The change in Tian Ning was astonishing to everyone.
Even the top rankers watching the fight were surprised by this.
Childe Wildfire who was also watching the fight furrowed his brows and muttered to himself. "He could have been in the top five too…"
Lin Mu's companions were the same. While they were pleased by Lin Mu's rapid recovery, they were still worried about the sudden rise in Tian Ning's strength.
"He's at the Fifth Tribulation Stage of the Immortal Realm?" Ming Dandan couldn't tell exactly.
"No… The skill he's using has temporarily elevated his cultivation base to that level." Ming Aolian replied. "It is truly strong. I don't think I've ever heard of it."
"Neither have I." Lu Xu spoke. "We knew that he used the Thunderclap Nine Heavens Technique but I never knew this skill was part of it too."
"It isn't an openly available technique after all. The manuals in the market are all partial or incomplete versions of it. Tian Ning probably has the entire manual." Luo Liqin guessed. "Still, it doesn't bid well for Brother Mu Lin." He added.
"No… Brother Mu Lin has been holding back all this while too." Qian Wen suddenly spoke.
~TREMBLE~
And just as Qian Wen spoke, the Spatial Plane seemingly trembled and a sound could be heard.
~LUBDUB~LUBDUB~LUBDUB~
"Isn't that…" The Ming Sisters easily recognized it.
In the Spatial Plane, Lin Mu fully understood that it was time to use a part of his trump cards.
"I shall do as you say then, Tian Ning!" Lin Mu replied to the man.
It was only appropriate that he reciprocation the man's fervor.
The sound of heartbeats was heard while the area trembled. An object rose out of Lin Mu's body before rapidly enlarging. And within it, a heart made out of rocks and earth was throbbing. It beat with vigor and made the ground tremble with its every beat.
Unlike the audience that was watching, Lin Mu could observe a lot more and knew that what Tian Ning was now using wasn't just any skill… it was a Dao Skill!
'He's using his Dao Embryo as well.' Lin Mu confirmed from the sheer amount of Dao Traces that were covering the man's body.
The Dao traces were condensed around his body in the form of an armor while Lightning elemental immortal Qi overflowed. It was evident that the Dao Embryo of Tian Ning was also that of the Lightning element, allowing his immortal cultivation base to directly rise by a level.
'I'll have to match it with my Dao Embryo too.' Lin Mu thought as he drew out Ocean Raker.
The long sword hummed in excitement as Lin Mu held it firmly. He inserted it into the Dao Shell before the Dao Shell started to become covered in a dense layer of rocks.
~SHUA~
Sword Intent poured into the Dao Shell, shaving away its edges and turning it sharp. The five meters long sword looked massive compared to Lin Mu, but he was able to wield it with ease. Clasping is hands around the handle, Lin Mu hefted it across his shoulder.
"Earthen Armament Aspect! Great Sword Form!" Lin Mu used the Dao Skill that had won him a war before.
"A DAO SKILL!"
"He's using a Dao Skill!" the immortals in the audience were sure of it.
"What Dao Embryo is that, though?"
"I've never seen it before."
But they were unable to tell what exactly was the True Earth Heart. It was after all, a rare Earth Elemental Dao Embryo. Perhaps only a few in the Rust Sky would be able to identify it.
Tian Ning who saw Lin Mu prepare his Dao Skill was excited too. His expression couldn't be seen under his Giant armored form, but he didn't let that stop him from acting it out.
"HAHAHA! NOW THIS IS FUN!" He shouted, his voice being heard for kilometers.
He soared towards Lin Mu, his fist threatening to strike him.
Lin Mu wasn't on the passive either now and prepared a counterattack. Without moving, he lifted the great sword and drew it up vertically.
~HUMM~
A resonating sound was heard before the Great Sword trembled. Earth elemental immortal Qi and Metal Elemental Immortal Qi both poured into it while Sword Intent gave them a form. The sword made out of rocks changed in color and took on a shimmering texture.
The Sword intent and Qi further enhanced its power while a chant was heard from Lin Mu's mouth.
Severing Heart Sutra!
Lin Mu's expression turned cold, as only the sword and the enemy in front of him was left in his mind. He closed his eyes and let Tian Ning approach him without fear.
All the stray thoughts in Lin Mu's mind were severed away while his focus skyrocketed. Lin Mu's comprehension of the Sword Intent was rapidly rising at the same time.
It was something that hadn't happened in a while and now that he was facing a strong foe, his Sword intent was finally getting stimulated.
Ocean Raker that was embedded within the Dao Shell was also trembling with excitement, the Weapon spirit within it growing at the same time.
And when the Giant form of Tian Ning reached Lin Mu, he moved. But not without using one more thing.
'True Earth Dao Heart: Aspect of Heaviness!'
~SHING~
The Great Sword swung down in an arc, striking the fist of the armor!
~WOONG~
Earth and Metal Elemental Immortal Qi combined with the Sword Intent, clashed against the giant armor, scraping it away while the rocky Dao Shell maintained its form.
~CLANG~
The sheer weight of the Great Sword that was multiplied by the Aspect of Heaviness directly cleaved the fist in two!
But that was merely the start as the Giant was still coming towards Lin Mu with its momentum.
Tian Ning within the armor was astounded as he felt the Great Sword cut through his giant form without being stopped.
~BOOM~
Finally, the sword arc was completed, leaving the Giant Armor severed in half!