Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2006 Chapter 965: In Hand

A sharp glint flashed in Shen Shouxing's eyes. "Indeed, I am an influential Elder of the Shen Family, yet I remain a simple cultivator at my core."

"I possess neither the desire nor the power to dictate the life and death of others."

"My only aim is to ascend, carving out a superior path for myself while establishing a foundation of immortality for my lineage. I want them to climb higher by standing upon my shoulders..."

"However, ascending inevitably demands a heavy toll."

"The loose cultivators of Solitary Mountain City represent that very price."

"Without the sacrifice of those loose cultivators, how could the Shen Family have thrived? How could it have risen to become the preeminent aristocratic clan within the Qian Taoist Sect today? From where would our current wealth have originated?"

"Once their utility is exhausted, there is no reason to preserve them."

"It is unavoidable..."

"If I did not slay these people, another would surely take my place. It is their predestined end; no one can alter it..."

"Such is their fate..."

Visible agitation shook Shen Shouxing's demeanor.

These sentiments appeared to have been buried in the depths of his soul for ages, bottled up for years without ever being shared with a single soul.

Now that his actions were laid bare, he could no longer restrain the release of these long-repressed feelings.

Simultaneously, a dark shadow swirled within his pupils. His Divine Thought trembled noticeably, and his aura began to undergo a subtle transformation.

Mo Hua sensed something amiss and couldn't help but knit his brows slightly.

Once Shen Shouxing finished speaking, Xun Ziyou and the others lapsed into silence.

He had spoken a harsh truth: if Shen Shouxing did not eliminate these people, other Shen Family members or different aristocratic clans would have stepped in to do the deed.

As long as men pursue profit, they will discard their principles, harvesting gains while shifting the costs onto others; it was a certainty of the world.

Shen Shouxing was merely the chosen executioner.

And yet...

Xun Ziyou let out a soft sigh and leveled his longsword. "This does not excuse the mountain of killing sins you have accumulated."

"Those who seek the Dao must uphold righteousness and nurture a pure Taoist Heart."

"From the very start, your path was twisted."

"Righteousness? A Taoist Heart?" Shen Shouxing gave a mocking laugh. "Can those be traded for Spirit Stones? Do they grant authority or benefits? They are merely hollow concepts used for lecturing, utterly devoid of value."

Xun Ziyou's expression turned frigid. "Our paths are fundamentally different; we cannot walk together."

Shen Shouxing shook his head, raising his own blade in response. "True. At this stage, words are meaningless."

"For the sake of the Shen Family, for my own life, and for my heirs, certain secrets must be interred forever within this tomb."

The power of Shen Shouxing’s Golden Core Peak cultivation began to surge. Sword Qi erupted around him as his killing intent solidified.

Xun Ziyou and his companions braced themselves, fully alert.

Currently, the group was plagued by severe injuries; only Shen Shouxing maintained his peak cultivation and the greatest combat readiness. The choice to initiate the battle rested entirely with him.

This was why, despite his lengthy speech, no one had dared to strike first.

Now that Shen Shouxing had drawn his sword, a savage struggle for survival was imminent.

Driven by family prestige and his own survival, Shen Shouxing would show absolutely no leniency.

Xun Ziyou sharpened his focus, readying for the clash.

A moment later, a streak of white light tore through the air as the longsword lunged forward. Shen Shouxing charged directly at Xun Ziyou with lethal intent.

Among those present, some were monster cultivators and others were demon cultivators—outcasts who naturally lived in the shadows. Even if they possessed forbidden knowledge, their influence was minimal.

Xun Ziyou was the exception; as an Inner Sect Elder of the Taixu Gate, his survival meant the entire leadership of his Sect would learn the truth.

Consequently, Xun Ziyou was the primary target for elimination.

With a grim expression, Xun Ziyou did not dare to be careless, deploying the full power of the Tai Xu Sword Skill to parry the deadly assault.

Sword Qi and sword intent collided and tangled, their powerful auras clashing in a desperate struggle for dominance.

Xun Ziyou was slightly outmatched, but his robust foundation and sophisticated sword intent permitted him to endure the onslaught for the time being.

Seeing the two locked in a stalemate, the Bear Demon Cultivator wasted no more time. He lunged toward the Dragon Coffin, determined to seize the Dragon Vein resting within.

The battered Shen Tuao could not permit such a theft.

The two collided in a flurry of close-quarters combat, once again trapped in a fierce brawl.

Young Master Xuan’s eyes grew cold. Originally, he only needed to defeat Shen Tuao to claim the Dragon Vein, and with the leverage he held, the prize should have been his.

He hadn't expected Shen Shouxing to suddenly turn the tables, causing the situation to spiral out of his grasp.

"Shen Shouxing!" Young Master Xuan shouted coldly. "Have you lost all concern for your son's life?"

While trading blows with Xun Ziyou, Shen Shouxing glanced back and sneered. "Boy, you need a few more years of experience before you try to bargain with me."

"My son is your only protection."

"Keep him unharmed, and I may let you live. If a single hair on his head is harmed, you will follow him to the grave."

Having spent years in high-ranking positions, navigating the treacherous waters of power, Shen Shouxing was ruthless and calculating. His ability to read the battlefield was far beyond anything Young Master Xuan could hope to manipulate.

He refused to be a puppet in the young man's game.

Young Master Xuan’s face darkened, a cold fury rising within him.

Left with no alternative, he had to intervene personally to secure the treasure.

However, his cultivation was significantly lower. In this lethal arena of late Golden Core experts, he couldn't afford to get too close. He resorted to harassing them with blood-red sword light from the periphery; a single mistake would mean his death.

The chamber descended into utter chaos.

In the middle of the free-for-all, Shen Tuao was the first to reach the Dragon Coffin.

With a powerful strike, Shen Tuao knocked Elder Bear Pi back and lunged for the Dragon Vein.

Elder Bear Pi was unable to block him in time.

Young Master Xuan unleashed a bolt of sword light to repel him, but the strike only caused a minor graze on Shen Tuao’s skin.

Ignoring everything else, Shen Tuao reached out his massive hand to claim the prize.

The Dragon Vein shimmered with a pure, translucent light, radiating an aura of divine treasure.