Chapter 998: 业火(1+1/2)

Taixi knew that Li Ximing had consumed many resources from the Solar Orthodoxy, and that Li Zhouwei had gained a lot in the Grotto-heaven. This was why he was only mildly jealous of the spirit treasure's appearance. How could he have anticipated three spirit flames?

“This is excessively extravagant!”

Jealousy and hatred surged in his heart, but seeing the three spirit flames interact harmoniously and charge aggressively, he grew wary. His actions became prudent; he activated his Golden Body, and the originally imposing, radiant Shi Tu divine ability immediately retracted, flowing entirely onto his Dharma body. He retreated a step, his eyes flickering as he summoned a bowl from the void.

The bowl was entirely purple, ringed with a metallic black rim. Its mouth was a black void, devoid of any light, like boundless emptiness. It was none other than the renowned Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl!

Although Taixi was not deeply experienced in the Path of Emptiness, he had spent many years refining excellent treasures. This particular item, which he began forging before he joined the Buddhists, excelled at containing elemental forces like water and fire.

Then, the brilliant radiance of the three coalesced spirit flames abruptly separated. A stream of Li Fire burst forth, exploding preemptively before the treasure and transforming into raging apricot-red flames that surged into the spirit bowl.

It was the Red Pheasant Charging Li Flame.

Among all Li Fires, the Red Pheasant was the most nimble. The Red Pheasant Charging Li Flame possessed the ability to "rush and level the profound motions." This Li Fire, positioned dominantly, surged forth, whirling and entangling, subduing the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl for a short time. Meanwhile, the other two spirit flames had already crossed paths and were swiftly approaching!

“This...”

Taixi, who was activating his divine abilities, saw this scene and his face instantly darkened. He stared blankly, utterly incredulous:

“It separated... just like that?”

Li Ximing's method of countering the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl appeared effortless, but Taixi himself had studied fire arts! The intricacies involved were terrifyingly profound!

“He effortlessly kneaded the spirit flames into a single entity, then just as easily separated and controlled them individually, without any adverse effect. It's simply preposterous...”

One must understand that Li Ximing was simultaneously controlling True Fire, Li Fire, and Bing Fire!

These three were spirit flames, each more dominant and fierce than the last. Spirit flames rarely coexisted harmoniously. Moreover, a True Person's spiritual consciousness is limited, as is the number of spirit artifacts or spirit flames they can control. How could one possibly endure such internal friction? Even a True Person cultivating Fire Virtue could at most manage two or three spirit flames from the same orthodoxy in actual combat!

Taixi understood this difficulty perfectly. When he was refining the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl, lacking spirit flames, he had to spend a full five years blending True, Bing, and Mu fires within the bowl. He managed to produce a trace of flame, but it was so inadequate that even he, despite his thick skin, was too embarrassed to give it a proper name, merely calling it "Karma Fire."

“Li Ximing isn't even a fire-virtue cultivator; at best, he has some affinity with Li Fire and Ming Yang. Three Purple Mansion-level flames from different orthodoxies, merging and separating at will – how is that possible? Even Gao Fu couldn't do this!”

With the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl, which instinctively resisted fire arts, now countered, Taixi had no choice but to unleash torrents of brilliant light from his eyes. However, a white stream of light had already shot forth, none other than the Grand Sun Subduing Light!

Although Li Ximing's Grand Sun Subduing Light was not as potent as Li Zhouwei's, he had cultivated it for decades. It firmly blocked the incoming brilliant light. Suddenly, the flickering Three-Watch Xu Fire leaped out again, golden-red and bright, shattering the golden light emitted by the lotus beneath Taixi.

Taixi clasped his hands together before his chest, urgently summoning his magical artifacts back, but no sound echoed from the void:

“What?”

Li Ximing's gaze was cold. The five layers of golden threads encircling the Twin Brightness Heavy Fire Instrument in his hand had vanished. Distant iridescent light flickered as the Xuanhuo operated, firmly binding the treasure. The treasure lantern, which Taixi had kept hidden for protection, had suddenly lost contact!

The Maha's expression changed drastically, and the bright white in his pupils expanded.

“Boom!”

The blindingly white Tianwu Bing Fire, painful to the eyes, suddenly descended, exploding on Taixi's arm. The pale gray, intangible flames shot skyward, forcing back the iridescent light, scorching the colorful clouds into dissipation, and causing the shimmering light to recede.

“Roar...”

As the intense white light dispersed, the Maha howled in pain. The arm he used to block had turned blinding white, consumed by raging Bing Fire, melting the golden skin and revealing an inner cross-section like jade and glazed glass.

Countless specks of Bing Fire splattered onto his Golden Body, countless bright flames flickering like a persistent disease. They pulsated constantly, spreading rings of gray flame that revolved and expanded around the bright spots, growing brighter bit by bit!

Taixi was momentarily flustered, suffering a massive blow and enduring unbearable pain. His eyes filled with boundless hatred intertwined with terror, yet his lips curved in jealous resentment as he inhaled sharply and muttered:

“Tianwu Bing Fire!”

The Tianwu Bing Fire was extremely renowned among Bing Fires, said to incinerate destiny, reveal pure light, exhibit a tendency to cling and attach, and possess the ability to refine metal and water. It was no joking matter; once it landed on a body, it would generate this pale gray "Opportunistic Bing Fire!"

And if this Opportunistic Bing Fire was left unchecked, it would burn through spiritual energy and divine abilities. Once nourished, it would cause the magical flames of the original Tianwu Bing Fire at its source to continue spreading, becoming utterly malicious. It was an easily recognizable treasure, yet he had never imagined his opponent possessed such an item!

“Tianwu Bing Fire... How could it be Tianwu Bing Fire? That's something Li Ximing couldn't acquire even if he sold himself!”

The other two spirit flames had already been dispersed, leaving only the pure might of the Tianwu Bing Fire, yet it still burned him all over, leaving him scarred. His pupils dilated with intense pain, his glazed eyes almost filling his entire vision. The lotus seat beneath his feet rapidly receded as torrents of brilliant light surged to cling to him, suppressing his injuries before the flames could spread further...

“I was doing the Great Desire Path's bidding, and now they're standing by, watching me fall and get injured... This is outrageous!”

A colossal wave of anger spread in his heart, heavily weighing down the brilliant light, causing the three Compassionates, who were opportunistically lurking in the iridescent light, to shiver in unison and complain bitterly.

Nü Xiao, having no support, was especially miserable, filled only with resentment:

“It's perfectly normal for us to take some time, being blocked by the iridescent light... it's not like we're slacking off... Li Ximing's divine ability is the Gate to Heaven. If reinforcements really burst through, whoever charges first dies fastest. It's naturally best to have an excuse to linger for a moment or two... Who would have thought you, a Maha of three reincarnations, would be injured in just a few exchanges!”

Despite their complaints, the three Compassionates were drenched in cold sweat. They had already broken through the iridescent light, led by Nü Xiao, the most cultivated among them, and several rays of brilliant light flew forth! However, the Solar Orthodoxy's dying struggle back then had not been without effect; Taixi's Compassionates had suffered severe losses. The current three were all incompetent; let alone being beneath the Golden Lotus Seat, even the strongest, Nü Xiao, was merely a Wisdom Seat!

Li Ximing's figure floated up within the iridescent light. The Gate to Heaven, which had remained unactivated until now, was waiting for this moment. He unhesitatingly suppressed Nü Xiao with it. The spirit treasure hovering between his brows suddenly brightened, and the intense consumption made his face turn pale:

Multitude of Lights!

The spirit treasure's function of suppressing heterodox paths manifested, causing the two individuals who had lunged from separate sides (to prevent being suppressed by a single divine ability) to simultaneously gasp. The fourth divine, heavy light appeared, a red radiance sweeping forth, light and separation resonating. In conjunction with the Multitude of Lights, it astonishingly locked both of them in place.

“A spirit treasure is a spirit treasure, after all!”

The Compassionates on either side were completely blocked, their hearts tightening.

However, Taixi, at the rear, finally breathed a sigh of relief. He briefly stabilized his Dharma body, positioning the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl over it to contain and suppress the spirit flames. Then, with a sudden burst of ferocity, he finally pulled something out from the iridescent light.

It was the treasured lantern, an artifact bound immobile by Xuanhuo!

This treasured lantern, freshly acquired, had been locked in the iridescent light by an opponent's divine ability for over ten rounds. If Taixi hadn't freed his hands to release it, he even suspected the lantern would have remained bound until the entire battle was over... While acknowledging the opponent's powerful spirit treasure, this failure deeply disappointed Taixi, almost making him laugh out of sheer exasperation. Silently, he blew on the lamp, causing it to ignite and cast its brilliant light.

This brilliant light, after all, possessed some divine subtlety. Its speed was astonishing. Li Ximing had activated several divine abilities, simultaneously locking down multiple opponents, and his spiritual energy and divine power were already waning. With such a strenuous tug, the spell in his hand almost dissipated. He was a beat too slow; the interwoven Solar Resonance Li Light around him failed to defend, and he was instantly extinguished by the sudden illumination of this brilliant light!

“A mistake was made...”

Li Ximing felt his chest sink as light and fire followed, a burning heat searing into his heart. Fortunately, he reacted swiftly; the Bitian Qingyuan Xuan Cauldron instantly appeared beside him, rolling with green light that poured out like water, collecting each ray of brilliant light.

He coughed twice, lowering his gaze. With the aid of his immortal artifact, he detected another Golden Body still observing from the void, but felt no surprise. A cold sneer formed in his heart. Under the protection of the Twin Brightness Heavy Fire Instrument, he concentrated, closing his eyes. The radiance on his body had retracted to its extreme, and the golden-red True Fire flickering around him suddenly flew into his Qi Sea.

Just as Taixi began to conjure his brilliant light spell, he was affected by the Bing Fire on his body. As his breath reached his throat, a large-scale Multitude of Lights finally arrived before him, descending with mountain-and-river patterns like rippling water, perfectly interrupting the spell in his hand!

Before he could feel annoyed, a sense of danger instantly arose in his heart. He saw a talisman leap forth in mid-air, its shamanic patterns intricate, radiating dazzling light. Bright colors condensed into profound radiance, pouring down!

Dushan Spirit-Spotting Talisman!

At this moment, Li Ximing was on the lake. The Dushan Spirit-Spotting Talisman had long been connected to Wangyue Lake. Thanks to this foremost lake of Yue, its power was not to be underestimated! And because the connection had been established for a long time, there was no delay; it was instantly activated, descending upon Taixi from afar, exploding with shattered streams of light, dragging him into the current realm and preventing his escape!

“He still has a killing move!”

Taixi was also highly experienced; how could he not discern the opponent's intention? However, the treasured ring he had diligently refined in recent years had been used to bind Li Zhouwei in Zhuosha Mausoleum, but it was suddenly interrupted by Sui Guan and lost thereafter. The newly acquired treasured lantern, besides being significantly inferior, was now suppressed by the opponent's Xuan Cauldron. He could only glare with wide, angry eyes, his divine ability trembling, vaguely roaring:

“Nuzi!”

Li Ximing had already opened his eyes again. He pushed his spell-forming hands forward, revealing an object.

This object, no larger than a thumb, was a speck of golden iridescence, densely covered with runes, spinning and dancing with extreme agility. It no longer had the dim, hazy red glow of yesteryear, but instead shone brightly.

Great Li Golden Radiance!

Over the past five years, Li Ximing had diligently cultivated, condensing his arts. He had already achieved the ninth path of Scarlet Radiance. Now, with the Three-Watch Xu Fire recalled, adding the final and most difficult path, all ten paths converged, manifesting the Golden Radiance!

The golden iridescence shone forth brilliantly, resonating through the void. The six-armed, four-legged Golden Body finally appeared. Nuzi Maha descended amidst a torrent of beautiful music, and under a golden bell shield, he blocked the Dushan Spirit-Spotting Talisman for Taixi. With his other hand, he emitted light to resist, his voice authoritative:

“Patron... lay down your butcher's knife!”

But the moment the light descended, a purple-golden glow suddenly rose from the dim iridescent light. Thirty-two spirit lights, long in waiting, merged into one, converging to form an intense pillar of light in the air, falling directly upon Nuzi Maha.

The Buddhist cultivators had advanced deeply onto the lake, now clearly within the range of the lake's grand formation, the Zhaoguang Profound Purple Spirit Array!

Nuzi immediately froze, his face illuminated by a purple light, his expression changing.

“Good!”

Taixi was overjoyed at the sight. What did he care about Nuzi's fate?! Seizing the moment when the Dushan Spirit-Spotting Talisman was blocked, he turned and fled, leaving the swiftly approaching golden Great Li Radiance to fall upon Nuzi.

“Thud!”

The manifested treasure vibrated, swept away by the radiance. Nuzi had only recently achieved Maha status and naturally did not possess a treasure like the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl. Just as he resolved the grand formation's purple light, the radiance was already before him. Startled, he could only shift half a body length and brace himself to resist:

“Boom...”

Brilliant light shattered, Li Fire dissipated. The Gate to Heaven's radiance still flickered, accompanied by the crisp sound of shattering glass. Nuzi Maha immediately raised his head; blood trickled from the tip of his Golden Body's nose, and he coughed up fragments of Li Fire.

“Pfft!”

Li Fire erupted from all six arms and four legs of Nuzi Maha's Golden Body, burning into a vibrant mass of fire. He immediately stabilized his body, scrambling to douse the flames, yet a fierce joy arose in his burning eyes:

“This spell's foundation is shaking... its power greatly diminished. His spiritual energy and divine power must be depleted!”

“He used Taixi's miscalculation to force back the Path of Emptiness... that must be his limit!”

His emotions swiftly shifted from initial apprehension to delight, even a potent ferocity. But just as the light on his body began to manifest, he heard a stir in the void, followed by a furious shout:

“Bald ass!”

“Someone's here!”

He was utterly startled. He no longer dared to speak of "laying down the butcher's knife" or harbor any ill intentions. With regret, he swiftly ascended, riding a ray of light northward.

A stream of light rapidly sped forth, materializing over the lake to reveal a man in green robes, a sword strapped to his back. He had just arrived, landing on the lake and standing beside Li Ximing.

It was Siyuan Li who had arrived.

The man in green robes was extremely perceptive. Seeing the Buddhist cultivators retreat one by one, he paused briefly and tossed a scroll from his waist. Instantly, countless golden lights manifested. Without even revealing its true form, it gently pressed down upon the trembling, almost collapsing Gate to Heaven, not only solidifying the Compassionates beneath it but also allowing Li Ximing to let out a long sigh of relief.

“What a pity...”

Li Ximing's face was still somewhat pale. He regretfully received the Great Radiance that flew back; the golden light immediately shattered into several red lights, returning to his hand with a sense of despondency.

He extinguished the lamp burning before his chest, feeling a burning sensation in his mouth and sensing his divine ability dimming.

“At the last moment... my spiritual energy and divine power could no longer sustain the Great Li Radiance...”

During this brief exchange, Li Ximing simultaneously employed spirit flames, spirit artifacts, spirit embryos, and spirit arrays. Both the Twin Brightness Heavy Fire Instrument and the Tianwu Bing Fire were extremely taxing on his mind and spiritual energy/divine power, let alone having a Great Li Radiance in the mix...

Even with his Purple Mansion cultivation and divine abilities, and despite recovering at an incredibly fast rate, his aura remained unstable, and he felt tightness in his chest and shortness of breath. When struck by the lamplight, he practically blacked out.

“This won't do... I need to plan more carefully from now on... My use of spirit artifacts was full of errors, and there were many mistakes in the battle... Quality over quantity, that truly is the truth...”

He had no time for further thought and