The enemy, indeed, is the finest teacher.

Any strong cultivator capable of sustained, rapid progress possesses an uncanny ability to glean insights from their opponents. Jiang Wang, having sampled the knowledge of a hundred schools, was exceptional in this regard.

However, even with the guidance of renowned masters and a profound understanding of the underlying principles, mastering a signature technique, a killing blow, typically demands vast amounts of time and energy. It is not a matter of a single glance leading to enlightenment, or an immediate grasp of its application.

Unless, of course, one is Jiang Wang, already at the Divine Arrival realm, observing an opponent still lingering in the Soaring Dragon.

In the vast majority of encounters, pre-battle observation and study can only yield a few scattered insights. To truly internalize and make a technique one’s own is an arduous undertaking.

Consider, for instance, his observation of Zhang Xun’s “Sword Qi into Silk” and its subsequent transformation into his own “Frost Snow Bright.” Jiang Wang spent a considerable period of trial and error. Even in the initial stages, his method of refining sword silk differed entirely from Zhang Xun’s.

Yet, this single move, “Bitter Sea Turn Body”…

Though Jiang Wang witnessed it for the first time and executed it immediately, he grasped seven-tenths of its true essence. Having fully comprehended its secrets, replicating its form came naturally.

This, then, is the profound power of the “Knowing Ear Bell,” why it is revered as a supreme treasure of the Buddhist Sect. It is why the ancient and enigmatic Black Lotus Temple, from Bodhisattvas to their most direct disciples, fought and bled for it, and why Mount Sumeru advanced relentlessly for its sake!

In this pivotal moment, Jiang Wang’s frost cloak billowed, and he ascended, stepping on clouds with an indescribable air of effortless grace. And as he pivoted, it was as if he had torn free from that boundless, suffering ocean.

A cold light flashed.

It resembled the glimpse of “One Line Heaven,” seen from the Horizon Platform looking East, catching the message whispered by the tide!

At Jiang Wang’s current realm, many of his past moves held little efficacy. The sword techniques he employed in life-and-death combat were primarily a blend of “All Human Path Sword Style: Persona Sword,” the “Sword Immortal Person’s Integration of Five Mansions Under the Absolute Peak: Pour Mountain One Sword,” and his two Dao-expounding techniques, “True Self Path Sword.”

The first two represented the apex of his sword intent and sword momentum.

His mastery of sword moves, however, manifested in the integration of “Sword Qi into Silk” and “Lovesickness Killing Sword: Frost Snow Bright.” This style boasted the widest reach and the greatest complexity.

Among these, “‘Famous Scholar’s Decline, Life and Death Hook of Enmity'” was the most frequently used technique within his Human Path Sword Style. Later, after observing the Long Gorge and the celestial裂, he refined its essence and evolved it into “One Line Heaven.” Yet, it retained its unique, singular intent: concise and razor-sharp.

When it appeared, it was often a desperate bid to cleave the very head from the opponent’s shoulders.

But Lu Qi Lang was no easy foe.

“Bitter Sea Turn Body” was indeed marvelous, and “One Line Heaven” undeniably keen.

But even before the bell’s chime, he had already commenced his retreat.

He claimed inspiration was his king, but he did not solely rely on it. He placed greater trust in his own battlefield judgment. Inspiration, at times, was a divine intervention, at others, merely icing on the cake. Though he had evaded the “Knowing Ear Bell” several times, leaving him momentarily exposed, he would not become complacent before its next strike.

There was no shame in startling the bird and letting it escape; the true pity lay in failing to shoot it down.

As that single line, dividing heaven and earth like a surging tide, rushed forth, Lu Qi Lang’s body was already a thousand Zhang away. And the sword light, like a bolt of lightning piercing the long sky, exploded into a myriad of shimmering threads, showering Jiang Wang with a cascade of light. He was utterly unwilling to let Jiang Wang escape, but facing the “Knowing Ear Bell” and the successive displays of the potent “Three Flavors True Fire,” he harbored no illusions about his defenses.

The “One Line Sword Tide” met the shower of sword light.

Sword light clashed against sword light in every direction the eye could perceive.

Amidst the dazzling interplay of light and shadow, Jiang Wang’s image appeared clearly, like the central element of a painting, anchoring the now chaotic scroll. He was wreathed in crimson flames, sword light reflecting in his pupils, his green robes fluttering. He stood at the forefront of the tide.

Using the sword tide as his steed, he now leaped from it, charging recklessly into the heart of the sword rain, disregarding all defense. Countless sword lights carved wounds into his body, only for the surging vitality of the “Undying Spring” to instantly mend them.

While Lu Qi Lang, far away, continued to fight with his sword, pushing his techniques to their limits, his myriad dazzling skills segmenting the sword tide, his opponent here had completely abandoned sword momentum, even forsaking defense. Like an out-of-control enraged steed, he had already closed the distance.

Crude, perhaps!

Yet, perfectly suited.

Lu Qi Lang’s meticulously woven sword light formation, born of his extraordinary combat talent, was shattered in an instant. But he had to admit, Jiang Wang himself… was a sharp blade. Each time, he found the most opportune angle to cut into the battle, swiftly achieving his tactical objective.

He had already retreated a full thousand Zhang, and now Jiang Wang’s force was within a hundred Zhang! He was forced to unleash a wild horizontal sweep, detonating all the sword light before him. In mid-air, he “stepped on flowers and became a road,” retreating towards the divine mountain. This, of course, was the most logical direction in the present circumstances. Every step Jiang Wang took towards the divine mountain forced him to waste two steps in escape.

Suddenly, wind howled around him, a surge through the celestial sea.

His body was assailed by the “Eight Winds Dragon Tiger”!

Lu Qi Lang swiped his five fingers, and the energy around him howled like a white horse, carrying him beyond the constraint, leaping a hundred Zhang in a single bound.

Horn wood, dragon heart, moon fox… Just moments before, the “Seven Spirits” had manifested, suppressing vital energy and fixing the Five Elements.

But amidst the Seven Spirits, a dark fragrance stirred. That turbulent vital force suddenly became ethereal, and the void bloomed with a profusion of flowers. Lu Qi Lang “stepped on flowers and became a bridge,” crossing over in this manner.

A Supergrade Dao Technique, “Eight Winds Dragon Tiger”!

A Supergrade Demonic Technique, “White Horse Crossing the Gap”!

A Supergrade Dao Technique, “Azure Dragon’s Seven Transformations”!

A Supergrade Demonic Technique, “Seeking Fragrance in a Dream”!

This instant of shifting attack and defense was so swift the eye could not follow. Neither side gained an advantage, but Jiang Wang had already closed the distance. As he opened his mouth to unleash the thunderous roar, Lu Qi Lang already sealed his senses.

As the bronze bell in his hand threatened to chime, Lu Qi Lang “stepped on the Seven Stars,” again widening the distance.

A golden light suddenly burst from his pupils!

Pushing towards the celestial threshold with a rumble, suppressing the divine soul world!

But within Lu Qi Lang’s divine soul world, dandelions bloomed profusely, their white seeds filling the sky, all soaring upwards, actually temporarily blocking that ancient celestial gate.

The Six Desires Bodhisattva, for a time, was unable to push open the celestial gate.

What Lu Qi Lang sought was a moment, a chance for Jiang Wang to weigh the price, to recognize the difficulty and retreat.

Rumble, rumble!

Jiang Wang chose to force it open!

The stone gate of the celestial threshold crumbled entirely! A multi-colored Buddha palm, overflowing with flowing light, reached into the flying dandelion seeds. In its palm, a column of golden light directly bombarded Lu Qi Lang’s divine consciousness. Injuring himself first, then the enemy.

In the instant of lost consciousness, Lu Qi Lang suddenly experienced a burst of inspiration. Breaking through the fog, it seized control of his body. With a sudden, inverted arching movement, he evaded the decapitating blow.

But the rose blooming at his heart’s core was severed by a single sword! Blood flowed from his chest like a torrent!

Watching Lu Qi Lang, who had instantly fled another thousand Zhang, Jiang Wang merely flicked his long sword. The severed rose flew into the air, scattering in an instant, its petals drifting down like spilled wine.

“I walk onward; I rely on this to remember!”

He turned and left.

These words sounded as if he could have killed Lu Qi Lang but chose not to, intentionally only severing his demonic mark.

Not unwillingness, but inability.

In this brief skirmish, initiated by “Bitter Sea Turn Body,” he had completely relied on his abundant Qi and blood and divine soul, seizing the initiative through sheer, reckless consumption, not because his sword techniques surpassed Lu Qi Lang’s.

But war is the strong overpowering the weak, the many overwhelming the few. Combat is also thus.

Just as in his initial confrontation with Chong Xuan Zun at the Point General Platform, Chong Xuan Zun had similarly used “Star Wheel Break” to seize the initiative. Understanding how to maximize one’s advantages is the mark of a competent fighter.

Lu Qi Lang, wounded, retreated rapidly. He fiercely endured the searing pain and unleashed a wild horizontal sweep, severing the thunderous sound left behind by Jiang Wang.

He fully understood that the sentence was meant only to unsettle his mind. Jiang Wang had already escaped, yet hoped that the lingering thunder could still accomplish something, like thunder echoing through the long sky, his attack like a surging tide filled with conviction. A truly terrifying opponent.

He would not be influenced by this in the least, nor would he abandon himself to despair.

But those eight characters, he knew, would forever be etched in his memory.

The wound inflicted by the severed demonic mark, of course, was… an eternal pain.

Just at this moment, he suddenly shifted his body, his fine sword held horizontally. He saw the void shimmer and vanish, and Quan Ying Yang stepped out. “How are you?” Quan Ying Yang said, then cupped a jade light in his hand, reaching towards him, intending to heal his wounds.

Lu Qi Lang recoiled a step. “Don’t waste your power. He is no ordinary Divine Arrival!”

Quan Ying Yang noticed that Lu Qi Lang said “don’t waste your power,” not merely “don’t waste your time.”

What kind of terrifying combat prowess could make even the arrogant Lu Qi Lang speak in such a manner?

He had initially intended to say, “No matter how extraordinary a Divine Arrival, can they truly injure me?”

But looking at Lu Qi Lang’s resolute eyes, and remembering Sheep Yu, Rat Jialan, and Spider Lanruo, who had all fallen to Jiang Wang’s sword, he merely made a remote grab at Lu Qi Lang’s wound, grasping a wisp of sharp intent. He said, “Take care,” then vanished from his original position. The void rippled layer upon layer. Quan Ying Yang walked through the flowing light, fleeing far away, desperately concealing his presence… only to be instantly captured.

The Lu family’s young master is injured to this extent. One can only imagine the fury of that ancestor.

It is time to make the Human Race pay a corresponding price, to witness what true demonic might is!

What is true demonic might?

Before Jiang Wang, Xiong San Si had already witnessed it firsthand.

His answer was…

Merely so!

He speared the Seal God Platform, leading the Spider String in a head-on collision. Then he retracted his spear and withdrew, the golden sea receding.

One move, “Old Friend Returns,” followed the intent-spear path. Thus, it was unaffected by space, vital force, sword edge, or sword qi—all external influences. It directly imprinted heart upon heart, stabbing his own emotions into Spider String’s. Finally, it returned to the physical realm, directly destroying Spider String’s heart.

This can be described as grasping the truth of spear technique, transforming by heart, having already reached the master realm.

Although Spider String had already activated her divine ability, her original intention was not to regard Xiong San Si as an opponent of equal standing. She simply chose to suppress him forcefully when he speared the Seal God Platform.

Ignoring the warning signs, she desired both victory and the preservation of the Seal God Platform’s arrangement. This resulted in her divine consciousness being injured in that moment, affecting her heart.

Beneath the endlessly changing sky, she was struck, her head tilting, her hair disheveled. The link she had established with this side of the divine firmament world was easily torn!

But it was also because of this tilt of the head that Xiong San Si was unable to see the change. Spider String’s eyes, which manifested the sun and moon together in the sky, had black demonic patterns spreading from the corners. These patterns encroached inwards, covering her eyeballs, covering the sun and moon. Outwards, they concealed her five senses, crawling all over her face.

Xiong San Si, still unaware of the shifting situation, had already raised his spear and stepped forward, taking advantage of the pursuit. Gripping the flowing gold spear in both hands, he whirled it, intending to unleash a heroic cry to a true demon!

But that cry, long absent the beat of war drums, could not fulfill its purpose. For on Spider String’s face, an inverted hand appeared—Spider String’s hand.

With the back of the hand down, the spreading demonic patterns all concealed themselves. With the palm facing up, it grasped the spearhead!

The spear shaft vibrated slightly, emitting a continuous, tide-like tremor. Xiong San Si was actually stalled in mid-air!

At this moment, he saw blood with his spirit again. His body became a formation, unleashing infinite power, crushing down from above.

But Spider String’s hand simply held the spearhead calmly, unmoving.

Even with the might of mountains and rivers, it could not be moved a fraction.

And those pair of fine swords had actually been casually discarded by her, falling into the vast sea of clouds.

Xiong San Si could now see Spider String’s face. His brows furrowed in anger, his killing intent solidified into substance, instantly transporting his opponent to a battlefield of golden weapons and iron horses. Then, with his eyes as spears, his gaze as their edge, his momentum aimed to pierce her pupils!

But his “Entwined Edge Cast Soldier Eye Spear,” hurled into those double eyes, disappeared silently, without a ripple.

Spider String was, of course, an undeniable true demon expert.

Her “Seven Sins Spear” was severed by a single sword, and Quan Ying Yang’s needle-point against an awl was also easily cut off. Her control over “Voice Hearing Dao” reached the extreme. The anomaly of her “Sun and Moon Together Sky” with heavy pupils could arbitrarily reverse yin and yang.

However, these were not the terrifying aspects.

The terrifying part was that this stillness had not begun now!

Those were still her eyes, still the anomaly of the sun and moon together in the sky, still her face.

But everything was different.

Spider String calmly looked at Xiong San Si, calmly removed the hand covering her face, and of course, calmly moved away from the edge of Xiong San Si’s spear. With an unshakable strength, she said calmly: “Who do you think your opponent is now?”

The one dominating this body was clearly no longer Spider String!

Xiong San Si’s voice squeezed out from between his teeth, each word steeped in blood, each word heavy: “Tiger! Tai! Sui!”

Spider String slowly said: “You can also call me the Three Evil Calamity Monarch. Human, demon, magic – these are my three evils.”

Tiger Tai Sui, in control of this body, no longer concealed anything. At the time he captured Spider String in Mo Yun City, he had conveniently planted…

A spirit seed.

Originally intended as a piece for a later scheme, it happened to be useful at this very moment.

This explains why Quan Ying Yang and Spider String were summoned into the divine firmament world.

This explains why Tiger Tai Sui remained silent at that time.

Lu Xi Ming’s piece had fallen onto the chessboard, and Tiger Tai Sui was no different!

Heavily injured Spider Yi was no longer someone he placed in his eyes, and after his path above the absolute peak had fully penetrated, even more so. While Spider String was injured by Xiong San Si, he took the opportunity to trigger the spirit seed, implanting the demonic pattern. At the crucial moment when Spider String was fully resisting the enemy, with the might of a celestial demon, he seized control of this body in one fell swoop. The divine firmament world, of course, was outside the reach of evil from beyond the heavens, but his spirit seed was planted outside the heavens, his scheme lay outside the rules of this world. Hence, at this moment, he controlled Spider String, becoming the strongest in this world at this time.

He had already won the path above the absolute peak within the divine firmament world, already gained a full harvest, but he could win even more!

The path above the absolute peak was already visible, but how to ascend it, how to transcend as soon as possible?

He still needed to seek it here!

Xiong San Si, of course, was unwilling to surrender the struggle, even though he had despaired many times before.

His flowing gold spear was held tightly. Neither force nor principle could budge it a fraction. He then released the long spear, leaped high into the sky, stretching into a free “Big” character in the air, pouncing towards “Spider String” like a wild beast.

Blood flames surged high like wolf smoke, and soldier evil condensed behind him into the illusion of a thousand armies and ten thousand horses.

“I” is not a specific existence; “I” is a collection of concepts.

It is the Great Qi’s Sky-Covering General, the second disciple of the Town Country Great Marshal, the runner-up of the Yellow River Meeting, and also that person who suffered humiliation in the Thousand Tribulation Cave.

My teacher taught me, do not retreat.

My teacher taught me, this body serves the country.

My brother taught me, think more!

My younger brother taught me, return early!

Never forgetting “I,” only in this moment can I kill without self.

At this time, in this moment, an invisible boundary seemed to exist between heaven and earth, with Xiong San Si and “Spider String” occupying opposing sides.

The heaven and earth behind Xiong San Si were half red, half black. Red for blood flame, black for soldier evil.

He swept everything aside, with this stance of shaking heaven and earth and changing mountains and seas, pouncing towards this side of clear heaven and clear clouds.

But Tiger Tai Sui, manipulating Spider String, calmly looked at him.

Just this one look.

Xiong San Si’s left hand pressed down on his right, his left foot stepped on his right, his left eye glared at his right, even his upper front teeth collided heavily with his lower front teeth… His entire body completely twisted together, losing all control, falling powerlessly. This body is sculpted by the Three Evil Calamity Monarch, this body belongs to the Three Evil Calamity Monarch.

No need to speak of despair again.

Hope was never truly his to begin with.