Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 389 – Underworld Guards

Qin Yu’s soul opened his eyes. He looked at Spirity for a moment before sincerely saying, “Thank you.”

Spirity smiled. “As your Partner Soul, my destiny is joined with yours. Helping you is the same as helping me.” She paused for a moment before continuing, “When you are strong enough, I will tell you everything. What matters the most now is to find a way to pass this test. Trust me, what you encounter here will be your greatest good fortune. You must do your best to obtain it.” As she spoke she turned and vanished with a single step.

Qin Yu’s soul revealed a dignified expression. He looked up to see a purple moon sparkling. Bathed in its purple light, his soul began to recover what it lost at an alarming rate. And, this was only the reward for crossing the threshold to the test. Once he truly passed the test, what he obtained would surely be astonishing.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. The image punctually said, “It’s time.” The one speaking was an old man with black hair. His body was stiff and straight and his complexion was solemn, without the slightest hint of emotion in his eyes. He flicked his sleeve and a black cage emerged from thin air, shrouding Qin Yu within.

“After a moment, Underworld guards will appear in this cage. Do your best to kill them. The more you kill, the better your chances of passing the test and the richer your rewards will be. If you cannot persist then shout that you admit defeat. You will be transmitted out.” The black-haired old man vanished and a cold voice echoed in the air, “Begin!”

Shua –

Within the cage, black fog suddenly gushed out from nothingness and a figure walked out. Its face was blurry; all one could see was a pair of crimson eyes. It was 30 feet tall and emitted a crazy, ferocious, and destructive aura.

This was the Underworld guard!

With a loud roar, it raised its hand and a saber appeared in its grasp. Black flames burned over the saber, but it was icy cold and didn’t emit any heat.

The saber slashed down. Qin Yu raised a hand and punched out. A wild strength erupted, instantly breaking the saber. The punch continued to overwhelm the Underworld guard. In a moment, the guard disintegrated, turning into black fog that dispersed into the air.

It was actually this weak? Qin Yu was startled. But at this moment, another Underworld guard appeared from the black fog. It condensed a similar saber and slashed out.

Qin Yu didn’t dare to underestimate it. But after punching out a fist, the Underworld guard was directly struck dead.

This was the test? This was too simple!

…

Outside a giant temple.

The temple was thousands of feet high, as if it were the dwelling of a deity. Although there was no one inside, it still emanated a heaven-shocking aura.

The temple entrance had two black sculptures guarding it. One was a monkey wielding a great stick and the other was an eagle with its wings spread.

Not too far away, dozens of cultivators stood together. As the person in the lead looked at the two sculptures, he revealed a dignified expression.

He turned around and discussed with several people behind him. After finishing preparations, he smiled at a female cultivator standing not too far away. “Junior-apprentice sister Ning Ling, you don’t need to approach. There will be a more important use for your strength later.”

Within the crowd, many female cultivators revealed looks of envy. Although their senior-apprentice brother had a warm and temperate personality, he had never been concerned with them. Although they were jealous, they didn’t dare reveal any of this. This was because they knew that their junior-apprentice sister Ning Ling had the noblest bloodline of the Immortal Sect flowing through her body.

It was said that if her bloodline fully awakened, she would have the chance to inherit the Nineheaven Mirrormoon Palace. At that time, she would be one of the highest existences in the Immortal Sect.

As the crowd approached, the two sculptures rapidly revived. The black stone fell off from their bodies, revealing their true forms.

Rumble rumble –

A terrifying aura swept out like a billowing tide, erupting without any warning!

…

Outside a black rock garden sculpture, another group of cultivators was staring intently at the base of the structure. As they saw a purple flower blooming there, their eyes filled with burning heat.

“This is truly worthy of being a spatial fragment that comes from beyond our world. There is even something so wonderful here like a Demon Origin Flower.” A young cultivator with an overbearing aura calmly said. “Kill!”

Bang –

Billowing demonic energy shot into the skies. In the space around the Demon Origin Flower, the phantoms of two life forms appeared. They howled and rushed towards the cultivators.

…

Qin Yu punched out a fist, shaking back the saber of the Underworld guard and causing it to step backwards. Qin Yu rushed forwards, punching at the Underworld guard’s chest. It instantly broke apart and turned into black energy that rapidly vanished.

At this time, Qin Yu didn’t have the smallest bit of joy on his face. Instead, he was bitterly smiling. This was because he finally realized just how abnormal and freakish this test was.

The Underworld guards were endless. They were indeed weak at the beginning, but as Qin Yu killed more and more of them, they continued to grow stronger and stronger.

Right now, Qin Yu needed two fists or even three fists to kill one. But as soon as it died, another Underworld guard would immediately condense. There wasn’t any chance for him to catch his breath.

Hu –

From the black fog, another Underworld guard appeared. Qin Yu’s pupils shrank. This was because this Underworld guard was unexpectedly wearing a suit of armor.

It lifted a hand and formed a saber. Black flames ignited on it as it ruthlessly struck out!

Qin Yu’s heart skipped a beat. He could feel the threat from this saber. He lifted a hand and a sword appeared. It erupted with dazzling sword lights, incomparably sharp.

Five Element Sword – metal.

Saber and sword collided. The saber snapped and the sword light continued towards the Underworld guard’s neck. In the next moment, a head flew into the air.

Whoosh –

The defeated Underworld guard’s body collapsed and dispersed.

In an instant, another one appeared.

…

Outside the massive temple, the corpses of the stick-wielding monkey and the winged roc were lying on the floor. Their bodies were covered in wounds, yet not a single drop of blood flowed out. Rather, a strange and ghostly dim silver light flowed around their pieces of flesh.

“This sort of puppet art is simply inconceivable. Even my Immortal Sect is far from being able to compare.” A senior-apprentice brother said with a face full of praise. He ordered people to put away the two puppets and then with a flick of his hand, the phantom of a lamp appeared in the air and flew into the temple.

Several breaths of time later, the senior-apprentice brother faintly smiled. “There aren’t any dangers. Let’s go.”

…

At the base of the rock garden sculpture, the last shadowy life form was pierced through the chest by a fist. It stiffened for a moment before fading away into gray fog.

“Humph!” The overbearing young cultivator drew back his fist. He grasped forwards and the Demon Origin Flower flew towards him. After carefully looking over it and revealing a satisfied expression, he placed it in his storage ring.

“Continue onwards!”

The group of cultivators passed through the rock garden sculpture. At this time, a rock wall appeared in front of them.

…

Five-colored sword lights swirled, turning into a vortex that covered the Underworld guard puppet. With a cruel roar, the five-colored sword lights vanished and the Underworld guard was killed.

Qin Yu’s complexion was pale. He forced a smile. Ever since the first armored Underworld guard appeared, their strength began to grow at a drastic rate. Now, only by erupting with the power of the Five Element Swords was he able to smoothly kill them.

Roar –

From the black fog, a new Underworld guard appeared. Its crimson eyes flashed with a trace of silver light. After being locked on to by these faintly silver eyes, Qin Yu’s heart shrank. Without hesitation he stepped forwards and the Five Element Swords erupted, turning into a vortex that came falling down.

But this time, the Underworld guard was actually able to block the slaughter of the Five Element Swords. It roared and slashed out with its saber again and again.

Qin Yu’s expression rapidly changed. This was because he discovered that the more times the saber cut out, the more horrifying the strength it erupted with would be. It was like each saber could superimpose on the others. According to this rate of growth, the Underworld guards would soon be able to tear open the Five Element Swords.

Without any delay, Qin Yu shouted out loud. The power of his Demon Body erupted and his combat strength rapidly rose.

Puff –

Puff –

Puff –

The Underworld guard split apart, vanishing into fog.

But in the blink of an eye, a new Underworld guard appeared. This one had even more silver light shining in its eyes.

Hum –

The vortex of the Five Element Swords descended. As soon as the Underworld guard emerged from the black fog, it was immediately killed off. Then came a third, a fourth, a fifth…when the ninth Underworld guard appeared, Qin Yu’s all-out Five Element Sword technique was blocked by it. Then, it slashed out its saber once, twice, three times, four times…

Qin Yu blanched. The saber potential of the Underworld guard grew increasingly strong. Each saber strike was more ferocious than the last. Unless he erupted with the power of the burning heavens, this was his limit. 172 Underworld guards…he had no idea if this was enough to complete the test. As he thought about Spirity’s earnest warning, his face revealed a look of hesitation.

But soon, Qin Yu suppressed the thoughts of using the power of the burning heavens. There were far too many losses related to using that ability. He could maintain it for two or three breaths of time at the most, and that was only enough to kill several Underworld guards.

Just as Qin Yu was prepared to ‘admit defeat’, the summoned life form suddenly appeared from the shadow below his body. The Hundred Nether Sword in its hand slashed out like a cunning viper, instantly piercing through the Underworld guard’s body. The guard slightly trembled before breaking apart into black energy.

But at this moment, the summoned life form drew in a deep breath. A bit of black energy fell into the location that should be its mouth. Qin Yu could clearly feel its excitement.

Shua –

The black-haired old man appeared and locked his eyes tightly onto Undying. “If anyone intervenes in the test, that is considered failure and they must also undergo severe punishment!”

Undying responded in a tranquil tone, “I am master’s summoned warrior, so of course I can fight for him. Is that still considered to be against the rules?”

The black-haired old man frowned. He lowered his head and thought for a moment. He raised his hand and a black sphere of light appeared above his palm. “My Lord, in the test, are summoned warriors allowed to help fight?”

The black sphere of light remained calm, without any response at all.

The black-haired old man waited for a moment. Then, he formed a hand seal. The black sphere of light changed color, a bit of silver appearing in the darkness. The old man spoke again, his voice much more respectful. “Commander, I am taking the liberty to interrupt you. May I ask, are summoned warriors allowed to help in the test?”

There was still no response.

The black-haired old man revealed a bit of hesitation. After a long time, he clenched his teeth and formed more hand seals. Once again, the silver within the sphere of light grew brighter and now there was even a bit of gold. “This subordinate is impolite. To disturb the Temple Master is truly a crime worthy of death! But, there is a question that this subordinate needs to confirm. In the test, are summoned warriors allowed to assist?”

It was peaceful once more.

The black-haired old man’s complexion paled. It seemed as if sweat was beginning to form on his forehead. He glanced at the black sphere of light with bits of silver and gold and then after several breaths of hesitation, put it away. His expression became indifference once more and he coldly said, “According to the rules, if the higher ranking officials are silent, this will be considered tacit agreement. Thus, a summoned warrior helping is considered conforming to the rules. You may continue the test.”

Shua –

The black-haired old man vanished from sight.

Undying cackled in a macabre fashion. He plunged towards the Underworld guard that had just appeared from the black fog. The Hundred Nether Sword was like a bolt of black lightning as it pierced through the guard’s head. Then, with another deep breath, a wisp of black fog flew into its mouth and it roared in excitement.

Qin Yu had a strange complexion. The seemingly imposing image of the black-clothed old man appeared to be very rigid regarding the rules, and this allowed Undying to take advantage of the loopholes.

However, this was clearly a good thing!

Seeing the Underworld guards being chopped up like vegetables by Undying, Qin Yu’s eyes slowly lit up with excitement. In a short period of time, with Undying killing more and more Underworld guards, the number soon broke past 200. Undying still easily killed them. In fact, as it absorbed more and more of that black fog, its actions grew increasingly swift.

If things continued like this, completing the test would be a breeze!

62d67767f92eb560e77c9100