The Lotus Thearch felt like he was being assaulted on all fronts and was on the verge of a breakdown as he looked at the boundless avatar and felt Shen Tian’s terrifying aura.
Even though he had seen his fair share of extraordinary prodigies, he had never seen someone as freakishly powerful as him!
Cultivation level at the Nirvana realm but exuding an aura that was akin to a Sage’s?
Across all five regions and all of history, no one had ever been able to do that!
There had been cases of Nirvana practitioners defeating Heavenly Venerables. It was not that uncommon. A very talented prodigy could do that.
I can also accept it if you tell me that a Heavenly Venerable can defeat a Sage. After all, there are Extreme Dao Heavenly Venerables.
But a Nirvana practitioner defeating a Sage?
I can easily conjure a Lotus Thearch Trigram Fist with the flip of my hand!
Everyone is beneath me!
Those below the Tribulation Transcendence stage are just insignificant ants to me!
The difference between a Nirvana practitioner and a Sage is extremely wide. It’s as wide as the gulf between heaven and earth. Insurmountable!
But now, the Lotus Thearch really wished to give himself one tight slap to wake himself up.
Don’t tell me I have been in hibernation for too long, and my eyes don’t work properly anymore?
This aura…
Pfffttt~
Why do I feel a sense of panic?
Shen Tian looked at the Lotus Thearch and stepped forward. As he strode forward, his avatars followed suit. Divine beasts roared, and the earth shook.
With every single step he took, even the fabrics of space could not bear the pressure of his power. It started to collapse.
Shen Tian’s current aura was already at peak levels. He wanted to activate his most powerful state to battle this Thearch. To see who would win!
“Sky-Smashing Palm!”
Shen Tian gave a low shout as he raised his right hand. The extraordinary items’ power surged toward it and erupted in a dazzling light.
A massive handprint over a thousand feet wide appeared in mid-air. The Five Elements swirled around it as it exuded a hair-raising aura.
The massive handprint suddenly shot out and covered the entire sky in an instant. The immense pressure was like a divine army had descended.
“My friend—”
The Lotus Thearch wanted to say something along the lines of “we should espouse peace and harmony” or “a gentleman uses his mouth and not his fists”, but the massive handprint was already coming straight down, its aura shaking the entire region!
Boom!
A loud boom rang out!
The surrounding fabrics of space collapsed, revealing large patches of the void. The laws of nature had been completely disrupted, and those holes failed to mend on their own.
The Lotus Thearch was instantly smashed.
The mighty force of that single strike was just mind-blowing!
…
After watching the Lotus Thearch disintegrate after his strike, Shen Tian scratched his head innocently.
A great Thearch… Smashed to death just like that by a single smack?
Yeap, battle trick. This must be some battle trick!
Rumble!
Suddenly the fabrics of space shook violently, and a green aura rose.
A green lotus blossomed in mid-air and exuded intensely powerful vitality. As the green lotus bloomed, a green figure strode out of the flower’s center.
It was the Lotus Thearch, and he looked rather… pallid.
“Young man, you are so immoral. You carried out a sneak attack on a 10,000-year-old senior citizen like me.
“According to traditional sparring rules, both parties have to be prepared before the battle starts.
“You made your move before we announced the battle had started. I was too careless and didn’t duck.
“But according to the rules, that was not right. Young man, don’t do that next time.”
…
As if feeling rather embarrassed, the Lotus Thearch turned slightly red as he nagged.
Shen Tian scratched his head. “Senior, I already said earlier—”
The Lotus Thearch snorted. “I wasn’t ready just now! The earlier round doesn’t count. We will fight again when I am ready.”
Are you kidding? How can I possibly acknowledge such a thing?
He was a great Thearch. How could this Nirvana kid destroy one of his clones?
Won’t it be a great loss of face for me if news of this got out?
“Kid, I am going to be serious now. If you know what’s good for you, you better give it your all!”
In order to regain his dignity, the Lotus Thearch was prepared to get serious this time. His aura blazed again with a green flame, and a 12th Stage Lotus avatar erupted behind him.
The boundless lotus morphed into a green divine light and shot toward Shen Tian.
“Pay close attention. This is my ultimate move. Red Fire Burns the Sky!”
The Lotus Thearch hollered as the green flame inside his body erupted and barreled into the skies.
The scorching green flames morphed into a giant flaming lotus. It engulfed the entire space as if going to incinerate everything here. This was a magic flame created by the Lotus Thearch’s peerless cultivation. He had cultivated it for 10,000 years, and its power was on par with the Exceptional Fires.
“Just in time!”
Shen Tian’s eyes glowed as his Connate Heavenly Dao Eye activated. It was like he wanted to analyze the move.
“Phoenix Descends from the Heavens!”
A scorching Phoenix avatar suddenly appeared behind Shen Tian. It was a thousand feet high and very magnificent.
At the same time, the Nan Ming Li Fire and True Sun Fire surged powerfully as they swirled around the Phoenix avatar.
This made the Phoenix avatar appear even more formidable and mighty!
Thereafter, the Phoenix spread open its wings and descended from the heavens to collide with the green flame.
The entire sky was lit in fire.
A tremendous booming sound rang out, shattering the fabrics of space as fire incinerated it all. The entire sky became like a sea of fire, burning and searing.
…
“Young man, your fire energy is pretty potent!
“That’s youth for you. I am sure you don’t usually exert that much fire, right?
“Continue this way. Let me tell you, preserve your pure Yang body and cultivate to become stronger.
“For example, I am already 10,000 years old, but I still practice my Sky-Propping Pillar technique every morning right after I wake up.”
The Lotus Thearch’s constant chatter echoed across the endless fire.
Yeap, he was blabbering to cover his own shock and avoid being embarrassed.
It must be said that not only was Shen Tian’s battle prowess astonishing, but his mastery of fire had also surpassed the Lotus Thearch’s expectations.
And the fires in Shen Tian’s control were Exceptional Fires.
One of them was even the True Sun Fire, ranked second on the Exceptional Fire List. It was extremely powerful.
After being enhanced by the Divine Phoenix Imperial Sutra, the Nan Ming Li Fire and True Sun Fire powers had been pushed to the maximum. Moreover, there was a third Exceptional Fire inside Shen Tian’s body. The Divine Phoenix Eternal Flame!
Although it was just a small flame now, its power was likewise extraordinary.
The three Exceptional Fires together made a very formidable team. Even the Thearch’s green flame was unable to fend against them and kept shrinking.
Meanwhile, the Divine Phoenix Eternal Flame inside Shen Tian’s body grew increasingly stronger as it engulfed the Thearch’s green flame!
Boom!
The fire dissipated after a loud boom rang out.
The Lotus Thearch quickly drew back the rest of the green flames. He looked very pained.
“My green flame!”
He never expected that more than half of his green flame, which he had cultivated for 10,000 years, would end up being consumed in this battle. If he hadn’t withdrawn in time, the rest of his green flame would end up as fodder for the Exceptional Fires.
The Lotus Thearch couldn’t help grumbling on the inside.
Never mind that you have three Exceptional Fires. You can even merge all three together to produce an even more powerful effect!?
What kind of flame would be able to hold itself against such power?
So unreasonable!
This kid didn’t come to participate in the test. He is here to provoke me!
Sob~
…
“Lotus Heavenly Transformation!”
As powerful as Shen Tian was, the Lotus Thearch still had an image to maintain.
He was a great Thearch! How could he lose to a junior!
The Lotus Thearch struck again. His 12th Stage Lotus avatar surged wildly, covering the entire sky.
This was the lotus power of the Lotus Thearch.
It was rumored that the Lotus Thearch had once been a lotus 10,000 years ago. He had managed to transcend and transform into a great Thearch.
This lotus power was his most powerful and most fundamental power.
The Lotus Thearch was going all out now. The entire sky and earth were immersed in flames.
“Scoundrel, watch out!”
As the Lotus Thearch spoke, he activated his lotus power, which pressed down heavily on the earth.
The 12th Stage Lotus expanded and surged, and tens of thousands of light beams shot out in all directions.
The skies were slashed by those light beams, exposing large patches of the void.
Every single beam was created by the lotus power to form multiple lotuses, all descending from the sky.
These lotuses were exceptionally beautiful but also possessed a terrifying force.
At that moment, heaven and earth underwent a major transformation!
Across the endless skies, there were only lotuses, claiming their stake in the vaults of heaven!
Shen Tian’s Connate Heavenly Dao Eyes sparkled as he witnessed this scene. A divine light shot out of those eyes.
I was pressed down by that Immortal Phoenix Queen for half a month previously, and I already feel so aggrieved by that.
But that is the Sage-level Immortal Phoenix Queen, after all. I could not resist.
‘Now, you wish to suppress me, even though we are at the same level?
No way!
No way in hell!
“I was born free. Who dares to stand on top of me?”
Shen Tian clenched his fist, and light burst out.
A massive hammer appeared in his hand. Its aura was so mighty that it shook the entire region!
“Senior Lotus Thearch, be careful. I am going to give my all now!”
Shen Tian straightened his body, and his aura sparkled like the stars in the galaxy.
Rays of silver-white light swirled around the massive hammer, making it look like a silver sun. It smashed mightily toward the lotus in the air.
“Heavenly Wilderness 36 Hammers: Star-Smashing Hammer!”
Shen Tian hollered as his hammer radiated with terrifying power. It was like a divine mountain from ancient times. It smashed straight into the lotus in the sky.
Boom!
A thunderous boom shook the skies!
The hammer and lotus collided, erupting with boundless divine energy.
That colossal lotus started to dissipate from the immense pressure.
At that moment, the fabrics of space started to disintegrate, releasing a terrifying amount of energy.
This test space was being shattered. Even the heavens would sit up and take note now.
…
“Brother Shen has reappeared!”
Shi Linglong called out softly inside the tomb. Her test had ended much earlier, and she had been waiting for a long time.
Shi Linglong felt a great sense of joy and relief upon seeing Shen Tian reappear. However, her petite mouth formed an “O” shape when she noticed the ravaged remnants of space because of his battle.
“Brother Shen is so awesome! Even Senior Lotus Thearch cannot subdue him!”
Shi Linglong was very shocked. She had gone through the test earlier, so she was well aware of just how powerful the Lotus Thearch was.
Even though he had been suppressed to the Nascent Soul stage, Shi Linglong had not been able to beat him.
Shi Linglong had been defeated within just a hundred moves.
On top of that, during the entire sparring, the Lotus Thearch had been giving her pointers. His main goal had not been to defeat her. Otherwise, Shi Linglong would probably have been defeated within 10 moves.
The Thearch’s battle prowess and experience were just too great!
It was clear that Shen Tian had been able to hold himself well against the Lotus Thearch’s clone. Evidently, his power was such that he could even rule the world now.
“Brother Shen, go for it!”
Shi Linglong cheered as she transformed into Shen Tian’s fangirl.
Upon noticing something, Shi Linglong was somewhat curious. “This clone of Senior Lotus Thearch… Why is it so much more powerful than the one from my test!?”
…
“This kid becomes stronger the more he battles?”
Meanwhile, the battle continued to rage, and the Lotus Thearch cursed wildly.
He personally controlled the 12th Stage Lotus and could clearly feel just how powerful the hammer was. Its power was enough to shatter the skies and churn the seas. It was an immensely destructive power.
Even when giving his all, the Lotus Thearch felt somewhat unable to hold on.
Meanwhile, Shen Tian’s desire to battle surged. It had been a long time since he had engaged in such an exciting battle.
This was a rare chance to fight against a same-level Thearch!
Moreover, Shen Tian wanted to see just how far his limits went!
“Heavenly Wilderness 36 Hammers—Moon-Lifting Hammer!”
“Blazing Sun Hammer!”
“Clear Sky Hammer!”
“Wild Wind Hammer!”
“Dragon’s Hammer!”
…
Hammer after hammer, Shen Tian dialed up the intensity of his strikes to the maximum.
Supported by the God of War Transformation, his battle prowess was now enough to suppress a Sage who had undergone three tribulations.
Even if against a True Sage, who had undergone four tribulations, he would probably also be able to hold his ground.
Rumble!
The mighty and indomitable hammer was as terrifying as the sun. It descended from the skies and smashed down on the Lotus Thearch.
“Lotus Cauldron!”
Feeling the fearsome power of Shen Tian’s attack, the Lotus Thearch had no time to think about anything else. The lotus in the sky transformed into a great green-colored cauldron. It sat there in mid-air, completely covering the sky.
A blazing green fire burned inside the cauldron, and the flames formed the faint images of countless lotuses. It was like a divine cauldron that was brewing some peerless elixir!
Light from the green cauldron shone down on the Lotus Thearch, forming a solid green cauldron avatar in front of him, steadfastly protecting him.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Tremendous clanging sounds echoed through the air.
Terrifying energy waves spread out across the area, dispelling the green aura which had engulfed the space.
Two figures were revealed, both still standing in mid-air and exuding indomitable energy.
Shen Tian’s Ocean Divine Hammer was still giving off a faint hum as if it was still excited from the earlier fight.
However, the Lotus Thearch looked somewhat stiff.
This kid is so freakish! Is he on drugs? If I didn’t secretly raise my cultivation level to peak Soul Formation stage, I would not have been able to hold myself at all.
The Lotus Thearch started to have doubts as to the meaning of life now. He alone knew just how terrifying Shen Tian’s powers were. If he had restrained his clone’s cultivation level to the Nascent Soul stage, he would have been destroyed by Shen Tian in one move.
And even though he had raised his cultivation level to peak Soul Formation stage, the Lotus Thearch still had not had the slightest advantage.
It should be pointed out that the Lotus Thearch’s current battle prowess was enough to easily defeat a normal Sage who had undergone three tribulations.
But in front of Shen Tian, he could barely survive.
More importantly, this kid seemed very untamed. The moment the Lotus Thearch had revealed the slightest intention to “subdue” him, he would be met with the most aggressive and uncontrolled retaliation.
The Lotus Thearch was nearly at breaking point as the hammer repeatedly landed upon him.
…
This kid is able to beat a sage while at the Nirvana realm! The Lotus Thearch shook his head. Even though I didn’t win, luckily, I didn’t lose either. I just managed to maintain my dignity.
The battle had not ended yet, however.
Shen Tian shook his head as he gazed at the colossal green cauldron.
Not even a single crack appeared despite over 100 hammer strikes!
This made Shen Tian feel that he was not powerful enough.
“In that case, I have no choice but to use my trump card.”
Shen Tian took a deep breath, and his eyes glowed even more fiercely.
At that moment, the power of all the extraordinary items surged into his body and toward the Executing Heaven Sword inside his lungs.
Clang!
The bright, clear ring of a sword rang out.
A blood-red blade light erupted as if it was going to slice the skies in half.
Under the crimson glow, a blood-red sword appeared in Shen Tian’s hand.
The moment the sword was drawn, Shen Tian looked like an almighty Sword Immortal. His aura was sharp and harsh to the extreme.
The sword aura easily sliced through the fabrics of space, disintegrating it to nothing.
Behind him, a boundless sword aura surged right up to the heavens.
A 10,000 sword avatar appeared as limitless sword intent swirled around it.
The limitless sword intent gathered to form a magnificent giant sword hovering over the earth as if about to slice the entire world in half!
Shen Tian’s already-powerful aura went up another level with the appearance of this Executing Heaven Sword.
The Lotus Thearch shuddered at the sight.
This kid still has a trump card!?
The corners of the Lotus Thearch’s mouth twitched wildly. Shen Tian’s earlier attack already had him under immense pressure.
That’s not all?
That’s not all!?
Are you the illegitimate son of the Heavenly Dao?
“Stop! No more fighting!”
The Lotus Thearch hurriedly shouted for Shen Tian to stop. If they continued fighting, he would have to activate his Sage-level power just to hold on.
“Senior, what’s the matter?”
Shen Tian kept his Executing Heaven Sword, the terrifying sword intent gradually fading off.
“Your powers are pretty good. I am only the remnants of a divine consciousness and cannot display my full powers.
“But it is already a rare feat for you to be able to fight on par with my current state.
“I think you are probably not far off from when I was younger.
“To be able to be on par with me at the same level, you are already considered very good.”
The Lotus Thearch’s face flushed slightly red as he looked at Shen Tian.
Are you kidding me? Do you really think I will fight a Nirvana practitioner using my Sage powers?
That would be so embarrassing! I still need to maintain my dignity!
The Lotus Thearch gave an inward sigh of exasperation and self-mockery.
Well…
The main reason was that the Lotus Thearch was afraid of exposing himself.
If he did battle as a Sage-level practitioner, he would definitely incur Sage-level arts, and that would be very difficult to hide. It would be very obvious.
If anyone found out that a great Thearch had to use Sage-level powers to fight a Nirvana cultivator…
It would be a great loss of face to the Lotus Thearch!
Shen Tian muttered to himself after listening to the Lotus Thearch’s words, “I am indeed not powerful enough!
“Didn’t expect the Thearch to be so powerful during his younger days.
“Looks like I must work harder at cultivation!”
…
Princess Linglong had a very strange expression on her face.
Brother Shen’s battle with Senior Lotus Thearch looked like a sage-level one!
Fighting on par with a Sage while at the Nirvana realm? This is like a level-1 hero beating a level-15 opponent. Unimaginable!
As far as Princess Linglong knew, she had never heard stories of the Thearch being so powerful when he was young.
Anyway, she really couldn’t be sure. After all, the Lotus Thearch was from the Primordial Age.
What did the Primordial Age mean?
The Ancient Age was 10,000 years ago, the Primordial Age was 100,000 years ago, and the Antiquity Age was 1,000,000 years ago.
Most of the books and legacies left behind in this world now were from within 10,000 years ago. And those from ancient times were already considered very precious.
Not to mention items from the Primordial Age. Most of those legacies had already been erased by the sands of time.
Even the Great Wilderness Celestial Dynasty did not have a good understanding of the Primordial Age.
At least, Princess Linglong did not have much of an opportunity to come into contact with things from the Primordial and Antiquity Ages.
…
But was the young Thearch from the Primordial Age really that powerful?
Princess Linglong still felt that…
It was rather unbelievable!