Chapter 983: Qianyang

The spiritual treasure reflected in Silou Yingge's eyes, startling him and filling his heart with an infinite chill. He hastily urged the four crimson mystic-patterned small swords back to his front. His brow suddenly brightened, and water-like ripples appeared. Stimulated by the spiritual treasure, an object emerged from it.

This object was crimson, no bigger than a finger, yet it was a feather from some kind of bird. Individual downy feathers floated and danced, as if alive. A radiant arc of true flame enveloped it, shining brilliantly.

Chili Light Feather!

This object was a valuable treasure of the Gao family, originally a spirit artifact cultivated by King Bole, Gao Fu, throughout his life. As Silou Yingge was heading south, Gao Fu, concerned for his safety, specifically entrusted this item to him. It was meant to protect his life at a critical moment!

He barely had time to unleash this light feather when he saw a golden light rushing straight at him. The four crimson mystic-patterned small swords had already been activated to their maximum, but they were still unable to arrive in time, turning into four streaks of crimson light chasing behind the golden light, creating loud sonic booms in the air.

“Buzz!”

Arcs of true flame light from the Chili Light Feather showered down, locking onto the golden light in hundreds of strands. The mystic bracelet instantly shone brightly. Its originally unadorned surface was instantly covered with countless bright white mystic patterns!

“Crack!”

The Chili Light Feather was activated too hastily. Even though it was an outstanding spirit artifact, the showering arcs of light ultimately failed to restrain the spiritual treasure and were torn apart by the surging golden light!

“Boom!”

The man, like a heavenly god of true flame, paused for only an instant in the sky. Then, like a falling meteor, he plummeted downwards, sweeping aside the rolling clouds. Heavenly light and the brilliance of the bright sun erupted together, soaring skyward!

“Cough, cough.”

The surging heavenly light and colorful clouds slowly dissipated. Silou Yingge crawled out of the ruins. The golden-red clothing on his chest was torn, revealing the bronze skin beneath, but it shone like glazed jade or emerald, dazzlingly bright, covered with dense, spiderweb-like impact patterns.

Surging true flame poured out from the cracks on his Dharma body, burning the air into a slight distortion. Silou Yingge coughed twice and spat out a mouthful of heavenly light. The true flame light behind his head dimmed slightly, and the flames on his body flickered on and off.

This spiritual treasure had appeared unexpectedly and possessed the power to bewilder the mind. Unlike many powerful spirit artifacts, its chance of hitting was extremely high! Moreover, its power was equally great. Even though his Pheasant-Departing Fire Mystic Pillar had already taken shape, and he had the Chili Light Feather for suppression, he still suffered significant damage!

Leaving aside the injuries on his Dharma body for now, the surging bright sun heavenly light flowed along his body, continuously interfering with his inner divine abilities. The Chili Light Feather had to fly back to his brow to assist in suppressing them.

However, Silou Yingge showed little surprise or doubt. Instead, his eyes held a complex expression, and the image of that spiritual treasure remained in his mind.

“This is...”

Qianyang Bracelet!

‘Emperor Gong's ritual artifact...’

Others might not know about the Qianyang Bracelet, but the Gao family knew it best. His Gao family possessed scroll paintings of Emperor Gong of Wei's northern tour. In those days, Emperor Gong of Wei had bestowed two pairs of spirit bracelets upon Tuoba Changming and Silou Chongyang!

These two pairs of bracelets were named Changning and Chongtai, respectively. Their form was similar to the Qianyang bracelet bestowed by Emperor Gong of Wei upon his brother, Li Guangheng. Chongtai was currently in the Gao family's possession, and although it wasn't considered a spiritual treasure, its power was extremely formidable!

With just a glance, he recognized the spiritual treasure before him, and even more doubts arose in his heart:‘The Dragon Clan gave it to him! It must have been the Dragon Clan who gave it to him! When Wei fell, Li Guangheng died, and the Qianyang was taken by the Dragon Maiden Zhaohe, remaining in the hands of the dragons...’

He was in a daze for a moment. The heavenly light and colorful clouds before him were rapidly dispersing. From within, a golden blade sprang forth.

Dayang attacked!

Blood still welled up at Silou Yingge's lips. His eyes once again surged with crimson true flame light, vibrant and colorful. Mystic light poured forth from his eyes, meeting the attack head-on. Meanwhile, the four crimson mystic-patterned small swords maneuvered in the sky, aiming to strike the man from behind!

“Clang!”

The sound of mystic light colliding with the long halberd echoed through the sky, sweeping away all the blazing smoke and heavenly light. The man before him had a face full of golden mystic patterns. His entire body was still ablaze with solar fire, shining brightly in patches. The mystic light of the Sun's Celestial Regulator had not yet dissipated!

His golden eyes, however, stared with murderous intent.

“Bang!”

Black flames suddenly emerged from the solar fire. Four arms abruptly grew from behind him, each poised for action, bringing forth surging fierce flames. Silou Yingge's inner divine abilities were not yet stable. Being able to forcibly release spells already indicated his extremely high cultivation, but he couldn't control them for the moment, and the four crimson mystic-patterned small swords were seized!

The Jiazi Soul-Refining Halberd Art was obtained from the East Sea. Although its quality was not low, it excelled at destroying sects and counties and was a demonic art of killing. It was also a profound Qi technique, and Li Zhouwei's mastery of it was not particularly high. How could it directly face such spirit artifacts? Moreover, this art was not originally meant for defense! With a light sweep, the four small swords sliced through and exploded the four arms.

But that brief moment was already enough!

The scorching true flame mystic light collided with the long halberd, was split open by its crescent-like blade, and scattered in all directions as vibrant true flame streams. Extremely hot, causing everything around to burst into flames. Li Zhouwei's body was also ablaze with solar fire, but a circular point of light suddenly shone brightly at his brow.

Supreme Radiance Suppressing Light!

A golden-white pillar of light immediately surged forth. Taking advantage of Silou Yingge's divine abilities not yet being restored, it struck his face with swift speed. The surging true flame mystic light was abruptly interrupted. This descendant of the Gao family was sent flying backward again, carrying a fiery red glow, and slammed violently into a nearby mountain!

“Boom!”

Immediately, rocks rolled everywhere, and the immortal peak tilted and collapsed with a thunderous roar, sending up countless plumes of dust and smoke.

‘How ruthless.’

Li Zhouwei's action was not meant to inflict lethal damage with the Supreme Radiance Suppressing Light. It was to force the Chili Light Feather within his opponent's brow to emerge and defend, allowing the residual heavenly light in his Dharma body to continue wreaking havoc, thereby gaining the upper hand step by step... However, Silou Yingge, even after taking that Supreme Radiance Suppressing Light head-on, refused to remain passive!

In an instant, Li Zhouwei's figure appeared atop the collapsed immortal peak. The light at his brow instantly transformed into darkness, and the omen of an eclipse emerged:

Emperor Qi Light!

Tens of thousands of golden-fronted, black-backed streams of light surged forward, falling upon the mountain peak like thunder. Smashing the mountain's structure until it collapsed and completely shattered. Sounds of coughing blood arose, and golden light emerged from the darkness. Hundreds of blazing fire shadows escaped and gathered in the distance.

“Cough, cough...”

Silou Yingge's face was skeletal, his flesh rapidly regenerating. The true flame light behind his head had long vanished. His Pheasant-Departing Gait circulated, and after paying a huge price, he finally escaped!

He held both hands level at his sides, and true flame surged forth. The Chili Light Feather had already suppressed the divine ability turmoil within his body. It leaped out from his brow, releasing ten thousand rays of light.

“Rip!”

Twelve dazzling golden-red true flame lights descended together from the sky!

The Biting Green Yuan Mystic Cauldron immediately appeared from mid-air, transforming into its colossal original form. Gusts of wind raged from its mouth, attempting to collect all twelve golden-red true flame lights.

However, the Chili Light Feather had been accumulating power for a long time. The Biting Green Yuan Mystic Cauldron was inherently inferior, and its primary function was not absorption. It only held on for an instant before its miraculous power instantly reached its limit, transforming into a white light to shield Li Zhouwei!

Li Zhouwei already had the blessing of light from the Huayang King's Axe on his body. In the mere instant the mystic cauldron bought him, he had already shifted his position. Even though the golden-red true flame light between heaven and earth followed his movement, he had already had time to turn Dayang back!

“Buzz...”

Dayang did not attempt to resist the immense true flame. Instead, it gently maneuvered the four almost formless crimson mystic-patterned small swords out of the fire. Their blades shone brightly, evidently activated to their extreme.

But with the spirit swords blocked, the true flame faced no further obstruction!

“Boom!”

Intense true flame light exploded across the heavens and earth. Li Zhouwei once again fell from the clouds. Above Silou Yingge's head, a small green jade bowl had appeared, sprinkling down hornwood spring breeze like sweet dew, both protecting his form and rapidly nourishing his Dharma body.

But no matter how much nourishment he received, the radiance of his Pheasant-Departing Gait clearly could not recover in a short time. Silou Yingge could only silently lower his gaze and look towards the ground.

Smoke wafted across the ground. Li Zhouwei slowly rose to his feet, his body ablaze with true fire. Solar flames intertwined with true flames, causing his body's divine abilities to hum and subtly revealing fine cracks.

‘What a Jun Daowei!’

The two stood in distant confrontation. Just as the situation was about to shift, two more streaks of light approached from afar, materializing nearby. One wielded a spirit sword to strike, and the other suppressed with divine abilities and spells. They both simultaneously called out:

“Lord Silou, we're here to help you!”

Li Zhouwei had to stop catching his breath. He lifted his long halberd again, parrying the spirit sword. The light at his brow flashed, and the Supreme Radiance Suppressing Light instantly shattered the opponent's spell. He then fixed his gaze to scrutinize them.

This person had hanging barbarian sleeves, wore mixed white and purple robes, and had a horizontal jade tablet inserted into his bound hair. Such half-barbarian attire was precisely what the two individuals who had competed with him for the spiritual treasure in the Hall of Departing Fire were wearing!

‘How daring! These two must have been looking for an exit to the outside world, stumbled upon our fight, and, having a connection with the Gao family, became greedy due to old grievances!’

The sudden appearance of the two made even Silou Yingge momentarily taken aback.

Li Zhouwei's guess was correct. These two were from the Xiangli clan's Violet Mansion, both from the Yan Kingdom. They were considered newly risen aristocratic families with shallow roots. One, Xiangli Zhuyun, had good talent, while the other, Xiangli Shiyu, was far inferior...

Silou Yingge's plan was disrupted, and he secretly frowned.

His fight with Li Zhouwei was not for any spirit items or spiritual treasures. It was merely to save the Gao family, injure his opponent, or ideally, for both to suffer heavy losses. Why would he need help? Feeling uncomfortable, he could only watch with a frown.

At this moment, the two attacked together. Cinnabar rain fell, and white qi surged forth. But Li Zhouwei's eyes shone brightly as he lifted his halberd and swept it across!

“Clang!”

The cinnabar rain was instantly swept away by heavenly light. The long sword flying through the sky was suddenly lifted. Dayang's golden light forcefully scattered its divine ability. It leaped forth, not advancing but retreating, and stabbed towards the man.

The white light spell surging from the side was blazing. Li Zhouwei only spared it a glance. Holding the halberd with one hand, he raised his other hand high and slammed it down with a thunderous force.

“Bang!”

This white light divine ability spell, of unknown nature, had not even had time to fully bloom before Jun Daowei. It was already shattered into scattered streams of light. Dayang's speed merely slowed for an instant, but its bright blade was still pointed directly at Xiangli Shiyu's heart!

Xiangli Shiyu immediately felt a chill down his spine.

It had seemed fine from a distance, but in actual combat, that pressure resurfaced in his heart. His face turned grim. He only felt that the divine abilities of the person before him were terrifyingly powerful!

‘Even a Maha would be just like this... But a Maha wouldn't have so many Daoist spells and divine abilities!’

‘Damn it!’

Heavenly light shattered in the sky. The white light protective divine ability enveloped him. Xiangli Shiyu's vigilance had already reached its peak. But Li Zhouwei in front of him lightly flicked his halberd, striking the divine ability.

The white light divine ability immediately vibrated, sending Xiangli Shiyu himself flying out violently. Li Zhouwei did not hesitate for a moment. The true threat was already coalescing in the sky: the twelve true flame mystic lights of the Chili Light Feather were descending, while the rapidly approaching Biting Green Yuan Mystic Cauldron had been fixed in place by Xiangli Zhuyun, who controlled the cinnabar rain of heaven and earth!

“Boom!”

Amidst the surging true flame, the bright Heaven's Gate finally stood tall, bringing with it floating colorful clouds and shimmering heavenly light, illuminating the area. The color on Li Zhouwei's face deepened, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. His body's true flame was clearly even more ferocious, yet his aura continued to rise!

Jun Daowei was clearly already operating at full power. Due to the siege by several individuals, his power was continuously increasing, already about thirty percent more than before!

This thirty percent increase in power might not seem like much, but it allowed him to still stand firm in the air under the blessing of the Heaven's Gate. He could manage to not retreat a single step even while injured and spitting blood, and even emit endless radiance amidst the blazing true flame and solar fire.

He held his halberd in one hand, pointing it diagonally towards the ground. His other hand was held out virtually in front of him. The mystic bracelet on his wrist was already grasped in his palm, gradually tightening. His golden eyes seemed to pierce through the endless flames, staring fixedly at Silou Yingge beyond the true flame!

Silou Yingge's expression froze. The Chili Light Feather's shimmering light rapidly dimmed, swiftly retreating to defend.

He could not have imagined that Li Zhouwei, even with the Biting Green Yuan Mystic Cauldron's blessing, had been knocked down by the Chili Light Feather. Yet now, with the Biting Green Yuan Mystic Cauldron held back, Li Zhouwei could remain unmoving within the true flame mystic light!

“Clang!”

Before Silou Yingge could understand, the Qianyang Bracelet in Li Zhouwei's hand vanished.

“Boom!”

A crimson light, like an arrow shot from a bow, heavily plummeted to the ground. Silou Yingge's figure fell from the clouds. But the golden shadow of the Heaven's Gate vanished in a flash, and the long halberd thrust upwards!

Li Zhouwei, having successfully struck, charged towards Xiangli Shiyu, who had just raised his sword, causing his face to dramatically change.

Xiangli Zhuyun, who had just blocked the Biting Green Yuan Mystic Cauldron, had not expected Li Zhouwei to fight with such terrifying ferocity. Although the light of the spiritual treasure was fleeting, how could he not be alarmed at this moment! Seeing him charge towards his clan brother, he immediately activated his divine abilities. Cinnabar rain began to fall throughout heaven and earth, all converging on Li Zhouwei, attempting to stop him.

Xiangli Shiyu was even more astonished and enraged. The divine abilities beneath his feet came to an abrupt halt. White light condensed again, and he summoned a spirit artifact to prevent his opponent from activating a spiritual treasure.

However, the fierce Li Zhouwei merely brushed past him and sped away!

The cinnabar rain, piercing bone and marrow, created dense holes everywhere on the ground, but it was too dispersed. Jun Daowei pushed himself, his power layered with blessings, and immediately transformed into a golden light, vanishing into the distance.

The Xiangli brothers exchanged a glance, feeling a sense of relief. When they looked down again, Silou Yingge was long gone. Only widespread devastation remained: true fire blazed in the ruins, heavenly light flowed, and the landscape was utterly scarred.

“I wonder what he got...”

Just as the two relaxed their expressions and sped away for a distance, the shimmering light overhead slowly began to dissipate. Xiangli Zhuyun's face changed, filled with surprise and uncertainty:

“Tai Xu?”

The suppressive and absorbing power that enveloped this realm suddenly vanished. The aura of Tai Xu reappeared. Violent tremors came from all directions, mountains collapsed, and ruins crumbled, causing both men's faces to change color simultaneously:

“The Grotto-Heaven can't hold on much longer!”

In but an instant, the two vanished. The streaks of light roaming this realm also drifted away one by one, their figures disappearing. In an instant, the extreme motion turned into extreme stillness. The entire Grotto-Heaven was enveloped in a faint mist, dark light rapidly floated, and colors dimmed.

All the True Monarchs had already departed.

Only the few Great Daoists on the central peak were still fighting. Their battle caused flowers to fall from the sky, anomalies to occur frequently, the Grotto-Heaven to tear apart, and Tai Xu to separate. A surging wind of spiritual energy blew from this peak as its center. The tens of thousands of skeletons, kneeling amidst the dense buildings, all toppled over one by one, rolling everywhere in utter disarray.

Only the headless corpse standing at the foot of the mountain remained motionless, clad in a velvet crane cloak and draped with scriptures.

The surging storm only ruffled the downy feathers on his collar and individual plumes. The spirit sword hummed faintly, seemingly waiting to become a spoils of war after the Great Daoists decided the victor.

The head on the ground, with eyes tightly closed, gently rolled twice in the storm, landing face up.

A strand of handsome black hair floated across his forehead, brushing his high-bridged nose. The tremors of Tai Xu grew increasingly intense. A layer of hazy white light enveloped him, causing his tightly closed eyes to tremble. His pursed lips then moved gently and silently, as if murmuring:

“Kill... my Daoist...”

The headless corpse, clad in the velvet crane cloak and draped with scriptures, slowly bent down and held the head in its hands. In the surrounding darkness, its pure black eyes opened, staring quietly and emptily at the sky:

“Today... again plundering... my Daoist lineage...”