Severed Arm

After the golden beam destroyed the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman, the bronze bell shattered with a sharp snap. The golden light dissipated, collapsing into a talisman slip riddled with cracks, its fragments fluttering downward like ash. It turned out to be a talisman treasure. The bronze bell's power far exceeded that of the jade ruyi talisman treasure in Qin Sang's possession, which was why it could obliterate the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman with such ease; its original magic treasure form was bound to be extraordinary. The talisman treasure's might was utterly spent, shattering directly after this single use. Yet destroying the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman and completely cutting off Daoist Xuan Yu's retreat could be considered a worthy expenditure. Qin Sang nodded inwardly. He had heard long ago that it was already fortunate for a Core Formation stage cultivator to possess a single magic treasure. Many Core Formation cultivators—especially those without a formidable background—scurried about for years just for their life magic treasure, barely gathering enough spiritual materials, with no energy left to forge others. Unless they were lucky enough to uncover one while treasure hunting, or wrested one away by killing other Core Formation cultivators. Old Man Dique's background was far inferior to Daoist Xuan Yu's. Daoist Xuan Yu possessed an emerald disk life magic treasure, a Tiangang Saber Talisman whose power rivaled a magic treasure, and supposedly an unrevealed Neijing Origin Talisman. In addition, though the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman was destroyed by the bronze bell before its full power could unfold, judging from Daoist Xuan Yu's flight speed, that secret talisman was likely of the magic treasure tier as well. To possess so many treasures was precisely the benefit of his standing as a disciple of Shangyuan Qingjing Palace. Old Man Dique, on the other hand, was actually a rogue cultivator who merely held the nominal title of guest elder at Xuanlu Pass, making it hard to say if he possessed any real authority. Seeing that Old Man Dique had not only the Tianyin Conch but had also unleashed a potent bronze bell, Qin Sang had initially been somewhat surprised by the depth of his wealth; only now did he realize it was merely a talisman treasure. It was evident that Old Man Dique lagged considerably behind Daoist Xuan Yu in both cultivation and foundation. Taking advantage of the sneak attack, coupled with meticulous scheming, he had successively destroyed three of Daoist Xuan Yu's prized treasures and driven him into a corner. Though the bronze bell was shattered, Old Man Dique had already seized the chance to close in before Daoist Xuan Yu could make another move, blocking his path forward. With a gentle shake of the Tianyin Conch, countless sound blades immediately shot forth, showering down like a torrential deluge. They not only inundated Daoist Xuan Yu but also completely engulfed every direction around him without leaving a single gap, granting him no chance to dodge. Daoist Xuan Yu strangely put up no struggle at all, his body submerged within the storm of sound blades. One could not tell whether he was already powerless to fight back; by now, he was likely riddled with gaping wounds. Old Man Dique was also somewhat surprised, but that was quickly supplanted by excitement. Just as he urged his spiritual power to further ramp up the Tianyin Conch's might, a ray of saber light silently breached the storm and shot forth at breakneck speed. Aimed straight at Old Man Dique! The speed of the saber light was astonishingly fast, closing the distance between itself and Old Man Dique in an instant and leaving behind a long, narrow saber shadow across the void. A heavenly blade descending upon the mortal realm, breathtaking to the extreme. This ray of saber light appeared without the slightest forewarning, yet it shone even more brilliantly than the previous burst from the Tiangang Saber Talisman. The naked eye could not discern its true form at all. Its ripples were identical to those of the Tiangang Saber Talisman, but hidden within those vibrations was another power, far more immense and violent! This slash was not aimed at Qin Sang, yet the mere aftershocks radiating from that power filled him with immense horror, even sending a shiver through his body! Squinting into the blinding white that flooded his field of vision, he suddenly recalled that night when he left the Yuanzhao Sect. "Burning his Golden Core?" As the saber talisman bore down on him, Old Man Dique looked solemn, yet deep within his eyes lay a faint trace of delight that was nearly impossible for an outsider to detect. Qin Sang realized it as well: knowing death was certain, Daoist Xuan Yu had actually chosen to burn the power of his Golden Core and overdraw the Tiangang Saber Talisman in a desperate gamble. No wonder he could instantly erupt with such terrifying power. This was a counterattack from the brink of death, and likely Daoist Xuan Yu's sole chance. Even if Daoist Xuan Yu managed to turn the tables and slay Old Man Dique, however, the price would be staggering. The Tiangang Saber Talisman was certain to be completely ruined, but the greater toll was upon himself. Having burned his Golden Core power, not only would he have no hope of Nascent Soul formation in the future, but even restoring himself to his former state would be no simple task. "Come on, then!" Old Man Dique bellowed. He seemed to have been prepared long ago; the instant the Tiangang Saber Talisman appeared, he turned his hand and recalled the Tianyin Conch. "Go!" His expression darkening, Old Man Dique did not hesitate in the least to cast out the Tianyin Conch in his grasp. With a wobble, hurled by Old Man Dique, the Tianyin Conch slammed violently toward the Tiangang Saber Talisman. Boom! Following a deafening crash, the Tianyin Conch flew backward, fresh cracks marring its surface. The light of the Tiangang Saber Talisman dimmed for a fraction before blazing dazzlingly once more; after a slight pause, it shot forth, thirty percent faster than before. At this point, it was no longer as simple as merely burning Golden Core power—he was overdrawing everything, leaving himself no way out! Once his Golden Core power was exhausted, he would die all the same. Daoist Xuan Yu seemed to have lost all reason, choosing to fuse into one with the Tiangang Saber Talisman, locking onto Old Man Dique. Qin Sang could also sense Daoist Xuan Yu's resolve: he no longer sought survival, only to drag his enemy into death with him! At this moment, the Tianyin Conch could not return in time to aid him. Old Man Dique moved like lightning, dodging repeatedly, yet could not shake off the Tiangang Saber Talisman. Seeing it right before his eyes, Dique had already been cornered against the totem barrier. Yet even so, he showed not the slightest panic. Gazing coldly at the saber talisman, with even a sneer playing at the corner of his mouth, his spiritual power abruptly erupted. Spiritual power cascaded like a waterfall, churning up monstrous waves that submerged both combatants. "Puppet transformation!" Amidst the spiritual power, a ruthless glint flashed in Old Man Dique's eyes, and he made a startling move. He swung his palm and severed his own left arm! As the left arm separated from his body, it began writhing in an uncanny fashion, eventually transforming into another Old Man Dique. Blocking in front of him, it was pierced through by the Tiangang Saber Talisman in the very next instant! Meanwhile, his own aura vanished completely. With a flash, he turned into a firebird, quietly flying into the flock and melting into the myriad firebirds. Whoosh! The Tiangang Saber Talisman tore through the spiritual power, and flying out alongside it were two pieces of a severed arm, reduced to powder by the saber qi. Old Man Dique had already disappeared! It all happened far too fast, shifting repeatedly in the blink of an eye. Obscured by spiritual power, Qin Sang had not witnessed with his own eyes Old Man Dique severing his arm to form a puppet and deceive the saber talisman. But seeing the firebird flee and the Tiangang Saber Talisman strike down nothing more than a severed arm, he could guess roughly what had transpired. Old Man Dique had employed some unknown secret art to transfer the aura locked onto him by the Tiangang Saber Talisman to the severed arm, using it as a scapegoat while transforming into a firebird to hide away. He was merely waiting for Daoist Xuan Yu's Golden Core power to burn out completely, after which he could effortlessly reap the fruits of victory. The Tiangang Saber Talisman shuddered violently, issuing a shrill, desolate roar. Daoist Xuan Yu was filled with indignation, yet powerless. There were countless firebirds, each looking identical; he had no way of knowing which one was Old Man Dique. Not far away, Qin Sang's gaze was locked firmly onto a single firebird. Having watched from the sidelines all this time, he suddenly moved!