Chapter 432: The Situation Reverses

"Fairy, are you saying this person went from the early stage of Body Integration all the way to the half-step Tribulation Crossing stage?" Lu Yang asked in surprise, not understanding what was happening.

"Half-step Tribulation Crossing" isn't a realm, but a symbol of combat power. Cultivators whose combat power surpasses the ordinary Body Integration stage but hasn't yet reached the Tribulation Crossing stage are referred to as half-step Tribulation Crossing.

"Didn't I tell you? This is a cultivation method for tempering the divine soul: manifesting thousands of avatars, experiencing life, understanding the mundane world, and finally integrating them to return to a peak state, or even reach a higher level."

"The cultivation technique this person practices is similar to Manager Shi's."

Lu Yang took a moment to realize that Immortal Fairy was referring to Vice-Sect Master Shi of the Nine Nether Sect.

"He's from the Nine Nether Sect?"

"More than that. Given the principle that higher cultivation means higher status, he's probably someone like the Sect Master."

Lu Yang was filled with surprise and uncertainty, but mostly confusion.

"Is the Nine Nether Sect so poor that even its Sect Master has to work odd jobs?"

The man in the white paper hat sighed, "All my avatars have returned. These identities can no longer be used. How many spirit stones will I have to compensate this time?"

"There's nothing I can do. Who told you ancient cultivators to have a grudge against us?"

He worked hard to earn money because he worried his followers would discover they were burdened with massive loans, which were used to build the Nine Nether Sect and pay regular allowances.

Even though he was currently at the half-step Tribulation Crossing stage, and even if he reached the full Tribulation Crossing stage later, he might not survive if the truth were revealed.

He had to work quickly while he was still alive to fill the financial holes.

The more he earned, the greater his chance of survival.

Vice-Sect Master Shi viewed the barbecue restaurant as a lifeline, and the man in the white paper hat thought the same.

"Who are you?!" Wu Youdao demanded.

In front of righteous cultivators, the man in the white paper hat naturally couldn't reveal he was from the Nine Nether Sect.

He merely sneered.

To the onlookers, this was a symbol of mystery, though the Nine Nether Sect Master's identity was indeed mysterious enough.

"More words are useless, Great Yu cultivators. Let's settle both our new and old grievances!"

Knowing that speaking more often leads to more mistakes, the man in the white paper hat said nothing else and lunged at Wu Youdao.

"How dare you attack me first!"

"Avici Hell — Grand Millstone!"

A gigantic ice mountain, half the size of Hanshui City, condensed above Wu Youdao's head. It resembled ancient, unmelting profound ice, exuding extreme coldness, touching the very edge of ultimate frigidity!

Beneath Wu Youdao's feet, raging flames erupted, boundless and spreading like a wildfire, yet far more intense and ferocious than any ordinary blaze!

The ice mountain and the raging fire formed a millstone, with Wu Youdao trapped motionless in its center.

"Heh, you dare to face me with such minor tricks?"

"I'll join in!" Qiu Jinan attacked, rapidly forming hand seals to cast Five-Element spells.

The ancient profound ice intensified in coldness, causing even space and time to show signs of congealing. The raging flames took on a black hue, becoming Nether Ghost Fire, specifically designed to burn souls.

Wu Youdao's expression changed. This combined attack from the two was enough to threaten his life!

*Crunch* — *Crunch* —

The sound of grinding bones echoed. Tribulation Crossing stage blood, which could not be frozen or scorched, flowed out from the edges of the millstone.

"Universe in Palm!"

Wu Youdao roared in fury, unleashing a furious strike. The superimposed weight of numerous miniature worlds shattered the Grand Millstone of Avici Hell!

"Form the Three Talents Array!"

Qiu Jinan commanded, the appearance of the man in the white paper hat having given him confidence.

"I control the power of the Five Elements, occupying the Heavenly position!"

"You used Avici Hell, occupying the Earthly position!"

"Lord Lu, as the Provincial Governor, a parent figure to the common people, you occupy the Human position!"

The Three Talents Array was renowned, originating in ancient times, but rarely successfully deployed. It had extremely high requirements for one's destiny and cultivation, making its conditions too stringent.

Without further words, the three positioned themselves in the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human spots according to their destinies.

As soon as the Three Talents Array formed, the three felt as if they had become a single entity. Their strength increased by another level, and their divine souls became even more stable!

"Grand Luo Triple Force!"

Wu Youdao swung his fist, the fist-mark glowing. Where the fist-light passed, space cracked, sealing off all possibilities of escape.

The fist approached from afar, striking the man in the white paper hat's lower abdomen. The triple force was transmitted among the three: he bore the first layer, Qiu Jinan the second, and Provincial Governor Lu the strongest third layer, maximally weakening the punch's power!

Under the blessing of the Three Talents Array, the power of national destiny transmitted faster, and the three instantly recovered, as if they hadn't even been hit by the punch!

"Kill!"

Wielding the Three Talents Array, the three unleashed their strongest techniques and once again engaged Wu Youdao in combat.

The bodies of all four were repeatedly shattered and healed. What would be fatal injuries for lower-level cultivators were merely minor inconveniences for them, consuming only a bit of spiritual power.

"Pant — pant —"

Wu Youdao was panting heavily. In the recent exchange, he had been blasted apart more times than his opponents, consuming a vast amount of spiritual energy that even elixirs couldn't fully restore.

He wanted to escape the battlefield, but surrounded by the three, he couldn't break through their blockade.

"Damn it!"

"Five-Colored Divine Light!"

"Pestle and Mortar Hell!"

"Mountain Guard!"

The three unleashed their ultimate killing moves. Wu Youdao's Five-Colored Dragon-Tiger Aura dispersed, unable to form. He took three direct hits, his body shattered and recovering slowly.

Seeing this, the people of Hanshui City cheered, and the gloom that had settled over their hearts when Wu Youdao first appeared gradually dissipated.

"Stop watching the show! Come out and help!" Wu Youdao roared.

An old, gloomy voice rang out, and a stumbling old man leaning on a staff suddenly appeared on the battlefield.

"Your Majesty, this isn't like you. You're asking for help?"

"Canglei, this isn't asking for help; it's my command!" Wu Youdao glared at the old man.

"It's all the same," the old man, called Canglei, chuckled, revealing his few remaining teeth.

"Canglei... could it be Venerable Canglei!" Provincial Governor Lu murmured, looking in astonishment at Qiu Jinan and the man in the white paper hat for confirmation. He saw astonishment in their eyes as well.

Provincial Governor Lu and the other two had all heard of Venerable Canglei's reputation. Their hearts sank. This was a powerful early-stage Tribulation Crossing cultivator, skilled in lightning spells.

Another Tribulation Crossing cultivator.

Fighting one Tribulation Crossing cultivator was already so difficult, let alone two?!

"Heh heh, the three of you should surrender. Our goal is merely the power of national destiny," Venerable Canglei chuckled, his voice hoarse and unpleasant. Lightning patterns flashed on his staff, as if a thunderbolt would descend if Provincial Governor Lu dared to say no.

Qiu Jinan and the other two did not respond, falling into an eerie silence for a moment.

*Crack* —

Suddenly, a bolt of thunder rang out, breaking the silence.

Venerable Canglei froze for a moment. He hadn't even made a move yet.

Provincial Governor Lu's eyes lit up as he looked towards the source of the thunder. "It's Sect Master Lu! He's about to break through to the Tribulation Crossing stage!"

At the Corpse-Driving Sect.

Elder Gai spat at the scattered corpses of the Witch Corpse Sect.

"Tch, what nonsense! They have the nerve to test us with this level of skill? Don't they know to keep up with the times?"

"You... that's not Corpse Driving Art..." The last living member of the Witch Corpse Sect tremblingly raised his hand, pointing at Elder Gai, his life flame dimming.

He couldn't believe what had just happened. He was clearly alive, yet his body had been refined by Elder Gai, turning him into a true living corpse, completely beyond his control.

Besides that, there were various other bizarre spells.

Before Elder Gai and his three companions, the ancient Corpse Driving Art, which the Witch Corpse Sect prided itself on, offered no advantage whatsoever.

"Why isn't it Corpse Driving Art? This is what the Dao Inquiring Sect improved for us!" Elder Gai puffed out his chest, quite proud.

"Everyone, meditate and recover. We'll go help in the city in a bit," Elder Gai called out. They had expended a considerable amount of energy in the recent battle.

*Crack* —

Heavenly thunder rang out, right above their heads. The four elders looked up in astonishment.

Elder Gai was the first to react, delight filling his heart.

"The Sect Master is about to break through!"