Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

Chapter 564 - 564: Sneak Attack

Chapter 564: Sneak Attack

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Hundreds of miles away, Xu Wucheng’s figure turned into a shadow, constantly flickering in mid-air, sometimes diving into the depths of the sea.

But no matter how Xu Wucheng dodged and evaded, there were always two figures relentlessly attacking him, while another lurked on the periphery, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Xu Wucheng struggled to defend himself, occasionally managing to knock one of his assailants away, but immediately the one on the periphery would seize the chance, leaving a huge wound on Xu Wucheng’s body.

Xu Wucheng’s strength was extraordinary, just a step away from the pinnacle of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

However, there was no such thing as “half-step pinnacle of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm” in the realm. Many cultivators in the later stages of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm were actually only a short distance away from the pinnacle.

But it was this slight distance that held them back, preventing further cultivation.

Xu Wucheng was in a similar situation. However, several years ago, he had a fortuitous encounter deep under the sea, where he discovered a spiritual plant.

At the time, Xu Wucheng couldn’t determine the exact grade of this spiritual plant, but after consuming it, the elemental energy in his body, based on the late Combined Aperture Tempering realm, became slightly purer once again.

For cultivators in the later stages of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, the Combined Apertures in their bodies must collapse three times, with each collapse purifying the elemental energy within.

During the third collapse, the size of the Combined Apertures reverted to the initial state when he first broke through to the initial stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, even though he had officially entered the later stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

It was rumored that with top-tier techniques from the top ten powers, during the third collapse of Combined Apertures, the purity of the Combined Apertures could be reduced to a level even smaller than the initial harmonization.

This was a closely guarded secret and the basis for the techniques of the top ten powers to reach the pinnacle of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm. Without this foundation, while it wasn’t impossible to reach the pinnacle of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm from other stages, it would undoubtedly be much more difficult.

For many years, Xu Wucheng had been continuously exploring the path to the pinnacle of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm because his Combined Apertures met this foundational requirement.

Therefore, to some extent, Xu Wucheng at this moment resembled the late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators from those top powers in certain aspects.

It was precisely because of this that Xu Wucheng was able to withstand the siege from three late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators for such a long time.

However, one’s fists were no match for four hands, and Xu Wucheng’s strength did not completely surpass any of them. After enduring for so long, he finally reached a point where he could no longer hold on.

Xu Wucheng’s expression was as calm as water. He hadn’t expected that, surrounded by numerous sea monsters, he could still come and go safely and even obtain crucial intelligence.

On his way back to the Sea Dominion City, Xu Wucheng was ambushed and killed by fellow human warriors, which was indeed an extremely ironic turn of events.

However, Xu Wucheng didn’t rebuke or erupt in anger.

In this world, interests were paramount, not just for ordinary humans but especially for warriors.

These late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators on the opposite side would rather become traitors and collude with sea monsters, indicating that the sea monsters must have offered them even greater benefits to betray their own kind.

Perhaps they hadn’t intended for the Thousand Feathers Alliance to fail completely, but they sought to profit from the conflict between the two sides.

As long as they could obtain what they needed, they wouldn’t care about the lives of others. As long as they could live better and continuously improve their cultivation, they were content.

Boom!

With a loud roar, the force sent seawater soaring into the sky, obscuring the crimson sun.

Xu Wucheng’s figure plummeted to the sea like a kite with a broken string, a mist of blood lingering in the air as his breath plummeted.

A wound pierced through from front to back near his heart. With a slight shift in the attack, Xu Wucheng’s heart would have shattered by now.

For a late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator, although a shattered heart wouldn’t lead to immediate death, time was limited. Even though some healing elixirs could mend flesh and bones, the enemy wouldn’t give you the chance.

“You should know, I showed mercy just now!” Kou Wenshi floated in mid-air, looking down at Xu Wucheng, who was being detained below them.

“What, you want me to thank you for sparing my life?” Xu Wucheng laughed loudly.

“With your cultivation level, dying like this would be such a waste. I’ll give you a choice: join us, and you can keep your life!” Kou Wenshi’s face revealed a smirk.

Xu Wucheng’s laughter halted for a moment as he looked at Kou Wenshi and his companions, his eyes narrowing slightly.

No one wants to die if they can help it, especially someone like Xu Wucheng, a powerful late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator.

Xu Wucheng still had decades left until his lifespan reached its limit. During these years, even if he did nothing, he could live comfortably every day.

Wherever he went, he would be treated as an esteemed guest. Even among the top powers, Xu Wucheng would be received with great hospitality.

Moreover, Xu Wucheng still harbored aspirations for reaching the pinnacle of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm. He wanted to ascend to higher levels of martial arts and see what kind of scenery awaited him there.

“How do you want to proceed?” Xu Wucheng’s voice was heavy.

“Hahaha!”

Upon hearing Xu Wucheng’s words, Kou Wenshi burst into laughter, joined by his two companions.

As Kou Wenshi mentioned, it would be a great pity for a late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator to die so easily. If utilized properly, the power of the late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm surpasses countless ordinary Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators.

On an island a hundred miles away, Guo Huasheng’s hands turned into residual images as numerous arrays poured into the array formation ahead, reinforcing its strength.

Boom!

Suddenly, a tremendous roar erupted from the formation. Guo Huasheng’s face paled instantly, and a mist of blood sprayed uncontrollably from his mouth.

Nevertheless, Guo Huasheng did not stop forming hand seals; he continued to reinforce the formation.

With the fluctuation of the surrounding spiritual energy, a tremendous force emanated from the array, and the person within it seemed to be gradually suppressed, as if truly being subdued.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Within the formation, a series of collisions ensued. With each impact, Guo Huasheng’s complexion grew paler, and his aura diminished slightly.

However, despite this, Guo Huasheng’s expression remained unchanged.

Just a little more, just a bit left, and he could suppress the mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator within the formation. Although this suppression could only last for a certain period, Guo Huasheng could fully utilize this time to return to the Sea Dominion City.

With a cultivation at the initial stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, facing off against a mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm opponent, even if unable to achieve a kill, merely enduring such an encirclement was already quite remarkable.

Normally, when a mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm faced off against an initial-stage cultivator, it was only a matter of time before the latter was slain.

*Sneesh!*

The tip of a dagger suddenly pierced through Guo Huasheng’s chest, causing him to pause, looking incredulously at his own chest.

“No wonder they said to spare your life. Such mastery of formations is rare among peers!”

A voice sounded in Guo Huasheng’s ear. Before he could react, he felt intense pain in his sea of consciousness and fell into unconsciousness.

With Guo Huasheng no longer in control, flaws appeared in the formation ahead. Amidst the explosions, a figure dashed out—none other than the mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator who had been besieged earlier.

In order to capture Guo Huasheng alive, two mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators were dispatched.

Guo Huasheng was unaware of the other person and was subdued directly.

On another uninhabited island, Tong Linyun wielded a giant blade, creating a curtain of blades that blocked all incoming attacks.

The momentum of the blade curtain was mighty, each strike filled with immense force, as if intending to cleave through whatever stood in its way.

Even Xu Wucheng couldn’t help but feel that Tong Linyun’s defense was on par with his own in such a short period. One can imagine how formidable Tong Linyun’s defense truly was.

However, constant defense would eventually lead to failure. Tong Linyun’s defense, equivalent to that of a late-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator, could only last for a short time. Faced with the continuous siege of three mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators, Tong Linyun had already held out for a while.

If it were any other mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator facing such a siege, they would have likely collapsed long ago.

Tong Linyun hadn’t collapsed yet, but he couldn’t hold on for much longer.

Tong Linyun’s agility was rather average. Otherwise, relying on such defense, he could have retreated while fighting, with a good chance of returning to the Sea Dominion City.

However, every tool has its limitations. Tong Linyun’s cultivation method predetermined that he would not excel in agility.

Unless he could find a more powerful cultivation method to replace the current one, there would be little hope of overcoming his shortcomings in agility. But top-tier cultivation methods were not something easily found.

Hiss!

The blade cut through the air, emitting a sharp hissing sound. Tong Linyun’s blade suddenly hesitated, revealing a flaw in his defense as a spray of blood blossomed from his right shoulder.

The wound was deep enough to expose the bone, and flesh disappeared as if it had been gnawed away by something in an instant.

Tong Linyun’s face turned pale. His impregnable defense was completely shattered, and flaws began to appear gradually.

As more and more bloodstains appeared on his body, each one revealing bone-deep wounds, Tong Linyun’s defeat was almost inevitable, just a matter of time.

There was no escape, and no way out. The three mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators attacking him showed no intention of offering mercy; their only goal was to slay Tong Linyun where he stood.

“Swift!”

Tong Linyun shouted lowly as a forbidden technique surged within him. The blade in his hand suddenly rose again, forcing the three opponents back momentarily as Tong Linyun took the opportunity to turn and flee.

But soon, Tong Linyun was intercepted again. Liao Minglei, Kang Hongdao, and the third person slowed their attacks, opting not to clash directly.

After a moment, when the effect of the forbidden technique faded, Tong Linyun’s momentum plummeted.

Death came swiftly, in the blink of an eye.

A touch of desolation appeared in Tong Linyun’s eyes. He didn’t kneel, nor did he beg for mercy. Though reluctant, Tong Linyun preferred to leave decisively.

“What a pity!”

Liao Minglei looked at Tong Linyun’s expression, shaking his head slightly. Suddenly, a cold smile crept onto Liao Minglei’s face as his mind stirred. He took a sudden step forward, his figure flashing several meters away.

A sword blade silently pierced the spot where Liao Minglei had just been standing, revealing the figure of Chen Fei.

Turning to face Chen Fei, Liao Minglei smirked, while Kang Hongdao and Zhou Chongyi also looked at Chen Fei with disdain.

Tong Linyun looked at Chen Fei with surprise. She hadn’t expected Chen Fei to come to her rescue. While the gesture was admirable, it seemed rather reckless, considering they were facing three mid-stage Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators!

“Sneak attack?” Liao Minglei sneered. “With such skill, you dare to sneak attack even with just the cultivation level of the initial stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm!”

“You’re underestimating me!”

Chen Fei nodded. Sneak attacks weren’t his style, at least not until the Profound Heavenly Sword reached Great Completion.

Stepping forward, Chen Fei arrived in front of Liao Minglei. The three hidden forbidden techniques that had stopped rotating before were activated once again. A majestic momentum soared into the sky, the roar of dragons and elephants echoing in all directions.

Liao Minglei’s mocking expression froze in place..