Chapter 248: Competition

Volume Three

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With each wave of the fan, a thick purple mist surged out, shooting directly towards the robed individual. After seven or eight waves, the purple mist had become so dense that it completely enveloped the opponent, forming a large, impenetrable purple sphere.

The green-robed individual, however, was entirely concealed within a mass of black mist, keeping the green mist at bay.

The black and green mists ceaselessly swirled and bit at each other, as if alive. Yet, no matter how one looked at it, the green mist, under the control of the Yan family member, was clearly gaining the upper hand, gradually compressing the black mist into a smaller and smaller mass.

"My cousin's Bone-Melting Fan is a renowned top-tier magical artifact of our Yan family," Yan Yu explained to Dong Xuan'er, his face lighting up. "The poisonous mist it emits is incredibly potent; even a tiny drop will cause skin and flesh to melt away. My cousin used to dislike this fan because it was too vicious and wouldn't use it easily. But now that he's serious, he's immediately brought it out, showing he's determined not to let the opponent escape unscathed!"

"Oh! Is this fan so famous?" Dong Xuan'er chuckled lightly, her lips curving upward in a captivating, foxy smile. "I wonder, compared to the renowned Wind-Thunder Fan, which one is more powerful?"

"In terms of raw power, this fan might not be as strong as the Wind-Thunder Fan," Yan Yu explained carefully, his heart stirred by Xuan'er's charming smile as he managed to suppress his fantasies. "However, any cultivator with a wood spiritual root can wield it freely. Unlike the Wind-Thunder Fan, which requires both wind and thunder spiritual roots to unleash its power, this Bone-Melting Fan's value is actually higher!"

"Nonsense," scoffed Senior Brother Feng, a hint of jealousy on his face as he watched Dong Xuan'er and Yan Yu chatting happily. "How dare a mere ordinary top-tier magical artifact like that compare to the Wind-Thunder Fan? If it even had a tenth of its power, that would be something! In fact, I doubt this fan is even as powerful as my Violet-Light Cymbals."

"You dare to look down on our Yan family's artifacts? Fine! Then let me see the power of your Violet-Light Cymbals!" Yan Yu, infuriated by the blatant dismissal of the Bone-Melting Fan's power, immediately wanted to challenge him.

"Good, I've been wanting to experience the magic of a top Yan family disciple!" Senior Brother Feng sneered upon hearing the challenge and readily accepted.

For a moment, it seemed both men had forgotten about Han Li, their common adversary.

"Ah, let's just forget it," Dong Xuan'er said, seemingly mediating. "I was just asking casually! Why get so angry? Can't both of you Senior Brothers take a step back?" On the surface, she appeared to be trying to stop the fight, but in reality, her words made both men, eager to impress their beloved, even more unwilling to show weakness. Neither wanted to lose face in front of Dong Xuan'er.

Of course, it was unlikely they would immediately duel. After all, they were just vying for attention, and most of what they said earlier was merely heated talk. They still had significant reservations. However, if Dong Xuan'er were to instigate them a few more times, the situation could easily escalate.

Although Han Li was still focused on the battle, he could clearly hear everything happening around him. He couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. He thought this mischievous girl was truly a troublemaker; there would always be commotion wherever she went. No wonder Hong Fu always told him to keep a closer eye on this girl.

However, Senior Brother Feng and Yan Yu didn't seem foolish based on their appearances. Why did they now appear so impulsive and combative? Could Dong Xuan'er's foxy charm be so potent that it subtly influenced even Foundation Establishment cultivators' minds?

A thought occurred to Han Li, and he felt a pang of alarm.

However, Han Li couldn't be bothered to question the two hot-headed individuals. What did it matter to him who lived or died between them?

Yet, Han Li found it strange. No matter how much Dong Xuan'er flirted and enchanted other men, in his eyes, she possessed no charm whatsoever, and he felt no stirrings in his heart.

In fact, not only was Han Li puzzled by this, but Dong Xuan'er was also utterly frustrated! For some reason, her foxy charm had absolutely no effect on the person she disliked the most. Otherwise, she would have already made him run around in circles; how could she have let him threaten her so much throughout their journey?

As Han Li and Dong Xuan'er were lost in their respective thoughts, the situation on the battlefield suddenly underwent a significant change.

The black mist, enveloped by the green mist, suddenly began to shrink inward and dissipate. In the blink of an eye, it revealed the green-robed man hidden deep within. The several skulls beside him were opening and closing their mouths, frantically sucking in the surrounding black mist – they were the culprits behind its disappearance.

Seeing this, the Yan family member on the opposite side, although unsure of the opponent's intention, certainly wouldn't stand on ceremony now that the opponent had dismantled his own defense. He immediately pointed his precious fan, and the green mist, seizing the opportunity while the black mist was powerless to resist, swarmed forward!

"Boy, trying to show off with just a bit of poisonous mist in front of me? You truly don't know your place!" the green-robed man cackled. "You don't realize that we are the masters of poison!"

He then extended a palm and quickly struck the crown of each skull. These skulls immediately swelled to the size of carriage wheels, their stark white bones faintly shrouded in a layer of black mist, making them appear even more grotesque and eerie.

They instantly absorbed the remaining black mist completely. Then, they opened their large mouths wide again and began to suck in the green mist that had previously been kept at bay. With each gulp, they grew a little larger, as if being nourished.

Yan Yu's cousin on the opposite side was startled at this sight. He hastily controlled his precious fan, trying to recall the green mist, but it was clearly too late. Only about a third of the poisonous mist could be retrieved; most of it had already been devoured by the opponent's skulls.

The fan's bluish-yellow surface became dull and lifeless, causing the Yan family member immense heartache, knowing that the Bone-Melting Fan's power would be greatly diminished from now on.

Before the Yan family disciple could recover from the shock of his artifact being damaged, the giant skulls, their fierce aura surging, whizzed directly towards him under the green-robed man's control. They reached him in an instant, startling him, and he hastily reached into his storage pouch.

However, the skulls simultaneously opened their mouths, spewing out several dark light beams that converged into a single massive light pillar. It instantly pierced a large hole through the Yan family member's protective yellow wind, causing him to collapse into unconsciousness and fall from the air.

The Yan family disciples watching, seeing that the outcome was decided, naturally wouldn't let their own fall and get severely injured. One immediately flew out, caught Yan Yu's cousin, and flew back.

"The profound techniques of the Ghost Spirit Sect are indeed extraordinary," an elderly Yan family elder with keen eyes said coldly as he stepped forward, addressing the Ghost Spirit Sect members. "Our Yan family has lost four out of five matches. Shall we begin the sixth match now?"

"Let's not," replied the leader of the Ghost Spirit Sect members, a mysterious figure wearing a silver ghost mask, who stepped forward from their ranks. His voice was refined, deep, and clearly belonged to a very young man. "For the remaining five matches, it's not too late to compete after the disciples from the Yan family's Life and Death Hall arrive. I have long heard of the reputation of the Yan family's Blood Cultivators!"

"Very well! Since the Young Sect Master has such a refined taste, our Yan family will certainly see this through to the end!" The elder was startled at first but then agreed, unwilling to show weakness. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and walked back.

The Young Sect Master didn't seem to mind. He chuckled softly, turned gracefully, and then led his team away from the area.

The other observing cultivators, having thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle, also silently dispersed without a word.

Han Li gently shook his head. As he turned his head, he heard Yan Yu mumbling:

"How is this possible? My cousin actually lost too! He's a master of our Martial Arts Hall!"

"What master?" Senior Brother Feng scoffed, seizing the opportunity to undermine his rival. "He was defeated effortlessly by his opponent, wasn't he?"

"You?!" Yan Yu's face darkened with anger, about to retort, but Dong Xuan'er's next words immediately brightened his mood.

"Senior Brother Yan Yu, I've been traveling for several days and I'm quite tired," Dong Xuan'er said, stretching her slender waist with a lazy grace. "Could you arrange a comfortable room for me to rest? As for any other exchange activities, perhaps I can participate tomorrow!"

"Of course!" Yan Yu said delightedly, with a hint of triumph. "Junior Sister Dong, I'll take you to the quarters specially prepared for female cultivators. As for Junior Brother Han and you, please make yourselves at home wherever you wish!"

Han Li smiled faintly, offering no objections.

He had safely brought Dong Xuan'er to Yanling Fortress, which marked the completion of his task. As for other matters, he couldn't and didn't want to bother with them! With a casual remark about wanting to look around, Han Li quietly left the group.