I have an Apocalypse City

Chapter 653: Chapter 653: Seven Stars Sword Array

Song Jian stared at the semi-transparent soul bodies that kept wandering in front of him, his brows slightly furrowed.

These wandering soul bodies were of level thirty-two with no tier-one combat power. Despite their numbers, how could they possibly hinder the progress of two swordmasters with tier-one combat powers towards the main hall?

Having a tier-one combat power and not having a tier-one combat power were akin to being two completely different beings. No matter how many of these ghosts there were, they couldn’t possibly form a qualitative leap and hinder the steps of two powerfully skilled fighters.

“It seems there must be something strange about these ghosts, I should tread cautiously!” Song Jian mused.

These ghosts retained a human-like appearance, and one could vaguely recognize their mysterious facial features. However, the gazes of these creatures were vacant, showing only a slight wit once they became aware of Song Jian’s presence within their alert range.

The number of ghosts in front of him was tremendous, clustered closely together. Luring them one by one was not an option, hence Song Jian took out three sword array stones and threw them into the air. A strand of Sword Qi entered the sword array stones, instantly activating the sword array within them.

The three sword array stones transformed into three streams of Sword Qi, each over a foot long. They circled slowly around Song Jian like fishes in water, capable of attacking any hostile target that got close. Each stream of Sword Qi was equivalent to a full strength attack by Song Jian. Moreover, each Sword Qi could be used ten times. After that, they needed to be recharged with Sword Qi by Song Jian.

This Sword Qi array was Song Jian’s improvement on the standard Sunburn Sword Array Stone. The ordinary Sunburn Sword Array Stone couldn’t provide a protective effect as it did now.

Qingyun Sword Technique!

Wielding his long sword, Song Jian lunged at the ghost that was closest to him.

Jian Qi and Chang Qinghe were not too far from him. If he used other sword techniques, it could easily arouse their suspicion, and thus, Song Jian had to use the basic Qingyun Sword Technique for battling.

Although the Qingyun Sword Technique was the most fundamental sword technique at the Qingyun Sword Sect, Song Jian with the help of the “Detailed Explanation of Qingyun Sword Technique” written by an official swordmaster, had cultivated it to level nine.

However, it could only be cultivated up to level nine. Any improvement thereafter would not be possible via the “Detailed Explanation of Qingyun Sword Technique”.

‘Qingyun Sword Technique (Active), Level Nine (1%), Skill Effect: Sword Damage Boost by 45%, Attack Speed Boost by 15%, Block +3; Skill Description: Basic entry-level sword technique of Qingyun Sword Sect. Although the damage it causes is average, it is a prerequisite for all other sword techniques at the Qingyun Sword Sect.’

The examiner had once told Song Jian that the Qingyun Sword Technique was the foundation of all the advanced sword techniques of the Qingyun Sword Sect. To master other more profound techniques, one must first master the Qingyun Sword Technique.

The phrase “Qingyun Sword Technique breeds Qingyun” meant that all sword techniques within the Qingyun Sword Sect originated from the “Qingyun Sword Technique”.

Song Jian had been a named disciple for several months now, but he had never learned other sword techniques. Currently, he could only use the most fundamental Qingyun Sword Technique.

Fortunately, Song Jian’s Qingyun Sword Technique was at a considerable level. Coupled with his innate skill bonuses, combating these regular level thirty-two monsters was somewhat effortless.

The three Sword Qis circling his body incessantly cleaved the ghosts rushing towards him, and in no time, a small area was cleared.

“These monsters give a lot of experience points!” Song Jian astonishingly discovered that these level thirty-two ghosts provided experience points two to three times higher than monsters of the same level in the outside assessment world, which excited him immediately.

Ten minutes later, Song Jian had extinguished more than twenty ghosts. However, he still lingered on the periphery of the monster region, without delving deeper in.

As for Jian Qi and Chang Qinghe, they were clearing the surrounding ghosts while advancing towards the main hall a few hundred meters ahead.

“Could it be that I’ve been overly cautious and misunderstood them?” Song Jian watched his two senior brothers delving deeper, feeling puzzled.

Just then, a roar like a thunderclap rang out from in front of Song Jian. Large swathes of black mist surged up from underground, roiling and condensing in mid-air, eventually forming into a giant black ghost over ten meters tall.

Just as this giant black ghost let out an angry roar, Jian Qi and Chang Qinghe suddenly accelerated towards the main hall. Sharp Sword Qi, like a downpour of rain, fell on the surrounding ghosts. Dozens of ghosts hadn’t reacted when their bodies were torn apart by Sword Qi, they were unable to stop the two’s forward charge.

The moment Jian Qi and Chang Qinghe started their sprint, Song Jian understood their true purpose for bringing him to these ruins was to have him distract this giant boss’ attention, so they could make their way into the main hall smoothly.

“A lord-level boss with tier-one combat power!” Song Jian squinted his eyes as he watched the gigantic black ghost that was as big as a small hill rushing towards him.

The moment this black ghost appeared, almost all the other ghosts became frenzied. Their semi-transparent bodies turned crimson as though in a rage, gnashing their teeth and growling fiercely as they surged towards Song Jian.

From a bird’s-eye view, it almost looked like a dark tide converging towards a single point.

“I’ve been tricked!” Song Jian thought to himself, preparing to retreat.

His current position was on the edge of the monster area, with no ghosts behind him. Escaping should be quite easy.

However, when he cast his eyes towards his two senior brothers, he suddenly paused and stopped in his tracks.

At that moment, the figures of Jian Qi and Chang Qinghe had already dashed into the half-buried entrance of the main hall.

“I can run away, but then wouldn’t I be benefitting them for nothing!” This thought flashed through Song Jian’s mind.

“Hmph, I refuse to be manipulated by you!” Song Jian was indignant. Gritting his teeth, he chose to advance instead of retreating. His figure turned into a cloud of black mist and he rushed towards the horde of monsters.

Seven Stars Shine!

With a soft yell, Song Jian threw out seven sword array stones glittering with brilliant starlight. This was the Seven Stars Sword Array he had prepared beforehand. He input a strand of Sword Qi into one of the sword array stones.

“Crack” With this noise, the seven sword array stones shattered almost simultaneously. Song Jian’s eyes revealed a hurt look. The Seven Star Sword Array was immensely powerful, but it could only be used once. Its array diagram was extremely complex and crafting it was extremely tedious, with a high failure rate.

Song Jian was lucky enough to have successfully produced one set!

As soon as the Seven Stars Sword Array was activated, an area of five hundred meters in radius turned instantly into darkness, with the sky above sparkling with stars. Seven shining stars, like meteors, plummeted towards the ground.

The ordinary ghosts had no consciousness, and were simply crazily rushing towards Song Jian. However, the gigantic black ghost with tier one combat power sensed the massive threat overhead.

It roared towards the sky and incredibly, threw a punch towards a falling meteor.

…