Chapter 137: The Fifth Giant
Chapter 137: The Fifth Giant
The Time Sect was one of the seven super sects. Its secret technique, “One Year, One Withering and Flourishing,” ranked supreme in the Mind Convergence Canon and could only be passed down to direct disciples—outsiders were forbidden from learning it!
Some time ago, the Two Realms Mountain faced danger from a Mystic Light Stage Snake Demon. Baimei resolutely burned his lifespan, using his sealed Mystic Light Stage potential to curse the Snake Demon!
That respectable Mystic Light Stage Snake Demon instantly experienced several molting periods, leaping straight from middle age into extreme old age before perishing on the spot. This fully displayed the unique might of the Time Sect’s techniques.
“One Year, One Withering and Flourishing” was another technique equally famous as “Years.”
By sacrificing one year of the caster’s life, it could deal devastating damage to foes. Alternatively, cast upon a friend, it forced a breakthrough and elevated their cultivation, bringing great benefits.
However…
The target had to be a cultivator weaker than the caster.
Within a fixed time period, the target directly absorbed the Star River Years magic power conjured by the caster. The amount absorbed varied individually.
Lu Hangzhi was only at the Epiphany Stage and hadn’t yet condensed a divine spark. Inside the Star River space, he instantly advanced from the peak of the ninth grade of the Comprehension Stage to the tenth grade of the Comprehension Stage, astonishingly fast!
Yet…
This wasn’t what shocked the Time Sect Elder and Immortal Lord Long most.
An esteemed peak Spirit Condensation Stage Time Sect Elder could seal or even slay an early Mystic Light Stage expert. Sacrificing one year to enhance an Epiphany Stage cultivator should yield immense results. However…
During the casting of “One Year, One Withering and Flourishing,” the caster’s own comprehension of magic was also imparted—something incredibly profound. Some could grasp it instantly; others might never encounter it in their lifetime.
Absolutely no one anticipated that…
Lu Hangzhi brought his Spiritual Vortex Storm into the Star River space.
The silver Spiritual Vortex Storm swept through that space, drawing in vast rivers of Star River Years magic power from all directions. The magic power even took on a subtle qualitative shift.
“What is this…”
Lu Hangzhi quickly sensed the silver Spiritual Vortex Storm expanding violently within the space while countless ethereal white ribbons appeared inside it, darting rapidly through the vortex like splendid, breathtaking fireworks.
Involuntarily, he stretched out a hand, feeling the streams of magic power ribbons glide between his fingers.
Initially, the ribbons swerved sharply away from his arm.
But as his arm steadied, the countless wisps of near-transparent bands seemed to recognize its harmlessness. Increasingly, more threads slid and fluttered through the gaps of his fingers.
Under the peculiar tides of magic power, Lu Hangzhi trembled slightly before snapping his eyes shut.
The moment the magic power strands touched his body, faint traces of magic power were sucked into his Spiritual Power Pool.
The Spiritual Power Pool grew at a startlingly fast pace!
Meanwhile…
Streaks of fragmented information surfaced in his consciousness.
As contact grew more frequent, the data reassembled into fragmentary or whole blocks of knowledge.
Lu Hangzhi quickly focused. Eyes closed, he quieted his mind and carefully absorbed all the Year-related insights contained within these streams.
“So that’s how it works…”
“What a strange mechanism…”
“Ordinary magic power is all about brute force—gathering and crushing enemy power. This power seems more like bone-gnawing corrosion, gradually consuming enemy magic while inflicting virus-like harm to both spirit and flesh.”
“The Power of Years!”
“Is this the uniqueness of the Time Sect’s secret arts? Truly formidable!”
“No wonder the Time Sect dominates as one of the seven super sects of the Barbarian Continent. Utterly astonishing.”
While continuously studying, he endured unending waves of Year streams. His Spiritual Power Pool rumbled as it expanded, soon triple its pre-entry size and still swelling steadily.
Outside, Immortal Lord Long and others watched with delight.
“Truly a prodigy!”
“His absorption rate of Star River magic power is several times quicker than ordinary cultivators! He’s already reached the mid tenth-grade of the Comprehension Stage.”
Long Yun stroked his beard, laughing heartily:
“To help cultivate a tenth-grade Epiphany Stage cultivator in my final moments… Leaving such a peerless genius to humanity. Ha! Totally worth it!”
“The Years effect ends soon. Can he advance further?”
Immortal Lord Long sighed gravely. “Once we enter the Monster Lair, he must command and guard this place alone. Its warfare may be tougher than ours. Every extra fraction of strength boosts his odds of survival.”
“Mhm.”
War Zone Spirit Coalescence Elders silently watched Lu Hangzhi standing atop a Matrix Tower.
They could tell he had earned the Time Sect Elder’s recognition and was inheriting a tremendous opportunity.
But…
Their cultivation levels and sect backgrounds prevented them from discerning Lu Hangzhi’s true stage.
To them, he remained a peak ninth-grade Epiphany Stage cultivator. They were utterly oblivious that he nearly matched peak Mid Soul-Concentrating Stage power.
Finally…
Lu Hangzhi’s aura settled at late tenth-grade of the Comprehension Stage, barely a step away from peak tenth-grade.
Eyes opened.
His gaze became brilliantly luminous; fleeting glimmers of white flashed deep within before fading back to normal. He turned to Time Sect Elder Long Yun, bowing deeply in gratitude:
“This junior shall forever remember your guidance and kindness, Elder Long.”
“Everything is for the Human Race!”
Long Yun replied simply.
Lu Hangzhi felt shaken, as if glimpsing the immense will behind Long Yun. He stated firmly:
“Everything for the Human Race!”
“Alright.”
The East Inspector Envoy finally broke the tension. “Monster assaults ceased long ago! Everyone, move out!” His command threw the War Zone into high alert.
Monster Beasts beyond the frontlines had retreated back, covering several miles. Shields like thick Blood Cocoons had condensed above their tightly packed ranks, awaiting the humans’ advance.
“Whoever says monsters lack cunning breeds—I’ll crack their skull open!”
“You never believed Baimei either.”
“Cough… With weather this fine, save your bickering.”
“…”
As the Elite Vanguard Teams led by the four Inspector Envoys charged onto the field, Lu Hangzhi swiftly checked his Storage Ring supplies:
Two hundred Matrix Towers;
Four hundred eighty Supreme Grade Spirit Stones;
Over one thousand peak Concentrated Spirit Monster Beast Inner Cores;
Countless vials of Elixirs and jars of Nectar Immortal Elixir;
Mountains of Spirit Concentrating Art Technique talismans;
Dozens of Spirit Condensation Stage cultivation manuals;
Thirteen Magical Artifacts glowing with powerful light.
Lu Hangzhi nearly went blind from the glittering wealth inside. He took deep breaths, calming himself only after prolonged effort.
Right then, the Elite Vanguard Teams violently clashed with monster hordes!
Neither Immortal Lord Long nor the Time Sect Elder attacked. Hands behind backs, they watched silently as their comrades cleared paths ahead.
Soon, relying on the Blood Cocoons’ potent defenses, monster attackers wounded human elites.
Monster Beasts from the Sky Passage descended and clustered around the mountaintop, constantly harassing vanguards.
Seeing this, Lu Hangzhi ordered decisively:
“Luo Sen, deploy your Blood Slaves! Advance along the Inspector Envoys’ route and wipe out rear monsters. Begin placing Matrix Towers!”
Luo Sen had twelve peak Concentrated Spirit Blood Slaves and felt useless just standing idle. Hearing those words, he sprang to action instantly, sending Blood Slaves charging uphill!
Lu Hangzhi turned to Elder Lu:
“Elder Lu, take a squad to shield Luo Sen. Guard his life at all costs. If needed, cooperate with him against monsters.”
“No issue!”
Elder Lu nodded.
The arrangement silenced all critics. Twelve fearless, peak Spirit-Concentrating Blood Slaves held offensive power greater than twenty peak Spirit Coalescence Elders—strongest spearhead ever. Elder Lu and twelve Spirit Coalescence Elders (including Buming) provided impenetrable rearguard defense—sturdiest shield.
Perfect blend of offense and defense!
With twelve Blood Slaves joining rear flanks, frontline pressure eased instantly.
Matrix Towers dropped into place, securing the entire sector.
Logistical coverage directly reached the vanguards’ backs…
The battle-hardened Inspector Envoys finally breathed easier.
“Commander Lu cleared the rear for us! Show him we’re no slackers!”
Honglian shouted, flicking her eyes toward Zhao Qian.
Without hesitation, Zhao Qian dove into the conflict, instantly drawing enemy focus.
His Clone got smashed apart within two seconds. But he tore the Talisman before dying, brilliant light blinding countless monsters and rattling their Qi-Blood Barrier.
Next moment…
Wave after wave of peak Spirit-Concentrating Art Techniques hammered monster ranks, gouging a gap through their lines!
Meanwhile, Lu Hangzhi—capitalizing on the chaos—mobilized a hundred Spirit Coalescence Elders to strike out in every direction. With Luo Sen’s twelve Blood Slaves, Matrix Towers sprung upward everywhere, swiftly reclaiming lost Core Battle Zones.
Tower by tower, sector by sector… Over a dozen Elders reinforced each position. The support base expanded from five War Zones to fifteen…
“Implement lateral defense tactics among all sectors! Aid each other and share intel! Before we storm the Monster Lair, I won’t tolerate losing a single sector.”
Lu Hangzhi descended his Matrix Tower and strode toward the advance line, shouting:
“Brothers! Though we’re logistics staff, we’re on the frontlines! That means fighting! The Inspector Envoys target Mystic Light Stage beasts. Our mission? Destroy every other monster and pave their path!”
Around him, a fifty-meter-wide Spiritual Vortex Storm churned violently as he marched, a sight so imposing it silenced onlookers.
Over a thousand logistics Spirit Coalescence Elders listened without a sound.
They were witnessing the warzone transformation firsthand!
Soon the tide began turning:
Half the Core Battle Zones had been retaken;
Logistical support started converging onto the mountaintop, pushing toward the Fifth Zone.
They saw enemy pressure weakening. The rear base wasn’t just shielding them—it was rewriting the battle for Two Realms Mountain!
Spurred by Lu Hangzhi’s command, they threw themselves fully into executing orders.