Can't Wait to Kowtow Twice

Zhang Daotan had entered an indescribable state.

The once mountain-like, ocean-deep reservoir of devotional power had now condensed entirely into a pure, white energy.

As the transformation completed, Zhang Daotan began to move.

No longer standing still to unleash energy, he now advanced forward, attacking directly.

During this process, the white energy continuously poured into his body. While his left side had already been composed of this luminous force, his right side now underwent the same assimilation.

At this point, apart from his head, Zhang Daotan could practically be called a glowing white figure—one that was partially translucent, no less.

With this near-metamorphosis complete, Zhang Daotan had now fully shed his human form.

Daoist Yuyang, realizing he could not alter another’s choices, steeled himself and resolved to rely on his own strength.

After all, the commotion here was far from inconspicuous, and the Taidao Sect hadn’t sent only him—other disciples were also observing the situation at the testing site of the Divine Path of Faith.

Once they noticed the circumstances here, they would naturally inform the sect.

All he needed to do now was buy time until reinforcements arrived.

The Divine Path of Faith was undeniably eerie and aberrant. From what he could see, the one thing Zhang Daotan couldn’t overcome was how it eroded individual consciousness.

But while this posed a challenge for Zhang Daotan, it might not be insurmountable for the Taidao Sect.

However, the moment Daoist Yuyang settled on this plan, he realized something was terribly wrong—Zhang Daotan had become frighteningly powerful.

Zhang Daotan’s movements were now lightning-fast. He didn’t rely on any spells or techniques; it was as if sheer physical prowess drove him. He raised his fist and delivered a simple, unadorned punch.

This punch had two defining traits—it was blindingly quick, and its force was devastating.

Zhang Daotan’s first strike sent the wooden sword meant to protect Daoist Yuyang flying. Without pause, he swung another fist straight at Daoist Yuyang.

Daoist Yuyang raised his hand and chanted, “Divine Art—Ninefold Sealed Barrier!”

BOOM!

A multicolored barrier of light was smashed downward by Zhang Daotan’s punch, shattering against the ground.

Zhang Daotan lunged forward like a streak of light, seemingly intent on following up with a kick.

Chu Xingchen stepped in, his form blurring as a phantom manifested behind him—a massive spectral hand gripping an even larger spiritual sword, slashing toward Zhang Daotan.

Zhang Daotan halted his pursuit and instead threw a punch at the descending blade.

CRACK!

The spiritual sword shattered into streams of light under the force of his strike.

However, the impact also forced Zhang Daotan back slightly, and his gaze locked onto Chu Xingchen.

Daoist Yuyang seized the moment to steady himself, glancing at Chu Xingchen with reluctant acknowledgment—despite the man’s irritating remarks, he had stepped up when it mattered.

Zhang Daotan’s body dissolved into a streak of light as he launched another punch, this one carrying an overwhelming, terrifying force aimed straight at Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen didn’t dodge—because at that very moment, a streak of emerald light descended from the heavens, intercepting Zhang Daotan’s attack.

A fist that could flatten a small mountain with its mere shockwave now found itself unable to advance another inch.

A jade-green artifact, resembling a delicate bracelet, stood unwavering against Zhang Daotan’s strike.

Daoist Yuyang stared in disbelief at the Celestial Sky Ring. He never would’ve imagined that Chu Xingchen’s earlier claims were true.

The aura radiating from the ring was unmistakably that of a top-tier spiritual treasure—no weaker than his own Tai Lin Sword.

Chu Xingchen placed his hand gently on the ring.

The Celestial Sky Ring erupted with light, and the very heavens seemed to shift.

For the first time, Zhang Daotan retreated voluntarily, putting distance between them as he watched Chu Xingchen with wary intensity.

Chu Xingchen grasped the ring, and in an instant, its form morphed into a slender, pale-green sword.

There was no denying it—spiritual treasures were truly wondrous. Merely holding one filled the wielder with an exhilarating surge of power.

Chu Xingchen tightened his grip on the Celestial Sky Ring. “Daoist Yuyang, it’s time to cooperate. If we delay any longer, we might not hold out until reinforcements arrive.”

“What are you suggesting?” Daoist Yuyang landed beside him.

Chu Xingchen smirked. “I’ve summoned my treasure. Don’t be stingy—let me experience the Supreme Divine Art as well.”

“Hah… so you’ve noticed.” Daoist Yuyang didn’t deny it.

Most divine arts were the culmination of mastering a particular path—swords, spears, blades.

Later practitioners, upon reaching this mastery, would then infuse their techniques with the attributes of their spiritual roots, creating variants like water-infused swords, lightning-charged spears, or flame-wreathed blades—a new frontier in cultivation.

But the Supreme Divine Art was different. It specialized purely in amplification, pushing that single concept to its absolute limit.

Every ability could be enhanced through it.

It wasn’t that the Supreme Divine Art encompassed all techniques—rather, it was the ocean itself, and any power could draw strength from its depths.

The genius who created this art must have been unparalleled in their arrogance—yet only such a person could have conceived something like the Supreme Divine Art.

Though Chu Xingchen’s methods clashed with his own, Daoist Yuyang couldn’t help but feel a grudging respect.

Perhaps geniuses recognized one another.

A faint, resigned smile crossed Daoist Yuyang’s face as he uttered:

“Divine Art—Unrestricted Might!”

---

“No idea what’s happening! All we know is that Senior Chu and Daoist Yuyang fighting together are barely holding their own—at best, it’s a stalemate!”

Chen Mouguang’s voice was frantic. “Elder Bai, this is serious—”

From within the jade pendant, Bai Xuanling’s voice turned grave.

“Understood. I’ll handle this myself.”

The moment those words were spoken, Chen Mouguang felt his entire body break out in goosebumps. His eyes snapped toward the direction of the Mist Mystic Temple.

Then, in a tone drained of all strength, he muttered:

“What in the heavens… is that?”

Ye Antao and Wang Ling were too stunned to speak.

From the direction of the Mist Mystic Temple, an emerald-green pillar of spiritual energy pierced the sky, towering into the heavens.

Everything in its path was silently, indiscriminately annihilated.

It was the kind of sight that inspired nothing but helpless awe.

An indescribable, overwhelming sensation.

The main issue was… Chen Mouguang had absolutely no clue which monster had unleashed this.

How many freaks were casting spells over there?!

The technique and spiritual fluctuations were completely unfamiliar.

And there was no way this was something a Transcendent Realm cultivator could produce!

Even they wouldn’t survive this, would they?

If not for the crowd around him—and the fact that they knew he was a disciple of the Tianyan Sect—Chen Mouguang would’ve dropped to his knees and kowtowed to that pillar right then and there.

Daoist Yuyang can die if he must, but Senior Chu… you’d better hold on!

If it’s too much, just run!

Don’t stubbornly fight to the death!