Chapter 158 – Strange Beast Kui Niu, Fate: Gathering Mosquitoes into Thunder

“Zuo Qiuzi is about to lose.”

Just as Zuo Qiuzi and Xu Yangyang’s battle reached a certain intensity, Lu Chen—who had been contemplating the ‘Ephemeral Runes’—suddenly spoke.

Hearing his words, Mu Xiaoye beside him immediately looked at him in surprise.

From Mu Xiaoye’s perspective, Zuo Qiuzi and Xu Yangyang were clearly evenly matched, with neither able to gain an advantage over the other.

While Xu Yangyang’s family heirloom Talismans were indeed miraculous, allowing her as a Talisman Cultivator to unleash power comparable to a Body Cultivator, Zuo Qiuzi’s Dao Entry Sword Intent was equally impressive. Every move she made carried a bleak, autumnal chill that evoked a sense of deepening cold.

Not understanding, Mu Xiaoye watched as Zuo Qiuzi and Xu Yangyang in the distance became two afterimages constantly intertwining, and she asked curiously, “Little Lu, how can you be sure Senior Zuo is about to lose?”

In response, Lu Chen’s lotus-like pupils rotated continuously, as if they could see through appearances to grasp the essence.

“Senior Zuo’s Swordsmanship is indeed good, but she relies too much on her Sword Intent, forgetting that Sword Intent is only one part of a Cultivator’s strength.”

“Xu Yangyang, on the other hand, clearly hasn’t forgotten this. Her Spear Intent has only been supplementary from start to finish. Look carefully around them.”

Following Lu Chen’s advice, Mu Xiaoye turned her gaze to their surroundings.

With this look, Mu Xiaoye noticed many details she had previously overlooked.

All around Zuo Qiuzi and Xu Yangyang, countless tiny Talisman inscriptions had unknowingly been laid out.

Because these Talisman inscriptions were extremely fine and concealed, and because Xu Yangyang’s Spear Intent was a bizarre seven-colored light that provided some cover for the Talismans, not only was Zuo Qiuzi on the field unaware, but even spectators outside the arena would struggle to notice these mysterious Talisman inscriptions without careful observation.

Seeing this, Mu Xiaoye—with her outstanding combat intuition—quickly understood.

While Xu Yangyang appeared to be merely competing with Zuo Qiuzi in Dao Conception, she had actually been continuously deploying Talismanship throughout the battle.

Judging by the scale of these Talismans, Xu Yangyang must have planned this strategy from the very beginning of the fight.

No wonder, no wonder Little Lu said Zuo Qiuzi was about to lose.

Zuo Qiuzi seemed to have taken the initiative from the start, always being the first to attack, but in reality, she had been following Xu Yangyang’s rhythm all along.

Moreover, Xu Yangyang had been countering moves as they came, rarely taking the initiative herself.

While their cultivation levels appeared similar, in terms of actual combat ability…

They were not on the same level.

Thinking this, Mu Xiaoye couldn’t help but ask, “Little Lu, how long do you think Senior Zuo can hold out?”

Lu Chen looked at the two in the distance and contemplated for a moment. “Within three moves, Senior Zuo will undoubtedly be defeated.”

As if to confirm Lu Chen’s words, Zuo Qiuzi—who had been holding her own against Xu Yangyang—suddenly revealed an opening.

Her speed abruptly slowed, as if something invisible was restraining her body, causing her to be unable to properly defend against Xu Yangyang’s attacks. Her movements were half a beat too slow.

Clang!

With a clear, crisp sound, Zuo Qiuzi’s Spirit Sword was sent flying by a thrust from Xu Yangyang’s Spear.

Seizing the opportunity, Xu Yangyang pressed her advantage and lunged toward Zuo Qiuzi with her Spear.Left with no Magic Treasure at hand, Zuo Qiuzi had no choice but to defend herself with Talismans.

However, the Talismans she hastily activated were no match for Xu Yangyang’s attack.

Bang!

The Talisman barrier Zuo Qiuzi had just conjured was instantly shattered by Xu Yangyang’s Spear.

In the next moment, Xu Yangyang’s long Spear was pressed against Zuo Qiuzi’s neck.

“My respects.”

Feeling the cold steel against her neck, Zuo Qiuzi didn’t look at Xu Yangyang but instead glanced around.

She saw that her limbs were bound by golden Talisman chains, which she hadn’t noticed until now—this was the ultimate reason for her defeat.

“When did you set up this Talisman Formation?”

Xu Yangyang replied calmly, “From the very beginning.”

“The very beginning?”

“Yes.”

Zuo Qiuzi was taken aback and began to recall what Xu Yangyang meant by “the very beginning.”

Was it from the moment she was chosen as her opponent?

Or from the start of their clash of Entering Dao Conception?

After some thought, Zuo Qiuzi quickly recalled many details she had previously overlooked.

Undoubtedly, Xu Yangyang had been setting up this Talisman Formation from the moment she stepped onto the battlefield.

Zuo Qiuzi could have noticed it earlier.

But at the time, her mind was entirely focused on how to make Xu Yangyang summon her Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast.

As a result, she failed to notice Xu Yangyang’s subtle movements.

Thinking of this, Zuo Qiuzi felt she had lost fairly and squarely.

She was outmatched in skill—there was nothing more to say.

Her opponent had defeated her head-on without even summoning her Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast.

This loss… was not unjust.

Although she had already lost, Zuo Qiuzi couldn’t help but ask, “Can you show me your Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast? I’m quite curious about it.”

Xu Yangyang thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright.”

As a plume of black mist emerged from behind Xu Yangyang, a peculiar beast resembling a goat appeared behind her.

This beast was extraordinary, with nine tails and four ears.

But the most striking feature was the eyes on its back.

Those eyes were profoundly deep; a single glance made one feel as if they had fallen into an icy abyss.

“Bó Yí, this is my Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast.”

After saying this, Xu Yangyang withdrew her Mythical Beast.

Zuo Qiuzi stared blankly at the spot where Bó Yí had vanished and sighed, “Just one glance made me feel utterly powerless to contend.”

“If you had summoned it from the start, I might not have lasted even a single round.”

“Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts… are truly extraordinary.”

Xu Yangyang neither confirmed nor denied Zuo Qiuzi’s words.

Because it was just as she said—if Xu Yangyang had summoned her Mythical Beast, Bó Yí, from the very beginning, Zuo Qiuzi would indeed have struggled to last even one round.

The gap between a Cultivator with a Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast and one without is that vast.

After all, the relationship between a Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast and a Mountain and Sea Walker is not as simple as “1+1=2.”

Their combined power grows exponentially.

“Alright, you’ve passed the Agent trial. Go rest over there for now.”

Hearing Xu Yangyang’s words, Zuo Qiuzi nodded and walked to the side to rest.

After Zuo Qiuzi left, Xu Yangyang looked at the others and asked, “Who else wishes to challenge?”Hearing this, the trial-takers exchanged glances, none daring to step forward immediately.

After all, judging by the strength Xu Yangyang and Zuo Qiuzi had just displayed, even without Xu Yangyang summoning any Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts, none of them could last five minutes against her. The difficulty of the third trial for Agents far exceeded their expectations.

Seeing no one step forward, Xu Yangyang was about to turn back when a figure emerged from the crowd.

“I’ll give it a try.”

Xu Yangyang turned and quickly spotted Mu Xiaoye, who had stepped forward. However, Mu Xiaoye didn’t choose Xu Yangyang as her opponent. Instead, she pointed at Yan Lei, who was standing nearby.

“I’d like to choose him as my opponent.”

Seeing Mu Xiaoye pick him, Yan Lei didn’t seem surprised. He brushed off his clothes and stepped forward.

“Little girl, though you seem confident in your abilities, I must say you’ve chosen the wrong opponent. Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you’re only at the Qi Condensation Stage.”

Watching Yan Lei enter the arena, Mu Xiaoye smiled and said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Oh?”

Hearing Mu Xiaoye’s unwavering confidence, Yan Lei grew intrigued. During the first trial, he had already noticed her astonishing Physique strength. Though her cultivation was only at the Qi Condensation Stage, her Physique seemed nearly on par with that of an ordinary Body Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage. With such talent and strength, Mu Xiaoye was clearly no ordinary person.

But no matter how extraordinary she was, the gap in their cultivation levels remained. Yan Lei estimated that, at best, Mu Xiaoye could last five minutes against him if he didn’t take the fight seriously—similar to how Zuo Qiuzi had fared earlier.

With that thought, Yan Lei relaxed even more. No matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t imagine himself losing to someone of a lower cultivation stage.

Unexpectedly, as Xu Yangyang passed by him, she said seriously, “Be careful. This girl isn’t simple.”

“Huh?”

Yan Lei was taken aback by Xu Yangyang’s warning. He felt Mu Xiaoye’s strength was slightly inferior to Zuo Qiuzi’s, and his own abilities surpassed Xu Yangyang’s. By all accounts, Mu Xiaoye shouldn’t pose any threat to him. But Xu Yangyang’s unique talent allowed her to perceive things he couldn’t.

Recalling this, Yan Lei’s initially casual expression turned serious. Though he didn’t believe a Qi Condensation Stage cultivator like Mu Xiaoye could trouble him, Xu Yangyang’s warning was never given lightly. He couldn’t afford to be careless and suffer an embarrassing defeat—losing as a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator to someone at the Qi Condensation Stage would be utterly humiliating.

Noticing Yan Lei standing motionless, Mu Xiaoye suddenly spoke up, “Uncle, aren’t you ready yet?”

Yan Lei snapped out of his thoughts and instinctively replied, “You may make your move whenever you’re ready.”

“Alright.”

Almost as soon as Mu Xiaoye’s voice faded, her figure vanished from sight.

Boom!

Accompanied by a sonic boom, Mu Xiaoye—now covered in peculiar red patterns—instantly closed the distance to Yan Lei. Her explosive speed caught everyone off guard. But she wasn’t just fast; her fists were even faster.

In the blink of an eye, Mu Xiaoye charged forward and threw a punch straight at Yan Lei.That single punch made Yan Lei’s expression change.

Because he vaguely sensed a certain pressure from this blow.

A Qi Condensation Stage Body Cultivator’s fist, yet it made him, a Foundation Establishment Stage Body Cultivator, feel pressure.

If spoken aloud, Yan Lei himself wouldn’t believe it.

But years of combat experience told him:

This punch was absolutely not simple!

Without any hesitation, Yan Lei’s body immediately emitted a large amount of electric arcs.

These arcs coursed through his entire body, making him seem as if clad in a layer of thunder armor.

And just as he had completed this, Mu Xiaoye’s fist struck his abdomen.

Boom!

This punch carried immense force and momentum, causing Yan Lei’s body to immediately slide backward continuously.

Yan Lei’s legs dug into the ground, instantly dragging out long trenches in the soil.

Only after sliding over ten meters did he finally come to a stop.

For some reason, after delivering this punch, Mu Xiaoye did not rush to continue attacking, instead stopping in place.

On the other side, Yan Lei looked at his abdomen in astonishment.

Because on it remained a large amount of crimson-red flames.

Yan Lei patted his clothes, trying to extinguish the crimson-red flames lingering there.

But Yan Lei soon realized he was overthinking.

Because for some reason, these flames could not only burn his clothes but even incinerate his Spiritual Power.

As a result, not only did he fail to extinguish these flames,

but instead, they grew increasingly fierce.

Even Yan Lei could feel the Spiritual Power within his body draining at an alarming rate.

Bizarre, truly bizarre.

Flames that could even burn Spiritual Power—this was the first time he had encountered such a thing.

In a flash, Yan Lei frantically pondered the origin of these flames in his mind.

Before long, he indeed thought of something.

He raised his head, looking at Mu Xiaoye in shock, and exclaimed in surprise, “You are a Phoenix Calamity Cultivator?”

In response, Mu Xiaoye in the distance merely nodded calmly.

Upon receiving this confirmation, Yan Lei immediately dared not underestimate Mu Xiaoye any longer.

Because the terror of Phoenix Calamity Cultivators, even at just the Qi Condensation Stage, was already beginning to show.

Phoenix Calamity Cultivators… could not be judged by common sense!

And after learning Mu Xiaoye’s identity, Yan Lei quickly thought of how to deal with the flames on his body.

He directly severed the connection to the Spiritual Power on his body’s surface.

The Phoenix Calamity Fire originally attached to him immediately fell to the ground.

And within a very short time, it extinguished.

Though Yan Lei seemed to have easily neutralized Mu Xiaoye’s Phoenix Calamity Fire, only he himself knew the price he had paid.

Just that small cluster of Phoenix Calamity Fire had caused him to waste nearly one-twentieth of his Spiritual Power.

And this was under the condition that Mu Xiaoye did not continue attacking.

If in the midst of battle, his consumption would only be greater.

The Phoenix Calamity Fire, capable of even burning Spiritual Power, was just that domineering.

Moreover, Mu Xiaoye had not yet unleashed the true power of the Phoenix Calamity Fire.

When she reached the Golden Core Stage and comprehended the Nirvana Dharma Body,

then she would truly be invincible below the Nascent Soul Stage, and capable of trading one for one above it.

Because the most terrifying aspect of the Nirvana Dharma Body lay in its powerful vitality.

As long as Spiritual Power was not exhausted, no matter what injuries she suffered, Mu Xiaoye could recover within a short time.

If paired with the Phoenix Calamity Fire’s effect of devouring the enemy’s Spiritual Power…Whether in one-on-one combat or chaotic battles, a Golden Core Stage Phoenix Calamity Cultivator was almost invincible.

Thinking this, Yan Lei’s gaze toward Mu Xiaoye became unprecedentedly serious.

Troublesome. This girl was far more troublesome than he had imagined.

Everything truly aligned with Xu Yangyang’s words.

If he wasn’t careful, he really might capsize in a drain while battling Mu Xiaoye.

“Well? Aren’t you going to summon your Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts?”

Hearing Mu Xiaoye’s words, Yan Lei raised his head again.

He didn’t speak, merely adopting a standard fist technique starting stance.

In the next second, an astonishing Fist Intent erupted from Yan Lei’s body.

In a daze, the crowd seemed to hear a dull thunderclap.

Countless lightning bolts began dancing behind Yan Lei.

The surging thunder power was truly terrifying, like the apocalypse itself.

“You’re still not qualified enough to make me summon my Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts, little girl.”

“Though it might seem like bullying the weak, without using Fist Intent, I truly have no way to deal with your Phoenix Calamity Fire.”

Hearing Yan Lei’s words, Mu Xiaoye laughed.

“Fist Intent? As if I don’t have any myself.”

As she spoke, violent flames erupted from Mu Xiaoye’s body.

These flames continuously intertwined, eventually transforming into a fiery phoenix that appeared behind Mu Xiaoye.

Witnessing this scene, Yan Lei’s expression turned extremely grim.

Dealing with Mu Xiaoye’s Phoenix Calamity Fire was already difficult enough.

Now that she had also mastered Fist Intent, could he really capsize today?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

How could Yan Lei possibly lose to a Qi Condensation Stage cultivator?

Even if she was a Phoenix Calamity Cultivator, it shouldn’t be possible!

Otherwise, after today, he would truly become the laughingstock among the Linjiang Mountain and Sea Walkers…

With these thoughts, Yan Lei cast aside any pretense of Senior demeanor and actively charged toward Mu Xiaoye.

When dealing with Phoenix Calamity Cultivators, you couldn’t give them chances to counterattack—you had to suppress them completely!

Enhanced by the Surging Thunder Fist Intent, Yan Lei’s speed reached another level.

So much so that his speed completely overwhelmed Mu Xiaoye.

However, perhaps due to wariness of Mu Xiaoye’s Phoenix Calamity Fire, Yan Lei couldn’t fight with complete abandon.

He could only evade Mu Xiaoye’s flames while looking for opportunities to strike.

The fact that a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator had to be this cautious against a Qi Condensation Stage opponent showed how much psychological pressure Yan Lei was under.

He would rather do nothing than make any mistakes.

Determined to wage a war of attrition against Mu Xiaoye.

Relying on his deep Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, he would simply wear her down.

As long as he didn’t give Mu Xiaoye chances to recover Spiritual Power.

With her Qi Condensation Stage cultivation, she would soon be unable to maintain that fierce Phoenix Calamity Fire.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

On the battlefield, Yan Lei’s body transformed into afterimages, continuously circling Mu Xiaoye.

Though Mu Xiaoye wanted to counterattack multiple times, she never found the opportunity.

She could only endure Yan Lei’s attacks again and again.

For a time, Mu Xiaoye resembled a wooden stake, capable only of passive defense.

Even her phoenix illusion was trapped within Yan Lei’s thunder cage.

Though it struggled to break free multiple times, it couldn’t escape.

Watching this scene, Lu Chen’s expression became unprecedentedly focused.He even placed his hand on the black ring on his right finger, ready to strike at any moment.

Yu Tianqi, not far away, shared a similar thought.

Both of them could see that Mu Xiaoye was stubbornly holding on.

She couldn’t catch Yan Lei, nor could she find an opening to counterattack.

Yet she refused to admit defeat.

Even with the Phoenix Calamity Fire supporting her,

since Mu Xiaoye couldn’t absorb Yan Lei’s Spiritual Power, she could only watch helplessly as her own Spiritual Power dwindled.

Once her Spiritual Power dropped to a critical point, leaving her unable to sustain her Innate Divine Ability and the Phoenix Fist Intent surrounding her,

her defeat would only be a matter of time.

But Mu Xiaoye acted as though she were unaware of this. She tightly guarded her body with both hands,

while the Phoenix Calamity Fire within her spread across her entire form, creating a fiery barrier to protect her.

Though she was constantly on the defensive, her eyes remained resolute.

She was waiting—waiting for a single chance to strike.

And she had only this one opportunity.

What Yan Lei failed to notice was that with each of his attacks,

although the Phoenix Calamity Fire around Mu Xiaoye flickered violently,

scattered embers fell around her, refusing to extinguish.

Though faint, these flames burned persistently, like tenacious weeds brimming with vitality.

After what felt like an eternity, just as the flames around Mu Xiaoye had dimmed to the point of no longer covering her completely,

Yan Lei seemed to sense an opportunity and threw a full-force punch.

But the moment he struck, Mu Xiaoye, who had remained rooted in place, finally moved.

Immediately, all the scattered Phoenix Calamity Fire around her converged toward her body.

In the next instant, these highly concentrated flames coiled around her arm,

making the patterns on her arm appear vividly alive, like flowing streams of lava.

Seeing Mu Xiaoye strike with no reservations, Yan Lei was deeply shaken.

Her punch held nothing back, as if she were staking her life on it.

Moreover, the power of this punch seemed to exceed Mu Xiaoye’s limits,

causing countless cracks to split open the skin on her right arm.

Yet Mu Xiaoye appeared oblivious to this, her expression unchanging as she met Yan Lei’s fist head-on.

Boom!

A deafening collision echoed,

followed by a startling shockwave radiating from the two combatants.

In almost the same instant, Lu Chen vanished from his spot.

When he reappeared, he was already catching Mu Xiaoye, who had been sent flying.

Looking at her purplish-red right arm, Lu Chen couldn’t help but say, “Was it necessary to go this far?”

That single punch had shattered the bones in Mu Xiaoye’s right arm and ruptured several of her Meridians.

Only her extraordinary Physique and the domineering power of the Phoenix Calamity Fire, her Innate Divine Ability, had saved her.

For an ordinary Cultivator, such injuries could have damaged their very Foundation.

But Mu Xiaoye seemed unbothered. Gritting her teeth against the pain in her right arm, she smiled and said, “See, he had to summon the Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts. I didn’t lose.”

Faced with her stubbornness, Lu Chen was momentarily at a loss for words.

He turned his gaze toward Yan Lei in the distance.Just as Mu Xiaoye had described, Yan Lei indeed summoned his own Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast… the Kui Bull.

【Name: Kui Bull】

【Rank: Nine Luminaries】

【Fate: Gathering Mosquitoes into Thunder】

【Description: Resembling an ox, with a bluish body and no horns, having only one leg. Whenever it enters or exits water, wind and rain are sure to follow. Its radiance is like that of the sun and moon, its voice resembles thunder, and its name is Kui.】

(End of chapter)