Chapter 1432: The Soaring Mountain Descends (I)

Timber Mountain.

A sinister aura thickened the air. Blue-black qi spread through the mountain forest, surging and receding like tides, never settling and constantly trembling.

A vast sheet of black cloth covered the sky. Hundreds and thousands of golden eyes flickered above, casting down thin, elongated streaks of golden light as swift as the wind. Beneath it, the radiance of the two Merciful Ones were dim, and their faces were filled with anger.

Daoist Master Luo held a short blade in hand, his expression grave. There had originally been four Merciful Ones here, one of Compassion Dao and three of Emptiness Dao. Out of the two who had attacked first, one had already been eliminated, leaving three remaining.

One of the Emptiness Dao Merciful Ones posed little threat, only adding some trouble. Another served under the Enlightened Wisdom Seat and possessed considerable means. The most dangerous was the Compassion Dao Merciful One, who could command arhats. When the three joined forces, it was enough to suppress Daoist Master Luo.

Fortunately, the opponent was unfamiliar with the [Gathering Wood] Dao. He had already struck down the weakest one, who had fled to who knew where. With only two left, the threat had lessened. Yet he too was showing signs of fatigue. If not for the [Thousand-Eyed Light-Nurturing Robe] in his possession, refined specifically to counter the Compassion Dao's methods of housing souls and commanding arhats, the situation would be far worse.

Daoist Master Luo was far from his limit and not yet at the point of retreat. Though he struggled to defeat them, the Merciful Ones had limited transformations and found it even harder to restrain him. He continued to circulate his divine ability, occasionally releasing blue-black light into the sky. His spiritual sense was fixed on Li Ximing and the others above. There was no doubt that Li Ximing, facing Helian Wujiang, was in even greater trouble than he was!

Li Ximing revealed his true body and stood within the Baleful Qi. Golden-red flames coiled around him like living dragons. The condensed Baleful Qi surged toward him, only to be driven back by the flames again and again.

Before him floated the [Brilliant Yang King's Axe], radiating Bright Light that enveloped his dharma body. A green-yellow spirit ruler hovered at his side, releasing ripples like mountains and rivers. It repeatedly pushed back the sea of Baleful Qi around him and measured the illusions within, breaking them into drifting wisps of black smoke.

His condition was far from good. The battle had not lasted long, but he no longer had the divine ability or mana to restore the greater half of his head that had been bitten away. He remained in that horrifying state. His body was covered in wounds from Baleful Qi, with black qi churning and refusing to dissipate.

After fighting Helian Wujiang for some time, he had gradually grasped where the opponent's strength lay. Aside from the sinister single eye on his chest, his Body Divine Ability was exceptionally unusual.

Li Ximing's [Heaven-Venerating Gate] could enhance his dharma body, but its effect was limited. Helian Wujiang's Dharma body was far stronger than his. Though not particularly formidable among Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, it was formed from layers upon layers of Baleful Qi.

This Baleful Qi gathered and dispersed without form. Techniques below the Purple Mansion Realm could no longer harm Helian Wujiang. Even Purple Mansion Realm divine abilities and techniques were weakened when they struck him. Most troublesome of all, his Body Divine Ability resonated with the Baleful Sea divine ability, [Rakshasa Sea], that now filled the sky, allowing him to continuously recover. He was extremely difficult to deal with!

On top of that, the opponent's long whip was extremely agile, while Li Ximing's spirit artifacts and divine ability were comparatively heavy and unwieldy. In just a few dozen exchanges, the opponent had already forced him to use the miraculous effect of the [Surging Yang Star Command Treasure Disk] twice. But he had reversed Bright Yang, shaking the stars, and escaped danger.

Each time he reversed the [Surging Yang Star Command Treasure Disk], four bright stars would appear. Now that he had used it twice, two of those stars had dimmed. Though its strength did not diminish and even grew more profound, tied as it was to the spirit artifact, this miraculous effect could only be used four times in total.

I wonder how Kuiqi is faring. Helian Wujiang is formidable. If this drags on... I might end up losing my life here!

It was not like his ties to the Supreme Yang were especially deep, but Moongaze Lake lay right by the river. He had no time to think further. His spiritual sense was locked firmly onto the sword-wielding figure within the black qi, not daring to relax for even a moment.

As expected, Helian Wujiang gave him no chance to catch his breath. Another streak of golden light burst forth from within the surging black qi like a shattered silver bottle, sending a chill through his Shenyang acupoint and filling him with a sudden, intense sense of danger.

Buzz!

He saw no sign of the opponent's spirit artifact or spell. He immediately activated [Flame-Stepping Movement]. Flames flared across his body as he snapped his head up. All his divine ability mana converged at a single point, and his spiritual sense tightened to its absolute limit. There was nothing there.

Buzz...

What broke first was the green-yellow ripple of mountains and rivers. The vast range of the [Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers], together with the measuring precision of [Sovereign Weighing], proved highly effective. Li Ximing finally sensed the direction of the incoming attack. [Flame-Stepping Movement] surged, and he circulated his divine ability.

The [Brilliant Yang King's Axe] was inherently heavy. At such a critical moment, it could not move in time to block in front of him. Yet Li Ximing stepped forward as flame through [Flame-Stepping Movement] and pressed himself behind the spirit artifact!

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The [Brilliant Yang King's Axe] cannot move in time, but I can reposition myself and make it block for me!

Boom!

The [Brilliant Yang King's Axe], shining in the sky, seemed to be struck by a heavy, illusory blow as it was flung high into the air. A thunderous collision followed, along with a surge of Bright Yang radiance rising skyward.

Li Ximing suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and fell out of the flames formed by the Flame-Stepping Movement. Dense, fine cracks spread across his chest, like countless tiny ants clinging to him. Yet a faint, relieved smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Only then did he see that illusory light clearly. It was entirely black, shaped like a blade no larger than a palm, yet incomparably sharp. It was the short blade at Helian Wujiang's waist!

The blade light had been treacherous. Only after everything settled did the surging sea of Baleful Qi begin to part, revealing where the blade qi had passed.

The measuring ability of the [Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers] had indeed played a major role, but it was the defensive ability of the [Brilliant Yang King's Axe] that had prevented his dharma body from being cut apart. The opponent's short blade was too formidable.

Whether it was the [Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers] or the [Mountain-Charging Sea-Pacing Tiger], anything he could have used to block would surely have been damaged. The [Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers], being a spirit embryo, might have even been severed... This spirit embryo was now key to maintaining the situation. How could Li Ximing allow it to be easily destroyed?

Blood lingered at his lips, but he had no time to rest. The heavenly gate rose beneath him. Brilliant heavenly light burst forth, suppressing the dharma sword rushing through the Baleful Qi. The owner of those pale five fingers trembled slightly and revealed himself before Li Ximing. Black-silver armor gleamed, robes billowed, and his gaze was cold.

Helian Wujiang had arrived before him.

The heavenly gate stood among the clouds, swaying slightly as it was submerged in surging Baleful Qi. Its once radiant white bricks dimmed. Dragon banners and phoenix carriages sank into the qi. The ceremonial standards hung limp, drifting weakly under the impact of the Baleful Qi. It seemed barely able to suppress the sword.

The clear heavenly light was momentarily obstructed. A gash suddenly yawned open between Helian Wujiang's chest and lungs. That eye turned once more, golden light surging forth to pin him in place as the terrifying maw appeared again.

Puchi!

Li Ximing dispersed into flames and fled with his divine ability. The man suddenly turned back, only to see a gleaming treasure disk emerge once more. Chaotic stars trembled and locked him in place.

The man in a white golden Daoist robe appeared not far away, breathing lightly as he immediately swallowed a pill. That had been an excellent chance, yet Li Ximing had no opportunity to release the Bright Yang killing light.

Half his head had yet to reform, and one arm had been lost to that immobilizing bite. His lips still moved in incantation as he steadied himself within the surging Baleful Qi by means of his divine ability. He looked utterly wretched.