Chapter 75: Steady Progress for Victory · First Move

"Master, why are you here too?"

"Well... wasn't I looking for you? Come on, let's go up! Don't embarrass me here!"

From the corner of Ao Yi's eye, the old Daoist Yuan Ze, accompanied by two maidens, swiftly floated back into the sky. They rejoined the crowd as if nothing had happened...

Then, Li Changshou flew into mid-air and bowed towards them.

"Li Changshou, a disciple of Xiaoqiong Peak, greets..."

A familiar voice slowly spread through the night sky. Ao Yi's legs trembled slightly, and he stumbled half a step forward.

He lost...Or rather, he lost again.

At the age of ten, he had sought defeat, but this person had taken a step back and conceded first, making Ao Yi the loser...

Today...

Holding the Water Condensation Spirit Pearl given by his mother, he couldn't break through these simple confining formations; wielding the Ice Glaze Sword bestowed by his master, he couldn't cut through the chaos of this small space. What face did he have left to challenge this person again with his sword?

Yet, how could he accept it?

He had finally devised a plan to gain fame: leveraging the Jin'ao Island cultivators' penchant for debating Dao, he would challenge human prodigies one by one...

Why, here, at the very beginning of his plan, did it...

Ao Yi stood there, his eyes filled with confusion. He didn't know whether to follow his heart, bow to Li Changshou and admit, 'I am not as good as you,' then turn and leave; or to continue with his plan, disregard his pride, and keep sparring with this Human School disciple...

Ao Yi sighed inwardly, yet he was unwilling to act so shamelessly. He put away the precious pearl, sheathed his spirit sword, took two steps forward, and remotely bowed to Li Changshou in front of the pill refinement room.

"Fellow Daoist, Ao Yi has witnessed the wonders of your formations today."

Having said that, Ao Yi turned to leave; but an Immortal of the Jie School in the sky frowned slightly and calmly stated:

"Since this young friend Changshou has emerged from seclusion, there's no need for any formation sparring. Just let the two of them spar directly. This isn't about winning or losing; Jin'ao Island has already lost this round today. We simply wish to help Junior Brother Ao Yi overcome his inner demons."

Ao Yi looked up, wanting to speak but holding back.

However, an elder of the Duxian Sect had already spoken: "Changshou, are you willing to spar with the Dragon Palace Crown Prince again? He will seal his cultivation to be equivalent to your Void Return Realm, Seventh Stage."

Li Changshou didn't hesitate, having already anticipated the reactions from both sides; this spar was unavoidable. Due to the matter of the formations and prestige, both sides were already somewhat competitive.

He bowed his head and said, "Disciple, I will follow all arrangements made by the sect."

Instantly, the elders in the sky smiled even more brightly; they had already reached a tacit agreement: after the Jin'ao Island group left, they would reward this unexpected young disciple, Li Changshou.

Presently, the group returned to Potian Peak. When they had come from Potian Peak, there were only five or six figures. Now, returning, there were clouds filling the sky, a vast dark mass under the starlit night...

Li Changshou dutifully followed behind the immortals. Jiuwu hurried over, pulled his arm, and leaned back slightly...

"Take this."

Jiuwu slipped his hand into Li Changshou's sleeve, placing a treasure pouch there, and transmitted his voice:

"This Dragon Palace Crown Prince carries two acquired spirit treasures. That sword of his is no ordinary item. If he tries to harm you later, just take out what's in this pouch and throw it at him. This is my master's Purple Rhombus Seal, also a spirit treasure. I asked for it for you to borrow. Remember, it's a loan! It's not a gift!"

Li Changshou almost couldn't hold back a smile, but he took out the treasure pouch and tucked it back into Jiuwu's sleeve. Hmm? Were there also several treasure pouches sewn into this Martial Uncle's sleeve? He wondered what good things were inside.

"Martial Uncle, there's no need to worry. I have my own ways to deal with him later," Li Changshou transmitted back, "I certainly won't let him win this fight... As long as he doesn't transform into his dragon form mid-fight."

Jiuwu was immediately puzzled. Li Changshou then mumbled a few more words via voice transmission; the short Daoist instantly raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Earth... Is that not quite proper?"

Li Changshou smiled, "Methods must be used flexibly; that's a principle my master often teaches."

"By the way, where's your master? You're sparring with someone; he should come and watch."

"Uh," Li Changshou's spiritual sense briefly checked the sleeping tree stump hidden in the dense forest several hundred miles outside the mountain gate. His lips twitched slightly, and he left a wisp of spiritual sense lingering there. He replied aloud, "I don't know either. Master has been feeling troubled recently, so he probably went out for a stroll."

Jiuwu sighed softly: "That's true. Your master became a Turbid Immortal; the immortal path surely isn't easy for him. Don't think too much about it for now. Just fight well in this match. Winning or losing doesn't matter, just don't be too disheveled."

Li Changshou nodded. Ahead, elders had already turned to look at them, so Jiuwu didn't dare say more. He summoned a cloud and led Li Changshou to catch up.

...

Moments later, on the flat square in front of the Duxian Hall on Potian Peak. An elder threw out dozens of luminous magic pearls, illuminating the area as if it were daytime; over a hundred figures stood before the hall. Within the Duxian Sect, most cultivators' spiritual and immortal senses were fixed on this spot.

The Jin'ao Island group also said nothing more; after discussing with a few elders, Jiuwu stepped forward and declared loudly:

"Sparring and debating the Dao are meant to verify one's own path and comprehend one's principles, not to engage in reckless combat. Both parties should stop when appropriate and must not intentionally harm others. This open space in front of the hall serves as the boundary. Following the rules set by the Dragon Palace that day, stepping out of bounds counts as a loss, and no lethal treasures are to be used."

Ao Yi and Li Changshou both agreed.

Afterwards, Ao Yi put away the spirit treasure longsword from his waist, pulled out a pair of silver-white gloves from his embrace, and slowly put them on; he then turned and cupped his hands to the five Jin'ao Island Heavenly Immortals:

"I ask my senior brothers to seal my cultivation to the Void Return Realm, Seventh Stage."

"Good," a middle-aged Daoist nodded slightly. With his left hand, he drew a talisman in mid-air and struck Ao Yi with it, causing Ao Yi's aura to instantly drop. "This talisman can seal you for one hour."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Subsequently, Ao Yi and Li Changshou each walked into the arena. Separated by fifteen zhang, their auras intertwined.

Suddenly, someone on the side called out: "Senior Brother Changshou!"

Li Changshou glanced sideways to see Yuqin Xuanya in a red dress, watching him from in front of the hall, her eyes showing a hint of worry. "Don't overexert yourself."

"Mm," Li Changshou nodded with a smile, purely out of politeness.

Li Changshou looked at Ao Yi and said, "Crown Prince Ao Yi, today's spar will be somewhat different from the Demon Extermination Assembly. I might win unfairly."

Ao Yi's youthful face showed embarrassment. He replied in a clear, resonant voice, "Fellow Daoist, please proceed as you wish."

Li Changshou nodded, swept the front of his Daoist robe back with one hand, placing it behind him, and made a gesturing invitation. The opening was full of imposing presence!

However, Li Changshou had already made his calculations. This upcoming fighting style was something he had carefully considered. —Steady with a mischievous twist... *cough*, seeking victory steadily, without revealing too much!

Ao Yi took a light breath, his expression turning solemn. Clusters of Profound Ice Fire appeared around him.

From Li Changshou's sleeve, yellow paper talismans flew out, scattering hundreds of them in an instant! Ao Yi had experienced this move before, but this time, he felt the yellow paper talismans were much more powerful than last time.

Stopping his steps, Ao Yi charged forward, his body close to the ground. Several clusters of Profound Ice Fire transformed into dragon shadows, circling around him, and together they aggressively rushed towards Li Changshou!

This time, Li Changshou didn't use any footwork to evade. Instead, he stood still, rapidly chanting incantations, the syllables so fast they blurred, like humming.

Ao Yi pounced in an instant! A punch, carrying the force to split mountains and crack stones, slammed directly towards Li Changshou's chest. At this moment, Ao Yi frowned, already prepared to withdraw his fist at any time.

But... Whoosh! Li Changshou's figure crouched, instantly drilling into the ground, which rippled like water! Earth Escape!

Because of his previous trip to North Continent, where he saved Yuqin Xuanya twice using Earth Escape, it was already known within the sect. Li Changshou could now openly use it.

Ao Yi's punch hit nothing. His body landed, carrying him forward over ten steps... The Second Crown Prince of the Dragon Race turned his head and saw that the yellow papers behind him had already formed a formation, with streaks of fire light erupting in succession! Although they were ordinary magical flames, under the enhancement of Li Changshou's simulated Void Return Realm, Seventh Stage magic power, they still displayed considerable power. Ao Yi shielded his face with his arms, dodging left and right, continuously struck by the dense magical flames...

Li Changshou silently moved underground, searching for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack; he could lose, or he could win; compared to each other, it actually made no difference to him. The key lay in how to lose, and how to win.

If he were to face Ao Yi head-on in a grand battle, splendidly, whether he lost or won, his image would be etched in the minds of the sect's disciples; but if he relied on Earth Escape and talismans, avoiding a direct confrontation, winning unfairly or losing without regret, it would make most people think he was nothing special... The image of a "low-quality immortal sprout" skilled in formations and Earth Escape would instantly become fully fleshed out. Winning in such a way would only be seen as a trick by others. No one would consider him a "heroic" figure. Uh, the 'toxic' side might not agree, that's a loophole and not within consideration. Even if he gained a bad reputation for it, he didn't care; all Li Changshou wanted was for the incident to quickly subside and for his cultivation life to swiftly return to its original stability!

So... My apologies, little dragon!

The talisman formation continuously erupted with fire, making Ao Yi quite disheveled, but it didn't inflict much damage on him. Ao Yi felt a little anxious, constantly searching for Li Changshou's figure. The ground was calm and undisturbed, yet there seemed to be a wisp of residual aura... There!

Ao Yi immediately charged forward, unleashing a punch that blasted a pit in the ground with a bang, but there was no sign of Li Changshou beneath.

Just then, a large hand quietly emerged from the ground behind Ao Yi. This hand, with a talisman attached, couldn't be detected by spiritual sense. It held a sharp magical artifact dagger, aiming for Ao Yi's heel... Poke!

A small spurt of blood instantly shot out. Ao Yi immediately jumped up, turned his head to look, and the large hand instantly retracted into the ground! Ao Yi gasped, but his swiftly launched palm strike again hit nothing; with wide eyes, he could only jump into the air immediately!

The talisman formation, which had been waiting for a long time, simultaneously unleashed its power. Unbeknownst to Ao Yi, dozens more yellow paper talismans had appeared in the air, erupting in a sky full of fire, directly knocking Ao Yi's figure back down! Among these magical flames, there was a wisp of extraordinary True Flame, burning Ao Yi's flesh with intense pain, leaving him covered in scorch marks and even more disheveled... That was the appropriately powerful Samadhi True Flame, simulated by Li Changshou using his Qi-flame combined with a wisp of his essence and spirit!

As soon as Ao Yi landed, another hand, undetectable by spiritual sense, emerged from Ao Yi's blind spot... This time, the hand held a magical artifact short sword, aimed at Ao Yi's knee joint... Poke!

A second small spurt of blood flew out! A few soft chuckles echoed from the front of the hall... Ao Yi turned and glared furiously, but the hand instantly retracted into the ground, with no sign of Li Changshou!

With a furrowed brow on his refined face, Ao Yi again caught a wisp of residual aura on the ground. He punched the ground, blasting a half-zhang deep pit... The plaza in front of the main hall was paved with extremely sturdy, simply refined stone materials; even with his cultivation sealed, being able to punch a pit in the ground made both sides' immortals cast sidelong glances at Ao Yi's strength...

But it was useless. Those residual auras were merely used by Li Changshou to lure his opponent. When Ao Yi pounced, he would attack from behind, infuriating Ao Yi so much that he could only escape into the air. But the talisman formation above shifted, and a pillar of fire struck down from thin air, once again forcing Ao Yi to the ground!

As soon as Ao Yi landed, his legs felt as if they were stuck in a quagmire. The ground instantly solidified, locking him in place! Li Changshou's words, 'I might win unfairly,' echoed in Ao Yi's mind, and he suddenly understood... Today was different from the Demon Extermination Assembly; this was solid ground, not the 'ground' formed by the water lotus platform back then! This Duxian Sect disciple could unleash his most adept Earth Escape! It had to be said, this Earth Escape technique was truly formidable!

But! "Hah!" Ao Yi let out a low cry, his hands swiftly forming seals. Clusters of Profound Ice Flames around him condensed into azure dragon shadows! The dragon shadows howled in all directions, barraging the ground. Stone shards flew everywhere, and the light and shadow effects instantly became spectacular!

Li Changshou, hidden underground, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration upon seeing this... This Dragon Crown Prince actually knew the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms?! Would he really not be scolded as a 'prodigal son' or something by his own Dragon King father? At this moment, there should be background music...

In front of the hall, most of the Duxian Sect elders looked a mixture of amused and exasperated; they naturally felt that Li Changshou's use of escape techniques to avoid direct combat was somewhat ungraceful; yet, precisely because this young crown prince clearly couldn't contend with their disciple, and Li Changshou was already in an unassailable position, the elders also felt that this was ultimately a good thing. Only the few elders responsible for managing internal sect affairs felt a pang of heartache at this moment... Constructing this plaza also required considerable precious materials!

And look! The dragon shadows unleashed by Ao Yi smashed everywhere; amidst the smoke and dust, Li Changshou's hand quietly emerged from behind Ao Yi again. This time, he was clutching a... three-foot long sword... Aiming at Ao Yi's thigh, he poked forward again. Clang! No blood spurted out this time!

Ao Yi turned and glared furiously. A layer of dragon scale illusion appeared outside his thigh, and he forcefully pulled his feet from the ground! However, the talisman formation above began another relentless barrage, giving Ao Yi no time to think; Li Changshou, hidden underground, quietly waited for the next opportunity to strike, secretly controlling the talisman formation and continuously replenishing the talismans it needed...

One could see the talisman formation in the sky shifting, at one moment forming a serpentine shape, then an '8' shape, conjuring clusters of magical flames and thick pillars of fire, leaving Ao Yi utterly disheveled... And as soon as Ao Yi's body touched the ground, that hand, undetectable by spiritual or immortal sense, would emerge from his blind spot, holding daggers, short swords, and long swords, continuously poking his calves. Ao Yi roared repeatedly, but it was merely impotent rage; Li Changshou's repeated sneak attacks had already inflicted many minor flesh wounds on Ao Yi's legs...

For a while, the entire Duxian Sect, from top to bottom, was filled with the joyful laughter of young disciples. Yuqin Xuanya, who had initially been full of worry, now couldn't help but purse her lips to suppress her laughter; the usually solemn Immortal Master Wangqing, at this moment, had turned within the hall to face a wall, seemingly lost in thought, his shoulders occasionally trembling...

A moment later, Ao Yi was covered in scorch marks, gasping for breath, his long hair disheveled; the talisman formation unleashed its power, and his figure was once again pressed to the ground by a pillar of fire, but he stubbornly remained standing, not falling...

Just then, a dark shadow emerged from the ground behind Ao Yi... A chilling aura spread throughout the arena; everyone knew that dark shadow must be the hand reappearing, but at this moment... at this moment...

A glint of cold light was exposed from the dust and smoke. It was a sharp spike, no, not one spike, but countless sharp spikes! This time, the hand was conspicuously clutching a — magical artifact spiked club! The hand emerging from the ground raised the spiked club, aimed at Ao Yi's most vulnerable spot behind him, and silently crept closer...

Ao Yi was currently searching all around, his mind somewhat dazed, and he didn't notice the approaching danger... For a moment, all the spectators widened their eyes; Yuqin Xuanya, Hanzhi, Rourou, and many female disciples of the Duxian Sect covered their faces, not daring to look further; two Jin'ao Island cultivators were so angered their hands trembled; many male disciples' Adam's apples twitched slightly, swearing wildly in their hearts that they would absolutely never spar with Li Changshou of Xiaoqiong Peak in the future!

"Alright! We concede!"

The old Daoist Yuan Ze shouted helplessly, and the spiked club instantly vanished into the ground. Ao Yi turned, looking at Yuan Ze with confusion, but then sighed and lowered his head. He truly had no way to counter Earth Escape.

With his mind eased, Ao Yi awkwardly stumbled back two steps, his inner aura surging, and sat on the ground... He truly... he truly lost... He...

Just then, a fair, large hand extended from the side, reaching out to Ao Yi. Ao Yi looked up and saw Li Changshou's gentle face.

"Would you consider this a draw? If I were to confront you directly, I wouldn't be your match, so I could only resort to such insidious tactics. After all, this is my Duxian Sect, and I had to give my all, unable to let my sect lose a round. I hope you can understand. I apologize for any offense."

Ao Yi's throat trembled, and he instantly managed a strong smile, his eyes slightly red. The human race wasn't only composed of demons like those cold-faced old Daoists... There were also gentle people, like Changshou...

Ao Yi raised his hand, grasped Li Changshou's outstretched palm, and used the momentum to stand up.