Martial Cultivator

Chapter 552: The Sword Arrives Before the Person

There were thousands of sword cultivators in the world, and also thousands of Sword Daos, coupled with the pride belonging to that of sword cultivators. Almost no sword cultivator would ever admit that another's Sword Dao was stronger than their own. But if one were to speak of the strongest sword cultivator in existence, no one could overlook a particular figure.

The Sword Sect's sect master.

This most mysterious powerhouse of their era, though rarely seen traversing the world, had long been mentioned alongside the likes of the Infatuation Daoist Temple's temple master and other top-tier powerhouses.

Coupled with the unrivaled killing power of sword cultivators.

The Sword Sect's sect master was undeniably one of the most terrifying people in the world.

Few had ever seen the sect master of the Sword Sect draw his sword.

But no one doubted his strength.

On this expedition to the desolate north, the Sword Sect's sect master did not personally appear, but his sword had.

His sword was contained within the Sword Sect's great talisman, carried here by Yu Xiyi to the desolate north.

Now, with the Sword Sect's great talisman finally activated, a strike from the world's most terrifying sword cultivator had finally appeared in the world

Boundless sword intent erupted from the talisman. Even when it just started, countless waves of overwhelming sword energy spread in all directions, tearing all obstacles in the path to shreds.

Chen Chao's face turned pale, but witnessing the might of this strike, his eyes widened too.

He had seen sword immortals before, but none in his lifetime had ever unleashed a strike as awe-inspiring as this one.

Was this the might of a Great Sword Immortal?

No!

This was far stronger than a typical Great Sword Immortal's might, because the one who unleashed this strike was the most powerful and terrifying Great Sword Immortal of the current era!

The full-force strike from the Sword Sect's sect master had already left the talisman, like an incomparably brilliant meteor shooting into the distance. Before this sword strike, whether it was the wind and snow or the demon qi, everything shattered upon contact. Even the sky itself seemed to tear open in its wake.

The great demon's eyes were filled with terror. He had never fought with a sword immortal before, though he knew that the Northern Frontier Great Wall had always been guarded by one. However, he had never fought him.

This was the first time in his life that he had witnessed the splendor of a sword immortal.

The fortunate part was that the first time he saw a sword immortal draw his sword, it was the sword of the strongest individual of this era.

The unfortunate part was that he likely would not be able to witness a sword immortal's sword strike ever again in this lifetime.

That sword light was too dazzling, too terrifying...

The great demon gathered his demon qi to envelop himself, unwilling to face that sword light head-on. He began to retreat rapidly, but his speed was nowhere near enough to escape this sword. As he retreated, the sword had already reached him.

A deep trench that was several yards in depth had already been carved into the ground.

The great demon had already retreated behind his towering dharma idol.

And then...

That sword strike sliced through the dharma idol with ease as if cutting through tofu.

Then...

The demon cloud was split apart, and endless demon qi was shredded by the sword qi.

Sword light continued to rain down across the world, the wind and snow retreating in fear, not daring to come close.

The great demon was finally left without any protection, standing defenseless before the sword strike.

There was no surprise.

And there would be no surprises.

There were likely few in the world who had the ability to block this sword.

The sword light instantly engulfed that great demon, and countless frenzied streams of sword qi tore that great demon's body apart!

The great demon did not even have time to let out a scream, nor did he manage to summon his true demon form before being completely slain by this sword.

Not a single trace of his body remained.

Yet the momentum of the sword did not stop. It continued forward, heading straight for a snow-covered mountain.

And then...

The sword passed through.

The snow mountain was cleaved in two by a single strike, collapsing with a thunderous roar.

Endless amounts of snow tumbled down.

The sword light drifted further into the distance, eventually disappearing beyond the horizon and out of their sight.

Everything felt like an illusion, like a dream.

But the deep ravine that appeared between heaven and earth was a reminder that the sword strike was not some dreamlike vision but a real event that had just taken place.

Chen Chao stood there dumbfounded, slowly turning his head to look at Yu Xiyi.

The latter coughed up blood relentlessly.

Chen Chao was still in disbelief as he asked, "Whose sword was that?"

Yu Xiyi was rather weak and said with irritation, "Who do you think?"

Chen Chao marveled, "So, that was the sword of the world's greatest sword cultivator, your sect master?"

Yu Xiyi looked at the fading sword intent, muttering with a hint of regret and heartache, "This kind of good stuff... such a shame it can only be used once. But at least killing a great demon wasn't too much of a loss."

Not just "not a loss", in fact, they had earned a substantial win.

The Sword Sect's great talisman, although complex to create, was ultimately not unique. Compared to the life of a great demon, it was truly insignificant.

Even though the two cultivators of the Great Beyond realm had relied on various methods, they had still genuinely killed a great demon. Such an accomplishment would surely stir significant ripples if reported.

In reality, whether paper or talisman, using it to kill someone was not easy. Without Chen Chao's page of paper assisting, this Sword Sect's great talisman would likely have only severely wounded the great demon.

Therefore, it was very unlikely for such a thing to happen a second time.

In other words, unless they were to team up again and seize another opportunity, it would be very difficult to replicate this feat.

Chen Chao asked skeptically, "It's really gone?"

Yu Xiyi frowned and replied, "Do you think it's a cabbage you can pick up by the roadside?"

Chen Chao expressed some regret, "But that sword was too domineering. I heard that a great demon has quite a few valuable items on them."

"Stop overthinking it. Right now, it's a blessing that we're still alive. Let's hurry and get out of here. If another great demon shows up, you and I will be waiting for death."

Yu Xiyi turned and started walking away. Even though the scene was still awe-inspiring, he had no desire to stay another moment.

Chen Chao sheathed his sword and followed Yu Xiyi.

However, after only a few steps, Yu Xiyi collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood and looking pale.

Chen Chao looked down at him and joked, "Don't tell me you’re about to die right after using that great talisman."

Yu Xiyi rolled his eyes at Chen Chao. He tried to stand up but lacked the strength and said softly, “That Sword Sect's great talisman is no ordinary item. It's the Sect Master's all-out strike. Otherwise, it wouldn't have such formidable power. Using it naturally takes a lot of effort. I was already injured, and now my internal sword qi is depleted.”

Chen Chao responded with an “Oh” and was about to bend down to carry Yu Xiyi on his back, but Yu Xiyi shook his head, saying, “Forget about me. If you carry me, you'll die faster. If I die in the desolate north, I won't have any regrets. Otherwise, I'll only feel more troubled.”

Chen Chao's face darkened, and he scolded, “Idiot.”

After saying this, he lifted Yu Xiyi onto his back and continued walking. As he walked, he spoke slowly, “Your Sword Dao might be stagnant now, but it won't be this way forever. Even if it were to be, is dying necessary?” “Being alive means bearing responsibilities. When you can bear them, you do. If you don't have the ability, can't you live for yourself?”

“Moreover, if you're really confused, you should at least clarify things and see her one last time. Dying far from home without even a grave, even Your Father feels it's not worth it for you.”

Chen Chao was frustrated, but in reality, he wanted Yu Xiyi to see things more clearly.

“And don't think about ending it all. Your Father doesn't want to be burdened with the crime of killing the Sword Sect's genius. Your Father never wants to face your Sect Master's sword in my lifetime.”

“Yu Xiyi, you're a guy at any rate, it feels weird to carry a man."

……

……

Chen Chao had made up his mind to head south.

He was fully aware of the dangers on the journey south, but continuing deeper into the desolate north would only ensure that he would die there before anyone could come to their rescue. Besides, their previous northern journey had likely alerted the demon race to their presence. Turning back down south might just catch them off guard.

But whether heading south or north, Chen Chao felt that this return journey would not be easy.

Sure enough, after traveling several hundred miles south, he spotted a group of young demons in the distance, gathering and blocking the critical path they needed to take to return south.

Yu Xiyi's condition had improved somewhat, but he was still extremely weak. Lying on Chen Chao's back, he said softly, “Even if you weren't injured and I wasn't here, getting past them wouldn't be easy.”

Chen Chao snapped impatiently, “Of course Your Father knows that.”

Yu Xiyi continued softly, “I have an idea.”

Chen Chao was expressionless, “Shut up. Your Father doesn't want to hear it.”

“You've been very irritable lately."

Yu Xiyi said softly, "That's the only way."

Chen Chao turned around expressionlessly and continued to walk forward. “Even if we get past this, there'll be another group waiting. I don't have an endless supply of bait.”

Yu Xiyi sighed, "I'm going to die in the snowstorm with another man."

Chen Chao said disdainfully, "You're not happy about it? Neither am I. So let's both stay alive."

Yu Xiyi asked, "Who do you think will come to save you? Liu Banbi or that Lord Warden Commander?"

"Why don’t you think about your Sword Sect sending dozens of sword immortals to save you?"

Chen Chao shot back irritably. "If there were that many sword immortals, would I even need to worry about walking through the desolate north?"

Yu Xiyi rolled his eyes weakly, but since Chen Chao could not see it, he felt it was a waste of effort.

Over the next few days, the two tried several different routes south, only to find that every single one was blocked by demons. It was clear that the demons were determined to capture both of them in one fell swoop.

At the base of a snowy mountain, Chen Chao set Yu Xiyi down and rubbed his sore shoulders, saying with a frown, "What did you eat growing up?"

Yu Xiyi ignored him and asked, "Are we heading north now?"

Chen Chao glanced into the distance, frustrated. "What else can we do?" "If we head south now, we'll definitely die together."

Yu Xiyi responded indifferently, "I don't care."

"But I do!" Chen Chao spat. "Dying together with you, who knows how many years it will take to find our bodies. Just thinking about it makes me feel uneasy in death."

Yu Xiyi waved his hand weakly.

Chen Chao understood and tossed over his wine gourd.

After taking a sip, Yu Xiyi smiled and said, "I do have an idea that might keep us alive a little longer."

Chen Chao glanced at him.

Yu Xiyi said softly, "Let's go and take a look at the Onan River?"