I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

Since Du Youqian intended to connect with Nanfeng Master, he had naturally done his homework, thoroughly investigating the man’s temperament, significant past experiences, and personal style.

He could tell that Nanfeng Master was already suppressing his anger.

Du Youqian remained calm. "It seems you don’t believe me, Master. But that’s fine. The only way to know if I have the strength is to test it. I hear Master Changfu of D Subteam is at the Nascent Soul Early Stage. How about this: let me spar with Master Changfu. If I’m fortunate enough to win by a move or two, let me take over as Squad Commander. What do you say?"

Nanfeng Master narrowed his eyes, sizing up Du Youqian. A smile slowly bloomed, the kind one has when admiring a magnificent flower in spring—full of appreciation and fondness.

"I hear Master Changfu took a concubine from the Yin Family of Dali City. With his help, she actually reached Core Formation. Because of this, she earned his deep affection, and he intends to make her his primary wife. Meanwhile, Dali City is in chaos. The Yin Family has good relations with a side branch of the Duan Clan and is preparing to invest more heavily to help that branch gain the upper hand. But... they might have other plans as well."

Du Youqian fell silent for a moment before smiling. "I always thought you were an unfettered spirit, Master, unconcerned with worldly affairs."

"Hahaha! It’s true I don’t care for mundane matters," Nanfeng Master said with a wide grin, "but how could I not care about the great affairs of the world, the great affairs of the Immortal City Alliance? Dali City is an A Level City in the Alliance. It’s a metropolis of ten million people, ten times larger than Ruihan City and rich in resources—a city that can produce Nascent Soul Cultivators. You tell me, should I care?"

Hearing no intention to interfere in his tone, Du Youqian smiled. "Then, about my spar with Master Changfu..."

"I like young people who have both ambition and ability," Nanfeng Master mused. "Immortal Cultivating doesn’t mean cultivating until you’re indifferent to everything. We’re not Immortals yet. Besides, even if one truly becomes an Immortal, who can really live as a carefree wanderer?"

He didn’t answer Du Youqian’s question directly, but his meaning was clear. He knew that Du Youqian’s desire to spar with Master Changfu was part of a much larger plan—a crucial step in his scheme for Dali City.

But as he had said, he didn’t dislike ambitious, calculating people. He only disliked those whose strength couldn’t match their ambition.

As long as Du Youqian could prove he had the ability to fight above his Realm and truly contend with Master Changfu, Nanfeng Master was happy to go with the flow and grant him this favor.

This matched Du Youqian’s assessment of him perfectly.

"In that case, I will leave the arrangements to you, Master." Du Youqian bowed and took his leave.

「The next day」

A rumor spread like wildfire through the allied army’s camp. "Did you hear? That new Golden Core Cultivator from Ruihan City, Sui Xiao, is challenging D Subteam’s commander, Master Changfu!"

"He really doesn’t know his own limits. They say the gap between Nascent Soul and Golden Core is even wider than the one between Golden Core and Foundation Establishment."

"That’s not quite right. Core Formation is a fundamental transformation of life. The gap between a Core Formation Master and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator is actually greater than the gap between an ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivator and a Core Formation Cultivator."

"So, does Master Sui Xiao have any chance of winning at all?"

"No way. Master Changfu might only be at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, but he excels at Magical Combat and has Mighty Powers. With such a gap in Realms, a Core Formation Cultivator stands no chance. That Sui Master is just asking for a beating."

"But Master Sui Xiao is incredible too. I heard he’s not even a hundred, yet he’s already at Golden Core Late Stage. That... that has to be a Celestial Spirit Root! I’m so envious."

"A Celestial Spirit Root... you only see one of those every few decades. The last person to have one was probably Kai Feng Master from the Seven Cities Alliance. He isn’t even two hundred yet, and they say he’s about to break through to Nascent Soul Middle Stage. *Sigh*, why are the heavens so unfair? Why must people be sorted into different classes from the moment they’re born just because of their Spirit Root?"

"Then stop being human. Go become a ghost. Ghost Cultivators don’t need Spirit Roots."

"...The path of a Ghost Cultivator is incredibly difficult. I’d rather hope for a reincarnation with a Celestial or Earth Spirit Root. Honestly, I’d be happy with just a Top Grade Spirit Root."

But soon, the tide of gossip began to turn.

"I heard that when Master Sui Xiao was at Foundation Establishment, he could already fight on par with a Core Formation Cultivator. Now that he’s at Golden Core Late Stage, beating someone at Nascent Soul Early Stage probably isn’t too hard for him."

"I have a friend from Ruihan City who told me that on the very day Master Sui Xiao achieved his Pill Formation, he took down three of Ruihan City’s veteran Core Formation Masters with a single sword attack. Two of them were even at the Core Formation Middle Stage. It’s obvious Master Sui Xiao is a master of fighting above his rank."

"Why hasn’t Master Changfu accepted the challenge yet? Is it possible he knows he can’t win and is too afraid to fight?"

"Master Changfu has lost his edge. In the old days, he would’ve jumped at the chance to teach Master Sui Xiao a harsh lesson."

"If he loses this time, his whole life’s reputation will go down the drain..."

"Who knows? Maybe Master Sui Xiao will go on to defeat many more Nascent Soul Cultivators, or even Tier Four Demon Kings. Master Changfu would just be the first on his list."

Of course, Du Youqian was the one who had people spread these rumors.

Otherwise, he was genuinely worried Master Changfu would refuse the spar.

Of course, the rumors probably spread so quickly because Nanfeng Master secretly allowed it, perhaps even fanning the flames himself.

Besides making these arrangements, Du Youqian was conserving his energy, preparing to face a formidable opponent.

He had done his homework. Just as the rumors said, Master Changfu was skilled in Magical Combat and Swordsmanship, and he was decisive and ruthless in battle.

Perhaps because he had spent too much energy mastering Magical Combat and Swordsmanship, he was now eight hundred years old and still hadn’t broken through. His future on the path of the Dao would likely be difficult. Forget Nascent Soul Late Stage; reaching Nascent Soul Middle Stage within his lifetime was looking doubtful.

However, his combat prowess was on par with an average Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator.

Du Youqian was confident, but he knew it would be extremely difficult to defeat Master Changfu in a spar without resorting to lethal techniques.

He could not afford to underestimate him in the slightest.

「Several days later」

Word came from Nanfeng Master: Master Changfu had agreed to the spar.

In truth, the rumors Du Youqian had been spreading these last few days had forced his hand.

He had no choice but to agree.

If he refused the spar, the entire Immortal City Alliance would think he was afraid of Du Youqian.

The sparring ground was a stretch of wasteland, temporarily prepared by several of the allied army’s Nascent Soul Masters, who had set up an Array to contain the power that would be unleashed.

On the day of the spar, the only spectators were the dozen or so Nascent Soul Cultivators of the allied army, along with a few exceptionally well-connected Golden Core Cultivators.

A spar of this caliber was naturally not a spectacle for the entire army to watch.

Du Youqian arrived early. Master Changfu, however, made a late entrance.

Though Master Changfu’s expression was calm, anyone who knew him could sense the rage simmering beneath the surface.

Being inexplicably challenged to a duel and then roasted by rumors—even an immortal would have a temper.

So, upon seeing Du Youqian, he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "Master Sui Xiao. A handsome young prodigy indeed."

He then shook his head.

The implication was clear: ’Handsome, but not much else.’

Du Youqian’s earlier investigation had revealed that Master Changfu seemed to have problems with emotional control.

Whether it was due to his Cultivation Technique, a Secret Technique he practiced, or simply the frustration of his stagnated cultivation, his mental state was clearly unbalanced.

Du Youqian decided to test this by provoking him. "You praise me too highly, Master. It seems you’re not very enthusiastic about this spar. Why don’t we add a little wager to make it interesting?"

Master Changfu replied, "I’m not particularly interested in fighting a junior, it’s true. As for a wager... what do you have in mind, junior?"

Du Youqian grinned. "I hear you have a concubine named Yin Rouxi, a beauty who could topple cities. Why don’t we make her the wager? If you lose, Master, you give your concubine to me. If I lose, I’ll give all of my concubines to you. How does that sound?"

The onlookers all shook their heads. ’This Master Sui Xiao is truly shameless...’ they thought. ’...But it’s effective!’

As predicted, Master Changfu flew into a rage. He spoke in a chilling tone, "As I see it, we don’t need a wager. In fact, we don’t even need a spar. Since you’re so confident, let’s make it a duel to the death. If you lose, your life is mine. If I lose, my life is yours."

Du Youqian held up his hands in a gesture of regret. "I’d love to, but the senior Masters won’t allow it. They believe that even if someone like you were to die, Master, it would be a loss for the Alliance."

Nanfeng Master feigned anger. "Master Sui Xiao, watch your tongue!"

Then, he turned to Master Changfu and said sternly, "Master Changfu, don’t stoop to a junior’s level. Please adhere to the rules of this spar. We are here to determine a winner, not to take a life."

Seeing the tight line of Master Changfu’s lips, Du Youqian knew his plan had worked.

"Let the spar begin!" Nanfeng Master commanded.

Du Youqian immediately surged forward, closing the distance to Master Changfu.

Why would Master Changfu fear close-quarters combat? With a cold sneer, he launched his Flying Sword. Hundreds, even thousands of sharp Wind Blades shot toward Du Youqian, and the Flying Sword itself vanished, hidden within the storm.

The few spectating Nascent Soul Masters frowned.

It was just a spar, yet Master Changfu had unleashed two Divine Abilities from the very start. He was clearly out for blood, having let his True Fire ignite.

But Du Youqian didn’t dodge or evade. He charged straight into the storm of a thousand Wind Blades. A flicker of delight lit up in Master Changfu’s heart. ’No matter how strong your physical body is or how powerful your Protective Gang Qi, you’re still just a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator. There’s no way you can block this head-on.’

’Junior Sui Xiao, your arrogance has been your undoing!’

But what happened next left him utterly dumbfounded.

As the Wind Blades and the hidden Flying Sword neared Du Youqian, they seemed to hit some kind of invisible restraint, their speed dropping drastically.

They were inches from his body, yet that short distance seemed as vast as the horizon.

Master Changfu frantically tried to recall his Flying Sword. In that split second, Du Youqian had already broken free of the Wind Blade Divine Ability and was almost upon him.

WHOOSH! In a single bound, Du Youqian crossed several dozen feet, appearing behind Master Changfu and wrapping him in a tight bear hug from behind.

’What kind of fighting style is this? A Mortal’s brawl?’

Master Changfu never imagined that a high-level Magical Combat between Cultivators would feature such a ridiculous spectacle.

His Flying Sword whipped around and slashed at Du Youqian’s neck.

DING! The Tier Four Flying Sword only managed to break the surface of Du Youqian’s skin.

’What kind of Divine Ability is this?!’

’It’s basically cheating!’

’How am I supposed to fight this?!’

Master Changfu was furious. Just as he was about to struggle harder, Du Youqian’s own Flying Sword was already at his throat.

"One move, Master, and your head will be separated from your body."

Feeling the tyrannical, unstoppable Sword Intent radiating from Du Youqian’s Flying Sword, a chill ran down Master Changfu’s spine.

He said nothing, but he also stopped struggling.

Nanfeng Master let out a sigh. "Master Sui Xiao is the victor."

The handful of spectating Nascent Soul Masters exchanged stunned glances.

They had all discussed it beforehand and agreed that the spar would end with Master Changfu’s victory.

After all, Master Changfu was an expert in Magical Combat.

No one had expected this result.

In the space of a single breath, Master Changfu had been utterly defeated!