Water Origin, Ming Water Giant

On the white jade plaza. The people of the Luotian Sect watched Tianming Palace with taut nerves. The doors were tightly shut, yet the commotion inside was growing louder and louder—a testament to the ferocity of the battle within. "Does the Supreme Elder really not need our help?" asked Ye Suifeng of Piaomiao Peak with deep concern. Fairy Jueqing answered hesitantly, "He probably doesn't, right?" Their realm was merely the Core Formation stage, and in the eyes of Core Formation cultivators, all Nascent Soul True Persons were lofty, unreachable beings. Because of this, it was hard for them to discern how vast the gulf between individual Nascent Soul cultivators truly was. The only thing clearly visible to them was the sheer disparity in numbers. Excluding the five Ghost Sovereigns Luo Chen had pulled into the Soul Refining Banner outside the palace, the clash inside was now one against twenty-five! No! If one counted the Wang Ghost Sovereign who had appeared afterward, it was one against twenty-six. Furthermore, given Luo Chen's uncompromising stance, there was zero room for sowing discord or seeking temporary alliances; this was a genuine one-versus-many battle. Could this truly be achieved? Amid the agonizing wait, several late Core Formation cultivators instinctively cast their hopeful gazes toward the few Nascent Soul cultivators among them. Lingfengzi comforted his disciple, saying, "Since the Supreme Elder dared to act like this, he must have his reasons." Bai Meiling floated beside Gu Caiyi and whispered, "Master's current abilities are beyond anything you could imagine. Put your heart at ease, Caiyi!" Canglong said nothing, merely giving Fairy Jueqing a simple nod to signal that she should relax. As for Min Longyu, with Deng Taiyue's help, he had begun setting up a formation at the only entrance leading onto the plaza. That way, even if a ghost cultivator truly managed to escape from inside, they would never be able to bypass them directly. Time slipped by, and the clash inside Tianming Palace grew increasingly ferocious. On the outside, this manifested as periodic leaks of domineering magic power and surging ghostly qi. As the familiar magic power grew steadily stronger while the ghostly qi dwindled, the shifting balance signaled that the battle was drawing to a close. Whoosh... The ghostly qi was abruptly drawn in, leaving only a single aura emanating from Tianming Palace. A collective anticipation welled within the group. "Did my husband win?" "Did Senior Brother Luo overpower all those ghost cultivators?" "I share a connection with the Soul Refining Banner—it feels like Master took all the Ghost Sovereigns inside!" "Is that truly so?" Meeting everyone's gazes, Bai Meiling nodded heavily. Beside them, Deng Taiyue also let out a long breath and praised, "As expected of Brother Luo. A feat like this—even if Demon Sovereign Qingshuang herself came, she probably couldn't pull it off!" With both of their confirmations sealing the matter, everyone finally set their racing hearts at ease. Yet in the very next instant! Deng Taiyue looked up in terror toward the roof of Tianming Palace. A pillar of pitch-black water burst straight through the palace dome in an instant. That was the temporary residence of a Soul Formation mighty figure, a Tianming Palace that had remained unbreached even during the chaotic clash of over twenty Nascent Soul–level beings earlier! Now, it had actually been forcibly pierced through by a mere pillar of water? Worst of all, the pillar's residual force did not abate; it shot straight into the sky and, in the blink of an eye, shattered the remaining restrictions on Mount Yanfu. In a flash, boundless Ming Water poured down from the Netherworld Abyss above. The sight looked like the end of the world! If it were only that, it would have been one thing, but Deng Taiyue sensed a complex, indistinct energy far more powerful than spiritual qi pouring down from atop the Netherworld Abyss. "It's Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi!" Deng Taiyue's face drained of color. He had once entered a state of sudden enlightenment into law true intent and briefly sensed the existence of the world's origin power. Though his sudden enlightenment had failed and he had not grasped the law true intent, he could never mistake that complex and potent energy. Had Luo Chen drawn upon Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi? He knew Luo Chen had mastered law true intent years ago and could channel Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi for his own use. Yet since the victor had already been decided, why make such a move now? Could it be that an enemy was still alive? At this thought, he could not help but shout, "Everyone, on guard!" ... Inside Tianming Palace. Luo Chen stared unblinkingly at the being crawling out of the deep pool. It was a pitch-black figure, shimmering all over, practically transparent. A face twisted continuously within it. "It's the Wang Ghost Sovereign!" "Did he already refine the Ming Water Springhead?" Thoughts raced through Luo Chen's mind, but he swiftly made a judgment. "His refinement failed, and he's even started being assimilated by it!" How could a heaven-and-earth treasure like the Ming Water Springhead be refined so easily? Even a sect as formidable as the Mingyuan Sect had merely used formations in concert with Mount Yanfu to corral it, borrowing a fraction of its might on rare occasions. A mere late Tier 4 Wang Ghost Sovereign could not possibly refine it quickly. This was precisely why Luo Chen had not been in a hurry before. Yet what he had not anticipated was that while the Wang Ghost Sovereign had not refined it swiftly, his failure had come far quicker than expected. Now, having been assimilated by the Ming Water Springhead, his body was being controlled by it instead. "That works out just as well—it spares me the trouble of diving deep into the pool to retrieve the springhead." Luo Chen's eyes flashed brilliantly, and a powerful technique rose in his hands once more! Qingyang Great Handprint! Boom! The great handprints were unleashed instantaneously, three successive strikes slamming heavily toward the Wang Ghost Sovereign. The Wang Ghost Sovereign seemed to retain a vestige of will and instinctively defended himself, raising a curtain of water before him. Yet the three layered seals shattered it in an instant. Pressing his advantage, Luo Chen sent a fire phoenix and a flame dragon entwining toward him with a roar. Screech! Roar! Amid piercing shrieks and enraged roars, the Wang Ghost Sovereign was immediately dealt a grievous blow, his body starting to crumble apart. An object resembling an eye yet looking like a luminous pearl surfaced at his chest. "That's the Ming Water Springhead!" Luo Chen's eyes lit up, and he reached out with the Cloud-Seeking Divine Claw across the empty air. As though sensing that it would die the moment the Ming Water Springhead was torn away, the Wang Ghost Sovereign let out a furious roar. Boundless Ming Water flooded its entire body, drawing in Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi. "Roar!" A giant hand swelled wildly, not only scattering the Cloud-Seeking Divine Claw, but also sweeping a palm straight toward Luo Chen. Luo Chen moved to dodge, but in that fleeting instant, he felt a thread of restraint. In that single split second, the giant hand struck his body. Boom! Caught unprepared, Luo Chen was slammed straight into the main doors. Under the tremendous impact, the doors that had been hastily pulled shut were punched through instantly. In the next instant, Deng Taiyue and the others saw a figure shoot out of Tianming Palace like an arrow released from a bowstring, crashing right onto the white jade plaza. The figure skidded backward in a half-crouch, one hand digging deep into the plaza beneath him. He tumbled backward for several li, carving a deep furrow into the ground before the residual force finally faded. Looking over, the onlookers could not help but cry out in alarm. "Brother Luo!" "Supreme Elder!" "Husband!" Different voices, all voicing the same concern. Yet Luo Chen had no time to spare for this now. Source power circulated, smoothing over the injuries on his body in a flash. The Pingshan Crown trembled, and the protective light that had been shattered descended once more. He lifted his head, fixing his gaze on Tianming Palace. The others held their breath as well, looking in that direction. Clap! A giant hand planted itself against the shattered doors. Then another hand caught the other side. With a heave of force, the doors of Tianming Palace were torn wide open. At the same time, a rumbling sound echoed out from within the palace. In the next instant, mouths fell open as everyone stared in utter disbelief at a truly terrifying sight. A giant formed entirely of Ming Water forcibly broke through the dome of Tianming Palace and slowly rose to its feet. Its two feet trod upon the earth; its head brushed the heavens. Standing nearly ten thousand feet tall, it looked down upon the mortal world. Boundless Ming Water swirled around it like flowing ribbons, while an aura as vast and deep as the sea slowly rolled outward. Before it, Luo Chen was as insignificant as a grain of sand. Yet Luo Chen's back remained ramrod straight, and the darkened expression he had worn earlier turned considerably calm. His eyes fixed on this Ming Water Giant, thoughtful. Using Ming Water as a body and commanding Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi—this looked remarkably like a psychic entity. Much like the shape-shifting forms spawned from sourceless fire. Yet the question was whether this giant was dominated by the Wang Ghost Sovereign's soul or controlled by the Ming Water Springhead. Judging by the strength it displayed, it had nearly touched the threshold of Soul Formation, yet it gave him the impression of being strong on the outside and hollow within. Hearing the worried calls behind him, Luo Chen waved his hand without turning around. "Go down the mountain first!" "Do you truly not need our help?" Luo Chen shook his head. "You cannot intervene in a battle of this level; getting involved will only distract me. Do not worry—if it proves impossible, I will withdraw of my own accord. Brother Deng, take them away!" With that, Luo Chen ceased suppressing himself. Pressing a hand to his chest, boundless source power coursed through his entire body in an instant. In the next moment, a ten-thousand-foot giant similarly rose up from the ground. Not only that, but it revealed the magnificent aspect of three heads and six arms. The three-headed giant and the Ming Water Giant locked eyes. Restraining themselves no longer, they took massive strides and charged at each other. The deafening thud of their running footsteps practically drowned out every other sound. Deng Taiyue watched this scene in utter terror and shouted sternly, "Down the mountain first!" Lingfengzi did not hesitate for a second. Releasing the Ghost-Crossing Boat, he called for everyone to board. This way, they could avoid being corroded by the Ming Water. The group retreated swiftly down the mountain, yet their eyes remained fixed on the summit of Mount Yanfu. Up there, the two giants had already clashed. Each move and stance was simple and direct, yet the destructive force unleashed was rare in all the world. Someone could not help but groan, "Can human strength truly achieve such a thing?" No one paid heed to the murmurs; all attention was pinned on the pure hand-to-hand combat above. From the very first clash, Luo Chen gained the upper hand! Their arms locked against one another in a contest of strength, and Luo Chen took the immediate advantage, pushing the other back step by step. His other four arms lashed out from various angles, striking with fists, palms, claws, or fingers. With overwhelming physical power, he began dismantling the Ming Water Giant's body. "Nothing more than an empty shell!" Thoughts flashing through his mind, Luo Chen shattered the water shield shrouding the Wang Ghost Sovereign with another punch. Yet very quickly, he noticed something amiss. As vast quantities of Ming Water poured into Mount Yanfu, his physical body began to suffer defilement, while the opponent's Ming Water body was constantly replenished and restored. With one waxing as the other waned, the slight advantage he had gained was wiped away in an instant. Even the upper hand he had held in their physical struggle began to reverse. It felt as if he were not merely facing a water giant, but an abyss, a boundless sea. "Can the Ming Water Springhead truly command the entire Netherworld Abyss?" A fierce glint flashed in Luo Chen's eyes, and all six arms struck out together. Boom! The Wang Ghost Sovereign, just about to fight back, was flipped straight onto the ground. Even if a mountain stood before him, even if an ocean lay in his path, he, Luo Chen, could overturn mountains and upend seas! A giant foot stamped down viciously. The Wang Ghost Sovereign brought both hands before its chest, blocking the stomp, and even found the surplus strength to shove Luo Chen away. Its power was still steadily climbing! Luo Chen's expression did not waver as all six hands formed incantation gestures. Fire serpents danced wildly, a blazing sun rose high, and the flame dragon and fire phoenix surged forth again, pouncing together toward the Wang Ghost Sovereign as it forced itself back up. With a berserk look in its eyes, the creature summoned a water mirror. When all the spell attacks plunged into it, they were like clay oxen entering the sea, vanishing without a trace. Not only that, but ribbons of flowing water morphed into flood dragons, roaring as they snapped toward Luo Chen. Luo Chen let the flood dragons latch onto his arms and thighs while his eyes swept over his surroundings. "The Ming Water Springhead seems to contain the power of water-attribute laws. Within the Netherworld Abyss, this is its home ground. My Fire Origin is heavily suppressed, and as a result, even my normally unstoppable high-tier fire spells don't carry half their former might." A wisp of green fiery garments spread outward from his chest, cloaking his whole body. It instantly incinerated the Ming Water flood dragons clamped onto him. With the immediate threat cleared, Luo Chen stepped back, pondering a way to break through. Water naturally countered fire; he either had to surpass it by a whole tier or seek another path of Five Elements countering. Earth arts? He knew them, but ordinary earth-attribute spells could not threaten this opponent. If countering did not work, he would turn to the cycle of generation! At this thought, the Wither-Bloom Divine Fire surged even higher. "I cannot let it grow without limit any longer!" Having formed a plan, Luo Chen casually flung out his other five hands. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! Five streaks of light scattered into the surroundings. In an instant, sword qi soared into the sky, crisscrossing and carving into the giant's body. The Great Five Elements Sword Formation prioritized cyclical suppression. This incomparably sharp cutting power originated from the sword pellets themselves, forged from top-grade Nine Yang Geng Gold. No Nascent Soul cultivator could withstand such force. The Wang Ghost Sovereign was no exception! The instant the Great Five Elements Sword Formation appeared, wounds began surfacing relentlessly across its flesh. Yet it was too slow. As more Ming Water poured down from the Netherworld Abyss, the speed of its body's regeneration completely outpaced the sword formation's cutting and dismantling. If a battle of attrition dragged on like this, the outcome was obvious. Yet Luo Chen had no intention of drawing this out with him! His remaining hand began forming incantations and chanting mantras—a motion that looked leisurely, yet was blindingly fast. After about five breaths, Luo Chen's movements froze abruptly. Bringing his fingers together like a sword, he pointed toward the Wang Ghost Sovereign. "Wither-Bloom Dao Finger!" The divine ability manifested once more, stirring up boundless power. This was an advanced law true intent of the wood element; not only was it free from water's suppression, but thanks to the generative cycle of the Five Elements, it grew even more powerful. Coupled with the vast amounts of deathly qi lingering from the earlier battle, this finger strike far surpassed any he had delivered in the past! The Wang Ghost Sovereign's massive frame had no time to dodge this attack and was struck head-on. Its body stiffened, and the wounds already carved out by the Great Five Elements Sword Formation spread outward at a pace visible to the naked eye. No matter how much Ming Water flooded in, it could not restore the damage in time. Not only that! In the distance, a blood sword materialized before Luo Chen. Reaching out, he gripped it, and the Yuantu Sword expanded to thousands of feet. "Slash!" The giant sword descended, splitting heaven and earth. The Ming Water Giant uttered its only word since the battle began: "No!" Yet it was too late. Empowered by multiple techniques, the massive giant split cleanly in two in an instant. Luo Chen opened his mouth and spat out a streak of golden light that broke through the air. It was none other than the Soul-Weaving Needle obtained from the Centipede Demon Sovereign. The golden needle pierced clean through the body, pinning the Wang Ghost Sovereign's soul. Before it perished, Luo Chen clearly saw a fleeting glint of clarity in its eyes. A dignified Great Ghost Sovereign had sought to forcibly refine the Ming Water Springhead using a ghost body formed from Ming Water True Essence, only to end up assimilated by it. One hardly knew whether to call it overestimating one's strength or pitiable and tragic. Yet Luo Chen had no time to dwell on that, for a droplet of water was spinning as it rose from the ground. Like an eyeball, resembling a luminous pearl—it was the Ming Water Springhead! As long as he grasped it, he would have the chance to command the Netherworld Abyss! Luo Chen's eyes lit up, and his giant hand slammed out to seize it! Unexpectedly, the moment the springhead entered his grasp, a strange force pierced straight through the Wither-Bloom fire garment, punching a gaping hole through his palm. The springhead spun in midair, preparing to fly away. With such a supreme treasure right before him, how could Luo Chen tolerate its escape? "Stay right there!" Clang! The Hunyuan Cauldron soared into the air. All six arms struck it together, unleashing a deafening roar. Chains snaked out from the void, numbering from one to nine, then instantly shattered the limit—tens, hundreds, thousands, virtually countless. In a flash, Luo Chen's natal magic treasure sealed off this pocket of heaven and earth, and the boundless suppressive power slowed the Ming Water Springhead's movements. Seeming to possess sentience, the springhead shuddered with dark light in its unwillingness. Surging Ming Water rushed forth, threatening to drown the treasure's master. Unafraid, Luo Chen opened his mouth and spat. The golden Nirvana Holy Fire emerged, colliding with the boundless Ming Water, mutually canceling and melting away continuously. The contest of strength had begun once more! This time, Luo Chen was truly contending against the Netherworld Abyss itself.