Chapter 662 - 72: Realizing the Subtle Mind Under the Fireworks_2
The black and red fire mist intertwined, coiling and churning like a column of smoke shooting straight upwards. It climbed higher and higher, reaching over a hundred zhang in no time, as if it sought to pierce through the cloud tops. Then came a resounding explosion—within a few breaths, the smoke column dispersed and transformed into a thick black-red cloud that spread across the sky, spanning several li and shrouding all the moonlight.
Feng Zhen laughed heartily, leapt upward, and vanished into the misty cloud in an instant.
His display of power left the disciples present stunned. None had expected such means from him. Those unfamiliar with his name began eagerly inquiring about his background.
Zhang Yan fixed his gaze on the thick smoke, deliberating for a moment. With a slight movement of his finger, he sent out a streak of sword light to probe.
The sword ball circled within the dusty smoke. Yet, under his spiritual sight, it detected only an endless gray void, with no sign of Feng Zhen’s trace. Clearly, this cultivation technique could conceal his presence completely.
Since searching proved futile, Zhang Yan did not press further. With a thought, the sword ball obediently flew back, returning to the center of his brow.
Within the fire and smoke, a ripple emerged, as if a hand was stirring it. Feng Zhen’s figure then appeared, though partially obscured, his silhouette indistinct. His voice boomed through the mist like thunder: "Zhang Yan, no matter how formidable your swordsmanship or Dharma Treasure is, let’s see if you can harm me!"
He let out a deafening shout, and the thick smoke trembled. Suddenly, countless starfires scattered down in sparkling torrents.
Although Zhang Yan’s treasure clothes shielded his body, there was no need to withstand such a technique head-on. He summoned his sword light into a tunneling streak, swiftly evading with ease.
Yet, those flickering starfires seemed relentless, pursuing closely behind him. However, Zhang Yan moved with such speed that they failed to catch even a fragment of him.
Feng Zhen poked his head out of the swirling clouds, a ring of fiery patterns gradually surfacing along the corners of his eyes, making his expression appear fearsome. His emotions grew increasingly agitated as he laughed maniacally, "Zhang Yan, keep running if you dare! Let’s see where you can hide!"
With a twist of his hands forming a spell, the starfires ceased their chaotic descent and began crackling and exploding continuously, like a symphony of firecrackers, shaking the heavens. With each explosion, another layer of smoke and mist filled the sky.
Yet, even this did not seem to satisfy him. He growled incessantly, his hands ceaselessly weaving spells. The deafening roars resembled the eruption of a furnace, scattering fiery debris as blazing heat engulfed the space, dyeing the heavens red like blazing coals.
If this continued unabated, it wouldn’t take long before the entire area spanning several li would transform into a domain shrouded by turbid fire and shadowy haze.
As Feng Zhen intensified his cultivation technique, he only felt an overwhelming fiery heat coursing through him, accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to destroy everything in sight. His mind clouded further with each moment.
Seeing Zhang Yan’s sword light weaving swiftly through the starfire, he believed himself to hold the upper hand. Elation swelled in him as he marveled at the brilliance of the Dharma technique gifted by Du De. Not even Zhang Yan could stand against it. With this technique, Feng Zhen envisioned a future of unmatched supremacy among his peers.
Indeed, this Minor Divine Power was remarkable, capable of amplifying the might of his Elixir Evil to the utmost. It could even contest a Second Realm of Hua Dan cultivator. However, should true battle occur, given its intricacies and unpredictability, he might not necessarily overpower such an opponent.
For a First Realm of Hua Dan cultivator who has yet to break through the Shell Barrier, fully converting their Elixir Evil into mana is unfeasible. Achieving five or six-tenths efficiency would already be commendable. Upon reaching the Second Realm, a cultivator’s mana manipulation nearly doubles, far surpassing those in the First Realm.
Yet, Feng Zhen’s Minor Divine Power did not enhance his overall cultivation but allowed all his Elixir Evil to stream outward, controlled by a Dharma talisman to stabilize its flow and prevent dispersion, granting it complete obedience to his Divine Intent.
This resulted in multiple profound techniques, previously inaccessible due to insufficient cultivation, manifesting with just a single thought. In essence, it conferred temporary abilities reminiscent of the Second Realm of Hua Dan, leaving Feng Zhen euphoric and slightly deranged.
Despite dodging the starfires and fleeing the fiery cloud, Zhang Yan refrained from making a counterattack in haste.
Though Feng Zhen’s technique was grandiose and his true body was hidden within to evade detection, Zhang Yan—a cultivator versed in countless experiences—remained unshaken. He continued maneuvering his sword, seeking an opening.
He mused inwardly. Feng Zhen, like himself, was merely at the First Level of Elixir Formation. His foundation could not yet be stable. The enormous commotion he stirred surely had its flaws. Once Zhang Yan discerned the weak points, he could exploit them to shatter the technique.
Soon enough, Zhang Yan’s sharp eyes caught something peculiar after several rounds around the battlefield.
Though the starfires exploded continuously, leaving trails of smoke in their wake, wisps of Essence Qi consistently returned to the heart of the smoke and fire. Only after gathering did new starfires emerge. Clearly, this technique was not without limits—it could not afford the slightest wastage and relied on conserving its Essence Qi prudently.
Recognizing this constraint, Zhang Yan knew exactly how to proceed.
With a faint smile, he devised a plan in his mind.
Activating a spell from the Lan Yun Secret Volume, thick clouds of mist began billowing from beneath his feet. In a blink, his surroundings turned into an expanse of dense, white fog.
Years ago, when he contended with Wang Pan, he used this technique to envelop a hundred zhang, blinding his opponent’s vision. Now, wielding his full cultivation power, the mists surged forth without restraint. The wilderness grew murky, with the air charged with an undeniably majestic force.
Before long, under the Ten Peaks Mountain, a vast mist arose, ethereal and roving, blending into chaos. Spirit Light shimmered dimly within, obscuring stars and the moon alike.
Originally, Zhang Yan only intended the mist to act as a veil, following it with the Water Element True Light to eventually dissipate the smoky fire without alerting Feng Zhen of his methods.
But as soon as the mist spread, a sudden intuition surged within him—a sensation urging him that the mist lacked something crucial.
The urgency gnawed at him, prodding him to act.
With a slight frown, Zhang Yan pondered momentarily. Then, lucidity dawned in a flash of inspiration, prompting him to laugh aloud. He shouted, releasing all 365 droplets of You Yin Heavy Water in one go.
As the droplets emerged, even without his Dharma technique’s control, they seemed guided by an unseen force, scattering throughout the dense mist. Each drop found its place, positioning itself in an intricate pattern.
Zhang Yan took a deep breath and activated another spell. Instantly, the 365 droplets of Heavy Water resonated, vibrating in unison. Streaks of lightning, serpentine and golden, weaved through the fog below, crackling with thunderous roars.
Watching the storm unfold from above the clouds, Master Sun uttered a surprised "Oh?" as a trace of astonishment flickered across his face.
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... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation!)