Chapter 227

Chapter 227: I Am Proud, Therefore I Am

Whether it harmed his mental and physical health, Zhang Yang did not know. However, the beautiful spring scenery from back then had left a lasting impression on him, embedding itself like deep roots in his heart. More than once, he found himself frowning, questioning whether he was truly lustful or if this would become an Inner Demon on his path of cultivation.

Cultivation was not as simple as it appeared. Upon reaching the Small Boundless Realm, one had to confront the heart of martial arts. This could easily bring back forgotten emotions and unresolved conflicts, turning them into obstacles that could ultimately manifest as Inner Demons, leading to failure at the final hurdle.

Yet, expressing this openly to Qiu Yinong was more painful than death for her. Filled with pride, she let out a long roar and launched herself at Zhang Yang like a fierce tigress.

Her speed was astonishing. Instantly, her power erupted. The terrifying Holy Might, Holy Intention, and Holy Aura surged simultaneously, resembling a wrathful, murderous saint. The sheer terror of her presence caused cracks to form in the void, and the Small Boundless experts before Zhang Yang were nearly paralyzed with fear.

Though they were also at the Eighth Level of Ascending to Heaven, before Qiu Yinong, they felt like mere ants.

"Holy Body!"

Zhang Yang’s eyes shone brilliantly. Originally lacking the will to fight, he suddenly found himself ignited with an overwhelming desire for battle. This was absolutely worth fighting for.

Yaoruoxian’s Saints’ Laws! Qiu Yinong’s Holy Body!

Both were tied to the path of a saint, and to some extent, the Holy Body might even surpass them. While Saints’ Laws were merely an elevation of martial arts techniques, the Holy Body was a physical transformation that, once attained, was considered half the path to sainthood.

Moreover, Qiu Yinong’s cultivation level was four small realms higher than Zhang Yang’s, making this battle all the more worthwhile.

"Haha! Holy Body! Good! Let’s fight!"

Zhang Yang laughed exuberantly, decisively summoning his fully developed Diamond Dragon Holy Power.

Buzz!

A vast, terrifying Holy Might radiated brilliantly, spreading outward in a twenty-meter radius.

At this moment, he was far beyond the initial stage of merely sensing holy power—he had surpassed even the small accomplishment stage. His Holy Might, Holy Intention, and Holy Light were now genuine manifestations of the path of a saint.

Boom!

Zhang Yang’s Holy Might clashed fiercely with Qiu Yinong’s.

Pity the group of Small Boundless experts trapped between them at the Eighth Level of Ascending to Heaven.

Witnessing the clash of Holy Might, they were utterly terrified. The shrewd ones immediately fled to the sides, desperate to escape the impending catastrophe.

However, Zhang Yang and Qiu Yinong were simply too fast.

Boom!

The oppressive force from their colliding Holy Might surged through the void. Those caught in the chaos, attempting to flee, were instantly obliterated—reduced to nothing but a mist of blood.

They were like ants, utterly defenseless. Only a few boundless artifacts and immeasurable divine treasures survived, yet even they remained frozen in the void under the crushing pressure.

Zhang Yang and Qiu Yinong locked eyes, ignoring everything else as they charged at each other.

They moved swiftly, but when their Holy Might clashed, it became a contest of pure power.

It resembled two golden semicircles colliding in midair—such was the terrifying might of their confrontation.

Boom!

As the collisions continued, subtle changes began to appear.

The Holy Might emanating from Qiu Yinong’s Holy Body developed fine cracks across the semicircular light barrier above.

A cold expression crossed Qiu Yinong’s stunning face—shock and disbelief flickering in her eyes.

In truth, Qiu Yinong had not known that Zhang Yang had cultivated Holy Power, let alone that it had reached such a pure and saintly level—perhaps even surpassing her own.

Her pride would never allow her to bow her head, especially not to the man she viewed as her lifelong humiliation.

She would uphold her pride throughout her life; even in death, she would die proudly.

To her, pride meant never permitting humiliation.

So she drew her sword.

The Golden Autumn Divine Sword radiated with an unparalleled brilliance.

This sword had accompanied her throughout her life. It had transformed after she achieved the Immortal Body through her third transformation, now fully advancing toward becoming a true Holy Sword—though it still needed time to complete the process.

Whoosh!

The Golden Autumn Divine Sword sliced through the air with effortless precision.

She was as beautiful as a celestial being.

Her sword gleamed like the waters of autumn.

Her Holy Might surged forth.

This strike was not merely an attack—it was a work of art, breathtaking like a painting.

As her sword moved, it felt like an autumn swallow soaring proudly across the vast sky.

Autumn Swallow Slash!

The fierce sword light melded with golden Holy Might, forming radiant holy light that charged forward with overwhelming dominance.

Zhang Yang, however, exuded an even more commanding presence.

With his hands behind his back, he stepped forward as if merely strolling through a courtyard.

Buzz!

The semicircle formed from intertwining golden Holy Light, Holy Might, and Holy Intention grew sharper, fiercer—like countless blades and swords slicing through the air.

Bang!

The Autumn Swallow Slash, carrying the force of the Holy Body and Holy Might, struck fiercely. Yet, it still failed to shake Zhang Yang’s Holy Might, even as the cracks in Qiu Yinong’s Holy Might rapidly expanded under the pressure.

In that moment, Qiu Yinong felt an overwhelming force pressing down on her.

She had already unleashed her Killer Move, yet she still found herself at a disadvantage.

What kind of Holy Might was this?

What kind of Holy Power?

Qiu Yinong was stunned, but her pride would not allow her to feel fear or hesitation. Instead, her sword struck out like lightning once more.

Autumn Wind Slash!

Autumn Rain Slash!

Golden winds and golden rains intertwined with her sword path, merging with the power of her Holy Body as they pressed forward with unstoppable force.

This tactic was new to her—just as it was to Zhang Yang.

Yet, while Qiu Yinong accelerated fiercely into her attacks, Zhang Yang continued to move forward at a leisurely pace.

Crack!

At last, as their Holy Might clashed, the combined force of Qiu Yinong’s Holy Body and three strikes managed to balance against Zhang Yang’s Holy Might. But the equilibrium was brief.

Boom!

The explosion sent golden shards of light scattering across the sky, like a cosmic eruption.

Qiu Yinong raised her sword once more and slashed downward with ferocity.

Zhang Yang remained composed, his hands still behind his back. From within him, a thunderous dragon’s roar resonated.

It was as if a Vajra Holy Dragon had awakened.

His Holy Might surged once again—more solid, more unshakable—as it slammed forward.

Bang!

Qiu Yinong’s sword strike landed upon his reformed Holy Might.

The impact sent ripples through the Holy Might, echoing deep dragon roars across the battlefield.

Yet, Qiu Yinong let out a muffled groan as she was knocked backward. The holy light surrounding her exploded, cushioning her fall before she landed, her Golden Autumn Divine Sword embedded in the ground.

Her hair flew wildly as she looked up at Zhang Yang, her entire being radiating boundless holy light. She roared,

"With the power of heaven, I will kill you!"

A pillar of holy light shot into the sky, merging with a mysterious force drifting through the void.

Boom!

A golden cauldron, emanating dazzling Holy Light, materialized in midair.

Bang!

The golden cauldron unleashed its Holy Might. Like a divine relic descending from the heavens, it cracked the void beneath it as it crashed down toward Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang raised a single hand.

His palm transformed into the form of a Golden Vajra Holy Dragon.

Bang!

With just one hand, he held back the terrifying golden cauldron. Sneering, he spoke:

"You have reached Great Boundless, advanced to the Holy Body, yet you still don’t understand? Martial artists rely on themselves to become invincible, to attain sainthood, to press forward on the path of a saint! Borrowing the power of heaven? Such a laughable martial arts technique! Have you lost your way? How did your Small Boundless even comprehend the heart of martial arts to challenge me?"

Before his words faded, he suddenly exerted force.

Crack!

The golden cauldron shattered.

Golden light flooded the sky. Holy Might surged like a tidal wave, as if the void itself were about to be torn apart, creating massive fissures.

Qiu Yinong, proud and unyielding, did not grow angry at his words. Instead, an unusual expression surfaced on her face.

Slowly, she stood up.

Her deep, ocean-like eyes radiated with holy light as if something profound was awakening within her.

Walking toward Zhang Yang, her sword trembled lightly as she murmured,

"You are right. I was born in the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land, raised there. I am inherently a child of the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land. Life and death are the same, yet this belief has affected my heart. I subconsciously believed that, no matter what, I possessed the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land, and with it, I could stand proudly before saints. But in truth… it was simply my confidence in the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land."

She looked at Zhang Yang, her eyes clear and resolute.

"Your words cut through my confusion like a sword. I understand now."

"My pride does not come from the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land."

"My pride comes from myself. It is my sword that upholds it."

"Everything else is an illusion."

"I am who I am. I am just me. Whether it be the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land, the Southern Region, or even the vast world—even the immortal path itself—my sword shall shatter all illusions."

"My heart must be eternally invincible to uphold my pride."

"I am proud, therefore I exist!"

"I understand now."

At that instant, the holy light, Holy Might, and Holy Intention surrounding her suddenly condensed. Something profound was occurring within her.

Zhang Yang narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, enunciating each word:

"You have grasped the Saints’ Laws!"

Qiu Yinong’s deep, ocean-like eyes suddenly burst with holy light.

She let out a chilling laugh and declared,

"You helped me comprehend this. To thank you… I will bury you!"