Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 761: Chapter 759 Heart-devouring Beast_1

Beyond this stone door was a spiritually endowed and exquisite Cave Mansion. Its interior was lavishly decorated, resembling an Immortal’s Cave Mansion.

However, the moment Ling Chen passed through the stone door and entered the stone chamber, he abruptly saw a person in black standing before him, seemingly having anticipated his arrival.

”Boy, you’ve got some nerve, daring to follow me all the way here.”

The person in black opened his eyes, a sharp glint, like a tangible bolt of lightning, flashing within them.

”Your Excellency is the one with audacious courage, daring to conduct such shady business in the back hills of this Hanmei Villa.”

Ling Chen smiled faintly. The other party’s Cultivation was not high, likely at the Sky Apex Realm First Layer. Although the person could use that zither to create illusory sounds, such illusions were ineffective against him.

Therefore, even if discovered by his opponent, Ling Chen had nothing to fear.

”Hmph, that’s only if they can detect it,” the person in black sneered, appearing completely unconcerned.

”Now that I’ve discovered your scheme today, do you think you can still continue?”

A gleam flickered in Ling Chen’s eyes.

”As long as you remain here forever, who will know what I’ve done?”

The person in black wore a gloomy expression.

”Do you think you have what it takes?”

Ling Chen placed his hand on his sword hilt. Before the person in black could speak again, he thrust his sword out, a chilling glint aimed straight at the person in black’s throat.

SQUISH!

The sound of air being pierced rang out. Ling Chen’s sword impaled the person in black’s body, but no blood splattered out. The person in black’s body abruptly shattered and dispersed.

Mist swirled as the person in black’s form completely vanished. The surroundings, however, had drastically changed, replaced by an entirely different scene. This was no spiritually endowed Cave Mansion; it was clearly a filthy stone cave, surrounded by seated corpses, their skin turned a deathly black. Additionally, heaps of white bones were piled on the ground.

Ling Chen glanced around. Further back, a side chamber, also a stone cave several meters in size, contained a giant pit at its bottom. The pit was filled with grey liquid, from which sticky bubbles rose and burst. The gas released upon bursting touched the cave walls, corroding large, charred black patches onto them.

Good heavens, the entire stone cave was fake.

Ling Chen was startled. The person in black’s earlier disappearance had been extremely bizarre. It seemed the entire Cave Mansion was enveloped by an illusion array, and a rather sophisticated Illusion Technique at that.

”Boy, the real show is just beginning! Daring to follow me here alone—you’re simply courting death!”

The person in black, hidden stealthily in the shadows, observed Ling Chen’s shocked expression, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.

ROAR!

His voice had just faded when an ear-piercing shriek suddenly resounded. From the shadows, a monstrous creature resembling a lizard, yet humanoid in form, burst out. Its entire body was a repulsive dark red. It opened its massive maw, and everything in the main chamber turned into mist and was swallowed into its belly.

Even though Ling Chen knew everything prior had been an Illusory Realm, he couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. Had he not sensed it in advance, he feared he would have stepped into the grey liquid and been dissolved, leaving not even bones behind. More terrifyingly, if his guess was correct, this monster that had suddenly appeared was likely the infamous Heart-devouring Beast of the Continent.

The Heart-devouring Beast enjoyed consuming humans’ Vital Energy, especially their souls. It could create remarkably lifelike Illusory Realms, making it difficult for one to distinguish truth from falsehood.

”Where is that person in black?” Ling Chen fixed his gaze on the Heart-devouring Beast.

The Heart-devouring Beast let out a low growl, its small eyes filled with insidious and cunning intent.

Ling Chen frowned. Only then did he recall that Heart-devouring Beasts could not speak. Although this type of Exotic Beast possessed high Spiritual Wisdom, it was still no match for humans. He suspected someone was manipulating this Heart-devouring Beast from behind the scenes; otherwise, it wouldn’t be committing such evil acts on its own.

”If that’s the case, your master won’t just stand by and watch you get killed, will he?” Ling Chen would show no mercy to this beast. It had harmed countless people in this Demon Cave; its death would be no loss. Instantly, Ling Chen stomped his foot, releasing a dark force, and immediately launched three streams of sword qi in a triangular formation.

BOOM!

The Heart-devouring Beast was sent flying high by the explosion of dark force, forcibly enduring the three streams of sword qi.

After slamming violently against the cave wall, the Heart-devouring Beast suddenly opened its mouth and exhaled a stream of mist. This mist transformed in mid-air into a ball of dark light that shot towards Ling Chen, burning as it went.

”Send it back!”

Ling Chen dared not take this attack from the Heart-devouring Beast head-on. This type of Exotic Beast was no ordinary creature; while others might only cause superficial wounds, this one could inflict spiritual trauma.

A horrifying shriek echoed as a bloody hole was blasted into the Heart-devouring Beast’s chest and abdomen. The edges of the wound were pitch black, and a nauseating, burnt smell spread, making one want to retch.

This dark light contained the Heart-devouring Beast’s fundamental power. One must understand that the Demonic Power of a Heart-devouring Beast encompassed multiple attributes. The attack just now, for instance, contained both dark and fire attributes. That burst of flame was its internal fire essence; each use depleted it, and it was very difficult to condense again. The beast clearly hadn’t anticipated that Ling Chen would not only remain unscathed but also reflect the attack.

If Ling Chen made a single misstep, he could be struck at any moment. The possibility of an unexpected failure in such a treacherous situation was high.

Ling Chen’s pupils contracted to pinpoints. A resolute killing intent arose in his heart. This Heart-devouring Beast absolutely cannot be allowed to live; otherwise, the future troubles will be endless.

”Die!”

With a low shout, Ling Chen attacked with both hands, simultaneously unleashing strikes from his Thunder Shadow Sword and Red Sky Sword.

CRACK! CRACK!

As if tearing through a rotten sack, Ling Chen’s Twin Swords nearly cleaved the Heart-devouring Beast in two. It slumped to the ground, motionless. However, not wanting to take any chances, Ling Chen swiftly delivered several more sword strikes until the creature was mangled beyond recognition before he finally stopped.

After killing the Heart-devouring Beast, Ling Chen approached its side. Reaching out, he used a suction force to extract a fist-sized inner core. Its surface was milky white and shrouded in mist; a single glance could easily induce hallucinations. It was exceedingly malevolent.

This inner core of the Heart-devouring Beast was a rare Treasure, one that could only be chanced upon, for those who engaged in Mental Power Cultivation. Although Ling Chen could also use it, he knew Ling Yin was the one who would benefit most from this item.

Simultaneously with the Heart-devouring Beast’s death, the Illusion Technique that had enveloped the entire Cave Mansion finally dissipated and collapsed, revealing its true form.

How could this be? The Heart-devouring Beast was killed so easily...

Hidden in the darkness, the person in black was shocked, finding it hard to believe this reality.

This Heart-devouring Beast possessed the strength to contend even with an Expert at the Sky Apex Fifth Layer. It could even toy with those whose Spiritual Power and willpower were slightly weaker. Yet, Ling Chen had slain it with a single sword strike.

”Who?”

Ling Chen’s perception was exceptionally keen. After the Illusion Technique dissipated, he immediately detected the hiding person in black. Then, his figure flashed and abruptly vanished from his spot.

”Not good!”

The person in black’s pupils contracted. The next instant, he reflexively turned to flee, lightning-fast activating the stone door’s mechanism. In the blink of an eye, he had escaped the stone cave.