World of Cultivation - Volume 03 - Seeking Survival On A Desolate Island

by Fang Xiang

Heart Lake Sword Sect … …

  The sweat on Nan Ming Zi’s forehead became even more pronounced. If Wu Kong Sword Sect could be called the rising nouveau-rich, than Heart Lake Sword Sect was old money with deep foundations!

  Since it was related to two big sects, Nan Ming Zi didn’t dare to act easily. He originated from a small sect and was very clear what power these big sects possessed. If it was only Wu Kong Sword Sect, he might dare to risk it; but since it also related to Heart Lake Sword Sect, he no longer had the courage.

  The other disciples looked at Zuo Mo with eyes full of admiration. The other was a ningmai!

  Nan Ming Zi was very tired after a long flight. He found a spot to meditate and recover his strength. The disciples of Wu Kong Sword Sect found that in the next few days, Shixiong would walk all over the place, occasionally putting all kinds of strange materials into the ground, or casting some spells that no one understood.

  But the formation that everyone imagined did not show any signs of completion.

  Some less courageous disciples became panicked. Nan Ming Zi appeared friendly up until now, but they still worried. The other was much stronger than them. After recovering, the difference between the two sides would be even greater.

  Zuo Shixiong’s big formation still appeared incomplete.

  The third day, just like normal, Zuo Mo continuously cast all kinds of spells on the ground. He didn’t seem very rushed, his composure idle.

  ———

  In the middle of meditation, Nan Ming Zi’s eyes opened a sliver and looked thoughtfully at Zuo Mo. These last three days, he had been observing Zuo Mo constantly. He didn’t find any ripple of a formation inside the island. Inside those criss-crossing canals, there was water that flowed in and out into the Endless Ocean. From all the signs, Zuo Mo’s big formation did not seem to have been completed.

  Was he purposefully concealing it, or was the formation really not finished?

  Nan Ming Zi wasn’t sure. He decided to wait a bit longer. There wasn’t anyone else on the island, only this crowd of zhuji. For him, it was very easy to conquer. There usually wasn’t any wealth on zhuji xiuzhe. However, he coveted the flag in Zuo Mo’s hands. Zuo Mo had used so many materials on the formation over the past few days that even Nan Ming Zi felt pain on his behalf.

  These three days, that Wu Kong flag could not be driven from his thoughts. As his ling power recovered, Nan Ming Zi’s heart started to waver. Thinking that he was afraid of a zhuji xiuzhe, he felt his face burn with shame. Other than formations, Zuo Mo could not be of any danger to him.

  With his power, these zhujii cultivators completely had no power to resist. If the formation was not complete, he had complete confidence he could quickly kill Zuo Mo. If it really came to that point, he didn’t plan on letting of any of the other Wu Kong Sword Sect disciples escape either. Afterwards, he would flee to Little Mountain Jie, then to Sky Water Jie. No matter how powerful Wu Kong Sword Sect and Heart Lake Sword Sect were, how could they find him then?

  A dark light flashed across Nan Ming Zi’s eyes.

  ———

  As Zuo Mo felt Nan Ming Zi’s vision, he started to sprint. Nan Ming Zi would never have thought that Zuo Mo’s consciousness was so strong that he could detect that Nan Ming Zi had been faking his meditation for the majority of the three days. Zuo Mo knew that Nan Ming Zi did not have good intentions, but to scare Nan Ming Zi, he had acted in a very calm manner the past few days.

  As expected, troubled times had come! The world was in disorder!

  Zuo Mo sighed inside, his feet moving faster. Now that society was in disorder, only having enough power would keep him alive.

  He travelled along familiar paths back to the underground lava lake. These last few days, the fire formation in the lava lake had been continuously processing the copper hoop.

  Zuo Mo waved his hand. The copper hoop rang and flew into his hand. The yellow-red copper hoop was now a bright fiery red, looking slightly strange compared to before. The fire element power had been very strong. After forging for three days and nights, the grade of the copper hoop had been raised by one level, reaching fourth-grade.

  He gave a satisfied expression.

  Coming out of the lava lake, Zuo Mo did not conceal his figure anymore, flying straight into the sky.

  ———

  The other people instantly found Zuo Mo in the air.

  The disciples of Wu Kong Sword Sect all had excited expressions. The murderous intent on Nan Ming Zi’s face finally could no longer be concealed. He came to the conclusion that the formation on the island really had not been completed!

  Damn it! He had been tricked by this zombie! Nan Ming Zi’s eyes revealed his greedy and crazy emotions. Born out of a small sect, even if he had reached the stage of ningmai, he still did not have an appropriate talisman!

  He might not understand formations, but he was very experienced. Seeing Zuo Mo, it looked as though he was planning on activating the formation. Such a good opportunity, if he did not act now, when could he?

  Silently, his flying sword had come out of its sheath. It suddenly turned into a stream of light, leaping towards Zuo Mo in the air.

  Nan Ming Zi intended to kill with one blow. He did not hold anything back with this blow. The sword light was like a snake, opening its gaping maw and showing its fangs. Even from a distance, it was possible to feel the viciousness and maliciousness in the sword essence.

  The expressions of the other disciples changed. Everyone took out their flying swords to try to act against Nan Ming Zi.

  Nan Ming Zi smiled coldly. His figure flashed and appeared both on the ground and in the sky.

  Zuo Mo did not seem to detect the sword light heading towards him. He opened his hand and the copper hoop slowly floated into the sky.

  Ding!

  As the red copper hoop slowly rose, it rang, producing clear bell-like sounds.

  Ding ding ding ding!

  It was as though there were countless wind chimes humming together with the red copper hoop. The Desolate Wood Reef was filled with the sounds of chimes.

  The sword light that was halfway in the air seemed to have encountered great resistance. The body of the sword shook, and its speed suddenly decreased. Nan Ming Zi’s expression changed greatly. Gritting his teeth, all his ling power flowed into the sword. The light of the sword suddenly grew, its snake-like shape suddenly becoming even more realistic.

  Hiss hiss!

  The sword hissed as it cut through the air. The sword essence became even more brutal and savage.

  Facing such a strong sword presence, Zuo Mo didn’t even bat an eyelid. All of his attention was focused on the slowly rising copper hoop.

  At this time, the red copper hoop had floated past Zuo Mo’s head. It was like the sovereign that was facing the world. All the materials that Zuo Mo had cast into the ground seemed to have felt some invisible magnetism and started to float up into the sky with the fiery red copper hoop.

  In the sky above the Desolate Wood Reef, there was countless materials floating densely together, as if to blot out the sun!

  * * *

  Translator Ramblings: Zuo Mo made a bluff. I’m not sure what the sect leader was thinking since Nan Ming Zi’s arrival should not be a surprise. There’s probably not a lot of alternatives but strategically, why didn’t one of the elders come earlier and set things up?! Jindan can travel much faster.

  Think of the hoop similar to Nezha’s Universe Ring so somewhat bigger than the hand .

  Chapter 171: Micro Void Arrow

  The copper hoop was a Buddhist Sound Hoop, one of the finest of the third-grade talismans. When Zuo Mo had found it in the stores, he had been very happy. It was hard to find fine sound-type talismans. This Buddhist Sound Hoop had been made from Meteorite Copper and Crimson Red sand, and was able to produce a clear sound capable of breaking through illusions. Especially rare was the Buddhist Formation on the hoop was steady and grounded, not flashy, and had a uniquely dignified, serious pre
sence.

  After having been forged in strong fire element power for multiple days, the fire power flowed through the hoop. The clear sound it produced had become a deep strum, and within it were traces of hidden strength. What was special was the strength was like the sun, warm yet not brutal. The hoop had risen from third-grade to fourth-grade, its power growing drastically.

  From the moment he saw the Buddhist Sound Hoop, Zuo Mo had decided to take it. It was as though it had been custom made for the [Skyring Moon Chime Formation]. The Buddhist Sound Hoop did not provide as much fine control as his Lil’ Pagoda, but because it was a sound-type talisman, it was much better suited to the [Skyring Moon Chime Formation]. Used as the center of the formation, the power would be much greater!

  When Zuo Mo stepped onto the Desolate Wood Reef, he had already planned it out.

  He had decided to set up a [Skyring Moon Chime Formation] of unprecedented size! There was enough manpower, and enough materials, there was also enough and time for him to set it up.

  A two hundred and sixteen child formation [Skyring Moon Chime Formation]!

  Three seventy-two child formation [Skyring Moon Chime Formation] were placed at the corners of a triangle on the island, forming a large, never-before-seen [Skyring Moon Chime Formation]. It really was too large, so much that it required a talisman to act as the center of the formation.

  Zuo Mo had never set up such a large [Skyring Moon Chime Formation] before. He also did not know just how powerful the Buddhist Sound Hoop would be after it was tempered; but after studying in the sword essence formation for half a year, Zuo Mo’s understanding of formations was far greater than in the past. Even though he didn’t have very much confidence, he still proceeded accordingly, not panicked at all.

  When he saw all the materials started to floated, his insecurities in his heart finally were alleviated!

  The Buddhist Sound Hoop and the formation had finished their resonance!

  Ping!

  In the sky, a red light flashed on the Buddhist Sound Hoop producing a sound that was powerful and awe-inspiring. It was as if the Vajrapani Buddha was looking down with his eye, authoritative yet not wrathful!

  ———

  Nan Ming Zi’s eyes widened in disbelief. The sword essence that he had produced using all the strength in his body was now weak as a bubble. With a pop, it scattered and disappeared.

  An invisible Buddhist sound swept by. His body froze, the circulating ling power to resist the freezing of his body.

  Nan Ming Zi had a shocked expression. The power of the formation was far beyond what he had imagined.

  Not good! He’d been tricked!

  He suddenly bit the tip of his tongue. A sweet, metallic taste instantly came into his mouth. A strange red colour spread across his face, the ling power that had been reserved inside his body was no longer held back. He felt his ling power surge through his body, plentiful like it never had been before.

  But he had already lost his courage. There was only one though in his mind, flee!

  A shuttle shaped talisman in the shape of a date seed appeared in his hand. He hurriedly channeled ling power into it.

  Suddenly, a feeling of extremely danger appeared.

  Uh-oh!

  There was only time for that one thought before he felt a soft impact.

  His chest had suddenly exploded without warning. He looked down and saw a bloody hole the size of a fist in his chest. His vision darkened, and he did not feel anything else.

  [Skyring Moon Chime Formation]’s [Micro Void Arrow]!

  ———

  Having seen the entire fight, watching Nan Ming Zi’s corpse plummet like a bag of sand, the Wu Kong Sword Sect disciples below all had expressions of shock and awe. They had heard all kinds of rumors about Zuo Mo Shixiong, but nothing was as shocking as personally seeing Zuo Mo Shixiong easily kill a ningmai xiuzhe.

  In the sky stood the figure of Zuo Mo, a thin body and with his eyes closed, instilled them with a sense of awe and mystery

  ———

  A beat later, Zuo Mo opened his eye, joy flashing across his eyes.

  [Micro Void Arrow] was not a technique from the jade scroll of [Skyring Moon Chime Formation], but a technique he had come to understand on his own by studying the sword essence formation. In the sword essence formation, he had watched the process of many fine sword essences gathering into stronger and bigger sword essence many times. [Micro Void Arrow] was the result of the [Skyring Moon Chime Formation] producing large amounts of extremely small chimes. These small sounds would not attract any attention, but when they gathered together were very strong.

  When the enemy inside the formation detected the danger, the [Micro Void Arrow] would have already formed!

  Having detected that Nan Ming Zi wanted to flee, for some strange reason, Zuo Mo had used this technique that he wasn’t familiar with. He hadn’t expected it to be so effective. After finishing the fight, he savored everything he had learned in the moment.

  Looking at Nan Ming Zi’s corpse, Zuo Mo was not happy in the slightest.

  The social order was in chaos!

  When a nest was under attack, would any egg escape? He was just a cultivator in zhuji. The worry in his heart only increased.

  Zuo Mo slowly landed. The Buddhist Sound Hoop disappeared. All of the materials then entered the ground. If it wasn’t for the corpse on the ground, there was no sign that there had been a fight on the Desolate Wood Reef.

  “Everyone, go rest. Starting tomorrow, we can start looking for ling veins.” Zuo Mo said to the other disciples.

  “Yes!” The other disciples bent their heads and complied. The strength that Zuo Mo displayed created awe in their hearts and made them more willing to follow.

  ———

  It was a pity that Lil’ Black was asleep. Otherwise, it would be extremely easy to find ling veins. However, these production xiuzhe had their own tricks. There was a ling plant farmer that knew how to look for ling veins, and a beast-speaker who had a blue-star mouse that could find ling veins. All of them were disciples of the same sect. And the Desolate Wood Reef was not large, so no one concealed anything, cooperating in their search.

  Since the [Skyring Moon Chime Formation] was mostly complete, Zuo Mo’s heart finally landed. With the big formation present, he was not afraid of any ningmai. As for jindan, no matter what talismans he had, they were not something he could face.

  However, jindan experts would not care for the little wealth that he had.

  Beside the lava lake, Zuo Mo took out what he had collected from Nan Ming Zi’s body. There was a large pile of knick-knacks in front of him, but what were most eye-catching was a date seed and a piece of withered vine.

  Carved onto the date seed was a little ship, with exquisite pavilions and columns, sails and masts. Zuo Mo remembered that Nan Ming Zi had taken out this date seed at the end when he clearly wanted to flee. He instantly felt great interest. Who didn’t like talismans used for escaping and could potentially be life-saving?

  He channeled ling power inside.

  A strong suction force suddenly came from the date seed. The ling power in his body instantly started to resemble a wild horse out of control, furiously flowing towards the date seed!

  In the blink of an eye, the ling power in his body had been depleted.

  Zuo Mo jumped in fright and forcefully stopped the flow of ling power. This date seed was somewhat abnormal! Still wary, he put the date seed in front of him to carefully look. After absorbing the ling power, there was no change.

  He seemed to understand why Nan Ming Zi had not used the date seed ship earlier. It required too much ling power to activate.

  Zuo Mo grimaced inside. Ling power was his greatest weakness, yet the date seed ship required large amounts of ling power. After all this trouble, what he received was a talisman that he could not currently use.

  He turned his eyes to the withered vine. His dejected mood instantly recovered, the joy in his eyes increasing. In the e
nd, he couldn’t resist roaring with laughter.

  He had made a profit!

  The withered vine was not eye-catchingly pretty. Its muddy grey colour made it appear like any other withered vine which could be found everywhere. When he had taken it out of Nan Ming Zi’s ring, it had been piled together with a bunch of assorted items. Nan Ming Zi had not found its value.

  Zuo Mo recognized this vine. It had a very special name, “Teeth Vine.” It was a very scary organism. A mature teeth vine would release extremely beautiful flowers with seductive sweet fragrances. They were natural illusionists, able to transform into different shapes. From birth, they were skilled in illusory skills. Prey that neared them would be unable to escape as though they were trapped in illusory formations.

  Once the prey entered its hunting range, as it cast an illusion, it would stealthily approach its prey. It was not just a plant, but made from countless tiny worms which were called “teeth.”

  Teeth Vine was an extremely weird and dangerous ling vine. Not only was this unattractive withered vine was Teeth Vine, and it was a section of fourth-grade Teeth Vine.

  Fourth-grade teeth vine!

  He didn’t know who was so skilled that they could even cut fourth-grade Teeth Vine. The danger of a fourth-grade Teeth Vine definitely was not lower than that of any ningmai expert. It was extremely hard to hunt and required the skilled handiwork of a professional hunter. To be able to preserve the shape of the Teeth Vine, the hunter needed to use jade knives to cut it, otherwise, the Teeth Vine would collapse and turn to dust.

  If this little section of fourth-grade Teeth Vine was placed in the Hundred Treasure Flying Pavilion, it could reach an astronomical price.

  But Zuo Mo definitely would not sell it.

  It was useful for him! He was going to make a sword formation!

  It wouldn’t be a big sword formation like the sword essence formation, but a convenient, easy-to-transport formation that he could keep with him at all times. In other words, he decided to make a set of flying swords that could set up a sword formation at any time!