Li Guanqi's Oppressive Presence

"You brat, quite an improvement!" Tang Ru scratched his head, speaking with an earnest expression. "If Big Brother hadn't put so much effort into forging the Nirvana Pagoda, I wouldn't have broken through to the mid-Mahayana realm so quickly." Gu Li's realm had also advanced slightly, but he had devoted almost all of his time to studying the dao of inscribed talismans. During this period, he had devised dozens of new talisman powers capable of assisting in battle. Li Guanqi, who had just returned, had not even seen Gu Li yet. Xiao Chen told him that Gu Li had spent nearly all his time over at the Four Heavenly King Towers lately. Several of the top alchemists in the Pill Pagoda were practically annoyed to death by him. On the other hand, several seniors at the Talisman Tower were completely won over by Gu Li's talisman-crafting talent. The old men hovered around him every day, wanting him to become the Tower Master of the Talisman Tower, but Gu Li refused without a second thought. Moreover, Gu Li had become quite popular at the Artifact Pagoda as well. Needless to say, those at the Array Pagoda admired Gu Li immensely too. Single-handedly, that fellow had practically used the dao of inscribed talismans to integrate the Great Daos of all four towers! Cao Yan, Xiao Chen, and the others were all awestruck by the speed of Li Guanqi's recent increase in strength. On top of that, Li Guanqi's entire demeanor had become even more otherworldly, carrying an almost bewitching, demonic air. Naturally, Li Guanqi did not reveal much to them regarding the Demon King Physique. He merely told them that he had gained a few insights and touched the barrier of the Tribulation Transcendence realm. Furthermore, he unreservedly shared all of his insights with them. This provided them with plenty of inspiration, even prompting them to reexamine their own previous spirit comprehensions. Right at this moment, however, an unexpected guest arrived at the White Jade Tower! Hong Zhi, clad in red martial arts robes, appeared in the Immortal Spirit Realm of the First Domain. The instant she arrived, numerous cultivators were alerted. Many took to the skies, watching Hong Zhi and her surging aura. When they saw her arrive outside the White Jade Tower, quite a few were taken aback. "Uh... Hong Zhi came out of seclusion?" "Does that mean Li Guanqi is back?!" "Good grief. To make Hong Zhi enter seclusion just to stabilize her state—it seems Li Guanqi's strength is terrifyingly formidable." These words immediately drew nods of agreement from many. Yet others voiced different opinions. "Li Guanqi's strength is certainly immense, far exceeding ours..." "...but don't forget one thing. Hong Zhi and Long Hou are figures who have truly touched the barrier of the Tribulation Transcendence realm!" "Even for Li Guanqi, defeating Hong Zhi would be exceptionally difficult..." Hearing this, many nodded in agreement. An aura that merely reached the half-step Tribulation Transcendence realm was fundamentally different in power from a half-step Tribulation Transcendence cultivator who had truly touched the barrier. Li Guanqi was slightly surprised; he had not expected Hong Zhi to seek him out directly here. After a brief pause, he led the others outside the White Jade Tower. *Hum—!!* With Li Guanqi at the lead, the group stepped out of the White Jade Tower. Yet the instant Hong Zhi laid eyes on him, her pupils constricted violently! As if sensing an immense threat, the power within her body leaked out uncontrollably! The terrifying force dyed half of the void crimson. The golden bell at the hilt of her long saber shook frantically, ringing out with rapid, sharp clangs! Li Guanqi remained serene, keeping an unruffled expression from start to finish. He paid no heed to her tempestuous, terrifying pressure. Hong Zhi, by contrast, wore a dead-serious look, her eyes narrowing as her gaze locked onto him. Her left thumb extended, barely resisting the urge to push the saber from its sheath. Hong Zhi stared at Li Guanqi a short distance away, her throat bobbing slightly. She actually felt an unprecedented sense of oppression radiating from him! Hong Zhi trusted her sixth sense implicitly. That intuition had saved her life more than once. And right now, the bell on the scabbard was ringing frantically in a dense flurry of chimes, which meant the blade spirit within the scabbard was also sensing an extreme threat. "How... did you become so powerful all of a sudden?!" Hong Zhi's voice was laced with bewilderment. Yet immediately afterward, she realized something was amiss—because she could not sense Li Guanqi's aura at all! Her pupils quivering, Hong Zhi spoke in a slow, deep voice: "You... tore through the barrier of laws?! You broke through to half-step Tribulation Transcendence?!" Her words instantly drew sharp gasps from the surrounding onlookers. *Hiss—!!* "He broke through! Half-step Tribulation Transcendence!!" "Not only did his realm break through, but he also tore through the barrier of laws!!" "What terrifying talent... Is this the caliber of a monstrous genius?" "In just a few short months, his cultivation realm leaped an entire major tier." "Such speed is frightening..." Li Guanqi did not hide anything and gave a slight nod. "To answer Senior: junior has indeed broken through to the half-step Tribulation Transcendence realm." Hong Zhi shook her head with a wry smile, a trace of bitterness flashing deep in her eyes. In truth, it was not merely a change in realm. She could clearly tell that Li Guanqi's transformation went far beyond that. That feeling... it was as though he could put her to death at any moment! Li Guanqi was like a primordial beast resting with its eyes closed; even before baring its fangs, he was already thoroughly terrifying. As the chiming subsided, Hong Zhi slowly reined in her power. With a hint of reluctance, yet entirely helpless, she said, "A battle between you and me is no longer meaningful." Li Guanqi bowed in greeting and did not insist on having a match with her. Just as she had said, a duel between them was pointless now. Li Guanqi's strength was sufficient to crush Hong Zhi. He still held great respect for this senior; after all, she had helped him considerably along his cultivation path. After withdrawing her aura, Hong Zhi took a long, deep look at Li Guanqi. A faint smile curved her lips. She had already turned to leave, but suddenly looked back at him. "You still plan to challenge Long Hou, don't you?" Li Guanqi's expression turned serious, and his eyes grew solemn. "Yes!" Hong Zhi broke into a bright smile and said, "After your battle with him, I hope you will spar with me!" She did not want to miss the chance to cross blades with a formidable rival, which was why she made this request. The corners of Li Guanqi's mouth curved upward, and he replied slowly, "Very well." With that settled, Hong Zhi agreed on Long Hou's behalf. "How about battling Long Hou in three days?" Li Guanqi thought for a moment and nodded. "If Senior Long Hou has no objection, I am naturally ready." Hong Zhi smiled faintly, turned, and waved a hand while holding her saber. "Then three days it is!" Hong Zhi left, leaving behind a crowd of stunned mighty cultivators looking at one another in disbelief. "Did... did Hong Zhi just concede?!" "Something's not right. What happened? Why would Hong Zhi admit defeat?" "Could it be that... the current Li Guanqi is already strong enough to make Hong Zhi yield without even fighting?" No one understood what had just taken place. Perhaps only cultivators whose cultivation realm had reached a certain tier could truly sense just how terrifying Li Guanqi's strength had become!