Chapter 249 : Slaughter
Chapter 249: Slaughter
The grand hall was pitch-black, not a trace of light could be seen.
Chen Ming sat cross-legged in the middle of the hall. With every breath in and out, he stirred the surrounding airflow, almost forming a vortex. In every interval between breaths, the True Essence within his body underwent astonishing changes.
Within his body, a brand-new attribute of True Essence was born.
Every passing second, the original balance between the three attributes would collapse, almost spinning out of control, only to form a new equilibrium under some mysterious force.
Then collapse again, then once more find balance…
And so the cycle repeated endlessly.
Almost every second, the True Essence within his body grew stronger.
This drastic transformation was far greater than when he previously fused the Wood Element Chapter.
Even Chen Ming himself felt terrified, as if he was walking on the very edge of death. A single misstep, and he would die miserably, leaving not even bones behind.
The “Taiyue Sword” lying across his knees would let out occasional hums, transmitting emotions of unease, as if asking him what was happening.
Chen Ming had to spare part of his mind to comfort it, lest it worried too much.
The sword spirit of the “Taiyue Sword” was of a calm temperament, rarely speaking with him under normal circumstances, like a reclusive shut-in.
But now it interacted with him from time to time, seemingly afraid that he might die at any moment.
Finally, the True Essence within his body seemed to reach a limit, gradually calming down, forming a true equilibrium.
“It’s finally over!”
Chen Ming exhaled a long breath, his heart filled with lingering fear.
Each additional fusion brought massive change. Already at the fourth one, the effect was this terrifying—what would it be like when he reached the fifth?
Buzz, buzz.
The “Taiyue Sword” trembled twice more, as if asking, “Are you truly still my original master?”
Chen Ming said nothing, only applying the 《Nurturing Artifact Art》, using True Essence to nourish it.
This time, he converted his True Essence to the Earth attribute. As expected, it resonated perfectly with the sword.
The “Taiyue Sword” itself was of Earth attribute, nurtured with magical power by Senior Jin for over a hundred years before birthing its sword spirit.
“Master!”
The sword spirit conveyed emotions of boundless joy.
Chen Ming almost felt as though a prompt of “Loyalty +10” appeared above the divine weapon.
After soothing the “Taiyue Sword,” he stood up and practiced sword techniques and movement arts within the grand hall.
This place itself was a training ground, spacious enough for his figure to shift continuously within. Only after a while did he stop.
His face revealed joy. “The total volume of my True Essence has increased nearly tenfold. Moreover, the four different attributes of True Essence can be freely converted, and even multiple attributes can be used simultaneously in attacks.”
This fusion greatly boosted his strength. If he were to encounter Du Rusong again, he no longer needed to fear him. As for whether he could defeat him—that would only be known once they clashed.
After all, he had never seen Du Rusong unleash his full strength, and had no idea just how high the man’s power truly reached.
At least now, he finally had the confidence to deal with the situation at hand.
…
After bathing and changing, Chen Ming received the morning greeting of Sun Chuxian. Only in the afternoon did he find some free time. Once the carriage was ready, he took a few subordinates and set out for the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion.
This Sun Chuxian, whatever else could be said, was meticulous with appearances. Every day he came to pay respects, his attitude humble.
But the more he behaved this way, the more Chen Ming grew wary of him.
The carriage rolled onward, nearly half an hour passing.
Chen Ming sensed something amiss. Though Jin Yutang was somewhat distant from the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion, they should have arrived by now.
Lifting the curtain, he looked outside and found the surroundings desolate. They had come to a secluded place.
“So it begins?”
Chen Ming understood immediately. Most likely, Sun Chuxian had learned of Tang Yaoyang’s visit to him that night.
So then—who would be sent to act?
He felt a flicker of anticipation. If they sent a Second Grade, it would be like handing him free experience.
If they sent a First Grade—then who would it be?
The Great Elder would not personally take action.
The Third Elder, adept in curse arts, would not be sent for such crude work.
Therefore, most likely—
Just then, a terrifying aura descended from above. A fearsome force crushed down, shattering the roof of the carriage into dust, bearing down on Chen Ming inside.
As expected, it was him!
Chen Ming had already drawn his sword. The “Taiyue Sword” thrust upward, its unmatched sharpness splitting apart the True Essence palm overhead, severing its spiritual nature, dissipating it into nothing.
Boom!
The shattered debris of the entire carriage was blown away by the force he released.
Chen Ming looked at the masked man across from him with calm composure. “Second Elder, you rebel against authority, attempting to murder the Sect Master. Do you acknowledge your crime?”
The masked man’s body shape differed somewhat from the real Second Elder, clearly adept in disguise techniques.
But in Jiangzhou City, there were only so many First Grade experts. No matter the disguise, his identity was obvious.
“Hand over your life!”
The Second Elder, exposed on the spot, grew furious. Choosing swift battle, he wasted no more words. From his back he drew a massive black spear.
This spear was likewise a rare divine weapon. It was the Second Elder’s renowned armament—a testament to how seriously he regarded the “Taiyue Sword,” that peerless divine weapon.
This thrust was like a black dragon soaring.
Chen Ming’s head buzzed, a stabbing pain piercing his brow like needles.
This was the intent of the spear.
Before the spear arrived, its intent was already suppressing him.
It was a crushing of realm, leaving him no resistance.
“Break!”
Chen Ming bit his tongue, like spring thunder exploding, his mind instantly clearing. The “Taiyue Sword” in his hand shone with profound yellow light, aiding him with immense power.
But in that brief delay, the spear had already arrived, less than three feet away!
He was about to use the movement art 《Phoenix Dances Through Nine Heavens》 to evade the fatal strike, when he found the air suddenly thick, the very space sealed.
Chen Ming’s eyes narrowed. “A Spear Domain?”
Only the absolute peak of First Grade, when one’s divine sense reached its limit, could form such a field-like existence.
Back in the Ink-Wash Secret Realm, he had witnessed something similar—a Sword Domain.
Now, he was personally experiencing it.
The two First Grades he had slain before—Xie Jianqiu and the Blood Demon Sect’s Second Senior Brother—had not cultivated such a domain.
This man, as the Second Elder of Jin Yutang, was indeed extraordinary. Even among First Grades, he was a formidable figure.
But unfortunately, killing him now—was not enough!
The “Taiyue Sword” in Chen Ming’s hand flared with dazzling sword light, striking toward the black dragon’s head.
…
This thrust of the Second Elder carried nearly forty years of cultivation.
From the first move, it was an all-out thunderous strike, proof of how seriously he regarded this “Sect Master.” This strike was aimed to take her life.
He had always been waiting for this opportunity.
As long as he killed her and seized the “Taiyue Sword,” he could obtain that thing. At that time, what would Sun Chuxian count for?
Even in alliance with Elysium Island, it was Sun Chuxian who stood to gain. If that happened, even if he remained as Second Elder, would his power and status compare to now?
All the benefits had gone to the Sun Family—why?
In the past, unable to defeat Sun Chuxian, he had to feign obedience. Once he obtained that thing, he would kill Sun Chuxian and his grandson. Elysium Island would have no choice but to support him as Sect Master!
I will be the final victor!
Die for me!
A resounding clang.
Yet the Second Elder did not feel the sensation of piercing flesh. Instead, his hands felt suddenly light, his mind flashing with disbelief.
“This… how is this possible?”
A thin line of blood appeared on his forehead. At his nose, a droplet of blood formed.
With a sudden slash, his entire body split into two, torrents of blood gushing forth, drenching the ground.
Even the spear in his hands was severed in two.
Not far away, Chen Ming’s face turned pale. That sword strike had consumed him greatly.
【You have slain an enemy LV98, gained 2,050,000 experience points.】
Turning around, he gazed at the corpse on the ground, slowly sheathing the “Taiyue Sword.” He muttered, “Had you struck yesterday, the one dead here would be me.”
This time, being able to kill such a top-tier First Grade was entirely thanks to the power of the “Taiyue Sword.”
He had simply poured all of his True Essence into the sword, unleashing its hidden might, to slay the opponent in one strike.
Ordinarily, a Second Grade martial artist could not draw upon the full power of a peerless divine weapon—at most only a fraction.
It was all due to the ninth level of the 《Controlling Artifact Art》, this secret art derived from the 《Nine Nether Grand Art》. Truly, its mysteries were boundless.
At this moment, the “Taiyue Sword” sent a wave of resentment—it would take at least half a year of nourishment to recover from that strike.
Chen Ming soothed it while replenishing his depleted True Essence. Raising his hand, he used fire attribute True Essence to ignite the Second Elder’s corpse, watching it burn to ashes.
Destroying the corpse, erasing the evidence.
He looked at the bodies of a few Jin Yutang disciples who had died in the aftermath, sighing. To not die by an enemy’s blade, but instead be silenced by their own side—such a death was truly pitiful.
Sensing briefly that no one was nearby, Chen Ming departed.
…
By the time Chen Ming arrived at the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion, night had fallen.
Princess Mingyu soon came out to greet him. Seeing him alone, a strange look flickered in her eyes. “Sect Master Yuan goes out without even a single attendant—how rare.”
Chen Ming sighed. “To be frank, I was attacked by villains on the way. Several attendants were killed. That I could not protect them is my failing as Sect Master.”
“There was such a thing?” Princess Mingyu asked in concern. “Then you are not hurt?”
“No. But I was mindful of my promise to the Princess, afraid of keeping you waiting, so I came at once. Yesterday was truly inexcusable. I reached a critical juncture in cultivation and left you to come in vain. I feel most apologetic, so I came specially today to make amends.”
Saying this, he bowed deeply.
“Sect Master Yuan, you overstate things.”
Princess Mingyu hurriedly reached out to support her, saying, “I naturally know elder sister is not such a person. I never held blame. If you insist on this, then you must think me petty.”
“Of course not.”
“If not, then no more formalities. Come, I’ve prepared a feast. Tonight, let us drink a few cups together.”
Princess Mingyu took his arm, pressing close with intimacy. Chen Ming felt extremely uncomfortable, yet could not push her away, so he allowed her to hold onto him.