Demonic Cultivator: Immune To Common Side Effects - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Broken Sword Valley—Only I Am Immune to the Restrictions!

When Li Yan arrived at the plaza, dozens of his Senior Brothers and Sisters were already waiting. He quickly blended into the crowd, positioning himself at the back.

Once all the disciples had gathered, Old Daoist Xuanwang slowly strode onto the plaza. The One-Eyed Old Ghost’s face was twisted in a ferocious, feverish grin, baring a mouthful of yellowed teeth.

“This master has pinpointed the exact location of Broken Sword Valley! This is an unprecedented Immortal Fate!”

“I won’t hoard this fortune alone. All of you shall accompany me to explore the opportunities within Broken Sword Valley.”

In stark contrast to the Old Daoist’s manic excitement, the disciples below wore grim expressions, their faces more wretched than if they had lost both parents.

The Senior Brothers beside Li Yan whispered among themselves.

“He’s using us Outer Disciples as pathfinders again…”

“Last time at Hundred Insects Mountain, fifty or sixty died. This time at Broken Sword Valley… who knows how many will be left?”

The Outer Disciples’ faces turned ashen, and even the Inner Disciples looked uneasy.

But did they have a choice?

To put it politely, they were Xuanwang’s disciples. To put it bluntly, they were little more than domestic slaves he kept for his own purposes.

Xuanwang was like a wealthy landlord, and his disciples were his tenant farmers.

The Old Daoist pinched a hand seal with two fingers and chanted, “Flying Bone Swords, go!”

Dozens of bone-crafted flying swords erupted from the sword box on Xuanwang’s back, each corresponding to one of his disciples. One of these swords landed squarely between Li Yan’s legs.

“Disciples, step onto your swords and hold steady! This master will guide you to seek Immortal Fate. Heh heh heh.”

With a flick of the Old Daoist’s fingers, the flying swords lifted all the disciples into the air.

Li Yan swayed slightly as he stood on his sword, but he quickly adjusted to the sensation.

Flying on a sword…

He recalled from his Senior Brother’s memories that only cultivators in the Blood Shifting Realm possessed the ability to fly on swords. His current Blood Condensation Realm cultivation base was insufficient to wield them himself.

The fact that the Old Daoist could simultaneously control dozens of flying swords and carry his disciples through the air meant Old Ghost Xuanwang’s cultivation base had surpassed the fifth layer of the Blood Shifting Realm!

Li Yan narrowed his eyes in deep thought. A Blood Shifting Realm cultivator could effortlessly crush those beneath them. Even if all the disciples rebelled at once, Old Ghost Xuanwang could easily slaughter every traitor.

This starkly illustrated the power disparity.

All the disciples had no choice but to obediently stand on their flying swords, trailing behind Old Daoist Xuanwang. Even if someone dared to flee, jumping from such a height would almost certainly result in severe injury, if not death.

Li Yan, standing on his flying sword, finally understood the astonishing speed at which Blood Shifting Realm cultivators could traverse the skies. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the group had already covered several hundred li.

Throughout the journey, Li Yan’s gaze drifted downward to the mountain ranges below. Countless ruins and relics dotted the dense forests, remnants of ancient Immortal Cultivation Sects. After tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years, the immortal cultivators themselves had long vanished, leaving behind only the shattered walls and crumbling foundations of their once-grand sects.

Li Yan even spotted a colossal chasm, where an ancient cultivator’s sword strike had cleaved a mountain in two, leaving behind two separate peaks. These relics testified to a time when this land had been a paradise brimming with spiritual energy, a haven where immortal cultivators walked freely. Yet, for reasons unknown, such cultivators were nowhere to be found now, only rogue cultivators like Xuanwang roaming the mountains unchecked.

As Li Yan gazed upon the myriad palaces crumbling into dust, curiosity stirred within him. “Where did all the Ancient Immortal Cultivators go?”

Eldest Senior Brother Mingshan, standing beside him on his flying sword, chuckled at Li Yan’s musings. “You’ve been pondering that too?”

“I used to wonder myself, so I delved into the ancient texts,” Li Yan replied.

“It’s said the Ancient Cultivators achieved immortality, defying age and decay. With their heaven-defying Cultivation Bases, they shattered the void and vanished.”

“And they took all the Ancient Immortal Cultivation Secret Manuals with them.”

Hearing this, Li Yan felt even more perplexed. “The Ancient Immortal Cultivators fled, taking the Secret Manuals too? Isn’t that like kicking down the ladder after crossing the river? They ascended to immortality themselves, then blocked the path for future generations? That’s brutal!”

As the two chatted idly, the flying swords gradually descended, bringing the group to Broken Sword Valley, the place Old Ghost Xuanwang had mentioned.

As they lost altitude, the disciples leaped from their Flying Bone Swords.

With a flick of two fingers, the Old Daoist recalled dozens of the swords into his sword case.

His deeply wrinkled face twisted into a malevolent grin. “Broken Sword Valley. We’ve arrived.”

“This place is shrouded in mist for over three hundred days a year. After decades of searching, I’ve finally found it.” Old Daoist Xuanwang’s smile widened as he spoke.

“Legend has it that an ancient battle between righteous and demonic cultivators once raged within these very depths.”

“Though countless ages have passed, vast opportunities still linger here.”

“Disciples, this is a chance to pursue immortality itself! Your Master generously bestows it upon you!”

Li Yan sighed inwardly as he listened to Xuanwang’s words.

Even Zhou the Skinflint would weep at this blatant exploitation. Vampires would drain themselves dry before leaving.

Xuanwang not only treated his disciples like livestock but also forced them to scout ahead into this deadly place.

Broken Sword Valley was perpetually enveloped in impenetrable mist, making entry incredibly perilous.

As an ancient battlefield between righteous and demonic forces, those who ventured inside faced near-certain death!

The old man’s repeated claims of “bestowing opportunities upon his disciples” sounded so heartless it could make stone weep.

“Outer Sect disciples, step forward!” Old Daoist Xuanwang commanded.

Over thirty Outer Sect disciples reluctantly shuffled forward, Li Yan among them.

The old Daoist casually pointed. “You, you, and you—the first ten of you, enter now.”

The selected disciples turned ashen-faced, their trembling legs carrying them forward.

One female disciple collapsed to her knees, her voice cracking with terror. “Master! Master! Please don’t make me go in first! I beg you, Master!”

“Whatever you ask of me, Master, your disciple is willing!”

Xuanwang chuckled dryly at the terrified female disciple, her face pale with fright. “You don’t want to go in? Come, stay by Master’s side.”

The tearful disciple, trembling like a leaf, crawled on her knees to Xuanwang’s feet.

In the next instant, Xuanwang grabbed her by the collar and flung her into Broken Sword Valley!

Li Yan watched as the disciple’s screams echoed through the mist, her figure vanishing into the fog.

She struggled to her feet and desperately tried to scramble back, but several rotting corpses burst from the mist, their long swords hissing through the air.

Within moments, the disciple was pierced by multiple blades, blood gushing from her mouth.

Without a trace of pity, Xuanwang flicked his sleeve and unleashed dozens of Flying Bone Swords, shredding the disciple and the corpses alike.

“The mist in Broken Sword Valley,” he drawled, “blocks divine sense. Be cautious when you enter. Avoid traps and triggering the ancient formations.”

“Let’s move out, disciples.”

Xuanwang manipulated his flying sword, herding the nine disciples ahead of him.

Li Yan, standing among the group, gradually relaxed his furrowed brow.

The mist has side effects?!

Does that mean… while everyone else’s divine sense is blocked, only I, Li Yan, am unaffected by the mist’s interference? I can still scout Broken Sword Valley with my Mind’s Eye?