He cannot be allowed to succeed!
Liån Qngtiän made a decision immediately.
The terrifying strength displayed by the opponent who hadn't yet stepped into the Heavenly Rank had already given him a considerable headache. If he allowed the foe to break through, the terror would be unimaginable.
The very next moment, 1–1b Liån Qngtiän decisively made his move.
What no one expected was that he voluntarily disbanded the battle array and deliberately lifted the barriers to the Heaven and Earth.
Then, retracting his lance, he waved his arms, stirring enormous amounts of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, directing it right toward Pei Xuanjing.
This thick Heaven and Earth Essence Qi came surging in like rampant tidal waves.
Boom!
Within an instant, the density of the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi surrounding Pei Xuanjing exponentially increased due to Hé Liån Qngtiän's intervention.
The originally gaseous Heaven and Earth Essence Qi now had the chance to take on a liquid -like form due to its increased density.
However, 1–1& Liån Qngtiän didn't offer this assistance out of goodwill for Pei Xuanjing's breakthrough.
"With such dense Essence Qi of Heaven and Earth, you will burst alive if you cannot handle it!" a savage look flashed in Hé Liån Qngtiän's eyes.
As a warrior experienced in breaking through to the Heavenly Rank, he knew that while Essence Qi of Heaven and Earth was needed at this moment, more was not necessarily better.
To move past the Mysterious Pass, a Martial Artist has to merge their True Qi with Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, refining and condensing them into Primordial Qi, and then use it to attempt to break through the unseen barrier.
Once the Mysterious Pass is broken, one can completely sense the Heaven and Earth and ascend to the Heavenly Rank.
The deeper the foundations, the more Essence Qi of the Heaven and Earth one can accommodate during their breakthrough to the Heavenly Rank. Consequently, they can refine more Primordial Qi and increase the chances of shattering the Mysterious Pass.
Nevertheless, this capacity does have its limits.
If surpassed, the excess influx of Essence Qi of the Heaven and Earth into the body will not aid the Martial Artist. Instead, it will become a burden.
While striving to move past the Mysterious Pass, the Martial Artist has to use their mental strength to suppress and refine the excess Heaven and Earth Essence Qi. If they fail to subjugate it, it will lead to a rampaging True Qi within their body, rendering all their efforts futile.
However, Liån Qngtiän's plan was destined to fail.
"You want to make me explode?" Pei Xuanjing smirked coldly. "Unfortunately, I was worried that the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi would be insufficient! Your move has actually provided me with some help."
For others, they might worry that dense Essence Qi of Heaven and Earth would disrupt their control over their internal True Qi, dividing their focus and thereby affecting their breakthrough of the Mysterious Pass.
But Pei Xuanjing never worried about this at all. Not to mention that his True Qi, solidly refined to the Perfect Qi Realm stage far exceeded that of others, he had already transformed into a Yin Spirit, which was almost equivalent to transcending to the Heavenly Rank.
With his immensely vast Yin Spirit power, undertaking these tasks posed no problem at all; it was as simple as grabbing something out of his pocket.
Moreover, Pei Xuanjing originally intended to harness the dense Heaven and Earth Essence Qi during his breakthrough to the Heavenly Rank to refine his flesh, sparing him from countless years of painstaking cultivation.
His initial plan was to set up a formation to attract a convergence of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi upon returning to Yunzhong City.
This time, he was intercepted by 1–1& Liån Qngtiän leading his men and was forced to utilize the second method to break through to the Heavenly Rank. Pei Xuanjing had already decided to abandon the idea of utilizing this occasion to temper his flesh.
Who would have thought a turn of events could happen when least expected?
Liån Qngtiän had so many other methods to obstruct Pei Xuanjing.
Strangely, he chose the one which was most advantageous to Pei Xuanjing. There was simply no knowing how to respond to such an action.
Pei Xuanjing accelerated the inner workings of his skill, absorbing the surrounding tremendous amount of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi like a whale.
His mental strength divided into two parts; one controlling the refining of Primordial Qi from True Qi and Heaven and Earth Essence Qi then using it to break through the Mysterious Pass.
The other part directed the Essence Qi of Heaven and Earth to permeate his limbs, muscles, bones, skin layer, even marrow, refining his physical body in the process.
This action immediately caused the Heaven and Earth to change colors.
However, it's undeniable that the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi of this world was certainly more ferocious than in the Daming World. Even with his firm mental strength, Pei Xuanjing felt a hint of pain. His flesh and blood felt as if countless bugs were gnawing on them.
Also, every time he refined Primordial Qi to strike the invisible barrier, there was a noticeable violent ripple in his men tal strength.
Originally, upon hearing Pei Xuanjing's words, Liån Qngtiän's expression changed slightly as he thought his ploy had failed.
However, when he saw traces of blood seeping out from Pei Xuanjing's body as a result of flesh refinement, and the pained expression on his face, he mistook it for Pei Xuanjing stubbornly resisting.
"Hmph, still resisting stubbornly? Just you watch, I will make you explode today!" 1–1& Liån Qngtiän sneered, his hands never stopping as he continued to collect a tremendous amount of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.
Boom!
Pei Xuanjing felt as if he was right at the center of a tornado where the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi was converging. The gigantic and boundless Essence Qi gathered there, and with Hé Liån Qngtiän's actions, Gang winds appeared, effortlessly tearing up Pei Xuanjing's body.
Hiss!
Pei Xuanjing, while enduring the intense pain, continued to activate his skill.
He could feel his flesh rapidly becoming stronger and the rigid barrier of the Mysterious Pass starting to loosen due to his relentless attacks.
It's going to be soon!
He's going to break through soon!
Pei Xuanjing thought to himself.
Everything appeared to be happening over an extended period but in reality, it all took place within a brief moment, so brief that Guo Yi, who was stationed far away, had no time to react.
Initially, when he saw Pei Xuanjing powerfully holding his own against the army, he was pleased. Yet, unexpectedly, he found that Pei Xuanjing was choosing to break through on the battlefield.
The opponent absolutely couldn't complete this breakthrough.
This was the only thought in Guo Yi's mind.
He knew that if the breakthrough attempt failed this time, it would become exceedingly difficult for Pei Xuanjing to try for another breakthrough later.
Therefore, Guo Yi immediately led the Black Cloud Knights to charge, remaining undeterred even with only a few hundred knights.
In his opinion, even if it meant losing his life, if he could facilitate Pei Xuanjing's breakthrough in the process, it would be worth it.
Hé Liån Qngtiän's next move infuriated him, making him wish he could risk his life to stop it.
But everything happened in a blink of an eye. Even with the Black Cloud Knights charging at top speed, they were a bit too late.
Liån Qngtiän didn't even spare a glance to the self-imposingly charging Black Cloud Knights.
Even if the enemy had more than a hundred knights, it wouldn't make a difference. Even if all the Black Cloud Knights were dispatched, they wouldn't be a match for his team.
He simply continued manipulating Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, aiming to interrupt the opponent's breakthrough quickly and eliminate him.
He was almost there!
The moment Guo Yi saw that he was about to reach his destination, all the Black Cloud Knights raised their long spears. Even with only a mere hundred men, their unwavering spirit of facing death valiantly was heart-wrenching.
The ready and waiting team of knights also charged out of their ranks at this moment, prepared to hunt down these daring enemies who dared to challenge and charge at them.
Just as the two cavalry forces were about to engage in close-quarters combat…
Boom!
An overwhelming power erupted from Pei Xuanjing, shattering the tornado of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi encircling him..
Countless waves of Qi engulfed the surroundings, overturning countless cavalry riders…
An astonishing wave of Qi swept over several dozens of miles, silencing all creatures within this range, causing the horses of the Chi Yang riders to shiver and kneel on the ground. An unknown amount of knights were thrown off their horses.
Those knights who were thrown off their horses didn't even have the time to be furious because they too were oppressed by this awe-inspiring momentum, causing their hearts to tremble with fear.
Pei Xuanjing floated in mid-air, as the Shenxiao True Qi flowing around his body gradually transformed into Primordial Qi. With a myriad of changes around him resembling the Four Seasons, clouds and mist swirled around him, giving off a transcendent aura.
His flesh appeared as radiant as jade, occasionally flashing with a faint purple-green glow. When he flicked his fingers gently, countless blasts of wind stirred, as if even the void was torn apart by his power.
At this moment, Pei Xuanjing seemed to be the most dazzling existence between Heaven and Earth, attracting everyone's attention.
Pei Xuanjing's fingers swiftly transformed into an unknown seal, with green, red, yellow, white, black streams of light flashing before him. These streams of light intertwined endlessly, quickly merging together to form a profound scroll.
It seemed to symbolize spring, summer, autumn, and winter, encompassing the Five Directions and Five Elements, the Four Seasons and Five Orders.
A purple-green stream of light emanating from Pei Xuanjing flashed and disappeared into it. The purple-green stream of light seemed to take the form of a lightning serpent, slithering and coiling within the scroll.
In an instant, the scroll seemed to have gained a few more lifelike and destructive elements, making it even more vibrant and lively.
No one knew that at the moment the scroll was fully formed, the powerful beings in this world all felt its presence.
On the peak where the National Teacher of Da Li was cultivating in seclusion, the National Teacher opened his eyes, his gaze filled with astonishment as he looked towards where Pei Xuanjing was.
On the Qintian Platform in the Capital, within the Imperial Astronomical Observatory.
The Superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory who was originally cultivating revealed a grin: "Is it you?"
In many other places, those who had reached the peak of the Heaven Rank also showed varied expressions.
Some were delighted at the emergence of a fellow practitioner, while others were displeased at the appearance of a competitor.
What many didn't know was that inside a hall in the Capital, the woman who was reviewing official documents felt this aura, momentarily pausing her actions before returning to her usual calm demeanor.
"Heaven Rank!"
Hé Liån Qngtiän solemnly exclaimed, his voice as deep as a large bell.
He could not believe that his plan had fallen through, allowing his opponent to actually achieve a breakthrough.
Was it truly, as his opponent had just mentioned, that his intervention not only did not hinder, but even helped the opponent achieve a breakthrough?
What startled Hé Liån Qngtiän even more was that although his opponent had just made a breakthrough, he seemed to see the shadow of his master in him.
This is impossible!
His own master was already at the peak of the Heaven Rank, half a step into becoming a Celestial Being. How could this newly ascended junior even be
compared to him?
Pei Xuanjing, who stood in mid-air, suddenly opened his eyes. Lights flickered deep within his profound eyes.
"Is this the power of the Heaven Rank?"
A smile emerged on his face, for he felt as though he had merged with Heaven and Earth, that he had limitless power at his disposal.
Although the True Qi inside his body had not fully transformed into Primordial Qi, he no longer felt any barrier with the Essence Qi of Heaven and Earth. It flowed endlessly, providing an unending stream of power.
Furthermore, Pei Xuanjing felt the strength in his physique. His radiant bones had undergone a revolutionary change, with a divine light flickering within his five viscera and six bowels.
That's right, taking advantage of this opportunity, Pei Xuanjing had also completed the full transformation of his flesh, thereby stepping into the Heavenly Rank.
Pei Xuanjing felt that his current flesh contained an extremely abundant source of vitality. Even if he were to die, his body would likely have great difficulty decaying.
Refining Essence, Refining Qi, and Refining Spirit.
Pei Xuanjing had now broken through the three cultivation paths that he had deduced. This undoubtedly proved that he was on the right path. Now he only needed to continue step by step to reach the peak of the Spirit Realm and to seek the Immortal Dao Realm of eternal life.
Looking at the scroll before his eyes, Pei Xuanjing couldn't help but feel sentimental.
This scroll was neither tangible nor substantial. It was a concentration of his Dao, a projection of his cultivation path.
"Perhaps, one day when I reach a higher realm, I can make the unreal into real, the false into true, and take it as my symbol of attaining Dao!" Pei Xuanjing thought to himself.
With a flicker of thought, the scroll in front of him dissipated instantly, transforming into countless streams of light that entered his body.
The Shenxiao True Qi, or rather Shenxiao Origin Qi, within him, turned from its original colorless state into a multi-colored one, blending together.
Having done all that, Pei Xuanjing's gaze fell onto the battlefield.
Liån Qngtiän, thank you for helping me to step into the Heaven Rank today," said Pei Xuanjing lightly. However, his voice echoed like a thunderclap in everyone's ears.
Hé Liån Qngtiän looked serious: "He just broke through, how can he be so formidable!"
Pei Xuanjing continued speaking: "To repay you, I have decided to let you be the first to witness my sword Dao."
Without waiting for a response, Pei Xuanjing extended his right hand. The
Shenxiao Origin Qi within him flowed freely, forming an unremarkable Qi Sword in his hand. Instantly, the sword exhibited green, red, yellow, white, black, purple, and blue colors, covering it entirely.
Condensing Qi into Weapons!
The horror on 1–1& Liån Qngtiän's face was impossible to hide.
Such Divine Abilities, even he could not master them.
According to what his master had said, only those extremely powerful among the Heaven Rank, who had achieved a high level of insight and understanding of Primordial Qi, could do so.
He may be quite strong among those of Heaven Rank, but most of his power came from battle formations. When it came to individual combat, he could, at most, be considered average.
At this moment, having just entered the Heaven Rank, Pei Xuanjing had already mastered such methods. This caused Liån Qngtiän to feel shocked, his amazement hard to express.
"Form a formation!"
He shouted loudly. He knew clearly that facing such a terrifying opponent, he could only fight with all he had.
Pei Xuanjing gave a slight smile and did not care about the opponent's movements.
Lifting his sword slowly, his movements seemed sluggish and his sword stance plain, but his aura continued to grow and rise. His Shenxiao Origin Qi permeated everywhere, dyeing the entire sky with green, red, yellow, white, black, purple, blue colors, enveloping an area of several dozen miles around.
Even Hé Liån Qngtiän could not help but be attracted by his plain and unadorned sword stance. Among these sword stances, besides the magnificent sword intent, he could also feel the vitality of spring, the heat of summer, the bleakness of autumn, and the chill of winter.
The Four Seasons rotate, change unpredictably, and circulate ceaselessly. It was as if there was no beginning and no end, an endless cycle.
Standing there, Pei Xuanjing moved along with his sword, the sword moved along with his heart. At this moment, it seemed as if he had merged with the Heaven and Earth, exuding an indescribable charm.
With one swing of the sword, the Heaven and Earth shook violently..
Upon receiving the message from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory,
Yunzhong County's Governor dispatched Guo Yi to track down Young Master Min. Meanwhile, he himself led the remaining Black Cloud Knights and foot soldiers to hold at bay the Da Li soldiers.
But suddenly, he awoke one night to find that the Da Li cavalry which had been stationed a hundred miles outside of Yunzhong City had quietly withdrawn.
He instantly realized a drastic development must have occurred, most likely the discovery of Young Master Min's whereabouts. Otherwise, the Da Li cavalry would absolutely not retreat so easily.
Upon coming to this conclusion, he ordered his men to defend the city while he personally led the Black Cloud Knights out of the city for a pursuit.
After all, ordinary foot soldiers moved slowly, while the Black Cloud Knights moved like the wind. Even in the case of unforeseen circumstances, they could retreat quickly.
Along the way, scouts kept reporting that the Da Li cavalry had definitely withdrawn, solidifying his thoughts even further.
Just as they found the marker left by Guo Yi, they received a message from the scouts up front.
The Crimson Sun Cavalry of the Da Li Dynasty had mobilized, seeming to have tracked down Young Master Min. Guo Yi and over a hundred cavalrymen under his command were surrounded by Crimson Sun Cavalry.
The governor was taken aback and immediately ordered the Black Cloud Knights to speed up and rush to the rescue.
Although the reputation of the Crimson Sun Cavalry was fearsome, the governor did not have the slightest intention to retreat.
Not to mention that Young Master Min was an invaluable talent for the empire, just the hundred-plus Black Cloud Knights led by Guo Yi were comrades they must rescue.
For the empire, they never abandoned their comrades.
As they continued to advance, the constant reports from the scouts made him increasingly anxious.
After catching up and being only tens of miles away from the enemy, they witnessed a shocking scene.
In the distance, clouds of energy were undulating, and the sound of explosions echoed continuously with a vast amount of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi sweeping in all directions.
Amidst the continuous thunderous booms, two figures, one ahead of the other, were speeding toward them at top speed.
The two figures were constantly transforming and colliding mid-air, causing severe fluctuations.
"Pei Min, you are going too far!"
He Lian Qingtian's armor was shattered, his original lance lost, a curved blade tightly gripped in his hand, his hair disheveled, he said menacingly.
"He Lian Qingtian, I told you, you will die here today!" Pei Xuanjing robes blowing in the wind, bare-handed, continuously unleashed his fierce power that boomed at He Lian Qingtian. Pei Min, He Lian Qingtian.
It was actually them!
Upon hearing the voices of the two, the larger body's gaze congealed within an instant, whispering echoed in his ear:
"The Crimson Sun Cavalry is already defeated, quickly annihilate them! Leave He Lian Qingtian to me."
Pei Xuanjing noticed the cavalry below, recognized them as the Black Cloud Knights, and immediately relayed his plan, regardless of who was leading them.
The governor, who was just about to assist, was overjoyed. Although he didn't know why the renowned Crimson Sun Cavalry was collapsing, he would not miss this chance to kick them when they were down.
As for the ongoing fight between the two men right before his eyes, it was clear that Young Master Min was gaining the upper hand, so there was no need to interfere for now. Their first task was to annihilate the Crimson Sun Cavalry.
Watching the Black Cloud Knights charging towards the Crimson Sun Cavalry from below, He Lian Qingtian's face changed dramatically, "You're asking for death!"
He didn't try to dodge anymore, the tangible killing intent burst forth toward Pei Xuanjing. His horrendous blade unleashed a sweeping light, howling as it was released.
Pei Xuanjing showed no fear. He then brought his five fingers together to form a palm, with purple-blue electric light converging, and struck at his opponent.
Boom!
The celestial phenomenon changed, consecutive thunderclaps resounded, as if thunder was striking down from the sky.
With Pei Xuanjing's ascension to the Heavenly Rank, he connected to Heaven and Earth and was able to use the Heavenly Earthly Force, hence, the power of his Shenxiao Thunder Palm increased even more.
The huge purple-cyan handprint collided with the blade light.
Even though the blade light broke through the handprint, it had no more strength left to advance, and it slowly faded.
With one hand at his back, Pei Xuanjing stood tall, his robe fluttering, his hair sweeping in the wind, and his eyes deep and unfathomable. He just coldly stared at Hé Liån Qngtiän.
Liån Qngtiän shouted and struck again.
He was clear that he absolutely could not be delayed any longer. Without his leadership, the Red Sun Knights, who were just defeated, definitely could not cope with their organized cavalry opponent.
Even if they could win, the casualties would be tremendous, which was something he could not accept.
Pei Xuanjing discerned his opponent's thoughts, revealed a cold smile at the corner of his mouth: "Stop imagining, after today, not only will you die here, but the existence of the Red Sun Knights will also cease!"
Pei Xuanjing transformed his palm into a fist, the Innate Thunder Gang Qi moved and a purple-cyan glow covered his whole body. Simultaneously, his wnme Doc1Y's muscles and SKIn slowly Dulgea, as tney contained countless strength. This was a sign of the release of the Shenxiao Mysterious Skill.
After his flesh stepped into the Heavenly Rank, that familiar power emerged on his body once again, making him very comfortable.
He threw a punch which made a cracking sound. His muscles and flesh made a sizzling noise, a surge of hot waves rolled in, consecutive sonic booms sounded in the air, even the air before him was punched to explode.
The power behind this punch nearly reached the zenith of Pei Xuanjing's display of power, not holding back at all.
Endless streaming lights circulated over his robust physique. A punching strike, earth-shaking.
Crack!
This punch exceeded the limit Liån Qngtiän could bear. Facing this punch, all his efforts became useless,
Crack!
Even the Curved Blade in his hand was smashed broken by Pei Xuanjing's ultimate and powerful punch.
The punch that showed no signs of stopping directly landed on his chest, his Primordial Qi was shattered by Pei Xuanjing's punch.
Under the punch imprint, his Primordial Qi collapsed, his flesh was ruined, his Divine Soul crushed.
Whether it was the essence, energy or spirit, all were annihilated.
Only a pair of resentful eyes stared blankly at Pei Xuanjing, then he crashed from the sky.
Pei Xuanjing, hands held behind his back, stood in mid-air, his robe fluttering forceful, Heaven and Earth Essence Qi swirling all around him, looking like a Fairy God.
[At fifteen: You broke through the Mysterious Pass, your True Qi and physical body both ascended to the Heavenly Rank. You crushed the highly notorious Red Sun Knights on the Yunzhong Prairie and killed their commander, the Heavenly Rank powerhouse, Liån Qngtiän. In this battle, the whole world shook! ]
If it could be said that when Pei Xuanjing defeated those peers at Yunzhong Academy, he could just be counted as having a little bit of fame.
Then when he killed Li Tiange and a Heavenly Rank powerhouse with merely his third Martial Arts stage Gang Qi Realm body, he became well known and attracted countless astonishments.
But when news spread of Pei Xuanjing single-handily fighting the famous Red
Sun Knights, ascending to the Heavenly Rank at age fifteen, crushing the Red Sun Knights, led by 1—1& Liån Qngtiän himself who was a Heavenly Rank powerhouse, and killing Hé Liån Qngtiän, he became nearly universally renown.
Never mind that he crushed the notorious Red Sun Knights, who have destroyed countless cities and kingdoms, and killed their commander Hé Liån Qngtiän obliterating the myth of the Red Sun Knight.
Just the fact that Pei Xuanjing ascended to the Heavenly Rank at fifteen years old left countless people gaping in amazement. Because, in the history of the World of Myriad Manifestations, no one had ever heard of such a young individual accomplishing the Heavenly Rank.
Soon, the entire world was roused to action..