Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 267 - 199: Fierce Battle Against Three Golden Core Cultivators! (Part 2)

"Thirty years of Refining Techniques, my strength has now reached its peak."

Zhang Yao thought to himself, smiling serenely, as he slowly stood up:

"It's time to leave the Secret Realm and meet Ancestor Zhenyang and others."

......

Underground at Prison Gate Mountain.

Ancestor Zhenyang and others had each constructed a simple dwelling, surrounding the Secret Realm Gate.

On normal days, they would occasionally exchange insights on cultivation and spar in Divine Communication Skills and Daoist Techniques, but mostly they cultivated in solitude.

Suddenly:

The Secret Realm Gate, silent for many years, unexpectedly radiated a kaleidoscope of colors, rippling like water waves.

"Hmm?"

This commotion immediately alerted the three of Ancestor Zhenyang, who instantly used their Escape Light to arrive at the Secret Realm Gate.

"He's coming out!"

The three exchanged glances, all wearing grave expressions, fixed on the Secret Realm Gate, standing ready.

"Splash..."

Amidst the water wave-like patterns, Zhang Yao, donned in a cyan Daoist Robe and wearing a Lotus Crown, stepped calmly out of the Bronze Gate.

His gaze swept over and he saw Ancestor Zhenyang and others as if facing a formidable foe, and he smiled slightly:

"Ancestor Zhenyang, Ancestor Three Mountains, Ancestor Gudu."

Zhang Yao bowed, nodding:

"This humble cultivator, Qingxu, has long admired the great names of you three."

"You three have waited here specially, encircling this humble self. It seems you're prepared for a life-and-death outcome, so please..."

"Wait!"

Ancestor Zhenyang suddenly interrupted him:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, you might have misunderstood."

He slightly lowered his head, his tone softened:

"The previous conflicts between us and you had many chances and were not a deadly feud or a clash of paths."

"Now that you have reached the Golden Core Realm, inheriting the legacy of the Five Elements Wanderer, it is a great joy for the Da Li Cultivation Realm."

"We three wish for a friendly duel with you, to turn fighting into friendship. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"

"Oh?"

Zhang Yao's expression became subtle upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected Ancestor Zhenyang and others to take the initiative to concede, rather than immediately engaging him in a fierce battle.

Judging from his tone, there seemed to be a bit of appeasement as if they had already planned how to face him.

"This is interesting."

Zhang Yao showed a hint of interest on his face, motioning:

"Fellow Daoist Zhenyang, please continue."

Ancestor Zhenyang took a deep breath and said:

"You are a Golden Core Cultivator of the Path of Array Refining and Body Integration, with extraordinary strength. We, individually, are certainly no match for you."

"We three boldly wish to join forces and duel with you, to test our prowess."

"If we win, we mean no harm to you. We merely ask you to leave Da Li and swear a Dao Heart Oath not to return within Da Li Territory."

"If we lose, we would willingly acknowledge you as the leader, thereafter letting you lead the Da Li Cultivation Realm, and we would obey your every command without question!"

This was the proposal of Ancestor Zhenyang back then, and it was the common agreement among the three Golden Core Cultivators.

The strength of the three was only average among Golden Core Cultivators, and they were all at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm.

They were well aware of the combat effectiveness of cultivators on the path of Array Refining and Body Integration, evident from the enduring fame of the Five Elements Wanderer even two thousand years after his death.

In this situation:

They didn't want to take the risk of making an enemy out of Lord Qingxu, as losing might mean their families and sects would face ruin, losing generations of heritage in an instant.

As highly esteemed Golden Core Ancestors and pillars of their sects, they naturally treasured their lives, and a proper compromise was a wise approach to self-preservation.

"Hahaha..."

Zhang Yao laughed heartily, saying loudly:

"Very well, I accept this challenge!"

Thirty years ago, he faced three and had a fair chance of winning;

Thirty years later, after cultivating numerous Divine Techniques and Daoist Skills, he believed defeating Ancestor Zhenyang and others was a simple task.

In a duel that was certain to win, accepting it was no issue.

After all, most of the time, the living are more useful than the dead, and if he could command the Da Li Cultivation Realm, it would bring him immense benefits.

"...Then it's settled!"

Ancestor Zhenyang and others exchanged a glance and all breathed a sigh of relief.

......

A moment later.

Zhang Yao and Ancestor Zhenyang and others flew together into the sky, reaching tens of thousands of feet in the air.

Here, the Gang Feng was fierce and unrelenting, even a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator would be in danger of having their Protective Spiritual Light dissipated, risking death.

In Golden Core battles, the damage could easily spread over a hundred miles, thus fighting high in the sky was an unspoken rule among Golden Core Realm cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, please."

Ancestor Zhenyang, Ancestor Three Mountains, and Dugu Tianyi, with their Magical Power surging, took out their respective Magical Treasures, wearing solemn expressions.

"Be careful."

Zhang Yao reminded them, then suddenly raised his hands and made a grabbing motion:

"Tear!"

Dazzling purple lightning flashed, instantly forming seven or eight purple Thunderballs, the size of fists, rising between Zhang Yao's hands.

This was one of the Five Elements Divine Techniques, Annihilation Divine Thunder!

"Swoosh!" "Swoosh!" "Swoosh!"...

The Thunderballs flew out, as fast as lightning, instantly covering hundreds of meters, reaching Ancestor Zhenyang and others, and exploding.

In an instant, bright purple lightning unfolded into a Sea of Thunder Marsh, creating a raging, vacuous Gang Feng!

"Damn!"

Ancestor Three Mountains' expression changed.

At the moment of the Thunderball's explosion, he activated his Divine Technique, manifesting a thick Land Illusion, shielding the trio.

Among the three Golden Core Ancestors, he had a foundation in Earth Attribute Magical Power, with the strongest defensive methods.

But to his alarm:

The explosion of the seven or eight Thunderballs, each with power close to a third grade Secret Treasure Thunder Bead, combined into the terrifying might of the Sea of Thunder, was overwhelming.

In less than a split second, the Land Illusion he invoked showed signs of breaking apart, barely holding on!

Ancestor Three Mountains' heart was nearly suffocating.

In such a terrifying Sea of Thunder, without protection, facing it head-on might not be lethal, but would definitely leave them severely injured!

"I can't hold on!"

Ancestor Three Mountains frantically communicated through Divine Thought:

"Run! Break out separately!!"

"What?!"

Ancestor Zhenyang and Dugu Tianyi were momentarily stunned.

What is happening?

They had sparred and practiced their Divine Techniques and Skills, even rehearsed joint strikes, having mutual understanding.

With Ancestor Three Mountains defending, they were about to unleash their Divine Techniques and activate their Magical Treasures for a frontal attack, yet in less than a split second, he declared he couldn't hold on?

"Three Mountains is such a liability!!"

Ancestor Zhenyang angrily cursed in his heart, but had no choice.

With Ancestor Three Mountains unable to hold on, forcing it wasn't an option, retreating at the last moment was crucial.

"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"

A streak of fire and a lightning flash shot out from the Land Illusion, avoiding the range of the Sea of Thunder Marsh.

"Boom!"

The Sea of Thunder Marsh completely shattered the Land Illusion, with its terrifying thunderous power reverberating everywhere.

Ancestor Three Mountains was shaken, his face scorched, spitting blood, narrowly avoiding heavy injury by dodging the brunt of the power at the last moment.

"Not good! Three Mountains is in danger!"

Ancestor Zhenyang and Dugu Tianyi's expressions changed, their hearts instantly alert.

The combined strength of the three could hold off, but if given the chance to first take down one, breaking them individually, it would be better to simply surrender.

"Boom!" "Boom!"

The Crimson Gold Ring whistled out, flames rising; the Thunderlight Flying Sword thundered, chopping, the terrifying Thunder Dragon roared.

They unanimously made a choice—to attack where the rescue was necessary!

If they went to rescue Ancestor Three Mountains, they'd fall into a passive position, easily targeted, constrained, and being better off directly attacking Qingxu True Body, forcing him to defend himself!

But what they didn't expect:

"Whoosh!"

A flash of white light vanished!

Zhang Yao transformed into a white rainbow, instantly crossing five to six hundred meters, reaching Ancestor Three Mountains.