284: The power of Zhuxian

[The immortal slaying sword (Gold) and the immortal slaying sword (Fire) leaped out simultaneously—]

[The sword bodies flowed with a Great Dao radiance that seemed tangible, emitting a sharp and destructive aura far greater than before!]

[The two immortal slaying swords hung above your head, their tips touching as they slowly rotated, forming a mysterious Origin point of sword momentum—]

[They were your Lifebound Treasures. As you advanced to Soul Transformation and underwent Primordial Spirit nurturing and Great Dao baptism, their rank continued to rise.]

[At this moment, the aura emitted by the twin swords was eerie and unpredictable, pointing directly to the Origin of the Great Dao, making anyone who looked upon them tremble in soul.]

[In an instant,]

[The sword art was activated, and the Great Dao resonated—]

["Immortal Slaying—Two Principles Rotation!"]

[Clang—!!]

[The twin swords suddenly erupted with an unprecedented, blazing light!]

[The golden and crimson lights were no longer simply intertwined; they seemed to have invoked a wisp of Great Dao True Intent from the void—the purest representation of "End" and "Destruction" in heaven and earth!]

[A terrifying Concept that transcended ordinary Laws crashed down—]

[The world lost its color, and the astral winds ceased,]

[even the bright moon and stars hanging high above seemed to dim under this Concept.]

[With your current Spirit Transformation Realm and the increased rank of the twin swords, the power of this immortal slaying Divine Ability was far beyond what it once was.]

[At the same time,]

["Wuuu-wong—!"]

[The "black-yellow exquisite tower" before Jiang Ci, which had been as steady as Mount Tai, actually let out a clear, audible wail and tremor!]

[The tower's radiance flickered wildly, and the hanging black-yellow light screen fluctuated violently, as if it had met its natural enemy—]

[The Spirit Treasure was sentient; it was afraid!]

[This fear, originating from its very source, was transmitted unreservedly to its master.]

[Jiang Ci's pupils shrank to the limit. Boundless horror instantly drowned all his reason and Battle Intent. He shrieked, his voice changing pitch:]

["The Power of the Great Dao?!"]

["How could you possibly invoke the Power of the Great Dao?!"]

[Before he could finish, a terrifying shadow poured over him like cold water—]

[He had last experienced this feeling a thousand years ago: back then, he was only at the Qi Refinement Stage, and during a Sect competition, he was nearly killed by his Senior Brother.]

[If he hadn't hurriedly admitted defeat and begged for mercy, he wouldn't have lived until now; it was precisely because of that decisive surrender that he had the chance to kill his Senior Brother a hundred years later.]

[He just never expected that, having cultivated to the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation, he would experience this sense of oppression again.]

[Driven by instinct, three thoughts flashed through his mind—Flee? Surrender? Or fight to the death?]

[Fleeing would be a poor move! As an Elder of the Langgan Pavilion, if he fled today, how could he command respect in the future? Wouldn't his thousand-year-old reputation be utterly disgraced?]

[Fighting to the death would leave him dead or crippled given the current situation—that was the worst move of all!]

[Better to surrender first? If you still don't stop, it won't be too late to flee then!]

[Besides... it's not like he hadn't surrendered before!]

[Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated and hurriedly shouted:]

["Fellow Daoist! Wait—!!"]

["I surrender! I surrender!!!"]

[Hearing him surrender, you were instantly delighted—]

[The less he saw, the better, especially here above the Nine Heavens where there was no grand array blockade.]

[If he really had some trump card for escaping and fled into the Void Realm upon seeing things go south, it would be useless to try and give chase—]

[As a Spirit Transformation Cultivator yourself, you knew very well how to kill another Spirit Transformation Cultivator.]

[This was an impromptu duel without a void-sealing grand array, so there were many ways to escape.]

[Moreover, you had a question that you must get an answer to.]

[In a flash of thought, you immediately withdrew the sword art.]

[The two immortal slaying swords emitted a clear hum and transformed into two streaks of crimson and golden light, instantly vanishing into your brow as their auras were completely retracted.]

[At the same time, you dispersed the hundred-zhang Primordial Spirit Dharma Idol, your body returning to normal. Standing in mid-air, you looked at him calmly and spoke slowly:]

["Since Fellow Daoist Jiang has surrendered, then according to our agreement..."]

[He took a deep breath, raised his hand to recall the still-vibrating black-yellow exquisite tower, and looked at you with an incredibly complex gaze, saying in a low voice:]

["I accept my defeat. If Fellow Daoist Qin has any questions, feel free to ask. Jiang... will tell you everything he knows."]

[Above the Nine Heavens, the sea of clouds churned, and the starlight was cold.]

[You asked the question in your heart!]

[At the same time,]

[The brutal slaughter in front of Chengyun Hall below was also nearing its end.]

[Ji Wuya was already heavily injured; facing the pressing advance of Old Ancestor Jin Yuan, he could only barely hold on and was at risk of being completely defeated at any moment.]

[Although Chen Yongxiu's strength slightly surpassed Old Monster Xinghen's by a margin, the two were still locked in combat, making it difficult to determine a victor for the time being.]

[The most perilous situation was on Ji Hui's side—]

[Relying on her Nascent Soul cultivation, she boldly slew over a dozen Golden Cores, attempting to intimidate the enemies with thunderous methods.]

[However, the remaining nearly one hundred Golden Core Cultivators were no rabble; they had already adjusted their tactics. No longer fighting head-on, they formed a tight battle array, using long-range spells to constantly harass and wear her down, advancing and retreating in an orderly fashion, keeping Ji Hui pinned down.]

[The scene appeared to be at a stalemate, but in reality, the scales were slowly and irreversibly tipping toward Prince Ji Heng's side.]

[At this critical moment—]

["Withdraw!"]

[A voice as cold as ice came clearly from above the Nine Heavens, carrying an unquestionable pressure—]

[It was Jiang Ci!]

[This command was like a sudden thunderclap, instantly freezing the battlefield below.]

[Old Ancestor Jin Yuan, who was about to strike Ji Wuya, suddenly paused and immediately retreated ten zhang.]

[He abruptly looked up at the high sky, which was still obscured by chaotic celestial phenomena and energy ripples. A flash of resentment and hesitation crossed his face as he called out:]

["Senior! Regarding the Ji Family's future... how should my Jiang Family conduct ourselves?"]

[Old Monster Xinghen also took the opportunity to distance himself from Chen Yongxiu. Hearing this, he glanced at Old Ancestor Jin Yuan and said flatly:]

["Fellow Daoist Jiang worries too much. This matter is merely an internal struggle for the throne within the Ji Family; what does it have to do with us?"]

[Hearing this, Ji Wuya was overjoyed. How could he miss this chance to catch his breath?]

[He forced a breath to suppress the metallic taste in his throat, and though his voice was weak, it spread clearly across the field:]

["Today's events were all born of a misunderstanding! With the human emperors seal as proof, I shall let bygones be bygones!"]

[Old Ancestor Jin Yuan's eyes flickered. After a moment of contemplation, he finally nodded slowly—]

[In truth, even if Ji Wuya were to settle scores later, his Jiang Family wouldn't necessarily be afraid.]

[If pushed too far, they would just fight to the death.]

[Moreover, the Jiang Family's move today had the shadow of Langgan Pavilion behind it. If Ji Wuya really wanted to retaliate, Langgan Pavilion would never stand idly by.]

[Thinking of this, his heart settled slightly, and his Battle Intent dissipated.]

[Only Prince Ji Heng's face turned as pale as paper, his body swaying almost imperceptibly—]

[This result was the exact opposite of what he had expected!]

[Langgan Pavilion even dispatched a Spirit Transformation Cultivator, so why... why did it still end in failure?]

[He could understand even less why you had to intervene and interfere with the succession of the Immortal Dynasty's imperial power—]

[He believed he had no enmity with you and had even repeatedly shown goodwill, so why—]

[Why didn't you help him?]

[Countless questions, resentment, and indignation intertwined in his heart, nearly suffocating him.]

[But now the tide had turned, and the die was cast.]

[He could only clench his fists tightly, letting his nails dig into his palms, as he forced a ghastly, livid, and helpless smile onto his face—]

[All his ambitions and schemes collapsed with that single "Withdraw" command.]

[Naturally, he didn't know—]

[Among the members of the Ji Family's imperial house, the person you most wanted dead was actually him, because he had once plotted against you.]

[If he could die without you having to lift a finger, you would also be spared a portion of bad karma—]

[So for you, why not?]