Chapter 474: Chapter 402: Why Did You Stop Shouting?
Ye Jinxiu was only seventeen or eighteen years old. Even by this world’s standards, she was still considered a young girl.
Born into a noble family, she had been pampered all her life, and she was so beautiful, a real winner in life. Yet, at critical moments, she possessed the determination to fight to the death.
Honestly, Gao Xuan was quite surprised.
Ye Jinxiu even reminded him to take the lead and leave first; this detail was even more impressive.
At the brink of life and death, Ye Jinxiu could still think of others, which deserved to be called benevolent. If Ye Jinxiu was deliberately pretending, that would be even more formidable.
Gao Xuan said to Ye Jinxiu, "Regardless of what enmity you have, these people are detestable. I’ll help you this time."
Ye Jinxiu said anxiously, "You’re not their match. It’s just one more death in vain. You’d better leave quickly."
"Gao Xuan, I beg you one thing, kill me first."
Aunt Xia said to Gao Xuan. She was so severely wounded she could hardly move, let alone fight desperately.
If they were in Copper City, the noble families would still follow the rules. But in such an abandoned cave, the methods of noble families could be as vicious as possible. Falling into the hands of these people would be worse than death.
Gao Xuan waved his hand, "No need for that. If I said I’d help, I would."
Shi Jiudao and his group had already reached the Fire Cloud Snake, and they were clicking their tongues in praise at the sight of its corpse.
The Fire Cloud Snake had a massive body, and its red scales were exceptionally strange. Even in death, it emanated a powerful evil qi. It was clearly no ordinary creature.
Shi Jiudao patted the Fire Cloud Snake’s body and laughed, "Young Lady, you really worked hard. Not only did you offer up the treasure, but now you want to present yourselves to us. Tsk tsk..."
Shi Jiudao wasn’t actually that desperate. He knew Ye Jinxiu was proficient in Daoist skills and martial arts and could not be underestimated. Even if she was lying there unmoving, who knew what strange Daoist technique she might have.
That’s why he immediately used words to provoke Ye Jinxiu. How could someone as proud as Ye Jinxiu endure such insults? If she had any means, she would surely use them.
As for Gao Xuan, Shi Jiudao could tell from his age and attire that he was from the lower class and not worth paying attention to.
As Shi Jiudao was speaking happily, Gao Xuan spoke up, "You’re really shameless. This snake was killed by me, yet you want to take advantage? I don’t even know your mother, and you want to acknowledge me as your elder? Impossible."
Gao Xuan’s words were sharp, and Shi Jiudao, a master in his own right, couldn’t tolerate such rudeness.
"Kid, you’ve got guts, trying to play hero?"
Shi Jiudao said sinisterly, "I won’t kill you. I’ll cut off your limbs and make you watch us deal with your family’s young lady."
Gao Xuan laughed instead, "Trying to play with me, tsk tsk, you’re in over your head."
Just as Shi Jiudao was about to speak, Gao Xuan’s figure blurred, rushing forward.
Gao Xuan’s skin, flesh, muscles, and bones were refined into a cohesive unit, and he had opened up 128 acupoints. As the Qi Blood circulated through the leg acupoints, it was as if he had broken free from the constraints of gravity, moving with the rapid speed of an arrow.
This state and use of power were different from both inner power and source power. The Qi Blood Power circulated internally, unleashing various incredible powers within the body.
When inner power reaches the level of innate gang qi, it becomes akin to source power, utilizing external forces. The Qi Blood Power moving through the acupoints, however, transformed the body into a reactor, using Qi Blood for a fusion reaction.
Even though it still relied on the body and Qi Blood Power, the energy was magnified a hundredfold through the acupoints.
This transformation of power occurred entirely within the body, without interacting with the external environment. In comparison, this Qi Blood Power didn’t rely on external objects and operated with exquisite precision.
Although the world’s laws differed, it resonated deeply with Gao Xuan. This way of using power was both exquisite and interesting and had valuable insights for reference.
Including inner strength, magic, and even martial arts honed by ordinary people—all were different layers of self-awareness.
What is the self? This was not just a philosophical question; for Gao Xuan, it was also a real-world challenge.
No matter what the meaning of the Nine-Revolutions Divine Cicada’s trial was, at the very least, Gao Xuan learned more about himself in these trial worlds.
The moment the Qi Blood circulated through the acupoints, Gao Xuan suddenly thought of many things. He even grasped the true essence of the Nine-Revolutions Divine Cicada’s trial.
All perplexities and confusion were completely dispelled.
Gao Xuan’s mind was crystal clear and free of doubts. Whether what he thought was right or wrong, he had gained a renewed understanding of himself. Progressing in the trial world was sufficient for him.
Gao Xuan’s sudden enlightenment allowed his heart, divine soul, and body to fully synchronize, truly mastering this body and all its power from the deepest level.
If previously Gao Xuan could only exert 100% of the body’s power, after enlightenment, he could unleash 300% of the body’s power.
In the entire Copper City, there were very few innate martial artists. Shi Jiudao and his group had decent martial arts but were just a step away from reaching the realm of innate martial artists. But that one-step difference made a world of difference in power.
Shi Jiudao was only at the martial artist realm, far behind Gao Xuan. With enlightened understanding, Gao Xuan hadn’t increased his power, but his realm had been elevated numerous times.
Looking at Shi Jiudao and his group again, everything was as clear as daylight.
Shi Jiudao was not a threat; the real slight threat came from an old man beside Shi Jiudao, holding a crimson wooden staff and chanting.
This guy had begun preparing magic as soon as he entered. By the time Gao Xuan made a move, his spell was ready.
As Gao Xuan swiftly darted like an arrow, the old man’s wooden staff pointed forward, and he barked a command. Black smoke swirled, transforming into massive, fierce ghostly apparitions, hurling themselves at Gao Xuan.
This old man was the Shi family’s top expert, specializing in the Hundred Ghosts Soul-Seizing Technique. The hundred ghosts refined from human blood and souls did not even fear sunlight.
Faced with a martial artist with strong Qi Blood Power, they could charge forward to tear apart the opponent’s divine soul. Extremely domineering.
This magic was originally prepared for Ye Jinxiu, but Gao Xuan’s flying speed was too fast, clearly a formidable expert. The old man sensed something was wrong and directly tossed the spell to Gao Xuan.
The Shi Family came over to ambush Ye Jinxiu, naturally they came well-prepared. This time the Shi Family brought three experts. Each was certain to win against Ye Jinxiu. Together with more than forty skilled hands, everyone felt victory was assured.
Although Gao Xuan displayed extremely strong martial arts, no one present was afraid.
When the Hundred Ghosts howled out, everyone was even more thrilled.
The guy on the other side boasted, let’s see how he dies?
A group of howling black ghosts rushed straight at Gao Xuan, these ghost shadows were formed by vengeful spirits, taking shape through the poisonous black air. Not only could they devour a person’s divine soul, but the black poisonous smoke could also directly harm a person’s body.
A multitude of ghostly shadows surrounded Gao Xuan, each with a hideous face, opening massive mouths, and clawing fiercely with claws like knives.
As Gao Xuan flew, he paused slightly, then suddenly opened his mouth and roared furiously. This roar was like a tiger roaring in the mountains and forests, filled with domineering yet endless killing intent.
The intense Qi Blood power spread abruptly along with the tiger’s roar. The ghostly shadows in black smoke shattered into wisps of smoke upon impact with the tiger’s roar.
Some powerful vengeful spirits still tried to struggle, but were swept away by the burning Qi Blood power, instantly dissipating without a trace.
The Shi Family members, who initially had smug faces, could no longer smile. Many with lesser cultivation staggered backward in fright at the sound of the tiger’s roar.
The old man commanding the Hundred Ghosts, his face ashen, shook uncontrollably in his wrinkled old flesh. He used his divine soul to command the Hundred Ghosts, but with them scattered by the tiger’s roar, his soul suffered severe injury.
At that moment, the old man’s mind felt like it was splitting apart.
Shi Jiudao realized something was wrong and urgently shouted, "Quick, use the crossbows!"
The group carried strong bows and crossbows, precisely for dealing with experts.
A group of people armed with crossbow arrows were just preparing to fire when Gao Xuan shouted again, "A bunch of wretches, die now."
Gao Xuan’s thundering shout gathered all his body’s strength, and even more frightening was the explosive release of the blazing Qi Blood power.
Every word Gao Xuan uttered struck like a clap of thunder directly hitting the hearts and souls of the crowd.
This supreme yang fierce technique directly targeted the spiritual and divine soul from the body level, from the outside in, extremely domineering.
The Shi Family members were all shocked, unable to stand steady, swaying, and many had blood flowing from their ears, and even from their eyes and noses.
The dozen or so people at the front, being hit first, and with inadequate cultivation, simply fell to the ground silent.
Those skilled hands holding crossbow arrows were now so frightened their souls flew away, having no mind to fire the crossbows.
Although Shi Jiudao managed to stand, his face was filled with terror. Where did such a domineering and fierce expert come from? They didn’t even start, and it’s already over?
Shi Jiudao was somewhat unwilling, raising his long knife preparing to engage Gao Xuan, when Gao Xuan shouted again, "Die now!"
This time, with every word Gao Xuan spoke, his voice increased a fold. By the last word, Shi Jiudao could hear nothing.
The old man standing next to Shi Jiudao, his eyeballs burst open with a pop, and he fell dead on the spot.
This man’s magic was profound, his soul strong. The stronger it was, the greater the impact. Unable to withstand Gao Xuan’s roar, the old man’s soul shattered on the spot, his mind shaken to fragments.
Nearly fifty people of the Shi Family fell to the ground almost simultaneously.
Gao Xuan’s extremely violent Qi Blood power surged, completely crushing everyone from body to soul.
These people were unable to mount any substantial resistance, their souls and bodies directly destroyed, dying on the spot.
Although Shi Jiudao didn’t die, he was bled from his seven orifices, his internal organs tumbling, and his Qi Blood flowed in reverse. His mind hummed as if it could explode at any moment.
He propped himself with his knife, barely standing but with no strength to act.
Shi Jiudao could barely make out Gao Xuan approaching, but with his eyes covered in blood, Gao Xuan appeared as a hazy red figure. He could hardly see Gao Xuan’s expression, only his bared white teeth.
Gao Xuan asked Shi Jiudao, "Didn’t you boast? Why are you silent now?"
Shi Jiudao was terrified and unwilling, asking, "Who the hell are you?"
"That’s a bit complicated."
Gao Xuan spoke and pointed a finger at Shi Jiudao’s brow, shattering his mind into fragments with formidable finger force.
Shi Jiudao, without receiving an answer, fell backward with his shattered mind.
With a movement at his feet, Gao Xuan returned to Ye Jinxiu’s side, "Did I scare you?"
Gao Xuan’s tiger roar was directional, directly aimed at the Shi family members. Ye Jinxiu and Aunt Xia were unaffected, only inevitably shaken by the massive sound waves.
That was nothing. What really shocked Ye Jinxiu and Aunt Xia was Gao Xuan’s formidable martial arts.
The Shi Family’s group of skilled hands, plus the two masters Shi Jiudao and the old man, constituted an incredibly powerful force. In the end, Gao Xuan didn’t even strike, merely roared twice, and all the bandits perished.
Such divine power was truly terrifying.
Aunt Xia’s gaze toward Gao Xuan was filled with awe. How could such a figure appear in Copper City? How could he fall upon hard times? It was simply inconceivable.
Ye Jinxiu also adjusted her emotions, smiled bitterly, and said, "Brother Gao, you really scared me..."