Chapter 1144: Difference(1+1/2)

Amidst heaven and earth, winds and clouds churned. Millions of pink eyes flickered in and out of sight within the clouds, and mysterious patterns glowed brightly. Yet, the golden body remained profoundly dark, exuding solemnity and majesty.

Zhelu.

This Mahā was an old acquaintance. During the Anhuai Heavenly Rebellion, Zhelu contended for Tang Shendu alongside Jinlian and Pijia. He was also the patron who sought to refine Li Xuanfeng’s Taixi.

Zhelu was the Mahā of Boundless Void Dao. He should have been a peak figure among the Seven Phases, but Boundless Void Dao was severely damaged and inwardly hollow. He was supported by others, and even now, his power only reached the Sixth Stage.

Yet, even so, the strength of this Mahā was approaching the late Purple Mansion stage.

Facing the glittering golden halberd, Zhelu’s thoughts were not in disarray. A bronze lotus bloomed before him, radiating boundless splendor, its thousand eyes flashing!

Li Zhouwei was just retracting his gaze from the Taoist. He also grew serious. While the Ming King’s form had not yet dissipated, he raised his halberd, pointing it at Zhelu. A deep black color stained the sky.

Facing Li Zhouwei, who charged forward, Zhelu’s reaction was completely different from the previous two Mahās. With a movement of his thousand eyes, he cupped the bronze lotus in his large hands. Instantly, heaven and earth trembled, clouds rolled, and several layers of golden mountains descended from the sky!

Jun Daowei’s charging power was terrifying. Although Zhelu possessed millions of disorienting lights that were usually invincible, they were all useless at this moment. However, as a Mahā of profound cultivation, Zhelu certainly had many other techniques.

These mountains were vast and weighty, undulating and rugged. They neither illuminated him, ensnared him, nor suppressed him; they simply descended with their divine powers, striking him head-on. For a moment, heavenly light clashed with the golden mountains, shattering everywhere. Zhelu, suppressing his divine ability, summoned the Earth of Release.

From the Earth of Release, wreathed in clouds and mist, fell only five-colored radiance. It descended upon the golden mountains. Instantly, this technique received divine aid, transforming completely. No matter how Wei Wang shattered them, the mountain peaks proliferated at a terrifying speed, piling up before him.

Li Zhouwei frowned slightly, immediately understanding the abilities of this Empty Turbidity Mahā.

But the opponent, wary of Jun Daowei, was unwilling to interfere with him during his charge. Unrestrained, Li Zhouwei merely shifted his golden eyes. The Crimson Break Arrow on the sky curtain vanished instantly. The young man broke free from beneath the layers of mountains. His long blade shone bright white, already inches from the golden body!

The Thousand-Eyed Mahā showed no haste or fear. He pressed his palms together, a smile on his face. The Three Karmic World-Entering Lotuses, which had been waiting before him for a long time, suddenly inverted and enveloped him!

The Three Karmic World-Entering Lotuses were treasures Zhelu had cultivated for many years. Having accumulated power for a long time, they now surged forth. Instantly, they transformed into three-colored lotus flames. Seizing the moment when Li Zhouwei had lost his charging momentum, they crashed onto his body, burning fiercely and erupting in a burst of brilliant light!

A vast, sea-like array of confounding, sinister, and wondrous energies poured into his Ascendant Yang, fixing him in place!

Meanwhile, the Thousand-Eyed Golden Body before Wei Wang had dispersed like wind. In the distance, it manifested as a thin monk. Yet, his face was covered in eyes, completely destroying any sense of delicate beauty. He eerily clutched his monastic robes and chuckled.

No sooner had he spoken, not only did the main body of the Three Karmic World-Entering Lotuses charge forward, but the golden mountains, which had shifted targets, now crashed down again!

Yet, as many lights converged, Wei Wang calmly opened his eyes amidst the triple World-Entering Flames. Dense Qilin patterns gathered on his body. His black robe transformed into battle armor. The rolling flames slid off him like mundane water, without any obstruction. His halberd shone brightly: Binding Light!

Not only did the bronze lotus fail to immobilize this person, but it was even captured by the opponent. The fierce halberd light rapidly expanded. Wei Wang’s gaze was icy; he joined two fingers and held them before his lips.

Darkness shrouded the sky. Only a small flame blossomed at his fingertips.

This flame was dazzling golden and bright, clear and radiant. It was pure and uncorrupted, devoid of any strange or malevolent aura. Only the size of a soybean, it flickered at his fingertip, yet exuded a life force condensed to its utmost limit.

It was precisely the Southern Emperor, Xuanhuo!

The monk’s expression froze for an instant. The Great Void around him violently trembled. In all directions—up, down, left, right—luminous rays surged forth, golden chains intertwined, converging and crossing, like a golden chainmail net, trapping him in place.

This net appeared extremely delicate, yet it wrung out thick white smoke from his body. It quickly embedded itself into his flesh. It seared into the myriad eyes covering him, making him part his lips and unleash a horrifying shriek.

Zhelu had refined the Thousand-Eyed Body. He was a typical Buddhist cultivator who focused his cultivation on his golden body and excelled in immortal arts. This unique Dharma body had cost him countless years and was exceptionally precious. Normally, he would never allow an enemy to approach... But he never imagined this technique would be so overbearing, descending out of thin air!

What was worse, an immensely potent sense of imprisonment had appeared on his body’s surface. All his radiating lights suddenly dimmed. The shining halberd charged forth. Wei Wang held the halberd with one hand, his eyes sparkling like two stars!

Extremely scorching heavenly light soared into the sky. It appeared exceptionally bright against the dark night sky. The setting sun on the horizon trembled slightly. Yet, Li Zhouwei showed no hint of joy. His sharp gaze swept across, meeting the smiling eyes of the Taoist who had just put away his bluestone.

The Taoist had struck again!

The power of this halberd strike was clearly inferior to the Huayang King’s Axe. The bluestone was held firmly by the Taoist. A distant, desolate roar echoed.

Li Zhouwei turned his head, and clearly saw the white-haired elder.

Situ Huo!

This Purple Mansion-stage cultivator had a pale face and sinister eyes. His Dharma body, seemingly forged from metal and stone, was covered in cracks. Three flags were plunged into his chest and abdomen, fluttering wildly in the gale, erupting with bursts of true flame.

The clouds beneath the elder’s feet still showed the posture of dragons and serpents soaring, but he appeared disheveled. His long saber was held high, struggling to block a wooden sword.

The Taoist, as if strolling through a leisurely courtyard, arrived gracefully. He sat cross-legged on the flattened gourd. He formed a sword-finger gesture, a smile on his face. But as his two fingers slowly descended, Situ Huo’s figure to the south was gradually pushed towards the river by the wooden sword.

The Taoist was still not satisfied. He even showed a hint of surprise on his face, merely saying.

Li Zhouwei’s expression suddenly darkened.

Situ Huo had not sustained any major injuries. Within just a few rounds, Li Zhouwei had only gained a preliminary advantage, not even suppression... Yet, this Military Commissioner of the Saber-Axe had already retreated all the way to the river, just one step away from returning to Jiangnan.

This was not a cry for help; he had lost the will to fight.

While Li Zhouwei was engaged in a back-and-forth battle, Situ Huo was utterly bewildered—his years of cultivated Golden Virtue techniques had become a joke before that cultivator. When that porcelain gourd was withdrawn, it was like the wind sweeping away scattered clouds, leaving nothing behind!

The renowned Blood Fiend Tower was even inferior. No matter how much blood-sea illusions, sinister saber winds, or how much malevolent light and golden bane energy it conjured, the opponent simply employed one divine ability, and it was all swept away like a spring breeze, leaving not a trace!

It had been hundreds of years... this was the first time.

He felt no discouragement, only shock—this technique was absolutely a method from the Golden Core Dao lineage specifically targeting vital essence!

Situ Huo was not without trump cards. But the current situation meant that all the methods he had ever used were child's play before this opponent. Only the Monarch of Lost Sheep could exert some power, but it too was forced to retreat repeatedly...

Situ Huo was no simple character! He was definitely among the best in the Mid Purple Mansion stage. Moreover, he had received the Light of Martial Cultivation. What kind of person could toy with him like this? Deep inside, he felt no anger, but rather wave after wave of chilling dread, settling in his heart and lungs, causing him great shock.

This Taoist was problematic... He had mentioned a Grotto-heaven... Who was this person? A direct descendant of Tongxuan? A True Lord's direct disciple?

Realizing this, only one thought remained in Situ Huo's blank mind.

Go... leave now... None of these Three Profound direct descendants could be measured by common sense. Baiye could not be held; if he delayed, his life would be lost!

Situ Huo was neither Situ Tang nor Duanmu Kui. In those days, Kui Qi had trouble even defending himself for a short time against Wei Xuanyin. What's more, Wei Xuanyin had never even cultivated in any Grotto-heaven... he was merely a mundane lineage of Tongxuan!

His plea for aid to Li Zhouwei was not a mere request for help, but conveyed a clear message: I, Situ Huo, am fleeing now. Fend for yourself!

Li Zhouwei naturally understood. His expression grew solemn. He immediately lowered his head, looking at the large formation beneath his feet. Thick purple energy was settling on the formation's light, intertwining and shifting.

This was trouble... Without Situ Huo, it was no longer a question of defending Baiye; delaying even a little longer would put lives in peril!

His gaze deepened slightly. In an instant, he made a decision. As he stepped forth with a faint red light, crossing the distance to block the Taoist, he simultaneously injected a divine ability, imbued with his voice, into the formation.

Zhelu was caught off guard and nearly suffered a minor setback. Secretly annoyed, he was unwilling to let him go. Just as he was about to make a move, he felt a burst of colors explode before his eyes. His mind felt hazy, and boundless heavenly light swirled before him: The Qianyang Bracelet!

This spiritual treasure had never disappointed. It fixed the Mahā in place. The Crimson Break Arrow's light shifted, calmly transforming, but it headed straight for the Taoist, buying time for the colossal purple pavilion rising from the ground!

Seeing Li Zhouwei approaching on light, the Taoist's smile faded. He clearly frowned. He clasped his hands and, with downcast eyes, said.

Only a brilliant halberd met him!

The Taoist shook his head with a smile. He raised two fingers, holding them together before him: Cunning Fall Plain!

Instantly, a grayish-yellow light enveloped the area. The distance between the two rapidly widened at a terrifying speed, yet also seemed impossibly close. All colors converged upon this halberd. Yet, a certain object was seen descending from mid-air.

It was a yellowish-green jade Ruyi scepter, like an autumn leaf.

The Ruyi scepter struck the halberd, causing Li Zhouwei's arm muscles to knot and his Qilin patterns to fully emerge. All his divine powers and radiance suddenly dimmed. He should have been fixed in place, but Jun Daowei's charging ability suddenly activated, finally breaking free!

The sleeve of the gray robe suddenly flared wide.

The halberd seemed to sink into an endless abyss of mud. The two men's vital energies tangled ceaselessly in the air. Divine abilities collided intensely. His golden eyes suddenly shifted, frowning in concentration.

A wooden sword had already passed through the Great Void, reflected in his pupils.

This sword was crudely made. Its hilt even had unremoved twigs. It shimmered with a faint, tender green iridescence. A familiar aura wafted towards him.

Heaven-Nourishing Jar... it was Guardian Wood...

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Zhouwei abruptly raised his large hand and firmly gripped the wooden sword. The Taoist's expression subtly changed, and his sword-finger gesture paused. Yet, the young man's brow had already transformed into an omen of an eclipse. The great desert abruptly enveloped everything, and black-gold iridescence surged forth!

The Taoist's expression subtly changed. His eyes transformed into the brilliant colors of a sunset glow. Seven-colored divine lights converged and intertwined, gushing forth with immense power, directly countering the black-gold Imperial Qi Light!

The lights in the sky shattered. The black-gold radiance dispersed like winter snow meeting the sun, fluttering and dissolving. The vast, seven-colored pillar of light struck the golden figure, passing through it, and landed on the earth like a comet!

Purple Arrangement Chapter!

Rolling clear light, accompanied by purple energy, settled the dust. The golden-eyed young man was long gone. Only a wisp of purple mist curled upwards. The Taoist paused, slightly surprised.

He seemed not to care how many had left, but instead praised.

Yet, at this moment, the mountain forest was silent. The four directions were peaceful. The Buddhist cultivators lowered their brows and eyes, not daring to look at him. Even Zhelu, who was a Mahā, was still terrified looking at this person.

The Taoist, however, paid no mind. He had no regard for these Buddhist cultivators. With a flick of his sleeve, he stepped into the Great Void and departed.

For a moment, golden bodies flickered. The compassionate Mahās exchanged glances. Their eerie gazes all fell upon the pale face of the immortal cultivator, who was enveloped by the pale white formation.

Tingzhou.

The light of Xiqi enveloped and intertwined. The unified light mercilessly shone down. The True Man in white and gold robes stood silently on the isle, his face pale. Flames constantly leaped beside him, as if they would burn through the Great Void.

On the other side, a tall man in feather robes stood silently. His halberd was strung with viscous, golden-bead-like blood. His interweaving black and yellow eyes calmly stared at him.

There was not much solemnity in those eyes; they watched casually. Only when they swept over the blazing Heavenly Crow Blended Fire did a hint of apprehension appear.

Rolling Yin colors enveloped Tuoba Ci's feather robes, calmly dissolving all the heavenly light that shone upon him. This made Li Ximing's mouth taste bitter.

Proxy Hindrance...

That day, above Baixiang Valley, Li Ximing saw Li Zhouwei suppress this person with the Heavenly Gate Petition technique. He hadn't thought much of his abilities then. Perhaps Li Zhouwei had killed Guangchan too quickly, or perhaps northern cultivators were accustomed to acting deceitfully, but the person before him, like Chang Yun, had not used his full power at Baixiang.

But after fighting nearly seventy rounds on the lake, Li Ximing felt himself covered in wounds and a chilling despair.

The Suiqi Dao lineage was terrifying...

The opponent possessed a Proxy Hindrance technique. Despite cultivating Suiqi, he could sense Bright Yang and give birth to Yin energy. Although his cultivation in this Dao lineage was not profound, it was enough to neutralize most of Li Ximing's attacks!

Moreover, each of this person's halberd strikes was heavy and powerful. Each blow was fiercer than the last, leaving Li Ximing in a desperate state...

He shifted his gaze, letting it fall upon the general standing with his hands behind his back on high ground. The colors in his eyes darkened.

Gongsun Bei.

Truth be told, this person posed a greater threat than Tuoba Ci. His mastery of the Light of Xiqi was consummate. His combat skills were also formidable. Even more fatally, Li Ximing secretly knew that this person still held back a Xiqi spiritual treasure!

He was deliberately holding back, waiting for Minghuang!

If it weren't for that spiritual treasure still being prepared, if he hadn't been backed by the formation and his split-spirit avatar, and if his Heavenly Crow Blended Fire hadn't always been able to force the two of them back, Li Ximing would have been in mortal danger long ago. Yet, even so, every time the two attacked, they would leave scars on him to varying degrees.

He seemed unharmed, but in reality, the statue in his sleeve was covered in wounds. In just seventy rounds, he was already in danger of severe injury. Even worse, the large formation beneath his feet, which occasionally flickered between bright and dim from the attacks, filled Li Ximing with both hatred and anger.

This Gongsun Bei... his intermittent attacks did not even injure him... His attention was even still on the island!

Before Li Ximing could think further, the descendant of Great Liang before him raised his hand again. From the sky, a green jade bottle, embroidered with brilliant patterns, descended. Light fell, a swath of pure radiance.

Rolling clear light spread out. A large green cauldron manifested in the air. The Biting Qingyuan Cauldron leaped forth, absorbing the clear light one by one. But the divine ability secretly hidden within was still able to descend!

Beg for Night's Proxy!

A dim light suddenly descended, cutting away a large portion of the Six Harmonies Light that he had shone forth. Rolling Heavenly Crow Spiritual Fire immediately filled the gap, wickedly and fiercely crashing towards the general's face.

Even Tuoba Ci had to retreat in the face of this blended fire, let alone Gongsun Bei. Once this fire emerged, even though his divine abilities had reached the Mid Purple Mansion stage, he had no choice but to withdraw his abilities and evade it. He certainly wouldn't risk touching it with a spiritual artifact.

Li Ximing, however, had no chance to catch his breath. What greeted him was the halberd, surging with demonic flames!

The bronze basin was revealed, but it appeared particularly flimsy before this halberd. The demonic flames of Tuoba Ci's halberd had reached their peak. How could a small spiritual artifact temporarily block it? Immediately, with a loud bang, it was sent flying.

The Hidden Light of the Upper Sun within Li Ximing briefly blocked the halberd for an instant, erasing some of the demonic flames. The weapon ultimately struck, inflicting a massive wound across Li Ximing's waist and abdomen, leaving half his body engulfed in demonic flames!

He suddenly coughed up blood, his face becoming even paler.

The split-spirit avatar in his sleeve continuously weakened the incoming demonic energy. Li Ximing barely managed to retreat, but felt a wave of chill rush into his mind. The False Female Body-Supporting Abnormality technique constantly alerted him, causing him to instantly raise his head!

Beneath the seemingly safe blended fire, a brilliant light suddenly descended!

Gongsun Bei had been forced back by these flames so many times; how could he fail every time? In reality, he had been secretly accumulating divine power. The condensed Xiqi, refined to its utmost, surged down, instantly making Li Ximing feel a profound crisis.

Yet, he showed no change in expression. With a flick of his sleeve, he revealed a jar: Heaven-Nourishing Jar!

The moment the spiritual treasure appeared, its power and aura were completely different. Although the jar's mouth was not large, it surged with immense gravitational force, like the maw of a gluttonous beast. It effortlessly swallowed the incoming divine abilities and Xiqi, even taking the initiative to try and disrupt Gongsun Bei's movements.

The general's expression changed slightly. The faint answer in his heart was suddenly confirmed.

Perhaps Li Zhouwei... was not cultivating in seclusion on the lake at all!

The events in the West Sea had caused a great stir. The Heaven-Nourishing Jar was no longer a secret. But in Gongsun Bei's view, all of the Li family's valuable treasures must have been with Li Zhouwei... If it was in Li Ximing's hands, then it must have been left for him to guard the lake while Li Zhouwei went out!

The surprise on Gongsun Bei's face lasted only an instant. Years of warfare had made him extremely decisive. In the next moment, a swath of Xiguang unexpectedly cut across heaven and earth!

Xiguang Divided Instrument Platform!

The moment the Heaven-Nourishing Jar appeared, his thoughts shifted like lightning from forcing Li Zhouwei to act to eliminating Li Ximing!

As this swath of Xiguang emerged, Li Ximing felt an unprecedented chill rush into his mind. Every part of the split-spirit avatar in his sleeve issued a warning: Great danger of perishing!

Yet, his expression remained calm, heedless of the warnings. He even used the bright blended fire to force back Suiqi. He clasped his hands before him. Rolling runes constantly flickered in his palms, interweaving red and gold, converging like stars!

Gongsun Bei seemed to sense something, and instantly looked up.

Just as the enormous Xitai was about to descend, intense Lihuo light enveloped the sky, covering all clear light. A myriad of golden threads flowed out from the Great Void, fixing the Xitai in mid-air!

And amidst this thick red light, the True Man in Lihuo crimson robes stepped forth on fire. The golden core-like orb in his hand swirled. Overlapping golden light suddenly descended, and a swath of invisible energy enveloped heaven and earth.

Stacked Light!

The divine subtlety of the Twin Lihuo Luminaries suppressing heterodox paths caused his movements to be delayed for an instant. The brilliant golden light finally landed on him, causing his eyes to suddenly whiten, and he stumbled back two steps, slightly disoriented.

The general's expression changed. He barely managed to stabilize himself, but he did not even look at the newly appeared True Man. Instead, he sharply turned his head, urgently calling back the jade bottle to protect its master!

Li Ximing, amidst the clouds, had already raised his head. Seizing the opportunity while this person lost his mobility, a dense, pure golden light surged from his palm, piercing through layers of colorful clouds. The Great Void echoed with a rumbling sound, and it arrived abruptly!

Sixth-Grade Lihuo Technique: Great Lihuo White Brilliance Light!

The Great Lihuo White Brilliance Light technique was extremely costly to learn, took a long time to practice, and was cumbersome and complex to cast. However, this technique was supported by the Great Dao of the Lihuo's true position and fierce convergence into balance, making its power absolutely first-rate. Even Guangchan, with his highly advanced Dharma body back then, was pierced through by its light, let alone an immortal cultivator!

Just then, a square seal silently descended, enveloping Gongsun Bei!

Tuoba Ci!

This person's eyes gleamed brightly; he clearly possessed unusual sensory abilities. When Li Ximing had crossed the river to test them, he was the first to be discovered... He had already made his move an instant before the Twin Lihuo Luminaries appeared, barely making it in time!

But no matter what, it was a rushed attack. The majestic square seal lasted only a breath before being overturned. Intense golden light instantly engulfed the sky, knocking Gongsun Bei out of the sky and sending him crashing onto the distant lake shore, stirring up billowing clouds of Lihuo!

The man in the feathered robe of Dao Light spared not another glance for the disheveled Gongsun Bei, who had crashed to the ground. Nor did he look at Li Ximing, who had unleashed the attention-grabbing Lihuo technique across the sky. Instead, he stared intensely straight ahead.

His face was icy. With his left hand, he caught the scorching square seal. His right hand raised his halberd, demonic flames blazing fiercely. He forced back the dense Lihuo light emitted by the Twin Lihuo Luminaries, pointing directly at the crimson-robed youth.

Tuoba Ci squinted his eyes, then finally saw his appearance clearly.

This person had narrow, inner-double eyelids. His face held a sinister aura, yet possessed a superficial mildness, making him appear awe-inspiring yet hard to approach, and unforgettable. His smile was ruthless. He calmly gazed at the tip of the halberd pointed at him.

Those golden eyes were like glowing charcoal, stinging the viewer's eyes. They made this descendant of Great Liang, the True Man of the Tuoba clan, momentarily stunned. A hint of disbelief erupted in his eyes.

This was...