186: The miserable Xuan Yangzi

While Wang Xiaopang was dodging and hiding, facing life-or-death situations in the outside world, Zizhu Peak of Azure Profound Sect presented a serene scene, detached from worldly affairs.

Inside the bamboo pavilion on the peak, Gu Changge, dressed in a simple robe, sat peacefully.

His fingertips lightly tapped the stone table, his gaze seemingly piercing through the clouds, falling upon the distant horizon, as if observing the rhythms of heaven and earth.

Clear tea steamed on the stone table, its fragrant aroma of Dao comprehension permeating the air, yet it couldn't dispel the trace of fundamental contemplation in his brows.

Not far away, the Eternal Heavens Pride Tower stood silently, radiating a profound luster.

Within the Tower, there was a unique Grotto Heaven, where Ling Xi's cold figure often resided, challenging the powerful imprints of ancient ages time and again.

Her Aura became increasingly refined, her Dao intent pure and sharp, subtly showing signs of Breakthrough to the Late Stage of the Cave Heaven Realm.

The sharp edge that devoured all Dao, even emanating from across the Tower, still made one's heart palpitate.

The Lord of Annihilation was also immersed in the battles within the Tower, constantly perfecting his Dao Foundation after returning to his Emperor position by discussing the Dao with the Grand Beginning Ancient Emperor and contending with the Great Emperor Baizhan, making his Silent Extinction Dao increasingly complete and flawless.

Each time he emerged from the Tower, he occasionally bore Dao injuries that were difficult to heal quickly, but the light in his Emperor eyes grew brighter.

In a corner of the courtyard, Xuan Yangzi's quiet room, which he had 'mooched' for himself, was already built.

He often came over, ostensibly to discuss the Dao, but in reality, he mostly brewed a pot of good tea and chattered about Sect trivialities.

Gu Changge mostly listened in silence, occasionally nodding and offering one or two suggestions for the general direction of the Sect's development.

In this tranquil atmosphere, Xuan Yangzi watched the Lord of Annihilation emerge from the Tower, his Daoist robe now bearing several deep, bone-visible sword wounds, yet the fatigue and excitement at the Divine Soul level could not be hidden.

This was not the first time he had seen this; Ling Xi also often emerged with fluctuating Aura, her robes stained with traces of energy annihilation.

He held it in, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the deep black Tower and the Lord of Annihilation, finally unable to resist leaning over to Gu Changge, lowering his voice and asking:

"Senior Brother Changge, what mystery is hidden in your Tower?"

He pointed at the Lord of Annihilation's disappearing back, "I see them going in every few days, and each time they come out, it's like they've fought a fierce battle... This Tower doesn't look like a purgatory, does it?"

This question had been bothering him for a long time, but since Gu Changge hadn't said anything before, he hadn't wanted to inquire rashly. Now, his curiosity was simply unbearable.

Gu Changge turned his head, a meaningful curve on his lips, took a slow sip of tea, and leisurely said, "It's merely a place for Disciples to undergo trials and temper their battle techniques and state of mind. The Tower contains projections of many Prodigies from ancient times."

He paused, then looked at Xuan Yangzi with a hint of playfulness, "What? Does Senior Brother want to try it too?"

Xuan Yangzi's eyes immediately lit up, and he puffed out his chest, speaking confidently and expectantly, "Alright! I've wanted to experience it for a long time! It's not bragging, but I'm a Saint Realm cultivator, what kind of storms haven't I seen?"

His words weren't entirely boastful.

Ever since he received the Emperor-level Cultivation Method and resources from Gu Changge, he had cultivated in seclusion, not only advancing his cultivation to the Middle Stage of the Saint Realm but also forging his Foundation to be incredibly solid, his surging spiritual Qi already overflowing.

At this moment, he felt an inexhaustible strength throughout his body, and was just worried about not finding a suitable opponent to test his greatly increased strength and display his prowess.

Gu Changge put down his teacup, a half-smile on his face, "Since that's the case, then go and try. But I warn you, the projections in the Tower are all top existences of their respective realms in their time. A slight misstep could lead to more than just being covered in injuries."

"Hmph! Junior Brother, don't worry!" Xuan Yangzi slapped his chest, almost cracking the stone table.

"Back in Xuan Province, I dared to chase after demonic cultivators with my Purple Mansion Realm cultivation! Now my strength has greatly increased, and I'm just worried about having nowhere to display my cultivation. I've been holding it in for too long! It's a good chance to stretch my muscles!"

He rolled up his sleeves and rushed towards the Tower of the Prodigies, his steps as fast as if he were going to snatch a treasure.

Gu Changge watched his "invincible" back, shaking his head and chuckling.

As soon as Xuan Yangzi stepped into the light screen, the surrounding scenery suddenly transformed into a vast ancient battlefield.

The air was filled with a bloody, murderous Qi, battle flags fluttered in the distance, and broken weapons were strewn across the ground, as if one could hear the roars of an ancient battlefield.

Before he could react, a figure clad in dark gold armor, wielding a bronze battle axe, emerged from the smoke of war.

The figure had a resolute face, eyes as sharp as an eagle's, and exuded a tragic Aura of having survived a hundred battles—it was the projection of the Great Emperor Baizhan in his youth!

"This is a vital war zone. Intruders die!"

As soon as he spoke, Xuan Yangzi felt goosebumps all over his body, as if countless swords were pointing at him.

Xuan Yangzi's eyes narrowed, and he instantly cast aside his complacency.

He felt the pure and sharp Battle Intent emanating from the opponent, and immediately activated the Blazing Heavens Burning Scripture, his Blazing Heavens Flame Body erupting!

Crimson flames shot up around him, condensing into a blazing shield of holy fire in front of him.

"Good! Let me see what ancient Prodigies are capable of!"

Xuan Yangzi shouted, his Saint Realm Middle Stage cultivation erupting without reservation. He was like a war god bathed in fire, the scorching heat waves twisting the surrounding air.

He confidently met the attack, pushing his palms forward, the blazing shield burning with brilliant Dao patterns, ready to take the blow head-on.

"Clang—!"

The moment the battle axe and the blazing shield violently collided, the confidence on Xuan Yangzi's face instantly froze!

He felt a pure to the extreme Battle Intent transmit through the battle axe. That power was not only fierce and unparalleled, but also contained the true essence of combat that broke through all methods.

His proud Blazing Heavens Holy Fire was torn apart layer by layer, and the Dao patterns on the blazing shield dimmed and shattered at a visible speed.

"How is this possible?!"

Xuan Yangzi was horrified. His Saint Realm Middle Stage cultivation, combined with the Blazing Heavens Flame Body, was barely able to withstand even a single blow!

The ground beneath his feet cracked with several deep fissures, and he was shaken back more than ten steps, his throat sweetening, a gush of hot blood rising, which he forcibly swallowed.

His shield-holding arms were throbbing with pain and numbness, his tiger's mouth already cracked and bleeding.

In just one exchange, his inflated confidence in his strength was completely shattered!

The Great Emperor Baizhan' projection sneered, raising his battle axe again: "Flashy tricks! And you dare to trespass into my war zone!"

Countless phantom battle axes rained down like a downpour, each containing the true essence of combat that broke through all methods. Xuan Yangzi no longer dared to be arrogant, desperately fending off the attacks with his almost shattered blazing shield.

"Rip—"

A phantom axe grazed his shoulder, tearing a large hole in his precious Sect Master robe. His protective fire Qi was like nothing, and the flesh at the wound was instantly torn by the sharp Battle Intent, the excruciating pain making him grimace.

"This, this isn't a competition among peers?" Xuan Yangzi groaned inwardly, "My Blazing Heavens Holy Fire is like paper in front of him!"

The Great Emperor Baizhan' projection raised his battle axe again, striking straight down without any fancy moves.

Countless phantom battle axes rained down like a downpour, each containing pure combat instinct.

Xuan Yangzi desperately dodged with his almost shattered blazing shield, completely lacking the "display of prowess" he had shown earlier.

"Rip—"

An axe phantom grazed his shoulder, tearing his robe, and his protective fire Qi shattered instantly. The excruciating pain made his vision darken.

He wanted to turn and flee, but the projection was like a shadow, its battle axe sealing off his escape route with a flick.

Immediately after, the war zone was filled only with Xuan Yangzi's unilateral cries of agony and the whistling of the battle axe cutting through the air.

One more chapter, hehe!