Volume 8, Chapter 568 – One Against Seven (Part 8)

Under Cheng Ling’s assimilation, Qi Huang had managed to overcome most of her fear. But a person doesn’t only have weaknesses in spirit, there are weaknesses of the flesh as well. The Water-Severing Art had without question struck at her true soft spot, pain.

Her blood and vitality were being stripped from her body. It felt as though she were being executed by death by a thousand cuts, every inch of flesh and bone inside and out consumed by agony, even her brain was no exception. Added to that the draining of her blood, her eyes darkened, and her consciousness grew hazy.

Qi Huang bit down hard on her lip to stay awake, forcing her mind to churn for countermeasures. In this state, she could not possibly use Divine Sense. Which meant she could only do as cultivators often discussed: break Ning Wuxia’s spell through pure cultivation alone.

‘But the problem is, I’m only at the Spirit Gathering Realm! How am I supposed to break the spell of someone at the mid-stage Divine Realm? More likely, she’ll break my leg instead.’

Qi Huang laughed at herself bitterly. Other than that, the only thing she could still rely on was her “Ghost Hair”.

‘Fine then. Let’s see how you like my trump card!’

Out of options, Qi Huang was just about to reveal her bottom line, when her main body’s reminder suddenly echoed in her mind.

“Run the Water Exquisite Art?”

Qi Huang did not understand why, but out of absolute trust in her main body, she immediately began circulating the Water Exquisite Art.

Then, a miracle occurred. As the art flowed, a profound force of attraction arose within her Qi Sea, neutralizing nearly all of the Water-Severing Art’s pulling force. Even the thin trickle of True Qi left in her body began slowly repairing her grievously wounded flesh.

“How is it? Does it help?”

Cheng Hongling pressed urgently.

“It really works! Thank you for the reminder!”

Qi Huang answered with delight.

Hearing that, Cheng Hongling’s heart finally settled.

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Meanwhile, the seven monsters across from her hadn’t been idle. Because they still believed Qi Huang to be a formidable cultivator, not just an “empty” one whose Divine Sense masked crippled foundations, they continued treating her as an enormous threat.

“Don’t just stand there! While she’s still struggling, quickly take some pills to restore stamina and True Qi!”

Yang Jiner ordered, tossing several pills to four heavily depleted teammates.

The four followed her instructions at once. Thanks to the powerful medicinal effects, their True Qi swiftly replenished, and the color returned to their faces.

“Everyone, listen. Her cultivation is far beyond ours. If we want to win this fight, we must rely on teamwork, only then can we exert two hundred percent of our strength.”

Cao Yang took a deep breath, then began to lay out the battle plan:

“First, we must keep her Divine Sense restrained. Otherwise, we won’t even have the chance to strike. That means Senior Sister Ning must not be interrupted in casting her spell. One of us needs to guard her.”

“I’ll do it. My techniques are most suited for defense.”

Tang Long volunteered and stepped to Ning Wuxia’s side.

“Second, even if she can’t use Divine Sense, her cultivation at the eighth layer of Divine Realm is frightening enough. To fight her, we must weaken her as much as possible.”

Cao Yang’s analysis remained steady as he continued, “Zheng Brother, you must maintain your Supreme Domain to stop her from using weapons and also take on the role of engaging her up close!”

“Understood!”

Zheng Wei answered instinctively, but then frowned. “But if she truly has the eighth layer of Divine Realm cultivation, even without a weapon, I may not be able to handle her in close combat.”

“Don’t worry. That’s what the rest of us are here for.”

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Cao Yang reassured him, then turned toward Huayu: “Wife, you’ll use your blade to unleash the Scarlet Hell. She’s already shaking in agony, her spirit must be fragile. The resentful wails of Scarlet Hell will be enough to disrupt her mind, leaving her unable to even use her footwork.”

“Alright.”

Huayu accepted the order, slicing her finger across her blade once more. Her blood sacrifice expanded Scarlet Hell, resentful energy swiftly flooding the battlefield.

With that, Zheng Wei felt a little more assured. He immediately brandished his Supreme Spear, extending his Supreme Domain to forbid Qi Huang from using any weapon.

“As for Junior Sister Yang, stay on the outskirts and tend to our injuries. Do not rush forward.”

Cao Yang ordered Yang Jiner next.

“Yes, Young Master Cao!”

Yang Jiner replied cheekily. Pouring True Qi into her wooden sword, tender green shoots sprouted from it once more, followed quickly by budding blossoms.

“As for me, I will use the Sun-Taming Art to bombard her from a distance until she admits defeat.”

With that, Cao Yang slowly rose into the air, channeling all of his freshly restored True Qi into his treasured sword.

“My heavens, such a grand formation! Do they mean to destroy the Immortal-Forging Platform? Quick, fall back!”

“I never dreamed the younger generation would produce someone so monstrous that it takes seven heirs of immortals, each using their ultimate techniques, just to hold her off.”

“Yes! This is what it means to be a true monster! Compared to her, those other so-called heirs aren’t worth mentioning. After this battle, no matter the outcome, there will only be one true prodigy left in the cultivation world.”

“Not so fast. The Immortal Alliance surely won’t allow such a thing. They’ll suppress her by any means necessary.”

“Exactly. If she loses, no matter the process, she’ll be dragged down into worthlessness. Most people only care about results. By then, she might not even be recognized as the tenth Great Monster.”

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“That’s right. If she wishes to be the sole prodigy of the cultivation world, she must win today!”

“But just look at her, drenched in blood, barely standing. Do you really think she has a chance?”

“Very slim. The pain inflicted by the Water-Severing Art is beyond what ordinary mortals can endure. No matter how high her cultivation, it’s near impossible to fight under such torment.”

Tens of thousands of cultivators retreated, discussing heatedly.

“Can you handle this? If not, then surrender. You’ve already done enough.”

Cheng Hongling sent her anxious thoughts directly into Qi Huang’s mind. Seeing that terrifying formation, even her heart was shaken like a storm-tossed sea.

“Surrender? Have you ever seen me surrender?”

Qi Huang shot back, before adding aloud without lifting her head: “Yes, teammates are indeed useful. Working together, complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses, you can bring out two hundred percent of your strength.”

“Why does her voice sound so calm?”

The seven prodigies felt a foreboding chill as they stared at Qi Huang like soldiers facing death. Her robes were drenched in blood and filth, her long hair plastered wetly across her face so that no one could see her expression.

“But I’ve always believed, true strength requires no teammates.”

As she finished, Qi Huang slowly raised her head. Her hair slid aside, revealing the veil that still concealed her face. Yet her eyes, dark, bright, brimming with mocking amusement, were laid bare.

“Strange… why is my Water-Severing Art becoming weaker and weaker?”

Ning Wuxia’s uncertain voice cut through the tension.

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“Strike now!”

Cao Yang instinctively sensed danger and shouted the order.

Without hesitation, Zheng Wei stomped forward, launching himself at Qi Huang. His armor did little to slow him down, and his spear sliced through the air with a shrill screech.

“Ever heard the saying, one force breaks ten thousand techniques?”

Qi Huang sneered coldly, and the hairpin in her hand vanished.

BANG!

In the next instant, sparks exploded across Zheng Wei’s chest. Without warning, his body was hurled backwards like a cannonball, smashing through a long stretch of the Immortal-Forging Platform’s wall before collapsing motionless.

“How… how can she still use Divine Sense?”

Cao Yang’s face twisted in shock as he turned to Ning Wuxia.

“I don’t know why. My Water-Severing Art suddenly lost its effect. I can’t make her feel any pain.”

Ning Wuxia’s expression was grim as she withdrew her technique, utterly baffled. This was the first time she had ever encountered such a thing.

“Quickly, put on the garments made from the Nine Nether Demon Cat’s fur! They won’t make you invisible to her, but at least you won’t be crushed under her Divine Sense.”

Cao Yang barked.

The rest of them came to their senses at once. Those without the garments hurriedly donned them beneath their armor, since their armor didn’t cling tightly, layering on extra clothes posed no problem.