Not even a real flame; just a tiny spark!

Xu Yang was dazed for a long moment, then his mind jolted awake.

"Although I didn’t manage a full breakthrough, this little spark..." He couldn’t wait to sense it, and while delighted, he couldn’t help but show a wry smile.

Just as he’d suspected.

This spark was far too weak.

Compared to a true breakthrough, it was less than one in a thousand!

It hadn’t fully merged with his own soul, either.

But the power hidden within this spark was still astonishing.

It’s equivalent to one thousandth of his full power after breaking through to the True Monarch level!

Don’t underestimate that one thousandth!

If he truly broke through to True Monarch, with the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod as the foundation for his Dantian and Heaven-Burning Divine Fire as his Minghuo, his fighting strength would be unimaginable.

Even compared to the top Celestial Prides of the Spirit Realm and the spiritual objects or Minghuo they use for their True Monarch breakthroughs, his would only be stronger, not weaker.

This one thousandth of power could create a terrifying effect.

"It’s not all for nothing, at least!"

Xu Yang smiled, quickly regaining his composure.

Though he failed to break through, at least he gained experience and suffered no loss.

His True Essence had already transformed by almost half.

Once he accumulates resources over time, he’ll prepare everything needed, and next time his breakthrough will be a sure thing.

This spark can be expended directly at a key moment.

"Failed?"

Gu Jun asked.

"Yeah, failed."

"Sigh." Gu Jun let out a long breath. "That Divine Tripod of yours is too astonishing. I even suspect it’s something beyond the Spirit Realm. Looks like you’ll have to keep accumulating strength!"

"No worries!"

Xu Yang laughed boldly and immediately shut his eyes to regulate his breath.

Two hours later.

He looked up at the thin film of light above and leaped skyward.

Boom!

The ancient city trembled slightly.

A figure appeared out of thin air.

"He’s out."

"Damn, that bastard finally came out."

Outside the city, a burst of discussion rang out.

The Daqian crowd all let out a sigh of relief.

Yie Vajra, Ning Wuyang, Yang Ziye, Gon Lang and the others appeared among them, having successfully come out, and their power had all increased.

This hunt, which everyone thought was a near-death ordeal for many, ended up being unexpectedly safe and turned into a big opportunity instead.

Gon Lang looked at Xu Yang, and while marveling, he felt deeply grateful.

If not for Xu Yang, not only he, but many more would’ve died this time.

Not to mention passing the trial and getting stronger.

He felt it wouldn’t take long before he broke through to True Monarch himself.

He owed Xu Yang a huge favor!

"Xu Yang, hiding in the city for so long. I thought you didn’t dare to come out," Li Wang stared coldly at Xu Yang, but inside, he felt a chill.

Xu Yang’s cultivation was still at Myriad Phenomena Realm Perfection!

But compared to before, he felt even more terrifying!

Yet seeing Stone Jade, Li Wang relaxed.

No matter how much Xu Yang improved, he couldn’t possibly be Stone Jade’s match.

"Is that him?"

"That’s him."

"Definitely no ordinary guy."

Stone Jade murmured quietly, a trace of wariness flashing in her eyes.

Shi Haoting’s pupils contracted: "Yu, even you..."

"We’ll see on the battlefield!"

Stone Jade finished speaking, stepped into the air, and approached Xu Yang.

"Defeat me, and you’ll pass the hunt!"

"You’re Shi Hu?"

Xu Yang stared, stunned, at the girl before him.

Shi Hu?

A girl?

"Shi Hu’s my brother, we’re twins!" Stone Jade smiled mildly. "He couldn’t make it, but we siblings can borrow each other’s power; if I’m here, it’s as if he’s here."

Xu Yang’s heart shook.

He’d heard of siblings having mental connections, but borrowing each other’s power directly—this was a first!

Xu Yang stared intently at Stone Jade. Her displayed cultivation was only Myriad Phenomena Realm Perfection, nothing visibly special, just slightly stronger than Shi Haoting and Li Wang together, almost at True Monarch Realm’s door.

But Shi Hu was True Monarch Initial Realm, ranked seventh on the Celestial Pride List!

And she could borrow his power...

At this thought, Xu Yang’s gaze hardened. The Asura Blood Saber instantly dropped into his hand.

Buzz!

A suffocating blood-fiend aura swept through the area.

The sheer violent sharpness made all the nearby martial artists’ hearts tremble.

"Please."

Stone Jade raised her hand slightly, face calm, acting as if the terrifying blood-fiend aura meant nothing.

Xu Yang’s face didn’t change; his figure abruptly vanished.

Swish!

The vast sky was instantly blanketed with overwhelming blood-fiend energy, blotting out sun and moon.

A wicked, eerie scarlet blade light cut through heaven and earth like a blood moon, appearing directly above Stone Jade.

"He’s gotten even stronger."

Staring at this strike, Li Wang felt his soul chill—the invisible pressure left him unable to even think of resisting.

"Just this blade could injure me!" Ning Wuyang’s face went pale as he watched.

Stone Jade moved.

Raising her head, palm curved.

Bam!

The blade aura shattered; she actually caught the Asura Blood Saber with one hand, unmoving, steady as a mountain.

Facing Stone Jade’s faint smile, Xu Yang’s pupils narrowed—then he abruptly let go, pressing his palm against the Asura Blood Saber.

"Locking Spirit!"

"Lock God!"

His palm slammed down, and the Asura Blood Saber rang out sharply.

Chains shot forth, instantly enveloping Stone Jade.

Stone Jade’s expression changed drastically.

"Yu, be careful! He can disturb your True Essence and Spiritual Power!" Shi Haoting finally remembered, shouting a warning.

But it was too late.

The Locking Spirit Seal and Lock God Seal, empowered by the Asura Blood Saber, exploded out.

Stone Jade reacted fast, both hands out, body spinning, surging waves pushing out to block.

But she was still a step too slow.

Spurt!

Blood oozed from her lips as she staggered back, battered.

Xu Yang snatched up the Asura Blood Saber, his aura surging, pressing forward aggressively.

"Chaotic Void Celestial Saber!"

"Yu, watch out! He hides his disruption Divine Technique inside those chaotic blade lights—it’s really hard to detect!" Shi Haoting shouted again.

The Daqian martial artists all glared angrily at Shi Haoting.

Even Xu Yang felt his chest stuff up in frustration!

If there’d been no warning, Stone Jade would never have easily escaped the influence of the Heaven-locking Seal hidden in the Chaotic Void Celestial Saber.

But after being warned, though it’s still hard to spot, she’d be extremely alert!

That killer move from the Chaotic Void Celestial Saber was basically ruined!

Though annoyed, Xu Yang didn’t hesitate in the slightest.

"You have what it takes for me to borrow Shi Hu’s power in this fight!"

Stone Jade called out, face stern, retreating while forming seals.

"Heart of the War King, Seven Orifices to Profundity!"

Just as the chaotic saber came down, Stone Jade pressed her hands together, voice cold and low.

Boom!

Her body suddenly swelled by several feet, ripping her clothes, revealing a close-fitting golden battle armor that perfectly showcased her slim figure.

But at this moment, Xu Yang had no time to admire. From Stone Jade, he sensed a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering violent force.

Boom!

She punched out—like thunder.

The incoming blade tide shattered as if struck by lightning.

Stone Jade soared upward, her eyes fierce and domineering, like a War God, shaking heaven and earth!

Boom!

Crack!

Dense fist-shadows and palm-shadows interwove; wherever they passed, blade images crumbled like paper.

"So strong!"

"Her combat experience, reaction, and power—they’re as if she turned into another person!"

Xu Yang’s pupils contracted; he hesitated no more, gripping his blade in one hand and forming seals with the other.

"Celestial Brilliance Divine Sky Seal, twenty thousand seals!"

Boom!

His aura blazed like a raging wildfire, rapidly surging upward.

In the void, a True Monarch expert cried out in shock: "This kid’s Secret Technique boosts his power this much?"

"He was already comparable to an ordinary Initial True Monarch; invoking the Secret Technique, he almost hits Middle Realm peak!"

The crowd erupted in commotion.

"Slay!"

Xu Yang gripped his blade with both hands, cleaving down hard.

A barrage of fist-shadows charged forth, wild as beasts.

Boom!

Clang!

Both figures exploded backward at the same time.

Stone Jade’s eyes burned with fighting spirit; she shouted loudly, "Good!"

"To have cultivated so far in Daqian—respect!"

"Take my punch!"

Stone Jade’s sleeves flickered as she shook off the numbness in her fists, and once more clenched her hand. Behind her appeared a tall human-shaped apparition.

It was a young man.

Broad-shouldered, wearing battle armor, wielding a long spear!

Roar!

The youth suddenly howled, thrusting his spear through the sky.

At the same time, Stone Jade clenched her fist and punched toward the heavens.

"Celestial Battle Divine Fist!"

For a moment, the youth and Stone Jade seemed to fuse together!

The spear and the fist shadow overlapped!

Boom-crack!

Space twisted and spasmed, splitting open with a series of sharp snaps.

The force of her punch actually shattered the solid Spirit Realm Qiankun Space!

Xu Yang felt ice creep through his body; the blade intent in front of him was shattered by the shockwave, his skin scraped raw as if he’d been hammered, his bones trembling!

This punch spelled mortal danger for him!