"The Five Element realm. Truly no time for this drama," Zhi Xuan hissed inwardly. His bare-chested face radiated cold calmness. He had no choice but to confront him. Fleeing from a Five Element realm would only show weakness and invite other factions to hunt him down.

  WHIRL!

  Without hesitation, Zhi Xuan stretched out his right hand. The Ocean Breaker Thunder Sword immediately shot out from his storage pouch. Its jet-black blade made of Ancient Thunderwood emitted a deadly dark aura, a resonance that instantly absorbed the shock of the threatening thunderstorm. The half-damaged Heaven-Grade Sword, which was extremely lethal, whirred softly in his hand, radiating the Law of Thunder he had just comprehended.

  CLANG!

  Zhi Xuan channeled essence into the Ocean Breaker Thunder Sword blade, and a layer of dark black light immediately enveloped the sword. He did not try to parry the descending Thunderstorm. Parrying a Law of Nature was foolishness. But running from the storm was also incompetence. Zhi Xuan unsheathed the sword and manifested the First Heaven Thunder Slash, derived from the Heaven-Grade Third Heaven Thunder Slash technique.

  "Storm of a Thousand Thunders!"

  The First Heaven Thunder Slash, a Heaven-Grade technique, was launched by Zhi Xuan with the full power of his Black Jade essence. The jet-black sword blade sliced upward, not with bright light, but with dark strands of the Law of Thunder he had just comprehended. The Thunder, born from his purified devil essence, carried a deadly will, resonating with the destruction aura hidden within the Ancient Thunderwood.

  BOOM!

  The dark Thunder Slash collided directly with the Thunderstorm and Blazing Fire manifested by Sheng Ye. The collision did not produce a deafening explosion, but a cold implosion. The Law of Thunder manifested by Sheng Ye, which carried the weight of Nature, immediately trembled. Zhi Xuan's dark Thunder, supported by a Heaven-Grade Artifact and the foundation of his Perfect Five Divine Organs, managed to erode a portion of the Thunderstorm.

  However, the result was far from a victory. The Five Element essence was an abyss. Sheng Ye merely snorted. His cruelly scarred face showed a contemptuous sneer. “A good Heaven-Grade Artifact! But, you think an Artifact can negate a realm, mortal?”

  The remaining Thunderstorm vortex, only partially eroded, continued to rush toward Zhi Xuan, now carrying deadly and fiercer Blazing Fire. The storm emitted a pressure that made the surrounding air feel thick and difficult to penetrate, a pressure that physically compressed Zhi Xuan’s soul and body.

  The realm gap felt like the weight of a mountain crushing Zhi Xuan. His essence, though pure and strong, could only endure, not destroy. The blade of the Ocean Breaker Thunder Sword trembled violently in his hand, and his essence poured out at an alarming rate.

  WHUSH!

  The Thunderstorm struck Zhi Xuan with brutal force. He did not have time to dodge. The Thunder and Blazing Fire swept his bare-chested body, tearing his skin and muscle. His physical body, which had been forged by the Perfect Five Divine Organs and the Thunder Heavenly Tribulation, successfully endured the direct attack, but a piercing pain radiated throughout his body, forcing him to let out a low growl.

  He staggered backward, the Ocean Breaker Thunder Sword plunged into the primordial stone of the tower to prevent himself from being thrown down. His breath stopped, and thick black blood—purified spiritual blood—flowed from his lips, staining the torn robe flowing on the floor.

  “See, mortal!” Sheng Ye mocked, his voice filled with the arrogance of the realm. “This is the chasm between Consciousness Transformation and Five Element! Even your Heaven-Grade Artifact can’t save you!”

  Sheng Ye gave him no time to breathe. He raised both hands upward. This time, he did not summon a Thunderstorm, but he manifested the Mountain Rhino School's Law of Defense. The essence aura around him solidified, and a manifestation of a Giant Horned Rhino made of earth and stone appeared behind him, radiating a terrifying and impenetrable defensive aura.

  “Die, under the will of the Mountain Rhino!”

  Sheng Ye shot a palm strike downward. The attack was not fast, but it carried infinite geological weight. The palm strike carried the Law of Earth, a pressure aimed at crushing Zhi Xuan into powder. This attack was not just physical; it was the annihilation of Law, a pressure targeting Zhi Xuan's Essence and Dao.

  “Damn it!” Zhi Xuan hissed, blood flowing from the burns on his body. He knew he could not counter the Law of Earth with a direct attack. He had to use speed. Zhi Xuan pulled the Thunder Sword back into his body. Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw, the red rings in his sapphire pupils pulsed wildly. He had no choice. "Seven Stars Boat!"

  WHIRL! WHIRL!

  The Ocean Breaker Thunder Sword, which he had just unsheathed, was retracted back into his jade ring. In a fraction of a second, the Seven Stars Boat shot out from his waist, enlarging with a speed that split the Dead Mist. He leaped onto the Seven Stars Boat, channeling all his remaining essence into it, hoping the artifact's speed could save him.

  BOOM!

  Sheng Ye’s palm strike, carrying infinite geological weight, hit the spot where Zhi Xuan had stood. The ancient stone tower peak trembled violently, massive cracks spread from the point of impact, and primordial stone dust exploded into the air. However, Zhi Xuan was no longer there.

  "Fleeing?" Sheng Ye snorted contemptuously. His cruelly scarred face showed a sly smirk. "You think you can flee from a Five Element cultivator, mortal?"

  The Seven Stars Boat shot like a mad arrow penetrating the Dead Mist, leaving a trail of dark purple light. Sheng Ye, who was in the Five Element realm, could not match the absolute speed of the Seven Stars Boat—a Heaven-Grade Artifact supported by the essence of the Star Burial Forest Pine.

  He sped away, leaving Sheng Ye standing on the tower peak, his face filled with burning rage. "Bastard! You think you can escape, mortal?!"

  Zhi Xuan ignored his shouts. He did not care about the mockery. His primary goal was to leave. He channeled his divine sense into the boat, manipulating the internal formation to gain maximum speed. He did not try to return to the initial path, but instead diverted his direction, attempting to pierce the other side of the Primordial Ancient Tomb. However, he forgot. The Primordial Ancient Tomb was no ordinary place.

  WHIRL! WHIRL! WHIRL!

  Just as the Seven Stars Boat split the mist between two ancient buildings, a terrifying pressure suddenly emerged from all sides. The pressure did not come from other cultivators, but from the Ancient Supreme Law itself. The Will of the Ancient Beings, guarding the boundaries of the Ancient City, did not allow anyone to leave without passing through the center.

  The Seven Stars Boat trembled violently, its speed slowing drastically as if hitting an invisible wall. The essence of the Star Burial Forest Pine supporting the boat churned, and Zhi Xuan felt a piercing danger to the depths of his soul.

  "Damn it! I forgot the Law of this cursed place!" Zhi Xuan hissed, his face pale. He channeled more essence into the boat, trying to push it past the invisible pressure. However, the pressure was like a cosmic mountain, rejecting all attempts. Behind him, Sheng Ye caught up with steps in the air.

  Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw; his face pale from essence loss and the burns covering his body now radiated a chilling resolve. He had etched his Dao by rejecting the Law, but this time, it was the Primordial Law that held him back.

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  “Interesting,” Sheng Ye hissed, his voice audible from the distance, filled with cruel triumph. He hovered with steady steps in the air, the Giant Horned Rhino made of earth and stone still faintly radiating a defensive aura behind him. "You thought you could escape from a territory claimed by the Ancient Will? You must return, mortal, and surrender your head!"

  Zhi Xuan ignored the mockery. He allowed the Seven Stars Boat to hover, focusing his divine sense into the boat. He knew he would not be able to pierce the pressure wall without help. He had to fight, but fighting a Five Element realm amidst the Primordial Ancient Tomb was suicide. He closed his eyes. The pain from the burns and essence exhaustion immediately subsided, replaced by a cold calm. He had no time to search for a perfect solution.

  “You want my Artifact, Mountain Rhino Lord?” Zhi Xuan hissed, his voice cold and piercing. He spun the Seven Stars Boat with a sharp movement, aiming its nose back toward the center of the Ancient Tomb. "Then, come and take it yourself!"

  The Seven Stars Boat slid back, now moving at a more controlled speed, but still splitting the Dead Mist with a deadly aura. Sheng Ye was startled by this sudden movement. He thought Zhi Xuan would continue struggling against the Ancient Supreme Law.

  "Idiot!" Sheng Ye mocked, but a sly smile immediately adorned his face. He quickly accelerated his pace, thinking Zhi Xuan had surrendered. The pleasure of gaining his prey and a high-grade artifact was irresistible. "Come here, little brat."

  Amidst the Dead Mist, the Seven Stars Boat turned, splitting the air with a sudden, controlled maneuver. Zhi Xuan stood tall at the bow of the boat, his body smeared with spiritual blood and burns now radiating an aura of cold serenity. In his eyes, Sheng Ye of the Mountain Rhino School no longer looked like a threatening enemy, but a perfect lure.

  Amidst the shock, Zhi Xuan suddenly turned and headed toward Sheng Ye. With an arrogant wave of his hand, he manifested the Divine Furnace that contained Xiao Die’s cocoon. He channeled essence and made the Furnace enlarge; in a matter of breaths, Zhi Xuan swung the Divine Furnace like a mountain crashing into a human.

  Zhi Xuan swung the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron like a cosmic hammer, not with martial arts, but with the power of pure will. The ancient bronze cauldron, which suddenly enlarged, carried the hidden weight of the Four Seasons Law and radiated an aura more ancient than the Flying Artifact.

  Sheng Ye, surprised by this insane frontal attack, did not have time to manifest a Thunderstorm or Blazing Fire again. The instinct of a Five Element cultivator specializing in defense immediately took over. The aura of the Giant Horned Rhino behind him solidified, and two layers of shields made of earth and stone appeared before him, radiating the thick and impenetrable Law of Earth.

  DING! DING! DING!

  The Divine Furnace struck Sheng Ye’s defensive shields with a deadly shock that resonated throughout the Dead Mist. The first shield—made of primordial stone—immediately cracked and exploded into dust. The second shield, made of denser earth, trembled violently, and the Horned Rhino manifestation behind Sheng Ye let out a muffled spiritual roar.

  BOOM!

  The Furnace swung its final power. The second shield shattered into pieces, and the spiritual weight of the Heaven-Grade Artifact supported by the Four Seasons Law hit Sheng Ye directly. The man let out a low scream, his voice filled with shock and pain. His body staggered in the air, thrown back several tens of zhang, his defensive essence layer completely shattered.

  Blood spurted from Sheng Ye's mouth, staining his dull gray robe. His cruelly scarred face now radiated disbelief and anger. He did not fall. His Five Element foundation, which was solid and thick, managed to withstand the direct impact of the Divine Furnace.

  However, the price was high. At the bow of the Seven Stars Boat, Zhi Xuan also staggered. The weight of the forcibly enlarged Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron and the shock of the collision bounced back into his soul. He had channeled too much internal essence to swing the Furnace, and more importantly, he had to focus most of his essence to withstand the internal shock, protecting Xiao Die’s cocoon residing inside the Furnace.

  Zhi Xuan coughed up thick black blood—spiritual blood—that gushed out. His knees weakened, and he had to grip the bow of the boat tightly. His heart hammered brutally in his chest, and every organ in his Perfect Five Divine Organs felt like it was hit by a hammer. He had won the brute-force fight in one strike, but he had also almost torn his own foundation.

  “Heaven-Grade Artifact... Impossible!” Sheng Ye shouted, his voice filled with burning anger. He suppressed his pain, his eyes red with rage focused on the Divine Furnace in Zhi Xuan's hand. He realized that this youth possessed an Artifact that surpassed his comprehension. The Artifact was not only deadly but also carried a very ancient will.

  WHUSH! WHIRL!

  The Divine Furnace flew back into Zhi Xuan's body, and with Sheng Ye caught off guard. He immediately channeled his essence towards the Seven Stars Boat and sped away from there. His long black hair fluttered gently; his body felt cold from being without his robe for too long.

  Sheng Ye, the Five Element cultivator, staggered, stabilizing his steps in the air. His face was pale and full of anger. The spiritual injury from the Divine Furnace’s shock was far worse than his physical wounds. He did not expect this Consciousness Transformation youth to possess such an ancient and deadly Artifact.

  “How dare you!” Sheng Ye roared, his voice filled with killing intent that split the Dead Mist. The manifestation of the Giant Horned Rhino behind him rumbled, radiating a fierce Law of Earth aura. He immediately channeled essence, and although his movement was not as fast as the Seven Stars Boat, he sped into the air in pursuit.

  However, the Seven Stars Boat was a Heaven-Grade Flying Artifact supported by the essence of the Star Burial Forest Pine; its focus was absolute speed. Zhi Xuan, although his essence was drained and his body tattered, forced the boat to shoot like a dark falling star. He did not care about Sheng Ye’s shouts; he only wanted to pierce the pressure of the Ancient Supreme Law at the boundary of the Primordial Ancient Tomb as quickly as possible.

  At the bow of the boat, Zhi Xuan leaned weakly. He touched his injured chest and felt tremendous internal shock. The burns from Sheng Ye’s Thunderstorm were only superficial, but the back shock from forcing the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron to withstand the weight of another Heaven-Grade Artifact was the most lethal. He had to protect Xiao Die’s cocoon residing inside.

  He channeled his divine sense into the Sea of Consciousness, ensuring the Divine Furnace sheltering Xiao Die remained stable beneath the Devil Tree of Life. His pure and strong essence, which had been washed by Qingyin Xuelian, now began to flow slowly, initiating emergency healing.

  He glanced backward. Sheng Ye was a small dot struggling amidst the Dead Mist. Although Sheng Ye was a Five Element realm, he could not match the absolute speed of the Seven Stars Boat slicing through space. Zhi Xuan let out a long, cold sigh; calmness crept back into his soul.

  "Just a low-level Five Element Bastard," he muttered, his voice hoarse but filled with annoyance. "You should have stayed in your defensive cave, Mountain Rhino."

  A moment later, the Seven Stars Boat pierced the boundary of the Primordial Ancient Tomb. The pressure of the Ancient Supreme Law vanished as if it had never existed, and the boat shot into the open air, splitting the night sky above the Eastern Lands. Zhi Xuan did not stop. He steered the boat straight west, toward the way back—towards the Thousand Heavens Sect.

  WHUMP! WHUMP! BOOM!

  A gigantic stomp from behind struck the Seven Stars Boat; the stomp was so powerful that it made the Boat shake and briefly lose control. Zhi Xuan felt himself fall forward and stagger; he raised his hand and kept steering the Boat to leave amidst the impact.

  Zhi Xuan gripped the bow of the Seven Stars Boat with his remaining strength; a piercing pain radiated from his back to his arms. The gigantic stomp that hit the boat was not physical, but a spiritual manifestation of the Law of Earth mastered by Sheng Ye, a desperate attack launched from the boundary of the Primordial Ancient Tomb.

  He turned back, toward the Dead Mist, which was now far below. There, at the boundary of the Ancient Tomb, Sheng Ye’s silhouette looked like an enraged statue, his aura radiating a thick and fierce Law of Earth. That last attack, though unleashed from a distance, carried pure killing intent.

  "That Mountain Rhino Bastard is truly persistent," Zhi Xuan hissed, spiritual blood once again dripping from the corner of his chapped lips. He ignored the pain. His focus returned to the only thing that mattered: escaping.

  The Seven Stars Boat shot like a dark meteor across the night sky of the Eastern Lands. The flying artifact, supported by the essence of the Star Burial Forest Pine, was a manifestation of absolute speed. However, Zhi Xuan soon realized something terrible. Sheng Ye had not stopped.

  Dozens of li behind him, a devastating earth tremor accompanied the arrival of a hovering figure. Sheng Ye had used the full power of his Five Element realm, manifesting a spiritual Giant Horned Rhino beneath his feet. Although the Rhino did not possess the pure speed of the Seven Stars Boat, it pierced the air with deadly brute force, relying on the foundation of the Law of Earth to ignore air friction and drag.

  "THOUSAND HEAVENS SECT DISCIPLE! YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE THE WILL OF THE MOUNTAIN RHINO SCHOOL!" Sheng Ye's roar, amplified by his Five Element essence, sounded like towering thunder, chasing Zhi Xuan for hundreds of li.

  Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw. He channeled his remaining essence into the boat, forcing it to accelerate faster. However, his tattered body, spiritual blood loss, and the internal shock from the Divine Furnace limited his channeling ability.

  BUM! BUM! BUM!

  Every few moments, the manifestation of the Horned Rhino's foot would strike the air behind the Seven Stars Boat. The air shock, although no longer direct, sent powerful shockwaves, rocking the Boat and worsening Zhi Xuan’s internal injuries.

  "He's insane," Zhi Xuan hissed. No Five Element cultivator should channel essence this quickly and persistently just for petty revenge. "He is risking his foundation to chase me."

  Zhi Xuan immediately realized that Sheng Ye did not only want his Artifact, but also his soul—retaliation for the humiliation he received from the Heaven-Grade Artifact.