Chapter 158: Another Genetic Metamorphosis

The great upheaval across the realm was startling to behold.

Hearing the accounts filled Jiang Ming with a murderous intent and a fierce, tyrannical urge.

His martial arts cultivation had already reached the peak of the seventh realm. Advancing to the eighth realm would likely require further accumulation of time and rigorous tempering before he could attempt a breakthrough with absolute certainty.

The eighth realm involved the condensation of the Martial Dao Golden Elixir.

This was no ordinary advancement; a single misstep could result in the destruction of his cultivation and certain death. He intended to amass sufficient foundation before shattering the boundary in one decisive move.

His divine path cultivation had also reached the peak of the seventh stage. With his dominant soul talent, breaking through to the eighth stage would not be difficult, provided the right opportunity presented itself.

The same held true for his physical body refinement.

Thus, the fastest way to enhance his combat power right now was to cultivate the Cosmic Gene Technique. He had successfully comprehended three layers of this profound art.

The first layer, granting a twofold genetic tier, had been mastered shortly after his arrival in this world within the Lanyun Grotto, evolving his genes and sublimating the essence of his life.

Now, after two or three years of consolidation, further refinement, and with the Five Spirit Pearls in his possession, Jiang Ming was fully confident of achieving a breakthrough.

"You're attempting a breakthrough again?" Ye Bai asked in astonishment.

Chen Bei stared in wide-eyed shock.

Wang Qiutong was utterly dumbfounded.

Everyone present gasped in amazement before shaking their heads in unison.

This fellow truly was a monstrous anomaly.

"My cultivation this time is rather unique. I require an extremely tranquil environment, and I must ask you all to guard me," Jiang Ming said.

"Consider it our absolute duty!" Chen Bei and the others nodded with grave expressions.

Jiang Ming leaped into the air, darting into a nearby mountain cave. It had once been designated as a forbidden cultivation ground by the Hanging Temple, making it exceptionally quiet and secure.

Once he entered, Chen Bei crossed his legs and sat just outside the cave entrance.

The others dispersed to the surrounding areas, continuing their own cultivation while standing guard for Jiang Ming.

Inside the cave.

Jiang Ming sat cross-legged, placing the Five Spirit Pearls beside him. After a careful inspection, he used his supreme cultivation to directly refine them, erasing all internal imprints and traces.

Only the incomparably pure primordial energy remained.

With everything prepared, he closed his eyes, adjusted his state of mind, and maintained a state of serene emptiness.

"There is only one chance. Success means everything; failure means death!"

Jiang Ming hardened his resolve even further.

For the past three years, he had constantly analyzed the intricacies of the Cosmic Gene Technique, dissecting it to its absolute limits and even simulating the process over a hundred times in his mind.

Otherwise, he would never have attempted such a hasty cultivation.

A long while later, Jiang Ming circulated the cultivation technique. Guarding his mind with his powerful spirit and utilizing his Infinite Gene talent to control every fiber of his being, a violent upheaval began within his body.

His old genetic sequences gradually collapsed, while brand-new sequences began to be born.

This was an immensely complex process, akin to shattering oneself and being reforged anew.

The danger involved was far more terrifying than his past battle with Emperor Pino, yet Jiang Ming proceeded step by step, following the exact method.

Outside the cave.

A terrifying torrent had already been stirred up. He seemed to transform into a black hole, frantically plundering the primordial energy of heaven and earth. The Five Spirit Pearls hovered around his body, spinning at dizzying speeds as the vast vital essence within them was drawn out and integrated into his physique.

Simultaneously, the true qi stored within his dantian space and acupoints poured into his flesh and blood, absorbed entirely by his evolving genes.

This was a drastic metamorphosis, one that demanded the support of boundless energy.

Jiang Ming’s aura began to fluctuate erratically, plunging at one point to an extreme weakness before vanishing altogether. This caused Chen Bei and the others guarding outside to tense up, nearly rushing into the cave to investigate.

Yet, remembering Jiang Ming's instructions—that no matter what commotion arose, they must not worry, let alone barge in—they held their ground.

"May everything go smoothly!"

They silently prayed in their hearts.

Before long, they sensed Jiang Ming’s aura reappear, surging upward at an astonishing rate. Once it reached its peak, it broke through a threshold, stepping firmly into a brand-new realm.

The terrifying pressure unleashed by the breakthrough directly caused the mountain peak to collapse.

Chen Bei and the others were shocked, hastily channeling their power to blast away the falling boulders. To their utter dismay, they found themselves feeling oppressed under Jiang Ming's rising aura.

No, it should be called suppression.

A suppression originating directly from the bloodline.

Even Ye Bai felt it.

Boom...

The next moment, the entire mountain peak exploded. Jiang Ming soared out from the wreckage, shooting straight up into mid-air before stabilizing himself. Treading the empty air with white clouds hovering above his head, facing the howling gale, he looked up at the blazing sun.

Jiang Ming was overcome with joy.

He had succeeded.

The second layer of the Cosmic Gene Technique was successfully mastered, raising his genetic tier to fivefold.

His base physical strength, formerly fifteen hundred vajra units, instantly soared to seventy-five hundred vajra units.

The Boundless Intent provided a tenfold amplification.

The Inch Fist, at its twenty-third layer, delivered a twenty-fourfold explosive force.

The Art of Size Manipulation allowed him to grow to a height of nine meters, unleashing threefold power.

Combined into an ultimate punch—

"I can unleash a force of 5.4 million vajra units."

Clenching his fist, even Jiang Ming was shaken to his core.

The absolute limit of an ordinary mortal body was three thousand vajra units. Even with a threefold amplification from Size Manipulation, it only reached nine thousand units.

Even when practicing certain boosting techniques, pushing a single punch to ten thousand vajra units was already considered the apex.

And what about him?

5.4 million vajra units!

How utterly defying of the heavens was that?

"If I land a solid punch with this, I could blast the Master to pieces, right?"

Jiang Ming looked toward the distant skies thousands of miles above Chang'an, pondering inwardly.

It wasn't a possibility; it was a certainty.

He would definitely blast him to pieces.

"However, in terms of physical body refinement, I have essentially reached the limit of this stage. Even stepping into the eighth revolution would only raise my base strength to three thousand vajra units. Aside from that, it would grant severed limb regeneration and a massive boost to recovery."

"The eighth realm is a major milestone in cultivation."

"Only beyond the eighth realm does one truly become a powerhouse."

"To further enhance my physical combat power in the next step, I must focus my efforts on the Inch Fist, or perhaps seek other methods..."

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Jiang Ming's mind. He descended, landing on a neighboring mountaintop.

Chen Bei and the others walked over, looking at Jiang Ming with undisguised confusion.

They could clearly sense that Jiang Ming's strength had increased, yet he had not broken through to the eighth realm. It was extremely strange.

Recalling the numerous profound intents Jiang Ming had already comprehended, they brushed off their doubts. This fellow was simply a freak of nature.

"Next, I plan to travel around various places, allowing this newly increased power to settle and preparing the foundation for my next breakthrough," Jiang Ming said as he sat cross-legged, openly stating his plans and offering advice. "You can also travel to different regions to temper your martial arts and accumulate experience; or you can continue your secluded cultivation here since we've already reinforced this place and safety isn't an issue; or you can head to the Tianwu Manor in Chang'an. Comparatively speaking, it is still relatively safe there. Right now, many powerhouses within the Tang territory have gathered in Chang'an. Even if the city-protecting grand array is breached, there won't be any major problems for a while."

"I plan to travel around as well. Staying by your side all the time leaves me with no room to play my part," Ye Bai laughed. "Without experiencing life-and-death battles, how can one temper their martial arts and forge an invincible will?"

"I'll also wander about and complete some missions along the way. Otherwise, if you end up slaughtering all the eighth-realm foreign entities, we'll miss out on all the fun," Chen Bei joked.

"What about me?" Ran Xin said with a helpless expression. "My combat power is quite strong, yet also rather ordinary. Among peers of the same rank, I am nearly invincible; but fighting opponents above my level is quite difficult."

"Why don't the two of us team up? I'll be breaking through very soon. When we encounter ordinary eighth-realm powerhouses, you can take them down first; if we encounter formidable enemies, you can hold them down while I deal the fatal blow," Wang Qiutong suggested. "In two or three months at most, I am confident I can break through. By then, even facing a powerhouse like Emperor Pino, I'll suppress them with a flick of my hand."

"Sister Wang, I'll be relying on you to carry me from now on," Ran Xin said, overjoyed.

In truth, she had wanted to follow Jiang Ming, but she knew that doing so would only make her a burden.

"If only I had reached the eighth realm... With my support, even facing Emperor Guizhang, I could create opportunities for Brother Jiang."

Ran Xin's mind raced with thoughts.

Everyone had their own plans.

They spent the day eating, drinking, reminiscing about the past, and discussing the future.

They also agreed to eventually reunite in Chang'an.

Additionally, they designated Ren Tianxing to act as their liaison.

The next day, the group parted ways, though the bond between them was now far closer than when they had first arrived—so much so that they could safely entrust their backs to one another.

Jiang Ming was the first to arrive outside Cotton City, located a thousand miles away from Chang'an City. Standing atop a mountain thirty miles outside the city was a youth in white robes, though his garments were now stained with dust.

His face was weathered with frost, and his eyes were filled with profound exhaustion.

At that moment, the man turned his head, saw Jiang Ming appear, and couldn't help breaking into a smile. He cupped his fists and said, "Greetings, Mr. Jiang."

Though older than Jiang Ming, he showed the utmost respect.

"Eldest Senior Brother!" Jiang Ming returned the salute.

The man before him was none other than Li Manman, the Eldest Senior Brother of the Academy.

"How is the situation right now?" Jiang Ming inquired.

He had heard from Ren Tianxing that Li Manman had engaged a terrifying entity—a being so domineering that it had effortlessly slapped the Haotian Dao Light Envoy to death, killed the sect master, and left even the Watcher helpless.

Later on, Li Manman had managed to stall that entity.

The Watcher, the supreme powerhouse behind Haotian Dao, had gone into seclusion to heal his injuries and had not appeared since, his intentions unknown.

"Not optimistic," Li Manman said. "It is the Second Guizhang Emperor, Zhang Jingtian. He has rallied many members of the Guizhang clan and taken control of Cotton City. He is strong—extremely, extremely strong. I am no match for him. However, for the time being, he cannot do anything to me either. He wants to expand his territory, wage wars everywhere, and plunder the population, but I refuse to engage him in a protracted war. Whenever he dares to leave, I slaughter his clansmen. Trapped in this stalemate out of caution, one of us stays inside the city while the other remains outside. Every few days, the two of us clash in a great battle."

"He is strong, immensely strong."

"If not for my Realm of No Distance, coupled with your later guidance on spatial principles, I would have been killed by him long ago."

"During our battles, I have also improved considerably, and I can now barely contend with him head-on."

"He has eight tentacles, swift and flexible like divine weapons, extending and retracting at will."

"Most terrifying of all are his numerous eyes, which disrupt the mind, destroy the will, and can even exert control. When I first faced them, I was almost killed. It is utterly terrifying."

"He can also shift into an illusory state. Though it is not the Dao of Space, it is extremely eerie. If the transition into illusion weren't slightly sluggish, it would be even more horrifying."

"Once he turns illusory, it is extremely difficult to sense him. Even if sensed, it is hard to land an attack."

"He cannot attack while in the illusory state, and transitioning back and forth requires time; otherwise, I would already be dead."

"There were a few times he shifted into illusion and slipped away. If I hadn't been vigilant, the surrounding area would have been completely devastated."

Li Manman recounted all the details he had gathered.

"Illusionary, difficult to detect, even harder to attack, yet not belonging to the Dao of Space..." Jiang Ming frowned. This was the first time he had ever heard of such an ability.

Clearly, it had nothing to do with the Dao of Illusions either.

As for mental attacks and the like, he cared little for them.

"Eldest Senior Brother, how about you lure him out? I'd like to test whether I can destroy him!" Jiang Ming suggested.

He circulated the Heavenly Cycle Astral Body Protection technique, using his acupoints as roots to seal his formidable blood-qi energy, deliberately revealing only the ordinary aura of the seventh realm.

"Very well!" Li Manman did not hesitate, agreeing immediately.

Clearly, he trusted Jiang Ming's strength.

"Shall we go now?"

"Right now!"

"Good, I'll lure him out!"

With that, Li Manman teleported and appeared in the sky above Cotton City. Without shouting, an octopus-like monster with tentacles stretching two hundred meters long surged out from the ground below.

Every single tentacle was covered in countless bizarre eyes, constantly warping the surrounding space and throwing the natural order into chaos.

"Li Manman, I haven't come looking for you, yet you dare to provoke me? You're courting death!" The Second Guizhang Emperor roared in fury, fixing all of its eyes upon the sky.

Li Manman wore a startled expression and took a step back, instantly reappearing in the sky outside the city.

Whoosh...

The Second Guizhang Emperor gave chase, its tentacles lashing out to shatter the void in a single strike. Several other tentacles vibrated consecutively, twisting space to make it difficult for Li Manman to teleport.

At some point, a sword appeared in Li Manman's hand. Spatial swordsmanship was executed to the absolute limit in his grasp, allowing him to trade blows with the Second Guizhang Emperor without falling behind.

Fighting and retreating simultaneously, they quickly arrived at the mountaintop where Jiang Ming was waiting.

"So you brought a helper. Did you really think just anyone could threaten me by finding random reinforcements?" The Second Guizhang Emperor sneered, the pair of eyes on its main head filled with cold ruthlessness.

"Threat? No, I'm here to slay you!" Jiang Ming shouted as he charged forward. He had already drawn the Fire Scale Sword, which cleaved the void apart, only to be swatted away by one of the creature's tentacles.

"So strong!" Jiang Ming feigned shock.

"Be careful!" Li Manman issued a warning before abruptly unleashing his full power.

The power of his Heavenly Domain descended, and his body split into several afterimages as he joined the encirclement.

The two men had already established a simple tacit understanding.

Rumble...

In the blink of an eye, they collided with the Second Guizhang Emperor several times, ultimately being blasted backward.

The creature didn't have an easy time of it either.

"Now is the time!" Jiang Ming's eyes brightened. With a single teleportation, he appeared right before the creature's head. His martial arts domain descended instantly, crushing the void, snapping the chains of natural law and order, shattering all the divine light shielding the Second Guizhang Emperor's body, and nearly bursting many of its eyes.

Space stagnated, and the myriad Daos retreated.

The terrifying pressure finally made the creature realize that the tender morsel before it was actually a wolf in sheep's clothing. Its body abruptly shrank, while its numerous eyes erupted with infinite divine light.

Simultaneously, Jiang Ming unleashed his full strength.

The Fire Scale Sword vanished, and his fist was shrouded in boundless might.

"Twenty-third layer of the Inch Fist!"

"The Dao of Boundless Might!"

"Physical Dharma Manifestation!"

Along with the fivefold genetic power.

Jiang Ming delivered his absolute peak strike—5.4 million vajra units of terrifying force that annihilated space, severed time, and turned every law and Dao into a vacuum.

The dominance was absolute, seeming to surpass the ultimate limit that this world could bear.

The Second Guizhang Emperor was seized with terror.