CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: CLASH!

Two gazes clashed intensely in the void, as if they wanted to ignite the air itself!

With the Magic Artifact Qiutan in hand, Wu Changqing’s vertical pupils within his eye sockets rapidly contracted, and small lumps the size of soybeans occasionally bulged on his skin. Those were the Spirit Insects he was breeding within his body.

The paths of Magic Cultivators and Martial Cultivators were completely different. Martial Cultivators polished their physical bodies, focusing on Tempering Power and Condensing Energy. In contrast, Magic Cultivators relied on various methods, such as consuming Elixirs, transplanting items of Divine Marvel, or, like Wu Changqing, breeding Spirit Insects within their bodies. With these, they practiced different spells.

Using the artificial to cultivate the real!

Just as the Martial Path had the three realms of Tempering Power, Condensing Energy, and True Intent, the Path of Magic also had three realms: Seeking Magic, Establishing Foundation, and Heart Wisdom, corresponding with each other.

Wu Changqing started his training with his father at the age of three. He learned the "Script of the Spirit Insects," passed down through three generations at Yuhua Temple. He used the Spirit Insects he bred within himself, drawing on their power to gather qi and nourish blood, and to cast spells and ward off enemies. If the insects were strong, so was he; if the insects perished, so would he.

At this moment, the palpable lumps appearing on Wu Changqing’s skin were the parasitic Spirit Insects inside him, stirring restlessly as they sensed danger. They also signaled warnings to Wu Changqing in this way.

A mere Condensing Energy Martial Cultivator has agitated the Spirit Insects in my body, continuously sending alarms. Who exactly is this Ye Wen?

With doubts in his mind, Wu Changqing’s movements showed no hesitation.

CHH—

Lifting his arm in a sweep, the Magic Artifact Qiutan instantly traced a bright red streak of Sword Qi, ripping through the air, cunningly and viciously thrusting towards Qi Xiu.

The Sword Qi rushed towards him. Even before it reached him, Qi Xiu felt his flesh creep as if it was being mutated by the bizarre and evil force within the Sword Qi, warping into grotesque limbs.

"As expected, you’re all cut from the same cloth."

Recalling the two bloated Taoists he had killed, Qi Xiu let out a cold huff and raised his hand boldly in a palm strike!

BOOM!

The gathering dark energy above his head, like thunderclouds, shook violently. A giant palm imprint of dark energy, one man tall and wrapped in a domineering wind, fiercely collided with the bizarre Sword Qi.

BANG—

The loud noise was deafening. Vast waves of qi swept up, raising the ground dust several meters high. Both the palm imprint and the Sword Qi dissipated simultaneously.

Casting spells with his bare hands?! Without a Magic Artifact, casting such a powerful spell... This is a privilege that only a complete scripture can provide. Just like the True Cultivation Power of Martial Cultivators.

Seeing the massive palm imprint that Qi Xiu thrust out with his hand, Wu Changqing’s face suddenly contorted. Aside from those prominent families and great sects, ordinary Loose Cultivators and modest mountain temples like Yuhua Temple couldn’t even dream of it.

Furthermore, the palm imprint Qi Xiu struck, although dense with dark qi and sinister, was grand and majestic. This was a world apart from the shortcut spells they cast by nurturing insects with their own flesh and blood.

Intense envy and greed spread in Wu Changqing’s vertical pupils. I must capture him! And wring from him the secrets of the scripture he practices!

With greed clouding his mind, Wu Changqing frantically waved his bamboo staff. Streaks of bizarre Sword Qi swept out. Like snakes leaving their nest in a rush, they hissed as they lunged towards Qi Xiu.

Twisting through the air, his palm strikes like dragons, Qi Xiu also went all out. One after another, stern palm imprints of dark energy spread across the sky like a dense rain.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

The roar was continuous and unabated. In the center of their battle, explosions erupted ceaselessly. The collisions of Sword Qi and palm imprints sparked off shockwaves that were almost tangible, wreaking havoc around them.

Every now and then, stray Sword Qi or palm imprints would fly off and strike something. Taibao Sect Disciples cut by the Sword Qi would fall to the ground screaming and convulsing, their flesh wriggling crazily as if worms were burrowing out from their pores and exploding into a spray of blood. And the bloated Taoists struck by the dark energy palm imprints fared even worse. Even if barely grazed, the poison of the palm would immediately erode their flesh and bones, and they could only watch helplessly as they dissolved into a puddle of blood.

"Back off! Back off!" Dodging a Sword Qi that whooshed closely over his head, Jin Tai roared at the top of his lungs.

Witnessing the gruesome state of those struck, and even without Jin Tai’s reminder, everyone had already hastily retreated, fearing they would be caught in the fray.

"I can’t exchange blows with him any longer!" Grasping the bamboo staff, Wu Changqing’s arm had clearly withered significantly, his teeth clenched tight. He had overloaded the Magic Artifact. The ferocity lying dormant within was gradually awakening, forcing him to suppress it with his own flesh and blood. Otherwise, once the ferocity fully awakens, I’ll be the first to suffer its backlash!

HUMMM—

The dense dust and smoke in front suddenly billowed. The next instant, a figure with soaring energy burst through the smoke and rapidly broke through, arriving swiftly before him.

"You..." He didn’t expect Qi Xiu to be so bold, daring to close in at the risk of being hit by his Sword Qi.

In a panic, Wu Changqing raised his staff to strike. But to a Martial Cultivator, his moves were far too slow.

Dodging the angle of the staff by leaning to the side, the strange Sword Qi grazed past Qi Xiu’s shoulder, leaving a sizzling hiss in the air.

This is bad!

Seeing Qi Xiu break through to within five steps in front of him, Wu Changqing’s whole body tingled with numbness as an intense sense of impending death enveloped him. With a look of agonizing distress, Wu Changqing lifted his left hand, wielding the Corpse-Control Bell, and began to rapidly chant an incantation.

HUMMM—

The jade Buddha statue in the back hall emitted a faint glow. The compassionate, smiling face transformed into a cold, sinister smirk.

Suddenly emaciated by a great deal, Wu Changqing, now missing half his flesh and blood, continued chanting as he braced himself. At the same time, a blood-jade radiance spread from the Corpse-Control Bell in his hand. Turning into a ring of light, it firmly shielded him within.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

Charging up to Wu Changqing, Qi Xiu’s palms exploded with force, pummeling like a fierce storm of punches and kicks, causing ripples to vibrate on the light ring. Yet there was no sign of it breaking.

Bowing his head and chanting, Wu Changqing heard the dull, terrifying blows beside him. Amidst the dripping cold sweat, a hint of smugness appeared on his weakened face. Just a moment longer, and the three Corpse Children will be restored. This Ye Wen must also be at the end of his rope after casting his spells and martial skills in succession. By then, I, a humble Daoist, shall still have a chance for certain victory!

As Wu Changqing’s thoughts were in motion, a stentorian command suddenly exploded in his ear.

"Wu Changqing!"

The voice seemed to have a bewitching power, causing Wu Changqing to look up involuntarily.

"Wha—"

Qi Xiu’s brows were inverted in rage, his eyes glaring furiously. Within his clear black and white eyes, a blazing sun now seemed to puncture the void, slowly rising. A pressure that awed the All Heavens and all existence!

Sun Observing Strengthening Skill!

After breaking through the First Realm, this unique martial skill had several effects. It not only bolstered the spirit and made spirits and deities visible, but could also combine eyesight, will, and voice to form an attack targeting the enemy’s mental will.

However, this form of attack had little effect on those with firm hearts and an abundance of spirit. But Wu Changqing had now used two Magic Artifacts in succession. He had suffered immense losses—half his flesh and blood had dissipated, and his mind was clouded by greed. Physically and spiritually depleted, his will had long since crumbled.

"Ah!" With eyes vacant and bewildered, Wu Changqing screamed in terror. In his vision, a vast and majestic sun, scorching the heavens and the earth, seemed to roll inexorably towards him. An endless terror and trembling completely engulfed him.

The incantation was disrupted, and the light emanating from the Corpse-Control Bell instantly faded.

Now!

Eyes narrowing, Qi Xiu’s hands suddenly showed cracks as his Qi Force surged. With a roar, he unleashed a palm strike at full power, holding nothing back.

PFFT—

An arc of blood shot over ten meters from Wu Changqing’s mouth. His body immediately curled like a shrimp, and like an arrow loosed from a bow, he was sent flying backward, crashing into the hall behind him.