Chapter 144: Ten Thousand Bones Wither for Every General's Success

That calm yet domineering statement further confirmed everyone’s suspicions.

They were all convinced that Qin Chuan had concealed his level. Otherwise, how could he be so terrifyingly formidable?

In truth, everything Qin Chuan had done was simply an expression of his nature. He had never imagined that the people of Black Wind Cliff would label him an unrivaled expert.

Elder He was deeply shaken by those words and hurriedly said, “May I ask what grudge you bear against Black Wind Cliff, Senior? If any of our disciples have offended you, I will kill them on the spot as an apology!”

Elder He sounded rather cowardly, completely unlike the usual style of Black Wind Cliff.

But when the situation was unfavorable, lowering one’s head and admitting defeat was not necessarily a bad strategy.

What Elder He could never have imagined was that Qin Chuan truly was only level thirty-four.

The reason Qin Chuan possessed such powerful attributes was that he had devoured countless resources.

For the moment, level was not all that important.

However, to become a truly unrivaled expert, one’s level was still an essential factor.

Even Long Ao was struggling to keep his composure. This was practically an unprecedented spectacle.

If Long Ao had been facing such a situation, then even if he could not win, he would still have fought. No matter what, he would never have abandoned his principles.

The people of Black Wind Cliff before him clearly possessed none of the integrity Long Ao believed in.

Qin Chuan, meanwhile, had always been ruthless. He was not the sort of person who would stop merely because someone begged for mercy.

Besides, how could he casually give up so many merit points?

The corner of Qin Chuan’s mouth lifted slightly as he said with faint amusement, “There is no need. You tried to kill me just now, so this grudge is already formed.”

Elder He found himself utterly unable to argue. If he had not succumbed to greed earlier, the situation might not have reached this point.

Regret and anxiety warred within him. In the end, he forced himself to speak with some backbone. “Senior, Black Wind Cliff is renowned throughout the Spirit Realm. Do you really intend to consider none of the consequences?”

The threat in his words was unmistakable. An ordinary person would surely have thought twice.

But Qin Chuan was no ordinary person. He raised his right hand and said indifferently, “I never consider the consequences when I act.”

Even Long Ao felt his blood surge at those words. Qin Chuan truly suited his temperament.

“Chirp!”

Qin Chuan proved through action what it meant to disregard all consequences. He raised his hand and unleashed a Flow Strike.

Everything suggested that Elder He was far inferior to Gu Qiuyou. Otherwise, he would not have been so hesitant and long-winded, despite also being level forty.

At a distance of barely ten meters, Qin Chuan was completely confident that he could hit him.

Indeed, under the pressure of Qin Chuan’s aura, Elder He had not dared entertain even the thought of resisting. Yet when faced with the threat of death, he still decided to fight back with everything he had.

Unfortunately, the instant he revealed his purple spirit weapon, Qin Chuan’s sword struck him.

“Ding! Critical hit triggered. Damage increased to 150%, with a knockback effect.”

“Ding! Slaughter triggered.”

“Ding! Obtained 160 merit points. For killing an outer elder of Black Wind Cliff, an additional 240 merit points have been awarded.”

Qin Chuan killed Elder He with a single strike. The sharpness value of the critical hit had already approached 3,800.

Elder He’s spirit defense was even weaker than Gu Qiuyou’s, so there was no way he could have withstood it.

His body smashed through the doors of the great hall behind him and crashed heavily onto the ground.

The astonishing display once again confirmed Qin Chuan’s identity as an unrivaled expert.

“Elder He is dead!”

“Run... run! Hurry and run!”

Although some disciples shouted for everyone to flee, their feet were remarkably sincere in refusing to move. Some were even trembling violently.

After triggering Slaughter, Qin Chuan once again entered his merciless killing state.

Thus began another frenzied massacre.

A short while later, corpses lay scattered across the platform, and blood flowed like a river.

Yet Qin Chuan did not even frown. He said indifferently, “When one general achieves success, ten thousand bones wither. The same holds true in the Spirit Realm.”

Long Ao offered a heartfelt sigh. “Indeed. Throughout history, all who sought to accomplish great things have walked such a path.”

Boom!

Suddenly, the floor of the great hall split apart with an explosion.

A figure leaped out from beneath the ground, spirit weapon in hand, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

“Ding! Outer altar master of Black Wind Cliff detected. Level forty-one.”

“Ding! Earthfiend Blade detected. Fourth-tier, mid-grade. Unique quality. Level forty-one.”

Qin Chuan calmly gathered all the scattered vital energy and quietly regarded this altar master, who clearly possessed considerable strength.

“You deserve to die! How dare you kill the people of Black Wind Cliff—and so many of them!”

The altar master was named Hun Jiangcheng. He appeared to be a sturdy middle-aged man in his forties.

The moment he emerged and saw the corpses covering the ground, he could not restrain a furious roar.

But such words had no effect on Qin Chuan whatsoever.

Qin Chuan could not help smiling as he said, “Your Black Wind Cliff has killed countless people. Do you really think you deserve no punishment?”

His words were entirely reasonable. Black Wind Cliff allowed itself to slaughter others at will, yet could not tolerate anyone slaughtering its own.

Put simply, this was the attitude of most people from the higher realms: I may run rampant and tyrannize others, but you are not allowed to resist in the slightest.

Hun Jiangcheng was visibly stunned. When had he ever heard words like these?

The next moment, he became extremely violent. “No matter who you are, you are going to die today!”

Hun Jiangcheng had not witnessed Qin Chuan’s earlier performance, so mentally, he possessed a considerable advantage over Elder He.

As an altar master, he spent every day either cultivating or guarding the formation core beneath the ground.

That was the foundation of Black Wind Cliff, so Hun Jiangcheng dared not treat his duty lightly.

Had he not been awakened by the sound of Elder He crashing into the ground, he would still have been meditating with his eyes closed.

The position of altar master was highly valued by Black Wind Cliff. Its candidates underwent strict selection, and every appointee was exceptionally powerful among those of the same level.

Hun Jiangcheng possessed three blade techniques: Earthfiend Slash, Heaven-Splitting Strike, and Frenzied Wind Blade.

Among these three techniques, Earthfiend Slash had three forms corresponding to the three stages of a spirit weapon.

Such a situation was extremely rare. Most people could only merge with the first stage, whereas Hun Jiangcheng had unlocked all three forms.

This also showed from another angle that Hun Jiangcheng’s aptitude was far superior to Gu Qiuyou’s.

Earthfiend Slash: The first form deals 150% damage to targets within a ten-meter radius. The second form pursues struck targets, dealing 150% damage. The third form unleashes a thunderous sweep, dealing 150% damage within a five-meter radius.

Heaven-Splitting Strike: Stuns enemies within a five-meter radius for two seconds. While the blade technique is on cooldown, it inflicts a 30% slowing effect for one second.

Frenzied Wind Blade: Unleashes a storm of blade shadows, dealing 120% damage within a ten-meter radius.

Earthfiend Blade Passive: Increases spirit defense by 30%.

Secret Arts: Spirit Binding, fourth stage; Soul Annihilation, fourth stage.

Movement Technique: Peerless Phantom, fourth stage.

Hun Jiangcheng’s attributes: Attack 2,000-plus; spirit defense 2,800-plus; movement 2,400-plus.

Judging from his attributes, his three primary stats were truly impressive. He was an opponent worthy of Qin Chuan’s attention.

At that moment, Qin Chuan once again revealed the Dragon-Patterned Frost Crystal Sword. Its faint red radiance was dazzling.

“Hiss! Level thirty-four? A red spirit weapon!”

Even with Hun Jiangcheng’s steadfast will, his mind could not help wavering. He was no exception when it came to coveting a red spirit weapon.

Hun Jiangcheng could not resist asking, “Who exactly are you? Are you truly only level thirty-four? May I know your honored name?”

Qin Chuan did not conceal anything. He said indifferently, “That’s right. Remember this—I am Qin Chuan.”

The news left Hun Jiangcheng overjoyed. His opponent was only level thirty-four. Was this not practically a gift?

By now, he had forgotten all about his so-called vengeance. He was far more eager to obtain the Dragon-Patterned Frost Crystal Sword.

After learning Qin Chuan’s true level, Hun Jiangcheng said arrogantly, “Very well. My name is Hun Jiangcheng. For the sake of that red spirit weapon, I will allow you to know my name.”