Forge your destiny into a sword, slash your soul and ascend to immortality

Chapter 338 Already Invincible, Must Make Trouble
For Jing Qian, the composition of combat power has never been related to cultivation level.

This is because all the core supernatural abilities he possesses have extremely high limits.

Even if one's cultivation level stagnates, many of one's Dao techniques can still rapidly improve at an extremely exaggerated rate.

Just like a novice wielding a dragon-slaying sword, even a novice can spar with a true master.

Now, the [Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation] has perfectly integrated with the sword light of [Xuanyuan], and its power has naturally surpassed that of the sword light of [Xuanyuan].

In other words, Jing Qian's attack power ceiling has reached the level of [Xuanyuan].

His own combat strength is that of the number one person in the world of [Dayuan].

Now that his attack power ceiling has been raised again, he has become completely arrogant!
Moreover, the [Sumeru Great Dao Stele] has established an invincible resurrection point for him in the future.

Even if he is completely killed in the present world, he can easily return from the future.

Even someone as powerful as [Xuanyuan] couldn't break through the defenses of the [Sumeru Great Dao Stele], so he could be considered immortal.

In other words, he's truly invincible; he's already undead!
After less than two thousand years of cultivation, he finally accumulated an absolute moat that could guarantee his own safety.

Especially after being tortured by [Xuanyuan], his understanding was greatly enhanced, and he clearly understood his position in the food chain.

He now possesses the full ability to challenge cultivators from the Other Shore.

This led him to think completely differently about his future plans.

From a combat perspective, the risk of loss due to defeat has been minimized, allowing Jing Qian to pursue maximum profit potential without any scruples.

He can always be at the forefront of the most dangerous battles to achieve outstanding results.

This temporary invincibility is uncertain and he must make full use of it to avoid wasting his advantage.

However, for Jing Qian, the most important thing right now is still to complete the promotion to [Xunyue] as soon as possible.

When he set up the [Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation] and escaped from the River of Time, the dark side of the [Clock of Time] was completely enveloped by him.

The boundless sword light, like a silver river spreading across the land, stirred up monstrous waves and swept towards [Xuanyuan].

The avatar of [Xuanyuan] still stood in the same spot, his robes fluttering in the wind of the sword.

He stared at the overwhelming sword light, a look of astonishment flashing across his eyes for the first time.

"Kid, you've got some skills!"

He chuckled softly and tapped the air with his fingertip.

The surrounding space seemed like folded paper, and the sword light suddenly distorted the moment it approached [Xuanyuan], as if it had fallen into an invisible vortex.

A massive black hole appeared beneath Xuanyuan's feet!

This black hole originates from the end of the Great Dao and is the perfect evolution of the cultivation of the [Xuanyuan] Great Dao.

As his core defense, the Daoist magic, under the black hole's cover, all external attacks will be swallowed up by the black hole.

Faced with the upgraded [Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation], [Xuanyuan] felt the pressure for the first time, and he finally came up with a new method.

However, faced with this seemingly all-consuming black hole from which even light could not escape, Jing Qian was not alarmed but delighted, his eyes bursting with a blazing light.

"Well done! I was just worried about having no one to test my new skills!"

He let out a long roar, not only without restraining his sword momentum, but also pushing his aura to its peak.

The once overwhelming and seemingly scattered Milky Way sword light suddenly converged in an instant!

"Exterminate, annihilate, slaughter, and trap! Open the gates!"

Om-!
The sound of swords echoed through the dark side of time, like the divine pronouncements of the Great Dao.

The surging river of sword light is gone, replaced by an extremely condensed pure sword aura that seems to contain the first ray of light at the beginning of creation!

This sword aura is no longer a simple aggregation of energy; it is entwined with profound Daoist principles. At its deepest level lies the indestructible sword intent essence of [Xuanyuan] himself. At this moment, Jing Qian has completely activated, fused, and sublimated it with the supreme mystery of the [Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation]!
The sword energy was not directed at [Xuanyuan] inside the black hole, but at the edge of its horizon, the boundary of the "singularity" where the spacetime curvature is theoretically infinite, but may also be the most volatile and fragile of the laws!
Xuanyuan's pupils contracted slightly.

The next moment, the sword energy, condensed to its extreme, collided violently with the all-consuming final black hole!

Time and space seem to lose their meaning the moment they come into contact.

There was only a very faint, yet clearly audible, "hissing" sound that permeated every dimension.

Like the sharpest scissors, it cut through the toughest fabric.

The ultimate black hole, which was said to be able to devour everything and annihilate all laws, was actually "sliced" open from the edge by that pure sword energy!
Within the rift, there is no longer pure darkness, but rather a chaotic and distorted undercurrent of underlying rules.

The black hole's structure was destroyed, and its devouring power instantly became unbalanced, beginning to twist and vibrate violently. Ultimately, like a punctured balloon, it collapsed rapidly inward, transforming into an insignificant singularity, which then completely dissipated into nothingness.

However, after slicing through the black hole, the remaining force of the sword energy also weakened significantly.

As it passed by the avatar of [Xuanyuan], it was already at its last gasp, only managing to lightly tear the sleeve of his robe.

[Xuanyuan] stood still, silent.

He looked down at the corner of his sleeve that had been severed by the aftershocks of the sword energy. The moment the sleeve left his body, it transformed into the most primordial particles and vanished without a trace.

He looked up at Jing Qian again, his eyes filled with pure admiration.

"Using my spear to shatter my shield... I also infused my own Daoist essence into it, forcibly stabilizing the sword energy structure and penetrating the laws of the end..."

The avatar of [Xuanyuan] slowly spoke:

"Boy, this sword strike is powerful enough to wound my true form."

Jing Qian's sword light slowly receded, and the [Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation] disappeared into the void.

His face was slightly pale, clearly indicating that the extreme sword strike he had just delivered had taken a heavy toll on him.

But he straightened his back and laughed loudly:
“Grandmaster, I can not only hurt you, but one day I will also be the one to kill you several times over.”

Slicing through a black hole is not merely a display of power, but also the ultimate embodiment of one's Dao realm and skill.

This means that Jing Qian's attack power has truly reached the level of [Xuanyuan], and in certain specific situations, it can even threaten its very foundation!

With this battle, his path to invincibility has gained another solid foundation.

After this battle, Xuanyuan and Jingqian were well aware of each other's methods and tacitly stopped fighting instead of continuing to fight to the death.

Both great sword cultivators understood perfectly what the true nature of this great battle was.

In fact, this was a necessary process for Jing Qian's promotion to the [Xunyue] rank.

However, Xuanyuan immediately offered to help him sharpen his sword and even cooperated by activating the sword light to help him iterate the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.

More importantly, Jing Qian never sensed any killing intent from his master throughout the entire battle.

With Xuanyuan showing so much goodwill, the two had already formed a close alliance.

The course of the battle is no longer important. There's plenty of time in the future. If the opportunity arises, the two of them should pull off a heist together; that would be the real deal.

Jing Qian just opened his mouth and said:
"I am very grateful for the guidance of the Ancestral Master. I came here to advance to the [Xunyue] level, but I never expected to receive such great benefits from the Ancestral Master."

“If the Patriarch ever needs my help, I will certainly do my duty without hesitation.”

He used the light of the Xuanyuan Sword to refine his own technique, thus owing Xuanyuan a great favor.

That's why he took the initiative to ask. Since [Xuanyuan] is going to such lengths to help him improve his cultivation, he must have some need.

As expected, the Sword Ancestor spoke:
"You've got a good thought for me."

"It is my good fortune to have a junior disciple who dares to challenge me in the dark side of the [Clock of Time]."

“I am willing to help you attain enlightenment, and I ask for nothing in return.”

"However, you're quite skilled, and your combat strength shouldn't be underestimated."

"I will give you a spatial beacon. If you can advance to the [Other Shore] and leave the [Great Abyss], then come here to see me."

"However, if you really want to come, you'd better be prepared to face a life-or-death challenge."

Having said that, [Xuanyuan] raised his hand and pointed out a wisp of spiritual energy, sending it to Jingqian.

Jing Qian reached out and took it, discovering it to be a unique beacon pointing directly beyond the Great Abyss. He couldn't help but feel eager to explore it.

But then [Xuanyuan] spoke again:
"Remember this: if your cultivation level is not high enough, never take any risks."

"With your current strength, going there would be suicide."

Jing Qian nodded and continued:

"Disciple, please remember this!"

He then asked:

“Master, after the [Tide's Roar], the lineage within the [Great Abyss] was severed, and the great beings of [Transcendence] have not appeared in the world for a long time.”

"Please guide me on my future path of cultivation, Master."

[Xuanyuan] then spoke:
"Your current cultivation level is already predetermined; you have no need for my guidance."

"Besides, with your combat strength, you are already overwhelming in the Great Abyss. It is more important to leave the Great Abyss as soon as possible and experience the scenery of other countries."

"I see that you have cultivated Dao Yuan's Hongjun Furnace, so you must have already made some dealings with the Three Powers and Four Hermits."

"You should know that behind these three powers and four hidden realms, there are powerful [totems] supporting them, and within them, there is commendable cultivation."

"When you reach my level, if you want to continue to improve and explore the wonders of the [Totem], you must learn from all sources and embrace all knowledge."

"Being trapped in the Great Abyss offers no future!"

"Get over this soon!"

Jing Qian nodded and continued:

"This disciple has long had this intention. The reason I came to the dark side of the [Clock of Time] is to prepare for further advancement."

"I must obtain one of these positions: the [Solar Term] or the [Monthly Term]."

"Although I don't know what use it is, I have gained a lot from fighting with the patriarch."

[Xuanyuan] nodded and continued:

"The positions of the solar terms, ten-day periods, and four seasons are the unique arrangement of the 'Respect for the Seasons'."

"If you can obtain the middle part, you will receive the reward of the [Time-Sequence Saint]: the [Ancient and Modern Totem Fire]."

"This is genuine [Totem] magic, and it is quite valuable."

"These three rows of time sculptures before you are all seniors of my [Great Abyss]. With your strength, you are more than capable of taking the position of [Xunyue]."

"Apart from me, the remaining seven [Other Shores] are all worthless and insignificant."

"When I am in a state of detachment, these rotten fish and shrimp are nothing to fear."

“Your current absolute combat strength is comparable to mine when I was at the Transcendent stage. You could easily challenge any True Evil statue and gain the position of Xun Yue.”

"However, I think that with our combined efforts, we can help you glimpse the fruition of the [Four Seasons]."

After saying that, [Xuanyuan] turned his gaze to the four tall and imposing sculptures.

Jing Qian also looked over.

Compared to the previous two rows of sculptures, the four sculptures in this last row are the most sacred and the most magnificent.

Even with Jing Qian's current level of cultivation, he couldn't fully discern the appearance of the four sculptures.

[Xuanyuan] spoke:
"These are the sculptures of the four saints of my [Great Abyss]: Heart, Life, Qi, and Immortal. They are all incarnations of the Venerable Saints at a certain point in the past."

"Aside from the [Time-Sequence Saint] who has never appeared, the appearances of these four Saints can only be glimpsed here."

"If you can successfully defeat one of them, you will obtain the position of spring, summer, autumn and winter [the four seasons]."

"At that time, you will receive a large amount of [Totem Fire] from [Time Saint].

"How about it, want to give it a try?"

Xuanyuan, always eager for excitement, actually tricked Jingqian into challenging the four Totem Saints!
Jing Qian was speechless and couldn't help but say:
"The patriarch thinks too highly of me!"

"How could I possibly defeat the [Totem Saint]? This is truly offensive."

But then [Xuanyuan] spoke again:
Don't worry!

"Among the Four Saints, the [Qi Saint] is the most magnanimous!"

"With your [Time Sequence] cultivation level, if you challenge him, the [Qi Saint] will only send one of his three thousand [Primordial Qi Incarnations].

"You only need to defeat a Qi Saint with one-three-thousandth of the strength to obtain the position of the Four Seasons. You have a chance."

"Besides, I'm here to help you!"

He spoke casually, as if challenging the [Qi Saint] was a trivial matter.

“When the time comes, we will work together. I have a method that can trap the Qi Saint for a moment. You can then use that sword light you just used to slay him.”

"If you can shatter the avatar of the [Qi Saint] in a short time, perhaps the [Qi Saint] will be magnanimous and let you pass."

Upon hearing this, Jing Qian couldn't help but speak up as well:
"Master, should I be the one to challenge you, or should you? Why are you more eager than I am?"

"What exactly does the Patriarch seek? He might as well tell his disciple directly, so that I may have a clear understanding."

[Xuanyuan] nodded and continued:

"【The Venerable One of Time】is keeping one of my time clones here, preventing my past and future from being fulfilled, which is an obstacle to my cultivation."

"If I can help you win the position of [Four Seasons] this time, the dark side of [The Clock of Time] will be opened, and I will have a chance to get out."

"Your chance to win is also my opportunity!"

Jing Qian nodded and continued:
"Then let us do as the patriarch says!"

"Get him!"

Jing Qian's strength had only just improved slightly, but he became incredibly arrogant and actually wanted to personally challenge one of the three thousand incarnations of the [Totem]!

These two sword cultivators, however, acted as if it were their right to fight and win, which was quite bizarre.

(End of this chapter)