Like a drought-stricken land finally receiving sweet rain… that was perhaps the best way to describe Xu Qi An’s current state.
Strictly speaking, he had died moments ago. When the lightning spear exploded within his body, the lightning and Five Elements’ power ravaged him, severing his life force and causing his earthly and heavenly souls to leave his body.
Nalan Tianlu had forcefully pushed himself beyond his limits, paying a heavy price to temporarily recover to the peak of Second Rank. That lightning spear’s power had directly exceeded what a Third Rank warrior could withstand.
Fortunately, the Medicine Buddha Avatar in the Pagoda could resurrect the dead and regenerate flesh and bone.
This was why Xu Qi An had dared to gamble his life against Nalan Tianlu.
“My current level is about early Third Rank, while Nalan Tianlu at his limit is peak Second Rank. The gap is even more than one full rank. Thankfully, I used Heaven and Earth Slash and the Confucian’s Righteous Qi to weaken the lightning spear.”
Xu Qi An felt a lingering fear.
After sensing the breakthrough in “Jade Shatter,” Xu Qi An kept his greatest trump card in reserve, choosing instead to use Jade Shatter to gamble with Nalan Tianlu.
While communicating with the Pagoda Spirit to confirm the old monk wasn’t seriously hurt and could provide timely rescue, he had given himself two layers of protection to ensure his survival: one was the Heaven and Earth Slash, and the other was the Confucian’s Righteous Qi.
Both were used to weaken the lightning spear’s power.
He had won his gamble and survived—or more accurately, had been successfully revived.
This was truly having fortune on his side.
“It’s a pity my Jade Shatter just had a breakthrough and couldn’t reflect 100% of the damage back to the opponent. Otherwise, Nalan Tianlu might have been instantly reduced to ashes.”
Xu Qi An watched Dong Fang Wan Rong’s miserable screams with regret.
Jade Shatter’s damage reflection would have some loss—currently, he could only reflect about 60% of the damage.
It was completely a gamble of whose life was more resilient.
Dong Fang Wan Rong was just caught in the aftermath. Jade Shatter’s damage reflection target was Nalan Tianlu, not her.
The reason she was in such a miserable state was because Nalan Tianlu was residing within her body, causing her to suffer the consequences.
If the damage had been directly reflected to her, with her mere Fourth Rank strength, she would have been reduced to ashes long ago.
Li Ling Su hovered in the distance, neither approaching nor leaving, preventing anyone from taking advantage of the situation to deliver a fatal blow.
However, his gaze wasn’t on Xu Qi An but closely monitoring Dong Fang Wan Rong’s condition. The Holy Son’s brows were tightly knitted, and his heart worried about his former lover’s condition.
Miao You Fang also stopped his steps, climbing onto a withered tree, only regretting that he couldn’t fly.
[Continued in next section due to length]
“Using one’s technique against them?”
“Medicine Buddha Avatar!!”
The two Vajra masters, Du Fan and Du Nan spoke simultaneously, both shocked and angry.
They were shocked because they couldn’t understand why Dong Fang Wan Rong had suffered such backlash, receiving the same attack as Xu Qi An.
Such a technique was simply unheard of.
Their anger stemmed from the fact that with the Medicine Buddha Avatar’s appearance, Xu Qi An’s life would likely be saved.
The Nine Great Buddhist Avatars were created by Buddha himself, representing supreme techniques, each avatar possessing mysterious and unfathomable abilities.
The Medicine Buddha Avatar lacked offensive power but could resurrect the dead and reverse fate itself.
Years ago during the Jiazi Demon Purge, when Bodhisattva Faji manifested the Medicine Buddha Avatar, countless Buddhist disciples and Vajra warriors were saved.
Except for certain special techniques or instant soul destruction, the Medicine Buddha Avatar could save anyone.
Now with the Medicine Buddha Avatar manifesting, even if Xu Qi An had died moments ago, he could likely be saved.
In contrast, judging from the earlier soul fluctuations, Nalan Yu Shi seemed to have suffered an unimaginable heavy injury.
Dong Fang Wan Rong’s clothes were charred black, with many holes blasted open by electric arcs. She struggled to support herself up, sitting cross-legged.
A weak blood light rose from within her body, flickering like a candle in the wind.
At this moment, the dark clouds shrouding Dog Rong Mountain began to disperse, the downpour turning to light rain. Without the Rain Master’s power supporting it, the storm finally retreated.
“Rain Master Nalan, how is your condition?”
Vajra Du Nan stepped forward.
Dong Fang Wan Rong remained silent, seemingly lacking even the strength to speak.
Nalan Tianlu used blood spirit techniques to stimulate his disciple’s body’s potential and repair injuries, but this body was already at its limit, and blood spirit techniques couldn’t create something from nothing.
Therefore, the healing effect was limited.
“Sister!”
A whooshing sound came as Dong Fang Wan Qing flew back through the air. Seeing her sister’s miserable state, her face turned pale, eyes filled with panic and urgency.
“Medicine…”
Nalan Tianlu’s exhausted voice transmitted from within Dong Fang Wan Rong’s body.
Dong Fang Wan Qing frantically took out all her healing pills, pried open Dong Fang Wan Rong’s mouth, and fed them to her.
After a moment, the rising blood light became slightly more concentrated.
“Not enough!”
Nalan Tianlu’s voice was hoarse and tired.
A witch’s physical body was too fragile, lacking the toughness and vigorous qi blood of warriors, with poor self-healing ability.
“There’s… there’s no more…”
Dong Fang Wan Qing said with a sob.
She wasn’t a technician or Daoist, how could she have so many pills?
“Great Masters, do… do you have any medicine?”
Dong Fang Wan Qing bit her lip, seeking help from Du Nan and Du Fan.
“Amitabha, this poor monk carries no medicine.”
The two Vajra masters shook their heads.
Although a Vajra’s self-healing ability was far inferior to Third Rank warriors, it was still definitely stronger than most healing pills in the world.
Unless it was supreme-grade pills refined by the Supervisor, so-called healing pills were useless to Vajra warriors.
Dong Fang Wan Qing looked up at the wind-riding boat, knowing Ji Xuan wouldn’t lack medicine.
But the boat was too high—she couldn’t fly up there.
The wind-riding boat remained silent, as if Ji Xuan had no intention of saving Dong Fang Wan Rong.
A whooshing sound came from behind as a small sword carrying a fragrance pouch flew over, embedding itself at Dong Fang Wan Qing’s feet.
She looked at the pouch, then turned to look at Li Ling Su hovering in the distance.
Dong Fang Wan Qing opened the pouch and took out several porcelain bottles, bringing them to her nose to smell and identify the properties of the medicine.
She selected some pills for healing and nourishing qi, feeding them to Dong Fang Wan Rong.
This finally stabilized her sister’s condition.
Nalan Tianlu breathed a sigh of relief and slowly said:
“I have no strength left to fight. Great Masters, do as you please.”
Forcefully raising his realm had already damaged his foundation, and then being struck by the lightning spear’s reflected power had left him extremely weak.
[To be continued in next section…]
The situation had taken a dramatic turn!
For the Martial Alliance, just as the situation had hit rock bottom, it suddenly reversed course, breaking through the heavens and soaring upward.
The change was so great and so swift that their minds were left in a dazed state.
Seconds later, screams and cheers erupted, mixed with women’s tears of joy.
Young Master Liu took a deep breath and looked around, finding that while most people’s faces still showed traces of terror and grief, their mouths were letting out cheers or sharp, meaningless cries.
A moment ago, everyone had believed Silver Badge Xu would certainly die.
The next moment, the situation reversed—that goddess-like woman was suddenly gravely injured, while Silver Badge Xu now sat cross-legged in the air, the Buddhist pagoda above his head showering golden light to protect him.
“Silver Badge Xu won.”
“That scared me to death…”
“So strong, truly worthy of being the most outstanding genius of our Central Plains’ younger generation.”
“What technique did he use just now? Why did that Rain Master suddenly suffer such heavy injuries?”
After venting their emotions, everyone began discussing enthusiastically.
He managed to take down a Second Rank Rain Master… Young Master Liu had already learned that woman’s identity from Alliance Leader Cao and other elders.
A Second Rank Rain Master from the Witch God Cult.
Second Rank—in his eyes, this was a deity-like existence.
“The Tower Master was right, Silver Badge Xu has never lost, never lost…”
Young Master Liu heard Rong Rong’s shouts and looked over to see her grabbing her master’s hand, speaking with intense emotion, tears still visible on her face.
Young Master Liu shifted his gaze to that perfectly fairy-like figure standing with her back to the Wanhua Tower disciples at the cliff’s edge, her gaze never having left Silver Badge Xu from start to finish.
Young Master Liu frowned and said:
“But aren’t there still two Buddhist Vajra warriors? And Silver Badge Xu seems unable to fight anymore…”
These words were like a bucket of cold water suddenly dumped on everyone’s heads, extinguishing their joy and excitement.
The scene instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at him.
[Continued in final section…]
“This poor monk understands.”
Vajra Asura glanced at Du Nan, gesturing for him to remain calm, and said: “Unless necessary, don’t use it.”
Du Nan nodded.
Bodhisattva Kalavruksa had given them a drop of essence blood, containing the power of the Vajra Avatar, meant to be used as a final backup.
This essence blood wasn’t ordinary blood, but rather blood with Vajra’s power refined into it.
What Xu Qi An gave to Cao Qing Yang was similar essence of blood.
The Vajra Avatar’s power was too domineering—even Third Rank Vajra warriors couldn’t properly control it.
Reckless use might cause their physical bodies to burst from the Vajra Avatar’s power, or leave difficult-to-remove hidden injuries.
Additionally, if they could defeat the Buddhist Child and Martial Alliance without using the Bodhisattva’s essence blood, they could keep it for their use, slowly digest it, and comprehend the Vajra Avatar within.
Once Bodhisattva Kalavruksa had given them the essence blood, he wouldn’t ask for it back.
“Rain Master, please focus on healing. Leave him to this poor monk.”
Vajra Asura began walking toward Xu Qi An. He soon reached the cliff’s edge, stepping into the air as if walking on solid ground.
“Xu Qi An, the Buddhist sect’s patience has limits. You’ve repeatedly opposed Buddhism, even joining forces with Luo Yu Heng to capture Arhat Du Qing.
“As this poor monk is a guardian Vajra of Buddhism, I should naturally kill enemies of Buddhism.”
Though he appeared to walk slowly, he was gathering power, firmly locking onto Xu Qi An.
Buddhism’s target was also Xu Qi An, whether to kill or convert him.
In comparison, aside from the Potential Dragon City people’s singular focus on eliminating the Martial Alliance, Nalan Tianlu and the two Vajra warriors had their priorities ordered as:
Xu Qi An, Dragon Qi, Martial Alliance!
If Xu Qi An hadn’t come, they would have collected the Dragon Qi and destroyed the Martial Alliance.
Once Xu Qi An supported the Martial Alliance, he became both sides’ primary target.
At this moment, Xu Qi An’s injuries had initially stabilized, new tender skin growing beneath the carbonized surface, and life force slowly recovering within his body.
He calmly watched the approaching Vajra Asura with his murderous intent building with each step and smiled:
“A quarter hour has already passed.”
What? Vajra Asura frowned, not understanding his meaning.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, the stone door buried under rolling rocks exploded without warning, countless stones flying about.
A snow-bright blade light filled with killing intent shot out from within the stone door, slashing toward Vajra Asura.
The Martial Alliance’s old man? Vajra Asura’s danger sense made him dodge in advance, avoiding the brilliant blade light.
After missing, this blade light quickly vanished into the void.
Vajra Asura suddenly shifted sideways. The next moment, a blade light slashed down from the void above his head, brushing past him.
Then it vanished into the void again.
It won’t disappear until it hits its target?
Vajra Asura raised his thick eyebrows, sensing danger from his left side. This time he didn’t dodge but let his fist burst with brilliant golden light, violently striking out.
It collided with the blade light attacking from the left side.
In the thunderous explosion, Vajra Asura tumbled backward through the air. He looked down in shock at his mangled right fist.
This blade intent had broken through his Vajra body.
Suddenly, almost everyone looked toward the cave. From the dark stone chamber walked out a figure.
His most eye-catching feature was his white hair, spread like a blanket behind him, dragging on the ground.
His eyebrows hung down the sides of his face, his beard reaching his chest.
He was naked, without any cloth covering his body. His skin was like pure white jade from years without sunlight, his muscles knotted, his frame tall and mighty.
His appearance was like a man in his fifties, with some wrinkles on his face, yet not appearing decrepit with age.
His facial features were like sculpture—one could imagine he must have been an extremely heroic man in his youth.
“Ancestral Patriarch?!”
Cao Qing Yang murmured.
Behind him, the various Martial Alliance warriors similarly showed confused joy mixed with worry.
“Is this our Martial Alliance’s Ancestral Patriarch?”
“Yes, it’s the Ancestral Patriarch. He somewhat resembles the portrait.”
After brief confusion, they gradually recognized this old man who had sealed himself away for hundreds of years, matching quite well with the portrait hanging in the Ancestral Hall.
“Why did the Ancestral Patriarch break through his seclusion at this time? Isn’t his… isn’t his condition very bad?”
Fu Jing Men’s expression changed as he spoke:
“Could it be that he forcefully broke through because he saw Silver Badge Xu in danger?”
He didn’t continue.
Everyone else’s expressions also changed greatly. If this was the case, the price of the Ancestral Patriarch’s forced breakthrough was imaginable.
After this battle, the Martial Alliance’s pillar of support would collapse—this was a loss the Martial Alliance couldn’t bear.
“This, this…” someone trembled, unable to speak.
Only Alliance Leader Cao Qing Yang knew about the Nine-Colored Lotus Root. Just as he was about to explain, he heard Xu Qi An laugh loudly:
“Old Senior, you finally came out. If you hadn’t broken through your seclusion, I would have left immediately.”
He could have hidden in the Buddhist Pagoda and left.
The old man laughed heartily:
“Many thanks to Silver Badge Xu for the Nine-Colored Lotus Root that helped me breakthrough. This old man has advanced to Second Rank—after extreme hardship comes prosperity!”
His voice rolled like thunder, bold and cheerful.