Firmament Sword

A grave expression appeared on Xu Luo’s face. The aura that suddenly erupted from his opponent had reached the Fifth Layer of Transformation Realm… the realm of Dharma Heaven and Earth!

That was a watershed moment for a Transformation Realm Powerhouse!

A Transformation Realm Powerhouse who could manifest Dharma Heaven and Earth was on a completely different level from one who could not.

’The rumors said Jiang Tianhai was only at the Second Layer of Transformation Realm,’ Xu Luo thought. ’Could they have been wrong?’

Master Tao’s voice sounded in Xu Luo’s ear. ”He has a Magical Artifact on him. He’s using it to forcefully manifest this. It’s not genuine.”

A playful look immediately appeared on Xu Luo’s face. He smiled and said, ”Using a Magical Artifact to forcefully manifest Dharma Heaven and Earth… if you suffer a backlash, I imagine the consequences will be endless, won’t they?”

”That’s no concern of yours, Xu Luo! You’ve angered me, so be prepared to suffer the consequences!” Jiang Tianhai said coldly, lunging directly at Xu Luo.

The Dharma Aspect of the blood-colored greatsword behind him radiated a terrifying, suffocating killing intent. As Jiang Tianhai moved, the blood-colored greatsword soared high into the air and slashed directly at Xu Luo’s head!

Xu Luo’s eyes narrowed slightly. Standing at the Peak of the Fourth Level of Transformation Realm, he did not retreat. Instead, he unleashed his Tyrant Technique and threw a punch straight at the blood-colored greatsword!

The crowd of onlookers immediately cried out in alarm!

”Heavens, that’s a Dharma Aspect! You can’t meet it head-on!” Ji Bingyu shouted, her face pale with terror.

Lianyi’s face was tense. Though she had absolute faith in Xu Luo, she couldn’t help but feel uncertain as he faced the immense power of Dharma Heaven and Earth.

As for Jiang Tianhai, seeing Xu Luo’s action, he couldn’t stop a cold sneer from spreading across his lips.

”Do you think you’re a Fifth Layer of Transformation Realm powerhouse? To fight a Dharma Aspect with your flesh and blood… you’re simply courting death!”

BOOOOM!

A ball of light instantly exploded, filling the entire world with a blinding white radiance that forced everyone to squeeze their eyes shut.

No one knew what had happened within the light. Everyone retreated, their faces filled with horror.

When the light slowly dissipated, everyone was stunned.

The Dharma Aspect of the blood-colored greatsword had vanished without a trace.

Xu Luo was still standing in the same spot, one of his fists a bloody, mangled mess, with blood dripping to the ground. DRIP. DRIP.

Jiang Tianhai, who had been standing opposite him, was nowhere to be seen. It took a moment for people to spot him collapsed on the ground a hundred meters away, struggling to get up. He tried several times but failed.

Although he was some distance away, everyone present had excellent eyesight. They could see a large patch of blood on Jiang Tianhai’s chest—his own blood!

He had coughed it up from the backlash of his Dharma Aspect being shattered.

Lianyi walked over to Xu Luo, her expression filled with heartache as she looked at his mangled fist. She took out some Golden Sore Medicine, carefully applied it to Xu Luo’s wound, and then bandaged it.

Throughout it all, Xu Luo didn’t say a single word.

Lianyi was as gentle as water, her movements light and soft, afraid of hurting Xu Luo.

After she finished bandaging his hand, she asked softly, ”Xu Luo, are you all right?”

WHOOSH.

Xu Luo let out a long breath. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he managed a pained smile. ”I’m fine… HISS!”

With that, he vigorously shook his injured fist and grumbled, ”Dharma Heaven and Earth is really something else. That seriously hurts!”

”BLECH…” As Jiang Tianhai struggled to get up, he heard this and couldn’t help but spray another mouthful of blood. He had literally been angered to the point of vomiting blood.

Dharma Heaven and Earth was a Divine Technique that a Martial Artist comprehended upon reaching a certain realm of cultivation. Depending on their individual enlightenment, all sorts of different Dharma Aspects could appear.

All Dharma Aspects had one thing in common: they were ultimate techniques that gathered the essence of heaven and earth into a single move.

Even powerhouses at the same Fifth Layer of Transformation Realm who could manifest Dharma Heaven and Earth would never dare to block an opponent’s Dharma Aspect directly; they could only counter a Dharma Aspect with their own.

A physical body clashing with a Dharma Aspect was little different from an egg hitting a stone.

That was precisely why it was so shocking that Xu Luo had shattered Jiang Tianhai’s Dharma Aspect with a single punch. The fact that he had only suffered a superficial injury to his fist and was still lively enough to be shouting about the pain was enough to make one faint from sheer indignation.

This act by Xu Luo also exposed the fact that his physical body was incredibly strong. Before this, no one had ever heard of anyone daring to fight a Dharma Aspect with their own body.

Unless one’s realm was vastly superior, it might be possible for a physical body to fight a Dharma Aspect. Otherwise, it was simply suicide.

Two moves, and two peerless geniuses from major sects were defeated. Xu Luo’s level of strength was simply terrifying.

Even many years later, those who had witnessed this scene would never be able to forget it. In the days of their wild youth, within the Small World, they had personally witnessed the rise of a young supreme expert!

If killing Fang Zhou before had only brought Xu Luo to the attention of the major sects, then after this battle, his name was destined to be known throughout the world!

Xiaohai glanced at Xu Luo, who was hopping around, yelling that his hand hurt and begging Lianyi to blow on it for him. Without a second word, Xiaohai turned and walked away.

If Xu Luo’s strength was only a notch above theirs, then there might still be a fight to be had. But the problem now was that Xu Luo’s power had far surpassed theirs. How could they possibly fight?

Besides, he and Xu Luo had no deep-seated grudge. It wasn’t worth fighting to the death just to save face. He had come here for training and to find treasure, not to risk his life fighting others.

Since he couldn’t win, he might as well leave. This world always had a small group of unparalleled geniuses who possessed unimaginable talent, their strength completely eclipsing their peers and even suppressing some of the older generation.

There was no point in competing with someone like that.

So Xiaohai’s departure was clean and decisive, without any hesitation.

Xu Luo had no intention of stopping Xiaohai. In fact, he felt a certain fondness for Xiaohai’s straightforwardness.

Over on the other side, disciples from the Kaiyang Sect and the Shaking Light Sect went to help up Jiang Tianhai and Gu Xing. Both were severely injured. Without Top-Grade Spirit Medicine, they wouldn’t be able to recover for several months.

For these two young sect geniuses, this trip to the Small World was effectively ruined.

Furthermore, their futures would depend on whether they could overcome this internal demon.

Xu Luo also paid no mind to Jiang Tianhai and Gu Xing as they were carried away by a group of young disciples. There was no deep, unforgettable hatred between them; there was no need to kill them outright. Of course, more importantly, this reflected Xu Luo’s current state of mind.

Ji Bingyu looked at Xu Luo with admiration and said, ”Now that’s a true powerhouse!”

Xu Luo just smiled and said nothing. He turned to Lianyi and said, ”I let them go. You’re not angry, are you?”

’Does he have to be so obvious? What a player. Just a moment ago, he was claiming that Mortal Princess from the Kaiyang Sect was his woman, and now he’s trying to sweet-talk Lianyi,’ Ji Bingyu pouted slightly from the side, thinking.

But Lianyi just smiled sweetly and said, ”That’s how it should be. I was afraid you’d act impulsively and kill them. That would have caused real trouble. While they themselves are insignificant, the sects behind them are still very powerful. Besides, there are other very strong young people who didn’t come to this sect gathering. They were probably in seclusion and missed the opportunity.”

”Oh?” Xu Luo glanced at Lianyi.

Lianyi said softly, ”I’ve heard before that whether it’s the Shaking Light Sect, the Black Water Sect, the Kaiyang Sect, or even our own Celestial Cauldron Sect, there’s never just one exceptionally talented young powerhouse. Typically, each major sect will have two or three such geniuses in every generation, sometimes even more.”

”What about the resources?” Xu Luo asked.

Ji Bingyu chuckled from the side. ”The resources of a major sect are beyond what an ordinary person can imagine. Let me give you an analogy: in the mortal world, would the Royal Family ever be short on money?”

Hearing this, Xu Luo nodded and said, ”I understand.”

Lianyi said, ”But within the major sects, the vast majority of powerhouses are engrossed in their cultivation and don’t like to cause trouble. Plus, the internal relationships within the sects are incredibly complex, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

Xu Luo nodded. ”I’m not worried. If anyone should be, it’s them.”

Lianyi looked at Xu Luo with a soft gaze and said, ”You’ve finally and truly grown up. I’m so happy!”

”Seeing you back with your mother and still this happy makes me happy too,” Xu Luo said.

Lianyi’s smile stiffened slightly, and a flicker of sorrow flashed in the depths of her eyes, but she immediately smiled and nodded. ”That’s right. I’m very happy!”

BANG!

From the far distance, a world-shaking boom suddenly echoed out. It was immediately followed by a tremor that ran through the earth, a distinct vibration that could be felt even from so far away.

Xu Luo and Lianyi exchanged a glance. Ji Bingyu said from the side, ”Let’s go check it out!”

With that, she took the lead and dashed off in the direction of the sound.

Xu Luo and Lianyi followed behind. He whispered to Lianyi, ”That little sister of yours may look as cold as ice, but she’s really just a little girl who hasn’t grown up.”

”She actually had a hard time growing up. Although her talent is exceptional and her strength grew quickly, because of that, she didn’t have many friends in the sect. To protect her heart, she could only put on a cold, icy facade.”

Lianyi said softly, ”Later, when I went to the Celestial Cauldron Sect, we quickly became friends. As you know, I’m pretty good at making friends.”

Xu Luo laughed. ”Of course! Just look who my big sister is!”

Lianyi beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. Then she said, ”Actually, Bingyu is a really good girl—cold on the outside, warm on the inside. Are you moved? Want your big sister to put in a good word for you? This girl seems to admire you a lot. Maybe…”

”Stop right there… I have no such intentions. Don’t you think I’m in enough trouble already?” The corner of Xu Luo’s mouth twitched as he looked at Lianyi helplessly.

”What are you afraid of? My little brother is a great hero, a peerless powerhouse. How could he not have a few beautiful female confidantes by his side?” Lianyi said with a completely serious expression.

”Where did you pick up such ridiculous ideas?” Xu Luo glanced at Lianyi and caught a faint trace of sadness deep in her eyes. He immediately frowned, stopped walking, and looked at Lianyi seriously. ”Sis, is something on your mind?”

Lianyi immediately denied it. ”Of course not. I’m fine. The great Sect Leader of the Celestial Cauldron Sect is my mother. What could I possibly have to worry about?”

Xu Luo raised an eyebrow and asked, ”Is she forcing you to do something you don’t want to? Is she trying to marry you off for an alliance?”

”Stop your wild guessing. She’s my mother; no matter what, she wouldn’t force me into a marriage. It’s not what you’re thinking.” Seeing the anxiety in Xu Luo’s eyes, Lianyi’s heart softened. She said softly, ”Honestly, I just missed you. That’s all.”