Chapter Fifty-One: The Core Formation Cultivator

Cao Yun’s figure gradually solidified before the righteous cultivators, his eyes as cold as frost fixed upon the five Foundation Establishment cultivators opposite him.

“Was it you who killed Junior Brothers Chen and Liao of the Azure Sun Sect, along with the others?” the leading cultivator, who had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, demanded in a voice as icy as a biting wind.

A faint smile curled at the corners of Cao Yun’s lips. He admitted it without hesitation. “That’s right. Those seventy-eight Qi Condensation cultivators died by my hand as well.”

“Good, good, good!” The leader laughed furiously. “The Azure Sun Sect spent an entire year laying its plans, only to have them ruined by you. Whatever means you used, today will still be the day you die.”

At this, Cao Yun threw back his head and laughed. “You righteous cultivators—are you all servants of the King of Hell, condemning people to life or death whenever you please? I advise you to leave while you still can. I may then pretend this never happened. Otherwise, none of you will leave here alive today.”

“Devilish heretic! All you know is how to boast. You’re courting death!”

Before the leader had even finished speaking, his palm transformed into a gigantic hand three or four dozen feet across and lunged toward Cao Yun.

Cao Yun sighed softly and said coldly, “Die.”

A sharp crack suddenly rang out across the night sky. The leader’s head exploded in an instant, sending blood, brains, shattered flesh, and hair flying in every direction, spattering the protective barriers of the four Foundation Establishment cultivators around him.

“Ah!”

A shriek tore through the night as the red-robed woman cried out in terror.

The other three Foundation Establishment cultivators were equally aghast. They had never imagined that the demonic cultivator before them could be so powerful. He was clearly only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, yet he had killed Senior Brother Zhong, a cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment from the Dao One Sect, with a single move.

The righteous cultivators exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.

A red beam shot from between Cao Yun’s brows and instantly seized the soul of the cultivator surnamed Zhong from the ground before returning to his forehead. With a slight lift of his hand, Zhong’s storage pouch flew into his grasp.

Having witnessed this, the righteous cultivators had already lost all desire to fight. They turned and fled one after another.

Cao Yun did not pursue them. Instead, he turned and returned to the Five-Star Heavenly Dipper Formation. He knew that if he killed them all, he would certainly attract Golden Core cultivators. By killing only one cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment and allowing the others to return with the news, even if the enemy sent Golden Core cultivators, they would likely send only one. When the time came, even if he could not defeat that opponent, he would still have room to maneuver.

Upon returning to the formation, Cao Yun immediately ordered the overseer of Mining Area Seven, “Send a message to the sect at once. Report the battle here and request reinforcements. I needn’t tell you how to phrase the report, do I?”

The overseer hurriedly nodded and turned to leave.

Cao Yun mounted a streak of azure light and flew toward his cave dwelling. Once there, he sat cross-legged upon his meditation cushion and quietly awaited word from the sect.

He knew that, with matters having reached this point, the righteous cultivators would never let the matter rest. They would certainly attack again, and Golden Core cultivators would undoubtedly be among them. If the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect did not send Golden Core cultivators to reinforce the mining site, it would mean that the sect had abandoned it. In that case, there would be no need for him to continue defending the place to the death.

Before long, a message arrived on Cao Yun’s identity token from the overseer of Mining Area Seven: the sect had dispatched three Golden Core elders to take charge of the site.

Upon receiving the news, Cao Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With Golden Core cultivators providing support, the mine’s safety no longer required his concern. The elders would take care of it themselves.

Cao Yun immediately began preparing for the arrival of the Golden Core elders. He swiftly summoned all the mine overseers, arranged the defensive measures in detail, and emphasized that no one was to abandon their post before the elders arrived. The righteous cultivators could gather their forces and launch another attack at any moment, so everyone had to remain vigilant until the reinforcements arrived.

At noon half a month later, a violent disturbance suddenly swept across the sky. Several powerful auras rapidly approached.

Cao Yun’s brows drew together. He immediately rose into the air and flew toward the source of the auras.

Several streaks of light tore across the heavens, racing toward the mining site. Cao Yun’s heart stirred as he realized that they must be the Golden Core elders dispatched by the sect.

“Who goes there?” Cao Yun called loudly.

The streaks of light came to a halt. Three Golden Core cultivators stood calmly atop their respective magical treasures. Five Foundation Establishment cultivators followed behind them, riding within a flying boat.

“I am Li Yunfeng, a Golden Core elder of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect. I have brought Junior Brothers Wang and Wu to guard this place,” said a middle-aged man in azure robes. The emblem of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect was embroidered upon his garment.

Cao Yun hurried forward and saluted. “Greetings, Elder Li, Elder Wang, and Elder Wu. This junior, Cao Yun, has been awaiting you here for some time.”

Li Yunfeng nodded, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. “Cao Yun, the sect has already heard of your performance here. You have done well.”

Cao Yun replied modestly, “Thank you for your praise, Elder. However, the righteous cultivators are advancing with great force. I fear they may act again before long.”

Li Yunfeng smiled faintly, a sharp glint in his eyes. “If the righteous cultivators dare to attack, the three of us will deal with them. You need only continue managing the mine’s daily operations.”

Cao Yun nodded in agreement, though he could not help wondering about the strength of the three Golden Core elders. As one of the Six Great Demonic Sects, the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect naturally possessed Golden Core elders whose abilities were not to be underestimated. But precisely how powerful they were would have to be tested in actual combat.

At that moment, a powerful surge of spiritual energy suddenly rippled through the sky, and an immense aura rapidly drew near.

Cao Yun’s brows tightened as he immediately turned his wary gaze toward the distance.

Li Yunfeng sensed the aura as well, and a solemn expression crossed his eyes. “It seems the righteous cultivators have arrived.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several streaks of escaping light tore across the heavens and sped toward the mining site.

At their head was a young cultivator dressed in white robes. His cultivation had astonishingly reached the middle stage of the Golden Core realm. Dozens of Foundation Establishment disciples followed behind him.

The white-robed youth had barely finished solidifying his form when his brows furrowed deeply. Seeing the three Golden Core cultivators standing within the Five-Star Heavenly Dipper Formation, he swept out an arm and shouted, “Retreat at once!”

Li Yunfeng let out a cold laugh. “Trying to run? Too late…”

Before the words had even left his mouth, a gigantic golden brick-shaped magical treasure flew from his hand. It expanded as it rode the wind, transforming in moments into a massive golden brick more than a dozen yards across. Like a mountain peak suspended in the air, it thundered as it crashed heavily toward the righteous cultivators.

At the same time, Elder Wang and Elder Wu each released a magical treasure—a golden wheel and a jade ruler. Both treasures expanded to more than thirty feet in length, carrying such overwhelming force that they seemed intent on killing the white-robed youth in a single strike.

The white-robed youth was horrified. He immediately released a golden mirror and an ancient bronze shield. The two treasures expanded to several dozen yards across in an instant, firmly shielding him and the Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him.

At the same time, Elder Wang and Elder Wu each released a magical treasure—a golden wheel and a jade ruler. Both treasures likewise expanded to more than thirty feet in length, bearing an aura capable of destroying heaven and earth, as though they intended to kill the white-robed youth in a single blow.

Seeing this, the white-robed youth was greatly alarmed. He hurriedly summoned a golden mirror and an ancient bronze shield. The two magical treasures instantly expanded to more than a dozen yards across, firmly protecting him and the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him.