Chapter 1164: The more you know, the faster you die

"Can anyone tell me what's happening? It feels like Lu Yang's aura is even stronger than before." The people of Muxue City couldn't discern Lu Yang's exact cultivation level, but they had a vague sense based on the atmosphere.

The city guard commander's expression was solemn, his voice trembling slightly: "Hundreds of years ago, I once saw a Great Demon Emperor from a distance, who swallowed an entire city in one gulp. I later learned it was a Great Demon Emperor in the mid-Tribulation Transcendence stage. But the sense of danger Lu Yang gives me far surpasses that demon emperor."

"Could it be that he's now in the late Tribulation Transcendence stage... or even at its peak?!"

"Yes, it must be that his cultivation level just fluctuated up to the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence stage!"

Below, Meng Jingzhou grimaced, thinking, "What nonsense about his cultivation fluctuating to the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence stage. Old Lu just rushed into a bloody battle with Yang Kongtong and seized the opportunity to use Pictographic Fist, borrowing power."

Lu Yang rotated his shoulders and slowly approached Yang Kongtong, gripping his Azure Edge Sword.

"Senior Yang, you hit me quite hard just now. Now it's my turn, a reciprocal gesture!"

Lu Yang transformed into a long rainbow, a brilliant light erupting. The next moment, he appeared behind Yang Kongtong, sheathing his sword as blood bloomed on Yang Kongtong's chest.

Yang Kongtong turned his head in disbelief, looking at Lu Yang behind him. Just one sword strike had pierced his chest. What an unparalleled sword technique! Even Liu Ningxuan, who created the Nirvana Sword Art in ancient times, was merely on par with this!

"Carefree Steps!" Yang Kongtong vanished from the spot. After entering the realm of Ruthlessness, both his Heart-Slaying Scripture and Carefree Steps had reached a new level. Lu Yang absolutely couldn't keep up with his speed.

Mu Baiyi and the other two turned pale at the sight. None of them had seen how Yang Kongtong disappeared. If they had encountered him, they would have certainly died!

Yang Kongtong transformed into an peerless assassin, his aura concealed, appearing above Lu Yang's head. He held a glacial dagger, aiming a strike directly at Lu Yang's crown!

Unexpectedly, Lu Yang looked up, meeting Yang Kongtong's eyes, as if he had known all along where he would appear. He thrust out another sword strike, shattering the glacial dagger and piercing Yang Kongtong's right hand!

Yang Kongtong quickly retreated, activating the Heavenly Mountain Holy Land's Snow Lotus Secret Art to rapidly heal his injuries. He then disappeared again, utilizing the Carefree Steps.

Was it a coincidence? Yang Kongtong refused to believe it. He continuously circled Lu Yang, searching for an opening. Yet, Lu Yang simply raised his hand, unleashing another sword qi. Yang Kongtong abruptly stopped to dodge it, but a second sword qi followed immediately, carving a deep, bone-visible wound on his back.

His proud Carefree Steps were ineffective against Lu Yang! Lu Yang's divine sense was unprecedentedly powerful, allowing him to perceive Yang Kongtong's every move. Although he wasn't skilled in footwork and couldn't match Yang Kongtong's speed, his sword qi was astonishingly fast!

Since Carefree Steps didn't work, Yang Kongtong immediately changed his strategy. He grasped a glacial spear, thrusting it out like a dragon, employing the Shao Hao Spear Art.

Clang, clang, clang, clang—

As spear and sword clashed, Yang Kongtong once again felt a sense of oppression from Lu Yang.

The oppressive feeling Lu Yang had emitted upon his recent advancement was not an illusion, but an intuition! Even setting aside the nascent Dao Fruit, Yang Kongtong himself was an unparalleled powerhouse at the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence stage. Moreover, his abilities encompassed the strengths of countless schools, and he had mastered numerous renowned techniques from ancient times.

Yet now, he was feeling pressure from a junior who was supposedly also at the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence stage, which was simply incredible.

No, that wasn't right. He had experienced this kind of overwhelming dominance within the same cultivation realm in ancient times, from those who were invincible during the Tribulation Transcendence period and successfully ascended to immortality!

What a joke! Even if one's cultivation level increased, it required corresponding combat experience to complement it. Merely raising one's realm without mastering techniques for wielding that power was like a child holding a knife; less than half of the realm's advantage could be utilized.

But what was the deal with this junior, Lu Yang? It was as if he was already intimately familiar with Tribulation Transcendence combat. Facing Lu Yang was like facing a seasoned veteran of the Tribulation Transcendence stage, his moves were measured, and his spells and sword arts transitioned seamlessly.

Even if he had occasionally fluctuated to the Tribulation Transcendence stage while in the Void Refinement stage, using those opportunities to gain combat experience, such an effect wouldn't be possible. Where did this profound combat experience come from?!

Yang Kongtong had lived through the ancient era of great contention, where numerous prodigies shone brightly. He himself was even one of the protagonists of that great era and had believed he had seen every possible scenario. Yet, Lu Yang's situation still far exceeded his comprehension!

The people of Muxue City didn't understand why Lu Yang had suddenly grown stronger, but even they could see that after Lu Yang's transformation, Yang Kongtong was at a disadvantage in the fight. Yang Kongtong's injuries constantly mounted, and the Snow Lotus Secret Art's healing speed couldn't keep up with how fast he was getting wounded.

Reborn from desperation, Muxue City erupted in cheers, calling out Lu Yang's name.

Xue Shishilou gazed intently at Lu Yang's sword strikes. Each one captivated him, surpassing his comprehension.

"This is what a true sword cultivator is..." The raking and shoveling techniques he had diligently studied in the past gradually surfaced in his mind. Xue Shishilou seemed to have gained an insight, his thoughts more active than ever before.

"Junior, perhaps you've had some fortunate encounter and gained combat experience at the Tribulation Transcendence stage, but the gap between the Tribulation Transcendence stage and a nascent Dao Fruit is beyond your imagination!" Yang Kongtong had initially believed Lu Yang had merely fluctuated to the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence stage by chance and thought that if he stalled for a while, Lu Yang's cultivation would drop back down.

However, given the current situation, if he dragged this out any longer, he would be the one to die! A Half-Immortal held an absolute advantage over a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator. Yang Kongtong had always dismissed Tribulation Transcendence cultivators. The two deputy leaders of the Ruthless Sect were both at the Tribulation Transcendence stage, and their capture by Great Xia had not caused him the slightest ripple of emotion; they were merely expendable resources, less important than his search for his left arm in the extreme north.

"Sorrow."

Yang Kongtong activated his nascent Dao Fruit of Seven Emotions. An aura of sorrow spread, and soon, cries echoed from below Muxue City. Both mortals and cultivators wept uncontrollably. Even Mu Baiyi and the other two broke into tears, losing all will to fight and becoming lambs ready for slaughter.

In contrast, Lu Yang's eyes shone brightly, as if nurturing two swords, completely unaffected by the nascent Dao Fruit of Seven Emotions!

Of course, Lu Yang wouldn't be affected. He was borrowing power from his own Immortal Body in the Buddhist Kingdom, essentially functioning as an Immortal Body clone. Unless Yang Kongtong used a full Dao Fruit of Seven Emotions, it couldn't influence him.

"How is this possible!" Witnessing this, Yang Kongtong was so astonished he nearly slipped out of his Ruthless state of mind. Unlike the direct attacks of nascent Dao Fruits like the Spatial Dao Fruit or the Vajra Dao Fruit, the nascent Dao Fruit of Seven Emotions was impossible to guard against once unleashed. This had been verified numerous times in ancient conflicts, affecting more than just one or two Half-Immortals. He could even make a Half-Immortal fall in love with him.

"No, wait, there's someone else inside you!" Although Yang Kongtong couldn't control Lu Yang's emotions, he could perceive them. And in his perception, Lu Yang currently exhibited two sets of emotions, the most likely explanation being that someone else was inside Lu Yang's body!

Lu Yang looked at Yang Kongtong with a hint of surprise. Indeed, the nascent Dao Fruit of Seven Emotions was not to be underestimated.

A cruel smile touched Lu Yang's lips: "Senior Yang, you know too much. You won't be living much longer."