Chapter 262: 断臂

After the golden light destroyed the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Carriage Talisman, the copper bell shattered with a *crack*. The golden light dissipated, revealing a talisman paper covered in cracks, its fragments scattering downwards. It was a Talismanic Treasure.

The copper bell's power far surpassed the Jade Ruyi Talismanic Treasure Qin Sang held, which explained its ease in destroying the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Carriage Talisman. The original magic treasure it was based on must have been extraordinary. Although the Talismanic Treasure was consumed and shattered after this single use, its destruction of the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Carriage Talisman, severing Daoist Xuan Yu's escape route, made it a worthwhile sacrifice.

Qin Sang nodded secretly. He had heard that Golden Core cultivators were fortunate to possess even one magic treasure. Many, especially those without powerful backgrounds, spent years searching for spiritual materials for their Natal Magic Treasure, barely managing to gather them, and thus had no energy left to refine other magic treasures. The only exceptions were finding one through sheer luck during treasure hunts or by killing and seizing one from other Golden Core cultivators.

Old Man Di Que's background was far inferior to Daoist Xuan Yu's. Daoist Xuan Yu possessed a Jade Green Disc Natal Magic Treasure, a Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman whose power rivaled a magic treasure, and potentially an unrevealed Inner Scenery Origin Talisman. Furthermore, the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Carriage Talisman, though destroyed by the copper bell before its full power could be displayed, seemed to be of magic treasure caliber given Daoist Xuan Yu's escape speed. His ability to own so many treasures was due to his status as a disciple of the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace. In contrast, Old Man Di Que was merely a rogue cultivator, holding only the title of Guest Elder at Skull Pass, with questionable actual authority.

Qin Sang had initially been surprised by Old Man Di Que's apparent wealth, seeing him possess the Heavenly Sound Snail and then deploy a powerful copper bell, only to realize it was a Talismanic Treasure. This indicated that Old Man Di Que significantly lagged behind Daoist Xuan Yu in both cultivation and foundational strength. It was only by capitalizing on the element of surprise and his meticulous planning that he successively destroyed three of Daoist Xuan Yu's vital treasures, pushing him to the brink.

With the copper bell shattered, Old Man Di Que wasted no time. Before Daoist Xuan Yu could react again, he seized the opportunity to close in, blocking Daoist Xuan Yu's path.

The Heavenly Sound Snail vibrated slightly, immediately unleashing countless sonic blades that rained down like a storm. They not only engulfed Daoist Xuan Yu but also completely enveloped the surrounding area, leaving no gaps, denying him any chance to dodge.

Strangely, Daoist Xuan Yu made no struggle. His body was submerged within the storm of sonic blades. It was unclear if he was completely defenseless, but he was likely riddled with holes by now. Old Man Di Que was somewhat surprised, but excitement quickly followed.

Just as he was channeling his spiritual energy to amplify the Heavenly Sound Snail's power, a blade light silently pierced through the storm and shot out at high speed. Its target was Old Man Di Que! The blade light's speed was astonishing, instantly closing the distance to Old Man Di Que, leaving a long, narrow afterimage in the void. It was a heavenly blade descending upon the world, breathtakingly brilliant. This blade light appeared without warning, yet it was even more dazzling than the previous burst from the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman; its true form was imperceptible to the naked eye. While its fluctuations were identical to the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman, a different, more powerful and violent force was hidden within them!

This strike was not aimed at Qin Sang, but merely the emanating aftershocks of that power filled Qin Sang with profound dread, even a sense of trembling! He squinted, his vision filled with a blinding white, and suddenly recalled the night he left Yuanzhao Sect. "Burning his Golden Core?"

As the blade talisman approached him, Old Man Di Que's expression was grave, but a hint of barely perceptible joy flickered in his eyes. Qin Sang also realized that Daoist Xuan Yu, knowing death was inevitable, had chosen to burn his Golden Core power, pushing the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman to its limits in a desperate gamble. No wonder such terrifying power had erupted instantly. This was a last-ditch counterattack, possibly Daoist Xuan Yu's only chance. However, even if Daoist Xuan Yu managed to kill Old Man Di Que, the cost would be immense. The Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman would undoubtedly be completely destroyed, and more severely, Daoist Xuan Yu himself would suffer. Burning his Golden Core power meant that not only would achieving Nascent Soul formation be hopeless in the future, but even restoring himself to his previous state would be no easy feat.

"Excellent!" Old Man Di Que roared. He seemed to have been prepared. The moment the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman appeared, he flicked his hand, recalling the Heavenly Sound Snail. "Go!" His face hardened, and he unhesitatingly threw the Heavenly Sound Snail forward. With a slight shimmer, the Heavenly Sound Snail, propelled by Old Man Di Que's throw, slammed fiercely into the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman.

*Boom!* After a tremendous crash, the Heavenly Sound Snail recoiled, new cracks appearing on its surface. The Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman's light dimmed momentarily, then flared up brilliantly again. After a slight pause, it shot forward, a third faster than before. This was no longer merely burning Golden Core power; it was overdrawing, with no retreat left! Once his Golden Core power was exhausted, he would still die.

Daoist Xuan Yu seemed to have lost his sanity, choosing to merge with the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman and locking onto Old Man Di Que. Qin Sang also sensed Daoist Xuan Yu's fierce resolve; he no longer sought to live, only to die alongside his enemy!

At this point, the Heavenly Sound Snail was too slow to offer support. Old Man Di Que's figure moved like lightning, dodging repeatedly, yet he couldn't shake off the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman. As the blade talisman drew near, Old Man Di Que was forced back against the totem barrier. But he showed no panic. His gaze was cold as he watched the blade talisman, a hint of mockery even playing on his lips, and his spiritual energy suddenly erupted. Like a torrent, the spiritual energy surged, creating colossal waves that engulfed both sides.

"Transform into a puppet!" Within the spiritual energy, a fierce glint flashed in Old Man Di Que's eyes, and he suddenly made an astonishing move: he swung his palm and severed his own left arm! As the arm detached, it began to wriggle eerily, eventually transforming into another Old Man Di Que, standing in front of him. The next moment, this duplicate was pierced through by the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman. Meanwhile, Old Man Di Que's own aura completely vanished. With a flash, he transformed into a firebird and quietly flew into the flock of firebirds, merging among the countless birds.

*Whoosh!* The Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman tore through the spiritual energy, and along with it flew out two severed arm segments, which were then pulverized by the blade qi. Old Man Di Que had vanished!

All of this happened too quickly; in a flash, the situation changed several times. Due to the spiritual energy obscuring his view, Qin Sang didn't directly witness Old Man Di Que severing his arm to create a puppet and deceive the blade talisman. However, seeing the firebird escape and the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman only striking a severed arm, he could largely guess what had happened. Old Man Di Que must have used some secret technique to transfer the Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman's locked aura onto his severed arm, making it a substitute for his death, while he himself transformed into a firebird and hid. He simply waited for Daoist Xuan Yu's Golden Core power to burn out, after which he could effortlessly claim victory.

The Heavenly Gang Blade Talisman vibrated violently, emitting a mournful roar. Daoist Xuan Yu was unwilling, yet helpless. There were countless firebirds, all identical; he had no idea which one was Old Man Di Que.

Not far away, Qin Sang's gaze was fixed on a particular firebird. Having been a silent observer until now, he suddenly made his move!