Chapter 120 - A Chip on the Tang Code
Chapter 120: A Chip on the Tang Code
Fang Lang had previously experienced the tremendous power of the Tang Code’s judgment arrow!
When he had pierced the third prince with his sword and got his hands stained with royal blood, the Tang Code sent out a single blood arrow.
The Tang Code’s judgment arrow meted out punishments proportional to the crime onto the soul.
However, after Fang Lang deflected the arrow, his crime was wiped clean and the Tang Code no longer demanded his death.
Hence, all he had to do was to block this arrow once.
However, the three blood arrows had transformed into three blood dragons! These dragons were far more powerful than the arrow he encountered previously!
The blood dragons looked full of vigor, Each scale of their body glittered vividly. Their teeth and claws looked ready to swallow the whole realm in its entirety!
The intention to kill in order to exact justice was overbearing. It was like there was a figure behind the Tang Code who ruthlessly shot out the three arrows!
Three arrows aimed for the soul!
Naturally, Fang Lang was not afraid of the arrows. Even though these arrows were many times more powerful than the one he had faced before, Fang Lang did not feel a trace of fear.
Fang Lang was more worried about Wen Ting and his newly-acquired mentor in the sky.
After all, Wen Ting had spent ten years nurturing a single sword and was as weak as a commoner. He definitely could not block the Tang Code arrow.
As for First Sword Taihua in between the realms, since she had personally killed the first prince, the blood dragon she faced was the largest one. The dragon nearly filled the whole sky!
The mysterious oppressive power continued to roll out across the sky. No one could move under the oppressive aura.
Wen Ting sat numbly in the same spot. An unperturbed expression appeared on his features. He had spent ten years nurturing a single sword and had managed to mortally wound Li Tianlin—it was sufficient. All the resentment he had felt over the past ten years was released at once and his heart was satisfied.
As for the might of the Tang Code, Wen Ting knew he would not be able to block it. Hence, he did not even try.
The blood-colored arrow did not have the earth-shattering momentum. However, it did not pierce through any raindrops.
This was a power that acted upon the soul.
Wen Ting could sense death approaching him. He slowly closed his eyes.
Out of the blue, a clear sound rang out!
The arrow that could destroy souls was blocked!
A bloodstained thin sword flew across the sky and blocked the Tang Code arrow heading for Wen Ting!
The sword swung left and right non-stop. It was the ravenous, jackal-like sword that Wen Ting nurtured for ten years! At that moment, it was bent at a ridiculous angle from the force of the impact!
Wen Ting stared at it blankly.
He had assumed he would be dead meat. He did not anticipate the sword he nurtured for ten years would save him at this near-death moment!
The sword was emitting a pitiful cry.
The sword intent Wen Ting had nurtured for the past ten years was dissipating bit by bit as it was destroyed by the blood arrow.
At the same time, the arrow seemed to be losing its strength.
Crack!
A loud splintering sound rang out next to Wen Ting’s ears. The thin sword shattered and he felt something emanate from inside the sword.
In the end, the last bit of force in the blood arrow was worn out!
The sword that Wen Ting nurtured for ten years was thoroughly destroyed!
The broken sword seemed to be glowing brightly in Wen Ting’s eyes.
The sword drive in Wen Ting that was crushed by the first prince returned to its original state. In fact, it was more formidable than it used to be!
Wen Ting was astonished.
Over the past ten years, he had not been nurturing a sword but his sword drive! He had been regenerating his sword drive!
The sword he was nurturing was merely the outer shell of his sword drive. When the outer shell was shattered, his sword drive returned to him!
Wen Ting raised his head and looked at First Sword Taihua in the sky.
The realization hit him… was this the plan of First Sword Taihua all along?
Wen Ting thought Xuanyuan Taihua had taught him the Sword Nurturing Spell in order to give him a chance to personally kill Li Tianlin.
However, it seemed that was not the only reason. Xuanyuan Taihua was also helping him rebuild his sword drive!
After they killed Li Tianlin, it resulted in the appearance of the blood arrow. By using the blood arrow to destroy the shackles, his sword drive returned!
Ten years spent nurturing a sword in return for his life!
Wen Ting’s aura continued to grow as he recovered bit by bit. The life force he had lost could not be regained. However, at the rate that he was recovering, he might be able to return to the peak when he managed to attack the first prince, peak seventh class, though it would take him a long time. He would have the opportunity to do so.
Wen Ting looked at Fang Lang. Compared to Wen Ting, Fang Lang seemed much more relaxed when faced with the judgment arrow.
Fang Lang had his arms wide open and his eyes closed. Since he knew he could not block it, he chose to… enjoy it!
‘Come on, shoot me!’
Wen Ting could imagine Fang Lang’s thoughts from his expression.
Swoosh!
The blood arrow tore through Fang Lang’s consciousness.
Ding!
A clear sound rang out. Fang Lang’s consciousness transformed into a bright golden color. The blood arrow crashed against his sturdy golden consciousness, making an eerie clinking sound. Fang Lang was completely unharmed!
However, after the collision, the spiritual sense within the blood arrow slowly melted away. The energy was dispelled but a majority of the spiritual sense remained in Fang Lang’s consciousness, merging bit by bit into his spiritual sense.
Fang Lang felt the familiar feeling of gaining.
He closed his eyes and wore an expression of enjoyment.
The winds continued to howl as the storms continued.
Wen Ting looked extremely calm.
Huang Ying, Ni Wen, Liu Bubai and the others let out a breath of relief. Jiang Linglong looked on with sparkling eyes. She raised her head to look at First Sword Taihua.
Was it Xuanyuan Taihua who helped Fang Lang block the killing attack of the Tang Code?
Before she had the time to figure it out, Fang Lang opened his eyes. Wen Ting looked up toward the sky.
The power of the blood arrows that was directed at Fang Lang and Wen Ting was only a fraction of the judgment.
The true power of the arrow that could destroy the heavens and earth—the god-killing power—was heading straight for Xuanyuan Taihua.
The killing intent contained within the arrow was stronger than anything they had ever seen before!
The Tang Code had concluded Xuanyuan Taihua was the one who killed Li Tianlin.
All the power was aimed at the woman in the sky—everyone held their breath.
Inside the void, the peerless First Sword Taihua smiled cooly. She then raised her hand and made a gesture with her dainty flower-like fingers. A lotus flower blade energy appeared in front of her and began to tussle with the blood dragon.
First Sword Taihua raised her hand and caught hold of the Blooming Lotus Sword. The lotus flower carvings on the Blooming Lotus Sword seemed to come to life. The flowers appeared to be in bloom.
With a gentle tap by the sword, the blood dragon was instantly cut in half!
However, the two halves rapidly rejoined into one.
This was a battle of wills!
All the light under the heavens disappeared right at that moment. The only thing left was the clash between two unlimited powers.
The Tang Code was enveloped within a mass of golden blood. It was watered and cleaned, and seemed to glow with a new, terrifying life force!
The Tang Code shook once and a change occurred in its will.
In the next moment, the golden blood around the Tang Code began to flow and condense into a golden human figure. The figure looked a little like the first prince, Li Tianlin. The eyes were incomparably cold.
The figure wielded a golden sword. With a twist of its body, a wave of energy exploded from the ground, spreading out in all directions!
First Sword Taihua appeared to be frowning.
After that, she stretched out a hand and with a flick of her fingers, the Blooming Lotus Sword instantly shot out. It looked like a ray of light tearing through the dark sky as it appeared before Fang Lang.
Fang Lang was in shock. Before he could react, his body was dragged up by the power of the Blooming Lotus Sword—he was carried up into the clouds.
Down below, everyone was shocked!
“This… is a battle of wills!”
“First Sword Taihua’s will is battling the Tang Code’s will!”
“That’s unbelievable! That’s the Tang Code! The most powerful magical artifact in the Tang Dynasty! First Sword Taihua is so amazing!”
Pei Liao, who had torn through the curtain of rain at high speed to get here, was shocked.
His handsome and cool face struggled to maintain a calm expression.
Jiang Linglong asked curiously under her veil, “Why did she drag Fang Lang up there?”
Pei Liao stroked the hilt of his sword in the leather sheath at his waist.
“During a battle of wills, the physical body still needs to be protected. The Tang Code has used the first prince’s blood to create a figure. Xuanyuan Taihua is using her new disciple, Fang Lang, as a shield.
“The only problem now is… whether Fang Lang will be a match for the figure created from the first prince’s blood! If he’s can’t keep up, Xuanyuan Taihua might lose this battle!” said Pei Liao after he took a deep breath.
After he spoke, everyone raised their heads and looked at the swirling dark clouds in the stormy sky.
Streaks of lightning and thunder roiled behind the clouds.
Fang Lang was dragged into the sky by the Blooming Lotus Sword. He turned his head and looked at the mysterious figure in the barrier within the two realms.
First Sword Tai Hua hunkered down and her gentle voice rang out.
“The appearance of the Tang Code here is part of a scheme. The first prince still has one of the ten great sects working for him to carry out his plan.”
When Fang Lang heard her words, his eyes hardened.
“The first prince used his own bloodline as bait to lure the Tang Code here, away from Changan. Even if Wen Ting did not wound Li Tianlin, he would have found another way to spill his own blood.
“A major part of this scheme has been carried out. However, your appearance threw a wrench into his plan. You cut off his head and summoned me, there were out of his calculations.”
The First Sword seemed to be having a conversation with Fang Lang from a different realm. Fang Lang could not help but draw a deep breath when he heard her voice. He had truly made a formidable enemy out of the first prince. Thankfully, the first prince was dead!
“Why did they do all that? Isn’t the first prince the crown prince? Why did he need to do all this?” asked Fang Lang.
“Crown prince? The Tang Dynasty… will not have a crown prince,” answered the First Sword mildly.
“There lives a wild beast within the Tang Code. They were hoping to test this wild beast. However, they are merely seeking death by doing so. This is because they have not the ability to withstand the might of this wild beast,” explained the First Sword.
“I’m sure you know the concept of nurturing a sword with your body. The Tang Code… you can consider it as the sword.”
As Fang Lang listened, his brain felt like it was exploding. He took a deep breath.
However, the First Sword continued without waiting for Fang Lang to calm down. “I am now trying to subdue the will of the wild beast inside the Tang Code. Help me keep the threat formed from that royal blood at bay. All you need to do is to hold it back for five breaths.
“It’s such a shame that there’s only the Blooming Lotus Sword. Remember this and get the other three swords. The Withering Lotus, the Circling Lotus and the Reincarnating Lotus.. Perhaps then, there’ll be a chance.”
After she said that, the First Sword spoke no more.
Boom!
Fang Lang landed among the clouds. All he could feel was an overwhelming sense of oppressive power, as mighty as the mountains!
Fang Lang felt as though he was about to suffocate. He was only a cultivator of the third-class sword wave realm. Why did he have to endure such suffering and pressure!?
Ominous storm clouds threatened to engulf him!
Among the storm clouds, a flash of golden light tore through!
He saw the golden blood figure turn into Li Tianliin! The Tang Code was at the top of the figure’s head and he wielded a golden longsword as he stepped through the air toward Fang Lang.
The royal blood did not stop moving. The power that belonged to the royal family was capable of toppling mountains and overturning the seas with the help of the Tang Code. The overbearing presence seemed to fill every space within Fang Lang’s chest!
Fang Lang could feel himself shaking. He did not even have the courage to wield his sword. He could hardly resist the urge to kneel!
That figure formed out of golden blood was terrifying and indubitably powerful! Like a god who could tear through the barrier separating heaven and earth.
The pair of cruel, ruthless eyes was akin to a steward of the penal code as it walked toward Fang Lang, one step after another.
With each approaching step, the oppressive aura became stronger and more frightening!
Fang Lang was familiar with this oppression. The overbearing force in the Spirit Pagoda was similar. However, this was more terrifying than the presence the Spirit Pagoda. It seemed to lack human warmth and kindness!
Fang Lang gripped the Blooming Lotus Sword, feeling like he could hardly breathe.
He sensed the noise of the strong winds around him—the gale and the heavy downpour!
‘Ding!
‘Challenge mission!
‘The road to cultivation is long and winding with endless terrors. When you are near death, you need a strong heart and courage. Fear nothing! Help Xuanyuan Taihua to hold off the Tang Code for at least five breaths. The price would be determined by the host’s performance.’
As Fang Lang was panting to catch his breath, the System appeared in his mind.
He had triggered a mission!
Fang Lang gripped his sword and stood still among the cloud layers. He could feel every single pore in his body was filled with oppressive force!
Fang Lang finally understood how Wen Ting’s sword drive had been shattered all those years ago.
This unmatched and overbearing sense of royal oppression felt like it could annihilate everything!
He gritted his teeth as the winds continued to blow, causing his bloodied robes to cling tightly against his body.
In the gap between the two realms sat Xuanyuan Taihua—a powerful spiritual sense that seemed as expansive as the horizon. Her presence filled the world with her signature blade energy.
On the other side laid the Tang Code. The Tang Code hovered in the sky as a pair of cold, cruel eyes watched over the scene.
The two wills clashing in the skies caused the sea of clouds to change!
The figure of gold blood drew closer with each step.
One step, two step, three step…
The force of the Tang Code crashed down on Xuanyuan Taihua’s blade energy world, causing it to collapse bit by bit.
In the clash of wills, Xuanyuan Taihua looked like she was struggling.
Five breaths… was not enough!
She might need more time!
Xuanyuan Taihua frowned deeply. Could Fang Lang withstand the pressure?
Thump!
Thump, thump!
Each step sounded as though the golden figure was treading on war drums!
Fang Lang felt as though his will was utterly extinguished. It was like a weak candlelight forced to burn in a narrow, lonely corner.
He wielded the Blooming Lotus Sword but he stood numbed by fear.
Multiple scenes flashed through Fang Lang’s mind. It was images of him training from the moment he entered this world. In those images, he failed countless times. He was beaten round after round and also failed his exams numerous times.
However, Fang Lang never gave up. He never wavered in his desire to become a cultivator.
Even after he obtained the System, Fang Lang never relaxed for a moment. He continued to push on, working hard in his cultivation and training his spiritual sense until he reached his limits.
Otherwise, even with the help of the System, it would have been extremely difficult for him to become the grand champion with less than a month’s preparation. Without his diligence, he would not be where he was.
The frightful oppression was ready to rip apart his physical body and subdue his sword drive.
Fang Lang gripped his sword and hunkered down. Every pore on his body was bleeding but he stood there, numb.
With the lofty Tang Code above, the figure of golden blood took one step after another, looking like a golden-armored war god.
It walked past Fang Lang, ignoring the ‘ant’ it was crushing.
It raised the sword in its hand and pointed it at First Sword Taihua.
All of a sudden, Fang Lang opened his eyes. His eyes were filled with a maniacal glint.
“Are you looking down on me!?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Lang aimed an attack at the figure with all the force he could muster. It was like a sword disciple on a lonely boat taking on a mighty wave in hopes to cleave it in half!
Sword Draw Technique!
Fang Lang sliced apart the suffocating presence!
This was the characteristic of a sword master. As long as they had a sword, they would continue to push forward unceasingly!
Fang Lang wielded the Blooming Lotus Sword and hacked at the golden figure conjured from Li Tianlin’s blood!
He swung again and the force of his attack did not lessen. Instead, it continued to build as he swung at the Tang Code, again and again!
In the distance, the First Sword was stunned!
She had only asked Fang Lang to stall, yet… he had directly attacked the Tang Code!?
Thud!
The Blooming Lotus Sword clashed against the Tang Code!
All of a sudden, the heavens and earth seemed to become devoid of sound.
Silence engulfed the world.
In everyone’s eyes, the only thing they saw was…
The Blooming Lotus Sword was covered in cracks while a chip formed on the Tang Code!