Ling Tian Sword God

BANG!

At the entrance of the Demon-Burying Cave, Ling Chen dashed out.

”That was close!”

Having escaped the Demon-Burying Cave’s extremely cold environment, Ling Chen felt much more at ease standing under the sunlight.

He faintly sensed that this place isn’t simple; it potentially hides some shocking secrets. Especially the Shade Ghosts—they all obey one person. The one who created the Shade Ghosts must be an outstanding Big Devil.

Ling Chen was deeply shocked, and it took him a while to calm down. On Tianyuan Continent, there are countless dangerous places. Many of them seal Big Devils who once ran rampant in the human world, waiting for the opportunity to break free.

The Undying Old Demon he’d encountered before was like this, and so was the demon deep within the Demon-Burying Cave.

However, this close brush with danger allowed Ling Chen’s Sword Intent to break through. His Invincible Sword Intent advanced a level, especially the Slaughter Sword Intent, which became its core. This allowed him to effectively mobilize the other two Sword Intents, unleashing even greater power from his Invincible Sword Intent.

Thus, his Invincible Sword Intent reached the Great Accomplishment of the Grandmaster Level.

Disaster and blessing are interdependent, indeed.

Encountering Shade Ghosts even more evil and terrifying than rumored was a disaster. However, the improvement of his Sword Intent was a blessing. It was hard to tell which it was; all he could say was that disaster and blessing were interdependent, with life and death hanging by a thread.

However, when Ling Chen glanced at a large patch of blackened flesh on his body, his expression became extremely grave. The Shadow Demon Poison spread with astonishing speed. Even with his superior Cultivation Technique and True Qi far purer than an ordinary person’s, he still couldn’t resist the poison’s erosion.

I shouldn’t stay here long. I’ll leave first.

Without rushing to observe the changes to the Sword Intent in his mind, Ling Chen’s figure flickered. He summoned his Qingfeng Jue and sped into the distance, disappearing without a trace in a short while.

Back in the Demon-Burying Cave, a black wind continued to roll out from its depths. However, after a while, it completely subsided, and all movement ceased.

...

The Hundred Thousand Mountains stretched vast and endless.

The area inhabited by the Barbarian Tribe was not in the extreme depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains; they occupied only its northernmost region. Further south lay the true Barren Land.

In an area lush with vegetation stood an ancient temple. The temple was small and simple. Moss grew in the cracks of its stones in many places, making the building resemble an abandoned shrine in Zhongtu.

Yet this small temple was like a God Domain, the most untouchable taboo in the Wildlands.

None of the Barbarians, except for the guards and Priests, dared to approach. Even in the Five Country Territory, the leaders of first-class Sects hesitated to venture here unguardedly.

In the distant past, many promising young talents and renowned figures from various Sects had sought to investigate this place. The most recent was Gu Qingfeng, the Myriad Dao Sect Master, seventy years ago. However, even someone as strong as Gu Qingfeng had failed to enter the Barbaric Temple’s gates.

Behind the heavy door lay a long corridor, from which a strong smell of dust assailed the senses. On both sides of the temple hall stood two rows of tall, mottled statues covered in dust. Many of them had cracks.

Two figures emerged from the door.

One of the two figures was an old man, his face deeply wrinkled and his body hunched. He wore a black robe and moved slowly, staggering like a candle in the wind, as if a mere gust could blow him over.

”Wutugu, tell me, do you think that young man from the Five Kingdoms can successfully obtain the Longevity Fruit from the Demon-Burying Cave?” the old man asked, turning his head and breaking the silence.

Wutugu shook his head. ”Well, I’m afraid that’s hard to say. After all, the Demon-Burying Cave is no ordinary place. Even someone as powerful as Gu Qingfeng returned severely injured and only survived for three months. It’s unlikely that Ling Chen will be able to obtain the Longevity Fruit.”

”However,” Wutugu said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he abruptly changed the subject, ”I don’t think Ling Chen is an ordinary person. He’s the most talented warrior I’ve ever seen. Perhaps he can accomplish what others cannot.”

The High Priest’s eyebrows lifted slightly, a hint of surprise in his voice. ”Oh? You have such faith in this young man?” According to Wutugu’s description, Ling Chen was only at the Great Master level. Entering the Demon-Burying Cave would likely mean certain death; even escaping alive would be difficult, let alone obtaining the Longevity Fruit.

”It’s only a guess,” Wutugu said with a laugh, shaking his head.

He smiled bitterly to himself. Ling Chen, oh Ling Chen, I’ve arranged everything for you here. Whether it succeeds in the end still depends on whether you can come back alive. And not only must you return alive, but you must also bring the Longevity Fruit with you.

The High Priest stared off into the distance. ”I hope the kid is as special as you say. Otherwise, I’m afraid my body won’t last much longer... COUGH, COUGH...” He then coughed violently.

His body convulsed. As the High Priest lowered the hand covering his mouth, his palm was smeared with fresh blood.

Wutugu’s face turned pale. ”High Priest!” he exclaimed, rushing forward to support him. ”How much longer can your body hold on?”

He hadn’t expected the High Priest’s condition to have deteriorated so severely.

The High Priest was the heart of the Barbaric Temple and the spiritual pillar of the entire Barbarian Tribe. He had lived for more than two hundred years. If he were to fall now, the entire Barbarian Tribe would descend into turmoil.

Although Wutugu was somewhat dissatisfied with the Barbaric Temple’s absolute authority within the Barbarian Tribe, he didn’t want the High Priest to fall.

The High Priest sighed and shook his head. ”Probably no more than five days. The cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death is the Heavenly Dao; it cannot be defied. I have already consumed one Longevity Fruit, extending my life by fifty years. Heaven will not grant me a second chance.”

”High Priest, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Wutugu gritted his teeth. ”If I had known, I, Wutugu, would have personally ventured into the Demon-Burying Cave to find the Longevity Fruit for you!” The Demon-Burying Cave was a considerable distance from the Barbaric Temple. Even if he set off now, it would be impossible to return within five days.

”The dangers within the Demon-Burying Cave are beyond what you can handle. There’s no need for a pointless sacrifice.” The High Priest clearly had some understanding of the Demon-Burying Cave. A powerful Evil Spirit was sealed within. The last time Gu Qingfeng went, he had been severely injured by that Evil Spirit. With Wutugu’s strength, entering it would mean certain death.

Therefore, the High Priest no longer held much hope for the Longevity Fruit.

Just then, a crisp eagle cry resonated through the sky. The next moment, an entirely green Qingfeng Jue appeared high above. A figure stood upon its back.

Wutugu’s gaze fixed on the distant figure. When he made out its form, he froze for a moment, then an explosion of joy surged through him. ”Is that... Ling Chen? He’s alive? He’s back?”