424 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 424: The Seal's Might Revealed The grey-robed man's strength was comparable to an Immortal Emperor's, yet Ye Ling Long could discern that he was merely half a step into that realm, not having crossed the final hurdle. Despite exceeding the prowess of an Immortal Lord, the most significant difference between a half-step Immortal Emperor and a true Immortal Emperor lay in their understanding of fundamental laws. Only by truly touching the threshold of these laws could one become a genuine Immortal Emperor. Many at the peak of the Immortal Lord stage remain so for life because they cannot perceive these laws at all. Such was the case with the grey-robed man: his cultivation and power had reached the standard of an Immortal Emperor, yet he was forever unable to take that final step. Ye Ling Long, on the other hand, was free from such worries. Her understanding of the laws signified her inevitable rise to Immortal Emperor, with continuous cultivation leading her there naturally. The grey-robed man too recognized something unique about Ye Ling Long. His once calm eyes now showed turmoil. "You have already comprehended the laws!!!" he exclaimed in disbelief. Suspended in mid-air, with a puppet by her side, she responded defiantly, "So what? If you want to fight, then fight!!!" The jealousy within the grey-robed man was set to explode. The force of the laws, something he had dreamed of grasping, was mentioned so casually by this young junior. This thought fueled his resolve to kill her even more; such a genius must be eliminated before fully maturing, lest she become an existential threat to the Huo family. "If that's the case, then you must not be allowed to live!" he declared, his aura growing more formidable with every word. By the end, his power had reached a terrifying level. Ye Ling Long furrowed her brow, sensing the gravitas of the coming confrontation. Glancing at her master and Master Hai, she realized they would distract her, and possibly get injured, if they stayed. Seeing no opportunity to discreetly send them into her space, she commanded the puppet to escort Feng Li, her master, and Master Hai away, urging Feng Li to leave first. "No, my diligent disciple, we must leave together. This person's gone mad; we can't leave you alone here," Zou Guan Qing argued resolutely. Master Hai also advised against facing him head-on. Shaking her head, Ye Ling Long felt the grey-robed man had already targeted her. Despite his youthful appearance, he was aged, likely an elder of the Huo family, willing to drag her into the depths with him to eliminate a looming threat to his lineage. Feeling his murderous intent, she knew there was no time. "Feng Li, take them and go!" Understanding that Ye Ling Long could escape more easily alone, Feng Li left without hesitance, leading Zou Guan Qing away. The puppet, loyal to Ye Ling Long's orders, quickly took Master Hai with it. With people from the Tong Tian Merchant Association waiting to assist outside, Ye Ling Long had no worry for their safety. Although Ye Ling Long had comprehended the force of the laws, leaving her without peers below an Immortal Emperor, the grey-robed man knew of some secret method that had multiplied his strength several times, making him nearly match an Immortal Emperor. She was forced to focus all her efforts on confronting him. Fire feathers and snowflakes fell simultaneously as an ice-blue flaming phoenix soared through the sky, with Ye Ling Long deploying all her methods. Pushing her Ice Spirit Body to its limits, integrating her formations into her very being, and detonating every formation disc in her possession resulted in a massive explosion. The impact leveled the entire Huo family estate. Amidst the billowing dust, Ye Ling Long felt a sharp pain in her dantian, knowing she had exhausted all her inner immortal power. Silently, she consumed some spiritual spring water, whose energy revitalized her entire body, easing the pain significantly. "I refuse to believe, after all this, that you're still alive!" Ye Ling Long seethed with determination. As the dust settled, a solitary silhouette stood amidst the wreckage. His grey robe was in tatters, barely strips of cloth adorning his heavily wounded body, blood flowing profusely from his injuries. And yet, he still lived, his aura burning brightly. Ye Ling Long thought incredulously, "Is this man an unkillable cockroach?" "Hahaha, give up. With your current power, you cannot kill me as I am now," he taunted. Hearing this, Ye Ling Long's temper flared instantly. Unable to kill him? She would prove otherwise! Flipping her right hand, a dragon-shaped seal, no larger than her palm, appeared. Its presence was marked by the faint sound of dragon roars, thanks to the dragon spirit within it. Sensing danger emanating from the seal, the grey-robed man asked with alarm, "What is that?" "It's something to take your life," Ye Ling Long responded. Tossing the seal upward, it rapidly enlarged to the size of a small mountain, darkening the sky. With that, she maneuvered the mountain-like seal towards her adversary with great force. The grey-robed man widened his eyes, raising his arms in a cross to block his chest. With a thunderous crash, the massive seal slammed down, causing him to spit blood, his internal organs jostled out of place. "Still not dead?" Ye Ling Long's bewildered voice echoed. Wielding the seal once again, she struck down fiercely. The grey-robed man was compelled to kneel as the ground fractured beneath him. By the third strike. The fourth. The fifth. As she prepared for a sixth, he was barely clinging to life. Ye Ling Long was sure this next strike would send him to his grave. Just as the sixth blow was imminent, a powerful force halted the seal in its tracks. Frowning, Ye Ling Long increased her effort, but the seal remained unmoved. "Young girl, don't waste your energy. I will spare this person's life." A mysterious voice resonated, filled with confidence, though the speaker remained unseen. Ye Ling Long's eyes briefly reflected mockery before swiftly infusing even more killing force into her aura, then sent a mighty palm towards the beaten-down grey-robed man lying like a broken dog on the ground.