Breaking Out of Seclusion

Like rain after a long drought, this perfectly describes Xu Qi'an's current state.

Strictly speaking, he had actually died just now. The moment the lightning spear exploded inside his body, lightning and the power of the five elements raged, severing his life force, and causing his soul to leave his body.

Nalan Tianlu forced himself to work at full strength, paying a certain price to briefly recover to the peak of the second rank. The power of that lightning spear directly exceeded the limit that a third-rank martial artist could withstand.

Fortunately, the Pharmacist image inside the pagoda can bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded.

This is also the source of Xu Qi'an's confidence to gamble his life with Nalan Tianlu.

"My current level is around the early stage of the third rank, while Nalan Tianlu, who has been working incredibly hard, is at the peak of the second rank. The difference is even more than one rank. Fortunately, I weakened the Thunder Spear by using the Heaven and Earth One Slash and the Vast Righteous Qi of Confucian School."

Xu Qi'an was still shaken.

After realizing that "Jade Shatter" had broken through, Xu Qi'an kept his biggest trump card and used it to gamble his life with Nalan Tianlu.

While communicating with the tower spirit to confirm that the old monk was alright and could be rescued in time, he added two layers of protection to himself to ensure his survival rate: one was the "Heaven and Earth One-Slash Slash," and the other was the Confucian School Vast Righteous Qi.

Used to weaken the power of the Thunder Spear.

He won his gamble and survived—or rather, he was successfully saved.

This is what it means to be blessed with good fortune.

"Unfortunately, my Jade Shattering technique has only recently achieved a breakthrough, so I can't return 100% of the damage to the opponent. Otherwise, Nalan Tianlu might have been reduced to ashes on the spot."

Xu Qi'an looked at Dongfang Wanrong, who was screaming in agony, and felt a pang of regret.

The damage from Jade Shattering will still have some loss; currently, it can only return about 60% of the damage.

It's a complete gamble on who has the tougher life.

Dongfang Wanrong was actually just a casualty; the target of the Jade Shattering Retribution was Nalan Tianlu, not Dongfang Wanrong.

Her tragic fate was due to Nalan Tianlu residing within her body, which caused her to suffer as a result.

If it were returned to her directly, with her mere fourth-rank level, she would have been reduced to ashes long ago.

Li Lingsu hovered in the air a short distance away, neither approaching nor leaving, to prevent anyone from taking the opportunity to finish off her.

However, his gaze was not on Xu Qi'an, but was closely watching Dongfang Wanrong's situation. The Holy Son frowned, worried about his old lover's condition.

Miao Youfang also stopped and climbed a withered tree, regretting that he could not fly.

"An eye for an eye?"

"The Image of the Pharmacist!!"

Du Fan and Du Nan, the two Vajras, spoke at the same time, both surprised and angry.

What shocked them was that they didn't understand why Dongfang Wanrong was suffering a backlash, just like Xu Qi'an.

Such methods are simply unheard of.

What angered him was that with the appearance of the Pharmacist's Dharma form, Xu Qi'an's life was most likely saved.

The Nine Great Forms of Buddhist School were created by the Buddha and represent the highest level of Buddhist teachings. Each form possesses unfathomable abilities.

The Pharmacist's form has no offensive power, but it can bring people back to life and defy fate.

During the Jiazi Sixty-Year Demon Purge, the Bodhisattva Faji manifested the Pharmacist form to save countless Buddhist School disciples and Vajras.

Except for certain special methods, or when the soul is scattered on the spot, the Pharmacist's image can revive the patient.

Now that the Pharmacist's Dharma form has manifested, even if Xu Qi'an had just died, he can most likely be saved.

On the other hand, judging from the fluctuations in Rain Master Nalan's Primordial Spirit just now, he seemed to have suffered unimaginable damage.

Dongfang Wanrong's clothes were charred black and torn in many places by the electric arc. She struggled to sit up and cross her legs.

A faint crimson light rose from her body, flickering like a candle in the wind.

At this moment, the dark clouds that had been shrouding Mount Quanrong began to dissipate, the torrential rain turned into a drizzle, and the storm, having lost the support of the Rain Master's power, finally subsided.

"Rain Master Nalan, how are you?"

The Vajra of Salvation strode forward.

Dongfang Wanrong remained silent, as if she didn't even have the energy to speak.

Nalan Tianlu used the Blood Spirit Technique to stimulate his disciple's physical potential and repair his injuries, but the body was already at its limit, and the Blood Spirit Technique could not create a friend out of nothing.

Therefore, the repair effect is limited.

"Elder sister!"

With a whooshing sound, Dongfang Wanqing flew back. She looked at Dongfang Wanrong's miserable state, her face pale, her eyes filled with panic and anxiety.

"Medicine."

Nalan Tianlu's weary voice emanated from Dongfang Wanrong's body.

Dongfang Wanqing hurriedly took out all the healing pills, pried open Dongfang Wanrong's mouth, and stuffed them in.

A moment later, the rising blood-red light intensified slightly.

"Not enough!"

Nalan Tianlu's voice was hoarse and weary.

Wizards' physical bodies are too fragile, lacking the resilience and vigorous Qi and Blood of warriors, and their self-healing abilities are poor.

No, that's all.

Dongfang Wanqing said, her voice trembling with tears.

She's neither Warlock nor a Daoist priest, where did she get so many pills?

"Masters, do you... do you have any elixirs?"

Dongfang Wanqing pursed her lips, seeking help from Du Nan and Du Fan.

"Amitabha, this humble monk has not brought any elixirs."

The two Vajras shook their heads.

Although King Kong's self-healing ability is far inferior to that of a third-rank martial artist, it is still far superior to most healing pills in the world.

Unless it's a top-grade elixir refined by the Imperial Advisor, so-called healing elixirs are useless to Vajra.

Dongfang Wanqing looked up at the Wind-Riding Boat, knowing that Ji Xuan had no shortage of pills.

But the Wind-Riding Boat was too high for her to fly on.

The wind-riding boat was quiet; Ji Xuan seemed to have no intention of saving Dongfang Wanrong.

A whooshing sound came from behind, and a small sword dragging a sachet flew over and landed at Dongfang Wanqing's feet.

She glanced at the sachet, then turned to look at Li Lingsu, who was floating in the distance.

Dongfang Wanqing opened the sachet, took out several porcelain bottles, brought them to her nose, and smelled them to distinguish the properties of the pills.

He selected some healing and nourishing pills and fed them to Dongfang Wanrong.

This stabilized her sister's injuries.

Nalan Tianlu breathed a sigh of relief and slowly said:

"I am no longer able to fight. Masters, please excuse me."

Forcibly raising one's cultivation level already damages one's foundation, and then being backfired by the power of the lightning spear, he was already extremely weak.

A dramatic turn of events!

For the Martial Arts Alliance, just when the situation was at its lowest point, it suddenly took a turn for the better, then soared to new heights.

The magnitude and speed of the change left them in a state of shock.

A few seconds later, screams and cheers erupted, mixed with the sound of a woman crying tears of joy.

Young Master Liu took a deep breath, looked around, and found that most people still had fear and sorrow on their faces, but they were also cheering or making sharp, meaningless noises.

Just moments before, everyone thought Xu Yinluo was doomed.

The situation reversed in the next moment. The woman, who seemed like a goddess, was suddenly seriously injured and could not get up. At this moment, Xu Yinluo was hovering in the air, with the golden light of the pagoda above his head protecting him.

"Xu Yinluo actually won."

"That scared me to death."

"Incredible! No wonder he's the most outstanding genius of the younger generation in the Central Plains."

"What method did he just use? Why was the Rain Master suddenly severely injured?"

After venting their emotions, everyone started discussing it amongst themselves.

He actually managed to defeat a second-rank Rain Master. Young Master Liu already knew the woman's identity from Elder Cao and other elders.

A second-rank rain master of the Witch God Cult.

A second-rank official? In his eyes, that was like a god.

"The original poster is right, Xu Yinluo has never lost, never lost."

Young Master Liu heard Rongrong's cry and looked in the direction of the sound. She was holding her master's hand, speaking emotionally, with tears still on her face.

Young Master Liu shifted his gaze to the flawless, fairy-like figure standing on the cliff edge with her back to the Wan Hua Lou disciples, her eyes never leaving Xu Yinluo.

Young Master Liu frowned and said:

"But aren't there still two Buddhist School? And Xu Yinluo seems unable to fight anymore."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's heads, extinguishing their joy and excitement.

The scene fell silent instantly.

Everyone was watching him.

"This humble monk understands."

Shura Vajra glanced at Du Nan, signaling him to calm down, and said, "Don't use it unless absolutely necessary."

Du Nan nodded.

The Bodhisattva of the Gara Tree bestowed upon them a drop of Essence Blood, a drop of Essence Blood containing the power of the Vajra Dharma form, which was intended as a last resort.

The so-called Essence Blood is not ordinary blood, but blood refined with the power of Vajra.

Xu Qi'an gave Cao Qingyang a similar Essence Blood.

The power of the Vajra Dharma Image is too domineering; even a third-grade Vajra cannot control it well.

Using it rashly might cause your physical body to be burst apart by the power of the Vajra Dharma Form, or leave you with hidden injuries that are difficult to eradicate.

Furthermore, if they could eliminate the Buddhist disciple and the martial arts alliance without using the Bodhisattva's Essence Blood, then they could keep this drop of Essence Blood for their own use, slowly digesting it and comprehending its Vajra Dharma form.

Once the Bodhisattva of the Gara Tree gives them his Essence Blood, he will not ask for it back.

"Rain Master, please continue healing; I will leave the rest to you."

Shura Vajra took a step and walked towards Xu Qi'an. He quickly reached the edge of the cliff, stepped into the air, and walked as if on flat ground.

"Xu Qi'an, the Buddhist School's patience is limited. You have repeatedly opposed the Buddhist School, joining forces with Luo Yuheng to capture and subdue the Arhat of Love."

"Since I am a guardian deity of the Dharma, it is my duty to slay the traitors for Buddhist School."

He appeared to be walking slowly, but in reality, he was gathering his strength and had his eyes firmly locked on Xu Qi'an.

The Buddhist School's target is also Xu Qi'an, whether they kill him or convert him.

In comparison, aside from the people of Qianlong City who were single-mindedly focused on eliminating the Martial Alliance, Nalan Tianlu and the two Vajra Kings had the following priorities in mind:

Xu Qi'an, Dragon Qi, Martial Alliance!

Xu Qi'an doesn't come, they will withdraw the dragon energy and destroy the martial arts alliance.

Once Xu Qi'an supports the Martial Alliance, he will become the primary target of both sides.

At this moment, Xu Qi'an's injuries had initially stabilized. New, tender skin was growing beneath his carbonized skin, and his life force was slowly recovering.

He calmly gazed at the murderous intent Asura Vajra, and smiled:

A quarter of an hour has passed.

"What?" Shura Vajra frowned, not understanding the meaning behind his words.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, the stone gate, which had been buried by rolling stones, exploded without warning, sending countless stones flying.

A gleaming blade of light, filled with a chilling intent, swept out from within the stone gate, slashing towards the Asura Vajra.

The old scoundrel from the Martial Alliance, Shura Vajra, sensed danger and dodged in advance, avoiding the dazzling blade light.

After missing its target, the blade of light quickly vanished into the void.

Shura Vajra suddenly sidestepped, and the next moment, a blade of light slashed out from the void above his head, grazing past him.

Then it vanished into the void once more.

It won't disappear if it misses the enemy?

Asura Vajra raised a thick eyebrow, sensing the danger on his left. He didn't dodge anymore; his fist blazed with brilliant golden light as he unleashed a powerful punch.

It collided precisely with the blade of light that came from the left.

With a muffled, thunderous explosion, Shura Vajra tumbled and flew backward, looking down in astonishment at his mangled right fist.

This sword intent actually shattered his indestructible body?

Suddenly, almost everyone looked towards the cave, where a figure emerged from the dark stone cave.

What is most striking about him is his head of white hair, a blanket of white hair that falls behind him and drags on the ground.

His eyebrows drooped down his cheeks, and his beard reached his chest.

He was naked, without any covering, and the lack of sunlight over the years had made his body resemble fine white jade, with bulging muscles and a tall, robust build.

He looked like a man in his fifties, with some wrinkles on his face, but he didn't appear very old.

His facial features were sculpted, suggesting he must have been an extremely heroic man in his youth.

"Ancestor?!"

Cao Qingyang murmured.

The group of martial arts practitioners behind him were also filled with bewilderment, surprise, and worry.

"Is this the ancestor of our martial arts alliance?"

"Yes, it's our ancestor; he bears some resemblance to the portrait."

After a brief moment of confusion, they gradually recognized the old man who had been self-proclaimed for hundreds of years, and he matched quite well with the portrait hanging in the ancestral hall.

"Why did our ancestor break through at this time? Wasn't he in a very bad state?"

As Fu Jingmen spoke, her expression changed slightly:

"Could it be that they forced their way through because Xu Yinluo was in trouble?"

He didn't say anything more.

Everyone's expression changed drastically. If that were the case, the price the ancestor paid for forcibly breaking through the barrier was unimaginable.

After this battle, the pillar supporting the Martial Alliance collapsed, a loss the Martial Alliance could not afford.

"This, this..." someone stammered, unable to speak.

Only Alliance Leader Cao Qingyang knew about the nine-colored lotus root. He was about to explain when Xu Qi'an burst into laughter:

"Senior, you've finally made it out! If you hadn't broken through this barrier soon, I was leaving."

They hid inside the pagoda.

The old scoundrel laughed heartily:

"Many thanks to Xu Yinluo for the nine-colored lotus root that helped me break through the barrier. I have now advanced to the second rank; my misfortune has turned into good fortune!"

The voice was booming, loud, and cheerful.

P. S.: Happy Xinnian everyone!

May the new year bring you great success! And don't forget to vote with your monthly ticket.

2020 has passed. Let's say goodbye to the "colorful" past year and welcome a better future.