Daoist Competition

Su Wentian had a slightly protruding chin, a high nose bridge, and prominent cheekbones. His narrow eyes could almost glance back at his ears. Although he was not unattractive, his features had an unusual air. After he exchanged a courteous salute with Ning Chongxuan, he flickered his body and retreated thirty zhang away.

The cultivation technique he practiced was one of the Five Merits, the "Green Spirit Manifestation Yuanwei Technique." This method was particularly resilient during combat, making it difficult to suffer defeat, yet it had a drawback: if the practitioner did not reach advanced mastery, the offensive capabilities were somewhat limited.

Having often heard of Ning Chongxuan’s reputation but never crossed swords with him, Su Wentian decided to test the other’s mettle. He slapped his hand, and instantly, a streak of green energy surged forth, coalescing into a vivid emerald mass that descended towards Ning Chongxuan.

Ning Chongxuan remained motionless, an icy intent glinting in his eyes. A streak of sword light rose from the crown of his head, and as the two forces collided, the sound of strained fibers filled the air. With only a blink of an eye, the green energy was torn apart, fragmented into nothingness. The sword light shimmered yet again, shooting out several dozen zhang further before it dissipated into oblivion.

Su Wentian was slightly startled. Although his earlier attack had been casually launched with the intent to probe, he hadn’t anticipated the ease with which Ning Chongxuan countered it, leaving him momentarily surprised and subtly raising his brows in cautious intrigue.

Ning Chongxuan’s cultivation of the "Yunxiao Thousand Sword Scripture" was a technique of slaughter, excelling at offense. Naturally, he was unwilling to allow his opponent to display their prowess. With a sharp shout, a stream of smoky energy shot from his crown, condensing instantly into chilling strands of sword Qi. With a downward gesture, the sword Qi cascaded like a deluge, piercing downward violently.

Su Wentian let out a low chuckle, shaking his body. A cacophony of whistling sounds rang out as countless green lights surged from his form, transforming into writhing green ropes that swayed unpredictably, climbing upward. When these clashed with the sword Qi, although some were severed, they regenerated quickly, restoring themselves in mere moments.

Ning Chongxuan’s demeanor remained calm, his gaze fierce yet chilling. His still figure seemed immovable, yet with each turn of his thoughts, streams of sword Qi materialized and surged. As the Sword technique streaked through the air, flashes of light tore open furrows within the green energy, sharp and devastating.

Su Wentian’s expression remained composed. He dared not underestimate his opponent, cautiously manipulating his Mysterious Skill amidst the torrent of sword light encroaching upon him. The continuous waves of green light surged forward, endlessly slashed but unyielding like blades of grass— cut yet resilient, guarding the inner circle firmly without faltering.

After a prolonged exchange, Ning Chongxuan suddenly performed a spell gesture. From behind him, a blurred sword shadow abruptly shot forth, like a flying arrow, flashing towards Su Wentian in an instant.

The sudden attack came unexpectedly, startling Su Wentian. He felt a biting chill graze his face as an overwhelming sense of danger surged within him.

Still, his reaction was swift. With a sudden turn of his Mysterious Skill, the vivid green light instantly hardened, transforming into a materialized giant green projection resembling a pillar. It collided with the sword light, erupting in a deep, muffled roar that reverberated, leaving his eardrums aching before they gradually recovered.

Su Wentian was inwardly astonished and couldn’t help but think to himself: "Ning Chongxuan has only been in the Hua Dan Realm for twenty years, yet he somehow managed to break through the Acupoint Barrier. Simply incredible! No wonder Master Sun holds him in such high regard. Fortunately, he has yet to form the True Imprint of Dharma Power; otherwise, handling him would have been far more challenging."

Seeing that his protective methods could still hold against the opponent, he wasn’t impatient, letting the sword light streak back and forth above him while secretly waiting for an opportunity.

After guarding for a while longer, he abruptly sensed a slight weakening in Ning Chongxuan’s sword Qi, realizing it marked the turning point from peak strength to deterioration. His gaze sharpened momentarily as he activated his Mysterious Skill. Green energy spread forth, scattering specks of translucent emerald light across the air.

Moments later, within a radius of one li appeared countless flickering firefly-like glimmers, sparkling like stars hung from ten thousand lanterns. Then, with a low shout, Su Wentian sent the clustered lights hurtling like a horde of bees and ants, fiercely surging towards Ning Chongxuan in unrelenting retaliation.

Facing the dense radiance sealing him from all sides like a woven net, Ning Chongxuan suddenly leaped, transforming into a blade-sharp streak of clear light that rode upon his sword Qi. With one charge, he ripped through the green ropes and broke free from the encirclement, unhindered.

The fierce confrontation between Ning Chongxuan and Su Wentian lasted only a brief moment, yet both had gauged each other’s capabilities. They recognized that neither could be easily subdued by aggressive methods. Both, having cultivated their Mysterious Skills to mastery, refrained from reckless assaults. Instead, they instinctively switched to more composed approaches— cautiously dismantling attacks, safeguarding themselves, and patiently seeking vulnerabilities to exploit.

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The duel spanned back and forth from late morning to early afternoon, with no clear winner in sight.

Both participants were meticulous, alternating between offense and defense, slow and deliberate as if immersed in still waters. Yet Zhang Yan could discern that this measured exchange concealed far greater peril. Both parties steadily brewed their most potent strikes in secret, knowing that any minor lapse would be mercilessly capitalized upon— the outcome hinged merely on a fleeting instant.

The disciples spectating from Ten Peaks Mountain also noticed the subtle intricacies, maintaining intense focus and unbroken gazes.

By now, the sun was gradually tilting westward as dusk approached. Su Wentian moved cautiously, covertly pinching the talisman hidden within his palm.

Ning Chongxuan extended streams of sword Qi with one hand while keeping the other hand behind him, seemingly preparing something as well.

As the hour transitioned from afternoon to evening, at the fleeting moment the setting sun sank below the horizon and the sky dimmed, the duo’s eyes flickered— they moved simultaneously!

Ning Chongxuan suddenly let out a frosty shout, "Slash!"

A five-foot flying sword shot from his sleeve. Its blade, sharp as autumn frost and icy to the bone, transformed into a sword rainbow and darted fiercely downward!

Su Wentian’s eyes widened. He flung the talisman in his hand, then performed a spell gesture and shouted, "Swift!"

The talisman flew into the air, tearing open to reveal something dormant within. Breaking free of its confines, it unleashed a crescent blade resembling calm autumn water. Its sudden emergence radiated searing brilliance, illuminating the surroundings to a blinding degree. Elder Xun, who had been watching with a lethargic expression, abruptly colored in shock upon seeing it and cried out, "The Lost God Saber!"

In that instant, the duo struck with such swiftness that Elder Xun had no time to intervene, resulting in simultaneous, devastating hits.

A sharp "slice!" echoed—as the sword rainbow pierced through, Su Wentian’s head flew skyward!

Meanwhile, Ning Chongxuan, under the crescent blade’s flash, was cleaved at the waist, severed cleanly in two!

...

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