Chapter 288: Who Can Compete

Xu Qing remained calm and collected. After tidying everything, he sat cross-legged again for over half an hour. His intention was twofold: partly to fully cover up the fact that he hadn't successfully opened a Dharma Aperture, leaving no trace of imperfection. The other reason was to sense the changes within himself after acquiring four life fires. His combat power, in particular, had noticeably advanced by leaps and bounds. Additionally, Xu Qing felt that 120 Dharma Apertures were not the limit; he subtly sensed that he was incomplete, missing one Dharma Aperture. This missing aperture was precisely the 121st Dharma Aperture his master had spoken of, the final one all four-fire cultivators yearned to unlock. "The 121st Dharma Aperture?" Xu Qing murmured to himself.

"Only between life and death can the 121st Dharma Aperture be opened?" Xu Qing tried to find it without success. He recalled Seventh Master's words, pondering them without urgency to unlock this final aperture. "The Fiendfire Devouring Soul Scripture can only unleash its true power to suppress corresponding souls within their respective Dharma Apertures when cultivated to perfection," he mused. "My 120 Dharma Apertures can suppress 120 souls! This way, my Dharma Apertures will become more powerful, and I'll also be able to unleash soul-devouring techniques... like the Dim Soul Fire!" Xu Qing deliberated. He also knew that once 120 souls were suppressed by him, they could transform into artifact spirits, instantly elevating his Dharma boat into a Dharma battleship, significantly increasing its power.

"By that time, if I still can't open the 121st Dharma Aperture, I won't need to push every limit; I'll just advance directly to the Heavenly Palace Golden Core." Xu Qing had just decided this and was about to stand up and leave when his gaze swept across the bloody lake's center, landing on the massive Sky Nail and the demonic serpent's head impaled upon it. Looking at the Sky Nail, Xu Qing subtly felt the terrifying power it exuded. According to the history he knew, this nail was something the Ancient Emperor Xuan You had casually refined from the five elements, formed in an instant. He couldn't imagine what kind of cultivation could conjure such an astonishing nail with a mere grasp, a nail capable of suppressing a second-stage demonic serpent from the Return to Ruin realm for a hundred thousand years. Even as the demonic serpent withered, the nail remained.

"I wonder when I'll be able to do something like this," Xu Qing thought, waves stirring in his mind. As he gazed at the Sky Nail, he had a faint feeling similar to when he first witnessed the Grand Azure Saber. Slowly, a strange light gleamed in his eyes, and he diligently tried to mentally sketch the nail. This was how he had done it before, in the Dao temple within the forbidden zone of the Scavenger Camp. However, the Sky Nail's level was too high, and Xu Qing's attempt to mentally sketch it was not smooth. It seemed the nail's appearance was difficult to clearly remember, as if a Dao rhythm was interfering. By the time his stay in this Land of Creation reached its limit, Xu Qing had only managed to implant a vague outline of it in his mind.

He would need to continuously study and emulate the nail, hoping that, like his understanding of the Grand Azure Saber, he might gradually unlock its essence. Whether he would ultimately succeed, Xu Qing didn't know. He simply felt that the Sky Nail contained an astonishing and terrifying intent; if he could manifest it, it would be incredibly potent in combat. "It's a pity," Xu Qing lamented, "If I could study its essence here every day, the chances of success might be much higher." Just as he stood up, a vortex appeared before him.

Irresistibly, the vortex's suction instantly enveloped him. Also drawn in by similar vortexes were the Captain, who had been intently staring at the tooth in the distance, and Wu Jianwu, looking dejected. The three figures vanished in an instant, reappearing outside the Xuan You Sect's Land of Creation. When they entered, their emotions had varied: Xu Qing was conflicted about the arrival of Immortal Zixuan, Wu Jianwu was eager to explore the Xuan You ruins, and the Captain regretted that Immortal Zixuan had arrived late. However, upon exiting, their feelings were uniform, largely filled with regret.

Xu Qing regretted that the time was too short for him to fully comprehend the nail. Wu Jianwu regretted not having fully enjoyed himself, and the cost of spirit stones for another visit would be exorbitant. As for the Captain, he regretted that the tooth was not yet his. Thus, with their regrets, the three departed the Xuan You Sect, each sighing. However, the moment they descended the mountain, Xu Qing's transmission jade slip suddenly buzzed with numerous messages. He opened it in surprise, and his expression instantly darkened, a chilling aura rising from him.

The messages were all about Sheng Yunzi emerging from seclusion and challenging Xu Qing. The challenge had been issued two days prior, not at the Lingyun Sword Sect or Seven Blood Eyes, but at a location not far from here. That place was called Dao Xuan Mountain, part of the Xuan You Sect's territory and one of the Eight Sect Alliance's four training grounds. Occasionally, powerful cultivators from the Alliance would go there to give lectures. Gazing at the jade slip, Xu Qing's eyes turned cold, his aura sharpened, and killing intent surged within him. Sheng Yunzi was the most formidable opponent he had faced in his cultivation journey.

The Captain also received the news from outside and, after checking it, suddenly chuckled. "Little A-Qing, Sheng Yunzi has probably broken through to five fires. Do you need my help, big brother?" "Thank you, big brother," Xu Qing calmly replied. "If I can defeat him once, I can defeat him a second time." He looked up at the sky, calculated the time, and then decisively changed direction, heading toward Dao Xuan Mountain.

Sheng Yunzi sought a life-or-death battle with Xu Qing, and Xu Qing felt the same way. He now knew that the fastest way to advance imperial-level cultivation techniques was to devour the vital essence, qi, spirit, and blood of those who cultivated similar imperial-level techniques. Therefore, filled with a desire to annihilate Sheng Yunzi, Xu Qing headed directly for Dao Xuan Mountain, with the Captain following close behind. As for Wu Jianwu, seeing such an important event unfold, he naturally wouldn't leave, so the three soon arrived at Dao Xuan Mountain.

Dao Xuan Mountain was a low mountain with a magnificent training ground at its peak. Constructed with blue jade for paths and white rock for carvings, it was permeated with formations and restrictive powers. At the center of the training ground stood a massive Dao altar, where three colossal incense sticks, symbolizing Heaven, Earth, and Man, burned day and night, sending smoke soaring into the sky without dispersing. It was dusk when Xu Qing arrived, and under the glow of the sunset, the training ground appeared imbued with profound mystique. Many people were meditating there as well; when no Alliance powerhouses were lecturing, it served as a cultivation ground for disciples to spar.

Xu Qing's arrival immediately caused an uproar among the surrounding Alliance disciples. Sheng Yunzi's challenge to Xu Qing, and Xu Qing's two-day silence, had clearly become a hot topic of discussion within the sects. After arriving, Xu Qing sat cross-legged. He pondered for a moment, then looked up towards the direction of the Lingyun Sword Sect. Gathering his magical power in his throat, he let out a low, rumbling sound like muffled thunder. "Sheng Yunzi, no need for tomorrow. If you want to fight, come fight now!"

As Xu Qing's words rang out, his voice spread in all directions, thunder rumbling and echoing across half the Alliance, and reaching into the Lingyun Sword Sect. The very next instant, a beam of blood-red light shot up from the Lingyun Sword Sect, causing the sky to change color. The sunset hues turned crimson, and as the blood-red light filled the heavens, Sheng Yunzi, clad in a golden robe with his hands clasped behind his back, came whistling towards Dao Xuan Mountain.

Within the long arc of light, Sheng Yunzi's long hair billowed. His golden robe reflected the crimson sky, imbuing him with an endless malevolent aura. His once unparalleled appearance was now strange due to his blackened right eye; he had lost his beauty, replaced by an unsettling eeriness. Furthermore, his body was filled with resentment, an aura that spread outwards, chilling all directions. Wherever he passed, crimson clouds loomed overhead, transforming into a blood-red maw poised to devour everything, swallowing heaven and earth. And the five life fires within him had externalized, circling him and radiating flames, making the entire sky appear ablaze, like a raging wildfire, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle!

Almost the instant Sheng Yunzi's figure soared forth, the disciples of all sects within the Alliance felt their hearts tremble. They ascended from all directions, rushing towards Dao Xuan Mountain. Indeed, this upcoming battle promised numerous points of interest for the current generation of Eight Sect Alliance disciples. This was a clash between two successive chief prodigies, and everyone knew of the feud between them over the Life Lamp, a conflict that had almost claimed Sheng Yunzi's life. Xu Qing had practically ascended to prominence by seizing Sheng Yunzi's Life Lamp and leveraging his past reputation. It was imaginable that this would be an epic struggle. Even the Alliance's ancestors and the powerhouses of various sects opened their eyes, looking towards Dao Xuan Mountain.

Xu Qing looked up, watching the vast fiery clouds roaring from the Lingyun Sword Sect's direction in the sky. His expression was calm, but his eyes held a formidable killing intent. The very next instant, heaven and earth shifted color, and as winds and clouds swirled into a scene of phoenixes soaring and dragons dancing, the blazing clouds approached from the sky with immense power, transforming into a golden figure that descended onto Dao Xuan Mountain, appearing directly in front of Xu Qing!

Between the two, separated by the three-incense Dao altar representing Heaven, Earth, and Man, their gazes met in the swirling smoke. Neither yielded; their looks were equally sharp. At this moment, all eyes were on this place. Long arcs of light could be seen descending from the sky, stopping in mid-air rather than daring to set foot on the mountain, completely focused. The cultivators originally on Dao Xuan Mountain also rapidly retreated, as did the Captain and Wu Jianwu. This place was about to become the battleground for Xu Qing and Sheng Yunzi, and it was unwise for others to remain.

"Xu Qing!" The moment he arrived, Xu Qing was the only figure in Sheng Yunzi's eyes. As he looked at Xu Qing, the pain and torment he had endured lately involuntarily surfaced in his mind. His expression slowly contorted into madness, and boundless hatred flared in his eyes. Xu Qing coldly regarded Sheng Yunzi, then glanced at the onlookers. He remained silent, beginning to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the surrounding layout for himself.

"There are many people here, so it's not ideal to openly use the Nine Springs Underworld," he thought. "Old Ancestor Lingyun will definitely be watching, making it very difficult to kill Sheng Yunzi. Devouring his essence will be even harder. Also, I have many secrets, so I need to consider how many to reveal in this battle. However, this much attention isn't entirely a disadvantage for me. I can use Sheng Yunzi's personality to my advantage, meticulously planning to weaken his chances of survival step by step, or at the very least, increase my success rate in devouring his essence!"

Xu Qing's mind raced with calculations. Such was his nature; during a fight, if he could act, he would rarely speak. Even if he did speak, it was usually for tactical reasons, as he now calmly stated, "Sheng Yunzi, these are the only two life-saving items I possess." Saying this, Xu Qing took out two disordered teleportation talismans, threw them aside without hesitation, and kicked them out of the training ground. This action from Xu Qing immediately caused an uproar among the onlookers.

Though a small gesture, the resolute determination it conveyed was highly impactful. Sheng Yunzi, facing him, clearly hadn't expected Xu Qing to do such a thing. Under the gaze of countless onlookers, Sheng Yunzi sneered, took out a jade slip, and threw it aside. The jade slip emitted a gentle power, clearly a life-saving item. At the moment both sides seemingly discarded their life-saving items, Xu Qing and Sheng Yunzi moved simultaneously.

A roar instantly erupted.The momentum was immense!Their sharpness irresistible!