Xu Linglong regarded Chu Xingchen's delighted smile with an expression of utmost calm. Her aura was crushing, and her tone was surprisingly even:
"With an opponent as troublesome as you, I always make sure to give you enough time for last words. I consider that respect."
"But unfortunately, you've become so troublesome that even letting you have last words feels risky."
"So instead of blustering to stall for time—just say your last words now."
Chu Xingchen held Wanban, about to respond, but the streak of rainbow light arrived in the blink of an eye. Xu Linglong's longbow transformed into a descending sword.
Clearly, those words had been all Xu Linglong intended to say before this exchange.
The Origin Power around Xu Linglong boiled and burned. The mere shockwave of its expansion began igniting the sea for a hundred zhang around them.
Yet Xu Linglong's desperate strike was deflected by an invisible barrier.
No matter how unstoppable the incoming attack might be, it was blocked entirely.
The crimson, violent energy—enough to split seas and flatten mountains—couldn't advance a single inch.
Xu Linglong recognized it at a glance—the Primordial Chaos Twin Spirit Beads.
Hadn't Donggua's sword shattered them?
How did Chu Xingchen have the presence of mind to re-manipulate them?
The only explanation was that Chu Xingchen had never released his control in the first place. And Donggua's strike that had "landed"—it too had been an act. Chu Xingchen had orchestrated the whole thing.
Chu Xingchen's gaze locked onto Xu Linglong's expression of disbelief. A hint of a smile played at his lips as he gripped Wanban and said softly:
"Now are you interested in a conversation?"
Xu Linglong didn't answer. She ignited her Origin Blood outright. The energy she'd been restraining through meticulous control erupted completely.
As if to tear open the heavens and burn through the sky.
The entire ocean began to tremble. It split apart, exposing the seabed across ten thousand zhang.
Chu Xingchen's smile faded. He tightened his grip on Wanban.
This was taking place on the ocean. The one with the true advantage wasn't Xu Linglong.
It was Chu Xingchen, who possessed the Yingling Grand Art.
After all, this vast sea was nothing but water—and that was exactly the confidence Chu Xingchen had for venturing out to find Xu Linglong.
Li Yingling's talent was truly heaven-defying. Her divine ability had been cultivated to levels that bordered on bizarre.
Though Chu Xingchen was currently at early Tribulation Transcendence, relying on the home advantage—and with Wanban, a spirit treasure of this caliber—
Wanban in his hand instantly shifted to a deep azure, like a flowing sword of blue light.
The Primordial Chaos Twin Spirit Beads were powerful, but they weren't defensive treasures. They couldn't truly withstand Xu Linglong's relentless bombardment.
And if he truly wanted to keep Xu Linglong here, pure defense wouldn't suffice.
The proper way was to fight back while appearing to yield.
Chu Xingchen's gaze was calm as he extended Wanban, his tone even:
"Good Water—Contending Current."
The entire ocean surged into a towering wave. From the depths, countless motes of blue energy—like points of spiritual light—rushed toward Chu Xingchen. The seawater that Xu Linglong's power had pushed aside now ignored that force entirely, restoring the ocean to its original state.
The azure Wanban met Xu Linglong's crimson long sword.
The instant they clashed, Chu Xingchen felt far less resistance than expected. The pressure wasn't the overwhelming chasm he'd anticipated.
Perhaps it was Wanban's power, or perhaps the home advantage was simply too great.
But in this moment, Chu Xingchen truly didn't believe he would lose to Xu Linglong.
The energy contained within this vast ocean surged toward Chu Xingchen.
The power hidden in the boundless sea was no less than a spirit vein—merely far harder to extract. But the purity and potency of its energy exceeded spiritual energy by a measure.
Chu Xingchen's mind was steady, his gaze firm on Xu Linglong—Today! Come!
His Tribulation Transcendence cultivation, no longer concealed. Wanban in his hand carried the resolve to never retreat.
Wanban's azure radiance surged forward, devouring the incoming Origin Power, and surged toward Xu Linglong beyond.
At the Tribulation Transcendence realm, one could grasp the corresponding Dao Authority. Though he couldn't wield its true power, he could manifest its corresponding abilities.
"Tribulation Transcendence...?" Xu Linglong finally broke her silence. Observing Chu Xingchen's transformed state, she said coldly: "So from the very beginning, you were acting?"
"That's right. And Donggua's performance just now—wasn't that quite convincing too?" Chu Xingchen answered with a smile. "Donggua really did get seriously injured to help me put on this show."
"When you're all dead, Donggua will become the head of the Celestial Demons."
Donggua lay limp on the sea surface that had just been restored, hearing Chu Xingchen still spinning lies about him, drawing Xu Linglong's fire.
But he no longer cared whether Xu Linglong believed it or not.
His drained Sea of Consciousness burned like it was on fire. His body, pushed to its limit, ached as though being torn apart.
His cultivation had long since fallen to Foundation Establishment. Everything he'd built over the years had turned to nothing.
Donggua understood—whether Chu Xingchen won or Xu Linglong won, neither would spare him.
More likely, he wouldn't even survive the aftershock of their clash.
The only reason he was still alive was that Chu Xingchen wanted to use him to unsettle Xu Linglong, and so diverted a thread of energy to keep him alive.
Once their battle reached its climax and neither could spare him—
Everything would end naturally.
Donggua forced his eyes open and gazed at the azure sky and the warm sun hanging overhead.
This was probably the last time he'd see it.
He'd remember it well. He'd burn it into his memory.
The azure radiance surged upward. Xu Linglong's figure was sent hurtling backward.
To everyone's surprise, this brief exchange had favored Chu Xingchen.
Even Chu Xingchen found it hard to believe as he watched Xu Linglong blasted into the distance. He quickly understood the situation:
"My injuries have healed. I didn't expect yours to remain unhealed after all this time."
"Burning Origin Power... you must be burning your realm and your very self."
"It seems the tables have turned."
"You can start with your last words."
Xu Linglong steadied herself with a slight twist of her body. Her gaze fixed on Chu Xingchen, watching the ocean continuously channel water-origin energy into him.
Tribulation Transcendence realm...
Even if Chu Xingchen had returned to Mahayana, Xu Linglong could have accepted it. But to advance to Tribulation Transcendence...
It was so absurd it bordered on a joke.
Xu Linglong quickly composed herself and assessed the situation before her.
Things had reached this point. There was no question of escape.
"You think you've already won?" Xu Linglong's icy gaze swept across Chu Xingchen.
Chu Xingchen naturally picked up the thread: "Well, what else would it be?"
Xu Linglong let out a contemptuous laugh and slowly straightened her posture.
Though Chu Xingchen's tone was casual, he hadn't truly underestimated Xu Linglong. The moment he finished speaking, Wanban—brimming with endless azure light—swung down toward her.
The azure that tore through the sky delivered the purest sentence of death.
Xu Linglong raised her eyes. Her crimson irises transformed into brilliant gold.
She lifted the long sword in her hand.
Xu Linglong's voice was calm: "Reverse Truth!"
In the next instant, the flowing light around Chu Xingchen reversed. Spiritual energy flowed backward.
Chu Xingchen wasn't truly affected, but he felt the anomaly firsthand—his spiritual energy scattered and retreated, beyond his control.
Xu Linglong elegantly raised her sword. Her own Origin Power, unaffected, slashed toward Chu Xingchen.
Chu Xingchen met the terrifying strike with Wanban, his gaze locked intently on the brilliant gold in Xu Linglong's eyes.
Feeling the spiritual energy that, once it spilled over, would be nullified and reversed.
Chu Xingchen came to a conclusion:
"This is... the power of Dao Authority."
Xu Linglong's cold, emotionless golden pupils captured every expression on Chu Xingchen's face:
"This is the price of the Heavenly Dao's injustice. It is your cause of death today."