“ nǐ zěn me kě néng kàn pò wǒ de huà xíng fú ， lǐ miàn fēng yìn de kě shì dì jiē chū jí fǎ shù ！”
“你怎么可能看破我的化形符，里面封印的可是地阶初级法术！”
"How could you possibly discern my Transformation Talisman? It contains a初级 Earth-stage Spell!"
“ dì jiē chū jí fǎ shù ？”
“地阶初级法术？”
"Earth-stage Spell?" Lin Xuan's brows lifted involuntarily. He remembered back over a decade ago, when he was still a small disciple at the Flexible Spirit Period, how excited he had been to master the Ice Needle Technique because its power could rival that of high-stage spells.
lín xuān méi tóu bù yóu de yī tiāo ， jì de shí jǐ nián qián ， zì jǐ hái shì yí gè xiǎo xiǎo de líng dòng qī dì zǐ de shí hòu ， liàn chéng “ bīng zhēn jué ” jiù xīng fèn bù yǐ ， yīn wèi tā de wēi lì kě yǐ yǔ gāo jiē fǎ shù xiāng bǐ 。
林轩眉头不由得一挑，记得十几年前，自己还是一个小小的灵动期弟子的时候，练成“冰针诀”就兴奋不已，因为它的威力可以与高阶法术相比。
Back then, he thought spells came in only three levels—初级, 中级, and 高级—and were used by disciples at the灵动期 and 筑基期. He believed that those with 成丹后期 mastery, due to their possession of magical treasures, would disdain such spells.
nà shí hòu ， zì jǐ yǐ wéi fǎ shù zhǐ yǒu chū jí 、 zhōng jí 、 gāo jí sān zhǒng ， ér qiě zhǐ yǒu líng dòng qī yǔ zhù jī qī de xiū shì cái yòng ， nà xiē jīn dān dà chéng de gāo shǒu ， yīn wèi yōng yǒu fǎ bǎo ， duì yú fǎ shù shì bù xiè yī gù de 。
那时候，自己以为法术只有初级、中级、高级三种，而且只有灵动期与筑基期的修士才用，那些金丹大成的高手，因为拥有法宝，对于法术是不屑一顾的。
But after successfully reaching the 筑基 stage, or more accurately, obtaining the Jade Cylinder containing the Nine Heaven Profound Art, he realized this understanding was fundamentally wrong.
kě hòu lái zhù jī chéng gōng ， zhèng què de shuō shì dé dào “ jiǔ tiān xuán gōng ” de yù tǒng yǐ hòu ， cái zhī dào zhè ge rèn shí gēn běn jiù shì cuò wù de 。
可后来筑基成功，正确的说是得到“九天玄功”的玉筒以后，才知道这个认识根本就是错误的。
Spells were a simple and practical means for cultivators. They could be used both offensively and defensively without needing to rely on other mediums; they required only the mobilization of one's essence energy.
fǎ shù zuò wèi xiū zhēn zhě zuì jiǎn dān ， yě zuì shí yòng de shén tōng ， bù jǐn shì gōng jī hái shì fáng yù dōu fēi cháng fāng biàn ， yīn wèi tā bù xū yào jiè zhù bié de jiè zhì ， zhǐ xū yào diào dòng běn shēn de líng lì jiù kě yǐ shì fàng chū lái 。
法术做为修真者最简单，也最实用的神通，不仅是攻击还是防御都非常方便，因为它不需要借助别的介质，只需要调动本身的灵力就可以释放出来。
This art was vast and profound; it certainly didn't stop at the 筑基 stage. Even 成丹后期 experts often employed spells as a significant supplement to their magical treasures.
cǐ dào bó dà jīng shēn ， qǐ huì dào zhù jī qī jiù tíng zhǐ ， bié shuō níng dān qī de xiū shì ， jiù shì nà xiē yuán yīng qī de lǎo guài wù yě yī yàng cháng cháng shǐ yòng fǎ shù ， jiāng qí zuò wèi fǎ bǎo de yí gè zhòng yào de bǔ chōng 。
此道博大精深，岂会到筑基期就停止，别说凝丹期的修士，就是那些元婴期的老怪物也一样常常使用法术，将其做为法宝的一个重要的补充。
Spells naturally weren't limited to just three levels—初级, 中级, 高级.
fǎ shù zì rán yě bú huì zhǐ yǒu chū jí 、 zhōng jí 、 gāo jí sān zhǒng 。
法术自然也不会只有初级、中级、高级三种。
More accurately, they were divided into Heaven, Earth, and Human grades, with each grade further subdivided into 初级, 中级, and 高级 for a total of nine tiers.
zhèng què de shuō yīng gāi shì fēn wéi tiān dì rén sān gè pǐn jiē ， měi yī jiē yòu fēn wéi chū jí ， zhōng jí yǔ gāo jí ， yī gòng shì jiǔ gè céng cì 。
正确的说应该是分为天地人三个品阶，每一阶又分为初级，中级与高级，一共是九个层次。
Disciples at the灵动期 and 筑基期 used 人阶 spells, while 成丹后期 and 元婴期 experts utilized 地阶...
líng dòng qī yǔ zhù jī qī xiū shì shǐ yòng de shì rén jiē fǎ shù ， níng dān yǔ yuán yīng qī gāo shǒu shǐ yòng de zé shì dì jiē ……
灵动期与筑基期修士使用的是人阶法术，凝丹与元婴期高手使用的则是地阶……
In fact, not only were there different spell techniques, but even talismans came in various grades. The talismans Lin Xuan had previously encountered were all of the 人阶 level, with more powerful 地阶 and Heaven-stage ones existing as well.
qí shí bù zhǐ shì fǎ jué ， jiù lián fú yě shì rú cǐ ， lín xuān céng jīng jiē chù guò de fú ， yě shì rén jiē ， shàng miàn hái yǒu gèng lì hài de dì jiē hé tiān jiē fú 。\
其实不止是法诀，就连符也是如此，林轩曾经接触过的符，也是人阶，上面还有更厉害的地阶和天阶符。\
Of course, their creation was much more complex, and they were rarely sold in markets. Once revealed, they invariably required a vast number of crystal stones.
dāng rán 。 zhì zuò dé gèng jiā fán zá 。 ér qiě fāng shì zhōng yě hěn shǎo yǒu mài 。 yí dàn xiàn shì 。 wú yī bù xū yào tiān jià shù liàng dì jīng shí 。
当然。制作得更加繁杂。而且坊市中也很少有卖。一旦现世。无一不需要天价数量地晶石。
The transformation into stone that Hu Fan just performed used a初级 Earth-stage Spell called Transformation Technique. This advanced skill could only be learned by 成丹后期 experts, so naturally, only those at the same stage could discern it. But this kid...
ér hú fán gāng cái biàn huà chéng shí tou 。 shǐ yòng dì jiù shì yī zhǒng míng jiào “ huà xíng shù ” dì dì jiē chū jí fǎ shù 。 zhè zhǒng níng dān qī gāo shǒu cái néng xué xí dì gāo shēn jì néng 。 zì rán yě zhǐ yǒu níng dān qī gāo shǒu cái néng kàn pò 。 kě zhè xiǎo zi ……
而胡凡刚才变化成石头。使用地就是一种名叫“化形术”地地阶初级法术。这种凝丹期高手才能学习地高深技能。自然也只有凝丹期高手才能看破。可这小子……
A murderous aura flashed across Lin Xuan's face; he would not answer his question. After all, it was just a lucky guess.
lín xuān dì liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī shā qì 。 zì rán bú huì huí dá duì fāng dì wèn tí 。 shuō qǐ lái 。 gāng gāng yě zhǐ shì jiǎo xìng ér yǐ 。
林轩地脸上闪过一丝杀气。自然不会回答对方地问题。说起来。刚刚也只是侥幸而已。
He hadn't expected someone to actually possess an Earth-stage talisman!
méi xiǎng dào yǒu rén jū rán yōng yǒu dì jiē dì fú ！
没想到有人居然拥有地阶地符！
Fortunately, his divine sense far surpassed that of his peers and was now barely on par with 成丹初期 experts. Otherwise, the consequences could have been unimaginable!
xìng hǎo zì jǐ dì shén shí 。 yuǎn yuǎn shèng guò tóng jiē xiū shì 。 yǐ jīng miǎn qiǎng néng gòu hé níng dān chū qī dì gāo shǒu xiàng bǐ 。 fǒu zé hòu guǒ bù kān shè xiǎng a ！
幸好自己地神识。远远胜过同阶修士。已经勉强能够和凝丹初期地高手相比。否则后果不堪设想啊！
---
zài méi yǒu fáng bèi dì qíng kuàng xià āi luò léi shù yī jī 。 jiù suàn bù sǐ 。 kěn dìng yě shì zhòng shāng wú yí 。
在没有防备地情况下挨落雷术一击。就算不死。肯定也是重伤无疑。
Without any preparation, being hit by a Thunder Spell would surely result in severe injuries at the very least.
“ xiǎo zi ， bù yuàn yì shuō 。 yě bà ， yù jiàn dà yé wǒ ， jiù suàn nǐ mìng bù hǎo ba ！”
“小子，不愿意说。也罢，遇见大爷我，就算你命不好吧！”
"Kid, if you don't want to talk, fine. Meeting me is your bad luck!" Hu Fan's face twisted into a grimace. Although Lin Xuan had discerned his Transformation Technique, it made him somewhat uneasy. After all, he was just an early-stage 筑基 cultivator. With his abilities, eliminating him should be easy.
hú fán dì liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī zhēng níng zhī sè 。 suī rán lín xuān shí pò huà xíng shù ， ràng tā xīn zhōng yǒu xiē fàn dí gū ， dàn zhōng guī bù guò shì yí gè xiǎo xiǎo de zhù jī chū qī de xiū zhēn zhě ， yǐ zì jǐ de shén tōng ， miè le tā ， yīng gāi shì qīng ér yì jǔ de 。
胡凡地脸上露出一丝狰狞之色。虽然林轩识破化形术，让他心中有些犯嘀咕，但终归不过是一个小小的筑基初期的修真者，以自己的神通，灭了他，应该是轻而易举的。
Since the other party came for the trading fair, he must have quite a bit of wealth on him—time to make some gains!
duì fāng jì rán shì wèi cān jiā jiāo yì huì ér lái ， shēn shàng de cái wù kěn dìng bù shǎo ， fā le ！
对方既然是为参加交易会而来，身上的财物肯定不少，发了！
With this thought, a cruel expression flashed across his face. He opened his mouth and spat out a silver flying sword. An顶级灵器!
niàn jí zhì cǐ ， tā de liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī bào nüè zhī qì 。 zhāng kāi kǒu ， pēn chū yī bǐng yín sè de fēi jiàn 。 jí pǐn líng qì ！
念及至此，他的脸上闪过一丝暴虐之气。张开口，喷出一柄银色的飞剑。极品灵器！
Indeed, it was no wonder that an advanced-stage 筑基 cultivator possessed such valuable treasures. The shape of the sword was peculiar, resembling a spirit snake writhing in the sky.
guǒ rán bù kuì shì zhù jī hòu qī de gāo shǒu ， yōng yǒu dì bǎo wù pǒ wèi bù fán ， ér qiě zhè jiàn de xíng zhuàng yě pǒ wèi guài yì ， jū rán yǒu rú yī kǒu líng shé ， zài tiān kōng niǔ dòng bù zhǐ 。
果然不愧是筑基后期的高手，拥有地宝物颇为不凡，而且这剑的形状也颇为怪异，居然有如一口灵蛇，在天空扭动不止。
"Go!"
“ qù ！”
“去！”
Hu Fan's voice rang out, and the flying sword transformed into a silver streak, hurtling towards Lin Xuan.
hú fán kǒu zhōng yī shēng qīng chì ， fēi jiàn dùn shí huà wèi yī lǚ yín guāng ， xiàng zhe lín xuān hū xiào ér qù 。
胡凡口中一声轻叱，飞剑顿时化为一缕银光，向着林轩呼啸而去。
Lin Xuan showed no signs of panic as he reached out lightly with his hand. The round shield moved from above his head to in front of him.
miàn duì duì fāng de gōng jī ， lín xuān liǎn shàng méi yǒu sī háo huāng zhāng zhī yì 。 qīng qīng shēn shǒu yī zhāo ， nà yuán dùn jiù cóng tóu dǐng yí dào le shēn qián 。
面对对方的攻击，林轩脸上没有丝毫慌张之意。轻轻伸手一招，那圆盾就从头顶移到了身前。
Essence energy poured in, causing the shield to spin before rapidly expanding its diameter to over ten feet, fully shielding Lin Xuan's body.
fǎ lì zhù rù ， yuán dùn dī liū liū yí gè pán xuán zhī hòu tǐ xíng bào zhǎng ， zhí jìng biàn dé yǒu yī zhàng lái zhǎng ， dùn shí jiāng lín xuān dì zhěng gè shēn tǐ ， quán dōu dǎng zhù 。
法力注入，圆盾滴溜溜一个盘旋之后体型暴涨，直径变得有一丈来长，顿时将林轩地整个身体，全都挡住。
However, a faint smile appeared on Hu Fan's face as he watched Lin Xuan's expression, as if looking at a corpse.
rán ér hú fán de liǎn shàng ， què shǎn guò yī sī bù yì chá jué de lěng xiào zhī sè ， kàn lín xuān de biǎo qíng ， jiù xiàng shì zài kàn yí gè sǐ rén le 。
然而胡凡的脸上，却闪过一丝不易察觉的冷笑之色，看林轩的表情，就像是在看一个死人了。
In an instant, the silver streak approached the shield but did not clash with it. The sword paused and twisted, seemingly dodging around the shield like a living creature, returning to attack Lin Xuan.
zhǎ yǎn jiān 。 nà yín máng jiù fēi dào le yuán dùn de miàn qián 。 rán ér liǎng jiàn líng qì què bìng wèi hōng rán zhuàng jī ， nà fēi jiàn yī dùn 。 shēn xíng yī niǔ ， jìng xiàng huó wù bān rào guò yuán dùn ， chóng xīn xiàng lín xuān shā qù 。
眨眼间。那银芒就飞到了圆盾的面前。然而两件灵器却并未轰然撞击，那飞剑一顿。身形一扭，竟像活物般绕过圆盾，重新向林轩杀去。
For those meeting each other for the first time, they wouldn't know the mysteries of this Ghost Snake Sword. It was a sentient treasure; a spirit beast's essence resided within, allowing it to act on its own when summoned. Any defensive treasures would avoid it due to the element of surprise. Many cultivators more powerful than him had perished at the hands of such a treasure.
chū cì jiāo shǒu zhī rén ， nǎ zhī dào zì jǐ zhè guǐ shé jiàn de ào miào ， cǐ nǎi tōng líng zhī bǎo ， lǐ miàn yǒu yāo shòu de jīng hún ， gù ér jì chū yǐ hòu ， jiù néng zì jǐ xíng dòng ， shén me fáng yù de líng qì bǎo wù ， tā dū huì zì jǐ duǒ kāi de ， yīn wèi cuò shǒu bù jí ， sǐ zài cǐ bǎo zhī xià bǐ zì jǐ xiū wèi gāo shēn dì xiū shì ， wéi shù yě yǒu bù shǎo ， gèng bié tí yǎn qián yí gè shén me yě bù dǒng de cài niǎo 。
初次交手之人，哪知道自己这鬼蛇剑的奥妙，此乃通灵之宝，里面有妖兽的精魂，故而祭出以后，就能自己行动，什么防御的灵器宝物，它都会自己躲开的，因为措手不及，死在此宝之下比自己修为高深地修士，为数也有不少，更别提眼前一个什么也不懂的菜鸟。
With a whoosh, the Ghost Snake Sword seemed about to pierce Lin Xuan's body, but suddenly, black fog surged out and enveloped the youth. "Huh?"
sōu de yī shēng ， yǎn kàn nà guǐ shé jiàn jiù yào zhā zài lín xuān de shēn shàng ， kě tū rán yī piàn hēi wù yǒng chū ， jiāng shào nián de shēn xíng bāo guǒ 。“ yí ？”
嗖的一声，眼看那鬼蛇剑就要扎在林轩的身上，可突然一片黑雾涌出，将少年的身形包裹。“咦？”
Hu Fan was surprised; this fog gave off an eerie feeling. Before his thoughts could fully form, the Ghost Snake Sword had already flown into it.
hú fán yǒu xiē yì wài ， zhè wù qì zài méi kàn shàng qù yǒu yī zhǒng guǐ qì sēn sēn de gǎn jué ， niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn wán ， guǐ shé jiàn jiù yǐ jīng fēi le jìn qù 。
胡凡有些意外，这雾气在没看上去有一种鬼气森森的感觉，念头尚未转完，鬼蛇剑就已经飞了进去。
"Why play such tricks?"
“ gù nòng shén me xuán xū ？”
“故弄什么玄虚？”
---
hú fán náo le náo tóu pí ， qū qū yì diǎn zhàng yǎn fǎ jiù xiǎng yào duǒ bì zì jǐ de gōng jī ， xiū xiǎng ， zhè guǐ shé jiàn jiù suàn shì yī xiē jiǎn dān de jìn zhì yě kě yǐ pò qù 。
胡凡挠了挠头皮，区区一点障眼法就想要躲避自己的攻击，休想，这鬼蛇剑就算是一些简单的禁制也可以破去。
Hu Fan scratched his head. A mere障眼法 could not evade his attack. He wouldn't allow it; even simple restrictions couldn't stop this Ghost Snake Sword.
tā de zuǐ jiǎo guà zhe lěng xiào ， kě hěn kuài nà xiào róng jiù jiāng huà le qǐ lái 。
他的嘴角挂着冷笑，可很快那笑容就僵化了起来。
A cold smile played on his lips, but soon, that smile froze as he saw the fog enveloping Lin Xuan. The Ghost Snake Sword seemed to sink into a sea of black mist without causing any ripples. Gradually, beads of sweat appeared on Hu Fan's forehead; something was very wrong.
guǐ shé jiàn fēi jìn hēi wù hòu jiù rú tóng ní liú rú hǎi ， méi yǒu xiān qǐ yī sī bō lán ， jiàn jiàn dì ， hú fán de é tóu shàng chū xiàn le yī céng xì mì de hàn dī ， yǒu yī zhǒng hěn bù miào de gǎn jué 。
鬼蛇剑飞进黑雾后就如同泥流如海，没有掀起一丝波澜，渐渐地，胡凡的额头上出现了一层细密的汗滴，有一种很不妙的感觉。
His eyes flashed with a sinister look before his hands rapidly changed spell techniques. However, his expression grew increasingly grim as the connection between the Ghost Snake Sword and his divine sense was severed.
tā yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yīn lì zhī sè ， suí jí shuāng shǒu lián lián biàn huàn fǎ jué ， kě biǎo qíng què yuè lái yuè nán kàn ， guǐ shé jiàn yǔ zì jǐ shén shí de lián xì jū rán bèi qiē duàn 。
他眼中闪过一丝阴厉之色，随即双手连连变幻法诀，可表情却越来越难看，鬼蛇剑与自己神识的联系居然被切断。
How could this be?
zěn me kě néng ？
怎么可能？
The other party was merely an early-stage 筑基 cultivator—how did he possess such formidable power?
duì fāng ， míng míng shì yí gè zhù jī chū qī de xiǎo zi ， rú hé huì yǒu zhè me liǎo bù qǐ de wēi néng ？
对方，明明是一个筑基初期的小子，如何会有这么了不起的威能？
Hu Fan's heart raced with panic, but everything that happened before him seemed unbelievable. Or rather, he didn't want to believe it.
hú fán xīn zhōng huáng jí ， kě yǎn qián fā shēng de yī qiè yòu ràng tā bù néng zhì xìn 。
胡凡心中惶急，可眼前发生的一切又让他不能置信。
With a rumble, the fog dispersed, revealing Lin Xuan standing unharmed beside a giant ghost hand, likely formed from the fog. The Ghost Snake Sword was held in its palm.
huò zhě shuō shì bù yuàn yì xiāng xìn 。
或者说是不愿意相信。
The sword's surface flickered with blue lightning, struggling to break free.
hōng lōng lóng ， wù qì yī zhèn fān yǒng xiàng liǎng biān sàn qù ， zhǐ jiàn lín xuān wán hǎo wú sǔn de zhàn zài nà lǐ ， zài tā páng biān ， yǒu yī zhī shù zhàng zhǎng dì jù dà guǐ shǒu ， yīng gāi shì yóu wù qì huàn huà ér chéng dì ， nà guǐ shé jiàn ， jiù bèi guài shǒu wò zài zhǎng xīn zhī zhōng 。
轰隆隆，雾气一阵翻涌像两边散去，只见林轩完好无损的站在那里，在他旁边，有一只数丈长地巨大鬼手，应该是由雾气幻化而成地，那鬼蛇剑，就被怪手握在掌心之中。
Lin Xuan looked calmly over his shoulder and said, "This sword is good; I'll take it."
jiàn de biǎo miàn ， bù shí shǎn dòng lán sè diàn hú ， tiào dòng bù zhǐ ， xiǎn rán xiǎng yào cóng guài shǒu zhōng zhèng tuō chū qù 。
剑的表面，不时闪动蓝色电弧，跳动不止，显然想要从怪手中挣脱出去。
He then extended his right hand, encased in a faint green glow, and snatched the Ghost Snake Sword. The ghostly hand also dissipated.
"How could you possibly discern my Transformation Talisman? It contains a初级 Earth-stage Spell!"
"Earth-stage Spell?" Lin Xuan's brows lifted involuntarily. He remembered back over a decade ago, when he was still a small disciple at the Flexible Spirit Period, how excited he had been to master the Ice Needle Technique because its power could rival that of high-stage spells.
Back then, he thought spells came in only three levels—初级, 中级, and 高级—and were used by disciples at the灵动期 and 筑基期. He believed that those with 成丹后期 mastery, due to their possession of magical treasures, would disdain such spells.
But after successfully reaching the 筑基 stage, or more accurately, obtaining the Jade Cylinder containing the Nine Heaven Profound Art, he realized this understanding was fundamentally wrong.
Spells were a simple and practical means for cultivators. They could be used both offensively and defensively without needing to rely on other mediums; they required only the mobilization of one's essence energy.
This art was vast and profound; it certainly didn't stop at the 筑基 stage. Even 成丹后期 experts often employed spells as a significant supplement to their magical treasures.
Spells naturally weren't limited to just three levels—初级, 中级, 高级.
More accurately, they were divided into Heaven, Earth, and Human grades, with each grade further subdivided into 初级, 中级, and 高级 for a total of nine tiers.
Disciples at the灵动期 and 筑基期 used 人阶 spells, while 成丹后期 and 元婴期 experts utilized 地阶...
In fact, not only were there different spell techniques, but even talismans came in various grades. The talismans Lin Xuan had previously encountered were all of the 人阶 level, with more powerful 地阶 and Heaven-stage ones existing as well.
Of course, their creation was much more complex, and they were rarely sold in markets. Once revealed, they invariably required a vast number of crystal stones.
The transformation into stone that Hu Fan just performed used a初级 Earth-stage Spell called Transformation Technique. This advanced skill could only be learned by 成丹后期 experts, so naturally, only those at the same stage could discern it. But this kid...
A murderous aura flashed across Lin Xuan's face; he would not answer his question. After all, it was just a lucky guess.
He hadn't expected someone to actually possess an Earth-stage talisman!
Fortunately, his divine sense far surpassed that of his peers and was now barely on par with 成丹初期 experts. Otherwise, the consequences could have been unimaginable!
---
Without any preparation, being hit by a Thunder Spell would surely result in severe injuries at the very least.
"Kid, if you don't want to talk, fine. Meeting me is your bad luck!" Hu Fan's face twisted into a grimace. Although Lin Xuan had discerned his Transformation Technique, it made him somewhat uneasy. After all, he was just an early-stage 筑基 cultivator. With his abilities, eliminating him should be easy.
Since the other party came for the trading fair, he must have quite a bit of wealth on him—time to make some gains!
With this thought, a cruel expression flashed across his face. He opened his mouth and spat out a silver flying sword. An顶级灵器!
Indeed, it was no wonder that an advanced-stage 筑基 cultivator possessed such valuable treasures. The shape of the sword was peculiar, resembling a spirit snake writhing in the sky.
"Go!"
Hu Fan's voice rang out, and the flying sword transformed into a silver streak, hurtling towards Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan showed no signs of panic as he reached out lightly with his hand. The round shield moved from above his head to in front of him.
Essence energy poured in, causing the shield to spin before rapidly expanding its diameter to over ten feet, fully shielding Lin Xuan's body.
However, a faint smile appeared on Hu Fan's face as he watched Lin Xuan's expression, as if looking at a corpse.
In an instant, the silver streak approached the shield but did not clash with it. The sword paused and twisted, seemingly dodging around the shield like a living creature, returning to attack Lin Xuan.
For those meeting each other for the first time, they wouldn't know the mysteries of this Ghost Snake Sword. It was a sentient treasure; a spirit beast's essence resided within, allowing it to act on its own when summoned. Any defensive treasures would avoid it due to the element of surprise. Many cultivators more powerful than him had perished at the hands of such a treasure.
With a whoosh, the Ghost Snake Sword seemed about to pierce Lin Xuan's body, but suddenly, black fog surged out and enveloped the youth. "Huh?"
Hu Fan was surprised; this fog gave off an eerie feeling. Before his thoughts could fully form, the Ghost Snake Sword had already flown into it.
"Why play such tricks?"
---
Hu Fan scratched his head. A mere障眼法 could not evade his attack. He wouldn't allow it; even simple restrictions couldn't stop this Ghost Snake Sword.
A cold smile played on his lips, but soon, that smile froze as he saw the fog enveloping Lin Xuan. The Ghost Snake Sword seemed to sink into a sea of black mist without causing any ripples. Gradually, beads of sweat appeared on Hu Fan's forehead; something was very wrong.
His eyes flashed with a sinister look before his hands rapidly changed spell techniques. However, his expression grew increasingly grim as the connection between the Ghost Snake Sword and his divine sense was severed.
How could this be?
The other party was merely an early-stage 筑基 cultivator—how did he possess such formidable power?
Hu Fan's heart raced with panic, but everything that happened before him seemed unbelievable. Or rather, he didn't want to believe it.
With a rumble, the fog dispersed, revealing Lin Xuan standing unharmed beside a giant ghost hand, likely formed from the fog. The Ghost Snake Sword was held in its palm.
The sword's surface flickered with blue lightning, struggling to break free.
Lin Xuan looked calmly over his shoulder and said, "This sword is good; I'll take it."
He then extended his right hand, encased in a faint green glow, and snatched the Ghost Snake Sword. The ghostly hand also dissipated.