Chapter 818
The Encounter with the Azure Lotus, Past Events of the Demonic Path, Black Fiend Flames,
Chapter 818 The Encounter with the Azure Lotus, Past Events of the Demonic Path, Black Fiend Flames, The Chosen One (A long chapter of 10,000 words, please vote for me!)
hum~
A spiritual light trembled, a blue light flickered, and countless misty things appeared before Chen Ping'an.
The battle resulted in the killing of the man with the lotus-shaped fruit tree, yielding a considerable reward.
Previously, Chen Ping'an had already obtained some of the information from the man with the lotus-shaped fruit tree's soul memories. However, the memories were fragmented, and the specific details still needed to be pieced together.
Before embarking on this journey through mountains and valleys, amidst sheer cliffs and rugged terrain, he naturally wanted to clearly define his gains and summarize them for himself. He wanted to see if there were any items he could utilize to strengthen himself and enhance his inner strength.
Although the man with the lotus-shaped mist was only one of the lower-ranking members of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, his wealth and background were far beyond what ordinary pseudo-celestial beings could match.
In addition, he had some good fortune in his early years, and at his peak, his wealth and resources were probably comparable to some martial arts masters.
However, the other party was clearly not one to be content with mediocrity. After entering the pseudo-celestial realm, he did not stagnate but instead chose to devote a great deal of energy to studying secret techniques and delving into their essence.
During the process, a lot of resources were lost. After the experiment was successful, a large amount of spiritual resources were used to cultivate that life-saving secret technique.
Having tasted success, the other party intensified their research even further. From Chen Ping'an's perspective, the other party's research into the secret technique even seemed to have gone mad.
If it were an ordinary person with such wealth and resources, they would probably choose to take multiple paths, starting with the foundation of protection, elixirs and secret items, and secret weapons for killing, choosing to advance on all fronts at the same time.
However, the other party was single-mindedly focused on studying that secret technique, studying the broken jade lotus every day, trying to discover some profound mystery from it.
However, over the years, the other party has indeed researched and developed some things. For example, the life-saving secret technique he used before was derived from his research.
Chen Ping'an already knew roughly about the relevant information when he previously used soul-searching.
Although it cannot be directly used for cultivation, it can still be used as a reference to understand a general outline.
"Lotus Shadow Transformation into Mist Technique, Mist Transformation and Connection Technique."
Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at the object in front of him.
This is a blue lotus, its material resembling jade, possessing a profound and warm feel, imbued with the aura of time.
The lotus body is damaged, with various sizes of tears and gaps. The lotus neck is covered with cracks, and it seems to have holes in it. The lotus petals are incomplete, some are just broken, while others are missing more than half of their original size.
The broken gaps bear mottled marks. Even with the naked eye, one can tell that this blue lotus has endured countless years and survived a long period of time.
Chen Ping'an stared at the object before him, trying to discern something from it. Unfortunately, even with his divine sense, he couldn't detect much that was amiss.
Aside from its long history, there's not much else that's remarkable about it.
However, Chen Ping'an had the memories of guiding souls, so he naturally knew that this thing was not as simple as it appeared.
It can be said that the reason why the man with the lotus flower was able to achieve the status of a pseudo-celestial being was inseparable from this blue lotus.
Although the man with the lotus-shaped mist was quite talented, under normal circumstances, he was at most a Grandmaster. He had reached the pseudo-celestial realm by comprehending the lotus shadow turning into mist cultivation technique from the blue lotus.
Based on this foundation, once enough resources are gathered, one can smoothly progress to the pseudo-celestial realm.
In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the man from Lianwu lacked talent and had an unstable foundation in his early years, he might have been able to achieve the true realm of martial arts mastery through his accumulated experience.
Unfortunately, he obtained the green lotus too late.
If one could obtain it earlier and study its essence, there might truly be a chance to defy fate.
The Lotus Mist Man might not be without such thoughts. For example, after achieving pseudo-celestial status, he did not abandon the path of cultivation and instead delved into profound and secret techniques, which was based on such thinking.
Over the years, the greatest achievement of the man from the lotus tree was to study and develop a cultivation method and a secret technique from this green lotus.
The former is difficult to rank; it has the aura of a true martial arts manual, but lacks the artistic conception and is thus relegated to a lower level. However, if we consider it as a top-tier, supreme divine skill, the lotus shadow transforming into mist is incomparably exquisite, and in terms of the art of concealment and escape, it has an almost entirely different approach.
The latter is a life-saving secret technique; when combined, it can even reattach severed limbs. With time to nurture it and the aid of spiritual objects, it can even reconnect severed limbs completely.
Judging from the conception of the secret technique, its effect should be as described. As for whether the Lotus Mist Man has reached such a level, Chen Ping'an is unsure.
He did not obtain this part of the soul's memories through soul-guided means. Furthermore, during the actual battle, he did not give the Lotus Mist Man enough time to verify this matter.
However, this secret technique is extremely unique and is undoubtedly a supreme technique for preserving life and even cultivating one's inner strength.
In terms of the grade of secret techniques, it can definitely be ranked in the fourth tier.
Such secret techniques are not something even true martial arts masters might possess. Moreover, this secret technique is only a portion of what was gained from studying the Azure Lotus.
Given this situation, it's no wonder that the man with the lotus-shaped mist was so focused on studying the green lotus.
Starting from the method of connection and applying it to the level of the soul, if the lotus-mist man's idea can truly be realized, he might actually be able to achieve his wish and continue his cultivation path.
To be precise, the other party's initial plan was to resume their cultivation path. However, through a series of coincidences, they eventually comprehended this technique of connecting through mist.
It possesses the ability to connect limbs, prolong life, and even reattach severed limbs.
These secret techniques are among the most outstanding of the fourth-tier secret techniques. Even if they are not considered miraculously wondrous, they are still unique and have remarkable effects.
However, in Chen Ping'an's view, the other party seemed to have fallen into a certain misconception in practicing this secret technique. Combining the memories of the soul-guiding technique, the other party was overly focused on connecting with them and neglected the effect of the mist-transforming effect.
Previously, when it was used, only the edges had a misting effect, but the true essence remained unchanged. The greater effect was focused on the pink and white lotus threads, connecting the wounds on the body and linking the limbs, in order to recover and nurture the body after escaping.
If judged by the standards of a secret technique, this is already exceptionally outstanding. However, if judged by the original intent of this secret technique, its grandeur and style fall far short.
If we focus on the transformation into mist, and use this characteristic to study its essence, if we can truly succeed and comprehend its origin, then...
Upon realizing this, Chen Ping'an's heart even began to flutter slightly.
thump! thump!
Chen Ping'an's heartbeat gradually quickened, and his emotions surged like a turbulent tide.
Once the thought arises, it can no longer be stopped.
If one could truly grasp the essence of mist transformation and comprehend its origin, then the immense power and might appearing in biographical novels might actually be reflected in reality.
Even without the incredible power of rebirth from a drop of blood, it can easily achieve the ultimate characteristics of limb regeneration and even body immortality.
If one could truly comprehend this principle and create a secret technique, then such a method would probably no longer be considered a secret technique. Even at the level of limb regeneration, it would truly belong to the category of a precious technique!
If one can achieve an indestructible body, then such a characteristic would probably have already surpassed the grade of a precious technique and fallen into the category of great divine abilities!
Chen Ping'an's heart was pounding, his emotions were fluctuating, and his heart was pounding.
After a long while, Chen Ping'an finally let out a long breath.
"call--"
Even the best ideas are ultimately just plans. The prospect of seeing them is exciting enough, but when it comes to reality, we must be grounded. Reaching that envisioned stage will undoubtedly involve countless difficulties and obstacles, and numerous challenges!
Even with a direction, it's clear that this is destined to be an extremely long journey.
It is not only long but also arduous, requiring patience and constant adjustments and corrections before there is even a sliver of hope of reaching that ideal destination.
Chen Ping'an's gaze gradually settled, and a hint of hope and determination appeared in his expression.
Regardless, this twist of fate allowed him to glimpse a path forward. Though it was only a sliver of hope, it was still a glimmer of light.
Speaking of
It's unclear how that lotus-wood man comprehended this secret technique. He clearly had the vision and spirit, yet his cultivation only focused on the two words "connection."
Chen Ping'an's expression shifted, his emotions subtly changing.
It took him a long time to finally stop thinking.
The man from the lotus-shaped mooncake initially envisioned it only at the level of the soul, intending to use it to continue his path of cultivation. However, it was by chance that he stumbled upon this secret technique.
In retrospect, it seems most likely that it was just a coincidence.
All the necessary factors came together to make this opportunity possible.
And now.
This opportunity was his!
Chen Ping'an's gaze settled, and he was in a great mood.
In this harvest, he obtained a broken green lotus, as well as some of the memories of the wax apple man and his research ideas.
The man with the lotus-shaped pouch had done an excellent job of keeping secrets. During the inspection, there was no record of any secret techniques in his pouch. The blue lotus was simply placed casually in a corner, piled up with other miscellaneous items in a box.
Given Chen Ping'an's spiritual level, if he didn't have the other party's soul-guiding memories, he would probably have overlooked this item if he had only glanced at it.
Divine objects are often concealed, and precious treasures are often kept hidden; these ancient sayings are indeed true.
The Thousand Machine Bag contained no inherited cultivation techniques or recorded secret arts, but for Chen Ping'an, this might not be considered a loss. While having the cultivation techniques on-site was valuable, it was ultimately based on someone else's ideas.
Using it directly for cultivation may produce quick results, but in the long run, it may not be a good thing.
The man from the wax apple man's approach can be learned from, but it cannot be relied upon entirely. If one uses it as a starting point, it will create a habitual way of thinking, limiting one's perspective and vision, which could have a significant impact.
After all, the core of this opportunity is that green lotus, not the accompanying cultivation techniques and secret arts.
Although he lacks the methods of connection and mist transformation, given the opportunity, with his foundational knowledge and abilities, he is fully capable of creating an even better one.
After all, in terms of cultivation level alone, he is now far superior to the man from the lotus mist.
The corresponding martial arts theories are undoubtedly more complete. The only thing lacking is age.
However, such differences are variations of variables; a century of experience may not necessarily require a century to accumulate.
Some centuries are spent observing the scenery from a fixed location, while others span several social classes, offering a wider view from different perspectives.
"The Heavenly Lotus Sect and the Damaged Green Lotus. Is there any connection between these two?"
Chen Ping'an pondered deeply, recalling the past of the Heavenly Lotus Sect.
He served as the Deputy Director of the Zhenfu Division of Canglong Prefecture and the Garrison Commander of Xuanling, holding significant power in the region and protecting the interests of Canglong Prefecture.
His level of authority might not seem significant in the vast northern border region, but within a given area, he already belongs to the upper echelons.
With such permissions, one can naturally access a considerable amount of information.
This includes matters concerning the Heavenly Lotus Sect.
Compared to the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and the Evil Extreme Path, the Heavenly Lotus Sect has a grander scale and a significantly higher level of power. Within the Azure Cang region and its seventeen states, it is an extremely powerful and not to be underestimated demonic force.
Previously, during the turmoil in Long'an, the Northern Border Garrison Command had paid close attention, and forces such as the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and the Evil Extreme Path suffered severe losses. The Evil Extreme Path, in particular, was completely wiped out, and its leader, who had barely escaped, was killed by Chen Ping'an.
However, the Heavenly Lotus Sect, as one of the instigators of the Long'an turmoil, did not suffer too heavy a loss. Although a considerable number of elders died, such losses were still acceptable for the Heavenly Lotus Sect's size.
However, the Heavenly Lotus Sect today is far from its former glory. In the past, the Heavenly Lotus Sect was once glorious and had intricate connections with the Seven Treasures Lotus Sect, one of the six major sects of the demonic path.
However, when the demonic path expanded eastward, the Heavenly Lotus Sect, as a member of the demonic camp, suffered heavy losses, its power level plummeted, and it was relegated to a small territory, never able to recover its former glory.
In the past, the demonic forces, led by the Seven Demonic Sects, took advantage of the chaos in the central government and the Fengtian crisis to expand eastward, stirring up a storm that could shake the southeastern region. This event is known as the eastward expansion of the demonic path.
However, this eastward expansion ultimately ended in failure.
The various factions had severely misjudged the foundation of the Great Qian Dynasty. Even after the Fengtian Rebellion and the subsequent chaos in the central government, the matter was quelled with remarkable speed. Amidst the turmoil, the Great Qian Dynasty revealed its immeasurable strength, and the Great Qian imperial family displayed an unparalleled grandeur and ambition. In terms of prestige, grandeur, and foundation, it far exceeded the most ambitious predictions of the various factions.
In this incident, those neutral forces that hesitated and watched from the sidelines were completely quelled before they even had a chance to make a decision and participate.
After this incident, one of the Seven Demonic Sects was officially removed from the list, and its foundation and resources accumulated over thousands of years were lost in an instant, thus becoming the Six Demonic Sects.
The Great Qian imperial family, with its unparalleled swift and decisive methods, demonstrated the Great Qian Dynasty's enduring strength.
From then on, the six sects of the demonic path lay low and lay dormant, and the remaining forces of all sides ceased their activities. Even now, three thousand years have passed, and even though the dynasty is now showing signs of decline and its days are numbered, none of the forces dare to be as greedy and reckless as before.
At most, they would only engage in minor skirmishes and make some tentative moves, but they would not dare to cause any major disturbances or stir up any storms.
I fear that all that is happening now is just a misjudgment and an illusion, and that if I am not careful, I will repeat what happened back then and fall into the same situation as before.
In the past, the foundation and strength of the Great Qian imperial family far exceeded people's imagination. Even during the Fengtian crisis, they were able to possess such spirit and vision, and use such thunderous methods.
The current Emperor Qianlong, the victor of the Fengtian Rebellion of yesteryear, rules the world and reigns supreme. Countless rivers and mountains, hundreds of millions of miles of territory, all bow down to him.
These mighty rulers, though now old, are still a force to be reckoned with.
Furthermore, the emperor's son sits at the center, stabilizing the fate of the realm, with a pillar of strength guarding the court. Although the dynasty is waning and its days are numbered, and various factions have grown too powerful to be controlled, in this situation, who would dare to truly wreak havoc and cause chaos?
Those who undertake any undertaking must first enter a state of limited strength, which serves as a resource for future endeavors!
In today's world, although there are undercurrents, there is no real chaos.
Once the dynasty's decrees are issued, all the lands and regions, from the four borders of the dynasty to all other places, must submit to them as supreme. No one under heaven is exempt from this rule!
Such matters are all recorded in the secret files of the Zhenfu Division. Of course, some information was deduced by Chen Ping'an by combining intelligence from various sources.
The Heavenly Lotus Sect once had its glorious moments. Although its scale and influence were not as great as the Seven Demonic Sects of the past, it was still an extremely powerful force within the demonic faction.
It has an intricate and extremely close relationship with the Seven Treasures Lotus Sect.
However, after the failure of the demonic path's eastward expansion and the passage of three thousand years, the Heavenly Lotus Sect's former glory is no longer what it once was. Although the Heavenly Lotus Sect still has celestial beings in charge, it is now mostly active in one region, or at most a few surrounding regions, and has a certain influence.
Its foundation and influence are now vastly different from its former glory.
Speaking of which, the Seven Treasure Lotus Sect is what the demonic path itself calls it, but to outsiders, it is more commonly known as the Seven Fiends Demonic Sect!
Chen Ping'an's thoughts began to wander, and as he pondered, his attention turned to the other objects.
As a pseudo-celestial being who had been around for many years, the man with the wax apple had many protective items on him, such as the transparent silk thread, the pink and white lotus needles, and the piece of pink lotus cloth.
Lan Yingjun gave up her share of the spoils, so all these items naturally ended up in Chen Ping'an's hands.
Those pink and white lotus needles and transparent silk threads are both top-tier divine weapons of good quality. They belong to some of the rarer categories among top-tier divine weapons.
As for the piece of lotus-patterned cloth, it was the rarest of the items, belonging to the category of counterfeit treasures.
Normally, it's only the size of a handkerchief, but when fully activated, it can grow to tens of feet in size, covering a space. Furthermore, it's shrouded in malevolent energy, polluting spiritual energy and true essence.
Although it cannot compare to the Bloodthirsty Demon Jar in Chen Ping'an's hands, this item is still considered a fairly good type among pseudo-heavy treasures.
Besides these protective items, the man from the lotus tree also had many other valuable items stored in his Thousand Machine Bag.
Such as elixirs, spiritual items, fine minerals and precious materials, and nearly ten thousand yuan crystals.
Unless there are specific plans in mind, it's relatively rare for someone to prepare for future acquisitions of crystals or have a large amount of cash on hand under normal circumstances.
For both independent cultivators and those from powerful factions, keeping a large amount of cash on hand is an extremely serious waste unless there is some kind of plan involved.
Such wealth, if used for other spiritual resources, whether for cultivation or other purposes, would be put to good use. However, simply keeping the spirit crystals on one's person is a waste of resources.
Most high-level cultivators prefer to barter. They exchange idle items or resources that are not currently needed for corresponding plans and items that are urgently needed at the moment.
Aside from truly high-profile auctions and trade fairs where people might deliberately prepare some Yuanjing (a type of in-game currency), in other situations, people generally don't keep much cash flow on them.
Even if they possessed this level of elemental crystals, they would mostly use them within their respective factions to exchange for corresponding merit points, which would then be used to acquire resources from their faction's treasury.
As for those independent cultivators, they don't have such channels or opportunities, but they always like to improve themselves to the greatest extent possible. Unless it's a truly new acquisition, they would definitely find a way to use this amount of Yuan Crystals to arm themselves to the greatest extent possible.
After obtaining the Yuan Crystal from the man with the wax apple, Chen Ping'an's cash flow reached 80,000 Yuan Crystals.
In addition, it also filled all kinds of mineral materials and medicines.
The harvest was quite plentiful, but compared to that blue lotus, a product of chance, these gains were nothing.
After taking stock of the gains from the Lotus Mist Man, Chen Ping'an then briefly checked the gains from the Mad Wave Guest, the Earth-Splitting Old Man.
As long-established grandmasters, both of them possessed considerable wealth. Whether due to their recent trip or some other reason, their cash flow was significantly greater than that of the man from the lotus tree.
The two of them together have a combined total of over 30,000.
However, in other aspects, he was not as good as the man from the lotus tree. With these numerous benefits, Chen Ping'an's net worth saw another significant increase.
The cash flow directly exceeded 100,000, and in addition, they also gained a pseudo-heavy treasure and five top-tier divine weapons. The remaining three items were provided by the Raging Tide.
In addition, there are many other resources and spiritual items that can be sold and traded. All in all, the income will not be less than 50,000 crystals.
It must be said that murder and arson bring wealth and power; such gains are far faster than accumulating wealth step by step.
And next
There's still a sum waiting for him to reap!
“Under normal circumstances, given my nature, I might not take such a risk. But now that all the necessary conditions are met, if I remain indifferent, I would truly be wasting this opportunity arranged by fate.”
In this battle, Chen Ping'an intended to test his strength and more accurately determine his position. This was one of his motives.
The other party is in the demonic camp and intends to cause trouble for Xuanling. From the perspective of his motives, Chen Ping'an has no sense of guilt and is more in line with the Xuanling's duty to guard against his orders. This is the second motive.
Having obtained a portion of the lotus-wood man's soul memories, he now understood the man's background. The man's combat strength was within his acceptable range; although there was some distraction, the risk was manageable—this was his third motive.
In high-level battles, obtaining intelligence is extremely crucial. Now that he has prior knowledge and understands the opponent's general strengths and weaknesses, it would be a waste not to seize this opportunity presented to him.
"The Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, a Perfected Celestial Realm cultivator, the Dream-Eating Lotus Lord!"
Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wrist, the Azure Flame Command Flags located on the four sides fluttered and fell into his sleeve.
With a flash of blue light, he vanished from the spot and headed towards the horizon.
As the light flashed, his appearance gradually changed, transforming him into an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.
Black iron face, formless and free.
Whoosh!
A streak of light flashed past amidst the rolling mountains.
This escape light was different from ordinary escape light; it was surrounded by black mist, like black wind and demonic flames.
The black wind and demonic flames were incredibly powerful, seemingly making a big show of themselves, but in reality, they were completely silent and motionless.
"What's wrong with that woman?"
Within the escaping light was a black-haired man, his face pale and bloodless. His lips were white, and his disheveled hair revealed his wretched and listless state.
"For months! She's been chasing me for months! What grudge could she possibly hold against me?! Damn it!"
Who could have imagined that he, once a prodigy in the Daoist world and a legendary figure in the unorthodox sects, would fall to such a state? His cultivation at the peak of the Second Realm was chased to this extent by a Grandmaster. If it weren't for his exceptional speed, solid foundation, and the availability of resources and spiritual objects to replenish his energy, he probably wouldn't have been able to hold on.
"It was just a sneak attack, and it didn't even succeed, why is she so angry!?"
The man, with disheveled hair and a weak aura, transformed into a black, flickering shadow as he scrambled through the mountains.
Starting from the Black Nether Mountains, they traversed seven or eight states, going back and forth for hundreds of thousands of miles, but they still couldn't make the other side give up.
No matter what methods he used or how far he distanced himself, the other party seemed to know and chased after him all the way.
They're keeping a close eye on him.
He had hoped to make a quick buck and recoup his recent losses, but who could have imagined it would cause him such trouble? Not only did he fail to recover his losses, but he also incurred even greater ones.
He had previously intercepted a secret treasure, betrayed the evil sect, and was besieged by other sects. He was already seriously injured and had not yet recovered, which greatly affected his combat power. Now, after fighting for several months, his aura has weakened to the extreme.
If it weren't for his treasured spiritual items, they would probably have dried up long ago.
Even so, he still needs to recuperate from time to time. And recently, the frequency of these recuperations has been increasing.
"If this continues, I'm afraid we're not far from being caught up!" The black-haired man's expression was pale, and his pair of cold and eerie black eyes appeared somewhat dim and lifeless.
Strictly speaking, his escape speed was slightly faster than his opponent's, but this was only true when he was unleashing his full power. Even with the aid of secret medicine, he could not maintain this state for long.
He finally managed to create some distance and find a secluded place to rest, thinking he could shake off his opponent. But before he could recover much, the opponent had already caught up with him.
At first, he thought the distance wasn't enough, but the next time, relying on the Stone Milk Spiritual Object and the high-grade Secret Pill, he managed to create an extremely large distance in one go. This distance was beyond the tracking and sensing capabilities even for a cultivator at the Hidden Radiance Realm.
But to his surprise, this time, before he could recover for long, the other party caught up with him again.
I tried several times, and the result was always the same.
At first, he suspected that there might be some kind of restriction or tracking mark on his body, but during the break from meditating, he checked repeatedly but could not find any flaws.
In such cases, either the opponent's restrictive methods are extremely sophisticated, or the opponent isn't relying on any restrictive techniques at all, but rather on methods he doesn't know.
But whatever the reason, it means that in his current situation, it is impossible for him to shake off the other party's pursuit.
Moreover, the other party's energy seemed inexhaustible. Even though he, a cultivator at the Celestial Realm, felt his energy waning and was struggling to keep going, the other party seemed completely oblivious, relentlessly pursuing him.
This situation is utterly inconceivable. Even if he were still recovering from his injuries, it shouldn't have happened.
The gap between a martial arts grandmaster and a martial arts celestial being is like an insurmountable chasm. A martial arts grandmaster can only rely on true essence to lift them up and spiritual guidance to perform leaps.
Even if one could fly, it would be far inferior to the celestial beings' escape light; the speed difference between the two is simply not in the same league.
Furthermore, he was no ordinary martial arts master; his foundation was incredibly profound, and he was only one step away from the third realm of the Celestial Realm. Even though his injuries had diminished his peak strength, his escape speed was still beyond the reach of even Grandmasters.
But the other party just kept tracking him all the way. The speed at which they escaped during the process was something even he, with his extremely high level of expertise, had to admire.
He was already skilled in speed, but due to the vast difference in their cultivation levels, he couldn't shake off his opponent at all. The repeated pulling and tugging eventually left him numb.
"That speed."
The black-haired man was pale, and his expression still showed shock.
With such exquisite speed at the Grandmaster level, who could possibly get close to her when she ascends to the Celestial Realm?
Who could imagine the terrifying power of a skilled archer, renowned for their long-range attacks, where no one could even get close in battle?
Even now, it's likely that no one below the Hidden Radiance Realm level could get close to her.
Do not!
The black-haired man's expression shifted, recalling that earth-shattering arrow strike. And the instantaneous escape he had displayed during the attack.
Even though several months have passed, he still feels a chill when he thinks about it now.
"Even now, unless one is a master cultivator of the Hidden Radiance Realm who is skilled in speed, it is probably impossible to get close to her!"
The man was shaken. The black, demonic light that had been escaping was now flickering and dimming.
Even at the Grandmaster realm, she had reached such a level; this was truly remarkable.
"Grandmaster of the Women, number one in the world, Moon Shadow Divine Arrow." Countless pieces of information echoed repeatedly in the black-haired man's mind. His thoughts finally settled on that astonishing arrow.
The bowstring is like a crescent moon, and a golden arrow shines forth, dazzling and captivating.
Their momentum was faltering, like the setting sun.
"Could that woman be the reincarnation of a powerful being?" The black-haired man was filled with fear and regret.
If it weren't for greed and the attempt to assassinate him, he would probably be studying that secret treasure scroll in some cave by now!
Besides greed, the title of "Number One in the Wind and Clouds, Moon Shadow Divine Arrow" was also an important reason for him to stop.
But who could have imagined that, despite being restrained by the transformed demon king, he, in his superior form, would end up in such a sorry state by launching a sneak attack?
Even the slightest misstep could lead to death and the annihilation of one's spiritual path, leaving no hope for the future.
"Damn it! I can't hold on any longer!"
The black-haired man's black demonic flames dimmed until they completely dissipated. He sighed and finally fell helplessly into a mountain stream.
He cultivated the Black Fiend Flame, and normally disliked water the most. But now, forced to make this choice to escape, he had no choice. The water would best conceal his aura.
Now we can only hope that the other party will arrive later than before, giving him more time to recover.
Otherwise, he probably wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer.
When that time comes, his only choice will truly be to fight to the death.
But the thought of the other party's endless stream of dazzling meteors sent chills down his spine.
We can't even get close enough to fight; how are we supposed to win this battle?!
and also
He didn't want to experience that near-death feeling again.
He even suspected that if he hadn't been blessed with good fortune and favored by heaven and earth, even a secret treasure wouldn't have been able to protect him from that arrow a few months ago.
Although he obtained the secret treasure, he couldn't even begin to refine it. Even with his best efforts, he could only barely use it.
In that previous battle, he was just a hair's breadth away from being killed by the enemy's arrow because he couldn't activate his power in time!
Upon realizing this, the black-haired man, the former prodigy of the Heaven-Mending Path, the outstanding successor of the past, and now the candidate for the Heaven-Mending Path Hall Master, felt a chill run through his body and his heart trembled.
Having finally intercepted a secret treasure and betrayed the evil sect, what's it like to offend a reincarnated powerful being?!
The only thing we can do now is hope that the other side will also be unable to hold on much longer.
After all, no matter how extraordinary the cultivation technique or how terrifying the foundation, a martial arts grandmaster still has an upper limit.
Now all we can see is who can hold out the longest!
The black-haired man sank into the mountain stream, his black aura dissipating, allowing the water to wash over him in the most natural and unpretentious way.
His dark eyes flashed with an eerie light. The shock on his face gradually faded, and his mind returned to calm. He closed his eyes, striving to recover as quickly as possible.
Having cultivated himself to this point through self-destruction, he naturally knows what the right choice is in this situation.
Emotions may be hard to dispel, but one's state of mind can be calmed. Everyone experiences emotions, but only those who are not controlled by them can be considered truly exceptional and capable of becoming responsible adults!
He, the prodigy of the Heaven-Mending Path, the candidate for the Seventh Palace Master, and now a rogue cultivator of the heretical sect, Jun Moxie, is such a person!
With the blessings of heaven and earth upon me, I will never give up until I reach the most desperate situation!
Even if he falls into that apocalyptic state, until the very last moment of his life, he will fight with all his might for that sliver of hope.
His fate was not determined by Heaven, but by...
In his hands!
It was the same in the past, and it is the same now!
"Hu! Hu! Hu!"
The black-haired man, surrounded by black flames, flew through the air, panting heavily.
"That was close! That was close! We were just a hair's breadth away from being caught up!"
At this moment, his robes were tattered, and his body was charred black. Blood was stained at the corner of his mouth, but his pair of dark eyes remained sinister.
"After such a long march, she shows no signs of exhaustion. What's wrong with that woman?!"
He took out a dark blue pill from the bottle and swallowed it in one gulp.
Just now, he had been recuperating and recovering in the mountain stream. As expected, he was caught up with again.
This time, his reaction was a bit slower. Whether the other party used some secret technique or some hidden treasure, he failed to detect their arrival on the first try.
He was almost caught up, but even so, the barrage of arrows really gave him a hard time.
The sky was filled with arrows, an endless barrage, yet each strike was terrifying.
Such a destructive force must consume a great deal of resources due to its high attack frequency.
But his opponent seemed unburdened, launching a relentless offensive as always. Had he not previously recuperated and taken secret medicine, his condition would not have improved significantly.
After what just happened, I'm afraid I won't be able to escape it.
With his cultivation at the peak of the second realm, just one step away from the third realm of the Celestial Realm, he was still forced into this situation by his opponent. How desperate must the martial arts grandmasters of her era have felt?
Using less than one-tenth of his combat power, he was able to suppress cultivators of the same realm, leaving them completely unable to raise their heads!
One person can suppress an entire era; this has never happened throughout history!
The endless stream of arrows maintained its former glory.
Such an attitude.
"It's truly despairing!" The black-haired man sighed, looking up at the sky, his eyes revealing a sinister glint. Then, a hopeful smile appeared on his face.
"I'm so curious, if she were to ascend to the heavens, what kind of splendor would she possess? What kind of scenery would she add to this world?"
"I really want to see that day!" The black-haired man's smile widened, black flames swirling around him. "So..."
Bang!
A surge of air erupted, and black flames shone like light.
"I can't die yet!"
A burst of light erupted, accompanied by raging demonic flames, shooting towards the distant horizon with astonishing speed.
Mountains and valleys, with clear cliffs at the bottom.
A man in a lotus-patterned robe sat cross-legged. His hair was white, and he looked old. But his face was incredibly young, with red lips and white teeth, like a handsome young man.
The combination of the two is incredibly bizarre.
However, the old man in dark robes who had just disappeared into the valley was clearly used to it and had never seen anything like it before.
"Reporting to the Supreme Elder, the inspection of the mountains, valleys, streams, and pools within a three-hundred-mile radius to the east has been completed."
"Alright." The man in the lotus robe slowly opened his eyes, a strange red light flashing by.
His voice was aged, weathered by time, and full of a sense of vicissitude.
The Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, Lord Dream-Eating Lotus, has lived for over a thousand years!
It maintains its prosperity thanks to longevity elixirs and life-giving medicines.
Martial arts masters can live for a thousand years, but with the aid of secret medicines and the enhancement of longevity pills, theoretically they can generally live beyond a thousand years.
Some martial arts masters, blessed with good fortune and opportunities, are skilled in health preservation techniques and have taken longevity pills and rare longevity fruits. They may even have a lifespan of 1,300 to 1,400 years.
However, the matter of lifespan is mostly uncertain. Some martial arts masters can live for over a thousand years, but there are also masters who suffer from hidden injuries in their early years, depleting their life essence. Furthermore, some have severe side effects from their cultivation, damaging their original methods. Their lifespan may not even be as long as that of a pseudo-master who is skilled in health preservation techniques.
In addition, there are some healing pills, explosive potions, and enhancement techniques that deplete life force and lifespan; these are all important factors affecting lifespan.
Although Lord Shi Menglian cultivates demonic arts, he is proficient in health preservation techniques and has the assistance of resources and secret items. Although he is now old, his combat power is still at its peak.
Without the help of a fortuitous opportunity, he is already past the age of reaching the Transcendent Realm, but without a doubt, this is the time when ordinary martial arts masters are the most difficult to provoke.
Both his combat skills and his profound knowledge of martial arts have reached the pinnacle of his life.
With his lifespan nearing its end, he fears no opponent and is ready to fight. If he were not afraid to die, he would be the most formidable opponent among the martial arts celestials. Even seasoned second-realm celestials would not want to break ties with such a being unless absolutely necessary.
The man in the lotus robe slightly raised his head and looked towards the horizon, where he saw verdant pines, rugged rocks, and a sliver of sky above the steep cliffs.
Occasionally, a bird will fly by, like a fleeting shadow, gone in an instant.
"The world is about to change."
If Jun Moxie were the protagonist, and Hua Ruyue were chasing after him all the way, the later plot might just be a scene of defeat and victory.
But that's it.
Xiao Chen is the one.
So, haha
Countless protagonist archetypes shine brightly, but our Xiao Chen and Lao Mang will ultimately emerge victorious amidst fierce competition. In this era of great strife, where heaven and earth vie for destiny, what a magnificent spectacle! Such an era stirs the heart.
The Six Demonic Sects, the Eight Evil Paths, the Calamity of Fengtian, the Chaos in the Central Government, old tales, and the grand scheme of the dynasty are gradually unfolding. And our protagonist, Lao Mang, will stand before millions in this era, becoming a trendsetter.
(End of this chapter)