Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 258 - 176: If Not a Demi Immortal, Forever an Ant

Chapter 258: Chapter 176: If Not a Demi Immortal, Forever an Ant

Grotto Heaven entrance.

As soon as Xuan Yue had landed, Gu Wen had already come forward, folding his hands in salute, "Senior’s divine prowess, Daoist Skill profound, single-handedly matching three great powers of the Devil Clan without falling behind, but instead gaining the upper hand, truly embodies the demeanor of becoming an Immortal, worthy of utmost admiration!"

Surrounding juniors from various sects hesitated for a while, obviously not very good at flattery, with only the girl from the Upper Pure Sect, keeping a cold face, mimicking a slight bow.

"Senior’s divine prowess."

"You don’t need to learn this."

Gu Wen glared at Chan Xi. After all, he was a disciple of the Three Pure Dao, how could it reflect well on him if he grew up to act obsequiously in the future?

Xuan Yue, somewhat amused and dismayed, said, "The successors of the Three Pure Ones in this generation are indeed unlike the others, especially you, my boy, truly a puzzle, just like your Daoist name."

Speaking of pride, Gu Wen was wilder than anyone and could outwit figures like Ao Heng and Baidi Xun from a certain era, top talents who had reached the pinnacle.

Yet, when it came to modesty, he was not lacking either, even able to lower his pride to flatter an old man like him.

His whole being was suffused with the aura of the common world, the term "Red Dust" exactly a suitable fit, with talents like a direct Immortal, and acts like a mortal.

Cultivation does not fear madness; the biggest fear is adhering rigidly to rules. All these juniors present had unique skills.

Perhaps only those from Broken Sword Mountain were relatively honest.

Xuan Yue glanced at the stern and serious Xiao Yunyi, who seemed to fit the public’s image of a cultivation prodigy.

"Did Chi Yu Zi go in?"

He noticed Chi Yu Zi was missing, looked up, and cast his gaze into the ninth Grotto Heaven. A trace of faint light flickered in his eyes—through the golden light, a golden path was visible, leading to the Heavenly Altar at the end where two Golden Men confronted each other.

The Nine-meter Glazed Golden Man stood unmoving, while the three-meter Golden Man exhausted its full power to strike, with blood seeping through the golden light.

True body descending?

Xuan Yue’s face showed surprise, while Gu Wen asked, "Senior, can you see what is happening inside?"

"Nine Feet Glazed Golden Body."

Gu Wen’s expression slightly darkened. Chi Yu Zi’s Golden Light Spell was only three meters, and previously, Chi Ling’s transformation was also about three meters tall.

Nine represented the pinnacle; the Nine Feet Glazed Golden Body could likely signify the descent of a true body.

Others also showed subtle changes in their expressions, having come from the orthodox Mystical Sect; they had deeper reserves of cultivation knowledge than Gu Wen.

Xuan Yue didn’t keep them in suspense. He straightforwardly said, "Sister is probably using her true body in this fight."

Jun Yan sighed, "It seems like a complete loss. Only the Heavenly Girl can deal with a Demi Immortal descending, but nowadays there is no Heavenly Girl, such is the time and fate."

He had no particular affection for Chi Yu Zi and, if not for Gu Wen, would probably never have interacted with him. It was already remarkable that they did not come to blows. But, after all, they were linked by circumstance; Chi Yu Zi’s existence was beneficial to him.

Moreover, his own situation was not much better, and he couldn’t help feeling a bit of sorrow for others.

"Senior, is Chi Yu Zi still alive?"

Gu Wen maintained his composure, not yet panicked.

"He’s still alive, at least for now. But soon, that might not be the case," Xuan Yue replied, then turned the conversation around and asked, "What do you think should be done now? I can send you all in, even intervene in the combat at the Heavenly Altar, but do you dare?"

Jun Yan’s expression changed, and he turned to look at Gu Wen, seemingly afraid that the latter would rush in headfirst.

Divine Thought spread, and thoughts began to structure his argument.

However, Gu Wen had already shaken his head and refused, "If it’s a Demi Immortal who has come down, even adding all those Devils on the other side would be of no avail."

If Chi Yu Zi was still alive, then there was still a chance for things turned around. The gap between a Demi Immortal and her was too great to be bridged by mere limitations of the Immortal Land; Chi Yu Zi was likely to be instantly killed.

Upon reflection, Chi Ling might have had no intention to kill Chi Yu Zi from the beginning.

The Demi Immortal in front of them had said, Chi Ling’s affection for Chi Yu Zi was never feigned. Gu Wen couldn’t understand the thoughts of a Demi Immortal’s eyes, but he could understand human nature.

Such as the present Xuan Yue, who had come to obstruct Chi Ling—why isn’t he intervening directly now?

After all, he wanted some favor or benefit.

Gu Wen bowed and said, "Please offer your help again, senior. Should you need anything from the younger generation later, though I go through fire and water, refusal is not an option."

"Of course, that is precisely why I am here."

Xuan Yue’s eyes slightly narrowed. He knew that Gu Wen understood a lot, but he disliked the overly common air about him.

Such disciples used to be strictly disciplined by him, as too much cleverness can cause trouble and is not suitable for cultivation.

At least, his educational philosophy was such, like Xuan Yue was no longer a member of the Three Pure Ones, but he believed he still had the right to discipline.

"I don’t necessarily ask for a favor from you, but simply want you to understand a principle."

He stepped forward two paces, his hand resting on the golden barrier, which began to crack inch by inch.

This barrier, which even Gu Wen’s Immortal Sword could only scratch slightly—perhaps it might break after a hundred strikes, but by then, Chi Yu Zi would probably be completely chilled.

Xuan Yue’s hand transformed into a fist, and he powerfully smashed the barrier, producing an unparalleled shockwave, like a tsunami, that swept towards everyone.

Gu Wen and others were instantly flung back miles away, each executing their movement techniques to hover midair, their internal energy roiling, and their mana in turmoil.

Xiao Yunyi slightly frowned, Jun Yan also looked displeased, and Chan Xi appeared utterly puzzled. Ao Tang, half-transformed into a dragon-horse, was ready to flee at any moment, while only Gu Wen maintained his usual composure.

Xuan Yue looked back, his expression light and cloudless, with a hint of a smile, seemingly deliberate.

"Without becoming a Demi Immortal, one is but an ant, even in the Immortal Land, only the foundation is considered; you have no power to resist a Demi Immortal."

The foundation is the bottle, the background is the water. True Monarchs might not even fill half a bottle, and their bottles are not better than their own. But Demi Immortals are mostly of the ninety-eight foundation, just one step away from becoming Immortal.

Backed by ten-thousand-year foundations, that is enough to fill the bottle.

The higher you go, what you encounter are all prodigies—former prodigies and now great powers are the most difficult to deal with.

Gu Wen still, as a good student, bowed and said, "Will comply with the senior’s teaching."

"Good."

Xuan Yue nodded in satisfaction. Gu Wen at least recognized the bigger picture; such a disposition may not endear itself to him, but it wasn’t a flaw either.

"Come with me. Although it seems like Chi Ling really doesn’t plan to kill her own sister, it’s better to be safe."

"Chi Ling is helping Chi Yu Zi?"

"It should be, otherwise she wouldn’t have descended in true form."

Ninth Grotto Heaven, at the end of the golden staircase, the Heavenly Altar.

Chi Yu Zi’s punches were like cannon fire, bombarding Chi Ling’s body one after another, each punch leaving barely a shallow dent.

She only needed to hammer ten million times, and perhaps she could shatter the Glazed Golden Man.

Under the incessant attacks, Chi Ling finally moved, countering with a punch. As their fists collided, it was like meteorites crashing into one another, sweeping up a stormy surge all around.

Crack!

Another punch roared out, ripping sounds emanating from her arm as bones slightly twisted and muscles tore apart, blood once again splattering out.

Blood splashed onto Chi Yu Zi’s face, adding a touch of ferocity to the cold features of the golden being. She clenched her fist and stretched out her hand towards the Glazed Golden Man, not retreating half a step.

She had tested half of her sister’s strength, an eighty-seven Dao foundation, two levels higher than hers.

Yet her power seemed more than five times greater, perhaps even tenfold, for Chi Ling had only ever done a single punch.

Only two uses of Xuanpin Tongshen remained, barely enough to close the gap. But could she truly stand shoulder to shoulder with her sister and emerge victorious?

Chi Yu Zi had no confidence; her reverence and fear towards Chi Ling extended like a nightmare to this day, hanging over her head like the constant dreary rain, keeping Chi Yu Zi in perpetual cold.

Chi Ling slightly tilted her head in praise, "Not bad, you have indeed grown, but it’s still not enough."

Chi Yu Zi, putting forth all her might, swung another punch. Chi Ling simply raised her right hand, her palm casually rippling, creating thunderous booms in the void.

"Don’t you still have that Divine Skill? Why not use it? Are you afraid of losing your senses? Your voice and Divine Thought can also be burned. Need me to teach you?"

The next moment, fire erupted from the void, and Chi Yu Zi’s figure appeared in mid-air, her fists igniting infernos.

Chi Ling didn’t block with just one hand anymore; she too responded with a punch. On their second collision, the explosive flames were immediately snuffed out by dozens of succeeding punches.

Dozens of punches in a breath, each punch powerful as a collapsing mountain.

Chi Ling eventually took a step forward, breaking Chi Yu Zi’s arm with a punch. The nine-feet Glazed Golden Man was sent flying towards the edge of the Heavenly Altar, suspended in mid-air before slowly collapsing to the ground.

A cold voice resounded, chiding:

"To live through death, to die through life, do you still not understand?"

"Senior sister is as harsh as ever."

A deep voice emerged as Xuan Yue led a group including Gu Wen into the area.

Chi Ling, as if she had anticipated this, glanced over with the corner of her eye and said indifferently, "Junior brother, your goal has been achieved. What are you doing here? Do you want to die?"

"I must watch you delay your ascension for a thousand years. That thousand years is enough for me to become an Immortal."

Xuan Yue admitted openly, his purpose had always been simple.

Chi Ling couldn’t become an Immortal at this time, whether she intended to be lenient towards her own sister or not, Xuan Yue had to ensure her ascension was delayed.

Otherwise, it meant his own death.

"Above the Heavenly Altar, there is only Golden Light, so junior brother, I specifically practiced the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill method."

Xuan Yue raised his hand, his fingertips gathering golden light, growing increasingly dazzling as infinite mana collapsed inwardly.

Gu Wen turned his head because he sensed the presence of the Golden Light Spell.

"Though it’s only superficial, it’s enough."

At his words, golden light blasted forth, transforming into a straight line that pierced through the Heavenly Altar’s restraints and struck the Glazed Golden Man, chiseling a fist-sized dent.

Swoo!

Another beam of golden light struck, blocked by Chi Ling’s hand wave. Being that of a Demi Immortal, her attacks couldn’t be ignored.

"Sword Control Sect’s little girl, what are you waiting for? I’ll hold her off, and you can attack freely. She’s afraid to kill you so she already placed restraints on herself. It will take some effort to undo them."

Xuan Yue waved his fingertips, golden light beams shooting forth continuously, which Chi Ling could only block repeatedly, her body beginning to show numerous scars.

Chi Ling remained silent, merely silently resisting the flying lights, as if leaving all choices to the heavens.

If this could prolong Chi Yu Zi’s life for a thousand years, that would be fine, but then she would only have a thousand years left, potentially never breaking through the Demi Immortal barrier.

"Enough,"

Chi Yu Zi’s voice suddenly spread; she slowly rose from the ground, turning her head to look down at everyone, requesting:

"Please elders, do not interfere in our battle of victory and defeat."

Jun Yan supported his forehead speechlessly, while the others showed varying degrees of surprise.

Without the help of another Demi Immortal, what could she use to defeat another Demi Immortal?

Gu Wen seemed to have anticipated this, in his view, it was a viable choice. If her sister truly considered their kinship, Chi Ling was more trustworthy than Xuan Yue.

And in cultivation, maintaining one’s spirit was crucial; losing spirit could likely ruin all efforts.

Chi Yu Zi straightened her body and said, "Sister, if I can defeat half your true strength, can it be counted as my victory?"

"Naturally."

Chi Ling nodded, and the next moment another beam of golden light shot out, chiseling a fist-sized dent in her chest.

The Glazed Golden Man slightly retreated half a step, lifting its gaze downward to look.

The crowd’s gaze also gathered again on Xuan Yue.

Xuan Yue smiled and said, "Little girl, why should I listen to you? Who do you consider yourself to be?"

Gu Wen’s eyes darkened slightly, invisible pressure also bearing down on him.

Being nothing more than ants if not half-Immortal, perhaps the attitudes of previous half-Immortals had been too kind, causing him to somewhat forget the difference in power between himself and them.

Now, with Yu Hua absent, a single fingertip from Demi Immortal Xuan Yue could crush him. He might not do so, but the feeling of powerlessness was not pleasant.

The atmosphere turned silent for a moment, Xuan Yue still gathering golden light.

Suddenly, an anomaly arose sharply, the heavens and earth brimming with a profound and mysterious throbbing.

A shade of pallor appeared on Xuan Yue, his hair turning white in an instant, the handsome Daoist transforming into an eighty-year-old, old-man-flavored elder.

Gu Wen’s eyes widened, the others’ expressions also shifting from calm to stormy shock.

Aged?

Xuan Yue was stunned, reaching to grasp his hair, most of which fell out, revealing age spots on his scalp.