Chapter 16: A Fit of Rage for a "Fair Lady

The essence of the day after tomorrow surged vigorously, continuously flowing into the divine treasury of the lungs, nourishing the innate essence and making it increasingly miraculous.

The lungs belong to the Metal element. During this process of strengthening, this divine treasury was incomparably dazzling, blooming with golden light that illuminated Qin Sheng's cave dwelling.

Strands of golden qi diffused, piercing and dividing the stone walls of the cave, creating countless holes that turned to ash at the slightest breeze.

With every breath, a storm erupted within the cave, with dragons of qi swirling in a terrifying display.

Vitality was nurtured, Dao power became infinite, and the innate essence was cultivated to its absolute limit.

Boom!

A sound akin to the creation of the universe rang out, and the divine treasury of the lungs reached a peak of brilliance.

A deity stepped out from the divine treasury, its entire body covered in dazzling golden light, sacred and majestic, supreme under heaven and above earth.

As the deity practiced its arts, it flew through the heavens and dove through the earth, appearing as a living being.

With the perfection of the lung's divine treasury, Qin Sheng's lung deity was perfectly manifested, acting as if it were another version of himself.

It could cultivate, comprehend Dao laws, fight, refine pills, and forge artifacts...

This was far too extraordinary, a rarity throughout history.

"Truly astonishing. Having another 'me' to cultivate effectively grants me more time," Qin Sheng thought to himself.

This was the transformation of the Dao Palace deities brought by the Infinite Zone—something ordinary people could not replicate, unique in the world.

Calming his mind, Qin Sheng moved forward through the mist, entering the next divine treasury.

The lungs belong to Metal, and the kidneys belong to Water. Metal and Water generate each other; thus, Qin Sheng set the kidney's divine treasury as his next cultivation goal.

The kidneys are the storehouse of essence. Cultivating this treasury would allow his magic power to be continuous and his vitality to be endless.

Qin Sheng clearly saw that a prototype of a deity also existed within his kidney's divine treasury. As his consciousness entered the deity, the "Kidney God" also came to life.

In this way, another "self" was added to assist Qin Sheng in his cultivation, allowing him to further transcend the mundane.

Once the kidney's divine treasury was initially developed, something incredible happened: Qin Sheng's five divine treasuries all began to glow simultaneously, resonating with one another.

Continuous sounds of the Dao echoed, sounding like ancient ancestors or perhaps gods and demons in prayer.

Legend has it that humans possess a "Transient Self" and a "Dao Self," which emerge alongside the divine treasuries.

The "Transient Self" chants sutras for the current self, existing alongside heaven and earth; it makes wishes for the current self to transcend the cycle of life and death.

The "Dao Self" provides empowerment for the current self, wishing for attainment of the Dao and ascension; it offers blessings for the current self to be eternal and immortal.

The heavenly sounds of the Great Dao echoed through the mountain forest, explaining laws and principles. The vitality of trees, flowers, grass, birds, and beasts began to dissipate invisibly, gathering in strands to be devoured by Qin Sheng.

The Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art was too terrifying. Even without consuming the essence of others, the mere process of cultivation would passively plunder all things in heaven and earth, causing everything to wither.

This was a demonic art that offended the harmony of heaven and earth, an art not tolerated by the universe.

Before the Ruthless One achieved the Dao, she was loathed by heaven and earth and hated by humanity. The tribulations at every realm were many times more terrifying than those of others; this was the punishment of heaven.

At that time, she could find no good resources; neither immortal gold nor emperor materials were available, and she had to rely solely on herself.

Of course, this was only a temporary situation, not a permanent one.

Once she attained the Dao and governed all paths, heaven and earth would revere her, submitting beneath her skirt, and the situation naturally changed.

Using a lifetime of a demonic body to refine the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Cauldron was not because the Ruthless One lacked immortal gold at the time, but to completely break free from all constraints.

When this cultivation session ended, Qin Sheng stepped out of the cave dwelling and stood amidst the heavens, feeling as though everything under heaven and above heaven was within his grasp.

Second Level of the Dao Palace.

This breakthrough was not entirely due to the fusion of the Water Margin Qin Sheng's essence.

The distance between the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Yan Kingdom was vast. It took Qin Sheng some time to travel, and he had been cultivating and accumulating power along the way.

Looking at the mountain forests where vitality had dimmed significantly, Qin Sheng couldn't help but frown.

"Although I don't need the essence of others to practice the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, this characteristic of devouring all things in heaven and earth is still too terrifying."

"And this is only the Dao Palace Secret Realm..."

Once Qin Sheng advanced to the Sendai Secret Realm, if he practiced without restraint, he might even be able to swallow stars and consume worlds.

However, it was undeniable that the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art was incredibly strong.

The cultivation speed was fast, and the combat power was exceptionally high.

If he let loose, he could even devour an enemy's life during battle.

"I must find an artifact or use Dao patterns to seal myself, to minimize the commotion during cultivation."

Qin Sheng made a plan in his heart, then checked his progress in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms world.

Qin Sheng had already displayed divine strength in the Three Kingdoms world, shocking the world. However, ending the chaotic era was not something that could be achieved merely by intimidating a few warlords; it would take time.

Where does chaos come from?

It lies both in the heavens and on the earth.

"I'll take it slow. Anyway, time flows faster in the Three Kingdoms world."

Qin Sheng stopped focusing on it and headed toward the small town.

Upon entering the town, Ye Fan, Old Man Jiang, and Xiao Tingting were nowhere to be found. After inquiring, Qin Sheng learned that many knights riding exotic beasts had previously come looking for someone with the surname Jiang.

Hearing this, Qin Sheng understood.

The Jiang family had come for Xiao Tingting and the others.

Old Man Jiang's father was an expert of the Ancient Jiang Family. However, internal strife had occurred within the Jiang family back then, leading many to be falsely accused and driven away.

Now that the internal situation had stabilized and many things had come to light, some people had been vindicated.

Qin Sheng went to the Misty Grotto Heaven, only to find it in a state of disarray. The Jiang family members had left several days ago, and Ye Fan was still missing.

"Oh no, Ye Fan!"

Qin Sheng recalled what happened to Ye Fan in the original plot after Xiao Tingting was taken away, and he realized something was wrong.

He tracked the signs and rushed into the wild mountains.

In a stone forest, he discovered three knights riding exotic beasts, patrolling the sky as if searching for something.

"Who goes there?" one knight barked.

Qin Sheng stepped through the void and asked calmly

"Are you pursuing a youth surnamed Ye?"

"The Jiang family is conducting business; it has nothing to do with you. Get lost!" the knight said arrogantly.

"Immortal Qin, I'm here!"

At that moment, a cry came from a crevice in a stone peak below. Qin Sheng looked over.

Ye Fan was standing there, looking like a wild man, in a very wretched state. His abdomen was covered in blood; he had sustained significant injuries.

"Found him!"

The three Jiang family knights drove their beasts down. They were all high-level cultivators of the Wheel Sea Secret Realm, making them incredibly powerful and irresistible to Ye Fan.

"Daring to act in my presence? You seek death."

Qin Sheng struck out with a palm, his magic power pouring out violently.

The three knights who had chased Ye Fan to the brink of death were instantly struck dead.

Qin Sheng landed in front of Ye Fan and asked

"What happened?"

"Xiao Tingting and the others are from the Ancient Jiang Family. Someone from the Jiang family came looking for them. One of the knights' beasts can sense treasures, and he discovered a great treasure hidden on me. After the Jiang family members left, he sent people to hunt me down."

Ye Fan quickly explained the situation.

Qin Sheng's eyes flashed with killing intent. "Quite the Jiang family."

"It was my fault for being in seclusion and losing track of time. Are you alright?"

"It's not your fault."

Ye Fan's face was pale as he shook his head. "I'm fine, no life-threatening injuries."

In reality, the wound on his abdomen was deep enough to see his intestines; if not for his extraordinary Sacred Body, Ye Fan would likely have died.

"Immortal Qin, we must leave here quickly."

Qin Sheng turned his gaze in a certain direction. "Don't be afraid."

"Come, I'll take you to kill some people."

Qin Sheng didn't need to go looking for the Jiang family; the massive commotion just now had already been detected by the Jiang family cultivators, who were now rapidly converging.

Five more knights appeared. They glanced at the corpses on the ground and were instantly enraged.

"How dare you lay a hand on someone from my Jiang family!"

The five knights surrounded Qin Sheng and Ye Fan. A few breaths later, brilliant divine rainbows appeared, and two more Jiang family members arrived.

"The one on the left is Jiang Yifei, the leader of this Jiang family group. The one on the right who sensed my treasure is Jiang Yichen," Ye Fan whispered. "There is also a Jiang Caixuan who hasn't arrived; she is likely accompanying Xiao Tingting."

Qin Sheng nodded. He remembered who Jiang Yichen was—that "Feces Pit Emperor."

Jiang Yichen was young but incredibly arrogant, carrying a condescending air that made Qin Sheng angry.

"Since you dared to kill my Jiang family members, no one under heaven or on earth can save you!"

*Our Ancient Clan wants to kill you, and instead of sticking your neck out to accept death, you actually dare to resist? Simply rebellious!*

"Robbing treasures and taking lives, especially when Ye Fan has helped your Jiang family bloodline in the past," Qin Sheng said coldly. "Is this the style of an Ancient Clan?"

Jiang Yifei was handsome and possessed an extraordinary aura. He spoke up

"Fellow Daoist, regardless of the circumstances, you should not have killed my Jiang family members."

Ye Fan's heart was filled with immense hatred. He had finally witnessed the tyranny of an Ancient Clan.

They sent people to kill him and rob him, yet they had the audacity to act as if they were in the right.

Qin Sheng smiled. "If I killed them, so what?"

"Then I shall kill you!"

Jiang Yichen unleashed a divine furnace, sending up towering flames.

"Tricks."

Qin Sheng stepped forward. "To think the Jiang family still has such a useless waste like you!"

A halo rose behind Qin Sheng's head, illuminating the surroundings, dispelling all foreign energies and suppressing all directions.

Great Radiance, Great Might.

One of the signature secret techniques of the Yaoguang Holy Land: the Holy Light Technique!

"You are a disciple of Yaoguang!" Jiang Yichen screamed.

The five Jiang family knights surrounding Qin Sheng were turned to ash by the Holy Light Technique, and scorched marks appeared on the divine flame furnace.

"Fellow Daoist of Yaoguang, show mercy!" As Jiang Yifei spoke, he also struck out fiercely, attempting to save Jiang Yichen.

Qin Sheng struck out with a precious seal, blocking Jiang Yifei and directly seizing Jiang Yichen.

Jiang Yichen's body was covered in cracks, his flesh parched and dried by the heat. Fear filled his eyes, and his previous arrogance had vanished.

"I leave him to you," Qin Sheng said, tossing him to Ye Fan.

With a flash of divine light, Qin Sheng appeared before Jiang Yifei, his massive magic power surging as he struck down.

This was the most outstanding disciple of the Jiang family's younger generation. He had not yet broken into the Four Poles realm and was in the same secret realm as Qin Sheng.

They could fight!

Qin Sheng wanted to see if this Jiang family genius lived up to his reputation!

The Holy Light Technique illuminated the heavens, its brilliance rivaling the sun.

Another divine furnace was unleashed, emitting special fluctuations. Because of the Hengyu Furnace, the Jiang family favored forging with imitations of Emperor weapons.

Jiang Yifei did not dare to underestimate Qin Sheng, despite his lower cultivation level. He moved his hands, displaying mysterious trajectories.

Eight Gods' Savage Strength! A top-tier weapon-control secret technique with a demonic nature that could allow a weapon to exert incredible power.

Boom!

The secret technique and the divine weapon collided violently, shaking the world.

The clouds in the sky were blasted away, the earth was riddled with craters, and mountain peaks exploded.

"Fellow Daoist, this time Jiang Yichen was in the wrong; he was greedy. I am willing to apologize on his behalf," Jiang Yifei said. "Please spare his life. His elder is a great figure in our clan. If you kill him, it will be bad for both our families."

Jiang Yifei had no intention of fighting Qin Sheng to the death. This was merely a testing exchange, and he had realized that this Yaoguang disciple was far from simple.

Such a person was a treasure in any orthodox lineage; if something happened to him, the consequences would be infinitely more serious than the death of a few knights.

From behind, Jiang Yichen's screams rang out. Ye Fan said loudly

"Show sufficient sincerity, and I will let him go."

"Very well," Jiang Yifei immediately agreed, then turned to Qin Sheng. "What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"

With a surge of magic power, Qin Sheng retreated using the momentum and nodded. "Ye Fan is the victim; he will handle this matter."

He glanced at the dying Jiang Yichen.

Both sides ceased fighting. Jiang Yifei produced many treasures to exchange for Jiang Yichen and left without a word.

"Why didn't you kill him?" Qin Sheng asked.

"He has already implicated you. If I were to kill Jiang Yichen now, it would likely cause trouble for you when you return to the Yaoguang Holy Land," Ye Fan said, taking a deep breath. "I cannot drag you down any further."

Qin Sheng laughed. "You overestimate the importance of a single Jiang Yichen to the Jiang family. His elders do not represent the entire clan."

He didn't take today's events to heart at all.

It was normal for the juniors of Holy Lands and Great Clans to fight and kill each other. If one was inferior in skill, death was simply part of the game, and everyone would follow the rules on the surface.

In Qin Sheng's case, this didn't count as offending the Jiang family. If the Jiang family actually came to Yaoguang to cause trouble over this, the Eastern Wasteland would laugh them out of existence.

Of course, if you were a small sect or a rogue cultivator and dared to strike someone from a Holy Land or Great Clan, they would consider it an unpardonable sin.

One could only say that Ye Fan did not yet fully understand the rules between top-tier orthodoxies.

However, his intention to consider Qin Sheng's well-being was certainly good.

"But your choice isn't wrong. Trading a waste's life for resources to increase your cultivation is indeed more profitable than killing him," Qin Sheng said. "However, he will definitely come looking for trouble with you in the future."

As for Qin Sheng? Whenever Jiang Yichen heard news of him in the future, he would have to take a detour.

"I'll wait for him," Ye Fan said with a confident smile.

It was foreseeable that a "Feces Pit Emperor" would likely appear in the future Heaven-Covering World. What a tragedy...

Ye Fan asked curiously, "How strong is Jiang Yifei?"

Qin Sheng nodded, his expression turning serious.

"Very strong, many times stronger than that waste Jiang Yichen. We didn't go all out; we were just testing each other. He is likely the most outstanding disciple in the Jiang family."

Ye Fan: "..."

He felt as though Immortal Qin was indirectly praising himself.

"I wonder what kind of combat power my Sacred Body will have once I reach the Dao Palace Secret Realm," Ye Fan said, looking forward to it.

"By then, defeating a cultivator one realm higher than you will not be a problem."

In the Wheel Sea and Dao Palace Secret Realms, the concept of "prohibitions" didn't really exist.

Everyone's foundation was too weak; their physical potential had only just been developed, making it difficult to exert the true power of invincible profound methods or powerful divine abilities.

Most importantly, they lacked comprehension of the Laws.

Talking about fighting across several prohibitions or small realms was unrealistic.

Currently, Ye Fan could not cause his combat power to skyrocket by seven or eight small realms as he would in the Sendai Secret Realm.

It was only after Ye Fan obtained the "All" Secret that his combat power increased tenfold based on his Sacred Body, allowing him to fight against the Shore Realm while in the Divine Bridge Realm.

One could say that the gap between ordinary bodies and special constitutions was at its smallest during this stage; it would only grow larger and larger until the gap became an unbridgeable void.

Qin Sheng and Ye Fan left to find a place to treat Ye Fan's injuries.

"Immortal Qin, thank you for this time."

"There's no need for such politeness between us."

Ye Fan nodded heavily, committing everything to memory.

Qin Sheng, meanwhile, was thinking about the Bronze Immortal Palace that would appear in a few years.

The Yellow Emperor Mother Qi and the Mother Qi Root there were left behind by the Ruthless One. As her "brother," it was only right for Ye Fan to take some.

As the destined successor of the Ruthless One, it was only reasonable for Qin Sheng to take some as well.

Living well is better than anything else!