Chapter 573: Breaking the Dream to See True Martial (4)

Chapter 573: Dream Shattered, True Martial Appears (IV)

Nanchang Prefecture.

All manner of chilling seal-light converged like a sea, illuminating half the night sky.

Sword-shaped Dao-armaments howled like wailing ghosts and howling wolves, their stirring divine thoughts weaving into an invisible tide that shook the entire city.

Li Jun’s sudden ‘betrayal on the battlefield’ caught Zhang Qingyu off guard.

Yet at this moment, there was no fear in his heart; he had completely forgotten his earlier schemes and calculations, his eyes filled only with blazing resentment.

Kill Li Jun, then kill Yi Kuidou, forcing Longhu and Gezao to tear off their masks and wage all-out war.

Since Zhang Chongyuan wants to treat me as a pawn, today I will shed this skin and drag you, the Great Heavenly Master, down with me!

“Kill!”

With Zhang Xilian dead, the deadlock was broken. The Longhu Mountain disciples had no choice but to advance; the arrow was already on the bowstring.

With a thunderous roar, they accepted the order, their command cries boiling over, driving their Dao-armaments toward Li Jun.

Crack!

Array-division Dao-orders formed formations in midair, the divine Dao-armaments they summoned unleashing vast divine thoughts that first squeezed the space around Li Jun, producing cracking sounds like breaking ice.

A pressure as heavy as a mountain fell upon his armor, the metal plates groaning in tortured distortion.

Fearless Yellow Turban Warriors lurked within the sea of talismanic light, charging to Li Jun’s side in an instant.

Besieged on all sides, ambushed from every direction.

When man stirs the killing intent, heaven and earth are overturned.

The formidable power of the new Dao-orders fighting in formation was now fully displayed!

But suddenly, Li Jun’s figure vanished eerily from the divine thought lock of every Longhu Dao-order.

Solitary Martial Refinement, Inner Skill to Deceive Heaven!

Deprived of its target, the formation compressed the air into a dull, muffled roar. The seal-light sea that had been surging forward irresistibly now twisted into violent currents; the talismanic arts already on the verge of activation could not be restrained and had to detonate themselves helplessly.

A horde of Yellow Turban Warriors, before they could even serve as any hindrance, were engulfed by the explosion, leaving no remains.

The spreading blast tore the buildings below into shreds, scattering rubble and fragments into the sky—a horrifying scene.

“Above!”

In the chaos, some Dao-orders skilled in reconnaissance and clairvoyant Dao-armaments began their search, finally catching a flickering, ghostly figure amidst the dazzling glare.

A martial artist arrogant and uninhibited, standing alone above the immortals!

Dozens of eyes looked up at the sound, trying to lock onto Li Jun again.

But suddenly, a fear rooted in genetic instinct swept down from midair, a chill devouring the flesh, instantly freezing the raging divine thoughts in their minds.

The strong turned pale and staggered; the weak fell to the ground like broken kites.

Solitary Martial Refinement, Inner Skill to Conquer the Enemy!

Black flames coiled around his limbs; grey-white smoke wreathed in and out of his breath.

Fetterflame!

Devour Dragon and Tiger; both Dragon and Tiger arrive.

Granary Technique, Den Officer Art—both fully unleashed.

Li Jun lunged forward, the jet-stream from his back armor’s fury pulling at the black flames around him, unfurling a mantle and cloak spanning several zhang behind him.

The Bile-Daring long spear in his hand twisted, sweeping out fierce waves of flame. The sharp force within shattered countless incoming Dao-armaments into fragments, and he plunged like a black meteor straight into the Longhu enemy ranks below!

Boom!

A phalanx of flying swords rose in a formation, like a fearless cavalry charge. In this aerial battlefield above Nanchang City, they collided head-on with the black-flame meteor plummeting from above!

The martial artist with lowered eyes, the immortal with raised head, the cold gleam of steel, the ferocious silhouette.

A pair of angry eyes faced hundreds of cold stares.

Command incantations devoid of emotion mingled with low, blood-boiling growls; divine thoughts and inner skill clashed where no eye could see.

The hum of activated artifacts, the red glow lit on the surface of carved talismans.

Flying swords shot through the flame-woven cloak, charging futilely into the boundless night.

Spear shadows pierced through bodies carved with Dao patterns; white blood spilled into the rubble and ruins.

“Tiger-like, swallowing mountains and rivers. A valiant lord Su Ce is dead, and now a new lord Li Jun appears. Can it be that this Martial Order truly cannot be eradicated?”

As the situation took an unexpected turn, the Gezao Mountain Dao-orders, who should have been cornered beasts, suddenly became onlookers.

Standing on a flying sword, Yi Kuidou gazed at the horrifying battle in the distance. A strange glint passed through his cold eyes.

The ferocity Li Jun now displayed stirred a different thought in his heart.

Perhaps, at this moment, setting aside old grudges and joining hands with Longhu Mountain to exterminate Li Jun was the correct choice.

With this thought, Yi Kuidou’s finger, hidden in his sleeve, twitched slightly.

“Junior Brother, do not act rashly. This matter is not as simple as you think.”

Jiang Jue’s voice suddenly rang in his mind, a faint wisp of divine thought drifting over, gently tugging at his sleeve.

“A hundred li around Nanchang City have been deliberately sealed off, interfering with the appearance of the celestial track stars. This is certainly not the work of Longhu Mountain. There must be another hidden hand behind this.”

Yi Kuidou frowned and asked, “Who? The Confucian Order, the Buddhist Order, or those yin-yang rats seeking a comeback?”

“All are possible. It’s precisely because we cannot yet see the opponent’s identity or determine their purpose that you, Junior Brother, must not recklessly enter the fray.”

Yi Kuidou understood the potential risks, but standing idly by while this chance slipped away left him unwilling.

“If we don’t seize this opportunity to kill Li Jun, it’s no different from raising a tiger to bring disaster. It will eventually turn back on us!”

“If you ally with Longhu Mountain to kill Li Jun now, it would certainly benefit the entire Dao Order, but that is only a small benefit! Don’t forget: forcing Zhang Chonglian to lift the blockade on Dao Order authority, allowing the Sect Leader to return to Rank Two—that is the most important ‘great benefit’ for us Gezao Mountain!”

Jiang Jue said calmly, “Without external troubles, the result is endless internal strife. The division of the world’s martial power back then proved this. I also understand your concern, Junior Brother, but the external troubles we face now are countless—nearby, the Heavenly Master’s Mansion; afar, the Donglin Faction; and indeed, this solitary Martial Order is not one too many.”

“Elder Brother, do not forget that Li Jun is only Rank Four now, and our Gezao Mountain has a grudge against him!”

At this moment, the divine thought emanating from Yi Kuidou had calmed, as if Jiang Jue’s words had convinced him and he had abandoned the idea of acting.

But he still reminded the other, “Killing Li Jun is not a small benefit.”

“Perhaps what you say, Junior Brother, is correct. But the Heavenly Mandate is hard to fathom; we cannot predict the future’s direction. We can only weigh pros and cons based on the current situation.”

Jiang Jue sighed, leaving his final words in Yi Kuidou’s mind.

“Moreover, this is the Sect Leader’s decision.”

Since it was the Sect Leader’s decree, there was no point in further argument.

The sharp glint in Yi Kuidou’s eyes slowly faded, and he once again looked coldly toward the thundering battle in the distance.

Li Jun had now broken through the blockade of talismans and Dao-armaments, closing in on the Longhu Mountain disciples.

Black flames surged, the long spear danced—massacre was about to erupt.

Just then, a sharp tearing sound came from behind Li Jun. An elderly Dao-order rushed forward alone, his whole body exuding a dangerous aura like a volcano about to erupt, charging straight at Li Jun.

It was another sealed Daoist from Mount Longhu, Zhang Xihong, who had been ordered to descend the mountain to slay demons!

"Careful, this old ox wants to self-destruct!"

Just as Lord Ma opened his mouth to warn, Li Jun, who was about to withdraw and evade, suddenly felt his vision swirl, and an intangible divine will forcibly drilled into his mind.

A crystalline prison spanning ten zhang in both directions materialized out of thin air, trapping both Li Jun and several Daoists who were similarly immobilized by the mental assault.

The one who acted was the last sealed Daoist in this expedition from Mount Longhu, Zhang Xidao!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Within the prison, the rampaging divine wills burst the heads of those Mount Longhu Daoists into pieces, leaving fragmented remains and white blood that evaporated into mist, filling the cramped space.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xihong, the sealed Daoist who intended to trade his life for Li Jun's through self-destruction, had already rushed into the prison, his fingers forming a spell seal.

Sixty years ago, they had once stood against the martial orders of their sect, securing a place for the Daoists among the Three Religions, but for various reasons, they had lost the possibility of further advancement, and their lifespans had dwindled to near nothing due to their decaying and withered foundations.

Yet even without the formidable power they once wielded, the bones of these elder Daoists still harbored a valor unmatched by the Daoists of today, and a belief that placed the prosperity of their sect above their own lives.

Though the foundation of this world is broken, their lifelong pursuit remains unyielding.

"Martial Order Li Jun, remember this: today, your slayer is Zhang Xihong of Mount Longhu!"

Amid the thick blood mist, the old Daoist's fervent gaze met the thrusting spear, his face showing satisfaction, facing death unflinchingly.

As his words fell, blinding red light burst from the Daoist's body, instantly filling the entire crystalline prison.

Crack, crack, crack.

As if unable to withstand the surging red light within, dense cracks spread across the surface of the prison.

The next moment, the red light broke free from its restraints, expanding in all directions, sweeping across the entire sky over Nanchang City.

An earth-shattering roar, inaudible to the physical ear, exploded in everyone's minds.

"To thus waste these precious elders. Mount Longhu, what face do you have left to call yourselves the ancestral court of Daoists? Zhang Chonglian, what right do you have to still hold the title of 'First Rank Celestial'?!"

In the distance, Yi Kuidou acted to shield the disciples of Mount Gezao behind him from the scattered mental shockwaves, his expression solemn, his eyes filled with indignation.

Though they belonged to different factions and had even been rivals for years, that did not stop Yi Kuidou from sincerely respecting these elder Daoists.

The vast foundation they now possessed, with tens of millions of devout followers, was entirely built by these old men through sword, seal, and thought.

The Daoists of today are merely descendants enjoying the legacy of their ancestors.

Within the 'Four Mountains and One Palace,' sealed Daoists existed, and apart from Mount Longhu, most other sects treated these elders as precious treasures to be revered.

An act like this, dragging out their sealed Daoists to fight to the death, was unheard of in the entire Daoist tradition.

By doing this, Mount Longhu, whether they ultimately kill Li Jun or not, would lose all face as the ancestral court of the Daoist ancestors.

Similarly, the people of Mount Longhu stared blankly at the sea of light above, their faces also showing sorrow.

Yet there were also those who were excited, believing Zhang Xihong had died a worthy death, or even that his death was no great loss.

"Li Jun has been executed! Everyone, follow the overseer to slay Yi Kuidou of Mount Gezao!"

Zhang Qingyu, his features twisted with madness, looked around, swung his sleeves, and shouted loudly.

Clang!

At this moment, an even greater pressure spread out, blowing away the red sea of light left behind after Zhang Xihong's self-destruction.

Under the returning darkness, Li Jun's figure emerged once again.

His dark golden armor bore no scars, but his red eye within the helm was dim, and his face was pale.

Zhang Xihong's self-destruction targeted Li Jun's consciousness, not his body.

Perhaps there was also a wish to leave a body of a Lone Martial Order for Mount Longhu.

"How is this possible?!"

Zhang Xizu, who had previously cast the prison technique, exclaimed in shock, and a cold spear tip stabbed into his sight.

His ability to manifest objects with thought allowed him to barely create a mental barrier at the last critical moment, just in time to block this sudden spear thrust.

But it could only hold for an instant.

Then, Li Jun twisted and flicked his wrist, sending sharp energy surging along the spear shaft, and the spear tip thrust forward with a tangible white light, tearing through Zhang Xihong's defensive technique.

Slap!

A crisp cracking sound.

Zhang Xihong looked composed, watching the spear pierce his abdomen, which contained his foundation.

On the brink of death, this old Daoist, with a face full of deep wrinkles, showed courage no less than his peers, joining his two fingers like a sword and aiming them at Li Jun's brow.

He condensed all his mental energy into a single beam, using his fingers as a bow, and shot it forth.

Li Jun, as if struck by a bullet in the brow, jerked his head back, and even his single red eye let out a groan of suppressed pain. Li Jun's body uncontrollably tilted and fell from midair, crashing into a residential building and turning it into rubble.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Flying swords and talismans fell like rain, bombarding the ground.

Li Jun dodged and wove, his face covered in blood.

Exchanging blows one after another with these fearless sealed Daoists, even with Lord Ma's protection, Li Jun was severely injured.

The pain, enough to make an ordinary person faint, continuously assaulted his mind, and blood dyed his vision red.

"Li Jun, in Ge Jing's illusion, that was one time; when you went back on your word and killed Zhang Xilian, that was another. Three strikes and you're out. I'll ask you one last time: will you cooperate with us?"

The long-silent voice spoke again in his ear.

Li Jun's movement suddenly halted as he turned to face the north, and the red light from his single eye seemed to pierce through the buildings in the way, meeting a pair of gloomy eyes.

"So, you haven't run away yet!"

Buzz!

Black and red electric arcs wrapped around Li Jun, and his previously deflated spirit soared once more.

[Obtained 100 Proficiency Points (Zhang Xizu)]

[Remaining Proficiency Points: 332]

[Consumed 300 Proficiency Points, Hongsheng Step (Fourth Rank Movement Technique) upgraded to Great Perfection]

[Eight Directions Thunder Move (Movement Technique) acquired]

Li Jun's figure vanished from the spot, and a black-red thunderbolt shot towards the north of the city at an unbelievable speed, smashing through obstructing houses, stirring up rolling dust, and creating a terrifying spectacle.

"Arrogant! Since you insist on seeking death, don't blame me."

With a sigh of regret, the originally pitch-black sky suddenly lit up.

As if a pair of hands had pulled back the curtain hiding the stars, a 'moon' suddenly appeared in the sky.

A strange buoyant force enveloped the entire Nanchang City, and countless thumb-sized pebbles were pulled up to float.

The remaining Daoists of Mount Longhu, who had been hovering in the air, clearly recognized the true identity of this 'moon', and their eyes showed deep despair and horror. They abandoned the pursuit of Li Jun and fled in all directions.

The Ancestral Artifact, the Dipper-Piercing Sentinel!

"Zhang Chongyuan!!"

Zhang Qingyu, who seemed to have completely lost his mind, threw back his head and let out a furious roar. He even raised his flying sword, charging straight into the sky, attempting to pierce the stars above.

Clang!

On the roof of a building north of the city, Li Jun finally saw the owner of those dark, gloomy eyes.

With not a moment’s hesitation, Li Jun stomped his foot, shattering the ground, then seized his spear, raised his arm, and hurled it with the full strength of his body.

The instant the spear left his hand, the world suddenly turned deathly white.

A pillar of light, dozens of zhang in diameter, crashed down with a thunderous roar.

Boom!

Boom!

A peal of thunder rolled in from the distant heavens, exploding over the Qingping Taoist Temple.

Yuan Mingfei stood at the entrance of the temple’s main hall, gazing into the distance toward the northwest, her expression unusually grave.

Before the thunder had faded, a strange noise followed.

The two antique gates of the Qingping Taoist Temple swung open by themselves.

Frowning, Yuan Mingfei cast a cold glance and saw a young Daoist, lifting the hem of his robe, stepping across the temple’s threshold.

Figures rushed out from the back of the temple and landed around Yuan Mingfei.

Xie Bi’an and Fan Wujiu flanked her on either side.

The Tianque warrior Shen Li, clad in helmet and armor, stood in front, a long, narrow battle blade resting on his shoulder.

“To pull off a trick like hiding in plain sight at the foot of Longhu Mountain—you are truly bold and cautious, my friend.”

The Daoist who had just entered paid no attention to the murderous Shen Li, fixing his gaze steadily on Yuan Mingfei.

“This Guangxin Prefecture has always been nothing but pitch black. Where is there a lamp or a single glimmer of light?”

Yuan Mingfei’s voice was cold. “Yet, reverend, being able to find this place in such inky darkness is quite an impressive feat.”

“If I lacked even that ability to trace things, then I wouldn’t have managed to escape from your grasp in the Yellow Dream Abyssal Sea.”

With these words, the Daoist’s identity became unmistakably clear.

He was none other than Zhang Qingli, the Supervisor of the Talisman and Seal Bureau of Longhu Mountain!

“Coming alone to settle the score—brother, you’ve got some nerve.”

Shen Li cocked his head, sneering as he asked, “Sister Yuan, do I cut him down?”

“Shen Li, Sequence Four, Tempered Martial Sect.”

Zhang Qingli shook his head, his calm tone as if stating an established fact. “You are no match for me.”

“You son of a—”

Shen Li’s expression froze, and his brows shot upward.

Suddenly, Shen Li felt a tremor explode from behind him, sweeping through the entire temple in a flash.

Thump!

A massive pillar-like shadow crashed down from the sky, shattering half the temple, the resulting blast of wind rattling Shen Li’s armor plates.

He looked up in shock, his gaze fixed on a terrifying ape’s head descending from above.

An ape as immense as a mountain stood imposingly over the temple!

The Buddha realm unfurled—Heart Ape Cao Cang.

“Floating Pagoda Master of Buddha Sequence Three, Yuan Mingfei, you are indeed no ordinary person.”

Zhang Qingli spoke again, but the voice that came out was completely different from before.

It seemed as if another soul had taken possession of his body at that moment.

“Even if I am not ordinary, how could I compare to your reverence’s esteemed status? Am I right?”

Yuan Mingfei’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she gave a faint smile.

“Longhu Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, Grand Celestial Master Zhang Chongcheng.”