Chapter 120: Divine Thunder of Kui Water

Xue Ming’s face was cold as he maintained his Illusory Demon form.

The Illusory Demon technique of the Flower Pavilion Sect had already been cultivated by him to a transcendent level.

By the standards of divine abilities, it belonged to the third tier.

This was already within the realm of divine cultivation, the pinnacle of mastering the manifestation of laws.

Baili Feihong’s carriage stopped beneath the towering tree at Feiyuan Peak.

Ma Baichuan hurriedly alighted, placed a stool, and opened the carriage door.

Baili Feihong remained in a state of meditative rest with his eyes closed.

“Guardian Officer, we have arrived. Under the giant tree, two young men await your arrival,” Ma Baichuan reported respectfully.

“They are hardly young,” Baili Feihong replied with a faint smile curling his lips.

He had finally condensed a trace of the Twelfth Refinement Blood.

“Yes, before you, who dares to speak of youth?” Ma Baichuan’s flattering smile before the two divine cultivators of the Flower Pavilion Sect seemed utterly ridiculous.

Yet, for some reason, they felt as if they were being mocked.

“A mere Guardian Officer with a small rank but boundless official prestige,” Shi Jingxuan sneered.

“If the two of you have come only to see the title of this Guardian Officer, I suggest you head to the Imperial Capital instead,” Baili Feihong opened his eyes, drew his blade, and stepped out of the carriage.

“However, since the Flower Pavilion Sect has been designated heretical by the Great Yuan, your identities mean that arrival at the Imperial Capital would be a dead end,” he added.

The sect was strong, yet no sect expert dared to act recklessly in the Imperial Capital, except for the Dao Master of the Taiyi Sect.

This master, the world’s foremost expert, was so powerful that even the Tianlong Instrument—a supreme treasure—did not list him on the Tianlong Ranking.

If any true immortal existed in this world, it must be the Dao Master of Taiyi.

Since being betrayed by the Guliang royal family, the Taiyi Sect had not appeared publicly for eight centuries.

The only trace left was returning the martial fortune of the world to the sect.

Therefore, few from the imperial court or aristocratic families dared to ascend the Qianlong Ranking.

Once on the list, one faced the sect’s relentless pursuit.

Those from other sects who reached the Qianlong Ranking had to abide by strict rules: no bullying the weak, no overwhelming numbers.

Any sect that survived the Guliang royal family’s reign had a true immortal guardian in the past.

Now, with no immortals appearing, the Martial Saint was supreme.

The same principle applied.

Dragons hidden in the Qianlong Ranking might fight among themselves, but if elder sect members intervened against them, it was a grave taboo.

Officials from the court were exempt.

Those from the Demon Suppression Division who appeared on the list were doomed to die.

This was the sect’s attitude toward the Demon Suppression Division.

After all, the Division had been ruthless to the sect in the past.

“Do you know why we have come?” Shi Jingxuan furrowed his brow slightly.

Not only did he know the purpose, but also their identities.

It seemed this rising Guardian Officer was no ignorant grassroots figure.

Yet, suspecting the other as a seed of the Demon Suppression Division, Shi Jingxuan immediately realized his inquiry was in vain.

“I have met disciples of the Flower Pavilion Sect; they are naturally exquisite beauties. I have heard that the Flower Fairies who cultivate the ‘Household Female Yin Demon Art’ are the finest among mortals. But I wonder if your male disciples also practice this technique?” Baili Feihong’s face showed a trace of curiosity.

Shi Jingxuan’s sword-like brows lifted, murder intent emerging.

Xue Ming remained composed, his body wavering between illusion and reality, like a ghostly apparition.

Baili Feihong dared not underestimate this man, who had grasped the true essence of the Illusory Demon technique and transformed into its ultimate form.

This person had cultivated to the limit, devoid of sorrow or joy, slipping into a state of annihilation.

“Brother Ma, you should leave first,” Baili Feihong instructed, ordering the coachman away.

“Sir, be careful,” Ma Baichuan immediately drove the carriage toward the Demon Suppression Building.

“Trying to leave?” Shi Jingxuan’s elegant fan fluttered gently.

The myriad transformations morphed into a hellish landscape, countless evil spirits attacking the coachman.

A breeze swept past, sharp as a blade, slicing through the illusion.

“Such meager cultivation—don’t embarrass yourself by showing it,” Baili Feihong stepped forward but did not glance at Shi Jingxuan.

Shi Jingxuan was formidable, ten times stronger than Nangong Zhen.

Stronger even than the East Marquis’s military commander who once treated him as mere prey.

Now was not the same as before.

Baili Feihong had also grown powerful.

Before facing desire-driven gods, Baili Feihong might have survived a confrontation with the black-clad man of the Flower Pavilion Sect and defeated the white-robed man.

But now, he could no longer be described as merely at the Nascent Soul stage.

The skill manual did not clearly depict his true Nascent Soul condition.

After all, it was just cold text.

“Controlling the wind, comprehending the essence of wind, gaining some insight into divine ability,” the black-clad man finally spoke.

“My name is Xue Ming, disciple of the Flower Pavilion Sect, Sixth on the Qianlong Ranking.”

“Today, I come entrusted by my sect to borrow your head. Before you die, you have the right to know my name,” Xue Ming said gravely.

His eyes cautiously observed Baili Feihong, seeing through his demeanor.

Returning to simplicity, his vital energy did not leak.

A formidable opponent.

No wonder, on his first appearance on the Qianlong Ranking, he was ranked tenth.

Among talents under fifty, Baili Feihong was tenth.

According to records, Baili Feihong was seventeen this year, having cultivated martial arts for only one year.

One year of time was barely enough for them to progress from Blood Refinement to Bone Refinement.

The man before him had to die.

With the Demon Suppression Division’s style, Baili Feihong’s survival would bring endless troubles.

If he truly became a Martial Saint, the Division’s strength would rise drastically, and another threatening martial expert would emerge against the sect.

“Sixth on the Qianlong Ranking? You, old sixth, dare to attack tenth? Should I feel honored?” Baili Feihong was surprised.

Now it seemed that Jiang Yuer of the Yin-Yang Heavenly Sect mentioned by Gongyang Yan was insignificant.

Just a passerby.

“The strength of blood refiners is hard to assess, too variable. Therefore, you must die. A blood refiner who attains sainthood is a disaster for all,” Xue Ming’s killing intent was undisguised.

Though he spoke more than necessary.

From his view, since he had made a move, Baili Feihong had no chance of survival.

“It seems my top ten has brought me not honor but calamity,” Baili Feihong remained unmoved.

“Come then, slay you heretical men, so this Guardian Officer can return to the Demon Suppression Building in time for dinner,” Baili Feihong drew the Greedy Wolf Blade, planting its sheath into the ground.

Xue Ming turned to Shi Jingxuan: “Junior brother, don’t let outsiders disturb me.”

“Senior brother, rest assured, no one can steal my prey,” Shi Jingxuan waved his fan, stirring a stream of light as his body vanished.

“It’s truly a pity to have to kill such a genius,” Xue Ming sighed sincerely.

Baili Feihong frowned slightly, displeased.

Sheathing his blade and planting it into the ground, he said, “Originally, with your level, it would be hard for me to kill you. Your words irritate me, so I shall do my best to kill you.”

Glancing at the Blood-Sealing Rivers and Mountains technique, he was only a few dozen experience points away from the fourth tier.

The Golden Radiance Invincible Rigorous Training, unless boosted by skill points, could take an unknown time to upgrade purely through experience.

“Skill manual, enhance Golden Radiance Invincible Rigorous Training,” he decided.

To strengthen his body further.

Breaking through divine cultivation was impossible for now.

Divine cultivation level was determined by the Nascent Soul stage.

Currently ascending to divine cultivation was a disadvantage.

The limit of the Returning Origin Cauldron had not yet been reached.

He could still push harder.

Therefore, only the Golden Radiance Invincible Rigorous Training.

[50,000 skill points deducted; Golden Radiance Invincible Rigorous Training upgraded to peak tier four.]

His body transformed rapidly under the skill manual’s influence.

At this moment, a trace of blood energy leaked out.

Within a hundred miles, demonic energy melted like snowflakes under the blazing sun.

At the same time, Xue Ming’s complexion shifted slightly.

He broke from his annihilation state.

The blood energy Baili Feihong released dispelled his special state.

Xue Ming finally understood why so many sect experts feared the Demon Suppression Division’s Guardian Blood Generals.

Blood energy truly suppressed his Illusory Demon technique.

“Eleventh Refinement Blood?”

The Nascent Soul stage could endure up to the ninth refinement of blood refining.

How did this man break the threshold and surpass the limit?

“The Tianlong Instrument’s ranking you tenth is not without reason. Your potential far exceeds tenth place,” Xue Ming narrowed his eyes, murder intent sharp as a blade.

“Sooner or later, I will tear this so-called Tianlong Instrument apart,” Baili Feihong’s smile vanished, his tone serious.

“Sixth on the Qianlong Ranking? Fine. One punch to open, better than a hundred.”

“So, I invite you to meet your death.”

With his words, raging blood energy enveloped the area.

The blazing sun rose from the earth, forming a strong blood energy furnace to burn this divine cultivator to ashes.

Crackling!

Black lightning erupted from Xue Ming’s body.

Like blooming black lotuses, layers upon layers shrouded him, shielding him from the blood energy’s harm.

“Black lightning? Yin-day thunder?”

Heavenly thunder was originally supreme Yang, but this Flower Pavilion disciple had refined it into supreme Yin thunder.

Using utmost Yin to counter utmost Yang.

This technique was the best method devised by heretics to combat the Guardian Blood Generals.

“Since refining the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder, you’re the first to force me to use it,” Xue Ming formed hand seals as the rushing Sunflower Water Divine Thunder surged, manifesting as a celestial demon rushing toward Baili Feihong with lightning speed.

“A powerful divine ability. You too have forced me to use Golden Radiance Invincible,” Baili Feihong sneered in response.

The man before him continuously formed hand seals, controlling the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder into celestial demons attacking him.

The blood energy light barrier formed by the blazing sun was torn apart by phantom celestial demons.

Yet, he noticed that the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder tore at his blood energy but consumed much power.

When the celestial demon thunder touched his body, only half its potency remained.

This was astonishing.

Boom!

Black light engulfed Baili Feihong.

Hundreds of Sunflower Water Divine Thunders, transformed into celestial demons, overwhelmed his blood energy.

Xue Ming smiled slightly.

His body pulsed with black heavenly thunder, continuously assaulting Baili Feihong.

Within one zhang, the blood energy was like a furnace; any celestial demon touching it shrank until vanishing.

But Xue Ming was not anxious.

His body was encircled by lightning runes, mysterious black lightning symbols.

The supreme Yin energy of the world was continuously absorbed by his divine runes, merging into his divine ability.

Despite unleashing hundreds of Sunflower Water Divine Thunders, Xue Ming showed no sign of weakening.

Instead, growing stronger.

Suppressing Baili Feihong.

He knew Baili Feihong had yet to reveal all his methods—the wind control and Blood-Sealing Rivers and Mountains.

“Truly tiresome to watch,” Baili Feihong spoke calmly.

“If you are sixth on the Qianlong Ranking, is this all your skill? Your utmost Yin thunder failed to break my blood energy shield.”

Xue Ming was not angry: “No rush; this is only an appetizer. Your blood energy indeed suppresses the Illusory Demon technique, but now, under my Sunflower Water Divine Thunder’s pressure, you have reached my expected target.”

“The so-called suppression is merely superficial.”

Suddenly, Baili Feihong withdrew his blood energy.

How terrifying would the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder be without blood energy suppression?

A single strike could kill a newly ascended divine cultivator.

Boom!

Black divine thunder exploded.

But Xue Ming’s expression darkened.

The Sunflower Water Divine Thunder’s effect was not to destroy or harm Baili Feihong as the rigid, supreme Yang heavenly thunder would.

Instead, it invaded his body, covering his flesh and soul, locking him completely.

Yet the thunderclaps continued relentlessly.

A ray of golden light pierced through the gaps in the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder, falling into Xue Ming’s eyes.

Such venomous, powerful supreme Yin thunder had failed to breach Baili Feihong’s defenses.

“Thirteenth tier of Golden Radiance Invincible Rigorous Training?” Xue Ming said sternly.

This martial rigorous training was a supreme manual within the sect.

Could it truly be the invincible Golden Radiance?

“I don’t believe you have truly mastered Golden Radiance Invincible,” he said.

“Ultimate Path, Black Extinction Thunder Arrow!”

A divine ability combination.

Sunflower Water Heavenly Thunder gathered at Xue Ming’s fingertip, entwined with extreme Yin thunder.

The destructive aura tore through the void with ease, condensing into an arrowhead aimed at Baili Feihong.

“Golden Radiance Invincible Rigorous Training!” Baili Feihong sneered as he unleashed the technique.

His rigorous training was no less potent than this divine ability.

Black arrowhead whooshed, instantly reaching his chest.

Layer upon layer of golden light enveloped Baili Feihong.

Clang!

The golden light shattered.

The arrowhead pierced toward his heart.

Ding~~~

The black lightning from the Ultimate Path burst forth, engulfing Baili Feihong.

A drop of blood landed on the arrowhead.

Sizzle~

The arrowhead emitted dense black smoke; the Yin thunder seemed to be extinguished by the blood.

“A combination of two third-tier divine abilities can break through my three layers of Golden Radiance Invincible.”

“If I unleash the fourth layer of Golden Radiance Invincible, Xue Ming’s divine abilities would not harm me in the slightest,” Baili Feihong sought to test his defense, achieving better results than expected.

He rarely fought sect members; today, he borrowed a Flower Pavilion disciple to test his true combat power.

“Returning Origin Cauldron! Devour it!”

A meridian acupoint opened like a black hole, swallowing the Black Extinction Thunder Arrow.

The surrounding Sunflower Water Divine Thunder surged, absorbed by him.

After being purified by his blood, it disrupted Xue Ming’s martial will, directly devouring the divine ability’s power.

A full sense of saturation came with a slight sting, like swallowing a fishbone.

But the Returning Origin Cauldron kept turning, blood energy flowing inside, neutralizing the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder, slowly digesting its power.

Fragments of insight flooded his mind—the mystery of the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder.

At the same time, memories of his previously cultivated Rushing Thunder Palm surfaced.

The wonder of divine ability was like a dawn breaking through fog, revealing the world’s essence to Baili Feihong.

Countless lines and light dots sketched out this magnificent world.

Xue Ming’s expression flickered darkly.

His right hand opened; black thunder flames twined into the shape of a sword.

“You are not cultivating the Demon Suppression Six-Path Scripture?”

Baili Feihong looked up, his starry gaze dazzling as it settled on Xue Ming.

“Then I will use the Demon Suppression Six-Path Scripture to slay you.”

“Demon Suppression Six-Path Scripture, Second Path: Seal Heaven, Sever Earth, Lock Origin!”