Chapter 136: Clearing the Easy Mode

Not long after the Bi Xue Mu fell, the Immortal Sect Leader found himself in a difficult dilemma. He repeatedly pondered whether he should challenge the stage. After all, once he entered the stage, if he encountered his Dao-stage self and had no means to escape, it would undoubtedly be certain death, both body and Dao extinguished.

For this moment, he had painstakingly laid plans for many years, and only with great difficulty had he obtained the chance to go to the human cultivation world. How could he give it up so easily? His heart was filled with reluctance; this was a rare opportunity for him to seek the path of advancement.

Finally, a fierce light flashed in his eyes. He deeply knew he had grown old; if he did not quickly seek the path of advancement, he would surely perish sooner or later. Thus, he made up his mind and roared a single word: "Fight!"

In an instant, his fighting spirit rose high as he stepped forward with a step, an invincible aura surging forth. Know that every Dao-stage expert is a top-tier talent, each a figure who holds sway over a region and is revered as the founder of his sect. He too once carried an invincible belief, constantly pressing forward on the path of cultivation.

At that moment, the Forbidden Area Spirit began to activate the Dao essence, that mysterious power slowly blanketing the Immortal Sect Leader's surroundings. For a while, the void trembled violently, and strange divine rhythms scattered in all directions.

Shortly after, a distant, illusory voice echoed: "Reflecting on oneself, the Immortal Sect Leader deems his strongest self to be at the Earth Profound Realm, where he once mastered a Dao domain."

Hearing this, the Immortal Sect Leader couldn't help but feel delighted. To him, this news was practically a glimmer of hope in a desperate situation—at least he still had a sliver of life. If he were to encounter his Heavenly Origin Realm self, he would truly have no recourse, only able to surrender and lie on the ground awaiting death.

"Boom!"

A powerful aura not belonging to the Spirit Transformation Realm suddenly burst forth. Countless spiritual energies in the air frenziedly condensed, gradually forming a figure identical to the Immortal Sect Leader. This figure likewise bore a pair of pure white wings, its eyes devoid of any emotion, wielding a spirit sword as it lunged to kill the Immortal Sect Leader.

Although this phantom was merely at the Earth Profound Realm, whether manipulating the Dao domain or executing martial techniques, it was far from flawless. Meanwhile, the Immortal Sect Leader's true self, though his cultivation was suppressed to the Spirit Transformation Peak, could execute martial techniques near perfection, having already reached the pinnacle. His use of the Dao domain was especially refined; with exquisite skill alone he could compensate for the gap in realm.

"So strong…" Qin Yu witnessed this fierce battle, shock spreading deep in his eyes. He stared intently at the fight, countless insights rising in his mind. The clash between this phantom and the Immortal Sect Leader's true self, among their peers, would absolutely be considered invincible-level. The battle gave Qin Yu much inspiration; he even secretly pondered how to improve his sword technique.

Time trickled by in the fierce melee, and half a day passed. Qin Yu gained a deeper understanding of the Heaven‑Burning Technique. At that very moment he joyfully discovered he could mobilize fire‑Dao intent. In his palm floated a faint flame, within which seemed to linger an indestructible aura, violent beyond compare, as if it wished to burn all living things in heaven and earth.

"I didn't expect to get started with the Heaven‑Burning Technique this way." Qin Yu's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

Afterward, he again turned his gaze to the melee; the battle was drawing to a close. The Immortal Sect Leader was covered in wounds, his life force extremely faint, relying solely on stubborn will to endure and fight fiercely. Yet, thanks to his rich experience and superb methods, he twice unleashed the divine ability—Reverse Yin and Yang—finally achieving victory with difficulty. He thrust a palm forward, blasting the phantom completely apart, then collapsed weakly to the ground, gulping spiritual air in great distress.

He hurriedly took out all the treasures from the body of the possessed Heavenly Feather Clan cultivator, relying on their power to barely stabilize his worsening injuries.

Next, his eyes fell on Qin Yu, a sneer appearing in his gaze as he coldly said: "From now on, no one will be able to contend with me. If only one person enters the third stage, that person will be me alone; the heavenly god's inheritance will surely appear. At the very least… a sliver of life will remain."

He simply did not believe Qin Yu could pass the second stage. In his view, Qin Yu was still a youth, merely at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment. Qin Yu's strongest moment would necessarily be the great divine ability he had previously displayed—One Sword Slays Three Princes—whose divine might had awed both him and the Bi Xue Mu. Even if it were not that occasion, even if Qin Yu faced his own peer of the same realm, victory would be hard to come by. After all, against an opponent identical to himself, finding a breakthrough is difficult; even a slight nervousness that reveals a flaw would lead to an easy defeat.

Thus, in his mind he concluded that the youth's adventure ends here, with no further mishaps. The third stage will surely be entered by him alone.

Since these ancient beings have opened this karmic inheritance, there must be a reason. Even if the one who reaches the final stage is not whom he expects, some affinity and karma will arise, and the inheritance will still be bestowed. Therefore, the Immortal Sect Leader now feels he has victory secured, as steady as sitting on a fishing terrace.

However, Qin Yu abruptly stepped forward, battle intent surging in his eyes, and shouted loudly: "Meet the challenge!"

In an instant, countless surges of qi and blood burst forth like a raging tide from his body; he held nothing back, desiring only to fight heartily.

"Hummm!"

In the void, streams of spiritual energy swiftly gathered, eventually forming a phantom resembling Qin Yu. Yet at this moment, both the Immortal Sect Leader and Qin Yu stood frozen in place.

"Why… the Body Tempering Realm?" both wondered, murmuring in unison.

Before the two could recover from their shock, the distant voice sounded again: "You have always believed that your strongest moment is at the Body Tempering Realm, where by mobilizing your means you can exert fifty thousand catties of bodily power, overwhelmingly sweeping the Profound Yang Sect. Reflecting on oneself, begin."

After the Forbidden Area Spirit finished speaking, it hesitated slightly. It faintly sensed that a mysterious power in the darkness was prompting it to utter these words.

Beside him, the Primeval Deity's eyes showed deep agitation as it exclaimed in shock: "You… have actually come this far, able to rely on this heaven and earth to alter the rules. Today's favor will be repaid in the future; when I regain my true form I will help you transcend." The Primeval Deity's heart surged with huge waves, long unable to calm. This was truly astonishing—no one would consider their strongest moment to be in the past! It is clearly meant to let you leave quickly. A warm feeling trickled through the Primeval Deity's heart; it resolved to repay this kindness, its resolve unwavering.

Forbidden Area Spirit: "……" It said nothing more, unsure how to explain. If it truly could change the laws of heaven and earth, why would it remain here? It would have long sought the path to transcendence and left this confined land.

Seeing this, Qin Yu also fell into contemplation: "……" Could this be the legendary Easy Mode? Earlier his mind had indeed flickered with that thought. But now he longs heartily for a satisfying battle.

Soon after, he wearily waved his hand, dispelling the phantom before him, feeling somewhat powerless inside.

Although the Immortal Sect Leader also felt uneasy inside, he quickly noticed another blind spot: "Fifty thousand catties of bodily strength… in this deficient era? The human race's heavenly pride is indeed formidable."

Even if he was unwilling to admit it, he could not help but sigh that he truly could not achieve it. Initially he could only muster thirty thousand catties of bodily strength; each attempt to break the physical shackles felt like being imprisoned, making transcendence hard to attain. Every increase of a thousand catties in strength was extremely difficult. Thinking of this, he could not help but feel a hint of wariness toward Qin Yu.