Chapter 176 - 109: The Sky Changes and the Moon Wanes; People Have Joys and Sorrows, and All Banquets Must End

Chapter 176: Chapter 109: The Sky Changes and the Moon Wanes; People Have Joys and Sorrows, and All Banquets Must End

Hao Fu wondered, "An Ancient Immortal? How could there be an unfamiliar Ancient Immortal behind this kid? Didn’t the Sect Leader say that aside from the Black Lotus Buddha Mother, all other Ancient Immortals were already asleep? Could it be that some Ancient Immortals unknown to the Sect Leader have awakened from their slumber?"

Ordinary people might not be able to detect the Ancient Immortal Aura emanating from Lu Chen. But to Hao Fu, who had received the Ancient Immortals’ gifts many times and walked the path of the Ancient Immortals, this Ancient Immortal Aura was to his eyes as clear as a flame in Ye Hei.

The reason for this lay in the uniqueness of the Ancient Immortal Lineage. Unlike Cultivators, whose Cultivation methods relied on comprehending the heavens and the earth, the Cultivation methods of the Ancient Immortal Lineage were more about "plundering" and "borrowing." Therefore, only if a completely new world appeared before the Sinisters could they put aside their conflicts of "faith" to jointly deal with a new enemy. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Sinisters who worshiped different Ancient Immortals were mortal enemies.

Sensing an unknown Ancient Immortal Aura on Lu Chen was by no means good news. However, Hao Fu didn’t have time to overthink it now, because Lu Chen’s sword had already landed on his Protective Pill Qi.

Although the momentum of this strike was far less immense than the Dragon Transformation Sword Intent or the Vast Sword Intent, that was because the true power of this strike lay neither in the sword’s edge nor in its Sword Form. Instead, it was in the terrifying Sword Intent it carried. This strike was meant to sever a Cultivator’s soul!

BANG!

As the sword light fell, Hao Fu’s Protective Pill Qi shattered on impact. He immediately spat a mouthful of blood, stumbling back several steps before coming to a halt. Even though this strike hadn’t caused a shred of physical harm to his body, it accomplished what Chen Fugui had failed to do despite exhausting countless Flying Swords. One sword strike injuring a Golden Core! Even if Hao Fu only possessed a Fake Core, a Golden Core was still a Golden Core!

Before Hao Fu could even regulate his breathing, he saw a pale-faced Lu Chen forcing down his expressions of agony to summon yet another Outer Path Incarnation.

He thought in horror, "Th-There’s another strike?!"

If the previous strike had left Hao Fu thoroughly shocked by Lu Chen, then this impending one truly made him feel fear. Without any hesitation, Hao Fu instantly activated his Black Lotus Blessing.

Outer Path Divine Techniques... Hundred-Handed Buddha Mother.

As the sound of twisting flesh and blood echoed from behind Hao Fu, hundreds of arms instantly sprouted from his back. Judging from their appearance, these arms belonged to men and women, old and young.

But unlike when Lu Chen unleashed the Outer Path One Sword, where Hao Fu could faintly see an ancient entity behind him, when Hao Fu executed this Outer Path Divine Technique, absolutely nothing appeared behind him. Undoubtedly, this proved that in the eyes of the Great Compassion and Great Mercy Black Lotus Buddha Mother, he was not a being worthy of attention. Therefore, facing Lu Chen’s second sword strike, Hao Fu could only choose to defend passively.

BANG!

When Lu Chen’s next strike descended, countless cracks immediately spider-webbed across the mass of arms shielding Hao Fu. Subsequently, these arms snapped in unison, detaching and falling from his body.

SPLURT!

Hao Fu spat another mouthful of blood, his injuries worsening even further.

One must understand that the so-called Protective Pill Qi was essentially a method of manifesting the Golden Core. Upon reaching the Golden Core Stage, a Cultivator could utilize their Golden Core to mobilize more of the surrounding Power of Heaven and Earth. Thus, their Protective Pill Qi might appear to be sustained by their own Cultivation, but in reality, they were borrowing the Power of Heaven and Earth to achieve an Effect akin to deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces. Therefore, unless facing an existence of the same caliber, or possessing terrifying means capable of overpowering skill with sheer force, the only ones who could typically defeat someone in the Golden Core Stage were other Golden Core Stage Cultivators.

However, the current Lu Chen had employed some special method to reach a level unattainable by many. Of his two strikes, the first severed the connection between Hao Fu’s Golden Core and the heavens and the earth, subsequently shattering his Protective Pill Qi. The second strike then severed the connection between Hao Fu and the Ancient Immortal behind him, exacerbating his injuries.

Two strikes. Just two strikes.

These two strikes made Hao Fu realize what it truly meant to be the darling of the heavens and the earth. It also made him understand what it truly meant to be genuinely favored by the Ancient Immortals.

Hao Fu had put in countless efforts, committed numerous deeds, and exhausted every possible method to curry favor with the Great Compassion and Great Mercy Black Lotus Buddha Mother. But all he got in return was the Buddha Mother’s casual charity.

But what about Lu Chen?

If Lu Chen hadn’t personally executed the Outer Path Incarnation, Hao Fu would have genuinely thought he was no different from an ordinary Cultivator. He didn’t show the slightest sign of being corrupted by Ancient Immortal Power. And to achieve this, he either had a way to evade the corruption of the Ancient Immortal Power, or he had obtained the favor of the Ancient Immortals, allowing him to borrow their strength without paying any price.

In Hao Fu’s view, Lu Chen was definitely the latter.

Jealousy. Boundless jealousy.

The way Hao Fu looked at Lu Chen now was like a marginalized child staring enviously at another child who was smothered in endless love and affection.

"So what if you’re favored by an Ancient Immortal? At the end of the day, you’re still only in Qi Cultivation!!!

"I don’t believe that in your current state, you can still borrow that being’s power!" Hao Fu bellowed in rage. Without even waiting to steady his internal aura, he immediately slammed a palm toward Lu Chen.

In mid-air, this strike transformed into a massive, fleshy palm that blotted out the sky and covered the sun. However, Lu Chen’s next action shifted Hao Fu’s expression from madness to pure terror. Because he saw Lu Chen unexpectedly adopt that dreadful stance once again.

Only this time, Lu Chen wasn’t unleashing that strike with the Outer Path Incarnation.