Daoist Competition

"Why bother talking to him!"

Ye Jiliu could barely contain himself. Seeing the two unable to reach an agreement, even before Gongyang Sheng gave the order, he rushed out without regard for others.

As he moved halfway, he slapped his waist. With a "clang", a silver arc soared out of its sheath, twisting in the air and accompanied by the sound of a dragon’s roar and a tiger’s cry, swiftly killing downward. Though the Dharma Sword had yet to approach, the chilling aura emanating from the blade had already shot forth.

Zhang Yan squinted at the incoming Dharma Sword, seeing its blade as white as snow, its cold light dazzling. There were countless silvery tendrils writhing on each side of the sword body, like branches spreading out, exceptionally unique. Hence, he did not take it lightly. With a long howl, a golden light burst forth from the top of his head, and amidst the swirling mist, a Nascent Soul with a revolving Five-Colored Light behind it emerged.

Ye Jiliu’s Dharma Sword, named "Dragon Centipede Sword," contained several paths of transformation. Especially its sword refining method, which was borrowed from the Shaoqing Sect’s secret technique and was extraordinarily effective. In battles with enemies, it had yet to face defeat.

Years ago, the Shaoqing Sect in Central Pillar Continent lost dozens of disciples in battle, some of whom carried Secret Volumes containing their treasures and skills, many of which were taken by the Central Pillar Continent Cultivators. Although they could not master the orthodox method, many intelligent individuals paved a new path, evolving numerous formidable methods.

Ye Jiliu was one of them. After obtaining this method, he spent more than ten years refining this Dharma Sword, and the combination greatly increased its power.

Nowadays, except for two elders of a higher generation, his prowess was arguably the greatest here, hence his high self-regard.

He noticed Zhang Yan’s Top Cloud was just a single cloud, his cultivation slightly inferior to his own, and thus felt confident, daring to face him alone despite knowing his Divine Skills were formidable.

Others saw that Ye Jiliu had made a move and wanted to follow suit, but Gongyang Sheng stopped them.

He gazed downwards and said in a deep voice, "Let him try first. If he can’t handle it, it’s not too late for us to step in."

Ye Jiliu was always proud and arrogant; if Gongyang Sheng didn’t speak and they rushed to assist, he might be infuriated. Thus, it was better to let him go, even as a test, to see Zhang Yan’s abilities.

With the sword light approaching, Zhang Yan remained still, and behind him, a beam of yellow light dropped down, suddenly expanding to form a three-zhang high, one-li long light barrier.

This yellow light was dense and solid; as the Dragon Centipede Sword advanced merely a few inches within it, it felt sluggish and obstructed, unable to proceed. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Ye Jiliu snorted coldly, immediately using Divine Skills, pointing with his finger, causing the Dharma Sword to gently tremble. Countless silvery tendrils shook off the sword, hissing like fine rain, seeking gaps, and instantly pierced through the yellow light, swirling forward.

Zhang Yan remained calm and composed, standing his ground. As those silver tendrils flew closer, another blue light surged behind him. As it flashed, it resembled a crashing wave, engulfing the silver tendrils completely, swallowing them without a trace.

Ye Jiliu was slightly taken aback, his expression turning solemn. He let out a low shout and continuously urged the spell. The Dragon Centipede Sword trembled violently, the silver tendrils faded and regenerated, continuously growing. In just a few breaths, thousands emerged, filling the sky, a vast expanse.

With another command, countless silver needles twisted into several strands, arranged methodically, swept from multiple directions.

Zhang Yan stood with hands behind his back, blue light behind him continuously flashed like a flood, roaring loudly. The silver needles frenziedly darted back and forth, ceaselessly advancing, yet no matter how many came, all disappeared like stones sinking into the sea.

The six spectating furrowed their brows; several among them had faced Ye Jiliu’s Dharma Sword before, aware of its formidable prowess. Even though he hadn’t used his last trump card, it was not easy to withstand.

Yet Zhang Yan handled it so effortlessly, it was clear he retained his strength.

This kind of method was unseen by them; observing Zhang Yan’s back with Five-Colored Light flowing, he only used two to hold off Ye Jiliu’s offensive, while three remained unused, leaving them uncertain about the hidden mysteries within.

Zhang Yan, of course, wouldn’t just defend without attacking, pinpointing a gap in Ye Jiliu’s move, he flicked his sleeve, scattering dozens of You Yin Heavy Water drops.

Ye Jiliu saw the Heavy Water as mere water droplets, black as ink, lacking any brilliance, seemingly unimpressive. Initially dismissive, he was caught off guard when they hit his Protective Treasure Light, erupting with loud noise, akin to a mighty hammer drop, destabilizing his footing, causing him to sway uncontrollably, realizing its menace.

His body retreated a few steps, urging his Mana, brightening his Nascent Soul’s Protective Treasure Light a few degrees, then summoned the Flying Sword for protection in front, dashing back and forth, flashing repeatedly. Amid the haste, he barely intercepted the dozens of Heavy Water drops.

Rui Daoist witnessing this scene sighed, "I long advised Senior Brother Ye to refine a Protective Treasure, but he refused to listen."

In the Shaoqing Sect, whether attacking or defending, they relied on a single sword ball, known as "One sword rules life and death, the lone Dao carries Yin Yang." Ye Jiliu felt this was quite fitting for him, thus he’d mastered it completely, believing a single Dharma Sword was sufficient to traverse the world, disdaining to refine any Protective Treasure.

Zhang Yan saw Ye Jiliu was now too occupied, seized the opportunity, and pointed with his hand. The yellow light rose like dust, ascending higher and higher, until suddenly it roared like the collapse of a city, blanketing the sky heavily.

Ye Jiliu’s eyes finally revealed astonishment. Facing such an attack, uncertain of his opponent’s strength, the usual choice was to turn and evade.

But with fellow sect members watching, retreating after a few exchanges would be face-losing. With a fierce bellow, he held the Dharma Sword backward, slashed several times, silver light swiftly sweeping like lightning in the night sky, tearing open a few gaps in this Earth True Light, leaping to charge out from the front.

However, just as he flew a hundred zhang forward, he felt surroundings filled with swirling yellow earth and dusty haze, the more he advanced, the heavier his body felt.

At this moment, amidst the rolling murky smoke, he glanced around, suddenly realizing he had rushed into a hand palm-sized a hundred zhang, his face changed color. Just about to retreat, the five fingers moved swiftly, closing inward.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)