Chu Liang's sudden move stunned many people.

The audience outside the screen didn't know much about Qi Lin'er, only that he was a naturally gifted kid. Initially, they assumed he was just there for the experience due to his connections, tagging along with Yang Shenlong to claim victory… Most of them thought they could take his place themselves.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Later, they realized Qi Lin'er was indeed powerful, having the most solo victories among the Penglai team, giving him ample reason for his arrogance. Yet, without enough strong opponents, his true power remained somewhat vague.

But the three remaining members of the Penglai Supreme Sect team were the most shocked.

As his fellow disciples, they knew well that Qi Lin'er was born with mystical abilities. His skin was made of bronze and bones made of iron. He had the strength of a dragon and his qi flowed as boundless as the ocean. He was terrifyingly gifted.

Among the Penglai team attending the Assembly of Immortal Sects, only Yang Shenlong held a firm advantage over him; Xi Miaoxian and Yang Yuhu were weaker by comparison.

Qi Lin'er was actually Penglai's second strongest!

With his powerful physique, even Yang Shenlong couldn't defeat him so cleanly. To kill him in one slap?

This was simply astounding.

How could this be possible?

If Chu Liang had this strength before, he wouldn't have needed to waste his time with Hu Sanlang and Du Wuhen. He could've just flattened everyone with one smack; who could withstand that?

"Fall back!" Yang Shenlong barked, his killing intent surging.

He sensed it clearly—Chu Liang's aura had suddenly surged, drawing the surrounding spiritual qi into a vortex, flooding into his body and leaving other cultivators with almost no spiritual qi to access.

This level of cultivation power was something he had never seen among his peers.

It was no longer the feeling of facing an opponent; it was a deep sense of danger.

Bang!

In the void, the collision of qi created a sound like thunder.

Xi Miaoxian and Yang Yuhu stepped back immediately, their expressions equally complex. Xi Miaoxian had encountered Chu Liang before; at that time, he was already remarkable, but to say he could rival Yang Shenlong would have been an exaggeration. Yet, he had reached this level in just a few short months?

Yang Yuhu recalled his first encounter with Chu Liang. Back then, Chu Liang was merely at the beginning stage of the Golden Core Realm, but was still able to defeat someone of a cultivation level higher. It was truly an impressive feat.

Back then, he had thought Chu Liang was extraordinary and even mentioned that Chu Liang could one day rival his older brother, though he had really said it with a hint of flattery.

He never thought this day would actually come.

From Chu Liang's point of view, this day came sooner than he had expected.

Originally, the Mount Shu Sect had no intention of confronting the Penglai Supreme Sect in the Competition of a Hundred Sects; they only aimed to safely secure a spot in the top ten to avoid being expelled from the Divine Nine. Yet, unexpectedly, Yang Shenlong had taken the initiative to attack, killing three of Chu Liang's teammates.

If that were all, Chu Liang might have chosen to endure the humiliation, finding a way to gather enough soul crystals to survive till the end, as Mount Shu Sect's future was much more important than settling such petty disputes.

But at this point, he couldn't help but be grateful to his "good friends" from the West Sea Diabolical Forces.

After the airship Lianglong detonated and killed the Black Devil Whale, it granted him a Boundless Swallowing Whale Pill, essentially a fifteen-minute pass to experience a Boundless Sea of Qi.

Since he had gotten this item from an imprint in this illusory world, there was a chance that he would lose it upon leaving this illusory world. It would be a waste if he didn't use it here.

For a typical cultivator in the fifth realm, even with the aid of this pill, there was a limit to how much stronger they could become. Without an improvement in the quality of their foundational qi, it would still be extremely difficult to perform formidable techniques.

But Chu Liang was different.

He had so many treasures.

The Talisman of Life Restoration that he obtained in the Celestial Talisman Master's Hidden Realm had the ability to bestow life upon beings, but doing so came at a great cost. Bestowing life drained an enormous amount of his cultivation power. When he had once used it on a single berry, it nearly exhausted half of his foundational qi. The task of bestowing life on beings with immense spiritual energy would be even more taxing.

But now, fueled by the Boundless Swallowing Whale Pill, he could revive everything in his hands.

Whoosh.

A radiant light erupted as the Dustless Sword rose into the air, its spiritual energy gleaming with brilliance, coming to life in an instant.

Nearby, the Crimson Executioner Sword, glowing red like flames, also levitated with a fierce aura.

The Five Elements Formation Diagram: Celestial Trap, the Razor Leaf Saber…

The biggest difference between legendary artifacts and regular enchanted tools was that legendary artifacts possessed a spirit, capable of controlling themselves when necessary. While Chu Liang’s tools had not yet reached the level of legendary artifacts, they seemed to carry a spirit similar to that of such legendary items.

"Dustless Sword, awaken…"

"Crimson Executioner, awaken…"

Chu Liang silently recited their names, and more enchanted tools rose to fly around him. Hidden from others' view, the Blue Dragon's Orb was also spinning furiously.

This was the very reason he had been able to obliterate Qi Lin'er with a single strike.

The Blue Dragon's Orb could command the Blue Dragon's Hidden Realm, inheriting part of the authority of a Blue Dragon at the eighth realm. However, due to Chu Liang's previously low cultivation level, many of its powers had been unusable.

But now, he had no such constraints. He immediately channeled the power of the Blue Dragon's Orb, directly borrowing the strength of the Blue Dragon, infusing himself with the qi of the entire hidden realm.

"

Raaaaar!!!

"

In the ethereal depths, a shadow of a True Dragon loomed over the area, and Chu Liang's figure began to take on a divine, ethereal quality. He could sense a resonance with the enchanted tools surrounding him.

The sharpness of the Dustless Sword, the fury of the Crimson Executioner, the lively clamor of the Razor Leaf Saber—as if each enchanted tool held multiple spirits… and the profound ancient aura of the Jiuli Soul Armor…

At this state, Chu Liang suddenly had a bold idea.

The White Pagoda…

Awaken!

…

Immortal Jiuyi's expression became more and more terrible.

As the master of the Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams, everything inside, except for invaders like Immortal Yuan Lu, consumed his foundational qi. Although the illusory realm appeared incredibly realistic, it was maintained through Immortal Jiuyi's cultivation.

This was also why eighth-realm cultivators, and even many seventh-realm cultivators, could not exist within this illusory realm. A gathering like the Assembly of Immortal Sects, filled with cultivators at the realms of the Earthly Gate, posed no strain on Immortal Jiuyi.

At least, that had indeed been the case up until now.

But when Immortal Jiuyi watched Chu Liang launch a night raid on Misty Waters City, he was initially puzzled.

Immortal Jiuyi didn't understand why Chu Liang acted so impulsively. Since Chu Liang had helped avert a crisis for him, he wouldn't have minded giving him a little support in secret.

While he couldn't help Chu Liang kill anyone, he could assist by making him invisible on screen, letting him see everyone's positions, masking his qi so others couldn't sense him, or ensuring his abilities hit with perfect accuracy… These small favors were feasible.

After all, if the Mount Shu Sect were eliminated, it might have been due to the fact that Chu Liang had been helping fight the diabolical forces, so it would only be fair to offer some support in return.

Yet, Chu Liang had charged into Misty Waters City just like that. It appeared vengeful, but in the eyes of others, it seemed somewhat suicidal.

Even though he fought his way to Yang Shenlong, shocking many, few believed he could actually defeat him. Most thought he was simply drawing closer to his own demise.

Meanwhile, it became increasingly difficult for Immortal Jiuyi to assist him. With so many eyes watching, it was nearly impossible to perform any subtle maneuvers.

But at that moment, Chu Liang suddenly unleashed a surge of power, his cultivation skyrocketing, like a vortex devouring spiritual qi, absorbing all the energy from the entire illusory realm.

What is he doing?

Immortal Jiuyi quickly channeled more foundational qi into the illusory realm.

He felt bewildered as he wondered,

How is a fifth-realm cultivator achieving this?

This amount of spiritual qi Chu Liang was using was enough to kill someone at his level eight hundred times over.

Wait…

A terrifying force of absorption suddenly swept over, demanding such an immense amount of qi that even Immortal Jiuyi became terrified. Despite being at the eighth realm, with a seemingly boundless Sea of Qi, the color drained from his face in an instant.

Something's wrong. I can't give anymore. Otherwise, this kid will suck me dry!

Immortal Jiuyi screamed inwardly.

GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts

Translator: GT