Jiang Liu never wastes words when he kills; he kills first and talks later. So, while the old man in the chariot was speaking, Jiang Liu's sword had already swept across the battlefield, and none of the beast riders surrounding the chariot survived.
"You little beast, how dare you!"
Enraged, he chanted divine incantations, and a large azure seal appeared above his head, shaped like a green mountain, which then crushed down on the river.
At the same time, the golden chariot started moving, crashing towards Jiang Liu with boundless power. In the old man's hand, a long spear appeared, which, under the reflection of the chariot and the setting sun, resembled a war god with his entire body in gold.
Jiang Liu took a deep breath, and a vacuum appeared before him, as if he had swallowed up all the surrounding air. Suddenly, he unleashed a powerful punch, unleashing a vast and surging fist intent, like a mighty river, surging endlessly, or like a siege hammer, its killing intent chilling!
Bang bang bang!
The air was shattered as a "Shock" technique slammed into the Green Mountain Seal, instantly causing the magical artifact to explode, turning into billowing black smoke that fell down the mountainside.
"What kind of physical body is this? It can actually block my Green Mountain Seal with its fist! And its blood energy is so intense! Just who are you?"
The moment Jiang Liu made his move, the old man from the Ji family felt his soul waver. At the same time, a fierce aura emanating from Jiang Liu's body, like a blazing sun, made him feel as if he were next to a great furnace burning with steel.
"Who exactly are you?" At this moment, the old man from the Ji family felt an immense sense of crisis.
With a mere wave of his hand, the space trembled and the weather changed dramatically!
This move was the Immortal Fist Style from the "Yang Shen" world! The blood energy was so intense that it could rival the sun.
"The one who will kill you!"
Jiang Liu grinned maliciously as he charged toward them. What did it matter if it was a golden chariot or a master from the Dao Palace? With his fists, everything would be crushed to dust.
With the body of a human immortal, and the power of martial arts concentrated, his combat strength is extraordinary.
boom!
The fist collided with the bronze-like light emanating from the ancient golden chariot, producing a resounding clang that echoed in all directions. A powerful, masculine aura swept outwards, exuding a fiery intensity.
"What can mere martial arts do to me! This chariot of mine is the ancient Ji family's divine king body, which has conquered all directions. And you can't break it..." Inside the golden chariot, the old man held a long spear, pointing it directly at Jiang Liu. Countless rays of light burst out from his body, condensing divine runes around the golden chariot.
The entire chariot instantly burst into flames, clashing with the raging, boundless blood energy of the river.
In an instant, three suns appeared in the sky. As the sun set, the river rose like the morning sun, and the golden chariot transformed into raging flames, charging in all directions.
"It's a pity I can't use the green copper ingot, and consequently, I can't use my cauldron either. Otherwise, one cauldron would have been enough to suppress you, you old bastard..."
Jiang Liu slowly exhaled, his breath sweeping away like a whirlwind. With a twist of his hands, his fists shook the surrounding area.
He kept punching the golden chariot.
"Click-clack...click-clack..."
Dozens of punches landed on a single point, and no matter how strong the golden chariot's defenses were, it shattered.
Although the spear pierced through him in an instant, Jiang Liu's sword was even faster, penetrating his body seven times in the blink of an eye. Then, Jiang Liu punched him in the head, and with the power of the "Shaking" technique, all the bones in his body shattered inch by inch, turning into a bloody pulp.
Chapter 317 Tai Xuan
After searching the corpses, including the Bitter Sea and the Dao Palace, they found only a few low-grade spiritual weapons.
"What a poor wretch! But this Green Mountain Seal that I blasted away with one punch is not bad. It is obviously made of some kind of spirit stone. And this golden chariot..." Jiang Liu looked at the huge golden chariot that had fallen into the barren mountains and shattered the mountains. Clearly, this thing must not be allowed to appear in the world.
If Jiang Liu dares to take it out and drive it, he will definitely be hunted down by the powerful members of the Ji family.
"The metal used to forge this chariot is no ordinary material. All things must be combined to form a cauldron. For my cauldron to be fully forged, I'll need various precious materials. This chariot can barely absorb and devour them. We'll see how the green copper block reacts..."
Instantly, Jiang Liu revealed a smile, and then he saw the huge chariot in front of him being enveloped by a chaotic aura and pulled into the sea of bitterness. Strands of golden metallic essence were stripped away and merged into the cauldron.
The green copper block remained completely still, and the Jiang Liu, along with the cauldron it was nurturing, was also unmoved.
"What a headache! I shouldn't have used the green copper block as a base to forge my natal weapon in the first place. Now, the treasure I spent so much effort and resources to forge is just for show and can't be used... I hope you can protect me in the most critical moment!"
Jiang Liu retrieved the large seal from the mountain valley, put it into the Sea of Bitterness, and then left the scene of the crime.
To reach the Northern Region, it would take an ordinary cultivator at least three years to fly there. Jiang Liu estimated his speed and, based on his understanding of spatial rules, could triple it. Even so, it would still take a year.
Jiang Liu was unwilling to waste a year traveling.
"You unscrupulous fat man, I have no choice but to break my contract. See you again someday."
Jiang Liu naturally wouldn't approach this ancient forbidden land; for him, the further away he was, the better.
Ever since he understood cause and effect, he felt that the ruthless man's mask, which seemed to be both crying and laughing, was always watching him from the desolate forbidden land. Even across thousands of mountains and rivers, it could not hide the ruthless man's eyes that could see through everything.
"Where to go? Based on Ye Fan's growth trajectory, there are two places to go. One is the Tai Xuan Sect, where the Nine Secrets inheritance is located on Zhuo Peak. However, Hua Yunfei is also there, the successor of the Devouring Heaven Demon Art! Another ruthless person's pawn. If I go to join him, will they accept me? The other place is the Fire Domain. If my cauldron can be refined again using the fire of the Fire Domain, it can reach a higher level. But there is an old crow demon there, isn't there!"
Looking around, there are vast mountains, the sun has set, and a crescent moon hangs high in the sky.
"Let's go check out Zhuofeng Peak. The Nine Secrets are all word techniques, ten times the combat power, critical hit damage—it's worth the risk!"
The "Nine Secrets" were originally one, but because they were too defying the heavens, they were not tolerated by the Great Dao and were divided into nine in ancient times. Some of them are suspected to have been lost. The "Nine Secrets" are not a mystical method of cultivation, but a secret technique that can be integrated into one's mental cultivation method to unleash various mysterious and unpredictable powers.
The "All" technique can be found on the Humble Peak of the Tai Xuan Sect. Comprehending it grants ten times the combat power. With Jiang Liu's current Immortal body and martial arts cultivation, let alone ten times the combat power, even twice the power would be unstoppable by most of his peers.
Jiang Liu was naturally familiar with the location of Tai Xuan Sect. He had stayed in Yandu for a year and knew the geographical locations of the major sects in the Eastern Wilderness by heart.
They transformed into rainbows and departed, arriving in the endless immortal mountains of the east in just a few days. This vast area belonged to the Tai Xuan Sect, with a total of one hundred and ten sects, each representing a different lineage, far surpassing even small sects like Lingxu Cave Heaven.
In this vast region, apart from the Ji family and the Yao Guang Holy Land, no other sect can reliably suppress a super sect of this scale.
In its heyday, the Tai Xuan Sect was among the top 100 in the Eastern Wilderness, a true behemoth. It was especially renowned in this region, with few sects in the surrounding dozens or even hundreds of kingdoms able to rival it.
This is a super-powerful force. Although it has declined, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Moreover, in this generation, the main peak of Tai Xuan is about to produce a ruthless successor.
Hua Yunfei is the youngest grandson of the Star Peak Master and the successor of the Ruthless Great Emperor's Devouring Heaven Demon Art. Although he is merely a pawn, being a pawn of the Ruthless Great Emperor is enough to crush his peers. Otherwise, how could he orchestrate the traps to lure and kill various individuals with special physiques and cultivate the Devouring Heaven Demon Art?
Jiang Liu arrived at just the right time; the Ji family's divine body was visiting the Tai Xuan Sect, preparing to fight Hua Yunfei.
This battle is Ji Haoyue's first. After twenty years of dedicated training, he is finally going to make his move.
The Ji family's divine body has not yet been born, so this trip naturally did not shake the Eastern Wilderness. However, after this battle, Ji Haoyue's name will surely spread throughout the Eastern Wilderness, and even the Central Plains, Western Desert, Northern Plains, and Southern Ridge. The extraordinary phenomenon of the moon rising over the sea is enough to astound the world. This battle foreshadows the Ji family's extreme prosperity in the next few thousand years. It is a consensus that a divine body can live for thousands of years without any problem.
Jiang Liu stood in the corner of the mountain gate, quietly watching the arrival of the Ji family.
Among them, a man in purple robes, his clothes fluttering like a god descending to earth, appeared to be only about twenty years old. His eyes shone like stars as he walked slowly.
According to Jiang Liu's perception, this person seemed to be one with the mountains and in harmony with heaven and earth, giving people a sense of following the natural way and the unity of man and nature, making it impossible for people to fathom his depth.
Seemingly sensing Jiang Liu's observation, Ji Haoyue turned to look at Jiang Liu, smiled slightly, and then entered the Tai Xuan Sect with the Ji family members.
"Have you heard? A month ago, the Ji family issued a challenge to Xingfeng. The seventh young master of the Ji family challenged Hua Yunfei, the youngest grandson of the peak master."
"Was that young man Ji Haoyue? I've never heard of him before! Although the Ji family is an ancient family, our Tai Xuan Sect is not inferior either. Senior Brother Hua is the strongest among our generation. He is not someone that a nobody can defeat. Moreover, the Ji family specifically chose the time when our Tai Xuan Sect was accepting disciples to challenge him. Everyone knows what their intentions are."
"The Ji family are, after all, descendants of the Void Emperor. They possess extraordinary techniques such as the Great Void Technique, the Void Handprint, the Heaven-Severing Finger, and the Innate Void Qi. It's just unknown how much of it Ji Haoyue has mastered. Let's wait and see!"
Recruiting disciples is a major event for a sect, and it is the foundation for the sect's development. These past few days have been the time for the Tai Xuan Sect to recruit disciples, and the Ji family has chosen this date to come and challenge them, and they have even sent the Divine Physician Ji Haoyue, whose intentions are sinister.
The mountains are majestic and imposing.
Jiang Liu silently registered at the mountain gate, and then followed the thousands of others who were also seeking to become disciples into the Tai Xuan Sect.
One hundred and eight lineages. Zhuofeng is among them!
Of course, the vast mountains could not be seen in their entirety; only a dozen or so main peaks were visible, with cranes flying about, temples shrouded in mist, and clouds swirling around, creating a very peaceful scene.
Chapter 318 Zhuofeng
Among the endless immortal mountains, there are 108 main peaks, each representing one hundred and eight kinds of inheritance, which is the foundation of the Tai Xuan Sect's enduring prosperity.
Although some traditions have shown signs of decline, others are rising. Through dynastic changes and the passage of time, the Tai Xuan Sect has always stood firm.
For Jiang Liu, passing the test of the Tai Xuan Sect was naturally not difficult.
Having passed three trials, Jiang Liu earned the qualification to choose a successor and the opportunity to join the Tai Xuan Sect. Of course, further tests would follow after he chose the main peak.
"Our Tai Xuan Sect has 108 main peaks and 108 inheritances. Currently, 31 inheritances are interrupted and cannot be chosen. The rest can be chosen. As for whether you can become an outer disciple, an inner disciple, or a true disciple, that is a test within each peak. Of course, the stronger the inheritance you choose, if you lack talent, you may only be a menial disciple. Conversely, the same applies."
"These are the names of the peaks. The right-hand peak is the strongest, and the left-hand peak is the weakest. Now, begin your selection! You will have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn..."
The elder who presided over the apprenticeship ceremony seemed distracted, his gaze fixed on a sacred mountain behind him.
That mountain, reaching towards the sky, was shrouded in mist.
Jiang Liu knew that they were definitely focused on the battle between Hua Yunfei and Ji Haoyue, and their hearts were not in this!
Jiang Liu glanced at the dozens of jade tablets and his eyes fell on the last two characters, "Zhuofeng". The jade tablets were ranked according to the strength of each peak, and Zhuofeng was last, so naturally it was the lowest-ranking inheritance.
Before long, thousands of seekers who had passed the initial test made their choices.
"You chose Zhuofeng?" A Taixuan disciple asked in surprise upon seeing Jiang Liu's choice.
A man nearby leaned over and chuckled, "Well, in the past ten years or so, no one has chosen Zhuofeng. I thought Zhuofeng would soon be extinct."
"You really choose Zhuofeng? I'll give you another chance. Don't waste your talent." A middle-aged man said to Jiang Liu.
"Senior, I have made my choice."
"You've wasted such a golden opportunity. I hope you won't regret it a year from now. Take him to Zhuofeng..."
Jiang Liu followed a menial disciple toward Zhuofeng. Along the way, the menial disciple talked incessantly, seemingly looking down on Zhuofeng even though he was just a menial disciple.
Just as Jiang Liu headed towards Zhuofeng, the remaining thousand or so people also headed towards their chosen main peaks, each seeking their own destiny to become immortals.
A glimpse into the path of immortality is rare, and the talents of this group are not enough for the various peaks to actively vie for them. They only possess a certain aptitude for cultivation, so the peaks will test their will once again. Many among them will still be eliminated, and only a minority will remain. Only those with unwavering will can embark on the path of cultivation.
Deep within the Tai Xuan Sect, countless beautiful peaks exist, among which the 108 main peaks are the most magnificent. Some main peaks are filled with celestial music, shrouded in mist and shimmering with rosy light. Some main peaks are teeming with life, their waterfalls stretching thousands of feet, cascading down like the Milky Way falling from the heavens. Some main peaks are adorned with flying cranes and celestial palaces, exuding tranquility, like a pure land beyond the world.
Zhuofeng, on the other hand, is extremely desolate.
The mountains remain majestic, but the palaces within them are dilapidated, some even collapsed. The mountain paths have clearly not been swept in a long time, covered with withered branches and fallen leaves, suggesting that no one has trodden these paths for a long time. Some sections of the path leading up the mountain are completely overgrown with thorns and wild vegetation, seemingly untouched for ages.
"We've reached Zhuofeng. You can go up by yourself! I won't see you off... Don't miss Senior Brother Hua's battle with the Ji family..."
The disciple who led the way disappeared at the end of the mountain path, and Jiang Liu began to ascend Zhuofeng Peak. It was clear that this was a declining lineage; the place was extremely quiet, with hardly a soul in sight. The main peak was covered with ancient trees and vines, extremely desolate, and it seemed that no one had been there for a long time.
The ancient bluestone steps remain, but the people who once lived on the peak are no longer the same.
The myriad steps eventually come to an end, and Jiang Liu climbed Zhuofeng step by step. Of the 108 main peaks of the Tai Xuan Sect, each is a natural scripture, and Zhuofeng is no exception. Jiang Liu measured each step, discovering that this great mountain held boundless mysteries and extraordinary grandeur.
Moreover, even with Jiang Liu's level of comprehension, he found it difficult to grasp the meaning in a short time.
"What a powerful lineage! It integrates Taoist principles into the very fabric of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers. This lineage is comparable to the Three Scriptures of the Great Zen Temple!"
At the end of the mountain path, all was still silent and desolate. Weeds grew rampant in front of the dilapidated mountain gate, making it look nothing like a sacred mountain. Not far away, several crows cawed loudly in an ancient tree and flapped their wings to take flight.