Xu Qi An?

When did he arrive?

The sudden appearance of this Rank One Martial Artist caught all the surrounding transcendents off guard, whether they were near or far. He seemed to materialize without warning, evading the perception of all the powerful transcendent masters present.

“Xu Silver Bell is here~~”

In the distance, Luan Yu called out in delight, her eyes sparkling with joy, face blooming like a flower.

Long Tu let out a breath of relief. “He made it back just in time. Now we have a real fight on our hands.”

“Barely!” Heart Gu Master Chun Yan whispered.

With Xu Qi An, a Rank One Martial Artist, joining the battle, Great Feng finally had a chance to turn the tide. At least when facing the three Bodhisattvas, they could now take the offensive instead of merely defending.

Perhaps the Rank One Martial Artist could even assist the Half-Step Warrior God and form a deadlock against the Buddha.

Finally, he’s back… Asura, Daoist Jin Lian, and the others felt their burdens lighten.

Great Feng desperately needed combat power at the Rank One Martial Artist level. Only then could they free up forces to assist Shen Shu and increase his chances of victory against the Beyond-Rank expert? Shen Shu alone stood no chance against the Buddha.

His current pitiful state was proof enough of that.

Though a Half-Step Warrior God wouldn’t easily fall, being worn down by the Buddha like this meant defeat was inevitable.

The court hoped to delay this outcome as long as possible, buying time to evacuate more civilians and save more innocent lives.

As various thoughts raced through everyone’s minds, they watched Xu Qi An walk out step by step, accompanied by Du E Arhat.

Where he passed, the dark red flesh-like substance that resembled mud was pushed back by his qi. Though it frantically tried to assault him, it couldn’t get near Xu Qi An.

This scene mirrored how Shen Shu had pushed back these substances not long ago.

This… The hearts of Great Feng’s transcendent experts began racing as bold speculation formed in their minds. Their pulses quickened, blood surged, and they were filled with irrepressible joy.

Following Xu Qi An, Du E walked step by step out of the normal zone. The emaciated old monk stared at him and slowly asked:

“You’ve advanced to Half-Step Warrior God?”

When this question was asked, all eyes focused on Xu Qi An.

Saren Agu darted out several hundred meters, staring at him without blinking.

Yang Gong, Sun Xuanji, Daoist Jin Lian, and further back, Chu Yuanzhen and Heng Yuan – they all couldn’t help but hold their breath.

Xu Qi An nodded slightly, his expression calm:

“Yes.”

A calm expression, a plain tone.

But to those who heard it, it was like a massive boulder dropping into a lake – no, like a meteorite crashing into the ocean, stirring up emotions comparable to a tsunami.

Another Half-Step Warrior God had emerged.

The Nine Provinces had produced a new Half-Step Warrior God.

Since the end of the God-Demon Era, throughout countless years, there had only been one documented Half-Step Warrior God – Shen Shu.

Now, and in the future, a new name will be recorded in history – Xu Qi An!

In a sense, Half-Step Warrior Gods were even rarer than Beyond-Rank experts.

Bodhisattva Liu Li, Bodhisattva Jia Luo Shu, and Bodhisattva Guang Xian, who had only been slightly surprised at Xu Qi An’s arrival, now found their expressions slowly freezing.

The ice-cold Luo Yuheng gazed at Xu Qi An, her eyes gentle.

She wasn’t looking at a Half-Step Warrior God but at her own man.

He must have met the Director or perhaps received something from the Bureau of Astronomy before heading out to sea… Daoist Jin Lian stroked his beard and smiled, his mind making various connections.

As someone equally skilled in planning and strategy, the Orange Cat Daoist understood the Director’s unfathomable nature and had some anticipation and expectations for Xu Qi An’s advancement.

When we first met in the Southern Borders, he was merely a Third Rank Martial Artist. In just one year, he’s become a Half-Step Warrior God… While excited and moved, Asura recalled the past, feeling as if it were all a dream.

He reached this step, becoming the Nine Provinces’ second Half-Step Warrior God. This is my disciple, I’m the teacher of a Half-Step Warrior God. Today’s catastrophe in Lei Province can be resolved, innocent civilians won’t suffer… Yang Gong’s hands trembled within his sleeves as emotions surged through him.

Sun Xuanji: “…”

Senior Brother Sun had countless words in his heart.

In the darkness came Chu Yuanzhen’s unrestrained laughter, like that of a madman, sweeping away the gloom.

Beside him, Master Heng Yuan pressed his palms together in prayer, his face full of satisfaction.

“One Shen Shu was already terrifying enough. Now Xu Qi An has also become a Half-Step Warrior God – surely enough to contend with Beyond-Rank experts.” Yi’er Bu muttered softly.

Fear could be seen and heard in his expression and tone.

Director, he was your trump card… Saren Agu’s eyes darkened, his aged and rough face showing no emotion.

A certain thought in his heart had been confirmed.

After a brief moment of mental blank, only one thought remained in Luan Yu’s mind:

I’ve slept with a Half-Step Warrior God, I’m the most accomplished leader in the history of the Emotion Gu Sect!

Her face flushed red with excitement, her whole body trembling with enthusiasm.

The Gu Tribe leaders were equally thrilled and excited. Though they hadn’t slept with a Half-Step Warrior God, Xu Qi An becoming the Nine Provinces’ second Half-Step Warrior God meant the Southern Borders had gained a Half-Step Warrior God as an ally.

Today’s anomaly in the Western Regions could be tomorrow’s example for the Southern Borders.

They couldn’t help but fear.

Now, with such a powerful ally, the tribal leaders felt much more at ease.

“Amitabha, may the Mahayana Buddhist Church last for thousands of generations!”

Du E’s gaunt face showed a genuine smile.

Xu Qi An swept his gaze across Great Feng’s transcendents, the Gu Tribe leaders, Witch God Church shamans, and Buddhist Bodhisattvas. After taking in their expressions of fear, wild joy, or fury, he looked toward Shen Shu and the Buddha.

Then, he walked back to Shen Shu’s side step by step, pushing aside the mud-like flesh substance along the way.

During this process, all the transcendent experts watched him, following his steps.

How powerful was this newly advanced Half-Step Warrior God?

“Well done.”

Xu Qi An nodded to Shen Shu.

By now, Shen Shu had grown new flesh but hadn’t fully recovered, looking like a body stripped of its skin.

The power of the Great Sun Tathagata’s manifestation clung to his bones, corroding his body and countering the Half-Step Warrior God’s immortal nature. This made Shen Shu’s regeneration relatively slow.

“You’ve done well too.”

Shen Shu said flatly.

As they spoke, the tall Buddha statue formed from the flesh substance looked down at Xu Qi An from above, speaking for the first time in a majestic and solemn voice:

“Gatekeeper!”

As expected, the Beyond-Rank expert knows everything and knows that the Warrior God is the designated gatekeeper. Only Huang, who’s overseas, doesn’t know… Xu Qi An said with a grin:

“You and the Witch God hunt Rank One Martial Artists, preventing them from growing stronger, just to prevent the emergence of a gatekeeper.”

“Now that I’m a Half-Step Warrior God, immortal and undying, can you still kill me?”

What is he talking about… Asura, Yang Gong, Daoist Jin Lian, and others listened in confusion, as did the Gu Tribe leaders.

Wasn’t the Director the gatekeeper? How did this relate to martial artists?

Vaguely, they felt that the information revealed in Xu Qi An’s words was important, but now wasn’t the time to dig deeper. They could only suppress their burning curiosity and hold their positions.

The Buddha’s response to Xu Qi An was silence. In that silence, miniature suns slowly took shape one by one.

“Don’t be careless.”

Shen Shu warned.

“I know!”

Xu Qi An raised his wrist, activating the large eye to try cutting through space and relocating the miniature suns.

But he quickly failed. Each miniature sun contained the Buddha’s will.

They were one entity.

Unless they could all be relocated at once, this artifact couldn’t cut through space spanning several kilometers – it exceeded the artifact’s range.

At this moment, the Buddha mysteriously vanished and appeared behind Xu Qi An. The Vajra manifestation surged with terrifying energy as twelve fists struck down.

This attack was enough to pound a Rank One Martial Artist into the ground.

The Great Reincarnation manifestation’s Buddhist text representing “human” lit up, casting a golden light onto Xu Qi An.

The Great Reincarnation manifestation’s light missed as Xu Qi An appeared behind the Buddha, equally ghost-like, without a sound.

But he couldn’t tear apart the Buddha statue formed by the Buddha… The Great Compassion manifestation chanted sutras, waves of Sanskrit sounds dissipating the enemy’s will to fight.

The Great Wisdom manifestation reversed its wheel of light, lowering the intelligence of surrounding enemies.

Using his mysterious methods, the Buddha recreated the scene from his earlier battle with Shen Shu.

Seeing this, Sun Xuanji reacted first, opening his storage artifact to take out another bronze bell… Artificers were always so wealthy.

Yang Gong flicked his Confucian cap, stirring up clear light.

Daoist Jin Lian raised his hand toward Xu Qi An, preparing to add fortune to him.

“Boom!”

Thunder roared in the sky, bringing down lightning pillars as thick as water tanks. The world instantly turned bright white as torrential rain poured down.

This interrupted Sun Xuanji and the others’ actions, forcing them into passive defense.

Command of wind and rain!

The ability of a Second Rank Rain Master.

The Witch God Church had also joined the fray… The hearts of Great Feng’s transcendent experts sank.

Without hesitation, Luo Yuheng brought her sword fingers together, controlling flying swords to shoot toward Xu Qi An. The sword bodies blazed with intense human emotions, making people sink into depravity and fall from grace.

This was a move Chu Yuanzhen had used before.

As expected, the Buddha erected the Colorless Crystal Domain, draining all color from the surroundings.

Even the flying swords of a Terrestrial Immortal inevitably fell when faced with magic cast by a Beyond-Rank expert.

By now, the Buddha’s Great Sun Tathagata manifestation had fully formed.

Luo Yuheng and others who had witnessed Shen Shu’s miserable state earlier watched anxiously.

Even a Half-Step Warrior God would pay a heavy price to withstand the Buddha’s charged attack.

And to take the Great Sun bombardment without any defense…

The Great Sun slowly collided with Xu Qi An.

Suddenly, a coquettish laugh echoed through the night sky.

The laughter was pleasant to hear – though not loud, it penetrated everyone’s ears and souls, bringing an irresistible charm that caused lower-ranked cultivators like Yi’er Bu and Chu Yuanzhen to experience hallucinations.

They became dizzy and disoriented.

Saren Agu and other Rank One and Two experts looked toward the sound. Under the heavy night sky, a peerless enchantress with snow-white bare feet walked through the air. Her beauty was otherworldly, with eight fox tails spread like a peacock’s display.

Bewitchingly beautiful.

The Nine-Tailed Fox had arrived, bringing with her waves of pressure like ocean tides that covered every powerful expert present indiscriminately.

R-Rank One?!

The expressions of the three Buddhist Bodhisattvas changed slightly.

They clearly understood what a Rank One Nine-Tailed Fox meant. Before they could react with shock and anger, everyone’s attention, including theirs, was simultaneously drawn to Xu Qi An and the Buddha.

Under the demonic sound invasion, Xu Qi An broke free from the influence of the various manifestations.

It was at this moment that the Great Sun Tathagata manifestation struck down.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Qi An removed his bracelet and swallowed it. Then, blood mist began spraying from every pore of his body as his vital essence burned, power coursing through his four limbs and hundred bones.

Blood Sacrifice Technique!

He spread his arms and said in a deep voice:

“Power of All Beings!”

Countless invisible streams flowed in from all directions, merging into his body like rivers flowing into the sea.

His aura exploded.

But that wasn’t all. Twisted patterns appeared on his skin like tattoos, densely covering his entire body.

Those who witnessed these tattoos felt fear explode in their hearts, sensing that he was the embodiment of “power” itself, a deity who commanded worldly might.

Finally, he collapsed all his qi and settled all his emotions.

Heaven and Earth Single Blade Strike!

By now, he could cast this spell without relying on blade intent.

Under the guidance of the Heaven and Earth Single Blade Strike secret technique, all this power collapsed into the black hole formed in his dantian.

Saren Agu’s expression changed slightly. Without a word, he waved his sleeve, riding a black light to flee into the distance.

The Buddhist Bodhisattvas, Great Feng’s transcendent experts, and the Gu Tribe leaders all abandoned their fights to retreat.

During this process, they looked back to see the newly advanced Half-Step Warrior God throw a punch at the Great Sun Tathagata manifestation.

The next moment, they lost their vision.

The intense light burned their eyeballs, causing everyone who dared to look back to shed tears of blood.

Boom!

The tremendous qi and golden Buddhist light formed a huge mushroom cloud, surging up thousands of meters into the sky.

The “mud” formed by the Buddha’s body was stripped away layer by layer, annihilated piece by piece. No living beings existed within several miles except for the two Half-Step Warrior Gods, Shen Shu and Xu Qi An.

That Buddha statue with eight great manifestations behind it used the Practitioner manifestation to avoid the explosion of the Great Sun Tathagata.

After an unknown time, everything became calm, leaving only the devastated earth and two glowing red skeletons.

“That hurt…”

Xu Qi An transmitted mentally.

…

“Stronger than Shen Shu…”

Bodhisattva Guang Xian said softly.

The power Xu Qi An just displayed had surpassed Shen Shu.

Bodhisattva Liu Li and Jia Luo Shu remained silent. The heavy feeling that Daoist Jin Lian and others had felt earlier now weighed on them.

At this point, the Buddha’s plan to gain an advantage by consuming the Central Plains first had completely failed.

“Ah, troublesome.”

Saren Agu sighed. He glanced at the two Spirit Wisdom Masters beside him, their faces pale and eyes filled with fear.

In contrast, Great Feng’s transcendents represented by Luo Yuheng, as well as the Gu Tribe leaders, were both shocked and delighted.

Xu Qi An’s combat power had completely exceeded their expectations, giving them strong confidence.

Xu Qi An spat out the Earth Book fragment and gripped the Nation Stabilizing Sword with his bone hand, saying:

“Master, help me resist the influence of the various manifestations.”

The half-skeleton Shen Shu remained silent and charged at the Buddha first. While the opponent effectively restrained the Buddha, Xu Qi An collapsed his qi and emotions, merged with the power of all beings, and executed Jade Shatter.

The ground, covering thousands of miles, split open with a hundred-zhang-long crack. The flesh substance at the edges of the crack turned black and hard, completely losing vitality.

But for the Buddha, such injuries held no meaning.

A sword wound simultaneously split open on Xu Qi An’s chest, then immediately healed.

Unable to kill a Beyond-Rank expert, ordinary methods can’t threaten them… Xu Qi An wasn’t surprised, rather feeling this was normal.

Why did the Confucian Saint only seal, but not kill the Buddha and Witch God?

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to – he couldn’t!

“Killing a Beyond-Rank expert requires special methods.”

At this point, Shen Shu spoke.

“Special methods?” Xu Qi An asked humbly.

“I don’t know,” Shen Shu said flatly. “But I know how to force Him back.”

He stopped talking and demonstrated personally.

Tremendous and terrifying power surged out from Shen Shu’s body like a broken dam’s flood.

In an instant, the elements of heaven and earth became chaotic. Dark clouds covered the sky with thunder and lightning, but what fell wasn’t rain – it was fire.

The ground took on a metallic luster as earth and metal spirits merged chaotically.

The entire earth shook with celestial phenomena, making it unclear whether heaven and earth were rejecting the martial artist, or the martial artist was rejecting heaven and earth.

This was the manifestation of a martial artist’s self-contained heaven and earth characteristic.

When first reaching Rank One, Xu Qi An also triggered celestial phenomena, attracting lightning tribulation.

But it wasn’t as dramatic as Shen Shu’s.

Expanding the Half-Step Warrior God’s domain to form a chaotic space, using this to counter the Buddha’s consumption of this realm… Watching the flesh substance retreat layer by layer, Xu Qi An had a revelation, understanding Shen Shu’s meaning.

He immediately imitated Shen Shu, expanding his domain and drawing celestial phenomena.

Instantly, the flesh substance rose like an angry ocean, waves surging up, beating and striking, invading the vast domain supported by the Half-Step Warrior Gods.

Then it was burned by terrifying power into dry, hard “soil,” its vitality extinguished.

Both sides remained frozen for a moment before the dark red flesh substance waves retreated.

The Buddha gave up consuming Lei Province and refined the Mountain River Seal.

If facing just one Half-Step Warrior God, He could “wear them down” through constant erosion until they were exhausted.

But facing two Half-Step Warrior Gods, the one who would end up exhausted would be Him.

“Let’s follow and see.” Xu Qi An’s jaw moved.

Shen Shu nodded his skeleton head.

The two Half-Step Warrior Gods instantly vanished.

…

“Go!”

Bodhisattva Liu Li placed her hands on the shoulders of the two Bodhisattvas, disappearing with them.

Saren Agu drew out his God-Striking Whip, wrapping up Yi’er Bu and the Udayana Pagoda before vanishing into the distance as a black light.

Asura and the Nine-Tailed Fox held deep grudges against the Buddhist church and were unwilling to let things end, pursuing westward.

“It’s over!”

Yang Gong felt relieved, though physically and mentally exhausted.

But his expression held barely suppressed excitement. Successfully driving back the Buddha meant Great Feng now had initial self-preservation ability against the great catastrophe.

Sun Xuanji let out a breath.

Daoist Jin Lian shook his head:

“Let’s follow and see. Xu Qi An and Shen Shu seem to want to visit the Western Regions.”

The Western Regions were the Buddha’s territory. His performance in Lei Province certainly couldn’t compare to what He could do there.

If a real fight broke out, they could still provide some help if they hurried over now.

Arhat Du E pressed his palms together:

“The Western Regions are dangerous. It’s better to observe from afar without entering their territory.”

Luo Yuheng had originally wanted to pursue the Witch God Church, but hearing this, she gave up the idea and accompanied Daoist Jin Lian and others toward the Western Regions.

…

At this time, Li Miaozhen was still waiting for Xu Qi An between heaven and sea.

“That dog, why is he so slow?!”

The Flying Swallow Heroine thought anxiously.