Aspiring to the Immortal Path

Chapter 537: The Black Tortoise's Essence Blood

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The Great Dao Diagram created by the twelve circling Dao Diagrams was dizzying and incomprehensible, but when Tang Jie looked at them now, he could see the principles of the Great Daos and comprehend the truth. Many questions that left him hopelessly puzzled unraveled before him.

Cang Qingfeng's Diagram of the Twelve Daos wasn't a proper spell art, but a method of using Dao Wills to exert the power of the laws of the world. It was a Dao Art, but it was of the very lowest level.

Before this, Tang Jie had never even heard of Dao Arts before, only spell arts and Divine Connections. Cang Qingfeng had unquestionably showed him a whole new world.

If he could truly enter the Daos, or control the Daos, this Dao Art could blast apart the world, exceeding Divine Connections.

But right now, while all the Twelve Great Daos were present, he had only their basic form, and it was inferior to most Divine Connections. In the end, this was because Cang Qingfeng had only breadth and no depth.

Even so, Tang Jie was still intoxicated by what he was seeing.

"Tang Jie, what are you still waiting for?" He Changan angrily growled.

Cang Qingfeng had blasted apart one of his three heads and broken one of his arms. At this time, his other remaining head was spewing flames, one hand unleashed black waves of energy with the halberd, and the other arms were unleashing thunderous punches. Even so, he was being pressed so hard by Cang Qingfeng that he could barely breathe.

The twelve Dao Diagrams were like twelve mountains pressing onto his head. He Changan had a divine strength that could pull up mountains, but not twelve, and he was on the verge of breaking.

Tang Jie focused and turned his gaze back to Cang Qingfeng. He casually said, "My utmost thanks to Godking He for resolving my questions. Tang Jie has developed a basic understanding of the Daos of Slaughter and Destruction."

"Then kill him! Right now, only the Martial Lord's Sovereign Blade merged with the Dao of Destruction can threaten him!"

"Of course," Tang Jie replied.

His golden blade shone as he once more swung it at Cang Qingfeng.

This time, Cang Qingfeng didn't dare to take this attack, jumping away with a howl.

But the golden blade unleashed a sharp wave of energy that rushed at Cang Qingfeng and robbed him of any will to resist.

"Saber intent!" Cang Qingfeng shrieked, and his body instantly turned into a puff of smoke.

This was the only way to deal with the invincible Martial Lord Sovereign Blade.

But a moment later, Tang Jie grunted as he flicked his wrist, and the golden blade suddenly shot at the cloud of smoke below. As it passed through the smoke, it erupted with light, and a moment later, Cang Qingfeng screamed. He reformed in the smoke, and his abdomen now had a savage wound, blood flowing out as black energy lingered, the Realm of Life failing to heal the injury.

"You!" Cang Qingfeng angrily roared.

Tang Jie slowly said, "Nothing can hide from the power of Insight."

While the smoke could be used to evade, it could not hide from the eyes of Insight.

The Sovereign Blade was unbreakable, the saber intent difficult to escape, Destruction countered Life, and Insight meant that there was no hiding.

When the four of them worked together, Tang Jie's attacks became unstoppable, such that even an ancient monster like Cang Qingfeng suffered a heavy blow.

Everyone grew excited upon seeing this, and they shouted, "Kill him!"

But Tang Jie was in no rush, silently calculating.

While he needed to deal with Cang Qingfeng, he also needed to take precautions against Godhead Palace.

There was no problem with killing Cang Qingfeng, but he first had to wear out the people of Godhead Palace some more.

He Changan was still alive, as were Zhu Yun, Ao Chihu, Xu Mingyue, and Nan Ningjiang. Other than Xu Mingyue, everyone had to die.

Since that was the case, he couldn't push Cang Qingfeng too far and had to give him some opportunities.

Thus, after making this attack, he pretended that he had expended all his energy, his face paling as he panted for breath.

As expected of a wily fox who had lived for ten thousand years, Cang Qingfeng realized that he might not be a match if this went on, so he savagely turned on the group and snarled, "You've forced my hand!"

He waved his hand, summoning the suspended Immeasurable Sword back into his hand.

As he had not used the Immeasurable Sword this whole time, most of them had forgotten about it.

But in reality, this sword had been releasing blood mist this entire time. Not only that, as it absorbed the essence blood of the deceased, that crimson fissure was growing larger and larger.

Cang Qingfeng gripped the sword and swung it in the air, and that fissure suddenly widened like the maw of a giant beast. Cang Qingfeng made several hand signs, and that fissure turned into a blood-colored door.

That door seemed to be cast from blood, and the blood on its surface flowed, taking the form of various fiends.

Cang Qingfeng roared, "Come out, fiends of the Blood River!"

As he called out, wailing came from behind the door, and bizarre crimson creatures began to emerge from the door.

They appeared like humans who had had their skin torn off, the fleshy figures dripping with blood that splattered against the ground with a corrosive hiss.

Cang Qingfeng raised the Immeasurable Sword high and pointed it at the group. "Kill them!"

The blood fiends that had emerged from the fissure pounced.

Everyone was alarmed by this sight. At this moment, laughter came from behind the door. "Brother Black Tortoise, in the end, you have to borrow my power?"

This booming and majestic voice shook everyone to their souls.

Even He Changan grimaced, shouting, "The Lord of the Blood River!"

The Lord of the Blood River was one of the strongest existences of the Blood River Domain, an old devil who had lived for countless eons, possessing domineering power and savage majesty. Over Cang Qingfeng's hundreds of lifetimes, other than grasping numerous spell arts, comprehending many Great Daos, and gaining many skills, he had also gotten to know many strong people.

The Lord of the Blood River was one of Cang Qingfeng's old friends.

Cang Qingfeng shouted, "I ran into some problems, but I can handle it! I just need to borrow some Blood River fiends. All you need to do is do as we agreed and help me subdue the Myriad Immortals Cauldron and Deicide Flame!"

"The Immeasurable Sword?"

Cang Qingfeng threw over the Immeasurable Sword.

A giant hand emerged from that crimson door, grabbing the sword.

But a moment later, the Lord of the Blood River angrily rumbled, "Why is it only the blade?"

"I searched all of the world, but I only ever found the blade!"

"The agreement called for the complete Immeasurable Sword. Only the blade is not enough!"

"I searched all of the Rosecloud Domain, but I never found the sheath!"

"No, it's there! I know it!" the Lord of the Blood River rumbled. "Find the rest of it, or else you will only be able to take one of the Myriad Immortals Cauldron and Deicide Flame."

"Fine!" Cang Qingfeng clenched his teeth and agreed.

The large hand moved toward the Deicide Flame.

As the hand of blood approached, the Deicide Flame blazed, burning up the hand. That large hand made from endless blood instantly vanished into steam. But more waters of the Blood River flowed out, sustaining the hand. And then the large hand pushed through the supreme might of the Deicide Flame, grabbing it and then retreating behind the door, leaving behind only the Myriad Immortals Cauldron.

"I've already removed the seal on the Myriad Immortals Cauldron as a reward for the Immeasurable Sword's blade. I will take the Deicide Flame with me, and when you bring me the sheath and hilt, I will give you the Deicide Flame!" The Blood River Lord's rumbling voice came from behind the door, and then swiftly vanished.

"We can't let it get away!" Ao Chihu shouted.

Alas, how could they possibly stop the Lord of the Blood River? In truth, they found it hard to keep themselves alive.

Numerous Blood River Fiends rushed at them. While these were called "fiends", they were actually genuine demons.

The Blood River Domain, just like the Primordial Fog Domain, was a gathering place of fiends and demons. Every time Primordial Fog invaded, the Blood River Domain would raise its banners and join it. This was why He Changan and the others had paled upon learning that a way to the Blood River Domain was being opened.

These demons had savage and bloodthirsty natures, and charged at the humans the moment they arrived. Sharp waves of saber energy sliced across their bodies, but the Blood River Fiends seemed to be unharmed.

They were demons made from the waters of the Blood River, and to attack them was like attacking the Blood River, completely ineffective.

"Use spell arts! Earth and Fire counter them!" He Changan shouted.

The Primordial Fog Calamity that took place every three thousand years had allowed the Great Stellar Chiliocosm to accumulate a great trove of experience in regards to how to deal with demons. Blood River Fiends were difficult to wound with sabers and swords. Only spell arts of Fire and Earth could hurt them.

A moment later, Ao Chihu raised his blazing sword and hacked at one of the Blood River Fiends. The fiend let out a mournful wail as it dissolved into blood energy. But before dying, it splashed large quantities of blood on the sword, and there was a hiss as the blood ate away at the sword, the sound making Ao Chihu wince.

At the same time, Cang Qingfeng chuckled as he shot out.

The Blood River Fiends had greatly reduced the pressure on him, so he rushed up to Nan Ningjiang and shot out a clawed hand.

Nan Ningjiang knew that he was in trouble. He saw Tang Jie coming over to save him, and his arms had recovered by now, so he decided to harden his resolve and create a blockade of energy palms.

Nan Ningjiang bellowed, unleashing all of his spiritual energy in a mighty flood that managed to stop Cang Qingfeng's claw for a brief moment. Tang Jie charged over, but for some reason, he paused for a moment, and then Cang Qingfeng's claw punched through Nan Ningjiang's blockade. His claw turned into a blade, slamming into Nan Ningjiang's barrier and shattering it, after which it plunged into Nan Ningjiang's chest.

A saber flashed, striking Cang Qingfeng's arm, and Cang Qingfeng screeched as he retreated.

But as he fell back, his hand was clutching Nan Ningjiang's heart.

Nan Ningjiang looked down at his chest, and his body swayed for a few moments before dropping to its knees.

He saw Tang Jie chase after Cang Qingfeng.

He knew that Tang Jie had done this on purpose.

He had intentionally let him die at Cang Qingfeng's hands.

Nan Ningjiang wanted to remind everyone to be careful, but when his mouth opened, no words came out.

He was soon engulfed by numerous Blood River Fiends.

Cang Qingfeng was still retreating. He had taken a blow to the arm from Tang Jie's saber in order to kill Nan Ningjiang. He threw out three talismans, which turned into a saber, spear, and sword before attacking Tang Jie. He then took out a golden light talisman to hold the rear for him, after which he lunged at Ao Chihu.

Ao Chihu was much stronger than Nan Ningjiang, so he wasn't afraid of Cang Qingfeng. He chopped with his blazing heavy sword, and even when he was facing down an opponent one tier higher than him, he didn't show the slightest weakness.

Cang Qingfeng laughed and kicked out several times, kicking three Blood River Fiends at Ao Chihu that blocked off his flanks and rear. He himself charged right into Ao Chihu's attack.

Tang Jie's attacks could ignore the Realm of Life because of the Dao of Destruction, but Ao Chihu couldn't infuse his attacks with this Dao. In order to swiftly kill this powerful foe, Cang Qingfeng decided once more to trade injury for injury.

Boom!

The blazing heavy sword hacked into Cang Qingfeng's left shoulder, and if not for his formidable defense, the entire arm would have been lopped off.

Cang Qingfeng produced a dharma wheel, which he savagely jammed into Ao Chihu's chest. As it plunged in, the wheel exploded.

The explosion heartlessly tore through Ao Chihu's abdomen, blasting him away.

But this man was fierce, still alive even after this. Swinging the heavy sword, he furiously roared, "Heavenly Spiral Nine Slayer Sword!"

The sword unleashed a powerful surge of energy at Cang Qingfeng, and at the same time, Zhu Yun's Jade Shattering Claw and Xu Mingyue's Southern Heaven Sword also impacted against Cang Qingfeng's back.

With their lives at stake, everyone was going all-out, ignoring the Blood River Fiends and focusing entirely on Cang Qingfeng. Even Tang Jie stopped holding back, letting out all his Shamblers to hold back the Blood River Fiends. Only Jin Yutang rushed off to the hall entrance, apparently intent on opening the doors and running.

It was impossible for him to fight to the death like this.

"Awooo!" Cang Qingfeng howled in pain. He smashed an elbow into Zhu Yun, used a sword to push back Xu Mingyue, and then stabbed again at Ao Chihu. Ao Chihu raised his left hand and grabbed the sword.

The sword blew up, obliterating his arm.

Ao Chihu's body was now basically hollowed out, and he had also lost his left hand, but he was still alive—still fighting, even. He continued to swing his heavy sword with his right hand at the wound he had made earlier.

Even the Realm of Life couldn't heal indefinitely. Swing after swing of that heavy sword made it almost impossible for Cang Qingfeng to raise his left hand. With a shriek, he raised his right hand, chopping a saber into Ao Chihu's right hand and then detonating it.

Ao Chihu's right arm was destroyed, but while his body swayed, he still stood tall, opening his mouth and spitting flames at Cang Qingfeng.

These flames made Cang Qingfeng yelp as he flicked a talisman onto Ao Chihu's face. Ao Chihu had no arms, so he could only watch as that talisman stuck itself to his face, and he grimaced. "Shit."

Boom!

The talisman exploded, obliterating Ao Chihu's head.

That unyielding body finally tumbled.

At the same time, Tang Jie swung his saber, adding another wound to Cang Qingfeng's body.

Alas, Cang Qingfeng was too vigilant against him, and it was difficult for Tang Jie to deal a lethal blow.

As Cang Qingfeng flew away, he swallowed another pill.

Whatever medicine he was taking had divine effects, and when combined with his Realm of Life, even the wounds inflicted by Tang Jie's Dao of Destruction were rapidly healing.

Cang Qingfeng laughed as he turned his sights on Xu Mingyue.

Xu Mingyue mustered all of her energy and brandished her sword to defend herself.

But this level of defense was pointless against Cang Qingfeng. Cang Qingfeng's arm penetrated through the flurry of swords and pressed against her chest, sending her flying with a single strike.

The only reason she didn't die was that Tang Jie had come just in time. Because of Xu Muyang, Tang Jie didn't slack off when it came to saving her, nor did he try to use her as bait. This meant that Xu Mingyue had escaped death once, but it also meant that Tang Jie had lost an opportunity to add to Cang Qingfeng's wounds.

At this moment, the doors of the hall suddenly opened.

Jin Yutang had finally managed to open the doors.

As light came in from outside, Jin Yutang rushed out without looking back.

A sword was there to welcome him.

Whoosh!

It stabbed into his throat.

Jin Yutang clutched his neck and backed away in disbelief. Standing in front of him were several beautiful figures.

"Deserting in the face of battle? Death!" a cute voice cried out.

A slender hand pressed against his chest, unleashing an explosive energy that surged into his body and gathered around his heart.

And then it detonated.

Blood gushed from Jin Yutang's orifices, and he collapsed to his knees, seemingly not expecting that the other party would actually kill him.

"But I should still thank you for opening the door for us," Xu Miaoran callously said as she drew back her palm.

The door was not easy to open from outside, and they had waited for some time. If Tang Jie hadn't told them that someone would open the door for them, they would have been clueless as to when they would be able to come in.

"Young Lady, who do we kill?" Xian Tao asked.

"Cang Qingfeng," Xu Miaoran replied.

"It doesn't seem like he's going to last for that much longer. If Cang Qingfeng dies, He Changan will be free from the Diagram of the Twelve Daos, and we will be the ones who suffer."

Xu Miaoran replied, "He's not going down that easily. You can never underestimate a turtle who has lived for ten thousand years. Yiyi, Xian Tao, Hong Yuan, and the ghost guard will deal with the Blood River Fiends. Shi Jingzhai, follow me to deal with that old turtle."

Tutu suddenly spotted Cang Qingfeng and shouted, "Young Master! That's my clan's young master!"

"Your former young master." Xu Miaoran, who had already received Tang Jie's message and knew everything, grabbed Tutu and said, "Your current young master is Tang Jie."

"I can't attack my young master!" Tutu shouted.

"Then just wait on the side. It's not like you can fight." Xu Miaoran grabbed it and tied it to her waist, and then she charged at Cang Qingfeng. At the same time, she sowed a large number of beans, and countless bean soldiers charged out at the Blood River Fiends.

The injection of reinforcements instantly had Cang Qingfeng on the back foot.

The appearance of so many new enemies caused despair to appear on Cang Qingfeng's face.

He roared, "Bastards! Bastards! Bastards! You've forced my hand!!! Blaze my Sacred Beast Blood! True Form of the Black Tortoise, manifest!"

He threw his head back and bellowed.

A red light erupted from Cang Qingfeng's body, and the phantom of the dragon turtle reappeared behind his back, but this time, it was much more solid and real. It was a huge ironbacked dragon turtle with a savage python as its tail—none other than the python that Cang Qingfeng had used in battle earlier.

This was the form of the Black Tortoise, a spiritual creature that was a combination of turtle and snake.

This phantom fell on Cang Qingfeng's body, instantly filling him to the brim with majestic power. At that moment, it felt like the Lord of the Blood River had descended again, and everyone paled in shock.

"Watch out! This guy is going all-out!" Tang Jie shouted. Staring at Cang Qingfeng, he muttered, "But it's strange… Since he reincarnated, where did the Sacred Blood come from? Can the essence blood of the Black Tortoise follow one through reincarnation?"

Reincarnation primarily involved retaining one's past memories when reborn.

However, what were demons and beasts in a bygone era could only have their forms in their present lives decided by the species of the present, not what they remembered themselves to be.

Even though Cang Qingfeng was the reincarnation of the Black Tortoise, since he had reincarnated as a human, he appeared as an authentic human. At best, he had the memories of a Black Tortoise, but he shouldn't have had the Sacred Beast's essence blood.

Thus, while countless reincarnations had endowed him with countless experiences, they had caused him to lose his true Black Tortoise bloodline.

In this aspect, Cang Qingfeng actually had ceased to have anything to do with the Black Tortoise a long time ago. All he had was the memories and arts of the Black Tortoise. At best, it was only the soul of the Black Tortoise.

But it now appeared that Tang Jie's understanding was wrong.

The reincarnation of the Black Tortoise still had some of the true blood of the Black Tortoise.

He didn't know how Cang Qingfeng had managed to do it, but he knew that this situation had gotten much worse.

The true Sacred Beasts of High Antiquity were all existences that surpassed Immortal Platform. Even the power contained in their essence blood was far beyond what humans could reach! Even the weakest among them, the Black Tortoise, had been able to surpass Immortal Platform cultivators. Its shackles would only appear on the first reincarnation, after it had lost the true form of the Black Tortoise, and with each subsequent reincarnation, the shackles would get stronger and stronger. If Cang Qingfeng was using the Sacred Blood of the Black Tortoise's True Form, then even if Cang Qingfeng had only recovered a hundredth of his original strength, it was enough to annihilate everyone present.