Chapter 244: Real Scene

The moment the scarlet pill entered Zhu Yue's stomach, a scorching current erupted, flowing wildly through his meridians like molten lava.

This pill, known as the "Breaking Rank Pill," was said to temporarily boost the power of one's cultivated Genesis Art. However, it came with certain side effects. At this moment, Zhu Yue was clearly too focused on victory to worry about them.

He knew that if he lost to Zhou Yuan here, he would completely lose face.

Therefore, he absolutely could not lose.

A crimson hue appeared in Zhu Yue's eyes, a hint of ferocity flashing within them. The next moment, his speed suddenly surged. Clouds enveloped his body, subtly shimmering with a red glow.

In a mere few breaths, he once again left Zhou Yuan behind.

Thanks to the "Breaking Rank Pill," Zhu Yue's speed was now almost on par with the Vanishing Art of someone who had opened over sixty meridian points.

A commotion once again rippled around Qing Mountain. Everyone was astonished by Zhu Yue's sudden burst of speed, having never imagined he possessed such hidden capabilities.

"There's really no chance now..." People shook their heads. The speed Zhu Yue unleashed this time was terrifying; his body had almost completely transformed into a misty cloud. Even the whistling gale wind blades sweeping across the sky failed to impede him for an instant.

This level of Vanishing Art was almost infinitely close to the second stage.

"Is Zhu Yue's Vanishing Art really that powerful?" Han Qiushui's mouth gaped open as she couldn't help but exclaim.

Gu Hongyi's delicate brows were tightly furrowed; she too was somewhat uncertain. While she had sensed Zhu Yue was holding back, she couldn't comprehend how he could have concealed so much. Zhu Yue's Vanishing Art was now very close to the second stage.

However, the current situation for Zhou Yuan indeed looked grim.

"What's with Zhu Yue, suddenly acting like he's taken some kind of drug!" Shen Wanjin exclaimed, his eyes filled with urgency. Just as it seemed Zhou Yuan was about to catch up to Zhu Yue, Zhu Yue suddenly erupted with speed again.

And the speed of this burst was truly despair-inducing.

Qiao Xiu also let out a sigh of regret, saying, "It's already very impressive that Junior Brother Zhou Yuan has come this far. After all, how long has he been cultivating? If he were given more time, mastering the second stage would be within reach."

Not far away, Yao Yao observed the scene, her brow slightly furrowed.

On the large tree, the cross-legged Elder Zong Ming cast a fleeting glance at Zhu Yue. A glint of understanding flashed deep in his eyes; he had clearly sensed something. Just as he slightly raised his hand, about to speak, he suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise.

His gaze then shifted to Zhou Yuan, who had been left far behind by Zhu Yue, and a look of interest appeared in his eyes.

At that moment, he sensed that the Genesis Qi within Zhou Yuan's body was also fluctuating intensely.

Clearly, he had not given up because of Zhu Yue's sudden surge.

On Green Mountain, Zhou Yuan moved like lightning. He looked at the surging Zhu Yue ahead, his face showing no trace of panic. Instead, he took a deep breath of the cool air.

He could feel the throbbing pain in his forehead, where his Spirit was located, growing more intense.

It was a sign that his Spirit was about to break through from the Great Perfection of the Void Realm to the Solid Realm.

In fact, he had sensed his Spirit was on the verge of a breakthrough days ago, but he had suppressed it slightly for stability. Now, however, was the perfect moment.

At his glabella, his Spirit sat cross-legged. Above it, the Sacred Soul Crystal hovered, emitting a holy light and continuously refining his Spirit.

At this moment, his Spirit's somewhat ethereal form was gradually solidifying, appearing almost tangible. Moreover, his Spirit power was surging at an astonishing rate.

All around Zhou Yuan, an invisible Spirit power vibrated, faintly seeming to stir up a storm.

In that instant, Zhou Yuan felt his senses become sharper. Everything in the world seemed to grow clearer, appearing in his vision in a more fundamental form.

Even Zhu Yue, enveloped in clouds ahead, appeared within his perception.

He could sense a faint crimson glow within the clouds surrounding Zhu Yue, hinting at a hidden wildness.

"So that's it..."

A cold glint appeared in Zhou Yuan's eyes. Zhu Yue's sudden increase in speed must be due to some kind of pill that forcibly boosted his Vanishing Art, enabling him to display such speed.

"Is this the Solid Realm Spirit...?"

Zhou Yuan's eyes were clear, but at this moment, he had no time to ponder the wonders of the Solid Realm Spirit. With a thought, the sacred pattern from his glabella settled deep within his pupils.

"Barrier-Breaking Sacred Pattern!"

Zhou Yuan inwardly let out a low cry. Deep within his pupils, the ancient sacred pattern slowly rotated, and a peculiar power suddenly erupted. Everything within his body seemed to be illuminated at that moment.

After his Spirit entered the Solid Realm, the "Barrier-Breaking Sacred Pattern" Zhou Yuan cast had clearly become more refined and powerful.

Under the scrutiny of the Barrier-Breaking Sacred Pattern, Zhou Yuan could faintly perceive streams of light points within his body, suddenly appearing and disappearing.

There were a total of fourteen such light points.

At present, Zhou Yuan had opened fifty-eight meridian points within his body. Adding these fourteen would bring the total to exactly seventy-two.

Opening seventy-two meridian points would allow one to truly enter the second stage of the Vanishing Art.

"While opening them one by one would be safer, at this moment, I can only do it all at once," Zhou Yuan murmured.

With a thought, the Genesis Qi within his body surged, sweeping through his meridians and rushing towards the fourteen meridian points, impacting them one after another.

*Puff! Puff!*

As the Genesis Qi passed through, the meridian points were easily opened.

All fourteen meridian points were pierced through by Genesis Qi in just a few breaths.

All seventy-two meridian points were now fully opened.

Although these fourteen newly opened meridian points had not yet been refined with the essence of cloud mist, Zhou Yuan's Vanishing Art was now barely able to reach the second stage.

This was already sufficient.

Zhou Yuan raised his gaze, watching the figure rapidly streaking towards the mountaintop. A slight curve slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Zhu Yue, let me show you the true second stage of the Vanishing Art!"

Zhou Yuan's foot suddenly stamped, and the air around him trembled.

Then, countless gazes around Qing Mountain turned to him in astonishment, for they saw Zhou Yuan's body gradually becoming ethereal, as if transforming into a wispy, misty figure.

At a casual glance, only a blurred outline was visible.

A wave of exclamations erupted.

"What? Zhou Yuan's body completely dematerialized?!"

"How is that possible?! Complete dematerialization requires the second stage of Vanishing Art to achieve!"

"Although it's highly improbable, the reality seems to be right before our eyes..."

"My heavens..."

Waves of utterly stunned voices rang out, as everyone stared dumbfounded at the figure that had dematerialized into a misty form.

Han Qiushui's small hand covered her crimson lips, her captivating face filled with shock. Beside her, Gu Hongyi's beautiful eyes sparkled, her heart swelling with excitement.

"Brother Yuan is amazing," Shen Wanjin said, dumbfounded.

Qiao Xiu also swallowed hard.

"This fellow..." Yang Xiu's expression also grew significantly more solemn at that moment.

Beside him, Lu Feng remained silent, but his eyes narrowed slightly. Zhou Yuan, at this moment, finally gave him a faint sense of danger.

Under the horrified gazes from all over the mountain, Zhou Yuan's figure completely dematerialized. Finally, with a slight push off his toes, he transformed into a blurry shadow and shot forward with astonishing speed!