Chapter 263: Staking It All |
Gazing down at the gradually dissipating sea of lightning beneath his feet, Zhang Liusheng’s eyes revealed a touch of sorrow. He murmured, “The Zhang Clan, with over two thousand years of heritage, rising through countless hardships, has now faced an unprovoked disaster, leading to its downfall in a single day. How unjust this fate is!”
At this moment, in the northern half of the massive Flowing Water City, only Zhang Liusheng and a few ordinary cultivators of the Zhang Clan at the Divine Core stage remained. The tens of thousands of Zhang family members had been entirely swallowed by the endless thunderbolts of the Blackwater Yin Lightning after the formation was breached.
Lu Xiuzhu spat disdainfully and sneered, “You brought this fate upon yourself! Had you agreed to join the Dawndusk Daoist Alliance when Qin Ming approached you, none of this would have happened. Yet, despite your half-step Primordial Spirit stage cultivation base, you surprisingly still valued your family so deeply that you were willing to sacrifice your life for its survival.”
Zhang Liusheng glanced at Xu Disheng, Lu Xiuzhu, and others, then suddenly burst into loud laughter, a look of relief and satisfaction on his face. “How could vicious and ruthless sect disciples like you ever understand the solidarity of a clan’s power? Even if my Zhang Clan has not yet perished, if it truly comes to that point, I’ll make sure to drag you down with us!”
Having let go of all his inhibitions, a radiant divine light flashed before Zhang Liusheng,,and a splendidly luminous star disk emerged. His half-step Primordial Spirit stage cultivation base was fully unleashed, clearly signifying his determination to achieve mutual destruction.
“This desperate dogs have been driven into a corner. Now, they seek to make a final stand. Everyone, follow me and we will eradicate them!” Lu Xiuzhu declared. He saw the intensifying tremors of light on the star disk and sensed imminent danger. Summoning the other Divine Core stage cultivators, he unleashed his magical treasure towards Zhang Liusheng.
After the indiscriminate slaughter of the Blackwater Yin Lightning, the few Divine Core stage cultivators of the Zhang Clan that had survived were severely weakened, leaving them with less than half of their original combat potential. It was clear that Zhang Liusheng, who had begun burning the essence of his Divine Core, was facing an imminent death. All that was needed was to swiftly finish him off while guarding against his last desperate retaliation.
As Zhang Liusheng watched the Divine Core stage cultivators of the Dawndusk Daoist Alliance rapidly approaching, he laughed heartily and declared, “Higher Knowledge, Origin-Returning Star Crusher!”
The burning power of his Divine Core’s essence rapidly infused into the star disk by his side. The disk then condensed into a purple core of a star, emanating an intense aura of destruction that grew increasingly larger, as if it were about to explode at any moment.
The other Divine Core stage cultivators, sensing the engulfing power of destruction that covered them, displayed grim expressions and attempted to retreat hastily, but it was already too late.
Amidst a deafening roar that echoed across Flowing Water City, the purple star nucleus burst open!
A vast expanse of deep purple starlight illuminated the sky, completely obscuring all vision and senses. Seemingly endless destructive force rampaged, annihilating everything in its path.
Zhang Liusheng’s eyes gently closed as he stood at the center of this destructive starlight, countless memories surging forth from the depths of his heart.
… …
“Zhang Shengshen, do you really intend to abandon the great Zhang Clan and me to chase after your elusive path to divinity?” a young girl implored, gently touching her slightly protruding belly. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and reluctance, yet tinged with a hint of resentment as she gazed intensely at the young man before her.
Zhang Shengshen sighed, his hand tenderly caressing the girl’s cheek, and said, “I have obtained a divine scripture that gathers the refined spiritual energy of heaven and earth, allowing one to cultivate the position of a deity. Once I manage to cultivate this method, I shall be officially conferred by the laws of heaven and earth as a deity, and receive a lengthened lifespan.”
“Ever since you obtained that mysterious divine scripture, you’ve become obsessed with it, almost as if you’re possessed. Tell me, who has led your mind astray?” she asked, her gaze complex.
Zhang Shengshen, without responding, withdrew his hand and turned away, leaving the girl alone as she wept softly and caressed her belly.
… …
“If you do not take your cultivation seriously, I’ll beat you to death!” The woman, seeing a face in Zhang Liusheng that resembled his father, was filled with even more rage. Her palm surged with profound qi, yet she couldn’t bring herself to bring down her palm and strike him.
“Mother, I merely dealt with a few used-up maidservants. There’s no need to be so angry,” Zhang Liusheng replied, maintaining a carefree grin as if he knew she wouldn’t actually harm him.
“Playing and indulging in pleasures day and night, neglecting your cultivation… Tell me, how will you contend for the position of clan head like this? Or find a w—” Her voice trailed off, and after a heavy sigh filled with exhaustion, she said, “Enough, leave me.”
… …
As time passed, the woman, with her ordinary talent, and the heart condition that plagued her, saw her cultivation stagnate at the peak of the Dao Foundation stage. She was unable to progress further, and without rare life-extending spiritual items, she reached the end of her natural lifespan.
Kneeling alone in the hall, Zhang Liusheng looked up at the memorial tablets of his parents. Suddenly, he stood up, grabbed the tablet inscribed with “Zhang Shengshen,” and crushed it with a fierce grip.
… …
Blessed with exceptional talent and unwavering diligence in cultivation, Zhang Liusheng finally reaped the rewards of his efforts.
He gained numerous close friends and supporters among the Zhang Clan members. As the direct descendant of the previous clan head, he eventually wrested control from the long-governing Council of Elders, reclaiming the long-vacant position of clan head for himself.
… …
“It’s time to rest,” Zhang Liusheng told himself.
Calculating the time, the elders, along with Zhang Yuexi and others, should be in the midst of activating the teleportation array. Soon they would leave the Dawndusk Territory, preserving the last ember of hope for the Zhang Clan.
As the starlight dissipated, Zhang Liusheng struggled to open his eyes, wishing to take one last look at Flowing Water City beneath him.
When his vision gradually cleared, Zhang Liusheng’s pupils constricted in shock. “Impossible, that’s impossible…” he cried, his voice hoarse with disbelief.
A few dozen yards ahead, the Divine Core stage cultivators of the Dawndusk Daoist Alliance stood unscathed, surrounded by a shimmering barrier of Spiritual Force. Behind it, their faces still bore lingering traces of shock and fear.
A handsome Daoist in a white robe stood there in the air. As the enormous barrier of Spiritual Force slowly dissipated, it condensed into a pure mass of Spiritual Force that returned to the young Daoist’s hand and vanished.
“Many thanks, Supreme Spirit Master!”
“We are deeply grateful for Supreme Spirit Master’s life-saving grace!”
“We shall never forget Supreme Spirit Master’s timely assistance!”
Lu Xiuzhu and the other three Divine Core stage cultivators all wore expressions of respect and gratitude. They were even more reverent towards Xu Disheng, repeatedly bowing and expressing their thanks.
If you appreciate the translation or want to sponsor a chapter, please consider supporting me on Ko-Fi!