33: Second Life: First Steps on the Immortal Path (Chapter 32)

The closer one got to the Xu Family estate, the clearer and more terrifying the sounds of battle became, causing one's heart to tremble.

Blazing waves of fire and peerlessly sharp golden light collided, entangled, and annihilated each other in the air, illuminating half the sky with flickering light, while deafening roars rang out incessantly.

Terrifying shockwaves, like tangible ripples, constantly dispersed, easily destroying the houses and streets below, leaving them in ruins.

When Xu Yuan's gaze pierced through the raging energy turbulence and he saw the two combatants clearly, his pupils contracted sharply, and boundless rage and killing intent instantly overwhelmed his reason!

One of the combatants was none other than the Sun Family Ancestor, who had originally been heavily injured and on the verge of death while in seclusion!

After more than twenty years of lingering on and recuperating in secret, the old ghost's injuries had clearly recovered significantly!

Although his aura remained somewhat unsteady at this moment and his complexion was an unhealthy sallow color, his attacks were vicious and cunning. Streaks of sharp golden light tore through the air, with every move aimed directly at his opponent's vital points. It was clear that he had regained a considerable amount of his combat power and was by no means as weak as he had been in the past!

And the one struggling to hold on under this violent onslaught, facing imminent danger, was none other than his father—Xu Longpeng!

At this moment, Xu Longpeng's condition was abysmal.

The Foundation Establishment pressure radiating from his body fluctuated violently; the instability and hollowness of his "Pseudo Dao Foundation" were fully exposed in such a high-intensity life-and-death battle.

His face was as pale as paper, and his mouth and robes were covered in fresh blood. Every time he blocked the Sun Family Ancestor's attacks, his body would tremble violently, clearly showing he was overdrawing his remaining life Origin to force himself to hold on!

His Extinction Flame was still hot, but it had lost its inherent ferocity, appearing weak and lacking momentum, like a candle in the wind.

"Old Ghost Sun! You are despicable and shameless! If not for my old injuries not yet healed, how could I tolerate your arrogance!"

Xu Longpeng let out an unwilling roar and forcibly urged his flames, but they were shattered by a more condensed giant golden sword. His figure stumbled backward, and his aura withered further.

"Hmph! Xu Longpeng, still tough-talking when death is at your doorstep! Your Foundation Establishment is nothing but an empty shell! Today, this old man will expose you as a paper tiger and uproot your Xu Family!"

The Sun Family Ancestor wore a hideous expression of triumph and murderous intent, his offensive becoming increasingly fierce and violent.

He had endured for many years; when he first met Xu Longpeng over twenty years ago, he had vaguely sensed something was wrong, but because his own injuries had not yet healed, he did not make a move.

Now, his injuries had stabilized, while Xu Longpeng's condition had hit rock bottom, making it difficult for him to even maintain his pseudo-Foundation Establishment power. This was why he chose to strike today, swearing to avenge the grudge of the Xu Family Ancestor from back then.

Seeing his father being bullied in such a way and trapped in a desperate situation, Xu Yuan's killing intent erupted completely at this moment!

"Old bastard! How dare you hurt my father! I want your life!"

A roar like that of an ancient Vicious Beast shook the heavens, even temporarily overpowering the roar of the battlefield!

The Foundation Establishment Spiritual Qi within Xu Yuan—though incomplete, it was genuine—erupted without reservation. Carrying the bloody Evil Qi honed in the Desolate Domain, it transformed into a blood-colored rainbow, charging straight into the battlefield!

"What?!"

"Yuan'er?! Is that you?!"

Xu Longpeng and the Sun Family Ancestor exclaimed in shock almost simultaneously!

For Xu Longpeng, it was incredulous joy.

As for the Sun Family Ancestor, it was pure shock and terror!

He never imagined that Xu Yuan, who had disappeared for many years and was thought to have died outside, would return at this moment, and... had actually achieved a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment?!

"Flame Explosion!"

Xu Yuan had not yet arrived, but his attack had already reached them!

Although it was still only a Qi Condensation Stage technique, when driven and unleashed by Foundation Establishment Stage Spiritual Qi, its power was vastly different!!

The violent fire Spiritual Qi was instantly drained, condensing into a crimson fire python that was more solid and more hideous and vicious than ever before!

The fire python had faint scales on its body and crimson eyes, and it even carried a trace of the tragic aura of a Desolate Domain Yao Beast. It let out a silent roar and, from a cunning angle, bypassed the main battlefield to strike directly at the Sun Family Ancestor's vital heart!

This strike was fast, ruthless, and accurate!

It perfectly embodied the combat awareness Xu Yuan had honed through more than twenty years of life-and-death struggles!

The Sun Family Ancestor felt a searing, stinging sensation attacking his back, accompanied by that dense Evil Qi that made him feel uneasy, and his hair immediately stood on end!

He could no longer afford to continue pursuing the withered Xu Longpeng. In his haste, he forcibly twisted his body and slapped out with his backhand, sending a sharp golden palm print to meet the crimson fire python!

Boom!

The fire python and the golden palm print collided violently and exploded, sending blazing fire waves and sharp golden light splashing everywhere!

The Sun Family Ancestor's figure swayed slightly, and he was shaken by the sudden sneak attack, causing his Qi and blood to churn. Although he was not injured, the look of shock and anger on his face intensified.

"You little bastard! You didn't die out there, and you actually got lucky and achieved Foundation Establishment!" The Sun Family Ancestor suppressed his churning Qi and blood, murderous intent flashing in his eyes as his expression became completely hideous. "Very well! Today I will send both of you father and son on your way, so you can have each other as company on the road to the Yellow Springs!"

He knew that today was a life-and-death situation, and he had to use all his strength to kill this unexpected variable first!

"Father! Let's join forces and kill him!" Xu Yuan had now flashed to Xu Longpeng's side, his voice ice-cold and piercing.

As their eyes met, the father and son instantly understood each other's intentions.

Xu Longpeng forcibly gathered his last breath of Origin Qi, ignoring the backlash of his pseudo-Dao Foundation. The Extinction Flame surged out again, transforming into several wildly dancing fire chains that tightly entangled the Sun Family Ancestor. He shouted sternly, "Old ghost! Your opponent is me!" He used offense to replace defense, doing his utmost to create an opportunity for Xu Yuan.

Although shocked, the Sun Family Ancestor was not flustered. His golden palm prints flew, constantly severing the incoming fire chains as he sneered, "Hmph! A spent force, let's see how long you can last! Wait until I get rid of this little bastard first!"

He saw that although Xu Yuan was at the Foundation Establishment Stage, his Foundation was unstable, and he might not have even learned any true Foundation Establishment techniques, which was why he was still using Qi Condensation techniques!

With this realization, the Sun Family Ancestor felt greatly reassured.

He turned most of his attention to Xu Yuan, his offensive becoming increasingly fierce. Streaks of golden light shot toward Xu Yuan like a storm, attempting to suppress him with his Realm and experience.

Xu Yuan's expression was calm, his figure moving like a ghost amidst the sky full of golden light.

It was true that he had not practiced Foundation Establishment Stage techniques, but his twenty-plus years in the Desolate Domain had allowed him to hone his techniques to the extreme. Even basic Qi Condensation Stage techniques could unleash impressive power in his hands.

"Kid! Is this all you can do, these petty tricks that can't be brought into the light?!"

The Sun Family Ancestor had been unable to secure a victory after a long time, and was constantly harassed by Xu Longpeng, causing his heart to become increasingly irritable as he shouted angrily.

Just at this moment, perhaps because he had been maintaining high-intensity evasion and casting techniques for so long, Xu Yuan's Spiritual Qi circulation experienced a momentary stagnation, and his figure paused imperceptibly.

This flaw was extremely small, but for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it was already enough!

"A good opportunity!"

Brilliant light shot from the Sun Family Ancestor's eyes; how could he let such a good opportunity pass?

The next moment, the golden light around the Sun Family Ancestor intensified, and his speed suddenly increased. Like a teleportation, he closed in on Xu Yuan, his withered palm turning into the color of pure gold. With a sharpness capable of tearing through everything, he struck directly at Xu Yuan's heart!

He wanted a one-hit kill!

"Yuan'er, be careful!"

Xu Longpeng was terrified and wanted to rescue him, but it was already too late.

However, facing this fatal strike, not only was there no panic on Xu Yuan's face, but a cold smirk flashed across it instead!

He had been waiting for this very moment!