Chapter 1445: Face Me in a Death Struggle

"Wait, we cannot simply gaze thusly." Xiang Bei suddenly reached out.Seeing Tai Yin recoil sharply, his face a mask of wariness, Xiang Bei felt even more bewildered: "What ails you?"Tai Yin gave a dry chuckle: "N-nothing, I am merely a trifle nervous, knowing not what you bid me behold."Xiang Bei pressed a Divine Soul Formation Diagram into existence in the air, placing it over Tai Yin's right eye. With a gentle press, the diagram faded."Observe with this eye, and you shall not be perceived," he declared.Tai Yin then began to grasp the situation. He knew Xiang Bei possessed the ability to "perceive all that is beheld," and understood this power stemmed from the cultivation of divine soul energy.He paused for a moment, ensuring the distance between himself and Xiang Bei was sufficient for a reaction, before finally leaning towards the single-tube round mirror.He thus beheld the lava lake, and the figure bathing within."Jiang Wang is not dead?!"Tai Yin was clearly more astonished than Xiang Bei, for he was more certain of his own judgment. At that time, Jiang Wang's traces had indeed vanished.Either the man was dead, or his traces had been dispersed.These were, in truth, one and the same. If even the traces of one's existence were scattered, how could the man survive? Could those Huo Dou even rescue someone?But now, a clear and undeniable scene lay before him—Jiang Wang had survived, and even appeared to be in good spirits."What is happening?" Tai Yin asked, finding it hard to believe: "Are the Huo Dou planning to cleanse him, cook him, and then consume him?"Xiang Bei replied: "If they merely desired cooked fare, they would have done so these many days past...""Then for what purpose?" Tai Yin was truly perplexed: "They have stripped him bare, leaving him unclothed in the lava lake. Could it be that they await a grand festival or similar auspicious day to partake?""Unless we can communicate with the Huo Dou, and they are willing to enlighten us, we shall forever be unable to comprehend their thoughts." Xiang Bei spoke slowly: "But the most crucial matter for us now is... since Jiang Wang is not yet dead, the Ju Song Jade Tablet must still be upon his person.""And we require this jade tablet," Tai Yin interjected."Thus, only one question remains," Xiang Bei's thoughts were clear: "Now, the enemy is revealed while we are concealed. The enemy is few, while we are many. Can the two of us, acting together, resolve him in the shortest time and seize the jade tablet?"Before the plan commenced, he was cautious and unwilling to gamble easily.But once the plan was set, he no longer harbored any hesitation. No matter how dire the situation, he focused solely on achieving the objective.This was indeed the mark of a great general—Apart from his somewhat arrogant and easily angered nature.Tai Yin mused silently, saying aloud: "With our combined strength, and a surprise attack, this should not pose a problem. The greatest difficulty now lies in how we shall escape after alarming the pack of Huo Dou. Regardless of why the Huo Dou cast Jiang Wang here, surely they will not be overly lenient towards those who brazenly intrude upon their lair."All things in existence leave traces.He was skilled in observation. Observing affairs, observing people.In times past, it was merely a hobby, the lofty gaze of a noble son of a prominent family, as he played within the mortal realm, enjoying the superiority of discerning the myriad states of human life. After his elder uncle, True Lord Tai Hua, fell in battle, this became an incredibly important ability.He had to accurately discern which individuals were ambivalent, which harbored sinister intentions, which were willing to assist their Tai family, and which sought to utterly crush the Tai family...Xiang Bei was, of course, his friend, but Xiang Bei was also the person he most desired to understand precisely.For Xiang Bei was the successor personally designated by Xiang Longxiang, destined to command the entire Xiang family in the future. As a top family in a hegemonic nation, the Xiang family, even in its current weakened state, was far beyond comparison to his Tai family.They could provide the Tai family, and himself, with immense aid...To make friends with utilitarian motives is, of course, not advisable. But in the increasingly subtle and resource-scarce Xia nation of today, how could the Tai family, having lost its greatest support, firmly establish itself? How many connections could be forged?The paths available were, in fact, few!"Do not underestimate Jiang Wang."Xiang Bei's expression at this moment was solemn, even staring at Tai Yin as he slowly spoke: "Though I have exchanged blows with him, I have never forced him to his limits. I advise you not to first consider how to confront the Huo Dou, for the act of slaying Jiang Wang itself is a considerable challenge."He recalled the sword that had pierced his palm as Jiang Wang dodged the attacks of the Huo Dou King Beast...Unconscious negligence, perhaps a reflexive self-exoneration... the choice of the weak."I believe you are correct," Tai Yin admitted sincerely: "I should not underestimate one with such a glorious戰績. From this moment forth, I assure you I shall approach this battle with the mindset of facing the strongest adversary of my life, and meticulously plan it. Let us both exert our utmost effort to bury this worthy opponent.""I believe such a heaven's favorite would not wish to thus shamefully linger in the Shanhai Realm," Xiang Bei said: "It is time to grant him release."The joys and sorrows of mankind are never truly shared.Lord Jiang, immersed in the lava lake, meticulously sorted through his own being.The astonishing heat of the deep-sea magma, under the illumination of the Divine Light of Samadhi True Fire, was exceedingly docile, carefully sculpting his already exceptionally robust physique.And the opening of the Tongtian Sea, the Five Mansions Sea, and the Hidden Star Sea, these three seas within the human body, was also a lengthy endeavor.This seemingly tedious and meticulous work was not something everyone could undertake.It was only after cultivating to the Dragon and Tiger stage that he gained a general understanding of how to utilize the Tongtian Sea. To truly comprehend it would require at least reaching the Divine Descent realm, when the four seas within the human body are connected.Jiang Wang never slacked in cultivation. In any direction possible, he strove to do his best.At a certain moment, the black and white divine ability seed within the second inner mansion suddenly pulsed.The entire second inner mansion was stirred.Shaking the Five Mansions Sea.Like a heart that had long been calm, suddenly palpitating.Jiang Wang, following this sudden tremor, leaped high.Leaping three zhang high.Turning to look back at the lava lake.Beneath him, the formerly calm surface of the lake was now rife with killing intent.The surging magma, controlled by some unseen force, condensed into various weapons—blades, spears, swords, halberds—striking abruptly, subtly forming a killing formation. Yet, at the very moment it took shape, it happened to land upon emptiness!This formation was named the Hundred Weapons Killing Formation.Once an opponent was ensnared, the killing momentum would be ceaseless.Jiang Wang's leap was undeniably perilous.The tremor of the divine ability seed within the second inner mansion was the warning of the Heretical Path divine ability in a moment of extreme crisis—Warning you have entered a divergent path!Being in the Huo Dou lair, believing himself to be familiar with the Huo Dou, having initially established a relationship of mutual trust and assistance, and thus completely lowering his guard... overlooking where this was!This Shanhai Realm, fraught with hidden dangers, was never solely inhabited by himself and the Huo Dou...What utter negligence!Jiang Wang instantly severed all unnecessary emotions, returning himself to the essence of combat. Although warned by the Heretical Path divine ability and having avoided the first wave of attacks, he knew clearly that the crisis was far from over.His perfect physique, clad only in a pair of short trousers, leaped into the air. His streamlined muscles instantly tensed, like a fully drawn powerful bow!The scars scattered across his body were the glory of a warrior, and the history of his campaigns.This bow curved like a crescent moon, and its sword pointed in all directions!Jiang Wang had raised his vigilance to the highest degree, activating the Sound Hearing Immortal State. From this point forward for nineteen breaths, he would perceive the minutiae, his sword awaiting the blood of his enemies' skulls.And at this same moment, in the high sky behind him, a pocket of air was torn open—or, more accurately, a formation plate disguised as air canceled its invisibility.Tai Yin, having concealed himself here at some unknown time, suddenly appeared as Jiang Wang successfully escaped the Hundred Weapons Killing Formation and his attention was presumably still focused on the lava lake!His hands, having just completed a Dao formula, pressed down.Roar! Roar!Dragon roars surged, wind howled, thunder crashed.Super-grade Dao Art, Five Dragons Sealing the Heavens!At this moment, Jiang Wang was like a fully drawn powerful bow, his warrior's physique, devoid of any excess flesh, perfectly displayed in the air.Long Xiangsi was the arrow on the string, the sword potential about to burst forth.Below him, what he beheld was the boiling lava lake, the Hundred Weapons Killing Formation thrusting towards him.In the high sky behind him, a gigantic umbrella formed by the five elemental power dragons.Blades, spears, swords, and halberds before him, divine art cascading behind him.This was a meticulously prepared ambush, thrusting him into a dire situation from the very beginning!Regardless of the identity of the attackers, since they dared to strike at this moment, they must have made thorough preparations—this was Jiang Wang's first thought.As his thoughts raced, he had already pressed down with one hand, unleashing an Eight Notes Burning Sea, a torrent of angry roaring waves that suppressed all the blades, spears, swords, and halberds formed by the magma.He had already turned around.A radiant glow gradually illuminated his chest and abdomen, and the Celestial Mansion Physique instantly appeared.He swung his sword back, supporting the heavens with the character "人"!Directly facing the roaring Five Dragons Sealing the Heavens Dao Art.The man rushed with the sword, directly colliding into the waterfall of Five Dragon divine arts.A single sword against a cascading waterfall!He was just about to cleave open the waterfall formed by this Five Dragon divine art, to collide with the core of the Five Dragons Sealing the Heavens, and engage Tai Yin in frontal combat.Yet, mid-path, he suddenly turned sharply.The Blue Sky Step Immortal Art made his turn so elegant, and the roaring sword intent easily broke through the divine art waterfall, allowing him to instantly be out of alignment with Tai Yin.Engaging Tai Yin in frontal combat was a feint, avoiding the opponent's subsequent ambush was the truth,But...It was slightly too late.A heavy halberd broke through the magma, leaping out of the lava lake amidst the collision of the Eight Notes Burning Sea and the Hundred Weapons Killing Formation!Completely disregarding the aftermath of the Dao art and formation, it was entangled with black ghostly energy, so sudden and yet so natural... it landed upon Jiang Wang's body.Cleaving open the light of the Five Divine Abilities, the tip of the peerless halberd pierced him from his lower back!Tai Yin and Xiang Bei's ambush had been concealed through several layers.The sudden eruption of the Hundred Weapons Killing Formation was merely a blind.Once Jiang Wang escaped, Tai Yin, who had long been hidden in the high sky with a stealth formation plate, would brazenly strike.But Tai Yin's strike itself constituted another layer of blindness.Making Jiang Wang believe the hidden danger was constructed around Tai Yin.However, the true killing blow was still buried at the bottom of the lava lake, beneath the already exposed Hundred Weapons Killing Formation!At this very moment, on the surging, dark red lava lake.Magma-formed weapons clashed with flame sparrows condensed from fire elemental energy.In the chaotic flow of elemental energy and magma, the towering Xiang Bei, over a zhang tall, held his single halberd towards the sky.Black smoke intertwined with his powerful吞賊霸體, the arrogant and domineering peerless halberd piercing the renowned hero with its tip, scattering blood across the sky!And above the severely wounded Yellow River Head, were five majestic elemental energy dragons, their tails intertwined, forming a gigantic divine art umbrella, cascading like a waterfall of divine art.Above the gigantic umbrella, was Tai Yin, a scion of a prominent family from the Xia nation.And the sounds and sights from within the lava lake were all concealed.An octagonal black and brown formation plate stood quietly on the shore. At first glance, it was easily overlooked.It was the Image and Sound Prohibition Formation.The reason why the Huo Dou near the lava lake failed to perceive this battle was entirely due to its work.In the eyes of the surrounding Huo Dou, Jiang Wang was still lying properly in the lava lake at this moment, and nothing had happened.The two heaven's favorites, having joined forces to ambush Jiang Wang, had naturally rehearsed various scenarios and made meticulous arrangements.After a few rapid exchanges, Jiang Wang was already suspended in the air.But neither Xiang Bei nor Tai Yin relaxed.Though the injury to Jiang Wang's waist and abdomen appeared terrifying, it was not fatal, and he had also avoided the core area of the Five Dragons Sealing the Heavens technique.Xiang Bei had observed for a long time with the Dragon Demon Military Map, seizing the opportunity to strike upwards with his halberd, and indeed inflicted severe damage upon his opponent.Yet, Jiang Wang still used a frontal confrontation with Tai Yin as a feint, deceiving the point of impact and avoiding a vital spot in time.The peerless halberd was originally aimed at shattering the great dragon of Jiang Wang's spine, but in the end, it merely pierced through his left waist, breaking open his left abdomen. This wound, penetrating the flesh, cannot be said to be not serious, but an injury actively chosen and one passively received are entirely different concepts!Scalding fresh blood flowed down the halberd blade. This was the price Jiang Wang paid for his laxity in the Huo Dou lair.But looking across the world, among all cultivators below the Divine Descent realm, counting every single one.Who could make Jiang Qingyang pay a price without paying anything themselves?!The tip of the spear emerged from his abdomen.Jiang Wang's hand, encircling the light of the Five Mansions, had already tightly gripped the cold, flowing blade of the halberd!Sword light flowed within his eyes, containing an imperishable golden-red hue.Red flames flowed around his body, and a frosty cloak billowed behind him!The Immortal Sword mode returned to the Shanhai Realm, gathering intent and momentum, strength and Dao, unifying everything, and evolving the ultimate Tilting Mountain Sword!This sword was the perilous peak the earth thrust towards the heavens.This sword used all of his learning to question life and death once.The roaring sword intent and momentum, shrouding Jiang Wang with his billowing frosty cloak, thus charged straight towards Tai Yin, facing the Five Dragons Sealing the Heavens technique.He actually held the halberd blade that had pierced his abdomen with one hand, bringing the scorching blood that spilled across the sky, bringing the peerless halberd, and also bringing Xiang Bei at the other end of the peerless halberd, charging towards Tai Yin in the high sky with an unwavering sword momentum!Blood poured down like rain, drenching Xiang Bei."Ah!"Xiang Bei's eyes split with rage. At this moment, he shook the peerless halberd, wanting to sever Jiang Wang's fingers gripping the blade. But the light of the Five Divine Abilities was an integral whole, and Jiang Wang's left hand, tightly clenched over his abdomen, was like cast iron!He surged with the power of the吞賊霸體, attempting to pull the peerless halberd downwards. Yet, he was still swept along by this unstoppable sword momentum, helplessly rising towards the high sky.It was not that his physical strength was so vastly inferior to Jiang Wang's, but rather that Jiang Wang was, at this moment, in the midst of his strongest sword momentum.His halberd momentum, however, had completed its mission after piercing the opponent's flesh.The moment Jiang Wang chose to counter-charge was precisely such a terrifyingly accurate timing. He treated his own injuries and suffering as a node in the battle!Above the high sky, Tai Yin still controlled the Five Dragons Sealing the Heavens technique, raining down lightning, wind, and rain.But that bare-chested Jiang Qingyang, with the massive wound on his abdomen, merely stared fixedly at him, a sword piercing the heavens towards him, his angry voice ringing like a long sword's clang: "Tai Yin, little brat, let us fight to the death!"