He really had praised her too early.
This was Lu Yang's first reaction when he saw that plain silk cascading like a hanging river towards him. Just as Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue had said, this was what it truly meant to have boundless spiritual power!
To a Golden Core Perfected Lord, spiritual power was meaningless.
Because almost all Perfected Lords possessed infinite spiritual power. What was usually called 'spiritual power consumption' was actually just the recovery speed failing to keep up with the consumption speed.
Moreover, while spiritual power was infinite, the maximum output of spiritual power within a short period was not.
This was often the deciding factor between Perfected Lords.
When there was no difference in stature, whoever's profound wonders and Dao Arts could explode with more spiritual power and greater might in a single breath was naturally stronger.
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue was exactly like this.
If they were competing solely on spiritual power recovery speed, she was undoubtedly inferior to Lu Yang. This much could be seen from the result of their initial spiritual power collision.
However, at this moment, the spiritual power she unleashed in a single strike had clearly exceeded Lu Yang's limits. The result was that, within the scope of this single attack, she actually suppressed him. The heavenly waterfall crashed down from the sky; wherever it passed, the void collapsed, and all profound wonders shattered under the overwhelming weight.
It was even more than that.
At this moment, far outside the battlefield, the expressions of Chong Guang and Perfected Lord Iridescent Brocade also changed slightly. They sensed a terrifying vortex-like suction force sweeping over.
With their cultivation, they had to exert all their strength to stabilize themselves so they wouldn't be pulled in.
The source of this vortex-like suction was none other than the [Thousand Torrent Return Pearl] hanging high in the sky. It was strong enough to make it difficult for any cultivator below the Great Perfected Lord stage to escape.
Furthermore, a streak of golden light was mixed within the heavenly waterfall.
It was the [Sea-Mountain Heavenbreak Stone].
With this dharma stone capable of breaking through obstacles, even if Lu Yang truly brought out some formidable defensive method, it would be dismantled a step ahead.
Seeing this scene, Lu Yang couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
So much water...
She's probably been plotting this strike for a long time!
Lu Yang was solemn. This was absolutely Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's most majestic strike. She had been charging it up for a long time; when she didn't strike, nothing happened, but when she did, it was earth-shattering!
Whether it's my [Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation], the Star Palace's strategic-level Dao Soldiers, or even Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao's sword strike after forcefully elevating his stature to a Great Perfected Lord, the explosive power would likely be similar to this. Below the Great Perfected Lord stage, this strike has truly reached the absolute limit.
At this moment, Lu Yang's mind was filled with clarity.
"Ravine stream water, originating from deep valleys. Its nature is clear, cold, and transparent. It diverts upon meeting rocks, accumulates deeply upon meeting abysses, and forms waterfalls upon meeting cliffs. It flows endlessly year-round, silently nourishing all things..."
Was this the [Ravine Stream Water]?
Yes, but it was absolutely far more than just that!
This is the pure [Water Element], even purer than the [Vast Ocean Water], because the [Vast Ocean Water] profound wonder veers toward the concept of the source of life.
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue was different.
Her profound wonder concept was extremely pure; it was simply the variation of the water element itself, just as clear as the [Ravine Stream Water]. No wonder she had the ambition to become the Supreme of the Water Element!
So far, she has revealed a total of four True Treasures. If my guess is right, her final True Treasure is the core she plans to use for Void Attainment.
Despite facing a critical situation, Lu Yang's expression remained composed.
And this look of his also made Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's beautiful eyes blink rapidly in the distance, surfacing with excitement and anticipation. Come on, how will you handle my strike?
The[Thousand Torrent Return Pearl] immobilizes and locks onto the enemy.
The [Sea-Mountain Heavenbreak Stone] breaks defenses and clears obstacles.
The [Celestial Silken Radiance] charges up for the kill.
Come on, let me take a good look... But no matter what profound wonder you use, I can collect it with the [Nine Abyss Reversal Bottle], catching you off guard!
The next second, Lu Yang moved.
However, to Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's surprise, he didn't attempt to use any profound wonders to block, nor did he deploy any True Treasures. He simply took a single step forward.
"Boom!"
The heavenly waterfall crashed down, and the golden stone paved the way.
Endless mighty power poured onto Lu Yang like a storm, as if he were being carved by knives and chiseled by axes. Yet, he used his Dao Arts to shift it all onto his [Future Life Aspect].
Furthermore, Suo Huan within the Righteous Dao Banner also unleashed his full spiritual power, helping Lu Yang bear the injuries. At the same time, Lu Yang formed a profound wonder seal and cast the [Master of Great Tribulations] again. This time, however, he modified the [Divine Firmament Thunder]. In the blink of an eye, the brilliant golden lightning transformed into spring water that nourished all things.
Modifying the Dao Fruit concept!
Lu Yang had not only devoured the [Wellspring Water], but he had even personally witnessed Patriarch Nether Whisper replicating the [Wellspring Water] concept for Suo Huan. He was extremely familiar with it!
The next second, the spring water burst with light.
[Wellspring Water] divine wonder, [Shared Nourishment]!
Transferring injuries!
At this moment, Lu Yang unleashed all his methods. He executed profound wonders one after another, surprisingly managing to steady himself forcefully beneath that heavenly waterfall!
It's still too early.
Lu Yang's expression was calm, his hand seals continuously changing as he thought to himself:
I can't execute the Dao Fruit profound wonders devoured by the Dharma Body Dao. I can only use the [Master of Great Tribulations] to modify concepts to skirt the edges. Otherwise, I would have even more methods.
Moreover, I haven't even used any True Treasures.
If he also used the concept of the [Sword Edge Gold] within the Tribulation Wave to sever the future, he would undoubtedly be able to hold on even more securely, erasing all unfavorable variables!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang couldn't help but let out a long howl.
By now, he was already certain: Below the Great Perfected Lord stage, I am truly invincible! Even if it's Feixue, at most she just won't die by my hands!
Soon, the heavenly waterfall gradually subsided.
An instantaneous burst couldn't be maintained forever. Quickly, the formerly heaven-engulfing waterfall and hanging river inverted, transforming into a rosy cape.
[Celestial Silken Radiance].
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's fourth True Treasure was actually a rosy cape. It draped over her just like that, making her initially murderous aura significantly more elegant.
On the other side, Lu Yang stumbled forward.
At this moment, his [Future Life Aspect] had reached its limit, Suo Huan within the Myriad Spirits Banner had died countless times over, and the profound wonder of the [Master of Great Tribulations] was difficult to sustain any longer.
There wasn't a single patch of good flesh left on his entire body.
However, right at that moment, a burst of azure light surfaced on his body. The light condensed into a wind, elevating his profound wonder, causing his flesh and blood to rapidly mend.
Despite suffering such severe injuries, the repair speed was unbelievably fast.
[Pine & Cypress Wood]!
The greater the hardships and obstacles, the taller and more steadfast it stands. With the blessing of the profound wonder [The Heart of Eternal Rectitude], in just an instant, not a single scar could be seen on Lu Yang's entire body.
Seeing this scene, Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue frowned tightly, then thought to herself:
It doesn't matter. The [Pine & Cypress Wood] also has a limit. Although I didn't kill him this time, I've already heavily injured him, securing enough of an advantage for myself.
From now on, I just need to play it steady and find a way to do it again. Even if it's difficult to replicate that level of mighty power because of the [Pine & Cypress Wood], it should still be enough to completely beat him to the brink of death... Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's eyes were ice-cold as she pondered her tactics. Yet, a certain emotion inevitably arose within her.
—Is this it?
Can't he be stronger? Is he only at this level? There should be more to him than this, right? His stature clearly feels slightly higher than mine, so is he just going to lose like this?
The next second, Lu Yang moved.
Under Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's implicitly expectant gaze, Lu Yang calmly walked towards her. Without hesitation, she struck out with a [Cleansing World Light].
"Boom!"
The same profound wonder, yet the result this time was different.
Facing the [Cleansing World Light], Lu Yang merely formed a hand seal, and a green halo surrounded his body. After that, he showed absolutely no intention of blocking.
To Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's surprise, even though it was just a thin layer of green light, and the spiritual power used wasn't much, when her [Cleansing World Light] landed on it, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean. It had absolutely no effect; it was effortlessly deflected and worn down by the green light until it was completely exhausted.
[The Heart of Eternal Rectitude]!
Seeing this scene, Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue finally realized what had happened. Surprise and astonishment simultaneously surfaced in her eyes: He actually adapted to it already!?
How could it be so fast!?
It wasn't that she didn't understand the [Pine & Cypress Wood]. She had fought Bodhisattva Precious Vajra Victory back in the day, but Lu Yang's adaptation speed still exceeded her expectations.
Regarding this point, Lu Yang naturally wouldn't explain.
After all, he was able to do this because of his innate talent. It was very hard to explain clearly to people who didn't have [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] and weren't using cheats.
[Mystic Gate Spirit-Refinement Art]!
A hundred refinements and a thousand forgings make steel. The heavier the injury, when you overcome it and fully recover, the more the profound wonder used to overcome the injury is elevated!
This profound wonder and [The Heart of Eternal Rectitude] were a perfect match. It massively reduced the time it took for [The Heart of Eternal Rectitude] to develop resistance. At least for now, unless Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue brought out new methods, whether it was the [Cleansing World Light] or her four True Treasures, they were all completely incapable of causing him any harm!
The next second, Lu Yang rolled up his sleeves.
Unlike Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue, I currently don't possess an absolute killing method like that heavenly waterfall just now. So I can only win by grinding her down.
His only guaranteed killing method was the Star Palace's strategic-level Dao Soldier, the [Sun-Shooting Bow]. But that required time to charge up, and it was very difficult to use in this situation.
So his tactic was very simple.
Golden Talent, [Sever All Evil!]
As long as he hit enough times, he could continuously weaken his opponent until he finally killed them. And what he needed to do now was hit Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue as many times as possible.
"Fellow Daoist, will you surrender yourself, or will I beat you into surrendering?" Lu Yang said, cracking his knuckles.
Immune to all profound wonder methods, only the purest physical combat could take effect. And with his fully mastered Dharma Body, he could definitely pin Feixue to the ground and beat her!
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue clearly realized this as well.
However, she never admitted defeat. Moreover, daring to claim the title of 'number one in combat,' she was naturally proficient in all methods of combat. So she was also a grandmaster in fist and foot combat.
"Hmph... Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
As her words fell, Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue immediately took a stance. Lu Yang didn't hold back either, striding forward. The two immediately engaged in a fierce melee, grappling with each other.
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue grabbed one of Lu Yang's arms, attempting to snap it.
Lu Yang pressed his burly Dharma Body against her, trying to pin her to the ground while throwing punches at weak spots like her abdomen, chest, and neck.
"Boom!"
The two pressed tightly together in close combat. One relied on the immense strength of a sturdy body to overcome ten skills with brute force; the other relied on exquisite technique to deflect a strong force with weak force.
Experiencing the possibility of defeat for the first time in her life, Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue trembled with anger. Blood rushed to her pale face, bringing up a large patch of deep red. The movements of her hands became increasingly frantic, every move lethal. However, striking Lu Yang produced nothing more than a muffled thud, with no other effect.
In comparison, Lu Yang was different.
To Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue, his punches were heavy and sinking. Even though she had managed to deflect the force, they still left glaring marks on her body.
Lu Yang even thoughtfully tossed out a streak of brilliant light.
The light filled the sky, obscuring their battlefield and preventing Chong Guang and Perfected Lord Iridescent Brocade from seeing the scene of him brutally beating Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue.
Following that, he pressed his advantage and closed in on her.
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue still refused to admit defeat, putting up a stubborn resistance.
For a time, the thunderous crashes of their combat echoed inside and outside the battlefield. The two fought from the sky down to the earth, crashing all the way into the Seven Luminaries Heaven.
"Rumble..."