CHAPTER 558: CHAPTER 439: RUNNING FAST

Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand, one of the thirty-six spells hidden within the Nine Peaks Magic Robe.

Zhou Huang had also heard of this spell, but had never seen it. Upon seeing Gao Xuan perform it, he instantly recognized it as the Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand.

Zhou Huang was truly shocked. The Nine Peaks Magic Robe in Gao Xuan’s hands had already unleashed four powerful spells: Geomagnetic Flame Wheel, Ten Thousand Mountains Armor, Drawing a Prison, and Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand.

Moreover, each spell was incredibly powerful.

The Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand that killed Bai Songyun was frighteningly powerful.

Bai Songyun was not of good character, but within the Five Elements Sect, he was firmly ranked among the top five.

Bai Songyun not only possessed the Peach God Sword, but his Cyan Wood Thorn Armor was also a top-tier body-protecting spiritual artifact.

Yet, the Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand unleashed by Gao Xuan was as hard as gold, heavy as a mountain. One strike shattered the Cyan Wood Thorn Armor, grinding Bai Songyun into dust.

Such divine power left even Zhou Huang stunned, not to mention the others.

Moreover, the one who died was Bai Songyun, Sect Leader of the Cyan Wood Sect.

Everyone was momentarily stunned, not knowing how to react. The members of the Cyan Wood Sect were even more dumbfounded.

How did the once arrogant Bai Songyun die? And like a small insect, easily crushed to death by someone.

Amidst the eerie silence, Gao Xuan clasped his hands towards Zhou Huang and the others, and said loudly: "I was not skilled enough, and accidentally caused the death of Sect Leader Bai. I am truly ashamed."

The faces of several elders of the Cyan Wood Sect turned red and green, but no one dared to respond. Others, too, found it hard to speak.

Though Zhou Huang was the top expert of the Five Elements Sect, he could not forcefully stand up for Bai Songyun.

The two had been openly competing in skills, and Bai Songyun had gone for the kill against Gao Xuan, and was counter-killed by Gao Xuan, it was also his lack of skill.

Reasonably speaking, the grand competition never prohibited killing. Emotionally speaking, Bai Songyun was the first to attempt to kill Gao Xuan, so Gao Xuan did not do anything wrong.

Zhou Huang glanced at the Celestial Water Sect elder who was presiding over the competition, who was still in a daze and only snapped out of it after a glance from Zhou Huang.

The Celestial Water Sect elder loudly announced: "Thick Earth Sect’s Gao Xuan wins."

A few Cyan Wood Sect elders exchanged glances and suddenly rushed into the depths of the giant palm print.

Bai Songyun was dead, but the Peach God Sword was still there, as was the Cyan Wood Thorn Armor, both powerful artifacts of the Cyan Wood Sect.

The elders had similar levels of skill, whoever got the Peach God Sword first could overpower the others to inherit the position of Sect Leader.

The Cyan Wood Sect’s elders frantically tore at each other in the depths of the palm print, creating an unseemly scene.

Fortunately, the palm print was deep enough that most people couldn’t see what was happening inside. They could only hear the elders cursing and the flashes of magic light.

The young disciples watched for entertainment. The disciples of the Cyan Wood Sect, however, were filled with shame at the elders’ disgraceful conduct.

Zhou Huang and the other sect leaders also had complicated expressions. Though this was shameful, it was a private matter of the Cyan Wood Sect, and they were not in a position to intervene.

The elders soon determined a winner, and one elder, holding the Peach God Sword, jumped out. His hair and beard had been mostly torn off, his face covered in blood, looking exceptionally battered.

He shouted at everyone: "From now on, I am the Sect Leader of the Cyan Wood Sect."

Indeed, the Peach God Sword was a powerful magical artifact, intact even under the Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand. Though it was covered with bloodstains, similar to its dark red color, most people couldn’t tell the difference.

Those with high cultivation like Zhou Huang, however, frowned upon seeing the Cyan Wood Sect’s eagerness to seize the Peach God Sword without tending to funeral matters.

Before all these disciples, they showed no decorum whatsoever.

Zhou Huang ignored the shouting elder of the Cyan Wood Sect and ordered people to collect the remains of Bai Songyun.

There weren’t really any remains, just dark red blood deeply embedded in the dirt and stones. They dug out large chunks to be refined by fire, gathering some remnants to be placed in a jar.

Only then did the Cyan Wood Sect people awaken from their stupor and take the jar.

This debacle allowed everyone’s spirits to relax a bit, the atmosphere was no longer so grim and oppressive.

The Celestial Water Sect elder, in charge of presiding over the competition, looked at Jin Wufeng. According to the competition rules, each sect would take turns to compete, and every sect had to fight five rounds.

With Bai Songyun of the Cyan Wood Sect killed, it was time for the Sharp Gold Sect to take the stage.

Jin Wufeng let out an awkward laugh and loudly declared: "Sect Leader Gao’s divine power intimidates us all in the Sharp Gold Sect, so we concede this round."

The members of the Sharp Gold Sect all looked embarrassed, as Jin Wufeng had conceded, but the way he put it made everyone feel particularly humiliated.

Gao Xuan was somewhat surprised. Jin Wufeng had an odd appearance and a deep aura, yet he conceded so easily. Looking at the Sharp Gold Sect members, several had gloomy expressions and seemed quite strange.

Gao Xuan couldn’t fathom what they were up to, so he cupped his hands towards Jin Wufeng and said: "Sect Leader Jin, you jest."

Since the Sharp Gold Sect conceded, it was now the turn of the Flame Sect. Many from the Flame Sect looked at Zhou Huang.

Zhou Huang, with a cold expression, thought it was beneath him, a Golden Core powerhouse, to personally face Gao Xuan in battle.

He said to Gao Xuan: "Sect Leader Gao is young and promising, his magic is exquisite. With the Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand, you already have an invincible stance."

Gao Xuan modestly clasped his hands and replied: "Sect Leader Zhou overpraises me."

Zhou Huang nodded and said, "I am a few hundred years older than you, it’s not appropriate for me to compete with you. My disciples will learn from Sect Leader Gao’s exceptional skills."

He paused and added, "However, the arena is damaged, allow me to repair it."

As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, and a cloud-like red-golden flame fell on the arena. Gao Xuan saw the fierce fire and immediately stepped off the arena.

This method was precisely Zhou Huang’s Vermilion Bird Pure Yang True Flame, an extremely domineering fire capable of burning all things and Divine Souls, and particularly effective against all filth and Evil Techniques. It is the number one Righteous Law of the Five Elements Sect.

The Vermilion Bird True Flame fell on the arena, and the entire arena began to burn. The arena, built of volcanic rock, melted into liquid magma.

The deep palm imprint in the center of the arena was naturally submerged by the magma. The Pure Yang True Flame came quickly and went even faster. In an instant, the flames dissipated, leaving behind a vast, smooth, and glossy arena.

After being refined by the Pure Yang True Flame, the entire arena took on a kind of glazed sheen.

Everyone from the Five Elements Sect stared blankly. They stood next to the arena but didn’t feel the heat of the flames, highlighting Zhou Huang’s immense control.

Compared to Gao Xuan’s unparalleled Nine Peaks Heaven-Flipping Hand, Zhou Huang’s Pure Yang True Flame, capable of refining the arena into magma, was clearly superior in Mana by a substantial margin.

Gao Xuan smiled silently, thinking Zhou Huang’s move was truly impressive, demonstrating the majesty of a Golden Core Powerhouse without appearing aggressive.

However, this individual’s Mana was indeed pure and powerful. Even with the Devouring Pearl in hand, it would be difficult to defeat him.

The morale of the Flame Sect members soared, and the Third Elder of the sect directly flew onto the arena. He cupped his hands to Gao Xuan, "Zhou Yan of the Flame Sect, please instruct me."

Gao Xuan ascended the arena and returned the courtesy, and both sides began to cast their Magic.

Zhou Yan also practiced the Vermilion Bird Pure Yang True Flame, but it paled in comparison to Zhou Huang’s.

The flames he cast were reddish, with a color that was impure and mixed. The Flaming Banner and Three-legged Fire Crow Array he used were also quite exquisite.

However, facing Gao Xuan’s Ten Thousand Mountains Armor, these spells were completely ineffective. Seeing Gao Xuan’s calm demeanor and steady breath, Zhou Yan knew he had no chance if the bout dragged on, so he directly admitted defeat.

After Zhou Yan stepped down, it was the turn of the Celestial Water Sect.

Shui Qianjue of the Celestial Water Sect ascended the arena with a cold face, "My disciples are incompetent, I must personally learn your superior skills."

Shui Qianjue waved her long sleeve, activating the Profound Nether Celestial Robe. This was also a Magical Artifact of the Five Elements Sect, on par with the Nine Peaks Magic Robe.

The Profound Nether Celestial Robe was said to have been refined from Primordial Water Essence, appearing as an expanse of dazzling clear light, almost formless and incorporeal. It was somewhat similar to Gao Xuan’s Cloud Light Gauze Robe.

However, the Profound Nether Celestial Robe contained an endless source of Innate True Water Origin, with boundless transformations concealed within, far surpassing the mere Cloud Light Gauze Robe.

Magical Artifacts were divided into nine tiers, with Tier Nine being the highest and Tier One the lowest. The Profound Nether Celestial Robe was undoubtedly of the Tier Nine level, while the Cloud Light Gauze Robe was at most Tier Five or Six.

Of course, Magical Artifacts each had their own functions. The nine-tier classification was a general division by the Cultivators, and not exact.

As soon as Shui Qianjue activated the Profound Nether Celestial Robe, endless meticulous True Water rippled in all directions, trapping Gao Xuan in the center.

Though the Ten Thousand Mountains Armor was sturdy and heavy, the meticulous True Water could seep through layer by layer.

The illusory mountain phantom layers shrank and dissipated amidst the dazzling clear light.

Everyone watched Gao Xuan fall into a disadvantageous position, admiring Shui Qianjue’s craftiness.

However, Shui Qianjue did not feel elated. The Nine Peaks Magic Robe still had many transformations, and victory was not guaranteed. Moreover, she was over two hundred years Gao Xuan’s senior, and defeating him held little glory.

Seeing the arena locked in a stalemate, Sect Leader Jin Wufeng of the Sharp Gold Sect leaned over to Zhou Huang and said, "Senior Brother, did this Gao Xuan have some fortuitous encounter? Forget the Nine Peaks Magic Robe, even his Cultivation is so pure..."

Zhou Huang nodded, "This young man is indeed extraordinary. However, since we all hail from the same Sect, if he can thrive in the future, it only means our Five Elements Sect’s millennium destiny remains unbroken."

Jin Wufeng nodded, then quietly said, "Speaking of the Sect’s destiny, I’ve discovered an artifact, which seems like the Sect’s lost supreme treasure, the Five Elements Celestial Wheel. I need Senior Brother to help me take a look."

"Oh?"

Zhou Huang was greatly surprised, and he looked towards Jin Wufeng’s hand, spotting a palm-sized golden wheel engraved with countless intricate spells.

Upon closer inspection, those incantations seemed to come alive, suddenly swirling and forming a rapidly spinning vortex. Zhou Huang only glanced at it and felt as if his Divine Soul was being sucked in.

Realizing something was wrong, Zhou Huang hurriedly circulated his Golden Core to stabilize his Divine Soul. At that moment, Jin Wufeng’s fingertip suddenly released a Platinum Spike, lightly piercing Zhou Huang’s neck.

With just this light prick, Zhou Huang’s neck was pierced through. The destructive power of the White Tiger Godslaying Blade exploded, Zhou Huang’s vision went black, and all seven apertures burst simultaneously.

Caught off guard, Zhou Huang had no time to figure out the reason. Instinctively, he activated the Vermilion Bird Ring, unleashing endless Pure Yang True Flame.

Jin Wufeng’s figure flashed backward, retreating rapidly, while he let out a strange laugh, "Senior Brother Zhou, does the taste of the Godslaying Blade not sit well with you?"

The sudden upheaval also caused both Gao Xuan and Shui Qianjue to pause their actions.

Shui Qianjue looked confused, not understanding Jin Wufeng’s intent.

Gao Xuan, however, activated the Geomagnetic Flame Wheel, transforming himself into a stream of light, passing swiftly by Yuanbao and White Tiger, and with a flick of his long sleeve, collected Yuanbao and White Tiger.

The Geomagnetic Flame Wheel pushed to the extreme, Gao Xuan transformed into a phantom, breaking through the sky in an instant.

Simultaneously, a black Celestial Net unfurled in the sky, encompassing the entire Blazing Fire Peak.

The light stream that Gao Xuan had become pierced through the gaps of the closing net, fleeing into the distance.

Jin Wufeng stared at the lingering phantom of Gao Xuan on the horizon with amazement, this kid ran so fast!