Chapter 1619: Evil Sword Engraving (Third Watch)

A long time passed.

The world darkened.

When the last city vanished from sight, Grand Venerable Xingyuan's eyes were slightly red. He turned to face the Deity Transformation Venerables and said, "They have all gone. This land is now left with only us."

The Deity Transformation cultivators looked around. The world was vast and desolate, leaving only them to stand alone in the deep darkness. A profound sense of desolation and loneliness surged within them.

Grand Venerable Xingyuan's voice was somber and resolute as he stated, "Let us, the martial arts pioneers who have walked ahead of all beings, tear open theless sky for them and usher in a new dawn!"

In the darkness, everyone's eyes shone brightly like torches, like an array of suns poised to pierce through a millennium of night.

Grand Venerable Xingyuan waved his hand, and crystal-like stones, each brimming with pure power, flew before them. "These are the 'Wish-Fruits' accumulated by our Hunyuan State over many years, formed by sealing the immense righteousness of our ancestors before their passing."

"You can wish to improve your cultivation, enhance your soul power, or even acquire certain items. As long as your wish falls within the capacity of the vast righteousness contained within the Wish-Fruit, it can be realized."

Each person took a crystal, their faces showing surprise. Jiang Fan also grasped one, and upon probing it, an astonishing surge of vast righteousness rushed directly into his mind. The concentration of this energy was equivalent to the power of ten consumed 'Space-Time Dust' particles. It had undoubtedly been left behind by a Grand Scholar from the late Nascent Soul stage in ancient times.

Grand Venerable Xingyuan distributed dozens of them, indicating they were certainly not accumulated by just one or two generations. Rather, they were the fruit of several generations' efforts, possibly even starting preparation after humanity's great defeat a millennium ago. For this battle, the Hunyuan State had prepared for a full millennium.

Grand Venerable Xingyuan said, "Everyone, prepare. The battle will commence in half a day at most."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan's expression became solemn, and he immediately sat down cross-legged. After attaining the Deity Transformation stage, he had rushed to the Far East and then hurried to Hunyuan State, leaving many matters on his person unattended. First and foremost was that great pill! This pill could elevate one to the Second Decline of Heaven-Human. If he could successfully break through, wouldn't that bring him even closer to success?

However, he gazed at the great pill, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Was it truly alright to break through so rapidly?

"Where did you get your Grade Seven Great Pill? And it's one that can help you break through to the Deity Transformation stage? Since when has the Central Land had such spiritual elixirs?" In Divine Weapon State, a short, red-skinned middle-aged man exclaimed in surprise. He had a divine halo with five flame marks on the back of his head! It was none other than Grand Venerable Wanbing from Divine Weapon State.

The Venerable of the Second Decline of Heaven-Human, who had aided the Great State of Taicang, honestly replied, "Reporting to Grand Venerable, it was a gift from Venerable Xinghuo. Every Venerable who aided the Great State of Taicang received one as a gift."

At these words, the eyes of many Deity Transformation cultivators reddened with envy. "This is a Grade Seven Great Pill that helps break through to the Deity Transformation stage—it's worth a hundred years of arduous cultivation!"

"If one merely cultivates diligently without any opportunities, it's common to fail to break through, even after a hundred years, or right up until one's demise."

"Venerable Xinghuo is far too generous. To grant such a Heaven-Earth Great Pill just for aiding the Great State of Taicang..."

"I really want to slap myself. I didn't agree when that female Asura King invited me to aid the Great State of Taicang before! A Grade Seven Great Pill just slipped through my fingers like that! What a wasted opportunity!"

The Deity Transformation Venerables from Sacred Spirit State, their faces filled with longing, said, "Grand Venerable Bingxin, please intercede for us and ask Venerable Xinghuo to grant us a few great pills as well? We are willing to exchange them at any cost."

Ask Jiang Fan?

Grand Venerable Bingxin felt a slight stir but quickly composed herself, saying, "We just cleared up a misunderstanding. It's good enough that he doesn't resent me; why would he give me face?"

Hearing this, the Deity Transformation cultivators of Sacred Spirit State understood the reasoning and sighed endlessly. "Alas, if only there hadn't been a misunderstanding."

"Exactly! Since Grand Venerable Bingxin already forced Venerable Xinghuo to wear the Telepathic Ring, why not push a bit further? In that case, how could Venerable Xinghuo refuse our Grand Venerable?"

Grand Venerable Bingxin's cheeks flushed slightly upon hearing this, and she bit her red lip, muttering to herself, "A group of men together will always gossip and spread rumors. Me, forcing Jiang Fan? Is that even possible?" Shaking her head, she cast aside all distracting thoughts and quietly sat cross-legged to meditate.

Amidst countless expressions of envy and regret, many Deity Transformation Venerables, even those who had never met Jiang Fan, approached him to inquire if he had any spare great pills. They naturally received a disappointing answer. This filled Venerable Hongchen, Vice Palace Master You, and the others with a sense of triumph. See how wise they were; by sticking with Jiang Fan, they ensured they would always have plenty.

"Venerable Xinghuo, thank you," Grand Venerable Wanbing said, walking over to express his gratitude.

How could Jiang Fan dare to be arrogant in front of a Grand Venerable? Moreover, this Grand Venerable Wanbing was the one who had spent a month using the most precious extraterrestrial divine stones to forge the Evil Sword. He quickly stood up, clasped his fists, and said, "Grand Venerable Wanbing, you're too kind. It should be I who thanks you, Grand Venerable, for forging this ultimate spiritual sword for a junior like me."

Grand Venerable Wanbing gazed at the Evil Sword on Jiang Fan's back, stroked his beard, and chuckled, "It seems you've found a very compatible artifact spirit. You've actually enabled it to become a growth-type spiritual artifact. Moreover, it has already begun to undergo a qualitative change, with the potential to break through the limitations of a spiritual artifact and become a quasi-World Artifact."

Really? Jiang Fan hadn't paid it any mind. He took down the Evil Sword for a closer look, only then noticing that it was even darker than before, like a black hole devouring all light. And on the hilt, a faint indentation was barely visible. At first glance, it carried a subtle hint of a sage's inscription, yet there were no discernible fluctuations of law.

Grand Venerable Wanbing, upon closer inspection, also gasped, "The indentation has appeared? It's not far from becoming a quasi-World Artifact! How long has this sword been refined? How could it undergo such a qualitative transformation so quickly?" Earlier, his initial glance had only detected a qualitative change in the Evil Sword. Only now did he realize it had reached the critical point of breaking through to a quasi-World Artifact. But how was this possible? Even if this sword was a growth-type spiritual artifact, its progress was incredibly fast!

Jiang Fan pondered for a moment, then seemed to understand. He said, "It must be related to my recent experiences. This artifact spirit can't stand to see me thrive. My recent near-death experiences, from which I narrowly escaped, likely infuriated it greatly. Then I successfully attained the Deity Transformation stage, fulfilling the dream it had always yearned for, which probably made it explode with rage. Finally, it discovered that I'd acquired some formidable treasures, which infuriated it even more. And as its resentment intensified, the quality of the Evil Sword continuously improved."

Grand Venerable Wanbing looked astonished. "Such a thing exists? This is the first time I've heard of an artifact spirit that resents its owner's success." After a moment of thought, he produced a metallic sphere emanating powerful suppressive energy. It was clearly a high-grade spiritual artifact.

Grand Venerable Wanbing said, "This is the 'Armor-Piercing Divine Pellet,' which I prepared specifically for the Gold Giant Kings, renowned for their incredibly tough bodies. Once activated, it can pierce through the defenses of a Gold Armored Giant King at the Second Decline of Heaven-Human, penetrating its body. If it strikes their essence, it can successfully kill them. Since you gifted great pills to the people of my state, I shall bestow this Armor-Piercing Divine Pellet upon you."

Jiang Fan's face lit up with joy as he received it with both hands. "Thank you, Grand Venerable Wanbing!" This Armor-Piercing Divine Pellet alone could kill at least one Giant King.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The Evil Sword suddenly vibrated, appearing to be extremely displeased. The malevolent aura within the sword was further stimulated, causing a slight improvement in its quality.