Chapter 114 How could you be so heartless in this life-or-death situation?

Boom—

Another thunderclap, and Jiang Yu's hair, once smooth, was now charred and dry, resembling a tangled mess of grass. A deep bloodstain appeared on his face, where the bolt of lightning had struck.

It gives the impression that even if he doesn't die, he'll be disfigured.

Is this how lightning strikes? Jiang Yu was puzzled, but he couldn't explain it. Fortunately, the first few strikes weren't too fierce, and even though he was injured, he was able to barely cope with them.

Shen Jiuxu also breathed a sigh of relief. It seems that God still knows how to "cherish beauty". Most of the ascension lightning only has ten strikes, and now half of them have passed. He only needs to endure five more strikes to succeed.

Jiang Yu has not yet used his full strength.

Standing atop the mountain, Xi Chuang gazed at Jiang Yu in the sky and Shen Jiuxu, who was imprisoned on the ground. The disciple-acceptance ceremony was still half an hour away, but Jiang Yu's ascension lightning would likely end in a quarter of an hour. He sneered; now was not a good time for ascension.

Since he was injured, he should have stayed in the human world to heal, instead of forcing himself to endure the heavenly lightning with his broken body. He was kind-hearted and didn't want to see such a perfect body being persecuted.

His finger twitched, and Jiang Yu clearly sensed that the heavenly lightning had changed. The lightning, which had been relatively gentle, suddenly grew much larger, and several other bolts of lightning gradually merged with it, resembling a Milky Way stretching across the sky, a sight that inspired fear in anyone who looked at it.

"how so?"

Although each bolt of lightning was indeed stronger than the last, the sudden increase in power several times over made the group realize something was wrong. This thunder lacked the gentle, healing quality that was usually present in heavenly lightning; instead, it carried a ruthless intent to kill.

Huai Xian Men Cang Ming Shan.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Chao suddenly noticed that the person in his arms had paused and looked unwell, so he quickly went to ask.

"It seems that someone tampered with this lightning." Xie Hanyu still spends most of his time at Huaixian Sect, but he goes to Yaotai Yinque once a month. The rules of heaven don't bind him much, and it's too desolate there. Huaixian Sect is more suitable for him.

Seeing that Xie Hanyu's expression was solemn and genuine, Jiang Chao also sent a wisp of his spiritual sense outside to investigate. He confirmed that Xie Hanyu was indeed different from ordinary people. The number of people ascending to immortality had been decreasing in recent years; this was likely the first. He knew Xie Hanyu didn't want to waste such a talented individual. "Shall we go and take a look?"

"good."

Xie Hanyu had just stepped out of the room when he saw a huge amount of spiritual energy scattering in the southwest direction. He thought to himself that something was wrong and shook his head. "It's probably too late. But I'm very curious, who is this person from, or who is it from the heavens, that can actually move heavenly lightning?"

"It involves a wide range of issues, so it's probably not that simple."

"Judging from the direction, it should be Jiang Yu of Shen Wuke, whom Master mentioned before. I happen to have nothing to do, so I'll go and take a look."

One powerful bolt of lightning followed another, giving Jiang Yu no chance to catch his breath. Xian Chen unleashed a tremendous burst of silver light, and in an instant, a mouthful of blood spurted out. Jiang Yu's already haggard face turned even paler than paper.

His body went limp, and he knelt on the ground, powerless like a noodle, teetering on the verge of collapse. Before Jiang Yu could stand up, another bolt of lightning, as if it had eyes, hurtled towards him. Xian Chen was struck to the ground with a thud, his right arm hitting him hard and hanging limply at his side.

"Jiang Yu".

Shen Jiuxu's eyes widened, the veins on his neck bulged, and Jiang Yu's blood flowed down the corner of his mouth, soaking his black clothes. If you wrung them out, they would probably drip down a whole patch.

However, Jiang Yu didn't know how he managed to break free from these constraints. The barrier seemed to be compatible with Jiang Yu, but its effect was not what Shen Jiuxu had expected.

This was a barrier Jiang Yu had specifically set up for him, targeting only him. Jiang Yu knew Shen Jiuxu too well and knew he would definitely come to his rescue at these crucial moments. Therefore, he used his spiritual sense to set up the barrier; if Shen Jiuxu forcefully broke through it, it would only harm Jiang Yu.

Therefore, for the sake of his spiritual consciousness, Jiang Yu was certain that Shen Jiuxu would not do such a thing. The injury from the heavenly lightning might still have a chance of recovery, but damage to one's spiritual consciousness would have unimaginable consequences. Jiang Yu gambled that Shen Jiuxu would not let him get hurt, even though such an action would be very harmful, but it was the only way he could do it.

How could you be so heartless?

The choice between the two was too painful. In a short while, Shen Jiuxu was covered in sweat. He was in so much pain that he couldn't straighten up. But if his spiritual consciousness was destroyed, Jiang Yu would be even more unable to hold on and would be completely reduced to a useless person without any cultivation.

Those eyes looked at his lover from a distance. Jiang Yu's spiritual power dissipated too quickly, like a river bursting its banks, revealing a huge hole, and spiritual power flowed out like a flood.

But the lightning hadn't stopped yet. Just as it was about to strike Jiang Yu's head, he moved his left hand, and the Xian Chen Sword flew back into his hand. Blood and sword light appeared together, and a blood mist spread out. The lightning followed the sword energy, and the Xian Chen Sword was violently thrown away. The sword trembled and finally calmed down above the ground.

Mouthfuls of blood gushed out, splattering the blade of Xian Chen's sword with a dark red hue. The spiritual energy consumed by using Xian Chen to save people earlier had already left Jiang Yu severely injured, but what he hadn't expected was that this method of saving people inherently had a backlash.

The reason he couldn't reach Xian Chen before was simply due to insufficient time and the suppression of his spiritual power. Now that Jiang Yu's spiritual power has dissipated, he can no longer control Xian Chen. The sword energy that was used to save people was originally intended to suppress Xian Chen's evil energy.

The Xianchen Sword, though named for cleansing, cleanses others of impurities and filth, while simultaneously absorbing evil and defilement within itself. Similarly, healing and saving lives are done in the same way; seemingly for the purpose of saving lives, it actually secretly stores the pain and suffering within the sword's blade.

Over time, if the swordsman's cultivation level declines and he is unable to suppress it, it will harm his body until all the filth and impurities are cleaned up. Otherwise, these torments will harm him for a lifetime.

In the phrase "One Blade, Two Swords, Crescent Hook," the Chongming Blade has been lost to the world, its whereabouts unknown. The Xianchen Sword is known only to Jiang Yu; it is the least rumored of any sword, its attributes unknown to most, known only as a fine sword capable of cutting through iron like mud and as cold as ice. The other sword, however, has been shelved in the Sword Pavilion, hidden from the world, since its owner, Luo Yi, disappeared.

The other magical artifacts were used by the chosen ones of the major sects. When Jiang Yu found Xian Chen, it was in a hidden secret realm. In his youth, he was arrogant and thought that he was blessed with good fortune and that he could find all the treasures in the world so easily.

It came without any effort.

At first, the Xianchen Sword didn't recognize its master, and it was only through various methods that Jiang Yu forced it to become obedient. Now, thinking back, it turns out that all good luck ultimately comes at a price, just like now.

At Qingyun Ladder, he used Xian Chen to save Xiao Ying, who was on the verge of death and unconscious, which was the first step; Wu Er was poisoned and his life was in danger, which was the second step; Zhang Da Niang and the other people at Qingyun Ladder were unconscious and disoriented, which was the third step.

But the reality is far more than that. The people of Qingyun Ladder will suffer the same recurring pains, which will be repeatedly piled on Jiang Yu's body like "adding official plasters."

He was like a flying insect trapped in a sealed box; the gradually dissipating air and extinguished light exhausted the last bit of life in him.

Jiang Yu closed his eyes. He had really done his best. Blood began to spurt from between his fingers. His ten fingers were connected to his heart, and it felt as if countless fine needles were piercing into his body, taking root in every bone marrow.

He gradually lost the ability to sense the traces of spiritual energy fluctuations between heaven and earth, like a blind man facing a radiant glow, or a deaf man listening to celestial music played in front of him.

He became a stagnant pool of water that wouldn't flow.

Jiang Yu felt that he was only sorry to his Daoist partner. If he died, his spiritual consciousness would naturally dissipate, and then Shen Jiuxu would be able to come out of the barrier.

If he hadn't died, he would naturally have apologized to Shen Jiuxu. Jiang Yu cherished every moment with him, but unfortunately, his life was too short, and he probably wouldn't make it.

Back in the Nine Netherworld, he had forgotten to ask himself and Shen Jiuxu if they would have an afterlife, and he hadn't yet properly said goodbye to his grandfather, the old man who had raised him with such hardship.

He was probably still standing on the hilltop, gazing into the distance, waiting for his long-awaited child to return home. Jiang Yu had never imagined that he would become so slow and indecisive. He wasn't afraid of death, but at this moment, he still wanted to see those people one last time.

He would gently kiss his Daoist partner and tell him that Jiang Yu had always loved him. He was like a wandering, helpless seed, whose heart finally found peace after meeting Shen Jiuxu. His young lover was the same; after he found him in the wilderness, they had never been separated.

Jiang Yu didn't know if he had any other relatives, but he had never heard Shen Jiuxu mention them. Even his last master had passed away. Jiang Yu was afraid that he would make the worst choice because of him.

He likes to take such gambles.

"puff--"

He saw Shen Jiuxu spit out a mouthful of blood, staining the thick elm trunk red. Jiang Yu wanted to hug him, wipe away the tears in the boy's eyes, and let him bury his head in his arms, his hair falling into the crook of his neck—a posture that felt extremely safe.

Unfortunately, that's no longer possible.

The lightning continued, as if it were the last strike, but Jiang Yu couldn't actually remember it anymore; he lay on the ground, his body a bloody mess.

Boom—

Shen Jiuxu dared not look, fearing that he would see a broken Jiang Yu. If the Daoist partner he had gone through so much trouble to find disappeared before his eyes, he would probably follow him without hesitation.

The barrier began to weaken, which Shen Jiuxu could sense because Jiang Yu's spiritual consciousness was also weakening. At most, the barrier would collapse in half an incense stick's time.

But the lightning had already been brewing, and if it struck again, there would probably only be a few seconds left.

Shen Jiuxu was afraid. He was afraid that after the barrier broke, he would see a lifeless Jiang Yu. This world had already suffered enough for him.

The heavenly lightning was imminent. If Jiang Yu were in his prime, he probably could withstand it, but now, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

In an instant, a blue figure appeared in front of him, a dragon's roar swept past, and sword energy directly severed the heavenly lightning. He lowered his head, helped the person on the ground up, sighed, and placed his palm on Jiang Yu's trembling back to channel spiritual energy into him.

He waved his hand to dispel the barrier, and Shen Jiuxu immediately ran out. The man handed Jiang Yu to him, saying, "Your right wrist is too badly injured. I'm afraid you'll have difficulty using a sword in the future. Your meridians are damaged, so you need to take good care of yourself. If you can wake up, everything will be fine."

"May I ask who you are, senior?"

"Huai Xian Men Xie Hanyu".