Chapter 245

Chapter 245: The Palace

Ming and Xuenuo’s Sword Qi slashed simultaneously towards the old man’s bracelets on both sides.

Even though Ming and Xuenuo were merely cultivators at the intermediate fifth realm, facing this Xiānpǐn lock treasure binding the old man, they were like eggs hitting a rock—utterly useless.

But for three thousand years, the old man had daily used his Sword Qi to cut at his own cuffs.

Even water can penetrate stone.

For three thousand years, the old man’s Sword Qi had been carving into his cuffs. Even if it couldn’t sever them, it had surely carved deep fissures.

In fact, given another two hundred years, the old man was confident he could break these cuffs entirely. But time was running out.

This Sect Master of Heavenly Profound Gate wasn’t human—he conspired with monsters from the abyss. Now, he was even willing to sacrifice half of his disciples just to break through realms.

Forget two hundred years; the old man didn’t even have a year left.

Thus, the old man had to rely on external force for one final strike against these almost collapsing cuffs.

Moreover, despite Ming and Xuenuo being only at the Sea Observing Realm and Dragon Gate Realm respectively, their Sword Qi far surpassed others in their realms.

Not to mention that if they used the technique taught by the old man, even Nascent Soul Stage cultivators would be in trouble.

So, their sword strike wasn’t insignificant.

If the old man’s cuffs were compared to a camel, then Ming and Xuenuo’s strike wasn’t just the last straw—it was a piece of iron! “Clang!”

A tremendous sound rang out as Ming and Xuenuo’s dual Sword Qi, guided by the old man’s own Sword Qi, accurately struck the grooves in the cuffs.

The grooves on the old man’s cuffs grew deeper, and there was even a tendency for cracks to spread outward.

The old man unleashed all the Sword Qi he could muster, and with a “snap,” one bracelet shattered completely.

The old man rubbed his wrists, the bones creaking.

For over three thousand years, the old man hadn’t moved so freely.

Meanwhile, within Ming and Xuenuo’s dream realms,

They saw a fragment of the heavens torn open above them, revealing boundless void behind.

Ming confirmed he wasn’t hallucinating.

Behind the heavens, there truly was a palace.

But soon, within the span of a single breath, the heavens slowly healed.

The old man’s avatar within their dream consciousness also gradually dissipated.

In reality, Ming and Xuenuo’s eyes returned to normal, no longer vacant, as their divine senses recovered.

When their Divine Souls fully returned to their bodies, they both felt disoriented, as if they’d lived through an age in a fleeting dream.

Outside the mountain cave, Xia He, the Sect Master of Heavenly Profound Gate who was about to enter, suddenly sensed a powerful surge of Sword Qi, far more intense than before! The Sword Qi array erupted like berserk blood qi of demon beasts, relentlessly stabbing toward Xia He.

Xia He was forced back step by step.

When Xia He retreated a hundred meters, the Sword Qi swords ceased pursuit.

The Sword Qi swords merged continuously, eventually forming a wall of Sword Qi that blocked the path to the mountain cave.

No matter what techniques Xia He used, he couldn’t break through it in the short term.

Furrowing his brows, Xia He knew something must have happened inside. That old immortal must have broken some seals; otherwise, the Sword Qi wouldn’t be so potent.

But how did that old immortal manage it? Sensing the commotion outside the cave, Ming and Xuenuo looked questioningly at the old man. Xucang chuckled: “Don’t worry too much. When you two were learning the techniques we taught, the Sect Master of Heavenly Profound Gate had already arrived. Previously, there were things we couldn’t hold back, but now that my cuffs are off, there’s nothing to worry about—he won’t be able to get in.”

Hearing the old man’s words, Ming and Xuenuo were somewhat surprised. They didn’t expect to attract the attention of the Sect Master so quickly.

But upon reflection, Ming thought it made sense.

The Three Stone Peak imprisoned many upper-level fifth realm cultivators, making it the sect’s highest-level forbidden land. There were definitely numerous warning arrays set up here.

Ming glanced at “Jiang Xue.” In his view, it probably wasn’t him who alerted the Sect Master since he entered using Mo Zhu’er’s treasure. Mo Zhu’er definitely wouldn’t harm him—at least not now, as it wouldn’t benefit her. It was likely that when this girl named Jiang Xue forcibly broke the Three Stone Peak array, Sect Master Xia He took notice.

Noticing Ming’s gaze, Xuenuo turned her head and met his eyes: “What?”

“Nothing.” Ming withdrew his gaze.

The old man named Xucang smiled at Ming and Xuenuo:

“I’ve told you before.

To deal with us, mastering one of our techniques is a prerequisite.

Now that you’ve learned the technique we’ve taught you, we can have a proper discussion.

Our teaching you techniques has two main purposes:

One is to test your endurance.

The other purpose is that after learning our techniques, you’ll have a certain receptiveness to our Spiritual Energy.

Each person’s technique we teach you acts like a catalyst.

I know it’s hard for you to understand.

Just remember, only after you’ve learned the techniques we’ve taught you can we transfer our Spiritual Energy to you.”

Ming: “…”

Ming felt like he understood somewhat.

Spiritual Energy was like internal energy in martial arts novels.

Were they trying to pass their “internal energy” to him?

“Spiritual Energy transferred to us? What does that mean?” Xuenuo asked.

Xucang smiled: “Exactly as it sounds.”

After speaking, Xucang didn’t elaborate further. He chanted the sword incantation, and his Sword Qi formed thirty long swords. These thirty swords split into two groups of fifteen each, embedding themselves into Ming’s and Xuenuo’s bodies.

It didn’t stop there. The old man’s Sword Qi formed another fifteen swords, striking himself and fourteen other prisoners.

Before Ming and Xuenuo could react, they felt excruciating pain!

Endless Spiritual Energy poured into their bodies through the fifteen swords, making them feel like balloons ready to burst into a mist of blood at any moment.