Chapter 634 - 58: Challenging the 19 Peaks, Part 2
Upon hearing the name Zhang Yan, Wu Yinming couldn’t help but show a change in expression. On the day of the Battle of the Three Pools, he had once been saved by Zhang Yan on Bamboo Island, and he had always secretly harbored gratitude. At this moment, hearing that his disciple was also in this competition, he couldn’t help but pay extra attention.
However, someone, out of jealousy, snorted coldly and said, "Rigid things break easily, be careful, the faster you rush, the harder you fall."
Wu Yinming grinned; though this person spoke with a tinge of jealousy, there was some truth to his words.
If a disciple rushed too far ahead without peers to compete against, then on the formation stage, they would face the elders in Shangming Hall.
These elders, although their cultivation was also at the Xuan Guang Realm, had all been cultivating for over a hundred years. Whether in experience or mastery of the Dao, they far exceeded them and were truly formidable opponents.
The disciples who fell behind were not without deep cultivation, but they all strove to avoid clashing with the elders of Shangming Hall, preferring to take a few extra days rather than risk danger lightly.
At this moment, on the Sixteenth Peak, sword lights were soaring and swirling, as Liu Yan Yi fought alone against several True Disciples in a heated battle.
She let out a clear shout, and the sword light trembled, scattering like Jade Pearls off a chain. Those around were forced back by the flickering sword light. Just as they were about to advance again, she urged a spell, and the sword ball darted forward, splitting into a wheel of light. The light vibrated continuously, then divided into five strands of moon-like Clear Light, spinning incessantly in mid-air, casting dazzling splendor, leaving the onlookers dazzled and overwhelmed.
The few True Disciples surrounded Liu Yan Yi but never gained the upper hand. Instead, Liu Yan Yi, leveraging the art of sword escape, forced them to retreat step by step with growing frustration. At this point, not knowing what new change occurred within the sword, they had no choice but to fall back a hundred zhang, settling down before looking again, and seeing six sword shadows flying and flashing unceasingly, they were all shocked and exclaimed, "The Splitting Light Separation Method?"
One among them, upon seeing this, lost heart in continuing the fight and simply turned and left.
Those remaining, unwilling to give up, still tried to struggle, exchanged glances, and with a call, gritted their teeth and charged again.
But how could the Splitting Light Separation Method be so easily dealt with?
Under Liu Yan Yi’s sharp sword light, these few were quickly defeated and, after a few exchanges, all leapt out of the battle circle, conceding defeat.
Once the last disciple was forced down from the cloud, Liu Yan Yi stood upon the Xuan Guang, sheathed her sword, and though she had battled several people, her expression remained composed, her attire unwrinkled, and her appearance unstained.
The elder guarding the peak stroked his beard, sighing, "I underestimated you; with a sword in hand, you stand undefeated, and now that you have comprehended the Splitting Light Separation Method, you can advance or retreat, attack or defend. Even a few more would not best you."
Liu Yan Yi bowed gracefully with a salute, saying, "I must thank this elder for his care."
The elder shook his head with a wry smile and said, "I did not aid you, it’s the young who deserve awe. You may take the Jade Talisman and go swiftly."
Liu Yan Yi lightly raised her fair wrist, captured the Jade Talisman placed on the bluestone into her hand, glanced with beautiful eyes, saluted the elder once more, then soared into the sky. Upon reaching the cloud’s edge, she spun around, identified a location where light and radiance intersected, and urged her tunneling light to head there.
Zhang Yan, at this time, sat on a Flying Couch, leaning against a Green Jade Carved Beast Stone Screen, with white mist like fog at his feet, resembling Immortal Clouds swirling around. He held a glazed tile wine cup, pouring and drinking by himself. Not far off, a few Hua Dan Cultivators occasionally raised cups to him in toast; he smiled and also raised his cup in return.
Over these days of spectating, he saw several former Lower Court Disciples.
Over twenty years unseen, he had long left these people behind.
Liu Yan Yi flew over with a light of tunneling, landing before the couch in an instant. She pressed a hand to her waist, lowered her head slightly, and bent her knees in a salute, "Disciple greets Master."
Zhang Yan smiled slightly, waving his wide sleeve, "Disciple, dispense with the formalities, sit down and talk."
Liu Yan Yi diligently lowered her delicate head, said, "In Master’s presence, how dare a disciple have a seat?"
Zhang Yan did not insist, only smiled and said, "Yanyi, during the past three days of breaking through formations, you didn’t come to your master, but today you are here. Did you encounter any formidable adversaries?"
Liu Yan Yi gently nodded, "Indeed, disciple wishes to seek Master’s guidance. These past days, I have also encountered several True Disciples, yet managed them with ease. But today, I met a person, this one carrying dozens of Golden Nails which, when unleashed, sounded like thunder and moved like swift lightning within ten zhang, unfailingly hitting the target. This person, relying on this treasure, single-handedly defeated dozens of disciples, leaving nearly no one able to resist. I pondered that if he relies only on the Golden Nails, I would not fear, but should he have another Dharma Treasure for protection, making him both offensive and defensive, then defeating him would be extremely difficult."
All along her journey through obstacles, she always used the sword ball against her adversaries, never resorting to any Dharma Treasure. That was because, under the gaze of many, she was unwilling to expose all her tactics lest her opponents observe and prepare in advance.
And this grand competition would surely culminate on that last peak, where the victors would emerge, each of them outstanding talents of the sect, none being fools. She had such thoughts, and other disciples would surely hold a few tricks in reserve as well, unwilling to show all their cards.
Zhang Yan, upon hearing this, laughed heartily, "I know what troubles you, Yanyi. This person, with the Golden Nails in hand, if also possessing a treasure garment for protection, would indeed be hard to defeat. But in my view, this is a minor matter, your master has no shortage of Dharma Treasures. Compared to others, who do I fear? Take more with you, and should someone use a Dharma Treasure against you, you just retaliate as you see fit."
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...(Unfinished. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)