Chapter 496 - 471: Slaying a Level 3

The rich golden light bathed Jiangqian Mountain’s pale face in a golden glow. A look of absolute horror suddenly flashed in his cold, ashen pupils.

Zhaang Ye’s sudden attack had already caught Jiangqian Mountain by surprise. What horrified him even more was that the whip in Zhaang Ye’s hand pulsed with an immense Suppression and an ancient aura. It was clearly an Ancient True Artifact. In Zhaang Ye’s grasp, this Ancient True Artifact unleashed such colossal power that a single crack of the whip seemed to make the heavens and the earth themselves change color.

"Hmph!"

With an angry snort, a jade-colored Long Sword materialized in Jiangqian Mountain’s hand, and he slashed directly at Zhaang Ye’s Long Whip.

Jiangqian Mountain’s jade-colored Long Sword was also clearly a True Artifact. All manner of Rune Arrays shimmered across its surface. As he swung it, a bone-chilling cold erupted, instantly freezing everything in a ten-mile radius. In the instant of his slash, the entire world seemed to grind to a halt; even the wind and dust hanging in the void froze solid.

BOOM!

The Long Whip and Long Sword clashed with a deafening bang. An intense ball of light erupted from the point of impact. Zhaang Ye felt a terrifying chill wash over him. In that instant, his very qi and blood froze, and a layer of Profound Ice dozens of feet thick abruptly encased his body.

The Celestial River Righteous Qi inside Zhaang Ye’s body circulated wildly to resist the terrifying Profound Ice Qi. He was horrified. ’A True Dao Third Layer master truly is extraordinary! The Punishment Whip in my hands is a Fifth-Grade True Artifact with immeasurable power. Even with a surprise attack under these conditions, I still couldn’t gain the upper hand. It seems if I want to kill this person quickly, my only option is to have the Fire Spirit make a move!’

While Zhaang Ye was secretly shocked, Jiangqian Mountain wasn’t having an easy time of it either. Although Zhaang Ye’s Cultivation was low, his strength was astonishing, and his Celestial River Righteous Qi excelled in direct confrontations. Furthermore, the Long Whip in his hand was a Fifth-Grade True Artifact capable of unleashing world-shaking power. The force of their clash had sent Jiangqian Mountain flying back a thousand feet, injuring his internal organs and Meridians. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"Excellent! Just excellent! Junior, I never imagined you possessed such a terrifying Long Whip! Heh heh heh, once I kill you, that Ancient True Artifact in your hands will belong to me!"

With a savage grin, Jiangqian Mountain’s retreating figure abruptly vanished. When he reappeared, he was already hovering above Zhaang Ye, his jade-colored Long Sword descending like the Celestial River pouring from the heavens, slashing down viciously!

BOOM!

Before Jiangqian Mountain’s Long Sword could even land, Zhaang Ye had already unleashed his Celestial River Righteous Qi, shattering the Profound Ice that encased him. Then, his body abruptly transformed into wind and vanished on the spot.

’Hm? A Realm? The Wind Realm?’

Seeing Zhaang Ye vanish from beneath his sword, a glint flashed in Jiangqian Mountain’s eyes and a jolt of alarm shot through him. Zhaang Ye possessed immense strength and was also skilled in the bizarre and unpredictable Wind Realm. If Zhaang Ye was solely focused on escaping, he would have no way of catching him.

"Ice Prison!"

Jiangqian Mountain murmured softly. His Long Sword sliced through the air, and a massive cage, a thousand feet in diameter, instantly materialized in the void. This ability to conjure a prison with a wave of his hand was Jiangqian Mountain’s ultimate technique. Within this cage, nothing could leave, and nothing could escape his control!

Zhaang Ye had comprehended the Wind Realm and could become the wind itself. But even as wind, he was still greatly affected by such absolute power, and his form was abruptly forced to reappear.

BOOM!

Although his form had been revealed, Zhaang Ye was not flustered. His Wind Realm was profoundly mysterious; even with his body exposed, Jiangqian Mountain still couldn’t lock onto his position. Relying on his incredibly fast Body Technique, he could attack at will, striking precisely at Jiangqian Mountain’s vulnerabilities.

BOOM! BOOM!

Zhaang Ye’s body became a streak of cyan light, circling Jiangqian Mountain relentlessly as he cracked the Punishment Long Whip dozens of times in an instant. His speed was unbelievable. Even though Jiangqian Mountain had created the Ice Prison, he was still helpless against Zhaang Ye, forced to desperately defend against the onslaught. After dozens of lashes, Jiangqian Mountain’s face had turned deathly pale, and his internal injuries were steadily worsening.

Zhaang Ye’s Cultivation was far inferior to Jiangqian Mountain’s, but by relying on his Wind Realm, he was firmly suppressing his opponent and holding the upper hand. Such was the power of a Realm!

The longer Jiangqian Mountain fought, the more suffocated he felt. He felt like a lumbering boar being swarmed and devoured by a pack of nimble wolves. If he couldn’t turn the tables on this one-sided beating, there was only one fate awaiting him: to be worn down and killed by Zhaang Ye.

"Kid, you’re courting death!"

Jiangqian Mountain let out a roar of pure shock and fury. He steeled his resolve and bellowed, "Taiyin Borrowing Power, Infinite Profound Ice! Infinite Profound Ice Shield, form!"

As Jiangqian Mountain bellowed, layer after layer of transparent Profound Ice appeared around his body. In an instant, the overlapping layers formed a massive shield, resolutely blocking Zhaang Ye’s attacks.

After forming the Infinite Profound Ice Shield, Jiangqian Mountain’s already pale face grew even more pallid. He had expended a full thirty percent of his Profound Ice Qi to create it. The shield could automatically draw upon the world’s Power of Taiyin to defend against attacks. Even a weapon as powerful as the Long Whip in Zhaang Ye’s hand would be unable to break through it right away.

Jiangqian Mountain had expended a full thirty percent of his power to form the Infinite Profound Ice Shield. His goal was to use it to buy himself just enough time to unleash his ultimate trump card and annihilate Zhaang Ye in a single blow!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Zhaang Ye cracked his whip three times in quick succession, only to find that his unstoppable Punishment Whip couldn’t shatter the layer of Profound Ice. At the same time, Zhaang Ye sensed Jiangqian Mountain’s aura skyrocketing. An aura of death filled the air, casting a grim and sinister pall over the battlefield as the very sky seemed to darken in response.

’This Jiangqian Mountain is about to go all out!’ With his vast combat experience, Zhaang Ye understood his opponent’s intentions at a single glance.

Zhaang Ye had originally intended to rely on his own strength to kill Jiangqian Mountain. But after sensing the terrifying aura emanating from his opponent, he didn’t dare hesitate any longer. He focused his Heart Spirit and sent a message to the Fire Spirit: ’Let’s attack together. We kill him now!’

The Fire Spirit was already itching for a fight. Hearing Zhaang Ye’s command, it replied excitedly, ’Alright, just watch me! I can burn him to a crisp all by myself!’

SWOOSH!

Zhaang Ye felt a slight stir in his Heart Spirit as the Fire Spirit shot out from the Small Space. It transformed into a streak of brilliant cyan light and slammed into the Infinite Profound Ice Shield!

PFFT!

To Zhaang Ye’s utter astonishment, the incredibly tough Infinite Profound Ice Shield was pierced through by the Fire Spirit in a single blow! Having penetrated the shield, the Fire Spirit shot straight toward Jiangqian Mountain. He had never imagined that the shield he had expended thirty percent of his power to create would be breached. It was only when the Fire Spirit was upon him that the thought to dodge finally crossed his mind.

But by this time, it was already too late!

FWOOSH!

Before Jiangqian Mountain’s horrified eyes, the Fire Spirit landed on him. The instant it made contact, he felt his frigid body ignite like dry kindling. In that single moment, his ice-cold form burst into ferocious flames!

"AHH!"

Jiangqian Mountain was utterly terrified. The dreadful Profound Ice Qi within him surged out frantically. The Fire Spirit specialized in flames, while he specialized in Profound Ice Qi—the two were natural nemeses. The nearly corporeal Profound Ice Qi swept out wildly and finally managed to extinguish the fire on his body, but the burn had only made his injuries even more severe.

Jiangqian Mountain’s horrified gaze fell upon the Fire Spirit. "A Fire Spirit? Zhaang Ye, you actually possess a Fire Spirit? How can such a worldly anomaly even exist in this age?"

His ultimate attack had been interrupted, and now he was facing a terrifying Fire Spirit. A sense of deep foreboding washed over Jiangqian Mountain. He struggled to suppress the roiling turmoil in his qi and blood, preparing to use his Body Technique to escape.

But Zhaang Ye’s combat experience was far too great. The very moment Jiangqian Mountain extinguished the flames and prepared to flee, Zhaang Ye seized the opportunity and unleashed a fourth strike!

BOOM!

This single lash was infused with the entirety of Zhaang Ye’s Cultivation. Under its bombardment, the Infinite Profound Ice Shield shattered with a deafening crack. The Punishment Long Whip, carrying unstoppable momentum, descended upon Jiangqian Mountain’s head in an instant!

At almost the exact same moment, the Fire Spirit struck again. Using some bizarre, unpredictable method, it pounced onto Jiangqian Mountain, and raging flames once more erupted across his body!

Under the combined assault of Zhaang Ye and the Fire Spirit, Jiangqian Mountain felt his very blood and qi being frantically burned away, leaving him unable to muster his full power. Zhaang Ye’s full-force lash had him locked down completely; escape was impossible. He could only raise his jade-colored Long Sword and force himself to meet the blow!

BOOM!

Already heavily injured, Jiangqian Mountain was no longer able to block Zhaang Ye’s ferocious attack. With a thunderous crash, his body was sent flying ten thousand feet, blood spraying from his mouth!

"AHH!"

Jiangqian Mountain truly lived up to his reputation as a True Dao Third Layer master. Though his blood and qi were being incinerated by the Fire Spirit and he was grievously wounded, he had somehow survived a direct hit from Zhaang Ye’s whip. With a long howl, his body flickered, turning illusory as he shot straight into the void in a desperate attempt to escape.

Jiangqian Mountain’s tenacious Life Power far exceeded Zhaang Ye’s expectations. Just as Zhaang Ye prepared to use his Body Technique to catch up and finish him off, the flames on Jiangqian Mountain’s body suddenly flared violently. The raging inferno instantly consumed the last of his Life Power. In the blink of an eye, the True Dao Third Layer master was reduced to a charred husk that plummeted from the sky.

As it turned out, the Fire Spirit, seeing that Jiangqian Mountain was about to escape, had anxiously unleashed its full power, snuffing out his life in an instant.

--------(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com and vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)