Cultivating Immortality: I Have a High-Martial World

Chapter 172 The Plan Begins: Battle Against Nascent Soul!

Lingxuan City.

Lin Chen successfully entered the city from underground.

No matter how sophisticated the formations outside the city were, they couldn't stop him.

After that, Lin Chen entered the residence of the Peak Master of the Formation Peak without any problems.

"Brother Xu, you've finally arrived!"

When the peak master of the formation saw Lin Chen, his face immediately lit up with joy.

Lin Chen nodded and said, "Something came up, but I'm not late, am I?"

The Peak Master shook his head. "Brother Xu, you've arrived just in time! I only activated this stone less than a quarter of an hour ago... truly punctual!"

As he spoke, he admired Lin Chen's methods even more.

Lin Chen felt a pang of guilt after hearing this.

What a coincidence that I arrived after activating the stone; it would have been more fun if I had come earlier.

"Well, let's talk about your plans first," Lin Chen changed the subject and got down to business.

The Peak Master nodded and said:

"On the surface, we've claimed this operation is a surprise attack on a demonic sect stronghold, sending ten Golden Core cultivators. In reality…"

The peak master of Zhenfeng roughly informed Lin Chen of the plan.

It's nothing more than a sneak attack on a demonic sect's stronghold, and getting an inside traitor involved in the plan.

In reality, the Righteous Alliance sent not just ten Golden Core cultivators, but a full twenty.

These cultivators are all from Changchun Sect and Tiandan Sect, and are trustworthy.

"Besides Brother Xu, Senior Uncle Chen, the sect leader of the Heavenly Pill Sect, will also be involved in this operation..."

The peak master of the formation whispered:

"With Senior Uncle Chen's help, Wu Xingkui will surely be captured easily..."

Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this.

The leader of the Tian Dan Sect was named Chen Danxin.

He was a renowned alchemy master in Qingzhou, who had reached the Nine-Turn Golden Core cultivation level many years ago and possessed extremely strong combat power.

If he were to intervene, there would be a real chance to suppress Wu Xingkui, who has lost his trump card, the puppet.

"Of course, this operation will depend on Fellow Daoist Xu..."

The Peak Master handed over a storage bag.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, this storage bag contains 300,000 mid-grade spirit stones, which is the cost of this operation..."

After listening, Lin Chen scanned the item with his divine sense and, after confirming that there was no problem, put it away.

"Don't worry, we'll launch a surprise attack in three days, right?"

"I'll take action then..."

The peak master nodded, feeling somewhat nervous.

This action is undoubtedly a huge gamble for the Righteous Alliance.

They bet that Lin Chen could stop the Nascent Soul stage puppet...

Otherwise, if this operation fails, all twenty Golden Core cultivators risk perishing...

At that time, the entire Righteous Alliance will suffer a crushing defeat.

"You guys take action in three days, and I'll catch up then."

After saying that, Lin Chen turned and left.

According to the Peak Master of Zhenfeng.

The stronghold targeted in this raid was located in a new city thirty miles south of Xinliang City.

This city was newly built by the Demonic Sect in the last three years.

There are over a thousand demonic cultivators in the city, all of them elite.

There were several hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators and six Core Formation demonic cultivators.

If we can use this as bait to kill Wu Xingkui, we will surely be able to severely damage the Demonic Sect!

After leaving Lingxuan City, Lin Chen used earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to escape through the earth) to cross the Wushan Mountain Range.

We entered the vicinity of Xinliang City.

At this moment, Lin Chen was less than fifty miles away from that stronghold.

"This distance is about right. Let's gather some information first..."

Lin Chen observed the number of cultivators in the stronghold from a distance, looking for any unusual activity.

As the Peak Master of Zhenfeng said, this is an important stronghold of the Demonic Sect.

If we can consume it, it will surely severely damage the Demonic Sect!

After observing for a while and seeing that there was no unusual activity, Lin Chen felt relieved.

I sneaked into the nearest underground safe house and quietly began my meditation.

……

Three days later, near Xinliang City.

Lin Chen was only thirty miles away from the stronghold. He waited quietly, ready to make his move at any moment.

Around midnight, the stronghold suddenly burst into flames.

From afar, Lin Chen sensed the auras of about a dozen Golden Core cultivators erupting.

"The operation has begun!"

Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly, and he quickly approached, but he did not rush to make a move. Instead, he first observed the battlefield from a distance.

On the righteous path, only Core Formation cultivators were sent out.

There were ten Golden Core cultivators in total, including the Peak Master of the Array Peak, Li Zhenqian, and the Cai Family Head...

They had just approached the stronghold and killed a few Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators when...

A burst of laughter came from the outpost.

"Haha, Peak Master Wang, I didn't expect you to be leading the team this time!"

"Such a grand entourage, coming to our Puppet Hall's territory... what brings you here?"

A figure soared into the air, stepping on golden light, and hovered steadily in the air.

This man was short and stocky, with a mustache and a sinister, lewd look in his eyes.

This person is none other than Wu Xingkui, the leader of the Puppet Hall!

Behind Wu Xingkui were more than twenty Golden Core demon cultivators.

Upon seeing this, the Peak Master of Zhenfeng frowned slightly and asked:

"How did you know... we would come here to launch a sneak attack? And you even sent so many cultivators..."

Wu Xingkui, of course, could not tell him, so he sneered:

"When you descend to the Yellow Springs, someone will tell you..."

Before he could finish speaking, another burst of laughter came from afar.

"Hahaha, Old Monster Wu...long time no see!"

A figure in white robes appeared as a streak of light, directly beside the peak master of the formation.

This person was none other than Chen Danxin, the sect leader of the Heavenly Pill Sect.

Chen Danxin has an ordinary appearance and long hair, but she has a resilient temperament and looks quite remarkable.

As Chen Danxin arrived, nine more streaks of light shot into the sky from afar and joined the battle.

At this moment, all twenty Golden Core cultivators from the Righteous Path Alliance had arrived, making their numbers roughly equal to those of the Golden Core demonic cultivators from the Demonic Sect.

Upon seeing Chen Danxin, Wu Xingkui's expression changed slightly.

"What are you doing here? Could it be...?"

Wu Xingkui's heart skipped a beat, and his gaze instinctively turned to the Cai family patriarch.

"Pfft!"

Just then, a long knife pierced through the heart of the Cai family patriarch.

"Why, why..."

The Cai family patriarch turned around and looked at the peak master of the formation with disbelief.

Upon seeing this, the Peak Master of Zhenfeng let out a cold laugh.

"Don't act like I've betrayed you. You traitor, secretly colluding with the Demonic Sect... You were the one who betrayed us during that battle three years ago!"

"You think I don't know?"

"Heh... By now, your entire Cai family should have been executed in Yanlai City..."

"From this day forward, the four great families of Yanlai Realm will no longer exist!"

Upon hearing this, the Cai family patriarch's expression changed, and he even tried to resist.

But behind him, Chen Danxin waved his hand, and his true energy struck the Cai family patriarch.

Instantly, the Cai family patriarch's entire body exploded into minced meat.

Upon seeing this, Wu Xingkui's expression changed slightly.

He never expected that the undercover agent he sent out had already been discovered.

But why would the Righteous Alliance still come to this stronghold after they've seen through their scheme...?

With just these twenty or so Golden Core cultivators? Oh no, there are nineteen now.

Wu Xingkui quickly regained his composure and sneered:

"Heh, so what if we've been discovered... We have far more Golden Core cultivators!"

"Besides, are you, Chen Danxin, even a match for me?"

A hint of confidence flashed in Wu Xingkui's eyes. In a one-on-one fight, he might not be a match for Chen Danxin.

But don't forget, he's a puppet cultivator!

They can create puppets!

With that thought in mind, Wu Xingkui waved his hand and summoned seven or eight puppets.

Each puppet possesses strength comparable to the early stage of the Golden Core realm...

Upon seeing this, Chen Danxin's expression changed slightly, and she quickly gave a wink to the peak master of the formation.

Upon seeing this, the Peak Master immediately understood and said:

"Fellow Daoist...it's time to make a move!"

After saying this, the Peak Master of the Formation Peak became somewhat nervous.

He wasn't sure if Lin Chen was nearby.

"Is there another plan?"

Upon hearing the shout from the Peak Master of the Formation Peak, Wu Xingkui's expression changed slightly.

He looked around but couldn't sense the presence of any other Golden Core cultivators.

He immediately sneered:

"Hmph, just bluffing..."

Having said that, he prepared to unleash the puppets in a group attack.

However, at that moment, dozens of nano-missiles the size of stones flew rapidly from afar.

It struck the Core Formation cultivator behind Wu Xingkui directly.

Boom boom boom!

A violent explosion rang out in the air, and dust and smoke immediately filled the air.

When the smoke cleared, seven or eight early-stage Core Formation demonic cultivators lay on the ground, severely injured and unable to get up.

The remaining demonic cultivators at the mid-stage of Core Formation and above managed to withstand the nano-missiles with their protective true essence, but they were still shaken.

Upon seeing this signature move, Wu Xingkui's expression changed drastically.

"Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect!"

……

In the distance, Lin Chen gave orders to the martial arts puppet.

"Feng Jiu, you're in charge of providing suppressive fire from a distance..."

"Ryuba, come with me!"

Having said that, Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared on the battlefield.

Gripping the black knife tightly in his hand, Lin Chen silently recited in his mind:

"Shake your blade, six times!"

Having said that, Lin Chen unleashed three slashes in the blink of an eye, beheading three mid-stage Core Formation cultivators...

After instantly killing three Core Formation cultivators, Lin Chen lightly leaped to the side of the Peak Master of the Array Peak.

After scanning the fallen demonic cultivators, Lin Chen slowly spoke:

"One million four hundred thousand spirit stones..."

Upon hearing this, the Peak Master of Zhenfeng opened his mouth wide.

One early-stage Core Formation cultivator receives 100,000 spirit stones.

Mid-stage Core Formation, 200,000 spirit stones.

This is the price we agreed on in advance.

But even the Peak Master of the Formation Peak didn't expect it to be so easy!

Lin Chen's actions and subsequent appearance took only a few breaths.

They killed eight early-stage Core Formation cultivators and three mid-stage Core Formation cultivators...

Are spirit stones really that easy to earn?

Peak Master Zhenfeng swallowed hard and coughed:

"Ahem, don't worry, Fellow Daoist Xu!"

"We've decided to pay for the spirit stones!"

Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction after hearing this.

Without wasting any words, he directly summoned twenty-one throwing knives.

Spirit Control Technique!

Compared to three years ago, Lin Chen can now activate fewer throwing knives at the same time, but their power has increased several times over.

On the one hand, Lin Chen's Qi gathering technique has become more proficient, and his true essence has become more abundant.

On the other hand, it's because the flying knife magic weapon has undergone a major upgrade!

That's right, all twenty-one throwing knives were produced by the Great Xia Kingdom's Weapon Refining Department.

Each one of them has reached the level of a low-grade magic weapon!

Moreover, the twenty-one throwing knives appeared as a set, doubling their power!

This set of magical throwing knives alone would be worth no less than a million spirit stones in the cultivation world...

Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly, and twenty-one flying knives shot towards the demonic cultivators.

Each of these throwing knives could leave a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator utterly bewildered.

"Damn it! With a bounty of millions of spirit stones on his head, he still dares to show his face..."

"Today, I will kill you!"

Wu Xingkui snorted coldly in his heart, and then took out an unusual puppet.

This puppet is nearly two meters tall, clad in heavy armor, with the character "Luo" written on its chest plate.

Holding two red spears, he stared at the crowd expressionlessly.

"Luo Nu! Kill them!" Wu Xingkui ordered.

The moment Lin Chen saw the puppet, he knew its identity.

"Senior Luo Ming..." Lin Chen's eyes flashed with killing intent.

A dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, who slew countless demons and monsters in his lifetime...

However, after his death, his soul was enslaved by demonic cultivators.

Even their physical bodies have been turned into human puppets in the hands of demonic cultivators!

"Ha, the Puppet Hall! Damn it!"

Lin Chen gritted his teeth, then transmitted his voice to Chen Danxin:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, leave this puppet to me... As for that Wu Xing puppet, Fellow Daoist Chen, teach him a lesson!"

"Okay!" Chen Danxin said succinctly.

With a wave of his hand, Lin Chen retrieved the twenty-one throwing knives.

With a solemn expression, he looked at the puppet Luo Ming in front of him.

"A puppet comparable to an infant... let's give it a try!"

Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly, and the twenty-one flying knives once again drew perfect arcs in the air before slashing straight at the puppet Luo Ming.

dong dong!

The throwing knife struck the puppet, producing a sound like metal clashing against metal.

Most of the twenty-one throwing knives were deflected, and the rest that struck the puppet only left shallow white marks.

"Casting metal..."

Lin Chen frowned slightly, looking at the faint golden light on the puppet Luo Ming's body, and immediately understood.

After Luo Ming's physical body was refined into a puppet, it was further enhanced with precious rare and precious materials...

This physical defense is terrifying!

"It seems that throwing knives... won't solve this problem."

Lin Chen frowned slightly and with a wave of his hand, he put the twenty-one throwing knives back into his storage bag.

Then, the Demon-Slaying Blade appeared in Lin Chen's hand.

"Since throwing knives won't work, let's fight head-on!"

Lin Chen's heart stirred, and he wielded the black blade, slashing directly at Luo Ming.

"Six times, cleave blade!"

A flash of light appeared, and Lin Chen's black blade was aimed directly at the neck of the puppet Luo Ming.

However, the puppet, wielding two red spears, directly blocked Lin Chen's attack route.

With a flick of his spear tip, a terrifying force surged forth.

Lin Chen's figure was immediately sent flying dozens of feet away.

Boom!

Lin Chen did a somersault in the air, flying dozens of feet before standing up steadily.

Looking at the puppet Luo Ming in the distance, Lin Chen frowned slightly.

"This puppet has incredible power..."

Lin Chen's current martial arts realm is the peak of Martial Venerable.

The basic strength of the physical body is 2000 tons, or 400 million catties!

With the power of the six-fold vibration blade, Lin Chen's strike exceeded 2400 million jin.

But in a simple contest of strength, he is far from being a match for this puppet...

"Senior Luo Ming, a body-refining cultivator at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage..."

Lin Chen took a deep breath.

What's powerful isn't the Puppet Hall, but Luo Ming's physical body!

Luo Ming was a peak Nascent Soul cultivator in his lifetime, suppressing the Demonic Sect for a thousand years!

How strong is it?

After returning, Lin Chen consulted ancient books and learned that Luo Ming had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage in both body refinement and cultivation.

In that era, beings below the Nascent Soul stage were virtually invincible...

The puppet before them, though lacking Luo Ming's martial arts skills and the will of heaven and earth.

However, his physical strength remained at 70-80%.

The peak of the Body Refinement Nascent Soul stage is equivalent to the peak of the Martial King stage on Earth...

Even after being turned into a puppet, its strength should not be underestimated.

"Looks like things are getting serious!"

Holding the Demon-Slaying Blade, Lin Chen's eyes gradually hardened as he charged forward.

"Ten times, cleave blade!"

(End of this chapter)