Chapter 095: Half a Step to the Tenth Level

Spirit talismans are runic tools used in the cultivation world, capable of unleashing powerful spells or abilities in a single use, requiring little of the user's own spiritual energy. The first-grade talismans can activate spells at the Qi Refining level and are fairly common, but true Qi Refining experts, equipped with magical artifacts, seldom need them.

However, second-grade talismans can trigger spells comparable to those cast by Immortal Masters of the Spirit Refining stage; their value is considerable and they are exceedingly rare. This Golden Shield Talisman is a prime example, considered a masterpiece among second-grade talismans, with formidable defensive power. Typically, only elder masters bestow such treasures upon their closest disciples for protection.

With the Golden Shield Talisman guarding him, Xu Xuan felt the overwhelming, mountain-crushing force of sword intent striking him was somewhat diminished. He was more than satisfied with this result, for the talisman was mainly designed to counter physical or magical attacks; as for sword intent that targeted the soul, few treasures in the world could fully neutralize it.

Xu Xuan glanced back and nodded to Yu Qin, expressing his gratitude. He had not yet spoken his thanks when sudden chaos erupted in the arena.

"I... want you!" Nie Han's eyes flashed with a terrifying cold light as he stared at the battered ancient sword, stepping into the final yard of its range. His target was the ancient sword itself!

Having reached the last yard, Nie Han's face turned pale, blood nearly seeping from his skin, his features twisted in agony, yet he pressed onward.

Buzz—

The ancient sword at the heart of the spirit well suddenly trembled, erupting with a dazzling sword radiance that shot through the hole in the hall's dome, piercing the sky. In an instant, a wild surge of sword energy swept outward, and the multicolored spiritual lights overhead shuddered continuously, straining to restrain the forces erupting from the sword and well.

But the formation's power could not fully contain the sword, which drew upon the spirit spring’s energies to unleash its sword aura. The dozen or so spiritual artifacts suspended in the air grew dimmer and dimmer.

"Not good!"

A wave of panic swept through everyone’s hearts.

Lefeng, positioned at the front, slapped his storage pouch, summoning a blue spirit talisman. In an instant, a watery blue shield formed around him. Senior Brother Jiang, another core disciple, also produced a second-grade talisman, conjuring a shield of earthy color before him.

Clang, clang, clang—

As the tide of sword energy surged, those too close to the spirit well had nowhere to hide; they could only withstand the assault head-on. Lefeng, Senior Brother Jiang, and Xu Xuan all had second-grade talismans protecting them, sparks dancing across their shields.

As for Nie Han, a sword cultivator, his best defense was attack!

Closest to the tempest of sword energy, Nie Han let out a thunderous shout. His magical sword unsheathed, infused with a fierce, icy sword intent, and with a crackling roar, he slashed a bolt of sword light straight at the heart of the storm.

Xu Xuan felt his scalp tingle. The ancient sword, which had refrained from direct action, had first worn down everyone’s will with its sword intent, but now, as they drew near, it struck without warning.

Fortunately, the Golden Shield Talisman protected him, its defense akin to a spell cast by an Immortal Master at the Spirit Refining stage. Even amid the raging storm of sword energy, it remained steadfast as a fortress.

Bang—

Nie Han’s lightning-like sword strike collided head-on with the tempest of the spirit spring.

In an instant, an even greater wave of sword energy surged in all directions, flinging Nie Han bodily across the hall.

Xu Xuan felt the golden shield around him creak and dim by several shades.

Amid the chaos, Xu Xuan vaguely heard a muffled cry of pain from the young woman a few yards behind him.

Yu Qin’s delicate figure trembled, her face deathly pale. Struck by a powerful sword energy within the storm, her protective aura shattered at once, and blood flowed steadily from her shoulder.

Having assisted Xu Xuan, Yu Qin had not managed to retreat from the arena in time.

She collapsed weakly to the ground, casting a faintly apologetic glance at Xu Xuan before her clear eyes slowly closed.

"Junior Sister Yu!" The red-haired man in the corner of the hall and the other disciples of Wind Feather Sect rushed to her aid.

Seeing Yu Qin’s pallor, the pain etched between her brows, and the blood-red sword scar running from her shoulder down to her abdomen, Xu Xuan’s heart was shaken. He clenched his fists, the golden shield around him bearing the relentless battering of sword energy.

For a moment, he stood rigid as a statue, unmoving.

"You little wretches dare challenge me so brazenly? Today, I’ll slaughter each and every one of you!"

The ancient sword in the spirit well trembled violently, then transformed into a blazing arc like fire and thunder, shooting out from the spring’s mouth.

The multicolored radiance overhead shook fiercely, but the ancient sword forced its way through the air.

This sword, containing a remnant soul, could attack autonomously!

Lefeng and the others were terrified. Nie Han shouted in alarm, stepping forward to meet the sword. The three joined forces to fight it.

Clang, clang, clang...

Nie Han and his companions were steadily forced back, waves of sword energy rolling outward.

"What’s wrong with you? Hurry—seize the Violet Soul Jade! Victory will be ours!"

The remnant soul from Xu Xuan’s previous life urged him anxiously.

But Xu Xuan stood unmoving, his body trembling, eyes growing ever colder and sharper. The air around him grew heavy, as if before a storm.

Clang, clang, crack!

At the crucial moment, Nie Han’s magical sword was sliced in two by the ancient blade, sending him tumbling to the ground. Lefeng and Senior Brother Jiang dodged in disarray.

The sword intended to strike again, but its glow faded to the brink of extinction, and with a whistle, it retreated to the spirit well, bubbles rising from the spring as it sought to recover its energy.

Hmm—

A powerful sword intent surged from the ancient sword at the center, striking at the battered Lefeng, Nie Han, and Senior Brother Jiang.

Suddenly, Xu Xuan snapped back to himself:

"I—I want you dead!"

A tide of fury welled up in Xu Xuan’s heart. His eyes, blazing with murderous rage, locked onto the ancient sword.

The peak power of the ninth transformation, the Intimidation Formula, erupted from Xu Xuan without reservation. A low, dragon-like hum transformed into a boundless spiritual force, striking fiercely at the spirit well’s ancient sword.

This surge startled Senior Brother Jiang and Lefeng: Xu Xuan truly was a martial cultivator, and he had comprehended a unique martial will, rivaling Nie Han’s sword intent.

"Calm yourself, don’t act recklessly..."

The remnant soul’s anxious voice echoed in Xu Xuan’s mind.

Though the ninth transformation’s power was fierce, it was unrealistic to confront the ancient sword's immense sword intent head-on.

The ancient sword in the spirit well trembled inexplicably, then let out a thunderous sword cry. On the soul level, countless streams of sword energy converged into a massive sword river, driving the storm.

Xu Xuan’s body shuddered, his face pale, his mind reeling. The pain pierced straight to his soul, and even the remnant soul from his past life let out a muffled groan.

"Damn it! Kill him for me!"

The remnant soul roared in fury. At the peak of his previous life, a mere Golden Core master was beneath his notice—yet now he was being harmed, intolerable!

Xu Xuan felt a pure, immense soul power pour into his mind, the Intimidation Formula’s strength soaring suddenly.

Kill him!

That was the only thought left in Xu Xuan’s heart. The dragon’s hum that surrounded him grew ever more intense.

"What!"

The battered ancient sword in the spirit well trembled in fear. Though Xu Xuan’s strange spiritual force was not yet enough to truly threaten him, it inspired inexplicable terror.

"Kill!"

Another domineering, icy voice rang out.

Nie Han’s eyes flashed with a sword-shaped light. Though wounded, he gathered his ferocious sword intent again and charged at the spirit well’s ancient sword.

Now beset by both Xu Xuan and Nie Han, the ancient sword shuddered and let out a low, quivering cry.

Step. Step.

Xu Xuan’s upright figure drew closer with each stride, the dragon’s aura of intimidation swelling with every step.

The power of the Intimidation Formula had utterly surpassed the ninth transformation.

At this moment, he seemed an ancient barbarian king, his flesh and blood erupting with a primal force that awed all living things.

Each step brought greater pressure from the ancient sword, but Xu Xuan’s strength rose in tandem.

That spiritual force, surpassing the ninth transformation, drove his essence, energy, and blood to merge like rivers flowing into the sea.

Gradually, under the fury of that spiritual power, his whole body’s essence and blood seemed to ignite like a library set ablaze.

Five yards... three yards... two yards...

Xu Xuan and Nie Han pressed ever closer. Nie Han was shocked: the mysterious spiritual force around Xu Xuan might even surpass his own sword intent.

Now, Xu Xuan was faintly becoming the main force against the battered ancient sword!

The final yard!

This time, Xu Xuan stepped into its range with ease.

The ancient sword quivered violently, for the first time suppressed by an outsider’s power.

Press onward!

Xu Xuan’s eyes burned with infinite fury, transforming into tangible spiritual rage.

Half a yard!

The battered ancient sword was almost within reach. Xu Xuan, fused with part of the remnant soul’s strength, had reached his limit.

“These two are no ordinary youths…” The ancient sword’s remnant soul was secretly shocked, then sneered, “But you think you can kill me with just your combined strength? Not nearly enough!”

The last half-yard!

Both Xu Xuan and Nie Han had reached their limits, unable to advance further.

“I can barely hold on. Since you’ve entered the half-yard range, why not seize the Violet Soul Jade first…” The remnant soul’s voice was weak.

Xu Xuan hesitated. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Yu Qin lying on the ground behind him, her pale face, trembling lashes, and the shocking blood-red sword scar across her body.

Such grievous wounds—could her life even continue?

“Kill it first—”

Xu Xuan’s fury surged anew.

That burning spiritual force drove every fiber of his flesh, every ounce of essence and blood, to fuse and ignite, ascending like a library set aflame.

Vaguely, a faint red aura, countless times stronger than inner force, began to coalesce in his flesh and spread rapidly throughout him.

“What is this power…”

The ancient sword in the spirit well cried out in terror.

In the final instant, Xu Xuan’s pupils blazed red, his body shrouded in an ethereal firelight, like an ancient dragon roaring amid the flames.

“What’s happening… His realm hasn’t reached the tenth transformation, yet his power has already surpassed it—at least a half-step into the tenth! Though this tenth transformation isn’t fully formed, it’s far more terrifying than what I comprehended in my past life.”

The remnant soul’s astonished, ecstatic cries echoed in Xu Xuan’s mind.

Boom—

On the soul level, Xu Xuan seemed to become a primordial fire dragon, carrying an unstoppable spiritual fury, thundering toward the ancient sword’s river of sword intent.

“What! Is this youth a true ancient dragon…”

The ancient sword was petrified, its soul nearly fleeing in terror. With a clang, it transformed into a bolt of lightning, escaping in utter panic, abandoning even the spirit spring behind…

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