Chapter 442: Perfection After Tribulations!
Chapter 442: Perfection After Tribulations!
"Trying to escape?"
A wisp of Chen Mu's moonlight attempted to flee, its eyes flashing with a cold light.
The strength of this person's soul was undoubtedly formidable, a Heaven and Man Realm expert without question. If this person wasn't trying to steal his body, but instead chose to strike at him during his Blood Transformation, it would most likely force him to abruptly halt the process. Even if he managed to repel the attack, he would undoubtedly suffer backlash and severe injuries afterward.
However, the opponent chose to collide with him using soul power, which was undoubtedly the wrong decision. Even if their soul strengths were nearly equal, the opponent was rootless, while Chen Mu's soul, though completely exposed to the heavens and earth, was still connected to his physical body!
It was like one person standing on the surface of the water, unaffected by gravity, while the other stood on solid rocks. Even with equal strength, the impact between them would yield vastly different results!
Although Chen Mu sustained some damage, the opponent fared worse, suffering a soul injury!
Chen Mu didn't know who this person was, but at this moment, he couldn't let the opponent escape so easily. With some remaining strength, he seized the opportunity to strike.
The next moment, Chen Mu's body, still in a cross-legged position, abruptly opened his eyes. Enduring the overwhelming state of Cosmic Blood Infusion, he withstood the endless pressure from the heavens and earth, lifting his right hand and pointing forward.
At his fingertip, eight-colored lights revolved, transforming into the Eight Aspects of Heaven and Earth.
"Heaven-Earth Finger!"
Buzz!
A majestic finger strike erupted from Chen Mu's fingertip.
The power of this strike was only a third of Chen Mu's full strength, but at this moment, it was more than enough. The grand might that pierced through the thick seabed rock layers! Ji Yongzhao's shattered soul was pierced by Chen Mu's strike, but as it was a pure soul, it didn't suffer significant damage; only the blood energy it relied on was completely shattered.
"No!"
Even so, a trace of anxiety lingered in Ji Yongzhao's soul.
Chen Mu's attack wasn't aimed at his soul but at the body he had temporarily abandoned outside the seabed cave, his only escape route after the Soul Fusion Technique's failure.
Pfft!
The majestic finger strike, after piercing through the seabed rock layer, directly shattered the head of Ji Yongzhao's body lying outside the cave, turning it into a headless corpse!
If Ji Yongzhao's soul had returned to his body, even with severe injuries, he might not have been able to display his full strength. But with the Heaven-Earth Body that had entered the Blood Transformation Realm, he still had the power to resist Chen Mu and at least escape the current peril, fleeing back from the seabed.
However, Chen Mu's strike shattered his delusions, completely cutting off his escape!
"Damn it!"
Ji Yongzhao's heart was filled with disbelief.
Chen Mu hadn't even completed his Blood Transformation, let alone reached the Heaven-Human Unity Realm, so how could his soul power be so refined, almost on par with his current strength?
Moreover, while enduring the Cosmic Blood Infusion, Chen Mu's physical body still had the strength to unleash the 'Heaven-Earth Finger', shattering the thick seabed rock and completely destroying his body!
Although Ji Yongzhao's body was a Heaven-Earth Body in the Blood Transformation Realm, without the soul, his body was like a puppet, incapable of active defense. The flesh and bones alone couldn't withstand Chen Mu's 'Heaven-Earth Finger'.
How could this be!
The heavens seemed to favor him, and this perfect Heaven-Earth Body that Chen Mu cultivated should have been destined for him. Why did the situation take such a sudden turn?
Ji Yongzhao's heart sank into an abyss, and if he still had a body, a cold sweat would have dripped from his forehead.
He had been too careless.
No, it wasn't just carelessness. His entire life had been too smooth, never encountering a true challenge. The entire world seemed like a chessboard he could manipulate, and everyone was his pawn.
This smoothness bred overconfidence, making him believe the world revolved around him. Without adequate preparation, he recklessly used the secret technique, causing his soul to separate from his body.
The more taboo the technique, the greater the risk!
This technique, capable of stealing others' bodies, usurping their lifelong cultivation, and even seizing their lifespan, was a heaven-defying taboo. The risk lay in the soul's vulnerability once separated from the body. If the Soul Fusion Technique failed, the soul would be like a dim candle flame in the vast heavens and earth, akin to a drowning person, in constant danger of extinction.
In a fleeting moment of daze, Ji Yong Zhao's consciousness, which had been gradually fading, suddenly regained clarity. Deep within his mind, a vague realization emerged, and he muttered, "So that's how it is..."
He, too, had cultivated the Eight Aspects of Heaven and Earth, and had once glimpsed the most essential mysteries of the heavens and earth. He was well aware of the countless secrets hidden within the world, and it was precisely because of this that he regarded the entire world as something within his grasp, viewing everything as insignificant.
However, in reality, he was still a part of this world, never having transcended the heavens and earth.
By perceiving himself as superior to the heavens and earth, he inevitably invited their backlash. Just as his life had been incredibly smooth, never encountering any significant tribulations, all of it had accumulated to this moment.
At this very moment, he faced his greatest tribulation in this lifetime!
Chen Mu's existence was his true tribulation. If he could overcome it, then from then on, he would have boundless opportunities, and in the future, he would truly transcend this world, with a chance to glimpse the legendary Divine Realm. But if he couldn't pass this test, then it would be the end of his path, a mere dream.
Yet, he was overly confident, and the process of finding Chen Mu had been incredibly smooth, as if even the heavens were lending him a helping hand, causing him to not realize that this time, the heavens were not aiding him but bringing a calamity!
Living in this world,
No one can escape their destined tribulations!
Even if he had coincidentally avoided meeting Chen Mu at this moment, when Chen Mu reached the pinnacle of the Blood Replacement Realm in the future, looking down upon the world, there would inevitably be a collision with Ji Yong Zhao, the current Supreme Emperor Xuan, which could not be avoided.
On the contrary, Chen Mu's journey of cultivation up to this point had been filled with countless hardships and obstacles. Every step he took was exceptionally cautious, and even at this very moment, as he secluded himself in the undersea cave to break through to the Blood Replacement Realm, he still retained strength to face any changes.
Ji Yong Zhao turned his gaze towards Chen Mu, and as they both were in a soul state, they could sense each other's gaze. After Chen Mu unleashed the power of his finger, he was left with no strength, sitting cross-legged, staring coldly at Ji Yong Zhao.
"This is my tribulation, and I didn't realize it beforehand. I am your tribulation, and you were prepared for it."
At this moment of desperation, on the brink of extinction, Ji Yong Zhao finally had a sudden realization.
This voice also echoed in Chen Mu's ear.
However, Chen Mu responded coldly, "What tribulation? Although I don't know who you are, if you want to make a move against me, be prepared to face death and destruction."
"It seems you still don't understand."
Ji Yong Zhao smiled at this moment, despite his soul moon, which had cracks, seemed like a flickering candle in the surging tides of heavenly power. But he seemed to no longer care about that: "The current Body Tempering Martial Arts is not complete. Only by cultivating the Heaven-Earth Lineage can one have the only chance to transcend this world and glimpse the Divine Realm."
"And within the mysteries of heaven and earth, there is a destined flow of fate. Those who cultivate the Heaven-Earth Body in the same period will only have one person reach the Blood Transformation Realm. The reason I awakened during this time is also the guidance of heaven and earth."
Ji Yong Zhao stared at Chen Mu.
"You are my tribulation, and I am yours. Between us, only one will have the qualification to witness the scenery beyond this world. I thought I had lost this chance, but since you haven't realized this... it seems I've taken the lead!"
As he spoke, Ji Yong Zhao's dim and cracked moon suddenly became vibrant once more. What was once a dim and pale moonlight now rose with blazing flames, transforming into a scorching sun!
Soul Burning Technique!
This was the ultimate move of a Heaven and Earth Master. The pain of soul burning far exceeded that of physical burning, yet at this moment, Ji Yong Zhao endured such agony, his inner self was like a calm pond, as the blazing soul rushed towards Chen Mu!
He was Chen Mu's tribulation, and Chen Mu was his. He was born for this life's destiny, and Chen Mu was born for this life's destiny. It was destined that only one could exist between them, and so, everything else became meaningless. There was no need to think further, no need to argue. Only the one who survived could transcend this world!
In a 619 book bar, there is no mistake!
Rustle.
As it was a pure burning of the soul, following the heavenly trend, rushing towards Chen Mu's soul. At this moment, Chen Mu, just like before, was unable to resist or interrupt the 'Cosmic Infusion' process. Facing the incoming Ji Yong Zhao's soul, he could only continue to clash with his own.
But this time, the collision between their souls was completely different from before. The previous collisions were like two thick blocks of hard ice, clashing to see which was more resilient.
(End of Chapter)
But this time, as Ji Yongzhao's soul burned, the soul power that surged towards Chen Mu had transformed into raging soul flames!
The collision of their souls did not cause any violent tremors. Instead, Ji Yongzhao's soul, following the central crack, shattered on the spot, completely disintegrating and scattering!
However, Ji Yongzhao's shattered soul did not vanish into oblivion. Instead, each fragment transformed into a ball of soul fire, forcibly merging with Chen Mu's soul, igniting and engulfing Chen Mu's soul in a raging inferno of soul flames!
Sizzle!
The pain of the soul burning far surpassed the suffering of the Cosmic Blood Infusion a hundredfold.
Even with Chen Mu's soul power and his unwavering martial will, his serene mental state could not withstand the intensity of the burning. All thoughts became a chaotic mess, rising only to be instantly obliterated.
At the same time, scenes flashed before Chen Mu's eyes. He saw a baby, born into a golden and majestic palace, surrounded by countless kneeling subjects.
He witnessed a youth, clad in a pale golden python robe, practicing martial arts deep within the palace.
He saw this young man in plain white robes, wandering alone in the jianghu, using a certain name to make his way in the world. In the vast Zhongzhou, he had established a formidable reputation among the younger generation, becoming the foremost young martial artist of his time.
He saw the youth grow into a mature man, reaching the Blood Transformation Realm, donning a golden dragon robe, standing tall in a magnificent and lofty palace, seated upon the imperial throne, receiving the utmost reverence from countless officials!
"Emperor Xuan... Yongzhao..."
Amidst the chaotic thoughts arising from the burning soul fire, Chen Mu's consciousness gradually revealed the identity of his attacker.
In the intermittent scenes, he not only learned the identity of his opponent but also understood their true purpose.
At this very moment, compared to Chen Mu's chaotic thoughts, Ji Yongzhao's completely shattered soul, now fully entangled with Chen Mu's soul and burning, no longer held any complex thoughts. It clung to a single, unwavering focus—Ji Yongzhao!
He was Emperor Jingtai of the Great Xuanyan Dynasty, Ji Yongzhao! Regardless of the outcome of this final struggle, as long as the consciousness that awakened in the end was Ji Yongzhao, the Emperor of Great Xuanyan, then he would be the victor!
"Fate... Destiny..."
"The Blood Transformation Realm is the final step before transcending Heaven and Earth. Reaching this stage naturally invites the hostility of Heaven and Earth... Thus, one must undergo tribulations and overcome the Life and Death Threshold... My foundation is too profound. The bottleneck of the Blood Transformation Realm is not a tribulation for me. Therefore, Ji Yongzhao sought me out here, and this is the tribulation I must face. Only by overcoming this tribulation can I achieve perfection..."
Chen Mu's thoughts, amidst the burning soul fire, were intermittent, but he maintained his sense of self. From the memories of Ji Yongzhao that kept surfacing, Chen Mu learned many secrets of Heaven and Earth and understood numerous transformations.
After comprehending all this, Chen Mu's thoughts calmed.
He realized that Ji Yongzhao's goal was destined to be unfulfilled, and the ultimate victor would be him.
If...
If he had truly been born in this realm, subjected to the Heavenly Mandate of this world, and cultivated to his current realm, then the outcome of this tribulation would be unpredictable, and no one could know who would emerge victorious in the end.
But he possessed too many things that did not belong to this realm of Heaven and Earth!
First,
He was not born in this realm of Heaven and Earth!
Although he cultivated the Body Tempering Martial Art, his progress to his current realm relied more on the inexplicable System Panel than the destiny and blessings of this realm of Heaven and Earth. The System Panel itself was also not of this realm!
Furthermore, his advanced soul cultivation was not derived from the power of this realm of Heaven and Earth. It was a gift from the Seeker Tree, entangling him in the cause and effect of the Seeker Tree, whose realm undoubtedly surpassed that of Heaven and Earth.
While Ji Yongzhao also possessed some abilities that did not belong to this realm of Heaven and Earth, he was born and raised in this realm, and until he truly entered the Divine Realm, transcending Heaven and Earth, his destiny remained bound by this realm.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken."
"You've misunderstood one thing."
"I have never been chosen by the Heavenly Mandate. The cause and effect I bear in this realm is minuscule. My journey to this point has been filled with countless hardships. This is your tribulation, not mine. It's merely a trial I must overcome to achieve perfection..."
The soul fire continued to burn, but Chen Mu's thoughts gradually stabilized. The raging soul flames could no longer consume his soul, and they were gradually peeled away, leaving only a brilliant glow, polished by the power of Heaven and Earth.
(Chapter End)
Chapter end
Report
