Chapter 1168: Archaic Runes

The eighteen-fingered gigantic hand swept through the clouds of corruption as it descended, suppressing all of the top students.

They could feel a terrifying pressure that caused looks of alarm to surface.

If the Other had remained a Quasi Duke, then the group here would've had a chance to fight back. However, this massive hand was like the incarnation of death that towered over them like a gigantic mountain. Even Feng Lingyuan and the others felt abject terror as it loomed closer towards them.

This was the true strength of a Duke. Ning Meng, Jiang Qing'e, and Wu Changkong, the strongest three, were able to restrain the fear in their hearts. They quickly glanced at each other and knew that the morale of their companions had been devastated. If they wanted to reinvigorate their fighting spirits, they had to take the first step. With a thought, the three grandest Heavenly Resonance Diagrams began to exude waves of energy. Immediately after, three huge pillars of energy, each several thousands of feet wide, shot out and collided with the massive hand.

Bang!

When the two forces clashed, the indomitable eighteen-fingered hand paused for a moment before endless amounts of corruption swept outwards, causing the pillars of energy to collapse.

However, the trio's actions had caused the rest to awaken from their stupor. They were elites too, and they knew that fearing the opponent wouldn't help anyone. They would die if they stood still.

A True Devil was mighty, but they had three of the strongest Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier cultivators with them. There was still a possibility that they could resist their opponent with them serving as the nexus for the counterattack.

A moment later, everyone poured all of their strength into their respective Heavenly Resonance Diagrams, and majestic amounts of worldly natural energy surged. Energy beams of different attributes shot out, resulting in an explosion that filled the skies as they struck the gigantic hand.

Berserk energy undulations kicked up and swept across the skies. It was truly a heaven and earth-shattering strike.

With everyone's combined efforts, the pressure coming from the massive palm was reduced. Unfortunately, each of those energy beams gradually shattered before everyone's eyes.

Li Luo's head was raised as he watched the two parties clash. It was obvious that the White Eyed True Devil held the advantage. If not for the trio having blocked the majority of the attack, the others would have been severely injured.

This was Duke-level power after all.

"It's a pity. If only the Green Nether Banner were by my side." Li Luo frowned as his hand tightly gripped the Heavenly Dragon's Sunchaser Bow. With the eight thousand members assisting him, he would have the strength of a third-grade Duke. With that, he would easily be able to suppress the White Eyed True Devil. Of course, Li Luo knew that this was all idle fantasy. Not to mention, it wouldn't be very appropriate to bring the banner with him to the ancient college.

Li Luo's gaze lingered on Jiang Qing'e. He was afraid that she would resort to another sacrificial ignition of her Heart of Light. Their previous departure was heart-wrenching, and he did not want to experience it a second time. Thus, if she was forced to even consider it, he would rather forcefully awaken the slumbering Five-tailed Heavenly Wolf to fight against the opponent.

It didn't matter if utilizing the Five-tailed Heavenly Wolf's strength would attract the corrosion of his mind by the All-Beings Devil King. Perhaps in this massive battle, that would be the only way to save their lives in the midst of despair. Li Luo hoped the situation would not lead to that. However, looking at the state of the battle now, the top ten students of both colleges were already exerting all their might and yet were still at a disadvantage. They could only rely on the strongest trio to change things.

This was something that they understood in the depths of their hearts.

Wu Changkong's gaze flickered as he turned towards Li Hongyou and shouted, "Hongyou, can you buff the three of us?" Her Crimson Heart Golden Seal was the mightiest enhancement she possessed, but it could only bolster one of them. It was simply not enough.

She paused for a moment before coming to a decision and gritting her teeth.

This was no time to keep anything back in reserve.

She pricked all her fingers with her sharp nails, and bright-red blood that exuded a refreshing fragrance oozed from every finger.

Then she quickly made an outline in the air with her bloody fingers.

Three crimson seals that flowed with golden light began to take form.

However, her face turned visibly pale when it happened and sweat began to bead on her smooth forehead.

The strain on her body to refine three Crimson Heart Golden Seals at the same time was immense.

Yet she clenched her teeth and soldiered on. A few breaths later, the three Crimson Heart Golden Seal fully took form, full of spirituality and sentience as they darted around her body like sprites.

"Go." Li Hongyou pointed forward, then the three seals shot out at high speed, directly fusing with Jiang Qing'e, Ning Meng, and Wu Changkong.

The resonant power undulations coming from the three of them strengthened significantly. At the same time, the fragrance of the fruit spread throughout their bodies, and they could feel their energy and blood circulating at much greater speeds. It even helped with healing some of the internal injuries suffered from the frontal clash with the White Eyed True Devil.

"Ladies, its time to bring out whatever you have!" Wu Changkong exhorted.

Ning Meng was the first to step forward. Her cute face was filled with a look of seriousness. She interlocked her hands and formed a seal. A radiant spirit avatar that emitted an abstruse light appeared behind her petite frame.

Archaic runes flowing with black and white light had surfaced on Ning Meng's skin. They covered the entirety of her body, and even her face was not spared.

After which, black and white fur sprouted from all of the runes.

Ning Meng casually waved her worn-down rod, causing the void to directly rip apart and shatter into pieces. At the same time, a sonic boom was produced with those simple motions. The terrifying strength she demonstrated caused Wu Changkong's eyes to shrink.

When he saw the runes on Ning Meng's body, a look of envy appeared in his eyes, and he couldn't help asking, "Are those... Archaic Runes?"

Ning Meng nodded. "Indeed. I hate using them because they make me super ugly."

Wu Changkong's expression was complex when he heard her nonchalant reply. Archaic Runes were a power exclusive to middle ninth-grade resonances. They allowed the user to experience a form of Primal Atavism and allowed for one to reach a greater synchronization with their resonance affinities.

Ning Meng had sprouted black and white fur because the form of her Primal Atavism was that of the Light Chaser Beast. This resulted in a great boost to her strength. Wu Changkong wanted to possess this power as well. Alas, it was only possible if one had a middle ninth-grade resonance. He, on the other hand, merely had a lower ninth-grade resonance with a secondary resonance, and raising its grade had proven extremely difficult.

Thus, he continued to envy Ning Meng in his heart. However, he suddenly noticed that Jiang Qing'e had burst forth with blinding light. Endless amounts of light could be seen flowing on the surface of her skin, giving her a sacred appearance.

The rays of light took the form of runes that flowed over her skin, and eventually, a circular spot of light surfaced in the middle of her forehead.

At this time, four dazzlingly bright wings unfurled from her back.

Waves of pure light resonant power emanated from her body, causing the gloomy aura in the All-Beings Palace to recede and vanish.

Wu Changkong was dumbfounded at this moment. The rune made of light on her forehead was also an Archaic Rune!

This meant that one of her ninth-grade resonances was a middle ninth-grade!

"With such talent, it would be easy to blieve that she is the direct descendant of a King!"

Wu Changkong's heart was in turmoil. This lady possessed earthshaking beauty and talent. If she could be brought into the Wu family, even his picky grandfather would be agreeable. In the future, their family's bloodline would likely experience a meteoric rise. However, his idealistic thoughts were brought to a sudden chill. This was impossible because Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo were engaged. Their relationship was also as unshakeable as a boulder, meaning it was impossible for him. This caused him to feel immensely dissatisfied in his heart. How could all these good things all belong to Li Luo? Damn him!

What if he were to kill him?

Wu Changkong's gaze turned towards Li Luo, and killing intent surfaced.

However, his heart immediately turned cold and he hurriedly retracted his intense emotions. This was happening because the corruption around him had stimulated his feelings!

Although he had retracted his gaze quickly, that momentary flicker of killing intent did not go unnoticed by Jiang Qing'e. She possessed a Heart of Light, so she could easily sense the thoughts in the hearts of those around her. Thus, she knew that Wu Changkong was out for Li Luo's blood.

Her gaze turned bone-chilling as she turned her sword towards Wu Changkong.

Her icy words were laced with killing intent as she looked at him.

"Wu Changkong. Retract the thoughts in your filthy heart, or I won't mind striking you down alongside the White Eyed True Devil!"