Section 56: The Might of Battle
Author: Gu Zhenren
2014-06-18
*Boom!*
High in the sky, two figures faced each other, separated by a distance of five hundred miles.
On one side stood the Thunder Emperor, a burly figure clad in blue and gold heavy armor that concealed most of his face, exuding an immense aura.
On the other stood Emperor Chu Yun of the Spirit Emperor lineage. He was in flowing white robes, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his skin as fair as jade. His posture was straight, his spirit high.
Before the battle even began, the spiritual pressure of both combatants was already locked in a fierce struggle.
*Swish.*
Numerous Emperor-level powerhouses ascended to the skies to spectate.
Even some Marquis-level powerhouses turned their attention towards the confrontation.
“Emperor Chu Yun has reached the mid-stage of the Emperor level. His spiritual pressure is undeniable; he can actually contend with the Thunder Emperor.” Many were greatly surprised by Chu Yun’s rapid cultivation speed.
“This should be attributed to his Innate Divine Ability, the ability to devour Chaos Demonic Crystals, and the World Power transformed from them greatly accelerating the development of his Immortal Pouch World.” Many felt both envy and jealousy.
Marquis Ming, who was observing the unfolding spectacle with folded arms, furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of surprise in his heart.
It wasn’t Chu Yun’s cultivation that astonished him, but rather his Immortal Pouch World.
Currently, with the two Emperors at the center, two distinct worlds had formed in the sky, creating domains that stood in defiant opposition.
The Thunder Emperor’s domain was a world of darkness, shrouded in thick clouds, with lightning and thunder. Chu Yun’s domain, conversely, was a world of blue skies, white clouds, green mountains, and clear waters – a scene of perfect weather, forming a stark contrast.
“Emperor Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World, though seemingly gentle, holds a vibrant life force within. Strange, this feeling should only gradually manifest upon reaching the Marquis level. To think he possesses such a level at a mere Emperor level.”
Marquis Ming, with his profound cultivation and vast experience, quickly assessed the Immortal Pouch Worlds of the two Emperors in his mind.
In terms of combat power, the Thunder Emperor’s Immortal Pouch World was undoubtedly more extreme and robust. However, in terms of developmental potential, Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World, brimming with life, was tens of times superior to the Thunder Emperor’s!
“Given enough time, Emperor Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World will surely surpass the Thunder Emperor’s. This young man’s future prospects are bright. No wonder the Thunder Emperor wants to suppress him; this is far more than just a matter of old grudges.” Marquis Ming understood.
At the Emperor level and above, every cultivator was a legend forged through years of diligent practice. Apart from Chu Yun, all others were ancient powerhouses, where grudges and enmities had long since lost their significance.
Despite the Thunder Emperor’s apparent fury, it was merely a pretext. His true intention was to suppress Chu Yun, the rising prodigy.
Chu Yun’s potential was widely acknowledged. The faster he developed, the more resources he would require. Conversely, the resources available to established powerhouses like the Thunder Emperor would consequently decrease.
It was all about interests.
“Youngster, you are bold, but you are only asking for trouble! Today, this Emperor will teach you a proper lesson and let you know the immensity of Heaven and Earth.” The Thunder Emperor’s voice boomed like thunder in the sky. His voice was icy cold as he stood proudly, dark clouds churning around him with crackling lightning, making him appear like a ferocious, malevolent demon god.
As he spoke, the pitch-black clouds suddenly surged, and a flock of Thunderbirds flapped their wings, taking the lead and charging towards Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World.
These Thunderbirds were slender, with sharp beaks and claws, their bodies covered in a flickering, electric glow that gave them an extremely sharp appearance, like blades against the skin, sending chills down one’s spine.
There were five hundred Thunderbirds in total, each possessing the cultivation of a high-level Spirit Monster. They flew in a sharp arrow formation, cawing fiercely as they charged towards Chu Yun.
Chu Yun remained unfazed, commanding from within. Immediately, herds of cattle galloped forth, their hooves churning the void, numbering in the tens of thousands, exuding an imposing aura.
As the cattle charged forward, winds rose and clouds gathered. A large mass appeared on the horizon, dense white clouds emitting a sweet fragrance.
These were Dairy Cloud cows, and the dense white mist was Milk Candy Cloud.
The Dairy Cloud cows’ combat power was inferior to the Thunderbirds. They were an economical type of Demonic Beast, and the Milk Candy Cloud they produced was a significant export of Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World.
Just as the cattle herds were about to collide with the Thunderbirds, the vast herds suddenly split into more than a dozen groups. Most bypassed the Thunderbirds and, in an instant, circled back to envelop them.
The milky white Milk Candy Cloud followed the cattle, quickly covering the sky battlefield and obscuring the Thunderbirds.
The rampaging Thunderbirds were like birds crashing into a soft cotton ball. Within the Milk Candy Cloud, their momentum was lost, and they were immediately divided into dozens of groups. Under the wave-like attacks of the Dairy Cloud cows, they were swiftly annihilated.
“Beautiful.”
“A decent counter.”
Scattered applause erupted from the Emperor-level spectators. Some even whistled softly, expressing mild admiration.
Thunderbirds, as Demonic Creatures, possessed excellent attack power and speed, but their defense was negligible. In a head-on confrontation, the Dairy Cloud cow herds would have suffered a pyrrhic victory. However, under Chu Yun’s superb tactical command, they avoided strengths and exploited weaknesses, greatly minimizing their own losses.
And after losing their group advantage, the Thunderbirds’ defensive shortcomings became even more pronounced. Their absorption by the Dairy Cloud cow herds was, therefore, not surprising.
The Thunder Emperor, despite losing his vanguard, was not alarmed; instead, he rejoiced. He had identified Chu Yun’s weakness. Although Emperor Chu Yun had reached the mid-stage of the Emperor level, his development time was ultimately too short. Looking at his Immortal Pouch World, it was clear that while there were many Demonic Plants, there were only one or two types of Demonic Beasts, lacking the foundation of the Thunder Emperor’s own.
This was within everyone’s expectations. Chu Yun’s cultivation speed had already set an Emperor-level record; if his foundation were as deep as the Thunder Emperor’s, he would be a true monster. There had to be some great secret hidden within him, which would attract everyone’s covetous gaze.
“Go, destroy to your heart’s content, annihilate madly!” the Thunder Emperor roared, commanding a torrent of tens of thousands of Demonic Beasts that surged towards Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World.
These Demonic Beasts numbered over a dozen types and all possessed lightning attributes. Demonic Beasts without this attribute could not survive in the Thunder Emperor’s Immortal Pouch World.
Seeing this, Chu Yun’s expression remained calm, as if he were forcing himself to maintain composure. However, the surrounding spectators couldn’t help but change color slightly.
“The Thunder Emperor has made a grand gesture. This large force of Demonic Beasts is not only numerous but also possesses high cultivation, with most of them being Spirit Monsters. This is not a probe, but a fatal blow.”
“He has already tested the waters. Although he lost an excellent vanguard force, Emperor Chu Yun’s strengths and weaknesses have been thoroughly exposed. Emperor Chu Yun absolutely does not have enough Demonic Creatures to withstand the Thunder Emperor’s offensive.”
“However, Emperor Chu Yun must have some trump cards left, otherwise, why would he challenge the Thunder Emperor for no reason?”
Murmurs and discussions arose among the crowd.
Facing the Thunder Emperor’s all-out assault, Chu Yun immediately mobilized the remaining forces at his disposal.
Mysterious lights flickered. The Drunken Snow Saber, Ice River Sword, Sky Fox, Lishan, Spirit Snake, Dark Shadow, and Ink Qilin, along with nearly ten other Innate Demonic Creatures, entered the battlefield.
“Hmph, is this your reliance? Innate Demonic Creatures? This Emperor has more than you!” Seeing this, the Thunder Emperor scoffed disdainfully and made a hand seal.
Originally, he only had three Innate Demonic Creatures. However, after recently exploring the Sea Eye Abyss, he had obtained a large amount of Innate True Essence. After investing a significant portion of this Innate True Essence, the number of Innate Demonic Creatures under his command instantly surged to over thirty.
It was just that the cultivation of these Innate Demonic Beasts was relatively weak. Having recently advanced, most were only at the early Tribulation Demon level. Chu Yun’s Demonic Creatures, conversely, generally possessed higher cultivation.
The crowd erupted in amazement.
“The Thunder Emperor possesses as many as thirty-eight Innate Demonic Creatures. He is truly willing to invest!”
“Emperor Chu Yun is in trouble. He only has seven or eight Innate Demonic Creatures. Though their cultivation is high, their numbers are too few. How can they be a match for the Thunder Emperor?”
“No wonder the Thunder Emperor is so eager to contend for the Extreme Dao Great Pusher. He has developed so many Innate Demonic Creatures; their cultivation advancement is a major challenge.”
“Emperor Chu Yun, it’s not too late to admit defeat now. This Emperor is magnanimous. As long as you obediently hand over the Extreme Dao Great Pusher and kowtow in apology, this Emperor will forgive you.” The Thunder Emperor laughed heartily, confident of victory, his aura soaring, his attitude arrogant.
In his eyes, Chu Yun’s few Innate Demonic Creatures were isolated and powerless, destined to be overwhelmed and annihilated. Although Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World had immense potential, it had ultimately developed for too short a time. Once his vast army of Demonic Beasts was dispersed, it would be a scene of utter destruction and collapse, regressing to a primitive, wild state.
“Is that so…” Chu Yun calmly produced a ball of light, his voice not loud but carrying throughout the surrounding space. “Thunder Emperor, aren’t you celebrating a little too early?”
This ball of light was a mixture of black and white, constantly shifting, combining light and darkness.
It was Chu Yun’s first successfully cultivated Battle Skill – Mysterious Shadow Cave Divine Light!
“Go,” Chu Yun softly instructed, throwing the Mysterious Shadow Cave Divine Light.
Instantly, the world fell silent, all colors vanished, leaving only black and white.
The phenomenon appeared and disappeared just as suddenly. In the blink of an eye, the battlefield returned to its original state. However, large swathes of the Thunder Emperor’s Demonic Beasts suddenly dissolved into light, scattering Demonic Crystals on the ground. Among them were even three Innate Demonic Creatures.
The Thunder Emperor’s laughter immediately faltered, and the flesh around his eyes twitched in pain. With this single move, Chu Yun had cost him thousands of Spirit Monsters, as well as three precious Innate Demonic Creatures.
However, he had long known that Chu Yun had mastered a Battle Skill, so he was not surprised.
Grinding his teeth, he glared venomously at Chu Yun: “Hmph! Stubborn fool, do you think mastering one Battle Skill allows you to sweep across the world? Each use of a Battle Skill consumes a massive amount of World Power. This is like drinking poison to quench thirst, harming yourself as much as the enemy! Come, come, this Emperor wants to see how many times you can use it!”
A sun-like bright smile appeared on Chu Yun’s face: “Then let me broaden your horizons.”
Saying this, to the extreme astonishment of everyone present, he produced three more orbs of light. These orbs were as small as pills, one grayish-green, one white-gold, and one azure blue, their light and shadows constantly shifting.
Chu Yun flicked his finger, shooting out one of them, the Netherworld Illusionary Lightning. The battlefield was instantly filled with flashing blue lightning, like scythes, and a deathly aura as vast as the sea, engulfing countless Demonic Beasts.
With another flick, he cast Treasured Heroic Saint Radiance. Boundless light filled the heavens and earth, a vast expanse of brilliance where the figures of thousands of Demonic Beasts vanished.
With a third flick, he unleashed Heaven Reversing Divine Gale Style. A fierce wind erupted, splitting the heavens and earth, sweeping across all living things. Blue wind blades shredded countless lives, and the universe trembled and quaked beneath this divine might.
These three Battle Skills were powerful techniques, no less so than Mysterious Shadow Cave Divine Light. After a single round of attacks, the once overwhelming army of Demonic Beasts was reduced to a mere few hundred survivors.
Of the original thirty-odd Innate Demonic Creatures, only half remained, trembling in the air.
The discussions among the crowd had long since ceased.
An absolute silence descended upon the surroundings.
(To be continued)
