Chapter 094: Unexpected Aid

"Excellent! Ninth-tier peak... perfect mastery... just half a step forward, and you will touch the tenth-tier body cultivation!"

In the midst of the excited and delighted voice of the remnant soul from his previous life, Xu Xuan’s entire vitality and blood, stimulated by the external sword intent, trembled unceasingly, growing stronger with each setback, surging with power. The mysterious, boundless spiritual strength of the ninth transformation, under unprecedented pressure and crisis, unexpectedly activated the latent power within his body, faintly pushing his perfected physique—tempered through nine metamorphoses—toward its absolute peak.

Xu Xuan felt a wondrous, unimpeded sensation, as if he had already ascended to the summit of a particular realm. The oppressive force within this desperate situation enabled him to grasp the power of the ninth transformation’s Deterrence Technique, regulating and awakening even more hidden treasures within his body.

At this moment, it was undeniable proof. A low, dragon-like rumble echoed faintly throughout Xu Xuan’s body, yet it remained confined within him. Previously, he could only use the Deterrence Technique to influence and intimidate the outside world. Now, he reversed its effect, using spiritual force to stimulate the limitless potential hidden inside his body.

The omnipresent sword intent assaulted him like tidal waves, battering his spirit, but instead of breaking him, it further unlocked his own inner power. Amid relentless waves of impact and purification, Xu Xuan’s spiritual realm became pure and flawless, his strength ascending to the pinnacle of the ninth tier.

Perfect mastery of nine-tier body cultivation!

Looking across Pinghua Town’s centuries-long history, there had never been a cultivator of this level, let alone one at the ninth-tier peak.

Thud!

Not far away, Senior Brother Fei collapsed, powerless. As a fourth-tier qi cultivator, he had been bested by a mere body cultivator.

Next, Senior Brother Jia, tormented by unbearable agony and fractured spirit, finally surrendered.

All of them were fourth-tier qi cultivators!

The disciples of the Starfall Sword Sect fared no better; under the overwhelming sword intent, one after another fell or quietly retreated.

Xu Xuan alone endured, unwavering, using the perfected spiritual power of the ninth transformation to withstand the unceasing onslaught of sword intent.

Such strength and resilience—compared to a typical ninth-tier body cultivator—was nearly ten times greater!

By now, only a handful remained standing.

From the Windfeather Immortal Sect, there was Lefeng and Senior Brother Jiang.

From the Starfall Sword Sect, Nie Han and the burly red-haired man.

Aside from Nie Han, who had mastered sword intent, all others had reached the fifth tier of qi cultivation!

Only five remained.

The rest either retreated or lay prone, waiting for another chance.

The last two yards!

Lefeng took a deep breath, sweat streaming down his forehead, and instinctively glanced at the others.

The remaining few exchanged glances.

Though the distance was technically two yards, the true gap might be just one, for the skeletal remains of the Core Formation cultivators and the stone platform holding numerous treasures were near the spirit well—just one yard closer to reach them.

When their gazes fell upon Xu Xuan, their faces were filled with disbelief—some astonished, others oddly perplexed.

A mere body cultivator had made it this far?

Even martial cultivators who hadn’t reached fourth-tier qi cultivation would struggle to endure this trial.

Sensing the concentrated spiritual pulse emanating from Xu Xuan, Senior Brother Jiang’s eyes flashed with surprise. "Could it be the martial will comprehended by a martial cultivator?"

They were startled for only a moment before their eyes quickly turned away.

Now, the final challenge was before them.

Just one more successful step forward, and perhaps victory would be theirs.

Yet, upon entering the two-yard zone, the sword intent from the ruined ancient sword intensified to its utmost, crashing down like a vast, overwhelming tide.

Visions of countless swords converging into one flickered through their minds, a terrifying scene—gathering the power of myriad blades to sever heaven and earth!

It was unimaginable how powerful the sword’s previous owner must have been. If such sword intent were truly unleashed, would it not cleave mountains and rivers in a single stroke?

Soon, Lefeng and the other fifth-tier qi cultivators began to falter.

Nie Han, wielding sword intent, was at the very forefront. His cold, domineering gaze locked onto the spirit well—more precisely, the broken ancient sword.

Was his target truly...

Xu Xuan’s heart quivered. He could barely fathom Nie Han’s ambition and resolve.

“Don’t mind that broken sword. If he wishes for death, let him have it. Though this sword may be the highest-grade treasure here, it’s useless to you. Just remember what you need,” the remnant soul from Xu Xuan’s past life advised, indifferent to Nie Han’s actions.

Xu Xuan nodded, gritting his teeth, wanting to push forward, but found it extraordinarily difficult.

“What a pity. If your power could advance just half a step further, you would complete your task,” the remnant soul sounded anxious.

Half a step further—that would be the strength of the tenth-tier body cultivator.

Images of the tenth transformation surfaced in Xu Xuan’s mind. After this breakthrough, its outline seemed clearer, yet true mastery remained out of reach.

At this moment, not only Xu Xuan but also Lefeng and the other fifth-tier qi cultivators struggled to their utmost limits.

“You young ones fare even worse than those two greenhorns before... Prepare for death and destruction!” A tremor rang out from within the ruined sword, and the surrounding sword intent attacked with wild, chaotic fury.

Spurt!

Lefeng and the burly red-haired disciple of the Sword Sect spat blood in succession.

Their spirits had been wounded!

Senior Brother Jiang and Nie Han groaned, while blood trickled from Xu Xuan’s lips. One hand pressed to the ground, he felt his own spirit had suffered minor injury.

“Don’t worry about spiritual wounds. As long as you obtain the Violet Soul Jade, victory will be yours. With me here, you will not die,” reassured the remnant soul of his previous life, dispelling Xu Xuan’s fear.

Ordinarily, mental wounds were almost impossible to heal. Such words were as reassuring as a talisman.

“Nie Han... I can’t go on,” the red-haired burly man, pale-faced, collapsed to his knees and crawled backward.

Now, only Nie Han remained from the Starfall Sword Sect, but he paid no heed, standing tall, face contorted, eyes cold as a blade, gathering every ounce of sword intent to break through the final barrier—one step, then another...

He pressed on in agony, forced down by relentless pressure, his palm bleeding, his will unimaginably strong.

Lefeng glanced at Nie Han, gritting his teeth, his expression fierce, a rare surge of ferocity rising within him.

Senior Brother Jiang beside him was equally determined.

Nie Han, Lefeng, Senior Brother Jiang, Xu Xuan.

The final four faced their life-and-death trial.

The red-haired Sword Sect disciple, gravely wounded in spirit, crawled and rolled away, much like Yun Yuanhang and Yu Mo before him.

“Save me.”

In his blurred vision, a delicate figure appeared—a girl in a floral robe, her eyes clear and pure, with a hint of shyness and timidity.

She seemed a goddess to him, and he called out for help.

“I’ll pull you over…”

The girl dragged him to a corner of the hall and gave him a spiritual pill.

“Thank you.” After swallowing the pill, the red-haired man felt his mental pain ease, sighing in relief.

Watching her retreating silhouette, he murmured, “Who is she?”

“Yu Junior Sister, help me!” Other injured disciples from the Windfeather Sect also cried out.

“Yu Junior Sister?” The red-haired man’s heart stirred as realization dawned. “So it’s her.”

“I’ll help you!”

Yu Qin reached out to drag several disciples to safety.

Then, filled with worry and urgency, she gazed toward the depths of the hall, stepping lightly forward.

“Yu Junior Sister, don’t go!” Senior Brother Jia cried out, but he could not stop her, seeing the determination in her flawless eyes.

Meanwhile, at the front lines by the spirit well, the battle for life and death raged on.

The last yard and a half—Lefeng, Senior Brother Jiang, and Xu Xuan struggled, barely able to move forward.

“Xu Senior Brother…” At that moment, a familiar, timid voice called out.

Xu Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. He turned slightly, startled to see Yu Qin’s slender figure. “Why are you here?”

“This is dangerous—go now!” Xu Xuan’s eyes almost blazed. He could barely protect himself; how could he cope with another burden?

“I… I came to help you.” Yu Qin’s eyes reddened, lashes trembling, deeply aggrieved, as a flash of spiritual light appeared in her hand.

Whoosh—

A spiritual talisman traced a golden arc through the air, landing on Xu Xuan.

Instantly, a half-transparent golden shield, inscribed with strange runes, enveloped Xu Xuan.

“A Golden Shield Talisman!”

Xu Xuan was amazed. This was a rare second-grade spiritual talisman; with it, any attack below the Spirit Refinement stage—including spells and magical artifacts—could be ignored.

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