As the rippling shockwaves from the clash in the void dispersed
Boom!
Zhao Feng and Yang Jian's figures collided once more.
Another strike was powerful enough to shatter the void.
Their bodies clashed and weaved through the skies with incredible speed.
Every blow they exchanged could reduce tens of thousands of miles of land to scorched earth, annihilating all within that range.
Should they unleash their full power, even millions of miles would be left barren of life.
Having stepped into the Da Luo realm meant they were already beyond the realm of mortals
let alone the fact that both were now displaying power at the Quasi-Saint level.
Compared to Yang Jian's all-out offense, Zhao Feng remained composed and confident.
Although he was slightly inferior in terms of the cultivation realm,
his all-attribute combat power allowed him to overwhelm Yang Jian.
As the battle raged on
the entire Earthly Immortal Realm, Heaven Realm, Buddhist Realm, and numerous powerful cultivators turned their attention to them.
In the Lingxiao Palace
The Haotian Mirror was active, displaying the two combatants' fierce battle.
"Your Majesty,"
"We truly underestimated this monster. To think he could hold his own against Erlang Zhenjun for this long without losing,"
"His strength might already have reached the Quasi-Saint level," Li Jing said, face grim.
Now that he witnessed Zhao Feng's full power, Li Jing couldn't help but feel a sense of fear
thank the heavens he'd escaped earlier.
Otherwise, he might have perished at Zhao Feng's hands.
Even though his true spirit was on the Fengshen List, he'd have lost all future potential, and his status in Heaven would've plummeted.
It was like Wang Lingguan, who had once descended to the mortal world.
Back then, he held only a celestial status, not divine.
Upon dying in the mortal realm, even though he retained Taiyi Golden Immortal power, his standing fell sharply, and he was left without any hope of advancement.
Hearing Li Jing's words, Haotian didn't respond,
but his expression darkened.
Zhao Feng had already made Heaven suffer multiple setbacks.
"Has Puhua Tianzun departed?" Haotian asked coldly.
"Reporting, Your Majesty,"
"Puhua Tianzun has already set out, leading the Thunder Division deities and two hundred thousand heavenly soldiers," Taibai Jinxing replied at once.
"Summon the Three Sovereign Emperors and the Four Celestial Masters as well,"
"Have them all take action," Haotian ordered coldly.
In those words,
the expressions of all deities in the Lingxiao Palace changed.
The Three Sovereign Emperors were all beings at or beyond the Quasi-Saint level,
and the Four Celestial Masters were above the Da Luo Golden Immortal level each one immensely powerful.
With Yang Jian, Puhua Tianzun (a Quasi-Saint),
and the Twenty-Eight Constellations, many of whom were Da Luo,
such a force was unprecedented in all of Earthly Immortal Realm's history.
"By your divine command!"
All immortals in the palace responded in unison.
In the Buddhist Realm
Great Thunderclap Monastery, inside its grand hall,
a massive mystical light mirror hovered at the center.
All the Buddhas watched its images closely.
"Can any of you discern the origin of this monster?"
Duobao Tathāgata asked slowly.
"World Honored One,"
"He appears to be human. There is no demonic aura on him," Guanyin responded immediately.
"Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, one must not judge by appearance alone, but by origin and nature."
"Although he may seem human, inwardly he may not be."
"According to Heaven's intelligence, he ascended from the mortal realm."
"In the mortal world, the maximum limit for immortals is the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.
Yet this person's power has already reached the Quasi-Saint level.
Do the Buddhas still not see the truth?" Duobao spoke with a tone of clarity and insight.
"We humbly ask for the World Honored One's guidance,"
the many Buddhas said reverently.
"This man…"
"Maybe an incarnation of an Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon. Nothing else could explain such strength from a mere mortal ascension."
"These demons feed on the evil thoughts of all beings, growing stronger through desire and emotion."
"This alone could explain the true source of his power," Duobao explained.
"Amitabha."
"Our Buddhist teachings forbid demonic corruption,"
"This is a calamity for our order."
"After his encounter with this demon, Golden Cicada has shown signs of falling into demonhood. He must be the cause," said Puxian, stepping forward with hands in prayer.
"Indeed,"
Duobao nodded in agreement, clearly approving.
"World Honored One,"
"This being is immensely powerful. Only a Buddha can subdue or kill him,"
Manjushri added.
"This matter must fall to the Universal Buddha," Duobao declared after a moment's thought.
In his words,
a Buddha sitting cross-legged on a lotus platform rose slowly into the air.
"By your command, World Honored One."
The Buddha folded his hands in obeisance.
In the Buddhist Realm
Bodhisattvas were at the Da Luo level,
but once one achieved the title of Buddha, it meant they were a Quasi-Saint.
"Though the Universal Buddha will act, we must respect Heaven's pride,"
"If Heaven captures this monster, then there's no need for us to intervene."
"But if Heaven fails, then we act immediately. In that way, even Heaven cannot protest," said Duobao.
"By your command."
The Universal Buddha transformed into a golden light and vanished from the Great Thunderclap Monastery.
Within Mount Ling.
In another Buddha Hall
A mystical mirror of light-activated once again.
"How long has it even been? And yet, his strength has already grown to this level," Maitreya said, looking at the figures of Zhao Feng and Yang Jian clashing in the mirror, a hint of a smile appearing on his face.
"When we first met, he was perhaps only at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, but now he's able to fight a quasi-saint head-on."
"Truly a man blessed by fate, with exceptional fortune."
In another Buddha Hall
The Hall of the Past Buddha.
In ancient times, Mount Ling had been under the domain of the Past Buddha. Since Duobao Rulai entered the Buddhist path, it had fallen under the authority of the Present Buddha.
"Buddhism…"
"Duobao…"
"Seeking to become a Saint…"
"Let them fight."
"The one who attains sainthood in the future… will be me," Ran Deng chuckled coldly, entirely indifferent to the current chaos of the world.
West Kunlun.
"To think someone like this has emerged… forcing the Heavenly Court to such a degree," the Queen Mother of the West exclaimed, visibly surprised.
Wuzhuang Temple.
"Master."
"This individual… and there's not even a trace of magical energy on him, yet he can battle Erlang Zhenjun to this degree he even seems to have the upper hand," a young attendant said to a robed Daoist standing nearby, who exuded a profound Daoist aura while holding a horsetail whisk.
This Daoist was none other than Zhen Yuanzi, the Ancestral Immortal of the Earth Immortals and a renowned great cultivator from the ancient times.
"Qingfeng, you've been under my tutelage for many years and can now perceive some of the hidden truths," Zhen Yuanzi said with a smile, stroking his beard.
"You're right."
"This person doesn't cultivate the path of immortality… but walks a different path entirely."
"As for what it is exactly, even I cannot see through it."
"Master," the other attendant added, "his physical body seems to be trained to the extreme. This battle isn't just one of magical power there's a clash of sheer physical might."
"And by the looks of it, he may even surpass Erlang Zhenjun in physical strength."
"Didn't you once say that Erlang Zhenjun's body, cultivated through the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, was nearly unmatched among quasi-saints?"
"And now there's someone who can match or even surpass him physically!"
"This youth is indeed extraordinary," Zhen Yuanzi acknowledged.
"To earn such praise from Master… in all the Earth Immortal Realm, that's a rare feat indeed."
"It seems the Heavenly Court is in real trouble this time," Qingfeng added with a smirk, clearly enjoying the situation.
"They brought it upon themselves," Mingyue said with a sigh. "The current Heavenly Court is no longer the protector of the world it harms all living beings."
"But you, Master, shelter billions of humans and countless creatures."
"If only you were the Heavenly Emperor… perhaps this world would have already known peace."
"That is not something to say lightly," Zhen Yuanzi said, casting him a glance.
"Forgive me, Master. I spoke out of turn," Mingyue immediately bowed.
"Master," Qingfeng continued, "they say this person spread a plague. But to the Heavenly Court, to the Buddhist realm, and to those immortals and gods who cultivate through spiritual essence and feast on blood and flesh it may be poison."
"But to ordinary people, it seems more like protection."
"These past few years, many immortals who slaughtered mortals were infected by this plague, dying with its poison attacking their hearts."
"Because of this, those who feast on blood no longer dare to touch humans."
"Even those who used to come to Wuzhuang Temple's protected lands to abduct mortals have ceased."
"This plague has now spread throughout the Southern Continent."
Qingfeng's tone was cold.
"Perhaps this youth truly can change the fate of this world," Zhen Yuanzi murmured a faint gleam of hope in his eyes.
"Master, look!"
"The Heavenly Court has sent reinforcements again!"
"They're determined to take him down!" Mingyue exclaimed, pointing at the mystical mirror.
Zhen Yuanzi's expression changed slightly as he looked.
"The Three Sovereign Emperors…"
"The Four Celestial Masters…"
"Puhua Tianzun, the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions…"
"How many years has it been since the Heavenly Court mobilized such might?"
"They must be desperate," Zhen Yuanzi chuckled.
"Master," Qingfeng asked cautiously, "since the Heavenly Court is also an enemy of Wuzhuang Temple, should we intervene and save this man?"
"Perhaps he could help us resist the Heavenly Court?"
"This youth won't fall so easily," Zhen Yuanzi replied with a calm smile.
"Let's keep watching."
"I sense… he hasn't even used his trump cards yet."
Qingfeng and Mingyue looked at each other in surprise.
"He's already fought Erlang Zhenjun to this extent… and he still hasn't used his trump cards?"
The two attendants thought silently.
At that moment
The battle between Zhao Feng and Yang Jian continued.
Their blades and swords clashed.
No one could approach within hundreds of thousands of miles.
Anyone who did would be annihilated by the aftershocks of their clash.
Boom!
Their fists met once more
A surge of unimaginable force burst forth.
Yang Jian was instantly blasted thousands of meters back.
But Zhao Feng stood firm and unmoved.
"Good!"
"Since my birth, I've never seen anyone surpass me in physical strength."
"But your body… surpasses mine."
Yang Jian burst into laughter, clearly excited.
"You should retreat while you still can."
"The forces of Heaven are coming."
"I'm about to go all out too."
After backing away, Yang Jian no longer attacked. Instead, Zhao Feng transmitted a message to him through voice transmission.
Upon hearing it, Yang Jian spread out his divine sense instantly sensing the presence of Heavenly Court deities beyond the battlefield.
At this moment…
Centered around Zhao Feng and Yang Jian, powerful heavenly soldiers and generals filled the skies in all directions.
It was clear
This place had become a prison.
The Heavenly Court had thoroughly surrounded Zhao Feng.
Upon seeing this, Yang Jian's expression changed.
"We'll fight another day," he said, anger flashing across his face.
Soaring into the air, he flew directly to the military formation where Pu Hua Tianzun and Wen Zhong were stationed.
"Pu Hua Tianzun," Yang Jian shouted angrily, "you gave me this task so why are you all here?"
"Do you not trust me?"
Wen Zhong looked at him and smiled slightly. "It's not that we don't trust you, Erlang Zhenjun, but this man is incredibly adept at escaping. The Heavenly Emperor fears he may slip away again, so we were sent to ensure he is captured completely."
"Hmph."
"Since you're all here, then I won't interfere."
Yang Jian let out a cold snort and immediately turned into a streak of rainbow light, disappearing from the scene looking offended.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Lingxiao Palace)…
Watching Yang Jian leave in a fury, Haotian's face darkened with displeasure.
However…
Looking at the current Heavenly Court formation an overwhelming force sealing off every inch of space around Zhao Feng, layer upon layerHaotian's expression steadied again.
No matter how powerful Zhao Feng was, or how skilled he was at escaping, he wouldn't get away this time.
"Slay the fiend for this emperor," Haotian commanded coldly.
His voice carried through the Haotian Mirror, directly reaching the ears of all Heavenly Court deities.
Upon hearing this
Heavenly soldiers and celestial generals in the sky rapidly closed in.
All killing intent was locked onto Zhao Feng.
"Demon!"
"Die!"
Wen Zhong shouted with icy disdain.
Seeing this lineup…
Zhao Feng laughed.
"Four Quasi-Saints."
"More than twenty Great Luo Golden Immortals."
"Two hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals."
"The Heavenly Court does value me."
"Seems your Heavenly Emperor is truly enraged by me." Zhao Feng laughed heartily, a gleeful expression on his face.
"Fiend, enough arrogance!"
"You won't escape today," Wen Zhong barked coldly.
"Haotian," Zhao Feng replied, smirking, "that Peach Tree you've been cultivating all these years it's not bad."
"I've taken them all, thank you."
"There won't be any more Peach Banquets in the Heavenly Court since the trees have been uprooted completely."
"And the spiritual essence is gone too."
"How will your Heavenly Court manage in the future?"
Zhao Feng laughed loudly, his voice dripping with mockery.
Inside the Lingxiao Palace…
Haotian's face turned ashen.
The Heavenly Court deities in the hall turned to look at Ying Zheng in astonishment.
"The peach trees were uprooted by this fiend?"
"That can't be true."
"Was it during that day he caused a commotion in the Heavenly Court with his avatar?"
"How could he have taken the peach trees?"
"Didn't the Queen Mother of the West stop him?"
Many immortals and gods of the Heavenly Court began to panic.
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