But truly achieving this required not just powerful talent, but also continuous attempts.
In a short time, accomplishing it was presumably impossible.
"I see..."
Hearing this, Zhang Hai was somewhat disappointed, but still planned to return and try.
Back when xianxia dramas swept through Huaxia, he'd also often recited "The qi of all heavens surges, my Dao daily prospers."
Perhaps he could cultivate?
The two didn't converse much longer. After eliminating mutant creatures in this portion of Goose City, they turned their gazes toward that mutant lizard standing on the ground continuously absorbing energy.
That was the culprit causing Goose City's defensive line to break—also the most dangerous enemy they faced this time.
Though currently the best method was waiting until Goose City's survivors evacuated before attacking it, that mutant lizard continuously absorbed the abilities of petrified humans and mutant beasts on the ground. As time passed, the opponent's strength would grow stronger.
They also couldn't determine when the opponent would awaken. If it awakened mid-evacuation and extended the petrification domain to this area, that would instead cause more casualties.
Therefore, Xu Qing and Zhang Hai split up.
Xu Qing set up formations in this area, preventing the mutant lizard from expanding its petrification domain upon awakening. Though limited by materials and strength—unable to block for long—buying Zhang Hai more time was still possible.
Zhang Hai used spiritual energy to notify all survivors in this area to head toward shelters. He'd lead everyone away.
As time passed, Xu Qing looked at the formation covering this area, breathing slightly easier.
Then from the gourd at his waist, he poured out three pills emanating a pleasant fragrance. Placing them in his mouth, they transformed into warm currents merging into his body, rapidly recovering the spiritual energy in his body—barely one-tenth remaining.
Formation quality closely related to one's own abilities and material quality.
Of course, spiritual energy was universal power. If one's spiritual energy reserves were sufficient, one could also draw powerful formations without any materials.
He lacked good materials—could only waste more spiritual energy adding to the formation, thereby strengthening its effects.
Gaze shifting, he looked toward that mutant lizard.
"With this formation present, even if it wants to break through in a short time—impossible."
"Next, try whether I can lure it elsewhere."
"Though I'm confident in formations, this is my first time using one covering such a vast area."
So just in case, better to guide the battlefield elsewhere.
"Whew..."
Taking a deep breath, Xu Qing looked at this petrified world beneath his feet. Gripping his Qingfeng sword, entire body's spiritual energy gathered at the sword tip.
His hand formed mysterious profound seals. The sword tip suddenly shot an dazzling beam upward.
"Rumble rumble rumble..."
Dark clouds gathered. Thunder clouds surged. Terrifying thunder continuously roared between cloud layers.
Shushan involved quite a lot—sword arts, magic arts, alchemy, artifact refinement, talismans—all encompassed.
What he used now was one of Shushan's Five Spirits Immortal Arts—Thunder Magic!
"Five Spirits Immortal Art—Heaven's Punishment!"
The Five Spirits Immortal Arts encompassed wind, thunder, water, fire, and earth. Whether attack, defense, or healing—all involved. But ultimately, it was the utilization of natural elements between heaven and earth, so it lacked precise techniques.
Heaven's Punishment was magic Xu Qing created through his own comprehension of Thunder Magic in the Five Spirits Immortal Arts.
"Boom!"
Accompanied by a violent roar, the radiance emanating from the sword tip seemed to form a wondrous reaction with the sky. Terrifying sword qi pressure shot skyward, merging into thunder leaping between cloud layers.
A massive vortex slowly rotated in the sky. Terrifying energy gathered within.
From afar, it seemed like a heavenly tribulation descending.
Within the city, those survivors heading toward shelters also couldn't help having their attention drawn. Even while rushing, they couldn't help glancing back.
"What is that?"
"Who the hell cares what it is—run!"
"What does it matter to you!"
"Just asking."
"..."
"Rumble rumble rumble..."
Energy in the vortex grew increasingly terrifying. Faintly visible—endless thunder serpents coiled within.
Right then—
"Heaven's Punishment—descend!"
Words falling, Xu Qing gripped his Qingfeng sword and swung downward fiercely.
"Boom!"
"Crack!"
Between heaven and earth, only one violent roar sounded. Purple lightning several hundred meters thick descended from the sky.
"Boom!!!"
Amid terrifying thunderous sounds, violent thunder struck the entire petrified world, causing violent tremors.
"Roar!!!"
Originally sleeping, continuously absorbing human and mutant beast energy—the mutant lizard, struck by this several-hundred-meter-thick thunder, directly awakened.
Within the lightning, it thrashed its body, continuously emitting ear-piercing roars.
Its brownish skin also showed some scorch marks.
"Roar!"
With a roar, the mutant lizard's body burst forth with earth-yellow radiance. Under this earth-yellow glow, the massive lightning actually flowed along its body toward the ground following its movements, ultimately completely dissipating.
"Roar roar roar!!!"
Breaking free from the thunder, the mutant lizard's beast eyes stared fixedly at Xu Qing in the sky.
Its body stomped on the ground. Massive force directly blasted a huge footprint in the earth. It also used this force to swing its beast claws, wanting to swat Xu Qing down.
"Seeking death!"
On the ground was one thing. Just now, after this mutant lizard transmitted his Heaven's Punishment underground, he'd been somewhat incredulous.
Who knew it would actually jump up itself, actively leaving the ground.
Gripping his long sword, Xu Qing also fiercely flew toward it.
"Slash slash..."
In just an instant of exchange, sounds rang out repeatedly from the mutant lizard's body. All over, dozens of sword wounds penetrating to internal organs erupted.
In close combat, how could a mutant beast compare with him?
Shushan sword arts were specifically created for subduing demons and devils.
"Boom!"
After landing back on the ground, familiar earth-yellow power again gathered toward the mutant lizard's body. The sword wounds on its body were also rapidly repaired under this energy.
"Roar..."
The mutant lizard looked at Xu Qing, patting its completely uninjured body. This roar seemingly expressed disdain toward him.
Xu Qing didn't acknowledge it—merely made a gesture at it, then flew away on his sword.
"Roar!!!"
Though unable to understand that gesture, the mutant lizard knew it absolutely wasn't anything good!
Moreover, waking it up, striking it with lightning, slashing it several times then wanting to flee—where was such good fortune?
Without hesitation, the mutant lizard swung its body, running toward the direction Xu Qing fled.
(End of Chapter)