“Jiang Wang of Qi, an outer border building cultivator, issues a challenge to Tai Yin of Xia, an outer border building cultivator!”

Jiang Wang, astride a swirling cloud of emerald qi, roared with righteous fury, his voice echoing across the desolate landscape.

Tai Yin, enveloped in a protective shroud of wind, fled with all the desperation of a cornered beast.

“Yellow-haired whelp! Gutless cur! Why do you not dare face me in single combat?” Jiang Wang’s voice thundered, shaking the very air, yet Tai Yin offered only sullen silence, his sole reply the frantic movement of his legs.

Should any witness this scene, the disparity in strength between the two would be instantly clear, and Tai Yin’s face would surely be wiped clean of all dignity.

“Afraid, are you? Your Tai clan ancestors are watching!”

“Show some backbone! Turn around and fight me to the death!”

“A coward in battle, are we?”

“I’m recording this with a shadow stone, you know!”

Truly a remarkable spectacle! Lord Jiang, alone with his sword, his tongue sharper than any blade, chasing Xia’s Tai Yin like a panicked wolf or a scattering pig through the Mountain Sea Realm, forcing him to shy away from any engagement. He cut quite the figure of a lone hero, riding a thousand *li* on a single sword.

Yet, in his heart, he had to admit that a nation’s Heaven’s Chosen, even one in full flight, possessed some remarkable skills. He prided himself on his advanced verbal sparring, having absorbed at least six or seven parts of Xu Xianggan and Chong Xuan Sheng’s scolding prowess, yet his opponent remained utterly unfazed, his objective a clear and singular “run.” Not only were his verbal assaults proving useless, but his movement techniques consistently fell just short. No matter how he pressed, he saw only the retreating back of his foe.

If he could have easily overtaken him, he wouldn’t need to rack his brain for words…

Lord Jiang was well-versed in the art of the pursuit. In his Tongtian Realm days, he had relied on sheer endurance to exhaust the Snake Bone Mask cultivator. Not long ago, he had chased the masked fiend into the Star Moon Abyss battlefield. If not for the looming, deadly threat behind them, a ten-thousand-*li* chase with Tai Yin through the Mountain Sea Realm wouldn’t have been out of the question.

Alas, there were no “ifs.”

He couldn’t catch Tai Yin, but that calamitous battle beast, a true king amongst its kind, was closing in on *him* with terrifying speed!

Clusters of emerald cloud symbols shimmered into existence, only to shatter moments later. His five mansions pulsed with power as Jiang Wang leaped high into the air. His body, like a setting sun, cast a fierce, explosive radiance, swiftly closing the distance. He unleashed a move, the “Old General in Decline,” a sword strike that crashed down upon Tai Yin’s back.

Tai Yin, though his mind was singularly focused on escape, deaf to Jiang Wang’s provocations, could not entirely ignore his movements. He had endured so much mockery, run so far, how could he possibly be willing to be buried alongside this upstart?

Still hurtling forward, without turning back, his right hand made a sudden, awkward twitch, as if wrestling with some unseen force. Immediately, the fire element exploded, the water element raged, the thunder element fell silent, and the wind element collapsed. The very environment surrounding Jiang Wang’s body instantly warped and crumbled. The air, the Yuan Force, the innate elements of the natural world – all turned against him, all became his enemy. It was as if countless invisible hands were pulling and binding him, a divine ability: *Negative Distress*!

Like a fish pulled from water, a bird caught in a net, or a wild beast trapped, he lost all freedom.

Jiang Wang, his hand clenched around his sword, leaped high, his sword intent originally tragic, his momentum like a rainbow poised to pierce the fabric of space, ready to slay his enemy with a single strike. But in that instant, his entire being was significantly delayed. His body felt as if trapped in mud, every inch a struggle. His sword felt heavier than ten thousand *jun*, almost slipping from his grasp. In this distressed environment, moving forward itself was a mistake. Doing anything was a mistake. He wasn’t just pursuing Tai Yin; he seemed to be at war with this very corner of heaven and earth!

In that brief moment of delay, the calamitous battle king beast had already caught up, lunging towards Jiang Wang’s neck with a savage bite!

It bit only air.

In that single instant, Jiang Wang manifested his Heaven Mansion body. Though unable to completely shatter the muddy environment created by *Negative Distress*, he still managed to forcibly maneuver within the “mud,” precisely dodging the king beast’s attack. As he rolled awkwardly, his right hand nonetheless pressed outwards, targeting Tai Yin from afar.

On the other side, Tai Yin had unhesitatingly deployed his *Negative Distress* ability to delay Jiang Wang, intending to continue his desperate flight. Suddenly, within his body, the Tongtian Sea surged with shocking waves! A divine dragon leaped from the surface, seemingly poised to crash into his five mansions sea at any moment. And outside his body, winds converged from eight directions! Various forms of micro-winds, seemingly born of nothing, entwined every part of his body, rendering him immobile.

This was the Dragon Tiger technique, a super-grade Dao technique inherited from the ancient Yang Imperial Family! Even Tai Yin, caught off guard by this technique, froze for a moment in mid-air.

This brief pause caused him to lose complete control of the environment. The *Negative Distress* ability could no longer focus solely on Jiang Wang, and the chaotic environment inevitably surged towards the calamitous battle king beast behind Jiang Wang.

Compared to the king beast experiencing *Negative Distress* for the first time, Jiang Wang had seen this very divine ability firsthand at Guanhe Terrace long ago. At that time, he had naturally put himself in the situation, imagining how he would respond if he were the one on the field.

In that mud-like environment, he twisted his body and delivered a kick, precisely striking the king beast on the forehead, using the force to propel himself outwards! This single move simultaneously repelled the king beast, closed the distance with Tai Yin, and accelerated his escape from the influence of the *Negative Distress*-affected environment. Truly, one move yielded three gains.

In this brief exchange, both Jiang Wang and Tai Yin had almost simultaneously chosen to delay the other. Yet, that shadowy mass of calamitous battle beasts continued their relentless pursuit. Tai Yin’s *Negative Distress* ability had a limited range. Within that range, the battle beasts naturally found it difficult to advance. But outside that range, they were completely unhindered, surging forward like a black tide. It was like a massive, gaping maw. The king beast and the portion of the battle beasts trapped in the chaotic environment were at the bottom of this “maw.” As the two sides relentlessly pushed the battle beasts, this maw continued to expand.

At this moment, Jiang Wang was rushing outwards within this “maw,” while Tai Yin was frozen at its edge. Time and space felt distorted. The forward-charging Jiang Wang and Tai Yin both seemed to be receding further within this maw the more they ran.

At this critical juncture, the power belonging to the Star Light Holy Building descended. Although the sky still offered no view of star light, their traces concealed by a special rule, the power from the distant star dome was nonetheless unhindered in its descent. Four colors — red, blue, green, and yellow — merged and surged around Tai Yin’s body, scattering the eight winds brought forth by the Dragon Tiger technique in the shortest possible time.

This was the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength, a secret art passed down within Xia’s Tai clan! Within the Tongtian Sea, invisible to outsiders, the surging Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength also transformed into a winged tiger, pouncing forward to suppress the enraged dragon boiling within the sea. The Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength disintegrated everything belonging to earth, wind, water, and fire; anything it met was shattered.

Once gathered, he was free in an instant. The now-free Tai Yin did not continue his escape. Instead, he turned and unleashed a single punch. Red, blue, green, and yellow light swirled and mixed on his fist, seeking to shatter this side of heaven and earth! Naturally, he also sought to shatter Jiang Wang’s forehead. At the very least, he intended to directly smash Jiang Wang back into the waiting fangs of the calamitous battle king beast!

To think, Tai Yin, who had actively collapsed his White Tiger Holy Building at Guanhe Terrace to confront Chong Xuan Zun, had endured a thousand hardships after the Yellow River Meeting just to rebuild it, allowing his four buildings to be complete once more. He had even glimpsed the opportunity for divine ascension. He had only paused his pursuit for that single step to be walked more smoothly. How could this punch fail to strike down Jiang Wang?

This turning punch was like a scorpion swinging its tail, a warrior launching a spear from horseback – abrupt, violent, and stunning! His timing was nothing short of perfect.

You, Jiang Wang, incessantly seek battle? Then come and receive this punch of mine! At this moment, Tai Yin’s eyes blazed with divine light, his momentum as fierce as an enraged tiger.

And all he saw was that figure shooting towards him, surrounded by flowing fire, his frost cloak billowing. His eyes held immortal red-gold, his chest and abdomen before his five mansions all gleaming.

The Sword Immortal had reappeared! His body was like a long rainbow, his sword the striking end of that rainbow. Just like that, a single sword directly collided…

A sword that tilted mountains descended. A rainbow hung across the long sky. It was as if that scene at Guanhe Terrace had replayed itself, as if the Heaven Mansion had been seen again!

*Puchi.*

The intense pain jolted him from his instant trance. Tai Yin’s fist had already been pierced clean through! The Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength could not block the divine light of the Heaven Mansion’s five abilities. The sword edge continued to advance, and Jiang Wang continued to advance.

His left hand twitched again, as if in a desperate situation, wrestling with fate. The divine ability *Negative Distress* reappeared! Once again, it created an environment specifically designed to suppress Jiang Wang. His right hand, however, pulled back directly, tearing his own fist away from the sword blade with a sound that could curdle the teeth – the grinding of sword steel against finger bone. The pain seemed to have nothing to do with him. He simply followed his own decision, bringing his blood-dripping right hand with him as he turned and rapidly fled. He had completely abandoned the thought of close-quarters combat.

In the environment influenced by the *Negative Distress* divine ability, the Yuan Force environment was extremely chaotic, making it difficult to cast Dao techniques based on Yuan Force. Fortunately, Jiang Wang was already beginning to familiarize himself with this state. This wasn’t his first time battling the environment. He lifted his hand from afar and pressed down, immediately summoning the Five Senses Hell, which fell upon Tai Yin’s body ahead. It rendered him unable to see with his eyes, hear with his ears, smell with his nose, taste with his tongue, or feel with his body!

Tai Yin, with his full spiritual guard and the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength flowing throughout his body, had already broken through the Five Senses Hell in the shortest possible time, regaining his five senses. But similarly, in that instant, he lost control of the chaotic environment. The out-of-control environment instantly surged towards the calamitous battle king beast.

Although this was not Tai Yin’s original intention, he had indeed helped Jiang Wang several times in succession, significantly delaying the king beast on multiple occasions.

Alas, this time, the king beast was unwilling to be toyed with any longer. A furious roar erupted, like mad thunder shaking the sky, actually suppressing the chaotic environment on the spot, forcing the disordered Yuan Force to return. Black fur bristled, a special luster flowing between the strands, and the effect of the *Negative Distress* divine ability was completely expelled.

The calamitous battle king beast was free once more, and Jiang Wang was also free. But he felt no sense of relaxation whatsoever. Instead, a strong sense of alarm arose within him – the king beast seemed utterly fed up with this game of chase. Its roar this time was clearly more impatient, more violent. He could only hope Tai Yin understood a little and gave the king beast a truly unforgettable memory!

Jiang Wang suddenly accelerated forward, flying only a few *zhang*, before suddenly sinking and falling. With this abrupt turn, the black-furred, gleaming king beast lunged straight through empty air! The king beast’s sharp teeth were momentarily pushed back, but that chilling sensation still seemed to tremble on the very tips of the hairs on his neck.

Having just fallen, he turned in mid-air once more, suddenly rising and lunging straight towards Tai Yin. Having finally sighted his opponent, who was also his enemy, how could Lord Jiang be willing to let him go? He latched onto Tai Yin, refusing to let go, dragging the king beast along, suddenly up, suddenly down, always in urgent pursuit. Like a blue bird, he flew through the Mountain Sea Realm. The execution of his flat-step green cloud immortal technique could be called wondrous to the extreme. Even in the heyday of the Nine Great Immortal Palaces, no disciple could so lavishly occupy an entire green cloud pavilion, ceaselessly utilizing the auspicious green clouds.

Cloud smoke, floating mountains, cold reefs, emerald seas… The Mountain Sea Realm was undoubtedly beautiful. Suddenly intruding upon this place, shattering its peace, were those fleeing for their lives. Upon the beautiful scroll of the mountains and seas, a black tide surged, two small black dots flying ahead, seemingly on the verge of being submerged at any moment, yet always narrowly escaping. If one were to cast a fleeting glance, passing through this sea area, they might see Lord Jiang’s heroic posture as he led the calamitous battle beast group sweeping across the Mountain Sea Realm. Alas, this chase itself was both difficult and undignified.

Tai Yin flew in the lead, Jiang Wang following closely behind. Both employed various means, trying every trick to hinder the other, but ultimately, neither was willing to fall into the encirclement of the calamitous battle beast group and engage in a desperate, full-force battle. They could only continue this rapid flight.

Although there had been several rounds of exchange, not much time had passed. Jiang Wang, his ears listening to six directions, his eyes observing eight, suddenly glimpsed Xiang Bei standing alone on the water’s surface. This fellow’s extraordinarily tall and mighty figure, his body shrouded in swirling thief-ghost qi, and that exaggerated Cover World Halberd, seized the attention wherever they were. He truly possessed the bearing of a fierce general.

This was a familiar face! Having exchanged blows several times, they understood each other’s capabilities. If he couldn’t catch Tai Yin, surely he could catch you?

“Run quickly!” Tai Yin’s voice exploded first. At this moment, there was still some distance to Xiang Bei.

Jiang Wang, feeling the urgency, roared in fury, “Surname Xiang! Dare you face me in battle!?” He shouted, his blood boiling, his battle intent soaring to the heavens.

But Xiang Bei, contrary to his wishes, fled with extreme decisiveness, without even a backward glance.

“Does Gentleman Xiang forget his bold words from the other day, huh?”

“Where is the courage of a man of the Xiang clan now!?”

Jiang Wang cried out in a high voice, his heart aching, “Your words still echo in my ears, how can you bear to leave!”

Xiang Bei suddenly turned back, his body shrouded in ghost qi, the halberd’s edge flowing with green light, the corners of his eyes almost tearing. “Surname Jiang! You bully me too much! Today I must kill you!”

“What are you arguing with a dead man for!” Tai Yin, rushing towards him, couldn’t help but angrily scold, “If you turn back and engage him, you are the number one fool under heaven! You’ve wasted all your military knowledge!”

Xiang Bei was clearly jolted awake by the scolding. He unleashed a halberd strike from afar, the halberd light roaring over ten *li*, aiming for Jiang Wang, yet he turned his body and fled once more.

Jiang Wang raged, “Young ones of Xia! Do you only have the ability of a glib tongue? If you have guts, don’t run!”

“Today I face two opponents! Do you have the guts to turn back and fight, or not?”

As he angrily rebuked them, he twisted his body and unleashed a single sword strike, cleaving the incoming halberd light. With great wisdom, he opened up a small gap and crossed through it. The calamitous battle king beast behind him either avoided or countered the halberd light; in any case, it was not something it could simply endure.

No matter what Tai Yin and Xiang Bei thought, as long as they exchanged blows, Jiang Wang had ways to make them inadvertently help him. And with their increasing understanding, the ways they could “help” would only grow.

“Don’t run! Two gutless rats!”

“How about I let you have one hand?”

“Let two? That’s fine too!”

“Qi’s Heaven’s Chosen dominates the present world, hands behind his back chasing his enemies! Chu’s Heaven’s Chosen is truly mediocre! Xia’s Heaven’s Chosen is merely thus!”

Xiang Bei’s face was flushed red from Lord Jiang’s incessant chatter. He gritted his teeth and continued to run. Tai Yin, however, was almost used to it, even too lazy to respond. And so, the chase continued, one side pursuing, the other fleeing.

Suddenly, the heavens and earth changed color! The sky actually split into two colors, half black, half white. The black was deep and profound, devoid of light. The white was despairing and powerless.

No, not just the sky.

The sea beneath their feet was the same, its emerald color already faded. An invisible boundary divided the sea into two colors, black and white. Black and white cast themselves upon this world, upon everything within this world, dividing even color itself… With the most cruel method, it was all laid bare before them.

Forward was this way, backward was this way, left and right were all this way!