Chapter 284 Greatest Fiend Zen from the Beginning
Lu Zhou had seen the technique, Bright Mirror, more than once. The more recent time was from Jing Yan’s disciple, a Buddhist grandmaster called Wu Nian, on the Lotus Dais. It had to be said that Kong Yuan’s Bright Mirror seemed to be much more powerful compared to Wu Nian’s. The moment he began to shine, with him in the center, a huge circle of light expanded into the surroundings. Anyone within Bright Mirror’s range would be affected by it.
The cultivators felt the surge of power in their bodies as a shocked expression appeared on their faces.
“Attack!”
Palm prints and Daoist seals were launched toward the incoming flying swords with much greater ferocity and force than before.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Kong Yuan was pleased to see this. The cultivators from the ten great sects were far better than the minor sects. Under the effects of Bright Mirror, they were more powerful now. The effect was much better than he had expected. Bang! Bang! Bang! With this round of attacks, the cluster of flying words was immediately taken down.
Swords fell down from the air.
Just like before, the seven radiant circles on the ground shone again.
Jiang Aijian asked, puzzled, “Old senior, what do these seven radiant circles mean?”.
Lu Zhou answered, “The first is the Celestial Pivot, the second is the Rotating Jade, the third is the Shining Pearl, the fourth is Balance, the fifth is the Jade Sighting Tube, the sixth is the Opener of Heat, and the seventh is the Twinkling Brilliance. The first four form the body while the fifth to the seventh form the handle. Together they form the Dipper.”
“I see.” Realization seemed to dawn on Jiang Aijian at this moment.
Little Yuan’er looked at Jiang Aijian and said, “What is it?”
“Don’t ask me... I’m just faking it.” Jiang Aijian looked at the radiant circles on the ground.
Qin Jun explained, “The Seven Stars Landing. From the Dipper’s mouth to its handle, the order is the Celestial Pivot, the Celestial Rotating Jade, the Celestial Shining Pearl, the Celestial Balance, the Jade Sighting Tube, the Opener of Heat, and the Twinkling Brilliance. When these seven radiant circles are one, they’re truly terrifying.” The fallen cluster of swords seemed to grow fiercer as they attacked the cultivators.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
“Grandmaster, aren’t you going to do something?” someone asked.
Kong Yuan snorted. He launched several palm prints into the air. At the same time, he turned and ordered the remaining cultivators, “What are you waiting for? Look for an opening and stop the Seven Stars Landing!”
The cultivators looked at the glowing and flying swords on the ground.
With Kong Yuan and the others keeping the cluster of flying swords at bay, they were beside themselves with excitement.
They ran toward Seven Stars Landing.
A few of them began to run over before the remaining followed suit as though it was the most natural thing to do. The crowd went wild.
“Earth-grade! Earth-grade... It’s an earth-grade sword!” Someone laughed heartily.
Some of the cultivators picked up earth-grade swords from the Seven Stars Landing and were so thrilled that they seemed almost mad. They were completely oblivious that they were standing in harm’s way.
Kong Yuan scoffed. “Open!” He suddenly retracted his palm print, and Bright Mirror vanished. The force of the attacks was greatly diminished.
The flying swords flitted past the cultivators on the ground and mercilessly pierced their bodies, causing a river of blood to flow.
The cultivators who were just outside the range were stunned upon seeing this. Those who were in the Seven Stars Landing were turned into human skewers.
Little Yuan’er covered her face and turned away.
On the other hand, Lu Zhou’s expression was one of indifference. Perhaps, Ji Tiandao’s memories and experience had slightly desensitized him to such scenes. He was no stranger to such scenes after all.
CII
Just like this, 30 cultivators lost their lives. Some escaped, but they looked worse for wear.
“Kong Yuan! What are you doing?!” Someone questioned and glared at him.
Kong Yuan straightened a palm and said, “Amitabha. The seven stars must be well-fed before the Demon Sword can be obtained... Someone has to be the sacrifice for this. I commend them for their bravery. When I return to the Temple of Great Emptiness, I’ll surely hold a ceremony to help them cross over to the other world.”
“You...”
Kong Yuan’s actions made the crowd furious.
However, Kong Yuan’s eyes gleamed with a peculiar glow as he said, “I’ve given you a chance, and you didn’t appreciate it. You shouldn’t blame me.”
The Seven Stars Landing’s power swelled under the fresh supply of blood. The radiant circles spread out. The blood of the cultivators flowed along the veins... Like meridian vessels, they flowed in all directions and finally connected.
When the lines were connected, the Seven Terminal Formation was activated. Qin Jun cried out involuntarily, “The Seven Stars Landing is activated... We won’t make it out in time. Old senior, what should we do?” It was clear he placed all his hopes on Lu Zhou.
Lu Zhou looked at the group of cultivators.
Kong Yuan’s aura was changing as well. He glanced at the seven stars on the ground and the cluster of swords in the air that seemed to have gone berserk as he said, “Amitabha...” His voice rolled out in soundwaves.
‘What a powerful sound technique.’
Those with weak cultivation bases felt their scalps go numb and their blood boil from the impact.
Lu Zhou was completely unaffected. The unique restraining effect of Heavenly Writing’s extraordinary power left him immune to the sound technique.
Some of the other cultivators could not stand this. They cried out angrily. “Kong Yun! What are you playing at?!” “You’ll be a part of the sword mounds...” Kong Yuan’s expression darkened.
Who would have expected a high monk to be this evil and vicious?
The flying swords in the air flew at the cultivators.
Many avatars and protective energies appeared. It was a breathtaking scene.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The swords stabbed at them like torrential rain.
The range of the Seven Stars Landing widened until it covered the entire tombstone! The flying swords no longer orbited around it, they were now intent on reaping the lives of everyone present on the scene.
Jiang Aijian raised a hand and formed an energy barrier before himself. “Old senior, I’ll take this.”
“My master doesn’t need your protection! How annoying...” Little Yuan’er planted herself before Lu Zhou.
Little Yuan’er’s energy formed a wall, and it acted as a shield in front of her.
Jiang Aijian chuckled and decided not to bicker with her.
Lu Zhou did not mind. At the corner they were at, they could avoid a lot of flying swords. The cultivators from the four great sects, on the other hand, were having a hard time. The cluster of swords was mainly attacking them. Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!
The tombstone suddenly trembled at this moment.
Upon seeing this, Kong Yuan looked up and laughed heartily. “My moment is finally here!” He pushed away from the ground and evaded the cluster of swords as a black energy surged out of his body. In just a blink of an eye, he was standing on the tombstone. He unleashed a palm strike downward.
Boom!
The black energy landed on the huge tombstone, causing it to crack. Then, it began to shine through the cracks!
Jiang Aijian frowned as he said, “So, the Demon Sword is inside the tombstone!”
Lu Zhou did not expect this as well.
At this moment, Kong Yuan stood atop the huge tombstone. He looked down at the others as though he was the emperor before his gaze finally stopped on Jiang Aijian.
The cluster of swords was attacking the cultivators in a frenzy. Kong Yuan, on the other hand, was safe.
Lu Zhou could see the bubbling dark energy that Kong Yuan’s body emitted. He projected his voice and said, “Fiend Zen?” Kong Yuan’s gaze immediately shifted from Jiang Aijian to the old man standing next to Jiang Aijian. This voice projection could not be done by any ordinary person.
Kong Yuan had never met Lu Zhou before. On top of that, it was dark, which made it impossible for him to recognize Lu Zhou. He said, “You have a sharp eye, benefactor.”
“The last person who cultivated the Fiend Zen was the Fiend Temple’s Second Seat, Zuo Xinchan. He’s also the only person who cultivated Fiend Zen to the Nascent Divinity realm.” Lu Zhou’s voice spread into the surroundings and reached everyone’s ears clearly. He did not seem to be affected by the Seven Terminal Formation.
Kong Yuan shook his head. “That weakling, Zuo Xinchan, could never be compared to me. I have cultivated both Zens. I’m the greatest Fiend Zen cultivator since the beginning of time.”
The others were shocked.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “I’d like to see how you’re going to break the Seven Terminal Formation.”
Kong Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. If it had only been Jiang Aijian, he would not have been worried. However, the sudden appearance of this elite, based on his voice, made the alarm bells rang in his head. “Are you waiting to reap what I have sown?” The prayer beads before Kong Yuan floated up and hung itself on his palms. He spread his arms. He swept his gaze across Jiang Aijian, Lu Zhou, and the others while he said, “The seven stars have been summoned. Dear benefactors, please kindly go on your way. Amitabha...”
Kong Yuan pulled his palms apart, and the flying beads flew toward the group.