dì yī qiān qī bǎi sān shí sān zhāng jiàn xiū
第一千七百三十三章剑修
Chapter 1733: Sword Cultivator
tā de liǎn shàng mǎn shì yí huò ， dàn hěn kuài ， biǎo qíng jiù níng gù le ， lù chū jǐ fēn jīng yà zhī sè ：“ tōng tiān líng bǎo ， nǐ shǒu zhōng de shì tōng tiān líng bǎo me ？”
他的脸上满是疑惑，但很快，表情就凝固了，露出几分惊讶之色：“通天灵宝，你手中的是通天灵宝么？”
His face was filled with confusion, but soon his expression froze in surprise. "Divine Treasure of the Heavens and Earth, is this a Divine Treasure of the Heavens and Earth in your hand?"
“ shì bú shì ， gé xià yǐ shēn gǎn shòu yī xià bù jiù qīng chǔ 。”
“是不是，阁下以身感受一下不就清楚。”
"Test it yourself," Lin Xuan said coldly. With things at this point, there could only be one winner—no need to waste words.
lín xuān lěng lěng de shuō ， fǎn zhèng shì qíng dào le zhè yī bù ， bú shì nǐ sǐ jiù shì wǒ huó ， shuō huà hái yǒu shén me bì yào kè qì ne ？
林轩冷冷的说，反正事情到了这一步，不是你死就是我活，说话还有什么必要客气呢？
The mysterious female cultivator waved her hand: "Is it foolish not to draw it? Fine, let me show you the power of my Purple Heaven Departing Fire Sword."
ér nà shén mì de nǚ xiū yī dǒu shǒu ：“ bù chū qiào shì yú chǔn me ， hǎo ， nà jiù ràng nǐ jiàn shí yī xià ， wǒ zǐ xiāo lí huǒ jiàn ， jiū jìng wēi lì rú hé 。”
而那神秘的女修一抖手：“不出鞘是愚蠢么，好，那就让你见识一下，我紫霄离火剑，究竟威力如何。”
The cloth wrapping around the sword fell off, revealing its sharp edge. Lin Xuan's eyes even stung a bit as he saw the sword like autumn water, yet with a hint of purple under the sunlight.
chán zài biǎo miàn de bù tiáo tuō luò ， fēng máng chū xiàn zài shì xiàn zhōng ， cì dé lín xuān de yǎn jīng dōu yǒu diǎn tòng ， nà jiàn rú yī hóng qiū shuǐ ， zài yáng guāng de fǎn shè xià què yòu tòu chū yì diǎn zǐ sè 。
缠在表面的布条脱落，锋芒出现在视线中，刺得林轩的眼睛都有点痛，那剑如一泓秋水，在阳光的反射下却又透出一点紫色。
She then gripped the sword and charged at him as if it were a fist fight.
suí hòu cǐ nǚ jiàng cǐ jiàn wò zhù ， jiù zhè me xiàng zhè duì shǒu chōng guò lái le 。
随后此女将此剑握住，就这么像这对手冲过来了。
"What招数 is this?"
“ zhè shì shén me zhāo shù ？”
“这是什么招数？”
Even the merfolk, let alone his ally Lin Xuan, felt astonished. Cultivators usually did not use their treasures in such a way—flying swords weren't summoned but held horizontally with hands. Was she treating herself like a martial artist of the secular world?
bié shuō nà hǎi zú ， lián méng yǒu de lín xuān dōu gǎn jué shí fēn jīng è ， xiū xiān zhě hái yǒu zhè yàng shǐ yòng fǎ bǎo de ， fēi jiàn bù jiāng qí jì chū ， què yǐ shǒu héng wò ， tā dāng zì jǐ shì shì sú de wǔ lín gāo shǒu ？
别说那海族，连盟友的林轩都感觉十分惊愕，修仙者还有这样使用法宝的，飞剑不将其祭出，却以手横握，她当自己是世俗的武林高手？
But she ignored all that. Halfway through her charge, the sword in her hand swung down towards the ground. Instantly, countless purple sword shadows and red lightning arrows appeared, densely falling upon him.
rán ér cǐ nǚ què méi yǒu guǎn nà me duō ， rén zài zhōng tú ， shǒu zhōng de jiàn ， cháo zhe xià fāng huī luò ， dùn shí wú shù zǐ sè de jiàn yǐng yǔ hóng sè de léi shǐ chū xiàn le ， mì mì má má ， xiàng zhe duì fāng pī tóu gài liǎn de hōng luò 。
然而此女却没有管那么多，人在中途，手中的剑，朝着下方挥落，顿时无数紫色的剑影与红色的雷矢出现了，密密麻麻，向着对方劈头盖脸的轰落。
The sheer number made it impossible to dodge; he had no choice but to face them head-on.
qí shù liàng zhī duō ， gēn běn jiù wú chǔ kě duǒ ， yìng jiē shì wéi yī de xuǎn zé 。
其数量之多，根本就无处可躲，硬接是唯一的选择。
A look of surprise flashed across the merfolk's face, yet he remained calm. Having reached this stage in cultivation meant enduring countless hardships, and his combat experience was undoubtedly rich. With a flick of his left hand, a shield flew out from his palm, transforming into a thick light curtain that enveloped him entirely.
nà hǎi zú liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī jīng è ， què bìng wèi huāng luàn shén me ， xiū xíng zhī lù néng gòu zǒu dào zhè yī bù ， kěn dìng bù zhī dào shì lì jīng duō shǎo kǔ chǔ ， dòu fǎ de jīng yàn jué duì fēng fù ， zuǒ shǒu yī dǒu ， zhǎng xīn zhōng de dùn pái yǐ fēi lüè ér chū ， zhuǎn zhé jiān huà wèi le yī piàn níng hòu guāng mù ， jiāng tā quán shēn shàng xià gěi hù zhù 。
那海族脸上闪过一丝惊愕，却并未慌乱什么，修行之路能够走到这一步，肯定不知道是历经多少苦楚，斗法的经验绝对丰富，左手一抖，掌心中的盾牌已飞掠而出，转折间化为了一片凝厚光幕，将他全身上下给护住。
Unpierced by wind or rain!
fēng yǔ bù tòu ！
风雨不透！
With a thunderous sound, the next moment, explosions echoed as the sword arrows and lightning struck the barrier. The light curtain began to sway and flicker like a candle in the wind.
hōng lōng lóng ， xià yī kè ， bào liè shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， jiàn shǐ léi huǒ ， hěn hěn de zá shàng qù le ， nà guāng mù rú fēng zhōng cán zhú ， kāi shǐ bù tíng de huàng dòng shǎn shuò 。
轰隆隆，下一刻，爆裂声传入耳朵，剑矢雷火，狠狠的砸上去了，那光幕如风中残烛，开始不停的晃动闪烁。
"Impossible!"
“ bù kě néng ！”
“不可能！”
The merfolk's face turned pale. His Sand Shield was forged from precious materials, ranking among the best of its kind even among peers. How could it fall so easily? Could this woman's offensive power be stronger than that of an Abyssal Core cultivator?
hǎi zú de liǎn sè yǒu xiē nán kàn le ， zì jǐ zhè hǎi shā dùn shì huā fèi le dà liàng zhēn xī cái liào jì liàn ér chéng de ， jí shǐ zài tóng jiē xiū shì de fǎ bǎo zhōng ， yě suàn jiǎo jiǎo zhě ， zěn me yí gè zhào miàn jiù huì dǐ dǎng bú zhù ， nán dào cǐ nǚ de gōng jī lì bǐ dòng xuán qī xiū shì hái qiáng me ？
海族的脸色有些难看了，自己这海沙盾是花费了大量珍稀材料祭炼而成的，即使在同阶修士的法宝中，也算佼佼者，怎么一个照面就会抵挡不住，难道此女的攻击力比洞玄期修士还强么？
This was impossible!
zhè zěn me kě néng ne ？
这怎么可能呢？
Before he could think further, the woman had already rushed up to him. With a flash of purple light from her long sword, she slashed at the barrier with a sound that made his teeth ache.
rán ér zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， nà nǚ zǐ yǐ pū dào yǎn qián ， shǒu zhōng cháng jiàn ， zǐ guāng yī shǎn ， hěn hěn de cháo zhe nà guāng mù qiè luò ， lìng rén yá suān de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
然而这个念头尚未转过，那女子已扑到眼前，手中长剑，紫光一闪，狠狠的朝着那光幕切落，令人牙酸的声音传入耳朵。
The barrier actually broke!
guāng mù jū rán pò le ！
光幕居然破了！
It vanished in a flash, and the shield fell like ordinary iron into the sea.
suí hòu yī shǎn ， xiāo shī bú jiàn ， nà dùn pái huà wèi fán tiě luò xiàng hǎi miàn 。
随后一闪，消失不见，那盾牌化为凡铁落像海面。
Lin Xuan was left speechless by this power. However, the old monster's reaction was swift as well. With both hands, he waved, sending a series of lightning orbs flying.
zhè gōng jī lì ， ràng lín xuān yě wèi zhī chēng mù ， bù guò nà lǎo guài wù fǎn yìng yě shì jí kuài de ， shuāng shǒu huī wǔ ， yī lián chuàn de léi zhū fēi lüè ér chū 。
这攻击力，让林轩也为之瞠目，不过那老怪物反应也是极快的，双手挥舞，一连串的雷珠飞掠而出。
She showed no signs of dodging; with one sword in hand, she slashed at her opponent’s head.
cǐ nǚ què sī háo duǒ shǎn zhī yì yě wú ， yī jiàn zài shǒu ， hěn hěn de zhǎn xiàng duì fāng de tóu lú 。
此女却丝毫躲闪之意也无，一剑在手，狠狠的斩像对方的头颅。
Boom!
hōng ！
轰！
The head fell off, but there was no blood. The corpse then turned into a piece of talisman paper that burned by itself without wind, vanishing from sight as if it had never been seen.
zhǎn zhōng le ， tā qǔ xià le duì fāng de shǒu jí ， rán ér què méi yǒu xiān xuè yìng rù yǎn lián lǐ 。
斩中了，她取下了对方的首级，然而却没有鲜血映入眼帘里。
"Replacement Talisman!"
suí hòu shī tǐ huà wèi le yī zhāng fú zhǐ ， wú fēng zì rán ， fǎng fú cóng lái bù céng zài shì xiàn xiàn 。
随后尸体化为了一张符纸，无风自燃，仿佛从来不曾在视线现。
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. Such treasures were also in his storage bracelet—no wonder an Abyssal Core cultivator would have such wealth.
“ tì jié fú ！”
“替劫符！”
His mind raced, but he did not slacken; the battle was far from over. From several dozen feet to his left, a fierce light flashed as the old monster appeared.
lín xuān tóng kǒng wēi suō ， zhè yàng de bǎo wù ， zì jǐ chǔ wù dài zhōng yě yǒu yí gè ， bù kuì shì dòng xuán qī xiū xiān zhě ， shēn jiā fēng hòu 。
林轩瞳孔微缩，这样的宝物，自己储物袋中也有一个，不愧是洞玄期修仙者，身家丰厚。
A look of fear flickered across his face: "Sword cultivator, you… are an ancient传承下来的剑修? How is that possible? Those fellows from that sect haven't died out?"
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， lín xuān què sī háo bù gǎn xiè dài shén me ， zhàn dòu bìng wèi jié shù ， zuǒ cè shù shí zhàng yuǎn chù ， lì máng yī shǎn ， nà lǎo guài wù fú xiàn 。
脑海中念头转过，林轩却丝毫不敢懈怠什么，战斗并未结束，左侧数十丈远处，厉芒一闪，那老怪物浮现。
"Sword cultivator," Lin Xuan's expression showed confusion. He couldn’t remember where he had heard this name.
liǎn shàng yǐn yǐn dài zhe jǐ fēn jīng kǒng ：“ jiàn xiū ， nǐ …… jū rán shì shàng gǔ shí qī chuán chéng xià lái de jiàn xiū ， zěn me kě néng ， nà ge liú pài de jiā huo ， jū rán hái méi yǒu sǐ jué me ？”
脸上隐隐带着几分惊恐：“剑修，妳……居然是上古时期传承下来的剑修，怎么可能，那个流派的家伙，居然还没有死绝么？”
The merfolk’s old monster looked even more displeased. Most cultivators today might have forgotten about the sword cultivators, but he had stumbled upon a detailed description in ancient texts by chance.
“ jiàn xiū ， zhè ge míng zì hǎo ěr shú ， sì hū zài nǎ lǐ tīng shuō guò 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn mí huò ， rán ér yī shí piàn kè ， yòu shí zài xiǎng bù qǐ lái le 。
“剑修，这个名字好耳熟，似乎在哪里听说过。”林轩脸上露出几分迷惑，然而一时片刻，又实在想不起来了。
It was well-known that cultivation originated from humanity's pursuit of immortality.
ér nà hǎi zú lǎo guài wù de biǎo qíng zé yào nán kàn dé duō ， guān yú jiàn xiū zhè ge qún tǐ ， rú jīn de xiū xiān zhě ， dà bù fèn huò xǔ dōu yǐ jīng dàn wàng diào le ， rán ér tā jī yuán qiǎo hé ， què zài diǎn jí shàng kàn guò fēi cháng xiáng jìn de miáo shù 。
而那海族老怪物的表情则要难看得多，关于剑修这个群体，如今的修仙者，大部分或许都已经淡忘掉了，然而他机缘巧合，却在典籍上看过非常详尽的描述。
As the saying went: "All streams flow into one."
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， xiū xiān zhī shù ， qǐ yuán yú rén men duì cháng shēng bù lǎo de zhuī qiú 。
众所周知，修仙之术，起源于人们对长生不老的追求。
Cultivation paths were numerous—Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian, and magical. There were also cultivators who transformed into beasts. In ancient times, there were even more sects, far beyond just these few.
suǒ wèi wàn liú guī zōng 。
所谓万流归宗。
Their understanding of Daoism varied, but over time, most had declined due to natural selection. However, one sect stood out: the sword cultivators!
xiū xiān zhī lù ， liú pài zhòng duō ， zhèng mó rú fú ， hái yǒu xiū yāo zhě ， rán ér zài shàng gǔ zhī shí ， liú pài gèng wéi zhòng duō ， yuǎn bù zhǐ zhè jǐ gè 。
修仙之路，流派众多，正魔儒佛，还有修妖者，然而在上古之时，流派更为众多，远不止这几个。
Sword cultivators focused solely on swords as their only treasure and magical tool. They did not practice other elemental techniques or delve into talisman spells or array formations.
duì yú xiān dào de lǐ jiě gè bù xiāng tóng ， rán ér suí zhe shí jiān de tuī yí ， dà bù fèn dōu mò luò le xià qù ， bù guò zhè xiē liú pài de shuāi luò ， jī hū dōu shì wù jìng tiān zé 。
对于仙道的理解各不相同，然而随着时间的推移，大部分都没落了下去，不过这些流派的衰落，几乎都是物竞天择。
They revered the sword as a god, wielding it with supreme power over all.
wéi yǒu yí gè liú pài shì lì wài de 。
唯有一个流派是例外的。
This was not the worst part. While devoting themselves to swordsmanship might seem eccentric, it could be accepted since it didn’t affect his relationship with other cultivators.
jiàn xiū ！
剑修！
However, most of these sword cultivators were ascetic practitioners, their personalities extremely odd. Occasionally interacting with the outside world often involved reckless and fierce battles.
suǒ wèi jiàn xiū ， gù míng sī yì ， tā men yǐ jiàn ， zuò wéi wéi yī de bǎo wù fǎ qì ， qí yú de wǔ xíng fǎ shù ， quán bù xiū xí ， fú lù ， zhèn fǎ děng xiū xiān bǎi yì ， nà jiù shì gèng bú huì shè liè dì 。
所谓剑修，顾名思义，他们以剑，作为唯一的宝物法器，其余的五行法术，全不修习，符箓，阵法等修仙百艺，那就是更不会涉猎地。
Originally, this wasn't a problem; the killing and pillaging in the cultivation realm was common, and some bloodshed was normal.
yǐ jiàn wèi zūn ， yǐ jiàn wèi shén ， yī jiàn zài shǒu ， tiān xià wǒ yǒu 。
以剑为尊，以剑为神，一剑在手，天下我有。
But as time passed, other sects of cultivators began to notice something different about these sword cultivators.
zhè hái bù suàn shén me ， yī xīn liàn jiàn ， suī yǒu xiē lìng lèi ， què yě hái zài kě yǐ jiē shòu de fàn wéi ， bì jìng yǔ bié de xiū xiān zhě ， méi yǒu duō dà de guān xì 。
这还不算什么，一心练剑，虽有些另类，却也还在可以接受的范围，毕竟与别的修仙者，没有多大的关系。
While their treasure was singular, their focus led them to forget the ultimate goal: seeking immortality. Instead, they obsessed over the power of their swords.
kě zhè xiē jiàn xiū zhě ， shí zhī ， dōu shì kǔ xiū zhī shì ， xìng gé gǔ guài yǐ jí ， ǒu ěr yǔ wài jiè jiē chù ， yě shì hào yǒng dòu hěn de jū duō 。
可这些剑修者，十之，都是苦修之士，性格古怪以极，偶尔与外界接触，也是好勇斗狠的居多。
Thus, the sword cultivators fell into a demonic state. While other flaws were ignored, their combat prowess far surpassed that of other sects.
yuán běn ， zhè yě méi shén me ， xiū xiān jiè shā rén qiǎng bǎo yě bù zú wéi qí ， yǒu diǎn xīng fēng xuè yǔ shì hěn zhèng cháng dì 。
原本，这也没什么，修仙界杀人抢宝也不足为奇，有点腥风血雨是很正常地。
In battles against other sects, sword cultivators were almost invincible in the same rank and often challenged higher ranks with ease.
kě suí zhe shí jiān de tuī yí ， jiàn jiàn ， bié de liú pài de xiū xiān zhě ， fā xiàn qíng kuàng yǔ zì jǐ xiǎng xiàng de ， pǒ yǒu bù tóng zhī chù 。
可随着时间的推移，渐渐，别的流派的修仙者，发现情况与自己想象的，颇有不同之处。
Their strength was enviable, but for some reason, sword cultivators began to criticize other sects, claiming their cultivation methods were wrong. Only they, focusing on flying swords, had the right path.
nà xiē jiàn xiū ， suǒ xiū xí de bǎo wù suī rán dān yī ， dàn yóu yú zhuān xīn zhì zhì ， yǒu de rén xiū dào hòu miàn ， shèn zhì wàng jì tà shàng xiān tú de zuì zhōng mù dì ， shì zhuī xún cháng shēng zhī lù ， fǎn ér yī xīn zhuī qiú xiān jiàn de wēi lì 。
那些剑修，所修习的宝物虽然单一，但由于专心致志，有的人修到后面，甚至忘记踏上仙途的最终目的，是追寻长生之路，反而一心追求仙剑的威力。
At first, it was just debates; later, it escalated into physical confrontations until all sects united to attack the sword cultivators.
wàng le chū zhōng ， jiàn xiū kě yǐ shuō shì luò rù le mó zhàng zhī zhōng ， rán ér bié de quē xiàn zàn qiě bù tí ， jiàn xiū de zhàn dòu lì ， què shí yuǎn fēi qí tā liú pài de xiū xiān zhě kě bǐ 。
忘了初衷，剑修可以说是落入了魔障之中，然而别的缺陷暂且不提，剑修的战斗力，确实远非其他流派的修仙者可比。
That battle could be described as a disaster. Although not as severe as inter-dimensional wars, it was unimaginable. Various levels of cultivators were involved—ranging from agile to those crossing the tribulation barrier—and even freelance cultivators. The entire spirit realm bled rivers.
yǔ bié de liú pài dòu fǎ ， jiàn xiū shì ， zài tóng jiē zhōng jī hū wú dí ， yuè jí tiǎo zhàn yě shì lǚ jiàn bù xiān dì 。
与别的流派斗法，剑修士，在同阶中几乎无敌，越级挑战也是屡见不鲜地。
The conflict lasted nearly ten thousand years, with the sword sects standing alone against all other sects' cultivators. This showed how terrifyingly powerful these ascetic sword practitioners could be.
lìng rén xiàn mù ， rán ér hòu lái bù zhī dào wèi shén me ， jiàn xiū jū rán zhǐ zé qí tā liú pài de xiū xiān zhě ， shuō tā men de xiū xiān fāng fǎ dōu cuò le ， zhǐ yǒu tā men ， yī xīn xiū liàn fēi jiàn ， cái shì zhèng què de 。
令人羡慕，然而后来不知道为什么，剑修居然指责其他流派的修仙者，说他们的修仙方法都错了，只有他们，一心修炼飞剑，才是正确的。
But good fortune couldn’t stand up to overwhelming numbers. Even a mighty lion had to retreat when faced with a wolf pack.
zuì kāi shǐ shì zhēng lùn ， hòu lái fā zhǎn dào dòng shǒu ， dào le zuì hòu ， biàn chéng suǒ yǒu liú pài lián hé ， wéi gōng jiàn xiū 。
最开始是争论，后来发展到动手，到了最后，变成所有流派联合，围攻剑修。
In the end, it was the sword cultivators who failed. However, other sects suffered heavy losses as well; many small sects were wiped out entirely.
nà yī cháng zhàn dòu ， kě yǐ yòng hào jié lái xíng róng ， suī rán wú fǎ yǔ jiè miàn zhī jiān de zhàn zhēng xiāng bǐ ， dàn yě shì lìng rén nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng dì ， jī hū gè zhǒng céng cì de xiū shì ， dōu bèi juǎn rù ， cóng líng dòng dào dù jié ， shèn zhì hái yǒu sàn xiū ， zhěng gè líng jiè ， xuè liú chéng hé 。
那一场战斗，可以用浩劫来形容，虽然无法与界面之间的战争相比，但也是令人难以想象地，几乎各种层次的修士，都被卷入，从灵动到渡劫，甚至还有散修，整个灵界，血流成河。
The cultivators despised the sword cultivators for their transgressions but were also amazed by their formidable strength.
dà zhàn qián hòu chí xù le jìn wàn nián ， jiàn xiū yǐ yī zōng zhī lì ， kàng héng suǒ yǒu liú pài de xiū xiān zhě ， yě kě jiàn zhè xiē kǔ xiū xiān jiàn de xiū xiān zhě ， shí lì shì hé děng de kě bù 。
大战前后持续了近万年，剑修以一宗之力，抗衡所有流派的修仙者，也可见这些苦修仙剑的修仙者，实力是何等的可怖。
During the battle, they seized numerous texts from the sword cultivators. After studying them, they lost interest due to the extreme nature of their cultivation methods—easy to go astray.
bù guò hǎo hàn jià bù guò rén duō ， xióng shī zài měng ， yù jiàn láng qún yě zhǐ yǒu tuì bì sān shè 。
不过好汉架不过人多，雄狮再猛，遇见狼群也只有退避三舍。
Note: The following text is free and can be read without charge.
Today, Huan Yu will attend an author's conference in Chengdu. This is a great honor, and Huan Yu thanks all fellow cultivators for your support. Without you, there would be no achievements of Hundred Refinements today, nor this honor. I am truly grateful; thank you all. Huan Yu will work harder to bring you even more captivating stories.
zuì hòu de jié guǒ ， zì rán shì yǐ jiàn xiū shī bài ér gào zhōng ， bù guò ， qí tā liú pài de xiū xiān zhě ， yě sǔn shī cǎn zhòng ， bù shǎo xiǎo de liú pài shèn zhì tóng yàng huī fēi yān miè diào le 。
最后的结果，自然是以剑修失败而告终，不过，其他流派的修仙者，也损失惨重，不少小的流派甚至同样灰飞烟灭掉了。
In the coming days, Huan Yu won't be able to access the internet. However, rest assured, I have written a lot and will update regularly. The number of updates may decrease temporarily as I can’t check the comments section for now. During this conference, Huan Yu will take some time off. Please thank Tinglou, Milk Dragon, and Kite for looking after it.
duì yú zuì kuí huò shǒu de jiàn xiū ， zhòng xiū shì kě yǐ shuō shì hèn zhī rù gǔ ， bù guò duì yú tā men bào fā chū rú cǐ qiáng hèng de shí lì ， yě pǒ wèi jīng qí 。
对于罪魁祸首的剑修，众修士可以说是恨之入骨，不过对于他们爆发出如此强横的实力，也颇为惊奇。
Next month, Hundred Refinements' web game will start a closed beta test. Huan Yu will work even harder; please continue supporting me!
Chapter 1733: Sword Cultivator
His face was filled with confusion, but soon his expression froze in surprise. "Divine Treasure of the Heavens and Earth, is this a Divine Treasure of the Heavens and Earth in your hand?"
"Test it yourself," Lin Xuan said coldly. With things at this point, there could only be one winner—no need to waste words.
The mysterious female cultivator waved her hand: "Is it foolish not to draw it? Fine, let me show you the power of my Purple Heaven Departing Fire Sword."
The cloth wrapping around the sword fell off, revealing its sharp edge. Lin Xuan's eyes even stung a bit as he saw the sword like autumn water, yet with a hint of purple under the sunlight.
She then gripped the sword and charged at him as if it were a fist fight.
"What招数 is this?"
Even the merfolk, let alone his ally Lin Xuan, felt astonished. Cultivators usually did not use their treasures in such a way—flying swords weren't summoned but held horizontally with hands. Was she treating herself like a martial artist of the secular world?
But she ignored all that. Halfway through her charge, the sword in her hand swung down towards the ground. Instantly, countless purple sword shadows and red lightning arrows appeared, densely falling upon him.
The sheer number made it impossible to dodge; he had no choice but to face them head-on.
A look of surprise flashed across the merfolk's face, yet he remained calm. Having reached this stage in cultivation meant enduring countless hardships, and his combat experience was undoubtedly rich. With a flick of his left hand, a shield flew out from his palm, transforming into a thick light curtain that enveloped him entirely.
Unpierced by wind or rain!
With a thunderous sound, the next moment, explosions echoed as the sword arrows and lightning struck the barrier. The light curtain began to sway and flicker like a candle in the wind.
"Impossible!"
The merfolk's face turned pale. His Sand Shield was forged from precious materials, ranking among the best of its kind even among peers. How could it fall so easily? Could this woman's offensive power be stronger than that of an Abyssal Core cultivator?
This was impossible!
Before he could think further, the woman had already rushed up to him. With a flash of purple light from her long sword, she slashed at the barrier with a sound that made his teeth ache.
The barrier actually broke!
It vanished in a flash, and the shield fell like ordinary iron into the sea.
Lin Xuan was left speechless by this power. However, the old monster's reaction was swift as well. With both hands, he waved, sending a series of lightning orbs flying.
She showed no signs of dodging; with one sword in hand, she slashed at her opponent’s head.
Boom!
The head fell off, but there was no blood. The corpse then turned into a piece of talisman paper that burned by itself without wind, vanishing from sight as if it had never been seen.
"Replacement Talisman!"
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. Such treasures were also in his storage bracelet—no wonder an Abyssal Core cultivator would have such wealth.
His mind raced, but he did not slacken; the battle was far from over. From several dozen feet to his left, a fierce light flashed as the old monster appeared.
A look of fear flickered across his face: "Sword cultivator, you… are an ancient传承下来的剑修? How is that possible? Those fellows from that sect haven't died out?"
"Sword cultivator," Lin Xuan's expression showed confusion. He couldn’t remember where he had heard this name.
The merfolk’s old monster looked even more displeased. Most cultivators today might have forgotten about the sword cultivators, but he had stumbled upon a detailed description in ancient texts by chance.
It was well-known that cultivation originated from humanity's pursuit of immortality.
As the saying went: "All streams flow into one."
Cultivation paths were numerous—Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian, and magical. There were also cultivators who transformed into beasts. In ancient times, there were even more sects, far beyond just these few.
Their understanding of Daoism varied, but over time, most had declined due to natural selection. However, one sect stood out: the sword cultivators!
Sword cultivators focused solely on swords as their only treasure and magical tool. They did not practice other elemental techniques or delve into talisman spells or array formations.
They revered the sword as a god, wielding it with supreme power over all.
This was not the worst part. While devoting themselves to swordsmanship might seem eccentric, it could be accepted since it didn’t affect his relationship with other cultivators.
However, most of these sword cultivators were ascetic practitioners, their personalities extremely odd. Occasionally interacting with the outside world often involved reckless and fierce battles.
Originally, this wasn't a problem; the killing and pillaging in the cultivation realm was common, and some bloodshed was normal.
But as time passed, other sects of cultivators began to notice something different about these sword cultivators.
While their treasure was singular, their focus led them to forget the ultimate goal: seeking immortality. Instead, they obsessed over the power of their swords.
Thus, the sword cultivators fell into a demonic state. While other flaws were ignored, their combat prowess far surpassed that of other sects.
In battles against other sects, sword cultivators were almost invincible in the same rank and often challenged higher ranks with ease.
Their strength was enviable, but for some reason, sword cultivators began to criticize other sects, claiming their cultivation methods were wrong. Only they, focusing on flying swords, had the right path.
At first, it was just debates; later, it escalated into physical confrontations until all sects united to attack the sword cultivators.
That battle could be described as a disaster. Although not as severe as inter-dimensional wars, it was unimaginable. Various levels of cultivators were involved—ranging from agile to those crossing the tribulation barrier—and even freelance cultivators. The entire spirit realm bled rivers.
The conflict lasted nearly ten thousand years, with the sword sects standing alone against all other sects' cultivators. This showed how terrifyingly powerful these ascetic sword practitioners could be.
But good fortune couldn’t stand up to overwhelming numbers. Even a mighty lion had to retreat when faced with a wolf pack.
In the end, it was the sword cultivators who failed. However, other sects suffered heavy losses as well; many small sects were wiped out entirely.
The cultivators despised the sword cultivators for their transgressions but were also amazed by their formidable strength.
During the battle, they seized numerous texts from the sword cultivators. After studying them, they lost interest due to the extreme nature of their cultivation methods—easy to go astray.
Note: The following text is free and can be read without charge.
Today, Huan Yu will attend an author's conference in Chengdu. This is a great honor, and Huan Yu thanks all fellow cultivators for your support. Without you, there would be no achievements of Hundred Refinements today, nor this honor. I am truly grateful; thank you all. Huan Yu will work harder to bring you even more captivating stories.
In the coming days, Huan Yu won't be able to access the internet. However, rest assured, I have written a lot and will update regularly. The number of updates may decrease temporarily as I can’t check the comments section for now. During this conference, Huan Yu will take some time off. Please thank Tinglou, Milk Dragon, and Kite for looking after it.
Next month, Hundred Refinements' web game will start a closed beta test. Huan Yu will work even harder; please continue supporting me!