Fang Zhengzhi's eyes were wide open.
He found these characters familiar, but it was because he had seen them somewhere. He did not know what they represented.
Nonetheless, not only was were the characters glimmering on his skin, he could also feel them flowing through all channels in his body, as if they were in his blood.
And most importantly, these characters were not only golden. They appeared in silver, red, blue, green, cyan, purple…
He was enveloped in a bubble of warmth.
In an instant, Fang Zhengzhi felt much lighter than before. It was a magical feeling, as though he had become a different person.
Meanwhile, the Heaven Dao Pavilion and Nine Pinnacles Mountain disciples were shocked speechless as they watched.
And of course, it was not only Fang Zhengzhi whose body was filled with glowing characters. Chi Guyan's body, too, had these characters of various colors.
But the number of characters on Chi Guyan's body paled in comparison to Fang Zhengzhi's.
And the characters on her body were all concentrated and shining brilliantly above her chest.
"It's the Baptism by the Holy Words!"
"But how is it possible that Fang Zhengzhi also received the Baptism by the Holy Words? Even if he was just trying his luck, how could he be this lucky?"
"Why are there so many characters on his body?"
"It has been recorded that once a person has received the Baptism by the Holy Words, the Dao that he has mastered would resonate with the Divine Message. But why is Fang Zhengzhi's resonance flowing through his whole body?!"
"These characters… they must be hundreds of them! Could it be that Fang Zhengzhi has mastered hundreds of Dao? How is this possible?"
"Is he a demon?!"
Naturally, the Heaven Dao Pavilion and Nine Pinnacles Mountain disciples understood the meaning of these characters. In fact, these characters represent the state of Dao in his body.
Like Dao Fruits in the Small Dimension.
Each Dao Fruit had its own unique set of lines, which will become a character when the Dao Fruit had ripened.
Of course, this was for the normal state of events.
But it would be different for the Baptism by the Holy Words. Once a person has been gone through this process, the Dao Fruits will become its characters no matter their states.
Hence this was the advantage of the Baptism by the Holy Words.
But Fang Zhengzhi's case was rather extreme. Firstly, the Dao in Fang Zhengzhi's body did not concentrate in the Small Dimension like those of Chi Guyan's, instead, they are scattered throughout his body. Moreover, it was fused within his blood, circulating around his body.
And secondly…
Wasn't the number of characters too much?
The number of characters on his body indeed seemed so much it was terrifying. They were practically uncountable, certainly numbering above a thousand.
"He has mastered more than a thousand Dao?!"
"Is there such a person in this world?"
"How is this even possible?"
None of the Heaven Dao Pavilion and Nine Pinnacles Mountain disciples were willing to believe this. But it was an undeniable fact that there were a thousand different characters flowing around Fang Zhengzhi's body.
"So, these are Dao?" Fang Zhengzhi finally realized what they represented upon hearing their discussion.
They were the states of Dao!
In this line of thought, Fang Zhengzhi could understand something.
For instance, etching the final state of Dao on a weapon would greatly increase its power, and for those who have Congenital Blood like Wu Yuer…
It would be the same concept. Having such a bloodline would mean that one possessed certain types of Dao, and therefore his power would be intensified.
And then for Tian Xing, when he unleashed his Blood Source, the golden characters would also be concentrated on his black armor.
A higher number and complexity of golden characters…
Would mean that one's bloodline was purer, and hence more powerful.
So this was it!
Fang Zhengzhi quickly understood this fact, and his mind bore greater clarity and knowledge regarding these characters.
But as for why his body's Dao would resonate with the Divine Message…
The reason would be closely related to his efforts in the past two years. If one had been trying to improve himself for the past two years but had no breakthroughs, what could he even accomplish?
Fang Zhengzhi answered everyone's question with his actions.
This was Dao Enlightenment.
He sought Enlightenment in Dao.
With the chance given by Shadow Sect, he read ancient texts voraciously and researched whatever he could lay his hands on. He devoted himself to the appreciation of all things and all kinds of Dao.
And indeed, Fang Zhengzhi's efforts in the past two years had paid off. With the aid of texts, his enlightenment was as joyful and easy as chewing gum.
On good days, he could understand three of four Dao.
Yet, on extremely bad days, he could still do at least one in two days.
This allowed an explosive growth in the number of Dao he had accumulated in his body, and in two years, he had understood at least eight hundred Dao.
But as for the exact number, he didn't know.
Because it was impossible for him to count. What mattered was that he had managed to grasp the various Dao, which did not bear any Dao Fruits. So, until now, Fang Zhengzhi couldn't be sure of the precise number of Dao he had understood.
He only knew that he had mastered all the techniques that everyone else had and even those that others had not.
And it was a good thing that his powers had increased.
So he didn't give it much thought.
After the Baptism by the Holy Words, Fang Zhengzhi could feel waves of heat raging within his abdomen.
And this heat…
Could it be the Thousand Years Fire Herb?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't know why this would happen, but he could feel that the Thousand Years Fire Herb was now calmer and much less volatile than before. These energetic pulsations were also moving toward his right chest.
As the fiery heat gathered, his right chest, which suffered a heavy blow from Tian Xing, started to heal rapidly.
"Is the Thousand Years Fire Herb being refined under the Baptism by the Holy Words?" Fang Zhengzhi couldn't be sure, but this was not impossible.
After all, with the bolts of lightning flowing through his body, this could be possible.
But of course, this wasn't the time to think about these, because Nangong Hao and Tian Xing had arrived.
Naturally, Nangong Hao had reached first.
His speed was unbelievable.
Although Fang Zhengzhi hadn't recovered completely, he made a decision when he saw Nangong Hao charge over.
He dashed in front of Chi Guyan.
This surprised the Heaven Dao Pavilion and Nine Pinnacles Mountain disciples, because to them, Fang Zhengzhi should hide behind Chi Guyan to focus on healing himself.
Even Nangong Hao was slightly taken aback, especially when he saw the golden characters flowing around Fang Zhengzhi's body.
And then his eyes lit up.
Naturally, he had greater knowledge about these characters compared to the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples. After all, he had learned from his experience in the battle at the Southern Region.
But never did he expect that…
In two short years, the Dao that Fang Zhengzhi had grasped was more than thrice compared to the battle at the Southern Region.
To be Enlightened by a thousand Dao and Baptized by the Holy Words!
Nangong Hao had moved his sword, for he did not hesitate further. The Wuwei Sword shone its icy glimmer.
"From nothing comes the form, from the form comes nothing!" Nangong Hao bellowed, then zoomed a few paces forward.
What a strange move.
It was as though someone's sword was about ten paces away, then in the blink of an eye, it was suddenly above your head.
This was exactly how Fang Zhengzhi was feeling now.
Because describing this as 'fast' couldn't do it justice. It was like teleportation.
"You could do this with a sword?" Fang Zhengzhi had known that Nangong Hao was a talented individual, so he was somewhat prepared. But it was not until he actually faced Nangong Hao when Fang Zhengzhi felt he had underestimated his power.
At this juncture, he knew he could use dodge the sword attack with Heaven Dao, but this would mean that Chi Guyan, who was behind him, would take the blow.
Was Nangong Hao so eager to go through with this attack?
In fact, Fang Zhengzhi really did not wish to fight against Nangong Hao, for he would rather cast him aside and save his energy to battle Tian Xing.
But the sword was right above him.
He had no other choice.
"Bring in on!" Fang Zhengzhi could feel Nangong Hao's forceful mercilessness in this strike.
Hence, why should he show any mercy?
A dazzling purple flash radiated from the Traceless Sword, and then came a dragon's roar.
Dragonlike Sword!
And with this, he resisted Nangong Hao's violent slash.
"Boom!" A deafening blast from the clashing of the swords. Purple and white flashes of light emanated from the point of impact, and it was as though time had stopped momentarily.
Fang Zhengzhi took a step backward.
And he knocked on Chi Guyan's body. Chi Guyan's hand pressed on Fang Zhengzhi's waist, and he was supported by a soft, tender force.
And Nangong Hao…
He was thrown back from the blast.
He spurted a mouthful of blood, his face turned pale rapidly. Surprisingly, he was injured.
"He actually injured Junior Nangong Hao in one move?!"
"Isn't he already injured?"
"I didn't expect his powers could be boosted to such a level after the Baptism by the Holy Words. Are these characters really the Dao that he had mastered?"
"Isn't this too ridiculous? Could he actually be a demon?"
The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples watched the figure stumble backward with disbelief. After all, they were well aware of Nangong Hao's power.
It could even challenge the existence of the Seven Seniors of Heaven Dao Pavilion.
And to be hurt in one strike by Fang Zhengzhi? How could they believe this?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't have time to be concerned about Nangong Hao's injuries, because now he had a stronger enemy.
And at the instant, Nangong Hao was flung backward from impact …
Tian Xing finally appeared!
Fang Zhengzhi didn't know if Nangong Hao's strike was intentional, but from its outcome, two people from very different parties, who had in fact never spoken to each other, had effectively synergized under Nangong Hao's careful planning.
There was no choice.
He had to continue fighting.
Because he had only one viable strategy now, which was to drag on until Mu Qingfeng arrives and ensnares Tian Xing. Otherwise, there was no way out.
And Tian Xing was fast approaching!
Atop his burly frame was a head full of red hair, the essence of his giant, terrifying presence.
As he reached, he immediately charged at Fang Zhengzhi with his fist, upon which glowed several golden characters.
And at this instant, Chi Guyan's voice can be heard from behind, and then an impenetrable force field emerged outward from her body.
The Nuwa behind her flickered, changing its color between red and blue every few moments.
"Chi Guyan, you can't stop me!" Tian Xing screamed as he thrust his fist ahead.
"Crack!"
Several black cracks could be seen in front of Fang Zhengzhi.
And Tian Xing's fist punched through these cracks. Then, almost instantaneously, he had reached in front of Fang Zhengzhi's chest.
"Fuck!" Fang Zhengzhi had no way to retreat. Although he understood that Tian Xing was way more powerful than he was, he had to grit his teeth and soldier on.
He, too, responded with a punch.
And it collided with Tian Xing's.
Fang Zhengzhi gave all he could. A fight to the death.
And when he delivered this punch, Fang Zhengzhi felt the golden characters flowing within his body concentrate upon his fist, as if they had found a vent for a massive eruption.
Then…
Something odd happened. An armor appeared on his fist, one that was wholly composed of those characters.
"Huh?" Fang Zhengzhi didn't manage to understand what was happening, but this punch still collided with Tian Xing's.
And at the point of collision…
A bolt of lightning descended from the sky.
"Bang!" It was a brilliant display of red lightning flashes, and as they appeared, a huge, circular formation took shape up above.
Gold, silver, white, blue, red, green…
Rays of eight colors in shone from the huge, circular formation, and in its center, a closed door was slowly opening…