Chapter 106: Tathagata Versus Six Imperials
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
By the fiery shores of the Fire Spring Lake, Zhou Cheng Ru and Cui Chong Xuan, along with their three companions, caught sight of Li Qing Yue, Qin Ming, and their group.
The atmosphere turned electric in an instant. Zhou Cheng Ru and the others bristled with tension, their gazes locking on the radiant and poised figure of Li Qing Yue.
Nearly all their focus remained on her, paying little attention to Qin Ming or the three Golden Armor Protectors at her side. Among the core disciples of the Path of the Beyond, Li Qing Yue’s rapid rise over the past two years had made her a force to reckon with. Her victories had been overwhelming, leaving countless formidable disciples in her wake.
Though her graceful, otherworldly demeanor exuded a serene beauty, her strength in battle was undeniable. With a track record of crushing her opponents, she had cemented her place as an unshakable core disciple.
Zhou Cheng Ru’s expression was grave. His lineage was prestigious, with his teacher holding immense seniority. His teacher’s elder brother, none other than Cui Chong He’s master, was a renowned elder of the Night Fog World, whose reputation rivaled that of Li Qing Xu’s teacher.
Cui Chong Xuan, though not personally acquainted with Li Qing Yue, had seen her before and, influenced by the reputation of the millennial aristocratic families, was well aware of her extraordinary abilities.
“Focus on Li Qing Yue,” someone beside Zhou Cheng Ru said quietly. “The rest can be ignored for now.”
“The four Golden Armor Protectors she brought are easy targets,” another agreed confidently. Practitioners of specialized techniques, they were brimming with self-assurance. “We’ll tear through them first, then deal with her,” said a third, already strategizing how to handle the battle.
Clearly, they underestimated Qin Ming and his companions, considering them minor obstacles.
Li Qing Yue stepped forward gracefully, her voice calm but firm. “Zhou Cheng Ru, since this competition is among the core disciples, why don’t we make it simple? You and I will duel—winner advances, loser leaves. Fair and square.”
At the edge of the fiery lake, Zhou Cheng Ru shook his head. There was no way he would accept such a challenge. No one wanted to face Li Qing Yue alone. Besides, the formidable team Cui Chong He had prepared for him bolstered his confidence.
He smiled politely. “Li Qing Yue, our elders established the rules, allowing each of us to bring four Golden Armor Protectors. That, too, is part of our strength.”
“Very well, then,” Li Qing Yue said without hesitation. Her silver armor gleamed in the fiery lake’s reflection, making her look every bit the valiant warrior she was.
Qin Ming turned to his three Golden Armor Protectors and spoke in a low voice. “The three of you focus on one target at a time. Don’t worry about anything else.”
If anyone else had given such instructions, the protectors might have felt disrespected. But coming from Qin Ming—rumored to be either Tathagata’s Abandoned Disciple or a master of the Jade Purity Force—his authority was unquestionable.
Qin Ming then called out to the opposing group, his tone light yet teasing. “We’re all fellow travelers on the Awakening Path. Why don’t we have a friendly exchange? If that’s not possible, we can settle this with a few serious matches.”
A ripple of laughter spread among Zhou Cheng Ru’s group. Though wary of Li Qing Yue, they had thoroughly researched her companions and felt confident in their ability to handle them.
“To be honest, aside from you, we’ve already figured out your group’s strengths and weaknesses,” one of the opposing Outer Saints said dismissively. “Any one of us could crush the four of you with ease.”
Qin Ming’s eyes lit up. “Really? Why don’t we test that theory? If you can’t crush us, then let’s sit down and discuss things rationally. Maybe we can leave the core disciples out of it altogether.”
“You’re dreaming,” another Outer Saint sneered, stepping forward with a menacing air. In a flash, he was upon them, moving with such speed it seemed like he had teleported.
This Outer Saint was no ordinary opponent. His Black Tiger Force roared to life, and the shadowy form of a tiger materialized behind him, its presence exuding malice.
“Be careful! That’s the Black Tiger Force!” the female Golden Armor Protector warned. When celestial energy is infused with malice like this, its power multiplies, often doubling in intensity.
Clearly, this was no novice Outer Saint. He had spent at least two years mastering his domain, allowing him to refine earthly malice and fire essence into his technique.
But Qin Ming showed no fear. Eschewing the halberd, he chose to meet the attack barehanded.
His movements were deceptively simple, combining the might of over ten celestial energies fused into his Unified Celestial Light Force. With a blend of subtlety and ferocity, he shattered most of the black tiger’s malice with a single punch. His right palm followed with a light sweep, sending the opponent staggering back. Blood poured from the Outer Saint’s hands as his tiger-like claws were completely shattered, his fingers bent unnaturally.
A sickening crack resounded as the man’s bones fractured further under the residual force. He was hurled backward like a ragdoll, landing over ten meters away.
The Outer Saint struggled to rise, blood dripping from his lips. His face was pale, but he managed to steady himself.
“Impressive,” Qin Ming remarked.
Though his words were sincere, they felt like a taunt to the opposing group. To have endured a direct hit from Qin Ming’s celestial energy and still stand was indeed remarkable.
The injured Outer Saint grimaced. His arms hung limply at his sides, the fractures spreading up to his shoulders. “I’m done. I can’t fight anymore,” he admitted, stepping away from the battlefield.
Meanwhile, on the lake’s edge, Li Qing Yue clashed with Zhou Cheng Ru. Their Radiance of Consciousness erupted into a storm, sending waves rippling across the fiery lake. Flames danced upward, painting the sky crimson.
Cui Chong Xuan and two others exchanged glances, then charged toward Li Qing Yue to assist Zhou Cheng Ru.
“Weren’t you planning to crush all four of us first?” Qin Ming called out mockingly, stepping into their path. “You’re already giving up, and I haven’t even stepped into the Outer Saint Realm yet. Is that the best you’ve got?”
With the Flying on Grass Technique, Qin Ming’s movements became almost ethereal. His feet barely touched the ground as he intercepted one of the attackers. Using the Adhesive Force, he grabbed the man, spun him around, and hurled him into the fiery lake. Water sprayed into the air as the man vanished beneath the surface.
“Brother Zhou, hold on! We’ll take care of him first!” Cui Chong Xuan shouted to Zhou Cheng Ru. Realizing Qin Ming’s threat, he knew they couldn’t afford to let him linger unchecked.
“Who exactly are you?” Cui Chong Xuan demanded. His voice was sharp, but a trace of unease crept into his tone. He had confirmed that Qin Ming had yet to enter the Outer Saint Realm. That made him even more terrifying—a New Awakening Cultivator capable of contending with Outer Saints was no ordinary person. He had to have exceptional talent and mastery of a legendary celestial technique.
“Take a closer look,” Qin Ming said, his gaze steady as he stood alone by the lake. “Who do I remind you of?”
By the fiery red lake, the towering youth who had been knocked into the water by Qin Ming clambered back onto the shore, his Giant Image Force surging around him. The celestial energy extended over a foot from his body as he charged forward once more, undeterred.
Qin Ming raised one hand skyward and the other toward the ground, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield with a calm smile. The youth froze mid-charge, his movements faltering as if struck by an invisible force.
“Tathagata’s Abandoned Disciple!” the youth gasped, his face paling. The Giant Image Force around him wavered with instability.
“You recognize me yet refuse to step aside?” Qin Ming said in a detached tone.
“You’re an abandoned disciple, not a true inheritor! Why should I retreat?” The massive youth regained his composure, his Giant Image Force surging again as he stomped the ground, sending cracks rippling outward. He charged toward Qin Ming, his momentum like that of a rampaging colossus.
This time, Qin Ming didn’t dodge. With all eyes on him, he calmly met the colossal youth’s Giant Image Fist, his movements unhurried yet precise.
Meanwhile, Cui Chong Xuan and another fighter joined the fray. It was no longer a fair duel; this was a battle of survival.
Qin Ming’s entire body erupted with the light of his Unified Celestial Light Force, forming a radiant, armor-like sheen over his form. His left hand intercepted Cui Chong Xuan’s blazing fist, which shone like a miniature sun, while his right hand struck out at the charging youth.
Opting for defense, Qin Ming allowed another attacker to strike him solidly on the back. His Golden Silkworm Skill, fused with his own defensive arts, shimmered to life. The impact was absorbed, and the golden threads on his skin retaliated, slicing into the attacker’s palm and drawing blood.
“You…” the assailant exclaimed in shock. His next strike triggered an even fiercer reaction: the golden threads lashed out like needles, piercing deep into his flesh. Blood dripped freely from his mangled hand.
Cui Chong Xuan’s Six Imperial Force proved far more challenging for Qin Ming. The technique radiated a terrifying brilliance, pushing him to endure the blows without losing ground. Even so, Qin Ming managed to disable the Giant Image Force practitioner with a devastating counterattack before spinning to deal with his remaining foes.
“You’re not using Tathagata Force!” Cui Chong Xuan declared, his sharp eyes narrowing. Coming from a millennial aristocratic family, he was well-versed in the legendary techniques of the Path of the Beyond. He could sense the subtle differences.
Qin Ming didn’t respond immediately. Instead, his left hand swatted away another blow from Cui Chong Xuan’s Six Imperial Force, while his right fist, glowing like polished jade, drove into the chest of the colossal youth.
“Try my Jade Purity Force,” Qin Ming said.
The youth screamed as the celestial energy ravaged him. His hands were bloodied, with fingers snapped and dangling. The sound of cracking bones echoed as the force traveled through his arms, shattering his shoulder blades and collarbone. Blood streamed from his mouth and neck as he collapsed, barely able to stand.
“I can’t go on… If I don’t get treatment soon, I’ll die,” the youth stammered, his voice thick with desperation. Without hesitation, he turned and fled.
Outside the ruins of Luo Fu Mountain, the injured practitioner of Giant Image Force sat trembling as someone applied medicine to his wounds. He spoke hoarsely to the gathered crowd: “That wasn’t Tathagata’s Abandoned Disciple. He’s a true inheritor of the Tathagata Force! My Giant Image Force was completely suppressed—there was nothing I could do.”
Another figure, staggering and bloodied, emerged soon after. “No… I think he’s a practitioner of the Jade Purity Force,” he argued.
The crowd buzzed with astonishment. The mysterious young fighter, still engaged in a heated battle with Cui Chong Xuan, was holding his own against the fabled Six Imperial Force.
“This is a battle of legends,” someone muttered. “A force capable of countering the Six Imperial Force must also be among the legendary celestial techniques.”
“Did anyone place bets on that boy earlier?” another asked. “If he wins, it’ll be the upset of the century—and a massive payout!”
Hawks and falcons carrying messages soared into the night sky, spreading the astonishing news. The Cui Family, visibly displeased, watched as one of their chosen fighters was eliminated and another forced to retreat, both at the hands of the same individual.
Back on the battlefield, Qin Ming continued his clash with Cui Chong Xuan. The overwhelming pressure of the Six Imperial Force caused his body to tremble with each impact, yet he stood firm.
Earlier, he had fused multiple protective techniques—the Vajra Armor, Golden Light Shield, and Golden Silkworm Skill, among others. Even the Separation Flame Force had its defensive applications, all of which he used to withstand the unrelenting onslaught.
Qin Ming’s counterattacks, delivered with calculated precision, left the massive youth’s Giant Image Force in tatters. Bloodied and broken, the youth had been thrown into the fiery lake, his injuries severe.
“I never thought someone at the Awakening Stage could withstand my Six Imperial Force,” Cui Chong Xuan admitted, visibly shaken. Clad in gleaming golden armor, he exuded an air of dominance, preparing to unleash his full strength once more.
“To master the world’s natural energies and command the Six Forces, one must first harmonize with the elements,” Qin Ming observed coolly. “Your technique has flaws.”