Ye Chen patted Chen Changsheng on the shoulder. “Third Junior Brother, this all goes back to the Martial Dao Great Emperor's Inheritance Secret Realm...” The promise made on those training steps!
Chen Changsheng’s face twitched. Did Ye Chen seriously think he didn’t know about that promise? His Divine Sense had been watching the entire spectacle unfold.
Ye Chen chuckled. “You won’t be able to avoid this, Third Junior Brother. They were defeated first by Senior Sister, and then by me. Their ‘desire for revenge’ is quite strong.”
Chen Changsheng sighed dramatically. “Fine. I accept.”
He already had a foolproof plan forming in his mind. He would show them a little something, just this once. He had to win! More importantly, he had to defeat these top True Disciples so thoroughly and so humiliatingly that they would never dare challenge him again. This was about permanently solving the problem.
Just then, the air exploded. Boom! Boom! Boom! Countless Divine Arcs surged from all directions across the distant sky, streaking toward Azure Mystery Peak like meteors tearing through the firmament, their light overwhelming.
Liu Xuan, graceful and alluring, her beautiful face framed by a captivating smile, rode a Divine Arc adorned with shimmering petals. Behind her, the numerous female disciples of Ethereal Peak followed, their robes fluttering, their steps light, radiating a soft, divine radiance.
On the other side, Luo Lingkong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his blue robes billowing. He flew on his sword, his terrifying sword intent tearing the very fabric of the sky. A hundred sword cultivators followed him, their sword qi like long rainbows, creating a majestic, surging presence.
“I’m here!” Fang Yan’s booming, rough voice echoed through the void. He was visibly excited, faint golden light swirling around his body. His physical power slammed against the air, producing a resounding clang. Behind him, hundreds of massive men charged forward, their towering physiques resembling small mountains, barreling through the air.
In addition to these three, top True Disciples from several other Spirit Peaks had also arrived! Most of them had emerged from their month-long seclusion. Having received Liu Xuan’s summons, they had all gathered here.
Over a thousand disciples filled the sky, densely packed, all staring down at Azure Mystery Peak.
Liu Xuan studied Chen Changsheng closely, a slight smile playing on her lips. This Chen Changsheng was unremarkable, appearing somewhat wooden and possessing the heavy, settled look of a middle-aged man. As the Sect Master had warned, he was indeed just an ordinary Profound Sovereign realm cultivator. A strange ripple passed through her heart. Judging by his appearance, he seemed like an honest, simple man.
While defeating Chen Changsheng might feel a little unfair, sparring with Lu Xuan’s disciples had become an ‘old tradition’ for the top True Disciples. Having been defeated by Ji Fuyao and then by Ye Chen, two psychological hurdles now stood in their way. If they couldn’t beat Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen, surely they could defeat this third disciple?
Lu Xuan, lounging in his recliner in front of the thatched hut, glanced at Liu Xuan and the others, offering a faint smile. “You all seem to have benefited nicely from your seclusion.”
Luo Lingkong had broken through to Profound Venerate Stage Five. Liu Xuan and Fang Yan had also reached Profound Venerate Stage Four! The overall cultivation level of the True Disciples had risen significantly.
Liu Xuan and the others bowed respectfully to Lu Xuan. “We must thank Peak Master Lu for this! When the Ten Halls were annihilated, Junior Sister Fuyao and Junior Brother Ye Chen shared a great deal of the cultivation resources with us.”
Lu Xuan nodded casually. He looked at Chen Changsheng. “Old Third, your turn.”
Chen Changsheng bowed respectfully to Liu Xuan, Luo Lingkong, and the others. Ye Chen smiled. “Esteemed Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, would you be willing to suppress your cultivation to the Profound Sovereign realm to spar with my Third Junior Brother?”
“It is only right,” Liu Xuan replied. Everyone immediately suppressed their cultivation to the Late-stage Profound Venerate realm!
Suddenly, the void tore open! Space twisted violently! The Sect Master and the Peak Masters appeared deep within the void, observing in secret. They, too, were eager to see Chen Changsheng’s combat strength. After all, how could someone chosen by that supreme magnate be ordinary?
The sparring began immediately. Fang Yan stepped forward first.
Boom!
Fang Yan landed on Azure Mystery Peak, stomping his massive foot. Brilliant golden light erupted around him, making his body appear indestructible. He chanted an incantation, and the power of his blood surged like a rushing river, his voice echoing like a great bell. “Solid as a Rock!”
After completing his defense, Fang Yan grinned. “Junior Brother Changsheng, I’ll give you the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. If you can break my defense, I lose.”
Chen Changsheng stood still, instantly plastering countless defensive talismans all over his body and activating them! They were all Profound Venerate-tier talismans, surging with brilliant divine light, completely enveloping Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng slowly replied, “Senior Brother Fang Yan, I will also give you the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. If you can break my defense, I lose.”
Silence descended. The onlookers exchanged glances. If they both just defended, they would never fight.
Liu Xuan parted her lips, smiling faintly. “Junior Brother Changsheng isn’t exactly cheating. Knowing you can’t win and choosing not to fight is a strategy in itself.”
Luo Lingkong shook his head dismissively. His internal assessment of Chen Changsheng dropped again. Ten points maximum, now five points. True cultivators should face life and death head-on. If you can’t win, you still fight to find out! Refusing to fight is a loss of heart before the battle even begins! This Chen Changsheng looked honest, but he was just relying on petty tricks. He was miles behind Junior Brother Ye Chen!
The Sect Master and the Peak Masters frowned slightly. Lu Xuan’s third disciple was proving to be quite unexpected.
Fang Yan and Chen Changsheng stood in a stalemate. Neither moved. Time slowly ticked by. Fang Yan thought: I’d like to see how long you can keep up this charade! But Chen Changsheng simply sat down cross-legged and began cultivating.
After a short while, Fang Yan finally snapped, his face turning crimson as he charged forward. “Junior Brother Changsheng, you’re so dilatory! You’re dragging your feet like an old woman!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
He immediately began hammering Chen Changsheng’s talismans. Each punch condensed his blood and qi, delivering fierce, overwhelming force that slammed into the talismans, sending out dazzling ripples of power. Chen Changsheng’s talismans began to shatter.
“Crack!” “Crack!”
But Chen Changsheng yawned, pulled out dozens more defensive talismans, and grinned at Fang Yan. Enraged, Fang Yan attacked even more furiously!
“Crack!”
The next moment, Chen Changsheng pulled out hundreds more talismans, ready to activate them. Seeing this, Fang Yan roared, gritting his teeth. “I quit! I’m not fighting anymore!”
He retreated rapidly, planning to wait for Chen Changsheng to drop his defense and then sneak in a surprise attack. But Chen Changsheng had already seen through his scheme. He smiled. “Senior Brother, you weren’t planning to wait for me to drop my talismans and then ambush me, were you?”
Fang Yan was speechless. His chest heaved with fury. He shouted, “Fine! Fine! I concede!”
Chen Changsheng finally stepped out from his defense, cupping his hands. “Senior Brother, let’s call it a draw then!”
Fang Yan snorted, refusing to speak to Chen Changsheng anymore.
Liu Xuan looked at Fang Yan, smiling alluringly. “Junior Brother Chen Changsheng’s fighting style isn’t entirely without merit. Fang Yan, think about it: wasn’t this exactly how you used to fight us?”
Fang Yan was speechless again. Ye Chen’s face twitched, trying to suppress a laugh. Chen Changsheng, meanwhile, offered a sincere, warm smile, maintaining his facade of an honest, simple man.
Just then, the Sect Master’s voice slowly drifted down from the void. “Chen Changsheng, in the next spar, you are forbidden from using defensive talismans!”
As the command fell, the watching disciples cheered and applauded! Let’s see how Chen Changsheng deals with this now.
The next moment, Liu Xuan, her slender, fair legs faintly visible beneath her flowing skirt, stepped forward, her feet resting on brilliant, shimmering petals of divine light. She smiled alluringly. “Junior Brother Chen Changsheng, allow me. I shall weave your illusion now.”
As she spoke, her delicate hand reached out, and a dazzling, multi-colored light surged toward Chen Changsheng. The power of illusion!
But just as the light reached him, a cloud of dust erupted where Chen Changsheng stood, and he vanished instantly.
Everyone was stunned. Where did he go?
Liu Xuan’s illusion power, swirling with five-colored divine light, immediately began tracing Chen Changsheng’s aura into the earth of Azure Mystery Peak! The disciples watched as the ground of Azure Mystery Peak began to swell and push forward a ridge of soil, moving rapidly like an earth dragon burrowing underground.
“That’s the Earth Evasion Art!” someone exclaimed in shock.
Fang Yan was dumbfounded, clenching his fists. He was so angry he started laughing. “Good! Good! Good! Junior Brother Changsheng, you really are full of surprises!”
Luo Lingkong’s internal assessment of Chen Changsheng plummeted again. Ten points maximum, now 2.5 points.
Liu Xuan smiled seductively, her lips curving upward. “Junior Brother Changsheng, my illusion power has locked onto your aura. You can’t escape!”
Chen Changsheng had already burrowed several miles away, heading toward a hidden corner of Azure Mystery Peak. Liu Xuan pursued relentlessly.
In a dense thicket of spiritual trees, Liu Xuan stood on the ground, her beautiful eyes narrowed. At that moment, she realized she had lost Chen Changsheng’s presence. Where was he?
Just then, a pile of fallen leaves stirred. Liu Xuan chuckled softly. “I found you.”
But the next instant, a white, misty vapor drifted up from the leaves. Liu Xuan inhaled a breath and immediately felt lightheaded, her body floating as she fell from the air.
Chen Changsheng swept his sleeve, condensing the fallen leaves into a makeshift bed, allowing Liu Xuan to land gently. He then used the Earth Evasion Art to return to Azure Mystery Peak, reappearing before the crowd.
The disciples were completely bewildered. Where was Liu Xuan? Why did only Chen Changsheng return?
Chen Changsheng bowed toward the female disciples of Ethereal Peak in the air. “Esteemed Senior Sisters, Senior Sister Liu Xuan seems to have fainted. Please go check on her quickly.”
Hearing this, the female disciples’ faces flushed crimson with anger. “Chen Changsheng, what did you do to Senior Sister Liu Xuan?”
Chen Changsheng looked innocent, maintaining his honest man facade. “I didn’t do anything.”
The Ethereal Peak disciples stamped their feet in rage and immediately flew toward the hidden area of Azure Mystery Peak. “Chen Changsheng, if anything happens to Senior Sister Liu Xuan, we will make you pay!”
The other disciples looked utterly confused. What exactly happened just now?
In the void, the Sect Master and the Peak Masters looked grim, letting out long sighs. They had witnessed everything.
The Ethereal Peak Master’s eyes flashed with starlight, her chest heaving with fury. “What is wrong with Lu Xuan’s third disciple? He learns all the bad habits—Earth Evasion, Sleeping Fragrance... He looks honest, but he’s anything but!”
Before long, the Ethereal Peak disciples carried Liu Xuan back. Liu Xuan slowly woke up, laughing in exasperation. “Junior Brother Changsheng, you seem very proficient with that Sleeping Fragrance.”
Chen Changsheng looked innocent. “Just a slight understanding, Senior Sister. Let’s call this round a draw.”
Liu Xuan smiled alluringly. “You idiot!”
The sleeping powder had only knocked her out, but she had retained a faint awareness. After being rescued, she looked at the ugly bed of leaves beneath her and was utterly amused by the absurdity. This Junior Brother Chen Changsheng is truly indescribable! She vowed never to challenge him again.
It was only then that the other disciples understood what had transpired. Chen Changsheng had used the Earth Evasion Art to lure Liu Xuan to a hidden spot and then knocked her out with Sleeping Fragrance!
Fang Yan roared in indignation. “Chen Changsheng, do you even call yourself a man?”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “Senior Brother Fang Yan, no personal attacks, please. I hold grudges, you know.”
Fang Yan laughed wildly. “What? You want to fight me again?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head, pointing at Luo Lingkong. “Senior Brother Luo Lingkong, let’s spar. You don’t need to suppress your cultivation!”
As the words dropped, everyone was stunned! What was happening? This extremely ‘low-profile’ Chen Changsheng was actually calling out Luo Lingkong! And he was telling Luo Lingkong not to suppress his cultivation! Was he finally going to reveal his true strength?
Ye Chen paused, turning to Lu Xuan, whispering, “Master, can Third Junior Brother really handle this?”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. Your Third Junior Brother is about to trick someone.”
Ye Chen was confused. Simple and straightforward as he was, he couldn’t fathom how Junior Brother Chen Changsheng planned to trick anyone.
Luo Lingkong stood in the void, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze condescending. “Junior Brother Changsheng, are you certain?” He had been itching to teach Chen Changsheng a lesson all day!
Chen Changsheng replied, “I am certain!”
Just then, the Sect Master’s voice slowly drifted down. “Chen Changsheng, in this spar with Luo Lingkong, you are forbidden from using talismans, the Earth Evasion Art, or Sleeping Fragrance!”
Hearing this, all the disciples cheered and applauded! Chen Changsheng was restricted again! Otherwise, Luo Lingkong might actually suffer a humiliating defeat due to some underhanded trick. This Junior Brother Chen Changsheng was simply too low-profile!
Chen Changsheng offered a sincere, honest smile. “I promise not to use them.”
Everyone watched Chen Changsheng, still harboring a vague feeling of unease. They suspected he was up to something. But Chen Changsheng, looking utterly serious, activated his Profound Sovereign realm power and looked at Luo Lingkong. “Senior Brother Luo Lingkong, unleash your strongest sword strike! I have one move that can break your sword qi!”
Everyone was astonished! Luo Lingkong was now a Profound Venerate Stage Five expert! He had gained new insights into his Life-and-Death Sword! He was terrifyingly strong, having already surpassed Liu Xuan and Fang Yan by a significant margin.
But Chen Changsheng looked completely confident, even provocative. “Go on, Senior Brother Luo Lingkong! Don’t disappoint me!”
Luo Lingkong laughed. Today, he would finally teach this Junior Brother Chen Changsheng a lesson!
A fierce tearing sound echoed through the air. Luo Lingkong slowly stepped forward, his blue robe fluttering as he spoke. “My ultimate sword strike is the Life-and-Death Sword! It is a strike unleashed with my full power! This sword is purely offensive, with no defense! And after I unleash it, I will be completely weakened.”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “Then I win.”
The next moment, Luo Lingkong’s intent surged. The spiritual sword in his hand erupted with terrifying sword intent, a sharp, unparalleled aura swirling around him like a great river. The sword qi burst forth like a rushing torrent! His spiritual sword responded with a resonant clang, shining with a blinding light.
Luo Lingkong unleashed the strike—the full-power Life-and-Death Sword! The sword qi pierced the sky, transforming into a long rainbow that tore through the void, sharp enough to rip apart the heavens and the earth. The disciples cried out in alarm. “Senior Brother Luo Lingkong is terrifying!” Liu Xuan’s expression shifted. I am no longer his match, she thought.
Chen Changsheng, however, remained calm and unhurried. When the sword qi was still One Hundred Zhang away, he pulled out a black formation plate and activated it. An incomparably brilliant spiritual pattern surged forth, shining like a constellation.
“Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, Li, Dui!”
Circles of dazzling Eight Trigrams array patterns appeared!
Everyone was dumbfounded! Chen Changsheng had been so confident, they thought he was going to block the sword with his body! Who knew he was pulling out more tricks? Was he planning to defend again?
In the span of a breath, Luo Lingkong’s terrifying sword qi arrived, slamming into the brilliant formation pattern. Shing! The next instant, the terrifying sword qi reflected back at a bizarre angle, shooting straight toward Fang Yan, who was watching with a look of utter disdain. The sword qi’s speed had increased again! It was faster than when Luo Lingkong had unleashed it!
Fang Yan’s face was a mask of disbelief. He cried out, “What the actual hell?!”
This Chen Changsheng was utterly ruthless! He had been aiming for him all along! He had even tricked Luo Lingkong into using his strongest strike! This was all just to set him up! Was it because he called Chen Changsheng an old woman? What deep-seated hatred was this?!
But Fang Yan had no time to think. He roared immediately. “Solid as a Rock!”
In a flash, endless golden light surged over Fang Yan’s body, thick and heavy, seemingly cast from divine iron, making him utterly indestructible. Fang Yan had unleashed his strongest defense! Since this was Luo Lingkong’s ultimate sword strike, he had to go all out!
The next moment. “Crack!” “Crack!”
Fang Yan’s layers of defense shattered instantly. Horror gripped his heart, and he frantically activated his body tempering cultivation method to resist. But it was useless! Useless!
Boom!
Fang Yan was sent flying hundreds of meters, spitting out a mouthful of vital blood. He plummeted from the sky like a broken kite, crashing heavily into the ground of Azure Mystery Peak. A massive crater formed where he landed! He was severely injured!
Fang Yan lay on the ground, staring up at the sky with a look of utter despair. He truly... really wanted to curse someone! Junior Brother Chen Changsheng was too low-profile!
But it wasn’t over yet! Chen Changsheng suddenly shot into the air with extreme speed, appearing behind Luo Lingkong, and delivered a swift kick to the sword cultivator’s back!
Luo Lingkong, utterly weakened and completely unprepared, was sent tumbling through the void! Another broken kite plummeted!
Boom!
Luo Lingkong slammed heavily into the ground, landing neatly beside Fang Yan.
Double Kill!
Seeing this scene, everyone was stunned! The world fell into a dead silence.
Although Chen Changsheng had won, everyone in the Grand Dao Sect wanted to beat him senseless!
Chen Changsheng immediately flew down, retreating slowly behind Lu Xuan’s recliner. He wore his honest, simple smile. “The third round counts as a draw too! A draw!”