Chapter 214: Who Wins, Who Loses

Feet treading upon waves of blood.

Clusters of red plum blossoms rising up.

The mysterious sound is clear and bright, like the moon and a gentle breeze, fluttering like a line of poetry. As the Panlong Spear sways, cold light suddenly appears, and a chill rises—it is beyond imagination.

With his divine weapon and sharp blade in hand, Fang Longye swings it without a trace of worldly smoke or fire.

It is as if he is not fighting with a spear, but rather, like a poet holding a massive brush, composing poetry by the window, calm and elegant.

Clearly, Fang Longye's spear technique has reached the realm of perfection.

"Oh?" Yang Chan exclaims in surprise, drains the wine in her cup, and chuckles: "This fellow has some real skill with the spear~"

She sits upright on the high platform, looking down from above, yet she sees everything clearly.

The seemingly casual swings of Fang Longye contain a sense of destruction wherever they reach.

Touch it and die, brush against it and perish—before that long spear, space appears even more fragile than paper.

"Yin and Yang generating and overcoming, the Five Elements in flow and reverse. Interesting~"

Such power and such ingenious moves make even her, who prides herself on being well-informed, cast a sidelong glance.

"Hahaha, good skill!"

As his opponent, Nezha can feel the biting murderous intent coming from above, like a quiet night with a bright moon, a cold light shining alone, the world filled with frost and white, fishing alone in the river snow.

However, facing Fang Longye's offensive, Nezha is not alarmed but delighted, laughing heartily. It is only good if it is not simple; only then is there fun to be had~

He channels his Dharma, an indescribable radiance blooming within his body, grips the Fire-Tipped Spear in his hand, and meets the attack, not yielding an inch.

Firelight shoots into the sky, carrying a scorching, explosive heat.

Though it appears broad and sweeping, if one looks closely at each move and stance, they are also exquisite and peerless.

Fang Longye only feels an overwhelming murderous intent, vast like thunder; when it reaches him, it is like a spider web, fine and dense, tightening the more one struggles.

However, he never intended to dodge in the first place. Hard against hard, who fears whom!

Boom—

The two collide, the Panlong Spear and the Fire-Tipped Spear clashing together; the aftermath surges, and the surrounding space tears open in layer upon layer.

Their collision is far too intense.

Even though endless space energy surges all around, due to the collision of their powers, for a moment, it is all blocked outside, unable to enter and mend the void.

"A great reputation is never without merit!"

Fang Longye exclaims in admiration as he feels the increasingly heavy pressure and murderous intent.

Whether this Nezha is his true form or an avatar, both his technique and power give him a feeling that is hard to fathom.

Combat technique is one thing.

Not to mention Nezha's previous incarnation as Ling Zhuzi, even in this life, since his birth during the Conferring of the Gods Tribulation, he has existed for at least tens of millions of years.

Not to mention talent, merely through the brewing of time, this aspect has long been honed to the point of being nearly one with the Dao.

How could he, a young man whose past and present lives combined do not even total ten thousand years, compare to that?

But in terms of power.

This is Fang Longye's strong suit, yet even going all out, he only manages to fight Nezha to a draw.

One must know, he sees clearly that this Nezha has not used any means or power beyond the Golden Immortal Realm.

"Should I say, as expected of one who received the legacy of the Great Master?"

During the battle, Nezha thinks in surprise. This fellow can actually trade blows with him evenly.

Although what is here is only a wisp of an avatar, it absolutely possesses the strength of a peerless Golden Immortal.

Even in a life-and-death struggle, if he were to sacrifice this avatar, slaying someone who has just entered the Taiyi Realm would be no difficult task.

One must know, despite his youthful appearance, if one counts his past life, he is a genuine ancient immortal, older than many Great Luo existences today.

After all, he followed his Great Master Xihuang for a very long time, and Great Master Xihuang had already transcended and departed during the era of the Human Three Sovereigns.

It is just that a hero does not boast of past glories; since his reincarnation, he has naturally started anew and no longer dwells on seniority.

That is why he calls Yang Jian "Second Brother" and lets Yang Chan call him "Little Nezha."

Thinking of this, Nezha suddenly becomes interested. With wind and fire following him, his combat techniques become fiercer, forcing Fang Longye into precarious situations.

In the end, he shakes his body and reveals his three heads and six arms.

The front hands hold the Fire-Tipped Spear, the left side holds the Universe Ring, the right side binds the Red Armillary Sash, and the Wind Fire Wheels beneath his feet chime incessantly.

Dancing in unison, up and down, left and right, everything is an offensive.

The baleful aura is soaring, and the murderous intent is boiling.

Touch it and die, brush against it and perish.

The unique demeanor of this legendary figure from a past life is finally revealed in its entirety during the battle.

"If you have no replacement weapon, we can fight empty-handed."

After a bout of fighting, Nezha looks at Fang Longye, whose web between thumb and forefinger is split, and says indifferently.

Given his background, he naturally has the discernment to see that the Panlong Spear in Fang Longye's hand is still in a state of adjustment with him.

"No need!"

Fang Longye's eyes are bright, projecting two beams of Sun-Moon Divine Light, one gold and one silver.

Clang—

Caught off guard, Nezha is struck squarely in the forehead by the divine light projected from the Sun and Moon Golden Pupils.

Yet, this Sun-Moon Divine Light, which is enough to annihilate an ordinary peak Golden Immortal, leaves only a white mark on his forehead.

Starlight splashes into the sky, like fireflies, thousands upon thousands, flickering in the dark.

Taking advantage of this moment, Fang Longye puts away the Panlong Spear, which had begun to backlash against him, and switches to holding the Cai Xian Sword.

However, seeing that the strike he felt would surely leave Nezha injured had no effect at all, his face could not help but darken.

Nezha chuckled, seemingly with a hint of consolation: "If it were purely a contest of physical bodies, I would naturally be unable to withstand it."

"But having reached my realm, the Great Dao I cultivate is already carved into my bones and flowing through my flesh and blood; it cannot be separated."

"Even if it is just an avatar, it is accompanied by my own Great Dao. In this exchange, I have taken advantage."

However, it would have been better if he hadn't said anything; saying it only made Fang Longye's anger flare up.

Good fellow, this was a naked insult! With a resonant sword hum, the killing intent spread to the surroundings like a peacock fanning its tail, colliding with the void in circles and layers, layer upon layer of halos, a sheet of frosty white.

"Third Prince, please appraise this sword of mine!"

The sword light swept past.

The surrounding void was completely annihilated, presenting a strange darkness, different from ordinary spatial rifts; it was a darkness bordering on nothingness.

It was as if all light had been swallowed into it, containing great danger, great terror, and great killing intent.

This was a sword technique Fang Longye had realized by combining various sword arts during his many years traveling Dongsheng Shenzhou under the identity of the Wine Sword Immortal, fighting others with sword techniques.

Nezha's heart skipped a beat, and he shook his body, as if Pangu were dissolving into the world, leaning backward and transforming into a mass of primordial energy.

For a moment, the fragrance of lotus permeated the surroundings.

The sword light dissipated.

With a flurry of gathering and dispersing, in an instant, Nezha manifested his form once again.

His eyes shone brightly, and he said excitedly: "You truly did not disappoint me!"

"Kill!"

The Wind Fire Wheels beneath his feet spun, and he arrived above Fang Longye's head; astonishing power surged and erupted, crashing down with a boom like the Milky Way falling from the nine heavens.

Fang Longye did not dodge or evade; the Cai Xian Sword moved from bottom to top, like thunder, startling like a swimming dragon, meeting the attack head-on.

The two fought together once more, neither yielding, colliding fiercely.

This time, the two were not only engaging in close-quarters combat but also unleashing their respective divine abilities and Spirit Treasures to fight.

One could see the auspicious clouds above Fang Longye's head unfurl, five-colored Divine Light shimmering and spreading out in layers, like coiled pines reflecting in water, condensing into a Five-Colored Treasure Tree hanging behind him.

Ten thousand rays of five-colored light hung down like a beaded curtain of tassels, beautiful and magnificent. In the end, it formed a five-colored canopy, protecting his entire body.

The Red Jade Gourd outlined shapes, forming an array that enveloped Nezha within.

"Eh? I didn't expect Laojun to have placed a bet on you so quietly?"

"Indeed, it is an avatar of that person. The way you act and set up the layout has not a trace of worldly smoke."

Nezha looked at the countless rotating specks of dust in the surroundings, which seemed like a vast Star Sea, and feeling the sense of Yin and Yang opening and the universe being born and destroyed, he couldn't help but smile.

Afterward, he composed his expression and said grimly: "Very well, that saves me from being tied down!" Having said this, power of extreme dominance was unleashed from his small body, far stronger than it had been before.

"Kill!"

Seeing Nezha fully let go, Fang Longye was not alarmed but delighted, meeting him head-on.

Simply because—as he devoted his whole heart and soul to the battle with Nezha, he discovered that as time passed, his insights grew more numerous, and his understanding of the Great Dao deepened.

Under these circumstances, he naturally wished for Nezha to unleash his full strength to fight him.

A Five-Colored Treasure Tree hung high behind his back, light needles scattering everywhere, carrying a destructive intent that would annihilate everything.

The Yin and Yang Two Qis flowed, incomparably sharp, continuously strangling toward Nezha.

Mastering Five Thunders, summoning wind and rain, Size Manipulation, Sun True Fire... all sorts of divine abilities gathered and fell in profusion.

Although Nezha dealt with them all, Fang Longye felt not the slightest disappointment or shock. Instead, his eyes grew brighter, clearly in a state of having benefited greatly.

What kind of person was Nezha? How could he not see Fang Longye's intention of using him as a whetstone? However, he did not care at all.

After all, they were not mortal enemies. If he wanted to sharpen his blade, let him sharpen it; as long as he himself was having a good time fighting, that was enough.

Nezha fought with pleasure, feeling it was hearty and unrestrained. Fang Longye was even more comfortable.

He clearly sensed that under this battle, there was a continuous flow of Aura within his body.

It was like waking up from hibernation at the start of spring; every moment, there were new changes.

At this moment, he had no other distracting thoughts; there was only one thought in his heart: defeat the opponent.

"With one thought, flowers bloom; the monarch descends upon the world!"

Speaking the slogan of the Empress from the Shrouding the Heavens world, Fang Longye's brow center shone with great brilliance.

A streak of green light suddenly appeared, forming a Hundred-Leaf Dharma Lotus, swaying its posture, with eerie green flames burning fiercely upon it.

"Scatter!"

Following Fang Longye's shout, this Green Lotus immediately scattered.

Flowers and leaves filled the air, petals falling in profusion.

Every petal, every lotus leaf, was entwined with never-extinguishing green flames.

They headed toward Nezha.

They sought to dissipate his entire essence, energy, and spirit.

As a petal entered his body, Nezha immediately felt the power of this avatar of his flowing away continuously.

Caught off guard, his body was sliced in two at the waist by Fang Longye's sword.

However, in just a single thought, he gathered together again and returned to being whole.

At the same time, his hands did not show the slightest mercy; the Universe Ring, carrying immense power, smashed onto Fang Longye's head in an instant.

An unimaginably brutal force erupted, directly smashing him into powder.

Fortunately, Fang Longye's Blood Rebirth divine ability was no joke.

Almost at the same speed as Nezha recovering from his wounds, he restored his form in an instant.

There was only one point.

Although he had already achieved Blood Rebirth and recovered.

Yet in his sea of consciousness, it was as if a grand religious ceremony had begun; all sorts of blowing and beating sounds came one after another, leaving him dizzy and dazzled.

Sparks, sounds, and colors, like a painting, rushed toward his brow.

However~

Despite this, there was not a hint of dejection on Fang Longye's face; instead, it was full of smiles.

Simply because this was the first time in so many rounds of fighting with Nezha that he had truly and tangibly injured Nezha.

He shook his head to regain clarity.

Fang Longye looked at the somewhat pale-faced Nezha, gave a ferocious smile, pressed forward, and continued the battle.

They fought for several hundred more rounds, unleashing various divine abilities one after another, coming and going, neither giving an inch.

Fang Longye's eyes grew increasingly brilliant; in his sea of consciousness, light hung like a web, and various insights emerged and collided.

At this moment, smelling the lingering lotus fragrance on Nezha, a flash of inspiration struck him.

Decisive, he reached out and pointed; in the void, endless life force gathered.

The majestic Creation Vitality condensed into a beam of cyan divine light and, with lightning speed, struck toward Nezha.

"Eh~"

Nezha let out a cry of surprise; he felt as if his own body had come alive.

His arms, legs, and every component of his body... all seemed to have been enlightened, possessing independent life, wanting to break free from his body and become independent individuals with life.

"Good technique, good divine ability!"

Nezha could not help but exclaim in admiration.

Creation Vitality is a Great Medicine for all living things, yet there is a saying: one cannot be over-nourished.

When Creation Vitality exceeds the limits one can bear, it is no longer a medicine that heals, but a Poison that harms.

Fang Longye smiled slightly; this was just a rough draft he had created during this battle.

If not for the fact that he possessed the Creation Divine Fire and the Creation Purifying World Bead, a treasure of creation, and that Nezha was, after all, a lotus-root body with a wood attribute—which is naturally restrained by the Creation Dao—

I fear this move, thought up on the spur of the moment, would not have been effective.

However, this method did have quite a bit of potential.

It seems he would have to carefully refine this rough draft in the future, striving for the day when a single point of his finger would cause an enemy's essence, energy, and spirit to instantly divide into thousands, with the countless particles within their body all separating and becoming independent.

Reaching such a stage, it would definitely count as an extraordinary divine ability.

"To be able to manifest the exterminating effect of decomposing all things from the Creation Dao, you can be considered gifted!"

Nezha chuckled, then shook his head and said, "However, this divine ability is useless against me!"

Since his birth in this life, he had created countless karmic debts of slaughter, and this method of Fang Longye's, in the final analysis, was still utilizing Creation Vitality.

Furthermore, this place was a Secret Realm created by the waters of the Blood Sea, naturally rich in the laws of death, which happened to restrain Fang Longye's method.

He shook his whole body, and a majestic aura of slaughter surged from within him.

Once the aura of slaughter emerged, the Creation Vitality that had been forcibly instilled into his body by Fang Longye was as if killed, instantly turning from its original vibrant vitality to dead silence.

It was clear that this method of Fang Longye's was about to be instantly disintegrated.

Fang Longye smiled: "This method is just a rough draft, so naturally it cannot stump the Third Prince. But!"

A touch of black and white color appeared from his fingertips, instantly expanding to envelop Nezha.

Inverting Yin and Yang! The two combined, as if a chemical reaction had occurred; Nezha's method immediately failed, and his whole body continued to head toward a state of dissociation.

"Subduing Dragons and Tigers!"

Nezha spat the words like thunder, unleashing a divine ability in an attempt to stabilize his state, but the result was not ideal.

He could not help but let out a cry of surprise: "Whirling Creation?"

Within that previous surge of majestic Creation Vitality, there was actually 'Whirling Creation' hidden and yet to be unleashed! How could that be?

Having originated from Wa Palace in his past life, he knew better than anyone how difficult this divine ability was to comprehend~ "You have actually entered the gate?"

"How could that be? I have only touched upon a little bit of the surface~"

Fang Longye pressed forward, slashing a sword toward Nezha.

"That is still not bad!" Nezha did not dodge, took Fang Longye's sword, looked him over again, and smiled: "You won!"

Afterward, his body gradually dissipated.

Accompanying this was his parting message: "Do not forget what you said; regardless of winning or losing, you will give a portion of the content within the Inheritance Mark to the Giant Spirit God."

"Otherwise..."

The lotus fragrance lingered.

Only a thin lotus thread remained, fluttering in the air.

Fang Longye reached out to take this barely visible lotus thread, his expression unreadable.

Won?

Did he really win?

(End of chapter)