Chapter Eighty-Five: Cultivation Soars, Celestial Phenomena of Ultimate Destruction

The remaining two formidable figures were also slain. One was Blade Demon Liu Taikun of the Demon King Sect, and the other was the great demon wolf Howling Sky of the demon clan. Yun Shuang recognized them. After she identified the bodies, she could not help but tremble and marvel at Jiang Ming. Four powerful adversaries joined forces—two grandmasters, one great demon, and a ghost general—yet all were annihilated within moments. It was unfathomable.

"He must certainly possess power at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm," Yun Shuang concluded.

Sigh... Yan Hongyi gazed at Shen Zui's corpse and let out a soft sigh. She then turned to Jiang Ming, asking, "Brother Jiang, what now?"

"Into the city. From now on, this will be my territory!" Jiang Ming strode forward, leading the way.

"Brother Jiang!" Yan Hongyi, carrying Liuli in her arms, quickly caught up, her tone grave and earnest. "If we stay here, we may be besieged."

"Not in the short term!" Jiang Ming smiled. "Did you see who came? Demon King Sect, demon clan, ghost general, and your own Taiyin Palace. It's not hard to deduce that Taiyin Palace has already changed."

Yan Hongyi's face darkened. She could hardly fail to grasp this. The Demon King Sect and demon clan attempted ambushes twice. It was obvious there were powerful secret ties to Taiyin Palace; otherwise, why did Xuanxin Orthodox Sect, Pure Yang Sect, or Vajra Temple not intervene? None of them were so foolish.

"Brother Jiang, your battle shocked the world. It will make every faction wary, unwilling to act rashly. Yet, one party will almost certainly be unable to resist." Yan Hongyi continued, "I vaguely recall hearing tales—if one slays a great demon..."

She left her words unfinished.

"Slaying an extraterrestrial great demon earns heaven's favor and increases one's destiny," Jiang Ming said. "If anyone can't resist, it's the imperial court!"

Yan Hongyi fell silent. This only confirmed that Brother Jiang was indeed an extraterrestrial great demon.

Extraterrestrial? Where was that? Beyond the heavens? Was there another world outside? Her mind churned with countless questions, but she refrained from asking further.

Yun Shuang was gathering spoils, though little caught her eye.

Within the city, every household kept its doors shut; there were few people in sight. Jiang Ming paid no heed and went straight to the City Lord's mansion—a grand estate with countless maids and numerous servants.

"Yun Shuang, you will manage my daily affairs; Hongyi, you'll be the steward; as for Old Ma? Hongyi, you arrange it—at least ensure he enjoys a peaceful retirement. Also, handle the city's security. If anyone is unruly, kill them."

"Yes!" both women responded.

As for Liuli? She was simply to grow up in peace.

Whether the city would decline or the residents flee in droves did not concern him. As long as it didn't affect his cultivation or daily life, the rest was immaterial.

Yet, this battle swept across the world like a raging storm, spreading at lightning speed.

A great demon, a ghost general, two grandmasters—four supreme figures—all destroyed in a single battle. Even those at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm would struggle to face such a scenario.

"Jiang Ming is at least as powerful as the Celestial Phenomenon Realm!"

"This also confirms he is an extraterrestrial great demon."

"Hurry, check the old records—where did these demons come from? Why do they stir up chaos? Why do they all seek to kill him?"

"According to records, when an extraterrestrial great demon descends, they usually lie low for a few years before an unseen will of heaven warns the world, prompting a crusade. If the demon is slain, heaven's favor showers down—individuals easily break through their realms, gain boundless fortune; dynasties receive enhanced destiny, extending their reign and enjoying countless benefits."

"Heaven's will, heaven's will—does heaven truly have a will? What lies beyond? Is there really another world?"

"Who knows? As with the rise of ghosts, no one truly understands even now."

The world was in turmoil, all sides searching ancient texts. Yet, no one dared act rashly against Jiang Ming. He was simply too strong. Especially in the grand battle, when his body radiated both yin and yang energies, swirling and slaughtering more than a hundred martial experts.

Numbers? It didn't matter how many—none could stand against him.

The Grand Yu Imperial Palace.

Several figures sat here, one of whom was the old emperor. Though he exuded boundless authority, he was also steeped in decay. The others had deep, obscure, and vast auras.

"I am certain now—Jiang Ming is from beyond this world," the old emperor said in a low voice. "Ghosts run rampant, monsters ravage, sects fail; though I hate to admit it, my realm is riddled with wounds. For the sake of the world, for the people, I have exhausted myself, yet mortal efforts have limits. Now, however, fate has granted me an opportunity, and the world as well."

Those present listened quietly, but inwardly scoffed: For the talents? For the people? What nonsense. Had you not sought immortality, appointed corrupt ministers, and exploited the people, would Grand Yu have become like this? Citizens farmed by monsters, cities devoured by ghosts. Damn you, old man, if only I could kill you myself.

"According to the records, if the extraterrestrial great demon is slain, heaven's favor will descend, the dynasty's destiny surges, and then I can use national fortune to destroy monsters and ghosts, sweeping clean the land." The old emperor spoke forcefully, then glanced at a middle-aged man. "Minister Ma, what say you?"

"Your servant..." Ma Tiande bowed, pondering, "Jiang Ming, in two battles, first slew two powerful figures in Rama. Later, outside Mingyue City, he killed four—two grandmasters, one ghost general, one great demon. His power is immense, certainly at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. I am not confident I can slay him."

"Let Eunuch Yang accompany you."

"I obey, but I request three days to bathe and meditate, so I may be at my peak when I go."

"Granted!"

The moon rose above the willow. Jiang Ming sat cross-legged beneath a pavilion in the lotus pond. His yin spirit leapt from his crown, left the pavilion, ascended into the sky, and began to display the phenomena of yin and yang.

He was now focusing on the Yin-Yang Soul Refining Method. Along the way, he had been deducing and perfecting subsequent techniques, striving to push each realm to its limits.

The crescent moon hung in the east, the great sun in the west—left and right, opposing each other.

Yet, the great sun's manifestation seemed dim beneath the moonlight, while the crescent was brilliantly clear, strands of moonlight weaving into it.

Within, a cassia tree stood, its branches waving gently. The crescent moon stirred, distorting the surroundings as vast moonlight was drawn in, causing the cassia's leaves to grow lush.

After a while, a fragrance spread through the estate.

"So fragrant!" Yan Hongyi, still awake, showed an intoxicated expression, her eyes growing dreamy. "I seem to see a sea of flowers... see my master reborn beneath the moonlight... see myself wearing bridal robes..."

Beside her, Yun Shuang's eyes also grew misty, then she jolted awake, astonished as she gazed toward the pavilion. The crescent moon's radiance rippled, and she couldn't help but gasp. "Just the emanations of this phenomenon have caused Hongyi to fall into a dream—if targeted, it could easily control someone!"

"What kind of secret art is this?"

"Is the cassia blooming?"

"Can the cassia truly bloom?"

Then, her pupils contracted sharply, for beneath the cassia appeared a snow-white jade rabbit.

"Moon as phenomenon, cassia as spirit—how has another entity been born?"

Yun Shuang was dumbfounded.

She also sensed imperceptible ripples rising around, as if moonlight had become invisible mountains, suppressing the area, making it hard even to breathe.

Especially her own yin spirit—it was unable to leave her body at this moment.

Next, cold swept through, like the depths of winter.

Even with her physical body as a shield, her yin spirit shivered.

"This far surpasses the power of the Undying Scripture!" Yun Shuang was shaken.

Jiang Ming was completely immersed in the evolution of the crescent moon. He discovered that the Taiyin phenomenon could endlessly advance, deepening his foundation, strengthening his power.

"The earth is yin, the cassia roots in earth, representing suppression and purification; its blossoms sway, fragrance spreads, enchanting, illusory, gentle, and also seeds."

"Taiyin is ultimate cold, now birthing a moon rabbit, imbued with extreme chill."

"Can I integrate the Taiyin intent?"

Jiang Ming continued to evolve and ponder. Even if possible, now was not the time, as yin and yang must remain balanced.

The crescent moon phenomenon kept growing stronger, even his soul surged.

He realized that, after this breakthrough, as long as the night was bright with moonlight, he could channel the moon's power as mana, nearly limitless. Even should his yin spirit perish, it could be reborn through the moon.

Next day.

The great sun rose high. Jiang Ming manifested his yin spirit again and deduced the great sun phenomenon, which, beneath the golden crow, produced a fusang tree.

The two phenomena balanced anew, attracting and revolving around each other.

Jiang Ming moved in his heart, invoked the yin-yang intent, and saw the two manifestations collide—crescent moon outside, great sun within.

Slightly twisted, vaguely forming the character for "Ming."

Yin and yang mana transformed into each other.

"Separate, each has its special powers; together, sun and moon are root to each other."

"Beneath the light, whether sun or moon, there is infinite mana, and the ability to be reborn even if the yin spirit perishes. Will undying, light everlasting."

Jiang Ming's spirit trembled.

He hadn't expected this insight to bring such growth.

Now, both crescent moon and great sun were rapidly becoming tangible, his soul strength soaring again.

Buzz...

Phenomena are intangible, so their power remains hidden; Dharma forms are tangible, and all the world's power becomes mine.

Sun and moon shuddered, shifting from intangible to tangible.

The Dharma form is achieved.

Fifth stage of the Divine Path: Dharma Form Realm.

Jiang Ming never imagined he would break through first in the Divine Path to reach a higher realm.

"The Divine Path is in comprehension!"

The sun and moon turned, became his yin spirit, smiled, and returned to his body.

"With my current soul power, even without using spells, I could easily crush the previous ghost general."

"Soul Domination talent combined with the supreme Yin-Yang Soul Refining Method makes my soul strength—or mana—hundredfold above others of the same realm."

"With the hundredfold comprehension talent, perhaps I will go farther on the Divine Path than anyone else."

Jiang Ming pondered silently.

As with Yun Shuang, when they were both at the fourth stage, he compared soul strength, leading to his current deduction.

Most notably, his soul's quality vastly exceeded hers.

This is why, as a fourth-stage divine cultivator, he could easily suppress a ghost general.

In the days that followed, Jiang Ming consolidated his gains and studied techniques for dealing with enemies.

Within the estate, Yun Shuang and Yan Hongyi managed affairs meticulously.

The city was still somewhat chaotic; they continued to clear out the law enforcement teams and rebuild.

One night.

Darkness fell, the crescent moon was clear.

Jiang Ming suddenly looked into the distance, his brow twitching.

"Brother Jiang, what's wrong?" Hongyi, sitting nearby, asked.

"I have a premonition—a mighty foe approaches." Jiang Ming stood, reached out, and the Mingyue Sword flew into his hand.

"Stay safely in the estate—I go to meet them!" A rush of excitement filled him.

According to a subtle sense, the enemy was very strong.

Probably at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm.

Celestial Phenomenon Realm—he remembered vividly how, in the Tower of Ascension, he was slain by the young man in blue.

Now his foundation was solid, with forbidden moves deduced and a breakthrough in the Divine Path; he truly felt some confidence.

Jiang Ming soared into the air, toe touching a rooftop, vanishing into the night.

"A mighty foe? Celestial Phenomenon Realm!"

Yan Hongyi's expression changed.

"This is a calamity—and an opportunity; if he wins, there'll be no worries for some time; if he loses..."

She sighed softly.

There would only be death.

The sisters would have no way to survive.

Yun Shuang, who had just arrived, heard this and showed a complex expression.

"Do I wish you dead, or alive?"

Her look was strange.

Soon, Jiang Ming arrived outside the city, landing atop a peak ten miles north.

He stood with hands behind his back, gazing northward.

"Jiang Ming? Jiang Ming!" A black-clad figure seemed to ride the wind out of the north, quickly arriving and stopping opposite him. He immediately made his assessment. "Celestial Phenomenon Realm can affect the world, but I concealed my aura all the way here—yet you sensed me beforehand and waited. For that, I respect you."

"Ma Tiande!" Based on the traits Yun Shuang and Yan Hongyi used to describe the world's strongest, Jiang Ming made his judgment. "Is it worth serving such a muddled emperor?"

"Indeed, I am Ma," Ma Tiande nodded, showing some helplessness but resolute will. "I eat the emperor's bread, I serve the emperor's affairs."

"Do you serve the Yu emperor, or the people?" Jiang Ming's words were sharp.

"I am already at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, my heart attuned to heaven's will, my will like iron—not something your words can shake." Ma Tiande smiled faintly. "In this position, I act for the state. As head of the Demon Suppression Bureau, my task is to quell monsters and demons."

"Have you succeeded?" Jiang Ming's face was full of ridicule. "Under your suppression, a city became a ghostly abyss; under your suppression, the demon clan carved out a nation, farming people for their blood. Acting for the state? I think you're no better than the monsters."

He truly wanted to shake the other’s spirit; after all, he faced a grandmaster—one could never be too careful.

Any weakening was worth it.

Ma Tiande’s face darkened.

"Do you not know the feeling of powerlessness? Today I kill you, tomorrow the monsters!" He had intended to ask about the extraterrestrial, but now, shamed and enraged, he swung his blade at Jiang Ming’s head.

He unleashed a force like the wrath of heaven, the domain pressure unique to the Celestial Phenomenon Realm.

His attack was ruthless, allowing Jiang Ming no chance.

Simultaneously, a flying sword came silently from behind, aiming for Jiang Ming’s skull.

Front and back—a genuine death strike.

"A dignified Celestial Phenomenon expert, yet you resort to hidden attacks!"

Jiang Ming’s expression shifted, and he struck back at once.

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