Chapter 459: Breakthroughs Are Like Drinking Water, Advancing Realms Is Like Strolling Down the Street

Zhizun and Huafan are already two different types of life. The difference is not just in strength, but also in consciousness and spirit, where there is a world of difference.

Even at the pinnacle of the Zhizun Realm, knowing the opponent's flaws and the weaknesses in their techniques, victory would be almost impossible. Even if he attacked ten more times, he would still be blocked by the opponent.

Unless... he broke through!

Since that was the case, how could Zhang Xuan hesitate?

The Heavenly Dao cultivation method for the Zhizun Realm was already deeply ingrained in his mind. He hadn't broken through before mainly because of insufficient spiritual energy and a lack of spirit stones to provide energy. Relying solely on absorbing spirit stones, it would be impossible to complete the breakthrough without several hours. Unless he used that treasure—

The Crimson Flame Lotus Seed!

This item was formed by the Crimson Flame Lotus beneath the Red Lotus Mountain Range, condensing spiritual energy gathered over countless years. Each seed contained an immense amount of energy, and could even increase a martial artist's success rate of breaking through to Huafan by twenty percent. Its effectiveness even on Half-Huafan practitioners showed how terrifying it was.

He hadn't used it before because he had planned to use it to break through the final shackles when he reached Half-Huafan. But now, it seemed he couldn't hold onto it any longer.

The lotus seed entered his mouth and immediately dissolved. A surge of violent power instantly surged wildly through his meridians. Controlling the energy and circulating it according to the Heavenly Dao cultivation method, Zhang Xuan's aura grew increasingly potent. In an instant, he broke through the shackles.

Mid-Zhizun!

Late-Zhizun!

Zhizun pinnacle!

He was originally only at early-Zhizun. Now, with ample energy, the Heavenly Dao cultivation method absorbed it like a whale swallowing the ocean. In less than ten breaths, his cultivation rose dramatically, breaking through three minor levels consecutively to reach the pinnacle.

“This… this…”

“This is the Zhizun Realm! For others, breaking through a minor level takes at least ten years of dedicated cultivation. He… reached the pinnacle from the early stage in the blink of an eye?”

“Is he even human? This is too heaven-defying…”

“Ah, that hurts… What are you doing?”

“I want to make sure I’m not dreaming!”

“If you want to make sure you’re not dreaming, why pinch me?”

“Doesn’t it hurt to pinch yourself?”

Everyone who witnessed this scene was utterly flabbergasted. Their lips trembled as if in a convulsion. They had seen breakthroughs, but never one so insane. Others cultivated for years and couldn't even break through a minor level. Yet he, upon realizing he wasn't a match for Ding Hong, directly surged from early-Zhizun to the pinnacle…

Could he be any more powerful? Any more brazen? No wonder he dared to confront the entire Xuanyuan Kingdom by himself. Such a display of power, if word got out, would surely scare people to death.

“Breaking through is like drinking water, and advancing realms is like strolling down the street?” The 'Young Master' also turned pale and his body trembled slightly. He was the special envoy of the Myriad Kingdoms Alliance. Having read extensively since childhood, he had seen many exceptionally powerful individuals who considered themselves geniuses. But this level of heaven-defying ability was something he had never witnessed before. Breaking through in the middle of a battle and causing a massive surge in strength—how was that even possible?

“This is a Crimson Flame Lotus Seed… Even if it contains energy and can help with breakthroughs, its effects shouldn't be this significant, right?” Gu Mu also widened his eyes. The lotus seeds were obtained by him and his grand-uncle from the Red Lotus Mountain Range. He had also been granted one, so he knew its effects. Even if it contained immense energy, it was absolutely impossible for it to allow someone to continuously advance so many levels! Yet the person before him had broken all conventions and continuously broken through… Was he crazy, or were his eyes playing tricks on him?

“I've only read about such breakthroughs in books. It's said that a minor figure once stumbled upon a lecture by an 8-star master teacher and, by pure coincidence, continuously broke through realms. I never expected… to witness it with my own eyes!” Jin Conghai also swallowed nervously. He was a Huafan Realm expert and had seen much of the world. Yet witnessing this scene, he was still greatly shaken. If he hadn't forced himself to remain calm, he might have jumped to his feet in shock on the spot.

“The Crimson Flame Lotus Seed's energy is wild and untamed, like burning gunpowder. Once it dissolves, it rushes madly through the meridians. Even a slight misstep, let alone a breakthrough, could lead to instant body explosion and death. To break through directly without any hesitation, how familiar and confident must one be with the Zhizun Realm to dare to do this? And what cultivation method allows for such a heaven-defying feat?” Elder Wei Yuqing's body also stiffened. Realm breakthroughs don't just require absorbing energy; more importantly, they require understanding the cultivation method and having self-control. To break through three minor levels in one go, without any pause—just how deeply must one understand cultivation?

One must know that consuming powerful tonics to rush through a realm is a double-edged sword. If not used properly, the internal energy would accumulate excessively, not only preventing a breakthrough but also leading to instant death. Historically, many cultivators recklessly consumed heavenly and earthly treasures, and being unable to absorb them, directly exploded into dust. Even if the Crimson Flame Lotus Seed wasn't a treasure that could cause one's body to explode, its violent energy was definitely not something an early-Zhizun cultivator could endure. Yet the person before them not only consumed it without harm but also rapidly advanced with its energy. What kind of cultivation method was this? How much confidence did he have in this cultivation method to be able to do this flawlessly?

“Look, he’s about to break through to Half-Huafan!”

Still in shock, they heard shouts from below and quickly looked. Indeed, Zhang Xuan's rapidly increasing aura not only didn't diminish but accumulated even more, as if he was pushing towards Half-Huafan.

A single Crimson Lotus Seed had allowed him to completely conquer the Zhizun Realm!

Everyone was stunned, and Ding Hong, facing him, was nearly scared to death. He had originally said that only a Half-Huafan expert could harm him, intending to provoke the other party and show off his own strength. He never imagined that this fellow would actually break through, and so quickly! In an instant, his true qi cultivation had gone from early-Zhizun to the pinnacle, and he was about to attempt a breakthrough to Half-Huafan. If he had known this guy was so fierce, why would he have spouted so much nonsense? Wasn't he just asking for death? Judging from the direction of that fellow's previous attacks, if he truly succeeded, Ding Hong might genuinely fall here today.

“Want to break through? Dream on!”

With a roar and without hesitation, Ding Hong clenched his fist and slammed it down.

A Ghost-tier perfected martial art, Luoshang Fist!

Although Spirit-tier martial arts were more powerful to use, he was only at early-Huafan. He had not yet cultivated such high-level martial arts to the minor accomplishment stage, so he couldn't unleash their full combat power. Instead, a Ghost-tier perfected martial art was more effective for him.

Luoshang Fist was a fist technique comprehended by a merchant from Luoshui. No one knew the merchant's name, but it was known that the fist technique carried the power of surging river waters, unmatched in might. Later, before his death, the merchant passed the fist technique to the Xuanyuan Royal Family, where it had been passed down to this day.

With a single move, true qi surged forth like an endless great river. The entire Heaven Sacrificing Altar seemed to be inundated by vast, surging river waters, flowing unrestrainedly, while Zhang Xuan was like a small boat engulfed by the torrent, on the verge of capsizing at any moment.

“Shameless!”

“Despicable, attacking while he’s breaking through…”

“And he calls himself a Huafan Realm expert, how disgraceful!”

They hadn't expected him to attack at this moment. The crowd watching the spectacle all shouted in alarm. For a dignified Huafan expert to strike now was utterly disgraceful.

“It’s a matter of life and death. If Master Zhang successfully breaks through, Ding Hong will be in trouble. His move now is understandable!”

Though angry, they also knew that if Ding Hong didn't act now and waited for Master Zhang to successfully break through, it would be too late for everything. After all, this was a battle involving life and death, not a friendly spar where one stopped before causing harm!

“Young Master…”

Seeing Ding Hong's move, which was clearly meant to 'strike in mid-stream before the river is crossed,' Jin Conghai couldn't help but look over.

“If he dares to choose this moment to break through, he must already have a countermeasure. Let's just watch…” The 'Young Master' understood his meaning and waved his hand to decline. The young man before him had repeatedly delivered shocks. Each time, he seemed to be in a desperate situation, only to reverse it in the blink of an eye, leaving everyone speechless. And this time… would the same thing happen? After all, daring to break through during a battle required absolute confidence; without it, no one would dare.

“Yes…”

Nodding, Jin Conghai turned his head to look, then suddenly froze, his body trembling. “Oh no, he’s not resisting!”

Below, Zhang Xuan seemed to have entered a trance while attempting his Half-Huafan breakthrough. He stood rigid and motionless, allowing himself to be engulfed by the surging river waters. Though Luoshang Fist was created by a merchant, it lacked the conniving and indecisive nature of a market huckster. Instead, it carried an overwhelming might that crushed everything. He was already at a critical moment of breakthrough. Without any resistance, being struck by such power would likely lead to his immediate demise, his death on the spot.

With an explosion, shards of rock and dust flew everywhere. The young man's figure was swallowed by the smoke and dust.

“Master Zhang…”

His pupils constricted. The 'Young Master' trembled, nearly falling. Accustomed to the other party's unexpected moves, he had expected some desperate counterattack. He never imagined that he would be… in the midst of a breakthrough, completely incapable of resistance! With such a blow, wouldn't he be killed instantly? This was the strongest attack unleashed by a Huafan expert. Even another Huafan expert would find it difficult to withstand, let alone someone at Zhizun pinnacle!

“It’s over…”

Wei Yuqing and Gu Mu also felt their vision go dark simultaneously. They were all at Zhizun pinnacle. Putting themselves in his shoes, completely defenseless, they could foresee being instantly blasted into dust, utterly and irredeemably dead. They had thought they could once again witness a miracle. Perhaps this young man truly could defy all expectations and understanding, successfully break through and turn the tide… They never imagined he would simply be killed like this…

“Impossible… Zhang Xuan, you can't die!” Her pretty face pale, Mo Yu's eyes turned red. “Zhang Xuan, you are meant to avenge Lu Chong. How can you die here yourself? If this truly happened, how could she ever face that student again…”

No, absolutely not!

“Haha! Breaking through in battle, trying to show off to me? You utterly deserve to die…” Ding Hong also hadn't expected his attack to be so effective. He let out an excited roar.

However, before his words fully faded, a familiar voice rang out from within the smoke and dust.

“Thank you for your attack; you helped me break through to Half-Huafan!”

Boom!

As the voice concluded, an aura in front of him suddenly exploded, soaring upwards like a flood dragon, instantly filling the air with its presence.

He had reached Half-Huafan!