Volume Two: The Weapon Codex Chapter 108: That Young Hero

The appearance of Shanlu filled Shangguan Baozi with an inexplicable sense of fear. The mark left on her by the Spirit Tomb was too deep to fade in just a day or two.

The other party was a presence one level higher than herself, naturally exuding the oppressive aura of a superior. Coupled with the gap in cultivation, Shangguan Baozi didn’t even dare to speak loudly. “Whoever sees it first owns it. I’m about to seal it, so why are you here to snatch it?”

“Simply put, you don’t have the ability to carry the Treasure Basin. If it stays with you, more Spirit Controllers will come looking for trouble. I’m just helping you eliminate future risks.” Shanlu sneered as he looked at the two standing amidst the rubble. Although the Treasure Basin was temporarily sealed, residual magic power resisted, making it impossible to subdue so easily.

Meng Qiaoqiao, frustrated, formed hand seals and summoned a fiery phoenix illusion, spewing flames at Shanlu in an attempt to burn away his threads.

“Fireflies dare not compete with the bright moon!” Shanlu’s threads not only resisted the flames but enveloped them, absorbing all the magic power inside. With this advantage, the threads wrapped around the phoenix, and with a faint sizzle, the fiery illusion vanished.

“Tastes not bad. You come with me then!” More threads emerged from beneath Meng Qiaoqiao’s feet, trying to bind her completely. At her weakest moment, she could barely muster enough power to resist the entanglement.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze brushed past. Shanlu stepped back swiftly as a sharp sword aura sliced through the threads, breaking the encirclement around Meng Qiaoqiao. At the same time, a golden light formation enveloped Shanlu, and a loud shout came from the direction of Gold and Silver Island: “By urgent decree! Eight-Gate Golden Light Formation!”

Li Jue formed hand seals and rapidly chanted incantations. The golden light intensified wave after wave, their circular glow weakening the spiritual energy around Shanlu. No matter how strange the threads were, they were still a form of magic method.

“Trash like you are useless no matter how many come! Threads fill the sky!” Clearly, the Spirit Controller’s power was concentrated in these white threads. Thicker strands began resisting the golden light formation from within, pushing outward to withstand the attack. Li Jue welcomed this straightforward battle of magical might.

This allowed Liu Xiaoyi to buy time to rescue the two girls.

Descending from the sky, Liu Xiaoyi landed before Shangguan Baozi. His Daoist robe billowed in the wind as he held the Green Radiance Sword, releasing sword intent.

The faint sword intent he had gleaned from a sword-shaped necklace manifested into an unparalleled momentum, fracturing the mine shaft inch by inch. Cracks spread beneath his feet, causing tremors that disturbed the surrounding spiritual energy. It was the first time everyone witnessed Liu Xiaoyi unleash murderous intent!

“Step back and watch me cut him down!”

Those who bully the weak and prey on the vulnerable deserve to be slain!

Feeling the sword intent swell, Shanlu grew nervous. He even doubted if he had come to the right place. How could such a skilled swordsman hide in a tiny mountain village?

His magic method was most effective against those who used magical constructs, but it feared the sharpness of a blade. He had only dared to act now because there were just two girls nearby.

Spirit Controllers from the Spirit Tomb usually operated in groups; single combat was rare. They preferred victory at minimal cost. But today was an exception. The weapons recorded in the Armory were rare treasures, and those Spirit Controllers who obtained them would be richly rewarded by the Spirit Tomb.

How could he miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Gritting his teeth, he intended to strike, but was met by Liu Xiaoyi.

The Green Radiance Sword was sharper than ever, and carried Liu Xiaoyi’s body uncontrollably forward. This fluid sensation was new to him. By the time he realized, the blade was already before the golden light formation.

The threads inside simultaneously shattered the formation’s core. Shanlu barely poked his head out before being struck by the sword. Fortunately, he dodged just in time, escaping unscathed, though his mask cracked with a slit down the middle and shattered as he retreated.

Beneath was a pale face, exuding a sinister aura that made Liu Xiaoyi uneasy.

“How dare you break my mask! Boy, you’ll pay with your life!”

Shanlu, furious at his ruined mask, roared and thrust his left arm forward, transforming it into a double-headed serpent with scales, snapping at Liu Xiaoyi.

“Dark Moon!” The sword flipped, and the crescent moon rose. A crisp cracking sound rang out as the serpent’s head fell. Shanlu thrashed his severed arm in pain, using magic to reform the serpent head.

“Like biting people at will? I’ll cut you all down!” Since grasping some sword intent, Liu Xiaoyi’s movements and swordplay had become fluid and graceful. Techniques like Dark Moon could now be performed repeatedly.

Though not as powerful as the original sword art’s strike, it made up for it with continuous attacks, preventing exhaustion after a single blow.

The double-headed serpent twisted with the threads, waiting for an opening to ambush Liu Xiaoyi, but was scattered by flying black and white chess pieces. Sword energy followed, forcing Shanlu into a steady retreat.

“What’s your relationship with that ghost fox Spirit Controller? This is Spirit Tomb’s private matter! Don’t interfere!” Shanlu shouted in frustration, unwilling to lose the prize within his grasp.

“Even if we’re strangers, we cannot stand by and watch bullying! Especially since she belongs to me!”

Liu Xiaoyi stepped forward like a swimming dragon, channeling true energy through his meridians into his sword. An unprecedented chill froze the threads just as they were about to touch him.

After over a decade practicing the Heavenly Frost Sword Technique and integrating all forms into a new strike, the cold air slowed Shanlu’s movements as the blade was raised overhead.

“Impossible! You’re only at the Sixth Layer of the Earth Soul Realm, how can you wield such a technique?”

Perhaps sensing a mortal threat, Shanlu threw caution aside, opened his mouth wide, and spat out a copper key, twisting it fiercely in both hands.

A moon-white icy sword aura, triggered by the copper key’s light gate, rapidly slashed toward Shanlu. The portal absorbed the entire sword energy.

Shanlu staggered, his figure wavering, gathering all threads before him and fleeing beyond the mountains.

“Thief, don’t escape! This is Qian Jinlai, Second Master of Gold and Silver Island!”

Before Liu Xiaoyi could give chase, the clatter of metal echoed. On the mountains beyond, waves of gold and silver treasures tumbled down.

Qian Jin, biting on a gold bar, stomped fiercely across the pile of riches and charged at Shanlu. Caught unprepared, Shanlu was crushed into fragments.

The Treasure Basin seized the chance to break free, attempting to flee. Quick as ever, Qian Jin tossed the gold bar upward.

“Universe’s Gamble!”

The gold bar smashed into the edge of the Treasure Basin, knocking it beside Shangguan Baozi, where a talisman sealed it once more.