Chapter 518

Chapter 518: The Hand of the Great Wilderness

The Burning Divine Platform, with the spatial gate behind it?

Ye Yun froze, disbelief flooding his mind. If the secret of the Divine Grace Palace mentioned by the Ancestor of the Sword Path truly lay within the Burning Divine Platform, their chances of entering the Saint’s Secret Vault had undoubtedly grown.

"True. I sense the power within—the unique energy of the Immortal Sword Sect, carrying traces of Earth Immortal realm saints. If you get the chance, investigate it. The Burning Divine Platform wasn’t built by Divine Grace Palace but taken from elsewhere. Though I can’t confirm it was forged by the Immortal Sword Sect’s saint, there’s a connection," the Ancestor of the Sword Path continued.

Ye Yun replied inwardly, *Then I must explore the Burning Divine Platform thoroughly. But it’s controlled by the Divine Grace Palace Master. Getting close will be difficult. Still, my elder brother mentioned Master’s plans to enter the Saint’s Secret Vault. I wonder if they’ll use the platform or another path.*

The Ancestor of the Sword Path said firmly, "They haven’t discovered the platform’s secret. Otherwise, they wouldn’t use it for mere challenges. There must be another way."

Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of hope rising. If they could seize the platform, they might break the seal and enter the Immortal Sword Sect’s vault through the spatial passage. The rewards would be unimaginable.

The Burning Divine Platform was shrouded in a translucent barrier, warping the air slightly. Yet the two figures inside remained visible, standing less than a zhang apart.

Ling Xudu glared viciously at Shu Anshi. "Shu Anshi, we’ve no feud. Blame Tian Yunzi for your death today. You won’t die unjustly."

Shu Anshi met his gaze, a faint smile on his lips. "Elder Ling, why the nervous chatter? My challenge was only to open the Spiritual Pond. Simple. But since you chose a life-and-death duel, let fate decide. Focus and fight."

Ling Xudu laughed. "Focus? Fight? Do you think a peak Golden Core can rival a Nascent Soul Ancestor? Today, I’ll show you the power of the Fourth Level of the Nascent Soul stage!"

Shu Anshi remained calm. "Then strike. I’ve waited long enough."

Ling Xudu’s eyes gleamed with mockery. To him, the gap between Golden Core and Nascent Soul—especially peak Golden Core versus Fourth Level Nascent Soul—was insurmountable.

"Since you challenged me, attack first. Let me see what makes Tian Yunzi’s prized disciple so bold."

Shu Anshi fell silent. Suddenly, an indescribable aura surged around him, transforming his presence.

Before, he’d seemed an ordinary disciple with quiet dignity. Now, he radiated the authority of a sect founder, every movement commanding respect.

The aura kept rising.

Through the barrier, Ye Yun and the others stared in shock. Shu Anshi’s pressure eclipsed even early Nascent Soul Ancestors. This was his true soul power—terrifyingly potent.

Awe gripped the crowd. Every elite disciple present—future Nascent Soul candidates—felt the crushing weight of Shu Anshi’s aura. It surpassed Golden Core entirely, matching mid-Nascent Soul levels.

What did this mean?

Though at peak Golden Core, Shu Anshi’s soul power rivaled mid-Nascent Soul stage. If he achieved "pill has broken and they’re reborn," entering Nascent Soul, his soul might reach unimaginable heights.

Legends spoke of an era ten thousand years ago, before the Battle of Immortals and Demons, when spiritual energy was abundant. Even beasts could cultivate true qi into monstrous power. Human prodigies focused solely on realm cultivation, their soul power reaching Nascent Soul pinnacle before their strength matched Golden Core. Once their souls broke into the Earth Immortal realm, their cultivation soared like a raging flood.

Now, with the Three Realms severed and spiritual energy dwindling, Shu Anshi’s feat defied belief. If he reached Nascent Soul, his growth would be meteoric.

The Divine Grace Palace higher-ups on the platform gaped in shock—all except Tian Yunzi and the Divine Grace Palace Master, who sat undisturbed, as if expecting this.

On the platform, Ling Xudu’s face darkened. Shu Anshi’s soul power nearly matched his own. Had Ling not abandoned hopes of reaching the Fifth Level of the Nascent Soul stage to hone his soul, this pressure might have terrified him.

"Tian Yunzi… your disciple is truly peerless."

Ling Xudu took a deep breath, all traces of disdain vanishing from his eyes. He could no longer afford underestimation. A chilling realization struck him—Shu Anshi’s monstrous talent defied comprehension. What horrors might such a genius unleash?

“Elder Ling, this technique is called The Hand of the Great Wilderness. I obtained it three years ago in the desolate western desert. After years of study, I’ve mastered it somewhat. Its power is… adequate.”

Shu Anshi lifted his right hand casually, his voice gentle yet brimming with unshakable confidence. It was as though no obstacle could withstand this palm strike—all would crumble to dust.

*The Hand of the Great Wilderness!*

Ling Xudu’s brows twitched. He’d never heard of such a technique. But its origin in that accursed desert demanded caution.

Ten thousand miles west of the Great Qin Empire stretched the endless desolate western desert. For millennia, countless had entered, few returned. Survival there depended not on cultivation strength, but wisdom. Even a Nascent Soul expert might perish without wit.

Three years ago, Shu Anshi had been a mere early Golden Core cultivator. Yet he’d ventured into that hellscape, emerging not just alive but with this technique. Such luck, such talent—this palm’s power would be catastrophic.

Ling Xudu inhaled sharply. Flickers of light and shadow enveloped him as a low-grade defensive Immortal artifact activated. Invisible energy waves warped the space around him.

“A copied space distortion? Futile.”

Shu Anshi stepped forward. His right hand trembled—a colossal hand materialized midair. Yellow sand erupted from nothingness, swirling into a raging storm beneath the palm’s descent.

Heaven-shaking might! Sun-obscuring sands!

The Hand of the Great Wilderness descended like divine wrath. Sand choked the skies, darkness swallowing the arena.

BOOM!

The palm smashed into the copied space-distorting artifact. Air exploded like shattered glass. Violent energy waves radiated outward—only the Burning Divine Platform’s hidden shields prevented the Divine Grace Palace’s destruction. Lesser disciples would’ve been obliterated.

A single palm strike—such devastation!

The attack vanished as swiftly as it came. On the platform, Ling Xudu stood pale-faced, his artifact reduced to glittering fragments. Wind whipped his disheveled hair, yet his eyes burned not with fear, but venomous excitement. A rasping chuckle escaped him.

“So this is the desert’s gift? Impressive. Without that copied artifact, I might’ve fallen. But such power… you’ve only one strike left, yes?” Malice dripped from his words, murderous intent sharp as blades.

Shu Anshi remained still, hands clasped behind his back. “If one fails, another will suffice.” His soft tone carried boundless authority.

The spectators below the Burning Divine Platform gaped. Some had predicted Shu Anshi’s victory—but not this overwhelming dominance. That strike exceeded Golden Core limits entirely. Any Golden Core disciple hit would’ve faced instant death and disappearance of the spirit.

Even the Nascent Soul Ancestors paled. The Hand’s power surpassed Third Level Nascent Soul strength—a direct hit meant grave injury or death. No wonder Shu Anshi dared challenge a Fourth Level Nascent Soul opponent.

Yet Ling Xudu’s reaction puzzled them. His copied artifact’s destruction mattered little—what stunned them was his lack of fear. Instead, his fighting spirit blazed hotter despite the humiliation.

All knew Ling Xudu’s capabilities. Surviving that strike was miraculous enough—why this eager bloodlust?

The crowd buzzed with confusion.