Ba Yuan and Qing Yang battled. His spear formed a tornado of blades, which expanded enormously. Ba Yuan condensed power in his hand, his fist gathering evil spirit strength with his own, and unleashed a punch that gradually grew into a giant fist. This fist attacked the tornado. The tornado's body exploded and vanished, along with the fist's phantom. However, Ba Yuan's figure was already close to Qing Yang. Facing close combat with a spear as his weapon, he remained naturally calm.
A spear had more than just a length advantage. He swung the spear in his hand, creating a brilliant spear flower. The spear flower formed a pattern, and the pattern flew out. This was the materialization of spear intent. All weapons had intent: swords had sword intent and sword energy, sabers had saber gleam and saber intent, and spears naturally had spear intent and spear gleam. The spear intent transformed into a lotus shape and shot straight at Ba Yuan. Seeing the spear intent lotus flying towards him, an unknown sense of fear arose from within him. This lotus posed a threat to him, so he dared not underestimate it. His fist was covered in white light.
A gauntlet was worn on his hand. He clenched his fist, and the fist's power increased tenfold. He punched the lotus, his power breaking through all techniques. With a single punch, he blew up the lotus. Amidst the explosion, Sheng Qing stabilized his body. Xie Shang, standing to the side, looked at Sheng Qing and said, "It seems this is all you've got. Without the formation, you're no match for me."
"Damn him."
Sheng Qing's face turned pale. The current situation had to be traced back to half an hour ago. Thirty minutes prior, Sheng Qing had relied on the formation to restrict the opponent's speed with its gravity. He had initially held the advantage. Xie Shang's body speed was quite vulnerable under this gravity suppression; it was difficult to accelerate. He was essentially like a normal cultivator. Yet, even so, they hadn't defeated him. With his speed restricted, Xie Shang's strategy was to simultaneously attack and defend the center of the formation.
The center of the formation was its main position. As long as that location was destroyed, the formation would dissipate and vanish completely. He had originally thought that with his speed significantly reduced under this gravity, the formation would not shatter. He had underestimated its strength. During their fight, the gravity formation still couldn't hold on and shattered.
Once the gravity formation was broken, Xie Shang, no longer restricted by gravity, unleashed his speed. Sheng Qing, facing a tempest of invisible attacks, was instantly at a disadvantage. After half an hour of fighting, he was finally sent flying by countless attacks, suffering heavy injuries.
"Sheng Tianyi, we should retreat. This guy is not someone we can contend with."
"I know, but I'm not reconciled. If we escape now, the cultivation world will be plunged into complete darkness. I'm not reconciled! Is this the future you want to see?"
Qing Yao remained silent in the face of the questioning. Yes, if they escaped now and survived, the world would descend into darkness. The sealed evil spirits were even more powerful than the evil spirits the cultivation world was currently fighting. Once the seal was broken, their world was destined for one outcome.
"Fight. I support you. We'll hold him off here until Chen Tian returns."
"Okay."
Their intentions unified. Their consciousnesses approached each other in their minds, as if merging. A voice echoed: "The fusion is the day of awakening."
Their minds went blank. When they reacted, their two consciousnesses had arrived before a Heaven and Earth Cauldron. A phantom of Chen Tian appeared and said indifferently, "This is the Heaven and Earth Cauldron. It can fuse your consciousness and bodies. It will compensate for shortcomings and even make you more powerful after fusion. However, after fusion, you cannot separate. You will be a new being. This is merely a trace of my aura left behind with information. The specific outcome depends on your choice. This is the only way to resist Xie Shang."
"Are you willing?"
"I'm willing. Whatever it takes to protect the world, I'm willing to sacrifice anything."
"One, two, three. Jump together!"
Qing Yao and Sheng Tianyi leaped into the Heaven and Earth Cauldron without hesitation. In the outside world, Sheng Qing's entire body erupted with a scorching aura that made Xie Shang dare not approach. This scorching aura enveloped his body.
"The fire of the Heaven and Earth Cauldron? Did the Heavenly Dao make a move? What are they doing?"
The scene before him stunned him. He couldn't understand. The Heaven and Earth Cauldron was generally used to burn all evil; why was it now burning its own people? Could it be that the Heavenly Dao was helping him?
However, he thought it impossible. The phantom of the Heaven and Earth Cauldron became more real, and cracks slowly appeared on the cauldron with cracking sounds. After a few seconds, the cauldron exploded. A beautiful young man with long hair walked out of the explosion.
He had a handsome face, gentle eyes, and wore a white robe. The hem of his robe swayed gently from side to side. His long hair moved like willow branches in the wind. His face looked like it could be a woman's or a man's, making it impossible to tell if he was male or female.
"Is this what fusion looks like? So be it. From now on, I will be called Sheng Qing."
The man's voice was soft and pleasant to the ear. The fused Sheng Qing could no longer separate Qing Yao or Sheng Tianyi; they were already one, inheriting all memories, abilities, and cultivation.
At this moment, his strength was on par with his opponent. This was the terrifying power of the Heaven and Earth Cauldron.
Chen Tian had bestowed them this trump card. Of course, he himself would lose this ability, but it wasn't a major problem. Fusion offered little improvement for him now. Once his Reincarnation Body was activated, his strength was not something fusion could contend with.
"Kid, I don't know what means you used to become so much stronger, but you must die today."
This human before him had surpassed his understanding. His strength had increased terrifyingly. He was definitely a great enemy who had to be killed here to avoid future trouble. He had a few percent certainty today, but who knew if he'd have any certainty in the future, or even if he'd be a match.
With this thought, he decisively attacked. Sheng Qing and Xie Shang moved like wooden figures, clashing between them. Their speeds were the same, even on the same level. When they reacted, they looked at each other in disbelief. This guy's strength had increased too terrifyingly; he could actually keep up with his speed, which he couldn't before.
"Use your full strength, or you will perish here."
"Heh heh, arrogant. You think getting the same strength as me makes you so conceited? I will make you regret it."
His gaze was truly disgusting. He hated that look. The two figures collided in the sky and instantly vanished into the void.
At the Huaxia Fortress, the three returned and immediately convened a meeting. The Heavenly Dao's cage wouldn't hold for long. They needed to figure out how to deal with Xie Ou. That charming ability was rather strange; it was completely unaffected, even by covering their ears.
"Chen Tian, do you have any ideas?"
"No. When that ability was granted, I didn't consider how to resolve it."
The clone finished speaking and felt that his main body had left him a troublesome issue. In his main body's memories, there was indeed no solution. This was now difficult.
"Then let's the three of us research it. Perhaps we can find a solution."
And so, the three began their research. As for the final outcome, it would only be known in the next battle.
The two figures continuously clashed in space. When they stopped, both were panting. This kind of speed battle was too taxing on their stamina. Moreover, speed battles were about who's consciousness would give out first.
A moment of carelessness could lead to a disadvantage from which there was no return.