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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 5: [Seeking Immortality in the Eastern Sea]
Volume 5 (Pinyin): [Dong Hai xun xian]
Chapter 53 (490): [The Pinnacle Duel of the Younger Generation]
(53rd of Volume 5)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Last night, three hundred miles south of Moon Dragon Island, a battle erupted between the most formidable young experts of their generation.
Only seven participants were involved.
They had pre-divided the ownership of the nine Island reefs within the Nine Ring Reef.
Princess Dengfeng's true form sat within a crystal-clear carriage, as radiant as polished jade, returning to the Moon Dragon Island Sea Market.
The carriage was enveloped in a shimmering Formation, its hazy, dreamlike aura concealing defenses impenetrable even by ordinary Immortal Realm Giants. Its speed rivaled the wind and moon, covering ten thousand miles in a single day.
Driving the carriage was Turtle Scholar, Princess Dengfeng's foremost expert and chief strategist.
Apart from his turtle shell, Turtle Scholar had nearly fully transformed into human form. He appeared to be in his early thirties, dressed in Confucian scholar's robes, with a vivid crimson mole between his brows.
His gaze was reserved, his skin radiating a faint metallic sheen.
Beneath his quiet composure lay an aura of danger: "He won't strike unless necessary, but when he does, his attack will be as swift as lightning."
"If my physical body could improve by just another ten percent, I'd be qualified to participate, and Your Highness wouldn't have to face them alone," Turtle Scholar said with a wry smile, his head already aching at the thought of dealing with the young leaders of the various Demon Clans.
He was a top-tier chief disciple, but his innate talent for physical body cultivation was extraordinary, allowing him to achieve 80% of the strength of a Immortal Body. His combat prowess rivaled that of the top chief disciples in the Ninth Heaven.
Princess Dengfeng's voice echoed from within the carriage: "It's useless! Even the old man from the Zhu Clan of the Lingxiao Human Race, who cultivated his physical body to 99%, could barely defend himself... cough, cough..."
The Turtle Scholar's face clouded with worry.
"Your Highness, you must never reveal that you're gravely injured. Falling into a passive position is a minor risk, but attracting a hunting party would be a catastrophe we can't afford."
"Recently, the number of young Heavenly Prides killed in battle has been steadily increasing. Especially since Huoxin's death, the older generations of the major powers have been constantly restraining each other."
Princess Dengfeng naturally understood the risks.
She had a Protector, ensuring her life's safety. However, against Martial-Mystic Cultivators below the Immortal Realm, hostile forces like the Flood Dragon Clan and the Rice Palace would undoubtedly intercept her Protector.
Hadn't Huoxin met a tragic end despite having a Protector?
The Turtle Scholar suggested, "Perhaps we should seek refuge with my clan for a while?"
"If I flee the Moon Dragon Island Sea Market, what will become of the young Demon Clan leaders who follow the Water Mother Clan's lead? Prince Mingjiao will seize the opportunity to either recruit them, suppress them, or humiliate them."
Princess Dengfeng's voice regained its icy composure, "Rest assured, I've taken a healing elixir and will fully recover within three days. Sheng Wulian and Si Wuya truly live up to the Ancient Sect's True Disciples. Each of them possesses combat prowess far surpassing the rest of us. When they combine forces, their strength becomes unfathomable. It took the combined efforts of all five of us to suppress their arrogance."
As Princess Dengfeng recalled the spiritual battle at sea the previous night, she secretly pondered whether she should also strive to cultivate the Immortal Body in the Dao Seed Realm.
The Ancient Sect's insistence on its True Disciples cultivating the Immortal Body must have a valid reason.
A typical Young Heavenly Emperor in the Ninth Heaven would only cultivate their physical body to about 60-70%. Beyond that, each additional 10% of progress would exponentially increase the time required, often taking years, decades, or even centuries.
More importantly, investing such vast amounts of time in cultivation didn't guarantee success.
The effort required far outweighed the potential rewards.
The Young Heavenly Emperors who participated in the battle last night - Princess Dengfeng, Changyu Jian, Bai Yeqing, and Prince Mingjiao - all possessed physical bodies cultivated to at least 70% of the Immortal Body, already surpassing the normal standard for Ninth Heaven Young Heavenly Emperor. Some had progressed further, others less so, but none had reached 99%.
Zhu Qishier Chongtian's physical body had reached 99%, but he wasn't a Young Heavenly Emperor.
As an ordinary chief-level cultivator, he had achieved this feat through a century of relentless effort. This accomplishment earned him the right to represent the Lingxiao Realm's Human Clan in the war, making him the seventh participant.
Changyu Jian and Zhu Qishi'er Chongtian were allies.
Bai Yeqing and Prince Mingjiao were allies.
Princess Dengfeng, though outwardly allied with the Bai and Ming demons and representing the Demon Clan, found herself utterly alone during last night's battle.
When she was in her most perilous moment, no one came to share the burden.
The carriage landed on the shore and entered a vast estate spanning hundreds of acres.
After dealing with the young leaders of the Demon Clan, Princess Dengfeng prepared to retreat into seclusion to heal her injuries.
The Water Beaver Immortal arrived to report, "Your Highness, Li Weiyi, the Jiu Li Divine Hidden One, has come to pay his respects and discuss urgent matters."
"Him? He dares to show his face before me..." Princess Dengfeng said.
Assuming she was still resentful of Li Weiyi's deception in Old Yuzhou Prefecture City, where he had posed as "Lu Cangsheng," the Water Beaver Immortal quickly interjected, "He has already acknowledged his mistake, Your Highness. He deeply regrets deceiving you and betraying your trust. He is consumed by remorse. I have already reprimanded him, and he showed genuine remorse. Perhaps you should grant him an audience?"
"Since he's already here, let him in," Princess Dengfeng said, already guessing the purpose of his visit.
During the battle in the Lingxiao Realm, Hidden Ancestor Cangming's demonstrated power had shaken the surrounding realms, his influence rivaling that of half a Martial Dao Heavenly Emperor.
Li Weiyi's battle with Zhenxin had also revealed a strength that Princess Dengfeng couldn't afford to ignore.
Outside the riverside manor, Li Weiyi received a secret message from Hidden Nine.
.....
After reading the message, Li Weiyi smiled, his confidence growing. He now understood why everyone was searching for him.
Missing last night's battle was indeed regrettable.
Yaoyin stood beside him, her slender figure tall and graceful.
"You bought that spot for Ku-Di, didn't you?"
"What makes you say that?" Li Weiyi asked.
Yaoyin replied, "Ku-Di can't return to the Twin Rice Sect, nor can she integrate into the Lingxiao Human Clan. Her only chance for advancement lies with the Demon Clan. But I don't understand why you're helping her so much. If you showed this level of support to any other woman, you'd surely win her heart."
"This has nothing to do with romance," Li Weiyi said earnestly, "I killed one of Palace Master An's disciples, so I naturally want to help her other disciple as much as possible. Otherwise, when I see her again, she'll throw a fit about it. Women, no matter their age, are always so dramatic. Besides, I'm broke."
"Ah..." Yaoyin was surprised.
She distinctly remembered the Water Beaver Immortal claiming to have negotiated the price down to twelve million Yongquan Coins, a sum that had stunned Master Ma and earned Crown Prince Ba's admiration.
The Water Beaver Immortal strode out, his paws folded behind his back, his posture arrogant, "Come on, Princess Dengfeng has agreed to see you two!"
Li Weiyi and Yaoyin walked into the manor side by side.
The Water Beaver Immortal's telepathic message reached Li Weiyi's ears: "Brother, don't let the Princess's refined and gracious demeanor fool you. She holds grudges. Offend her, and she'll find a way to retaliate. With your magnanimity and heroic spirit, you should humor her a little."
Having to appease both sides was exhausting the Water Beaver Immortal.
...
The carriage, enveloped in the shimmering veil of the Formation, came to a halt beside the ten-zhang-wide river within the mansion.
Princess Dengfeng stood gracefully beside the carriage, her human form draped in white gauze that billowed like mist.
She faced the river, her back turned to Li Weiyi and Yaoyin.
Her voice, clear and ethereal, carried a hint of mockery: "Huoxin is dead, and Qiongji Daozi is dead too! In the East Sea now, as long as the younger generation acts, your Jiu Li Tribe's Immortal Realm Giants won't have time to save you."
"If I were to strike now, do you think you could escape this estate?"
Yaoyin sensed Princess Dengfeng's hostility and overwhelming aura, her heart sinking with worry.
Yet she refused to cower before such power.
Her voice, as melodious as celestial music, rang out: "Has Your Highness failed to notice that the Jiu Li Divine Hidden One isn't the only one here? I am also present, a Registered Disciple of the Abbot of Calamity Crossing Temple. Tell me, do you think my Master would have bestowed upon me a treasure capable of slaying enemies in dire straits?"
Princess Dengfeng laughed: "So you're the Jiu Li Divine Hidden One's trump card?"
Within the mansion, several terrifying figures shrouded in Demon Mist materialized one by one, converging from all directions with malevolent glares.
Their Blood Qi surged like vast lakes and oceans within their bodies.
Li Weiyi scanned the group, noting that three figures possessed a presence no less formidable than Huoxin's.
The East Sea was vast, with thirty-six great rivers snaking deep inland. Myriad races thrived here, and countless demon soldiers and generals roamed the land. It was hardly surprising that such extraordinary, heaven-defying beings could emerge from this teeming realm.
The presence of Ancient Immortal Giant Beast bloodlines among them was perfectly natural.
Remaining calm, Li Weiyi activated his Psychic Field to shield Yaoyin.
"I wouldn't have come here if I wasn't confident in my ability to leave. Since Your Highness understands that the outcome of this clash between the younger generation will be decided by our own choices, you should recognize your own position. You need allies, not enemies."
"Allies? Do you truly believe you're worthy of that title?"
Princess Dengfeng whirled around, her finger stabbing through the air.
The force of her strike shook the entire estate, unleashing a radiant pillar of light - powerful, domineering, and overwhelming.
"Whoosh!"
The Fusang Divine Tree Light Shadow erupted from Li Weiyi's body, towering dozens of meters high. Its trunk was thick and sturdy, its branches lush and verdant.
The fiery radiance it emitted caused all the defensive Formations within the mansion to materialize.
Princess Dengfeng's finger strike was blocked by the Fusang Divine Tree, its force dispelled into nothingness.
"Princess, you think you can measure me with just this human avatar? Do you still believe we're in Old Yuzhou Prefecture City?" Li Weiyi retorted disdainfully, though his inner shock was immeasurable.
This attack had been launched by Princess Dengfeng's human avatar.
In other words, the humanoid Dengfeng Princess who had attacked Fu Wenyan and him in Old Yuzhou Prefecture City was likely this same avatar.
Li Weiyi's gaze shifted to the carriage nearby, then back to the exquisite figure before him.
He quickly discerned the truth: It was light and shadow.
Like a lamp projecting a powerful humanoid shadow from Princess Dengfeng's true form.
A primary body and a secondary body.
Seeing her intimidation had succeeded, Princess Dengfeng raised a hand, signaling the surrounding demons to withdraw.
"The Divine Hidden Ones have indeed changed beyond recognition," she said, her tone now respectful, "May I ask, do you represent yourself, the Lingxiao Realm, or the Calamity Crossing Temple?"
In the distance, Immortal Water Beaver exhaled deeply, steadying Crown Prince Ba's head. He feared their conflict would harm innocent river beavers.
The Turtle Scholar sat on the eaves behind Li Weiyi, his gaze fixed intently on him.
Li Weiyi transmitted his thoughts: "The Earth Book is no ordinary artifact. Fu Wenyan will stop at nothing to reclaim it. If we spare him, he'll ascend to the Ninth Heaven and bring the Zongsheng Academy's Four Great Experts to deal with us. Better to eliminate the threat now than risk future trouble."
Princess Dengfeng had long considered killing Fu Wenyan and seizing the remaining Earth Book fragments from him.
But Fu Wenyan either hid aboard his ship or kept his movements secret, leaving no opportunity to strike.
"This alliance is worth considering. The Divine Hidden One is intelligent enough to understand that while Fu Wenyan might struggle to defeat me, targeting the Little Holy Maiden by your side would be far easier."
Princess Dengfeng's words cut through Li Weiyi's concerns, seizing the initiative.
She continued smoothly, "I have two conditions."
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END OF CHAPTER
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