Chapter 110

He really didn't have much time to spare for sparring with Xiao; he still wanted to focus on his ranching, raising more fierce beasts to eat, and improving his strength.

However, they were, after all, disciples of Shushan, and the reason he had been captured along with so many other Archons was precisely to serve as sparring partners.

Resigned, the Archon mimicked Xiao’s mannerisms, raising its massive, strange arms to cup its hands in a salute.

"No need for formalities. If you happen to meet Lord Jiang Yan, please convey my greetings. Many thanks to Lord Jiang Yan for granting me a stable life."

Xiao nodded slightly, then mounted his sword and transformed into a streak of light, flying away.

The Archon watched with envy for a moment before turning back to diligently continue its work as a rancher.

On Dragon Head Peak, Zhongli looked up toward the direction of the distant Heaven-Piercing Peak and said solemnly:

"I obey the Sect Master's decree!"

Having said this, he turned to look at Venti and the others, his gaze flickering.

"That Sect Master of yours has spoken?"

Venti asked curiously.

Zhongli nodded slightly.

"The Sect Master is already aware of my intention to spar with you and has notified all the disciples to come and observe the proceedings."

"However, since the entire Shushan is now aware of this matter, and you have all come on this journey to learn about immortal cultivation—and perhaps even join Shushan—"

"it might be better to expand the scale of this battle a little."

Venti’s eyes lit up, and the unease in his heart vanished.

"What do you mean?"

Zhongli glanced at the three of them and said softly:

"Your strength is not much different from Alice’s; you are both top-tier powerhouses among the Archons. Why not spar with me together?"

"As for Miss Lisa, I observe that your strength is at the early stage of Refining Essence into Qi. If one accounts for the power hidden within your body, I fear you are comparable to some Archon retainers at the middle stage of Refining Essence into Qi."

"Are you willing to join the battle?"

Lisa gave a wry smile and said helplessly:

"As expected, nothing escapes Mr. Zhongli. It’s just that there are some issues with my body; I fear that fighting at full strength might..."

"It is merely a matter of burning your lifespan; that is easily resolved."

As he spoke, Zhongli flicked a strand of true energy into Lisa’s body.

"My true energy can protect you so that you do not burn your lifespan while using your power. With that, are you willing to join the battle?"

Feeling the fatigue that had plagued her from time to time vanish completely, Lisa’s eyes filled with pleasant surprise.

Even Zhongli, who had only just begun his cultivation, could achieve such a feat.

Then, that Shushan Sect Master...

However, Lisa also knew that as a Sect Master, he would not act without reason.

To truly cure the problems within her body, she would eventually have to consider cultivating immortality herself.

Right now, this was the perfect opportunity to witness the methods of an immortal cultivator.

Thinking of this, Lisa did not hesitate and nodded decisively:

"I can."

"Very good."

Zhongli nodded slightly, his voice amplified by true energy, vibrating in all directions.

"In the name of the Acting Head of Dragon Head Peak, the Dragon Head Peak arena shall host the first Shushan sparring match."

"Disciples, come quickly."

As soon as he finished speaking, several streaks of light flashed from the mountain below, and more arrived from the horizon.

Keqing and the others, their bodies flowing with immortal intent, landed gracefully on the ground.

"Greetings, Head."

Everyone bowed slightly. Zhongli nodded and looked toward the final streak of light on the horizon.

In an instant, Xiao returned, his body wrapped in dense baleful energy and fighting spirit.

He immediately bowed and said:

"Head."

Zhongli glanced at Xiao, whose true energy was still churning and seemed somewhat depleted.

It appeared that this battle had indeed not been easy.

He said softly:

"Xiao, take a rest first and recover your true energy."

"Yes! Head!"

With that, Xiao sat cross-legged on the ground and began to circulate his energy.

Endless spiritual energy gathered into a vortex above his head, which left Venti looking quite surprised.

Xiao...

seemed to have become much stronger as well.

Is immortal cultivation really this absurd?

Lisa examined Ningguang and Keqing. She hadn't met Ningguang before, but she had seen Keqing a few times.

Keqing often led teams on business trips to Mondstadt, but when she had seen Keqing back then, although she was strong, she hadn't possessed such sharp sword intent.

Thinking that Keqing hadn't been cultivating for long, had she really become this strong in such a short time?

Lisa suddenly felt even more anticipation toward immortal cultivation.

Zhongli looked around; there were only a dozen or so Shushan disciples in total, so it was easy to confirm.

By now, they had all arrived.

Resigned, Zhongli said softly:

"Since you disciples began your cultivation, you haven't truly experienced a battle. Now, my old friends Barbatos and Alice have come to visit Shushan with their team."

"I have consulted with them, and they are willing to fight in person to experience the combat style of immortal cultivators."

"I hope all disciples will participate enthusiastically to prepare for future explorations of the secret realms."

"Additionally... considering that Barbatos and the others are few in number, only three will be participating."

"Therefore, it would be inconvenient for Alice and Miss Lisa to fight too many rounds. As for Barbatos..."

Zhongli pondered for a moment and said softly:

"I imagine he wouldn't mind sparring with everyone a few more times. Am I right, Barbatos?"

Zhongli looked calmly at Venti, who wore an expression of wanting to cry, silently complaining that Zhongli was petty.

But he still nodded with a mournful face.

"N-no... that's right."

At this moment, Venti desperately wanted to go back in time and slap his past self for tampering with Zhongli’s contract.

75. Ningguang: Playing with lightning in front of my Five-Thunder Talisman?!

Very soon.

The sparring arena on Dragon Head Peak had been cleared.

Zhongli and the other Shushan members stood on one side, while Venti and his two companions stood on the other.

After discussion, it was decided that Lisa and Ningguang would fight in the first match.

Lisa excelled in spells, and Keqing excelled in sword techniques. Although their strength was similar, Lisa was definitely not the best opponent for Keqing.

Relatively speaking, Ningguang was the one who needed to spar and discuss the Dao with Lisa.

The two looked at each other and stepped onto the arena.

Just as Zhongli was about to activate the formation to provide support, Jiang Yan’s figure appeared silently above the arena.

Seeing this, Zhongli and the others hurriedly stood up and said:

"Welcome, Sect Master."

Venti and the others nearby also understood that the person before them was the true leader of Shushan and the target of their trip.

They followed suit and offered their greetings.

Alice couldn't help but examine Jiang Yan carefully.

His aura was extremely restrained, but if one looked closely, one could perceive a pressure that transcended heaven and earth.

She thought to herself that he was truly worthy of being an immortal cultivator.