A Tier Eight Peak and a Tier Nine Peak.

If it were an ordinary person, no one would doubt the outcome of this battle.

It’s like a foregone conclusion, without a doubt.

It’s still unclear what kind of price the Imperial side paid to enlist this Tier Nine Peak Ultimate Powerhouse.

He stepped forward.

North County built this central formation tower on top of a mountain.

A stairway to the heavens stretches from bottom to top, disappearing into the distance.

Now, the area behind the stairway has been completely engulfed by golden light. As the Pope steps forward, the spot on the step he touches starts to glow with a touch of gold.

Then this gold spreads, soaking the entire stairway.

It continues to spread upward at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Wei Qing stands just ten steps above the Pope, watching the approaching golden light and snorts coldly.

Suddenly, Wei Qing swiftly turns his head to the right.

As he does so, a streak of golden light swiftly passes by his cheek.

The sharp light still cuts his left cheek, leaving a bloodstain,

The elderly and frail Pope slowly retracts his golden staff in his right hand.

"Your skills are good; no wonder those few useless disciples of mine all died at your hands."

"With your current strength, if both your arms were intact, you should be at a Tier Nine Martial Artist level."

He smiles slightly, speaking in a leisurely tone.

The Pope indeed deserves to be an old Tier Nine Peak Powerhouse, seeing through Wei Qing’s current state at a glance.

Regarding Wei Qing’s arms, Han Zhan had previously suggested using Heaven’s Origin Power to help him regenerate them, but he refused at the time.

Because Wei Qing has the heart of a true powerhouse!

Breaking through to Tier Nine wouldn’t be difficult for Wei Qing, given his talent.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been Li Shutong’s first disciple, nor would even Lin Jingxuan call him senior brother.

However, Wei Qing has his own persistence.

Among all Teacher Li Shutong’s disciples, the only one truly following the pure martial path is himself.

Although Junior Brother Han Zhan has unparalleled close combat talent, his numerous Contracted Spirits distract him, lacking purity.

Therefore, Wei Qing has always wanted to inherit Li Shutong’s legacy, to promote his close combat martial path.

If Wei Qing allowed Han Zhan to heal his arms, given his realm insights, breaking through is only a matter of time.

But breaking through in this way, he would merely follow the same path as the teacher, unable to surpass!

Fate led him to lose an arm,

If he could break through to Tier Nine while missing an arm, that Tier Nine would be even stronger!

This is Wei Qing’s determination and ambition!

"So those trash were all your disciples. Don’t blame them for being useless; perhaps it’s because their teacher isn’t competent."

Wei Qing wiped the fresh blood flowing down his left cheek with a smirk.

After saying this, his eyelid twitched, his body vibrated slightly like a sieve.

In an instant, four more cuts appeared on his body.

"Nice dodging. I hope your body is as tough as your mouth."

The Pope’s kindly face still wearing a smile.

This old guy looks benevolent but certainly doesn’t hold back. His speed is so fast that even I can’t see it, it’s impossible.

Thinking of this, Wei Qing jumps back a step to create distance.

"It’s the artifact effect of the scepter."

It’s not hard to deduce, even the Pope admits his physical strength is nearly Tier Nine, and he doesn’t look like a Tier Nine Martial Artist with those frail limbs.

To be fast enough that I can’t dodge, ruling out the Pope, there’s only one explanation left.

The Pope’s right hand holding the scepter, the top of the golden scepter, bead with fresh blood dripping.

Only after Wei Qing’s retreating move does he retract the scepter, resting it back on the ground.

"Tier Nine Artifact, the Pope’s Staff," the Pope nods, not intending to hide it, "you’re smart, you withdrew right at the radius of the scepter’s length."

"Since I became a close combat martial artist, no one has ever called me smart before." Wei Qing’s tone seems to carry a hint of joy. "You have a good eye."

"..."

The Pope no longer wastes words with him, throwing the King’s Treasure Pearl into the air with his left hand.

The next moment, the Treasure Pearl swirls with golden light, casting down upon Wei Qing.

Another Tier Nine Artifact!

Wherever the golden light of the King’s Treasure Pearl touches, it instantly melts into molten gold-like hot liquid.

It appeared for just a few seconds, creating a massive breach in the entire mountain path.

Scorching golden liquid flows out from it.

Seeing this, Wei Qing grins.

The methods of a Tier Nine Ultimate Powerhouse are inscrutable; the Pope’s two artifacts alone catch him off guard, but they also make him more excited!

"Yes, just like that!"

Wei Qing grins even wider.

"This feeling of dancing on the edge of death, it’s truly wonderful!"

With laughter, the Blood Evil Energy around Wei Qing intensifies to the extreme.

White aura bursts from within him, blending with the Blood Evil Energy, enveloping Wei Qing completely in red and white gases.

Louder and louder laughter echoes throughout the mountain.

"Madman." The Pope looks at the red and white gases not far away, and lightly flicks his left hand.

The light from the King’s Treasure Pearl shines fiercely in that direction.

In just a blink, the red and white mass vanishes.

The next moment, it reappears behind the Pope.

Wei Qing’s physical capabilities multiply, catching the Pope off guard!

"Let me see if a Tier Nine Ultimate’s body is tougher than a Tier Eight’s."

"Die!"

Wei Qing’s full-force punch strikes at the Pope’s back.

The expected solid impact doesn’t occur; the feedback from the punch tells Wei Qing something is wrong.

He sees the crown on the Pope’s head spinning slightly.

The entire Pope’s body turns into a white wax figure, dissolving into nothing.

Quickly, the white wax figure reappears several meters away.

Still, with his back turned to Wei Qing, the Pope suddenly steps forward, climbing the steps!

Because of Wei Qing’s close offense, he unwittingly opens the path leading to the fifth formation!

Wei Qing naturally can’t let him succeed.

He’s about to rise and collect his fist, to chase and block the Pope again.

At this moment, the King’s Treasure Pearl suddenly appears right in front of him.

From an observer’s perspective, it’s as if Wei Qing "actively" crashes into the King’s Treasure Pearl!

In this critical moment, the Pope demonstrates his Ultimate Powerhouse prowess by perfectly calculating Wei Qing’s movements!

Wei Qing crashes headfirst into the King’s Treasure Pearl,

Inside the Treasure Pearl, an eye suddenly opens, golden light gushing forth once more.

But this time, the one engulfed is Wei Qing!

With just a single glance, his body dissolves and perishes!