Chapter 147: Breakthrough, One Punch to Obliterate

Lin Qing’er was the first love of the Drunken Sword Immortal, his cherished and pure affection hidden in his heart for decades. How could he stand by and watch her turn to stone and be destroyed?

So, with great care and cunning, and with Jiang Ming’s help, he managed to move her away.

Without the seal in place, the Water Demon Beast emerged, instantly stirring waves hundreds of feet high as it launched a ferocious assault on Jiang Ming and the others.

“Why does its power feel even stronger than the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader’s?” Jiang Ming was genuinely surprised.

“That shouldn’t be possible!” The Drunken Sword Immortal frowned and asked, “Jiang, will you strike, or shall I be the one to slay it?”

“I’ll take it,” Jiang Ming replied. His shadow soul slipped out of his body, transforming into a Yin-Yang avatar. Within the moon’s embrace, the laurel tree swayed gently as the Jade Rabbit exhaled a breath of misty air, turning it into a fierce cold that instantly froze the towering waves.

Even the Water Demon Beast was encased in ice.

In an instant, the entire world was engulfed in a vast, white expanse.

“It has cultivated its primordial spirit!” The Drunken Sword Immortal’s eyes widened in shock. “To command the forces of heaven and earth, even freezing a Water Demon Beast!”

He was truly amazed.

“Impressive!” Ran Xin’s eyes grew wide.

“Awesome!” Chen Bei grinned broadly.

Bang—

Suddenly, the ice shattered as the Water Demon Beast broke free, roaring into the sky, stirring the winds and clouds into chaos, its energy surging wildly.

A storm gathered in its mouth, but before it could attack, Jiang Ming had already summoned his soul sword, slashing directly at its mind. The beast shuddered, blood seeping from its seven orifices as the storm dissipated abruptly.

Jiang Ming then activated his soul domain, completely enveloping the beast.

Crack—

A bolt of lightning struck the beast’s head, tearing skin and flesh apart.

On the moon’s surface, the laurel tree swayed, releasing the scent of osmanthus flowers, disorienting the beast’s mind. The golden crow cried out, shooting a beam of fire that nearly pierced the beast’s skull.

Ice arrows, wind blades, the cycle of life and death—all unfolded.

The shadow soul cast various spells, relentlessly subduing the Water Demon Beast, which could not even resist.

Just as it seemed the beast would be utterly destroyed, a torrent burst forth from its body—waves rippling and cold currents surging—nearly shattering the soul domain.

Howling wildly, the Water Demon Beast spat out a glowing blue pearl, summoning the power of water’s order and unleashing an endless flood of waves.

“Water Spirit Pearl!” Jiang Ming recognized it instantly, puzzled. “How did it come to possess this?”

As his thoughts raced, various theories arose.

This was the merged world; time travel was impossible. According to the original timeline, the presence of the Water Spirit Pearl here formed a paradox.

Perhaps during the world’s fusion, the Water Spirit Pearl underwent some unforeseen change.

In a way, the Water Demon Beast embodied the power of water’s order, so it made sense for the pearl to be in its possession.

“Seal it!” Jiang Ming ceased experimenting with spells. Between the rotation of the moon and sun, the laurel and hibiscus trees emitted a strange wave that seemed to suspend time itself.

The Jade Rabbit and Golden Crow transformed into beams of light that entered the Water Spirit Pearl, effortlessly erasing the Water Demon Beast’s imprint within.

“Yin-Yang Sword, strike!”

Upon emerging, the Jade Rabbit and Golden Crow merged into a single long sword, slashing straight into the beast’s sea of consciousness, nearly shattering its soul.

Though not dead, it bled profusely from every orifice, its vitality greatly diminished, and its massive body collapsed.

Jiang Ming manipulated the beast’s body with his soul power, hurling it toward Chen Bei, saying, “Here, it’s yours.”

“Thank you!” Chen Bei rejoiced, a glow blossoming on his chest. He conjured a vortex that enveloped the massive beast’s body, pulling it in.

Under the influence of an inexplicable force, the beast’s body rapidly shrank, sensing death’s approach. It struggled madly but could not break free and was ultimately swallowed whole.

Jiang Ming’s shadow soul returned to his body, and the Water Spirit Pearl appeared in his hand.

“What exactly are you all?” The Drunken Sword Immortal was deeply moved by the battle.

Each of them was extraordinary beyond measure.

Jiang Ming’s unrivaled swordsmanship had even manifested the primordial spirit, easily suppressing the Water Demon Beast at the terrestrial immortal realm.

Such power was beyond belief.

And the one beside him had first swallowed the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader and then the Water Demon Beast, which was even more astounding.

Most importantly, none of them had yet reached the terrestrial immortal realm.

“The Buddha says: It cannot be spoken, cannot be spoken!” Jiang Ming joked, then grew serious. “You must have heard of the Clay Bodhisattva, a sorcerer in the Great Martial Domain who can foresee the heavens. He predicted that in just over two years, a cataclysm spanning a thousand autumns will descend, affecting the nine great domains. Blood will flow like rivers, all beings will suffer, and it may destroy the entire world! Drunken Sword Immortal, upon returning to Mount Shu, inform your senior brother, the Sword Saint, to prepare. It would be best to eliminate all demons in the Demon Suppression Tower, for if it is destroyed during the calamity, you can imagine the consequences.”

“A thousand-autumn calamity?” The Drunken Sword Immortal was moved. “Is it true or false?”

“Your senior brother should have some sense of it,” Jiang Ming replied. “Prepare yourselves. Otherwise, your daughter, you, your senior brother, and all of Mount Shu could be utterly lost. If you cannot withstand the calamity, come to the Great Tang Academy.”

“I will remember!” The Drunken Sword Immortal cupped his hands in respect.

“Let us part here,” Jiang Ming also bowed. Then, unable to resist, he added, “Your talent is breathtaking, surpassing even your senior brother. Yet you have wasted so many years imprisoned by emotional bonds. Now that you have found your daughter, your heart knot should be untied. Focus on cultivation going forward. Under the great calamity, all beings are as ants; the only hope lies in cultivation and strength. Not just for yourself, but for your daughter as well!”

“Let’s go!” With that, Jiang Ming turned and left.

Chen Bei and Ran Xin followed.

Watching their departing backs, the Drunken Sword Immortal remained silent for a long while.

Mountains and rivers were magnificent; the world vast and boundless.

Jiang Ming and the others did not fly but walked the land with their own feet—observing mountains and rivers, enjoying the scenery and delicacies, strolling leisurely.

Yet none neglected their cultivation.

“Where to next?” Ran Xin asked.

“To the Great Tang Academy,” Jiang Ming said. “Zhou Tian will also be heading there. I’ve sent word to gather there.”

“The Great Tang Academy!” Chen Bei gazed into the distance. “I’ve heard of the scholars there, called invincible in the world. Even the Sword Saint of Mount Shu admits he cannot match them. The old master who founded the academy ignores court politics and the martial world, acting beyond the mundane to uphold righteousness and order. I have long wished to see it for myself!”

That day, amidst the mountains, they witnessed a fierce battle.

A golden-winged eagle clashed with a giant ape towering several stories high.

The golden-winged eagle soared through the sky, wielding the power of wind. Its blade of wind carved a deep ravine between the peaks.

The giant ape was even more terrifying, its blood rage shaking the heavens. Each punch thundered like a storm, forcing the eagle to keep its distance.

Even the wind blades were shattered by its blows.

One ruled the skies.

The other commanded overwhelming strength.

“That golden eagle is at the Celestial Realm, while the giant ape is eighth stage, terrestrial immortal. Its physical might is terrifying!” Chen Bei exclaimed. “Truly, demons and monsters rage wildly.”

“That suits you perfectly!” Ran Xin teased.

“Indeed!” Chen Bei rubbed his hands together, smiling at Jiang Ming. “Brother Jiang, please! With these two beasts, my strength will soar.”

“Your cultivation is quite unique!” Jiang Ming admitted with envy. “Fast enough to make others jealous!”

He already knew that by subduing powerful beings, one could elevate their own cultivation while preserving the subdued’s spirit to fight for them later.

Inconceivable.

“That’s nothing. The real speed belongs to Fang Qinghan. If he unleashed his killing intent fully…” Chen Bei paused, “He’s probably reached the terrestrial immortal realm by now! A devouring body is terrifying—anyone devoured becomes fuel for his growth. My reincarnation body’s advancement is just a side effect, not all that strong.”

“Not strong?” Ran Xin almost exploded with envy. “I’m about to go crazy with jealousy! One of you cuts through the eighth stage like it’s nothing, the other advances at an astonishing pace. I’m split apart by envy.”

“There’s still time. With your talent, you’ll surely break into the eighth stage when you leave.” Jiang Ming said, rushing forward. “Chen, take the golden-winged eagle. I’ll handle the giant ape!”

His gaze sharpened, and his soul sword pierced space and time, slashing at the eagle’s brow. The eagle screamed in alarm, attempting to wield wind energy to block the strange attack—but it was futile.

Thud—

A sharp sound was followed by the eagle’s agonizing scream as its vitality plummeted, nearly dying.

After the scream, it passed out and fell from the sky.

“If I gave it my all, I could have killed it outright!”

Jiang Ming had only used thirty percent of his strength.

At that moment, he stood before the giant ape, throwing a powerful punch. The storm it unleashed caused the ape to become wary. It turned its massive frame and struck back.

Their fists collided with a thunderous explosion, sending Jiang Ming flying hundreds of meters, smashing into a rocky cliff and leaving a deep crater.

He leapt up like an arrow and charged again at the ape.

His arm trembled from the previous blow; muscles tore, and bones seemed on the verge of collapse.

The ape’s strength was immense.

Yet Jiang Ming was unfazed.

In mere moments, his formidable recovery had restored him.

“Again!”

Jiang Ming roared, the mountains echoing his cry.

He did not channel true energy, nor employ shadow soul techniques, nor invoke the Infinite Realm—he didn’t even use his Dimensional Fist.

He relied solely on raw physical power.

Five hundred Vajra Strength doubled by his genes.

A total of one thousand Vajra Strength.

Compared to the giant ape, there was naturally a gap—a significant one.

The ape roared, its terrifying strength fueled by accumulated rage from fighting the golden-winged eagle.

Now, seeing such a small opponent daring to fight it, it was furious.

Man and beast battled fiercely, dust and mist rising, the earth trembling. Countless ferocious beasts fled in terror.

Chen Bei had already swallowed the golden eagle and now stood beside Ran Xin, wide-eyed at the battle. “Brother Jiang is too fierce! His arm’s broken, yet he fights like mad.”

“His recovery is insane!” Ran Xin was shocked. “Look—the broken arm’s nearly healed! Damn, Brother Jiang just got kicked a thousand meters away! Is he trying to cultivate by fighting the giant ape? Isn’t that risky? What if he fails and ends up dead?”

“That’s his confidence and courage!” Chen Bei admired him. “Daring to fight, daring to risk everything! His recovery is monstrous, his true energy boundless, capable of suppressing his internal organs. With his divine path cultivation, if his life is threatened, he will surely explode in power. For now, he’s using the giant ape’s raw physical strength to temper his body. I suspect he’s on the verge of a breakthrough.”

“Don’t you think his talent is abnormal?” Ran Xin bit her lip. “He hasn’t reached the seventh transformation in body cultivation yet can fight an eighth transformation giant ape. What happens when he breaks through?”

Chen Bei fell silent before saying, “I wonder what Ye Bai and Shi Lei would think if they saw this?”

“Your body must be terrifying as well,” Ran Xin murmured.

Chen Bei smiled.

They noticed Jiang Ming’s aura becoming increasingly concentrated, especially the blood-red radiance above his head, nearly solidifying.

Suddenly, his might surged violently.

His heartbeat thundered like war drums, audible to Chen Bei and Ran Xin.

“He’s broken through!” Chen Bei said. “After such a brief battle, he shattered his constraints. His physical strength skyrocketed, and with his Dimensional Fist, he’s invincible!”

“He could probably kill the giant ape with one punch!” Ran Xin was slightly envious.

The breakthrough was rapid.

His power was overwhelming.

At that moment, Jiang Ming’s momentum climbed steadily; his blood surged like a stampede. His muscles, organs, and bones underwent drastic transformation.

It was no exaggeration to say his body was being completely rebuilt.

He suddenly grew half a foot taller.

Body Refining Seventh Transformation, comparable to the Great Realm.

This stage was special—not only did strength increase dramatically, but the body’s vitality was enhanced, sometimes growing taller or smaller.

He seemed like a demon or a god, his offense and defense more varied than ever.

“Dimensional Fist, twenty-one layers!”

“Infinite Realm!”

“Die!”

At that moment, Jiang Ming erupted completely, venting the fury from earlier abuse.

Boom—

A single punch tore through space and time, terrifying the giant ape. It tried to evade but was too late. Its fist shattered, followed by its arm and shoulder exploding.

Half its body was destroyed.

Yet it still lived.

Jiang Ming kicked it into the arms of Chen Bei.

“Haha, Brother Jiang, thanks!” Chen Bei was delighted, rushing forward. “I thought you’d kill it in a burst, but you still remember your brother!”

He slapped his palm, releasing six kinds of power that drilled into the giant ape, immediately sealing its strength before absorbing it into his inner world.

“Never forget who’s got your back!”

Jiang Ming soared upward, pointing toward a distant rocky wall and said to Ran Xin, “There’s a great medicinal herb there—probably the reason for the eagle and ape’s fight. Go see if it’s useful to you.”

“Great herb?” Ran Xin’s eyes curved into crescents. “Thank you, Brother Jiang!”

She flew off.

Jiang Ming sensed the transformation within himself, especially a significant surge in strength.

(The chapter ends)