飘零影音

Chapter 126 - Arc 9: Disciple Recruitment | Chapter 126: Yun Lie VS Zhong Sheng

Translator: Lynn

Yun Lie’s countenance turned icy, and his finger snapped forth: “Under the decree of the black dragon, any transgressor of the sect’s ordinances shall be apprehended.”

At the close of his utterance, a jet-black token suffused with an imposing aura ascended into the air. Gradually, the token emitted tendrils of ebony light that congealed, growing denser by the second, until the entire emblem transformed into a colossal obsidian dragon, hurtling directly toward Li Cai.

Observing this, the two Golden Core Formation stage cultivators were heedless of Xu Ziqing’s plight; in unison, they bellowed, “Halt!” and hastened to intervene, striving to thwart Li Cai’s capture.

However, their martial prowess was no match for Yun Lie.

The black dragon insignia within the grasp of the chief executor was a superior-grade spiritual artifact, rendered even more formidable when infused with Yun Lie’s true essence. Metamorphosing into a serpentine entity, it entwined and ensnared Li Cai in its maw, effectively restraining him in its vice-like grip.

Li Cai retorted indignantly, “I am the scion of the Jile Peak’s Ancestor; dare you lay hands on me!”

Yun Lie remained indifferent, and the Golden Core Formation stage masters had no recourse but to begrudgingly assail Yun Lie themselves.

Yet, the enigmatic figure in black intoned anew, “Impede lawful enforcement, and you shall also be apprehended.”

At Yun Lie’s gesture, the black dragon emblem cleaved into two illusory duplicates, transmogrifying corporeal dragons. These draconian apparitions swiftly seized the two Golden Core Formation stage masters, ensnaring them much the same as Li Cai.

The two cultivators found themselves incapacitated, enveloped in a constricting force, mirroring Li Cai’s fate. Although now entrapped, a fleeting sense of relief surged within them. Neither was eager to directly oppose Yun Lie, whose expertise encompassed the formidable threshold of the Killing Ruthless Sword Technique, indicating a high likelihood of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.

Besides, the Nascent Soul Patriarch in Li Cai’s Peak was also a force not to be trifled with. Their present captivity stemmed from their own shortcomings; yet, this did not necessitate compromising their integrity.

In a breath’s span, the onlookers’ vision blurred, and the trio who had been unabashedly domineering moments ago were subdued by Yun Lie. This dramatic reversal elicited both admiration and astonishment, a testament to Yun Lie’s unwavering resolve.

Yet, in this very instant, an enraged bellow resonated through the firmament: “How dare you, you insolent scoundrels!”

Following the resonant outcry, a mighty blow descended from the celestial expanse like a meteor, a titanic force unleashed!

The impact of that punch hurtled directly toward Yun Lie.

Yun Lie raised his gaze slightly, and his eyes glinted with a golden luminescence. Swiftly, an imperceptible sword intent surged forth, intercepting the formidable force of the heavy fist.

“Boom—” A robust current of air surged forth, conjuring up tumultuous gusts and waves.

However, the sword intent diffused the power of the heavy punch, transforming it into an ordinary gust that appeared fierce but lacked the potency to harm any cultivators. It dispersed in all directions.

The heavy punch disintegrated, followed by a cold snort of anger resonating from the atmosphere. In the blink of an eye, the colossal creature swooped downward, its sinewy wings creating a hurricane several hundred feet high.

Within this tempest, a brawny figure swiftly descended from the creature’s back. His robust frame crashed onto the ground, the sheer impact causing the earth to crack and clouds of dust to rise.

A sudden cry of surprise rippled through the onlookers.

“That’s Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng Shixiong!”

“He’s the one who accompanied Li Cai here, and it’s no wonder Li Cai garnered such confidence!”

“To think he holds such a high position, yet he’s so devoted to Li Cai—”

“Senior Zhong is the most exceptional second disciple under Patriarch Jile Peak’s tutelage, and he enjoys Patriarch Jile Peak’s favor. It’s only natural for him to protect his last remaining grandchild!”

A chorus of astonished exclamations reverberated openly. In the midst of this, Xu Ziqing could certainly hear.

He contemplated, “This individual’s might is remarkable. I wonder about Yun Shixiong…”

This pondering led him to cast a fleeting glance at Yun Lie, who seemed unscathed yet bore an undercurrent of concern.

Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng stood upright, his body suffused with true essence that emanated from within due to his ire. This essence formed a fine layer of needles, as thin as a hair, densely covering his surface—a menacing sight. With a few measured strides forward, he emitted an imposing presence capable of making the earth tremble.

Spotting this formidable figure, Li Cai cried out pitifully, “Second Shixiong, save me! I don’t want to be sent to Sixng Peak!”

“Slaughter Sword Yunlie, you possess quite the audacity!” Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng cast a sidelong glance at Yun Lie, his eyes ablaze with intensity.

He uttered with a cutting edge, “You’ve only recently achieved the Golden Core stage breakthrough, and yet the Sect Master has bestowed upon you the title of the first core disciple, causing us to be demoted. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. Today, you’re attempting to apprehend my junior once again, exhibiting such overbearing behavior. I, Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng, wish to challenge you, and ascertain whether you’re truly deserving of your fifth rank in the Tianlong hierarchy!”

The proclamation resounded so loudly that it amplified the astonishment of numerous surrounding disciples.

“Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng is positioned at 38th on the Tianlong List, and he’s daring to confront the fifth-ranked sword master, Yun Lie?”

“After lying dormant in the Golden Core Formation stage for many years, Yun Shixiong resurgence is akin to a meteoric rise, which understandably raises skepticism.”

“Furthermore, Senior Yun has enjoyed the apex as a core disciple without facing a challenge. Thus, it’s only natural for Zhong Shixiong to attempt to rectify the balance now.”

Conversations among the gathered disciples hummed, with many contemplating Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s audacious words. However, Yun Lie stood like an imposing mountain, unswayed by the commotion.

After Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng finished his declaration, Yun Lie responded icily, “Are you obstructing the enforcement of our laws?”

Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s gaze flickered, and he replied, “This isn’t an obstruction of law enforcement; it’s merely a minor contest. If I emerge victorious, you must release my junior. If I’m defeated, I’ll acknowledge your leadership position.”

Yun Lie’s retort was cold, “Those impeding the law shall face repercussions.”

Seeing Yun Lie’s noncompliance, Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng felt a pang of shame and abandoned further diplomatic rhetoric. He emitted three hearty laughs and proclaimed, “Very well, then! Taste this!”

Without hesitation, he extended his arms and unleashed a potent punch directly forward. He bellowed, “Earth Dragon Emergence—” As he struck, an immensely violent energy surged forth, accompanied by a compacted brown radiance—dense and weighty—propelling out with resolute aggression.

This energy carried the whistling song of the wind, resembling a colossal maw manifesting within the gusts, opening wide with unyielding determination.

When this punch was unleashed, every disciple in attendance felt its impact acutely. They experienced a sensation akin to being struck by a violent tempest, their hearts surged with discomfort, and they were on the verge of spewing blood.

Xu Ziqing, in particular, bore the brunt of this force. Positioned alongside Yun Lie, he was the first to face the blow that had Yun Lie as its target. The torrential surge, bearing the dragon’s aura, crashed upon him like a tidal wave. It felt as if he had been hammered by a colossal weight, causing the corners of his lips to be smeared with blood before he could react.

This fighting technique was referred to as the “Earth Dragon Strikes the Earth Fist.” It comprised a set of intermediate-grade esoteric exercises, totaling seven distinct movements, each escalating exponentially in strength. Moreover, it meticulously imitated dragon attacks, progressing from the dragon’s head to scales, tail, claws, body, and horns. The final phase transformed the wind and power of the technique into a dragon, capable of rending mountains with its fangs and claws.

Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng, a peerless prodigy blessed with an exclusive affinity for earth elemental attributes, aligned perfectly with the earth dragon’s characteristics. Since joining Jile Peak’s tutelage, he had dedicated himself to mastering this advanced combat technique.

At present, he wielded its essence with expertise, having vanquished countless demonic adversaries outside the sect, earning widespread renown. Now, he intended to employ his most prized technique to test Yun Lie’s mettle.

Yun Lie sprang into action at this juncture. Fingers outstretched, a three-foot sword qi materialized and sliced through the air, intercepting the fist resembling a dragon’s head. Infused with tremendous momentum, it carried an aura of sharpness capable of cleaving through anything—a tangible intention to sever all in its path.

Simultaneously, he manipulated his robe’s left sleeve, generating a familiar force that lightened Xu Ziqing’s body. Reacting swiftly, he retreated, evading the impending force of the punch until he was clear of its reach.

Understanding the futility of intervening, Xu Ziqing recognized that his most valuable contribution was remaining in a secure position, providing support to his senior. Despite being physically distant, his unwavering gaze remained fixed on Yun Lie.

He resolved to witness this confrontation to its conclusion.

The sword qi sped forth swiftly, intercepted by the gaping maw of the dragon’s head. However, the potency of the sword’s edge was not something a mere semblance could withstand.

In an instant, the dragon form emitted a shrill cry before being pulverized to fragments by the relentless sword energy!

One punch proved insufficient. Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s eyes gleamed, and he delivered a sequence of four or five blows in rapid succession, each punch matching the previous in terms of both power and swiftness.

“Boom boom boom—”

The relentless cacophony of shattered air resounded ceaselessly, echoing with hints of wind and thunder.

Yet, the sword previously employed by Yun Lie remained intact, displaying a remarkable fluidity. It seemed to possess inherent wisdom, turning nimbly to intercept and shatter all four or five dragon-like fists.

Xu Ziqing’s gaze remained unbroken, observing a clash between Golden Core stage cultivators for the first time. The spectacle left him truly awestruck.

Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng unleashed numerous punches, whereas Yun Lie countered with just one well-timed sword stroke.

The observing disciples also grasped the situation: Yun Lie was decisively gaining the upper hand.

Seeing that his initial assault had failed to penetrate Yun Lie’s defense, Longquan Zhong Sheng’s complexion flushed. He inhaled deeply, channeling vital energy into his body before roaring, “Witness my second move, Earth Dragon Reversal—”

The punch carried an enigmatic quality; its strength wasn’t overtly formidable or apparent. Rather, it seemed to meld into the wind, evanescent, almost illusory.

However, as Zhong Sheng withdrew his fist, an air current centered on the impact point commenced a rotating outward expansion. Gradually, the belated force coalesced into countless razor-sharp air blades, each as minuscule as a scale. They shimmered with a brown hue akin to dragon scales, exuding an aura of majesty.

These air blades, reminiscent of petals, whirled at an incredible velocity, slicing through the atmosphere with a finesse sharper and quicker than any blade. Beginning at the dragon’s head and extending through to the scales, this attack redistributed the punch’s potency across a wider surface area, rendering the strike more potent, aggressive, and evasive.

Clearly, this move was Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s signature technique, and his countenance bore a smug satisfaction upon its successful execution.

If Yun Lie were to employ the same sword qi as before, although potent, it could only obliterate nearby air blades. Those evading his strike could prove devastating, causing considerable harm.

However, Yun Lie chose a different approach this time.

As the myriad air blades dispersed like raindrops, faint wisps of exceedingly thin, brilliantly white matter began forming around Yun Lie’s frame.

Xu Ziqing’s eyes widened in recognition—these were unequivocally sword qi!

In his days within the isolated realm, he had witnessed “Brother Yun” engage foes using sword energy several times. In those instances, the Heavenly Soul, much like Yun Lie now, had been enshrouded in countless strands of sword energy. As fine as hair, these threads coiled densely like cocoons, each possessing the potential to rend reality itself.

Presently, the sword energy enveloping Yun Lie was greater in quantity, finer, and denser than what Xu Ziqing had previously observed.

With each revolution, a soft explosion ensued, resembling silken rending. A cold, murderous aura lingered upon each strand of sword energy, augmenting their strength and malevolence.

In response to Yun Lie’s mental command, sword energy surged both horizontally and vertically.

This cascade of sword energy transformed into an array of white tempests, pirouetting amid the deluge of air blades. Each strand proceeded to obliterate innumerable air blades, unfurling like an intricate net and neutralizing them one by one.

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