"Since you are here, why leave in such a hurry?"
Accompanying these words, a figure deeply etched in Er Ming's memory appeared in his field of vision.
On Devil Island, Huo Yuhao walked out from the Destruction energy barrier. Before the Destruction energy even touched him, it actively parted to both sides, making way for him.
This sight made Er Ming's heart palpitate.
If Huo Yuhao had not tacitly accepted the identity of the Fire God, Er Ming might even have suspected that this one was the reincarnation of the God of Destruction. After all, the scene before him represented Huo Yuhao's deep understanding of the laws of Destruction. Moreover, the God of Destruction and the Sea God did not have a good relationship, so opposing them also made sense.
These thoughts flashed through Er Ming's mind for a moment before he pushed them aside. He warily looked at the eight orange spirit rings rising around Huo Yuhao as he walked.
Yes, eight.
Huo Yuhao's spirit power level at this moment was impressive at the eight ring Soul Douluo level. But in Er Ming's perception, that aura was no less than a level 97 Super Douluo.
"In just half a year, he went from level 73 to level 82? And how much of his strength has he recovered?"
Er Ming's expression was extremely condensed.
In contrast, Huo Yuhao walked before Er Ming with a somewhat relaxed posture. Seeing his expression, he smiled slightly.
Over the past six months, by absorbing the Destruction fragment and Creation fragment, plus sudden enlightenment, merging two spirit rings, and the hundred thousand year right arm bone provided by Liya, his spirit power had directly broke through to level 82.
And this was only the least noticeable of his many gains.
But if he were to truly say which state was stronger compared to when he had fought Er Ming before, Huo Yuhao could not say for sure. After all, he had previously had the blessing of Elder Electrolux's divine consciousness. Now he did not.
But he was confident in facing Er Ming, a peak Near Divine, alone.
"Your Majesty, what do you want?" Er Ming took a deep breath, suppressing the surging waves in his heart, and asked in a deep voice. He also prepared to call for backup.
Yes, if this one was going to kill him, he would open the planar passage and notify A Yin and Da Ming, who were currently in their small plane.
Three against one, advantage on our side.
At least he would not be killed.
As if guessing Er Ming's thoughts, Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow.
"There is no need to be so nervous. I simply have many insights and want to find someone to test them against. Since you have come to my territory today, you should at least leave a Toll Fee."
Although he did not know why Er Ming had come, his arrival was timely. A peak Near Divine who would not hold back and whom he did not need to hold back against was hard to find.
Upon hearing this, Er Ming's tense expression did not immediately relax, but he began to think.
He did not immediately try to kill me. It seemed this one was not interested in taking my life.
That was right. Even setting aside the fact that he could call for help at any time, this one was now a Spirit Transmission Envoy of the Spirit Transmission Tower. He would certainly have to consider the Spirit Transmission Tower and the overall situation.
The Spirit Transmission Tower was a large organization, while he and Da Ming were The Barefoot Fear Not the Shod. If he really killed him now, Da Ming would certainly do everything to avenge him. At that time, this reincarnated deity might be fine, but it was hard to say how many people in the Spirit Transmission Tower would die and how many of the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars would be scrapped.
After all, Da Ming was too strong. With planar power, he could even reach the divine level. Apart from a few people, no one else could stop him. By avoiding those few, Da Ming would be invincible.
Moreover, he and Da Ming were clearly A Yin's people and her agents as a second class god with limited mobility.
This time, he had only come to check on Devil Island's situation, not to deliberately provoke Huo Yuhao. If under these circumstances Huo Yuhao still wanted to kill him, it would mean Huo Yuhao did not care about the Abyss or the overall situation. It would also mean that even with the Abyss at their side, Huo Yuhao would very likely act against A Yin.
Then A Yin, for her own safety, would also strike first to eliminate Huo Yuhao.
After all, this was different from their previous conflict over Shrek and the Golden Ancient Tree. That had only been a dispute of position and resources. Although they had a grudge, it was not a life and death enmity.
So A Yin could endure for the overall situation and Huo Yuhao's identity as a first class god's reincarnation. She could wait until the Abyss plane issue was resolved before settling their contradiction. As long as this reincarnated first class god did not show killing intent toward them or intend to sabotage the Ten Thousand Year Plan.
But if Huo Yuhao openly showed that he did not care about the Abyss and insisted on eliminating dissidents at this time, demonstrating a sure-kill intention toward them and A Yin, then for A Yin, Huo Yuhao's threat priority would instantly surpass the Abyss.
Revealing that Douluo had a second class god might, at worst, make Tang San's Ten Thousand Year Plan a failure. The Abyss Saint Lord would not be able to enter, and A Yin could still live. But keeping a first class god's reincarnation who could recover strength at any time and might act against her at any time would be throwing away her own life.
She could live. Why would she wait to die for the overall situation?
Plans were not as important as life.
Unless this Fire God had already restored his strength, as long as he was not a fool, he would not test the bottom line of a second class god like A Yin. That would be forcing A Yin to fight to the death with him.
Having figured this out, Er Ming felt his life was relatively secure. He breathed a slight sigh of relief. And just then, Huo Yuhao moved.
He activated his Martial Soul True Body. His figure, like a ghost, took a single step.
Although there were still dozens of meters between them, with this step, Huo Yuhao's figure seemed to ignore space, suddenly appearing less than three meters before Er Ming.
He raised his right hand, palm up, fingers slightly spread. Space twisted strangely in his palm. A miniature, rapidly rotating chaotic colored vortex quietly appeared.
Birth and extinction, Creation and Destruction, two completely opposing law essences seemed to reach a strange and harmonious dynamic balance within that small vortex.
Seeing this incoming palm, Er Ming did not sense the aura of divine consciousness within it. He understood that the one before him was not using his "past life's Dao Fruit" but was striking with his current cultivation. Yet he dared not underestimate this strike in the slightest.
The laws of Destruction were among the most powerful laws in terms of destructive force.
Er Ming mobilized his vast blood and qi, merging it with his spirit power. Using a special power generation technique, he suddenly threw a punch.
"Titan Divine Fist."
As fist and palm met, a violent impact instantly exploded.
Er Ming felt that Huo Yuhao's palm not only contained the laws of Destruction and Creation but also a law he could not understand. When fist and palm met, that law disappeared, and the Destruction and Creation power immediately conflicted and exploded on his fist, triggering a powerful blast.
Violent energy currents, accompanied by blinding light, instantly engulfed the two. Space shattered layer by layer.
Both grunted, pushed back several steps by the shockwave from the explosion.
This probing strike was actually evenly matched.
A level 80 Soul Douluo, evenly matched with him, a peak Near Divine.
Er Ming's expression could not help but turn somewhat ugly.
This time, the one before him had not used divine consciousness blessing. Aside from that strange Martial Soul True Body, he had not used any super trump cards. He had not even worn his battle armor.
Yes, Huo Yuhao had not used his battle armor. Er Ming could guess the reason. It was simply a lack of time. He had not upgraded all his Two Word Battle Armor components to Three Word Battle Armor. With only some Three Word Battle Armor parts, the bonus was not as strong as a complete set of Two Word Battle Armor. In a clash at their level, it was basically useless and would easily be damaged.
And under these circumstances, the other party, with level 80 cultivation, could rival a peak Near Divine. It was simply absurd.
Compared to Er Ming's shock and ugly expression, Huo Yuhao glanced at his still trembling right hand, then at Er Ming's right hand, which had been injured by the Destruction power, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Previously, at the Soul Sage level, with the blessing of the Ice Empress True Body comparable to Four Word Battle Armor, he had been confident in suppressing other Semi Divine experts, even if they wore Four Word Battle Armor.
But when facing Near Divines, especially those at the peak Near Divine level, without using unconventional trump cards, it was not so easy to battle them on equal footing.
After all, his foundation for fighting above his level was his understanding and application of various laws, techniques, and even the essence of energy, far surpassing ordinary people. But against Near Divine level opponents, these advantages became smaller. They were all beings who had traveled far on the path to the divine level. They had no shortcomings. Naturally, it was not so easy to fight them on equal footing, let alone defeat them.
(Note: Tang Wulin, with three soul cores, level 98, and Four Word Battle Armor forged with seven metals, had only the strength of a Near Divine. Breaking through to level 99 was considered peak Near Divine. So do not think Near Divines are weak.)
However, that was before.
Now, his spirit power level appeared to be level 82, but it almost rivaled a level 97 Super Douluo.
Although he did not have battle armor blessing, because of the Ice Empress True Body's amplification, it was not an exaggeration to say he was a level 97 Four Word Battle Armor Master. Added to his other foundations, in terms of regular combat power alone, he already had the capital to fight a peak Near Divine head on.
"This battle will let me properly test the results of the past six months." Fighting spirit surged in Huo Yuhao's heart. With a flicker of his form, he was about to attack again.
Er Ming noticed this, quickly retreated, and made a gesture of being ready to flee at any moment. He said, "Since Your Majesty wants to fight me, I can oblige. But you should give me something in return. For example, handing over those seven souls to me. Otherwise, I have no reason to fight you."
After seeing the seven old demons' condition, he found that their souls were all intact. With his and A Yin's abilities, they could resurrect them. So why not take this opportunity to ask for them and make the trip worthwhile.
Huo Yuhao stopped and said flatly, "If you dare to call for help or directly leave through the small plane, I will destroy your small plane."
Er Ming said, "..."
You are too domineering.
But he really did not dare to gamble on whether this Fire God reincarnation could destroy their small plane if A Yin did not go all out.
Forget it. If it was just an ordinary spar to test what he had learned in this life, it should be fine, right? He could not possibly, without borrowing divine consciousness, create a divine level attack at level 97, could he?
Thinking this, Er Ming said somewhat helplessly, "Then let us add a stake. How about a bet? If we do not use divine level power, and I win, you hand over the seven to me."
Er Ming activated the "God King's Wager" inherited from Tang San.
"I refuse."
Huo Yuhao shook his head.
Er Ming said, "..."
Why would he not agree to a bet? He had seen Tang San use it, and it always worked.
Seeing his expression, Huo Yuhao seemed to see through Er Ming's thoughts and told a joke.
"Do you know why the Golden Dragon King was able to punch through the divine realm and cause the fall of the gods?"
"Why?" Er Ming asked instinctively.
"Because he did not make a bet with Tang San."
The air suddenly fell silent.
The expression on Er Ming's face instantly became extremely wonderful.
So in this one's eyes, making bets was Tang San's strongest "spirit ability." The Golden Dragon King did not make a bet, so he won big.
On the other side, after saying that, Huo Yuhao said no more. He raised his hand. Blazing flames suddenly rose, accompanied by the laws of Destruction, turning the flames into black fire. The extreme heat made Er Ming's skin sting. The air was filled with a scorching aura.
The laws of Destruction could enhance the power of most spirit abilities when combined with them.
Seeing this, Er Ming understood that without a gainful battle, the other would not let him leave. He had no choice but to reluctantly engage. A golden light spread across his body.
"Indestructible Vajra."
This was a powerful defensive spirit ability derived from his bloodline, even stronger than the invincible shields in soul tools. It was enough to withstand most attacks below the divine level.
The black Destruction flames impacted against the golden light, making a sizzling burning sound. The golden light fluctuated violently, but ultimately was not broken through.
But this was only the beginning. After blocking this strike, Er Ming began to truly experience Huo Yuhao's depth.
The laws of Destruction, the laws of Creation, spatial laws, Extreme Fire, and Extreme Ice.
Feeling the bone penetrating cold from Huo Yuhao's fist, as if it could freeze even the soul, Er Ming shivered. He quickly mobilized his blood and qi to shake off the other, preventing himself from being frozen, while inwardly cursing.
Were you not the Fire God?
Why do you have to learn When Extreme Reaches, Reversal Comes and use Extreme Ice?
Because Huo Yuhao had, right before Er Ming's eyes, transformed the two extreme attributes of ice and fire into each other, Er Ming believed that Huo Yuhao's ability to use Extreme Ice apparently came from transforming Extreme Fire through When Extreme Reaches, Reversal Comes.
After all, Huo Yuhao was the Fire God.
Although he was cursing inwardly, Er Ming's hands did not dare to slow down in the slightest. Huo Yuhao's attacks were like a tempest, changing unpredictably. The powers accompanying them were each terrifying on their own, yet all were under the control of the one before him. Even he, an experienced Near Divine, found it troublesome.
But he was also among the top Near Divines. Some peak Near Divines in the Federation wearing Four Word Battle Armor were not his match. How could he be easily suppressed? After a brief adjustment, Er Ming's rhythm began to return.
"Titan Sky Breaker."
Er Ming no longer defended passively. Using his control over gravity, he instantly compressed air into terrifying energy and violently struck Huo Yuhao. The space along the way shattered.
As his ninth spirit ability in human form, this move was naturally extraordinary.
Huo Yuhao's eyes were deep. In his hands, using Extreme Ice and Extreme Fire as the main elements, and the five attributes of earth, wind, light, darkness, and space as supplements, he rapidly condensed a colorful elemental sword.
This was not a simple pile of elements. It was his use of "When Extreme Reaches, Reversal Comes" and the "Laws of Reincarnation" to forcibly harmonize the opposition and conflict of the seven basic elements, achieving a brief and dangerous balance.
"Emperor's Sword, Seven Luminaries Return to Void."
Huo Yuhao swung this elemental sword, containing a destructive balance, at the crushing energy pillar of "Sky Breaker."
The sword light collided with the energy pillar, instantly expanding into an elemental annihilation storm, forcibly tearing apart and devouring Er Ming's spirit ability. The "Sky Breaker" energy pillar visibly dimmed and thinned, ultimately dissipating.
And although the elemental annihilation storm formed by "Seven Luminaries Return to Void" had also consumed much of its power and shrunk considerably, the residual storm still had enough force to sweep toward Er Ming himself.
In this exchange, Huo Yuhao was slightly superior.
Er Ming slapped away the residual elemental storm that had reached him. Remembering the palpitations he had felt when facing that seven element blade, he was secretly astonished.
Good heavens. This Huo Yuhao, like that Gu Yuena, had mastered the seven elements. One could only say that he truly was one of the seven elemental gods. An ordinary Limit Douluo encountering that move would probably already be dead.
"However, the most important thing was clearly that unknown law. If not for it harmonizing the power of the seven elements, that move would not have been so terrifying. What is that law that harmonizes the seven elements and harmonizes Destruction and Creation? Why have I never seen it before?"
Er Ming was confused, but seeing the escalating intensity of the battle, he could only suppress it.
He took a deep breath, used spatial power to land on the ground, and used several spirit abilities in succession.
Titan Power, amplifying strength.
Earth Power, using the earth to amplify himself.
Vajra Titan, amplifying all attributes.
Then.
"Titan Roar."
A giant ape's head shadow was like something roared out by Er Ming, transforming into a violent spiritual attack charging at Huo Yuhao.
Facing this sudden spiritual roar, the chaotic colored Reincarnation vortex in Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered slightly. His spiritual power, containing the meaning of Reincarnation, formed a barrier, easily blocking this spiritual power attack.
And Er Ming soon regretted using the spiritual attack first. Because after that spiritual attack, eight more spirit rings appeared around Huo Yuhao. A total of sixteen spirit rings now floated around him.
Er Ming knew this situation. It was something only a few twin martial soul possessors could achieve, using both martial souls simultaneously. (Note: In Soul Land II, Huo Yuhao and Xiaoxiao could use both martial souls simultaneously early on, but later Huo Yuhao could not again. A patch was later added, turning it into a difficult technique.)
Although ordinary twin martial soul soul masters, even if they could use both martial souls simultaneously, could only use one or two spirit abilities before having to stop and switch to using one martial soul. But ordinary twin martial soul users also could not manifest all the spirit rings of both martial souls. Since the one before him could manifest all the spirit rings of both martial souls, Er Ming did not think he could not maintain it.
One martial soul had so many methods. Using both martial souls simultaneously, how strange would it be?
However, the violent attack Er Ming had imagined did not come.
After using both martial souls, Huo Yuhao only used a few spirit abilities and maintained his previous battle strategy without changing his fighting style, leaving Er Ming confused.
The seven old demons, however, had long seen through it.
Huo Yuhao was treating Er Ming as a Sparing Partner, just as he had treated them before.
The difference was that Er Ming was a high-level sparing partner, relatively free. They were low-level sparing partners, without freedom.
"Will that devil mainly experiment with Creation, Destruction, and that unknown law this time, and not use that terrifying state?"
Watching the two figures battling fiercely on Devil Island, the aftermath of law collisions shaking the entire island, Destruction Old Demon asked in a trembling voice.
The other old demons, upon hearing this, remembered the scene they had witnessed half a month ago. A chill involuntarily rose from the depths of their souls.
Nightmare Old Demon could not help wanting to warn Er Ming, but it was already too late.
"That is about enough. Although I would also like to test those spirit abilities integrated with divine ability essence, the Ice Empress True Body's consumption is too great, not suitable for prolonged battle. I will leave it for next time."
Huo Yuhao thought to himself. Under Er Ming's gaze, his attacks slowed, leaving the latter puzzled.
What was this? Was the spirit power consumption too great and he planned to end it?
Although Er Ming did not know how much that Martial Soul True Body consumed, a level 82 Soul Douluo, even if treated as a level 97 Super Douluo, forcibly maintaining output at the peak Near Divine level would consume a tremendous amount of spirit power. Even if he could absorb heavenly and earthly origin energy, he would eventually Cannot Make Ends Meet.
"It seems he has his limits after all."
Er Ming was somewhat reassured, even secretly relieved. If Huo Yuhao, without using his "past life's Dao Fruit," at eight rings, could exhaust him in a peak Near Divine battle of attrition, that would truly subvert cognition. Now it seemed that the other's endurance might be his current biggest Shortcoming.
Speaking of which, if the other party took the initiative withdrew, did that mean he had won this battle?
He had beaten the Fire God's reincarnation?
Just as this thought arose in Er Ming's mind, a palpitation suddenly struck him, making him turn all his attention back to Huo Yuhao.
In his horrified gaze, the third spirit ring of Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes martial soul suddenly blazed. The sixteen spirit rings around him seemed to use the stacking technique, overlapping together. A gray domain also appeared.
In the end, as the stacked spirit rings transformed into eight brilliant golden spirit rings, Huo Yuhao's aura and appearance also underwent an earth shattering change.
His figure gradually became mature and slender. Chaos seemed to churn in his azure eyes. His gaze was deep and bright. Looking closely, one could see the principles of heaven and earth within. His heroic face emanated a sacred aura.
The seven old demons, watching Huo Yuhao's aura become unfathomable, trembled.
"Run. Run." Nightmare Old Demon shouted desperately, "True God, quickly connect to your half-plane."
Unlike Nightmare Old Demon's anxiety, Skydream in Huo Yuhao's Sea of Spirit was laughing uncontrollably.
Huo Yuhao's greatest improvement over the past six months was neither his spirit power nor the three laws.
It was what he had finally completed by integrating Creation and Destruction power into his two martial souls, using the Sky Silkworm Metamorphosis and the laws of Reincarnation.
"The Self-Combination Martial Soul Technique, Reincarnation True Body."
After completing the martial soul fusion, Huo Yuhao glanced at Er Ming and slowly raised his palm. His essence, spirit, and energy united, unified by Reincarnation. Using the Ice-Devouring Extreme Flame as the foundation, the conflicting energies of Creation, Destruction, and the seven elements converged in his hand, forming a seven colored lotus.
At this moment, in Er Ming's vision, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, the sky suddenly darkened. The planar lightning tribulation began to gestate.
This also made him understand what kind of attack he was about to face.
"Lan Muzi, you have Screwed Me Over."
Before his voice had faded, the divine level attack and the seven colored lightning tribulation fell almost simultaneously.
Destruction light illuminated the entire Devil Island.
***
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