Chapter 54 Seeking a Child

"A match made in heaven!"

"Flying together!"

Though unaware of what was happening outside, the two cultivators in the Purple Mysterious Cave sensed a sudden pause in the surrounding array’s offensive, vaguely indicating a loss of control.

Seizing the opportunity, the two joined forces to wield the treasure and unleash the power of the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings!

"Swish, swish, swish!"

The divine light of the Golden Dragon and Jade Phoenix burst forth, spraying Daoist energy like two ignited fire wheels! They sliced and collided against the wave-like banners, tearing apart the array that had lost its master’s control.

Seeing the heavenly array tumbling with thunder booming and a sea of fire roaring, broken banners continuously falling and igniting large clouds of fire in the sky, Tie Dan realized the situation was dire. Those two Daoist companions were about to break the formation, so he gritted his teeth and fled.

He had to escape.

Uncertain of what kind of evil technique the mage had used earlier, a single blow had left Tie Dan dizzy, seeing stars, and fall crashing down. The shock made his internal organs tremble, with blood pooling in his abdomen—he almost lost half of his life in just one strike. He really hasn’t been beaten this badly since starting out.

However, before Tie Dan could escape a few steps, he sensed a gust of wind behind him, and he immediately rolled over. He felt a heavy blow strike his shoulder, sending him flying, flipping a dozen times before stopping, his head bloody.

"Huh!"

A sharp screech came from behind.

It turned out to be the mage’s mount, the Spiritual Deer, injured by a slash and with its master killed, it was now seeing red, whipping its bloodstained tongue as it charged at him! Nearly crushing Tie Dan’s skull!

Though he dodged for a moment, just being kicked once had shattered half of Tie Dan’s scapula, his left hand twisting at a bizarre angle, rendered useless.

"Huh!"

The Spiritual Deer gave no respite, charging at him again despite everything, determined to stomp the thief into paste!

"You beast! I’ll end you!"

Tie Dan, in immense pain, burning with wrath, quickly decided not to flee, consolidated his Qi Sword in his right hand, and turned to face the Spiritual Deer.

"Huh——!"

The Spiritual Deer sped up, charging to trample! Its iron hooves aimed at the youth’s head!

"Bang!"

Then, in an instant, the youth’s figure turned into a shadow, seemingly teleporting, suddenly appearing behind the Spiritual Deer’s hooves.

Thus, the iron hooves struck empty air, and the furious force of the impact sent out shockwaves, sweeping debris everywhere, causing sand to scatter.

Simultaneously, a blood ring on the deer’s neck burst open with the shockwave, severed by a single sword strike, causing the deer’s head to roll off its body, spewing hot blood.

Dead.

"Huh——"

Tie Dan exhaled heavily, hot steam like dragon’s breath spewing from his nose and mouth. From every pore of his body, bean-sized droplets of blood oozed at a visible rate, causing white steam-like heat to rise from his body as if he had emerged from a steamer, with his flesh soaked in red filling.

Yes, this move isn’t from the Sword Sect; it’s from "Dog-shaped Fist," or more precisely, a variation of "Gang Fist."

The foundation of "Gang Fist," a body refining method, is to infuse True Qi throughout the muscles and bones, using True Qi energy to unleash the body’s potential, achieving monstrous speed and strength of five, ten, or even a hundred times more.

In the early stages of cultivation, there’s a clear distinction between martial and elixir cultivation because the amount of Qi that can be condensed is limited. One must prioritize either core formation or body refining. Only those with extraordinary talent, plenty of elixirs—the second generation practitioners, or old cultivators adept in Refining Qi and Transforming God—have sufficient True Qi to cultivate both Qi and body, mastering both magic and martial arts.

So Tie Dan also made a division.

The sword energy of the Twelve Main Meridians was used for sword casting.

The blood breath of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians was used for refining.

Everyone had seen his sword many times.

What they were witnessing now was his skill.

Using the "Blood Jade Technique" to infuse the dead points of the body’s extraordinary meridians! Using "Dog-shaped Fist" to forcefully exert inner strength throughout the body! In an instant, pushing his physical abilities, speed, and strength to an inconceivable realm!

Surpassing the speed and strength of Golden Core Monsters, instantly slaying the oncoming demons!

The price is vascular rupture, blood spraying all over, with massive hemorrhage, almost spraying out "splash——like that...

In essence, this move emphasizes mutual destruction, with the risk of sudden death, so Tie Dan dared not use it often.

Having won the fight, he quickly stopped exerting his power, sliced open the deer’s belly, dug out its inner core, and munched on it while sitting on the deer’s corpse to heal with energy transfer.

Then, a red and a purple immortal light descended from the sky in front of him, revealing Gong Chenghua and Gong Yuyan from the Purple Mysterious Cave, who had just broken out of the formation.

However, they hadn’t seen the earlier fight clearly, surrounded by the array. To their amazement, such a troublesome, powerful mage had been instantly killed—it was simply unbelievable!

Seeing Tie Dan drenched in blood, displaying a demonic pose of cutting open hearts and bellies, both were cautious. Exchanging glances, they guessed this one was probably some Blood Demon reincarnated as an old monster playing tricks on them.

"Gong Chenghua and Gong Yuyan of Purple Cover Mountain, Purple Mysterious Cave, pay respects to the senior."

Both pressed one hand against the Dragon and Phoenix Rings, pinching the formula with the other, and bowed.

"..."

Tie Dan continued chewing the meat pill, staring at them.

What else could he do? He’d been crippled by the mage’s strike, shed half of his blood, and was stuck, needing to recover his breathing Qi...

Gong Chenghua hesitated, then boldly said,

"Senior’s divine skill is unparalleled; we juniors greatly admire you. My wife and I have long been cultivating in the Southern Country, with no grievances against the local cultivators.

This time, we’ve ventured from afar in search of something for our child; thus, we humbly ask for your assistance, senior..."

Tie Dan frowned upon hearing this.

"Seeking a child? For such matters, isn’t it better to rely on oneself rather than asking others? You’re asking me??"

"You!"

Gong Yuyan’s face flushed with anger, raising the Phoenix Ring to strike him.

Gong Chenghua quickly stopped her, patiently saying,

"Senior misunderstood; it’s actually because my wife suffered an internal injury that harmed her Primordial Spirit.

I’ve searched for remedies and guidance, received direction from an Immortal, knowing there’s a spirit fruit in the West Mountain that can calm the mind, nurture the fetus, and promote offspring.

So, we traveled to Kun Country in search of this medicine, and it seems today’s events have led us to this destined opportunity, indicating the fruit. We humbly ask the senior to part with it.

If you can help, Purple Cover Mountain would be deeply grateful."

Something to calm the mind and nurture the fetus?

Tie Dan was stunned, taking out the Spirit Fruit from his arms for a look.

He found it half licked away. Well, at least half was left...

The other party was surprised at how straightforward this kid had been. Having burned the tree, stolen the fruit, and then munched on it, even feeling distressed,

"Well, what’s done is done. Since half a spirit fruit remains, please allow the senior to let us have it..."

Tie Dan thought for a moment and suddenly interrupted him,

"Which way is Jindu City?"

Gong Chenghua was stunned, then turned and pointed,

"Fifty miles southwest."

Tie Dan asked again,

"Do you have a treasure sword for trade?"

Gong Yuyan shook her head,

"We do not have magic treasures like flying swords; our specialty at Purple Cover Mountain is mountain stone jade, elixirs, and medicinal herbs. If you need a magic treasure..."

So Tie Dan ate the half Spirit Fruit in one gulp.

"...Eh?"

The two from Purple Mysterious Cave were stunned.

Tie Dan shrugged,

"I’ve also been injured spiritually. Go ask someone else for help seeking a child."

"Scoundrel! How dare you toy with us!"

Gong Yuyan immediately lost her composure, swinging the Phoenix Ring to smash him.

Gong Chenghua’s face darkened as well, raising his hand to fling a Fire Talisman.

Tie Dan, ever prepared, darted away, with the Spiritual Deer’s corpse behind him, struck by the Phoenix Ring and sliced in half at the waist, then instantly hit by the Fire Talisman, turning into a wild fire and charcoal! Smoke billowed, and flames shot to the sky!

After all, no one could ensure that obediently handing over half the spirit fruit would grant him a clear path to escape.

Moreover, why give away such a fortune, something that even a Kun yearns to try?

No time for words!

Full Qi restore!

It’s time to fight!

"Kill!"

Catching the moment when the Phoenix Ring was in motion, Tie Dan spat out a mouthful of Divine Gang Sword Qi! A flash of white light! Directly stabbing towards Gong Yuyan’s abdomen!

"Courting death!"

Gong Chenghua raged, forming a sign with his fingers, the Dragon Ring slashing diagonally! With a "clang!" it intercepted the flying sword halfway!

"Ah!"

However, Gong Yuyan suddenly screamed! Her wrist pinching the formula was severed by an invisible sword!

"Yan’er!"

Gong Chenghua was shocked! Was there another hidden attacker!? He hurriedly surrounded his wife with his treasure, searching for the lurking assailant.

"Whoosh——!"

In that distracted moment, a blood shadow burst through the flames, riding the blood wind, lunging forward!

A palm like a sword! It cleaved open half of Gong Chenghua’s skull!

"Husband!"

Gong Yuyan wailed in fury and grief! With a cry of rage, she wielded the Phoenix Ring, severing Tie Dan’s right arm!

Then the sword light returned, and the Divine Gang Sword Embryo flashed like lightning, slicing across Gong Yuyan’s throat, severing her head!

Honestly, these two weren’t weak; they were simply caught within his sword’s range.