Chapter 469: Encounter

Blood cells flowed in the distance. The Scholar of a Hundred Schools, dressed in elegant white scholar's robes, stood opposite Xu Zhi, who wore a black wizard's gown. Their contrasting appearances, one in white and one in black, created a striking visual, highlighting the distinct attire of two different civilizations.

“My temporary restraint just now does not mean that was truly my weakness,” the Scholar of a Hundred Schools strode forward, his aura surging. He instantly sealed off his hearing and sight, preventing others from exchanging questions. “In a sense, I am the type of aberration with the fewest weaknesses.”

An ostrich… Xu Zhi paused for a moment.

But one had to admit, this was the simplest and most brutal method. By sealing off hearing and sight, others couldn't ask questions, allowing him to focus solely on his task. Xu Zhi hadn't anticipated that, within the vast body of this Devil God, with so many Heavenly Emperors pursuing their group of aberrations, his own laid-back, uncompetitive research would suddenly land him in such deep trouble!

This was an unprovoked disaster, catching him off guard. Previously, Emperor Messiah had sought to experience the harsh realities of society, but nothing had come of it. Now, having done nothing, the harsh realities of society were actively seeking him out the moment he arrived. The last time it was Lin Hongfeng; this time, it was the Scholar of a Hundred Schools, the leader of the aberrations who rebelled against the Three Realms.

Xu Zhi's expression became completely calm. “But what is this? Am I fighting myself? Fighting the me that exists in the eyes of all beings?”

“A second battle, then?” Xu Zhi clearly understood that a strong individual could hardly ascend higher without experiencing battle. Self-improvement in isolation was insufficient; this was an essential process. Using an alternate persona to test the waters and experience a battle against a peerless expert in the sandbox world was an excellent idea. It would allow him to gauge the talent and overwhelming combat prowess of these era-defining figures and see how much he differed from them, serving as a perfect benchmark.

“Emperor Messiah, what is power?” The Scholar of a Hundred Schools advanced step by step. “In this world, any powerful individual understands that knowledge is power. Not a single Heavenly Emperor has failed to master ancient and modern wisdom; they all possess astonishing intelligence and vast reserves of knowledge, comprehending all things in the world... Of course, there are exceptions now, like the Martial Emperor lineage, who purely train their muscles. They just need to train! Train! Train! They don't need to use their brains too much!”

In the shadows, Pan Xuexian broke out in a cold sweat. *Is he talking about me? He's not just insulting me!*

“He's insulting us sisters,” Pan Xuexian said, pulling on the well-bred Luo Caiwei.

Boom!!

“Knowledge is power, and I, representing wisdom, am one of the strongest combatants among the aberrations!” The air around the Scholar of a Hundred Schools seemed to twist, radiating endless brilliance and enveloped in naturally formed Dao techniques. With every step, a terrifying aura vibrated, and pulsating flames permeated the entire surroundings.

Pan Xuexian and Luo Caiwei’s bodies began to tremble slightly, a frantic fear surging from deep within them, threatening to overwhelm their forms. “He’s too strong! The Scholar of a Hundred Schools’ true combat power is far greater than that of the aberrations they just attacked together. Such an enemy... has long surpassed the realm of a regular Heavenly Emperor. How can he be defeated?!” They cowered deeper into the shadows, completely forgetting their earlier intention to ambush and help.

Rumble! The Scholar of a Hundred Schools charged fiercely.

“Scholar of a Hundred Schools... it seems I’ve created quite a formidable opponent for myself.” Xu Zhi composed himself, grabbing forcefully in the void. A black, intricately carved staff appeared in his hand—a masterpiece from his alchemy practice.

“War Air Hammer!” With a swing of the staff, a practiced opening move instantly launched an attack. A massive, condensed air hammer surged forth, like a primordial divine hammer, trailing terrifying crimson aura and searing the very air. Xu Zhi didn't pause, continuously wielding his staff to buff himself, his aura expanding. “Spring Rain Guard, Advanced Strength Stacking, Life Activation, Defense Surge…”

“Wind Evasion,” The Scholar of a Hundred Schools held a blank tome, elegantly flipping its pages. Naturally occurring Dao techniques surged forth, blocking the incoming War Air Hammer. With another gesture, dazzling spells erupted and continuously buffed him. “Growth of All Things, Embrace of the Earth Mother, Longevity Art…”

Both combatants moved with incredible fluidity, like the most elegant mages, a truly captivating sight. They simultaneously cast Dao techniques, attacking each other while applying self-buffs, all with remarkable dual-tasking. Spells began to unleash direct bombardment. The world was almost transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, with swirling radiance. The colliding streaks of light, seemingly beautiful, were in reality capable of obliterating all in their path. A regular Heavenly Emperor entering this fray would be instantly slain.

This level of power was almost at the limit of Tier 7 Dao techniques, comparable to the attainments of Emperor Duan, the foremost Dao technique practitioner of his time. After all, Emperor Duan's lack of talent wasn't the issue; he was simply outdated compared to the era three thousand years later!

Boom!!

The two unleashed Dao techniques from a distance, streaks of light exploding. The terrifying energy waves and divinely crafted spells astonished the entire world, their vibrant colors impacting everything.

“Two monsters!!” Hiding in the shadows, Luo Caiwei and Pan Xuexian, both newly ascended Heavenly Emperors of the current era, felt a chill rapidly surge up their spines.

Rumble! As both sides continuously unleashed ranged attacks, their distance surprisingly closed, until they were engaging in close-quarters combat like martial artists!

Crack!! Xu Zhi savagely wielded his staff, his muscles hardening like steel rods. His arm instantly bulged, erupting with terrifying momentary acceleration. He swung the staff like a warhammer, powerfully smashing it down from above. Caught off guard, the staff struck the Scholar of a Hundred Schools' chest with immense force, creating a large indentation!!

“Death Ripple.” The tip of the staff, having struck him, directly pursued the advantage, transforming into a black orb on the Scholar of a Hundred Schools’ chest. A terrifying aura of pressure erupted, and the Scholar of a Hundred Schools instantly exploded.

“You are very good!” A silent whisper came from behind him. “However... that was a fake.” The Scholar of a Hundred Schools had appeared behind Emperor Messiah at some unknown point.

He closed the blank tome, which transformed into a thick, dictionary-like book. The veins in his arms bulged with fearsome muscles as he slammed the book down hard on Emperor Messiah's head. The moment the book struck his head, light erupted, unleashing Dao techniques!

Bang bang bang!!

Light completely erupted. After a flash of brilliance, two monstrous figures, entirely transformed beyond their original appearances, emerged as muscle-bound behemoths. One was an eight-armed True Form Warlock of the Witch Tribe, wielding a staff. His entire body was a mass of bulging muscles, towering and incredibly robust. At this moment, his staff looked like a toothpick in his grasp. The other was a scholar transformed into a mountainous, muscular giant, holding a book, equally terrifying.

“This is insane!!” Pan Xuexian and the other watched in astonishment as the two clashed like ancient beasts, feeling their scalps tingle. This was the true horror of the old era's Heavenly Emperors.

Current Heavenly Emperors had just broken through to that realm, lacking accumulation and foundation. They typically cultivated only one system. However, these Heavenly Emperors from the old era, having lived for vast periods, had long since cultivated multiple systems simultaneously, at least the 'Ancestral Witch True Form' and 'Sea of Consciousness Dao Techniques'—dual cultivation of body and Dao! This was not a simple matter of one plus one; their combined combat power would mutually assist each other, leading to exaggerated bursts of strength.

Moreover, the Scholar of a Hundred Schools at this moment had not only integrated most of the systems from the Three Realms but also cultivated three systems: Dao, Body, and Martial Arts. He had even cultivated the newly emerged Martial Dao! This was simply terrifying! Cultivating each additional system meant a geometric increase in difficulty! This clearly showed the Scholar of a Hundred Schools' astonishing talent and brilliance!

“Oh no, Emperor Messiah has just awakened and hasn't encountered our Martial Dao... This is a disadvantage!” Luo Caiwei exclaimed. Cultivating only two systems might not mean defeat, but it certainly put him at a disadvantage. After all, Dao techniques and witchcraft were essentially the same system. Strictly speaking, there were only three major systems now: Dao, Body, and Martial Arts. The Incense system wasn't considered a combat system, as the gods worshipped through incense also cultivated these three major systems.

“No, we have to help!” Luo Caiwei said, highly agitated.

“No, you're too young,” Pan Xuexian said urgently, her gaze fixed on Emperor Messiah. “Emperor Messiah also cultivates three systems, including the Demonic Core system, which we don't have in the Three Realms. There must be a demonic core in his head.”

Xu Zhi’s aura suddenly swelled, his body began to crack, unleashing an even more terrifying presence than a Martial Dao True Form. The two clashed violently, like two ancient chaotic beasts from before creation. The surrounding Heavenly Emperor cells exploded one after another, resulting in hundreds of casualties and clearing a vast empty space.

This battle, though seemingly long, was in reality a sudden and fluid eruption of combat, reaching extreme ferocity within just ten seconds. The Scholar of a Hundred Schools instantly unleashed his full power, intending to quickly defeat or even kill Emperor Messiah, knowing time was short!

But in the next second.

Crack!

A white jade arm descended fiercely from the void, pressing down lightly. The Scholar of a Hundred Schools rapidly disintegrated. He looked towards the sky, a flash of disbelief in his eyes. “Emperor of the Underworld... Armin! How is this possible? By my estimation, it should have lasted about seven minutes, but only five have passed. Did something happen with the God of Dreams?” The Scholar of a Hundred Schools exploded instantly.

A faint voice resonated. “That being's characteristics were indeed troublesome. For some unknown reason, it suddenly died out of nowhere, yet it still used our divine power to weave dreams, trapping us for a while. If it were still manipulating that unowned dream, we might not have gotten out so quickly.”

“Emperor Messiah... you held them off very well. I will go to other locations to eliminate the remaining four.” As the voice faded, it vanished without a trace.

“The deity has successfully emerged, completely securing our victory!” Pan Xuexian and Luo Caiwei, standing nearby, slowly walked out, greatly agitated.

“Is this the combat power of a deity?” Xu Zhi took a deep breath, gazing at the instantly lifeless Scholar of a Hundred Schools. Only now did he truly grasp the terrifying nature of the power he had witnessed.

His massive Witch Tribe form contracted, and his body returned to its original state. He looked at the shattered corpse of the Scholar of a Hundred Schools, secretly evaluating. “At this moment, using all three systems, I can now contend with these second-tier top existences. I can truly fight them…”