A playful smile touched Feng Zikang’s lips. His sword still shimmered faintly, yet he made no move to strike.
“The sixth punch?”
Surprise lit the Emperor’s face. “Uncle—Imperial Uncle has finally broken through to the Sixth Realm!”
The personal eunuch beside him glanced out the window, then sighed. “I fear it’s not that Imperial Uncle has advanced to the Sixth Realm, but rather that he has reached such a desperate point that he must risk fatal backlash just to strike this boy dead. Otherwise, this brat is surely destined to become a major threat to us in the future!”
“You mean—”
A look of profound sorrow washed over the Emperor’s face.
The eunuch nodded.
The preceding five punches had shaken the heavens and blazed with blinding light, yet they already represented the absolute limit of Imperial Uncle Li Daoling. He had pondered the realm of the Sixth Punch for over a decade, yet never managed to break through; his own cultivation and physical body were insufficient to support such an exertion, let alone while so gravely injured, making it an extreme stretch.
He was sacrificing his life to strike this final blow! Even in death, he must take this brat with him! If he lived, he would undoubtedly become the most terrifying enemy of the Great Tang Imperial Family, and the grand design initiated by the Emperor’s own brother would utterly fail!
He must die!
In Li Daoling’s mind, only this final thought remained. His flesh was ripped and bleeding profusely; his life force was steadily draining away. If he chose to flee and hide now, relying on the secret imperial medicines and his remaining cultivation, there was a slim chance of survival.
But he did not want that chance.
All he desired was to kill Feng Zikang! This monster, this brat, this wretch! He had to be slain!
A strange smile spread across Feng Zikang’s face as he watched the mass of writhing flesh position itself for a punch, offering no obstruction. If the might of the fifth punch was already so immense, surely the sixth would represent an entirely new level of mastery?
Feng Zikang watched patiently, gaining profound insight. Under the effect of the Huashēng Dān (Progenitor Pill), his arms were gradually healing, though his legs had been reduced to pulp and would require considerable time to regrow.
He watched the flesh writhe and mend, displaying a visible rate of recovery due to the triple effect of his Foundation Establishment cultivation, the silent Chūnfēng Rùnyǔ (Spring Breeze Moistening Rain) divine ability, and the Huashēng Dān.
However, his attention was naturally not on his own body, but fixed on his opponent, awaiting his final, desperate attack.
Li Daoling was no longer remotely human; his eyes were blind, yet his vital energy locked firmly onto Feng Zikang. His blood and spirit surged, poised to unleash the sixth punch that even he could not withstand.
“Brat!”
The gap where his mouth should have been churned as he roared incoherently.
“Die!”
The Sixth Punch! Heaven and earth shook, life and death decided in an instant! The entire Imperial Palace seemed swallowed by a sphere of golden light. This punch, once delivered, would reduce whomever stood before it to mere dust! It was invisible, formless, yet its power shook the firmament!
The mass of flesh, following the momentum of the punch, passed directly through Feng Zikang’s body.
Li Daoling stood frozen behind him, managing only to turn his head slightly to watch Feng Zikang slowly dissipate into dust, his expression one of shock.
Annihilation!
Li Daoling suddenly burst into maniacal laughter. Blood sprayed from his entire body, like a meteor burning out its final moments, unleashing its last brilliance.
“I fought and died for the Great Tang—unyielding!” Li Daoling laughed hoarsely, then collapsed with a crash! Dead!
“Imperial Uncle—”
The Emperor cried out in sorrow, about to rush out of the chamber, but the little eunuch blocked him.
“Your Majesty, it is best not to go out now. Although that brat is dead, we do not know if he has accomplices. Moreover, the Military Strategists of Dragon-Tiger Mountain are known for their protectiveness. If this were merely a private grudge between Imperial Uncle and that brat, it might pass. If Your Majesty goes out, I fear it will become inextricably entangled.”
This outcome was, in fact, the best possible result. Feng Zikang was dead, and Li Daoling was dead. This cleanly resolved the matter as a private feud, severing all ties between it and the Great Tang Imperial Family or the Military Strategists of Dragon-Tiger Mountain. This was precisely the goal Feng Zikang sought by breaking into the palace alone. Now that he was dead, the matter could be completely erased.
“Imperial Uncle,” the Emperor murmured, his face grim. “This brat got off too easily. One day—”
He shook his fist ferociously, startling the little eunuch, who quickly stepped in front of him.
“Your Majesty—”
“It’s nothing.” The Emperor waved his hand, regaining his composure, and looked calmly out the window. Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, he froze, raising one hand to point rigidly out the window, trembling uncontrollably!
“He—” “He—”
Feng Zikang!
His legs were severed, his expression solemn, yet he still stood proudly in the air, a cold sneer upon his face. Under the earth-shattering Sixth Punch, he had somehow not died!
“No, impossible,” the Emperor shrieked hysterically. How could this be? He had clearly seen him dissolve into dust—how could he still be alive? The eunuch frantically lunged forward, clamping a hand over the Emperor’s mouth.
“Your Majesty, silence!”
If he survived the Sixth Punch, this brat’s power had reached a terrifying degree. The Imperial Family could only accept misfortune, exchanging the life of Li Daoling for a temporary cessation of hostilities from Feng Zikang.
In truth, Feng Zikang’s strength was not as high as they imagined. He survived the Sixth Punch by relying on the divine ability Fēngshēng Hè Lì Cǎomù Jiē Bīng (Wind Cries, Grass and Trees are All Soldiers), instantly manifesting a substitute body to absorb the fatal blow.
However, this divine ability offered no hundred percent evasion; roughly thirty percent of the force still struck Feng Zikang. His meridians were shattered, and if not for the miraculous nature of the Tūn Tiān Gǔ Jiàn (Heaven-Swallowing Ancient Sword), he wouldn't have even been able to sustain the sword light and would have fallen.
“Fine punch!”
Feng Zikang stood suspended in the air. Li Daoling’s vitality was extinguished; naturally, he could not hear the compliment. Feng Zikang gave a slight nod, then suddenly shouted in a deep voice, “Today’s matter is concluded. The one who slew Li Daoling is Feng Zikang of Dragon-Tiger Mountain. If anyone seeks revenge, come find me!”
Although his voice was not loud, it echoed endlessly, seeming like a muffled thunderclap in the ears of everyone in the palace. Faces shifted color.
After a long silence, Feng Zikang let out a loud laugh. His sword light retracted, and he soared away!
After this night, the incident became the talk of the celestial vault once more. Feng Zikang infiltrated the Imperial Palace, slew his enemy, and withdrew calmly. Crucially, his opponent seemed to be a member of the Imperial Clan who wielded the Miè Shì Jiǔ Pò (World-Ending Nine Shatters) divine ability.
“The Miè Shì Jiǔ Pò divine ability—” Even Master Yuanyuan, who possessed the Spirit Transformation cultivation, frowned upon hearing the name. This technique signified infinite slaughter and terror, meaning overwhelming power.
“According to messages returned from the Attendant Court, the divine technique used by Li Daoling featured punches growing heavier with each strike, strikingly similar to the Miè Shì Jiǔ Pò,” Master Wule reported cautiously. He had not anticipated that in such a short time, Feng Zikang would become so formidable.
“The Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth is approaching, and now this divine ability appears from the Imperial Family—this is certainly not good. Has the marriage between Fairy Linghua and the Emperor finally been settled?”
Master Wule nodded helplessly. “After suffering these two losses—first the Crown Prince, then the Imperial Uncle—I see that the Emperor’s inner demons must be stirring. If he is not appeased soon, I fear—”
Master Yuanyuan nodded, sighing deeply. His usually handsome face was furrowed with worry, a look even more troubled than when General Lu failed his tribulation. It seemed he was deeply concerned about the impending Heaven and Earth Calamity.
“Master, has Martial Uncle decided to come out of seclusion?” Master Wule asked, pausing briefly, his face filled with hope.
“How could he be willing—” Master Yuanyuan sighed again. “If he were willing to emerge, why would I struggle so hard to sustain things? He has seen through the ways of the world and seeks to use a hundred thousand sutras to suppress the demons within the three thousand great thousand worlds. The affairs of this mere realm are likely no longer within his purview.” He paused. “However, he did agree to one thing.”
“What is it? Help—” Master Wule’s heart leaped. Had the matter he discussed with Master Yuanyuan finally been settled?
“He agreed that if the war effort goes poorly, he will ask his disciple to come out and stabilize the Imperial Fortune for the Great Tang.”
“Then there is nothing to worry about!” Master Wule was overjoyed, nearly shouting with relief. This disciple of Martial Uncle—though technically his martial brother—was immensely powerful. With him appearing, what was there to fear?
“Naturally, if that were the case, there would be nothing to fear.” Master Yuanyuan sighed. “But I have a vague premonition that things will not be this simple.” He glanced into the distance. “Furthermore, now that the Imperial Family’s Miè Shì Jiǔ Pò has appeared, it will likely cause even more chaos. I am losing all clarity regarding this engagement.”
Feng Zikang knew that although Li Daoling possessed the True Dragon Qi, he was not of the True Dragon Body and absolutely could not execute the Miè Shì Jiǔ Pò divine ability. That doubling attack style was merely a form of martial art similar to the divine ability, pushing one's own potential to its absolute limit. Even so, it was truly formidable.
On the journey back, if not for the care provided by Long Que and the mother-daughter duo of the Ghost King Tu, he would hardly have been able to sustain his sword flight. Forcing himself to fly away from the palace was his last reserve. As soon as he left Chang’an, he immediately summoned Long Que to carry him, while the Ghost King and her daughter watched the surroundings.
He focused on regulating his breathing and recovering throughout the journey. Only when he returned to the small bamboo grove and plunged into the Profound Realm did he finally relax.
His severe injuries terrified Fairy Tianfu, bringing tears to her eyes, but Feng Zikang smiled reassuringly. Within the Profound Realm, he devoted himself to healing and cultivation, ignoring all external affairs.
Time passed, and Feng Zikang discovered a transmission decree from the Sect Master in the small bamboo grove: upon emerging from seclusion, he was immediately to proceed to Sunset Peak to find him.
“I wonder what business it is now,” he mused. Calculating the time, the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth was imminent. The Sect Master summoning him—what could it be?
He checked his condition and rode his sword light toward Sunset Peak. Although he had not visited in a long time, his current fame was immense. The sect disciples recognized him and respectfully escorted him to the Hall of Ten Thousand Armies Repelling Evil. Yuan Buhuan was meditating there, but upon seeing him arrive, he was overjoyed.
“Nephew-disciple, you have finally emerged from seclusion!” He clapped his hands cheerfully, summoning an attendant boy to invite the guest in. “Recently, a strange matter has arisen in the Southern Barbarian lands. I have considered it carefully, and this matter concerns you, so it is best if you trouble yourself once more—”
“Oh?” Feng Zikang was surprised. The Southern Barbarian lands were very likely the nexus of the impending massive shift in heaven and earth. For him to be sent there again now—could it be that he truly was the destined one for this calamity?
Soon after, a young man dressed in barbarian attire was brought in. He merely offered a slight nod to Yuan Buhuan, but upon seeing Feng Zikang, he was both startled and overjoyed, falling to his knees and repeatedly kowtowing.
“Immortal above, please accept this humble one’s bow!”
(The following text is provided freely, and the author requests minimum monthly votes!)
(Recommending a new book by Bai Lang, Immortal Eater, book ID: [ISBN/Code provided in original, omitting here].)
Su Ze, a master chef with a thousand years of hereditary training, discovers that his ancestral secret cultivation method is actually a comprehensive guide to mountain stronghold techniques?! Others cultivate immortality; he cultivates dishes. Others refine pills; he refines seasonings. Others raise swords; he sharpens his cleaver. While other cultivators find heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and secret techniques, he stumbles upon an entire other world! From then on, cultivation is no longer a worry; with a world in hand, he commands all under heaven. To know what happens next, please log into [Platform Name]. More chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)