Chapter 338 - Peak-stage Spirit Refinement Realm
As Albion's murderous aura surged out of his body like tumultuous unending waves and blanketed the sky with his fury and killing intent, numerous people in the city were alarmed by the otherworldly phenomenon of the red aurora looming over them.
It wasn't just the people of Silvercove city who noticed the unusual phenomenon; other people in the surrounding cities also sensed the change.
In the north, the bugs in Stillwater city rushed underground in trembling fear as if a killing god was descending upon the land to slaughter the world.
The world was too dangerous for them to conquer.
…
In the deep mountain range west of Silvercove city, where a hidden sect is located, a middle-aged-looking man with grey strips of hairs and a white robe was standing on the top of a pavilion.
The mark of eight suns encompassed by one bigger sun was engraved on the tall pavilion.
It was the distinctive symbol of the Nine Sun Sect and signified that the building belonged to the Nine Sun Sect.
The middle-aged-looking man took in the scenic view of the vast mountains and tasted the fresh air of freedom while hundreds of outer disciples practiced their skills in the training ground below.
A few moments later, another figure flew over and landed beside the middle-aged-looking man on the pavilion.
The person similarly wore a white robe, except she was not a man but a lady who appeared quite younger.
However, her grey strips of hair revealed that she was not that much younger than the middle-aged-looking man.
"It's been several hundred years since the sect opened to the world, hasn't it, First Elder?"
The young-looking lady casually asked the middle-aged-look man as she took her spot on the pavilion's roof to enjoy the worldly view.
"To be exact, it has been 720 years." The First Elder sighed emotionally and recalled, "It has also been 720 years since we lost the last sect master to the Dark Emperor and forced to seal the sect gate from the world."
"It's all in the past now," the young-looking lady said before adding, "Surely, the Dark Emperor would have forgiven the four ancient sects for the mistake we made back then."
However, the first elder shook his head and said, "If you remember what kind of person the Dark Emperor is, you know that's not true."
"Nevertheless, there shouldn't be a problem if we don't step on the evil dragon's tail again," the first elder added.
"Now that the world is entering an age of spiritual rejuvenation, the sect cannot pass on this opportunity to seek the immortal way. So it's fortunate that Sect Master broke through to Spirit Manifestation Realm and made the decision to send out the disciples for the experience."
"It's been too long since our sect has a Demigod. All these changes point towards a positive direction for our sect," the young-looking lady said before mentioning, "Nevertheless, we can't be too careless. That's why we only sent out the inner disciples, isn't it, First Elder?"
"That's right, Third Elder." The first elder nodded.
"The outer disciples are still young and reckless. Only the inner disciples are prudent enough to be sent out with the core disciples. They are at least sensible enough to—"
Rumble…!
The first and third elders suddenly felt the world darkened with ill omen before discovering a crimson phenomenon hanging in the distant sky.
Their expressions changed immediately.
"S-such dense killing intent!" the third elder exclaimed with alarm and shock.
"How many lives have been slaughtered for a person to produce this level of density? Billions? Trillions? No, it must be even greater than that!"
Even if the Dark Emperor slaughtered all the humans on Earth, he couldn't have possibly possessed such a terrifying killing intent, right?
After all, there were only roughly 7-billion humans!
"W-who's killing intent is this?!"
…
…
…
Killing, slaughter, and battle; the path of asura was inseparable from these three points.
No matter which memory fragment Albion had absorbed, knowledge only accounted for 20% of it while the rest comprised of bloodied battles.
The murderous killing intent he had trouble keeping in check erupted in full fury the moment he was furious.
The torrential waves of killing intent covered the skies, seemingly wanting to bathe the world in blood and swallow the heavens—and him along with it.
The world of carnage that only exists in the Ashura Emperor's memories was corrupting his mind, threatening to turn him into a bloodthirsty fiend of slaughter.
Ding!
<Abnormalities have been detected in the host's sea of consciousness>
<Murderous aura in the memory fragments are resonating>
<Calculating viable solutions…>
…
Ding!
<Option 1: Permanently remove the accumulated murderous aura from your soul>
<Cost: 5 units of divine energy>
<Option 2: Fuse the accumulated murderous aura with another intent to create a skill>
<Prerequisite: Sword Intent>
<Cost: 20 units of divine energy>
<Please pick an option>
…
Although the first option was cheap and could eliminate Albion's immediate threat, it wastes countless years of experience nurturing the killing intent.
On the other hand, the second option was more costly, but it puts the murderous aura to full use, which may prove useful.
To avoid the problem or take advantage of it, Albion's choice was clear.
'I pick option 2!' His eyes flickered.
Ding!
<Searching for the most suitable memory fragment…>
<Memory fragment found>
<Beginning absorption…>
<…>
Ding!
<Many sword techniques and experience has been absorbed>
<Compiling sword techniques and experience…>
<The Thousand Sword Arts has been created>
<You have comprehended Sword Intent>
<Commencing the fusion of Killing Intent and Sword Intent…>
<…>
Ding!
<The skill [Murderous Sword Intent] has been created>
<Note: skill is at max mastery. No mastery level is assigned>
<Your Sword Intent comprehension has transcended the limit>
<You have comprehended Sword Soul>
<20 units of divine energy has been deducted>
<Balance: 57/1000 Divine Energy>
Ding!
<Your soul has reached a milestone>
<Two portions of the seal has been permanently lifted>
<20 units of divine energy has been recovered>
<Balance: 77/1000 Divine Energy>
<Free Reign: 4hr20min52secs
The string of system notifications sounds in Albion's mind.
His lower cultivation base skipped the Late-stage Spirit Refinement Realm and directly reached the Peak-stage Spirit Refinement Realm.
Everything happened in a short instance.
When he gazed at the four disciples, an additional pressure weight down on them, and the murderous aura in the sky had transformed into an enormous sword that hung over everyone's heads.