Chapter 65: Iron-Blooded True Scripture

Jiang Fan stared at the shimmering purple sword in his hand, incredulous. He had just performed a sword flourish from a distance.

He jumped onto the stone statue, holding the purple sword, and forcefully slashed at the statue beneath his feet.

*Crash!*

A sharp cracking sound suddenly echoed, and the statue instantly broke into two! Jiang Fan gasped.

He looked at the purple sword in shock. "Its ability is to project sword qi from a distance? And powerful sword qi that can easily cut through stone?"

For a moment, he was overjoyed. With this sword in hand, combined with the "Seven Star Sword Art," its destructive power would be off the charts. The only flaw was that the sword was too heavy. It was very clumsy to use. One would need an extremely powerful physique to perfectly wield it.

"Do I need to cultivate my physique?" Jiang Fan showed a hint of hesitation. "Father once said that in martial arts, body cultivation is the most difficult path, as it requires far more resources than cultivating martial arts techniques. Improving body cultivation in Solitary Boat City is extremely difficult. I definitely have to go to Azure Cloud Sect now."

Next, he confirmed that the two Mortal Transcendence Pills were securely packed. As for the purple sword, he wrapped it in cloth to prevent its shimmering purple light from attracting attention.

But just then, an old and weak cry for help came from outside the cave entrance. "Is anyone there? Is anyone here? Save me, please save me."

In such deep mountains and old forests, and the Blood Bat Palace's lair at that, how could someone be calling for help? Without hesitation, he darted into the shadows of a rock crevice.

Not long after, a disheveled old man, covered in blood, stumbled frantically inside. He scanned the surroundings, found no one, and couldn't help but sigh, looking up at the sky. "I thought the sound in the cave meant someone was here. My life is over!"

A moment later, an exceptionally tall, tower-like muscular man strode in from outside the cave. His bare upper body was covered in strange patterns. With each step, the ground rumbled under his weight. He resembled a moving hill.

"Can't run away now, can you?" The burly man grinned, revealing a grim, cold smile. "You stole our Giant Sect's 'Iron Blood True Scripture'; even if you run back into Azure Cloud Sect territory, you'll still die!"

Jiang Fan's heart jolted. Giant Sect? Wasn't that one of the Nine Great Sects under the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion's rule? It was the most powerful among the Nine Great Sects. It was also the furthest from Azure Cloud Sect, with several sects separating them. How did someone from the Giant Sect manage to chase him into Azure Cloud Sect territory?

The pursued old man angrily retorted: "Xu Ganglie! You are utterly shameless! This 'Iron Blood True Scripture' was clearly my reward for eighteen years of alchemy for your Giant Sect. As an inner disciple of the Giant Sect, a member of a renowned righteous sect, you actually intend to kill for treasure." The "Iron Blood True Scripture" in the Giant Sect was a confidential cultivation technique only accessible to elders. Xu Ganglie, being an inner disciple, had coveted it for a long time. Coincidentally, the old man, who had retired and returned home, received a copy as a reward, which sparked Xu Ganglie's malicious intent.

"Heh heh, what 'renowned' or 'not renowned' sect?" Xu Ganglie's eyes glinted ferociously as he strode closer to the old man. "In this world, strength is king. Now you have two choices: hand over the 'Iron Blood True Scripture,' and I'll grant you a swift death. Otherwise, I'll torture you until you confess."

Jiang Fan held his breath and focused, his gaze calm. He had no intention of interfering. The dispute between the two was over treasure; what did it have to do with him? Moreover, this inner disciple of the Giant Sect was extremely powerful, giving him a sense of oppression several times greater than that of the branch master. There was no need to take such a risk.

However, what made Jiang Fan's heart skip a beat was that he keenly noticed Xu Ganglie's peripheral glance towards his hiding spot. He instantly realized something was wrong! Xu Ganglie seemed to be walking towards the old man, but suddenly he flicked his foot, kicking up a fist-sized stone and sending it flying towards Jiang Fan's direction.

He'd been discovered! Without hesitation, Jiang Fan decisively drew his wooden sword and used a sword technique to strike the incoming stone away. The web of his hand throbbed with pain. He was deeply alarmed. This person possessed immense strength. Even a stone kicked from a distance carried such power. If he were kicked at close range, broken bones would be minor; he might even have his intestines ruptured.

"Oh? You have some skill." Xu Ganglie narrowed his eyes, coldly watching Jiang Fan slowly emerge from the rock crevice. "To be able to withstand one of my attacks, you must have some ability. An Azure Cloud Sect disciple?"

Seeing Jiang Fan's youth yet considerable strength, he guessed his identity. Jiang Fan didn't want to get involved, so he said: "Yes. I saw nothing of what happened here."

Xu Ganglie smiled and cupped his hands, saying: "Then I thank you. The Nine Sects are like a family; we are brothers and should look out for each other." Although he said so, Jiang Fan didn't relax his guard in the slightest. He slowly retreated backward, giving his opponent no opening.

When he reached the edge of the plaza, Xu Ganglie finally couldn't hold back, scoffing: "Quite cunning!" He had no intention of letting Jiang Fan leave! The old man in front of him was a Soul Master, and one who had served the Giant Sect for many years. How could he let others know that he killed him and stole the "Iron Blood True Scripture"? He pretended to be polite, simply wanting Jiang Fan to lower his guard and then deliver a killing blow. He didn't expect Jiang Fan to be so cautious, giving him no opportunity at all.

Seeing that Jiang Fan was about to leave his attack range, he could no longer hold back and revealed his fierce true nature. As he spoke, he unleashed a sweeping attack. Large numbers of pebbles flew towards Jiang Fan like cannonballs. Fortunately, Jiang Fan was prepared; his wooden sword swept out repeatedly, deflecting the pebbles one by one.

Seizing this opening, the seemingly clumsy Xu Ganglie charged forward with astonishing speed, covering several yards in great strides, then performed a long jump, executing a 'Mount Tai Crushing the Summit' move. Feeling the rapidly descending shadow overhead, he immediately used his movement technique and narrowly dodged the attack.

*Boom!*

The spot where he had stood collapsed by a full foot under Xu Ganglie's massive body, with spiderweb-like cracks spreading all around. If he had been hit, he would surely have died! Jiang Fan was deeply shocked, but without hesitation, he turned and thrust his sword!

"Lone Star Pierces Azure!"

However, a single sword thrust only left a faint white mark on his skin. It was like a mere scratch! "What a tough body!" Xu Ganglie burst into laughter: "You think a mere wooden sword can break through my body? Then wouldn't my ten years of cultivating the 'Indestructible Vajra Art' have been utterly wasted?"

The old man, watching from a distance, quickly reminded him: "Young hero, Xu Ganglie cultivates body refinement techniques. Remember not to let him get close."

*Do you even need to say that?* Jiang Fan was speechless.

He calmly employed his movement technique, always maintaining distance from Xu Ganglie, and swung his sword again.

"Three Stars Reflecting the Moon!"

*Swish!*

The powerful sword strike slashed across his arm. But it only left an even whiter mark.

"If this is all you've got, then you can die!" Xu Ganglie sneered.

Jiang Fan's eyes flickered, and he suddenly roared: "Seven Stars Northward!" The third move was the essence of the "Seven Star Sword Art," and also the most powerful move!

*Whoosh!*

With a sound like tearing cloth, the wooden sword sliced open his chest. It cut through the tough skin and ripped through the flesh. Blood immediately gushed out.

"Hiss!" Xu Ganglie gasped in pain. However, Jiang Fan's heart sank heavily.