https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-212-Ninth-Stage-A-Powerful-Opponent-Hard-to-Suppress-Part-2-/12964231/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-213-Fierce-Battle-A-Desperate-Struggle-Seamlessly-Linked-and-Cornered-Part-2-/12964236/
Chapter 213: Fierce Battle! A Desperate Struggle, Seamlessly Linked and Cornered! (Part 1)
Chapter 213: Fierce Battle! A Desperate Struggle, Seamlessly Linked and Cornered! (Part 1)
"Join forces?"
Li Changkong sneered maliciously.
To conserve his energy, he didn't make any unnecessary movements. With a swift movement, he appeared before Lu Ming, and with a seemingly casual flick of his finger, he unleashed a power akin to that of an immortal!
This seemingly ordinary finger, without employing any secret techniques, made Lu Ming feel the threat of death.
"Hmph!"
Lu Ming was enraged.
Ma De, if it weren't for the fact that he didn't want to reveal his identity right now, he would have taught Li Changkong a lesson!
In truth, Lu Ming was incredibly powerful at this moment, but he still had a use for his identity and didn't want to reveal his full strength.
Otherwise, if he shared all the secret techniques of his disciples and followers, he might be able to fight against Li Changkong at this moment!"
After all, joining forces was just a simple addition, but by sharing their strength, he was essentially multiplying his own power!
With the Nine Transformations of Immortal Flame combined with the Qilin Technique, and supported by the Great Yellow Court's secret techniques, the Three Thousand Mini Worlds, the Unceasing Heavenly Art, the Devouring Heaven Art, and the Great Way Vessel, his power would surge in an instant.
Then, with the 'Invincible Sword Technique' of Sword Eleven and the Artificial Sun Fist, he truly didn't believe Li Changkong could withstand it!
Of course...
If he activated all these secret arts simultaneously, he would suffer immense backlash after the battle, enough to make him drink a pot of it, but at least, he wouldn't be so passive.
Unfortunately, he couldn't reveal his identity, so he could only fight with the means of a sword cultivator.
"With such ferocity, it's difficult for me to gain an advantage using Immortal Energy."
He brandished his sword, engaging Li Changkong as a sword cultivator, and the Sword Dao domain unfolded around him. The sword in his hand seemed to transform into a long whip in an instant, no longer fierce but extraordinarily flexible.
Sword Intent and Sword Qi merged.
It was as if countless 'threads' enveloped Li Changkong's finger, coiling around him a thousand, ten thousand times.
That fierce finger instantly slowed down and eventually came to a complete halt.
Lin Fan had already retreated to a distance, switching from defense to offense, and attacked with his sword!
An extremely unfamiliar Sword Intent permeated the air.
Lao Huang was stunned: "This... this isn't the Ethereal Sword Intent, is it?"
"Of course not!!!"
Jianzi jumped up, exclaiming in surprise: "This is my master's Flexible Finger Sword Technique!!! There's no mistake, but why does Lu Ming know the Flexible Finger Sword Technique? This!!!"
"!"
Suddenly, he realized.
Could it be that San Ye taught it to him? But something felt off!
San Ye had been with him all this time, and she was still in a state of enlightenment. When did she have the time and opportunity to teach him the Flexible Finger Sword Technique? What was going on?!
"..."
Long Ao Jiao wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and coldly smiled, "What do you know, someone who has been defeated time and again, never having tasted victory?"
"As a peerless talent with such astonishing sword talent, what does it matter if he comprehends a few sword techniques?"
"Can't he comprehend similar sword techniques on his own?"
Jianzi was speechless.
He looked at Long Ao Jiao with a troubled expression, his mouth opening and closing, but in the end, he remained silent.
"Move aside if you can't contribute!"
Long Ao Jiao let out another cold hmph: "Against such a formidable opponent, you no longer have the qualifications to fight. Step aside, or you'll distract us!"
"Yes, yes, we'll retreat first."
Lao Huang was worried, mainly concerned about the safety of his young master.
He hurriedly pulled the crowd back.
Soon, those who knew they were outmatched and couldn't withstand the onslaught began to retreat, unable to withstand the onslaught.
Only Lu Ming, Long Ao Jiao, Song Ru, Xiao Ling Er, Ji Chitong, Ya Ya, and the Chaos Heavenly Boar, a total of seven, remained on the battlefield. Others like Qiu Yong Qin and Song Yun Xiao could hold their own against an Eighth Stage Peak opponent for a short time, but at this moment, their energy consumption was immense!
They were already struggling to hold on.
Although Xiao Ling Er had the support of her medicinal pills, the others couldn't withstand the pressure!
Qiu Yong Qin's Soul Revering Banner was almost completely destroyed!
The numerous powerful ghosts within it had been killed, leaving only an empty shell.
Continuing to fight against such a formidable opponent would only drag others down, so it was better to retreat and observe from a distance.
As they retreated, Li Changkong was confident that those who posed even the slightest threat to him had not left. Once he dealt with Lu Ming and the others, he could easily eliminate them.
"Attack!"
Lu Ming roared, and Ya Ya and the others immediately joined the assault, surrounding Li Changkong from all sides.
Additionally, Wang Teng, who was in the distance, launched the Artificial Sun Fist!
Various ultimate moves and secret techniques were unleashed, besieging Li Changkong. But at this moment, the gap between the two sides was immense.
It was clear that Li Changkong had only taken a temporary half-step forward, but his power had seemingly 'ascended to a higher dimension', observing the mortal realm from above. The various attacks in his hands were like simple moves.
They were just punches or the most basic attacks.
The crowd's ultimate moves were all broken.
The Chaos Heavenly Boar was beaten back to its original form, blood flowing from its snout!
Long Ao Jiao was injured again.
Even with the support of her medicinal pills, Xiao Ling Er couldn't withstand it, her divine soul flickering uncertainly, almost 'blown out'!
Ya Ya, at the forefront, blocked the most attacks with the Bronze Immortal Palace, resulting in the most severe injuries. Her petite body was almost torn apart.
Although Lu Ming had the identity of a sword cultivator, without a powerful flying sword in hand, he was still at a disadvantage.
The divine ring behind Ji Chitong trembled, as if the thousand mystic gates were about to shatter!
Only Song Ru seemed 'relaxed', as he had two imperial armaments in hand, and could withstand the onslaught, but he was still forced to retreat.
...
But... the gap was too vast!
After a brief exchange, Lu Ming was either forced back or already injured.
However, Li Changkong remained nonchalant, his eyes filled with even more hatred. He fought with increased ferocity, ruthlessness, and... viciousness!
"Everyone, take these pills!"
Xiao Ling Er raised her hand, and the Revitalizing Pills and explosive pills fell into the hands of the crowd.
They hastily consumed the Revitalizing Pills, restoring their injuries and temporarily boosting their cultivation.
Another battle ensued.
But they were still no match! After a brief clash, they were all forced to retreat, each sustaining injuries.
Long Ao Jiao was furious.
"Damn it!"
From her rise to prominence until now, she had never felt so helpless and powerless.
"Lu Ming, don't you have some powerful pills? You're a Grand Master of the Dan Dao after all!!!"
She wanted to take pills.
She wanted to fight Li Changkong alone.
But she truly couldn't win, and she estimated that even if she was willing to not use any of her strength for the next six months, and even if she used her most powerful strike, it might not be effective.
Lu Ming: "..."
"Don't say it, I actually have a way."
Lu Ming spoke up, "Throw you into the alchemy furnace for a refining, rest assured, it's not about refining you into a pill, but using various rare medicinal ingredients to stimulate your full potential, allowing you to gain battle prowess in a short time that's more astonishing than burning essence blood, fighting to the death, or using any secret technique."
"But the outcome is..."
"Undoubtedly fatal."
Long Ao Jiao: "???"
"Then what are you talking about?"
"I'll do it!"
Ya Ya immediately responded, "Senior Lu Ming, please refine me... It's only right that since this battle started because of me, it should also end because of me."
"It's only fitting that I do it."
"It won't come to that."
Lu Ming shook his head.
There truly was this method, but currently, it didn't end there.
After the battle and their injuries, they took care of each other, and in a short time, it wasn't that easy for Li Changkong to kill them.
After all, they had three Imperial Armaments on their side, and even if they couldn't activate the Ninth Stage, they could still use them as 'shields'.
It wasn't that simple to blast the Imperial Armaments in a short time!
As for Lu Ming, he was thinking of a strategy to defeat the enemy.
"Li Changkong is indeed very strong right now, but he also has a fatal weakness. The current mode's duration is limited, and the greater the consumption, the shorter the duration!"
"That's why he's always using the simplest yet effective offense, and not directly unleashing his ultimate move."
"Otherwise, we might have been defeated quickly."
"In other words, he wants to preserve some strength to deal with the petty villains later."
"This is our opportunity."
He silently pondered.
"At the same time, his current state can be considered borrowing power."
"If we can get the broken Ascension Cauldron off his back, his cultivation will drop, and when the time comes to surround and kill him, it won't be too difficult."
"We just need to find the chance."
Ultimately, he was a gaming expert.
Many times, Lu Ming, or rather Lin Fan, preferred to analyze problems from a 'third-person' perspective.
If they were to view all of this as a game...
Then, at this moment, Li Changkong would be the final boss of the Sun Moon Immortal Dynasty dungeon.
Moreover, it was the second form of the final boss.
In this form, even normal attacks were ridiculously powerful, and he might unleash his ultimate move at any time.
However, due to various restrictions, he wouldn't casually use his ultimate move.
This was the opportunity!
Seizing this chance, if they could make him revert to his first form...
But this opportunity was genuinely hard to grasp.
Lu Ming frowned.
This opportunity was truly difficult to seize.
He communicated via sound transmission, sharing his discovery with everyone.
The group remained composed, understanding the situation, and then they all communicated via sound transmission to discuss countermeasures.
Ji Chitong: "That broken Ascension Cauldron is upside down on his back, constantly infusing him with bloodline origin power, giving him such means in a short time. Is it tightly or loosely attached?"
"This isn't a matter of tightness or looseness!" Long Ao Jiao didn't give anyone any face, and she coldly hummed in response.
At this moment, Long Ao Jiao didn't think Ji Chitong was pretty; instead, she felt a hint of hostility towards her.
Because... Ji Chitong was too beautiful! Even in a simple long skirt, she still threatened Long Ao Jiao's sense of 'beauty', making her feel intolerable.
How dare she be so beautiful?!
Damn it!
So, she responded, "The problem is that we can't attack the Ascension Cauldron right now."
"He's more aware of his weakness than us, so he'll definitely defend himself. Even if someone creates an opportunity by covering for us, it'll be very difficult to succeed!"
"Indeed." Chaos Heavenly Boar was also injured.
Fortunately, at this level, the injuries to his physical body weren't significant, and he could recover quickly.
But the enemy's strength was genuinely formidable.
Chaos Heavenly Boar helplessly said, "I can try again with you all, but if we still can't handle it, I'll have to run for it. I can't die here."
"..."
The group didn't dwell on this topic.
It was indeed reasonable.
"We need to think of a way." Ji Chitong hesitated for a moment, but at that time, she couldn't think of any good ideas.
Just then!
Boom!!!
Suddenly, the void shattered, and a 'sun' exploded in an instant.
It was an artificial sun!
It was the sniper firing! Previously, the array formation had blocked the way, making the space too stable for Lin Fan to snipe, and his bullets couldn't get through.
But at this moment, the formation had already 'flipped', and there was no such restriction.
Before this, he had held back, not casually using his skills, fearing there might be some changes.
Lu Ming, Long Ao Jiao, Song Ru, and the others reacted quickly, ready to take action.
But as soon as they moved, they were all forced to retreat.
Li Changkong was too strong!
Under the suppression of immortal energy, this bullet containing the artificial sun was caught and exploded by him in an instant!
He...
Only suffered minor injuries!
He could recover in an instant.
And behind them, the Ascension Cauldron remained unscathed!
"Mice!"
Li Changkong's face turned cold, his gaze piercing through the void and locking onto Lin Fan.
However, the distance was too great, and he had no means to attack from such a far range. He could only retract his gaze.
"You shall die first!"
"This mouse will meet you on the road to the netherworld."
He attacked again.
Lu Ming and the others' expressions changed, and they could only rely on mutual support and all-out defense to barely withstand the assault.
"Failed!"
Lin Fan watched the 'mirror' display, gritting his teeth.
"Damn it, he's shamelessly using Immortal Energy."
"This is a clear case of dimensional advantage."
"But if Barrett is an Imperial Armament, or if he's using the Artificial Sun Fist with a trace of Immortal Energy... This move will leave him seriously injured, even if it doesn't kill him!"
However, upon thinking about the treasures and resources needed to cultivate Barrett to the level of an Imperial Armament, he felt a sense of powerlessness.
Too expensive!
...
"Teacher!"
Within his Sea of Consciousness.
Xiao Ling Er's consciousness felt the intensity of the battle and grew increasingly anxious. "In your esteemed opinion, do we have a chance of victory in this battle?"
"... It's difficult."
Xiao Yaomu sighed, "Even if I give it my all, it will still be like this."
"After all, even when I was at my peak, I never reached such a realm."
"We did have a chance back then, but unfortunately..." She sighed.
"!!!"
Xiao Ling Er became even more anxious.
Even the teacher hadn't reached the Ninth Stage back then!
Could she and her fellow disciples withstand this?
"We can't match them in strength, so we must outsmart them!"
Xiao Yaomu reminded her.
"In the heat of battle, there's no time for deep thinking, but you, within your Sea of Consciousness, can carefully observe everything. Look closely and see if you can find any details or come up with a strategy."
"If we can separate the Ascension Cauldron behind him, we'll have a chance!"
"Yes!"
Xiao Ling Er's expression turned serious, and she immediately responded.
Then, forcing herself to put aside her anxiety and urgency, she focused intently, observing closely to find their weaknesses."
But... it wasn't easy.
After a full cup of tea's time had passed.
They suffered injuries one after another.
Even with Revitalizing Pills, they couldn't keep up with the rate of injuries.
The three Divine Artifacts were also 'covered in scars'.
Xiao Ling Er still hadn't found any weaknesses.
"Could it be that we'll all perish here today?"
She clenched her teeth, unwilling to end it like this.
Then, she continued her 'search'.
Suddenly!
She felt a familiar sensation.
As if at some moment, she had arrived at a completely unfamiliar place.
It seemed like many years ago, at a certain point in time, she had been here.
But her heart was certain that she had never been here before! Yet... this familiar sensation wouldn't go away.
However, at this moment, Xiao Ling Er didn't feel that this scene was familiar. It was something that made her feel a sense of deja vu.
"What is it?"
For a moment, she couldn't remember.
She focused even more intently on Li Changkong.
But she found nothing.
Just as she was about to give up, she suddenly realized.
"No, it's not Li Changkong himself, but... the Ascension Cauldron he has turned upside down behind him?"
At this moment, the Ascension Cauldron was in ruins.
Its 'physical' form was less than half complete.
The remaining parts were all illusions.
But even though they were illusions, they still possessed some of the power from its complete state.
At first, Xiao Ling Er hadn't observed closely, but now, the more she looked, the more she felt that within the illusion of the Ascension Cauldron, there was a small part that was extremely familiar!
Or rather...
The patterns on it were very familiar.
She had definitely seen it before!
"Where did I see it before?"
She asked herself, constantly reminding herself that she must remember.
"These patterns..."
"This shape..."
"It's a bronze ancient cauldron covered in rust."
"I don't know how many years it has endured, it's covered in mottled marks, and it has this terrifying aura..."
"Wait, that's not right!"
"It might not have this terrifying aura."
"Ancient patterns cover the bronze surface! If I'm not mistaken..."
Xiao Ling Er's consciousness shook.
She remembered!
And immediately contacted Xiao Yaomu: "Do you remember the bronze fragment we bought in the Ghost Market when we first went to Hongwu Immortal City?"
"Hmm?"
Xiao Yaomu was taken aback, not understanding.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you find it familiar?"
"Indeed!"
Xiao Yaomu also realized, "Don't let him notice us!"
"At first glance, I didn't examine it closely, and I couldn't see through its true origins, but now I think it's almost identical to a part of the illusion of the Ascension Cauldron."
"Back then, I thought it was part of some ancient artifact, but now it seems it might not be the case."
"Perhaps..."
Xiao Ling Er exclaimed, "Is it a part of the Ascension Cauldron?"
"It was damaged when it was shattered, losing all its divine nature, which is why its origins are unclear?"
"It's very likely!"
Xiao Yaomu agreed, "According to the information your teacher obtained, the Ascension Cauldron was shattered, and a part of it completely dissipated and scattered."
"The other part is scattered across the continent."
"The Sun Moon Immortal Dynasty has been secretly collecting them for many years, and with the blood of the Talents, they have this damaged Ascension Cauldron!
(End of Chapter)
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