Chapter 42: Twelve Levels of the Golden Bell Shield, Crushing the Azure Bull Python
"Blood Bodhi!"
"Cultivation Technique Mastery Card!"
"Whoa! This is an absolute jackpot!"
Zhou Yi was overwhelmed with joy.
The One Yang Finger? Not even worth mentioning.
But the Blood Bodhi? Now that was a treasure. In Feng Yun, it's a legendary rarity, said to have sprouted from the blood of a Fire Qilin. This peerless fruit originally grew in lands of extreme fire and possessed miraculous properties: healing severe injuries or enhancing cultivation for those unscathed.
Of course, the real gem among these rewards was the Cultivation Technique Mastery Card.
Among the three prizes, this one was the pinnacle.
The other two were merely bonuses in comparison.
With this card, Zhou Yi could instantly bring the Golden Bell Shield, a peerless body-refinement art, to perfection.
The first five levels of the Golden Bell Shield had no remarkable power, considered basic techniques at best. However, starting from the sixth level, its true might began to reveal itself.
As for the twelfth level? That was utterly terrifying.
Throughout history, only the unrivaled genius Bodhi Dharma had ever reached this pinnacle. At that stage, the body's weak points completely disappeared, granting a diamond-like indestructibility. Fire, water, and poison posed no threat, and the practitioner could forego sleep or rest while their strength flowed endlessly.
This dual internal and external refinement technique was something Zhou Yi had coveted for ages. Once perfected, he would never have to worry about his vitality again.
Legend has it that Bodhi Dharma once allowed countless masters from all sects to unleash their fists, blades, and swords upon him, as well as subject him to flames, floods, and poison. For 500 days without food or sleep, he remained unharmed, his spirit radiant.
The terrifying power of the twelfth level of the Golden Bell Shield was clear.
"This trip to the Star Dou Forest has been an incredible success!"
Zhou Yi, brimming with excitement, prepared to leave and use the Cultivation Technique Mastery Card to perfect the Golden Bell Shield.
With the twelfth level's invincibility, even a Titled Douluo's full-strength attack couldn't harm him.
His rise was now inevitable.
No longer would endurance battles trouble him.
Moreover, this dual refinement technique could keep him going without rest, making his power seemingly limitless. With it, he could single-handedly challenge an entire continent.
It might only take some time.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, an earth-shaking roar erupted from outside the valley. The booming soundwaves frightened countless soul beasts into panicked retreat.
"Zhou Yi, get out here and face your death!"
The Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming, bellowed furiously.
This time, he'd brought his elder brother, Da Ming, with him, his confidence bolstered.
"Excellent! Excellent! Simply excellent!"
Zhou Yi's face broke into a radiant smile. Perfect timing—he could test the twelfth-level Golden Bell Shield on Er Ming.
"It's Er Ming!"
Xiao Wu, jolted awake, felt her temper flare. "This Er Ming is getting more and more outrageous!"
Xiao Wu's relationship with Zhou Yi had deepened recently, her entire heart now set on him. Hearing Er Ming cause trouble again filled her with fury.
"Brother Yi, stay here. I'll go deal with Er Ming!"
Xiao Wu struggled to her feet, visibly enraged.
"No need."
Zhou Yi grasped Xiao Wu's soft hand, smiling gently.
"I'm a man. Why should I fear a challenge?
"Even if you send that big fool away, he won't be convinced. This time, I'll make sure he bows in submission!"
Feeling the warmth and strength in Zhou Yi's broad hand, Xiao Wu's gaze softened, admiration evident. She whispered, "Brother Yi, Er Ming isn't inherently bad. Just teach him a lesson, but don't hurt him too badly, alright?"
"Don't worry, I'll show restraint."
Dressing swiftly, Zhou Yi and Xiao Wu found Yan Rou already awake—or rather, she hadn't slept at all.
Yan Rou shot a sharp glance at Zhou Yi and Xiao Wu before the three headed out of the valley.
At the valley's edge, Zhou Yi immediately spotted Er Ming standing alongside another massive beast with a bull's head and a serpent's body.
The Sky Azure Bull Python, Da Ming!
"So that's why you've got the guts to shout—brought backup, huh?" Zhou Yi teased Er Ming with a grin.
"Roar!"
Er Ming, both embarrassed and angry, roared back, "Don't get cocky! One day, I'll defeat you!
"Today, it's my big brother's turn to deal with you!"
"Doesn't matter. Both of you can come at me together," Zhou Yi said casually, as if he weren't facing two 100,000-year soul beasts but mere kittens.
"Hmph! My big brother alone is more than enough to handle you!"
Er Ming snorted coldly, full of confidence in Da Ming's abilities.
"I'm invincible. Do as you please."
Zhou Yi cracked his neck indifferently. "I've just broken through—perfect opportunity to stretch my muscles."
"Arrogant!"
Da Ming, the Sky Azure Bull Python, was thoroughly enraged. He hadn't expected a mere young human to be so brazen. Even seasoned Titled Douluo feared him, his very name sending shivers down their spines.
Today, he would teach Zhou Yi a harsh lesson, showing him the true measure of heaven and earth.
Before Da Ming could act, Zhou Yi's aura erupted like a tidal wave.
The Cultivation Technique Mastery Card was activated.
Golden Bell Shield!
Within Zhou Yi, his blood and qi surged along a specific trajectory. His entire being radiated like a blazing furnace, his blood boiling in an instant.
At the same time, the unique protective aura of the Golden Bell Shield formed, washing through his flesh, meridians, and internal organs. Zhou Yi's physique rapidly strengthened.
Boom!
Behind Zhou Yi, his qi and blood surged like a towering plume of smoke. The terrifying aura forced Xiao Wu and the others to retreat.
"Mother, what's happening?"
Xiao Wu was stunned, worry filling her eyes.
"This… must be the breakthrough Zhou Yi mentioned!"
Yan Rou, though having lived for tens of thousands of years, had never witnessed such a phenomenon. While she couldn't fully comprehend it, she could sense Zhou Yi growing exponentially stronger.
It was as if a primordial beast was awakening.
Da Ming and Er Ming both looked grave.
They hadn't expected Zhou Yi's power to soar once again.
Zhou Yi himself was undergoing a transformation.
The levels of the Golden Bell Shield ascended one after another.
Sixth Level:
Immune to sharp weapons unless they struck vital points like the weak spot, eyes, ears, or major acupoints.
Seventh Level:
The protective aura covered all acupoints, making even head strikes rebound on attackers. Energy could be channeled to harden even soft branches into unyielding weapons, capable of countering swords and blades. Only critical areas like the eyes, ears, and weak spot remained vulnerable.
Eighth Level:
At this stage, the practitioner's internal strength has reached a level where their entire body becomes impervious to sharp weapons, leaving only a three-inch vulnerable point. Regardless of the opponent's strength, any attack triggers a ferocious counterforce, capable of severely injuring or killing the attacker.
Ninth Level:
The practitioner gains the ability to use leaves or petals as lethal projectiles. Even when facing an opponent with superior internal strength, they remain immune to internal injuries, and divine weapons or sharp blades can only cut the skin, leaving muscles unharmed. Death can only occur if the one-and-a-half-inch vulnerable point is struck directly.
Tenth Level:
Internal strength returns to its purest form. The practitioner's protective energy becomes so powerful that it can shatter sharp swords with ease. Even something as trivial as a spitball can pierce like a dart, and the vulnerable point shrinks to just one inch.
Eleventh Level:
The vulnerable point diminishes to half an inch. The practitioner's body becomes as hard as steel when tense, and as soft as cotton when relaxed, rendering them immune to blades, firearms, water, and fire. Their strikes carry the force of wind and thunder, their movements are light as a feather, and they can traverse waves without sinking.
Twelfth Level:
The vulnerable point completely disappears. The practitioner achieves an indestructible state, impervious to water, fire, and poison. They can remain sleepless and tireless, with an endless reserve of energy.
A roar erupted.
Zhou Yi's body radiated an uncontrollable surge of power, his blood energy rolling like a dragon. Glaring at Da Ming and Er Ming, he bellowed, "You two oafs, come fight me!"
"You're asking for death!"
Er Ming, having mostly recovered from his injuries, charged forward with fury, his massive fist crashing down like a sledgehammer.
Zhou Yi didn't dodge, didn't block—he didn't even flinch.
"Brother Yi, be careful!" Xiao Wu exclaimed in alarm. Though Zhou Yi's strength had skyrocketed, Er Ming's fists weren't something one could simply endure.
"Die!"
Er Ming's strike carried no restraint, his massive fist smashing straight into Zhou Yi's head.
Boom!
The violent shockwave burst forth with Zhou Yi at its epicenter, uprooting trees and scattering soil and rocks, forming a massive crater around him.
Crack!
The sound of breaking bones rang out.
"No!"
Xiao Wu's anguished scream tore through the air, her voice full of despair, as she assumed Zhou Yi's head had been crushed.
The next moment—
A roar of pain echoed from Er Ming as his enormous body was hurled backward, one of his giant arms now limp, its bones shattered completely.
"My turn!"
Zhou Yi lunged forward like a feral beast.
"Brother, watch out!"
Da Ming rushed to intercept, but Zhou Yi seized Da Ming's massive serpent tail mid-sweep and swung his enormous body into the air.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Using Da Ming's tail like a whip, Zhou Yi smashed him violently against the ground and nearby terrain.
The earth trembled as cracks spread outwards, leaving the surrounding area in utter disarray.
"Brother!"
Er Ming roared in rage, charging at Zhou Yi.
With a powerful throw, Zhou Yi flung Da Ming's massive body directly at Er Ming, sending both titanic figures flying.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Zhou Yi continued to wield Da Ming like a weapon, each swing creating an earth-shattering impact that left Xiao Wu and Yan Rou trembling in awe.
"Brother Yi, spare them!"
Xiao Wu cried out, torn between her amazement at Zhou Yi's savage strength and concern for her friends, Da Ming and Er Ming.
Finally, Zhou Yi casually tossed Da Ming aside, his massive body landing heavily on the injured Er Ming.
At last, both beasts lay on the ground, unable to rise.
"Too brutal!"
"Too violent!"
Yan Rou and Xiao Wu stared at the devastated battlefield and the two incapacitated beasts, their hearts pounding.
For soul beasts who revered strength, Zhou Yi's overwhelming display was utterly captivating.
"I concede!"
"I accept my defeat wholeheartedly!"
Da Ming struggled to his feet, his gaze desolate as he dragged his injured body away, filled with sorrow.
Er Ming rose slowly, his head hanging low in despair.
This time, he had no words.
Zhou Yi's strength was simply overwhelming.
He was no match.
He no longer had the face to compete with Zhou Yi for Xiao Wu's affections.
"Da Ming, Er Ming..."
Watching the two beasts' lonely retreat, Xiao Wu felt a pang of worry.
"Xiao Wu, go check on them," Yan Rou urged, clearly concerned.
The two beasts had suffered both physical injuries and a crushing blow to their spirits.
"Brother Yi, should I go check on them?"
Xiao Wu looked at Zhou Yi hesitantly.
"Go ahead!"
Zhou Yi wasn't one to hold grudges. Besides, those two big oafs couldn't cause much trouble.
"I'll be back soon!"
As Xiao Wu disappeared into the forest, Zhou Yi turned to Yan Rou.
Mature.
Alluring.
Utterly captivating.
"Do you have any business with me?"
Uncomfortable under Zhou Yi's intense gaze, Yan Rou's voice turned cold, her demeanor clearly indicating she wanted him to leave.
"I'm brimming with energy right now," Zhou Yi said slowly.
The completion of his Twelfth Level Golden Bell Shield had significantly enhanced his strength.
"What are you planning?"
Yan Rou instinctively took a step back, her chest rising and falling as she looked at Zhou Yi with a mix of apprehension and uncertainty.
Her heart was a storm of fear, nervousness, excitement, and... anticipation.
She crossed her arms, exuding a mixture of resistance and seduction.
"You."
Zhou Yi's eyes lit up as he stepped forward, sweeping Yan Rou into his arms in a princess carry.
"Ah!" Yan Rou gasped.
"Not here."
--------------------
If you want to support me and read advance chapters, please visit:
patreon.com / igotneonlight