Chapter 1145: One Talisman, One Decree (II)
Li Ximing sped onward, shifting between the great void and the mortal world in turn as he tried to shake off his pursuer. By the time he crossed into the Snow Ji region, more flames clung to his body.
Behind him, Ye Hui's calm voice drifted through the air. "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! A duel is one thing, but heading for Jiangbei is going too far!"
Who knows whether you're dueling or trying to kill me?! Li Ximing grumbled inwardly, but before he could think further, the great void around him suddenly shifted. The once-flat expanse grew jagged and steep; faint snowflakes began to fall, and in the far distance, a boundless storm wind appeared, carrying countless drifting snowflakes.
As the wind neared, its pale blue hue turned ashen and heavy. The heavenly light beneath his feet dimmed as snow piled half a finger deep, and Li Ximing's expression grew grim. This wind felt familiar, and he had seen similar magic before. There existed an art in the Chongming Profound Insight Screen called Heavy Abyssal Gale, which was born of this very principle.
The divine ability of the Heavy Abyssal Gale lineage! He paused for a heartbeat, realization dawning within him, The Capital Guard divine ability, Western Sky Plateau!
What was the Western Sky Plateau? It referred to the vast highlands west of Longshu, the Great Western Plains. There, atop endless mountains, was the birthplace of the Heavy Abyssal Gale, a desolate land where spiritual energy was severed and the great void could not pass through.
Once the divine ability took effect, Li Ximing's speed was sharply curbed. The great void beneath his feet became rough and uneven, hindering every step. Ye Hui exhaled a stream of white mist, and activated the Eastern Feather Mountain. The mist grew dense and heavy, weighing down the entire void until it seemed frozen in place.
The combination of Western Sky Plateau and Eastern Feather Mountain expanded their grip over the great void to an unprecedented degree. A chill surged through Li Ximing's heart as a dark suspicion arose, Is Ye Hui trying to kill me? The Capital Guard's three divine abilities are all lethal! But why have I never heard of this Western Sky Plateau before?
His thoughts raced like lightning. The white mist in the sky descended and the surrounding void solidified, nearly cutting off all connection to the mortal world. Debating between advance and retreat, Li Ximing halted and summoned the Heaven-Venerating Gate once again.
The Eastern Feather Mountain technique was neither unfamiliar nor overwhelmingly strong. It had the same suppressive effect on the void that Li Ximing's own Heaven-Venerating Gate had. Ye Hui had used it in their first encounter, and back then, Li Ximing had broken its hold with purple fire and escaped into the mortal world.
But this time, the talisman and scripture had appeared at his side. Lightning and True Fire descended together; the white mountain above came crashing down; and the South Chou Waters surged forth. How could he possibly withstand it all with purple flame held in his mouth?
Li Ximing only had two choices left. The first was to use his purple flames to block the thunder and True Fire while the Heaven-Venerating Gate resisted the mist and purple waters. However, he would remain trapped to await a turn of fortune. The second was to endure the blazing onslaught, shatter the divine abilities with purple flame, and forcefully return to the mortal world.
The mortal world below is the Snow Ji Gate. Ye Hui will surely pursue. I'd still need to cross Lake Xian, and wounded as I am, my speed would drop. Even risking injury might not guarantee escape...