Chapter 698

Su Lingkou stopped mid-sentence and looked at Lin Jinglong in front of her.

Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi were of the same type, also young talents who had been famous for a long time. Su Lingkou knew this person's identity, but at this moment, her grave gaze was focused more on Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan was standing beside Lin Jinglong and was Lin Jinglong's subordinate.

This person's appearance was peculiar, somewhat inhuman, and his whole body overflowed with heat; staying near him for a while would cause the temperature of the surrounding air to rise.

His skin was like bronze and covered with lava cracks. His right arm was wrapped in dragon-scale fire-wash cloth, and the muscles and bones of his left arm were exposed, presenting a dark golden luster. And his pair of ankles were locked with Cold Marrow Chains.

What truly made Su Lingkou take him seriously was the relevant intelligence regarding Gongsun Yan.

"It is this person before me who possesses the low-grade talent 'Melt Heart'. Sigh—if only Cousin could have a portion of this talent, how good that would be."

Lin Jinglong was tall and thin, still wearing a green robe with gold-embroidered edges. At this moment, he smiled slightly at Shen Xi: "Brother Shen, why hasn't that Unlike Ning Zhuo you recruited come yet? How should this duel of ours be calculated?"

It turned out that after Shen Xi had a drink with Yu Heyao and Unlike Ning Zhuo at the Panshi Cave Abode, he returned to inform Situ Xing, indicating that Unlike Ning Zhuo had been confirmed and that the latter was indeed qualified to join.

To increase persuasiveness, Shen Xi even directly brought out the Ghost Dao Jin Dan given by Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Situ Xing, however, frowned slightly: "Even if this Unlike Ning Zhuo gave you a Ghost Dao Jin Dan, it cannot prove that his own strength is formidable."

Situ Xing continued to speculate: "Every move this Unlike Ning Zhuo makes is about vertical and horizontal alliances; it is indeed the style of our great clan's children. But he has never made a move himself; I fear it was the elders behind him who suppressed Yu Heyao."

"Or, a more likely situation is that he used certain treasures or materials to successfully bribe Yu Heyao."

Speaking of this, Situ Xing looked at the Ghost Dao Jin Dan in Shen Xi's hand without concealment, almost indicating his suspicion—were you, Shen Xi, also bribed, and that is why you came to speak good words about this Unlike Ning Zhuo to me, to help him join?

Situ Xing had his own pride and also knew that his alliance with Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi would inevitably shine in the Flying Cloud Assembly.

He had been actively approached by many cultivators these days, the latter all having positive attitudes and wanting to join voluntarily. There were also no shortage of cultivators who bribed Situ Xing.

After all, joining a powerful group would allow one to deal with the Flying Cloud Assembly more calmly.

Su Lingkou's willow eyebrows stood up, and she immediately retorted: "This Ghost Dao Jin Dan was not cheap; it was my cousin who gave up the magic treasure 'Gap-Roaming Shuttle' to settle the favor!"

"Situ Xing, do not speculate wildly."

Situ Xing snorted coldly, unwilling to haggle with a young girl.

He did not refute Su Lingkou, but he did not let go of the difficulty either.

Situ Xing was also a child of a great clan; as his thoughts turned, he had a way to make things difficult.

He stared at Shen Xi, bringing up old matters, saying that he had previously defeated Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong to take the top spot. But the later duel between the two did not determine a winner.

"Right now, we are establishing a base, so naturally, we must have a fair and conspicuous seating arrangement."

"But if I let you, Brother Shen, and Brother Lin face off again, it would be unsightly. Why not do this: since you, Brother Shen, recommend Unlike Ning Zhuo so heavily, let Unlike Ning Zhuo come to participate in the battle."

"As for Brother Lin's side, the subordinates he brought this time are the most numerous among us; he will certainly be able to select a capable general."

Shen Xi thought for a moment, revealed a smile, and nodded in agreement.

He had deep confidence in Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Therefore, this was how the scene in the Martial Arts Hall came to be.

Shen Xi had not contacted Unlike Ning Zhuo, and this battle seemed to have been lost without a fight.

Lin Jinglong cupped his fists: "Since that is the case, then I accept the concession, Brother Shen."

Shen Xi was naturally unwilling.

He had previously voluntarily given up the first chair to scheme against Situ Xing, letting him stand at the front. But he had wanted to sit in the second chair from beginning to end.

If he really became number three, how could he guarantee his own interests?

The second position was just right; it had no excessive risks and could also yield more benefits. In Shen Xi's heart, this was an ideal position.

But unfortunately, Lin Jinglong had the same idea.

Among the elite children of great clans, how could there be any simple ones?

"Brother Ning not arriving in time must have a reason," Shen Xi argued for himself, "but if you just rely on the opponent not showing up to determine your own victory, do you really want to take advantage of this, Brother Lin?"

The smile on Lin Jinglong's face immediately converged a little.

Shen Xi took the opportunity to say: "Why not best of three, and count this round as your win."

Lin Jinglong pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.

Shen Xi was well-versed in the art of compromise and discussion; he affirmed the benefits on Lin Jinglong's side but also reserved the possibility of continuing to strive for himself.

Lin Jinglong agreed: "Then let it be so."

Su Lingkou, however, said indignantly: "How can there be such a cheap thing! Unlike Ning Zhuo didn't come, isn't there still me?"

She then looked at Shen Xi: "Cousin, I will fight in the next round and win the first victory for you!"

Shen Xi hesitated: "This—"

Su Lingkou at this moment swept away her usual submissive posture, and flames of fighting spirit flickered in her eyes: "Cousin!"

Shen Xi gave a bitter smile and reached out to touch Su Lingkou's forehead: "Alright, be careful. If the battle situation is not good, just admit defeat. Losing to Fellow Daoist Gongsun Yan is losing to Brother Lin; it is not shameful."

He was a child of a great clan; he spoke beautifully and was all harmony.

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Jinglong's eyes; he hurriedly said a few humble words and expressed his expectations for Su Lingkou.

Afterwards, he turned to Gongsun Yan and said: "Brother Gongsun, I leave this to you."

Gongsun Yan responded in a muffled voice: "After it is done, the firewood promised to me cannot be less."

Lin Jinglong smiled: "That is natural. Brother Gongsun can rest assured."

Gongsun Yan possessed talent, and his status among Lin Jinglong's subordinates was very unusual; he was indeed worthy of such special treatment.

The two went down to the martial arts arena together.

The square paved with huge gray-white stone bricks was as flat as a mirror, with runes flowing at the edges. The magic array formed a pale golden protective light curtain, isolating the inside and outside of the arena.

Gongsun Yan and Su Lingkou stood opposite each other, and the atmosphere in the arena quickly became tense.

Seeing Su Lingkou's petite figure and her pleated skirt with a slanted collar, looking like a neighbor's daughter, Gongsun Yan said in a muffled voice: "Miss Su, your luck is bad to have run into me. I will give you a chance; I will let you attack first."

Lin Jinglong's eyebrows immediately wrinkled imperceptibly, and then smoothed out again.

Su Lingkou narrowed her eyes, feeling looked down upon, and said coldly: "You will regret this."

She shook her wrists, and the Profound Water Kan-Luo Rope and Purple Fire Li-Luo Rope shot out from her wrists like lightning.

The two ropes flew through the air, each bringing up fine ice crystals and sparks!

Gongsun Yan took a deep breath, gathered his spirit, and cast a defensive spell, letting a translucent fireball cover himself.

Who knew that the two fine ropes would shoot over like lightning and then immediately bypass the fireball cover.

Su Lingkou pinched her finger seals and silently recited in her heart: "Yin-Yang Buckle!"

The two fine ropes twisted in mid-air, instantly forming a Taiji fish-shaped light buckle that connected head to tail and flowed endlessly!

Just as the Yin fish bit the Yang eye and the Yang fish swallowed the Yin eye, the moment the light buckle landed, a phoenix cry resounded through the martial arts arena.

The gray-white floor tiles were instantly covered with a layer of profound ice, and the cold air surged up, quickly spreading over Gongsun Yan's insteps, forming a thin layer of ice.

Gongsun Yan, however, felt the inherent scorching heat from the cold air.

He dared not be careless and took out a small hammer magic tool, holding it in his hand.

The next moment, the muscles of his left arm bulged, and he struck the ice surface fiercely with the small hammer!

Boom! The hammer fell like a drum! The ice surface under the hammer shattered, but it sprayed out crimson flowing fire.

Taking advantage of Gongsun Yan being entangled with the flowing fire, Su Lingkou's gaze was calm, and she slightly lifted her skirt; the seventy-two pearls embedded on it shot out silently, landing around Gongsun Yan like stars on a chessboard.

With a thought, Su Lingkou took out the Plain Silver Array Disk and held it in her left hand.

Fine needles were inserted into the array disk, and fine ropes were connected between the needles.

"Array, activate!" She gave a clear shout, and the array disk immediately emitted brilliant light and strange colors.

Gongsun Yan swung his hammer to sweep away the flowing fire and took large strides toward Su Lingkou.

As a result, the pearls around him shone, forming shadows of ropes that hindered him layer by layer.

Gongsun Yan activated his magic power, enhanced the small hammer, and swept horizontally once more.

Although the rope shadows broke, they took advantage of the momentum to erupt with hundreds of thousands of brilliant lights like fine needles, piercing through Gongsun Yan's protective fire cover.

The brilliant lights hit Gongsun Yan's bronze skin, making metallic clashing sounds; for a time, it was like a rainstorm, continuous and unending.

Gongsun Yan braced himself against the attack and spat out two streams of golden-white fire from his nostrils.

The fire streams were like dragons, wrapping around his neck, arms, and even the hammer handle.

The small hammer seemed to come alive, its power surging!

Gongsun Yan swung the hammer wildly again, destroying the surrounding rope shadows one after another.

Reflecting on Su Lingkou's side, the fine ropes on her array disk snapped one by one, and even the needles inserted into it shattered and flew; one grazed Su Lingkou's cheek, leaving a bloodstain.

Su Lingkou's expression was grave; without hesitation, she parted her lips slightly, bit the tip of her tongue, and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the array disk.

The array disk hummed!

Eight rope shadows suddenly expanded, wrapping around Gongsun Yan's body and limbs. As for the small hammer in his hand, it was wrapped layer by layer by the ropes.

Chaos Disk Intestine—Buckle!

The array disk made an unbearable "creak" sound; Su Lingkou tried her best to form a buckle.

As long as this buckle took shape, the array would be considered completely formed, capable of sealing Gongsun Yan on the spot.

Gongsun Yan also knew that the critical moment had arrived.

He did not hesitate; his heartbeat was like a drum, accelerating, urging out his talent, bringing forth surging heart fire.

The heart fire burned, turning him into a fire man, yet he remained unscathed.

? C〇

The heart fire landed on the rope shadows, immediately burning the ropes red, softening them, and then melting them root by root!

Su Lingkou also gave her all; however many ropes were melted, she tried her best to add that many more.

Both sides fell into a stalemate!

Click.

A fine crack appeared on the edge of the array disk.

Gongsun Yan, meanwhile, was bleeding from his seven orifices, feeling as if he were being crushed by a giant python, about to shatter from the inside out.

Outside the arena, Shen Xi and Lin Jinglong looked at each other, and the next moment they shouted simultaneously.

"Stop, Fellow Daoist Gongsun!"

"Cousin, cease the battle, cease the battle!"

Gongsun Yan and Su Lingkou naturally had no deep hatred; hearing this, they gradually withdrew their strength and finally let each other go.

This was originally a sparring match, not a life-and-death struggle, and certainly not a grudge match.

Whether it was Gongsun Yan or Su Lingkou, although they could not compare to Lin Jinglong and Shen Xi, they were both capable subordinates of the latter two. If they were to mutually trade blows and suffer heavy injuries, it would be too much of a loss.

If it also affected the subsequent Flying Cloud Assembly, it would be even worse.

"Cousin, I didn't win—" Su Lingkou returned to Shen Xi's side with a look of guilt.

Shen Xi waved his hand, stopping her from apologizing to him, and comforted her: "Fellow Daoist Gongsun Yan has outstanding strength; there is no need for both sides to suffer. I don't want you to risk your life like this for me."

Su Lingkou couldn't help but blush slightly.

Lin Jinglong interjected: "Brother Shen, why not count this time as a draw?"

Shen Xi nodded.

Lin Jinglong: "Best of three; let the next battle be set for three days later. Brother Shen, this period of time should be enough for you to call others, right?"

Shen Xi gave a bitter smile: "Man proposes, God disposes; I can only say I will do my best."

Watching Lin Jinglong and Gongsun Yan leave, Su Lingkou immediately became worried: "Cousin, is that Unlike Ning Zhuo really okay?"

"His Five Elements attainments are indeed very high, but that doesn't mean his combat power is very strong."

Shen Xi: "I believe in Fellow Daoist Unlike Ning Zhuo."

"However, I have indeed never seen him make a move or clash with others."

"In this case—I will immediately send him another flying letter, but at the same time, we must also look for other candidates."

Unlike Ning Zhuo still had not discovered the flying letter.

He was currently devoting his heart and soul to another matter.

That was the forging of a natal magic tool!

Previously, he practiced the Mirror Platform Psychic Art, successfully planted a symbol in the phenomenon, and obtained the natal Psychic Art. From this, he forged the Psychic Treasure Mirror.

Now, he had successfully planted a symbol in the phenomenon for the second time and obtained the natal-level Five Qi Life-Death Art; naturally, he could forge a second natal magic tool.

This is the benefit of cultivating all three dantian simultaneously.

Most cultivators only have one natal magic treasure. But Unlike Ning Zhuo, in theory, could possess three.

The three mechanism platforms once again brought Unlike Ning Zhuo huge help.

A mechanism fan was freshly released!

The twelve fan ribs were made of five elements and were the twelve spiritual pivot axes of the mechanism creation.

The fan surface used Cloud Shark Silk and was completely blank.

The fan nail presented the shape of a pentagram; it was precisely here that Unlike Ning Zhuo carved the talisman mark of his natal spell.

Unlike Ning Zhuo held the warm fan handle, pushed it lightly with his thumb, and swung it out.

After a light "pop" sound, the twelve fan ribs, like a startled peacock, exploded into a large handful of five-colored fragmented light.

The fan surface unfolded completely, and one could see five-colored clouds and mist swirling on it, changing endlessly. At times gushing, at times annihilating.

Unlike Ning Zhuo fanned lightly, and a Five Qi Torrent was emitted; he fanned again, and the Five Qi Torrent quickly disintegrated, annihilating completely in mid-air within a few breaths.

Under the fan, the five elements and five qi were fiercely controlled, flowing only according to Unlike Ning Zhuo's will.

Unlike Ning Zhuo closed his five fingers and also closed the mechanism fan.

"With the help of this fan, my strength has risen by a notch."

"Can I use this to solve the trouble of Meng Yehu?"

Thinking of this, Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately took out the mechanism Meng Yehu. Its spirituality was covered in dust, and it remained motionless. No matter how Unlike Ning Zhuo called, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, without the slightest response.

Unlike Ning Zhuo unfolded the mechanism fan and fanned it at Meng Yehu a few times.

Meng Yehu remained as silent as a stone.

Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed and took out the frozen Yuan Dasheng, also trying with the mechanism fan.

Failure.

"Hmm?" Unlike Ning Zhuo put away the two major mechanisms, and while tidying up his emotions, he discovered Shen Xi's two flying letters.