Chapter 301: Divine Arts and Divine Abilities
"That's enough playing around. Spirit Array Dragon Elephant Suppressing Prison!"
On the Tiancang Continent, outside Iron Sword City, as Xiao Tiance's words fell, an intricate spirit array manifested out of thin air, completely enveloping Wansui's Supreme Avatar.
The Power of the Dragon Elephant Array
"Clang!"
The massive sword in Wansui's Supreme Avatar struck the barrier of the array. A metallic crash echoed as the immense power from the collision caused the sword to shatter into pure spirit energy, dissipating instantly.
Inside the array, nine colossal dragons emerged from the top of the formation, roaring as they descended toward Wansui's avatar.
"Roar!"
Simultaneously, eight towering elephants materialized at the array's cardinal points. They trumpeted in unison, charging directly at Wansui's Supreme Avatar.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A series of deafening impacts echoed as Wansui's avatar was relentlessly battered, cracks spreading across its surface. No matter how hard he tried to maneuver, the nine dragons coiled tightly around his avatar, locking him in place.
A Crushing Force
The Dragon Elephant Suppressing Prison, also known as the Nine Dragons Eight Elephants Demon Refining Array, was a master level low grade spirit array. Its fearsome power was enough to severely injure, if not kill, a lower tier Earth Sovereign. For a peak Nine Star Sovereign like Wansui, it was utterly overwhelming.
Despite boasting his Heavenly Sword Avatar, Wansui's defense crumbled. Though the white robed Sovereign had earlier claimed the avatar rivaled the top 50 Supreme Avatars in the Great Thousand World, Xiao Tiance judged it to be far inferior. Even the weakest ranked avatars would outperform Wansui's.
"Trash," Xiao Tiance muttered with disdain as he lightly tightened his grip, commanding the spirit array to unleash even more pressure.
Wansui's Collapse
Wansui let out a pained scream as blood spurted from his mouth. His Heavenly Sword Avatar shattered into shimmering fragments of spirit energy, unable to withstand the array's crushing might.
A Plea for Mercy
"Spare me!" Wansui cried out as he fell from the sky, his body riddled with internal injuries.
Xiao Tiance sneered at the desperate plea but waved his hand, dispelling the array. Wansui's limp body hit the ground, only for Qinghou to grab him and drag him before Xiao Tiance.
"So, Wansui Mountain Lord, your strength doesn't match your earlier bravado, huh? I wasn't even fully enjoying myself, and you're already done?
As a man, you should learn some endurance what will people say if this gets out?" Xiao Tiance mocked, his voice dripping with contempt.
Wansui's Humiliation
Bruised and battered, Wansui dared not respond to the ridicule. The shattering of his Supreme Avatar had left him severely weakened, with no hope of retaliation.
"I was wrong! I didn't know you were a master level spirit array user. I deeply regret my actions. Please, forgive me!" Wansui pleaded, his hands clasped in submission despite being held aloft by Qinghou.
Xiao Tiance's Icy Retort
"Oh, you're good at groveling. Before, you were so eager to teach me a lesson. Now, here you are, begging for mercy where's your dignity as a so called strongman?
And since when did apologies in the Great Thousand World only require words?" Xiao Tiance's tone was sharp and unrelenting.
Wansui had inserted himself into Xiao Tiance's affairs without cause, and now, Xiao Tiance saw no reason to let him off easily.
A Valuable Offering
Desperate, Wansui blurted out, "I'll offer you a Divine Ability scroll! Please, spare my life, and I'll present it to you immediately."
The Allure of Divine Abilities
In the Great Thousand World, Divine Abilities were far superior to Divine Arts. Their destructive power could rival the heavens themselves, and even Earth Sovereigns coveted them.
Divine Abilities were classified as:
Minor Divine Abilities
Major Divine Abilities
Perfected Divine Abilities
Quasi Supreme Divine Abilities
Supreme Divine Abilities
The Thirty Six Supreme Divine Abilities
The Thirty Six Supreme Divine Abilities were legendary powers, sought even by Heavenly Sovereigns. Famous examples included the Great Thousand Reincarnation Palm, Ninefold Heavenly Dragon, and God Phoenix Heaven Annihilation Art.
Additionally, there existed a rare category known as Bloodline Divine Abilities, which manifested only within specific bloodlines. These abilities, though often lacking direct combat applications, provided unparalleled support, making them highly prized.
Xiao Tiance's Calculated Response
Hearing Wansui's offer, Xiao Tiance's interest was piqued. As someone new to the Great Thousand World, he had yet to test the compatibility of his Dou Qi techniques from the Dou Qi Continent. Having more Divine Abilities, regardless of their use, could only benefit him.
Xiao Tiance's Conditions
"A Divine Ability, you say? That depends on its level. If it's just a Minor Divine Ability, it's not worth sparing someone who might one day ascend to the Earth Sovereign realm.
You'd better make it worth my while, or I'll have to rid myself of a potential future threat," Xiao Tiance said with a faint smile, his gaze unwavering.
Although Xiao Tiance smiled calmly, to Wansui, it was no different from staring at a bloodthirsty demon.
Luckily for Wansui, the Divine Ability he intended to offer was not a mere Minor Divine Ability but a higher tier Major Divine Ability.
Wansui's Offer
"No, no, no! Lord Tiance, this humble one's Divine Ability is a Major Divine Ability called the Hand of Spirit Refinement. If mastered, it allows the user to control the spiritual energy within an opponent's body at will!" Wansui hurriedly explained, waving his hands to emphasize his sincerity.
Wansui had realized there was no room for trickery. Xiao Tiance clearly had deep knowledge of Divine Abilities, leaving no chance to deceive him.
Xiao Tiance's Skepticism
"Oh? The Hand of Spirit Refinement, you say? Why didn't you use it on me during our fight just now?" Xiao Tiance asked, his smile carrying a subtle edge.
While Xiao Tiance wasn't familiar with the ability's exact power, the fact it was classified as a Major Divine Ability was enough to pique his interest. Yet he hadn't seen Wansui use it even when cornered.
"Lord Tiance, it's not that I didn't want to. I simply can't. The Hand of Spirit Refinement requires incredibly high comprehension to cultivate. Unfortunately, I lack the aptitude and have been unable to learn it, so it has only gathered dust in my possession." Wansui bowed, his voice filled with panic.
He knew full well that if Xiao Tiance suspected deception, his life would end in an instant.
A Truce in Exchange for the Scroll
"Alright, Mountain Lord Wansui, it seems you're quite sincere. I'll consider this matter resolved if the Divine Ability scroll is indeed in your possession," Xiao Tiance replied with a faint nod.
"Yes, yes! Lord Tiance, such a treasure is far safer kept on me than anywhere else," Wansui stammered as he quickly retrieved a scroll from his spatial storage.
Carefully, he handed it over with both hands, watching anxiously as Xiao Tiance accepted it.
Examining the Hand of Spirit Refinement
The scroll gleamed faintly in Xiao Tiance's hands. Its golden lettering spelled out the name Hand of Spirit Refinement, exuding a powerful aura.
Opening it briefly, Xiao Tiance skimmed the content. After a quick glance, he understood why Wansui had failed to cultivate it its requirements were indeed daunting.
Without comment, Xiao Tiance stored the scroll in his spatial ring and signaled Qinghou to release Wansui.
Turning to the Next Target
"Very well, since I've accepted Mountain Lord Wansui's Divine Ability as compensation, let's consider the previous matter settled.
Now, I need to deal with those over there. Do you still intend to interfere, Mountain Lord?" Xiao Tiance asked with a faint smile as he turned toward the trapped figures of Liu Yuansheng and his two Sovereign protectors.
Wansui's Quick Retreat
Wansui's face paled as he waved his hands frantically. "No, no, Lord Tiance, please proceed as you wish. I wouldn't dare meddle again!
Although my Spirit Sword Mountain intends to ally with the Tianluo Palace, our relationship is purely cooperative. Even though that brat is the favored son of Liu Changkong, the so called Killing God, he's not worth sacrificing my life for!"
Liu Yuansheng's Desperation
As Xiao Tiance approached the Eighth Grade Spirit Array where Liu Yuansheng was trapped, the latter lost all composure. He dropped to his knees, his voice trembling as he pleaded:
"Lord Tiance, please spare me! I'm willing to offer all my treasures for my life!"
Liu Yuansheng had seen how Wansui had avoided death by offering a Major Divine Ability. Although he didn't have one himself, he had several Divine Arts of significant value. If that wasn't enough, he could contact his father, Liu Changkong, the Tianluo Palace's leader, to provide an equivalent offering.
In Liu Yuansheng's mind, his survival was worth any price, even if his father might have other thoughts about giving away such precious resources.
A Wealthy Offer
Xiao Tiance chuckled lightly. "It seems you're planning to buy your life. Am I right?"
"Yes, Lord Tiance! I have multiple Divine Arts with me. If you spare me, they're all yours. And if they don't satisfy you, I can have my father send over a Major Divine Ability!" Liu Yuansheng groveled, pulling out several scrolls from his spatial storage.
Xiao Tiance's Inspection
With a flick of his left hand, the scrolls floated into the air and drifted toward him. As he examined them, his interest grew slightly.
The scrolls included:
Two Advanced Great Divine Arts
Three Perfected Great Divine Arts
Even for someone like Liu Yuansheng, a mere One Star Sovereign, possessing five such Divine Arts was extraordinary. His father's favoritism was clear.
Xiao Tiance's Verdict
"Impressive. It seems being the Tianluo Palace's Young Lord comes with its perks. Very well, I accept your offering and spare your life," Xiao Tiance said, stowing the scrolls away.
A Conditional Mercy
Before Liu Yuansheng could celebrate, Xiao Tiance's tone turned icy. **"However, escaping death doesn't mean escaping punishment. Since you dared to harm someone close to me, you'll face a minor penalty.
I'll seal your spiritual energy for three years. After that, the seal will naturally break. Of course, if your father has the skill to undo my seal, consider yourself lucky."**
Enforcing the Seal
As he spoke, Xiao Tiance waved his hand, and the Eighth Grade Spirit Array dissolved. Liu Yuansheng's body flew toward him uncontrollably.
In a flash, ancient and intricate runes glowed on Xiao Tiance's left palm.
"Snap!"
With a single touch, Liu Yuansheng's spiritual energy was entirely sealed, leaving him powerless.
A Warning
Xiao Tiance tossed Liu Yuansheng back toward his two guards with a casual flick.
"This is merely a light punishment. Remember, not everyone you encounter is someone you can offend. Be more cautious in the future," Xiao Tiance said indifferently.
As the three stared in horror, Xiao Tiance walked away, his presence dominating the battlefield.
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