Chapter 478 - 346: Land of the Ruins

Chapter 478: Chapter 346: Land of the Ruins

Yu Changsheng was unaware of the commotion behind him. He had already walked a fair distance when he seemed to sense something, glancing back with suspicion.

"Ah Qing!"

Yu Changsheng sneezed. He rubbed his nose and shook his head, muttering to himself.

’Who’s gossiping about me? Oh well, I’m almost there anyway.’

After that small interlude, the rest of the journey was remarkably uneventful. Though he had a few scares along the way, there was no real danger, and Yu Changsheng even managed to make some extra gains.

Since the inner regions of Purple Bamboo Mountain were rarely trod by humans, quite a few Spirit Grasses and Spiritual Medicines grew there, and they were all flourishing.

’Heh heh, all mine for the taking.’

Naturally, Yu Changsheng accepted them all with a grin.

Just like that, an hour later, Yu Changsheng slowly came to a stop.

He was surrounded by a thicket of Purple Bamboo. Before him stood a sheer, smooth cliff face. The cliff was overgrown with weeds, but through them, he could glimpse mysterious patterns hidden underneath.

Interestingly, all the surrounding Purple Bamboo, no matter which way they grew, seemed to consciously or unconsciously avoid this cliff face.

’According to the map, this should be the place...’

Musing, Yu Changsheng slowly placed his hand on the cliff. The next moment, his expression froze, and he snatched his hand back as if he had been electrocuted.

’Such powerful Sword Intent?’

Mildly surprised, Yu Changsheng shook his hand and let out a long breath. His Divine Sense stirred, forcing out the numbing sensation in his mind, and he sank into contemplation.

’This feels remarkably similar to what I felt on Si Jian Cliff in Cloud Mist Valley. It seems they were both created by the same person...’

Yu Changsheng’s brow furrowed once more as he began to inspect it closely. After a moment’s hesitation, he placed his hand on the cliff face again.

The weeds had obscured his view before, but now Yu Changsheng could see clearly. The patterns were not patterns at all, but a series of sword marks. This was the source of the Sword Intent.

The Sword Intent exuded an ancient, domineering power and an unyielding spirit. Though it bore the mottled signs of age, it could not hide an intent that seemed capable of sundering the river of time, a presence that had crossed eons to be here.

’Taichu? The Heaven-Opening Sword?’

Yu Changsheng’s brow twitched. As he felt this intent, he somehow knew, instinctively, the name of this sword technique.

With his brow furrowed, he tried to perceive it again, hoping to comprehend something, but his perception remained a blur. He gained nothing.

’Meng Wuan used this sword technique once.’

After a long while, Yu Changsheng slowly lowered his hand. A flicker of regret passed through his eyes as he suddenly recalled the sword strike Meng Wuan had executed on Si Jian Cliff.

The peerless magnificence of that strike left him awestruck and envious even now. And here, he felt something remarkably similar.

’A pity. It’s not my destiny to learn it.’

Yu Changsheng sighed softly and gave up on trying to comprehend it further. ’I know nothing about the Sword Dao,’ he thought. ’It’d be a miracle if I actually managed to learn anything from this.’

The unique nature of this cliff only strengthened Yu Changsheng’s conviction that this was the location of Cao Jinxian’s long-lost grotto.

"Hmm..."

Yu Changsheng paused to think. Just as he was about to take out the Beast Hide Map to check it, his expression shifted. He whipped his head around and threw a punch behind him.

"SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!"

Like a flicker of purple Thunderbolt, it cut through the air, leaving only a trail of violet afterimages as it lashed viciously toward Yu Changsheng, striking his fist.

"CRACK... CRACK..."

In the next instant, an immense force slammed into his fist. With a muffled grunt, Yu Changsheng tasted blood and stumbled back three steps, his expression hardening.

"What was that?"

As the purple light faded, he saw what had struck him. It was none other than a slender, graceful stalk of Purple Bamboo, soaring toward the sky. Its segments were distinct and translucent, and from its countless branches, dewdrops dripped from its purple leaves.

What surprised Yu Changsheng, however, was that while it was a Purple Bamboo, it felt like he was facing a Purple Bamboo Sword. It emanated a razor-sharp Sword Qi from top to bottom, and its Sword Intent rippled through the air.

’Is this... a Purple Bamboo that’s gained sentience?’

Yu Changsheng was dumbfounded, speaking in surprise. He could sense that this creature before him already possessed Spiritual Wisdom.

"Human, this is not a place for you. Leave my territory."

While Yu Changsheng was still reeling in surprise, the Purple Bamboo before him flickered and slowly transformed. It became a small figure with flowing purple hair, clad in a floor-length purple robe, who stared at Yu Changsheng gravely. Its voice was young and tender, but its tone was stern.

’It can even take a spirit form? How adorable!’

Yu Changsheng couldn’t help but exclaim, his eyes lighting up as he looked at the little person, completely ignoring its warning.

The little person before him was only a third of his height, dressed in a floor-length purple robe. It had a small, pale face with a tender, pink, cherry-like mouth. The pupils in its small eyes were a strange shade of purple, and its ears were not human, but pointed and upright, like an Elf’s.

Its long purple hair fell casually about its shoulders, giving it an indescribably noble air. Its tiny body trembled, and its delicate face was utterly adorable, though it was currently pulled into a taut pout. It glared at Yu Changsheng with a cold, unfriendly gaze, clutching a long, crystal-like stalk of purple bamboo to its chest.

All in all, it looked like an exquisitely cute and delicate five or six-year-old child!

"Who are you calling cute? I’m very fierce!"