Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 367 - 019 No Waste After the Life Tribulation

Chapter 367: Chapter 019 No Waste After the Life Tribulation

"Not bad, all Cultivators find themselves in an incredibly difficult position when they comprehend the ’battlefront’, but an Emperor Qi Sword Body has no such worries. After reaching the Nine Changes of Sword Void, the Heavenly Dao descends naturally, helping it condense the battlefront and break six in one fell swoop.

If they understand the deeper layers and comprehend the ’Break Nine’ battlefront, it’s not so difficult."

"So, it’s only the Emperor Qi Sword Body at the Great Perfection Realm of Nine Changes Sword Void that truly possesses overwhelming and invincible strength. That Emperor Qi Sword Body Zhou Yan, what a pity to have died."

"Such a monstrous talent is naturally not allowed to live. The difficulty of condensing a Sword Soul and the ease of condensing a battlefront, each gain and loss is determined by Heaven."

"This Xiao Tianlun Spiritualist is obviously in the process of comprehending the battlefront, to the extent that his realm has regressed."

"Yet with his realm regressed, his combat power has grown stronger."

"Not bad, this Thunderflame Sword Body, another ancient constitution, is also favored by the Heavenly Dao, but it can’t compare to the later-stage advantages of the Emperor Qi Sword Body. Still, as an ancient Sword Body, it would truly be a pity if it were to fall."

...

Some Cultivators who had already passed the selection emerged one after another due to this kind of shattering attack.

Following that, Cultivators started to discuss fervently.

These words easily entered Zhou Yan’s senses. Now, his soul was unimaginably strong, such that no whisper from anyone could be concealed from him.

It was through this that, after hearing about the ’battlefront’, Zhou Yan suddenly understood why Xiao Tianlun had said before that if one could break three after the Life Tribulation, then one could take pride.

Being able to break three, wouldn’t that mean transcending the level of True Spirit genius and becoming a ’Profound’ level genius?

This... is simply unimaginable.

You see, to reach the Nine Changes Sword Void and condense a battlefront that breaks six, each one must at least have the combat strength to break six.

If every Cultivator who has undergone this transformation has broken six, it is as if each of them possesses equivalent strength.

The breakthrough will be the same after going through the great catastrophe.

The level of combat power would become uniform.

Cultivators who break seven, compared to those who break six, can only be said to have combat power breaking one!

Those who break nine can be considered as having the power to break three.

But is that really the case?

After the Life Tribulation Realm, there’s a huge disparity between realms; within the same realm, one might be at the early stage while the other at the peak.

Then the gap in combat power relative to the disparity of realms below the Life Tribulation might be as wide as three realms.

Then within the same realm, how is combat power calculated?

Therefore, if a Cultivator of the First Refining Sword Tribulation Realm can defeat one from the Second Refining Sword Tribulation and gains the recognition of the Heavenly Dao, then this person is undoubtedly extraordinary.

Below the Life Tribulation, only geniuses with combat power breaking six at the Profound level have the potential to become a True Man level genius after the Life Tribulation.

This is the simplest method of calculation.

It’s also for this reason, the higher the realm, the more severe the test to become a genius becomes.

From these Cultivators’ discussions alone, Zhou Yan had already understood the methods of calculation and distinction. Instantly, he felt a bit of shock in his heart.

He knew that the great calamity of Heavenly Destiny and the Five Declines of Heaven and Man were very difficult, but he had not anticipated that what he could think of was just the tip of the iceberg.

This is a terrifying path of cultivation, where every step is extremely difficult.

However, this is also normal.

After all, without certain talent, the number of Cultivators dwindles at levels like Sword Intent, Sword Soul, and Sword Spirit.

Without talent, not being a genius, their achievements can at most reach the limit of the Sword Void Realm.

And to pass through the Five Declines of Heaven and Man and compete with Heaven and Earth for Qi Fortune and Fate, the Nine Refinements of Sword Tribulation would likely be incredibly difficult.

Endless Cultivators will die at these stages.

More geniuses will fail to break through these nine great tribulations and will not complete their transformation.

No wonder ancient books say, there are no mediocrities after the Life Tribulation.

This is truly the reason.

These thoughts quickly crossed Zhou Yan’s mind. These were just a momentary flicker of his thoughts and did not take up much time.

In the air, Xiao Tianlun’s words were still fluctuating; phrases like ’last words’ still echoed without dissipating.

Zhou Yan also revealed a hint of a cold smile and said, "If you have any last words, you can leave them now, otherwise, you won’t have another chance."

Zhou Yan’s casual and cold attitude finally caused the always stern and composed Xiao Tianlun’s expression to change abruptly.

Deep within his gaze, there was a trace of an inexplicably dangerous feeling.

Was this Zhou Yan a waste? Definitely not, if he were a waste, he couldn’t have almost completely vanquished Ye Li in one move.

Then was Zhou Yan a fool? Also definitely not, but why was he so confident that he could suppress him?

A hidden trump card?

What kind of terrifying trump card might he have?

Xiao Tianlun had no choice but to become solemn. He wasn’t afraid of death, but when Emperor Qi Sword Body Zhou Yan exploded with power, even capable of instantly killing the avatar of the Evil King, if this Thunderflame Sword Body Zhou Yan also possessed such a trump card...

Sudden unease rose in Xiao Tianlun’s heart.

His gaze wavered for an instant.

But quickly, he regained his composure, scoffing, "Not bad, your methods indeed caused me a moment of trepidation, almost shaking my heart of Supreme Heaven and Earth. But since I pursue the Tao of Supreme Heaven and Earth, I must inevitably undergo the test of life and death.

"You’re just a Cultivator at the Third Layer Heaven of Sword Soul, lower realm, even if you have combat power breaking nine, you’re barely on par with me.

"How could I fear you? Come at me!"

As Xiao Tianlun spoke, his gaze was firmly locked on Zhou Yan, all set on guard.

He did not allow Zhou Yan’s realm to make him underestimate his opponent.

Underestimating an enemy is the most fundamental mistake; a proud genius like Xiao Tianlun would absolutely not make it.

Even though he could look down on anyone with his attitude, when it came to battle, he would take any opponent seriously.

"Fine, as you wish!"

Zhou Yan’s gaze was icy and merciless as the blood within his body suddenly burst forth.

With purple Thunder Light coursing through his blood, he was bathed in a glow of purple thunder.

His Combat Armor fluttered without any wind, and his jet-black hair with a tinge of purple majestically danced in the air.

"Void Ancient Scripture."

"Rune Battle Formation."

"The Cloud Peak, Ocean, Space, Life and Death, Reincarnation of Thunder-controlling Sword Dao, Vitality Sword Dao, Six Paths of Thunder Control as one!"

"Thunder Flame Decides Life and Death, Alone Breaks Heaven and Earth!"

In that instant, all of Zhou Yan’s strength fully revealed itself.

These were all the lethal intents, all the combat powers of his Thunderflame Sword Body.

He had never used all his powers at once, nor had he displayed them so dominantly before.

But this time, he had to unleash his full strength. Only by doing so would he stand a chance against Xiao Tianlun, given the vast difference in their realms.

His powers had only just begun to coalesce.

Suddenly, a massive hand’s phantom appeared between heaven and earth. Then, that immense hand made a sweeping motion in the void, grabbing both Zhou Yan and Xiao Tianlun and seizing them into the palm of its hand.

At this moment, Xiao Tianlun, too, dared not be careless, erupting with a terrifying, invincible killing intent which was even more fearsome than Zhou Yan’s.

Under such a collision, Zhou Yan’s combat power would undoubtedly be no match.

But before he could explode with power, he was captured by that giant hand as well!

"The rules that were just set, you dare not follow? You two, wish to be reduced to ashes?!"

A majestic voice suddenly echoed from the void.

Like a thunderclap, it rang in the hearts of Zhou Yan, Xiao Tianlun, and all the others, giving everyone the sensation of coughing up blood.

In that moment, the giant hand clenched.

"Crack—"

"Crack—"

Both Zhou Yan and Xiao Tianlun’s bodies exploded into pieces.

Even though they possessed heaven-defying strength, they were like ants in the hand of such a powerful being, unable to muster even the slightest resistance.

The hand let go.

Two figures fell from the void and crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Thud—"

"Thud—"

The ground trembled at the impact.

Zhou Yan’s body seemed utterly miserable, with his flesh torn apart, but his heart was clear as he was actually not seriously injured.

On the other hand, Xiao Tianlun, although he appeared less miserable than Zhou Yan, had almost shattered his soul, clearly in a dire state.

"Although there is no absolute fairness, the time of cultivation for the two is not consistent. Emperor Qi Sword Body Zhou Yan emerged from Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain, being an ancient genius, yet only cultivated for twenty-three years."

"While Tai Chu Sword Body Xiao Tianlun, although he slept and was sealed for some time, had cultivated for three hundred years.

If there is to be a contest, to be convincing, ascend to the Life and Death Platform, fight with equal realms, on your own volition.

After one battle, regardless of win or lose, temporarily dissolve the grudge."

Yao’s voice echoed through the void.

Xiao Tianlun’s face looked extremely ugly, but learning that the Emperor Qi Sword Body was an ancient genius and truly came from Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain, he felt somewhat intimidated.

And although he didn’t like the outcome, a fair fight on the Life and Death Platform was undoubtedly the best resolution.

On the Life and Death Platform, with seals enforced, neither could rely on trump cards or external powers.

Then, the true extent of their combat powers would be known to all.

"You two, if you accept, you live; if not, you will be suppressed by the rules and die immediately. Even if behind Xiao Tianlun stands an Ancestor-level powerhouse from Tai Chu Secret Realm, or behind Zhou Yan is that noble figure from Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain... the result will be the same!"

Yao’s voice resounded in all directions, shaking the heavens and earth.

This voice was known by everyone in the Southern Wilderness, none were unaware.

"I accept, a fair battle, no use of trump cards!"

Many thoughts flickered through Zhou Yan’s mind as a sharp light flashed in his eyes, but he kept his composure and said coldly.

"Why would I fear? Just perfect, let’s see what kind of combat power I, Xiao Tianlun, possess at the Sword Soul Third Layer Heaven!"

Xiao Tianlun, seeing Zhou Yan in dire straits, felt much of his discontent fade.

In his view, Zhou Yan’s unruly nature was met with an even stronger suppression, making him appear many times more miserable than himself!

And thus, he felt that those people had actually helped him a bit secretly. What was there for him to be dissatisfied about?

Xiao Tianlun also knew that most of the Saints likely wanted to establish their authority. It was because he and Zhou Yan happened to collide that they chose to take action against the two of them.

Xiao Tianlun inwardly sighed at his misfortune, yet he was filled with anticipation for this battle of equal realms.

"Very well, in three days, Guang Han Hall’s Life and Death Battle Platform will open, with Tai Chu Sword Body Xiao Tianlun from Tai Chu Secret Realm and Thunderflame Sword Body Zhou Yan from Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain, fighting within a space of three thousand meters within the battle formation. Cultivators of the Southern Wilderness may come to witness.

Additionally, registration for the recruitment of talents of Guanghan South Mansion is open only for these last three days. Those who have not reached the Triple combat power are not eligible to sign up."

Yao’s voice once again echoed throughout the Southern Wilderness.

And it was because of this voice that Xiao Tianlun and Zhou Yan truly became renowned throughout the Southern Wilderness.