Chapter 2055: Blade and Fist Strike, Sparring

He also wished to demonstrate his strength, allowing representatives from other factions to witness the formidable capabilities of Taiyang Sect cultivators.

"Brawls are unpredictable; three moves will be the limit, and we'll stop at a touch."

Yang Hao said solemnly.

"Three moves it is, but this isn't the place for a duel. Let's find somewhere else!" Lu Shisan urged, his eyes blazing with enthusiasm.

"Let's duel on the lake surface! Fellow Daoist Lu, feel free to unleash any divine abilities you possess." Yang Hao leaped into the air, flicked his sleeve, and a shimmering blue formation flag flew out. It transformed into a blue light and vanished into the lake bottom. Immediately, ripples spread across the lake. A blue light swept by, and a bubble-like blue water curtain appeared on the surface.

Lu Shisan soared high into the sky and said gravely, "Fellow Daoist Yang, be very careful. I won't hold back." As he spoke, a loud blade hum rang out. Lu Shisan shrugged his shoulders, and a sky-blue long blade shot out from its scabbard. Its surface was covered with dragon-scale-like spiritual patterns. This was the Sky蛟 Blade, a low-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure, a treasure Lu Shisan had commissioned at great expense.

As the Sky蛟 Blade landed in Lu Shisan's hand, an ear-splitting dragon roar echoed.

Lu Shisan's expression hardened. Gripping the Sky蛟 Blade with both hands, he slashed at the void. A piercing whoosh ripped through the air as a brilliant blade light swept out, illuminating a large area. Wherever the blue blade light passed, the lake surface rapidly froze, and ice layers spread quickly.

Yang Hao's vision turned blue. He felt a chilling aura of death, as if a gaping maw was about to swallow him whole. He dared not delay. He quickly opened his mouth and spat out three beams of red light, which were three continuously flickering red banners. The three red banners spun rapidly around him, unleashing surging flames. Soon, a hundred-mile-wide crimson sea of fire engulfed Yang Hao.

The blue blade glow reached the crimson sea of fire. The sea of fire pulsed violently for a moment, then abruptly opened a path. The blue blade glow shot directly towards Yang Hao, stopping a hundred zhang away from him before emitting a muffled sound and vanishing without a trace.

Lu Shisan frowned. The Sky蛟 Blade in his hand erupted with dazzling blue light. He slashed at the void once more, which trembled and warped. A dazzling blue blade light swept out, and after flying over ten li, it transformed into a gigantic blue tiger.

The blue giant tiger opened its gaping maw and pounced on Yang Hao, poised to devour him.

"Blade Qi Manifestation!" Wang Changsheng's face showed a thoughtful expression. Compared to sword cultivators, blade cultivators have fewer attack moves. Blade cultivation emphasizes 'a single blade breaking ten thousand techniques,' not engaging in things like sword formations.

Yang Hao's incantation changed. Dazzling firelight erupted within the sea of fire, and the flames surged. After a blur, they transformed into a hundred-zhang-long crimson flood dragon, pouncing on the blue giant tiger.

The blue giant tiger collided with the crimson flood dragon, immediately unleashing a powerful wave of energy.

The crimson flood dragon was clearly no match for the blue giant tiger and was defeated after a few exchanges. The blue giant tiger's size had also shrunk considerably, but it pressed forward relentlessly, heading straight for Yang Hao.

Dazzling red light burst forth from Yang Hao's body, enveloping an area several hundred zhang around him. The blue giant tiger was caught by the red light, immediately unable to move. The crimson sea of fire violently surged and abruptly engulfed the red giant tiger.

"Taiyang Binding Light! This is the unique divine ability of the Taiyang Art, one of the three foundational techniques of the Taiyang Sect. It's said that when cultivated to its peak, it can even immobilize Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures." Deng Yibo said with a smile.

Lu Shisan took a deep breath, pouring immense magical power into the Sky蛟 Blade. Dragon roars resounded continuously, and the dragon scales on the blade shone brightly.

He wielded the Sky蛟 Blade and slashed at the void. A dazzling blue light illuminated the void. Thousands of blue blade energies swept out, forming a hazy blue tornado that surged towards Yang Hao.

The blue tornado plunged into the crimson sea of fire. The sea of fire yielded a path, and its flames greatly diminished.

The blue tornado reached Yang Hao, striking the Taiyang Binding Light repeatedly. With a thunderous roar, the Taiyang Binding Light shattered piece by piece like a broken mirror. Yang Hao was caught by a powerful airflow and pulled into the blue tornado.

A blinding crimson fire light suddenly flared, and the blue tornado dissipated.

Yang Hao was disheveled, his robe torn in several places, looking somewhat embarrassed. Clearly, he had not cultivated the Taiyang Binding Light to its peak, and it had been broken by Lu Shisan.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, I yield. Is there any other fellow Daoist willing to offer guidance?" Lu Shisan's gaze fell on Long Yunxin. The sect master of the Heavenly Blade Sect was a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator, without a Body Integration cultivator overseeing them. He eagerly desired to spar with disciples from renowned sects and improve himself through combat.

Long Yunxin pretended not to notice. Naturally, he wouldn't casually spar with just anyone. While Lu Shisan might have a small reputation within the Heavenly Blade Sect, he was still far inferior to the elite disciples of renowned sects. Long Yunxin disdained to spar with Lu Shisan. Losing would be embarrassing, and winning would be considered commonplace. The Long family was not comparable to the Heavenly Blade Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I've long heard that your Zhenhai Palace disciples possess great divine abilities. Are you interested in sparring with Fellow Daoist Lu?" Long Yunxin looked at Wang Changsheng and asked with a chuckle.

"If Fellow Daoist Long is interested, you can compete with Fellow Daoist Lu." Wang Changsheng's tone was flat. There was no benefit in winning, so he had no interest.

Lu Shisan sparring with others was his own path; sparring was a method of cultivation, but it might not be the same for other cultivators. If Wang Changsheng lost to Lu Shisan, it would be attributed to Lu Shisan's great divine abilities. If he won, people would say Zhenhai Palace was full of talents. He was no longer young, and pursuing mere empty fame was not worth it.

"This is a thousand catties of Profound Jade True Water, a fifth-tier spiritual water, suitable for both alchemy and artifact refining. Adding some Profound Jade True Water when refining ice-attribute pills or magic treasures can enhance the efficacy of the pills or the power of the treasures." Lu Shisan took out a white jade bottle and said loudly.

The world bustled with activity, driven by profit. To get a master to spar with him, he had to offer something valuable.

"I, Wang, would like to seek some guidance from Fellow Daoist Lu. Please enlighten me." Wang Changsheng's voice suddenly rang out. No sooner had he spoken than Wang Changsheng transformed into specks of blue light and vanished. Specks of blue light appeared in a certain part of the void, and after a blur, they coalesced into Wang Changsheng's form.

Wang Changsheng needed fifth-tier spiritual water to aid his cultivation. He had obtained some Profound Yin True Water in the Profound Wind Grotto-Heaven, but in comparison, Profound Jade True Water was more effective.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please enlighten me." Lu Shisan put away the jade bottle, his expression solemn. Zhenhai Palace was one of the foremost great sects of the human race on the Mysterious Spirit Continent. Any Spirit Transformation cultivator sent to attend True Lord Taiyang's celebration was surely extraordinary.

Wang Changsheng nodded. Dazzling blue light flared around his body, accompanied by cracking sounds of bones, and his physique more than doubled in height.

Wang Changsheng was a mid-Spirit Transformation cultivator, and his magical power was particularly abundant. Lu Shisan was also a mid-Spirit Transformation cultivator. His right fist was clad in a blue gauntlet, its surface covered with blue scales and radiating astonishing spiritual energy. It was clearly a low-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure.

Specks of blue light surged around Wang Changsheng. He smashed his right fist at the void, causing it to vibrate and warp, emitting a piercing ripping sound.

Countless blue seawater spontaneously appeared, gathering onto Wang Changsheng's arm. After a blur, they transformed into a several-hundred-zhang-large blue giant fist that shot straight across.

Wherever the blue giant fist passed, the void twisted and deformed, seemingly on the verge of tearing apart.

Lu Shisan felt the astonishing momentum of the blue giant fist. His expression hardened, and he thought to himself, "As expected of a Zhenhai Palace disciple."

The blue giant fist quickly reached him. Lu Shisan swung the Sky蛟 Blade, slashing at the blue giant fist. A Heaven-cleaving blade qi swept out, striking the blue giant fist.

With a thunderous crash, the Heaven-cleaving blade qi cleaved the blue giant fist in half, sending water splashing everywhere.

A certain drop of seawater immediately glowed brightly, transforming into Wang Changsheng's likeness.

Wang Changsheng suddenly appeared behind Lu Shisan, his right fist glowing with dazzling blue light as he smashed it towards Lu Shisan.

Lu Shisan's face turned pale with shock. Instinctively, he swung the Sky蛟 Blade, aiming it at Wang Changsheng's fist.

"Oh no." As soon as Lu Shisan had swung his blade, he regretted it. Even if Wang Changsheng was a body cultivator, he couldn't possibly withstand a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure head-on! If he were to sever a Zhenhai Palace disciple's hand during a sparring match, that would be troublesome.

At that moment, the Sky蛟 Blade had already collided with Wang Changsheng's fist. With a muffled clang, sparks flew, and a long blade mark appeared on the surface of the blue gauntlet. Lu Shisan felt as if a majestic mountain had crashed into him. His body, like a kite with a broken string, flew backward, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood.

Yang Hao and the other cultivators were wide-eyed with shock. They had felt Wang Changsheng's strength should be considerable, but they never expected him to be a Spirit Transformation body cultivator. If he hadn't been a Spirit Transformation body cultivator, Lu Shisan would not have been sent flying. Body cultivators were inherently powerful, and being approached in close combat by a body cultivator of the same rank was a very dangerous situation.

A flicker of surprise crossed Long Yunxin's eyes. While others might not be clear about the situation at Zhenhai Palace, he knew it perfectly well. The Long family had a specialized intelligence department responsible for collecting information on various major forces, including Zhenhai Palace. Zhenhai Palace had no more than ten Spirit Transformation body cultivators, and there was no disciple named Wang Changsheng. Could he be a newly ascended Spirit Transformation cultivator from Zhenhai Palace? It was likely so.

"Haha, exhilarating! I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Wang to be a body cultivator. This bottle of Profound Jade True Water is yours. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Wang can withstand one more strike from me?" Lu Shisan laughed heartily, tossing the jade bottle to Wang Changsheng, his gaze fiery as he spoke. Losing to a Spirit Transformation body cultivator was not shameful for him.

Wang Changsheng caught the jade bottle, pulled out the stopper, and a bone-chilling cold burst forth. Numerous white ice shards appeared in the void, and the nearby temperature suddenly dropped.

"Very well, Fellow Daoist Lu, feel free to unleash your attack." Wang Changsheng agreed and put away the jade bottle.

Lu Shisan opened his mouth and spat out a red light, which was a five-chi-long crimson longblade. A miniature flood dragon was carved on its blade, appearing to swallow clouds and spit mist. This was the Blazing Flood Dragon Blade, Lu Shisan's Natal Magic Treasure, a mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure. He had never used this treasure against an enemy before; this was the first time.

"Blazing Flood Dragon Blade? Isn't that one of the Heavenly Blade Sect's three foundational treasures? How is it in Fellow Daoist Lu's hands?" Deng Yibo asked in surprise.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Lu is the Heavenly Blade Sect's next sect master. No wonder he personally accompanied the current Heavenly Blade Sect Master." Yang Hao's expression hardened as he slowly spoke.

The Heavenly Blade Sect possessed three foundational treasures, and one of them was the Blazing Flood Dragon Blade. The Blazing Flood Dragon Blade had not yet recognized a master, yet it was now in Lu Shisan's hands, and Lu Shisan had also accompanied the Heavenly Blade Sect Master to the celebration. Clearly, he was the chosen successor for the next sect master of the Heavenly Blade Sect. Yang Hao finally understood why Lu Shisan desired to spar with others: he likely wanted to showcase his strength and use this opportunity to publicize his status as the Heavenly Blade Sect's future sect master, which was probably tacitly approved by the current Heavenly Blade Sect Master.

The Taiyang Sect was holding a celebration for True Lord Taiyang, and guests gathered from all corners. If Lu Shisan could decisively defeat many experts, it would certainly benefit him in his future succession to the sect master position.

An ear-splitting dragon roar resounded. The crimson flood dragon carved on the Blazing Flood Dragon Blade seemed to come alive, continuously moving along the blade's surface, as a surge of crimson flames erupted. From afar, it looked as if a crimson flood dragon was swimming in a sea of fire.

Lu Shisan took a deep breath, channeling immense magical power into the Blazing Flood Dragon Blade. His face rapidly paled. Wang Changsheng's physical body could withstand a low-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure. Could it withstand a mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure?

Lu Shisan roared loudly. The Blazing Flood Dragon Blade's flames surged, and it shot from his hand like a flood dragon entering the sea, flying directly towards Wang Changsheng.

The Blazing Flood Dragon Blade unleashed countless crimson flames, transforming into a hundred-li-wide crimson sea of fire. The Blazing Flood Dragon Blade, like a crimson flood dragon, swam back and forth within the sea of fire. To onlookers, it appeared as if a crimson volcano was heading straight for Wang Changsheng. Wherever the crimson sea of fire passed, the void vibrated and warped, showing signs of tearing apart.

Wang Changsheng's expression hardened. He formed an incantation, and specks of blue light emerged in the void, forming a ten-li-wide blue lake that enveloped him.

The crimson sea of fire surged forward. A vast amount of seawater evaporated, and white mist billowed.

The Blazing Flood Dragon Blade flew directly towards Wang Changsheng, seemingly intent on cleaving him in two.

Wang Changsheng let out a soft snort. He took out the Nine Flood Dragon Drum, and his hands glowed with bright blue light as he smashed them onto the drum surface.

Dragon roars resounded one after another. Nine blue flood dragons continuously moved across the drum's surface, emitting ear-splitting roars, and hazy blue sound waves swept out to meet the attack.

The blue sound waves collided with the crimson sea of fire, unleashing a powerful wave of energy.

Dragon roars continued. Blue sound waves, one after another, relentlessly struck the crimson sea of fire. The crimson sea of fire lasted only a few breaths before bursting apart.

The Blazing Flood Dragon Blade glowed intensely red, transforming into a thousand-zhang-long crimson flood dragon that pounced on Wang Changsheng.

Wherever the crimson flood dragon passed, blue sound waves shattered, and Wang Changsheng's hair whipped in the wind.

The crimson flood dragon opened its gaping maw, poised to swallow Wang Changsheng.

A fierce glint flashed in Wang Changsheng's eyes. He slammed both arms violently onto the Nine Flood Dragon Drum.

Nine ear-splitting dragon roars erupted, echoing across an area of a hundred thousand li. Yang Hao and the others felt dizzy, their bodies weak, and their qi and blood churning within them.

The early-Spirit Transformation cultivators' faces turned beet red. They discovered in horror that their vital essence and blood seemed on the verge of tearing from their bodies, bursting their forms.

A soft green light glowed on the chests of Long Yunxin and Long Yunzhen, protecting them. Their eyes were filled with apprehension.

They naturally discerned that the Nine Flood Dragon Drum summoned by Wang Changsheng was quite extraordinary, not an ordinary low-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure.

With all nine flood dragons roaring in unison, a solidified blue sound wave swept out, meeting the crimson flood dragon.

The crimson flood dragon's body trembled, emitting a desolate shriek, then transformed back into a shimmering red longblade and flew backward.