Dongbo Xueying’s spearplay had long since advanced tremendously, with each strike capable of mobilizing the power of Hunyuan, its might reaching the threshold of the third level of a Cosmic God. However, no matter how formidable, compared to the likes of the Demon Sword Venerable and the Black Monarch, who wielded peak-level treasures, he was still significantly outmatched. Moreover, the sheer number of those crimson fish was absurdly overwhelming, and fending off each one disrupted Dongbo Xueying’s spearplay.
“Whoosh, whoosh.”
One after another, the crimson fish darted past his spear, their fangs snapping toward Dongbo Xueying.
Yet, a hazy mist swirled around his body, forming three protective currents—a defensive technique from the *Red Cloud Combat Art*. The crimson fish barely pierced through the mist’s barrier, their bites landing on Dongbo Xueying’s body. Further weakened by his Void Body technique, only a wisp of annihilating energy remained, barely affecting his flesh.
And thanks to his *Hunyuan Body Refinement*, his physical resilience was extraordinary. That wisp of energy left not a single scratch.
“Too weak. Even if I stand still, these fish can’t harm me,” Dongbo Xueying thought, his tension easing.
There was no helping it.
His first-level *Hunyuan Body Refinement* combined with his perfected Void Body technique made his defenses comparable to some second-level Cosmic Gods specializing in body refinement. Back in the Ancient Sacred World, even the Sacred Master couldn’t kill him without his Ancient Sacred avatar!
In terms of survivability, even before entering the Heartworld Palace, Dongbo Xueying had surpassed most Venerable-level experts. Most of them only possessed peak-level treasures, lacking such heaven-defying resilience.
Now, he had even developed a new defensive technique—his protective mist’s power had reached the threshold of a third-level Cosmic God. With this, his survivability had become even more terrifying, undoubtedly surpassing even the likes of Pusu the Great Venerable and the Hunter.
—
“Hmm?”
“That physique is absurdly strong.” Pusu the Great Venerable, the Demon Sword Venerable, the Hunter, and the Black Monarch all noticed this.
Those crimson fish pierced through his mist barrier and bit into Ying Shan Xueying—yet not a single drop of blood was drawn, nor was his skin broken.
They were all stunned.
“His survivability surpasses even mine. The intelligence reports mention he obtained *Hunyuan Inquiry* from our Xia Clan, so his physical strength is understandable. But where did he get such a defensive technique? Those crimson fish clearly weakened significantly after penetrating his mist,” Pusu mused inwardly. He had known Dongbo Xueying was resilient, but this level of defensive prowess was unexpected.
“That resembles the defensive technique from the *Red Cloud Combat Art*, but its power is far greater. Where did Xueying learn such an incredible method?” The Demon Sword Venerable was equally shocked and puzzled.
—
Since the crimson fish couldn’t harm him, Dongbo Xueying unleashed a relentless assault. Among the five present, he was the only one who could afford to ignore their bites completely.
“Swish.”
A single thrust of his spear.
The tip rippled with mist before dissipating instantly. The crimson fish’s scales were tough, suffering only minor damage.
“The first strike of *Hunyuan* is powerful, but barely enough to wound these fish.” Dongbo Xueying switched techniques.
Another thrust.
The spear struck the fish’s scales—its surface remained unscathed, but its insides were violently ravaged. A massive wound tore open from within, and with a thunderous explosion, scales scattered as a grotesque gash split its back.
“Only the ‘Piercing Void’ technique is effective,” Dongbo Xueying concluded.
The *Red Cloud Combat Art* had five major techniques, each with unique traits. The one he named “Piercing Void” bypassed external defenses—armor, formations, robes—striking directly at the target’s core. Of course, against opponents whose bodies were equally strong inside and out, its effectiveness diminished.
But these crimson fish weren’t cultivators—they were born of rules. Their scales were formidable, their vitality immense, but their internal defenses paled in comparison.
—
Time passed.
Dongbo Xueying’s killing speed was relatively slow. Pusu the Great Venerable, the Demon Sword Venerable, and the Black Monarch were far quicker, capable of unleashing attacks at the pinnacle of Cosmic God consummation. Occasionally, the Demon Sword Venerable could even surpass that, obliterating fish after fish with sheer force.
Cosmic Gods had inexhaustible energy, while the crimson fish dwindled in number. The five of them grew increasingly at ease.
After over an hour, the last crimson fish was annihilated.
The staff-wielding elder standing atop the aquatic beast, seeing the tide turn, had long since fled into the depths.
“Whoosh.”
The five found themselves teleported back into the hall.
They all understood—the eleventh trial was finally over.
“Out of us five, only Flying Snow Divine Emperor remains unscathed,” the Black Monarch remarked coldly, his lips curling slightly.
“Indeed. The rest of us suffered injuries—even the Demon Sword took minor wounds,” Pusu the Great Venerable added with a smile. Against such overwhelming numbers, perfect defense was impossible. They had all taken hits—only Dongbo Xueying, with his defensive mist, perfected Void Body, and monstrous physique, had emerged untouched. The most unassuming among them, yet the hardest to kill.
The Demon Sword Venerable also smiled at Dongbo Xueying.
“I have Emperor Xia to thank for that,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
“Next is the twelfth trial. Clear it, and this trip to the Heartworld Palace won’t be in vain,” Pusu declared. “Clear it, and we receive a grand reward—so it’s bound to be brutal.”
“The critical moment,” the Hunter murmured with a light laugh. “My goal is just to pass the twelfth trial. Anything beyond is a bonus.”
“Let’s hope we make it,” the Demon Sword Venerable nodded.
The Black Monarch remained silent, his cold eyes flickering.
The twelfth trial…
If they succeeded, they might even choose to withdraw rather than press onward.
They knew the fifteenth trial was beyond their current limits—forcing it would waste their chance. Better to explore other areas of the Heartworld Palace for potential gains.
“The twelfth trial…” Dongbo Xueying murmured to himself.
Obtaining *Hunyuan Seven Strikes* had delighted him more than even a supreme treasure.
But one could never have too many treasures.
And *Hunyuan Seven Strikes* was merely a technique—he couldn’t teach it to others. Worse, he lacked a suitable weapon. Crafting a spear tailored for *Hunyuan Seven Strikes* would require materials so costly that selling all his possessions wouldn’t cover it. Thus, he had to push harder in the Heartworld Palace, amassing more treasures.
Clearing the twelfth trial guaranteed rewards worth at least a hundred billion cosmic crystals—with luck, even greater.
“Time to fight.”
Dongbo Xueying closed his eyes, calming his mind as he continued refining his techniques.
—
All five of them burned with desire for the twelfth trial.
Passing it would make even an immediate expulsion from the Heartworld Palace worthwhile. Enduring the first eleven trials had all been for this moment.
“It’s here.”
“The twelfth trial.”
Pusu the Great Venerable, the Demon Sword Venerable, the Black Monarch, the Hunter, and Dongbo Xueying stood solemnly. After a millennium of recovery, each was at their peak.
*Hum.*
The scenery twisted and warped.
“This is…?”
Dongbo Xueying found himself standing on a dim yellow cloud-path, surrounded by chaos. In the distance, he could see other cloud-paths—five in total, fanning out toward a dark expanse ahead.
Within that darkness loomed a towering figure seated upon a throne.
Its gaze swept across the five paths, its voice indifferent.
“Kill them.”
“As you command.”
Beneath the throne stood rows of guards.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…*
Five squads of guards charged toward each cloud-path.
“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying sensed an invisible barrier around his path. “We have to face them alone? No teamwork?”
Makes sense.
The greater the reward, the greater the required strength.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…*
In an instant, Dongbo Xueying vanished. A hazy mist spread as his figure flickered through countless micro-realms within it, shifting unpredictably. He struck only occasionally, probing the enemy’s strength while observing the battles on the other four paths.
The twelfth trial—he knew without fighting that it would be brutal. Even Pusu and the others lacked confidence. Naturally, he had to be cautious.
“This strong?!”
Dongbo Xueying was shocked.
With his survivability and enhanced *Red Cloud Domain*, he could stall for time.
But Pusu, the Demon Sword Venerable, and the Black Monarch were already locked in fierce combat. Only the Hunter still evaded, trying to gather intel.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
The battle was merciless.
Each squad had sixteen guards, their coordination flawless, their techniques profound—masters of void, blade, and even soul attacks.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Pusu and the Black Monarch were swiftly overwhelmed. Even the Hunter, despite his evasive maneuvers, began taking heavy damage. Only the Demon Sword Venerable held his ground.
*Thud.*
An invisible ripple swept over Dongbo Xueying. His body shuddered before a colossal hammer smashed him out of his micro-realm. Blades, spears, and formations closed in.
Meanwhile—
“Damn it!”
Pusu’s situation was dire. Despite desperate resistance, nine lethal strikes landed in the blink of an eye, bringing him to the brink of death.
*Hum.*
An unseen force enveloped him, teleporting him away—any later, and he’d be dead.
Pusu the Great Venerable was expelled from the Heartworld Palace. His journey had ended.
“Too terrifying.” The Black Monarch, the Hunter, and Dongbo Xueying were all pushed to their limits.
“Their coordination is perfection itself.” Dongbo Xueying abandoned all hesitation. He had to go all out. Earlier, he had thought his domain and defensive techniques would buy time to observe. Now, that notion seemed laughable.
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