Chapter 1791: Damage Heaven and Earth to Serve Oneself

The Human World

The Spirit Wood Physique finally manifested!

Amongst the towering ancient trees, Qin Sang did not appear small.

As he pushed himself up from the ground, the surrounding Wood Spiritual Qi, drawn by his Spirit Wood Physique, surged towards him. It coalesced into tangible, verdant energy masses around Qin Sang, forming a continuously swirling vortex with him at its center.

The aura of the Spirit Wood Physique merged with the jungle. As the Wood Spiritual Qi spun, it continuously poured into the Spirit Wood Physique, consumed by Qin Sang. In an instant, his vitality, which had begun to wane, rapidly recovered.

Witnessing this, Marquis Li's expression changed; his eyes widened in shock. Only then did he understand why Qin Sang hadn't fled, choosing instead to face him in a decisive battle here.

To damage heaven and earth to empower oneself. Directly drawing power from the world that doesn't inherently belong to oneself, replenishing one's own deficiencies—this is a divine ability exclusive to Grand True Immortals of the Five Talisman Stage and demon kings!

Amongst Cavern-Mystery True Immortals and demon marquises, only those with heaven-defying talent, or those who have reached the peak of their cultivation after years of refinement, might barely touch the threshold and grasp a superficial understanding.

Across the Daoist Court and the Ghost-Fang Kingdom, such individuals are exceedingly rare, each one a peak powerhouse.

This person, merely at the early Cavern-Mystery stage, has actually comprehended such a heaven-defying divine ability!

After a brief moment of shock, Marquis Li regained composure and was not deterred by Qin Sang.

This divine ability, not inherently belonging to Cavern-Mystery True Immortals, would inevitably come at a cost if forcefully employed. The simplest point is that absorbing external power unrefined into the body, even if it can be barely utilized, will certainly carry hidden dangers, cause internal chaos, and might even impact one's Dao foundation.

Once it exceeds one's capacity, the physical body could even collapse on the spot. Even the top powerhouses at the Cavern-Mystery stage, deeply familiar with this path, wouldn't dare to use it recklessly; their own endurance has limits.

Marquis Li's guess was correct. In fact, the 'Houtian Wood Golem Stele' indeed has many hidden dangers and limitations.

This secret art can only draw Wood Spiritual Qi from vegetation. In other environments, many of its abilities are restricted, and the Spirit Wood Physique can, at best, only enhance Qin Sang's physical body.

Wood Spiritual Qi carries vigorous life force. Coupled with rare spiritual plants from the world serving as spiritual conduits, the damage inflicted on the practitioner is lessened, allowing cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage to barely utilize it.

However, drawing Wood Spiritual Qi still places a heavy burden on the practitioner. Back then, even if Qin Sang hadn't burned down the Ice Palace, the grotesque-faced man only dared to cautiously absorb a portion of Wood Spiritual Qi into his body, slowly replenishing himself.

Unfortunately, Marquis Li didn't know that Qin Sang's spiritual conduit was the Evolution Dao Tree, which surpassed even the legendary Ten Divine Woods.

Qin Sang would also feel pressure, but it wasn't enough to become a burden yet. This meant he could sustain it for a longer duration!

“Unless you destroy this entire jungle, I am already in an unbeatable position. Does Marquis Li still wish to fight me to the death?”

An astonishing aura erupted from Qin Sang's body. Here, the jungle and the earth were real, yet not ordinary.

In places damaged by the earlier battle, saplings were already sprouting from the ground, growing at an astonishing speed. This place was different from the Ice Palace; even if Marquis Li's innate divine ability was powerful enough to turn the entire space into a swamp, it couldn't destroy the jungle. The Wood Spiritual Qi was practically inexhaustible.

Yet, to Marquis Li, these words sounded like bluster hiding an inner weakness. It sneered, “This Marquis indeed underestimated you! But how many times can you employ it?”

Qin Sang's gaze sharpened abruptly. He pushed his long arms forward, his hands, dry as tree branches, clasped together. A supremely powerful force erupted, causing thunder in the void, and a fierce wind like a dragon, charging out with an unparalleled momentum.

A deafening 'boom' resonated as a badger shadow appeared in the fierce wind, its slender claws extended, striking Qin Sang from a distance. The two hadn't made contact, but the resulting shockwave exploded between them. Centered on them, the surrounding vegetation was uprooted, turning to dust in mid-air, and cracks riddled the earth.

Qin Sang knew when to pull back. Having decided not to engage Marquis Li in a death match, he withdrew his palm and retreated.

Marquis Li didn't press the attack, its eyes narrowing. That last blow clearly showed Qin Sang had grown stronger. The Spirit Wood Physique not only aided his recovery but also enhanced his combat power.

His formidable defensive power, unique Spirit Wood Physique, and distinctive escape techniques and combat instincts meant that an early Cavern-Mystery stage demon marquis would likely be no match for him.

If they were outside, unless it was certain Qin Sang was alone, Marquis Li wouldn't want to provoke such a difficult opponent.

However, this wasn't enough to make Marquis Li retreat. Marquis Li looked up at the sky wall, still seeing faint golden hues mixed with the blue, indicating that the golden light had not yet begun to fade.

This person clearly intended to use this divine ability to buy time, but it was useless. As long as the golden light didn't recede, he could only hope that a human cultivator would coincidentally pass through this area.

Manifesting the Spirit Wood Physique meant Qin Sang had confined himself to this jungle space, with nowhere else to go.

It could continue to circle Qin Sang, using its cultivation advantage to wear him down.

In Marquis Li's view, no matter how strong the Spirit Wood Physique was, it was merely a living target, while it could advance or retreat freely.

In a flash, Marquis Li had already closed in on Qin Sang.

Qin Sang, in his Spirit Wood Physique form, appeared cumbersome but was exceptionally agile. His arms moved like dragons, sweeping wide and open.

Compared to Qin Sang, Marquis Li's body seemed smaller and nimbler. Its figure was like the wind, continuously flashing around Qin Sang, each attack incredibly cunning.

From an aerial view, one could see an ancient tree, seemingly imbued with spirit, running rampantly across the ground, while a small, squirrel-like beast darted up and down, despite the huge disparity in size, chasing the ancient tree at full speed.

'Bang! Bang! Bang!' Each collision shook the entire jungle.

Qin Sang, utilizing the Spirit Wood Physique, unleashed the 'Seven Master Buddha Seal' with even greater power. Even if occasionally struck by Marquis Li's sharp claws, he would try his best to avoid vital points. Under the infusion of Wood Spiritual Qi, his bark-like skin quickly closed, soon recovering to its original state.

'Poof!' An ancient tree withered instantly. As Qin Sang leaped out of its trunk, a dark shadow burst from the ground.

Marquis Li was close behind. Qin Sang quickly leaped, avoiding the attack.

Initially, Qin Sang utilized the Spirit Wood Physique's abilities to leap between ancient trees, temporarily shaking off Marquis Li.

After a few attempts, Marquis Li found a counter-strategy. It burrowed underground, consistently pinpointing Qin Sang's movements and emerging from the earth to incessantly harass him.

However, because Qin Sang consistently avoided a direct confrontation, his rate of consumption was far slower than Marquis Li had anticipated.

It let out an angry snort, its eyes wide open, pupils turning black, and deep within its irises, what seemed like whirlwinds spun.

'Rumble... rumble...' The ancient trees on the ground suddenly began to grow wildly.

A closer look revealed that it wasn't the trees growing taller, but rather the entire ground being lifted, creating a floating peak out of thin air.

'Crack!' The ground disintegrated into countless clumps of earth of varying sizes. Simultaneously, a mighty wind suddenly arose from the heavens. This was no ordinary wind; as it swept over the earth clumps, the two immediately merged, forming a mass of black storm clouds that violently churned high in the sky, emitting the sound of distant thunder.

Qin Sang glanced up, seeing masses of black orbs of light forming within the storm clouds. Though he didn't know what they were, he instinctively sensed danger and powerfully rushed outwards.

However, the storm clouds moved extremely fast, constantly hovering directly above his head.

'Swish, swish...' The orbs of light formed, then immediately shot down from the clouds. Instantly, more than a dozen head-sized orbs rushed towards Qin Sang.

Within the profound orbs of light, wind and thunder seemed to intertwine, exuding an incredibly violent aura.

Meanwhile, Marquis Li's true body continued to circle Qin Sang, forcing him into a desperate struggle.

As the anomaly arose, a strong premonition of danger surged in Qin Sang's heart. He abruptly halted, recklessly thrusting a palm forward, both seals manifesting simultaneously. With a 'bang', he blocked a fatal claw aimed at his throat, while simultaneously activating his Thunder Escape technique to shift sideways.

Unexpectedly, those orbs of light, as if drawn to him, relentlessly pursued. Qin Sang had no escape, so he hastily swung his fist to block.

'Boom!' A dark light spread out before Qin Sang's fist. Instantly, thunder roared, shaking the heavens, and it exploded into streaks of black lightning.

Now it was clear: the orbs of light seemed to be lightning orbs.

Marquis Li sneered. This was precisely the 'Xun-Earth Demonic Thunder' it had comprehended from its bloodline divine ability. Its power was formidable, and once an opponent was locked onto by the demonic thunder, they were almost impossible to evade; they could only endure it head-on.

Following this, the storm clouds firmly locked onto Qin Sang. One could see the storm clouds, like tribulation clouds pursuing a tree spirit, continuously dropping countless lightning orbs.

Qin Sang not only had to guard against the elusive Marquis Li but also endure the relentless bombardment of the Xun-Earth Demonic Thunder. His figure, as he frantically ran, was unsteady and stumbling, appearing extremely disheveled.

This was precisely what Marquis Li wanted to see.

Facing Marquis Li's relentless pressure, Qin Sang continuously flashed between ancient trees using the Spirit Wood Physique's abilities. Unfortunately, it had little effect; the Xun-Earth Demonic Thunder wouldn't stop until it hit its target, making evasion futile.

Having no other choice, he activated his protective divine ability to resist it head-on.

Qin Sang absorbed the Wood Spiritual Qi from the jungle, recovering quickly, but also consuming it rapidly.

Before long, Marquis Li, who had been observing Qin Sang, noticed a subtle change in him, its eyes slightly brightening. The momentum of his Wood Spiritual Qi absorption was no longer as immense as it had been initially, and his recovery rate had slowed!

Its conjecture was confirmed.

Marquis Li burst into laughter. Its figure flickered, and stone armor materialized on its body, transforming it into a stone beast roughly equal in size to Qin Sang, and like Qin Sang, it stood rooted to the earth.

A world-shaking battle then began. If seen by mortals, they would surely think it was two colossal beasts fighting to the death. Two cultivators at the Soul Transformation stage had actually engaged in pure hand-to-hand combat, tearing the very earth apart.

It wasn't true hand-to-hand combat; Marquis Li's relentless pressure left little room for maneuver. Divine abilities were shattered by the opponent before they could manifest their full anomalies, resulting in an appearance of returning to basics.

Dust billowed, and leaves flew wildly. The storm clouds hung high, continuously launching lightning orbs onto the battlefield to enhance their might.

Marquis Li would not be harmed by its own Xun-Earth Demonic Thunder, so it attacked fiercely and without restraint. The force of its fists striking Qin Sang was so immense that even the stone armor on its arms shattered.

Qin Sang, however, dared not relax. Constantly caught between defending and attacking, he could only leap between the trees to resolve dangerous situations.

But Marquis Li gave him no time to breathe. As soon as an ancient tree he chose showed signs of withering, the nearby ground would immediately swell, and the stone beast would follow like a shadow.

Gradually, Qin Sang's efforts became increasingly strained, as the recovery effect of the Wood Spiritual Qi worsened, and this became more obvious with time.

Just as Marquis Li had anticipated. The more Wood Spiritual Qi he absorbed, the greater the impact on his body, leading to an overall weakening. His absorption rate became slower and slower, and the recovery effect progressively worsened. Furthermore, as the pressure continuously accumulated, Qin Sang's foundation was shaken, his qi and blood circulation became sluggish, and his strength would also be impaired.

Marquis Li watched with cold eyes, as if observing a trapped beast struggling for its life. It seemed incredibly patient, unhurried, waiting for Qin Sang to weaken to his limit before delivering a fatal blow.

However, this was merely its disguise.

'Boom!' Five lightning orbs shot forth in a chain-like succession.

Qin Sang's pupils contracted. He skillfully performed his transposition technique. An ancient tree in the distance instantly turned yellow, its withered leaves rustling down, its life force stripped away.

Qin Sang leaped out from the cracked tree trunk, and immediately a massive shadow appeared before him, lunging forward.

He was not surprised. Stepping lightly, he formed seals to meet the enemy.

Unexpectedly, the anticipated collision didn't occur. As the stone beast lunged at Qin Sang, its chest suddenly split open, and a transparent sharp spike darted directly towards Qin Sang.

Marquis Li's true form emerged from the fissure, a cold sneer on its face. Waiting for an opponent to weaken before delivering a killing blow ensures foolproof success; it understood this, and Qin Sang surely knew it too. If Qin Sang had any trump cards, he would certainly save them for that moment, for a desperate last stand.

Qin Sang was a Cavern-Mystery True Immortal, and Marquis Li was unwilling to experience the might of his desperate counterattack. Instead, it did the opposite, choosing the least likely moment to strike a fatal blow. Now was precisely when Qin Sang's guard was at its lowest!

'Swish!' The spike's speed was incredible; it appeared before Qin Sang's chest in an instant, poised to pierce clean through him the next.

In the nick of time, Qin Sang forcibly twisted his body. A blue light flickered on him, and a set of armor suddenly materialized.

The armor was merely a magical artifact, with no other special attributes. Yet, the instant the spike struck the armor, it seemed to encounter immense resistance, halting mid-air.

Where the spike pointed, the armor melted into water, and it was precisely this incredibly soft current of water that blocked it.

Marquis Li's eyes widened in disbelief.

Demon cultivators would choose a specific part of their physical body and continuously refine it, essentially making it their life-bound magical artifact. It usually used its claws, and other demon marquises all believed it had chosen its claws. Little did they know, the claws were just a disguise; what it had truly meticulously refined was this spike.

The spike was formed from a transverse bone in its mouth, and after countless years of refinement, its power was extraordinary.

When it first joined this Demon King's forces, it once sparred with the Demon King's foremost demon marquis. At that time, it was only at the early Cavern-Mystery stage, yet it managed to injure the foremost demon marquis with its bone spike. Thereafter, its fame soared, and it gained the Demon King's attention.

Now, the bone spike was even stronger, its most potent killing move, yet it couldn't even pierce a single set of armor!

Qin Sang also felt a tinge of lingering fear, having to admit that this bone spike was terrifying. Unfortunately, Marquis Li had encountered him. First, his Heaven's Eye Butterfly accurately captured the bone spike's trajectory, and then he firmly blocked it with a fragment of a true treasure.

'Swish!' The spike flew back.

Marquis Li couldn't help but inspect it, confirming it was its familiar bone spike, and its expression completely changed.

Suddenly, Marquis Li transformed into a black streak of light and shot towards the sky, abandoning its weakening prey without hesitation, choosing to retreat.

If the opponent didn't want to prolong the fight, why didn't he display his full strength from the beginning?

Seeing so many powerful divine abilities and treasures, it would certainly have thought things through carefully before acting.

Clearly, the opponent had other plans!

Recalling Qin Sang's previous actions... Better safe than sorry!

Before Marquis Li could fly beyond the heavens, a soft shout echoed in its ears, “Want to leave now? Don't you think it's too late?”