Chapter 269: Suppressing Sima Ru

After integrating the bloodlines that suppress anomalies, disciples of the Anomaly Hunting Sect invariably become either extremely gloomy or utterly deranged, and incredibly vicious. Even if they appear normal on the surface, their personalities are already twisted, without exception.

Disabilities seem to mean little to them. After coexisting with anomalies, the torment to their minds far surpasses any physical suffering; they endure unimaginable pain and backlash every single day.

For many years, the Anomaly Hunting Sect has continuously sought solutions to this problem, trying numerous methods, but none have been very effective.

After all, anomalies themselves are inherently malevolent entities, and their presence is linked to the influence of a shallow divine plane. To remain unaffected, one must suppress them with a higher cultivation level.

However, higher cultivation levels mean the ability to seal and control even more terrifying anomalies. Few can resist the temptation of such rapid increases in combat power. Yet, once integrated, one's cultivation must be raised again to maintain balance.

This creates a vicious cycle: a continuous integration of anomalies, which makes their very being, from head to toe, inside and out, permeated with an eerie malevolence.

Therefore, the disciples of the Anomaly Hunting Sect experience immense inner suffering, which manifests as twisted personalities, uncontrolled viciousness, and cruel acts of slaughter. Likewise, when these disciples go berserk, they become an enormous headache for other sects.

At this moment, almost immediately after receiving Xu Qing's reply, Sima Ru, unable to restrain her inner viciousness, disregarded her sect's advice. Even when the Sect Master informed her of her high probability of defeat, she still burst out of the Anomaly Hunting Sect's mountain gate. She transformed into a long rainbow in mid-air, flying towards the Heavenly Mirror Treasure Sect's city district, specifically to the Seven Blood Eyes' visiting lodge.

Her departure drew the attention of cultivators from all factions within the Eight Sect Alliance, as Sima Ru's aura was simply too powerful.

As she hovered in mid-air, clad in a loose white robe with her black hair flowing, a vast, ethereal Heavenly Palace shimmered faintly above her head.

While radiating terrifying fluctuations, one could vaguely discern a withered, decaying dwarf suppressed within the Heavenly Palace, forming an anomalous core.

On either side of the Heavenly Palace, countless anomalies wailed in anguish, suppressed.

Furthermore, a massive ball of flesh floated behind Sima Ru, resembling the smaller, bouncing orbs she had when she visited the Seven Blood Eyes, though this one was significantly larger and more grotesque.

A piercing sound emanated from its mouth: "One, two, thirty people, we'll tap them with little hands, then take out their hearts and lungs, leaving only a small head, spinning around, how cute."

As the jarring sound echoed everywhere, Sima Ru, beautiful in appearance but with a deathly pale complexion, traversed the sky. Arriving above the Seven Blood Eyes' lodge, she lowered her gaze, revealing a deliberately elegant smile, and spoke softly.

"Xu Qing, I'm here."

Although her voice was soft, her eyes were now bloodshot, and a terrifying pressure emanated from her entire being, even drawing the clouds to converge into a menacing, skull-like formation.

Amidst the raging winds, the ball of flesh behind her emitted an even more piercing shriek and hurtled directly towards the Seven Blood Eyes' lodge below.

But in the next instant, the ball of flesh was struck by immense force, sent tumbling backward, letting out a piercing scream. A visible chunk was clearly missing from its body.

At that moment, Xu Qing's figure emerged from the lodge, stepping directly into the sky.

As he appeared, two brilliant canopies instantly formed above him.

One, a shimmering seven-colored light illuminating the world, with wind chanting in the heavens.

The other, a black umbrella shading the realm, with burning flames plunging into the earth.

Furthermore, a Golden Crow materialized, shrieking skyward, its fiery tail feathers sweeping across Xu Qing's body as it surged towards the clouds, transforming into an imperial robe, while fiery plumes drifted past him.

Xu Qing gazed coldly at Sima Ru. Having previously suppressed her clone in the Seven Blood Eyes, he said nothing. His six-fire combat power erupted, and he unleashed a direct punch towards Sima Ru!

Grandmaster Seven had demanded a show of might in this battle, so Xu Qing attacked with his full strength.

This single punch concentrated the power of Xu Qing's 101 Dharma Apertures, the Golden Crow's technique, the might of three fires, and the essence of two life lamps, instantly reaching the pinnacle of six-fire combat power.

Instantly, the surrounding sky seemed to buckle inward. The skull-shaped cloud formation shattered and tore apart, and the massive skull recoiled in horror. Sima Ru abruptly waved her hand, and her Heavenly Palace immediately pressed down upon Xu Qing.

A single Heavenly Palace, also possessing six-fire combat power, collided with Xu Qing's punch in an instant.

A deafening roar reverberated across the heavens, shaking the very air in all directions.

Sima Ru's Heavenly Palace trembled and was directly forced backward and tilted by Xu Qing's full-powered punch. Sima Ru's entire body shuddered, and she recoiled amidst the roar, sent flying a hundred zhang away.

Xu Qing remained unharmed in mid-air, protected by his seven-colored seal and with the large black umbrella guarding his soul. Possessing six-fire power himself, any attack below that level could not break through his defenses.

When Sheng Yunzi previously possessed this Seven-Colored Wind-Chime Lamp, it had caused Xu Qing considerable trouble, requiring various stratagems to breach its life-lamp defense. Now that he owned the lamp himself, he had a deeper appreciation for its protective capabilities.

This life lamp not only offered protection but also rebound force. After his research, Xu Qing had discovered that possessing two life lamps seemed to provide mutual enhancement between them.

This manifested in the Seven-Colored Wind-Chime Lamp's rebound force exceeding the level Sheng Yunzi had achieved.

The life lamp's rebound force had been greatly amplified.

This was why Xu Qing's single punch sent Sima Ru flying backward, and why he believed he could suppress and kill her.

Six-fire power combined with the rebound force made Xu Qing no weaker than a seven-fire cultivator.

Sima Ru was clearly unaware of this, which was understandable, as she did not possess the qualifications to obtain a life lamp.

Even Sheng Yunzi might not have known that possessing two life lamps led to mutual enhancement, which was more complex than a simple one-plus-one equals two.

Therefore, Sima Ru's expression changed completely, and her eyes, as she spat blood, showed utter disbelief.

Equally stunned were all those within the Eight Sect Alliance who were watching the battle. After all, this was the first fight within the Eight Sect Alliance for Xu Qing, the newly rising top prodigy, so many people were paying attention.

But at this moment, they were all deeply shaken. "This is seven-fire combat power!"

"Sima Ru was careless; the power of one Heavenly Palace isn't enough to suppress Xu Qing."

Inside the lodge, the Seven Blood Eyes members were also watching. Upon seeing this, the various peak princes all expressed their admiration and shared in the shock.

The Captain also watched, eating an apple as he observed the scene, his expression filled with emotion.

"Good thing I swallowed half a nose earlier, otherwise I really couldn't have beaten him. But I still think Little Ah Qing is holding back; that kid has too many trump cards."

Just as the spectators from all directions were shaken to their core, Xu Qing's body flickered with astonishing speed, heading straight for the pale-faced Sima Ru. Upon closing in, he punched again.

Amidst the roar, Sima Ru attempted to counterattack, unleashing all her Dharma artifacts and anomalies. Numerous anomalous shadows surged towards Xu Qing, but they could not break through his two life lamp defenses, protecting both his body and soul. Her body was again sent flying backward, and as her Heavenly Palace trembled, Xu Qing approached once more, delivering another identical punch.

No matter how Sima Ru struggled and counterattacked, with anomalies devouring and tearing, it was all futile. Her combat power was insufficient; unless she advanced to two Heavenly Palaces, she couldn't seal anomalies powerful enough to threaten Xu Qing.

Under Xu Qing's relentless assault, her Heavenly Palace trembled even more violently. Her body was repeatedly slammed skyward by Xu Qing's punches, unable to descend. As she soared higher and higher, a look of madness appeared in Sima Ru's eyes. She formed a hand seal and produced a blood-red sealing crystal, clearly an extraordinary item, which she instantly crushed.

Immediately, the withered dwarf within her Heavenly Palace violently opened its eyes, revealing a cruel, bloodthirsty gaze. Its aura erupted, and it began to rise, ready to emerge.

Xu Qing paused, no longer punching. Instead, with a calm expression, he raised his hand again.

In an instant, winds surged, clouds gathered, and the world changed color. A faint, indescribable aura seemed to converge from all directions, directly forming a purple Celestial Blade.

This Celestial Blade was not illusory but tangible, startling all who witnessed its appearance. What shocked them even more was that not one, but multiple Celestial Blades appeared in the sky.

There were... seven of them!

The seven Celestial Blades instantly formed, shaking heaven and earth. As Xu Qing's right hand fell, these seven massive blades, like divine retribution, struck from seven directions with inescapable and irresistible terrifying might, fiercely slashing down upon the terrified Sima Ru and her Heavenly Palace in mid-air!

Winds surged and clouds billowed, shaking both heaven and earth.

With a piercing shriek from Sima Ru, the seven Celestial Blades simultaneously struck her Heavenly Palace, causing the continuously trembling structure to crack loudly. Seven massive fissures were carved into it.

The dwarf inside also shuddered, about to counterattack, but the Golden Crow materialized behind Xu Qing, its greedy gaze fixed firmly on the dwarf.

The dwarf fell silent and sat back down.

Consequently, Sima Ru suffered immensely, spewing blood as her body's aura became unstable and she began to fall. In the next instant, Xu Qing's body suddenly shot forward with incredible speed, as if long-prepared. He appeared before Sima Ru, and his right hand plunged through her chest.

He seized the rightmost of Sima Ru's two hearts. With a piercing scream from Sima Ru, he abruptly yanked. Blood spurted forth as Xu Qing pulled out a black, heart-shaped stone. Sima Ru's entire aura collapsed, and just as her Heavenly Palace was on the verge of shattering, a cold gust of wind swept in.

This wind, imbued with supreme power, instantly enveloped Sima Ru, whisking her away in a flash until she vanished without a trace. Only a chilling voice echoed in all directions.

"I have broken the agreement of your life-or-death battle. Since that is the case, that Anomalous Nether Heart is now yours."

Xu Qing's body recoiled, the two brilliant canopies above his head shining brightly, and the Golden Crow shrieking behind him. He didn't stop until he was a hundred zhang back. As he looked into the distance, his brow furrowed; he felt this battle had gone too smoothly, something was amiss.

At this moment, Grandmaster Seven's figure appeared beside Xu Qing.

"Fourth Brother, don't overthink it. The grievances are settled. In fact, if that girl Sima Ru ever comes to her senses, she might even be grateful to you. Now, why don't you thank the Anomaly Hunting Sect Master for his generosity?"

"Thank you, Sect Master of the Anomaly Hunting Sect!" Xu Qing clasped his fist towards the Anomaly Hunting Sect. Meanwhile, within the Elder Council of the Eight Sect Alliance, eight colossal figures sat, withdrawing their divine senses.

The Blood Refiner grinned.

"Everyone, I won the bet earlier. Even if this was a transaction between my son-in-law and the Sima family of the Anomaly Hunting Sect, you've all witnessed the excellence of my grand-disciple. My proposal for full alliance resource prioritization is something you should seriously consider. After all, he possesses the potential of an Ancient Emperor. We don't need the title of Dao Child, but he deserves treatment that surpasses a Dao Child's, wouldn't you agree?"

The other seven figures remained silent, but each sent a beam of light flying over. Among them, Patriarch Lingyun of the First Peak let out a cold snort, then departed immediately after throwing his.