I became the Open Source Saint Ancestor in the Cultivation World

"This can't go on."

Ma Ke was already considering quitting, not because he had completely lost confidence, but because he felt that he didn't need to work so hard.

After all, this isn't a matter of life and death; at worst, we can simply abandon our plans.

As for the other party complaining that he killed a fellow disciple, who should he complain to? He should complain to the elders of his own sect. Do you think they would come all the way to Ziyang Sect to deliver a message just for the life or death of a Qi Refining stage cultivator?

If you directly complain to the elders of the Ziyang Sect, since the two sides are already in a competitive relationship, they will probably suspect you of trying to sow discord.

If you offend such a powerful figure, aren't you afraid of being slapped to death?

Besides, I am an outer disciple. Even if the Ziyang Sect wants to investigate, they will only investigate the inner disciples. I am still very safe.

Thinking of this, Ma Ke immediately intensified his offensive.

Shi Ce's expression changed. This guy could actually disregard the consumption of his true energy like this, and he immediately became somewhat unsettled.

Just as Ma Ke was preparing to retreat quickly and disengage from the battle, he suddenly felt a surge of joy.

It turns out that more true energy has been added to the "Open Source Limitless Skill".

This also means that another member of the Ziyang Sect has died in battle.

Although this true energy only accounts for a significant portion of Ma Ke's peak strength (around 20%), it is enough to sustain him in continuing to fight Shi Ce for a while longer, because he has set a retreat threshold of 30% for himself.

However, he did not continue to increase the output of his spiritual power. Instead, he gradually reduced it and hissed in a low voice, "I don't believe I will lose to you."

Upon hearing this, Shi Ce was not surprised but pleased, because in his opinion, this was a potential signal that the other party was running out of steam.

Because the more some people try to express something verbally, the more they lack something in themselves, and he felt that Ma Ke right now fit this description perfectly.

Of course, it was mostly due to his confidence. He didn't believe that anyone below the Foundation Establishment stage among the six sects had more powerful true qi than him. Impossible, this kid was definitely about to run out of energy.

Therefore, even though he had less than 30% of his true energy left, he was now not only fighting Ma Ke, but also spending some of his attention preventing Ma Ke from escaping.

About fifteen minutes later.

"What's going on? How can he still hold on?" Shi Ce's true energy was quickly depleted to only 20%, which made him a little uneasy.

Because he couldn't see the other person's expression, Ma Ke paid special attention to changes in their movements. When he saw that the other person's spiritual energy was not as resolute as before, he deduced that their true energy had reached the warning line.

Since that's the case, Ma Ke not only stopped running away, but also decided to keep the other party here again.

So, without hesitation, he took out a jade bottle and poured the few pills inside into his mouth. These were Qi-replenishing pills that he had seized from Xue Wenzhou, used to replenish his true energy.

I didn't use it before because I didn't want the other person to realize that my true energy was running low, but now I'm using it to make the other person believe that my true energy is running low.

Sure enough, upon seeing this, Shi Ce unhesitatingly unleashed several more beams of spiritual light, increasing the pressure on Ma Ke.

Because the Qi-replenishing pill cannot be quickly converted into true qi as soon as it is swallowed; it requires concentration and time to refine.

Under normal circumstances, it takes about 45 minutes to replenish about 10%.

This time wouldn't be long under normal circumstances, but in battle, let alone 15 minutes, the enemy wouldn't even give you half a quarter of an hour.

Ma Ke seemed to be struggling to hold on and began to slowly retreat.

Because the spiritual energy couldn't keep up, the fire dragon was hit by the silver light, sparks flew everywhere, and the dragon's body dimmed. The Fire Cloud Cone and the Crimson Flame Fan were forced to retreat slowly.

"You must be the Ziyang Sect's biggest trump card. Tell me the purpose of your trip, and I might spare your life. After all, I really admire you for pushing me to this point."

Seeing that he was finally gaining the upper hand, Shi Ce shouted loudly, wanting to further break down Ma Ke's psychological defenses.

"You're dreaming." Although he had no idea what the Ziyang Sect's purpose was, Ma Ke still said without hesitation.

This is undoubtedly an admission that they are the Ziyang Sect's backup plan.

Of course, even without Ma Ke's indirect admission, Shi Ce would still be convinced that the person in front of him was definitely the biggest backup plan of the Ziyang Sect.

Otherwise, the Ziyang Sect would be too extraordinary, having two or even more figures comparable to himself who only appeared by chance. That's simply impossible.

"Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being ruthless." Shi Ce shouted coldly, immediately intensifying his offensive, preparing to crush Ma Ke in one fell swoop and end the battle.

After all, I've lingered here for too long. If someone suddenly barges in, given my current state, it would be easy for them to take advantage of me, which would be a huge loss.

"You think you can kill me? Not so easy!" Ma Ke roared, and quickly intensified his attack.

In Shi Ce's view, this was a desperate last-ditch effort, but he did not choose to fight head-on. Instead, he tried his best to defend and maintain a distance to avoid suffering a great loss at the last moment.

After a barrage of attacks, Ma Ke staggered and then turned and fled, not even having time to retrieve his two magical artifacts.

"Hehe, now it's my turn." Shi Ce laughed loudly, and a beam of spiritual light struck the sword.

The greatsword trembled and, with a hum, hurtled straight at Ma Ke.

Ma Ke had no choice but to stop. He quickly formed several hand seals and sketched a few lines in the air, creating a net of fire that then swirled directly towards the giant sword.

The giant sword that charged head-on was immediately bound tightly by the fire net and began to struggle frantically.

"Let's see how much true energy you have left." Shi Ce frowned slightly, but still did not hesitate to convert the less than 10% of true energy in his body into spiritual power for casting spells, and then inject it into the giant sword.

hum...

The greatsword trembled violently, trying to tear through the fire net and kill the troublesome opponent in front of it in one fell swoop.

Ma Ke was panting heavily, seemingly on the verge of collapse, but he still tried his best to project his inspiration onto the fire net again and again.

About fifteen minutes later, Shi Ce's forehead was covered in sweat, but it was hidden by his mask.

This was not only due to the excessive consumption of his true energy, but also because he had a vague sense of unease: "Why hasn't his true energy been completely depleted yet?"

Finally, he stopped pretending and immediately took out a bottle of pills and poured them into his mouth.

Just then, he felt a chill and quickly shot a beam of spiritual light onto the giant shield in front of him.

With a loud bang, his body was uncontrollably propelled forward several dozen feet. It turned out that the Fire Cloud Cone, which Ma Ke hadn't had time to take away, suddenly attacked from behind.

Uh...

The fiery cloud cones spun wildly as they struck the giant shield, seemingly trying to drill a hole through the sturdy shield.

"How is this possible?" Shi Ce couldn't believe it. His opponent, who looked like he was about to give up, was still able to control the magic weapon to launch such an attack that consumed spiritual energy.

But he had no time to think about it and could only continue to pour his limited spiritual power into the giant shield.