Chapter 625 466: Clash (Part 1)

"[Six-Stone Cloud Disk]!"

This magic artifact was once obtained from devil cultivators; records say it was forged by Yu Muxian of Yuanwu Peak. It had served well several times, but was finally shattered by Situ Mo's Golden Blade Technique, and has been useless ever since.

The [Six-Stone Cloud Disk] is quite similar to his six Dharma Shields—perhaps it was Yu Muxian's earlier trial piece before he crafted those shields. Still, this artifact had been sacrificially refined by Li Yuanjiao, so he knew its strengths and weaknesses well.

He decided instantly, retrieving the battered [Six-Stone Cloud Disk] from his storage bag and handing it to Li Xuanfeng at his side, pointing out:

"Uncle, just strike at one shield, and look for the nodes at Wu-Six Jia-Seven and Ding-Three Geng-One. Those two spots are where Gold Essence and Cold Iron intersect; his shield likely uses higher-grade materials, but the fundamentals won't differ much!"

Li Xuanfeng nodded, accepted it, and rode the wind away. Li Yuanjiao, on the other hand, settled into the cloud sea like a gray snake lurking in the grass, not moving at all.

Originally, Li Xuanfeng hadn't needed to attack Yu Muxian from such a distance. Yet in this Cave Heaven, the mists disrupt Spiritual Sense and block Pupil Techniques. Normally, just a distant glance could kill an enemy—but not here.

However, by using the Spirit Aperture in his palm to channel a Metal Gang spell, Li Xuanfeng only needed to shoot one arrow up close. If he marked Yu Muxian's mana with Metal Gang, he could sense him later, just like he'd done to that E'erwu.

Riding the wind out to the furthest range, Li Xuanfeng nocked another arrow, drawing the bow, faintly relying on his senses:

'Let's see just how far your spell can chase me!'

After one clash in the cloud sea, both sides understood each other's magic artifacts. There was no need to hide anymore. Xiao Yongling revealed his form, caught up to his precious sword in midair, gripped it, and approached silently.

Tulong Jian was even more unpredictable—he'd somehow gotten within three feet of Yu Muxian's side, swinging his golden hammer violently for an attack.

Yu Muxian shifted his shoulder gently and changed mudra, marking Seal Script for You on his pinky's upper joint, Xu and Hai on the middle and lower joints respectively, shaping his hand like a lotus as he sat in midair, pale yellow light glinting from his eyes.

"Crash…"

In an instant, a golden lotus bloomed in the air. Layer upon layer of petals enveloped him. He made no move to attack, ready to respond to any change, intent only on holding out until Tang Shedou could return in support.

These three spells in succession showed his brilliance—not only did he cast all kinds of spells with ease, but the way he instantly judged the flow of Spirit Mechanism in heaven and earth, changing gestures for different spell methods—this was true talent fused with masterful training, far outstripping the others nearby.

The Li Family's foundation was shallow, Xiao Yongling—a half-blood Zifu direct lineage—also was clearly not adept at spell mudras. As for Tulong Jian, he too seemed to lack mastery of spells, unable to manipulate Spirit Mechanism to weaken others, forced to act by brute force.

Yet Xiao Yongling, known as [Yushan Weng], was famous, hardly someone to underestimate. He flicked up his Dharma Sword, spun a sword flower, and pushed his Immortal Foundation 'East Feather Mountain' to full power, parting lips to spit out a wisp of white vapor.

The vapor scattered through the air, drilling downward with concentrated force, swirling and dancing overhead. The spirit mechanism in the sky solidified, faintly taking the form of a towering mountain—neither rising nor falling—just poised in midair, seemingly suppressing the Spirit Mechanism.

His Dharma Sword then slashed through more than a dozen lotus petals, yet there was a strange resistance—as if even the sword was being swallowed inside. Not skilled in swordsmanship, he hastily withdrew the blade.

Tulong Jian's golden hammer closed in. The power of his gray fire was terrifying; Yu Muxian's six golden shields were forced to intercept it. Even as the enemy rushed him, he dared not recall them, so he pressed his forefingers together, raised them to tap at the golden hammer.

It looked suicidal, but Tulong Jian just lifted an eyebrow, only to see his golden hammer forcibly halted midair—he was amazed, both hands glinting with energy.

Yu Muxian quickly withdrew his fingers, forced into a desperate defense. The six Dharma Shields retreated again and again, the gray fire looming close, yet he still hesitated to summon his spirit instrument.

'If I reveal the two Zifu Spirit Instruments now… most likely the rest will flee, and at most I'll only wound one—this really isn't wise.'

Yu Muxian was determined not to leave future troubles. If he acted, he'd have to use those two Zifu Spirit Instruments to keep all of these people here—to kill them cleanly.

'Tulong Jian still carries one of the six Jade Boxes from the hall—worth killing him for!'

Sure enough, in this instant, Tang Shedou already flew into rage, abandoning Miao Ye to come to aid. Eyes blazing, he bellowed:

"Who dares to harm my junior brother!!"

Miao Ye, on the other hand, felt he's been pardoned by the gods. These families fighting—how could he meddle? He had no thought of joining in; finally seeing a chance for escape, he dropped out of the fray and bolted away.

Despite his hatred for Tang Shedou, Miao Ye was cautious and shrewd:

In today's situation, even if those plotting against Yu Muxian win, Miao Ye might be silenced anyway; if they lose, he'd still die. And as for reaping the spoils—who doesn't have a hidden ace? Nothing's ever that simple!

As he decisively retreated, Tang Shedou was freed up, long halberd sweeping through the air, his years of late Foundation Establishment power on full display.

The earlier battle had long since convinced Tulong Jian and the others of Tang Shedou's astonishing strength—they sensed danger. Yu Muxian, however, showed a smile, about to speak when his ears began buzzing.

"Hmm? Another attack?"

Yu Muxian sneered, spells whirling overhead, [Heavenly Golden Cymbals] circling. He blinked, then froze.

'I can't find it! How could this be!'

From the start of the attack, Yu Muxian had controlled the tactical flow, calmly analyzing everyone's strength and motives. But now, for real, he was stumped.

The [Heavenly Golden Cymbals] patrol was meant to detect incoming spells and magic artifacts, its methods subtle and precise—designed to avoid being fooled by enemy movement techniques or concealment magic artifacts. So it couldn't be Li Xuanfeng using some sort of hiding technique.

"If he can attack from so far, why did he start by falling within my patrol range… and waste his advantage?"

Thoughts flashed through his mind, still confused. Unable to pinpoint where the arrow came from, he was overwhelmed. Tang Shedou's long halberd was only one movement technique away, while the buzzing in his ears crescendoed.

A sense of crisis surged in his heart, blood forming a bead on his tongue, metallic tang spreading. Yu Muxian made his decision instantly:

"No more hiding!!"

He opened his mouth and spat out a golden ring, about as thick as a pinky but big as a head, covered in countless Seal Script. The magic artifact drifted upward, unchanging in size, rising high into the air.

"Zifu Spirit Instrument [Ceasing Spear]!"

Sure enough, the moment the golden ring appeared, the buzzing vanished completely. There was no clear movement or golden light attack, yet inside the ring another Mysterious Pattern Spirit Arrow had materialized.

This Spirit Arrow seemed alive, struggling inside the ring and clanking against the metal, but the power gap was overwhelming. It couldn't break free and could only circle helplessly.

Seeing this artifact, everyone's expression changed. Tulong Jian narrowed his eyes, thinking:

"The first Zifu Spirit Instrument emerges—and it's for body protection… this just got a lot harder."

His Spiritual Sense flickered, coldly scolding his token:

"Still dare call yourself an ancient spiritual instrument? Their new-made spirit instrument is showing all this might! If you don't work harder, and something happens to our allies… what are you going to do?"

All faces turned grim, only Tang Shedou gave a sigh of relief. He knew best how Yuanwu Perfected Person valued this junior brother—if he died here, Tang Shedou himself would be crippled for sure.

Yu Muxian, ever calculating, had never discussed Zifu Spirit Instruments with Tang Shedou, so Tang was both surprised and delighted—he stopped rushing and, face turning cruel, pointed his halberd at Xiao Yongling.

Xiao Yongling glanced coldly at the gold ring, well aware it was modeled on a certain magic artifact of old. No time to scrutinize, he drew back his sword to block, fingers in his sleeve secretly gripping a jade hook.

Their magic artifacts had yet to meet, but Tang Shedou's mouth ran faster, mocking aloud:

"People of the Xiao Family! Ha! Must be plenty familiar with the look of [Ceasing Spear]! This so-called [Yushan Weng]… you might become the next Xiao Xianyou!"