Chapter 335 - 183: Mystic True Supreme Immortal Light
The Immoral Taoist let out a great laugh. A hand-rolled cigarette made of dried leaves appeared at his fingertips. He placed it between his teeth and said slowly, "The die is cast!"
Above the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree, a divine light formed a shimmering cloak, scooped up Jin Yuanzai, and tore through the atmosphere, heading for another location in the void.
From seeing the fight’s conclusion in the water mirror to witnessing this scene with his own eyes, Sima Zongfa—who had just confidently called the winner—couldn’t help but let his perpetually narrowed eyes widen slightly, revealing his shock.
Perhaps in a battle of techniques, immense power doesn’t always guarantee victory. But Xuzhuang had been trapped and confined, and the might Jin Yuanzai unleashed with the One Yuan Chen Golden Seal had likely surpassed the limits of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.
This was a strike forged from the combination of several factors: Jin Yuanzai’s talent and foundation, which were second to none among his generation in Taiyi Palace; his cultivation at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, with his profound arts perfected; and a world-shaking magical treasure forged by a Supreme Divine Power User from the very stars.
For Xuzhuang to even withstand it with his Innate Tai Su Qi Grand Capture was already stunning. But for him to then unleash the Five-Colored Divine Light, turn the tables, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat was simply... inconceivable.
Chang Su’Er propped her chin on one hand, a contemplative look in her eyes. ’I’ve always heard that the Profound Yellow Cultivation World is exceedingly prosperous,’ she mused. ’But it also seems to be in constant turmoil and rarely interacts with the outside world, making it extremely mysterious...’
Taiyi Palace dominated the Eastern Celestial Realm. How could it not be formidable?
As a disciple of Taiyi Palace, even someone with the highest talent couldn’t just do as they pleased within the sect. At a level like Jin Yuanzai’s, there were still one or two rivals who could match him, each vying for supremacy.
And that didn’t even include the previous generation who had passed the age limit and no longer vied for the top ten disciple spots. One had to remember that the number of geniuses in the sect who had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm long ago but struggled in vain to break through to the Primordial Spirit realm was not small.
So, coming from Taiyi Palace and having witnessed all this, it was inevitable to develop a certain sense of pride. While the geniuses of the world were certainly not lacking, if they were to be compared to the disciples of Taiyi Palace, they would seem merely ordinary.
But having witnessed Xuzhuang’s strength, Chang Su’Er suddenly felt that the old saying, "there are always mountains beyond the mountains, and heavens beyond the heavens," was not without reason.
’This Xuzhuang not only has a profound foundation and formidable Magical Power, but his mastery of the Dao is also exceptionally high. He has an endless stream of Divine Techniques and is also skilled in exquisite Swordsmanship.
’Jin Yuanzai used the One Yuan Chen Golden Seal and was still defeated by him, and in a direct confrontation at that. If word of this got back to the sect, wouldn’t it make everyone’s jaws drop... No, I’m afraid very few would even believe it.’
Sima Zongfa and Chang Su’Er only had a nodding acquaintance with Xuzhuang due to a prior engagement and didn’t know him well. Coupled with Jin Yuanzai’s towering reputation within their sect, they couldn’t help but be profoundly shaken.
Compared to those two, Mi Yuan Dao had long been paying attention to Xuzhuang due to his reputation for being a cut above Zhong Shenxiu. Cen Fenghong had also spent time with Xuzhuang, so while he was pleasantly surprised by the outcome, he mostly just showered him with praise, saying that Brother Xu was truly worthy of his thousand-year immortal grace.
As the crowd was marveling at the battle between Xuzhuang and Jin Yuanzai, another beam of divine light suddenly shot out from the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree, also heading for a different location.
The Immoral Taoist, exhaling a puff of smoke, chuckled and said to the Jide Taoist, "Zhong the Kid is smart. He eliminated Yao Liqing. Looks like we’ve finally secured the winning side. I just don’t know—"
"—who will be the one to get their hands on the Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit."
The Jide Taoist replied, "Knowing the personalities of Zhong the Kid and Xu the Kid, they’ll definitely fight it out one-on-one. It’s too early to declare a victor."
In fact, what genius cultivator wasn’t proud and arrogant? In past competitions, one-on-one duels were the most common.
The duo’s conversation immediately drew everyone’s attention, and all eyes turned to the Spirit Root to see the situation.
Seeing everyone’s reaction, the Immoral Taoist wiped the water mirror. The surface rippled, and the scene shifted to another location, only then revealing what had happened.
The divine light had already departed from the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree, but the area was still a wreck. Countless strands of black lightning shot about, striking the branches and provoking a violent reaction from the Spirit Root, which flashed with a blinding, painful light.
In the very center of it all, Zhong Shenxiu stood upon a jade-like branch with his hands behind his back. A purple, misty qi hovered above his head, and his Crane Robe was utterly unstained by dust. He appeared nonchalant and carefree, the very picture of a banished immortal.
Sima Zongfa’s eyelid twitched. Judging by the scene, it seemed Yao Liqing hadn’t caused Zhong Shenxiu the slightest bit of trouble. He couldn’t help but shake his head.
At that moment, the Immoral Taoist let out a soft sound of surprise. As if in response, a treasure light as brilliant as a rainbow and as clear as crystal burst into the water mirror’s frame.
Besides Xuzhuang and Zhong Shenxiu, only Li Chengzhen remained in the competition. The identity of the newcomer was self-evident.
The treasure light descended among the branches like rain striking stone, splashing out pearlescent motes. Li Chengzhen walked out from within it, flicked open a folding fan, and said with a smile, "Brother Zhong, I headed straight for your location. When I picked three Pearl Fruits along the way and didn’t see a soul, I knew the situation was off."
"A pity that even though I hurried back, I was still a step too slow, and Brother Zhong had already eliminated Fellow Daoist Yao."
The two seemed to be familiar with each other. Zhong Shenxiu just smiled faintly and replied, "I was entrusted with a task and must see it through. After all, they were many, and I was but one. To secure victory, I had no choice but to be a bit more aggressive."
Li Chengzhen said leisurely, "In that case, Brother Zhong will have to defeat me here to guarantee your chances of winning."
𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
"If I’m not mistaken, Fellow Daoist Jin should have engaged Xuzhuang by now." Li Chengzhen’s gaze met Zhong Shenxiu’s as he smiled. "Who does Brother Zhong think will win?"
Zhong Shenxiu gave a faint, noncommittal shake of his head and asked instead, "It seems you’re quite confident about fighting me, Fellow Daoist."
"That’s right," Li Chengzhen smiled. "As the saying goes, one should see a scholar who’s been away for three days in a new light. After being defeated by you last time, Brother Zhong, I reflected on my loss and diligently improved several of my Daoist arts. I even specifically mastered the Treasure Gang Great Spell."