“Could this Xueying of Yingshan have already reached the ultimate realm of a Cosmic God?” Fan Zu remarked, standing alongside Xia Huang and Cang Di. The three of them gazed distantly at the southern void.
“No,” Xia Huang replied calmly. “Although the formations around Feixue City are formidable, their essence lies primarily in the Dao of Void, channeling the power of Hunyuan! I can confirm that while these formations excel at harnessing Hunyuan energy, they have not reached the ultimate level in the Dao of Void.”
Fan Zu and Cang Di did not doubt his words. After all, Xia Huang himself had attained the ultimate realm in both the Dao of Void and the Dao of Flames, with profound insights into Hunyuan energy.
“If he hasn’t reached the ultimate realm, how can he be so powerful? Even with supreme secret techniques, this shouldn’t be possible!” Fan Zu questioned.
“His strength has grown unnaturally,” Cang Di agreed with a nod.
“Hmm.”
Xia Huang pondered before speaking. “When he previously disrupted the Undying Nether Emperor’s sacrificial ritual, the clone he dispatched exhibited combat power at the ultimate realm level. However, his true prowess lies in his mastery over Hunyuan energy… I believe he has obtained a supreme secret technique. By combining it with his peak second-tier Cosmic God cultivation, he has unleashed ultimate-realm combat strength.”
As a master of the Dao of Void, his judgment was precise!
“Even with the support of a city’s formations, ultimate-realm combat power usually only elevates one to the standard invincible level,” Xia Huang continued.
Take, for example, the likes of Island Master Zhanba and the Lord of Sacred Flame City—both ultimate-realm fiends.
Though they lack supreme treasures, they have fortified their strongholds to be impregnable. Within their domains, they can rival invincible beings!
Only someone as wealthy as the ‘Lord of Southcloud’ could afford to expend vast resources to make his capital a match for invincible powerhouses.
“And the Undying Nether Emperor, at his peak, possesses strength no weaker than mine! Even with multiple clones, I can only match him,” Xia Huang admitted. Though both had reached the ultimate realm in two Daos, he recognized that the Nether Emperor’s foundation was deeper, his power greater. Fortunately, Xia Huang had numerous clones!
“When he fights desperately, that strange golden energy envelops his palms, amplifying his strength severalfold. At that level, he could even contend with some weaker Hunyuan lifeforms.” Xia Huang’s voice carried awe. “Such power would grievously wound even an invincible existence in just a couple of strikes, forcing them to flee rather than resist.”
“Yet Xueying of Yingshan, relying solely on Feixue City’s formations, managed to face him head-on!” Xia Huang shook his head. “I cannot comprehend it.”
Indeed, it defied understanding.
Xia Huang could decipher the workings of Feixue City’s formations.
He could grasp most of Dongbo Xueying’s techniques—yet the sheer might they unleashed was beyond expectation. The surging Hunyuan energy, the terrifying force behind each strike, left even Xia Huang stunned.
“Regardless, within Feixue City, even the Undying Nether Emperor was forced to retreat in disgrace. What chance do we have?” Fan Zu sighed. “At least within those walls, he is invincible.”
“He has also made a mortal enemy of the Undying Nether Emperor, who vowed to slay him on sight,” Cang Di added.
“Tch.”
Xia Huang scoffed. “Empty threats! Once Xueying of Yingshan conceals or alters his aura, none of us can track him. Even if he stood before the Nether Emperor, the latter might see through him—but unless Xueying deliberately reveals himself, I refuse to believe the Nether Emperor can scour the vast Heartcontinent to find Dongbo Xueying’s traces.”
Detection and tracking were two different matters.
The fact that the Nether Emperor could see through Xueying’s disguises already shocked Xia Huang. He doubted the Emperor could actively track Dongbo Xueying’s clones.
“True,” Fan Zu chuckled. “Xueying has countless clones scattered across the Heartcontinent. If the Nether Emperor could track them, given his temperament, he would have slaughtered them all by now.”
“Hahaha…” Cang Di laughed heartily. “As long as Xueying remains discreet, the Nether Emperor can do nothing to him—unless Xueying deliberately exposes himself.”
……
Factions across the land buzzed with discussion.
The Xiawind Ancient Nation and the Myriad Realms Ancient Nation, thanks to Xia Huang and the Wanderer, were certain that Dongbo Xueying had not reached the ultimate realm.
But other powers remained puzzled. After all, without a master of the Dao of Void, it was impossible to discern Xueying’s true depth. Still, one thing was undeniable—within Feixue City, Xueying of Yingshan was invincible.
This had been proven in a world-shaking battle.
Repelling the Heartcontinent’s strongest, the Undying Nether Emperor, was testament to Dongbo Xueying’s might.
“Our ancestor says Xueying of Yingshan is not at the ultimate realm, merely a second-tier Cosmic God?”
“What? How is that possible?”
As time passed, word spread that Dongbo Xueying had not yet reached the ultimate realm.
Yet many experts remained skeptical.
……
Above Feixue City.
Unconcerned with outside opinions, Dongbo Xueying bowed to Insect Ancestor Ba Tuochen, Swordmaster, and the Lord of the Starlight World. “Thank you, all three, for standing with me in this hour.”
Their willingness to aid him in such times moved him deeply.
“Haha, it seems our assistance was unnecessary,” the starlight-robed man said with a smile. “The strength of Feixue Emperor is truly remarkable.”
“Feixue Emperor lives up to his name,” Insect Ancestor Ba Tuochen added, his gratitude genuine. In his heart, he regarded Xueying of Yingshan as a peerless genius, unlike himself, who had relied on shortcuts. Xueying had ascended through sheer cultivation.
“Xueying, I am impressed,” Swordmaster said simply. Between them, few words were needed.
“My strength is limited to Feixue City. Outside, I would be helpless,” Dongbo Xueying admitted with a wry smile. “Please, join me in my palace as guests.”
“Another time.”
The starlight-robed man smiled. “I must depart. Should you ever journey to the Broken Tooth Mountain Range and pass through the Starlight World, seek me out.” With that, his body dissolved into motes of light.
“Certainly,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
Insect Ancestor Ba Tuochen and Swordmaster, however, did not decline. Treating Xueying as kin, they descended into Feixue City without hesitation.
Dongbo Xueying welcomed them, leading them into his imperial palace.
……
“Our Yingshan Clan has birthed a legend,” the Yingshan Matriarch murmured, watching from a mountaintop as Xueying escorted his guests into the palace. Her heart swelled with pride.
In the outside world, any of his clones wielded ultimate-realm combat power.
Within Feixue City, he could stand against the Heartcontinent’s strongest—the Undying Nether Emperor!
“Remarkable.”
“To think he is the child of my son, Yingshan Liehu… I can scarcely believe it!”
“I always knew Feixue Emperor would rise to greatness. After his setback in the Heartworld Temple at the hands of Eternal Night Primogenitor, I lamented for him. Yet he swiftly returned as the ‘Heartmind Daoist,’ single-handedly cowing countless fiends across the land—even Eternal Night and his ilk could do nothing. Now, though he has provoked the even more terrifying Undying Nether Emperor, Feixue City remains untouchable! Hahaha! Once Feixue Emperor grows stronger, he may yet achieve invincibility—perhaps even establish an ancient nation!”
Around her, the Yingshan Clan’s Chaos Realm experts echoed her admiration.
The recent battle had filled them with dread.
Had the city fallen, they would have perished.
Now, they brimmed with pride. The rise of such a supreme overlord within their clan ensured the Yingshan Clan’s future glory.
Though confined to Feixue City for now, the city itself was vast, its population rivaling that of minor nations. Cultivating here was no hardship—rather, it fueled their ambition and hope.
……
Within the imperial palace.
Dongbo Xueying hosted Insect Ancestor Ba Tuochen and Swordmaster, each seated before a low table. Xueying personally served rare wines and exotic fruits.
“Insect Ancestor,” Xueying raised his cup. “Your aid today surprised me. May I ask which of my Yingshan kin you are acquainted with?”
He had never met the Insect Ancestor before.
“With you,” Ba Tuochen replied, his scaled face twisting into an eerie smile.
“Me?” Xueying blinked in surprise.
Ba Tuochen saw no need for secrecy at this stage. His form shifted, scales receding, until he appeared as an unassuming, reserved man. Smiling at Xueying, he asked, “Senior Xueying of Yingshan, do you recognize me now?”
Xueying’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Ba Tuochen?”
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