Chapter 339: Not bad, it's this venerable one

Li Qian is also a disciple of Baihua Valley, possessing a Mid Jie Dan Stage cultivation base.

As expected.

A Mid Jie Dan Stage cultivator facing someone like Hua Xin, a Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator, would likely lose; the most probable outcome is that, as in the previous match, each would display their abilities and then withdraw.

However, Li Qian came out fighting fiercely; although her cultivation base was not impressive, her magic treasure was somewhat mysterious, and Hua Xin found herself unable to gain the upper hand for a while, resulting in a stalemate between them in a short time.

As time passed, Li Qian would eventually fall due to her inferior spiritual power compared to Hua Xin, yet she gritted her teeth and persisted, never admitting defeat.

Quite obvious.

She wasn't trying to beat Hua Xin; she was simply trying to wear her down to give those behind a greater advantage.

Judging from Hua Xin's injuries, this is very likely how they were caused.

Yunhe watched all of this with a cold eye.

To be honest.

If he were the one holding power in Baihua Valley, he could not possibly stand by while his family's treasure was taken; uniting to face outsiders would be understandable.

Although their approach was somewhat unsightly, as long as the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor remains, no one would dare to criticize.

In the end, although Hua Xin won, her condition was noticeably worse.

One side rested while the other labored, both exhausted in body and mind; even though both were Late Jie Dan Stage cultivators, the superiority of their states was clear at a glance.

Seeing Yunhe paying some attention to the Champion-Seizing Battle, the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor said somewhat embarrassedly:

"The juniors' conduct below has caused you to laugh, Dao Friend."

Upon hearing this, Yunhe also smiled, as if he did not take Hua Xin's condition to heart, and said:

"Not at all; if I were the Valley Master of Baihua Valley, I would not allow the valley's treasures to fall into outsiders' hands."

His words were rather frank, but the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor did not find them harsh to hear.

The Lotus Flower Old Ancestor merely sighed and then said slowly:

"Actually, that little girl is not entirely an outsider."

"Oh?" This surprised Yunhe somewhat.

"That girl's name is Hua Xin; do you know the three surnames of my Baihua Valley, Dao Friend?" the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor countered.

"Sun, Hua, Yin," he said, and then Yunhe realized, "Could it be that Hua Xin is a descendant of the Hua family of Baihua Valley?"

This was truly something Yunhe had not anticipated.

The Lotus Flower Old Ancestor nodded, saying, "Although she is a collateral branch and rather distant, it is still the case."

She continued, "However, this girl is rather stubborn; she does not wish to acknowledge her ancestors and return to the clan, nor does she want to return to my Baihua Valley, therefore."

Baihua Valley is a Yuan Ying Sect, possessing the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor as a Yuan Ying Cultivator, but the number of its Jie Dan cultivators is still somewhat greater compared to other sects.

One reason is that Baihua Valley's long inheritance naturally gives it such a foundation; another is the various spirit flowers within Baihua Valley, such as this time's "Variegated Purple Gold Flower," which can enhance the cultivation base of Jie Dan cultivators, and there are also other spirit flowers, for example, that can increase the success rate of Jie Dan formation.

Even so, the total number of Late Jie Dan Stage cultivators in all of Baihua Valley is only three.

It is uncertain whether any of these three can cultivate to Perfect Jie Dan Stage, let alone attempt to breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm.

Moreover, if Hua Xin, without relying on Baihua Valley's power, had cultivated on her own to Late Jie Dan Stage and returned, the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor would actually view it favorably, but she is unwilling.

Furthermore, the three surnames of Baihua Valley seem not so harmonious.

Nowadays, Baihua Valley is led by the Sun surname, because that Lotus Flower Old Ancestor bears the surname Sun.

However, at the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor's age, although she cannot truly achieve perfect impartiality, she also does not lean too heavily to one side.

"I see."

After hearing the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor's brief explanation, Yunhe summoned Shen Xingrui.

"Young Master," she said respectfully in a soft voice.

Yunhe took out a storage bag and handed it to her, moving his lips as he transmitted a message via divine sense.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingrui glanced at him with some surprise, then nodded and said, "Understood."

Having said that, she proceeded down to the platform, walking straight toward Hua Xin, who was sitting cross-legged, strenuously restoring her spiritual power.

This also surprised the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor, since Yunhe had used divine sense transmission, so she had not heard anything.

"Dao Friend, this is—"

"I, like the Lotus Flower Dao Friend, think highly of this girl; a slight intervention would be fine, wouldn't it?" Yunhe said without elaborating further.

The Lotus Flower Old Ancestor furrowed her brows and said nothing more.

Meanwhile, below.

Hua Xin looked at the suddenly appearing Shen Xingrui with some astonishment.

"Dao Friend Hua, this is a token of goodwill from my young master."

"Young Master?"

Hua Xin gazed toward the high platform, where Yunhe was drinking alone.

This time, she felt Yunhe was increasingly familiar.

But at this moment, time was pressing for her, and she could not attend to anything else; the gift from a Yuan Ying Old Ancestor should not be bad, right?

After a quick scan of the storage bag with her divine sense, she revealed a hint of surprise.

She swiftly took out an elixir, placed it in her mouth, and began to restore her spiritual power.

Needless to say, this elixir's effect is far superior to the elixirs she had taken before.

"The final Champion-Seizing Battle! Hua Xin versus Sun Qing!"

As the two entered the platform's restriction, the surrounding cultivators who had been chatting and laughing grew solemn, gazing at the impending final duel within the restriction.

The victor of the Champion-Seizing Battle will be able to obtain the "Variegated Purple Gold Flower."

Although Hua Xin's sudden rise is somewhat surprising.

However, anyone with a bit of insight can easily see that Hua Xin is basically no match for Sun Qing, whether in her condition or in her underlying foundation.

As for this, those cultivators were also not surprised.

After all, in previous years each 'Contest for the Champion' was merely a formality, either just internal competition among Baihua Valley cultivators, with little relation to outsiders.

Hua Xin and Sun Qing's relationship was not, as Li Yunhua of the Qingzong Sect said, that of close sisters; on the contrary, they still had a somewhat opposing attitude.

Without any exchange, they immediately unleashed their respective methods without hesitation.

Sun Qing produced a rather extraordinary flower basket; as she pinched the spell seal, countless flowers instantly flew out of the basket, filling the restriction.

Don't underestimate these flowers; though they appear harmless, each is actually an extremely sharp blade.

It is clearly a third-rank upper-grade magic treasure, and also Sun Qing's natal magic treasure, with considerable power.

Hua Xin was also unflustered; she also produced her own magic treasure, likewise a third-rank upper-grade magic treasure.

However, judging solely by appearance, her magic treasure looks like a peach tree branch with three fresh peach blossoms, but in her hand it is like a sword, quite remarkable.

Each swing of her sword was accompanied by a fierce sword qi, shattering the flower petals that flew out from Sun Qing's flower basket.

If it were just this, over time it would end like Hua Xin's previous match, due to excessive mana consumption.

The only difference is that last time Li Qian lost, while this time she will lose.

After all, her condition is far inferior to Sun Qing's.

Nevertheless, Hua Xin still going up to fight naturally means she has some confidence.

"Useless." Sun Qing said, "I admit you are outstanding, but the inheritance of Baihua Valley destined that there is a gap between us."

Golden Core cultivators of major and minor sects, if at the same realm, undoubtedly the major sect's inheritance gives them an advantage, and their strength is undoubtedly greater.

If they met outside, they could at worst flee if they couldn't win; although they would not be a match at the same realm, they would not be easily defeated, let alone killed.

But within such a narrow formation restriction, this gap becomes apparent.

Hua Xin did not speak.

But her peach branch in hand quietly changed; one of the three peach blossoms actually closed up — no, it should be said it returned to the form of a flower bud.

And her sword techniques, forms, and sword qi all changed accordingly.

This somewhat surprised Sun Qing opposite her.

Because she could feel that Hua Xin's offensive had become stronger.

What should have been her slight stable advantage actually reversed.

However, this gap did not become overly obvious.

Until the second peach blossom on Hua Xin's Peach Blossom Sword also closed, that advantage became clear, and Sun Qing undoubtedly fell into a disadvantaged position.

"How is that possible?"

Sun Qing was stunned.

In terms of Cultivation Base, she is not inferior to Hua Xin; in terms of mana, she is even stronger than Hua Xin; and her flower basket magic treasure is hardly inferior.

Others could not tell, but Yunhe and Lianhua Laozu on the viewing platform could see clearly.

"Somewhat interesting." Yunhe's eyes brightened slightly as he smiled and said.

Lianhua Laozu nodded slightly, "This is why I am optimistic about her. Self-created cultivation method!"

Yes, self-created cultivation method!

Sun Qing's Baihua Valley cultivation method is indeed a top-tier cultivation method, and somewhat superior to Hua Xin's cultivation method.

But the problem is.

Although Baihua Valley's cultivation method is strong, it is not the most suitable for Sun Qing, while Hua Xin's cultivation method, though somewhat weaker, is absolutely the most suitable for her own conditions and circumstances.

This is Hua Xin's advantage.

Of course, these differences do not show up in ordinary duels, but when restricted within this restriction, they become quite apparent.

Therefore, when the third peach blossom on Hua Xin's Peach Blossom Sword closed, Sun Qing fell into a more clearly disadvantaged position.

In this light, this 'Contest for the Champion' truly saw Hua Xin victorious.

However, despite her grim expression, Sun Qing gritted her teeth, patted her storage bag, and actually produced another new magic treasure.

It is a fan adorned with Baihua.

"Baihua Fan?!" someone recognized the fan and couldn't help exclaiming.

"Isn't that the Baihua Valley's third-rank extreme-grade magic treasure 'Baihua Fan' that only the Valley Master can refine?"

"That's right. However, Fellow Cultivator Sun Qing is originally the Junior Valley Master, so this should indeed be her refined item."

"Indeed, indeed."

Although that is said, the previous Valley Master has not yet stepped down.

Seeing this, Lianhua Laozu couldn't help but furrow her brows, but she said nothing, merely looking toward Yunhe to the side.

Yet he showed a look of keen interest.

Suddenly.

Lianhua Laozu seemed to think of something, and suddenly looked up at the platform, seeing Hua Xin with a solemn expression; after a brief hesitation, she also patted her storage bag.

Immediately, a small cauldron wrapped in rich earthy hues flew out.

"That... that is also a third-rank extreme-grade magic treasure?!"

Upon seeing this cauldron and sensing its aura, all the cultivators were somewhat taken aback.

But the next second.

Then they heard.

"Ribbit!!!"

A sudden frog croak rang out abruptly.

Soon everyone saw that the earthen cauldron, while rapidly expanding, transformed into a giant three-eyed earth toad!

"It's a spiritual treasure! A third-rank extreme-grade spiritual treasure!"

It's actually a third‑grade supreme‑grade spirit treasure?!

Seeing the giant toad, Sun Qing's face was filled with shock.

Actually, Huaxin wasn't much better off either, since she hadn't expected this cauldron to turn into a giant toad.

Ribbit!!

Another huge frog croak suddenly rang out.

In the third eye of the three‑eyed toad, a strange radiance actually welled up.

Three‑Eyed Divine Light!

Hum——

The divine light that burst forth shot out, leaving Sun Qing no time to react; she could only hastily raise her fan and magical power to block it.

Crack!!

Then one saw.

Sun Qing was actually blasted straight away, and even the protective barrier outside the platform showed a huge gap.

At the same time.

A rainbow light intermingled with flower petals flew out from the stands, catching the heavily injured Sun Qing after one blow, revealing a middle‑aged woman.

She glared fiercely at Huaxin on the platform, who also looked somewhat startled, and shouted sternly: "That isn't your treasure, you're cheating!"

This person is the current head of the Sun family of Baihua Valley; although not the valley master, her status is still respectable.

As soon as she shouted, several Baihua Valley cultivators flew out in succession, landing on the platform and surrounding Huaxin.

What do you mean by this?

Huaxin, having regained her composure, narrowed her eyes, gripped the peach branch in her hand, and assumed a ready stance.

What you're using isn't your spirit treasure, and even the power on it isn't yours; by cheating and injuring our Baihua Valley cultivators, Elder naturally cannot stand idly by!" the head of the Sun family shouted in a stern voice.

Oh? If that's the case, then the 'Hundred Flowers Fan' held by Fellow Daoist Sun Qing is also her treasure? I wonder who the current valley master of Baihua Valley is.

At that moment, Shen Xingrui descended from the high platform, stood beside Huaxin, and countered without showing any weakness.

Although she was only at late Foundation Establishment cultivation base, she remained calm and unafraid when facing a crowd of Golden Core cultivators.

Seeing her, no one dared to look down on her.

And her words made the Sun family head's expression turn even uglier.

But this let many people understand the origin of that cauldron.

Almost everyone looked up toward the high platform.

One saw Shen Mu had already stopped his voracious eating, standing sternly beside Yunhe, his whole body exuding a ferocious aura like a wild beast, as if anyone who dared to do anything to Yunhe or Shen Xingrui would be met without hesitation, tearing them apart.

Yunhe, however, remained calm and composed, leisurely pouring himself a cup of Hundred Flowers Brew and drinking it all in one gulp.

He smacked his lips, seeming to think the liquor was indeed quite good.

Under the gaze of everyone's various expressions, he suddenly revealed a smile.

Not bad, it is I.

(End of chapter)