Chapter 128: Sage Mode

The deepest meditation chamber of the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion.

Jiang Xia sat cross-legged, spiritual energy surging around him, completely contained by the spirit-gathering array carved into the room’s walls, not a single trace leaking out.

On his back, the brutal whip scars had healed under the nourishment of top-tier resources, leaving only faint traces.

But the true wounds inflicted by the Divine Whip lay in his soul and cultivation foundation.

His spiritual energy was no longer flawless as before; its edges were riddled with microscopic cracks, and every circulation brought a needle-like stab of pain.

His soul appeared intact, but was in fact fragile.

“Late Stage of the Kingly Realm… not enough!”

Jiang Xia opened his eyes; his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan on the left and Rinnegan on the right glowed in the dim chamber.

His battle with Yang Wei and his confrontation with the Qin clan’s elder over the Divine Whip had made him realize: against the machinations of half-saints or even saints, the Late Stage of the Kingly Realm was as insignificant as ants.

He must break through! He must reach the Peak of the Kingly Realm before the Fallen God Platform battle!

Only then could he have sufficient confidence to slay the Mayfly on the arena and seize its spiritual core, and only then could he counter any treacherous traps the Yinglong might lay.

He took a deep breath and no longer hesitated.

He formed hand seals, activated his meridians, and began ruthlessly squeezing his latent potential, refining the vast quantities of spiritual liquid and pills provided by the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion.

Simultaneously, the jade seal imprint on his forehead grew warm, emitting a gentle radiance—a primordial force from the destiny of humanity surged forth, nourishing his damaged soul and foundation.

This was an excruciatingly painful and dangerous process.

The hidden injuries left by the Divine Whip acted like a parasite clinging to his bones, relentlessly striking his newly formed spiritual energy and soul power.

Each strike caused Jiang Xia to tremble violently, beads of cold sweat to form on his brow, and fine threads of blood to seep from his lips.

In his mind flashed Wang Teng’s snow-white hair and aged face, Ye Lingxi’s worried gaze, Qin Wushang’s mad expression before death and Qin Miesheng’s icy saintly aura, and even the Yinglong’s sky-obscuring dragon shadow and the mysterious rumors surrounding the Mayfly.

“I cannot fall here!”

A relentless will erupted from the depths of his soul, burning like a wildfire!

The ocular powers of the Sharingan and Rinnegan were pushed to their limits, forcibly stabilizing the collapsing spiritual vortex and guiding a torrent of energy to strike the unyielding barrier.

“Crack…”

Not the realm barrier—but the most sinister restraint still embedded deep within his soul by the Divine Whip!

Under the dual assault of this will and the jade seal’s destiny force, the restraint shattered violently!

In an instant, Jiang Xia felt his soul lighten; his previously sluggish spiritual energy surged forth like a raging river!

The once-cracked spiritual vortex, shattered and reformed, became denser and vastly larger.

“Boom!”

A force far stronger than before—several times more powerful—exploded from Jiang Xia’s body!

Peak of the Kingly Realm!

The spiritual energy in the chamber was instantly drained, creating a brief vacuum.

He slowly opened his eyes, feeling the immense spiritual power within and his soul—still bearing hidden pain but now tougher and more consolidated—and clenched his fists.

Power! This was the power of the Peak of the Kingly Realm!

Though the hidden damage to his foundation had not fully healed and the Divine Whip’s influence still lingered, his strength had undergone a revolutionary transformation.

He had confidence: if he faced another elder-level opponent again, even without using forbidden techniques, he could still fight!

【Ding~ Host has completed task reward distribution】

【Task Reward: Ninjutsu—Rinnegan: Limbo, Mount Myōboku: Sage Mode】

【Host】: Jiang Xia

【Realm】: Peak of the Kingly Realm (/)

【Abilities】: SSS-Rank Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, SSS-Rank Rinnegan, SSS-Rank Wood Release

【Skills】: Rinnegan: Limbo, Asura Path, Izanagi, Shisui’s Eye, Chibaku Tensei, Amaterasu, Kamui, Tsukuyomi, Kotoamatsukami, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Mangekyou: Chakra Chains, Wind Release: Rasengan Shuriken, Rasengan…】

【Items】: Exploding Tags, Kunai, 20,000 Huaxia Coins, Rations, Jiraiya’s Icha Icha Paradise, Shuriken, Akatsuki Robe, Pain’s Six Paths Puppets】

【Ninja Tools】: Kusanagi Sword, Tenchi Sword, Hachisaku Mirror

【Points】: 2.6 million

【Draw Opportunities】: None

Jiang Xia glanced at the points on his interface, his lip twitching—only 2.6 million after killing so many aberrant beasts? This damn system was skimming again!

One month later, before Shanhai Pass, tension still hung thick, yet large-scale conflict had strangely ceased.

The prolonged high-intensity warfare had cost both sides dearly; accumulated slaughter and resentment had formed a dense aura of calamity.

This aura of calamity drifted over the battlefield, corrupting the minds of all living beings and even making the spiritual energy of heaven and earth turn violent.

If they fought further, both sides risked unpredictable devastation.

After several grueling rounds of negotiations between human saints and demonic saintly elders, a temporary agreement was reached: a one-year ceasefire!

To dispel the thick aura of calamity accumulated on the battlefield, both sides decided to resolve their karmic ties in another way.

Each side would send thirteen prodigies no higher than the Kingly Realm to fight mortal duels on the Fallen God Platform between the two armies!

To determine supremacy—and decide life or death!

With the blood and destiny of thirteen top prodigies, they would cleanse and pacify the overwhelming aura of calamity.

The losing side must retreat their frontline by a thousand li!

The news spread, shaking both races. This was not merely the resolution of calamity—it was the first direct, large-scale clash between the new generations of both races, determining future destiny!

Within the human realm, rapid selection for combatants began.

Jiang Xia, Akatsuki Jin, Du Gu Yun, Cui Jue, Qin Hao, Li Jiuyuan, Ye Lingxi, Ling Zhantian… all the top prodigies were unquestionably included.

At that moment, the demonic side also publicly announced part of their combatant list—and one name instantly drew intense attention from the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion and Jiang Xia!

The Mayfly!

“The Mayfly! They’ve truly appeared!” When Wang Teng received the news, he leapt up from his wheelchair in excitement, then collapsed into violent coughing, his face flushed with unnatural redness.

Jiang Xia’s injuries, thanks to the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion’s relentless treatment, had healed seventy percent; at least the surface wounds had vanished, but the hidden damage to his soul and foundation still required time to heal.

He stood by the window, gazing at the distant silhouette of the Fallen God Platform, his eyes sharp.

“This is an opportunity—and a trap.”

The voice of the Qingyun Pavilion Master echoed behind him: “The demonic side knows we’re searching for the Mayfly, yet they sent it to fight—its intent is obvious.”

Jiang Xia turned slowly, his gaze resolute: “Even if it’s a trap, I’ll jump in. Fatty’s life can’t wait.”

Qingyun looked at him and sighed: “I know I can’t talk Itachi out of it.”

“The information from the Qin clan only said the Mayfly is exceptionally gifted and powerful—but I feel they’re hiding something.”

“In this battle, Itachi must be extremely careful. Your opponent may very well be that Mayfly.”

“I understand.” Jiang Xia nodded.