Chapter 351: Duel of Generals

Chen Heng saw that the person flying out from the Xuanluojindian appeared to be around thirty years of age.

He wore a green gauze single-character headscarf and a Guanyang Precious Robe with wide sleeves, holding a fly-whisk in his hand.

His appearance was indeed uncommon, possessing an air of transcendence and a drifting aura.

At this moment, he stood upon a layer of emerald-green escape light, smooth and greasy like mutton-fat cream, and bowed with clasped fists to the cultivators of Yu Yu Yuchen before him, smiling as he said:

"I am Ruan Liang, a Dongxuan cultivator from Snake Longshan under the jurisdiction of Huzhaoshang Sect; I have long heard that the Dao methods of Yu Yu Yuchen are formidable and exquisite, and I, Ruan, am itching with desire.

Today happens to be an excellent opportunity; I wonder which Daoist brother of Yu Yu Yuchen would step forward to offer some instruction?"

Yu Yu Shitong first glanced at the challenging Ruan Liang, then turned his gaze to Tao Zhen and laughed:

"You old demon indeed have leisure; are you intending to imitate the warfare of mortal dynasties by conducting a duel of generals before the army?"

"With nothing else to do, it does no harm to observe the capabilities of the younger disciples."

Tao Zhen said:

"Of course, Yu Yu Shitong, if you dare not, this old man will certainly not force anyone; let us each withdraw then, to marshal our troops and prepare for battle."

"This provocation tactic is truly too clumsy; since you are so eager to suffer humiliation, this True Person is not one who lacks reason, so I shall grant your wish!"

Yu Yu Shitong shook his head, looked into the hall, and declared:

"All disciples, hear my order: whoever can slay this villain for me, this True Person shall credit them with one merit!"

This voice was vast as a heavenly mountain peak, seeming to ring in the ears of all Yu Yu Yuchen cultivators, rumbling and echoing, causing their hearts to involuntarily tighten!

And as soon as this sound emerged.

Those of Yu Yu Yuchen within the Zhudian remained largely unmoved.

But the Dao-pulse cultivators in the Piandian were mostly exhilarated, a trace of joy floating between their brows as they eagerly prepared to act.

"Xiang Qiong of Stone Seal Observatory volunteers to serve True Person Yu!"

Before long, a high-pitched voice rang out first.

Immediately, a streak of cyan escape light shot suddenly into the sky, revealing the figure of a sword-carrying Daoist from within.

"Does this person cultivate the Sword Dao as well?"

Ruan Liang of Snake Longshan, who had issued the challenge, saw that Xiang Qiong's entire aura was sharp, like an unsheathed long sword, radiating a chilling cold.

Moreover, the long sword carried on his back shimmered with brilliant treasure light, clearly an uncommon talismanic artifact, so he secretly thought to himself that he now understood.

Nevertheless, he felt no fear in his heart, merely raising a slight degree of caution.

In Sword Dao cultivation, only upon reaching the Di Si Jing and achieving the method of 'body and sword as one,' allowing the use of sword escape, does a sword cultivator truly display their power.

They become a grave threat to many cultivators, truly overwhelmingly powerful!

As for cultivators below the fourth realm, although they can refine sword qi to dwell within their bodies, it is at most merely a formidable technique.

Although troublesome.

It is not without methods of resistance...

And very soon.

After the two exchanged brief courtesies.

That Xiang Qiong of Stone Seal Observatory finally could not endure, letting out a light shout first, forming a seal with his fingers, whereupon the long sword behind him rang with a 'Zheng!', transforming into a streak of sword rainbow that slashed toward Ruan Liang's neck!

"A minor Daoist; just watch how I step on your head to elevate my fame!"

Ruan Liang smiled inwardly, flicked his sleeve, and released dozens of stone pellets that circled around his body.

This was a set of talismanic artifacts called Mother-and-Child Flying Spirit Stones, a unique technique of Snake Longshan.

They could be used not only for attack and defense, among other purposes.

In desperate situations, one could even detonate their outer shells to release the hidden wisp of 'Snake Dragon Divine Smoke' concealed within the stones, used to defile true qi and talismanic artifacts.

Extremely powerful.

Rarely failing!

For a time, the sword rainbow darted back and forth, now east, now west.

Sparking against the dozens of stone pellets, creating brilliant points of fire that scattered wildly, falling like colorful rain.

Yet no matter how hard Xiang Qiong exerted himself, dancing his flying sword into a ball of silver light.

He could do nothing against those Mother-and-Child Flying Spirit Stones, which always intercepted the flying sword steadily at the critical moment, preventing it from entering the area around Ruan Liang.

The situation thus fell slightly into a stalemate.

For a time.

Victory or defeat was hard to distinguish.

"If this Xiang Qiong of Stone Seal Observatory intends to fight a protracted battle, aiming to exhaust his true qi to defeat that Ruan Liang, then this is feasible.

I observe that his face is filled with clear qi; his Dao foundation should be superior to Ruan Liang's."

Inside the Yujing Feigong, watching the battle outside, Shen Cheng shook his head slightly and said to Chen Heng:

"In Brother Chen's view, between this Xiang Qiong and Ruan Liang, who will win and who will lose?"

"If competing in true qi, Xiang Qiong would naturally surpass Ruan Liang by a margin; however, battles between such cultivators usually involve using one's own strengths to attack the other's weaknesses."

Chen Heng said:

"Presumably, that Ruan Liang also knows he loses in terms of Dao foundation, so he will certainly refuse to engage Xiang Qiong in a prolonged struggle."

Hearing this, Shen Cheng gained some interest and cast his gaze back to the sky.

And in merely a few breaths' time, Ruan Liang suddenly formed a dharma seal, causing several of the Mother-and-Child Flying Spirit Stones currently entangled with the flying sword to tremble lightly.

In the blink of an eye, cracks appeared, and they exploded violently!

Following a 'Boom—'.

Several streams of fishy smoke surged up fiercely, piercing the atmosphere and wrapping directly around the flying sword, fast as thunder and lightning!

Dyeing the entire sky yellow and black, appearing extremely foul and turbid!

Ruan Liang's move was utterly unexpected; before many could even react, their flying swords were already swallowed by the foul smoke, leaving them inwardly astonished.

"Success!"

On a bone-white flying boat.

Witnessing this scene, several cultivators from Snake-Longshan secretly clenched their fists, their faces flushing with excitement.

The reason the Mother-and-Child Flying Spirit Stones are such a formidable technique for Snake-Longshan cultivators is not merely that their material is hard enough to clash directly with flying swords without suffering the slightest damage.

It is also because within every single Mother-and-Child Flying Spirit Stone hides a wisp of "Snake-Dragon Divine Smoke."

This smoke is not easy to refine; it requires various iron sands, poisonous creatures, and the refined souls of humans and beasts as its primary ingredients.

Once released, it can easily corrode a cultivator's true qi and physical body; it is insidiously poisonous beyond measure!

Xiang Qiong and Ruan Liang had already fought for a long time, yet they had consistently relied solely on flying sword techniques to attack and kill.

If Xiang Qiong's flying sword could be tainted, it would be tantamount to severing one of his arms!

Then the final outcome of this match.

Would need no further explanation...

Moreover, today's battle was no ordinary affair; it implicitly concerned the reputation of True Persons from both sects, and Ruan Liang was fighting the first match.

If he could achieve victory, not only would he make a name for himself, but he might also satisfy Tao Zhen, causing him to silently commit the name "Snake-Longshan" to memory.

At that time.

Only then would there truly be inexhaustible benefits to reap!

And amidst the hopes of the crowd of Snake-Longshan Daoists.

In just a few breaths' time.

That turbid smoky light was blown apart by the gale, revealing the appearance of the flying sword within...

"How can this be?"

A Snake-Longshan Daoist exclaimed in shock, inwardly astonished.

They saw that Xiang Qiong's flying sword remained perfectly intact, its spiritual light bright and pure, utterly untainted in form or substance by the "Snake-Dragon Divine Smoke."

Focusing their gaze to observe closely, they saw a spiritual leaf, the size of a fingertip, fluttering around the flying sword, emitting auspicious clouds.

Its demeanor was vast, ethereal, and misty, seeming capable of causing evil spirits to melt and crumble, exuding an aura of pure tranquility.

"Although these Mother-and-Child Flying Spirit Stones are your Snake-Longshan's secret technique, with few knowing their inner workings, unfortunately, a senior of my Stone Seal Observatory was once secretly harmed by such sinister and treacherous means.

Before that venerable one sat in meditation and passed away at the end of his lifespan, he left words instructing us juniors to be on guard against such things."

Xiang Qiong smiled with self-satisfaction; his flying sword let out a whistling cry, shaking apart the cloudy mist once more as it slashed swiftly toward Ruan Liang:

"Now that your little scheme has been seen through, what can you do? Why not quickly bind your hands and surrender!"

"So he received a warning; no wonder..."

When Ruan Liang saw that the sudden strike of the "Snake-Dragon Divine Smoke" had failed to achieve success, he was not surprised.

He merely snapped his fingers, launching several more Mother-and-Child Flying Spirit Stones to meet the flying sword head-on.

Although the method of hiding deadly qi within these stone pellets is secretive, in the eyes of great sects and noble clans, it is nothing more than a minor trick.

Over many years, it has also become widely known.

That Xiang Qiong could see through his intentions was therefore not strange.

After fighting for several more exchanges, Ruan Liang finally seized a lapse in the circulation of Xiang Qiong's qi mechanism; without hesitation.

He raised his hand and slashed out a beam of yellow light, decisively striking Xiang Qiong down from the cloud peak!

Had he not been protected by a treasure robe, Xiang Qiong, under this strike, would likely have lost more than half his life even if he did not die.

"Brother Xiang of Stone Seal Observatory, I thank you for yielding."

Ruan Liang had originally intended to press his advantage and slay Xiang Qiong on the spot now that he had been knocked down from the clouds.

However, he saw this person hastily pull out several talismans, slap them onto his body, recall his flying sword, and hurriedly flee toward the Yu Yu Yuchen camp.

Under such circumstances.

It was clearly impossible to catch up.

He thus suppressed the killing intent in his heart, let out a loud laugh, elegantly swept his escape light around, and returned to the Huzhao Sect side without the slightest hesitation.

"This Xiang Qiong of Stone Seal Observatory is truly a complete fool!

Clearly his Dao Foundation is superior to that Ruan Liang's, yet he only cared about showing off, relying purely on flying sword techniques to confront the enemy; with such amateur skills, does he dare to present himself and invite ridicule?!"

Gazing at Xiang Qiong's figure fleeing in a sorry state.

Inside the Yujing Feigong's Zhudian.

Deng Deng Yunji sneered coldly, speaking with disdain.

Another Jin Dan True Person, Wang Sen, also shook his head, remaining silent.

"I have heard this name, Xiang Qiong; this person is not much older than Chen Chen Shidi, having been raised since childhood amidst the utmost doting care of the elders in the observatory, accustomed to hearing nothing but flattery.

Today's affair is due to his overestimation of himself..."

Wang Sen sighed and said.

As for Yu Yu Shitong at the main seat, his expression showed no change; he remained indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

As for the Huzhao Sect camp.

Seeing that it was actually Ruan Liang returning victorious.

Jin Jin Shanxin felt a slight surprise inwardly, inevitably arousing some curiosity.

"The Dao lineages are by no means lacking in geniuses and outstanding talents; Chen Chen Shidi must not underestimate them too greatly. Although this Ruan Liang won one match, it amounts to nothing.

Within that Snake-Longshan, there is truly a significant figure!"

Seeing Jin Jin Shanxin's appearance.

The Daoist in hemp robes smiled slightly and said:

"For instance, the eldest disciple of this generation from Snake Longshan, Tang Du, has been taken under the wing of the Sect's Cang Jin Guang True Person due to his meritorious campaigns and an even more unyieldly firm disposition.

In a few days, he will enter the Lower Courtyard for cultivation as an exceptional case, gaining a proper status!

Given his capabilities, it is a certainty that he will leave the Lower Courtyard next year to become a true Huzhao disciple.

If Chen Chen Shidi is inclined, you might as well befriend him; since he is destined to be one of us, establishing a connection in advance will surely lead to no mistakes."

"Tang Du? That this man, a disciple of the Dao lineage, has gained the favor of an Upper Sect True Person is indeed strange..."

Hearing this, Jin Jin Shanxin felt a chill in his heart, secretly committing the name to memory, then hurriedly bowed his thanks to the hemp-robed Daoist.

Meanwhile.

After Ruan Liang rode his escape light back to the White Bone Flying Boat.

He first cupped his fists to thank his fellow disciples from Snake Longshan, then dared not delay, quickly flicking his sleeve as he moved to the center of the deck, bowing deeply to a yellow-robed Daoist and saying:

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Tang Du, I have not failed my mission; that this battle succeeded is largely thanks to Xiao Xiao Shixiong's guidance!"

Hearing this, Tang Du smiled and waved his hand:

"This was your own capability; what does it have to do with me? No need for such formalities; just watch this duel of generals!"

Ruan Liang hurriedly answered yes, standing with hands hanging at his sides beside Tang Du, his demeanor respectful.

After Ruan Liang and Xiang Qiong had each withdrawn.

Both Huzhao and Yu Yu Yuchen sent disciples flying out to form their lines.

Wins and losses were exchanged, with no lack of deaths and injuries.

Finally, after a surname-Sun disciple from the Chen Qingyang Lower Courtyard, possessing formidable Xue Xuan Gong and powerful protective talismanic artifacts, successively slew two Huzhao Lower Courtyard disciples.

At the White Bone Flying Boat, Tang Du could finally endure no longer.

Letting out a cold laugh, he transformed into a ghastly, sinister light that shot straight into the sky, confronting that surname-Sun disciple from across the void.

"Make your move!"

Without waiting for the surname-Sun disciple to say anything more, Tang Du casually waved his hand and spoke.

"You demonic thieves have great audacity!"

Hearing this, the surname-Sun disciple was startled, his expression sinking slightly, yet he spoke no further words.

Opening his mouth, he spat out a Small Thunder Seal, which unleashed dozens of fire thunderbolts to fiercely strike down upon Tang Du!

Tang Du smiled disdainfully, activating his Mo Gong, causing the bones throughout his body to crackle loudly.

In but an instant, he transformed into a demonic monster several tens of zhang tall, with horns growing from his head, heavy scales covering his entire body, resembling both a dragon and a snake.

Facing the incoming fire thunder, Tang Du neither dodged nor avoided; he merely crossed his arms, effortlessly blocking all the fire thunderbolts.

Immediately, fierce light solidified within his pupils and shot out, piercing the vast sky in an instant.

Had the surname-Sun disciple not dodged in time, half his skull would likely have been sliced away!

"Such formidable Mo Gong..."

Startled, the surname-Sun disciple hurriedly activated several more talismanic artifacts and urged his precious robe, steadying his spirit to fight Tang Du.

But not long after.

Only a miserable scream was heard.

Tang Du exerted force with his arm, tearing the surname-Sun disciple's corpse along with his precious robe cleanly in two, staining the vast sky with blood!

"With such trifling cultivation, you dare come forward to make a fool of yourself?"

Tang Du casually tossed the remains down from the cloud head, snorted in ridicule, and shook his head.

His Fuzuo Sect demeanor also enraged the Yu Yu Yuchen Lower Courtyard disciples.

Soon, another long-bearded Daoist flew out to engage Tang Du in combat.

But within merely a few dozen exchanges.

That long-bearded Daoist was also struck by a fist that crushed his internal organs, dying a miserable death.

Then came a third person.

A fourth...

Until Tang Du had array-slain four Lower Courtyard disciples, the ferocious light in his eyes grew ever more intense.

At this moment, within the Yu Jing Yujing Feigong.

Wang Sen finally could not remain seated.

"This Tang Du from Snake Longshan has formidable methods and has been specially refined by a high expert; with his capabilities, he is not in the least inferior to a true Huzhao disciple.

To restrain him, unless several Junior Brothers personally go out, any Lower Courtyard member facing him would simply be sending themselves to their death!"

Wang Sen rose from his meditation cushion and spoke to Yu Yu Shitong:

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Yu, perhaps—"

"Chen Chen Shidi, you go and slay him, and while you are at it, dampen Huzhao's prestige."

Yu Yu Shitong interrupted calmly, looking at Chen Heng and speaking a single sentence:

"This True Person is already tired of watching these jumping clowns flaunt their power here.

Since the old demon Tao Zhen wishes for a duel of generals before the array, I shall accomplish everything in one stroke, employ no tricks, and thoroughly crush their sharp spirit!"

These words carried a fierce, cruel killing intent, pressing against the face like gleaming Bai Ren.

It caused both Wang Sen and Deng Master Yuanji to feel a slight chill in their hearts, unable to avoid a sense of awe.

"Chen Heng accepts the order."

Hearing this, Chen Heng smiled slightly, rose from his meditation cushion, performed a salute to Yu Yu Shitong, then transformed into a streak of sword light and vanished in an instant.

At this moment, before the arrays of the two sects, Tang Du had just finished wiping the scattered bloodstains from his face.

Suddenly his vision blurred, and immediately a handsome Daoist in purple robes and a golden crown appeared on the distant cloud head.

This person possessed a lofty and penetrating divine bearing, noble, simple, magnificent, and strange; his sleeves fluttered gracefully, dancing with the wind, his demeanor so outstanding he seemed like an immortal, unlike any ordinary worldly person.

"Chen Heng?!"

The hemp-robed Daoist's pupils contracted sharply upon seeing the newcomer, unable to hide his shock:

"He has come too?"

Jin Jin Shanxin also frowned deeply, taking an involuntary step backward.

For a moment, low whispers and discussions rose and fell throughout the Huzhao camp, many cultivators' eyes flashing with sharp light.

"Make your move."

Chen Heng paid no heed to those idle remarks, merely speaking faintly to Tang Du, who was wavering between shock and doubt.

"... We are all from the Dongxuan sect; moreover, I have personally undergone hair-plucking and marrow-washing by a True Person. Even if I cannot defeat you, what difficulty is there in holding out for a while? Do you truly think I fear you?!"

After hesitating for a moment,

unwilling to lose face before so many watching eyes,

Tang Du also let out an angry shout, summoning several talismanic artifacts and transforming a beam of sinister light, charging ruthlessly toward Chen Heng!

Yet before his figure had moved even ten feet, he felt a darkness descend upon his head.

Panicking, he raised his gaze, only to see Cui Wei Mountain, dozens of feet tall, tear through the clouds and press down with crushing, unparalleled force!

"The Four Mountains Duel..."

Though the mountain was condensed from true qi, belonging to the category of immortal arts and techniques,

yet upon it grew vegetation and dwelt birds and beasts; green fields and misty winds stirred, winds rose and waters surged.

It was truly no different from a natural mountain, making it difficult for anyone to distinguish the real from the fake!

After silently crying out in bitterness,

Tang Du also fiercely urged his Mo Gong to its limit, his body swelling once more as he roared aloud.

With both arms raised as if to support the heavens, he physically held up that pressing mountain!

And just as he neutralized this calamity,

before Tang Du could even breathe a sigh of relief or tear apart the mountain above his head,

Another explosive boom rang out in the cloudy sky, shards flying in all directions like hail tearing through the void, as another mountain slammed down viciously, like a meteor striking the earth, massive and heavy!

The two mountains collided in one spot.

Immediately, a ground-collapsing boom exploded, shaking Tang Du so violently that his vision blurred!

Then Chen Heng flicked his sleeve, and rays of Innate Great Sun Divine Light darted like flying arrows, sealing off Tang Du's escape routes.

"Not good! He is cutting off my path to life!"

Before Tang Du could be horrified by Chen Heng's action,

Another explosion erupted above his head, shards scattering like hail tearing through the void!

A third mountain!

A fourth!

A fifth!

After several tens of breaths of Shi Xi Gong had passed,

the continuous, thunderous explosions finally slowed and ceased.

The dozen or so overlapping mountains gradually dissipated with the wind, vanishing without a trace.

At this moment, the cultivators of Huzhao looked on in terror, seeing that where Tang Du had stood, only a deep, massive pit remained.

At the bottom of the pit, flesh and blood were a blurred mess, making it impossible to distinguish which part of Tang Du's torso was which.

Just like this,

he had died without a whole corpse!

"I yield to your superiority."

Chen Heng dispersed the hand seals in his palm, smiled slightly, and said.

United

(End of Chapter)