Chapter Eighty-One: The Martial Way of Celestial Fiend Force

Huaiwu Cave.

In a mountain valley, a beast resembling a giant eagle with the head of a single-horned creature suddenly beat its wings and soared high into the sky. Its dusky yellow eyes flashed with savagery, and when it opened its beak, it let out a thunderous wail, echoing like the cry of an infant.

The tall trees shook violently, and the stream running through the valley surged skyward. The strange infant-like cry possessed such power that even piles of loose stones were shattered and sent flying, darting forth like a sudden storm of rain and wind.

Confronted with this fierce attack, Chen Heng did not dodge or evade. Instead, from beneath his pale moon-white robe, a close-fitting inner armor released a circle of dark protective light, encircling him at its center.

Whether it was the sound waves or the countless pieces of shattered wood and stone swept along, all were firmly stopped by that barrier of darkness. Though the assault looked formidable, it could not break through the armor’s protection.

Taking advantage of this moment, Chen Heng formed a spell seal, and the Azure Law Sword leapt upward like an arrow released from a bow, shooting straight into the sky. In an instant, it shot toward the beast, poised to strike it down.

Suddenly, the beast folded its wings and, in a flash of motion, appeared several yards away in the air, narrowly escaping the sword’s slash.

Faced with the sword’s relentless pursuit, it was clear the beast had suffered before and knew better than to meet it head-on. Relying on its sturdy body and the power of flight, it darted and dodged, engaging in a tangled duel with the Azure Law Sword.

From time to time, it seized an opening and swooped down from the clouds, attempting to crush Chen Heng beneath its talons, but each time, the sword intercepted it, foiling its efforts.

“This creature looks much like a Gu Eagle, but alas, it’s only an imitation in form, lacking the true spirit…”

Inside the Qiankun Pouch, Patriarch Fu Can gave a drunken hiccup and smacked his lips, saying, “If this were a genuine Gu Eagle, that earlier cry would not just split stones and mountains—without a supreme visualization method to guard your soul, you’d have fainted from just that wail and become its next meal. Now, that’s innate divine power—far greater than that broken parrot you met in the Treasure Gathering Pavilion!”

He paused, then continued, “Your method of tempering sword intent through combat may be self-invented, but it touches upon the real essence. You know the Zhongyi Sword Sect in Eastern Hun Prefecture? Among the eight great sects, they are the most notorious for stirring up trouble—even rivaling the Jade Celestial Sect. The disciples of Zhongyi Sword Sect love to provoke conflict outside, using endless duels to hone their sword intent and elevate their mastery.”

At that moment, the beast resembling a Gu Eagle let out another shriek; the single horn on its head suddenly shot forth a dazzling thread of light, which in a blink spanned thirty yards and streaked toward Chen Heng’s brow.

Once again, the armor Chen Heng wore flared with protective radiance, but this time, in just a few breaths, with a thunderous crash, the barrier shattered.

As the armor’s protection broke, the Azure Law Sword arrived just in time—half a yard in front of Chen Heng, intercepting the brilliant thread. When blade and light clashed, a cascade of metallic clangor and stardust flew.

In a mere moment, the dazzling thread was completely ground away by the sword.

Now, a trace of fear showed in the beast’s eyes. Spreading its wings, it prepared to flee, abandoning even its nest.

But Chen Heng would not let it escape. With two fingers extended, he poured all his inner breath into the Azure Law Sword, transforming it into a blazing arc of blue light that shot forward.

In a few flashes, it intercepted the Gu Eagle midair. The slash was swift as lightning; though the beast was covered in thick scales, it almost lost half a wing. Its body trembled, and it nearly fell from the clouds.

“Your swordsmanship is not far from the realm of ‘ten paces, one kill.’ If you could yet step through the threshold of the sword path and obtain a sword manual, slaying this beast would be no labor at all,” commented Patriarch Fu Can, watching with legs crossed and head bobbing. “But in this wild southern land, superior sword manuals are rare. For the time being, you’ll likely not come by one…”

“Not to mention sword manuals, even ‘ten paces, one kill’ is not something I can easily achieve,” Chen Heng replied. The old man was endlessly loquacious—he could ramble for half a day over a passing rabbit—so Chen Heng answered carelessly and paid him no further mind.

By now, the Azure Law Sword and the Gu Eagle had battled for over thirty rounds. The ferocious bird, with a wingspan of nearly seven yards, looming like a black storm cloud, was now bereft of its former might.

Half its wings were broken, most of its scales had fallen away, and its body was riddled with sword marks.

Though the creatures in Huaiwu Cave were all formed from the essence of spiritual energy, not living flesh, and thus did not bleed, the Gu Eagle’s sorry state was plain to see.

“The time has come.”

Seeing this, Chen Heng’s eyes flashed. He urged the Azure Law Sword with a cold command; instantly, the blade blazed with radiant light, and with a crack like thunder, a rainbow arced across the sky.

The Gu Eagle had wanted to loose another shriek to drive the sword back, but all it saw was a streak of blue light rushing in.

In a single instant, its scales and flesh were split apart, and a piercing agony swept through it.

And then—heaven and earth spun! Head and body parted!

Midair, the massive Gu Eagle’s neck drooped, and its enormous head fell first, crashing into the stream below with a great splash.

Then down fell the headless body.

Seeing this, Chen Heng smiled faintly and summoned the Azure Law Sword to his side.

With the beast slain, the agile essence within, like a white serpent, emerged from the remains. Chen Heng caught it in his palm and examined it briefly.

“As expected of a beast on par with a newly established Foundation cultivator—this single strand of essence surpasses all my previous spoils combined.”

He drew a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and stored the essence, his gaze sharpening.

In this duel, he had used only the Azure Law Sword, not any of his other abilities—such as the Supreme Jade Body. Even the use of the armored robe was mere show, for the benefit of the cave’s spirit and perhaps the cave master who might be observing.

Were it not for that, given his current physical strength, if that beast dared approach, he would not need the sword at all—he could crush it with his bare hands.

“Though the Gu Eagle matches a newly established Foundation cultivator, it is, after all, a beast, formed from refined essence—not a true cultivator. Still, I have yet to use my full strength. Whether I can best a real Foundation cultivator, I will have to test for myself.”

In Huaiwu Cave, it was forbidden for Foundation cultivators to oppress the lesser, or attack Qi practitioners—any such act would see the cave’s spirit expel them instantly, and they would forfeit all gathered essence.

But one could never be too careful.

Regrettably, the True Law Domain, though filled with unfathomable power, could only simulate combatants of his own level, never those a full realm higher. Nascent Breath could simulate Nascent Breath, Qi refining could simulate Qi refining… Not everyone was like Xu Zhi, crippled and unsuspecting, easily drawn into his domain.

If only that were possible—he could have tested himself against a Foundation cultivator in the True Law Domain and known exactly where he stood, without all this speculation…

At this thought, Chen Heng shook his head, grasped the Azure Law Sword, and leapt away in a streak of light.

...

On a yellow clay ridge in the wild woods, a white tiger with hanging eyes and a striped brow slept soundly. Suddenly, a sword flashed by, plucking off its head as easily as picking a leaf.

Moments later, a streak of white light flew in, and the essence was deftly collected.

...

By a river bend, dozens of blue cranes were encircled by a blue rainbow. In mere moments, all were sliced in two, none escaping.

...

A golden-scaled ancient ape’s chest and abdomen split open in a flash. Before it could react, another blue glow circled round and crushed its upper body to pulp.

...

River valleys, mountains, streams, plains—

After nearly half a day of flight, Chen Heng had slain countless beasts, gathering their essence, yet the boundaries of Huaiwu Cave remained unreached.

Such vast and clear inner realms astonished even Chen Heng.

“This cave must be not only a place for collecting spiritual essence and trapping enemies, but also a prime site for forging battle formations. The beasts here, at the weakest, match Nascent Breath cultivators; the stronger ones rival Foundation establishment…”

On a cloud-shrouded peak, Chen Heng landed by a great boulder, surveying the surroundings.

“I’ve heard that both the Daoist and demonic sects have legacies for forging Daoist soldiers and puppets. If the beasts here were refined into Daoist soldiers, a hundred or a thousand could match Foundation cultivators—perhaps even a Purple Mansion master would have to avoid facing them directly.”

And besides, there might be hidden beasts here even greater than Foundation level—perhaps ones that could challenge Purple Mansion masters.

If so…

Just then, Chen Heng’s gaze sharpened, turning toward a northwestern peak.

With his keen hearing, he caught faint, nearly inaudible roars and curses, which even he might have missed had he not been fully focused.

“Banditry and murder? So soon after entering, and already it begins?”

As he pondered, the commotion grew louder, the shouts and cries ringing out.

Within a dozen heartbeats, it was clear and unmistakable.

Looking northwest, he saw a pure white crane, over a yard long, fleeing in distress with a man missing an arm on its back. The man’s robe was tattered and torn.

In desperate flight, they were pursued by two streaks of blood-red light. Even from miles away, the stench of blood and evil was palpable.

The man atop the crane had clearly exhausted all his means, even detonating a talisman in panic. But it was useless—the two blood lights had anticipated it, and the self-destruction only stalled them briefly. It was only a matter of time before they caught up.

“A white crane? That looks like a disciple of White Crane Cave.”

Looking closer, Chen Heng saw that within the two blood lights were a man and a woman.

The man wore a dark robe patterned with clouds and blood, his brows thick and eyes deep, strikingly handsome. Around his waist was coiled a great blood-red python, its head resting on his shoulder, flicking its crimson tongue.

The woman was clad in a gauzy veil, her arms wrapped in green brocade. Her dress was bold and revealing, exposing a round belly and thick thighs. Her frame was even more robust than her companion’s, broad-backed and burly, her every movement like a trembling mountain of flesh, radiating a stifling sense of oppression.

Both wore translucent, blood-red lotus earrings—a clear sign they belonged to the demonic Blood Lotus Sect.

As they fled, the White Crane Cave disciple glimpsed Chen Heng in the distance. Elation flickered on his face, but when he sensed Chen Heng’s aura, his expression immediately fell.

“Run! Kid, don’t just stand there if you value your life—can’t you see they’re killing people?!”

He slapped the white crane, turning sharply away. Seeing Chen Heng still standing atop the peak, he hurriedly sent a message: “Go! Don’t get involved!”

The Blood Lotus man and woman also spotted Chen Heng. The woman sneered, rubbing her fingers together with a glint of interest.

“A mere fifth-layer Qi refiner—killing him would yield little essence. Let’s not waste time.”

The man, noticing her look, said impatiently, “That White Crane Cave Daoist is eighth-layer—his essence must be considerable. We’d best deal with him quickly; Senior Sun is still waiting. Don’t delay!”

“What’s the rush? My corpse puppet has been broken lately. I could use a warm companion in my bed. That Daoist wears a mask, but I bet he’s handsome. Could this be fate?”

She cursed, “Don’t talk nonsense! We’re both eighth-layer Qi refiners now—you can’t boss me like you used to.”

He snorted, displeased but silent, splitting off his blood light to pursue the White Crane Cave disciple.

As the distance narrowed, the woman’s smile widened. She opened her mouth, and a lustrous pearl floated out, ready to be hurled at Chen Heng.

But before she could act, a blue rainbow shot through the air, flashing through clouds and crossing dozens of yards in an instant.

“Senior brother—!”

Her scream had barely begun before it was cut short.

The Blood Lotus man turned, his body trembling. In the instant he looked back, a dazzling blue rainbow flashed past like lightning, and blood spurted like a fountain—

His junior sister’s head dropped to the ground like a ripe melon.

“A flying sword?! So fast! So fast!”

The exchange was over in a blink—one fine head lost in the time it takes to bat an eye.

Acting on reflex, the man slapped his body, summoning a cloak of crimson fire to guard his vitals, dread filling him.

The White Crane Cave disciple was stunned, hovering in midair, then slowly gathering his wits and hesitantly bringing his crane to a stop.

At that moment, Chen Heng frowned, not pressing the attack. Instead, he swept his sleeve and recalled the Azure Law Sword to protect himself.

Neither the Blood Lotus man nor the White Crane Cave disciple understood his intent.

Dozens of heartbeats later, laughter rang out from the clouds above—mighty and resonant, shaking the grass and trees for miles around.

“What a spectacle! What a fight! How could such a grand show be complete without me, Yuan Yangsheng?”

The voice turned toward Chen Heng, each word crackling like thunder, nearly sparking with energy.

“Is that a mid-grade talisman treasure? A Qi refiner able to wield such a weapon at this stage? Not bad, not bad! A duel with you would be most entertaining—just what Yuan Yangsheng desires! Since my enlightenment, I vowed to make my name known across the nine provinces and four seas, so as not to disgrace my elder brother’s teaching. Daoist, you’ve run into me now—my first battle for fame begins with you!”

“Martial cultivation?” Chen Heng glanced over, a strange look on his face. “You don’t practice the Immortal way… but martial cultivation—Wuge Tian’s Fiendish Sha path?”