CHAPTER 248: THE DRAWBACK OF TOP-GRADE ARTS, THE WITHERING OF SPIRIT QI

"You don't know enough about primordial lightning qi," Daoist Tian Ji said as he shook his head, explaining to the two other venerables. "You began cultivating only after the primordial spirit qi was destroyed. You never experienced the primordial cultivation age, so naturally, you wouldn't understand the secrets of primordial lightning qi."

Standing beside the Heavenly Spirit-Gathering Disk, Heaven Venerable Hua Sheng recalled, "I see... When I first started cultivating, the Abyssal Demonic Spirit from the Outside had already invaded the continent. Back then, my master told me that before the invasion, primordial lightning qi was born alongside heavenly tribulation."

He held the Heavenly Spirit-Gathering Disk and sensed the energy within. "Now that the top-grade lightning arts manipulate primordial lightning qi, it's only natural for the lightning to carry traces of heavenly tribulation."

"We simply assumed too much," Hua Sheng continued. "The lightning art contained the energy of heavenly tribulation, and with that lightning dragon, we mistook it for the Heavenly Dao Command."

Heaven Venerable Hua Sheng slowly pushed the Heavenly Spirit-Gathering Disk forward. Several later-generation venerables stepped up, frowning as they examined the lightning sealed within.

Venerable Hua Xin extended her hand and gently touched it. "Up close, this lightning feels lacking. It doesn't carry the intense energy of heavenly tribulation, or that near-death aura."

Venerable Tian Suo stood at the cliff's edge, staring down at Lu Chen in confusion. "But how can Lu Chen wield such a high-grade lightning art? If I recall correctly, top-grade lightning arts were monopolized by the Jun Clan."

"It's just one lightning art. What's unbelievable about that? He even created the Three Corpses. If someone told me he was a reincarnated Saint, I'd believe it," Ancestor Suitian observed the group. Seeing them convinced, he lifted his gaze toward the sky and sighed. "If the Jun Clan could produce such a prodigious youth, do you really think I would let him display his power so early?"

"That's true. But, honored High Sage, what about that person from the Outside?" Venerable Hong Yun asked, staring at Lu Chen. "Besides Daoist Du, I also failed to notice him. The energy of heavenly tribulation is understandable, but that man from the Outside isn't."

Ancestor Suitian sighed. "I can't say much. All I know is that I was warned, and the current Jun Clan can't afford to provoke him."

He looked uneasy, careful not to reveal too much. Shifting the topic, he glanced at Lu Chen. "It's just a feeling. Perhaps the current Jun Clan isn't even qualified to compare."

"That expression says it all. So that person truly exists," Daoist Du noted, noticing Ancestor Suitian's silence. After fifty thousand years of mocking, quarreling, and challenging each other, he knew Ancestor Suitian better than anyone.

"Yes, he exists. But whether he truly returned from the Outside remains uncertain. Perhaps he comes from one of the hidden sects. After all, opening a passage to the Outside is nearly impossible nowadays."

Daoist Du smirked. "Right, Old Freak Suitian?"

Seeing Ancestor Suitian remain silent, he sighed and looked toward Lu Chen. "It doesn't matter whether he comes from the Outside or a hidden sect; we must be cautious from now on."

Heaven Venerable Hua Sheng also gazed at Lu Chen, sighing. "He acted personally over a trivial matter just to suppress High Sage Suitian. If we made things difficult for Lu Chen, he might erase us with a flick of his hand."

"This puts us in a tough spot," Heaven Venerable Ban Yao murmured. "But I still suspect this person isn't being entirely genuine. If he were that powerful, why hide and secretly nurture an heir instead of directly suppressing all sects?"

"Perhaps he's paving the way for Lu Chen," Venerable Tian Suo said helplessly. "Every cultivator who seeks the imperial throne must carve a path through blood and struggle."

He looked at Lu Chen. "For now, this much is certain: until we uncover that person's true identity, we must not harm Lu Chen. In fact, we must ensure his safety. That's already settled."

"Sigh..." Daoist Tian Ji withdrew the Heavenly Spirit-Gathering Disk. Dispersing the lightning within, he glanced once more at Lu Chen. "We'd best focus on ourselves. The secret realm is about to open. We can only prepare for the upcoming golden era once we gain something there."

During this brief exchange, most of the black mist around the skeletal giant had dissipated, and its cultivation level had dropped to the Qi Condensation Realm. As its power weakened, Lu Chen's movements grew far more fluid. Even under the giant's assault, he could now fight with ease.

The Spirit Light Chain seals previously imposed by the green-robed Daoist flickered repeatedly over Lu Chen and his three avatars. They had used too many high-grade arts, and each spell was bound by these seals to teach Lu Chen precise control of his spirit qi, to sustain the most spells with the least energy.

If he used them recklessly, his spirit qi would deplete rapidly. Even with the powerful recovery of his Green Sovereign bloodline, it wouldn't keep pace.

The second avatar hovered midair, faint traces of Spirit Light Chains glowing across his body. "The spirit qi's draining too fast..."

Seeing the skeletal giant roar in pain under the lightning, he shouted urgently, "Boss! Use the Green Sovereign Serene Void Spear now! These arts won't hold much longer!"

As he spoke, the spirit qi in his hand had thinned and was on the verge of breaking.

Lu Qing swallowed two Heaven Restoration Pills and roared, "On it!"

He sliced his fingertip in midair to draw a formation, then merged with the towering giant made of the Divine Tree's vines. He took control of the Green Sovereign Serene Void Spear and launched it at the skeletal giant.

The massive spear swung relentlessly in the vine giant's grasp, slamming repeatedly against the skeletal giant's chest. The skeletal giant was besieged from three sides. If it focused on defending against the wooden dragon devouring its core essence, it would be struck by lightning and the spear's fierce assaults. But if it tried to block the lightning and spear, it would expose itself to attacks from the other directions.

"Looks like splitting my avatars in advance really paid off," Lu Chen watched the skeletal giant flail in chaos and let out a sly chuckle. "We may not be able to finish it off immediately, but no matter how strong it is, it can't withstand all of us attacking together."

Taking advantage of a brief gap in the attacks, Lu Qing swallowed two Heaven Restoration Pills and interrupted Lu Chen's gloating. "Stop daydreaming. Hurry up and save Wind Dragon."

He linked his Heavenly Pool with Lu Chen's and shouted, "Without a Spirit Gathering Formation, maintaining so many spells at once drains too much energy. We can hold on for at most three more breaths. Once the spirit qi's gone, we'll be the ones in trouble."

"What? Only three breaths left?" Lu Chen quickly checked his Heavenly Pool and saw his spirit qi rapidly depleting. "It's the Spirit Light Chains... damn it! I forgot I still have a seal on me. If I don't control the spells precisely, the spirit qi will drain even faster."

Focusing his mind within the Heavenly Pool, he felt the chains winding tighter, some already wrapping around his main meridian pathways. Even the Spirit Light Chains seal placed on the Acquired Green Sovereign Divine Tree was beginning to surface. Those seals lay deep at the base of the Heavenly Pool, and their appearance meant Lu Chen's spirit qi was nearly exhausted.

Slapping his forehead, Lu Chen hurriedly swallowed two more Heaven Restoration Pills, muttering in regret. "Talk about joy turning to sorrow. To think I'd forget something this important... no wonder my legs feel weaker and weaker. Lu Qing, hang on a little longer. I'll get Wind Dragon out now."

"That damned green-robed Daoist... When will he lift this seal? Having all these spells but only being able to use them for a few seconds at a time is pure torture."

As he muttered, the spell formation beneath his feet shimmered. Using the Star Serpent Cloud Concealment, he vanished from sight.

High above, the green-robed Daoist rolled his eyes. "Original, you honestly never learn."

With a flick of his fingers, he tightened the chains within Lu Chen's Heavenly Pool, speeding up the depletion of his spirit qi.

Lu Chen felt the chains constricting more tightly around his meridians, shrinking the channels through which his spirit qi flowed. He remarked, "The spirit qi's burning even faster. Guess I have to move faster as well."

His control over the energy grew heavier and more sluggish. Previously, his spirit qi had flowed like a roaring river. Now, it was like a thin, drying stream.

Cursing the green-robed Daoist, Lu Chen quickly formed a hand seal, carefully controlling his spirit qi to slow the depletion.

Seeing Lu Chen charging toward Wind Dragon, the skeletal giant immediately grasped his intent. Enraged, it ignored the lightning and spear assaults, violently tearing the vines from its body in an attempt to stop him. Perhaps driven by fury, the black mist on the skeletal giant flared again, becoming thicker and darker than before.

The mist gathered around its hands. With a furious roar, the skeletal giant seized the wooden dragon, ripped it from its waist, gripped its tail, and swung it like a massive mace.

Lu Chen drew closer to Wind Dragon, but his spirit qi was nearly gone. "Just a little more... just a little more..."

His meridians had all but dried up. Even with his Green Sovereign bloodline's remarkable recovery, the consumption was overwhelming. That bloodline could restore five units of spirit qi, but the second avatar alone required ten to maintain his arts. Lu Chen and his two other avatars also required vast amounts of spirit qi.

His movements slowed. The wooden dragon, swung like a club by the skeletal giant, came crashing toward him. Wind Dragon slammed against the transparent barrier in desperation, urging Lu Chen to abandon his plan and flee.

Boom!

Lu Chen's Heavenly Pool ran completely dry. Every trace of spirit qi within it was instantly drained. The wooden dragon struck before he could react, sending him flying. He crashed heavily into the ground.

The Hunyuan Greatsword slipped from his grasp. Its radiance faded as the spirit qi dispersed, revealing its simple, unadorned form. It spun twice through the air before plunging into the earth.