Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

The ruler was entirely golden, its surface covered with dense runes, each exuding a chilling aura of annihilation. It appeared silently, seemingly merging with the void, until it was less than three feet from Zhang Kui, at which point it suddenly unleashed its full power.

In an instant, the space within a radius of a hundred feet was locked by this force, the air froze, and time seemed to stand still.

"Who goes there!"

Zhang Kui was shocked. The technique of leaping and using a trail had become second nature to him, and he immediately tried to use it to evade.

But the next moment, his expression changed drastically.

The flying leap and tracking technique failed!

This was the first time since he had mastered this technique. At this moment, however, this supernatural power seemed to be suppressed by something, and no matter how he tried to activate it, he could not merge his body into the void.

That long ruler wouldn't give him time to think.

boom!

Zhang Kui only had time to hold the Dragon Sparrow Blade horizontally in front of him before he took the full force of the blow. The immense force, like a torrent, surged through the blade and into his body, displacing his internal organs. He was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, spitting out a mouthful of blood that left a horrifying trail in the night sky.

"hateful!"

Zhang Kui endured the excruciating pain, somersaulting several times in the air to barely regain his balance. Looking down, he saw that his robes were torn at the chest, revealing a shocking wound. The wound was jet black, with wisps of annihilating power spreading from its edges, constantly eroding his physical body and magical power.

If he hadn't reacted quickly enough to parry with the Dragon Sparrow Blade, this attack would have been enough to cleave him in two.

"If the Qiankun Diagram hadn't been temporarily unusable, I wouldn't have suffered this calamity," Zhang Kui thought angrily, cursing inwardly.

The Qiankun Diagram is currently being used by Yunxiao in seclusion, so it's inconvenient for him to forcibly activate it. Otherwise, given the defensive power of the Qiankun Diagram, even if he took the attack head-on, he wouldn't have been injured so severely.

He took a deep breath, circulated his Qi through the Nine Breaths, and drew in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temporarily suppress his injuries. At the same time, he activated the Five Elements Dao Fruit, and five-colored rays of light flowed within his body, gradually eroding the annihilating power that had invaded his body.

After doing all this, Zhang Kui looked up and gazed at the long ruler that was suspended in the air.

The ruler, about three feet long, hung in mid-air, trembling constantly, its tip slightly rotating, as if searching for its next opportunity to strike. With each tremor, visible ripples spread out from the ruler, causing the surrounding space to distort slightly.

Zhang Kui stared at the ruler, and the more he looked at it, the more familiar it seemed.

The golden ruler, the serene Daoist aura, the material that was neither gold nor jade... A flash of inspiration struck him, and he finally remembered this object.

"The Universe Ruler!"

Zhang Kui blurted out, his expression instantly turning extremely serious.

The Qiankun Ruler, an innate spiritual treasure, is one of the most prized magical artifacts of Daoist Ran Deng. Named after the universe, it contains the power of Qiankun; a single foot of it can shatter mountains and crack the earth. Even more terrifying is that Daoist Ran Deng refined this ruler using the Dao of Annihilation, causing the soul of anyone struck by it to be eroded.

"Light the lamp!"

Zhang Kui shouted sharply, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings like lightning, "Since you're here, why hide?"

Before the words were finished, a figure slowly walked out from the void.

The man was thin and frail, dressed in a gray robe, with three long wisps of beard hanging down his chest. He was surrounded by celestial light, standing on auspicious clouds, and looking at Zhang Kui with indifferent eyes, as if he were looking at an ant struggling for its last breath.

He was none other than the Vice Leader of the Chan Sect, the Daoist Burning Lamp.

"Young man, you have quite the nerve." Ran Deng spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. "You dare to try and kidnap someone in front of a sage's dojo. This is the first time I've ever seen such a reckless person."

Zhang Kui's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm. He gripped the Dragon Sparrow Blade tightly, secretly channeling his magical power, while simultaneously probing with his words: "Senior Burning Lamp, you are mistaken. Lady Cloud Cloud is a disciple of the Intercepting Sect, and has no grudge against you. Why must you press this matter so relentlessly?"

"No enmity whatsoever?" Ran Deng sneered. "She trapped my disciples of the Chan Sect with the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, severed their three flowers on the top of their heads, and extinguished their five vital energies. Such a deep enmity, and you say there's no enmity whatsoever?"

With a gentle lift of his hand, the Qiankun Ruler flew back into his hand, its body humming as the power of annihilation surged forth.

"I have come today for two reasons: first, for Yunxiao; and second, to settle the karmic debt between us," Ran Deng said calmly. "On Mount Lingjiu, you stole my coffin lamp. If I do not avenge this, how can I save face?"

Zhang Kui's heart sank.

He thought he had covered up the matter of the coffin lamp perfectly, but he never expected that Randeng would find out the truth.

It seems that today's battle is unavoidable.

Suppressing his distracting thoughts, Zhang Kui's gaze sharpened.

"In that case, let's fight."

Zhang Kui gripped the Dragon Sparrow Blade tightly, the blade trembling slightly and emitting a clear, melodious dragon's roar. His magical power surged, and the Five Elements Dao Fruits emitted five-colored rays of light, illuminating the surrounding darkness.

Upon seeing this, Ran Deng scoffed, "A mere early-stage Golden Immortal dares to be so insolent before me?"

Before he finished speaking, he had already moved.

The Qiankun Ruler transformed into a golden light, carrying the power of annihilation, and crashed down on Zhang Kui's head. This strike was faster and more ruthless than before; wherever the ruler passed, space was torn open with a pitch-black rift, emitting a piercing tearing sound.

Zhang Kui dared not take the blow head-on, and retreated rapidly while simultaneously wielding his sword to parry.

clang!

The clang of metal clashing was deafening, sparks flying everywhere. The instant the Dragon Sparrow Blade collided with the Universe Ruler, an overwhelming force surged through the blades into Zhang Kui's body. His tiger's mouth split open, blood splattering, and he was once again blasted away.

"Too powerful..." Zhang Kui was shocked.

This Daoist Ran Deng's strength is comparable to that of a Quasi-Saint; even a casual strike from him is something he cannot withstand.

Ran Deng gave him no chance to catch his breath. In a flash, he appeared in front of Zhang Kui and slammed down the Qiankun Ruler again.

This time, Zhang Kui didn't try to take the hit head-on.

He used his flying leap technique, his figure transforming into a wisp of smoke, barely avoiding the sharp edge of the Qiankun Ruler. The ruler grazed his shoulder, tearing away a piece of flesh, causing him to gasp in pain.

"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Ran Deng's eyes. "Flying and leaving traces? Cola Novels always have a story waiting for you to turn the page. No wonder the White Crane Boy fell for your trick. But..."

He suddenly raised his hand and struck out with his palm.

This palm strike seemed ordinary, but wherever it passed, space collapsed, the sky and earth changed color, and everything within a radius of a hundred feet was crushed by this force.

Zhang Kui's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly activated the Five Elements Great Escape, his figure transforming into a five-colored rainbow as he dodged to the side. However, Ran Deng's palm strike was too fast and too wide. Although he avoided the frontal attack, he was still hit by the aftershock. He felt as if he had been struck by a giant hammer, and he coughed up blood and flew backward again.

"However, these little tricks are best left unsaid in front of me," Ran Deng said calmly, standing with his hands behind his back.

Zhang Kui fell to the ground and struggled to his feet. He was covered in blood and his breathing was disordered, but he still stared intently at Ran Deng, his eyes showing no fear.

"Senior Burning Lamp truly lives up to his reputation." Zhang Kui wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered. "However, it seems that Senior has forgotten one thing."

"Oh? What is it?" Ran Deng looked at him with interest.

Zhang Kui didn't speak, but simply raised his left hand. In his palm lay an ancient copper coin, its surface adorned with mysterious patterns that emitted a faint glow.

Falling Treasure Coins.

The lamp's expression changed slightly.

"Senior's Qiankun Ruler is also a magic weapon, isn't it?" Zhang Kui grinned, revealing bloodstained teeth. "I wonder if my Treasure-Falling Coin can bring it down?"

Ran Deng's face turned completely gloomy.

He was certainly aware of the formidable reputation of the Treasure-Dropping Coin. This treasure could drop any magical artifact in the world, and although it had many limitations on its user, if someone were to come into contact with it, the Qiankun Ruler would likely lose its connection temporarily.

"Youngster, do you think you can turn the tide just by having the Treasure-Dropping Coin?" Ran Deng said coldly. "This treasure is powerful, but it depends on who wields it. How much of its power can you, a Golden Immortal, unleash?"

"Why don't you try and see?" Zhang Kui said with a smile.

Before he finished speaking, he sprang into action, his Dragon Sparrow Blade transforming into a streak of light as he slashed towards Burning Lamp. At the same time, he raised his left hand, and the Falling Treasure Coin transformed into a golden light, heading straight for the Universe Ruler.

Ran Deng's expression darkened, and he retreated hastily, simultaneously wielding his ruler to block.

clang!

Another loud bang, and Zhang Kui was sent flying once more. But this time, the Falling Treasure Coin seized the opportunity to attach itself to the Qiankun Ruler.

A flash of golden light.

Randeng felt a slight pause in the connection between himself and the Qiankun Ruler. Although it was only for a moment, it was enough for Zhang Kui to seize the opportunity.

The Great Five Elements Annihilation Divine Light!

Zhang Kui fully activated the Five Elements Dao Fruit, and five-colored divine light burst forth from his palm, transforming into a five-colored beam of light that slammed straight into Ran Deng's chest.

This attack concentrated all his magical power, and even borrowed a trace of divine power from the Emperor of Fengdu.

Randeng's expression changed slightly. He had to devote some of his energy to stabilizing the connection between the Qiankun Ruler and himself, while simultaneously raising his palm to meet the five-colored divine light.

boom!

Amidst a deafening explosion, the five-colored divine light collided with the palm force of the Burning Lamp, unleashing a blinding burst of light. The surrounding mountains, rocks, and vegetation were pulverized by this force, the ground cracked, and ravines crisscrossed the landscape.

Zhang Kui was blasted away again, spitting out blood. But this time, Ran Deng also took half a step back.

Half a step.

Although it was only half a step, it was enough to fill Zhang Kui with a surge of heroic spirit.

Zhang Kui is no lamb to be slaughtered.

Ran Deng's face was ashen, and his gaze at Zhang Kui was filled with murderous intent.

"Young man, you have successfully angered me."

He took a deep breath, and his aura suddenly surged. In an instant, the world changed color, the wind and clouds rose, and the spiritual energy within a hundred miles surged wildly, converging towards Ran Deng.

Zhang Kui's expression was solemn as he gripped the Dragon Sparrow Blade tightly, channeling his golden core into its full power. He knew that the next strike would determine his life or death.

Ran Deng raised his hand, and the Qiankun Ruler floated in front of him, its body trembling violently and emitting a piercing buzz. Streams of annihilation power surged from the ruler, transforming into countless black threads that wove a large net over a radius of a hundred feet.

"The annihilation of heaven and earth."

Ran Deng uttered four words softly, and the Qiankun Ruler suddenly fell.

This strike seemed to overturn the heavens and earth.

The black threads transformed into countless sharp blades, slashing towards Zhang Kui from all directions. Each blade contained the power of annihilation, enough to completely obliterate even the soul of a Golden Immortal.

Zhang Kui's face was deathly pale, but he still did not back down.

In the Netherworld, the Great Emperor of Fengdu sensed the summons of his true self and opened his eyes. Holding the Book of Life and Death, he wrote the Law of Reincarnation, and the vast power of the Law of Reincarnation crossed the Yin and Yang realms, pouring into Zhang Kui's body.

In an instant, Zhang Kui's aura surged.

Mid-stage Golden Immortal, Late-stage Golden Immortal, Peak Golden Immortal...

Great Golden Immortal!

His aura rose steadily until it reached the early stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm before stopping. At the same time, a phantom of the Six Paths of Reincarnation appeared behind him, slowly rotating and radiating the unchanging meaning of reincarnation.

"Reincarnation?" Dipankara's expression changed slightly. "You actually possess the laws of reincarnation?"

Zhang Kui did not answer. He raised the Dragon Sparrow Sword, its blade radiating five-colored divine light intertwined with the power of reincarnation, unleashing an unprecedented power.

"cut!"

He slashed out with his sword.

This strike concentrated all his power. Wherever the blade passed, countless black blades shattered, their annihilation power dissolved by the intent of reincarnation, turning into nothingness.

The expression on Ran Deng's face finally changed.

He never expected that a junior at the early stage of Golden Immortal could unleash such astonishing power.

Ran Deng snorted coldly, activated the Qiankun Ruler, and slammed it down again.

boom!

When the knife and ruler clashed, the world lost its color.

Zhang Kui felt an irresistible force surge into his body, causing his internal organs to tremble and his bones to groan under the unbearable pressure. He gritted his teeth and desperately tried to activate his magic power, but he was still forced back step by step by this force.

"Young man, you've forced me to use my full strength, so you deserve to die," Ran Deng said coldly, increasing the force of his Qiankun Ruler once more.

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