Chapter 654 - 68: Two Pole Star Magnetic Light_2
He raised his head, turned his gaze toward Zhang Yan, his expression calm and composed. He cupped his hands and said, "Since leaving seclusion, I’ve heard of Junior Brother Zhang’s reputation within the sect. Today, my arrival is specifically to seek your guidance. I hope you won’t be stingy with your teaching."
Zhang Yan was momentarily surprised, then smiled indifferently.
Although he had never met Huang Fuzhou before, now that the latter had come, there was no need to ask his intentions. All Zhang Yan needed to do was go all out in the battle.
Returning the salutation, Zhang Yan spoke a polite response, "This Senior Brother speaks overly humbly. The sect’s grand competition is precisely an opportunity for fellow disciples to learn from one another. Since Senior Brother is inclined, how could I refuse to accompany you?"
Huang Fuzhou nodded slightly, said no more, and retreated a few steps. With a slight tremor of his body, without any apparent action, streaks of light, akin to meteors, leapt from behind him. Each one resembled a shuttle and instantly crowded the space within a ten-zhang radius around him. At moments, they floated leisurely; at others, they darted ferociously like restless fish, jumping unpredictably.
His face remained solemn, showing not the slightest trace of underestimation.
Having heard of Zhang Yan’s reputation beforehand, Huang Fuzhou knew well of his mastery in Flying Sword Skill. Afterward, he carefully inquired about the details of Zhang Yan’s previous duel with Tu Xuan. Thus, he had formed a preliminary strategy in his mind, but facing such a formidable opponent, Huang Fuzhou maintained caution, not daring to be careless.
Zhang Yan saw that the other began with an entirely defensive posture and did not rush to attack. Instead, he maneuvered his sword light around him in a probing circle. After examining for a while, he pinpointed a seemingly weak spot, and with a gesture, a beam of sword light struck downward.
Huang Fuzhou let out a low shout, pointed a finger, and a golden light measuring a zhang in height flashed forth. Its surface was round and mirror-like, gleaming brightly enough to reflect one’s image.
The sword light struck the golden shield, but instead of breaking it, it stirred ripples, like spring water disturbed by a breeze.
Although obstructed, the sword light did not retreat but continued to circle Huang Fuzhou, once again seeking a favorable opportunity.
Remaining composed, Huang Fuzhou stood firmly in the middle, while the shimmering light in front of him, like a rotating wheel, seemed in perfect harmony with the movement of his sword ball, creating an impregnable defense.
He was in no hurry to attack. True Master Qin had assured him that as long as he took on the task of countering Zhang Yan, regardless of victory or defeat, he would be rewarded generously.
As such, he didn’t aim to defeat Zhang Yan. The current hour was early in the evening. In two or three more hours, it would be the next day. At that time, both would have to cease fighting, and any resolution would have to wait until the morning.
Seeing Huang Fuzhou’s impenetrable defense, Zhang Yan urged his sword ball. The sword light trembled and instantly split into six streams, attacking simultaneously from above, below, and all four sides.
Huang Fuzhou responded calmly, clutching a spell. Suddenly, the scattered starlight seemed to be drawn by an unseen force, irresistibly converging toward the sword ball like moths to a flame. The starlight grew denser and soon enveloped the sword ball in a layer of black haze.
Zhang Yan, whose sword ball was linked to his will, immediately sensed the slight sluggishness in his sword light. Startled, he realized something was amiss. He ceased his attacks and recalled the sword ball, scrutinizing it carefully, only to discover black threads clinging persistently to its surface.
He contemplated briefly, then summoned forth his Elixir Evil to purge the contaminations. After a few breaths, the impurities were finally eradicated, restoring the sword ball to its original state.
Huang Fuzhou smirked deeply. His cultivation technique, known as "Two Pole Star Magnetic Light," required him to locate an authentic dual-pole Earth Veins, absorb True Sand day and night, and cultivate relentlessly for ten years before achieving minor success.
Once unleashed, the magnetic light could actively adhere to any Flying Sword Magic Treasure it encountered. Once tainted, if not promptly removed, the contamination would grow incessantly, eventually rendering the treasure completely dysfunctional while simultaneously amplifying the light’s power. It was a technique most detested by Sword Cultivators.
In his duel with Luo Yuanhua years ago, Luo had failed to guard against this magnetic light, almost losing his sword ball in the process. It took Luo an extensive period to painstakingly cleanse the contamination.
Now that Huang Fuzhou had exited seclusion, his cultivation had reached a higher echelon. Equipped with considerable experience against Sword Cultivators, he exuded certainty and confidence. All he had to do was survive these remaining two hours to fulfill his objective for the day.
Having maneuvered his opponent’s tactics, Zhang Yan discerned the true strategy at play. Smiling faintly, he suddenly conjured a shimmering Spirit Light in his hand and launched an artifact into the sky.
The object bore eyes at both ends and tapered at its points. As soon as it appeared in the air, it transformed into a radiant blur, plummeting in a swift assault.
Among the spectating disciples, someone cried out in surprise, "The Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle!"
Far from being daunted, Huang Fuzhou was elated. He thought to himself, "I’ve been waiting for this moment. It’s come at the perfect time!"
A woman spectating from the cliff-side involuntarily stood up, her face brimming with excitement.
Huang Fuzhou flicked his sleeve, releasing a pitch-black Dharma Treasure resembling a swirling ink cloud. It surged toward the Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle.
This treasure, called "Nang Xiu’s Pocket," was bestowed upon him by True Master Qin. Once it enveloped the Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle, unless a Cave Heaven True Master intervened, the treasure would remain unusable for seven days.
True Master Qin had explained to him that outcome was inconsequential; his key task was merely to seize the opportunity to immobilize Zhang Yan’s treasure, which would constitute complete success.
Huang Fuzhou’s earlier calculations had led him to believe that, if Zhang Yan found his attacks ineffective, he would undoubtedly employ this treasure. Events were unfolding just as expected!
However, just as Nang Xiu’s Pocket was launched, Zhang Yan sneered, and a streak of clear brilliance shot forth from the center of his forehead. The brilliance fused with Nang Xiu’s Pocket and immediately froze it mid-air, unable to advance or retreat.
With no obstacle hindering it, the Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle continued its unhindered descent.
Caught off guard, Huang Fuzhou was visibly shocked, his face paling in dismay. He fled in a streak of light, but the spirit shuttle gave chase relentlessly, closing in within moments.
As beads of sweat formed upon his brow, Huang Fuzhou tossed out a Jade Token, hoping it would delay the pursuit. The spirit shuttle pecked it lightly, instantly reducing it to dust.
Huang Fuzhou had no time for regret as he darted frantically across the battlefield, continuously throwing out treasures to slow the shuttle. Yet each one was swiftly shattered, leaving him defenseless. Finally, out of options, he cried out desperately, "I concede..."
Before he could finish speaking, a flash of brilliance streaked through the air, pierced through multiple layers of protective magnetic light, and shot cleanly through his shoulder.
...
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)