355: Finals

The moment Xiao Zhuo's Great Dao of Life touched Qiao Zimo's Physical Body, some of the lingering injuries on his body began to rapidly fade and disappear.

The Great Dao of the Soul then began to regulate his Divine Soul.

At the same time, Xiao Zhuo's Divine Sense, attached to the Dao, began to analyze the connection between Qiao Zimo's Physical Body and Divine Soul.

It could be confirmed that Qiao Zimo's Physical Body and Divine Soul were extremely similar to Xiao Zhuo's soul infant Cultivating to the Primordial Spirit level, but far less resilient than a Primordial Spirit.

However, being able to achieve the Fusion of spirit and flesh in the Mahayana Realm was definitely a great enhancement for a Body Cultivator.

His control over his Physical Body absolutely far surpassed others at the same stage.

But Qiao Zimo's situation seemed impossible to replicate; his Physical Body and Divine Soul had a special kind of attractive force.

This was probably the key to his ability to achieve the Fusion of spirit and flesh so early.

While Xiao Zhuo nourished his Divine Soul and replenished his Soul Power, he continuously analyzed the miraculous aspects of his Physical Body.

The mutated asura demonic body was truly wondrous.

Or rather, every special Physique was quite wondrous.

Xiao Zhuo had also studied his own four Physiques for a long time, but he hadn't found any way to form a special Physique through Acquired means.

Each Physique would naturally generate some special energy, which could stimulate the body to evolve different runes.

Xiao Zhuo had once replicated the runes of his Thunder Divine Body within his own body and inscribed them on Wang Xianzhi. Although it did allow Wang Xianzhi to exert a certain power of the Thunder Divine Body for a short time, the runes would collapse after less than ten breaths.

His Thunder Divine Body had advanced from a Dao Body by devouring Heavenly Tribulation.

He believed that a Divine Body was by no means only Innate.

Therefore, the discovery on Qiao Zimo greatly interested him, because Qiao Zimo's Physique was also a mutated Physique.

It was much stronger than the original asura demonic body, clearly having undergone an advancement.

Since a Physique could advance, why couldn't it be refined through Acquired means?

Xiao Zhuo quickly found the demonic body runes within Qiao Zimo's body and firmly memorized them.

Perhaps they could be used in the future.

And Qiao Zimo's Divine Soul, stimulated by Xiao Zhuo's Great Dao of the Soul, had already grown a small right arm and was re-fusing with his Physical Body.

Xiao Zhuo also carefully observed the Fusion process.

After about an hour, Qiao Zimo's Divine Soul was repaired by Xiao Zhuo and re-fused with his Physical Body.

Qiao Zimo also woke up.

Seeing a group of Immortals gathered around him, he was a bit bewildered.

However, he still remembered passing out on the arena, so he guessed why so many people were there.

Only one of the black-clothed youths, whom he had never met, felt very familiar.

He looked at Xiao Zhuo and asked the Ancient Refining Sect Elder, "Revered Master! Who is this?"

"This is a Senior specially invited for you by Penglai Holy Land! Wang Xuan, Fellow Daoist Wang!" The Ancient Refining Sect Elder's old face was full of smiles upon seeing Wang Xuan awaken. "You woke up so quickly thanks to Fellow Daoist Wang! Hurry and thank him!"

Qiao Zimo was stunned, but he obediently stepped down from the black stone platform and bowed to Xiao Zhuo: "Thank you, Senior Wang, for your healing! I will always remember today's kindness!"

"It's nothing! Penglai Holy Land has already paid your consultation fee!" Xiao Zhuo smiled slightly and waved his hand.

Qiao Zimo, however, insisted: "The Holy Land is the Holy Land! I, Qiao Zimo, received healing from Senior, and I will naturally remember this favor!"

The Ancient Refining Sect Elder stroked his beard and smiled. He admired this Disciple's character and, upon discovering his special Physique, which was suitable for the Ancient Refining Sect's Cultivation methods, brought him back to the Immortal-Demon Realm.

Otherwise, even if he had accidentally saved the boy's life, he would at most have casually tossed him into some Middle Thousand Worlds; why would he bring him back to the Immortal-Demon Realm and accept him as a Personal Disciple?

Xiao Zhuo merely smiled faintly, no longer engaging in conversation, and looked at Nie Qianji: "Fellow Daoist Nie! I did not fail in my mission! I shall return now!"

Nie Qianji also nodded: "I will see Fellow Daoist Wang off!"

After the two left the Pill Hall, Xiao Zhuo bid farewell to Nie Qianji and returned to the Prodigy courtyard alone.

Although Qiao Zimo had been cured by him, he was not optimistic about Qiao Zimo's chances of winning.

He had watched both battles. Li Bufan of Penglai Holy Land had not even used his true strength when defeating the Kunlun female Cultivator.

That female Cultivator, though slightly weaker than Qiao Zimo and Monk Hui Ming (Bright Wisdom), was still on the same level.

Unless Qiao Zimo had some powerful trump card, it was unlikely he could win.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, as dawn approached, a powerful Dao rhyme soared into the sky.

It was Wang Xianzhi, Xiao Zhuo's neighbor.

Yesterday, he was inspired by Li Bufan's Sword Art of Knowing and Guarding, and returned to his room early to comprehend it.

This allowed him to fully comprehend his own Dao Principle—Guard.

The Dao Principle of Guard was not a rare Dao Principle; many powerhouses in the myriad worlds had comprehended this Dao Principle.

However, the Dao Principle of Guard varied in strength.

It all depended on the strength of one's Dao Heart.

Although it was not as grand and vast as Xiao Zhuo's Dao Principle of Freedom, which commanded all Dao, nor as overbearing and peerless as Blood Heaven's tyrannical Dao Principle, it was still an extremely powerful Dao Principle.

Comprehending this Dao Principle would make Cultivating defensive Great Dao or Divine Abilities twice as effective in the future.

Wielding defensive Divine Abilities would also receive a great boost depending on the strength of one's Dao Heart.

The firmer the heart of Guard, the stronger the power gained.

Xiao Zhuo sensed the Dao rhyme close at hand, and a slight smile played on his lips.

The stronger Wang Xianzhi became, the more at ease he would be taking their siblings to the Blood Demon Realm.

The first rays of dawn broke through, and golden light spilled over Penglai.

At this moment, the Holy Land plaza was bustling with people, like a boiling ocean of Immortals.

Millions of Holy Land Disciples, Cultivators observing the ceremony from all sides, and the defeated Prodigies with their Revered Masters and Elders, packed the plaza to the brim.

Excitement and anticipation filled the air, and everyone's gaze was fixed on the most magnificent arena in the center of the plaza's sky—the Dao Inquiring Stage.

This stage was entirely forged from Immortal gold and divine jade imbued with Dao rhyme, with runes flowing, making it incomparably sturdy, capable of withstanding collisions of Immortal King-level power. It was the final arena Penglai Holy Land had prepared long ago.

Above the plaza, eight giant water mirrors floated, their surfaces shimmering with colorful light, clearly reflecting the scene on the Dao Inquiring Stage from different angles, ensuring that every spectator in the plaza could watch this Peak showdown without missing a single detail.

Higher up, a massive cloud platform floated like an Immortal palace, surrounded by flowing clouds.

On the cloud platform, Saintly Venerable Hao Yun, the Penglai Holy Lord, sat in the main seat. Nie Qianji and other Saint Land Elders, representatives from the other two great Holy Lands, Elders from other Immortal sects, and distinguished Loose Cultivator guests like Xiao Zhuo were seated, with The Two Little Ones standing behind Xiao Zhuo.

From the floating cloud platform, one could overlook the entire Dao Inquiring Stage. The Divine Sense of Immortal Kings and Immortal Lords could even clearly capture every subtle flow of Dao rhyme and clash of Laws during the battle.

"The hour has come. The final battle of the grand competition begins!" A loud voice from a Penglai Elder resounded in all directions.

As the voice fell, two figures shot into the Dao Inquiring Stage like streaks of light.

Li Bufan, the Penglai Saint, wore a green robe, his demeanor as steady as a mountain.

His posture was tall and straight, his eyes calm yet profound, as if containing the entire starry sky.

He merely stood there, and a mighty Dao rhyme, as stable as Mount Tai, subtly emanated from him, causing the surrounding light to seemingly twist slightly around him.

Opposite him, Qiao Zimo stood tall and proud.

After Xiao Zhuo's treatment, not only were his injuries fully recovered, but his Aura seemed even stronger than yesterday!

The phantom of an eight-armed demon god flickered behind him, his Physical Body power surged, and the fierce Qi of the asura demonic body was undisguised.

"Fellow Daoist Qiao, please." Li Bufan's voice was calm as he made a welcoming gesture, his ancient longsword still sheathed, merely pointing casually towards the ground.

"Saint Li, forgive my offense!" Qiao Zimo let out a low roar, and his figure vanished instantly!

Pure Physical Body power tore through the air, emitting a piercing boom.

The eight arms of the phantom behind him struck out simultaneously with fists, palms, claws, and fingers, carrying the Law of power capable of shattering mountains and splitting seas, transforming into an impenetrable storm of death that instantly enveloped Li Bufan!