Chapter 434: Red Jade Longevity Peach, Crushing Battle

Dealing with Jinlin was not merely a matter of moral obligation. The other party had repeatedly made moves against him, simply exploiting Wang Yu's perceived weakness and asserting dominance, much like a truck driving on a highway. Who would care about a mouse crushed while speeding down the road?

Helping Jin Miaoshan was, in fact, an opportunity to exact his own revenge. When he had the means, Wang Yu never put off vengeance.

That night, after much consideration, Wang Yu ultimately decided not to meet Han Jia. Guiling City was no longer what it once was, and if people from the Yellow Spring Sect discovered them, the other party might become vigilant.

With the return of Sovereign Jin Xi, the group of three traveled south to Taozhou.

“Elder Jin Xi, what happened to those Shadowless Assassins?”

“They were clearing the path for Jinlin, spreading out along the route to scout the surrounding environment. Another group was watching Jinman Building in Guiling; he knows the young lady is here.”

“Were they dealt with properly?”

Sovereign Jin Xi opened her right hand, revealing five black-gold pills in her palm. This indicated that only the observers had been dealt with, likely without alerting Jinlin. After all, the two had a feud, but it was limited to just them. The matters Jinlin negotiated with the Yellow Spring Sect were significant for Jinman Building. Jin Miaoshan would not, and had no reason to, sabotage them. While Jin Miaoshan wouldn't interfere with the negotiations, those who deserved to die were killed without hesitation. Taking over the business dealings would not be an issue; she was also one of Jinman Building's legitimate inheritors, and her word on behalf of the building was entirely valid. These assassins were likely dispatched for surveillance purely out of Jinlin's habit. Killing them was not a major issue. If he dared to send them, he should have been prepared for losses.

Wang Yu, standing nearby, watched the five heretical golden cores glowing with metallic luster, his lips slightly moving.

“May I study these things?”

Sovereign Jin Xi glanced sideways. Her perception of Wang Yu was entirely different now, having clearly heard about the battle at Black Mountain Pass and his prominent achievements, and his “distinguished title” as the top young talent in Red Kite.

“If the Demonic Lord of Profound Extreme Pills desires them, this Sovereign certainly won't refuse.”

“Elder Jin Xi, you jest.”

Reaching out to take the five heretical golden cores, Wang Yu still held great respect for Grand Cultivators. To him, heretical golden cores represented a truly marvelous technique. After all, these items could allow someone to become a peak Core Formation cultivator, making them undoubtedly a superior method among known unorthodox techniques. For Foundation Establishment cultivators, using them could lead to an instant leap in cultivation. While their lifespan wouldn't match the eight hundred years of a normal Core Formation cultivator, only lasting around six hundred years, it was still two hundred years longer than that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He felt that these items didn't necessarily have to be used by humans. Puppets and zombies could use them, and they could even serve as a basis for refining avatars. The methods for refining heretical golden cores could yield countless derivative techniques. One step further up, and there would be heretical Nascent Souls. Recently, he had also been delving into the secret art of the second Nascent Soul, combining it with the abilities of his Innate Demonic Embryo Physique. He might be able to create something significant.

Jin Miaoshan said nothing upon seeing this. Their relationship had advanced by leaps and bounds, long past the tense atmosphere of their initial encounters. If Wang Yu wanted something, she simply gave it to him.

After the basic intelligence exchange concluded, Sovereign Jin Xi continued, “The Branch Master of Jinman Building in Taozhou has secretly invited the Heaven and Earth Spirit, Peach Immortal, to assist.”

Heaven and Earth Spirits are beings that gain sentience and transform from plants, trees, or stubborn stones. The moment they awaken their spiritual intelligence, they possess power comparable to Nascent Soul cultivators. These spirits are rare, each a favored child of heaven and earth, and their path of cultivation is exceptionally smooth. They are only slightly inferior to those who gain sentience and transform from spirit veins. Furthermore, their lifespans are extremely long, exceeding those of humans and demons. If not for their slow cultivation progress, they would certainly hold a significant position in the current landscape of the Ice Prison Realm.

“Peach Immortal… Is the Branch Master responsible for the contact reliable?”

“Of course,” Jin Miaoshan responded quickly. “The Branch Master in Taozhou is from my direct lineage; by blood relations, she even calls me elder cousin.”

“Then there's no problem.”

A few days later, the group of three officially entered Taozhou and met the so-called Heaven and Earth Spirit in a peach forest. To be honest, it was slightly different from what Wang Yu had imagined.

At this moment, under an exceptionally massive peach tree, its lush branches were adorned with numerous bells strung together by red cords, ringing incessantly with every gust of wind. On the sturdy, towering trunk, a face covered in bark patterns was speaking: “Miss Jin, this old man is unwilling to participate in your building's internal succession disputes.”

Jin Miaoshan was immediately displeased. “If you didn't want to, why did you agree?”

The Peach Immortal's abstract features somehow conveyed a sense of bitter amusement. He said helplessly, “Since this old man is rooted in Taozhou, how could I refuse the Branch Master's invitation? Please hear me out first.”

“—Speak!”

“My true body will not appear, but I can dispatch a peach tree clone to help you intercept a Nascent Soul cultivator. Once the treasure transport team enters Taozhou territory, this old man will certainly detect them. At that time, I will also synchronize the information with Miss Jin. Is that acceptable?”

Sovereign Jin Xi said with a cold expression. “Old Peach Tree, how is this any different from burying one's head in the sand? Since you agreed to act, why be so secretive and stingy? Do you truly think the building won't be able to investigate this?!”

The Peach Immortal immediately fell silent, his heart filled with extreme conflict.

Seeing the situation at a slight stalemate, Wang Yu pointed with interest at the spiritual peaches hidden within the Peach Immortal's canopy, instantly picking out a crimson peach fruit. “How about this: give me this peach fruit, and you won't have to take action? You only need to report the treasure transport team's location promptly.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Peach Immortal, Sovereign Jin Xi, and Jin Miaoshan were all stunned.

Wang Yu gave Jin Miaoshan a look, and she immediately understood: “Brother Wang's intention is my intention.”

“This…”

The old peach tree became even more conflicted, remaining silent for a long while. “Fellow Daoist has keen eyesight. This is a Vermillion Jade Longevity Peach, which this old man cultivates for a thousand years to obtain just one. Consuming it directly can extend one's lifespan by a hundred years, and if refined into a Longevity Pill with a suitable elixir formula, the effect is even better. Since Fellow Daoist desires it, this old man will give it to you. I will constantly monitor the treasure transport team. Farewell!”

The Vermillion Jade Longevity Peach landed in Wang Yu's hand. Amidst a surrounding mist, in just the blink of an eye, the large peach tree vanished from sight. Wang Yu flipped his hand, storing the peach in his Sea Heart Ring.

Sovereign Jin Xi, however, asked, “If the Peach Immortal doesn't act, how will we deal with the Nascent Soul cultivator by Jinlin's side? This Sovereign will be occupied with Shadowless Sovereign, and it will be difficult to determine a victor quickly.”

“No worries, Brother Wang has his own ingenious plan,” Jin Miaoshan answered for him, raising an eyebrow at Wang Yu as she spoke. “Right?”

“…Yes.”

Wang Yu thought for a moment, then conjured the Thunder Fiend Coffin, showing the two the Level Four Thunder Corpse. With it present, fighting two opponents was not impossible. He also took out the Yellow Spring Earth Grievance Puppet. “Miaoshan, use it to kill Jinlin then. The spirit stones required to drive the puppet will be your own expense.”

“What a treasure.” A Level Four puppet and a Level Four Thunder Corpse—things few ordinary people could acquire even one of—Wang Yu actually possessed two. Adding his own combat strength to that, it was possible he could even strike down a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Sovereign Jin Xi fell silent. Wang Yu, meanwhile, led Jin Miaoshan aside to help her imbue the puppet with her spiritual sense, granting her temporary control. Jin Miaoshan was very excited and instinctively asked, “Brother Wang, are you selling this puppet?”

Wang Yu said, speechless. “What do you think?”

“Hehe, a Level Four zombie is one thing, but puppets are truly rare. As far as I know, Jinman Building doesn't even have one. Too few people delve deeply into this minor path, and there's a lack of talent.” Ultimately, the Ice Prison Realm was too small and had been built by the Immortal Palace as a prison. Regarding the hundred arts of cultivation, let alone the path of puppetry, even talismans and formations might not be complete.

Half an hour later, everything was ready. With the help of the Peach Immortal, the local insider, the group of three successfully arrived at the ambush point along the path Jinlin's team would inevitably take southbound. The plan was simple: an overwhelming assault!

As long as their raw strength could create an overwhelming advantage, everything would be fine. Wang Yu was ready to unleash a fatal blow at any moment.

Meanwhile, Jinlin, Demonic Lord Curse Ghost, and Daoist Jin Yan were all openly present, accompanied by a twenty-person Shadowless Assassin squad. The strongest among them, Shadowless Sovereign, was hidden in the shadows. As the welcoming party for the treasure transport team, they had left Youzhou early and traveled south. By then, they were almost at the border of Taozhou.

Jinlin, as one of Jinman Building's four succession candidates, his appearance was quite striking: long black hair swept back with a golden dragon-shaped hair clip, and he wore magnificent black-and-gold robes embroidered with dragon patterns. However, the slightly gloomy eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows marred the overall impression. This gloominess stemmed from Jin Miaoshan's long-term undermining of his reputation. His repeated attempts to cause her distress were partly due to this.

“Hmph, if this business deal goes through, the Yellow Spring Sect will undertake larger-scale cooperation with this Young Master. In the second audit, I will definitely surpass that little bitch Jin Miaoshan. Jin Chixuan and Jin Xuanxuan are over at Taihu. As long as Jin Miaoshan is eliminated, the Red Kite market share will all belong to me!” Jinlin mused joyfully, the gloom in his eyes dissipating considerably for a moment.

As the group officially entered Taozhou, Shadowless Sovereign's voice suddenly rang out. “Watch out, an ambush!!!”

Boom~

With a loud bang, the mountain on the left suddenly collapsed, sending massive boulders raining down. Daoist Jin Yan waved his hand, conjuring a spiritual barrier, and roared, “Protect Young Master Jinlin!” At the same time, his gaze involuntarily darted to Demonic Lord Curse Ghost. Among those present, only he was not from Jinman Building. Though he was a trading partner, the possibility of a double-cross could not be ruled out.

Upon realizing he was suspected, Demonic Lord Curse Ghost let out a cold snort. He proactively moved away from Jinlin and charged towards the collapsing mountain, clearly intending to prove his innocence. However, the situation was slightly different from what he expected.

At that very moment, Sovereign Jin Xi made her move. Her innate magic artifact, a whisk, swung down, its silk threads, sharper than any blade or sword, transforming into a vast net. The aura of a late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator caused Demonic Lord Curse Ghost's spiritual senses to violently alarm him. Fortunately, Shadowless Sovereign acted at the crucial moment. Curse Ghost's shadow erupted with thousands of shadowy spikes. It forcibly repelled the silk threads from the whisk. Golden light flickered, and Sovereign Jin Xi took the opportunity to sweep away Shadowless Sovereign, instantly leaving the battlefield with the aid of her Golden Light Escape Technique. The trade-off was successful!

Because Jinlin hadn't made a move himself, he saw everything clearly and immediately shouted a warning. “It's Sovereign Jin Xi, Jin Miaoshan's damned bitch! Watch out, there are more helpers!”

Alas, the warning came a little too late.

After the two Grand Cultivators vanished, Wang Yu boldly made his move, releasing the Thunder Corpse to actively attack Jinlin. This meant Daoist Jin Yan could not support Demonic Lord Curse Ghost. The scene instantly became the one-on-one combat that Wang Yu excelled at. The Level Four Low-grade Bloodline True Artifact, Fiendish Demonic Dragon Armor, which he hadn't used in a long time, was donned, concealing his face in a gesture akin to burying one's head in the sand. Jinman Building would undoubtedly find him if they investigated later, but the necessary superficial effort still had to be made.

Under the enhancement of his innate true artifact, Wang Yu's physical strength greatly increased. Coupled with the greater power of his Silver Blood Divine Strength, the crushing force of his Strength Domain made Demonic Lord Curse Ghost feel as though immense gravity had descended upon him. His face turned crimson from strain, yet he couldn't move. He was proficient in hexes and curses, but his physical strength among Nascent Soul cultivators could only be described as frail. In his early years, he had even suffered lasting ailments from using curses to kill enemies beyond his cultivation realm.

Before he could conjure his innate magic artifact to break free, space suddenly solidified. Wang Yu's figure flickered, appearing before him, the crescent moon imprint in his eyes glowing intensely.

Void Moon Eye Technique—Spatial Solidification!

Under the double restraint, even lifting a finger was a luxury. Demonic Lord Curse Ghost's spirits immediately plummeted. What followed, however, was Wang Yu's powerful, heavy punch. A phantom image of a blood sea appeared, and as Asura's killing intent erupted, an Asura climbed out of the blood sea. With an incredibly ferocious, ugly face, the punch descended. Without any room to resist, Curse Ghost's frail body instantly exploded into a mist of blood. The Thunder Fiend Coffin then emerged, greedily devouring the essence of the Nascent Soul cultivator's flesh. Curse Ghost's Nascent Soul, gaunt like a wraith, was still disoriented. The power of the Minor Asura Killing Fist, combined with the Asura's killing intent, was no less than a Level Four killing art divine ability. The killing intent affected the mind, passively trapping the target in a mental illusion of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

At that moment, the Glazed Ice Heart Tower spun out. With the Heavenly Chains coupled with the Black Ice Chains, Curse Ghost's Nascent Soul was dragged into the bottom of the tower and suppressed within a few breaths.

Curse Ghost… was instantly killed!

Looking back, Sovereign Jin Xi's initial strike, followed by Wang Yu's flawlessly executed combo, effectively incapacitated him. The speed at which the situation changed was utterly astonishing.

At this point, the Thunder Corpse had only just exchanged a couple of blows with Daoist Jin Yan. For now, they were evenly matched.

“Young Master Jinlin, hurry and leave!” Daoist Jin Yan roared in anger. The swords he used were shaped like individual feathers, thinner and shorter than conventional swords. Dense golden streams of light continuously collided with the lightning.

Upon hearing this, Jinlin's eyes were bloodshot with rage, and he felt as if ants were crawling all over him, incredibly uncomfortable. “Jin Miaoshan, you've got nerve!” He didn't know if the other party could hear him, but his emotions were so suppressed that he could only utter a mumbled remark to express his fury.

A jade-green wind shuttle appeared beneath his feet. A gentle breeze wafted, seemingly shortening spatial distance, instantly leaping from one point to another. Jin Miaoshan acted at the opportune moment.

—Space Suppression Seal!

It had been demonstrated years ago when besieging Sword Lord Nine Evils; even a Grand Cultivator's Nascent Soul teleportation technique couldn't break through this level of spatial blockade. However, this secret treasure was ultimately an item of Jinman Building. If Jin Miaoshan could borrow it, so could Jinlin. Everyone was familiar with this secret treasure. Thus, as the Evasion Shuttle's speed slowed, Jinlin conjured a token and laughed loudly. “Showing off your meager skills before a master! You think you can stop this Young Master with just this?!”

However, he continued to activate the Evasion Shuttle, yet it remained unresponsive. He finally noticed the eerie silver chains within the spatial void.

Void Secret Art—Heavenly Chains!

“Surprised, Jinlin?”