Chapter 984: Chapter 704: Creating a Great Power Method
After the battle with the Hong Sword Immortal, Lu Chenzhou was quite exhausted, but he also gained a lot of insights.
He did not continue to fight and left the Star-Picking Tower after accepting his reward.
After the 8000th level, hoping to advance hundreds or thousands of levels overnight is impossible.
Even though the projection battles are repetitive and mechanical, they are nonetheless real Great Powers.
Lu Chenzhou is not in a hurry; his Enlightenment of Dao Level has improved rapidly in recent years.
However, he indeed lacks in technique.
The Star-Picking Tower was what he used to make up for his shortcomings.
"Even the Hong Sword Immortal was defeated."
"There were rumors earlier that Lu Master only bullied the old, weak, sick, and godly. Now those rumors should be silenced."
"The weight of a demigod cannot compare with that of a Great Power."
For a cultivator, even at the Nine Realms, killing a demigod is far less shocking than defeating a Great Power.
A Great Power is the endpoint of the cultivation path.
At the Hanhai Sword Sect, the Sword Immortals felt a complex range of emotions.
Their hearts’ sacred and supreme Four Great Sword Immortals were also defeated, giving them a sense of faith collapsing.
The Hanhai Sect Lord couldn’t help but laugh, "As the saying goes in Tianxia, ’Fist has no pinnacle, power lies in the person.’ Whether it’s sword cultivation or spear skill, the strength lies in the individual. Look at you all, being pessimistic. If you have the ability, cultivate diligently, and strive to defeat Lu Alliance Hierarch one day, then you will make a name for the Sword Dao."
The Dragon King’s pupils reflected the seventy-two Divine Lotus, speaking calmly:
"This move has already stepped into the Great Power Method level... Yet to understand the Ninth Rank Dao, but already grasp the prototype of the Great Power Method, impressive."
Kunxu stood there, stunned.
"The third step to create a Great Power Method by himself?"
Kunxu could understand perfecting another’s Great Power Method in the Third Step.
But to create a Great Power Method was completely beyond his imagination.
You must know, despite being a Great Power for so many years, he had just barely created a prototype of a Great Power Method.
"Truly a monster, it’s a good thing I’m not competing with him."
...
"The ’Taiyin Sword Technique’ turned out to be a complete Great Power inheritance. The Emperor Zhan surely has face." Lu Chenzhou exclaimed.
He placed the sword technique in the Civilization Treasure Vault for sword cultivators to exchange for cultivation.
Immediately, he entered his inner world, practicing swords alone amidst the Heaven and Earth Creation of thunder and chaotic qi flow.
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
He sometimes went into seclusion, sometimes went to the Star-Picking Tower to fight the Hong Sword Immortal.
Unknowingly, he came before the 8300th level.
The Gatekeeper here was the Black Annihilation Dragon Emperor.
The Dragon Emperor was like a massive black hole, endlessly devouring everything around it, including Lu Chenzhou’s gaze.
"The universe and all things will eventually fall into silent annihilation; the Black Annihilation absorbs everything. My Dao is Swallowing!" The Dragon Emperor recited the opening line.
Lu Chenzhou guessed it was also recorded by Emperor Zhan. Anyway, each projection had a few lines, which was quite good.
"Junior Lu Chenzhou, please instruct me, Dragon Emperor." After saluting, Lu Chenzhou stepped forward confidently. The surface of his big halberd was intertwined with seventy-two Daoist Essences, finally erupting with the primary cultivation of Void-breaking, Five Elements, Severe Poison, and Mixed Cave Dao. The seventy-two Divine Lotus bloomed again. Compared to half a year ago in the battle with the Hong Sword Immortal, the Divine Lotus looked flawless. The Black Annihilation Dragon Emperor punched out one after another, tearing black holes with physical strength, but under the suppression of the higher-level Mixed Cave Dao, the black holes were very unstable and quickly disintegrated. Eventually, the Black Annihilation Dragon Emperor was engulfed by the Divine Lotus.
"Not dead yet." Lu Chenzhou’s figure suddenly flashed explosively, and where he stood, a black dragon suddenly appeared with fangs and claws.
It breathed a breath of annihilation that pierced through Lu Chenzhou’s figure.
After rehealing, Lu Chenzhou lifted his big halberd to strike again, and the Divine Lotus shredded the black dragon into pieces.
But the black dragon had an Undying Body, and in an instant, it recovered.
The onlookers were stunned.
"This looks like it will be a tough battle."
"Both have Undying Bodies, neither can kill the other."
On the Dragon Transformation Ancient Road, the Three Feet Dragon Emperor watched the bustling Battle Realm projection.
"Luckily, when Black Annihilation was invited back then, he hadn’t yet understood the Immortal Body; otherwise, this kid wouldn’t stand a chance."
All three Dragon Emperors were undying.
Of all the Great Powers, in terms of saving one’s life, the Chasing Sun Dragon Emperor was the best.
Next came the Four Emperors and the other two Dragon Emperors, who all died at the hands of True Gods.
"But even the undying, the level of Black Annihilation is a notch higher than Lu Chenzhou. This level will not be easy to pass."
Facts proved the Three Feet Dragon Emperor was right.
After an intense battle for three days and nights, the two reached a draw. Even though Lu Chenzhou’s power had greatly advanced, allowing him a lead, he could not kill the Black Annihilation Dragon Emperor.
If it were other middle-rank demigods, it would be challenging to contend against the Martial God Spear, which had the nascent form of a Great Power Method.
Lu Chenzhou chose to voluntarily withdraw, knowing that the 8300th level was absolutely a major hurdle.
To pass this level, he’d have to break through the undying body of Black Annihilation.
"But this is also an opportunity. Through the actual combat with the Black Annihilation Dragon Emperor, it greatly benefits my comprehension of the Immortal Body."
Lu Chenzhou returned to his inner world to continue his cultivation.
The onlookers also gradually dispersed.
"8300 is too difficult. With the Undying Dragon Emperor as the Gatekeeper, who can break through? Even middle-rank demigods would be suspended in defeat, right?"
"I can’t imagine how formidable those Great Powers in the future are, or how powerful Emperor Zhan himself is."
"Lu Master has achieved such accomplishments in just over a century, truly terrifying."
Someone counted; throughout history, there were only twenty-three Great Powers.
This refers to humans born of mortal flesh or ordinary beings who cultivated to become Great Powers.
Those born as True Spirits or the offspring of True Spirit bloodlines are not included.
Heavenly Fighting Sect five, Heavenly Sword Sect five, Heavenly Dragon Sect four, Heavenly Heart Sect three, Sea and Mountain Oath four.
There are two loose cultivators, namely the Carefree Sword Immortal and Luo Hou.
Lu Master has already defeated three among them, joining the strongest twenty cultivators throughout history.
...
"Dragon King, aren’t you going to give it a try?" Eternal Immortal chuckled.
Dragon King shook his head, "I won’t go. I can’t even kill Black Annihilation, and I’m most likely stuck at the 8300th level."
Upon hearing this, Kunxu couldn’t help but smile inwardly, "I can’t even pass the Gatekeeper level, having just entered the Great Power status with such shallow foundation."
"If the 8300th level is already this difficult, how can anyone truly reach the rumored 10000th level?" Eternal Immortal sighed.
...
"Your civilization has produced quite an incredible youngster, actually defeating Huang Sword Immortal."
Above the Time Galaxy, a heroic woman stood behind the priest, watching Lu Chenzhou’s battle.
"He hasn’t even Broken through Nine yet..." the priest murmured, getting up to continue cultivating.
...
"Teacher is still very strong, actually managing to block Alliance Hierarch Lu at his peak."
In the starry sky, the diligent Du Meng displayed a proud expression.
Unfortunately, the teacher couldn’t witness all of this.
...
Half a year later.
On this day, Lu Chenzhou was cultivating the "Winning Half a Chance."
Familiarity with causality allows one to see through destiny.
He gazed from the starry sky towards the myriad beings of Tianxia, observing the fate hovering above each person’s head.
Some have lives as fragile as paper, while others’ fortunes are as grand as a canopy.
"Destiny is ordained by the heavens, and without action, often walks a predetermined path until death, but it is also man-made. Only by entering the game with oneself, actively interweaving with the causal lines of billions of beings, whether by slaying enemies, encountering benefactors, or seizing chances... can fate be changed."
Lu Chenzhou seemed to realize something.
His Destiny Dao essence continued to rise, ultimately reaching the eighth rank.
This was the last of Lu Chenzhou’s main cultivated Daos to reach the eighth rank.
He didn’t rely on tricks, entirely relying on self-enlightenment.
He reached a higher level of "Winning Half a Chance."
"With Destiny Dao, I can divine destiny. Though I don’t believe in fate, I can give it a try."
On a whim, Lu Chenzhou divined a destiny.
Suddenly, his expression changed slightly, seeing boundless blood light condense above his head, gradually forming the illusion of an ox-headed god demon.
"Heavenly Disaster Demon Lord? It seems this fiend is about to emerge, and Red-Clothed and Long Brother will soon follow."
Within Lu Chenzhou’s heart, a sense of urgency arose.
"Now that my ’Martial God Spear’ has advanced further, teaming up with the Dragon King and Kunxu, defeating an upper-tier demigod should be within reach."
He had to do something. If the three demigods were to join forces, even if he could overcome the tribulation, the Tianxia civilization would topple.
"Before that, I’ll visit the Desolate Sword Immortal Mansion. It’s about to open, and I can’t miss it."
Lu Chenzhou transmitted a message to the Dragon King and Kunxu, preparing for a second demon-clearing.
This time, they were to slay Red-Clothed and Long Brother.
...
Meanwhile.
In the Primordial Mountain Cave Heaven, Mr. Turtle yawned, having just awakened.
"I’ve almost fully recovered."
He looked at the recent happenings and was greatly shocked by the big three-year demon-clearing event.
Then he learned that Lu Chenzhou broke into the Star-Picking Tower and fought against Black Annihilation Dragon Emperor, his expression went slack.
"I still underestimated the progress of my little junior brother. It seems surpassing the teacher isn’t far off either."
Suddenly, Mr. Turtle felt a strong impulse within, a look of both shock and joy came over his face as he entered the starry sky.
Rumbling, the clouds of the Dao Tribulation gathered out of nowhere.
"Without relying on the opportunity from Great Powers, only relying on my understanding and accumulation, I’ve finally reached this day."
"Old Turtle, focus on undergoing the tribulation. I will protect you." The Clam Girl, also awake, came to Mr. Turtle’s side.
"Thank you, I will succeed." Mr. Turtle displayed an uncommon expression of confidence.
Only he knew how much sweat he had shed.
...
Half a year later, outside the Great World where the Desolate Sword Immortal Mansion was located, strong figures from the Three Thousand Worlds gathered.
"The Star-Devouring Sword Demon has arrived." Someone exclaimed, looking at the sword-bearing figure.
"Hahaha, this time at the Immortal Mansion, I am determined to claim what is mine." Following God-slaying, the Sword Demon’s cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.
He looked around, towering above the crowd in cultivation, poised to take the lead.
"Before, I failed in challenging the ultimate inheritance. I hope this time I will succeed." The Sword Demon thought to himself.
Suddenly, there was a commotion among the crowd as all eyes turned toward the white-robed figure parting the Ruins Sea.
He arrived riding the Thunder World, his divine power indescribable.
"Lu... Alliance Hierarch Lu is here as well?"
"Isn’t the Desolate Sword Immortal Mansion only accessible to those below the Nine Realms?"
"Alliance Hierarch Lu is indeed at the Eight Realms."
"I forgot, Alliance Hierarch Lu has slain so many demigods, I subconsciously considered him a Great Power."
"There’s no suspense in the ultimate inheritance now."
The Sword Demon sighed inwardly, but still laughed, "Alliance Hierarch Lu, you’re also here to challenge the Immortal Mansion; we stand no chance now."
Lu Chenzhou smiled slightly, "I’m only here for the ultimate inheritance; the rest of the treasures, I will not take. You can rest assured."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; with all the people present combined, they could all be killed by a mere thought from Lu Chenzhou—that was the disparity.
Rumble! The bronze gates of the Immortal Mansion opened, and figures poured in, Lu Chenzhou being the last to enter.