Chapter 146: A Devastating Cleave

In stark contrast to the dismayed and grim-faced elders of the Dongfang family, the atmosphere at the Zhang family’s Qiongyu Pavilion was filled with exclamations and laughter.

"Well done, that young man!"
"Haha! The timing of that sneak attack was truly impeccable. Not bad at all!"

Zhang Tianlun, the family head, clapped his hands and laughed. "What a pleasant surprise. This child’s potential is immeasurable. The explosive power of that punch is far superior to that of ordinary martial practitioners; he actually managed to pierce through the demonic energy shield of a Qi Refinement stage cultivator."

Xu Xuan’s mid-air strike not only resolved the crisis facing Zhang Kuang but also knocked the black-robed demon cultivator from his pedestal of victory.

The black-robed cultivator groaned and spat blood, his body tilting forward as he lost his balance in mid-air. After breaking through the protective barrier, Xu Xuan was also repelled by the powerful, sinister demonic energy, feeling a cold and tyrannical force invade his body, rampaging like a stormy sea. Fortunately, as an ancient body cultivator, his physique was exceptionally formidable, allowing him to forcibly withstand the onslaught.

"You brat, you have a death wish!"

The moment the black-robed cultivator regained his footing, he was filled with shock and fury. His eyes blazed with fire as he stared fixedly at Xu Xuan, a lethal chill radiating from him.

However, his true opponent, Zhang Kuang, seized the moment he regained his breath. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he unleashed a surge of lightning-like ripples from his hands, striking at the cultivator's legs. Feeling a numbness in his lower limbs, the black-robed cultivator had no choice but to manipulate his bone claws to parry Zhang Kuang’s attack.

Xu Xuan’s sudden strike had not only injured the black-robed youth but had also disrupted his rhythm and focus. For the time being, Zhang Kuang was able to hold his own, resolving the crisis for the Zhang family camp. This turn of events caused Zhang Feng, watching from afar, to breathe a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Meanwhile, Dongfang Ba, who was locked in a distant confrontation with him, gazed through his single, hideous eye with a cold, malevolent glare, clearly harboring deep hatred for Xu Xuan.

"He really did it."

Zhang Yuhan’s beautiful eyes sparkled. Recalling the words Xu Xuan had spoken before he left, a faint blush rose to her cheeks, and her heart felt sweet.

After his strike landed, Xu Xuan slowly descended, his eyes fixated on the pair of footprints below. These ancient footprints were the key territory both clans were fighting to claim. As Xu Xuan landed, two Dongfang family martial practitioners lunged at him. "Hold this spot!"

Without a word, Xu Xuan swept his leg in a horizontal arc. A scorching, violent gust of wind erupted, sending both their weapons and their bodies flying with a resounding "bang."

The two Dongfang family practitioners hadn't even managed to block a single move. Terrified, they cried out, "Is this kid really not a Qi Refinement stage master?"

Xu Xuan seemed to grow more ferocious with each passing moment. Once he had injured a Qi Refinement stage master, his full potential was unleashed; he was practically an invincible force against these ordinary Qi-refining practitioners.

Bang!

Xu Xuan’s feet landed firmly, stepping precisely into the footprints on the ground. These were no ordinary footprints; they were relics of the gods, imbued with divine spiritual energy and dating back to an incredibly distant past.

The moment his feet sank into the prints, Xu Xuan felt an infinite, majestic spiritual aura. It was as if he had suddenly transformed into an peerless expert. With a single palm strike, he cleaved the air with the force of a thundering waterfall. The earth shook, a deafening boom echoed, the waterfall’s flow was severed, lake water surged into the sky, and the winds were shattered. Thousands of living creatures bowed in submission. After that strike, a bottomless fissure, at least several hundred zhang long, had been carved into the solid, cold rock of the mountain cliff—a feat that could make even gods and demons weep.

Standing in the ancient footprints, the scene and the intent of that powerful palm strike played over and over in Xu Xuan’s mind.

After countless ages, the intent of that strike was somewhat blurred, its spiritual energy faded, but those of later generations with sufficient insight could still perceive remnants of it from the traces of history. The scene appearing in Xu Xuan’s mind did not necessarily reflect the original strike; the perception of such divine relics varied from person to person. Each individual had different experiences, and those with high aptitude could even reach sudden enlightenment and breakthrough.

The intent of that palm strike sent a shock through Xu Xuan’s soul, leaving him profoundly moved.

Although the path of a martial practitioner was inherently different and incompatible with that of a body cultivator, the sheer momentum of that palm strike sparked various realizations in Xu Xuan. Any cultivator could perceive a divine relic; the key was the understanding of the essence of the profound truths, not the outward manifestations.

In short, it was a feeling beyond words; without touching the relic yourself, it was impossible to grasp.

Xu Xuan’s soul fell into a peculiar state—not quite sudden enlightenment, but something similar. He felt his flesh, blood, and his entire spirit merging into those footprints, blending into that majestic force that seemed to cleave heaven and earth. That grand intent seeped into his flesh and blood, merging with the "momentum" of the ancient body cultivator, colliding and deconstructing until it became his own.

In this state, Xu Xuan’s mental strength became tougher and more powerful, climbing step by step, completely surpassing the seventh level of Qi Refinement and even exceeding the eighth.

The reason it wasn't a full sudden enlightenment was because Xu Xuan was more in a state of "absorption and integration," taking the intent and world-shaking momentum from the relic and absorbing them with his physical body, transforming them into his own power.

"So that’s how it is. Martial practitioners emphasize the unity of heaven and man, transcending the small self to merge with the grand momentum of the world, communicating with external forces... That strike by Yun Tianhen merged with the world’s momentum, its power soaring to the heavens. But as a body cultivator, I do not need to merge with the world; I pursue the peak of the self and the physical body. I can absorb this momentum into my own flesh and blood, making it truly my own intent and power..." A flash of realization appeared in Xu Xuan’s eyes. The fundamental difference between martial practitioners and body cultivators became clearer in his mind.

At this moment, the remnant soul of his past life in his mind muttered in surprise: "Using the momentum of a body cultivator to perceive and absorb external momentum, fully integrating it into one's own flesh to strengthen one's own intent. It is a form of plunder for the sake of self-strengthening—overbearing and brazen, yet it does not stray from the essence of body cultivation. Truly a novel approach..."

Xu Xuan’s state naturally drew the attention of others.

"Damn it! That kid is actually in a state of sudden enlightenment!"

Dongfang Ba’s expression changed drastically. Just as his internal energy began to surge, Zhang Feng, who was staring at him from afar, drew a seven-colored spiritual fan. A powerful wave of spiritual pressure descended, causing Dongfang Ba’s figure to stiffen, his face fluctuating between shades of anger and uncertainty.

On both sides of the waterfall, the elders on the pavilions and dragon boats had varying expressions.

"This guest practitioner Xu’s aptitude is extraordinary. He has actually used the divine relic to enter a state of sudden enlightenment. You must know that while there are over a hundred such divine relics in the Kunyun Kingdom, those who can truly use them to enter sudden enlightenment are extremely rare. Moreover, most of these relics are controlled by major forces, usually sealed by formations and used only occasionally for their core disciples," an elder of the Zhang family exclaimed in admiration.

Across from them, the high-ranking members of the Dongfang family looked at each other, their expressions cold and unwilling.

"Everyone, at all costs, attack that kid! Seize the relic in the center. Do not let him achieve a breakthrough!" Dongfang Ba’s eyes glinted with malice as he sent a mental command.

The other Dongfang disciples, with icy expressions, abandoned their respective opponents and rushed toward the youth in the center. In a short span of time, Xu Xuan had become the focal point of everyone’s attention.

"Everyone, be careful! Protect guest practitioner Xu!" Zhang Yuhan shouted, ordering the Zhang disciples to hold back their opponents while sending others to guard Xu Xuan.

The Zhang disciples successfully intercepted some, but others slipped through. For instance, Lin Hui, his eyes flickering with jealousy and malice, intentionally let his opponent pass.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Two or three Dongfang disciples broke through the blockade, rushing toward Xu Xuan, including a ninth-level Qi Refinement youth.

Xu Xuan’s eyes were open, and he scanned them coldly. His state was not complete enlightenment; while he was absorbing the intent and momentum, he was also slowly gathering his internal energy.

"Ah!"

At a casual glance from Xu Xuan, the three Dongfang disciples felt their hearts tremble, an inexplicable fear rising within them.

In that instant, it felt as if a thundering, majestic waterfall was rushing toward them, and the mountain cliffs were trembling. It was the illusion that the opponent only needed to wave his hand to cleave them in two. A cold chill ran through their bodies. Moreover, the terrifying aura emanating from Xu Xuan was in an unstable state, shifting constantly; soon, from that roaring, violent pressure, a terrifying, scorching heat emerged, burning into their very souls.

Beads of sweat the size of peas broke out on their foreheads. Xu Xuan did not even need to strike; his aura alone was enough to suppress and terrify them. This was not just his own momentum—it was the momentum of the divine relic!

"What are you waiting for? Don't be intimidated by his aura! Attack! Interrupt his enlightenment!" Dongfang Ba’s mental command shocked the three. Gritting their teeth, their faces contorted with ferocity, they lunged at Xu Xuan.

These three were two martial practitioners and one immortal cultivator.

The two martial practitioners charged directly. One, holding a long halberd, transformed into a brilliant purple arc, the wind howling as he thrust fiercely at Xu Xuan’s throat. The other, the ninth-level Qi Refinement youth, unleashed all his energy in a side-punch, accompanied by a sharp whistle and flashes of lightning. The energy was almost tangible, reaching the peak of the ninth level!

The last immortal cultivator, without needing to get close, flicked his fingers, sending willow-like green beams to bind Xu Xuan’s legs.

The coordination of the three was near-perfect, covering long, medium, and close range. The long halberd, carrying a fierce purple gale, struck at Xu Xuan’s face; the thunderous force of the ninth-level peak energy aimed for his heart; and the emerald willow-like magic light was nearly wrapped around his legs.

Even a Qi Refinement stage master would be shaken by such an attack. Many Zhang disciples cried out in alarm, rushing to save him, while the elders on the distant pavilion looked grave, some even rising to their feet in anxiety.

All eyes were fixed on the youth standing upon the ancient footprints.

"A bunch of rabble."

Xu Xuan’s eyes shot out a sharp, cold light. He suddenly raised his arm, and a roaring, heaven-soaring aura, accompanying a palm strike, transformed into a pale red wave of energy that instantly cleaved through the area several meters in front of him.

That simple palm strike combined his own momentum with the majestic force of the ancient relic, possessing the power to split the heavens.

"Boom! Crack!"

The pale red energy wave, like a thundering waterfall, crushed everything in its path. The emerald willow-like beams were shattered, the halberd broke instantly, and the two martial practitioners who had closed in screamed as they were sent flying. One was knocked completely off the relic, falling into the waterfall lake below with a splash that echoed through the mountains.

Silence!

In an instant, the hundred or so people from both clans near the divine relic stood frozen in terror.