Chapter 2305 Taking Over Copper Sparrow Talisman

The sky collapsed, the earth caved in, and the stench of blood hung thick in the air.

Only Buddha Master Tiandu remained standing on the battlefield, his expression solemn, grave, yet untouched by fear.

Disciples of the Earth Treasury Realm, regardless of their cultivation level, never feared death. This was what made them so terrifying to the world.

Even so, despair was inevitable.

Lin Xun showed no mercy.

Shua!

Sword light blazed like a divine rainbow cleaving through the sky, slashing down with unstoppable force.

Buddha Master Tiandu folded his hands together, chanting the Buddha’s name. His face remained unyielding, while his body suddenly ignited with a purifying flame, its brilliance shaking heaven and earth.

Faintly, it was as if three thousand purgatories unfolded behind him. Towering Buddhas loomed above them, their solemn voices echoing throughout the nine heavens, chanting sacred Brahma Sutras.

A terrifying power of incineration and purification spread forth, attempting to suppress the descending sword.

However, with a deafening roar, the Buddha figures cracked and dissolved, the chanting fell into silence and the vast purgatory visions collapsed like shattered bubbles.

Buddha Master Tiandu raised his head, his gaze dimming, and muttered bitterly, “With you, Lin Daoyuan, still in this world...the Earth Treasury Realm...is doomed...”

Pu!

Then, his body crumbled into ashes, dispersing into the void.

Lin Xun flicked his sleeve, collecting the spoils on the battlefield, then turned and disappeared into the depths of the boundless Uncertain Blood Sea.

......

The Dark Lair was like a hidden secret realm, ancient and silent, completely isolated from the outside world.

Years ago, Lin Xun had stepped into this place and uncovered fragments of Mister Lu’s past from Qing Ying. He also obtained rune books and records left behind by Mister Lu.

It was also here that he had the chance to train in the Dark Hidden Purgatory, an experience that transformed his cultivation. Not only that, but he had also acquired the Dao Skyless Spear, the origin root spirits of the Sacred Kunwu Tree and the sword spirit that had once fought alongside Sword Emperor Taixuan for countless years...

It was also in the Dark Lair that he had entered the Nirvana of Transcendence, setting him on the path of the supreme Emperor...

After the time to burn an incense stick, Lin Xun stepped into the Dark Lair, only to find devastation everywhere. The towering walls of the past were now crumbling ruins, and the scent of smoke, blood and battle still lingered in the air.

Lin Xun’s expression tensed

Without a doubt, a brutal and catastrophic battle had taken place in the Dark Lair!

Lin Xun released his spirit sense, sweeping across the remnants of the battlefield. Soon, he captured the traces left by Big Yellow and he immediately followed.

Before long, he arrived at the entrance to the Dark Hidden Purgatory.

At that moment, Big Yellow’s voice rang out in his mind. “Kid, get in here quickly.”

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing an unusual heaviness to his tone. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and vanished.

The eighteenth level of the Dark Hidden Purgatory.

This was once the place where a wisp of Sword Exalt Zhukong’s will lay, but now, a heavy, mournful silence filled the air.

The glow of divine flames flickered dimly, casting shadows over the ground where dozens of tombstones stood solemnly.

Before them, Big Yellow, Qing Ying and several others stood quietly.

As Lin Xun arrived, his gaze fell upon the tombstones. They were freshly carved, each one bearing a name and a record of the deceased’s glorious deeds.

Qing Ying’s enchantingly beautiful face was pale and grief stricken, her eyes red and dazed.

The others’ expressions were also heavy with sorrow.

“These people were all elders of Copper Sparrow House. Each of them was a mighty Emperor in their time, warriors who once shook the world. They followed Master for countless years and had accomplished great feats on the battlefield...” Big Yellow’s voice was low and grave. “But not long ago, in an attempt to hold back the enemy from breaching the Dark Lair, they...all...perished...”

Lin Xun’s eyes darkened, staring at the tombstones, “Was this the work of the Earth Treasury Realm and Holy Illumination Ancient Sect?”

Big Yellow nodded, his eyes burning with hatred. “This grudge will be repaid tenfold—no, a hundredfold in blood!”

Just then, Qing Ying lifted her gaze, as if snapped out of a dream. “Young Master, you’re back.”

She took a deep breath, suppressing her grief, and said, “Before the Lord of Copper Sparrow House left, he instructed me to give you this upon your return.”

As she spoke, she extended her slender, fair hand, revealing a talisman nestled in her palm. It bore the image of a copper sparrow, its wings spread wide, as if ready to take flight. A mysterious and obscure aura radiated from it.

“What’s this?” Lin Xun frowned slightly.

The moment Qing Ying handed the Copper Sparrow Talisman to Lin Xun, he saw Big Yellow and the gathered figures turn toward him and bow deeply.

“Paying respect to Lord!”

“Paying respect to Lord!”

“Paying respect to Lord!”

One solemn voice after another echoed in unison, reverberating through the eighteenth level of the Dark Hidden Purgatory.

Lin Xun’s heart trembled slightly. He had not expected this.

Big Yellow’s deep voice rang out, “Master set a rule long ago—Whoever holds this talisman is the Lord of the Copper Sparrow House. Lin Xun, you are Master’s junior brother and he left this talisman for you. Please accept it.”

Lin Xun’s brows furrowed. “Senior Brother is still in the Kunlun Dominion, his fate unknown. How can I take his place and assume control of Copper Sparrow House at a time like this?”

Qing Ying took out a jade slip and handed it to Lin Xun, “Before the Lord of Copper Sparrow House left for Kunlun Dominion, he left this behind.”

Lin Xun unfolded the jade slip and scanned the words on it.

“Junior Brother, after this battle, I will follow in Master’s footsteps and cross the starry sky to the other side of the cosmos. I founded Copper Sparrow House, and I cannot bear to see it leaderless. For now, I hope you will take charge. If, in the future, you find someone worthy of inheriting the position, you may pass the Copper Sparrow Talisman on to them.” —Zhong Qiu.

Lin Xun stood motionless, his expression flickering, as if an invisible weight had been placed upon his shoulders.

“Did Senior Brother leave any other instructions?” asked Lin Xun.

Qing Ying said softly, “Two years ago, when the Lord of Copper Sparrow House emerged from closed-door cultivation, he made the sudden decision to challenge Heavenly Emperor Shi. He believed the time had come and he had to seize the opportunity to eliminate Heavenly Emperor Shi before he fully recovered. Otherwise, once his strength returned, the outcome would be unpredictable.”

Lin Xun’s frown deepened.

Did Senior Brother refine the law power of the Nirvana of Transcendence?

Too many questions clouded his mind. His second brother’s decision two years ago seemed too rushed, too abrupt.

Unfortunately, Qing Ying and the others knew little.

Zhong Qiu was an extremely proud person. Once he made a decision, he never explained it to others.

“Lin Xun!”

Big Yellow suddenly barked, “At a time like this, and you’re still hesitating? If Master knew you were acting like this, wouldn’t he be hurt?”

Lin Xun took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over Big Yellow, Qing Ying and the others, before finally saying, “I will accept the Copper Sparrow Talisman, but I will not take on the position of Lord of Copper Sparrow Tower for now.”

Big Yellow said anxiously, “Are you afraid? Is it because you’ve seen the state of Copper Sparrow House and don’t want to get involved in this mess?”

Qing Ying frowned and interrupted, “Big Yellow, how could you say that? Young Master has just returned and been hit with all this at once. How can he be expected to make a decision immediately?”

Lin Xun waved his hand calmly and said, “Qing Ying, it’s fine. Big Yellow is worried and overwhelmed. I understand how it is feeling.”

Big Yellow paced in agitation, its frustration simmering with nowhere to vent. “In just three years, so many things have happened...

“I...I wish I could wipe out the Earth Treasury Realm right now and annihilate the Holy Illumination Ancient Sect!”

By the time the dog finished, its roar shook the area.

From the moment it returned, everything had been a nightmare. First, it learned that the Lord of Copper Sparrow House and Heavenly Emperor Shi had vanished into Kunlun Dominion, their fate unknown. Then, it discovered that the Ancient Nebula Underworld was in chaos, and that the Earth Treasury Realm and Holy Illumination Ancient Sect, two of the Dark Giants, had launched a brutal assault on the forces of Copper Sparrow House.

And now, upon their return to the Dark Lair, they found it ravaged by destruction, with many esteemed elders of Copper Sparrow House dead!

Having experienced all that, Big Yellow found its emotions churning like a raging volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

Lin Xun completely understood.

He felt the same way. The same suffocating rage. The same frustration. The same boiling resentment.

Speaking of which, he had long forged a deep blood feud with the Earth Treasury Realm and the Holy Illumination Ancient Sect!

“Lord, I hope you can decide soon. Right now, the forces of Copper Sparrow House in the Ancient Nebula Underworld have suffered a devastating blow. Nearly all the territories and lands we once controlled have fallen into enemy hands.”

Someone cried out indignantly, “If we continue to sit idle, Copper Sparrow House...may be completely uprooted!”

“Lord, the current situation has reached a breaking point. We must act now or Copper Sparrow House will be finished.”

“Lord, we urge you to make a decision soon!”

One after another, voices rose in support. These were all elders of Copper Sparrow House, once powerful figures who had overseen vast territories and wielded mighty power.

Now, they were reduced to hiding in the shadows. Their frustration was understandable.

Qing Ying and Big Yellow also turned their eyes toward Lin Xun, awaiting his response.

Lin Xun was silent for a moment before speaking, “Qing Ying, gather all the intelligence you can on the Earth Treasury Realm and the Holy Illumination Ancient Sect. The more detailed the better.”

Everyone perked up.

“Understood.” Qing Ying nodded firmly.

“Also, compile a record of all the major events that have taken place over the past three years.”

Lin Xun’s eyes were deep and unfathomable, and his tone was calm yet decisive. “Big Yellow, in ten days, you and I will set out. The rest of you will remain here and await our news.”

The Copper Sparrow House elders immediately spoke up anxiously, “Lord, we can fight alongside you.”

Lin Xun refused without hesitation, “Too many from Copper Sparrow House have already suffered injuries and deaths. I won’t allow it to happen again. If you truly acknowledge me as your Lord, then consider this matter settled.”

Everyone’s expressions shifted, but ultimately none dared to argue further.

Big Yellow frowned in puzzlement and asked, “Why wait ten days?”

“First, we need intelligence. Know yourself and the enemy.” Lin Xun paused, his gaze remaining calm, and he added, “And second, I’m about to break through.”

Back in the Celestial Phoenix World, he had already felt the signs of a breakthrough several times. Now, more than a month had passed since his return to the Ancient Nebula Road.

With a great battle on the horizon, this was the perfect time to break through!

Very quickly, Qing Ying compiled a detailed report outlining the power structures of the Earth Treasury Realm and the Holy Illumination Ancient Sect, including their foundations, strengths, locations, and current state of affairs.

Lin Xun studied the information carefully, engraving every detail into his mind.

Then, he left the Dark Hidden Purgatory and arrived at the edge of the Uncertain Blood Sea, where waves roared violently. He gazed at the sky, his robe rippling in the wind.

He stood motionless for three whole days.

On that day—

The sky grew heavy and a stillness blanketed the world.

Then, Lin Xun, who had stood like an unmoving statue, finally stirred. He brushed the dust from his sleeves and murmured softly, “Today, I, Lin Daoyuan, will step into the Pervading Mystery Realm!”