Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 183 - 183 0182 Deviating into Demonization Facing

Chapter 183: Chapter 0182: Deviating into Demonization, Facing Battle_2 Chapter 183: Chapter 0182: Deviating into Demonization, Facing Battle_2 What surprised Zhang Lei was not the Jade Sword Qi but Qi Tian. At first glance, Qi Tian appeared to be in a sorry state, seemingly on the verge of being torn to shreds by the Jade Sword Qi at any moment. But in reality, each time, Qi Tian would always diffuse the Jade Sword Qi attack with the fastest speed and the most accurate maneuver, akin to a loosed boat in a stormy sea, always able to ride the waves without capsize.

“Zhang…”

Zhang Lei raised her hand, interrupting Jin Ping, “No need to speak. For now, it appears perilous for Qi Tian, but he seems to be managing. We’ll wait. Today might be an opportunity for Qi Tian to self-improve, so let’s wait and see.”

Knowing that she couldn’t surpass Zhang Lei’s judgment or abilities, Jin Ping promptly shut her mouth.

While Zhang Lei verbally stated “wait and see,” her action implied something else. She took cautious steps forward, always ready to lend a hand during Qi Tian’s moments of danger to help him out of the crisis. However, under the assurance that there were no serious threats to Qi Tian’s safety, she chose to keep observing. Presently, Qi Tian was under extreme stress, a state that could easily break a person, yet was also a state that, once survived, could provide a clear path.

He Xiaoqin’s anger flared after her continuous failed assault. She didn’t voice it out loud, but the power of her Jade Sword Qi was intensifying. Rationality was fading, and all she wanted now was to prove that her diligence and persistence by defeating Qi Tian were not for nothing. That was her obsession and her demon.

The increasing power of the Jade Sword Qi was not limited to its heightened force. Its velocity was also escalating. Qi Tian was gradually showing signs of wavering—it was no longer a simple task to disintegrate the Jade Sword Qi with just a tap or two of the Red Hoop Stick. He had to change his strategy by exerting more force on the Red Hoop Stick. Sometimes, he even had to directly counteract the Jade Sword Qi with the body of the Red Hoop Stick.

The Red Hoop Stick was a heavenly top-grade Spirit Military, close to a Spirit Treasure. It was engraved with more than twenty symbols. Currently, all the symbols were activated, enhancing the power, speed, toughness and all sorts of various metrics of the Red Hoop Stick as it clashed with the Jade Sword Qi.

Despite being remarkably close to the standard of being a Spirit Treasure, the Red Hoop Stick still fell short. With every clash, the engraved symbols started disintegrating one by one at a visibly alarming pace. And as time passed, the rate of symbol disintegration was accelerating. Once all the symbols would crumble, the Red Hoop Stick would assuredly be damaged, risking injury to Qi Tian.

As an observer, Zhang Lei hesitated time and time again. She was constantly assessing the timing of intervention. To her, sacrificing the Red Hoop Stick in exchange for Qi Tian’s power increase seemed worthwhile. She viewed the matter from her own perspective, ignoring the possible loss that the destruction of Red Hoop Stick might bring to Qi Tian. This was not due to Zhang Lei’s indifference—it’s as though a millionaire wouldn’t fret at the loss of ten dollars.

Qi Tian didn’t notice that Jin Ping had invited Zhang Lei, nor did he see that she was observing from the side. His entire focus was on battling the advancing He Xiaoqin.

Qi Tian was keenly aware of the symbols on the Red Hoop Stick disintegrating one after the other. His heightened anxiety was not just about the heavy price he had paid for the Red Hoop Stick’s possible damage, but mainly centered around the future development. If the Red Hoop Stick, his most powerful weapon, couldn’t hold out, how would he keep fighting He Xiaoqin after its failure? Moreover, He Xiaoqin was at the Foundation Establishment Stage while he was only at Qi Cultivating Stage 4. Her True Essence was manifold compared to his. Despite what seems like He Xiaoqin’s extravagant usage of power, Qi Tian would bet that even in such a case, her rate of True Essence consumption would still be slower than his.

If he doesn’t find a solution, he was certain that the outcome would be unfavorable.

Qi Tian’s mind was working rapidly, quickly devising a plan: activate the Galloping Skill of the Wuhang Ring to quickly retreat from the battlefield. If he could avoid contact with He Xiaoqin, he would be safe.

But Qi Tian soon dismissed the thought. Withdrawing might be an option, but it would be an act of retreat and wouldn’t help improve himself. Besides, the Galloping Skill could only be used once every 24 hours. If he uses it now, he wouldn’t be able to use it again until this time tomorrow, when his battle with Gao Han would already have been over—meaning, he won’t be able to use the Galloping Skill in the upcoming battle.

It’s not that Qi Tian absolutely had to use the Galloping Skill in his battle with Gao Han. However, having the skill at hand would provide him with an extra option, and he could take the initiative. Hence, he planned to save it for the next day’s fight.

Qi Tian decided to use a method that would help him improve his fighting skills to escape from the predicament He Xiaoqin had created for him. He quickly thought of the martial skill he excels at — the Eight Desolate Demon Tiger Fist.

Earlier, Qi Tian had realized that when He Xiaoqin boosted the power of her Jade Sword Qi, the frequency of her attacks dropped slightly. In other words, the time interval between each wave of Jade Sword Qi had lengthened.

Seizing the gap between the two waves of Jade Sword Qi, Qi Tian switched his Heavenly Dao Engine to speed mode, activated Chasing Wind Step, enhancing his speed and widening the distance between He Xiaoqin and himself.

He Xiaoqin pursued relentlessly, also applying the Chasing Wind Step to chase Qi Tian. Her cultivation realm was much higher than Qi Tian’s, and her mastery and understanding of the Chasing Wind Step were superior to his. Her speed was swift. If it were not for Qi Tian’s Heavenly Dao Engine being in speed mode, he wouldn’t have been able to shake her off.

After widening the distance with He Xiaoqin, Qi Tian nimbly stowed his Red Hoop Stick, put on his Jifeng Boxing Gloves, and prepared himself for her imminent arrival. Wielding her Jade Sword, she once again sparked the Jade Sword Qi, aiming it directly at Qi Tian.

Upon seeing this, the faces of Zhang Lei, Jin Ping and the others changed instantly. If Qi Tian’s heavenly-level Red Hoop Stick hadn’t been able to fend off He Xiaoqin, it was unlikely that his top-grade Jifeng Boxing Gloves could.

“Nonsense!” Zhang Lei became slightly angry, and she decided not to stand by any longer but to rush towards Qi Tian and He Xiaoqin in an attempt to stop them.

However, Zhang was a step too slow. Qi Tian, facing the incoming Jade Sword Qi, showed no fear. He split his legs apart, slightly bent his body, and violently swiped his right hand forward, which was wearing the Jifeng Boxing Glove.

Eight Desolate Demon Tiger Fist, Ninth Move — White Tiger Kneeling.

Heavenly Dao Engine, Power Mode, Full Throttle.

Boom…

A fist-sized fireball launched from Qi Tian’s fist, and for a split second, it seemed to morph into the shape of a Flaming Demon Tiger King, its mouth wide open, in a pouncing pose. But shortly after leaving Qi Tian’s fist, the illusion of the Flaming Demon Tiger King had disappeared.

The fireball from the Eight Desolate Demon Tiger Fist was roughly the size of a watermelon, blazing through the surrounding air, a roasting heat emanating from it. It rushed towards the Jade Sword Qi invoked by He Xiaoqin.

Bang…

The fireball collided with the Jade Sword Qi, causing a humongous explosion. The Jade Sword Qi dispersed, and the fireball disrupted, weakening by at least half, yet the remaining part continued towards He Xiaoqin at undiminished speed.