Chapter 738: Ascending Spirit Pool Peak
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, a terrifying clash erupted high in the sky.
On the Universe Gold Platform, two ferocious torrents of spiritual power slammed against each other, each trying to completely erase the other.
At the point of impact, space shattered again and again, cracks spreading outward, and the sight left countless onlookers grim-faced.
All eyes remained fixed on the site of the collision. Everyone knew this exchange would decide the victor.
For a brief moment, the violent energies seemed locked in a stalemate.
Dong Kui's expression grew darker by the breath.
He had pushed himself this far, yet still could not crush Lin Langtian.
Was this man truly some kind of monster?
Boom!
As panic churned in Dong Kui's heart, the tide suddenly turned.
The palm imprint infused with eight elemental forces came crashing down like a storm. Thunder, flame, ice, and more swept forth as the surging blood flame around the Black Rhino Law Body was snuffed out in an instant by the Eightfold Demonic Spirit Palm.
A thick wave of terror surged into Dong Kui's eyes.
He jerked his Law Body around and fled at full speed, his mind finally accepting that he could no longer defeat Lin Langtian.
Lin Langtian's gaze remained indifferent as he watched Dong Kui turn tail. With a flick of his sleeve, the light-filled palm imprint ripped through space and slammed into the Black Rhino Law Body.
Thud!
A sickening impact echoed across the sky as the massive Black Rhino Law Body exploded, dissolving into a rain of viscous black droplets. Wherever they fell, the ground corroded into pits.
Amid the falling black rain, a dim streak of black light shot out desperately.
A cold gleam flashed in Lin Langtian's eyes. A thunderous demonic hand lashed out and closed around the fleeing black light.
Clearly, he had no intention of letting Dong Kui off so easily.
The Black Rhino-turned-light darted away, but in his heavily wounded state, Dong Kui could not hope to match Lin Langtian's speed.
In a blink, the thunderous hand loomed overhead and came crashing down without mercy.
Sheer terror flooded Dong Kui's eyes.
All around, countless spectators felt their hearts tremble at the sight.
The new Commander of Silver Mist Palace might look elegant and refined, but his methods were anything but gentle. This was nothing less than a ruthless follow-up strike against a helpless opponent.
"Stop!"
Just as the thunderous hand was about to crush Dong Kui, a furious shout burst from Calamity Palace's direction.
A moment later, the Calamity King slapped the armrest beneath him, shattering the throne to dust as his figure flashed into the air.
With a simple point of his finger, a pitch-black scythe appeared out of thin air and ripped through the void with a shrill whistle, streaking toward Lin Langtian's Sovereign Law Body like a bolt of black lightning.
Hum!
The scythe tore open space and appeared behind Lin Langtian in an instant.
Yet just before it struck, a silver longsword also ripped through the air, meeting the blade of the scythe head-on.
Clang!
Black scythe and silver sword collided in a ringing crash of metal. After a brief stalemate, both weapons recoiled with a bang.
"My Silver Mist Palace's people are not yours to punish, Calamity King."
As the silver sword retreated, an icy, clear voice rang out across the heavens.
All eyes turned to see Jiang Yinlan standing alone before her throne.
Her cold, stunning face, fluttering silver hair, and the longsword in her hand lent her an awe-inspiring beauty and regal presence.
"Hmph. Jiang Yinlan, your subordinate clearly intended to kill. If you cover for him like this, are you declaring war on my Calamity Palace?" the Calamity King snarled, his face clouded.
"If it's war you want, my Silver Mist Palace does not fear any challenge," Jiang Yinlan replied, her pretty face frosty and her voice firm.
They faced one another in midair as a crushing killing intent spread out, dropping the temperature across the land.
The murderous auras of two Kings filled the heavens.
"I've long wanted to test the Silver Mist King's strength. Today, I'll finally get the chance," the Calamity King said darkly, cruelty gleaming in his black eyes.
As he spoke, a black storm raged out from around him, packed with spiritual power sharp as blades and wild enough to carve heaven and earth apart.
A Fifth Grade Sovereign's power was no trivial thing.
"Then come and try," Jiang Yinlan replied with a cold smile.
She drew her sword, and a mighty tide of spiritual power erupted from within her, making the air grow piercingly cold.
Seeing the way the two of them were squaring off, many faces paled.
If Silver Mist and Calamity really came to blows, the consequences would be far graver than any clash between Commanders.
"Enough!"
A stern shout finally cut through the tension.
A gentle wave rolled across the sky, and the raging spiritual power surrounding the two Kings was immediately forced back into their bodies.
All eyes turned toward the source of the voice: the Third Elder, brows furrowed as he glared down at them. "Have you both forgotten the rules of the Universe Sect?"
Within the sect, factional struggles were not uncommon, but Kings were not allowed to fight directly. All conflicts had to be left to their subordinates.
This ensured competition without self-destruction—otherwise, a sect tearing itself apart like this would have been annihilated long ago.
Seeing the Third Elder step in, the Calamity King's expression shifted, darkening further as he glanced at the terrified Dong Kui.
No one could have predicted such a disastrous outcome for Calamity Palace in this Spirit Pool struggle. The lower-plane upstart Lin Langtian had turned out to be far more dangerous than expected.
Though furious, the Calamity King was nothing if not pragmatic. He cast one last icy look at Lin Langtian, then turned to Jiang Yinlan. "You were lucky this time, Silver Mist Palace. Next time, you won't be."
"We'll be ready whenever you are," Jiang Yinlan replied coolly.
"Hmph!"
With a snort, the Calamity King swept his sleeve, pulling the battered Dong Kui back to his side. He dropped back into his throne with a thunderous face, lost in dark thoughts.
Having forced the Calamity King to back down, Jiang Yinlan's expression remained as calm as ever. She turned to Lin Langtian as he flew over and, in a rare show of warmth, smiled. "Well done. I owe you a favor for this one."
"The one in debt is me. If not for you, Palace Master, I'd have been seriously wounded by the Calamity King," Lin Langtian replied with a small shake of his head, smiling as he took in her softened expression.
Without the aid of his plane power, he held little advantage against a Fifth Grade Sovereign.
"In any case, you washed away Silver Mist Palace's shame today. That honor belongs to you, and this king will not forget it. Whatever fortune you gain in the Universe Spirit Pool from here on out will depend on your own ability."
With that, Jiang Yinlan cupped her hands toward the Third Elder and descended.
Lin Langtian watched her retreating figure for a moment, then bowed respectfully to the Third Elder and dropped back onto the Universe Gold Platform.
The four other Commanders on the platform fixed their gazes on him, unable to hide the shock in their eyes.
No one had imagined that the foremost of the five great Commanders, Dong Kui, would be replaced so quickly—let alone by a new Commander from Silver Mist Palace.
Lin Langtian was without question the greatest dark horse the Universe Sect had seen in decades.
"Congratulations, Brother Lin," Luo Lin of the Spear Palace said with a smile and a clasped fist.
The other three Commanders remained silent, but still returned Lin Langtian's presence with polite bows.
Wherever one went, true strength inevitably commanded respect.
Lin Langtian nodded slightly. He did not know them well and had no pressing desire to grow closer. For now, simply becoming acquainted would suffice.
The five then stood quietly upon the Universe Gold Platform, each minding their own space.
Below, countless gazes watched the five figures with mixed feelings.
No one had expected the leader of the five great Commanders to be dethroned so soon—or for his replacement to be a complete newcomer.
It was clear that, from this moment on, the Universe Sect's skies would no longer be the same.
As calm settled over the golden platform, the three Elders shared a meaningful look before the Great Elder's deep, aged voice rolled across the world.
"Since the contest has ended and Dong Kui is eliminated, the last five quotas for the Universe Spirit Pool have been decided. Now, receive your Spirit Talismans."
"Spear Palace—Luo Lin!"
At the Great Elder's call, Luo Lin stepped forward. A streak of light descended from the heavens and condensed into a talisman in his hand.
"Fierce Tiger Palace—Kuang Sha!"
"Taiji Palace—Wushuang!"
"Eastern Palace—Dongfang Yu!"
Each of the three stepped forward in turn to receive their talismans.
Finally, the Great Elder's gaze fell on Lin Langtian, and a faint smile touched his lined face. "Silver Mist Palace—Lin Langtian."
Lin Langtian stepped out. Light gathered in his palm, resolving into a finely crafted talisman.
A peculiar wave pulsed within the talisman, its source somewhere above the mountain.
That was where the Universe Spirit Pool lay—and where the final key material for advancing his Sovereign Demon Body, the Sovereign Holy Water, awaited.
The Great Elder regarded the five beaming Commanders for a moment, then looked toward the summit of Spirit Pool Peak.
The Spirit Pool waters still poured down endlessly, but this time, the jade-green torrent curved around the five talisman-bearers instead of crushing them.
"Now, climb to the peak."
At his gesture, elation burst across the five faces almost instantly.
They stomped down as one, bodies shooting skyward. Under countless envious stares, they pierced through the jade-green flood like rays of light and flew to the very top of the towering Spirit Pool Peak.
The Universe Spirit Pool had finally opened to them.
(END CHAPTER)
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