A Terrifying Battle (Please Vote!)

After hearing this, Liu Xing finally had a fairly clear understanding of the whole story.

What Lu Yangong had told Lu Xuanqing about the situation outside had essentially turned black into white. He had not represented the Heavenly Demon Sect in joining forces with the Bai Family against the Lin Household's bid for supremacy. Instead, he had allied with the Lin Household and the Bai Family, joining the side seeking to dominate.

Sun Yanbo's appearance represented the stance of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and Lu Xuanqing would naturally make the same choice as her sect.

Unfortunately, although Liu Xing could eavesdrop on the conversation between Lu Yangong and Sun Yanbo, he had no way to pass that information to Lu Xuanqing. Now, he could only pin his hopes on Sun Yanbo. Once Sun Yanbo defeated Lu Yangong, he would naturally be able to rescue her.

At that moment, out in space, Lu Yangong stared fixedly at the massive sword in Sun Yanbo's hand and said, "Junior Brother Sun, back then, Master passed the position of sect master to Lu Yanzhen and the Overlord Sword to you. Tell me honestly: was that fair to me?"

Sun Yanbo's expression had been grave, but Lu Yangong's words made him pause. Only after a long while did he reply, "Master also taught you everything he knew about formation crafting, artifact refining, and pill refining, Senior Brother. In terms of mastery across multiple disciplines, you're already the best in the sect. You could say that each of us three brothers has his own strengths."

Lu Yangong snorted coldly. "The more miscellaneous arts you know, the easier it is to lose focus. In pursuit of the Heavenly Dao, I'm no match for Lu Yanzhen or you, Junior Brother Sun. Are you saying Master taught me all those miscellaneous arts for my own good?"

Sun Yanbo froze, but immediately replied, "If you hadn't wanted to learn them yourself back then, could Master have forced you?"

Lu Yangong said, "Back then, my resolve was unsteady, and I bit off more than I could chew. I truly can't blame anyone else for that. But just because my strength was slightly inferior, did I have to fuse with the Spirit-Devouring Beast and sacrifice the Nascent Soul Realm cultivation I had worked so hard to attain?"

Sun Yanbo's expression changed. After a long silence, he said, "If our sect master had chosen me, then even if it meant making a sacrifice, it would have been my duty to do so for the sect's future."

Lu Yangong sneered. "Junior Brother Sun, you're known as the 'Heavenly Demon Overlord Sword.' You've won such great renown for the Heavenly Demon Sect-how could Lu Yanzhen bear to sacrifice you? As for me, so long as my brain remained intact, losing all my cultivation wouldn't diminish my abilities in formation crafting, artifact refining, and pill refining by much. I could still continue serving the sect. But I have just one question-why should I?!"

"The path to immortality is arduous. Among the countless cultivators in this boundless universe, how many can enter the Nascent Soul Realm? If I lost all my cultivation, I would have no hope of attaining the Dao for the rest of my life. Even if I gained the ability to seek out treasures, I would be reduced to a mere tool for the sect to exploit. If it were you, could you truly accept that?"

"Since the sect wronged me, why couldn't I betray it?" At this point, Lu Yangong said harshly, "If I were the sect master, I could imitate that scoundrel Lu Yanzhen and put on a show of false sympathy: 'Junior Brother Lu, you'll have to suffer for the sect's future. The thousands of disciples in our sect will all remember your great kindness!' Heh, whenever I think of that scoundrel Lu Yanzhen's solemn face, I can't suppress the rage in my heart. Tell me, Junior Brother Sun, how could I not betray the sect?"

At this, Lu Yangong threw back his head and roared with laughter.

Sun Yanbo remained silent for a moment, then leveled his sword at Lu Yangong once more. "With your cultivation, even if you were dissatisfied with the sect, you could roam freely through this vast universe. Why sell out the entire sect to the Lin Household and the Bai Family? Senior Brother, if you're willing to break away from them, then even if it means violating sect rules, I'll spare you today. We can pretend we never met!"

Lu Yangong laughed even louder. "Oh, Junior Brother Sun, Junior Brother Sun. Am I supposed to thank you, then? Unfortunately, I, Lu Yangong, swore long ago that I would never live beneath Lu Yanzhen again!"

With that, Lu Yangong's figure flashed, transforming into a streak of black light that hurtled toward Sun Yanbo.

Lu Yangong's attack was sudden, but Sun Yanbo did not panic. In the blink of an eye, his pitch-black greatsword also blazed with black light. Then man and sword became one, likewise transforming into a streak of black light to meet Lu Yangong's charge.

As the two streaks collided, the empty expanse of space seemed to be abruptly crushed together. A visible, rippling wave spread outward like ripples on water. Wherever it reached, space itself shattered like glass, breaking apart piece by piece.

Even the Spirit-Devouring Beast's divine sense could not withstand such a terrifying impact. In the blink of an eye, it withdrew hundreds of li before finally escaping the attack's range.

No wonder battles between Nascent Soul Realm experts could only take place in space. If they fought on the ground, an entire continent might sink beneath the sea.

Through the Spirit-Devouring Beast's divine sense, Liu Xing could only watch from afar as the two streaks of black light wheeled and danced through space. Whenever they collided, they released astonishing energy, as dazzling and unapproachable as a star.

Fortunately, he had the eyes of the Spirit-Devouring Beast's divine sense. With his own naked eyes, Liu Xing could never have kept up with the speed of those two streaks of black light.

Witnessing a duel between Nascent Soul Realm experts filled Liu Xing's heart with awe. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have imagined that such immense power existed in this world.

This was a level of strength Liu Xing had never imagined before.

If I want to grow stronger, should I make this level my goal? Is this what it takes to be truly strong? Or are there beings even stronger than this?

After witnessing such an earth-shaking battle, Liu Xing felt no discouragement. Instead, he was excited, as though he had found his goal.

From this moment onward, Liu Xing had an entirely new and clear definition of what it meant to be "strong." Though it still seemed far beyond his reach, that did not stop him from climbing toward that goal.

Only by growing stronger with every stronger opponent could he walk the path of the truly strong!

Liu Xing had long since understood this.

PS: A new week has begun! I'm posting this chapter after midnight to push for a spot on the new book rankings. Brothers and sisters, please don't hold back your recommendation votes. Whether we can climb the rankings depends on your support! Let me bow in thanks in advance!!