Xianxia: Big Brother of Tianyong City

Chapter 49: Shocked Again!

At dawn, Xiao Yu had been meditating peacefully within his temporary cave on Xianghun Mountain, the rich spiritual energy aiding his cultivation. However, far above the clouds, Shangguan Ce—the Nascent Soul elder from Burning Heaven Valley—stood in quiet observation, clutching a tracking compass.

“This brat possesses such a rare treasure? Han Su Zhenren truly spared no expense to protect his disciple,” Shangguan Ce muttered, his gaze narrowing with both envy and disdain.

The Zhenhun Zhu (镇魂珠), an exceedingly rare artefact, was known for its unmatched ability to protect the soul. Even among Nascent Soul cultivators, such an item was a priceless rarity. Whoever possessed it would become nearly immune to spiritual attacks, solidifying their place among the strongest.

“It doesn’t matter,” Shangguan Ce smirked. “Soon, this treasure will belong to me!”

Raising his right hand, he summoned the Wind and Cloud Palm Seal (风云掌印), an ancient technique of devastating might. The sky darkened as dense black clouds gathered, forming a colossal palm-shaped imprint that radiated overwhelming force.

[Wind and Cloud Palm Seal (风云掌印): One of the Eight Great Techniques of Burning Heaven Valley, capable of flattening mountains and obliterating powerful foes.]

“Die!” he roared, pressing his palm downward.

The immense black palm descended upon Xianghun Mountain, smashing it as though it were fragile clay. The ground trembled, and the mountain was flattened instantly, leaving behind a massive crater.

Within the cave, Xiao Yu felt the impending danger the moment the seal approached.

The Minor Five Elements Sword Array, though formidable, crumbled almost immediately under the sheer power of the palm. However, the brief delay was enough for Xiao Yu to act.

“Great Void Technique!”

This mysterious spatial technique, learned from the world of 遮天 (Zhetian), allowed him to slip into the void, evading the deadly strike. Although Xiao Yu had yet to master the technique fully, it had saved his life before, and now, it did so again.

[Zhetian (遮天, zhētiān): can be translated as “Covering the Sky” or “Obscuring Heaven.”]

High above, Shangguan Ce surveyed the flattened remains of Xianghun Mountain. His divine sense swept across the area, confirming no signs of life.

“Dead,” he muttered.

Still, ever cautious, Shangguan Ce descended to the ground, his divine sense probing for any trace of Xiao Yu’s remains.

Suddenly, the space where Xiao Yu’s cave once existed rippled faintly.

Xiao Yu cautiously emerged from the void, his face pale but his eyes sharp. He scanned his surroundings warily, ready to retreat at the first sign of further danger.

“You’re alive!” Shangguan Ce exclaimed, his expression twisting with shock.

The Wind and Cloud Palm Seal, one of Burning Heaven Valley’s Eight Great Techniques, was powerful enough to annihilate even other Nascent Soul cultivators. Yet this mere Golden Core junior had survived unscathed.

“Nascent Soul stage!” Xiao Yu gasped as his gaze fell upon Shangguan Ce.

“Hand over the Mystic Fire Mirror!” Shangguan Ce snarled, forming a massive black hand of spiritual energy that shot toward Xiao Yu.

The hand was enormous, its shadow covering Xiao Yu like a giant capturing a mere ant.

Just as the hand was about to seize him, Xiao Yu vanished into the void once more. The black hand grasped nothing but air, its crushing force creating a violent explosion that sent rocks and debris flying.

“The Void Concealment Technique (虚空隐匿术)!” Shangguan Ce growled, his shock turning into frustration.

[Void Concealment Technique (虚空隐匿术): A spatial escape technique that allows the user to temporarily exist within the void]

For the second time, Xiao Yu had defied Shangguan Ce’s expectations.

“Such treasures… no wonder he was able to kill Li Xun,” Shangguan Ce muttered darkly.

With a sinister grin, he retrieved a blazing red jade gourd from his storage pouch. As soon as the gourd appeared, the surrounding air grew scorching hot, the ground beneath it beginning to smoulder and emit smoke.

“You can hear me, boy,” Shangguan Ce said, his voice cold and taunting. “You enjoy hiding in the void, do you? Very well. Let’s see how long you can hide.”

Removing the stopper from the gourd, he chanted an incantation, his voice laced with venomous intent.