AGM 545 – Death-Dealing Strike
The calamity lightning blades descended, containing within them a surging desolate aura. Qin Wentian inclined his head and howled in anger, his sword qi piercing through the clouds as his King Sword astral nova appeared. It manifested a forcefield out of the sword qi, negating that surge of destructive energy thundering down at him.
Ye Kongfan coldly snorted. The next instant, his palm shot towards Qin Wentian while simultaneously behind him, his two astral nova merged to create an incomparably large lightning god palm that shot towards Qin Wentian. The air trembled, and it took but a moment for the the heavens and earth to shake. Qin Wentian’s entire body was encased in lightning while the gigantic lightning palm abruptly clenched down, as though seizing that entire piece of sky.
Ye Kongfan’s eyes sparkled with icy laughter, and he gazed upon Qin Wentian with the absolute certainty of his imminent death.
The spectators below were left thunderstruck upon seeing the gigantic lightning palm imprint. Right now, it was evident that even if Qin Wentian could escape death, he would still be severely injured.
Li Hanyou’s eyes flashed with disdain. If Qin Wentian was only at this level of strength, he was nothing but a piece of trash that marred the face of the Battle Sword Sect. To think that he’d actually dared to reject her master’s invitation back then with merely this level of power? He was simply an egotistical man who didn’t know what was good for himself.
“ROAR!” A heaven-shaking roar of anger echoed out, and almost at that exact moment, Ye Kongfan’s palm violently shook. In that instant, the lightning web shattered, as currents of destructive qi overflowed the area, tearing everything apart.
A demonic being suddenly appeared in front of the spectators—this was none other than Qin Wentian’s Demon Sovereign astral nova. After its angered bellow, it instantly shielded Qin Wentian with its own immense body, taking on the brunt of that devastating light energy instead. There was no need to doubt the demon sovereign’s insanely high defense; that devastating burst of lightning energy had no way to break past it.
Qin Wentian stared at the now-stiffened smile on Ye Kongfan’s face as he grabbed out in the air. The Demon Sovereign astral nova mirrored his movements, stretching its hands out to grab at Ye Kongfan. In that instant, Qin Wentian’s attack bore a striking resemblance as that of Ye Kongfan’s earlier innate technique.
“How is this possible?” Ye Kongfan’s countenance turned sharp, yet before he could even do anything, the entire space rumbled violently, as though a powerful force had latched onto it. This technique did indeed resemble his. Could it be that Qin Wentian had insta-learned the attack right after he’d executed it? That was impossible, right?
The only difference was that in place of lightning energy, Qin Wentian was using demonic energy.
“BOOM!” Qin Wentian’s palm clenched abruptly, causing the entire place to shake. A terrifying pulsating energy rippled outwards, smashing into Ye Kongfan. Ye Kongfan howled in rage as an almost boundless lightning storm erupted forth from him, negating Qin Wentian’s pulsation energy. His long hair fluttered in the wind as Ye Kongfan’s eyes turned violet from his usage of lightning.
“Perfection Boundary of a second level Lightning Mandate.” The eyes of the spectators glinted with sharpness. Ye Kongfan was someone with a cultivation base at the peak of the seventh level of Heavenly Dipper. His attainment in lightning was truly astonishing, as expected of someone with a heavenly lightning physique and heavenly lightning bloodline.
Even his hair that fluttered in the wind had turned violet. Right now, Ye Kongfan was transforming into something even more berserk. He stared at Qin Wentian as the energy of wind swept his body along. With his attributes, his attack was his greatest forte. And since his attacks were so domineering, how could he neglect his speed? Hence, he had chosen to cultivate the Mandate of Wind as well. The first level of insight in Wind was Windspeed, while the second level insight he comprehended was Wind Laceration. This was a perfect fit for him—not only did this increase his movement speed, the laceration added more of an edge to his already tyrannical attacks.
And with his set of skills, there was no need to worry if he faced an opponent that would use their advantage in speed to flee from him. Unparalleled attacks supported by such swiftness; it was a flawless combination. And for other cultivators, when it came to their third Mandate, they might choose something relating to defense so as to be more well-balanced in all aspects. However, Ye Kongfan hadn’t done so. What he pursued was the strongest level of attack.
“You cultivated a type of mimicking art?” Ye Kongfan asked as he continued, “However, do you really believe it will help you? No matter how many tricks you have, they’re all useless when faced with absolute strength!”
After Ye Kongfan spoke, a bright light suddenly flashed as a purple long lance appeared in the air. Overwhelming destructive might gathered in a spiral at the tip of that lance. This was none other than one of his astral novas.
The spectators watched as the lightning giant behind Ye Kongfan began to glow with the light of calamity lightning. It held that purple lance in its hand as a pair of wings appeared behind its back, formed entirely from the element of wind. His four astral novas combined together, merging into a murderous divinity of lightning that stood resolutely behind Ye Kongfan. With this tyrannical display of strength, ordinary seventh level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns would probably be unable to endure even a single one of his strikes.
“Let me show you what the perfect fusion of astral novas looks like. Even if you end up dying, you should at least feel honored,” Ye Kongfan emotionlessly commented. The spectators below all felt their hearts pounding—the lightning avatar formed when all four of Ye Kongfan’s astral novas had merged together was indeed extremely terrifying.
“You speak too much crap,” Qin Wentian swore in a low voice. After which, his astral novas all appeared as well. The Demon Sovereign astral nova was wielding the Heavenly Hammer astral nova as it let out a bellow of anger, reverberating the entire space. This was the combination of limitless power; this union of the Demon Sovereign with the Heavenly Hammer was a fusion of demon and force. How fearsome would the might generated from this be?
His Great Dream Astral Soul manifested as a humanoid being that wielded an ancient halberd in its hand. It guarded Qin Wentian’s left while the Demon Sovereign with the Heavenly Hammer stood on his right. The lone remaining King Sword floated ahead of him. All of Qin Wentian’s astral novas formed an attack-based triangular formation with Qin Wentian in the center.
“My cultivation is at the seventh level of Heavenly Dipper. How can your astral novas even compare? I shall shatter them before your very eyes!” Ye Kongfan hollered. Momentarily, his lightning avatar whistled through the air as that destructive purple lance pierced out. That descending calamity lightning energy seemed powerful enough to devastate the entire world. The spectators only saw a beam of violet light instantly being fired towards Qin Wentian.
“ROARRRRRRRRR~!” The Demon Sovereign inclined its head and howled in madness. Wielding the Heavenly Hammer, it soared into the air and swung out with frantic speed, containing boundless might within. Stellar martial cultivators were able to completely control their astral novas, and were capable of unleashing the same innate techniques as their master. The instant this hammer slammed down, it released such force that the world seemed at the brink of being shattered. That indomitable strike collided together with the incoming purple lance of Ye Kongfan’s purple lance.
The chaotic destructive shockwaves from the impact ravaged heaven and earth, generating enough power to force back the Demon Sovereign astral nova. The formless energy produced was blasted away, but in that moment the King Sword whistled out, alongside the Great Dream Humanoid gripping the ancient halberd. Qin Wentian’s astral novas encircled the lightning avatar and proceeded to wage a battle of gigantic proportions. No mercy was shown, but both sides seemed to be evenly matched.
“Your astral novas are truly weak. If I’m at your cultivation level, I would only need a single strike to shatter them all.” Qin Wentian stood in the air, mocking Ye Kongfan while he controlled his astral novas. Ye Kongfan’s countenance stiffened, he was the one who’d bragged earlier. With him being two levels higher compared to Qin Wentian, his astral novas would naturally be stronger. But now when it came to a true fight, he actually had no way to suppress Qin Wentian?
Qin Wentian’s four astral novas seemed to be completely different compared to others. Each and every one of his astral novas contained a unique energy within them, making them incomparably solid. It was as though the Yuanfu which nurtured them used a kind of energy that was even stronger compared to astral energy.
“Seems like Wentian’s astral souls have completely outclassed Ye Kongfan’s.” The Human Emperor laughed. Although the Qi King didn’t want to admit it, this was nothing but the truth. If not, there was no way Qin Wentian’s astral novas would have enough strength to clash equally with Ye Kongfan, despite him being two entire levels lower.
“Hanyou, this person looks to be even stronger than what you’ve told us.” In the direction of the Li Clan, Li Hanyou’s second grandpa slowly spoke, his words causing a look of unhappiness to flash on Li Hanyou’s face. This Qin Wentian was truly powerful, if she were to be his opponent, it was doubtful whether she could win with certainty.
Actually this was Li Hanyou’s own heart causing mischief, as she was unwilling to admit she was inferior to others. Maybe if Ye Kongfan’s current opponent was someone with a cultivation base at the seventh level of Heavenly Dipper, she might admit that she had no way to defeat them. But as it happened, Qin Wentian’s cultivation base was equal to her own. How could she admit that she was inferior to someone of her own generation?
The destructive current of qi in the air still remained, the confrontation between the great war of the astral novas continued on. Qin Wentian and Ye Kongfan stood there unmoving, staring at each other as their killing intent skyrocketed by the second.
“Qin Wentian, I’ll admit that your strength is passable, but since you’ve challenged me, you are merely courting death. You will definitely die here today. Earlier, I was just playing around with you,” Ye Kongfan icily spoke, his eyes flashing with an intense look of contempt. Of course, how could he be merely ‘playing’ around just then? It was obvious he had initially thought this level of power was sufficient to kill Qin Wentian, yet he was unable to complete the deed. Now, he had no choice but to use his full strength to amend his earlier oversight.
But no matter what, Qin Wentian would definitely die here today—it was impossible for him to escape this calamity.
“If your strength is at the same level as your skill in trash talking/at talking crap, you’d be unrivaled in the entire Violet Thunder Sect,” Qin Wentian sarcastically replied. Ye Kongfan didn’t hold the least advantage, yet he spoke with such confidence that Qin Wentian would definitely die. In that case, why then was he still alive?
“That was your last chance. Next, you will die underneath the might of my lightning and thunder,” Ye Kongfan spat. The power of his bloodline surged with even greater intensity as lightning crackled terrifyingly around him. Within that dazzling lightning, Ye Kongfan stretched out his hand as he fashioned a lance from the pure power of lightning.
Calamity lightning bloodline, heavenly lightning physique, this was his most powerful technique, forming a weapon from the purest lightning he could create.
“Prepare to die,” Ye Kongfan spoke as his body disappeared like a gust of wind. And in just an instant, he traversed through the space where their astral novas were battling and stood above Qin Wentian in the air. Qin Wentian inclined his head, only to see a bolt of lightning flash by. This was none other than the lightning lance that Ye Kongfan had fashioned. It contained a might resembling the primordial bolt of lightning that sparked the creation of life—it was so powerful it was strong enough to annihilate all living things in this world.
Under the awestruck gaze of the crowd, they knew for sure the power of this lance would be sufficient to slay Qin Wentian.
“BOOM!” A burst of astral light inundated the area as Qin Wentian executed Stellar Transposition, evading the lightning strike while leaving afterimages behind. Ye Kongfan transformed into a beam of violet light, bursting through the air with the speed of lightning, standing at the spot where Qin Wentian had stood earlier. In his current state, a visible forcefield of electricity could be seen crackling around him. He turned his gaze back onto Qin Wentian as he spoke, “I want to see how many attacks you can evade.”
As the sound of his voice faded, Ye Kongfan transformed into violet light once more while another burst of astral light inundated the area. Qin Wentian shifted into a series of blurry images as he activated Stellar Transposition once again. Despite Ye Kongfan comprehending the Mandate of Wind, his speed was still a hair breadths slower compared to the instantaneous burst of movement speed provided by Stellar Transposition. However, he wasn’t discouraged; Qin Wentian’s evasion technique was sure to consume plenty of energy. He would run himself dry sooner or later.
“Ye Kongfan.” At this moment, Qin Wentian’s voice rang out. Ye Kongfan stared at Qin Wentian, only to see murder flickering in the eyes of his opponent.
“Your death day has arrived,” Qin Wentian calmly spoke. Although Ye Kongfan’s strength exceeded his expectations, he still had to die today.
The power of his bloodline seethed, as a crimson light shot forth from Qin Wentian’s body. This fearsome crimson light transformed into a blood-red halberd that contained within it an indomitable demonic energy.
“Bzz!” Qin Wentian’s body transformed into after-images once more. His speed drastically increased, his movements becoming swift after applying the principles of Stellar Transposition in his halberd attack. That halberd slashed out, akin to the roaring of demonic beasts as an all-powerful dream-will gushed into Ye Kongfan’s sea of consciousness. Ye Kongfan’s facial features twitched slightly, before he raised his long lance capable of utter destruction and returned the attack.
“BOOM!” Both their attacks collided as the destructive waves ravaged the surroundings, yet neither were injured. After Qin Wentian unleashed that strike, he immediately executed Stellar Transposition and appeared behind Ye Kongfan, before lashing out with another strike.
One halberd attack after another, as though endless in number. The destructive shockwaves created deep fissures on the ground as both of them continued to fight. In this situation, Ye Kongfan didn’t dare to let himself be careless. He was in a state of total defense. He knew Qin Wentian wouldn’t be able to sustain attacking like this for too long—the consumption rate of astral energy was simply too immense.
Blood-colored light had devoured the entire space. In order to retain his mental clarity, Ye Kongfan bit his lips, causing his blood to flow. This helped him to remain unaffected by the devilish dreamscape Qin Wentian was trying to pull him into. Yet, he didn’t know he was already affected. Within that blood-colored light, several of Qin Wentian’s silhouettes appeared. They were all moving so fast that it was impossible for Ye Kongfan to tell which one was real.
“Hmph, if this carries on, your son will die without a doubt.” The Han King stared at the battle in the air as he coldly snorted. And at this very moment, the Qi King’s brow suddenly furrowed intensely, after which… the sound of something being pierced through echoed in the air!
“RUMBLE!” The Qi King abruptly stood up, as a terrifying pressure engulfed the entire space. The instant he furrowed his brows, a blood-red ancient halberd had already impaled Ye Kongfan’s head. It was a shocking sight—Ye Kongfan’s eyes were round as saucers as they stared in disbelief and anger. He didn’t even understand how he’d died. From his perspective, Qin Wentian hadn’t even attacked, when had he unleashed that final death-dealing strike?