Battling Lord Hengguang, Ascending to the Summit of the Universe!

Early in the morning, the arena at the Summit of the Universe was already packed to the brim. Of course, the area surrounding the summit was spacious enough that one could still watch from further away if necessary. Yet countless cultivators still chose to squeeze closer. The nearer they were, the better they could sense the aura emanating from the two figures on the stage. After a year of anticipation, this duel at the Summit of the Universe was truly a grand spectacle across the Great Universe. Even a number of Third Realm Sovereigns had arrived at the Summit of the Universe in person to witness the monumental clash. Sovereign Feilong was also seated in the VIP section, surrounded by other Sovereigns of equal standing. "Feilong, you truly found yourself a fine disciple." "I see his soul has been mended as well. At merely the first realm of Transcendence, and in such a short span of time, he has reached the Summit of the Universe to challenge Lord Hengguang. Remarkable, truly remarkable. You finally have a worthy successor." "When we Third Realm Sovereigns take disciples, potential and status mean little. What truly matters is whether they let us see hope—and from this Lu Changsheng, one can faintly glimpse a glimmer of it." "It is too early to speak of hope..." A smile formed on Sovereign Feilong's face. As a Third Realm Sovereign with an unyielding will, ordinary flattery would never sway him or stir a single ripple in his emotions. But things were different now—those offering praise were fellow Third Realm Sovereigns. That made all the difference in the world. Even Sovereign Feilong could not help but feel delighted. "Still, Lord Hengguang is no easy opponent. He has held the title of Summit of the Universe consecutively for three thousand six hundred years. Below the Second Realm, he has virtually no equal—his strength can be said to have reached the absolute limit. For Lu Changsheng to defeat someone like him is next to impossible..." The speaker was a man in white robes radiating a majestic aura. It was Baidi. The others fell silent. Baidi was currently nursing a bellyful of resentment; everyone knew his descendant had been killed by Lu Changsheng. Rumors also had it that Baidi had bled heavily to retrieve the Golden Halberd, thoroughly fleeced by Sovereign Feilong. Under such circumstances, how could Baidi possibly sing Lu Changsheng's praises? Sovereign Feilong smiled faintly and replied, "That may not be so. Since Changsheng dared to challenge Lord Hengguang, refusing to wait another hundred years or let Lord Hengguang peacefully relinquish the title of Summit of the Universe, he must have his own confidence. "Though even I do not know what Changsheng's trump card is, he has not suffered a single defeat at the Summit of the Universe so far. Who is stronger and who is weaker will become clear shortly. Arguing over it now serves no purpose. "Wouldn't you say so, Baidi?" Baidi's expression remained impassive, yet anyone could tell he was hardly in good spirits. "No need for words. I wagered ten million source crystals on Lord Hengguang!" Baidi let actions speak for him. Ten million! That was an enormous sum. Yet Sovereign Feilong merely smiled knowingly. He knew why Baidi had bet ten million—clearly, having lost ten million on Lu Changsheng's account, Baidi was eager to win it back. Sovereign Feilong said nothing further. As esteemed Third Realm Sovereigns, continuing to bait each other with words was pointless. Thus, he turned his gaze toward the arena. Many people were waiting. Lu Changsheng was already in the passage behind the arena. Lin Qingluan and Fang Chuan looked at Lu Changsheng with grave expressions. "Changsheng, if the odds are against you, admitting defeat is nothing to be ashamed of..." Lin Qingluan spoke up. Throughout Lu Changsheng's journey at the Summit of the Universe, Lin Qingluan had never once urged him to surrender. But this time, she could not help herself. After all, this time was different. Lord Hengguang's prestige was too immense. She hadn't even mentioned the betting odds. In truth, the odds on Lu Changsheng were four to one! Essentially, none of the major factions favored him to win. "I know," Lu Changsheng nodded. He understood Lin Qingluan's concern. But excessive concern often clouded judgment. Who could know the terrifying heights Lu Changsheng's strength had reached by now? Perhaps even Lu Changsheng himself did not fully know how frightening it would be if he went all out with his full might. Yet he was excited. Lord Hengguang was an opponent powerful enough—flawless enough—to truly test him! Lu Changsheng began walking, stepping out from the tunnel. With a single stride, he entered the arena. Instantly, deafening cheers erupted from all around the stage. Regardless of the outcome, Lu Changsheng daring to challenge Lord Hengguang required immense courage in itself. Out of so many Invincible-tier platform champions, not a single one had challenged him; only Lu Changsheng had stepped forward. That alone spoke volumes. At this moment, several Invincible-tier champions stood beneath the arena. They, too, were qualified to challenge Lord Hengguang, but they had chosen to wait another hundred years—until Lord Hengguang attempted to break through to the Second Realm and relinquished the title of Summit of the Universe. Seeing Lu Changsheng now stirred mixed feelings within them. "In terms of courage, I am inferior to Lu Changsheng." "Lord Hengguang... is a peerless figure whose dominance spans an entire era. An existence who suppresses an era deserves respect. Challenging Lord Hengguang now? That isn't courage; it's foolishness!" "Foolishness? The victor has yet to be decided, so how is it foolishness? If Lu Changsheng wins, when you recall those words, how will you have the face to remain an Invincible-tier champion?" For a time, disputes broke out among the Invincible-tier champions. Many admired Lu Changsheng's courage, but some scoffed, viewing it as grandstanding and sheer folly. Nevertheless, Third Realm Sovereigns, Second Realm mighty figures, numerous Invincible-tier champions, and prominent powers were all watching this battle with rapt attention. Outside, discussions raged, but to the battle-hardened Lord Hengguang, it was all familiar and routine. Step by step, he emerged from the passage and walked onto the arena as well. Boom. The arena sealed. The environment within shifted instantly, transforming into the boundless expanse of the Great Universe. Lu Changsheng and Lord Hengguang stood quietly in the void, facing each other across the distance. Everything around them went silent. The outside world could no longer disturb them. Neither made a move right away. "You should not have challenged me. This may well be your greatest mistake at the Summit of the Universe," Lord Hengguang said, shaking his head. "Is that so?" Lu Changsheng replied calmly. "Yet I see a flicker of excitement in your eyes. Weren't you also hoping someone would challenge you? And now, here I am!" Lord Hengguang smiled. "It seems we are the same kind of person..." The two exchanged a smile. Indeed, they were cut from the same cloth. Faced with a powerful opponent, they felt neither fear nor dread, only exhilaration. How long had it been since Lord Hengguang encountered a worthy foe? Perhaps far too many years. Every time, he had received byes because no one dared to challenge him. Those so-called "Invincible"-tier champions didn't even have the courage to face him—how could they call themselves invincible? It was a complete farce. And now, Lord Hengguang had finally found someone willing to challenge him. "Come, then. Let me see how strong your world is," Lord Hengguang said indifferently. "Otherwise, you won't get another chance." His tone was lofty and commanding, yet as a powerhouse who had held the title of Summit of the Universe for three thousand six hundred years, he was entitled to such confidence. Boom! Lu Changsheng moved. His True Realm descended instantly, sweeping majestically toward Lord Hengguang. Hum. Lord Hengguang's body suddenly radiated blinding light. This was his Great Dao—or rather, countless Daos fused together. Light! This light possessed immense power. Endless and all-piercing, it could penetrate anything. When facing enemies, Lord Hengguang often simply stood in place, and his radiance alone would pierce through them. It was no different now. Lord Hengguang stood quietly in the void, and as Lu Changsheng's True Realm surged forward, it was instantly riddled with holes by the sky-filling brilliance. The True Realm even shuddered violently. In the next moment, multiple tiers of worlds faintly emerged within Lu Changsheng's True Realm. Mortal Realm! Spirit Realm! Lesser Thousand Realm! Great Thousand Realm! Four tiers of worlds manifested, attempting to stabilize the True Realm. Yet before Lord Hengguang's barrage of light, even the four tiers of worlds could not hold it steady. Countless beams of light pierced through these worlds as well. Seeing Lu Changsheng's world pierced, many spectators widened their eyes, staring fixedly at the spectacle. Events seemed to be unfolding just as expected. Lu Changsheng's world truly could not withstand Lord Hengguang's offensive. Yet, did Lu Changsheng dare challenge Lord Hengguang without any reliance? Though his situation appeared perilous, Lu Changsheng had known from the start that four tiers of worlds would never suffice against Lord Hengguang. "Divine Realm!" In the next breath, Lu Changsheng's True Realm jolted violently. A colossal phantom of a world enveloped the entire True Realm. Then, the phantom materialized into reality. This was a world standing above the Great Thousand Realm. This was the Divine Realm! Roar... Creatures seemed to roar within the Divine Realm. As the Divine Realm manifested, the entire True Realm instantly stabilized. No matter how the beams of light battered against the Divine Realm, they could no longer shake it. "What?" "Is that... a fifth tier of worlds?" "It truly is! So this was Lu Changsheng's trump card—he made a quiet breakthrough and gave birth to a fifth tier!" "A World Master of five tiers! And his technique is extraordinary; with each new tier birthed, every aspect of his inner world experiences a meteoric surge and a qualitative metamorphosis!" Seeing Lu Changsheng's fifth-tier world appear, many felt pleasantly surprised, including Fang Chuan, Lin Qingluan, and Sovereign Feilong. However, while others might not grasp the full picture, Sovereigns were different. Across the Great Universe, hardly any person or force could conceal anything from a Sovereign. "A fifth tier of worlds... Feilong, this disciple of yours is extraordinary. If his fifth tier is already this formidable, his inner world surely hasn't reached perfection yet, has it? In other words, he hasn't reached his limit and can continue to metamorphose?" one of the Sovereigns suddenly remarked. With a Sovereign's discernment, there was no mistaking it. If he said Lu Changsheng's world had not reached its limit, then it hadn't. And what the Sovereign said was indeed true. Above the Divine Realm lay the Supreme Realm! However, giving birth to the Supreme Realm would be exceedingly difficult. It was unknown how many more expansions the True Realm would require. Lord Hengguang stopped. His expression finally shifted. In all these years, Lu Changsheng was the first opponent capable of withstanding his attacks. "Five tiers of worlds? It seems you truly made a breakthrough," Lord Hengguang said slowly. He had investigated Lu Changsheng beforehand and knew he previously possessed only four tiers. The emergence of a fifth tier meant a recent breakthrough, which was likely the source of his confidence. And these five tiers were indeed formidable. Lord Hengguang's offensive was terrifying—incessant, infinite beams of light. Forget the world of a World Master; even an actual plane could be gradually pulverized if Lord Hengguang were given enough time. Such was his dread power. Ordinarily, a plane corresponded to a Second Realm mighty figure; only a Second Realm mighty figure could completely obliterate one. Yet Lord Hengguang's unique nature allowed him, in a sense, to rival a Second Realm mighty figure—at least in sheer destructive capacity. In a true comparison against an actual Second Realm mighty figure, he naturally fell far short. "However, if you truly believe I cannot harm you, you are sorely mistaken!" "Hengguang Transformation!" In the next instant, the radiance enveloping Lord Hengguang abruptly dimmed. The dazzling light gradually turned into rays of pitch-black. They seemed imperceptible, yet they could still be sensed. In Lu Changsheng's perception, Lord Hengguang seemed to have transformed into a black hole, rapidly expanding as if intending to swallow the True Realm in a single gulp. Lu Changsheng's True Realm was so vast that a portion of it was immediately devoured by Lord Hengguang's black hole. "Hm?" Lu Changsheng's expression shifted slightly. A portion of his True Realm had genuinely been devoured. Though that part was tiny and practically negligible, it had indeed been swallowed. It seemed as though everything could be crushed within the black hole—even the True Realm bolstered by five tiers of worlds was crushed by it. Lu Changsheng simply unleashed the power of all five tiers, bestowing it upon the True Realm in an effort to pit it against Lord Hengguang's black hole. Yet as time ticked by, Lu Changsheng's expression grew solemn. Even with five tiers augmenting the True Realm, it was impossible for Lord Hengguang to swallow it quickly. On the surface, the two appeared locked in a stalemate. But was it truly a stalemate? Lord Hengguang's black hole was devouring the True Realm bit by bit. Though the process was slow, it was genuine consumption. This proved that even Lu Changsheng's five tiers of worlds could not withstand the black hole Lord Hengguang had become. This was Lord Hengguang's true strength. "So this is your trump card? The Hengguang Transformation..." Lu Changsheng's eyes sharpened. The onlookers around the arena were once again astonished. At first, Lord Hengguang had held the upper hand, appearing poised to crush Lu Changsheng effortlessly. But when Lu Changsheng manifested the Divine Realm, commanding five tiers of worlds, Lord Hengguang was unable to shake him and steadily fell into a disadvantage. Just when everyone thought Lu Changsheng might turn the tables and triumph, Lord Hengguang unleashed an even more bizarre and potent technique—one he had never displayed before. Yet its power shook the heavens, shaking Lu Changsheng's five tiers of worlds and gradually grinding down his True Realm to reclaim the upper hand. This battle was truly full of twists and turns. Faced with this, did Lu Changsheng have an even stronger method? Of course Lu Changsheng had a stronger method! Though he marveled at Lord Hengguang's strength—even greater than anticipated, truly befitting a supreme powerhouse who had held the title for three thousand six hundred years—he knew Lord Hengguang could not have remained stagnant during those millennia. This Hengguang Transformation was likely a technique honed over those thirty-six centuries. It was remarkably strong. In fact, if Lu Changsheng had no other recourse, he would undoubtedly have lost. However, Lu Changsheng still possessed his final card: Destructive power! Furthermore, it was destructive power accumulated over several centuries! "Lord Hengguang, doesn't your black hole want to swallow my True Realm?" "Then I shall give it to you!" "Let's see if you can stomach it!" Lu Changsheng released his destructive power in an instant. Centuries of accumulated destructive power were unleashed in their entirety, without reservation. A deluge of destructive power surged into the black hole of Lord Hengguang's incarnation. Both possessed terrifying destructive force, but destructive power was sheer, unadulterated annihilation. Be it a world or any other force, destructive power obliterated everything in its path. Rumble! Finally, Lord Hengguang's black hole began to shudder violently. Having swallowed so much of Lu Changsheng's destructive power, even the black hole suffered from severe indigestion. It could not grind the power away; instead, it was wrecked unchecked by the destructive force. Sizzle... Lord Hengguang's black hole flickered continuously. Bang! In the next moment, the black hole burst apart. Boundless destructive power erupted in waves. "Aaargh!" Lord Hengguang let out a wretched scream. Once ensnared by destructive power, even Lord Hengguang could not withstand it. In terms of offense and destruction, what power could compare to destructive power? "It's over..." Lu Changsheng murmured. Lord Hengguang was formidable, but compared to centuries of accumulated destructive power, he was still not strong enough. After all, he was not a Second Realm mighty figure. Had he been a Second Realm mighty figure, even this much destructive power would have failed to harm him. But Lord Hengguang could not hold out. He didn't even have the chance to concede. Submerged beneath centuries of accumulated destructive power, admitting defeat was out of the question. His body was instantly eroded by the destructive power, turning completely to ashes. Lu Changsheng stood quietly in the void. The surroundings of the arena fell dead silent. Many spectators had yet to process what had happened. "Where did Lord Hengguang go?" "Why isn't there any movement from Lord Hengguang?" "What happened to Lord Hengguang?" "Could it be... Lord Hengguang is dead?" "What? Lord Hengguang is dead? How could that be?" "Lord Hengguang, who held the title of Summit of the Universe for three thousand six hundred years, is actually dead?" Many found the scene before them unbelievable. Even though they had witnessed it with their own eyes in broad daylight, they could hardly accept that Lord Hengguang had perished. Only the Sovereigns finally showed stirred expressions. "Lord Hengguang died an unjust death." "What Lu Changsheng unleashed should be destructive power, accumulated over centuries. It is a single-use burst. Had Lu Changsheng accumulated even slightly less, Lord Hengguang could have endured it." "In fact, Lord Hengguang managed to withstand about seventy to eighty percent of the destructive power, but he fell just short..." Many Sovereigns felt a twinge of pity. Lord Hengguang had possessed no grand background or pedigree, yet his strength had been undeniably immense. Who would have thought he would die at Lu Changsheng's hands, slain in such a public manner? Lu Changsheng had stepped over Lord Hengguang's corpse to claim the Summit of the Universe! The happiest person was naturally Sovereign Feilong. The smile never left his face. The Summit of the Universe! Such an honor could not be overlooked by anyone. Whoever claimed the Summit of the Universe gathered tremendous fortune practically every moment. As long as one could defend the title, ascending to the Second Realm would pose no issue at all—provided one held onto it. Take Lord Hengguang, who had defended the title for three thousand six hundred years. Had he won this match, he would have attempted to break through to the Second Realm, likely with success. Unfortunately, he had ended up becoming a stepping stone for Lu Changsheng. This was why many Sovereign factions sent their outstanding disciples or bloodline descendants to compete at the Summit of the Universe: once someone claimed the summit, as long as they defended it, they were bound to advance to the Second Realm sooner or later. Now, that glory belonged to Lu Changsheng. "Hahaha! I'm going to see my disciple!" Sovereign Feilong flew out directly, eager to receive Lu Changsheng. Yet Lu Changsheng did not leave the arena right away. He stared at the spot where Lord Hengguang had just stood. It was mainly the Hengguang Transformation that had caught his interest. Turning into a black hole to crush everything was indeed a miraculous technique. In truth, a World Master like Lu Changsheng was best suited for such a method. "Hengguang Transformation..." Lu Changsheng did not need cultivation manuals, nor did he need Lord Hengguang to impart it. At his level, with his analytical ability and comprehension, comprehending the Hengguang Transformation fully was merely a matter of time. Thus, Lu Changsheng was currently utilizing his top-tier comprehension to analyze the Hengguang Transformation bit by bit. Seeing Lu Changsheng sitting motionless in the arena's void, showing no intention of leaving, many spectators were dumbfounded. "What's going on? Why isn't Lu Changsheng leaving the arena?" "Could Lord Hengguang still be alive? Has the battle not ended?" "No, Lord Hengguang is definitely dead; not even a wisp of his aura remains. Lu Changsheng seems to be comprehending something." "Look quickly! Lu Changsheng's world—why is it distorting?" "That distortion is faintly turning into a black hole! Could Lu Changsheng be attempting to cultivate Lord Hengguang's Hengguang Transformation? But Lord Hengguang is dead, so how could Lu Changsheng cultivate it?" "Is it possible that Lu Changsheng simply saw Lord Hengguang use the Hengguang Transformation, comprehended it through his own comprehension, and is now trying it out?" Countless onlookers were left slack-jawed. Comprehending it just from seeing it once? This was the Hengguang Transformation! It was Lord Hengguang's ultimate trump card! Yet Lu Changsheng had watched it once and could cultivate it after spending merely a bit of time? What terrifying comprehension was this? Whoosh. Lu Changsheng opened his eyes. "Done!" The Hengguang Transformation was mastered—or rather, he understood its principles and had achieved a rudimentary grasp. To cultivate it to a profound depth would still take time and slow contemplation. Even so, that was more than enough. Step by step, Lu Changsheng walked out of the arena. The moment he stepped outside, boundless fortune surged toward him like a flood. Countless eyes fell upon him. In this moment, no speculation was needed, nor any doubt. This was reality! Lu Changsheng had ascended to the Summit of the Universe!