Revealing its true form, the creature emanated a fearsome aura, its blood energy distorting the vacuum. Massive claws swiped down, aiming to crush Daoling's body.
"Now this is interesting." Daoling's black hair fluttered as battle intent surged through him, his body glowing with golden radiance. Thunder rumbled within him as he swung his palm to meet the blow.
Their clash was evenly matched, but Daoling frowned at the blood trickling from his palm, a sharp pain shooting through him. Seeing his wound, the Qiongqi laughed wildly, its spines vibrating—hard enough to shatter spiritual weapons, forming a natural armor.
"Be careful. Its spines are incredibly tough—even some spiritual weapons can't break them. Best not to clash directly," the purple-haired youth warned.
"Qiongqi!" Daoling clenched his fist, channeling energy to heal his palm. This was indeed a Qiongqi, a rare ancient异种 (variant) capable of contending with divine beasts. It must be young; legend said some fearsome Qiongqi grew wings, able to split heaven and earth.
The Qiongqi roared,凶戾 (ferocious) aura exploding. Its powerful limbs shattered the ground, unleashing惊人 (astonishing)爆发力 (explosive power). Daoling tensed—this was the most fearsome opponent he'd faced. He roared, golden runes spreading across his body like a humanoid fiendbeast charging forward.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The golden passage trembled as the two figures clashed, the earth cracking and runes shattering in their wild battle.
"Break!" The Qiongqi's claw descended like a mountain toward Daoling's shoulder.
Daoling长啸 (howled), both palms slashing through the air. A row of golden runes formed a sword, striking the claw, while his body lunged, left fist aimed at the Qiongqi's chest. The Qiongqi's claw shattered the rune-sword, then whipped back to block the fist.
"These are Spirit Pagoda runes!" The purple-haired youth's eyes widened in shock. Daoling could manifest such runes—a sign of a terrifying divine ability in the making, especially since he'd fused with the pagoda's energy.
Daoling's moves grew swifter, rows of runes forming swords, bells, and cauldrons in the void, crashing down on the Qiongqi. The Qiongqi, initially fierce, soon weakened from the energy drain. Unlike Daoling, who could channel the surrounding life force to form runes, it couldn't sustain the pace.
After hundreds of exchanges, Daoling roared, spitting a torrent of golden runes that formed a mountain, smashing into the Qiongqi. The creature yelped, forced back, its eyes blazing with malice—it felt like a whetstone, as Daoling's rune techniques grew more refined.
Daoling, also exhausted, took a deep breath and turned away, ignoring the Qiongqi. The maiden with the greatsword was nearing the spiritual spring—securing the essence was paramount.
He absorbed energy to replenish himself, then traced runes in the air, forming a golden bell that enveloped him, easing the passage's pressure and speeding his advance.
"The runes are indeed marvelous—congenial with the passage's energy, saving enormous effort," the purple-haired youth envied, knowing even elders struggled to master them. Daoling had only scratched the surface.
After the battle, the three-eyed being quieted, focusing on reaching the spring. As Daoling neared, he sensed bone-chilling sword qi prickling his skin. *How does she compare to Qian Yao?* he wondered.
Approaching the spring, the primal energy intensified, Daoling's pores exuding divine light. *Reaching the ninth floor and cultivating here will strengthen my body further*. The Qiongqi's blood had unlocked潜能 (potential), but his body's limits hadn't been fully tapped—this energy was perfect.
Ahead, the spiritual spring glowed with primal essence, life force rippling in emerald drops—only a dozen or so, each containing surging life waves.
"Seventeen drops. How to divide them?" The three-eyed being's vertical eye glowed. "There are four of us."
"Four each, and the extra drop is up for grabs," the purple-haired youth suggested. Each drop was invaluable, even to elders.
The three-eyed being nodded, then its vertical eye burst with light, a black mountain materializing overhead, crushing down with overwhelming pressure.
"Mysterious Heavy Mountain!" The purple-haired youth snapped. "What are you doing? Trying to take it all?"
Daoling's legs sank into the ground under the crushing weight. The three-eyed being moved swiftly, snatching all seventeen drops with one hand and retreating.
"Hmph!" The maiden's eyes flashed, two streams of sword qi blasting the Mysterious Heavy Mountain, shaking it with terrifying剑意 (sword intent).
"Break!" The purple-haired youth roared, surrounded by purple lightning, waving a purple fan that unleashed a storm, rocking the mountain.
"Fall!" Daoling's fist slammed into the mountain, but the treasure's weight, combined with the passage's pressure, held firm.
"Ignorant fools. Stay here," the three-eyed being sneered.
"Courting death!" The maiden's golden greatsword unsheathed, a blazing sun slicing through the mountain like tofu. The three-eyed being fled in terror—the sword was at least a Dao Artifact!
The purple-haired youth fanned a storm, destabilizing the creature. "Stop, three-eyed monster!" Daoling shouted, chasing after.
The three-eyed being bristled at the insult, only to feel a green bamboo strike his forehead, raising a horn-like bump. A sword qi slashed his wrist, dropping the essence.
Daoling's eyes lit—he channeled energy into the green bamboo, which lengthened, golden runes sweeping up ten drops. The purple-haired youth fanned the remaining drops into his grasp, then fled.
The maiden's face darkened as both dashed away with the treasure. "Dammit!" She bit her lip, glaring at Daoling's retreating form before giving chase.