Chapter 890: The Secret Of Immortal Dao (3)

Li Yiyun hurried over as Li Xiaofei’s palm started to glow golden. He flicked his finger, and a strand of sword qi shot into Li Yiyun’s body. Li Yiyun let out a muffled groan and collapsed to the ground.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two more streams of sword qi followed, piercing into Kou Zhengyang and Yang Zhao.

The moment the energy entered them, both men felt a searing pain coursing through their entire bodies. A sharp and potent force surged through their limbs and bones. Their meridians were being expanded, but it felt like they were being burned alive from within.

They both knew their master would never harm them, so they sat cross-legged and began to cultivate using the breathing technique they had just learned. They guided the fierce energy now raging inside them. It was painful, agonizing even. But beneath the pain, there was anticipation.

That session of cultivation lasted for another half a day. A delicate layer of black filth began to ooze out from the pores of the three cultivators. It coated their bodies like sticky tar, forming a dark shell over their skin.

Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei reclined leisurely on a chair in the courtyard, a cup of tea in hand. He rocked gently as he basked in the quiet comfort. It had nearly been three full days. Brother Shaji still seemed to be lost in the pleasures of the red-light district. He was utterly captivated and showed no intention of regrouping with Li Xiaofei anytime soon.

Li Xiaofei didn’t mind. He had found something to keep himself busy. As the sun dipped toward the western horizon—

“Hm? Someone’s shedding their mortal shell... transforming the mundane into the divine?”

“Someone dares to secretly cultivate immortal arts?”

“No, this is dark sorcery. They’re about to fall into demonic ways!”

Several shocked and accusing voices suddenly rang out from above.

Flashes of light shimmered as five figures abruptly appeared in the courtyard. They were all young men and women in red Daoist robes. There were two males, and three females. All of them had refined and elegant features. Each bore a sword on their back, and each radiated an aura far beyond that of ordinary martial artists. They were Immortals.

“The Prefect of Fengyin City, Kou Zhengyang... the Golden Saber Sect Master, Yang Zhao... and the hero of Yunzhou, Li Yiyun... You’re all bold to dare cultivate dark arts behind the backs of the immortal sects!”

The one in the lead was a tall, lean man with a pale face, sharp eyebrows like blades, and eyes as cold as frost. His voice was piercing as he shouted a rebuke, imbuing his voice with a sonic attack.

The air itself rippled like clear water as waves of invisible force rushed toward the three who were still in the midst of deep cultivation

It was a malicious move. Had Kou Zhengyang, Yang Zhao, and Li Yiyun’s cultivation been interrupted at such a critical moment, the three would likely have had their foundations completely destroyed in an instant. But Li Xiaofei merely let out a light snort.

The sonic waves instantly dissipated without a trace.

“Who are you?” Only now did the sharp-browed man shift his full attention onto Li Xiaofei.

He had not sensed anything unusual, Li Xiaofei had seemed like an ordinary mortal, devoid of any energy fluctuations. Who could’ve guessed he’d be capable of dissolving such an attack?

Li Xiaofei remained relaxed in his reclining chair, swirling his tea as he replied, “I’ve been waiting for you all for quite some time. What took you so long?”

“You were waiting for us?” the sharp-browed man asked, puzzled.

Li Xiaofei took a leisurely sip of tea and said, “That’s right. There was this little punk named Xue Qing who came by a while ago. I crippled him. Before he left, he said his senior brothers and sisters would be coming soon to avenge him. You lot... heh, are you his senior brothers and sisters?”

“Junior Brother Xue Qing?”

“You crippled Xue Qing?”

“Insolence!”

“Who are you? Judging by your attitude, you must be a demonic cultivator... Junior brothers, junior sisters, prepare to purge this evil!”

The young men and women all shouted in outrage. Sword qi began to stir. Their swords unsheathed themselves, hovering in midair as they aimed directly at Li Xiaofei, releasing a terrifying pressure. Yet Li Xiaofei remained unbothered.

“You people... truly talented at slapping labels on others.”

Snap!

With a snap of his fingers, something unbelievable happened. All of the swords instantly flew toward him, not in aggression, but like obedient children, coming to rest beside him with affectionate hums.

Then, with a casual outward flick of his finger, the blades all rotated in unison, their tips now pointed directly at the group of young immortals.

“What?!”

“My Six-Sun Sword... it’s out of control!”

“How is this possible?!”

The young cultivators cried out in alarm, panic written across their faces.

“Now,” Li Xiaofei smiled. “let’s have a proper chat.”

The sharp-browed man and the other four disciples tensed, their expressions dark and furious. They stared at Li Xiaofei with growing wariness and dread.

“Who exactly are you?” The sharp-browed man asked again, but as he spoke, he secretly transmitted a message to the others, instructing them to scatter and prepare a formation for battle.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Me?" Li Xiaofei spoke calmly, his voice light but carrying undeniable weight. “I’m someone who’s here to change this world... Now, tell me your name. Let me know who you are.”

The sharp-browed man answered coldly, “Lu Jiansheng, First Senior Disciple of the Discipline Hall of the Myriad Saints Immortal Sect. Are you planning to make an enemy of the Myriad Saints Immortal Sect?”

“And what if I am?” Li Xiaofei’s voice remained indifferent as he said, “You people really do take yourselves far too seriously.”

“In that case, don’t blame us for being impolite,” Lu Jiansheng growled. “Attack!”

The other four disciples had already taken their positions. Each of them formed intricate sword seals, channeling their Immortal Force to the fullest. A glowing web of runes lit up beneath their feet, linking them with an arcane connection that instantly fused their strength into one.

“Swords, return!” Lu Jiansheng gave a sharp shout.

With a whoosh, the swords that had hovered obediently at Li Xiaofei’s side suddenly shook free from their invisible restraints and flew back into their wielders’ hands.

“Formation, Five-Spirit Invocation of the Saint!” Sword light flickered in Lu Jiansheng’s eyes as he cried out.

The four others followed suit, fingers weaving through a complex series of sword seals. The five swords flew into the sky and merged, forming a single colossal blade of glowing light. It was six meters long and radiated an overwhelming pressure.

Then, with a flick of Lu Jiansheng’s fingers, the massive light-sword tore through the air, leaving arcs of compressed wind behind it, and shot down at Li Xiaofei’s head at blinding speed.

But Li Xiaofei remained comfortably reclined in his chair, not even shifting his posture. The moment the sword reached within a meter of him, it halted, as if sinking into an invisible mire. It stopped cold in the air, unable to descend any farther.

“What?!” Lu Jiansheng cried out again, his eyes wide with disbelief.

His eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets.

How can this be possible?

The five of them were elite disciples of the Immortal Sect, and the Five-Spirit Invocation of the Saint was a powerful sword formation. That strike was even infused with a third of their master’s full strength. Yet it couldn’t even force their opponent to stand from his chair.

This man... is terrifying beyond reason.

If Lu Jiansheng had only felt a flicker of unease about Li Xiaofei earlier, it was now a raw bone-deep fear. This person was a monster. He was absolutely not someone they, mere disciples, could contend with.

“If that was your strongest card, then I must say, I’m very disappointed. So this is what passes for an Immortal Sect?” Li Xiaofei snapped his fingers in a gentle, but almost lazy way.

Snap.

The giant sword of light instantly broke apart, dissolving back into five individual swords. They returned to Li Xiaofei’s side once again, swirling around him like affectionate children, gleaming and humming gently in mid-air.

Lu Jiansheng and the other four widened their eyes in disbelief. Only now did they realize the truth, it hadn’t been their sword formation that had reclaimed their weapons earlier. The swords had never truly returned by force. Rather, it was their opponent who had willingly let them go... just so they could display their so-called trump card.

A chill crept up their spines, starting from the base of their tailbones and shooting straight up to their skulls. They had never encountered an enemy so terrifying since joining the Immortal Sect. For a moment, their minds went blank. They didn’t even know whether they should flee.

“I’ve been thinking of paying a visit to the Myriad Saints Immortal Sect,” Li Xiaofei said casually. “Would one of you mind returning to report this on my behalf?”

Though his words sounded like a polite suggestion, the tone he used brooked no argument.

Lu Jiansheng stiffened and replied, “You wish to approach our sect directly?”

Li Xiaofei nodded, saying, “Precisely.”

Lu Jiansheng’s thoughts raced,

This man truly fears nothing. Yet from his words, it doesn’t seem like he intends to kill us. If that is the case, perhaps there is still room for maneuver.

“Very well. We can send someone to inform them,” Lu Jiansheng replied, then added with a trace of defiance, “I just fear you won’t have the courage to actually show up.”

Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly.

“No, not all of you. One of you may go,” he said, correcting him. “The rest... shall remain here as hostages.”

The five exchanged uneasy glances.

Gritting his teeth, Lu Jiansheng bargained, “I, along with my junior brothers Jianfeng and Jianzhen, will stay. Let Jianling and Jianxuan return to deliver the message.”

“Oh?” Li Xiaofei raised a brow in mild surprise. “What’s this? You afraid I’ll lose control and lay hands on your two junior sisters? Heh... I must say, I didn’t expect you to be such a responsible senior brother. Very well, I accept.”