The strong from Xuan Du Guan were facing an Independent Practitioner of the Righteous Path. As the most mysterious force within the Taoist School, their ability to carry on their legacy for so long lay in their extraordinary aspects, producing strong cultivators who were all exceptional.
However, it was Zhu Houji's side that was at a disadvantage, mainly because he had just advanced to a higher level not long ago and this place was too far from the borders of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty. As a result, the power he could exert at this moment was merely at the level of an ordinary Monk of the Nine Realms of Spirit. Additionally, with his limited combat experience, he quickly fell behind, yet his life was not in imminent danger.
As for Monarch Qingxu, although he too had not been in the Nine Realms of Spirit for long, he was clearly more than a match for his opponent, a Supreme Strong, showing no signs of falling behind.
Boom!
A Dragon-tiger Five-Thunder Righteous Skill burst forth, hindering the two Supreme Strongs who were contending with Bai Qicang with its sword light. Facing this divine ability of thunder, they had nowhere to retreat.
Thunderbolts filled the sky, obscuring heaven and covering the sun, as two agonized screams emerged, clearly those of the two Supreme Strongs in pain.
Monks of the Eightfold Spirit Realm were indeed powerful, but when struck by the Five Thunder Righteous Law of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the terrifying divine abilities did not kill them but still left them seriously injured.
Swish!
These two Supreme Strongs lost their combat ability, and the balance of the contending sides was immediately broken, especially with the addition of Bai Qicang, an Overlord among the strongest of the Spirit Realm Level Nine.
After defeating the two Supreme Strongs, Bai Qicang did not immediately take action; instead, he stood in the void with his divine sword, his gaze sharp as lightning, and the Five-Thunder Dharma Wheel revolving behind him, resembling a Fairy God.
Even though Bai Qicang had not made a move, his presence alone made many of the fighting Supreme Strongs vigilant. They were all aware of their own situations, and facing such an invincible powerhouse, they necessarily became cautious.
When strong opponents clash, there is no room for distraction, and Bai Qicang's presence undeniably caused these Supreme Strongs to be distracted, their original clashes not as committed, needing to maintain a third of their vigilance.
"It's all over. Even though Blood Spirit Taoist and his group are extraordinary in strength and have the upper hand in numbers, his opponents are stronger. And let's not talk about others, just consider Real Person Bai Qicang, someone who was once eligible to inherit the position of the Ancestor Celestial Master, and has also been praised by True Monarch Shenxiao Pei Xuanjing as the first person below a True Immortal!" a powerhouse exclaimed.
Seeing Bai Qicang easily defeat his two opponents, the onlooking powerhouses were not surprised but found it to be an expected outcome.
Those qualified to witness the battle were either Supreme Strongs or Monks of the Eightfold Spirit Realm from the top powers, who knew a great deal about the affairs of heaven and earth, especially regarding various powerhouses.
Although the appearance of True Immortals relegated the Supreme Strongs from their peak positions, they remained formidable forces between heaven and earth not to be ignored.
However, as the Overlords among the original Supreme Strongs ascended to True Immortals or fell during their immortal tribulations, more and more Supreme Strongs emerged, arousing curiosity about who truly stood out among them.
At this time, words of appreciation from Pei Xuanjing about Bai Qicang began to circulate from nowhere: Bai Qicang of Dragon Tiger Mountain, having the qualification to battle a True Immortal, perhaps could be called the foremost nearly immortal person, the strongest among Supreme Strongs.
In literature, there is no first, and in martial arts, no second. Such an honor would not be taken lightly by many–it is improbable that even Supreme Strongs could be indifferent to fame and fortune.
Consequently, some Supreme Strongs climbed Dragon Tiger Mountain to challenge Bai Qicang, and facing these challenges, Bai Qicang showed no mercy, decisively defeating them.
Although there were a few Overlords among Supreme Strongs who had not yet clashed with Bai Qicang, thus not confirming his title as the foremost among the Supreme Strongs, Bai Qicang's renown still inspired awe in countless people.
Therefore, seeing Bai Qicang defeat two Supreme Strongs was no surprise to them. Even if Bai Qicang had not yet made a move, everyone knew, barring unforeseen circumstances, that matters here were drawing to a close.
Yet, sometimes, surprises arise just like that.
Just as those Supreme Strongs who had been besieging Zhu Houji saw their comrades defeated, acknowledging that today's entanglement would be fruitless, they decisively withdrew from the battle, ready to leave, that's when the unexpected occurred.
A terrifying aura approached, spreading as if emanating from the soul, and all the strong on-site felt this dreadful intention.
Even the Supreme Strongs changed their expressions, understanding what they had encountered–a True Immortal had arrived.
Indeed, Supreme Strongs almost stood at the pinnacle of heaven and earth, and only a True Immortal's presence could exert such pressure on them without showing up.
"A True Immortal!" Bai Qicang's expression became grave as he looked towards a certain location, his divine sword shining brightly, the Five-Thunder Dharma Wheel behind him spinning even faster.
Facing the arrival, the pressure of a True Immortal, Bai Qicang, whom Pei Xuanjing acclaimed as the first among Supreme Strongs, had no intention of retreating. Instead, a soaring battle spirit began to rise in his heart.
True Immortals were unbeatable beings between heaven and earth–only another True Immortal could contend with a True Immortal, while other beings, even if they had reached the pinnacle of mortal cultivation, had no hope of victory if they had not stepped into the realm of the Immortal Path.
The will of a True Immortal represented the will of heaven and earth. Even if Bai Qicang was hailed by True Monarch Shenxiao Pei Xuanjing as the top nearly immortal person, challenging a True Immortal would undoubtedly result in his defeat.
However, facing the domineering will of a True Immortal of that moment, Bai Qicang stood proudly, with no thoughts of shrinking back or bowing down.
The sky above, which had been disturbed by the clashes of numerous supremely powerful beings, was now tainted with a blood-red hue, as if drenched in fresh blood, vivid and dripping with intensity. Yet, it also permeated with danger and terror.
The Blood Dao True Immortal, the Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect, the towering figure of the Demonic Way, the Blood Fiend Ancestor–it could only be this True Immortal whose appearance brought with it such momentum and signs.
In an instant, countless blood shadows converged into a human figure in the void, surrounded by a sea of blood that rose and fell in waves, churning with the force of a thousand waves, swallowing all in its path.
As for the Blood Fiend Ancestor, no one knew whether he appeared as an avatar or in his true form, but there was no doubt that with a True Immortal present, all outcomes would be led by the will of the True Immortal.
No matter who had the upper hand before, with the True Immortal here, no one could stop him, even if it was just a True Immortal avatar.
At this moment, many eyes couldn't help but glance at the Blood Spirit Taoist with uncertainty, affirming the notion that his backing, the True Immortal, was indeed the Blood Fiend Ancestor.
"I have seen the Sect Leader, Brother!" The Blood Spirit Taoist greeted the Blood Fiend Ancestor with respect.
This action undoubtedly solidified everyone's speculations, but the Blood Spirit Taoist was not bothered, even deliberately so.
Despite the Blood Spirit Taoist's decisive move earlier, which seemed fearless, he was actually quite wary of True Immortals, otherwise, he wouldn't have besieged Zhu Houji for so long without acting.
Even just now, if it had not been for Pang Hong's attitude that angered him, he would not have acted so directly.
But with things having gotten to this point, and having already offended the Shenxiao Sect, he naturally had to, naturally had to declare his identity and use the tiger's skin as his banner.
"Hmm." The Blood Fiend Ancestor nodded slightly, not saying much. Instead, he looked curiously at Bai Qicang with interest and laughed, "Hahaha, the direct disciple of the old Taoist, Bai Qicang, I have heard of your name, even called by the Shenxiao True Monarch as the number one among the supremely powerful." Undoubtedly, what attracted his attention the most was Bai Qicang because upon his arrival here, facing the might of a True Immortal, all cultivators bowed their heads and retreated, only Bai Qicang and a few others stood tall.
Among those not swayed by his will in the crowd, the Shenxiao True Monarch's disciple and the people from Xuan Du Guan all relied on things bestowed by True Immortals.
Only Bai Qicang and that Wang Boan, without any support, could withstand his True Immortal might.
To know that even if he did not come in his true form, the might of an avatar is not something an ordinary supreme strong can withstand, and compared to the untroubled Wang Boan, he was more curious about Bai Qicang's battle intent. Is he trying to challenge himself?
"I have seen the Blood Fiend Ancestor," Bai Qicang replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Do you wish to challenge me?" asked the Blood Fiend Ancestor with interest.
Although he came here in response to a message from the Blood Spirit Taoist, for the top-tier Spirit Realm Cave Sky left behind by the Ancient Human Race Common Master, the sight of Bai Qicang's unabashed battle intent piqued his interest.
As the towering figure of the Demonic Way, the Blood Fiend Ancestor always acted according to his whims, unbridled and unrestrained. Although he valued the Spirit Realm Cave Sky, it did not prevent him from doing other things.
At least at this moment, he was very interested in Bai Qicang, hence his question.
Upon hearing this, Bai Qicang's eyebrows rose sharply, and without mincing words, he nodded and said, "I am flattered by the Shenxiao True Monarch's praise as the number one near immortal, but today offers a timely opportunity, so I request the Ancestor to enlighten me.
Bai Qicang indeed wanted to challenge a True Immortal; although he was not one of those Sword Sect maniacs who lived and died for the Sword Way, he was also a cultivator, one who ceaselessly sought strength.
Once, Bai Qicang left Dragon Tiger Mountain, forsaking all to grow stronger and pursue his ideals and objectives; now, to temper his Taoist Skill and understand the Immortal Path, he naturally could challenge a True Immortal.
Indeed, with his background and a True Immortal as his mentor, he could naturally enjoy the nurturing and tempering from a True Immortal, but Bai Qicang did not desire such an outcome, for such tempering was not what he looked forward to; it was incomplete.
In Bai Qicang's view, only through genuine travels between life and death, tempering oneself and refining one's realm, could one truly obtain everything that belonged to oneself.
Just as he would have been certain to enter the Eight-Layer Spirit Realm if he had stayed on Dragon Tiger Mountain with the support and cultivation of the Ancestor Celestial Master, just like his fellow disciples, the other children of the Ancestor Celestial Master.
But this was something Bai Qicang could not accept. His ambitions were too grand; he had no desire for mediocrity. What others might consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he dismissed without a second thought.
Back then, not only did he aim to step into the Eight-Layer Spirit Realm, but he also aspired to become a Supreme Strong. He was unwilling to end up like those fellow disciples. After all, among the many who stayed on Dragon Tiger Mountain under the master's guidance, only the Second Generation Celestial Master ever became a Supreme Strong.
"Even a True Immortal would find it difficult to cultivate another True Immortal," Bai Qicang realized.
Even though True Immortals ascended after the Heaven and Earth Ascension, Bai Qicang knew that these True Immortals had each walked their own path to ascension; this didn't mean that followers could walk the same path to become True Immortals, at least not now.
Those who imitate me in this life shall die like me.
Just as with the ascent of Supreme Strongs in the past, even if top forces wanted to cultivate a Supreme Strong, every Supreme Strong practicing the same skill would walk a path that was fundamentally different.
That was the case for Supreme Strongs, and the same held true for the paths of True Immortals; every True Immortal's path to enlightenment was completely unique. Only by walking one's own path could one step onto the Immortal Path.
If one blindly follows the path of a True Immortal, whose way are they cultivating–their own or that of the True Immortal? And even if one does become a True Immortal in such a manner, how far can they really go?
Therefore, Bai Qicang wanted to pursue an Immortal Path that belonged solely to himself. Only such an Immortal Path could take him further.
The Blood Fiend Ancestor laughed heartily, "Good, let this old Ancestor enlighten you today."
Bai Qicang nodded, slowly raised his sword, and swung the divine sword. It shattered the void like a meteor streaking across the sky, with the power of destruction lurking within, and its aftershocks trembled the firmament.
Then, in an instant, he stimulated countless Sword Qi, and these Sword Qi merged into one stroke, sweeping Heaven and Earth, bringing a tyrannical and annihilating force as it cleaved through the sky.
The Blood Fiend Ancestor, smiling, praised, "Not bad!"
As he spoke, the blood shadows surrounding him shattered, wildly drawing in the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, transforming into a boundless Sea of Blood. Each blood shadow devoured countless Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, seeming to turn into Blood Sea Asuras rushing toward Bai Qicang.
This boundless Sea of Blood surrounded Bai Qicang; he seemed like a lone boat swaying in the Sea of Blood, tottering on the brink of capsizing, ready to be swallowed up at any moment.
Within the Sea of Blood, Bai Qicang wielded his divine sword, continuously unleashing various Thunder Methods. His organs vibrated in an indiscernible rhythm, subtly aligning with the profound mysteries of the five thunders. He stepped on the void, drifting in all directions; although it appeared he could be devoured at any moment, he remained calm and in control.
However, Bai Qicang was solemn-faced at that moment because he had finally realized the terror of a True Immortal.
Yet this kind of maneuvering on the edge of life and death also excited Bai Qicang. He had not felt this way in a long time, and in that moment, he could distinctly feel that his own perception had become more acute…
…
The instant Bai Qicang decided to challenge the Blood Fiend Ancestor, the rest, including Pang Hong, fled thousands of miles away right away; they realized this was absolutely not a battle they could partake in.
When a True Immortal makes a move, even the residual ripples are an overwhelming force that most of them could not withstand.
"This person can actually challenge a True Immortal!"
"Even if it is only against the avatar of a True Immortal, it is still beyond our wildest dreams."