Chapter 186: Supreme Self (Part 1)

Chapter 186: Supreme Self (Part 1)



"Boss! All the tests for the live stream are done. The only question now is, what should we name our live streaming room?" Researcher A shouted after a long time of not seeing him.

Such a trivial matter... It shouldn't have required the presence of Dr. Chen, the head of the Crimson Laboratory.

As the person in charge of the laboratory, he was responsible for experiments involving trillions of funds daily, and even saying millions per second would be an understatement.

Dr. Chen smiled enigmatically, "Let's call it 'Standing atop the summit, overlooking the smaller mountains below'."

Researcher A scratched his messy hair, thinking to himself that this was indeed a grand gesture, hoping that this time, there wouldn't be any mishaps.

He had bet two million on Ji Jingqiu to reach the top, and if he won, it would be ten times that amount. Paying off the mortgage in the central area would be a breeze!

Thinking of this, Researcher A glanced at the Boss, wondering silently how much the Boss had bet.

...

...

"This tower challenge is of the highest caliber, involving the ultimate authority of Baiyu Jing. The enemies you encounter will be in their prime, so please don't underestimate them!"

Led by the researcher, Ji Jingqiu took the elevator to the upper levels of Baiyu Jing.

He glanced at the terminal, and many people had sent him early congratulations and blessings.

From the Yang Master, the senior brother, to the Blade Brother, and even the long-unseen Eight Brother, then from Yue Yourong, Yin Wushuang to Li Chengfeng and the others, even Mu Juncheng, who had recently been avoiding him for unknown reasons, sent a special message with three words, "Kill, kill, kill."

After putting down the terminal, Ji Jingqiu took a deep breath and fell silent before the final technical adjustments.

Speaking of which, his rise to fame also began at Baiyu Jing.

"...After today, who in the world won't know of you..."

The arrogant words of that person still echoed in his ears.

That day, he had also gone to Baiyu Jing alone and left alone.

When he departed, the crowd was bustling and lively.

Today, it might be similar to that day.

However, there are still differences between the two occasions.

He was no longer the "unknown soldier" he once was.

[Do you wish to initiate the twelve-floor, five-city trial of Baiyu Jing?]



A cool voice echoed in his mind.

Ji Jingqiu opened his eyes, "Yes."

At this moment.

A tower challenge witnessed by countless people began.

The first thing the countless warriors who rushed into the live stream saw was a silhouette with his back turned to them.

"Is this Ji Jingqiu? His back is kind of cool!"

"Charge! Ji fans, assemble!"

"It's a live stream across the entire network, and it's officially sponsored! Wow, could this guy really have a chance to reach the top in one go?"

"Kill, kill, kill!"

"Can't wait!"

...

Ji Jingqiu took a step forward, as if entering another world.

This was Baiyu Jing's use of Hela's power to create a "temporary reality" with a 100% simulation.

Moonlight showered from above, the courtyard was serene, the insects chirped leisurely, and flowers and trees flourished everywhere. Even within this setting, Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but feel a genuine sense of relaxation.

The figure standing in the courtyard ahead seemed to blend seamlessly with the surroundings, becoming one with the environment.

This sight moved Ji Jingqiu.

He had heard that in the later stages of martial arts competitions, the advantage of the home field, or the so-called "Dao Ground," became crucial.

Dao Ground battles were extremely dangerous, involving the very foundation of one's martial arts. However, once the advantage was seized, it became a significant advantage for a Celestial martial artist.

The person before him, although far from reaching that level, at this moment, seemed to harmonize with the environment, possessing the aura of a home field advantage.

Indeed, none of those who guarded the twelve floors and five cities were ordinary.

"I am Jiang Bailiu," the guardian of the first floor smiled slightly, "Please."

"Please!" Ji Jingqiu didn't draw his sword but instead initiated the challenge.

Jiang Bailiu didn't hold back, gathering his strength and unleashing a palm strike! With this palm, a majestic voice that couldn't be described by any onomatopoeia reverberated!

Even those who had never heard it before could clearly understand its origin upon hearing it for the first time, as if it were imprinted in their souls—

It was the dragon's roar!

The dragon's roar reverberated, capturing everyone's attention and awe-inspiring their minds! Many warriors watching the screen felt goosebumps and a sense of overwhelming power under this dragon's roar.

The palm wind pressed forward, resembling a long dragon, and the ten-meter distance seemed nonexistent. Before even reaching Ji Jingqiu, the trees around him shattered, and the dragon energy composed of spiritual energy exploded with the force of an earth dragon emerging from the depths.

The next moment.

The long sword in Ji Jingqiu's hand suddenly disappeared, and a sword cry emerged from nothingness, piercing through every speck of dust with the force of thunder, suppressing the dragon's roar.

The sword light flashed, and the sword energy enveloped the sword edge, pressing down layer by layer, executing a vertical slash with sheer force against force! The spiritual energy surged, and the long sword dragged a white mark in the air, cutting through the palm wind and breaking through the heavenly net woven by Jiang Bailiu.

Jiang Bailiu's expression turned solemn, and he moved around, employing the Eight Trigrams Flying Dragon technique to create countless variations, but they all shattered under this sword strike, forcing him to retreat and temporarily evade the sharp edge.

However, no matter how he retreated, the sword remained in front of him from start to finish, locking onto his position. Bang! Jiang Bailiu had no more room to retreat and had to strike with his palm, unleashing nine consecutive palms to withstand the sword strike.

However, due to the haste, the power was far less than the initial strike.

The sword energy and palm energy collided, sending shockwaves in all directions, instantly turning the once beautiful courtyard into a mess.

After being blocked for a moment, the long sword's reverberations continued, and it slashed downward, cutting into Jiang Bailiu's chest!

...

After a brief silence.

The official live streaming room was instantly flooded with data streams in the billions.

The Federation warriors watching by the billions were all in an uproar!

"Holy shit! One sword?! Speak up, haters!"

"I just pinched myself, and my sister hit me, so I guess I'm not dreaming."

"Who saw that? The Eight Trigrams Flying Dragon is known for its palm wind resembling a dragon, causing all sides to retreat, but why did Jiang Bailiu avoid it just now?!"

"It was Jiang Bailiu's misjudgment! But I must say, that sword was incredibly domineering! It forced Jiang Bailiu to interrupt his palm technique and evade the sharp edge, yet he couldn't escape the sword's lock, so he had no choice but to face it head-on. If he had confronted it head-on from the start, he wouldn't have been defeated so easily!"

"Could this guy really reach the top so effortlessly?!"

"Wait for the next floor. Zhao Tuo, the former holder of the Heavenly Blade title, is known for his domineering and aggressive style, where every strike decides the outcome. There's no way he'll be defeated by a single sword!"

"Stop interrupting, haters! There's no space left for your flags to stand!"

...

The courtyard beneath his feet suddenly transformed into countless particles.

At the front, a stone-built staircase spiraled upwards, and Ji Jingqiu's expression remained calm as he ascended the steps and entered the second floor.

The guardian of the second floor was a sword-wielding swordsman with a cold and unremarkable demeanor, as if all his energy was hidden within his scabbard.

"Receive my three strikes, and you pass," the guardian said calmly, slowly reaching for his sword handle.

As a fellow swordsman, Ji Jingqiu sensed the hidden ferocity of his opponent's sword intent and determined that the first strike would be an explosive attack similar to a sword-drawing technique.

Ji Jingqiu himself had also gained new insights into the "One" character, which emphasized the momentary burst and concentration of power.

Ji Jingqiu's expression remained calm as he took a step forward.

The sharpness and directness of the previous strike were suppressed and restrained, and his aura harmonized with the heavens and earth, as if he had become one with the surrounding world, and the world had become one with him.

Zhao Tuo's gaze was as aggressive as fire, and he sensed a sword path similar to his own in Ji Jingqiu, faintly glimpsing the soaring sword intent.

He focused his gaze, and the two engaged in a battle of auras without moving from their spots.

The confrontation of auras continued relentlessly.

Zhao Tuo's expression became increasingly solemn, his eyes narrowed, and suddenly, his body moved with his sword, drawing it from its sheath and creating an invisible pressure by swirling the air currents.

The sword-drawing technique was executed to perfection, demonstrating the true meaning of "immovable as a mountain, moving like thunder."

Ji Jingqiu didn't draw his sword, but his hand tightened on the handle.

Until the sword light reached him, connecting with the cosmic law, like a ferocious lightning bolt, destroying everything without leaving any chance of survival.

Suddenly, Ji Jingqiu's long sword burst forth.

Clang!

The drawn sword seemed to soar like a dragon breaking free from its bonds, transcending the thunder tribulation.

The next moment, a faint sigh echoed through the air.

Ji Jingqiu sheathed his sword, nodded slightly, and acknowledged the stunned elder holding the broken sword before passing by him.

The scene beneath his feet transformed into countless shimmering points of light, quietly changing.

The spiral stone staircase reappeared.

Ji Jingqiu sheathed his sword and continued climbing.

...

"Did I see it right? Zhao Tuo, the master of the sword-drawing technique, actually lost in a sword duel?"

"It was just one strike!"

"I seemed to see an invincible figure rising..."

"It's the third floor, the third floor! Next is the third floor, hey, let's hope Ji Jingqiu doesn't start with a big disadvantage like Ke Pingluan and the others!"

...

The guardian of the third floor was a solemn young man holding a sword, named Murong Chong. He appeared calm and composed, holding his sword and bowing, his movements precise and formal, and his voice devoid of any fluctuations, seemingly adhering to strict etiquette.

"Greetings, fellow cultivator. I am Murong Chong."

Facing this elder from an unknown era, Ji Jingqiu also chose to return the bow.

But as he bowed, he lowered his gaze.

Suddenly, the world darkened, and an indescribable sword light flashed, taking away the light in this place. The sword light was pure and silent, moving at an unbelievable speed, reaching his front in just a moment.

...

"It's here! It's that despicable sword!"

"Tsk, this elder, who was already strong enough to surpass his peers and suppress a generation with his sword, actually likes to use such a despicable trick!"

"Ke Pingluan and Qin Qingjue both suffered losses when they first challenged the third floor. Can Ji Jingqiu dodge it?"

"Hiss, Ji Jingqiu couldn't dodge it either. No wonder it's called the despicable sword!"

...

The sword light suddenly appeared.

Ji Jingqiu's gaze focused, and in the darkness, he saw a sword embryo floating, its edge so sharp it could cut through anything.

This elder was a master of the Heavenly Sword Dao Ground.

In an instant, Ji Jingqiu saw through the reality of this sword. It was a sword of the mind.

The elder had clearly cultivated a bit of pure divine nature, and this sword carried that divine nature, possessing an indescribable charm. If a cultivator's mental cultivation was insufficient, they would unconsciously follow the brilliance of the sword light, eventually forgetting to resist.

Additionally, as this sword was a surprise attack, even a cultivator of the same level would suffer a significant loss.

The sword light pointed directly at Ji Jingqiu's heart, and his body stiffened as if the sword had injured his spirit. He couldn't move from his spot.

Murong Chong didn't give Ji Jingqiu time to recover. Holding his long sword, he approached gracefully, without the previous solemnity. His eyes sparkled with cunning, and his demeanor was carefree, resembling an ancient sword immortal.

However, the next moment, Murong Chong's expression changed, and he dodged awkwardly, his graceful demeanor gone.

Ji Jingqiu suddenly burst into action, unleashing the power he had been holding back. He infused his mental power into his sword technique and instantly appeared above Murong Chong's head. Murong Chong's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Ji Jingqiu to emerge unscathed from his sword strike and even unleash such formidable mental power.

Among their peers, this was unprecedented. The sword light was like smoke, ethereal and dreamlike, combined with the Meditation Seal to create a great purity Zen mind. Even with Murong Chong's strenuous resistance, he couldn't turn the tide, and he reluctantly retreated.

...

Among the spectators, Diao Xingyun and the others nudged Yin Wushuang with their shoulders, grinning.

Yin Wushuang chuckled, "I know you're eager, but don't rush. If I remember correctly, the master of the sixth floor is the senior brother of the Lionheart Dao, and the master of the ninth floor is the 37th generation Dao Lord of the Heavenly Man Dao Ground, right?"

Only then did the others realize they had laughed too soon.

Those with elders from the twelve floors became anxious.

Those without elders from the twelve floors... seemed even less worthy of rejoicing in others' misfortunes.

Diao Xingyun muttered, "The first three floors are defeated with one strike, and from the fourth to the eleventh floors, there may not be any obstacles for Ji Jingqiu. As for the master of the twelfth floor, I wonder if he can stop Ji Jingqiu... I mean, let Ji Jingqiu strike a few more times."

Yin Wushuang looked at the screen, his eyes flashing, and said softly, "Although Murong Elder's behavior is a bit frivolous, that sword is not to be underestimated. He has gone further than I have, and even he couldn't stop Jingqiu..."

"Can you catch up with your family?" Diao Xingyun asked curiously. "Aren't you the master of the Sword Heart Enlightenment?"

Yin Wushuang nodded and said firmly, "My cultivation body has reached the pinnacle of the posterior stage. What I lack now is seeing the divine. If I can see the divine, my combat power won't be inferior to Murong Elder's!"

"Good, you have confidence!" Li Chengfeng gave a thumbs up. "Let's try to make Brother Ji strike a few more times next time."

Everyone laughed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end