Chapter 87 – One Kick Shatters the Aberration's Bones, One Line Tells the Great Dao's Sorrow

One sword severed the void, one sword vanquished evil.

The power of Lu Chen’s sword strike far exceeded the limits of what anyone could have imagined.

Although the history of the Immortal Alliance was not devoid of others who had grasped Sword Intent during the Qi Condensation Stage, the starting points of those individuals were fundamentally different from Lu Chen’s.

They were either born with the Innate Sword Physique, naturally possessing Sword Intent, or they were old-timers who had reincarnated and restarted their cultivation or had their cultivation dissipated and rebuilt.

Bian Shouyi was one such Innate Sword Physique.

But even though he was born with Sword Intent, to this day, not to mention mastering the innate Sword Intent within him, he didn’t even know what his own Sword Intent was.

Because he hadn’t yet reached the requirements to touch this realm.

After all, Sword Intent and swordsmanship had always been two distinct concepts.

The former was the Dao, the latter was technique.

For a Qi Condensation Stage cultivator, mastering technique was already commendable, let alone the Dao.

If one had to draw an analogy, what Lu Chen was doing now was equivalent to an elementary school student suddenly appearing in a university classroom—and not just appearing, but genuinely able to learn.

A prodigy, an absolute prodigy.

Originally, the teachers had no concrete understanding of the “exceptional comprehension ability” listed in Lu Chen’s profile and weren’t clear on how exactly his so-called “comprehension ability” surpassed others.

But after this joint examination, they all understood just how terrifying Lu Chen’s comprehension ability was.

Many things that Foundation Establishment Stage, and even Golden Core Stage cultivators could not accomplish in their entire lives, he had achieved during the Qi Condensation Stage.

What would happen when he reached Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and even Nascent Soul stages beyond?

Unthinkable, utterly unthinkable!

At this moment, the teachers and investigators in the conference room sat up straight with rare seriousness, their expressions grave.

Especially those teachers who specialized in the Sword Path—their mindset had now completely shifted.

As the saying goes, in learning, there is no distinction of seniority; the accomplished are the teachers.

For those who had not yet grasped Sword Intent, Lu Chen, who had already mastered it, was undeniably their teacher!

Meanwhile, under the Nine-Hell Tree.

As Lu Chen’s earth-shattering sword strike concluded, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, who had initially been composed, completely lost his earlier transcendent demeanor.

He stared at Lu Chen, his pupils constricting.

“A Sword Path Grandmaster of the Human Race… and a Grandmaster at the Qi Condensation Stage? How is this possible…?”

“Why would the Immortal Alliance send someone like you here to die?!”

The term “Sword Path Grandmaster” used by the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man did not refer to Lu Chen’s cultivation level but solely to his attainments in the Sword Path.

Whether in the Immortal Alliance or elsewhere, anyone capable of “entering the Dao through skill” would be honored with the title of Grandmaster, signifying that they had reached a level where they could establish their own school.

As one of the royal clans of the Nine Hells, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s inherited memories contained numerous recollections of battles between their kind and Human Race Grandmasters.

Thus, he understood perfectly what the title “Grandmaster” meant—it meant that Lu Chen absolutely could not be treated as an ordinary Qi Condensation Stage cultivator!

But why would the Immortal Alliance send such a young Grandmaster to his death?

This defied all logic!

Indeed, in the eyes of the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, Lu Chen’s actions at this moment were nothing short of a pure, foolish act of throwing his life away.Leaving aside whether he could defeat me, even if he could, so what?

Given the current situation in Jade City, the nearest Golden Core Stage cultivator from the Immortal Alliance wouldn’t arrive until three days later.

But by then, their king would have long returned.

Though Lu Chen was a Sword Path grandmaster, he remained merely at the Qi Condensation Stage in cultivation.

With his current cultivation facing the Golden Core Stage king of the Nine Hells Black Rock Tribe…

Even as a Sword Path grandmaster, he stood no chance of survival.

Was this knowingly attempting the impossible…

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man watched Lu Chen descending through the blood-drenched rain, his expression turning grave.

After a moment, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man suddenly laughed.

After all, having such a young Human Race grandmaster accompany him on the Road to the Yellow Springs…

This journey to the underworld… wouldn’t be lonely!

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man took a step forward, immediately activating his special ability.

His originally jet-black body instantly became covered in intricate golden patterns, transforming into unique dark golden armor.

This transformation wasn’t merely a color change.

[Special Ability: Body of Hundred Battles]

[Effect: Upon activation, greatly enhances physical attributes and can accumulate 25% of received damage within the body for simultaneous release]

“Human Race grandmaster? It’s precisely grandmasters I kill!!!”

With a furious roar, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man shot toward Lu Chen like a cannonball.

The force was so tremendous it created shockwaves around him, whipping up fierce winds.

Yet even facing such momentum, Lu Chen remained unperturbed.

The twelve blue lotuses in his pupils rotated continuously as he calmly watched the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man.

His indifferent demeanor suggested the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man was already a dead man in his eyes.

In an instant, the fully-powered Gold-Devouring Ant-Man reached Lu Chen, throwing a devastating punch.

The force behind this fist was so great it created sonic booms the moment it was thrown.

“DIE!!!”

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man stared at Lu Chen with bloodshot eyes, battle intent soaring.

Just as the terrifying punch was about to land, Lu Chen finally moved.

Clang!

Lu Chen’s sword left its sheath, the cold blade cutting through air currents, transforming into a massive dragon claw.

The dark golden fist and dragon claw collided… amidst the pouring blood rain.

BOOM!

After the collision, the ground within twenty meters of the two combatants

instantly cracked with countless fissures, sinking three meters deep.

And this was merely the aftermath of their clash!

In the flashing interplay of light and shadow, Lu Chen retreated five meters while the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man was forced back ten meters before stopping.

This already showed the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man was at a disadvantage in their first exchange!

However, many factors determined battle outcomes, and a temporary disadvantage didn’t mean permanent inferiority.

Forcing down his surging Qi and blood, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man gave Lu Chen no breathing room, launching another furious assault.

Seeing the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s frenzied approach, Lu Chen chose to meet him head-on.

Boom boom boom…

Under the Nine-Hell Tree, their figures continuously intertwined.

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man with his activated ‘Body of Hundred Battles’ threw punches as heavy as Mount Tai, each blow carrying immense force.

Yet Lu Chen, having mastered the Dragon Transformation Sword Intent, was no less formidable in his attacks.Every swing of his sword formed a unique phantom claw of a flood dragon.

Each move and stance carried the majestic might of a flood dragon, truly terrifying.

If not for the vast gap in cultivation between him and the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, coupled with the Ant-Man’s exceptionally unique ability to mitigate damage received, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man would not have lasted more than a few rounds—he would have been struck down by Lu Chen’s sword long ago.

Even so, after several exchanges, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man was quickly covered in wounds.

Not only was his body cracked all over, but sword marks were everywhere on his arms, from which copious amounts of blood gushed forth.

And this was not even the most severe of his injuries.

The worst of his wounds were undoubtedly on his fists, which had been clashing directly with Lu Chen’s longsword.

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s fists were split open in numerous places, with some areas so badly torn that the stark white bones beneath were clearly visible.

Yet, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man seemed completely unaware of these injuries.

Not only did he continue attacking Lu Chen with this near-suicidal approach, but he also made no attempt to evade Lu Chen’s sword strikes, taking every single one head-on.

To the onlookers, such behavior was practically no different from seeking death.

But one had to admit, the intense, death-defying fighting spirit radiating from him at this moment was palpable.

Even those watching from outside the examination hall couldn’t help but feel somewhat moved by it.

Seriously, why is a member of the Demonic Heresy acting so passionate?

It’s almost as if you’re the righteous one, and Lu Chen is the Devil King!

But to be fair, Lu Chen’s demeanor at this moment did resemble that of a villain from a movie.

From the start of their battle until now, Lu Chen had always been the one on the defensive, never once initiating an attack.

He gave off an aura of unshakable calm, as if even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, his expression would not change.

And the more he carried himself this way, the more the spectators felt an indescribable sense of despair.

Suffocating. It was truly suffocating.

The level of power Lu Chen was displaying now was utterly despair-inducing.

To think that even a Nine-Hell Royal Clan member like the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, whose strength rivaled that of a fifth-layer Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, could not push Lu Chen into a difficult battle—what hope did they, mere students who hadn’t even reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, have of competing on the same stage as a monster like Lu Chen in the college entrance exam?

“…Is this really something a high school senior is capable of?”

A student from Second High stammered as he watched Lu Chen completely overpower the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man on the screen.

In truth, it wasn’t just him—even the teachers in the conference room were at a loss for words to describe Lu Chen at this moment.

Based on the strength Lu Chen had displayed, at least a third of the Foundation Establishment Stage teachers present were no match for him.

The real despair was for the teachers who couldn’t even defeat a student!

This was the terror of Sword Intent.

So terrifying that even though Lu Chen was only at the Qi Condensation Stage, he could still overwhelm most Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, including the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man before him.

And what others could see, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man could realize as well.

But as long as there was even a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he would never give up easily!

For the pride engraved in the bloodline of the Nine-Hell Royal Clan forbade him from bowing to anyone!

Therefore, even if it meant death, he would make this human Sword Path grandmaster understand one thing:

The Nine-Hell Royal Clan… has no cowards!

Boom!As Lu Chen swung his sword once more, the terrifying phantom of the Flood Dragon reappeared behind him, its claw descending upon its target.

This time, however, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, eyes blazing red, raised his left arm to block.

Boom!

As the Flood Dragon’s phantom claw wrapped around the long sword struck the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s left arm, the already fragile limb, like a candle flickering in the wind, immediately emitted a series of cracking sounds.

Not only did the flesh and blood on the left arm burst open during the impact, exposing the deep white bone beneath, but the bone itself, unable to withstand the astonishing force, began to shatter continuously.

Pain—a pain that pierced straight to the bone.

Yet, the more his body suffered, the higher the Battle Intent in the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s eyes soared.

Because his sacrifice had finally paid off.

“Why didn’t you dodge?”

Lu Chen looked calmly at the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, who had used his left hand as a price to grip his sword, and asked quietly.

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man stared back, a strained smile appearing on his face, twisted by pain.

“Because I’m not afraid.”

After a moment of silence, Lu Chen spoke again, “Why are you not afraid?”

Clenching Lu Chen’s sword tightly with his now skeletal left hand, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man said with unwavering determination, “Not afraid is just not afraid.”

“After all, if I can trade my life for that of a Human Race grandmaster, this is… a great achievement!”

Boom!

With a furious roar, a terrifying power erupted completely from within the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man.

The force was so immense that it caused blood to trickle from his seven orifices.

This power was the reason he had willingly endured Lu Chen’s attacks all along.

It was the strongest strike of his life, bought with his body, his life, and everything he had.

Though he could clearly feel his life nearing its end, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man felt his condition was… unprecedentedly good!

‘Body of Hundred Battles—without experiencing a hundred battles, how can one speak of victory?’

“Human Race grandmaster? Today… I kill a grandmaster!!!”

With a roar, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man channeled all his remaining strength into his only intact right hand and threw a punch toward Lu Chen.

Seeing this punch, Lu Chen, who had been calm until now, showed surprise.

Because in that punch… he caught a glimpse of the ‘Dao’!

Boom!

At the same moment the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man threw his punch, the phantom of a massive mountain seemed to materialize behind him, crashing down heavily toward Lu Chen.

In response, Lu Chen felt not just surprise but a surge of excitement.

Without hesitation, Lu Chen answered with his own Sword Intent.

‘Accumulated Water Becomes Abyss, the Flood Dragon… is born!’

Boom!

An abyssal void, deep and deathly still, instantly enveloped Lu Chen and the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man.

But unlike the Giant Strength Horned Insect and others who had been helpless within this abyss, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, burning with the last of his life, still possessed the courage to throw his punch at Lu Chen!

After all, when death is no longer a shackle, his fist can strike at anyone!

This fist was as sharp as a peak, this momentum… as heavy as a mountain!

[You have comprehended a trace of Fist Intent. You have unlocked the skill… Mountain-Crushing Fist]

[Mountain-Crushing Fist: Beginner 1/1000]

[Effect: Its momentum like a mountain, its fist like a peak—when the fist strikes… mountains crumble!]

Lu Chen had not expected this. His original intention was merely to observe the unique ability of this Nine-Hell Royal Clan member and decide whether it was worth copying.But who would have thought that this Nine-Hell Royal Clan member would bring him such an immense surprise.

Fist Intent—it was actually Fist Intent!

One must know that countless people practice fist techniques their entire lives without ever catching even a glimpse of this Dao.

Yet today, Lu Chen not only had the fortune to witness it but also gained insights from it.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen immediately held back no longer, unleashing his Dragon Transformation Sword Intent without reservation.

At this moment, the conflict between him and the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man was no longer a simple clash of racial stances—it was a battle of ‘Dao’ against ‘Dao’!

Since his longsword was stuck in the bones of the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s left hand,

Lu Chen had no choice but to transform his leg into a sword, lashing out toward the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man.

Facing the mountain of fist Dao pressing down with the weight of a thousand peaks in the abyss, Lu Chen’s Sword Path Flood Dragon… swung its tail!

Boom!

The moment the dragon tail of the Sword Path Flood Dragon struck the mountain of fist Dao,

the massive mountain body trembled violently.

Soon, countless cracks spread across the mountain, ultimately shattering the fist Dao mountain into a sky full of rubble.

It completely vanished into Lu Chen’s boundless abyss, disappearing without a trace.

In reality, this translated to Lu Chen’s kick not only shattering the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s right arm

but also pulverizing all the organs throughout his body.

Moreover, the force of Lu Chen’s kick even pierced through the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man’s body,

leaving a smooth, ten-meter-long trench behind him.

The trench extended all the way to the Nine Underworlds Tree behind the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, leaving a massive crack in its trunk.

To crush the bones of evil with a single foot—this was precisely it.

Lu Chen looked at the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, whose right arm was shattered and left arm reduced to bare bones, retracted his leg, and stood upright, saying earnestly, “…You must have seen the scenery there too, right?”

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man gazed blankly behind Lu Chen, as if looking at something.

After a moment, he turned to Lu Chen and replied hoarsely, “Yes, I saw it. But it only made me more despairing…”

Hearing this, Lu Chen seemed to recall something and sighed, “Indeed. But I still want to try and see if I can cross over, to take a look at the distant places beyond.”

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man glanced at him in surprise, noticing his utterly serious expression, as if he meant every word.

After a pause, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man laughed.

“If we speak from a racial perspective, I would curse you to never reach that place, for it would mean my people gaining a terrifying enemy.”

“But if we speak from the perspective of a Dao-seeker… then I hope you can truly achieve it.”

“After all, I too wish to know what the scenery there is like, even if only through the words of another.”

“What a pity, such a pity. If I had realized this earlier, the one standing here now… might not have been you.”

“But… this is enough.”

“After all, as you humans say, ‘To hear the Dao in the morning and die at night is enough.'”

“Human Cultivator, may I know your name?”

Lu Chen replied calmly, “Luocheng Sword Cultivator, Lu Chen.”

“Lu… Chen…”

The Gold-Devouring Ant-Man murmured the name, as if he had no regrets left.

In the next second, his body began to crack from the feet upward, spreading relentlessly toward his head.At the brink of death, the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man looked at Lu Chen with a carefree expression and said with a laugh, “Lu Chen, I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll wait for you on the Road to the Yellow Springs. The King already knows what happened here, and he will not let you go.”

“With you accompanying me, this Road to the Yellow Springs… won’t be lonely!”

“Hahaha, not lonely at all, not lonely at all…”

Watching the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man turn to dust amidst his laughter, returning to earth as dust and soil, Lu Chen felt deeply moved.

Although they stood on opposing sides, and although the other was merely an illusion, a simulated special historical figure, this near-real sensation left Lu Chen somewhat dazed.

The Holographic Helmet, True Immortal Cultivation…

Why were these two things so strikingly similar in certain aspects?

Could it be that there was truly no connection between them?

[You have slain a Nine Hells Gold-Devouring Ant-Man (Foundation Establishment Stage, Fifth Layer). You have gained 2400 experience points, Soul Crystal Shard (Green) *3, Divine Ability: Body-Forging Art…]

Standing under the Nine-Hell Tree, Lu Chen did not bother to check the pop-up panel information. Instead, he inexplicably fell into deep thought.

But before he could ponder for long, a terrifying pressure descended from above, jolting him awake abruptly.

Lu Chen looked up and saw a figure resembling a granite stone man appear in mid-air.

Almost instantly, Lu Chen recognized the identity of the newcomer.

Golden Core Stage, or more precisely, a second-evolution Nether Fiend comparable to the Golden Core Stage.

The strongest being in the joint examination instance, the King of the Nine Hells Black Rock Tribe—Nine Hells Black Rock.

Black Rock glanced down at Lu Chen, then at the powdered remains of the Gold-Devouring Ant-Man, and said in an icy tone, “Human Race Grandmaster, tell me… how do you wish to die.”

[Name: Black Rock]

[Race: Nine Hells]

[Strength: Golden Core]

[Characteristics: …]

(End of Chapter)