Bang!
The ten-thousand-feet-tall scarlet-gold seal blazed with flames as it violently crashed through the air towards Li Luo's Heavenly Dragon form.
Above the seal itself was a lively Golden Crow that soared in the skies, its wide wings pouring down a rain of terrifying flames.
As the scarlet seal hurtled downwards, Song Jing roared, "Duke's Spirit Insignia: Golden Crow Seal! Strike!"
The Golden Crow Seal was created with Song Jing's Duke's Spirit Insignia and was augmented by the full force of his Worldspace Domain. It was capable of annihilating everything and possessed astonishing power.
Li Luo could sense the waves of heat coming from above him, and his gaze turned serious. The all-out strike of an upper eighth-grade Duke was nothing to be scoffed at. If he had not reached the Third Duke Stage, even the Myriad Resonances Dragon Fang Sword Formation would not have been able to stop it.
In response, Transcendent Divine Mist flowed out of his three Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds like a tide. However, Li Luo then opened his mouth and swallowed all of it. Thunderclaps could be heard coming from within his body.
Every single scale shone with violet-gold light before it began to converge at his belly.
In the end, the Heavenly Dragon gave a long roar with its mouth wide open, revealing rows of sharp fangs and a mouth as unfathomable as an abyss. In its depths, a violet-gold light began to slowly reveal itself before finally coming out as a gigantic torrent!
Bang!
The entire void ruptured, leaving behind countless spatial rifts as a thousand-foot-wide stream of violet-gold energy blasted out from Li Luo's maw.
Within the stream of energy was a roughly hundred-foot-wide Dragon Pearl. The Dragon Pearl was covered in archaic runic lines and emanated dense dragon's might. Its weight seemed even heavier than the mountains that dotted the surface of the star and its appearance caused the surrounding space to collapse.
Li Luo quietly focused on the violet-gold Dragon Pearl. He had been able to create it ever since the Dragon Blood Atavism Art reached its current realm. The Heavenly Dragon Pearl! It was created by compressing endless amounts of Heavenly Dragon power and also his very own blood essence. As a result, it was virtually indestructible.
Roar!
A deep and majestic roar sounded out from the depths of the pearl and it then shot forward, colliding against the descending Golden Crow Seal.
Boom!
When they collided, an indescribable energy storm was produced at the point of impact. The ground below was ravaged, opening up a crevice tens of thousands of feet wide.
After which, the Heavenly Dragon and Song Jing were both blown away in different directions.
......
Sacred Mountain Peak, before the sacred hall.
Jiang Qing'e and Diwu Mingxuan had landed at almost exactly the same time. A distance of several hundred feet divided them and resonant power blazed from their bodies at full strength. They maintained a certain vigilance towards each other.
They had sensed the frightening energy undulations that swept across the battlefield outside the mountain. Diwu Mingxuan was the first to speak with a smile. "Mentor Qing'e, can you really remain composed while letting Li Luo handle Song Jing alone?"
"You should be more concerned about the Divine Sun Ancient College. If an upper eighth-grade Duke loses to Li Luo, you'll forever be the butt of the joke whenever a new generation arrives at the Celestial Mirror Pagoda for a trial. That would undoubtedly be a stain on the reputation of your college," Jiang Qing'e retorted calmly.
"A third-grade Transcendent overcoming an upper eighth-grade? Such battle ability is unheard of. I'm afraid even you would have been unable to accomplish that youself, Mentor Qing'e," Diwu Mingxuan responded with a grin.
"Why do you think that Li Luo is unable to do things I can't?" Jiang Qing'e asked curiously.
Diwu Mingxuan was left a little dumbstruck by her question. Li Luo did indeed have three palaces and six resonances. Furthermore, they were all approaching the ninth-grade. Despite the highest being the lower ninth-grade waterlight resonance, the Heavenly Dragon resonance could borrow the aid of a Sacred Seed and be evolved further. Truthfully speaking, this configuration was exceptional! However, Jiang Qing'e's three middle ninth-grade light resonances were simply too dazzling. Thus, everyone naturally felt that if she was unable to do something, no one else could either.
"I'm watching." Diwu Mingxuan smirked. He then turned his gaze towards the Twelve Winged Seraphim Statue. Despite it having no face, it instilled a sense of awe in the two present. Jiang Qing'e was the first to act; she stepped towards the stairs in front of the temple.
Before she could climb, a mysterious force appeared, causing her foot to rebound.
Her startled expression changed into a slight frown when she realized that Diwu Mingxuan had successfully managed to step on to the stairs without issue.
This force didn't seem to be resisting against him.
Her eyes flickered briefly and her attention was drawn towards an object in Diwu Mingxuan's hand. It was a plaque that emitted subtle fluctuations. When she inspected it more closely, she realized that the force that had forcibly stopped her was similar to it!
The blocking force must have been something left behind by Diwu Mingxuan's teacher, the Radiant King Qi Huang!
Diwu Mingxuan didn't deny it. He explained, "Mentor Qing'e, the Light Transcendent Art here was discovered by my teacher. He left behind his energy as a means to guard it. However, you can simply rest here as this won't take too long. It'll just be enough time for me to come into contact with the Light Transcendent Art first. If I'm unable to overcome it, then it'll naturally lose effect."
"Your teacher has truly put in a lot of effort for you, his excellent disciple," Jiang Qing'e said sarcastically.
"This Transcendent Art will enable me to attain greater heights. There can be no mercy when we vie over the Laws. Thus, even though this is a little unfair, I can only apologize for it," Diwu Mingxuan coolly replied.
The value of the Transcendent Art was unimaginable. Even a King could learn from one.
Jiang Qing'e then said, "You might be celebrating your victory too early."
"Regardless, I'd like to ask you, Mentor Qing'e, to stop and rest here for a bit." Diwu Mingxuan didn't pause at all and began to climb towards the Twelve Winged Seraphim Statue.
Jiang Qing'e glanced at him one more time before turning towards the statue within the temple. Her golden eyes returned to their usual calm.
She lightly murmured, "A Transcendent Art cannot be obtained by relying on external aid. Even if your teacher is the supposed Radiant King."
With that, she slowly closed her eyes. At the same time, the Heart of Light within her began to release an incredible brilliance and ancient runes condensed between her eyebrows, transforming into three halos.
Her three middle ninth-grade light resonances then began to release light resonant power ceaselessly.
Pure light resonant power surged behind her, gradually forming a pair of feathered wings, each feather condensed of the purest light energy.
Jiang Qing'e now resembled the Twelve Winged Seraphim, at least from afar. All of the abundant light energy on the sacred mountain lingered and danced around her, as though they were cheering in joy at her presence.
Within the temple, the Twelve Winged Seraphim Statue began to show signs of shaking and its wings began to flutter. Along with this movement, an invisible wave swept outwards. That was accompanied by the sound of something breaking.
Diwu Mingxuan came to a halt and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face. He then glanced at the plaque in his hand, which now had a crack in it.
"How could this be...?" he asked himself in horror.
At this point, Jiang Qing'e swept past him and left him some indifferent words.
"No one in this world can make me stop, except for Li Luo."
Chapter 1511: Transforming Into Light
"How is this possible?!" Diwu Mingxuan's mind was in disarray as he looked at the ruined remains of the plaque. His entire body was trembling.
Jiang Qing'e must have formed some sort of resonance with the Twelve Winged Seraphim Statue, eliciting a reaction and destroying the mark left behind by his teacher.
However... How had she done it? Diwu Mingxuan absolutely worshiped his teacher; even the principals of the four ancient colleges had to treat his teacher politely. Yet the plaque that was given to him had been shattered?
The shock brought about by this was too much for him to handle.
That said, Jiang Qing'e didn't bother with him and continued making her way towards the statue.
When he came to, he saw her pulling away and his eyes flickered with sinister intent. Terrifying amounts of resonant power surged out of his body, gathering into his palm in a ball of light.
A few moments later, he suppressed this impulse to ambush her. He could distinctly sense that the temple did not approve of such actions. If he were to start a fight over the Light Transcendent Art, it might very well be counterproductive.
Perhaps there would be a final trial to obtain it.
There was still hope. Now that he didn't have his teacher's help, he would have to rely on himself! The fact that he had obtained the title of Duke of Light within the Divine Sun Ancient College was testament to his exceptional progress on the Law of Light. He had a middle and a lower ninth-grade light resonance after all. If Jiang Qing'e had not appeared out of nowhere, no one would have ever questioned his qualifications for such a moniker.
Diwu Mingxuan took a deep breath and recomposed himself before picking up the pace and making his way towards the temple. The two continued to forge ahead in tandem, one ahead and one behind as they both stepped into the temple.
At the very instant they entered, the Twelve Winged Seraphim Statue emitted a brilliant burst of light. It then rapidly expanded before their very eyes and filled the world around them in mere moments.
It was like a god had descended, overlooking all the ant-like beings before it.
An indescribable sense of pressure swept over them and the entire world erupted into divine hymns. There was nothing but light in this space, and every other form of energy was purified. Additionally, the light was so pure that all lesser forms of light resonant power were also purified. This meant that if one didn't possess a light resonance of a high enough grade, they would be unable to remain here.
The requirements of a Light Transcendent Art were stringent, whether it came to one's talent or their skill. Endless amounts of light gathered before the two, forming an extremely long staircase. At the end of it was the statue.
It was as though it was suggesting that the first one who could ascend the steps and arrive before the statue would be the one to gain the acceptance of the Transcendent Art.
Diwu Mingxuan's Heart of Light began to release blinding light from his chest. His pious eyes were focused on the statue, as though he had transformed into a devoted pilgrim, gradually taking each step towards his goal. At the same time, he realized that Jiang Qing'e, who was in front of him, had yet to move. Instead, she was quietly observing the statue.
"She is a proud one. She would never allow herself to kneel and worship any other object, even if it's the only way to obtain the Light Transcendent Art,"
Diwu Mingxuan thought as a look of joy surfaced in his eyes. Her pride would be his opportunity.
"Jiang Qing'e, you truly are outstanding. However, you can't live up to your own expectations forever. Sometimes, you have to compromise to move further."
With that in mind, he continued to trudge upwards, maintaining his piety as a pilgrim.
As time passed, Diwu Mingxuan gradually approached the statue.
However, Jiang Qing'e was still rooted to the spot like a tree. It was as though she had given up the chance to gain the acceptance of the Light Transcendent Art.
......
The entire earth was scorched black and barren, as though a natural disaster had rolled through the area. A gigantic, crimson figure tens of thousands of feet tall stood in the ruined remains of mountains. It was like a giant god, flames pouring down from its body like a waterfall while pulsing with terrifyingly high temperatures, incinerating the world. Behind this crimson figure floated nine Golden Crow Flame Wheels.
Song Jing had transformed into this titanic form.
"Li Luo, this is a middle Destiny-grade Duke Art of the Divine Sun Ancient College, the Nine Wheels Golden Crow Dharmabody. The fact that you've forced me to bring this out means that you've already lost. However, you can be proud of this fact!" the scarlet giant bellowed. His voice spread throughout the land, causing heat waves to propagate in every direction.
In front of the scarlet figure was a gigantic chasm, and a violet-gold dragon emerged from it. His body was covered in countless black burn streaks, and violent remnants of fire resonant power infected the injuries. However, the sheer strength of the Heavenly Dragon body, combined with the recuperative effects of the Jade Dragon Pill, caused the remnant traces to dissipate quickly.
The scarlet giant was reflected within Li Luo's eyes. However, there was a look of seriousness in them that had not been there prior. Song Jing had activated a middle Destiny-grade Duke Art with all of his upper eighth-grade Duke strength, and the resulting effect was indeed apocalyptic.
He felt immense pressure just defending himself against his attacks.
"An upper eighth-grade opponent is indeed troublesome to deal with,"
Li Luo thought. During the previous clash, if he had not relied on the Heavenly Dragon's mighty physique to forcibly weather the overbearing flames, he might have been reduced to ashes!
Bang!
Song Jing spat out a monstrous pillar of scarlet-gold flames. However, it was not directed towards Li Luo, but the abyss beneath him. As the fire raged, the mysterious sword formation that was gradually taking form was burned into oblivion.
"Li Luo, your sword formation does have the power to threaten me. However, I will not give you the opportunity to use it!" Song Jing laughed sonorously.
A look of regret flashed through Li Luo's eyes. This was the disadvantage of having his trump cards exposed beforehand. Song Jing knew his killing moves so well that he knew to nip the Duke Art in the bud before it even condensed.
As a result, it would be tough to utilize the Myriad Resonances Dragon Fang Sword Formation.
"Don't you think it's time to admit defeat, Li Luo?" Song Jing's voice boomed, causing waves of heat to spread across the area, torching the ground to the point that it turned yellow.
Li Luo's Heavenly Dragon form suddenly burst with violet-gold radiance, the gigantic frame swiftly shrinking. A few moments later, he had returned to his human form.
When Song Jing saw this, a smirk formed on his face. The fact that Li Luo had relinquished his Heavenly Dragon form meant that he didn't have any more tricks up his sleeve.
This was the only logical step to take, especially if he didn't want to suffer.
Li Luo then gave Song Jing a hearty smile. "Since you don't want to let me utilize the sword formation, then you can't blame me for what comes next."
Song Jing's eyebrow lifted quizzically. "You're still planning to deceive me at this point in time?"
Li Luo didn't plan to continue bickering with his opponent. He spread his senses out, feeling the vast amounts of light energy that covered the star, and his smile widened.
He then formed a handseal with both hands whilst his expression remained calm.
At the same time, the Absolute Resonance Halo began to churn with activity, letting out a strange roar from the depths of his body. When the Absolute Resonance Halo got to work, Li Luo's six resonances began to pour a glorious medley of resonant power into it. Gradually, the different colors vanished, leaving behind only a single ray of light.
This particular ray of light wasn't too eye-catching in the beginning, but it suddenly bloomed as incandescently as the sun.
Boundless amounts of light poured down.
His myriad resonances had transformed into a single one, that of light.