However, it no longer mattered. He had to concentrate fully on forcefully unleashing the second strike.
Xiao Hua swiftly retrieved a handful of medicinal pills for recovering his Dou Qi from his Storage Ring, hastily swallowing them. With a determined heart, he closed his eyes, shutting out the cacophony around him. Meanwhile, his four avatars stood vigil by his side, forming an impenetrable barrier to protect him from any potential danger.
As he closed his eyes, his consciousness surged inward, diving into the unique space within his body where the three Heavenly Lightnings resided in tranquil repose.
A vast and formidable Spiritual Strength emanated from his spiritual form, reaching out to find the peculiar and mysterious connection that had not existed before.
This peculiar link had emerged after he unleashed the first strike of the Nine Supreme Chaos Strike: the Heaven Breaking Sphere.
He had already gleaned insights about this connection from the Chaos Mantra. It was tied to the unique space within him, where the Heavenly Lightnings and the Azure Tribulation Lotus Flame resided.
After a thorough discussion with Lady Azure, he resolved to harness this special connection to complete the remaining his Nine Supreme Chaos Strikes.
Initially, he had envisioned a move akin to Xiao Yan's Angry Buddha Lotus Flame. However, after sensing the potential of this connection, he abandoned that idea in favor of a technique inspired by the novel Martial God Asura's Heavenly Lightning Nine Slashes.
By utilizing this enigmatic link, he could forge a path that would directly channel the Heavenly Lightnings and/or Primordial Heavenly Flames into the First Strike, transforming it into the formidable Second Strike.
However, he soon realized that he must first successfully form the First Strike for this strange connection to manifest. Once the link established, he would need to create a special pathway linking to the Heaven Breaking Sphere. With this pathway established, he could then draw the Primordial Heavenly Flames and/or the Heavenly Lightnings, merging them with the Heaven Breaking Sphere.
He required both the Primordial Heavenly Flames and the Heavenly Lightnings to temper the wild and chaotic energy involved in forming the remaining eight strikes. Without them, he risked losing control, and the backlash would be catastrophic.
The last time he attempted to forge the Second Strike in isolation without employing the Primordial Heavenly Flame, the energy became overwhelmingly chaotic and uncontrollable. He was truly fortunate that Lady Azure had been nearby to intervene.
Even so, the energy surge had obliterated everything within two hundred-meter radius, turning it into a desolate wasteland. The very essence of heaven and earth remained untamed and volatile, rendering the area unstable and perilous for anyone daring enough to approach.
"However, to completely vanquish this cunning old ghost, I must take the risk..."
Xiao Hua drew in a deep breath, channeling the Heavenly Mortal Lightning and the Heavenly Wrathful Lightning. He resolved to sever the connection the moment these two Heavenly Lightnings fused with the First Strike, knowing that any delay could spell disaster for him.
As he stirred the Heavenly Mortal Lightning and Heavenly Wrathful Lightning, he contemplated invoking the Heavenly Astral Lightning as well. Yet, wary of the overwhelming destructive force that might assail his very soul, he ultimately decided it was wiser to rely on the other two types of lightning.
The Heavenly Mortal Lightning and the Heavenly Wrathful Lightning trembled with anticipation. They surged forth, unleashing a thunderous roar that resonated through the air, sending forth crackling sparks in hues of purple and orange.
Xiao Hua waved his hand, summoning forth the intricate hand seals he and Lady Azure had meticulously crafted. Suddenly, the special space quivered ever so slightly, and the mysterious pathway connecting the sphere to this realm became strikingly clear.
He gazed at the newly revealed pathway for a fleeting moment, steeling himself as he carefully guided the two sparks of Heavenly Lightning along this conduit, directing the violent energies toward the golden-green sphere.
As the purple and orange sparks traversed more than eighty percent of the pathway, nearing the golden-green sphere, he swiftly closed the connection. Even though he severed the link, he knew the two sparks would still reach their target.
With his eyes now open, he observed the golden-green sphere, which had expanded to a magnificent hundred-meter radius. Narrowing his gaze, he spotted the faint flickers of purple and orange sparks dancing within. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he realized he had successfully channeled the two sparks of Heavenly Lightning into the sphere.
"It's time to run!" Xiao Hua exclaimed, turning on his heel, ready to make his escape. He had practiced this before and understood that it would take some time for the sphere to completely explode and spiral out of control.
However, in his haste, he had forgotten something crucial—something so important that a wave of regret washed over him for summoning it to his aid.
Just as Xiao Hua pivoted to flee, the orange-colored Lightning Beast, which had remained as still as a stone statue after consuming the nine-colored Pill Lightning, suddenly opened its eyes.
Roar—!
The Lightning Beast unleashed a soul-shaking roar that reverberated through the heavens and earth, momentarily freezing Xiao Hua in place. He turned his attention back to the beast, whose massive body quivered slightly as it lifted its head, fixating its piercing gaze on the hundred-meter-radius Heaven Breaking Sphere.
A dreadful chill coursed down Xiao Hua's spine as he observed the orange-colored Lightning Beast fixated on the Heaven Breaking Sphere. He couldn't fathom what the beast was scheming, but an instinctual dread told him it was anything but benign.
"Return now! I don't know what you're planning, but you must come back—!"
Just as Xiao Hua commanded the Lightning Beast to retreat into his body, the creature opened its massive maw, momentarily robbing him of breath and rendering him speechless.
As it parted its jaws, its colossal form radiated an intense orange glow, while a formidable force rippled from its very being.
In an instant, the orange radiance and the ferocious energy encapsulated within the mysterious symbol surged toward its upper body. As the glow swelled and the runes flickered dimly, terrifying energy began to coalesce in front of its enormous maw, preparing to unleash its wrathful might.
Roar!
The orange-colored Lightning Beast unleashed its breath, a torrent of orange energy infused with heaven-shattering power.
The formidable wave of force swept through the air, obliterating the ground beneath its path into fine dust. The searing heat and crackling thunder within the breath incinerated all greenery, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake. The sheer intensity of this breath distorted the very fabric of space as it surged toward the expanding golden-green sphere.
Those who had retreated from the forest could sense the overwhelming power it contained. Even though they could not see it, the sheer might of the breath sent shivers down the spines of all the experts in the vicinity.
This breath held enough destructive potential to annihilate a group of elite Dou Zuns effortlessly. Even Ban Sheng would not emerge unscathed if caught in its fury.
"Shit!" Xiao Hua cursed, his face draining of color. The colorful wings on his back flapped violently, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from his spot.
Without a moment's hesitation, he swiftly retreated and ran without caring of his Dou Qi reserve. He fished out several recovery medicinal pills, hastily stuffing them into his mouth as he surged his Dou Qi, propelling himself to retreat with all his might. He aimed to escape the forest and put as much distance as possible.
The target of the breath was not the hidden Old Ground Demon Ghost, but rather the Heaven Breaking Sphere, which teetered on the brink of chaos. If that breath collided with the sphere, the resulting destruction would be beyond imagination.
His four avatars swiftly followed, their instincts alerting them to the impending catastrophe.
As the breath of the Lightning Beast, imbued with power exceeding that of the nine-colored Pill Lightning, hurtled toward the Heaven Breaking Sphere, the air crackled with tension.
Bang!
As the orange-colored breath collided with the Heaven Breaking Sphere, which teetered on the edge of chaos, the golden-green sphere erupted with a cataclysmic force that shattered the tranquility of the forest. The sky-shattering energy annihilated everything within a two-hundred-meter radius and extended its wrath across a fifty-kilometer stretch.
"Tch! I'm not fast enough!" Xiao Hua clicked his tongue in frustration, turning to his four avatars. "Hit me!"
Understanding his urgency, the four avatars nodded in unison, recognizing that there was no escaping the impending destruction. They quickly gathered their Dou Qi and struck Xiao Hua's back, propelling him forward with renewed vigor. Though they lacked the energy to flee themselves, their sacrifice was made in a desperate attempt to boost their original to escape. Moments later, the destructive force swept over them, shattering the avatars into countless fragments.
"Come on! Just a little more!" Xiao Hua urged, his eyes fixed ahead as he felt safety drawing near. He prayed with all his heart, willing himself to reach the sanctuary beyond the chaos.
Unfortunately, his fervent prayer went unanswered as the devastating force struck him. Even with the boost from the colorful wings crafted through the Four Divine Phoenixes, Fly and Dance Across Heaven method, his speed fell short.
"Guaghk!"
Xiao Hua coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood as crimson liquid poured from every pore of his body after being struck by the overwhelming power. As if drained of all energy, his body plummeted from the sky, crashing into the ground with tremendous force. The impact created a deep crater, sending cracks sprawling over a twenty-meter radius.
Fortunately, his physical body was exceptionally tough, and his bones were dense enough to enhance his chances of survival. Had it not been for his resilience, he might have been reduced to a mere bloody mist under such destructive force.
Yet, this did not mean his condition was favorable. Most of his bones lay shattered, and his internal organs were in a dire state. He could sense the multiple internal injuries demanding immediate attention, each throb a painful reminder of the chaos he had endured.
He struggled to keep his eyes open, acutely aware that if he did not tend to his injuries, his condition would deteriorate further, and death could claim him at any moment.
"Brother Xiao Hua!"
Just as he fought to maintain consciousness, a voice he recognized echoed in his ears. Suddenly, a cold yet soothing sensation washed over his body. With great effort, he lifted his head and beheld a familiar face he hadn't expected to see.
"Child, you may rest. Under my watch, no one will dare to disturb you."
At the sound of that gentle voice, a faint smile graced Xiao Hua's lips. His Storage Ring glimmered softly, and he summoned hundreds of medicinal pills he had refined and acquired from the Gacha over the past six months.
Tier Six Medicinal Pill, Clear Bone Mending Pill.
Tier Six Medicinal Pill, Blood and Bone Heaven Pill.
Tier Six Medicinal Pill, Pure Blood Pill.
Tier Six Medicinal Pill, Holy Bone and Dragon Bone Pill.
Tier Seven Medicinal Pill, Mysterious Serene Pill.
All the pills he summoned were specifically formulated for mending bones, restoring blood, and healing his injuries. Among them was even a tier seven medicinal pill designed to soothe the wild and chaotic energy threatening to send his Dou Qi spiraling out of control.
As he passed the medicinal pills to Xue Yue, the tension in his body began to ease, and the erratic energy within him gradually subsided.
"I'll leave the rest to you, Sister Xue Yue. Xun'er, don't worry too much about me. I just need some rest, and I'll be fine…"
With those final words, his mind slipped into darkness, fatigue overwhelming him. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the enveloping shadows of unconsciousness.
....
"Lady Xue Yue, will Brother Xiao Hua be all right?" Xun Er asked, her voice laced with concern as she sat beside the unconscious Xiao Hua, watching over him.
After Xiao Hua had lost consciousness, Xun Er and Xue Yue had decided to set up camp a short distance away from where his body had struck the ground to spent the night and waited for him to recovered.
Xue Yue's lips curved into a faint, weary smile at Xun Er's question, having heard it for the fifth time. The repetition was beginning to wear on her.
She sighed, her expression reflecting her exhaustion. "Lass, you need not worry about his condition. His body is exceptionally resilient. As long as we continue to feed him the medicinal pills he took out from his Storage Ring, he will gradually recover."
Xun Er nodded, her heart swelling with a mix of excitement and relief at Xue Yue's assurances about Xiao Hua's recovery. Yet, the anxious furrow in her brow remained, and she gently caressed Xiao Hua's face.
Earlier that afternoon, she had been a short distance beyond the forest's edge, her heart racing at the thought of Xiao Hua's imminent arrival. But when Xue Yue had mentioned that he was coming, her anticipation had soared.
However, when the destructive force surged through the forest like a violent flood, worry overtook her. She had felt the urge to get closer, fearing for Xiao Hua's safety. To her horror, she had arrived just in time to witness him take the brunt of that terrifying energy, crashing heavily to the ground.
The sight had filled her heart with dread, and without hesitation, she rushed to Xiao Hua's side. Fortunately, he had fallen beyond the reach of the overwhelming force, allowing Xun Er to reach him safely.
In addition, Xue Yue had shielded her with a formidable defensive formation, strong enough that even a powerful Dou Zun would find it challenging to breach. With this protection, Xun Er remained safe, even amidst the chaos.
Noticing Xun Er's worried expression, Xue Yue decided to shift the topic to lighten the mood. "Even so, to think our little brother could devise such a fearfully powerful technique… the Nine Chaos Strike, was it? That's something even I wouldn't dare to attempt, despite my knowledge of it…"
"Is it truly impossible for Lady Xue Yue to wield such a technique?" Xun Er gasped, astonishment flooding her features. She was well aware of Xue Yue's background and status, yet here she was, expressing such doubts…
"It is indeed impossible," Xue Yue replied, her tone tinged with amazement. "This technique can only be unleashed by one who has trained in his Qi Method, the Chaos Mantra. The Nine Supreme Chaos Strike makes me question his sanity. One misstep in its formation could lead to severe repercussions and heavy backlash…"
"If Brother Xiao Hua dares to attempt it, he must be all right," Xun Er countered, a faint smile breaking through her worry. "After all, Lady Azure must have been by his side during that time, ready to protect him should anything go awry."
Despite her concerns, she found comfort in the strong bond Xiao Hua shared with Lady Azure, believing that she would safeguard him from harm.
Xue Yue remained quiet. Unlike Xun Er, she knew the efforts and danger that Xiao Hua went through to just form the First Strike:Heaven Breaking Sphere. If it wasn't for Lady Azure, the young boy might have die already.
"But… the 'Nine' Supreme Chaos Strike, is it? Does that mean there are nine strikes within the Nine Chaos Strike? Doesn't that mean Brother Xiao Hua have formed nine strikes? If so, why did he lose control?"
Xun Er tapped her temple thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on Xue Yue in confusion. She found it hard to believe that Xiao Hua would dare to wield such a dangerous technique without first practicing and attaining a certain level of mastery.
"Yes, there are indeed nine strikes in total within the Nine Chaos Strike," Xue Yue confirmed, clearing the fog of perplexity clouding Xun Er's mind. "He lost control because he needed both a different Primordial Heavenly Flame and various Heavenly Lightning to form the Second Strike."
"Different Primordial Heavenly Flame and Heavenly Lightning?!" Xun Er's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth parting slightly. "What exactly was Brother Xiao Hua trying to create…?"
The corner of her eyes twitch slightly. She knew about the Primordial Heavenly Flame and Heavenly Lightning, yet Xiao Hua actually dare to create a technique which merged more than one Primordial Heavenly Flame and Heavenly Lightning together...
The corner of Xun Er's eyes twitched slightly. She was well aware of the nature of the Primordial Heavenly Flame and Heavenly Lightning, yet the thought that Xiao Hua dared to create a technique that merged multiple types of each left her astounded.
'No wonder Lady Xue Yue questioned Brother Xiao Hua's sanity before…' Xun Er mused inwardly, her heart restless as a wry smile crossed her lips. She truly wanted to smack her beloved on the forehead for concocting such a terrifying technique without mentioning it.
Shaking her head dryly, Xun Er sought to shift the conversation. "Does that mean he needs nine Heavenly Lightning and nine Primordial Heavenly Flames to use this technique?"
"Perhaps," Xue Yue replied, shaking her head in turn. She felt a hint of trouble brewing in her heart regarding the complexities of this unique technique.
'My sister is no different. Xue Yue pondered quietly in her heart. Why does she support our little brother in crafting such an overbearing technique?'
She had been informed about the Nine Chaos Strike by her sister, Lady Azure, who had assisted in its creation. Naturally, Xue Yue understood that only the first four strikes needed to adhere to this particular rule.
To form up to the eighth strike, Xiao Hua must refine and merge the twenty-two Primordial Heavenly Flames into the Heavenly Genesis Flame, as well as consolidate the nine Heavenly Lightnings into the Primordial Heaven Lightning. He also needed to fully refine the Celestial Ancient Frost. Only then could he attempt to unlock the potential of the eighth strike.
The ninth strike, however, remained a theoretical concept. It could not yet be achieved. After all, the third seal of the Chaos Mantra remained firmly locked. Despite their overwhelming strength, the seal resisted all efforts to break it. Xue Yue and her sister had even tried to force it open, only to be met with an overwhelming sense of impending death that chilled their hearts and forced them to retreat.
'Moreover, who in the world created this 'Chaos Mantra'? Can this technique even be considered a Qi Method if it can evolve into Spiritual Arts? Just what is this mysterious force within our little brother planning to do with him...?'
A sense of distrust welled up within Xue Yue regarding the enigmatic force, the AC System, that resided within Xiao Hua. Throughout her life, she had never encountered anything quite like it.
She sighed inwardly, shelving these troubling thoughts for the moment. Even if she pondered them endlessly, no answers would come. All she could do was hope that nothing untoward would happen to her little brother.
Though she often appeared indifferent and cold to others, her heart was filled with warmth and kindness for her family. Naturally, she was deeply concerned for Xiao Hua's well-being and troubled by the notion that this mysterious force might have sinister intentions.
Even so, to think our little brother would prioritize creating and completing this technique immediately upon discovering such a connection… Xue Yue sighed inwardly, astonished that her little brother had conceived such a technique after merging his flame and lightning, with Lady Azure later joining to assist him after he revealed his idea.
She felt exasperated by the antics of her new little brother and her sister. She had never imagined that these two would dare to forge such a dangerous technique simply out of their desire to experiment.
With another sigh, Xue Yue turned her head to Xun Er. "All you need to know is that this technique was born from your lover's ingenuity. There's no need for you to worry about anything else."
"It's already night. Get some rest. As I assured him earlier, as long as I'm here, even a Dou Sheng wouldn't dare to harm you."
Xun Er, understanding the gravity of the situation, said nothing further and began to prepare for the night. She slipped under Xiao Hua's blanket, positioning herself beside him in case he awoke later.
Watching Xun Er sleep peacefully next to Xiao Hua brought a small smile to Xue Yue's face. She was aware of Xun Er's background yet remained indifferent. After all, she trusted that this matter would be resolved by Xiao Hua and Xun Er themselves. Interfering would be unnecessary, and if Xiao Hua couldn't manage it, it simply meant he didn't deserve to be with Xun Er.
'Well, it's impossible for our little brother to fail.' Xue Yue shook her head, her confidence in Xiao Hua unwavering. She had witnessed his determination and his ruthless attitude toward himself. His dedication to training was unmatched, and he never hesitated to take risks, even against formidable magical beasts like the Black Plague Whale.
"Now, I suppose I should take care of that matter."
Xue Yue lifted her gaze, an icy glint flickering in her silver eyes, radiating a chilling aura. With a graceful wave of her hand, a luminous glow erupted forth.
In an instant, a formidable formation array materialized, enveloping the entire area. This intricate formation concealed the presence of both Xun Er and Xiao Hua, transforming into an impenetrable barrier designed to protect them from any threats that dared to approach.
Satisfied with her handiwork, Xue Yue took a step forward, and in a flash, her figure vanished from sight, leaving no trace behind.
She materialized a few hundred meters from where Xiao Hua's Second Strike had gone awry. Her chilling gaze fell upon the entrance of the cave, sharp and unyielding.
With her heightened perception, she detected a faint life force emanating from within. The presence was fragile, as if a mere whisper could snuff out the flickering light of the soul trapped inside.
"May I know who this expert is...?"
As she approached the cave, a raspy voice echoed back, barely above a whisper, conveying a desperate struggle between life and death.
A slight smirk curled at the corners of Xue Yue's lips. She recognized the voice and had no intention of wasting her breath on pleasantries. With a swift motion, she waved her hand, and an overwhelming, chilling aura surged from her ethereal form, enveloping the area in an oppressive chill.
In an instant, the temperature within a hundred meters plummeted sharply, continuing its rapid descent. Delicate snowflakes began to cascade from the sky, blanketing the once verdant forest in a shroud of pristine white frost.
The ground transformed into a slick expanse of ice, perilous enough to freeze anyone who dared to tread upon it. This hundred-meter stretch had morphed into an icy garden, immobilizing every trace of life that the chilling white frost swept over.
Sensing the oppressive cold that solidified his own Dou Qi, rendering it inert and unable to flow through his body, a wave of panic surged within the old man inside the cave. Despair seeped into his very bones, paralyzing him with an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.
"Please, wait a moment!" the coarse voice trembled, thick with anxiety and dread. "If I have offended this esteemed lord, I will give you anything I possess. Please, spare my life!"
Xue Yue dismissed the voice entirely, showing no inclination to engage with it. With a graceful wave of her hand, a majestic surge of cold energy swept into the cave, swiftly freezing the one inside. The feeble life force flickered dimly, extinguished without a shred of resistance from its owner.
With another wave, the ice shattered into countless shards, and the white frost dissipated into the air. Xue Yue turned elegantly, retracing her steps toward the spot where Xun Er rested, her focus unwavering on safeguarding Xiao Hua.
"The Demon Flame Valley practices fire-affinity Dou Techniques, yet the founder employs ice-affinity... The choices of this individual are truly perplexing," she mused, recalling what Xun Er had told her about the Old Ground Demon Ghost. The irony of a master of ice crafting fire techniques left her bewildered.
Shaking her head, Xue Yue pushed the thoughts aside and concentrated on returning to the camp. She settled into a watchful stance, remaining vigilant until Xiao Hua awakened, ready to leave. She knew of the Old Ground Demon Ghost's demise only after he had fully recovered.
Xun Er had mentioned that the Demon Flame Valley remained a formidable faction, likely hoarding countless treasures. Some of those might pique Xiao Hua's interest, but ultimately, the choice would rest in his hands.