Chapter 952: Who’s Got the Skills

The river roared.

The morning glow rose from the horizon, painting the Scarlet Flame Gate Tower in gold. The long-faced man sat silently within the tower, waiting for Murong Yan to stroll before him before whispering:

“Brother Murong… do you have any thoughts?”

Murong Yan sat down casually, his plump face showing no embarrassment, but rather a relaxed demeanor. He softly said:

“He must have a plan. He intends to make a statement for us here by the river.”

He seemed to treat Shi Louyingge as one of his own. Protected by his divine ability, he spoke without reservation, chuckling as he continued:

“Bai Ziyu is a smart man. He knows his opportunities depend solely on Qi Lanyan. As for the Helian family uncle and nephew, they merely fear his Observatory. Look at Tuoba Ci, he won't even take an extra step. The people from Zhao Palace are about to descend. If he doesn't establish his might… how will he command them then?”

Shi Louyingge smiled and asked:

“If that's the case… what methods do you think he'll use, Brother Murong? Heng Li and Heng Xing… they won't be coming, right?”

Murong Yan stroked his beard and chuckled:

“How could that be!”

Seeing his expression, Shi Louyingge sighed softly and replied:

“Indeed. After all, the noble lords have excellent methods! They only used a southern reincarnation to settle the matter… by going through the True Monarch's connections, leaving the Sun Dao Lineage speechless and in disarray.”

“My family's methods?”

Murong Yan gave a sarcastic laugh, as if there were hidden complexities, and merely said:

“In the past, my family dared not speak of it, fearing it would hinder things. Now that it's gradually becoming clear and irreversible, there's no harm in discussing it with you, Brother Murong!”

“You speak of my family's methods, so let me ask you, Brother Murong: in all these years of the Sun's decline, what has Heng Zhu ever lost? Back then, when the various Zifu cultivators were in a stalemate, a direct descendant of Heng Zhu inexplicably ran off… does my family truly possess such great power? Don't pay attention to everyone saying the Murong family's tactics caused discord within the Sun Dao Lineage…”

“Who desires discord, is yet unknown!”

Upon hearing this, Shi Louyingge's pupils dilated slightly. Clearly, he had recalled something unpleasant, and was momentarily speechless. After a long hesitation, he covered it up by saying:

“You are mistaken, Brother Murong. Heng Li and Heng Xing… they shouldn't be such people…”

Murong Yan burst into laughter and replied:

“Naturally. Heng Zhu's high position isn't evident, so this matter can be blamed on anyone.”

This remark was highly disrespectful, subtly hinting at someone of even higher standing. Shi Louyingge found himself unable to respond, a chill secretly rising in his heart:

‘In this case… either Heng Zhu's arrangements were made even earlier, having seen some clues, knowing that the Jade True One had hopes of achieving the Dao, and anticipating future troubles, thus preparing early…’

‘Or… the great trends of the world are about to emerge, and since Heng Zhu has been obscure for many years, someone higher up doesn't want the Heng Zhu Dao to be too deeply involved, creating unforeseen complications, deliberately using this to cause a separation…’

‘So much so that for all these years, Heng Zhu has been virtually unharmed. Their only true loss was a direct descendant who couldn't achieve the Zifu stage. Killing one person to bring peace to a prefecture…’

His pupils trembled slightly:

‘Heng Li shouldn't know… But since Heng Xing was willing to come to the next battle in Luo, did he sense something? Does he have a plan in mind… secretly cooperating, not daring to get too deeply involved?’

Neither of them wished to elaborate further, eventually drawing the conversation back. Murong Yan whispered:

“Could it be Chi Buzi?”

At the mention of that name, Shi Louyingge fell silent for a moment before replying:

“I've heard of him… the top genius of Qingchi. He's now a Grand True Man, and his cultivation speed is exceptionally fast, especially when crossing the Purple Immortal Threshold; he crossed it as if it were nothing, seemingly even more easily than Wei Xuanyin back then.”

Murong Yan's expression subtly darkened as he said:

“It's not impossible. Although Chi Buzi is usually prudent and self-preserving, if there's true benefit, he might not hesitate to get involved… but… how capable is he?”

The Yan imperial descendant said with a smile:

“You, I, and Xindou—that's three people right there. Near the bank, there's also Daisu. Three Sattva Seats and one Lotus Seat. Even if Mount Dayuangguangyin refuses to send people, and Tuoba Ci doesn't move, how many people would it take to take them down?”

Shi Louyingge, however, frowned, his eyes slowly turning southward as he replied:

“Here they come.”

Murong Yan also looked up, seeing white snow fluttering on the morning riverbank. Yet, unlike before, it didn't linger by the shore but propelled gusts of cold wind, crossing the river surface.

Ning Wan stood expressionless amidst the biting cold wind, holding a spirit sword in his arms. Behind him, a figure emerged: the sword cultivator, True Man Yushui Chen, his presence like surging white waters.

But Murong Yan's gaze quickly swept past the two of them, landing on the golden-eyed man beside them:

‘Li Zhouwei…’

“Whoosh!”

The true flames above rapidly receded. The long arched bridge and the true-flame armor all transformed into true flames, falling into Shi Louyingge's palm, vanishing as if they were mere illusions.

The man, his golden robes fluttering, stood in the air alongside Murong Yan, his tone calm:

“Brother Ning… what is this?”

Without waiting for the two to say more, Ning Wan's twenty-eight white banners soared into the sky, hanging aloft. Swirling white light, like countless tiny swords descending from the heavens, covered everything and swept down.

Immediately, cries of battle shook the heavens as cultivators, monks, and demonic cultivators from both sides clashed. Murong Yan merely chuckled, a thick killing intent rising in his eyes:

“Good!”

Between heaven and earth, colors instantly dimmed. Various dark hues surged, and even the originally pristine and bright falling snow appeared pale.

Demonic Dawn!

This divine ability surged like a tide. Chen's figure had already vanished as the divine ability swept forth. Two waters clashed, but the white Zifu Water divine ability was only enough to protect himself, standing unmoving like a reef amidst the surging waves.

Li Zhouwei watched silently with his golden eyes, the light at his brow already concentrated, coalescing into a brilliant glow. He had long known the effect of Murong Yan's Demonic Dawn, and so he was prepared, standing calmly behind Chen's Zifu Water divine ability, easily stabilizing his own divine ability!

“Rumble!”

The Nether Water divine ability rapidly spread, dyeing the entire sky as if with ink, causing several active divine abilities to halt simultaneously. Yet, a point of scorching radiance burst forth from the dark clouds.

Shi Louyingge's golden robes fluttered, and his eyes had completely transformed into a bright crimson. The clouds across the entire sky rapidly receded around him, revealing a blazing, vast sea of fire.

“The Gao family's True Fire Art!”

As soon as the two made their move, the entire sky was split into two distinct halves: below, dark and lightless; above, true flames blazed fiercely. All the falling snow instantly evaporated into nothingness, leaving only the twenty-eight white formation banners struggling to protect themselves within the fire.

“Clang!”

At this critical moment, a white jade spirit sword appeared from the Void, cold as autumn water, swift as lightning, aiming directly at Shi Louyingge!

‘Zhu Sheng…’

This Jade True Swordsman from Southern Xinjiang had always been a friend of Qingchi. It was Li Zhouwei's first time seeing him. His heart stirred slightly, and he secretly recalled Ning Wan's somewhat bitter expression:

‘He actually dares to intervene! Could it be… he doesn't know Sui Guan is behind this!’

He did not let his mind wander. With a slight turn of thought, the light from his brow burst forth with a rumble, not aiming at Murong Yan but striking the empty space in front of Chen.

“Rumble!”

The Bright Sun Radiance swiftly ascended, carving out a luminous area within the world enveloped by Demonic Dawn. At the point where the Supreme Brilliance descended, a man in white robes and a grey cloak slowly emerged, his expression slightly awkward.

It was indeed the demonic cultivator, Xindou!

He had intended to catch the two off guard, but he had unknowingly been seen through. Now, as the dazzling Supreme Brilliance descended, he himself was caught somewhat off guard. He could only grip the corner of his robe and use his divine ability to resist the light.

However, the Supreme Brilliance flickered with extreme speed, fleeting. It made him cough, as Chen had already pressed forward. Li Zhouwei's figure, meanwhile, soared into the air, his ape-like arms stretching, his long halberd sweeping across with a streaking light. The long shaft gleamed within the light, powerfully striking the attacking dark figure, causing a burst of sparks.

The divine abilities in the sky temporarily solidified. The overly expansive Demonic Dawn was finally broken by the combined divine abilities of several Zifu cultivators, revealing the distant morning glow, which shone upon the glittering golden halberd, parrying the spiritual artifact—half-staff, half-mace—from within the demonic smoke.

Within the long halberd, points of light gleamed like the rising sun. The 'Embracing Radiance' divine ability miraculously circulated, from which a fist-sized white streak of light, trailing a fiery tail, leaped out and circled the halberd's body.

Li Zhouwei's eyes were once again reflected in Murong Yan's pupils. This Li clan prodigy, having taken up his weapon, finally showed a hint of a smile:

“Brother Murong… today we can finally have a proper fight!”

Seeing him make a move to block him, the killing intent in Murong Yan's eyes slowly faded. His gaze shifted from Chen, instead showing a touch of eager excitement as he chuckled:

“Good!”

The moment he spoke, Murong Yan's figure vanished from his spot, replaced by a man-high circular halo emanating brilliant white light, encircled by sixteen scales.

He himself instantly moved three *zhang* sideways through the air, his two fingers held together before him, emitting two golden lights that intertwined into a ring-shaped arcane light. Immediately, an identical arcane light whistled out from the circular halo, both streaking towards him.

Li Zhouwei raised his halberd back, spun his arm, and leapt, holding the Grand Ascendance inverted, its long shaft pressed against his arm, standing behind him. Without haste, he freed a hand to unfasten the golden axe hanging diagonally from his waist.

‘Huayang King Axe!’

Murong Yan had been watching him intently, his expression complex for a moment, a mix of apprehension and helplessness, his mind momentarily distracted:

‘The Huayang King Axe of Li Shu and Li Guangfu, father and son… this item is renowned for its blunt weight… what is his intention in taking it out now!’

He saw Li Zhouwei's palm facing upwards, and the long axe, a symbol of nobility and authority, floated gently in his palm. Inch by inch, soft light emanated from the axe, illuminating all directions.

Light!

A faint white radiance shone forth, instantly covering the entire battlefield. Whether it was Zhu Sheng and Chen, fighting with their swords, or Ning Wan, controlling the grand formation to aid with heavy snow, all felt the faint white light enveloping them, protecting them from the true fire and nether water's intrusion.

In his previous few battles, Li Zhouwei had always fought alone, so he naturally wasn't in a hurry to use this art. Now that multiple Zifu cultivators were clashing, he naturally brought it out early to defend against the enemy.

“Whoosh…”

But in that very instant, two arcane lights, draped in faint blue and appearing like golden rings within, had already reached him. Li Zhouwei, unhurried, slightly parted his lips.

“Hiss…”

Immediately, surging purple flames flew from between his lips and teeth, sweeping across. These purple flames possessed unusual power, crashing through and instantly sweeping away the two arcane lights.

It was precisely the Huayang King Axe's flame-spitting ability!

In just a blink of an eye, Li Zhouwei was surrounded by a bright sea of light, his Sun Response Separation Art shining brilliantly. The light climbed up his arm, and with a flick of his halberd, he had already cast the two techniques behind him, charging towards Murong Yan!

He had long seen that the sixteen scales in the thrown halo were the Dharma scales of the Azure-necked Flood Dragon. Therefore, this light must be the Water-melding Delusion Light, difficult to dissolve. The best method, naturally, was to attack what the enemy had to defend, forcing him to dispel his spell!

Murong Yan immediately raised his River Boundary Staff, slightly arching his brows. The Demonic Dawn divine ability's light ceased expanding, tightly circling him within three *zhang*, locking away all light.

“Clang!”

The clash of spiritual artifacts roared like thunder. Murong Yan indeed broke off his spell, pausing slightly. The Grand Ascendance glowed brightly, and another 'Embracing Radiance' white light leaped forth, two points of white light circling the halberd, resisting the Demonic Dawn divine ability's light.

But at the very instant Murong Yan parried the Grand Ascendance, a layer of hazy golden light rose from the Grand Ascendance halberd. Though the halberd itself remained in place, bracing against the River Boundary Staff, a golden halberd shadow swung out in a graceful arc, stabbing towards his neck!

The Grand Ascendance's Attachment-Effect Avatar!

‘This is to use an illusory double to force my Yin Aspect to appear!’

A hint of surprise flashed in Murong Yan's eyes. He had understood the opponent's intention, yet he had no choice but to raise his head, revealing a dishevelled, pure white and beautiful female face, which bit down on the light-shadow with a 'clank'.

‘When his Yin Aspect manifests, his main body indeed becomes temporarily powerless!’

The attachment-effect avatar shattered with a crash. However, the true body of the weapon in Li Zhouwei's hand was finally unhindered, unlike during their first battle. Golden light shone brightly, and with a swift turn, it swept aside the River Boundary Staff, whose magical power had dimmed. It thrust forward again, shattering the woman's head.

“How powerful!”

Amidst the spreading black mist, a large hand, white as jade, once again grasped the short hilt of the River Boundary Staff. Murong Yan's plump outer skin finally shed completely, and the majestic man stood in mid-air, his shimmering arms, white as jade, amidst the surging purple flames that rushed towards him.

The River Boundary Staff's form infinitely expanded in the air, condensing into a colossal black demonic blade that chopped down from above!

“Rumble!”

The clang of metal resonated through the air. Dazzling Bright Sun radiance shot skyward, and surging nether water grey light flowed like water. This colossal black demonic blade, vast as a mountain peak, hung suspended in the sky, casting a giant shadow on the ground.

A golden long halberd, appearing like a mere branch in comparison, stood in mid-air, propping up the demonic blade. Li Zhouwei descended more than a hundred *zhang*, nearly falling into the river. His hands gripped so tightly they were pale, and the river surface beneath his feet was pressed down by his divine ability, receding rapidly to either side, instantly creating a vast, waterless hollow in the surging river.

“Rumble!”

Dazzling sparks, accompanied by purple flames, erupted at the point of impact. The sky's appearance instantly split into two halves along the division: one half brilliantly luminous, the other spewing grey.

The cultivators from both sides clashing on the river were instantly terrified out of their wits, scrambling back in a chaotic retreat, leaving a clear, empty fault line in the battle.

This phenomenon, caused by the powerful collision of divine abilities, lasted only for an instant. The True Men's divine abilities once again enveloped the sky. The true flames and Jade True light in the sky brightened anew, intertwining red and white, illuminating Li Zhouwei's face. His eyes shone brightly as he quietly met Murong Yan's gaze.

“Boom…”

Phoenix cries, dragon roars, banners rising, flags fluttering—a muffled roar boiled within the clouds. The pure white gate tower once again descended from the sky. The scene of their first encounter reappeared. Murong Yan stared at the smile emerging in his opponent's eyes, finally realizing something was amiss.

The target of the Heavenly Audience Gate was not him, but…

The River Boundary Staff!

Characters appearing in this chapter:

Ning Wan: Early Zifu stageChen: Early Zifu stageMurong Yan: Early Zifu stageShi Louyingge: Mid Zifu stageZhu Sheng: Early Zifu stageLi Zhouwei: Early Zifu stage