Chapter 303: The Wrath of the Martial Saint

Martial Saint?!

A Martial Saint!!!

At this very moment, the entire Jin Guang City seemed shrouded in a terrifying, oppressive aura—as if the wrath of heaven and earth itself was descending to wreak devastation and annihilate all in its path!

It was as if a divine being emerged from a leaden cloud, revealing an angry visage and unleashing thunderbolts to obliterate the defiant, mortal flesh!

Atop Golden Light Peak!

The winds surged!

Countless layers of snow melted away as scorching rain cascaded from the heavens.

Rushing down in torrents—

The heavy rain could not wash away that omnipresent, awe-inspiring pressure and majesty!

The aura of a Martial Saint!

The most intense and terrifying martial will!

Nan Lihuo’s whole body trembled as he and the others plunged into the rain. Ignoring the downpour, they fixed their wide eyes on the figure gradually ascending from the city!

It was impossible to make out!

Absolutely impossible to see clearly!

Who is that?!

Even though the martial expert wore no disguise, a mysterious, distorting force refracted the light and warped their vision!

They could not discern the terrifying figure, enveloped in overwhelming streams of vital energy, gang qi, and oppressive force!

The figure was enormously imposing, as solid as a mountain; every sinew and bone seemed reinforced to its utmost—like a giant serpent coiled around its body, exhaling immense power!

Just one glance brought an intense, crushing pressure.

That blazing, radiant will was so potent that even simply coming into contact with it made one’s martial spirit cry out in despair, on the verge of collapse!

Nan Lihuo wasn’t cultivating martial arts but was a divine cultivator at the Primordial Form stage.

Yet even one not skilled in combat would tremble before a being who had pushed the limits of the human body in martial arts.

It was an instinctive reverence that mortals had for the strong!

Those beside Nan Lihuo were equally horrified; meanwhile, the disciples of the Divine Sect Branch had their hairs stand on end, panting heavily, nearly incapable of moving.

The rank—

Is too high!

“Martial Saint!”

“Not an ordinary Martial Saint, but one of the most terrifying ever seen!”

Nan Lihuo’s eyes shone brightly, a mix of shock and astonishment.

Yet within those eyes danced a vivid, blazing flame!

“A Martial Saint—this might… this might be my chance!”

A trace of madness flickered across Nan Lihuo’s gaze!

Injured and finding it nearly impossible to break through the Divine Core, he hoped that the stimulus of witnessing this Martial Saint transcending could ignite his divine nature anew, granting him another chance at the divine path!

Even if—

a breakthrough in the Divine Core would cut off his path completely!

It might even consume his life force in the process—

But Nan Lihuo had a mission to fulfill!

Seated cross-legged on the rain-washed, tide-like expanse of the Grand Plaza on Golden Light Peak, he remained focused.

Embracing the Five Hearts to Heaven, his Primordial Spirit left his body!

Hovering above his head, he sensed the terrifying, overwhelming martial will of heaven and earth. Zhang Qingzheng, Zhu Hongdou, and others could only sigh as they watched Nan Lihuo’s posture.

Deeply moved, Liu Yangyuan exchanged a glance with his master and with other Elders as they quietly withdrew from the Grand Plaza.

Leaving the entire Grand Plaza of Golden Light Peak to Nan Lihuo.

“An unparalleled grand master who has pushed himself to the extreme—a Martial Saint breakthrough?!”

“Within Jin Guang, there lies a hidden expert! Not just any expert, but a master among masters!”

At the City Lord’s Residence.

Following the death of the former City Lord Su Huai Li, the Great Jing Court had appointed a new one.

Jin Guang’s strategic location was paramount—especially since the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple was situated so close to the Jiulong River.

Thus, the Great Jing Court deliberately transferred a new City Lord from Divine Capital.

This City Lord was remarkably powerful—a primordially refined grand master who, upon arriving in Jin Guang City, swiftly suppressed all opposition.

Even Nan Lihuo had to yield his sharp edge.

Fortunately, the City Lord had no ties with Ji Mo Li; not dispatched by him, so there was little conflict with Nan Lihuo, allowing for a relatively peaceful coexistence.

Yet Jin Guang did not settle into calm after the departure of Li Che’s family.

Instead, undercurrents grew stronger as more forces dispatched powerful experts, some even hiding within Jin Guang.

The ever-ambitious Corpse God Sect, after probing a while and noting the disappearance of Underworld’s fiends, began repositioning its influence.

They could not let go of the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple.

Meanwhile, the assassin organization Lie Shen Pavilion had also re-established a branch—albeit much more covert and cautious than before.

Now, all these powerful figures from various forces were utterly stunned.

Could it be that within Jin Guang there lurked a transcending Martial Saint in the midst of his breakthrough?!

Many forces trembled in fear, and the Corpse God Sect immediately alerted all Corpse God Envoys

to withdraw from Jin Guang City together.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Watch,

the Monitor Hu Yingyue, whose erhu had snapped, exhaled a long breath.

Her eyes gleamed as she stared at the scene, laughing heartily, “A Martial Saint breakthrough, and the Three Flowers exploding in brilliance!”

“Such resplendent vital energy, dazzling Three Flowers, and a terrifying physique——”

“Truly, truly a blessing beyond words!”

“To witness such a breakthrough from a powerful fighter and observe a martial expert undergoing tribulation—it is one of life’s great fortunes! Let a song of celebration commence!”

Hu Yingyue felt a sudden surge of inspiration.

She retrieved her erhu and leaped onto the top of the octagonal Treasure Tower, beginning to play.

Though the torrential rain immediately drowned out her erhu’s melody,

crackling thunder interspersed with relentless claps of lightning, yet Hu Yingyue remained immersed in her artistic creation.

Ethereal, dreamlike, and entrancing!

All of Jin Guang trembled in response.

But none of this registered with Li Che.

Above the Heavenly Dome, a catastrophic tribulation thunderstorm, ignited by the Martial Saint’s breakthrough, was gathering an incredibly terrifying force—capable of annihilating the heavens!

It appeared to be born of Li Che’s renewed passion for martial cultivation, his pursuit of ever-higher martial will!

Or perhaps it sensed that Li Che had already transcended the mortal coil, his flesh reaching extraordinary heights,

and was poised to shatter mortal limits and touch upon an otherworldly essence!

Faced with such an unprecedented, terrifying calamity,

Li Che showed no trace of fear or retreat!

This Martial Saint’s tribulation thunderstorm far surpassed the one during the Divine Condor Half-Saint era in sheer ferocity—

as if it emanated from an entirely different dimension!

Boom!

Boom!

A deafening series of explosions erupted!

The roar of thunder exceeded even the most fearsome summer storms!

Crackling, web-like thunderbolts spanned the sky, seizing the hearts of onlookers, as if every soul were about to be scattered by this tremendous force!

Li Che closed his eyes as his jet-black hair whipped around him like streaks of lightning!

His massive, powerful frame swelled in concentric circles as he slowly ascended into the clouds, suspended midair.

Like a tiny ant daring to face the celestial storm!

The impact was overwhelmingly intense!

At that moment, Li Che tightly closed his eyes, his body contorting within an invisible field!

His mind was lost in a unique, otherworldly space.

He was confronting his very own Human Core!

The fleshly Golden Core!

A colossal, stellar presence!

And now, on the surface of this enormous, heart-like Human Core—pockmarked with countless fist imprints!

As if cratered by innumerable meteor strikes, reminiscent of the rugged lunar surface from memories of a past life!

One could only wonder how many punches Li Che had thrown.

Perhaps just one.

Or maybe tens of thousands!

Upon the surface of that Golden Core,

a crack appeared—a fissure like one formed by the collision of the earth, tearing apart the land!

A bottomless, inky chasm!

A torrent of magnificent primordial energy burst forth from the crack in the Core.

In an instant, it pounded, surging into Li Che!

Boom!!!

Li Che’s eyes shot open. The feedback from the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit was still surging within him—he existed on the brink like a god of martial arts.

At this moment, whether in martial cultivation or combat, Li Che had entered a transcendent state.

A stirring moved within his heart.

He had never experienced battle under the instant feedback of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit.

It might be incredibly powerful!

In this state, martial arts seemed almost trivial—utterly simple, as if

the Way was as simple as that.

Yet, using this state in battle felt somewhat like a waste.

Still, the idea of channeling just 5% of that immediate feedback into combat began to take root in his mind.

Since the effect of the enlightenment feedback was identical—the only difference being how long the state could be maintained.

With that thought, Li Che realized he had inadvertently unlocked a hidden trump card.

Boom!

He opened his eyes; his mind returned!

When the Human Core was cracked open for the first time, it signified that the Core had been successfully opened!

Much easier than he had imagined—

due in large part to his solid foundation.

Normally, Li Che would have thought that tearing through the Human Core would require tremendous effort and be extremely difficult.

But he hadn’t even fully expended the enlightenment feedback…

Rumbling on!

Thunder roared as a brilliant, cobalt Thunder Dragon emerged from the clouds—its features vivid like a living creature, as if a genuine divine dragon commanding thunder was eyeing the audacious mortals defying the heavens!

Li Che stared at the Thunder Dragon. In his chest, his Dao Fruit pulsed fiercely—not just the Dragon Elephant Vajra but even the Thunder Magnetic Conduit within it surged madly.

With the prowess to manipulate magnetic fields and deflect lightning, Li Che was naturally adept at attracting and evading thunderbolts.

Yet faced with this thunder that was a hundred times more terrifying than during the Half-Saint tribulation, Li Che showed no desire to flee!

Evading lightning—

is the choice of the weak!

Determined to become stronger—to reach the pinnacle and be the rock upon which his daughter, his wife, and his household relied—

he refused to shrink back!

As the head of his family and a man, he would do everything in his power to fight, to overcome, and to grow stronger!

Li Che floated in midair, his body enveloped in the primordial energy seeping from the ruptured fissures of his Human Core!

That terrifying, unleashed energy set the heavens ablaze, making the entire Jin Guang City seethe with heat!

Such energy was truly astonishing!

All the cultivators in Jin Guang felt that suspended above the city was not merely a man facing the nine-tiered celestial thunder, but a mythic beast from the depths of a mysterious sanctuary!

The awe-inspiring energy surged like a dam burst from the Jiulong River, its scorching heat evaporating raindrops within a thousand feet.

Warping the air and emptying the sky!

Boom!!!

In a brilliant display of light, though it was midday, the sudden flash of lightning plunged the world into darkness!

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the suspended figure of the transcendent warrior, seemingly blinded by the lightning’s brilliance!

Unable to see anything amid the chaotic storm!

After what felt like an eternity—

light gradually reclaimed the sky, vision returning.

When they looked up,

they witnessed an unforgettable scene!

High in midair,

the warrior spread his five fingers to block the falling Thunder Dragon!

It was as though an ant had halted a colossal serpent!

Absolutely astonishing!

Is this even a warrior?!

Could this really still be… a human?!

Even a god would seem no more than this, wouldn’t they?!

Among the gazes of the onlookers, this transcendent martial warrior used one hand to block the Thunder Dragon, while his other clenched fist unleashed a torrent of terrifying power from five swirling vortices behind him!

It was as if the very air collapsed the moment his fist closed, shattering into pieces!

Those five Divine Seeds!

They ignited in a spiral!

Turbocharged!!

A single punch slammed into the Thunder Dragon!

A colossal boom erupted around every ear!

It was as if the Thunder Dragon cried out in pain and despair!

Rippling shockwaves spread in concentric circles, expanding across the midair like a raging storm!

Overwhelming, transformative!

Every part of the Thunder Dragon began to burst as if rupturing—blossoming into dazzling thunder-flower bursts!

Sizzling—

Countless exploding bolts transformed into arcing lightning, dancing over the warrior’s body as all onlookers stared in astonishment.

The transcendent fighter then settled into a serene meditative pose, suspended in midair, bathing in countless thunderbolts that scoured his flesh!

As if absorbing the terrifying essence of thunder!

Cultivators in Jin Guang, be they commoners, warriors, or divine cultivators, all craned their necks in stunned silence.

At the City Lord’s Residence,

the newly appointed City Lord trembled all over.

Hailing from Divine Capital and originally one of the Imperial Court’s scholars, he had witnessed both a Martial Saint and a breakthrough of a Human Core before!

Yet, he had never seen a spectacle so magnificent!

Is this even a human?!

A strong, overwhelming intuition suddenly surged within the City Lord.

If this man were immortal—

there would surely be a place for him in the ten realms of the Great Jing Heavenly Gate!

So—

who is this man?!

Boom!!!

“Martial Saint!”

“It’s done!”

Li Che floated midair, bathed in the thunderpool formed from the shattered Thunder Dragon.

In that divine moment, a thought blossomed in his mind!

The Martial Saint had broken open his Human Core!

The essence of the Human Core merged with the Three Flowers Gang Qi to transform into a far more potent Primordial Gang Force—unyielding and unmatched, surpassing ordinary Gang Qi in both quality and quantity!

Gang Qi is merely a type of energy.

But the Martial Saint’s Primordial Gang had substance—real and tangible, not merely ethereal!

It could morph into various formidable weapons, far tougher than common metal!

Of course, it was still inferior to divine weapons.

Yet, this was the evolution of a Martial Saint—where Primordial Gang inevitably trumps Gang Qi.

The breaking of the Human Core was like pushing open a door that the heavens had long sealed!

One’s spirit seemed to transcend the body, reaching for the celestial heights while drawing in the abyss below!

It was a sublime sensation—the perfect union of heaven and man unique to a Martial Saint!

As Li Che’s senses detached from his body, he felt himself merge with the cosmos. Heaven and earth were his, as he was theirs!

The Three Flowers—the very essence of vitality and spirit—melded with heaven, earth, and man!

I shall search from above to below, connecting the skies with the netherworld!

Crack!

In an instant, every sinew in his body underwent a phenomenal transformation. The peak of his physical limits shattered!

Even without igniting the five Divine Seeds, he could tear open the confines of the human body!

“So this… is a Martial Saint!”

“Transcending the limitations of a mere mortal body—in other words, becoming truly transcendent!”

“From now on, I shall no longer be bound by mortality!”

Boom!

The waters of the Jiulong River surged, massive waves as high as ten meters crashing violently, churning the heavens and earth!

They then transformed into a blinding torrent that smashed into the Bizarre Temple by the river’s center!

With a deafening crash, a dazzling spray of water erupted!

As one wave receded, another forcefully surged forward!

Suddenly,

after one ebb of the tide.

On the once empty White Jade Stairway before the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple,

a figure clad in black flames suddenly appeared, standing silently with arms folded and cold, indifferent eyes.

Black flames burned into a lotus that circled gently around him.

With a slight tilt of his head, a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes as he looked toward Jin Guang City.

“The limits of mortal flesh have been shattered—transcending the mundane body!”

“Can this world truly produce such a warrior?!”

“What a solid foundation—”

“Step by step, with such unwavering determination, perhaps one can even reach the depths of the mysterious sanctuary.”

“And then—”

“… be defeated.”

The Third Prince, arms folded, smiled wryly.

Suddenly,

he tilted his head: ”

“Is that Erlang Zhenjun’s Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade?”

“The Qi Tian Face of that stinking monkey?”

“And even My Yin Divine Sword?”

“Things are getting interesting.”

“Such rebelliousness…”

“I wonder—”

“Can he defy the heavens and the earth?”

The Third Prince, still with arms folded, suddenly sprouted Wind-Fire Wheels beneath his feet while a Hun Tian Ling wound around his body like a dancing divine dragon.

“Even if he fails, it won’t matter,”

“Your daughter has received the legacy of My divine energy—she is a professional.”

Amid roaring laughter,

the Jiulong River seemed to surge in fury, as towering waves—hundreds of meters high—struck the Bizarre Temple, vanishing the laughter.

The Third Prince too then vanished from sight.

Crackling, sharp lightning tore through the sky, rending the heavy, snow-laden leaden clouds apart!

In Daocheng, days of heavy snowfall had finally ceased, the thick drifts cloaking the world like a heavy winter coat.

Within Daocheng, various factions sensed turbulent undercurrents over these four days.

With the imminent opening of the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Bizarre Temple, many new, formidable faces appeared—ones not to be trifled with.

Cultivators in Daocheng knew that most of these rare, powerful experts had come to vie for the divine weapon personally named by the Grand Inspector.

In just four days,

the horizon brightened as dawn chased away the darkness, illuminating the mortal realm.

The entire Shendiao Ridge seemed to awaken anew.

Countless figures surged forth with immense martial intent, communicating with the heavens and earth through their indomitable wills—the mark of Martial Saint-level experts trekking across snowy fields toward Shendiao Ridge.

Some divine cultivators, exuding overwhelming divine nature, cut through the skies in a single sweep.

Yet, none dared trespass the Bizarre Temple on Shendiao Ridge.

For before the Bizarre Temple, a figure in white, with cascades of silver hair, sat calmly, instructing a plump young girl in swordplay.

The sharp, radiant swordlight swirled brilliantly.

XiXi showed no sign of fear—only excitement. Though surrounded by Martial Saints and divine beings, she felt no dread and only laughed, determined that one day, with her imperial might, all would kneel at the strike of her sword!

XiXi’s fighting spirit soared as her swordplay quickened!

At the front of Shendiao Ridge, silence fell.

No one dared move—a testament to Lü Taibai’s formidable reputation. With titles like Master Taibai and as a top-tier expert listed among the Great Jing elite,

none would dare act rashly without his presence.

“When the time comes, everything will change. When the moment arrives, the mysterious sanctuary will open.”

Lü Taibai instructed XiXi without a hint of haste.

“Follow Master Taibai’s words to the letter.”

Those around him cupped their fists in respectful reply, careful not to provoke his restrained fury—lest they become the target of his wrath in a moment of impulsiveness.

Meanwhile, in Daocheng,

outside the Su Family Residence,

luxurious carriages gathered before the mansion in the early light.

Many of the Su Family heirs, still in the midst of training, were bundled tightly by their wet nurses into the carriages.

Only the women married into the Su Family were abandoned in the small courtyard of the mansion. After retaining some collateral members of the Su Family, Su Lei Ba immediately ordered them out of the city!

The swift steeds yanked the carriages, dashing out of Daocheng at breakneck speed towards the outskirts.

Su Lei Ba rode alone. As soon as they left Daocheng, the Su Family convoy divided into three groups, each heading in a different direction.

Suddenly,

Su Lei Ba ordered the carriage master to stop.

He stepped down and caught sight of the good-natured Dao Master Yue Huanglong standing with his hands behind his back.

“Greetings, Dao Master.”

Su Lei Ba cleared his throat and bowed.

With a hearty smile, Yue Huanglong looked upon the resolutely relocating Su Family and said,

“Safe travels. I have arranged a team of Divine Guard Army to escort you out of Daocheng. Once you reach Divine Capital, tell Third Prince my regards.”

At his words, Su Lei Ba’s face lit up.

“Many thanks for your protection, Dao Master!”

Yue Huanglong nodded. In the distance, a unit of golden-armored Divine Guards led by the imposing General Yan Jing patiently waited.

Su Lei Ba’s eyes narrowed.

Yan Jing?!

Yue Huanglong… is he really sending Yan Jing to escort the Su Family out?

Su Lei Ba’s heart sank slightly.

Would this mean they were being set up to be eliminated midway?

In the remote, rugged wilderness—

if they were completely wiped out, there would be no one to tell the tale.

Yue Huanglong merely smiled, patting Su Lei Ba’s shoulder with his plump hand, “Don’t worry. The Su Family has cooperated with our Dao Master for many years. I would never betray you. When Third Prince personally writes, I must preserve his face.”

Su Lei Ba’s eyes shone with relief. Third Prince’s letter?

Then it’s settled!

Once the Su Family safely leaves Lingnan Path and enters the Guangling Path, they will be completely secure.

“Go now. I hope that one day, Su, you will return triumphantly to Daocheng so we can celebrate over a drink,”

Dao Master Yue Huanglong said with a smile.

Su Lei Ba bowed, though his eyes had dimmed slightly, “My end is near. Once I head to Divine Capital, I fear I may not return.”

Su Lei Ba knew well his own limit—his talent made it nearly impossible to breach through the third opening of Martial Saint and ascend the mountain path.

Without scaling that mountain, he could not extend his life—

he could only face his destiny and wait for death.

Su Lei Ba’s sole desire was to secure a future for the Su Family before his demise,

to avoid complete destruction in Daocheng.

Su Lei Ba departed, escorted by Yan Jing and his golden-armored Divine Guards.

Soon, the convoy vanished into the wintry blizzard.

In a flash, the rotund figure of Dao Master Yue Huanglong disappeared and reappeared atop the Treasure Tower of the Imperial Watch.

“Monitor, what do you think are the chances for the Su Family to break free from Lingnan Path?”

Yue Huanglong picked up a chess piece as he played a game of Gomoku with the Monitor, his brows furrowing under an unexpected pressure from the usually bumbling opponent.

“Break free from Lingnan Path?”

Monitor Hong Shifo placed a chess piece to complete a line of five and laughed heartily, his voice full of boldness.

“Who would expect the ways of the Underworld—

“as if one could ever expect that!”

At Jin Guang Mansion,

the torrential rain had poured for four days.

When the final thunderbolt interlaced with the suspended figure over the city, the darkened Jin Guang City suddenly burst into brightness.

It was like a rising sun, soaring high in the sky!

Dawn had broken!

The Golden Crow ascended in the east!

All because that figure—his jet-black hair wildly dancing and his muscles quivering as if struck by thunder—opened his eyes.