Volume 7 Chapter 117: The True Self

Jin Qinghan and Feng Qingtian faced each other coldly, both equally indifferent, equally proud, and equally gifted.

This kind of standoff made one feel as if time was flowing backward; in a daze, it seemed both had returned to over three hundred years ago.

At that time, both were Lingji Stage cultivators, holding the title of the top newcomer in Jiuhua, and they fought fiercely against each other in the final of a great competition.

The two had not fought many times, but each battle was incredibly intense; perhaps they reached this moment because it was the purest battle between them.

It was only to prove the cultivation method, only to determine who was stronger or weaker, with no benefits, no conspiracies, no momentary pride—it was simply a test to see who was better.

Or perhaps, at this moment, a pure battle was about to unfold between them!

Golden light shone brightly around Jin Qinghan, and a golden lotus appeared beneath him, gently lifting him into the air. In the sky, countless golden lotuses appeared out of nowhere and slowly floated down around Jin Qinghan, while a mystical sound of chanting echoed in the world, and numerous faint images of Buddhas and Arhats flickered behind him.

Feng Qingtian also slowly floated into the air, with ghostly green flames appearing and disappearing around him. Although the tiny ghostly green flames seemed to vanish with the wind, anyone could sense the immense power they contained.

After a moment of holding back, both sides suddenly took action.

They stood still, and in a flash, golden light and ghostly fire clashed against each other, creating waves of light and booming sounds between them!

After a long while, both of them revealed a hint of a smile at the corners of their mouths.

Just by testing each other’s strength, they already understood how strong the other was in their hearts.

It seemed that at this moment, both sides had confidence in defeating each other, or rather, they had that confidence regardless of who the opponent was.

After a brief pause, the two moved again.

If their previous clash was merely a contest of magical powers, this time it was a true competition combining physical strength and magic, with no reservations whatsoever.

Feng Qingtian gathered all the eerie green flames in his fists, relying on the strong physical attack power he gained from becoming a Half Shura and the powerful explosive force of the condensed flames, creating an unmatched destructive power, then charged toward Jin Qinghan.

Feng Qingtian knew that his greatest advantage compared to Jin Qinghan was the powerful physical strength he gained after becoming a Half Shura!

Although Feng Qingtian had once fallen, he remained an unmatched genius. In less than half a year since he was transformed into Half Shura, he not only became familiar with his new powers but also combined all his strengths and brought them to their fullest potential!

When Feng Qingtian attacked, Jin Qinghan showed no sign of hesitation or retreat. The golden light surrounding him reflected everywhere, and the countless images of Buddhas and Arhats behind him entered his body. In a very short time, Jin Qinghan’s skin began to shine with a golden glow, his muscles expanded, and he appeared much taller and more imposing.

At the same time, the heavenly sound of Buddha chanting grew louder and more urgent, and the golden lotus blossoms around Jin Qinghan fell more densely.

Then, Jin Qinghan lunged at Feng Qingtian!

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

…

The two fighters struck each other’s fists, and the deafening sound echoed throughout the air. Jin Qinghan’s body, as hard as a diamond, and his fists, sharp as divine weapons, collided constantly with Feng Qingtian’s explosive punches. Both moved at incredible speeds, creating countless afterimages as they soared through the sky.

At first, the roaring sounds were urgent but had some pauses in between. However, as the two continued to fight, their attacks became faster and faster, and all the roaring sounds began to blend into one continuous noise!

Under the loud roars, the white clouds in the sky shattered and the ground beneath them cracked open…

The roaring sounds lasted for half an hour before they finally stopped.

It was the simplest kind of battle, an attack against an attack, which was also the fighting style that both were most familiar with and skilled at!

After half an hour, countless shadows suddenly vanished, and Jin Qinghan and Feng Qingtian quickly retreated, taking their places on opposite sides of the sky, facing each other again.

As the fierce battle paused, what caught the most attention were their arms.

Jin Qinghan’s arms were covered in burn marks, blackened all over, while Feng Qingtian’s arms were full of deep cuts, with blood constantly dripping.

Surprisingly, Feng Qingtian, who should have been much stronger than Jin Qinghan, seemed to have only matched him in the last fight, or even found himself at a disadvantage!

Jin Qinghan’s face was pale as he channeled the power of the Buddha and the vast Golden Spirit Qi into his body. This allowed Jin Qinghan’s physical strength to momentarily match Feng Qingtian’s, but because of this, the Spirit Qi in his body had to support both his physical strength and spiritual attacks, consuming twice as much as Feng Qingtian’s.

Feng Qingtian’s appearance was even more disheveled; not only was his face pale as if he had suffered serious internal injuries, but his body was also covered in sword marks. One of these marks was less than an inch away from his heart.

"Don’t push yourself too hard; if you don’t spit out the clotted blood, your internal injuries will become worse."

After a moment of eye contact, Jin Qinghan suddenly spoke.

As Jin Qinghan finished speaking, Feng Qingtian suddenly spat out a large mouthful of dark red blood, staining his white clothing.

Looking at Jin Qinghan, Feng Qingtian’s eyes were filled with confusion.

He did not understand; in terms of cultivation, he was far beyond Jin Qinghan, who was at the early stage of the Astral Projection Stage, while he himself was at the late stage. Furthermore, he had physical strength that matched his cultivation. To bridge the gap between their bodies, Jin Qinghan had to expend twice the amount of Spirit Qi.

Why was he still unable to defeat Jin Qinghan, and even found himself at a disadvantage during their fight?

Seeing Feng Qingtian’s confused expression, Jin Qinghan did not attack. Those involved can be confused, while observers can see clearly. Unlike Feng Qingtian’s confusion, Jin Qinghan understood the reason for the gap.

"Over the years, you have not only lost your faith and pride, but your spirit has also become lost. You have gone to any lengths to gain power, but at the same time, your power no longer belongs to you. This is why you still cannot match me now."

Jin Qinghan looked at Feng Qingtian in front of him and softly explained.

Hearing Jin Qinghan’s words, Feng Qingtian trembled; he finally understood.

Compared to the past, Feng Qingtian’s power had grown. Besides his Phoenix Spirit Qi becoming stronger and purer, he had also trained the supreme evil cultivation method, the "Guardian Deity Technique," to perfection and combined it with Phoenix Spirit Fire to create the "Hellfire." In addition, he had gained the powerful body of the Shura Clan.

However, compared to Jin Qinghan, he had not only not become stronger but had actually become weaker.

The reason he had always been able to defeat Jin Qinghan in their previous battles was that his Fire Spirit Qi could counter Jin Qinghan’s Golden Spirit Qi. But after combining the "Guardian Deity Technique" to create the "Hellfire," its properties were greatly reduced, making it unable to counter Jin Qinghan’s Golden Spirit Qi. Furthermore, the energy from the "Guardian Deity Technique" in his Fire Spirit Qi was also suppressed by Jin Qinghan’s Buddhist powers.

Therefore, although Feng Qingtian’s cultivation was higher than Jin Qinghan’s at that moment, when their powers clashed, he still fell at a disadvantage.

Additionally, the powerful attack strength Feng Qingtian relied on from his Shura body was not the advantage he thought it was; it was actually a disadvantage. He had only had this strong body for about four to five months, and being able to use it skillfully was already his limit. Jin Qinghan had many close-combat skills from both his previous metal attributes and later Buddhist powers, making him more skillful and experienced in close combat.

Because of these reasons, in the earlier fights, Feng Qingtian had always been at a disadvantage. Jin Qinghan’s Buddhist energy continuously invaded his body, and his body had been struck by Jin Qinghan countless times. If it were not for his Shura Clan’s constitution, he would have already died many times.

This was Jin Qinghan’s meaning—Feng Qingtian had become lost in power over the years. He seemed strong, but with his original characteristics gone, he had instead turned into something undefined. Such a Feng Qingtian could not possibly defeat Jin Qinghan!

"I see now! I see now! Haha…"

After thinking for a moment, Feng Qingtian suddenly burst out laughing, his laughter joyful and filled with understanding.

After a long time, Feng Qingtian’s smile faded. He looked at Jin Qinghan and said seriously, "Thank you for telling me this. If it weren’t for you, I would never have known that ever since I turned away from Jiuhua, I have been completely lost. I seemed strong, but I am actually not as good as I was before. Thank you for telling me this."

After saying this, Feng Qingtian suddenly made a move that Jin Qinghan never expected.

He punched his own chest.

Instantly, a chilling wind spread out from Feng Qingtian, and a ghostly green mist began to swirl around him, while cries of spirits echoed in the air.

Faintly, Feng Qingtian’s painful groans could be heard.

Seeing this scene, Jin Qinghan’s face changed dramatically.

He did not expect that after his realization, Feng Qingtian would be so determined, without any hesitation, to completely abandon the "Guardian Deity Technique" he had been practicing for years.

However, even though it was unbelievable, Jin Qinghan understood that this was something Feng Qingtian would eventually do. In fact, if Feng Qingtian had not been distracted all these years and had focused entirely on practicing the Feng family cultivation method, his achievements would have been much greater!

After a long time, the cold wind stopped, the cries of ghosts disappeared, and the green mist vanished.

Feng Qingtian appeared once again in front of Jin Qinghan.

The flames swirling around Feng Qingtian were no longer the cold, eerie green flames; instead, they had transformed into the familiar bright red that Jin Qinghan knew.

Feng Qingtian’s expression also changed; if he had previously seemed calm and proud, now he was calm and proud but with a touch of purity.

Looking at this completely different Feng Qingtian, Jin Qinghan felt as if he had returned to three hundred years ago.

This is the real Feng Qingtian!

"I am back."

Feng Qingtian said suddenly, and the meaning behind it was something only Feng Qingtian and Jin Qinghan could understand.

Then, the two of them attacked once more.

Jin Qinghan, as before, relied on his strong and incredibly sharp body, leaping suddenly towards Feng Qingtian. In an instant, sword energy filled the air, powerful in attack and defense, the world changed color, majestic like a diamond, solid like gold, dignified like a Buddha, and sharp like a divine sword.

Feng Qingtian, no longer relying on his body to fight Jin Qinghan directly, understood this was not his strength but his weakness. Suddenly, flames erupted around Feng Qingtian. Within the fire, the clear call of a phoenix echoed through the heavens and earth. Then, Feng Qingtian transformed into a phoenix, soaring out of the flames, charging at Jin Qinghan with golden eyes, where he looked, flames swirled!

This was the true Feng Qingtian. Only this proud and pure Feng Qingtian could embody the grace of the king of birds and bring out the Phoenix Spirit Qi to its fullest!

And so, a diamond and a phoenix collided fiercely together!

Although Feng Qingtian’s power decreased significantly after losing the "Guardian Deity Technique," Jin Qinghan could clearly feel that Feng Qingtian had become harder to handle.

The intense flames continuously melted Jin Qinghan’s Golden Spirit Qi, while Jin Qinghan’s Buddhist energy, though vast and powerful, could not effectively harm Feng Qingtian!

Most importantly, compared to Feng Qingtian’s earlier powerful but somewhat awkward attacks, at this moment, Feng Qingtian moved with smoothness and grace.

As such, the two displayed their unique abilities, continuously unleashing their strongest moves to attack each other.

The battle lasted for three whole days.

During those three days, the fighting was more intense than ever before.

However, neither Jin Qinghan nor Feng Qingtian felt any tension or urgency during the battle; instead, they both wore gentle smiles.

For Jin Qinghan, only such a battle and only such a Feng Qingtian were what he truly sought. Even though he slowly began to lose ground.

For Feng Qingtian, the fierce battle, although intense, helped him rediscover the joy he had during his days of cultivation; there was no hatred, no grudges, only a pursuit of the way and a return to cultivation. It was like a fish returning to the river after being out of water.

…

After three days, the battle was nearing its end, and Jin Qinghan was, as always, in a very sorry state after fighting Feng Qingtian.

Under the attacks of Phoenix Spirit Qi, his Golden Spirit Qi would only manage to strike halfway before melting away. Though his Buddhist powers could threaten Feng Qingtian, they were not very effective against Feng Qingtian, who could change form from fire to vapor.

"Am I going to fail again?"

As the battle seemed to be coming to an end, Jin Qinghan smiled sadly and said to himself.

At that moment, Feng Qingtian had just turned into flames and crashed into Jin Qinghan, worsening his injuries before turning back into his original form, fingers moving to unleash a more powerful attack.

Clearly, Feng Qingtian was also ready to end the fight.

Jin Qinghan’s body fell to the ground, feeling weak and unable to defend himself effectively any longer.

He barely lifted a finger, gathering the last bit of Spirit Qi within him to form a golden spear, shooting it towards Feng Qingtian’s chest.

He knew that at this point, his weak golden spear would not pose any real threat to Feng Qingtian; he could only do his best and accept his fate, unwilling to be defeated by Feng Qingtian so easily.

However, neither Jin Qinghan nor Feng Qingtian expected that it would be this golden spear that would determine the outcome of the final battle.

Seeing the golden spear coming, Feng Qingtian sneered and turned to avoid it.

However, in that instant, Feng Qingtian’s expression changed.

His body suddenly went stiff.

Then, the golden spear pierced into Feng Qingtian’s chest, breaking through his heart and coming out the other side.

After that, it seemed like all of Feng Qingtian’s strength vanished in an instant, and he fell to the ground.

Blood poured out of Feng Qingtian’s chest like a fountain.

Jin Qinghan walked in front of Feng Qingtian, confused and uncertain.

"I should have lost. What is happening?"

Jin Qinghan asked, feeling a bit dazed.

"No, you won. You won," Feng Qingtian said with a sad smile. "Over the years, I have become less skilled with Phoenix Spirit Qi and I am not used to my current Shura body. Plus, I just destroyed the Guardian Deity Technique, which damaged my veins, leaving my body completely numb. I didn’t even realize that my Spirit Qi was completely exhausted."

As he spoke, Feng Qingtian looked at Jin Qinghan with an unprecedented clarity in his eyes.

"Don’t worry, it’s not that I let you win; you really won. However, even though I lost, I am not sad. In fact, this battle has brought me a joy I have never felt before-no pressure, no hatred, and not even a goal-just a simple competition…"

"Do you know? I haven’t felt this way since I learned about the hatred of the Feng family, since my father forced me to make a vow that if I did not restore the Feng family, I would never see my ancestors again…"

"Now, as I am about to die, I must admit I never thought I would die because I always believed I would be the first cultivator to reach immortality in the cultivation world. But now it seems impossible…"

"From now on, you should find a new goal; you have already surpassed me, truly surpassed me, while I have been stuck in the same place all these years…"

Jin Qinghan stared blankly at Feng Qingtian, feeling lost even after winning.

Suddenly, Jin Qinghan remembered something and said, "Phoenix Nirvana! You won’t die; you still have Phoenix Nirvana!"

Feng Qingtian smiled, filled with self-mockery, "Since becoming a Half Shura, I am no longer just a pure phoenix body. How could I still use Phoenix Nirvana?"

Jin Qinghan fell silent.

And so, Jin Qinghan stood in front of Feng Qingtian, and they remained silent with each other.

He stayed with Feng Qingtian, spending the last moments together in silence.

"Tell Xu Qingfan I don’t like him, but I put my hopes in him. He must kill Zhang Xusheng!"

This was the last sentence Feng Qingtian spoke before he died.

Then, Feng Qingtian’s body turned into flames, and in the flames, it became ashes, shining brightly and burning fiercely.

After a long time, Jin Qinghan looked at the little ashes remaining in front of him, suddenly collected them, held them close, and then quickly flew towards where the human masters were fighting the Shura Clan experts.

"Feng Qingtian… you should have had a more glorious life, but unfortunately… Still, at the last moment, you found your true self. At least before you died, you were no longer lost."