Chapter 221: The Duel

Inside the main hall.

When Chu Tianhe posed this question to Qin Ming, the hall fell silent.

This time, the other Old Ancestors did not step forward to dissuade them, for they too wished to witness whether the true strength of this legendary cultivator from Wei matched the rumors.

Upon hearing the duel challenge issued by the Old Ancestor of Spirit Sword Mountain, 'Long Long Dao Ren' furrowed his thick brows and replied in a resonant, deep voice: "Since Elder Chu has such interest and wishes to restore face for his disciple, this one can oblige."

At this moment, Nalan Xi also spoke up: "Since both parties agree to resolve their conflict through a Dharma battle, and with the beast calamity currently upon us, the fight should stop short of killing; let this seat serve as the witness."

Seeing that Long Long Dao Ren was straightforward, upright, and powerful, Nalan Xi had developed a fondness for his talent; although she had failed to recruit him, she did not wish for him to come to harm within the Immortal City.

After a moment's thought, she secretly transmitted her voice to Qin Ming: "Qin Xiao You Long, this Chu Tianhe of Spirit Sword Mountain is not comparable to the ordinary False Dan cultivators defeated by Dugu Yang."

As an Old Ancestor of Spirit Sword Mountain, this person can not only unleash seventy percent of a Jin Dan cultivator's power but has also cultivated the sword divine abilities of Spirit Sword Mountain to the great completion realm.

If you lack confidence, you should think twice.

Hearing this, Qin Ming cast a grateful glance at True Person Nalan Xi, yet his expression remained calm and composed, showing not a hint of retreat or cowardice.

Seeing that 'Long Long Dao Ren' had accepted, Chu Tianhe of Spirit Sword Mountain flashed a cunning look in his eyes and continued: "Since this is a sparring duel, we should add some stakes; if Qin Xiao You Long loses, that thunder-attribute demon core of yours shall belong to this old man."

Once Chu Tianhe spoke these words, the several Jin Dan Old Ancestors surrounding them secretly cursed him for being shameless.

After all this fuss, it turned out this old scoundrel had set his sights on the second-stage perfect demon core on Long Long Dao Ren's person!

Hearing this, Qin Ming also sneered inwardly, so he opened his mouth to ask: "Since Elder Chu has taken a liking to this demon core of mine, I wonder what item Elder will offer as the stake?"

"As long as it equals the value of this second-stage perfect thunder-attribute demon core, whether it be spirit stones, cultivation methods, spiritual materials, talismans, or pills, you may name your demand."

"As the master of a sect, this old man can certainly afford such things," Chu Tianhe said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

He had not even considered the possibility of losing; Chu Tianhe was extremely confident in his own strength, and even if Long Long Dao Ren was a body cultivator, he had full confidence in defeating his opponent.

Hearing that he could choose any spiritual material, Qin Ming could not help but feel delighted and immediately nodded in agreement.

Subsequently, everyone exited the main hall.

The venue for the duel was set in an open space on the side peak of Canghai Peak.

Upon hearing news of a False Dan-level Dharma battle, nearby cultivators rushed over one after another to watch the spectacle.

In the Southern Wild Immortal Realm, a False Dan Old Ancestor already belonged to the category of truly top-tier cultivators.

To witness such a grand event firsthand would provide plenty of talk for after meals and tea.

"What?!"

"Old Ancestor Chu Tianhe of Spirit Sword Mountain in the Jin Kingdom has issued a challenge to the legendary cultivator Long Long Dao Ren of Wei?!"

"Isn't this clearly bullying the small with the big?"

"Haha! That Long Long Dao Ren from Wei is bound to lose; our Sect's Old Ancestor Chu recently comprehended the 'Jingzhe Sword Intent,' making him invincible below the Jin Dan realm!"

"Quick, the Dharma battle is about to begin!"

"This is absolutely an epoch-defining battle!"

"I'm still betting on Long Long Dao Ren to win!"

On the side peak, a group of cultivators had already arrived upon hearing the wind, gathering into a massive, bustling crowd.

Of course, those cultivators able to ascend and watch were either qualified to reside in the core zone or rented cave dwellings on Canghai Peak, meaning their respective backgrounds, roots, and strength were not to be underestimated.

"Since both parties are ready, let the Dharma battle begin," Nalan Xi announced immediately, then raised her hand and swept it, erecting a protective barrier centered on the two combatants.

The watching cultivators also relaxed and stopped to observe the fight; a barrier laid down by a Jin Dan Old Ancestor was naturally something the two inside could not break.

Chu Tianhe of Spirit Sword Mountain leaped into the arena, his surrounding qi fluctuating violently as he fully released his False Dan realm cultivation.

'Heh heh! I didn't expect this youth to actually dare accept my duel invitation; it seems he is overly confident in his own strength.'

'Thinking that luckily killing a second-stage perfect demon beast allows him to challenge a False Dan.'

'Pity, this old man is not someone so easily dealt with.'

'Ignorant junior, daring to provoke the majesty of Spirit Sword Mountain, I must teach him a lesson he will never forget!' Just as Nalan Xi's voice fell.

One could see Chu Tianhe's gaze was sharp; even facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Long Long Dao Ren, he had no intention of holding back.

"I have heard that Qin Xiao You Long's body-refining techniques are extremely formidable; today, let us see whether this old man's sword is indestructible or whether your physical body is superior."

The bearded burly man that Qin Ming had transformed into showed no fear, smiling freely as he said: "Heh heh! This one also wishes to experience Elder Chu's exquisite sword moves."

"However, this one is a mere brute who does not know how to control his strength; if I injure Elder later, do not blame me."

Hearing this, Chu Tianhe's face changed, and he angrily retorted in a cold voice: "Your Excellency certainly has great courage, but empty words are useless; let us see the truth beneath our hands."

In the next instant, the short and stout Chu Tianhe moved; he formed a sword seal out of thin air with his right hand and pointed one finger toward the sky! Zheng! Chu Tianhe's entire aura suddenly transformed.

A crimson spiritual sword emitting terrifying fluctuations flew out, hovering directly above his head.

"It's actually a top-grade spiritual tool!"

"Isn't that the 'Neon Sword,' one of the twelve famous swords of Spirit Sword Mountain?"

"Hiss~ Old Ancestor Chu is getting serious!"

Boom! "Condense!"

Chu Tianhe erupted with intense sword intent that surged skyward, as if merging man and sword with the Neon Sword above his head!

A hundred-zhang-long Neon sword light shot upward, seeming ready to pierce the firmament, radiating terrifying power capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Shua! Chu Tianhe had no intention of tangling with a junior like Qin Ming in a back-and-forth exchange, for that would make him, a sect master, appear incompetent.

Thus, he employed his trump-card sword move right from the start.

It was precisely the 'Jingzhe Sword Intent' he had recently comprehended.

As Chu Tianhe pointed with his sword seal, the hundred-zhang-long Neon sword light, with a force that crushed everything in its path, instantly pierced through the void and slashed down toward Qin Ming opposite him.

Even the cultivators watching from the side, upon seeing such terrifying sword qi, were terrified and held their breath, worrying greatly for the 'Long Long Dao Ren' opposite.

Seeing this strike, Nalan Xi also remarked with slight surprise: "To cultivate sword intent to such a degree, Chu Tianhe is indeed a pity; with his Earth-grade spiritual root, had he not been impetuous in his youth and only formed a False Dan, there would likely be another world-shaking sword cultivator among the Jin Dan peers."

She shook her head, looking once more at Long Long Dao Ren, whom Qin Ming had transformed into, her heart already convinced he could not block Chu Tianhe's strike, and she prepared to intervene and block it.

But just as she was about to strike.

Seeing that Daoist Long showed no intention of retreating, she decided to watch a little longer.

Even facing such a sword technique, Qin Ming felt not the slightest fear; his True Qi Transformation had already reached the Third Change, and lacking only the essence blood of a demonic beast, he could cultivate the legendary 'Body of True Extremity'.

At this moment, facing Chu Tianhe of the False Core realm, he still had more than enough capability.

Just as everyone was still immersed in the heaven-shaking sword technique of Yunxi Laozu Chu Tianhe from Spirit Sword Mountain.

Suddenly!

A blood-colored illusory four-armed demonic ape, towering from heaven to earth, manifested upon Daoist Long!

The instant the blood-colored demonic ape appeared, an aura akin to a primordial behemoth descended with overwhelming force! Crack!

Under this immense power, even the barrier established by Nalan Xi suddenly cracked like glass! Boom! Simultaneously, the blood-colored demonic ape extended its four arms, transforming them into palms, and clapped them together toward the slashing rainbow sword light, joining all four palms in a single strike! It actually caught this sword blow bare-handed!

"How is this possible?!" An expression of disbelief appeared on Chu Tianhe's face across from him.

Yet what shocked him even more was still to come.

The four arms of the blood-colored demonic ape suddenly exerted tremendous force! Crack!

The hundred-zhang-long rainbow sword light was instantly shattered by the demonic ape's colossal strength, dissolving into countless star-like specks that vanished into the air.

Zeng! The rainbow spirit sword, losing control, was seized in the palm of the blood-colored demonic ape and casually stored away by Qin Ming.

Caught completely off guard by this blow and severed from the connection with his spirit sword, Chu Tianhe spat out a mouthful of old blood; just as he was still stunned.

The five fingers of the blood-colored demonic ape joined together, transforming into a fist, and crossed a distance of several hundred zhang to smash directly toward him!

(End of Chapter)