Chapter 1039: Whether You Believe It or Not, I Do

Chapter 1039: Chapter 1039: Whether You Believe It or Not, I Do

Jinpeng took a closer look at Zhong Shan and his group. Apart from the ancient immortal who had used time-related techniques last time, the highest cultivation among them was only at the Grand Immortal level. Jinpeng had fought countless battles in his lifetime and had seen many powerful individuals who could challenge those at higher levels. However, those were usually only capable of challenging one level above their own, such as certain fierce individuals at the ancient immortal stage who could threaten even Ancestral Immortals. But a Grand Immortal? There was no way.

The only one who might be a concern was the ancient immortal with time-manipulation abilities. But he was just at the early stage of ancient immortality—nothing to worry about. And this beast?

The Zhuxian Sword?

Hmph, the Zhuxian Sword was destroyed long ago. No matter how it was restored, it could never regain its former power.

In an instant, Jinpeng assessed the situation and shot forward with a roar. His speed was so fast that even among Ancestral Immortals, few could match him. In the blink of an eye, only an afterimage remained as he closed in on Zhong Shan. Zhong Shan could barely catch a faint glimpse of him with his divine sense.

The four swords of Zhu, Lu, Xian, and Jue simultaneously sealed Jinpeng's path.

But Jinpeng was too fast. His figure blurred as he moved, turning the four-sword blockade into an attack from just one sword, the Juexian Sword.

With a fierce glare, Jinpeng swung his right hand to strike the Juexian Sword.

"Boom!"

The powerful collision caused the space around them to tremble violently. In this clash, Jinpeng realized that this sword was indeed the Juexian Sword.

Despite the fierce impact, neither the Juexian Sword nor Jinpeng gained the upper hand. However, Jinpeng, ever the ferocious fighter, did not retreat. Instead, he pressed forward, sidestepping the Juexian Sword while lunging toward Zhong Shan.

Jinpeng could see that Zhong Shan was the leader of the group. If he could capture Zhong Shan, the rest would be at his mercy.

With a swift motion, Jinpeng reached out to grab Zhong Shan. The surrounding space seemed to lock in place, sealing off any escape.

But at that moment, Jinpeng saw something unexpected—Zhong Shan was not retreating in fear but was instead charging forward to meet his attack head-on.

Jinpeng almost laughed. A mere Grand Immortal daring to confront him directly?

"Roar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"

Suddenly, a deafening dragon's roar erupted from within Zhong Shan's body, drawing the attention of every cultivator in the deserted city.

At the same time, Zhong Shan's eyes widened with intensity. The Ninth Stage of Heavenly Demon Body Refinement erupted within him, boosting his strength tenfold. In Lingxiao Heavenly Court, Zhong Shan's voice resounded as he commanded the people to raise their right hands.

Protected by the True Dragon, and borrowing the momentum of the Great Zheng Kingdom, Zhong Shan's power surged, momentarily reaching the level of an early-stage Ancestral Immortal.

"First Form of Heaven-Opening!"

With a thunderous shout, Zhong Shan's palms suddenly turned silver. As the True Dragon within him let out a resounding roar, Zhong Shan unleashed the First Form of Heaven-Opening.

In the void, a massive silver Dao path extended from the heavens to the earth. A mighty force accompanied Zhong Shan's palms, forming an enormous ax blade tens of thousands of feet long.

As the First Form of Heaven-Opening was unleashed, the void trembled, and a black hole appeared at the edge of the ax blade as it swept toward Jinpeng.

Meanwhile, Zhong Shan had already sent the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail, Mr. Corpse, Hao Meili, and the others into the "Divine Realm."

Unstoppable, the First Form of Heaven-Opening created a black hole in the void, and the terrifying ax blade slashed toward Jinpeng's incoming hand.

Knowing full well the terrifying nature of his opponent, Zhong Shan did not hold back. He immediately unleashed the same devastating move he had used against the Snow Plum Ancestor, recognizing the monstrous threat that Jinpeng posed.

Jinpeng initially didn't use his full strength when he attempted to grab Zhong Shan. After all, Zhong Shan was only at the Grand Immortal stage, and Jinpeng feared that if he exerted too much force, he might accidentally crush him. He still had plans for Zhong Shan, and he needed him alive. But even with his measured attack, Jinpeng was confident that no mere Grand Immortal could escape his grasp.

"What? Are you going to stand against me as well?" Jinpeng's voice carried a note of irritation.

Kong Xuan's approach to Jinpeng was not cold; instead, he seemed genuinely concerned as he tried to reason with him. "You can't take them now. I promised Jieyin I would protect them to repay a favor I owe him from long ago."

"Protect them?" Jinpeng's expression darkened.

"Yes."

"So, you're choosing to protect them? I'm telling you right now, I'm going to capture them. Are you going to let me, or not? What's more important to you, Jieyin's favor or mine?" Jinpeng pressed, his eyes narrowing.

Kong Xuan looked intently at Jinpeng for a moment before shaking his head. "You're still the same as ever—an extraordinary being with innate talent. But this world isn't one where sheer strength can solve everything. Have you still not learned to think?"

"Think? What do you mean by that? I've crushed every enemy beneath my feet. I only know that when I want something, I go and take it. Back then, when you were humiliated at the Great Thunder Sound Temple, I didn't hesitate to storm the temple, regardless of the consequences, just because I wanted to stand up for you and restore your honor. Now, are you going to let me through or not?" Jinpeng was seething with anger.

Kong Xuan shook his head again. "I was like you once, but the world isn't a place you can conquer with mere willpower. As for them, it's true I promised Jieyin I'd protect them, but more importantly, they aren't as simple as you think. I can tell you right now, if anything happens to them here, you will undoubtedly be torn apart."

Jinpeng knew that Kong Xuan wouldn't lie to him, but he still found it hard to believe. What kind of backing did these people have?

"Why? Who are they?" For the first time, Jinpeng's tone became serious.

"Who they are doesn't matter. What matters is that these people are now the balance point for another battlefield," Kong Xuan explained.

"They're a balance point...?" Jinpeng's gaze shifted toward the massive black hole in the distance—the battlefield that had engulfed the Heavenly Court. His heart skipped a beat as he tried to process this revelation.

How could this be? How could this group be tied to the battle raging in the sky?

"At most, they might be connected to Jieyin!" Jinpeng said, though with less certainty than before.

"Yes, they are connected to Jieyin. But right now, the sky is in a delicate balance. If you break that balance, your enemies will include not just Jieyin, but also Taishang, Zhunti, Ying, Guiguzi, Haotian, and even Sa!" Kong Xuan's voice was stern.

"I don't believe it!" Jinpeng shouted in anger.

"It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. I do. And as long as I'm here, no one will harm them," Kong Xuan firmly stated, standing resolutely in Jinpeng's path.

Jinpeng clenched his Fangtian Halberd, his muscles tense and veins bulging in his hands. His anger was overwhelming, and the urge to lash out was nearly unbearable. His eyes were bloodshot, and it seemed as though he would attack at any moment.

"Until that battle is over, you are not to touch them. After the battle ends, I won't stop you," Kong Xuan declared, his voice calm but unyielding.

Jinpeng was furious to the point that veins bulged on his forehead, but Kong Xuan was the one blocking him. If it had been anyone else, Jinpeng would have slashed them down without a second thought. But now, he found himself caught in a frustrating dilemma.

After casting a fierce glare at Zhong Shan and his group, Jinpeng turned abruptly, deciding to avoid further conflict with Kong Xuan. With a flash, he disappeared from sight.

Kong Xuan watched Jinpeng leave and let out a small sigh. Without acknowledging Zhong Shan, he once again found a high peak and perched himself atop it, resuming his watchful stance.

Zhong Shan, feeling the exhaustion catch up with him, swayed slightly. Hao Meili quickly moved to support him.

The abandoned city had been destroyed in the earlier battle, so Zhong Shan and his group found another secluded valley to rest.

The surrounding powerhouses, witnessing the earlier confrontation, could only gulp nervously. The Bull Demon King's expression was complex, unable to fully grasp or articulate his feelings about what had just transpired. Sun Shen, on the other hand, cast a resentful glance in the direction where Jinpeng had disappeared.

In a distant, hidden valley, Tathagata Buddha watched the scene unfold. His usually serene face now bore a slight frown as he contemplated the implications of what had just occurred.

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8