Chapter 1428: To Break the Deadlock, Only the City Gate Order is Needed; the Official Road Coachman Exchanges Gifts

"Holy Tribulation?!"

Among the white-robed figures, someone cried out in alarm.

A Dao-Severing cultivator in the process of undergoing the Nine Deaths Thunder Tribulation had only swallowed one pill, and it triggered his Holy Tribulation?

What about the Tai Xu realm?

Such a crucial Refining Spirit stage—where had it gone?

The path of Refining Spirit, passed down for so long, held meaning in every step.

Without passing through the Tai Xu realm, one couldn't birth the Tai Xu world and Tai Xu power, nor shed mortality to evolve the first strand of holy force. Combining that with a semi-saint position would then summon the Holy Tribulation—this was the standard Refining Spirit process that every Refining Spirit master knew.

Was Quan Sanqing walking a different path, one beyond the scope of Refining Spirit?

"This..."

For a moment, astonishment flashed in Dao Qiong Cang's eyes.

This was the first time he had seen a Dao-Severing cultivator directly begin undergoing the Holy Tribulation—it was practically rewriting history, since even Kui Lei Han couldn't achieve this.

This Quan Sanqing...

Could he truly be a genius?

"No!"

"It's because of that pill..."

Dao Qiong Cang recalled, remembering what the "Violent Holy-Breaking Pill" was.

Wasn't this one of those random concoctions from the Thunder Peak of the Holy Palace, messed around with by Jin Zhao Semi-Saint?

Even with his vast knowledge, Dao Qiong Cang didn't know much about the Violent Holy-Breaking Pill. He only knew it was something ordinary people couldn't use, and even extraordinary ones wouldn't dare—essentially a waste pill.

Theoretically, the Violent Holy-Breaking Pill could let any Refining Spirit master seal their sainthood at any realm, any time, and any place, achieving free sainthood—just like something Jin Zhao would create.

In reality, it was nothing but a poison... no, calling it poison didn't do it justice—it was Refining Spirit dynamite!

For a Refining Spirit master to take this pill, they needed holy force as a prerequisite; only then could they skip the semi-saint position to summon the Holy Tribulation. Otherwise, the pill was useless—this was already contradictory enough.

After all, on the continent, holy medicines like the Sacred Relic Fruit were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Even if that step succeeded and the Refining Spirit master managed to summon the Holy Tribulation,

The holy tribulation force, unpurified and untransformed by the semi-saint position, was too violently rampant. It would act like a lit fuse, using the Refining Spirit master's entire sea of spiritual energy as the base to detonate the body.

One thunderstrike could obliterate even ancient warriors, turning them to ash!

How dare Quan Sanqing swallow this dynamite himself?

"He has the Sunflower Saint Body..."

"When he swallowed the pill, holy force surged from his body—he must have taken something like the Sacred Relic Fruit before, nurturing his first strand of holy force..."

Dao Qiong Cang quickly realized.

But the fact that someone could meet such stringent conditions for taking the pill proved that Quan Sanqing was indeed a rare genius.

Such a genius, yet taking such a self-destructive path—what a pity!

Quan Sanqing's steps to sainthood were wrong.

He hadn't offered up his semi-saint position when the Holy Tribulation descended.

Dao Qiong Cang naturally knew why—it was simply because he didn't have one!

So, no matter how dazzling Quan Sanqing was at that moment, his fate was sealed...

Fireworks fade quickly, and people wither away.

"Everyone, withdraw!"

The Holy Tribulation's coverage was too vast.

This battle had undoubtedly turned into a holy war.

Even if it was barely at that level, the tier had changed.

Thus, at the scene, any white-robed figure only at Tai Xu staying behind was as good as offering themselves up.

After snapping out of it, Dao Qiong Cang decisively abandoned the Hundred Realms Spirit-Breaking Array and cleared out all the white-robed figures.

The opponent had gone this far, so if they tried to keep the Hundred Realms Spirit-Breaking Array, it might turn into the "Hundred Tribulations Array," and then things would get messy.

"Great Shielding Technique!"

After clearing the area, Dao Qiong Cang cast a heavenly mechanism technique that shot straight toward the defenseless Quan Sanqing.

"Buzz..."

The heavens echoed with a strange sound.

The Nine Deaths Thunder Tribulation clouds in the sky shook and were shielded.

But the Holy Tribulation continued to evolve, still expanding and brewing thunder, showing no sign of being shielded.

"As expected..."

Dao Qiong Cang's pupils narrowed slightly.

His heavenly mechanism technique had encountered an anomaly for the first time.

But it wasn't too surprising—this technique could shield various tribulations for Refining Spirit masters, but it was based on the normal Refining Spirit path.

It could handle geniuses like Cen Qiaofu or Water Ghost, who still followed the proper steps to semi-sainthood, but not someone intent on suicide like this.

Quan Sanqing was too reckless!

His current state was utterly chaotic:

Dao-Severing but not really, Tai Xu but none at all.

The Nine Deaths Thunder Tribulation was also sealed by the Great Shielding Technique, equivalent to a breakthrough being forcibly suppressed halfway.

But strangely, in the final stage, he had a saint body and holy force... oddly enough!

And he could still undergo the Holy Tribulation!

"If I could thoroughly research that living heavenly mechanism dao principle, I might truly be able to handle Quan Sanqing, shielding all his changes and then capturing him back to the Dao Department for study."

"Unfortunately, I don't have the time..."

Dao Qiong Cang sighed inwardly.

He couldn't understand what path Quan Sanqing was on—maybe a dead end, maybe not.

But that didn't stop him from developing a huge interest in this "special case," and the idea of conducting an on-site experiment.

If it were someone else, they might think Quan Sanqing was doomed and just wait for the outcome. But Dao Qiong Cang believed nothing was impossible and never underestimated anyone.

As a genius himself, he knew there was a small chance Quan Sanqing could stumble into a new path by accident.

So, he planned to personally record everything this special experimental subject experienced during the tribulation.

Afterward, he could deduce if there was any way to perfect or optimize it, then try to replicate it.

If successful, he could collaborate with Jin Zhao Semi-Saint from the Holy Palace.

If not, he could use it to sell special poisons and counter the Holy Palace.

Gains and losses were all in his hands, just like that game on Void Island—how could there be defeat?

But observation was one thing; for now, Quan Sanqing was an enemy, so some necessary restraints had to be shown to certain people.

"Great Shielding Technique!"

Dao Qiong Cang first cast the heavenly mechanism technique on himself.

Then, he cast it on the unsuspecting Xiang Yi and the still-useful Gui Mian.

This way, he avoided the Holy Tribulation locking onto them, eliminated extra variables that could interfere with the experimental subject's sainthood, and let the three of them stay on site without running around.

After that, Dao Qiong Cang methodically activated the Capital Array.

"Activate!"

This time, the array truly started.

But it wasn't to deal with Quan Sanqing; instead, it shielded the Holy Tribulation from locking onto anyone in Jade Capital.

At this point, all unnecessary variables were completely eliminated.

However, because he had to account for these external factors, Dao Qiong Cang's consecutive casts without directly targeting Quan Sanqing gave him a lot of time.

"Gui Mian, break through to the outside of the city!"

Quan Sanqing roared, fully unleashing his Sunflower Saint Body and breaking free from the eagle claw.

He mobilized the strand of holy force he had treasured for years without daring to reveal, transforming his form into a sharp sword and charging straight at the barrier at the South City Gate.

"Boom!"

The Capital Array was forced to manifest.

Yet, the barrier only bulged outward, with the holy force being dispersed bit by bit and devoured by the array.

The Capital Array wasn't broken!

"Screech—"

From behind, Gui Mian let out a long cry, its eagle claw emitting black sharpness as it viciously tore at the South City Gate.

Another boom echoed.

The seemingly fragile laurel wood gate was like it had been enchanted with the hardest runes, impossible to destroy.

So tough?

He hadn't even manipulated the array yet!

Gui Mian and Quan Sanqing were both stunned.

Dao Qiong Cang, holding the Heavenly Mechanism Compass, hadn't even made a move; he just watched and chuckled:

"Both of you, don't I deserve any face?"

"The Capital Array has my decades of accumulation; even a semi-saint would struggle to break it."

"You two together barely count as half a Six Paths and half a semi-saint—if you can break this array, I'll apologize with my life."

Everyone hearing this felt their hearts sink.

Of course—how could Dao Qiong Cang not fortify his own doorstep with the strongest defense?

Only Xiang Yi remained unfazed, calmly watching the showy old daoist under Gui Mian's eagle claw:

"Is that so?"

"If this gate breaks, will you really apologize with your life?"

Tribulation clouds rubbed together, booming.

The crowd was bewildered, not understanding her meaning.

Far down Chao Ling Street, Dong Dong suddenly scooped up A Yao with one hand and dashed to the Dong Ji Teahouse.

There, the corpse of the city guard captain, killed by Quan Sanqing's slap, lay with a knife handle piercing from his chest to his back, blood pooled around it.

Dong Dong groped around briefly, then simply blasted the entire corpse with Tai Xu force.

Flesh, blood, and treasures shattered instantly.

Amid it all, only a laurel wood token, seemingly fragile, remained utterly intact under the Tai Xu force, as if enchanted with ultimate hardness.

The city gate token!

Dong Dong grabbed the token and flashed to the end of Chao Ling Street, reaching the undefended South City Gate, where she inserted it into the wall's slot.

"Open."

Buzzing...

The laurel wood gate slowly opened.

This series of events on the battered street below the battlefield happened in a flash, leaving everyone stunned.

The world fell silent for a moment.

The plump Quan Sanqing froze in front of the Capital Array's barrier, his lips parting and closing wordlessly.

Gui Mian's eagle form halted at the city gate, gazing at the beautiful woman beside it; its not-so-sharp eagle eyes blinked twice, then it scratched its head with a half-hand, half-claw limb.

Dao Qiong Cang's fingers paused on the Heavenly Mechanism Compass, as if petrified, his pupils reflecting the growing smile at the corner of Xiang Yi's lips.

Soon, mockery rang out:

"Violence isn't the only way to solve problems—use your brain."

The entire gathering fell silent.

Quan Sanqing, who had swallowed the "Violent Holy-Breaking Pill," felt like he was being implicitly criticized.

Gui Mian, who had opened the Six Paths' Animal Path and was dominated by claws, felt Xiang Yi was taking a subtle jab.

As for Dao Qiong Cang, who had promised to apologize with his life, he said nothing, as if staying quiet would make everyone forget his earlier words.

"What's the holdup? Get out of the city!"

Dong Dong stuffed A Yao into Gui Mian's eagle claw, giving these fools a serious life lesson.

To leave the city, you needed to open the gate, and to open the gate, you needed the key.

Why hadn't they thought of something so simple, always resorting to force?

Had Refining Spirit muddled their brains?

Dong Dong, inheriting from Xiang Yi, didn't care about being a Refining Spirit waste; she belonged to the brainy school.

With the Hundred Realms Spirit-Breaking Array destroyed and the white-robed figures and city guards shifted away, Dong Dong had only needed one look from Xiang Yi to know what to do next.

And now, this group of dimwits was still standing there!

"Get out of the city!"

Dong Dong roared. What a great opportunity—were they going to waste it?

Quan Sanqing, Gui Mian's eagle form, and the Xiang Yi and A Yao in its claws, along with Dong Dong, turned into streaks of light and slipped out through the wide-open gate.

The South City Gate battlefield suddenly felt empty.

"What a Xiang Yi!"

Dao Qiong Cang took a deep breath, as if resigned.

His expression showed annoyance, regret, and a touch of unwillingness, along with reluctance.

He played up his expressions for a while before his lips curved into a smile:

"I have to say, a bit of cleverness."

"But do you really think you can escape the range of my Capital Array just like that?"

"You're far too naive!"

In a flash, Dao Qiong Cang followed them out, and the Heavenly Mechanism Compass began spinning rapidly, clicking loudly.

His demeanor grew even more animated.

Like a long-buried Easter egg finally discovered, he was eager to share:

"Though I don't cultivate ancient martial arts, I know that if a punch aims for the face, leaning back dodges it."

"But if it aims for the back of the head, even retreating is hard to avoid."

"So, since we're playing, let's play for real!"

With a mocking laugh, the Heavenly Mechanism Compass hummed.

The group, just barely out of the city, saw the golden laurel trees lining the road rustle in the unmanned snow, their trunks lighting up with heavenly mechanism patterns!

"This is..."

They were all stunned.

Under Gui Mian's eagle claw, Xiang Yi's smile froze as she cried out:

"Leave the official road!"

"Leave the golden laurel trees!"

This Capital Array's coverage extended beyond the capital!

That showy old daoist had exploited people's thinking habits... but extended the array's range to thirty li outside the city?

"Urgh!"

For no reason, Xiang Yi felt nauseous again.

Details decide victory or defeat.

Dao Qiong Cang suppressed his upturned lips.

With everything planned, how could he let the cooked duck fly away?

"Too late to run..."

"Binding Tree Array, activate!"

He formed seals with his hands in the air.

The golden laurel trees shot up, growing wildly to dozens of zhang, like demonic trees dangling countless branches.

The flower scent wove through the snow, and the branches traced complex patterns in the void, filling the area for dozens of li outside the city.

The group had left the city, yet they were still trapped in the array!

As the patterns fully formed, the rampant golden laurel branches descended from the sky, about to bind Gui Mian's eagle, Quan Sanqing, and the others.

"Get lost!"

Gui Mian's black wings spread, spinning several times in the air.

A Yao was spun dizzy, on the verge of vomiting, but when she barely opened her eyes, she saw the golden laurel branches had been sliced through with hisses.

"You showy old daoist..."

Quan Sanqing finally understood why this guy had that nickname.

He was furious too, sending out palm strikes to shatter the branches from afar.

But the severed branches regenerated in an instant, endlessly reaching out again, clearly intent on dragging them down.

"Boom!"

A thunderous explosion in the void.

The Holy Tribulation had finished brewing and was about to strike.

Quan Sanqing, cornered, calmly glanced back at Gui Mian's eagle: "You all retreat first. I'm doomed; I'll hold them off."

Gui Mian swept a glance from the corner of its eye; Dao Qiong Cang stood leisurely in the void, and even its heart trembled.

Such a terrifying existence had calculated everything leading to death—could one Quan Sanqing hold it off?

"I'm also finished, with little time left. You take Xiang Yi and leave; we'll both hold them off!"

Without hesitation, Gui Mian's eagle shoved Xiang Yi and A Yao back into Dong Dong's hands, then flapped its wings into the sky, charging straight at Dao Qiong Cang's main body.

To break the heavenly mechanism technique, you had to break the person first.

If Dao Qiong Cang kept casting, no one could escape!

"Crack."

Xiang Yi clenched her fist, her back teeth grinding.

Watching those around her risk their lives one by one for her sake, her gaze toward Dao Qiong Cang was filled with killing intent.

But what good was killing intent?

It was just futile rage.

Dao Qiong Cang was laughing inwardly and didn't even address Gui Mian's attack at first; instead, he fixed his gaze on the distant Xiang Yi and softly mocked:

"Brains don't always solve problems—they might just get solved by the problems themselves, you know?"

Kill him!

Even in death, bite off a piece of his flesh—even self-destruct!

Xiang Yi, buzzed by this old daoist all day, finally cracked; she nearly broke free from Dong Dong's grasp.

"Xiang Yi, calm down!"

Dong Dong shouted immediately, holding onto both of them.

Seeing the martial prohibition order around Xiang Yi's neck, tears welled up in her eyes.

They couldn't win...

And looking back would just fall for Dao Qiong Cang's provocation—how could they win?

She was decisive and didn't bother persuading; clutching Xiang Yi and A Yao, she turned and ran.

"Not a single one will escape!"

Dao Qiong Cang sneered, turning to face the charging Gui Mian's eagle, his foot swirling to unfold a brilliant celestial scroll.

In a direct fight, who said heavenly mechanism masters were useless?

Those who thought so just hadn't seen the pinnacle of heavenly mechanism techniques—pre-researching the "essences" and storing them for release.

"Great..."

As he was about to activate it, a "click-clack" sound arose at the South City Gate of Jade Capital, and a carriage emerged.

Amid the golden laurel trees' frenzy, the driver held the reins with one hand, whipping them as he charged into the battlefield.

With the other hand, he held something high, shaking it rapidly.

"Dao Hall Master, your gift from Xu Xiao Shou!"

Xu Xiao Shou?

Those three words successfully caught Dao Qiong Cang's attention.

He used Greater Teleportation to shift himself backward, temporarily dodging Gui Mian's direct attack, then glanced down.

An arm?

(End of chapter)