Chapter 1073: Will Cut It Down

Chen Mobai stood atop the Grand One Five-Smoke Net, observing Li Li. After revealing its true form, Li Li drew an incessant stream of telluric energy from within a ten-thousand-mile radius, causing Chen Mobai to nod slightly.

This was the true power of the Deification stage: the ability to draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to augment oneself. Ordinary cultivators refine spiritual energy within their bodies into power, deploying it as needed; their realm is determined by the amount of spiritual power they possess. Even Nascent Soul cultivators fall within this scope. However, those who master powerful spells, sword intent, magical artifacts, or Dao fruits can, at a rudimentary level, call upon some of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, even if they are not at the Deification stage. For instance, Chen Mobai could use the Purple Lightning Sword to draw upon the yang-attributed power of heavenly lightning, enhancing the might of his sword intent. Yet, compared to Deification cultivators, this was a world of difference.

After acquiring a Primordial Spirit Dharma Idol, and through years of cultivation according to their specific methods, cultivators become highly attuned to a certain type of spiritual energy between heaven and and earth. They can even be seen as the crystallization, nexus, and core of that spiritual energy. Thus, as long as they wish, they can deploy it instantly without needing to refine it. Spells and divine abilities amplified by drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth are at least ten to dozens of times more powerful than usual, with some even increasing in might by hundreds of times. For this reason, while powerful Nascent Soul cultivators might possess Fifth-Tier True Energy, Fifth-Tier Forged Physique, or Fifth-Tier Divine Sense, they generally stand no chance against true Deification cultivators. For example, Chen Mobai's second Primordial Spirit can now use the power of the Fire Grand Dao as its core to draw upon the fire spiritual energy of heaven and earth, augmenting itself. Although Li Li might be at the lower end of Fifth-Tier beings, it is invincible against anyone who is not a Deification cultivator.

"Brat, prepare to die!"

After revealing its true form, hundreds of feet tall, Li Li's eyes widened, and clouds swirled with its every breath. Two thick, long tusks gleamed with a dark yellow demonic light. In an instant, all the converging earth spiritual energy nearby was controlled by it, condensing into slender stone pillars in the void, which roared towards Chen Mobai.

"Using you, a Fifth-Tier True Spirit, to declare my strength is actually better than I had imagined."

As Chen Mobai spoke, the Pure Yang Pearl behind his head glowed, burning with fiery light, transforming into his miniaturized second Primordial Spirit. The second Primordial Spirit waved its sword-finger with its right hand. The Primordial Yang Sword flew out from his domain, emitting brilliant golden light, and manifested the "Peace-Bearing Sword" technique. All the roaring slender stone pillars, upon approaching Chen Mobai, were shattered by the golden light erupting from the sword, turning into finer stones that rained down upon the earth.

Su Taifeng, witnessing this scene, immediately widened his eyes, his face filled with shock. "Deification? You're actually a Deification cultivator!" Chen Mobai's effortless sword strike was a level more formidable than the "One Sword Breaks All Laws" attack unleashed earlier by the Myriad Sword Dharma Body, which had wielded the Purple Lightning Sword with all its might. This sword, also "One Sword Breaks All Laws," felt to Su Taifeng exactly like the attacks of Yu Taiping of the Supreme Palace. That was a mighty expert whose mere gaze could make him lower his head, daring not to look directly.

"I wouldn't quite call myself Deification yet, but killing a Fifth-Tier True Spirit and a rat like you, who won't even reveal your name, is no problem."

After revealing his second Primordial Spirit, Chen Mobai had no intention of wasting any more time. Though his years of "fishing" hadn't snared the expected figures like Tu De, catching a Fifth-Tier True Spirit and a Celestial Spirit Pill was already an unexpected bonus. Furthermore, if this Su Taifeng truly was the Dao Child of the Myriad Spirit Sect from the Central Continent, then killing him would need to be handled discreetly. After all, he had just happened to encounter a wild Fifth-Tier True Spirit on his way out today and dealt with it. As for Su Taifeng, he didn't know him, hadn't seen him, and couldn't be blamed if he died. With that thought, the second Primordial Spirit immediately wielded the Primordial Yang Sword and struck a blow towards Su Taifeng, who was hiding to the side, initially intending to watch the show.

"Save me..." Su Taifeng unleashed the full power of his Mount Tai Seal, simultaneously casting an earth evasion technique to dodge the sword strike, and shouted towards Li Li, who was not far away. He knew perfectly well that in a fight against a Deification cultivator, he could at most block one or two moves. If he wanted to survive today, his only hope was Li Li, the Fifth-Tier True Spirit.

Clearly, Su Taifeng held some status in Li Li's eyes. Seeing Chen Mobai's sword strike, it roared in anger, spitting out a tusk from its mouth, which transformed into a beam of dazzling white light, blocking the Primordial Yang Sword mid-air from a distance. The instant the sword and tusk collided, a blazing golden light erupted. The sharp, scorching sword intent carved a small gash into the tusk. This tusk was one of the essences of Li Li's true body, refined over thousands of years of cultivation. With the aid of the Myriad Spirit Sect, it had been fused with numerous Fifth-Tier minerals, making its hardness among the top tier within the Fifth Tier. However, facing one of the Immortal Sect's three great flying swords, imbued with the "One Sword Breaks All Laws" enhancement of Primordial Yang Sword Intent, it was still at a disadvantage. But at least, Su Taifeng survived.

"You go first; I'll find you later." Li Li looked at its tusk, which had a slight cut, with a pained expression. Yet, upon realizing Chen Mobai's formidable strength, it immediately urged Su Taifeng to retreat. Although Su Taifeng could employ some Fifth-Tier techniques, in a true Deification battlefield, he would only be cannon fodder. Staying here would force Li Li to divert its attention to protect him, which would instead hinder its own strength.

"Thank you, senior! I'll wait for you in the Central Continent!" At this point, Su Taifeng had no desire to regain face; he only wanted to escape with his life. He regretted his arrogance, coming with only a Fifth-Tier Li Li. If he had known, he would have invited his master's Kui Beast as well. After returning this time, he would immediately take the Celestial Spirit Pill and attempt to break through to Deification. Once he mastered some powerful divine abilities from the Myriad Spirit Grand Law, he would find a way to trouble this "Old Turtle Chen"... As Su Taifeng plotted revenge in his mind, his movements were swift. A Heaven Escape Talisman was activated, and a brilliant silver sphere of light enveloped him, signaling his imminent teleportation.

However, Chen Mobai, suspended in mid-air, extended his right index finger and lightly drew a line in the void towards Su Taifeng's location. Su Taifeng suddenly felt a sharp pain in his neck. He reached up and touched it, finding blood. His eyes widened. He didn't know when he had been injured. "Why isn't the Heaven Escape Talisman working?" But at that moment, he discovered the worst possible thing. The silver light sphere that had enveloped him had suddenly vanished. This was because Chen Mobai had used the Void Blade, borrowing the void energy stored within the Heaven Escape Talisman from a distance, to strike Su Taifeng with a sword.

"Your body is tougher than I imagined. I thought that strike would be enough to separate your head from your body." Chen Mobai observed that Su Taifeng merely had a line of blood appearing on his neck, his head still attached, and nodded with a hint of approval.

"This is... Grand Void True Sword Art!" At this moment, Su Taifeng suddenly realized: only someone from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace could stop a Heaven Escape Talisman, and only this incredibly profound supreme sword art could condense the void energy of a Heaven Escape Talisman into a sword to slay an enemy. "Aren't you the successor of True Monarch One Origin?" Su Taifeng was grateful for his Mount Tai Seal. It was this artifact's instinctive protection that had blocked most of the Void Blade's power, coupled with his strong physique, which resulted in the sword merely grazing his skin. However, the fact that Chen Mobai knew the Grand Void True Sword Art shocked him immensely. He even began to suspect that the Grand Void Ethereal Palace wanted to steal the legacy of True Monarch One Origin, and had thus arranged Chen Mobai as an undercover agent. This was because the Grand Void Ethereal Palace was incredibly powerful, and aside from techniques like their Vacuum Dharma Body that they themselves propagated, inheritances like the Grand Void True Sword Art had never been leaked.

"I merely took charge of the Dao lineage left by True Monarch One Origin and am working to make it flourish. Don't worry, I am not from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace."

As Chen Mobai spoke, his second Primordial Spirit had already flown out from beside him. While the Primordial Yang Sword was blocked by Li Li's tusk, it directly flicked a finger, simultaneously activating the Fire Dao Fruit and drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, unleashing another sword strike towards Su Taifeng. He hadn't expected the Void Blade to kill Su Taifeng initially; merely disabling the Heaven Escape Talisman was sufficient.

The moment the second Primordial Spirit made its move, Su Taifeng, facing it directly, immediately revealed a look of despair. In that instant, he confirmed that Chen Mobai was indeed a Deification cultivator. Su Taifeng simultaneously channeled his essential true energy into the Mount Tai Seal, intending to use the artifact to withstand the attack, while also attempting to escape towards Li Li's body. At the same time, Li Li roared furiously, spraying a stream of earthy yellow divine light from its massive snout. This light, carrying terrifying power to congeal all things, spread towards Chen Mobai's main body, hoping to force him to recall his second Primordial Spirit for self-preservation.

However, Chen Mobai merely smiled faintly, his entire being shimmering with silver light before abruptly vanishing from his spot. Immediately after, Su Taifeng, who was about to move, suddenly found himself unable to stir. "Void Lock! You still claim you're not from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace!" Feeling his entire body bound in place, Su Taifeng had only one thought.

Li Li also sensed something was wrong at this moment. From a distance, it called upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, causing the surrounding earth to rise, forming layers of soil defense that protected Su Taifeng. The Primordial Yang Sword Art of the second Primordial Spirit struck down, golden light raining. Layers of soil were cut open. Simultaneously, fire and earth spiritual energy from within a ten-thousand-mile radius began to swarm, intensifying the fierce confrontation under the augmentation of the two Deification stage cultivators. Amidst roars and explosions, the earth cracked open with fissures, spewing forth scorching magma and flames. The final layer of soil enveloping Su Taifeng was also breached, revealing his charred body. However, Chen Mobai's Fifth-Tier "Empty Valley Sound" heard the sound of his breathing. Blocked by Li Li's intervention, which countered most of the Primordial Yang Sword Qi, coupled with his Mount Tai Seal and Fifth-Tier Forged Physique, he had actually withstood this attack. This made Chen Mobai reveal a look of admiration. If he hadn't cultivated his second Primordial Spirit in the Immortal Sect, the outcome of a battle against this person would have been genuinely uncertain. But now, both Su Taifeng and Li Li had to die here.

With a thought, a cold glint flashed in Chen Mobai's eyes. The Primordial Yang Sword burst forth with brilliant golden light, causing Li Li's tusks to ignite with flames. Although the tusk was detached, it was still part of its body. Thus, Li Li felt an unprecedented searing heat and had to retract it from beneath the Primordial Yang Sword's blade.

"You take care of that pig; I'll handle this Su Wuming." Chen Mobai said to his second Primordial Spirit, simultaneously handing him the Pure Yang Immortal Robe he was wearing. The six pieces of the Pure Yang Set, when combined, could increase a Pure Yang Scroll cultivator's strength by twenty percent. While it was certain that the second Primordial Spirit could defeat Li Li, Chen Mobai still didn't want to take any chances.

"Alright!" The second Primordial Spirit nodded, immediately wielding the Pure Yang Set, transforming back into a Pure Yang Pearl. It then ascended into the sky, growing larger and larger, like a blazing sun with purple light radiating from its edges, appearing out of thin air in the desolate ruins, incinerating all things. The earth first dried and cracked, then began to melt, indicating an extremely high temperature. Li Li, the Fifth-Tier True Spirit, with a solemn expression, enveloped its entire body in the earthy yellow divine light sprayed from its snout, resisting the sun's divine radiance emanating from the second Primordial Spirit in the sky.

This was Ancestor Yuanyang's "Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Purple Extreme Aspect." Although Chen Mobai's second Primordial Spirit was limited by its realm and could only manifest a rudimentary form, it was still a powerful Dharma Idol Li Li had never seen before. The purple light radiating from the sun's edge was the Primordial Yang Sword Qi, refined to its extreme through the Primordial Yang Sword. It was not merely Fifth-Tier in power, but also contained the "One Sword Breaks All Laws" and even the power of the Fire Grand Dao. Beams of purple light shot towards Li Li, causing the earthy yellow divine light on its body to continuously ripple and fluctuate. Earth spiritual energy from within a ten-thousand-mile radius was incessantly drawn, absorbed, and refined by it, augmenting its innate divine ability, as it sought to weather this onslaught.

Through their mental connection, Chen Mobai's main body experienced the combat insights of his second Primordial Spirit's Pure Yang Scroll at the Deification stage, and also comprehended Ancestor Yuanyang's realm from back then. Afterward, his gaze fell upon Su Taifeng, who was charred black and struggling to stand not far away.

"I am Su Taifeng, Dao Child of the Myriad Spirit Sect. My master is True Monarch Celestial Spirit, one of the Four True Monarchs of the Heavenly River Realm. You cannot kill me..." At this point, Su Taifeng could only reveal his identity, hoping Chen Mobai would show some restraint.

"I don't believe you. I think you're an impostor." Chen Mobai said with a smile.

"I can swear an oath to prove I'm telling the truth. I also have proof of being a Myriad Spirit Sect Dao Child on me. And I really do have a Celestial Spirit Pill, but refining this pill requires my sect's secret method, otherwise it's poison. If you let me go, I'll teach you both the pill and the secret method..." To save his life, Su Taifeng took out a jade bottle from his storage bag and directly threw it to Chen Mobai. Inside was the genuine Celestial Spirit Pill. Chen Mobai used a void technique to suspend the jade bottle in mid-air, then opened it. He used the Immortal Sect's pill appraisal method for a quick look, confirming it was a Fifth-Tier high-grade pill. However, whether it was truly a Celestial Spirit Pill and if it could aid Deification required a more detailed appraisal. But what Chen Mobai feared least was poison. As long as the pill itself was fine, he could rely on the "Phoenix Facing the Sun" diagram's "Quality Eating" ability to consume and refine it.

"I'd feel more at ease with you dead." Chen Mobai collected the Celestial Spirit Pill into his domain, then spoke words to Su Taifeng that filled him with despair. At that moment, Su Taifeng understood: Chen Mobai didn't disbelieve his identity; he was simply determined to kill him.

"My master won't let you off!" Su Taifeng looked at Li Li, who was being suppressed by the second Primordial Spirit not far away, and could only place his last hope on the name of True Monarch Celestial Spirit.

"That's a matter for the future. And if he doesn't know his place, perhaps it will be me who doesn't let him off." Chen Mobai knew that he and Su Taifeng were now mortal enemies. Letting him go would only invite endless trouble. Moreover, he had heard Ye Qing say that the Myriad Spirit Sect, for some special reason, could not set foot in the Eastern Continent.

As he spoke, the Myriad Sword Dharma Body appeared behind Chen Mobai. The Purple Lightning Sword was grasped again, and with a soft sound, it effortlessly pierced through Su Taifeng's chest. Facing imminent death, Su Taifeng roared, his Nascent Soul exiting his body, clutching the Mount Tai Seal, and detonating his Fifth-Tier physical form. Using the powerful blood energy surge, he forcibly broke free from the Void Lock's restraints, transforming into a yellow light intending to escape. However, Chen Mobai's swordsmanship had long reached perfection. With the Myriad Sword Dharma Body activated, the Purple Lightning Sword flew from his hand, at the world's utmost speed of Sword Qi Thunder Sound, it curved in the air, effortlessly catching up to Su Taifeng. Amidst the roaring thunderous sword light, Su Taifeng's Nascent Soul was utterly annihilated. Only the Mount Tai Seal remained perfectly intact, falling from the sky. Chen Mobai's main body pointed a finger, and the void opened, drawing the Mount Tai Seal into his domain as well. Unfortunately, Su Taifeng's storage bag was destroyed when he detonated his physical body. Chen Mobai's main body cultivation was, after all, not as strong as his second Primordial Spirit's, so dealing with such enemies required ensuring the kill first. But with the Celestial Spirit Pill, the Mount Tai Seal, and the Fifth-Tier True Spirit Li Li, this harvest was already highly satisfying to him.

Li Li, seeing that Chen Mobai had already slain Su Taifeng while it was being suppressed, also showed a shocked expression. Thinking of True Monarch Celestial Spirit's temper, it couldn't help but shiver. However, its own life was now uncertain, so it could only swallow hard and propose a truce: "Kid, I was merely instigated by Su Taifeng. He said to accompany him on a trip to the Eastern Continent to abduct the True Spirit Yellow Dragon. Now that the culprit is dead, there's no reason for us to continue fighting. How about we each take a step back?" Facing the second Primordial Spirit, which had manifested the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Purple Extreme Aspect and possessed the Fire Dao Fruit, Li Li, after a brief exchange, realized it was no match and thus sought to beg for mercy.

"Didn't I just hear you say you wanted to marry my family's Yellow Dragon?" Chen Mobai looked at Li Li, whose body was enveloped in earthy yellow divine light and was beginning to shrink, and held a grudge.

"It's all a misunderstanding! Besides, I'm handsome and charming, and still single. It's perfectly normal for a gentleman to seek a lady's hand. Please, Sect Master Chen, don't take it to heart." Li Li began to quibble.

Chen Mobai couldn't be bothered with its nonsense. A Fifth-Tier True Spirit must have signed a contract with a Deification True Monarch of the Myriad Spirit Sect, so it was impossible for it to surrender to him. And as long as it returned alive, the fact that he had slain Su Taifeng today would be confirmed with evidence. In that case, even if the Eastern Continent was a forbidden area for the Myriad Spirit Sect, True Monarch Celestial Spirit might use this as an excuse to cross the sea and come. After Yuan Qingque's ascension, the Eastern Continent had no cultivator capable of stopping a peak Deification like True Monarch Celestial Spirit. Although Chen Mobai knew that this matter probably couldn't be kept secret, as long as there was no concrete evidence, the Myriad Spirit Sect would be bound by the rules. Therefore, today, Su Taifeng must die, and Li Li must die!

With this thought, Chen Mobai instructed his second Primordial Spirit to stop probing. "Go all out and slaughter this pig."

As soon as Chen Mobai spoke, Li Li became both furious and anxious. "I told you I'm not a pig! You damned arrogant brat, you have no idea how terrifying True Monarch Celestial Spirit is! Do you really think you can toy with me as you please? My defensive power alone, I tell you, can even hold off a mid-stage Deification cultivator!" At this moment, Li Li had already retracted its true form. However, its pure and vast earth elemental true energy also condensed accordingly. As earth spiritual energy from within a ten-thousand-mile radius continuously gathered, the earthy yellow spiritual light on its surface, which had dimmed due to the purple light's barrage, suddenly brightened and became denser again. Chen Mobai listened with his Fifth-Tier "Empty Valley Sound" and found that Li Li had poured most of its power into defense.

After doing all this, Li Li's four chicken-like feet landed on the earth. Strange spiritual light flickered beneath its paws, and its entire shrunken body, forcibly enduring the scorching sword qi of the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Purple Extreme Aspect, began to sink into the earth. Earth evasion technique, for this earth-elemental divine beast, was its signature ability. For thousands of years, when it was weak, it had used this spell to escape countless calamities. After it became Fifth-Tier, it had never used earth evasion to flee again. Unexpectedly, it had to use it once more today.

"You pig, you're even more cowardly than I imagined." Chen Mobai had originally thought that Li Li, as a Fifth-Tier True Spirit, would at least put on a bit of a show when facing his second Primordial Spirit. Unexpectedly, upon realizing it was no match, it immediately retreated into defense, and now was even trying to flee directly. Colorful light flickered in his pupils. As his "Rhythm of Five Tones" realm activated, he had already found a way to counter this earth evasion technique.

Within the great sun manifested by the second Primordial Spirit in mid-air, an ancient bronze mirror lit up, transforming into a beam of fiery divine light that descended upon the earth. The extremely high temperature immediately melted the earth into magma. Li Li, who was still attempting to escape through the earth, was immediately forced out because Chen Mobai had infused Profound Yang Divine Light into the ground, disrupting its earth evasion. However, since earth evasion was Li Li's innate divine ability, it was naturally extraordinary. It quickly adapted to the new magma environment, adjusted its earth elemental true energy, and, enveloping itself, began to sink again.

During this process, the Primordial Yang Sword flew out from within the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Purple Extreme Aspect. After absorbing the Pure Yang Set and sufficient Innate Pure Yang Qi, it regained a sliver of its peak splendor. With the Dharma Aspect's augmentation, the Primordial Yang Sword aimed at Li Li, who had submerged into the earth. The latter immediately felt a chill down its spine, and a wave of deathly threat surged into its mind. *What this brat said was true; he really hadn't gone all out before.* As horror filled Li Li's heart, it didn't want to test the "One Sword Breaks All Laws" of a Deification sword cultivator with its defense. It redirected more of its earth elemental true energy into its earth evasion, aiming to sink deeper into the earth, using the ground to block that terrifyingly formidable Sword of Holy Virtue from the sky.

But at this moment, Chen Mobai, with the help of his "Rhythm of Five Tones," had already countered Li Li's earth evasion for the second time. The Grand One Five-Smoke Net flew out from his sleeve, transforming into the Fifth-Tier Grand One Luo Tian Array, integrating itself into this melted earth. The key materials within the Grand One Five-Smoke Net were extracted from magma, and it could not only manifest the five elemental transformations but also, conversely, disrupt the five elements. With Chen Mobai simultaneously employing his "Connecting Heaven's Blessings" and "Responding to Earth's Spirits" realms, the Grand One Luo Tian Array was instantly activated to its peak, becoming the spiritual core of this land. Then, using his Fifth-Tier divine sense, he controlled and commanded all the five elemental spiritual energy within a thousand-mile radius. This range was somewhat narrow for a Deification cultivator, but it was just right for dealing with Li Li, who had just submerged using earth evasion. The five elemental spiritual energies within a thousand-mile radius instantly became chaotic under the control of the Grand One Luo Tian Array. The once perfect earth evasion technique failed again, and Li Li's figure, covered in earthy yellow divine light, reappeared. And at this moment, the Primordial Yang Sword descended perfectly from the sky.

"No!" Li Li turned its head, saw the Primordial Yang Sword, radiating brilliant golden light, descending before its eyes, and couldn't help but cry out in alarm. It spewed out all the earthy divine light from its body, attempting to block the Primordial Yang Sword. However, the second Primordial Spirit manifested the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Purple Extreme Aspect precisely to unseal and empower the Primordial Yang Sword. This sword strike even utilized a trace of the Pure Yang Qi left by Ancestor Yuanyang. Li Li's earthy divine light was indeed extraordinary, greatly slowing the Primordial Yang Sword's speed, but the blade still descended unstoppably. In Li Li's desperate eyes, it watched as the Primordial Yang Sword pierced through its head, emerging from its chin. The immense force caused its body to be driven down, collapsing onto the ground. Amidst rumbling roars, the entire earth, centered around it, continuously caved in. Scorching golden flames spread from the Primordial Yang Sword, melting the earth layer by layer.

After a long while, Chen Mobai's main body waved his sleeve, dispersing the dust-filled air. He looked at the giant sunken pit before him, gently floated down, and in the very center, found Li Li, pinned by the Primordial Yang Sword, charred black and lifeless. Under that previous sword strike, Li Li's spiritual consciousness had been completely incinerated. All that remained there now was the corpse of a Fifth-Tier True Spirit.

But immediately, Chen Mobai thought of something, his expression subtly changing, and he quickly bent down to examine. After a moment, he straightened up, letting out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Li Li's essence blood hadn't been burned dry; otherwise, today's endeavor would have been a huge loss.

At this moment, the second Primordial Spirit also transformed into a human form and descended. Looking at his first Deification-level opponent slain, Chen Mobai couldn't help but take out his phone and had his second Primordial Spirit, holding the Primordial Yang Sword that pinned Li Li, take nine photos. Although it wasn't suitable to post on the Immortal Sect's "Moments" (social media), he could at least show them to Qing Nu. Not to show off, but simply to keep as a memento.