NOVPUB
Chapter 182: Chapter 179: Making an Example by Publicly Punishing the Guilty
As the news from Yuan Xizhi was reported to Sect Master Lu Dengxian, the entire Purgatory Sect was in an uproar.
Previously, Gu Jinlai had forcefully killed two individuals while under the siege of Tan Qingquan, Ye Yiren, and possibly Sha Wujin—three Divinity Transformation Cultivators—already displaying power that seemed only a Primordial Spirit True Monarch could suppress.
It was precisely because of this that when Gu Jinlai led troops to invade the border town of Red State, Lu Dengxian did not hesitate to request the Supreme Elder, hoping Liu Jingtiao, this Primordial Spirit True Monarch, could annihilate this troublesome enemy with the force of thunder.
As a result...
Lu Dengxian was reprimanded by the Supreme Elder.
He, the Sect Master himself, was instructed to personally escort Lin Xiao to Gu Jinlai to apologize and seek peace.
Now, how wise does that decision seem?
Even...
Fortunate!?
...
"Supreme Elder! Both Supreme Elders!"
Lu Dengxian, looking at the report Yuan Xizhi handed over, couldn’t help but tremble, "That’s a Primordial Spirit True Monarch capable of sword control, flying through Qingming and Yunxiao!"
Then, he glared fiercely at Yuan Xizhi, "Are you certain you’re not playing a joke on me?"
"I have already confirmed the news several times, and moreover, I have sent a message to Elder Lu, asking him to contact the Dark Son in Lingxiao City for further details. A response should be forthcoming soon. I believe with such a hugely important piece of news that is so easy to verify, no one would dare to joke about it," Yuan Xizhi assured.
"This... the matter is too significant..."
Lu Dengxian felt his heart beating much faster.
A Primordial Spirit True Monarch was a peak existence at the summit of Tian Nan.
Especially, with their aerial advantage, unless a Primordial Spirit True Monarch faced more than a dozen Divinity Transformation Cultivators alone, being targeted by over a dozen flying swords, it was almost impossible for them to perish.
Even the Devas, when faced with a fleeing Primordial Spirit True Monarch, had no better strategy than to pursue and strike with swords as well.
After all, although the Devas could wield Heaven and Earth’s power to destroy cities and lakes, their effective range was usually within a kilometer, whereas Primordial Spirit True Monarchs could attack from at least a kilometer away.
For this reason, south of Tianhe, there hadn’t been a fallen Primordial Spirit True Monarch in over a decade.
But now...
Dragon Sparrow Manor had lost two at once!
Thinking about the potential changes this news could bring to the situation south of Tianhe, Lu Dengxian could no longer sit still, "No! This news must be reported to the Supreme Elder as quickly as possible, so that the Supreme Elder can give further instructions."
He suddenly stood up, about to head towards where Supreme Elder Liu Jingtiao was in seclusion.
"No need, I’m already here."
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
Right after, they saw the duty Supreme Elder Liu Jingtiao, accompanied by his great-granddaughter Liu Rushi, enter the room.
Immediately, both Lu Dengxian and the information-reporter Yuan Xizhi hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects, "Greetings to the Supreme Elder."
"The specifics, what’s the specific situation?" Liu Jingtiao asked, and then, looking at Lu Dengxian with dissatisfaction, he said, "Such a great incident happened down the mountain, involving a Primordial Spirit True Monarch, and you didn’t report it to me immediately!?"
"Disciple only wanted to confirm the authenticity of the information, so as not to cause a misstep and waste the precious time of the Supreme Elder in vain," Lu Dengxian hastily lowered his head to explain.
"Confirmation of authenticity, have you confirmed it then?" Liu Jingtiao said.
"We have just sent someone to confirm it..."
"Sect Master! Brother!"
As Lu Dengxian was speaking, he saw Lu Zhanfeng, who had corresponded with Lingxiao City, rushing in from outside, with an uncontrollable look of horror in his face.
Upon seeing Liu Jingtiao, he quickly paid his respects, "Supreme Elder." 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
"Dispense with formalities."
Liu Jingtiao did not criticize his panic, asking directly, "From your expression, it seems the news from Lingxiao City is true? Did Dragon Sparrow Manor’s Wang Yinfeng and Ye Wuxia really..."
"Yes."
Lu Zhanfeng, still unsettled, nodded, "I have repeatedly verified with the other side. This morning, Dragon Sparrow Manor led by Supreme Elders Wang Yinfeng and Ye Wuxia, along with six Divinity Transformation Elders and Star State Governor Su Wen—a total of nine masters—launched a surprise attack on Gu Jinlai. But it seems Gu Jinlai was aware in advance, having gathered his Divine Demon Guards and wielding Slaughter Spirit Artifacts, they were well-prepared when the fierce battle erupted. In the end... not only did Dragon Sparrow Manor lose four Divinity Transformation Elders, but Supreme Elders Wang Yinfeng and Ye Wuxia also perished on the spot."
Afterward, he added emphatically, "No one from Lingxiao City was injured or killed."
Even though he was prepared for it, Liu Jingtiao was still shocked, "How is that possible... Gu Jinlai... how did he do it? Ye Wuxia, Wang Yinfeng... those were two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs!"
Lu Dengxian wanted to add that not only the two True Monarchs, but also four Divinity Transformation Cultivators had perished.
But...
Considering the weight of the death of four Divinity Transformation True Men compared to two fallen Primordial Spirit True Monarchs...
Lu Dengxian immediately held his tongue.
"I thoroughly sought confirmation from Lingxiao City, thankfully, the battle between the top experts, Gu Jinlai... Elder Gu... er, Heavenly Monarch Gu..."
Lu Zhanfeng, unsure how to address Gu Jinlai, simply continued, "Thankfully their battle was so intense it could not be concealed, attracting countless onlookers. Many witnessed their combat, and the reason why the two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, Ye Wuxia and Wang Yinfeng, fell without even a chance to escape, aside from Heavenly Monarch Gu’s own formidable strength, is primarily due to a new type of Slaughter Spirit Artifact he developed."
"A new Slaughter Spirit Artifact?! Even more powerful than the Red Slaughter Spirit Artifact that could intercept Divinity Transformation Flying Swords?"
"Yes, this Slaughter Spirit Artifact has been carried by Gu Jinlai recently, so our intelligence personnel focused on gathering information about it, but they managed to obtain only a name. This Slaughter Spirit Artifact is called Heavenly Sword, and indeed, its trait is just like that of a real Heavenly Sword..."
Lu Zhanfeng’s eyes flashed with a trace of fear, "This Slaughter Spirit Artifact, named Heavenly Sword, can burst forth like a flying sword, its lethal range unclear, but its speed... is faster than the Divinity Transformation Flying Sword of a Primordial Spirit Monarch. Furthermore, the True Yuan contained within the Heavenly Sword is akin to that of a Primordial Spirit Monarch, yet its density surpasses the True Yuan that a Primordial Spirit Monarch’s flying sword can carry... Despite Wang Yinfeng of Dragon Sparrow Manor donning top-grade spiritual armor and strenuously channeling his True Yuan to protect his body, he was still gravely injured in an instant under the might of the Heavenly Sword."
"Faster than a Primordial Spirit Monarch’s flying sword, and capable of carrying even more True Yuan power..."
Liu Jingtiao suddenly thought of Devas and Primordial Spirit Monarchs.
Devas draw upon the momentum of heaven and earth to enhance themselves, primarily to bolster their close combat capabilities, but their sword control artistry in assassination surpasses that of Primordial Spirit Monarchs in its exquisiteness as well.
Because they have grasped the mysterious ways of heaven and earth, they can significantly reduce the resistance to flying swords.
It is said that within a kilometer, their flying swords exceed speeds of three thousand meters per second.
Beyond a kilometer, the speed still surpasses two thousand meters per second.
And through further ingenious use of Heaven and Earth Power, the True Yuan within the flying sword resonates with the surrounding Heaven and Earth Power. Upon impact and explosion, it can cause devastation and destructive power greater than a Primordial Spirit Monarch’s.
All these traits, how strikingly similar are they to Gu Jinlai’s so-called "Heavenly Sword" Slaughter Spirit Artifact!?
While Wang Yinfeng, Ye Wuxia, and several others were fiercely battling Gu Jinlai, he suddenly unleashed such a Heavenly Sword...
It was like when two Primordial Spirit Monarchs surrounded a Great Demon, and a Deva suddenly launched a sword control surprise attack...
Who could withstand that?
"Gu Jinlai, he actually developed such a fearsome weapon!"
Liu Jingtiao immediately inhaled sharply.
"The power of a Heavenly Monarch, terrifying as such!"
Lu Dengxian, Lu Zhanfeng, and Yuan Xizhi exchanged glances and simultaneously shrank their necks.
Terrifying!
They had encountered a Heavenly Monarch before. Although they possessed the power for actual combat, that was all there was to it—they wouldn’t fear facing a Heavenly Monarch in direct combat.
But...
If both were Heavenly Monarchs, why was Gu Jinlai so outstanding!?
"In the future, against a Slaughter Spirit Artifact like the Heavenly Sword, we must be extremely cautious."
After a while, Liu Jingtiao spoke slowly.
Lu Dengxian, Lu Zhanfeng, and Yuan Xizhi nodded solemnly.
Lu Zhanfeng even took out a sketch and said, "This is the diagram of the Heavenly Sword sent by a Dark Son. Everyone memorize it. The moment Gu Jinlai brings out this weapon, retreat as far as you can."
"Indeed, the might of the Heavenly Sword is not inferior to a Deva Defend Sword... Gu Jinlai probably used it as a benchmark for developing such a Slaughter Spirit Artifact."
Liu Jingtiao was the first to take the sketch, nodding in agreement.
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Lu Dengxian glanced at the sketch and seemed to realize something, "Not long ago, when Gu Jinlai led troops to invade our Red State Border, it seemed something similar was sticking out from behind him. At the time, I found it strange. He’s not an actor on a stage, so why would he be displaying a flag like that, is it to sell out his position? Now that I think about it, could those have been three Heavenly Swords!?"
Liu Jingtiao’s hand suddenly trembled.
The sketch fell to the ground.
Three Heavenly Swords!?
When Gu Jinlai led his troops into Red State, had he already developed the Heavenly Sword!?
And brought along three of them!?
What was his purpose in carrying these three Heavenly Swords?
Do we even need to say?
Lu Dengxian, Lu Zhanfeng, and Yuan Xizhi also immediately thought of this, their hearts pounding.
When Gu Jinlai initially led the troops into the territory, they wondered why. Gu Jinlai had grown up in the Purgatory Sect, so it was impossible for him not to know about the three Primordial Spirit True Monarch Supreme Elders of the Purgatory Sect.
Yet, he still unhesitatingly invaded Red State and attacked Purgatory Sect’s homeland.
Clearly, he must have had some kind of trump card
They thought of the Xuzhen Tower, the Meteor Star Guard, but they never imagined that at that time, he had already developed a Slaughter Spirit Artifact—the Heavenly Sword—comparable to the strike of a Deva’s sword control!
And furthermore...
Three Heavenly Swords!?
There were three Supreme Elders in the Purgatory Sect!
This was a clear indication—if the Supreme Elders of the Purgatory Sect made a move, then there would be one Heavenly Sword for each.
And the bloody example set by Wang Yinfeng and Ye Wuxia, both Primordial Spirit Monarchs from Dragon Sparrow Manor, told everyone the power of these swords!
Apart from Venerable Daoist Lu Zhanxian, probably no one in Purgatory Sect could withstand a strike from the Heavenly Sword!
And so...
Their gazes fell on the pale-faced Supreme Elder Liu Jingtiao.
That was close!
It was almost their Purgatory Sect’s Supreme Elders who had nearly become the first group of Monarch souls claimed by the Heavenly Sword.
That was close! They had almost replaced Dragon Sparrow Manor as the inaugural victims of the Heavenly Sword.
Frightened!
Relieved!
Feeling a lingering fear!
