Daoist Competition

Zhang Yan intended exactly this, letting out a hearty laugh as he unleashed his elixir evil power continuously from his core. The Xuanhuang Great Hand grew heavier and larger, swelling inexorably as if seeking to press down all in its path until it was satisfied.

At the same time, he urged his mind, weaving a dense rain of sword light like a torrential downpour. He paid no heed to patterns or technique, simply striking ceaselessly against the protective light surrounding the lantern.

With attacks coming from both ends, Zhang Yan launched a relentless offensive against Du De, intensifying to the point that the flame atop Du De’s head flickered uncontrollably—sometimes bright, sometimes dim, like a candle wavering amid a gusty wind.

From the outside, it seemed as though Zhang Yan had overwhelmed Du De the moment he made his move, seizing the upper hand.

Du De clenched his thin lips tight, a piercing chill emanating from his gaze. With a cold snort, he flung his wide sleeve, and an orange-red streak of fiery light shot out in an instant. A mighty explosion resounded, shattering the Xuanhuang Great Hand to pieces. The sixteen streaks of sword light were also propelled back hundreds of meters by an immense force.

Yellow smoke spread chaotically through the sky, disrupting vision. Witnessing disciples standing outside the valley peaks could no longer discern their figures amidst the haze.

Xiao Tang rose from his seat, took two steps forward, and gazed downward with interest, remarking, "It’s rare to see Brother Du take things seriously. This should be entertaining."

Zhang Yan saw Du De neutralize his offensive with ease yet felt no surprise. Instead, he chuckled softly.

This was within his expectations. As the fourth-ranked among the Ten Top Disciples, Du De cultivated one of the Five Skills and Three Scripture methods: the "Red Cloud Rui Jue Book," renowned for its formidable power. That he would be easily subdued would itself be peculiar.

Zhang Yan withdrew half a step, pinched a cultivation hand seal, gathering and contracting the yellow smoke swirling in the air. Within moments, the Xuanhuang Great Hand reformed, and the scattered sword light coalesced again, returning to his grasp.

A thought crossed his mind. "This man uses a Dharma Treasure for defense. Even swift sword light failed to breach it. I’ll need another approach to battle him..."

While pondering, Zhang Yan suddenly sensed a scorching wind surging toward him. Knowing something was off, he tilted his head slightly, catching sight of a fiery streak narrowly missing his ear. It grazed his cheek, leaving a faint red mark that swiftly faded into obscurity moments later.

The fiery streak continued its flight, trailing behind it a dazzling rainbow that painted the sky. Brilliantly radiant, it looped a circle before coming back toward him.

Zhang Yan remained unperturbed as he swung the Xuanhuang Great Hand down from above to shield himself. But unexpectedly, the fiery streak was astonishingly agile, twisting mid-air, bypassing the gaps between the fingers of the Great Hand, and darting directly toward his face.

He pressed his palm down, activating his Sword Strike Pill, which collided with the fiery streak. A muffled sound echoed as much of the smoke surrounding the projectile dissipated to reveal its true form: a three-inch long, jet-black iron arrow, sleek and gleaming. Its tail was enveloped in blazing flames, crackling fiercely, emitting smoky trails and sharp whistling noises.

Zhang Yan, having come prepared for this contest, had studied the Ten Top Disciples to some degree. Though limited, he had knowledge of this artifact.

It was called the "Thousand-mile Flying Flame Arrow," comparable to his Sword Ball, a formidable weapon Du De carried as his trusted battle companion. Few among the Ten Top Disciples had even laid eyes on it.

The appearance of this artifact, regardless of whether Du De admitted it outright, signaled that he now regarded Zhang Yan as a worthy opponent to face in combat.

Still, as the arrow in front was firmly obstructed by Zhang Yan, another silent arrow emerged from behind, stealthily approaching.

Zhang Yan, with his flying sword attuned to his mind and spirit, could perceive all directions clearly, thwarting any surprise attacks. Smiling faintly, he transformed into a rainbow streak, instantly evading the incoming arrow.

Yet the fiery artifact did not relent. It pursued him persistently, its tail blazing brilliant trails of colorful smoke in the air, mesmerizing in its display.

After maneuvering several rings of evasion, Zhang Yan steadied himself. He reflected: This battle with Du De was unlike ordinary duels. Though victory was not the goal, he could not yield in presence nor allow the witnessing disciples to think less of him. To simply evade would make him appear weak.

Thus, he chose not to counter with his flying sword but instead activated his Mysterious Skill, vibrating his Golden Core. From the apex of his head shot forth a streak of Elixir Evil, crashing against the pursuing arrow like a surging tide against the shore. A thunderous sound erupted, propelling the projectile far away.

The disciples watching the match cried out in amazement. To confront the Thousand-mile Flying Flame Arrow, a Dharma Treasure of unparalleled grade, using sheer Elixir Evil power alone, was astounding. Although Zhang Yan’s famed First-class Elixir Formation was known for its intensity, witnessing it firsthand was nothing short of remarkable.

Even atop the clouds, the two True Masters, Meng and Sun, exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with admiration. A First-class Elixir Formation—so extraordinary and rare throughout history—made such feats possible for Zhang Yan. Who else would dare attempt such an approach, and who other than a rare genius could succeed?

On careful consideration, however, this gambit seemed rather unwise. Zhang Yan could have easily used his flying sword, sparing a great deal of effort.

But his motives differed. His approach to the duel was deliberate: today, he aimed not merely to defeat his opponent, but to showcase his abilities to the True Masters above. Battling with flying swords—a common tactic—would never leave such a vivid impression as wielding Elixir Evil to directly repel a defensive Dharma Treasure.

Moreover, possessing an abundant reserve of Elixir Evil within his core allowed him to expend it freely without concerning himself over minor details.

Just then, the sky began to shimmer with strands of radiant light flickering one after another. Zhang Yan’s eyes shifted slightly as he surveyed his surroundings. To his astonishment, dozens of fiery arrows encircled him from all directions—front, back, left, and right—filling the area with an aura of searing heat and heavy smoke.

The Thousand-mile Flying Flame Arrow was not limited to a single projectile but comprised thirty-six in total. Though far less maneuverable compared to flying swords, they could be arranged into an array.

ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelꞁire.net

What unfolded before his eyes made things clear: Du De, aware of Zhang Yan’s sword escape abilities, had first baited him with one or two arrows to stall him, only to discreetly position an arrow formation to ensnare him, cutting off all escape routes.

With this setup, Du De could manipulate the battle entirely to his will.

Zhang Yan observed this and burst into laughter, saying, "Since the fight has reached this point, it seems Brother Du has shown some sincerity. In that case, I cannot hold back either."

He invigorated his spirit, roared loudly, and all his joints reverberated with crackling sounds. From the mountains below came an overwhelming rush akin to cascading tides, like the overturning of the Heavenly River. Behind him rose a monumental brilliance, a colossal luminous cascade of water, stretching sky-high and earth-wide!

...

...(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.)