Chapter 553: Massive Experience, Level Up

Chapter 553: Vast Experience, Level Up

Qi Yuan’s expression was fervent, even... ferocious.

It was like a cat spotting a mouse.

This reaction left Hong Mei and Zhao Yan utterly dumbfounded.

After all, merely from hearing the Academy Master’s description, they understood how formidable, terrifying, and even hopeless their foe was.

Powerful and immortal.

How could one fight such an enemy? How could one slay it?

The Academy Master himself looked hesitant, his eyes clouded with confusion.

In the past, many prodigies had asked him about the existence of the Black Sky and Black Earth; every one of them, upon hearing his account, fell into despair and gloom.

Never had anyone shown such fervor as Qi Yuan.

It was as if he were not a being from the Divine Wood Universe, but from the Black Sky and Black Earth themselves.

“Such a white moonlight is truly exquisite.” Qi Yuan almost drooled.

This expression even puzzled the usually composed Academy Master.

Yet in the next moment, the Academy Master’s expression shifted slightly.

“The aberrant gods... are coming.”

He was not anxious, only regretful, as if hinting that Qi Yuan should flee at once.

“Aberrant gods?” Qi Yuan squinted. “What aberrant gods? They are my dear, beloved white moonlight!”

Qi Yuan rose from his recliner and looked up at the sky.

In that instant, the world darkened.

A colossal shadow replaced the light of the vast land.

In Cloud Blood City, many commoners instinctively raised their heads to the heavens.

When they saw those behemoths, many froze, then slumped to the ground in shock.

Some began kowtowing incessantly, tears and snot streaming down their faces.

“The aberrant gods have descended!”

“I told you—why couldn’t they just live in peace? They had to resist, and now they’ve provoked the aberrant gods’ wrath!”

“We’re doomed!”

In the sky, ninety-nine aberrant gods gathered.

The smallest were merely a few hundred zhang in size; the largest stretched across dozens of li.

The aberrant gods descended, blotting out the sun and sky, much like a legion of ten thousand heavenly soldiers and generals.

Yet to call them heavenly soldiers and generals would be to flatter them.

No one knew—not even Yuan, the strongest in the Divine Wood Universe—that in the deepest core of the Black Sky, even the Yang Gods were merely fit to be foot soldiers.

Qi Yuan gazed at these aberrant gods, his eyes settling on the familiar Dark Pupil aberrant god. “You’re still alive!”

Dark Pupil felt a chill at the sight of Qi Yuan, but with so many aberrant gods behind him, he was emboldened.

“A mere human, how could you comprehend the greatness of Lord Qihuang?

You killed me, but with Lord Qihuang here, I can be resurrected at any time!”

Dark Pupil said arrogantly.

The other aberrant gods also sized up Qi Yuan, their expressions menacing.

As for the Academy Master...

In their sight, the Academy Master seemed not to exist.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan’s joy only deepened.

These were experience packets.

He couldn’t scare them away.

His mind raced, searching for a way... a method to lure all these aberrant gods down.

But no matter how he thought, he couldn’t find a good plan.

Even if he acted his best, he would always give them the impression that with a little more effort, they could kill him.

But since they weren’t afflicted with a stupidity debuff, after dying a few times, they would surely flee.

“I didn’t expect you not to run upon seeing us. It seems even a withered myth has its confidence,” said Qihuang, whose entire body was covered in white beard, his face as confident as ever.

“Why should I run?” Qi Yuan said calmly.

In truth, his heart was brimming with joy.

Especially his left eyebrow—it was twitching wildly!

It twitched so fast it almost seemed still.

Qi Yuan knew this was a sign of great fortune, great blessing.

“Indeed, with myth-level strength and the favor of destiny, you have the right and the confidence to be unafraid,” Qihuang said calmly.

Indeed, if this were any other world in the fallen zone, the gathered aberrant gods might not have been able to subdue Qi Yuan.

“But unfortunately... you’ve met me!”

A sharp glint flashed in Qihuang’s eyes.

Qi Yuan suddenly felt a powerful force pulling at him.

This force was exceptionally strong.

His left eyebrow twitched violently again.

Without any hesitation, Qi Yuan shouted, “What is this? Don’t drag me in!”

Though he yelled, Qi Yuan offered no resistance; instead, he seemed to willingly dive into that treasure.

Seeing this, the Winged aberrant god flattered, “As expected of an aberrant god from the Black Sky and Black Earth. Lord Qihuang casually produces a treasure, and even a myth-level expert is quickly trapped inside.”

The other aberrant gods chimed in: “Even a myth has no means to resist.”

Qihuang felt elated.

The treasure’s effect was even better than he had anticipated.

“Alright, let us enter the treasure. Don’t keep that human waiting.”

With that, nearly a hundred aberrant gods filed into the treasure.

Inside, Qi Yuan stood quietly.

The treasure was ethereal, like a vacuum, with occasional meteorites or star debris drifting by.

When Qihuang and the other ninety-nine aberrant gods entered, Qi Yuan’s face showed a look of wariness.

"Can't get out of here?"

His voice trembled, carrying a hint of fear.

Before Qihuang could speak, Kaichi the Deity of Trickery said, "This treasure here was gifted by Lord Qihuang's uncle. Even a Yang God who enters cannot leave."

Qihuang nodded with satisfaction and added, "Not even a first-layer Yang God can escape."

As if he felt Kaichi had undersold the treasure's caliber.

"So powerful? Doesn't that mean... we're all stuck here?" Qi Yuan looked genuinely frightened.

In truth, he was fishing for information.

"Hmph, this treasure has its own spirit... Only when you die, or when we all perish... can either side leave." Qihuang didn't mind speaking more to a dead man.

This behavior was like pushing the minion wave into the enemy's crystal, yet the jungler refused to hit the tower, taunting at the enemy's fountain while waiting for them to respawn.

All the while showing off a Moonlight Divine Sword to block the fountain's attacks.

"So if I don't die, you can't get out?" Qi Yuan's eyes widened, appearing... fearful, anxious.

His nose didn't grow longer, meaning the other wasn't lying.

"Hmph, scared now, are you?" said Antong the Deity of Trickery.

"Look at him, unworthy of being a Mythic—his body trembles so, worse than a mortal!"

"He's still a Mythic; don't underestimate him!"

"Right, Lord Qihuang may have plenty of Trickery Sources, but we shouldn't waste them!"

"No matter, a little waste is fine. I... have many Trickery Sources, and many uncles too," Qihuang said confidently.

Having gathered this information, Qi Yuan suddenly threw his head back and laughed: "Hahahahaha..."

This startled the deities of trickery.

"Has he gone mad from fear?"

"Lost his mind!"

Qi Yuan's gaze fixed on Qihuang, eyes burning: "Your name is Qihuang, right? After you die, I'll erect a tomb for you in the underworld!"

For the White Moonlight, Qi Yuan had always been devoted.

To ensure their legacy wasn't devoured by others, he would personally care for the White Moonlight's inheritance.

As for Qihuang, he was even considerate enough to build a tomb and pay respects.

Though Qihuang lacked the scent of old age.

But Qi Yuan's brows twitched, rivaling even the forging of the Human Emperor Banner, and then some.

"Courting death!" Qihuang was enraged.

The other dozens of deities of trickery also shouted angrily: "Now all you can do is boast with words!"

Facing the assault of the gods, Qi Yuan's expression was relaxed and casual: "To have a proper game with you all, I've decided... to temporarily not descend to mortality!"

Qi Yuan decided not to become mortal for now.

This decision was like... seeing a beautiful woman on some app and commenting: "For you, I'd willingly get a free mansion and luxury car."

"Courting death!" Qihuang roared in fury.

The ninety-eight deities of trickery didn't hesitate a moment, all charging at Qi Yuan.

Comrades in arms!

Deathly Radiance!

Overwhelming Power!

Absolute Adaptation!

At this moment, Qi Yuan's combat power was maxed out.

Once, he had slain Feng Ti with a single sword stroke, fusing the embryonic form of cosmic laws.

Now, going all out, in terms of pure combat power alone, he was even stronger than the mortal-descended Qi Yuan.

"Rip!"

With just one sword strike, Kaichi—ranked among the top three in combat power and at the forefront—was slain in a single blow.

Kaichi was a Great Venerable at the Six Steps of Heaven-Treading.

Killed with one strike?

The other deities of trickery paused, hesitating.

Qihuang narrowed his eyes: "I didn't expect... you actually possess the combat power of a Mythic in full form."

This was far stronger than the Withered Mythic.

In fact, without the Trickery Source, even if they all attacked together, they might not be his match.

"As expected of a Chosen of Fate, blessed by destiny. If it were any other deity of trickery, you might have turned the tables against all odds. But unfortunately, you've met me!"

Qihuang was brimming with confidence.

"Even if Uncle Luankong came today, he would surely die, let alone you!"

Uncle Luankong was the deity of trickery who had defeated the mortal-descended Qi Yuan a thousand years ago.

"Everyone, no need to worry... Just self-destruct, finish this quickly, and give this human a taste of... the Black Heaven's shock."

Qihuang was rich in resources but foolish.

His Trickery Source was inexhaustible; he feared no consumption.

The other deities of trickery, seeing this, didn't hesitate.

"Human, let us show you the gap between us!"

"Despair!"

"Tremble!"

In an instant, ninety-seven brilliant fireworks rose.

Such a tremor, if unleashed in the outside world, would shatter heaven and earth.

Within the Canglan Realm, it could nearly sink an entire continent.

All the attacks landed on Qi Yuan.

Like firecrackers popping, crackling and snapping.

"Pain!"

"So painful!"

"Waaah, I'm dying!"

Qi Yuan screamed wildly, his acting reaching its peak.

As for injuries?

There were none.

The rudimentary rule formed by Absolute Adaptation and Death Radiance allowed him to be immune to any power weaker than his own.

These attacks could not even tickle him.

Yet he had to wail loudly.

The experience bar was also rising wildly.

After all, he had experimented before: monsters he angered to death also gave him experience.

These exploding ones naturally surged it as well.

His experience skyrocketed, and in just a few breaths, he had actually risen one level.

One must know that after level 170, the experience required for each level was immense.

“You’re still alive…” Qihuang was slightly stunned. “Is this the pinnacle of myth?”

The other Devious Gods who had self-destructed also revived one after another, staring at Qi Yuan in astonishment.

Seeing Qi Yuan now so weak, his breath like a thread, he was clearly gravely injured.

“But we are all in our prime—the advantage is mine!” Qihuang said smugly.

Kaichi then stepped forward: “Lord Qihuang, I wish to slay him!”

Having been killed by Qi Yuan’s single sword strike earlier, he harbored resentment.

“He is a Heaven’s Chosen. Though he has only one breath left, if you go to slay him, you will surely not be his match,” Qihuang said boldly. “I’m in a hurry—continue the self-destructions.”

The other Devious Gods, seeing this, did not hesitate.

They self-destructed again.

“Aaaah!”

“It hurts so much!”

“Mommy!”

Qi Yuan wailed once more, his aura seeming to be but a single thread.

When the revived Devious Gods’ gazes fell upon Qi Yuan again, a chill crept into their hearts.

A single drop of blood and he still wouldn’t die?

Was he locking his health?

Qihuang squinted: “So this is a Heaven’s Chosen? Self-destruct again—twice isn’t enough, three times, five times, ten times should do it!”

His Devious Source was enough to sustain the revival of a Realm Lord-level Devious God many times.

“Heaven’s Chosen, when you meet me… you still have to grovel!” Qihuang said, brimming with confidence and overbearing pride.

…

Yunxue City.

The Academy Master watched the vanished Devious Gods and Qi Yuan, his expression complex.

Zhao Yan gritted his teeth; too many things had happened today, each one beyond his imagination.

“Master Qi… should not die in battle here,” the Academy Master sighed softly.

He made a decision.

As a bronze mirror appeared, a mysterious aura spread.

Within the mirror, a broken war vessel was reflected.

Dried blood stained the war banners, and a bowl-sized hole was pitch-black, bottomless.

On the war vessel were placed various divine artifacts and ancestral divine artifacts.

Upon closer inspection, one would find the vessel covered in mottled scars.

It seemed as if it had been left behind on an ancient battlefield.

The scene shifted, and a majestic man was reflected into the mirror.

Tattered robes, broken armor, long hair casually scattered, blood dripping from his shoulders.

“Yuan… I need your help.”

The other person in the mirror was none other than Yuan, the strongest in the Shenmu Universe.

A Yang God of the second layer, a supreme powerhouse at the peak of the Great Principle Realm.

“What is it?” Yuan spoke, his voice ancient, and within that ancientness seemed to hide an eternal blazing sun.

“In the Kuijin Realm, I discovered a Heaven’s Chosen. His talent… is very high.

He is now only one step away from Ancestral God. If he breaks through after destruction, he may… one day reach your height,” the Academy Master said.

A bitter smile appeared on Yuan’s handsome face: “Is he in danger?”

“Yes,” the Academy Master replied.

“Within ten years, two Ancestral Gods will go to the Kuijin Realm and take him to the Taixing Domain.”

The image in the bronze mirror vanished.

The Academy Master breathed a sigh of relief: “I hope he can survive ten years. After ten years, everything will still be possible.”

The Academy Master looked at Hongmei, his gaze wistful: “Alright, it is time for us to leave… the Kuijin Realm.”

Hongmei was momentarily stunned, then looked at Zhao Yan with reluctance: “Teacher, I…”

The Academy Master shook his head: “He is different from you. He belongs to the Kuijin Realm. Let’s go.”

…

Time flowed, and in an instant, three years had passed.

The situation in the Kuijin Realm was now somewhat eerie.

The Devious Gods had vanished, and the rebel army advanced triumphantly, occupying many cities.

Battles raged everywhere.

Compared to other cities, Yunxue City was far too quiet.

Chen Kang stuffed buns into his mouth: “Don’t worry, the young master is a god descending to earth. Even if the world ends, he’ll still be here!”

Beside him, Shen Lingxuan’s cold face showed a hint of hesitation.

At that moment, outside the Kuijin Realm, a man in blue appeared, his face brimming with intense battle intent.

“Qi Yuan, you scoundrel—to avoid my challenge, you actually hid in the Kuijin Realm.”

“Too bad, I’ve still found you!”

“Soon, you’ll know who truly is the strongest of the Five Steps of Heaven-Treading!”

(The end of this chapter)