Chapter 1316: Chapter 1314: Not Even Tathagata Can Stop Me—What I Say Goes (5th Update)
On one hand, it was indeed necessary to stop the resurrection of the Dragon King of Jing River; on the other hand, Tathagata also wanted to take this opportunity to see just how stubborn Jiang Liu’s temper had become.
Therefore, after striking Jiang Liu with a palm and injuring him, Tathagata followed up with an attack, continuing to unleash more assaults on Jiang Liu.
Under Tathagata’s attack, Jiang Liu struggled to maintain his defense to withstand it, and naturally, his injuries became increasingly severe.
Facing powerhouses like the Jade Emperor and Tathagata, relying solely on the defense provided by the Innate Five-Directional Flag and using law-type skills like the Duel Contract was impossible.
“It seems that relying only on the defense of the Green Lotus Buddha Robe is indeed not enough. In that case, let’s try this…”
Under Tathagata’s attack, Jiang Liu’s injuries became more serious, and soon his health points dropped below half, causing Jiang Liu to concentrate his mind slightly.
Soon after, the eighteen-petaled lotus he positioned flew over and hovered above Jiang Liu’s head.
A yellowish light was projected down from the eighteen-petaled lotus, enveloping Jiang Liu entirely.
The effects of the eighteen-petaled lotus were simple: attack, defense, and entrapment. And as the user’s cultivation level increased, its abilities became stronger!
Previously, when Jiang Liu’s cultivation level was very low, below that of Taiyi, the role played by the eighteen-petaled lotus was naturally limited, far lacking compared to the fixed defense value of the Innate Five-Directional Flag.
However, as a treasure transformed by the thirty-six-petaled Chaos Green Lotus, a Chaos Treasure, the quality of the nine-petaled lotus was definitely not inferior to the Innate Five-Directional Flag, not to mention the fusion of two lotus treasures.
The Green Lotus Buddha Robe was clothing equipment, whereas the eighteen-petaled lotus existed in the special equipment category.
At this time, the roles of the two major pieces of equipment were manifested, forming a formidable defense in front of Jiang Liu.
Bang, bang, bang! Numerous Dharma Treasures continued to pour down towards Jiang Liu, relying on the defense of the lotus and Green Lotus Buddha Robe, Jiang Liu’s defense ability indeed improved a notch.
However, it still couldn’t withstand Tathagata’s attacks.
Under the torrent of his dense Dharma Treasures, Jiang Liu’s injuries continued to increase.
“Buddha, are you really determined to kill me?”
Finally, when Jiang Liu’s health points dropped to the dangerous level of one-third, Jiang Liu spoke, seriously staring at Tathagata and asked.
“So, have you finally decided to give up now? Actually, it wouldn’t be shameful!” Listening to Jiang Liu’s words, Tathagata spoke up.
“No, disciple does not intend to give up but is going to get serious!”
Although heavily injured, Jiang Liu, who seemed like a cornered beast, seriously stared at Tathagata and said.
“Oh? Really? Get serious? You mean you haven’t been serious until now? If that’s the case, let me see how strong you are when you’re serious!”
Upon hearing this, Tathagata’s brow slightly raised, staring at Jiang Liu, half-believing what he said.
Indeed, with Jiang Liu’s strength, enduring without retaliating and relying purely on defense until now, had already made Tathagata secretly marvel at his tremendous power.
But he claimed he hasn’t been serious until now? Tathagata was somewhat half-skeptical.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Liu had no intention of explaining further, soon, the special effect of the Overlord Contract ring was activated.
With the special effect activated, Jiang Liu’s aura immediately seemed to explode, skyrocketing and swelling rapidly.
Simultaneously, the system’s notification sounded in Jiang Liu’s mind.
Notification: Level increased by 5, current level 92.
As Jiang Liu reached level 92, naturally his cultivation level securely stepped into the Quasi-Saint tier, the glow of the eighteen-petaled lotus, originally controlled by a Great Luo Golden Immortal cultivation level, became even more radiant and dazzling, and the defensive power went through a groundbreaking transformation.
Though no specific values were displayed, Jiang Liu estimated that the defense value of the eighteen-petaled lotus might have reached around five to six billion now!
With the current defense power of the eighteen-petaled lotus, plus the 10 billion defense from the Green Lotus Buddha Robe, and other equipment and the amplified state from the Strengthening Body-Protection Spell…
Speaking of defense power, Jiang Liu now had over 16 billion!
With such formidable defense power bestowed upon himself, all of Tathagata’s attacks mixed with the Force of Destiny were completely blocked.
“Powerful, indeed the special effect of the Overlord Contract ring is addictive!”
Feeling the abundant strength within him, at the 92-level Quasi-Saint tier, Jiang Liu marveled silently in his heart.
Of course, with his defense massively ramped up, Jiang Liu also raised his hand, employing the skill Healing Holy Hand.
The descending Holy Object fiercely smashed onto the ground, spreading invisible waves everywhere.
The undulations swept across Jiang Liu’s body, naturally allowing his injuries to recover bit by bit.
At the same time, Jiang Liu’s movements didn’t stop, casting another Guanyin Mantra skill upon himself.
In no time, his health point surged upwards.
By the time the Healing Holy Hand’s effect wore off and the holy object vanished without a trace, the health bar above Jiang Liu’s head had returned to about eighty percent of a safe level.
Naturally, as his injuries healed, Jiang Liu’s vitality and spirit had completely transformed.
“Amazing, truly amazing, to have recovered from his injuries in the blink of an eye!”
At the entrance of the Ksitigarbha Cave, the Novice Monk, who had been guarding there all along, muttered silently to himself, marveling at Jiang Liu’s power, which seemed capable of contending with the Tathagata!
Indeed, simply taking hits passively without retaliating, yet still remaining spirited, and now feeling the quasi-saint level aura emanating from him, even this Novice Monk could perceive that Jiang Liu indeed possessed the strength to rival the Tathagata!
“Impossible! How could such a powerful aura have reached the level of a quasi-saint? What’s going on!?” Among all, the most shocked was none other than the Tathagata.
Feeling the terrifying aura from Jiang Liu, the Tathagata found it hard to believe.
Quasi-saint level experts, throughout history, are no more than twenty or thirty.
More importantly, how long has it been since a new quasi-saint was born in the world? Could it be? Xuanzang secretly advanced to the quasi-saint level?
“This can’t be! He’s the reincarnation of Master Golden Cicada. Even with the addition of destiny, it shouldn’t be so easy for him to reach the quasi-saint level!” the Tathagata shook his head inwardly, thinking it impossible.
Becoming a quasi-saint is not such a simple matter.
However, the aura emitted by Jiang Liu at this moment had indeed stepped firmly into the quasi-saint level, forcing even the Tathagata to admit it despite his disbelief!
“He actually managed to elevate to the quasi-saint level!?” Beside him, Ksitigarbha felt the aura emanating from Jiang Liu, and he too was stunned.
However, after a brief silence, Ksitigarbha shook his head inwardly.
No, he seemed to have used this move before, his strength exceeded the range of Tingdi’s divine skills, but eventually, his cultivation level fell back down.
It seems, breaking through to the quasi-saint level is a temporary ability of his, doesn’t it?
“Truly miraculous! Perhaps, only treasures like that can have such wondrous effects…” Ksitigarbha silently reflected upon the treasure fused with Hongmeng Purple Qi on Jiang Liu.
“Xuanzang, when did your cultivation level break through to the quasi-saint level?”
Regardless of what Ksitigarbha was thinking, at this moment, the Tathagata looked gravely at Jiang Liu and asked.
Yet, Jiang Liu did not respond to the Tathagata’s question, maintaining the defense of the Green Lotus Buddha Robe and the Eighteen-Rank Lotus, staring at the Tathagata and said, “Buddha, at this point, do you still wish to make a move?”
Listening to Jiang Liu’s words, the Tathagata’s expression shifted between green and white.
Although unwilling to admit it, feeling Jiang Liu’s quasi-saint level cultivation and the defense supported by the Green Lotus Treasured Flag and the Eighteen-Rank Lotus, his own attacks, even with the force of destiny, indeed could do no harm to him.
If that’s the case, then continuing the fight serves no purpose anymore.”
“Amitabha…”
After uttering a Buddha’s name, the Tathagata collected his multitude of dharma treasures, which were like a tidal wave, and turned his gaze upon Jiang Liu, saying, “Xuanzang, each of the treasures on you is enough to spur countless people to scramble for, is it worth using them to exchange for the Dragon King of Jing River’s soul?”
“Replying to the Buddha, perhaps exchanging them for the Dragon King of Jing River’s soul isn’t worthwhile, but having promised, I must fulfill it. To uphold my conviction, I believe it’s worth it!” Jiang Liu replied upon the Tathagata’s questioning of its worth.
Indeed, using such treasures to exchange for a Heavenly Immortal like the Dragon King of Jing River’s soul isn’t worthwhile, but preserving my honor is!
If I don’t deliver on what I’ve spoken, wouldn’t I lose face?
“Alas, if that’s the case, then I shall not stop you; handle it yourself then!”
Having reached this point, having tried to stop and having fought, since none of it worked, naturally, there’s no reason to continue further. Sighing lightly, the Tathagata shook his head and said.
“Thank you, Buddha, for your consent!”
Though inwardly secretly griping at the Tathagata’s inability to defeat him, Jiang Liu outwardly continued to feign respect toward the Tathagata.
Watching the departing figure of the Tathagata, Jiang Liu’s lips curled slightly: Even the Tathagata cannot stop what I set my mind to do!
(PS: This is today’s 5th update, the next chapter will be updated at 2 PM!)