Chapter 257: Head-on Collision

The so-called artifact fusion technique is not merely a skill used in coordination with a magical artifact, but rather a special method that achieves the unity of human and artifact.

It is important to know that human cultivators rely on magical artifacts precisely because the hardness of such artifacts is unattainable by the human body. Even Yang Yan, whose Profound Ice Physique had now reached the stage of completion, would not dare to easily attempt a direct frontal confrontation with a mid-grade magical treasure using his bare body.

Yet Xu Chao, having utilized the artifact fusion technique, managed to achieve precisely this.

Following the fusion, the hardness of Xu Chao's arms had reached the level of a mid-grade magical treasure, and he could execute attacks with remarkable fluidity, completely devoid of any sense of blockage or sluggishness.

And this was merely the preliminary stage of the fusion between the artifact and the human body.

Yang Yan had previously heard Elder Yang mention that when certain mighty figures in the cultivation world reached a bottleneck in their realm where making further progress became exceedingly difficult, they would resort to every possible means to enhance their combat power. Among the most renowned methods was fusing with a magical artifact.

The prerequisite for this was possessing a magical artifact that had accompanied the cultivator for a long time and shared complete spiritual resonance. Naturally, the quality of the artifact could not be too low; otherwise, without the birth of a certain degree of nascent sentience, it would fail to resonate with the cultivator and thus could not be merged together.

The fusion between a magical artifact and a cultivator is divided into three stages: preliminary fusion, major fusion, and ultimately, the complete unity of human and artifact.

The Xu Chao before him appeared to remain only at the first stage, which was preliminary fusion, as he was merely capable of fusing his arms with the daggers, unable to achieve a deeper level of integration.

The so-called major fusion involved merging more than fifty percent of the total surface area of the cultivator's physical body with the magical artifact.

As for the final realm of the unity of human and artifact, according to Elder Yang, even he had never witnessed anyone achieve that step.

Upon reaching the state of the unity of human and artifact, a cultivator would be able to freely merge with their magical artifact at will, transforming entirely into human form or completely into the shape of the artifact.

For instance, taking the Moon Shadowing Residual Frost currently held by Yang Yan, if his cultivation were to reach the first step of the unity of human and artifact, he would be able to completely fuse himself with the sword. Transforming back into Yang Yan's appearance, combined with his native Profound Heaven Technique, he would practically be akin to a humanoid weapon, with his physical defense and offensive power increasing exponentially.

On the other hand, if he assumed the form of a sword, Yang Yan would turn into a sentient weapon, capable of manipulating the blade at will to engage enemies in battle, making him invincible in every endeavor.

Although the fusion of human and artifact could grant a tremendous boost to one's innate strength, every step forward on this path was exceedingly difficult and fraught with immense risks. Therefore, even completing the first stage was quite challenging.

This was because it not only required a high-grade magical artifact—since the higher the grade of the artifact, the stronger its nascent sentience, making the fusion easier to achieve—but also because such treasures were exceptionally rare and difficult to find. Furthermore, establishing a connection through communication between cultivator and artifact could never be accomplished overnight.

With the continuous development of the cultivation world, many talented individuals chose to forge alternative paths, discovering other methods to enable cultivators to merge with artifacts, which led to the creation of artifact fusion skills.

Naturally, this type of fusion skill did not rely on one's own will communicating and harmonizing with the artifact's spirit; instead, it depended on forcing the spirit of the artifact to submit through sheer personal power in order to complete the fusion.

Consequently, the might of such an artifact fusion skill was vastly inferior to the power gained through genuine conscious communication and resonance with the artifact.

Moreover, once the cultivator's willpower failed to suppress the resistance of the artifact's spirit, they would suffer a severe backlash, causing damage to their physical body and even their soul.

Nevertheless, despite harboring so many drawbacks, the abnormal capability of the artifact fusion skill to drastically enhance one's physical strength and combat prowess in a short period remained a coveted treasure sought after by everyone in the cultivation world. Coupled with the extreme scarcity of martial arts manuals of this category—and the principle that rarity increases value—such techniques appeared all the more precious.

Facts also proved the miraculous nature of such martial arts manuals. Xu Chao's present strength had increased by roughly twenty percent compared to before, and he was currently at the peak of the sixth layer of the Spirit Sea Realm. He was by far the strongest opponent Yang Yan had encountered thus far, surpassing even Sun Tianyang after the latter unleashed the Memory of Blood.

"Kid, you are indeed worthy of being called an supreme genius. Even among the younger generation of my talented Wind and Cloud Pavilion, there is no one who can compare to you. It is merely a pity that you insist on setting yourself against my Wind and Cloud Pavilion. Since that is the case, I have no choice but to let this so-called genius perish halfway."

Having spoken these final words, the intent to kill within Xu Chao's voice grew increasingly intense. The moment the last syllable fell, he slammed his foot violently into the void, his figure suddenly shooting forward toward Yang Yan like an arrow released from a bowstring.

When he was merely a hair's breadth away from Yang Yan, his arms stretched out straight ahead, targeting Yang Yan's heart and lower abdomen with the precision of two sharp daggers.

Before Xu Chao's attack even arrived, a searing pain akin to a knife slicing through flesh swept across Yang Yan's exposed skin. His heart gave a violent jolt, daring not to show the slightest negligence. With a rapid flick of his wrist, the Moon Shadowing Residual Frost violently intersected with Xu Chao's two arms mid-air.

Clang! Clang!

Accompanied by two crisp sounds of clashing metal, sparks burst forth while a terrifying wave of spiritual energy rippled outward from the point of their collision. Like a fierce gale sweeping across the terrain, the natural energy within the surrounding space instantly became violently agitated.

The moment the Moon Shadowing Residual Frost made contact with Xu Chao's arms, Yang Yan felt a massive force surge toward him. The web between his thumb and forefinger went numb and ached intensely, and the sword in his hand almost slipped from his grasp.

At this moment, Xu Chao's strength was far beyond what Yang Yan could resist. Although Yang Yan possessed a unique physique, and the cultivation techniques, martial arts, and the Moon Shadowing Residual Frost in his possession were all extraordinary, the gap between their realms was simply too vast. Yang Yan's hidden cards could no longer serve as a reliable crutch to defeat Xu Chao.

Between the two of them, one was at the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm, while the other had attained the strength of the sixth layer of the Spirit Sea Realm relying on the artifact fusion skill. The disparity spanned seven or eight full sub-levels, a gap far too immense. At this moment, if any other ordinary cultivator at the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm were to take Yang Yan's place, Xu Chao could likely obliterate them effortlessly with just a single finger.

Seeing that his attack had gained the upper hand, Xu Chao grinned broadly. Without pause, he moved once more, launching a fierce assault toward Yang Yan, clearly intending to grant him not a single moment to catch his breath.

Seeing Xu Chao charge aggressively once more, Yang Yan did not dare to be careless. The boundless water-attribute spiritual energy within his Qi sea instantly surged forth in a torrent, flowing continuously into the Moon Shadowing Residual Frost, before unleashing wave after wave of vibratory force that incessantly pounded against Xu Chao's arms.

As the battle dragged on, Yang Yan gradually fell into a clear disadvantage. Had it not been for the fact that the Moon Shadowing Residual Frost in his hand had previously been repaired by Frank to reach the caliber of a mid-grade magical treasure, he likely would have already been defeated by Xu Chao.

Xu Chao also seemed to realize that his artifact fusion skill could not be sustained for long, and thus his offensive grew increasingly ferocious. Under these circumstances, he possessed absolute confidence that he could slay Yang Yan here before his enhanced state expired.

The unfavorable situation in which Yang Yan currently found himself caused Ji Wuyue and Ji Yuanxuan of the Brahma Sound Valley down below to feel a heavy sense of worry in their hearts.

At this moment, Ji Wuyue's beautiful eyes were fixed unblinkingly upon Yang Yan as he dodged and fought mid-air. Her gaze held an expression of incomparable firmness, as though as long as this man stood before her, no difficulty or danger could ever knock him down.

With Yang Yan's sharp intellect, he naturally understood Xu Chao's intentions, and a resolute determination formed within his heart.

Yang Yan's journey to the Brahma Sound Valley had been accomplished through three consecutive days and nights of uninterrupted travel. Although he was able to constantly replenish his spiritual energy along the way using spirit crystals, a three-day long-distance trek had indeed taken a toll on his physical condition.

A prolonged battle was by no means a wise choice for Yang Yan right now.

Furthermore, since Xu Chao wished for a swift and decisive battle, Yang Yan would grant him his wish. When it came to fighting for one's life, Yang Yan was confident he would never lose to anyone.

With this thought in mind, Yang Yan hardened his heart. Changing his hand seals, he silently recited an incantation, then slammed his palm inward against his chest with fierce force.

Puff!

"Yang Yan!"

Witnessing this action from Yang Yan, the tears that Ji Wuyue had been holding back in her eyes instantly overflowed, breaking free as she let out a heartbreaking, piercing cry.

At this moment, Yang Yan, suspended mid-air, could not help but feel a pang in his heart. However, the situation was far too critical; he had no time to open his mouth and explain anything to Ji Wuyue. With his lips moving in a silent chant, the mouthful of fresh blood he expelled actually congealed in mid-air instead of falling downward.

Moreover, that pool of blood seemed imbued with life as it slowly crept upward across Yang Yan's body and skin, leaving not a single spot untouched, until it completely enveloped him from head to toe.

At this moment, Yang Yan's entire person was encased in a layer of fresh crimson blood, resembling a terrifying blood-man. It looked deeply eerie and frightful, yet the aura emanating from his body at this instant was growing at a horrifying rate.

"First layer of the Spirit Sea Realm... Second layer of the Spirit Sea Realm... Third layer of the Spirit Sea Realm..."

Under the astonished gaze of Xu Chao not far away, Yang Yan's strength had actually broken through directly to the level of the third layer of the Spirit Sea Realm!

"How can this be possible?"

A rich expression of disbelief painted Xu Chao's face. He was not unfamiliar with the existence of martial arts manuals in the cultivation world capable of briefly boosting one's strength, but such techniques invariably carried severe drawbacks.

For instance, if a cultivator at the third layer of the Spirit Perception Realm employed a secret technique to boost their power, they might elevate their strength directly to the peak of the Spirit Perception Realm. However, if a powerhouse at the third layer of the Spirit Connection Realm employed that same secret technique, they could only raise their power to the fifth layer of the Spirit Connection Realm. As for Spirit Sea realm experts utilizing it, they might fail to increase their strength by even ten percent.

Such limitations were the common flaw of most short-term power-boosting techniques.

Yet the technique Yang Yan had just employed truly defied his comprehension. Rocketing straight from the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm to the third layer of the Spirit Sea Realm—such a terrifying leap was unheard of!

Even the highest-grade martial arts manuals within their Wind and Cloud Pavilion failed to yield such an effect.

At this moment, Yang Yan, whose entire body was coated in fresh blood, felt the boundless, nearly explosive surge of mighty power within him, and a profound sense of exhilaration welled up in his heart. Seeing the expression of absolute shock on Xu Chao's face—as if he had just seen a ghost—Yang Yan was momentarily startled before breaking into an uncontrollable burst of laughter.

He had not expected that Sun Tianyang actually possessed quite a few hidden treasures. He had previously recognized that the Memory of Blood was extraordinary, but he never imagined it would shock even someone from the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, one of the empire's three major sects, to this degree. Viewed in this light, even with the immense strength and influence of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, they evidently lacked martial arts manuals of this caliber for elevating one's personal power.

Sun Tianyang was truly worthy of being a major overlord of the Azure Profound Gate to actually possess such a precious collection.

With this realization, Yang Yan's confidence in defeating Xu Chao deepened by several notches.

Paying no heed to Xu Chao's drastically altered complexion, a faint, subtle arc curved up the corner of Yang Yan's mouth. The next instant, he slammed his foot hard into the void, his figure shooting like a discharged arrow toward Xu Chao once more. The longsword in his hand thrust abruptly forward, aiming straight for the center of Xu Chao's brow.

Facing Yang Yan's intensely fierce assault, Xu Chao snapped back to reality. Although he remained deeply shocked that Yang Yan's strength could soar to such heights, he now had no way out, and deep down, he still possessed considerable confidence in his own might. Although Yang Yan had temporarily elevated his strength to the third layer of the Spirit Sea Realm through a secret technique, he was still three sub-levels inferior compared to him. Therefore, a cold snort escaped Xu Chao's lips. Waving his arms, which were shaped like sharp daggers, he heavily crashed them against the oncoming Moon Shadowing Residual Frost.

Clang!

Accompanied by another crisp clang of clashing metal in mid-air, Xu Chao's figure was actually forced back several hundred paces by the sheer impact. Even his right arm trembled uncontrollably, and his internal organs churned violently from the confrontation with Yang Yan, sending a tumultuous wave of energy through his chest that nearly forced a mouthful of blood up his throat.

"How can this be? Why has this brat grown strong to this extent?!"

At this moment, Xu Chao's face was plastered with an expression of utter disbelief.