Against the Gods - Volume 08 - Cloud's End Mirage

by Mars Gravity

  Instantly, the world whirled before Yun Che’s eyes and before he even had time to react, the scenery in front of him had completely changed from the familiar Blue Wind Imperial City to Divine Phoenix City. From his view of the Black Moon Merchant Guild that soared into the clouds, he could tell that he was right in the central region of Divine Phoenix City.

  Jasmine’s accuracy and speed was not at all inferior to that of the Primordial Profound Ark.

  “When will I be able to do this?” Yun Che asked with a heart filled with envy and admiration.

  “You? You still have a long way to go,” Jasmine said in a surly manner, “Just tearing space alone will require a large amount of power. Furthermore, if you want to traverse through space, it will use up an extremely large amount of energy. Finally and most importantly, you will need to have a complete and thorough understanding of the laws of space to do this. The laws of space and the other elemental laws cannot even be mentioned in the same breath. If you want to completely understand them, you will need at least a few thousand or even tens of thousands of years of cultivation to comprehend them.”

  Yun Che glanced at Jasmine gloomily and the meaning in his eyes clearly showed… you are obviously even younger than me!

  “Run along then. Just from looking at this atmosphere alone, one can tell that those ‘esteemed guests’ will be filling up the streets of this Divine Phoenix City before long,” Jasmine said as she gazed at the city below her.

  “You’re not coming with me?”

  “I’m not interested!” Jasmine said with a haughty sniff before she continued, “But I will be staying in Divine Phoenix City.”

  “Ah,” Yun Che said. Given Jasmine’s temperament, she could not even be bothered to meet the people around him, much less the countless guests who would attend the engagement ceremony. However, there was still time, so he was not in any hurry to get to Phoenix City. Moreover, after thinking for a bit, he asked Jasmine a question, “Jasmine, I have something that I have always been very curious about. Just what is the power that you’re normally using? From the time we met to the Devil Sword Conference, every time you have attacked… Um, your target is instantly cut apart. Furthermore, it is clear that the strength of your attacks are overwhelming, yet I have never sensed the slightest bit of profound energy from you.”

  “Could it be that your powers aren’t based on profound strength? But are actually some other kind of power… that is on an even higher level?”

  From the moment he had met Jasmine, the way she had killed the members of the Xiao Sect, the flame dragon, the flood dragon and Mu Tianbei… had all been the same. They had been cut apart in an instant, each part had been neatly and evenly split. When she had killed people at the Devil Sword Conference, she had done so using a red line that flashed across her opponents, cutting them into pieces… the aura that radiated from her attacks was so dreadful that it shook one’s soul but he could hardly feel any movement of profound energy when she made those attacks.

  However, whether he attacked with heavy sword, profound flame or fist, every single attack would split the earth and the sounds produced would shake the heavens. His attacks would tear at his opponents’ internal organs and cause their blood to churn and in some cases, a single sword strike would rend their bodies and shatter their bones… it was as different as day and night from how Jasmine’s attack sounded and looked when she killed people. It basically seemed as if they were using two completely different powers.

  “Of course I am using profound energy!” Jasmine exclaimed as she rolled her eyes at him, after that her gaze grew rather gloomy, “It’s just that my power is not used for battle or to harm people. The only goal of my power is to kill people! So that is why it’s a little special.”

  “…Kill people?” Yun Che asked in a stunned voice.

  “When your profound strength grows, it essentially means that the density of the profound energy in your profound veins is growing. You can also understand it as your profound energy being compressed,” Jasmine said in a bland voice, “Every time you rise by a level, it means that your profound energy has become slightly more compressed. Once it reaches a certain level of compression, a fundamental change will occur… that is also when you enter a new realm.”

  Yun Che briefly nodded his head.

  Jasmine raised her hand, it was dainty and exquisite, as flawless, tender and delicate as white snow. Just from looking at this small hand, one would never think that a casual wave could unleash a might that would destroy the heavens and the earth. “However, my profound art will once more compress my profound energy to the extreme every time I fire off an attack. This will reduce the scope of the attack but dramatically increase its power.”

  As she finished speaking, Jasmine made a small gesture with her hand and two identical lumps of metal appeared in her hand. After she made another gesture, one of the lumps turned square-shaped while the other one turned into the shape of a needle. After that, she sent them flying at the bell tower in front of them.

  Bang!!

  Scree!!

  The square-shaped metal piece smashed a part of the stone wall of the bell tower before clattering to the ground. But the needle-shaped metal piece completely pierced the stone wall, embedding itself into the stone wall behind it.

  “The two pieces of metal were identical in composition and weight. The strength I used to fling them out was the same as well. But the first piece of metal only smashed the stone wall, so it created quite a bit of damage. The second piece of metal, on the other hand, did not create a lot of damage and even the sound of the attack was very soft but it sought to directly take the life of the opponent!” Jasmine withdrew her hand, “Do you understand now?”

  “This is my Star God power, it is a power that condemns me to a future where… my hands will be soaked in blood.”

  “So that was how it is!” Yun Che said in a expression filled with wonder. “This means that even though you release the same amount of profound energy, your attacks will generate an enormous might and in many cases, it will even greatly reduce the amount of profound energy consumed in the attack? To think that there was such a powerful and miraculous profound art! Jasmine, you said before that you would teach me your ‘Star God Arts’. Were you referring to this profound art you just described?”

  Jasmine had indeed said those words before and when she had said them, they did not seem to stir up Yun Che. But now, his expression was filled with expectation and enthusiasm. Jasmine, however, replied with a slow shake of her head, “I did indeed think of doing so over the past few years. But over this period of time, I have changed my mind.”

  “Why?” Yun Che asked as his brows twitched, “Could it be that my present level of cultivation is still not sufficient for me to practice such a high-grade profound art?”

  “That isn’t the case.” Yun Che had even managed to comprehend high level profound arts such as the “Great Way of the Buddha” and the “Prison God Sirius’ Tome” in an extremely short amount of time. So Jasmine definitely did not think that he was unable to comprehend her Star God Arts. She spoke in a soft and gentle voice, “My power is focused on ‘instant destruction’, even my Star God’s Broken Shadow is meant to match that ‘instant destruction’. But your fighting style has always been incomparably fierce and violent. Compared to my method of fighting, you could say that they are at the extreme ends of two opposing styles. Especially since you use the heavy sword as a weapon. So, if I were to forcefully impart my Star God Arts to you, not only will it not bring you any benefits, it is extremely likely to warp your own growth.”

  “Don’t forget, the reason why you chased after profound strength at first was to ‘protect’ and not to kill!” Jasmine firmly stated as she looked at him. But the depths of her eyes were colored with a bewilderment that Yun Che could not understand.

  “…” The eagerness in Yun Che’s eyes gradually vanished before he gave a light nod of his head, “Mn, I get it.”

  “You can le
ave now. Don’t call on me unless something extremely significant happens.” Jasmine turned around and faced her back towards him. After that she closed her eyes and did not speak any further.

  Yun Che was not sure if he was mistaken but he had the nagging feeling that there was something wrong with Jasmine today.

  Normally, Jasmine would work hard to portray an icy and cool facade, giving one the impression that she was far above everything. But right now, it could not create any pressure for Yun Che, nor did it deter him in the slightest. Because he understood Jasmine’s nature far too well.

  But today’s Jasmine gave him a feeling of “heaviness”… for some odd reason. This feeling was unclear and not even worth mentioning. Moreover, Jasmine’s words and actions were no different from how they were usually… but he just could not shake that odd feeling.

  chinachu Notice

  :

  I know I stated that I was going to China with mommychu to visit grannychu and was hoping to return sometime June or so, but mommychu struck again, pushing our flight to June 1st. My trip to China is also now extended from June to the middle of July. Due to this trip, the planned double daily month releases for MEN will now be even more delayed. They WILL still come out after my trip though! Any regular chapters for every one of our series will still be coming out when I’m there (MEN 7, ATG 7, SR *TBD by Patreon*). I will try my best to get them out according to schedule, but if any chapters are missed due to chinachu problems, all of them will be made up when I get home.

  I know some people do not read the chapter posts in their haste to read the chapter so I’ll be leaving this message at the bottom of each chapter as a reminder!

  Chapter 822: Engagement Banquet

  Today would be the busiest day in the history of Phoenix City.

  The huge Divine Phoenix City had already been crammed full of people several days ago. Furthermore, everyone who came were, without exception, all famous and brilliant individuals from the various large territories. With the sole exception of Blue Wind Nation, all of the rulers of the other six nations had personally come as well. The sect masters, clan leaders and hegemons of the various large powers and sects had all personally come as well. This event was so grand that it left the residents of Divine Phoenix City, who were long used to “big events”, completely flabbergasted.

  Furthermore, it was also rumored that the Four Sacred Masters who governed the Four Great Sacred Grounds and all under heaven, existences which were akin to myth and legend, would personally arrive with all of the strongest individuals of the Sacred Grounds in tow.

  This was an event that was completely unprecedented in the history of the Divine Phoenix Empire.

  If one did not know what had happened, no one would have imagined, after looking at the spectacle that was taking place in Divine Phoenix City, that all of this hullabaloo was merely for an engagement banquet.

  From the time of Jasmine’s appearance nineteen days ago at Supreme Ocean Palace’s Sea God Arena to her departure, not even fifteen minutes had passed. Yet this short appearance had caused the entire profound world of the Profound Sky Continent to tremble in fear and it caused dramatic changes in even the most isolated parts of the continent. The high and exalted Four Great Sacred Grounds became existences which could be trampled on at any given moment. The profound practitioners of the Profound Sky Continent who were present that day still had a profound feeling that they had not woken up from a dream, every time they recalled the thirty five kilometer wide Northern Region being destroyed.

  This was a result that had been created by absolute power… and it was a result that could only created by absolute power.

  Before it had even passed nine in the morning, most of the enormous Phoenix City was already thronging with people and the guests still continued to pour in successively. The main lobby could hold thirty thousand people and every person who was received into the main lobby walked in with their backs ramrod straight as they were observed by all the other guests. All of them strode proudly into the main lobby and some even looked overwhelmed by the amount of favor they were shown. Moreover, many of the most famous and outstanding sect masters and individuals, who were amongst the elites of their nations, were relegated to one of the side halls and they did not feel the least bit slighted.

  Furthermore, the vice sect masters and the lesser powers had to be content with banquet tables that were outside of the halls.

  “Supreme Ocean Palace… Sovereign of the Seas Qu Fengyi, with Black Moon Merchant Guild Master Zi Ji, the Seven Venerable Ones of Supreme Ocean Palace, Great Elder Chen Mofeng, Second Elder… Jade-faced Demon Monarch Ji Qianrou. Twenty esteemed guests of Supreme Ocean Palace have arrived!”

  The Divine Phoenix disciple who was in charge of yelling out the names of the guests who had arrived had already been shouting for two whole hours but his voice was still resonant and deep, his aura still vigorous. Furthermore, the disciple assigned to this task was of extraordinary talent, so every time he announced a name, most of Phoenix City could hear him loud and clear. But when he announced the name of the Sovereign of the Seas, one could near a noticeable tremble in his voice.

  The uncommonly noisy Phoenix City suddenly descended into silence as all eyes were instantly directed towards the gates.

  Supreme Ocean Palace had arrived and sure enough, the Sovereign of the Seas herself had personally come! In her retinue was the Black Moon Merchant Guild Master Zi Ji, whose status was nearly equal to the Sovereign of the Seas! He was normally known to be shrouded in mystery and he very rarely made a public appearance! Even the Seven Venerable Ones were in attendance and all the elders who had come along were the ones ranked in the top ten of Supreme Ocean Palace!

  This was without a doubt the grandest party of people Supreme Ocean Palace could dispatch!

  The only one who was an exception to this rule was Ji Qianrou. But the ones in the know understood his presence, because Ji Qianrou had previously saved the lives of Yun Che and Feng Xue’er when they were on the Primordial Profound Ark… So whether it was dispatching the most ridiculously over-the-top party or the presence of Ji Qianrou, all of these things were to curry favor with Yun Che.

  Feng Hengkong took large strides as he moved forward to welcome the party who had come from Supreme Ocean Palace. Astonishingly, the Sovereign of the Seas Qu Fengyi and Zi Ji were at the forefront of this little group. Feng Hengkong immediately cupped his hands as he said, “I welcome the esteemed guests of Supreme Ocean Palace! The fact that the Sovereign of the Seas and Mister Zi are personally present inspires such gratitude and astonishment that this Hengkong can hardly bear it.”

  Feng Hengkong’s face was flushed red… this definitely was not an act, it was because he truly was extremely excited. Before this, if Supreme Ocean Palace sent someone like Ji Qianrou, who was not even equivalent to a low-ranking elder, to attend their big events, they would already be considered to be giving face to him. So he had never dreamed or even dared to dream that the Sovereign of the Seas would personally pay a visit. But this time, the Sovereign of the Seas had brought along more than ten of the most important individuals in Supreme Ocean Palace for a mere engagement banquet…

  Even though he had been the Divine Phoenix Emperor for one hundred years already, Feng Hengkong had never stood as tall and straight as he had today.

  At this moment, he even had a faint feeling that… his own position was nearly equal to that of a Sacred Master!

  Moreover, all of this had been brought about because of Yun Che (or his master to be precise)!

  “The Divine Phoenix Sect Master is being far too courteous. If this sovereign did not come for such a joyous occasion, it would truly be a pity,” Sovereign of the Seas Qu Fengyi said with a bland laugh. Even though her words and actions still had a regal air about them, she had assumed a much more withdrawn attitude in Phoenix City.

  “For the Divine Phoenix Sect Master to obtain such a fine son-in-law is the envy of the world. Today’s event is truly a matte
r worth celebrating,” Zi Ji said with a hearty laugh. After that he personally passed a jade box to him, “I hope that you will kindly accept our humble gift.”

  Just the box alone was made of the finest Black Enlightenment Jade, it was an extremely rare resource that was worth entire cities. So the item contained within it was definitely no ordinary trinket. Feng Hengkong’s heart grew even more excited as he smiled, “The fact that all of you distinguished personages of Supreme Ocean Palace were willing to make a personal trip down here is the greatest gift of all… Hengkong will represent his daughter to thank all of you. Ximing.”

  Feng Ximing stepped forward and respectfully received the jade box from Zi Ji’s hands. But his eyes drifted to the left and right, as if there was something occupying his thoughts.

  “May I enquire as to whether Asgard Master Yun is already inside?” Zi Ji asked in an extremely casual manner.

  “Che’er hasn’t come yet but he is already in the Divine Phoenix City. When the hour is near, he will naturally show up.”

  When he addressed Yun Che as “Che’er”, Feng Hengkong instantly felt his back stiffen even more.

  “Ah.” Zi Ji gave a faint nod of his head before retrieving a spatial which flashed with purple light, “Divine Phoenix Sect Master, this is the meager gift that our Supreme Ocean Palace has prepared for Asgard Master Yun’s master. This is given as thanks for the mercy shown to us that day. After some thought, we realized that it would be rather hard to personally meet that senior again, so we will have to trouble the Divine Phoenix Sect Master to pass this on to Asgard Master Yun so that he can present it to this master.”

  Feng Hengkong subconsciously took the ring, “Since that is the case, Hengkong will definitely not disappoint you. Once Che’er is here, I will advise him to pass it on to his master as soon as I can. It’s just that…”

  “Divine Phoenix Sect Master, please speak your mind.” Zi Ji said with a faint smile.

  Feng Hengkong replied, “Che’er’s teacher has superhuman abilities and I’m afraid that it will be hard for anything to catch her eye in this mundane place. Hengkong is truly curious as to what kind of generous gift the esteemed Supreme Ocean Palace has prepared… Could it be that Mister Zi already knows what that senior is fond of?”