Chapter 273: Overwhelming Power, The Flame of Civilization

Chapter 273: Overwhelming Power, The Flame of Civilization

Within the Cosmic Light Fragment...

Outside the battlefield, Han Qingxun's expression was one of astonishment.

He witnessed Tian Qiu, his junior, dominating the battlefield, sweeping across all directions, with no one able to match him in a single exchange.

This sight made Han Qingxun ponder involuntarily—

What exactly had he fished out from the Dark Sea?

Was this a stroke of incredible luck?

"Senior Brother Han, should we go and help?" An excited voice, barely containing its enthusiasm, reached him from nearby.

Han Qingxun gazed at the battlefield, a sense of awe filling his heart.

These geniuses from various sects and battlefields had probably never imagined that one day, they would join forces against a common enemy. This Cosmic Light Fragment was supposed to be their stage to make a name for themselves. But with Tian Qiu's arrival, everything changed. What should have been a blossoming of talent now served only as a backdrop to his brilliance.

"Go and help?" Han Qingxun smiled bitterly, "If you go up there, you'll be heavily injured, or even die, in an instant. It's better not to burden Tian Qiu."

He looked towards the battlefield, where, despite the pride and restraint of the various warriors, there was no scene of thousands ganging up on one person. Yet, Tian Qiu was still facing the simultaneous assault of dozens of opponents.

But how... was he becoming more ferocious as the battle progressed?

...

The four-colored divine radiance swirled and erupted, resembling a four-colored sun, giving people a sense of overwhelming pressure as if even the heavens couldn't bear its weight. It already had a hint of the primordial chaos.

The four colors of red, blue, yellow, and white descended with overwhelming dominance, brushing aside the divine powers of other warriors and reaching above Ji Jingqiu, trapping him within.

"Quintessence Radiance?"

Ji Jingqiu was taken aback, having heard of its legendary reputation!

As the white light, evolved from the four-colored divine radiance, returned to the warrior, the surrounding crowd couldn't help but hold their breath, focusing intently on the white light.

Was it over?

Even though the battle was brief, they still felt like it was a dream.

This battle shattered their past pride, making them realize the truth of their elders' words: "There's always someone stronger out there."

At this moment, the white light, formed by the four-colored divine radiance, wobbled, and despite the warrior's efforts to suppress it, a small hole appeared.

Origin of Unity.

In the next moment, Ji Jingqiu, with the weight of unity, broke through the incomplete Five Elements and Five Virtues, shattered the divine power, and burst out, standing once again in the center of the battlefield.

Behind him, sword lights flowed like mercury, penetrating everywhere, covering the sky, and charging towards the figure at the heart of the battlefield.

Ten Thousand Swords Converge!

Ji Jingqiu sensed this and turned around, slashing with his sword, extinguishing all the derived sword lights, and grasping the trajectory of this sword at the critical moment.

In the instant the sword and knife met, the orderly and unified sword lights suddenly scattered, but the knife light remained as sharp as ever! Under this knife light, Jian Shiqi was sent flying, a bloodstain extending downward from his forehead.

But he had no time to attend to his injury, feeling only absurdity!

If it were just a matter of being overwhelmed in terms of cultivation and strength, it would be fine. But he had found an opportunity and consecutively unleashed three sword strikes, only to have them all cut down by Tian Qiu at the weakest points of his sword formations!

Once might be a coincidence, but twice or thrice is a pattern.

What a joke!

He had been regarded as a sword genius since childhood, dedicating forty-three years to the study of the sword's essence, and after breaking through to the Heart Image realm, he had challenged and defeated all Heart Image warriors in his small world, a total of two hundred and seventy-four battles, without a single defeat. This earned him a place in the Azure Heaven Palace, where he was considered a heaven-sent talent and was fast-tracked into the core disciple ranks.

Even within the Azure Heaven Palace, he was confident that his sword skills were among the top three in his realm, and his combat experience was second to none.

Yet, at this moment, his proud sword skills seemed to have countless flaws in this person's eyes, easily crushed by a single knife strike!

As the bloodstain on his forehead slowly extended, Jian Shiqi's lifesaving talisman activated on its own, teleporting him out of this void.

One last glance.

Jian Shiqi saw the Four Divine Palaces' disciple, surrounded by four colors—red, yellow, white, and black, just one color short of the complete Five Virtues, demonstrating the wonders of the Five Elements' transformations—being targeted by Tian Qiu...

The space distorted.

When he opened his eyes again, Jian Shiqi stood in the void, the crimson vertical mark on his forehead having stopped spreading.

He had already achieved mind-body integration, and with a single thought, he had stopped the bleeding.

However, the vertical mark on his forehead remained, not healing, due to the lingering knife intent.

"Seventeen, you were defeated by Tian Qiu as well?"

The next moment, he was suddenly pulled close by someone.

Jian Shiqi looked around and realized that the void of this realm had been locked down by various powerful beings. No matter who left this Cosmic Light Fragment, using any means, they would eventually appear at the "entrance."

Facing the person before him, he replied respectfully, "Senior Brother Qingyang, I was indeed defeated by Tian Qiu from the Heavenly Holy Lake, bringing shame to our sect."

Upon hearing this, Qingyang of the Azure Heaven Palace glanced around with a peculiar look. Disgraced?

At this moment, those seemingly fossilized old men had already stirred up a storm within, making the atmosphere in the field extremely delicate.

Qingyang reached out and lightly touched Jian Shiqi's forehead, extracting the lingering knife intent, and after carefully sensing it, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

"What a domineering knife intent!"

Just from this knife intent, one could glimpse the martial prowess of its owner.

"Seventeen, what do you think? If the first-ranked Miaodi from our sect were here, would she have a chance today?"

After a moment of silence, Jian Shiqi replied, "Even if it were Senior Sister Miaodi, I wouldn't be completely helpless, but I still wouldn't see a glimmer of victory."

Qingyang fell silent, finding it unbelievable.

Jian Shiqi was one of the most outstanding disciples they had recruited in recent years, and breaking through to the Celestial Being realm was almost certain. He wouldn't lose to the core disciples of other sects.

Bringing him to the Cosmic Light Fragment this time was meant to help him make a name for himself.

But the result was the opposite; instead of gaining fame, he became a mere side dish.

Was this a failed Divine Prohibition?

Just then, the void split open again.

A figure surrounded by four dim colors, as if shattered, appeared before everyone.

Someone recognized him, "Hong Quan from the Five Virtues Palace?"

At this moment, even the Heavenly Sovereigns standing deep in the void revealed a hint of surprise.

The previous young man who appeared was not as 'weighty' as this one.

The Five Virtues Palace was known as the most ancient True Sage Bodhimanda, even older than the Heavenly Saint Lake. It was said that the Five Virtues were all present, and nothing could harm it. The five colors gathered, and nothing could escape its radiance.

And this Hong Quan was the rising star of the current generation from the Five Virtues Palace. His Heart Image realm had already gathered four virtues and four colors, just one step away from evolving the Quintessence Radiance and opening the heavens.

Could he have lost too?

"Kid, how many moves did you last?"

Suddenly, someone in the void spoke up.

A cold hum echoed, and a vague figure from the depths of the void took a step forward, revealing one of the Heavenly Sovereigns who had arrived today.

He reached out and escorted Hong Quan away, while the one who had spoken from the void earlier let out a muffled hum and retreated several steps, a vast ripple emanating from beneath his feet.

The others watched coldly, and according to the Heartform Warrior who had just emerged, this junior from the Five Virtues Palace might not have lasted more than a few moves.

"Regardless of whether he is a Divine Prohibition or from which power, he must come out."

Suddenly, Xiang Qingyu from the Blood Demon Palace spoke with a cold gaze.

Someone replied indifferently, "If he is truly a disciple of the Heavenly Saint Lake, what can you do? Do you dare to eliminate a potential Divine Prohibition seedling?"

"The Heavenly Saint Lake?" Xiang Qingyu's smile turned sinister. "If he is indeed a Divine Prohibition Warrior from the Heavenly Saint Lake, why would they not send even a single Guardian this time? I find this matter suspicious. It's better to capture this person and interrogate him thoroughly, lest we tarnish the reputation of the Heavenly Saint Lake's friends."

Someone smirked, admiring the clever calculation.

But soon, others agreed with this suggestion, except for a disagreement regarding the affiliation of the personnel.

Shan Li observed with a cold gaze.

He understood all too well what these people were planning.

If the Heavenly Saint Lake had truly produced a Divine Prohibition and didn't even send a Guardian, they wouldn't hesitate to capture him.

This involved the struggle after the Eighth Boundary.

Heavenly Sovereigns.

Dao Ancestors.

True Sages.

Although Heavenly Sovereigns and Dao Ancestors were rare, when considering the vast number of beings in the Three Thousand Floating Worlds, they weren't few enough to count on one's fingers. Moreover, they faced the wear and tear of tribulations, often resulting in 'losses'.

Only the recently transcended True Sages were truly above it all, overlooking eternity, unmoved by great calamities, and rarely replaced.

Among the known True Sage-level Supreme Powers, all had once been Divine Prohibition Warriors, giving rise to a rumor that only Divine Prohibitions could break through to the True Sage realm!

Divine Prohibitions represented the upper limit.

And almost every Divine Prohibition Warrior in history had possessed great secrets.

"Quan'er, what happened to you?"

The Heavenly Sovereign from the Five Virtues Palace pulled Hong Quan closer and asked gently.

"I..."

Hong Quan shook his head slightly, finally regaining his senses, his face turning somber as he asked with doubt, "Master, do we really have a connection with the Heavenly Saint Lake?"

"Why do you ask?"

Hong Quan took a deep breath, "I just barely survived a life-and-death tribulation. I only used the Four Divine Lights to trap him, and I exercised restraint in my attacks, but he showed me no mercy, aiming for my vital points with every strike!"

The Heavenly Sovereign consoled, "Perhaps the Dao lineage he belongs to has some grudge against our lineage."

Hong Quan protested, "But I didn't even have a chance to tell him I was your disciple before he almost split me in half with his blade!"

The Heavenly Sovereign fell silent.

Both the Five Virtues Palace and the Heavenly Saint Lake were ancient True Sage Bodhimandas with similar Great Dao lineages, making them natural allies.

But from what he heard...

This junior from the Heavenly Saint Lake seemed rather unfriendly, acting too domineering.

Hong Quan recalled the last scene, feeling not only lingering fear but also a mix of anger and fury that he couldn't quite identify.

The last memory was of a figure with a radiant back, looking down at him with a hint of regret in his eyes.

Please... You... Collect_6Ⅰ9ⅠBookⅠ(Six\/\/Nine\/\/Book\/\/Bar!)



The person said—

"I am disappointed."

"Your profound abilities are indeed top-notch, but they remind me of something my junior brother once said: in this world, there is no invincible technique, only invincible people."

"I didn't see what I was hoping to see in you, which makes me start to underestimate the Three Thousand Floating Worlds."

"Are you too weak, or are the true powerhouses of the Three Thousand Floating Worlds not here today?"

Hong Quan clenched his fists, feeling a complex and bitter sensation in his chest that he had never experienced before.

In the final battle, everyone was fleeing, and the entire world seemed to be under that person's feet!

"Master..." Hong Quan spoke softly, "Is he a Divine Prohibition?"

The Heavenly Sovereign from the Five Virtues Palace shook his head and said tactfully,

"You still can't test the limits of a Divine Prohibition."

He raised his head, gazing at the entrance of the Cosmic Light Fragment, his eyes deep and mysterious, "Whether he is a Divine Prohibition or not, we'll find out when he comes out."

...

...

In the final battle, the entire Cosmic Light realm was trembling, with natural Dao patterns appearing in the sky and boundless immortal light weaving across the land.

Everything was too unusual, including this sudden appearance of a self-proclaimed killer from the Heavenly Saint Lake.

Even Hong Quan from the Five Virtues Palace was eliminated, leaving the Four Divine Sovereigns truly chilled to the bone, and no one dared to step forward.

"Thank you for the borrowed blade."

Seeing that no one dared to approach, Ji Jingqiu was surprised to find that the Blade Master was still present, looking dazed. He tossed the long blade in front of the Blade Master, returning the borrowed weapon.

The long blade stuck in the ground, slightly shaking, but the Blade Master hesitated, unsure whether to draw it and return it to its sheath. His expression was chaotic.

The surrounding gazes followed the blade silently, making him feel like he had been branded as an ally of the Heavenly Saint Lake, causing him great discomfort.

He wanted to explain that he had nothing to do with it; it was the strong man from the Heavenly Saint Lake who had 'borrowed' the blade!

At that moment, the blade trembled, and a clear ringing sound emerged as it broke free. The blade had a spirit, and it sensed its master's hesitation, feeling wronged and confused, which made the Blade Master even more flustered.

Ji Jingqiu had no time to mediate the "family dispute."

On the evolving celestial canopy, the twinkling morning stars increased from dozens to hundreds!

This made him ponder, it seemed that Master Zhou Yan Tong of the Federation had some valid points.

All the hundred meridians gathered and lined up, saving him from having to visit each family individually.

This was a perfect example.

Of course, one shouldn't dismiss the past so easily.

Without visiting each family, he wouldn't be who he is today.

At the very least, the trip to the Ke family was worth it.

Ji Jingqiu looked up, his expression solemn, and with the Bodhi Wisdom Eye, he saw more clearly than anyone else.

In the heavens and earth, not only did the laws manifest themselves, but ancient words also appeared, spanning the mountains and rivers, serving as vessels for the laws of nature. They shone brilliantly in the world, like dozens of great suns rising together.

"This cosmic light fragment is about to be destroyed, marking the 'Final Calamity', where all paths converge."

Hela reminded him, "Quickly absorb that strand of Civilization Flame using the Eternal History I taught you."

That so-called Civilization Flame hovered not far from Ji Jingqiu, but no one dared to approach and seize it.

Renown is earned through battle, and even if they had never heard of Tian Sheng Hu's Tian Qiuzi before, from this day forward, all beings under the heavens would retreat in fear.

"All paths converging..."

Ji Jingqiu didn't rush to act but gazed at the ancient words that pierced through the sun and moon, and suddenly asked,

"For warriors above the Heaven-Human realm, wouldn't they welcome the Final Calamity?"

"The Final Calamity brings one closer to the ultimate path, but it also carries the risk of calamities. Unless one's lifespan is nearly exhausted, no one would choose this path."

"Isn't the realm above Heaven-Human immortal?"

"Immortal? Even heaven and earth have their limits. Without transcendence, how can one speak of immortality?" Hela scoffed, "The reason your Federation believes that Grandmasters have infinite lifespans is because your Federation has only existed for a mere ten thousand years. For those at the pinnacle of the Heavenly King realm, living for a hundred thousand years is not difficult."

Ji Jingqiu was stunned. For the Federation, ten thousand years... indeed, it could be considered equivalent to immortality.

He shook his head. The emergence of the Heart Ocean brought unprecedented crises, but it also presented an opportunity rarely seen in the world.

He calmed his mind and, under everyone's watchful eyes, approached the Civilization Flame.

This was a cluster of fire seeds, clear yet colorful, like the dazzling dawn at the edge of the sky during sunrise. It was not merely a cluster of flames but carried much more.

"Is this the Civilization Flame?"

Under Hela's guidance, Ji Jingqiu activated the Eternal History and absorbed the Civilization Flame.

During the absorption process, he saw many visions through this cluster of fire seeds.

Among them, he witnessed the establishment and prosperity of a civilization...

But this wasn't the most valuable thing Ji Jingqiu gained.

As the strand of civilization's fire seeds took root in Ji Jingqiu's body, it slowly melted and spread to every corner of his Qi, giving him a new understanding of flames themselves.

The so-called Civilization Flame was the "manifestation" of civilization's existence.

But why was it in the form of "flames"?

Ji Jingqiu looked within, and as the Civilization Flame slowly dissipated, a sudden realization dawned on him.

Flames represented not only destruction and burning but also the origin of all things, the beginning of civilization.

Without fire, most civilizations would remain in a primitive state of survival.

Even stars are burning lights in the vast and distant universe, serving as lighthouses in the cold cosmos and the origin of life.

Ji Jingqiu suddenly thought of Ning Mingsheng, the First of Eternity.

The one who, in the past, had opened the path of "burning the self" in the Heaven-Human realm, using the heavens and all things as fuel to ignite the true self.

In the inner vision of the world.

"The essence of this Civilization Flame is stronger than I thought... This guy can convert at least thirty percent of his Qi into True Qi."

Hela muttered, and Ji Jingqiu once again raised the bar for the Heartform realm.

She now strongly suspected that in the future, even without a divine weapon to suppress, this guy could single-handedly rival warriors of the second tier of the Heaven-Human realm.

Suddenly, she noticed Ji Jingqiu's anomaly: "What are you doing?"

Ji Jingqiu stared at his fingertips, and a faint Heartfire Seed flickered into life.

At the same time, the Mind Moon between his eyebrows shone with a unique brilliance, transcending the mundane and illuminating the impermanence of the self.

In this moment, an indescribable aura spread from the Heartfire Seed on his fingertip.

As far as Ji Jingqiu knew, both Buddhist and Daoist traditions revered fire.

In his past life's history, there was even an ancient religion called the Fire Worship Cult, which believed that fire represented life and light, the purest and greatest of all things.

While interpretations of fire varied among different schools, they ultimately converged.

There was a term called Samadhi True Fire.

Samadhi originated from Buddhism, referring to the state of eliminating all distractions and achieving mental tranquility, where the mind remains undisturbed and the heart is at peace, free from evil and chaos.

True Fire, on the other hand, originated from Daoist internal alchemy cultivation. The highest technique used the Great Void as the cauldron, the Taiji as the furnace, purity as the foundation of the elixir, non-action as the elixir field, life force as the lead and mercury, and concentration and wisdom as water and fire...

Ultimately, by illuminating the mind and perceiving one's true nature, the three origins merge into the sacred embryo, and the life force becomes the completed elixir, unifying body and spirit, and merging with the Dao!

Ji Jingqiu murmured, "I never expected that the greatest gain from this journey wouldn't be witnessing the divine abilities of various sects and understanding my invincibility, nor finding the 'former self' of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Divine Lord... but discovering the direction of this path."

"What are you talking about?" Hela asked, puzzled.

Ji Jingqiu clenched his palms tightly, his eyes shining with determination, and said, "This initial exploration of the multiverse has yielded far more than expected. It's time to return and reflect, and attempt something new!"

Just at this moment, signs of the heavens and earth collapsing appeared.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end