165: Chapter 165 Purple Qi Comes from the East, Sword Points to the Sky

On the Douxiantai Platform, the battle between Saintess Ye Qingxue and Qian Duoduo had ended, but the atmosphere in the arena not only failed to cool down but instead became even more scorching, like a volcano about to erupt. Everyone's gaze was focused on the final two people.

Lin Wan, dressed in simple green robes, stood with his hands behind his back. His expression was calm, and his Aura was as deep as the sea, as if it could contain all things, yet it also seemed like Chaos before it had separated—mysterious and unfathomable. He was like a silent volcano; calm on the surface, but containing power sufficient to destroy heaven and earth within.

Qin Wushuang, in luxurious purple robes, stood tall and straight. With sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, his bearing was magnificent. Standing there, he was like a natural-born king, with Purple Qi faintly swirling around him. He was exceptionally noble, and also carried a sharp, invincible Sword Intent. He was the heir painstakingly cultivated by the Donghua Immortal Sect, the recognized leader of the younger generation in the Donghua Immortal Domain, and a star looked up to by countless Cultivators.

The two stood facing each other. Before they had even made a move, their invisible Auras were already colliding fiercely in the Void Realm, emitting "chi chi" sounds. Even the incredibly sturdy ground of the Douxiantai Platform began to develop fine cracks. A suffocating sense of oppression permeated the air.

"Finally, this moment has arrived." Qin Wushuang spoke slowly, his voice clear but carrying an unquestionable confidence. "Lin Wan, in the Ascension Tower, I lost to you by a narrow margin. But in actual combat, I, Qin Wushuang, have never lost."

Lin Wan looked at him calmly, his eyes clear and without waves. "The Ascension Tower is part of one's strength, and actual combat is the same. Fellow Daoist Qin, please."

"Good!" A flash of brilliance appeared in Qin Wushuang's eyes, and he stopped wasting words. He knew that any words at this moment seemed pale; only strength was the truth that decided everything.

"Donghua Immortal Sect, Qin Wushuang, please enlighten me!"

Before the words faded, the Purple Qi around Qin Wushuang suddenly erupted! The magnificent Purple Qi, like the rising sun, illuminated all directions, instantly filling the entire arena! Within the Purple Qi, it contained a majestic, vast, noble, and supreme will, as if it were that strand of Innate Purple Qi from when heaven and earth first opened, capable of suppressing all things and cleansing all evil!

"Purple Qi Comes from the East, suppress all directions!"

Qin Wushuang gave a low shout and pressed his hand forward in the air. The endless Purple Qi instantly condensed into a giant purple hand that covered the sky, carrying the terrifying might of suppressing the Universe and crushing all things, slapping down towards Lin Wan! Before the hand arrived, the terrifying pressure had already descended; the arena floor shattered inch by inch, and space itself seemed to have solidified!

"Donghua Purple Qi! It's the Donghua Immortal Sect's ultimate Sect-protecting art!"

"Senior Brother Qin has finally gotten serious! It is said that when this Purple Qi Comes from the East is cultivated to its peak, it can transform into the purple qi from the east, suppressing everything—nothing it cannot break!"

"What terrifying pressure! I feel like breathing is difficult!"

"How will Lin Wan resist?"

Below the stage, countless Disciples of the Donghua Immortal Sect were ecstatic, shouting Qin Wushuang's name. Qin Wushuang was their pride, the future of the Donghua Immortal Sect! They believed that Senior Brother Qin would definitely be able to defeat Lin Wan and reclaim the glory that belonged to the Donghua Immortal Sect!

Facing this giant purple hand that seemed capable of suppressing everything, a trace of gravity also flashed in Lin Wan's eyes. This Qin Wushuang was indeed worthy of his reputation. The power of this "Donghua Purple Qi" far exceeded Saintess Ye Qingxue's "Ice Soul Profound Art." It was majestic and vast, suppressing everything, somewhat similar to his own Chaos power, but more inclined towards "order" and "suppression."

"Chaos Reincarnation, all Laws cannot invade!"

Lin Wan also raised his hand and pointed forward. A grey Chaos Qi, like the primordial ocean before heaven and earth were created, surged from his fingertips, instantly spreading and transforming into a Chaos Domain, enveloping him within it. The Chaos Domain rotated slowly, like a giant millstone, grinding, devouring, and assimilating all external power.

"Boom—!!!"

The giant purple hand slammed fiercely onto the Chaos Domain, erupting with an earth-shattering roar! The Purple Qi and Chaos Qi collided, annihilated, and devoured each other madly! The Purple Qi was majestic and vast, wishing to suppress everything; the Chaos Qi contained all things, wishing to assimilate all Laws. Two equally powerful and equally primordial forces clashed fiercely on the arena, erupting with blinding light and a destructive energy storm, shaking the entire Douxiantai Platform violently. The protective light barrier flickered, as if it could shatter at any moment!

"He blocked it! Lin Wan blocked Senior Brother Qin's Purple Qi Comes from the East!"

"What kind of power is that Chaos Qi? To think it could actually block the Donghua Purple Qi?"

"Too strong! Both of them are so strong! Is this really a battle between Human Immortals? I feel like a Middle Stage Earth Immortal would be no better than this!"

The crowd exclaimed repeatedly, their eyes wide, fearing they would miss a single detail.

"What a great Chaos power! Truly extraordinary!" A trace of admiration flashed in Qin Wushuang's eyes, but his Battle Intent burned even brighter. "Take another sword from me!"

He joined his fingers like a sword and slashed through the air towards Lin Wan.

"Dayan Sword Art, first form, One Sword Opens the Heavens!"

"Clang—!"

A clear and resonant sword cry rang through the nine heavens! The endless Purple Qi instantly condensed, transforming into a magnificent purple sword light that seemed capable of opening the heavens, tearing through the sky and slashing towards Lin Wan! This sword was more condensed and purer than the previous giant purple hand, containing an indomitable, heaven-opening supreme Sword Intent! Wherever the sword light passed, space was easily sliced open, leaving behind a black crack that could not heal for a long time!

"Dayan Sword Art! Senior Brother Qin has actually cultivated the Dayan Sword Art to such a Realm!"

"One Sword Opens the Heavens! It is said that when this sword is cultivated to the extreme, it can truly open the heavens with one strike, resetting earth, water, fire, and wind!"

"Lin Wan is in danger!"

Below the stage, countless people held their breath. The might of this sword was several times stronger than before, and it had already faintly touched the edge of the Law!

Facing this heaven-opening sword, Lin Wan's eyes were extremely grave. He could feel that this sword had already locked onto his Aura; there was no avoiding it, only meeting it head-on!

"Samsara Tribulation Finger, the end!"

Lin Wan advanced instead of retreating. He took a step forward, pressed his right middle and index fingers together, and pointed out! This time, what he unleashed was not the ordinary Samsara Tribulation Finger, but a finger of "the end" infused with more "the end" dao rhyme! The finger energy was no longer grey-black, but had transformed into a profound, dead silence, a pure "black" that seemed capable of ending everything and returning all things to nothingness! This black was deeper than the darkest night, emptier than the most terrifying void, as if it were "the end" itself!

The black finger energy pointed silently at the heaven-opening purple sword light.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, no blinding light. There was only a strange, heart-palpitating dead silence, as if all things were withering and the world was ending.

In the shocked eyes of everyone, that magnificent purple sword light, which seemed capable of opening the heavens, dimmed and dissipated the moment it touched the black finger energy, like a burnt-out candle flame, or like weathered rock, disintegrating, collapsing, and turning into nothingness at a speed visible to the naked eye! In the end, it disappeared completely from heaven and earth, as if it had never appeared.

And the black finger energy Lin Wan had pointed out, after annihilating the purple sword light, was also exhausted and slowly dissipated.

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Everyone was stunned by this strange and terrifying scene.

Qin Wushuang's sword, which was enough to open the heavens, had actually been "ended" so easily and silently?

What kind of power is this? the end? Nirvana? Void?

"Reincarnation... the end..." On the high platform, Sword Immortal Zhanfeng stood up abruptly, a shocking brilliance erupting in his eyes. "This child has actually comprehended the dao rhyme of 'the end'! This... this is impossible! This is one of the supreme Great Daos of destruction!"

"Chaos, Reincarnation, and now the end has appeared..." Fairy Yuehua also couldn't hide her shock. "How many secrets does this child have?"

Immortal Lord Tianhua's gaze was deep as he looked at the green-robed figure on the arena, his heart also surging with waves. Reincarnation, the end—not just anyone could comprehend these. What exactly was this child's background?

Qin Wushuang's expression also became incomparably grave for the first time. He felt that what was contained in Lin Wan's finger was a more essential, more terrifying power than his "Dayan Sword Art." It was "the end" itself, the final destination of all things; even the "heaven-opening" Sword Intent could not escape the fate of being "ended."

"What a great power of the end!" Qin Wushuang took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, but the Battle Intent in his eyes burned like fire. "But my, Qin Wushuang's, sword is not just about opening the heavens! Take another sword from me!"

"Dayan Sword Art, second form, Yin and Yang Differentiation!"

In Qin Wushuang's hand, a primitive purple longsword appeared. As the longsword left its scabbard, the sword hummed clearly. He gripped the sword with both hands and slashed out slowly. This time, it was not a magnificent sword light, but a strange Sword Qi that was clearly black and white, seemingly containing the supreme principles of Yin and Yang, capable of differentiating all things!

Once the Sword Qi appeared, the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth seemed to be divided into Yin and Yang poles. Wherever the Sword Qi passed, everything was "differentiated," and even space seemed to be cut into two halves of Yin and Yang! This sword did not seek ultimate destruction, but "differentiation," disintegrating the enemy's power structure and causing it to collapse on its own!

"Yin and Yang Differentiation! This is the preliminary application of the Law of the Sword!" Sword Immortal Zhanfeng exclaimed again. Qin Wushuang had actually touched the threshold of the Law! The Donghua Immortal Sect truly was full of talent!

Facing this Yin and Yang Sword Qi that "differentiated" all things, a trace of surprise also flashed in Lin Wan's eyes. Qin Wushuang's understanding of the Sword Dao had indeed reached a very high Realm. This sword was more profound and harder to defend against than the previous "One Sword Opens the Heavens."

"Chaos transforms into Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang evolve all things, and all things return to Chaos."

Lin Wan's thoughts raced. In his Sea of Consciousness, the phantom of the "Chaos Reincarnation Divine Kingdom" shone brightly, and the prototypes of the four supreme dao rhymes became active as never before. He felt a flash of inspiration and drew an abstruse trajectory in front of his chest with both hands.

"Chaos Reincarnation, evolve the heavens!"

Following his movements, the grey Chaos Domain suddenly changed! The Chaos Qi surged and rotated wildly, and faintly, the clear and turbid separated, Yin and Yang energies evolved, earth, water, fire, and wind emerged, and phantoms of the sun, moon, and stars appeared... It was as if a miniature world was being born and evolving within the Chaos!

The Yin and Yang Sword Qi that differentiated all things slashed into this Chaos that was "evolving the heavens," as if a clay ox entering the sea, being swallowed, differentiated, and reorganized by the continuously evolving and emerging/perishing heavens and myriad phenomena. In the end, it also became a part of Chaos, becoming nourishment for the evolution of the "heavens"!

"What?! Using evolution against differentiation?!"

"He can actually use Chaos to evolve the heavens, swallowing and assimilating Senior Brother Qin's Yin and Yang Sword Qi?!"

"What kind of Divine Ability is this? Unheard of!"

"Too terrifying! To what extent has this Lin Wan's understanding of the Dao reached?"

Below the stage, there was another uproar. Lin Wan's performance overturned their cognition time and time again. Qin Wushuang's "Yin and Yang Differentiation" was already stunning enough, having touched the threshold of the Law, but Lin Wan had actually dissolved it into nothingness with the even more profound "evolve the heavens"! This was simply inconceivable!

Qin Wushuang's pupils constricted sharply.

He felt it; Lin Wan's "Evolving the Heavens" Divine Ability was not merely about devouring and assimilating.

It contained a force that was far grander and more primordial, as if it were explaining the birth and evolution of the world, making his own "Differentiating" Sword Intent appear so minuscule and one-sided.

"Good! A truly good Chaos Reincarnation, Evolving the Heavens!"

Qin Wushuang laughed instead of getting angry, his laughter filled with exhilaration and fervor, "Lin Wan, you are the strongest opponent I, Qin Wushuang, have encountered in this life! To be able to fight you is my honor! This next strike is my strongest strike to date. If you can withstand it, I, Qin Wushuang, will gladly concede defeat!"

As his words fell, the Aura on Qin Wushuang's body surged once more!

Endless purple Qi shot into the sky from within him, condensing behind him into a towering, colossal purple Imperial phantom wearing an imperial robe and crown!

The Imperial phantom possessed boundless majesty, as if it were the supreme existence ruling over all the heavens and myriad worlds. It held a giant sword wreathed in purple Qi, emitting a terrifying pressure that suppressed the heavens and judged all things!

"The Ziwei Imperial Image! It is one of the supreme legacies of the Donghua Immortal Sect, the Ziwei Imperial Image!"

"Senior Brother Qin has actually mastered the Ziwei Imperial Image! This is a peerless technique comparable to a Heavenly Immortal Divine Ability!"

"Legend says that once the Ziwei Imperial Image appears, it can draw upon the power of the stars of the heavens to suppress everything, invincible and unstoppable!"

"Lin Wan is in danger! This strike has likely reached the power of a Late Stage Earth Immortal!"

Below the platform, countless people trembled with excitement, especially the Disciples of the Donghua Immortal Sect, who were moved to tears.

The Ziwei Imperial Image was the symbol of the Donghua Immortal Sect's supreme Legacy!

Senior Brother Qin was truly a Prodigy of heaven-sent talent!

On the high platform, a trace of gratification flashed in Immortal Lord Tianhua's eyes.

Qin Wushuang had not disappointed him; he had cultivated the Ziwei Imperial Image to such a level. Given time, he would surely surpass him and lead the Donghua Immortal Sect toward a more glorious future.

"Lin Wan, take my final strike!"

Qin Wushuang's expression was solemn. He gripped the purple longsword with both hands and slowly raised it.

The Ziwei Imperial Image behind him performed the same action. That giant sword of purple Qi seemed to gather the power of the stars of the heavens; it was so brilliant it could not be looked at directly, emitting a terrifying Aura that threatened to destroy everything.

"Ziwei Imperial Sword, Judgment of the Heavens!"

Qin Wushuang let out a roar, gripping the sword with both hands, and slashed fiercely toward Lin Wan!

The Ziwei Imperial Image behind him also simultaneously slashed down with the giant sword of purple Qi in its hands!

"Hum—!!!"

A sword beam of indescribable color, as if gathering the light of the stars of the heavens and containing the supreme will of judgment, descended from the sky, slashing toward Lin Wan!

Wherever the sword beam passed, space shattered inch by inch like a mirror, revealing pitch-black spatial rifts, and even the river of time seemed to freeze under this strike!

The Aura of judgment enveloped the entire arena; it felt as if under this strike, any existence would be judged and condemned!

This was a strike where Qin Wushuang had poured out all his strength, burned his essence blood, and even utilized some secret technique!

Its power was so great that it had already exceeded the scope of a Human Immortal and even touched the threshold of a Heavenly Immortal!

Facing this strike that judged the heavens and seemed capable of severing everything, Lin Wan's expression was also extremely grave.

He felt unprecedented pressure; this strike was already capable of threatening his life!

"Chaos as the foundation, Reincarnation as the guide, existence as the fuel, the end as the fruit..."

At this life-or-death moment, Lin Wan's mind, conversely, became completely clear.

In his Sea of Consciousness, the phantom of the "Chaos Reincarnation Divine Kingdom" shone brilliantly, and the four embryonic forms of supreme dao rhyme circulated and merged at an unprecedented speed.

Past insights, experiences in the Ascension Tower, gains from the Dao Origin baptism, battles with Saintess Ye Qingxue and Qin Wushuang... everything flowed, collided, and merged within his heart.

He slowly raised his right hand, pointing his fingers like a sword, and gently tapped toward that sword beam of judgment of the heavens.

There was no earth-shattering momentum, no dazzling radiance.

There was only a gray, indistinct sword of finger-Qi that seemed to contain the Concepts of the creation of the world, the birth and death of all things, endless Reincarnation, and the final return to nothingness, shooting from his fingertips.

This finger-sword appeared ordinary, but looking closely, one could discover that endless Chaos seemed to be churning within it, suns, moons, and stars were being born and dying, life was reincarnating, and worlds were ending... It was as if it were a microcosm of a Universe, containing all the Profound Truths of the Universe from birth to destruction.

"Chaos Reincarnation, Universe Birth and Death Finger."

This was a Divine Ability that Lin Wan, under the pressure of life and death, had been struck by a flash of inspiration to create, integrating all his insights into the four supreme dao rhymes and condensing them into one move!

Although it was still only an embryonic form, it had already touched the edge of the "Dao" and contained the supreme power of the birth and death of the Universe!

The gray finger-sword and the brilliant sword beam of judgment of the heavens collided silently in mid-air.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Space also seemed to solidify.

Everyone stared fixedly at the point of collision.

There was no earth-shattering explosion as expected, no blinding light.

There was only an eerie, strange spectacle that seemed to be an interweaving of the world's birth and destruction, unfolding at that point.

The brilliant sword beam of judgment seemed to fall into a quagmire of time, or perhaps it was being decomposed and devoured by an invisible force; its light rapidly dimmed and dissipated.

Yet, that gray finger-sword seemed to exist since time immemorial, moving forward slowly but firmly, "grinding away," "assimilating," and "ending" the sword beam of judgment bit by bit.

Finally, in the incredulous gaze of everyone, that brilliant sword beam which seemed capable of judging the heavens and severing everything dissipated completely into the world like a dream or bubble.

And the gray finger-sword that Lin Wan had pointed out, after grinding away the sword beam of judgment, also exhausted its final strength and slowly dissipated.

"Pfft—!"

Qin Wushuang's Face turned pale, and he violently spat out a mouthful of blood.

His body swayed, and he had to use his sword to support himself on the ground to barely avoid collapsing.

The phantom of the Ziwei Imperial Image behind him also shattered with a boom, turning into purple Qi that filled the sky and dissipated.

He looked up at Lin Wan, who was still standing calmly on the opposite side, though his Face was slightly pale.

His eyes were filled with shock and unwillingness, but in the end, it turned into a trace of relief and admiration.

"I... lost."

Qin Wushuang's voice carried a hint of hoarseness, but it clearly spread across the entire Douxiantai Platform.

Silence.

It was more deathly silent than any time before.

Everyone seemed to have been struck by an immobilization spell, staring blankly at the arena, at the purple figure spitting blood and leaning on his sword, and at the figure in green robes still standing calmly, as if they could not believe their own eyes.

Qin Wushuang... lost?

The number one Prodigy of the Donghua Immortal Sect, Qin Wushuang, who was hailed as having the potential of a future Immortal Emperor, burned his essence blood, unleashed the Ziwei Imperial Image, and slashed out the strike of Judgment of the Heavens... and yet, he still lost?

He lost to that unknown Lin Wan from the Lower Realm?

This... how is this possible?

However, the fact was right before their eyes; they could not help but believe it.

After a long while, an uproar like a volcanic eruption exploded, sweeping across the entire Douxiantai Platform and the entire Donghua Immortal City!

"He won! Lin Wan won!"

"Qin Wushuang... lost! Lin Wan really won!"

"Ziwei Imperial Image, Judgment of the Heavens... such a terrifying strike was actually broken by Lin Wan!"

"What kind of finger technique is that? I felt like I saw the birth and death of the Universe!"

"Too strong! Strong beyond description! This Lin Wan is absolutely a peerless Prodigy rarely seen in one hundred thousand, no, one million years!"

"The number one person of the younger generation of the Donghua Immortal Domain! The well-deserved number one!"

"Lin Wan! Lin Wan! Lin Wan!"

Countless Cultivators, especially those Loose Cultivators, and those from small Sects and small families, were moved to tears, frantically shouting Lin Wan's name.

Lin Wan's sudden emergence, as a Loose Cultivator, suppressing the number one Prodigy of the Donghua Immortal Sect and reaching the top, undoubtedly gave them tremendous encouragement and hope!

So, Loose Cultivators could also be this powerful! They could also reach the pinnacle!

On the high platform, Immortal Lord Tianhua slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again.

A trace of complexity flashed in his eyes, but more of it was gratification and relief.

Qin Wushuang had lost, and the Donghua Immortal Sect's Face was a bit difficult to maintain, but to see such a brilliant and talented junior rise was a blessing for the Donghua Immortal Domain and a blessing for the Immortal Realm.

Moreover, Lin Wan might not necessarily be unusable by the Donghua Immortal Sect.

Fairy Yuehua, Sword Immortal Zhanfeng, and the Treasure-Gathering Immortal were all silent at this moment, looking at Lin Wan on the arena with incomparably complex gazes.

This child's talent, strength, and potential had already exceeded their estimates.

They must spare no cost to recruit him!

On the arena, Qin Wushuang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and leaning on his sword, he slowly straightened his body.

He looked at Lin Wan, a trace of bitterness appearing on his Face, but more of it was sincere admiration.

"Brother Lin's strength reaches the heavens; I... am convinced of my defeat."

Qin Wushuang cupped his hands and said solemnly, "I lost this battle. Losing... is not unjust."

Lin Wan looked at the purple-robed youth before him who, despite his defeat, still did not lose his demeanor, and a trace of respect arose in his heart.

Qin Wushuang was indeed a heaven-favored son; his Heart-Nature, strength, and bearing were all impeccable.

If not for the fact that he himself had the System, possessed the Chaos Reincarnation Divine Kingdom, and had the four supreme dao rhymes, he might truly not have been his opponent.

"Brother Qin, you flatter me. The Ziwei Imperial Image, Judgment of the Heavens, has infinite power; I was merely lucky."

Lin Wan cupped his hands in return, his tone peaceful.

Qin Wushuang shook his head and did not say anything more.

Defeat is defeat; there is no need for more words.

He looked deeply at Lin Wan, as if wanting to firmly remember this opponent who had defeated him, then turned and walked down the arena step by step.

Although his back looked a bit lonely, his spine remained straight.

"In this battle, Lin Wan, wins!"

The referee Elder's voice, carrying incomparable excitement and shock, announced loudly.

"In this year's Donghua Immortal Domain Ascension Conference, the combat ranking, first place—Lin Wan!"

"Second place—Qin Wushuang!"

"Third place—Xiao Zhan!"

"Fourth place—Saintess Ye Qingxue!"

"Fifth place—Qian Duoduo!"

"..."

As the referee Elder's voice fell, the entire Donghua Immortal City completely boiled over!

Lin Wan's name, like a storm, instantly spread to every corner of the Donghua Immortal Domain, and even spread toward more distant Immortal Domains.

As a Loose Cultivator, he reached the top of the Ascension Tower, setting a ten-thousand-year record!

In the combat ranking, he suppressed the number one Prodigy of the Donghua Immortal Sect, Qin Wushuang, and claimed the first place!

The number one person of the younger generation of the Donghua Immortal Domain, well-deserved!

A new legend was born right here!

And at this moment, the protagonist of the legend, Lin Wan, stood on the Douxiantai Platform, accepting the mountain-collapsing and sea-toppling cheers and attention of millions of Cultivators, his expression still calm, his eyes clear, as if all this glory had nothing to do with him.

His gaze crossed over the seething crowd and looked toward the distant blue sky.

The road to the Immortal Realm has only just begun.