Chapter 906: Destroy The Life Reduction
"Life Reduction…" Many ancestors focused on the scene in the sky.
The appearance of a Life Reduction interested many, even causing glimmers to appear in their eyes. Perhaps, they were hoping that the Life Reduction would be able to take care of Li Qiye. However, they knew better than to wish for the impossible. Even Ye Qingcheng was able to surpass his Life Reduction, let alone Li Qiye.
Nevertheless, they continued to hold onto this fool's hope. Even if it was the most minute chance, they craved this miracle.
"Zzz—" Li Qiye's body immediately aged after the crimson light in the sky shone on his body. His hair turned white while wrinkles appeared on his skin.
"Boom!" Li Qiye unleashed all of his blood energy to fight the Life Reduction. His life wheel appeared and the Yin Yang Sea of Blood rushed to the sky. It carried an endless tidal wave of blood energy to stop the changes in his body.
Life Reduction was one of the two great disasters for cultivators. Moreover, it was even worse than a Fate Calamity. Many powerful cultivators couldn't surpass this particular tribulation, and some even chose to hide from it for the rest of their life.
Li Qiye's Life Reduction was more overbearing and faster than anyone's imagination.
"Zzz—" The torrential amount of blood energy that erupted from Li Qiye's body instantly dried up under the effects of this tribulation. Li Qiye channeled his sea of blood once more and created another ocean full of energy to blot out the sky. The entire world shook due to this flood of blood energy.
He even channeled all of his longevity blood at the same time. This force would cause any great power's ancestor to quiver since it completely surpassed Virtuous Paragons!
However, even this prolific amount of blood energy instantly withered when faced with the demonic crimson light.
This scene was spectacular. People say that the ocean cannot dry up in one day. However, Li Qiye's ocean-like blood energy indeed evaporated in an instant. One could easily imagine just how terrifying this event was to the spectators.
To the dismay of the crowd, even his longevity blood became torrid right away.
"Zzz—" Li Qiye immediately became weak and feeble and took on the appearance of an eighty year old mortal man. It seemed that all of his vitality had been sucked from his body!
"This, this is so horrifying." Both geniuses and ancestors alike had never experienced such a terrorizing Life Reduction, a calamity capable of drying up someone's blood energy in the blink of an eye. This was too scary to even think about.
However, Li Qiye's Life Reduction did not stop there. The high heavens itself mustered all of its might to deal with Li Qiye. The Life Reduction even devoured all the worldly energy in this region.
The area around Li Qiye quickly became a wilted world. Even time and space were drained and crushed. There was no worldly energy, no power of the grand dao, and the force of time and space were extinguished as well.
Li Qiye fell into a terrifying darkness devoid of time. This was a dead space void of even the grand dao. However, the high heavens took it one step higher. A dead space would still have the power of darkness and evil, but the forces of darkness and evil were not here either. This entire territory had become a desolate zone!
"Such a Life Reduction exists in this world? All forces of nature are completely dried up!" Even the alchemy emperor was shivering in fear!
Everyone knew that when a Life Reduction descends, it would accelerate the aging of cultivators. Their blood energy and lifespan would quickly dry up. If they couldn't withstand this trial, then they would die from old age.
However, Li Qiye's Life Reduction was not this simple. All other forces in the area were ravaged as well.
To deal with their Life Reduction, cultivators could only use the power of the grand dao to fight it without their blood energy and lifespan. But now, Li Qiye had nothing to work with. What would he use to fight this tribulation?
"It seems like the old heavens could stand it no longer. So this young man is heaven-defying to a rebellious level? The old heavens will not spare him!" A few geniuses were secretly happy to see this scene. This terrifying Life Reduction simply wanted to end Li Qiye! 1
The alchemy emperor was aghast as he murmured: "Even an Immortal Emperor wouldn't have experienced this kind of Life Reduction."
In fact, even powerful ancestors were trembling before such a mighty tribulation, including the Allpine Treefather. There were no other forces to borrow! How could one surpass this Life Reduction?
Both Long Jingxian and Jian Wushuang, who were completely confident in Li Qiye, became worried.
"Old Villainous Heavens, you want my life? Good, take it then!" Li Qiye let out a crazed laughter. His thirteen palaces soared to the sky and opened to pour out waves of universal laws.
"Buzz!" After the paving of laws, a small boat appeared. It opened up and exuded an endless amount of blood energy.
"Rumble!" A terrifying scene took place. The portal inside the small ship poured down an insane amount of energy, like an apocalyptic flood that spread over the entire world!
"Zzz—" The Life Reduction also frantically drained this huge amount of energy. Although its ability to consume everything was monstrous, the small boat's blood energy was even more frightening. It became more and more outrageous as if the blood energy of all existences in the nine worlds could be found within. Afterward, it jumped to an even higher level as it exuded the blood energy from thousands upon thousands of Godkings…
Eventually, it was the blood energy from thousands of Immortal Emperors. This scene was unimaginable. The nine heavens and ten earths were drowned out by Li Qiye's blood energy.
The entire Stone Medicine World quaked under his horrifying vitality as if it was about to crack at any moment.
"What, what is that…" Everyone became stunned. This was even more appalling compared to the thirteen palaces and four Immortal Physiques.
Even Godkings paled from this scene. They quivered under this huge amount of blood energy. Not even an Immortal Emperor would be able to unleash this amount. It was more than enough to feed an entire world. Such a thing had escaped the boundaries of imagination!
Li Qiye had learned a merit law recently. He was perfecting this law step by step. It started out as an incomplete law that he had witnessed on the other side of Nightsea.
It was slowly refined due to Li Qiye's research. Moreover, it would become a peerless law across the eons, looming above the high heavens!
Li Qiye chose a very simple and ordinary name for this merit law — Nine Ants!
It was divided into three initial forms: vessel of life, vessel of genesis, and vessel of athanasia!
At this moment, Li Qiye was still learning the profundities of the vessel of life. He had some understanding of the general outline from the vessel of genesis. Only the vessel of athanasia was without its own profundities.
At this time, Li Qiye had opened the vessel of life. He was gifted the power of life from countless existences in the nine worlds as well as their life energy that was pouring down from the vessel, resulting in an unbelievable spectacle.
For Li Qiye, one thought was enough to form myriad physiques while his thirteen palaces were only minor pioneering creations. However, the Nine Ants law was the real creation that would surpass all else. Of course, he was still relying on the foundation laid out by previous experts in this field.
The torrential blood energy engulfed the Stone Medicine World. This huge realm became like a little wooden boat lost in a stormy sea.
All existences were trembling at this second without exception. This level of blood energy was just too domineering.
"Boom!" Eventually, the Life Reduction in the sky could no longer bear this massive amount of blood energy. The entire tribulation was overwhelmed and burst apart from overconsumption.
After its destruction, all the phenomena disappeared. The vessel of life also withdrew its insane amount of blood energy. In a brief moment, peace returned to the entire Stone Medicine World. The calm sky became sunny again and all was well.
"You, you can actually survive it like that?!" Everyone was astounded. No one thought about surpassing the tribulation in this manner. They had no comments.
Since the ancient ages, there had been many methods to defeat this type of tribulation. Some chose to meet it head on, some chose to avoid it, and some would get caught up in a long struggle with it… However, to use a huge amount of blood energy to destroy it — this seemed to be the only occasion of it happening!
Breaking the Life Reduction from feeding it too much blood energy? No one would dare to imagine such a thing. Even a Godking would not have enough blood energy to attempt it, but Li Qiye was able to destroy the Life Reduction in this manner.
"Mommy…" A few people that were praying for the Life Reduction to kill Li Qiye cried out. They fell butt-first to the ground, completely devastated.
"No one can claim the imperial throne as long as Li Qiye remains in this world!" Even the most brilliant geniuses became depressed and lost all hope!
The name Li Qiye had cast a shadow in their hearts that would become an uncrossable blockade for the rest of their life!
906 Teaser"Life Reduction…" Many ancestors became focused and stared at the scene in the sky.
Life Reduction made some people interested with glimmers in their eyes. Perhaps, they were hoping that the Life Reduction would be able to take care of Li Qiye. However, they knew better than to wish for the impossible. Even Ye Qingcheng was able to surpass his Life Reduction, let alone Li Qiye.
Nevertheless, they continued to hold onto this fool's hope. Even if it was the most minute chance, they craved for this miracle to occur.
"Zzz—" Li Qiye's body immediately aged after the crimson light in the sky shone on his body. His hair turned white while wrinkles appeared on his skin.
"Boom!" Li Qiye unleashed all of his blood energy to fight the Life Reduction. His life wheel appeared and the Yin Yang Sea of Blood rushed to the sky. It carried an endless tidal wave of blood energy to stop the changes in his body.
[collapse] Old heavens here has a respectful tone vs Li Qiye's "old villainous heavens". ↩Chapter 907: Crystallized Sea Sect's Destruction
"Boom!" Right when everyone was still paralyzed by Li Qiye's great blood energy, a thunderous blast resounded in the deepest recesses of the blue sky.
This sound was not particularly loud. However, numerous people in the Stone Medicine World were shaken as if their souls had left their bodies under its ringing.
Even a Godking felt this reverberation in their heart. An instinctive fear overwhelmed them after hearing this sinking sound. Many powerful ancestors looked towards the sky and the heavens. However, very few were able to see it clearly. There was a divine prestige that couldn't be sensed by any. In short, that place was able to suppress everything in this world; it was above all else.
"The fury of the high heavens!" An ancestor eventually found a clue and murmured: "This is the fury of the heavens in the legends. When the heavens is enraged, it will send down its wrath in the form of a Heavenly Punishment!"
Even the strongest would not act carelessly before such a scene. This was because fewer than few people were able to see the wrath of the heavens. Those who managed to see it with their own eyes would absolutely develop a fear of it.
Some extraordinary grand characters took deep breaths. Just how heaven-defying was Li Qiye to be able to incite the anger of the heavens? However, he used his blood energy to break the Life Reduction, so it would be rather strange if this didn't bring down the heaven's wrath.
Li Qiye lifted his head to stare at the heavens while standing in the same spot. However, the wrath of the heavens did not descend.
Li Qiye smirked and snorted. He no longer cared for the heavens and gathered his blood energy like a withered tree giving birth to its branches.
His aged look disappeared as his blood energy returned, letting him assume the appearance of a young man again. At this time, his blood energy was countless times stronger compared to before the Life Reduction.
Li Qiye still looked ordinary at this moment, but when he flexed his blood energy, it gave the sensation that it was able to push away mountains and flip over seas. There seemed to be a dragon hidden inside his small frame!
"Zzz—" The four Inner Physiques in his body became blindingly bright. They emitted an unstoppable divine aura and their power soared exponentially.
Waves of laws were exuded from his physiques just like a peacock spreading its tail. Absolute speed, absolute power, absolute weight, and absolute purification! With his great momentum, Li Qiye was opening a whole new domain in this world. It was vast and obscure like the inception of a new world. A sun and moon rose as the celestials hovered around him. New life was created…
At this moment, each of the four physiques gave off the feeling that they had an absolute domain!
"Immortal Physiques at half completion, and four of them at that!" Someone murmured at this scene: "Virtuous Paragons can only prostrate before him now. Who can stop him and his physiques at half completion besides God-Monarchs and Godkings? Perhaps even an eternal existence would not have the strength to do so!"
Half completion was a common term for cultivators. In fact, Immortal Physiques essentially had no changes. However, on a certain level, they became more powerful and laid out a foundation for invincibility in the future.
Half completion was not the breakthrough of a realm for Immortal Physiques. It was just that prior to Life Reduction, Immortal Physiques were considered minor completion and afterward, they would be at half completion.
Surpassing the Life Reduction was the same as gaining a second life for cultivators with sufficient blood energy. Outside of those with already feeble blood energies, the majority of the people who could surpass their Life Reduction would have even stronger blood energies afterward.
Thus, cultivators thought that it was best to defeat this tribulation as early as possible. Of course, one had to be powerful enough for this to work!
For Immortal Physique users, if they could defeat the tribulation without suffering any setbacks, then their physique would be considered half completion due to their augmented blood energy.
Even though the physiques themselves were still the same, the rise in blood energy made them much more powerful, perhaps even several times so.
Most importantly, only Immortal Physique users who had surpassed their Life Reduction and obtained half completion would become invincible in the future. Because this achievement meant that the user was still young, their energy would be like a rising sun and would allow for them to cultivate their physique much more easily. This would render the physique's potential limitless, allowing them to go even further in the future to exert the true strength of their physique!
Cultivators had this particular understanding. If one couldn't reach minor completion before their Life Reduction, then even if they reached grand completion in the future, their physiques would be limited.
Some even said that grand completion physiques without going through the half completion step wouldn't be perfect Immortal Physiques; they wouldn't be able to assail Immortal Emperors. Only a perfect physique would be able to assail Immortal Emperors in the future!
This theory was widely accepted by the old sages. Because of this, everyone who cultivated Immortal Physiques paid great attention to the half completion level. Thus, people divided Immortal Physiques into minor, half, and grand completion!
But for Li Qiye, half completion wasn't even a consideration for his Immortal Physiques. For him, everything was as smooth as a flowing river. He had already laid down a strong foundation. More importantly, he cultivated the physique laws from the Physique Scripture itself.
His smooth process assured that he would at least be at minor completion before the onset of Life Reduction. Otherwise, one wouldn't show up.
Countless people were envious of his four half completion Immortal Physiques. This would allow him to sweep through absolutely everything. Talents and aptitudes were all meaningless before four Immortal Physiques!
Li Qiye withdrew his physiques and took a look around. He eventually sat back in his chariot and commanded: "It's all over now. Let us go."
The treefather made a path while the rest of the group was quiet. The madam took the reins and the four bronze stallions pulled the chariot across the sky. It quickly disappeared into the horizon under everyone's gaze.
Only silence could be used to describe the feelings of the onlookers. In just three short days, so many shocking events had occurred. First was the destruction of the Stony Edge Kingdom, then came the end of the Heavenhoof Ravine. Both of them were imperial lineages. The ravine even had two emperors, but it was still annihilated in the end!
The entire Stone Medicine World fell into tranquility in the face of this brilliant battle record. Many people were lamenting the fact that there was no one else comparable to him among the younger generation at this moment.
Just think about it, Ye Qingcheng spent a countless amount of effort in planning back then to earn the moniker of number one. He had fought ancestors and defeated his competition before. His battle record was quite exemplary as well.
However, his most noteworthy fight was nothing compared to Li Qiye. It was one thing when Li Qiye chose to remain idle, but when he made his move, it resulted in the destruction of imperial lineages!
And when people thought that this turmoil was finally over, a piece of earth-shattering news came from the Alchemy Realm. The Crystallized Sea Sect had been destroyed!
This news spread from the Alchemy Realm across the entire world in the shortest time possible. Many were dumbfounded after hearing this. A third imperial lineage had been destroyed. This world was changing too quickly.
Soon after, the great powers managed to find more information. It turned out that the Beastmaster Citadel, the Jian Clan, and the Jianlong Clan suddenly rose up. In just one night, the three imperial lineages sent out their armies and trampled the sea sect with haste. Before anyone found out about it, the shocking battle had already ended!
The great powers quivered after receiving this news. Everyone knew that these behemoths chose to stay away from the rest of the world. However, they mobilized in just one night to destroy the sea sect. This development left everyone with trepidation.
Many ancestors understood the reason why and murmured: "Li Qiye…"
This thought left them with cold chills. The Jianlong Clan, the Beastmaster Citadel, and the Jian Clan… all of these monsters were willing to work for Li Qiye. Wasn't this a bit too frightening?
Why did these monsters that had been reclusive for generations come out for Li Qiye? Anyone who came up with the real reason would be scared out of their wits.
To the dismay of the world's inhabitants, three imperial lineages had been destroyed in just three short days. Countless great powers recalled their traveling disciples and closed their sects.
Many great ancestors told their disciples: "Everyone who meets Li Qiye must back down. Offenders shall be expelled from the sect. If you offend Li Qiye, then cut off your head and beg for forgiveness, do not involve the sect!"
These great powers were scared of out their minds since they were nothing compared to imperial lineages like the ravine!
Thus, in order to steer clear of Li Qiye's conquest of this generation, these great powers chose to close their doors and recall their disciples. They didn't want to bring about a catastrophe upon themselves!
Chapter 908: Mei Aonan's Chance
The destruction of three imperial lineages in a few short days left the Stone Medicine World in a state of silence. The name Li Qiye became a spell that echoed across the entire sky. It rendered many great powers breathless.
After destroying the sea sect, ancestors from the Jianlong Clan, the Beastmaster Citadel, and the Jian Clan came to meet Li Qiye. At the same time, they also brought the complete secret treasury from the sea sect as well.
Li Qiye only gave it a quick glance before speaking: "Punishment for sinners and rewards for contributors. Destroying the sea sect is a great merit, thus your three houses may share this secret treasury."
"Thank you for your reward, Your Excellency." The ancestors bowed and didn't dare to say anything else. The ancestors from the Jianlong Clan and the citadel all knew Li Qiye's identity at this point. The ancestors from the Jian Clan were catching on as well.
None of the three lineages dared to slight Li Qiye, the legendary tyrant of the ages. They all understood that even if the Dark Crow Li Qiye didn't do anything, his Brave Tiger Legion alone could sweep through the nine worlds!
"Your Excellency, my Jianlong Clan is ready to obey. Where your decree points is where our war banners shall head. Would Your Excellency be willing to accept our service?" An ancestor with a frightening origin from the Jianlong Clan quickly asked after seeing Li Qiye's good mood.
Li Qiye smiled and said: "Tu Xuan, after so many years, you finally stopped being foolish and have a clear mind again."
This ancestor couldn't help but wryly smile after hearing this: "Your Excellency is right. In the past, we youths were arrogant and wanted to provoke Your Excellency's prestige, resulting in the great offense."
This ancestor was a scary figure. He had an unbelievably high position in the Jianlong Clan and was an existence that had been sealed for many years. He could be considered invincible to the rest of the world, yet he was acting very carefully in front of Li Qiye.
Today, all the people here had been unstoppable during their respective generations; they were the most powerful ancestors from the three imperial lineages. Today, the secret that is Li Qiye remained unspoken. They naturally didn't want to reveal this to outsiders and kept it to themselves.
"I don't blame you for that." Li Qiye smiled and shook his head: "For tens of millions of years, countless people have challenged me. If I kept every single person in mind, I wouldn't have enough time to even sleep. The only reason I sealed your Jianlong Clan is because you shouldn't have participated in that ambush!"
"We know of our sin." Ancestor Tu quickly bowed again. Their clan was persuaded by the Divine Beast Realm back then and became involved in that great war.
The result was easily imagined. Empress Hong Tian massacred the battlefield while the Brave Tiger Legion trampled over the Divine Beast Realm. One Godking was massacred after another. That battlefield was a scene of carnage where rivers of blood turned into an ocean.
Eventually, these imperial lineages who allied themselves with the beast realm lost completely, resulting in the pleading of the Hundred-Life Alchemy Emperor. They were forgiven at that time, but all were sealed with a blood oath. None of them came out into the world afterward.
"Forget it." Li Qiye nodded: "Your Jianlong Clan in recent years has been sensible with your reclusion. I can forgive the Alchemy Kingdom and the Beastmaster Citadel, so why not your Jianlong Clan as well? Bring the blood oath here, I shall pardon your clan."
"We are grateful for Your Excellency's benevolence. Our Jianlong Clan will go to hell and back at your command!" Ancestor Tu quickly prostrated in exultation. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for their Jianlong Clan.
Eventually, Li Qiye waved his sleeve slightly and said: "All of you can leave now. Let Mei Aonan come see me."
Ancestor Tu was startled after hearing this and hastily responded: "Your Excellency, my child has no sense of propriety. I hope that you won't pay it any mind. I will take her back and re-educate her well."
"It's okay, Tu Xuan, I won't make things difficult for her. Let her come in." Li Qiye smiled and shook his head.
Ancestor Tu couldn't do anything else. He gently sighed and left with the other ancestors.
After a while, Mei Aonan came in. However, prior to her entrance, Ancestor Tu warned her time and time again to not do anything foolish, lest she involves the Jianlong Clan and becomes a sinner of the clan.
She only stood there after arriving. She opened her mouth several times but chose to stay quiet in the end.
She wanted to challenge Li Qiye in the past, but after witnessing Li Qiye's invincibility, she felt despair. Four Immortal Physiques and thirteen palaces; what was she going to use to fight against these things? Thus, she was at a loss for what to do right now. She couldn't act arrogant before Li Qiye since her confidence had been completely shaken.
"I know you want to challenge me." Li Qiye smiled: "I have also promised your master to give you a chance. But now, a fight between us won't be very fair. There is still a long path ahead of you. Wait until you are truly prepared in the future, it still wouldn't be too late to challenge me then."
"I understand." The once bullish Mei Aonan spoke without any confidence. She knew that she was not a match for him at the moment.
Li Qiye noticed her appearance and gently shook his head: "There's no need to be so down. Just accept the reality that all geniuses living in the same generation as me are doomed to this tragedy."
His words were very arrogant, but Mei Aonan didn't feel that he was being outrageous at all. She could only bitterly smile in response.
"I know your talents are incredible, but with regard to the dao heart, you are not a match for your big brother." Li Qiye continued: "Determination, ambition, and zeal are all good characteristics. However, you are not as accepting as your brother. It is fine to compete for the Heaven's Will, but there is no need to force yourself to do so. Follow your heart and the dao during your cultivation — this is something you require…"
"… If you push yourself into a dead end, then you will walk down a very narrow path in the future. Think of it this way, success is fine while failure is also acceptable. Just be true to your desires! If you treat the competition for the Heaven's Will as binding chains, then it will become your biggest obstacle as you vie for the peak. In the future, not to mention challenging me, I'm afraid you won't even be able to compete with your brother." Li Qiye sincerely commented. This made Mei Aonan quite surprised.
She looked at him in a strange manner after realizing that he was lending her a hand: "Why are you helping me?"
"A life of invincibility can be a bit lonely." Li Qiye chuckled in response: "If there won't be anyone who challenges me in this world, wouldn't it be too sad? Although you are not as brave as Jian Wushuang and not as brilliant as Jingxian, what you have is ambition. A heart that reaches for a future of greatness."
"Are you trying to recruit me?" Mei Aonan was not a fool, so she asked for further clarification.
"It can't be considered recruitment." Li Qiye said: "I spent a great deal of thought on Wushuang and Jingxian. To tell the truth, I'm tired of personally grooming people. If you are willing, I would rather let you do as you please and develop on your own! You can act as my nemesis or work under me. I just want to see how far you can go." He paused for a moment before continuing: "Also, I have seen your brother and I personally hold him in even higher regards. He has a clear and free dao heart. Unfortunately, he has no ambition and I'm sure he wouldn't be interested in fighting against the world and sweeping through the eight plains. However, you are different, you will be a great general! This has been proven by your praisable execution with the Imperial Edge."
Mei Aonan asked: "Why should I work for you?"
Li Qiye smiled and replied: "It's entirely up to you. I won't force you at all, I am simply giving you a chance."
"You have the Beastmaster Citadel, the Jian Clan, and even my Jianlong Clan — isn't this enough?" Mei Aonan stared at him. She was at a loss when it came to his intent and ambition!
For any genius, having these three behemoths under them should have been more than enough to make them proud and satisfied.
"That is a different matter. As long as they don't oppose me, I am more than happy to have as many generals as possible. Of course, I would also be happy to stomp down on those who want to oppose me." Li Qiye revealed a faint smile.
Mei Aonan slowly uttered: "Is that a threat?"
Li Qiye laughed in response: "If, say, I wanted to threaten you, then you wouldn't be standing here right now. I don't mind if you want to challenge and compete against me for the Heaven's Will, just remember one thing well — once you embark on the journey for the Heaven's Will against me, think well about your ultimate fate. If it is a gentlemen's battle, I'm sure the results won't be too bad. However, if you want to go all out regardless of the means, then I have to remind you, those who have chosen to do so against me all had very ugly ends."
Mei Aonan looked at him and began to contemplate. After a long while, she still carried a royal aura and slowly asked: "Killing, conquering, and recruiting others… have you never considered friendship in your life?"
"Friendship?" Li Qiye smiled: "Should I befriend someone like you? Do you understand me? Do you know of my thoughts? Can you shoulder the long and torturous years with me? … No! That is why I will befriend people, just not you."