Chapter 371: Resolution

Chapter 371 -198: Resolution

The Shenxiao Qi Heaven-Smashing Thunder was originally created for a desperate, life-or-death struggle. Even after being improved, it still required one to unleash their entire Magical Power in a single burst. Using this technique was a true all-or-nothing gamble, but its might went without saying.

The moment his full-powered technique was shattered by the Divine Thunder, Hou Shengyun’s pupils constricted. He had no time to form a coherent thought, and a divine light shot from his eyes in a desperate attempt to resist. However, his last-ditch struggle was crushed in a single blow by the Shenxiao Qi Heaven-Smashing Thunder.

The Purple Refining Divine Thunder and Jade Pivot Divine Thunder tore through his defenses as if they were rotten wood, shattering two of Hou Shengyun’s techniques before slamming directly into his chest. In that instant, never mind flesh and blood, not even a wisp of smoke was left behind. The entire upper half of Hou Shengyun’s body, from his head to his abdomen, was utterly annihilated, leaving only his lower torso to plummet lifelessly to the ground.

…

Dozens of miles away, a large ebony palanquin shouldered by eight White Bone Dao Soldiers lay hidden within a pale mass of clouds.

Wu Hengguang’s gaze pierced the distance, focusing on the empty air not far from Gem Island. He frowned slightly. “A Superior Foundation Establishment Pill?”

After unleashing the Divine Thunder and completely draining his Magical Power, a sudden wave of weakness washed over Qin Dengxiao. But soon, a sweet dew seemed to well up from within him. His vital energy began to replenish, and Magical Power started to regenerate on its own. Although it was less than a thousandth of his original reserves, it was enough for him to stabilize his position in the air.

He took a few deep breaths, and finally managed to muster a sliver of Magical Power. Reaching out, he retrieved Hou Shengyun’s Qiankun Cloth Pouch.

“A Foundation Establishment Pill?” At his side, Ji Qingyan’s brows arched slightly. She nodded thoughtfully. “It does seem similar.”

The so-called Foundation Establishment Pill was not a pill for cultivating in the Dao Foundation Realm. Rather, it was an extremely rare type of Superior Spirit Pill that could enhance a cultivator’s underlying foundation. Of course, there were differences among Foundation Establishment Pills. Legend had it that the very best of them could allow even someone as dimwitted as a pig to build a foundation on par with a cultivation genius.

Qin Dengxiao had exhausted his Magical Power, yet his vital energy was regenerating on its own, and his cultivation base even seemed to have subtly improved during his recovery. This was indeed consistent with the effects of having consumed a Superior Foundation Establishment Pill.

Wu Hengguang muttered to himself, ‘I had thought he merely possessed a natural aptitude for combat, and that his cultivation progress alone wasn’t enough to compare with truly top-tier geniuses.’

‘I didn’t expect him to have had other fortunate encounters. If he’s truly built such a powerful foundation, then he can’t be taken lightly.’

Ji Qingyan’s slender eyes narrowed. “Wu Hengguang,” she said coldly, “don’t get any clever ideas.”

Wu Hengguang just smiled. “He’s merely a junior.”

“See that it stays that way,” Ji Qingyan retorted, her gaze returning to the sea. “Hou Shengyun was a Golden Core Cultivator, after all. Now that he’s been killed by a junior Refining Cultivator, isn’t our plan ruined?”

“Not necessarily,” Wu Hengguang said coolly. “We are merely here to give things a little push. Why be so hasty?”

“Oh?” Ji Qingyan said. “Don’t tell me Yang Huai Venerable would dare to act personally?”

Wu Hengguang gave an enigmatic smile, glancing up at the clouds. “He’s here,” he said slowly.

Ji Qingyan followed his gaze and saw a streak of fiery light, like a shooting star, hurtling toward them from within the heavy clouds. Its power radiated without restraint, scorching the sky crimson and leaving a long trail of scarlet light in its wake.

After taking Hou Shengyun’s pouch and considering his options, Qin Dengxiao decided against heading toward Yunbao Immortal City.

Hou Shengyun, having gone all in, had used a Divine Technique to ambush the patrols from Yunbao Immortal City. Although Qin Dengxiao didn’t know the extent of the casualties, heading to the Immortal Market now would undoubtedly lead to trouble.

Qin Dengxiao knew this was no place to linger. Since the ambush on the patrols wasn’t his fault, he simply chose a different direction and left. It was a wise decision, but he never expected the next crisis to arrive so quickly.

He had been gone for less than an hour, and the coast was just coming into view when the fiery light arrived over Gem Island.

After circling once in the sky, Yang Huai Venerable seemed to have grasped the situation completely. He uttered a single cold word: “Useless.” Then, he instantly changed direction and, without the slightest deviation, shot off in pursuit of Qin Dengxiao. In a matter of moments, Qin Dengxiao’s fleeing figure, with the coastline behind him, came into the Venerable’s sight.

‘Still just a Refining Cultivator, as expected.’ A flicker of light crossed Yang Huai Venerable’s eyes, and a sinister rage began to burn within him for no reason. ‘My most promising Lian’Er was killed by Xuzhuang, yet a disciple from his sect turns out to be such a prodigy.’

Suddenly, a fiery aura manifested on his face. It brewed for a long moment before he let out a muffled grunt, forcefully suppressing his killing intent. He then casually curled his fingers in a downward motion.

Qin Dengxiao was in mid-flight when he suddenly felt the Spiritual Qi around him erupt violently. In an instant, it slipped from his control and began converging on him, as if trying to bind him in place.

Qin Dengxiao’s expression changed. Without a second thought, he activated the Jade Talisman clutched in his hand. A rainbow-colored light instantly burst forth, enveloping his body, shattering the invisible bonds, and propelling him away at high speed.

“A Five Elements Escape Skill?” Yang Huai Venerable’s brow twitched. He sneered, “Nothing special.” With a mere thought, his fiery light flared once more as he resumed the pursuit.

The Five Elements Escape Skill Qin Dengxiao was using came from a talisman given to him by Xuzhuang for protection. But it was, after all, only a talisman. How could it compare to an Escape Technique personally cast by Yang Huai Venerable? The two streaks of light raced across the sky, but after less than three hundred miles, Yang Huai Venerable had already caught up. He roared, “BREAK!”

A blast of Gang Wind seemed to erupt with the sound of his voice, striking Qin Dengxiao. The light from the escape technique instantly disintegrated. Yet, there was no panic on Qin Dengxiao’s face. He quickly formed a hand seal, preparing to dive into the mountain forest below.

“A futile struggle.” Yang Huai Venerable’s cold snort reached Qin Dengxiao’s ears. “With me here, do you really think you can defy the heavens?”

Qin Dengxiao had no time to respond, but another voice, faint and carried on the wind, suddenly asked, “Is that so?”