Chapter 2111: 困天 Golden Lock

Mortal World

The white-robed man flew straight south from the Western Lands, soaring above the sea and constantly watching behind him. Despite the apparent calm behind him, his sense of alarm intensified.

As he had predicted, it wasn't long before an unusual fluctuation registered within his spiritual sense, and a beam of light streaked rapidly towards him.

The white-robed man's expression subtly shifted, though he showed no panic. However, a flicker of surprise soon appeared in his eyes.

Seeing was believing; the escape art demonstrated by the pursuer was truly extraordinary. He had initially assumed Min Zhuo’s description was exaggerated, but now it seemed even conservative.

The white-robed man pondered silently, making no move but maintaining his original speed. Moments later, he heard thunderous roars behind him, and colossal waves suddenly surged from the sea.

His eyes narrowed as he halted in mid-air and turned to gaze back. He then saw an extraordinarily brilliant bolt of lightning, seemingly tearing through the void, approaching with astonishing speed.

The lightning illuminated the entire sea, and a majestic voice, overpowering the thunder, rolled towards him.

"Since you have graced us with your presence, why depart so hastily?"

"CRACK!"

The voice echoed across the sea. The lightning abruptly halted, and from within it, a green-robed Daoist stepped forth, his piercing gaze fixed on the white-robed man's eyes. It was Qin Sang.

The white-robed man showed no weakness, meeting Qin Sang's gaze. Their eyes locked, their gazes like tangible forces colliding across the air, stirring up colossal waves on the sea.

Qin Sang's pupils constricted. The white-robed man hadn't concealed his identity, or perhaps, didn't need to. The traits of the Siyou Clan were too distinct; they relied on companion beasts for combat, and engagement would inevitably reveal their nature.

"What speed!"

Qin Sang's heart sank. He hadn't anticipated the Siyou Clan finding him so swiftly.

The magic altar was not yet complete. If the Siyou Clan had already deployed forces to attack, it would be akin to failing at the final step, a mountain unfinished by a single basketful of earth. With the altar largely constructed, Qin Sang would never willingly abandon it now. Regardless, he had to find a way to stall for time.

He scanned his surroundings. There were no other auras present; this sole individual appeared more like a scout, which offered him a slight reassurance.

Even a mere scout possessed mid-stage Void Realm, Second Layer cultivation, indicating the formidable strength of the opposing force, which was not to be underestimated.

Facing Qin Sang's interrogation, the white-robed man remained unperturbed and, without a hint of panic, leisurely counter-questioned, "Are you the fiend protector alongside the Sijia remnant?"

This individual was composed, but it was unclear whether his composure was a bluff to hide inner weakness, or if he genuinely had nothing to fear.

Qin Sang replied coldly, "This humble Daoist is unaware of whom you speak. You have secretly infiltrated my cultivation ground, and for what purpose, I wonder. Shouldn't you offer me an explanation?"

The white-robed man burst into laughter. "What good is denial? This old one advises you: do not seek your own demise. Immediately hand over the Sijia remnant, or you shall perish without a trace!"

Having delivered his harsh words, the white-robed man turned to leave. His figure flickered, transforming into three streaks of white light that shot off in three different directions.

Before the white lights had flown far, a thunderclap resounded. Three bolts of green lightning shot forth at an even greater speed, accurately striking the three white lights. Two of them flickered violently, then instantly dissipated, leaving nothing in their place.

From the central streak of white light came a muffled groan, and a figure tumbled out. It was the white-robed man, appearing somewhat disheveled. He glared fiercely ahead, only to see the green lightning subtly twist, and Qin Sang, wreathed in crackling energy, step forth.

"You can actually discern my Yuanmeng Illusory Body!"

The Yuanmeng Illusory Body was a divine ability of the white-robed man's companion beast, consistently employed to confuse opponents during both offense and retreat, and it never failed.

The opponent showed no hesitation; his true form came directly at the white-robed man's real body. Clearly, his true body had long been seen by the opponent, yet Qin Sang himself exuded no aura of Daoist arts, divine abilities, or spiritual treasures.

The more mysterious the opponent, the more formidable he appeared, and the white-robed man secretly grew wary.

Qin Sang disdained to answer, knowing that no illusionary divine ability could escape the sight of the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly.

The white-robed man and the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly were at the same cultivation realm. Almost the instant he deployed his divine ability, the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly discerned his true form, leaving him nowhere to hide.

"Your words seem to imply something left unsaid, esteemed sir. Why the rush to depart? Why not stay and make yourself clear!"

Qin Sang's tone was calm, yet his attack was exceptionally fierce. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a spiritual plaque, which instantly transformed into a mountain-sized monument. It soared through the air, aiming directly for the white-robed man's head, and crashed down!

A powerful gust swept in. The white-robed man's retort was unforgiving: "To dare block me with your true form, you possess considerable courage!"

Min Zhuo and his companions hadn't returned empty-handed before; they had gathered some intelligence. This fiend possessed a Dharma Idol, yet his true body had come here, likely having sensed something amiss with the magic altar and rushing to pursue.

To the white-robed man, this could indeed be an opportunity.

If he could slay the opponent here, it would be equivalent to severing one of Si Lu's arms, a feat no less than a great meritorious deed.

Of course, the white-robed man knew that for the opponent's true form to dare pursue him, he must have something to rely on. This was the opponent's cultivation ground, and other masters might be converging. His time was limited; the opportunity was fleeting.

In an instant, the white-robed man made his decision. The round bead between his eyebrows flickered slightly, and a wisp of white smoke rose, coalescing into a smoky cloud above his head.

The smoky cloud twisted and transformed, vaguely taking on an animalistic shape, finally coalescing into a colossal white rhinoceros. Its four limbs were stout, its body as immense as a mountain, and a sharp horn protruded from its massive head, no less impressive than the spiritual plaque in Qin Sang's hand.

The white rhinoceros roared, its horn abruptly sweeping upwards. The sharp point tore through the wind, slamming fiercely into the spiritual plaque.

"CRASH!"

Two terrifying forces abruptly erupted, shaking heaven and earth, and colossal waves surged skyward.

The white rhinoceros staunchly resisted the spiritual plaque, but its four limbs trembled, its neck twisted unnaturally, and it finally gave way, its roar devolving into a pained bellow.

The white-robed man’s expression shifted. He hadn’t expected his opponent, despite being a realm lower, to possess such formidable power. This white rhinoceros was already the most adept at close combat among his four companion beasts, yet it was still no match for Qin Sang.

The white rhinoceros retreated repeatedly, leaving the white-robed man without a barrier. However, he was already prepared: a pair of wings had appeared on his back at some unknown moment. If seen by an outsider, it might have been mistaken for two members of the Winged Race engaged in internal conflict.

The white-robed man’s wings were entirely grayish-black, far less dazzling than Qin Sang’s Phoenix Wings. Yet, the speed they generated in an instant was remarkably swift, leaving a series of black afterimages in mid-air. He had already moved far from the battlefield before the white rhinoceros was defeated, thus avoiding peril.

Simultaneously, the small snake hidden within his sleeve flicked its tongue, secretly spitting out a drop of transparent venom.

As the white-robed man retreated, he pierced through one of the surging waves, secretly releasing the venom into the water, completely undetected. Even as the colossal waves receded and crashed back onto the surface, the venom spread silently within the sea, showing no immediate signs of abnormality.

"CRASH!"

The waves thundered.

Two figures confronted each other from a distance.

The white rhinoceros, impervious to pain, shook its head and returned to normal. It positioned itself in front of the white-robed man, then lowered its head and charged once more at Qin Sang.

"CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!"

In an instant, the rhinoceros horn collided with the spiritual plaque multiple times, erupting with blinding spiritual light. The residual energy churned the surroundings into chaos.

The white rhinoceros fought fearlessly, utterly devoted to protecting its master.

With the Dharma Idol infused into his body, Qin Sang, having activated the Great Vajra Wheel Seal, was unparalleled in might. The heavy spiritual plaque, in his hands, was as nimble as an embroidery needle; without specific moves, it followed his will, yet was deviously unpredictable.

An ordinary spirit beast would undoubtedly be forced to divert attention to protect its vital points, constrained by scruples. Although the white rhinoceros possessed no such weaknesses, it still appeared quite disheveled.

Unfortunately, even if Qin Sang could overpower the white rhinoceros, it would be futile if he couldn't harm the white-robed man.

While the white rhinoceros and Qin Sang were entangled, the white-robed man continuously repositioned himself using his wings, preventing Qin Sang from locking onto him.

His evasion speed was not comparable to Qin Sang's Thunder Escape, but it was exceptionally agile. Coupled with the white rhinoceros's desperate obstruction, Qin Sang attempted several times but failed to breach the white rhinoceros's blockade and strike the white-robed man's true form.

After several such repetitions, Qin Sang found himself at a loss, seemingly having exhausted his techniques.

In contrast, the white-robed man grew increasingly composed in his responses. Spotting an opening, he suddenly threw his head back and let out a piercing shriek.

The shriek rent stones and pierced the clouds. Qin Sang felt a faint stinging pain in his ears as the shriek enveloped him from all directions. Instantly, his vision dimmed, and four strange birds appeared around him, seemingly from nowhere.

These strange birds had their heads inverted, bodies upright, with slender, pointed heads and peculiarly large wings. All four birds simultaneously unfurled their wings, forming an eight-paneled screen that enveloped Qin Sang.

They were entirely black, as if having stepped out of an ink wash painting, and converged while shrieking.

Qin Sang reacted with extreme speed, instantly forcing back the white rhinoceros. With a powerful flick of his wrist, the spiritual plaque swept in all directions.

"CRACK!"

The first strange bird struck by the spiritual plaque instantly burst apart, dissolving into a mass of black water. This black water then dispersed, forming black raindrops that, in a torrential downpour, dyed the seawater black.

The other strange birds were not deterred by the gruesome demise of the first; their offensive instead grew even fiercer.

As Qin Sang was fully occupied dealing with these strange birds, the white rhinoceros, having shrugged off the immense force, attacked again. It lowered its head, its eyes glowing with a faint blue light, coordinating flawlessly with the strange birds. As it closed in on Qin Sang, its speed abruptly surged by nearly fifty percent.

This strike was too sudden. The strange birds had firmly entangled the spiritual plaque in Qin Sang's hand, and it appeared he had no time to respond.

Seeing the rhinoceros horn about to pierce his chest, Qin Sang's eyes flashed. He suddenly extended his left hand and firmly seized the horn.

A suit of armor materialized on his body: the Bright Mountain Armor.

Terrifying power surged from the rhinoceros horn. Under the impact of this force, the Bright Mountain Armor rattled, its spiritual light violently fluctuating.

Yet, Qin Sang's hand remained clamped firmly around the horn, preventing it from thrusting forward even an inch!

As a half-body cultivator, Qin Sang relied not on spiritual treasures, but on this powerful physical body, imbued with his Dharma Idol and strengthened by the Great Vajra Wheel Seal!

"ROAR!"

"ROAR!"

The white rhinoceros roared furiously, yet could not break free from Qin Sang's grasp. A ferocious glint flashed in its eyes, and a point of blue light suddenly appeared at the tip of its horn.

The blue light was as pure as the sky after rain, yet Qin Sang's eyelids twitched, and a powerful sense of alarm surged within him.

He acted decisively, drawing a wisp of Azure Luan True Thunder from his Phoenix Wings and channeling it into his left hand. The thunder erupted almost simultaneously with the blue light.

"BOOM!"

Qin Sang and the white rhinoceros were both flung back, and a colossal, alternating blue and green light sphere materialized between them.

The light sphere expanded at an astonishing rate, the blue and green lights within seemingly devouring each other as violent fluctuations spread out in successive waves.

The void was filled with chaotic light and shadow, yet the stalemate lasted only a moment before the green light gained the upper hand.

The power of the Azure Luan True Thunder was beyond doubt, successfully overwhelming its opponent. Within the light sphere, the green light rapidly gained dominance, transforming into a surging torrent that broke through the blue light's blockade and threatened to engulf the white rhinoceros.

Surprisingly, the white rhinoceros did not dodge. It was submerged by the green light, and countless bolts of lightning erupted from within and without its body, tearing its form into pieces.

However, the fragments of the white rhinoceros's body did not dissipate. Instead, they transformed into streams of water, suspended in mid-air, forming a dense water net that enveloped the battlefield.

"To force this old one to unleash his ultimate move, Soul Annihilation, you have reason to be proud!"

The white-robed man wore a proud expression. The small snake within his sleeve no longer concealed itself, poking out its head and emitting bursts of hissing.

At this very moment, all three of his great companion beasts—the white rhinoceros, the strange birds, and the small snake—were deployed.

The white-robed man's ultimate technique, Soul Annihilation, was created by merging the divine abilities of his three great companion beasts. If an ordinary person were struck by this move, their physical body would not only disintegrate in an instant, but their soul would also be utterly annihilated, hence its name.

"CRASH!"

The black seawater began to flow backward towards the sky. The sole remaining strange bird spontaneously melted, and the two currents of black water, from above and below, sought to merge.

Simultaneously, a thick water mist rose from the net. In an instant, the black mist permeated the entire sea, engulfing Qin Sang.

The power of these black mists was incredibly subtle yet highly resilient, like a ball of cotton. They were perfectly capable of overcoming hardness with softness, thereby restraining body cultivators like Qin Sang.

The meticulously prepared ultimate move of the white-robed man naturally possessed more than just this power. The black mist began to furiously converge towards the center.

If the person within could not immediately break free, he would certainly face dire peril. A smile had just begun to form on the white-robed man's face when his pupils suddenly constricted, reflecting a dazzling golden radiance.

From the center of the black mist, golden light shot skyward, and a golden sun slowly ascended. Like fierce fire melting ice, the surrounding black mist rapidly dissipated under its golden radiance.

Beneath the golden sun, a figure enveloped in golden light stood motionless in the void.

Qin Sang glanced around him. With a gentle flick of his finger, as if plucking a zither string, several transparent water threads around him subtly quivered, revealing hidden gaps.

Without haste, he passed through the newly revealed gaps, completely unharmed!

Qin Sang activated the Sun Wheel Seal, and harnessing the residual power of the Azure Luan True Thunder, he broke through the white-robed man's ultimate move in one swift action. However, this didn't mean he was safe; dangers still lurked around him.

The transparent water threads were a potent venom; anyone who blindly encountered them and allowed the toxic water to enter their body would undoubtedly fare poorly. Fortunately, Qin Sang had previously cultivated poison arts and was alerted in advance. After being engulfed by the black mist, he had refrained from acting rashly, and only now had he completely deciphered this ultimate technique.

The white-robed man's expression stiffened slightly, but he had long known that Qin Sang understood this Golden Sun Art, so he wasn't overly surprised. He then sneered, "I underestimated you before!"

"This old one wishes to see how much more capability you possess, and whether you can withstand the Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock!"

The white-robed man roared, flicking his wide sleeve. A golden light shot forth, resonating with the Sun Wheel Seal above Qin Sang's head.

Within the golden light was none other than a large golden ring lock!

The Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock flew high, resembling another golden sun, but it was far more brilliant, causing the Sun Wheel Seal to appear dim in comparison.

Qin Sang's gaze narrowed. The fluctuations emanating from this artifact felt strangely familiar, instilling in him a profound sense of danger.

Brilliant golden light illuminated everything, and the heavens and earth shimmered with golden radiance.

"CLACK!"

The Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock quivered, emitting a crisp click, like the sound of a lock snapping shut.

The next moment, everything around them seemed to freeze; all sounds ceased!