Chapter 269: Encirclement!
Although Ji You didn't know the specific methods and cultivation techniques of demonization, after a long pursuit, he found that even if they transformed into similar appearances, the Bu family members should still have some differences among themselves.
These differences lay in the strength of their Physical Body, the level of their combat power, and the clarity of their consciousness.
Bu Zun was of the same generation as Bu Qirong, but his combat power was only comparable to his two nephews, Bu Yao and Bu Sheng.
As for the old one, he was completely an extra.
Ji You flew over, his clothes fluttering, his wrist lightly raised, his iron sword constantly humming, and his Sword Qi shot straight into the sky.
With rapid slashes, the sword blade cut open ripples in the air, causing the air to constantly Explosion—
Bu Zun's eyes were wide open.
In fact, when the previous sword fell, Bu Zun was not too alarmed, but after that 'clang', he realized that his Divine Soul was about to be cut out of his Physical Body.
In a daze, he seemed to see his kind great-grandfather.
And as this sword strike came, he truly saw his great-grandfather.
The second before his consciousness was annihilated by the Sword Qi, Bu Zun was extremely angry and wronged.
When they obtained the immortal opportunity, in order to avoid the Immortal Sects, they had been enduring and dared not make a move, but in their hearts, they had long been eager to fight.
It was like when Bu Yao and Bu Sheng went to the Tiandao Conference to watch the battle, they saw everyone as trash and wished they could make a move themselves.
This kind of endurance continued until today. Seeing the impending disaster of clan annihilation, he actually had a fierce killing intent to make a move.
He even hoped that he could encounter Immortal Sect Disciples on his escape route, allowing him to savagely tear them apart.
Because more than sixty years ago, he had also been jealous of those who could enter the Immortal Sects to cultivate.
So, if he could kill these Prodigies, it would be a joyful event for him, allowing him to vent all his pent-up frustrations.
This was not his unique mentality; in reality, many Disciples of minor Worldly Families would have this urge to 'rebel against their superiors'.
This mentality stemmed from long-term suppression, especially for the Bu family members whose strength had greatly increased after obtaining the immortal opportunity.
Their emotions were even more intense.
But the truth was that when he truly encountered them, he became unhappy again.
Bu Zun had never met Ji You. In the moment before his death, looking at the man with a towering Aura, only the words 'monster' came out of his blood-spitting mouth.
They, who had transformed into Evil Seeds, were the true monsters; even Bu Zun himself thought so.
But it wasn't until he saw this young swordsman that he knew who the true monster was.
Boom—
Bang!
The heavy Sword Qi passed through Bu Zun's neck, continuing its powerful descent, instantly cutting a fissure in the flowing river.
Amidst the gushing water, Ji You landed with a thud on the riverbank, his chest gently rising and falling as he breathed softly for a moment.
With Bu Zun dead, almost all the Bu family members were accounted for; now only Bu Qirong remained.
He looked up to the west, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Bu Qirong should not have many people left around him. Since he had gone through so much trouble and still couldn't escape the pursuit, he certainly wouldn't have any more chances now.
But the problem was that the Elders of the various Immortal Sects were not truly united.
Their subconscious alliance in searching earlier was because the Dongping Mountain Range was truly vast. If they acted individually, any slight oversight could allow the familiar Bu family members to escape.
However, now that they knew the target's location, their previous tacit understanding would inevitably be broken, and they might even become hostile.
If Bu Qirong had the ability to escape from the Elders, it meant his combat power was stronger than imagined, making him extremely difficult to kill.
If he failed to escape and was captured, then Ji You would have to kill someone from under the Immortal Sect's nose, which would also be no easy feat.
So, what came next would likely be a fierce battle.
Ji You sat cross-legged, a flash of light appearing in his hand, and countless Spirit Stones flew out from his storage gourd.
Some of these were his own, and some were gifts from the Bu family, thanking him for his contribution to their reunion.
To ensure his return speed, Ji You had used full power in every sword strike earlier, not holding back, so his consumption was considerable.
He decided to use Spirit Stones for rapid replenishment, filling his body with Spiritual Qi to return to his Peak state.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu also returned with their swords, a fine sheen of sweat on their foreheads.
The previous slaughter had dispersed the scent of blood with the wind, attracting many Evil Seeds. They had been guarding the perimeter, killing quite a few.
Seeing Ji You take out the Spirit Stones, they squatted down to break them for him, making it easier for him to absorb.
“Young Master, are you definitely going to kill Bu Qirong next?”
“Having come this far, if I don't kill the last one, this entire trip will have been meaningless.”
“Those Immortal Sect Elders are all extraordinary, with profound foundations, not simply defined by their Realm. Please be careful, Young Master.”
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu spoke softly while breaking the Spirit Stones.
Those Immortal Sect Elders were indeed not to be trifled with; some were old monsters who had been in seclusion for a long time, even they had never seen them.
For ordinary Immortal Sect Disciples, they were existences that brought an immediate sense of oppression upon sight, let alone facing them head-on.
Ji You was constantly absorbing the refined Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Stones, dispersing it throughout his limbs and bones: “I will be careful.”
“Even if my combat power is insufficient, it won't be easy for those people to kill me.”
After he finished speaking, he looked at the shattered Spirit Stones, feeling a slight pang of heartache.
In fact, he rarely used Spirit Stones, usually exchanging them for silver. This was the first time he had been so generous.
“Do those Elders bring valuable things with them when they go out? Since they are Elders, they must have profound foundations, right?”
“?”
A trace of solemnity appeared between Ji You's brows: “If they don't bring all their valuable possessions with them when they go out, that would be a bit annoying—”
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu exchanged glances, thinking that their Young Master wanted to rob everyone: “Young Master, if you lack money, you can ask Master Jian. Our Master Jian is very rich.”
“I don't lack money, but I always feel that I shouldn't have come here for nothing. I've worked so hard, someone should pay for it.”
“Uh, as far as we know, the Elder of Tianjian Peak should have brought some valuable Magical Artifacts—”
“Your Xuanjian Peak and Tianjian Peak are still one family after all. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?”
“It's precisely because of this that they should give Young Master some welcome gifts.”
“Your way of saying that is quite interesting.”
It took some time to absorb the refined Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Stones. The trio's casual chat was largely to pass the time and alleviate some of their mental pressure.
After all, everyone knew that what Ji You was about to do was very risky.
A few breaths later, all the Spirit Stones became dim and lifeless. Ji You slowly exhaled, and his scorching Physical Body began to expand outwards with the rhythm of his powerful heartbeat.
At this moment, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu felt a sense of oppression originating from life itself, and couldn't help but retreat slightly.
However, at this moment, they discovered that a mysterious Mystic Light began to float within Ji You's body, subtly showing a tendency to surge towards the sky.
The two women found this scene very familiar, somewhat resembling the signs of an immortal cultivator about to break through a Realm.
However, as Ji You continuously dispersed the absorbed Spiritual Qi throughout his body, and through his breathing, the Mystic Light seemed to be suppressed, unable to rise again, and it receded with a roar as he swung his arm.
Zhuo Wanqiu instinctively looked up slightly, realizing that the originally faintly brightening sky instantly darkened, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.
Ji You slowly opened his eyes: “Time is pressing. I'll go ahead of you. Be careful.”
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu nodded at his words: “Yes.”
At the same time, beneath the dim dome, muffled thunder rumbled continuously behind thick, leaden clouds.
And amidst the heavens surrounded by thunder, purple lightning pierced through the clouds, illuminating the sky as if it were shattered.
Countless Immortal Sect Disciples were heading towards a tall mountain located central-west, engaging in fierce combat with the Evil Seeds rushing out of the forest, with intense flashes of sabers and swords soaring.
Since entering the Dongping Mountain Range, they had spent a lot of time encircling the Bu family. This was the last unsearched area, and also the most strategically perilous one.
Not only was there an incredibly dark abyss behind them, but countless Peaks also stood around, the shortest of which was still a thousand zhang tall.
And the great mountain they were currently on was even more magnificent; in terms of area and height, not even the Daoist temples of the Seven Great Immortal Sects could compare.
Humans in front of it were as tiny as ants climbing a tree.
Boom!
Amidst the flashing Daoist Magic, Sword Qi, and saber light, ancient cypresses that had grown for a thousand years snapped in response to the sharp Qi, breaking and collapsing with a roar, then sliding down the slope and plummeting straight into the cliff.
Powerful Qi swept forth, crushing down upon the diving Evil Seeds.
But these pure Evil Seeds had no fear of death; they would immediately surge up again after being cut down, even if their bodies were broken.
Moreover, they were extremely fast, and coming from above downwards at this moment, they were like killing machines.
Even a slight carelessness would result in being pierced by their sinister claws.
At this moment, a Mountain and Sea Pavilion Disciple rose into the air, soaring into the Void Realm from amidst the dense tree canopy.
In the eyes of this Immortal Sect Disciple, his goal was to search for the Bu family members; killing these demonic creatures was meaningless.
But just as he soared into the air, a black figure suddenly leaped from the mountain, and sharp claws viciously grabbed at the Mountain and Sea Pavilion Disciple.
Fortunately, this Evil Seed was merely a direct assault and not a sneak attack, which allowed the Mountain and Sea Pavilion Disciple to react in advance, and blast it down with a thunder Daoist Magic.
The Evil Seed shrieked as it fell off the cliff, but as soon as one landed, another shot into the sky.
The Ancient Remnant Race has always treated the Human Race as delicacies; even after death, with only their physical bodies remaining, they still couldn't escape the original sin of gluttony.
At this moment, high in the sky, the Elders of various sects, floating in the air, stood with their hands behind their backs, coldly observing this scene, yet showing no intention of intervening.
A delicate balance had always been maintained between them; it could be said they were evenly matched.
Therefore, no one was willing to waste energy and Spiritual Qi here.
In their eyes, only when the Bu family appeared would it be time for them to act.
Clang!
A Sword Qi, formed by dozens of Dao Swords, swept across.
The Tianjian Peak Disciples, forming a sword array, used this as their pioneering force, and sharp sword light cut a vertical opening through the tide of monsters.
Subsequently, a figure soared into the air, spreading his arms under the night sky, and a faint orange glow instantly appeared behind him.
In a short while, a fiery red light, condensed from a Daoist Magic, began to emanate from his back, rushing with a bang into the rampaging horde.
The blazing flames directly ignited the mountain forest, instantly burning a hot arc and engulfing all the Evil Seeds in front of them.
At the same time, others, guided by the scent of blood, dispersed these Evil Seeds, which only cared for slaughter and devouring, in all directions.
The mountain path gradually began to clear up considerably, and the remaining Disciples started scrambling up the mountain.
Because before coming here, their Elder had once again issued a command.
If they could find the Bu family, even if they couldn't capture them, they could exchange them for Medicinal Pills and Daoist Magic.
They even had a chance to become Personal Disciples of these Elders.
But just as these Immortal Sect Disciples swarmed forward, fearing to fall behind, a black shadow suddenly roared out of the valley.
Almost in the blink of an eye, a sense of oppression roared from the opposite side, followed by a sharp claw that tore through the air with explosive speed, cracking the mountain rocks inch by inch wherever it passed.
Bang!
The sharp claws struck down from the air, five icy finger marks slashing down like sharp iron blades.
In an instant, the bodies of five Mountain and Sea Pavilion Disciples and a Chen Clan member exploded, and the splashing blood stained the stone cliff, causing a sudden stench of blood.
"W-what is that?"
"A different kind of Evil Seed—"
Everyone on the hillside instantly held their breath, unable to resist looking up.
They saw a long, slender Evil Seed with a bowed back land in front, its bloodthirsty ferocity surging from its body like a tidal wave.
And as he landed, seven other figures with extremely similar Auras darted in the four directions of southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest, and their immense pressure bore down from the mountain Peak.
Boom!
The Tianshu Academy surrounded them from the east; at this moment, Qin Rong held an iron blade, with lightning and fire swirling within its gleam, and fiercely clashed with that figure.
In front of him, a pair of scarlet eyes held nothing but a thirst for slaughter.
At this moment, Ji Jingyao flew over.
A white rainbow appeared between his two joined fingers, instantly shooting along the mountain ridge and fiercely striking the figure covered in Evil Qi.
The three Masters-in-charge of Tianshu Academy were all powerful Innate Realm cultivators, especially Ji Jingyao, whose Void Realm strength integrated into his finger techniques had considerable destructive power.
But when this finger struck, the phantom figure merely flew sideways, breaking a giant tree, with no sign of injury on its entire body.
"So strong—"
"Judging by the attire, they are from the Bu family, but they have no intelligence, only killing intent."
Ji Jingyao gracefully landed, pulling Qin Rong back quickly: "They are probably like dead servants, purely for slaughter."
Qin Rong stared at the awe-inspiring figure for a long time: "According to intelligence, there are eight family retainers protecting Bu Qirong; this should be one of them."
"But according to previous investigations, Bu family members can generally maintain their consciousness after being corrupted; I wonder why these few are particularly different?"
"It might also be intentional."
"?"
Qin Rong turned to look at Ji Jingyao: "The physical strength, speed, and power of these four are extraordinary, perhaps because they sacrificed their consciousness."
Although the Immortal Sects had not grasped any clues about the Bu family's corruption, there had been various speculations before.
In their view, being able to become an Evil Seed while maintaining clear consciousness and then recovering might not be easy.
Now it seems the Bu family actually has another method, which is not to retain intelligence, but their combat power increases terrifyingly.
In other words, although the Bu family has been lurking in the dark and never revealed themselves, they actually prepared for exposure very early on.
Boom!
Eight figures with sky-high Evil Qi charged down the hillside; their sharp claw marks directly tore through the mountain forest, roaring towards the Immortal Sect Disciples below the cliff.
The cultivators who followed them here were basically all at the initial Integration Realm Realm.
They were not as glorious and youthful as young Prodigies like Jiang Chenfeng and Huo Hong; some were even nearing their sixties.
But in reality, their combat power was not low; in fact, due to sufficient years of training, their combat experience was even richer than those Prodigies.
Yet, even so, they were utterly unable to resist such terrifying combat power.
Even if someone reacted quickly, with Daoist Magic roaring out before the opponent made a move, fierce lightning and fire attacked.
But the result was that their attacks were directly shattered by the opponent's rigid body, and sinister sharp claws slashed down, instantly leaving corpses strewn everywhere.
Some things, once pushed to the extreme, become terrifying, whether it's the Physical Body, speed, Daoist Magic, or Sword Dao.
"Don't go any further—"
Jiang Yan withdrew her sword at this moment and said to the others beside her.
Including Yan Qiubai, the Tianjian Peak Disciples, like Jiang Yan, suddenly sobered up from their hot-headedness, watching the figures covered in Evil Qi constantly retreat.
Because whether it was Medicinal Pills or Daoist Magic, these things only made sense if they were based on having a life.
However, as they retreated at this moment, the Evil Seeds that had been lured away had already swarmed back all over the mountains, giving them no chance to leave.
At this moment, the eight figures with monstrous Evil Qi moved again, pressing down like a black mist—
Feeling the heart-pounding Aura approaching, everyone's nerves tightened, and even existences like Qin Rong, Ji Jingyao, and other Immortal Sect Masters-in-charge dared not confront them directly, retreating rapidly.
Seeing this scene, the Elders who had been floating in the sky instantly narrowed their clouded eyes and moved amidst the roaring wind.
The first to act was Elder Shang Yang of Asked the Dao Sect.
As he took a step, his profound Aura instantly surged, and at the same time, he raised his right hand with a whoosh, and a dazzling light immediately bloomed in his palm.
Just like snatching a bolt of lightning from the heavens, a rumbling sound pressed down fiercely on one of the guards.
Boom!
The intense lightning exploded, causing the gloomy sky to suddenly brighten for a moment.
The Evil Seed that was directly struck by him flew out with a "bang," smoke rising from its body, and fiercely crashed into the mountain rocks, shattering them.
And Elder Fang of Tianshu Academy also drew a long blade, striking down at the mountain in front of everyone's eyes, and a heavy Aura instantly crushed the high mountain, directly cutting down the pouncing Evil Seed.
As for the other Elders, their attacks also had an earth-shattering Aura.
These old fellows who had lived for a long time had actually not made a move for many years.
Even their Disciples within the sect did not know what kind of weapons or Daoist Magic they specialized in.
But even though they were nearing their end, they still possessed a domineering Aura that only great cultivators would have.
However, after such powerful strikes, they did not land; instead, their gazes became even more solemn.
The next moment, from the dust raised by the collapsing mountain rocks, eight figures charged across the sky.
At this moment, a fierce Sword Qi rose, shining brightly in the high heavens.
Feeling the vastness within this Sword Intent, the Tianjian Peak Disciples instantly trembled, looking at their own Elder whom they had never met.
Tianjian Peak has a Sword Dao named 'Wind Returns to Clouds,' which is extremely difficult to cultivate, and it doesn't even rank among the top among all Sword Dao in Lingjian Mountain.
Therefore, even if Disciples received rewards, few were willing to learn this sword.
But as that Elder raised his sword, they suddenly realized how powerful this sword was.
"I didn't even know until now that our Tianjian Peak had such an Elder."
"It's Elder Yan Cang, who was once famous for a time, but he has been in seclusion for decades and has slowly been forgotten. This 'Wind Returns to Clouds' was originally a Sword Dao he personally created—"