The dragon immortals of Longhua City held a certain dread toward Xu Ying, but they harbored not the slightest fear of this girl who looked like an ordinary human. The moment Princess Mingman charged forward, before she was even halfway across, dozens of divine abilities bombarded her, among them the Ten Thousand Arrows divine ability. She was truly shot full like a hedgehog!
Xu Ying was startled, worried she would be killed in the very first clash.
After all, Princess Mingman had only just begun cultivating the Leakless Golden Body, and the offensive power of dragon immortals was astonishingly formidable. If a few experts were mixed among them, it would be easy to breach her golden body.
Yet golden light swirled around Princess Mingman. The divine abilities striking her were actually absorbed by her Leakless Golden Body, without a single wisp of energy leaking away!
"This girl..." Xu Ying marveled inwardly. "The Far Ancestor's bloodline is truly something to envy!"
The Far Ancestor bloodline within Princess Mingman was simply too potent, granting her an innately tyrannical physical body. Coupled with the Leakless Golden Body, her flesh grew even sturdier—ordinary divine abilities could not harm her at all.
Princess Mingman had also been frightened. When the Ten Thousand Arrows divine ability flew toward her, she shut her eyes in terror, merely channeling the Leakless Golden Body with all her might. But when she opened her eyes, she found herself completely unharmed.
Her courage surged instantly. Charging toward the dozen or so dragon immortals, she shouted, "Is that all you've got?"
Seeing that the barbarian Xu Ying was not interfering, the dozen dragon immortals also grew bold and barked, "Barbarian woman, we'll give you a clean death!"
Princess Mingman lunged forward. The dozen dragon immortals unleashed a flurry of divine abilities, raining them down on her recklessly. Princess Mingman was battered into a daze in an instant; she was, after all, an imperial daughter, and had never been beaten like this before.
Yet in the next moment, the combat instincts buried deep in the Far Ancestor's bloodline awoke. Mingman maneuvered her body with the agility of a flood dragon, her attacks raging like a winged dragon, her magic power surging as vast as an azure dragon. Her divine abilities were fierce and unyielding, locking her in an inseparable melee against the dozen dragon immortals.
From the midst of the battlefield came the girl's excited shouts:
"Didn't you eat today?!"
"Hit harder!"
"You can't even beat a barbarian girl—did your master's wife teach you your martial arts?"
"You don't even have the strength to throw a punch!"
Watching and listening, Xu Ying could not help but feel gratified. *This girl has teachable potential. I can't keep calling her obstinate from now on.*
He allowed Princess Mingman to battle the dragon immortals while he carefully reflected on the Creation Mysterious Technique she had recited back in the subterranean palace. Analyzing it in detail, he pondered, *"Taiji is the dream of original nature, the opportune moment mounted by motion and stillness, the root from which Yin-Yang arises. Taiji is metaphysical, the Dao; Yin-Yang is physical, the vessel. Motion and stillness have no beginning, Yin-Yang has no origin; from this, Creation is established." According to the scripture, Taiji, Yin-Yang, and Creation should all be interconnected...*
When Mingman recited the text of the Creation Mysterious Technique, he had already noticed this, but healing had been urgent then, so he had not pondered it deeply.
*According to the scriptures, the three Great Daos of Taiji, Yin-Yang, and Creation can all undergo free transformation. In other words, they can be merged into a single Great Dao...*
Xu Ying pondered the textual principles closely, frowning deeply. He realized he had still been exposed to too few profound scriptures and could not yet achieve the fusion of Taiji, Yin-Yang, and Creation.
Much of what he had studied previously had been comprehended from the Emerald Rock inscriptions. Those inscriptions depicted methods for summoning various cave abysses and were exceedingly profound. The Emerald Rock of the Mortal Realm depicted the Great Dao of the other shore; by integrating and comprehending both, one could glean distinct cultivation arts.
Xu Ying's martial ultimate Dao attainment encompassed Taiyi, Taiji, Wuji, Taishang, Taicang, Martial Dao, and Taiying. It was an evolution he had developed on the foundation of the Taiyi Indestructible Scripture he had previously comprehended.
And the foundation of the Taiyi Indestructible Scripture was the remnants of Emperor Ying Qingxuan's Ten Absolute Grand Void Dao Sceneries.
He had rarely come into contact with truly Supreme-level profound scriptures.
The Creation Mysterious Technique, the Five Candles Sky Burning Technique, and the Pagoda Heavenly Heart Mantra were all arts from the other shore. They likely hid traps and could not be cultivated directly. They had to be decoded through Dao patterns and runes, then absorbed through the methods of the New Dao.
As he was lost in thought, Princess Mingman's cultivation and magic power grew increasingly stronger.
The dragon girl discovered that the more she was beaten, and the harder the blows landed, the higher her cultivation soared.
Her mastery of the Leakless Golden Body climbed accordingly, leaving her both surprised and delighted. Her bloodline power was gradually stimulated, her combat instincts grew sharper, and divine abilities she had never studied before suddenly became clear to her. Combat methods she had never witnessed seemed to possess her body, flowing forth with effortless poise.
The dragon immortals besieging Princess Mingman had held a massive upper hand at first, but as the fight dragged on, they were no longer a match for this barbarian girl and were wounded by her strikes.
Furious, they could no longer hold back. Summoning their respective cave abysses, they Zangified one after another, their strength leaping substantially. One dragon immortal unleashed a divine ability that shot a flare of fire soaring into the sky, bursting overhead—likely signaling others for reinforcement.
During this hunt for the barbarian Xu Ying, the three elders had split up to pursue him, only to find when they caught up that they had chased a wisp of his Pure One Qi, realizing they had been duped.
However, Xu Ying using his Three Pure Ones primordial spirits to lead them away meant his injuries were severe. Thus, the three elders had ordered the dragon immortals of Longhua City to mobilize and search for his whereabouts.
Now that this divine ability had flared into the sky, the three elders would arrive before long.
Many more dragon immortals in the vicinity rushed to the scene. Not daring to attack Xu Ying, they joined the ranks besieging Mingman.
Princess Mingman felt her cultivation and strength rising even faster. Overjoyed, her combat grew increasingly smooth and adept. Suddenly, she let out a long cry. With every move and stance, dragon qi swirled around her, heavily wounding all the dragon immortals nearby.
Princess Mingman was stunned by her own power. When had she ever experienced such a glorious moment before?
Whether in the Other Shore Academy or Qianyuan Academy, she had always ranked at the very bottom in cultivation and strength. Although she was the youngest daughter of Dragon Emperor Mingdao, she had received her fair share of cold sneers whenever contempt was due.
Yet now, among the dragon immortals she had brought down were her fellow classmates from Qianyuan Academy!
"Following this barbarian master for just one day, and I've already become this amazing!"
Excited, Princess Mingman hoisted the strongest classmate she had defeated, drew a glittering little dagger, and grabbed the dragon immortal's scalp.
Awakening from his contemplation of the Creation Mysterious Technique, Xu Ying saw this and hurried to ask, "What are you doing?"
"Scalping him," the dragon court princess replied matter-of-factly. "It's the custom of our Heavenly Immortal Realm. When you win, you can scalp an opponent you admire and trade it on the other shore for treasures or cultivation arts. This is my first time winning..."
Xu Ying's face darkened. "No, that's too barbaric. We barbarians don't do such savage things—that's an insult!"
The dragon immortal, gravely wounded by Mingman and terrified his scalp was about to be peeled without any means to resist, cast a grateful look toward Xu Ying upon hearing his words.
"Just stab him to death with a blade," Xu Ying instructed the naive girl with grave earnestness. "That is showing him proper respect. That's how we barbarians do it."
The dragon immortal rolled his eyes and fainted on the spot.
"Or, if there's no deep-seated grudge, you can just let him go," Xu Ying added.
Mingman reluctantly set her classmate down, feeling somewhat unwilling. "Master, this is my first time. Can't I just scalp him once? Please!"
"No."
Xu Ying shook his head, then his figure suddenly flickered, shielding her behind him.
Mingman suddenly felt her body grow featherlight. She drifted upward involuntarily, tumbling into the Martial Dao Cave Abyss behind Xu Ying's head.
That Martial Dao Cave Abyss served as the commander of Xu Ying's seven great cave abysses; the Dao power and immortal spirit energy of the other six all converged here.
Inside the cave abyss, atop immortal mountains of martial arts, countless Xu Yings were drilling martial ultimate techniques, ascending toward the pinnacle of the Martial Dao.
Just as Princess Mingman was about to inspect it closely, Xu Ying's voice rang out from outside: "Elder Yu, since you have arrived, why hide and skulk around?"
Princess Mingman's heart tightened. *Elder Yu Lingcai tracked us down? No wonder little barbarian master made me hide here.*
Standing inside the cave abyss and gazing outward, she indeed saw the dragon-headed, human-bodied, refined Elder Yu walking toward them. The old man wore purple robes, his expression somewhat somber, exuding an imposing air without needing to display anger.
His eightfold Dao Realm was already unfurled, the Creation Heavenly Wheel rotating within it. Standing before the Creation Heavenly Wheel was his primordial spirit, resembling an archaic god king from the other shore—towering and majestic, bearing a vague resemblance to Elder Yu himself.
This sight made even Xu Ying feel slightly surprised.
Logically, a primordial spirit should look identical to the cultivator. Elder Yu's primordial spirit bore only a slight resemblance to him, looking more like an ancient god of the other shore. This was a clear sign that his cultivation had strayed off course.
Yet as Xu Ying comprehended the Creation Mysterious Technique recited by Mingman, he had failed to spot where the technique had gone astray.
Through Xu Ying's vision and discernment, the Creation Mysterious Technique seemed to be a genuine, supreme method—a peerless mystery leading straight to immortality!
Yet judging from Elder Yu's primordial spirit, there was indeed an issue with the Creation Mysterious Technique.
As the elder strode forward, he Zangified at the same time, stating indifferently, "Barbarian Xu Ying, that you could detect me proves your cultivation is quite decent. For a desolate land like the Earth Immortal Realm to produce a barbarian like you can be considered a miracle. However, today you must die here!"
Mingman could not hold back: "Yu Lingcai, you are in the eighth Dao Realm, while Xu Ying is in the seventh! Even if you defeat him, it won't be an honorable victory! Bullying the young with superior status—who is the real barbarian here? Don't disgrace the Heavenly Immortal Realm!"
Elder Yu's gaze turned sharp as a sword, sweeping toward her with overwhelming killing intent!
Mingman had previously been in her dragon-girl form, with a dragon's head and human body, but now she had assumed the form of a human girl. He failed to recognize her as Princess Mingman, so his gaze carried murderous intent, intending to execute her with a single glance!
Yet before the divine ability in his eyes could reach Mingman, it was blocked by an invisible field.
That was Xu Ying's bodhimanda.
Elder Yu snorted coldly. The Creation Cave Abyss above his head grew even more luminous, its Dao power surging as he channeled the Creation Mysterious Technique to strike. His Zangification was exceedingly thorough. As the power of the Creation Dao overflowed, all living beings around instantly turned twisted and bizarre. The dragon immortals previously brought down by Mingman suffered as well: some sprouted countless tentacles, some transformed into giant balls of flesh, and others turned into grass and trees!
The most wretched simply melted away, reduced to nothingness!
Elder Yu pointed a finger forward, unleashing surging creation power. If one's body were tainted by his finger force, neither flesh nor primordial spirit would survive!
Behind him, the Creation Wheel behind the ancient god primordial spirit's head rotated, and it too thrust a finger forward—an incomparably massive finger bearing even more tremendous power!
Xu Ying channeled the third method of the Eight Immortality Methods, Dragon Dance. Brilliant spiritual light immediately swirled around him, dazzling to behold, as if the Far Ancestor had manifested in person. A surging, tumultuous immortal Dao power surged forth to meet Elder Yu's finger!
Both men mobilized their cave abysses simultaneously, elevating their respective Dao powers to the peak!
Princess Mingman, watching the battle from the entrance of the Martial Dao Cave Abyss, was suddenly hit by a violent torrent of Dao power rushing from within the cave abyss, causing her figure to sway unstably.
That Dao power was simply too colossal. Mingman turned back to look, only to see the Dao power from Xu Ying's other six great cave abysses pouring into the Martial Dao Cave Abyss all at once, blending and circulating harmoniously within.
In each cave abyss floated magnificent, grand Dao sceneries, each spanning ten thousand li, formed from condensed Great Daos—and Dao power burst forth from those very places!
Those currents of Dao power surged past her like roaring rapids, bolstering the might of Xu Ying's Dragon Dance.
*Roar—!*
The dragon's roar sounded as though it were triggered by the Dao itself, its power astonishing. The Far Ancestor's body of indestructible spiritual light came vividly alive, domineering and peerless. Seeing this, Princess Mingman's heart pounded wildly, feeling the dragon blood within her boiling.
"I want to learn this!"
Xu Ying and Elder Yu's divine abilities clashed, their vitality churning. Both let out muffled groans and stepped back. Xu Ying's body swayed as his martial Dao ultimate intent erupted; in an instant, countless versions of himself attacked Elder Yu simultaneously!
Elder Yu's face shifted slightly. Stepping back, his Creation Wheel spun rapidly, and one Elder Yu after another stepped out from the wheel to meet Xu Ying's assault.
His ancient god primordial spirit seemed to be the true master, while his physical body was a mere accessory—he could create as many as he wished. Although these newly created Elder Yus possessed less cultivation and strength than his true self, they still held forty to fifty percent of his power!
Such a Creation Mysterious Technique had already surpassed the Creation Supreme by far!
Both sides attacked fiercely, but the more Elder Yu fought, the angrier and more alarmed he became.
Just days ago, there had been no small gap between Xu Ying's cultivation and his own. Yet now Xu Ying could stand neck and neck with him. Such rapid growth stirred an unavoidable conviction within him: Xu Ying had to be eliminated!
If he wasn't eliminated now, in just a few more days, Elder Yu would no longer be his match!
Standing towering, his ancient god primordial spirit watched as one Elder Yu after another emerged from the Creation Wheel in ever-increasing numbers, appearing practically endless.
For the Creation Mysterious Technique to be cultivated to this degree was truly terrifying!
Suddenly, the thousands of Xu Yings merged into one. Thousands of divine abilities erupted at the very same instant, transforming into the fifth method of the Eight Immortality Methods, Ten Thousand Daos, blasting toward the ancient god primordial spirit before the Creation Wheel!
Figures of Elder Yu shifted swiftly, blocking the ancient god primordial spirit. Each roared furiously, unleashing different creation divine abilities to meet Xu Ying's terrifying strike!
These Elder Yus varied in strength and mastery. Many could not withstand the force and exploded with loud bangs, flesh and blood splattering everywhere!
Yet more Elder Yus flew out from the Creation Wheel, joining the fray, and actually succeeded in holding back Xu Ying's Ten Thousand Daos strike! Xu Ying laughed heartily, flipped through the air, and fled into the distance with Princess Mingman in tow.
Elder Yu's true self stepped out from behind the numerous creation bodies, and his creation forms soared into the air to pursue Xu Ying.
Elder Yu's face was livid. *He saw through the flaw in my Creation Mysterious Technique! He has the ability to wound me!* Right then, Elders Cang Jue and Qing Qiufeng arrived and joined the pursuit after Xu Ying. Elder Yu was inwardly startled. *He wasn't afraid of me; he fled because he sensed the other two approaching and wanted to avoid being besieged!*
His murderous intent flared, reinforcing his resolve to eradicate Xu Ying. Yet after pursuing for a while, the three elders lost Xu Ying's trail once more.
Deep underground, the skeleton of an archaic giant dragon lay buried under heavy Dao ash. The dragon's body formed a long passageway, its walls lined with strange subterranean plants emitting a faint glow. They had likely been immortal herbs and medicines of the past that survived the catastrophe of the Emerald Rock extinguishing the Dao, reproducing to this day without going extinct.
Princess Mingman followed behind Xu Ying, constantly sizing up her young master. The youth strolled through this underground passage with leisurely steps.
Suddenly, a cave-heaven appeared above this young master's head, suffused with the power of creation.
Mingman blinked. A short while later, peculiar Dao sceneries materialized in front of and behind Xu Ying. These were sceneries of the Great Dao, primitive and majestic like grand nebulae, showcasing the myriad forms and boundless creation of the world, each displaying a different aspect of the Creation Dao.
*He's cultivating the Creation Mysterious Technique!* Princess Mingman was astounded. *My barbarian master is cultivating an other shore technique!*
Yet in the next moment, she noticed a difference. The cave-heaven merged with the Dao sceneries, evolving into a modestly sized cave abyss where immortal mountains formed on their own, constantly drawing creation power from the void.
The Dao power of that cave abyss grew increasingly stronger, and the cave abyss itself expanded.
With an extra cave abyss, Xu Ying's cultivation climbed steadily at an astonishing speed!
He had not broken through to become a Supreme, yet his cultivation had made tremendous strides.
Princess Mingman could not help but feel bewildered. *What is this? A Creation Cave Abyss? But aren't all cave abysses summoned? Could it be that barbarian master's cave abyss was cultivated by himself? If so... if so...*
A terrifying thought crossed her mind, throwing her thoughts into disarray.
If so, who was the real barbarian?
Her mind was in turmoil for a time, and she thought silently, *Perhaps... we are the barbarians...*
Suddenly, Xu Ying's voice pulled her back to reality. Princess Mingman looked up and met Xu Ying's bright eyes.
"Want to learn?" the young master asked.
Her heart fluttered like a startled deer, and she nodded meekly.
"I'll teach you."
Chapter 682