Chapter 41: Human-Dragon 'Pinnacle' Showdown

That finger...

Li Changshou's forehead was furrowed, his eyes swallowed by shadow, as he sat there, still as a statue. Why did the world bear so much ill will towards him?

There were at least seven or eight thousand Qi Refiners present, and among the younger disciples, his cultivation level was neither particularly high nor low; many disciples from smaller immortal sects hadn't even reached the Void Return realm yet. How did the Dragon King's Second Prince single him out from such a vast crowd? Li Changshou couldn't understand it, truly couldn't. But he knew this wasn't the time to be dazed; he had to do something to escape his current predicament.

Countless gazes converged on him, and streams of immortal and spiritual senses probed him. Fortunately, as long as no one took his hand to probe his internal state, his true cultivation level shouldn't be revealed. However, he couldn't be certain if the powerful figures on the high platform above had seen through him.

At that moment, Li Changshou genuinely wanted to rush forward, pin this young dragon named Ao Yi to the ground, pry open his mouth, and force-feed him a few Immortal Melting Pills and Demon Subduing Bone Corroding Pills!

"Nephew Changshou? Nephew Changshou?" A female immortal from the Immortal Du Sect urgently sent a voice transmission. Li Changshou immediately composed himself and looked up.

"Cough!" A male True Immortal from the Immortal Du Sect cleared his throat, stood up, and bowed to Ao Yi, who stood proudly in the spacious arena. He smiled and said, "Your Highness Ao Yi, are you perhaps looking for a spar with my nephew, Changshou?"

"Indeed," Ao Yi replied impatiently. "Have him come up." As soon as he finished speaking, several voice transmissions entered his ears. "Your Highness, you've made a mistake. That person is only at the second stage of Void Return." "Your Highness! Please choose that woman in the fiery red dress; she is at the eighth stage of Void Return!" Ao Yi's mouth twitched slightly, but he remained completely unmoved.

Li Changshou also stood up at this moment, bowed to his True Immortal, and said, "Senior Uncle, my cultivation is shallow. I can't even rank among the top hundred disciples in the sect. I fear I'm no match for His Highness, and rashly stepping forward might disgrace the dignity of my Immortal Du Sect. Perhaps His Highness could choose another disciple from the Immortal Du Sect present, one who ranks among the top ten contemporary disciples within our sect for a spar... I will not go up to make a fool of myself."

The other ten Immortal Du Sect disciples also stood up in succession, with Qin Xuan'ya even moving a few steps to the side, positioning herself in front of Li Changshou. Ao Yi frowned. This person wasn't just weak in cultivation; he was also incredibly long-winded. The Second Prince of the Dragon Palace declared loudly, "I have chosen you! What, does the Immortal Du Sect not hold my East Sea Dragon Palace in high regard?"

Li Changshou's brows furrowed instantly. This young man was still determined to spar with him? What exactly was going on? Meanwhile, on the high platform, two to three hundred Human Celestial Immortals were looking down at the situation below, and over a hundred Dragon experts were also observing with furrowed brows. Only the old Dragon King, with a dragon head and human body, smiled on the high platform, as if asleep; he paid no attention to what was happening below, seemingly already aware of what was to unfold.

As Li Changshou hesitated, his Senior Uncle from the sect turned and gave him a helpless smile. "Nephew Changshou, why don't you go and exchange a few moves with His Highness?" This male True Immortal, fearing Li Changshou's embarrassment, said directly, "We originally intended to bring you here to broaden your horizons, but we didn't expect His Highness to choose you for a spar. Nephew, just display what you've learned in your daily practice. There's no need to strive for victory; just don't dampen His Highness's enthusiasm."

Immediately after, Li Changshou heard a voice transmission from another Senior Uncle: 'Nephew Changshou, don't worry. Go up and exchange a few moves with him; we will be closely watching from behind. This young dragon is the Dragon Palace's Prince, and he is very powerful. If you see things going awry, concede immediately. Self-preservation is paramount. Your cultivation is insufficient, so losing is fine. Our Immortal Du Sect's reputation doesn't need disciples to shed blood to uphold!'

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, forced a slight smile, bowed to the concerned gazes of his seniors and peers from the sect, and walked down the steps towards the arena. He decided to do what a second-stage Void Return disciple should do. Today, Ao Yi was the protagonist. His opponent choosing him likely meant Ao Yi wanted to ensure a stable victory. In that case, he would graciously concede after a few moves, as long as he didn't lose too badly.

"Changshou! Nephew!" Jiu Jiu suddenly called out from the side, unfastened the large gourd on her back, winked at Li Changshou, and exclaimed, "You forgot your Evil-Slaying Ruyi Sword! I've almost finished comprehending it, so I'll return it to you now."

Li Changshou was momentarily dumbfounded, caught between laughter and tears, but he truly felt his junior senior uncle's concern for him. The Evil-Slaying Ruyi Sword was a supreme magic treasure forged by True Lord Oblivion. It was said to have the potential to evolve into a spirit treasure, possessing immense power. This was his junior senior uncle's natal magic treasure, and she was now using such an excuse to lend it to him...

"Disciple is going to spar with His Highness the Second Prince," Li Changshou said gently. "A spar is not a life-or-death battle, so there's no need for such a lethal magic treasure." With that, Li Changshou stepped into the arena, not taking his junior senior uncle's large gourd. His gaze met that of the Dragon Palace Prince for the second time. Ao Yi's lips curved into a slight smile, his eyes filled with eagerness.

'Excellent, come! Shatter me, the Second Prince of the Dragon Palace, head-on! Strike me with a full-power spell or a punch! I'm sure to vomit three liters of blood!'

Li Changshou's heart twitched. That gaze... What did he want? So aggressive! 'Does this Dragon Palace Prince really intend to kill an Immortal Du Sect disciple on the spot? Is it because I'm not a True Immortal Seed, so killing me outright won't provoke too strong a reaction from the Immortal Du Sect, and it would also vent the Dragon Palace's frustrations? Tsk, that must be his plan. I need to be cautious in this match.'

Thus, Li Changshou became even more cautious. Ao Yi's immortal armor glowed brilliantly around him as he took a step forward, his aura rising dramatically. Li Changshou was over thirty zhang away from him and could feel Ao Yi's aura completely locking onto him. He immediately channeled his magic power, concealed his aura, and focused on circulating his self-created Turtle Breath Calming Qi Art, ensuring his current magic power fluctuations perfectly matched the output of a second-stage Void Return cultivator exerting their full strength. Then, Li Changshou took half a step forward, and the auras of the man and the dragon completely linked.

'Come on!' A gleam flashed in Ao Yi's blue eyes. He abandoned the idea of attacking from a distance with a magic treasure and immediately prepared to rush forward, low to the ground, offering his handsome face to the fist of the Immortal Du Sect's weakest disciple on this trip! "Wait!" Li Changshou shouted loudly, and Ao Yi's foot stumbled, almost causing him to fall face-first onto the clean 'ground' of the Water Lotus Platform. What's wrong? Ao Yi frowned and looked. The gazes of everyone in the arena also held a hint of confusion. They were about to start fighting, so why "wait" again?

Li Changshou then said, "Since this is a spar, we should first establish some rules. There should at least be a respected referee to judge victory and defeat, and the sparring area should be clearly demarcated to prevent fighting beyond the boundaries. Starting a spar without any rules like this might not align with the Dragon Palace's usual strict conduct and its reputation for fairness and impartiality!"

'What a hassle this person is...' Ao Yi's forehead creased with several dark lines, but the Turtle Prime Minister beside him found Li Changshou's words to be well-reasoned and irrefutable. It was true that the Dragon Palace hadn't fully prepared for this aspect. Immediately, the Turtle Prime Minister stepped forward to personally serve as the 'referee' for this spar, using immortal power to draw a large circle with a diameter of two hundred zhang. "Your Highness and this virtuous talent from the Immortal Du Sect shall spar with restraint; neither party may use lethal magic treasures..." With the arena drawn and three simple rules agreed upon, the spar instantly became much more formal.

Li Changshou and Ao Yi faced each other again, separated by over thirty zhang, their auras linking once more. Ao Yi paused slightly, and immediately several rhomboid dark ice formations appeared around him, with clusters of flickering flames within the ice. 'I must put on a strong display and lose spectacularly!' Taking a breath and steadying his qi, Ao Yi prepared for the second time, about to charge forward! "Wait!" Li Changshou shouted again, and Ao Yi's foot slipped, causing him to stumble forward two steps. This guy, always shouting "Wait!" precisely when his magic power is about to circulate!

Li Changshou then said, "Your Highness the Second Prince, perhaps we could have a scholarly debate instead..." "Too much nonsense! Fight!" Ao Yi let out a low roar, stamping his foot and charging forward, low to the ground! His figure was like an arrow released from a bow, the dark ice around him glowing brightly. He even left an afterimage in his wake, yet he presented an incredibly obvious opening from the front!

Li Changshou held a stack of talismans in his hand. The instant Ao Yi rushed closer, Li Changshou's feet flickered, and he "clumsily" dodged to the side, yet within his apparent clumsiness, there was a hint of grace. The Roaming Dragon Cloud-Seeking Step – a superior movement technique of the Immortal Du Sect that he had already deliberately displayed. However, it was merely a movement technique, not a powerful divine ability. Ao Yi frowned. As he passed Li Changshou, he stared at Li Changshou's slightly flustered face.

Ao Yi thought to himself: 'What's going on? Is a direct counter-attack that difficult? Right, I was too fierce; I must have scared him. Don't be afraid, attack me head-on! I, your Prince, will let you win spectacularly!'

After charging twenty zhang forward, Ao Yi executed a stylish aerial flip to stabilize himself, then stamped his foot and rushed toward Li Changshou again. Li Changshou casually flung out six talismans, forming hand seals. The runes on the talismans instantly glowed, unleashing intertwining fire snakes towards the front! Ao Yi didn't dodge, charging straight through. His figure was engulfed by the fire, but he instantly broke through the ordinary magical flames! Unrivaled ferocity!

Li Changshou's profound footwork reappeared. Although he was much calmer this time, he still appeared somewhat clumsy, narrowly avoiding Ao Yi's charge again and casually sending two more talismans at him. Ao Yi sneered, immediately changed his approach, and pursued Li Changshou closely, actively embracing all the flames unleashed by the talismans!

Li Changshou, using his second-stage Void Return magic power, employed the Roaming Dragon Cloud-Seeking Step, retreating and attacking, quickly falling into a disadvantageous position and "smoothly" maneuvering towards the spot he had previously chosen... In the blink of an eye, dozens of moves had passed in their battle! Ao Yi's brows furrowed deeper and deeper. Relying on his strength, which was "far superior" to this Immortal Du Sect disciple, he continuously presented his vulnerabilities and his face to his opponent. But the opponent, he wondered, was it intentional that he avoided his vital points, not daring to strike the Dragon Palace Prince, or was his strength genuinely too weak to seize these incredibly obvious opportunities... He just wouldn't exploit his weaknesses! Fortunately, although this guy's talisman spells weren't powerful, he had already endured many magical fire attacks... Soon, he could directly perform the "Great Explosion" of a living dragon!

Finally, Li Changshou and Ao Yi made their first physical contact. At this point, the boundary was three zhang behind Li Changshou. He had been "forced" into a corner, and a hint of decisiveness finally appeared in his eyes. He flung out more than ten talismans, and streams of magic power gathered in his palm, forming lightning in his hand! The Heavenly Clear Five Thunder Marvelous Method! This was considered a slightly higher-tier spell of the Immortal Du Sect; half of the disciples who entered the Void Return realm had already mastered it. Lightning flashed, and flames surged! Ao Yi's figure rushed into the chaotic energy, and finally, his fist struck Li Changshou's palm!

'Hm?' Ao Yi frowned slightly. It was only because, as his fist met Li Changshou's palm, his naturally keen battle instinct made him feel a faint hint of danger. 'Eh?' At the same time, Li Changshou was somewhat confused. This guy's fist had no power at all?

Even so, Li Changshou still followed his script. He leaned back, stumbled a few steps backward, and deftly used the momentum to deflect Ao Yi's fist to the side, continuing his retreat. Ao Yi also seized this opportune moment, deliberately slipped, stumbled a few steps to the left, and thought to himself, 'It should be about time!' Just then, Ao Yi heard a cough from the side. His sapphire-like eyes shifted, and he glanced out of the corner of his vision...

Li Changshou lowered his head and coughed a few times, a trace of blood appearing on his fingertips. He looked up with a long sigh, his expression one of great frustration, and murmured, "Alas, I still lost. My skills are inferior. I suppose I'll just go back to cultivating outside the sect." He then took half a step back, inadvertently stepping out of the previously drawn boundary.

Immortals and Qi Refiners across the Water Lotus Platform, along with the Dragon and Sea races, all showed a hint of regret. Considering Li Changshou was a second-stage Void Return disciple, the movement techniques, talisman spells, and lightning spells he had just displayed were handled quite well.

Con-conceded? Ao Yi was stunned, looking down at the sparkling boundary in front of Li Changshou. For a moment, he couldn't process what had happened. What the hell was "conceding first"? Conceding faster than me, what kind of trick is this? Don't you want to win, Human Qi Refiner?

Just then, the Turtle Prime Minister called out from the side, "This match, by my Second Prince..." Ao Yi's eyes widened, his handsome face twisting into a slightly ferocious expression! Th-this won't do! His perfect plan! The most crucial step in the grand scheme to awaken the dragon race! How could you concede on your own, you fellow! I, your Prince, practically offered my face for you to strike! Truly, truly!

A faint red glow suddenly surged across the Second Prince's handsome face. The Turtle Prime Minister's announcement continued: "Has w..." "Ah!" Ao Yi suddenly roared, throwing his head back. Streams of light golden dragon blood abruptly erupted around him, and even his immortal armor developed faint cracks. The Turtle Prime Minister, a Celestial Immortal, was instantly startled into a daze.

Ao Yi, staring at Li Changshou with immense unwillingness, stammered, "Such powerful... talisman... spells..." As he spoke, the Second Prince's figure slowly fell backward, collapsing into a 'pool of blood.' A group of Dragon experts rushed forward, and the scene instantly became utterly chaotic!

Li Changshou: ... This young Dragon brother's acting was clearly subpar, at best on par with a rookie idol. From the side, several True Immortals from his sect rushed over and shielded Li Changshou behind them.