Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 157: Chapter 154: Great Sun Sword Technique, Second Form: One Strike Slays the Dragon

An old man emerged from a grand hall in Pill King Valley.

It was impossible to guess the old man’s age. His face was weathered and deeply wrinkled.

Yet his pupils were starkly black and white, as pure and clear as an infant’s. But a closer look revealed an abyssal depth, like the vast ocean.

Pill King Lu Changsheng!

He was a figure of faith for countless alchemists in the Cyan Cloud Country. His Cultivation wasn’t considered top-tier, but his skill in Alchemy was universally recognized as the best in the nation.

It was he who, by his own power, had gathered a great number of masters willing to lay down their lives for him, creating a colossal power like Pill King Valley.

Now, he was taking it a step further, seeking to unite numerous Alchemy Grandmasters to form the Alchemy Alliance.

This endeavor was already more than halfway complete under his guidance. Yet on this very important day, a youth like a divine demon had stormed Pill King Valley, demanding an accounting!

”We greet the Pill King.”

The moment the Pill King appeared, many of the alchemists present bowed. Even the Alchemy Grandmasters lowered their heads in respect.

For many present, the Pill King’s name was a legend they had grown up with.

Every alchemist held this old man in high esteem.

”Lu Changsheng, you’ve finally decided to show yourself.”

High in the sky, Ning Jiang hovered with his hands clasped behind his back, his white hair drifting in the wind.

He addressed Lu Changsheng directly by name. Ordinarily, this would be an act of great disrespect.

But now, no one felt there was anything inappropriate.

Because he had earned that right. With Sword Qi Thunder Sound, he had defeated the White Eyebrow Sword Sect in a single strike. Such world-shaking power was enough to place him on equal footing with the Pill King.

”You have come to my Pill King Valley for no other reason than to demand an accounting. I am willing to apologize to you for Tianchen’s actions. I wonder, can we let this matter end here?”

As the Pill King spoke, looks of sorrow appeared on the faces of Pill King Valley’s Elders.

When had Pill King Valley, one of the top powers in the Cyan Cloud Country, ever been pushed into such a corner?

The great Pill King himself was being forced to bow his head.

And the one who did all this was merely a youth!

Wei Tianchen’s face was ashen, and boundless regret flooded his heart.

”Not enough.”

Ning Jiang shook his head and said bluntly, ”You kidnap my people, and I’m supposed to be satisfied with a mere apology? What would become of my authority?”

”What is it you want, then?”

”Wei Tianchen’s life belongs to me!”

What did it mean to be a Venerable?

One hundred thousand years ago, if anyone had dared to capture the people of a Venerable, not only would the perpetrator die, but their entire clan would have been annihilated down to the ninth degree.

Ning Jiang was not a bloodthirsty person. He could spare the rest of Pill King Valley, but the main culprit, Wei Tianchen, had to die!

Only in this way would others respect him and fear him.

”So you’re unwilling to back down?” Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed slowly.

”That is not an option,” Ning Jiang said decisively.

Instantly, everyone felt the air turn cold and heavy.

No one had expected Ning Jiang to be so unyielding. Even with the Pill King himself stepping forward, he still insisted on killing Wei Tianchen.

So, how would the Pill King choose?

Would he agree, or resist to the end?

The Grand Elder and the others, however, already knew the answer. Lu Changsheng and Wei Tianchen were as close as father and son. Moreover, Wei Tianchen was the future of Pill King Valley; his loss would be unacceptable.

”If that’s the case, then you leave me no choice.”

Just as they’d thought, Lu Changsheng’s expression turned frigid. ”Do you believe that my Pill King Valley has no trump cards? Since you insist on pushing this, I too have a technique I would like you to witness!”

As his voice fell, he produced a red Treasure Pearl and bellowed, ”Array, activate!”

WHOOSH.

Like a volcanic eruption, eight pillars of red Flame erupted from the surrounding mountaintops of Pill King Valley, soaring into the sky. The columns of fire started thin but swelled in size until they blotted out the heavens, enveloping the sky above the valley.

Instantly, the air grew as scalding as boiling water. The many Martial Artists on the ground below hurriedly circulated their Cultivation to defend themselves.

’The Eight Desolates Fire Dragon Formation.’

The leader of the White Eyebrow Sword Sect’s expression changed.

This was Pill King Valley’s Mountain Protection Array. When the valley was first established, Lu Changsheng had invited several Array Grandmasters to work together for months to set it up.

The array grew more powerful with time, as it slowly absorbed the fire of the magma deep beneath the earth, accumulating power over many long years.

In all the years of Pill King Valley’s existence, the Eight Desolates Fire Dragon Formation had never once been activated. This was the very first time!

At this point, the Grand Elder and the others understood. The reason Lu Changsheng hadn’t appeared earlier was likely because he had been preparing the array.

Lu Changsheng had likely predicted that Ning Jiang would demand Wei Tianchen’s life, which was why he had prepared in advance.

Ning Jiang’s expression remained calm. ’Another array.’

He had already faced his fair share of arrays, such as Wang Jiangshi’s Water Dragon Array and the Huangfu Family’s Giant Ape Battle Array.

But the power of those two grand arrays couldn’t even compare to a tenth of the one before him now.

Ning Jiang mused quietly, ’An alchemist is an alchemist, through and through. Even their arrays are related to Flame.’ Flame was indispensable to every alchemist, so it was only logical that Pill King Valley’s Mountain Protection Array would be related to it.

”Once the power of this Array is unleashed, there will be no turning back. Do you truly intend to fight Pill King Valley to the bitter end?”

Lu Changsheng’s gaze was cold. He had neglected his own training to focus on Alchemy, so his Cultivation only ranked past twentieth on the Innate List, not among the absolute top-tier.

But at this moment, commanding the Mountain Protection Array, he had enough power to contend with the most powerful figures in the Cyan Cloud Country.

”A mere array? How could that possibly stop me?” Ning Jiang laughed, completely unconcerned.

”In that case, I will let you witness the might of the array.”

Lu Changsheng let out a cold cry. The red Treasure Pearl in his hand emitted a hazy beam of light; it was the nexus used to control the array.

”Fire Dragon, appear!”

RUMBLE!

The roiling flames filling the sky churned violently. All the fire rapidly converged toward the center until, gradually, an enormous Fire Dragon materialized before everyone’s eyes.

This Fire Dragon was a thousand feet long, like a vast mountain range. It bared its fangs and brandished its claws, unleashing terrifying waves of heat.

Countless Martial Artists looked on in horror. ’Is such a powerful array truly something a human can fight against?’

Even the Elders of Pill King Valley paled. With the might of this Fire Dragon, they feared even the White Eyebrow Sword Sect would be suppressed.

”As expected of an array that has accumulated power for decades. It’s a shame that after this, all that Array Power will have to be gathered all over again.”

”With this array, our Pill King Valley is sure to be victorious.”

The various Elders bolstered each other’s spirits.

”Go.”

At the Pill King’s command, the colossal Fire Dragon circling in the sky dove toward Ning Jiang.

In its wake, the very air seemed to boil.

Before this massive Fire Dragon, Ning Jiang’s body was not even as large as one of its whiskers.

’The power is indeed impressive,’ Ning Jiang noted calmly. The Water Dragon Array he had seen before was merely a water snake in comparison. This, however, was the true form of a dragon, more than ten times stronger.

”Be careful.”

Yan Shuangying couldn’t help but call out in worry.

The might of this Fire Dragon was terrifying. Decades of accumulated power erupting all at once—it was enough to strike fear into anyone’s heart.

”Broken Mountains and Rivers.”

High in the sky, Ning Jiang faced the charging Fire Dragon without flinching. He didn’t retreat an inch, simply slashing down with his sword.

A line of golden light bloomed, threatening to cleave heaven and earth in two. This was the same terrifying sword strike that had defeated the White Eyebrow Sword Sect.

PFFT.

The Fire Dragon had surged forward with unstoppable, heavenly might, but Ning Jiang’s blade cut it directly in two.

”He’s so strong!”

Countless people cried out in shock. The Fire Dragon’s power had seemed utterly unstoppable, yet Ning Jiang had split it apart with a single strike.

Ning Jiang shook his head, completely unconcerned. ’All size, no substance.’

He had to admit, the Fire Dragon’s power was indeed immense. However, its massive form meant that its power was too dispersed, unable to be concentrated on a single point.

Ning Jiang’s sword strike, on the other hand, was the perfect example of using a single point to shatter a wide surface.

It’s like a sheet of leather; you can’t break it with a hammer, but if you use a needle, you can pierce it at once.

However, the bisected Fire Dragon did not dissipate. Instead, it fused back together again, as if it were immortal.

This was the difference between an array and a person. Having accumulated Array Power for decades, its energy was so immense that it could re-form again and again, even after being destroyed.

”The Eight Desolates Fire Dragon Formation has accumulated decades of power. You could split it dozens, even hundreds of times, and it would still re-form,” Lu Changsheng said. ”But a sword strike as powerful as yours must have a massive cost. How many more can you unleash? Are you still unwilling to change your mind?”

”You underestimate me,” Ning Jiang said calmly.

”Stubborn fool.”

Lu Changsheng fiercely activated the red Treasure Pearl, sending the Fire Dragon lunging forward to attack once more.

Ning Jiang let out a faint sigh as the Sword Momentum of his blade shifted.

It was just as Lu Changsheng had said. Although the Broken Mountains and Rivers technique was powerful, its consumption of his internal Gang Qi was severe.

If another Innate Limit Strong Person were to use this Broken Mountains and Rivers technique, all of their Gang Yuan would be drained in an instant. Even for him, with the profound Gang Qi from cultivating the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, he could only unleash it a dozen times at most.

’If I had perfected the Sun and Moon Divine Eye, this Fire Dragon would be a great source of nourishment,’ Ning Jiang thought. ’But as things stand, I’ll have to destroy it completely with a single strike!’

”Empty threats! I refuse to believe you have an even stronger sword technique.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t believe him in the slightest. The power of the Broken Mountains and Rivers technique was already earth-shattering; it had even defeated the White Eyebrow Sword Sect. In his view, in the entire world, only Sword King Chu Bai possessed a method to counter such a strike.

”My abilities are beyond your comprehension.”

Ning Jiang raised his sword. Suddenly, a pillar of golden light erupted from the blade, soaring into the clouds and piercing the highest heavens.

”Great Sun Sword Technique, Second Form, Slaying Heaven and Earth!”

In that instant, all that remained in everyone’s vision was a single, impossibly brilliant golden line.

This golden line stretched from the heavens to the earth, as if a god from Ancient Times had swung a colossal, world-cleaving Giant Axe to sunder the universe itself!

Time seemed to freeze, and heaven and earth seemed to stand still.

Words could not describe the terror of this strike.

When the golden line fell upon the Fire Dragon, there was no sound. The thousand-foot-long beast was simply and swiftly annihilated, from head to tail.

CRACK—

In Lu Changsheng’s hand, the red Treasure Pearl shattered.

「The fifteenth of the seventh month, Pill King Valley.」

Ning Jiang slays a dragon with one sword strike.

His divine might, unparalleled!