Even while healing, Heavenreach Martial God sensed Ian Song's arrival, opened her eyes to study him, and spoke slowly: "I never thought your formation would reach such heights. To call you the God of Formations would not be an exaggeration."
You're too kind, Heavenreach Martial God," Ian Song replied casually, then his expression grew interested: "Why are your two senior brothers trying to kill you?"
As they spoke, Ian Song seriously sized up Heavenreach Martial God. She was clearly several hundred years old, yet looked no older than a woman in her twenties—her skin was even softer and fairer than a baby's.
Heavenreach Martial God explained coldly: "The world's qi-luck is limited. If they kill me, the two of them can split all the qi-luck between themselves. What's more, if they kill me, they can devour my godhead and push their cultivation even further."
I see," Ian Song nodded calmly, not surprised by her answer. "So Martial God is the peak in this world, right? Is there a realm beyond Martial God?"
Having read the original novel, Ian Song knew that Nate Moore eventually transcended the Martial God realm and ascended to another world.
But after he killed the protagonist, the plot of this world became a complete mess. Whether the setting changed or not, he had no way of knowing.
Heavenreach Martial God said, "Martial God really is the peak in this world. If you want a longer life and greater power, you have to sense a higher world and ascend to it!"
So have you sensed a higher world yet? Or has anyone actually succeeded?" Ian Song pressed.
None of the three of us have sensed it yet, so we need a much longer life to try. As for whether anyone succeeded, our master did manage to ascend to a new world, but he was already 1,560 years old when he did.
Hearing this, Ian Song again thought of the original novel—apparently, the protagonist Nate Moore ascended in just a hundred years. No wonder he was the main character, born with great fortune.
If I hadn't stolen his opportunity and killed him myself, he'd probably be a Martial Saint by now.
So, what do you plan to do next?" Ian Song asked, looking at Heavenreach Martial God.
Do I even have a choice?" Heavenreach Martial God sneered.
You're as clever as I expected, senior. How about this: we team up to kill the Oblivion Martial God and Mistveil Martial God, and I promise you a hundred years of extra life—what do you say?
At the mention of a century of lifespan, Heavenreach Martial God's eyes narrowed, then flashed with suspicion. The three of them had always lived in seclusion, stealing and refining qi-luck for limited lifespan gains. If she could directly gain a hundred years, she wouldn't need to keep stealing qi-luck—instead, she could use that time to sense a higher world, greatly increasing her chances.
To show my sincerity, I'll give you fifty years right now!" As he spoke, Ian Song casually tossed out a jade bottle containing five pills, each able to add ten years to one's lifespan.
Still suspicious, Heavenreach Martial God inspected the pills and immediately sensed the rich vitality inside. She was almost certain that if she took all five, she'd really gain several decades of life.
And after probing with her divine sense, she found no tricks inside the pills.
Without hesitation, she swallowed all five pills. They dissolved instantly, spreading through her body and soul. A moment later, she realized she'd gained more than fifty years of life.
These pills work really well!' she said, looking at Ian Song with a hint of surprise in her eyes.
My medical skills aren't bad either. Your injuries are pretty severe—why not let me treat you?' Ian Song said with a cheerful grin.
No need!' Heavenreach Martial God's eyes flashed with caution.
What, worried I'm up to no good?' Ian Song smirked. 'If I wanted to kill you, I'd do it openly—you couldn't escape. There's no need for sneaky tricks. Besides, this formation can trap your senior brothers for a while, but not forever. If they break free and you're still injured, you'll just drag me down.'
Fine, go ahead,' Heavenreach Martial God said hesitantly.
That's more like it. We're allies now—we should trust each other more.' As he spoke, Ian Song walked up to Heavenreach Martial God and gestured for her to extend her hand.
With a gentle motion, Ian Song grasped Heavenreach Martial God's pale wrist and sent a beam of Radiance of Life into her body.
He also used Clairvoyant Vision to inspect her internal wounds.
After a few breaths, the effect of the Radiance of Life faded, but her wounds still hadn't healed, so Ian Song calmly sent another beam into her.
After two doses of Radiance of Life, Heavenreach Martial God's severe injuries were completely healed.
Feeling this, Heavenreach Martial God couldn't help but look at Ian Song in astonishment. If she'd healed herself, it would have taken three to five months, but he cured her in just ten breaths. Such a method was truly miraculous.
Who should we go after first?" Ian Song asked, letting go of Heavenreach Martial God's wrist.
You decide," Heavenreach Martial God said coolly.
Let's take out Mistveil Martial God first—he seems weaker," Ian Song said after a moment's thought. As he spoke, the scene shifted, and they found themselves in a wilderness, with Mistveil Martial God meditating on a boulder hundreds of meters away.
Whoosh!
The moment Mistveil Martial God saw Ian Song and Heavenreach Martial God, his expression changed drastically. He instantly turned into a streak of light and fled in the opposite direction.
Smart move! Too bad this is my formation.
Ian Song shook his head playfully, then formed a hand seal. To Mistveil Martial God's horror, he realized he was running straight toward them.
Go!
With a shout, Ian Song spun his fists, his qi-luck surging like a breaking dam as he unleashed the Son of Heaven Dragon Fist.
Boom boom boom boom!
Hundreds of golden dragons roared as they swept toward Mistveil Martial God.
Instinctively, he tried to dodge, but no matter how he changed direction, the golden dragons were always right in front of him.
With no other choice, he fired off hundreds of finger strikes to meet the golden dragons.
Pop pop pop!
The powerful energies exploded in the void, forcing both sides back. At that moment, Heavenreach Martial God attacked, her chipped long sword erupting with a brilliant divine light that slashed toward Mistveil Martial God.
At that moment, Ian Song formed a hand seal.
A streak of black light crossed time and space, plunging directly into Mistveil Martial God's body. Instantly, his eyes went vacant and he stood there, making no attempt to dodge.
The Soul-Control Brand took effect, and Ian Song smiled.
Bang!
Mistveil Martial God was blasted away by the sword, suffering catastrophic injuries since he couldn't resist. Ian Song seized the opportunity, soared into the air, and unleashed the Son of Heaven Dragon Fist again.
The roaring golden dragons instantly engulfed Mistveil Martial God's body, shredding it to pieces. Only a black rhomboid crystal remained, which Ian Song snatched out of the air.
But just then, a phantom shot out from the rhomboid crystal and plunged into Ian Song's brow.