Volume 3 Chapter 59: A Heavenly Mandate

As the grudges between Xu Qingfan and Nangong Qingshan finally settled after forty years, the battle between Zhang Hualing’s and Zhou Huahai’s factions at the front of Jiuhua Mountain also reached its conclusion.

At the front of Jiuhua Mountain, the suffocating pressure of Spirit Qi surged strong and chaotic, with countless powerful spells appearing continuously, only to be blocked or shattered by even greater spells. The elders of Jiuhua Mountain flew swiftly in the sky, their magical artifacts switching between attack and defense. The clash of artifacts and magic shook the very heavens and earth, a deafening roar resonating continuously.

A massive water dragon roared fiercely, a fire sparrow glowed red, its cry echoing back, a tortoise made of rock shook the ground, and a white tiger of gold, wood, iron, and stone intimidated all directions.

Countless heavenly-level magical artifacts, shining with intense spiritual energy and various mystical lights, emanated powerful might in the hands of Core Condensation cultivators, with each strike and defense capable of destroying the heavens and earth.

This grand battle among Core Condensation cultivators in the cultivation world, a rare event in a century, truly lived up to its enormous reputation, turning heaven and earth discolored. The once idyllic scenery of Jiuhua’s front mountain, with its buildings, spirit beasts, trees, and stones, was completely destroyed in the aftermath of the clashes. Now, looking at Jiuhua’s front mountain, it appeared just like a desolate, barren hill.

The Jiuhua Mountain disciples watching from afar, although a great distance from the battlefield, could only desperately resist the pressure emanating from the battle. Many disciples lacking sufficient skill fainted immediately under such overwhelming pressure.

Even Jin Qinghan, the most skilled among the disciples, could only see dazzling multicolored lights flashing in the sky. Who was prevailing on the battlefield, Jin Qinghan could not discern at all.

All the disciples, being too focused on the battle in the sky, failed to notice Feng Qingtian, placed to the side by Xu Qingfan before he left. At this moment, Feng Qingtian began to emit a faint red glow, his tightly closed eyes trembling slightly, as if close to waking.

In the battle in the sky, soldier against soldier, general against general, elder against elder, Zhang Hualing faced Zhou Huahai.

The situation on the battlefield was indeed as Zhou Huahai had said. Zhang Hualing and his companions had exhausted too much spiritual energy to break the formation, while Zhou Huahai’s side gained tremendous strength with the help of the "Sky Spiritual Pill," allowing them to dominate in the magical duel. Zhang Hualing and his forces, besides their clumsy dodging and defending, had little strength to counterattack.

The elite disciples on Zhang Hualing’s side, bearing the surname "Qing," had not consumed much spiritual energy in breaking the formation, yet they were of no use during the magical battles of the Core Condensation cultivators, only managing to hold back other Jiuhua disciples.

However, the elders on Zhou Huahai’s side, despite having the upper hand in their confrontations, often refrained from delivering a decisive blow at critical moments, letting their opponents catch their breath. This restraint was not merely due to any sentimentality over shared affiliations, though that played a part; the main reason was the ongoing unresolved battle between Zhou Huahai and Zhang Hualing.

All the elders knew that no matter how fierce and spectacular the battle here, the true leaders of this war were Zhang Hualing and Zhou Huahai. Only when their fight reached a conclusion would the outcome of the war be certain.

Although these elders had followed Zhou Huahai in rebellion, if Zhang Hualing eventually won, he would consider the preciousness of a Condensed Core Stage cultivator and the current strength of Jiuhua Mountain, and would not harm them. They could simply express deep regret for being misled and deceived by Zhou Huahai and regain their status as elders of Jiuhua Mountain with Zhang Hualing’s forgiveness.

However, this was usually the case; if any of them killed a supporter of Zhang Hualing during this battle, Zhang Hualing, to account to the other elders, would have to take action against them.

So, although the battlefield seemed fierce at the moment, it was not dangerous. The elders on Zhou Huahai’s side, while suppressing their opponents, secretly watched the battle between Zhang Hualing and Zhou Huahai. If Zhou Huahai won, they would immediately attack and either kill or capture their opponents; if Zhang Hualing won, they would immediately cease fighting.

Both Zhang Hualing and Zhou Huahai, in the center of everyone’s attention, were aware of the importance of their fight’s outcome. From the start, Zhou Huahai attacked with full force, not caring about the camaraderie or accidentally injuring others, while Zhang Hualing, despite having no strength to retaliate and severely depleted Spirit Qi, defended desperately, giving Zhou Huahai no opportunity.

Zhou Huahai specialized in the art of divine abilities, possessing remarkably strong offense and defense. As his eyes opened and closed, a peculiar light shot out repeatedly. If struck by this light, one’s internal Spirit Qi would go out of control or even backlash. His punches and kicks could shake the sky and earth, leading to total destruction if hit, exerting great power in close combat and suppressing Zhang Hualing in every aspect.

Although at a disadvantage, Zhang Hualing’s moves were calm and leisurely; his every gesture emitted no light or Spirit Qi waves, yet firmly blocked Zhou Huahai’s powerful assaults, leaving no trace. The cultivation method he employed was the supreme skill of Jiuhua Mountain, exclusively for the sect leader—"Indefinite Sutra," exhibiting immense power without form, color, or trace.

But inevitably, after long defensiveness, Zhang Hualing, severely depleted of Spirit Qi, finally revealed a flaw. Zhou Huahai seized this opportunity and shot multiple beams from his eyes, all hitting Zhang Hualing, simultaneously landing a punch on Zhang Hualing’s chest, sending him flying dozens of yards away, as a large mouthful of blood burst from Zhang Hualing’s mouth, raining down on Jiuhua Mountain’s ground.

Although the battlefield was chaotic, filled with booming noises, to all the elders present, the sound of bone fracture resonating from Zhang Hualing after Zhou Huahai struck was painfully clear. The elders supporting Zhang Hualing now wore expressions of despair, while those on Zhou Huahai’s side had little joy in their eyes.

Watching Zhang Hualing’s face turn pale and blood continuously seep from the corners of his mouth after being struck, knowing he was powerless to fight, a faint smile finally appeared on Zhou Huahai’s indifferent face as he slowly said, "Zhang Hualing, from today on, you are but a part of Jiuhua Mountain’s history, while I become the new sect leader, a revitalizing master. Under my leadership, Jiuhua Gate will certainly become the foremost faction in the cultivation world. Now, could you die peacefully with these words in mind?"

Though the tone was calm, it was laden with prideful ridicule.

Upon hearing Zhou Huahai’s words, Zhang Hualing instinctively glanced toward the peak of Jiuhua Mountain, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, yet he paid no heed to Zhou Huahai’s remarks.

Seeing Zhang Hualing’s response, Zhou Huahai wasn’t angered. He swiftly flew toward Zhang Hualing, his right arm enlarging several times over, glinting with a subtle golden light, exhibiting an art far superior to Sheng Yushan’s practiced power, "Golden Dragon Hand," a few levels higher than the "Azure Dragon Hand." He was determined to end this quickly.

Clearly, to Zhou Huahai, whatever reaction Zhang Hualing might have was now irrelevant.

As Zhou Huahai charged, Zhang Hualing felt waves of searing pain through his body and sensed his dwindling Spirit Qi. He sighed softly, a determined look flashing across his face. His eyes began to slowly close, while his body started to emit a profoundly mysterious aura, one that seemed to embody the profound order of the universe, a fleeting glimpse of brilliance from the dawn of time.

Zhang Hualing, bathed in that strange aura, seemed to gradually merge with the universe, emanating a majesty solely belonging to the heavens.

Strangely though, as the pressure emanating from Zhang Hualing grew more potent, his features visibly aged at an alarming rate, his once radiant face becoming quickly covered in wrinkles.

"Substitute for Heaven!"

Seeing Zhang Hualing’s transformation, Zhou Huahai’s pupils constricted in shock, his face full of disbelief. Terrified, he rushed towards Zhang Hualing even faster, only thinking of killing him before he could act. The confidence and mockery on his face had completely disappeared.

"Substitute for Heaven" is another extraordinary skill created by Master Jiuhua besides the "Indefinite Sutra," using the "Indefinite Sutra" as its foundation. The name means "acting on behalf of heaven." Once mastered, the practitioner can attune their body and mind with the forces of nature, borrowing this natural power to attack enemies in a short span. It is considered one of the most mystifying cultivation methods.

Although this cultivation method is exceptionally mystical, it requires the practitioner to have at least reached the "Unity of Sky and Earth" level, or Mahayana Stage, to train. Theoretically, those at the "Natural Synergy" or Condensed Core Stage could also train in it, but throughout Jiuhua Mountain’s history, no sect leader, despite their brilliance, has ever succeeded.

But seeing Zhou Huahai’s transformation now, it’s clear that he is using this cultivation method at the cost of his own life, and he has amazingly succeeded.

Thinking of all the legends about this cultivation method, Zhou Huahai felt a chill in his heart and was even more determined to finish the battle quickly.

Zhang Hualing was only at the late stage of the Golden Core Stage, which sounds close to the Mahayana Stage, yet the difference in power between them is vast. Even if he uses his life to drive the cultivation method, merging with the heavens takes a considerable amount of time—time that Zhou Huahai could use to kill Zhang Hualing ten times over.

But just as Zhou Huahai reached Zhang Hualing, two elders at the battlefield suddenly appeared and stopped him by joining forces.

These two elders were incredibly powerful. Although Zhou Huahai exerted all his strength and roared in fury, he couldn’t break through the defense they formed together.

Zhou Huahai steadied himself and, recognizing them, a trace of anger appeared on his face as he coldly shouted, "It’s you!"

It turned out that the visitor was none other than Zhou Huahai’s former Supreme Protector, Xu Qingfan’s martial uncle Xiao Huazhe, and Jin Qinghan’s master, Elder Weichi, who had just been dueling with Xiao Huazhe.