Lord Xue Ying

Xue Ying’s spear technique had already greatly improved. Every strike of his was imbued with Chaotic Origin Energy, allowing them to reach the boundary of level-three Cosmos God. Nonetheless, even if he were more powerful, Xue Ying was still weaker by an entire level as compared to Paragon Master Bewitching Sword, Black Sovereign King and the others who had top-graded secret treasure. In addition, with so many huge scarlet fish attacking Xue Ying simultaneously, Xue Ying’s spear technique was constricted.

“Pu pu.”

As a result, it was practically impossible for Xue Ying to parry against every single fish, letting some through that bit on him.

Yet the surface of Xue Ying’s body was covered in three strands of mist. This was none other than the protective technique from the Scarlet Cloud Combat Technique. These huge scarlet fishes could barely bypass the ‘protective mist’ obstacle before reaching Xue Ying. Furthermore, after going through the weakening effect from Xue Ying’s void-ification technique, the remnant wisp of aura reached the fleshy body of Xue Ying.

Yet his Chaotic Origin Refinement Body was overbearing. This bit of aura could not damage his body at all.

‘Too weak. These fishes can’t injure me even if I stand here.’ Xue Ying felt himself relaxing after seeing this.

No other choice.

The fleshy body tempered from the first level of Chaotic Origin Refinement Body augmented with the void-ification technique gave him a body not any weaker than second level Cosmos God body cultivators! That time when Sacred Master attempted to kill Xue Ying in his Ancient Sacred World, he failed to do so–partly also because he did not have the Ancient Sacred Incarnation with him!

In terms of survivability, Xue Ying could show disdain for the majority of other Paragon Masters before coming to the Realm Heart God Palace. After all, having a top-graded secret treasure did not mean their survivability skills were frightening.

And currently, Xue Ying had researched into a new body cultivation technique. The protective technique, Mist, had reached the boundary of third level Cosmos Gods in strength. With this protective technique, his survivability reached an even more frightening stage! It was absolutely beyond that of Paragon Master Pu Su, Hunter and the others.

…

“Mn?”

“This fleshy body is too powerful.” Paragon Master Pu Su, Paragon Master Bewitching Sword, Hunter, and Black Sovereign King noticed this.

When those huge scarlet fish penetrated through the protective mist, they could not even bite off the skin of Xue Ying!

This scene made them speechless.

‘In terms of survivability, he is stronger than me. According to the intelligence reports, he has acquired the <Chaotic Origin Dao Scroll> from my Summer Clan. It is fine that his fleshy body is powerful, but where did he get that protective technique from? It is clear that the power of those huge scarlet fish has diminished tremendously once they crossed the protective mist.’ Paragon Master Pu Su was inwardly startled. He knew beforehand that Xue Ying had powerful survivability. But it was unexpected for the other party to have such heaven-defying protective technique too!

‘It seems like the protective technique from the Scarlet Cloud Combat Technique, albeit much stronger. Where did Xue Ying learn such a formidable protective technique?’ Paragon Master Bewitching Sword felt suspicious and shocked when he saw that.

…

Seeing that he could not be injured by the fishes, Xue Ying began frantically attacking. He was the only one out of the five experts present who dared to allow those monstrous fish to attack him however they wanted.

“Hua.”

A spear struck out.

At the spearhead, a misty ripple began spreading out and destroying everything. Nevertheless, the scales on those huge scarlet monstrous fish were too firm and tough that they were mildly damaged.

‘Even though the Chaotic Origin First Strike is powerful, it could barely injure these huge scarlet fish.’ Xue Ying changed to another spear technique.

Piercing out, the spear struck against the scales of the huge scarlet fish. It seemed the fish wasn’t injured at all on the surface, yet internally, it was gravely injured. Furthermore, a grievous wound had been torn within the fish, and following that, the back of the fish exploded out. Scales could be seen flying in all directions as a savage wound was formed.

‘At least Piercing Void works.’ Xue Ying thought.

The Scarlet Cloud Combat Technique was comprised of five great moves.

Each move had its unique points, like the ‘Piercing Void’. External protective techniques, array protections, and scaled-armor or robes were all useless as this move would transmit force directly through all protection! Naturally, those who had a powerful fleshy body or had powerful inner and external bodies would not be affected by this technique.

But these huge scarlet monstrous fishes did not cultivate. Instead, they were given birth by the laws. Even though they had great scale defenses and vibrant life force, their internal organs were comparatively weaker.

******

Time passed.

Xue Ying’s speed of killing the huge scarlet fish was slightly slower compared to Paragon Master Pu Su, Paragon Master Bewitching Sword, and Black Sovereign King since the other Paragon Masters could execute strength at the peak Cosmos God standard. As for Paragon Master Bewitching Sword, he could occasionally exert an even stronger power, and under this force, it could possibly kill a fish instantaneously.

Cosmos Gods had endless energy. Over time, they were able to wipe away the huge scarlet fishes, reducing the pressure on the five of them.

They spent two hours or so before wiping away all the fishes cleanly.

And that old man wielding a scepter standing on the sea creature chose to dive back deep into the sea once he saw that things were amiss.

“Hu.”

Soon, the scenes before the five of them changed. They were teleported back to the hall once again.

Everyone understood that they had finally passed through the 11th stage.

“It seems only Monarch Flying Snow is uninjured during this 11th stage.” The cold eyes of Black Sovereign King turned to Xue Ying. The edge of his lips moved upwards.

“Indeed, all of us have suffered from injuries. Even Bewitching Sword is lightly injured.” Paragon Master Pu Su chuckled. It was almost impossible to defend perfectly against the dense amount of incoming huge scarlet fishes. Hence, all of them suffered from some losses. Only Xue Ying with his protective technique, pinnacle void-ification, and frightening fleshy body remained perfectly fine. He was the lowest profile of the five, and actually the one with the strongest survival capabilities.

Paragon Master Bewitching Sword also smiled at Xue Ying.

“I have to thank Emperor Summer for this.” Xue Ying laughed.

“As long as we cross through the 12th stage successfully, this trip to the Realm Heart God Palace would not have been a wasted trip.” Paragon Master Pu Su said, “Crossing through the 12th stage and we would be greatly rewarded. Hence, the 12th stage is definitely going to be difficult.”

“We have reached a crucial point.” Hunter softly laughed, “I am satisfied to get through the 12th stage.”

“Indeed, best wishes to everyone.” Paragon Master Bewitching Sword nodded too.

Black Sovereign King went silent. His dark eyes flashed coldly.

12th stage…

If they crossed the 12th stage, they would be greatly rewarded. Most would be forced to give up after that.

Because they were clear that the ’15th stage’ was too difficult for them. It was simply wasting their opportunity if they chose to challenge it. Why not visit other places in the Realm Heart God Palace instead? They might get a greater harvest.

‘The 12th stage.’ Xue Ying was also pondering over it.

This time, acquiring the <Chaotic Origin Seven Strikes> made him more delighted than the slightest chance of obtaining a supreme-graded secret treasure.

But he would not find it bad to have more treasures!

And furthermore, the <Chaotic Origin Seven Strikes> was simply a cultivation technique that he could not impart to others. Furthermore, Xue Ying still lacked an appropriate weapon. For instance, the materials used to refine a weapon meant to execute the <Chaotic Origin Seven Strikes> were frighteningly expensive. He had to sell almost all his treasures, yet it was still not enough. Hence, Xue Ying had to venture deeper into the Realm Heart God Palace and try to get more treasures.

By crossing through the 12th stage, he would at least acquire a treasure worth 100 billion cosmos crystals. If he were fortunate, he might get something better!

‘Stake it all!’

Xue Ying closed his eyes. He went back to meditating and continued to perfect his cultivation techniques.

…

All five present had an intense desire towards crossing the 12th stage.

If they could get through it, the rewards they get would be sufficient that even if they were expelled out of the Realm Heart God Palace, it would be a worthwhile trip. They had fought through 11 stages before this all because of this moment.

“It is here.”

“The 12th stage.”

Paragon Master Pu Su, Paragon Master Bewitching Sword, Black Sovereign King, Hunter, and Xue Ying turned solemn. After spending a thousand years to recover, they had recovered their state to the peak.

“Weng.”

The scenes before them distorted.

“This is?”

Xue Ying stood on a dark yellow cloud path. Surrounding the cloud path was primal chaos. To the distance, Xue Ying could see many other cloud paths extending beyond.

A total of five cloud paths formed in a fan shape that led toward a deeper region.

From the deep region.

There seemed to be a figure seated on a throne.

That towering figure swept his gaze towards an expert situated on each of the five paths. He mentioned indifferently: “Kill them.”

“Yes.”

Beneath the throne were a group of protectors.

“Sou sou sou…”

Five teams of protectors each charged out on a respective cloud path each.

“Mn?” Xue Ying felt an unseen force surrounding the cloud paths, “It seems we have to fight against the enemy by ourselves?”

That’s right too.

The further they proceeded, the more frightening the rewards would get. Hence, it was logical for only those who were sufficiently strong to be rewarded.

“Sou sou sou…”

With a flash, Xue Ying disappeared. A cloud of mist began spreading out in all directions. His figure had strangely appeared in all the miniature spatial holes that were in the mist. He was constantly changing positions, and occasionally striking out at an enemy! At the same time, he was also paying notice to the fighting happening out in the four other cloud paths so as to find out what was real and illusory.

He did not have to experience it personally to know that the 12th stage is definitely difficult. Even Paragon Master Pu Su and others weren’t confident of it. Xue Ying naturally had to be more careful.

‘So powerful?’

Xue Ying was shocked.

His personal survivability skills were formidable. Furthermore, he had altered the Scarlet Cloud Domain, allowing him to temporarily survive for a longer period of time.

But Paragon Master Pu Su, Paragon Master Bewitching Sword, and Black Sovereign King immediately erupted with their full power. Hunter was the only one that was trying his best to evade against the incoming attacks. He sought to observe what was real and illusory.

“Peng peng peng…”

The battles were intense.

Each team had a total of 16 experts. They worked together perfectly well. Their techniques were all profound and they specialized in different aspects–Dao of Void, Dao of Blade, and many other Daos. There were even some that specialized in the soul.

“Peng peng peng…”

Paragon Master Pu Su and Black Sovereign King were injured continually. Even Hunter who was doing his utmost to evade the incoming attacks was becoming wounded. It was only Paragon Master Bewitching Sword who was in a better situation.

“Peng.” Xue Ying felt an unseen ripple sweeping across him. His body trembled. Following that, a huge great hammer came down on him, forcing him out of the tiny spatial pockets. Following that, blades, spears, and arrays started engulfing him.

And on another side–

“Not good.”

The circumstances Paragon Master Pu Su were in became dire. Even though he tried his best to survive, in the blink of an eye, he suffered from nine waves of killing techniques, causing him to be so grievously injured that he reached a state close to death.

“Weng!”

Unseen energy enveloped him. It directly teleported Paragon Master Pu Su out. If this teleportation did not take place, he would have died!

And thus ended the journey of Paragon Master Pu Su in the Realm Heart God Palace!

‘This is too terrifying.’ Black Sovereign King, Hunter, and Xue Ying were all pushed into a corner at this moment.

‘These protectors are coordinating too well.’ Xue Ying no longer cared about others. He had to survive. Previously, he thought he could still observe what was real and illusory given his domain and survival techniques. Now it seemed that his actions were simply a joke.