Chapter 245: Chapter 184: In the Face of Absolute Power, What Use Are Trump Cards?

A quick addendum regarding the protagonist’s power level: It’s impossible for him to have an equal within the Ninth Realm. This is a heads-up for those who might have missed the last Chapter or haven’t refreshed.

Lu Guangjing’s Confucian Dao Lifebound Treasure was a gift from the National Preceptor. The "Mountain" Character Seal boosted his combat power, allowing him to withstand the protagonist’s first strike.

...

BOOM!

A massive boom echoed from the marshy forest, causing many Demons to flee this troubled land.

A large cloud of dust and smoke dispersed.

Lu Guangjing’s entire body was embedded in a cliff face.

Just a moment ago, he felt as if he’d been struck by a great mountain. His body flew out of control, sinking backward and downward. He plummeted over a hundred meters deep into the rock, finally stopping when he slammed into the sedimentary rock deep within.

On the ground, earth and mud constantly churned upward, quickly forming a small hill.

PTOO!

Lu Guangjing spat out a large mouthful of blood. His face was pale and weak, his eyes filled with disbelief. His voice trembled as he said:

"How is this possible... I clearly broke through to the Ninth Realm..."

’His Blood Flood Dragon Dao Transformation was completely suppressed by his opponent. At first, the other man had just been dodging, until the white-haired man threw a single punch and directly shattered his "Mountain" Character Seal!’

’That was a Confucian Treasure specially refined for him by his master. It could enhance his Cultivation, allowing his Confucian Realm to temporarily ascend to the Ninth Realm. Now, possessing a Double Ninth Realm, he actually couldn’t even block a single punch!’

’Under normal circumstances, not even a Tenth Realm expert would be his match!’

’But this opponent felt like he was just toying with him, something he found completely unacceptable!’

’He was always the one toying with others; how could anyone dare to toy with him?’

"Impossible!"

Lu Guangjing roared, once again circulating his Taoist Qi. He intended to absorb another bolt of Celestial Thunder Power to temper his Nine Revolutions Golden Core.

KABOOM!

This time, three bolts of Celestial Thunder descended at once.

After the phantom Golden Core behind him absorbed the Celestial Thunder, it crackled with arcs of electricity.

The young man strode through the air, unhurriedly. His scarlet demon mask was terrifying, and his white hair billowed in the wind.

Lu Guangjing felt his Nine Revolutions Golden Core growing more solid, and a surge of confidence rose within him. He raised two fingers, and from their tips, red Literary Qi pulsed, converging into four large words that looked like four great mountains, which he sent to suppress his opponent.

"Confucian True Words: Immovable as a Mountain!"

The next second, the young man vanished, leaving behind a flickering afterimage of lightning.

What followed were four deafening booms!

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Lu Guangjing was utterly stunned. The man before him shattered one of the red mountains with a single punch, appearing like a War God descended to the mortal world, an invincible figure.

In the next instant, the young man aimed a strike straight at Lu Guangjing’s face.

"Blood Flood Dragon in the Sky!"

In his haste, Lu Guangjing manifested his Golden Core’s phenomenon, trying to block the blow.

But to his surprise, the young man still only needed a single punch to shatter the phenomenon he had manifested.

At the same time, a towering, blood-red phantom of a Taotie appeared behind his opponent, and it completely devoured his Blood Flood Dragon phenomenon.

BOOM!

This strike once again sent Lu Guangjing flying and spitting blood.

Beneath his mask, Lu Mingyuan watched the battered Lu Guangjing, glanced at his own fist, and showed no sign of pleasant surprise.

On the contrary.

He was very disappointed, his expression as placid as still water.

’Since when did my power grow to this extent?’

’I thought that with his condensed Nine Revolutions Golden Core and his Double Ninth Realm in the Confucian Dao, Lu Guangjing would be able to last a few rounds against me. I never expected him to be so fragile.’

’Lu Guangjing’s strength wasn’t actually weak.’

’If I had used my Ninth Realm Celestial Word Avatar, I might not have been able to subdue him. As the head disciple of the Nan Zhou National Preceptor, Lu Guangjing had countless trump cards. That "Mountain" Character Seal from the Confucian Dao could already block a full-power attack from most Tenth Realm Cultivators.’

’Add to that a Nine Revolutions Golden Core, something seen only once in a thousand years, and he should have been a heaven-sent genius, destined to stand at the pinnacle of his era.’

’Perhaps it was because he hadn’t fully passed his Thunder Tribulation, or maybe he was just caught unprepared.’

’In any case, I won’t give him another chance to break through.’

’Time to end this quickly.’

At that moment, several notifications flashed before his eyes.

Venerable Purple Fate Grid - Qilin Martial Lord, Refinement Level increased to 28%.

Refinement Level reached 28%. Unlocked Life Chart Trait - Star Acupoint (Basic Level).

Star Acupoint (Basic Level): The heavens have a bright moon and a burning sun; my acupoints are like the stars. The effects of Divine Techniques, True Words, and Buddhist Techniques on you are slightly weakened. Flesh Body potential is greatly increased.

’Star Acupoint, huh...’

’Sounds a bit like a resistance trait.’

’Using the Martial Dao to suppress the Ten Thousand Techniques, becoming the sole sovereign... Not bad.’

It wasn’t over. Lu Mingyuan saw another notification appear.

Venerable Purple Fate Grid - Nine Orifices Exquisite, Refinement Level increased to 65%.

Refinement Level reached 65%. Unlocked Life Chart Trait - Game-Mind Art (Middle Level).

Game-Mind Art (Middle Level): All living beings are but pieces on a board; watch the game in silence. The Life Master cannot be affected by the obstacles of arrogance or greed. Immune to Confucian True Words.

Soon, Lu Mingyuan’s gaze hardened. He saw that someone in the large crater was, surprisingly, still alive.

"You used me as a whetstone, enjoying the sight of my death throes. You must be quite pleased with yourself now, aren’t you?"

Lu Guangjing’s body crawled out of the crater. A brown Talisman slowly detached from his chest. He clearly had quite a few life-saving trump cards.

Standing opposite Prince Jin, Lu Guangjing, Lu Mingyuan’s gaze was as calm as water. He said, "It’s not as if I’ve broken into the Upper Three Grades, so there’s nothing to be pleased about. I can only say that from this moment on, I finally have the chance to have a real battle with you. If you still don’t use your real trump cards, I refuse to believe that the feared Prince Jin, the hidden leader of the Infinite Faction, possesses only this much power."

"It seems you know quite a lot."

Lu Guangjing’s expression was impassive, his voice cold.

Suddenly, a blazing aura erupted from him, causing his presence to swell once more.

’Lu Mingyuan understood. His opponent was burning his Essence Blood, preparing for a final, desperate struggle.’

Lu Guangjing made a light slash with the Confucian Daoist Engraving Knife in his hand.

"Rain of Guns!"

At some point, the Yang Su Saber had already appeared in Lu Mingyuan’s hand. His expression was exceptionally cold, as if he had perceived his opponent’s intentions.

Lu Mingyuan slashed out, unleashing a long Sword Aura. With a BANG, he severed the hundred long spears.

The sharp Saber Qi continued onward, tearing toward Lu Guangjing. It landed directly on him, leaving a deep gash on his chest and slicing him in two, yet no blood flowed out.

The phantom quickly dissipated, and he realized it was only an afterimage.

Lu Guangjing had already suppressed his injuries and was fleeing into the distance.

’Lu Mingyuan had overestimated Lu Guangjing’s will to fight.’

’When he realized he couldn’t win, he just started running.’

’He deliberately used words to distract me. As cunning as ever.’

"Where do you think you’re going?"

Lu Mingyuan stomped on the ground. A powerful physical force erupted from the sole of his foot, shattering the earth in a hundred-zhang radius.

He transformed into a streak of rainbow light and gave chase.

’Clearly, Lu Guangjing knew he couldn’t beat this guy, so he decided retreating was his best option.’

’If you can’t win, you run. Isn’t that normal?’

’After multiple exchanges, he knew full well that his trump cards were not enough to defeat Lu Mingyuan. He could only focus on saving his own life.’

’He had just underestimated Lu Mingyuan’s speed.’

’His opponent quickly locked onto his position.’

"Nine-Character Mantra, First Word: Heaven-Burning Fire Character."

While fleeing, Lu Guangjing used a Confucian Daoist Ultimate Skill, unleashing the ’Fire’ character toward Lu Mingyuan.

The massive fireball, seen from the ground, took up a quarter of the sky. It looked as though the sun itself were falling, making all the creatures in the swamp feel as if they were suffocating.

Lu Mingyuan raised the wrist of his saber-wielding hand toward the sky and gave a light wave.

His Sword Intent formed a domain, which generated a powerful suction force. It swallowed the ’Fire’ character, then ground it to nothing.

The Nine-Character Mantra that Lu Guangjing had unleashed instantly vanished without a trace.

Lu Guangjing frowned. He once again sent out the ’Water’ character, which condensed into a vast, surging river. The river emanated a silvery-gray light, looking much like a galaxy hanging in the Nine Heavens.

However, Lu Mingyuan, with the same casual slash, used the Celestial Spirit Hidden Dragon technique to dissolve the ’Water’ True Word. A great dragon swallowed the waterfall.

"Your Nine-Character Mantra is indeed powerful, capable of shattering cities and mountains, but it cannot harm me," Lu Mingyuan said faintly.

"You’ve already launched so many attacks. Isn’t it about time you took a strike from my saber?"

Lu Mingyuan raised the Yang Su Saber above his head, and in an instant, achieved the state of Unity of Man and Blade. He unleashed a move from the Saber Intent Chapter of the Thunder Prison Saber Scripture.

"Thunder Prison World-Suppression!"

Man and saber became a shuttle of light, soaring into the sky.

WHOOSH—

This slash was immensely powerful, causing chaotic streams of Saber Qi to coalesce in the surrounding world.

Lu Guangjing took out a golden decree and thrust it forward, shooting out a pillar of golden-yellow light.

CLANG.

The Yang Su Saber cut through the golden light shield, its tip colliding with the decree. This created a ring of interweaving gold and blue energy ripples that surged outward into the sky.

The dazzlingly brilliant golden ’Technique’ character made Lu Mingyuan’s brow furrow.

"A True Words decree written by a Legalist Saint? What is your relationship with the Law Saint?"

Lu Guangjing had only used the decree given to him by the Confucian Temple Imperial Censor out of desperation.

’Right now, he could only use it to try and persuade this man to back off.’

Lu Guangjing’s expression was grim as he said, "I don’t know why you’re so intent on killing me, Your Excellency, but you had better think carefully about the price. This prince is a disciple of the Law Saint. If you kill me, he will never let you go!"

"The Infinite Faction will do the same and will surely issue a warrant for your arrest. You are merely a Ninth Realm Martial Artist; you’d best consider the consequences!"

Lu Mingyuan was unmoved. Without a hint of hesitation or doubt, he stated expressionlessly, "Today, even if you were the disciple of the Taoist Ancestor, you would still die!"

"As for the Endless Pavilion, it will be buried along with you."

’Lu Guangjing’s gaze turned grim. He hadn’t expected his opponent to be someone who feared neither heaven nor earth.’ 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

’He wouldn’t respond to threats or persuasion.’

’Am I, Lu Guangjing, going to die here today?’

’I am not resigned to this fate!’

’I can’t die yet!’

’I am only two steps away from the position of the Venerable Emperor!’

’As long as I can fully condense the Nine Revolutions Golden Core and return to the Imperial Capital, I will definitely be able to defeat Lu Yunqing!’

SHING!

The words had been spoken. Lu Mingyuan wasted no more time, and using the Thunder Prison Saber Technique, he slashed toward the edge of Lu Guangjing’s neck.

This slash.

It was simple and unadorned, yet filled with boundless sharpness.

The light of numerous Treasures flared up from Lu Guangjing’s body.

"Yang Su!"

Lu Mingyuan called out in a low voice.

Instantly, layer upon layer of brilliant Thunder Patterns emerged on the blade of the Yang Su Saber, and a destructive might of Thunder annihilated all of the Body-Protecting Treasures on Lu Guangjing.

TING!

Lu Guangjing gritted his teeth, raising his sword to block. The clash produced a crisp ringing sound, and a drop of blood trickled down his neck.

Fine cracks even appeared on the Golden Core within his body.

The Danhuo Ancient Sword had appeared in his hand.

’Lu Mingyuan recognized it at a glance. It was the Danhuo Divine Sword, a Top-Grade Flying Sword ranked tenth on the Ten Thousand Treasures Divine Weapons Record. It was the personal sword of the Danhuo Ascendant before his Immortal Ascension. He never thought Lu Guangjing would possess it.’

’But even the Danhuo Divine Sword could not bridge the gap in their combat power.’

’In the face of absolute power, what use were trump cards?’

SQUELCH!

The sound of something piercing through flesh echoed through the forest. Lu Guangjing’s handsome face was filled with disbelief. He stared at the blood seeping from his chest, his mouth agape, his eyes filled with terror.

’At some unknown time...’

’Three ghostly blood-red shadows had appeared beside him.’

CLANG!

The Danhuo Divine Sword fell to the ground.

Lu Guangjing clutched his chest, feeling his life force rapidly draining away.

The other two blood-red shadows struck again, pinning Lu Guangjing’s hands and feet to a tree trunk.

...