Arc 15: Heavenly Secret Realm | Chapter 290: Falling Like Rain

Arc 15: Heavenly Secret Realm | Chapter 290: Falling Like Rain

Xu Ziqing quickly realized this and couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. They were heading towards the sword-shaped wood, yet his Shixiong chose this moment to make a scene, truly a lapse in his consideration. With Xi Lin and the others not far away, if he continued to tug at his Shixiong, wouldn’t it just allow them to see? What was he to do in this situation?

Before he could think much further, he saw the dark mist expanding from Yun Lie’s deep black pupils, filling his eye sockets in an instant, threatening to turn him into that figure back in the inheritance place!

Now, those seeking the sword-shaped wood included not only in Golden Core stages but also Nascent Soul ancestors mingling among them, and perhaps even more powerful beings. If his Shixiong truly revealed his demonic aura, it would undoubtedly draw attention! In that case, all his previous efforts to cover for his Shixiong would have been in vain! His thoughts were jumbled, and Xu Ziqing couldn’t come up with a solution in that moment.

As Yun Lie’s demonic thoughts grew stronger, pain radiated from his wrist, as if it might break at any moment.

Taking a deep breath, he moved closer to Yun Lie and whispered, “Shixiong, just endure for a moment. Once we reach the sword-shaped wood, there will surely be great benefits...” Xu Ziqing still wanted to persuade Yun Lie, but as soon as he moved, he found himself firmly restrained, unable to shift even slightly.

He secretly understood that this was precisely when his Shixiong was about to lose control, and he could not afford to provoke him any further. After quickly weighing the pros and cons in his heart, he finally made a decision. Since his Shixiong was unwilling to part ways, he would have to let him go along. With his Shixiong’s help, perhaps they could quickly obtain that spirit medicine.

Then they could search for the sword-shaped leaves on the sword-shaped wood, which would not necessarily be left out...

Having made up his mind, Xu Ziqing intended to communicate with Xi Lin.

Although Yun Lie and Xu Ziqing were also invited by Xuan Ze, Xi Lin was Xuan Ze’s trusted aide, so this action would primarily be led by Xi Lin.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, Xu Ziqing suddenly felt his body grow heavy, as if he were a mere mortal, unable to float in midair. Yun Lie held him tightly, and he too fell straight down. A series of dull thuds rang out as the surrounding people fell like rain.

Xu Ziqing quickly landed on the ground, feeling a tingling in his feet. Yun Lie stood by his side, still holding onto him, but he seemed unhurt. Xu Ziqing felt relieved and looked around, seeing that no one could remain airborne; regardless of their cultivation level, they were all being pulled down.

Shortly after, many people exclaimed:

“I can’t move my true essence!”

“I am the same; I don’t know what the reason is!”

“This place is quite strange!”

“Could it be that the sword-shaped wood is playing tricks?”

However, the many cultivators were seasoned individuals who had seen many strange things in this secret treasure; now they were merely somewhat surprised, but not overly frightened.

Xu Ziqing had previously experienced the feeling of becoming a mortal in the place of the Luofu Zhenren’s inheritance, and now experiencing it again, he didn’t find it particularly taxing.

Xi Lin and the others quickly approached and reunited with the two brothers. They were clearly also restrained in their true essence, so their subsequent actions would need to be discussed again.

Xi Lin said, “We originally intended to take advantage of the chaos, but now that everyone has lost their cultivation, it may not be easy.”

Xu Ziqing deeply agreed. Previously, they only needed to act discreetly while others competed, but in the current situation, if anyone attempted to do something, the onlookers outside would certainly not miss it.

After some discussion, everyone decided to temporarily set aside the matter of seeking the spirit medicine.

Since this was the root place of the sword-shaped wood, the trials set here must be related to the cultivators’ swordsmanship. It would be wise to wait a moment longer and act according to the situation.

Within a short time, several more people fell victim to the worms. Those remaining had already failed several times but now knew how to kill the worms.

In an instant, countless sword energies erupted, causing the sharpness around the sword-shaped tree to intensify further.

With their newfound methods of protection, the crowd quickly climbed upward.

Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie were extremely close, climbing almost shoulder to shoulder, arm to arm. Xu Ziqing, knowing his inner spiritual energy was limited, used the Qingyun Needle with great caution, unwilling to waste even the slightest amount. Yun Lie, meanwhile, emitted just two strands of sword energy—one to kill the worms around him and another to support the Qingyun Needle, ensuring the worms could not get close to Xu Ziqing.

Xi Lin and his three companions were also being very careful. With a heavy responsibility on their shoulders, their minds were calm and focused.

As they climbed higher, the resentful worms grew denser. Just as they were about to reach the first branch, the worms began to devour each other, twisting together into a long, snake-like form.

Anyone bitten by this “snake” would lose their soul with just one bite!

Xu Ziqing’s Qingyun Needle grew sharper, but he was well aware that at this rate, his spiritual energy would soon be depleted. If he didn’t retreat in time, he would end up being devoured by the resentful worms.

By this time, dozens of people had already been bitten by the resentful snake, falling one by one. As the snake devoured more souls, its resentment grew stronger, making it increasingly difficult to handle.

Suddenly, a resentful snake as thick as an arm lunged at Xu Ziqing, aiming to bite his arm!

Xu Ziqing reacted quickly, thrusting the Qingyun Needle toward the snake’s head. Although the snake reared in pain, after a brief spasm, it appeared unaffected and continued its attack.

Yun Lie let out a cold snort, and a strip of white light shot out like a sharp beam, slicing through the snake’s head! The power of this attack far surpassed ordinary sword energy—it was nearly as solid as a true sword gang.

Xu Ziqing’s swordsmanship was still insufficient. The sword intent contained within his Qingyun Needle was secondary, and its sharpness was far from enough. Even when it struck the resentful snake, it failed to kill it. At this point, he realized that continuing upward would be extremely difficult for him.

Caught in a dilemma, Yun Lie suddenly said, “Since you can’t endure it, I will carry you.”

Xu Ziqing was taken aback, but immediately responded, “Very well.” Though he didn’t want to be a burden to his Shixiong, under the current circumstances, it was more important to keep Yun Lie calm.

Xu Ziqing put away the Qingyun Needle and drew upon his remaining spiritual energy to summon a blood-red vine. This time, summoning Rongjin, his life-bound wood, consumed much less energy than using other wood-based techniques, making it easier for him.

Rongjin stretched out its tendrils, sensing the sharpness in the surroundings, and shrank back slightly.

Xu Ziqing was startled. “Rongjin, are you afraid?”

Rongjin transmitted its thoughts, saying, “Mother, mother... it’s extremely firm... once I mature, won’t be afraid.”

Xu Ziqing breathed a little easier, knowing that this rare wood was just as precious as Rongjin. If he could obtain it as secondary wood, it should help balance his internal energy. He calmed the demonic vine and then flipped his body, using it to securely bind himself to Yun Lie’s back.

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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