual path.

Even the embodiment of evil can suffer fatal injuries.

In order to cultivate the One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, Chongkan actively separated his soul and spirit. However, the separated soul and spirit were still connected to the main body. Whether it was the "incarnation of evil thoughts" or the "incarnation of good thoughts", it was the true master of this body. There was no distinction between master and servant.

Over the course of sixty years, the embodiment of good intentions has had moments when he considered "dying together with others."

But for him, dying would only make things worse.

The incarnation in the outside world, though ideologically different and stubbornly obstinate, can at least sit in charge of the Taoist sect and maintain order... I myself, by paying the price of "death" to give the master a new life, do not benefit the Taoist sect in any way.

So... he kept waiting.

If an "outsider" could control the Tianyuan Mountain Grand Array and regroup the vital energy... and summon the headmaster to come, then everything would be different!

He can die.

But... one must die a worthy death.

Sixty years have passed.

He finally met the person in charge of the formation.

"and many more……"

Separated by a waterfall, by the time Deng Baiyi realized something was wrong, it was too late. She shouted loudly, trying to stop it all, but in an instant, the robes of the Great Master Chongkan were already ablaze with flames.

This great master chose to end his life in front of the waterfall where he had cultivated in his youth.

Boom.

The black robe billowed and transformed completely into a dazzling, blazing flame.

……

……

"laugh!"

At the edge of the sea of ​​clouds, a sudden burst of light and fire erupted with a sharp, piercing sound.

The sound appeared without warning.

Xie Xuanyi frowned slightly. Although he didn't know what had happened, he could feel the hands that were tightly gripping the [Sickness] flying sword loosen slightly.

In this life-or-death battle where everything is at stake.

Even the slightest change can affect the outcome of a match.

Without hesitation, Xie Xuanyi immediately pierced through the air with his flying sword. The sword broke through layers of flesh and blood, directly piercing through the chest of Grand Master Chongkan. The tip of the sword pierced through the back of the black robe, bursting out a large string of blood flowers, and then the entire flying sword burst out of his body.

"Well……"

Chongkan let out a low growl of extreme pain, his pupils contracting to their limit, like thin lines.

The Great Master slowly lowered his head, staring at the scene in disbelief.

It is certainly painful to be pierced through the heart by a flying sword.

But what is even more painful than this is... the surging life fire that is now burning in the divine sea.

Chi Chi Chi!
The sound of the explosion didn't subside; instead, it intensified.

Xie Xuanyi stepped back, his expression solemn. He looked at Grand Master Chongkan, who had been pierced through the heart by his flying sword and had no chance of survival, now burning into a human torch in the sea of ​​clouds.

What's happening here?
Chongkan... ignited the flame of his life, and thus self-immolated?
"Heh...hehehe..."

Chongkan clutched his chest and stumbled backward.

His heart had been hollowed out by the flying sword, leaving a huge hole.

Fresh blood gushed out, turning into bursts of light and fire in the air, before turning into ashes a few breaths later.

The Great Master swayed and staggered as he sat cross-legged in the void.

His black robe was completely ignited by the golden flames of his destiny, flickering and shattering like a setting sun about to fall.

He clutched his empty chest.

At this moment, what pierces my soul is not the excruciating pain, but the emptiness.

The moment the sound of the explosion rang out, he knew what had happened...

The "incarnation" imprisoned on Tianyuan Mountain finally did something foolish.

Ironically, over the years, he had been wary of the Tianyuan Mountain incarnation igniting its life-destroying flames and destroying him along with it, so he had long prepared the [Turbid Purity] incarnation and many other methods.

Can be biased.

It just so happens to be today.

It just so happens at this time.

……

……

(1. I don't know why the comments keep saying I'm having writing problems... I'm not having writing problems, and I'm quite satisfied with these chapters. I'm just writing slowly and in small amounts. 2. I was very busy during the day yesterday and didn't want to stay up late, so I took the day off. I'm really sorry for the lack of updates, but the only thing I can do right now is to ensure quality.)
(End of this chapter)