Chapter 317: Clash with Yuan Gu, an Imperial Son-Level Contest

(This chapter is readable!)

"Daoist, your cultivation method is truly special."

Although the Jade Pool Holy Maiden had always stayed in Beidou, Duan De's act of 'burying' himself was never mentioned to anyone, not even the twelve great demons knew.

Now that I have seen it, how could it not be astonishing?

"Helpless, I had no choice; I hope this time it succeeds, or if it fails again, it'll be broken again and again..."

Duan De joked, this method of his is his own creation; no one has tried it before, but based on his experience over several lifetimes, it should work.

Even the ancient great emperors and ancient sovereigns could only live one life, except for those exceptional outliers who managed a second life.

After that, there are only two paths: either sit and pass away, or self-sever with a blade, enter the life-forbidden zone to lie dormant, quietly awaiting the opening of the road to immortality.

But Duan De, by continually 'burying' himself, achieved reincarnation, living many lifetimes, which can be called stunning throughout the ages.

"Haha, but fairy, rest assured, in two months this poor Daoist will, by any means, go ask for a cup of fine brew!"

For such a grand event, Duan De would go join the fun no matter what; otherwise, even if he succeeded in breaking out of his cocoon, he would beat his chest and stamp his feet, feeling utterly regretful.

"Good." The Jade Pool Holy Maiden's bright eyes flickered as she lightly tapped her chin.

"This is another stalk of immortal medicine I obtained after leaving; it might help you a bit."

Yang Zhu intercepted a tip of the ancient life tree; its whole body was crystal clear and translucent, like a jade carving, filled with a rich life aura.

He placed the forearm-length tip on the ice coffin; the seeping strands of green glow followed the transparent coffin and sank into the light cocoon.

"Could this be... the ancient life tree?!"

The Boundless Daoist lost his voice, stared wide-eyed, quickly guessed which immortal medicine it was, and exclaimed in astonishment.

"My goodness, Boundless Heavenly Venerable... Daoist Master, to have a friend like you in this lifetime is enough!"

Even if one cannot see the person, his tone conveys an unmatched feeling; his words are full of awe and sincerity.

"The road to immortality has been seen opening; if the universe is not at peace, although this place has a damaged great emperor's killing formation guarding it, accidents are bound to happen; rather, I will lend you the Heaven-Swallowing Devil's Cask temporarily."

"Now Yang Zhu possesses more than a handful of imperial armaments; lending the Heaven-Swallowing Devil's Cask to Duan De for protection will have no effect."

"Really?!"

Duan De couldn't believe it; his tone involuntarily rose a few notches.

"Naturally, since that's the case, we'll be leaving; I hope you succeed this time."

After leaving the Heaven-Swallowing Devil's Cask, Yang Zhu then led everyone away, no longer disturbing the Boundless Daoist.

"Wait until this poor Daoist breaks through the pass; what life-forbidden zone? This poor Daoist will accompany you to slaughter them!"

Duan De laughed loudly, uttered such bold words, then immediately controlled the Heaven-Swallowing Devil's Cask, letting it sink and float above the ice coffin, after which there was no further movement.

"Have you heard? Yuan Gu actually wants to challenge an Imperial Son."

Not long after they left, Yang Zhu and company heard this news.

Since Yang Zhu revealed his traces in Beidou, Yuan Gu, who had been in seclusion for many years, emerged that very day and declared he would duel Yang Zhu, surely deciding the victor!

"This kid still has some guts."

From the dragon's mouth spewed two dragon-shaped pillars of fire; he didn't know much about Yuan Gu, but he knew the other party had ancient emperor bloodline, extraordinary talent, and immensely strong power.

Even in today's great era, it is enough to rank among the peaks; no one dares to look down on it.

"What was meant to come has come."

Yang Zhu's heart had little fluctuation; he had previously said that at any time he could give the opponent a chance to challenge him.

Now that he has come, there's nothing more to say; he immediately crossed over and left this star field.

The Eastern Wasteland, the Primeval Lake, is the habitat of an ancient royal clan; ordinarily it's merely a passageway for people, far avoided, not dared to step on casually.

Yet today, several figures appear here, as if no one else were present, with not a shred of apprehension.

"Yuan Gu, come out and die!"

The Black Emperor cleared his throat, stepped forward a distance, raised his huge head, and shouted loudly.

"Boom!"

The instant the sound faded, a floating divine island shuddered violently, as if about to explode, swaying on the verge of collapse.

A terrifying aura surged out, supremely powerful; even meteors outside the domain almost shattered from the shock.

"I have waited for you a long time!"

Yuan Gu appeared, stepping out from the stone mountain.

He had a head of thick black hair, a sturdy build, and awe-inspiring divine might; merely standing there, he seemed like a deity descended to earth, giving a strong sense of oppression.

Possessing ancient emperor bloodline, he stood like a demon lord, inspiring awe, bearing an air of supreme supremacy, full of domineering vigor, looking down on all directions.

"Having received the ancestors' inheritance, it's somewhat interesting."

Yang Zhu measured his opponent; over these years, Yuan Gu's strength has grown rapidly, only the word 'terrifying' can describe it.

However, in just a few decades, he also reached the rank of Sage King; thanks to being born earlier, he has now reached the peak of the Sage King.

If Yang Zhu's guess is correct, during the time he was away, Yuan Gu entered seclusion and ultimately obtained the inheritance left by his ancestors.

"Imperial Prince..."

Behind Yuan Gu, in the Primeval Lake, several forefather kings rushed out; upon seeing Yang Zhu's arrival, they already understood.

They, as descendants of the Yuan Emperor, consider their talent and physique not inferior to anyone's, but Yuan Gu's opponent, Yang Zhu, is an Imperial Son among Imperial Sons! The Chaotic Sacred Embryo, a union of the Sacred Body Dao Embryo and the Chaotic Body, is truly the first physique since ancient times, a near-invincible existence!

"Imperial Prince, you really aren't considering continuing..."

Thus, those old forefather kings couldn't help but break into a sweat; the opponent is simply too strong, just a 'Beginningless Bloodline' is already near-invincible.

"No need for many words, my Yuan Emperor lineage has never feared anyone!"

But Yuan Gu interrupted those old fellows' words; this matter, his resolve is firm, he will not waver in the slightest.

In fact, this is also his choice after careful consideration, because he knows Yang Zhu's improvement is too fast, far surpassing him.

If, as those old forefather kings said, continuing seclusion and cultivation, the gap with Yang Zhu will only shrink rapidly, ultimately being surpassed.

At that time, there truly was not a shred of hope left!

Yang Zhu gazed deeply at his opponent, without contempt or disdain; no matter what, Yuan Gu was a rare adversary.

"Let's go."

He turned and headed for the outer realms; with their current cultivation, if they fought in Beidou, the consequences would be unimaginable, likely the earth would be beaten into ruin.

"That's the Imperial Son and Yuan Gu……Could they be about to duel?"

"What are we waiting for? Hurry up and go take a look!"

In the Eastern Wasteland, many who discovered their traces remained calm and hurriedly followed; even some major powers were stirred.

The Imperial Son and the Ancient Emperor's Son simply exchanged blows, absolutely stunning; no one wanted to miss it. Immediately, powerful figures left the ground and headed for the outer battlefield.

"I know you're invincible on the Ancient Starry Path, but I'm not afraid; today I will surely kill you to prove my resolve."

Yuan Gu, worthy of being a descendant of the Ancient Emperor, had a cold expression, yet his tone was resonant and forceful, embodying a belief in his own supremacy.

"Just this resolve of mine, if not born in this golden age, proving the Dao might merely be a matter of time..."

The crowd erupted in clamor, gazing at that demonic god–like figure, their hearts filled with awe.

Because it happened suddenly, there weren't many watching from afar—only a few hundred—but without exception they were all formidable figures, at least at the Saint level.

"In my realm, I have never met an opponent, even if they too are descendants of Great Emperors, it's the same."

Yang Zhu's black hair flowed like a waterfall, his whole body bathed in immortal radiance, calm and composed, his aura spanning ancient and modern, his divine might overwhelming the world, like a reborn Heavenly Emperor looking down upon the nine heavens and ten earths.

Around his body, the will of heaven and earth rumbled, the grand dao's order intertwined, with billions of auspicious signs pouring down, flooding the universe.

"Is this the Imperial Son? Truly a divine person!"

"The Chaos Holy Fetus is terrifying; even without moving, it stirs myriad divine laws—no wonder it's a youthful supreme!"

Many of the spectators were powerful beings from the outer realms; having arrived at Beidou, they had long heard of Yang Zhu's fame but had never seen him.

At this moment, each one was greatly astonished, their eyes shining with excitement, filled with deep awe, as if venerating a deity.

"Then let's fight!"

Finally, the battle erupted; Yuan Gu struck first, throwing a punch that carried radiance of ten thousand zhang, piercing the heavens, covering the front, causing heaven to collapse and earth to split!

Beneath the starry region, rocks and stones shattered, heaven and earth overturned, meteor after meteor exploded in succession, turning to dust, unable to withstand this strike's might!

"I hope you can go all out, holding nothing back!"

Yuan Gu roared; this strike he held nothing back, exerting all his strength.

Facing an opponent like Yang Zhu, he knew that if he didn't go all out, he might not even withstand a single move! The Primordial Imperial Son and the Chaos Holy Fetus—these two carried immense weight; though he felt no fear, he had to maintain the utmost caution.

"Boom!"

Yang Zhu, like a reborn Heavenly Emperor, pressed down upon all realms; the instant he raised his hand, myriad divine laws converged upon his fist, blazing brilliantly! "As you wish."

Throwing a punch, billions of measures of immortal radiance like a vast ocean, carrying the will of heaven and earth, rumbled forth and poured out! The aura of the Chaos Holy Fetus permeated, shattering myriad stars; around his fist, the power of time flowed, overturning the universe.

He likewise countered with his purest flesh; this was not only a clash between him and Yuan Gu, but also a contest between the ancient Great Emperors' and Ancient Emperors' bloodlines! "Too terrifying……Is this the level of an Imperial Son's clash!"

Everyone shuddered, their scalps tingling, they retreated endlessly, daring not to touch even a trace of divine light.

"Boom—rumble..."

The field was a blaze, various lights and laws flooding in fierce collision; small worlds overturned, heaven and earth fell into chaos, the six paths' order inverted.

It had become the most terrifying battlefield; killing intent could sever the nine heavens, utterly sharp, making one hesitate and feel chilled to the bone.

Everyone looked up, yet could only vaguely see two god‑like figures colliding; the rest remained indistinct.

Finally, after the divine light gradually faded, the scene in the field recovered, appearing before the world's eyes.

"Pfft..."

Divine blood spattered; Yuan Gu was flung sideways, his body entirely cracked, covered in blood, continually coughing up mouthfuls of blood.

Finally, with a "bang," his body split into pieces, exploding into a mist of blood before the incredulous gazes of all; at the center of the light sea, Yang Zhu stood alone, his black hair flowing like a waterfall, unstained, miraculously unharmed.

"The Primeval Emperor's bloodline……has fallen!"

"The Chaos Dao Fetus, the foremost physique through ages!"

All around, an uproar rose; watching the scene before them, their breaths stopped, shaken to the extreme, feeling as if in a dream.

Many felt chills run through their bodies; gazing at Yang Zhu's eyes, filled with awe, they could hardly refrain from kneeling in worship! "Ah!"

With a reluctant roar, the blood mist reformed; after paying a huge price, Yuan Gu reconstituted his flesh.

Having reached such a level, and being descendants of the Ancient Emperors, their foundations are unimaginable; how could they die so easily? "I don't believe you're truly that strong!"

His face was ferocious, his heart unwilling; he refused to believe he was inferior, and even more unwilling to believe his ancestors' bloodline was weak compared to others.

Every Ancient Emperor and Great Emperor is invincible, not weak to anyone; this belief is almost engraved into their souls, fused into their bloodlines.

After being blown apart in one strike by the opponent, how could he believe it? "Boom!"

Yuan Gu struck again; this time he ignited his divine blood, and from every pore over his body hung chains of order.

Endless dao patterns intertwined; each wisp of breath was terrifyingly powerful, ripping open the heavens, cleaving the earth, turning into a fearsome dao roar that deafened.

"Boom—rumble!"

Yang Zhu's eyes like cold lightning, calm and composed, he again threw a punch carrying the heavenly dao order across the sky, his invincible fighting spirit soaring, sweeping the six directions and eight wildernesses, making everything tremble!

This time, six small worlds manifested, evolving into profound profundities, absolutely invincible and domineering, embodying a belief of moving forward unyieldingly, supreme alone.

This is the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist! Since first observing Old Madman Fengzi's stance, he dared to comprehend it; this is his first time using it.

"Boom—rumble—rumble..."

It seemed as if two heavenly gods were countering, affecting the cosmic balance, yin and yang forces reversing; one ancient realm after another formed, then dispersed...

"A clash at the level of an Imperial Son is truly terrifying; whoever loses deserves admiration!"

This starry region was flooded by billions of strands of immortal radiance; the terrifying aura raged like a heavenly flood, making hearts pound and shudder.

At this moment, even a Saint King who carelessly suppresses a step would instantly turn to ash, returned to the Dao as nothingness.

"How did this turn out?"

When the divine light faded again, people held their breath, nervously staring at the battlefield without blinking.

"Pfft..."

Crystal-like blood droplets still sprayed forth, having pierced who knows how many stars, which shattered one after another and instantly exploded into countless fragments.

"What?!"

When people saw clearly, an uproar erupted, deeply shocked by that sight.

This time, the two combatants in the arena did not get blown away; Yang Zhu's punch blasted most of Yuan Gu's body into a blood mist, leaving only a small half of his torso and his right arm intact.

Moreover, even his primordial spirit was not spared, swept up by the battle intent of the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist and instantly crushed.

If Yuan Gu had not had a supreme forbidden artifact on his platform beforehand, protecting the last trace of his primordial spirit, he would have surely fallen on the spot.

"How is this possible..."

What's even more shocking is that Yuan Gu's punch likewise struck Yang Zhu's body, but the latter's form was nearly transparent, having merged with the Void Great Dao.

Yuan Gu's fist passed straight through, unable to injure him in the slightest...

(End of Chapter)