Chapter 144: Seven Hundred Years Old, Taiyi Ultimate Treasure!

Chapter 144: Seven Hundred Years, Supreme Taiyi Treasure!

On his descent down the mountain, Xun Chang’an moved with stiff limbs and an unnatural gait.

The two golden crows perched upon his shoulders filled him with dread.

Should these little ones accidentally ignite their solar true flames, he would be reduced to ash in an instant.

Passing halfway up the slope, Yang Tiandong, who was cultivating, asked with curiosity, “Junior Brother, where are you headed?”

“Master said there is a promising talent at the mountain’s foot, and ordered me to bring him up,” Xun Chang’an replied truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Yang Tiandong’s brow furrowed slightly.

Accept another disciple?

Absolutely not!

This time, I shall take on a disciple myself!

The exceptional aptitude of Murong Qi and Fang Liang had left Yang Tiandong deeply envious; he yearned for disciples of such caliber.

“I shall accompany you to have a look.”

“Mm.”

Xun Chang’an was no fool; he readily discerned Yang Tiandong’s petty schemes, yet he cared little for them.

To be honest, he had no desire to accept disciples anymore.

He felt like a hollow shell, for his own pupils were taught entirely by their master.

His disciples clearly held far greater reverence for their master.

If ever Han Jue commanded Murong Qi and Fang Liang to slay him, he trusted those two wretched brats would hesitate not at all.

Each brother harboring his own thoughts, they arrived at the mountain’s base.

Xun Chang’an activated the formation array, summoning the Three-Headed Flood Dragon King within, while the other disciples cast looks of envy and jealousy toward him.

Upon seeing the two fire crows resting on Xun Chang’an’s shoulders, the Flood Dragon King’s heart hammered wildly.

Those two tiny golden sun birds stared at him unblinkingly, radiating pure hostility.

“What manner of bird is this? It actually fills me with fear…”

Turbulent waves churned within the Flood Dragon King’s mind.

In this mortal realm, it was the first time he had encountered a creature whose very bloodline struck terror into his bones.

Most crucially, how could beings as frail as Yang Tiandong and Xun Chang’an possibly come into possession of such mysterious fire ravens?

“May I ask, esteemed seniors, which among you is the God-Slaying Elder?” the Flood Dragon King inquired with utmost caution.

Xun Chang’an spoke with a face as still as stone: “The God-Slaying Elder is our master. You are not yet worthy to meet him.”

Yang Tiandong smiled and said, “Do not grow impatient, junior. Since Master has tasked us with bringing you upward, he must surely see great promise in you.”

The stark contrast between their attitudes left the Flood Dragon King thoroughly bewildered.

Forced to suppress his doubts, he followed the two men up the mountain.

The two tiny golden sun birds kept their gaze fixed upon him, rendering him profoundly uncomfortable.

Before long.

They reached the summit, and upon beholding the Fusang tree, the Flood Dragon King was utterly astounded.

This was undoubtedly the very object he had been seeking!

The Flood Dragon King stifled his excitement with great effort.

He noticed a black rooster perched upon the Fusang tree, and a white hound lying beneath its roots.

Were these all the demonic beasts of the God-Slaying Elder?

“From this day forward, you shall cultivate beneath this tree. As for whether you may become a formal disciple, that shall depend upon your conduct.”

Casting these words aside, Xun Chang’an walked to the cliff’s edge, gazing blankly at the horizon, his silhouette so forlorn it resembled a stray dog.

For the past few years, thoughts of Qian’er constantly plagued him, preventing him from focusing wholly on his cultivation.

Tribulations decreed by gods and buddhas cannot be shielded by mere mortal attachments!

The Flood Dragon King took his seat before the Fusang tree, while the two tiny golden sun birds returned to its branches, never breaking their watchful stare.

Yang Tiandong sat beside him and began to converse.

Acting as a senior, Yang Tiandong recounted his experiences over the years, hoping to inspire awe and admiration in the Flood Dragon King.

Though deeply irritated, the Flood Dragon King had no choice but to endure it.

With each passing word, his disdain only deepened.

Demon King Dian Su?

Merely the spineless coward of Great Yan’s northern wastes?

Restlessness stirred within the Flood Dragon King; he coveted the Fusang tree, yet lacking knowledge of the God-Slaying Elder’s cultivation level, he remained hesitant.

Reason told him that one capable of taming such mysterious fire birds must possess formidable power.

Wait a while longer!

Sighing inwardly, the Flood Dragon King steeled himself.

……

Several years later.

Within the Innate Cave Mansion, three lines of text materialized before Han Jue’s eyes:

[Detection confirms you have reached seven hundred years of age, marking another step forward in your journey. You are presented with the following choices:]

[One: Exit seclusion immediately to forge a reputation as the supreme under heaven, thereby receiving a Spirit Treasure.]

[Two: Continue your cultivation to transcend the Mahayana Realm as swiftly as possible, thereby receiving a Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone.]

Han Jue hesitated not, directly opting to continue his cultivation. The Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone was commendable; it could enhance his magical artifacts.

Han Jue retrieved the Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone and commenced the refinement of the Book of Misfortune.

The Book of Misfortune stood as his sole artifact capable of wreaking havoc upon enemies in the Upper Realm from afar, deserving of endless enhancement.

After several days, the fusion of the Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone proved successful.

[Your Book of Misfortune has ascended from a Top-Tier Taiyi Spirit Treasure to a Supreme Taiyi Treasure.]

[The Book of Misfortune is a karmic artifact. Please wield it with extreme caution.]

A Supreme Taiyi Treasure?

Han Jue raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling a pang of regret.

Would the Book of Misfortune turn its backlash upon him?

Exercising utmost care, Han Jue began to channel the Book of Misfortune, directing a curse upon Daoist Jueyan.

Fearing the expenditure of excessive spiritual energy, he chose to test its effects first.

Seven days later.

Han Jue set down the Book of Calamity, for he had noticed his own lifespan had inexplicably dwindled by decades.

It seemed one could not exceed seven days at a time, lest his own years be shortened.

He opened the ledger of connections and began to peruse the messages.

【Your junior disciple Fang Liang has been beset by demonic beasts】x97884

【Your companion Ji Xianshen has been ambushed by demonic cultivators】x170210

【Your junior disciple Murong Qi has breached the Abyss of Demons, his fate unknown】

【Your companion Mo Fuchou has absorbed the souls of ghosts, undergoing a metamorphosis of destiny】

【Your companion Zhou Fan is hunted by ten sects, forging his killing intent】

【Your cultivation partner Xing Hongxuan has comprehended an ancient breathing technique】

【Your companion Chang Yue has comprehended an ancient breathing technique】

【Your enemy Daoist Jueyan, cursed by you, has lost ten thousand years of life and birthed inner demons】

【Your junior disciple Fang Liang stumbled into the forbidden grounds of the Celestial Palace, consumed a millennium sacred fruit, and saw his aptitude leap forward】

……

Upon witnessing the fate awaiting Daoist Jueyan, Han Jue could not help but chuckle.

He felt certain he could curse the man straight to his grave.

For the price of a few decades of his own years, he could strip ten millennia from Jueyan’s span.

How utterly preposterous!

Yet Han Jue harbored no desire to gamble with his fate.

Though blessed with over a hundred thousand years of life, such reckless expenditure would inevitably turn against him.

Next time, he would curse for no more than six days; nothing further!

He would simply grind away at Daoist Jueyan and the Vermilion Bird until they perished.

Han Jue mused, a smirk playing upon his lips.

His attention drifted beyond the cave abode, where the Three-Headed Flood Dragon King still cultivated beneath the Fusang tree, accompanied by Yang Tiandong.

In recent years, the dragon king had behaved with remarkable docility.

Han Jue resolved to lay his cards on the table.

“Go outside and summon the newcomer,” Han Jue commanded. “Once he departs, you may enter.”

At these words, the Sword of Comprehension rose without hesitation and departed.

Hearing the sword’s message, the flood dragon king was seized by an inexplicable unease.

Yang Tiandong clapped a hand upon his shoulder and smiled. “Fortune favors you! The Master shall impart divine arts!”

Internally repulsed, the dragon king merely nodded with a forced smile.

He stepped cautiously into the Primordial Cave Abode.

Boom!

The heavy stone door slammed shut, tightening the knot of tension within the dragon king.

Kneeling before Han Jue, the dragon king was instantly struck breathless by the master’s visage.

What a strikingly handsome man!

Never before had he beheld such captivating features.

Pah!

What manner of thoughts are these?

Convinced that Yang Tiandong’s peculiarities had infected his own mind, the dragon king felt his sanity beginning to fray.

With this realization, his disdain for Yang Tiandong only deepened.

Han Jue spoke without altering his expression. “Three-Headed Flood Dragon King, at the sixth layer of the Mahayana realm, you have two choices.”

“The first: become the guardian general of the Mountain of Ascetic Cultivation, cultivating freely beneath the divine tree.”

“The second: death.”

The dragon king jerked his head up, staring at him in sheer terror.

I wonder how long the readers tallying the word count can endure.

(End of Chapter)