Chapter 828
Life and Death on the Line, Purple Flames Burn the Sky
"puff"
The image of the sharp cone piercing flesh was so clear.
The sharp cone, radiating a dark light and carrying a chilling, dense aura of death, pierced straight into Song Changsheng's right chest, instantly causing a bright white snowflake to explode.
Everyone present watched this scene intently. Was the outcome about to be decided?
"Song Changsheng, my [God-Slaying Cone] has been soaked in a special spiritual spring and contains the [Law of Death]. Once it enters your body, the death energy will invade your lungs and internal organs, and you will surely die within half an hour."
"Admit defeat now, and I can force out your death aura. Wait another incense stick's time, and don't resist any longer. Don't say I didn't warn you!" Ji Liangyu said sternly.
Song Changsheng ignored him and looked down at his chest. Because he was wearing the Golden Silk Soft Armor, the sharp spike had penetrated less than an inch into his flesh, so the injury was not serious. The main problem was, as Ji Liangyu had said, that death energy had been injected into his body and was trying to devour his life essence.
He reached out and grabbed the God-Slaying Cone, slowly pulling it out, accompanied by a spray of warm blood.
[God-Slaying Cone] tried to escape from his grasp, but he bound it tightly with chains of law. Despite its violent struggles, [God-Slaying Cone] had no hope of breaking free.
Seeing his actions, Ji Liangyu, who stood amidst the billowing deathly aura, frowned slightly and said in a cold voice, "What, are you still going to remain stubborn?"
"It's just a bit of death energy. I, Song, also know a little about the [Law of Death]."
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Changsheng pointed his fingers like a sword and softly chanted, "Reverse Yin and Yang, transform death into life, dispel!"
Endless death energy surged from his body, instantly turning his face into a terrifying, pitch-black mess. There was no sign of life emanating from him; he was like a corpse.
Just as the death energy reached its peak, a spark of life bloomed from his dantian and then quickly spread throughout his body, evaporating the previous death energy at a visible speed.
"not good!"
Upon seeing this, Ji Liangyu, who thought victory was assured, suddenly felt a bad premonition. He raised his right hand slightly, and a cold light shot out, then rushed towards Song Changsheng at top speed!
Although Song Changsheng was focused on clearing the death energy from his body, he was not yet completely unaware of the outside world. Just as the cold light was about to hit him, his body directly merged into the surrounding space.
"Great Divine Power [Spatial Illusion]"
The cold light pierced directly through his location.
Then he suddenly flicked his sleeve, and amidst the surging thunder, a giant beast wrapped in lightning appeared behind him, roaring as it charged towards Ji Liangyu.
“Suanni…the magic of the Myriad Manifestations Palace.” Ji Liangyu recognized the origin of this thunderous behemoth at a glance.
The Art of Dharma Imagery is a secret technique created by the founder of the Myriad Manifestations Palace. It belongs exclusively to the Myriad Manifestations Palace. Although there are some similar secret techniques in the cultivation world, the "Dharma Imagery" of the Myriad Manifestations Palace is the most distinctive.
“What a strong aura.”
The strength of the Myriad Manifestations Palace's Dharma Image is directly linked to the cultivator's comprehension of the laws. Song Changsheng's [Thunder Law] has already reached the Great Perfection realm, so the strength of his [Suanni Dharma Image] is naturally extraordinary, enough to rival a Golden Core Great Perfection cultivator.
Even so, they could not withstand Ji Liangyu. Her strength had already surpassed that of ordinary Golden Core cultivators at the Great Perfection stage. As long as her cultivation advanced further, she could stand at the peak of the Golden Core stage.
Fortunately, all Song Changsheng needed was a little time to buy time. As long as he could hold out for a quarter of an hour, he could remove all the death energy from his body!
"This Song Changsheng is not only proficient in the [Yin-Yang Law], [Spatial Law], and [Law of Force], but he has also reached the Great Perfection of the [Thunder Law], and even has considerable attainments in the [Law of Life and Death]. Just how much energy does he have?"
An elder of the Ji Clan of Tianshui was filled with shock. To have achieved such cultivation at such a young age, and to have developed his understanding of the laws in multiple directions, was simply against common sense.
It should be noted that even Ji Liangyu and Long Han, among others, had only comprehended one or two laws to the point of perfection. It wasn't that they lacked comprehension; on the contrary, this was already extremely extraordinary, considering that they were all still very young.
Human energy is limited, and it is impossible to fully balance cultivation and understanding of laws.
On the contrary, people like Song Changsheng seem somewhat illogical.
Facing the astonished and doubtful gazes of his fellow cultivators, True Monarch Dragon Elephant remained calm, but inwardly he thought, "This is nothing. If you were to witness his Law Cloud with your own eyes, you would know just how monstrous this child truly is!"
"Roar--"
The Suanni let out a furious roar of resentment in the air, before being torn apart by Ji Liangyu and dissipating into wisps of lightning.
It only lasted for fifteen minutes.
Just then, Song Changsheng had completely expelled the death energy from his body. Life and death are an unavoidable part of the world of creation. Ji Liangyu's move was a fatal blow to ordinary cultivators, but for him, the extreme of death is life, just as yin is born from yang and yang is born from yin.
Using the Yin-Yang principle, he put himself in a life-or-death situation. Coincidentally, his mastery of the Life principle far surpassed his mastery of the Death principle, making it extremely easy for him to dispel the death aura.
"Great Divine Power [Nine Netherworlds]"
A sinister aura of death condensed into liquid behind Ji Liangyu, coalescing into a rolling river that sent chills down one's spine.
Fortunately, this was in the air and not on land; otherwise, wherever the [Nine Netherworlds] passed, life would be extinguished, not a blade of grass would grow, and all living beings would turn into skeletons.
Song Changsheng's chest wound had healed, and his expression was unusually calm. He gathered his energy, opened his mouth.
The crimson purple [Purple Void Divine Fire] silently surged forth, forming a vast sea of fire before him.
The "Yellow Springs," formed from the gathering of death energy, surged forth. The instant it met the sea of fire in mid-air, the water and fire clashed, like a bucket of sulfuric acid being poured out. The "sizzling" sound was incessant, and endless black mist rose up, emitting a foul stench.
After gaining fame, Song Changsheng rarely used the [Purple Void Divine Fire], because he had too many other means to use against enemies and there was no suitable opportunity.
But when faced with this river of deathly energy, the [Purple Void Divine Fire] is the perfect choice.
Nothing can withstand its flames; it burns everything in its path.
Fire can also overcome water.
"What kind of spiritual fire is this, so domineering? I've never heard of it before." On the viewing platform, an old man with red hair looked puzzled.
"You don't even recognize this Spirit Fire Profound Fire, fellow Daoist?" a cultivator beside the old man asked in surprise.
The old man shook his head slightly and said, "I have never heard of such a thing. This fire is exceptionally domineering. No matter how you look at it, it is a top-notch spiritual fire in the world. However, upon closer inspection, it lacks a trace of the 'spirituality' that a spiritual fire should possess. How strange, how peculiar."
"There are countless spiritual fires in the world, which devour and merge with each other. Over several eras, it has become impossible to distinguish how many different kinds there are, so it is normal not to recognize them."
In contrast, I'm more curious about where the Myriad Manifestations Palace found such a monstrous talent. With only a mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, he actually suppressed Ji Liangyu head-on. Truly remarkable! Even you and I might not be a match for this young man. It's a testament to the saying, "The younger generation surpasses the older," a truly astonishing feat.
While the group was discussing, the battle of wits between Song Changsheng and Ji Liangyu was about to come to a conclusion.
When the Purple Void Divine Fire encounters the so-called Nine Netherworlds, it's like a raging fire hitting fuel; the fire burns ever brighter until it becomes completely uncontrollable.
Ji Liangyu had exhausted a great deal of magical power in the previous battle, and now, without Song Changsheng needing to do much, his magical power was already running out, so he could only grit his teeth and persevere.
Seizing the opportunity, Song Changsheng formed the Five Thunder Seal with his hands, and a thundercloud gathered in the air. A bolt of azure lightning, as thick as an adult's arm, crashed down and struck Ji Liangyu in the chest, sending him flying backward.
"[A stunning sight!]!"
With a soft shout, the [Sword of Startling Rainbow] transformed into a long rainbow and soared into the sky. This sword strike was so powerful that it could shake the heavens and earth, and in an instant, it pierced through Ji Liangyu's right shoulder.
If it were a life-or-death battle, this sword should have been aimed at her head, taking her life directly.
"Young Clan Chief!" The elders of the Ji Clan of Tianshui were shocked and their faces changed drastically. They had been defeated. They had actually been defeated.
The audience erupted in uproar. Ji Liangyu had been defeated, defeated by a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator.
Ji Liangyu's eyes showed pain. Song Changsheng's sword energy was sharp and fierce. After penetrating her lungs and internal organs, it was constantly eroding the life essence in her body.
Because Song Changsheng showed her mercy, she still has some strength left. If she burns her own golden core essence, she still has the strength to fight.
Even if she couldn't defeat Song Changsheng, she could severely injure him and stop him here. But could she really do that?
The answer is naturally no. She has her own pride, and given that Song Changsheng was clearly holding back, she couldn't do something so undignified.
She straightened her back and said in a deep voice, "I have lost."
"Thank you for your concession!" Song Changsheng sheathed his sword and stood up, feeling a slight sense of relief.
Ji Liangyu stretched out his hand towards him from afar and said, "My God-Slaying Cone should be returned to me. If it weren't in your hands, I wouldn't have been defeated so quickly."
In retrospect, it was her carelessness. When she saw the God-Slaying Cone pierce Song Changsheng, she thought victory was assured and did not press her advantage. Unexpectedly, Song Changsheng turned the tide, successfully escaping danger and even seizing her God-Slaying Cone.
Having lost her most powerful offensive weapon, she was directly suppressed by Song Changsheng.
However, she also knew in her heart that from the moment Song Changsheng unleashed the [Purple Void Divine Fire], she was completely restrained, and defeat was only a matter of time, just a matter of sooner or later.
Song Changsheng was also well aware that it was precisely because Ji Liangyu had stopped earlier that he hadn't gone all out, only temporarily incapacitating her, which could be considered a way of returning the favor.
However, Ji Liangyu's decisive surrender surprised him. He had originally thought she would fight back with all her might, but now it seemed that he had been too naive.
Releasing its grip, the [God-Slaying Cone] hastily transformed into a streak of black light and returned to Ji Liangyu's side, even giving him a rather human-like "glare."
“You are definitely more qualified than me to challenge him, and I hope you can do it.”
After speaking, Ji Liangyu glanced in the direction of Zhao Yin, then turned and returned to the platform where the [Tianshui Ji Clan] was located.
The Moon Reflection True Monarch announced loudly: "In this round, Song Changsheng, the instructor of the Myriad Phenomena Palace branch, defeated Ji Liangyu, the instructor of the Tianshui Ji Clan branch, and gained another point, advancing to the finals with a total score of five points!"
"Song Changsheng, you have two choices. First, you can choose to rest for up to fifteen days. Second, you can continue the challenge and start the final showdown ahead of schedule. If you win just one more point, you will be the top scorer in the first arena of this Five Academies Tournament, and you will receive two [Earth Infant Fruits], plus a generous reward jointly given by the Five Academies."
Without much hesitation, Song Changsheng made his choice directly: "I request a three-day break."
He was quite exhausted from the battle with Ji Liangyu just now, and to be on the safe side, he needs to recuperate properly first.
Zhao Yin is no ordinary opponent; he must face him in his prime.
No one was surprised by his decision; no one dared to be careless in front of that person.
Li Yufeng was the most excited by Song Changsheng's words. Logically speaking, Song Changsheng had already entered the finals, and during his rest period, the others would compete for the second spot in the finals.
Three days is simply not enough time for him and Ji Liangyu to recover from their injuries. Once Song Changsheng and Zhao Yin have decided who is the winner, the situation in the arena will be fixed. At that time, he can admit defeat and use the remaining two points to do a favor. The sect elders will not say anything.
In fact, it wouldn't take Song Changsheng three days to recover from his exhaustion. The main reason was to wait for Zhuang Yuechan to arrive. Only by seeing her safe and sound could he get back to his peak condition.
Moreover, having her behind me makes me feel more at ease.
Upon returning to the platform belonging to Wanxiang Palace, Song Changsheng was greeted with cheers and applause like a hero.
"After today, your name will surely spread far and wide. Speaking of which, my palace has not entered the finals of the Five Academies Competition for several years. This time, we have benefited from your glory." Ji Shinian said with a smile, though he was quite surprised by the result.
“If it weren’t for the Myriad Phenomena Palace, I wouldn’t even have a way to enter the Five Academies Competition. Fellow Daoist, you are really too kind to me.”
Song Changsheng's humility won the favor of everyone in Wanxiang Palace. Liu Yunxuan was completely convinced and even developed a sense of admiration for him.
His expression wasn't very obvious yet, but the other Wanxiang Palace disciples who came to watch the battle made no attempt to hide their admiration for Song Changsheng, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they looked at him.
This is ultimately a world that admires strength, where the strong can rely on their power to break through all prejudices brought about by class and background!
"Are you truly unharmed, fellow Daoist?"
"The injuries are not serious, but the energy expenditure was a bit high. A period of meditation and rest will be fine," Song Changsheng said, shaking his head slightly.
"I have already ordered people to prepare the spiritual materials needed for your recovery, and they have all been delivered to your room. Please feel free to take them if needed."
Furthermore, I received news from Marquis Dingyuan that your wife is already on her way to the capital and will arrive soon.
Upon hearing this news, Song Changsheng's emotions stirred slightly, and a sense of anticipation arose within him.
After returning to his room, he quickly sat down to meditate and recover his energy, which took only a few hours.
The importance of the quality of the Golden Elixir is fully demonstrated at this moment...
As Song Changsheng eagerly awaited, on the second day of the halftime break, Zhuang Yuechan, whom he had been thinking about day and night, appeared before him completely unharmed.
Years of longing surged forth at this moment like a tidal wave, impossible to suppress.
"Yuechan..."
Song Changsheng reached out and pulled Zhuang Yuechan into his arms. His call was filled with endless emotions—excitement, relief, and above all, joy.
"My husband, I almost broke my promise."
Zhuang Yuechan nestled obediently in his arms, a pang of guilt rising in her heart. She knew that Song Changsheng must be very worried because he hadn't been able to contact her during this time.
"Why say all this? Your safe return is the greatest comfort to me. Besides, the final is still a day away, so it's not like you've broken your promise." Song Changsheng gently stroked her soft black hair and comforted her softly.
Zhuang Yuechan raised her head slightly, looking directly into Song Changsheng's eyes, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a faint light: "On the way here, I have already heard that your name has spread throughout the entire Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty, and this is not the end."
"Where have you been all this time?" Song Changsheng composed himself and led her by the hand to sit down on the edge of the bed.
"After leaving the family, I..."
Zhuang Yuechan nestled in Song Changsheng's arms, softly recounting what she had seen and heard along the way. When she spoke of the Tianshan Mountains, her tone changed slightly, and she excitedly said, "I have obtained the [Tianshan Snow Lotus]. Wujie and Fellow Daoist Changshou can now reshape their physical bodies."
"You went to pick Tian Shan snow lotus?"
Song Changsheng had also come into contact with some of Yu Shu Zhenjun's memories, so he naturally knew about the existence of those snow lotuses. He originally planned to search for them after the competition ended, but unexpectedly Zhuang Yuechan got there first.
She only had the cultivation level of the Purple Mansion Realm, so he knew without a doubt how much suffering she had to endure in order to find the [Heavenly Snow Lotus]. He said with pity, "Have you been trapped in the Heavenly Mountain Range these past few years?"
Zhuang Yuechan glanced around warily and transmitted her voice, "More or less, but I'll tell you the specifics when we get back."
"it is good."
Song Changsheng didn't ask any further questions. If Zhuang Yuechan was so cautious, it must be something of great importance. After all, this place was the core of the capital of the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty, so it was best to be careful.
The two tacitly avoided the topic, and Song Changsheng began to recount what he had seen and heard along the way. The night passed in the blink of an eye.
Time quickly came to the day of the finals.
Feeling refreshed and having returned to his peak condition, Song Changsheng stepped back onto the cloud arena. On the other side, Zhao Yin, dressed in golden armor and wielding a silver spear, walked slowly, leaving clear footprints in the void with each step.
“This person’s mastery of the [Spatial Laws] is probably even greater than mine.” Song Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat.
Among the contestants on the field, Zhao Yin has always been an enigma, with very little information about him. Even now, no one knows which law he specializes in, let alone how many trump cards he holds.
"The final of the Five Academies Grand Tournament will be a showdown between Song Changsheng, a mentor from the Wanxiang Palace branch, and Zhao Yin, a mentor from the Zhulu Academy!"
……
P.S.: 5,000 words today. I cut some plot points, but I'm still struggling to move forward. Please bear with me, fellow readers. (End of Chapter)