Within the Huangtian Sect, inside Lei Tiandu's cave dwelling.
A challenge letter lay quietly before Lei Tiandu.
Upon it was the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's reply.
"He actually agreed to my duel?"
A sharp glint flashed in Lei Tiandu's eyes, though his expression was rather strange.
Lu Changsheng had truly accepted?
Could it be that his renown as the Huangtian Sect's foremost true disciple was not as illustrious as he thought?
Even a newly ascended Divine Treasury cultivator dared to accept his challenge?
For a moment, a peculiar feeling arose in Lei Tiandu's heart.
He had hoped Lu Changsheng would accept, yet when Lu Changsheng did, a faint trace of anger surfaced.
It was a very complicated, peculiar sentiment.
"Lei Tiandu, I hear Lu Changsheng agreed to your challenge?"
Just then, Huang Jiufeng spoke.
In truth, Huang Jiufeng had already seen the response, and he had come straight to Lei Tiandu at the earliest opportunity.
"Elder Huang, haven't you already read the letter?"
"I truly didn't expect Lu Changsheng would actually agree to fight me," Lei Tiandu said slowly.
"Hmph, this elder looked into him long ago. That Lu Changsheng's cultivation journey has been remarkably smooth, and defeating the strong as the weak is routine for him. His past feat of slaying a Divine Treasury while still a Divine Gang is a prime example."
"Perhaps he stopped taking other Divine Treasury cultivators seriously long ago. In Lu Changsheng's eyes, you, the foremost true disciple of the Huangtian Sect, might be no different from Xu Haotian and Lan Tianxiao—just another stepping stone to be slain to build his renown!"
Huang Jiufeng had indeed investigated Lu Changsheng thoroughly.
"Build his renown again?"
Lei Tiandu's eyes turned cold as he abruptly stood up.
"In three days, our duel atop Tianlong Mountain will decide the victor!"
"Elder Huang, if I defeat Lu Changsheng, I will naturally press the advantage and seek to slay him. But if the Dao Foundation experts of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect interfere, you cannot blame me."
"When that time comes, even if Lu Changsheng doesn't die, the Heart Illusion Stone will be mine!"
Huang Jiufeng nodded. "Naturally. You need only focus on slaying Lu Changsheng. As for those Dao Foundation experts from the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, this old man will arrange for experts to hold them off. They will never be allowed to intervene and save Lu Changsheng!"
"After all, Tianlong Mountain is not within the gates of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect!"
Huang Jiufeng was brimming with confidence as well.
"Good!"
Lei Tiandu said no more. Closing his eyes, he quietly attuned his condition.
As news of the duel between Lu Changsheng and Lei Tiandu spread, the entire Ancient Region was shaken.
It was a genuine sensation!
After all, the Divine Treasury Realm was nothing like the Divine Gang Realm.
A Divine Treasury cultivator was no weakling.
Moreover, neither Lei Tiandu nor Lu Changsheng was an ordinary Divine Treasury practitioner.
Lei Tiandu was the foremost true disciple of the Huangtian Sect, ranked ninth on the Dao Foundation Candidate List!
And that was only his ranking from the previous year.
This year, it was rumored that Lei Tiandu had taken yet another step forward, expanding his brain domain to one hundred li, placing one foot firmly across the threshold of the Dao Foundation Realm!
In fact, Lei Tiandu could practically be considered half a Dao Foundation expert.
As for Lu Changsheng, he was an even greater legend.
The number one Divine Gang of the Ancient Region!
A warrior who had slain Divine Treasury cultivators while still at the Divine Gang Realm!
He had slain experts on the Dao Foundation Candidate List like Xu Haotian, Lan Tianxiao, and Hua Qianshang.
Single-handedly, he had repelled more than twenty experts from the Dao Foundation Candidate List.
He was truly the paramount genius rising across the entire Ancient Region.
With talent like this, establishing a Dao Foundation in the future was practically set in stone; there would be no doubt about it.
The clash between Lei Tiandu and Lu Changsheng was practically a contest between two future Dao Foundation experts, representing the two martial overlord sects: the Huangtian Sect and the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
With all these factors combined, countless people grew intensely interested in the battle.
Even Immortal Masters and True Lords of the immortal path took great interest.
"Three days from now, atop Tianlong Mountain, Lei Tiandu and Lu Changsheng will battle to decide the victor! It may even be a fight to the death!"
"What, you don't know Lu Changsheng? He is the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's foremost genius in recent years. Back when he was still at the Divine Gang Realm, he slew Divine Treasury cultivators and was hailed as the number one Divine Gang. He went on to slay figures on the Dao Foundation Candidate List like Xu Haotian, Hua Qianshang, and Lan Tianxiao. His momentum is at its peak!"
"Lu Changsheng may have peaked momentum and formidable strength, and he even possesses a five-in-one domain, but in terms of pure power, Lei Tiandu is likely still stronger. After all, Lei Tiandu is the Huangtian Sect's foremost true disciple, a position he has held firmly for years without anyone in the sect being able to shake him."
"Why would Lu Changsheng agree to Lei Tiandu's challenge? Does he really believe he can defeat Lei Tiandu? If so, he underestimates the Huangtian Sect. How could the foremost true disciple of the Huangtian Sect be an empty title?"
"The relationship between the Huangtian Sect and the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect has never been harmonious. Their disciples frequently clash in the first, second, and even third layers. Now that the foremost true disciple of the Huangtian Sect is clashing with the supreme genius of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, it naturally draws everyone's eyes."
"How fascinating! I must go see it."
Numerous Immortal Masters and Dao Lords of the immortal path wished to witness this duel.
Within three days, the news spread throughout the Ancient Region.
Yet three days passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, the appointed day arrived.
Tianlong Mountain was originally a magnificent mountain situated between the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect and the Huangtian Sect, lying in the central borderlands where the influence of both sects was greatly diminished.
Ordinarily, Tianlong Mountain was relatively deserted.
Hardly anyone ever ventured there.
Yet over the past three days, a massive throng of martial artists and Immortal Masters had surged toward the vicinity of Tianlong Mountain.
Their purpose went without saying.
After an unknown amount of time...
*Whoosh.*
A figure slowly arrived at Tianlong Mountain from the direction of the Huangtian Sect.
"That's... Lei Tiandu has arrived!"
"Huangtian Sect's Lei Tiandu! The rumors truly do not lie. His spirit, energy, and intent are thoroughly full and rounded, poised like an arrow on the bowstring, brimming with sharpness. His brain domain must have reached one hundred li—he has already stepped half a foot into the Dao Foundation!"
"Thirty years ago, I met Lei Tiandu. Back then, he advanced steadily, cultivating diligently step by step through the Divine Treasury Realm. No one would have guessed that thirty years later, Lei Tiandu would reach heights that countless Divine Treasury practitioners could only dream of."
"Lei Tiandu conducts himself with immense stability. Step by step, he never sought to flaunt his sharpness, yet through that very steadiness, he reached his current heights, where forging a Dao Foundation is practically assured."
"After this battle, Lei Tiandu will most likely forge his Dao Foundation..."
The moment many people laid eyes on Lei Tiandu, their prior speculations were confirmed.
Lei Tiandu surpassed the rumors rather than falling short of them!
Could such a Lei Tiandu still be ranked ninth on the Dao Foundation Candidate List?
He likely had the strength to challenge the top three, or even take first place...
Of course, Lei Tiandu cared little for such empty fame.
Once he established his Dao Foundation, what would the Dao Foundation Candidate List matter to him?
Arriving at Tianlong Mountain, Lei Tiandu glanced at his surroundings.
Then he closed his eyes.
Lu Changsheng had not yet arrived, so he still had to wait.
However, this was an advantage.
Resting with his eyes closed allowed him to await the exhausted enemy at his ease, tuning his mind and body to their peak condition.
Though Lei Tiandu possessed immense fame as the Huangtian Sect's foremost true disciple, as the outside world claimed, he was exceptionally steady.
He would never be careless.
He looked down on no one, especially Lu Changsheng, who repeatedly accomplished miracles.
Lei Tiandu treated Lu Changsheng wholly as a formidable lifelong foe, ready to go all out!
Time trickled by.
Noon approached, yet Lu Changsheng was still nowhere to be seen.
Suddenly, from the direction of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, a silhouette faintly appeared.
It was the figure of a young man.
Step by step, unhurriedly, he walked toward Tianlong Mountain.
"He's here! Lu Changsheng of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect!"
"He finally arrived. Looking at Lu Changsheng's demeanor, he doesn't seem nervous at all. You have to remember, he's facing Lei Tiandu, the foremost true disciple of the Huangtian Sect! This poise alone is something ordinary Divine Treasury cultivators can hardly match."
"Lu Changsheng, whose name shakes the Ancient Region... This is the first time I've seen him in person..."
Instantly, countless gazes fell upon Lu Changsheng.
Even though Lu Changsheng had become famous across the Ancient Region since his time in the Divine Gang Realm, his meteoric rise had happened too quickly.
It was so brief that while his name echoed throughout the Ancient Region, those who had actually seen him were exceedingly few.
Now, whether Immortal Masters or Divine Treasury cultivators, and even several concealed Dao Foundation experts, all finally laid eyes upon Lu Changsheng as they had wished.
Lu Changsheng approached step by step.
He walked until he was roughly ten zhang from Lei Tiandu before halting.
*Swish.*
Lei Tiandu opened his eyes.
At that moment, their gazes met.
Contrary to the anticipated tension and hostility, both Lei Tiandu's and Lu Changsheng's gazes were remarkably calm.
So calm that neither showed the slightest fluctuation of emotion.
After all, this was their very first meeting.
There was no personal grudge between them.
"Lu Changsheng... your talent and comprehension leave one in awe."
"If I possessed talent and comprehension like yours, I would likely have established my Dao Foundation long ago, rather than idling away the years until now..."
Lei Tiandu spoke slowly.
His opening words were self-deprecating, carrying none of the overbearing aggression one might expect.
It did not match Lei Tiandu's illustrious reputation.
"Lei Tiandu, you are rather unexpected," Lu Changsheng replied.
"Is that so?"
"Did you think that as the Huangtian Sect's foremost true disciple, I would spout arrogant boasts the moment we met and look down on you with haughty disdain?"
"No, I am not that kind of person. I rose from humble beginnings, and you too walked step by step from humble origins to your current position. We both understand very well that our status was not easily won, and often, we cannot act entirely of our own free will."
"Though this battle is free of personal grudge, it concerns life and death!"
Lu Changsheng understood Lei Tiandu's words.
The other man saw things clearly and understood the situation well.
Entrusted by another, Lei Tiandu naturally had to deal with Lu Changsheng.
He would show no mercy.
Yet likewise, Lei Tiandu would not underestimate Lu Changsheng in the slightest.
The moment he struck, it would be with thunderous momentum!
A person like Lei Tiandu was far harder to deal with than Xu Haotian.
However, since Lu Changsheng had come to Tianlong Mountain, he had already made every preparation.
Gradually, all of Tianlong Mountain fell silent.
It was as though only Lu Changsheng and Lei Tiandu remained between heaven and earth.
In each other's eyes, only the opponent existed, and no one else.
"Have you ever considered that your Dao path might end today?" Lu Changsheng asked suddenly.
"You wish to sever my Dao path?"
Lei Tiandu did not reply immediately.
He had never contemplated such a question.
Although he attached great importance to Lu Changsheng and would go all out in their duel, defeat?
Lei Tiandu had truly never considered it.
He had already stepped half a foot into the Dao Foundation Realm.
His Dao was nearly complete.
Who could possibly sever his path?
Perhaps someone possessed that power, but it was certainly not Lu Changsheng!
"Mind Sword, slash!"
Lu Changsheng wasted no more words. The Mind Swords nurtured within his brain domain trembled slightly.
Instantly, dozens of jade-colored Mind Swords flew out from his brain domain, whistling as they shot toward Lei Tiandu.
"A spiritual secret method!"
Lei Tiandu smiled faintly.
He possessed no spiritual secret method of his own.
However, he was confident that no spiritual secret method could shake his spirit.
Having risen from humble beginnings step by step, his greatest asset was his indomitable spiritual willpower.
*Rumble!*
Sure enough, as the Mind Swords entered his body, they violently shook Lei Tiandu's spirit.
Yet Lei Tiandu's spirit was tempered like solid rock; no matter how fiercely Lu Changsheng's Mind Swords slashed into it, they could not shake his spirit in the slightest.
Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
For the first time, his Mind Sword had failed!
Even when facing Xu Haotian, despite the protection of the bronze bell spiritual secret treasure, Lu Changsheng's Mind Sword had still taken effect.
It was only because of the treasure that Xu Haotian's spirit could instantly recover.
Now, however, Lu Changsheng's Mind Sword was truly ineffective.
Lei Tiandu possessed no spiritual secret treasure.
He did not even cultivate a spiritual secret method.
Relying solely on his own spiritual willpower, he had forcefully endured Lu Changsheng's spiritual secret method.
"Impressive, Lei Tiandu! Truly worthy of being the Huangtian Sect's foremost true disciple!"
Lu Changsheng praised him sincerely.
He knew better than anyone how terrifying the Mind Sword Mantra Formula was.
Yet it could not shake the spirit of this Divine Treasury cultivator.
Since that was the case, catching him by surprise was impossible.
They could only clash using domains!
This was also the strongest method available to Divine Treasury cultivators!
The next instant, Lu Changsheng and Lei Tiandu unleashed their domains almost simultaneously.
Immediately, both domains transitioned from ethereal to corporeal, manifesting in an instant.
*Rumble!*
The clash of domains was completely devoid of trickery.
The strong were strong.
The weak were weak.
The terrifying domains collided, tangled, and battered one another.
Frightful shockwaves rolled outward in all directions.
With the two at the center, everything within a radius of several li was flattened by the residual force of the colliding domains.
Such was the terrifying might of top Divine Treasury cultivators.
Once domains materialized, their destructive power was staggering.
Lu Changsheng unleashed his five-in-one domain immediately.
Five-colored radiance flashed as it manifested in the void and enveloped Lei Tiandu.
"A five-in-one domain... Truly an enviable talent and comprehension, to be able to grasp a five-in-one domain. In terms of comprehension, I am inferior to you..."
Lei Tiandu praised him sincerely.
It was genuine envy from the bottom of his heart.
Such comprehension was far beyond his own.
*Buzz.*
Lei Tiandu released his domain as well.
However, his strongest domain was a four-in-one domain!
The moment this four-in-one domain appeared and made contact with Lu Changsheng's five-in-one domain, it crumbled at the first touch.
After all, between a four-in-one domain and a five-in-one domain, though seemingly separated by only a single domain, the disparity was like heaven and earth.
The immense chasm was insurmountable.
Thus, Lei Tiandu's four-in-one domain rapidly melted and disintegrated like snow beneath the scorching sun.
Yet with a thought from Lei Tiandu, another domain descended.
A three-in-one domain!
When this three-in-one domain manifested alongside his four-in-one domain, they actually suppressed Lu Changsheng's Five Elements Domain.
A three-in-one domain was comparable to twenty layers of domains. A four-in-one domain was comparable to thirty layers.
Stacking the two together equaled the might of fifty layers of domains.
It was just enough to suppress Lu Changsheng's five-in-one domain.
After all, a five-in-one domain was only comparable to forty layers.
Even though Lu Changsheng's Five Elements Domain was mutually reinforcing and ceaselessly regenerated—making it difficult for Lei Tiandu's fifty-layer equivalent domains to shatter it immediately—it remained an undeniable fact that Lu Changsheng's Five Elements Domain was suppressed!
Defeat seemed to be only a matter of time.
*Whoosh...*
A gale swept forth, accompanied by monstrous ocean waves.
Fusion domain, Waterspout!
Not only that, the surrounding space suddenly turned pitch black, as though they were standing within a starry void.
Faintly, an enormous waterfall cascaded from the heavens, seemingly capable of washing away all things.
Two-in-one domain, Starry Sky Waterfall Domain.
Two two-in-one domains were added to Lu Changsheng's Five Elements Domain, effectively adding another twenty layers.
Instantly, the domain unleashed by Lu Changsheng rivaled sixty layers, immediately suppressing Lei Tiandu's domains!
"Four fusion domains..."
Lei Tiandu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Remaining unfazed, he continued to stack fusion domains.
Moreover, it was another three-in-one domain.
Rivaling seventy layers, it once again suppressed Lu Changsheng's domains.
The two traded blows, stacking more and more domains, their momentum growing ever more terrifying.
In truth, to a certain degree, their battle had become a simple matter of numbers.
Whoever possessed more domain layers held greater might and could suppress the opponent.
Between peak Divine Treasury cultivators, when spiritual secret methods proved ineffective, the contest came down to domain quantity.
This seemingly plain and unadorned method of combat was, in fact, the standard among Divine Treasury experts.
Yet this unadorned clash between Lu Changsheng and Lei Tiandu held the surrounding martial artists and Immortal Masters in solemn awe. None found it dull in the least.
On the contrary, their spirits surged, and stormy waves churned in their hearts.
"Seventy layers! Lei Tiandu's domains have suppressed Lu Changsheng again."
"What? Eighty layers? No, ninety layers! Lu Changsheng's domains have firmly suppressed Lei Tiandu once more!"
"One hundred layers! More than one hundred—it's one hundred and twenty layers! Is this Lei Tiandu's true strength? Reaching a terrifying one hundred and twenty layers of domains, who could match him? Even the first rank on the Dao Foundation Candidate List couldn't be much more than this, right?"
"What? Even one hundred and twenty layers can't suppress Lu Changsheng? Th-this... eleven two-in-one domains and one five-in-one domain? Over one hundred and fifty layers?"
"A crushing defeat! An absolute, utter crush! There's no suspense at all! But it's not Lei Tiandu crushing Lu Changsheng—it's Lu Changsheng crushing Lei Tiandu! Rivaling one hundred and fifty layers of domains... this is simply inconceivable!"
"He lost! Lei Tiandu has lost..."
Many spectators widened their eyes, finding the scene before them impossible to believe.
Yet it was the reality!
The moment Lu Changsheng unleashed eleven two-in-one domains alongside his one five-in-one domain, everything was decided.
There would be no further surprises.
Lu Changsheng had unleashed twelve fusion domains in total.
And these twelve fusion domains tore through Lei Tiandu's domains like splitting bamboo.
One hundred layers, eighty layers, fifty layers, thirty layers, ten layers...
Lei Tiandu could only watch helplessly as Lu Changsheng's domain swept forward with majestic momentum, shredding every single one of his domains to pieces.
"Impossible..."
Lei Tiandu's mind was violently shaken.
He had never imagined he would lose.
Moreover, it was a defeat where he had no power to resist—a total, absolute defeat!
"Flee!"
Almost instinctively, the thought of escape crossed Lei Tiandu's mind.
He was the foremost true disciple of the Huangtian Sect.
He had already stepped half a foot into the Dao Foundation Realm.
How could he die here?
Defeat was not terrifying.
Even if he lost, it would not hinder him from forging his Dao Foundation.
But if he died, then just as Lu Changsheng had said, his Dao path would be severed.
Any Dao Foundation would become utterly meaningless.
Therefore, Lei Tiandu crushed his Shift Talisman almost immediately.
This was his life-saving trump card.
Essentially, any top Divine Treasury cultivator would carry a Shift Talisman on their person, willing to purchase one regardless of the cost.
After all, even a materialized Divine Treasury domain could not completely obstruct a Shift Talisman.
As long as the talisman was crushed, one could instantly shift away and preserve their life.
The reason Lu Changsheng had been able to slay so many top Divine Treasury cultivators previously was his Mind Sword.
The Mind Sword Mantra Formula would shake their spirits, leaving them unable to even crush a Shift Talisman.
Yet this method was useless against Lei Tiandu.
Lei Tiandu's spirit was as steady as Mount Tai.
Lu Changsheng's Mind Sword could not shake his spirit at all.
Thus, Lei Tiandu successfully crushed the Shift Talisman.
A surge of spiritual power instantly enveloped Lei Tiandu.
"This crushing defeat is not the end, but merely the beginning... No matter how brilliant a genius is, if one cannot reach the Dao Foundation, it is all in vain."
Lei Tiandu had not lost his confidence.
His willpower was exceptionally resilient.
A temporary defeat would not break him.
*Buzz.*
However, Lei Tiandu's figure merely flickered slightly.
Then, an expression of utter bewilderment appeared on his face.
He had not shifted away.
He was still standing in the exact same spot.
"What happened?"
Lei Tiandu jerked his head up toward the sky.
Without him noticing, a faint layer of white light had appeared in the void.
This white light happened to encompass the entire area where Lei Tiandu and Lu Changsheng were battling.
"This is... brain domain materialization!"
Lei Tiandu understood in an instant.
Dao Foundation!
A Dao Foundation expert had intervened!
Although they had not struck Lei Tiandu directly, using a brain domain to interfere at this juncture was fatal.
A Divine Treasury domain could not block a Shift Talisman, but a materialized brain domain could.
Where a materialized brain domain covered the area, a Shift Talisman was completely useless.
"Zhong Yu, how dare you...!"
A voice filled with exasperation and fury echoed from the void.
Lei Tiandu recognized it.
It was Elder Huang Jiufeng.
Yet it was too late.
Truly too late!
Lu Changsheng did not hesitate in the slightest.
The domain comparable to one hundred and fifty layers had already pierced through all of Lei Tiandu's defenses, crashing upon him in an instant.
"No...!"
Terror overtook Lei Tiandu's face, his voice carrying a shrill, desperate cry.
*Bang!*
As the domain crashed down, Lei Tiandu's shrill cry came to an abrupt halt.
His body instantly disintegrated into fine dust!
Chapter 177