Mortal Realm
The Azure Luan Dharma Idol appeared!
As the crescent cold rays approached, Qin Sang's expression remained calm, like an ancient well. The azure light transformed by his Dharma Idol poured into his body from the crown of his head.The azure light suffused him.Within Qin Sang's body, a phoenix cry seemed to resound.*Whoosh!*The phoenix wings behind him suddenly spread wide, stretching extensively. Arcane electricity crackled between each plume, shimmering with an extraordinary luster, displaying an ultimate beauty.The beauty of the phoenix wings was dazzling.Unfortunately, only Xia Hou could appreciate it; before this, Qin Sang had already sealed Mo Xingdao's five senses and taken him into his talisman altar. Otherwise, with Mo Xingdao's strength, he would likely have perished from the aftershocks.Furthermore, Qin Sang did not wish Mo Xingdao to know too many of his secrets.Compared to the phoenix wings, Qin Sang's appearance was too strange, ill-matched.However, a faint ethereal outline also flickered around him—this outline was precisely the Azure Luan, integrated with his physical body.
*Boom!*A burst of azure flames erupted from Qin Sang's body, and his aura surged dramatically.Accompanied by a deafening roar, the rapidly spinning wind pillar suddenly stalled, then was torn apart by a dense mass of azure light.That cluster of azure light was blinding, like lightning bolts. Within the azure light, a blurry figure, its phoenix wings flapping, forcefully broke free from its restraints, transforming into a bolt of lightning, and rapidly retreated.The five crescent cold rays arrived as expected, but were about to miss their target.
Xia Hou's eyes flashed with shock upon seeing this scene, followed by a fierce expression. His antlers suddenly vibrated, and the crescent cold rays brightened by a third, seemingly burning all their power in an instant, emitting an ear-splitting sound as they tore through the void.At this very moment, five silver-white streaks of light were reflected in Qin Sang's eyes, and his body subtly felt a tearing sensation.If he responded carelessly, he might be torn to shreds by the crescent cold rays.
Just then, the phoenix wings gently flapped, and Qin Sang subtly twisted his body at the last second.In the eyes of the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, although the five crescent cold rays were incredibly sharp, Qin Sang's unexpected escape from restraint, combined with Xia Hou's desperate gamble, made the attack less than perfect. There were minute gaps between them.Such gaps were difficult for ordinary people to detect, or even if perceived, impossible to exploit.Qin Sang, however, possessed precisely this ability.
*Swish!*The first crescent cold ray grazed Qin Sang's chest.Then came the second, which nearly decapitated Qin Sang, but he still managed to evade it.The two crescent cold rays passed Qin Sang, instantly exploding into two blinding silver lights in the void.At the same time, silver light erupted in front of Qin Sang, and even on his chest.The third crescent cold ray struck his chest, but it couldn't even penetrate his Returning Wind Armor, let alone injure Qin Sang.This strike was blocked by a remnant of a true treasure!When the fourth and fifth rays arrived, they were met by Qin Sang's heavy fists.The power of these heavy fists now was more astonishing than any previous punch.After breaking through to the mid-stage of the fifth layer of the Heavenly Demon Refinement Art, the Dharma Idol's shadow, which had first appeared during the fourth layer, had undergone successive evolutions and finally exhibited the power befitting a Dharma Idol, which Qin Sang now borrowed.It was merely borrowed power, as Qin Sang could not yet truly control the Azure Luan Dharma Idol; he could only integrate it into himself.Yet, this mere integration brought about a profound transformation!
He launched his fists, their tips glowing with an azure light like dark mountains, as if true Azure Luan claws had merged with his fists, allowing him to jointly unleash a Buddhist Seal.The might of the Buddhist Seal erupted abruptly.*Boom!*The two crescent cold rays first paused, then burst violently before his fists, light scattering like fragments, and astonishing aftershocks swept outwards.The five clusters of silver light converged into a single, blinding, sun-like radiance that engulfed Qin Sang.Then, a clap of thunder emerged from the silver light, and Qin Sang rapidly retreated, his aura still formidable, seemingly unharmed.The five cold rays had been dealt with individually, and Xia Hou's deliberate strike was thus neutralized.
Xia Hou's face revealed deep shock, not because Qin Sang had blocked the fatal blow, but because of the Azure Luan's ethereal form."This is..."Xia Hou's mind reeled. Suddenly meeting Qin Sang's piercing gaze, he felt a blur before his eyes, and a powerful aura washed over him.In that instant, Xia Hou had the illusion that he was facing a true Azure Luan. His mind felt oppressed, reminding him of encountering predators when he was merely a mortal deer before he had embarked on cultivation.
At this moment, Qin Sang was almost exerting his full power, openly displaying his strong killing intent, but he still harbored a hidden plan.Before attacking Xia Hou, a jade bottle silently appeared in Qin Sang's palm. The bottle noiselessly turned to dust, and crystalline dew drops merged into the void.This was a poison refined from a single drop of flower dew, an invisible poison Qin Sang had concocted using secret techniques from the Poison God Codex. Qin Sang had crushed three such bottles.They were originally prepared for Hongyu Zi.Qin Sang held this Taoist official in high regard. The Great Vajra Wheel Seal, the Azure Luan Dharma Idol, and these poisons were his confidence, intending to use these divine arts and spells to rescue Mo Xingdao. Unexpectedly, they were all used on Xia Hou.He had previously arranged formations to complement the poison at the ambush site, but here, he could only lay out his plan gradually.The palace had one advantage: the suction was inward, so there was no need to worry about the poison dissipating.The poison dispersed invisibly, making it difficult to detect unless Qin Sang activated his poison techniques to unleash its potency.Of course, this amount of poison was still insufficient, and exploding it now would not be enough to threaten a late-stage Soul Transformation realm expert.He was waiting!
*Whoosh!*Qin Sang rapidly closed in on Xia Hou like lightning, launching a counterattack.For a moment, Xia Hou dared not clash head-on with Qin Sang. It opened its mouth and spat out a ball of black energy, urgently recalling its antlers. The antlers spun rapidly in front of it, and as the energy contracted and expanded, it instantly erupted into a black silk-like ribbon.Qin Sang appeared, punching the black ribbon. The dull thunderous sound shook the hall, and both bodies jolted.Xia Hou retreated rapidly, staring fixedly at Qin Sang. A moment ago, it had been somewhat hesitant, but now it was certain: the Azure Luan's ethereal form was the opponent's Dharma Idol!
A Dharma Idol!This was a divine ability of demon kings. Even Demon Marquises in the late-stage Profound Insight realm could comprehend a Dharma Idol, either due to extraordinary bloodline, extremely high innate talent, innate awakening of a portion of their ancestors' bloodline, or exceptional comprehension.Even though Xia Hou had never fought them, it had heard about their strength.Such Demon Marquises were extremely rare; they were all honored guests of Demon Kings, holding respected positions. Legend had it that some were even permitted to cultivate in the Great Sage's Residence.If the foremost Demon Marquis under the Heavenly Loach King had comprehended a Dharma Idol, Xia Hou would not even consider contending for its position.Its self-proclaimed proud deer shadow was not considered a Dharma Idol; comprehending a Dharma Idol signified a complete transformation.It could use the power of heaven and earth to suppress lower-ranked opponents, yet now it was being oppressed by a powerful being who had comprehended a Dharma Idol.Xia Hou felt that suppression from Qin Sang. Since breaking through to the late-stage Profound Insight realm, it had become accustomed to suppressing others and had almost forgotten what it felt like to be suppressed.Now, it was being reminded of those unpleasant memories by an opponent whose cultivation was lower than its own.Comprehending a Dharma Idol in the mid-stage Profound Insight realm was unheard of!
For the first time, a sense of unease welled up in Xia Hou's heart.Qin Sang gave it no chance to ponder, launching another fierce assault. He sensed Xia Hou's hesitation, and his eyes grew even brighter.In the early stage of the fifth layer of the Heavenly Demon Refinement Art, his Dharma Idol could easily resist Marquis Li's heavenly might. Qin Sang had always anticipated what the transformed Dharma Idol would bring him.The truth proved that the Azure Luan Dharma Idol did not disappoint him; facing Xia Hou, his mindset grew even stronger.
Qin Sang arrived in an instant. The shock in Xia Hou's eyes had not yet dissipated, replaced by deep apprehension.Its antlers flew back, circling its body, sometimes separating, sometimes combining, unifying the deer's body and antlers.At the same time, light and shadow flickered behind Xia Hou, revealing the outline of a deer shadow, helping it resist the heavenly might.A fierce resolve appeared in Xia Hou's eyes; it did not believe that a Dharma Idol comprehended in the mid-stage Profound Insight realm could be sustained indefinitely.But only Xia Hou itself knew the trepidation in its heart. This was its first encounter with an expert possessing a Dharma Idol, and the situation had spiraled out of its control.In a flash, the human and the demon clashed again.The old scene replayed; the two seemed to engage in close combat once more.However, this time, neither the momentum nor the residual power was comparable to before; the battlefield grew even more chaotic.The collision of the two figures was like mountains crumbling, their might terrifying.The battlefield was like a hurricane, the figures of the human and the demon blurred, inextricably linked.
Just then, a sharp cry suddenly erupted from the battlefield."You're insane!"The voice came from Xia Hou, its final tone somewhat distorted, like a cry of pain.At the same time, Qin Sang's muffled groan resounded.The sounds of collision in the battlefield abruptly ceased, and the bodies of the human and the demon stiffened, pausing briefly.They were face to face, incredibly close. Xia Hou's antlers were pressed against Qin Sang's abdomen, while Qin Sang's fist slammed into Xia Hou's chest, the spikes of his gauntlet piercing its flesh.A bloody scent permeated the air.Blood flowed down the spikes of the gauntlet.Similarly, all five tips of the antlers were pressed against Qin Sang's body. The central one was blocked by the true treasure fragment, protecting a vital point, but the other four were stained with blood.The Returning Wind Armor had four obvious holes poked through it.Even the Vajra Glazed Body and Separation and Union Divine Light couldn't prevent him from being injured. Savage force surged through the wounds into his body, wreaking havoc, but it was quickly suppressed.Qin Sang didn't even glance at his wounds; his crimson eyes stared fixedly at Xia Hou, subtly revealing excitement.
Intense pain assailed Xia Hou's mind. Meeting Qin Sang's gaze, Xia Hou's expression shifted slightly; it felt Qin Sang's killing intent and resolve.Just now, it was Qin Sang's willingness to suffer mutual destruction that created this situation, and Xia Hou had no doubt that this monster would continue to do so.At this moment, Xia Hou truly considered retreating.In this battle, it had seen no signs of Qin Sang weakening, nor any decline in his Dharma Idol's power. Instead, it had its own hidden worries.Its innate divine ability could instantly restore its strength, but its injuries could only be suppressed, not healed.Its two forms shared one physical body.Once the other form was injured again by an enemy, a certain accumulation of injuries would trigger old wounds, leading to a simultaneous outbreak and a rapid deterioration of its condition.It didn't know if Qin Sang had seen something or had another trump card. This mad tactic of trading injuries was what it feared most.Xia Hou glanced at the Five Elements Crown. It loved treasures, but it valued its life more.
*Rip!*Another clash occurred.A sound like tearing silk came from Qin Sang's side, his Returning Wind Armor ripped open by the sharp antlers, blood raining down.Yet, his fist struck Xia Hou's shoulder, the force of the punch almost shattering Xia Hou's spine.Xia Hou was certain: Qin Sang was not bluffing; he truly was a madman.Didn't he worry that even if Xia Hou perished, its desperate struggle would take him along?Xia Hou was perplexed and wanted to continue no longer; it had even unleashed its sure-kill strike.Taking a deep look at Qin Sang, Xia Hou snorted coldly, its voice filled with indignation. It had used its severe injuries to lure the Azure Fox, only to pave the way for another.Then, Xia Hou conjured a black demonic wind and turned, rushing towards the palace entrance.
Unexpectedly, a bolt of lightning, moving faster than him, blocked his path, then twisted and attacked.The force of that punch created a huge shadow, enveloping Xia Hou and stinging its eyes."You..."Xia Hou parried in haste, retreating several yards in quick succession, glaring angrily at Qin Sang.It had already conceded, giving up the treasure, yet this person still wouldn't let it go.Xia Hou had an inconceivable thought: "Does this monster want to kill me? How dare he!"
Qin Sang licked his lips, his eyes bright as stars.He had a premonition: if he could slay Xia Hou, it would be more beneficial than hunting ten fierce beasts, and he wouldn't need to strive for enlightenment for a long time afterward.If the Azure Fox Saint King hadn't forced out Xia Hou's innate divine ability, Qin Sang would not have had such a wild idea.
"You're courting death!"Xia Hou shrieked in extreme rage. The opponent insisted on a life-and-death struggle. It couldn't escape; not only was its escape art inferior, but after leaving the hall, it would first have to face two black dragons.The deer shadow transformed into a black ray, shooting into the air. The antlers spun rapidly, seemingly about to make a move.
Just then, a clear sky thunderclap shook the palace.This thunder sound was different from the Azure Luan's lightning. A bolt of lightning, imbued with the power of tribulation lightning, brewed from nothingness and struck towards Xia Hou.Xia Hou's fur bristled.The aura of tribulation lightning!This aura was feared by all cultivators, whether human or demon.With Xia Hou's cultivation, it wouldn't be scared senseless by a single bolt of tribulation lightning, but the shock to its mind was unavoidable.Anyone facing sudden tribulation lightning would hesitate, first assessing the situation and identifying the source of the lightning before feeling at ease. They would certainly not be caught off guard and allow the lightning to strike them.Xia Hou decisively halted its divine ability, rapidly retreated, and focused its spiritual sense on the lightning. It only felt relieved when it confirmed that there was only one bolt and its power was limited; clearly, the opponent had used some secret art to disguise it as tribulation lightning.It was this fleeting hesitation that was the long-awaited opportunity for Qin Sang. Without hesitation, he pushed his Lightning Escape Art to the extreme and crashed fearlessly into Xia Hou!
As it retreated, Xia Hou suddenly felt its body tighten.Qin Sang closed in, gripping it tightly with hands like iron clamps, and slammed into it with his body as a weapon. In doing so, however, he exposed his own vulnerable spot to Xia Hou!It was another trade of injuries.Xia Hou clearly saw that the tribulation lightning was merely a bluff. It ignored it, immediately activating its antlers and thrusting them forward.Unbeknownst to it, it was indeed a trade of injuries, but this time it was different.On Qin Sang's chest, a small fiery tree had appeared at some point, with nine fiery birds perched on its branches.The nine fiery birds simultaneously flapped their wings and rose, merging with their companions upon leaving the fiery tree.This strike was guided by the Vermilion Bird Spirit, but all the true essence consumed came from Qin Sang.Although the Vermilion Bird Spirit was weak, it could still manage to activate the Solar Divine Bird, and it didn't need to control it for long.Because the Solar Divine Bird formed into fire directly on Qin Sang's chest, then violently exploded between the human and the deer.
"Never seen someone courting death like this!"The Vermilion Bird's murmur reached Qin Sang's ears, then was drowned out by the sound of the explosion.
[6 seconds from now] Chapter 977: Support
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