Daoist Competition

Within the Star Stone, two dazzling sword lights sped side by side, flying westward.

These were the husband and wife team of Yang Bi and Zhu Xin from the Yuan Yang Sect. After entering this realm, they too received a message by bird from Cao Minrou and were hurrying to join forces.

However, due to the summoning token, there was quite a distance between them and the two disciples of the Lishan Sect, amounting to over six hundred miles. Even with Lu Muqiu’s search using Divine Skills, he hadn’t managed to locate them yet.

Since there was no Extreme Sky Gang Wind available to cross here, their tunneling speed was much slower than usual.

Fortunately, they had cultivated a Qi Sword Escape Technique allowing them to fly their swords using Geng Metal Energy, which, though not as fast, didn’t lag too far behind.

After half a moment of travel, Zhu Xin’s eyes sparkled as she suddenly pointed ahead and said, "Husband, look there!"

Following her direction, Yang Bi saw in the distance a massive cloud of spiritual energy spreading over an area more than ten miles wide. From time to time, flashes of light could be seen, accompanied by faint sounds of birds and beasts, and the crackling of thunder, indicating a fierce battle underway.

He said solemnly, "Judging by that, it seems that fellow Daoists from the Nanhua Sect have encountered an adversary. We must hurry to their aid."

Zhu Xin had no objections and gladly replied, "I’ll follow Husband’s lead."

The two of them urged their Escape Skills, causing the sword light to resplendently speed forward.

After a brief period, Yang Bi sensed something unusual, glanced to the left, and joyfully exclaimed, "The two fellow Daoists from the Taihao Sect have also arrived."

Zhu Xin also turned her head to look, seeing a gigantic green jade gourd floating slowly through the air in the sky.

She immediately recognized it as the Dharma Treasure of Tong Yingyuan from the Taihao Sect, as the gourd was so large it was unmistakable.

She felt a bit relieved and thought to herself, "The Taihao Sect friends are fine, but I wonder if Senior Sister Cao and the Nie Brothers are gathered together. I only hope they are safe."

As they drew closer to the light and clouds, the crashing sounds inside grew louder, indicating that the intense battle was ongoing. However, since Tong Yingyuan’s flight was too slow, they didn’t go over to greet them, instead quickening their sword flight a bit more.

Zhu Xin worriedly asked, "Husband, how are those fellow Daoists doing?"

Yang Bi appeared relaxed as he said, "I believe the Nie Brothers are still unharmed; otherwise, how could there be such commotion?"

He refrained from saying out loud his other thought: The Nie Brothers commanded exotic beasts and spirit birds, not to be underestimated. If the battle turned unfavorable, at the very least, they could find a way to escape.

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the spiritual light, stopping their tunneling light and glancing at the situation, only to be taken aback.

The Devil in the field was fiercely overwhelming, flying through the air, while the flood of Ten Thousand Spirits Yin Void Tribulation Water surged like a vast ocean, trapping the Nie Brothers within. They stood like reefs in the river, struggling under the onslaught of the mighty water.

The waves of the Tribulation Water rose higher and higher, endless and relentless. If this continued, they might not be able to hold out much longer.

The two brothers looked quite battered. Nie Gui’s face was pale, with blood at the corner of his mouth, chest heaving and breath short. Beneath him, the Double-headed Bird was listless, lying on the clouds with one head drooping as if its neck had been broken.

A majestic dragon python guarding by his side now had only one eye, with white scales covered in blood, several claws broken under its belly, and its tail wounded and bloody, indicating a fierce battle.

Nie Zhang was even more disheveled; his hair bun atop his head had come undone, and he was unable to fix it. The golden crown on the Red Quail under his feet had a chunk bitten off, blood gushing, and next to him was a human-faced transforming snake that had already lost a wing, whimpering and crying.

Feng Haiyang, clad in a yellow robe with hair hanging free, stood in mid-air, looking leisurely and relaxed, obviously having the upper hand. He merely glanced at the arrival of the Yang couple before looking away, seemingly not regarding them as a threat.

Yang Bi originally thought the Nie Brothers were besieged by several Demon Sect disciples, but seeing only Feng Haiyang present, he pondered and realized this was an excellent opportunity.

If they could join forces to keep Feng Haiyang here, the remaining five were of no concern. Better still, if they could seize the token talisman, that would be ideal. He then loudly declared, "Nie friends, do not panic, I am here to lend you a hand."

Seeing their arrival, the previously dispirited Nie Brothers regained a measure of their morale.