Zhao Lun instantly felt as if there were needles jabbing at his mind. He could barely stop himself from groaning in pain. However, he was extremely experienced, and immediately deduced that Ling Han had used a spiritual attack on him, so he hurriedly stabilized his divine sense.
However, this momentary pause instantly caused Zhao Lun’s fist to lose its target. Ling Han took advantage of this opportunity to grab his wrist, after which he viciously threw him outward.
Peng!
Zhao Lun’s body was gigantic right now, so his fall was also extremely heavy. A dark expression spread across his face as he crashed into the ground, and a mouthful of blood instantly shot out from his mouth.
Zhao Lun was wounded!
Someone was actually able to wound Zhao Lun when battling at the same cultivation level!
This was definitely a mightily stunning piece of news. Zhao Lun’s name had always been synonymous with the term “invincible in the same cultivation level”. Now, however, he had been beaten to the point of vomiting blood! Who would believe this if they didn’t see it with their own two eyes?
“Ahhh…!” Zhao Lun howled in fury as countless veins bulged from his gigantic golden body. They were like several hundred golden snakes, each of which radiated with a sinister aura. He slapped his hands against the ground, and his body instantly shot back to an upright position. Then, he charged toward Ling Han again.
Boom!
His fist crashed over like an overwhelming divine mountain.
“I said that if we were at the same cultivation level, I could suppress you with a single hand!” Ling Han placed his left hand behind his back as he struck his right palm toward Zhao Lun. However, this wasn’t his main attack, and he unleashed his Seven Kill Subduing Soul Technique at Zhao Lun again.
Immortals also cultivated their spirit. Although Ling Han could use Mountain River Stones to raise his strength to the Immortal level before, his lack of corresponding comprehension meant that his divine sense didn’t experience any growth.
It was only because he had taken a sip of the Reincarnation Tea that his divine sense was far more powerful than ordinary cultivator’s at the Shattering Void Tier. Combined with the tempering from the second layer of his Indestructible Heaven’s Scroll, his divine sense was not only powerful, but also incredibly stable. His divine sense wasn’t any bit weaker than an ordinary cultivator’s at the Mountain River Tier.
After he advanced into the Mountain River Tier, the strength of his divine sense naturally underwent a qualitative change, far exceeding the level achieved by ordinary cultivators at the medium extreme. It was definitely on par with cultivators at the high extreme, perhaps even the consummate level.
Thus, Zhao Lun couldn’t block Ling Han’s spiritual attack even though his divine sense was already at the consummate level. Although each spiritual attack could only affect him a tiny bit, this was a battle between elites, so each tiny bit was enough to influence the outcome of the battle.
Peng! Peng! Peng!
Zhao Lun’s strikes were powerful, yet none of them was able to hit their target. So, what did it matter if they were powerful? Zhao Lun was either slammed into the ground by Ling Han or relentlessly struck by his palms.
Kuang, kuang, kuang!
As if it had become metallic, his golden body continued to ring with crisp clanging sounds.
Who would’ve thought that apart from a short while in the beginning, Zhao Lun—the number one prodigy—would end up being beaten one-sidedly?
Zhao Lun was simmering with rage. He was being beaten in front of so many people; how utterly humiliating! His expression became frosty as a powerful aura instantly emanated from his body. This was an extremely ancient aura that was also brimming with a formidable might.
“Power of the nation!” many people exclaimed.
Not long ago, Zhao Lun had been appointed as a seventh-rank military officer by the empress, meaning he was able to use the power of the nation. Although he wasn’t allowed to draw on as much power as the Left and Right Ministers and the Seven Generals could, his low cultivation level meant that he wouldn’t be able to draw on much even if there was no restriction.
Zhao Lun’s disadvantage instantly disappeared under the support of the power of the nation. His golden body became dazzling again—in fact, it was even more dazzling than before.
Peng, peng, peng, peng!
He grabbed this opportunity to counterattack, instantly forcing Ling Han to continuously retreat.
Ling Han was slightly astonished. With the support of the power of the nation, even Zhao Lun’s divine sense seemed to gain an extra layer of protection. When he unleashed his Seven Kill Subduing Soul Technique, it was actually rebounded back, completely unable to harm Zhao Lun!
“Die!” Zhao Lun’s eyes were red with rage as his gigantic body cast a huge shadow on the ground.
Ling Han smiled calmly, and said, “You’ve merely raised your battle prowess by one star and used the power of the nation to protect your divine sense. It’s not like you have an indestructible body. What are you so smug about?” Ling Han increased the distance between him and Zhao Lun before immediately releasing an arrow, using his body like a bow and his Origin Power as an arrow.
Zhao Lun was deeply astonished. This was the technique that had killed Bai Yuansi not long ago. Although the might of this arrow paled in comparison, a large portion of his strength had also been sealed at this moment. He couldn’t take this arrow lightly.
He raised his hand with much difficulty.
Pu!
The arrow pierced through his arm, with even his golden body unable to block its might.
Then, the arrow transformed into specks of Origin Power that eventually vanished into thin air.
Zhao Lun’s face was ashen as blood flowed from his arm. After drawing on the power of the nation, he had initially thought that victory was within his grasp. Much to his disbelief, however, Ling Han immediately gave him a slap across the cheek.
This wasn’t the Ultimate Arrow, so Ling Han wasn’t drained of all his strength after firing this shot. He immediately drew his bow and fired another shot.
Twang! Twang!
Zhao Lun retreated a step with each arrow that Ling Han fired. His body was riddled with holes—even his golden body was unable to resist the power of the Annihilating Dragon Star Arrow.
“Ahhh…!” Zhao Lun let loose a furious cry as the golden light on his body disappeared. Meanwhile, he also shrunk from nine meters back down to his original size. Although the nine-meter-tall golden body could increase his battle prowess ninefold, it also turned him into a huge target that was much more susceptible to Ling Han’s attacks.
‘Could it be… that Zhao Lun is going to surrender?’
“I’ll let you see my true strength!” Zhao Lun said in a sinister voice. He extended his right hand, and it surprisingly became water-like and inky black.
Ling Han’s heart jolted. This was the aura that Zhao Lun’s strike from before had contained. This was the aura that had even torn apart his physique and corroded all the way to his Godly bones.
‘Is this the ancient technique that Zhao Lun’s been practicing all this time?’
Numerous thoughts flashed through his mind, yet his hands didn’t slow down a single bit, instantly releasing another arrow.
Zhao Lun didn’t dodge, and instead furiously charged toward Ling Han.
Pu!
The Origin Power arrow collided with Zhao Lun’s body. However, Zhao Lun’s body uncannily transformed into a liquid-like state that was malleable and like cotton. The arrow instantly tore through his body.
Then, like ripples of water, his torn body started to heal itself. Regardless of how strong a God Tool was, could it permanently sever running water?
Chapter 991 - Corrosive Water Three Thousand
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Xiu , Zhao Lun had already reached Ling Han, his fist crashing down on him.
&n
bsp; Ling Han stretched out his arms to parry, but he immediately discovered that, to his shock, Zhao Lun’s arms had actually become akin to flowing water, bursting through his defences and striking towards his chest.
Peng , he was immediately sent flying, and only landed after turning three somersaults midair. He looked down, and his chest had actually been corroded, and bones could be seen.
Indeed, it was this kind of attack.
“Hahaha!” Seeing that his blow had taken effect, Zhao Lun burst into sudden loud laughter, and once more brandished his fists in a series of attacks.
This was the ancient technique that he had cultivated, called Corrosive Water Three Thousand. Previously, he had stayed underneath a waterfall to observe the rhythm of flowing water so that he could master this ancient technique.
And now that he was using it, the might of this move was indeed incredible!
In that moment, Ling Han did not have any good way to respond to this move, and could only retreat continuously.
Zhao Lun had definitely not done something as simple as turning into liquid. Otherwise, with the power behind the attack of a Mountain River Tier cultivator, even a huge river could be beaten into billions of water droplets, so Zhao Lun would be turned to “a torn body and crushed bones”.
In the present case, Zhao Lun was showing the full flexibility attribute of water, and no force could be exerted on him at all.
‘No matter how sky-high your strength is, can you still hurt even the tiniest bit of me?’
“Hahahaha, this is what true power is!” Zhao Lun laughed madly, delivering punches in quick succession.
With the boost from power of the nation, he was now superior to Ling Han by a sub-minor level. Furthermore, power of the nation still had the effect of protecting his divine sense, and now, his Corrosive Water Three Thousand had become a threat to Ling Han’s physique. No matter from which angle he looked at it, his victory was assured.
“In a battle of equal levels, I am the true invincible one!”
Hearing Zhao Lun’s boasts, Sha Yuan revealed an expression of defiance. However, he had no choice but to admit that in a battle at equal level, he was indeed not a match for Zhao Lun—he could not defeat him in the past, and even more so could not beat him now.
This move of transforming himself into flowing water, an ancient technique that was filled with a corrosive ability, was really too terrifying.
“Just become a pool of corroded liquid!” Zhao Lun laughed loudly, his eyes exuding a cold, manic light.
The fact that he had been pressured by Ling Han to the extent that he had to reveal this ancient technique ahead of time made him extremely displeased. It should have been one of his biggest trump cards, used to suppress powerful foes, yet now he had revealed it ahead of time. He would definitely be targeted by others, and they would definitely try to find a way to counter it.
Thoughts streaked through Ling Han’s mind like lightning. Previously, he had used the divine patterns of flame to erase the poison of the corrosive waters, so could he use them to restrain the other, then?
He was a believer in getting things done. As he coagulated an arrow, he had already circulated the divine patterns of flame. Xiu , the arrow of Origin Power shot out, and light red appeared on the original white of the arrow.
Zhao Lun was unafraid, not even bothering to block. He wanted to use the same trick again, and allow the arrow to pass through his body.
Pu, the arrow reached its target, and shot into his left shoulder without erring, but unlike he had expected, the arrow did not shoot right out without dealing any kind of damage to him. Instead, his expression changed drastically into one of astonishment as a hint of pain appeared on his face.
Black smoke was actually streaming out of his shoulder, and there was a faint smell of burnt meat.
Zhao Lun stumbled back, an expression of absolute disbelief and shock appearing on his face.
… Ling Han actually broke through his Corrosive Water Three Thousand!!!
‘How is this possible?!’
Don’t think that fire would be able to overcome water. If the Corrosive Water Three Thousand could be easily overcome by flames, then what need was there for him to spend such a long time to cultivate this technique?
The corrosive water was extremely poisonous, and was unafraid of flames. At least, as far as he knew, if one wanted to overcome his corrosive water, it was only possible if that person’s power dominated over him completely. One attack, and his body would be completely shattered as he would collapse, heavily wounded. That was the only way the Corrosive Water Three Thousand would stop functioning.
Ling Han’s power was definitely not as strong as his!
Then there was only one reason. His flames were of terrifyingly high quality, and might even be not the least bit inferior to his corrosive water. That was the only way his flames could overcome his water.
Incredibly jealous, he could not help but ask, “What technique is this?”
It should be known that he had spent a few decades just to successfully cultivate this technique! Meanwhile, the other party had broken through to the Mountain River Tier not even a full year ago, yet had already cultivated a secret technique that could match his ancient technique. How could he accept this?
This was a blow heavy enough to practically twist all his views on life.
Ling Han gave an ‘oh’, and then said, “It’s not any technique. I just obtained Flame Mountain River Stones from the Flame Cave, and after refining them, I obtained divine patterns of flame, but I didn’t imagine that they just so happen to be able to restrain your power.”
Zhao Lun was gaping in shock. It was actually so simple—he did not even cultivate any kind of secret technique, and merely refined a few Mountain River Stones? He was really about to cry.
However, he immediately recalled the effects of the Gravity Mountain River Stone—they were extremely amazing. The Mountain River Stone that Ling Han obtained definitely had to be of a special attribute, gifting him divine patterns of flame.
‘Damn! Damn! Damn!’
He cursed repeatedly in his heart. Were the divine patterns of flame really so powerful? It should be known that he, too, had obtained a Flame Mountain River Stone, though he had not done so personally. Instead, it had come into his hands by paying a copious amount at an auction. However, the divine patterns of flame were definitely no match for Corrosive Water Three Thousand.
‘… Wait!’
Zhao Lun suddenly exclaimed, “How many Flame Mountain River Stones have you gotten exactly?”
“Not too bad, just seven!” As Ling Han spoke, he continued to rush towards Zhao Lun. Now that he knew how to oppose the Corrosive Water Three Thousand, what further threat did Zhao Lun pose to him?
Peng, peng, peng. He wrapped divine patterns of flame around his fists. This was much simpler than adding them onto the arrow of Origin Power. Seven divine patterns glowed at the same time, and his fists were burning with flames. One punch, and Zhao Lun was spitting up blood repeatedly.
Seven!
Zhao Lun’s eyes were practically about to pop out of their sockets—how precious were Mountain River Stones with special attributes? Even a genius like him could only manage to land on the Crimson Lake’s island twice, and obtain just two Gravity Mountain River Stones. And Ling Han actually f******* got seven; he was practically a monster!
This became the straw that broke the camel’s back, shattering his fighting spirit. Furthermore, he had endured so many arrows just now, so how could it have had no effect at all? He did not have as tough a physique as Ling Han, and was merely using his Origin Power to forcefully suppress his wounds.
But he had to stretch out his nine-meter golden body, and also had to suppress his wounds; how much pressure did he have to endure? Now that his fighting spirit had collapsed, he instantly could not hold on anymore.
Peng!
He was thrashed by Ling Han, and this time, he was really like a beaten army in total col
lapse—it was no longer possible to turn the tides.
“Let’s see you be arrogant! Let’s see you be domineering!” Ling Han was treating Zhao Lun like a punching bag, striking continuously.
“Didn’t you want to kill me? Come on, then!
“You just bully others because of your higher cultivation level and your better background; what difference is there between you and those profligate spoilt young masters?”
“What Number One Genius? Absolute crap!”
The more Ling Han spoke, the more furious he became. He transformed his anger into force behind his punches, and endlessly pummelled his fists onto Zhao Lun’s body.
“Have you had enough!?” Zhao Lun shouted. He was the only son of the Great General Zhao; when had he endured such humiliation before?
“You can’t take it already?” Ling Han raised his foot, just about to step down on Zhao Lun’s face.
Everyone had almost stopped breathing from the shock. If this foot landed, then a huge enmity that would not end until one was dead would really form between both parties. But upon further contemplation, it was apparent that Zhao Lun wanted to kill Ling Han, so there did not seem to be anything else left to fear.
“You, you dare!!” Zhao Lun meanwhile was so terrified his face had turned completely pale. If his face was really stepped on in front of so many people, what pride would he have left to face others?
Chapter 992 - Can't Stand Out Too Much
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Ling Han’s foot paused, and then stopped.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. If this foot really landed, who knew what kind of madness Zhao Lun would sink into? In his rage, he might even kill them all to stop them from leaking the truth.
Zhao Lun seemed like he had completely spread out. This defeat was enough of a humiliation; if his face was really stepped on, how would he be able to face others in future?
“If I step on others, I’ll stand out too much, which doesn’t match my modest image,” Ling Han mumbled to himself.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 508