The black mist dissipated, revealing an ancient and mysterious mausoleum. From the outside, it exuded an even stronger aura of suppression and sealing, although the terrain had slightly changed, losing its original natural harmony.
Facing the malevolent will of one of the ancient Five Emperors, even though Meng Qi had full confidence in his abilities, due to his current cultivation realm, he dared not be careless. His right hand gripped the Tian Zhi Shang, while his left hand now held a small dark-black flag. He released a slight aura to shield his entire body.
Suddenly, the monk Buyu Chan Shi and He Can Shang felt a vast and mighty aura rising. It sent tremors deep into their very souls—an overwhelming might they had never before experienced or even imagined.
Within a short moment, red mist spread, making the entire area within hundreds of miles damp and humid, as if a thin layer of water coated their skin. The mist weakened the perception of the masters at the external scenery realm, preventing them from seeing clearly, leaving them barely able to make out the entrance of the mausoleum.
The mere pressure of this aura alone left them unable to even consider resistance, their thoughts slowing down. How terrifying was this presence! Zhai Xing and the others felt as though they were facing a true immortal or deity, holding their breath and afraid to make a sound.
The aura surged outward like violent waves and storms, wave after wave. Master Xi Yue’s eyes widened in shock, feeling as if he were being crushed under pressure so intense that only one thought remained in his mind:
Terrifying! Absolutely terrifying!
That single slash had already left his Yuan Shen unstable, trembling in fear, feeling as though even ten of himself working together couldn’t withstand it. Yet now, this presence was even more horrifying. Before it, he was like an ant facing the sun—utterly insignificant. With just a breath or a glance, it could destroy him completely, leaving no chance of rebirth.
Whether from his current realm or the power of his treasures, it was enough to prove Qing Yuan’s overwhelming strength!
Thinking about having to face such a figure’s retaliation in the future, Master Xi Yue felt an immense sense of despair, as if he could already see his own tragic fate and the destruction of Yue Zhi Xiang.
Hallucinations surged, heart demons ran rampant, and he suddenly felt a burning sensation in his chest, while a cold, damp feeling crept up his waist. The conflict between the two sensations tore at his internal organs.
Was this Qi Gong deviation? His vision darkened, and he could no longer hold himself up, slowly sinking downward.
Had Zhai Xing not noticed in time and caught him, he would have plummeted to the ground, his body shattered beyond recognition.
“What’s wrong with you?” Zhai Xing asked, frowning.
Master Xi Yue raised his head blankly. Looking into his eyes, he saw his own reflection—his hair disheveled, his face alternating between a bloody red and a ghostly pale, his eyes dim and lifeless, his aura chaotic and weak.
…
Protected by the aura of the Xuan Shui Dang Mo Flag, Meng Qi entered the mausoleum. Inside, the place had undergone a complete transformation. The symbolic arrangements of the boundary between life and death had vanished without a trace. Everywhere lay broken walls and ruins, decaying matter. Only the Zhen Long Platform floated midair, majestic and desolate.
The entire mausoleum seemed to be constricting and suppressing something within. Meng Qi felt his body grow heavy, flight difficult. He had no choice but to land and proceed on foot.
Ahead, thick black fog obscured everything, when slowly, a figure stepped forth. Cloaked in wide robes, wielding a long spear, surrounded by crackling lightning, he appeared youthful, yet his face bore fine wrinkles. It was indeed the former master of Ju Shen Manor, the once “Heavenly Sovereign Emperor,” Huangfu Tao!
He had become a living corpse in his prime, his physical body not yet decayed, his vitality lingering. Except for the True Martial Emperor’s malevolence, he was the strongest within the mausoleum, nearly comparable to a peak expert who had crossed the first Celestial Ladder. Meng Qi had received his guidance before, and with the karmic connection of the Xuanwu Pendant, he harbored a wish to save him. Thus, he could not fight as freely or aggressively as before, somewhat holding himself back.
Still, Meng Qi’s expression did not change. Suddenly, he quickened his pace, his footsteps thundering like a war chariot dragging a mountain toward Huangfu Tao.
Huangfu Tao’s expression remained calm. He raised his spear, as if shouldering the heavens and carrying mountains, and slowly, heavily slashed downward at an angle.
Boom!
The void twisted as if collapsing. A torrent of roaring, clawing azure lightning surged toward Meng Qi with overwhelming force. The scattered, minute sparks shattered the ground and the stone walls of the mausoleum, revealing the terrifying power of the attack.
Deng Deng Deng! Meng Qi kept his long blade lowered, charging straight ahead. The bolts of lightning were deflected, extinguished, leaving no trace.
Deng Deng Deng! His blade’s tip absorbed the lightning, condensing it into a pinpoint.
Deng Deng Deng! Meng Qi sidestepped, twisting his waist, thrusting his shoulder forward, colliding chest-first with the spear.
The spear was knocked aside. Meng Qi remained unscathed, his blade rising upward in a sweeping slash.
Huangfu Tao swung his spear in time to block, the collision of lightning erupting into a vast sea of thunder, consuming half the mausoleum.
At that moment, two more arms sprouted from Meng Qi’s back. One clenched into a fist, white as jade, entwined with golden and violet energy, accompanied by black and white radiant light—sacred and noble!
“Hmm…” a voice echoed from the depths of the black mist.
The fist descended, piercing through Huangfu Tao’s protective lightning and striking his head.
In that instant, the fist unfurled into a dragon claw, emitting the energies of merit, blessings, and morality, seeping into Huangfu Tao’s Niwan Palace, cleansing his body and purging the malevolent influences.
At the same time, Meng Qi’s forehead seemed to radiate golden light, a lotus blooming within his Yuan Shen, his gaze becoming deep and indifferent, as if he were a celestial Buddha overlooking the heavens.
Heaven-Shaking Earth-Shattering!
His Mind Sea appeared, shrouded in black mist, golden glimmers hidden beneath its waves, bound within. With the aid of the Yuanshi Golden Lotus, Meng Qi attempted to awaken Huangfu Tao’s fragmented memories.
The sea grew turbulent, the mist condensing into the image of the True Martial Emperor, clad in black robes, exuding an indescribable majesty that slowed Meng Qi’s thoughts. Yet the Yuanshi Golden Lotus emitted countless rays of light, briefly blocking the onslaught.
It was like a small boat drifting on stormy waves, on the verge of capsizing.
Seizing this moment, Meng Qi channeled the aura of the Xuan Shui Dang Mo Flag.
Boom!
The Mind Sea erupted into violent waves, breaking free from the mist’s restraint.
With their combined efforts, the solemn, dignified face of the True Martial Emperor gradually faded, and Huangfu Tao regained his consciousness.
Meng Qi grabbed Huangfu Tao’s head and flung him outward. Huangfu Tao flew out of the mausoleum and landed beside He Can Shang.
“Master!” He Can Shang, unable to perceive what had occurred inside the mausoleum, saw his master flying out, a mix of alertness and joy in his heart.
Huangfu Tao’s eyes gradually cleared, and he nodded. Gazing downward, he murmured softly:
“He has actually grown to such a level…”
…
Inside the mausoleum, black mist churned, condensing into a distant figure. Clad in black robes, wearing a crown fit for the heavens, his face was gaunt, his eyes solemn with authority.
Seeing the manifestation of the True Martial Emperor’s malevolence, Meng Qi’s focus reached its peak. Even though this malevolence might not possess the True Martial Emperor’s realm or strength, it retained his insight, knowledge, and experience. Even with a divine weapon in hand, Meng Qi could not afford to underestimate it.
The malevolence’s aura was profound and deep, and Meng Qi could not tell how much of its power remained.
After paying a great price and nearly breaking free of the mausoleum’s suppression, how much strength did it still retain?
The malevolence did not attack. Instead, it gazed complexly at the Xuan Shui Dang Mo Flag and slowly spoke, “He ultimately did not spare me.”
“He” naturally referred to the True Martial Emperor, the Tian Zun of Subduing Demons!
Before Meng Qi could reply, intending to ask about the whereabouts of the True Martial Emperor, the malevolence instead said, “The sword technique you used outside the mausoleum must have originated from the ‘Shen Xiao Nine Annihilations.’ At your current realm, you likely couldn’t have created it yourself. Was it passed down by the previous Thunder God’s disciple?”
“Yes.” Meng Qi replied concisely, unsure of the malevolence’s intent.
The malevolence smiled: “The Thunder God came here, after the fall of the Tian Court.”
The ancient Thunder God came after the fall of the Tian Court? Not after the disappearance of the True Martial Emperor? Meng Qi’s heart jolted, his eyes fixed on the malevolence.
He knew the malevolence was trying to shake his will, seeking an opportunity to strike. But he also knew that the malevolence understood he would definitely listen.
Learning more about these matters was more valuable to him than acquiring any of the seven sword techniques of the Tian Qi Jian!
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