Step by Step Ascend to Immortality

Chapter 39: Chapter 40 Shield Talisman

For twenty years, Ma Qianjun had faced countless battles, but he had only encountered a tough and tenacious opponent like Liu Suiyun a few times. As he adjusted his disordered breath, he sneered, "Miss Gu, do you not know that she has just endured a lightning trial?"

Although Ma Qianjun was eager to enter the ranks of the cultivation families and was willing to go to great lengths to achieve it, his knowledge of the cultivation world was limited. Even the term "lightning trial" was something he had only heard from Gu Yinghua.

This revelation only sparked Liu Suiyun's determination further. "Master Ma, that makes it even more imperative that I survive! As long as I'm alive, Miss Gu has hope!"

He reaffirmed his vow, "I will use everything I have to keep Miss Gu safe!"

"Fine!" Ma Qianjun snapped angrily. "Let me, an old man, show you what the Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand truly is!"

Unbeknownst to him, while he was boasting, Liu Suiyun was undergoing a dramatic transformation. Despite being battered and nearly incapacitated from numerous clashes with Ma Qianjun, Liu Suiyun seized a moment of respite. The warmth on his forehead quickly transformed into a torrent of energy flowing through every meridian, bone, and pore in his body. What began as a warm current soon felt like the comforting rays of spring sunlight, reminiscent of Gu Yinghua's warmth and smoothness. Suddenly, Liu Suiyun felt rejuvenated, his injuries healing at an astonishing rate.

The healing was accompanied by excruciating pain, which would soon be replaced by the same soothing warmth, allowing Liu Suiyun to endure multiple rounds of life-or-death battles. Despite the external wounds, his internal injuries were mending rapidly.

More reassuringly, after the spring-like warmth had suffused his body, the Extreme Yuan Radiance Thunder Refinement Divine Record cultivation technique began to operate at an incredible speed, accelerating beyond its usual pace by more than ten times. The blood and soul energy he had absorbed during the battle ignited within him.

The essence blood condensed from the Mystical Water Lord's blood, now transforming rapidly into vibrant life energy, gave Liu Suiyun a boost, healing about sixty to seventy percent of his injuries despite his current state.

This miraculous recovery was thanks to Gu Yinghua's mysterious assistance. Although he didn't know the source of her power, the fact that she had summoned a thunderstorm with a single finger was proof of its extraordinary nature. Ma Qianjun was preparing for another attack, and Liu Suiyun was eager to end the battle and return to Gu Yinghua.

Even though Gu Yinghua had said it was nothing to worry about, Liu Suiyun had never been so concerned about her well-being before.

The Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand!

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As Ma Qianjun launched another attack, his moves were now less forceful and more elusive. Liu Suiyun could even detect the faint scent of the Mystical Water Lord on him.

Boom!

Liu Suiyun struck out, intercepting Ma Qianjun's attack with a forceful punch. However, his strike felt strangely ineffective, as if hitting a cotton pad. Ma Qianjun's attack slipped past Liu Suiyun's punch and aimed at his abdomen.

Despite the peril, Liu Suiyun remained calm. He swiftly kicked with his left leg, aiming to intercept the attack. The Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand's speed was unmatched, but Liu Suiyun managed to strike the attack with his leg, though it still felt like hitting soft fabric.

Liu Suiyun was startled. Based on previous experiences, Ma Qianjun's Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand should have had only one opportunity for a trick. Yet, this seemingly lethal kick felt as though it was aimed at empty air.

Ma Qianjun's eyes gleamed with a mix of malice and satisfaction. His Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand wrapped around Liu Suiyun's kick and, as Liu Suiyun faltered, Ma Qianjun's attack aimed at his neck. Fortunately, Liu Suiyun's reflexes allowed him to intercept with a punch.

Boom!

The clash forced both combatants back. Liu Suiyun felt momentarily relieved, thinking this exchange might drive Ma Qianjun away.

But his smile froze. Ma Qianjun's Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand had diminished in strength, yet Liu Suiyun almost lost his balance due to misjudging the force. Ma Qianjun's body flew backward, but just as he did, a lightning-fast kick with murderous intent aimed at Liu Suiyun's lower body.

What a ruthless move from Ma Qianjun! Until now, he had only used his hands in combat, but now he unleashed a deadly kick.

The kick was as fast as lightning, with the force of a giant axe. Liu Suiyun had no way to dodge it.

The force behind Ma Qianjun's kick was astonishing, accompanied by a high-pitched shriek. It seemed that a kick that could obliterate ten Liu Suiyuns was only enhanced by its impact. Liu Suiyun knew he had to act swiftly.

In the face of the relentless assault from Ma Qianjun's Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand, Liu Suiyun couldn't use his usual Daoist techniques. Instead, he activated his last-ditch move. He slid his left hand downward, revealing a two-inch-wide white talisman. It depicted a golden shield, and in the next moment, the talisman ignited at an incredible speed.

The paper burned rapidly without needing wind to aid it, transforming the golden shield into a solid form. It quickly expanded and crashed into Ma Qianjun's leg.

Boom... Boom... Boom!

The golden shield, now solid, clashed with Ma Qianjun's attack. The impact caused continuous, thunderous explosions as golden light flared from the shield. Despite the shield being a celestial artifact, Ma Qianjun's attack, imbued with a bit of thunderous might, was overwhelming. The shield's brilliance intensified, but it could only absorb so much before being shattered.

The shield's limit was reached as Ma Qianjun's kick broke through, and the remaining force of the attack dissipated. Liu Suiyun was left to face the assault, but he managed to hold his ground.

The talisman was a high-quality one, not commonly seen, and using it required a considerable cost. Liu Suiyun had sacrificed a drop of his blood to activate the shield, which, while quick, reduced its effectiveness.

This was almost Liu Suiyun's last resort. Though he had exhausted his blood and lost his final trump card, this was his only chance for survival.

With his energy surging and his strength reduced to about sixty or seventy percent, Liu Suiyun's fighting spirit was ignited. "For Miss Gu, I'll fight to the end!"

As Ma Qianjun's kick lost its momentum, Liu Suiyun leaped, using Ma Qianjun's thigh as a springboard to launch himself into the attack. His left leg kicked against Ma Qianjun's thigh, causing him to lose his balance and roar in anger.

Seizing the opportunity, Liu Suiyun knew Ma Qianjun had used his ultimate move. He pressed his advantage, kicking rapidly toward Ma Qianjun's chest, his kicks striking with increasing speed. Ma Qianjun's Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand was overwhelmed, unable to defend against the relentless assault.

The Heavenly Serpent Mystic Hand, designed for offense rather than defense, was ineffective against Liu Suiyun's swift kicks. Ma Qianjun's hands were battered, unable to protect himself, leaving him vulnerable.

Amid the barrage of Liu Suiyun's kicks and punches, Ma Qianjun, a Dragon Realm warrior, was pushed to the brink. His final moments came as he muttered incoherently, "Xiaoshui... Shui Shui... I smell your scent... you've finally caught up with me... if you want to kill me, just do it..."

"I wanted to make sure you wouldn't live," Liu Suiyun breathed a sigh of relief as Ma Qianjun finally fell. This had been one of the toughest opponents he had ever faced. Despite countless setbacks and being nearly defeated multiple times, he had managed to win, thanks to Gu Yinghua's help.

After defeating this formidable foe, Liu Suiyun turned his attention to another concern. As he began to turn, Gu Yinghua gently patted him on the shoulder. "I'm glad you won! Several times I almost shouted in fear; Ma Qianjun was truly terrifying."

When Ma Qianjun made his final attack, Gu Yinghua had already cried out in worry. Liu Suiyun smiled. "I fought to the death for Miss Gu and this villain. How could I not win?"

"Well done! At least you fought to the death for me!" Gu Yinghua beamed with a radiant smile. "You fought for me!"

Liu Suiyun, stretching his legs and looking at Ma Qianjun, who had been kicked into the stone wall, felt a wave of relief. "This villain may not have any sense of honor, but he's undeniably a formidable opponent! Thanks to your gift of that miraculous finger, I managed to win. By the way, Miss Gu, are you alright?"

He observed that Gu Yinghua still maintained her unmatched beauty. Although there were traces of tears at the corners of her eyes, her usual proud confidence had returned. Yet, Liu Suiyun remained concerned about the thunder tribulation she had endured.

He knew well that, while he had greatly benefited from the miraculous finger, Gu Yinghua had to endure the "silk thunder tribulation" with her own spiritual energy. Though he didn't fully understand what this tribulation entailed, he knew that anything related to thunder was extremely difficult to handle.

Gu Yinghua smiled and lifted her head with a relaxed demeanor. "It's just a mere silk thunder tribulation. How could it harm me? Well, are you alright, servant?"

"I'm fine!" Liu Suiyun clapped his hands and said, "I feel better than ever. If I could just get some sleep, I think I might even break through the Dragon Realm and step into the Mountain-Severing Realm."

The intense battle had given Liu Suiyun invaluable insights and allowed him to grasp some of Ma Qianjun's thunderous power. He quickly made further plans. "Miss Gu, since Ma Qianjun has caught up with us, we can't stay here at the Tian Nü Temple. We should set out as soon as possible!"

"Yes, let's go! You don't need to carry me anymore," Gu Yinghua said with rare tenderness. "Let's head to Yuanzhou together. Once we find my brother, we can each go our separate ways..."

"Miss Gu..." Liu Suiyun felt a surge of panic. "I..."

A gentle voice in his heart told him he wanted to continue with Gu Yinghua, whether through moments of intense battle or peaceful times.

"I've always respected a servant's choice," Gu Yinghua said sweetly. "Let's just walk this last stretch of road together."

Liu Suiyun wasn't sure how to respond. Before he could say anything, his body suddenly went limp, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

After the grueling fight with Ma Qianjun, Liu Suiyun's appearance was far from flattering—he was covered in blood and injuries. Gu Yinghua immediately knelt to help him. "Servant, servant, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong with you? We still need to go to Yuanzhou together," she said anxiously.

Liu Suiyun, his face pale and his body weak, managed a wry smile. "Miss Gu, I'm a bit exhausted..."

During the battle with Ma Qianjun, he had pushed himself to the limit, unleashing all his potential. Though he had made significant progress, now he could barely move a finger. Leaning against Gu Yinghua's knee, he whispered, "The Pang family's pursuers are nearly here. Miss Gu, you should leave quickly. There's still a chance if you leave now!"

As if to confirm Liu Suiyun's words, the distant howls of hunting dogs echoed from Tiger Ridge.