novelraw Chapter 58 – The newcomer was a Golden Elixir stage powerhouse!
Chapter 58 – The newcomer was a Golden Elixir stage powerhouse!
Ye Lingxuan was taken aback by Mu Xiaochuan's sudden enthusiasm, her small face still smudged with soot, blinking her big eyes, "Now? ... Going down... the mountain? Is... that appropriate?..."
"Oh, it's perfectly fine!" Mu Xiaochuan waved his hand dismissively, "We're just going to stroll around Qingling Town, what could happen? Let's go, let's go! I'll show you what real delicacies are!"
Ye Lingxuan, being simple-minded, lit up at the mention of good food, cheering excitedly, "Yay! Going down the mountain! Time for some delicious food!"
Mu Xiaochuan laughed heartily, grabbing the jubilant Ye Lingxuan and striding towards the Qingling Sect's mountain gate.
The disciples guarding the gate were startled to see Mu Xiaochuan and Ye Lingxuan approaching together.
One of the disciples, a spy planted by Liang Yichen, discreetly crushed a communication jade talisman, looking at Mu Xiaochuan's back with a complicated expression, silently thinking, "Elder Mu, oh Elder Mu, you really... good luck to you!"
Mu Xiaochuan had already seen all this with his Divine Sense, feeling even more delighted, "Heh, the fish has taken the bait! Liang, you old scoundrel, get ready to deliver... oh no, to deliver thrill points!"
Once they exited the mountain gate, Mu Xiaochuan summoned the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood, pulling Ye Lingxuan up with him.
"Let's go!" With a light shout, they transformed into an inconspicuous stream of light, speeding towards Qingling Town below.
Qingling Town was as bustling and lively as ever. The streets were crowded, the noise of carriages and horses filled the air, and the sounds of shouting, selling, and haggling intertwined into a symphony, the lively atmosphere a stark contrast to the solitary and serene immortal haven on the mountain.
Since Ye Lingxuan began cultivating, she rarely experienced the hustle and bustle of the mortal world up close. Her lively eyes curiously scanned her surroundings, her small face brimming with excitement.
"Elder, elder! Look at that sugar painting! It's so beautiful!"
"Wow! They're selling spirit beast cubs! That fluffy little fox is so cute!"
"Elder, I want to eat that candied hawthorn!"
Mu Xiaochuan looked at her naive demeanor, feeling great, "What do you want to eat? Buy it! What do you want to play with? Play! Today, I've got it all covered! Spirit Stones are no issue!"
They headed straight to the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion," a place Mu Xiaochuan was familiar with. With a grand gesture, he ordered two sets of the "Nine Heavens Supreme Feast." Initially, Ye Lingxuan was a bit resistant to being fed, but seeing Mu Xiaochuan enjoying himself so much, she followed suit. After a few cups of Galaxy Sparkling Brew, her cheeks turned rosy, and she began to feel tipsy. The shoulder massages, foot baths, and ear cleaning left her thoroughly enjoying herself, blaming Mu Xiaochuan for not bringing her here sooner.
After a satisfying meal and ample rest, the two were rejuvenated and began to stroll around the town. Mu Xiaochuan, with his wealth, bought anything Ye Lingxuan liked without hesitation. Beautiful robes, exquisite jewelry, cute spirit pet accessories, various flavored spirit fruit snacks... In no time, Ye Lingxuan's storage pouch was filled with all sorts of treasures, her face blossoming with a radiant smile.
Mu Xiaochuan didn't idle either. Although he now had a large estate and no longer cared for mundane items or low-level cultivation resources, the fun of shopping was in the "strolling." He wandered to the cultivators' market, which was even more bustling, with stalls filled with strange and rare items.
"Ancient map fragments, only ten Spirit Stones! Don't miss it!"
"Ancestral alchemy furnace, said to have been used by an Earth-tier Pill Saint! Selling cheap!"
"Freshly unearthed mysterious ore, containing a universe within! Only for the fated!"
Mu Xiaochuan watched with great interest, knowing that most of these were likely scams, but occasionally stopping to haggle with the stall owners for fun. He even bought a few trinkets that caught his eye, like a self-heating jade pendant (intended for Su Yao), a bone whistle that mimicked bird calls (purely for amusement), and a few... well, uniquely illustrated "cultivation insights" storybooks.
The two had a blast, almost exploring the entire Qingling Town, until the sunset painted the sky red, and they reluctantly prepared to return to the sect.
"Today was so much fun! Can we come again after the competition?" Ye Lingxuan looked at the mountain of gifts in her storage pouch, her face full of satisfaction, her gaze at Mu Xiaochuan filled with attachment and gratitude.
"Haha, as long as you're happy!" Mu Xiaochuan was in high spirits too, "Next time, let's bring Su Yao along."
...
Chatting away, they unknowingly left Qingling Town far behind.
Suddenly, a bone-chilling killing intent, like a venomous snake, surged from all directions, enveloping them instantly!
Mu Xiaochuan's eyes narrowed, a cold smile playing on his lips, "They're here!"
Ahead, on a secluded forest path, three shadowy figures appeared silently!
All three were clad in black, their faces covered with black cloth, revealing only their cold, merciless eyes. The aura they emitted was unmistakably late Foundation Establishment!
Two at the seventh stage! One at the eighth stage!
This lineup was enough to easily annihilate any mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator! Clearly, Liang Yichen had spared no expense this time, determined to kill Mu Xiaochuan!
"Mu Xiaochuan! You really came out!" The leading eighth-stage black-clothed man's voice was hoarse, like metal scraping, "There's a path to heaven, but you refuse to take it; no door to hell, yet you barge in. I thought we'd have to intercept you up there, but who knew you'd walk right into our hands, saving us a lot of trouble!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, you're really underdeveloped in the brain department." Mu Xiaochuan dug his ear, looking disdainful, "Could you have stopped me if I flew on my staff?"
"You knew we were after you?" asked one of the seventh-stage cultivators.
"I went through the trouble to get here just to wait for you brainless dogs," Mu Xiaochuan retorted sharply.
"We know you have an Earth-tier Spiritual Artifact, but the gap in cultivation level isn't something a mere staff can bridge," the last cultivator sneered.
"Using my dog-beating stick on you lot is a bit of a waste."
"Enough talk, prepare to die!" The eighth-stage black-clothed man roared in anger, and the three swiftly surrounded the duo in a triangular formation.
"Haha, fighting on the mountain wasn't satisfying enough, let's see if you can give me a thrill!" Mu Xiaochuan stepped forward, unleashing a powerful aura far exceeding the early Foundation Establishment stage! Fourth stage!
"What?! Fourth stage?!"
The three black-clothed men were instantly shocked! The intelligence was wrong! Mu Xiaochuan wasn't at the first stage but a genuine mid-Foundation Establishment!
The leading eighth-stage black-clothed man's eyes flickered, cursing Liang Yichen's misleading information, but there was no turning back now!
"All together! Quick battle, kill him!" He shouted, taking the lead! In his hand appeared a pitch-black, ghostly long blade, slashing towards Mu Xiaochuan, sealing all his escape routes!
The other two seventh-stage black-clothed men also attacked simultaneously! One summoned a pale bone shield, defending himself while spewing a cloud of dark green poison; the other formed hand seals, conjuring dozens of icy blue spikes, shooting them at Mu Xiaochuan like a storm!
The three coordinated seamlessly, a testament to their experience as assassins!
Ye Lingxuan turned pale, instinctively about to summon the Burning Heart Exquisite Scarf!
"Stand back! Just watch!" Mu Xiaochuan pulled her behind him, excitement gleaming in his eyes!
Finally, a chance for a real fight!
"Roar—!!!"
A dragon's roar, as if from ancient times, suddenly echoed!
The Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood reappeared in Mu Xiaochuan's hand! Within the deafening roar was a terrifying pressure, domineering and soul-piercing!
The mere pressure made the three black-clothed men pale, feeling as if their souls were hammered, their blood churning!
Mu Xiaochuan moved! Without hesitation!
"Let's start with you! Dragon-Subduing Staff Technique—Divine Dragon's Tail!"
The masterful staff technique unfolded! The Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood seemed alive in his hands, the staff shadows overlapping, moving so fast they were almost invisible, finally forming a dark green dragon shadow, roaring as it swept towards the bone shield-wielding seventh-stage black-clothed man!
The sweep seemed simple but was immensely powerful, as if it could break mountains!
"Not good!" The bone shield man shrank his pupils, terrified! He had never felt such a terrifying staff force and pressure, hurriedly pouring all his spiritual power into the bone shield, blocking in front of him! The shield glowed, covered in dense, eerie runes!
"Clang—!!!"
A deafening metallic clash erupted!
The seemingly indestructible, rune-covered bone shield, upon contact with the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood, lasted less than a breath! With a crisp "crack," the shield's center caved in, then shattered like a ceramic under immense force, covered in web-like cracks!
"Ugh!" The bone shield man felt as if struck by lightning, a force he couldn't resist slammed through the shield into his chest, a cold, eerie power invading his mind, threatening to tear his soul apart! He spat blood, flying back uncontrollably, bone shield fragments scattering!
"Don't hurt my brother!"
As Mu Xiaochuan severely injured the bone shield man, the ice spike-wielding seventh-stage black-clothed man reacted quickly! His eyes flashed fiercely, rapidly forming hand seals, cold air surging around him!
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
Dozens of icy blue spikes formed, raining down on Mu Xiaochuan like a storm! The spikes were not only fast but also angled cunningly, sealing all his escape routes, the extreme cold threatening to freeze the air!
Meanwhile, the leading eighth-stage black-clothed man moved! His figure blurred, ghost-like, circling behind Mu Xiaochuan, a pitch-black, chilling dagger appearing in his hand, silently stabbing at Mu Xiaochuan's vital point!
Seamless coordination! A chain of deadly moves!
Front and back assault, ice spikes locking the path! This explosive attack could leave any same-level cultivator flustered, even dead on the spot!
"Good timing!" Mu Xiaochuan's eyes burned with battle intent, unfazed!
Facing the rain of ice spikes, he didn't dodge, stomping the ground with his left foot!
"Regretful Dragon!"
Another dragon's roar! The Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood traced a mysterious arc, the staff following his body, unleashing an even more powerful, unstoppable force! The dark green staff shadow transformed into a spinning tornado!
"Clink clink clink clink!"
A cascade of crisp sounds! The spikes, capable of piercing metal and stone, shattered like fragile glass against the spinning staff shadow, ice shards flying everywhere!
But the cold from the spikes did hinder Mu Xiaochuan slightly, causing a brief pause.
That pause!
Behind him, the eighth-stage black-clothed man's poisoned dagger, with deadly gleam, closed in on his heart!
"Die!" The leader's eyes gleamed with a cruel smile, envisioning Mu Xiaochuan's heart pierced!
Yet, just as the dagger tip was about to touch his clothes!
"Roar! The Dragon in the Field!" Mu Xiaochuan's Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood, after shattering the spikes, swung back with a fierce upward strike!
The leader's face changed drastically! He hadn't expected Mu Xiaochuan to counterattack so swiftly in such a dire situation! In haste, he abandoned the stab, flipping his wrist, the dagger blocking in front!
"Clang!"
Another loud clash! The dagger collided with the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood!
This time, the leader truly felt the terrifying power from the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood! A massive force surged, splitting his palm, blood spraying! The dagger nearly slipped! He staggered back, eyes filled with horror at Mu Xiaochuan!
The Earth-tier Spiritual Artifact and bizarre staff technique gave this young man power and speed far beyond their high-stage Foundation Establishment!
As the leader was forced back, Mu Xiaochuan locked onto his next target—the ice spike black-clothed man!
The bone shield man was severely injured, though not dead, his chest caved, soul wounded, barely able to fight, struggling to rise.
Now was the perfect time to eliminate them one by one!
"Your turn!" Mu Xiaochuan charged at the ice spike man like lightning!
The ice spike man, seeing his leader repelled and comrade injured, was already terrified. Seeing Mu Xiaochuan coming, he was scared out of his wits! He retreated frantically, forming ice spikes to block!
But Mu Xiaochuan was too fast!
"Too late! Flying Dragon in the Sky!"
Mu Xiaochuan roared, the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood leaving his hand!
The dark green staff, as if alive, became a stream of light, with a sharp whistling and soul-shaking dragon roar, reaching extreme speed!
The ice spike man only saw a green light rapidly enlarging, unable to mount any effective defense! His ice spikes shattered upon contact with the staff's violent energy!
"Thud!"
The Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood struck his chest at the dantian!
His chest caved, dantian shattered, spiritual power rampaged, out of control! His body flew back like a kite with a broken string, lifeless before hitting the ground!
In a blink, three late Foundation Establishment assassins, one dead! One severely injured!
Only the leader, the strongest eighth-stage black-clothed man, remained!
Now, he had none of his previous arrogance or killing intent, his hand holding the dagger trembling, face pale as paper, looking at Mu Xiaochuan, who summoned back the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood, like gazing at a demon god from the depths of hell!
Fear! Endless fear engulfed him!
"You... you...?!" His voice was dry, filled with despair and disbelief!
Mu Xiaochuan grinned, his smile cold, showing white teeth, "Ask the King of Hell!"
"Run!" was the only thought in the black-clothed man's mind! Facing such a monster, he couldn't muster any fighting spirit! He turned, pushing his speed to the limit, becoming a black shadow trying to escape!
"Final move—Dragon Battle in the Wild!" Mu Xiaochuan's eyes flashed coldly!
"Whoosh—!!!"
The Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood turned into a dark green beam of destruction, trailing a long tail, like a real dragon, roaring as it caught up with the black shadow! Striking the black-clothed man's back!
"Bang!"
The eighth-stage Foundation Establishment's tough body crumbled like tofu under the strike! His back caved, spine shattered, collapsing like mud, beyond saving!
One dead, two severely injured!
Mu Xiaochuan retrieved the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood, looking at the three miserable black-clothed men, feeling a rush of satisfaction, every pore exuding comfort!
"Hahaha! That was exhilarating! Truly exhilarating!" He couldn't help but shout to the sky!
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing a thrilling battle, feeling extremely satisfied, earning 50 thrill points!"
The system's prompt pushed the satisfaction to the peak!
"Elder... you're amazing..." Ye Lingxuan looked at Mu Xiaochuan, like a descending demon god, her face full of admiration, stars almost popping out.
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"Hehe, just average, third in the world." Mu Xiaochuan waved his hand proudly.
Just then!
A pressure a hundred, a thousand times more terrifying than Liang Yichen's, capable of freezing souls and shattering voids, suddenly descended from the sky!
Golden Elixir stage!
The newcomer was a Golden Elixir stage powerhouse!