Chapter 1325: Chapter 49: White Qi Facing the Sky, Water Crane Temple Golden Sun (2)
At this moment, a look of doubt appeared on his face again, "But when I left the sect, I didn’t hear about him accepting any disciples."
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I only joined the sect over a hundred years ago, it’s no surprise that brother has not heard of me."
"You’ve only been cultivating for a little over a hundred years?"
Han Wangke looked at Zhang Yan with extreme astonishment, scrutinizing him up and down for quite a while, as if he couldn’t believe it. Finally, he sighed and said, "Since I was expelled from Dragon Abyss Marsh due to certain reasons over two hundred years ago, I have not returned to the Mountain Gate for a long time. I didn’t know such a talented individual had emerged within the sect."
With a sigh, he asked, "How did you come to East Victory Continent?"
As he spoke, he seemed to realize something and shook his head, "I am no longer a person of the Mountain Gate, so you need not tell me."
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "This matter does not need to be concealed. The Han Yuan Sect was established here by True Master Shen during his travels in this place. Now that he has returned to East Splendor, he could not bear to abandon it, so he entrusted me to come and take care of it."
Han Wangke was taken aback and said, "True Master Shen? Could it be Junior Master Shen Baishuang?"
Zhang Yan nodded and said, "That’s right."
Han Wangke pondered for a moment and thought to himself, "Yes, True Master Zhuo ascended after breaking through the realm several decades ago, and Junior Master Shen probably returned to the Mountain Gate at that time."
Zhang Yan saw that he remained silent for a long time, glanced down, and asked, "Are you acquainted with Shao Zhongxiang?"
Han Wangke returned to his senses and shook his head, "I have no dealings with this person. I agreed to come here because I owed a favor to the Luo Family in the past. However, before I was expelled from the Mountain Gate, I swore not to cause trouble for the disciples there. Since you’re here, I better not intervene, so I’ll retreat now."
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Brother, there’s no need to rush to leave. The third round doesn’t need to be contested."
Han Wangke had a change of thought and immediately understood what he meant. The first round was counted as a victory for the Han Yuan Sect. If Zhang Yan also won the second round, there would be no need for a third match, meaning he wouldn’t be breaking his promise. He slowly nodded.
Seeing that the two were just talking in mid-air without making a move, Shao Zhongxiang looked up with suspicion but couldn’t order Han Wangke around since he was hired by the Python Clan. At this moment, he saw Zhang Yan suddenly wave his hand to disperse the thunderclouds, and Han Wangke also began to descend, so he frowned and stepped forward, "Daoist Han, what’s going on?"
Han Wangke gave Shao Zhongxiang a bow, apologetically saying, "Daoist Shao, please forgive me. Sect Leader Zhang’s divine skills are beyond my ability to withstand."
Shao Zhongxiang couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times, but he was not a fool and could sense there was some unfathomable reason behind this. This was not the time to pursue it, so he snorted, "That’s fine. After I win against Daoist Zhang in a while, we’ll count on you for the third round."
Han Wangke returned the gesture silently, going back to sit on a stone.
Shao Zhongxiang flicked his robe sleeve, came before Zhang Yan, and said coldly, "Sect Leader Zhang, you and I will compete in the second round. Follow me." With that, he suddenly soared into the sky, turning into a ray of light heading into the clouds, his tunneling speed not slow at all.
Zhang Yan smiled, his sword ball flew out, and wrapped his body in light, soaring up as well.
All sects’ cultivators witnessed the previous match in confusion, not understanding what had happened. Seeing the two main figures on stage now, they were all excited. However, as they watched their tunneling lights going further and further, eventually breaking through the Gang Cloud, entering the Extreme Sky above, they were left looking at each other, puzzled. Despite their eyesight reaching far off, they couldn’t penetrate the Gang Cloud.
Upon reaching the heavy sky, Shao Zhongxiang did not stop his tunneling light, continuing to ascend. After traveling thousands of miles and feeling the whistling Gang Wind between heaven and earth, he finally turned around and stopped, casting his gaze.
This place was almost approaching the Second Realm Heaven, with whirlwind Gang Qi far more intense than below. Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t endure it without the protection of a Dharma Treasure. However, having practiced swordsmanship here for years, he was long accustomed to coming and going freely, so he intentionally had the fighting location chosen here.
At a distance of a hundred zhang, Zhang Yan stopped, placed his hands behind his back, and said, "Sect Leader Shao, do you wish to duel here?"
Shao Zhongxiang said coldly, "Sect Leader Zhang, if you dare not, you may leave."
Zhang Yan gave a tolerant smile. He had cultivated the God Contract to the Four Realms, giving him a sturdy body capable of moving mountains. This little Gang Wind couldn’t harm him. He said, "Sect Leader Shao, no need to say more. I shall come and learn your skills." Saying this, he shook his sleeve, releasing over a hundred ink-black water droplets.
Shao Zhongxiang let out a shout, throwing out a funnel full of silver light, with its sharp tail pointing down and the large mouth facing up. With a slight tremble, it unleashed a Jin Cloud.
The You Yin Heavy Water hadn’t reached him yet but was absorbed by the cloud mist, suddenly falling lower, every drop sucked in. Only the Xuanming Heavy Water remained unaffected, maintaining its speed as it advanced.
Seeing this water was unusual, he showed a cautious look, not catching it head-on, but shifted his shoulder to dodge aside. At this time, darkness suddenly clouded above him. Looking up, he saw a massive hand formed from yellow dust coming down toward him, precisely timed. It was too late to withdraw now. Letting out a shout, a black and white pair of sword lights rose behind him, crossed like scissors, tearing an opening through which his body soared, transforming into light and flying out.
Within the Fengxiang Sword Sect, there were six famous swords, corresponding to six cultivation techniques. Only when the Dharma and the sword merged could their power reach its peak. Shao Zhongxiang was once bestowed one of the Six Swords, the "Hundred Shadow Sword." However, after being ostracized out of the sect, this sword was also taken away. While pursuing the Dao outside, he found someone to forge a sword in its likeness. To remedy the defects, he also forged a Yin Sword. The two formed a pair like male and female, not necessarily surpassing the original, but being made specifically for himself, they suited him well.
He halted his tunneling light a hundred zhang away, turned in the air to return, but suddenly noticed something amiss. A few sword lights had enveloped him from above and below, front and back, closing in.
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...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)
