Chapter 230: Dueling (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance! )
Chapter 230: Dueling (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance! )
Half a month later.
Outside Dragon Fish Island, a streak of green light flew over, landing on the pier, revealing the figure of Liu San Qi, with his goatee, ebony hairpin, and medicine box on his back.
"Dragon Fish Island today is quite lively."
He gazed at the spirit boats below, muttering to himself.
Before long, another streak of iridescent light, like a hundred flowers, flew forth, making Liu San Qi's eyes light up. He stepped forward to greet her: "Peach Bell Fairy has arrived as well?"
Ruan Xing Ling landed on the island, prompting the surrounding cultivators to bow in greeting.
Having previously defeated Chong Ru Hu and governed Myriad Islands Lake for many years, she subtly held the title of 'Lord of Myriad Islands Lake'.
Upon seeing Liu San Qi, she also gave a graceful bow in return: "Indeed. . . After all, Fellow Daoist Fang is challenging the Spirit Sword Sect's Grand Elder. How could I miss such a grand event?"
Sword cultivators are known for their sharp combat prowess, and the Spirit Sword Sect's Grand Elder is naturally a preeminent figure among them.
Even the Ghost Moon Gate's Grand Elder would be a notch below him!
"I naturally know how formidable he is, but Fellow Daoist Fang is a friend I've known for many years, and I've always known he never does anything he's not confident about."
Ruan Xing Ling replied.
As the two conversed, a flash of light appeared in the southern sky, revealing a five-colored flying ship, its sails embroidered with a black moon insignia.
"It's the people from Ghost Moon Gate, they've come too."
Among the gathered cultivators, someone exclaimed repeatedly: "And the one leading them is that Grand Elder!"
"After all, they are all sect cultivators. . ."
Ruan Xing Ling smiled faintly, then proceeded directly to the Evergreen Pavilion with Liu San Qi.
Although Fang Xi had arranged a duel with Li Ru Jian, the widespread invitation for friends to witness it was somewhat born out of necessity.
Li Ru Jian feared Fang Xi might suddenly turn hostile and launch a siege, while Fang Xi worried that the man might renege if he lost.
Therefore, it was better for both sides to invite witnesses!
As a result, it even began to feel like a grand event for Myriad Islands Lake.
After all, duels between Foundation Establishment cultivators were exceedingly rare, especially when a Grand Cultivator of the late Foundation Establishment stage made a move.
Indeed, for the less experienced cultivators of Myriad Islands Lake, the late Foundation Establishment stage was synonymous with 'Grand Cultivator'!
Foundation Establishment cultivators had long lifespans and were considered the middle-to-high strata of Yue Country, rarely engaging in life-or-death battles. . .
Within the Evergreen Pavilion, there were already two Foundation Establishment cultivators present, both from the Black Heaven Sect.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yan, Fellow Daoist Zhan. . ."
With a glance, Ruan Xing Ling saw Yan Chang Kong, and standing behind him was Yan Dong Qing.
Zhan Tu wore a Daoist robe, his person imbued with the aura of alchemy. It was said that after achieving Foundation Establishment, his alchemy skills had also broken through to the second-tier, making him highly regarded within the Black Heaven Sect.
At this moment, Zhan Tu respectfully addressed Fang Xi: "Previously, when Zhan Tu cultivated and established his foundation, I must greatly thank the Island Master for his sponsorship. These are the Spirit Stones I owe. . ."
As he spoke, he handed a storage bag to Fang Xi.
"You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist."
Fang Xi chuckled, took the storage bag, and with a sweep of his Divine Consciousness, knew that the Spirit Stones given to him by this person were even more than expected.
Just then, Zhan Tu continued: "Zhan Tu has one more humble request. Having settled in the Black Heaven Sect, I yearn for my parents. I hope the Island Master will grant permission for them to be brought to the Black Heaven Sect for care. . ."
"Of course. . ."
Fang Xi originally had no intention of holding Zhan Tu's parents hostage, nor could he truly threaten them; it would only invite enmity. He readily agreed.
"Many thanks, Island Master. " A hint of joy appeared on Zhan Tu's face as he sat back down.
Only then did Fang Xi have time to entertain Ruan Xing Ling and Liu San Qi.
Not long after, the Ghost Moon Gate's Grand Elder also arrived.
With all eyes upon them, no one worried that Fang Xi would suddenly turn hostile and capture all the cultivators on the island, so the woman entered the island quite openly.
Unbeknownst to them, Fang Xi was currently calculating in his heart: "So many cultivators have come today. If I were to activate the 'Nine-Nethers Profound Wood Grand Array', it would truly be a windfall. . ."
Fortunately, he only thought about it, thus preventing a bloody demonic disaster.
"Fellow Daoist Ghost Moon, your presence today truly adds splendor to my humble abode. Please, try this island's special Cloud Dragon Tea!"
Fang Xi, smiling, invited the Ghost Moon Gate's Grand Elder to sit. This sect's Grand Elders automatically inherited the previous generation's title, their Daoist designation being 'Ghost Moon Child'.
Ghost Moon Child took a sip of the spirit tea, her expression still icy: "Fellow Daoist Fang. . . I hear that today's duel came about because you are sheltering a rogue cultivator on the island? If that is true, I implore you to heed my advice: rogue cultivators should all be slain. Fellow Daoist, do not mislead yourself!"
This woman's character had always been one of loathing evil as if it were a personal enemy, and even more so after the Ghost Moon Gate's market town was destroyed.
After all, the young female Foundation Establishment cultivator who died was her favored disciple, regarded as her future successor.
Now that she was dead, cultivating another Foundation Establishment cultivator would strain even the Ghost Moon Gate to its very foundations.
Furthermore, sect cultivators had always stood together, so this woman's words were somewhat blunt.
"Fellow Daoist Ghost Moon, do not believe rumors. It is not yet certain who the rogue cultivator is."
Ruan Xing Ling said, a half-smile playing on her lips, subtly needling Ghost Moon Child.
"Hmph. . . If not for that, why would that female cultivator have 'Blood Soul Threads' on her? It caused Fellow Daoist Li to track her all the way here!"
Ghost Moon Child let out a cold snort.
"Right or wrong, I do not wish to discuss it further. In short. . . I have already made an agreement with Fellow Daoist Li, so let us abide by the outcome of the duel. . ."
Fang Xi said, indifferently.
The cultivation world had always operated on the principle of the strong preying on the weak. Talking about evidence was laughable; in the end, it all came down to a duel!
In any case, he was confident in his divine abilities. Even if he suppressed his magic power to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, he was still largely certain he could defeat an ordinary late-Foundation Establishment cultivator.
And if Li Ru Jian had truly cultivated some terrifying sword Dao divine ability and could defeat him, then he would simply hand over Zhong Hong Yu. . . no big deal.
His final safeguard was this: if Li Ru Jian was not only powerful, but even after killing Zhong Hong Yu, remained relentless and sought more trouble, then he would simply unleash the Nine-Nethers Profound Wood Grand Array and capture all the outsiders in one fell swoop. . .
"It shouldn't come to that, right?"
Fang Xi held his teacup, speaking to ease the atmosphere, and chatting with everyone about their cultivation insights during the Foundation Establishment stage.
For a time, both hosts and guests were thoroughly pleased.
Three hours later.
"They're here!"
His expression stirred, and he transformed into a streak of green light, flying out of the Evergreen Pavilion. The Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him, one after another, soared on their escape lights, following suit.
Just outside the island, two black-clad figures pierced through the air like sharp swords. They were Li Ru Jian and another Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Spirit Sword Sect!
Both were dressed in black and bore swords on their backs, but the person following behind Li Ru Jian was younger.
"Fellow Daoist Li, you've finally arrived. Please, have a cup of spirit tea. . ."
Fang Xi said with a face full of smiles.
"Less nonsense. Since everyone is here, choose a place, and we can begin."
Li Ru Jian, however, had no desire for idle talk.
Sword cultivators had always been this straightforward and direct.
"Very well. . . There is a barren mountain on the island that would serve as a fitting battlefield. Please!"
Fang Xi waved a hand, transforming into a green rainbow, leading the way. Behind him, the Foundation Establishment cultivators followed, some riding sword light, others flying on spirit artifacts.
As for the Qi Refinement cultivators who had gathered to watch the excitement, they could only bitterly urge their magical tools to keep up, helplessly watching as the Foundation Establishment cultivators' escape lights pulled farther and farther ahead. . .
...
"This place will do. . ."
Dragon Fish Island, atop a barren mountain.
Fang Xi stood suspended in mid-air, clad in a green Daoist robe, his demeanor refined: "Please, Fellow Daoist, make the first move. . ."
Li Ru Jian, facing him, said nothing further. With a flick of his finger, a several-zhang-long golden sword qi tore through the air, flying straight towards him, its momentum fierce and carrying a subtle sharpness of Geng Metal!
Against a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, Li Ru Jian didn't even bother drawing his sword at first!
"Geng Metal Sword Art!"
Liu San Qi, observing the battle, his eyes lit up: "Today, I finally get to witness this famous sword cultivation technique of Yue Country!"
"Metal overcomes Wood. Not only is there a cultivation gap between the two, but one cultivates a metal-attribute technique while the other cultivates a wood-attribute technique. This makes one particularly vulnerable. . ."
Yan Chang Kong muttered.
Zhan Tu, having only recently achieved Foundation Establishment, remained silent, fully engrossed in watching this great battle.
"Excellent."
Facing the sword qi that erupted with a thought, Fang Xi chuckled, then spread his hands. Wood Spirit Divine Light burst forth from his fingertips, automatically forming a ring of azure-green defensive spirit barrier around his body.
—The Wood Spirit Divine Light Shield!
This defensive spirit barrier was far tougher than an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator's magic power shield, possessing an unending vitality. Even if momentarily damaged, it would quickly recover.
Screech!
The several-zhang-long golden sword light stabbed into the Wood Spirit Divine Light Shield, sending sparks flying. The sword light actually disintegrated inch by inch, unable to affect the shield in the slightest.
"To dare to invite this old man to a duel, you certainly have some skill!"
Li Ru Jian's expression was calm. For an opponent who was merely a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator to dare to invite him, a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, to a duel, they naturally possessed extraordinary techniques.
At this moment, his ten fingers flicked continuously, and streaks of ten-foot-long golden sword light appeared, crisscrossing and weaving like a vast golden net, encasing Fang Xi's Wood Spirit Divine Light Shield.
Crack!
Screech!
The Wood Spirit Divine Light Shield was entangled by the net of golden sword qi, emitting various teeth-grinding sounds, yet it remained as tough as ever.
"What kind of defensive spirit artifact is this? It must at least be of superior-grade, right?"
Yan Chang Kong couldn't help but murmur.
"The Geng Metal Sword Art is indeed not bad. . . Now, Fellow Daoist, please take a look at this strike of mine?"
Inside the Wood Spirit Divine Light Shield, Fang Xi extended his right hand. The Wood Spirit Divine Light condensed, forming a foot-long azure wooden flying sword.
The blade of this sword bore a wooden texture, and its hilt was adorned with carved patterns.
Although it was formed from Wood Spirit Divine Light, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators present actually mistook it for a genuine spirit artifact!
"Go!"
Fang Xi flicked his finger, and the Wood Spirit Divine Sword instantly transformed into a streak of dark green flowing light, drawing out a ten-foot-long azure rainbow, like a flood dragon baring its fangs and claws, pouncing towards Li Ru Jian!
Not only that, but lightning even flickered on the sword's body, emitting sky-blue Wood Spirit Divine Thunder!
Lightning with a flick of a finger!
The lightning flash was faster than the sword light, striking first despite being sent later, impacting Li Ru Jian's body!
Screech!
The azure lightning dispersed. Around Li Ru Jian, an incredibly sharp layer of sword aura actually emerged, completely different from an ordinary defensive spirit barrier, like a hedgehog, scattering the lightning!
"Very good, you are worthy of this old man drawing his sword!"
Li Ru Jian let out a long cry, then drew his sword with a backhand motion.
A golden rainbow appeared, its sharp sword qi making all the Foundation Establishment cultivators present narrow their eyes involuntarily.
Rumble!
Like thunder erupting from dry land, the golden sword light, as if carrying wind and rain, slashed onto the Wood Spirit Divine Sword that followed, utterly destroying this azure rainbow and sending the Wood Spirit Divine Sword flying back!
"It's the unusual treasure—the 'Thunder Shock Sword'!"
Even Ghost Moon Child's expression changed: "I can't believe Fellow Daoist Li actually brought out this inherited treasure of the Spirit Sword Sect. . ."
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