Chapter 724 - 103 Demon Scroll Devours Souls, Even Gods are Mighty_2
Guo Nanxing did not reply, but let out a low shout, activating his Blood Essence Skill. In an instant, a blood-red great hand shot out from the top of his head, standing poised at the entrance.
Moments later, shadows flickered within the doorway—Zhang Yan had arrived. Guo Nanxing let out a yell, sending the blood-red hand hurtling toward Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan had already anticipated resistance and remained calm. He summoned his Xuanhuang Great Hand and collided with the incoming attack.
As a Third Realm Hua Dan Cultivator, Guo Nanxing’s cultivation surpassed Zhang Yan’s. The blood-red hand, refined and pure, surged with considerable power as it met Zhang Yan’s defense head-on. With a sharp ripping sound, half of the Xuanhuang Great Hand was torn away. Yellow mist exploded across the sky, but Guo Nanxing too was knocked backward by the recoil force, letting out a grunt. Although unhurt, he was forced to retreat.
Zhang Yan had only intended to block him briefly. Seeing Guo Nanxing stumble back, he took the opportunity to glide into the Cave Mansion. Hovering in midair, he flung his sleeve and retrieved his spell, gathering the scattered yellow mist back into a large hand that hung suspended above him.
At that moment, Yu Gu She, seated on the ground, had completed the activation of his spell. His eyes snapped open, flashing a blood-red hue. Letting out a piercing shriek, his body seemed to deflate like a leaking bag, his Essence Blood entirely drained. A blood shadow tore out from his flesh and hurtled toward Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan couldn’t help but focus his gaze. This unexpected transformation was something Shen Ying had never mentioned. Likely, it was a secret, desperate technique withheld in training. He dared not underestimate it, releasing Water Element True Light to try and disrupt its advance.
Just then, Guo Nanxing’s eyes suddenly shone with brilliance, as though recognizing an opportunity. His fists clenched tightly, his face flushed red. In an instant, a crimson, fine, needle-like object emerged from the top of his head, glowing like molten iron. It shot forward, covering over ten zhang in mere moments, aimed straight at Zhang Yan’s face.
Having performed this technique, Guo Nanxing appeared exhausted, his steps staggering as he nearly collapsed.
Zhang Yan had been keeping close watch on Guo Nanxing’s movements, even after forcing him to retreat.
Now, seeing the fine crimson needle darting toward him, Zhang Yan reacted instantly. With a thought, he sent the Star Sword Ball flying to block the attack. Yet, the blood needle seemed almost alive, diving downward to evade and aiming straight for his palm instead. In an instant, it pierced through the protective aura around his hand, shattering it. The blood needle dispersed into fragments at the same time.
At that very moment, Yu Gu She saw his chance. He let out a fierce cry, suddenly twisting mid-flight to transform into a misty, ethereal blood aura that rushed toward the shattered protective layer.
Yu Gu She had thrown everything into this gamble. The technique he performed, "Han Yang Life Release Technique," was a secret art of the Blood Essence Sect. It required sacrificing fifty years of lifespan, encasing the cultivator’s Essence Blood, and bursting outside the body. This process moved as swiftly as lightning and could obliterate an opponent’s Divine Soul if it successfully invaded their flesh.
If the user could return to their body within ten breaths, they might survive. If not, their soul would scatter irretrievably.
Yu Gu She had assumed that Guo Nanxing had already created a breach in Zhang Yan’s treasure clothes. Seizing this moment, it should have been a swift strike to turn the tables.
Yet, as he collided with Zhang Yan’s palm, he felt as though he’d struck a solid wall of bronze. He found no gaps to exploit.
Despite this, Yu Gu She refused to give up, repeatedly crashing into the barrier over ten times in the span of a breath. Yet, all attempts failed. A sliver of fear and despair began creeping into his heart.
Zhang Yan sneered coldly. The brilliance of his treasure clothes gathered, expelling Yu Gu She completely. With a flick of his spell, celestial music suddenly rang out, accompanied by swirling mystical mist. A three-foot jade scroll, crystalline and gleaming, emerged into the air, spinning briefly before releasing a joyful howl. It shot toward the dissipating blood shadow of Yu Gu She.
The jade scroll drilled into the fading ethereal form, trembling briefly. Like a whale drinking water, it absorbed the entirety of the blood shadow completely.
This scene unfolded in mere seconds, leaving Guo Nanxing utterly horrified. Sacrificing his lifeblood needle was already a desperate measure, but now he was left with no strength to resist. Reflexively, he attempted to flee.
Zhang Yan had no intention of letting him escape. Summoning the Xuanhuang Great Hand, he seized Guo Nanxing. Consumed by terror, Guo Nanxing began hurling vile curses without a shred of dignity, dashing any semblance of decorum befitting a Hua Dan Cultivator.
Unmoved, Zhang Yan chuckled and said, "I’ve seen plenty of cultivators begging for their lives. Since you so crave death, allow me to oblige you."
He pointed a finger at Guo Nanxing. The Star Sword Ball zipped out, circled his neck, and immediately severed his head. Blood spilled onto the ground.
Before Zhang Yan could further react, the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll lunged at Guo Nanxing’s corpse. In an instant, it drained it dry.
Oddly, it seemed that the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll’s appetite had grown since it had absorbed Gui Congyao’s flesh previously. It did not retreat but instead floated circles around Zhang Yan, emitting eerie whimpering sounds as though begging for more.
Zhang Yan couldn’t help but laugh. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Very well, today I’ll indulge you."
He released his True Light, sparing only Qian Yi while dumping out the dozens of captured disciples onto the ground. They tumbled and sprawled across the floor.
The Demon Scroll bore no hesitation, caring little whether the captives were alive or dead. It dove toward them, drilling into victims one after another and draining them until every last drop of their Essence Qi was consumed. In less than the time it takes for a single incense stick to burn, the Demon Sect disciples were utterly depleted.
The Demon Scroll, seemingly satisfied, let out a contented cry, transformed, and returned to Zhang Yan’s grasp. Without awaiting further commands, it began feeding Essence Qi back into him.
Momentarily taken aback, Zhang Yan noticed something unusual about the Demon Scroll. He thought for a moment but chose not to resist, allowing the Essence Qi to flow into his body.
Within moments, he felt an extraordinary difference.
Ordinarily, when Essence Qi entered his body, it would descend toward his abdomen. Rotating his cultivation techniques would then nourish his flesh and blood.
Now, however, he felt entirely full and complete—an unprecedented sensation of clarity and fullness throughout his body. Upon closer inspection, he was shocked to discover that his Primordial Spirit had grown stronger!
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...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)