The might of the Deity Transformation Stage (Part two)

The figure that emerged walked unhurriedly, seemingly taking slow steps, yet each clear footstep seemed to touch the heart, making one's heart beat in sync with those steps.

As the figure drew closer and the footsteps grew clearer, my heart pounded harder and harder, as if it might leap out of my chest at any moment. This feeling was very strange and uncomfortable, yet I couldn't shake it off.

Staring intently at the approaching figure, Zhuge Xiang, Young Master Yin and his servant, Old Man Dragonwood all had very solemn expressions. This mysterious guest was incredibly powerful and unfathomable. They had already lost a step before they could even see his appearance clearly.

The Old Man Dragonwood, who was holding Su Huayu's hand, had to slow down a bit, allowing Su Huayu to greedily inhale, but she choked and coughed painfully.

In a short while, the mysterious visitor finally appeared before everyone. He was seven feet tall, wearing a black robe, though it was tattered. He had a head of disheveled hair, and you could vaguely see his drowsy, drunken eyes. He had a gourd of wine hanging from his waist, and his stubble beard exuded an aura of decadence. This image immediately gave people the impression of a drunkard, the kind of drunkard you could always see on the street.

However, looking at the disheveled man who came out, Su Huayu felt a strong sense of familiarity. After coughing and thinking for a moment, her beautiful eyes widened suddenly, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Father!?"

Father!? This seemingly disheveled and decadent drunkard is actually Su Huayu's father? The husband of the dignified Rakshasa City Lord!?

"Huh? Senior Brother Qing Mingzi is actually Su Huayu's father?" Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback upon hearing Su Huayu's words.

That's right. The disheveled, decadent drunkard who walked out was none other than Qing Mingzi, whom Zhuge Xiang had met briefly when he first arrived at the inner sect headquarters of Mo Wu City. Back then, when Zhuge Xiang was at Hua Man Lou with Mo Wu Yan, he had specifically inquired about this senior brother Qing Mingzi. However, Zhuge Xiang never expected that he would actually be Su Hua Yu's father.

Su Huayu's joyful cry startled the Old Man Dragonwood, who turned pale with horror. He stared at Qing Mingzi in terror, hastily releasing his grip on Su Huayu's neck, and cried out, "Yi Bufan!? You, how did you get here? This, this is all a misunderstanding, let me explain..."

Qing Mingzi, also known as Yi Bufan, slightly raised his head. Through his disheveled hair, one could see that his previously drowsy and cloudy eyes suddenly flashed with two beams of light. An invisible wave emanated from his body.

Stared at by Qing Mingzi's gaze, the Old Man Dragonwood's hurried explanation vanished instantly. He was like a duck with its neck being choked, opening his mouth but unable to utter a word, his face filled with intense terror.

A struggle flickered in the Old Man Dragonwood's eyes, then he froze, his gaze becoming dull, like Puppet controlled by strings.

"Kneel down," came Qing Mingzi's calm words as he addressed the Old Man Dragonwood. His tone was so even that there was no hint of anything amiss.

With a thud, despite his struggling expression and blank stare, Old Man Dragonwood knelt down without any resistance. A loud crash followed, and two deep craters appeared in the stone slab beneath his knees, covered in blood. His kneecaps were shattered, but Old Man Dragonwood did not scream or even feel any pain.

"You are guilty, you deserve to die," Qing Mingzi's eyes suddenly erupted with an intense killing intent, his calm words carrying an indescribable bloodthirstiness.

After saying this, Qing Mingzi didn't look at Old Man Dragonwood again, but instead focused his gaze on Su Huayu. His eyes were somewhat complicated. He hesitated for a moment, but said nothing, turned and left, his steps still unhurried.

"Wait, Father, don't go, I have something to say to you..." Su Huayu hurriedly struggled to her feet and rushed towards Qing Mingzi's departing figure. However, although Qing Mingzi's steps seemed slow, he disappeared in an instant. Even though Su Huayu used her movement technique to chase after him, she could not catch up.

"I am guilty, I deserve to die..." Old Man Dragonwood kowtowed violently to the stone floor, muttering incantations.

Thump, thump, thump, one head after another pounded into the ground, making a series of loud bangs. The stone slabs were shattered, and blood gushed out. But the Old Man Dragonwood did not stop. He seemed to feel no pain. In an instant, he continued to pound his head until his brains splattered out. He fell to the ground, still muttering, "I am guilty. I deserve to die..."

"This is the power of the Deity Transformation stage!?" Zhuge Xiang was greatly shocked as he watched the once arrogant and powerful Old Man Dragonwood kneel on the ground and kowtow until his death.

Zhuge Xiang was no stranger to the power of Spell. Zhuge Xiang had witnessed battles between Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator and even caught a glimpse of Void Realm Great Expert Zhuge Xiang. However, those were all battles between Cultivator of the same level. The Heaven Collapsing Earth Shattering power of magic, while awe-inspiring, was still too distant.

However, at this moment, the suppression of the Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator by the Qi Refining Stage Cultivator truly made Zhuge Xiang the gap between them and personally experience the power of the Deity Transformation stage.

The differences between the Major Realm — Qi Refining, Deity Transformation, Void Refinement —are already so obvious; the difference between these three Major Realm is indeed even more terrifying.

The Old Man Dragonwood was, after all, Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm Returning to Deity Transformation Realm. However, this last step was so close yet so far. In front of Qing Mingzi, who was in the Deity Transformation Realm, he didn't even need to make a move. His own consciousness was disintegrated, and he kowtowed until he died.

At the Deity Transformation stage, Refining Qi to Spirit, using Divine Sense to destroy the opponent's consciousness—this method is too domineering...

Qi Refining Stage, one cultivates only Qi Energy, but during the Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator, one cultivates the incomparably Profound Mysteries power. Under the impact of Divine Sense, no matter how powerful one's martial arts are, how high-quality one's Magic Artifact, or how extraordinary one's talent is, one will collapse instantly, just like this Old Man Dragonwood, who kowtowed until his brains splattered and he died.

Watching Qing Mingzi's departing figure, and then looking at the Old Man Dragonwood, his brains splattered and his body still warm, Zhuge Xiang's eyes were filled with a deep determination.

The Deity Transformation stage, this is the Deity Transformation stage. It seems I need to speed up my cultivation and reach the Deity Transformation stage as soon as possible. Only after passing Heavenly Tribulation, breaking free from the shackles of mortals, Artifact Flight, and soaring through the Nine Heavens, can I be considered a true Cultivator and truly enter the inner Proficient Level of the cultivation path.

"I am Dongfang Yan from the Dongfang Family. May I ask your name, brother?" Just as Zhuge Xiang was shocked by the power of Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator, a gentle voice rang out beside him. Turning his head, he saw it was Young Master Yin Zhuge Xiang Yin, Dongfang Yan, speaking.

A soft, melodious voice would sound pleasant if it came from a woman, but the fact that it came from this grown man made Zhuge Xiang feel awkward and somewhat disgusted.

However, as the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, so Zhuge Xiang remained unmoved and replied, "Asura Sect Disciples, Zhuge Xiang."

"Brother Zhuge's strength is truly astounding, and his talent is extraordinary. To comprehend Sword Intent at such a young age, and with the Heavenly Heart Begonia in hand, the path to the Great Dao is within reach. Congratulations to Zhuge Xiang on obtaining such a treasure today," said Young Master Yin Dongfang Yan with a sincere smile.

"Oh?" Zhuge Xiang raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Dongfang Yan with some surprise. "From what Brother Dongfang is saying, it seems you're not planning to compete for the Heavenly Heart Begonia?"

"It's just a Heavenly Heart Begonia. Although it's a treasure, what's wrong with giving it up if I can get to know a young talent like Zhuge Xiang? Besides, even if I were to make a move, I'm not confident I could successfully take it from Brother Zhuge."

Although he had a feminine temperament, Dongfang Yan's behavior was quite upright and honest. He frankly admitted that he could not succeed even if he took action, so he simply withdrew, which was a way of showing his sincerity in getting to know Zhuge Xiang.

"Haha, it is my honor to get to know Brother Dongfang. I will definitely have a few drinks with Brother Dongfang when I have the chance in the future." Since the other party was willing to withdraw from the competition, Zhuge Xiang was naturally happy. Besides, it would not be a bad thing to have a disciple of the Dongfang Family with the cultivation of the Return to Simplicity Realm at such a young age.

"I still have some trivial matters to attend to, and seeing that Zhuge Xiang also has a beautiful woman to comfort, I will take my leave now. If we have the chance to return someday, I will surely have a few drinks with Brother Zhuge," Dongfang Yan said, pointing to Su Huayu, who was still immersed in the grief of her father's departure, not far away. He smiled meaningfully and then turned to leave.

Watching Dongfang Yan leave, Zhuge Xiang smiled slightly. This Dongfang Yan was indeed an upright gentleman, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and was worth befriending.

Turning his head, Zhuge Xiang looked at Su Huayu's distressed appearance and sighed inwardly. The Young City Lord of Rakshasa City seemed to be of noble status, and she herself was also willful and capricious. But who would have thought that her family background was so complicated?

Taking a few steps forward, Zhuge Xiang patted Su Huayu's shoulder to comfort her. It was as if Zhuge Xiang didn't possess such tenderness; he was the type to offer words of comfort.

"Waaah..." Zhuge Xiang patted her comfortingly. Su Huayu, who needed comfort at the moment, turned around and threw herself into Zhuge Xiang, bursting into tears. There was no trace of her willful and capricious nature. She was just an ordinary girl who needed the love of her family.

"Why? He appeared at this crucial moment, clearly keeping an eye on me, but why doesn't he want to see me or talk to me?" Su Huayu cried out, throwing herself into Zhuge Xiang's arms. It was unclear whether she was asking Zhuge Xiang, herself, or simply venting her frustration.

At this moment, all Zhuge Xiang could do was gently hold her, remain silent, and listen to Su Huayu's sobs. In his heart, Zhuge Xiang couldn't help but think about his own background.

In comparison, Su Huayu is still happy, but she doesn't even know who her parents are. The only clue to her background is a cheap, flawed silver medal with the three words "Zhuge Xiang" written on it.

The old Beggar who took him in adopted Zhuge Xiang as his own name. As for the silver medal, the old Beggar had kept it so that Zhuge Xiang would have proof of his reunion with his parents. However, when Zhuge Xiang was ten years old, the old Beggar fell seriously ill, and Zhuge Xiang sold the silver medal.

"Let her go!" Just as Zhuge Xiang was immersed in his own past, a fierce shout suddenly rang out. (To be continued...)