Clang—
Sword intent surged to the heavens, startling the rustling branches and leaves!
In the Lake of Life, Chen Junting bathed in its waters. The sword intent emanating from him was filled with destructive aura, repelling all life.
Whoosh—
His eyes snapped open, purple light suffusing them. As he raised his head, two beams of cold light shot toward the Big Dipper constellation, tearing through the atmosphere.
At this moment, Chen Junting seemed possessed by a divine sword. His destructive aura had completely transformed, and the intent upon his Seven Kill Sword appeared to herald the end of all things.
Ripples spread across the water as sword intent crisscrossed in all directions. All creatures by the lakeside were drawn to this attention-commanding sword aura.
"Big Brother Junting succeeded."
As Ning Tian's voice fell, Di Tian also withdrew his power. Gu Tianchen and Wu Feng breathed a sigh of relief while simultaneously turning their gazes toward Chen Junting's location, each with their own expressions.
"Slay!"
A single word reverberated in all directions.
As sword intent poured forth, the phantom of the Seven Kill Sword manifested behind Chen Junting. The moment it resonated with the actual sword, it descended! Splitting the lake water, all life force was completely stripped away!
A ravine stretching to the opposite shore formed before him. The lake water surged on both sides but could not fill the gap.
Only when Chen Junting exhaled the turbid breath from his abdomen did the residual sword intent on the ravine dissipate, allowing the water to fill the void.
With a tap of his right foot underwater, his form soared into the air. After using soul power to evaporate the moisture from his clothes, he landed gracefully on the shore.
"Big Brother Junting."
The moment he reached land, Ning Tian came forward to greet him.
Chen Junting reached out and naturally pulled Ning Tian into his embrace. This brief moment of intimacy immediately served public displays of affection to the beasts and humans present.
However, at this moment by the Lake of Life, besides Gu Tianchen, Wu Feng, Di Tian, and Bi Ji, there were no other humans or beasts.
And conveniently, the relationships between Di Tian and Bi Ji, as well as Gu Tianchen and Wu Feng, were all quite special. Faced with this display of affection, they merely showed disgust for a moment before gazing into each other's eyes.
After a while, Chen Junting and the others sat together in a circle.
As for Di Yao...
Ever since she became enchanted by the human world of painting and art, how could she remain in the Star Dou Forest? After the matter of artificial soul bones was concluded, she had once again "escaped" from the Star Dou Forest.
"Congratulations." Di Tian assessed Chen Junting with a glance. "I can sense that the sword intent from earlier has completely transformed. But speaking of which, let me see what your domain is capable of."
"Alright."
Since Di Tian said so, Chen Junting didn't waste time.
With a thought, his soul bone skill "Tyrannical Domain" unfolded. Almost instantly, it caused the atmosphere of the surroundings to shift. Among the six present, the one most suppressed was undoubtedly Bi Ji.
"As expected, it has successfully transformed as well."
Upon brief examination, Di Tian, as well as Gu Tianchen and Ning Tian, all sensed the difference in this "Tyrannical Domain" compared to before.
If the previous "Tyrannical Domain" was mixed with tyranny sufficient to destroy everything, then the current "Tyrannical Domain" was a heaven-piercing sword capable of severing the sky and splitting everything.
A single word "Slay" was sufficient to describe the current transformation.
"Holy crap... Sword guy, that's amazing!"
Chen Junting's complete mastery of the domain couldn't help but make Wu Feng click her tongue in amazement. Currently, she herself still didn't possess a domain. Even among the core disciples of the Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, only Huo Yuhao, Dugu Xin, Ji Juechen, and Ning Tian—just these few—possessed domains or domain-type soul skills.
Yet this "inhuman" fellow had actually taken control of the domain granted by his soul bone skill and made it his own.
"What? Envious?"
Hearing Wu Feng's words, Chen Junting directed his gaze toward her, a faintly smiling expression appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"What do you think?"
"Since you want it, I'll give you an opportunity."
The moment Chen Junting said this, Wu Feng immediately perked up her ears. Even Gu Tianchen and Ning Tian cast interested glances over.
At this moment, those crimson eyes were filled with excitement.
"Sword guy, you can't be tricking me!"
With that said, she eagerly rubbed her hands together.
"Hurry, hurry! Tell me what opportunity this is."
For a moment, Gu Tianchen and Ning Tian also sat up straight. Clearly, the temptation of possessing a domain was simply too great.
Seeing their reactions, Chen Junting didn't drag things out.
But first, there were some things that needed to be made clear.
"Xiao Tian, Lao Gu, this opportunity to possess a domain actually holds the greatest advantage for Wu Feng. Because her attribute is Ultimate Fire, she has very strong control over fire attributes. So among you three, she has the greatest chance of success."
"Just like Yuh... um... Xin."
Hearing this, Ning Tian couldn't help but understand. After a pause, she prepared to use Huo Yuhao as an example. But when she remembered that Huo Yuhao's domain was a soul bone skill, she switched to Dugu Xin instead.
"Exactly."
However, just as Chen Junting finished speaking and Wu Feng was feeling slightly proud, "Actually, I don't think my chances are small either."
Suddenly, Gu Tianchen interjected with a statement. He smiled and said, "Lao Chen, don't forget the reward I received when you and I entered the Slaughter City and passed through the Hell Road."
Instantly, Chen Junting's memories were triggered.
He immediately smiled and tapped his forehead.
"How foolish of me."
Then he said, "In that case, let's begin. Xiao Tian, although the chances are slim, you should try first as well."
"Alright."
Ning Tian nodded slightly, though unwilling to admit defeat.
Even though she already possessed the soul bone skill—"Illusion Space."
Di Tian and Bi Ji indicated that they wouldn't interfere in this matter; they would simply sit to the side and protect the four of them.
Chen Junting slowly closed his eyes, his aura becoming calm.
However, this was like the calm before a storm.
Sure enough!
The next second, whoosh—
An icy and vast aura instantly enveloped Ning Tian and the other two, almost instinctively causing their pupils to contract.
This was the Slaughter Domain!
And this was not the end. Immediately following, a boundless and all-encompassing conception superimposed itself upon the Slaughter Domain.
This was the Entrapment Domain!
Dreamlike and ever-changing, the constantly shifting scenery seemed to fill their minds, making them unable to distinguish reality from illusion.
But then a bone-chilling coldness completely woke them up. Because their bodies' instincts told their consciousness that if they didn't wake up now, it would be eternal slumber.
This was the Annihilation Domain!
And finally, boom—
Total annihilation! Destruction! The end!
The sensation of three combined erupted in their hearts!
Chen Junting's newly comprehended "Slaying Domain" also superimposed with the other three great domains at this moment.
Creak creak—
The deployment of four great domains, paired with Chen Junting's unrestrained, surging aura, instantly maximized the terrifying pressure. In mere moments, it caused Wu Feng to clench her teeth, with even a drop of sweat being squeezed out but evaporated by her.
Ning Tian also furrowed her delicate brows, yet remained endearingly composed.
Among the three, only Gu Tianchen was in the best condition.
Under the rotation and pressure of the four great domains, Gu Tianchen's aura permeated his surroundings, as if spatial power was constantly fluctuating. Even the domain seed within his body began to transform, trembling slightly as if about to break through its shell and sprout.
Meanwhile, while Chen Junting was helping the three comprehend domains, he himself was not idle. He rotated the four great domains, constantly tempering their respective auras. He didn't seek complete perfection but rather to achieve interconnected auras—you within me, me within you.
This time, the three great spirit souls were no longer mere spectators. They appeared one by one, sitting cross-legged within the domains matching their own auras.
Snow Empress "Xue Di"—Annihilation Domain;
Tyrannical Bone Dragon "Tyrant"—Slaying Domain;
Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear "Mad King"—Slaughter Domain.
Now, only the Entrapment Domain lacked a corresponding spirit soul.
After who knew how long, the auras of the three great spirit souls seemed to achieve a mysterious resonance with the domains they respectively guarded. And at this moment, the auras of the four great domains began to show a trace of connection.
Hum—
With a light hum, Chen Junting suddenly opened his eyes. In an instant, his spiritual power precisely locked onto that trace of connection.
"Go!"
With a light shout, array patterns were instantly outlined. Flying toward the location of the aura connection, they completed their interweaving in mere moments.
Thus, Chen Junting still didn't stop. Array patterns continuously emerged from his hands, spreading outward from that connection node until they completely covered the four great domains.
Hum—
Instantly, a wave emanated from the center of the great array. And it split into four nodes, landing in the centers of the four great domains.
"Emerge!"
Following this, Chen Junting didn't hesitate. Summoning his Seven Kill Sword martial soul, he immediately transformed soul power into swords, splitting into four parts that landed in the centers of the arrays formed by the four great domains, becoming the core array eyes.
Whoosh—
Slay, Massacre, Annihilate, Entrap!
The four great sword intents moved together, attached by Chen Junting to the bodies of the four soul power-manifested Seven Kill Swords, resonating with the four great domains.
At this moment, Chen Junting's eyes revealed cold light as he raised both arms!
"Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, rise!"
The four great domains moved together, the four divine swords resonated together. Under the connection of array patterns, they circulated and transformed, and a phantom array disk formed instantly.
At this moment, sword qi crisscrossed within the great array.
Even Di Tian and Bi Ji, watching from the sidelines, were shocked to the core upon seeing this scene. Even the relatively weaker Bi Ji felt a chill in her heart and a shiver down her spine. She felt that if she entered this array, she would quickly die without a burial place.
"What a formidable Immortal-Slaying Sword Array."
Di Tian spoke, feeling he wasn't exaggerating in the slightest. Even if he entered the array, he would absolutely be injured by it.
Looking at this phantom array disk, Chen Junting waved his large hand!
A piece of Life Gold that had been prepared long ago flew out, though only the size of a fingernail. He needed a physical object to carry the phantom array disk, rather than having to reconfigure it each time it was used. After all, the array patterns of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array were far too complicated.
The Life Gold in hand, wrapped in soul power.
The next second, soul power suddenly ignited, like flames continuously burning the Life Gold. After half an hour, the seemingly incomparably hard Life Gold seemed about to melt, constantly expanding.
In just a few breaths' time, the originally fingernail-sized Life Gold transformed into a large circular chart. Dense life energy surged forth, enveloping the entire Immortal-Slaying Great Array.
"Descend!"
Chen Junting manipulated hand seals, controlling the phantom array disk of the "Immortal-Slaying Sword Array" to land upon the large chart formed from Life Gold.
"Merge!"
Instantly, a tremor came from the void. With life as its foundation, carrying the array patterns of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, the patterns were like sharp carving knives, constantly leaving marks upon the large chart of Life Gold, yet being erased by life energy.
This repeated until the array patterns could be inscribed upon it. The pure Life Gold completely transformed into the array chart of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, becoming like a small world that encompassed all phenomena and contained infinite changes.
Clang— ×4
At this moment, the four swords resonated together, piercing through the void. The appearance of the array chart made the already formidable sword array rise to a higher level!
Almost simultaneously, boom—, hum—
Below the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, Wu Feng and Gu Tianchen completely erupted under the terrifying pressure!
High temperatures swept forth as crimson flames burned fiercely; spatial fluctuations occurred as phantom figures seemed no longer to be in this world.
Roar— ×2
Two dragon roars came as the phantom images of Wu Feng and Gu Tianchen's martial souls flickered behind them. Simultaneously, the two also opened their eyes at this moment, resonating with their awakened domains!
Seeing this, Chen Junting waved his large hand directly, putting away the newly formed Immortal-Slaying Sword array chart. To prevent Wu Feng and Gu Tianchen's momentum from being interpreted by the sword array's mechanism as a provocation.
If they really fought, they wouldn't come out well.
Though the array chart was put away and the sword array dissolved, Chen Junting's four great domains were still rotating. After all, although Gu Tianchen and Wu Feng had awakened and succeeded, Ning Tian had not.
Unfortunately, as time passed minute by second, when Wu Feng and Gu Tianchen had both adapted to their domains, when Chen Junting's three great spirit souls had also awakened from their guardianship to consolidate their gains.
Ning Tian still had achieved nothing. Only the flickering ring in her hand seemed to indicate her current state.
Seeing this, Chen Junting, who was spiritually connected with her, dissolved the four great domains. Because he knew that for Ning Tian, comprehending a domain was extremely difficult. At least... for now, it was.
"What a pity."
Ning Tian opened her eyes, unable to help feeling some regret. But she quickly adjusted her emotions, letting that trace of regret disappear.
After all, from the beginning, her chances of comprehension weren't high.
She herself knew this.
"Disappointed?" Chen Junting came to her side. Seeing that she had no negative emotions, he spoke with a slightly teasing tone.
"Not at all."
Ning Tian pouted like a little girl.
"Big Brother Junting, don't talk nonsense."
"Alright, alright, not disappointed."
Chen Junting smiled and said: "But if you really didn't comprehend it, it doesn't matter. I have another, even better gift for you."
"What gift?"
Ning Tian tilted her head, curious.
This also unavoidably attracted Wu Feng and the other's attention.
But Chen Junting didn't reveal it directly, only saying: "Do you remember the four soul bones I specially arranged for you to absorb?"
Hearing this, Ning Tian nodded slightly.
Of course she remembered—the Sky Azure Bull Python right arm bone, the White Tiger left arm bone, the Cyan Jade Fire Dove right leg bone, and the left leg bone forged from Life Gold that traced back to the Golden Tortoise's life imprint.
So she asked curiously:
"What exactly is special about these soul bones?"
"These four soul bones contain life imprints that all bear traces of divine beasts. The Sky Azure Bull Python is the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger corresponds to the White Tiger, the Cyan Jade Fire Dove is the Vermillion Bird, and the Golden Tortoise is the Xuan Wu (Black Tortoise). These four great divine beasts correspond to twenty-eight stars, truly extraordinary."
"And the reason I arranged for you to absorb these four soul bones was to set up a great array on your body to ensure your safety."
Chen Junting's eloquent explanation finally led Ning Tian to ask, "Big Brother Junting, what is this great array called?"
"The Four Symbols Star Array."
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