A spiritual array, and not just any spiritual array but a Sixth-Rank one.
Did this not mean that Liu Bai was a Spiritual Array Grandmaster?
"This spiritual array has reached the level of first level human grade." The Wu Tianwang spoke calmly.
This classification followed the grading system for spiritual array grandmasters, which was also the customary way many people referred to sixth-rank and higher spiritual arrays.
A spiritual array grandmaster was divided into Heaven, Earth and Human grades. Each grade had three levels, corresponding exactly to the nine Sovereign grades. A first level human grade spiritual array grandmaster was equivalent to a true first grade Sovereign.
However, in this vast world, a first level human grade spiritual array grandmaster was far rarer than a so called first grade sovereign. Everyone knew that once a spiritual array master successfully completed the layout of a powerful array, a cultivator of the same level would inevitably be suppressed.
Although this elder of the Saint Spiritual Academy was a second grade Sovereign, the aura of these three black lotuses was equally powerful. They were unquestionably among the strongest arrays within the first level human grade. Even the various academy heads could not determine whether he could withstand it.
At this moment, the black robed elder's Nether Spring Celestial Body surged with black radiance. The river of spiritual energy beneath him rose sharply and transformed into a scroll that unfurled before his true body.
"Nether Yellow Springs Diagram."
With a furious shout, a mass of murky yellow brown water burst out from the scroll. The instant it touched the world, a decaying stench spread through the heavens and earth.
"Now let me see whether your Sovereign Celestial Body is stronger or whether my spiritual array holds the advantage."
Liu Bai smiled faintly. His hand seals suddenly shifted, and a low shout echoed from his heart.
"Demonic Lotus Spirit Slaughtering Array rise."
Swoosh.
Boundless black light erupted from the array like a storm. Within the spiritual array, the three black lotuses deepened in color until they resembled pure ink.
In the next moment, the lotuses became solid. They slowly separated from the spiritual array.
Facing the overwhelming flood of foul Yellow Springs water, Liu Bai extended a finger lightly.
"Go."
Swoosh.
As though they understood Liu Bai's order, the three black lotuses trembled and released a deep hum. Then they arranged themselves in a linked formation, like black shooting stars streaking across the sky at impossible speed, breaking through the restraints of space.
In a flash, they appeared before the massive surging flood and struck straight into it without hesitation.
There was no earth shattering explosion. The murky water, like the true Yellow Springs of the underworld, immediately sought to swallow and drown the three lotuses.
Yet the lotuses floated stubbornly like fragile boats in a storm, as if they could overturn at any moment but refusing to sink.
"Black Lotus Erosion." Liu Bai's voice rumbled.
In the next instant…
Buzzing.
Black radiance flowed from the lotuses like liquid, spreading with frightening speed along the dirty Yellow Springs water. Wherever it passed, the water was eroded and dissolved.
This scene greatly shocked the black robed elder. Even his massive true body stiffened for a moment.
"How is this possible? The darkness within these three black lotuses is even more terrifying than my Nether Yellow Springs Diagram."
"What kind of array is this?"
That same question flashed through the minds of everyone watching.
"What terrifying corrosive power. It can even dissolve the Nether Spring Celestial Body's Nether spiritual power." The elder from the Azure Heaven Spiritual Academy could not help speaking.
Dean Tian Song nodded. "It seems the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy has truly taken in a monstrous talent. If he had joined the previous Spiritual Academy Tournament, the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy might have taken first place."
"Dean, should we make preparations as well? Although the chance is small, if he joins the next Spirit Academy Tournament…"
Though unfinished, Tian Song knew exactly what the elder meant. He pondered a moment then nodded.
"Perhaps it is time to invite a few monstrous talents to support the Azure Heaven Spiritual Academy."
Having made up his mind, his expression relaxed slightly.
At this moment, the other academy heads were having similar thoughts. They already had their own chosen geniuses to cultivate, and now they secretly planned to invest even more resources.
Far away on the Spiritual road, several cultivators undergoing trial suddenly felt a chill run down their spines, believing some terrifying spiritual beast had targeted them and plunging the area into chaos.
High in the sky, the black robed elder stared anxiously at his Yellow Springs Diagram, which had already been half corroded.
"Enough. This move counts as your victory. Stop now."
If the terrifying erosion seeped into his sovereign celestial body, he would truly suffer a disastrous loss. Thus he decisively admitted defeat.
Liu Bai did not press him further. With a small smile, he dispersed the spiritual array.
"Senior, do you wish to continue?"
The elder's face flushed red then pale. But when he met the gaze of his own dean, his heart trembled. He clenched his teeth and forced out two words.
"Continue."
Losing face was inevitable now, but he had to probe the depths of this youth's means. If he failed to produce results, he would suffer harsh punishment when he returned to the Saint Spiritual Academy.
"Good." Liu Bai smiled even wider.
The old saying applied perfectly. If you dare to die, I will dare to bury you.
Since he wanted more, then Liu Bai would use something greater.
"Senior, be careful."
Liu Bai lifted his hands and formed another seal.
The black robed elder's eyes widened as if witnessing an impossible scene.
Five colored lightning coiled around Liu Bai's body. His eyes shone with boundless golden light.
"Lightning born from the void. This child is using a divine lightning art."
As the enormous thundercloud rapidly condensed above, the elder recalled the golden lightning from the first move. Fear rose in his heart. His spiritual power surged as the Yellow Springs water spiraled around his massive celestial body. The surrounding temperature plummeted. Within moments, the thousand foot tall celestial body turned into a mountain of ice.
"He covered himself in ice. Did he just make a tomb for himself…"
Liu Bai chuckled softly. His thunder seals shifted again and he called out:
"Fire Divine Tribulation Thunder descend."
The five colored cloud churned violently. A crimson thunderbolt, blazing like pure flame, fell from the heavens and slammed into the black ice mountain.
Boom.
Scorching heat mixed with violent lightning instantly cracked the seemingly indestructible ice. The black ice melted and evaporated rapidly under the impossible temperature.
The collision of two opposite forces created thick white mist.
Seeing the ice mountain loosen, Liu Bai changed his hand seal again as golden lightning gathered above.
"Metal Tribulation Thunder descend."
The Metal Tribulation Thunder, known as the most forceful and indomitable among the five elemental divine thunders, fell with a roar.
The ice mountain, already torn open with cracks, could no longer withstand such overwhelming power. In an instant, it shattered completely and turned into drifting ice mist that filled the sky.
For a moment, thunder and fire raged while ice fragments scattered everywhere, covering a range of several thousand feet.
Even though there was spatial isolation, countless people within the Spiritual Road space below felt as though the sky above them was collapsing. Panic spread rapidly across the entire area.
Upon a tall mountain peak, a youth with jade like features and a white robe stepped from the crowd. Even from afar, he carried a refined scholarly air.
Beside him stood a youth in tight black clothing, his expression cold and his sharp gaze sweeping cautiously across the surroundings. Another youth in green robes stood casually with hands behind his back, yet carried an aura of arrogance and undeniable strength.
"What is that feeling? Ji Xuan, what do you think happened up there?" the green robed youth asked. He looked up at the sky with a solemn expression.
Just moments earlier, that destructive aura had made him feel as though even the entire Spiritual Road space was about to collapse.
The refined youth in white, Ji Xuan, the same deadly rival of Mu Chen from the original story, showed no change in expression. He said calmly, "The Spiritual Road is controlled by the Judgment Mirror of the Five Great Academies. Whatever is happening outside is a matter for the academies. We simply need to complete our trials."
Hearing this, many youths around them subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Unknowingly, when they looked at the elegant young man again, their eyes were filled with admiration.
"Heh, only you, Ji Xuan, can say it like that. Just look at Bei Hai, he looks like a bundle of nerves…" the green robed youth teased lightly.
"Bei Hai, there is no need to be so tense. With you and Brother Yang here, no one in the Spiritual Road can challenge us. The next stage should be the battle for the King Title," Ji Xuan said with a gentle pat on the shoulder of the black clothed youth.
"That is right. Qiu Bei Hai, you have already broken into the fourth level Spirit Body. In the Spiritual Road, there are very few who can harm you. You do not need to stay this tense every day," the green robed youth, Yang Hong, added with a laugh.
These three were the same trio who once chased Mu Chen and Luo Li relentlessly. Although Ji Xuan orchestrated everything from behind, without the help of Yang Hong and Qiu Bei Hai, two youths who were just as strong, Ji Xuan alone would not have been able to force Mu Chen and Luo Li into such a desperate corner.
Back then, in order to save the gravely injured Luo Li, Mu Chen had been forced to lure their pursuers toward the Golden Armored Dragon Tiger Beast, causing the deaths of dozens. Because of this, he earned the notorious title of Blood Calamity.
Among the Five Academy Deans at that time, the Saint Spiritual Academy's Tian Sheng wanted to execute Mu Chen immediately as punishment for the deaths.
However, the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy Dean and the Azure Heaven Spiritual Academy Dean admired Mu Chen's decisiveness.
In the end, Wu Tianwang and Tang Qiu proposed a compromise: expel Mu Chen from the Spiritual Road. Only then did the dispute come to an end.
But now, a full year had passed since that incident. Ji Xuan and the others had grown even stronger. Yang Hong and Qiu Bei Hai had already broken through to the fourth level Spirit Body. In the past, such a level alone would have qualified them to contend for the Spirit Crown.
Yet neither of them had any intention of competing now.
Because they were well aware that even back during the siege against Mu Chen, when everyone was only at the peak of the third level Spirit Body, Ji Xuan had likely already reached the fourth level.
Otherwise, how could he have escaped unharmed under the focused pursuit of the Golden Armored Dragon Tiger Beast?
As for now… truthfully, neither Yang Hong nor Qiu Bei Hai could even guess what level Ji Xuan had reached.
Elsewhere, countless other ambitious youths and maidens were brimming with determination, quietly awaiting the final moment.
Beside a clear lake, a black robed girl sat cross legged.
She possessed an exquisitely beautiful face, especially her pair of crystal clear glazed eyes that carried a serene charm. Her silky hair fell like a waterfall down to her slim waist. When the wind brushed past, it swayed gently.
At this moment, her gaze was distant. It seemed as though she saw a certain figure reflected upon the mirror like surface of the lake before her.
Suddenly, footsteps approached. Her thoughts were interrupted, and she turned to see several graceful figures walking toward her.
The one leading wore a fitted golden gown that highlighted her slender silhouette. Her long, fair neck was elegant like that of a swan. Her waterfall like hair, coupled with her noble and heroic aura, made others feel inferior without meaning to.
"Luo Li, what is it? Are you thinking about someone again?"
The golden robed girl walked to the now standing Luo Li and gently took her soft hand.
Luo Li, the heroine of the original story, was momentarily stunned. Feeling her hand being held, she raised her gaze. In that instant, two breathtakingly beautiful pairs of eyes met, though their temperaments were entirely different.
For a moment, an indescribable atmosphere spread through the surroundings. Even those nearby felt reluctant to disturb them.
Their eyes held each other. In the depths of the golden robed girl's gaze, something burning flashed faintly. Luo Li was caught off guard, feeling something unusual stir in her heart, and instinctively looked away.
"Qing Xuan, you are here."
The golden robed girl was, of course, Wen Qing Xuan, known alongside Luo Li as the Twin Beauties of this generation's Spiritual Road.
....
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