Chapter 2009: The Turning Point
A terrifying flame shot out of Shang Ziyan’s finger, transforming into a fire dragon as it howled and charged at Zhang Ruochen.
Seeing the fire dragon charhing at him, Zhang Ruochen did not dodge, as if he could not move because of his injuries.
“A pity, Zhang Ruochen had managed to withstand that earlier attack, but he still cannot escape his doom.”
Many of the spectating cultivators could not help but to shake their heads.
Just when many thought that Zhang Ruochen would undoubtedly die as he gets ripped apart by the fire dragon, Zhang Ruochen finally made his move.
Zhang Ruochen held his finger out like a sword blade, as a razor sharp sword light emerged from his fingertips.
WHOOOSH!
A brutal sword light shot out from Zhang Ruochen’s fingertips.
Whooosh!
The charging dragon was instantly cut into half by the sword light as its entire body shattered, reduced to embers before finally dying out.
A trace of shock appeared in Shang Ziyan’s eyes as he stared intently at Zhang Ruochen.
The finger blast he had unleashed earlier may look very unassuming, but it was actually an intermediate-level saint art and was extremely powerful. By logic, with Zhang Ruochen’s current state, he would not have been able to resist it.
“Zhang Ruochen actually still have the power to fight back.”
Many of the onlookers were shocked.
After staring at Zhang Ruochen for a moment, Shang Ziyan growled. “You… You have also broken through the Precept Dominion-realm.”
Shang Ziyan really did not expect Zhang Ruochen to not only withstand his attack, and saved his own life in that perilous situation earlier, but also miraculously had a breakthrough without a trace.
“You can have a breakthrough, why can’t I then?” ZHang Ruochen said faintly.
Even when he was seriously injured now, he still never showed the slightest hint of weakness.
For Zhang Ruochen to be able to break through the cultivation barrier so quickly was naturally thanks to Gu Songzi’s Heaven’s Reach Elixir. When he saw Shang Ziyan culminating his Precept Dominion, Zhang Ruochen immediately swallowed the elixer without a trace.
He had already reached the pinnacle of Greater Precept-World-realm, and only need a little more to culminate his Precept Dominion.
After swallowing the Heaven’s Reach Elixier, he had finally broken through the mysteries of the Precept Dominion.
It was just now when he took on the brunt of Shang Ziyan’s unparalleled blow, and during the extremely critical moment, not only did the medicinal power the Heaven’s Reach Elixir; even the Seven-Star Divine Lingzhi’s Sunleaf erupted in an instant.
Zhang Ruochen had finally successfully culminated his Precept Dominion and stepped into a whole new level of cultivation.
It was also fortunate that he had successfully culminated his Precept Dominion and warded off some of the attack, or else he would be even more injured now.
Zhang Ruochen had wanted to hide his cultivation base, and draw out some time to heal his wounds. He did not think that Shang Ziyan’s eyes was so sharp that he saw through the reality of things.
As a result, he could no longer hide it.
Shang Ziyan exuded a terrifying murderous intent as he hissed. “Even if you have a breakthrough, nothing will change.”
Immediately, Shang Ziyan attacked again as he blasted the Tower of a Thousand Temperings out.
He wanted to take advantage of Zhang Ruochen’s serious injury and kill Zhang Ruochen with lightning strike and not allowing him any chances of making a comeback.
“You’re overly underestimating me then.”
Zhang Ruochen spat back coldly.
As he spoke, Zhang Ruochen infused a massive amount of saint Qi into the Zangshan Demonic Mirror above his head, unleashing volleys of supreme power.
The earlier use of Yanshen’s leg had indeed consumed almost half of the Saint Qi in his body, but because of the breakthrough in his cultivation, the speed of his Saint Qi replenishment was accelerated.
Also, during the moment of breaking through, he had swallowed several sacred pills, including healing pills, pills to consolidate his cultivation base, and pills to restore his Saint Qi.
In the battle of Sword Tomb and the Xianji Mountain, he had killed many powerhouses and had obtained plenty of treasures, including many sacred pills that came in handy today.
Coupled with the divine sun that was formed by the Seven-star Divine Lingzhi in his sea of Qi continuously releasing a large amount of essence, it had both the effect of healing and replenishing his Saint Qi.
So, within a short period of time, Zhang Ruochen’s injuries had healed quite a bit, and his saint Qi was once more ample.
BOOM!!
Two volleys of supreme power collided violently, almost tearing the entire space apart.
Shang Ziyan did not stop, and continuously roused the Tower of a Thousand Temperings as he raised the Bloodbairn to attack.
More importantly, the extreme Yin and Yang energies emerged from Shang Ziyan’s body, colliding with each other and creating all kinds of strange changes.
Without a question, Shang Ziyan planned to used that same move once again, to really land a fatal blow on Zhang Ruochen.
The earlier blow had already hit Zhang Ruochen hart, another blow will definitely be able to take Zhang Ruochen’s life.
“Zhang Ruochen, that scoundrel is really tenacious. Not only did he survive that, he had even had a cultivation breakthrough. Perhaps there is a chance for him to turn the tide.” The Thousand-Star Maiden said in surprise.
Somehow, when she saw Zhang Ruochen was still alive, the Thousand-Star Maiden’s heart was inexplicably relieved.
As she looked around, she turned her gaze to where Qing Xiao and Bu Qianfan was. At this moment, the two were in dire straits.
The reason was the Phantom Princess had used illusion techniques to confound them, causing them no not be able to distinguish the real from the illusory, and made them extremely passive.
“The Phantom Princess is it? I let you escape the other time, and now is just the time to get rid of you. Let me see if you had any growth.” The Thousand-Star Maiden whispered.
Using her techniques, the Thousand-Star Maiden’s entire appearance transformed into a beautiful princeling, clearly did not want to be recognized.
Originally she did not want to intervene but now she felt like she could not help it.
So she straight up not bothering to repress what was in her mind, and do whatever she liked. This was also a way to temper her mind and will.
Zhang Ruochen had that she was lacking in her state of mind, and was not indomitable, then she want to let Zhang Ruochen see the changes in her.
Without any more hesitation, the Thousand-Star Maiden transformed into a flowing light and dashed straight at the Phantom Princess.
As an Illusion Master, she was interested in fighting the Phantom Princess.
On the other side, a massive ferocious beast and the Flame Emperor quickly formed behind Shang Ziyan.
Compared to the previous one, the aura released by the ferocious beast and the Flame Emperor was undoubtedly even more terrifiying.
The ferocious beast and the Flame Emperor opened their mouths at the same time, unleashing two very different powers that entangled together before blasting at Zhang Ruochen like an artillery shell.
Zhang Ruochen immediately made a fist mudra and a heavenly river appeared, coiling around his body as it flowed slowly, with no end to its flow.
BAAAMMM!!!
The intertwined power of extreme forces slammed against the heavenly river, and while it caused the latter to quake violently, it could not tear the river apart, and naturally it could not touch Zhang Ruochen.
Seeing this, Shang Ziyan’s eyes became even more gloomy as the ferocious beast and the Flame Emperor behind him once again released another blast of extreme destruction.
And the heavenly river surrounding Zhang Ruochen suddenly transformed into a dragon as it opened its mouth and swallowed the terrible blast whole.
BAAMM!!
The dragon burst into pieces as water splashed all over as they fell into the scorching magma lake.
The temperature of the magma lake was so terrifying that the moment the water instantly evaporated the moment they fell, and was reduced into thick mist.
Zhang Ruochen was extremely calm as he used the Luoshui Fist, protecting him within it while he silently activated his inner techniques to heal his wounds and to replenish his Saint Qi.
It was undoubtedly advantageous for him the longer he drag this on.
But blocking Shang Ziyan’s attack was no easy feat. A combination high-level saint art, alongside a Supreme Sacred Artifact and a Divine Artifact, any mistakes would cost him dearly.
BOOM!!
The Bloodbairn unleashed a devastating divine power as it cut the heavenly river apart in one stroke.
“Time to end this!”
A cruel glint appeared in Shang Ziyan’s eyes.
The ferocious and the Flame Emperor’s power had been charged to the maximum, and unleashed their payload one after another. The power of frost and fire fused together as they clashed, erupting in a power beyond any imagination.
Sensing the terrifying aura, both sides of the battlefield pulled away as they put all of their efforts into defense.
With the earlier precedent, no one dared to be careless.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze sharpened, holding the Ancient Abyssal Blade in hand as 750 thousand precepts of the sword were mobilized and more precepts of heaven and earth were drawn in.
The Violet Godstone embedded in the blade let out a thick purple glow as a surge of mysterious power appeared and poured into the blade.
“Break!”
Zhang Ruochen let out a growl as he instantly swung the Ancient Abyssal Blade in a brutal downward stroke.
A crimson sword light with purple hue flew out, and collided with the combination saint art that Shang Ziyan had unleashed.
Zhang Ruochen had put everything into this strike, unleashing the full power of the Armor of the Fire God and the Violet Godstone with all of his might.
BOOOMMM!!!
The crimson sword light with purple glow was unstoppable and immediately tore through the combination saint art that Shang Ziyan had unleashed, as if it was splitting the world apart.
Although the combination saint art was destroyed, the devastating power contained within them were still unleashed, and Zhang Ruochen bore the brunt of it.
At this very moment, a thick purple Qi was released from the Violet Godstone, forming a powerful barrier that protected Zhang Ruochen within it.
BAAMM!!
Pressed by the devastating force, the magma lake below suddenly erupted.
Stout pillars of magma shot up into the air.
At the same time, the crimson sword light with purple glow charged at Shang Ziyan.
“What?”
Shang Ziyan’s expression changed as he immediately activated the Tower of a Thousand Temperings to block it.
BAAAMMM!!!
The Tower of a Thousand Temperings was smashed away by the sword light, crashing into Shang Ziyan’s body and sending him flying as well.
A powerful force penetrated the Tower of a Thousand Temperings, and also Shang Ziyan’s Tricolored Armor as it acted on Shang Ziyan’s body.
DUSSHH!
Shang Ziyan immediately spat out a mouthful of blood as a large amount of blood flowed out of the Tricolored Armor.
Although the armor itself was fine, a hideous gaping wound had opened up on Shang Ziyan’s chest, so deep the cut was that his bones could be seen, and nearly bisected him in half.
One could imagine, without the armor protecting him, Shang Ziyan would be even more grieviously wounded.
On the other side, the destructive force dissipated, as zhang Ruochen’s figure reappeared.
Although Zhang Ruochen also had blood stains on his mouth, his condition was obviously far better than Shang Ziyan.
“How is this possible? Zhang Ruochen had actually severely wounded Shang Ziyan with a single blow.”
“Zhang Ruochen was severely wounded earlier, how did he recover so quickly?”
“If Zhang Ruochen has fully recovered from his injuries, then it will be Shang Ziyan’s turn to be in trouble. I never thought that Zhang Ruochen would make a comeback under such circumstances. If he really an undefeatable God of War?”
“Not necessarily, Zhang Ruochen mayhap already be an arrow at the end of its flight and is just holding on. His opponent is Shang Ziyan, how could he turn things around so easily?”
“No need to argue. Looking at the current situation, the victor of their fight will be decided soon enough. Let’s just watch quietly.”
…
Many of the observing cultivators were extremely shocked. The tide of the battle had really turned, and now it was impossible for anyone to accurately predict who will have the last laugh.
“How could this happen? Zhang Ruochen was clearly seriously injured, and even with the breakthrough, the power he could muster should be greatly reduced. But why is he still so strong?” Si Han’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Thinking of back then when they clashed head on at the Eastern Region, Zhang Ruochen was not at all his match, but now the latter had far surpassed him, and can take him down with just a flip of his hand.
The massive gap between them now was undoubtedly difficult for him to accept.
King Daxi’s gaze also became very complicated. The stronger Zhang Ruochen became, the more difficult it would be for her to retrieve her seized treasures back.
The biggest reason why she had not acted thus far was becase she was afraid of Zhang Ruochen, fearing that he would suddenly activate the firebugs laying dormant inside her body.
So, King Daxi could only hope that Shang Ziyan could take down and kill Zhang Ruochen, and when that time comes, not only she could take her treasures back, but also rid herself of that bane.
But looking at the current situation, everything was still hard to say.
Zhang Ruochen held the Ancient Abyssal Blade as he stared coldly at Shang Ziyan, saying. “Shang Ziyan, you’re right. It’s indeed time ot end this. If you have no other tricks up your sleeves, then die.”
As he said that Zhang Ruochen charged out with sword in hand.
After being on the receiving end of the beating for so long, it was now his turn to take the offensive.
Seemingly because Zhang Ruochen had culminated his Precept Dominion, the power of the Violet Godstone was further released as it grew stronger and even more magical.
“Zhang Ruochen, don’t be to conceited, the one that will die today is you.” A trace of mania appeared in Shang Ziyan’s eyes.
The Cardinal Corpse that cultivated the Path of the Flowing Light walked out of Shang Ziyan’s body, and rushed to the top of the Five-colored Merit Stele, activating it and unleashing a bombardment of Five-colored Meritorious Divine Light at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen did not stop as the Zangshan Demonic Mirror became very large as hundreds of thousands of supreme inscriptions appeared on the mirror surface, and the bizarre demonic light flowed and blocked off the bombardment of Five-colored Meritorious Divine Light.
The next moment, the Five-colored Meritorious Divine Light were reflected and bombarded Shang Ziyan’s Cardinal Corpse instead.
The power of the reflected Five-colored Meritorious Divine Light had a significant increase and became much faster.
BAAAMMM!!!
Before Shang Ziyan’s cardinal Corpse could react, he was struck by the divine light and sent flying into the air.
Upon suffering the blow, Shang Ziyan’s Cardinal Corpse immediately spat out blood and his body nearly burst open as his wounds were extremely severe.
But Shang Ziyan could not care so much about it now as his Flame and Frost Corpse merged together, unleashing two difference high-level saint arts.
At the same time, Shang Ziyan had also roused the Bloodbairn and the Tower of a Thousand Temperings, and he also took off the three red feathers from his crown, infusing them with a surge of saint Qi as they transformed into three hundred-foot-long flame birds.
The aura emanating from the three flaming birds were very powerful, and were no weaker than a Nine-step Saint King.
“You cannot stop this!”
Zhang Ruochen snorted coldly.
VOOOSH!
The Ancient Abyssal Blade sang as a crimson sword light with purple glow blasted out.
BAAMM!!
The three flaming birds immediately burst into pieces and turned into three red feathers again and then were set ablaze.
The three red feathers were fire-element treasures, but they could not withstand the divine flames unleashed by the Armor of the Fire God and in a blink of an eye, the three red feathers were reduced to ashes.
BAAAMMM!!!
The Ancient Abyssal Blade collided with the Tower of a Thousand Temperings, and directly smashing it away.
In terms of item ranking, the Ancient Abyssal Blade was indeed far inferior to the Tower of a Thousand Temperings, but as the blade was forged out of divine iron of creation, there was no fear in it clashing against any Supreme Sacred Artifacts.
CLANG!
Immediately afterwards, the Ancient Abyssal Blade clashed with the Bloodbairn as both sides burst out incomparably scorching flames as the purple mystical power clashed with the evil divine power, causing ripples toform in the dimension.
A terrifying mystical power came out from the Ancient Abyssal Blade, causing Shang Ziyan’s expression to change drastically as the Bloodbairn slipped off his hand.