Chapter 1479: Python Flag (4k)

Wuxia and Xianxia

Shi Xue loudly agreed, "Precisely! There's no justification for separating Dao companions!"

Tong Lingyu lightly tapped the table with her finger and said calmly, "Patriarch Shang was indeed a bit rash."

Hall Master Yin and the others exchanged glances, finding it difficult to press the issue further.

Upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, once cultivators become Dao companions and practice dual cultivation techniques or secret arts, their strength becomes intrinsically linked to their other half. It is quite normal for their power to be greatly diminished if they are separated.

There truly was no justification for forcing Dao companions apart.

Given that the other party had the backing of Tingxue Tower and the Grand Elder, and Shang Lu had taken the initiative to cause a disturbance at the wedding, they found it difficult to push the situation too aggressively.

If Shang Lu were to seek outside help, allowing unrelated individuals to intervene, it would be improper and unjustified. Their earlier pretense of 'true love' would then become a complete mockery.

Since Daoist Qingfeng was willing to swallow the humiliation, they truly had no viable recourse.

Hall Master Yin and the others looked at Shang Lu, who was frowning in silence. They wondered if he truly intended to fight two against one, unless he could somehow produce a Dao companion right now.

Under everyone's astonished gazes,

Shang Lu didn't hesitate at all. He stepped down from the cloud bed, flashed to the front of the cloud platform, and directly faced Qin Sang and Liu Li. He nodded lightly, saying, "Very well! I'll accept Daoist's proposal."

He actually intended to fight two against one!

This was something no one had anticipated.

Although it was Elder Qingfeng's first public appearance, he had already gained a considerable reputation within the Xuantian Palace.

It was a known fact that he had single-handedly infiltrated the demon lair, retrieved crucial intelligence, helped Xuantian Palace gain the initiative, and prevented numerous unnecessary casualties.

This was sufficient proof of his extraordinary strength.

As for Liu Li, she was the closed-door disciple of the previous Patriarch of Tingxue Tower and the junior sister of the current Patriarch. Lacking neither cultivation techniques nor divine abilities, it was perfectly normal for her to possess the capability to challenge cultivators beyond her own realm.

Shang Lu was, in essence, simultaneously challenging two cultivators of the same realm. Furthermore, these two were dual-cultivation Dao companions, whose minds were connected, making their combined power far more complex than a mere stacking of strengths.

An absurd thought surfaced in everyone's minds: Could it be that Patriarch Shang, the leader of a lineage, was truly so consumed by love that he proposed this spar merely to achieve peace of mind?

Or perhaps, it was a combination of both, killing two birds with one stone.

Otherwise, why would he be so persistent?

If it was indeed for the dispute over the Cleansing Pool,

then Shang Lu fighting two against one, and it not being a death match, meant that as long as Daoist Qingfeng intentionally concealed his true abilities, Shang Lu would have no way of probing his genuine methods. This spar would be utterly meaningless.

Someone glanced at the cultivator named Yue who had accompanied Shang Lu.

However, they saw this individual sitting calmly on the cloud bed, holding a jade cup, completely composed and seemingly in control of the situation.

This raised doubts among the onlookers: Had Shang Lu already anticipated this situation and prepared for it even before proposing the spar?

Given Shang Lu's intellect, this was entirely possible.

Qin Sang's eyes narrowed slightly.

He, too, had considered this possibility; Shang Lu's decisiveness surely implied he had a hidden ace.

Since the words had already been spoken, it was difficult to back down now.

In that case, there was no need to refuse. It was a good opportunity for him to witness the Tianshan Patriarch's methods. As for who would truly probe whose depths, that remained to be seen.

Qin Sang and Liu Li secretly exchanged a few words, then nodded to Shi Xue.

Since both parties had agreed, outsiders could no longer intervene.

Shi Xue gave Shang Lu a cold glance, then waved her whisk. The cloud beds in the northern section drifted southward, clearing the space north of the cloud platform.

"Since it's a spar," she announced, "this cloud wall will serve as the boundary. If anyone falls outside of it, they will be considered defeated."

Shi Xue waved her whisk once more, conjuring a cloud wall from thin air that enclosed a circular space in the void, large enough for the three to engage in combat.

Shang Lu's brows furrowed slightly, but he ultimately raised no objection. He was the first to flash into the cloud wall, taking his stance.

Qin Sang and Liu Li also arrived together, standing at the other end of the arena, facing Shang Lu from a distance.

Above the cloud beds,

excitement shone in the eyes of guests from all sides.

They never expected that tonight, they would not only witness a grand wedding ceremony but also such an exciting spectacle. With the Tianshan Patriarch personally stepping into the arena, regardless of his status, everyone secretly felt their trip had been well worth it.

They maneuvered their cloud beds, choosing spots with optimal visibility, and focused intently on observing the spar.

Tong Lingyu looked at Hall Master Yin and said, "Hall Master Yin, perhaps we should move closer to the arena and keep a vigilant eye. Today is a day of great celebration, and we wouldn't want either side to get carried away and damage the harmony within the sect."

"Very well!"

Hall Master Yin activated his cloud bed and moved closer to the cloud wall.

Tong Lingyu flew to the other side.

Hall Master Jiang, Shi Xue, and the others were also standing by, ready for action.

Inside the cloud wall,

Shang Lu gazed deeply at Liu Li and said solemnly, "Liu Li, I told you before that I do not wish to fight you, and that sentiment remains. I will merely restrain you for a while."

Before his words even finished, Shang Lu lightly patted the brocade pouch at his waist.

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

Three streaks of white light shot forth rapidly.

Following them were sharp, piercing roars.

The roars were like demonic wails. Low-level cultivators who heard the sound instantly felt dizzy and disoriented, nearly vomiting from the extreme discomfort.

"Tianshan Snow Pythons!"

Someone suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone looked intently, and saw the three white lights expanding against the wind. In an instant, they revealed their true forms above Shang Lu's head, transforming into three gigantic pythons, each dozens of feet long.

These giant pythons bore a striking resemblance, all covered in pure, snow-white scales. Yet, their crimson tongues flickered menacingly within their gaping maws, and their eyes gleamed with fierce malice, making them particularly terrifying.

They were almost Flood Dragons, their aura comparable to the Flood Dragon that pulled Qin Sang's carriage.

"Three Tianshan Snow Pythons, all at the late Demonic Core stage!" someone exclaimed. "Snow Pythons are difficult to cultivate; at such a high realm, there likely aren't many more on Tianshan Mountain. Patriarch Shang has quite the grand scheme; no wonder he dared to accept this challenge!"

Someone exclaimed in admiration.

Among the guests present, there were many Nascent Soul Grandmasters. While three late Demonic Core Snow Pythons were rare, they were not enough to make them overly wary.

However, the Tianshan lineage possessed a Python Banner, and if it were used in conjunction with the Snow Pythons' divine abilities, its power could prove quite troublesome even for Nascent Soul cultivators.

No wonder Shang Lu was so confident!

Shang Lu ignored the gazes from outside the arena. As soon as he released the Tianshan Snow Pythons, he immediately waved his sleeve, and a ball of white light shot out, transforming into a Python Banner.

The pattern depicted on the Python Banner was precisely that of a Tianshan Snow Python.

Amidst the Snow Pythons' roars, the Python Banner flew above Shang Lu's head, its flag unfurling.

The Tianshan Snow Pythons seemed to respond to some call, their bodies swaying violently as their massive forms shot towards the Python Banner.

At this moment, a peculiar sight unfolded.

The bodies of the three Snow Pythons rapidly turned transparent, resembling ice sculptures. The moment they collided with the Python Banner, instead of being knocked away, they completely merged into the flag's surface, vanishing from sight.

In an instant, the Snow Python patterns on the flag surface came alive, now featuring three additional pythons.

Thick, ominous clouds had gathered above the arena at some unknown point.

Each time the Python Banner swayed, it stirred up bone-chilling winds. Streams of cold energy continuously emanated from it, as the Snow Pythons freely moved across its surface, exhaling frigid mist.

A pale, desolate wind swept across the entire arena, and the three figures were no longer visible to the naked eye.

Without another word, Shang Lu pointed towards his opponents. "Go!"

The Python Banner spun rapidly with tremendous momentum, pressing down from mid-air!

At the other end, Qin Sang and Liu Li quickly communicated, gleaning the general situation.

Because Snow Pythons were difficult to raise, few people had ever witnessed the Python Banner firsthand. In the past, Tianshan lineage cultivators typically raised only one Snow Python at most, yet Shang Lu had unleashed three.

Qin Sang would never underestimate any opponent, let alone the head of a Xuantian Palace lineage.

Light flickered between his fingers, and the Golden Sinking Sword shot forth.

After being re-refined, the Golden Sinking Sword's form was entirely different from before. What Qin Sang was currently employing was the sword intent from the "Azure Bamboo Sword Manual," ensuring that even if Elders Mei and Lan were observing from outside, they wouldn't easily detect any flaws.

Simultaneously, Qin Sang awakened his Heavenly Eye Butterfly, searching for weaknesses in the Python Banner.

No sooner had the spirit sword been unleashed than

the Python Banner, carrying a chilling wind, swept in.

Qin Sang had initially intended to use his sword to shield Liu Li, partly because he was unsure of the Python Banner's true strength and wanted to prevent Shang Lu from separating them, and partly to create an opening for Liu Li to act.

At that moment, Liu Li's voice sounded in his ear.

Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he surprisingly abandoned that idea.

The Golden Sinking Sword's momentum abruptly shifted, emitting an intensely sharp glow. A world-shaking sword light suddenly slashed forth, incredibly dazzling and brilliant.

This indomitable and utterly pure sword intent moved all the guests.

This was the Sword Dao that Qingzhu had comprehended.

He had relied on himself to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. After that, his Sword Dao gradually transcended the limitations of the "Primal Spirit Sword Nourishing Chapter," integrating his own personality. The final few forms of the "Azure Bamboo Sword Manual" were the culmination of his mastery.

What Qin Sang was currently performing was one of those forms.

Although the "Azure Bamboo Sword Manual" might not possess the same raw power as the sword arrays of the original cultivation method, it was undoubtedly a formidable sword art. It was only regrettable that Qingzhu had died young, before reaching his peak.

*Whoosh!*

The Golden Sinking Sword cut through the void, its sword light, like a cold moon, directly aimed for the Python Banner.

The cold energy surged forth but could not stop it in the slightest.

The Python Banner fluttered, and the Snow Pythons, restless, twisted their bodies on its surface, fiercely spewing cold energy.

The cold energy condensed, forming a sheet of jade-white profound light.

*Puff!*

The sword light struck and was absorbed into the jade-white profound light.

The next moment, both the sword light and the jade-white profound light simultaneously dissipated, vanishing into thin air without any grand spectacle, leaving behind only calm.

After this strike, Qin Sang gained a clearer understanding of the Python Banner's power.

Just then,

the Python Banner relentlessly persisted. The jade-white profound light reappeared, flashed, and then vanished, merging into the cold wind.

In an instant, countless illusory Snow Pythons appeared in the void, baring their fangs and claws as they charged towards them.

Qin Sang's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight. Just as he was about to recall his sword for defense, his expression suddenly shifted. His sword art changed again, and the Golden Sinking Sword's blade reversed, slashing diagonally downwards.

*Clang!*

A crisp sound echoed.

A jade ruler materialized from thin air.

Simultaneously, the void rippled, and a figure was forced to reveal himself: it was Shang Lu.

Once the Python Banner was unleashed, it could be controlled by the Snow Pythons, allowing him to focus on Qin Sang. He had intended to secretly approach with the jade ruler, but unexpectedly, Qin Sang detected him.

Even without relying on the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, Qin Sang's divine sense made it easy to detect the jade ruler.

After the Heavenly Eye Butterfly broke through to the mid-fourth transformation, the power of its Heavenly Eye divine ability had further increased, something Qin Sang had specifically tested.

If the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had been at its current realm when he entered the Pure Sea Sect, it would certainly have been able to detect Old Man Hunmo's traces before he even noticed them.

Of course, Grand Cultivators possessed extremely sharp spiritual senses, so the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had to maintain a certain distance and could not observe recklessly.

Shang Lu's divine sense still had a considerable gap compared to Grand Cultivators. He was detected the moment he made a move; Qin Sang merely reacted a beat slower.

Forced to reveal himself, Shang Lu showed no sign of discouragement. Instead, a hint of a smile played at the corner of his mouth.

Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. He abruptly tapped his foot, and his body soared into the air.

The moment he moved, lotus petals instantly condensed around him. These petals, the sharpest of blades, ruthlessly twisted and attacked, transforming into a storm of icy wind.

Qin Sang reacted swiftly, escaping in time.

Yet, Shang Lu had also achieved his goal of separating his opponents.

The Python Banner had appeared overhead at some unknown moment. The Snow Pythons extended their heads, and jade-white profound light surged, forming a vortex in the void where Liu Li's figure was faintly visible.

Her phoenix-shaped treasured sword hung upside down, protecting her.

As the Snow Pythons extended their heads and jade-white profound light continuously flowed, sword qi was unleashed one after another, yet she found herself unable to break free from the Python Banner.

"Now we can focus purely on our spar," Shang Lu said with a smile, glancing at Liu Li, who was entangled by the Python Banner.

"Patriarch Shang, impressive methods."

Qin Sang's expression remained perfectly still. Before he even finished speaking, he controlled his sword to strike.

*Swish! Swish! Swish!*

Almost simultaneously, the Golden Sinking Sword unleashed three consecutive streaks of sword light, each strike astonishingly powerful and in no way inferior to the very first one.

*Whoosh!*

The three sword lights formed a triangular formation, instantly appearing before Shang Lu.

Shang Lu retracted his gaze, his expression grave. He uttered, "Excellent swordplay!"

Then, he pointed an ethereal finger at the jade ruler in front of him.

The jade ruler shot upward, suddenly expanding into a massive ruler. It firmly blocked the three sword lights, then smashed down fiercely, as if wielding the weight of a thousand tons!

If this strike landed squarely, not only would the sword light be shattered, but the Golden Sinking Sword would also suffer damage.

Qin Sang stood impassively in the void, observing the situation.

At this moment, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's attention was focused on the Python Banner on the other side, searching for its weaknesses.

Qin Sang himself was contending with Shang Lu.

With a slight thought, the three sword lights suddenly merged.

Outside the arena, everyone instinctively narrowed their eyes, seeing only an incredibly dazzling pillar of light. It seemed capable of piercing the heavens, meeting the jade ruler without a hint of weakness.

Retreat was a word unknown to Qingzhu's Dao.

*Boom!*

A thunderous, deafening roar erupted.

The cloud beds outside the arena shook, and everyone's nerves tightened as they anxiously awaited the outcome.

The white light dissipated.

Qin Sang and Shang Lu remained in their positions, appearing to be evenly matched.

However, all the guests understood that this was merely an appetizer. Both combatants were still in the probing stage, neither having unleashed their strongest divine abilities.

Qin Sang didn't look at Shang Lu.

His gaze fell on the Golden Sinking Sword.

The next moment, the Golden Sinking Sword suddenly vanished. The void twinkled with countless streaks of sword light, like a vast sea of blades.

Qin Sang waved his hand forward, and the sea of swords rippled. Tens of thousands of swords moved in unison, imbued with an aura of absolute destruction, shooting towards Shang Lu.

Seeing this sight, Shang Lu's eyes flickered.

He knew his opponent's Sword Dao attainments were considerable, and he wished to test his swordsmanship.

He glanced at the other side, confirming that Liu Li could not break through the Python Banner in a short time. Shang Lu then waved his palm, and his jade ruler also split into thousands, engaging Qin Sang in a fierce entanglement.

Sword lights and ruler shadows filled the air, colliding and devouring each other.

For a time, Qin Sang's sword arts continuously shifted, and the Golden Sinking Sword rang out crisply as it exchanged countless blows with the jade ruler, neither side gaining an advantage.

Shang Lu's expression grew increasingly relaxed, the corner of his mouth curving slightly as he let out a cold laugh.

"Is this the limit of your swordsmanship?"

No sooner had these words left his mouth than a 'cracking' sound suddenly came from nearby.

The sound was extremely faint, yet to Shang Lu's ears, it was nothing short of a thunderclap.

Shang Lu's expression changed drastically. He abruptly turned his head to look at the Python Banner.