飘零影音

Chapter 166 - Arc 11: The Sect\'s Grand Competition | Chapter 166: Match 13

Translator: Lynn

Xu Ziqing effortlessly dismantled Li Cai’s ploys, eliciting a collective sigh of relief from the spectators.

In the vicinity of the battle platform, approximately ten feet away, stood two towering cultivators—one in red attire and the other in purple—watching the stage’s unfolding competition.

The shorter of the two possessed a striking countenance, bright-eyed and adorned with long, erect black hair, exuding a spirited aura.

The other stood handsomely, skin as white as snow, resembling a snow sculpture, yet marked by a fiery streak between his eyebrows, seeming to harbor boundless flames—contrasting features that strangely complemented each other.

Both were of exceptional appearance and demeanor, though curiously concealed within the crowd, difficult for most to notice, as if obscured by some unseen force.

The attractive young man was the one who had breathed the sigh of relief, while the other, with a gentle gaze, remarked, “You came to see that old friend, didn’t you? Can you rest easy now?”

The charming youth smiled and replied, “It’s been a while. Brother Ziqing has made impressive progress once again, putting my worries to rest. When I see him next, I’ll have to ask him to treat me to a drink!”

If Xu Ziqing were to hear this, he would recognize the young man in red as Su Xin, the young master of the Loose Cultivator Alliance, who had traveled from a distant small world.

The youth continued, “Although both of you have incurred the ire of the Patriarch of Jile Peak, you possess commendable cultivation techniques and the guidance of two Golden Core Daoist experts. Hence, there’s no need for excessive concern. You’ve only recently become a registered disciple of Shenhuo Peak under Master’s tutelage. Keep exerting yourself, earn Master’s favor, and strive to become a personal disciple sooner.”

Su Xin expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you, Qi Shixiong, for your guidance. Su Xin is aware that since entering the sect, Shixiong has looked out for me, and Su Xin is deeply grateful, never forgetting this kindness.”

The charming youth nodded slightly, softening his tone, “But fret not. You’re in the foundational stages once again, and when you achieve success, I’ll recommend you to Master. As a personal disciple, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the ‘Shenhuo Technique,’ rivaling your old friend. We share a similar background, having both been blessed in disguise and accepted into Shenhuo Peak. Now that I’ve made significant progress in my cultivation, it’s your turn to catch up. The hardships you endure now are but a prelude to releasing your frustration in the future. Relying solely on ancestral protection against adversaries won’t suffice. It’s better to forge your own path in cultivation, the true essence of our generation of cultivators.”

Upon hearing this counsel, Su Xin’s eyes flickered with a hint of resentment, yet a faint warmth surfaced between his brows—an emotion born of indignation. He gritted his teeth, his determination unwavering, “Qi Shixiong, rest assured. Su Xin will never forget such humiliation!”

As it turned out, Su Xin had heeded Xu Ziqing’s advice on that fateful day, bidding farewell to the Loose Cultivator Alliance members and embarking alone towards Shenhuo Peak. Fueled by his hatred, he recklessly approached the formidable formation guarding the mountain, enduring severe burns and injuries in the process.

Fortunately, some mountain-patrolling disciples intervened, encountering Su Xin’s reckless actions and bringing him to the mountain for disciplinary measures. It was during this incident that Su Xin crossed paths with Xue Wenhao, and due to certain circumstances, Xue Wenhao—a single-fire spiritual root—intervened, putting a stop to Su Xin’s actions.

Later, after Su Xin regained consciousness, rescued by Xue Wenhao, he recounted the events in great detail. He had never been subjected to such mistreatment and humiliation before, fueling his intense hatred. There was a stroke of fortune, however. Previously, the Patriarch of Jile Peak and the Patriarch of Shenhuo Peak had a competition involving a single-fire spiritual root, and it turned out to be Xue Wenhao. He had nurtured and cultivated this single-fire spiritual root meticulously, now boasting a mid-stage Golden Core Transformation cultivation.

Subsequently, Xue Wenhao introduced Su Xin to his master, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator proficient in Shenhuo Method. The master held a deep fondness for Xue Wenhao and admired talents with a single spiritual root, thus accepting Su Xin as a registered disciple. He assured Su Xin that after some trials, he could potentially be promoted to a direct disciple.

At this point, Su Xin finally settled into a relatively stable life.

During the Grand Competition, due to his unstable foundation and recent entry into cultivation, Su Xin failed to make a notable impression and withdrew early. Yet his resentment towards Jile Peak kept him interested in Li Cai.

Li Cai displayed arrogance, relying heavily on his magical artifacts. While his strength was not flawless, ordinary inner sect disciples found it difficult to penetrate his defenses, resulting in consistent victories for Li Cai. However, those more powerful than Li Cai, upon recognizing the figures behind him and witnessing Li Cai’s conduct in the martial arts field, often opted for caution, leading to fewer challenges.

Later, when Su Xin discovered that Xu Ziqing was also participating in the Bairen Competition, he felt a mix of happiness and worry.

In the past, Xu Ziqing had provoked Bliss Peak further because of Su Xin, tying them together. Now, with Li Cai’s aggressive behavior, it was evident that trouble was brewing.

Hence, Su Xin, accompanied by Xue Wenhao, decided to watch the match from the audience.

Fortunately, Xu Ziqing had made significant progress again. Su Xin was still in the early stages of foundation establishment, while Xu Ziqing somehow broke through to the late stages. After several bouts, Xu Ziqing gained the upper hand, allowing Su Xin to breathe a sigh of relief.

These events were interwoven with dialogues between the two teachers and brothers.

Furthermore, on the stage, Xu Ziqing seized Li Cai’s golden beads, dismantled his Langya Ring, and metaphorically trampled on Li Cai’s pride.

Li Cai’s ancestor had generously bestowed numerous magic weapons and boosted his cultivation, fully expecting to defeat Xu Ziqing and subject him to humiliation. However, to his astonishment, he found himself being sharpened instead, his face stinging as if slapped.

Xu Ziqing, still unsatisfied, wore a smile as he remarked, “Brother Li, is this the extent of your abilities? If so, it might be wise to admit defeat promptly. This deadlock isn’t doing anyone any favors.”

Li Cai’s face turned crimson, then almost purple, as he clenched his teeth and retorted, “Xu Ziqing, be cautious for your own safety. Do you genuinely believe I can’t harm you?”

Holding a sword with a flourish, Xu Ziqing remained calm. “I’m here to instruct you, Brother Li.” He usually refrains from such verbal jousting, but today, he felt a surge of inspiration to engage with his opponent. Meeting Li Cai, who had such a narrow mindset, fueled his frustration, leaving him unable to swallow or spit it out.

Li Cai, no longer able to bear the taunts or being made a joke of, disregarded the banter. He opened his mouth and released a burst of chaotic light. Soon, two floating swords, one long and one short, hovered in mid-air, wavering in hesitation.

These were a pair of dual-purpose swords—water and fire in nature. The longer one acted like a regular flying sword, clashing with the enemy’s blade to fend them off. Meanwhile, the shorter one acted like an assassin, lurking behind the shadow of the long sword, ready to strike the enemy. If an opportunity arose, it would strike swiftly, causing severe injury or even death to the opponent.

These magic weapons had specific lengths and were challenging to summon as they had to be sacrificed together.

Xu Ziqing carefully observed this set of child-mother swords. The longer one appeared agitated as it surged through the air, while the shorter one moved stealthily, its silence deadly. Even if it penetrated flesh, it could easily sever tendons and bones, displaying its viciousness associated with water and fire.

Li Cai’s luck had favored him in successfully refining the Zimu Sword. From Xu Ziqing’s perspective, Li Cai wielded the Zimu Sword with great proficiency, treating it almost as if it were his destiny-bound magic weapon. Comparatively, it seemed much more challenging to handle than Water and Fire Tai Chi and the previously encountered Golden Bead.

The mother-child sword combination, with its contrasting lengths and lethal capabilities, closed in rapidly. The air echoed with their whistling sounds as they pierced through the air. Their speed was astounding, nearly upon Xu Ziqing, faster than ordinary flying swords. In the blink of an eye, they seemed poised to strike Xu Ziqing’s vital points, one after the other, threatening to bring him down.

However, Xu Ziqing was not about to allow them to succeed so easily. He tapped his finger, and a cyan brilliance burst out from his fingertips—Muhua Finger—now a hundred times more potent, infused with artistic concepts of life and death he had recently comprehended, hitting the mother sword heavily!

A sizzling sound of “Shiii” resounded as the fire on the mother sword blazed dazzlingly. Muhua Finger technique squeezed out that this force, wore it down inch by inch, yet it charged again.

Zijian was even more challenging to fend off. Xu Ziqing swung the sword sideways, and with a “ding,” it blocked its surprise attack!

Had it not been for Xu Ziqing’s keen awareness of murderous intent, Zijian might have succeeded.

Struggling to defend against Zijian, the mother sword closed in. Xu Ziqing flicked his fingers again and again, sending three Muhua fingers in succession, gradually blocking the mother sword’s approach, making it difficult to assassinate easily.

In fact, Xu Ziqing was slightly surprised. It seemed that Li Cai had practiced this set of mother-child swords for a long time, making the moves much more flexible and the use of real energy smoother. It was indeed impressive.

Xu Ziqing didn’t want to prolong the confrontation any further. Although Li possessed many magic weapons, it was unnecessary to witness them all. He still had several battles ahead and couldn’t afford to be delayed here. In that moment, with a frown, the Qingyun Needle burst out of his body, heading straight for the Zimu Sword.

The Zimu Sword, Li Cai’s life-bound magic weapon, was connected to his mind and consciousness. It turned smoothly when controlled, making it naturally potent. However, the Qingyun Needle, derived from Xu Ziqing’s flesh and blood, was equally formidable. It could undergo various changes with just a thought, making it highly flexible.

Thus, when the Qingyun Needle reached mid-air, it was already entangled with the Zimu Sword, separating them completely and preventing them from ensnaring Xu Ziqing.

Li Cai, seeing his life-bound magic weapon unable to harm Xu Ziqing, grew even more ruthless. He immediately sacrificed a small cauldron, transforming it into a powerful mountain, attempting to suppress Xu Ziqing!

Yet this small cauldron had never overcome Xu Ziqing before, and now it was no different. Xu Ziqing skillfully picked up the mountain and then reached out to grab it—his fingers long and slender, now turning into a huge cyan-colored palm!

It was a technique Xu Ziqing had honed through battles, gathering the strengths of various martial arts, and comprehending a technique called “Covering the Sky and Blocking Out the Sun” from the “Ten Thousand Woods Great Heart Planting Technique,” a true essence condensing technique. The enormous palm grabbed the small cauldron fiercely, pulling it and yanking it back!

The small cauldron struggled fiercely in the palm’s grip, emitting a buzzing sound. Unfortunately, Li Cai’s control over the sacrificed little cauldron was weakened due to his employing a talisman simultaneously. If not for that, given their equal cultivation levels, Xu Ziqing might have struggled to capture it. However, since he had caught it, Xu Ziqing didn’t hold back. He placed his spiritual sense in it, wiping away Li Cai’s mark with a light sweep, and then stored it back into his sleeve. He chuckled and said, “Brother Li, your generosity is much appreciated. I shall show due respect.”

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