Chapter 127: The End

The armor on the man before him and the war blade strapped to his back were both formed entirely from flowing water.

“Whoosh.” The water-formed man reached back and drew his blade.

“My strength is suppressed very low,” the water-formed man spoke, his voice carrying a strange allure, even causing Dongbo Xueying’s soul to tremble slightly, “As long as your weapon can break through my sword techniques and touch my body, I will automatically disperse. You win.”

“Come.”

The water-formed man stood there, holding his war blade casually in one hand.

Dongbo Xueying was somewhat astonished. Just touching the opponent’s body counted as victory? Thinking about it, it made sense—this was a legendary Divine Realm War Construct, and it was said that the true power of Divine Realm War Constructs was at least at the Demigod level! Furthermore, they possessed many strange and unpredictable abilities. If the opponent didn’t suppress his strength, Dongbo might have been reduced to dust in a single move.

“It’s already fortunate to have the chance to fight a Divine Realm War Construct,” Dongbo Xueying quickly calmed himself, his fighting spirit building.

Boom—

With a surge of raging flames engulfing the distant water-formed man, Dongbo Xueying suddenly charged forward at high speed, instantly reaching the water-formed man and unleashing a flurry of attacks with his long spear.

“Chi chi chi.”

The sounds of light impacts filled the air.

No matter how hard Dongbo Xueying exerted himself, unleashing every technique in his spearplay, the water-formed man easily blocked every strike. Moreover, each block wasn’t a direct confrontation—it was always aimed at the weakest points in Dongbo’s spear techniques, preventing him from fully exerting their power.

“His blade’s strength is clearly quite ordinary, yet I can’t seem to apply any force with my spear techniques,” Dongbo Xueying felt as though he was sinking into a quagmire, struggling in vain no matter how hard he pushed.

Just a single blade.

The force used was nothing special, yet effortlessly it kept breaking through his spearplay!

“I wonder how the Hell Knight Jie Li managed to defeat a Divine Realm War Construct?” Dongbo Xueying couldn’t help but think. The Hell Knight Jie Li was the only one in Xia Clan’s history to have won eleven matches. Of course, the Divine Realm War Construct he faced might not be the same as the one Dongbo was fighting now! Moreover, Jie Li’s eleven victories were due not only to his Ancient Bloodline, but also his extremely high cultivation realm.

After a brief exchange.

Dongbo Xueying realized he couldn’t win this battle.

If he had teleportation or other techniques to make his attacks more sudden, perhaps he could gain an advantage! However, his speed and agility were ultimately inferior. He only had greater strength and superior spear techniques! Yet, he had already used every technique in his arsenal, and the Divine Realm War Construct still remained within a one-meter radius, occasionally shifting its stance or turning slightly.

Dongbo Xueying wasn’t disheartened by his inability to win, as he had already anticipated this.

“Then I’ll just enjoy the fight,” Dongbo Xueying truly enjoyed the battle, even though he was constantly being suppressed and countered. This indicated that his spear techniques had many weaknesses and vulnerable points! When training alone, it was difficult to discover these issues, but now this ‘Divine Realm War Construct’ was exposing all of them.

“It turns out my spearplay has so many weaknesses.”

“My Water Essence must be continuous and unending.”

“My Fire Essence must be more decisive. Its explosive force should consist of multiple layers.”

“The Water and Fire Essences must be more deeply integrated! Water and Fire should constantly alternate between Yin and Yang…”

Dongbo Xueying quickly identified many issues with his spear techniques.

For example, his ‘Fire Essence,’ which had already reached the second tier of the Ten Thousand Things Realm, appeared extremely fierce when he unleashed it! However, a single burst of force wasn’t necessarily the best approach. Now, in front of the Divine Realm War Construct, it was easily countered. But if he could employ multiple layers of force! Like the straw that breaks the camel’s back, when the enemy defends against a fierce spear attack, they’re immediately on guard. However, in situations where the technique has already been exhausted and the enemy is unprepared, if a more ferocious force strikes again—layer after layer—the difficulty for the enemy to defend increases dramatically!

Multiple layers of force should be the direction for further advancement in Fire Essence!

“The Water and Fire Essences must truly become one.”

“Water and Fire must merge! The rotational force of water must transform into fierce flame power, and the flame power must then transform into an even more mysterious rotational force… constantly alternating and transforming between each other, their power will surge!” Dongbo Xueying gained some vague understanding of the Water and Fire Essences.

These were only vague directions.

The reason why the ‘Water and Fire True Meaning’ was ranked among the fourth-tier true meanings was naturally because of its extraordinary nature! Dongbo Xueying’s ‘Water and Fire Dragon Slaughter’ was merely a superficial grasp. However, taking the first step was the hardest part. It was precisely because he was so young and had already taken this crucial step that many Demigods were paying attention to him and regarded him highly. They believed that over the long years ahead, Dongbo Xueying had the potential to master the ‘Water and Fire True Meaning.’

…

A thrilling battle.

Since the Water Construct’s strength was greatly suppressed, it was almost always forced on the defensive! However, when Dongbo Xueying attempted to stop his power surge, the Water Construct, with its strength halved, immediately launched a fierce counterattack, nearly defeating Dongbo Xueying and forcing him to resume his power surge.

Clearly, as the tenth opponent, while excelling in defense, it was also quite formidable in offense. Without power surges, Dongbo couldn’t withstand its attacks.

“Hu.”

Dongbo Xueying suddenly retreated rapidly, creating distance.

“I concede,” Dongbo Xueying called out. Sweat drenched his body, and his physical strength was nearly exhausted. He truly wanted to continue fighting, but the power surge from his bloodline consumed his strength too quickly. He simply couldn’t endure any longer and had to concede.

“Dong!”

A drumbeat echoed through the Hall of Life and Death, and the water-formed man transformed into a single droplet before vanishing into thin air.

“Dongbo Xueying’s Transcendent Life-and-Death Trial has ended,” a majestic voice, carrying a hint of amusement, announced, “To witness the tenth match of the Transcendent Life-and-Death Trial within one’s lifetime is indeed a fortunate event. Haha, I am quite delighted to preside over this match. Well then, the doors of the Hall of Life and Death have now opened. Everyone may exit. The hall will close shortly.”

Boom~~~~

The grand doors of the Hall of Life and Death slowly creaked open.

Countless mortals erupted into cheers and chatter, discussing the match while orderly exiting the Hall of Life and Death.

“Whoosh.”

Dongbo Xueying shot into the sky like an arrow, and the formation didn’t hinder him as he flew directly to the group of Transcendents, including Chi Qiu Bai and Peng Shan.

“Brother Xueying, you’re amazing,” Peng Shan laughed heartily, “Winning nine matches and slaying an abyssal demon! Even fighting against a Divine Realm War Construct… countless Transcendents are envious of you.”

“Brother Xueying’s name is now known to all Transcendents across the land,” Cheng Lingshu was also excited, “So impressive! Perhaps in a few thousand years, future generations will say… In the past ten thousand years, the Xia Clan’s most successful Transcendent Life-and-Death Trial was nine matches, performed by Dongbo Xueying! Haha…”

Dongbo Xueying also smiled.

Winning nine matches was enough for future newcomers to look up to, and for at least ten thousand years, his name would frequently be mentioned by future Transcendents.

Only someone like the Hell Knight ‘Jie Li,’ who achieved an eleven-match streak that left people in despair, could be remembered endlessly through the ages! However, Dongbo Xueying wasn’t too concerned about that. These were all just fleeting honors. Jie Li’s ultimate achievement was only reaching the Demigod level, failing to ascend to godhood, and long ago perished and turned to dust.

Becoming a god was the desire of every Transcendent’s heart.

Dongbo Xueying also yearned for it!

However, great achievements start from humble beginnings. Right now, he was just a weak new Transcendent, a mere novice among the Skyfaring Transcendents! Many of the old masters who had cultivated for hundreds of years were far superior to him. It was only because the Transcendent Life-and-Death Trial required participants to fight within a year of becoming a Transcendent that he could shine so brightly.

“Brother Dongbo,” immediately several Transcendents approached, greeting him and exchanging a few words.

Right now, Dongbo Xueying was very weak.

Many Skyfaring Transcendents were stronger than him, but everyone understood one thing—Dongbo Xueying was too young! His performance in the Transcendent Life-and-Death Trial was too extraordinary!

Any Transcendent who performed extraordinarily in the trial… none of them were ever ordinary! Dongbo Xueying was destined for greatness in the future, almost certainly reaching the Saint level. Naturally, many Transcendents came to befriend him. After all, most Transcendents were merely Skyfaring cultivators.

…

Elsewhere.

The bald, gaunt old man ‘Chao Qing’ suddenly sent a voice transmission, his voice ringing in the ears of many Demigods, “Esteemed ones, this old man proposes we hold an Elder Council meeting for Dongbo Xueying!”

Instantly, the present Demigods, including Master Heshan and Patriarch Sikong Yang, turned their heads toward Chao Qing.

“I agree,” Master Heshan also transmitted, “Dongbo Xueying is worthy of such an honor.”