Chapter 323 - 176: Divine Light Overwhelmingly Shatters the Formation
The Immoral Taoist’s line of thinking certainly had merit. Even if, for the sake of argument, Da Ji Zhenren hadn’t chosen Xuzhuang for the match, the tables would simply have turned. It would then be the Immoral Taoist’s side pitting a mid-tier contender against a top-tier one.
But Jide Taoist expressed a faint, hidden concern about this.
Although the two had disagreed on the first and second matches, the Immoral Taoist still couldn’t ignore the words of Jide Taoist. He asked, "Brother, what makes you say that?"
Master Jide pondered for a moment. "I won’t hide it from you, Brother. According to my divinations, if Xu the Kid really does face Jin Yuanzai, our side’s fortune will actually take a downward turn."
"Oh?" The Immoral Taoist frowned.
Jide Taoist’s study of fortune was indeed profound. However, the Immoral Taoist had always felt that the path of fortune was too volatile to be relied upon.
But with a divination expert of comparable skill interfering on the other side, the Immoral Taoist had to admit that the path of fortune might have its merits.
But precisely because the tides of fortune were ever-changing, even if Jide Taoist had truly divined this outcome, it wasn’t necessarily a definitive answer.
’Perhaps it means Xuzhuang is no match for Jin Yuanzai and will be defeated. If that happens, the Yi Daoist lineage will likely be facing total defeat in this battle for the Spirit Root.’
’That is undoubtedly the worst possibility. If it’s true, even if I manage to avoid this matchup for now, Jin Yuanzai will still be a grave threat to the Yi Daoist’s side in the final contest over the Spirit Root.’
’But there are other interpretations. It could mean that a fight between Xuzhuang and Jin Yuanzai would force Xuzhuang to reveal too many of his techniques, exposing the secrets of his Daoist arts. Or perhaps they would both be grievously injured... It’s even possible that Master Jide’s divination was simply wrong. All of these are possibilities.’
That being said, he was unwilling to continue playing into Da Ji Zhenren’s hands. It was imperative that he seize this chance to eliminate one of their top combatants.
After mulling it over, the Immoral Taoist replied in a low voice, "Alright, I understand. Don’t worry, Brother."
Seeing that he had a plan, Jide Taoist said no more. The Immoral Taoist hesitated for a second, then called out to Xuzhuang, "Xu the Kid!"
The conversation between Jide Taoist and the Immoral Taoist had been private, so Xuzhuang was rather surprised to be suddenly called upon. He cupped his hands and asked, "Zhenren, do you have instructions for me?"
The Immoral Taoist pulled Xuzhuang aside and asked in a low voice, "Kid, let me ask you. If you were to face Zhuo Hansheng, what would you say your chances of winning are?"
Xuzhuang smiled at the question, but only said, "I’m not familiar with Fellow Daoist Zhuo’s techniques. Since we’ve never fought, I can’t say for sure."
Despite his words, however, his expression held not a trace of uncertainty. Seeing this, the Immoral Taoist felt a surge of confidence and said sharply, "Good. Let me rephrase. In the next match, you will face Zhuo Hansheng. Can you win as cleanly and decisively as Zhong the Kid and Li the Kid?"
Xuzhuang’s eyebrows shot up. The Immoral Taoist’s implication was clear—he wanted him to win with overwhelming force, and without revealing too many of his techniques.
That was easier said than done. Zhong Shenxiu and Li Chengzhen were one thing, but Zhuo Hansheng was from the Dinghu Dao Lineage, hailed as "the One Zhuo." In terms of cultivation level alone, he was even higher than Xuzhuang. He was not an opponent on the same level as Lan Su Nu or Cen Fenghong.
𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
Without hesitating, Xuzhuang replied, "I will do my utmost."
He hadn’t given an absolute promise, but it was an acceptance nonetheless. The Immoral Taoist grinned, said a single word, "Good!" and then strode out from their ranks. Da Ji Zhenren, who had been waiting for some time, immediately produced a talisman upon seeing him emerge.
Wasting no words, the Immoral Taoist exchanged talismans with Da Ji Zhenren. Just as he’d expected, the name on the talisman was Xuzhuang!
On Da Ji Zhenren’s side, Zhuo Hansheng’s spirits lifted the moment the name on the talisman was revealed.
Among everyone present, Xuzhuang’s cultivation level wasn’t considered top-tier. Not to mention being compared to Jin Yuanzai, he was even a notch below Zhuo Hansheng and Li Chengzhen.
But neither Jin Yuanzai nor Zhuo Hansheng dared to underestimate him. His reputation in the Cyan Sky Realm aside, his performances at Lai Xian Hall and the Guangcheng Dojo were enough to prove that his command of Daoist arts was far beyond what anyone might imagine.
However, a duel with such an expert was exactly what Zhuo Hansheng had been hoping for. Empowered by Da Ji Zhenren’s talisman, he couldn’t wait any longer and shot off the Jade Platform on his sword.
"It’s all on you, Xu the Kid!" the Immoral Taoist called out. Xuzhuang simply offered a cupped-hand salute in response, then his figure shot straight into the air, transforming into a streak of rainbow light in direct pursuit of Zhuo Hansheng.
After leaving the summit, Zhuo Hansheng’s streak of light didn’t stop, continuing to race into the distance. After flying for several hundred miles, he was already clear of the mountain range. Here, the world was vast, with more than enough room to unleash any technique. Only then did he turn and stop, casting his gaze back.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, the last time we spoke, I mentioned wanting to ask for your guidance on Swordsmanship. I never thought the opportunity would present itself so quickly."
Zhuo Hansheng tapped a finger in the air, and a sharp Flying Sword, pulsing with a brilliant aura, suddenly materialized. His tone grew stern. "Its name is the Lingxu Sword. After you."
’A Magical Treasure Flying Sword,’ Xuzhuang noted, coming to a halt. He slapped the gourd at his waist, and the Taiyi Rainbow Sword instantly leaped out. Like a flying fish, it swam in an erratic pattern around him. He replied in a clear voice, "The Taiyi Rainbow Sword. After you."
"Good!" Zhuo Hansheng barked. In an instant, the Lingxu Sword traced an arc of light, streaking toward Xuzhuang like a flash of lightning.
Seeing Zhuo Hansheng’s lethal strike, Xuzhuang made no move to dodge or evade. With a flick of his Sword Technique, the Taiyi Rainbow Sword shot forward to meet it. It slashed out, clashing with the Lingxu Sword in mid-air and producing a melodious sound—not like the grating of metal on stone, but like the chiming of a zither or the ringing of a bell, crisp and sweet.
Generally speaking, when Sword Cultivators dueled, if one party attacked first and the other had room to maneuver, they would never rush to counter-attack. Instead, they would first try to evade the brunt of the assault. Otherwise, if they were forced onto the defensive, they could be instantly overwhelmed by an offense as fierce as a raging tempest.