Chapter 553 - 536: For the Strongest
Zou Chuang’s expression didn’t even change. He dodged the attack and threw a punch, sending Longyue staggering back. Enraged, Longyue erupted in a dazzling radiance, blasting one stream of white light after another at Zou Chuang.
In an instant, the entire Dueling Platform was blanketed in Longyue’s Samadhi True Flame. At last, Zou Chuang was grazed by it, and his body swayed. How could Longyue miss such an opportunity? She immediately closed in, and the Samadhi True Flame instantly enveloped Zou Chuang. At the same time, she chanted a spell, setting up the Celestial Spirit Condensation Array around him.
’I’m going to refine this foolish oaf!’
Surging white flames shot into the sky. Under the refinement of the Samadhi True Flame, it was simply impossible for a human body to resist.
A smile touched the corners of Longyue’s mouth, but suddenly a figure wreathed in white flames appeared before her. A large hand reached out and clamped down on her slender neck.
Zou Chuang opened his mouth and, with a sharp inhale, sucked all the Samadhi True Flame into his stomach.
Longyue was completely stunned. This was the Samadhi True Flame that incinerated all things—and he could eat it???
But Zou Chuang had eaten it all. Longyue’s face was already turning purple. It was clear that if she didn’t concede, Zou Chuang would snap her neck without a second thought.
Longyue could only concede.
After swallowing a bellyful of Samadhi True Flame, Zou Chuang was his usual self, acting as if nothing had happened.
Seventh match: Zou Chuang of the Taiyin Sect wins.
In this battle to enter the top eight, Zou Chuang had vented a great deal of frustration for the Taiyin Sect. Unfortunately, because the previous fight between Wang Meng and the Mengg Lord had been too overwhelming, no one paid much mind to Zou Chuang’s performance of swallowing Samadhi True Flame.
But without a doubt, Zou Chuang had not wasted the last three years.
The Holy Light Sect Leader’s expression was grim, while Yuu Kunlun breathed a sigh of relief. As one of the three great sects, they truly could not afford to stumble here.
On such a grand occasion, Cheng Cheng was actually very well-behaved, exhibiting the proper demeanor of the Taiyin Sect’s Little Princess from start to finish.
Cheng Cheng was a young girl with great wisdom. Sometimes she could mess around as she pleased, and the "uncles" would let her be. But on an occasion like this, she needed to observe and learn, not spout nonsense.
Through the seven matches, Cheng Cheng had been meticulously observing everything, especially the expressions of the Sect Leaders and the four great powerhouses after each fight. After all, there were aspects of the battles she couldn’t yet understand, but she could see into human nature.
"Grand-uncle, is there some connection between the Holy Light Sect and the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect?"
Cheng Cheng leaned in and whispered in Mo Chen’s ear.
Mo Chen knew Cheng Cheng best. She was a precocious child, and he didn’t treat her like one. "What is it?"
"Both their Sect Leaders seem to be taking their cues from that handsome old man."
Cheng Cheng was referring to... the Extreme Dao Celestial Venerable.
Mo Chen’s expression changed in a flash, and he made a gesture for her to be silent.
’If this is true... The Extreme Dao Celestial Venerable has been infiltrating the Star Alliance for all these years. His sudden appearance now surely isn’t for nothing.’
’Could Vast Sea’s insistence on choosing Lin Jinghao be... because Jii Wanli was the Extreme Dao Celestial Venerable’s pick?’
The eighth match: Linglong of the Dragon Race versus Li Xishui of the Wind God Sect.
This was the last of the quarter-final matches. The Dragon Princess had likely been waiting for a long time.
Going last had its advantages—one could get a clearer look at the strength of future opponents. But it also had its downsides. If the preceding fighters were too overwhelming, it could suppress one’s own momentum.
Li Xishui was having such a reaction. The Wind God Sect’s Sect Leader’s Disciple had indeed lost some of his momentum. The main reason was that the performances of Wang Meng and the others had been too dominant, completely surpassing their level. It was a gap so wide that struggling was futile.
The Spatial Law Power controlled by the Dragon Emperor had now manifested in a human. Even if Wang Meng’s Holy Statue wasn’t the Dragon Emperor Holy Statue, it was definitely related to the Dragon Emperor’s lineage. This wasn’t too shocking, however. Judging from this Battle of the Other Shore, humanity’s new direction in cultivation had received its most powerful validation.
Li Xishui’s figure hovered in the air. He gathered all of his Elemental Power, which then burst forth with surging might, allowing him to break through the Fourth Layer of Minor Perfection and advance to Great Perfection.
Frankly, had this been before the Battle of the Other Shore, Li Xishui would have been famous throughout the world. But now, it only made people feel that this Sect Leader’s Disciple of the Wind God Sect was indeed skilled, yet he failed to project any sense of intimidation.
The freaks of nature who fought earlier were simply too heaven-defying. Advancing in realm now only meant enhanced control over one’s power; it was no longer the only path. Holy Statues and Life Artifacts could also increase power, and what truly decided victory or defeat was overall combat strength.
A high cultivation realm alone was no longer enough to intimidate anyone.
Besides, Li Xishui was facing the Dragon Princess, whose valiant and heroic bearing and innate noble aura were truly beyond compare for any human.
Li Xishui’s Elemental Power gathered, vast and mighty. He was quite clear about this battle in his heart. He had to admit that he didn’t possess the same will as Zhang Xiaojiang. The Holy Hall Beings were a bunch of complete lunatics—a freak of nature leading a pack of madmen. Normal people couldn’t compare.
He had a clear understanding of his own situation. Facing Linglong, he just needed to display his own strength. As for victory or defeat, he would leave it to fate.
The Wind God Sword pointed in the air. In an instant, Li Xishui’s Heart Spirit merged with the Wind God Sword. Unity of Man and Sword!
Whether in terms of Elemental Level or mastery of Sword Techniques, as a Sword Cultivator, Li Xishui could absolutely look down on the masses. And yet, here, people still couldn’t sense the slightest confidence from him.
Linglong stood there, quietly watching Li Xishui’s vast power.
With ample preparation time, Li Xishui, a master from the Wind God Sect after all, did not let his opponent’s calm confidence disrupt his rhythm, even though it placed him under great pressure.
Radiating light, Li Xishui, in a state of Unity of Man and Sword, descended from the sky like a giant, sharp sword piercing toward Linglong.
To be able to combine his power and Sword Technique so beautifully just after reaching Great Perfection, Li Xishui was worthy of the word ’genius.’ His ability to fight his way into the top sixteen was definitely not a matter of luck.
The descending sword strike completely locked onto Linglong with its momentum.
BOOM...
The sword struck home. An explosion of Elemental Qi burst forth, but Li Xishui’s face instantly lost all its color.
Linglong appeared at his side. Having put his all into the Unity of Man and Sword, Li Xishui was powerless to retaliate. Most importantly, his momentum had been broken, and he had little will to resist left in his heart.
One punch.
BOOM...
Li Xishui was sent flying and crashed to the ground, unconscious.
Linglong of the Dragon Race wins.
That was the Space Skill of the Dragon Emperor’s clan. At the very instant Li Xishui’s man-and-sword-as-one strike was about to hit, space had been shifted.
It wasn’t Linglong who was moved, but Li Xishui himself.
There was no resistance. Not everyone could muster the will to fight back in such a situation.
The eighth powerhouse had been decided.
These were the eight people standing at the pinnacle of the Star Alliance.
Wang Meng of the Holy Hall, Mingren of the Pure Land, Lin Jinghao of the No Illusion Demon Sect, Jii Wanli of the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect, Linglong of the Dragon Race, Zou Chuang of the Taiyin Sect, Bu Qingyun of the Cyan Cloud Sect, and Zhang Xiaojiang of the Holy Hall.
Although his body hadn’t fully recovered, Zhang Xiaopang had to hold on and push himself up for this glorious moment.
He hadn’t thought too much about it during the fight, but he suddenly realized that Master Zhang was now standing at the pinnacle of the Star Alliance. The lines of pain on the fatty’s face had yet to fully relax, but no one dared to look down on him.
Deafening cheers erupted throughout the Small Thousand Realm, heralding the emergence of the eight strongest cultivators. The performance of these eight had shaken the Cultivation Realm, but a brutal series of duels was about to begin among them.
Who could break through the fierce competition?
This battle had made the Holy Hall famous throughout the world. One could only imagine what a grand spectacle it would be when the Holy Hall next opened its doors to recruit disciples.
「Meanwhile, in the most tranquil garden of the Pure Land.」
The barefoot girl had fallen into a quiet sleep. She had been waiting, wanting to see this beautiful world, but the world would not give her any more time.
She had wanted to wait for the moment that person stood at the pinnacle, but in the end, she had to leave first.
The young girl was very peaceful, just as she had quietly arrived. Sanmao jumped up and down excitedly, pulling at the girl’s hand to express its joy, but the girl no longer moved.
Sanmao’s perked-up ears suddenly drooped. Its chubby little face scrunched up. It could no longer sense the aura of life.
Tears began to stream down its face. Legend had it that a being like it was incapable of emotion, let alone tears.
It was unknown how long it sat there. Sanmao just stayed by the girl’s side. The world-famous Star Alliance Saintess had not lived to see the future of the Star Alliance, nor even the results of the Battle of the Other Shore that she herself had set in motion.
Liao Qingqiu arrived and gently picked up the young girl. Wang Meng came as well; he was here to take Sanmao.
Gazing at the sweet-looking girl who seemed to be peacefully asleep, Wang Meng didn’t know what to say. Logically, they had only met once, yet it felt as if they had known each other for a long time. And now, she had already left this world.
Picking up the teary-eyed Sanmao, Wang Meng didn’t know how to comfort the little creature. He had never been very good at comforting people.
As one of the most powerful experts of the current era who had experienced countless life-and-death situations, Wang Meng’s mind was already incredibly strong. At this moment, he only felt a touch of sadness. This was the path of Cultivation: birth, aging, sickness, and death. Everyone would face such a day.
Unless one became a god.
And as one of the four great powerhouses, Liao Qingqiu clearly had deep feelings for this most beloved disciple of hers, her beautiful face tinged with sorrow.
"Little one, the Pure Land welcomes you." Liao Qingqiu was speaking to Sanmao. In the Saintess’s final moments, Sanmao had brought her immense joy.
"Senior, my condolences," Wang Meng said.
Liao Qingqiu glanced at Wang Meng. "In this world, every being has its own destiny. How is an end not also a new beginning? Wang Meng, I look forward to your performance from here on out."
Liao Qingqiu left, carrying the girl. Watching her departing figure, Wang Meng gave a slight shake of his head and left with Sanmao.
’If the Saintess were still alive, they probably would have become good friends,’ Wang Meng thought. ’I hadn’t spoken with her for long, but it had been very interesting.’
’Fate really knows how to play tricks on people,’ he mused. But Wang Meng was a free and easy person. Just as Liao Qingqiu had said, how was death not a new beginning? He hoped that this special girl would have a wonderful reincarnation.
The Battle of the Other Shore now moved on to the quarter-finals. Without a doubt, these matches would be the most brutal yet.
Lin Jinghao of the No Illusion Demon Sect versus Bu Qingyun of the Cyan Cloud Sect
Zou Chuang of the Taiyin Sect versus Mingren of the Pure Land
Linglong of the Dragon Race versus Zhang Xiaojiang of the Holy Hall
Wang Meng of the Holy Hall versus Jii Wanli of the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect
Of the glamorous quarter-finals, the third match was as good as over. Even at his peak, Zhang Xiaojiang would be no match for Linglong, and in his current state, he couldn’t even fight. This meant Linglong had a direct pass into the semi-finals. Of course, as the inheritor of the Dragon Emperor’s legacy, Linglong was more than confident enough to reach the semi-finals on her own merit anyway.
As for the other three pairs, however, there was no room for maneuvering. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)