Chapter 353: Facing Off

Blood poured down like rain, severed limbs and broken bodies scattered everywhere.

And in merely the blink of an eye, another Jin Dan True Person met a miserable end, their soul and spirit completely dispersed.

Witnessing this scene.

Not only did uproar erupt throughout the Huzhao Sect camp, but most faces also bore a trace of shock and anger.

Even the forces of Yu Yu Yuchen were secretly astonished, a trace of heavy and solemnity appearing on their faces.

To defy and slay a Jin Dan cultivator while at the Dongxuan realm; such a feat was truly not easy.

And those capable of accomplishing such a thing could only be the true geniuses within the great sects and immortal gates.

Although these people from the Yu Yu Yuchen Dao lineage had previously heard of how formidable Chen Heng was.

Yet hearing something a hundred times ultimately does not compare to seeing it once.

Only now, having witnessed it with their own eyes, did they finally feel convinced in their hearts and mouths, inevitably giving rise to a feeling of looking up to a high mountain, their breath unconsciously halting for a moment.

"A mere two lower-grade Jin Dan cultivators, yet they still failed to force out his trump card methods; that Tai Su Yu Shen is the real major trouble..."

He He Lizi's gaze remained calm as he looked at that tall, jade-like figure in purple robes, frowning slightly while thinking silently to himself.

Judging from his previous experience fighting Chen Heng, He He Lizi was convinced that only by elevating his Sword Dao realm to the Di Liu Jing.

Could his killing power at that time easily break through the Tai Su Yu Shen, thereby completely suppressing Chen Heng!

And within the nine realms of the Sword Dao.

The first, third, and fifth utilize momentum; the fourth and sixth execute techniques; the seventh and ninth operate laws.

Techniques are stronger than momentum, while laws surpass techniques.

According to reason.

Only after cultivating to the seventh realm of the Sword Dao, reaching the realm of "operating laws."

Would a sword cultivator finally qualify to cultivate classic Sword Dao scriptures and practice those sword killing moves that open the Heavenly Gate, split the Earthly Door, separate the clear from the turbid, and encompass all phenomena!

However, exceptions inevitably exist in all things.

For those who possess unique talent in the Sword Dao.

Even if they have not reached the Di Qi Jing, but are only at the sixth realm of the Sword Dao.

Relying on their superior root nature, these people could still barely employ one or two sword moves.

He He Lizi had never doubted his own talent in the Sword Dao.

And he firmly believed in his own ability.

He must be one of those exceptions!

Furthermore, he had always kept in mind, never daring to forget, his defeat at Chen Heng's hands during the Four Academies Grand Competition, which allowed Chen Heng to snatch the title of champion.

For this reason, He He Lizi had specifically requested the "Bai Hu Seven Killing Sword Sutra" from the Dao Record Hall.

This was precisely so that after cultivating to the sixth realm of the Sword Dao, he could learn several sword moves from within it to protect himself.

At that time, he would fight Chen Heng again and wipe away his past shame!

However, attaining the sixth realm of the Sword Dao was by no means easy; even with He He Lizi's talent, he had only vaguely touched upon a few threads and clues, which were not yet clear.

He still needed a period of uninterrupted Ku Gong before he could barely see the path ahead clearly.

At this moment, as He He Lizi gazed across the distance at Chen Heng's back, a soaring sharp intent suddenly rose within his heart.

Causing the flying sword at his brow to tremble slightly, as if it could not help but break free from his body and fly into his hand.

"With such a strong hand existing within the sect to sharpen my sword edge, it is truly a fortunate event! Once I form my pill, you and I shall have another final reckoning!"

He He Lizi declared silently in his heart.

And at this time.

While the various cultivators present each harbored their own thoughts.

Inside the Xuanluojindian, Tao Zhen's expression also sank slightly.

But before he could speak, a voice suddenly rang out from below the steps:

"Senior Uncle, allow me to exit the formation and kill him; how can the dignity of Huzhao be allowed to be trampled underfoot by a mere brat?

If we do not eliminate him, allowing a mere Dongxuan Refiner to suppress everyone above and below from daring to accept the challenge, would not this matter become utterly shameful once spread abroad!"

Tao Zhen raised his old eyes and saw that the speaker wore a tall crown and magnificent robes, possessed an imposing manner, and had eyes bright as cold stars, radiating an inherent awe-inspiring presence.

After pondering for a moment.

Tao Zhen slowly shook his head and said:

"Fu Ling, you are ultimately a Jin Dan True Person of our sect; your status is different from those of the Dao lineage members.

If you exit the formation, it will inevitably give the impression of bullying the small with the large, which is quite undignified."

Upon hearing this, the Huzhao Sect True Person named Fu Ling still felt somewhat indignant.

Tao Zhen, however, waved his hand, cutting off the words Fu Ling had not yet spoken, and stated calmly:

"I know you are displeased in your heart, but the face lost today can be personally retrieved in three months' time; you have all already mastered the Goujiao Miaomen Array Diagram, and for Yu Yu Yuchen disciples to pass such a difficult obstacle is truly not easy.

Plus, with Gu Yi still on our side, our chance of victory is indeed far greater than theirs!

Since this is the case.

Why must you care too much about today's events?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Ling fell silent for a long while; finally, though still unwilling, he could only clasp his hands and agree under Tao Zhen's gaze.

"If Junior Sister Gu Yi were here, how could she allow this youth to show off his power and prestige before the two sects! Alas, let us just allow him to be triumphant for a moment..."

Fu Ling sighed helplessly in his heart and spoke.

Regarding his words, Tao Zhen nodded slightly but did not say much more.

Although Chen Heng had always been famous far and wide, with a rather resounding reputation.

Recently, at the Four Courtyards Grand Competition hosted by Yu Yu Yuchen, he overwhelmed numerous powerful opponents to claim first place, becoming yet another fresh topic of conversation.

But Gu Yi was not inferior in the slightest.

So much so that, when discussed in detail,

her reputation actually surpassed Chen Heng's by a notch!

As early as her Purple Mansion stage, she was already a famous name on the New Year's Review.

Now, she ranks second among the Dongxuan realm experts, surpassed only by Yin Yin Wuji of the Wenhuang Sect.

While killing a Jin Dan expert from the Dongxuan realm is certainly formidable, and Chen Heng's methods today can be called stunning to all present,

for Gu Yi, this matter would not be difficult.

As early as the Battle of Wu Gong Mountain several years ago, Gu Yi nearly killed Zheng Jia, then ranked fifth among Dongxuan experts, and Pei Han Zhang, ranked ninth, right on the battlefield.

Had their masters behind them not rescued them in time, exerting great magic power to force Gu Yi back from afar,

fear is that after that battle, two names would have simply vanished from the Dongxuan New Year's Review.

The Zhongtian Dou Shu Sect and the Jiuzhen Sect would also have lost two outstanding disciples...

And with such brilliant battle achievements to her credit,

whether Tao Zhen, Fu Ling, or others,

all these people of the Huzhao faction believed utterly in Gu Yi's capabilities!

In Fu Ling's expectation, although Chen Heng was formidable, if he faced Gu Yi, at best he could only use the Sword Escape method to save his own life.

If he was even slightly careless,

ending up severely injured was by no means impossible...

"Let Yu Yu Shitong enjoy his triumph for a few days."

At this moment,

after taking a deep look at Chen Heng,

Tao Zhen did not linger; with a single thought, he activated the mechanisms within the hall.

High in the vast sky,

only a loud boom was heard.

When they looked up, that towering Xuanluojindian, majestic as a great mountain, spun suddenly in mid-air and flew toward the extreme heavens, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

And with the retreat of the Xuanluojindian,

the flying boats, painted towers, demon soldiers, and mighty warriors of the Huzhao faction naturally followed suit, fleeing one after another.

In just an instant, the dense, grim demonic qi filling the sky began to faintly dissipate,

gradually receding like the ebbing tide of the sea...

"Old Devil Tao Zhen, was proposing a duel before the army not your idea, you scoundrel? Why, now that matters have come to this, do you leave without saying goodbye?

If I were you, I would immediately return to my sect's mountain gate and dash my head against the Chasm of Hatred; how could you still have the face to show yourself to others!"

Inside the Yujing Yujing Feigong,

seeing this scene, Yu Yu Shitong laughed loudly and shouted sternly:

"You brat, do not get arrogant and wild; just wait three months and see if you can still smile as you do today!"

From the distant cloudy skies,

Tao Zhen's cold voice drifted over, shaking the chests of the cultivators until they were short of breath, sounding like a dragon-elephant roaring in anger:

"However, since we have already treated the Wei Yong Kingdom as a chessboard, letting the two sects divide the river as a boundary and fight north versus south, neither you nor I may interfere in the slightest!

During this period, this old man will be watching you!"

Yu Yu Shitong shook his head slightly:

"Not to mention being bound by a Dharma contract; even with merely a verbal agreement, I, Yu, am by no means an untrustworthy person.

It is you, Tao Zhen, who should beware that when the time comes, because too many Huzhao disciples have died or been injured, you yourself cannot endure it and jump out prematurely."

After snorting coldly, Tao Zhen transmitted no further words.

And at this time,

seeing that the Huzhao side had actually retreated voluntarily,

Chen Heng collected all the belongings left behind by the two Jin Dan True Persons, Wang Qi and Wang Yi, without leaving a single item behind.

He then raised a streak of sword light and flew back to the main hall of the Yujing Yujing Feigong.

The moment his sword light landed in the main hall,

everyone inside the hall rose to welcome him.

Even Yu Yu Shitong descended from the jade steps, nodding slightly, a trace of a smile on his face.

"Chen Chen Shidi, excellent methods, excellent ability!"

Wang Sen looked deeply at Chen Heng and sighed with emotion:

"Forcing back an entire sect with the power of one person; once news of today's events spreads, Chen Chen Shidi's fame will likely spread throughout the vast Dongmi again!"

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Wang jokes; this is truly the achievement of all my fellow disciples, and I, Chen, dare not claim credit for it.

Without all of you providing support and pressure from the sides, with my own abilities, I would be far from able to force back the Huzhao cultivators."

Chen Heng smiled, performed a bow with fists clasped, and spoke modestly.

"These demonic path thieves are indeed arrogant; clearly they have already lost enough face today, yet upon leaving, they still insist on uttering some grandiose words; how stubborn their mouths are!"

Deng Deng Yunji sneered coldly, saying disdainfully:

"I actually want to see who will lose and who will win after three months!"

"I know the character of the old devil Tao Zhen; throughout his life, he rarely takes risks, mostly deciding only after careful planning; he is one of my greatest enemies in life.

Since he dares to proclaim that disciples of the two sects should fight each other, and even puts forward Danpu and Zhongqu, the two countries under Huzhao rule, as stakes, he must have prepared a backup plan."

Upon hearing this, Yu Yu Shitong shook his head, his voice turning slightly solemn as he offered a reminder:

"Chen Chen Shidi Deng, weapons show no mercy; you must never be careless, for it is always right to exercise extra caution."

Although Deng Deng Yunji did not agree in his heart, he did not treat it as a matter of great importance.

Yet on the surface, he still agreed, avoiding any argument with Yu Yu Shitong.

"Chen Chen Shidi has worked hard; you have upheld the dignity of Yu Yu Yuchen, and for this occasion, you deserve the Shou Gong!"

After shifting his gaze away from Deng Deng Yunji,

Yu Yu Shitong looked toward Chen Heng, releasing a strand of Jin Jin Guang from his hand as he praised:

"This Spirit-Shifting Mirror and the Coiled Dragon Halberd must be the fortune-guarding treasures of Snake-Longshan; there is no telling what methods that Daoist lineage might possess to recall these two magical artifacts.

I shall first impose a magical prohibition upon them to seal off their spiritual resonance.

Once you return to the Xiaoming Great Marsh, you can slowly refine them at your leisure; thus, everything will be perfectly secure."

Within the Xian Dao Fa tradition, magical artifacts surpass talismanic devices by a margin.

Regarding their quality, they are likewise divided into upper, middle, and lower grades.

However, rare treasures of the Daoist path that have already spawned true consciousness, with artifact spirits whose wisdom differs not a whit from living humans, are not easily obtained.

Even among those in the Golden Core Realm,

not every Daoist True Person possesses a magical artifact.

Yet today, Chen Heng slew the two True Persons of Snake-Longshan, Wang Qi and Wang Yi, in formation, unexpectedly acquiring two magical artifacts at once.

To onlookers, this was truly extraordinary luck.

Based on this harvest alone,

it was worth all the toil and trouble of this journey!

However, one knows one's own affairs best.

Through his earlier inspection, Chen Heng had already learned that although the Spirit-Shifting Mirror and the Coiled Dragon Halberd were both magical artifacts,

the latter's prohibitions were incomplete, and even the artifact spirit within was muddled and confused, appearing utterly devoid of sense and completely beyond communication.

As early as when Wang Yi activated this Coiled Dragon Halberd,

Chen Heng had faintly sensed that although the halberd made a great show of force, it subtly felt like something strong on the outside but weak within.

Only after taking it in hand and briefly inspecting it did he realize the Coiled Dragon Halberd was in such a state, causing him to shake his head inwardly.

A magical artifact worn down to such an extent

could, if judged truly, be considered only slightly superior to an upper-grade talismanic device.

To restore it to its original condition would be exceedingly difficult, nearly impossible.

Therefore, although Chen Heng had successfully obtained the two magical artifacts, the Spirit-Shifting Mirror and the Coiled Dragon Halberd, only the former was actually usable.

As for the latter,

it was merely a decoration.

At this moment, when Yu Yu Shitong raised his hand and released a strand of Jin Jin Guang,

the Coiled Dragon Halberd within Chen Heng's sleeve showed no change, remaining motionless and unresponsive.

As for the Spirit-Shifting Mirror, which had been struggling restlessly, its entire body suddenly dimmed, revealing the mirror's true form, and it instantly fell silent.

"Thank you, Xiao Xiao Shixiong Yu, for your assistance."

Although Chen Heng could have suppressed the Spirit-Shifting Mirror with his own true qi, doing so would inevitably consume his strength.

Since Yu Yu Shitong was willing to act, Chen Heng had no reason to refuse; he bowed openly with clasped hands and accepted this kindness.

"Why should Chen Chen Shidi be so polite?"

Yu Yu Shitong shook his head with a smile.

After exchanging a few more words

and once the various cultivators had resumed their seats,

Yu Yu Shitong also drew a jade talisman from his sleeve and passed it down for everyone to examine.

"I suspect that during the confrontation between the two sects' forces, Tao Zhen will certainly play tricks; we must guard against it, so all junior brothers must commit this method to memory,"

Yu Yu Shitong said.

By now, Wang Sen had finished reading the jade talisman and passed it over.

Chen Heng raised his hand to receive it, directed his mind inward to inspect it, and after a few breaths, understood its contents before passing the jade talisman to Shen Cheng beside him.

The jade talisman contained only one technique, called the "Spirit Treasure Great Refining Soul-Casting Method."

It required first establishing an altar and placing it where feng shui and earth veins converge, sending a Daoist to worship and recite scriptures day and night, using true qi and heart's blood for empowerment,

taking the Qi of True Unity as the essence, quicksilver as the marrow within the bones, and the union of yin and yang as the key.

Only after waiting for seven times seven, totaling forty-nine days,

would a "Demon-Quelling Divine General" manifest within the altar.

Although this Divine General possessed a lifespan of only one day and night, turning to dust and vanishing completely after that time had passed,

its magic power and abilities were not to be underestimated; it was extremely formidable!

Although Yu Yu Shitong and Tao Zhen had sworn oaths not to interfere directly in the battle,

this "Demon-Quelling Divine General" exploited a loophole, subtly drilling through a gap, and thus did not count as breaking their oath.

"Is Xiao Xiao Shixiong being too cautious?"

Deng Deng Yunji shook his head slightly at this moment, frowning as he said:

"This—"

"Even when a lion hunts a rabbit, it uses its full strength; if Huzhao Sect were to gain control of Yu Yang Kingdom, I would find it difficult to explain matters to Xiao Xiao Shixiong Zhan."

Yu Yu Shitong raised a hand to cut off Deng Master Yuanji's words, slowly rose to his feet, gazed at the crowd, and stated solemnly:

"I, Yu, will say no more... In this battle, there shall only be victory; defeat is not permitted!"

At these words, Chen Heng and the others' expressions tightened slightly; they rose and declared:

"We dare not fail to give our lives!"

Their voices rumbled like thunder, spreading beyond the Zhudian, provoking the outer sect disciples and Daoist practitioners in the Piandian to loudly echo the sentiment.

For a moment.

The strong winds in the vast sky were suddenly whipped into a frenzy, the reverberations unceasing!

Over a month later.

Weiyong Kingdom, Shuojiang.

Bao Xian gripped the golden brick in his hand until his knuckles turned white; looking at the situation before him, he felt his scalp go numb, and a sudden chill surged from the depths of his heart.

United

(End of Chapter)