Chapter 20: Beating Taiyi and Stripping Him Naked!
The essence of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Shield lay in the word "shield."
Once trapped within it, even a perfected Taiyi Golden Immortal cultivator could be forcibly refined.
Buzz!
As this thought passed through his mind, Taiyi Zhenren poured his spiritual energy into the treasure, fully activating its power. Instantly, divine fires erupted—Sun's True Fire, the Sky-Burning Purple Flame, the Six Dings and Six Jias Divine Fires—roaring forth from within. The heat twisted space itself in the prehistoric world.
Inside the Divine Fire Shield, the yellow lights from Xuanhuang Cauldron above Xuantian's head appeared to melt under the immense pressure, yet his expression remained utterly calm and indifferent.
"You stubborn wretch! Return my mount, resolve the karma properly, and I'll spare your life!" Taiyi Zhenren declared confidently.
After all, the higher the grade of an innate spiritual treasure, the greater the spiritual energy it consumed. As a late-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal with the Peak Immortal Technique, Taiyi Zhenren believed he could simply wear Xuantian down. Once Xuantian's spiritual energy ran dry, even the finest treasures would become useless. At that point, Xuantian would be like a fish on a chopping block.
Of course, Taiyi's true goal was the Tresure-Hunting Rat, Xiao Jin. He didn't wish to harm it.
As long as Xuantian yielded, he would show mercy.
"Is that all you have?"
Xuantian's calm voice echoed through the flames.
Taiyi Zhenren's confidence wavered. An ominous premonition surged within him—but before he could react, a brilliant golden light exploded from within the Divine Fire Shield. In that moment, the entire treasure groaned under pressure, its light flickering as if about to collapse. Then,
Boom!
It was blasted backward!
"What?!"
Taiyi Zhenren was stunned. Was Xuantian hiding his true strength? Did he actually possess the power of a Daluo Golden Immortal?
Or… did he wield an extremely high-grade innate spiritual treasure?
Both possibilities were unacceptable, especially the latter! Even a Quasi-Sage would found it hard to obtain such a treasure! How could a Taiyi Golden Immortal like Xuantian possess it?
Before Taiyi Zhenren could sort out his thoughts, a white light filled with a terrifyingly sharp aura slashed at him. Xuantian had broken free using the Kongtong Seal—but this treasure, being deeply tied to the Human Race, could only be wielded subtly through his soul, and not freely be unleashed like other innate spiritual treasures.
Next, he attacked with the Gengjin Star Halberd.
"Taiyi Whisk!"
Reacting quickly, Taiyi Zhenren activated his whisk treasure. Endless white threads emerged, forming barriers. The halberd cleaved through countless layers, but the whisk threads grew endlessly, temporarily stalling the strike.
Xuantian didn't pause.
With a flash of white light, he raised his fist, imbued with his fundamental body-refining technique, and smashed it down with full force.
"Competing in physical combat? Courting death!"
Taiyi sneered. His Eight-Nine Profound Art was famous for its strength. Had Xuantian continued with treasures or techniques, Taiyi Zhenren might've faltered. But physically? He was fearless!
Boom!
Their fists collided. Space trembled.
But in that moment, Taiyi Zhenren's expression changed.
It felt as if he had struck a Primordial War God.
A powerful force pushed him back. Pain ran through his body. Xuantian's punch felt like being struck by a living spiritual treasure!
"Impossible…"
Taiyi Zhenren was horrified. Physical cultivation requires astronomical resources. He had only achieved a minor level of success, reaching the Golden Immortal realm with his master's help.
Yet Xuantian's body… it had already reached the Taiyi Golden Immortal level!
What sort of monstrous being was this?
Before he could regain composure, Xuantian punched again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
They exchanged blows at terrifying speed.
Xuantian now integrated the Law of Charm, allowing the power of heaven and earth to assist him.
He also used the Law of Weapon Refining, normally applied to forging spiritual treasures, to refine himself into a humanoid weapon! His strength soared again. The Yang Metal Law further amplified his attacks with a cutting edge.
Under the power of the Golden Light Soaring, Xuantian's speed reached an astonishing level.
Taiyi Zhenren was overwhelmed.
Despite his Eight-Nine Profound Art, he was already at a disadvantage in physical cultivation. And now, Xuantian's might far exceeded the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm!
Boom!
One heavy punch sent Taiyi Zhenren flying, blood spewing from his mouth, his aura crumbling.
"W-wait! This is a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"
The once-dominant Taiyi Zhenren now panicked.
"Dare to provoke, but not to resist? A Perfected Taiyi Golden Immortal, reduced to a chicken and a dog!"
Xuantian sneered, his fists raining down.
Under the relentless assault, Taiyi Zhenren, despite his physical strength, could no longer bear it. He was beaten unconscious on the spot.
Buzz!
As Xuantian raised the Gengjin Star Halberd for a final strike, a talisman lit up on Taiyi Zhenren's body. At the same time, Xuantian sensed an approaching danger.
Of course. Yuanshi Tianzun was notoriously protective. His disciples would have protective talismans.
But the karma of today was already set.
Xuantian coldly reached down, stripped all the treasures from Taiyi Zhenren's body, the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Shield, the golden brick, and even the Taoist robes of water and fire.
He had stripped a dignified, future Heavenly Dao Saint's disciple naked.
For 5-10 Early access of chapters, please visit the link: https://www.patreon.com/c/immortal9god
(End of Chapter 20)