Chapter 192 - 113: To Falter or Not (Part 2)

Chapter 192: Chapter 113: To Falter or Not (Part 2)

As the Flying Sword slashed down, Zhou Jun came to a sudden stop. He formed a Magic Formula, and a sharp white light shot skyward from behind his shoulder. It was dazzlingly brilliant, radiating a golden aura as it swept toward the Moon Shadow Sword. But it was like striking an afterimage—the illusion vanished with the blow, only for another sword light to emerge from the shadow cast by the Moon Shadow Sword itself.

’The Moon Shadow Sword... so its shadow is the real blade.’ The thought flashed through Zhou Jun’s mind for a moment before he cast it aside. He shouted, "Perfect timing!"

With a calm shrug of his shoulder, Zhou Jun unleashed another light, this time an azure one. It morphed into thousands of azure chains that swept upward, clashing with the Moon Shadow Sword. They didn’t destroy the blade, but merely held it back for an instant. Immediately, a ceaseless torrent of new chains surged forward, wave after wave, to entangle and ensnare it.

Li Changfeng’s expression flickered. Forming a Sword Technique, he let out a sharp cry. The Moon Shadow Sword spun, transforming into a blur of light that sliced through thousands of azure chains and swiftly broke free.

Zhou Jun wasn’t surprised. Forming a Magic Formula before his chest, he laughed aloud. "It’s rude not to return a favor! Senior Brother Li, now it’s your turn to receive a move from me!"

"Hah!" Before Li Changfeng could react, Zhou Jun let out a great shout. His body shuddered, and a cacophony of sounds filled the air: the ring of a drawn blade, the rustle of swaying trees, the RUSH of flowing water, the CRACKLE of sparks, and the rumble of trembling stone. At the same time, brilliant radiances of five colors—white, azure, blue, red, and yellow—burst forth, illuminating the entire arena.

Xuzhuang stepped away from the railing and returned to his seat. He picked up his teacup, his expression unreadable.

Sun Suzhen said calmly, "Have you forgotten, Junior Brother? The Sect Leader himself proclaimed that Zhou Jun is a true seed for the Dao—blessed with fortune, aptitude, and deep roots."

Xuzhuang shook his head. "I know what you mean, Senior Sister, and I am not disappointed for that reason."

He raised the cup to his lips, took a sip, and sighed softly. "What disappoints me is Changfeng’s sword. It’s too aimless."

Sun Suzhen smiled. "This is a trial we all have to face. Once he overcomes this hurdle, the path before him will be the Heaven-Reaching Dao."

Xuzhuang said flatly, "As his Human Master, I failed to point the way forward for my disciple. It is my failing."

Sun Suzhen’s brow furrowed slightly, not quite understanding what Xuzhuang meant.

As Xuzhuang and Sun Suzhen spoke, the situation in the arena unfolded exactly as they had foreseen. Li Changfeng had lost the initiative the moment his surprise attacks with the Separation and Reunion Swordsmanship and Invisible Swordsmanship failed. Overwhelmed by Zhou Jun’s Daoist arts, he was quickly forced onto the defensive. He couldn’t even think of launching a counterattack to turn the tide; even the space he had to maneuver using Sword Escape was being squeezed away, inch by inch.

Li Changfeng was like a withered leaf in a storm, completely unable to turn the tide no matter how he struggled. After little more than a dozen exchanges, he was finally defeated.

A streak of red light washed over Li Changfeng. With a loud BOOM, scorching flames erupted everywhere. Seeing Li Changfeng freeze in place, his protective Magical Artifact shattered, Zhou Jun withdrew his technique. He smiled. "Senior Brother Li, you let me win."

Li Changfeng forced himself to clasp his hands in salute. "Junior Brother Zhou... a lesson well learned," he managed to say.

The chime of a golden bell rang from above. Li Changfeng turned to leave the field, and a boundless sense of desolation suddenly washed over him.

’His cultivation was complete, the six medicines gathered. For decades, he had been unable to advance, bitterly seeking a Top-grade Golden Core to no avail. And yet, the younger generation was surging forward like a tidal wave—their foundations deeper, their karmic fortunes greater, their Daoist arts stronger, and they were so much younger!’

Li Changfeng had thought himself long prepared for this day. But in the moment of his defeat at Zhou Jun’s hands, he realized he wasn’t nearly as accepting as he had believed.

A Refining Cultivator’s lifespan was three hundred years, and he had barely passed the first third. Yet, what he saw stretching before him were not long years in which he could peacefully pursue a Top-grade Golden Core, but... two hundred years of stagnation.

Dejected, Li Changfeng left the arena. He was about to compose himself when his gaze froze. He saw Yuan Hao standing there, trembling, arms hanging limply at his sides, seemingly afraid to move a muscle. Before him, a strikingly handsome Daoist stood with his hands clasped behind his back, waiting.

Li Changfeng shuddered. He rushed forward a few steps and hastily prostrated himself on the ground. "Your disciple greets you, Master! It has been too long. To see that your immortal features remain unchanged brings this disciple great joy."

Xuzhuang’s gaze lowered. He realized Li Changfeng was right—his own cultivation had advanced so quickly that his appearance hadn’t changed in a long, long time. He remembered when Li Changfeng first became his disciple, a mere callow youth. Now, by appearance alone, his disciple looked slightly more mature than he did.

Xuzhuang sighed silently. With a flick of his sleeve, he said, "You two, come see me at the Celestial Flying Pavilion." He then dissolved into a wisp of cloud and smoke, drifting away toward a distant Flying Pavilion.

So, the Xuzhuang before them had only been an incarnation.

Li Changfeng kowtowed respectfully. "Yes, I will obey Master’s decree," he said. Only then did he stand, call to Yuan Hao, and ride a beam of sword light into the sky.

Down below, the match between Fei Fan Yan and Tang Fanglai had already begun, but Li Changfeng had no mind to watch. He flew with Yuan Hao up to the Flying Pavilion and saw Xuzhuang seated within. Beside him were familiar senior figures—Sun Suzhen, Yan Renhe, Zhe Junyang, and others of their generation.

Li Changfeng released Yuan Hao’s arm and strode into the pavilion, preparing to kowtow once more. Yuan Hao, following close behind, immediately prostrated himself as well.

Xuzhuang shook his head slightly. With no discernible movement, an unseen force lifted Li Changfeng and Yuan Hao to their feet. "You have already bowed," he said flatly. "There is no need for repetitive ceremony."

Li Changfeng and Yuan Hao hurriedly assented, then turned to greet Sun Suzhen and the other seniors.

Xuzhuang waited patiently. Only after the two had greeted everyone did his gaze fall upon Yuan Hao. "Yuan Hao," he asked, his voice neutral, "I heard that you placed in the top sixteen of the Foundation Establishment Grand Tournament. An excellent result."

After awakening Yuan Hao’s consciousness and bringing him to Tai Su, Xuzhuang had seemingly forgotten about him. He had let him continue cultivating with his yao body, struggling all on his own in the Outer Sect. Fortunately, he had the companionship of Zhou Jun, as well as the frequent guidance of Li Changfeng, who instructed him in his cultivation and Swordsmanship...