Chapter 139: Where the Hell Did This Kid Get So Many Top-Tier Ritual Tools?!

As Lu Yuan's words fell, the people on the scene exchanged glances.

The first challenge... was actually Shen Jizhou?

After a brief moment of astonishment, there were no longer too many ripples in people's eyes.

After Lu Yuan had successively chosen Shen Jizhou and then named He Ming, everyone was convinced he had completely lost his mind.

How could the behavioral logic of someone who had lost his mind be measured by common sense?

Analyzing the actions of a madman was, in itself, another form of madness.

For a moment, people couldn't be bothered to delve into the reasons.

After Lu Yuan announced the challenge, preparations for the "Questioning Heaven Challenge" swiftly commenced.

Regardless of whether Lu Yuan was "sick" or not, he indeed possessed the qualifications to initiate the challenge.

Therefore, Lu Yuan's claim of possessing a thousand jade beans was undoubtedly true.

Since the jade beans were real, and since Lu Yuan was going to conduct the "Questioning Heaven Challenge," the rules had to be followed.

The preparations weren't complicated.

They only needed to clear the central area of the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony and erect a temporary arena.

The required time was merely half an hour.

By now, the seven Celestial Masters plus that red-robed old Taoist priest had all descended slowly from the high platform.

After Celestial Master He Xun and Shen Shulan stepped down, they immediately walked towards Lu Yuan's direction.

However, Lu Yuan was no longer willing to listen to any words of persuasion at this moment.

Things had come to this point; more words were useless.

His mind was made up.

Lu Yuan turned and walked away, avoiding any communication with Celestial Master He Xun and Shen Shulan.

Time passed minute by minute, second by second.

About half an hour later, the temporary arena was completed.

The arena wasn't large, quite similar to the martial arts stage in the Earth movie "Fearless."

But this was a Taoist contest.

It wasn't purely a contest of fists and feet, so naturally, a ritual altar needed to be set up.

During the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony, the disciples of Zhenlong Temple had long been on the stage, setting up a ritual altar for Lu Yuan.

And on the other side...

Empty.

Over at Wuqing Temple, no ritual altar had been set up.

This was also within reason, or rather, completely in line with everyone's expectations.

It had been said before that Taoist contests were like martial arts competitions during the Republic of China era, emphasizing stopping at the appropriate point.

Since it wasn't a life-and-death struggle to the bitter end, the function of the ritual altar was more about pre-arranging the ritual tools and other items to be used later.

This altar wouldn't even enshrine the memorial tablet of the Patriarch.

For Shen Jizhou, the "highest mountain" of the Taoist community beyond the Great Wall, to go to great lengths to set up a ritual altar when facing a mere One-Star Celestial Master...

That would be utterly laughable!

With the arena prepared, Shen Jizhou's figure leaped, landing steadily on the arena platform.

He looked down from above, scrutinizing Lu Yuan below, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Since you are so determined to seek benevolence and achieve it, why are you still standing there in a daze?"

"Come up!"

During this half-hour wait, Shen Jizhou had never been able to figure out what Lu Yuan truly intended.

But it no longer mattered.

Shen Jizhou didn't want to do anything too excessive to this junior.

Even though Lu Yuan's words in front of him last time, and today's actions that almost amounted to pointing and cursing at his nose, were quite disrespectful.

However...

Shen Jizhou had also come from that age.

How could he not understand the arrogance of youth?

In the end, Shen Jizhou was actually quite satisfied with Lu Yuan, this junior, in his heart.

Especially the words Lu Yuan had just spoken for Shen Shulan.

Not only did they extricate his daughter from the criticism of being "unworthy of the name," but they also elevated her highly.

This further represented that Lu Yuan wasn't acting for personal gain, but for the "justice" in his heart!

Shen Jizhou approved of Lu Yuan's character.

It's just that some things couldn't be accomplished by mere passion alone.

That would be too naive!

Therefore, Shen Jizhou did not intend to deal a heavy blow to Lu Yuan.

He only wanted to knock Lu Yuan off the arena and quickly end this farce.

This was the decision Shen Jizhou had made before stepping onto the arena.

Shen Jizhou looked at Lu Yuan below, urging him.

Lu Yuan no longer hesitated.

With a running start, his figure nimbly flipped and leaped onto the arena platform.

The moment his feet touched the ground, he took a deep breath, his gaze fixed straight ahead at that dark-robed figure.

Shen Jizhou stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

His wide Taoist robe fluttered slightly in the cold wind.

He didn't assume any stance.

He just stood there quietly, like an insurmountable, towering mountain peak.

"Make your move."

Shen Jizhou spoke calmly:

"This old man will let you have three moves."

Looking at Shen Jizhou before him, Lu Yuan slightly raised his chin.

"Celestial Master Shen, you're being too considerate of me."

"I thought you would use that ritual sword I gave you to fight me."

In response to Lu Yuan's words, Shen Jizhou just shook his head indifferently.

"You think too highly of yourself."

"And you underestimate me too much."

"Not to mention you, a mere One-Star Celestial Master, even a Five-Star Celestial Master, the gap between them and me is like that between a firefly and the bright moon."

After speaking, Shen Jizhou placed one hand behind his back, looking at Lu Yuan expressionlessly.

"You have not reached the realm of a Five-Star Celestial Master. Seeing me is like a frog at the bottom of a well looking up at the moon, seeing only a corner."

"If you can reach the Five-Star Celestial Master level, seeing me again would be like a grain of millet looking up at the vast sky, insignificant and unreachable."

"Enough nonsense, let's end this farce quickly."

"Against you, I absolutely will not use any magical treasures, and I will only use one hand."

Around the arena, the cold wind whipped the Taoist banners, making fluttering sounds.

The people below held their breath, their gazes tightly focused on the two figures on the stage.

Shen Jizhou still stood with his hands behind his back.

His wide Taoist robe remained motionless in the wind, like a steady mountain.

He glanced at the lonely ritual altar beside Lu Yuan.

On it were only a few ordinary incense sticks, candles, and talisman papers. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

"As for you, after making such a big scene just now, is this all you have on your altar now?"

Shen Jizhou held his head high, his tone proud, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Hearing this, Lu Yuan slightly raised his head.

A sharp, fierce glint flashed deep in his eyes.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely let you enjoy yourself to the fullest!"

Before his words faded, Lu Yuan's eyes suddenly turned sharp.

No more holding back!

Everything before him was, for Lu Yuan, an immense stroke of luck!

Shen Jizhou was actually willing to fight with one hand and not use any magical treasures!

For Lu Yuan, this was a once-in-a-thousand-years, heaven-sent opportunity!

The next second, Lu Yuan focused his mind.

The system space rumbled open!

Boom—

An ear-splitting thunderclap exploded out of thin air!

A three-foot ritual sword, its entire body flowing with purple light and densely covered with thunder patterns, suddenly materialized from the void!

As the sword body vibrated violently, it actually caused dark clouds to suddenly gather in the sky.

Faint sounds of wind and thunder could be heard!

The area below the stage immediately erupted in an uproar!

"Wh-where did he pull that from?!"

"Summoning objects from thin air?!"

"That's absolutely impossible!"

"He was clearly empty-handed when he went up on stage just now!"

An experienced old practitioner, his pupils contracting sharply, cried out in shock:

"Purple Firmament Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood Sword?! This is the Zhengyi Sect of Southern Fujian's treasure of the sect, said to have been lost for a hundred years! How does he have this?!"

The sword body glowed with a rich purple light.

Thunder patterns seemed to writhe like dragons and snakes upon it.

It was precisely a top-tier ritual tool forged from the heartwood of a thousand-year-old lightning-struck jujube tree, refined under the Purple Tenuity Star's radiance for forty-nine years!

Lu Yuan's right hand made a grasping motion in the air, the sword pointing towards the sky.

His left hand was already forming hand seals with flying speed.

His left thumb quickly pressed against the base of his ring finger, then slid like lightning past the base of his middle finger.

Finally, it firmly locked onto the base of his index finger.

This was precisely the opening stance of the "Thunder Gate Seal" for summoning Thunder Department generals!

He chanted an incantation, his voice like the clashing of metal and jade:

"Thunder light stirs lightning, thunderbolts follow the body! Supreme Unity's rescue decree, Thunder Department descends!"

As the spell ended, the left-hand seal suddenly pointed towards Shen Jizhou!

"Rumble—"

The Purple Firmament Sword instantly transformed into a streak of purple lightning, carrying the power to destroy heaven and earth, tearing through the sky.

It slashed straight down!

Wherever the sword energy passed, the air distorted violently.

The blue bricks on the arena platform cracked inch by inch!

This scene completely stunned the surrounding crowd.

"Is... is this really something a One-Star Celestial Master can perform?!"

"No! There's something wrong with that sword! That's not power he can unleash with his own cultivation; it's the formidable power of the ritual tool itself!"

A flash of surprise passed through Shen Jizhou's eyes.

His feet shifted half a step sideways as smoothly as flowing clouds.

The purple lightning brushed past the corner of his robe and crashed down onto the stage surface, blasting a charred pit over ten feet deep.

Broken stones flew in all directions!

Shen Jizhou was naturally extremely interested in the sudden appearance of this ritual sword.

At this moment, Shen Jizhou raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the ritual sword in Lu Yuan's hand. Before he could even speak,

Lu Yuan's second wave of attack had already arrived!

Lu Yuan's left-hand seal changed again!

Thumb pressing the upper segment of the middle finger, palm turning outward.

Shangqing Seal!

This seal represented respectfully requesting the magical power of the Numinous Treasure Celestial Master of the Shangqing, summoning the Shangqing troops!

At the same time, he raised his right hand, and a palm-sized ancient bronze mirror suddenly suspended above his head.

The mirror surface was ancient and profound, covered with tadpole-like mysterious runes. The mirror back was inlaid with sun and moon twin pearls, their light flowing, shining brilliantly!

"Demon-Revealing Mirror?!"

"No, this form... it's the All-Penetrating Golden Light Mirror!"

Below the stage, an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard suddenly stood up, his voice hoarse and dry from extreme shock:

"No... impossible..."

"This thing... only exists in the founding legends of the Maoshan Sect!!"

"How could... how could it appear in the hands of a mere youngster?!"

All-Penetrating Golden Light Mirror!

As soon as these five words were uttered, the entire place fell dead silent.

In everyone's memory, this was one of the three supreme treasures personally passed down by the founding patriarch of the Maoshan Sect in legend!

A divine object that only existed in yellowed ancient texts!

How could it possibly appear for real?!

Everyone's minds went blank, then a thought emerged...

Perhaps it just looks similar... yes, it must be a replica.

Replicating the legendary ritual tools recorded in ancient texts, borrowing their prestige, could also be considered a form of "borrowing presence."

But...

The terrifying Dao resonance from this ancient mirror above Lu Yuan's head, capable of piercing the Nine Netherworlds and illuminating the universe...

It's just too damn real!!!

The ancient mirror hung high, its mirror surface suddenly erupting with ten thousand zhang of radiant light!

That golden light was no longer illusory; it had condensed into substance, transforming into concentrated sharp swords, dyeing half the sky into a blinding crimson gold!

Lu Yuan's tongue burst forth like spring thunder, the incantation descending like an imperial decree:

"Sun soul, moon essence, illuminate the eight extremes!"

"Primordial Beginning's talismanic decree, evil demons retreat!"

"Golden light swiftly appear, cover and protect the true person!"

Instantly, the rain of golden light swords shot forth from the ancient mirror, blanketing the sky and earth as they concentrated their fire towards Shen Jizhou!

Wherever the golden light passed, the air was scorched, emitting sizzling explosive sounds!

"This... he's going all out!"

A young Taoist priest below the stage changed color in terror.

The golden light was like a torrential downpour, sealing off every inch of space!

Shen Jizhou finally raised that hand of his.

His wide sleeve casually flicked, an extremely supple and tough vital energy transforming into an invisible barrier before him.

The rain of golden light swords crashed against that invisible barrier, yet not even a single ripple was stirred before they were completely crushed and dissipated!

His voice remained calm, even carrying a hint of condescending approval:

"Visualization is passable, the ritual tool is also top-tier."

"But your mind is too hasty, your energy not concentrated. A pity."

This "a pity" was unclear whether it was judging Lu Yuan or judging that ancient mirror.

Lu Yuan paid no heed, his killing move arriving again!

He moved both hands simultaneously, his left hand's five fingers gathering into his palm, only the middle finger standing upright to the sky.

His right hand used the ring finger to hook the middle finger, the index finger firmly pressing down on the ring finger, forming an extremely complex seal.

Below the stage, an old Taoist priest's breathing suddenly hitched, his voice dry as he squeezed out a few words:

"Five Thunders Seal... this is the supreme righteous method for summoning all five thunders!"

Before his words faded, another ritual tool shot through the air, suspending itself before Lu Yuan.

It was a token with a black base and red patterns, densely inscribed with the true-form talismanic scripts of the Five Directions Thunder Gods!

The moment the token appeared in the world, heaven and earth suddenly lost their color!

The already gloomy sky now churned with black clouds like ink, a fierce wind howling!

Deep within the cloud layers, thick electric light rolled and surged like imprisoned dragons!

"Five Thunders Command Token??!"

"Legend has it, evolved from the personal command banners passed down by successive Celestial Masters of the Celestial Master's Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain, capable of commanding the Thunder Department generals of the five directions!"

"This one... should also be fake, right..."

"But... but the celestial phenomena it's stirring..."

"How the hell does it seem even more real than the real thing?!!"

At this moment, everyone below the stage, including Shen Jizhou on the arena, was completely dumbfounded.

These ritual tools that only existed in legend should be replicas!

Absolutely!

If they were genuine, the appearance of any single one would be enough to stir up earth-shattering waves in the Taoist community!

There was simply no reason for them to appear simultaneously in the hands of an unknown nobody like Lu Yuan!

But...

Even if they were all replicas, the power they erupted with was, piece by piece, that of top-tier ritual tools!!

This kid...

Just how many top-tier ritual tools does this kid have?!

Any one of these things is enough to be a sect's mountain-guarding treasure. How does a mere One-Star Celestial Master like him possess so many at once?!

Lu Yuan, however, turned a deaf ear to the tsunami-like sounds of shock and terror around him.

His right hand tightly gripped the token, his left hand forming the Five Thunders Seal, and he slapped it fiercely towards the token!

"First Thunder, East, Zhen!"

"Second Thunder, South, Li!"

"Third Thunder, West, Dui!"

"Fourth Thunder, North, Kan!"

"Fifth Thunder, Center, Earth of Wu and Ji!"

"Thunder Duke, Lightning Mother, Wind Lord, Rain Master, swiftly descend with true essence, urgently as the law decrees!"

Rumble—

On the arena platform, five distinctly different thunderclaps exploded out of thin air!

Five divine thunderbolts of different colors tore through the void, crashing down!!

The Eastern Green Thunder transformed into a soaring azure dragon!

The Southern Crimson Thunder condensed into a spreading-winged fire phoenix!

The Western White Thunder roared into a sky-devouring white tiger!

The Northern Black Thunder manifested as a sea-treading black tortoise!

The Central Yellow Thunder stepped forth as an auspicious qilin!

The five thunder divine beasts interwove into an absolute killing net, completely sealing off all of Shen Jizhou's escape routes!

The people below the stage looked at this apocalyptic scene, their minds and spirits shattered.

"The great accomplishment manifestation of the Five Thunders Righteous Method!"

"This level of power, even a Four-Star Celestial Master might not be able to achieve it instantly!"

"It's that token! That token is amplifying it!"

"No... the more I look at these things of his, the more they seem like the real deal!!"

The thunderbolts crashed down!

The entire arena platform shook violently!

The surrounding Taoist banners were torn to shreds by the fierce wind, flying everywhere!

The people below the stage scrambled back, rolling and crawling, afraid of being caught in the terrifying residual power!

Within the thunderous light, Shen Jizhou's figure flickered, uncertain.

Yet, he still used only that one hand.

That hand drew in the air before him, the finger movements seemingly slow and free, yet actually extremely fast. In the blink of an eye, he had already formed several mysterious seal characters.

Zi character, Chou character, Yin character, Mao character, Chen character, Si character...

Finally, the thumb firmly pressed against the middle segment of the middle finger, the palm concave inward, as if grasping a world of thunder!

Grasping Thunder Stance!

"Disperse."

He merely uttered a single word lightly.

No thunder light, no flames, not even a whisper of wind.

Yet, those five violent heavenly thunderbolts, crashing into that patch of void before his palm, were like clay oxen entering the sea, instantly swallowed and smoothed over by an indescribably terrifying force!

Not even a single ripple was stirred!

The terrifying counter-shock force surged back. Lu Yuan's chest felt as if struck by a heavy hammer. He retreated several steps in succession, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"Three moves have passed."

Shen Jizhou's voice came from within the gradually dissipating thunderous light, calm as if making casual conversation.

"You, what other means do you have?"

Below the stage, it was dead silent.

Everyone understood clearly that from beginning to end, Shen Jizhou had only been defending.

He had not taken the initiative to attack once, had not used a single magical treasure.

With just one hand, he had effortlessly neutralized this frenzied bombardment capable of annihilating top-tier evil entities!

However, after Lu Yuan steadied himself, not only was there not the slightest trace of fear in his eyes, but an even more insane flame ignited within them.

He raised his hand, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, and grinned.

That smile contained three parts madness, seven parts determination.

"Of course I have more. My top-tier ritual tools... are plentiful!"

"Aren't you the one who likes these top-tier ritual tools the most?"

"Do you dare to keep watching?!"

Lu Yuan's words carried endless provocation, but Shen Jizhou wasn't angry.

Instead, he raised an eyebrow with great interest and said:

"Oh?"

"There's more?"

"Keep bringing them out, let me see."

After speaking, Shen Jizhou placed his hand behind his back again.

This posture seemed to say he still wouldn't make a move, letting Lu Yuan calmly take out and use his top-tier ritual tools.

Letting Lu Yuan not worry about him suddenly attacking midway or something.

Within Lu Yuan's fierce gaze, a flash of joy passed by in an instant.

Then Lu Yuan suddenly bit the tip of his tongue, spraying a mouthful of vital essence blood onto the ritual altar before him!

The blood mist spread, actually condensing on its own in the air into one strange and mysterious talisman after another!

Immediately after, his hands' ten fingers intertwined and threaded through each other, forming an incredibly complex cage hand seal!

Lu Yuan chanted a spell hoarsely, his voice raspy yet carrying a strange rhythm:

"Heaven Net God, Earth Net God! Gold Net God, Iron Net God!"

With each phrase he chanted, a strand of blood overflowed from his mouth.

"Sun and Moon Net God, Water and Fire Net God!"

"By decree bind the ghost essence, regardless of high or low, twist and bind without mercy!"

As the incantation settled, a huge golden net condensed from pure magical power infinitely expanded from his palms, blanketing the sky and earth as it covered Shen Jizhou!

Within the net's meshes, countless talismans appeared and vanished in circulation, every single thread shimmering with a heart-palpitating golden light!

Simultaneously, he offered up another treasure!

It was an ancient bronze oil lamp, its flame no larger than a bean, yet it bloomed with seven-colored radiant light!

The moment the oil lamp appeared, the entire sky above the arena platform suddenly plunged into darkness!

As if daylight had been instantly swallowed, nightfall arrived early. Between heaven and earth, only that point of seven-colored light flickered and shone within the endless darkness!

"Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Seven Star Lamp?!"

The people below the stage were already numb. This was yet another thing that only existed in legend.

Of course...

This was definitely just similar in form, a replica.

It's just that... although it's just similar in form, a replica...

It's just that...

Without a doubt.

This damn thing is yet another top-tier ritual tool!!

No...

Where the hell did this kid get so many top-tier ritual tools?!

The key is, where is this kid pulling them out from?!

Wasn't this kid empty-handed when he went up just now?!

Besides, now that everyone has come back to their senses from Lu Yuan's dazzling array of ritual tools, they suddenly thought of something.

That is...

This Lu Yuan...

What exactly is he doing??

Is he really just relying on these top-tier ritual tools to defeat Shen Jizhou?

Why does it feel like he's showing off how many top-tier ritual tools he has??

Rather than actually wanting to use these top-tier ritual tools to defeat Shen Jizhou??

After making such a huge fuss, is this all he's after??

Why... does it feel...

Weird??