The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 2200: Chapter 2200: Jing Yan’s Breakthrough

The Black River Heavenly Monarch is too formidable. Even with only thirty percent of his peak power, as a mere avatar, Lu Chun and the others cannot withstand him.

For the high-level Netherworld Cave, there are a total of nine entry slots. After the Black River Heavenly Monarch forcibly seized one upon its opening, eight slots remain. Among these eight, aside from Jing Yan, the strongest is likely Lu Chun from the Mystic Moon Trading House. The two from the Ancient Land of Morning Light are slightly inferior in combat power compared to Lu Chun.

The Inspector Ao Hong from the Mystic Moon Trading House had initially not planned for Lu Chun to enter the Netherworld Cave, but due to resentment towards Jing Yan, he temporarily transferred Lu Chun from the regional headquarters, intending for Lu Chun to kill Jing Yan inside the cave. Unexpectedly, Jing Yan’s strength was powerful enough to suppress Lu Chun.

“There’s no hope!” Xin Ruikun shook his head again.

“Even Lu Chun can’t break through.” Xin Ruikun admitted that Lu Chun’s combat power was indeed stronger, even surpassing his own.

“What if we charge at the Netherworld Map together?” Jing Yan turned to ask.

“Useless. If it was against other cultivators, perhaps we might stand a chance charging together. But it’s the Black River Heavenly Monarch, whose body can virtualize into the Black River, making him the least fearful of group battles among cultivators,” Xin Ruikun shook his head.

“Fellow Daoist Jing Yan’s strength is stronger than Lu Chun’s. Yet, against the avatar of the Black River Heavenly Monarch, I fear…” Elder Shao Yu looked at Jing Yan and shook his head.

“Indeed, there is no certainty,” Jing Yan nodded.

“We might as well disperse! The Black River Heavenly Monarch has left an avatar guarding the Netherworld Map, giving us no chance,” Xin Ruikun sighed helplessly.

With the Black River Heavenly Monarch’s avatar blocking them, they could not enter the Netherworld Map. Rather than remain here wasting time, it’s more practical to continue searching for Netherworld Crystal Stones.

Ying Tian and Luan Jie from the Ancient Land of Morning Light also began to harbor thoughts of retreat.

“Everyone, I believe we have no chance of entering this Netherworld Map. Are you still planning to stay here watching it? Hehe, Luan Jie and I won’t accompany you any further; we’ll be leaving first,” Ying Tian said.

While speaking, he cupped his hands towards the position of Jing Yan and the others; Jing Yan, Xin Ruikun, and Shao Yu returned the gesture.

“Black River Heavenly Monarch!”

“Do you… really intend to make an enemy of our Mystic Moon Trading House?” Lu Chun was still unwilling to leave, glaring and shouting bitterly.

“Lu Chun, you want to use the Mystic Moon Trading House to pressure me? Hehe, if Inspector Ao Hong was the one saying this, I might consider, but you, Lu Chun, a mere small elder of the regional Mystic Moon Trading House, dream of threatening me with that?” The Black River Heavenly Monarch snorted contemptuously.

“Boy, if you dare to pester again, don’t blame an old man for going all out! Although I am merely an avatar here, killing you isn’t impossible,” the Black River Heavenly Monarch’s eyes flashed with killing intent.

Lu Chun shivered, feeling a chill all over his body.

He knew the Black River Heavenly Monarch wasn’t bluffing; even with an avatar, he could kill Lu Chun. Earlier, during his charge, the Black River Heavenly Monarch repelled him easily, seemingly without injury, but Lu Chun knew in his heart that the Black River Heavenly Monarch hadn’t used his full power. The energy within the avatar was limited and would decrease with consumption. With the Netherworld Map appearing for an extended time, the Black River Heavenly Monarch clearly did not wish to overly consume the avatar’s energy.

Thus far, neither towards Ke Zun earlier nor subsequently towards Lu Chun, has the Black River Heavenly Monarch gone all-out.

But if Lu Chun and the others truly angered the Black River Heavenly Monarch, he might not hesitate to use deadly force.

Lu Chun ceased speaking, merely grit his teeth while watching the Black River Heavenly Monarch’s avatar.

“Fellow Daoist Jing Yan, let’s go!” Xin Ruikun said to Jing Yan.

“Elder Ruikun, I want to give it a try. The appearance of the Netherworld Map is rare, missing this time means we might never have a second chance to see it,” Jing Yan communicated.

“Hmm?” Xin Ruikun was slightly taken aback.

“Fellow Daoist Jing Yan, you’re right. Missing this chance means no other opportunity to see the Netherworld Map. But if you anger the Black River Heavenly Monarch, even preserving your life might be difficult!” Xin Ruikun advised through communication.

“I still want to try! Not trying once means not knowing the result,” Jing Yan’s eyes became resolute.

In the brief span of time, Jing Yan had constantly weighed the situation in his heart, and the eventual decision was clearly to try and break through once.

Xin Ruikun wanted to continue advising, but Jing Yan had already leapt from his spot.

With the full operation of the Ancient Tree Inheritance, Jing Yan’s body surface shimmered with a stream of purple light, intricate purple patterns flowing.

“Virtualization Technique!” At the same time, Jing Yan cast the Virtualization Technique, virtualizing the space around his body.

Around Jing Yan’s body, the space twisted and the light folded.

“Fellow Daoist Jing Yan…” Xin Ruikun softly called out.

Elder Shao Yu widened his eyes watching Jing Yan’s charging figure.

“This brat’s greed isn’t small!” Lu Chun sneered coldly, his gaze fixed on Jing Yan.

Ke Zun and Hong Tao from the Shadow Tower also stared intently at Jing Yan.

“The brat seeks death!” The Black River Heavenly Monarch seeing Jing Yan charge, immediately struck at him with both palms.

The Black River Heavenly Monarch didn’t have much knowledge about Jing Yan. He knew Lu Chun, Xin Ruikun, and others well, as they were very important members within the Four Great Forces. The Black River Heavenly Monarch wasn’t the type to always remain secluded; he naturally wouldn’t be unfamiliar with them. However, Jing Yan, a young cultivator, was relatively unfamiliar to him, having never seen or heard of him.

Seeing Jing Yan, a mere cultivator of the Nether Sky Realm, dare to challenge the organization he guards, the Netherworld Map, instantly filled his heart with killing intent.

Facing the Black River Heavenly Monarch’s attack, Jing Yan did not retaliate with Chaos Sword or other means. Instead, he concentrated the majority of his Divine Power on defensive methods like the Ancient Tree Inheritance and Virtualization Technique. Jing Yan understood that with his current strength, directly combating the Black River Heavenly Monarch’s avatar was utterly impossible. To enter the Netherworld Map, the only possible way was to rely on defensive capabilities to breach the avatar’s guard zone.

But if he hoped to rely merely on defense to break through, it wasn’t realistic. If it were, Jing Yan’s result would certainly be similar to Lu Chun’s, being repelled. Jing Yan had already deduced in his mind before attempting the charge at the Netherworld Map.

Just as the Black River Heavenly Monarch launched his attack, Jing Yan’s Divine Soul Body had already released a powerful surge of Divine Soul Power.

Divine Soul Attack!

The invisible Divine Soul Energy surged towards the Black River Heavenly Monarch.