Daoist Competition

Liu Yan Yi exchanged greetings, then invoked a spell to control her Flying Sword. With a sharp twist in midair, it streaked toward Xiao He like a striking serpent.

She was well aware that the man before her was a Hua Dan Realm cultivator, the same rank as her revered master. Though she knew the protective array would shield him, she dared not be careless.

This duel was a rare opportunity to sharpen her swordsmanship. But tell me, which Human Sect would permit a Hua Dan Cultivator to serve as a mere sparring partner for a Xuan Guang Practitioner?

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The chance was exceedingly precious, and she cherished it deeply—treating it as if it were a life-and-death battle. Her demeanor was solemn, and almost immediately, she unleashed her full strength.

The pinpoint of Clear Light glittered like a meteor slicing through the night, hurtling toward Xiao He with alarming speed. Xiao He smirked disdainfully, clasping his hands casually behind his back. Without moving an inch, a wisp of Elixir Evil surged from beneath his feet, transforming into a powerful wave. With a resonant crash, it effortlessly swatted the sword ball aside.

His indifferent manner made Liu Yan Yi’s heart tighten. She immediately withdrew her Defective Moon Sword Ball, weaving it into a silver thread that coiled around her fingertip.

Though she had heard tales of the overwhelming strength of Hua Dan Cultivators, she had no firsthand understanding. Now that she faced one, reality was laid bare like a blade—cutting and undeniable.

Since Zhang Yan gifted her this sword ball, it had proven formidable in slaying demons and had never faltered in combat. Even when sparring with fellow cultivators, she had held her own. Autumn Han Yue had suffered defeat after defeat at her hands. Yet, this stranger—a mere wave—had effortlessly deflected it.

Suddenly, a deafening sound of rushing tides erupted beneath Xiao He’s feet. Thick fumes spiraled upward, transforming into torrents of water that surged outward, spreading in all directions. Rolling waves unfurled one after another, forming floating rivers that crossed the sky. Alongside these rivers, wisps of Elixir Evil smoke spread through the air like an insidious mist.

Although Liu Yan Yi had no idea what Xiao He intended, she understood one thing: in serious combat, one must never allow the opponent free rein to execute their techniques. With a sharp cry, she transformed into a streak of light, pushing her tunneling light speed to its peak as she darted unpredictably around Xiao He’s vicinity, hunting for a moment to strike.

Squinting slightly, Xiao He watched the silver light flit and whirl before him, indifferent and unmoved.

Their realms were leagues apart. No matter how sharp Liu Yan Yi’s sword light was, it could never pierce through his Elixir Evil, which had condensed into Mystic Water.

If Zhang Yan were in her place, Xiao He would have limited himself to passive defense, fearing even the smallest opening lest Zhang Yan exploit it and take his head in one incisive strike.

However, Liu Yan Yi circled Xiao He for quite some time. Despite his seemingly exposed stance full of flaws, she refrained from attacking, her caution overriding her impulse.

Xiao He initially intended to wait for Liu Yan Yi to unleash her sword ball. It would make capturing her significantly easier when he retaliated.

But after waiting for what felt like an eternity, with no strike from her, irritation began to smolder within him. Privately, he muttered, "I can’t handle Zhang Yan, but could this mere disciple possibly be beyond me?"

With that thought, patience abandoned him. He flung his sleeve skyward, transforming the surrounding wisps of Elixir Evil into Mystic Water. In an instant, waves surged violently from the ground, while above, endless blue waters cascaded downward—a Heaven-and-Earth Net engulfing all directions at once. Sneering viciously, he declared, "Let’s see where you intend to run now!"

Faced with this scene, Liu Yan Yi turned pale. She frantically propelled her sword light, darting away as swiftly as she could. Yet scarcely after beginning her escape, she collided with a wall of water, as though striking an ethereal but unyielding barrier, which pushed her gently back instead.

She didn’t have time to ponder the situation and immediately attempted another direction, only to meet the same resistance.

As the Mystic Water closed in relentlessly, she appeared like a lone skiff tossed about in stormy seas, on the verge of capsizing amid the chaos. However, just then, the Mirror Spirit silently turned the array, instantly relocating the surging waves elsewhere. In the blink of an eye, the space between the two combatants became eerily empty, the tempestuous waters vanishing as though they had never existed.

Xiao He was dumbfounded upon seeing this.

His plan had been meticulously calculated: first to covertly disperse the Elixir Evil all around, then to ensnare Liu Yan Yi in the watery curtain and launch an overwhelming attack. Even if Zhang Yan wanted to intervene, he wouldn’t have been quick enough to stop it. The result would leave Liu Yan Yi captured—a bargaining chip to exert leverage over Zhang Yan.

Yet, never in his wildest imagination did he foresee the Forbidden Array flicking his Mystic Water away so effortlessly.

Feeling utterly outmaneuvered, rage surged through Xiao He’s chest. He let out a furious roar: "Zhang Yan, are you playing games with me?"

Consumed by anger, he activated his Mysterious Skill, unleashing billowing clouds of smoke around him. Dispensing with the pretense of restraint, he prepared to throw all caution to the wind to seize Liu Yan Yi by sheer force.