244: What grudge could they possibly have?

The few people fought battle after battle, unleashing Spells and Divine Abilities one after another. The area was dazzling with colorful lights and splashing brilliance.

By this point in the great battle, the few people had used all their means.

But Lu Ming grew more alarmed the longer the fight went on!

He had just Broken Through to the Golden Core, and many of his methods hadn't been updated yet, plus his Realm was weaker than Shen Yuan's.

Although he managed to close the gap relying on the Soul Burning Lamp Lighting Method, achieving a quick victory was still extremely difficult.

What was more troublesome was that although Ji Ruge had become his Dao Outside Incarnation and obeyed all his commands, he still couldn't control him as effortlessly as a Clone.

Ji Ruge's movements at this moment were slightly stiff; although his sword moves were still fierce, they lacked the agility of the past, significantly reducing his strength.

In contrast, Shen Yuan grew braver the longer he fought. The soul devouring banner flew around in his hands, and his methods emerged endlessly.

'Yinhun Roar' shook the Divine Soul, the sharp sound waves making people dizzy and unable to concentrate.

'Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts' created layers of illusions, with countless ghost shadows wandering around, interfering with judgment.

'Soul Devouring Demonic Light' shot out from the banner surface; the eerie green light specifically corroded the spirituality of Magic Treasures, dimming even the sword light of the Divine Sword of Suppressing the Nation.

Furthermore, the 'Nine Nether Cold Ice Art' condensed layers of ice armor around his body, providing astonishing defense; even the Golden Crow Arrows struggled to pierce it.

Finally, the Yin Soul Heavenly Curtain formed by 'Ten Thousand Ghosts Come to Worship' transformed into a giant palm and slapped down, forcing the two of them to retreat step by step.

"This is bad!"

Lu Ming frowned deeply. This was the first time he had faced such a troublesome enemy.

Compared to this, the duels during the Foundation Establishment Stage were practically child's play.

It was as if he had stayed in his comfort zone for too long, mistakenly believing he was invincible among peers of the same rank.

Suddenly facing an opponent like Shen Yuan, he was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

One must know that this was only possible because Ji Ruge had courted death by refining himself into a 'Dao Outside Incarnation,' giving him assistance out of thin air.

Otherwise, facing the two of them at their peak, he would probably only be able to run for his life!

He was still not steady enough; he got carried away right after Breaking Through to the Golden Core!

"However..."

Lu Ming frowned as he looked at Shen Yuan.

There was something strange about this person too!

He knew that throughout the battle so far, the golden book's effect of transferring side effects had never stopped.

Later on, he even activated all the various Blood Burning Secret Methods and Burst Techniques he had used during the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Stages.

He was trying to reduce Shen Yuan's fighting strength by transferring side effects.

But after a long time, Lu Ming realized something was wrong.

Almost every once in a while, Shen Yuan would form a hand seal, and after a burst of soft white light, his previously highly chaotic aura would quickly stabilize, and even the injuries he sustained would heal at a visible speed.

This sense of déjà vu even made Lu Ming feel an illusion.

It was as if the opponent also possessed a golden book, capable of transferring side effects, and even injuries!

Shen Yuan seemed to notice Lu Ming's confusion and couldn't help but mock him, saying, "A Golden Core from a small place really lacks insight. How could you possibly understand the methods of my Nascent Soul Sect!"

"A Nascent Soul Sect?"

Hearing this, Lu Ming's heart trembled, and the confusion in his mind was resolved.

So this guy came from a Nascent Soul Sect! No wonder he was so troublesome!

However, there was no fear in Lu Ming's eyes; instead, there was only a more intense light.

After he Broke Through to the Golden Core, he was actually somewhat lost about the path ahead.

The reason he came to Heavenly Star Immortal City was partly for revenge, and partly to communicate with True Person Tianxing and inquire about some secrets of Golden Core cultivation.

But by the time he arrived, True Person Tianxing was already half-dead.

So Lu Ming planned to save him. If he had this layer of life-saving grace, then opening the Immortal City's Scripture Pavilion for him wouldn't be a problem, right? Telling him some cultivation secrets wouldn't be too much, right?

Yet, before he could even act, a Nascent Soul Sect Disciple popped up!

"If I can capture this person and perform Soul Searching, then..."

Thinking of this, Lu Ming's gaze toward Shen Yuan grew increasingly greedy.

Shen Yuan also noticed Lu Ming's gaze. He had originally thought that the name of a Nascent Soul Sect would be a deterrent.

But now it seemed to have the opposite effect!

"Kill!"

With his goal clear in his mind, Lu Ming's offensive became increasingly violent.

The Sun Chasing Longbow shot continuously, Golden Crow Arrows pouring out like raindrops. Each arrow carried scorching True Sun Fire, incinerating the surging Yin Souls into dust.

The Mysterious Yin Soul Slaying Slash was also executed by Lu Ming with uncanny stealth, often appearing suddenly when Shen Yuan was fully occupied dealing with other attacks, striking directly at his Divine Soul. Several times, Shen Yuan narrowly avoided being hit.

Following this, he threw out large handfuls of Second-Tier High-Grade Talismans, such as the 'Five Thunder Evil Breaking Talisman,' 'Seven Star Evil Slaying Talisman,' and 'Heaven Burning Ghost Destroying Talisman,' which specifically countered Yin, evil, and malevolent objects.

Finally, he even used the Demonic Soul Entangling Blood Silk Curse, which had long been gathering dust. Streams of blood-colored threads wrapped around Shen Yuan like living creatures, corroding his mind and contaminating his magical power.

Although its effect was minimal, it was extremely sickening.

And Ji Ruge, under Lu Ming's command, attacked with full strength, operating the Imperial Dynasty Cultivation Technique 'Nine Dragons Suppressing Heaven Art' to the extreme.

Nine illusory Golden Dragons circled the Divine Sword of Suppressing the Nation, and every strike carried majestic Heavenly Might.

The sword light tore through the sky, and Yin Souls dispersed wherever the sword aura passed, but each time, Shen Yuan neutralized it.

However, Shen Yuan himself was not having an easy time. Don't let his calm and effortless appearance fool you.

In reality, under the influence of Lu Ming's strange weakening force, he was always unable to exert his full strength.

Facing the siege of the two, he had to resist with all his might every time.

What made him even more frustrated was that every time he wanted to unleash a killing move, he would be interrupted by Lu Ming executing the Mysterious Yin Soul Slaying Slash.

It reached the point where he would have a stress reaction every time Lu Ming closed his eyes.

But while he was frustrated, Lu Ming wasn't having an easy time either, growing more annoyed the longer the fight went on!

"Truly worthy of coming from a Nascent Soul Sect; his life-saving methods are endless."

Lu Ming gritted his teeth. He had never hated a person this much; the guy was like a loach!

Whenever a critical moment arrived, either a protective Magic Treasure would automatically guard its master, or he would be able to use a strange Evasion Technique to avoid a fatal blow.

A fierce look flashed in Lu Ming's eyes, and he finally made up his mind.

The Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Method suddenly began to circulate!

His aura began to climb at a terrifying speed, reaching the Middle Stage of the Golden Core in just a few breaths!

He hadn't originally wanted to use this move, as he hadn't tested it and there were unknown risks, but if he didn't use something drastic today, he really wouldn't be able to capture this person!

Although he could kill him remotely using the golden book afterward, grinding him down slowly, if he did that, he wouldn't be able to see what was inside the man's head!

However, to be safe, he forcibly stopped just before the moment of self-detonation, as he was afraid of killing himself too.

But even so, the surging power caused the surrounding space to begin shaking.

"Madman!! What are you trying to do!!!"

This scene stunned Shen Yuan. What grudge, what hatred, that you absolutely must use this kind of mutually destructive secret method to kill me?

He desperately tried to recall if he had any enmity with Lu Ming, but after thinking for a long time, he couldn't figure out why.

After all, he had offended far too many people; who knew which one the person in front of him was!