Chapter 624 466: Clash (Part 1)

"This must be some sort of long-range spell... First, let's search for his whereabouts!"

Most of the time, Yu Muxian cultivated within the sect and rarely engaged in combat, yet he had studied countless spells; in the blink of an eye, several methods of defense flashed through his mind, and with a single thought, he selected one:

"[Heavenly Golden Cymbals]!"

He gathered his Mana, channeling it through the tip of his ring finger into the earth for Kun, drawing Metal Gang into the midsection for Dui; in the center of his middle finger, spells converged, emanating golden rays and shadows, appearing in the sky above.

Above Yu Muxian's head, a golden cymbal, marked with intricate patterns, gradually solidified from illusion into reality, floating overhead. With a gentle turn, a curtain of golden-white light descended—this spell resonated closely with the Immortal Foundation 'Golden Melting Cave' within him.

'First time I've used this spell in actual battle; it feels quite natural.'

He blinked slightly; the spell's feedback arrived quickly, and his vision suddenly revealed a scene—a single Mysterious Patterned Golden Arrow, as if it might pierce through the clouds at any moment. A vague sense of distant threat filled his heart.

"Is that... Li Xuanfeng?"

There were few bow users in Yue Country, and fewer still who could attack from such a distance. With a famed Mysterious Patterned Golden Arrow, Yu Muxian had long taken note of this man's look and Magic Artifact; how could he not guess? Silently cursing in his heart:

'I even hoped to turn conflict into peace... Seems I was too naïve! He's truly set on harming me!'

Yu Muxian never wanted to offend him; Li Xuanfeng had the trust of the Yuansu Perfected Person. If he wished to cut ties with Yuanwu, he needed to maintain good relations with the other Zifu members in the sect. Yu Muxian even half-dreamed of teaming up with Li Xuanfeng.

Now that this hope had crumbled in a single night, hatred welled up in his heart:

'Spineless, constantly worrying about those petty family matters! Now I've become Yuanwu's enemy!'

Since Li Xuanfeng had attacked him first, Yu Muxian naturally wouldn't let him off. With two Spiritual Artifacts on hand, killing him would be all too easy—only the risk of offending Yuansu Perfected Person made him hesitate.

He lightly parted his lips, spitting out a string of golden shards. Blown by the wind, they quickly grew in midair, transforming into six round shields, their surfaces covered in scales-like motifs, each floating at a different position around him.

"Boom!"

A thunderous roar erupted. The six round shields merged, advancing and retreating as one, forming a seamless whole, spinning in accordance with a certain Formation. Yu Muxian had already anticipated the direction of the incoming attack, blocking it dead-on in midair.

'Just as I thought—a Mysterious Arrow!'

The arrow flickered in the air, and then instantly vanished. Activating his Pupil Technique, Yu Muxian saw it clearly: a golden, phoenix-like arrow, incredibly agile in appearance.

"I found you!"

He sneered inwardly, but just at that moment, two Magic Artifacts suddenly shot forth from the distance: one an ancient, elegant sword inscribed with mysterious runes, shimmering pale white as it sliced through the air; the other, a massive wave of dusky gray flames, swift as the wind.

Only now did Yu Muxian's expression dramatically change. How could he not recognize that gray flame? Even the ancient-sword seemed familiar; finally, a chill crept up in his heart.

'No! They've planned to ambush me as a group from the very start.'

He was startled inside, though his face still retained that immortal calm, unfazed façade. The six round shields—both metal and stone, hovering uncertainly—condensed into six Dharma Shields, which he directed to meet the oncoming sword and gray flames. He called out:

"Senior Brother! Come to my aid, quickly!"

Yu Muxian was always cautious by nature; just because he possessed two Zifu Level Spiritual Artifacts didn't mean he'd get careless. The two attackers had exceeded his expectations—forcing him wholly on alert. Still hiding his two magic treasures, he opened his mouth again.

His cultivation in 'Golden Melting Cave' was of an ancient method; during training it was excruciatingly painful, rarely mastered— yet, once succeeded, he could internalize and nourish Magic Artifacts inside him like a true Zifu. Now, he spat forth a new string of golden-white lights.

Yu Muxian himself was a Refiner Master, fond of forging matching sets of artifacts. The light rapidly expanded in midair, transforming into diamond-shaped Magic Artifacts—sharp and slender in front, broader at the back—like daggers, weaving through the air freely, lined up one after another, making a string of eight.

"Clang!"

Xiao Yongling's [Feather Mountain Sword] came tearing through the air, transformed into a dazzling pale-blue beam — rare enough sword control technique — heading straight toward him. Yu Muxian hurriedly responded, not daring to be lax, forming seals with his hands once again.

"[Verdant Hook Activation Spell]!"

This spell, he had practiced thousands upon thousands of times— far more proficient than his previous techniques. A stream of gray wind surged from his sleeve, swiftly twisting around the flying sword.

This gray wind was meant to disrupt others' Magic Artifacts, coupled with the subtlety of the Immortal Foundation within him, specialized in hooking and controlling opponents' artifacts. For a moment the sword wavered, as if at a loss for direction. With this spell's aid, though the eight diamond-shaped Magic Artifacts responded hastily, they managed to forcibly knock the sword back.

He barely had time for these countermeasures; meanwhile, the gray flames crashed against the six Dharma Shields, causing them to creak and groan, as if on the verge of splitting, but these shields, refined with many arcane mysteries, all shifted back an inch in unison, miraculously holding off the gray fire.

In the far distance, Li Yuanjiao, shrouded in Mysterious Mist, hand on his sword, stood far amidst the clouds, not yet making a move, nor even drawing near. The golden cymbal spell above Yu Muxian's head was astonishingly perceptive; instead of making the first move, he kept his scrutiny firmly on the six round shields.

These six shields felt extremely familiar to him; with a bit of recall, Li Yuanjiao swiftly remembered a battered Magic Artifact long discarded and lying broken in his Storage Bag.