Chapter 4, The Demon Sword Cangyun

Chutian completely disregarded He Zhizhang's grappling techniques, launching a series of fierce and aggressive attacks.

He Zhi Zhang let out a muffled groan and flew backward, his wrist aching as if it would shatter. Unable to contain himself, he exclaimed, "What kind of leg technique is this?"

He Zhi Zhang steeled his heart and urged the true essence from his dantian to transform into an immensely powerful demonic energy, which surged into the Qingfeng Demon Hook.

Chutian executed a sideways spin, evading the strike of the Green Hornet's magical hook, and gracefully extended his arm to grasp the hilt of the Cangyun Yuancheng sword

Chutian could not help but let out a low growl, as the wounds on his body rapidly healed under the nourishment of the golden aura, his power increasing exponentially, and the true essence in his dantian also rose significantly, reaching a brand new height

Unfortunately, this sword suffered severe damage in a great battle over six hundred years ago, resulting in a loss of more than eighty percent of its magical power. In order to restore the divine sword, Han Liaoqiao exerted great effort to locate the 'True Ming Nine Evil Pool' hidden deep within the colorful Misty Mountains, utilizing the nine types of sinister energy from the underworld contained in the pool to nourish the sword body and reforge its former glory

At that moment, a figure floated out like smoke from the cold mist. Before the two leaders of the Brocade-clad Society could clearly see the appearance of the newcomer, he had already abducted Ming Shixun.

He Zhi Zhang's eyes glinted with malice as he commanded, "Push all three of them into the pool; let's see how many he can save!"

In the thick mist above the blood pool, a snow-white flawless pearl shone brightly, slowly rotating while absorbing the essence of the elixir that was exhaled from the Laozi's alchemical cauldron.

It is indeed a fine sword; otherwise, I would not have spent three years of effort and countless dedication to forge it

These eight characters seemed to illuminate the heart of Chu Tian like a bright lamp. His level of insight was such that, in an instant, he understood the implied meaning behind Yuan Shiheng's words

The Cangyun Yuanchan Sword merely trembled slightly, yet it was not drawn out

For Ming Shixun and others, it is a joy of finding hope in a desperate situation; however, for He Zhizhang, it is an anger arising from complications.

When his gaze fell once again upon the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword Treasure Pearl, a sudden idea emerged in his mind

This is the "Sinking Fish and Falling Wild Goose" technique he comprehended after three years of cultivation in the mountains, which integrates the postures of various birds and fish in the air and water, combined with his insights into the Sanskrit scriptures, ultimately leading to his remarkable achievement

The crimson goose flower, losing its color, scolded: "Demon, in order to forge a sword, you actually kill indiscriminately. Are you not afraid of divine retribution?"

A surge of overwhelming demonic energy flowed from the hilt of the sword, breaking into Chu Tian's palm, merging seamlessly with the divine demonic energy within him. The chilling intent of the demon seeped into his spiritual platform, accompanied by memories of countless years of sword spirits and the past of innumerable vengeful spirits beneath the blade, flooding his mind in an instant, as if becoming a part of his very existence

He Zhizhang stood by the pool with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the azure clouds and the original sword, his expression a blend of sorrow and joy

Chutian skillfully executed the Sliding Fish Technique to evade a calamity, gaining greater confidence in his self-created movement style. His figure darted and maneuvered within a confined space, continuously employing a dazzling array of techniques such as "Crane Dance," "Eagle Strike," and "Fish Leap," resembling a celestial steed, elusive and unpredictable.

Ming Shixun witnessed the injuries sustained by Quan Shinae and Yin Hong'e in succession, while Yuan Shiheng could not withstand the combined assault of the two elders from the Jinyi Society, revealing signs of defeat. It would not be long before everyone would fall back into the enemy's hands

Chutian pondered deeply on the movements of the fish escaping, and finally grasped the underlying principles, creating this technique known as the Sliding Fish Technique, specifically designed to counter the attacks of grappling techniques

In the furnace of the Old Lord, the flames blazed fiercely, continuously spewing out the essence of the elixir, which flowed in torrents into the air above the blood pool.

The magical hook trembled with a resonant sound, and a strange brilliance suddenly erupted from its body, causing the surrounding cold mist to roll and swirl like clouds

At this moment, He Zhizhang gradually grasped some of the intricacies of Chu Tian's movement techniques, slowly gaining the upper hand

However, Ming Shixun could no longer hear; his body sank into the pool and, in the blink of an eye, was refined by the aura of the Nine Evils into wisps of pale golden essence, which were absorbed into the Yuanchen Pearl

Is it you? The same call, yet each person's feelings are not entirely the same

Go to hell! He Zhi-Zhang, clad in his robe, unleashed his formidable magical powers, resembling a black bat swooping down, extending his claws towards Chu Tian's chest.

This divine sword has stood in the pool for over 600 years, and at this moment, it is reborn and breaking free from its shackles, determined to make a grand impact in this world

This fellow spends every day watching fish and birds, and unexpectedly, he has actually gained some insights!

Chutian's figure twisted and sprang in an astonishing manner, like a fish escaping from his claws in the water

He Zhizhang, upon seeing this, laughed heartily and said: "Ignorant child, the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword has not yet been forged; if you forcefully attempt to draw it, you will only provoke the sword spirit's backlash"

In the blink of an eye, beauty fades; in an instant, splendor is lost

"Senior Brother Ming—" Quan Shidai, Yuan Shiheng, and Yin Hong'e cried out in unison, their hearts filled with grief.

Go! Chu Tian suddenly raised his arm and threw the crimson goose towards Ming Shixun, freeing his left hand to deliver a punch.

The crimson goose, at the age of sixteen, was embraced by a stranger for the first time, unable to resist her heart racing like a startled fawn, she whispered, "Thank you!"

The sword spirit within the Yuanchen Baozhu, nourished by the essence blood of Ming Shixun, immediately erupted with a howl dozens of times more intense than before. The sound reverberated like a tidal wave, shaking the eardrums of everyone present, causing their hearts to tremble involuntarily and even instilling a sense of submission and reverence.

He Zhi Zhang's eyes gleamed with excitement as he leaped onto the surface of the pond, attempting to draw his sword with his hand

Just now, I broke free from He Zhizhang's five-fingered shadowy grasp, which is the "slippery fish" technique from "sinking fish and falling wild geese".

"A rabbit against an eagle?" He Zhi Zhang was momentarily taken aback, then coldly laughed and said: "A rabbit is ultimately just a rabbit; how could it possibly contend with the eagle in the sky?"

He reached out and gently rubbed a few times on the crimson goose's back, releasing her from the restrictions of the meridians.

In the sound of his voice, He Zhizhang's five gusts of cold wind clawed at Chu Tian's shoulder, yet the touch was soft and smooth.

Yuan Shiheng discerned Chu Tian's weakness and shouted, "Little brother, let me take the lead; attack instead of defend!"

The saying goes, "If you are reluctant to part with the child, you cannot catch the wolf." Having already given up my own son, if I fail to obtain the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, wouldn't that mean suffering a great loss?

However, the more this was the case, the less He Zhizhang dared to underestimate him. He had already realized that the young man's martial arts were instinctive, nearly reaching a state of returning to simplicity. Each punch, when viewed superficially, seemed unremarkable, but the internal energy was restrained and the force was immense, akin to the grand waves of the Huaiyang River, far beyond the ordinary flashy techniques.

A flavor and insight that is difficult to describe in any language fills the mind, as if the spirit has broken free from the constraints of time and space, freely wandering through the vast river of ancient history

Yin Hong'e exclaimed with surprise, "Junior Brother Yuan, quickly help Senior Brother Quan break the restriction!"

Bang! Chu Tian bent his left leg, and with the force of a catapult, he struck directly at He Zhizhang's left wrist.

In fact, there is no need for his reminder; Chu Tian has already experienced the power of the Green Hornet's magical sound.

The blade is approximately four feet long and three inches wide, and it is a heavy sword known as hetushucom.com.

You dare to snatch the person I want, kid

His mind was suddenly shaken, as if a myriad of bees were dancing, and he felt an overwhelming restlessness in his heart and chest

Chutian was taken aback; after all, he lacked experience in facing enemies. Suddenly confronted by the relentless assault of the Green Hornet, he had no effective strategy to counter it, and could only evade while simultaneously channeling his energy to strike back.

The rabbit kicked the eagle! Chutian stood up to counterattack, delivering a powerful left punch directly to He Zhizhang's chest.

He Zhizhang exerted all his energy to force out a swarm of blue bees, laughing maniacally: "You little brat, I will blow you to smithereens to honor the spirit of my son in heaven"

That person embraced Ming Shixun with his left arm, and with a twist of his body in mid-air, he landed on the opposite side of the pool. It was only at this moment that the exclamations of the crowd began to sound one after another

"Heaven's punishment, with the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword, what do I have to fear from heaven's punishment?" He Zhizhang laughed heartily: "For this sword, my only son died at the hands of the Iron Armor Gang. Once I truly obtain this sword, the first person I will kill is Qin Guantian, to avenge my son and settle the score!"

The two engaged in a fierce battle, exchanging blows for a while, resulting in over twenty rounds of combat.

On the ground by the pool and on the walls of the cave, golden talismans are scattered in abundance, forming a protective formation that firmly locks in the cold mist rising from the pool, preventing even a trace of malevolent energy from leaking out

Suddenly, seven or eight masters of the Brocade-clad Society emerged from the bottom of the ravine, and the leading elder in a black robe was none other than He Zhizhang

Ding! The dagger, tilted, failed to strike He Zhizhang, yet Chu Tian managed to counter his five sinister wind claws

Suddenly, Chu Tianleng shouted, "Look at this!" With a flick of his wrist, he threw out the cleansing spirit dagger, and a beam of emerald light shot towards He Zhizhang like a rainbow

Ming Shixun, being a scion of a prestigious family, immediately sensed that within the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword lay a distinct void, boundless and filled with an overwhelming and terrifying demonic aura. It seemed that even the slightest movement of the sword body could unleash a cataclysmic divine power.

"Little brother, draw your sword!" He shouted loudly, exerting all his strength to push back the skilled members of the Brocade-clad Society in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Quan Shidai, Yuan Shiheng, and Yin Hong'e, whom he had spent every day with. Gritting his teeth, he leaped into the True Nether Nine Fiends Pool!

In other words, it means: "You do your thing, and I do mine"

Above

The entire sword is embedded in the blood pool by less than one-fifth, with the vast majority exposed above the surface of the pool

The person who arrived was Chu Tian. He released Ming Shixun, who still felt as if he were in a dream, and looked towards He Zhizhang, saying: "It is I."

"You forge swords as you please, but why deliberately spread rumors to deceive us?" asked the crimson goose.

Quan Shidai felt a warmth in his dantian, and his blood began to flow freely again. He immediately leaned forward and extended his hand, saying: "It's done, quickly save the junior sister!"

Bang! A steel fist suddenly emerged from the shoulder of the crimson goose, striking He Zhizhang's "Five Ghostly Wind Claws".

He Zhi Zhang was caught off guard, struck in the shoulder by a dagger, and blood gushed forth immediately. Enraged and humiliated, he shouted, "You little brat, I will make sure you have no place to be buried!" He leaped forward, swinging his hook to attack.

When an opponent attacks with a claw, one must make instantaneous judgments on how to defend and counterattack. This involves the accumulation of practical combat experience, which can only be understood and acquired through repeated blood-soaked battles, with no shortcuts available.

He Zhi Zhang was both astonished and furious, and his hatred for Chu Tian deepened even further.

Yuan Shiheng let out a sound, and with a palm movement as swift as the wind, struck the seven major acupoints on Quan Shidai's body.

He exerted force to pull, but unexpectedly, not only did he fail to draw the divine sword, but a surge of overwhelming and ruthless power also erupted from the hilt and the book, causing a dull ache in his chest, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

The blade is entirely luminous white, resembling a series of interwoven and refined patterns of auspicious clouds. At the center of the hilt is the intricately carved and inlaid Yuanchen gem, which resembles the perpetual movement of the sun, moon, and stars

Yet even the peculiar boy who initially brought them a glimmer of hope for survival now faces imminent disaster in He Zhizhang's "Ten Thousand Bees Dance in the Blue Sky"; what means do I have to turn the tide?

At this moment, He Zhizhang's green bee magic hook struck first, and Chu Tian had no time to think as he fell backward, his body lying horizontally in mid-air. The sound of the cold wind was chilling, and the magic blade brushed against his chest, narrowly missing him.

Ming Shixun's face was pale, and he looked apologetically at the downcast Yin Hong'e and the others, exclaiming: "He Zhizhang, release my fellow disciples, and use my blood to sacrifice to the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword!"

It seems that without investing some resources, it will not be possible, "Ten Thousand Bees Dance in the Clear Sky"

"Little brother, be careful, this is the demonic sound emitted by the 'Green Hornet Hook.' Quickly embrace the original unity and protect the spiritual platform, and be sure not to be bewitched by the demonic sound!" reminded Qianshi Nai.

If it had not been for his own greed and gullibility, falling victim to the fabricated trap of the "Cangyun Sword Tomb" concocted by the Jinyi Society, they would not have encountered such misfortune. Thinking of his junior brothers and sisters facing danger yet still unwilling to abandon him, he felt an even greater sense of shame. At this moment, if there were any way to rescue everyone, he would be willing to pay any price to do so

His boxing technique is vastly different from the graceful movements of a fish sinking or rain falling, being straightforward and lacking any subtlety

Chutian was taken aback, recalling the young man who had fallen into the river three years ago in Huaiyang City. He replied, "It was he who intended to push me into the river, but ended up losing his footing and falling in himself"

He Zhizhang's left hand went numb, and he stumbled back three steps before finally stabilizing himself. He then saw Chu Tian with his right hand wrapped around the slender waist of the crimson goose, flipping backward and hovering in mid-air above the True Ming Nine Fiends Pool

What good people and bad people, they are merely all sacrifices for the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword

Two incense masters of the Jinyi Society carried Ming Shixun towards the True Underworld Nine Evil Pool. Quan Shidai and Yin Hong'e shouted, "Ming Shixiong!" Unfortunately, due to the restriction of his meridians, he could not mobilize even a trace of true energy and was utterly unable to break free

Chutian's cultivation realm suddenly underwent a marvelous transformation, radiating a golden aura all over his body. His disheveled long hair was swept up by the radiant light, and he astonishingly ascended to the sixth level of the True Stage, known as the "Cangyu Realm"

He Zhi-Zhang's techniques are varied and ever-changing, yet his own practical experience is lacking. If he merely follows his opponent's moves step by step, he will only be constrained by them and become deeply entangled. Rather than doing so, why not set aside the opponent's variations and fully utilize the various skills he has naturally acquired?

As he observed Chu Tian's martial arts skills becoming increasingly proficient and effortless, He Zhizhang felt a chill in his heart. With such astonishing comprehension, what will this young man achieve in the future

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his arm, having been stung by a green wasp. The wasp pierced through his skin, and in an instant, it exploded with a loud bang, transforming into a burst of flames that tore his flesh apart.

Upon reaching this level of attainment, the magical energy within the body can truly form an independent system that operates freely, akin to the way a mustard seed can contain the vastness of the universe, allowing for an unobstructed communion with the natural world outside.

He Zhizhang coldly smiled and said: "At the same time, the various grievances left behind after your deaths will further enhance the ferocity of the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, making its power even greater when used, with murderous intent aimed directly at the heart!"

Because relying solely on the energy of the True Nether Nine Fiends is insufficient to awaken the sword spirit of the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, but if combined with the blood sacrifice of a cultivator, it can awaken the sword spirit hidden within the Yuancheng Treasure Pearl

Then the four of them were taken by He Zhizhang into an ancient cave at the end of Tianjie Gorge. This ancient cave was hidden behind a waterfall, and the light inside was dim, permeated by a chilling blood-red aura.

Yuan Shiheng single-handedly withstood the offensive of the two elders of the Brocade Guard. Although he was primarily on the defensive and found it quite strenuous, his steady and methodical approach ensured that he would not be defeated in the short term.

Quan Shidai and Yuan Shiheng came together to rescue, but were blocked outside the circle by the masters of the Brocade-clad Society

At first glance, it seems that Chu Tian wants to fight to the death with He Zhizhang, but he is betting that the other party values their reputation and would never be willing to perish together with him

On that day, he was fishing in the water. Several times he clearly caught the fish, yet they slipped away and escaped.

He and Quan Shidai flanked the weakest among the four, Yin Hong'e, while engaging in a fierce battle with the six fragrant masters of the Brocade-clad Society, resulting in a stalemate.

This gem is a part of an unparalleled divine sword. This sword is the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword, which was once wielded by the legendary master Han Liaoqiao, the foremost expert of the Demon Path in the Divine Land six hundred years ago

Just a moment ago, he was leading his junior disciples in pursuit of the two incense masters of the Brocade-clad Society, but unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, he became the prey in the eyes of others

Despite the four disciples of the Heavenly Intent Gate fighting to the death, how could they escape the traps that the Brocade-clad Society had long since set? One after another, they were captured

Several masters of the Jinyi Society were pushing and shoving, just about to engage in combat, when suddenly they heard Yuan Shiheng's loud shout. He unexpectedly broke through the meridian restrictions on his body and, with a backhanded palm, sent the Jinyi Society master who was holding onto Quan Shidai flying away

Indeed, He Zhizhang let out a sound of surprise, and the five strands of cold wind changed their approach midway, channeling strength through the dagger to sweep it away

Chutian felt a sudden stiffness in his body as the green wasps swarmed in one after another, exploding with a series of "bangs".

"Fart! With my son's abilities, how could a mere Huaiyang River drown him? It is clear that you coveted the treasure and caused his death. Do not try to use clever words to justify yourself; come and take your life!"

A swarm of hundreds of azure magic bees shot out from the small holes in the hook. These magic bees were not physical entities; rather, they were refined from his true essence and the magical power of the hook, yet they were a thousand times more ferocious than real azure bees, overwhelming Chu Tian in an instant

Chutian unlocked the meridian restrictions on Ming Shixun and replied, "I don't care if you kill bad people, but you must not harm good people"

He Zhizhang, thinking he had succeeded, said with a sneer: "Kid, you are digging your own grave—"

At first, He Zhizhang believed that Chu Tian had come to seize the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword, but soon he discovered that the young man had no interest in the Cangyun Sword Tomb. To prevent any leaks of information, he attempted to take action against Chu Tian several times, but to his surprise, the latter was exceptionally astute and managed to escape each time.

As Chu Tian's cultivation steadily advanced, and he consistently kept his distance from the Heavenly Step Gorge, clearly adopting a stance of non-interference, He Zhizhang's vigilance gradually diminished. Unexpectedly, at a critical moment, this young man unexpectedly intervened.

Before the words had left his mouth, the Yuanchen Pearl suddenly emitted a series of resonant sounds. The noise was akin to the wailing and howling of countless lost souls and restless spirits, stirring the hearts of those who heard it, leaving them unable to remain composed.

Below

What a fine sword! He couldn't help but praise it, momentarily forgetting the wound on his lower back.

"Taking the initiative as my priority, using offense to replace defense"

Chutian is fully capable of standing toe-to-toe with He Zhizhang in terms of skill, but he suffers from a lack of practical combat experience. Strictly speaking, this is his first confrontation with a formidable opponent. After all, practicing and contemplating alone is one thing, while engaging in a life-and-death duel against an adversary is quite another.

The four disciples of the Tianyi Sect over there also encountered an attack from the Green Hornet, leaving them in a precarious situation, unable to defend themselves effectively.

Not good! He Zhi Zhang reacted quickly, launching himself towards Chu Tian, with the green bee's magical hook aimed directly at the opponent's left temple

He Zhizhang gazed at the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword with a sense of delight, and with a cold chuckle said: "Although your cultivation levels are not particularly high, the fact that you practice the authentic techniques of the Xuanmen sect is greatly beneficial to the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword. The more, the better; why not take advantage of it?"

Over there, Ming Shixun and others were also engaged in fierce battles with the masters of the Brocade-clad Society. Their cultivation was not inferior to that of their opponents, and in fact, it even surpassed that of those incense masters. However, on one hand, the enemy had the advantage in numbers, and on the other hand, being unarmed inevitably put them at a disadvantage

They were driven to the edge of a pool, where a thick, bright red liquid churned and surged. A strong, malevolent aura gradually rose, and after standing there for just a short while, they felt a chill throughout their bodies, as if the blood within them was nearly frozen solid

Ming Shixun then realized that his junior apprentice had been concealing his abilities, and his cultivation had already surpassed his own

He Zhi-Zhang was taken aback, and could not help but muster all his energy. Five strands of sinister wind clawed through the air, transforming into shadowy claw-like figures that menacingly attacked Chu Tian

However, it is already too late

He Zhizhang exclaimed, "This is the sword spirit of Cangyun Yuanchan roaring; it has finally awakened! With just one or two more sacrifices of essence blood, I will achieve great success!"

Surrounding the blood pool, three sets of ritual implements for refining magical weapons are arranged in an orderly manner, namely the Eight-Sided Heavenly Gui Divine Wind Flag, the Four Paths of Endless Tribulations Ascension Tablet, and an Elder Lord's Alchemical Cauldron.

He originally thought that, with his identity as a dominant figure in the demonic path, dealing with a group of young people should be an easy task. However, unexpectedly, a Chu Tian emerged, who was also his enemy responsible for the death of his son, causing his well-laid plans to fall apart

However, the method he practiced, the Brahman Demon Qi Technique, truly deserves its reputation as a top-tier skill of the demonic path. The true energy circulated within his body only once before he focused his thoughts, allowing his mind to settle into tranquility, and the buzzing sound in his ears immediately lost its effect

As He Zhizhang unleashed another strike with his five-fingered claw, Chu Tian surprisingly remained unfazed. Suddenly, he flipped his hand and drew a dagger, as clear as jade, from within his tiger-skin skirt, swiftly closing the distance and thrusting it towards his opponent's chest

He Zhi Zhang's expression was fierce as he drew a gleaming magic hook from behind him, slicing through the air like a flash of lightning aimed at Chu Tian's neck, while simultaneously his left claw followed up, targeting his lower abdomen

Chutian noticed that the magic hook in He Zhizhang's hand was quite peculiar, with its surface pitted and covered in honeycomb-like indentations, as if it had been corroded by some kind of potent poison. As the magic hook rubbed against the air, the small holes emitted a collective buzzing sound, disturbing the peace and unsettling the mind.

He pointed at Ming Se-hun and commanded, "Come, first throw this kid into the pool, and fulfill his destiny!"

He Zhi Zhang was furious, his five fingers curling as he reached for the back of the red goose, grinning maliciously: "I will kill you first, girl!"

The figures of the two individuals intertwined, reopening the door. He Zhizhang was about to launch an attack when his gaze suddenly fixed on the dagger held by Chu Tian, and his expression changed dramatically as he exclaimed: "So it was you who killed my son?!"

Bang! Chu Tian's left fist once again repelled He Zhizhang's right claw, but the opponent's left claw had already struck.

With a loud shout, he forcefully drew out the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword with his right hand, causing a spray of blood-red Nine Sha Ming Water to erupt.

He Zhizhang had long been acquainted with Chu Tian; they had almost been neighbors in the colorful Misty Mountains for three years

Ming Shixun finally found the Cangyun Sword Tomb and witnessed the legendary Cangyun Yuancheng Sword with his own eyes