Chapter 747: Releasing the Ultimate Move on Sight
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Zhu Yi looked at Shao Qingcheng calmly with a radiant glow in his eyes as he puffed lightly, releasing a ball of white gas from his mouth.
The white gas condensed to solid form, forming clouds of vapor shaped like the scales of a fish. They floated above Zhu Yi's head, measuring over 2000 square meters.
Above the scale-shaped clouds appeared a Kirin, large as an imposing mountain and black like the December night. Its size was even larger than the day when Shao Peng was captured, and its air of dignified might even more intense.
The two mammoth projections – the Kirin and the Turtle – appeared beside Zhu Yi together, while simultaneously, in the air in front of him, a pitch-black stone stele emerged like the boundless darkness and engulfed the Green Glass Jade Stand. It was none other than the Metaplasia realm magic treasure, the Eternal Night Demonic Stele.
The Eternal Night Demonic Stele suppressed the Green Glass Jade Stand as soon as it has appeared. Zhu Yi's expression was calm and unperturbed, as if completely unafraid that he will become the common target of the others as a result.
Shao Qingcheng and the others, seeing this, felt their hearts sink a little. "This boy appears arrogant, but he does not seem to be someone who has his eyes blinded by greed. He dares to do this…his confidence must have came from somewhere."
Despite those thoughts, their movements were not a second slower. The one with his hands on the Green Glass Jade Stand would naturally become the common target of everyone – even the Vivant Joy Holy Man was preparing to unleash his magic. However, at this moment, a pure-white robe suddenly appeared on Zhu Yi's body, outside the purple gown he was wearing.
This white robe was simple yet elegant, harkening back to an older, more graceful age. A radiant white glow emitted from its surface, and the sound of reading from within the white light. The sound was unremarkable at first, but soon it swell until it seemed that every single student and scholar in the world was reciting the books out loud.
Seeing this, Shao Qingcheng, the Tidal Sword Elder and the Vivant Joy Holy Man all had complex expressions on their faces. "The Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel…"
The robe once worn by the Great Sage Departed Teacher of the literary world of antiquity, it was rather unique in that in the hands of other cultivators, it was of no use and was just like an ordinary piece of clothing.
However, in the hands of one with impressive Air of Literature as well as cultivation, it was a force to reckon with indeed. More than three years ago, when Zhu Yi travelled to Tianjing City for the Imperial Examinations, he shocked the world with his essay that caused the Resonance of the Hundred Sages – and subsequently when he achieved the recognition of this Metaplasia-realm magic treasure at the level of Advanced Aurous Core.
Afterwards, the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel left the Examination Hall in Tianjing City along with Zhu Yi, without demonstrating its power. Thus, many subsequently forgot about this event, only regarding it as an interesting piece of gossip.
However, Shao Qingcheng and the others were not going to overlook it – because they could distinctly sense a strong will on the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel.
It was as if the mental will of every single scholar under the Heavens has coalesced together – like the Righteous Path of the Universe, shaking every man from time immemorial to the present day.
In the air beside Zhu Yi, the faint image of an elderly man with a long beard appeared, standing. He has a gentle and tranquil air about him, but it could not hide his pride and his honor.
Even Demons like the Red Dragon King and the Solar Sage, who were unaware of the details of the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel, appeared serious and solemn.
A Metaplasia-realm magic treasure…even an Immortal Soul First Level master like Shao Qingcheng or the Vivant Joy Holy Man would not be able to unleash its power completely, not to mention the Intermediate Nascent Soul Zhu Yi. At most, they would be able to utilize more of its strength than Nascent Soul cultivators.
However, the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel before them was strange indeed. No one has even been able to become its master without forcibly erasing the Original Soul of the magic treasure. However, in addition to bestowing its recognition on the then-Advanced Aurous Core Zhu Yi, right now, controlled by the Intermediate Nascent Soul Zhu Yi, it showed power that should only be able to be unleashed by an Immortal Soul First Level cultivator controlling a Metaplasia-realm magic treasure!
Although they felt that it went against all conventional logic, but Shao Qingcheng and the others had sufficient reason to believe that, if Zhu Yi reached Immortal Soul First Level, he might have hope of completely controlling such a Metaplasia-realm magic treasure!
Once the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel appeared, Zhu Yi raised his hand and started to write in mid-air.
Although he was just writing, but within a span of seconds, countless characters of light and darkness appeared in the air.
Unlike previous times, right now, the characters that Zhu Yi wrote with the symbiotic power of light and darkness appeared to be ten zhangeach in circumference. The gigantic characters, floating in mid-air, induced an extreme shock and awe in onlookers.
The many characters were forming up and moving about, as if forming some sort of giant formation, but also as if writing some earth-shattering essay.
Despite the location being an Alternate Dimension - the Ying Sea, the Air of Culture and Light of Wisdom came forth together from all corners of the universe. They formed streaks of meteoric light and beautiful melodies, emanating through the air like an angel scattering flowers from high up in Heaven, while playing a music so wonderful it did not appear to be meant for mortal ears.
This great essay transformed into a golden bridge, extending to the horizon as if it has no limit, no end.
The first paragraph of the essay was the past and also the future; continuously forging ahead, seeking the infinite possibilities of the future. It represented Creation – the great momentum of Humanity did not blindly adhere to the old rules or follow the herd. It was forever taking great strides, forward!
The second paragraph of the essay was the breaking of all obstacles and the transcending of all dangers. It represented Exceedance – enemies shall be exceeded, difficulties shall be exceeded, time shall be exceeded, the limits of the world shall also be eventually exceeded. The great momentum of Humanity, and only the great momentum of Humanity, shall thunder on, with no limits, ever!
The third paragraph of the essay, meanwhile, appeared unremarkable, but in fact carried deep meaning. It represented Sharing, represented Cultivation, and represented Guidance. To be willing to be the first one to step out, to be the Teacher of the world, to explain the philosophy and truth of the Sages and Saints – every single one of the people, regardless of talent, can receive Cultivation as long as he was willing!
This third paragraph was perfectly compatible with Zhu Yi's own Air of Literature, and this was plain for all to see.
The three paragraphs, together, formed Zhu Yi's original, self-created Abhijna. The Essay of the Sages that perfectly fused the Air of Literature and the power of spells – none other than that essay which caused the Resonance of the Hundred Sages during Zhu Yi's examinations that day.
Once the essay appeared, countless figures flashed within the white glow of the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel – all of them, scholars and learned men throughout history. Every single one of them read this Essay of the Sages out loud, together; the power of the magic treasure fused perfectly with Zhu Yi's Abhijna, each feeding the other.
The power of the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel was added to Zhu Yi's Abhijna, while the Air of Literature in Zhu Yi's Abhijna resonated and reverberated with the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel as well.
Under the effect of the Supreme Holy Ancient Apparel, the golden bridge was even more solid and tangible, appearing as if it passed through the entire universe. Bringing the Eternal Night Demonic Stele with him, Zhu Yi stepped onto the golden bridge and just disappeared.
All this seemed a long time, but time and space above the island appeared to be warped and solidified. In the span of seconds, Zhu Yi has already disappeared from where he was as he stepped onto the golden bridge and fled towards the horizon with the Green Glass Jade Stand.
Even as strong as Shao Qingcheng, the Red Dragon King, the Vivant Joy Holy Man et cetera, at the moment when the golden bridge rose, their senses were not with them as they were frozen in place for a moment.
By the time they came to their senses, looking at the golden glow disappearing on the horizon, all of their faces turned black. Instantly, they gave chase in five streaks of light.
As Shao Qingcheng formed different arcane gestures with her hands, an illusory crack opened in the sky above her, and two large stars, red and blue, can be seen shining together - none other than Mars and Neptune.
The Tidal Sword Elder, too, lifted the Oceanic Tide-Raising Sword and, in a streak of azure-blue sword brilliance, chased after Zhu Yi's tail, about to slash down with his sword.
The Red Dragon King's body transformed into a bolt of lightning, with his speed exceeding even that of the Tidal Sword Elder. The Vivant Joy Holy Man, despite being slightly slower in speed, did not lose his cool and followed right behind as well.
However, Shao Qingcheng, the Tidal Sword Elder and the Red Dragon King very quickly discovered that although Zhu Yi, atop the golden bridge, was already within their view, they were unable lock onto his position and thus, unable to intercept him with their attacks.
Zhu Yi stood atop the golden bridge calmly as the projection of the giant turtle floated above his head. As light flickered in its eyes, the billions of runes and characters on the shell were moving non-stop, conducting countless calculations.
If the distance was even a little closer, Shao Qingcheng and the others would be able to lock onto Zhu Yi and unleash their attacks.
However, it happened that the distance was always just a little bit too long, which made Shao Qingcheng and the rest so frustrated that they want to vomit blood. After Zhu Yi made the first move, it was just so hard to equalize the field.
The six – one in front and five behind – formed six bolts of light, flashing through the skies above the Ying Sea continuously. While keeping an eye on the other, they also must take care to avoid the many environmental dangers in the Ying Sea.
Shao Huayang and the rest, and the many Demons of the Thunder Dragon and Golden Roc Clans, upon seeing this scene, were all in various stages of surprise and shock. It was truly unexpected that in the six-sided battle for treasure, the five Immortal Soul masters did not manage to seize the opportunity, but it was the Intermediate Nascent Soul Zhu Yi instead that scored the first point.
Even Shi Xingyun was slightly surprised that Zhu Yi, besieged by Shao Qingcheng and the other four masters, was still able to burst out of the encirclement and escape with the Green Glass Jade Stand.
When Lin Feng arrived near the island, he was just in time to see the scene of Zhu Yi making his grand escape. He shook his head, unable to contain his laughter, "Ha! Ha! Definitely little Yi's style!"
Lin Feng, as their Master, naturally knew much about the fighting styles of his disciples.
Unlike Xiao Yan, who liked to play the weakling and then make a spectacular comeback, Zhu Yi did not make cautious probes in his battles. He would unleash his ultimate move on sight of the enemy – dispatch his opponent and end the battle in the most simple and direct of ways.
He would make an exception and be more casual only when it was like Shao Peng then – when the gap between the two was just too large. The lion will go all out even when fighting a rabbit – but when it's fighting an ant, that would obviously be unnecessary.
For opponents that were not too much weaker than him, Zhu Yi would always blast him away with an ultimate move straightaway. When battling him, his opponent's only choice would be to go all-out from the start as well; everyone unleashing the powerful moves at each other and may the best man win.
If you had planned to hide your trump cards at the start, then sorry, but most likely, your trump cards would not be used all the way until you meet your end.
A great hand that did not have the opportunity to be used – such was not a good feeling at all.
For example, Shao Qingcheng and the others, now, were experiencing this feeling. Although they have already been trying to assess Zhu Yi generously, but as Immortal Soul cultivators facing a Nascent Soul cultivator, before the actual clash of arms and finding out about the other's abilities, the mental superiority would always be there.
This was not arrogance, but rather, normal confidence. If an Immortal Soul cultivator was to be hesitant and cautious in front of a Nascent Soul cultivator, then his years of cultivation were probably for naught.
But when meeting such an Intermediate Nascent Soul cultivator, Zhu Yi, as to defy all conventional logic, Shao Qingcheng and the rest instantly were instantly met with a setback as Zhu Yi seized the opportunity to make the first move.
When faced with such a posse of Immortal Soul masters, any Nascent Soul cultivator would unleash his entire arsenal from the start. Shao Qingcheng and the others had thought of this – but they had not expected that Zhu Yi, going all-out, would be so aggressive that after seizing the opportunity to make the first move, the five of them would be unable to equalize the score.
It was also because Zhu Yi was facing the encirclement of the five that he chose to penetrate the circle and retreat. If this was a one-on-one duel, had Zhu Yi unleashed his entire barrage of attacks, even the Immortal Soul masters would feel considerable pressure.
"If only someone could hinder this brat a little…" The Red Dragon King said with chill in his voice. They were only a little bit away from catching up with Zhu Yi, and Zhu Yi's Mana was paying full attention to avoiding their lock-on as wel.
At this moment, if even an Aurous Core cultivator interfered for a second, they could intercept Zhu Yi right away. This time, it would be impossibly difficult for him to escape with the Green Glass Jade Stand again.
Shao Qingcheng, despite her expression being slightly annoyed, did not lose her cool for the slightest. "He cannot run," she said quietly.
Before the last note of her voice fell, a blue-robed teenager appeared out of the thin air as he said, smiling, "Sorry I'm late, Senior Shao. However, by the looks of this, arriving at the right moment is better than arriving early."