Chapter 491: Wheel War

Fantasy Novel

The young man nodded. "Since Fellow Daoist Xia is in such a hurry, let's not waste time. We'll have one round of individual battles and one round of free-for-all. If those two don't decide a winner, you and I will have one more fight. The one who wins two out of three battles gets the spiritual land. What do you think?"

Xia Qianqian glanced at him, snorting, "I think you're asking for a beating."

The young man smiled. "This valley will be our battlefield."

"Alright!"

The valley wasn't too big or too small, perfectly suited for cultivators around the Cloud River Fifth-Level to exert their full strength. No one would gain a geographical advantage here.

The young man and Xia Qianqian each led their respective groups to the spiritual peaks on either side of the valley.

Among Lu Ye's group of five, there was one body cultivator, one ghost cultivator, two blade cultivators, and one spell cultivator. This lineup was undoubtedly well-suited for a free-for-all. However, the opposing team's lineup was also comprehensive, with body, spell, and blade cultivators present. Lu Ye couldn't tell if they had a ghost cultivator.

Aside from the body cultivator and Lu Ye, the other three were fellow disciples and naturally more familiar with each other. They hadn't exchanged much during their journey, only now finding time to get acquainted.

Xia Qianqian's three fellow disciples announced their names and cultivation levels one by one. As expected, they were either Fourth- or Fifth-Level cultivators, indicating they had entered the Cloud River Battlefield around the same time, so their cultivation levels were quite similar.

The body cultivator also reported his name and cultivation. Then, several pairs of eyes turned to Lu Ye.

"Ye Liu, Third-Level."

Although they had inferred his low cultivation from his spiritual power fluctuations when he wielded his artifact on the way, hearing him say he was only Third-Level clearly surprised all four.

Xia Qianqian's three fellow disciples looked at her, seemingly wanting to ask their senior sister why she had brought a Third-Level cultivator.

Xia Qianqian said, "Don't assume someone is weak just because their cultivation is low. Ye Liu is a formidable fighter. In a one-on-one battle, none of you might be his match."

The four naturally wouldn't doubt Xia Qianqian's words. Hearing her statement, they grew even more curious about Lu Ye. Unfortunately, Lu Ye wore a fox mask, so no one knew what he looked like or what expression he currently held.

The blade cultivator said, "In that case, we'll trouble Fellow Daoist Ye to hold the line."

Lu Ye nodded. This arrangement was undoubtedly very beneficial to him, as he wouldn't even need to participate in the individual battles if the other four were strong enough.

The blade cultivator continued, "I'll go first. We'll arrange the rest based on the situation. Senior Sister, what do you think?"

Xia Qianqian nodded. "Proceed as you say."

She and the young man opposite had been called here by their fellow disciples to support them. Cultivators at their level were on the verge of advancing to the True Lake Realm and would generally avoid interfering in the affairs of their junior disciples if possible.

After all, they could protect them for a while, but not forever.

Seeing Xia Qianqian had no objections, the blade cultivator leaped out, landing in the center of the valley. Immediately, another person flew out from the opposite side.

In a flash, the two began to fight in the valley.

Cloud River Realm cultivators had many more combat techniques than Spirit Stream Realm cultivators. At the very least, Spirit Stream Realm cultivators couldn't suddenly fly during a fight; they lacked that ability. Only upon reaching the Cloud River Realm could cultivators achieve aerial flight.

The cultivator who came out from the opposing side was clearly also a Fifth-Level cultivator, with strength similar to their blade cultivator. The two figures weaved and dodged in the valley, spiritual power constantly colliding and surging. The battlefield looked as if it had been hit by a tornado, with trees toppling and debris everywhere.

After a full stick of incense of intense fighting, their blade cultivator found an opportunity and blasted his opponent away with a single strike. In mid-air, the opponent was clearly seen spitting out a mouthful of blood mist.

The blade cultivator pressed his advantage, launching several more fierce attacks, putting his opponent in a sorry state.

A evenly matched battle underwent a dramatic change once one side lost its footing. The saying "one wrong step leads to many" perfectly described the situation.

Both were seasoned veterans. Having seized the initiative, there was no way they would give the opponent a chance to turn the tables.

Seeing the situation rapidly deteriorating, an unwilling roar echoed through the valley: "I surrender!"

He had no choice but to surrender; if he didn't, he would be killed.

With this initial victory, Xia Qianqian's two junior disciples cheered enthusiastically. Even Xia Qianqian smiled, apparently pleased with her junior disciple's performance.

After the opponent cried out "I surrender," their blade cultivator stopped his pursuit and quickly popped a spiritual pill into his mouth.

However, the opponent clearly wouldn't give him much time to recover. Immediately, a second person flew down from the opposite peak.

Although the previous life-or-death struggle was short, the consumption was still immense, significantly affecting his strength. Their blade cultivator had initially planned to fight as long as he could, and if not, at least exhaust the enemy's strength for the next person.

But when he saw the opponent's dispatched fighter was only a Cloud River Fourth-Level cultivator, and specifically a Fourth-Level spell cultivator he had previously faced, his heart instantly filled with joy. He immediately mustered his spirits and swiftly pushed forward.

The Fourth-Level spell cultivator hadn't fully prepared when the enemy charged at him. He naturally retreated hastily, casting spells while evading.

Compared to the close-quarters combat just now, the spell cultivator's current display was undoubtedly much more dramatic. Their blade cultivator advanced rapidly through the various spells, trying his best to avoid each attack. If he couldn't dodge, he blocked with his spiritual artifact. The battle was extremely fierce for a time.

When they were only a hundred zhang apart, three streaks of artifact light suddenly appeared, striking the spell cultivator in a triangular formation. Simultaneously, the blade cultivator's speed sharply increased, further closing the distance between them.

Facing such a situation, the opposing spell cultivator gritted his teeth, activating only a layer of spiritual power barrier on his body. At the same time, he furiously channeled his spiritual power. With a raise of his hand, a spell formed. This spell was different from those he had cast before; it was incredibly fast, blasting towards the blade cultivator as soon as it took shape.

Their blade cultivator clearly hadn't expected the opponent to have such a trump card. Caught off guard, he was directly struck in the chest by the spell. His charging figure was thrown backward, causing the two cultivators beside Lu Ye to exclaim in alarm.

Meanwhile, in the valley, blood spurted from the spell cultivator, as their blade cultivator's artifact had wounded him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

It turned out to be a mutual defeat.

Two figures flew in from the sides of the valley: Xia Qianqian and the young man from the opposing side. They each checked the injuries of their junior disciples. A moment later, they simultaneously brought the two back.

Clearly, both were seriously injured and could no longer continue fighting.

Their side had only sent out one fighter, yet defeated two of the opponent's. The situation seemed favorable to their side, but the blade cultivator's injuries were severe, making him unable to fight again for a short time. This was clearly detrimental to the later stages, as there was still a free-for-all after the individual battles.

On the opposite spiritual peak, the young man's face was grim. He was clearly dissatisfied with the performance of his two junior disciples. As fellow Fifth-Level blade cultivators, the first one was directly defeated by the opponent, and the second spell cultivator, though only Fourth-Level, should have been able to handle an opponent who had expended significant energy, yet he still fought to a draw.

After a slight contemplation, the young man spoke, "Jiang Liuzi, you're up!"

He hadn't planned on deploying the two helpers he had invited so quickly, because if they fought, the outcome would be without suspense.

Jiang Liuzi and Jiang Chengzi, these young brothers, had also been famous on the Spirit Stream Battlefield. Both had the strength to be ranked first on the Spirit Stream Ranking, but for the past decade or so, the top spot had always been occupied by a monster. Even the second spot was perennially held by Yan Xing of the Bladewielder Sect.

This led to the brothers only being able to secure the third and fourth spots.

Not just them, but for the past decade, how much heartache had the Spirit Stream Ranking's top spot caused countless young talents? They clearly had the strength to be ranked first, but simply lacked the luck.

All of this was due to Li Baxian. If it weren't for him, how could Feng Yuechan and Yan Xing have remained on the Spirit Stream Battlefield for so long?

It was said that Li Baxian and Feng Yuechan had both advanced to the Cloud River Realm half a year ago. Many ambitious individuals from the Myriad Demon Ridge were already searching for their whereabouts, preparing to avenge the suppression they suffered back then.

One could say that no cultivator currently on the Cloud River Battlefield was unaware of Li Baxian and Feng Yuechan, as they had all grown up admiring these two.

The figures they once looked up to, who could easily suppress them, now had lower cultivation levels than themselves. How could those resentful Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators miss this opportunity for revenge?

It could be said that Li Baxian and Feng Yuechan were in the same predicament now as Lu Ye was when he hadn't yet dominated the Spirit Stream Battlefield – everyone wanted to get rid of them. As long as their whereabouts were exposed, they would never know peace.

This time, being able to invite the brothers Jiang Liuzi and Jiang Chengzi was also fortunate, which is why the young man was determined to win the spiritual land. In his view, it was a foregone conclusion.

As his words fell, a boy who looked only seventeen or eighteen years old responded dully, "Alright!"

He stepped out from the group and lightly flew into the valley.

On Xia Qianqian's side, her ghost cultivator and spell cultivator fellow disciples checked the blade cultivator's injuries, and only after confirming his life was not in danger did they relax.

Turning to see Jiang Liuzi already in the valley, the ghost cultivator frowned, "This is the helper they invited. I'll go test his methods."

"Be careful!" Xia Qianqian cautioned with a serious voice.

The opponent had just lost two rounds and was deploying their invited helper so quickly, clearly intending to reclaim a victory. It was foreseeable that this helper's strength would not be weak.

However, ghost cultivators never concerned themselves with the opponent's cultivation level when killing enemies. As long as they found the right opportunity, killing enemies beyond their own cultivation level was commonplace.

The ghost cultivator concealed his presence. No one knew where he had gone.

In the valley, Jiang Liuzi stood silently. The boy, with his rosy lips and white teeth, looked like a statue, completely motionless.

The mountain wind was bleak, and a subtle killing intent permeated the air.

Suddenly, sword light erupted, accompanied by a muffled grunt and a cry of surprise. The ghost cultivator's figure revealed itself, a sword wound on his chest so deep that bone was visible, blood spraying out.

The ghost cultivator's face was filled with horror.