Chapter 227 - 174: Defying the Nascent Soul with a Golden Core Body

Rumble——

Celestial Concealment struck out at the sky with his palm, as if trying to smash through the grand array by brute force.

Maybe he couldn’t break it from the outside, but inside it might just work.

Yet again, he was let down.

Amidst the deafening roar, the grand array showed zero signs of collapse.

If anything, the boundless flames on the ground erupted even fiercer, raising the temperature inside the array, burning with increasing intensity.

"The array plate. Gotta find the array plate and destroy it, that’s the only way!"

Celestial Concealment Divine Master muttered to himself.

He knew if he wanted to break this array, he had to find the array plate and shatter it.

But no matter how he searched, the array plate was nowhere to be found.

Because the array plate was buried underground, beneath the Fiery Flame Volcano.

Outside was already blazing hot—going underground was not even an option.

Even a Nascent Soul expert couldn’t withstand it.

Lin Chang’sheng, watching Celestial Concealment fumbling about like a headless fly inside, couldn’t help but find it hilarious.

This array—even Lin Chang’sheng himself couldn’t break it without his panel’s help.

After all, this array fused multiple grand arrays, each intricately crafted, all but perfect.

But nothing in this world is absolutely flawless.

This array had its own defects.

It was really a question of whether Celestial Concealment Divine Master could locate them before his magical power ran dry.

As time slipped away, minute by minute.

Celestial Concealment Divine Master had already spent a full Hour inside the array.

His magical power consumed by a tenth.

If he were just a Golden Core Stage cultivator, he’d have perished here long ago.

But a Nascent Soul expert’s magical power was immense. To drain it dry would take considerable time.

"How could such a grand array possibly be his work?"

Celestial Concealment’s pupils widened in disbelief.

Even he couldn’t set up such an array—the sheer power of it was something he’d never witnessed.

He always thought Lin Chang’sheng was an arrogant fool, puffed-up and self-absorbed.

Never imagined he truly mastered array techniques, and this array actually trapped him for a whole Hour with no solution in sight.

"Could the array plate be underground?"

Celestial Concealment stared at the volcanic flames raging underfoot, refusing to believe it.

Blazing flames twisted the very space.

Even for a Nascent Soul level powerhouse, getting under those flames was no trivial task.

"If that’s true, then this array is damn near perfect—there’s basically no way to break it!"

Celestial Concealment Divine Master couldn’t help but marvel at the array.

But right now, the only array-breaking method was staring him in the face, so he had no choice but to give it a shot.

Maybe the flames underground weren’t as hot as on the surface—maybe it was just a trick, who knows?

Whoosh——

With that thought, Celestial Concealment dove straight into the volcanic flames below, aiming for the array plate.

As long as the array plate was destroyed, the array would naturally collapse and disappear.

But as soon as Celestial Concealment got underground, he realized the temperature was scalding beyond belief.

’Scorching’ didn’t even begin to cover it.

Even with his magical power shield diffused around his body, areas where it was thin were seared through by flames, burning his clothes and singeing his hair and beard.

Left him looking utterly pitiful.

"With my Middle Stage Nascent Soul cultivation, I can’t even reach the array plate? This array is that terrifying?"

Celestial Concealment Divine Master felt a chill.

The temperature underground was way hotter than outside—even his Nascent Soul cultivation couldn’t handle it, so he shot back out.

In that split second, another tenth of his magical power was spent.

If his reserves weren’t so deep, any ordinary cultivator would have died instantly down there.

"So, breaking the array is basically impossible. Only option is to find a Life Sect and get out of here."

Celestial Concealment gave up on array-breaking; the array was way beyond his imagination.

Now he just needed a way out—escaping would be lucky enough.

"Old bastard, how’s that grand array treating you?"

Lin Chang’sheng saw Celestial Concealment locate the array plate and get burned for his trouble. Couldn’t help taunting him.

Right now, Celestial Concealment’s clothes and beard were scorched black, making him look thoroughly wretched.

Lin Chang’sheng figured he’d poke at the guy, push him over the edge, keep him from calmly searching for the way out.

If Celestial Concealment died in the array, all his magical power would turn to spiritual energy and Lin Chang’sheng could absorb enough to break into Golden Core Late Stage.

This was, after all, a Middle Stage Nascent Soul Great Power.

The spiritual energy from his fall would be insanely thick.

"You little shit, don’t get cocky—when I get out, you’re gonna find death ain’t even an option!"

Celestial Concealment snarled.

But inside, he knew this little bastard was just trying to mess with his Dao heart.

Lin Chang’sheng was determined not to give Celestial Concealment a moment alone to think. "North Beimu only sent one Nascent Soul like you? What, you’re Bi Xi’s lapdog now? Just get sent wherever you’re needed?"

"Shut up!"

Celestial Concealment Divine Master barked.

This brat wouldn’t stop jabbering, keeping him from focusing on escaping.

If he stayed stuck in this grand array, even as a Nascent Soul cultivator, he’d run out of magical power and die eventually.

"Getting desperate already? Must’ve hit a nerve! Bi Xi—just the name sounds like a beast. Doing a beast’s dirty work? Hell, you’re no better than a beast!"

Lin Chang’sheng would’ve kept going, but inside, Celestial Concealment already shut off his six senses, couldn’t hear a word now.

Right now, Celestial Concealment just wanted out of the array, fast.

No point wasting time arguing with Lin Chang’sheng—he’d just get drained even faster.

Once he’s out of the array, let’s see if Lin Chang’sheng still wants to run his mouth.

"Wenjing, evacuate the city! This array won’t hold Celestial Concealment for long! He’ll find his way out soon!"

Lin Chang’sheng saw Celestial Concealment block his senses and start focusing. It wouldn’t be long before he figured out how to escape.

After all, Celestial Concealment found the array plate pretty quickly after entering.

If it weren’t wrapped up in flame, he probably would’ve broken the array by now.

Shows Celestial Concealment really knows his arrays.

"Go fetch General Jin!"

Yu Wenjing ordered.

Soon, Jin Wuque rushed in at speed.

Yu Wenjing ordered Jin Wuque to lead the army and citizens in evacuating the Imperial City.

Otherwise, a Nascent Soul-level Great Power storming through the city would bring nothing but slaughter.

"Yes!"

Jin Wuque hurried off, starting to split up the army and evacuate the people.

...

Five Hours later.

Inside the Fiery Flame Array, Celestial Concealment finally opened his eyes, gold light flashing from within.

Lin Chang’sheng saw that and knew he’d found the way out.

The only exit was through the central Array Hub at the southern gate.

In the array, the three hubs each turned into massive flame volcanoes.

No one would think to enter a volcano to escape—it’s the only exit route.

But with his eyes open now, Celestial Concealment shot forth like a streak of light.

Heading south.

Lin Chang’sheng saw it and knew the old bastard found the array-breaking path.

Gripping his Godslaying Blade a bit tighter.

This fight was going to happen, one way or another!

Inside the array, Celestial Concealment raced toward the highest peak of the southern volcanic range.

Without a second thought, dove headfirst into its largest burning mountain.

Next thing, a scorched, white-haired, white-bearded elder appeared right in Great Yu Imperial City.

"The array is clever, near-perfect even, but to trap and kill me? What a joke!"

Celestial Concealment Divine Master barked, then with a flash, landed before the Imperial Palace Hall, locking eyes with Lin Chang’sheng.

All that trash Lin Chang’sheng talked—Celestial Concealment hadn’t forgotten.

Now, it was time Lin Chang’sheng paid up.

"Man, you really got a dog’s nose—you sniffed your way out!"

Lin Chang’sheng faced this Middle Stage Nascent Soul powerhouse without the slightest sign of fear or submission.

"Kneel for me!"

Celestial Concealment Divine Master, fuming, unleashed his Divine Sense to suppress Lin Chang’sheng.

This punk disgraced him today—if he couldn’t kill him himself, he’d hand him over to Master Bi Xi for body takeover.

Either way, he refused to let him off lightly.

And he’d taken plenty of frustration inside the array—this debt needed collecting.

Yet when his Divine Sense hammered down on Lin Chang’sheng, he thought Lin wouldn’t even be able to lift his head.

But his Divine Sense washed over Lin Chang’sheng and... nothing. It was like tossing a stone into the ocean; Lin Chang’sheng didn’t even flinch.

"Huh? What the—? You actually have Nascent Soul-level Divine Sense?"

Celestial Concealment’s pupils shrank wide.

He stared at Lin Chang’sheng like he’d seen a monster.

Divine Sense is supposed to absolutely suppress lower-level martial artists.

Right now, his Divine Sense was useless against Lin Chang’sheng.

That could only mean Lin Chang’sheng’s Divine Sense matched his own.

This kid—what kind of freak was he? Not only could he set up such a dominating grand array, he even had Nascent Soul-level Divine Sense; nearly on equal ground!

"You think that’s worth fussing over? You ain’t seen nothing yet!"

Lin Chang’sheng had no intention to waste time talking—no need to give Celestial Concealment time to recuperate.

By now, Lin Chang’sheng could sense that Celestial Concealment Divine Master’s magical power was down to less than three-tenths.

While he himself was at his peak—had to strike while the iron was hot.

"Break!"

Lin Chang’sheng didn’t hesitate, swung his blade down.

This strike unleashed the full might of his Golden Core Middle Stage, the Godslaying Blade shining, morphing into a hundred-foot Blade Aura, slashing at Celestial Concealment.

The Blade Aura crashed down, threatening to tear the very heavens apart.

To Celestial Concealment, though, it was child’s play.

"How naive—I’m going to show you that in front of absolute power, fancy tricks are a joke!"

Celestial Concealment barked dismissively.

He thrust out his palm, intending to block Lin Chang’sheng’s Blade Aura with sheer bodily strength.

Rumble, rumble——

In midair, the Blade Aura and giant palm collided head-on.

A thunderous blast shook the skies.

Within a hundred feet, every house was leveled by the surge of magical force.

Overhead, a giant palm seized the hundred-foot Blade Aura Lin Chang’sheng unleashed.

With a slight squeeze, it shattered the Blade Aura with ease.

"So that’s the terrifying power of Middle Stage Nascent Soul, huh?"

Lin Chang’sheng’s heart skipped a beat.

He thought his full-strength Golden Core Middle Stage strike could take on Celestial Concealment, who had only three-tenths magical power left.

But his all-out attack didn’t budge the guy—Golden Core and Nascent Soul were leagues apart.

"That’s all you’ve got?"

Celestial Concealment stood with hands behind his back, looking down, voice dripping with contempt.

But anyone watching from behind would notice something different.

Celestial Concealment’s hand, concealed behind his back, was stained with blood, a clear gash torn in his palm.

Obviously, Lin Chang’sheng’s Blade Aura had left its mark.