Chapter 691
The courtyard fell into a sudden silence. After a long pause, it was the dry voice of Tongming Shangren that broke the stillness, voicing the collective confusion: “Master, do you mean... Zheng Fa has learned it just now?”
Li Shangxian nodded silently.
The Taishang Dao’s various transformation deities looked up at Zheng Fa, lost in thought, before they all turned to gaze at Uncle Pang.
Uncle Pang was all too familiar with their expressions—they mirrored the look he had seen on Yuan Shixiong’s face, without a hint of difference.
...
Zheng Fa’s Taiji Diagram was indeed something he had just learned.
By leveraging his understanding of the Yang Shen method from the Huang Ting Jing, combined with insights gained from observing Dao Zun’s techniques through his Dongxu Lingyan, and finally integrating modern interpretations of time and space from the Zao Hua Yu Tie, he had simulated this spell in a short time.
In terms of power, it was far inferior to Dao Zun’s original version, and even less effective than the sect’s secret teachings of Taishang Dao.
It might not even possess one-tenth of its might.
But what Zheng Fa needed was precisely this one or two parts of the ability to restrain his enemy.
Against an opponent like Lu Zhenxian, a method like the Taiji Diagram, which could trap foes, was incredibly useful.
Zheng Fa pushed forward with his right hand, and the Taiji Diagram expanded to a hundred zhang in length and width, pressing down on Lu Zhenxian.
The rainbow light that Lu Zhenxian had transformed into was enveloped by the Taiji Diagram, spinning aimlessly in the air.
Seizing this opportunity, Zheng Fa executed the Hua Hong technique, finally creating some distance between himself and Lu Zhenxian.
Lu Zhenxian roared in anger, clapping his palms together to split the Taiji Diagram in half. He raised his eyes slightly, trying to locate Zheng Fa, only to see waves of fire surging toward him.
It was the True Fire of the Great Sun!
Behind Zheng Fa, thousands of blossoms of True Fire illuminated the sky in a golden hue.
At that moment, when Lu Zhenxian attempted to pursue, he found himself engulfed in a sea of flames, his ethereal form burning everywhere, making it hard to maintain his shape.
Though the True Fire of the Great Sun was not purely an offensive technique, Lu Zhenxian’s ethereal form was merely at the initial stage of transformation.
His form was not comparable to Dao Zun’s innate divine ability of the Taiji Diagram, especially in terms of defensive power.
Unlike Dao Zun, who was carefree, Lu Zhenxian surveyed his surroundings and actually used both palms to cleave through the sea of fire, charging straight toward Zheng Fa.
But...
Taiji Diagram!
Hua Hong!
True Fire of the Great Sun!
A seamless combination that left Lu Zhenxian roaring in frustration, yet he simply could not catch up to Zheng Fa.
Li Shangxian, watching from the ground, suddenly felt a twinge of pity for this major threat to Taishang Dao.
By the time Lu Zhenxian’s ethereal form was reduced to nothing by the True Fire of the Great Sun, his powerful palms, capable of splitting the heavens, hadn’t even brushed against the hem of Zheng Fa’s robe.
Seeing Lu Zhenxian’s defeat, Uncle Pang and the others on the ground let out a sigh of relief, only to see Tianhe Zunren drawing his sword, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
Uncle Pang’s heart sank again.
Although these three hadn’t attacked together, and Dao Zun had only made one move, the wheel of battle among these three powerful beings posed a daunting challenge for any cultivator.
Moreover, when Tianhe Zunren wielded his Qingping Sword, it was swift and decisive; when struck, the end came quickly!
Using that pirated Taiji Diagram for defense would surely be inadequate.
But Zheng Fa had the Hua Hong technique, so it should be fine...
Just as he thought this, he heard Li Shangxian let out a soft gasp, as if he had seen something perplexing.
He looked up to see Zheng Fa’s Yang Shen returning to the Niwan Palace, the Fusang wood behind him slowly retracting, merging with his physical body.
Zheng Fa was now draped in a long robe of purple with golden hues, his gaze fixed on Tianhe Zunren, his eyes reflecting a hint of compassion.
Everyone heard him speak: “Zunren, you cannot defeat me.”
Tianhe Zunren remained silent; it was unclear whether he was unable to speak or simply chose not to. His sword tip trembled slightly, and the meaning was clear.
Yet Zheng Fa continued to persuade him:
“My dharma body is fundamentally transformed from the Fusang wood, far surpassing an ordinary transformation.”
“I am also quite familiar with the Qingping Sword Technique.”
“Zunren, against others, your sword would be unstoppable.”
He paused, then added, “But in my presence, you won’t have time to draw your sword.”
With that, he raised his right fist and, with a speed that surpassed the eye’s ability to follow, struck toward Tianhe Zunren!
Li Shangxian sighed deeply: “Has he also learned Lu Zhenxian’s technique?”
The move Zheng Fa employed bore a striking resemblance to the one Lu Zhenxian had just used, with about three parts similarity!
Everyone understood why Zheng Fa was so confident.
Xie Qingxue understood even more: the power of the Tianhe Sword Technique was indeed boundless, but it had one small flaw—merging man and sword required a bit of time.
For others, that time was almost negligible.
But for someone like Zheng Fa, who had a deep understanding of the Tianhe Sword Dao, that little bit of time was enough for him to strike before Tianhe Zunren could act!
Especially with Lu Zhenxian’s close-combat, fierce, and swift fighting style, combined with Zheng Fa’s Hua Hong technique, it was a perfect counter to Tianhe Zunren.
Today’s contest among the three ancestors had an air of mutual restraint:
The Taiji Diagram naturally countered Lu Zhenxian’s dharma body.
The Tianhe Sword Dao was unmatched in power and was not afraid of the Taiji Diagram’s confinement.
Yet, oddly enough, Lu Zhenxian’s dharma body did indeed exert pressure on Tianhe Zunren.
Uncle Pang pondered:
Was Zheng Fa really taking on three opponents?
Wasn’t it... them against them?
He felt a sense of relief, only to see Li Shangxian turn to him: “Is this the marvel of the Huang Ting Jing you created, Zhenren?”
Uncle Pang looked up and saw Li Shangxian’s gaze burning with fervor and respect.
He nodded.
Zheng Fa’s ability to learn various techniques in such a short time and integrate them with the Huang Ting Jing, even connecting it to the Tian Gang Di Sha transformations, was undeniable.
Li Shangxian remained silent for a long while, finally letting out a soft sigh: “I wish I could witness the mysteries of this scripture.”
...
Zheng Fa looked at Tianhe Zunren before him, seemingly waiting for something.
His restraint toward Tianhe Zunren was not only out of respect but also because he could clearly sense that Tianhe Zunren was different from the other two:
Tianhe Zunren appeared more ethereal.
It seemed that Dao Zun and Lu Zhenxian still existed in this world, while Tianhe Zunren was likely a remnant from the past.
In truth, he was quite willing to engage with Tianhe Zunren:
Fighting Dao Zun had deepened his understanding of the Yang Shen method, particularly his grasp of the Yin Yang talisman.
Engaging with Lu Zhenxian had also sparked new insights into the use of the Fusang dharma body.
The contest among the three ancestors was both a test and an opportunity; he not only felt unafraid but also believed he had gained immensely.
However, if Tianhe Zunren were to vanish now, he might truly be lost forever.
Tianhe Zunren seemed to understand his thoughts as he slowly lowered his head, his gaze drifting toward the Qingping Sword at Xie Qingxue’s waist.
“Master…”
Xie Qingxue murmured, suddenly widening her eyes.
Zheng Fa was also taken aback, watching as Tianhe Zunren waved the Qingping Sword.
Sword energy crackled like thunder, transforming into rainbows, refining the sword into threads, and the sword morphing into myriad forms.
The Tianhe Sword Dao, in all its splendor, blossomed throughout the Jiushan Realm.
Until it reached the final part of the Qingping Sword Technique:
Merging man and sword, the body transforming into the sword spirit.
Then, with a flick of the Qingping Sword, it transformed into the figure of Tianhe Zunren.
Zheng Fa’s eyes widened in shock, glancing at Xie Qingxue, who also looked at him with a mix of surprise and suspicion, as if she had caught on to something.
Before they could react, they heard Tianhe Zunren let out a light laugh.
When they looked up again, Tianhe Zunren’s figure had already vanished without a trace.
“Is it over?”
Uncle Pang murmured, glancing at Dao Zun.
Dao Zun cast a glance at Zheng Fa, bowed slightly, and pointed at the Taiji Diagram. The Taiji Diagram’s Yin Yang fish opened up, tearing through the Jiushan Realm, bridging the purple haze, and stepping toward the outside world.
Uncle Pang couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.
Even Zheng Fa felt a bit numb.
Was this Dao Zun truly a transformation deity?
It seemed that Tianhe Zunren had likely perished, being the weakest among the three, while Lu Zhenxian, for some reason, still retained his true immortal status.
Only this Dao Zun was probably one of the strongest in the world.
In fact, Zheng Fa was most wary of this person, yet he had only made one move, and it seemed he hadn’t exerted his full strength, which was quite suspicious.
But looking at Dao Zun’s silent departure, it didn’t seem to carry any particularly malicious intent; rather, it felt like he had some other purpose.
Uncle Pang let out a sigh of relief, saying, “Finally, it’s over…”
Beside him, Ming De Shouzu’s expression was strange: “Zheng Zhenren, hasn’t the transformation deity tribulation just begun?”
Everyone was taken aback, then they realized they had been so startled by the three of Dao Zun that they had forgotten one thing:
For ordinary cultivators, the transformation deity tribulation was only truly beginning now.
And Zheng Fa... had already fought several battles, depleting a significant amount of spiritual power.
By all rights, he shouldn’t be taking it lightly.
Yet Uncle Pang smiled: “Oh, you mean that? I forgot.”
“Forgot?”
Ming De Shouzu looked up at the sky.
There stood Zheng Fa in the void, still gazing at the place where Tianhe Zunren and Dao Zun had disappeared, his eyes reflecting a hint of contemplation.
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