Novel11 Chapter 347 : The Strength of Taiqing
Chapter 347 : The Strength of Taiqing
“Break for me!”Zhuang Fu’s eyes flared wide with fury. Forming a seal with one hand, the Golden Core True Qi within his dantian’s qi sea began to surge violently.
For a Golden Core True Person, losing a single arm amounted to no more than a minor injury with little overall impact. The real danger lay in the Supreme Cold True Qi ravaging the area around the wound.
That Supreme Cold True Qi contained within it an undying metal attribute capable of freezing all things. Not only was it extremely difficult to expel in a short time, it could also follow Zhuang Fu’s internal True Qi back into his dantian’s qi sea, sealing and suppressing one-third of his Golden Core’s power.
Under such circumstances, if Zhuang Fu wished to turn the tide, he could only rely on the Xunwind Azure Luan with whom his life was intertwined.
“Shriek!”
Behind Zhuang Fu, the Xunwind Azure Luan cried out sharply. Enduring the backlash of the Companion Dharma Body, it spread its wings and unleashed the Heavenly-Gang Mystic Ability [Reviving Azure Wind].
This mystic ability was far from ordinary. It could nourish living beings, reverse withering and flourishing, reshape the fleshly body, and purify the undying metal attribute.
Yet the instant the azure wind rose, pain exploded across Zhuang Fu’s back. The protective True Qi surrounding his body shattered with a thunderous crash, and his body slammed onto the Dueling Platform like a falling meteor, sending flames soaring into the sky.
“Boom!”
Within the glazed fire pit, Zhuang Fu lay face pressed against the ground, unable to move. His body was covered in charred burns. He could only barely extend his divine sense behind him.
“What a Yuanshi Golden Core.”
A trace of bitterness flashed through Zhuang Fu’s eyes. The one who had launched the sneak attack from behind was not his opponent Chen Beiwu, but Junior Sister Qian, whom he had long admired in secret.
The massive claw pinning him down in the glazed fire pit, grinding him helplessly into the ground, belonged to Junior Sister Qian’s Companion Beast, the Mao-Gold Yama Chicken.
Clearly, not only he, but Junior Sister Qian as well had fallen under Chen Beiwu’s Illusion mystic ability.
“How does it feel?”
Chen Beiwu looked at Zhuang Fu’s miserable state and spoke calmly.
“A rare experience. What mystic ability is this?”
Zhuang Fu took a deep breath and coughed twice. When he looked at Chen Beiwu, it was as if he were staring at a monster. The arrogance that once filled his expression had completely vanished.
“Mirror Flower, Water Moon — A Fleeting Sea!”
The moment Chen Beiwu’s words fell, Zhuang Fu’s pupils shrank sharply.
For no other reason than that the Mao-Gold Yama Chicken atop him suddenly let out a cry that shook the heavens. Its eyes turned crimson-gold, and dazzling golden flames began to burn around its body.
These flames fused with its feathers, transforming into a vast golden-red霞 haze that covered the sky like a sunset.
Zhuang Fu recognized this Heavenly-Gang Mystic Ability. It was called [Solar Transmutation: Burning Silence].
As the saying went, metal essence does not perish, true fire endures. By shedding its feathers to transform into yang, it would collapse both form and spirit.
When the Mao-Gold Yama Chicken used this mystic ability, it could enter Burning Silence, drawing upon the fierce qi of blazing sunlight to clash with its metal nature. Its body would become flowing molten gold and crimson霞 light, erupting in torrents of metal-melting fire capable of destroying even a False Nascent Soul True Monarch.
The price, however, was steep. The Mao-Gold Yama Chicken would suffer severe depletion of vitality and fall into a long slumber.
Unless absolutely necessary, Junior Sister Qian would never recklessly use such a Heavenly-Gang Mystic Ability that first injured oneself before harming the enemy.
“Stop, Junior Sister Qian!”
Zhuang Fu roared like thunder, attempting to prevent fratricide among fellow disciples.
But the slender Qian Ruo’an was deeply trapped within the illusion, utterly unaware. In her bright eyes, there was only Chen Beiwu.
“The Yuanshi Golden Core is indeed formidable. But the one hundred and thirty years of cultivation that Xiao Jin and I have painstakingly accumulated will not lose to the talent of a mere junior!”
Qian Ruo’an’s crimson lips parted slightly. Bringing her hands together, her eyes burned with fierce battle intent.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
With the Mao-Gold Yama Chicken as its core, an indescribable golden-red blazing sun swelled and erupted.
The boundless crimson霞 instantly swallowed Chen Beiwu, the Three-Phase Mystic Flood Dragon, and the Five Qi Vine.
Wherever the sunset glow passed, the spiritual mechanisms of heaven and earth ignited with shrill wails.
The entire surface of the Dueling Platform shattered, melted, and vaporized, leaving behind only a devastated glazed crater and wisps of drifting smoke.
‘Finally won!’
Qian Ruo’an stood at the edge of the Dueling Platform, a faint smile lifting her lips.
But in the next instant, the smile froze.
Her divine sense suddenly detected that at the core of Solar Transmutation: Burning Silence, there was no trace of Chen Beiwu’s aura. Instead, there was a presence she knew all too well — her junior brother Li Yu.
‘Interesting!’
True Monarch Feng had not stood idle. His figure had already descended before Li Yu.
“Buzz!”
Feng Binhang extended a fingertip. The Solar Transmutation: Burning Silence, whose power could have burned mountains and boiled seas, abruptly stalled. Then, at a visible speed, it converged, dimmed, and disintegrated, revealing the Mao-Gold Yama Chicken within, its golden feathers fallen, its spirit listless.
“My thanks to True Monarch for intervening.”
Li Yu bowed slightly, lingering fear still in his eyes.
His cultivation was only at the peak of the Golden Core, the weakest in the team. He was far from comparable to powerhouses like Senior Brother Zhuang and Senior Sister Qian.
Had True Monarch Feng delayed by even a few minutes, he and his Companion Beast might already have perished beneath Senior Sister Qian’s mystic ability.
Feng Binhang gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over the four disheveled figures on the platform as he said calmly, “Disciples of Taiqing Immortal Sect — Zhuang Fu, Sun Mo, Qian Ruo’an, Li Yu — are in poor condition and unfit to continue. They are deemed defeated.”
With a flick of his sleeve, a streak of crimson light wrapped around the four and sent them to the Taiqing Immortal Sect’s resting area.
“???”
The cultivators present were filled with confusion.
Strange. It had clearly been five against one — why had the prodigies of Taiqing Immortal Sect suddenly turned on one another?
Even if they fought among themselves, why had Chief Disciple Wang Chan simply stood still, watching his fellow disciples slaughter each other without interference? Had they all fallen under an illusion?
But what illusion could simultaneously ensnare so many Golden Core True Persons and Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts?
Could it be the legendary Yuanshi mystic ability?
“I’m sorry, Senior Brother Zhuang, Junior Brother Li.”
Off the platform, Qian Ruo’an bit her lip, her eyes filled with apology and anger.
“Junior Sister, there’s no need to blame yourself.” Zhuang Fu’s voice was hoarse. “It was merely a Dao Discussion Battle. The victor is king, the defeated bandit. We can afford to lose.”
Li Yu nodded in agreement. “Senior Brother Zhuang is right. There is always a higher mountain. Who would have thought that Chen Beiwu, having entered Yuqing Immortal Sect less than twenty years ago, could both forge a Yuanshi Golden Core and cultivate Illusion Arts to such an unfathomable level?”
Compared to ancient cultivators, cultivators of the Immortal Alliance possessed extremely strong resistance to illusions.
After forming a Companion Contract, a cultivator’s divine sense was linked to yet independent from that of their Companion Beast, making it difficult for same-realm Illusion mystic abilities to fully control the six senses.
Even if an Immortal Alliance cultivator were caught off guard, their Companion Beast would quickly react through the contract and help break the illusion.
Thus, Golden Core True Persons of the Immortal Alliance were rarely completely deceived by third-tier illusions — unless even their Companion Beasts were ensnared, which was extraordinarily difficult.
Before today, Li Yu could never have imagined that such an unreasonable Illusion mystic ability existed, capable of blinding four Golden Core cultivators and their Companion Beasts at once.
“Is it possible that Chen Beiwu’s Yuanshi Golden Core mystic ability is itself an illusion? Otherwise, it makes no sense,” Qian Ruo’an speculated.
“Senior Brother, Senior Sister, can you review later? Please save me first! I’m still salvageable!” Sun Mo suddenly raised his hand.
Senior Brother Zhuang’s strike had been too ruthless. If they delayed further, his heart might be completely annihilated, leaving no chance for restoration.
Zhuang Fu immediately pressed a palm to Sun Mo’s chest, retrieving his Golden Core True Qi to prevent further deterioration. Then he cast his divine sense back toward the Dueling Platform.
“The duel continues.”
Feng Binhang nodded to Chen Beiwu, his gaze subtly sweeping over the Golden Egg.
Water and wood give birth to illusion.
The prodigies of Taiqing Immortal Sect could not see through Chen Beiwu’s Illusion mystic ability — but he could.
He had even locked onto the true caster of the illusion: the Three-Phase Mystic Flood Dragon at Chen Beiwu’s neck, not any so-called Yuanshi mystic ability.
Yet compared to the imposing Three-Phase Mystic Flood Dragon, what truly concerned Feng Binhang was the Five Qi Vine resting on Chen Beiwu’s shoulder, which had never acted and merely served as a source of power.
His intuition told him that this seemingly naive Five Qi Vine might well be stronger than the Three-Phase Mystic Flood Dragon.
……
“Why didn’t you make a move?”
On the Dueling Platform, Chen Beiwu appeared calm, as though he had not just single-handedly defeated four prodigies of Taiqing Immortal Sect.
The Golden Egg possessed nine hundred and fifty-five years of cultivation. Its Mirror Flower, Water Moon mystic ability, reinforced by the Mirror-Origin Moonfruit Profound Illumination Heart Sutra and the Heavenly Records of Phenomena, was no exaggeration — below the Nascent Soul realm, almost no cultivator could escape its control of the six senses.
And yet today, there had been an exception.
Had Wang Chan chosen to intervene, Chen Beiwu would have found it difficult to coordinate with the Golden Egg and use Mirror Flower, Water Moon to consecutively defeat four Taiqing prodigies.
“Why should I?” Wang Chan shook his head lightly. “They spend their days in seclusion, cultivating and nurturing their Companion Beasts, rarely tempering themselves in the mortal world. Their temperament is insufficient. This is a good opportunity for them to be sharpened.”
“You seem very confident.”
Chen Beiwu lifted his eyes slightly, sensing the other’s assurance.
“Of course. Without confidence, neither of us would have reached this realm.”
Wang Chan smiled faintly, a trace of anticipation in his gaze.
What of a Supreme Above All battle?
His path had always been upright — breaking cunning with force, overwhelming all with absolute strength. There was no need to join hands with fellow disciples.
Compared to the outcome of the Dao Discussion Battle, what Wang Chan truly cared about was whether the legendary Yuanshi Golden Core could allow him to fight to his heart’s content.
‘The Taiqing Chief Disciple truly possesses remarkable bearing.’
Among all opponents Chen Beiwu had faced, Wang Chan was undoubtedly among the very best.
The Crimson Fortune Dragon aura surrounding him was extraordinarily robust. More than half its dragon body was already tinged with purple qi, with potential to evolve into the Purple Qi Comes from the East Fate Rank. In terms of individual fate strength, he faintly surpassed the Three Firmament Fairies of Shangqing Immortal Sect.
Of course, in total fate quantity, Wang Chan alone could not compare to the combined Three Firmament Fairies.
But even together, the fate rank of those four did not surpass Chen Beiwu’s Heavenly Fortune Purple Dragon.
Yet in this distant standoff, Chen Beiwu felt an indescribable sense of danger from Wang Chan.
“Don’t die.”
Wang Chan raised his right hand slowly, five fingers spread toward Chen Beiwu.
Below the stage, Yu Zhaohua’s expression shifted.
This was no ordinary technique. Its origin traced back to the supreme Divine Power created by the Taiqing Dao Venerable in the Great Luo Heaven — [Taiqing Luo Heaven Hand].
That supreme Divine Power was beyond the reach of Golden Core prodigies. What Wang Chan wielded was a simplified version: the Supreme Virtue Great Handprint.
Its power did not depend on True Qi, mana, or the strength of Companion Beasts. It depended solely on talent and mental state.
If one possessed both talent and clarity of heart, comprehending non-action and naturalness such that words became law, then by invoking the Supreme Virtue Great Handprint, one could draw upon the subtle Dao’s Rhythm of Taiqing, summoning the Phantom of the Taiqing Venerated Deity to form an absolute domain of the Dao.
Taiqing Immortal Sect had long passed down a verse:
“The Dao is revered, virtue is precious; embracing heaven and earth, the cosmos settles.”
By using one’s own “virtue” to invoke the “Dao” of heaven and earth, the descending handprint would manifest vast Dao’s Rhythm carrying order and law.
Before such principle, no matter how formidable one’s mystic abilities, how endless one’s True Qi, how capable of calling wind and rain — it would be like a clay ox entering the sea, all power dissipating.
Its cultivation difficulty, however, was immense. Even among the gathered prodigies of the Immortal Alliance, none had succeeded — until now.
If Yu Zhaohua’s guess was correct, Wang Chan was likely the first Golden Core True Person in three thousand years to master the Supreme Virtue Great Handprint.
“Buzz!”
As Wang Chan’s hand descended, the Phantom of the Taiqing Venerated Deity behind him extended a heaven-covering palm toward Chen Beiwu.
This palm was not formed from Earthly Sha True Qi. Five-Element霞 light flowed around its rounded contours, and within its palm circulated yin and yang corresponding to earth, fire, wind, and water — suppressing space itself.
Even the entire Dueling Plaza fell silent.
Even Chen Beiwu felt as though heaven and earth were overturning, as if the weight of the cosmos pressed upon him.
What surprised him even more was that the Yuanshi True Qi within his dantian showed signs of rapidly dissipating.
“Roar.”
Sensing danger, the Golden Egg charged forward first, intending to rely on its Three-Phase Indestructibility to withstand the blow.
‘Fool — you can’t brute-force this!’
At the critical moment, Chen Beiwu detonated the Yuanshi True Qi within his qi sea. Extending his right hand, he formed sword fingers.
The Five Qi Vine upon his shoulder flared brilliantly, golden, green, blue, red, and yellow radiance surging forth and wrapping around his fingers.
Dongzhen Heaven-Tribulation Finger!
In an instant, winds and clouds shifted. A terrifying ten-zhang giant finger materialized. Around it, the void itself hummed as if unable to bear the strain.
To “tribulate heaven” meant that even heaven itself must undergo tribulation.
Without exaggeration, this finger unleashed by Chen Beiwu and the Five Qi Vine could annihilate the soul of a newly advanced Nascent Soul True Monarch.
“Boom!”
Before the eyes of all, the giant finger and giant palm collided. The resulting force sent chills down the spines of the prodigies of the Thirteen Immortal Sects watching.
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
Under Yu Zhaohua’s incredulous gaze, the Supreme Virtue Great Handprint pressed downward. The ferocious ten-zhang Heaven-Tribulation Finger proved shockingly fragile, shattering inch by inch and vanishing in mere breaths.
After crushing the Dongzhen Heaven-Tribulation Finger, the Supreme Virtue Great Handprint continued downward toward the Golden Egg.
A ruthless gleam flashed in the Golden Egg’s eyes. It neither dodged nor retreated. Three-colored divine light rotated across its dragon scales, forming a faint mist that emanated indestructible Dao’s Rhythm.
“Boom!”
Struck heavily, the Golden Egg spat out blood. Its massive flood dragon body was blasted backward, carving a hundred-zhang trench into the Dueling Platform before it barely stabilized itself.
Seeing this, Chen Beiwu’s expression changed slightly. When he looked at Wang Chan again, his eyes held greater gravity — and excitement.
His instincts had been correct. This man was far stronger than Shen Lingxing, Chief Disciple of Yuqing Immortal Sect. He was no easy opponent.