Chapter 24: Waiting for You to Come Court Death

Jun Wushuang and Jun Zhantian eradicated the remnants of the Ye family with thunderous means. Afterward, the Ye family was left powerless to resist.

As one of the three great clans of Jiangning City, the Ye family not only possessed vast enterprises but also stored a wealth of treasures. Their treasury was filled with precious items—elixirs, talismans, weapons, and spirit stones in abundance.

Jun Wushuang did not stand on ceremony and swept it all clean.

“Father, I’ll be taking these demon cores, spirit stones, and spiritual herbs,” Jun Wushuang said as he selected a portion of treasures from the Ye family’s storehouse.

“Wushuang, your strength comes first. Take all these treasures with you and focus on your seclusion. Leave the rest to me,” Jun Zhantian declared, waving his hand and loading all the treasures onto Jun Wushuang.

Though the treasures were valuable, his son was more important. Moreover, Jun Wushuang was about to break through to the Myriad Phenomena Realm; Jun Zhantian would spare no effort to support him.

Jun Wushuang accepted without protest, taking a vast hoard of treasures back to the Jun residence.

“Mengyao, I’m going into seclusion to break through to the Myriad Phenomena Realm. Spend these next few days cultivating on your own. If you have any questions, I’ll answer them when I emerge,” Jun Wushuang instructed Lin Mengyao before his retreat.

Lin Mengyao had made good progress with the Azure Lotus Sword Song and had received considerable spoils, promising even swifter advancement.

“Young Master, don’t worry about me. As long as you’re well, I’m happy,” Lin Mengyao replied softly, her gentle warmth soothing to the heart.

Jun Wushuang nodded, hesitated no longer, and turned into the secret chamber.

Though Ye Tiande was dead, Ji Yuntian still lived—and had even colluded with Xu Huanhu, joining forces. To eradicate the Ji family, Jun Wushuang needed greater strength. Thus, the Myriad Phenomena Realm must be attained.

What’s more, the bronze demon ring in Jun Wushuang’s possession still sealed away ten treasures. Once he broke through to the Myriad Phenomena Realm, he could undo the first seal and reclaim the first treasure from his past life.

With a sweep of his hand, countless lustrous spirit stones flew from his storage ring and piled up beside him. After curing the King of the South, Jun Wushuang had obtained a million spirit stones; after spending a hundred thousand on medicinal herbs, nine hundred thousand remained. The raid on the Ye family had yielded another six hundred thousand, bringing the total to one and a half million spirit stones.

For an ordinary martial artist, this sum was enough to ascend from the first to the ninth level of the Myriad Phenomena Realm. But Jun Wushuang was different.

Practicing the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art, each breakthrough required ten or even a hundred times the spiritual energy of a normal cultivator. Thus, one and a half million spirit stones would only suffice for his assault on the Myriad Phenomena Realm.

Yet the benefit was that at each stage, Jun Wushuang’s cultivation reached the utmost perfection. He could fight beyond his level, facing ten, a hundred, even a thousand foes alone.

Besides the spirit stones, Jun Wushuang had also prepared many demon cores to enhance the power of the Myriad Demon Flame—one of his trump cards.

“Devour!”

Cross-legged amidst piles of spirit stones and neatly arranged demon cores, Jun Wushuang circulated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art. Instantly, his body became like a vast, bottomless black hole, capable of swallowing all things and containing a universe within.

Spirit stones were drawn forth, transforming into an immense surge of spiritual energy, pouring into his body, filling him to the brim and enabling him to open his dantian and break through to the Myriad Phenomena Realm.

…

While Jun Wushuang cultivated in seclusion, Jun Zhantian was busy annexing the Ye family. The Ye family’s overall strength rivaled that of the Jun clan, with assets not just in the city but also rich farmlands and mines beyond its bounds.

Due to previous suppression, the Jun family had suffered a severe loss of talent. Jun Zhantian had to handle much of the annexation personally, stretched thin and constantly occupied.

The Jun residence grew ever quieter, with only a handful of elders and a few faithful servants remaining, lending the manor an air of desolation.

Lin Mengyao kept vigil outside the secret chamber. For her, Jun Wushuang was the very meaning of her life.

An orphan from childhood, she had been taken in by Jun Wushuang’s mother, who pitied her and made her Jun Wushuang’s personal maid. Grateful, she cared for him with all her heart. After his mother’s passing, that gratitude was transferred wholly onto Jun Wushuang. She not only devoted herself to him but was willing to sacrifice everything for his sake.

This feeling was not love, nor mere kinship; it was something deeper—a spiritual sustenance. For Lin Mengyao, Jun Wushuang was her sky, her entire world.

Sword in hand, Lin Mengyao practiced with earnest dedication. The Azure Lotus Sword Song had been bestowed upon her by Jun Wushuang. Whether she was suited for swordsmanship or not, she had no wish to disappoint him.

Thus, whenever she had the chance, she immersed herself in cultivation, forgetting sleep and food, all in hope of earning a single word of praise from him.

Sword light flickered, blooming like a lotus—beautiful, yet lethal.

Lin Mengyao, as befitted the soul shard of the Azure Lotus Empress, possessed astonishing talent in swordsmanship. She had already succeeded in mastering the Azure Lotus Sword Song.

A formless sword force erupted from within her. For an instant, the world fell silent; within a hundred meters, every flower and blade of grass was severed at the stem.

Lin Mengyao had broken through again.

Body Forging Realm, fourth level!

A trace of delight appeared on her face. Only by growing stronger could she better aid her young master.

“To think an ordinary maid would turn out to be a sword cultivator in the making.”

A sharp voice sounded behind her. Lin Mengyao’s heart leapt; she turned, sword at the ready, alert and cautious.

A masked man had appeared.

“Who are you, to dare trespass into the Jun estate!” Lin Mengyao forced herself to stay calm, her voice cold and commanding, hoping the name of the Jun family would deter him.

“Jun Zhantian is absent. Who here can stop me? This little Jun family—I come and go as I please!” the masked man sneered, raising his hand.

A giant palm of spiritual energy, three meters across, materialized and reached for Lin Mengyao.

Spiritual energy, unleashed—Myriad Phenomena Realm!

Lin Mengyao’s heart tightened. She had not expected an enemy of such strength.

“One Sword, Blossom!”

Gritting her teeth, Lin Mengyao thrust out her sword. Though overmatched, she would not retreat.

Her blade struck, sword blossoms bursting forth with deadly force, shattering the giant hand into fragments.

“What a powerful sword—she’s on the verge of comprehending sword intent. But your cultivation is too shallow. Before the Gale, you cannot escape,” the masked man said with a chilling laugh.

He vanished and reappeared before Lin Mengyao in a blur of wind. She raised her sword, but the gap in strength was too great; she could not withstand him.

In moments, Lin Mengyao was captured alive.

“What do you want?” she cried in alarm.

“Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. You’re merely bait—to lure Jun Wushuang to his death!” the masked man replied coldly, leaving a letter at the entrance to the secret chamber before departing with Lin Mengyao.

Jun Wushuang—the net is cast, the trap is set.

We await your arrival.