usatvline Chapter 564 - 173: Dramatic Increase in Strength!
Chapter 564 - 173: Dramatic Increase in Strength!
Two months later, inside True Monarch Iron Mountain’s Cave Mansion.
A small azure sword was hovering over Zhou Xun’s head.
It was the "Profound Thunder" Sword, refined anew by True Monarch Iron Mountain, now remarkably at the High-Grade Magical Treasure level.
Looking at the Profound Thunder Sword overhead,
Zhou Xun changed his spell, raised his left hand into a sword gesture, and gently drew a circle, whereupon the sword followed suit.
"Not bad, the control feels quite smooth; though not as effortless as a Lifebound Magical Treasure, it comes pretty close!"
Although Zhou Xun had just entered the Late-Stage Core Formation, theoretically, wielding a High-Grade Magical Treasure should be extremely strained,
but his Inner Core was of Half-Step Golden Core quality, naturally surpassing fellow cultivators in mana strength.
Plus the augmentation from the Celestial Profound Spirit Armor, even compared to a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator, his mana strength might only fall slightly short.
This is why Zhou Xun sought True Monarch Iron Mountain to elevate the Thunder Sword to High-Grade.
Otherwise, no matter how high the treasure quality, if it can’t be wielded, upgrading it would be pointless!
Seeing the exceedingly agile Thunder Sword, Zhou Xun was very pleased.
Thus, he respectfully saluted opposite True Monarch Iron Mountain:
"This time, I must thank you, Daoist Brother!"
With a tone of utmost sincerity.
"Hahaha, as long as you’re satisfied, go ahead and test its power!"
True Monarch Iron Mountain laughed heartily and suggested.
"I indeed have such an idea, but what grade of Spirit Iron can withstand the test of this High-Grade Magical Treasure?"
"I do have Tier Three High-Grade Spirit Iron in hand, but I’m afraid it’ll be easily destroyed with a light strike!" Zhou Xun sighed slightly,
Never thought he’d ever have to worry about the treasure’s power being too strong.
At that moment, True Monarch Iron Mountain smiled and spoke:
"I am a Tier Four Refiner, how could I not prepare something to test the treasure!"
"Daoist Brother, do you have Tier Four Spirit Iron specifically for testing treasures?" Zhou Xun’s heart rejoiced before realizing.
Indeed, True Monarch Iron Mountain is a Tier Four Refiner, how could he not have prepared such an item?
Then, True Monarch Iron Mountain patted his waist, a flash of light, transforming into a several-foot-thick piece of Tier Four Spirit Iron, already marked with many treasure attack marks.
"Go ahead!"
"Boom!"
Saying so, True Monarch Iron Mountain placed the Spirit Iron on the ground, making a dull sound and kicking up dust.
Zhou Xun followed the suggestion,
only to see him form a spell with his hands, gently pointing his fingers at the Spirit Iron.
"Go!"
The Profound Thunder Sword "whistled" as it became a shadow, crossing several yards instantly and firmly stabbing into the Spirit Iron.
"Ding!"
A crisp collision sound emerged, followed by a ripple of force scattering, only stopping upon hitting a light curtain.
This was the array True Monarch Iron Mountain activated in advance to protect the Cave Mansion.
Otherwise, possibly the whole Cave Mansion would have been destroyed by Zhou Xun’s strike!
"Brother Zhou, this strike vaguely reaches the Nascent Soul Stage!"
"Really envy you and Brother Ji, Half-Step Golden Core quality; no wonder you can fight across levels!"
True Monarch Iron Mountain couldn’t help but exclaim.
Then, he slightly hooked his finger.
That block of Spirit Iron flew up together with the Profound Thunder Sword lodged within, hovering before True Monarch Iron Mountain and Zhou Xun.
Zhou Xun glanced sharply,
"Oh!"
The Profound Thunder Sword had directly penetrated eight inches into the Spirit Iron!
"Ordinarily, an Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator could penetrate this Spirit Iron one foot with a strike; Brother Zhou, your strike already has 80% potency, suggesting you have fighting capability against Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators!"
Mind you, this was just a normal display, without using any secret techniques!
"Daoist Brother, let me activate that secret technique for a test!"
"Oh, you actually have an even more formidable means?" True Monarch Iron Mountain was surprised; could it be that his little brother can actually unleash Nascent Soul level attacks?
He immediately became expectant,
"Try again!"
Saying this, he tossed the Spirit Iron again, letting it steadily rest on the ground.
Zhou Xun nodded, beckoned with his fingers,
"Buzz!"
The Profound Thunder Sword buzzed, suddenly flying out from the Spirit Iron, spinning above Zhou Xun’s head.
Seeing Zhou Xun change spells, muttering incantations, suddenly a spirit light struck, hitting the Profound Thunder Sword precisely.
"Sword Shadow Unification"
Zhou Xun cried softly.
Suddenly, eighty-one Sword Shadows appeared from nowhere, swirling around Zhou Xun.
"Sword Light Technique, this... isn’t this a method only used by high-tier Sword Cultivators?" Witnessing this, True Monarch Iron Mountain was greatly astounded.
Just from the momentum, it was already equal to Nascent Soul cultivators!
However, something even more surprising occurred,
as Zhou Xun changed spells again, these Sword Lights surprisingly merged one by one into the Profound Thunder Sword, each merger increased the sword’s momentum!
All eighty-one merged, doubling the momentum!
The whole sword grew extremely bright, resembling a Light Sword,
its body quivering slightly, emitting a light buzzing sound, as if the Thunder Sword was singing loudly!
"Sure enough, the High-Grade level Thunder Sword can easily withstand the third tier of the Sword Shadow Unification Secret Technique!"
Seeing this, Zhou Xun nodded secretly, next is to see to what level its power could rise!
"Go!"
Zhou Xun gently pointed at the block of Spirit Iron!
The Profound Thunder Sword transformed into blue streaks, like tearing through the sky, shooting forward fiercely!
"Whoosh——"
The Sword Light shot straight in, the four-foot sword body almost half sunk!
True Monarch Iron Mountain held the Spirit Iron, his face showing a hint of shock.
This sword scar was clearly the deepest on the Spirit Iron, almost two feet in depth,
which meant Zhou Xun’s strike had power exceeding the typical Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator!
Even he might not be able to match it!
"Could it be, my current strength is actually inferior to this young brother Zhou Xun!"
True Monarch Iron Mountain couldn’t help but have an absurd thought!
"Daoist Brother, how is it?" At this time, Zhou Xun’s voice interrupted True Monarch Iron Mountain’s reverie!
He just closed his slightly open mouth, then remarked with emotion,
"Younger Brother Zhou, just looking at the power of this strike, you’ve already surpassed me. Once you breakthrough to Nascent Soul, it seems another True Monarch Tianci is in the making!"
"Daoist Brother flatters me; it’s all thanks to your help!" Zhou Xun bowed again,
hearing True Monarch Iron Mountain’s words, Zhou Xun finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled!
"I finally have an additional trump card!"
All things considered, along with the Purple Sky True Thunder Array, he now had two Nascent Soul Stage methods!
...
"This Thunder Sword has such strong power, let’s see your Extreme Blade!" True Monarch Iron Mountain said expectantly.
It’s worth noting, the Thunder Sword was just one of the treasures he crafted!
"Sure!"
Zhou Xun flipped his hand, a short blade of faint golden color appeared in his hand, slowly infusing mana,
the Extreme Blade emitted a faint golden knife light!
Zhou Xun slowly approached the piece of Tier Four Spirit Iron, raised the Extreme Blade, and stabbed fiercely!
"Pfft——"
Accompanied by a faint sound, the knife body of the short blade entirely sunk into the Spirit Iron without any obstruction!
"Geng Metal truly deserves its reputation as the sharpest spirit material in the Human Realm, just a pea-sized particle can be so sharp!"
"With this blade in hand, a typical Tier Four Treasure won’t stop your pierce!"
True Monarch Iron Mountain was awestruck, and couldn’t help but feel envious of Zhou Xun’s good fortune.
It’s worth knowing, even Top-Grade Spiritual Treasures rarely have the fortune to add Geng Metal as a material.
"What Daoist Brother said is indeed so!"
Zhou Xun was extremely pleased, and with a thought, he said to the opposite True Monarch Iron Mountain,
"Please Daoist Brother cast a spell and summon a Tier Four Shield!"
The previous Extreme Blade was the nemesis of the Body Protection Light Shield, capable of breaking it instantly, Zhou Xun wanted to test its effect against the Body Protection Light Shield of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.
True Monarch Iron Mountain naturally agreed, then formed a seal with his hands and pointed forward,
only to see a flash of Spirit Light, a red translucent shield rose, enveloping the piece of Spirit Iron within!
Upon seeing this, Zhou Xun gently raised the Extreme Blade, and stabbed into it once again!
"Whoosh——"
A sound like a leaking balloon, the shield was effortlessly pierced by the Extreme Blade!
Zhou Xun was greatly delighted to see this!
"Indeed, the Body Protection Light Shield of an Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator cannot stop this Extreme Blade!"
"It seems this third Nascent Soul level method is the Extreme Blade!"
True Monarch Iron Mountain beside him was utterly shocked, feeling a chill on the back of his neck!
He didn’t expect the Extreme Blade to have such effects; if an enemy wielded this blade and snuck up on him,
wouldn’t he be easily slaughtered?
It might be no different from killing a chicken!
But fortunately, Nascent Soul Cultivators have the ability of Nascent Soul Emergence, not so easily destroyed, which reassured him slightly.
Zhou Xun naturally thought of this too!
"It seems to kill Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators, a way to seal the space must be found!"
After Nascent Soul Emergence, they can instantly teleport!
"Brother, if you combine this Extreme Blade with the Instant Teleportation Technique, none can rival!"
True Monarch Iron Mountain came to his senses after a long while, and remarked.
He was very grateful the owner of this treasure was his friend.
"Daoist Brother overpraises me!"
Zhou Xun clasped his hands respectfully, then discussed some cultivation tips and taboos with True Monarch Iron Mountain,
True Monarch Iron Mountain is a Nascent Soul Cultivator, although his cultivation and techniques were different from Zhou Xun, as fellow Qi Refiners of the Human Race,
with great insight, he offered many suggestions to Zhou Xun, which were immensely beneficial to him!
Afterwards, Zhou Xun didn’t linger long, bid farewell to True Monarch Iron Mountain, and returned to Celestial Talisman Island.
...
Meanwhile, within the forbidden land of the South Abyss Race, several million miles away from Celestial Talisman Island,
a wholly pitch-black Flood Dragon roared towards the heavens!
This was the young son of the South Abyss Demon Emperor, the Ink Flood Dragon, Black Island Demon King, almost slain by Zhou Xun!
Only to see above its head ten thousand feet high, dark clouds gathered densely, arcs of thunder flickering, carrying a formidable pressure, as if facing the whole world!
If anyone knowledgeable was here, they would know this is the Demon Race crossing the Transformation Thunder Tribulation!
"Human Wang Lin, I will definitely succeed in my tribulation today!"
"Once I achieve Demon Emperor, I will come for you!"
Just then!
"Crackle——"
A tribulation thunder, water-barrel thick, descended from the sky, striking at the Ink Flood Dragon!
The Ink Flood Dragon was fearless, repeatedly roaring, charging towards the heavenly thunder...