Chapter 655 - 69: The Flying Sword Leaves No Shadow but a Trace
The Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle pierced through Huang Fuzhou’s body before spinning in the air, turning around to strike again, as if it intended to peck him down once more.
Huang Fuzhou’s face instantly turned ashen. Though this Dharma Treasure was not one meant for killing outright, incapable of claiming his life in a single blow, he could barely keep his balance now. A momentary slip might cause him to fall from the cloud—if struck again, the consequences would be dire indeed.
At this critical moment, a streak of sword light suddenly swept horizontally from the side. With a sharp "clang," it shook the spirit shuttle slightly off course. Elder Xun shouted sternly, "Zhang Yan! You have won this bout already—cease your actions at once!"
Zhang Yan chuckled and summoned the spirit shuttle with a gesture. In a flash, it darted back into his sleeve and disappeared. Following closely, another streak of clear light flew toward him, vanishing between his brows in the blink of an eye. He cupped his hands and said, "Brother Huang, I accept your concession."
Having been wounded by the Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle, Huang Fuzhou remained resolute despite his injuries, though blood was streaming profusely from him. He did not utter a single word of complaint.
He cast Zhang Yan a glance, complex emotions flickering in his eyes. After a moment, he finally said, "Junior Brother Zhang, the road ahead is treacherous—take care."
The tone of his words was flat, making it impossible to discern whether they were a kind warning or a veiled threat.
Zhang Yan merely smiled lightly. Having weathered countless storms of blood and strife, his mind was fortified against words alone. He paid it no heed whatsoever.
Huang Fuzhou bowed to Elder Xun and then withdrew, clutching his wounds.
When he reached the mountain pavilion, his previously upright body began to tremble. The injury had reached his lungs—blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and he staggered unsteadily on his feet.
A fragrant breeze wafted over as a delicate hand extended to support him. A soft, gentle voice murmured beside his ear, "Brother, take care. Do not speak—attend to your injuries first."
Huang Fuzhou gave her a slight nod and shakily retrieved a jade bottle from his sleeve.
The woman took it from his hand of her own accord. She shook out a few Elixir Pills, resting them on her white, tender palm, and helped him swallow them.
After consuming the pills, Huang Fuzhou’s wounds closed immediately. Supported by the woman, he was helped to the bed and silently began regulating his breathing. After a while, he regained some vitality. Opening his eyes, he found the woman gazing at him with concern. He let out a sigh and said with a hint of shame, "Junior Sister, your elder brother’s skills are inferior—what can I do?"
Huang Fuzhou knew, from the moment he was subdued by Nang Xiu’s Pocket, that victory against Zhang Yan was impossible. Yet he gritted his teeth and persisted, even sacrificing several pieces of Dharma Treasure—not out of a deep-seated commitment to his promise, but to show True Master Qin that he had given it his all.
Such gestures ensured that True Master Qin would not treat him too harshly moving forward.
Upon hearing his words, the woman leaned warmly against him, grasped his hand, and gently comforted him, "I saw it all. This loss was not Brother’s fault—you need not blame yourself. Surely True Master will not hold it against you."
Her use of "妾身" (this humble wife) steadied Huang Fuzhou’s mind. True Master Qin had previously mentioned that if he accepted the match against Zhang Yan, this particular female disciple would become his Daoist couple. In doing so, Yangyue Island would essentially be regarded as part of True Master’s domain. Though he had lost the battle, it was evident the other party had not reneged on their promise.
That was enough. His efforts today had not been in vain.
After Zhang Yan effortlessly defeated Huang Fuzhou, the surrounding disciples were all left astonished. Some recalled the grand competition years before, when Huang Fuzhou and Luo Yuanhua had dueled endlessly from dawn till dusk for seven days straight, neither emerging victorious. It was not until the final day that Luo Yuanhua, whose sword ball had been too deeply corroded by magnetic light to purge in just one night, finally suffered defeat.
In the valley, however, some were unconvinced and indignantly spoke out, "Relying on the advantage of Dharma Treasures—what skill is there in that?"
Someone immediately retorted, "If those Dharma Treasures are so extraordinary, why hadn’t others come to claim them earlier? Why wait until Brother Zhang used them? Junior Brother frankly finds this puzzling—perhaps you, Brother, could explain."
The first speaker was rendered speechless.
By now, the rest of the crowd’s attention had shifted to Zhang Yan’s next move. Ever since his First-class Elixir Formation, he had gained universal recognition—no one doubted he would advance further after defeating Huang Fuzhou. Surely, his next challenge would be directed at one among the Top Ten Disciples.
The disciples speculated silently about which person from which of the peaks he might choose.
Zhang Yan had made up his mind long ago. Riding the clouds, he made his way directly to the front of the Fifth Peak. Gazing upward, he declared loudly, "Xiao Tang!"
Just two short words, yet their sound reverberated across the mountains, shaking the land with a resounding echo that lingered for ages.
Xiao Tang stroked his long beard, his eyes flashing coldly. Zhang Yan calling him out by name was clearly a blatant show of disregard. Though his expression betrayed no emotion, a faint surge of anger was rising within him.