Chapter 486: Hard fight

Li Qi never expected that his meticulously arranged miniature heaven and earth would be torn apart by the opponent with just one encounter, as if it were a game.

“The so-called miniature heaven and earth is nothing but a bird in a cage. The bird in the cage thinks this world is perfectly safe, but to the tigers and leopards outside, it’s just paper and wood. It seems you’ve truly never fought before. Have you lived too comfortably? I heard that Shaman God Mountain is very peaceful inside, with no duels among Young Masters. Even an argument is considered a big deal, a scene of peace and harmony.” The Demonic Prince seemed to be a chatterbox, as he leisurely stepped into the miniature heaven and earth.

Then, Demonic Qi swirled around his arm, enveloping his forearm and hand. Upon closer inspection, it was actually the Qi of the Four Demons!

Heavenly Demon, Demon of Death, Demon of the Five Aggregates, and Demon of Affliction.

The Four Demons, the source of demonic thoughts that troubles all living beings, manifested in his hand.

The name Demonic Prince was no joke; he simultaneously wielded the power of the Four Demons and had already mastered them.

Then, the Demonic Prince’s figure flickered, and in an instant, he appeared before Li Qi.

Li Qi’s expression changed. This speed… was too fast!

Li Qi clasped his hands together, and the inner body spirits within the miniature heaven and earth immediately rose. Several inner body spirits suddenly appeared, half protecting Li Qi, and the other half striking from behind, attempting to force the Demonic Prince to turn and defend!

But the Demonic Prince merely reached forward with one hand to try and grab Li Qi, while extending his other hand behind him and giving a slight hook.

With a bang! A strong current of Qi exploded, along with Demonic Qi and brute force. Li Qi only managed to dissolve the Demonic Qi attempting to invade his Physical Body, but it was too late to dissipate the force, so he took the full brunt of the brute force, being sent flying nearly a li by a single palm strike, rolling awkwardly on the deck, and finally stopping after hitting the protective wall.

If he hadn’t hit anything, he probably would have been sent flying four or five li.

On the other side, the inner body spirits Li Qi chose to use for a sneak attack from behind shattered with several cracking sounds!

The backlash from the shattered inner body spirits made Li Qi see stars. The Five Peaks Mountain Gods were formed from his five internal organs, so he immediately felt excruciating pain in his internal organs and suffered some internal injuries, but he held it in and didn’t spit blood.

Meanwhile, the Demonic Prince shook his hand, glanced at the shattered inner body spirits, and at some point, a staff had appeared in his hand.

It was the very staff he had thrown earlier.

He had just hooked his finger, summoning this Spiritual Artifact. The bamboo staff merely circled twice on its return journey and directly shattered the inner body spirits!

However, the Demonic Prince didn’t take the opportunity to pursue. Instead, he landed on the ground, leaning on his bamboo staff, and walked towards Li Qi, saying, “You see? I told you, you Shamanes really don’t know how to fight…”

“Your living environment is too lenient. Shaman God Mountain is too good to you. I heard that every Young Master can Cultivate freely, without any pressure or assessment, following the principles of natural Dao, allowing the younger generation to develop freely.”

“However, our Demonic Dao is different.”

“From the moment I was born, I fought my way through. Even before reaching a Rank, I had to face life-and-death struggles every day, outwitting and outmaneuvering all my Senior Brothers, carving out a path to survival.”

“Now it seems, although the casualty rate is relatively high, the Demonic Dao did it better, don’t you agree?” The Demonic Prince said this as he walked towards Li Qi.

He seemed to genuinely talk during combat, constantly trying to converse with Li Qi.

Moreover, only after he landed did Li Qi realize why he carried that dark bamboo staff.

It wasn’t just a Spiritual Artifact; it was also his crutch.

He walked with a limp, which wasn't noticeable when he was flying, but now that he was on the ground, it was clear that one of his legs was shorter than the other, the shorter one being his right leg, which was also not very flexible.

That’s why he needed that bamboo staff to walk with.

This was a classic case of Innate deficiency, born with an incomplete Inner World.

It was extremely difficult to compensate for. This wasn’t just a simple physical disability.

If an arm was lost due to an accident or injury, growing a new one was very simple; Li Qi could do it with ease, without much effort.

But if it was an Innate deficiency, it meant your Inner World was born that way. The Inner World was naturally missing a part of its Qi from birth, making it almost impossible to compensate for Acquiredly. If you never had it, what does ‘grow it out’ even mean?

Using some unorthodox Physical Body transformation techniques might make it look better, but it would be meaningless. Your Inner World would still be incomplete, and everyone would still be able to tell at a glance.

Only truly profound transformation techniques could achieve flawless changes, such as the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Transformations or the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Transformations. However… if one could Cultivate to that level, the Inner World would no longer be a weakness.

To repair it at the Seventh Rank, only treasures possessing Innate Qi, like the Longevity Pill, could compensate for Innate deficiencies, or one would have to simply reincarnate and be re-conceived.

However, the Longevity Pill’s effects were limited. If one was missing a finger or something, the Longevity Pill could still make up for it a bit.

But the Demonic Prince was missing a limb.

Limbs are an important part of the Inner World, corresponding to the four seasons and four directions. Missing a leg means he was born without the Qi of the four seasons, only three, and his Inner World only had three directions.

The sun and moon are out of alignment, dim and without light.

Wind and rain are out of season, causing destruction and disaster.

The Five Elements are out of alignment, and earth suffers its misfortune.

The four seasons are out of order, and calamities arise immediately.

A situation more severe than this would probably be being born without a head.

Missing a head is probably the most severe Innate deficiency.

And Li Qi noticed this. He immediately formed hand seals and, at the same time, mockingly said, “Hands and feet are called the four limbs, symbolizing the four seasons. If the four limbs are not proper, then the four seasons are not in harmony, and all things are incomplete, the Five Elements are unfavorable, and one’s life is lowly and poor. A dignified Demonic Prince is actually an Innate cripple. How did you attain your Rank?”

Since the other party liked to talk, he might as well say more. Talking takes time.

The Demonic Prince, when his physical disability was brought up, indeed responded.

However, he appeared very calm, not at all angered by his physical impairment. He merely walked with a limp, while saying, “Of course you wouldn’t know, but you don’t need to know, because I’m about to defeat you. You are a rare flower grown in a greenhouse, rare but far inferior to me, a poplar tree grown in the desert.”

As he spoke, he slowly walked towards Li Qi. As the bamboo staff advanced, Li Qi’s miniature heaven and earth also began to shatter. Wherever he walked, it shattered, completely failing to provide the suppressive effect Li Qi had anticipated.

Li Qi immediately realized that the reason the opponent landed and used the bamboo staff to support his short leg was not to show off his disability, but to unleash the power of the bamboo staff! That’s why he walked so slowly.

If he had flown in, he wouldn’t have been able to break through the miniature heaven and earth! Walking slowly was unavoidable, not truly a leisurely stroll!

He had to rely on the bamboo staff to break through the miniature heaven and earth!

Upon realizing this, Li Qi immediately changed his hand seals, and countless Spiritual Artifacts suddenly flew out of his mustard seed bag! There were tens of thousands of them, crowding onto the deck, almost obscuring the sky!

However, most of them were Rank Nine, a small portion were Rank Eight, and only a very few were scattered Rank Seven items, no more than a hundred.

Seeing so many Spiritual Artifacts suddenly fly out, the Demonic Prince immediately stopped, frowning and observing, thinking Li Qi had some trump card. After all, so many Spiritual Artifacts still had some oppressive power.

However, the Demonic Prince cautiously stopped, then looked closely, and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Tsk… dishes and lanterns, really? Young Master, are you welcoming me? Are we having a banquet?” The previously calm Demonic Prince seemed to have hit his funny bone, shaking with laughter on the spot.

This scene was indeed comical. The items Li Qi brought out were those he intended to sell, use as samples, and give as gifts: tableware and ornaments.

Countless lanterns, candles, streamers, clothes, lamps, wine cups, wine pots, plates, and other items like cooking pots, basins, jars, bowls, ritual vessels, various ornaments, and even spoons, were all among them.

People from Tang Nation, especially those from Chang’an, were not accustomed to using naturally produced items. They were used to using Spiritual Artifacts, and terminals could easily control these Spiritual Artifacts.

Just like on Earth, most urban artifacts are industrialized products from factories. Even a single chopstick comes from a chopstick factory, and toilets aren't made of wood but have flushing functions. These are all taken for granted, and people wouldn't consider the technical content of a toilet, the industrial chain behind it, or any patented technologies.

Therefore, for people of Tang Nation, every single item in their daily lives, even these tableware items, were uniformly Spiritual Artifacts.

The Demonic Prince was certainly aware of this as well.

That’s why he laughed.

The Demonic Prince looked at Li Qi displaying countless tableware and lanterns, standing there and laughing, “Tableware? Do you want to smash me to death with plates and bowls? Or do you want to make me laugh to death?”

However, even though he was laughing and watching Li Qi’s comical performance, the Demonic Prince’s eyes still held both disdain and vigilance.

This was very strange; he seemed to look down on Li Qi greatly, yet at the same time, he paid close attention to Li Qi.

He deliberately acted arrogant, yet cautiously faced Li Qi, presenting a very fragmented demeanor.

This was not strategic contempt and tactical重视; rather, it was strategic contempt and strategic重视 simultaneously.

A very strange attitude, as if his mind was conflicted, and not just generally conflicted, but conflicted to the point of appearing to have a split personality.

However, Li Qi paid no attention to this. He quickly arranged all the Spiritual Artifacts and then formed them into a single entity.

These Spiritual Artifacts had no combat power whatsoever.

However, they could be used to set up an illusion Formation!

Under the Demonic Prince’s deliberate restraint, Li Qi quickly finished setting up the illusion Formation, taking only a few seconds.

The Demonic Prince remained vigilant throughout, but made no move to obstruct him.

Once Li Qi’s illusion Formation was complete, he paused, tapping his bamboo staff, as if muttering to himself, “This is the last time. After this, I will kill him. I’ve given way too much already. We are even.”

Having said that, he looked at the changing scenery around him.

The illusion Formation was complete, and everything around them naturally began to transform into an illusion.

The dilapidated protective wall and messy deck began to transform into a luxurious banquet.

The wine hall was magnificent, a grand palace rebuilt.

Dragon bones hung as beams, spiritual light illuminating the sun; fish scales were woven into tiles, auspicious Qi coiling in the sky.

Curtains of bright pearls and white jade hung, connecting to boats and ships of azure birds and yellow dragons. When the lattice windows opened, the sea was at the door; when the embroidered doors opened, cloud shadows overlooked the pavilion.

Butterflies danced on three eaves, screens opened like mother-of-pearl.

Crystal curtains rolled up, six great turtles supporting the imperial carriage.

Golden goblets and emerald cups, a lavish feast arrayed.

Maidens walked, serving pepper wine and pouring osmanthus nectar; musicians played, striking golden bells and clanging resonant chimes; Fairies danced, swaying their water sleeves and graceful waists, with shimmering light and shadow all around, auspicious mist hazy and propitious smoke floating.

Within this illusion Formation, one felt their heart swaying and easily intoxicated, enjoying this joyous revelry.

This was a common sight in the Imperial Gardens. The Imperial Gardens were originally places for singing, dancing, and revelry, and the illusion Formations set up there were also for unrestrained enjoyment, possessing no power to kill.

“Are you really going to invite me to drink?” The Demonic Prince laughed, then continued to limp into the illusion Formation.

Then, he easily saw through the various settings of the illusion Formation, completely unaffected. Wherever his crutch passed, the illusion and the miniature heaven and earth shattered together.

Next, he walked to the core of the illusion Formation, plunged his crutch down, and the surrounding illusions shattered instantly! The many foundations of the entire illusion Formation, and even many of the foundation of the miniature heaven and earth, all shook!

The illusion Formation hadn’t deceived his eyes at all; he saw through it as if observing a fire.

Nearly half of the Spiritual Artifacts that formed part of the Formation outside shattered instantly!

The illusion Formation was immediately broken!

The Demonic Prince also stopped speaking, his body flickering several times, directly rushing to Li Qi’s front!

A demonic claw extended, grabbing Li Qi with one palm!

However, Li Qi’s body flickered once or twice, transforming into an illusory light and dissipating.

“Hmm?” The Demonic Prince frowned, immediately turning sideways!

But it was too late. Li Qi’s movements were far faster than a Shaman’s, directly kicking the Demonic Prince’s disabled right leg.

Li Qi felt no pressure at all about bullying a disabled person.

Not attacking a weakness? That would be idiotic!

Using an illusion, Li Qi kicked the opponent’s leg, then pushed hard, directly kicking the Demonic Prince’s body into the coverage area of the miniature heaven and earth!

The Demonic Prince’s leg was inconvenient, and Li Qi used illusions to conceal himself, then suddenly burst out with several times his speed, catching him off guard, and he was actually kicked in!

“Martial Dao?! You’ve also studied Martial Dao?” The Demonic Prince was somewhat surprised to be encompassed by the miniature heaven and earth.

In this world, it was rare for someone to also Cultivate Martial Dao. One had to know that Martial Dao Inner Qi could devour other Qi.

Li Qi, however, remained silent. The Carp Current Intent’s force-exertion method erupted, simultaneously layered with the Shen Yijun’s force-control technique used for fishing, once again bursting forth with several times the strength, charging towards the Demonic Prince!

A combo of attacks. The Demonic Prince continuously dodged, his movement technique surprisingly not inferior.

“So fast… Your Physical Body can’t possibly be this strong. Wait, is that…?” The Demonic Prince frowned!

Because he saw that Li Qi had actually used Spiritual Artifact fragments to form an exoskeleton used by the Dao of Reason.

Then, using the Dao of Reason’s concept of a Spiritual Artifact body, he activated Martial Dao techniques, enhancing his close-combat ability!

The Demonic Prince could understand this point.

But the problem was, where did he get a Spiritual Artifact exoskeleton?

The Demonic Prince, while doing his best to dodge Li Qi’s furious attacks, paid attention to the source of Li Qi’s Spiritual Artifacts.

Then, he was astonished to discover.

It was those tableware items he had shattered?!