First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1795 - Redirecting Misfortune

The Corpse-Strewn Ruins.

Dense black death qi hung in the air like mist, obscuring the dome of heaven completely.

A dark figure appeared out of nowhere, like a flash of lightning, and swung its saber at Su Yi. Its speed was unearthly.

Before the edge of its saber arrived, a terrifying destructive power enveloped Su Yi.

Upon closer inspection, that dark figure was a corpse clad in blood-stained Buddhist robes. It was missing its left arm and half of its head. Its one remaining eye flashed with baleful, bloody light. The corpse gripped a crescent-moon-shaped bronze punishment saber in its right hand.

This sudden attack was strong enough to kill just about any Immortal Lord on the spot!

Bang!!

Suddenly, a fair hand appeared out of nowhere, and that dark, shadowy figure exploded into countless fragments.

Crushed as easily as a soap bubble.

As for Su Yi? He didn’t even bat an eye, nor could he be bothered to spare the corpse a second glance. An ancient corpse of that level was no more than an ant seeking out its own demise.

“Your Excellency, judging by the corpse’s attire, it was likely a Buddhist Immortal King in life,” said the Red Dragon Dao Monarch.

She didn’t just look like a delicate, petite beauty. Even her voice was soft and gentle, a feast for the ears.

Of course, that was only when she was in front of Su Yi.

“Mm,” said Su Yi. “The ancient corpses here are the remains of experts who’ve come here in search of good fortune over the years. After their deaths, their bodies and fragmented souls were invaded by the death qi covering this place, turning them into the inhuman monsters you see today.”

Su Yi raised his hand and pointed at the place where the corpse had been destroyed. “Look.”

The Red Dragon Dao Monarch looked over, and the pupils of her gemlike golden eyes silently constricted.

She’d just slapped the corpse into countless chunks, but now, the fragments were transforming into strange black mist and fusing into the death qi enveloping the entire landmass.

“The death qi is constant despite the ages, and it’s extraordinarily strange. It likely has something to do with the source of this place. All who die here are corroded by death qi and transform into monsters with no fear of destruction,” said Su Yi. “Some of the stronger ancient corpses condense highly distinctive pearls. You could call them ‘Departed Soul Dao Pearls.’ They’re full of different powers of the Laws, like the Dao of Corrosion, the Dao of Blood, and the Dao of Devouring Souls.”

“To people like us, they’re rare treasures, but they’re especially precious to heretical cultivators. To them, they’re unparalleled treasures of the Dao.

“Actually, it’s not just the Departed Soul Dao Pearls. To a heretical cultivator, the Corpse-Strewn Ruins are practically heaven. The death qi permeating the place, the ancient corpses, and the good fortune distributed throughout these lands are enough to make any heretical cultivator go mad with delight.

“Of course, those beneath the Immortal King level are still doomed beyond a doubt.”

The Corpse-Strewn Ruins were one of the seven great forbidden zones of the Eastern Sea, and they’d existed since the Primeval Era. Who knew how many extraordinarily powerful experts had died here?

And all of those powerful, deceased experts had transformed into ancient corpses. They were naturally far from ordinary.

As they conversed, Su Yi led the Red Dragon Dao Monarch further into the Corpse-Strewn Ruins.

Along the way, all manner of strange corpses emerged from the fog-shrouded landscape and attacked.

Not all of the corpses were human. There were numerous other species among the dead, each more vicious and brutal than the one before.

But this naturally wasn’t enough to threaten Su Yi. Actually, he didn’t even have to lift a finger. The Red Dragon Dao Monarch effortlessly crushed every ancient corpse that attacked.

Much to her disappointment, even when she destroyed ancient corpses capable of threatening Immortal Kings, she found no Departed Soul Dao Pearls.

They continued on their way. Soon, they heard the sound of fierce combat emanating from the road ahead.

“Someone else is exploring this place?” exclaimed the Red Dragon Dao Monarch.

“This is one of the seven great forbidden zones of the Eastern Sea, but it’s common for powerful cultivators to come here in search of good fortune,” Su Yi said calmly. “Where do you think all the walking corpses here came from?”

The Red Dragon Dao Monarch froze, stunned, but she quickly understood.

“Come on, let’s have a look.”

Su Yi was already headed toward the sounds of combat. Before long, he and the Red Dragon Dao Monarch arrived at the site of a raging battle.

Four Immortal Kings, three men and one woman, were locked in combat with numerous ancient corpses. The light of their treasures soared into the firmament, and destructive power swept outward, shaking heaven and earth.

Su Yi recognized the combatants at a glance. “So, they’re experts of the Ba Serpent Spirit Race.”

The Ba Serpents were among the greatest lineages of the Eastern Sea. Prior to the Age of Fallen Immortals, they were among the Ten Great Spirit Races of the Eastern Sea.

The Ba Serpent Race was extraordinarily talented, with a powerful bloodline and complete legacies suitable even for the Great Realm. Their foundations weren’t at all inferior to the top factions of the Immortal Realm.

Of the four Ba Serpent Immortal Kings fighting here, the strongest was an old man in golden robes. He was in the late-stage Miracle Realm.

He controlled lightning, as if he were a god of thunder, and he was incomparably valiant.

However, his opponents were no ordinary ancient corpses. There were thirteen of them, each with the power to threaten Immortal Kings.

One of them was dressed like a Daoist, and it was incomparably ferocious. It gripped a massive greatsword and charged straight ahead. The late-stage Miracle Realm old man could barely even fight back!

“I suspect that corpse was an extraordinarily powerful Immortal King of the Dao of the Sword in life. He must have come here hoping for a chance to prove his Dao and enter the Great Realm, only to die here instead,” exclaimed Su Yi.

The corpse’s greatsword was extraordinary. It was swathed in explosive, terrifying death qi, and with each swing, sword qi arced through the air, boring through the sky!

Its ferocity and momentum were far beyond the other ancient corpses.

“Your Excellency, if he was so strong, how could he have...” The Red Dragon Dao Monarch was stunned.

She too was just one step away from the Great Realm. All she needed was an opportune moment.

How could she not be surprised to learn that the ancient corpse of a Daoist had died here despite having been so powerful in life?

“He must have gone somewhere he shouldn’t have,” said Su Yi, his gaze distant. “Do you remember what I said earlier? Some parts of the Corpse-Strewn Ruins are covered in taboo power. Even Great Realm experts face almost certain doom if they venture inside.”

The Red Dragon Dao Monarch was startled.

Suddenly, a dignified, imposing voice resounded from afar.

“You two, we of the Ba Serpent Spirit Race are working here. Hurry up and leave! Otherwise, don’t blame us for our poor manners!” said the old man in golden robes. When he discovered that Su Yi and the Red Dragon Dao Monarch were headed their way, he immediately issued a warning.

Well, it was a warning, but it was no different from a threat. He was obviously worried that Su Yi and the Red Dragon Dao Monarch would seize the opportunity to loot a broken house and ruin their plans. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The Red Dragon Dao Monarch furrowed her brow. “Your Excellency, should I kill them?”

Su Yi laughed. “No need for that.”

He was already leading the Red Dragon Dao Monarch on a detour around the battlefield.

“Why not? It’s not like the Corpse-Strewn Ruins are their territory, yet they dared treat you with disrespect. How could we possibly let them off?” said the Red Dragon Dao Monarch, still angry.

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “Even without our intervention, they’re going to lose big time.”

He’d only just said this when an enraged, alarmed shout resounded from the battlefield.

Five more ancient corpses, each comparable to an Immortal King, suddenly launched themselves into the fray. The five Ba Serpents’ formation was thrown into disarray, and they looked utterly wretched.

One of them was even badly injured!

The Red Dragon Dao Monarch couldn’t help but sneer and murmur, “That’s what they call ‘karmic retribution!’ Had they been just a little politer and more respectful, we wouldn’t have just stood back and watched them die, but now... hmph!”

Su Yi wouldn’t have guessed the seemingly tender, youthful Red Dragon Dao Monarch would nurse a grudge like this.

“Come on, no need to concern ourselves with their fate.”

“Mm.”

But not long after the two of them left, they heard figures streaking toward them from behind. The four Immortal Kings were headed their way!

A dozen or so ancient corpses followed hot on their heels.

“You two, please, help us kill our enemies! The Ba Serpent Spirit Race will reward you generously for your assistance!” the old man bellowed.

He made it sound pleasant, but he wasn’t at all sincere. He headed straight toward Su Yi and the Red Dragon Dao Monarch without bothering to see whether they agreed to help or not.

The Red Dragon Dao Monarch’s beautiful face was instantly murderous. “Your Excellency, those bastards can’t defeat the ancient corpses, so they’re trying to redirect this disaster onto us!”

They called this asking for help? They were obviously just trying to sic the corpses on them instead!

They were far too insidious!

Su Yi laughed. “Let’s just teach them a lesson, then.”

As he spoke, he waved his sleeve.

Boom!

Heaven and earth shook. The humming of a sword swept forth like the tide.

Streaks of sword qi whooshed forth, crisscrossing in the air.

In the blink of an eye, the ten-plus ancient corpses chasing the four Immortal Kings were cut into pieces, destroyed on the spot!

Even the strongest of the corpses, the one with the greatsword, offered no more resistance than paper window paneling!

The golden-robed elder and his companions were instantly dumbstruck. They felt as if they’d been struck by lightning, and they almost dared not believe their eyes.

He just destroyed a whole group of corpses comparable to Immortal Kings in a single wave of his sleeves!?

Who is this guy? How could he be so terrifying?

The golden-robed elder reacted the quickest. He smiled, clasped his fist, and bowed. “Thank you for your assistance, sir! We’re deeply grateful, and we’ll be sure to reward you generously!”

The others nodded hurriedly.

“Oh?” said Su Yi. “How, exactly, do you plan to repay me?”

The golden-robed elder’s heart sank as he realized their earlier behavior had provoked Su Yi.

He took a deep breath, then smiled. “These three Departed Soul Dao Pearls are yours, Fellow Daoist. We’re willing to offer an additional three Departed Soul Dao Pearls as an expression of gratitude.”

He paused, then said, “That aside, in saving us, you’ve won the friendship of the Ba Serpent Spirit Race. If there’s anything our people can do to assist you during your time in the Eastern Sea, we absolutely won’t refuse!”

Only now did the Red Dragon Dao Monarch notice that three dusty gray pearls had fallen to the ground when the ancient corpses were destroyed. Those were presumably the Departed Soul Dao Pearls.

However, the golden-robed old man’s words infuriated her. “Those spoils are rightfully His Excellency’s to begin with. How can you call that a reward? And what, pray tell, is the friendship of the Ba Serpents worth?”

Her voice was dripping with derision.

The golden-robed old man and his companions’ expressions darkened.

One of them, a gaunt middle-aged man, couldn’t help but say coldly, “We’ve already expressed our gratitude and sufficient sincerity, but you still aren’t satisfied? Don’t you think you’re over the line? Besides, if not for the two of you, how could those ancient corpses have been drawn to where we were fighting?”

Splurt!

The gaunt middle-aged man had only just said this when a bloody hole appeared through his forehead. His eyes bulged, and he toppled over backward.

Astonishment was written all over his face even in death.