Chapter 1573: First Layer Sea Area
As they boarded the Truth Boat, Feng Yan transmitted his voice to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "When crossing the sea, you cannot use Saint Talismans or Saint Pills that amplify power. If you do, the difficulty of crossing will increase significantly."
"Whoosh—"
Ten Truth Boats set off simultaneously, sailing forward.
The ten beings on the boats were all at the Ultimate Saint and Half-Saint King cultivation levels, the most outstanding prodigies of a major world. Yet, no sooner had they set off than the Truth Boats beneath their feet began to shake violently.
"So hard to control."
The Truth Boat under Zhang Ruochen was also shaking, as if it were sailing not on the sea's surface but on a thin thread. The slightest misstep would cause it to capsize.
Moreover, a lateral wave kept battering the small boat.
"Plop."
An Ultimate Saint-level being fell into the sea, splashing up a massive wave.
They were only a few dozen meters from the shore, meaning they had failed almost as soon as they started.
The other cultivators crossing the sea felt their hearts sink, realizing that crossing the Truth Sea was far more difficult than they had imagined.
On the shore, Fang Yan said, "When crossing the Truth Sea for the first time, you have no idea what difficulties you'll face, and it's impossible to find a solution in an instant. So, even reaching the checkpoint of the first layer sea area is as hard as reaching the heavens. The second time crossing the Truth Sea is relatively easier."
Wang Xu hadn't left and stood not far from Fang Yan, asking, "How far do you think he can go?"
"Hard to say, but reaching the checkpoint of the first layer sea area shouldn't be a problem," Fang Yan replied.
Both Wang Xu and Fang Yan had reached the checkpoint of the first layer sea area on their first crossing but failed to get through.
On the sea.
Zhang Ruochen's one hundred and forty-four acupoints all burst forth with Saint Power, enveloping the Truth Boat. Gradually, he stabilized it and carefully sailed forward.
The other eight beings crossing the sea barely managed to control their Truth Boats, which wobbled as they slowly advanced.
When they reached a sea area ten miles from the shore, a howling sound arose as a biting wind blew across the sea. The wind was fierce and violent, capable of dispersing the Saint Power enveloping the Truth Boats.
"Plop!"
"Plop!"
...
Four beings in a row fell into the sea as soon as they entered this area.
"We've only sailed ten miles, and half the cultivators have already fallen. No wonder even someone as talented as Lingyan Mofei could only sail twenty-two miles. Ling Feiyu's ability to reach the first layer sea area checkpoint is likely largely due to her Saint King realm cultivation," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
Now, only five Truth Boats remained on the sea.
Among them, Zhang Ruochen's boat was the most stable, sailing at the front. The second-place boat was a mile behind him, and the cultivator standing on it was none other than the Heart Technique Buddhist Master from the Kunlun Realm.
The Heart Technique Buddhist Master was a disciple of the Dead Zen Ancestor, one of the five great experts listed in the "Heroes' Ode," and a figure of his era. "The Heart Technique Buddhist Master has inherited the true teachings of the Dead Zen Ancestor, refined a large amount of Divine Blood and Divine Bones, and read millions of Buddhist scriptures. His cultivation achievements are undeniably formidable. Recently, he even cultivated with us in the Divine Corpse's body, comprehending the mysteries of the divine, and has made tremendous progress. But compared to Zhang Ruochen, he's still a step behind," Wan Zhaoyi said.
Chen Wutian added, "With the aid of the Divine Corpse, we only managed to cultivate a sub-perfect physique, while Zhang Ruochen has achieved the supreme perfect physique—that's the gap. However, with your perfect physique, you might still have a chance to compete with Zhang Ruochen in the future."
Wan Zhaoyi shook his head and said, "The biggest gap between us and Zhang Ruochen isn't just in physical constitution."
"Plop!"
Another splash sounded.
By the time they sailed beyond twenty miles, only Zhang Ruochen and the Heart Technique Buddhist Master remained standing on their Truth Boats. All other cultivators had failed.
Lingyan Mofei's eyes showed a hint of surprise as she said, "Besides Zhang Ruochen, there's actually another Half-Saint King sailing beyond twenty miles. Such a formidable figure can't be an unknown nobody."
Generally, only prodigies listed on the "Sacred Merit Ranking" could sail beyond twenty miles on their first crossing of the Truth Sea.
Mu Lingxi said, "He's a cultivator from the Kunlun Realm named Heart Technique. He was once one of the strongest of his era."
The Heart Technique Buddhist Master was a figure Mu Lingxi had once looked up to. Although she had now caught up in cultivation and inherited the legacy of the Ice Fire Phoenix, her foundation in certain aspects still fell far short of his.
Ling Feiyu said, "In the past, the Kunlun Realm lacked many Sacred Dao rules. Reaching Heart Technique's level was already extremely difficult, requiring great perseverance and wisdom. Now that they've come to the Heavenly Court Realm, their cultivation will surely soar."
Ling Feiyu herself had felt this clearly. In the Kunlun Realm, her cultivation had stagnated at the First-Step Saint King level, unable to break through. But after arriving in the Heavenly Court Realm, in a very short time, her cultivation had approached the Third-Step Saint King, and she might even have reached it. Such a breakthrough speed was impossible in the Kunlun Realm.
Feng Yan said, "The Kunlun Realm is inherently a profoundly mysterious major world, having once produced many legendary figures who shook the past and present. You were all trapped in a quagmire before, but now that you've broken free, you'll surely soar like dragons in the heavens."
"Heh heh."
Wang Xu let out a laugh, clearly not agreeing with Feng Yan's words.
When the Heart Technique Buddhist Master sailed to the twenty-third mile, he finally lost control of his Truth Boat and fell into the sea. Even so, it still sparked discussions among the cultivators on the shore, who found it remarkable.
Zhang Ruochen continued sailing forward. A few miles ahead, a layer of light screen appeared—the checkpoint of the first layer sea area.
Only by breaking through that light screen could one reach the second layer sea area.
The closer he got to the light screen, the fiercer the wind and waves became, nearly blowing Zhang Ruochen and his Truth Boat away.
Zhang Ruochen's Saint Power surged outward continuously, enveloping the Truth Boat in a sphere of Saint light. It took him a full half-hour to reach the base of the light screen.
On the shore, exclamations rang out.
"As expected of the number one on the 'Sacred Merit Ranking,' Zhang Ruochen truly has real skill."
"Reaching the checkpoint on the first crossing of the Truth Sea—maybe one in ten thousand geniuses can achieve that."
"Let's see how long Zhang Ruochen can hold out at the checkpoint."
...
While fully focused on controlling the Truth Boat, Zhang Ruochen looked up at the light screen not far away.
The light screen erupted with dazzling Saint light.
"Sizzle."
Threads of Saint light intertwined, forming a Saint General clad in silver armor. His body was semi-transparent, and his cultivation was at the Half-Saint King level.
"Defeat me, and you can enter the second layer sea area. Now, you may choose the weapon you wish to use in battle," the Silver Armor Saint General said coldly.
Zhang Ruochen didn't plan to use the Abyssal Ancient Sword. Instead, he activated the Hundred Saint Blood Armor to protect his entire body and took out the Purple Divine Stone, holding it in his hand.
"Let me remind you: that Purple Divine Stone of yours is an illegal weapon. If you insist on using it, I will fight you with three times my power," the Silver Armor Saint General said.
"A Saint General formed from Saint light has such high intelligence."
Zhang Ruochen sighed inwardly, then put away the Purple Divine Stone and said, "I won't use any weapon."
"Very well."
The Silver Armor Saint General clenched his right hand into a fist seal, and a powerful surge of Saint Power erupted from within him. He threw a punch directly at Zhang Ruochen. The immense fist force sent waves rolling across the sea.
Zhang Ruochen quickly mobilized his Saint Qi, preparing to use the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm to repel the Silver Armor Saint General.
But as soon as he began channeling his Saint Qi, the Truth Boat beneath him started shaking violently.
"Not good."
His Saint Qi had been fully dedicated to controlling the Truth Boat. Now, diverting some of it to execute a palm technique naturally caused the boat to become unstable.
Before Zhang Ruochen could devise a strategy, the Silver Armor Saint General's fist seal was already upon him.
The threat wasn't just from the fist seal; the waves beneath him were lifting the Truth Boat higher and higher, making it increasingly uncontrollable.
Zhang Ruochen had no choice but to focus all his effort on stabilizing the Truth Boat to prevent it from capsizing while hastily throwing out a palm strike to meet the Silver Armor Saint General's fist seal.
"Boom!"
The opposing fist force, like a tidal wave, sent Zhang Ruochen and the Truth Boat flying backward, spinning through the air.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to fall into the sea, he reacted with lightning speed, channeling all his Saint Power to his legs and firmly planting his feet on the Truth Boat.
"Crash."
The Truth Boat plunged back into the sea, sending waves dozens of feet high around the small boat. The seawater churned violently, yet Zhang Ruochen remained steadily on the boat, as if his body had fused with it.
The Silver Armor Saint General gave Zhang Ruochen no time to think, launching a second fist seal, this time even more powerful.
Zhang Ruochen's mind raced. Suddenly, an idea struck him: "I can use my Spiritual Power to control the Truth Boat and use my martial arts strength to fight the Silver Armor Saint General."
He released his Spiritual Power completely, channeling it into the Truth Boat, and finally felt the pressure ease.
Then, Zhang Ruochen allocated thirty percent of his Saint Power, along with his Spiritual Power, to control the Truth Boat while mobilizing seventy percent of his Saint Power to attack the Silver Armor Saint General.
"Boom!"
This time, Zhang Ruochen was sent flying again, his arm aching and numb from the impact.
The Silver Armor Saint General surpassed Zhang Ruochen in both strength and the finesse of his techniques. He didn't seem like a Half-Saint King but rather an experienced Saint King.
...
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