Chapter 146: The Pursuit of the Nascent Soul Master
Fenghua Sect.
With the death of He Shaogang, his soul lamp extinguished. As the designated successor to the sect master of Fenghua Sect, his sudden demise sent shockwaves through the entire sect.
In the end, the incident even alarmed a Nascent Soul Master. He Shaogang, as a direct blood relative of this master and someone who had taken a Reincarnation Pill to lay a strong foundation, once had genuine potential to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage.
Now that this hope had been shattered, even a Nascent Soul cultivator couldn't help but be consumed with fury.
"The killer is in Immortal City!"
He Zhangcheng formed a hand seal, sensing the tracking mark He Shaogang had left behind. The next moment, his figure vanished, heading straight toward Immortal City.
Daring to kill Fenghua Sect's next sect master—this was not something Fenghua Sect could let slide. It was a matter of pride and prestige.
"They discovered me this quickly?"
In the southern district of Immortal City, Gu Mo's avatar felt the disturbance from the tracking mark on his body. He understood that Fenghua Sect had already started tracing it.
However, Gu Mo didn't attempt to flee. With the mark on him, escape was impossible anyway. So, he chose to stay in Immortal City.
Combat was forbidden in Immortal City. Gu Mo didn't know whether the city would truly uphold this rule to the end, but at the very least, it would cause them to hesitate.
And that window of hesitation would be enough for his true body to escape.
It didn't take long before a terrifying Nascent Soul aura rapidly descended from the skies. Compared to the Nascent Soul Masters who had appeared during the earlier grand auction, this aura carried a killing intent.
"What has provoked you to such wrath, Fellow Daoist He?" A figure appeared in the skies above the southern district, blocking the murderous intent.
"A murderer is hiding in Immortal City—he killed the heir to our Fenghua Sect. I ask that City Lord Yun grant me passage," He Zhangcheng said, pressing down his fury as he clasped his fists in greeting.
If the killer had been hiding in any ordinary sect, he would have stormed in already. But this was Yuntian Immortal City. Fenghua Sect dared not provoke such a force.
"Such a thing has happened?"
Yun Chen was inwardly startled. Was some faction actually preparing to go to war with Fenghua Sect? Given the sect's domineering conduct over the years, it had certainly made many enemies.
Most sects had tolerated them up till now, largely because Fenghua Sect had two Nascent Soul Masters overseeing it. But now, someone had struck decisively, killing their designated heir in one blow—this was a bold slap in the face.
Though surprised, Yun Chen also felt a headache coming on. It was obvious that the killer was hiding in Immortal City, using the city as a shield.
Since its founding, Immortal City had upheld one rule above all: no combat within the city. This rule was the foundation of its existence. Yun Chen could not allow Fenghua Sect's Nascent Soul Master to break it.
Yet refusing could offend Fenghua Sect. Although Yuntian Immortal City did not fear them, as a neutral power, it had no need to create unnecessary enemies.
After some thought, Yun Chen sent He Zhangcheng a voice transmission.
"Very well."
Although He Zhangcheng was displeased by the city's obstruction, he knew full well that Immortal City would never allow its rules to be broken. When he'd attended the auction earlier, he had already sensed more than one Nascent Soul aura hidden within the city.
If conflict truly erupted, Fenghua Sect would gain nothing.
With the agreement reached, He Zhangcheng withdrew. Soon, rumors spread throughout the city—even Nascent Soul Masters cannot act violently within Immortal City—greatly enhancing the city's prestige.
"He left just like that?"
Sensing the dissipation of the Nascent Soul aura, Gu Mo frowned. He didn't believe Fenghua Sect would let this go so easily. Since they clearly wouldn't, this sudden withdrawal could only mean one thing: they had reached some kind of deal with Immortal City.
Just as the thought arose, a figure appeared before him.
"Greetings, City Lord!"
Startled by the sudden appearance, Gu Mo bowed in respect. He had seen this man before during the grand auction—he was the lord of Yuntian Immortal City.
"You, a mere False Core cultivator, actually managed to kill Fenghua Sect's heir?" Yun Chen scrutinized Gu Mo. Under the probing of a Nascent Soul Master at close range, Gu Mo's hidden cultivation was naturally exposed.
However, Yun Chen didn't seem to notice that this was merely an avatar—or perhaps he hadn't even considered the possibility. After all, how could a False Core cultivator possess the resources to cultivate an avatar? With those resources, he might've already advanced to the Golden Core stage.
"City Lord, are you planning to hand me over to Fenghua Sect?" Gu Mo asked. Since this was just his avatar, he had no fear of offending a Nascent Soul cultivator.
"You? A False Core nobody? You think you're worth me making a move?" Yun Chen's gaze sharpened, and a crushing Nascent Soul aura descended.
If not for He Zhangcheng's personal appearance, Yun Chen wouldn't have even spared a glance at someone like Gu Mo. But now, he had to admit—this False Core cultivator certainly had guts. Killing a prominent member of Fenghua Sect was no small feat.
"However, Yuntian Immortal City does not welcome those who act with wanton disregard for others. You may leave on your own." Yun Chen's tone shifted.
Combat was forbidden in the city, but once the target left, the city had no further obligation. That was the agreement he had reached with He Zhangcheng—He would respect the city's rules, and Yun Chen would ensure Gu Mo was driven out.
Rules were fixed, but people were flexible. As a commercial city, Immortal City had always understood the importance of adaptability. There was no reason to offend a major sect with two Nascent Soul Masters over a mere False Core rogue.
Besides, this person had no ties to the city and brought no benefit. There was no reason to protect a stranger.
"As expected..."
Gu Mo sighed lightly. The outcome was no surprise to him. Fortunately, he had never counted on Immortal City's protection—his goal was merely to buy time for his true body to escape.
"City Lord, I will leave. But... might I ask for one small favor before I go?" Gu Mo bowed. Having anticipated this outcome, he wasn't angry. Instead, he seized the opportunity to try and gain a little something in return.
"You're making a request of me?"
Yun Chen was slightly taken aback. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to make demands of him face-to-face.
"Please don't misunderstand, City Lord. Immortal City is a commercial hub—I'm merely proposing a deal," Gu Mo rephrased.
Though this was just an avatar, and he wasn't afraid of death, there was no need to offend a Nascent Soul cultivator unnecessarily. The man could make him disappear without a trace—he simply chose not to, because it wasn't worth the trouble.
"Speak."
Yun Chen nodded in acceptance of this new framing. In fact, he found himself developing a slight appreciation for this False Core cultivator. There weren't many at that level who dared to negotiate with him.
Besides, Yun Chen had no personal enmity with this man. Since He Zhangcheng wanted him, Yun Chen wouldn't interfere. But he also wouldn't act on Fenghua Sect's behalf—he wasn't about to risk appearing biased or give the impression that Immortal City was harboring fugitives.
"City Lord, I once made a contract with the Lu family to offer them protection. However, it appears I can no longer uphold that agreement. Might I trouble you to offer them some protection in my stead?" Gu Mo took out the contract he had signed with Fang Jiaoyan.
There was no way to hide the fact that he had rented the Lu family's spiritual farmland. Gu Mo feared that Fenghua Sect might target the Lu family because of him. If the City Lord of Immortal City were willing to provide some protection, their safety would be more assured.
"I can."
Yun Chen nodded. This was a trivial matter for him. He knew that He Zhangcheng only wanted the fake core cultivator in front of him and had no knowledge of the Lu family. If He Zhangcheng came looking for someone again, that would simply mean he was overstepping. Immortal City was willing to cooperate once out of respect for his status as a Nascent Soul cultivator, but they wouldn't tolerate repeated demands—doing so would only project weakness.
"Many thanks, City Lord."
Gu Mo handed over the contract and prepared to leave. His true body had already boarded a departing merchant vessel; this incarnation had served its purpose of buying time.
"Hold on."
Yun Chen called out. Just as Gu Mo turned around in confusion, an immense force enveloped him, and the next moment, he turned into a stream of light and disappeared into the sky.
In just a few breaths' time, Gu Mo was completely outside of Immortal City's sphere of influence. Clearly, the City Lord had no intention of letting Gu Mo be ambushed right after leaving the city. By flinging him farther away, whatever happened next would have nothing to do with Immortal City.
Naturally, this also bought Gu Mo a bit more time—but not much. Unless he removed the tracking mark from this fake core incarnation, there was no way to escape the pursuit of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Right now, the mark on Gu Mo's body was faintly glowing. It was obvious the Nascent Soul cultivator was activating it to lock onto his position.
"So be it. Once I grow stronger, I'll come back for revenge." Gu Mo summoned his bamboo sword. This top-grade magic weapon would be lost here as well. But thinking of the two top-grade treasures he had taken from He Shaogang, it didn't seem like such a loss.
It didn't take long for a vast, ocean-like spiritual pressure to lock onto him. Under its grip, Gu Mo could hardly move—he felt as if he were mired in a swamp.
"So you're the one who killed Shaogang?"
Just as Gu Mo struggled to hold on, a cold voice rang out. He Zhangcheng stared at the fake core cultivator before him, eyes filled with doubt. How could a mere fake core cultivator have slain a genuine Golden Core cultivator like He Shaogang, to the point where he hadn't even used his last-resort trump card?
Yet the death-mark Shaogang had triggered was on this man. He Zhangcheng couldn't make sense of it—but it didn't matter.
A soul search would reveal everything.
With that thought, He Zhangcheng raised his hand. True essence surged from his Nascent Soul cultivation and formed a giant hand, which reached toward Gu Mo.
Seeing this, Gu Mo shattered the fake core within his incarnation. He knew death was inevitable, but surrendering without resistance wasn't his style. Even if his opponent was a Nascent Soul cultivator, he would at least knock out a few teeth.
The explosion of his fake core released a powerful burst of force, granting Gu Mo just enough strength to move under the pressure. Then he activated a sword technique from his sword manual—Sword Reversal.
Gu Mo knew his own power could never injure a Nascent Soul cultivator. But if he could redirect the Nascent Soul's own force back at him, he might land a hit.
Sword Reversal was a technique designed exactly for this: using an enemy's power against them. Though Gu Mo hadn't fully mastered the move, it was the only chance he had.
He transformed the bamboo sword into a massive greatsword and held it in front of him, eyes fixed on the descending hand of true essence. In his mind, he repeatedly recalled the essence of the Sword Reversal technique.
Clang!
The fingertip of the massive hand struck the bamboo sword. The terrifying force instantly shredded Gu Mo's incarnation. But at that moment, a flash of insight lit up in his mind.
He swung his sword.
Splurt!
At the moment of the swing, one finger of the true essence hand was severed. Gu Mo had successfully borrowed a portion of the Nascent Soul cultivator's power and cut off a finger. The price: his incarnation's body was on the verge of collapse.
It was a heavy cost—for merely slicing off a single finger of a conjured hand. He hadn't truly harmed He Zhangcheng at all.
But the stunned look on the man's face made the effort worthwhile.
Flashing a middle finger at the Nascent Soul cultivator, Gu Mo channeled the last of his energy and detonated the shattered incarnation. I'm out. Not playing anymore.
"You think dying is that easy?!"
He Zhangcheng's face darkened as he took out a small bell—an evil-path treasure: the Soul Seizing Bell, capable of capturing souls.
Jingle jingle...
He shook it, but no soul appeared. Gu Mo had already withdrawn his consciousness when his incarnation self-destructed—there was nothing to catch.
"It was an incarnation!"
A moment of stunned silence passed before He Zhangcheng realized the truth. He had only faced a fake body. His expression turned extremely grim.
This humiliation stung more than the sword strike. A lofty Nascent Soul cultivator, made a fool of.
"Very well. You think you can escape?"
Furious, He Zhangcheng reached into the air and snatched a lingering trace of spiritual aura. He then produced a compass-shaped magical artifact and placed the aura into it. The artifact began to spin, eventually pointing in a certain direction.
Clearly, it was a tracking tool—not as precise as a mark, but good enough. He had memorized the target's aura. As long as he got close, he would find him.
Far across the vast ocean, a giant treasure ship plowed through the waves, heading deep into the endless sea.
Inside one of the rooms on the ship, Gu Mo slowly opened his eyes. He carefully recalled the feeling of performing Sword Reversal just now. At the cost of an incarnation and a fake core, he had finally touched the threshold of mastering that technique.
The losses were heavy—but he had escaped. That was enough. Once he found a good place to lie low and grow stronger, it'd be time to settle accounts with Fenghua Sect.
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