Chapter 245: Chapter 234: Venerable Might
The moment Reincarnation Master spoke, his words were like an ice pick shattering the surface of a calm lake.
The already heavy atmosphere inside the Dome Cave instantly dropped to a freezing point.
Every Foundation Establishment Master felt their heart tighten, their breath catching in their throats.
’As expected, it’s come down to the question of ultimate leadership.’
Even when faced with the threat of an apocalypse like the Four Imperial Heavens, the fundamental struggle for benefits and power was still unavoidable.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Nan Dou Master didn’t get angry at Reincarnation Master’s almost provocative question. Instead, he just smiled faintly.
"I see. Senior Brother Revolving Wheel, you are indeed thorough. What you say makes sense."
"A group without a leader is prone to chaos."
"If that’s the case, then let’s follow the old rules."
"Although this old man hasn’t fought in many years, these old bones can still manage."
As he spoke, he made a move to stand up.
The vast, peaceful aura around him suddenly turned incomparably sharp as a brutal, murderous intent awakened.
Though it hadn’t fully erupted, it was already enough to make the temperature in the entire Dome Cave plummet.
The Foundation Establishment Masters with weaker Cultivation even felt a stabbing pain in their Divine Souls, as if they had been plunged into a cavern of ice!
A glint flashed in the eyes of San Si Master and Lady Jiu Li simultaneously. They shifted slightly, ready to whisk their disciples a thousand miles away at a moment’s notice.
If two Great Masters were to fight here with their full power, the resulting might would be enough to wipe the entire Ten Thousand Caves Mountain off the map. To call it earth-shattering would be an understatement.
"Wait!"
Seeing Nan Dou Master actually about to rise, Reincarnation Master’s gaunt face twitched, his beard trembling almost imperceptibly as he hurriedly called out:
"Senior Brother Nan Dou, please wait!"
"This old man does not wish to engage in Magical Combat with you here!"
’Are you kidding me!’
’Fight to the death in Magical Combat against a Great Master who cultivates the path of slaughter?’
’He had no desire to get thrashed in front of the Cyan Sect and Fengduo.’
"Oh?"
The terrifying killing intent around Nan Dou Master receded like the tide, and he returned to his peaceful demeanor, looking at Reincarnation Master with a half-smile.
"Then what is Senior Brother Revolving Wheel’s meaning...?"
A look of calculated decision appeared on Reincarnation Master’s gaunt face as he said slowly:
"For those of our Status to personally enter the fray would be rather undignified, and it would harm our cordial relations."
"Why not let our disciples spar for a round or two? It would serve to test the mettle of the younger generation and also decide the matter."
"This way, we don’t harm our relations, and the result will be convincing to all. What do you say?"
As his voice fell, the gazes of San Si Master, Lady Jiu Li, and Nan Dou Master met in mid-air. In that instant, countless exchanges had already passed between them via Divine Thought.
At their level, many things needed no words; the pros and cons were already weighed and understood.
"Good," San Si Master said succinctly.
"Agreed," Lady Jiu Li uttered, her red lips parting slightly.
Nan Dou Master also nodded slightly.
"We shall do as Senior Brother Revolving Wheel suggests."
’Great, here we go...’ Behind Nan Dou Master, hearing the four Acting Sect Leaders decide the plan in just a few words, Qi Yun sighed inwardly and closed his eyes slightly.
’He knew he couldn’t escape being a "conscript" this time.’
"Qi Yun." Sure enough, Nan Dou Master’s voice rang out, calm but carrying an indisputable authority.
"You will go and request a lesson from the esteemed disciples of our three fellow Daoists."
Although he was unwilling to show off too much on this occasion, the Acting Sect Leader had given the order, and he couldn’t very well refuse.
Qi Yun let out a helpless sigh in his heart and was about to step forward.
An extremely condensed voice transmission appeared in his ear.
The next instant!
Qi Yun’s eyes, originally tinged with laziness and boredom, suddenly erupted with a terrifying, brilliant light.
It was as if a slumbering True Dragon had opened its eyes. An indescribably vast aura exploded from his body, sweeping away his previous listlessness.
He took a sharp step forward and waved his great sleeve. His wide Daoist Robe billowed without a wind, and a proud, domineering, and unparalleled aura soared to the heavens as he declared in a booming voice:
"Qi Yun, disciple of the third generation of the Wuji Holy Sect."
"Today, I am here to seek pointers on your skills, fellow Daoists!"
His voice shook the four walls, echoing endlessly!
This sudden shift in demeanor stunned all the Masters present.
The young Daoist who had seemed somewhat reluctant just moments ago was now like a completely different person.
His sharpness was fully revealed, his presence grand enough to swallow mountains and rivers!
On the high jade thrones, a faint trace of surprise flashed through San Si Master’s impassive eyes;
Lady Jiu Li’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of inquiry;
And deep within Reincarnation Master’s indifferent pupils, an obscure glimmer swirled faster. He had clearly sensed the unique Dao Rhyme and the oppressive Status emanating from Qi Yun, which were vastly different from that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator.
Almost simultaneously, the three Great Masters imperceptibly signaled their respective disciples.
"Ling Jue of the Cyan Sect. Please give me your guidance." The young Sword Cultivator carrying an Ancient Sword on his back, his aura as sharp as a drawn green blade, stepped out from the crowd.
"Nether Bone of the Yellow Springs Netherworld. I accept your challenge." A pale-faced Cultivator, wreathed in grim Ghost Qi, quietly emerged.
"Chi Ling of Fengduo. I ask for your instruction." A female cultivator in a crimson feathered robe, a proud look on her face, had flickering Li Fire appearing around her.
All three were elites among the Foundation Establishment Early Stage disciples of their respective Sects.
Their auras were profound, their Daoist Intent surging.
It was clear they all possessed Upper Grade Dao Foundations!
Facing these three experts of the same stage, Qi Yun merely gave them a single, indifferent glance before brazenly striking!
"Pardon the offense."
Mastering All Skills!
The essence flowed, not to seize.
But to suppress!
The tyrannical Daoist Intent of Mastering All Skills swept out instantly, causing the auras of the three prodigies from the Major Sects to fall into disarray, threatening to fly out of their control!
The Dao Foundations within their bodies were like subjects meeting their emperor, trembling in panic, unable to free themselves.
In a flash of lightning, Qi Yun’s figure shot forward like a phantom, closing in on the center of the three.
The natural Status suppression of his Venerable Dao Foundation erupted in full, mixed with the vast might of Daluo Essence.
Qi Yun raised a hand and struck. His vast Magical Power, seemingly endless, was like a monstrous wave from a ten-thousand-mile ocean crashing down upon the three!
"PUH!"
"URGH!"
"Not good!"
The terrifying, world-covering wave of energy swept over them in an instant.
The three of them let out muffled groans as if struck by a heavy blow. Their Protective Gang Qi shattered instantly, and they spat out mouthfuls of blood.
Their bodies were sent flying backward like kites with broken strings, their eyes filled with horror and disbelief.
They hadn’t even managed to cast a single decent Magic or Divine Technique before they were utterly defeated by their opponent’s unreasonable Status suppression and bizarre methods.
"Hmph!"
"Hm?"
"Decree!"
Three soft shouts rang out at the same time.
The three Great Masters acted simultaneously, sending out streaks of divine light to stabilize their prodigies who had been sent flying and to calm the chaotic energy running wild within their bodies.
In the center of the arena, Qi Yun stood with his hands behind his back, his aura slowly retracting.
But the domineering presence that looked down on all sides had not diminished in the slightest.
On his Deep Blue Daoist Robe, flecks of Star Dust twinkled faintly, making him look like an Immortal Monarch descended to the mortal world.
Silence!
Dead silence!
All the spectating Masters, regardless of their Sect, stared wide-eyed with bated breath, looking in disbelief at the young figure in the center of the arena.
’One move?’
’No, it couldn’t even be called a move!’
In a single exchange, he had crushed three top experts of the same stage simultaneously.
’What kind of terrifying strength was this?!’
’Is this fucking Foundation Establishment Early Stage?!’
The gazes of the three Great Masters were like six bright lamps, locked firmly on Qi Yun, their eyes glowing brighter:
"So this is... the power of a Venerable Dao Foundation?"
Upon the high jade throne, a ripple, so faint it was nearly imperceptible, slowly spread through the depths of Nan Dou Master’s peaceful gaze.
’His progress is so fast...’
He mused to himself. How many years had it been since Qi Yun reached Foundation Establishment?
He still remembered when the boy fought Song Kun, the Flower Moon Hall Master, outside Taixu Hall. Although he ultimately won, he had to use every trick in his book, and the victory was not easy; one could even say it was a bit of a struggle.
But how long has it been since then?
In just a few short years, this boy could already take on three opponents with such nonchalance.
Facing the prodigies that the Cyan Sect, the Yellow Springs Netherworld, and Fengduo had poured their resources into, he had crushed them like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves!
Although it was only a repulse, not an annihilation.
But the overwhelming Status suppression and control of Daoist Skills he displayed were enough to say it all.
Nan Dou Master was almost certain that throughout the entire Northwest Cultivation Realm, among his peers and within the same stage, there was likely no one who could withstand a single serious blow from him.
The speed of this advancement was simply unheard of.
And just as Nan Dou Master and the three other Great Masters beside him—San Si Master, Lady Jiu Li, and Reincarnation Master—were each re-evaluating Qi Yun’s potential and threat in their minds,
"HAHAHA—!"
A voice, filled with undisguised pride and glee, suddenly boomed throughout the Dome Cave without warning.
"I told you three blockheads you’d misjudged!"
"Bet against me? You’ll lose your shirts!"
The voice was coarse and domineering, carrying a weighty majesty that could collapse the heavens, yet it was also full of playful mockery and teasing.
The moment they heard this voice, everyone in the Dome Cave, including the four Great Masters, was startled, but they reacted instantly.
’A True Monarch!’
The next second, without any need for a reminder, every Foundation Establishment Master in the cave, regardless of which of the Four Major Sects they were from, bowed low in unison.
Even the four Great Masters on the high jade thrones immediately rose and bowed slightly.
Qi Yun’s Heart and Spirit tensed, and he was about to bow along with everyone else.
But a gentle force, formless and insubstantial yet irresistibly powerful, quietly supported him, preventing him from bending over.
"Well done. You deserve a reward!"
Desolate Halberd True Monarch’s smiling voice rang out again, aimed directly at Qi Yun.
"From this day forward, you need not bow when you see a monarch!"
Before his words had even faded, a streak of Flowing Light emerged from the void, so fast it surpassed the capture of Divine Sense, and suddenly landed in Qi Yun’s open palm.
The Flowing Light subsided, revealing a hazy halo that constantly churned. Inside, two streams of energy, one pure and one turbid, rose and fell, evolving into a scene of Heaven and Earth’s beginning.
A pure and majestic intent of "Clear Spirit" and "thick and turbid" emanated from it, faintly resonating with the surrounding Heaven and Earth.
It was one of the four fundamental wonders Qi Yun would need to advance to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage—Purity and Turbidity!
Counting the halo of light given to him earlier by Nan Dou Master, which represented the ultimate "Yang" of Yin Yang,
Qi Yun had now obtained almost two of the four fundamental wonders needed to break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!
"Thank you for your generous gift, True Monarch!"
"Haha, those are the winnings those three blockheads lost to you!"
"I told you all a long time ago."
"In this Northwest, the Wuji Holy Sect is still the one to watch!"
Desolate Halberd True Monarch’s laughter echoed in the cave, then, just as it had arrived, it quietly faded away.
The four Great Masters slowly straightened up, exchanging a look.
Reincarnation Master’s brow furrowed slightly, as if unwilling to accept it, but he said nothing more.
Outsiders watch the show, but insiders see the real play.
Desolate Halberd True Monarch’s appearance seemed to be mocking the True Monarchs of the other three sects, but in reality, he was backing the Holy Sect.
’You lost. You have to admit it.’
’Keep running your mouth, and this won’t just be fun and games anymore.’
...
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