Chapter 267 Invitation to Challenge
A glimmer of hope appeared in Ji An's eyes. No matter how much he tried to deceive himself, being targeted by a Golden Core Demon King was a thorn in his side.
"The spell transforms blood and chases the soul, directly affecting your spirit and soul."
The power of the blood curse can only be gradually depleted over time, or a Nascent Soul cultivator can seal the blood curse on your soul.
There is no other way but these two.
Master Zhengyang shook his head slightly. He was also helpless against such a secret technique. Only Nascent Soul cultivators had begun to explore the cultivation of their divine souls.
He paused slightly, then continued:
"For you, the harm of the blood curse is not serious. When your spiritual consciousness is severely depleted, it will give you nightmares, and that's all."
Ultimately, the most important function of the Blood-Transforming Soul-Chasing Curse is merely a marker.
Of course, this also depends on the cultivation level of the person being marked. If a Qi Refining cultivator is marked by the blood curse of a Golden Core Demon King, he will probably be plagued by illusions and could almost be sentenced to death.
Ji An felt slightly relieved and said:
"Ancestor, how long will it take for this spell's power to dissipate?"
"The blood curse cast by the Golden Core Demon King will take about a hundred years to dissipate."
'So long? Are you kidding me!'
Ji An grinned, his eyes wide open.
Seeing his disciple's expression, Master Zhengyang explained:
"The blood curse can absorb the blood and qi of the victim to prolong its duration, which is why it can last for so long."
If you can break through to the Chaoyuan stage, you can greatly reduce the duration of the Blood Curse.
but"
Upon hearing the twist in the story, Ji An's heart, which had just relaxed, suddenly jumped again.
Master Zhengyang gave a kind smile and continued:
"However, after you return, you should try to stay within the sect's territory and avoid going out until the demon calamity ends."
"Even our ancestor has a wicked sense of humor," Ji An nodded emphatically, saying:
"Disciple understands, thank you for clearing up my doubts, Ancestor!"
At the main hall atop Immortal City Mountain, all the immortals gathered.
Master Yuxiao said softly:
"The spiritual veins beneath the Immortal City can't hold on for much longer. At most, they'll drop to the middle grade of the second rank within half a month."
If the monster's attacks are more intense, the duration of the attack will be even shorter.
Even if the Demon King doesn't participate in the battle, the massive attacks from the demon beasts are still a huge burden for the mountain-protecting formation.
Master Huoyun pondered for a moment and said:
"Then proceed according to plan. Three days from now, the core disciples of each family and the rogue cultivators in the Chaoyuan stage can evacuate from the teleportation array."
Lower-ranking disciples of sects, disciples of other families, and independent cultivators could only retreat by flying boat.
The war has lasted so long that the mountain-protecting formation has consumed a large amount of spirit stones.
In order to defend Mingfeng Mountain, the three sects poured nearly a hundred years of accumulated resources into it.
Each activation of the long-distance teleportation array requires 500 mid-grade spirit stones, and there are currently no spirit stones available to teleport too many cultivators.
"In that case, the conflict between independent cultivators and sects will intensify, and who knows what hidden dangers it might create in the future."
We are not afraid, but it's hard to say about our disciples traveling outside.
The sect can only provide spirit stones for Foundation Establishment stage disciples and exceptionally talented Qi Refining stage disciples to teleport back. You can imagine how slim the chances are of surviving a flight back by flying boat.
Master Zhengyang sighed. It wasn't just rogue cultivators; even disciples of sects were experiencing a growing sense of alienation.
The hall was completely silent; this problem was not originally conceived.
The initial plan was for Nascent Soul cultivators from the Central Continent to be stationed in the Immortal City of Mingfeng Mountain, while the entire Western Continent would use its power to keep the demonic beasts outside the defensive line.
A deep voice echoed softly:
"The next few days will inevitably be filled with fierce battles. Tell those mid-level disciples to hold back a little."
If the number of people is small enough, all cultivators can leave using the teleportation array.
Night, in a mountain cave.
"Are you all clear?"
Lin Qiubai asked, his voice soft but as cold as the gale on the summit of a snow-capped mountain.
He just announced the secret order to use demonic beasts to weaken more low-level disciples.
"Understood."
Li Haoran answered, then, meeting his master's gaze, asked:
"Many patriarchs from the three sects are here. Even if the mountain-protecting formation is breached, it can still protect the cultivators and allow them to escape. Why resort to such a desperate measure?"
In his view, this group of cultivators who had undergone the test were a very valuable resource that could not be easily given up.
The three sects have a considerable number of Golden Core cultivators, and should be able to protect more cultivators.
His words echoed the sentiments of the other disciples.
In any case, these cultivators had shared life and death with the Immortal City.
Ji An stared intently at Lin Qiubai, wanting to hear his explanation.
"After a demon king, equivalent to a sixth-level Golden Core cultivator, died, the demon beasts reacted very abnormally."
The ancestors believed that behind each demon beast was a powerful, transformed demon equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivator.
While there's no absolute certainty, there's a 50% chance.
They didn't know why the transformed demon hadn't made a move, or if it would, but they dared not gamble.
If you were the patriarchs of your sects, would you be willing to gamble?
"If we win the gamble, we can certainly protect more disciples, but what if we lose?"
Lin Qiubai countered, saying that he had only learned of the ancestors' concerns today, and also understood why they did not take the initiative to attack but only defended the Immortal City.
Because if a powerful demon in human form were to make a move, there would be time to escape within the immortal city. The truth is so unexpected.
If he were a Golden Core cultivator from a sect, would he gamble?
Honestly, he wouldn't, because if he lost the bet, the sect's lineage would be cut off.
Back at his residence, Ji An remained silent for a long time.
Faced with life and death, the bloody reality is revealed, stinging our eyes.
Outside the window, the moon hung like a hook, much the same as before, but he felt a chill seep into his bones.
He didn't have a mental fastidiousness; he just felt that his life was filled with too many things beyond his control.
Rather than letting the cultivators' flesh and blood be devoured by demonic beasts, it is better to let them be naturally consumed and then cremated.
From now on, I must never be a sacrifice for the greater good.
Ji An clenched his fists. Only by becoming stronger could he control his own destiny.
Three days later, at the hour of Hai (9-11 PM).
Ji An recovered from the dizziness and heard a slightly familiar, cool voice in his ear:
"Get out of the magic circle as soon as you regain consciousness; there are other people who need to be teleported."
He immediately followed the instructions and stepped out of the magic circle.
Lin Qiubai, who was waiting outside, gave an approving smile:
"Not bad, you woke up from teleportation so quickly. Your physique must be very good."
This teleportation array has a teleportation distance of eight thousand miles, and it takes an average Foundation Establishment cultivator one breath to regain consciousness.
It is said that there are teleportation arrays in the Central Continent with a teleportation distance of hundreds of thousands of miles. When such an array is used for teleportation, one must use a special spatial artifact to protect oneself, otherwise one will be compressed into dust by the spatial power. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator cannot withstand it.
Ji An scratched his head and replied:
"Perhaps it's because the disciple has practiced body tempering."
"You still have time to train your body? Learning too many things at once is not a good thing. Specialize first, then broaden your knowledge."
"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle-Master."
Ji An bowed and thanked him. Ever since their 'competition' at Mingfeng Mountain, this senior uncle had become quite kind to him.
Lin Qiubai nodded slightly and then said:
"Wait outside. Once everyone has been teleported out and the Ancestor has given his instructions, you can leave."
"This disciple takes his leave."
Ji An walked out of the main hall and found himself in a small, brightly lit square where many people were already gathered.
They gathered in small groups, speaking in hushed tones.
Ge Luoying stood on tiptoe and waved. Ji An walked over, cupped his hands, and said:
"Greetings, Senior Sister. Greetings, Senior Brothers."
"Junior brother's performance on the city wall these past few days has been truly astonishing. I never imagined that you were not only skilled in planting, but also had such a strong talent for magic!"
Amazement appeared in Ge Luoying's eyes. These past few days, she had been on the city wall patrolling and putting out fires, and had gained a better understanding of Ji An's magical duel.
The opponent's magic is very comprehensive, covering wood, earth, fire, and water elements.
What surprised her even more was that the opponent's magic was at a very high level, and the magic intent emanating from it could not be faked.
She had heard her great-aunt talk about the other person and knew that the other person had mastered all three planting spells to the extreme.
It's almost impossible to master so many spells to such a high level.
Ji An showed a silly smile and said:
"Senior sister is too kind. I don't have much to do on Crimson Flame Peak. I spend my spare time studying spells."
In addition, external objects were used to enhance magical comprehension during the practice sessions.
There are many spiritual items that can temporarily enhance one's comprehension, such as the Five Elements Essence, Enlightenment Tea, and Soul-Nourishing Wooden Ritual Objects.
These methods are well-known, but their effectiveness...
Ji An had tried refining the essence of the five elements before practicing magic, but the effect was mediocre, so he never tried it again.
He had no access to the methods of Enlightenment Tea and Soul-Nourishing Wood.
Even so, it's still remarkable!
Ge Luoying knew that many Foundation Establishment cultivators could only master one or two spells to their fullest potential in their entire lives. Did these people not know how to use external tools?
“Junior brother’s magical abilities are indeed very powerful. You are the most well-rounded cultivator I have ever seen. We can spar sometime.”
Li Haoran nodded slightly. During the battle on the city wall, he also noticed that his junior brother had mastered a wide variety of exquisite spells.
He had seen the other party's Gengjin Finger before, and the sharp and murderous aura it exuded made him even more eager to try his luck.
"I can't even come close to my senior brother's strength! The manifestation of sword intent is astonishing."
Ji Anwen politely declined, saying that a true sword cultivator is one who has comprehended the manifestation of sword intent!
He had certainly witnessed the enemy's battle; it was swift and deadly, as fast as a relentless downpour.
He won't last long unless he shows all his abilities.
A true sparring match is one where there's give and take; otherwise, it's just one-sided abuse.
Li Haoran shook his head slightly:
"Junior brother isn't a straightforward person! I can hold back a bit when I fight you!"
How could he admit defeat before even fighting? He was really looking forward to sparring with a cultivator who was proficient in all kinds of magic.
Sword cultivators are said to be able to break through all laws with a single sword strike and create all laws with a single sword strike; this is their lifelong pursuit.
Liu Yu, standing to the side, laughed:
“Senior Brother Li is bullying the younger one. Junior Brother Ji has only reached the seventh level of Foundation Establishment this year, while you have been at the peak of Foundation Establishment for several years. Why not wait a few more years?”
"If I wait a few more years, I will break through to the Chaoyuan stage. If I fight then, I will be even more restrained in battle."
Li Haoran shook his head slightly. During the trip to the Canglan Secret Realm, he obtained the necessary spiritual herbs, and the sect was already preparing to refine the Peiyuan Pill.
Once the elixir is completed, he will surely be able to obtain one.
For him, the Chaoyuan era is bound to succeed!
Ji An smiled slightly and said:
"Senior Brother Li, shall we fight again after I break through to the Chaoyuan stage?"
I am confident that my senior brother will be able to give it his all at that time!
(End of this chapter)
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