Chapter 149: Chapter 132: Deaths on All Sides, Spirit Fire Takes Form!
"Haha, the turtle bastard has come out!"
"Hmph, beasts like you dare to presumptuously mimic human speech!"
A human and a demon cursed each other angrily, then immediately unleashed their skills and engaged in combat.
The Demon Bull, with its thick skin and immense strength, wielded a jade axe with divine might, every swing carrying tens of thousands of pounds of Qi Power, unmatched in ferocity.
But Ji Fenghua opened his mouth and spat out a brilliant Sword Seal, which flashed like thunder towards the Demon Bull’s forehead.
This sword strike, like a meteor, vanished in a blink, swift to the extreme, a sure-kill style typical of a Sword Cultivator. Though the Demon Bull was strong, compared to a Sword Cultivator’s technique, it seemed clumsy, unable to dodge, and was struck directly in the forehead by the sword light.
"Clang!"
Yet atop the Demon Bull’s head, a white Treasure Pearl, seemingly floating up unbeknownst, emitted a radiance and descended an invisible Force Field, freezing the Sword Seal in place.
Seeing this, the Demon Bull showed a hint of joy, leaping up to strike at Ji Fenghua.
But Ji Fenghua merely sneered.
"Fix!"
He whispered, and a Jade Token from his waist suddenly shot up, transforming into a white strip, coiling around like a Flood Dragon, firmly binding the Demon Bull.
Then the Sword Seal, held in place by the white Treasure Pearl, suddenly split, releasing a brand new sword light, which swiftly aimed again at the Demon Bull’s forehead.
"Sssh!"
The Demon Bull could not even cry out before its skull was pierced, dying instantly.
"Beasts born of fur and scales, wet-born from eggs, how can they contend with my Profound Sect’s True Technique?"
With a victorious strike, Ji Fenghua triumphed with great momentum, speaking coldly.
Then, with a wave of his wide sleeves, he collected the Demon Bull’s corpse, the white Treasure Pearl, and the jade axe into his sleeves.
This white Treasure Pearl appeared to be an Exotic Treasure born of heaven and earth, even when crudely refined by this Demon Bull, it could immobilize his Sword Seal. If refined through Secret Techniques, it could surely become a Protective Spiritual Treasure.
This battle profited significantly.
"Boom!"
Just then, above the Great River, black Demon Qi rolled up, shaping into a massive palm, seemingly furious and intent on crushing Ji Fenghua, but from the Flying Smoke Dharma Boat came a cold snort, and in an instant, brilliant sword light pierced through the giant palm.
Ji Fenghua saw this and sneered, preparing to retreat.
But at that moment, from the Array below the Great River emerged a burly man with silver horns, holding a great halberd, with green light seemingly flashing in his eyes.
"Human Race, don’t be arrogant, dare to duel me, I assure you it’s a one-way trip!"
The silver-horned man thundered like the voice of thunder, challenging Ji Fenghua.
Ji Fenghua, having won the previous battle and harvested plentifully, did not intend to engage in another battle, but upon meeting the silver-horned man’s gaze, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of exhilaration and enthusiasm.
"Why not?!"
Ji Fenghua replied loudly, then abruptly turned back to face the silver-horned man.
"Not good!"
Yinn Xingchao muttered a silent bad omen from the Dharma Boat, wanting to warn him, but above the Great River, the Earth Evil Water Heaven Array roiled incessantly, seemingly isolating all Divine Thought.
Seeing this, Yinn Xingchao could only sigh deeply and remain silent.
Outside the Dharma Boat and the Array, life and death rely only on oneself.
Even he finds it hard to provide protection.
Even if he were to send others out of the Dharma Boat for rescue, it would be too late.
Being challenged before the Array is this perilous, though he was somewhat annoyed that the Demon Race are not fools, that Demon Bull was clearly bait.
Exchanging life for life, truly a bloodthirsty bunch, so ruthless!
...
...
Meanwhile, Ji Fenghua was unaware, only feeling boundless heroism and invincibility in his heart.
Sword light divided into several strands, with the Momentum of Thunder, attacking the silver-horned man while shouting:
"Petty abomination, dare to be arrogant!"
But the silver-horned man merely sneered, swinging his great halberd, unleashing Essence Qi like smoke, limitless Qi Power, like a giant holding up the sky, powerfully slashing.
"Boom!"
The Sword Seal was swift but could not rival this formidable Qi Power, letting out a mournful sound before falling back into Ji Fenghua’s Dantian.
Ji Fenghua’s expression changed, as if awakening from excitement at last, he slapped his hand, immediately activating the Jade Token at his waist, trying to trap the silver-horned man, while swiftly retreating, attempting to escape.
"Ha!"
But the silver-horned man merely shouted, and an invisible Sound Wave rolled up, transforming into a terrifying Soul Capturing Power.
Ji Fenghua trembled all over, his gaze stagnated, and he stood frozen on the spot.
"Puff!"
Then the silver-horned man’s great halberd struck, directly slicing him in half!
"Hahaha, Human Race cultivators, worth nothing, leave the Great River quickly, and I might spare your lives!"
Having achieved victory in a single blow, the silver-horned man couldn’t help but laugh triumphantly, jeering at the Flying Smoke Dharma Boat.
...
On the Flying Smoke Dharma Boat, the various Foundation Establishment cultivators originally saw Ji Fenghua win with a single strike, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement. Yet, suddenly, the situation turned dire, and within a few breaths, Ji Fenghua perished.
This scene left everyone’s faces pale, with some even breaking into a cold sweat, seemingly overcome with fear.
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator, at the prime of life, just died like that?
Some seemed to harbor thoughts of retreat.
Yinn Xingchao, with keen perception, immediately rebuked, "Have you all grown timid after living in peace for too long? Just a mere challenge has shattered your courage?!"
"No wonder each generation is weaker than the last, with the younger generation being suppressed by the Sunset Glow Sect!"
"Without the slightest bit of ambition, how can one achieve the Great Dao?"
He immediately understood in his heart why the Daoist School was so eager to campaign against the Red Moon River. In stagnant waters, how can a True Dragon be nurtured?
After living peacefully for too long, everyone only considers personal gain and schemes. The death of one Foundation Establishment cultivator already stirs thoughts of retreat.
What a bunch of useless people.
No wonder a single Flowing Cloud Banquet allows a humble lineage to obtain nine strands of Spiritual Qi.
Thinking of this, he instinctively glanced at Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan, sensing something, looked up, but Yinn Xingchao had already withdrawn his gaze.
"Senior Brother Yinn, I am willing to leave the boat to slay this enemy and avenge Junior Brother Ji!"
At this moment, among the Su Family seats, a tall, handsome young man slowly stood up and requested to fight from Yinn Xingchao.
"Senior Brother Gu, this person is named Su Jingming. In terms of seniority, he should be Su Huazheng’s uncle. He established his Foundation twenty-seven years ago and has been cultivating at the early stage of Foundation Establishment for nearly thirty years. He possesses numerous methods, only one step away from advancing to mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and is considered one of the most powerful in mana among us."
As soon as Su Jingming stood up, Ma Wu introduced him to Gu Yuan from his side.
Gu Yuan nodded, glanced at the man, and didn’t take it to heart.
During the time he established his Foundation, he had learned a lot about the various Foundation Establishment cultivators within the Daoist Temple.
It was precisely this understanding that made him realize who his actual opponents would be if he wanted to seize the True Inheritance Position.
The real opponents are not on this boat but on the other two Dharma Boats.
The ones who seized the ten spots from that Flowing Cloud Banquet thirty years ago are the real competition.
These people were extraordinarily gifted and came from prominent families. Over thirty years, they almost all progressed to mid-stage Foundation Establishment, with some even attaining late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. They are the mainstay of this campaign.
Compared to them, Gu Yuan and the others are just the fortunate young generation who, thanks to the fall of the True Dragon and the Red Moon River campaign, rapidly gained Spiritual Qi and successfully established their Foundations.
In terms of methods, they are still far inferior to those preeminent cultivators.
Only those who advance bravely and diligently over ten years can challenge their status. Otherwise, purely based on cultivation, these people can easily outmatch Gu Yuan and his peers.
Su Jingming has yet to reach mid-stage Foundation Establishment in nearly thirty years, clearly indicating average talent and luck.
And now, his challenge shows a clear misunderstanding of the situation, revealing a lack of depth.
Indeed, as soon as Su Jingming issued his challenge, he was immediately rebutted by Yinn Xingchao:
"Challenging now, do you think the Demon Race would respond to it?"
"The challenge before the formation was just a Demon Race tactic to trade life for life, aiming to cut down seven or eight of our Dharma Boat’s array discs to relieve the threat of the array being broken."
"The Demon Race in the Nanpo Territory has limited inheritance. If we truly competed, they would certainly not withstand us, hence resorting to such methods. Should you leave the Dharma Boat now and challenge at the top of your lungs, they would not respond."
As soon as Yinn Xingchao finished speaking, the silver-horned burly man laughed and retreated back into the Grand Array, not appearing again.
The crowd on the Dharma Boat immediately showed dejected expressions.
"Senior Brother, now that things have come to this, what should we do? Are we unable to break this Grand Array?"
Su Jingming’s face stiffened, but he still cupped his hands and asked again.
"Such trivial Demon Race, how could they know our Profound Sect’s Mysterious Skill?"
"Thinking to break our Dharma Boat’s Grand Array so easily is nothing but a fool’s dream."
Yinn Xingchao smiled faintly and then flicked his fingers, releasing a palm-sized flame from his sleeve.
This flame seemed full of Spiritual Nature, bouncing around the boat like a child, cheering happily.
"Stop fooling around and take your position!"
Seeing this, Yinn Xingchao couldn’t help but shout.
At the sound, the flame dimmed slightly, seemingly reluctant, but obediently settled onto the Spirit Disc originally occupied by Ji Fenghua.
Not only that, but within the flame, a tiny tendril formed, gently caressing the Spirit Disc as if sensing some form of energy.
Then the flame suddenly expanded, growing to the height of a person, the blaze consolidating until it slowly took on a humanoid shape.
Judging by its appearance, it somewhat resembled Ji Fenghua.
Seeing this, the flame seemed very satisfied, and it couldn’t help but pat its hands and feet, cheerfully sitting on the Spirit Disc and pretending to meditate.
But it wasn’t long before it showed signs of impatience, wanting to scorch the robes and hair of those nearby.
But before it could act, it was stopped by Yinn Xingchao’s gaze, reluctantly halting.
This scene captured the attention of everyone on the boat, leaving them staring unblinkingly.
And with the flame sitting on Ji Fenghua’s Spirit Disc, the Dharma Boat’s Grand Array immediately became complete, once again blooming with dazzling brilliance.
"It is impolite not to reciprocate. They killed a disciple of our Daoist School; how can we let them off easily?"
"Is there anyone courageous enough to leave the boat and fight?"
