Chapter 1070

Chapter 1070: Seizing a Head (Part 2)

The strike of the Longyuan Sword was blocked by the protective treasure symbol of the higher-level Golden Core.

This life-saving jade talisman was extremely precious; it could withstand a full-force strike from a peak Golden Core. Although it was a one-time artifact, its value far exceeded that of ordinary durable treasures.

Indeed, it saved its owner’s life.

But only for a fleeting moment.

Wang Chen’s left palm gathered all of his strength.

Dan power, spiritual energy, and spirit force!

During this time, Wang Chen had been consuming fourth-level Xiaojiao meat to strengthen his physique.

Although his physical specific number hadn’t increased, the vast energy absorbed from the Xiaojiao meat had brought his stored spirit force within his body close to its limit.

Compared to body cultivators of the same level, they would have no choice but to admit defeat!

This immense, powerful, and ferocious force surged into the higher-level Golden Core’s body, instantly obliterating his magical defenses and ruthlessly crushing his bones and muscles, inflicting irreparable damage.

The chest of the higher-level Golden Core caved in abruptly, his ribs shattered, and his five organs turned to pulp in an instant.

The accompanying Dan law force shattered his Qi Sea and also crushed his Golden Core.

In an instant, the higher-level Golden Core was sent flying backward before exploding into a massive cloud of blood mist.

His robe, accessories, and storage bag were all reduced to dust alongside him!

[Heavenly Merit +90,000]

Indeed, he was a ninth level Golden Core!

Wang Chen showed no surprise as he withdrew his left palm.

The opponent’s cultivation level was undoubtedly higher than his, but facing Wang Chen, who was utterly relentless, combined with the destructive power of the Five Element Hunyuan Fan, it was only natural for the opponent to meet his end.

However, during this brief exchange, Wang Chen also noticed that while the opponent’s realm surpassed his own, in terms of the depth and purity of dan power, he was still superior.

It was likely that this ninth level Golden Core had only achieved a third or fourth-grade quality.

Reaching the ninth level of Golden Core was already a remarkable feat.

To be honest, Wang Chen found it perplexing why a ninth level Golden Core would engage in shady business like robbery.

He could have easily become a prominent figure in a middle or lower-tier immortal city!

It wasn’t until later that Wang Chen learned that many Golden Cores become stuck at the ninth level, helplessly watching their lifespans dwindle away. For even the slimmest chance of breaking through, they would risk everything.

After all, robbing fellow cultivators was far more profitable than toiling away, and even if not for themselves, gathering resources for family and friends was worthwhile.

Additionally, some higher-level Golden Cores sought to earn spirit stones to purchase longevity treasures.

In such a fiercely competitive environment, monsters and demons naturally emerged!

At this moment, Wang Chen had yet to fully comprehend the ruthlessness of the world of cultivation. Not content with the ninety thousand Heavenly Merit he had just gained, he immediately soared into the sky, riding on his sword light.

Of course, before leaving, Wang Chen didn’t forget to take the small treasure shield that had fallen to the ground.

It was the only spoils from his victory over his opponent.

Ascending to a height of a hundred feet, Wang Chen expanded his divine sense to scan the surroundings.

He was determined to claim a head!

The head of a Golden Core true master was worth tens of thousands of Heavenly Merit points, but it had to be personally severed by him.

In the blink of an eye, Wang Chen detected movement about a dozen miles to the southeast.

There, a fierce battle was raging.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Wang Chen enveloped himself in sword light and shot off like a bolt of lightning.

In less than ten breaths, he reached the scene.

Wang Chen immediately spotted two Golden Core cultivators locked in a fierce battle within a little valley.

One of them was none other than Master Shen!

Master Shen’s opponent was also a mid-level Golden Core, and their clash was so intense that it destroyed a large swath of the surrounding rocks and trees, even igniting flames.

The two were evenly matched, with Master Shen relying on his Chixiao Sword to engage in a fierce duel with his opponent’s treasure, neither side willing to yield.

Seeing this, Wang Chen swiftly formed a spell and pointed at the mid-level Golden Core: “Command!”

Crack!

A bolt of lightning as thick as a water bucket suddenly descended from the heavens, striking the target squarely on the head.

The mid-level Golden Core, already struggling against Master Shen, was caught completely off guard by Wang Chen’s sudden arrival and the Sky Thunder attack. He was nearly torn apart by the force.

His magical shields shattered instantly.

Master Shen, overjoyed, swung his sword and severed the opponent’s right arm.

“Ah!”

A blood-curdling scream echoed through the valley. The severely wounded mid-level Golden Core, in a desperate frenzy, bit his tongue and spat out a mouthful of vital blood, preparing to use the Blood Escape Technique to flee.

The Blood Escape Technique was known to severely damage one’s essence, and no Golden Core cultivator would use it unless absolutely necessary.

But in this dire situation, he had no choice but to use it, even at the cost of his lifespan.

“Freeze!”

However, the seasoned and cunning Master Shen had anticipated this move. He instantly activated a talisman.

The mid-level Golden Core’s body wavered, his movements becoming stiff and sluggish, clearly heavily affected by the talisman.

With a sinister grin, Master Shen prepared to deliver the final blow with his flying sword.

But just as his flying sword descended, the mid-level Golden Core’s head was sent flying into the air.

Wang Chen had struck first!

Master Shen was momentarily stunned, but then he saw Wang Chen nod at him before soaring back into the sky on his sword light.

This left Master Shen puzzled; he had assumed Wang Chen was after the spoils, but Wang Chen had no such intention, simply killing and then leaving.

How strange!

Wang Chen, however, paid no heed to Master Shen’s thoughts. His attention was drawn to the new message that had just appeared in his vision.

[Heavenly Merit +60,000]

Another substantial amount of Heavenly Merit had been added to his tally, bringing his total to one hundred fifty thousand!

He felt a renewed sense of wealth.

Encouraged, Wang Chen prepared to continue his hunt for more heads.

Unfortunately, the other enemies had already fled far away, leaving no further opportunities for him to earn Heavenly Merit.

The main reason was that Huangfu Yongchun and several other Golden Core cultivators feared the bandits might act recklessly in their desperation. They decided against pursuing them, wary of falling into an enemy trap.

The principle of not pursuing a desperate enemy was universally applicable, even in the world of cultivation!

Huangfu Yongchun signaled for everyone to regroup.

“Thank you, fellow travelers, for coming to my aid!”

Master Sun, who had just narrowly escaped death, expressed his gratitude to Wang Chen and the others, saying, “This kindness, I will never forget!”

Huangfu Yongchun shook his head: “You flatter me, fellow traveler.”

Since there were outsiders present, he refrained from mentioning the unity of the Seven Absolutes Alliance and instead asked Master Sun about the details of the incident. After all, the bandit’s strength was formidable and warranted everyone’s caution.

Master Sun quickly swallowed two elixirs and recounted the entire sequence of events in detail.

It turned out that he had teamed up with fellow travelers to gather spiritual herbs in Fulong Mountain. On their way back to the city, they were ambushed, resulting in heavy casualties. Fortunately, one of his teammates had a Golden Core-level defensive formation plate, which allowed them to hold out until Huangfu Yongchun’s rescue arrived.

As for the origins of the bandits, Master Sun knew nothing.

After some discussion, they decided to return to the city to regroup and plan their next steps.