Chapter 701: The Limitations of the Supreme Dharma Body, The Challenge
"Hmph, Gongshu Family, don't go too far! Attacking members of my subordinate branch right at the gates of my Xiongbing City—do you really think my Yuchang Family has no one left!?"
Along with a thunderous roar, several figures shot forward through the air. In the blink of an eye, a few fierce-looking men descended into the scene, their auras sharp and oppressive.
At their forefront stood an old man with gray hair clad in a magnificent robe. Though his body appeared aged and frail, the oppressive might he exuded was as unyielding as a mountain, pressing heavily on everyone's hearts.
"Oh, Patriarch Yuchang Yuan of the main Yuchang Family... I didn't expect you to show up personally."
The two elders from the Gongshu Family, upon seeing the robed old man, frowned slightly. A glint of apprehension flickered in their eyes as they spoke gravely.
The Yuchang Family had been in decline for years, yet their status as one of the top three great families of the continent remained intact—largely because of this very man who still sat at their helm.
Though Yuchang Yuan was well advanced in age and his body weakened further after the sorrow of losing his son, his power as a Seventh-Grade Supreme remained formidable. As long as he lived, no one would dare to covet the Yuchang Family without paying a severe price.
"Gongshu Mu, Gongshu Tu—what's this? Are you two planning to cross swords with me, this old man?"
Yuchang Yuan's cold snort rolled through the air. His once hunched frame suddenly straightened like an iron spear, piercing skyward—nothing at all like a man with one foot in the grave.
In the next moment, the vast space behind him began to twist and contort. The region warped as if turning into a black hole, frantically devouring the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
As the spiritual energy converged into dazzling streams of light, a colossal spear phantom—nearly a thousand yards long—slowly took shape.
The immense spear, towering as high as a mountain, radiated blinding brilliance. Its light pulsed with life, and though it appeared illusory, it was no mere hologram—this was a fully materialized divine spear.
When the spear manifested, even the heavens trembled as if it were too heavy to bear its presence.
"Roar!"
The shadowy spear quivered, its thunderous whistle cracking the sky. The sound waves swept out with terrifying force—earth and sky seemed to collapse.
Below, the two elders of the Gongshu Family stared at the gigantic spear shadow, eyes widening as they whispered in disbelief.
"That's... the Heavenly Spear Dharma Body?"
It had long been rumored that the old patriarch Yuchang Yuan cultivated the Heavenly Spear Dharma Body. Though it was not ranked among the ninety-nine supreme Dharma Bodies, if the rankings continued beyond that, it would easily place around one hundred fiftieth.
To be ranked even that high meant it already surpassed eighty percent of the supreme experts. Combined with Yuchang Yuan's Seventh-Grade Supreme power, only the Gongshu Patriarch himself, Gongshu Qiu, could possibly challenge him.
"Gulp…"
Gongshu Mu and Gongshu Tu swallowed hard and unconsciously retreated several steps. They knew clearly that Yuchang Yuan could crush them like ants with a mere flick of his wrist.
The difference between each grade of the Supreme Realm was as vast as heaven and earth. The gap of three full levels between them and Yuchang Yuan was enough to instill despair.
"Damn it… wasn't it said that Yuchang Yuan was already dying of old age? Why does he still look so vigorous?" The two elders exchanged glances and cursed under their breaths.
At the rear of the convoy, Mo Yu watched the enormous spear shadow with grave eyes. In his heart, he murmured, "So… this is a Supreme Dharma Body of the Great Thousand World…"
Having never cultivated a Dharma Body himself, Mo Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity.
Sensing Mo Yu's interest, the Wind Emperor's calm voice echoed within his mind. "The Supreme Dharma Body is the defining mark of ascension to the Supreme Realm. Only true Supremes can condense one, gaining mastery over heaven and earth—wielding power that can destroy worlds with a single thought.
In the Great Thousand World, ranked Supreme Dharma Bodies are divided into ninety-nine tiers. Those of us who ascended from lower worlds usually already reached the Supreme Realm before ascending, so we missed the opportunity to cultivate a Dharma Body. I lamented it greatly in the past and once sought to remedy that.
However, by chance I broke through to Earth Supreme. After that, cultivating an ordinary Dharma Body became meaningless—only the top-ranked ones would have had any use for me."
Mo Yu nodded thoughtfully. Every world had its own wonders—the Heavenly Flames of the Dou Qi Continent, the Ancestral Symbols of the Tianyuan Continent, and the Supreme Dharma Bodies of the Great Thousand World.
In the original tales, Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Di, and Lin Dong reached the Ancestor Realm. Both eventually arrived in the Great Thousand World, their fame spreading far and wide. Xiao Yan founded the Infinite Flame Domain, while Lin Dong created the Martial Realm, guardians of the world's peace.
Though both had reached the pinnacle in their lower worlds and eventually became Heaven-Grade Supremes, neither practiced a Dharma Body, for they had already surpassed that realm.
A Supreme Dharma Body corresponded to the Supreme Realm, and once one reached Earth Supreme, ordinary Dharma Bodies became nearly useless. Only the top ninety-nine could significantly aid one at that level—and fewer still were valuable to Heaven Supremes.
Perhaps that was why Lin Dong and Xiao Yan never cultivated one—to them, a lesser Dharma Body would have added little to their strength.
As Mo Yu pondered, in the field before him, Gongshu Zan stepped forward despite his fear. Forcing calm, he said, "Uncle Yuchang, it's been long since we've met. Why such hostility? Do you truly wish to tear all ties between our families?"
"Gongshu Zan, you led people to ambush my family's branch. That's far too much! Don't think that just because you're Gongshu Qiu's son, you can act without restraint. The Yuchang Family has stood on the Ten-Thousand Armaments Continent for generations—we did not rise by being trampled!"
Yuchang Yuan's aged eyes bore into Gongshu Zan as he spoke softly, though his tone carried bone-deep authority.
"You don't need to threaten me, Uncle. I'm only here to ask whether your Yuchang Family has decided on our offer. As for the so-called ambush, that must be a misunderstanding. Otherwise, do you think your people could have reached Xiongbing City alive if we truly intended to kill them?"
Gongshu Zan smiled faintly. Though wary of the old man's power, his status as heir of the Gongshu Family lent him confidence.
"Shameless!"
Hearing this, Yuchang Ran bit her lip and cursed inwardly. They had only made it this far thanks to the intervention of a mysterious savior, yet Gongshu Zan shamelessly twisted it as an act of mercy. Truly despicable!
"My Yuchang Family has never served as anyone's subordinate, nor will we ever hand over our ancestral forging blueprints! Your family's demands—we will never accept them! As for your ambush, I will discover the truth myself. Now, if you've no further business, leave this city and stay a thousand miles away from our gates."
The old man's words were firm as steel.
"Heh, if that's your decision, then don't blame my family for being ruthless," Gongshu Zan replied coldly.
"Even if the Yuchang Family cannot match your strength," said Yuchang Yuan, his gaze hard as iron, "if you dare swallow us whole, your Gongshu Family will suffer dearly for it."
The Heavenly Spear Dharma Body behind him flared again, its radiance too blinding to look upon.
Inside, Gongshu Zan's heart twitched. Yet he chuckled darkly and said, "Perhaps Uncle Yuchang isn't aware—my sister has recently become the official wife of Elder Blood Robe of the Blood God Clan."
The words exploded through the air like thunder. Faces turned pale— even the ever-stoic Yuchang Yuan's gray brows trembled slightly.
His expression darkened, tinged with sorrow. He hadn't expected that Gongshu Qiu's daughter—the beautiful one he once mocked her father for offering to that lustful Blood God Elder—would actually become the man's lawful wife.
Everyone knew what kind of man Blood Robe was: an Earth Supreme known for his insatiable lust, possessing countless women whom he discarded carelessly afterward. That he had taken a genuine wife—one devoted to him—was beyond imagining.
That single marriage drastically strengthened the Gongshu Family's political power under the Blood God Clan. No wonder Gongshu Zan was so arrogant.
Yuchang Yuan's aged face dimmed further. Even the giant Heavenly Spear Dharma Body began to collapse and dissipate into nothingness.
"In light of our families' past friendship," Gongshu Zan said smugly, "I'll grant your family a chance. Three days from now, my father himself will visit to issue a formal challenge. If your Yuchang Family can defeat him—no matter who fights for you—then for the next ten years, we will leave you in peace. But if you fail… you will become our vassals. What say you?"
At his words, Yuchang Yuan and his elders' faces stiffened. Gongshu Qiu had been in secluded cultivation for nearly a year—clearly attempting to break through to Eighth-Grade Supreme. If he had succeeded, then the challenge was utterly hopeless.
The Yuchang elders' faces turned grim. Across the continent, few could stand against an Eighth-Grade Supreme—and even fewer would risk offending the Gongshu Family, now proudly aligned with the Blood God Clan, one of the Four God Clans of the Western Heaven Realm.
This so-called challenge was no contest—it was humiliation.
Yet refusing it meant open war and certain destruction.
Long silence hung before Yuchang Yuan finally spoke.
"Fine. My Yuchang Family accepts. Should we lose, we will become your vassals."
"Patriarch, reconsider!" the elders cried desperately. Losing meant eternal disgrace—better to die in battle than live in shame.
But Yuchang Yuan's tone was firm. "Enough. My decision is made. Our family's bickering has already brought us to ruin. Today, I will take full responsibility!"
If he fought Gongshu Qiu, he might at least stand a sliver of a chance. But if he backed down now, his entire clan would perish under their enemy's armies regardless.
The elders bowed their heads in shame. Since the death of their young patriarch, their internal squabbles had hastened their decline. Now, destruction loomed.
Gongshu Zan clapped his hands, laughing heartily. "Excellent! Uncle Yuchang truly lives up to his reputation. Then it's settled. Three days from now—we'll see who triumphs!"
With that, he waved his hand and led his people away, their laughter echoing across the ruined battlefield until they disappeared from sight.
(END CHAPTER)
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