Chapter 1396: Golden Axe (I)

Patterns of mountains and rivers in azure and yellow materialized, swiftly sweeping away the billowing sand and stone dust. The old nun could no longer maintain her appearance and immediately radiated brilliant light, transforming into her true form.

"The Buddhist land lies in the east. Fellow Daoist, you are truly bold!"

It was a female figure overflowing with brilliant light. A hundred slender arms spread like a screen behind her, while a pair of normal-sized hands were clasped in prayer before her chest. Her eyes shone with golden light, as she sat solemnly upon a pink lotus dais suspended in the air.

The moment she appeared, heavenly light flickered between Li Ximing's brows, allowing him to discern between reality and illusion. His heart settled at once.

This thing is only somewhat stronger than the newly advanced Merciful One beneath Chilu back then. At least she has something to sit on, though it looks like an inferior treasure artifact. I did not fear such goods in the past, let alone today.

Still, this one appears impressive. With so many hands behind her, she is clearly different from Chilu's group. She is likely one who has been specially cultivated. Otherwise she would not have received such a favorable assignment to come guide others.

After his heavenly light finished its examination, the Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers spun and flickered in the air before suddenly bursting with light.

The power of the Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers was closely tied to distance. The nearer it was to Li Ximing's true body, the stronger its entangling pull became. In her attempt to seize Master Baiyin, the old nun had come almost directly before him. Though she had retreated two steps, she was still within several meters.

The old nun suddenly felt as if she had fallen into a muddy swamp. The azure and yellow hues formed mountains and rivers beneath her feet that entangled and pulled at her, weighing down her dharma body. The dharma light she had intended to use to withdraw was dragged apart and dispersed, leaving her barely able to move. Hatred rose instinctively within her.

This cursed devil cultivator... Capturing people day after day to refine artifacts, yet possessing such a fine treasure. From its appearance, it likely draws from the Imperial Observation Origin mentioned in ancient texts.

But how could Li Ximing waste such a perfect opportunity by giving her time to react? At this distance, whether it was True Fire or a spell art, she had no chance to escape into the great void. His two fingers were already joined before his lips.

Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard!

The True Fire had a core of white-gold, wrapped in blazing red. It suddenly blossomed in the air, transforming into pure golden flames that spread outward, accompanied by purple fire as they raged toward the old nun.

The old nun immediately formed seals to defend and indeed sought to retreat. But guarding against the True Fire delayed her for a brief instant. In that moment, a brilliant radiance came flying toward her.

Heavenly Radiance, Hidden Light!

The old nun already knew of Li Ximing's divine ability and had heard that he had refined a spirit embryo. Otherwise she would not have been so wary. Though she had not expected the range of the Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers to be so vast, she possessed her own inheritance. The slender arms behind her shone, casting a golden glow on her.

This golden spell art seemed to have been prepared long in advance and stored within the arms behind her. Now it surged forth like a waterfall, temporarily blocking the flames in midair. The lotus seat beneath her feet also emitted a pink glow, resisting the incoming Heavenly Radiance, Hidden Light.

However, no matter how dense the golden light was, Purple Mansion Realm True Fire was not so easily resisted. The light crackled as it burned, thinning rapidly, while the Heavenly Radiance, Hidden Light condensed to a single point, scorching the lotus throne's pink dharma shield until it flickered between brightness and dimness.

Damn that spirit embryo...

She had not expected such a chain of profound techniques to arrive one after another. Worse still, she was still restrained by the Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers. One step backward became step after step backward. Unsure whether the increased strength came from proximity, she suddenly felt the urge to retreat and spat out brilliant light.

But in the span of a breath that she was held in place by True Fire and Hidden Light, the Daoist in white golden robes arrived before her, extending a simple, unadorned palm.

This is bad!

How could she dare receive that strike? The most plain attacks were often the most dangerous. Thus, without waiting for the brilliant light in her mouth to fully form, she expelled it all at once to block, while trying to shift sideways to retreat.

Boom!

The radiant brilliant light was swallowed by dense flames. Li Ximing felt a slight heat in his palm as his strike brushed past her dharma body, shattering the pink protective barrier of the throne into nothingness.

The old nun felt her face burn. Though she had avoided the strike, the blue yellow mountain and river patterns of the Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers surged like ocean waves, activating again with even greater force. Even as she retreated, she only managed to move a few meters.

Only then did she realize what was happening with the increasingly powerful spirit embryo,

So its strength grows the closer it is!

She had cultivated in the north all her life, where The Merciful One were far more numerous. Encounters with Purple Mansion Realm Daoist Masters were rare, and even when she did encounter one once or twice, it never required open conflict. Now, facing one for the first time, she finally understood why the Merciful Ones were always considered inferior...

He has not even used that divine ability yet... I am already lacking one compared to him, and my treasure artifact is far inferior to his spirit embryo and spirit artifact... How could I match him alone? It is often said that only beneath the Golden Lotus Throne, with the strongest blessing of the Buddhist land, can one make Purple Mansion Realm Daoist Masters wary. Without a valuable treasure artifact, how could it be otherwise?

Li Ximing felt no regret. His strike was never supposed to be easy to land. Preventing her from entering the great void was enough. Her defensive maneuvers had already caused the lotus throne to lose its effect.

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The white light at the center of Li Ximing's eyebrows still shone, and Heavenly Radiance, Hidden Light continued to operate.

Boom!

The heavenly light finally struck her chest. Billowing bright white smoke burst forth along with sparks, causing her to spit out golden blood. Though Heavenly Radiance, Hidden Light was not overwhelmingly powerful, its alignment with righteousness amplified its force. If not for the Merciful One’s formidable dharma body, it would have already been more than she could endure!

The golden light in the sky had been completely burned away by now. The surging True Fire rose like clouds and was about to pour down. If the old nun were to be struck by this flame, she would suffer unbearable agony. There was no way to protect Master Baiyin in her hands.

At last, in panic, she cried out, "Nuyan!"

As her voice echoed out, laughter rang through the sky. Another golden body, vast as a palace, appeared within the great void. Each of their four arms were holding a gleaming golden implement. Brilliant light flickered between its brows as it continued the spell art that had been blocking the True Fire.

Its voice thundered like a storm, "Nuxiao, you still cling to thoughts of keeping it for yourself. You are about to be beaten to death."

Li Ximing cast a glance. The Purple Mansion Realm figure within the great void had not moved yet. Faint golden light slowly rose in his eyes as he stared at the newcomer.

Heaven-Venerating Gate!

Colored clouds surged and dissolved as heavenly light illuminated the sky. A heavenly gate emerged, its golden armor and garments more radiant than ever. Various banners rose and fell among the clouds, while two bright white gate pillars descended from the heavens.