Chapter 81: The Decisive Victory! (3)

Before devouring, he sliced, reducing the giant whales to fragments. Yet these creatures, forged from immense nether power, were not beings of flesh; no blood was spilled. Seeing the whales powerless, Jiang Feng unleashed the force of the Rivers and Mountains Bottle within his chest, swallowing the sprawling whale phantoms and the tides’ might, absorbing them completely.

At the same time, Fang Ping wielded his Sea Dragon Shield to withstand Jiang Feng’s Celestial Xuantian Palm. His resistance lasted only a moment before his spirit weakened; his sea of consciousness felt hollow, for Jiang Feng had absorbed every bit of the whale tide’s nether power, causing him a tremendous loss.

His tidal whales were born of years immersed in surging tides, drawing upon the essence and seeds of the whales’ vitality. Only after arduous cultivation did he achieve a measure of success, able to unleash the overwhelming force of the whales. Now, all of that had been absorbed by Jiang Feng. The blow dealt him immense spiritual harm, as if his heart had been stabbed.

Only now did he understand Jiang Feng’s terrifying power. Despite having only just entered the Void Nether Realm, Jiang Feng could strike swiftly and decisively, and he possessed the patience for protracted attrition. In a prolonged battle, each attack was devoured; not only would Fang Ping fail to win, he would continually empower his opponent—the outcome was inevitable defeat.

Jiang Feng, meanwhile, would always stand invincible.

The vast nether power Fang Ping acquired through the Dragon Sky Pill was consumed by nearly a third in a single exchange. It was as if he had tasted a peerless delicacy, only to discover a large green fly hidden within—how could he not feel disgust and rage?

Jiang Feng could kill with thunderous force, or employ a grinding, attritional approach, whittling away his opponent’s nether power like a cat toying with a mouse, releasing and recapturing, peeling away layer after layer.

Infinite Devouring was a nether art reserved for those with profound cultivation. It could consume any foreign energy or immortal aura, transforming it into one’s own nether power. Without a vast foundation of nether power, its practitioners would suffer severe backlash.

Were it not for Jiang Feng’s Rivers and Mountains Bottle—an immense spatial vessel—he could never have mastered Infinite Devouring.

Against Jiang Feng, who wielded Infinite Devouring, even a heap of Dragon Sky Pills would not guarantee Fang Ping victory.

“How peculiar is this youth’s nether art—it seems to devour Fang Ping’s nether aura directly. Truly strange and incomprehensible,” Xuan Xingzi observed, his brows furrowed.

“It must be some sinister technique learned elsewhere. Our Jiuyan Town has no such nether art,” Fang Chuhan replied with a gentle smile. “But Fang Ping’s nether power is deep; I doubt Jiang Feng could ever fully consume it.”

“Alas, if this continues, his next tribulation will be even more dreadful!” Jiang Yuehai sighed. Strangely, he did not contradict Fang Chuhan. This tacit agreement hinted that Fang Chuhan spoke truly—Jiang Feng’s nether art was indeed sinister.

It was understandable. None among them were nether kings; none had witnessed the majesty of a nether king. Arts like Infinite Devouring were for nether kings alone. Naturally, their first encounter with such power seemed evil and unnerving.

He had used this very nether art on the Nine-Curved Chain Blade at the outset, had he not?” Xuan Xingzi’s eyes flickered with concern. “Old Jiang, should Jiang Feng return to the Jiang family, I hope you will guide him well, so he may leave the path of darkness. While this devouring nether art aids him greatly now, in the long run, when he faces his next tribulation, it will surely invoke calamity. Whether he will be so fortunate then, none of us can say.”

Jiang Yuehai nodded silently. Xuan Xingzi spoke wisely. Much of Jiang Feng’s nether power had been absorbed from the Nine-Curved Chain Blade and other nether weapons, impairing his insight and risking disaster during tribulation.

“Fang Ping, you’ve already lost. If you continue, aren’t you worried I’ll drain all your nether power? Just concede—I have no interest in killing you.”

As the patriarchs conversed, Jiang Feng circled Fang Ping relentlessly, his body a streak of motion. Occasionally, he struck, each palm imbued with the force of the tidal whales Fang Ping had unleashed, as if to warn him: should Fang Ping resist, Jiang Feng would employ Infinite Devouring again and drain him dry. He was treating the self-assured assassin who ranked hundredth on the Ghost List like a pig for slaughter, slicing off piece after piece.

Fang Ping held out for more than ten breaths, fighting back with all his might, but to no avail. Jiang Feng seemed to have perfected his devouring art in a single thought. Fang Ping realized he was utterly suppressed, yet refused to concede. He gathered his nether power into a single mass, focusing his mind, sketching a Taiji diagram.

This was not a nether art, but an act of self-hypnosis, to drive away his fear and regain calm.

“Jiang Feng, I admit you are formidable. Even after taking the Dragon Sky Pill, I haven’t gained an advantage over you. But you should know—I am one for a killing blow. If I cannot kill my opponent, it means my own death. That is my nature; it cannot be changed, so I will never surrender. But I advise you: killing me is not as easy as you imagine.” Fang Ping’s lips moved, voicing this string of words. Yet his next statement contradicted his assassin’s identity: “Now my nether power is so thick, if you try to devour it, you won’t be able to digest it immediately. Continuing this duel is pointless—we risk mutual destruction. I suggest we each take a step back, declare a draw, and end this peacefully. What do you say?”

Jiang Feng was taken aback, then burst into laughter as if hearing the most absurd jest. He exhaled forcefully, clouds swirling as torrents of nether power poured forth, forming devouring force that circled Fang Ping, drawing yet more nether power from him.

“Fang Ping, I’ve made it clear—if you concede now, I won’t kill you. But to talk of sharing the reward? You’re dreaming! No wonder you settled in the Fang family, ha!”

Another wave of spiritual exhaustion washed over Fang Ping; he was nearly unable to withstand such torment. Helpless, he felt endless humiliation—by his ability, gaining an advantage over Jiang Feng would not be difficult, yet at the last moment, he chose compromise, even a hint of pleading for peace. These lapses loosened his control over his nether power, allowing Jiang Feng to seize it easily.

Jiang Feng’s words jolted Fang Ping awake. He glared fiercely at Jiang Feng, a new resolve forming. Though much nether power had been absorbed, it still surpassed what he had at the start of the sixth stage of the Void Nether Realm. With this thought, he prepared to unleash his specialty: Instant Kill!

“Boy, be careful—the trapped beast is about to show its fangs!” Jue warned.

Jiang Feng sneered, replying to Jue, “Hmph, I’ve been waiting for this moment. I believe that within Pine Pavilion, Fang Yichen is surely watching me. Why not use the Forest of Myriad Phenomena now and slap Fang Yichen hard? I already bear plenty of infamy—one more accusation of stealing nether arts means nothing to me!”

This contest astonished everyone present, even experts like Xuan Xingzi and Jiang Yuehai.

The most spectacular moment was when Jiang Feng, after being shattered, reconstituted himself, revealing his immortality and shocking all.

Now Fang Ping, like Jiang Feng before him, was in grave peril. Would he mount a stirring counterattack? All eyes watched, awaiting his move.

He did not disappoint. As Jiang Feng continued to circle him, Fang Ping’s figure suddenly vanished!

Instant disappearance!

“He’s finally about to unleash his signature art—instant kill! How magnificent!” Among the spectators, many were awed by Fang Ping’s swift, ruthless blade; seeing him display his peerless speed again, they cried out in delight.

“Hmph, Fang Ping, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for!”

Jiang Feng stared at the empty space before him, his muscles trembling with excitement, his nether power surging within. With a roar, the sealed nether art within the Rivers and Mountains Bottle erupted like madness.

“Ah!”

With a scream, the Forget-Me Dagger appeared out of nowhere. In that instant, the blade—whose edge had tasted countless lives and drank endless blood—shattered, scattering into countless fragments.

Within those shards, a cold light flickered. Keen observers could see reflections of kingdoms, rivers, sea moons, maple forests, even hell itself—the myriad phenomena of the world, all contained within. A single glance would ensnare one’s soul.

A thousand images, the Forest of Myriad Phenomena!

“This… this is mine…” Fang Yichen had waited for this moment, coldly amused within, yet feigning shock outwardly. He stammered, “Forest of Myriad Phenomena!”

But no one paid him any mind—everyone was transfixed by this nether art!

Within those fragments, countless worlds unfurled and flowed onward.