Volume One: A Beauty’s Bane Chapter 11: The Immortal-Slaying Sword

"Boom! Boom..."

Fierce sounds of combat echoed incessantly from ahead. A gale whipped up, sending dust and debris swirling into the air.

At this moment, the battle between Shen Shilong, Wei Moyang, Miao Xiaolan, and the Bloodthirsty Mad Ape had reached a fever pitch. It seemed both sides were desperate to finish the other as quickly as possible.

Having awakened its bloodline power, the Bloodthirsty Mad Ape had reached the strength of a mid-level Tier 3 demonic beast. However, relying on their respective spirit weapons and spells, the trio of Shen Shilong, Wei Moyang, and Miao Xiaolan were not yet at a disadvantage.

"Master, who do you think will win this fight?" Jiang Hao asked, feeling somewhat uncertain.

"These three young cultivators are not weak, and they have the advantage of spirit weapons and spells. But the Bloodthirsty Mad Ape is, after all, a genuine Tier 3 demonic beast, and it has awakened its bloodline power. It will be no easy feat for them to defeat it," Feng Ling’er replied.

Hearing this, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, "I never imagined a Tier 3 beast would be so terrifying! It’s fortunate that Master has awakened..."

"Why are you still standing there in a daze? Take this opportunity to enter the cave and find the treasure! I will conceal your aura so they won't notice your arrival," Feng Ling’er urged as Jiang Hao drifted into thought.

"Understood, Master." Jiang Hao shook off his distraction and responded. He immediately channeled his spiritual energy and, taking advantage of the peak of the battle and the cover of the swirling dust, dashed into the cave at top speed.

Jiang Hao proceeded cautiously along the quiet, deep tunnel, which felt as though it led to another world.

Before long, a vast cavern appeared before him.

Inside, the towering rock walls rose like natural barriers, exuding the heavy weight of ages. The surfaces were mottled with moss and lichen, appearing vibrant with life. A faint light filtered through the cave entrance, casting a gentle halo that illuminated the scene.

From the ceiling hung stalactites of various shapes, crystal clear like flowers scattered by a celestial maiden, reflecting the surrounding dim blue glow. As a breeze drifted through, they swayed gently, emitting faint, delicate sounds.

Cradled by the rocks was a bottomless pool of water, resting quietly like a mirror. The surface was smooth, and when the breeze brushed it, tiny ripples spread out. Occasionally, droplets from the stalactites above fell into the pool, creating rings that rippled outward, adding a touch of liveliness to the tranquil space.

At the edge of the pool, several spirit flowers bloomed quietly, their colors as brilliant as a rainbow in the morning sun. Their fragrance was elegant and fresh, like morning dew, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

"Such fragrant flowers! They seem to be filled with rich spiritual energy. Just smelling them makes me feel revitalized!" Jiang Hao’s eyes lit up as he stared fixedly at the spirit flowers by the pool.

"Those are Heavenly Spirit Flowers," Feng Ling’er said softly.

"What! Master, are you saying these flowers are Heavenly Spirit Flowers?" Jiang Hao was stunned and quickly rubbed his eyes to take another look.

He had read in books that Heavenly Spirit Flowers bloom in places rich with spiritual energy. Their petals are colorful, and their scent is pure. Each flower contains the essence of heaven and earth, absorbing the power of the sun and moon, eternally vibrant as if one with the world.

The scene before him matched the descriptions in the books perfectly. Jiang Hao was overjoyed and began to stare intently at the fruits growing on the flowers. These fruits were translucent and radiated a faint glow, as if they contained boundless vitality and immense power.

Jiang Hao swallowed hard and asked, "Master, I’ve heard that the fruit produced by the Heavenly Spirit Flower is called the Heavenly Spirit Fruit?"

"Correct. You actually have some knowledge," Feng Ling’er smiled faintly and explained, "Each Heavenly Spirit Flower takes decades to produce a single Heavenly Spirit Fruit, which contains pure spiritual energy. Consuming it can nourish a cultivator’s spiritual meridians and rapidly increase their cultivation. Its effects are far superior to the Tier 3 medicinal pill, the Sea-Refining Pill."

"The Sea-Refining Pill?" Jiang Hao was shocked. Having read medical texts since childhood, how could he not know the function of the Sea-Refining Pill?

There are thousands of medicinal pills in the world, categorized from Tier 1 to Tier 9 based on their efficacy. Among them, those that assist cultivators in breaking through cultivation barriers are the rarest and most precious. The Sea-Refining Pill was one such treasure, containing immense power, and was indispensable for Spirit Spring realm cultivators at the Great Perfection stage to break through the barrier and ascend to the Spirit Sea realm.

At this moment, Jiang Hao finally understood why the three young cultivators outside were risking their lives in a death struggle against the Bloodthirsty Mad Ape. Their ultimate goal was to seize these Heavenly Spirit Fruits to break through their own cultivation bottlenecks.

"Master, so the treasure you mentioned was these Heavenly Spirit Fruits! But it seems there is more than one..." Jiang Hao counted them; there were seven flowers in total.

"Heh, when did I say these flowers were the treasure?" Feng Ling’er chuckled.

"No way? These aren't considered treasures?" Jiang Hao was astonished. However, a moment later, he realized that given Feng Ling’er’s immense strength, these flowers truly were nothing to her.

Just as Jiang Hao was wondering what the treasure could be, Feng Ling’er took action herself!

"Reveal yourself!"

At her command, the previously calm pool began to churn violently, instantly forming a rapidly spinning vortex.

*Whoosh!*

With a sharp, piercing sound, a black shadow shot out from the water and hung in mid-air, emitting a series of shrill cries.

"This is actually a sword?" Only then did Jiang Hao see the true form of the shadow.

It was an ancient black sword with a slender blade that looked like a shooting star streaking through the night sky, radiating a faint, cold light. The hilt was intricately carved, primitive and steady, and the subtle patterns on the blade flowed like dark currents, as if whispering of endless ages.

"I didn't expect this long-lost Sword of Immortal Slaying to have fallen here! Though, it looks severely damaged."

Feng Ling’er had already emerged from Jiang Hao’s pendant. She stared at the black sword, looking somewhat lost in thought.

"Master, do you recognize this sword?" Jiang Hao asked, looking at Feng Ling’er. The black sword gave him a sense of invisible pressure.

"Not only do I recognize it, but I have also met its owner a few times," Feng Ling’er replied with a slight frown.

"Master, what is the origin of this sword?" Jiang Hao pressed.

Feng Ling’er shook her head and sighed, "Forget it. That is all ancient history. You only need to know that this sword’s power is extraordinary. Furthermore, its name is the Immortal Execution Sword, also known as the Sword of Immortal Slaying!"

"Immortal Execution Sword? My god, what a domineering name! Is it a sword capable of killing immortals?" Jiang Hao was dumbfounded, a chill running down his spine. Even without knowing its history, he understood the gravity of those three words.

"Indeed! Although it is heavily damaged now, its power is still beyond what any cultivator of the lower realm can withstand. But you are not yet able to wield it, let alone unleash its true power," Feng Ling’er said softly.

"No way? Is this sword even more powerful than a Nine-Star Spirit Weapon?" Jiang Hao asked, his face full of confusion.

"Nonsense!" Feng Ling’er's single word made Jiang Hao’s heart tremble so much he nearly fainted on the spot!