Chapter 221: Generous to the End

A large swathe of red saber energy flashed out, and his head tilted to the left.

Several purple lights collided with the red saber energy, unleashing a large wave of air and a deafening boom.

A purple light pierced through Guangdong Ren's left arm; blood flowed profusely, and the blood was purple. He felt dizzy and disoriented.

“This is bad,” he muttered to himself. He immediately severed his left arm with the Sky-Swallowing Fiery Flood Dragon Saber, his face turning pale.

A green long rainbow-like beam flew towards him, poised to pierce his head.

A large amount of firelight appeared out of nowhere, quickly forming a crimson fire wall over ten zhang high, blocking his path.

“Boom!”

The crimson fire wall was shattered, and Guangdong Ren seized the opportunity to evade.

By this time, flames on the ground had already surged tens of zhang high. Wang Changsheng continuously waved the Profound Ice Flag, releasing a large area of white cold air.

As soon as the white cold air touched the flames, a puff of white smoke immediately rose.

Wang Changsheng was drenched in sweat. The flames had already reached the mountaintop, and even through the protective barrier, he could feel an intense heat.

After a slight hesitation, he took out the set of Minor Four Symbols Formation Talismans and threw them around him.

With a flash of spiritual light, a five-zhang-wide four-colored barrier appeared out of nowhere, enveloping everyone.

Looking around, all he could see were rolling flames.

A dragon's roar echoed, and a crimson fiery flood dragon over a hundred zhang long burst out from the sea of fire, baring its fangs and claws as it lunged at Qu Xiong and the other two.

Qu Xiong and the other two's expressions changed dramatically. They swiftly controlled their magical artifacts to attack the crimson fiery flood dragon.

As expected, the crimson fiery flood dragon was shattered to pieces, dissipating into a sky full of flames.

Just then, a thick red light beam shot out from the sea of fire below, flashing briefly to envelop Qu Xiong.

Enveloped by the red light beam, Qu Xiong felt his body tighten instantly, rendering him immobile.

In the sea of fire below, Wu Zifeng held a small red mirror. He had used a secret technique to raise his cultivation to the third layer of the Core Formation stage. While he couldn't refine a magical artifact in such a short time, activating a talisman treasure was not an issue.

Just then, a cold voice rang out: “Man and Saber as One.”

Guangdong Ren flew into the Sky-Swallowing Fiery Flood Dragon Saber. The saber’s light surged, transforming into a several-zhang-long red long rainbow-like beam that struck towards Qu Xiong with lightning speed.

Ye Ying hastily summoned a purple shield, which expanded against the wind and blocked Qu Xiong.

With a soft crack, the purple shield was shattered by the red long rainbow-like beam, which then surged towards the three of them.

Ye Ying and Wei Nantian quickly dodged, but Qu Xiong watched helplessly as the red long rainbow-like beam pierced through his body, turning him into a shower of blood that fell from mid-air.

With Qu Xiong dead, Ye Ying and Wei Nantian had no desire to continue fighting. They hastily put away their magical artifacts and flew towards the distant horizon.

“Those who offend my Hundred Spirit Sect shall be killed without mercy,” Guangdong Ren’s cold voice rang out. The red long rainbow-like beam hovered, then slashed towards Ye Ying.

The red mirror in Wu Zifeng’s hand blurred, transforming into a red talisman that burned to ashes, leaving nothing behind. This talisman treasure was ruined.

Wu Zifeng’s face twisted into a grim expression as he opened his mouth and spat out a red mo-saber. Judging by its spiritual energy fluctuations, it was clearly a nascent magical artifact.

“Man and Saber as One.” He merged with the red mo-saber, becoming a crimson long rainbow-like beam that struck towards Ye Ying.

He had used a secret technique to boost his cultivation, knowing he would not live for more than half an hour. This was his dying strike; he had already accepted his fate the moment he used the secret technique to elevate his cultivation to the Core Formation stage.

Ye Ying frowned, flicked her finger, and a purple orb shot out, striking towards the red long rainbow-like beam that Guangdong Ren had transformed into.

Wei Nantian clapped at the void, and a several-zhang-sized black giant hand flashed out, striking towards the crimson long rainbow-like beam that Wu Zifeng had transformed into.

Seeing a purple orb flying towards it, the red long rainbow-like beam swiftly evaded.

The black giant hand collided with the crimson long rainbow-like beam, creating a large wave of air, and the black hand dispersed.

Seizing this opportunity, Wei Nantian and Ye Ying reached the edge of the red barrier.

The crimson long rainbow-like beam glowed with a burst of red light, revealing Wu Zifeng's figure.

He took out a red formation disc and cast several incantations onto it.

The ground flames surged, quickly forming over a dozen massive crimson fire pythons that lunged at Ye Ying and Wei Nantian.

Ye Ying hastily controlled her magical artifact, shattering the over dozen crimson fire pythons.

Just then, a massive golden cleaver appeared above their heads and swiftly slashed down towards Wei Nantian.

Wei Nantian hastily dodged, but his reaction was a step too slow. The golden cleaver grazed past him, severing his left arm.

Ye Ying summoned a purple porcelain bottle and struck it against the red barrier.

The purple porcelain bottle shattered, and a large splash of purple liquid scattered onto the red barrier, immediately causing a large plume of green smoke to rise. The two then controlled their magical artifacts to attack the smoking area, creating a several-zhang-sized opening, through which they escaped.

Seeing this, a look of relief appeared on Wu Zifeng’s face, and he rapidly fell towards the ground.

Su Cheng flew from a distance and caught Wu Zifeng.

Wu Zifeng’s hair had turned completely white, and his face was covered in wrinkles, looking like an old man on the verge of death.

Guangdong Ren landed beside him, picked up the formation disc, and cast an incantation upon it. The flames on the ground slowly dispersed and vanished.

The four-colored barrier that had enveloped Wang Changsheng and the others also shattered. He gazed in the direction of Wu Zifeng, his eyes filled with confusion.

“Wasn't Wu Zifeng a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Why is he emitting Core Formation stage spiritual pressure?”

“Senior Martial Brother Wu, are you alright?” Su Cheng asked, his eyes red.

“Junior Martial Brother Su, I’m done for. The Hundred Spirit Sect will rely on Master and you all from now on,” Wu Zifeng replied.

Guangdong Ren’s nose tingled with emotion, and he admonished, “How could you be so foolish? Didn’t I tell you not to elevate your cultivation by an entire major realm? Hold on, I’ll go find you elixirs and miraculous medicines; I will definitely save you.”

Wu Zifeng grasped Guangdong Ren’s hand and said with a smile, “Master, I know I’m not going to make it. If I die, the Hundred Spirit Sect will survive; if I live, the Hundred Spirit Sect will perish. I was prepared to die the moment I used the secret technique. My only regret is that I haven’t finished the Dragon-Phoenix Pot. Please leave it for Junior Martial Brother Su to eat! Don’t let it go to waste. Your disciple won’t be able to see the Hundred Spirit Sect become the greatest sect under heaven. Master, if there is a next life, I would still be willing to pledge allegiance to you as…”

Wu Zifeng’s words trailed off as he breathed his last.

“Feng’er!” Guangdong Ren roared to the sky, his face filled with grief and indignation, tears welling in his eyes. Scenes from the past flashed through his mind.

In a dilapidated temple, a four or five-year-old beggar boy gazed longingly at a three-hundred-jin fat man who was ravenously devouring a roasted chicken, his face filled with envy.

The little beggar swallowed hard, hesitated for a long while, then cautiously asked, “Sir, could you spare a bite?”

The fat man wiped his mouth and smiled, “Boy, you possess spiritual roots and can cultivate immortality. Our meeting here today is fate. Are you willing to become my disciple? I am Guangdong Ren, the Sect Master of the Hundred Spirit Sect.”

“Spiritual roots? Become a disciple?” The little beggar was utterly bewildered. He was illiterate and didn’t know what becoming a disciple entailed.

“That’s right. If you become my disciple, this roasted chicken is yours. Our Hundred Spirit Sect cultivates through eating. If you join our sect, you can eat roasted chicken every day.”

Upon hearing this, the little beggar’s eyes lit up, and he immediately agreed, “Alright, I, Wu Ergou, am willing to become your disciple, Sir.”

“Good. From now on, you are my disciple. The name Wu Ergou is too unpleasant; from now on, you shall be called Wu Zifeng! And don’t call me ‘Sir’ anymore; call me ‘Master.’”

In a quiet courtyard, Guangdong Ren and Wu Zifeng sat around a stone table laden with many foods.

“Feng’er, come, your cultivation for today is to finish all this first-order spirit food.”

“Master, the Spirit Devouring and Essence Transforming Great Art mentions a secret technique, the Essence Transformation Secret Art. Can this technique truly boost cultivation?”

“Of course it’s true. This secret technique allows you to boost your cultivation by a few minor realms at the cost of burning your lifespan, losing at most a hundred years of life. However, if you elevate your cultivation by an entire major realm, your lifespan will only last for half an hour. Feng’er, remember, you must never elevate your cultivation by an entire major realm, or your lifespan will indeed only be half an hour. Eat more; look how thin you are! You eat so many good things and still can’t gain weight, truly disgracing your Master.”

“Master, are we really going to invade the State of Song?”

“Yes, it’s the law of the jungle, Feng’er. In the Ancestral Hall, there’s a third-order formation disc, located in the jade box on the altar table. This disc controls the Sky-Burning Ocean-Boiling Array, a contingency left by our sect’s founding patriarch. Only Core Formation cultivators can wield it. Once activated, it can cover most of the Hundred Spirit Mountain Range. If I don’t return, take the formation disc and lead your junior martial nephew Su and the others away from the State of Wei. With this disc, once you reach the Core Formation stage, you can return and restore the sect. This matter is an absolute secret of our sect and must not be revealed to anyone.”

“Understood, Master. You will surely return safely.”

“Speaking of which, why can’t you gain weight? You must not be eating enough good things. Later, I’ll make you some second-order spirit food. Go to sleep after you’ve finished eating.”

Su Cheng flew into mid-air and dispersed the arriving fellow disciples.

Wu Zifeng had been raised by Guangdong Ren, and although they were master and disciple, their bond surpassed that of father and son.

Guangdong Ren was naturally overcome with grief at Wu Zifeng’s death.

Nonetheless, had Wu Zifeng not stepped forward and sacrificed himself, the Hundred Spirit Sect would have been annihilated today.

After a brief period of mourning, Guangdong Ren instructed Su Cheng to clean up the aftermath, activate the sect’s protective array, and increase the number of patrolling disciples. He then flew towards the Hundred Spirit Sect with Wu Zifeng’s body.

The Guest Welcome Tower had been destroyed during the recent battle. Considering that Wang Changsheng would be needed for future conflicts, Su Cheng, after consulting with Guangdong Ren, made an exception and allowed Wang Changsheng to temporarily reside within the Hundred Spirit Sect.