The Power of Xuanwu
"Good heavens! As expected of a High-Grade Blood Burst Pill—it actually allowed him to step directly into the Xuanwu Realm and unleash his Mystic Tortoise Vigor!"
Dragon Spring Tooth was slightly startled and stopped watching the show.
From Zhang Mang's words, it was obvious that he had no intention of letting him go either. Dragon Spring Tooth had already been listed among those to be killed.
Once again, he had been pushed onto the same battlefield as Zhang Lingxiao.
Although he was somewhat unwilling, there was nothing wrong with martial artists banding together against a powerful enemy.
The gap between the Xuanwu Realm and the Lingwu Realm was immense—far greater than the gap between the Lingwu Realm and the Qi Wu Realm.
The Qi Wu Realm involved sensing the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth and using it to temper the physical body.
The Lingwu Realm was the stage where Spiritual Qi liquefied and flowed through the meridians like a murmuring stream, allowing martial artists to release Spiritual Force externally.
The Xuanwu Realm, however, was entirely different.
At that stage, Spiritual Force crystallized, making the meridians within the body as tough as diamonds. The Spiritual Force evolved once again, transforming into a higher power known as Mystic Force.
Mystic Force and Spiritual Force differed by only one word, yet the gap between them was like heaven and earth.
Mystic Force was deeper and more profound. Compared to Spiritual Force—which could only be projected outward as energy—Mystic Force could even solidify, forming tangible attacks.
It could strike both internally and externally, turning the formless into the tangible—a true qualitative leap.
Without a doubt, Zhang Mang was not boasting. With his current strength, he truly had the power to fight multiple opponents and kill everyone present.
"Since that's the case… then let's fight!"
Zhang Lingxiao's eyes turned cold as he took the initiative to attack.
"Falling Leaf Swordplay!"
"Overbearing Dragon Fist!"
"Snow Moon Swordplay!"
Zhang Lingxiao, Dragon Spring Tooth, and Ma Yinger—two Lingwu Realm martial artists and one Qi Wu Realm martial artist—simultaneously unleashed their signature martial skills, surrounding Zhang Mang from three directions.
Zhang Mang burst into wild laughter. With a casual wave of his large hand, he actually met all three attacks head-on, acting incomparably arrogant.
"Again!"
The three attacked once more in unison.
Zhang Mang received another round of attacks without retreating, his arrogance growing even stronger. Mystic Force surged throughout his body, emitting a faint blood-red glow, making him resemble a bloodthirsty demon king.
"All of you… die!"
"Demon Bone Palm!"
Boom!
A colossal blood-red palm print materialized in midair. It appeared almost solid as it transformed into a sky-filling demonic light and blasted toward the trio.
Bang!
A violent explosion erupted.
Among the three attackers, Dragon Spring Tooth—whose strength was the lowest—had his protective divine light shattered instantly by the blood-red palm. He was sent flying backward and crashed beside Zhang Yuyang.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Zhang Lingxiao immediately used Phantom Step. At the same time, he wrapped his arm around Ma Yinger's slender waist and swiftly dodged the attack.
"Is this the difference between the Lingwu Realm and the Xuanwu Realm?!"
Held in Zhang Lingxiao's embrace, Ma Yinger's delicate body tensed. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shock.
If Zhang Lingxiao hadn't saved her just now, her fate would have been no better than Dragon Spring Tooth's.
Zhang Lingxiao frowned slightly as well.
The strength Zhang Mang displayed was definitely not that of an ordinary First Heaven Xuanwu Realm martial artist. The pressure it brought him was immense.
After all, Zhang Lingxiao had only just entered the Lingwu Realm. Although his physical body was stronger than most at the same level, the gap in cultivation between them was simply too great.
At that moment, the Six-Armed Giant Ape, which had been rampaging outside the cave entrance, suddenly fell silent.
Immediately afterward, thunderous roars echoed from outside—like war drums beating against the sky, each one deafening.
Zhang Mang's expression changed drastically when he heard the sound.
"Hahaha! Zhang Mang, you're finished!"
Zhang Yuyang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Clutching his shattered shoulder, he struggled to lean against the wall and stand up again, laughing wildly as though he were about to witness a grand spectacle.
Zhang Mang's expression shifted once more upon seeing this. Suddenly, a sly smile appeared on his face—like a fox spotting its prey.
"Hahaha!"
"Perfect. I almost forgot about you."
"If I'm not mistaken, you're able to maintain your Lingwu Realm cultivation precisely because you possess Li Zhan's special token, right? Perfect—hand it over!"
Zhang Mang extended his palm and made a grasping motion through the air. Instantly, the token flew from Zhang Yuyang's robes toward him.
At the same moment, a dazzling golden light erupted from the cave entrance not far away.
"Not good! It's the Thunder Punishment—quickly suppress your cultivation!" Zhang Lingxiao shouted.
Dragon Spring Tooth immediately used his movement technique, retreating rapidly away from Zhang Yuyang.
Zhang Yuyang's expression stiffened. He hurriedly activated a secret technique, attempting to lower his cultivation below the Lingwu Realm.
But the Thunder Punishment was unbelievably fast.
A bolt of divine lightning shot straight through the cave entrance like a raging thunder dragon. With bared fangs and claws, it carried a terrifying destructive aura as it struck directly toward Zhang Yuyang.
Boom!
The thunder descended.
Thick smoke rose like a mushroom cloud, instantly engulfing Zhang Yuyang.
"Hehehe… now I have the token's protection too. All of you—die!"
Zhang Mang laughed triumphantly, madness filling his voice.
He clenched his hand. The wooden token instantly crumbled into powder, which enveloped his body before dissolving into nothingness.
"Demon Bone Palm!"
Zhang Mang struck out again.
A terrifying palm from the Xuanwu Realm carried a devastating aura as it slammed toward Zhang Lingxiao.
"Mountain-Splitting Palm!"
Zhang Lingxiao pushed Ma Yinger behind him with one hand while unleashing his own full-power palm strike with the other.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zhang Lingxiao's palm was formed from Spiritual Force, a phantom projection.
Zhang Mang's palm, however, appeared like a crystalline structure—translucent and solid. The massive palm carried the Mystic Tortoise Vigor, crashing down like an overwhelming tide.
The two attacks collided, producing a violent shockwave that deafened everyone nearby and forced them to shut their eyes.
Zhang Lingxiao's palm print was instantly shattered.
"Pfft!"
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Zhang Lingxiao! Are you alright?!"
Ma Yinger rushed forward, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.
"After all… it's the Xuanwu Realm. I'm still too weak right now."
Zhang Lingxiao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head.
The difference between Spiritual Force and Mystic Force was fundamental.
If he were in the Late Stage Lingwu Realm, or even at Perfection, he might have had the ability to challenge someone above his realm.
But right now, he was only in the Early Stage Lingwu Realm.
There was simply no chance of victory.
I can only stall him, Zhang Lingxiao thought.
Just like when I counter-killed Zhang Yuntao. Once the Blood Burst Pill's effects wear off… I'll strike.
If we are both at the First Heaven of the Lingwu Realm, I'm absolutely confident I can kill him.
But… will Zhang Mang give me that chance?
Boom!
Another palm strike descended.
This time, Zhang Lingxiao did not meet it head-on. Instead, he used Phantom Step, turning into streaks of afterimages as he evaded the attack.
For the next several exchanges, he continued to respond in this manner.
Phantom Step was a movement technique given to him by Su Qing.
Although it was only a Yellow-Rank High-Grade martial skill, it originated from a Heaven Martial Realm expert and contained profound principles far beyond ordinary techniques of the same rank.
If cultivated to its limits, even Profound-Rank Medium-Grade movement skills might not surpass it.
Under the pressure of battle, Zhang Lingxiao's comprehension rapidly deepened.
His control over Phantom Step reached an even higher level.
Seeing this, Zhang Mang grew increasingly anxious.
Zhang Lingxiao's movement technique was simply too elusive—real and illusory at the same time, impossible to distinguish. Like a slippery loach, he was almost impossible to hit.
Although the Blood Burst Pill Zhang Mang had consumed was high-grade, its side effects were still severe.
Once the pill's effect ended, not only would he lose his temporary power, but his cultivation would also suffer a drastic decline.
He might even fall all the way back to the Middle Stage Qi Wu Realm.
"Zhang Lingxiao! You coward—where are you running?!"
Zhang Mang roared furiously.
As time passed, his Mystic Force was not only being consumed rapidly—it was even beginning to leak out.
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