Chapter 296

hapter 296 – Infernal Haze, Ninefold Chaos Thunderscape

Tianming was eager for more power . In fact, there was very little a genius like him could do in the battle among the giant forces of the Grand-Orient Sect . The death of Yuwen Shendu that altered the structure of the sect was a rare occurrence . He was a man dancing on the edge; even if his talent defied destiny, he knew his current strength was far from enough .

Time waits for no man . With the Aeonic Grandbane, failure meant death . So even if his talent had grown thus far, he still insisted on cultivating hard, day and night, which was something ordinary folk could never achieve . His genius wasn’t terrifying, but the effort he invested in it was .

"The elders aren’t necessarily reliable . Only the Ye clan will look after me . Now that Yuwen Taiji has his eye on me, I must grow stronger to survive and protect them . . . . "

The demons in his heart included Feiling, Ying Huo, Meow Meow, Ye Shaoqing, Qingyu, Li Jingyu, Li Wudi, and so on .

"Although the situation seems fine on the surface, there’s peril everywhere . If I revel in my talents but fail to make progress, the only thing waiting for me is an ugly death . "

Tianming had a fairly clear understanding of his situation . These were all reasons why he strode forth with all his strength before the Realm Wars .

"Yueling Long, I once said I’d visit Heaven’s Elysium to take your head in ten years, but I never expected it’d only take me three months . I have the greatest surprise planned for you . Most importantly, before Feiling awakens, I’d like to return the five sealed abilities that were taken away . ”

This was the other motive behind Tianming's participation in the Realm Wars, apart from competing for the Grand-Orient Sword . Since he was the junior sect master, he’d use the resources of the entire sect to strengthen himself and increase his odds . On the narrow road of life and death, there was no point in contrived courtesies .

After breaking through to sixth-level Unity, Tianming continued practicing the Voidgod Sword Intent: Myriad’s Only and the Trivita Fiendfist . Ying Huo and Meow Meow each received two Saintbeast War-Souls for refining . For fourth-order saint beasts, it wouldn’t take long for them to succeed—about half an hour at most .

However, both of them failed to refine one war-soul and succeeded with the other . Since the war-souls had been swallowed, they were considered wasted .

Ying Huo and Meow Meow were different from ordinary lifebound beasts . What they required was a Saintbeast War-Soul to stimulate their bloodline bindings and awaken their abilities . If the war-soul didn’t match, it was useless for breaking the bloodline bindings and was considered wasted . But conversely, the probability of a Saintbeast War-Soul awakening one of their abilities was much higher than any ordinary beast soul .

Ying Huo’s new ability was called the Infernal Haze, while Meow Meow's third Saintbeast War-Soul ability was called the Ninefold Chaos Thunderscape . Their new abilities were very suitable for their current situation, and the power they exerted was terrifying indeed .

Upon witnessing their transformation, Tianming was amazed . They showed comprehensive growth in all areas, especially their abilities . Their regular Infernal Blaze and Chaos Voltball underwent explosive changes .

"Our opponents in the Realm Wars will enjoy these two new abilities," chuckled Tianming .

Next up, more cultivation! When practicing cultivation techniques, the three became one . When practicing battle arts, Ying Huo continued to study the Voidgod Sword Intent and its inverse Excalibur and Life-Death Claw Art, while Meow Meow . . . slept . It was no surprise at all . Meow Meow made every second of sleep count and was unwilling to waste a moment of leisure time .

"Old Ye, can you please demonstrate Myriad’s Only once more?"

The last stance of the Voidgod Sword Intent was simply terrifying . Even with Tianming's new transformation, Myriad’s Only posed a challenge . He hoped to master in ten days what took Ye Shaoqing a year .

"Can you be less intimate? I’d rather hear you call me master," coughed Ye Shaoqing .

"But it sounds overly polite and tacky . What we need most is intimacy," laughed Tianming .

"No thanks, I'm not interested in men," replied Ye Shaoqing .

"Alright, hurry up! I’ll practice and you tell me what’s wrong . "

"Go on then . "

Under Fatepath Peak, Tianming waved Onyx Dragon, repeatedly drawing the sword against Ye Shaoqing while the other elders watched . What he practiced was the unpolished form of Myriad’s Only .

"I’m very confused . From Countercurrent, to Starfall, then to Cosmic Break, the progression is the same, as long as I constantly exceed the limit . However, Myriad’s Only is an entirely new level that seems to surpass the word ‘defiance . ’ There’s a sense of breaking the cosmos, slaughtering gods and demons, and dominating the universe . ”

"You're right . Your understanding is accurate . The most important thing for Myriad’s Only is the word ‘only . ’ What does it mean to hold supremacy? You must contemplate the word," said Ye Shaoqing .

He had no trouble intercepting Tianming's sword ki with his bare hands . Tianming thrust his sword, but failed once more . Right now, he was nowhere near the confidence he’d displayed when he first practiced Voidgod Sword Intent . However, the challenge only fueled his fighting spirit . Within an hour, he swung his sword thousands of times, failing each time .

"You’re right in many areas . Your technique and swordsmanship is perfect . But your understanding of the sword intent and the word 'only’ is lacking . I suggest you put this to rest for now . In a few days time, I’ll create the right environment for you en route to Heaven’s Elysium . It was under that environment that I truly comprehended Myriad’s Only,” said Ye Shaoqing .

"Alright . " Tianming obeyed his arrangement .

It was only natural for him to listen to his predecessor’s advice with an open mind . Getting lost in the pride of his talent and paying no heed to others would be foolish behavior .

The world was boundless and filled with talented geniuses . There must be something worth learning from those who came before him . How could the knowledge of one man be compared to countless predecessors and ancestors? Tianming was very humble in that respect .

"Are there any battle arts besides the Voidgod Sword Intent that you’d like to practice? The elders will accompany you on your journey to the Realm Wars . When the time comes, you may seek guidance on the road," said Ye Shaoqing .

This suggestion was limited to Tianming alone . No one else would even think of mastering battle arts in such a short time .

"I heard that the tenth ancestor of the Li Saint Clan practiced a battle art known as the Trivita Fiendfist, which is very powerful . I wonder if any of the elders have mastered it?" asked Tianming .

The effect of the tenth ancestor’s tomb, as well as guidance from an elder, would greatly improve his practice . Many of the ancestors' methods had been passed down, so other clans of the Grand-Orient Sect must have dabbled in it .

"The Trivita Fiendfist? It’s a saintly-ranked battle art that’s similar to Voidgod Sword Intent . If you decide to practice it, you’ll be able to grasp it superficially at most," Huangfu Fengyun smiled .

"Even a superficial understanding of a saintly-ranked battle art is good . Other disciples at the peak of Unity have only just begun to practice heavenly-ranked battle arts . None would dare attempt comprehending saintly-ranked battle arts, since success is impossible," added Shangguan Jingshu .

"A pentabane’s comprehension is amazing . "

The elders were impressed by his extraordinary ability upon witnessing Tianming cultivate the Voidgod Sword Intent . Heavenly-ranked battle arts weren’t an issue for Tianming . Although Li Yanfeng comprehended his Hellish Downfall Sword Art ahead of time, it had taken him five years .

"What a coincidence . I’ve actually dabbled in Trivita Fiendfist . "

Right then, the burly, energetic voice of an elder sounded . Despite being the same age as Ye Qing, he had a head full of black hair and appeared youthful and imposing . One look and Tianming could tell he possessed a ferocious combat power .

Tianming was rather surprised . No one recognized the Life-Death Whip Art when he used it, which meant the battle art might have been lost to the Grand-Orient Sect . To his surprise, one of the elders actually practiced the Trivita Fiendfist . But then again, since whip arts were unpopular, its loss was reasonable .

Sixth elder Zhao Zhiyuan was ranked fourth in their faction .

"Elder Zhao," Tianming greeted .

"There’s no need to be so polite . I’m a rough, straightforward man . "

"Many thanks, elder . "

"Alright, I’ll teach you the Trivita Fiendfist . "

Zhao Zhiyuan was straightforward and bold . Not only did he demonstrate the moves for Tianming, he also spoke clearly, simplifying many details .

"Junior Sect Master, this is a saintly-ranked battle art, after all . You don't have to pay attention to this part . I’ll separate the core of this battle art, remove the complicated integration of heavenly will, and pursue the fundamentals . You try . "

He had been meditating in the Li Mausoleum over the past few days . Now that he had guidance, his efficiency improved . With his position as the junior sect master, the elders’ willingness to help proved greatly convenient for his cultivation .

Despite the fact the group of elders had practically surrounded Tianming, he wasn’t at all annoyed . This was an opportunity for him to learn from these powerful elders . With their experience, even a few words would be of great help .

"The first step of the Trivita fiendfist is the Beast—Skyshaker . You’ll find that the core of this move is actually the same as Voidgod Sword Intent’s Countercurrent, Starfall, and Cosmic Break . Even the second step, Fiend—Godringer possesses the same concept . However, the will of the Trivita Fiendfist lies in defiance, but at the same time, madness and a state of violence . Madness born from defiance is the foundation of Trivita Fiendfist . Consider yourself a madman, comprehend the meaning of madness, treat me as the sky that drives you crazy, and use your fist to break me . Shatter the sky . ”

As expected of the sixth elder, his attainments were profound . With his explanation and the demonstration of the Trivita Pugilist’s tombstone, Tianming was infinitely closer to the real Trivita Fiendfist .

On the fifth day, after countless repetitions, Tianming finally mastered the first step .

"Junior Sect Master, your heaven-defying talents truly astound me,” Zhao Zhiyuan smiled wryly as he openly said the words the other elders wanted to say .

Even if it wasn’t a complete saintly-ranked battle art, since half of the important points had been removed, Tianming's moves contained a power stronger than ordinary heavenly-ranked battle arts .

Rebels and madmen were the core of the Voidgod Sword Intent and Trivita Fiendfist .

"If we had another month until the Realm Wars, Tianming would have a definite chance of winning the Grand-Orient Sword," sighed Shangguan Jingshu .

"Yes!" The elders were all truly amazed after watching Tianming cultivate .

"Tianming, let me introduce you to your companions . They’re prime disciples who will join you in the Realm Wars . ”

There were four prime disciples, but only Tianming and two others remained after Yuwen Shendu’s death and Su Wuyou’s defeat .