CHAPTER 244: LU CHEN AND HIS THREE AVATARS VS. THE SKELETAL GIANT

Lu Chen exchanged a glance with his three avatars and nodded slightly. The second and third avatars stepped forward in unison, plunging their vine swords into the network of vines.

The three swords merged seamlessly with the vine web. Lu Qing remained calm atop the Green Sovereign Divine Tree, channeling spirit qi from both the small world and the Heavenly Pool, concentrating it all before him.

A massive vine sword shot up from the ground, pressing into the vine web and fusing with it as one. With a subtle flick of his fingers, the four swords, along with the vine web, surged toward the skeletal giant.

The skeletal giant, already struggling to break free from the wooden dragon's restraints, suddenly found itself ensnared by the enormous vine web.

It tore at the vines in fury, and the core essence around its waist and abdomen erupted, releasing waves of corpse qi in an attempt to corrode the web. Yet the vine web was infused with Yang Purifying Water, a force that naturally cleansed and restrained evil.

The Yang Purifying Water clung to the skeletal giant like acid burning through flesh, instantly carving intricate patterns into its bones.

The Yang Purifying Water collided with the destructive corpse qi. Both were capable of devouring the other, but in this clash, the Yang Purifying Water held the advantage.

Even as the vine web formed from the Divine Tree's vines was corroded by corpse qi, the Yang Purifying Water remained, attaching itself firmly to the skeletal giant. No matter how violently the giant thrashed, it could not escape the water's corrosion. The purifying force continued to consume and grow stronger, devouring the black mist of corpse qi with increasing ferocity.

Seeing the Yang Purifying Water take effect, Lu Chen raised his right hand, summoning back the Hunyuan Greatsword along with the wooden dragon.

Freed from the wooden dragon's binding, the skeletal giant howled in rage, clawing at its bones. The cloud of corpse qi, suppressed by the Yang Purifying Water, could no longer maintain its form and retreated into the giant's waist, chest, and skull.

Because the Yang Purifying Water had adhered to the skeletal giant via the vine web, its corrosion spread along the web's lattice step by step. Where the black mist had once obscured the giant, a lattice of small grids now appeared across its body.

"This..." The second avatar, standing beside Lu Chen and lightly brushing his green robe, burst out laughing at the sight. "Hahaha, this is priceless! The skeletal giant has become a lattice-boned monstrosity!"

Lu Qing's voice echoed from atop the Green Sovereign Divine Tree. "Second, focus."

He knew the Yang Purifying Water hadn't harmed the skeletal giant's core essence; the black mist had merely been forced back into the giant's Three Dantian Fields and Three Meridian Gates. Once the Yang Purifying Water dissipated, the corpse qi would erupt even more violently.

The second avatar immediately quieted down, muttering complaints under his breath while keeping his eyes on the skeletal giant.

The third avatar had not fully developed his consciousness, but he also understood the second avatar's mistake after hearing the first avatar's reprimand. He circulated spirit qi obediently, eyes fixed on the skeletal giant.

While Lu Chen engaged the skeletal giant above the cliff, Ancestor Suitian had already erected an illusory dimension to prevent him from revealing himself too soon to high-level cultivators.

The venerables had expected Lu Chen to struggle, believing that a guiding hand might appear to give them a chance to curry favor.

Yet upon witnessing Lu Chen's combat techniques and his three avatars, each drew a sharp breath. Their fear of the young man's backing grew exponentially.

They exchanged glances, recognizing the sheer difference in talent. In their youth, they had been considered prodigies, yet none had displayed such combat skill at Lu Chen's age.

Looking at Lu Chen's calm, composed stance, Ancestor Suitian couldn't help but stroke his white beard in admiration. "Lu Chen's current combat strength... he must be the heir of this era's Heavenly King."

He had underestimated Lu Chen. He had heard Lu Chen claim to have concealed his true strength, but he assumed Lu Chen meant it was only the peak of his current realm, just enough to make him unrivaled among his peers.

Challenging an opponent at the Sunken Core Realm, which was two major realms above his own, was a feat only a destined Heavenly King's heir could accomplish in past eras.

Venerable Yong Nian stroked his white beard, echoing Ancestor Suitian's awe. "Every sign points to the dawn of a golden age. It's a shame that we are all past our prime."

Venerable Hua Sheng marveled at Lu Chen's endless techniques. "Yes, the golden age hasn't even begun, and someone like Lu Chen has already appeared."

"Even if we resurrect ourselves and live another lifetime using secret arts, at best we would become stepping stones for these Heavenly King heirs to ascend," said Daoist Venerable Hua Sheng, shaking his head.

Venerable Tian Suo toyed with his chains and sighed. "Even in a third-rate sect like the Heavenly Mandate Hall, a Heavenly King's heir like Lu Chen has emerged. Imagine the four aristocratic clans across the continent, or the three great clans in the Central Continent. They've been preparing for this golden age for thousands of years. More prodigies are bound to appear."

He withdrew his chains, still sighing. "Our time is running out. Can we even transcend in the coming golden age?"

"Heh, you're all a bunch of short-sighted fools," Daoist Du sneered. "No wonder your cultivation peaks only at the Human Core Realm. Do you really think the seven aristocratic clans are the pinnacle of the continent?"

"Let me tell you this. The current state of this continent is far smaller than it was in our time. Beyond the directions of east, west, south, and north lies an even vaster territory, controlled by hidden sects from tens of thousands of years ago. Within those regions lie the true noble families. The youths who emerge from those clans are what people call the Heavenly King's heirs.

"When the golden age begins, and the spirit qi of the continent returns to its former level, they will surely break through their seals and reveal themselves once again, reclaiming their hold over the continent."

Daoist Du waved his hand and was about to continue when Ancestor Suitian interrupted sharply. "Old Freak Du, let's focus on Lu Chen for now. There's no need to discuss those hidden families."

Twisting the deadly dagger in his hand, Daoist Du grinned slyly. "Heh... Are you afraid? Or did I perhaps remind you of something unpleasant by mentioning those hidden families?"

"Afraid?" Ancestor Suitian crossed his hands behind his back and replied disdainfully. "When have I ever been afraid? I simply hold no regard for the families you mentioned.

"Back when the Abyssal Demonic Spirits from the Outside devoured the continent's spirit qi, those families were among the first to hide. Such clans are traitors to the continent and failures in cultivation.

"When the continent faced danger, they secluded themselves. And now that the golden age is approaching, they want to emerge again? To put it bluntly, they have no right to compete for the resources of the golden age."

Ancestor Suitian's gaze burned into Daoist Du, radiating pure ferocity. "Just like your main body, and the family behind you, you're nothing but cowards and deserters."

Daoist Du fumed, his face twisting in rage. "You..."

He pointed at Ancestor Suitian and hurled a venomous dagger. "Did the Jun Clan not hide itself? How dare you lecture me now?"

A bolt of lightning shot from Ancestor Suitian's forehead, knocking the dagger back with a sharp crack. He sneered, "Even if we hid, we only did so to safeguard the seeds of the family. We never disgraced ourselves by having the entire clan vanish into seclusion."

Daoist Du's body darkened to a demonic purple hue. "So, Old Freak Suitian, are you saying you want to fight now?"

His cloak and mantle whipped in the wind as his hands wove in layered motions, sending thousands of poisoned daggers streaking toward Ancestor Suitian.

Ancestor Suitian snorted. "You overestimate yourself."

Thousands of lightning spears materialized before him, colliding violently with the poison daggers. The clash of spirit qi and the power of laws tore the surrounding space, leaving cracks in its fabric.

The nearby venerables exchanged glances, activating protective barriers to shield their loyal followers. Battles between Human Core Realm cultivators could easily devastate entire sects; at this level, it was not unusual for an entire organization to fall.

Ancestor Suitian and Daoist Du stirred clouds of purple poison and dark lightning high above the clouds. Their surging spirit qi grew stronger by the second. Yet they did not deploy more complex techniques. They merely flung poisoned daggers and lightning spears at each other, colliding endlessly in the air.

The observers understood that this was not a true fight. They never intended to deal real damage. It's just that as venerables, appearances had to be maintained. Whoever backed down first would lose face, and only someone of equal standing could mediate.

All others present either lacked the cultivation or clan status to intervene. The venerables exchanged glances and fixed their gaze on Daoist Tian Ji—he alone possessed the power and authority to mediate.

Sensing their attention, Daoist Tian Ji chuckled and rose to his feet. Pure white light radiated from his hands as he casually intercepted the attacks from both Ancestor Suitian and Daoist Du.

Daoist Du fumed, his face twisting in rage. "You..."

He pointed at Ancestor Suitian and hurled a venomous dagger. "Did the Jun Clan not hide itself? How dare you lecture me now?"

A bolt of lightning shot out of Ancestor Suitian's forehead, knocking the dagger back with a sharp crack. He sneered, "Even if we hid, we only safeguarded the seeds of the family. We never disgraced ourselves by having the entire clan vanish into seclusion."

Daoist Du's body darkened to a demonic purple hue. "So, Ancestor Suitian, are you saying you want to fight now?"

His cloak and mantle whipped in the wind as his hands weaved in layered motions, sending thousands of poisoned daggers streaking toward Ancestor Suitian.

Ancestor Suitian snorted, "You overestimates yourself."

Thousands of lightning spears materialized before him, clashing violently against poison daggers. The collision of spirit qi and power of laws tore the surrounding space into cracks.

The nearby venerables exchanged glances with each other, activating protective barriers to shield their loyal followers.

Battles between Human Core Realm cultivators could easily destroy an entire sect. When cultivators at this level fought, it was not unusual for entire organizations to fall.

Ancestor Suitian and Daoist Du stirred clouds of purple poison and dark lightning high above the cloud. Their surging spirit qi grew ever stronger.

Yet they did not deploy more complex techniques. They merely flung poisoned daggers and lightning spears at each other, colliding endlessly in the air.

The observers understood that they were not truly fighting, nor did they intend to. But as venerables, they had to keep up their appearances. Whoever backed down first would lose face. Only someone on the same level could mediate.

All others present either lacked the cultivation or the clan background to intervene.

The venerables exchanged glances, then all fixed their gazes on Daoist Tian Ji. Only he had the power and authority to mediate.

Sensing their gaze, Daoist Tian Ji chuckled and rose to his feet. Pure white light radiated from his hands as he casually intercepted the attacks from both Ancestor Suitian and Daoist Du.