Chapter 668 66: Battle of the Ascendants

Funiu Ascendant's fourth disciple, Jiuyou True Man, originally possessed Earth Grade Gold Element Spirit Root, with potential for an Upper True Pill, but a conflict arose during core formation with the fifth disciple, Qu Tianyang. To ensure Qu Tianyang achieved an Upper True Pill, Jiuyou True Man received insufficient Core Formation Spiritual Talent, ultimately resulting in a Lower True Pill.

However, he had a natural affinity for the sword and displayed extraordinary talent in the Sword Dao.

At the Foundation Establishment Stage, he had already cultivated Sword Qi, and after forming his core, he nurtured a Sword Heart.

Particularly, his set of Drunken Sword techniques, realized after drinking, was unpredictable and mysterious, bearing the hallmarks of a Sword Dao master.

Because of this, although he had only just entered the middle stage of Core Formation, his actual combat power was outstanding among the nine disciples.

He was also respected by the cultivators of Funiu Mountain as the Sword God of Funiu Mountain.

With the sound of a sword's cry echoing, Funiu Mountain was fully drawn in, with countless Divine Senses instantly locking onto the figure in azure in the high sky.

"Such strong Sword Intent! At the very least, it's already Sword Heart Enlightened. No wonder he dared to challenge the Sword God of Funiu Mountain!"

"Could he be a prodigy from the Celestial Sword Sect?"

"Zou Qi? There are fewer than ten with Sword Heart Enlightenment in the Celestial Sword Sect. I don't recall such a person, do you?"

...

Li Ji'an also raised an eyebrow slightly when his Divine Sense landed on that individual.

It turned out to be the least remarkable, yet opportunely fateful disciple he had taken in his previous life.

In the previous life, under Li Ji'an's guidance, he had successfully cultivated to the late stage of Qi Cultivation in the Odd Stone Forest, and with a premium Foundation Establishment Pill given by Li Ji'an, he successfully reached Foundation Establishment, fulfilling the foresight his grandfather Zou Yan had envisioned.

Afterward, Zou Qi left the Odd Stone Forest to travel the world.

Two cycles later, he had remarkably become a True Pill Sword Cultivator.

Moreover, the fierce Sword Intent emanating from him even made Li Ji'an feel pressured, illustrating his achievements in the path of Sword Cultivation over the years.

"What kind of nobody dares to challenge the might of my Funiu Mountain?" A lazy response sounded, as Jiuyou True Man casually waved, casting the wine pot skyward, forming a heavenly bridge, ascending it leisurely and gracefully.

"Do not go out!" True Man Fengyin changed color upon witnessing this scene, urgently transmitting voice.

However, Si completely ignored it, activating the Array Token in his hand, creating a light gate on the Grand Array, stepping through without hesitation.

"Fool!" True Man Fengyin looked disappointed, only able to shake his head helplessly.

Then he decisively commanded several nearby Honored Guest Elders to closely monitor Si's battle situation, instructing immediate intervention if a surprise attack occurred.

"Zheng~" As soon as Si exited the Grand Array, without any wasted words, his Lifebound Flying Sword shot from his Dantian, bringing with it countless flying sword phantoms to strike at Zou Qi.

"Offense!" Facing the sea of flying sword phantoms, Zou Qi remained composed, offering a slight salute to Jiuyou True Man before a brilliance of sword light erupted from him.

In an instant, Sword Qi crisscrossed the sky over Funiu Immortal City, with blue and white sword lights almost enveloping the entire city.

At the first exchange, they were unexpectedly evenly matched.

This made True Man Fengyin's expression grow even more solemn.

Outside of Funiu Ascendant, Jiuyou was second to none in terms of offense, a key player, yet now he was being held off by an unknown Sword Cultivator, placing immense pressure on Funiu Mountain.

Meanwhile, the attack outside the array intensified.

Crack!

Crack!

Soon, the sound of breaking surrounded the Grand Array, making the situation increasingly dire.

True Man Fengyin wasted no time, gathering all Inner City Cultivators to channel Magical Power into the array to defend.

Within the Inner City, the lowest cultivation was Foundation Establishment, and from the moment of the siege, they were helplessly and forcefully conscribed by True Man Fengyin.

Tens of thousands simultaneously channeling Magical Power into the Array immediately strengthened it severalfold.

The Grand Array, which had already started to crack, began to repair rapidly.

Seeing this, the people of Funiu Mountain breathed a sigh of relief.

However, this situation did not last long.

"Puh~"

"Thud!"

Within the array, people started inexplicably vomiting blood, with their Magical Power draining swiftly, collapsing abruptly.

"Poison!"

"No, poison has infiltrated."

"Impossible! What kind of poison can penetrate a Tier Three Advanced Grand Array?"

As those with lower cultivation levels began to fall in batches, panic spread within the array.

True Man Fengyin immediately requested the Tier Four Physician to intervene.

Near Celestial Pool Dao Field, a frail old man emerged with a sorrowful expression.

He wore a hooded cloak that concealed his body tightly.

His steps were slow, each step accompanied by a sigh.

When he reached the edge of the array, sniffing sharply, his expression suddenly grew alert.

Instinctively, he retreated half a step.

"Cunning Poison Demon, past deeds, today's justice, it ends now!" At this moment, a hoarse, low voice tinged with malice resounded in the air.

The voice was elusive and ethereal, making it impossible to pinpoint its location.

"What? Cunning Poison Demon?"

"Two hundred years ago, he betrayed Medicine God Valley, poisoning his master—the acclaimed Valley Master of the time, and did not spare any of his master's eighty-three kin."

"To think that the Poison Demon, who had instilled fear in countless cultivators for decades, turned into the Funiu Mountain's Tributor Physician!"

...

Hearing this name, several older cultivators turned pale, instinctively distancing themselves from the old physician.

"Alas!" With his identity bluntly revealed, the once somewhat apprehensive old physician sighed deeply, stabilizing his stance.

"Senior Brother, you've finally come." His voice fell low, and his whole being drooped in despair.

"Hmph! Old toxin, stop putting on such a pitiful act, where is your former ferocity?" The elusive voice sneered, full of disdain.

Hearing this, the old physician slowly shook his head. He then tremulously raised his hand, removing the hood from his head.

He then lifted his head, gazing skyward, as a layer of Magical Power illusion faded from his face, revealing his true cheek.

His face was rotten and twisted, dark red flesh visible to the eye, with jet-black veins wriggling beneath the decaying flesh.