245: Holy might is like a prison

Dou Sheng! This was a completely different level, the true beginning of standing at the peak of the Fighting Qi Continent's pyramid. Between a Dou Zun and a Dou Sheng lay an insurmountable chasm—a leap in the essence of life and a fundamental change in the understanding and application of Rules.

Although the black silhouette before him might only be an Early Stage One-Star Dou Sheng, the abyssal pressure emanating from him still made Li Ao feel unprecedented stress. The surrounding Annihilation Rules seemed to become stagnant and tame under this saintly might, no longer easily mobilized by him as before.

"The Hall of Souls truly spared no expense for this nirvana source core, even sending a Saint to do such sneaky deeds."

Li Ao suppressed the surging Qi and blood within him. The wound on his shoulder had already healed under the effect of his Hegemon Body, leaving only a faint white mark. He met the opponent's gaze, his tone devoid of fear, containing only cold mockery.

"Sharp tongue."

The black silhouette gave a hoarse laugh, the twisting black mist around him rippling slightly. "this saint, 'Hun You', considers it your honor to die by the hands of this saint. Hand over the secrets you possess, as well as that fragment of the nirvana ancient talisman, and this saint might grant you a quick death."

He truly came for the nirvana ancient talisman!

Li Ao understood instantly. The opponent had been lurking for a long time, only making his move when he repaired the Seal and the ancient talisman absorbed Source Qi and underwent a change, clearly waiting for the perfect moment.

"Want it? Come and take it yourself."

Li Ao slowly adopted a stance, operating the Nirvana Hegemon Body at full power. The strength beneath his muscles was like a suppressed volcano. Gray Rule patterns faintly appeared beneath his skin, emitting an indestructible, heavy aura.

He knew that facing a Dou Sheng, any reliance on luck would be fatal. He had to go all out, perhaps even... fight to the death!

"Incorrigible!"

Hun You gave a cold snort and stopped wasting words. He seemingly casually raised a hand wrapped in black mist and pressed it toward Li Ao from afar.

There was no grand display, but the space around Li Ao instantly solidified! It felt as if it had transformed into ten thousand towering mountains, crushing him from all directions, intending to grind him and the surrounding space into dust! This was the spatial control belonging to a Dou Sheng, far beyond what a Dou Zun could compare to.

"Roar!"

Li Ao let out a deep roar. The Qi and blood within his body surged and thundered like a great river. The Nirvana Hegemon Body was pushed to its limit, forcefully resisting the terrifying spatial pressure!

The gray patterns around his body burst forth with dazzling light, frantically devouring the energy contained within the oppressive force, emitting faint "crackling" sounds—the sound of spatial power being forcibly crushed by the Hegemon Body!

His feet sank deep into the dark red platform ground, and cracks spread out from his center. But he held firm!

"Oh? What a powerful Physical Body!"

Hun You let out a soft exclamation. Li Ao being able to withstand that palm strike was clearly unexpected. "It seems the Body Refining Cultivation Technique you Cultivate is exceptionally high-grade! This only makes this saint more interested!"

Before his words finished, Hun You's figure flickered, disappearing from the spot like a ghost. The next instant, he appeared directly above Li Ao's head, his five fingers forming a claw.

Deep black light that seemed to swallow light itself wrapped around his fingertips, carrying a scream that tore at the Soul as it viciously clawed down toward Li Ao's skull!

"Nether Soul Claw!"

This claw was fast, vicious, and precise! The Soul poison and Destruction Rules contained within were enough to easily tear through the defenses of a high-level Dou Zun and completely corrode their Soul.

The intense sense of danger made Li Ao's scalp tingle. He dared not hold back the slightest bit; his suppressed aura erupted with a bang. The majestic Fighting Qi of a Seven-Star Dou Zun, mixed with Returning to the Void Blade Essence, shot into the sky!

"silent ruin!"

The black blade 'silent ruin' on his back let out a joyful hum, automatically springing out and falling into Li Ao's hands. The chaotic gray patterns on the blade instantly lit up, resonating strongly with Li Ao's Guixu Great Dao.

"Slash!"

Li Ao gripped the blade with both hands and slashed upward, cutting against the heavens! There were no flashy techniques, only the ultimate, strongest strike that condensed all his vitality, spirit, and understanding of the Guixu Great Dao!

The blade light appeared as a Chaos gray that seemed to devour everything. Wherever it passed, space was silently sliced open, leaving a smooth black fissure, as if even light were being swallowed by it!

Returning to the Void—River Severance!

"Clang—!!!"

The gray-black blade fiercely collided with the deep Soul Claw!

This time, instead of silent erosion, an earth-shattering crash erupted! A terrifying energy shockwave spread rapidly like a tsunami, causing the fragmented runes on the platform to hum and even making the giant Seal light barrier ripple violently!

"Pfft!"

Li Ao was hit hard. The skin between his thumb and forefinger split, and blood instantly stained the hilt of the blade. An indescribable massive force traveled along the blade, and his entire body was violently smashed down toward the platform like a meteor!

"Boom!"

A massive deep pit was smashed into the dark red platform, and dust billowed out.

Meanwhile, Hun You in mid-air slightly swayed. The hand covered in black mist actually had a tiny gap sliced open by the blade, and wisps of pure Saint Qi leaked out. The gaze he directed toward the deep pit was filled with shock and a hint of disbelief.

"He actually... managed to injure the Saint Body of this saint?!"

Although it was the most insignificant flesh wound, instantly recoverable, the opponent was only a Dou Zun! This was unbelievable! The 'Returning to the Void' Concept contained within that single strike made even him feel a trace of dread.

Inside the deep pit, Li Ao half-knelt, leaning on his blade, a streak of fresh blood spilling from the corner of his mouth as his internal organs suffered violent shock.

But when he raised his head, the Battle Intent in his eyes was like a raging fire, burning even more fiercely!

"A Dou Sheng... truly packs a punch!"

He licked the blood from his lips, revealing a wild and arrogant smile. "But if you want to kill me, this isn't enough!"

He could feel that during the extreme collision just now, the Nirvana Hegemon Body seemed to have advanced slightly, and his understanding of the Guixu Great Dao had deepened further. Pressure was also motivation!

Hun You watched Li Ao stand up again, the killing intent in his eyes finally boiling over completely.

"Brat, you have successfully enraged this saint."

The black mist surrounding him began to churn violently, and an aura many times more terrifying than before, like an awakening ancient Vicious Beast, slowly descended upon this world.

"Next, let this saint show you... the might of a Saint!"