Chapter 176 Trial of Flaming Mountain
Long Ming took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. In his heart, he was visualizing the ancient runic words: Seal, Destruction, and Illusion.
He already comprehended the word Unity to its basic extent, so he is focusing on these three.
However, he realized that incorporating the Destruction rune would be pretty difficult for him for now. After countless visualizations, Long Ming understood the nature of destruction and oblivion.
Long Ming could now use the intricate runic chains of destruction, increasing the power of offensive-type talismans. As the nature of destruction, it could simply destroy things faster and more thoroughly.
As he circulated the energy, he felt a black wisp of qi coming out from the word destruction. Although it was like a small thread, Long Ming could feel the immense destructive power hiding inside it.
Unfortunately, it would be too hasty to merge this wisp of black qi into his technique. Because one wrong step and the wisp of destructive qi can ruin his divine sea.
" If I keep going, there might be a chance that I would comprehend the Grand Dao of Destruction." Long Ming let out a breath of turbid air as he focused on the word Illusion.
Rune of Illusion and Truth, both are two sides of the same coin. The thing is, what is illusion and what is truth?
Does everything which is perceived by the five senses are truth? Are dreams truly illusions? Who can say what is truth and what is illusion?
' In the end, it all depends on one's heart.' Long Ming mumbled.
If one shrouds the entire world with illusion, the illusion becomes truth for the world itself. If one has the capability of affecting everyone's heart, even the earth and sky would become an illusion.
' People think Illusion and Truth runes are simply two opposites. However, like flipping a switch, the truth can become an illusion and the illusion can become reality.' Long Ming's spiritual qi ripped as he could see the misty allure of the word Illusion.
However, although this concept was easy, many cultivators wrecked their brains for millenniums to understand this. Comprehension and implementation is the key, which most cultivators couldn't grasp throughout their lifetimes.
' The rune of illusion is used to confuse the runemaster who tries to decipher a formation. While some runes looked easy to decipher, it might be a trap for the runemaster.'
As the third rune Seal, Long Ming already gained some initial understanding when he got it after saving Jiang Wanxue.
However, comprehending it again, Long Ming felt Illusion and Seal runes were the ones that he could easily incorporate with both his supplementary dao paths and his fighting power.
According to most runemasters, a Seal rune is like a power container inside a talisman. It's the battery where the energy of the talisman is stored. And when triggered, the seal rune breaks, unleashing the power of the talisman.
However, as another meaning, the Seal rune can simply seal. That's it, it can simply seal or imprison anything that can be sealed.
Long Ming felt it was a terrifying prospect if he could use this in battle. He didn't know how much time passed since he started to comprehend the three runes.
However, he realized if he wanted to progress, rather than devouring everything at once, he should take small bites and savor its taste.
*RUMBLE RUMBLE*
Long Ming felt the spiritual qi stirring inside his divine sea as his true core flashed with dreamy light. The energy of heaven and earth around him became turbulent as it got sucked by his true core. noVe)lb.1n
The pitch black dragon rose from the abyss as it opened its mouth. Suddenly, Long Ming felt his true core getting more and more solid as it absorbed the energy of heaven and earth.
With a soft cracking noise, Long Ming felt his cultivation base rising. It was unknown how much time had passed. But Long Ming opened his eyes and realized he reached the peak of the True Core Formation Realm, just a step away from the Primordial Spirit Unification Realm.
" Well well, I hope I get another qi cultivation clearance till the end of this system so I can raise my strength to Primordial Spirit Unification Realm." Long Ming chuckled.
Only after that, Long Ming would be powerful enough as elders of various sects. He could even fight and escape the clutches of a Nine Transformation of Soul Realm cultivator.
It was already daytime, although Long Ming didn't know how many hours or days passed. However, comprehending the three runes, he felt like his spiritual qi had gotten stronger.
In fact, rather than increasing his strength, Long Ming felt he could use the power of ancient runic words to contend against the power of the demonic beast's dao bone.
" Well, Since that's the case, Let's try out something."
*BOOOM*
Long Ming jumped as his wings unfurled. He turned into a streak of light as he charged straight to the Flaming Mountain.
Not after long, Long Ming could see the stairways leading up to the Flaming Mountain, It was like the stairs were made up of blazing red lave stones. The moment Long Ming stepped on it, he felt his body become slightly heavy.
" I see, The main function of the trial is to put a strain on the qi and physique of the cultivators." Long Ming nodded as his expression became a bit strange.
" But...Isn't this a bit easy?"
Long Ming simply used his physical body to climb the mountain. Although he could feel the increase of a little bit of pressure after each step, it was simply like placing a strand of hair on his body.
" Nine thousand stairs, huh? This going to be easy." Long Ming's body arched as he started to spring. He simply replied on his body and ran like a horse.
One thousand, two thousand...Six thousand steps were crossed.
But after that, Long Ming felt like the gravity increased by ten times. However, Long Ming calmed his heart as he activated his Great Mystic Mountain Body.
*BOOOM BOOOM*
It was like the pressure decreased by 70% as an illusion of a vast mountain appeared above him. After climbing the remaining two thousand steps, he already reached eight thousand steps.
The moment he crossed the mark of eight thousand, he realized the mirage of the mountain above his head was trembling.
Suddenly, the pressure increased yet again, as if an invisible hand pressing down on Long Ming. Even with his Minor Completion Imperial Physique, he felt like it was going to be tough to move forward.
' Strange, Why do I feel the difficulty increased purposefully?' Long Ming panted as he moved forward. Soon, only nine steps were remaining and he could see the summit.
" Huh?"
The moment Long Ming reached the 8991'th step, a blaze of fire materialized before him, forming into a human figure. Gazing at Long Ming, it suddenly attacked Long Ming.
Countless fire needles materialized, shooting toward Long Ming. Long Ming realized it was a battle technique of Four Seasons Valley, Shower of Deadly Fire.
" Hmph! A mere puppet trying to fight against me?" Long Ming chuckled as he raised his fist. Using the Soaring Water Moon Art as he also used his Intent of Water."
" Ocean Flipping Fist!"
*BOOM BOOM*
Long Ming's attack was like a surging tide of water, blocking the attack of the figure and extinguishing its fire. With a crushing fist, Long Ming killed that figure in a few breaths of time.
"Its power was comparable to Early stage Primordial Spirit Realm." Long Ming thought as he took another step.
Although he was calling them a step, each step was long and wide like a small arena, where a hundred people can fit at once.
In the seventh step, another figure made of fire appeared. In the fifth step, Long Ming faced a monster made up of ice. Its power was the peak of the Primordial Spirit Unification Realm.
In the third step, Long Ming faced a figure made up of earth and rocks, and its strength reached the Early stage of the Harmonization Realm.
" Could it be...The trial is adjusted according to my power?"
Long Ming became interested. However, thanks to it, his technique and comprehension became smoother and efficient.
As for the final step, Long Ming's Heavenly Revelation Eyes shrunk violently as he hurriedly stepped away.
*BOOOM*
A golden statue descended from the sky. It crushed the ground and created a deep crater as it landed. The statue alone was over ten feet tall, and it held a golden saber of five feet.
Although its expression was stiff as any statue, Long Ming could feel the oppression from the eyes of the statue. The saber hummed as its presence was like a tiger in the mountain.
Long Ming's face twitched as he looked at the statue. Suddenly, Long Ming's body blinked as he backed away a dozen feet a once. The place where he stood got sliced by fine arcs of golden light.
The statue merely raised its saber, yet it managed to deliver such fast attacks.
" This statue carries the power of Half Step Nine Transformations of Soul Realm." Long Ming took a deep breath. " Also, it can use the Intent of Metal and Saber Intent."