Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Spirit-Shattering Arrow

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Spirit-Breaking Arrows

In the Abyss of Gods and Demons, the peerless fiends had slaughtered countless souls, posing a grave threat to Chu Jie and his companions. Moreover, these fiends might carry supreme treasures. Thus, they felt it necessary to confront at least one of them.

“The Abyss of Gods and Demons rarely witnesses drastic upheavals, but this time the changes are so great it’s bound to attract many. Perhaps those who have arrived now are only a small part; as time passes, more will surely pour in,” Duan Kun observed, glancing at the three hundred figures not far off, then spoke to Chu Jie.

Chu Jie replied, “If we can obtain a supreme treasure from the abyss, our plans may proceed far more smoothly.”

Duan Kun nodded. Their ambition was to dominate the outskirts of the Chaos Zone. Yet the forces in Blood Slaughter City were tangled and complex; the outer perimeter, though divided into just nine districts, was inevitably tied to major powers. This was the challenge of subjugating the perimeter forces.

If the peerless fiend was not in possession of a supreme treasure, they would have to keep venturing deeper into the abyss, rather than lingering on the fifth terrace.

These men blocked the entrance to the sixth terrace; to pass, one had to go through them.

The two emerged from their concealed spot, approaching the group. Instantly, the atmosphere shifted. The three hundred had been scanning the area vigilantly, but now, every gaze turned to Chu Jie and Duan Kun. Weapons were drawn, murderous intent surged.

“Boss, they’re here!”

The change in momentum among the three hundred was palpable. Yet Chu Jie detected fear in their eyes.

Among these warriors, cultivation levels varied wildly—even some at the first rank of Body Tempering Realm, true ragtag troops. Most were at the fifth rank, but there were a few stronger, like their leader, whose cultivation was at the first rank of Spirit Gathering Realm.

They relied on sheer numbers; frankly, these people were likely mere cannon fodder or bait.

Chu Jie and Duan Kun exchanged a glance, sensing something amiss.

The leader, Chen Xiao, stepped forward, took a deep breath, and declared, “Sorry, your journey ends here. We will halt your advance!”

With a wave of his hand, a hundred streaks of light shot forth from the ranks. This weapon was unfamiliar to Chu Jie, who grew alert.

“These are Spirit-Breaking Arrows, found only in the Outer City. They’re potent, able to pierce our protective aura. These men are definitely connected to forces from the Outer City—be careful,” Duan Kun warned urgently.

Spirit-Breaking Arrows posed a real threat. Their value was considerable; it was unexpected that someone would lavishly use them.

“Could it be they’ve mistaken us for the fiends?” The words they’d overheard earlier, combined with the current reactions, brought the situation into sharp relief for Chu Jie.

Duan Kun nodded with a bitter smile. Originally, they intended to help these people, but now, whatever they said, the other side would see them as mortal enemies.

After all, anyone attacked without provocation would feel aggrieved.

Thus, only one course remained: kill.

A torrent of Spirit-Breaking Arrows hurtled toward them, whistling through the air. At least a hundred from Chen Xiao’s squad fired.

Chu Jie immediately summoned the Universe Treasure Wheel. At this moment, it was the best defense.

The Universe Treasure Wheel shot from his fist, rippling with spiritual light, transforming into a radiant wheel that rotated slowly in the air. All incoming Spirit-Breaking Arrows struck the wheel, unable to harm it. Its defense was formidable.

Duan Kun, meanwhile, unleashed a spindle-shaped artifact that danced around his body, deflecting a multitude of arrows.

“Universe Treasure Wheel?” Chen Xiao was stunned. This artifact was famed, the supreme treasure of the Luo family, rumored to have fallen into the hands of a youth named Chu Jie. He hadn’t expected to encounter it here.

Greed flickered in his eyes. Even if Chu Jie wasn’t the fiend, he coveted the treasure wheel. If he couldn’t use it himself, he could return it to the Luo family for immense rewards. Besides, his own faction would benefit greatly from possessing the Universe Treasure Wheel.

The wheel glided through the air, and with every rotation, it shattered dozens of arrows. Not a single one reached Chu Jie. Duan Kun, protected by his spindle artifact, was similarly unharmed.

The first wave of arrows passed; the two remained unscathed.

“Boss, are they really the fiends? That wheel looks awfully familiar,” a subordinate whispered.

Chen Xiao snarled, “Silence! They are fiends, no doubt. Their appearance matches the reports exactly. We must kill them—if not, we’ll all face punishment from above.”

At this moment, Duan Kun stepped forward and said, “We’re merely passing through, intending to join you in fighting the fiends. You attack us directly—do you think we’re easy prey?”

He’d originally intended to charge in and slaughter, but thought to try words first.

Chen Xiao sneered. Whether or not they were fiends, he would brand them as such—especially with the allure of the Universe Treasure Wheel. He had to have it.

“I’ve received reliable information. You are the peerless fiends who slaughtered countless in the Abyss of Gods and Demons. We will destroy you here!” Chen Xiao shouted. If Chu Jie truly was a fiend, Chen Xiao might have been afraid, but now, knowing one was Chu Jie, he felt confident.

He himself was a Spirit Gathering Realm cultivator, and with so many subordinates, he believed victory was assured. Not only the Universe Treasure Wheel, but Duan Kun’s spindle artifact as well, he considered his for the taking.

Chu Jie sighed inwardly. It seemed there was no choice but to kill.

These people likely coveted their treasures. Now, with chaos in the abyss, the Nine Heavens Gale had vanished, the restrictions on cultivators had lifted. Even those of low cultivation could enter, otherwise so many wouldn’t have gathered.

It was clear more would arrive soon.

“Enough talk—kill!”

Chu Jie shouted, his inner Reincarnation Scroll swirling rapidly, pouring spiritual energy into the Universe Treasure Wheel.

The wheel, which had hovered and rotated slowly, suddenly expanded, spinning faster, spiritual light surging and flowing. After absorbing Chu Jie’s energy, the entire wheel shot toward the crowd.

The massive wheel swept through the ranks with unstoppable force, cutting down cultivators wherever it passed.

“Retreat! Retreat!”

“Dodge!”

“No! Spare me!”

Shouts and screams erupted. In a flash, dozens fell dead. The wheel carved an arc through the air and returned.

Though much spiritual energy was spent, the strike instilled terror; the survivors looked at Chu Jie in panic.

“Focus! Archers, shoot!” Chen Xiao barked grimly.

Now the Universe Treasure Wheel was not protecting Chu Jie, making this the optimal moment for Spirit-Breaking Arrows.

Some archers had been killed, but many remained.

In an instant, another volley of Spirit-Breaking Arrows shot forth, blazing with spiritual light, all aimed at Chu Jie. They no longer spared their arrows, firing one after another, so the barrage was several times greater than before.

Despite the overwhelming attack, Chu Jie remained calm. He summoned the Barbaric Cauldron, intending to see if it could absorb the arrows.

His Mad Dog Battalion needed Spirit-Breaking Arrows; without a powerful artifact for defense, they were lethal weapons.

The Barbaric Cauldron appeared, its mouth tilting and shielding Chu Jie. After absorbing his spiritual energy, its mouth grew wide enough to protect most of his body.

A vortex formed at the cauldron’s opening, generating immense suction. Many arrows shot directly into the vortex, absorbed completely. Others, affected by the suction, veered away and struck the ground, posing no threat. Those near the cauldron’s mouth were forcibly drawn inside.

Usually, the stronger the absorbed item, the greater the energy consumed, but this time, many arrows were essentially volunteering, so Chu Jie managed to collect hundreds without exhausting himself.

Those in the distance were dumbfounded—their deadly arrows had ended up in their enemy’s hands.

But now, with no retreat possible, the conflict was to the death.

“Charge! We outnumber them—hold out, reinforcements are coming!” Chen Xiao roared.

Many subordinates wanted to flee, but under their leader’s command, none dared.

The Universe Treasure Wheel returned to Chu Jie’s side, wrapping his fist in a stream of light.

Hundreds advanced together, a formidable force, like a small army rushing at Chu Jie and Duan Kun.

Chen Xiao did not lead from the front, but hid in the middle, clearly afraid of dying, pushing his men ahead.

Were it not for fear of losing authority, he likely wouldn’t advance at all.

Chu Jie had never faced so many at once. He could flee, but having been attacked without cause, he would not let it go unanswered—it was not his nature.

Moreover, his anger toward the peerless fiend had only grown. If not for that fiend, he would not be besieged—this was a disaster brought upon him for no reason.