“Pan Gu Fan…” “Kai Tian Axe…” Whispers echoed through the chaos, as if countless murmuring monsters were hidden within the dark abyss.
Meng Qi, King Chu Zhuang, and Emperor Wu of Han were not people who would be so mesmerized by treasures that they forgot to move forward. Amidst their murmurs, each had already employed their techniques, rushing toward the Kai Tian Hall!
Meng Qi stepped forward with a somersault, and with one stride, ripples spread through the void. Suddenly, the hall doors appeared right before his eyes—”birth and birth” had brought the distant within reach, transforming the faraway into proximity!
The current environment was nearly chaotic, with time and space slightly disordered—precisely the condition suited for the Primordial Unity Domain. This allowed Meng Qi’s Void Seal’s “Yonder Becomes Near” to reach its peak, enabling him to cross the murky, indistinct distance in an instant and step into the Kai Tian Hall.
Just at that moment, eight figures suddenly emerged around Meng Qi. Clad in imperial robes and wearing emperor’s crown, with a pale golden complexion and black beard exuding majesty, it was King Chu Zhuang.
The eight Chu Zhuangs held identical postures and carried the same jade ruyi scepters, surrounding Meng Qi in the center. Then, in perfect unison, they swung their jade ruyis from eight directions, striking Meng Qi simultaneously.
Eight positions, eight figures, eight jade ruyis—all exuding a sacred and mighty aura that made Meng Qi’s primordial spirit tremble slightly and his physical body’s acupoints struggle to circulate. Purple, white, gold, and yellow radiance surged from all directions, washing over his energy sea and the surrounding energy flows, transforming everything into those four colors.
Unlike the previous encounter at Yu Xu Palace, where he had dodged the “Myriad Realms Shifting Fist” by riding the wind, or Tang Wenwang’s long-range strike that relied on spiritual connections, let alone the confrontation with Duke Mu of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han—who hadn’t even launched an attack before being forced into defense by the cosmic explosion of creation—this was the first time Meng Qi truly faced a direct clash with a Dharmakaya expert.
The terrifying aura, the overwhelming pressure, the sheer force in every movement that surpassed his utmost efforts, and the profound unity of physical body, Dharma Form, and Primordial Spirit—resulting in superior operational speed and absolute suppression over lower-tier opponents—all unmistakably confirmed that his adversary was indeed a genuine Dharmakaya cultivator!
Facing the jade ruyis attacking from all directions and this overwhelming assault, Meng Qi felt as though he had returned to the moment when his spiritual eye first opened—confronting an Outer Manifestation expert, barely able to put up any resistance. This was the very essence of being suppressed both spiritually and mentally.
“Above the heavens, below the heavens, I alone reign supreme!” Meng Qi silently recited the incantation of the “Ruyi Palm” technique, his mind resonating with each syllable of the meditative chant. His primordial spirit blazed with radiant light, piercing through the darkness of his soul, transforming it into crystal clarity and swiftly igniting his battle fervor!
Drawing from Duke Huan of Qi’s earlier description and his own perception, Meng Qi instantly grasped the essence of the “Eight Gates Celestial Lock.” It was neither a technique of splitting one’s body to create lifelike tangible illusions nor a supreme skill like the “Three Purities Manifestation.” Instead, it existed simultaneously in eight different positions—an incidental byproduct of exploring the Legendary Realm, still far from the true omnipresence of Legendary characteristics. This essence revealed one key point: the eight Chu Zhuangs were merely reflections of a single individual at different “points” in the void, their movements and postures absolutely identical, differing only slightly in trajectory and direction.
In other words, these eight Chu Zhuangs could not possibly each employ a different martial arts technique, nor could they form a formation together, and their attacks could not truly combine either—such an attempt would cause a collapse, merging the eight into one. Therefore, the greatest strength of the Eight Gates Celestial Lock lay in launching attacks from unpredictable positions, making it difficult for the opponent to defend, and when the assault reached its target, the eight jade ruyis would automatically collapse into a single strike.
In this instant, Meng Qi was confident that his understanding of the Eight Gates Celestial Lock surpassed even Duke Huan of Qi and other overlords, second only to the Chu Zhuang lineage itself.
Since the disappearance of the great beings after the Fengshen era, this world had not witnessed a Legendary Sage Immortal for centuries, nor had any Fashen expert with Legendary characteristics emerged. Knowledge of the Legendary Realm had been solely derived from ancient records, with no living examples for reference. Interpretations of omnipresence remained purely theoretical. However, Meng Qi had at least observed Su Wuming’s Legendary traits and listened to Master Lu and Jiang Zhiwei’s analyses of his battles, allowing him to comprehend the distinctive nature of such power!
Once he had discerned the essence, Meng Qi no longer felt panic or tension. His body rotated, and the Spirit Treasures Flame Saber circled around him upward, resembling a whirlwind.
His acupoints (qi cavities) opened, his feet simultaneously connecting to both the earth and the void. Billions of radiant beams erupted, merging with the whirlwind of the Spirit Treasures Flame Saber to form a colossal golden lotus brimming with Wu Ji energy.
This slash combined the Wu Ji Seal and the Void Seal—making the earth immovable while yonder became near!
Petal by petal, the golden lotus bloomed, layer by layer unfolding like layers of void stacking together. Through the gaps, one could faintly see the stamen was a small apricot-yellow flag!
At the same time, Meng Qi was waiting for Emperor Wu of Han to make his move. If rational, he would now seize the opportunity to deal with Chu Zhuang first, rather than going for the “Kai Tian Seal.”
Their temporary truce with Chu Zhuang would soon be exposed through actual combat. If he hesitated now, when else would he act? Should he wait until Chu Zhuang became fully alert?
Moreover, the Eight Gates Celestial Lock was indeed a wondrous technique, ideal for seizing treasures. Missing this opportunity might mean letting Chu Zhuang claim it.
As the eight jade ruyis struck Meng Qi, the hundreds-of-feet-long body of the Xuan Huang True Dragon shrank, lifting its head and flying in, attempting to pass between the two combatants to reach the Kai Tian Seal. It appeared as if it had reached an agreement with Chu Zhuang—each dealing with one opponent, one tackling Su Mo, the other seizing the Kai Tian Seal, fearing delays might bring complications.
Just as the Xuan Huang True Dragon was about to approach Chu Zhuang and Meng Qi, its tail suddenly transformed into a whip, encircling all eight Chu Zhuang figures. Its scales flared open, radiating meritorious light, forming eight five-clawed dragons, each descending to strike one of the eight figures.
Emperor Wu of Han ultimately feared Chu Zhuang, yet considered Meng Qi an easy target!
Crack!
A phantom sound rang out. The golden lotus blooming around Meng Qi remained unmoved, not even slightly shattered!
The eight Chu Zhuang figures struck by the tail all vanished, making the eight descending five-clawed dragons unnecessary.
“Not good!” A thought stirred in Meng Qi’s mind—he had discovered the issue!
Of the previous eight figures, seven were manifestations of the Eight Gates Celestial Lock, using the mysteries of the void to simulate reality. However, one was different—a mere illusion created by the technique, hidden among the seven, extremely difficult to detect!
There was still one remaining figure in the Eight Gates Celestial Lock!
“Not good!” As the tail struck, Emperor Wu of Han instantly sensed danger. Then, he perceived Chu Zhuang suspended midair—clad in imperial robes and wearing an emperor’s crown, with a five-beard black beard, his face golden and majestic, like a celestial deity. In his hand was a golden rope, thrown directly at him!
The rope stretched longer as it caught the wind, splitting into countless segments, each adorned with fluttering talismans that emitted a faint golden radiance, capable of sealing transformations of both the primordial spirit and the physical form.
The Binding Immortal Rope!
Both Meng Qi and Emperor Wu of Han simultaneously recognized it—the Fengshen treasure, the Binding Immortal Rope!
Meng Qi took a step forward, attempting to rush in for rescue, while the latter hurriedly pulled out an umbrella.
When facing magical treasures, if one was prepared in advance, there was always a chance to escape their influence range. Hence, during the Fengshen War, treasures were often deployed at the climax of combat when the opponent couldn’t evade, just like now!
Emperor Wu of Han naturally knew Chu Zhuang possessed the Binding Immortal Rope and had remained fully vigilant, ready to dodge at the first sign of danger. However, one misstep had led to total defeat, leaving him no choice but to gamble!
The umbrella in his hand was strung together from pearls—emerald, night-luminous pearls, pearls that resisted wind, fire, water, and dust, and treasures that preserved beauty, spirit, and stability. The umbrella’s surface, woven from pearls, bore the four characters “CARRYING HEAVEN AND EARTH,” marking it as another Fengshen treasure—the Primordial Umbrella!
Skilled at capturing treasures and weapons!
As the Primordial Umbrella opened, the sky darkened, and the sun and moon lost their light, instantly countering the golden radiance from the Binding Immortal Rope and resisting the countless talismans flowing across it.
However, the golden rope, like a coiling golden dragon, tightened increasingly, contracting and pressing forward slowly yet steadily. It would not be long before it bound Emperor Wu of Han and his umbrella together. Meanwhile, the emperor radiated Xuan Huang meritorious light from his body, attempting to break free before being completely restrained.
Watching from above, Chu Zhuang would not grant him this opportunity. Suddenly, he appeared beside the emperor, his left fist striking out.
He had used the combination of the Eight Gates Celestial Lock and the Floating Light True Shadow technique to create this opportunity—how could he possibly waste it?
This was no mere combination of two techniques; deceiving Emperor Wu of Han and even Su Mo was no simple task. Because the additional figure precisely imitated the movements of the other seven, how could it possibly fool them? How should it deceive them? This dilemma had long perplexed him until he obtained the Three Treasures Ruyi, completing the Eight Gates Celestial Lock and finally discovering the solution!
His eyes, filled with endless universes, suddenly split into eight figures, their left fists striking simultaneously toward Emperor Wu of Han.
Seeing this, Meng Qi realized he could not break through the Eight Gates Celestial Lock in an instant to intercept the strike—he feared he would be too late to save the emperor.
Suddenly, he turned around, shrinking distance into inches, rushing toward the “Kai Tian Seal.”
Besieging Wei to rescue Zhao!
Using the opponent’s objective as bait, forcing him to abandon his plan voluntarily!
Chu Zhuang’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly indifferent to Meng Qi’s actions, still throwing his punch.
But his right hand hurled an object radiating purple, white, gold, and yellow—the jade ruyi.
A mere magical weapon—Meng Qi thought—could definitely be resisted directly, without slowing his speed, capable of seizing the Kai Tian Seal! Already, he had flashed toward the Kai Tian Seal, which looked neither like a banner nor an axe, its form ambiguous. His right orange-yellow flame saber slashed backward with extreme precision at the jade ruyi.
At that moment, the jade ruyi suddenly split into eight, striking Meng Qi from different directions, overwhelming and engulfing him, making it difficult to discern the real from the illusory—who could tell which one to block?
Could it be that Chu Zhuang not only wielded the Eight Gates Celestial Lock himself, but could also imbue his thrown weapons with its unique properties?
Startled and deeply concerned, Meng Qi instinctively chose the Wu Ji Seal. His long saber spun around him, his acupoints opened, golden light bursting forth, forming a small apricot-yellow flag. Floating before him, connected to the earth, it released golden lotuses, each lotus radiating countless beams of light, drifting and floating within them.
Boom!
When the jade ruyi struck Meng Qi, it collapsed, appearing on his left, radiating brilliant purple, white, gold, and yellow light, shattering golden lotus after golden lotus, tearing through countless beams of radiance.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhuang’s fist struck Emperor Wu of Han. The void transformed, revealing a vast starry river, countless stars shining, deep and dreamlike.
Ten Thousand Realms Shifting Fist!
The void cracked, the universe boundless, sending Emperor Wu of Han unknown into the void.
Then, Chu Zhuang grabbed the air, and the Binding Immortal Rope returned to his hand. Smiling, he turned his gaze toward Meng Qi, watching the jade ruyi entangle him.
Emperor Wu of Han, unaware that my Eight Gates Celestial Lock and Ten Thousand Realms Shifting Fist have reached perfection, and that I have discovered many profound applications, was destined to suffer this loss!
You’re still too young for such schemes and machinations!
Now, I remain unscathed, in prime condition, with the Fengshen treasure Binding Immortal Rope and the divine jade ruyi in hand. How could a mere Outer Manifestation peak expert possibly resist?
Just wait until I deploy the Binding Immortal Rope, and all will be well!
Meng Qi cleaved through the jade ruyi with two slashes, his heart equally heavy. Although the Eight-Nine Profound Art was not afraid of the Binding Immortal Rope, his current self—before reaching the Dharmakaya—was still vastly inferior to a true Fengshen treasure, likely unable to withstand it at all.
What should he do?
Chu Zhuang stood leisurely, raising his right hand, preparing to throw the Binding Immortal Rope.
Suddenly, he sensed a violent aura—a destructive force capable of annihilating him. He saw Meng Qi’s orange-yellow flame saber erupting with geyser-like flames, the nascent heaven and earth within violently contracting and expanding.
“You’re insane!” Chu Zhuang blurted out.
He actually intended to self-destruct his divine weapon!
Self-destructing a divine weapon!
A divine weapon with spirit—such an explosion would rival even the remains of an Earth Immortal or even a Heaven Immortal!
Within this range, unless one evaded in advance, even with the jade ruyi’s protection, due to its lower grade, he would certainly not survive unscathed.
But Chu Zhuang, being closer, would likely not even leave a trace!
In actual combat, Chu Zhuang was confident he wouldn’t allow Su Mo the chance to self-destruct his divine weapon. However, just now, while focusing on defeating Emperor Wu of Han, he hadn’t been paying full attention to Meng Qi, missing the opportunity to stop him.
Had he gone mad? Or was this just a bluff?
Chu Zhuang looked into Meng Qi’s eyes. They were clear, calm, yet deep within lay a crazed, death-defying madness that sent chills down his spine.
The flame saber’s aura continued to swell. In just a few moments, it would truly explode.
He truly intended to perish together!
Meng Qi met Chu Zhuang’s gaze calmly, not concealing his emotions or intentions. This “journey” itself was about seeking survival through death. If he could not obtain the Kai Tian Seal, it would be better to end everything here, severing all past entanglements.
The flames blazed brilliantly. The Three Treasures Ruyi, sensing the threat, swiftly retreated.
Chu Zhuang continued staring at Meng Qi, unwilling to believe he would truly dare to self-destruct his divine weapon and perish together. Was the Kai Tian Seal worth it? “Preserve the green hills, and there will always be firewood!”
Yet, all he saw was calmness—an almost insane serenity, a complete disregard for his own life!
Truly willing to self-destruct?
If he didn’t retreat a hundred feet in advance, waiting until the explosion occurred before taking action, he might not escape death!
Though the staring contest lasted only two brief moments—less than the time it took for the Binding Immortal Rope to activate—Chu Zhuang felt as if he had endured a life-and-death interrogation, leaving him weary.
The destructive aura surged toward him. Seeing those frenzied, reckless eyes and sensing the divine weapon on the verge of explosion, Chu Zhuang suddenly hesitated, his heart pounding. Overwhelmed by Meng Qi’s maddening momentum, he turned and fled out of the hall.
Once you finish your self-destruction, I’ll return to clean up the mess!
As his light escape took off, Meng Qi suddenly moved. The aura of the Spirit Treasures Flame Saber gradually faded, while he himself lunged toward the edge of the Kai Tian Seal, his left hand grasping the ambiguous form—neither banner nor axe.
The bold fear the reckless, and the reckless fear those who don’t fear death!
If Chu Zhuang truly didn’t flee, Meng Qi would indeed have detonated the Spirit Treasures Flame Saber—it was, after all, forged by the Six Dao!
Most importantly, by leveraging the Primordial Unity Domain, the Seven Killings Stele, and the surrounding chaotic environment, Meng Qi had slightly confused Chu Zhuang’s perception of time, making his estimation of the self-destruction occur a moment earlier. In other words, at the moment Chu Zhuang chose to evade the explosion, Meng Qi still had the leeway to abort it!
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