Chapter 428: The True Meaning of the Thunder Divine Path

The Dao of Heaven is about struggle; if you do not advance, you fall back. Pass the sixth trial, and you shall become my inner disciple, receiving a portion of my legacy. I have five inner disciples.

Within the Seven Kill Secret Realm, a phantom of myself at the age of thirty shall patrol; defeat this phantom, and you shall obtain the True Meaning of Seven Kill.

Within thirty days, whoever attains the True Meaning of Seven Kill may enter the Seven Kill Palace and become my inner disciple.

Gazing at the starlight floating before him, Xu Jin's expression turned startled.

The True Meaning of Seven Kill?

The Dao of the Divine Path?

Are they the same thing?

The State Tutor previously said the Dao of the Divine Path was a reward bestowed by the Ultimate Emperor through the Seven Kill Secret Realm.

If these are two separate rewards, then the prize is extraordinarily generous.

But if they are one and the same, then the Ultimate Emperor must be able to influence or control the Seven Kill Secret Realm to some degree?

Or perhaps the Seven Kill Secret Realm was created by the Ultimate Emperor himself?

In an instant, as myriad thoughts flashed through Xu Jin's mind, the invisible barrier above the Seven Kill Palace vanished.

The next moment, the ten occupants within the Seven Kill Palace each shot upward, racing in all directions.

Xu Jin immediately activated the seven law stars on the Can Dou Platform and pushed his Ming Ji Star Pattern to its absolute limit.

In an instant, he sensed five immense and majestic auras scattered across the four directions—crucially, these five auras were constantly moving.

Which one should he pursue?

With a flick of his thought, Xu Jin made his decision.

He flared his Thunder Wings and instantly transformed into a streak of lightning, hurtling toward one direction.

The five auras Xu Jin sensed must be the five Dao of the Divine Path auras.

Whether the True Meaning of Seven Kill and the Dao of the Divine Path are the same thing—once he obtained one, he would know.

Among the five Dao of the Divine Path auras, four were extremely distinct, shining in Xu Jin's perception like sun and moon.

Only one was profoundly hidden.

Following the method described by Headmaster Dong Zhao, Xu Jin reactivated the Yuan Source Star Patterns and immediately sensed something.

When activating the Earth Source Star Pattern, one Dao of the Divine Path's direction flickered faintly.

When activating the Fire Source Star Pattern, he sensed another direction's Dao of the Divine Path.

When activating the Wood Source Star Pattern, he sensed yet another.

When activating the Thunder Source Star Pattern, he sensed a Dao of the Divine Path in yet another direction.

While hurtling through the air, Xu Jin activated every source-type star pattern—but could only sense four Dao of the Divine Path auras.

Only by activating the seven law stars on the Can Dou Platform could he perceive all five.

Xu Jin instantly deduced: the faintly sensed direction likely required the Space Source Star Pattern to detect.

Currently, no one from the Sumeru Palace remained; that direction was not urgent.

Whether it was claimed later or taken by someone else, it didn't matter.

Xu Jin did not yet know the Space Source Star Pattern; even if he seized it, it would be useless.

Thus, his first immediate target was the Dao of the Divine Path sensed by the Thunder Source Star Pattern.

Among Xu Jin's primary combat star arts, the only fully developed systems were Thunder and Earth; he decided to prioritize seizing the Thunder-related Dao of the Divine Path.

As for the State Tutor's side, Headmaster Dong Zhao and Marquis Song Shoujie were there.

If he failed to secure it, more opportunities would follow.

Xu Jin estimated the sixth trial would likely be brutally fierce.

Notably, when the crowd burst out of the Seven Kill Palace, the area outside was already deserted.

The elite from all factions who had passed the fourth trial but failed the fifth had already departed.

Ning Yuchan had surely escaped safely—she had a substitute death opportunity.

After flying only a few breaths, Xu Jin noticed a streak of thunderlight chasing him from behind, moving at astonishing speed.

It was barely slower than his own.

Xu Jin's mind stirred: this one was almost certainly Hou Ziang of the Wood Spirit Palace.

But where was the other Wood Spirit Palace disciple?

After flying for over a dozen breaths, Xu Jin saw no other starlight pursuing him—only Hou Ziang's thunderlight chased behind.

He understood at once.

In the earlier battle, the other Wood Spirit Palace seventh-rank, Du Wei, specialized in Wood Star Arts.

The Wood Spirit Palace primarily cultivated two types of star arts: Thunder and Wood—especially Wood Star Arts, which reached the pinnacle and monopolized the Star Healing Seal in the current age.

Xu Jin had previously sensed a Dao of the Divine Path linked to the Wood Source Star Pattern.

Du Wei of the Wood Spirit Palace was almost certainly chasing that one.

Only the confident would dare such a split.

The next instant, Xu Jin accelerated instantly, switching to Fivefold Flash.

Thunder Wings combined with Thunder Dash were extremely fast—roughly equivalent to threefold Flash, faster than ordinary seventh-rank cultivators, on par with elite seventh-rank like Hou Ziang, just slightly ahead.

But Fivefold Flash was six to seven percent faster still.

Yet Fivefold Flash consumed immense energy.

Even after Xu Jin's cultivation broke through to fifth-rank third layer, with thirty-six star cores, all the star power in the Zhong Palace could sustain him for only ten seconds.

Without the Can Dou Platform's starlight as support, Xu Jin would never dare use Fivefold Flash for travel.

The moment Fivefold Flash activated, it instantly left Hou Ziang far behind.

Hou Ziang panicked!

He was truly furious!

Regret and rage surged within him.

At the moment the Dao of the Divine Path appeared, Hou Ziang had exchanged a brief word with his junior, Du Wei.

Because the Dao of the Divine Path could only be sensed using source-type star patterns.

Logically, the Thunder-related Divine Path Meaning could only be sensed by Hou Ziang himself.

In other words, this advantage was unique to Hou Ziang of the Wood Spirit Palace.

Hou Ziang and Du Wei had unconsciously ignored Qi Tian Sheng.

Although Qi Tian Sheng had demonstrated Thunder Star Arts, he was merely a fifth-rank third layer.

Among the ten provisional disciples, aside from Dong Zhao and Ju Xuan, everyone treated Xu Jin as air—as a mere ornament!

Hou Ziang had unconsciously overlooked Xu Jin.

Due to this unique advantage of the Thunder Source Star Pattern, Hou Ziang and Du Wei had agreed: Hou Ziang would move first to claim a Thunder-related Dao of the Divine Path.

This guaranteed acquisition would suffice to satisfy their master.

Du Wei would pursue the Wood-related Dao of the Divine Path—if he could seize it, good; if not, he would observe, lock the target, then wait for Hou Ziang to join him to jointly contest the Wood-related Dao.

Their plan was flawless.

But from the very start, Hou Ziang had encountered this fool, Qi Tian Sheng.

Though he had been astonished that Qi Tian Sheng could enter the Seven Kill Palace despite being surrounded by two seventh-ranks from the Sumeru Palace,

he had not witnessed it firsthand; Hou Ziang instinctively assumed he had cheated—or been aided by a Chen Guo disciple sacrificing himself.

After all, entering the Seven Kill Palace was not a direct confrontation.

How strong could Qi Tian Sheng possibly be?

He was noted, but only mildly.

Yet now, when Hou Ziang truly encountered Xu Jin face to face, he was stunned.

What the hell—is this really a fifth-rank third layer?

Even an ordinary eighth-rank might not be faster.

Yet this fifth-rank third layer, initially just slightly ahead, now led him by a massive margin.

Hou Ziang was frantic.

He pushed his Thunder Source Star Pattern and Thunder Image Star Pattern to their limits—yet still could not close the gap.

He nearly considered detonating his Star Tower to accelerate.

It was certain: under current conditions, Qi Tian Sheng would reach the Thunder-related Dao of the Divine Path before him. Still, though frantic, Hou Ziang remained composed.

Mainly because arriving first did not guarantee claiming the Thunder-related Dao of the Divine Path.

In the fourth trial, they had to slay a phantom of the young Seven Kill True Lord—likely a manifestation of his strength around age twenty.

Cultivation: sixth-rank late stage.

Even for him, defeating it took some effort.

It was not easy.

Now, they must slay a phantom of the Seven Kill True Lord at thirty—his mature strength.

Hou Ziang estimated this sixth trial's phantom was at least seventh-rank early stage, possibly even seventh-rank middle.

Such a phantom of the Seven Kill True Lord—even for a genius like Hou Ziang—required all his strength, all his techniques, possibly even his life to defeat.

So even if Qi Tian Sheng rushed ahead at full speed, it would be useless.

In the end, it would still fall to him.

This was Hou Ziang's assessment—or rather, his hope.

It was his most certain chance to seize the Thunder-related Dao of the Divine Path.

Moreover, in his perception, the divine truth related to thunder was not far away.

At that time, this Qi Tian Sheng would lead by no more than a few breaths.

Within a few breaths, could he defeat the seventh-rank illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun?

Impossible!

Then neither could a fifth-rank, third-layer Qi Tian Sheng!

What about the great treasure bestowed by Chen Guo's National Master Cheng Yuexiao?

Impossible!

Above seventh-rank, consumables that unleash power in a single burst are extremely rare; even if they exist, they can only unleash the destructive force of early seventh-rank.

As for the ninth-rank inherited treasures, there are only a few such items—impossible.

Based on these judgments, Hou Ziang, though chasing Xu Jin fiercely from behind, felt no concern at all.

Deep down, he still believed the thunder-related divine truth belonged to him.

Time flowed closer.

Xu Jin flew at fivefold Liushuo speed for thirteen breaths, replenished star power once using Can Dou Tai, then suddenly spotted the adult-year illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun lying atop a massive boulder.

Compared to his youthful illusion, the adult-year illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun carried a touch of maturity.

With just a sidelong glance at Xu Jin, the instant he noticed him, a blade of light shot skyward and slashed toward Xu Jin.

Xu Jin twisted his body, attempting to evade this terrifying blade of light.

The blade exploded violently into hundreds of winding, serpent-like purple lightning bolts, slamming into Xu Jin.

Even with the uncanny agility of Xu Jin's Willow-Fluff Body Technique, he only dodged slightly more than a third of the lightning, then was buried under hundreds of purple bolts.

The Fish-Silk Golden Bell on his skin surged violently.

Lei Yi instantly retracted, barely enduring the blow.

At the same instant, Xu Jin's attack struck back.

As the Earth God Thunder and Fire God Thunder rained down in succession, five-colored lightning began gathering in Xu Jin's palm.

The next instant, Xu Jin surged forward again, activating Earth Magnetic Core, slightly restricting the illusion's speed, then unleashed the Five Elements God Thunder.

With Earth Magnetic Core's aid, the strike landed instantly.

Five-colored lightning poured down, stripping away one layer of the illusion's outer lightning, shattering its protective starlight to tatters—but not breaking through.

Nor did he detect the Seven-Star Spirit Armor protecting it.

Just from this single strike, Xu Jin made a rough judgment.

Without the Five Elements God Thunder, he could not kill this illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun in direct confrontation.

With the Five Elements God Thunder, he could kill Qi Sha Zhenjun's illusion in direct combat.

But it would take time.

Perhaps dozens of breaths, perhaps hundreds.

But now, for the thunder-related divine truth, he must end this swiftly.

The next instant, the illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun shot skyward, unleashing wave after wave of terrifying lightning upon Xu Jin.

Raising the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain Shield and combining it with the Fish-Silk Golden Bell, Xu Jin endured several strikes, neutralizing the illusion's attack, then once again formed the Five Elements God Thunder in his palm.

Simultaneously, Earth Magnetic Core.

But the illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun sensed the aura of the Five Elements God Thunder in Xu Jin's hand, dropped downward, then instantly surged upward to flee far away—clearly sensing the threat.

The next instant, Xu Jin activated his will: Falling Star!

In an instant, a streak of starlight appeared from the sky, transforming into a mountain-sized mass the moment it appeared above the illusion, crashing down upon it.

Earth Magnetic Core was pushed to its utmost.

Shhh!

The illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun was slammed from the sky by the Falling Star, plummeting like a meteor under the acceleration of Earth Magnetic Core.

Boom!

A cluster of five-colored thunder flashed instantly, striking the illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun.

Amid the roaring thunder, the illusion's protective starlight—already half-destroyed by the Falling Star—dissolved instantly, and the illusion itself shattered into wisps of starlight within the lightning.

Final kill completed!

The four Nine Heaven Thunder Rhythms infused into it were not wasted!

Almost the instant the illusion of Qi Sha Zhenjun was destroyed, a shimmering, gem-like orb appeared before Xu Jin, its exterior resembling a jewel, its interior churning with countless bolts of lightning.

The moment it appeared, Xu Jin's Lei Yuanxing Pattern and Lei Xiangxing Spindle blazed with starlight.

Thunder-related divine truth.

The next instant, lightning entwined with divine soul force wrapped around this thunder-related divine truth.

The instant it was entwined, Xu Jin felt power climbing up his wrist; only then did the thunder-related divine truth fully bind to him, and he smoothly stored it within his Numinous Space.

Just as he finished this, Hou Ziang from the Wood Spirit Palace surged within ten thousand meters, catching sight of this very scene.

At that same instant, the thunder-related divine truth vanished from Hou Ziang's Lei Yuanxing Pattern.

"Leave it behind!" Hou Ziang roared from afar, pushing his lightning to its limit, charging toward Xu Jin like a madman.

This artifact was not only the ultimate treasure his master needed—it was the one he needed too!

In the blink of an eye, Hou Ziang, at early seventh-rank, charged within a thousand meters of Xu Jin—just then, Xu Jin stepped upon the stars.

As Hou Ziang prepared to attack Xu Jin mid-charge, Xu Jin accelerated instantly.

Fivefold Liushuo.

The Yellow Dragon Sword materialized!

Mountain-Bearing Star Art activated!

Hou Ziang, charging toward Xu Jin, had reached his maximum speed.

Realizing something was wrong, he slowed and hurled lightning straight at Xu Jin.

But the moment he released the lightning, the sonic boom had already passed his ears.

In that instant, Hou Ziang felt as if a mountain had slammed into him.

The Seven-Star Spirit Armor surfaced on his body.

Hou Ziang was blasted backward, spewing blood as the Seven-Star Spirit Armor shattered piece by piece.

Protected by his own starlight and the Seven-Star Spirit Armor, Hou Ziang somehow survived!

Xu Jin himself was dazed from the impact, the Fish-Silk Golden Bell trembling violently, nearly breaking!

Fortunately, it was the Yellow Dragon Sword—if it had been the Fire Ox Sword, it would have shattered.

But in an instant, Xu Jin saw Hou Ziang spewing blood, and activated fivefold Liushuo again.

Shhh!

Once more, within the sonic boom, Hou Ziang shattered into four pieces, dissolving into starlight.

One kill!

Xu Jin immediately landed, the Yellow Dragon Sword's radiance flickering, then waited in silence.

Would Hou Ziang come again?

(End of Chapter)