Daoist Competition

Su Wentian smiled at Ning Chongxuan, his eyes flickering as he said, "Brother Ning, I didn’t expect you to master this divine skill as well."

Ning Chongxuan replied calmly, "I’ve only begun to learn, far inferior to Senior Brother Su."

The two locked eyes, neither backing down, then cupped their hands in salute and parted ways.

Returning to the clouds, Ning Chongxuan saw Zhang Yan retrieve a talisman and finger it. The talisman transformed into a soft cloud bag, gently falling before him. Zhang Yan said, "Brother Ning, you’ve just had an intense fight. Your Primordial Qi must be quite depleted. Why not sit and adjust your breathing for a moment?"

Ning Chongxuan nodded slightly, sat down cross-legged, and began to regulate his breathing.

Zhang Yan gazed into the distance. After observing Ning and Su’s exchange, he found himself reflecting deeply. Zhou Yong’s earlier remarks were not without reason.

When Zhou Yong sparred against Luo Qingyu, Luo Qingyu emerged virtually unscathed, losing only an outer sleeve, while Zhou Yong retreated bloodied and defeated. Although Zhou Yong was no longer among the Top Ten Disciples, his cultivation wasn’t weak. For the clash to be so one-sided, it seemed implausible for Luo Qingyu to claim such an easy victory. Yet when the two separated swiftly, few could comprehend what transpired.

However, Zhang Yan did see it clearly.

The truth was that Luo Qingyu paid the price of severing one arm to inflict severe injury upon Zhou Yong. He then swiftly utilized a divine skill to restore the limb.

Afterward, Zhou Yong loudly declared that it wasn’t due to his lack of effort but the inevitability of facing divine skills. This statement was likely meant to warn the noble family disciples present to be wary of Ning Chongxuan’s potential use of similar skills if their paths crossed in combat later.

Back in the Xuan Guang Realm, Ning Chongxuan honed cultivation techniques rooted in gold and wood attributes. Thus, the "Void Primordial Life Qi," a wood-attributed divine skill, was ten to one that he could quickly master. Zhou Yong likely noticed this, which is why he exploited his defeat to issue a warning.

But in this grand competition, several Cave Heaven True Masters were strategically pulling strings behind the scenes. If Zhou Yong could foresee this, how could they not?

Zhang Yan shook his head. Whether Zhou Yong’s warning was sincere, deceptive, or motivated by other intentions, it had no bearing on him. He dismissed the thought altogether.

Moments later, Ning Chongxuan finished regulating his Qi and stood up with renewed vigor. His eyes shone with confidence as he declared, "Su Wentian has exhausted his tricks, but I still have techniques yet to reveal. Tomorrow, I will defeat him!"

Zhang Yan chuckled and said, "Brother Ning, what you demonstrated earlier must be the sect’s ’Void Primordial Life Qi,’ correct? Its ability to restore limbs is indeed extraordinary. I had thought it might be an exaggeration, but seeing it today, it is truly deserving of the title ’divine skill.’"

Ning Chongxuan shook his head and retorted, "If it can kill you once, it can kill you twice. But this technique consumes True Yuan immensely. During the sect competition, with our elders overseeing, it can be employed judiciously. But in a true battle against demons, how could one wield it so freely?"

Zhang Yan nodded in agreement. Having traveled and fought enemies before, he knew confrontations could change in the blink of an eye, where a single misstep spelled death. Should you lose limbs in combat, you would instantly be at a disadvantage, regardless of your ability to restore life—what use could such restoration have?

However, when facing an unknowing foe, at the critical moment, it could potentially serve as an unexpected maneuver, trading injury for victory.

As the two conversed, another figure leaped from within the valley and landed center-stage.

This person’s stature exceeded that of a typical man, his eyes sharp like an eagle’s, exuding faint Divine Light. His thick, short beard grew dense below his chin. Adorned with a Purple Gold Crown, he wore a light blue robe over sharp-angled golden armor underneath. Heavy beast-swallowing boots clad his feet, while he carried a Black Dragon Cloud Rubbing Stick slung across his back. Upon entering, he swept his gaze, giving off an air of indifference to all around him.

Whispers erupted below. Neither the disciples of the same lineage nor the noble family members could recognize him. Some quietly asked their neighbors, "Who is this man?"

A knowledgeable disciple explained, "He is Su Yihong, of the Su Family, and with regards to rank, he would be Senior Brother Su Wentian’s nephew."

Upon hearing Su Yihong’s name, the crowd finally recalled him. However, this man was rarely seen at the Mountain Gate due to his long-time pursuits of slaying demons. He now resided in Deep Pool Valley, where he had established a foothold and was recruiting disciples. Few had ever encountered him. Yet unexpectedly, he had appeared at this grand competition.

The crowd grew excited. Su Yihong was renowned for his prowess. They eagerly anticipated witnessing his real capabilities.

After stepping onto the stage, Su Yihong looked upward, his gaze settling briefly upon the Eighth Peak and Luo Qingyu before quickly shifting away.

Luo Qingyu had already competed earlier and, if they were to clash again, it would have to wait until tomorrow. Yet Su Yihong showed no interest in challenging Luo Qingyu’s disciples. His eyes instead turned toward Zhuang Bufan.

The spectating disciples felt their hearts tighten. Considering all circumstances, Su Yihong could only potentially challenge Zhuang Bufan. As for Qi Yuntian, no one dared even entertain such thoughts. Even if the other nine disciples combined forces, they might still be no match.

Sure enough, Su Yihong’s gaze locked onto Zhuang Bufan, unwavering.

Some disciples’ palms grew slick with sweat. The earlier battles had already left them astounded. If Zhuang Bufan entered the fray, what kind of brutal showdown would unfold between these two?

Zhuang Bufan lowered his gaze, icy radiance flashing from his four pupils.

Unexpectedly, Su Yihong’s lips curved into a mysterious smile, and his eyes shifted away, turning instead to look toward the remaining peaks.

This action left the crowd utterly perplexed, unable to fathom Su Yihong’s intentions. Did he plan to challenge disciples from noble families? Had he gone mad?

Su Yihong’s eyes traversed over Huo Xuan, then swept past Du De and Xiao Tang, before resting on Han Suyi from the Seventh Peak.

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This female cultivator was the only Top Ten Disciple who wasn’t male. Her beauty was ethereal, her jade-like complexion radiant, her figure graceful yet soft, and her demeanor carried a tinge of melancholy within her delicate charm.

Su Yihong let out a sigh of admiration, saying, "Truly a beauty."

His words, bold and frivolous, were shocking, especially as they addressed one of the Top Ten Disciples. The crowd was left dumbfounded and speechless.

However, Han Suyi didn’t show anger, merely looked at him calmly and replied in a composed tone, "Nephew Su praises far too much."

Su Yihong guffawed, then tore off his outer robe, revealing his Locking Golden Dragon Armor beneath. Turning his head, he directed his gaze toward the Ninth Peak and shouted firmly, "Third Uncle, your nephew seeks to challenge you!"

These words caused an immediate uproar among the crowd.

The disciples scrambled to piece things together. What did Su Yihong mean by this? Was it infighting among their own lineage?

Elder Xun frowned deeply, unable to decipher his intentions. Scolding aloud, he said, "Su Yihong, Nephew Su, today’s matches have finished. If you wish to challenge your uncle, wait until tomorrow after his duel with Nephew Ning concludes!"

Su Yihong remained silent, grinning at Su Wentian. The latter inhaled deeply, and amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, slowly stood. With utter calmness, he proclaimed, "There’s no need for a fight. I’ve already clashed with this nephew of mine ten times, losing nine. He surpasses me. I concede."

His words brought the arena into dead silence. One could hear a pin drop.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)