Chapter 191: The Demonic Sword

Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

The mark in Lu Yang’s palm showed the number “one,” while Guzha’s displayed “eighty-seven.” After Lu Yang killed Guzha, his mark changed to “eighty-eight.”

“Is this the notoriously evil demonic sword? Its hosts have all been killed by the sword, with Guzha being the temporary exception?”

It was evident that Guzha lacked any sense of morality, carelessly throwing things around; it was Lu Yang who picked them up.

The demonic sword was dark red, with a handle that appeared to be made from the horn of some massive demon beast, and where the handle met the blade, there was a dark red gem embedded, resembling an eye.

Aside from its strange design, Lu Yang found nothing particularly special about it.

“Hmm, this sword is interesting. It uses the horn of a flood dragon for the handle and refined steel for the blade, and that dark red gem is actually the eye of a demonic beast called ‘Fei.'”

(TL Note: The Fei or Fei-beast can be found on Great Mountain, the eighth and last of China’s Eastern Mountains. It is shaped like an ox, with a white head and a single eye. Its tail is that of a snake.

When a fei moves over grass, the plants below it wither and die. When it crosses a stream, the water evaporates at its touch. Its appearance is an omen of worldwide plague and wars.
https://abookofcreatures.com/2017/06/16/fei/)

Fei, a powerful demonic beast living in the wilderness, had a body like a bull, a white head, a single eye, and a snake-like tail.

Everlasting Fairy finally played the role of a helpful guide, introducing the mystical aspects of the sword to Lu Yang.

“The materials of this sword are excellent. If forged properly, it could have become sentient. However, the blacksmith’s skills were lacking, creating only a shell without bestowing sentience upon the sword.”

“Even as just a shell, it’s a rare Spiritual Treasure.”

“The sword inherently craves sentience, hence its bloodthirstiness. The more it kills, the more likely it is to become sentient.”

“How can one become its master?”

“Blood recognition should suffice,” advised Everlasting Fairy. “However, I don’t recommend you undertake blood recognition. This sword is insatiable; the more blood you feed it, the more it will want to devour its master. Yet, if you don’t feed it blood, it will still turn on its master.”

There were similar traits in Spiritual Treasures from ancient times, and Everlasting Fairy had seen numerous self-assured geniuses who believed they were exceptional enough to subdue such treasures. Most of them failed, with only a few succeeding.

“I see.” Lu Yang finally understood why the previous owners of the demonic sword were killed by it—it never intended to let its masters live. “It’s quite an interesting sword.”

“Guzha wasn’t devoured by the sword simply because he hadn’t held it long enough for it to turn on him.”

Lu Yang then asked, “What would be the quality of the demonic sword if it gained sentience?”

Everlasting Fairy disdainfully responded, “It wouldn’t even suffice as a stepping stone for me.”

Lu Yang just said “Oh,” realizing that the quality of the demonic sword wasn’t very good.

Eldest Senior Sister had been silent the whole time, quietly reading her book.

She believed that with the abilities of Lu Yang and his companions, winning first place in this competition was not a difficult task.

In the meantime, the number on Lu Yang’s palm mark jumped from “eighty-eight” to “one hundred thirty-one.”

The Meat-Eating Monk was heavily targeted and did not manage to grab a ginseng fruit. The two somewhat famous Foundation Building practitioners who did grab the fruits were all poisoned to death.

The other two ginseng fruits were also coated with deadly poison, but now too far away, Lu Yang couldn’t sense the status of his ginseng fruit clone.

Lu Yang deactivated his clone state and returned to his original height.

He stored the demonic sword in his storage ring and looked for his next target.

The storage ring was a temporary measure; after all, on the Undying Sect’s turf, it wouldn’t be prudent to use his Dao Seeking Sect identity jade as a storage ring—that would be too arrogant.

“Hmm? Whose blood is this?” Lu Yang noticed a few fresh drops of blood not far away, seemingly from someone who had fled while injured.

“Let’s follow it.”

With the person injured, their combat effectiveness would surely be reduced—a straightforward gain.

As Lu Yang had guessed, following the trail of the injured person, the bloodstains became more evident, turning from a few drops to a pool. It was clear the person was severely wounded.

Eventually, Lu Yang came upon the injured person—it was the Meat-Eating Monk!

At that moment, the Meat-Eating Monk was grasping someone by the neck, and with a snap, he twisted and broke the person’s neck.

“Another one lured into the trap,” the Meat-Eating Monk said with a cruel smile.

During the ginseng fruit scuffle, he had pretended to be overwhelmed and injured, fleeing to entice several competitors to chase him, whom he then turned on and killed one by one.

“Given my fearsome reputation, I had no other choice but to act this way, otherwise I would find no one to fight,” the Meat-Eating Monk explained with a smile.

As one of the three most outstanding contenders, others would flee at the sight of him, leaving him no opportunity to engage in combat.

It was better to show a weakness and lure the fish to the bait.

The Meat-Eating Monk exclaimed in surprise, “You look familiar, but never mind, whoever you are, you’re just unlucky to meet me!”

He thought Lu Yang looked familiar because he resembled the ginseng fruit, almost like a father and son, though the Monk hadn’t made the connection.

The Meat-Eating Monk clenched his fist, tensed his muscles, and the bleeding wound healed immediately. He pulled out his golden bowl, aiming to capture Lu Yang.

Silently, Lu Yang took out the demonic sword from his storage ring, squatted down, and touched the blood left by the Meat-Eating Monk.

The demonic sword instantly recognized the Meat-Eating Monk as its master.

The sword floated in the air and hissed as it thrust towards the Meat-Eating Monk.

Perhaps the sword had never encountered such a generous master before and wanted to embrace him warmly—with its blade.

The Meat-Eating Monk was shocked and horrified. Where had this demonic sword come from, and why was it attacking him?

His long-accompanying golden bowl was pierced straight through, and the Meat-Eating Monk struggled to fight.

Lu Yang clicked his tongue, “Doesn’t seem like someone the Hanging Temple would be keen on.”

Hanging Temple, being one of the Five Great Immortal Sects with the fewest disciples, only accepted those with exceptional talents. The Meat-Eating Monk’s abilities were barely enough for him to serve as a menial worker at Hanging Temple.

“Hanging Temple claims that everyone has a chance to enter, and I certainly had my chance. I just chose to give it up!” the Meat-Eating Monk fought back as he spoke.

“…You really know how to flatter yourself.”

The Meat-Eating Monk was no match for the demonic sword and was stabbed through the heart in an instant.

The demonic sword was once again without a master.

“Poor thing, just got a master, and he’s gone already.”

Lu Yang picked up the demonic sword and continued on his way.

“Blood Drowns the Yellow Springs!” Someone targeted Lu Yang, launching a sneak attack!

A wave of blood surged towards Lu Yang, carrying the stench of blood, clearly identifiable.

Lu Yang calmly pulled out the demonic sword again. As someone with a spirit suited for swordsmanship, understanding and creating sword techniques came naturally to him.

He executed his newly created technique.

“The Mastering Sword Technique!”

The demonic sword sliced through the wave of blood, like a shark sensing blood, flashing a sinister red light as it once again killed the person who attacked Lu Yang.

“Surging Blood Palm!”

“Mastering Sword Technique!”

“Blood Skeleton!”

“Mastering Sword Technique!”

True to the demonic path, the techniques learned were either related to ghosts and skeletons or to blood and spirits, very suitable for selecting masters for the demonic sword.

Using the Mastering Sword Technique, Lu Yang defeated all  challengers without a rival.

Unfortunately, the masters of the demonic sword were exceptionally short-lived, none surviving beyond three seconds before being devoured.

Lu Yang shook his head in regret; he just wanted to find a lasting master for the demonic sword, but why was it so difficult?

“Such a fine Spiritual Treasure, and you all are unworthy of it.”

More and more people became aware of Lu Yang’s presence, and rumors spread that Lu Yang had become the master of the demonic sword, killing even more ruthlessly than Guzha.

Some also recognized that Lu Yang resembled the ginseng fruit, and connecting the dots with those who were poisoned, they realized the ginseng fruit was a scam.

In the dense forest, after the demonic sword habitually killed another master, Lu Yang encountered Meng Jingzhou.

Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang, grinding his teeth.

“Quite the trick, disguising yourself as a ginseng fruit and deceiving everyone!”

(End of the chapter)