Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-252

NETS – Chapter 252 – [True Origin One Essence Sword Art]

The strange deaths of the five leaders surprised the surrounding forces. Abruptly, the forces ceased lurking around and peace returned to the mini islands.

Hong Ying looked at Lu Ping with even more awe, he wondered how many more unknown cards the young master still had in his hands.

Ye Bu-Qi, on the other hand, said nothing. This made Hong Ying marvel at Ye Bu-Qi’s higher cultivation base and wider knowledge. But little did Hong Ying know that Ye Bu-Qi was only indifferent because he had been through many more shocking experiences.

Northern League’s Alchemy Conference would soon commence, so Lu Ping brought Hong Ying and Wu Yan with him to head for Qian Yuan City. Before leaving, he instructed Ye Bu-Qi to oversee the islands.

There were no teleportation formations in Fallen Rift that lead to Qian Yuan City, so Hong Ying suggested they travel to a medium-sized island located on the outskirts. In the East Ocean, every medium-sized island would have a teleportation formation set up. Through these, they could easily enter Qian Yuan Island.

However, Lu Ping did not agree.

After arriving in the East Ocean, Lu Ping had only been to Three Clans Island and Fallen Rift, and had not enjoyed the accompanying scenery. He insisted on flying all the way to Qian Yuan City.

Hong Ying and Wu Yan naturally did not dare object, so the three traveled on their flying mystic instruments and enjoyed the vistas of the East Ocean. Along the way, Hong Ying acted as a tour guide to Lu Ping, while keeping them on course towards their destination.

For a dozen days, Lu Ping drank up the sights and the tour itself had broadened his horizons. One day, he stood quietly on the sea surface, his mind relaxed and his soul nourished. Suddenly, he whistled loud and long, the seawater rippling as if resonating to his emotions.

Lu Ping gently swiped his hand across, pointing his finger to the front, and the water around him turned into 324 crystal clear water swords. The water swords wobbled like jelly, circling him like a school of fish.

Wu Yan didn’t know what was happening, he only thought Lu Ping was practicing a magnificent skill. On the other hand, Hong Ying was dumbstruck, his expression a mixture of shock and confusion.

Hong Ying knew this was an extremely sophisticated sword art, and most probably even related to Sword Intent. But his lack of cultivation heritage prevented him from identifying what it was exactly.

Hong Ying shook his head bitterly. He achieved the State of Force many years ago, then mastered the last stage, the Great Force. This achievement had marked him as one of the most notable rogue cultivators.

Yet the young master, who was younger than him, had already achieved the State of Intent, and had clearly reached a deep attainment of the state. This was a great blow to Hong Ying’s pride, but it also made him more determined to be Lu Ping’s follower.

Lu Ping smiled—his Sword Spirituality had improved again. He now had 324 spiritual sword lights!

Lowering his hand, the water swords fell back into the sea. He clapped his hands, looked back, and said, “Let’s continue.”

After traveling for some time, Lu Ping suddenly stopped on the sea surface. Hong Ying and Wu Yan followed suit, looking at him puzzledly.

Lu Ping pondered for a moment, then looked at them and said, “Hong Ying, Wu Yan, you two can go on first. Wait for me at Qian Yuan City’s Melodious Inn. There’s an interesting person here that I’d like to take a look at.”

Before the pair could respond, Lu Ping quickly interrupted with a smile, “Don’t worry. I’ll be there in a day or two at most.”

The two had no choice but to accept—they knew Lu Ping’s decision was final. Furthermore, they wouldn’t be of any help to him, so they said, “Understood. Be careful!”

After confirming that the two had gone far away, Lu Ping’s expression turned slightly more serious and he flew west. There was a heated battle happening a mile away in that direction.

The battle involved an Enlightened Master in red robes and a Peak Blood Condensation Realm female cultivator. The female cultivator’s condition wasn’t looking good. Although she could hold her ground against the Enlightened Master, that was the extent of her abilities—she couldn’t fight back at all.

The Enlightened Master laughed happily. “Hahaha, didn’t they say you could escape from an Enlightened Master’s pursuit? Why aren’t you running yet, hmm? What’s wrong? Hahahaha! Once I capture you, we’ll show you the consequences of offending the Crystal Palace. No one can escape its judgement!”

“You’re all full of shit!” Chilian Ying’s unladylike tone impressed Lu Ping, who was hiding in the distance.

“If I wasn’t in such a hurry, there’s no way a creep like you could ambush me. Do you really think a newly-advanced Core Forging Realm scum like you can stop me?”

“And what do you mean by creep? Don’t blame your enemy for recognizing you, just because you can’t. What did you expect? Did you want me to walk up to you and say ‘I’m Crystal Palace’s Hong Shi-Kui, I’m here to hunt you?’ You might be stupid, but at least my sanity is still intact. You had this coming, so consider yourself lucky that you survived the ambush.”

Since Hong Shi-Kui’s cultivation base was higher, coupled with the element of surprise, he immediately gained the upper hand in the battle. Feeling at ease, he cast out two jade rings which continuously shot out rings of fire and ice towards Chilian Ying.

The fire and ice rings trapped Chilian Ying in the middle, restricted her movements and gradually shrunk down to bind her. If she couldn’t break them in time, she would be strapped and tied down.

Hong Shi-Kui was determined to capture Chi Lian-Ying alive.

Chilian Ying’s mystic instruments were two water sleeves—one green and one red—which moved agilely like snakes with every swing. Even Hong Shi-Kui was a little afraid of getting close, so he kept a safe distance from her attack range.

“Chilian Ying, resistance is futile! Surrender yourself, and reveal the mastermind. I promise on my name, Hong Shi-Kui, that the Crystal Palace will spare your life if you comply. What do you say?”

Seeing that he wouldn’t be taking her down anytime soon, Hong Shi-Kui tried to break her spirit and persuade her into surrendering.

“Hehe, spare my life so you can have this beauty serve you in your bed?” Chilian Ying was already soaked in her own sweat, but still had the mood to make jokes.

“That’s not a bad idea, as long as you tell us the mastermind behind you.” Hong Shi-Kui sneered. Naturally, he wouldn’t fall for her tricks.

“There is no one, I am the master of my own fate. But I don’t mind having some gigolos behind the scenes, are you interested?” Chi Lian-Ying mocked, as crude as ever.

“Well then, don’t blame me for being a brute!” Hong Shi-Kui was no simpleton either; he had prepared a killing move while they were talking.

“Fire-Ice Dual Rings, [Nine Heavens of Fire and Ice]!”

Hong Shi-Kui’s hands clenched—three rings of fire and of ice flew out from the jade rings. The rings merged together into three powerful rings of fire-and-ice that flew above Chilian Ying and tried to tie her down.

“[Snake Dance]!”

Chilian Ying’s expression turned solemn, her sleeves whipping out like two slithering snakes. They struck consecutively on the rings of fire-and-ice and stopped them above her head.

Suddenly, Chilian Ying’s expression changed drastically. “Not good!”

Chilian Ying quickly wrapped herself with her sleeves like a cotton ball, while the rings of fire-and-ice suddenly exploded right above her head. Most of the ice and fire’s true energy was blocked off, but some still hit her.

Chilian Ying shouted, “Hong Shi-Kui, I want you dead!”

“I’m afraid you won’t get that chance!” Hong Shi-Kui lifted his finger—another two rings of fire-and-ice flew towards Chilian Ying again.

Chilian Ying’s face was pale and desperate as she watched the rings fly towards her.

It was at this moment, a magnificent golden sword light suddenly flashed towards the scene. Countless more spiritual sword lights surrounded the gold, each exuding a lethal sharpness.

“[True Origin One Essence Sword Art]!”