Chen Tian and Qingfeng Miao simultaneously unleashed their techniques. On Chen Tian's palm, Yin and Yang energies intertwined, forming a Tai Chi symbol. The dark and white clouds above merged into a similar Tai Chi formation. Chen Tian slowly raised his arms, channeling Yin and Yang energies into the celestial Tai Chi symbol, transforming it from ethereal to seemingly solid. Qingfeng Miao, meanwhile, was engulfed in a raging inferno of black flames. Both opened their eyes and attacked as one.
Chen Tian's arm swept forward, and the Tai Chi symbol in the sky shot out like a luminous disc, mirroring his movement.
Spell: Tai Chi Yin Yang Slash!
Qingfeng Miao unleashed beams of flame from his body, a massive character formed of fire emanating from him, a continuous barrage of black flames surging towards Chen Tian, colliding with his Tai Chi Yin Yang diagram.
Spell: Phoenix Fire Scorch!
The Tai Chi Yin Yang diagram and Phoenix Fire Scorch clashed, locking in a stalemate. Chen Tian channeled more Yin and Yang energy into his palm, the Tai Chi Yin Yang diagram spinning faster, its black and white aura intensifying as it advanced. Qingfeng Miao's body trembled, his fiery character exploding with renewed ferocity, black flames burning like a volcanic eruption. The two forces remained evenly matched.
An advancing and retreating pattern unfolded between Chen Tian and Qingfeng Miao. The clash of their techniques shook the very space around them. With a resounding boom, a massive explosion erupted, sending a shockwave outward. Chen Tian raised his arm to shield himself as the blast swept past, pushing him back a step.
Qingfeng Miao also retreated a step. The fact that their attack was a draw was almost unbelievable. Qingfeng Miao stared at Chen Tian, astonished by the power of his spell. He knew he had just used a sacred inheritance technique, and with only half of his strength. How was this possible?
Chen Tian calmly observed Qingfeng Miao. The latter's strength had indeed increased significantly after being possessed by the aura of the Evil Spirit race. Chen Tian hadn't expected him to be able to counter his attack, a divine-tier spell at that!
Even though Chen Tian couldn't fully unleash his power yet, he shouldn't have been matched by someone merely at the ninth level of the Void God Realm. The higher the spell's tier, the greater its power, but their even match gave Chen Tian pause. Cultivators were proving to be far more troublesome than in-game players.
Suddenly, five-colored wings unfurled behind Chen Tian, intertwined with five elemental energies. This sight stunned Qingfeng Miao and the onlookers.
"Impossible! That's the Five Element Spirit Seed, not the Yin Yang Spirit Seed he had earlier?"
"A Three Lives Spirit Seed? No wonder we didn't sense the special fluctuation of a Twin Spirit Seed before!"
"Sect Master, what is this guy's origin? A Three Lives Spirit Seed, this is the first prodigy the cultivation world has seen in a millennium!"
Sheng Tianyi was also taken aback, then said, "I don't know either! He's an ancestral master's disciple, just don't provoke him unless you want to die!"
"Understood!"
...
Qingfeng Miao was bewildered. The five-colored wings and the surrounding five elements emanating from Chen Tian signified he possessed the Five Element Spirit Seed, a seed capable of controlling the power of the five elements.
The five elements were: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Each was a potent force, and awakening a single-element spirit seed already promised immense potential. To possess the Five Element Spirit Seed was beyond comprehension.
Qingfeng Miao spoke, "A Three Lives Spirit Seed, I haven't killed such a genius before. Let me try today! Let's see what it feels like."
Chen Tian remained silent. Their figures vanished, only to reappear mid-collision. In Chen Tian's hand, the power of the five elements converged into a colossal drill, which he swung forward. The rotational force seemed capable of piercing through the heavens.
Qingfeng Miao's palm was wreathed in black energy, which then coated his fist, transforming into a giant spectral fist. He threw his punch, colliding with Chen Tian's multi-colored drill. A deafening roar echoed as a shockwave swept through the area. Chen Tian and Qingfeng Miao simultaneously raised their left legs, clashing together. Chen Tian's leg was encased in multi-colored armor, and it struck towards Qingfeng Miao with terrifying force.
Qingfeng Miao's left leg sprouted a blade formed of black flames. They clashed, and both were forced back.
Chen Tian and Qingfeng Miao regained their balance. Chen Tian brought his palms together before his chest, where multi-colored light and a vortex swirled. Black flames appeared behind Qingfeng Miao, forming a colossal pair of wings that rotated, hovering above his head.
Multi-colored light coalesced in Chen Tian's hands, forming a swirling, multi-colored nebula. He pulled his arms down, drawing the nebula into his body. Chen Tian's form began to shimmer. The spectral wings of black flame above Qingfeng Miao's head became increasingly solid. Qingfeng Miao attacked first.
He tossed his palm forward, and a streak of black light shot out with incredible speed, instantly appearing before Chen Tian.
Spell: Annihilation Phoenix Wheel!
Chen Tian formed a circle with his arms, and a vortex appeared at its center, a vast nebula. The black flaming wing-shaped light wheel struck the nebula, causing Chen Tian's body to tremble, but he maintained his stance, continuing to draw circles. This technique required a long charge time, and Chen Tian didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Just as the vortex nebula in Chen Tian's hands seemed about to be sliced apart by the light wheel, Chen Tian's eyes snapped open. He thrust his hands forward, and the nebula erupted, annihilating the wing-shaped light wheel before him and surging towards Qingfeng Miao.
Vortex Nebula, Power of the Five Elements, Vast and Boundless, World-Shattering!
Spell: Five Element Nebula Shatter!
Qingfeng Miao, facing the incoming vortex nebula, spread his arms wide in a movement resembling a roc spreading its wings. A spectral phoenix of black flame appeared behind him. With a wave of his hands, the phoenix spread its wings, then merged with Qingfeng Miao's body. He was enveloped in black flames as he charged towards Chen Tian's nebula.
During his charge, Qingfeng Miao's body transformed into a black flaming phoenix. The collision sent a thunderous explosion across the sky, and one figure was propelled backward.
It was Qingfeng Miao. He exclaimed, "Damn it, why is this guy so strong! I used my most powerful technique, and I couldn't even withstand one of his moves?"
Blood trickled from Qingfeng Miao's lips. Chen Tian said slowly, "Your power doesn't belong to you, so you can never defeat me. We bear different burdens."
"You only bear immense power, pure power. I bear the world, the lives of all beings! The meaning of power is to protect the world, to protect everyone."
"When Heaven bestows a great task upon a man, people like you are unfit to cultivate! You are merely societal refuse."
"Shut up, shut up! I did nothing wrong! This world is about strength. With strength, you can do anything!"
"So that's your justification for selling out the entire world to gain power? Do you know how terrifying the Evil Spirit race is? Do you know the consequences they will bring? Do you know you are currently bringing a crisis upon the cultivation world?"
Qingfeng Miao was stunned by Chen Tian's words, rendered speechless. He felt Chen Tian had a point. Just as Chen Tian prepared to remove the Evil Spirit race's aura from him, a voice echoed through the sky.
A voice boomed across the heavens: "God Lord, you talk too much!"
A black vortex of dark clouds materialized directly above Qingfeng Miao. Qingfeng Miao cried out in alarm, "Master, what are you doing?"
"Doing what? You want power, don't you? Then I shall grant it to you!"
With a thunderous roar, a dark storm cloud descended upon Qingfeng Miao's body. He cried out in agony beneath the storm, "Save me, I, I don't want power anymore, no, no, don't!"
Chen Tian clenched his fist and looked up at the vortex in the sky, saying, "Evil General, you wait. I will remember this."
"Hahaha! God Lord, worry about yourself! I am still recovering. Once I heal my injuries, it will be your death day. Go! My servant!"
The voice vanished, as did the dark clouds and the storm. Qingfeng Miao’s form slowly reappeared before Chen Tian, an aura soaring into the heavens, a terrifying shockwave that sent Chen Tian flying back.
Chen Tian looked at Qingfeng Miao. His hands had transformed into the black claws of the Evil Spirit race, his eyes vacant. Three short black horns grew from his head, and black skeletal wings unfurled behind him. The wings bore claws facing upward, with a black orb at their center.
Chen Tian gazed at Qingfeng Miao. Qingfeng Miao spoke faintly, his voice no longer his own yet undeniably him.
Qingfeng Miao declared, "Power, this is my power, hahaha!"
Chen Tian remarked, "Completely consumed by the evil heart, are we?"
Qingfeng Miao's current state was one of complete loss of self, a puppet of power. Tremendous strength had stolen his consciousness. He would only obey the Evil General's commands, believing that killing Chen Tian would grant him even greater power.
"Boy, I will kill you. Then I will gain more power, haha!"
Qingfeng Miao’s figure flickered, appearing before Chen Tian instantly. Chen Tian hadn't even noticed his movement. With a deafening collision, Chen Tian was thrown backward, a trickle of blood escaping his lips.
Chen Tian stabilized himself and looked at Qingfeng Miao. His power was now hundreds of times greater than before, and his realm had ascended to the Void Annihilation Realm, a level two realms above Chen Tian's Core Formation Realm.
Chen Tian touched his chest, where a large piece of flesh had been torn away. Green light emanated from his palm, and the wound began to heal.
Qingfeng Miao praised, "You survived my blow and didn't die. What a powerful physique! But that was just one strike. I only used one percent of my strength then. Now, I will use thirty percent. Die!"
His eyes blazed with black light, and a terrifying killing intent, along with dark energy, permeated the sky. Chen Tian's expression grew grave as he frantically searched for a solution.
"Chen Tian, catch!"
A voice rang out from behind Chen Tian. Qingyao threw a green light towards him. Chen Tian caught it, and at that moment, Qingfeng Miao vanished. As Chen Tian touched the green light, his expression changed drastically. The green light transformed into memories that flooded into his mind.
Qingyao also reacted, exclaiming, "What just happened to my body?"
Chen Tian spoke, "If, if it truly has to be this way, then, I can accept it. Come on!"
Chen Tian spread his arms wide. Qingfeng Miao instantly appeared before him and struck out with both palms. With a tremendous roar, Chen Tian's figure exploded into countless fragments.