Chapter 751: The Master of Yaoguang
Xiao Ze sensed the battle turning against him and immediately unleashed his Origin Divine Flame.
The spiritual projection he faced possessed battle experience, divine techniques, and sacred artifacts. It was practically indistinguishable from a being on the verge of becoming a Heavenly Supreme, save for one crucial difference: it lacked a physical body.
This was Xiao Ze's opening.
Without a body, the projection's spiritual energy was finite. Unless the golden Challenge Platform replenished it, its energy reserves would eventually deplete. While its vast spiritual energy gave it immense power, it was not limitless.
This realization gave Xiao Ze a strategy: wear it down.
Unleashing the Flames
Xiao Ze's Dragon Phoenix True Form was proving ineffective against the projection, so he relied on the Origin Divine Flame to turn the tide.
Golden flames surged across the Challenge Platform, consuming the space in a fiery domain. Even the platform itself could barely withstand the heat as the flames burned everything in their path, leaving no room for the projection to maneuver.
The projection's spiritual energy barrier crackled and diminished as the flames licked at it, forcing it to expend massive amounts of energy to maintain its defenses.
Pressing the Attack
Sensing the threat, the scholarly projection's expression turned serious. It swung its massive sword three times, unleashing a hurricane of sword energy that temporarily cleared the flames.
But in the next moment, a colossal purple gold fist from Xiao Ze's Supreme Avatar struck it, sending it crashing into the golden Challenge Platform.
Boom!
Even the once unyielding platform cracked slightly under the impact.
Xiao Ze wasted no time, commanding his Origin Divine Flame to surge toward the fallen projection in a massive wave.
A Battle of Attrition
The projection retaliated, wielding its sword to create a vortex of energy that deflected the flames. However, this diversion allowed Xiao Ze's Supreme Avatar to land another crushing blow, further destabilizing the projection's spiritual energy.
For the projection, the flames were more than a nuisance they were a dire threat. The Origin Divine Flame possessed the terrifying ability to incinerate spiritual energy itself, leaving the projection vulnerable.
Even as it fought valiantly, each blow from the Supreme Avatar knocked it back onto the flame covered platform, where it inevitably absorbed more of the fire's destructive force.
The relentless cycle of spiritual energy depletion and flame erosion began to take its toll.
Victory
At last, Xiao Ze's Supreme Avatar delivered a final, devastating punch, driving the projection into the ground.
It ceased resisting, allowing the golden flames to consume it entirely. As its form dissolved, the projection vanished in a radiant burst of light.
Boom!
The Challenge Platform erupted with golden light, a voice resounding through the heavens:
"Congratulations on completing the Limit Breaking Challenge!"
A World Shaking Event
The proclamation was so grand that even Xiao Ze and Qing Yanjing were momentarily stunned. The sound seemed to echo far beyond the confines of the Challenge Platform, reverberating throughout the entire Yaoguang Palace.
Even in ancient times, completing a Limit Breaking Challenge must have been an extraordinary feat.
Though surprised, Xiao Ze didn't let the commotion distract him from absorbing the massive wave of spiritual energy that followed.
As he refined the energy, both he and Qing Yanjing grew alert. A powerful presence was descending upon their space, its sheer might causing both of them to feel immense pressure.
Qing Yanjing quickly retrieved a primordial stone tower, a protective artifact from her clan. The aura emanating from it hinted at power that surpassed even the heavens.
The Appearance of a Supreme
"Haha, there's no need to be so tense. I mean you no harm."
A booming yet genial voice echoed through the space.
The Challenge Platform trembled as golden light erupted from every corner, converging above it to form the figure of a middle aged man clad in robes adorned with stars.
His pure spiritual energy reassured Xiao Ze, who let out a small sigh of relief. "At least it's not a Demon Emperor from the outer realms."
The man descended slowly, his gaze resting on Xiao Ze.
"Young man, you've done well. Without your success in the Limit Breaking Challenge, I would not have awakened."
Xiao Ze bowed respectfully. "Junior Xiao Ze greets the senior."
The man laughed heartily, clearly pleased with Xiao Ze's efforts.
An Ancient Name
Qing Yanjing approached cautiously, the stone tower still in her hands, though she offered a polite bow. "Junior Qing Yanjing greets the senior. Might I ask your name?"
The man's gaze lingered on the stone tower, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes.
"Ah, the Futuo Ancient Clan… For someone of your talent, it's surprising that your clan allowed you to venture out on your own."
He turned his attention back to both juniors and announced, "I am the Master of Yaoguang, and the creator of this Challenge Platform."
To prove his identity, he raised his hand, and the entire platform lit up in golden radiance, resonating with him.
"Now, do you believe me?"
Qing Yanjing hesitated for a moment before bowing again. "Junior greets the Master of Yaoguang. My caution is not out of distrust, but because the Yaoguang Palace has become a demonic domain. Such circumstances demand vigilance."
At her words, the Master's expression darkened.
A Forgotten War
"The state of this palace… is a tragedy of its time," he said gravely. "During the ancient war, the armies of the outer realms invaded, and our lord stood alone against multiple Demon Emperors.
"Though the lord held them at bay, the enemy forces included at least ten more Demon Emperors. We fought to the death, barely managing to drag them down with us."
He sighed deeply before continuing.
"Even so, the resilience of their demonic souls was unmatched. Despite our efforts, their leader's soul remained intact, forcing me to merge my consciousness with the Yaoguang Palace to suppress it.
"But the Demon Emperor was cunning. Instead of attacking directly, it gradually corrupted the palace over millennia, turning it into a demonic domain."
The Master's tone grew solemn.
"If not for your success in the Limit Breaking Challenge, which activated the Challenge Platform and roused me from my slumber, this place might have fallen entirely under its control."
(Chapter End)
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