Chapter 0628: Pinnacle Showdown

Once the Sacred Flamelight Lotus was formed, it directly shot out like a blazing meteor, countless flaming lights following behind in a trail. There was a sort of transcendental beauty to it, and countless gazes followed it on its journey towards Zhong Taiqiu.

The lotus gradually filled up Zhong Taiqiu's vision as it raced towards him, causing his previous, confident smirk to recede. Bathed in the radiant light of the lotus, he could feel his instincts screaming at the danger before him.

"She's clearly just someone who broke into the Quasi Pearl Stage, so how could it possess such might?" Zhong Taiqiu's mind was in turmoil. He had never underestimated her but the truth was that the difference in resonant power was just too vast! Yet he had never expected that she could burst forth with such might.

This was the strongest Quasi Pearl Stage cultivator he had ever seen.

Zhong Taiqiu sucked in a deep breath and his gaze turned fierce. No matter what sort of abomination Jiang Qing'e was, it wouldn't be so easy to obtain a position within the Seven Astral Pillars.

As the strongest representative at one point, he possessed a natural confidence in himself. He might have been surpassed by his juniors Gong Shenjun and Gong Luanyu, but those were Four Star Hall students at least. Jiang Qing'e was merely at the Three Star Hall, and if he couldn't hold her back, it would be a complete disgrace and humiliation!

Bang!

Sable, green resonant power thunderously poured out from him like a shockwave. From afar, it looked like a green river had taken form with him at the center. Next, he immediately executed a hand sign.

At the same time, countless silver lights began to appear amidst the sable, green resonant power. Upon closer inspection, they seemed to resemble countless snake scales.

Each scale was engraved with countless patterns that seemed to be able to rouse the nearby worldly natural energy, absorbing it in spades.

Countless individuals who were familiar with Zhong Taiqiu lightly cried out upon this sight, "Snake Scale Myriad Transformations!" This was the high grade dragon-general resonance art he was most known for. There were three tiers to this technique. From lowest to highest, they were: Green Scales, Silver Scales, and Gold Scales. He had managed to cultivate it to the Silver Scales Tier, so it possessed intimidating might.

"It looks like Zhong Taiqiu felt the heat and decided to retaliate with his strongest move!"

"Of course! Senior Jiang might have only broken into the Quasi Pearl Stage, but the power she exudes is a little too terrifying... She is probably the strongest Quasi Pearl Stage cultivator the college has ever seen!"

Hiss!

Whilst everyone continued with their frenzied discussion, Zhong Taiqiu made his move. Swatting the air before him, the countless silver snake scales began to amalgamate as they rushed forward like a torrent of water, gradually taking the form of a massive palm hundreds of meters wide. Meanwhile, the middle of the materialized palm tore apart, reminding one of a gaping maw of a snake, full of vigor and ferocity.

Bang!

As the silver- scaled palm struck forth, it ripped apart the fabric of space, causing the worldly natural energy to crash forth with a deafening boom.

The floor beneath him was unable to keep up with the growing pressure, cracking into tiny pieces.

The focus of the audience was now upon the inevitable clash between the Sacred Flamelight Lotus and the Snake Scale Myriad Transformation.

BOOM!

A deafening roar overwhelmed the surroundings, and massive waves of resonant power began to roil in every direction. The square itself was disintegrating from the remnant energy, and just as the audience was about to become collateral damage, the mentors quickly took action, creating barriers that isolated the battlefield.

Ding, ding, ding!

The energy barriers had held fast and remained unshattered, which was a relief to all those who were watching.

Yet this was just an afterthought as all the attention was focused upon the site of the collision.

The two moves were locked in a direct confrontation.

The Sacred Flamelight Lotus was slowly revolving, constantly producing wave after wave of flames that contained the power of light. The waves washed over the silver-scaled palm, gradually turning it transparent, demonstrating its purifying abilities!

Jiang Qing'e had a ninth-grade light resonance, so its purification was even more tyrannical and unyielding. Even with Zhong Taiqiu's Six-pearl Stage power, it was hard for him to resist the encroaching cleansing of the light.

"The resonant power from her ninth-grade light resonance is truly overbearing!" Zhong Taiqiu was acutely aware of the changes occurring to his resonant art. His eyes narrowed at the sight before him. He had a lower eighth-grade Devil Python resonance, and it wasn't weak by any means. Who would have thought that it would be meaningless before Jiang Qing'e? It was fortunate that his cultivation level completely suppressed hers. Thanks to his massive reserves of resonant power, the corrosion caused by the light could be tolerated.

A reflection of the slowly rotating lotus could be seen in his pupils. The previous confrontation had confirmed to him that Jiang Qing'e was no weaker than a four-pearl Heavenly Pearl Stage cultivator. This was completely ludicrous. He had never seen anyone at the Quasi Pearl Stage possess such domineering might.

At the same time, he also knew that this sort of exertion could not be maintained for long. No matter how mighty a ninth-grade light resonance was, the difference could not possibly be this extreme.

"This pretty lotus might be strong, but it's still not enough," Zhong Taiqiu commented as his gaze flickered. He held great confidence in his follow-up moves, and even though Jiang Qing'e had made him sweat quite a bit, they were on different levels. Victory for her would not come so easily.

"In any case, once I resolve this little trick, it should all be over," Zhong Taiqiu thought to himself. No longer hesitating, he roused all of the resonant power within him. The surrounding worldly natural energy seemed to have been agitated, and a harsh hissing sound reverberated around the square.

"Snake Scale Myriad Transformations, Devil Python Devours the Heavens!"

With his thunderous declaration, one could see the gaping maw on the silver-scaled palm expand once again, revealing countless rows of fangs. And now a terrifying and cold poison awakened within it.

The huge palm slammed downwards, completely consuming the Sacred Flamelight Lotus with its abyss-like maw that covered the heavens and the earth.

"Python's Abyssal Suppression!" After swallowing the lotus, Zhong Taiqiu quickly executed a series of hand signs that caused the silver-scaled palm to clench tightly. It was as though five massive pythons had coiled around the lotus, encapsulating the resonant art and emitting a poisonous air that attempted to further erode it.

The Sacred Flamelight Lotus began to fade in brilliance as the boundless snake venom enshrouded it.

The sight of this caused Jiang Qing'e's supporters to feel a sense of unease. Even the legendary ninth-grade light resonance user was having difficulty dealing with Zhong Taiqiu!

Even Li Luo was left on edge at this sight as he watched attentively.

Zhong Taiqiu's move was frightening. Any other Quasi Pearl Stage cultivator might have been swallowed and spat out as a dessicated husk after facing Python's Abyssal Suppression.

"Junior Jiang, do not lose heart. Being able to bring out a move of such power in the Quasi Pearl Stage is worthy of praise. I feel that if you had truly stepped into the Heavenly Pearl Stage, I would not be your opponent. Unfortunately...." Zhong Taiqiu said as he floated in the sky. The silver-scaled palm was still looming above them, leaving Jiang Qing'e in its shadow as he looked down upon her.

"... this move is now useless. And so..."

Just as he uttered that last sentence, Jiang Qing'e stretched out her fair hand towards the massive scaled palm, coolly replying, "Senior Zhong, your Abyssal Suppression isn't bad. However, you are mistaken if you think the Sacred Flamelight Lotus can be dealt with so painlessly."

With that, she clenched her fist violently.

At this instant, the suppressed lotus exploded, releasing monstrous amounts of sword qi. Every single lotus petal had transformed into a divine blade wreathed with holy flames, completely overwhelming the snake venom.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The Python's Abyssal Suppression was torn apart like a piece of tissue.

At the same time, the massive silver-scaled palm began to tremble. Countless cracks spread across its surface, and before Zhong Taiqiu's unbelieving gaze, it exploded into scintillating fragments of light. The sacred sword energy spilled forth like the tide, covering the skies of the square like a sea of stars.

Jiang Qing'e took a step forward, her fingers forming a seal as she directly ascended into the skies. The torrent of sacred sword energy roared as it smashed past every obstacle on the way to Zhong Taiqiu, directly stabbing towards the horrified individual.

Alas, his resonance art had been forcefully shattered and the resonant power within his body was in a state of chaos, ensuring that he was unable to mount a suitable defense. All he could do was idly stare at the dreadful stream of energy that was lancing towards him.

Before the sword energy collided with him, his body was stinging with the countless sword gashes that preceded the attack itself.

He felt frustrated and discontented, unwilling to accept this development. This reversal had occurred quicker than he could comprehend.

Unfortunately, the sword energy was not about to negotiate and cajole him, no matter how unwilling he felt.

In the end, he could only grit his teeth and softly speak out. "Junior Jiang, you've won!" Upon hearing that, Jiang Qing'e executed a new hand seal, causing the previously rabid sword energy to turn gentle. Like a mother's embrace, it warmly wrapped around and passed through Zhong Taiqiu's body, finally dissipating into mere motes of light.

These motes of light then fell to the ground like a rain of light, and the resonant power within Jiang Qing'e rapidly faded. Nodding slightly towards Zhong Taiqiu, her calm and clear voice echoed throughout the square.

"Thank you, Senior Zhong, for letting me win."