The Stars Beyond

Chapter 374: Compatible

Stars twinkled, interconnecting to sketch out a vague form, as Zheng Yuantian gradually reconstituted, reconstructing his spiritual body.

Yet, as he began to fully materialize, how could Wang Xuan wait for him to step completely out of the light mist? True to his meticulous nature, Wang Xuan was determined to ensure a thorough end, not hesitating to strike decisively.

Having already taken action, he resolved to follow through to the bitter end.

Merging with the God Slaying Banner, he left traces of his passage through the spiritual realm behind him, with white waves of energy rolling tumultuously. Propelled by a tenfold increase in speed, he arrived in an instant.

With a booming sound, a golden lattice spread, spiritual energy fluctuated wildly, like surging waves crashing down, smashing Zheng Yuantian below.

Already reeling from the female Daoist's attack, Zheng Yuantian felt oppressed and gloomy. Now, he only felt the disturbance of celestial forces behind him and the pressure of golden light above, his spirit... about to fracture again.

He roared, a formidable being even in his weakened state, still in the process of reviving his spiritual body, yet displaying his inherent dominance.

Suddenly, above his head, a nearly chaotic burst of lightning emerged. This was his expulsion of innate qi, transforming into thunderbolts, his divine retribution aimed at his assailant.

Lightning fell densely, a cascade of primordial substance pouring from the void, fiercely striking at the attacker behind him.

However, he couldn't evade the strike from the God Slaying Banner; it was too late. He hadn't anticipated someone would so brazenly ambush him, a peerless master.

He was blasted apart by the banner's interwoven golden patterns, shattering on the spot, his light scattering in all directions.

Not far off, above Wang Xuan's head, lightning splintered, with continuous thunderous clashes. His body merely staggered, slightly shaken, before he pursued again.

All the bolts of electricity struck the Soul Locking Bell; he hardly attempted to dodge, enduring the assault directly.

Zheng Yuantian reappeared ahead, his spiritual essence swirling around, attempting to reform his spiritual body, only to discover... the God Slaying Banner enlarged and coming at him once more.

"You..." Zheng Yuantian was both shocked and enraged. This audacious figure, daring to strike the strong while seemingly weak? It didn't seem so far-fetched, considering how close Wang Xuan had come to success just moments before.

Zheng Yuantian's eyes flickered with cold light as Wang Xuan, undeterred by the lightning, aggressively charged towards him again. "I'm hard-headed!" Wang Xuan laughed, his bold provocation clear as he swung the banner again, cutting through the air like sweeping away trash.

The golden patterns of the banner, embodying terrifying transcendent power, acted like a broom or a celestial blade, severing the spiritual void with immense and unmatched force.

Zheng Yuantian, still in a blur of formation, couldn't tolerate such audacity. His eyes narrowed in defiance, and he countered with a slap against the God Slaying Banner.

Then, his entire being was interwoven with Dao patterns, utilizing forbidden techniques from the Yuan Tian Scripture.

A buzzing sound resonated throughout the spiritual realm, trembling lightly, as spiritual matter boiled. The Yuan Tian's Locking God Technique, centered on himself, unleashed chain after chain aiming to bind and refine Wang Xuan.

"You old man, trying to connect with my spirit? Get lost, get lost, get lost!" Wang Xuan's silver beast skin cloak glowed, with talismanic symbols roaring in defense.

Of course, the best defense is offense. The God Slaying Banner tore through the spiritual void, causing Zheng Yuantian's hand to burst, his spiritual essence blood flowing, then slowly disintegrating.

The banner swept out continuously, breaking the dense divine chains. Wang Xuan certainly didn't want to be hit by his forbidden technique.

However, Zheng Yuantian, full of murderous intent and willing to sustain some damage, sought to eliminate Wang Xuan immediately, not retreating even after his hand was shattered by the banner.

He radiated light, with even more divine chains bursting from his body, like rivers of stars flying out, determined to bind Wang Xuan. Moreover, he advanced through the air towards him.

"Going all out, are you? I'm not afraid!" Wang Xuan's will to fight was undaunted, facing Zheng Yuantian without fear. Merging with the God Slaying Banner, he struck decisively.

The sound of snapping was incessant as the divine chains formed from spiritual light were broken by the dozens. Finally, with a glow from his head and silver ripples expanding, like a divine bell enveloping him, he charged directly into Zheng Yuantian.

The resonance between the banner and the Soul Locking Bell left Zheng Yuantian reeling, his spirit fracturing on the spot. Despite the endless cold light in his eyes, there was also a sense of helplessness. What kind of fighting technique was this?

He felt intense pain, his spiritual light having bound the opponent's silver cloak, but he too was staggered by this unorthodox battle tactic, his chest caving in upon impact

Following that, Zheng Yuantian's face was mercilessly struck several times by Wang Xuan's silver helmet, headbutting with the grand tolling of a bell, sending ripples of silver waves through the air. Then, the banner also entangled Zheng Yuantian, beginning to strangle him.

Amidst his cold and unwilling gaze, parts of his spirit were shattered. Despite his fury, he couldn't afford to act rashly, unwilling to continue clashing his spirit and extraordinary treasures against each other.

"Not convinced? I just have more treasures and a harder head, bold enough to charge into Mount Bu Zhou if necessary!" Wang Xuan declared confidently, opening his spiritual third eye to pursue Zheng Yuantian once more.

He felt that a few more strikes would completely eradicate Old Zheng, having already efficiently diminished parts of his spirit with each assault.

"Old Zheng... took a big hit, his spirit scattered," even Qi Lian Dao was almost at a loss for words, captivated by the scene.

Here was a peerless master, tormented by Wang Xuan's crude and aggressive tactics, suffering significant losses.

"Power enough to break all spells!" Mo Si murmured from afar, seeing clearly that the treasures Wang Xuan relied on wielded immense power here. His reckless, all-out approach left the technically skilled "master" Zheng Yuantian momentarily helpless.

It was like an injured artist facing a warlord; who talks about warmth and techniques? It's all about irrational, overwhelming dominance.

Zhou Qinghuang and Gu Mingxi exchanged looks, deciding never to confront Wang Xuan physically. Close combat was one thing, but headbutting and face-smashing? As revered immortals, who could stand such indignity?

This time, Zheng Yuantian, like a stream of light, stabilized far away, escaping Wang Xuan and truly reforming his spiritual body before returning, seething with killing intent.

"Do you really think possessing the God Slaying Banner makes you capable of killing me? External objects are inert; no one can be invincible in the world by relying on them. Come at me!"

Light shone beneath Zheng Yuantian's feet as a Golden-Winged Roc appeared, carrying him with utmost speed, its oppressive force causing the spiritual realm to tremble violently.

Above him circled the Vermilion Bird and the Golden Crow, crying out in unison with a flock of celestial birds, diving down like stars striking forcefully, shattering nearby mountaintops—a technique he had used in his earlier battle with Fang Yuzhu.

Wang Xuan didn't hesitate, charging forward, merging with his treasures to unleash a sword wheel. In an instant, thousands of sword lights burst forth from his body, then, amplified by the God Slaying Banner, struck out.

In the spiritual realm, where everything is built on spiritual matter, the myriad sword lights, unbreakable and indomitable, surged forward.

"Is he actually clashing with Zheng Yuantian head-on?" Gu Mingxi expressed her astonishment.

With each slash enhanced, the sword lights' power surged, bursting some of the celestial birds into oblivion!

Yet, some celestial birds remained unharmed, flying towards him. Wang Xuan didn't spare them a glance, allowing them to fall upon him. His spiritual eye saw through their essence; they were mere illusions of light without any real force, all show and no substance.

"Bind!"

Zheng Yuantian, with a cold demeanor, formed seals with his hands, and light from his spirit essence descended, aiming to construct a spiritual cage to imprison Wang Xuan.

Wang Xuan roared, his body enlarging, the banner expanding to its limits. He invoked the Dharma Aspect of the Universe from the Shakyamuni Sutra, his body radiating golden light, expanding along with the God Slaying Banner. He became as immovable as a mountain, breaking the spiritual cage and slamming the banner downward with immense force.

Boom!

The mountain below exploded, forcing Zheng Yuantian to dodge, his eyes narrowing, perceiving the challenge ahead.

"How come every time I see him, he's stronger than before?!" Huang Daxian observed from afar, his spirit trembling.

Cao Qingyu sighed, looking up at the sky, feeling somewhat defeated. There was a time when he felt competitive towards Wang Xuan, but now his fighting spirit had waned.

Zhou Shiqi, Chen Yan, and Kong Yun were all visibly moved. That was Zheng Yuantian being directly confronted and attacked!

After transforming with the Dharma Aspect, Wang Xuan's enlarged body didn't lose agility; in fact, he seemed even quicker. Removing the Soul Locking Bell with his right hand, he emitted a vast wave of bell energy, sending the airborne Zheng Yuantian tumbling away.

Zheng Yuantian, his celestial demeanor now hidden, transformed from radiant to pitch black, standing as if within a black hole, devouring everything, leaving only his blurred figure visible.

He came forth, attempting to devour the light of Wang Xuan's spirit essence, aiming to gradually erode and annihilate his spiritual form.

In an instant, Wang Xuan's divine light became subdued, his aura changing as he utilized a secret technique from the stone tablet scriptures, revealing the Second True Form.

At this moment, having cultivated to the second true form, Wang Xuan's spirit, both inside and out, became unified with the primordial chaos, as if the essence of chaos itself was rising around him.

He seemed to emanate an undying aura, becoming even more formidable. The Soul Locking Bell hovered above his head, automatically protecting him as he wielded the great banner, striking down with formidable force.

With a loud bang, Zheng Yuantian was expelled from his black hole-like domain, the banner whipping fiercely, shredding the dark area to pieces.

"This is no longer reckless fighting; he's not just charging blindly anymore. He can stand against Zheng Yuantian head-on?" Zhou Qinghuang and others were visibly moved by such a display, which was somewhat terrifying.

Wang Xuan, having thoroughly studied several powerful scriptures, had not wasted his time. In a real fierce battle, his techniques shone through, making him a strong opponent in direct confrontations.

"Do you think you're still Zheng the Peerless? From the beginning, parts of your spirit were obliterated, and now you still pose as a supreme being in front of me? Do you think I would fear you? To kill is to kill!"

Wang Xuan declared, employing a secret technique from the golden bamboo slips, his spirit like a rainbow, unveiling the secret power of metamorphosis. Light rain poured down, and he bathed in endless brilliance, merging man and banner as one.

Boom!

The spiritual energy exploded, distorting the void as he charged through, splitting Zheng Yuantian with the banner, and this time, he vigorously shook the banner, intending to completely annihilate Zheng the Peerless.

Zheng Yuantian roared, his "crop" unexpectedly evolving into a mighty tree? Mixed with shock and rage, he also felt a sense of powerlessness. After being slain by the female Daoist and previously battered by Wang Xuan, causing the fragmentation of part of his spirit, his cultivation had diminished significantly, leaving him weakened.

Pretending to flee, in the moment of turning, his body, split by the banner, surged back towards Wang Xuan. His spirit light aimed to crash into Wang Xuan's body, intending to employ the true essence of the Demon Embryo Technique to begin seizing everything from Wang Xuan's spirit.

During this process, he spared no expense, using his spirit light to lock down the God Slaying Banner, continuously being consumed.

Many exclaimed in shock. Zheng Yuantian was fiercely determined; was he attempting a counter-kill against Wang Xuan in a desperate situation?

Many onlookers showed surprise; Zheng the Peerless was pushed to such extremes, almost in a mutual destruction scenario, attempting to merge his spirit into his opponent in a desperate final battle.

Wang Xuan's expression remained cold, his body radiating with thousands of sword lights that once again formed a sword wheel, all the while vibrating the God Slaying Banner to dissolve the opponent's spirit.

Zheng Yuantian, fearless, his spirit blazing like the sun, resisted everything. He even caused the Soul Locking Bell hanging in mid-air to be repelled outside, preventing it from descending.

He aimed to deliver a fatal blow to Wang Xuan, to teach him a lesson that the fate of being nourishment for the demonic embryo couldn't be changed. His spirit, sharp as a sword, aimed to penetrate Wang Xuan's body.

The myriad swords sang in unison, slashing at Zheng Yuantian, eroding a significant portion of his spiritual substance. Suddenly, mysterious patterns interwove in the depths of Wang Xuan's eyes, momentarily binding Zheng Yuantian in the void.

Silently, a iron crowbar appeared in Wang Xuan's right hand, stabbing upward into Zheng Yuantian's form.

"I..." Zheng Yuantian groaned in pain, wanting to curse.

He had come with his back turned, expending a vast amount of his spirit to withstand the God Slaying Banner and immobilize the Soul Locking Bell, only to cry out in agony at the final moment.

It was a humiliating end; he was impaled from behind by a sharp, spear-like instrument, like being nailed in place.

From a distance, Chen Yongjie exclaimed, "Confucius said, I say, Old Zhang said, 'Zheng the Peerless got stabbed from behind, it looks painful!'"

Old Zhang, standing beside him, glanced at him and said, "Shut up, I didn't say that."

Everyone was astounded. What had been a grand, honorable battle took an unexpected turn with the final strike. Wang Xuan delivered a iron crowbar thrust from below, stirring it within, causing Zheng Yuantian's spirit to fracture.

Could that iron crowbar be so formidable?

Boom!

Wang Xuan swung the God Slaying Banner, wrapping up Zheng Yuantian's nearly exhausted spirit, and with a vigorous shake, obliterated it completely, turning it into light and ash.

Immediately, blue glowing Primordial Crystals fell, all scooped up by Wang Xuan. He had definitively ended Zheng Yuantian