Chapter 467

Chapter 467: Zhong Huali’s Astonishing Move

Zhong Huali stepped forward, determined to charge into the Divine Thunder killing formation.

A glimmer of excitement flashed through Ye Yun’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Zhong Huali’s resolve. Previously at Absolute Heart Peak, Ye Yun had only perceived the man as scheming with an Exceptional Cultivation Level, never imagining such daring courage.

Though Zhong Huali’s cultivation level seemed at the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment stage, he had suppressed his true strength for years. He could instantly release his restrictions to reach the Golden Core stage.

What baffled Ye Yun was Zhong Huali’s refusal to unlock his full power before confronting the Purple Mansion Thunder in the core area. What sheer confidence drove this man?

Murmurs rippled through the crowd:

"Who’s this unfamiliar youth?"

"Pinnacle Foundation Establishment? My eyes must deceive me!"

"How can his fragile soul endure the thunder pressure here? Thunder Avoidance Talismans block lightning, not pressure!"

"Perhaps he possesses pressure-resistant treasures. But this is Purple Mansion Thunder! Common lightning defenses won’t work!"

"Let this Foundation Establishment novice die. Our priority is reaching the treasure area before the four ahead claim everything."

"Treasure hunting here was never easy. Why else would Thunder Falls Valley draw thousands over millennia?"

Dozens of cultivators watched as Zhong Huali advanced, ignoring their chatter. His face hardened with resolve as he entered the killing formation.

The spatial passage lay mere two hundred zhang ahead – an easy leap for any Foundation Establishment cultivator under normal circumstances. Yet under the Purple Mansion Thunder’s crushing pressure, each step became a monumental effort.

BOOM!

On his third step, a thumb-thin bolt struck down. Though slender, this Purple Mansion Thunder could obliterate any cultivator below the sixth level of the Golden Core stage – let alone a Foundation Establishment practitioner.

Ye Yun watched intently. Without glancing upward, Zhong Huali flicked his wrist. A jade tablet materialized above him, radiating cold cyan light.

CRACK!

The divine thunder shattered the tablet into smoke, striking ground half a foot behind Zhong Huali. He’d used the momentary blockage to lurch half-step sideways.

"He dodged it! Used the treasure’s destruction to shift position!"

"Could this method work? With enough artifacts…"

"Half-step per treasure? He’d need hundreds to reach the passage!"

"Fool! Observe the thunder’s rhythm. After each strike comes a brief pause. He advanced two steps despite the pressure. With sufficient treasures…"

"True! Our higher cultivation means we could advance five steps per opening. This changes everything!"

“You all wanted something good, but did you check the quality of that jade tablet? Its green light was utterly pure. Though lacking immortal spirit energy, it’s already a supreme treasure among high-grade mysterious weapons. Do any of you possess such items?”

“Even if you had such treasures, could you spare dozens or hundreds? Would you truly waste so many valuables just to enter the treasure area and chase uncertain rewards with unknown dangers?”

The excited cultivators froze mid-celebration. Such treasures? They didn’t even own ten, let alone hundreds. Despite being Golden Core stage experts, high-grade mysterious weapons weren’t common possessions, and Immortal artifacts were rarer still.

Ye Yun overheard these discussions. Indeed, high-grade mysterious weapons remained precious. Squandering dozens would be unwise.

The Purple Mansion Thunder’s might had been seen – even the exceptional jade tablet only resisted it momentarily. Lesser treasures would fail instantly. Only those like Ying Wujun and Su Xingyun, unleashing Immortal artifacts like the nearly-destroyed Glazed Umbrella, could pass quickly.

All eyes snapped back to Zhong Huali. During their debates, he’d already tossed up a fourth object – a mirror materializing above him amid flickering light.

The Purple Mansion Thunder struck. The mirror held briefly before exploding into dust. As metallic clangs echoed from thunder striking stone, Zhong Huali dodged again, now a full foot closer.

Gasps spread through the crowd. Zhong Huali had sacrificed four extraordinary spiritual weapons. The first three, similar to the jade tablet, bought half-foot advances. This mirror granted over a foot – clearly superior.

“Where’s this brat from? Wasting such fine weapons!”

“Reckless fool!”

“With so many weapons, might he have Immortal artifacts?”

“Unlikely. He’d have used them already.”

“But one Immortal artifact outweighs a hundred spiritual weapons!”

Their speculation continued until Zhong Huali stepped forward again. Thunder materialized instantly.

Calm as still water, Zhong Huali timed his throw perfectly. Another extraordinary spiritual weapon flew from his hand.

BOOM!

The mystical weapon shattered. He advanced another step, this weapon clearly surpassing the jade tablet’s quality.

The crowd watched numbly as Zhong Huali trudged onward, burning through dozens of treasures without flinching. Only steely resolve showed on his face.

Golden Core cultivators exchanged stunned looks. What manner of monster carried so many top-tier weapons? If they owned such wealth, why risk Thunder Falls Valley?

Ye Yun’s mind reeled. Zhong Huali’s background? His resources? He treated extraordinary spiritual weapons like trash, discarding dozens without hesitation.

Under countless disbelieving stares, Zhong Huali pressed forward. After sacrificing over a hundred treasures, he stood three feet from the spatial passage. One final thunder strike barred his path.

Every eye tracked him. This last Divine Thunder dwarfed its predecessors – ten times mightier. Could any weapon withstand it?

The thunder coalesced – a blazing pillar crashing down without mercy.

Zhong Huali finally looked up, face taut but eyes blazing.

Sudden radiance enveloped him. Distant roars echoed – dragon’s cry, tiger’s snarl. A battle spear materialized, wreathed in seven-colored brilliance, and shot upward to meet the thunderous column.

Spear clashed with divine lightning!