Chapter 565 - 78: Questioning the Spirit Immortal (Part 1)

With Murong Qing’s defeat, it was as if every spectating Cultivator in Qianyu Heaven had taken a punch to the gut.

On the Ascension to Immortality List, Fang Cheng’s name rose another two spots, pushing Murong Qing and Li Xinghe down. He was now ranked just behind Xiao Yunyi.

The power they revealed during their duel made many a Tribulation Realm Great Power feel inadequate in comparison.

Everyone at Chongxuan Academy was left utterly dumbfounded.

’Is this really the same Fang Xuezhen who excels at the Dual Cultivation Secret Method?’

Never since its founding had Chongxuan Academy been so glorious.

Watched by the masses and fueling endless discussion, the academy instantly became the focus of every spectator at the Spirit Ruins Magic Competition.

It was only now that Du Ruo and Shuang Ling belatedly realized Fang Cheng’s true objective.

’He wants to claim the top of the Ascension to Immortality List and seize the title of World’s First True Monarch!’

「Meanwhile.」

The duel between Xiao Yunyi and Li Xinghe had also begun.

The two were evenly matched in power. Unfortunately, Xiao Yunyi’s sword light was simply too fast and too sharp. Although Li Xinghe’s Array was infinitely profound, it ultimately fell short in terms of deadly, responsive combat.

In the end, Xiao Yunyi’s sword light tore through the All Heaven Star Formation, cutting Li Xinghe down in mid-air.

After defeating his powerful foe, Xiao Yunyi remained standing atop the Four Symbols Sacred Platform.

As Li Xinghe’s name dimmed on the Ascension to Immortality List, only two names remained shining: Xiao Yunyi and Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng rose calmly and descended upon the Four Symbols Sacred Platform.

The final battle.

At that moment, on the one hundred and eight Floating Immortal Mountains surrounding the Four Symbols Sacred Platform, countless Cultivators held their breath, their eyes fixed silently on the stage.

This was a historic moment for Qianyu Heaven in the making.

Fang Cheng sat within the cockpit of the Feather Divine Soldiers, wreathed in lightning.

Across from him, Xiao Yunyi stood in the void, a streak of sword light hovering motionlessly before him.

He looked at Fang Cheng and smiled faintly. "I had a premonition that I would cross swords with Fellow Daoist Fang, and it seems I was right. Those two techniques you used to defeat Murong Qing were very powerful. I am deeply impressed."

Fang Cheng replied nonchalantly, "I, too, greatly admire your Sword Technique, Mr. Xiao. I will be using my full strength now. You had best not be careless."

Xiao Yunyi roared with laughter, his gaze hardening. "Proceed!"

Fang Cheng wasted no more words. A massive hand of the Feather Divine Soldiers reached out and slammed down.

Five mountains materialized in the sky, bearing down on Xiao Yunyi.

He knew the terror of Xiao Yunyi’s Sword Technique. His Great Inference Celestial Net Sword Array was not yet complete with its forty-nine Tier Five Flying Swords; before such a man, it would likely be shattered in an instant.

His only chance of victory lay with the Mixed Element Seven Tribulations Diagram.

Thus, he opened with Five Mountains Qi Suppression!

The void collapsed and all creation froze. Xiao Yunyi felt as if he were about to be crushed into a bottomless abyss.

Suddenly, a sword hummed, its cry echoing between heaven and earth.

SHIING!

A streak of sword light capable of tearing the heavens and splitting the earth appeared. It slashed in a circle around Xiao Yunyi, and the spiritual chains binding him vanished.

Xiao Yunyi let out a long laugh. "Fellow Daoist Fang, now you face a sword of mine!"

The words had barely faded when an incomparably sharp and chilling Sword Aura broke free. It shot out ferociously, instantly piercing the hand of the Feather Divine Soldiers and striking for the spot between its eyes.

Behind the Feather Divine Soldiers, a Cyan Lotus bloomed. From its pistil, a Heaven-Opening Axe Light silently slashed out, striking Xiao Yunyi’s sword light with sublime precision.

Where the sword and axe light met, they were simultaneously annihilated.

Xiao Yunyi was astonished. ’I can’t believe Fang Cheng blocked that strike.’

That strike of his contained a Supreme Sword Technique, its transformations unpredictable and filled with countless profundities. Anyone not deeply versed in the art of the sword would have been utterly unable to react.

’Even with a Supreme Divine Technique of immense power, you would still be unable to match the speed and fluid adaptability of the sword light.’

This was the terrifying nature of a Sword Cultivator.

Yet Fang Cheng had used a single Divine Technique to neutralize the sword light with ease.

The move seemed simple, yet it held boundless wisdom.

In that instant, Xiao Yunyi understood. ’This opponent’s attainment in pure Swordsmanship is probably no weaker than my own.’

’What he lacks is a formal Sword Technique inheritance!’

Fang Cheng focused his mind and commanded the Feather Divine Soldiers, fully unleashing the Mixed Element Seven Tribulations Diagram. He attacked with one technique after another, leaving Xiao Yunyi scrambling to respond.

From Primordial Light Division to Five Mountains Qi Suppression, then Ziwei Tianzhu and Profound Nether Storage, and finally Yellow Springs Annihilation and All Heaven Star Formation!

The dao intent of these six techniques flowed seamlessly, each one interlocking with the next in a display of profound mystery. Combined with Fang Cheng’s deep understanding of the way Sword Cultivators fought, he actually managed to push Xiao Yunyi onto the back foot.

Xiao Yunyi had never felt so stifled. At last, he became one with his Divine Sword and split the heavens with a single blow.

A brilliant Sword Intent filled the world.

A single streak of sword light flashed across the sky. With inhuman speed and unparalleled sharpness, it casually pierced the sixth technique of the Mixed Element Seven Tribulations Diagram and shot toward the brow of the Feather Divine Soldiers.

Fang Cheng paid the attack no mind. The hands of the Feather Divine Soldiers formed a seal, unleashing the seventh technique: Primordial Void!

A strange space suddenly manifested, centered on the Feather Divine Soldiers and extending for thousands of feet in every direction.

Within this space, earth, water, wind, and fire erupted in a violent storm. The void fractured, and traces of the Dao filled the air, as if replaying the primordial vision of Heaven and Earth Creation.

Xiao Yunyi’s sword light pressed forward relentlessly. ’This is a suicide tactic from Fang Cheng,’ he thought.

’All I have to do is kill him and escape before the technique’s full power is unleashed.’

’With the Taixu Sword Manual’s power to traverse the void and wander the cosmos, it shouldn’t be difficult.’

It all happened in a flash.

The unstoppable sword light pierced the brow of the Feather Divine Soldiers and materialized inside the cockpit.

A golden wheel materialized behind Fang Cheng, and a ripple of golden light expanded outward.

The flow of time around them froze.

Xiao Yunyi’s sword light flared, carrying a Sword Intent that could sever all things. It broke free from the binding Power of Light Yin and pierced through Fang Cheng’s left shoulder.

It had been aimed for the space between Fang Cheng’s eyes, but he had used his Light Yin Divine Techniques to dodge the fatal blow.

「The next moment.」

The world around them dissolved into chaos. Flashes of earth, wind, water, and fire lit the void. All things were annihilated, only to be constantly reborn.

From the outside, a vast expanse of the void had become a swirling mass of chaos. The colors of cyan, black, white, and red flowed together, completely engulfing the Feather Divine Soldiers and the streak of sword light.

Then, this vast expanse of void suddenly collapsed and condensed, becoming a chaotic singularity the size of a pinprick before vanishing into nothingness a moment later.

In the process, the life signatures of both Fang Cheng and Xiao Yunyi completely vanished.

「A moment later.」

Two spheres of spiritual light appeared in the void, and the two men emerged from them.

Only then did the spectators with lower Cultivation Realms realize what had happened: the two had just fought to a mutual demise!

’Then how is a winner supposed to be declared?’

In the palace on the mountain peak of Chongxuan Academy, the assembled School Principals looked to the Ji Jiu, their expressions questioning.

Not even Shuang Ling had been able to perceive who had perished first during Fang Cheng’s final technique.

Perhaps only a Tribulation Realm Great Power could have seen it clearly.

The Ji Jiu wore a strange expression. "Fang Xuezhen’s physical body is powerful; he lasted a few breaths longer than Xiao Yunyi... To think he could comprehend such a formidable Divine Technique."

「Outside.」

All the names on the Ascension to Immortality List went dim, then lit up again one by one.

The name at the top of the list, Xiao Yunyi, shifted down, swapping places with Fang Cheng, who was ranked second.

In an instant, an uproar erupted around the Four Symbols Sacred Platform.

Fang Cheng looked at Xiao Yunyi, pondered for a moment, and said, "This round should be considered a draw. Mr. Xiao, why don’t we compete again?"

Xiao Yunyi slowly shook his head. "I lost. I couldn’t have blocked your final technique, Fellow Daoist, but you were able to block my sure-kill strike."

He paused, looking at Fang Cheng with curiosity. "If I may ask, Fellow Daoist, which World Heaven do you hail from?"

Fang Cheng smiled. "Red Profound Heaven. It is a World Heaven approaching its final calamity."

Xiao Yunyi’s expression shifted slightly. He sighed, "I see."

A trace of respect entered his eyes. He clasped his hands in a salute. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on obtaining the title of World’s First True Monarch!"

"Thank you, Mr. Xiao. I have also benefited greatly from this exchange," Fang Cheng replied, returning the salute.

Xiao Yunyi smiled. "If you are ever free, Fellow Daoist, feel free to visit me at the Taiqing Academy."

With that, his figure dissipated, and he departed the Spirit Ruins Treasure Realm.

At the same time, the one hundred and eight Floating Mountains surrounding the Four Symbols Sacred Platform also vanished one by one. The various sects, great families, and Loose Cultivators were all forcibly ejected from the space by the Spirit Ruins Treasure Realm.

On the vast Four Symbols Sacred Platform, only Fang Cheng was left.

Suddenly, nine dazzling golden Talismans floated down from the sky.

Fang Cheng swept his Divine Sense across them and received a Spiritual Sense transmission from the Four Symbols Sacred Platform.

This was the reward for taking first place in the Spirit Ruins Magic Competition.

These nine Talismans were in fact Divine Power Talismans, one from each of the other nine contenders in the top ten of the Ascension to Immortality List.

The Divine Techniques unleashed by the nine combatants during their duels had been "engraved" by the Four Symbols Sacred Platform and condensed into a Talisman Decree.

Each Talisman Decree contained the full power of a single strike from the likes of Xiao Yunyi.

If Fang Cheng could nurture the decree with his own Magical Power and activate it gently, he could both continuously increase its power and use it over the long term.

For example, Xiao Yunyi was currently at the Dharma Realm, so his Talisman Decree corresponded to the Divine Power he could wield at this stage.

But if Fang Cheng broke through to the Tribulation Realm and nurtured the decree with Tribulation Realm Magical Power, he could make it unleash the might of Xiao Yunyi’s Divine Techniques as if Xiao Yunyi himself were at the Tribulation Realm.

This, perhaps, was the true marvel of the Four Symbols Sacred Platform.

Otherwise, for this legendary Sixth-rank Magical Artifact to be used merely for duels and ranking Cultivators, it would be rather unremarkable.

According to the Spiritual Sense transmission from the Four Symbols Sacred Platform, Fang Cheng had the right to choose three of the nine Talisman Decrees.

After a moment’s thought, Fang Cheng chose the Talisman Decrees containing the Divine Techniques of Xiao Yunyi, Murong Qing, and Li Xinghe.

Had he not come to this World Heaven, these three would have been the strongest experts in the Dharma Realm. Naturally, he would choose them.

「A few moments later.」

The Ascension to Immortality List transformed into a streak of golden light that shot toward the heavens. Countless golden runes appeared within it, and suddenly, the grand sound of the Dao echoed from the celestial vault.

Standing on the Four Symbols Sacred Platform, Fang Cheng looked up. The sky glowed with iridescent light, filled with countless streams of auspicious mist and rays of brilliant light. Vaguely, he could discern three figures, each in a different part of the sky, clearly separate from one another.

Fang Cheng knew these were the descending avatars of this World Heaven’s three great Spirit Immortals. However, the clouds swirled and the light was too magnificent for him to get a clear look at their true faces.

He was slightly taken aback, thinking, ’Weren’t you only supposed to be able to seek guidance from one Spirit Immortal’s avatar after winning the Ascension to Immortality List? Why have all three appeared?’

He bowed deeply in salute to the three figures in the sky. "Fang Cheng of Red Profound Heaven pays his respects to the venerable Immortal Masters."

A deep, resonant voice drifted down from the clouds. "You may rise."

...