Chapter 466: The Remnant Soul of the Yellow Springs Demon Saint
This world was peculiar. The thunder in the sky seemed never-ending, like a raging dragon roaring, with thunderclaps echoing throughout. Xiao Ze checked his own power, confirming he could still tap into the Source Tree, and felt reassured as he flew deeper into this strange world.
As Xiao Ze moved, the thunder in the sky seemed drawn to him, falling towards him in a barrage. It was as if Xiao Ze was the enemy of this entire realm. He glanced at the falling thunder and smiled slightly.
"Thunder? This suits me just fine."
Though his soul realm hadn't reached the peak of the Heavenly Realm, his soul, nourished by the Source Tree, had become so solid it seemed almost like a living entity. Reaching this level typically required reaching the peak of the Heavenly Realm, but the Source Tree allowed Xiao Ze to achieve this effect prematurely, granting him strength comparable to a two-star Dou Saint.
So, the falling thunder didn't concern him. He formed a thread of silver and black lightning at his fingertip. As soon as this appeared, the falling thunder recoiled as if encountering a natural predator, avoiding Xiao Ze entirely.
Thunder, too, had grades. Ordinary silver lightning was like a mouse before a cat compared to the lightning at Xiao Ze's fingertip. Though not fully transformed into Black Magic Lightning, it carried some of its power, making the silver lightning retreat and even gather around him protectively, forming a shimmering silver shield.
Sensing the lightning aiding Xiao Ze, the world grew furious, summoning a layer of pale yellow mist and a powerful gust that tore through the sky towards him. Xiao Ze looked up, seeing a massive yellow finger descending.
This was a low-level Heavenly Skill, the Yellow Springs Finger.
Xiao Ze unleashed the silver-black lightning, followed by the silver lightning around him, meeting the giant finger head-on. The lightning surged, and despite the finger's might, it couldn't suppress the thunderous assault and eventually shattered, leaving only sparks.
Before Xiao Ze could react, the ground split open, and a huge palm struck at him. He had anticipated this, releasing a colossal bolt of silver and black lightning that clashed with the giant palm, shattering it.
After effortlessly neutralizing the mid-level Heavenly Skill, the Yellow Springs Palm, Xiao Ze calmly said, "Please, Yellow Springs Demon Saint, show yourself. You should know these tricks won't stop me."
Though Xiao Ze spoke normally, his soul power amplified his voice, echoing throughout the realm. The ground before him trembled, a mountain burst forth, rising rapidly, transforming into a peak. At the summit was a massive throne, where a figure in yellow robes sat, exuding a terrifying aura that made the world tremble.
"Junior Xiao Ze greets the Yellow Springs Demon Saint," Xiao Ze said, bowing respectfully. He came to seek the demon saint's legacy, hoping to avoid conflict.
The Yellow Springs Demon Saint gazed deeply at Xiao Ze's soul form, seeming to see through him to his physical body outside the monument. "Your talent is impressive, reaching one-star Dou Saint and late Heavenly Realm at such a young age. If you seek my legacy, there's no rush. Return and further refine your soul to the peak of the Heavenly Realm, and you will naturally pass my test."
Xiao Ze was stunned. In the original story, the demon saint and Xiao Yan fought immediately. Why was the demon saint advising him kindly? He seemed to appreciate Xiao Ze's talent, potentially seeing him as a worthy successor.
"Demon Saint, I came at the request of the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan's leader to attempt your test. I'm bound by my promise and can't retreat now. Please let me try," Xiao Ze said, maintaining his respectful tone.
The demon saint frowned, appreciating Xiao Ze's potential and not wanting to waste it. "Your soul talent is outstanding. Though still in the late Heavenly Realm, you possess the power of the peak. Leave now, train for a few more years, and you will easily pass."
"Thank you for your concern, but please allow me to try," Xiao Ze insisted.
The demon saint sighed. "Very well. Your soul strength may be sufficient. But remember, a test is a test. Even if I favor you, I will not hold back." He swiftly formed seals, emanating a dangerously powerful aura.
"The test is to withstand one Yellow Springs Fury. You feel its threat, right? This is your last chance to leave," the demon saint warned for the third time, clearly valuing Xiao Ze's potential.
Xiao Ze was moved but resolute. "Please proceed, Demon Saint. I have protective measures and will not be harmed even if I fail."
(Chapter ends)
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Chapter 467: Passing the Test
Upon hearing Xiao Ze's words, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint nodded slightly.
No wonder he could remain so calm; he had a protective measure in place.
The Yellow Springs Demon Saint made hand seals, placed his hands near his mouth, and unleashed a surge of powerful soul energy. Despite favoring Xiao Ze, a test was a test. Having already given Xiao Ze three opportunities to reconsider, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint was not going to hold back now.
A terrifying wave of energy rippled out, causing the space around them to shatter instantly, as if the world was ending. The entire space quaked with an unsettling energy.
Ripples formed around the Yellow Springs Demon Saint, connecting into a thousand-zhang-tall invisible figure. This colossal figure bore the same face as the Yellow Springs Demon Saint. Facing this immense figure felt like facing the entire world.
Xiao Ze's expression grew serious. He knew he had insisted on taking the test, but he did not underestimate the Yellow Springs Fury. As one of the top-tier techniques in the original story, the Yellow Springs Fury was formidable, not only due to its high rank but also because it targeted the soul directly.
In the original story, when Xiao Yan, as a one-star Dou Saint, used the Yellow Springs Fury, he severely impacted the three-star Dou Saints of the Three Dragon Kings, demonstrating its tremendous power.
The Yellow Springs Demon Saint had already stated he would not hold back, and Xiao Ze was prepared. His soul shone brightly, and the Source Emperor Flame surged forth.
Due to his soul's integration with the Source Tree, Xiao Ze could use his various techniques even in his soul form. The Source Emperor Flame formed a protective cauldron around Xiao Ze, shielding his soul.
Inside the golden cauldron, Xiao Ze summoned countless roots from the Source Tree, wrapping them around him, creating an impenetrable barrier.
The Yellow Springs Demon Saint's immense figure, formed of sound waves, opened its mouth, producing an ancient, powerful sound.
"Boom!"
As the sound echoed, the giant figure shattered, taking the entire space with it. The sound waves tore through the clouds, earth, and even the space itself, leaving nothing untouched.
The destructive sound waves, amplified by soul power, rushed towards Xiao Ze's golden cauldron with terrifying speed.
"Clang!"
Though the cauldron was made of flames, the collision with the sound wave produced a sharp, piercing noise. The golden cauldron shuddered, cracks forming all over it. The sound waves surged inside, clashing against the Source Tree roots. However, the roots, as Xiao Ze's power source, remained unyielding, blocking the soul-energy-laden sound waves.
The attack was so fierce that even the Source Emperor Flame cauldron couldn't withstand it. Fortunately, the Source Tree roots, being the essence of Xiao Ze's power, held firm.
As calm returned, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint waved his hand, restoring the shattered space to its original state in an instant. He focused on the broken golden cauldron.
Sound wave techniques were notoriously difficult to defend against due to their pervasive nature. With the cauldron shattered, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint assumed Xiao Ze had endured the Yellow Springs Fury.
To his surprise, he saw that Xiao Ze was unscathed inside the broken cauldron.
"Is this the protective measure Xiao Ze mentioned? A treasure I've never heard of..."
The Yellow Springs Demon Saint's eyes gleamed, as if seeing through the golden cauldron to the roots wrapped tightly around Xiao Ze's soul. It was these roots that had blocked the Yellow Springs Fury.
Xiao Ze retracted the roots and focused on the golden cauldron. Despite his best efforts, the Source Emperor Flame alone couldn't withstand a high-level Heavenly technique like the Yellow Springs Fury.
The Source Emperor Flame could grow with Xiao Ze, eventually matching the power of a Dou Di. If he reached the Great Thousand World and achieved even higher realms, the Source Emperor Flame could ascend with him. However, this growth meant that in his current weaker state, the Source Emperor Flame was not yet an invincible trump card.
Pondering this briefly, Xiao Ze retracted the golden cauldron and looked around the restored space. The ease with which the Yellow Springs Demon Saint restored the space hinted that this realm wasn't as simple as it seemed.
"Demon Saint, I managed to withstand the Yellow Springs Fury using a trick. Can this be considered passing the test?" Xiao Ze asked respectfully.
The Yellow Springs Demon Saint's soul appeared dimmer than before. Seeing Xiao Ze unscathed, he recalled his earlier attempts to dissuade him and felt slightly embarrassed.
"Ahem! As long as you withstand the Yellow Springs Fury, it counts as passing, regardless of any tricks," he said with a smile.
"Your soul power is sufficient to learn the Yellow Springs Fury. I only wanted to prevent your soul from being harmed in the attack."
"Thank you for your concern, Demon Saint," Xiao Ze said, bowing again.
Looking at the Yellow Springs Demon Saint, Xiao Ze hesitated briefly before making a decision. Perhaps he could offer some insight to the Demon Saint.
(Chapter ends)
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