Immortal of the Nine Realms

The Qingming fell utterly silent. Even Shao Guangyin himself seemed shaken by what had just occurred.

”The Enlightenment Heaven Covering Scripture holds an even higher status in the Enlightenment God Palace than the Lesser Vajra Demon Slaying Seal does in Rulai Monastery...” Ye Qingqiu muttered under her breath. ”That madwoman, she truly inherited the true teachings of that person from the Enlightenment God Palace.”

Xian Yueguan stared in horror. ”Senior Sister Aman can actually use the Enlightenment Heaven Covering Scripture... in a battle of Formation Immortal Arts, who could possibly stand against her now?”

He then turned to his fellow disciples in relief. ”Thank goodness we didn’t take part in this fight. Otherwise, we’d have been wiped from existence itself.”

Everyone’s hearts pounded wildly.

Though core disciples rarely fought to the death, being captured alive was almost inevitable at such levels.

The faces of Rulai Monastery’s core disciples had gone pale. Their Honored Ones’ techniques had all been effortlessly countered, one after the other. Was there even any point in continuing this battle now? Could they continue fighting?

Many Rulai Monastery disciples’ hearts twisted with reluctance, their hearts filled with turmoil.

”Could it be that... Great Thunder Sound Temple is truly going to be seized by the Enlightenment God Palace today!?”

”What a terrifying woman...” murmured Huang Qingque in awe.

The Enlightenment God Palace truly deserved its reputation as one of the world’s absolute powers. At least within the Killing Spiritual Division, Huang Qingque couldn’t think of a single person who could reach Xie Aman’s level.

”Fellow Daoist Fang becoming a core of the Enlightenment God Palace might actually help me rebuild Xie Zhi... but I’ll need to plan carefully. I can’t risk that position being shaken.” Suppressing his emotions, Huang Qingque glanced toward Fang Chen, his eyes showing faint delight. It was the joy of meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land.

The Killing Spiritual Division had expelled Fang Chen, yet he had now become a core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace. Such twists of fate could only be called destiny.

Ji Gang couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. ”Senior Sister truly lives up to her name”

Even a sixth-transformation immortal like himself trembled at what he had just witnessed.

Fang Chen felt a surge of awe.

Such divine power.... She isn’t even at the ninth transformation. What type of power would she possess then? And yet, even so, the Nine Mortal Realms were once shattered by Little Immortal Honglian’s compatriot...

He could faintly imagine the level of those ancient battles. Without that kind of overwhelming power, it would have been impossible to boil the Nine Realms like a frog in warm water.

”Against beings like this, my cultivation is like that of a mayfly, unable to influence anything.

Not just me, even Wang Chongsong is the same. Fortunately, the elders managed to hold the line, buying us, the younger generation, the time and space to plan ahead.”

He looked toward where Immortal Taixu was standing. At that moment, the man was watching the radiant figure of Xie Aman with a calm, amused smile, one eerily similar to Wang Chongsong’s own.

There must be plenty of gossip between Old Wang and Senior Sister, Fang Chen thought, his eyes returning to the battlefield.

”Shao Guangyin,” Senior Sister said with a mocking smile, ”you’ve used the Rebirth Wooden Fish and the Lesser Vajra Demon Slaying Seal. If that’s the full extent of your power, then prepare to kneel and recite scriptures for me.”

”Amitabha.” Shao Guangyin pressed his palms together and chanted. ”This little monk once believed that with those two methods, even if I could not defeat you, Miss Xie, I could at least fight to a standstill.”

He paused, then added softly, ”It seems I overestimated myself, and underestimated you.”

”You say that like you’re admitting defeat. If you’ve lost, should we even continue this fight?” Xie Aman pointed toward the Rulai Monastery core disciples. ”I could crush them all by myself. Do you believe it?”

Upon hearing Xie Aman’s words, the monks of Rulai Monastery struggled to contain their anger.

”This arrogant woman!”

Shao Guangyin nodded slightly. ”I believe it. But this little monk has one last technique. If you can withstand it with ease, then Rulai Monastery will concede this battle.”

Another move?

Everyone looked at him in surprise and curiosity. After witnessing Xie Aman unleash the Enlightenment Heaven Covering Scripture, what hidden card could Shao Guangyin still possess?

Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign and the others exchanged glances. Senior Sister had been right all along. Shao Guangyin still had a trump card.

Senior Sister laughed. ”I don’t have time for your nonsense. If you’re going to use it, then hurry up.”

”The Buddha once said... If I do not descend into hell, who will?” said Shao Guangyin, his voice flat, devoid of emotion.

As he lowered his gaze, all the Buddhist light vanished from the Thousand Armed Formation, replaced by overwhelming demonic energy. The once-holy Thousand Armed Guanyin turned into something fallen and corrupted, exuding a rotting aura.

The cultivators manning the Thousand Armed Formation were cloaked in black mist; their eyes turned pale and lifeless. Even the members of Shao Guangyin’s team became like walking corpses.

The scene left everyone dumbfounded.

Ye Qingqiu, Xian Yueguan, and Leng Buqi all stood frozen in disbelief.

”Has Shao Guangyin lost his mind? A Buddhist cultivator falling into demonic ways!?” Leng Buqi exclaimed.

Around Fang Chen came a collective hiss of shocked breath.

”He’s gone mad, he became demonic!”

Became demonic?

Fang Chen knew that what they called becoming demonic wasn’t what he understood. They had no idea what a true demon was, nor that they themselves were likely reincarnations of demons.

To Fang Chen, however, Shao Guangyin’s current state was deeply connected to that side.

In a flash, Fang Chen’s divine soul left his body. He saw the shock in Little Immortal Honglian’s eyes and the joy in Ji Tianjun’s.

So it’s true. Shao Guangyin came from that side as well, and he’s recovered his past-life memories. His power now... no longer belongs to the Nine Mortal Realms.

***

A shadow of gravity appeared in Senior Sister’s eyes. Shao Guangyin’s aura had multiplied severalfold.

If earlier she had been ninety-nine percent confident of victory, now it had dropped to less than fifty percent.

”Hahahahaha!”

Shao Guangyin laughed wildly to the heavens, his voice echoing with madness.

The Thousand Armed Formation, wreathed in endless demonic flame, surged straight toward Xie Aman.

”Let’s see just how strong you really are,” Xie Aman sneered coldly.

The Black Dragon Formation flared to full power, its aura rising sharply.

Demonic light and divine light collided, the resulting shockwave overturned countless surrounding Immortal Boats. Those who reacted fastest immediately fled, casting their escape arts in panic.

Fang Chen retreated with the main force to a far-off distance. From there, he could still see the radiant Buddhist light of Great Thunder Sound Temple, but now, it was no longer the focus.

The clash between Xie Aman and Shao Guangyin outshone even Great Thunder Sound Temple itself, like a blazing sun exploding before their very eyes.

”Senior Sister... may not come out of this unscathed,” Fang Chen muttered, his face grave.