Another battlefield.
Sun Lingtong and Yang Chanyu staggered, both grunting in unison.
Their attempts to use the Teleportation Art had failed, resulting in a backlash.
The instigator was none other than the figure standing before them—Zhu Xuanji!
Dressed in a black-bordered red robe, his square face expressionless, Zhu Xuanji's eyes flickered with strands of golden light, "This time, I have prepared in advance. Don't expect to slip away from my grasp as easily as before."
"I don't believe it!" Sun Lingtong frantically attempted again and again, continuously spitting blood, failing each time.
Every technique related to the void seemed like striking a mountain wall, unable to succeed.
"Stop trying; it must be an Official Skill—Seclusion!" Yang Chanyu said sternly.
Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly, "Since you recognize it, you should know, this time, there is only battle between us two!"
In the current Cultivation World, rich in resources and abundant in spiritual energy, subsequent generations of sages had developed myriad techniques in cultivation, blooming like flowers and vying with one another.
Ancient techniques had today been categorized into many precise branches.
Such as Sun Lingtong's self-created Sword Skill, the Stealing Technique of the Bukong Sect, Ning Zhuo's Mechanical Techniques, and the Divine Summoning Technique once used by Qi Bai.
Officials of the Cultivation Kingdom, holding official positions with their fate recorded in the official registry, merging their lifespan with the kingdom, might grasp Official Skills.
Seclusion was one of those Official Skills.
Unlike before, knowing that he would encounter Yang Chanyu and Sun Lingtong, Zhu Xuanji had prepared in advance, summoned the Royal Order, and paid his respects three times with nine bows, activating the Official Skill.
For this Official Skill, he had spared no expense, using the second Royal Order, paying a great cost.
Sun Lingtong and Yang Chanyu, having lost the ability to flee, could only confront Zhu Xuanji.
Sun Lingtong, holding a dagger, straight away employed his Sword Skill—Butterfly Wing Blade.
The blade light of the dagger continuously flickered, resembling a butterfly flapping its wings, fluttering forward. The butterfly-like blade light, brilliant and dazzling, exquisite as a painting, enveloped Zhu Xuanji.
Once he decided to act, Sun Lingtong immediately exhibited the formidable methods and firm will to fight of a Major Sect Disciple from the Evil Sect!
Yang Chanyu wasn't idle either, her hands operating a Mechanical Crossbow, continuously firing.
Within the span of two breaths, she had shot over a dozen arrows, each arrow tip dipped in a potent purple poison.
Facing Bukong Sect's fierce onslaught, Zhu Xuanji appeared foolish, standing stationary.
He simply clenched his fists, expressionless, enduring this barrage of attacks.
The extremely sharp blade light and the dozen poison arrows both broke and sank under the golden light.
Zhu Xuanji's body emitted golden light, within which, a mountain range could faintly be seen.
"Golden Mountain Stance?!" Yang Chanyu exclaimed in shock.
Sun Lingtong's expression also changed.
Martial Arts Divine Ability—Golden Mountain Stance!
Alongside it, there was another, called Jade Pillar Body.
These two Divine Abilities were deemed the two major pursuits of warriors in the world. Mastering one could make one a champion among thousands, effortlessly commanding thousands of troops.
"Zhu Xuanji has actually mastered this Divine Ability?"
"Isn't he practicing the Trace Origin Technique?!"
The pair from the Bukong Sect, Sun Lingtong and Yang Chanyu, quickly exchanged a glance, suddenly realizing they had severely misjudged Zhu Xuanji—they had vastly underestimated him!
"It's my turn to attack now," Zhu Xuanji slowly spoke, taking large strides toward the two.
Yang Chanyu immediately cloaked herself, vanishing on the spot.
Sun Lingtong grit his teeth, encouraging himself, "We are all at the Foundation Establishment Stage…"
He charged at Zhu Xuanji, engaging him in combat.
The once extremely sharp dagger, whether slicing or stabbing, did nothing against the pervasive Golden Mountain Stance.
Conversely, Zhu Xuanji's every punch and kick stirred the atmosphere, bringing forth howling winds.
Sun Lingtong's movements were nimble, like a lone boat struggling for survival in a tsunami.
His nerves were stretched to their limits, acutely aware that if he were hit by a punch, he would suffer a severe injury!
Sword Skill—Swallow Tail Blade Return!
Forced into his optimal combat state, blade lights interwove around Sun Lingtong. With each of his stabs, the blade light accompanied and struck Zhu Xuanji.
Yet Zhu Xuanji acted as if the blade light didn't exist, continuing to pressure Sun Lingtong.
The Golden Mountain Stance suddenly expanded, entangling Sun Lingtong.
Caught off guard by this change in the Golden Mountain Stance, Sun Lingtong's movements hesitated, and Zhu Xuanji, who had been plotting this, immediately seized the opportunity.
Zhu Xuanji slapped his waist belt, pulling out a Fire Ruler.
Magic Treasure––Fire Punishment Iron Ruler!
He raised the Fire Ruler high, aiming at Sun Lingtong's head, and chopped down heavily.
If truly struck, Sun Lingtong's small forehead would shatter completely, like a watermelon hitting the ground.
In this critical moment, Yang Chanyu could no longer wait, hurriedly appearing.
She held the Soul-Stealing Glint Knife, exerting all her power.
Old Cicada Technique!
Instantly, the sound of cicadas erupted sharply, as if the fierce sun of midsummer was shining down.
The Soul-Stealing Glint Knife successfully penetrated the Golden Mountain Stance, hitting Zhu Xuanji's back squarely.
Ringing!
A crisp sound, the blade tip of the Soul-Stealing Glint Knife passed through Zhu Xuanji's clothing but couldn't pierce his skin.
His skin was like green jade, emitting a clear, radiant glow.
Martial Arts Divine Ability—Jade Pillar Body!
Yang Chanyu returned unsuccessfully, her face showing a look of horror.
What is going on?
Zhu Xuanji actually possessed both the Golden Mountain Stance and Jade Pillar Body, these two Martial Arts Divine Abilities?!
Ordinary military generals would become excellent commanders with just one of these abilities. Possessing both, complementing each other, they could become fierce generals who cut through the chaos of the battlefield!
Yang Chanyu's attack was completely ineffective; Zhu Xuanji did not even turn his head to look.
He profoundly understood the battlefield strategy that harming ten fingers is not as good as cutting one, and he still dealt viciously with Sun Lingtong.
Sun Lingtong's heart sounded the alarm, his pupils shrinking to the size of needlepoints.
At the critical juncture of life and death, he activated his storage bracelet with his Divine Sense and released a mechanical beast.
This mechanical beast was majestic and burly, with fur as red as fire and exposed golden bones.
It was the Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng!
The Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng raised its arms high, forcefully blocking the iron ruler in Zhu Xuanji's palm.
Upon their collision, a loud noise erupted, and the feet of the Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng were smashed directly into the floor.
Sun Lingtong hastily rolled away to escape death.
"Too thrilling!"
"Thanks to Little Zhuo for lending me the Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng, saving my life."
His heart raced, his face flushed red. The intense scent of death exhilarated him.
Now, with the prohibitions weakened, no one knew whether a fatal blow could still receive the protection of the Lava Fairy Palace or merely lead to elimination rather than death.
Yuan Dasheng used his arms to thrust out the Mars Iron Ruler. Its fists clenched, punching directly forward.
Zhu Xuanji stepped back slightly and engaged in a struggle with it.
For a moment, it was like a dragon battling a tiger, the earth splitting; fists and rulers raised as ghosts and deities were startled. The red ape battled amidst wind and thunder, the Golden General waved the ruler with a thunderclap. As the fight intensified, the sky and earth darkened, Qiankun inverted, bloodlight turned red.
On one side was the Immortal Demon Ape, a master of Martial Arts in its life. On the other side was the Southern Country Divine Hunter, a representative of Royal Family with a Golden Core.
After over a dozen rounds, the Fire Ruler split the sky, thunderclaps resounded, Righteous Golden Firmness stood firm, fighting to the death. Sun Yang wanted to intervene but could not find an opening or opportunity.
This was close combat, where the switch between offense and defense was extremely fast and frequent. Long-range spellcasting was mostly composed, often allowing the caster to understand the enemy's spellcasting before casting their own to counter and receive.
"What a pity." Zhu Xuanji sighed deeply, with an iron mountain lean, he knocked the Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng to the ground.
The Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng rolled with the momentum to create distance, about to rise.
Zhu Xuanji stepped forward with big strides, already arriving in front to attack again. His iron ruler, like a knife, heavily chopped down.
The Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng raised its right arm to block while stretching the left arm forward, executing its unique skill from its life—Sun-Breaking Hand.
As a result, Yuan Dasheng's left arm was grabbed onto the Golden Mountain Stance, utterly unable to grab onto anything solid.
The Fire Punishment Iron Ruler came down, directly splitting open the head of the Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng, and then flames burst forth, roughly exploding into countless fragments.
The materials of the Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng had been mostly replaced by Ning Zhuo, upgraded to the Foundation Establishment Level. Thus, Yuan Dasheng's combat power was solidly at the Foundation Establishment Level.
Although Zhu Xuanji was also categorized in the Foundation Establishment Stage, his possession of two major Divine Abilities significantly surpassed the Immortal's Righteous Golden Firmness, thus gaining the upper hand after a brief stalemate.
The Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng became a headless monkey!
When Ning Zhuo pushed open the door, what he saw was this scene.
His pupils violently contracted.
Although Yuan Dasheng was a mechanical being, it also suffered a spiritual loss due to this severe damage.
The headless monkey mechanism stumbled back several steps before managing to stand firmly again.
Facing Zhu Xuanji, it was itching for a rematch, eager to fight again!
"Come back!" Seeing this, Sun Lingtong quickly used his storage bracelet, absorbing the Golden Blood Battle Ape—Dasheng and releasing the Netherworld Envoy—Qi Bai.
Qi Bai entered the fray, his arms swinging, releasing a large number of Soul Ghosts.
Soul Ghosts filled the Secret Pavilion, emitting a strong Yin Qi, sending chills down one's spine.
As ghosts entangled him, Zhu Xuanji still stood unflinchingly. His whole body shone like a mountain of gold, protecting him all around—instead, the ghosts were continuously eroded.
Zhu Xuanji looked toward the door's Ning Zhuo: "Ning Zhuo, your timing is perfect! Now, it is your best chance to prove yourself to the world."
"Take them down, redeem your crimes through meritorious deeds!"
"At your command!" Ning Zhuo shouted loudly and joined the fight.
He released a large number of Mechanical Fireworks Monkeys and Fire Bamboo Snakes to tangle with numerous souls.
Sun Lingtong and Yang Chanyu exchanged glances, both coordinating with Netherworld Envoy—Qi Bai, mounting a fierce attack simultaneously.
Both sides engaged in a chaotic battle.
Sun Yang were originally no match for Zhu Xuanji, even with Qi Bai, they could only hold the scene.
Now with Ning Zhuo assisting Zhu Xuanji, the situation was much clearer.
Sun Yang were at a disadvantage, struggling to hold on, until they finally saw Ning Zhuo behind Zhu Xuanji, casting a powerful spell.
Five Qi Torrent!
The torrent struck Zhu Xuanji's back, immediately engulfing him.
"Miss Rudie, follow me and make your move together!" Ning Zhuo called out.
The next moment, Miss Rudie, whose presence had been concealed early on by Ning Zhuo, flapped her wings, creating numerous colored glass shards that pierced through the Five Qi Torrent.
This was Ning Zhuo's relied-upon killing move.
Though Miss Rudie, this mechanical artifact, only had foundation-level material, her design was exquisitely intricate, particularly with her impressive array-setting skills, which allowed her to unleash a Quasi Golden Core level attack!