Chapter 350: Seed of Thought

Xu Qing’s words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the Grand Primordium City. The booming sound reverberated, shaking the minds of most cultivators who heard it, especially the disciples from various sects. It had been too long since a life-and-death battle had occurred in Grand Primordium City. Generally, challenges among sect disciples here were a tacit agreement, as human prodigies gathered in such numbers were bound to have disputes and a desire to prove their superiority. Moreover, the rules of the Sword Holders' Tribunal made challenges more frequent; every sect had experienced challenges or been challenged during this period. However, a life-and-death battle had never occurred before the Sword Holder trial. Therefore, Xu Qing’s words naturally struck everyone like a thunderbolt.

They never expected that Xu Qing, who had been avoiding combat and was privately rumored by many to be a coward, would now speak with such killing intent. This surprised too many people.

“Ruthless! He doesn’t act unless he intends to kill!”

“I was wondering how Xu Qing, as a quasi-Dao Child, could be so cowardly. Now this is more like it!”

“It’s hard to say. I hope Xu Qing isn’t seeking his own death. That Li Ziliang is not simple!”

Discussions immediately erupted. Large numbers of cultivators ascended, all looking towards the direction of the Grand Secretariat Immortal Sect, curious to see if Li Ziliang would accept the challenge. Among the ascending crowd were disciples from the Alliance. Alliance cultivators knew Xu Qing relatively better and felt a surge of exhilaration, especially the disciples from the Seven Blood Eyes sect. Soon, more and more people followed the matter, with more figures flying out, all awaiting Li Ziliang’s reply. Even those climbing the Grand Primordium Nether Pillar descended to observe this battle. In an instant, Xu Qing’s single sentence attracted universal attention. This was because Xu Qing, as someone enjoying Dao Child treatment within the Eight Sects Alliance, possessed an unusual identity and status. Li Ziliang was no different; although not a Grand Secretariat Dao Child, he himself had a great reputation. Furthermore, Li Ziliang had been on a roll recently, easily winning over ten challenges and counter-challenges. His four-palace combat power was astonishing, and he had consistently been at the peak of participants on the Grand Primordium Nether Pillar.

Even some Sword Holders had paid attention to him. Therefore, his battle with Xu Qing would naturally become a hot topic.

Amidst the converging gazes, inside the Grand Secretariat Immortal Sect, Li Ziliang’s expression remained normal, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, but a hint of hesitation lingered in his heart. Those outside did not understand Xu Qing, but he had specifically paid attention to him, knowing that the opponent was not simple. If it wasn't a life-and-death battle, he would not have hesitated at all. After all, there was no life-threatening danger, and he could fight without reservation. He also felt that he would likely win.

Engaging Xu Qing would attract more attention, as the opponent held an extraordinary position in the Eight Sects Alliance. If he won, he could suppress the opponent and rise significantly. The gains in reputation would be substantial. At the same time, showcasing his talent would attract more attention from the Sword Holders' Tribunal, subtly earning him extra points.

Most importantly, someone had promised him immense benefits to use this opportunity to probe Xu Qing's depths. He knew that person coveted Xu Qing’s Life Lamp. And, given that person’s habits, every action was meticulously planned, aiming for an absolute victory. In fact, Li Ziliang himself also coveted Xu Qing’s Life Lamp. But he wasn’t ready yet, so he hesitated regarding a life-and-death battle. This was not the Grand Secretariat Immortal Sect; if he went, it would truly be a battle to the death. With so many people watching, neither the Grand Secretariat Immortal Sect nor the Alliance could show favoritism. However, considering his current powerful four-palace combat strength, and based on intelligence that Xu Qing only had three palaces, even with an emperor-grade cultivation method, he would only be comparable to himself. A life-and-death battle… if he killed him and took his Life Lamp, neither the Eight Sects Alliance nor that person could say anything.

“But Xu Qing dares to propose a life-and-death battle, he must be confident. The outcome of this battle is hard to say.” Li Ziliang was not foolish; his analysis was very thorough. However, he was now somewhat caught in a difficult position, as he had initiated many challenges before. If he didn't accept the life-and-death battle, he would lose all face, and the attention he had previously gained would instantly vanish. Though there was unknown danger, it was also an opportunity.

“Moreover, my trump card, apart from that insidious, cunning, cold-hearted, and almost inhumane Zhang Siyun, no one else has managed to evade it so far.”

Li Ziliang pondered for a little too long, and the discussions outside gradually grew louder. As various rumors echoed faintly, a murderous glint flashed in Li Ziliang’s eyes. He knew he could not hesitate any longer and let out another cold laugh.

“Xu Qing, you brought this upon yourself; don't blame me!” His body swayed, and he abruptly flew out. The moment he stepped onto the sky, the gazes of countless cultivators in Grand Primordium City immediately converged on him. Under the watchful eyes of all, Li Ziliang transformed into a long rainbow, heading straight for Xu Qing’s location. From afar, he saw Xu Qing standing in mid-air outside the city. A purple robe, long hair, an exotic face, an indifferent expression, and calm eyes. All of this made Li Ziliang’s eyes light up, and he maintained his speed, charging directly towards Xu Qing. Just as he was about to exit the city, his speed suddenly accelerated, erupting to twice his previous speed. He was already moving fast, and this sudden burst created a sense of surprise, especially since he had never displayed such speed in his previous encounters with others. At this moment, his speed surged, and he transformed into an afterimage, instantly rushing out of the city, nearing Xu Qing, raising his right hand, and pressing down fiercely.

Four celestial palaces materialized behind him. These four celestial palaces were similar in form but different from ordinary ones, shaped like a ladder, crafted entirely from crystal, permeated with runes, emitting a dazzling radiance. As Li Ziliang raised his hand, these four celestial palaces immediately rumbled, appearing directly above Xu Qing’s head. Stacked together, they formed a crystalline pagoda when viewed from afar, instantly pressing down on Xu Qing.

All of this happened in a flash, forming a killer move in conjunction with Li Ziliang’s speed. As it descended, Li Ziliang suddenly released his divine sense and transmitted a message to Xu Qing, a sentence only Xu Qing could hear.

“Xu Qing, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. Do you remember our hatred?” This sentence echoed in Xu Qing’s mind. Xu Qing remained expressionless. He didn't know the other party and was certain he hadn't met him; otherwise, if the other party had a grudge against him, it would have been recorded on his bamboo slips long ago. So he didn't pay attention to what the other party said. At this moment, the four celestial palaces above roared as they descended, smashing fiercely towards him. The power of a four-palace Golden Core erupted completely. In an instant, the surroundings vibrated, and the pagoda formed by the four celestial palaces submerged Xu Qing’s figure. Countless lightning bolts extended from it, connecting to the ground like drawn wires, looking astonishing. At the same time, the pagoda’s speed towards the ground increased. But the next moment, the pagoda suddenly paused in mid-air, trembling all over, as an earth-shattering roar reverberated. In the rumble, the pagoda visibly disintegrated rapidly, breaking into countless fragments that scattered in all directions. Xu Qing’s figure was revealed in mid-air, along with the nine-layered towering waves that surged around him. The waves rolled one after another, spreading with a deafening roar in all directions. Xu Qing, standing on the waves, resembled a sea god.

A roar emanated, and behind Xu Qing, above the waves, a Golden Crow rose like the sun from the sea, radiating golden light above Xu Qing. Inside the golden light, though its body was black, its nineteen colorful phoenix tails danced in all directions, leaving trails of burning phoenix feathers swirling through the heavens and earth wherever they passed. Li Ziliang’s expression changed. He knew Xu Qing was strong, but it wasn't until this moment of engagement that he truly felt the explosive power on Xu Qing's body. It gave him the feeling of still being a four-palace combat power, but infinitely close to five palaces. “Damn it! Why didn’t my previous voice transmission plant any seed of doubt in his mind?!” Almost as soon as he looked at Xu Qing, Xu Qing moved. With blinding speed, he instantly stepped on the waves, charging directly towards Li Ziliang, the Golden Crow spreading its wings, with furious waves accompanying him. Li Ziliang’s pupils constricted, and he rapidly retreated, forming hand seals.

“Immortal Art: True Spirit Ice Spears!” Ice spears materialized around him, whistling towards Xu Qing. Each of these ice spears emitted a dazzling, crystal-like radiance, attempting to block Xu Qing, but they were shattered by Xu Qing’s Golden Crow. “Immortal Art: Sign of Fiery Flame!” In an instant, a sea of fire formed in all directions, transforming into a massive flaming hand that swept towards Xu Qing, attempting to block him again, but it was submerged by the furious waves. “Immortal Art: Four Palace Divination!” The shattered fragments of the celestial palaces in the sky now blurred and dissipated. Immediately after, four more celestial palaces materialized in mid-air, arranged in a specific order: two in front and two vertically behind, resembling a broken divination, blocking Xu Qing’s path, as if analyzing and predicting him. It didn’t end there; with a wave of Li Ziliang’s hand, a giant mirror appeared beneath Xu Qing. This mirror was ethereal, and its surface showed countless blurry figures, unclear to see, yet it seemed to possess a strange power that made one’s gaze involuntarily drawn to it. The less clear they were, the more one desired to see them. Having done all this, Li Ziliang raised his right hand and rapidly formed hand seals, as if calculating something.

The many figures in the materialized mirror also began to become clear from their blurry state. Until the next moment, after Xu Qing punched open his celestial palace, Li Ziliang’s expression suddenly changed drastically. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face showing disbelief as he looked at Xu Qing, gasping in shock. “I know why you don’t recognize me. You, on your body, you were actually…” As he spoke, he assumed a ghost-seeing posture, abruptly turned, and fled swiftly into the distance. The moment he fled, Xu Qing raised his head, glanced calmly, then suddenly raised his right hand and grabbed fiercely. Xu Qing did not grab in the direction Li Ziliang fled, but rather behind himself.