Becoming a god starts from planting a Bodhi tree.

Chapter 481 The Strength of a True Saint: A Major Punishment as a Lesson

Golden blood fell into the void.

As if falling to the ground, a golden lotus bursts open, within which the Milky Way reverses, the sun and moon rise and fall, and a miniature universe is born and dies within it. Every strange scene presented carries the ultimate truth of heaven and earth.

The vitality contained in the splattered blood was so immense that even Ji Jingqiu found it unbelievable.

With a slight twist of his wrist, the force of the slash, though it was delivered, caused his blood and qi to surge.

However, after drinking the holy blood, Qingzhu emitted a clear and melodious sound, and the golden blood on the blade was absorbed in an instant, as if he felt it was not enough, far from enough.

Apart from the clear, resonant sound of the blade, an eerie silence descended upon the Boundary Sea.

The cultivators from various sects who had fled into the Netherworld were dumbfounded; even from a great distance, they could still see it clearly.

Ji Jingqiu, despite being a Celestial Venerable, managed to injure a True Saint, even though he was wielding a weapon of True Saint caliber.

The True Saint of the Yuan Shen Sect narrowed his eyes.

Even the ever-calm and ethereal True Saint became interested.

The most shocked person at this moment was none other than the old man who had made the move.

For the Celestial Venerable and the Dao Ancestor, even if their Dao bodies are severed, they can be reshaped by their immortal and indestructible nature.

But when one becomes a true saint, one fuses all the laws of Tao into one's own body, and all great powers return to one's own body. In doing so, one loses this "convenience," but also elevates one's physical body and mind to an incredible level.

If the goal is to cross the sea of ​​suffering, then for a true saint, the physical body is the raft for crossing the world, while the primordial spirit and mind are the person rowing the boat.

At this stage, some true saints abandoned all kinds of supernatural abilities, elevating their physical bodies and minds to an unbelievable level.

This is also the original true meaning of the realm of True Saint: to surpass the Dao Ancestor, to open up a path in the Eight Realms, and to climb to that inconceivable realm of transcendence.

The skeletons are the true saints who walk this path.

The old man's Taoist name was "Kugu" (meaning "withered bones"). Although he appeared thin and frail, he actually followed the path of body refinement. Not to mention Heavenly Venerables and Taoist Ancestors, even True Saints of the same level would have to put in some effort to break through his physical defenses.

Even if one wields a weapon of true sainthood, one should not go to this extent.

Even the sharpest weapon of a true saint is still dependent on the person wielding it.

"So brave."

The withered bones spoke each word slowly and deliberately.

boom!
A powerful and boundless aura surged into the sky, sending Qingzhu and Ji Jingqiu flying.

The golden blood that dripped into the void returned to the wounds on the withered bones without spilling a single drop.

When one reaches the stage of withered bones, all great power returns to one's body, and every drop of blood becomes part of one's spiritual practice, which cannot be lost.

Followed by.

Visibly, the old man's palm was writhing, and the knife wound began to heal. But just as the wound was about to be completely healed, it was as if an invisible force was wrapped around the wound, preventing it from fully recovering.

For a true saint who has cultivated his physical body to the extreme, this is nothing short of a... Dao injury!
This scene shocked everyone once again—Ji Jingqiu, wielding the True Saint's Blade, not only possessed the ability to injure a True Saint, but also left behind a Dao wound that was difficult to heal?!
Is this Ji Jingqiu's own supernatural power, or the divine weapon?
"The power of destiny?" the old man murmured, then looked up at Ji Jingqiu and said, "Could this knife of yours have been left behind by the patriarch of the Yuan Chu Palace?"

Upon hearing this, many people around looked relieved, but only a few True Saints from the Yuan Shen Sect and Nan Hua Palace, who transcended sects, frowned.

Each family shares the same lineage and knows each other's traditions very well, especially the legacy left by their respective founders.

Among the divine weapons left behind by the Ancestor of the Yuan Chu Palace, there was no such knife as the one in Ji Jingqiu's hand.

That Fiend Ancestor was never good at forging weapons.

"Fine, we'll talk after I capture you."

The withered skeleton muttered to itself, then attacked once more. This time, it was no longer arrogant; its emaciated body suddenly swelled, transforming into a gigantic giant. Ancient Dao patterns appeared on every inch of its skin, and with every move it made, it stirred up the tides of the Boundary Sea.

"Subdue the demon!"

The colossal palm that blotted out the sky pressed down, and the withered bones exerted all their strength without holding back. This was the method used to deal with a powerhouse of the same level, with all their life's cultivation condensed into a single strike!
Ji Jingqiu suddenly felt the void around him solidify, as if his Dao bones were being crushed, and even the operation of his inner universe became sluggish.

Is this the full power of a true saint?!
So strong that there was absolutely no chance of fighting back!
Ji Jingqiu's eyes gleamed. With a formidable enemy before him, he felt his fighting spirit grow even stronger and was not crushed in the slightest.

At this moment, neither the Yuan Shen Sect nor the Nan Hua Palace had any True Saints involved.

They were eager to see just how far Ji Jingqiu could go.

"This strike might not be enough to cut through..."

Ji Jingqiu's mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts, examining not only himself but also his opponents.

"No wonder that even though the Heavenly Venerable, Dao Ancestor, and True Saint are all at the eighth realm, few people would put them on the same level; the difference is too great."

His powerful strike just now only left a knife mark on his palm when his opponent was careless.

Needless to say, it's even more so now.

"This knife..."

Ji Jingqiu's gaze shifted from intense to calm, indicating that he had already devised a plan, and he slashed out with his sword.

moment.

A narrow slit was cleaved open in the Boundary Sea, and the blade light shot up for 30,000 miles, slashing towards the withered bones!
The skeleton remained expressionless, its palms swirling like the heavens, suppressing everything beneath its five fingers—the world itself was no exception.

clang--!
The blade slashed towards the palm print, and the resulting aura of the Great Dao spread outwards in all directions like ripples.

With two skeletal fingers, he pinched the blade's light as if plucking a flower, and then with a gentle force, he crushed the blade's light without leaving a single scratch on his hand. His palm continued to grab at Ji Jingqiu.

This scene brought a sense of peace to everyone around, because it aligned with their past understanding.

The sleeves of the withered bone Taoist robe billowed as if a whirlwind had been stirred up, and one hand had already reached above Ji Jingqiu's head.

far away.

The Ethereal True Saint raised his hand and pointed, indicating that he couldn't possibly sit idly by and watch Ji Jingqiu be captured by the other party.

The True Saint of the Yuan Shen Sect felt a little regretful. Was it really over? It was rare to see someone below the True Saint level fight against another True Saint, especially one who was only a newly promoted True Saint.

at this time.

A flame was ignited in the palm of the withered bone!

"you……?!"

The furious roar of the withered bones echoed out.
"Is he a disciple of the Primordial Palace or a follower of the Crimson Lotus Realm Master?"

"Otherwise, how could you possibly summon the power of karmic fire?!"

This question startled those around them, their eyes fixed on the seemingly fragile flames beneath the skeleton's grasp, flames that appeared to be easily dispersed by a gust of wind.

The sins committed by the world are like the fires of karma.

This is one of the forces that the True Saint Realm least wants to provoke.

In Ji Jingqiu's eyes at this moment, everything in the world was made up of countless threads, like a vast net.

That is the causal thread between all living beings.

Among them, the causal lines on the skeleton are the most numerous and complex.

His strike just now actually struck within the karmic web of the withered bones, using the immense power of destiny forged within the Azure Lord to unleash the Dao of Cause and Effect, detonating the karma of the withered bones.

At this moment, this seemingly weak karmic fire grew stronger with the wind, quietly burning the knife scar on the palm of the withered bone.

A surge of powerful energy rose into the sky, covering everything.

"You think this can do anything to me?"

The skeleton roared in fury, like an eternal divine furnace, its blood and energy burning fiercely, its boundless energy evolving into ten thousand dragons, surging like a vast ocean, penetrating the heavens and the earth.

The overwhelming power of the blood energy actually suppressed the burning of the karmic fire!

"Only those who delve into the ways of the gods would fear it like a tiger!"

With a long howl, the withered bone ignored the remaining karmic fire on its hands, took a step forward, and suddenly grabbed at Ji Jingqiu with one hand.

Under the suppression of the overwhelming aura, not only Ji Jingqiu, who was facing him directly, but also the group of experts below the True Saint level in the distance felt suffocated. This power was too strong, and the opponent was definitely not an ordinary True Saint!

Ji Jingqiu did not choose to fight a True Saint who was attacking in a fit of rage. Instead, he unleashed his unique Realm Domain, merging it with the Sea of ​​Boundaries, seemingly disappearing from this world. However, under the overwhelming power of the Dao, Ji Jingqiu had nowhere to hide and was forced to reappear.

Ji Jingqiu held his sword horizontally in front of him, sparks containing the strongest Dao rhythm flew up, the Azure Lord trembled, Ji Jingqiu's figure retreated, and after stabilizing his figure, he slashed out with his sword again!

Amidst the intense buzzing of the Azure Lord, it autonomously protected its master, its power forcibly rising to a higher level. Its sharpness was as intense as the sun, following the causal lines of the heavens, and directly struck the withered bone body.

Although the strike did not pierce through the withered bones and flesh, it hindered its advance and nearly caused it to stumble.

"It is indeed a fine knife!"

Besides fury, the skeleton's gaze also held a hint of heat.

He suspected that Ji Jingqiu was able to ignite the karmic fire entirely because of the divine sword in the latter's hand, which was suspected to be a remnant of the Transcendent One.

Although he is a body cultivator specializing in physical strength, if he had the divine blade in his hand, his killing power would be able to rise to another level.

"it's over!"

The withered bone body tore through the void, its figure directly appearing in front of Ji Jingqiu, its tone leaving no room for doubt.

"boom!"

In the distance, the ethereal True Saint flicked his finger, and like a grand bell tolling, instantly repelled the withered bones, sending them flying, just like Ji Jingqiu who had been shaken away by his qi and blood earlier.

"Supreme?!"

Ku Gu's expression darkened. The shock he received from Ji Jingqiu's repeated attacks made him forget the current situation!

"That's it."

The ethereal True Saint was as calm as water, but when he looked at Ji Jingqiu, a strange light appeared in his eyes.

She even possessed the Dao, and her true form was a divine weapon personally crafted by the patriarch of Nanhua Palace. At this moment, she was particularly interested in the divine blade in Ji Jingqiu's hand.

The skeleton seemed about to say something when Huang Xu of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan, with a half-smile, transmitted his voice:
"Aren't you leaving? Are you waiting to die?"

The skeleton was startled and suddenly looked up, only to hear a phoenix cry filled with endless ferocity resound throughout the Boundary Sea!

Darkness seemed to descend upon the Boundary Sea, a suppressed yet intensely fiery heat emanating from it.

At the infinite heights, a pitch-black sun seemed to appear, vast and fierce, containing a kind of murderous aura that could steal one's soul and burn one's spirit. That was the true form of the Heavenly Phoenix that Feng Ming had transformed into!

The divine bird, which originally represented auspiciousness and good fortune, was now stained with a fierce and murderous aura, as if it had been dyed with ink!
The white-robed True Saint behind Huang Xu of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan suddenly flashed a sharp divine light in his pupils, and said, word by word:

"Phoenix Cry!"

Huang Xu squinted and looked. Was this the [fierce phoenix] Feng Ming that the clan had specially marked?
The skeleton was horrified, feeling the fierce aura pointing directly at his brow, and turned to flee to the Netherworld without hesitation.

"late."

The voice of indifference echoed throughout the heavens and earth.

"How dare a mere ancient elder attack my junior brother Ji?"

Blood splattered high in the air. There, the withered bones roared and fought back fiercely, but they were still no match for the phoenix claws. Their flesh was easily pierced by the phoenix claws, and the splashed golden blood stained the Boundary Sea.

The leading True Saint of the Yuan Shen Sect frowned. The two from the Yuan Chu Palace had only made moves to restrain the True Saints of the various factions, but now they were going all out.

This is the Boundary Sea, not a Boundary Domain. Even a True Saint would truly die if he were to perish here, without even the chance to be reborn through tribulation.

Will the death of a true saint here today intensify the flames of war?

He glanced at the Nanhua Palace, and after confirming that there was no sign of them making a move, he sighed and ultimately did not intervene.

In the end, the withered bones' immortal body exploded in the Boundary Sea!
The remaining intense blood and energy surged through the heavens, but Feng Ming guided it, transforming it into a golden furnace, which he held captive in his hand.

The withered skeleton's primordial spirit remained silent and fled swiftly towards the Netherworld, not daring to utter a single harsh word!
This supreme true saint of Yuanchu Palace is far too domineering!

Fengming showed no sign of letting his primordial spirit go unchecked and immediately intervened to stop it.

At that moment, as the phoenix's cry appeared in the world, among the True Saints of various factions who had ended their stalemate, someone shouted:

"Fellow Daoist, please hold back!"

Someone tried to stop them, but was stopped by Kukai, who appeared in the world at the same time.

During that time difference, the primordial spirit of the withered skeleton had already fallen into Feng Ming's hands.

"help me!"

The roar of the withered bones echoed, leaving the True Saints who had reappeared in the world expressionless.

Especially the True Saint of the Intercepting Heaven Sect, who came from the same sect as the withered bones, was furious, but dared not make a move rashly. He could only try to contact Zhi, who was also a supreme being.

He didn't understand. Before, when everyone was in the True Saint Battlefield, their attacks were all methodical, and no one went for the kill; they were mainly testing each other.

Why did this person from Yuan Chu Palace suddenly launch a deadly attack as soon as they appeared in the world?!

Kukai smiled and said:
"It's just a minor punishment as a warning."

The former's face twitched. He had only ever heard of minor punishments serving as a warning, never of major punishments serving as minor warnings!
"The disciples of my Yuanchu Palace who die in battle among their peers are simply outmatched and deserve this fate." Feng Ming stood majestically in the Boundary Sea, coldly surveying the battlefield. "But if someone bullies the weak, this is the end for them!"

Witnessing this scene, the powerful figures from various factions who had already fled into the Netherworld felt a chill run down their spines!

Their respective factions all consider themselves to be transcendent sects, and the major true transcendent sects have long been in seclusion, making them accustomed to "running rampant" in the Boundary Sea.

But today, the domineering attitude displayed by Yuan Chu Palace has taught them a profound lesson.

Someone gave Ji Jingqiu and Feng Ming a deep look, then turned and disappeared into the depths of the Netherworld without looking back.

In Nanhua Palace, the ethereal True Saint said calmly, "Alright, that's enough. Let's go."

Immediately, this person led the group of powerful figures from Nanhua Palace towards the Netherworld, and sent a telepathic message to Ji Jingqiu along the way:
"We can exchange ideas sometime in the future, and I'll take your divine weapon with me."

Feng Ming returned, dispelling his true form, and came before Ji Jingqiu, smiling as he asked:

"Junior Brother Ji, how are you feeling?"

Ji Jingqiu carefully reflected on the feelings he had just experienced in the battle and sincerely said:

"The strength of a True Saint has exceeded my expectations. I originally thought that once Qingzhu reached the level of a True Saint Divine Weapon, he would be qualified to fight against a True Saint. Now it seems that I underestimated the True Saint domain."

"That's quite good. Since ancient times, there have been very few Dao Ancestors who could defy True Saints in the Boundary Sea, let alone Heavenly Venerables. Theoretically, there are no weaklings in this realm, and very few weaknesses."

Kukai walked over and said with a smile,
"Moreover, this person is not an ordinary True Saint. He has already reached the level of the Ancient Ones. The next step is the realm where Fengming and I are."

Ji Jingqiu asked curiously, "Is Senior Brother Konghai also at the Supreme level? How many Supreme beings are there in the Primordial Palace?"

"We can still field four or five," Kong Hai said calmly. "The palace has been secluded from the world for a long time, so there aren't many True Saints. However, over time, their cultivation levels have all risen to the level of the Ancient Ones. This time, in addition to protecting you, it's also the first time the palace has made contact with the outside world. Senior Brother Luo's idea is to select a few of the most capable fighters, which is why he approached me and Feng Ming."

"Where is Senior Brother Yin'an?"

"It was a gift."

Feng Ming chuckled, and with a flick of his hand, he gathered the remaining blood essence from the withered bones, transforming it into a crimson pill, which he then presented to Ji Jingqiu.
"Take it. It is made from the concentrated essence of a true saint. You can give it to the descendants of the Heavenly Kings who are cultivating their bodies, or use it for healing."

Ji Jingqiu readily agreed.

“Once we enter the Netherworld, the two of us may not be able to stay by your side at all times, so please be careful!” Feng Ming suddenly said seriously.

Kong Hai nodded and said, "The situation in the Netherworld is somewhat complicated. We have already gained some insight into it. Feng Ming's forceful suppression of this person just now was also a way of making a statement in advance and acting as a 'guarantee' for you."

Ji Jingqiu shook his head and said, "Back in the Netherworld, even if this person had been chasing me with all their might just now, I could have escaped even if I couldn't beat them."

"Oh?" Feng Ming asked in surprise, "Having witnessed the true disparity between yourself and a True Saint, Junior Brother still has such confidence?"

They could have acted immediately, but they allowed the skeleton to attack several times, just to make Ji Jingqiu understand the difference in their cultivation levels.

Although Ji Jingqiu was able to fight against Dao Ancestor with the power of a Heavenly Venerable, True Saints and those below True Saints can be regarded as beings on two completely different levels.

Ji Jingqiu's performance was actually quite amazing.

Feng Ming originally thought that it would be quite remarkable if Ji Jingqiu could withstand the blow from the withered bone, but he did not expect that Ji Jingqiu would succeed twice.

No wonder he's a guy who's just as good as the founder in his youth!
"The Dark Sea is my territory."

Ji Jingqiu looked toward the Netherworld. Ever since the battle, he had been able to sense the calls coming from within the Netherworld.

(End of this chapter)