Chapter 75: The Battle for the Spiritual Land of Azure Lotus Island

“Demonic artifact!”
Zhao Wenxian’s expression changed instantly, immediately recognizing the origin of the Soul Summoning Banner.
At the same time, a chill ran through his heart. Could it be that this young man also cultivates ghostly arts?
Originally, with his cultivation at the peak of Qi Refining, Zhao Wenxian would never have feared two juniors.
Even though his own magical artifact was damaged and unusable, he had thought capturing the two would be easy. But now, seeing Shen Yan produce a ghostly weapon, Zhao Wenxian’s face grew grave.
“Lightning Summoning Art!”
With a loud shout, Zhao Wenxian, the patriarch of the Zhao family, invoked his spell. Suddenly, a crack resounded as a bolt of lightning crashed down from the heavens.
Shen Yan’s face darkened; his Water Shield instantly expanded, tightly protecting both himself and Ling Qian.
Crash!
The lightning crashed onto Shen Yan’s Water Shield, first shattering the Vajra Talisman, then quickly dissolving the shield.
“As expected of one of the ruling families of the marketplace, even the Lightning Summoning Art is in their grasp.”
Shen Yan was inwardly astonished, quickly pressing another top-grade Vajra Talisman onto his Water Shield.
Ling Qian, who had felt helpless before Zhao Wenxian, now found her eyes flashing with a strange light as she witnessed Shen Yan’s defenses and his abundance of high-grade talismans.
Nevertheless, she formed a sword seal and attacked the Zhao family patriarch, hoping to ease the pressure on Shen Yan.
Zhao Wenxian’s face grew even more severe. Though he was not yet losing ground while fighting the two, all ease had vanished from his demeanor.
“This one cannot be allowed to live!”
He made up his mind, channeling his power more swiftly.
Meanwhile, Shen Yan drew spiritual energy from the Heavenly Emperor Seal, pouring it endlessly into the Soul Summoning Banner.
In an instant, a bitter wind swept through the area as hundreds of specters emerged from the banner.
The phantoms coalesced into a blood-red skull, shrieking as it hurtled toward Zhao Wenxian.
Having absorbed a vast number of souls, the Soul Summoning Banner now possessed formidable might.
From the dark clouds above, the lightning flared and flickered with greater fury.
“Strike!”
Zhao Wenxian uttered a true word.
Countless thin bolts of lightning spiraled and tangled together.
They converged at last into a bolt as thick as a bowl, crashing down toward Shen Yan.
Shen Yan took a deep breath; his spiritual power surged like a flood, pouring into the Water Shield.
Sizzle!
The lightning slashed down, and the watery barrier held for only seconds before shattering.
Several layers of Vajra Talismans were pierced in turn; it seemed as if the defense would soon be exhausted, and the two would be slain.

Yet a sneer flickered across Shen Yan’s lips.
No matter how mighty, peak Qi Refining was still only Qi Refining. To think he could break Shen Yan’s defenses with a single blow—how absurd.
With a vigorous wave, Shen Yan restored the Water Shield, affixing another top-grade Vajra Talisman.
A look of disbelief crossed Zhao Wenxian’s face. How could a mere late-stage Qi Refining cultivator possess such wealth?
This realization brought hesitation.
He had already expended much of his power in slaying other artificers. If he continued to recklessly cast spells at this rate...
After a moment’s thought, he resolved to try one more time. If he still could not prevail...
He drew a long breath, preparing to attack again, but in that instant, he realized his own defenses were collapsing one after another—Ling Qian’s flying sword had already slashed before him.
Shen Yan rejoiced, brandishing the Soul Summoning Banner.
A wave of ghostly mist surged forth, merging into the skull and again rushing at Zhao Wenxian.
“I was too careless,”
A pang of regret flashed through Zhao Wenxian’s heart.
Shen Yan was proving more tenacious than he’d imagined, and though Ling Qian’s defense was weak, her attacks were razor-sharp; for a moment, he was caught off guard.
Gritting his teeth, Zhao Wenxian turned to flee.
Suddenly, a wave of mortal danger flooded his senses, and he was seized by terror.
“What’s happening? Can a mere late-stage Qi Refining cultivator actually threaten me?”
Even as the thought occurred, nine nearly invisible silver needles appeared out of nowhere. Were it not for his powerful spiritual sense, Zhao Wenxian would never have detected them.
“Supreme-grade magical weapons?”
He gasped in alarm, not daring to meet them head-on, frantically retreating.
He looked utterly wretched as he fled, but no matter how he evaded, the nine ice needles clung to him like shadows, impossible to shake off.
“No!”
Zhao Wenxian let out a despairing roar, recklessly unleashing his remaining power, which then exploded into searing flames that enveloped him as he shot into the distance.
All his clothing, accessories, storage pouches, and spirit beast bags fell to the ground in his wake.
“Blood Escape Technique?”
Shen Yan’s heart skipped a beat. His Ice Thunder Sword quickly swept up Zhao Wenxian’s discarded belongings.
He had no intention of sharing the spoils with Ling Qian, instead stowing everything away and turning his gaze toward her.
This woman had witnessed his greatest secrets. And the surest way to keep a secret... was to silence the witness.
Shen Yan’s expression turned cold in an instant.
Ling Qian shuddered, clearly sensing the danger.
She was silent for a moment, then looked up at Shen Yan, about to speak—when suddenly a violent tremor shook the very earth, interrupting their confrontation.
Raising his head, Shen Yan saw, not far ahead atop a cliff, a dazzling jet-black beam shooting into the sky, piercing deep into the secret realm’s heart.

He exchanged a glance with Ling Qian; both saw the desire to retreat in each other’s eyes.
Shen Yan let out a heavy breath, abandoning his murderous intent. His spiritual energy surged as he earth-shifted away.
Ling Qian watched him vanish, sighed softly, and followed in flight on her sword.
...
After entering seclusion, Shen Yan wore a blank expression, but in truth he was overjoyed.
This journey into the secret realm had yielded more than he could have imagined.
With these treasures, his cultivation and strength would leap by several grades.
The only flaw was that someone had discovered his secret.
Shen Yan glanced back at Ling Qian, who trailed behind him. A shadow crossed his face as he fell into brooding silence.
Should he silence her?
“Fellow Daoist Shen, are you thinking of killing me?”
As he was pondering, Ling Qian spoke up.
Her voice was sweet, but the meaning made Shen Yan raise his head quietly.
“You must be joking, fellow Daoist. Why would I want to kill you?”
He shook his head.
“Rest assured, Brother Shen. Everyone has secrets; I am not one to gossip.”
“Oh?”
Shen Yan raised an eyebrow and replied directly:
“Of course I wish to trust you, but I don’t want my secrets to be in anyone else’s hands.”
“So you still don’t trust me?”
Ling Qian frowned, looking at him warily, ready to defend herself.
“I swear to the heavens: if I ever reveal your secret, may my soul be utterly destroyed.”
Ling Qian quickly made her vow.
Shen Yan was silent for a long time before suddenly changing the subject:
“The talisman treasure for the secret realm’s entrance—is it in your possession?”
Ling Qian’s face fell, staring at Shen Yan in disbelief.
“Don’t take everyone in the world for a fool. If news damaging to me spreads in the cultivation world, don’t think you’ll find peace just by avoiding me.”
With this warning, Shen Yan cast his Water Shield and departed toward the desolate island.
Ling Qian gazed at his retreating figure, her expression uncertain. Only after a long pause did she stamp her foot and head off in the opposite direction.